BISHOP JULIUS AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2057, 10 June 1890, Page 2

BISHOP JULIUS AT TEMUKA.

PAROCHIAL WELCOME.

On Saturday the Eight Eev. Bishop Julius arrived at 'iemuka by the express, and was received at the station by the Eev. T. A. Hamilton, the incident of the parish, the Eev. L. 0. Brady (of St. Andrews), the Bishop’s acting chaplain, and Messrs W. N. Catbro and E. Pinckney, churchwardens. After an interchange of greetings and introductions, His Lordship was driven to the Parsonage in a waggonette kindly lent by Mr H; Lee, and driven by Mr N. C. Nicholas. At 3 o’clock, at the* inof Mr? Hamilton, the smrpAy scuoop xeacheb? (past and present) of St, Saviour’s, l einukajand St. John the Evangelist’s, Winchester, assembled at the Wesleyan Social Hall, where they had an opportunity of conversing with His Lordship, and or receiving from him a few hints gathered from his varied experiences of the work they were mutually engaged in. Tea was dispensed by Mrs Hamjlton,' aud a very pleasant hopr spent. The Church oncers, anticipating that members of all communities would appreciate an opportunity of welcoming the Bishop, secured the large drillshed for the formal ;

PAEOCHLAL 'WELCOME, V W was arranged to take place at The hall wag very jflcejy decorated with pyergreeus, flags, and floral devices, and was lighted, in addition to the ordinary lamps, with colored lanterns and a large Rochester lamp kindly lent by Mr J. Beri. At the end a commodious stage was greeted, with seating provided for the pnited choirs of the Episcopalian. Wesleyan, and Presbyterian Churches. The seats in the body of tfle hall were arranged in a semi-circle, with two aisles, go that all could be easflv reached. So large, however, was the attendance—probably about 600 that a very large number of people had to stanfl. Shortly after the time appointed the' united choirs, with Mr Proudlock presiding at the 'harmo-: nium, sang the processional hvmn “Onward, Christian Soldiers,” * the -CQflgrega.fciop joining with them, as ) tflp' Bishop accompanied by^tjiel

Revs, T. A. Hamilton, L. C. Brady, and T, J. Smythe, entered the hall and ascended the stage. There were present also upon the platform the Bev. R S. Bunn, representing the' Wesleyan community, and Messrs J. M. Twomey, W. Rolleston, W. N Cathro, and Robert Pinckney. At the close of the hymn, the Rev, T. A. Hamilton, who occupied the chair, said they were all aware that the Bishop had passed through their town previously, but had only made a stay of a few hours, .They were now -met to give him a most cordial welcome. He, the chairmnan, had received from Messrs C. J. Rayner and D. L. Inwood congratulatory letters upon the event, both gentlemen expressing a belief that His Lordship had left the most important place until the last. (Applause). He himself thought that the Bishop, when witnessing so large a gathering would confess that it was, at all events not the least important. He desired to say a few words in connection with those friends of other denominations who had met there that evening to join in their rejoicing. It gave him a feeling of gladness to witness their brotherly conduct in this matter and he rejoiced that there should be such evident signs of unity. He had to apologise for the absence of the Rev. Q-. P. Mortu and the Natives from the pah. Important business in connection with a recent death in their midst precluded them from appearing that evening. The Rev. Rather Panvel also was unable to be present and wrote thus:— St. Joseph’s Presbytery, ... XT „ , Teinuka, June 4, 1890. 'V. N. Cathru, Eaq. Dear Sir.—Many thanks for your kind invitation to Saturday’s meeting. I am very sorry not to be able to comply with your wishes, but 1 feel that, you will excuse me most willingly, knowing the state of health lam in at present. lam just beginning to recover from a most serious illness, and remain exceedingly weak and confined to my room. Wishing his Lorclsoip a hovty we come, I am, eear Sir, yours ra-peoitnl v , , r I' r >uis I'auvel, _ T iii.,ki Parish Priest. The chairman went on to say that the Rev. Father Fauvel had deputed Mr J. M. Twomey to say a few words of welcome on behalf of the Roman Catholic community and had said that He wished His Lordship as hearty a welcome as any man could give.” (Applause.) He had also to apologise for the absence of the Rev. J. Dickson, who wrote:— ’

