GARDNER MILLER MISSION

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1946, Page 8

GARDNER MILLER MISSION

"THE MEANING OF THE TORN CURTAIN” “I never cease to marvel that Jesus Christ has had so great an influence over men. Of the thirty-two or thirty-three years of His earthly life, the Scriptures bear record to no more than 100 days—a little more than three months. Born of humble parents, in a country no bigger in size than Canterbury, speaking the language of the peasants, the Man Jesus of Nazreth has had a greater influence on the • world than any other known to history. He wrote no books', and if you gathered together all He said, His talks and addresses, they would fill only one page of youi’ newspaper. And yet, of all the men who ever lived, He had a following greater in number and more universal in character than any other. They say religion is dying. That is not true. The truth is that the Holy Spirit is at the present time making new channels through which to work.’’ None could doubt the conviction with which Gardner Miller spoke these words to last evening’s meeting in Wesley Hall. The attendance was the best yet for a week-night meeting. The stirring song services have led many to a fresh appreciation of great Christian hymns. This meeting brought to a close a series of four addresses by the Missioner, on the Cross of Jesus.

"I have, at these meetings, been trying to bring you to the Cross of Jesus Christ. Some of you have seen it with new eyes. 'Some have given themselves to it in unreserved surrender. I will have nothing to do,” said Mr. Miller, "with a Christianity that has not the Cross at its very centre. You cannot be a Christian, however much you claim to be one, without believing in, and basing your faith upon His Cross.” The Missioner then went on to speak of how at the very moment that Jesus cried in triumph, "It is finished, Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit?” the Curtain in the great Temple in the city was torn from the top to the bottom. This curtain hung at the entrance to the Holy of Holies’—that dread place into which once a year ,the High Priest went to sprinkle the blood of slain beasest before the mercy seat and on the altar of incense. None were permitted to enter that Holy place except the High Priest, and he did so but once a year. For the Holy of Holies was the dwelling place of the Most High God, and according to current belief, none could look upon God and live. “Don’t tell me,” the Miss'ioner continued, “that the earthquake tore that curtain. None other than God Himself did it. At 3 o’clock—the very hour that Jesus leapt into the arms of His Father, from black darkness into glorious light; the very hour at which the High Priest was raising his knife for the Sacrifice, God rent the veil asunder. To the consternation of the many priests on the payroll of the Temple—there were 2,000 of them in the time of Jesus—the Holy of Holies' was no longer a place of secrecy; the dwelling place of God’s presence no longer hidden from the eyes of men; the Mercy seat no more a place to be approached only by the High Priest. Something cataclysmic and of eternal significance happened at the very moment Jesus’ agony ceased and His death was accomplished. The opening of the Holy of Holies by the splitting of the curtain that for centuries had closed its entrance meant two things,” explained Mr. Miller. “First it meant that there was no longer place or need for. the Temple priestcraft. That had I done its job but now it was finished. From that moment there was to be only the Priesthood of Believers. No longer any need for the blood of beasts. and the sacrifices and burnt offerings upon the altar. There has been from that moment,” said the speaker,” only the altar of the human heart, and the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit, and any who argue otherwise miss the whole meaning of the rending of the Temple curtain and the death of Our Lord.” “Secondly, that tremendous happening meant that from that time onward and for ever, “Whosoever will may come.” Jesus shattered the priestcraft of Jewry. He opened up unto all who believe, a new and living way into the very presence of God, the aFther of men. You men and women here to-night, through Jesus Christ, can if you so desire, come to God now. Some of you have already done so to your unutterable joy and peace of mind. The rest of you may do so just as simply if you want to. The choice is yours. I will not force any into the Kingdom of God.” In his concluding sentence the. Missioner told of a man who spoke of his experience thus. “I went to hear one man preach—a little man —and he showed me the Majesty of God. I went to hear anothei’ preach—a strong, bearded man, and he showed me the lovliness of Christ. I heard a third man preach, and he showed me all my heart.” “There,” said Mr. Millfer, “is the Christian faith and the Christian experience. The Majesty of God; the Lovliness' of Christ who gathered little children to Him and gave them happiness; all the human heart, in all its shamefulness, deceit and sinfulness, but not beyond the redeeming and transforming grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is that what Christianity is for you?”