TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1943, 18 December 1884, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

covt'ißV vno.v skiu ick. His Lordship Bishop Cowie held a continuation service at S. John's Church on Sunday evening, when the nte was administered to seventeen young people of both hexes. The bishop preached an eloquent Hermon, taking for his text John 20, xvii, " Jesus saith unto her, touch me not ; for I am not ascended to my Father ; but go to my bretlnen and bay unto them, I ascend unto my Father and to your Father, and to my God and your God." His Lordship, in explanation of the woids " Touch me not,'' said that falling at the feet and embracing the knees was the eastern mode of expressing humility, and the Saviour thought the conveyance of the news ot his resurrection was of far greater importance at the tune than any form of reverence. The preacher quoted St. Paul to prove that many of the outward forms were not necessary to salvation, but the great apostle himself, though he did not believe in many of the forms and cereinon'es in use among the Jews, was at the same time very careful to observe the forms of the Church, for when he was sent to pieach the (iospel the other apostles laid their hands on him ; he was also veiy careful to observe the ceremony of baptism. His Lordship explained the meaning of the rite of confirmation ; il was not a mere outward show required by the Church, but a public profession of faith, in which those who received tho rite renewed the vow* made in their behalf at their baptism by their sponsors. He enlarged upon the necessity of a spii it of sincerity and devotion on such an important occasion. They were not to imagine that without thc-e the mere form or profession was sufficient. Outvvaid forms weie good when they truly expressed the lovo and devotion of the heart, but they should not be abused. In conclusion, he said the command, " Go to my brethien," is now repeated to each ciiudidate for continuation. They were expected to do what good they could by beating the message of the Gospel to their friends and acquaintance-. His lordship endeavouied to impiess upon the minds of his hearers, that while it was right and proper to observe the forms of the chinch, the observance of them should be charactet ised by earnestness and tiue repentance, moie especially when about to partake of the Holy Communion, as it should not be received lightly, but in a seiious manner as befitting tho .solemnity of the ceremony. The chinch was crowded, and some had to go away, as theie was not sitting room. Tho service, which was very well rendeied, was a full choral one ; the music and singing were as usual very good, and especially the ringing of the otfeitory sentences reflect ciedit upon Mr Philips, who gives instruction to the clioit. The church was prettily decoiated with flowers aud ovei greens. On Monday the annual children's festival was held in the paisonajje giounds, about 100 children were present. Refreshments were libeially provided by the ladies of the congregation, and a gieat quantity of toys was also provided, every child had a toy given to it before leaving. Spoits were held, and piizes given to the competitor. In the evening the bishop delivered an addiess to the children. Young and old enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and it is a day which will be looked back to with a pleasant lemembranre by all. The thanks of all are due to Mr Phillips and family, who spared no pains to make the day a pleasant one, and in this they succeeded to the utmost of their expectations. I am sorry to pay that Mr Phillips is about to take his departuie from amongst us, as he is to be appointed to a parish in Auckland. Since he has been heie, he has been most energetic in attending to the requirements, of the district. In losing him, the Sunday School children lose a good friend. Miss Phillips will bagieafcly nuwd by the congregation, sho has alw .ys presided at the harmonium, and it will be a matter of no small difficulty to fill her place, for there aie few who play as well. Indeed, I fear the outlook for the choir is rather dismal, for unless our next clergyman is a musician, there will no instruction for them, Mr Phillips having always performed that duty. HOLIDAY RAILWAY FARES. I see by the posters scut round that special fares will adopted by the railway department during the Christmas holidays. Fiom December 20th to January 3rd, inclusive, Saturday return tickets will be available from any station to any station, i.e., for passengers going in the direction of Auckland, but to passengers from Auckland, Kemuera, Onehunga, &c, to Waikato there will be special inducements offered. From any of these places to Ngaruawahia and Hamilton the fare, irrespective of class, will be 10s to Cambridge and To Awamutu 12s (id. These are return fares available for a week. If people in Waikato want to pay a visit to Auckland during the holidays, they must pay a fare and a half for return tickets, while those in Auckland can make use of the same trains for very little more than half a fare. That T think is the most stupid arrangement that could possibly be made. Why should not the Waikato people have the same advantages as the city people? The trains roust be run in any case, and if tho latter can make use of them to travel to Waikato, why not let the country people have the saute advantages ? There can be no doubt that many more would go to see the races if they could go down and return for 12s 6d. Surely if concessions are to be i made to one class of people they should be made to all. If special trains were to be run from Auckland, returning the same day or the next, I could understand the difference in favour of the city people, but such is not the case, they will be allowed* to mako use of the same trains as we use, and for less than half the amount we must pay. The man who in the plentitude of his wfadotn conceived this idea, should be put away carefully in a glass case and exhibited on state occasion? as a curiosity. He is lost in New Zealand ; his place is in the councils of the great powers of Europe. Seriously speaking, Mr Hudson must have seen the absurdity of it when he received his instructions, but of course he has to obey orders the same as everyone elsa. Perhaps it is not too late to have it altered. — (Owa Correspon4wt.)