VOICE OF THE CHURCHES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 198, 19 May 1930, Page 15

VOICE OF THE CHURCHES

SERMONS FROM WELLINGTON PULPITS

FACE THE DIFFICULT TASKS WORK FOR EVERYONE “Every man in the world was made for a purpose, and that purpose was to do something.” This statement was made by- the Rev. David Jones, M.A., in beginning a sermon at the Newtown Congregational Church yesterday. His text was: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.”—2 Timothy, ii, 15. “God has a place for every one in the world—for the high and the low, for the prominent and the obscure. To fill that particular place, whether the position be a Prinfe Minister’s or a cobbler’s, is the highest achievement,” he continued. “If you are going to be strong men and women, you must live positively and aggressively. “Whatever you do, whichever way you turn, self will be the mightiest factor in making your character and place in life. We belong to both worlds. Land and stocks and bonds belong to only one world.” It was the greatest mistake to begin life with the expectation that it was going to be easy, or with the wish to have it so, said the preacher. What a world it would be if tnere were no hills to climb. "Let us not dodge difficult tasks. You certainly miss the best in life when you do not learn how to conquer difficulties instead of dodging them. Stupid- as a game with an indifferent opponent is life without some hardship in it. Difficult tasks are good for all of us. Let us never shun them, and may we prevent them from having dominion over us. Remember that true life is energy. Comfort From Daily Tasks. “That man who does not get some comfort, and some enthusiasm out of his daily task, is in a bad way. Enthusiasm is that thing that makes a man boil oyer for his business, his family, his religion, and for anything his heart is in. Enthusiasm is the lamp trimmed, filled, and brightly burning. Excitement is the lamp exploded.” A business man had this motto,Jianging in his office: “How can I improve my business to-<Jay?” It was a constant reminder and inspiration to him. That was not only a splendid motto for every business man to have and adopt, but for everyone modified, "Where can I improve myself to-day?”, "How. can I make myself a little broader, a little better informed?” “How can I have more selfcontrol?” “How can I be stronger and more efficient?’ “How can I improve myself to-day?” would • make a splendid motto for all of us. ' “Do you. use life, or are you just letting life use you?” he asked. “What a world of thought is opened by this query? Are you one of those who are letting life use you? Are you simply drifting with the current? Many go along the highway of life carelessly, aimlessly. They encounter difficulties, and are too, lazy to try to stem them. When anything goes' wrong in their lives, they shrug their shoulders and say ‘Such is life.’ “The world must be taught that there is something worse than a mortgaged house, or, farm —and that is mortgaged manhood and womanhood. Be strong, therefore, and show thyself a mini). Be strong in your faith in God, and in His Soil, Jesus Christ. Show thyself a man daring to be found working with His people. The Manly Life. “The Christian life is the manly and strong life. There is nothing weak or effeminate about Paul’s conception of Christianity. It calls for the best there is m man in every way, and is satisfied with nothing but the best. It demands the best thinking, the best acting, the cleanest speaking, the best character. Ability to do things, with nothing to direct, but the desire to do, 1 produces criminals. Someone has said, ‘Passion is rampant and honour burning to death on the altar of selfishness, fills the world with woe, and necessitates gaols and hangmen, and electrocutioners. Bright brains polished to think evil, poisoned tongues to whisper Satan’s lies, and cunning hands to do the devil’s work, are the products of schools, where bovs and girls are turned conseiousless from their doors lacking that without which all else is worse than worthless: moral integrity and exaltedness of ideals.’ “Christianity is better than that. Christianity would adorn the home with beautv and sympathy and helpfulness; it would consign every harmful book to the fireit would take away every useless word lio™ h „ Un a an sp / p , ch ; nm ’ R’ 5 ’ 6 in place clean and useful language. “Be strong, choose Jesus Christ for your Saviour, and the Bible for your guide in life. Infidels may scoff, but God s truth abides.” '

