HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 231, 5 April 1928, Page 5

HARVEST FESTIVAL.

METHODIST SERVICES. On Sunday the annual Harvest Festival services in connection with the •Putaruru Methodist Church were celebrated before large attendances. The church was very prettily decorated, the gifts and display combining to make the whole one of the best festivals yet experienced. Both services were conducted by 'the resident minister, Rev. H. AshjF worth, and a solo, “I will sing of 'Thy great mercies, O Lord,” was .sung most impressively by Mr. Clair. For the morning discourse, the text was taken from Malachi, 3 chap, t 10 verse: “ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.” The preacher stated that the day’s •services were of special thanksgiving, and everyone ought to ask themselves the question as to whether they always showed the gratitude they ■ ought to. The question of tithes was a very ancient one, and was mentioned in the Book of Genesis where Abraham offered up tithes to Melchizedek, the King of Salem, and also when Jacob vowed, saying, “ All that Thou givest me I will surely give a tenth unto Thee.” The giving of tithes still existed in A many parts of the world, especially in the Old Country, where the State church received hundreds of pounds every year from land bequeathed to the church upon which tithes had been created. The amount of the tithe was based upon the yield of the land from year to year. If people only gave to the church in accordance With this custom there would be no need for special appeals for support. "'At the evening service the Rev. Ashworth based his remarks on the 34th chap, of Ezekiel where Ezekiel prophesied the coming of Christ: “ I ▼ will raise up for them a plant of renown.” The speaker pointed out that these words were spoken to the tribes of Israel as a prophecy of the longlooked for Messiah who should redeem Israel. The plant was renown was specifically a prophesy of A' Christ’s coming. Peter pointed out that Jesus Christ stood amongst the 4%tions of the world to-day as the pKCnt of renown for the healing of the nations. All the difficulties, strife and unrest of the world would be dissipated if the spirit of Christ was ■predominant.