189
CONTINUATION
CHURCHES 25
According to the usual form, the Bishop was met at the West door by the Trustees of the church, and by them conducted to the vestry. On his Lordship's appearing at the Communion table, the deed of petition, for Consecration was presented to him by the Hon. Mr. W. T. Mercer, Major Hope Graham, Mr. R. D. Cay, and Mr. C. St. G. Cleverly, as Trustees in behalf of the Government; the Hon. Mr. J. F. Edger, and Mr. T. O. Leslie, as Trustees elected by the pew-renters. Immediately after this, the Bishop and Clergy present proceeded down the middle aisle of the church to the Western door; at the same time reciting the 24th Psalm in alternate verses.
When the Bishop, with the chaplains, had returned to the space within the communion-rails, the Ordinances of the local Legislature, authorizing the erection of the church and giving to the Trustees, the power of liquidating all sum due on the building, were presented on the part of His Excellency the Governor by Mr. Cay. The usual form of Consecration service was then read by the Bishop; at the conclusion of which the formal Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. S. W. Steedman, Colonial Chaplain.
Morning prayer was next said, being varied by lessons from the Old and New Testament, and a collect, epistle, and gospel, suited to the occasion.
A sermon was preached by the Bishop, from 2 Chronicles, Vii. 12, in which, after referring to the earliest instance of a consecration on record in the Old Testament, and drawing a contrast between the material splendour of Solomon's temple and the higher spiritual glories of a Christian temple, he alluded to "the very peculiar circumstances under which St. John's Cathedral had been dedicated to Almighty God, standing on the borders of the vast empire of China, and on the farthest outpost of Christendom."
Attention was also drawn to "the many providential events which stamped a peculiarity on the present (1852) period in the history of mankind; and to the vast responsibilities which rested upon the European community in China in connection with the extension of Christianity and civilization through the world". His Lordship concluded by pressing upon the congregation the duty of clergy and laity uniting their efforts in promoting these important objects.
The whole service was marked with great attention on the part of the assembled congregation; and at the close a collection was made at the doors, amounting to between 300 and 400 dollars, in aid of the current expenses of the church.
Page 170
Page 171
CONTINUATION.
189
CONTINUATION
CHURCHES 25
According to the usual form, the Bishop was met at the West door by the Trustees of the church, and by them conducted to the vestry. On his Lordship's appearing at the Communion table, the deed of petition, for Consecration was presented to him by the Hon. Mr. W. T. Mercer, Major Hope Graham, Mr. R. D. Cay, and Mr. C. St. G. Cleverly, as Trustees in behalf of the Government; the Hon. Mr. J. F. Edger, and Mr. T. 0. Leslie, as Trustees elected by the pew-renters. Immediately after this, the Bishop and Clergy present proceeded down the middle aisle of the church to the Western door; at the same time reciting the 24th Psalm in alternate verses.
When the Bishop, with the chaplains, had returned to the space within the communion-rails, the Ordinances of the local Legislature, authorizing the erection of the church and giving to the Trustees, the power of liquidating all sume due on the building, were presented on the part of His Excellency the Governor by Mr. Cay. The usual form of Consecration service was then read by the Bishop; at the conclusion of which the formal Sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. S. W. Steedman, Colonial Chaplain.
Morning prayer was next said, being varied by lessons from the Old and New Testament, and a collect, epistle, and gospel, suited to the occasion.
A sermon was preached by the Bishop, from 2 Chronicles, Vii. 12, in which, after referring to the earliest instance of a consecration on record in the Old Testament, and draw- ing a contrast between the material splendour of Solomon's temple and the higher spiritual glories of a Christian temple, he alluded to "the very peculiar circumstances under which St. John's Cathedral had been dedicated to Almighty God, standing on the borders of the vast empire of China, and on the farthest outpost of Christendom."
Attention was also drawn to "the many providential events which stamped a peculiarity on the present (1852) period in the history of mankind; and to the vast responsibilities which rested upon the European community in China in connecting with the extension of Christianity and civilization through the world". His Lordship con- cluded by pressing upon the angregation the duty of clergy and laity uniting their efforts in promoting these important objects.
The whole service was marked with great attention on the part of the assembled congregation; and at the close a collection was made at the doors, amounting to between 300 and 400 dollars, in aid of the current expenses of the church.
Page 170Page 171
CONTINUATION.
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