ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2283, 31 May 1921, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Before commencing his sermon on Sunday night, the vicar (Kev. W. H. Walton) referred to the new altar frontal and hangings which had been dedicated at the early morning celebration. He pointed out that on An/.ac Day, 1920, an offertory had been taken up to defray the cost of the pulpit erected to the memory of those from this district who had fallen in the great war. More money than was needed had been subscribed, and it had been decided to utilise the balance, approximately £lO, in obtaining new drapings for the altar for the season of Trinity. The Rev. W. Raine, who was then vicar of the parish, approached Miss Steele, of Jolinsonville, who was at one time a parishioner of Foxton, and she had offered as a labour of love to undertake the making of them. The fruit of that devoted labour was before his hearers that night, and he would give them the opportunity after the service of more closely examining the wonderful workmanship and beauty of design. Every stitch represented that fundamental principle underlying the whole of Christ’s religion, “Sacrifice.” The whole work was an example to all who saw it of the spirit of self-sac-rifice which should dominate our lives. Miss Steele had not taken one penny for her months of wearying work, bill had actually returned to the churchwardens the few pence which had been left over after the material (some of which had come from England) had been paid lor. He knew this was not an isolated instance of Miss Steele’s devotion to the service of God. She had done much in other parishes to beautify the House of God, and he knew that he could convey to her the thanks of the whole parish and the expression of their keen appreciation of her gift.