THE HENRY-FARQUHAR MISSION

Southland Times, Issue 16692, 22 March 1911, Page 7

THE HENRY-FARQUHAR MISSION

“GOD’S BLOCKADE TO A LOST WORLD.’’ The above was the subject of Dr Henry’s address to a much larger congregation than usual In the theatre last night. As the basis of his remarks he quoted from John 3 and 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” He remarked that ho had great satisfaction on speaking on that text, as lie was convinced that fully 95 per cent, of people recognised that it was the most precious text in the Bible. Luther described it as the Gospel in miniature. The meaning of the text was that God made it easy for men to be saved and difficult to be lost. No man could be lost till he had corrupted the innocence with which he had been born with the world. It was impossible, however, to find a man or woman who had not transgressed the laws of God, and no human being could be saved who had prostituted the highest exercise of his rational power. Faith, too, was one of the innate faculties of the soul., and to be lost he must ignore this God-given faculty. Some men said they could not believe, that they had not got faith, but every step they took in their daily life was taken In faith. It was only a question of willingness to accept the salvation God had provided. It was very simple. At Calvary's Cross God could meet every one. The Holy Spirit would help to interpret to them the significance of faith and what it was to trust Jesus Christ. And again no man would bo lost till lie had stultified conscience. If they would only heed conscience and memory lie was sure they would work together so that they would not go down to the darkness of everlasting death. There was one way to hell, and God blocked that way by the body of Jesus. Alan, 100. must deny the Word of God and repudiate its'teachings—lie must pass by tiie Church of Christ, which was composed of millions of believers, who must all be branded as either fanatics fools, or scoundrels, and must say that the Christian religion was a phantasmagoria and unworthy of consideration by men and women —before lie could go to destruction. To give lac lie to all that was to degrade one’s manhood and womanhood. No man could go to darkness and. a lost world without going by Hie Cross of Christ and wagging his head in derision at the sacrifice of the Son of God. The spirit of the Crucifixion was just as prevalent to-day as it was when Christ was crucified, as emphasised in the sinning against the lloiy Spirit. He urged them to put God to the proof and to trust in that One wiio was able to give everlasting iife. Mr Earquhar, Vies ides singing several solos, sang a duel with Miss Skipworth, which proved to be a pleasant departure, as the voices blended well. The requests for prayer are daily increasing. This must be gratifying to the missioners, as the public confessions so far have not been so numerous as in some oilier towns. The mid-day subject yesterday was the "Mutilated Bible,” and although the attendance wSs not at all encouraging, the matter and quality of the address were of a high standard.