The Manse, Temuka, June 6il). 1890. To the Churchw miens St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka. Gentlemen, Allow me to thank you very much for the kin 1 invitation which you, the Churchwardens of St. Saviour’s Chureh, have sent me to attend a public meeting on Saturday evening, got up to welcome your new B shop to IVnu.ka, and to say that my engagements on that evening are such as to prec’ude ray availing myself of your kindness and favor 1 may say that I have had the pleasure of heaving your Bishop, and admire the natural, forcible, and fearless way in which p-V.;:;, ,roih. f : r, !l3 i',. ; >' :o hsh ,=ri:ou: ; 'nd r.ins oi the eg? and steer the helm or his own Church. I may also remark that I «ru willing to occupy when 1 can, any public platform you m »y get up, which you declare to be common to all denominations, to which I am invited by your pastor, and where the status and rights of the Ministry and Church to which I belong are duly re cognised. lam always pleased to extend courtesy and brotherly kindness to all the members of your Church, as becomes a member of Christ, and wish you much success in furthering, on your own lines, the cause of a common Lord and Master.’ lours sincerely,

John Dickson. Por himself he rejoiced at the Bishop’s presence among them, be.capse hp was assured that it was his endeavour to further the unity of the whole diocese, Under him he hoped that they would find their Cathedral the centre of all church life. They would be able to meet there and find what a noble body their church was. He hoped that all who heard His Lordship that evening would resolve to become more consistent churchmen. He thought all should endeavour to realise tfiat they \yere partners in a great church, and become workers apd not drones— workers not only with one another but co-workers with Christ, who had said Occupy till I come.” On such an occasion as this he could not refrain from thinking of their old Bishop, who after years of faithful seryice amongst them had retired, apd rras flow awaiting his reward. He fervently trussed" that tfleir present Bishop would have as long a sphere of usefulness amom* them, and when the time came would retire full of years and honor, and receive that eternal reward that would never bo taken away. (Applause). Mr Eobert Pinckney, parishioners’ churcJiwardeH, f:ben read the following address qp behaff of fhp phprch officers

To the Right Reverend Father in God Churchill Julius, Lord B shoo of Christchurch. 1 May it Pleas d your Lordship, —\y o the the undersigned Church officers of’ the Parish of Teniuka, on behalf of the Parishioners generally, brg to accord your Lordship our heartiest u ioua upon your elevation to the Episcopacy and o the oversight of the Diocese of apd \ye desire to tender to your Lordship a most copdiaj wejcone upon this the oocas on of vour firsJ toTemuk., and ™ " ‘ assurances of loyally and love. Krol yout public ufterancea we gather „ S "fa m LordGhip’a 8 desire to strengthen the country parishes hr f-- a Sin 6 needs" 13 {?* *"*"* le f. W a^ 6 P ersU£ tded that your Loidship a personal influence and cheerng words on these 'occasions will do I

much to compact the Church and foster a feeling of unity throughout the Diocese. Tour Lordship’s unbounded sympathy with humanity at large will tend greatly *o minimise the differences between oursnlves and those outside the communion "f the Church of England, and will draw US all closer in united efforts in promotmg_ Benevolence, Temperance, and Education, and in ameliorating the condition of the poor and distressed, and forming a solid phalanx against the h\p a wh'ch are prevalent in Goa’s world.'' With the fervent prayer and confident • hope that our beloved Church may prosper under your administration,. we subscribe ourselves, your Lordshfp’a faithfulrservanta,- . <■ j

■ W N,--Cathro, B. Pincknev, Churchwardens/ 4 J. Talbot, . : • J. Lan«ridob, E. C. Damn, . J- H. Walker, R. B. Comer, G J. Mason, ; E. Whitehead, ‘ E._ Pxlbrow, R. Chapman, • , A. Nicholas, ' , ; Vestrymen. The chairman then invited’ Mr J i Twomey to ex press the welcome of the Roman Catholic community. Mr Twomey said, he felt in an awkward position.-. He had expected that the rev; gentlemen present would havC? led the way, and that he would have been able to profit by their example.! In early life he had been Intended tor the church, but never came nearer performing' religious functions than that evening. Ho was there on behalf ofvthe .ißey. Father Fauvel and his congregation to tender His Lordship in, the classic, language of 1 his native 0 ! country ‘ a genuine dead 'mile faiithe ’ (laughter and applause), which translated meant a hundred thousand welcomes. He was there also to assure His Lordship that most cordial and friendly relations existed between the Catholics of the district and the congregation of which, in the words of their rev. chairman, His Lordship had the oversight. _ They all lived on most amicable terms in this district, a fact which was due in a great measure to the gentleness, the kindliness, and the good example of the Rey. Mr Hamilton and the Rey, Father Fauvel, both of whoili were extremely zealous, extremely nonaggressive, and extremely industrious in their respective churches. (Great applause.) He wished from the bottom of his heart that all Catholics were like the Rev. Father Fauvel, and all Protestants like the Rev. Mr Hamilton, for if it were so Christianity would be a more powerful civilising agency in the world. Notwithstanding the efforts that were put forth on his behalf in his youth he was still only an unfortunate newspaper man and much religion -could not be expected from one of that class. (Oh t oh! and laughter,) A society bad been formed to pray for the conversed % ot newspaper men, but in a very* short time it broke up-regarding .■owsnaper men as past praying for! daughter.; But;-there was a religion common to all. the religion bu Leautifully referred to in the ad 'ress just s presented to His Lordship, the religion ot Goldsmith s parson, who was “ More skilled to raiie the wretched than to - rise,

