REV. MR. WEST'S FAREWELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 191, 14 August 1899, Page 2

REV. MR. WEST'S FAREWELL.

The knowledge that yesterday •would be the last time the Rev. 11. Scott West would officiate as minister of St. David's Presbyterian Church, caused the services to be largely attended by the many friends of that gentleman. At the Communion service in the morning over 200 were present. In the evening the church was crowded so much that seats had to be placed in the aisles. All the old members of the choir were present, including Mr Culpan and Mr Philpot, who presided at the organ. The text was taken from I. Corinthians xv. Chapter, and sSth verse: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know your labour is not in vain in the Lord/ The rev. gentleman said:

These word« are the Apostle's very practical summing up of this epistle. Indeed, the letter all through deals more with conduct than with theoretic belief. No one was more competent than the apostle to handle matters bearing- on theology, but his aim seems to have Tbeen much more practical than to make professed theologians of the Corinthian Christians. He corrects certain faults, exposes certain abuses, reveals strength and hope, and closes by advising members of the church to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work Of the Lord. It cannot be questioned, I thinlc, that in these last words the apostle has found the solu- j tion of many problems which vex the mind and h<:art of not a few who profess the nfime of Jesus Christ. It would have been altogether unlike the great apostle had he not communicated in so large a letter much valuable information regarding the more purely spiritual doctrine. He was the more anxkms that the Corinthians should utilise what they already knew, that they should put into practice the principles understood by them, and should not spend valuable : time in tbe search after novelties. While neglecting all through the Christian theology, the apostle fully . understood the importance of cultivating a studious spirit. Perhaps no one ever laid greater stress on the need for every Christian pressing forward with a fuller, wider knowledge of things divine, At the same time he clearly shows that a man may be a good Christian and be ignorant of many things; that others hold to be essential. The Christian religion, while throwing a light on that which would otherwse remain in the darkness, makes no attempt to explain away every difficulty. While undoubtedly appealing to the intellectual as well as to the moral and spiritual State of irWja's nature, it is primarily and essentially an ethical religion, treating of subjects of practical impoi'tance to the every-day life, and the ordinary individual, revealing to him the love Of God, making known to him his own sinfulness, manifesting undoubtedly a divine ideal, but also a divine Saviour. While without undervaluing the importance of right thinking, it certainly gives a first jlace to right living. A Christian, according to the apostle, is one who, may be very imperfectly, strives to put into every-day practice the principles of his whole religion, and who follows closely in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Doubt, as you are no doubt aware, is too often traceable to «, moral cause, and difficulty of faith and belief, and generally a result of inactivity in the exercises of the Christian graces. The apostle would have the Corinthians steadfast, unmoveable, holding fast to that which they had already proved to be true. However many and varied may be the influences which play around them, he wonld counsel them to give the revela*£on of Je6us Christ the benefit of the .;>abt, and as a support to their beef in the truths of Christianity he advised them to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. It is seldom you meet the great philanthropist who is troubled by the passng phases of unbelief. His time is so fully occupied in alleviating the sufferings of others, and their needs are ever so pressing that doubt can find no lodgment in his heart, and as an incentive to do as he counsels them, the apostle • peals to their past experience of xl's goodness, "Forasmuch as ye y low your labour is not in vain in the The reward of the Christian according to a certain theology in our day, is too often pushed forward into the future, in the realms of light where sit the followers of Jesus Christ. It is no doubt true that the future is bright with the c.6ming glory, but surely we very inadequately understand the character of God, his revelations, or even ourselves, when We pass by without acknowledgment the gifts and graces which are bo liberally bestowed upon us by our Father. What kind of a life did we live before God met us, and what were the prospects before us? What were the so-called joys_ which we considered worthy of sacrifice, and devotion to things beneath us, when God entered our lives and touched our souls they became changed, our outlook was extended, and opportunities of imitating God and His working were given to us I plentifully; and since We became Christians have we not time and again experienced the loving kindness and the tender mercy of our God, and what a large amount of joy comes to us from the little good we have been able to do to others. It may have been but a kindly word, it may have been.

but a handshake, a brotherly act; it may have been but a striving to do to others as we would that they should do to us, and God has smiled upon us, and our hearts have been made glad by the consciousness of God's approval

Christian work in the best sense is on the lines of true life, and a man who tries to do God's will, who seeks to follow the example of Jesus Christ, cannot fail to grow into the likeness of his Master. The sincere Christian ever carries about with him an argument for Christianity which no man, however clever of speech he may be, can reasonably overthrow.

