ST. STEPHEN'S.

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

ST. STEPHEN'S.

At St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, yesterday mornine the Key. J. G. Chapman preached from the text: "And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men bmlded. (Genesis xi. 5). The preacher reminded his hearers that their city was always under the supervision of God. It was useless,to prepare for His visit as they would^for the.visit of a factory inspector, for God was always witn them. Citizens must carry their religion into their every-day work. A man's character must not be judged merely by the regularity of bis church-going. Cain and Abel went to service, and after service Cain murdered his brother. Nor would God judge a man so much by his donations to charities as by the conduct of his daily life. Each must have a purpose in life, to be a good citizen What was it that .made Bismarck the ereat man he was? It was his fidelity to a purpose, and every Christian should show the.same fidelity of purpose in working for the glory of God and the good of humanity. God came to see not only the citizens but the city they had built. What did He ?hink of Auckland? Would His opinion coincide with what one read of the Sty in tourists' guides? He dpubted whether it would. It was all very welUto talk of beautifying the city, but it must first be purified. If the churches would combLne and work toXer it could be done. The examples of Joseph and Moses_showed us that a man of God might do great work for his city or his country, as politician or statesman. Christian politics should find a place an our Christian ethics, and Christians must recognise the duties of citizenship. It was the apathy of good people m regard to municipl affairs that made civic corruption possible."