ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 17 March 1936, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

HARVEST THANKSGIVING. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Such was the theme taken by Rev. J. H. Allei\ who occupied the'pulpit at the St.; Paul’s Methodist Church for the harvest thanksgiving service on. Sunday morning. The Church was losing sight of the main issues in Christian work, said the preacher, and there was oftimes an unfortunate demonstration of the wrong spirit. St. Paul, with the germ cell of a great spiritual kingdom in his heart, showed that it was not through wisdom of men that progress was made, but through the power of gospel and the giving of a consecrated heart to the service of God. Each and everyone was planting, broadcasting impressions, which would lodge in all soils. Paul was a man. self-dedicat-ed, with the Divine urge in his soul. He set a fine example to all of personal responsibility. Every man, no matter how obscure, .had a gift for some service which was from God, to be used for the enrichment of His Kingdom. Gift and work were alike from God. Yet there must be a working faith —and this was life’s greatest treasure.

Service was indispensable, continued the preacher, and emphasis must be placed upon individual effort and initiative. There was too much leaning upon one another in Christian life and service. There must also be consecration. Paul placed the emphasis on God’s part, it was true, but God’s plans could be frustrated if the full consecration of His people was not present. Further, there muse be team spirit. Gifts and qualifications varied; they must be combined if there was to be concerted, effective service. Again, there must be co-operation. Such to some might mean a lowly place; it might mean adding a bit for another’s advantage. Watering could also mea.ii the work of centuries'; ideals grew to fruition so slowly. Turning for a moment to present-day problems to apply the thought regarding co-operation, the preacher said that all worthy increase through the application of science was simply co-opera-tion with God. If, l>v scientific means, two blades of grass could be grown in the place of one, this was only co-op-eration with God. The work of our renowned Plunket Society, for saving and succouring our babies, was also co-operation with the Divine. All that made for the welfare of society, improvement of public health, betterment of social and industrial conditions was simply a way of working with Him. Up to now, though, in this regard, we had only solved the problems of production. There were thousands with plenty and thousands lacking it. What was niissing-was that we had not solved the problem of distribution. God could not bless a world which was witholding half its benefits from His people. God’s purposes were thus being frustrated through lack of co-operation and the team spirit. In closing, the preacher appealed for a deeper, consecrated effort and a facing up to life’s responsibilities. _ The choir rendered the anthem "\e Shall Dwell in the Land.” There was a good congregation again at the evening service, when Rev. A. N. Scotter, 8.A.. was the preacher. In well-chosen illustrations, based upon the text “Thou providest them with corn,” he endeavoured to show that the bounty of the earth was a challenge for the people to take it and use for the benefit of mank.nd. The earth, lie said, \vas not impoverished by giving, but we “must use the products thereof wisely. Ibe fact that in one of the greatest dairying countries of the world there should be numberless children suffering malnutrition through lack of milk was a strong indictment against our methods of distribution. Again, there was the temptation to take gifts of God and use them for evil purposes, use them to produce things which were harmful and degrading. We should ever remember that God was-the giver of these good things of life. “It is His world. The earth is indeed the Lord s. As tenants we must pav the rent. the tithe we should pay could be shown in thankfulness and praise, in cheerful contact with others, in communion, m love, and above in a big desire to help others. . There were special choral items, including the duet “Hold Thou My Hand,” hv Miss G. Laurenson and Ml H C Blackwood. Mr A. Tregurtha was assisted at the organ by Mrs W . H. J. Watson.