THANKSGIVING SERVICES.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 125, 16 March 1881, Page 2

THANKSGIVING SERVICES.

For some time th re has been a feeling on the part of the members of the Anglican Church that their building is too smail for the requirements of modern Palmerston, and ill adapted for the dignified rendering of the church's impres*dye services. On these accounts, it was decided by the Vestry, that if possible a larger building should be used temporarily. They have succeeded m obtaining the Foresters' Hall, Aud on Sunday last large and attentive congregations assembled there to thank the Almighty Creator for the fruits of the harvest. The voioe of praise and-.thanks-giving ascended from nearly 300 voices. It was pleasing to reflect as the congregation joined m the great German Harvest Hymn " We plough the fields and scatter Th* Rood seed On the land But it is fed and .watered By Qod's Almighty hand." that men of Luther's land were singing ; and some who meet only at their ploughs or labour were on this day, by thoughts .of God's bounty, and a common debt of gratitude united m His worship. We looked m upon the ladies at their work of adorning the Hall, In their busy anxiety to make every decoration speak of harvest, the living decorators were quite interesting if net more interesting "than subsequently they made the building.. There were ot course difficulties to overcom-i, and one ! can hardly blame a young >dy for not knowing what to do with poultry m ecclesiastical decorations. Should live stock be refused or admitted ? That was the question. The chickens are m waiting. If decapitation will secure admittance . they are doomed, Buch matters had to be decided entirely by the taste of the decorator. There were no authorities to consult. We endorse the lady's decision, thatdead or alive no ducks,. ge- se, or turkeys should be hung on the walls or cooped m fern leaves.. If; poultry are admitted m church decorations; where are we to draW'tbe line? Should; ponies be tethered m various parts of the church? Sortie might take offence. if a favorite poodle got but a small share of roses or ferns, and the ladies might dispute the right to decorate bullocks and oxen. We are convinced that the young ; lady's judgment is correct, . the line must be drawn at fruits and oereals By the way, why was no wheat, barley, or oats visible m the hall? Tnese are not only suitable but almost essential to^such a festival as our Anglioan friends celebrated on Sunday last, and this lack of/ standing com ' detraot^--w«'W'tab!y-f tom-the- decorations which, with this exception reflected great credit on- the congregation nf "All Saints" and were worth a visit and inspection. On both sides of the temporary makeshift for a chancel, mounds of exquisitely arranged fruits told at once of the 'esst of ingathering. Flowers and potted plants, g.apes, ani cboicast fruits sur-rounded-the Communion-Table-j-aud- aa-if from crevices m the wall, or between them and the wfrinscbV Immense fern "leaves seemed to bjk ing, :Tt|je prayers and hymns were appropriate* to the. occasion. The Rev. Mr. Keating preached sermons aoited t<> the day, and he apologised for. the festival infringing on the present season of Lent. It is to be. hoped that our "fields decorate l annually by a beneficient Creator may ever awaken our gratitude. :