RAVENSBOURNE METHODISTS

Evening Star, Issue 20613, 13 October 1930, Page 7

RAVENSBOURNE METHODISTS

JUBILEE SERVICES The jubilee, celebrations of the Ravensbourne Methodist Church were commenced yesterday. . The Rev. T. A. Pybus preached in the morning to a full congregation, and in the evening the Rev. W. H. Hocking preached to a crowded congregation, many having to be content to listen from the vestry. Among those present at the evening service were the town clerk and councillors of West Harbour, the mayor (Mr H. E. Moller) being unable to be present owing to sickness in bis home.. There were a few present who were present at the opening service fifty years ago, and several who came from some considerable' distance. ■ A special jubilee choir, under the baton of Mr P. Thornicroft, led the singing and rendered several anthems. MORNING SERVICE. The morning service was conducted by a former minister, the Rev. ,T. A* Pybus, who took for his text 'Acts xi., 26, ‘The Deciples were called “Christians ” First at Antioch.’ “ The name * Christian ’ is mentioned three times in the New Testament,” said the minister. “The first time it was used it was given to the disciples by outsiders. The disciples did not call themselves Christians, but the people of- Antioch observed these people and- took knowledge of them and of their deeds and conversation, and noted that they were different from all other people and called them ‘ Christians ’ —followers of the Christ. , “ The name ‘ Methodist ’ comes m much the same way. It was given by outsiders to a company of_ students and clergy at the Oxford University, of whom John Wesley was the leader. Alarmed at the prevailing carelessness of their age, they formed themselves into a society for the cultivation. of personal godliness and for practical Christian service. They rose at 6 a.m. for prayer and early Communion. They repeated a collect at 9, 12, and 3 o’clock, and they fasted on Tuesdays and Fridays. They also 1 visited the prisons and asylums. For this reason, and because they lived by rule and were methodical in all their, practices, they were called in derision 1 Methodists.’ It was thus with the disciples at Antioch. When outsiders saw them and their deeds, and how they had caught the spirit of their Master, they said; - * These people are Christians—connected with Christ.’ ” Mr Pybus then pointed out that a. person is not a Christian because ho attends, certain services and . public meetings. Nor is he a Christian because born in a so-called - Christian land. A Christian is one indwelt by Jesus Christ, so- that Christ is able to reveal himself through that. one. He is one in whom Christ dwells, and through whom Christ lives and works and speaks. With- Christ as the indwelling Lord, the Christian is a disciple. The indwelling Christ, masters the life and reveals Himself through, the Mastered life. The preacher then referred to the pioneer ministers or the church, men who had the spirit and outlook and devotion .of the Christians, of Antioch. Mention was made of the ministry ' of. the Rev. Geo. Smith, who in 1880 began a remarkable spiritual work in the district. He was a minister of exceptional gifts and graces, and .succeeded in endearing himself to the hearts of the people. His sermons were rich; and weighty, evangelical and appealing. Whatever he did, and wherever ho went he exercised a wonderful influence for good. The Rev. C. E. Barley was another remarkable character. . A keen thinker, he put his very best into, his sermons and addresses. Mr Barley early received the “ home- call,” . and though his ministry wris of sliqrt duration it was flagrant with the . life of God. Mention Avas also inade of the services of laymen,, who had the" spirit and outlook'of the Antioch Christian and whose work lives to-day-,

Following the service the Sacrament I of Communion was held, when then • was a large attendance. ■ EVENING SERVICE.

* At the evening service, the Rev. W, H. Hocking took as his text Ephes* ians, chapter ii, verses 20-22. He recalled the happenings of fifty years ago. when the building was opened as a place of workship. and as a centre of Christian fellowship by a small hand of devoted workers. . Testimony was born to the effective ministry of the cause through .the half-century and to the hohle heritage the pioneers had left. The preacher then, proceeded to enumerate the responsibilities devolving upon those who. were, carrying on. the work to-day, arid for the better understanding of what those responsibilities were, and went on to emphasise what the maintenance of a church virtually! amounted to. He stressed the fact that the thing of primary importance in any church fellowship was the character of those of whom it was composed. The Christian church rightly understood consisted of those who have passed through great spiritual experiences rather than of those who had passed through or been passed through certain ordinances. ' .

The preacher then proceeded to show, that Scripture, bore evidence that it was both a duty and a necessity for. mutual instruction and encouragement and for effective service that such people should meet together, and this, ho said, was what the people felt who laid the foundation of the Ravensbourno Methodist Church fifty years ago. Ho stressed the need for Christian fellowship. No man, he said, could live a Christian life in isolation. Further, the Christian assembly needed such contribution as ho could • bring. The absence of the individual from the corporate assembly bad 1 an ill-effect on the preaching of the word; it robbedi the spirit of God of the peculiar chari- 1 nel of that personality for the help and blessing of other lives, and generally impaired the effectiveness of the churclj. itself. He closed with an urgent appeal to ’ all to consecrate themselves to the task of carrying forward the influence of the church through the contribution of a consecrated personality actively and enthusiastically given to its service. THE WEEK’S EVENTS.

The next event in the celebrations is on Wednesday night, when a banquet will bo held in the Ravensbourne Town Hall, On Saturday the Sunday, school picnic will be held, and in the evening there will be a social reunion of exscholars and friends. The proceedings will be ! brought to a close on Sunday, when the jubilee services will be continued. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse will conduct the morning service, and the Rev. A. C. Lawry will preach in the evening.