QUARTERLY RALLY

Southland Times, Issue 21855, 4 November 1932, Page 4

QUARTERLY RALLY

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR UNION SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. The rally which was held under the auspices of the Southland Christian Endeavour Union in the Esk street Baptist Church on Tuesday night, testifies to the fact that, when young enthusiasts for Christ meet together, intent on spiritual development, great blessing results. It was the quarterly rally of the union and it took the usual form that Christian Endeavourers find most favourable. Mr H. Schroeder president, was in the chair, and with him on the platform were the Revs. J. Carlisle, O. S. Peam, E. Gardiner, Fisher, and the speaker of the evening, the Rev. F. M. Beattie, Gore. A fewchoruses were sung by way of a short song service and the Rev. Peam opened the rally with prayer. Mr Schroeder in his remarks mentioned that progress had been made during the year, six new societies having affiliated, while others were operating which had not yet linked up. Hs had been very pleased to learn from Mr Carlisle, who had just returned from conducting missions in New Plymouth and Hastings, that the live workers amongst the young, people in the missions were the Christian Endeavourers, and Mr Schroeder said that there was no doubt that where young people in a church were being harvested for Christ, a Christian Endeavour Society w«> very desirable to mature their spirited growth and train them along service lines. Mr Carlisle referred to the efficiency of members of the Christian Endeavour movement in giving skilful assistance in the missions that he had conducted. Mr Schroeder then called the roll of societies, responses being given by St. Peter’s, St. Andrew’s, Esk street Baptist, Gore Baptist, Edendale and Oteramika Road senior societies. This rally was mainly for senior societies, but responses were also received from two intermediate ones, which were represented—Esk street Baptist and Georgetown Baptist. Most of the societies responding gave items. In introducing Mr Beattie, the president mentioned that he (Mr Beattie) had just come from Waimahaka, where he had been conducting a fruitful mission. The Endeavourers had been eager tc hear Mr Beattie, said Mr Schroeder, and he knew that they would get a spiritual feast from the address. The speaker’s message was taken from Ephesians 6; and his text from verse 13. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” It was the command to the soldier of Christ, he said, and the message took for granted that, Christian Endeavourers realized their nledge—their enlistment for active service under the King of Kings. Mr Beattie divided his message into four points:— (1) The Christian warrior. “The soldier who swears allegiance to the King,” he said, “declares on oath that he will be ready for active service, if need be, and in that case the civilian becomes a warrior. That is the position of the Christian to-day, said the speaker. We are called to be on active service continually. We are told not to sleep as do others, but to arise and prepare ourselves for battle. There can be no armistice for soldiers of Christ in this world,” he said. “We have real danger to avoid, real powers to fight. The enemy shows where it stands: where it is and whom it serves and so must we. We are on a battlefield not a playground. Again, all the military organization which is evident in a gun and sword battle is necessary for us too. The soldiers follow the lead of a general and so must we. Christ our captain we must follow where He leads. God has said that the hosts of Hell will not prevail against His. Take heart and know that victory is assured.” (2) Mr Beattie next dealt with the soldier’s equipment. “No man goes to war at his own charge,” he said. “The uniform and equipment are supplied by his king, and this is true in the spiritual sense too. The good general plays for victory in every possible way. He takes every precaution. His scouts, his sentinels, the position of his artillery—all are arranged to ensure victory. Just such precaution must be taken by the Christian warrior,” said Mr Beattie. “He will have many and subtle temptations to defeat and his watch must never be momentarily ceased.” As an illustration, the speaker referred to the incident in Sir Walter Scott’s “Talisman” where big Kenneth of Scotland, guarding England’s flag, was told by a dwarf that the princess wanted to speak with him. Seeing that Kenneth wavered, the dwarf said that it was imperative that he go for a moment, and in that moment, England’s flag was disgraced. “We guard the flag of the cross, and 'by one false act it will be dishonoured,” he said. “Temptation comes in diverse ways, but there is armour to defend against every dart.” (3) The power of prayer. “This,” said the speaker, “is the place where we are apt to fail. We lose the fight because we do not use the power which conference with our captain supplies. The heroes of the spiritual warfare are the ones who meet with God in prayer. Wisdom, power, discretion, determination came through this channel.” (4) In a brief conclusion Mr Beattie dealt with the fourth point—that of the benediction. “Peace be to the brethren and love with faith. The derivation of the word peace” he said, “is interesting. It comes from two Greek words which mean two things brought together and made as one. So we, as Christians, have been dovetailed into Christ’s great peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I given unto you,” he said. “Peace and love with faith. One faith, one Lord, one baptism.” Mr Schroeder then led in prayer and bright testimonies were heard, the rally closing with the benediction.