SERMONS IN THE CHURCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 197, 20 August 1900, Page 2

SERMONS IN THE CHURCHES.

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL, PARNELL.

At the morning service at St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday morning, the Eev. George Macmurray, vicar, preached an eloquent and stirring sermon on our duties as citizens. The reverend gentleman took as his text Revelations xi. part of the 15th verse: 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever." The preacher said he wished to remind his hearers of their responsibilities as citizens of a great empire, and as citizens of the kingdom of God. History showed that the events of the centuries were hastening forward to a goal, and he was sure that rroal would be the transformation of the earthly kingdoms into the kingdoms of God. God had never abdicated his sovereignty over any country, whether heathen or otherwise. He was king over the Chinese to-day, just as he was-over the Christian British Empire. They should be careful to subordinate their national characteristics to the work of God; and as members of the national church of the Empire, avoid selfconceit. Kipling in "The Outsider, had put his finger on the weak spot m our national character—our too frequent contempt for those who are not as we are. We should learn that those other than ourselves are not to be despised. It was for them to say whether the spirit of Imperialism was to be used to carry out Gods will; they must build the Empire on a basis of true humility. Most of the Empire had been thrust on the British—often against their will ,and the obligation! must be fulfilled, or the task would be taken away. Above all they must not ignore God as many did in New Zealand. The insolence born of wealth and prosperity, which ignored God, was the most unpardonable sin. It was all very well for them to put themselves on a pedestal above people ' like the Chinese, but they should remember that they would be judged more severely. The responsibility rested on every member of the community to make the British Empire an Empire of God.