“RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 11

“RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD”

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—ln th£ world crisis through which we are passing, when our Empire is in peril, one is sorely amazed when one attends a church service to realise how small the congregations are. At the King’s request Sunday, May 26, 1940, was made a special day of prayer. Undoubtedly his Majesty realised that, if our Empire lit to be victorious in this crisis, it is only by invoking the aid of Almighty God that our prayers for victory can be answered. The churches were full. Then, again, for September 8 the King made a similar request. Then again the churches were full. But now, alas! it is a lamentable fact that one notices row after row of empty pews. Do the. people,, young and fMj'.jMre Mthing. to God A 1 mighty ?“'Have they no blessings to give thanks for? * Have they not sufficient faith in Him to attend church at least once, a Sunday, and join in the prayers, for our victory and for the peace of the world? No wonder one sometimes, hegrs ' the remark: “ What, has gone wrong s with the world? ” The fact is; that nothing has gone wrong. with . the world, but much has gone wrong with, the people in it—in short, God gave the world and- man has made, a complete mess of it* So I would Ray:,. “Rise up, O men of God," every Sunday; riot only bri-’special occasions, if we would fight the cause of God. and save our Empire,, which is worth saving. . It is only with : great difficulty that we in, New Zealand can grasp the fact that our Empire is at war. Let me quote from a well-known writer, who says: “The! brutal fact is that in this so-called Christian country, not one person in a hundred has the faintest notion ,wh‘at ; the Church teaches about God or man.” . Our Empire is in danger; our ;GKurch is. in danger; surely it should not’ be necessary to persuade thinking: men and women to “ rise up.” God the, all- merciful; isarth has for- ,. gotten “ ' Thy ways of blessedness, slighted Thy word. ’ ' Bid not Thy wrath in its terrors awaken; : . Grant to ns peace. Oh most merciful Lord, —I am, etc., Only » Layman. Oamaru, February 3.