ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1798, 4 October 1888, Page 4

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The Rev. Father Fauvel still continues bis work of improving and beautifying the Roman Catholic Church of Temuka. Some time ago we expected that he had done all that was possible to make the church look all he desired, but year after year the rev. gentleman finds room for improvement. The latest improvement he has effected is that of the ten Adoring Angels, which hitherto looked down on the altar; four of them now look out to the congregation, while the others occupy the positions which they previously did. In front of, and hiding, the doors which lead into the two confessionals on both sides of the altar he has erected pedestals. On the pedestal on the right-hand side of the altar stands a splendid statue of Jesus Christ, and on the left side is a large crucifix. The pedestals have been made by Mr J. Beri, cabinetmaker, Temuka, and painted by Mr Jackson. The work has been handsomely executed, and reflects credit on the tradesmen, who have done it. The pedestals are handsomely painted in black in what is called black and gold marble, and so well has the work been executed that at first glance one would be led to believe it to be real marble. On the caps and panels of the pedestals are inscriptions consisting of Scriptural quotations, and other pious sentences. On the front side of the pedestal on which stands the statue of Our Saviour are the words : “ My son, give Me thy heart.”—Prov., xxiii, 26. “ Come to Me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up My yoke upon you and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.”—Matt., xi., 28 and 29 ; “ If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments.”—Matt., xix., 17, On the left-hand side are the words : “ Love be to Jesus.” “ Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”—Matt., v., 8; “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make ray heart like unto Thine; ” “ Walk before Me, and be perfect,” —Gen., xvii., 1. On the right-hand side are; “ Praise be to God.” “ Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within my bowels.”—Psalm 50. “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on me; ” “ Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.”—lsaiah, Ivi., 6. At the foot of the cross on the top of the pedestal is painted a hammer, four nails, a spear, a crown of thorns, and a sponge. Beside the spear are the words: “ One of the soldiers with a spear opened His side.” —John, xix., 34; “They pierced My hands and My feet.”—Psalm xxi., 17. On the front of the pedestal are: “ O Crux ave spesunica ” (“ Hail Cross, whole hope ”) ; “ He loved me add delivered Himself for me.”— Gal., xi, 20; “.And, bearing His Cross, He went forth to the place which is called Calyary.”—John, xix., 17 ; “O all ye that pass by the way attend and see if there be any sorrow like to My sorrow.” —Lament., i., 12. On the right are: “He that taketb not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.”—Matt., x., 28; “ Whosoever doth not carry his cfoss, and come after Me, cannot he My disciple.”—Lute, xix , 23. On the left side are: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”—Luke, ix , 23; “ God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Gal., vi., 14. The new improvements add much to the beauty of the church, which is a credit not only to Temuka, but to New Zealand.