THE METHODIST MISSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 806, 8 September 1923, Page 7

THE METHODIST MISSION.

• "THE FACT OF CONVERSION." Last night tho mission in the Broad Street Methodist Church was continued. The Rev. Harold T. Peat led the meeting, and tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt gave the address. His text was Acts 3, 19, and his theme "The -Fact of Conversion." A largo congregation assembled. Mr Pratt referred to "conversion" as one of the great words of Christianity and showed its ielation to and its difference from such facts a 3 repentance and regeneration. Conversion was a foot attested by the evidence of millions. Its trophies were not fossils dug from a dead past but fresh, warm, palpitating facts of to-day. Conversion literally meant to turn about from one thing to its opposite, to reverso the direction in whjth one was going. Religiously, it was that crisis in which men turn from sin to seek the Lord. Conversion was not something done to passivo men. It was their own active motion in turiung to God and making a free choice of Christ as a personal Saviour. It involved turning from all that diverted from God the love and reverence that were His due. No conversion was complete that did not bring men to God, that did not turn them ffom evil to positive good. The aim of conversion was the creation of a Christian character, and a personal transformation to Christlikeness. Conversion was not an end in itself. It was a power to shake and shape the world. Tho motive that led men from the sorry past to the better future was the love of God in Christ Jesus. The preacher concluded by a reminder that his text not only raised a problem to be discussed, but also a command to be obeyed. Its word was imperative. Behind the command was the fact of human freedom. Even Jesus Himself could not compel conversion. There was no salvation foremen unless they willed to turn to God in Christ. The appeal was made for. Christian decision and again mot with hearty response. A notable feature of every meeting of the mission has been the renewal of consecration vows by large numbers of Christian people. Last night Miss Nellie Killick was the soloist, , , < The mission will bo continued in Broad Street and Cuba Street Churches to-morrow, and every night next week in Cuba Street Church, when vital questions will be discussed by the Rov. Harold T. Peat and Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt. Full particulars appear in our advertising columns.