INFLUENCE FOR GOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19372, 6 July 1926, Page 12

INFLUENCE FOR GOOD.

IF CHRIST CAME TO WORLD.

AID TO UNITY OF MANKIND.

WIDER CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH..Monday Preaching in St. Mary's Church last evening, Archdeacon F. G. Evans expressed a view completely opposed to those who, following the lead of Mr. Lloyd George, held that Jesus Christ, ii He came to the world to-day, would be treated with contempt or as a dangerous character. The archdeacon believes that Christ would be received in a way befitting the professed belief of Christians and that His visit would make "a new world of this old globe of ours." Referring to statements made by Mr. Lloyd George regarding what would happen if the Lord came to the world to-day and the comments made by certain ministers in Auckland upon Mr. Lloyd George's statement, Archdeacon Evans said:—"l think it is a matter to be distinctly regretted that such a pronouncement was ever made and also that one of the ministers referred to has given such unusual, and, I think, such absolutely unsound comments upon it. To say that our Lord was revolutionary and that He was crucified because of his reactionary ideas is absolutely contrary to fact, and I am amazed that any Christian minister could have made such a wrong statement." After speaking upon the general question of the possible appearance of Jesus Christ in the world to-day and discussing the result of that appearance in some particular cases, Archdeacon Evans said He would come to all who had talents and influence and ask them how they were using them for His glory. 1 He would tell them that earthly life was so short and man's needs were so great and that if they refused to use their own influence for good they themselves would suffer most. "Such a visit as I have supposed tonight would make a new world of this old globe of ours," said the preacher in concluding a powerful sermon. "The glorious presence of our Divine Master would destroy the elements of discord and hatred that disgrace our modern civilisation. It would rekindle in the Church the enthusiasm of the apostolic days. It would begin a new life of unity and affection among men. The non-essential things that divide would be thrown aside and the Church would indeed be a catholic undivided body of our Lord Christ in the world. Once again we should learn the joyous nature of Christian worship and our churches would be crowded with earnest worshipers praising and blessing God." • . .