CIVIC SQUARE MISSION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 14

CIVIC SQUARE MISSION

WORK OF EVANGELISTS j “DEEPER THINGS OF GOD” J At the Civic Square during the past \ three weeks a tent mission has been in | J progress and attendances have been | { large. j \ It has been under the control of the j j Auckland Evangelisation Society and < the nightly speakers, of a week each, j J have been the Rev. Joseph W. Kemp. 4 Mr. A. Johnston (the blind soldier j evangelist) and the Rev. Lionel B. J Fletcher. On two of the Sunday after- J noons the Rev. Evan Harries, of St. j James's Church, has preached on the { deeper spiritual life. Yesterday afternoon the tent was almost full and though some of the gatherings have been larger and more enthusiastic none has been more impressive. At the conclusion a number of persons already Christian went forward for help and instruction in “the deeper things of God.” The subject of the address was “The Character of the Holy Spirit,” and the speaker held the audience as he spoke on "The Personality of the Spirit,” “The Veracity of the Spirit,” “The Power of the Spirit of Truth to Reveal the Truth," “His enabling power to over- ; come the weaknesses and sins which j prevent Christians from a powerful : life.” He concluded by an exhortation j to Christians to receive the filling of the j Holy Spirit which was sadly needed i for the gladdening and cleansing of the j Christian church of to-day. The reason it was not more powerful was that it was not more holy. In stating these things Mr. Harries declared that he was not a pessimist nor an optimist, but a “factist.” "When Christians were more forgiving and more tolerant and considerate with one another they would thereby bear evidence to the fullness of the Spirit. But the churches were not ready for such a crusade. Let them turn to the history of the first days and years of the Christian church and they would find that the very first task of the apostles with their converts was to have them made strong by the immediate acceptance of the Spirit in His Power and service for life and service. The early church found that the presence of the Holy Spirit was more necessary than for Jesus to remain. In fact He said “It is expedient for you that I go away.” The Spirit came to reinforce and emphasise the teachings of scripture and of daily experience. He it was that was an inward influence whereas Christ was an outward one. The third person of the Trinity then made the other two persons of the Goahood real as the three were the same in essence while distinct in personality. He urged them not to delude themselves, but to really find out where they were and what the Bible declared as the normal life for Christians—a life full of the power and glow of the Holy Spirit. The Tent Mission concluded last evening with an address by the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher. SUNDAY’S MUSIC TWO BANDS GIVE RECITALS Two* programmes were played by the Auckland Municipal Band yesterday under the baton of Mr. Christopher Smith. In the afternoon the band played in the Zoological Gardens and in the evening in the Domain. Both programmes were well received, and an additional attraction was cornet solos played at both concerts by Messrs. J. Davies and T. K. Morgan. Albert Park Rotunda was occupied last evening by the Salvation Army Congress Silver Band. Adjutant Goffin made his last appearance as conductor as Bandmaster Pace will be in charge at the Congress Hall this evening. MEMORIAL TO ORGANIST BRONZE TABLET DEDICATED A bronze tablet lettered in silver was dedicated to the memory of the late Mr. George Ingleby Allen at the morning service in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre yesterday by the vicar, the Rev. G. Gordon Bell. Mr. Allen was organist and choir- . master of the church for several years. ; He was killed in a motor accident about four years ago. The tablet is surmounted by a silver cross and a wreath, and the memorial was wrought by one of Mr. Allen’s inti- ■ mate friends, Mr. E. C. Isaac, of Well- • ington. A surplus from the memorial fund is to be placed with other money ’ for improvements in recognition of the 1 work of the three organists, Mr. Allen, . Mr. H. G. Dutton and Mr. Vincent ; Rice. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHES “Soul” was the subject of the lessonsermon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, Sunday, February 17. The Golden Text was from Psalms 103, 1.: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.” Among the citations which comprised the lesson-sermon was the following from the Bible: “The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind; the Lord raiseth them that are bowed 1 down; the Lord loveth the righteous.” Psalms, 146: 8. The lesson-sermon also included the j following passage from the Christian . Science textbook: “Science and health l with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy: “Neither age nor acci- ’ dent can interfere with the sense of ' soul, and there are no other real senses. It is evident that the body as matter s has no sensation of its own, and there : is no oblivion for soul and its faculties. Spirit’s senses are without pain, and J they are forever at peace. Nothing can hide from them the harmony of all , things and the might and permanence ’ of Truth.”—page 214.