GARDNER MILLER

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1946, Page 7

GARDNER MILLER

GREYMOUTH UNITED MISSION « MEN’S MEETING Despite unfavourable weather conditions, the meeting held on Sunday afternoon was well attended by representatives of the Protestant Churches of the town. The singing was led by Mr. R. W. Connolly. Music was provided by the Salvation Army Band. A sextette from the Salvation Army rendered the favourite sacred solo “The Old Rugged Cross.” The pianist was Mr. W. Millier. Mr. J. Bruerton presided. The Missioner, .the Rev. Gardner Miller, took as his' subject “Religion is Just Dope,” and spoke very frankly on this popular judgment passed on religion. He told of the early hopes raised by the Russian Revolution and the overthrow of a decadent Church, and the the disappointing emergence of the anti-religious attitude with its slogan “Religion is the opiate of the people.” This slogan, Mr. Miller declared, has been accepted by a great many people who know very little either of the writings of Marx or of the Christian religion. Mr. Miller then challenged this widely accepted slogan in a very forthright manner. In the earliest days of the Church, Christianity literally turned the world upside down, and emerged triumphant from persecution and the most determined attempts of the Roman emperors to extinguish it. While admitting that there are black pages in the history of the Church, it is undoubtedly true that the great social reforms have received their impetus from the spirit and teaching of Jesus. The work of Lord Shaftsbury was taken as an illustration of this. Mr. Miller pointed out that the Trade Union Movement was inaugerated by men of strong religious faith who strongly believed in the rights of men to have decent working and living conditions and a just reward for their labour. Mr. Miller then spoke of the need for men of the highest principles to take an active part in the public life of both community and nation. He pointed out that the minds of many people to-day are “doped” by slavery to drink, selfish pleasure seeking, or strong personal political interests. There is a great need for men who are free from such influences. The only men of independent mind —free to stand for what is right —-are those committed to the principles, of Jesus Christ. Christian men have a duty to prepare themselves to take an active part in local government and the political life of the country. This does not mean .that the Church must take sides in political controversy, but that in 'the pulpit and outside it she must judge political policies and action by the standards of Jesus.

GREYMOUTH UNITED MISSION UNITED SERVICE The second United Service in connection with the Mission was held in Holy Trinity Church on Sunday night. There was an attendance of 400. The Rev. P. R. Kirkham presided. Singing was' led by Mr. R. W. Connolly and Mr J. Paterson was at the organ. The Missioner, the Rev. Gardner Miller, took as his subject, '.‘The Book of Revelation,” and based his address on the first chapter. Mr. Miller explained the symbolism of the chapter and brought out its message for the present-day Church. This book was written to sustain the faith of the infant Church during days of fierce persecution. The writer had been apprehended and exiled on the island of Patmos, where he was forced to labour as a slave in the quarries. From his place of exile he contrived to send a message of encouragement to his fellow-Christians on the mainland of Asia Minor. Such a message had to be in code, and for this reason he used symbolic images and numbers which could be understood by Christians' initiated into their meaning, but not by the authorities. The Book of Revelation may well be compared to the literature emerging from the Resistance Movements on the Continent of Europe in recent times. In the first chapter of the book “one like unto a son of man” is seen moving in and out amongst the seven churches of Asia. These might well be the churches of Greymouth—or any other place. The spirit of Christ is always' reproving and testing the churches. Christ, the Head of the Church, is described in symbolic language. He is possessed of great dignity, being pictured as wearing the scholar’s robe and girdle and having the white hair of one long experienced and wise. It is possible to make too much of the humility of Jesus'. “His eyes were as a flame of fire.” He sees into the depths of human nature, and judges every form of evil. Another symbol speaks of the stability of Christ. “His feet like unto burnished brass.” Something of the beauty and attractiveness of Jesus is' see in His voice. “His voice was as the sound of many waters.” These characteristics 1 of Jesus, contained in the symbolic language of the Book of Revelation, were made the basis of an appeal by the Missioner to his hearers for wholehearted acceptance of Him. The appeal was made first to those who had not made such an acceptance befor’e, and then to those willing to make a flesh acceptance ■ and re-consecration ol themselves to Christ. The large congregation was deeply moved by the power with which Mr. Miller piesented his message.