SPIRITUALIST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 19022, 18 August 1925, Page 11

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH

The service at Smith’s Hall, Hanover street, was conducted by Miss Burgess, the ninth chapter of Pauls hirst Rpistlo to the Corinthians being used to illustrate the lecture — The Stimulus of Obstacles.’ It is the stimulus of obstacles (said the speaker) which gives us the strength to conquer, and all through life we are striving against difficulties of one sort or another, and the degree to which we win out depends on the spirit with 'which we meet these trials. We are placed in this world for a certain purpose, rr."d many lessons are needed to help ns to that end. Many there are who apparently do not overcome the obstacles of life, though they may have striven and fought more than some who have been successful; but ft is the striving that counts, and the fight-* ing to overcome weaknesses and adverse conditions which builds up character. Reading of the lives of great men of the past, so often wo find they had difficulties and hardships to overcome, and it was hv sheer hard fighting and determination to overcome all difficulties that they had built up strong and forceful characters, and were enabled to make a place in history. Life is one long strife; the struggle to overcome is the law of growth, and when we see those who are striving against apparently heavy odds we appreciate the courage which pushes them on, and it gives to others nr; example and a desire to overcome the obstacles of their lives bravely, too. Tho desiro to rise and to seek after the higher things of this life often brings in its train ridicule and persecution ; the early Christians stiffen'd thus, and it is in our midst to-day. Fspecially is this so with regard to those investigating Spiritualism.