LINCOLN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15567, 17 April 1916, Page 2

LINCOLN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

» JUBILEE SERVICES. The concluding function in connexion with the Lincoln Presbyterian Church jubilee was held in the church on Thursday evening, when t'here was a large .attendance. The pastor, the Rev. S. J5. Hill, presided, and thanked all concerned for the most enthusiastic and gratifying services held on the previous fchibbath. -Tttey were met that evening to thank Coa for the mercies of the past, and to consecrate themselves with still- more zeal to the work in the future. Apologising for the aosenco of Messrs John Graham and Robert Raincy, -senr., he would read them most cordial greetings received from tlio Christchurch Presbytery, the Rev. Dr. Waddcll (Dunedin), and Mr Chus. McPherson (Lismore). The Rev. Dr ( . Erwin (Knox Cliureh) congratulated the minister and people upon their church having attained its jubilee. Now lands lacked the historic past that J was fin ' inspiration to the citizens of mature nations, but Mew Zcalanclers must not forget that thev were scions of the great British nation. Fifty years was a long period in the life of an individual, but not in the life of a church or of a nation. Time, however, should be reckoned by glorious deeds and not- by the rounds of the clock. History was written in the buildings of a people, but the true history of a church was found in the character of its members that inspired them to effort for tho betterment, of their fellows. When present at- his first service in Lincoln —now thirty years ago, "when soirees were veritable banquets—he had been struck with the blending of nationalities in the district —the fusion of Scottish and -Irish races. The devoted attention given in Scotland. t.o education had been a great factor in Empire-building, in the formation of democratic ideals, and in the moulding of Presbyterianism, which had been strengthened by the strong prejudice of the Irish against form and ritual. He would remind his hearers that tho present great war was to uphold- those high principles of civilisation and democracy that the Church of God had evolved and fostered. Ho was struck with the new spirit of religious awakening that this war was evoking, notably among men in the trenches — a religious revival whose influence had not yet reached New Zealand. In conclusion, he congratulated the congregation on its jubilee, and on its fortune in having had excellent pastors in the past. No church could live on its past, however. It must strive after new effort to generate life, and thus prevent fossilisation and death. Tho Rev. A. T. Thompson (St. Andrew's) said that- as pastor of the "Mother" Church, of which the Pros? by tori an Churches in Canterbury were offshoots, he desired to express his felicitations upon the Lincoln Church "coming of .age." Its first pastor had been ordained under the moderatorsliip of the Rev. C. Eraser, first- minister of St. Andrew's.! The word "Lincoln" recalled to his mind the aid given by the Lincoln gunboat in the American Civil War, when a favourite norrro melody said "It may be the coming of - tho kingdom and the year of jubilee." Perhaps, as a result of tin's war, we were nearer than we thou slit to a great religious revival and the coming of the kingdom. He had been enjoving lately Lord Balfour of Burleigh's "History*of Presbyterianism in Scotland" —a work that should make nil glow with gratitude at tho sacrifices made, and the battle s fought by our fathers against oppression and superstition. Such names as Patrick Hamilton, Gen. Wishart. John Knox, and Andrew Melville should command the lasting gratitude of, not Presbyterians alone, but, of all who stood for purity of doctrine and equalitv of mankind. It had been the privilege of Presbyterians to be among the foremost of those who sought to champion tho rights of tho peoole against Icings'and bishops, and other human agencies that in days past had sought to enslave the mass of the people to autocratic ideals. He warned his hearer* against neglect of the Bible — a neglect that would surely bring corruption. and infringement of the liberties: /if the pfeople. Other speeches were given by Mr A. M. Wright, son of a former pastor of the Lincoln charze. and by the church treasurer, Mr William Gilmour, whose father and himself had held the offica continuously for over, thirty years. The choir, conducted by Mr James Macintosh, rendered some delightful anthems. Miss T)unn presided at tho onan. Solos and duets were given by ■Mrs Mr>"farlane. Miss Henry, and by Messrs John and Henry Watson. The Rev. Dr. Erwin nronounced the Benediction. after which nn adjournment was made +o th<» schoolroom, where supper had been laid by the ladies.