Yesterday the services in the Cathedral had special reference to the Centenary of the Church Missionary Society. The ser-amon in the morning was preached by the Bishop of the Diocese from Ps. 46,. 2, Revised Version Though the earth. changed." The Bishop said he had three special thoughts in his mind with reference to the morning's service. He remembered,—firstly that Easter had just past. Secondly that it was Parade Sunday, and he should like to speak to the Volunteers Thirdly it was the Centenary of: the. Church Missionary Society. Alter a.few: words on the fi%t and second of these subjects the Bishop devoted the rest of his sermon to the text, and spoke of the. change that had come over the world through the British Rule being extended, the extension. of knowledge, and the change that had come ever the world through the work of the Church Missionary Society during the lust one hundred years.
In the evening the Rev. H. ©, Hodges occupied the pulpit and addressed the congregation from Ps: 98, Ver. 1. "0, Sing 8 unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things." He' began: by saying that Christ- was born -in-a stable andthe Church Missionary: Society was born man inn, on April 12th, 1799. A small band ofi men mob together in an Inn' in' Al-derogate ard founded the C. M.S. A letter was written to the Archbishop of! Canterbury asking his countenance and' help, but it was sixteen months before he answered the letter, and then he said the subject should have his attention. It was not until 1814 that some ofthe Bishops joined the Society. How different is the case now when all the mei-bers of the: Episcopate: are vice-presidents of: the Society, and during: the present week all are tal'ng part either in services or meetings to commemorate the Centenary of! the Church Missionary Ssciety. The preacher said: Some people leave home to trade or get gain, some leave home in order to impart the true riches to others. We do not blame the one, why should we blame the others, and yet how often do we hear Missionaries blamed for doing that which is really the duty of the whole Church. The command of the Saviour was so'plain, and it is the duty of the Church to obey it, and to send missionaries into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature." A comparison was then drawn between the state of various countries one hundred years ago and now; and most interesting information was given with reference to India, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and Africa, The sermon was full of information from beginning to end and was listened to with marked attention. The most remarkable service of the day was undoubtedly the service for children in the afternoon. here are two things necessary for a good children's service, viz., plenty of children, and speakers who understand how to address them. Both these conditions were fulfilled yesterday. Never has such a service been held in the Cathedral before. The building was full from end to end, with the exception of some pews in' the side aisle. The friends at the Cathedral were very glad to welcome the children from the Union Church, and many other children, who do' not usually attend the Cathedral. The Union Church Sunday School children assembled at their own Schoolroom, and then marched to the Cathedral accompanied by their teachers. Such a united gathering was pleasing to. man, and we are sure it was pleasing to God. As an illustration of one of the addresses, it may be mentioned that one of the speakers exhibited the letters C. M. S. ona large. sheet of paper,.and..
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.