SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Mataura Ensign, 20 July 1914, Page 4

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

AS REFLECTED IN THE 'ENSIGN'. AN ELOQUENT SERMON. A large congregation a>scml>l«l at tlu> Gore Methodist- Church last night*to listen to a special (sermon preached by Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt on "The kingdom of (iod accoreling to tjle 'Mataura Ensign,'" tho speaker being listened to with rapt attention throughout the course of a very able sermon. The preacher otiose Iris text from Matthew xvi., part ve>r.°e 3: Ye can diseern the face of the skv; but can yc not discern the signs of the limes? Jesus (said the speaker) chirgcd those who questioned him with being hy|*>erite\% being unable to discern the significant. things happening around them. While the wealnor-wiso wo able to

discern tho approach of a storm, they were not able to lead the signs of tho times. The Mine chaise was applicable to the world to-day. We daily read of events in the newspa-pm without thinking of their significance. Alj t]io.M> wjio j read a local newspaper could, not foil to recogJiise that what k recorded was a elia-ry of tho day's transactions. Tlio | local newspaper in common with tliei other principal elaijy papers throughout Now Meal and, -gathered the world's news and interpreted the various happenings day by day. It told something of man's hopes and ventures, of hus joys and failures. Much that we reed in the daily press showed us what man, 1 is and how God was operating upon lun» to the fulfilment of the destiny of tho human race. We should not only re&d tho local newspaper daily, but should learn its bearing ur.on tlio work of God's Kingdom, and "how it «Jiow«l tlio actual processes by which the Kingdom of God was being built up upon earth, how justice and reforms were being proclaimed and advocated, and tryanny denounced. The 'Mataura Ensign' (rnjid the preacher) war never unfit) for general re-uling, and the public should .Iks thankful for its cleanness, and thouj|glt a!: might- not agree with its politics-its ! moral t:>ne and influence -were undbtlot- | c:!l.y on the right t'ide. ■ 1 [ The speaker then pi-oree-de-d to shpw I h:).v t'.ie news chronicled in the 'Eiurign' j during the last few days reflected | the progress of God's Kingdom. One;of ibe first thought > that one was the development of humanitariani#m among, men. One illustration of this was the* manner an which the movement instituted bv Dr Truby King towards infants was being enthusiastically up. Other instances were the propexsals to nationalise hospitals, alul the new and more humane system of dealing with criminals in New South Wales. The trend of modern life was towards hunianitarianism. Abundant evidence was being given that the hearts , of men were beinjj; quickened to a sense of their isocial responsibilities. At tho present time a measure was beforo the Dominion Parliament for consideration, entitled 'Hie Right to Work Bill. Tlris was evidence 1 that a newer conscience was being evolved of the eights of the nnjii'ivileged clause's of the community. 'Hie masses of men werei not asking for charity, but justice. Another question that was receiving much publicity in tho public prces was tho militant suffragette que»* tion, and though none could agree with, , the methods that were being adopted l by the women at Home, it should bo recognised that behind it all was a \ deep-rooted sentiment which claimetf that a mother must have the right to protect the interests which it was her duty to safeguard. If she was not given that right, then she could not adequately protect thoi-e interests, but the time was coming when all must b© enfranchised. -■ Wo read (continued the preacher) of tlio unrest in Ulster and the. -war in Mexico, and fixmi those we are taught outstanding lessons. The. war in Mexico was not based' on aggression lint was a war of service based' on a great ideal, in the settlement of the Ulster fouble, reason. .gild. ,npt. force, mwt- (in the [ speaker's opinion) ultimately lie the dc- ' terminating factor in effecting a scttle- [ nient. Regarding the science of warfaro many ominous fads were read in ' the newspapers, but it now seemed as if this science had leached the climax of perfection, audi iSn this there was * ' bright liope lor humanity. 11l every di»partinent of human life when a climax was reached, a decline followed, and so it would Ik: with the science of warfare. | Despite war scares and the perfection: of the science of warfare, war was doomed in the near future to be done away with, and its memory would only [ remain as a mark in the march of progresns from darkness to light. Races to-day were fraternising and coming together. The very planet itself was sin inking, knowledge w:i« ever increasing, and there was -abundant reason for hope, despite the ominous outlook, that j war would soon cease. ! 'The 'Ensign' columns chronicled man's prognvs (continued the speaker). > Instances of this were given in the ' Sbackleton expedition, tho science of aviation, and the telephote, by means of which pictures were tiiainsmitted by wire. All these things marked the progress of man along scientific lines. Publicity was also given to l the vast studies made by the medical pretension towards alleviating- ■ the sufferings_of manhood, and in many ■ other ways it was frhown how God's Kingdom was being extended. 'Hie I 'Ensign' showed how Various causes which were agitating the public mind in New Zealand were proßrcfsing. One instance of this was the agitation, against the introduction of tho Uible into State ec.hools. It wa!> shown how two forces were at work which were at variance on the question,, but one had only to look at 'it from both sides to Ui convinced that the difficulties suggests! had no existence in reality if a sjfsteni similar to that in existence ill New South Wales was adopted. The public was also greatly indebted to the. local newspaper for tho publicity it had given to the burning question of National Prohibition. There was evidence that the liquor traffic was l»e----ing discredited, and the nations of tho world were rising against alcohol —one of the greatest curses of mankind. Tho speaker urged liis congregation when the time came t-i record their vote so that tlio liquor traffic might be wept away for ever. One ot the saddest paragraphs in the 'Ensign' during the last week was> that which referred to an effort which was lieing made to introduce liquor into the King Country. The question was one which involved' tho honor of everyone in the Dotnirion. Some :» years ago (said the preacher) a petition was brought to Wellington by. a. Maori chief, praying that liquor bo prohibited from the King Country, which was acceded to mi the understanding that r-iilwavs and European : .settlement would be pushed ahead. The | present movement wan an endeavor to 'sot aside an honorable agreement and constituted a proposal to besmirch our li itional honor. The speaker urged every fit izen to do bis utmost to oppose such an iniquitous iiropo<sal twing given effect to. In the cause of humanity. all mu-,t beln 10 remove! tho. liquor traffic, and must not compromise with sin and enslave our children's children. The speaker concluded by stating . that religion and morality were increasing their control over mankind. Steady progress was being made in the advancement of self-control, and there were manifestations of a preference l for distant good vatjier than the less desirable lower present. There were many promising Mgns, but there were stiil ominous si; Mis of ;he existence of grave oeril which c'lir-tituteil a call to activity. .He (the speaker) trusted that they would all n :id the local newspaper daily, and that ihey would have the grace to read in the uigi's of the times, that tho coming oi God's kingdom in the triumph of was being fulfilled. One* of the elrevewt li vens of the we'ek was the sinfulness of man and the glory of his possibilit i->s w]ii/-h eenild only Ik; fully realised through Jesus Christ.