FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 244, 12 September 1935, Page 4

FEILDING

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. INDUCTION .SERVICE. There was a fair attendance at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, last night, on the occasion of the induction of Rev. A. L. Dixon, of Matangi, as minister in place of Rev. D. R. McDonald, now in the ■ Auckland province. Rev. D. Mclvor. of Marton, presided and associated with him were the interim moderator, Rev. J. Hubbard, M.A., of Palmerston North, and Rev. J. Paterson, of Wanganui. In his address to the congregation, Mr Hubbard made a strong appeal for a more sympathetic appreciation of the activities of the Christian Church. Basing his address upon the Acts of the Apostles, and with particular reference to the early Christian community at Jerusalem, Mr Hubbard asked why it had been that those first disciples went forth into the then knqwn world permeating it with the very spirit of Jesus Christ. What was it that actuated them and could we to-day recapture that spirit? he asked. That question was being asked throughout the world to-day. The secret of the early Church was found in the fact that those disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and their amazing success and influence was due to that alone. Those first disciples did everything in obedience to the Spirit. They went out as “flaming fires” spreading the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Something very vital took charge of them. Timid at first, they became bold with confidence. Ashamed at first, they were afterwards prepared to lay down their lives for the cause they had taken up —the spreading of tli6 Gospel. And all through the ages men and women filled with that spirit had been the medium through- which the Church had made such an impression on the world. Could we recover that spiritual power? asked the speaker. That early Church had to face troubles every bit as difficult as those of today.

“We are sometimes overcome with difficulties that appear to frighten us. We are living in troublesome days when everything seems so confused, but as a matter of fact the Christian Church was always greater in times of difficulty,” the preacher added. He would recommend most strongly to the congregation the reading of the Book of Revelation, for in that would be found an appreciation of the difficulties that faced those early Christians. The Christian Church had a glorious opportunity to-day; there was unlimited scope for the Church of the Spirit. Some people said that the Church was not doing its duty or shouldering its responsibility in connection with unemployment. Others asked what the Church was doing to stop war. But did those who asked questions ask of themselves what the functions of the Church were? He would remind the congregation that the business of the Christian Church was to bring men and women to salvation by God through Jesus Christ. The real Christian Church was the Church of the Spirit. Those early disciples had to tell the world the great message of the Gospel. They went forth and proclaimed it. What were we doing to recapture that spirit? Very often, the speaker said, we were too silent and what he felt the Church had lost was conversational evangelism Some of us were not prepared to do what those early disciples did. AYere we ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? A real Church of the Spirit was a church filled with spiritual men and women. AA'e were suffering from a lack of that spiritual enthusiasm that manifested itself to such a high degree among those early disciples. The Church of the Spirit would be a vocal church. The mission of the Church was also to propagate the faith. AA T e were called upon to spread our faith and we should l>e dissatisfied until the whole world was getting news of Christ. He felt that the Church to-day was parochial; too self-centred instead of thinking nationally and internationally. VVhile we did not seem to have the power today that was possessed by those early disciples, it was really still with us only waiting to be used.

Referring to the Feikling congregation, Mr Hubbard said it was entering upon a new ministry and it was the fervent wish of the P. asbytery that the Feikling Church might be one Spirit-filled church so that it might make the Feikling community a more Christian community.

The address to the new minister was delivered by Mr Paterson, whose eloquent dissertation on the duties of the minister to his church and congregation and of the duty of the congregation to their minister created a profound impression. The proceedings concluded with supper served by the ladies in the Sunday school room. On behalf of the Presbytery, Mr Hubbard addressed words of welcome to the moderator, while Mr Thos. AA’atson spoke on behalf of the congregation and Mr 1 A. C. Buist on behalf of the young people’s organisations of the church, all expressing pleasure at the appointment of Air Dixon and the wish that their work and activities would be of mutual benefit and enjoyment.

The opportunity was then taken by Mr Pearce to make a presentation to the retiring moderator, Mr Hubbard, for his helpfulness in filling the vacancy at St. Paul’s Church. In reply, Mr Hubbard expressed his gratitude for the kindly action and thoughts which had prompted the most unexpected gift. Mr Dixon replied to the address of welcome to him in terms of deep appreciation, and hoped that lie would be able to live up to and carry out the high example of devotion to duty which had been set by his predecessors. Supper was then served, following which the Benediction was pronounced by the moderator.

During the evening, musical items were rendered by Miss J. Martin, Miss M. Armour and Air S. G. Pearce. AVELCOAIE BY CONGREGATION. Following the induction service in the church, an adjournment was made to the Church Hall, where a large crowd had assembled to welcome the new moderator. Air Dixon presided and associated with him on the platform were the interim moderator. Air Hubbard, and Air and Airs Dixon, the- parents of the moderator. In extending a welcome to Mr Dixon on behalf of the office-bearers of the church, Air S. D. Pearce, session clerk, said the large number present betokened the interest that was taken in St. Paul’s Church and augured well for a happv and successful ministry for Air Dixon. He hoped he would enjoy liis office in Feikling and make many and lasting friendships. On behalf of the Baptist Church, Rev. H. AA r . Page expressed congratulations to the congregation on the appointment of Air Dixon, and assured him of the goodwill and co-operation of the Feilding Alinisters’ Association. Alessages of apology for non-attend-ance and goodwill were read from j Archdeacon F. 11. Petrie, AI.A., Rev.; J. A. Allen, Adjutant Parker, and. Rev. D. R. AlcDonald, of Ellerslie. j

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES. The Feilding Acclimatisation Society notified the council of the AA’ellington Acclimatisation Society, at a meeting of the latter body last night, that it could not see its way clear to amalgamate with any other society at the present time. “Both the council of the Feikling Society and the license holders are well satisfied with the service they are getting,” stated the writer of the letter. On the motion of Air A. Seed it was decided to forward a copy of the letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs. ’ WEDNESDAY SPORT.

Played as a curtain-raiser to the football match, scheduled to take place between teams representing the Palmerston North stock agents and the Foldings agents, a burlesque hockey match between married and single players of both sexes was played on Johnston Park yesterday afternocm. After an amusing game the married pin vers won by 7 goals to 6. The football match did not eventuate owing to the inability ol the Palmerston North agents to field a team. A fairly large crowd had assembled to witness the match and, although disappointed, contented itself with the hockey contest provided.

W.E.A. DRAMA CLASS. The Feilding branch of the W.E. A. held a drama reading class on Tuesday night, /when two plays were read. The first was • “Die House With the Twisty Windows,” interpreted by Mrs Dowrick, Mrs Ferguson, .Misses Wright, Revere and Rarltrop, Messrs Ferguson, Elston, Humphreys and Sayers; and “Elizabeth Refuses,” by Mrs Humphreys, Mrs Fergus,on, Miss Revere and Mr Elston. PERSONAL. Rev. P. A. Stanley, C.F., vicar of Kiwitea for six years, and who for the past 18 months has been in charge of All Saints’ Church, Wanganui East, has been appointed vicar of the Waver-ley-Waitotara parish. Miss Nita Eaton, of Feilding, is the guest of Mr and Mrs Laurie Jenness, Lower Hutt Miss Lucy Hare, “Wavertree,” Feilding, who has been on a holiday visit to Samoa extending over seven weeks, has returned home. Mrs J. Jamieson, of Napier, is visiting friends in Feilding.