NICHOLSON MISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22098, 31 October 1933, Page 11

NICHOLSON MISSION

“Do our lives to any degree correspond to the pattern laid down in Scriptures? ” said the Rev. W. P. Nicholson in his address before a large audience in the Town Hall last night. "The Relations of the Christian With the World ” was the topic of his discourse, and the speaker, after reading from the Scriptures, chose as his text Romans xii, 1: “ I beseech you, therefore, brethren, but the mercies of God, that .ye present your bodies a living sacrifice . unto God . • • and be not conformed to this world, but be 'transformed by the renewing of your minds.” • The missioner iduring his whole address continually read and referred to the Scripture in support , of his remarks, which were delivered in a forceful and convincing manner, ? The guide for a Christian v was definitely given, in the Bible, and he should be known by his conversation and general walk in life, and, as the Apostle Paul said, “Let us adorn the doctrine of Jesus Chrisf;.” The question of dress and general deportment had been given a prominent place in God’s Word, and the tendency to-day was to go decidedly against the principles God had laid down. The missioner said that the Christian would also be known by his songs. Paul said, “Admonish one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart unto the Lord.” A new creation of God would necessarily sin<r a different song than he did before he was converted. “The friendships of the Christian.” said Mr Nicholson, ‘with his fellow man must, be with other Christians, because our Christianity should permeate eVery department of our lives. The speaker'mentioned cases of those who had kept their worldly companions after * their own conversion met with failure. “ The maxims, morals, and methods and ethics of an unsaved man are not those of a Christian. If they are the same there is something radically wrong in the Christian’s life,” said Mr Nicholson. Speaking further about a Christian’s union in marriage, Mr Nicholson said that certain tragedy must follow unequal unions, and it behoved those who knew and. believed the truth to stand by the Word of God. “God absolutely and definitely knows no divorce, nor does He allow it, declared the missioner. Continuing, Mr Nicholson said: “The evils of gambling, though • small in their beginnings, have not always remained in infancy, and although the law of the land may sanction it God condemns it.” The inference was that people learned all the vices of life in their younger years, and, given sufficient temptations, the pure simpler pastimes became tremendous evils. . ~ “Why should any Christian patronise any profession that does not elevate the moral standards or humanity, and why should we help ourselves on the downward trail by indulging in things that do not agree with the pattern God has given us? ” was Mr Nicholson’s appeal to his audience. “Whatsoever ye do, do it ts unto the Lord,” was the great motto which all should place before them. , A meeting will be held this in the Concert Chamber, the subject being “Does God Give Men Uft? ” and to-mor-row night in the Town Hall* when Mr Nicholson will, speak on The Second Coming of Christ.”