RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 16, 16 July 1910, Page 12

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

rt'Vt H 3LSSSON OS* 'i'H X T.TT.T.TRS(Bj J. H. KENSHAW, Church of England Lay Beader.) "Consider the lilies." — Matt, vi. ZS. Most people, I suppose, liave epent pleasant hours at one time or anothrr hx our picture galleries, gazing and reflecting upon those masterpieces of the ortist/s pencil and brush. Here we see the eotnbre and the gay—the sad and brisrht side of life, represented by colour in "various blendings. The World of Xature is God's picture galleTy, whose ■pictures .are portrayed by the Divine Hand, which gives the beauty to the flower, the majesty to the high hills, the delicacy to the autumn fruits, the grandeur to the landscape. The Master Hand teaches us through the agency of His glorious works, and exhorts us to the "faith" as great as the mountains, the purity of the flower, the fruitfulnesc of the Tree, and the freshness of the landscape. The Divine Artist is our blessed .Redeemer, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, who bids us to "bea-r fruit" * —to worship Him in the beauty of holiness, to be as pure as the summer flower. In our test "we have to "consider the lilies." Much difference of opinion exists as to these lilies in a botanical sense. They are supposed to tie the brilliant crowned anemones of Palestine with their bright coloured iloivers—purple, l>lue, white, or, more generaLrv, scarlet —often with a coronet

of a different hue in the centre, from ■which they derive their name of "Co-rc-naria." "It is found," says Dr. Tristram, "in all soils and in all situations—on the mount, in the valleye, and luxuriantly on the shores of Lake Tiberias." Now let us consider thess lilies as a type of our spring-time loveliness —our violets, daffodils, primroses and others which grace our gardens at this time of the year—and hear their message to us.

(1) God made us. It is very plain to least unobservant person that, despite the magnificent intellect and capacities which man possesses, yet they are limited—finite—and unenduring. We who are made also in the image of God —but a little lower than the angels —are endowed with snch powers which may, if rightly used, serve to edify, please, and help us to make this transient life truly joyous. In these things ■we are God's co-workers, for we most dig. plough, sow, and pray, and the Divine Painter gives the increase and fulness of blessing.

Each little flower th.it opens, Each little bird that sinss. Ho made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings.

The flowers and 'birds fulfil God's Holy Will: and shall not we, His children, whom Ho hath created after Divine likeness, redeemed, justified, and sanctified, endeavour to harmonise with the works o-f His hands, and give joy and gladness to all around?

(2) Be beautiful. How we should miss our flowers if no more! What, if they could speak, tales of sympathy, 1-ove and compassion, they could relate! Picture to yourself the hospital Tvard. There, pale, wan and frail, only •waiting for the ' beckoning call of the "Xily of the Valley," is a little child, and near to, or perhaps bj* his side, is a bouquet of flowers in all their freshness and beauty, the last token that this part of God's world can offer, for soon the soul shall see its Framer (the One Who gives to the flowers all their fragrance and richness), and bo where flowers blossom eternally. Our Father calls upon us to "be beautiful," to be first in good works, to exhibit the beauty of holiness, to show forth His praise. Let us, then, do beautiful deeds, speak beautiful words, think on beautiful things, and fulfil the injunction of the great Apostle when he said: "Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely . . . think on these things"; and if we think we shall eventually do, and our lives will be a reflection of Him who was "altogether lovely."

(3) Be trustful. This was the primary lesson our Lord intended to teach by the words of our text—not to unduly desire, worry, strain after every phantom of delight the world deigned to offer, but to leave everything (after doing our best) to the wisdom of the One "Who is too wise to err, too good to ■be unkind, and Who gives showers of Messing and prosperity even to the unthankful and evil. The flowers would cay to us:—

'Tis our Father, Goa above; He lias made us. He is Love!

It should be our daily prayer for grace to be trustful, to leave the mysterious, the dark, the complex, and the painful in God's care, and take hold of the-hand of our Father, Who gently leads us on, step by step, day by day, to the House of many mansions. A chila knowing He father is not afraid, but rather relies Bpon its parent, simply because it is

"father." Our Father careth for us far more—th-e unheard sigh, the throb of every tender heart, the secret longings he knows. "Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." "Like ac a father pitieth liis children, even tho Lord pitieth them that fear Kirn." Let us -walk by faith —follow the leading of the Heavenly Captain, Whose banner and device is "love."

(4) Again, the lilies speak to us of "newness of life." Life! What a world of meaning in the word—that for which we all pant, desire, strain every nerve for, and endeavour to enjoy! Here is the wonder in the flower. That -ivhieh we cail "life" vitalises "'even the tumble works of God's Creation," and in the Springtime, in bold characters, ■we can, through the Spirit's eyes, read: '"Here is life," renewed, revarnished, reinvigorated, ready to serve man, to speak of the Holy Spirit's life-giving-rpower.

We are called to a (a) Kfe of purity. ■Whilst writing these lines I have beside mc some lilies. How spotless they are, unsullied, except for mere dust of the air! Such spollessuess they will retain while life lasts. To-da3' one of the greatest caJ's of Christ and His Church is ''live a pure life." Don't try to serve God and Mammon. Whilst in the world, be not of it. Let your influence Tje sincere, and serve God and your fel-low-men with a single eye. St. James gives us the "core" of the matter: "Pure religion rad undefined before G-cd and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himse'f unspotted from the world." The ■work! is looking on, and if Christ's power is to be seen amongst us it must be as a result of the pure, unde-filed and irreproachable lives the followers of the sinlass Lamb of God live. In conclusion, the lilies speak to us of the "resurrection." One of the strongest proofs of 4he future life i≤ to be obtained from the natural world. Season succeeds season. In its own course tlsea-dness

reigns supreme—tho icy hand of iraier holds the eway, but lo! whiter i 3 lost in the cheer and joy of spring, and so it is in God's plan, "Weeping may endure for a night, "but joy coiaeth in the morning." 2STow we grope in darkness; ,soon shall come light, joy, peace and rest unending.

