A CHURCH CONSECRATION AT RANGITIKEI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5188, 22 November 1895, Page 3

A CHURCH CONSECRATION AT RANGITIKEI.

jdfcA Mnsterton resident writes:— I have lately enjoyed a visit to Bulls (Rangitikei), and was present at the- recent Consecration of tho new Church of St. Simon and St. Jude, at Campbelltoivn, about cloven miles distant, I think it may interest many in jMastortou, to have a short account of tho ovent. A party of Bulls' residents drove over in a coach, just in time for tho Consecration Service, the weather being everything that could be desired, and the whole district seemed out on a holiday. Tho building itself, owing to recent bad weather, • had not been quito completed, so one could not judgo fairly pf its outward' appearance, but inside it looked exceedingly nice; the chancel especially, was noticed and admired by many. Tho Church can scat 154 persons exclusive of tho choir, Tho service was most impressive, and Bishop Wallis' sermon was ono not 600U to be forgotten; tho lesson ho specially seemed to wish to teach, was—zeal for God's service, tempered with love. He especially dwelt on the unity evinced in the , mrochial district over which the J. Delacourt Russell is Vicar, l'ho members of all four churches— Bulls, Sandon, Greatford and Campbolltown—aeern to work together so admirably; tho singing of tho compined choiiu was really exceedingly good, Altogether, the services of the day were such as to livo in tho memory of those present for many a long day. In tho evening, tho gathering for the social was so great that it had to bo held in the open air, outside the Public School building. ]Ve wprp hero again privileged to hear roost earnest and encouraging words |l fromthpliishopaiidalsoju'ch-Peacon Ton-good, both of whom spoke in the - 1 highest and warmest praise of the untiring dovotion of tho Eov. J. D. Russell, to whom, of course under Divine blessing, the church owes its erection. Maoris were hoard to say that auch a large gathering had never been seen in Campbetltown before. The Rev. Inn.iss-Jon.es, of Feilding, and tholtov, Mr Aitkon, of ttoii, were amongst those present, somowhero between £3O and jjJ'W waß that day alono contributed ■ towards the new building, so tliati the' church is now practically almost j jvitbbu'tdebfc." " • ''' '