“SPINELESS CREATURES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 14

“SPINE LE SS CREATURES”

MEN WHO ARE HALF MEN SABBATH BREAKERS CRITICISED “If we must become strong Christians we must give Christ our all, and we must continue in prayer. We should not meet and pray for half an hour on the Sabbath day, so that we can get out and play golf. Oh your poor weak, spineless creatures, God does not expect half a man.” These were the words of the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, who spoke last evening in the Beresford Stree Congregational Church. He was replying to the views of Canon Percival James, of St. Paul’s, Wellington, who said he had recently arranged special services for sportsmen and those who had previously used Sunday entirely for recreational purposes.

Mr. Fletcher, who addressed a packed congregation, took his text from the 119th Psalm, verse 113, Dr. Moffatt’s translation of which was, “I hate men that are half and half.” Many men today are only half and half, because they have not allowed themselves properly to develop God’s desire of man, that he should be always at his best,” said the speaker. "I have the greatest respect for Canon James,” he added. “I have both conversed with him, and have knelt and prayed with him, and am more than surprised that he should make such a statement. As minister of this church with the largest Sunday school in New Zealand, having such a large body of young people, I feel it is my duty to challenge this statement. "I would rather a son of mine should never go to church, than to go under such conditions. I am not a Sabbatarian,” said Mr. Fletcher. “This is the Lord’s Day, and God demands that we should worship him in spirit and in truth—not as a mere formality. It is not rea,l heartfelt worship going into God’s house with golf clubs and golf dress, with a motor-car waiting and purring outside ready to rush off to the links after your half-hour worship. It is not worshipping God on this day, it is only trying to be half and liall'. If God be God, then serve Him. If Baal be God then serve Baal.”

As he referred to the Book of St. James he did not read of any reference being made of golf balls clicking as one sat in church. No reference was made to such in any part of the Bible from Genesis to Revelations,” the minister continued.

“Oh, no tabloid religion, no snipped religion for me,” he declared. “What God desires is the development of rich character. Some people are slovenly in body, slovenly in their house. I once remember a brother minister of mine taking me to visit a certain person. Before entering the house he said, ‘lf they ask you to have some refreshment, and ask you what you would like, ask for eggs, as dirt cannot get in them.’ I did this and I was not even too sure of that until I had taken the top off. No one with a slovenly body can build a perfect, sweet, noble and radiant character.” The speaker went on to advise his congregation to read good books. Some people were too lazy to grow brains, he said. Character building required a clean mind. Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross and follow Me.” Going to church for half an hour on Sunday morning, or occasionally on Sunday night was not taking up a cross; it was not sacrifice. It is only being half a man. Christ demanded our whole time.

EFFECT OF FAITH

AID TO RIGHTEOUSNESS BASIS OF HUMAN LIFE “Abraham’s Faith and Righteousness’’ was the subject chosen by Pastor Reuben E. Dowle at the Mount Roskill Congregational Church yesterday. He took for his text Romans iv„ 3: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” “If we look at the bedrock principle of faith, we realise at once that it is built, so to speak, into the weft and woof of human life,” said the preacher. “One poet says, ‘Faith builds a bridge* from this world to the next, o’er death’s dark gulf and all its horror hides.’ The mere speculations of philosophy are powerless to explain many of the enigmas of life. “St. Paul, in the text, is explaining to the Jews the real connection between fa.ith and works. How slow were the Jews to recognise that the ceremonial law given to Moses had been superceded, and that the grace of God, found in the gift of His Son, must now be believed, if the favour of God would be conferred.” Abraham’s faith was deep-seated. God had promised that In Him all the nations of the earth should be blessed, meaning that he should be the ancestor of Jesus Christ. Now his faith pleased God. and this 20tli century should note that without faith it was impossible to please God. Abraham’s faith pleased God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. What was more, righteousness of the genuine kind was only possible through faith in Christ. Human righteousness alone was as filthy rags in God’s sight. God’s righteousness produced purity, hope and usefulness. This being so he became crowned W'ith felicity and everlasting bliss.

POPULAR MISSIONER

GIFT FOR REV. C. CHANDLER Appreciation of the valuable work performed by the Rev. Charles Chandler among the young people of St. Matthew’s Church was shown last evening by the presentation, on behalf of the vestry, of a travelling outfit to Mr. and Mrs. Chandler. The Rev. Mr. Chandler is leaving shortly to undertake mission work in Sydney. Tributes to the departing minister’s services were paid by the vicar. Canon Grand Cowen, and Mr. W. Birss, leader of the Bible Classes, who said that the Rev. Mr. Chandler had performed particularly fine work in the Literary and Debating Society, of which he was president during the past 12 months. The presentation was made by Mr. A. Hallett.