the religion of humanity, the religion of benevolence and charity, the religion which aimed at lifting up God’s poor to a higher plane in the social structure. In the exercise of that religion His Lordship had already w- n the esteem and admiration of all who had heard or his works, and it was his (the speakers) firm c eviction and earnest wish that llis Lordship’s actions on behalf of the poor should be the bngntest jewel in his eferpal crown. His Lordship, iu I,is Pfaristphurph speech, had promised them ‘that Bishop or no Bishop - he would continue to interest himself in the well-being of the poor, apd if he adhered to his promise, as no doubt he would, he would not hive'a more sincere, a more enthusiastic, or a more sympathetic admirer than himself. With these few words he begged to tender His Lordship a cordial welcome to 1 omuJ^a. much good had gone before him that he felt that lie should require to be very brief, and indeed when they considered that they were on the eve of three services he was sure that they would agree with him iu not starting the babbath on Sa'urday night, as the old story had it. He had been much V , wlfcll ‘ Twomej’s'speech! aud he fully realised thataltliough they “’Sht not all be in uniformity stiJl onUhlTf a rll ha , rmon y• He tendered avm 0t He Weale y an Methodists ‘shin J rr Welcome t 0 Hia Lordslmnld A WUS meeb aDd ri g ht they should do SO, as that body was, as it were, 3 daughterpf t{ie church- ‘They sa ifle' doptpipe. aud 4sed niauy of their prayers + He wa. o „ nfij6 t lhit be r y u Y/ e a co lei . «‘l i£ examined in’the collects thirty-nine articles etc becau,e t b e/ had bfeu we|( d ;.o> im m his younger days. However sion but !f ar j r - om tlie P re , se nfc oeeahis bW . de l' *° 4o a f n express afc tbe h e &ep na!tin 1° With their ihfnS dell^hte(l espepially fp tali .f-f 6 *' a hd was 1 proud tp ihin'fc M tha a lth° U g h there Jk nhtVclS Whet'm n-u re waa uo d*visionvv hen Ho Bible was the platform all He I.P7V Th J K “» d ™ Como,” Hty’ .°f if zot h 0 the m M tmiself id his sermon (i¥ tatn would perhaps take up a little too much of their time

that evening. He begged, therefore, to tender a most earnest welcome to His Lordship in his appointment to the oversight of that diocese, and many hearty wishes for a career of usefulness and honor. (Applause.) The chairman had much pleasure in inviting Mr Bolleston to address them on the relation of the church to the laity.

Mr Bolleston, who on rising was applauded, said Mr Chairman, Tour Lordship, Ladies and Gentlemen, — I have no hesitation in responding to the call of our worthy clergyman to say a few words this evening, because however ill I may discharge my duty I feel sure that there is no one in the parish more in sympathy with the object of this meeting than myself. As an. old settlei, as a parishioner, as a churchman, I am glad to be here to join in the welcome to our new Bishop. We stand to-night between the past and the future. We look forward with eager expectation. We look back with tender regret. Oo.a memorable occasion, more than 2000 years ago, we read that the old men wept when they thought of the glory that was departed, and the young men shouted for joy in sanguine hope of the glory to come. To-night we old settlers “ weep our thanks ” for a glory departed, and yet thank God, not yet departed from us, the glory of that “ good grey head which all men knew,” whose life, whose work, whese worth are household words among us. Long may they remain so. He leaves a trail of light on the past. He will ever be remembered as one “rich in saving common sense, and as the greatest only are in his simplicity sublime,” i o-night young and old alike join in ;: a glad .welcome to his successor. He, too, has left a bright record behind him at an early period of his life, an earnest of What he yet will do. A record, of a inan. with a large heartland a kindly handja heart to which nothing is alien which is hand which is instinctively grasped Fy, the--workers of the community's the hand of “ a man and a brotherf’N full of sympathy, full of goodw|jl. He comes to us gifted with that enthusiasm for his kinrl wnfhnnt

