CHURCH OF ENGLAND MISSION

Southland Times, Issue 14579, 21 November 1910, Page 6

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MISSION

There was a large congregation at St. John’s on Saturday evening, wh'en the Rev. T. C. Horan based his address upon Luke 5 and 10—“ Fear not ; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” The teaching of Jesus ..being over, Jesus gave a commarpl to Peter to launch out into the deep. In Peter’s answer, "Me have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at thy word X will let down the net,” was the "We have of self coupled with the “I will” of faith, rho result, was, an overwhelming haul, because JeSus-’Clfrist was there. The effect upon Peter in the presence of Jesus was to make him feel his own sinfulness*— depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord, Then came the call and promise, ‘‘hehcefprth thou shalt catch men..” From the Bible records they found it evei; so. Isaiah saw the Lord in His throne of glory and the effect upon him was to cry, “Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips” ; but that was the occasion, when he felt his utter worthlessness, that his lips were touched with a coal from the altar and he was ready to be sent on the Lord’s message. The preacher appealed to his hearers to emulate these men of old, to empty themselves of self that they might be /Hied with the spirit of God.. The sinful man who had come to himself was the one to take the message to others. The after meeting was devoted to an address upon “Helps by the way,” and the congregation was urged to read and study the Bible diligently ; to pray earnestly and with definite objects and with a recollection that prayer is to a Person ; to come to church not to hear singing or preaching hut to worship God. When speaking of Bible reading the mlssioner referred to the fact, of the Word of God being ignored -in the national scheme of education, and earnestly impressed upon Christian people the necessity of taking the matter in hand to remove the reproach of a national education which practically ignored God. The linai service of the Mission was held in St. John’s on Sunday evening, when the church was filled to overflowing, many not being able to gain admittance. The Rev. T. C. Horan conducted the service and preached on the 10th and 11th verses of the 6th chapter of St Paul’s Epistle to' the -Ephesians—“Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.” The preacher said that this was the last time he would be able to tell them the old story of Jesus and His love. He felt how responsible his task was- he had presented the Gospel of the Lord to the congregation, who would now have to decide as to what answer they would make to his appeal. The words of the text were all the more solemn when it was realised that this was the final message of St. Paul to the Ephesians. As his final message the preacher wished to give to his hearers the, message of hope In hours of despondency let them always remember that there was a mightier power for tlieni thtin apralnst them. them put their whole trust in the Lord and pray for victory against Satan’s temptations and they would bo victorious. Before the conclusion of the service the Ven. Archdeacon Stocker thanked the Missioners for the able way in which they had conducted the Mission and wished.-them God’s blessing and protection in their journey onward. The concluding hymn, ”God be with yon till we meet again,” was heartily, sung by the congregation. 'During the afternoop a service for men was conducted by the Rev. T. C. Horan. A large congregation was present and an address was delivered on the word “Watch.”