WELSH SERVICE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21289, 8 October 1934, Page 7

WELSH SERVICE

| CHALLENGE OF HUMAN NEEII A Welsh service was held hi Young Men's Christian Assoieauot.'S concert hall last evening, ar.d the proceeds were devoted to the Mayer's R->-lief of Distress Fund. The service was arranged by the members of the Welsh Club, which paid all the expenses, so that all the proceeds could be devoted to relief. The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt preached the sermon. He said tha: sympathy was one of the chief cha.acteristics o£ the Welsh people, and ." was badly needed in these times <-•? need and want. Christ seemed r - mote from us at this distant cjte. as there was no direct and pergonal service possible. But allowance had been made for this, and .'l'l o:::lc. :.»" emotional gratitude had boo:: found by helping the poor and need;-. "Service rendered to me:; !.- -crv'.-e----rendered to God, and the eo::ver.-<_ ;» i equally true, for when we spun: a brother in need we spurn Ckr:s\'" ;.■•-■ - tinued Mr Pratt. That phase he s;:::? might be looked upon as transferred devotion. The professional ma.. !o-_ken u---:» his fellow man as a possible clic:v. ■■> swell his capital, but he failed him through the eyes of God. ire Christian in man was freo.uer.tiy ;..■„•- den by a repulsive exterior, but "- must be realised that there was in every man. If we do :o man. Christ would recognise the r ■cr v.e had done. He said that he was once given ?or. «• stones to look at that had come iru-i Queensland. There was nothing remarkable about them, but he was told to close his hand on them, and when he opened it again thev gleamed brilliantly. So it was in life. The hidden glory was made manifest by the warm touch of the human hand.

"Religion is active love, and the basis of the Christian is bis behaviour in the presence of the challenge of human need,'' concluded the preacher. The order of the service was: Harp selections by Mr H. G. Glaysher; hymn, "Hyfrydol" (Glorious), in English; lesson in Welsh; hymn, "Llanfair* (St. Mary), in Welsh; prayer in Welsh: hymn, "Cysur" (Comfort), in Welsh; violin solo. "Min Yr Afon" (Emlyn Evans), Miss Joan Evans, A.T.C.L.; I hymn. "Babel," in English; sermon, Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt; solo. "Lead. Kindly Light" (words by Cardinal Newman, music by Ptighe Evans'' % hymn, "Moab," in English; Benediction.