CIVIC SERVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 5

CIVIC SERVICE

AFTER-CHURCH ASSEMBLY MAN WHO CHANGED WORLD A united after-church gathering was held in Dominion Road Methodist Hall last evening, when the Alayors and councillors of Mount Albert and Alount Eden boroughs attended. “Righteousness Exalteth a Nation” was the theme chosen by the Rev. R. L. Fursdon, who gave the address. The speaker said, in part, that our social system had its roots firmly planted in the past ages. Civilisation had crept forward in waves, sometimes over-reaching themselves, and then receding into the mighty tide which continued to be the source and power of every oncoming wave. Greece, said Air. Fursdon, gave us systems of thought and a philosophy which had coloured all subsequent thought. She spread beauty, grace, art and games. Rome came with her armies, her ships, an iron motive, strong, giving and keeping order everywhere. These two succeeding waves uncovered and spread a power which had changed the face of the world. There arose a person who has altered, transformed, and lifted all our previous ideas. He was none other than Jesus of Nazareth. His teaching was still altering the world. He accepted the social conditions of His day, with its inequalities and slaves. He did not incite to revolution, but inspired to reform, by revealing to man a perfect society—the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He taught the worth of the individual; He gave woman her true place; He preached Christian charity and life’s stewardship. This teaching outlived Rome, and its Cross supplanted Caesar’s eagle. At the Reformation, the vitalising truth broke forth. It swept Germ.

and England. Everywhere it went, it changed character and society. The speaker concluded by showing how democracy might attain high ideals in our own day . We must serve God by serving our fellow-men. To bring joy and happiness to others was a spiritual service. Our great trouble was that we had forgotten the Alaker of the universe, God. He should be reckoned in our plans. He was our creator, ruler, and continuous governor. The two chief notes sounded in Christ’s teaching were “Love to God, and love to man.” The Rev. H. Clark presided, and during the service ministers of the Eden Fraternal took part. The Alethodist choir sang an anthem, and the Balmoral Church quartet sang “Wonderful Peace.”