CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 18847, 12 June 1920, Page 2

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES

FROM PULPIT AND PEW. A successful little sale of work was held on Wednesday afternoon in the Y.M.C.A. Hall. There was a good attendance of friends. the sale was opened by Mr J. L. McG. Watson, who referred to trie unavoidable absence oi the president, Mrs Laird, through indisposition, and wished her a speedy return to health. Mr Watson, in the course of his remarks, mentioned that this was the first sale oi work held for the "Victoria Home,’’ and the Junds raised that day were to be used lor painting and repairing the building. He spoke ol the good work which the Home was so quietly aouig. Thanks were due to all who had assisted in making the sale a success, particularly the Y branch of the W.C.T.U, who had made itself responsible lor a stall and the South Branch who conducted the tea--1 rooms. A good musical programme was carried out m the evening, tnose who so ably assisted were Mesdames Barnett and Anderson and the Misses Steele arid Baxter. The funds were benefited to the extent of about £43 by the sale. It is stated that the Rev. Jasper Smyth, who has been in charge of St. John’s Church for the past mouth, has been asked by the Bishop to continue Iris services lor some weeks longer. Mr Smyth will exchange duty with the Rev. W. Roberts, of Bluff, to-morrow. The Southland Methodist ladies’ auxiliary of foreign missions held its monthly meeting in St. Peter’s Sunday School Hall, on Thursday afternoon, Mrs Cossum, president of the auxiliary, being in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. It was decided to hold a cake and apron sale in aid of the auxiliary’s funds during the third week in July. It was also agreed to assist in maintaining an additional deaconess in the work among the Maori women and girls. The next meeting was fixed to be held at Don Street Church, on the first Thursday in July, when an address wall be given by the Rev. T. G. Brooke, the general secretary for Methodist Home Missions. The Dunedin Presbytery at its last meeting carried the following resolution with reference to the recent appointment of Archdeacon Richards as Bishop of Dunedin, submitted by the Rev. W. Gray Dixon; — "The Presbytery of Dunedin most heartily congratulates the Right Rev. Isaac Richards on his consecration as Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, appreciates his noble gifts which so manifestly qualify him for this high position, and prays that he may be more and more replenished with the Divine wisdom, power, and love to the great advancement in his dioccsc of the Kingdom of God.’’ In moving lire resolution, Mr Dixon exjjressed regret that through a number of circumstances this matter had not been dealt with earlier. All who know the Bishop were aware of his gracious (rersonality, and that he had tin* charm of a true spiritual character. He was sure that the community generally was thoroughly' satisfied with the choice that the Anglican people had made. Mr D. Wright seconded the motion, which was curried unanimously.

On Wednesday afternoon last the ladies of the .St. Peter's congregation met at an “At Home'’ gathering in the Sunday School Hall, when a women’s council was formed for the purpose of carrying out woman’s work in connection with the church. It was decided to commence work for a prospective bazaar to be held in aid of the building fund. In the evening of tile same day the men of St. Peter's Cnurch met in conference, and decided to form a men’s council to carry on the work of the church as it relates to men. It was agreed to co-operate in the coming bazaar for the building fund, a man's stall to be provided bv the council.

At last meeting of the Southland Presbytery the Rev. W. I*'. Findlay resigned the charge of Dortrosc, where he has laboured with great acceptance during the last 15A years. Mr Findlay has bent a minister of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church for about .‘l2 years, and has rendered great service to the cause of Jesus Christ in this Dominion, tor twelve years he had charge of the very extensive parish of Pukekohe where his work necessitated what was practically a life in the saddle. Alter Pukekohe he spent four years at Waikaka, until he was called t.o his present charge. During the last four years Mr Findlay hits carried on his work tinder great physical disabilities, and he feels that with failing health and increasing years he is no longer able In overtake the work of the parish. It is an interesting fact that in all three of Mr Findlay's charges he has conducted four services every Sunday. Mr Werlderspoon. of Woodlands, who had known Mr Findlay for many years, spoke in high terms of Ids fidelity and devotion to ihe work of Jiis piirishc.s and paid a striking tribute to his all round abilities in the work of the ministry. It is Mr Findlay's intention to lb. c in retirement at Timaru, where it is hoped he will enjoy many years of rest after his strenuous lifework. The popularity of religious services in which good music plays an important part was evidenced last Sunday night by the great congregation which assembled in St. Fetor’s Methodist Dlutreh, when a special service of that character was held. St. Peter's has a good choir under the conductorship of Mr Hensley, and with Mr Lee, as organist, and their work on Sunday evening was deserving of very great praise. The service opened with “The Pilot Song’’ tastefully rendered by the male voices of the choir, with full chorus by the whole choir, the rendition of which was an instance of how effective revivalist ic music nitty he when well given. Of the two anthems rendered one was unaccompanied and in both pieces the choir did excellent work, Mrs Alsweiler’s fine '.nice, showed to great advantage in the solo work in the oltertorinm, every note bring clear and full and the interpretation excellent. A male quartette, “The Chapel,” was also very nicely given, and a solo was sung- by Mr Hensley. The pulpit w.as occupied by Pc v. P. ,1. Cossutn, who preached it stirring sermon on the subject of “The New Song.” It is intended to hold these services monthly. Tlie Defence Department of Australia, on the recommendation of the. Military Board, has decided to abolish all military rank as far as chaplains are concerned. There re still to be four chisscs of cvhaplains, hut currying no military rank. Many chaplains who served during the late war, have expressed the opinion that the fact of their holding rank as officers had the effect of separating them from the privates and interfering in many cases with that feeling of comradeship so useful to a padre who

wants to get in dose touch with (he men. On Sunday night in Ihc Lcet Street Church the Rev. Harold Sharp will speak on the subject of gambling. The address will be one in which young men and women will he interested. Mrs Sharp will sing “The Wondrous Cress” (Baron). The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will he dispensed at First Presbyterian Church to-morrow. In the evening the Rev. J. L. Robinson will deliver a special address to young people, his subject being “Perfect Manhood.”