MISSION OF INSPIRATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 111, 10 August 1925, Page 4

MISSION OF INSPIRATION.

The Methodist Church was filled both morning and evening for the commencement of a ten days’ mission to be conducted b v the Rev. Dr. Laws of tho Methodist Theological College, and four of the students. The doctor is a cultured speaker, whose discourse is marked bv the clear statement of a student of vital things. He made it clear that they spoke as men to men, on what, they themselves had experienced. making no claim to any grace beyond their brethren. The atmosphere they desired was that of quiet reverent thoughtfulness so that each hearer might, in the calm control of their minds, seek to adjust his or her life to the revelation of God in Clirist. The morning sermon was based on th© record of the healing of the outcast leper “Jesus put forth His hand and touched him.” If we were not so familiar with the words of tho Gospels*. w t » would be arrested by the habit Jesus had of touching men and women. The fever patient, the blind, the dumb, the children, and even the dead with a love and compassion that knew no barrier, the Master of IJfe laid Hi* hands upon them. Even the leper, compelled to cry “Unclean, Unclean!” to warn others of the danger of contact, found One who did not stand afar oft, but Who came close to touch and heal. W© have yet to learn the measure of the gift of physical healing (riven unto some men and women, whose touch has power to soothe the ’aded nerves and aid a sufferer back to health. In Christ that power wag so complete that Hp knew when a stricken soul sought His help bv touch. The woman, who for twelve years had endured the weight of infirmity, came secretly k’ the crowd, keeping in the background out of sight, yet He knew when she touched Him. That, gift of spiritual contact transcended the limitations of physical life. The Spirit of God can and doos touch the spirit of man with vitalising power. “We touch Him in life’s throng and press, and we are whole again.” The evening sermon dealt with the self discovery of sin. The higher the development of spiritual culture the greater was the recognition of our shortcomings and failures, and the recognition of the debasing, disintegrating virus which is called sin. Acts aro not something complete and apart from the actor, they make their impress upon th© life, and fold us as a coat ahout. Church membership was in itself no remedy, for the strongest woes which Christ pronounced was against worshippers in the Temple. The virus was conquerable by the infusion of life from the One whose desire is to give life mor© abundantly. The subject to-night will bo “The Uttermost Saviour?” A Bible reading will Ih‘ given to-morrow at 3 p.tn. on the subject “The Friendship of Jesus.” On YVednesday at 3 p.m. an old folks’ reunion will be held. An invitation i« friven to all over 60 years of age. Motors will be sent for any who are unable to walk if the Rev. F. Copeland is so advised.