90TH ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 238, 9 October 1933, Page 3

90TH ANNIVERSARY.

METHODISM IN AUCKLAND.

SPECIAL SERVICES HELD.

Special services to mark the 90th anniversary of Methodism in Auckland were held in a number of Methodist Churches yesterday. Speaking at the Titt Street Churcli last evening, the Rev. W. Walker said that the present standard of life was immeasurably higher and the. people's liberties were vastly greater than those of Mieah's clay, but the tragedy of the situation was that, in spite of the vast resources of accumulated wealth and all the marvellous inventions of modern science to ease the burden of life, there was still much poverty, and thousands of people were doomed to almost hopeless despair. The Church of the future, said Mr. Walker, must so emphasise the teachings of Jesus Christ that there would come a demand for an economic system that would bo indicated to the well-being of all. The duty of the Church was to provide the spiritual dynamic of social justice. Real religion, continued the speaker, was not a matter of altars or candles or incense or singing hymns, or even of preaching the Word. To be worth while religion had to be practical goodness, and it needed to be brought into direct relationship with all the facts of daily life. Heal religion had to do with business, with economics, with conditions of labour and international relationships. A solo, "The Lord is My Shepherd,'' wae sung by Mrs. W. 11. Simpson, and two anthems were given by the choir. The organist Mas Mr. A. Bryant. A special concert to mark the anniversary of the Methodist Churcli in Auckland will be held on Wednesday.