WORK OF THE CHURCH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12476, 12 February 1935, Page 3

WORK OF THE CHURCH

TALE ON PRESBYTERIANISM

“CATHOLIC AND DEMOCRATIC”

REV. J. AITKEN, M.A.. ADDRESS-

ES ROTARIANS

T'he members of tlic Rotary Club, together with their friends had the privilege yesterday of listening to an interesting address on “Presbyterianism” by the Rev. Jas. Aitken, M.A., who is retiring from church work next, month and with Mrs Aitken will then pay a visit to the Homelands. The chair was occupied by Rotarian H. F. Forster.

Mr Aitken, in opening bis address, remarked that he had taken it lor granted that a speaker at a Rotary gathering was expected to deal with the subject about which he knew most. In hits ease he was best acquainted with the work of the Presbyterian Church from which he was now about to retire after 3b years’ service. There were, he continued, many things concerning the Presbyterian Church with which many people might not be familiar. It might, perhaps, not lie generally known that the Anglican Ciuirch ceased to be the Established Church north of the Tweed. Then the Church of Scotland of which the Presbyterian Church in 'New Zea and was a . daughter, became the BMahlishcd Church and was so acknowledged by His Majesty the King for, while in residence at Balmoral, he became a member of it. In this connection. Mr Aitken mentioned that at one time it was suggested to him that it might be very helpful to him if he were admitted as an honorary member to a certain institution on account of the fact that it had a very fine library. His name was. however, turned down on the ground that, he was, allegedly, neither a servant of the Established Church nor an officer in any branch of TTis Majesty's services. As a matter of fact, as he had shown, lie was a servant of the Established Church and at the time in question he was a chaplain in His Majesty’s Forces. On account of the ignorance shown on these matters by those concerned in the contro' of the insi tuition in question he had not troubled to enlighten them on the subject. It. would be noted, thereto re, that it was quite a mistake for anyone to suppose that the Presbyterian Church was a Nonconformist Church or some kind of “inferior” church. Then, again, it was wrong for an van? to assume that because the Pres iyfcerian Church did not take unto itself the title “catholic” it was not

thoroughly catholic in character. In 'strict fact, it was one of the most catholic of all churches, for there was hardly a country in the whole world in which a branch was not to i e found. It had churches, throughout Europe and Asia as well as the other inhabited continents. Even in Japan. Korea, China, India, Hungary, Czecho-iSlovakia, and other less known lands the church was strongly represented and thriving. The name “Presbyterian” came from the method of organisation adopted by the church. Each congregation elected a small committee of elders as a govern ing body and “presbyter” was the Greek word for “elder”. Then, again, two presbyters—a minister and a layman from each congregation-■. were appointed members of the Presbytery which attended to the church work within its own district, just as the Diocesan committees acted for the Anglican Church. Tb'6 presbyteries elected delegates—ministers and laymen—in equal numbers to attend what was known ns the General Assembly, which was the Parliament of the Church charged with administering its affairs. That it was thoroughly democratic was, therefore, very plain.

FAITH IN A COMMON CREED

Proceeding, Mr Aitken said that the faith or creed of the Presbyterian Church was simply the common creed of Christendom. As they all knew, the Church of God wars divided into numerous sects and bodies, but all within the Christian Church' had » common faith and lie could say that none of these . cleavages, from the Presbyterian point of view, touched the real essentials of the great Christian faith. As they all knew the main essentials were belief i‘n God, belief that God worked through Christ to reconcile' mankind unto Himself and belief in the Holy Spirit. That after 2000 years the Church was stronger than ever was proof that it was . essential to all peoples. It had spread to every land from the Roman Emnice and there could be no question as to its vitality. Mainly it existed to proclaim the Gospel, of Jesus Christ that there was a God of Love and to spread that Gospel to all parts of the earth. There were some people who held that it was not the duty of the Church to establish foreign missions and endeavour * to convert the heathen from belief in their own gods. Such a contention was- ■ however, quite wrong. Those >vho held the view.

point ill question quite overlook tile fact that we ourselves were the products of foreign missions. Those who were lii ,; h were indebted to .vt. Patrick for his missionary wont; those who were English to St. Augustine and those who were Scott‘-h to ,?.t. Columbia. A second main function oi the church was to keep alive in every community the highest ideals in respect of moral conduct. The-ideals of Christ were not only the highest that could be achieved but they were also the highest that could be conceived. What vvou’d he the position if the churches disappeared? A iellow minister had made this enquiry of a prominent State official. He had said to him: “Wlmt would he the state of affair? if the churches in Wellington were to he closed for sav. 1 months?” And the reply he had received was: “.Blue Hel'. There was no stronger moral influence than the churches. They had recently had a visit from one of the King’s beloved sons —the Duke o'' Gloucester —and he would not dream of suggesting that it had not been very welcome. It was. however, his opinion that they should find when Kagawa, the great .Japanese missioner. came along to this Dominion short v. hi',; visit would prove not less valuable. Kagawa was the leader of the Christian Church in the East and was famous not only in Japan, Korea, and China, but throughout the whole world. He had written several important works in exposition of Christianity as well as several equally widely read novels on Japanese life. Personally, he did hope that the press wou’d devote as much space as possible to Kagawa-’s visit. In conclusion, Mr Aitken stressed the point that the Christian C'luirch was worthy of the whole-hearted support of everybody—not only their financial help but also their active participation and co-operation in itn work —and he trusted that .’Rofarians everywhere would do ah in their power to advance its aims and objects, no matter to which branch they might belong. In moving the hearty vote of thanks which was accorded Mr Aitken for his illuminating and interesting address, Canon A. F. Hall praised him for speaking out so courageously m the manner in which lie had done. Mr Aitken, he added, was about to retire from the active ministry and, on behalf of the club, he trusted that Mr and Mrs Aitken in their well-earned leisure would bo ‘ blessed w T itli good health and rest from their labors, loug to enjoy the companionship of their children and grand-children.