which in its leaders the church must ever flag and lag in the struggle with misery-arid evil, and which is especially needed at the present crisis of its history.- I say at the present crisis, for indeed we have fallen on critical times. Worldlings on the one hand with downcast eyes, and earnest minded men on the other with uplifted gaze are asking “Who will show us any good ? ” Careless and shallow thinkers ask of ecclesiastical systems, and of the Churches “Can these dry bones live?” Occasions like the . present, when all denominations meet: to welcome a veteran leader, give the answer emphatically “Tea.” Co operation Union Brotherhood are the watchwords of industrial life and industrial progress among us Is it to he; believed that Christianity aud relijmifc lift and .progress can afford to btf independent of similar bonds ,--i union? roiuls of faith and doctrine may to some extent lose their hold on men in pursuit of a larger hope and a larger charity, but there will ever be practical work for the Churches to do if they will do it. Their Master’s work is their bond of union above all doctrinal His two great commandments form the basis of the great

Catholic creed and the great Catholic morality. The several Churches, of the great Church Catholic, remaining “ distinct in individualities” have an ever-increasing sphere ol work and duty before them. In education, in works of charity, in social questions, their combined efforts arp more ; apd jnope needed, special functions pomp into play where the State fails to accomplish what is required, The “ cup of cold water in the name'df a disciple ” can never be giyep-feo the sick apdjthe nepdy_by the relieving officer under. our miscalled system of charitable"aid. The gentle words neither do I condemn thee ” will not —cannot—be spoken by State officials—by constablesandmagistrates ■—to the victims of social cruelty and selfishness. 1 Of the relations of the pb'urchps to tjie patjonal system of education I must not speak, for''l understand that the question is a

political one, and politics, for me at least, are a closed book on this platform. New fields of labor and beneficial influence are daily arising. Associated labor can well lie helped—ps, ipdeed, jt is helppd—by Christian jbhuypnes 'tp assprr’its just rights firmly and temperately, and there is for all time a message of the gospel to the Nabals of society. Above all "there I is endless work in allaying class animosities, and m preventing the! growth of that social estrangement wfiich has been justly described as root of most 6f the misery and pf|me in the wofld.' |am afraid lam preaching withopt q, Ijcpnsp, and you are no doubt anxious to hear the Bishop. So arn I, and I will stop. Cockatoos turned out of their nests at nights are apt to be too loquacious, T will conclude bv saving that we

svelpomp opp to-night who will be looked to—knd' Thm “assured not looked to' in vain—to bravely lead his Church in this diocese along the ragged path 'of ,duty ‘ Nowhere will pe'found more more JoyaV followers than 'among the outlying' settlers and dwellers in this parish, where for years past the Church work has been so faithfully prosecuted by our present minister. !!1 The ehoir then sang “ The Church’s One 1 Foundation,”' the congregation joining in most hear tijy.

The Bishop’s rising was the signal for prolonged applause, and when it had subsided he said that he had found in Temuka the same kindly welcome that had met him in every place he had yet visited—a welcome that went home to his heart, for he was but a poor man, and needed all their sympathy and encouragement. He thanked them for their welcome in the hall, which was different to the welcome he received outside, where there was a brilliant transparency with welcome upon over a locked door. (A voice; “ It was open.”) • Never mind about that. He found the welcome he desired in the hall, for he felt it came from their hearts. If he might use the expression he felt the pain of

following so great a bishop as he who had how laid aside the cares of office. It might have been his (the speaker’s) fortune to have been sent to organise the church in some outlandish bush in the wilds of Australia. Instead of that he was brought to a diocese so highly organised—the result of so much wisdom and love-r-that ..he scarcely knew how to take up the reins his predecessor had resigned. He thanked sincerely those members of other denominations for their cordial welcome Truly, his Wesleyan brother had said he was a daughter of the church—a daughter he might have said that had run away from home, but one that he trusted would return in good time. Meanwhile they must wait and hope, and draw closer one to another in love for humanity and love to God. They were growing closer day by day. There* was a growing feeling that they could not fight one another on points of doctrine when there was so much to fight for otherwise. . were gathering closer in the simplicity of faith, and as the' cobwebs were brushed away they )vpu]d| get their feet firmly planted; on simple truths that all the storing 'not wash away. He had been much encouraged during . the week, lie, had held * his first Synod, and of alUthings he hated a Synod. 1 hey, bad, however, to face the property tax, and more than that

