CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. JOHN'S, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2414, 29 December 1887, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. JOHN'S, TE AWAMUTU.

The Church was very beautifully decorated, in fact better than on any former occasion, evergreens, flowers and wreaths being distributed throughout the Church. Many people came the day before to assist in the work of decoration, and those who did not come sent flowers and evergreens. In the morning there was an early Communion service at nine, the usual service at 11, and in the evening the special service with carols. The attendance was unusually large, all the seats being filled, as well ns extra seats provided for the occasion. For the anthem a solo from the Messiah, “ He shall feed His flock," W»s sung very creditably by Miss Carley. The hymn before the sermon was the old well-known and admired Christinas him " Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” which was sung to Mendolsshon’s setting, the whole congregation joining in most heartily. The chapter was taken from Luke 2nd Chapter, 13 and 14 verses, “ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Cod, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Mr Holer took the opportunity of impressing en the people the necessity of imitating the Lord’s work, and during tips season of peace on earth and good will toward men, making up any differences, cementing friendships, and acting towards ono another in spell a way as to show that they appreciated and practised the words of the heavenly host. The preacher wept .on to say that many men of ability and Intelligence had tried to find a now gospel of humanitarianism, but after all their efforts and all their reasonings, the best they found was after all but a poor copy of that grand old ono, which was proclaimed by angels to a few poor shepherds in Judea eighteen hundred yearn ago; and whether for the individual or tha race there is nothing better than “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men,” and by practising this we show forth in the highest way “Glory to f}od in the highest.” After the offertory, the carol, “The First Nowel,” was sung. Sir Holer then explained wjiy parols were used. Onr forefathers having but few copies of the Word of God, carols were something like a poor man's llible, and it has been found by experience that the best way of impressing things desired to bo taught upon people was to put them into song, as people very often remembered the words of a song, and consequently its teachings, when the preacher’s words were forgotten. Then followed three other carols, after which came the concluding prayer and benediction, and the service closed with “ Marol, sg'cctly carol,” which was beautifully sung. The jjdiqlp service was one of the best ever hold pi tpc churgli, jLl)o singing being especially good.