ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 165, 14 June 1926, Page 11

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

GOLDEN OFFERING Rev. G. T. Brown intimated in St. Andrew’s .Church yesterday that, on the following Sunday, another oppoitunity would bo given to the congregation to demonstrate the vitality of their faith in a very practical and tangible manner. Last year the congregation responded nobly to the call for a golden offering to help to remove the present incubus of debt on the buildings. For that purpose the sum of £650 was contributed in one offering. Again the challenge was issued. This year £SOO was being asked for. It was a big sum, and to attain that objective every member must do his utmost. Christ valued their gilts not according to the amount but according to the self-denial involved in the giving. In the course of a sermon yesterday on “Tire Price of Progress,” the preacher, Rev. G. T. Brown, M.A., said that not to progress was ■to lose ground—that was one of the laws of nature, and it applied also to the spiritual life. Progress was never easy; it was the result only of strenuous effort in the face of relentless opposition, and its price was always selfsacrifice. Progress in the Church was never more necessary than now to keep pace with the progress in the world around. AVe believed that the spirit of Jesus Christ permeating the world was the only solution of tho present unrest, and if we failed to enlarge our borders we were going to lose our power and grip on the world, and we would be immersed in a Godless and Christless world.

In this progressive town of Palmerston Nbrtb, continued the speaker, we bad all the world problems on a smaller scale, but we had, moreover, an unprecedented opportunity.. AVliile progressiveness meant prosperity, crowds meant corruption unless there was a corresponding growth of character. The present situation resolved itself into a race betv.een character and calamity. Education alone would not produce character, and, indeed, education and prosperity, unsanctified by the spirit of Jesus Christ, might bo amongst the most disruptive forces in the land. The growth of our town was a challenge to the Church of Jesus Christ to enlarge her borders; and we had as a congregation to respond t-a this challenge or to lose our place and power in the community. . AVe could not make progress so long as we were cumbered with a load of debt, and it would mean real sacrifice to rid ourselves of this burden. The sacrifice asked for would not be too great if everyone realised the joy of giving even more than he could conveniently afford. No sacrifice was too great for the sake of Jesus Christ, who had given up so much for ns.