OPENING Of THE MORRINSVILLE CHURCH.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1744, 1 June 1895, Page 2

OPENING Of THE MORRINSVILLE CHURCH.

The opening service took place yesterday afternoon..at 3 o’clock, -when the building was comfortably filled with settlers and their families, mostly from the neighbourhood of Motrihsville, as the uncertain weather, and the bad state of the roads, prevented many from this part of the district from being present* The Most Reverend the Primate of New Zealand, Bishop Cowie, Conducted the Service, and he was assisted by Archdeacon, Willis, and “tho Revs. Evans, Wilson, and Cowie. The Rev T* A. doughin and T. A. Nome, were also present. -The service commenced with the singing of h.-mn a “ The Church’s One Foundation,”, after which the Primate read the special dedicatory pray ors appointed for the opening of churches. A hymn specially composed for the occasion by Miss'Stubbs, a lady visitor to Annandale, was then sung, and the vicar, the Rev Mr Evans, read the shortened form of evening prayer* The lessons being read by the Rev Mr, Wilson and the Yen Archdeacon Willis respectively. The address was based upon St; Luke 24. • 40, and was most helpful and liberal in its sentiments. After referring to the position of tho Apostles at the time these words were spoken, their realisation' that ..tlxeir Lord hadgone from them in the body .that He might r.come nearer to * them in the spirit, their j oyf ul return to JerUsalem, and their use of the Temple services in the worship of God, the Bishop congraulated those present on the possession of a building in which -they, too, could worship the same Lord atldMastor • Heexhor ted them to remember ber that they to’worship God as well as: to pray for blessings upon their bodies and souls. Ite hoped that the worship of God in that building would strengthen their spiritual life jmd enable them to lead earnest practical Christian lives;' v t - During the offertory Miss E. Wainwriglit sang most sweetly and with beautiful expression tho sacrod solo ‘ The Holy City,’ after which hymn '< All people that., on earth do well ,’ was sung with' great' spirit, and the blessing of the Primate concluded the service. The musical portions of the service were Yell and Heartily foddered, Miss Pickett playing* the new ..organ, which is an instrument of vary sweet tone, handsome appearance, and con-, siderable power. The new building is small but qnite large enough for the requirements of the district for some.years to come, and Mr ‘Hogan, the contractor, has * carried .out his work faithfully .and well.. , The. main portion, of the building is not yet lined, but it is expected that this necessary work will be undertaken as soon .as funds will allow. A sum of &7 has already. been donated towards tlu3 object. The Churofi vestry at,'Morrinsvillo are .to be congratulated upon being able to open the chutch free from debt,. and in their efforts to dothis they have set , an example that may well be followed in other places. The vestry is composed of the following gentleman -Churchwardens, Mar* shall and Schofield, and Messrs Ohepmell,, Gubbiu j Main, Clifford,, and Neals,-and to several of these the building of the church is due.