Combined Church Service in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 210, 5 September 1944, Page 6

Combined Church Service in Feilding

On Sunday in Feuding, all churches held special services to mark the fifth anniversary of the war and to offer up intercession to God on behalf of those who are on active service overseas. In the evening, a combined service was held at the Tivoli Theatre, the preacher being the Rev. A. M. Ferguson, M.A., of the Feilding Presbyterian Church. The Salvation Army Band under Mr. L. Harford, led the singing. The Lessons were read by the Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddon) and Mr. F. J. Gaze and prayers were offered by Mr. H. J. Dewe (Deputy Mayor), Rev. W. T. Blight, Capt. Benson and Rev. Ferguson. The sacrifices demanded by war were, dealt with by the speaker, who mentioned the youthful lives given and the money expended ungrudgingly to bring about an ending to tho conflict. All looked forward to the peace, but with what view? Did we intend to sink back into ways of selfishness, to the securing and spending of wealth and an easier way of life? If so we would not find the peace aspired to. Mr. Ferguson referred to rehabilitation and to giving or lending ex-servicemen money to “find their feet.” Little had been said of their spiritual rehabilitation. Members of the Armed Forces had been through years of soul-searing experiences and all we had to offer them was money in the belief that money could make “everything in the garden lovely.” In the matter of rehabilitation, there was a big task ahead. The Government dealt with the bread and butter side of the question, but it was the task of the church to see that the spiritual side was provided for. Chaos, disaster and discontent would follow if the material side of life were attended to alone. In this generation we had pointed to the great human progress —great inventions, material things—and had forgotten God. During the progress of the war we in New Zealand had not been under the heel of tyrant powers and life had moved along smoothly. Were we grateful and humble? With every gift there was a duty, and God expected great things from us in return for the peace we had enjoyed In the midst of turmoil. When we placed Christ at the head of our nation, our community life and our household life, when we were prepared to bear the cross Christ bore, then we would begin to know what peace means. Without the spiritual side as well as the material side developed earnestly, peace could not survive. “Home life, community life, built round the Cross of Jesus—that is peace,” concluded the preacher.