VISIT OF CHURCHMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 10

VISIT OF CHURCHMAN.

BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH. SERMON AT ALL SAINTS'. A large congregation attended All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, last evening, to hear Bishop West-Watson, of Christ-, church, who was preaching for the first, time in Auckland. Bishop' West-Watson, who arrived in Auckland on Friday, will spjnd a week's holiday here, leaving for tlis South next Monday evening. Taking as his text "Ye shall know tho truth and the truth shall mako yon free," Bishop Wcst-Wn,t,sou said to achieve freedom it was necessary to combine duty and inclination in religion. Travelling tho roads of Canterbury on a hot day in summer, the dusty, dry road seemed often interminable to the weary traveller, while frequently he passed shady groves and dells which tempted him to rest from his journey. On another day the same man would pass down the road and never see the attractions at the side, because his attention was focussed on the end of the read only, and he would push on without a thought. The traveller journeyed fastest when his natural desire and his task were one. "There are to-day many kinds of churches and religions, and each claims to give the truth," continued Bishop ■West-Watson. "Many people hesitate and ask the question, which Pilate asked, 'What is truth V The answer to that question is a person. 'I am the Truth, the Way and tho Light.' It is hard for nil to grasp the truth and to understand it, but in the parable of the prodigal sen the truth is so directly expressed that it is a wonder it has taken us so long to grasp it." Missionaries working iji Africa told how, when they met native tribes dominated by the fear of a multitude of evil spirits, the natives were astonished to hoar that there was one Power who was omnipotent. When tliey learned the truth o!i God's supremacy they were immediately freed of their terrors and were lifted a'oovo their former standards. "In most of our religion we sit down to bo idle slaves," concluded Bishop West-Watson. "But we should cfeal with God on the terms of master and servant. When we think of all the rules and regulations of life we should think of the words of the prodigal son, 'Make mo as one of thy hired servants,' and rest at homo in peace, forgiven."