The text for to-night seems to be one specially adapted for an occasion like the present. We have had the privilege during these past years of studying the Christian revelation together, and while it is impossible to exhaust the treasures of God, or to say the last word of His great love for mankind, we have been able to understand somewhat better the comprehensive nature of Christianity, and how altogether suitable it is to meet the needs of humanity. Not a few of us, as a result of our conference, have been strengthened in our faith, and we now hold a firmer grasp of the truth of the Gospels than we did when we first met. Not a few have been convinced of the reasonableness of the claims of Jesus Christ, and their lives have received an increased beauty, and the thick clouds which overshadowed them have been scattered, .and no onn of us is altogether the same as when we came together. The solemnity of living is manifest when we remember that we act and talk, and however small our influence for good or for evil may be, by that means have we affected the lives of those with whom we have been associated.

Had the union which to-night comes to an end been extended into another twelve years we would no doubt have been helpful to each other, but even now our knowledge is far ahead of our actual living, and it may be, who who knows, it may be that a new voice and another presence may bring before you the old truths in a newer light and help you to more faithfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, I say 1o you, as I say to myself, ''Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, adways abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." Hold fast by the form of sound doctrine. Surrounded as we are in this new land, perhaps more so than in the Old Country, by self-constituted leaders, propounding illogical and, shall T say, un-Christ-like schemes for ameliorating the lot of men, let us ever remain true to the Master, who has never failed us in our hour of need. While the Christianity of Jesus Christ cannot be confined within creed or within a written dogma, let us remember the words of our Lord, "Except a man become as a little shild he cannot enter the Kingdom." I counsel you to do Christ's work, to believe in Him. To make-word profession of faith in him. and not to do His bidding in every act are as contradictory terms. The true profession of Christianity is a profession of deeds. Let your own lives exemplify the teaching of the Master, and your words will be enforced by an eloquence which will be irresistible, and you and I know how true the statement is that labour for Christ is not in vain.

There are some things too sacred for worthy expression, but you and I and God know how He has enriched us with Divine blessing and _ caused our hearts many times to sing for very joy. Let the past be a prevision of the future, and when we meet again, whether on earth or under the roof-tree of our Father's Home above, we shall have much to tell each other about the goodness of our Divine Father.

And now, a word in parting from you. I thank you from my heart for all your kindness to me and to mine. We came amongst you as strangers, unacquainted with the ways and customs of a new land, and you received us as friends, and throughout our sojourn amongst you you have been faithful to me as your minister, ever exercising a kindly forbearance and ever extending to me the hand of sympathy and of Christian brotherliness. The knowledge that the people of St. David's were united as one enabled me to do and dare at some cost much of the good that would have been lost. For all that I have been able to do as a preacher of the Gospel and as a minister of Jesus Christ, no small chedit is due to you, who never in any way tried to prevent my doing what I thought was right. We can never altogether forget each other. We have been too closely assoicated in joy and sorrow; we have too often entered the room with the blinds drawn and seen the dear one passing into the unseen; we have been far too closely united for time to destroy the remembrance of our companionship; and, in bidding you "Good-bye," I pray God to bless you and keep you and couse His face to shine upon you and give you peace; and when our sojourn on earth is over may our Divine Father grant unto each and all of us an abundant entrance into His own Divine presence. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lbfd."

May God bless to us His own Word, and to His name be all the praise. Amen.

At the close of the services the many friends of the minister and his wife crowded round in order once more to shake hand and say farewell.