Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 95, 3 August 1945, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakat

WHY PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH

A Sunday morning found, me seated in a Church of which I was not ;i member. A courteous welcome and a hymn book, are usually received at such places; and so here. The interior of the Church showed a simple .superior to most Picture Palaces and admittance was free..-—The morning sunlight streamed through large tinted windows; the atmosphere was warmed, and the seats comfortable.—The brief silence preceding the service was welcome, for the past days had been exacting and I was weary. Here I felt completely at rest; mind and body. "Who do people go to Church?" Tf only one could "put over" the reason why to those who apparently never attend such places ; their outlook on life might be deeply affected. This' sketch may help to that end. As the minister took his place all rose. The organ gave harmonious lead ? and in unison we sang, "Holy; Holy; Holy; Lord God of Hosts. Heaven, and Earth are full of the majesty of thy great glory. Glory be to Thee, Oh Lord Most High." So, frail creatures of a day, Ave addressed ourselves to the Eternal and felt His presence- Again Ave realised that, inbreathed by His "breath of Life" we too were immortal. Surely this act of worship was simply normal. How abnormal and unnatural are unbelief and indifference! Then the minister prayer ? simply sincerely, voicing to God the Jieart breathings of all. He told Him that we needed Hiin much. We wished to please and Honour him more; and we. confidently asked for His help and blessing this morning for the sake of Jesus His own "love token" given to us. Again we sang. Christianity is a "singing religion." What other is like it. "Jesus; where e'r Thy children meet ? there they behold thy mercy seat." The verses upon Christ's' words "There J am I in the midst of them " were •J precious to the heart of the instructed christians, reminding them again 'of the sure ground of approach to Gpd as prepared by Himself through Christ. in the first

ne Ministers' Association)

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

verse Avas seen forgiveness for sin, sweetest of Gospel truths'. The remainder aspired to Christ in the heart earnest of a Christlike life. Again a hymn raised it's cadences, and apparently all sang: "I love the Lord because my A*oice and prayers He did hear; God saves, the meek; I Avas brought low; He did me lielp afford," If there Avcre hypocrites present one Avonders Avliat attracted them. Yes; christians' are frail and faulty; but few of them boast of their saintlincss. As the strains filled the building I am sure that the All -seeing HeaAenly Father, "a Gracious and pitiful God; sloav to anger ( and rich in love" saw much lowly sincerity. For who but He can read the inmost heart! If the Christian religion emancipated women from the status of chattels, and gave them their true dignity as co\-equals Avith men, it also as certainly stressed the sacredness of child life. This thought gripped me as I joined in the next sacred song; "Jesus the children are calling." The religion of Christ is all in favour of the young folk. It is a "family" religion too; —"Gently Lord lead thou our mothers,; weary they—Fathers themselves are God's children teach them •? still." Then came the Minister's message: "If any man Avill come after me, let him deny himself. Christianity is a religion of sacrifice. It has greatly enriched our civilisation. After the recent collapse and crash of armies, empires; our only hope for a peaceful world rests upon Christ. Christians must make men see this. That means sacrifice. The religion of too many professing christians costs nothing. Real Christianity means sacrifice of money, sacrifice in Church sen-ice and in Foreign missions. Devotion in Church attendance, Bible, and prayer are essential. Christ Himself bore His cross, and calls ,on us for sacrifice in all things. As [ passed out at the close I felt chastened, strengthened, refreshed. Once more. I saAV life in true and with the Objective clear before me. Therefore once again I thanked God for the great privilege of Avorshipping Him in His House. Here is the reason AA'hy people go to Church.