Pulpit Messages Christianity and Life

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23315, 26 July 1950, Page 4

Pulpit Messages Christianity and Life

(Contributed hr Ministers’ Association.)

EARTH’S BLACKEST THING Fifty years ago there appeared come rhymed lines like this: Black, oh, so black! Black as the starless nightfs dark track. Black as the unclean raven’s wing, Black as man's sin—earth's blackest thing! During the passing of this halfcentury of time what blackness has been experienced! The blackness of two major wars: the blackness of trade depression and unemployment: the blackness of disasters on land and sea and in the air: the blackness of earthQuake and famine, of disease and death! Yet in the face of all this the words hold good: Sin is earth’s blackest thing! Evil of Sin Still Persists Men may doubt or deny the evil of sin. they may try to forget it. to cover it with culture, or to drown it in amusement and pleasure, but still it persists; by whatever new or nice name it may be called, the black thing is not white or the sling of sin less deadly. Sin is the arch-enemy of man. The Bible says it produces death, and earns death as its wages. The essence of sin is deceit. The heart of man is said to be deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Guile may be practised by giving pledges without any intention of honouring them, or by the casting of a snare before the.unwary which results in entanglement and black disappointment. What is the Remedy? Now what is the remedy for all this? Nothing less than the salvation provided for all men by the Christ of the Cross. Let it be remembered that the blackness of sin cannot be transformed into the whiteness, the true goodness, of holiness by anything less than the Blood of Christ—not by Jesus feeding the hungry, healing the sick, or comforting mourners, beautiful as all these were. It could only be done by Jesus giving His life as a ransom. It was for our transgressions that he was wounded, for our iniquities that He was bruised, and by His stripes that our souls are healed. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remisison of sin.’’ •Mrs. Robt. Atkins being elected as the delegate. A mystery parcel was won by Mrs. Liblinc. Competitions.—Single bloom: Mrs. Stevens, 1; Mrs. G. H. Ballard, 2; Mrs. S. Atkins, 3. Multiple: Mrs. D. Peach. 1; Mrs. S. Atkins, 2; Mrs. Libline, 3. Fair-Isle pullover (sleeveless): Mrs. Liblinc, 1; Mrs. Stewart. 2. Jam tart, pastry, made with dripping: Mrs. Stewart, 1. NGATAPA Mrs. D. M. Mclldowic presided over 12 members at the July meeting. Remits for the Dutninion conference were discussed. Competitions resulted.—Flowers: Mrs. Humpnrcys, 1; Mrs. D. M. Mclldowic, 2; Mrs. Wagner, 3. Fruit: Mrs. Warner, sen., 1; Mrs. Wagner, 2; Mrs. Warner, jun., 3. Vegetables: Mrs. Wagner, 1; Mrs. Hindman, 2; Mrs. Warner, jun., 3. Article suitable tor. show entry: Mrs. Warner, jun., 1; Mrs. Hindman, 2; Mrs. Warner, sen., 3. WHANGARA Only a few members attended the July meeting. Mrs. Dickson, of the Crippled Cniidren Society, gave a very interesting talk on the work. Competitions.—Plain scones: Mrs. G. | Harris, 1; Mrs. H. Taylor, 2; Mrs. W. Kingst'ord, 3. Toy: Mrs. H. A. Taylor, 1. TAMARAU Decorated with jonquils, berries and greenery, st. Paul's Hall presented a gay scene on Saturday July d, when the Tamarau Women s institute celebrated its thirteenth birthday. Mrs. Hall presided, and welcomed all present, who included members of the P.B. federation, Whangura institute and mends of Lie manners. All joined in singing the institute song, while Mrs. Monckton, president ui the P.B. lederation, read the aspirations. Tne yearly points prizes were presented, the successful members being: Mrs. Mogiord, 1; Mrs. M. Campbell, 2; and Mrs. N. Wallen, 3. The dramatic circle prize-winners were: Mrs. N. Wallen, i; Mrs. Hollamby, 2; Mrs. H. Gray, 3. Inc arts and crafts prize-winners were: Mrs. Jones, 1; Mrs. Tasker and Mrs. Figg, equal 2; and Mrs. G. Wat len,3. Jhc monthly competition, an article made lrom cellophane, resulted: Mrs. N. Wallen, 1; Mrs. Nasmith, 2; ana Mrs. Mogford, 3. Bcautiiul sprays wore exchanged between the executive officers of tne P.B. federation, Whangara and Tamarau institutes. Afternoon tea was served by the committee, who were hostesses tor the afternoon. The chief attraction was the delicious birthday cake, presented by Mrs. Walworth, who was accorded a hearty vole of thanks. The lighting of the 13 candles —which included one of the original candles that has decorated all of the birthday cakes—was carried out by Mrs. Tamblin, president of the Whangara institute, while Mrs. McCliskie, the institute "mother," blew them out. Mrs. Monckton cut the cake. All present took part in a social hour. Those giving items were the members of the singing circle, Mrs. N. Wallen, and Miss Margaret Simpson, while a play entitled “The Customer Is Always Right," was presented by members of tlie dramatic circle. Competitions were also a feature of the afternoon. Mrs. Hall thanked the convener and secretary of the dramatic circle, who were responsible for the programme.