ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1325, 9 April 1885, Page 2

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

EASTER WEEK. Tbe paiSt week and succeeding three days have been full of interest, life and vigour, with regard to Church work. From Palm Sunday to Easter an octave of services was held, every morning at 7 o'clock, and every evening at 7.30, and on Good Friday services marked with great solemnity were held at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., and well attended. The services in the afternoon consisted of a series of "Meditations" on the " Seven last Words" of our Saviour upon the Cross. The whole of tbe services (with the exception of that on Thursday evening, when tbe Rev. T. Jasper-Smythe preached) were conducted by tbe Incumbeut. On Easter Eve the ladies of the congregation and several gentlemen assembled to decorate the Church. Their efforts were bighly successful and were more than ordinarily effective, exhibiting great taste and artistic blending of colour, In the navo the following text, painted on white calico, was recessed into the panelling betweeu the windows: " Now is Christ risen from the dead and beeome the first fruits of them that slept." Various devices beautifully executed adorned the lectern, readiug desk, and the chancel. Across the e»st window appeared the words "The Lord is risen." Tbe font was a special feature in the decorations. Those who were engaged in thin labor of love heartily deserve the thanks of tbe remainder of the congregation for their efforts to mark the joyfulness and gladness of Easter. On Easter Sunday the services in the Temuka Church at 11 and 6 30 were hearty, and the Church crowded. The Bennonin the morning was preached by the Incumbent from Romans viii., 37., "More than conquerors," and that in the evening by tbe lay-reader, Mr S. D. Barker, the subject of the sermon being "Christ the only true Revealer of Immortality." Forty communicants were present at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The anthem, " Now is Christ risen from the Dead," and the rest of the musical portion of the service, was well rendered. The Incumbent officiated aschaplain to the Volunteers at a Church Parade held at Winchester at 9 a.m., preaching from the text "Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ," and in tbe evening performed Divine service at the Winchester Church, which was crowded to overflowing with volunteers. The singing was most hearty and the little harmonium effectively handled by Mr U. L. Inwood " Come ye faithful, raise the authem" was splendidly taken up, net a few showing that they were trained choristers. After the sermon, Holy Communion was celebrated for the convenience of the Volunteers, many of whom availed themwtvw

'Of the opportunity thus afforded them. On Easter Monday preparation? were made in the Volunteer Hall for a sale of work and gift auction. Sca'lls and refreshment table were tastefully and temptingly laid out, and were well patronised during the evening—few appeared during the day owing to the sham fight and review at Orari. The proceeds were on the whole very gratifying to those who took such an active and enegetic part in endeavoring to expunge the Church debt. The work stalls were presided over by Mrs J. T. M. Hayhurst, Mrs O'Halloran, Mrs Hamilton, Miss Tait, and the Misses Pilbrow. The refreshment tables bv MrsHayhurit, Mrs Alderton, Mrs Morris, Mrs Robinson, and Mrs Windebank. The flower stalls by Miss Rutland and Miss Langridge, assisted by the Misses Pilbrow, Rayner, Wills, and Rowe. The produce was sold by auction: Sheep, poultry, etc., fetching good prices. At the close of the evening the goods remaining on the various stalls were disposed ot by auction. The thanks of the congregation are due to Mr K. F. Gray for his never-failing kindness upon these occasions for acting as auctioneer.

THE TEA. The tea held in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, last Tuesday evening was a great success. Mr Lee catered, and certainly placed on the tables, perhaps the best tea ever seen there. The tables were also tastefully laid, and everything was such as would please the most fastidious. The tables were presided over by Mrs Pilbrow and the Misses Pilbrow (2), Mesdames Bolton, White, O'Halloran, Larcomb, Higgins, Lloyd, Robinson, Alderton, Morris, and Windebank, and Misses Rutland, Rowe, and Neville, besides a host of other assistants whose names we were not able to ascertain. Over 150 sat down to the tea, and it waa done full justice to, after which the concert was held.

THE CONCERT. The concert, which commenced at 8 o'clock, was also very successful. _ The attendance was fair and the singing capital. It was opened with an overture by Mrs Hayhurst, which she played brilliantly, its title being " The Water Lily Waltz." She also opened the second part with the overture " See-Saw," which was played with equal effect, and accompanied the singers, with the exception of one or two songs which Mr D. L. In wood accompanied. Mrs Hayhurat deserves great praise for the way she played the accompaniments. Many accompanists thump away so loudly that they completely drown the siDger's voice. It was not so with Mrs Hayhurst. Hers was a gentle toucb, which elicited beautiful melody, sufficiently loud to guide the singer, but not| to drown the voice. Her playing was the more creditabb, because of the fact.that she had never played many of the songs before. Mr Rutland sang " The Midsbipmite" in his usually finished style, and "The Sailor's Grave" in the second part, with equal success. Owing to Miss Ladbrooke being unavoidably absent, the Rev. Mr Hamilton filled the gap thus caused with two excellent readings, entitled "Betsy and I are out." Mr Foster, of Timaru, next sing "The Skipper's Flag" splendidly. Mr Foster was in excellent voice, and did full justice to the song. We have seldom heard him to greater advantage. He also sang "The Gallants of England" and was rapturously encored, to which he responded by singing a nautical ditty that brought down the house. Mrs Hayhurst sang "Laddie" in a clear musical voice, und with due regard to th#nnusic, and received well-merited applause. The "Army and Navy" duet was capitally rsndered by Messrs Martin and Foster, and MiBS Innes sang " Dream Faces" in a manner that elicited an encore, to which she responded by siDging "The Blue Bells of Scotland." In the second part Bhe sang " Terence's Farewell to his Kathleen," and was also encored, her response being a Scotch ballad. She was in excellent voice aod sang well. Mr Gurr BaDg " The Outpost," but was suffering from a cold, and did not sing up to his usual mark. He had travelled from Oamaru on that day and did not seem equal to singing. In the second part he sang "Johnny Sands" with great effect and it was encored. Miss Statham sang> " Let me Dream Again' - in an easy and mnsicial manner that won for her great applause, and in the second part she sang " What have you brought for m*, John," effectively. Miss Innes and Mr Martin sang a duet entitled " Roy's wife of Aldivalloch," and weie loudly encored, with the result that they repeated the last verso. Mr Martin, of Timaru, also sang a splendid new song, entitled " The Eomany Lass," in a very powerful voice of great compass, and was thoroughly appreciated. This concluded the programme, and the Rev. Mr Hamilton then approached the footlights and moved a voteofthanks to the performers, especially to those who had come from a distance, and to all who had in any way contributed towards the success of their annual gathering. He also wished to thank the members of other congregations who were present. There was very little thanks due to members of their own, Church for any assistance they might give but members of other congregations deserved their thanks for their contribution to the success of the entertainment. The vote of thaiaks having beeu carried by acclamation the National Anthem was sung, and the whole proceedings terminated. ,