THE CHORAL FESTIVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1070, 3 May 1879, Page 2

THE CHORAL FESTIVAL.

This festival of the choirs of the several Churches in the* Archdeaconry of Waikato, was held on Thursday, at St. Peter's Church, on the occasion of the Feast of Sts. Philip and Jame^, and tho day will not soon be forgotten by the Church people of Hamilton. The Ordination of the Eev. FT. S. Davis to Priest's Orders began at 10 o'clock. The Bishop, the Venerable Archdeacon Pritt, the Revs. B. T. Ashwell, W. N. de L. Willie, L. C. Brady, and William Caider taking part in the ceremony. It is anything but fair to a cfcnrchgoing people like those of Hamilton, to suppo.-e that those who- formed the congregation adequately represented those who felt interested in the service, but as . all were informed by that morning's paper, that the reception of 'Sir George Grey and the sod-turning were fixed by the committee for exactly the same hour as the one chosen by the Bishop, a large number of tkoae who woixLJ have been present (including most of the Church Officers) were kept away. The Service opened with Hymn 353, which was followed by the Ordination Sermon, by the Veu. Archdeacon Pritt, who also presented the candidate. The Litany , was sung to Tallis 7 Chant, by the Rev. William Caider, responses by the Choir. Then followed the " silence for a space," for fcriya'te prayer, the Creator," and. the Laying on of *hands by the Bishop and Clergy. . The Holy < 'ommunion was celebrated by the Bishop, assisted by the Archdea3on, and administered to 41 persons, after which the singhi" 1 of the "Nuno Dimittis," during which the Bishop and Clergy passed to the Vestry, and so ended the bi;ight and impressive service which added one more Priest to the Church's rank. The rain, which was so much to be deplored for the afternoon's ceremony, also reduced the number from the visiting choirs to eleven ; St. Peter's mustering 10. After a practice at 4 o'clock, in the Caurch, the Choirs adjourned to the long room, at Gwynno's Hotel, where they were met .by the Bishop and his family, the Clergy and the Vestry of St. Peter's Church. . * After tea, which needs no commont when we know by whom it was prepared, and Mrs Gwynne outdid herself on this occasion, all adjourned, through the pouring rain, to the Church, where the Choral Festival beorau at 7 o'clock. The congregation was very fair, considering the state of the roads, and the singing most hearty throughout. The same Clergy were present as in the morning 1 , the service was sung by the Rev. W. N. de L. Willis, first lesson read by the Rev. L. C. Brady, and -second by the Arch'deacon, the singing being conducted by the Incumbent. After the Blessing, by the Bishop, the singing of the Old Hundredth brought the day's services to a close.