REV. ALBERT MEAD'S MINISTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23055, 6 September 1938, Page 1

REV. ALBERT MEAD'S MINISTRY

FAREWELL SERVICES AT MORAY PLACE CHURCH Farewell services terminating the ministry of the Rev. Albert Mead, M.A., at Moray Place Congregational Church were conducted last Sunday, there being large congregations present at both services. On the subject, ‘ The Garrisoned Heart,’ Mr Mead preached an inspiring sermon at the morning devotions from the text “ The pence of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus." During the evening service the solo ‘ 1 Shall Not Pass Again This Way ’ was sung by Miss Agnes Guy, and the anthem ‘ O Christ Who Holds the Open Gate ’ (Shaw) was sung by the choir. Members of the Imperial ExServicemen’s Association attended, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered at a supplementary service. Taking as his text in the evening “ The grace of God hath appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that we, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus ii., 11), Mr Mead said; Jn the course of many themes that we have considered together we have attempted to discern the mind, heart, and will of God, the Creator, in many different ways and from many angles. In turn 1 have explored the world of Nature, the world of human nature when we have studied biography and history, the world of aesthetic pleasures when we have pondered on the beauties of music, literature, and art, and at times I have considered the application of the Gospel to social life, believing that our human progress depends upon bringing every thought into captivity to the mind of Christ. But to-night 1 wish to dwell on the theme of themes, the theme upon which every sermon is built, the theme which gives hope and joy, beauty and power, meaning and value to human life. When Paul contemplated the doings of his time he saw that there was onlv one way to meet the common need of humanity, and that was to bring men am! women to see and accept the grace of God which had appeared to all men. Salvation implies that something has been lost, and the salving of such is the great message contained in the parable of the Father’s love which we read tonight. “ The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Our Lord put two lost men in the parable, hut also, put tht j Father’s prodigal love by which aiorie could they be restored. These men differed only in their externals. One went away; the other stayed at home. One was considered reprobate, called a sinner, and thought of as irreligious; the other was considered respectable, called a Pharisee, and thought to be religious. But essentially there was no difference; both were lost to the Father, for they were out of harmony with His love, out of relationship with His purpose, and out of tune with His holy will; they wore lost in selfishness and self-will, ignoring the intimate relationship, rejecting the filial confidence and trust which a son could and should give to make the human relationship sweet and strong. Did not the younger son plan to ask that he might be made as one of the Father’s hired servants? But the Father is not satisfied with that inadequate relationship. For in His anxiety to restore and enjoy the true relationship He runs to meet the wayward son. He almost loses his identity as a Father. And to-night in Christ’s name I offer you this gift of God’s love, asking you to accept it as His gift for your salvation, because you and 1 are lost to the Father’s heart until we, in response to His love, accept love’s great and glorious gift to our souls. The younger son wished to be made as a servant, and the elder son remarked on the long number of years he had faithfully served, but we cannot accept this gift of God’s grace under so casual a relationship. Only in the close, friendly relationship of son can we fulfil His deep desire and truly achieve His purpose for our lives.