WESLEY CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5099, 7 June 1904, Page 3

WESLEY CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Tho anniversary services of Wesley Church, Temuka, weru conducted by tha Hev, A. Hunt, of Timaru. The weather was not very favourable, and this affected the attendance to soma extent, but tho congregations were fairly good. At the morniing service tho rev. gentleman before delivering his sermon gave a abort. t?lling address to the children on tho subject of God's care for everything. Nothing was too great, und.no atom was too small for His care, and he urged tho little ones when they were in trouble or difficulty of any kind to ask Him to help, and they would get it. Air Hunt took for his text I John, v. 4—” For whatsoever is born of God ovcrcomoth the world, and this is tho victory that ovcrcomoth tho world, oven our faith.” He opened bis remarks by referring to tho religious interest that characterises tho present age. Tho old coarser infidelity had given place to the more refined, scientific, quiet ngonostieism put forward by men of whoso honesty and scholastic attainments there can bo no doubt. Not only was there unrest without tho Church, but there was unrest w'ithin. Our greatest troubles arise from within. When we read their statements and conclusions, wo are bound to ask 1 ourselves whether we have not made a mistake and based our faith on foundations that aro not so secure as we have been accustomed to believe. To those who hud had such doubt be now proposed to say a few words. Tnoy wanted more faith. They must bear n mind that the Christianity that had boon attacked is not tho religion of Jesus Christ, but the shoddy of Christianity of those who have professed to follow Christ ; it is the false Christianity of those who profess to bo Christian and yet do not live a Christ life. They heard much of higher criticism, but from’ that they had nothing to fear. They might as well fear for the rocks on which the sea dashes as to fear for religion, because of criticism. If our faith is man made, then it will fail; but m as we believe, it is of God, not all tho powers of earth and hell can prevail against it. ”If God bo for us, who can be against us ’?” Wo are inclined to be too pessimistic, and look 100 much on tho human side of things, whereas wc wanted a wider vision, one that would also take in the spiritual side of things, and give it its due proportion. The speaker gave two telling illustrations in support o£ his argument. It was the wider vision that wc need in our Christian life to-day. When wo hear this or that argument advanced against religion, wc have to remember that our faith is above this, and faith is based on God, and God liveth and reigneth for ever. This sort of thing had been going on for the past 2000 years, and yet faith to-day was stronger than ever before in the history of the 'world. Be from the time of His greatest trials, most his latest words to His were ” I have overcome the world. Remember when in doubt to have faUb in God. Our victory was not to be gnin?d by Christian evidence, but a sublime faith in the omnipotent God, because it is to God wo must cry. O ourselves wo could donothiiig. with Christ we can do everything. lus is the victory that oveicometh the world. in the evening the rev. gentleman preached another thoughtful sermon. Ap propriate hymns were sung at both services. Mr Jas. Harrison prcMdcd at the organ. Tho collections were m aid of tho trust funds.