SUNDAY CIRCLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23867, 22 July 1939, Page 3

SUNDAY CIRCLE

INSPIRATION ! He gazed, in attentive meekness, ' When the scholar, with classic wit, Described some apparent weakness .In the structure of Holy Writ. He muttered: " In bygone years I limped on that dismal way; But all.my doubts and fears Are cast aside to-day. "Theories of Inspiration Are empty forms to me; I find in the Revelation Some inner Authority. " If, perchance, I do not meet Him, In the words of the Sacred Scroll, They teach me how to greet Him In the chambers of my soul." —Margam Jones, in the British Weekly. PRAYER O Lord, we feel that we are ever apt to be led away by shows and by shadows, that we are far too much given up to the pursuit of things that pass away. And we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst in Thy mercy help us and deliver us from the temptations that belong to us all, in divers fashions to think that here is our rest. May we realise that we are pilgrims and sojourners, arid may all the sadness be taken out of that thought when we further remember that we still are with Thee, "as were all our fathers." Let Thy companionship be felt by us day by day and moment by moment, to make up for all else that we may lack. Vor our Saviour's sake. Amen. A TEST OP YOUR BIBLE KNOWLEDGE . Can you give answers to the following, asks the Life of Faith:— 1. What prophet was sent with a message to the heathen? 2. What little creatures are described as exceeding wise? 3. Who counselled the Jewish rulers to leave the apostles alone? . 4. What Church was reproved for losing its first love? 5. Which is the shortest Book among the "Minor Prophets" and against whom is its message directed?" 6. What two skilled artificers were especially called and equipped for preparing the Tabernacle; and to which tribes did they belong? THE MADRAS CONFERENCE Dr A. C. Craig, chaplain to the University of Glasgow, who attended the Madras Missionary Conference, was impressed first, of all by the fact that the International Missionary Council was functioning none the less, indeed, all the more, strongly and efficiently, because Geneva lay under thick cloud and darkness; and he arrived at the conclusion that " the missionary enterprise will go on, whatever may happen to empires and leagues of nations; for the one kingdom which it seeks to establish is coming down from God out of heaven." In the second place. Dr Craig was impressed by the fact that the younger churches, and especially the Asiatic churches, were so active and enthusiastic. He acknowledges that to have met these splendid Christians, and heard them speak on the deep things of our common faith, made him look on all missionaries with a new respect and gratitude. His third major impression was the vision of the Universal Church which floated over the whole meeting, " and sometimes became steady and almost palpable." There will be general agreement with Dr Craig in his summing up: " Only a spirit-filled Church will be fully adequate to the missionary task." WINGED ARROWS Put pleasure before business, and you will soon have no business left to interrupt your pleasure. The best preparation for to-morrow is to have finished to-day's job. . Some people think they are too religious to be happy. God knows vour desires: and He knows your needs.—The' Christian World. THE PARIS TABERNACLE Open-air preaching is forbidden in France, but workers of the Paris Tabernacle have obtained permission for a stall'at a Saturday street market, on the fringe of the " Black Zone." Members of the church take it in turn to be present at the stall, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here Scriptures in 20 languages are sold, and many personal talks concerning the Gospel are held, not only with French people, but also with visitors from overseas. Some conversations nave led to attendances at the Tabernacle services. Amid the anxiety of the political, situation at home, and the increased opportunities occasioned thereby, the Tabernacle has not neglected its mission field on the Ivory Coast, where a new chapel was opened recently. The self-sacrifice with which the members of the Tabernacle support this work is very moving, Madame Blocher said. Most of them feel that the supreme need is to send forth the Gospel as urgently as possible. THE PASSION FOR SOULS In a striking article entitled "Passion for Souls," Mr Hugh Redwood, in the News Chronicle, has some pointed things to say about the training and education of men for the ministry. Mr Redwood is convinced that without a passion for souls a would-be minister is foredoomed to what is perhaps the most tragic of all failures. "No man without a love of music would take up music as a profession; few men who were not drawn to the sea would elect to fol!ow tue sea for a calling* and yet it is all too painfully evident that scores of men take up pastoral office without the slightest pastoral passion.'" We are glad to see that Mr Redwood emphasises the necessity of special training and knowledge, because congregations look to their clergy and ministers for leadership and guidance, not only in spiritual matters, but in moral and social problems and in the administrative affairs of Church life."