PULPIT MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 10

PULPIT MESSAGES

Wellington Churches

DESTINY OF EMPIRE

Ottawa and New Era

Preaching at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral yesterday morning, at a special parade service of the Legion of Frontiersmen, Canon Percival James referred to some of the problems of Empire. He paid a tribute to the magnificent spirit of service shown by the Frontiersmen in the Great War. They had no common political creed butthat of Empire. They were bound together by a common patriotism, springing from their faith in the great and fruitful destiny of the

British Empire. The

pledge of their membership was a readv ness to serve the Empire when .and where they were needed. “Nationalism appears to be suspect in some quarters to-day,” said Canon James. “There are those who tell ns that the ills of this hour are largely caused by an exaggerated nationalism. That is curious, for there were prophets a generation ago, before the war, who told us that nationalism was a spent force. There is a vague internationalism in the air just now, which is both delusive and dangerous, for it ignores some of the true facts of human nature. TJie truth is that we have found that nationalism in the love of one’s own country and devotion to its interests remains, and is likely to remain, one of the strongest forces in the world. The most thoughtful of internationalists are willing to confess that the road to internationalism lies through nationalism.

“The triumphant survival of the British monarchy, through a period of world-wide political revolution and upheaval, challenges explanation. The fact is that the British monarchy has a significance greater than ever before in its history; for it is the strongest link that binds together the free and Independent democracies that exist within the commonwealth of British nations. It seems to me inconceivable that any State which swerves from its allegiance to the Throne can remain much longer within the Empire. The years of the reign of our present King have been filled with terrific national events and crises, crowding thick upon one another, and affecting for weal or woe the destiny of the Empire for centuries to come. It would be difficult to overstate what it has meant to us to have upon the Throne through these years a monarch botii wise and good. “The invincible sentiment of kinship between all the peoples who still speak of our Mother Country as Home, is not easy to define or describe; but it has stood the sternest test. The confer- ■ ence at Ottawa may well open a new era in the history of the Empire: its decisions may also be fraught with large consequences for the whole world. “Let us hope and pray that the representatives of all parts of our vast and varied Empire, may approach the formidable problems that confront them with one single desire and motive—• mutual helpfulness in the family. The hopes which created this conference will be frustrated, if it is to degenerate into a family squabble, which must happen if member-nations go there to snatch the utmost advantage from the Imperial connection, to get most and to give lease. The conference can achieve success only if all the members of the British family are prepared to give their aid in the present emergency, to co-operate freely and ungrudgingly for the good of all. New Zealand, proud of the imperial heritage, will applaud the declaration of the Prime Minister that mutual co-operation and not mere bargaining should be the spirit of the conference. “Let us hope .and pray that’the Ottawa Conference may have an effect beyond the Empire; that the closer economic relations of the Empire may help and not hinder world-wide economic peace and understanding, confidence and recovery. Let us yearn that the British Empire, by the example of its own family life and by its influence in international councils, may show the way to better international relationships—to a nearer approach to the Christian ideal of the world, the incluion of all mankind in one family of God. The truest national pride is to believe that this is the leadership for which God has raised up the British Empire. Let us pray that the British Empire in these critical days may serve the true progress of humanity.” TWO GARDENS Beginning of Two Epochs “Two Gardens” was the subject of an address by Adjutant Canty at the Salvation Army Hall, Constable Street, yesterday. His texts were: “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden,” Gen. ii: 8; and “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a Garden.” St. John xix. 41. “One was the garden of man's fall,” he said, “the other the garden of man’s recovery. The situation of these gardens is very interesting as to time. They each stand at the beginning of an epoch. “The Bible record declares that all mankind has sprung from the first pair of human beings. This is confirmed by physiology and also psychology. From Eden God sent forth the representatives of the race and commanded them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth.’ From Jerusalem Christ sent forth His disciples, the representatives of the spiritual race, and commanded them to preach the Gospel in all the world. That command is being carried out still. “There are two universes, one of mind and one of matter. The one is filled with things, the other with powers. Nature is the carpet on which powers work and walk and live. Science is the process of unravelling the carpet to see how it is put together.- Nature has no volition, no will, no conscience, and is not accountable. Powers are. “Why then did God make us accountable and consequently capable of sinning? Shall the thing formed say, ‘Why hast thou formed me thus?’ The clay" in the potter’s hand aptly illustrates the relationship of man and God. Let him mould us for His glory and our good. “God prefers powers to things. One soul, because it can will and choose, and love and hate is worth more to God than the whole material universe. Kant said, ‘There are two things to stand in awe of: 1. The immensity of the stellar universe; 2. The responsibility of the human soul.’ Jesus did not die for worlds—He died for men (living souls), for you and me. Oh why will you die?”