SUPREME NEED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 12

SUPREME NEED

The Christian Evangel

FAILURE OF OPTIMISM The final address of the series, "The Everlasting Gospel, which has occupied the evening meetings of the Now Zealand Congregational Union Assembly, was given in the Cambridge terrace Church last night by Iho Rev. Frank de Lisle, of -Mount Eden. Auckland, whose subject was “What the Gospel Means. ’ . . Mr. de Lisle said lie could give his address in one sentence —Christ is the Gospel. It was significant that while ihe Christian Church and its doctrines failed to at tract', the Founder of the Church was still a subject of absorbing interest. It looked as if there was an antithesis between theology and the Gospel, and perhaps, as one preacher had put it, "less doctrine and more of Jesus” was wanted. Doctrine served a number of purposes, one of which was the transmission by explanation of the

good news. No matter how they attempted to explain, the fact stood indisputable, that something happened on the Cross which meant ail the difference between life and death. Many kinds of preaching were futile because they failed to urge a proper sense of contrition for sin. The churches were failing to satisfy the hunger of the world, 'lhey were telling men that religion was not a spoil-sport and inviting people to their social gatherings. Men could find all this outside the Church. What they wanted was light; and to ‘that cry the Gospel was the answer. Christ c,ame to dissipate darkness. He was the Light. Optimistic Theology. In every age there had been companies of men and women who had seen the light. The experience was always the same, although the explanation varied. Every generation bad its own. One popular theology was the optimistic, which assured that humanity was moving on to its ideal. The world needed a human Christ and a rational Gospel. As a result evangelistic fervour wilted. Sermons became lectures, and conversions rare. To-day there was a reaction. Theologians were emphasising human helplessness, and the Divine Christ who claimed utter surrender.

“The Kingdom of God is not something which can evolve from the kingdoms of this earth,” said Mr. de Lisle. Christianity was rooted and grounded in a personal relationship between men and God in Christ. In the Oxford Group movement was an attempt to recapture something of the rapture of the early Church. It was the old, old story, even although it was dressed in language of which some of them did not approve.

The supreme need was a deepening of their knowledge of God and a quickening of their experience. If the Gospel was not a living power for each one, bow could they help having a church that was futile aud feeble? The end and aim of the Gospel was the salvation of man.

The singing was led by the combined choirs of the Newtown and Cambridge Terrace Churches, who sang the anthem “My 'Soul Doth Magnify the Lord.” The soloist was Miss Janne.t Reynolds. Mr. W. Mill presided.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS SESSIONS

The opening devotional service yesterday was conducted by Pastor W. M. Garner. A business session followed, when the treasurer’s report was adopted, and also the budget proposals for 1937-38.

Mr. C. Lankshear, Dominion secretary of the London Missionary Society, presented a report showing steady work in the church for the society. He emphasised the need for awakened interest in the Watchers’ Prayer Union,

Mrs. 11. J. Crawford gave the L.M.S. Women’s Auxiliary report. Although' nothing spectacular had occurred, the work was going ou with a steady purpose. During the year aid was given to Miss Ngaire Mill to supply food to the Ataulonia Girls’ High School, which had suffered considerably in a storm. Tlie girls’ auxiliary report also revealed continued activity.

The Rev. 11. W. Newell, youth director, presented a report. A deputation was received from the Bible-in-schools League, consisting of the Rev. J. Thomson Macky, Rev. E. O. Blamires, Colonel Burton, Miss Mac Lean, and Mrs. Crawford. Mr. Macky addressed the assembly, and thanks were returned by Mr. J. Abernethy. At the afternoon session a discussion took place on the subject, “Is Our Method of Conducting Services Suited to Present-day Conditions?” The Rev. Raymond Simpson opened the debate, outlining two methods of worship, by sacrament and by preaching. The latter was the practice of our Lord and also of St. Paul. A multitude of ways might be devised without arriving at the way the people liked best. The Rev. C. C. Hoskin gave experiences of church service, such as discussion groups and the use of the screen. Mr. W. Mill said that for him preaching was not. worship but instruction. It was possible to instruct men, hut not possible to make them worship. He added that discussion after the sermon would be of infinite value.

The final public meeting of the Assembly will take place in the Cambridge Terrace Church at 7.45 to-night, when the Rev. C. G. H. Bycroft, of the United Church, Dunedin, will preach the Union Sermon. The Assembly will close with the Lord’s Supper, the Rev. Arthur Muriel presiding.