swauow it. ne manned u-oa tor it. lie tliought'Tt good for them because he believed it an act of righteousness? but no doubt diminished by the fact that they.could not help it,' They had to, do it because no one else would do it for them. (Laughter). It would, however, do, good, because although they lost by it pecuniarily it would result in the greater wealth of spiritual force. He thought the Church would be better when she held her endowments lighter. The payment of the property tax would be felt all over the diocese, but in Chnstchurcd especially, Many people thought the falling of the Cathedral tower omiuous and had shook their heads, but the tower was goiug up again shortly and the other churches with it, and if the revenue was lighter the services of the Cathedral would not be lighter, 'lt would heoorr,* the- '■ cemre of » great- •titocesa.u ; soon hf- heped tot a'miiu, woman, nor

cnua riom unnstehurch to Hokitika but would feel a personal interest in it. The Church did not want to rival the Government in its functions, but let them look to their refuge work and the care of their poor, and lend j;hemselves to the solutiop of social problems. The Church should bring to bear upon the masses the firs” principles of humanity, and if they were truly Christian to the heart and soul the answer to these problemns would be readily found. v The call would come to Christian meu to do more to make the work of God stroug from one end of the country to the other, They recollected how their Chinch vjras 'started' in this colony • how meu gave a third of their wealth to it and said never mind, if we do I not get rich in a fortnight Tye will i build up a community ficj} in sober-1 ness and truth. He looked at Christ- ! church as at present under a cloud. People told him things were veyy bad

me country was in a bad state, and serve the country right for getting into debt. Of course she had to suffer,) but as far as he could see the colony ’ had a mighty power of growth. The steadiness, sobriety, and energy of its people would manifest itself in an upward growth, and its future would be a brilliant one. (Applause). Well as they knew he had had to pass through Temuka, why he need not say. Temuka was a nice place, but they had a horrid ehurc}r and no Sunday dpb o °b -lie understood that they might have bad a church but it didn't come about, but he supposed that they had now made up their minds to have one, and get up a £SOOO debt and get fat on it. He would to see |hera build their church and pay for it, and the way to do if was by working.' The health of the Church \yas the puity uf the lajty. The fact was they had too much done for them. Now the young men should build on the

foundations laid by their fathers. His Lordship here related some amusing instances of men who could nof woyk unless they pac| a ; leading'part,'add others who let people do all the work and did the grumbling themselves. ! He urged them to work, as the only way they could make the church great, The spirit of j.oye of Hod among fliem had reached a poor, low level, and had need of working up. The influence of Divine love must be among them, but he dared not go on, or like his Wpaleyap Strother ha might land in his- ‘Sdaclay 0 sermon. ' 1 He \Vished to tell them that He'‘had an abhdrepce of , bazaars, fapcy and §o foyi-h, that

;only dragged the church in the mud. , There was no occasion for them. They ! only existed because there was a lack of real love to the church. It they ; really believ. d in the mission of their : church would they back it up by selling ‘pocket-handkerchiefs for two pence ■ha’-penny—he begged their pardons—eightenpence ? There was something else they needed, namely, sacrifice, ‘There was a mania now for cheapness, ; Everyone liked to have things cheap, ;and they got them cheap—and nasty. : Whatever they wanted done must be by contract, and be believed a man i would, if he could, save his soul ■by contract. They, could not carry this spirit into the church. If i there was meaning in the Cross of | Christ in was sacrifice. They thanked : God that tithes were done away with, : that no one could say to them “ Build ; a Cathedral or grill,” and yet they grumbled at having to give threepence bn a Sunday and dodge it then when it was wet. 'that was religion Uow-a-days, and a pitiful sort of religion too. He did not believe in not giving. Let them give systematical to God’s service, and let no one dictate to them how they should do it. Let them feel that they could give some of their means freely to their Church. Another thing was if the Church was to be great they must give of her best men. They did not want men too ignorant for anything else, but men able and willing to keep pace with the times. They did not want the offhand dole, but the gift that came from a cheerful heart that believed the church had a living mission. If they had lore for Christ and sacrifice together, then despite all difficulties, the name of God would be honored, and the work of His Holy Church would prosper. The Bishop resumed his seat amid prolonged applause. The chairman then announced that refreshments would be dispensed, and requested the assistance of volunteers io hand them round. In the meantime the audience could avail themselves of the opportunity for intercourse, and the Bishop would be pleased to make the acquaintance and shake hands with everyone in the room.

