THE CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 21949, 25 February 1933, Page 10

THE CHURCH

NEWS AND NOTES. FROM PULPIT AND PEW. The services at the North Baptist Church will be conducted to-morrow by Pastor L. P; Bryan, whose subjectin the morning will be “Partakers of the Divine Nature,” and for the evening service the much discussed subject of “Modernism.” Understand life and you will understand death. Conquer life and you will conquer death. Have no fear of life and you will have no fear of death. Understand life and there is no death. For life and death are one. Life and death are synonymous.—Mr J. Krishnamurti. The Rev. Bennett H. Williams, of the Africa Inland Mission, is at present in Invercargill and will be the preacher for the day at the Esk Street Baptist Church to-morrow. He will also deliver a lecture illustrated by lantern slides in the North Baptist Church on Thursday next at 7.30 p.m. on the “Pigmy work in the great Ituri Forest of Belgian Congo.” One of the truest criticisms of the average Christian of our time was made by the late Edgar Wallace. I can’t understand, he said, why you are afraid to talk about Christ. When someone at lunch mentions Christ, why does everyone look uncomfortable, cough, and change the subject? Christ is the one Figure in the New Testament Whom no one wants to talk about except on Sunday at eleven in the morning and half-past six at night. During the month of February a “Save the Child” campaign has been held at the Salvation Army. The campaign will be continued to-morrow. Adjutant Tong will speak at the morning service on “Walking With God.” The Corps Cadets will occupy the platform in the afternoon under the leadership .of Lieutenant Penhall. At the evening service Mrs Adjutant Tong will deliver an address on “The Advantages to Youth.”

It is reported that in the 12,767 parishes in England from which returns have come there are connected with the Church of England and on the electoral rolls 3,648,729 persons of over 18 years of age. There are 1,780,288 Sunday school scholars, 98 of the clergy have a stipend of less than £2OO a year, 1100 have less than £3OO, and 2233 have less than £350. It would be interesting to learn, what the incomes of the business men in these parishes are and how they compare with those of their ministers.

It is difficult for many people to realize the tremendous areas of the foreign mission fields. Who would have thought, if he were not informed of it, that the Madras Presidency, for example, occupies an area in India of no less than 141,705 square miles; in other words, is larger than the United Kingdom by 20,000 square miles? And, talking of Madras and India, reminds us of the tradition, said to be wellfounded, that after the ascension of our Lord, the Apostle Thomas made jt the scene of his labours and was ultimately martyred at what is called Thomas Mount, not far from the city of Madras.

The women of 45 countries of the world are observing Friday, March 3, as a world-wide day of prayer and intercession on behalf of missions and for the extension of God’s Kingdom. This year the women of Invercargill have decided to unite and observe the International Day of Prayer. The place of meeting will be the Central Hall, First Church. The day has been divided into sessions of one half hour each, commencing at 10.30 a.m, until 12 o’clock and from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m., but one may enter or leave any time during the sessions. The sessions will be led as follows: 10.30 a.m., Sister Alice, City Missionary; 11 a.m., Church of Christ; 11.30 a.m. to 12, Salvation Army. Lunch sessions at 12.30 and 1.30 p.m. for the convenience of Bible Class members and business women. 2.30 p.m., Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union; 3 p.m., Methodist Women’s Missionary Union; 3.30 to 4 p.m., Baptist Women’s Missionary Union.