CHORAL SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 175, 9 December 1892, Page 3

CHORAL SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH.

A Choral Service was held in All Saints Church, Aratapu, on Sunday afternoon, December 4th. There was a very good congregation. The service was delayed some time owing to the Rev. Mr Boler being detained by stress of weather. Finally Mr G. Smith started the service and read the lessons until Mr Boler’s arrival. The choir mustered in full force, under the leadership of Mr Gerring. The sopranos were well represented by Mesdames Bassett, Gerring, and Morgan, and Misses Ross, Smith, Morgan, and Niddrie. The altos were Mesdames Black and J ones, and Misses Gerring and E. Morgan. Tenors, Messrs S. Webb, S. Edmonds, and A. Morgan. Bass, Messrs Gerring, Butland, and A- Hammond. The soprano parts were well given, and the tenors were very effective and strong, The altos were hardly strong enough, but what they lacked in volume they made up in quality. The bass (as is so often the case) tjrere wanting in strength and volume. Miss

E. Webb presided ably at the organ. The opening organ solo was “ While Shepherds Watched.” The hymns were No. 47, 438, and 222. The psalms were the 23rd, 133rd and 134th, and the chants were the 260th. and 212th. The Te Deum was well rendered. The responses were all sung. Two anthems were given, “ I Will Lift up Mine Eyes,” and “ Bow Down Thine Ear.” In the first of these Mr Morgan took the bass solo “Lord is my Defence.” Nervousness was very apparent, and he did not do himself justice, but seemed to lose his breath and sang in a very jerky fashion. In the second anthem the altos showed more strength and were very pleasing. The tenors were excellent throughout and the choir altogether shows immense improvement. The offertory went in aid of the choir music. The text was taken from Revelations, “ And I saw a great multitude, whom no man could number etc. The reverend gentleman expressed his firm belief in the common brotherhood of all who believed in Christ, and earnestly impressed that lesson upon his hearers. He wished to avoid saying one word offensive to other denominations. Some people might object to their style of service, but they must remember that this was an exact imitation (though a humble one) of that carried on in Heaven. People who thought differently would have to alter their ideas when they got there, and it might perhaps be as well to change them beforehand. Several visitors rode down from Dargaville to attend the service.