THE RELIGIOUS OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 11

THE RELIGIOUS OUTLOOK

(Contributed)

Religion and Happiness The happiness which religion gives means that we are awakened to the interest and beauty of simple things. The childlike spirit knows the secret of this gladness in simplicity, this wonder at the eternal shining through the temporal scene, and there is always a childlikeness about those people who find that even a mechanised and confusing world is still full of “a number of things,” as R. L. Stevenson said, which can make us happy. Perhaps the most popular and lovable character in all fiction is Mr Pickwick, who through all his trials and difficulties remained a very happy man; he retained, says his creator, his “juvenility of spirit.” Mr Pickwick’s happiness sprang from his profound belief in the essential goodness of life. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord, and if we have seen Him we also must rejoice. For the Christian religion is a religion of joy, one which offers strength and confidence to a man. “And gives his work compassion and new eyes, The days that make us happy, make us wise.”—Kenneth G. Budd. Modern Godlessness Our age has forsaken God. It has witnessed a revolt against religion—a revolt of unexampled intensity, directed not only against Christianity as a system of belief, but also against Christianity as the way of life. The fiercest assault is being made against the typical Godless man of our day is the Christian ethic. But, quite plainly, not inconscious and deliberate revolt against religion. The fact is that religion does not enter into his thoughts or calculations. Religion counts for nothing with him: he has never given it serious thought. In the pressure of modern life, God, has been crowded out of his thinking and living.—Canon James.

A Sense of Proportion Turning now to our daily life and conduct. Money is not an evil in itself. Provided that a Christian

realises that whatever he possesses is committed to him as a trust that he must not act on the principle that he has a right to do what he likes with his own, in short, that he is a steward of whatever he possesses to Almighty God he is acting in accordance with the Spirit of Christ. The danger is that so much importance may be attributed to money that it blocks a man’s entrance to the Kingdom of g God. As an old-fashioned writer has quaintly expressed it, “A guinea placed too near the eye blocks out the sun,” or, in St. Paul’s words, not money, but “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” G Tim. 6: 10 R.V.). The rich fool was not blamed for being industrious, nor for planning extensive additions to his farm buildings, but for the attitude of mind evinced by his remark, And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou has much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry” (St. Luke 12: 19). Hence our Lord’s injunction that we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will take upon Himself the responsibility of providing for us. In the words of the old hymn:— “Make thou His service thy delight, , Thy wants shall be His care.” —Rev. Canon Rigg.

Ginsy Smith’s Diamond Jubilee

There were striking and impressive scenes at the Central Hall, Westminster, when a mass meeting to celebrate Gipsy Smith’s diamond jubilee as an evangelist brought more than twice a 3 many people as the place could hold. When the doors were opened a crowd estimated at 5000 poured in. The main hall was packed in a few minutes and the two halls on the ground floor were then filled. The speeches we re relayed to these and to the entrance halls. A crowd of several hundreds was left in the street. Gipsy Smith, who is 76, addressed these from a balcony window before entering the hall. Congratulatory messages were read from, among others, the King, Mr Roosevelt, Mr Baldwin, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr Lloyd George said Gipsy Smith’s message was more than ever needed now, in a world nearer to the brink of the abyss than he cared to think. Gipsy Smith received a tremendous ovation when he rose to speak.—The Record. The Church Armv

Mr F. Day, of Christchurch, has nobly offered himself and his privateowned printing press to the Church Army, which offer has been accepted. For some . years Mr Day has been making a living from his work, and now feels that he would like to dedicate himself and his tools of trade for the furthering of the Kingdom of God and the Church. The printing press is to become the property of the Church Army. Mr Day asked that little or no wages be paid him, but it has been decided to give him the pay and status of a C.A. officer (which pay is very little) and he will most likely be known as Captain-Manager. The press will be installed at Church Army Headquarters. As the distribution of Church literature is a special feature. of the work of the Church Army, this gift will be a tremendous asset. It is a very refreshing thing that a young man of to-day, akin to the disciples of old, offers his all for the Kingdom of God.

Not Too Old at Eighty-six The writer of the following lines is a lady of 86 who follows with extraordinary keenness the events of the day, especially in the Church. Oh, what a happy soul am I, Although I’m eighty-six! I still can read, and write, and pray; Though often in a fix.

The poor old body fails ’tis true, And makes itself much felt; , But then the inward man’s renewed, In ways that “can’t be left.”

So on I go, with “Praise the Lord!" As others do, or don’t; But fret and fume because I’m old, God helping me, 1 won’t.—L. M. C.