SIMPLICITY OF FAITH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 10

SIMPLICITY OF FAITH.

WORLD'S PRESENT NEED.; LESSON OF EASTER-TIDE. LIFE BECOMING TOO COMPLEX. (' Perhaps what the world needs most to-day is a simpler standard of living and a simpler faith," said Archbishop Averill in the course of his sermon at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, last evening. "Life has become too complex and faith has beccmo too complex. If only wo could come back to llio beauty, dignity and reality i>f simplicity, I am f|iiite sure religion would bo more real and helpful to us and indirectly more helpful to other people." As they go!, older, said Archbishop Averill, perhaps they realised that simplicity and reality went hand in hand and that many of the superficialities did not help them to acquire the things that really mattered. In pointing to the assurance of realities Easter-lido provided, lio traced the attitude of mind of tlio disciples and tho effect upon it of the Resurrection. Good Friday, said the archbishop, wn.s llio death blow to tho disciples' convictions. They felt that Christianity was dead. Two days after their Master had been laid in tho grave a new world began to oiien to them. They were startled by what 4,1 icy could only regard as idle tales. They could not believe that tho tomb., was empty and two of them went, to seo for thcinsclv'es. They found tho stories wcro perfectly true. They were compelled to bolievo by tho force of the evidence. It might appear that Hie accounts of the appearance of the risen Jesus lacked systematic order. Ito thanked God for if , for it gave proof of thffir authenticity. Tho very simplicity of tho Gospel story was proof of its genuineness. As for tho miracles of Jesus, they could bo considered as perfectly natural to Him when the idea was grasped that He was the impression under earth conditions of tho eternal God. Christians had no need to apologise for miracles. They had no need to burden their simple faith with atteupts to explain the resurrection body of Jesus. Tho risen Jesus was no longer subject to earth conditions. His body was under tho complete control of His will. Ho could bo seen as long as people had tho spiritual capacity to see Him. it was said that He only appeared 1" chosen witnesses. That was perfectly reasonable. Spiritual things could only be spiritually discerned. The Resurrection was the coping stone of their simple fmith in Jesus Christ.

SERVICES IN CHURCHES. SUNDAY'S OBSERVANCES. MANY LARGE CONGREGATIONS. Special Easier Day services were lield in the churches throughout Auckland yesterday and attracted large congregations in both the morning and evening. Special music was a featuro of the day. Tho services at St. Mary's Cathedral commenced at 6 a.m. with Holy Communion. The preacher at the 11 a.m. service was Archdeacon Macmurray, while Archbishop Averill preached at the evening service. An anthem, "They Have Taken Away My Lord," was sung in the evening, when special organ music was played by Mr. Edgar Randal. At St. Matthew's Church the morning was commenced with Holy Communion, the service at 11 a.m. taking the form of Mat tins, Holy Communion and sermon, Archbishop Averill being the preacher and celebrant. Festal evensong was held at 7 p.m., tho preacher being Canon Grant Cowen. An anthem was sung. Quartettes were sung at tho morning and evening services at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and special services were held in the Presbyterian churches throughout the suburbs. The preacher at St. Andrew's Church was the Rev. Ivo E. Bertram, the services at St. David's Church being conducted by tho Rev. George Budd and the Rev. Angus Macdonald. The 11 o'clock service in the Titt Street Methodist Church was broadcast through station IYA, tho preacher being the Rev. W. Walker. A solo, "The Empty Tomb," was sung by Miss Louie Reid. At the evening service Mr. Leslie Belcher sang tho solo, "Ave Maria." The preacher at the morning service in the Trinity Collegiate Church, Grafton, was the Rev. A. B. Chappell, the Rev. Dr. Ranston preaching at tile evening service. Solos were sung at most of the suburban Methodist churches. The Rev. Angus Mcßean preached at Mount Albert, solos being sung by Misses 0. Thomas and N. Woods. The preacher in tho morning at St. John's Church was the Rev. G. Frost, tho sermon in the evening being delivered by the Rev. R. Dudley. Solos were sung at both services. Easter messages were a feature of tho services in the various Baptist churches, tho preacher at the Tabernacle in the morning and evening being Dr. J. J. North. Tho Tabernacle chorus choir sang at both services. The Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher was the preacher at the Bcresford Street Congregational Church, Easter hymns and anthems being sung in tho morning and evening. The evening service was broadcast through station IYA.

ATTRACTIONS FOR TO-DAY. VARIED ENTERTAINMENT. SPORTING AND OUTDOOR EVENTS Varied entertainment will ho provided for those spending Easter in Auckland by the many sporting attractions and other outdoor events , that will tako place today. One of the most important fixtures will lie the Auckland Racing (.Hub's Autumn Meeting, which will lie continued at the Ellerslie racecourse to-day. Good fields will contest each race and it, is expected that the course, which has derived benefit from the recent rain, will be in excellent order. The Auckland provincial golf championships, which commenced at the Titirangi links on Saturday, will lie continued today, the finals being decided to-morrow. Further play in the IWaungakiekio Clult's Easter tournament will bo held, while members of the Auckland Club will take part, in competitions at Middlemorc. There will be further play in the Auckland Bowling Centre's Easter tournament and the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association's hard-court championships. Three cricket, matches, commenced on Saturday at Eden Park, will be continued to-day. In various parts of the province athletic and sports meetings will be held. Cricket,, tennis, golf and liowling fixtures have been arranged in the principal centres. Broadsiding will be held at, Rotorua, where keen racing is anticipated between Auckland riders and local teams. Special excursions on (ho Hauraki Gulf have l)oou -organised for to-day, and it is expected that many private owners of pleasure era it will also spend the day in the open. A largo number of Auckland motorists will ho on the load to-day, short trips having been arranged to the many resorts?and picnic spots within easy driving distance of Auckland. Special Easter attractions are announced at the various cabarets in tho city and suburbs, where dancing will ho hold this evening, while enjoyable films will bo screened at the many picture theatres,'