ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue 12998, 10 November 1916, Page 2

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SOCIAL

The concluding function in connec, tion with the observance of the 53rd anniversary of St. Paul's Church -was hold in the Wear street Hall last evening, when there was a fair attendance. Rev. S. F. Hunter presided, and with him on tJio -platform were the Rev. J. A. Locliore, Archdeacon Russell, and Rev. AV. ?iichol (Maheno). After the singing of tlie Old Huiddlredth, Mr Hunter led those present 111

prayer. Irf a few brief remarks the Chairman, explained tliiat tlie occasion was the anniversary of their church as an organisation. Archdeacon Russell, as President and representative of tho Oaniaru Minister's' Association-, said he was delighted to be nresent. He wished to spealt in the form of an acrostic, taking the name St. Paul for that purpose. The first thing was prayer. He wanted tlie church to be a praying church. It was necessary that it should be a praviiig church to be healthy and strong. Thr-

church, by reason of its very existence, was a praying organisation. Patriotism was the spirit of the times, and patriotism called for service of prayer. Tho greatest backing that the men at the front required was intercessory prayer. Tho nest -thing was activity as the great need of the church. They had an- illustration of this in the person of Mr Porter, who had been -with them. In his ministry he had: opened tho door -wide and had led many through tho portals of tliat Door. Now they had a man of different type —they liaci a Huriter whose work -was aggressive. They must ifolJow the hunter and will great spoils. Sleepy Christians were tho great drag on the church. He

hoped they would all become aggressive. The next* thing was unselfishness. If St. Paul was anything, he was unselfish. The spirit of unselfishness must be their great aim individually and as a congregation. Lastly, tliey must bo loyal. Selfishness led in la wrong direction. Let their selfishness be kept within bounds by a fervent lovnfty He liked to see that broad unselfishness. They must be more even than in the past, an- active, unselfish, surd loyal church.—(Applause.) Rev." J. A. Lochore said tlioy were a very (fortunate people ; nothwithstand. ing all complaints, they were a fortunate Empire. They were fortunate in their King and Queen. The St. Paul's people were a long-sighted people—myopia was not their trouble. Tliey had seen across the Tasman Sea and found Mr Hunter. They were fortu-

nate in their minister. The ministers of Oamaru knew of the good work being done in St. Paul's and the fine spirit which actuated it. Ho referred to the different spirits cf tho nations- —France, Britain., and Germany. Ho contrasted tho spirit of a nation with that of an age. Tho spirit of this age was commercialism. As churches tliey were liv-

ing at a very difficult Kc-riod. Unless a church were living very nigh to tb?. heart of God tliey were in danger -of becoming imbued with the spirit- of commercialism. This spirit of commercialism was everywhere. The church

during last century made great pro. grew:, and the great minds of that age, Huxley, Darwin, and Spencer thought j in a different piano from those in tho present age. The consciousness of God. liad gone out of lifo. So many people were living with spiritual indifference. Unless the spirit of" the church, was a splendid ono it could not live down the spirit of the age. He congratulated the i church, on the celebration of its 53Td- ! anniversary, and he hoped that the minister and tho congregation generally would have- a most successful year. — (Applause.) j J{ov. \Y. Niehol said that it was the | anniversary of Mr Hunter's ministry, as well as that of the church, and he congratulated them in that par ticubir feature of the proceedings. Tho relationship between church and minister offered a great many sidelights. He had known St. Paul's for a great number of years and had known the.fivo ministers of the church. In Mr Hunter's. coming among them there was the exercise of a great act of faith. It was a great thing for him to notice the prosperity they were enjoying under their new minister. They must always think and say the best of their minister. They must not be taken away by cranks. They must pray for their minister. Tliey must throw their whole heart into prayer. The minister's plea was "Pray for me." A minister was helped and uplifted by the prayers of a Christian people. As Mr .Spur-goon said the prayers of his people had made hig ministry. Another point of advice was co-opera-lion with their minister. They were to assist, their minister. As. a little boy said' of an induction service "the minister was hitched to the kirk." Tha.t being so they must not leave the minister to be hitched and draw the whole load. Everyone must do something to carry on the church. At the present time the tendency was to throw everything upon the minister. They must have something definite before them, some aim. some goal. As Dr Mott. said, the primary duty of the Christian Church was to make God known throughout the world. The great work before every church and every Christian was to impress upon every mind the saving grace of Jesus. They must trust God and obey Him. If they wanted to he truly happy, and truly united, they must keep near to Christ. His great hope for time and eternity was in his Lord. He wished them all the greatest prosperity and happiness in the coming years.—(Applause.) Rev. Mr Hunter in a. short address said that at a meeting of the Ministers' Association on Monday reference •was made to intercessory prayers on behalf of those near and dear and those fighting for the Empire in the greatwar. It was decided that intercessory services be held once a month, and the first service Would he held on December 13th, when the speaker would preside and tho Rev. J. A. Lochore would be the speaker. The Church must back the men by prayer. If the Church wereapathetic in such a time as this the Empire would "go to the dogs." Mr A. Fraser paid a tribute of thankfulness to the speakers for their excellent addresses and those who contributed items, and moved a hearty general vote- of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. The National Anthem was then sung, and those present partook of refreshments provided by the ladies of the congregation. The proceedings were enhanced considerably by a. pleasant musical programme, to which the following contributed items: —Miss M. Wills ("Homelandl"), Miss M.- Allan ("Slave Sdng"), Miss I. Ed-wards ("Big Lady Moon"), Mass E. Denltolm ("Lilac Cotta Gown" and "Irish F"lk Song '), Mr R. Leslie "When You Oteie Home'")- and Mr J. Brownlee ("The Lost Chord") Mr C. W. Naylor acted as accompanist.