“HOW MUCH FOR A MAN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 14

“HOW MUCH FOR A MAN”

SERMON AT COMMUNITY MISSION ESTIMATE BY THE MASTER At the community service in the Capitol Theatre last evening the Rev. George Jackson dealt with the question, “How Much is a Man Worth?” Quoting Isaiah, “I will make a man of more value than gold,” he pointed out that, considered against the background of the social and economic conditions which prevailed when those words were first uttered, they represented a hopelessly inflated valuation of the worth of a man. To suggest that a man should be valued above money was to fly in the fa.ee of such facts as that it cost more in those days to buy a horse than to buy a man, or that the majority of the surrounding populations were slaves, chained in gangs, lashed to work with whips, ill fed, ill clothed, ignorant and degraded.

But the conviction of the prophet concerning the intrinsic worth of manhood was sanctioned and supported when One whom men have ever since called Master stepped upon the stage of human history. Jesus Christ regarded every man as being of priceless value in his own right, apart from any wealth or rank or culture, or lack of these things. The speaker stated that whatever their thought about Jesus Christ might be, at least it had to be admitted that, with the slenderest means at his disposal, and within a brief space of time, he had raised their understanding of God and their appreciation of the value and significance of human life to new levels for ever. Several passages from the teaching of Jesus were quoted in support of this satement, but it was pointed out that the Master’s estimate was not generally accepted in the world to-day. Tho most emphatic denial of the worth of a man came, however, from those who defended the present economic order of society. Despite the operation of charitable institutions, the growth of human sympathy, and the desire to improve social conditions in various ways, it was plainly evident that men as men were not regarded as of supreme value. "Whenever in the modern commercial field a conflict arose between the prospects of profit on the one hand and the rights of personality on the other, profits invariably won. If it was a case of making money or of making men, money inevitablyclaimed the right of way. The only way for the Master’s estimate of human life to find acceptance, the speaker asserted, was for those who endorsed it to seek to bring about a radical change of the economic order of society, in order that the spirit and principle of the priceless worth of human life might be vindicated.

“AS A MAN SOWETH”

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICE EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT “Everlasting Punishment” was the subject of the lesson-sermon in all Churches of fChrist, Scientist, on Sunday, May 5. The golden text was from Psalms 146, ix., “The Lord preserveth the strangers; He relieveth the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turneth upside down.” Among the citations which comprised the lessonsermon was the following from the Bible; “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man someth, that shall he also reap. F.or he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap live everlasting” (Galatians vi.. vii.. viii.) The lesson-sermon also included the following passage from the Christian Science textbook, “Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy: “Christian Science commands man to master the propensities, to hold hatred in abeyance with kindness, to conquer lust with chastity, revenge with charity, and to overcome deceit with honesty. Choke these errors in their early stages, if you would not cherish an army of conspirators against health, happiness, and success. They will deliver you to the judge, the arbiter of truth against error. The judge will deliver you to justice, and the sentence of the moral law will be executed upon mortal mind and body. Both will be manacled until the last farthing is paid—until you have balanced your account with God. ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ The good man finally can overcome this fear of sin. This is sin’s necessity—to destroy itself. Immortal man demonstrates the government of God, good, in which is no power to sin.”

49TH ANNIVERSARY

BIRKENHEAD METHODISTS’ CELEBRATIONS SPECIAL SERVICES HELD The 49th anniversary services of the Birkenhead Methodist Church were held yesterday, and were well attended. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. A. Mitchell, and the evening ona by the Rev. J. H. Allen, who took as his subject, “The heavenly vision of Paul.” He gave a stirring address. Miss Eva Berry sang a solo, “Abide With Me,” while the choir under the conductorship of Mr. J. Wright, gave several special anthems. At the social Hour in the school room after the service opportunity was taken to say farewell to the Rev. and Mrs. J. B. Joy. who are leaving in June on a visit to their son, Dr. P. R. N. Joy, of London. The Rev. J. H. Allen and Mr. A. Wilson conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. Joy the best wishes of their large circle of friends. Mr. Joy suitably replied.

NEW FONT CONSECRATED

ARCHBISHOPS AT ST. MATTHEW’S To perpetuate the memory of the late Mr. J. W. Leigh, who for over 20 years was associated with St. Matthew’s Church, a baptismal font was consecrated at the morning service yesterday by Archbishop Averill. A large congregation was present, and took part in a christening ceremony of three infants, whose grandparents are the oldest parishioners. Mr. J. W. Andrews, who designed and carved the font, was congratulated by the archbishop on a particularly fine piece of work. A service of thanksgiving, conducted by the vicar. Canon Grant Cowen. was held in the evening, and was also largely attended,