CKtrSCH NEWS AND NOTES. The Society of Friends has accepted an invitation to present a memorial to, and give evidence before the Royal Commission on Divorce. The memorial will advocate the complete equality of men and women in all matters affecting the law of divorce; and that as the Christian religion insists upon the same moral standard for both sexes, the English law should too. Such equality of moral responsibility has been the rule for two and a-haU centuries in the Society of Friends, and has been found entirely satisfactory. Divorce is practically unknown amongst Friends.

Sir George Chubb, Bart., who 'has been so successful in managing the finances of the Leys School for lioys at Cambridge, has lately had in hand a project for founding a similar school for the girls of wealthy Methodist families. A capital of £20,000 has now been assured, and a start will shortly be mad«. A suitable piece of land has been purchased at Chiselhurst, near London, and it is intended to begin the building of the first house for 35 girls and the staff at once. The Leys School has been a great success as a high school for the sons of the upper-class Methodists, and it is be- ( lieved that a similar provision for girls is overdue. A number of wealthy laymen aTe supporting the scheme.

The Rev. Dr. Fitchett, in his address at one of the meetings of the Methodist General Conference in Adelaide Town Hall, said, "We have a deal of shifting cargo in all our Methodist churches." Whenever any crank comes along and travels the land with a strange gospel he is sure to gather some followers out from Methodism. Those people might be Methodists one day, Plymouth Brethren another, and Dowieites on the morrow.' .

Apparently "The Congregationalist" reads Mr Campbell's utterances carefully (states the "Christian World"), for it notes what has escaped the attention of many English, theologians, that "'the tone of his eloquent sermons is growing kindlier, and there is in them a deepening note of loyalty to Christ, along with the passionate devotion to the welfare of suliering humanity." What "The Congregationalist" observes is perfectly true, and it would be no exaggeration to say that the City Temple is now the scene of a quite remarkable spiritual revival, accompanied by strenuous organised, efforts I o-f a philanthropic character. .

The Auckland Ministers' Association are arranging to hold special services tomorrow, at which sermons will be preached on the prevalence of the gambling evil in the Dominion.

Most men have to die before their friends speak well of them, but the Rev. W. Gray-Dixon, M.A., had the pleasure (if such it could be called) of listening for over half-an-hour at the sitting 01 the Auckland Presbytery, while speaker after speaker -extolled his many virtues, his culture, his intellectual ability, urbanity, and his faithful service to his Church. One speaker remarked that it was the usual case of the South robbing the jSorth of ; ts best.

The translation of the Ivev. Doull from Otahuhu district has resulted in the

Auckland Presbytery coming to the conclusion that the charge is much too large for one minister and an assistant to properly look after. At the meeting of the Presbytery this week it was agreed to submit to the congregations a scheme for subdividing into three charges.

The greatest financial campaign ever conducted in the interests of ¥.M.CA. work has been completed at Chicago. Two years ago a fiftieth anniversary endowment fund vras started, which was placed at £200,000. When a special twelve days' effort was commenced, a sum of about £ 100,000 had already been pledged. By this canvass the total was carried up to the great figure of £23G,500. Four hundred workers, including many of tne principal ministers, gave their services.

A series of conferences has been inaugurated in Boston, the object of which ?s to let the people of the city know the attitude of the E.oman Catholic Church toward social problems. Wellknown priests and laymen have addressed largely-attended meetings in four sections of Boston.

The admission of women representatives to conference is being discussed by the leaders of the Wesleyan Church in England. The latest news is that in the May Synods a vote has been taicen, nineteen districts voting in favour of admission, and twelve against.

The old custom of blessing the crops has been observed at Goring-on-Thames recently. A procession of clergy and choir, followed by many parishioners, walked through the village and neighbouring woods and fields, singing , psalms and offering ryrayers for the growing crops. As the procession entered the parish church the Old Hundredth was sung.

Many persons are quite unaware that during every session of the British Parliament for the last 77 years, an unconventional prayer meeting, somewhat after the Methodist type, has been held at the House oi Commons once a week. The meeting is held in a room specially n-ranted for the purpose by the authorities.

A conference was held on May 26th At the Church House, Westminster, of the federation of the Church of England Men's Society. This society has branches at Auckland, Cambridge, Hamilton, Devonport, New Plymouth, Otalnihu, Pukekohe, Stratford, as well as Wellington, and in other parts of the Dominion. Rev. E. Gordon Saville, clerical secretary, who i>:resided a t the morning session, read a letter of remembran-ee and benediction from the Archbishop of York, His Grace added that he only wished he could be present both at the conference and evening service, but he was obliged to be in York, owing to the meeting of the Northern Convocation. 3lr Saville went on to say that the remarkable growth of the society during the past few years had suggested this conference of secretaries, not of branches, but of groups of branches, and he was glad to see that there were present that day so many secretaries of federations as there were delegates of single branches at the first conterence seven years ago. Repfresrentatives iwere present that day, not only from all parts of England, but from the Scottish (Episcopal) Men's Society, Queensland, Kew South Wales, South Africa and India. Bishop Taylor Smith, chaplain general to the forces; Mr J. F. Mackain, 34th Pioneers (Lahore), Car-on Hoskyns, and Mr F. Kay spoke on .various aspects of the society's spiritual work. At the afternoon session, Captain T. F. Watson, lay secretary, presiding, the administrative work was discussed. In the evening St. Paul's Cathedral was crowded for the annual service, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury preached, " '