CHURCH OF CHRIST

Grey River Argus, 17 October 1936, Page 2

CHURCH OF CHRIST

65th ANNIVERSARY. To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Christ, in Greymouth, a banquet was held in the church on Thursday evening, when visitors were present from Mataura, Christchurch, Hokitika, Runauga and Wanganui. Greetings were conveyed to the gathering by Mr IL Cave, of Runanga (a previous Minister of the Church), Mr A. AV, Grundy, of Hokitika and Mr Godfrey Fretwell, on behalf of the Church of Christ, at Wanganui, and of Mr Frank L. Purnell, Minister of the Church of Christ, Honolulu, who served the Greymouth a nd Hokitika churches in the capacity of Missioner two years ago.

A telegram of greeting was received from the Reefton church during the evening. Two addresses were included in the programme. The- first by Mr A. W. Grundy, entitled “Our Heritage and Our Hope,” stressed' particularly the origin of the plea of the churches of Christ in the New Testiment and its Lord. Mr Grundy also spoke concerning the hope that a greater unity would be fostered amongst all Christians by this plea with the ultimate ideal “that all may be one.” In the second address, Mr Godfrey Fretwell spoke on the subject “Lay Hold Upon God.” Mr Fretwell first urged the modern need to lay hold upon [he righteous anger of God, which is directed against all sin and unrighteousness in any form. War and materialism' nre particular objects of God’s anger and the Christian, who is the mouthpiece of God, must voice His wrath with no uncertain sound. The adventure of winning men for Christ was a greater one than the exploits of such modern heroines as Jean Batten, undoubtedly great as these are. Christ’s challenge was to the greatest adventure of all. Items were rendered by Misses Ackland. Carruthers and 'Best, Mesdames Best and Shannon, and Mr A. W. Grundy. The gathering concluded with prayers and vesper. The anniversary services of the Church will continue for the next fortnight, Mr Fretwell being the preacher at special services.