CHURCH OF ENGLAND MISSION

Southland Times, Issue 14578, 19 November 1910, Page 6

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MISSION

The Mission Services at St. John s Anglican Church were continued yesterday evening when a large congregation attended. The Rev. T. C. Horan delivered another earnest address. The text was taken from the litli verse of the tilh cnap,, 2nd Book of Kings; ’’And Klisha prayed and said, Hord 1 pray thee open lus eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and lie saw and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of lire round about Klisha.” The preacher told the story of Naaman. captain of the host of tlie King of Syria, being cured of liis leprosy by Klisha and through this becoming a follower of God. The King of Syria, jealous of this, vowed vengeance against tlie Israelites and made war against them. It was when Elisha's servant saw tho mighty army of tlie Syrian’s surrounding them that lie feared and asked Elisha what they should do. Klisha answered: "Hear not for they that be with us are more than they Unit be with them.” Klisha knew that God was on his side and tlie preacher asked those present always to be on God’s side. His power would enable them to stand firm if they would only place their lives lu His keeping, trusting in Jesus Christ. He compared the Syrian host surrounding tlie Israelites with tlie numerous dangers and temptations which surround tlie Christian of o-day, ami as Klisha placed himself in God’s keeping so he asked Ids hearers to do likewise. And Elilisa prayed that tlie eyes of (he young man be opened and that he might see, and lie saw Hie mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Klisha. This story wits like unto the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, tlie Saviour who wanted us to open our eyes and turn to the Father's House. As tbe Israelites were delivered from (he Syrians, so should we be delivered from the enemies and temptii lions that assailed us if we only accepted Jesus Christ as our Hord and Saviour. The hymns were chosen to harmonise with the service and at the after-meeting ait impressive address was delivered by .Mr Horan on the subject; "How to Trust God.” To-day Muly Communion .will be observed at 7 a.m., a women’s meet lug at 2 p.m., and the mission service at S p.m. SKI I VICK AT CLI FTON. A mission service, conducted by the Rev. It. H .Hobday, was held at Clifton lust evening. Tlie text of the address was taken from tlie second chapter of tlie Epistle to the Ephesians—’•Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to tlie saints which are at Ephesus, and to tiie faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from tlie Hord Jesus Christ.” The missioner chose this text as showing tlie relation that ought to exist between the Church and God. The Ephesians were converts to the baptised church and were therefore addressed as saints. If they were alive to-day they would call us saints also. Tlie Jews of old were admitted to God by a sign, but Christians to-day were admitted by baptism. Tlie apostle was commanded to go and baptise everybody in the name of me Fataer, Mon, and Holy Ghost. Therefore, a mission, such as was now going on, had been sent to the congregation as Christian people, and not as heathen. They were near to God through baptism. This ought to make each one ask the question, "I have been made a member of the Church: how have I lived up to this” If they belonged to any club they had to live up to its rules, and therefore, belonging to tlie largest club in Hie world, the Christian Society, they should live up to the rules laid down by tho dcatli of Jesus Christ. Our Hord expounded the ten commandments to tlie people of Israel lor us to live up to. Could Ids bearers say that they had lived up to these-—never killed anyone, never stolen any tiling, never done any wrong? if they kneeled down and prayed they would feel ashamed of themselves. Take tlie commandment "Thou shall not take the name of Hie Lord thy God in vain.” Everywhere they would hear God's name taken in vain. U was silly to swear at things that got in their way. as little children did, and swear by God’s name. "Thou shall not steal.” Tucy would say that they had never stolen anything, but let them cast their minds back. Had they not done things that were wrong. Some thought that n was funny to take a man down in business. Hot them consider solemnly before God if .they had cheated God in any way. A man who 'stopped work when his master was not near stole his master’s time and was therefore dishonest. Then look at, “Thou shult do no murder.” Murder was Hie extreme eauso ot anger. All hud given way to this sin at some lime or other "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” In some places, said the missioner, it was almost Impossible to live because of tlie tattle and gossip that was concocted by malicious persons. it seemed tlie part of human nature to say such tilings against one’s neighbours. A man trying to reform was given a bad name and kept down, when kind words would steady him and set him right. Then there was the seventh commandment which was not spoken of, and yet there was no reason why it should not be. In towns there 'wore many assaults made on the young in this way, and it behoved every one to do his best to stop it. If tlie doctors’ reports were true we would soon be a nation of weaklings if this went on, and all should stamp it out by keeping their thoughts and words perfectly pure and innocent. Barents were en joined not to let their children go away from home without first of all giving them good advice on this subject. The missioner explained that time would permit of the treatment, of only a few commandments, lint as Christians they should look into their own lives as others judged them, and to go wrong was a strong argument against (lie Christian faith by outsiders, and brought discredit on themselves and on the Church. Tlie missioner concluded his address witli an appeal to all to act up to tlie ideals of tlie Christian religion. Tlie subject expounded at an aftermeeting was “Decision.”