His Lordship remarked that if he had shake hands with everyone there “he should start with dear old Londoners first, Ballarat next, and the rest anyhow,” and then mingled with the throng who received him very cordially. Excellent refreshments, catered for by Mr D. McCaskill, assisted to make an hour pass pleasantly, after which tbe choir sang “ Sun of my Soul,” those in the body of the hall joining in very heartily. The Benediction having been pronounced by the Bishop the meeting dispersed.

On Sqnday morning the Bishop visited Winchester for the purpose of 3onsecratingthe recent additions to the ffiurch and administering the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The day v-an dr.a. and there wa* nothing? to debar country people from attending j so that, as might have been expected, the attendance was very large, probably 160 persons being present—a heavy strain upon the accommodation of the beautiful but somewhat small building. It presented itself lender most favorable circumstances, tynd the neatly-kept gfopnds, nicely proportioned interior and chaste ecclesiastical architecture of the building doubtless impressed His Lordship with a sense of the interest that the parishioners take in the maintenance of their place of worship. The service was an impressive one. After the singing of a hym« the Eey. T. A. Hamilton" 1 read the petition of consecration setting forth the desire of himself and the Church officers that His Lordship would consecrate the chancel erected by voluntary contributions, a yestry, the gift of B. {Gladstone, Esq., end a porch, the gift of the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, to the Divine service. The Rev. L. C. Brady, as the Bishop’s chaplain,read the deed of consecration, which was then handed to the incumbent, with the charge that it be kept in safe custody by the officers of the Church. Tpe service of the Holy Communion followed, after which His Lordship preached a very earnest and eloquent sermon from I. Peter, hi., 15 : “ Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.’* Erom the ceremony just concluded he drew a beautiful analogy of the condition of a man’.s hpart prior to its dedication to' God.’ Just as a building, although to everyone’s knowledge designed for a church, yet inspired no reverence, until it had been duly dedicated to the service of God, so a inan’a heart destined to be the temple thb Holy Spirit was a mere abode of worldliness until duly sanctified. The sermon was full of deep thought, beautifully and listened to with the utmost attention. At its close a large number remained to partake of Sacrament. In the afternoon at St. Saviour’s Church the rite of

cpNuisijfA'jcxop; waa administered to lo female and 5 male candidates. The building was crowded long before the hour announced for the service and some fifty or sixty persona hafj fq femaih outside, availing'ihpmselveg of Qpw windows to catch a portion of «•- Bishop s address to the candidates this was taken from the life of Caleb’ and a most encouraging picture was presented oy the rewards of who 1 Loyd ‘ qonddently and faithfully, dn the evening some 800 °r §OQ persons of all denominations, (for the other places of worship closed

early), assembled in the Drill Shed to take part in the Evensong of the Episcopal Church. The service was conducted by the Incumbent, the Revs. L. 0. Brady and Gr. P. iVlortu reading the first and second lessons respectively. The united chorus of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan churches, together with members from Winchester, with Mr Proudloek officiating at the harmonium, led the singing, and the hearty manner in which the congregation joined in was of itself a treat. Such a gathering never has arid probably never will be seen again in Temuka, for people were present from all the surrounding district, and all apparently apart from denominationalism entered heartily into the spirit of Worship. The Biahep selected his text from Matthew xiii„ 44. “ Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure bid in a field • the which when he has found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field 1” He prefaced it by regretting that seating accommodation could n®t b© found for all present, and stated ; that it was the same text from which he had preached in Ashburton. It was a homely, but forcible discourse, and evidently received with profit. The service concluded with the singing of “ Crown Him Lord of All,” and the Benediction. The occasion will long be remembered in the annals of Temuka,' and will, it is trusted, mark the laying ®f a foundation stone of a new era of union, s THANES. In connection with the recent services the church officers desire to cordially thank the members of all denominations, who, by their presence testified to the kindly feelings entertained towards the head of their diocese, and to the members of the several choirs for their services, also fco the officers of the Wesleyan Church and tho member* of the Oddfellows’ Lodge and the iemuka town Board for the loan of seats, to Mr P. Coira and the Temuka Caledonian Society for flags, to Mr Davey for services in carting, &e., and to Mr Gr. Smith for the loan of a harmonium.

WINCHESTER. At Winchester yesterday the Bishop formally opened the new school, but owing to pressure on our apace we are compelled to bold our report over until our next issue. The Bishop left for Christchurch last 1 evening by express train.