THE MAN WHO DID NOT CARE

MODERN GALLIOS “We are greatly interested in Gallio, although he is not interested in us,” said the Rev. F. E. Harry, when preaching in the Vivian Street Baptist Church last evening. “The story of Gallio, as told in Acts xviii, is. summed up in these words: ““And Gallio cared for none of these things.’ Although he was the brother of .Seneca, the great philosopher, he knew not the hour of his visitation, and like Pilate, missed a golden opportunity. . “It was a critical hour m Paul s lite, when he shook himself free from traditional impedimenta, and went forth to be the great apostle of the Gentiles, lhe Jews were so incensed at his teaching and preaching that they haled hiqa before the Roman magistrate, Gallio, who would not even call on the prisoner for his defence, but drove the whole crowd pell-mell from the judgment hall. The mob, baulked of their fun, set upon the Jewish ringleader, Sosthenes, and thrashed him. but Gallio cared for none of these things. Such is the story. j. “At this distance we can easily see the blunder of Gallio. Things that seemed to be outside of his province are discovered to be momentous for him, and for the world. We do not regard Gallio as a curiosity, or as a criminal. We do not laugh at him, neither do we condemn him. His attitude has its modern counterpart. “The Government of India has to deal with a religious people, two-thirds Hindu, one-third Mohammedan. It practically says to these millions, ‘Attend to your own religions. We shall not interfere. Worship your idols, or hold your.festivals; have your sacrifices and your pilgrimages; but don’t quarrel. Let there be no social strife among you. Our concern is the order, the progress, and the prosperity of the country. Our business is political, and not religious. Think for yourselves, but don’t interfere with one another.’ So the Government assumes an attitude of benevolent neutrality; and it is the only wise course to take. As a Roman official Gallio did what he thought was right. He was a diplomatist. He wanted to do his duty as governor; but to be an ecclesiastical partisan was not a role he would take. Vital Concerns Ignored) “Gallio interests me because he doesn’t see as I do, doesn’t care for things that ■to me arc of transcendant importance, keeps clear of religious controversies and disputes, and avoids parsons.' I want hitn to see as I do. to get a right view of life, to bring God into his plans, to know that Christians arc not fanatics, troubled .about ‘words and names,’ and ojher unimpdrtant things—so that he will no longer stand aloof, but will take an intelligent interest in the kingdom of God. His fault to-day consists in the fact that he ignores vital concerns, magnifies unduly things that do not. matter, and scorns that which has done so much to make opr nation great. Gallio is interested in politics; he would readily tell you who should be the next Prime Minister. or discuss the question whether or not the Labour Party should force a dissolution. He might debate with you the question of the All Blacks wearing white jerseys in the test matches. But mention the controversy concerning the return of the Lord Jesus, and you will find him dumb. He cares for none of these things. The fact is that he is uterly ignorant of the most vital thing in the life of any man —that ‘ is, religion. He says it doesn’t matter what a man believes so long as he pays his way and does his duty; but when yon ask what his duty towards God is he is at a loss to answer. “How severe the modern Gallio is when criticising the Church. We are told that we have been indifferent to social well-being; that we have tolerated slums and ignored poverty and unemployment; and then we are warned against dabbling in politics. What do we know about business! Should we combat ■drink, gambling, and immorality, we are dubbed Jeremiahs, pessimists, and killjoys. Lost Interest. “Some time ago the British Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsey MacDonald, told the churches that the workers had not lost faith, but they had lost interest in the Church's propaganda. Adopting the ethical principles of Christianity in their programme, they nevertheless ignored the preachers who were sky-pilots. He said: ‘The churches discuss us, and condemn us; they change their ritual; they come down to the levels reached by the deteriorating grit of present-day society, only to find shifting sands which recede and provide no real resting place. The food provided for us does not fill, and hence many turn elsewhere to find spiritual refreshment.' Is Saul among the prophets? or is MacDonald among the Gallios? Has he rightly diagnosed the evil, has he touched the heart of the trouble? “The fact is Gallio cares little about the things of the soul. We admit that when the cupboard is bare and the children are hungry and cold, it is hard to think beyond the cares of the body; but it is not always so. And we appeal to Gallio to face the issues once more, to think of God, to listen to the. Lord Jesus Christ, as He challenges us. to the holiest living, to face His cross, though it drive us to utter penitence and prayer, and to go forth, forgiven, cleansed, inspired, to do God’s work and will in the world.” MORTALS AND IMMORTALS “Mortals and Immortals” was the subject of. the lesson-sermon in First and Second Churches of Christ, Scientist. Wellington, yesterday. The golden text was from II Cor. v, 16: “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh.” Among the citations which comprised the lesson-sermon was the following from the Bible: "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. iv, 7. 13). The lesson-sermon also included the following passage from . the Christian Science textbook “Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures.” by Mary Baker Eddy; “Human capacity is slow to discern and to grasp God’s creation and tlie divine power and r presence which go with it, demonstrating its spiritual origin. Mortals can never know the infinite. until they throw off the old man and reach the'spiritual image and likeness. . . How shall we declare Him till, in the language of I lie Apostle. ‘We all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. unto a perfect man. unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ?”