DR. SOMERVILLE’S MISSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5276, 21 February 1878, Page 2

DR. SOMERVILLE’S MISSION.

The noon-day prayer-meeting at the Man-ners-street Church yesterday was numerously attended, and among the requests for prayer was one for the widows of Wellington. Upon this subject Dr. Somerville based ids address, and discoursed very eloquently regarding it. The church was again well filled in the evening with a most attentive congregationThe proceedings commenced by the hymn “ Whosoever will” being sung very sweetly. The Rev. Mr. West afterwards offered up a short prayer. The choir having sung “ Hallelujah, it is done,” the Rev. Dr. Somerville preached a most able discourse from the 20th chapter of Acts, and the 20th verse-Almost thou persuades! me to be a Chri-tian." He gave a lengthy exposition of the text, treating it under the several heads of permission, invitation, entreaty, suffering, command, pas•ionate constraint, and giving a solcm-i oath. The address, which was an earnest and interesting one, was filled with touching narratives. The beautiful hymn “ Almost persuaded” having been sung, the meeting was closed, and an enquiry meeting afterwards held, for which a large number remained behind. In answer to an invitation that all those who wished to bo prayed for should stand up, seventeen responded, and prayer was offered up on their behalfThose who were Christians were also called upon, and the greater number present Hood up. After the benediction had been pronounced the seventeen were individually conversed with by the clergymen present.