EVANGELISTIC ADDRESS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 June 1936, Page 8

EVANGELISTIC ADDRESS.

“IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.”

■Speaking to an extremely large audience, Mr. Fred Elliott, evangelist, gave the closing address of his series on Thursday evening in the Century Hall, which had kindly been set apait foi the occasion. Reading from Matthew 6, verses 19 to 34, the speaker drew attention to three keynotes. “Alms” in verse 3, “My attitude towards others”; “Prayer” in verse 0, “My attitude towards God” and “Fasting” in verse 1(5, “My attitude towards self.” He said that in verses 19 to 24 the Lord’s thoughts towards luxury or

wealth were expressed. From verse 25 to the end of the chapter the Lord’s thoughts regarding the necessities of life were given. Mr. Elliott chose four Uttlo words, vile, sin, care and ourselves, as points for his remarks. Job in chapter 40, verse 4, exclaimed “I am vile” The book of Job was perhaps the oldest historical record in the world, and Avas very likely written before Genesis, belonging to the Patriarchal ago when man’s wealth was reckoned by r the abundance of his cattle. Job was no allegory, but historictally, a living personality and we have outlined his pains and pangs, together with his patience, as an example for all time. In Ezekiel four times the prophet refers to Noah, Daniel, and Job, .as real men. If the “moderns” with their zeal for exterminating God-given personalities were right in blotting out Job as a real man then what authority have we for retaining the godly Daniel, with his wealth of prophetical insight, and if Daniel goes, then Noah [must also be yielded up to the mythical craze. Worse still, our Lord would then be found to either a liar or an ignoramus, because he said (Luke 17 : 26) “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man. The speaker was pleased to take his stand with Ezekiel against the souldestroying tendencies of the “higher criticism.” Also the practical James in his book, chapter 4 :11 said, “Ye have heard of the patience of Job.” The problem of human suffering was thus portrayed for us at the dawn of man’s history, and the problem, “Why do the godly suffer ?” is still with us and has not been solved yet. “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” Oqe of the happiest Christians he had ever met was Miss Hay, of Aberdeen, who, while a confirmed invalid, for eight years, and living in a garret entirely dependent on her neighbours even, to wipe her face, yet so full of thanksgiving and praise to God for his goodness and mercy that visitors were amazed and silent in her presence. The comforting God was able to • make up for the actual lack of earthly comfort!

Job’s three friends, who came to visit him had the Jewish mind as to sin and suffering. Because a man suffered they felt sure that he was reaping the wages of sin. This, while sometimes true, must not .be taken invariably as the case. The Lord corrected his hearers (Luke 13, 1-5) “Suppose ye that these Galileans (whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices), were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered such things I tell you Nay, or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them, were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you Nay: but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” Eliliu, the daysman, was then brought in to prepare Job for a message from God and He was able to finish the work, Job 42—2. Job was at last brought to an end of self, saying “1 am vile.” Vile does not mean immoral. The Revised Version has the better rendering:—“l am of small account.” Up to that time Job had been great in his own estimation. He had Justified himself and condemned God. Now he justified God and condemned himself. There is no blessing for the

man or woman who justifies self, and condemns God. “Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The Lord Jesus has 'no blessing for the self-righteous, who insists on every-body coming up to the level of his attainments. In the parable of the publican the pharisee prided himself in his own goodness and in the other’s badness, hut . the publican saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner,” went down to his house justified in the sight of the One who looks at the heart. Before men and women 'can enjoy salvation they must own their sinnership and confess the Lord [Jesus as Saviour, for He came to save isinners. The true attitude then for ail 'is “I am vile,” “I am of small account,” “I have come short of the glory of God.”

Behold the lamb of God :-r-On the day of atonement, Jewish, tAVo lambs Avere required to set forth in type the Lamb of God avlio Avas to come. One aauis slain and its blood carried inside the Holiest of all by the High Priest once a year, the other after having the people’s sins confessed over it Avas led aAvay by a clean man into the Avilderness and let go, never to return again to the camp of Israel. Scripture is full of sin being put aAsmy —behind God’s back —into the depths of the sea —as far as east is from the Avest. If avc personally and sincerely, confess our sins to the Lord avc are justified, and given a standing as if avc had never sinned. The speaker said his sins had had a Sadduceean burial an! there Avas no resurrection for them. When Christ died on the Cross all our, sins past, present/;and future Avere laid upon Him.

'God’s care of the foAA r ls —Mr. Elliott related that once upon rounding a corner near London his car ran into a

flock of sparrows, and unfortunately one failed to escape. As he looked at its lifeless body he remembered that the Lord used the small value of the sparrow by asking if it were not true that five sparrows were sold for two farthings the fifth being an extra thrown in. Yet God had marked the sparrow’s fall, and if he took care of sparrows, then was He not sufficient to take care and keep even the feeblest of the household of faith. Mr. Elliott admitted that it was easier to live the Christian life in a large city like Auckland or Wellington than in a small town like Levin, but even where people were more intimately acquainted with each other there is grace sufficient. When the spiritual tide turns, ' Levin will have the advantage. Finally the Lord is coming (Revelation, 22-20) Mr. Elliott has had this aspect coming before him all the time he has been, in Levin. Let no one be scared by prediction-mongers, who name d; tes and times for the Lord’s Return. Faith, however, knows it is sure, and all Avere exhorted to live in fond expectation. Just as the tidy house-wife to receive her Avelcome quest Avith everything spick and span, so no child of God should live carelessly, selfishly or slothfully, seeing that He may come at any moment. “Surely, I come quickly.”