ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145998, 3 December 1917, Page 6

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL (DEDICATION FESTIVAL. SERMON BY BISHOP AVERILL. Impressive services were hold at St. Mary's Church on Sunday on the occasion of Advent Sunday and the 72nd anniversary of the church. At the celebrations of Holy Communion there were about 200 communicants, and the attendance at the services throughout the day were good. The Rev. C, 1:1. Grant-Cowcn, vicar of Hawora. was the preacher for the morning service, and delivered a sermon appropriate to the occasion. A special service, for children was held in the afternoon. Tliere was a crowded congregation at night, when his Lordship Bishop Averill preached a telling sermon based on Matthew, chapter 24, verses 27 and 28 (revised version): “For as the light comcth forth from the east and is seen oven in the west, so also shall the presence of the eon of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is there will the eagles be gathered together,” His Lordship said the latter part of the text had passed into a proverb. The words were used by Christ at the Mount of Olives on his way hack from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. That day marked the climax of Jerusalem’s spiritual failure; its day of grace was ended. There were many of our soldiers in Egypt and Palestine, who, when they saw a- camel gradually fall back from the others and be left to die, realised vividly the truth of the words: 'Wheresoever the carcase is there will the vultures be.” As Jesus gazed at Jerusalem, outwardly so splendid and magnificent, he realised that its opportunity had been let slip, that the religion of its temple was a. sham. His Lordship referred to the interest felt that our New Zealand soldiers were now nearing Jerusalem’s borders. He believed that the city would be nearer to God in the future than eve-: it had been. It had fascinated Him and had aroused a passion which wo could hardly even understand. It was like the sight of a dearly beloved child who had rejected everything and flung its hopes and opportunities to the winds. And as He thus contemplated the city, Ho wept over it, with the pride of a broken heart. He saw the city as a. moral farce, and the vultures preparing to descend upon it. The speaker said that in the year 70 the Romans, under Titus, were battering down the walls where our boys would soon bo fighting. He went on to explain the meaning of the lightning mentioned in the text, speaking of it as the flashing into visibility of forces in nature that were ever-present though not always manifest. Likewise, God was always everywhere present. As the lightning compelled attention, so did the great world crises compel attention. 'Hie faithlessness of nations to the highest ideals brought them to the bar of judgment. There was Rome, with all her genius for organisation, seemingly incomparable, and the kingdom which should not pass away. But her religion was neglected; luxury, cruelty, arrogance and profligacy manifested themselves. Its government, its social life sank. And Anally the vultures—the Goths, the Huns and Vandals—swooned upon it and wrested from it its proud position. The same experience befell France in the latter part of the 18th eouturv, Paris was brilliant, joyous, and godless. Honour was a matter of etiquette, truth a. jest, and chastity a bye-word, until cultures, bred in her own bosom, gathered round her and swooned upon her. The streets of Paris ran blood. A few months ago the great law came into operation in Russia. God's judgment had fallen upon the traitors, and they had been cast from their high places. The law of God knew no distinctions. There was no divine right of kings. There was a divine law. though, and those called to tide must rule with righteousness or stiller the loss of their kingdoms. The Turkish Empire since the beginning of last century had gradually been dismembered. and must soon he utter!;' destroyed. God was not will]n,g that nations should he destroyed, but where warnings wore scorned and moral scrupulousness passed into rottenness, His law of judgment and cleansing was irrevocable.

AVhaf about Germany? She had arrogantly set herself against God's law. hut the day of cleansing was at hand and a. now Germany must arise from the ashes of the old, and many of her present mi.s-rulore must bo a prey to the vultures.

Last, but not least, lot us think about “Ives God knew no favourites, and if the body of our Empire was to be preserved and strengthened decaying limbs would have to bo amputated for the general good. The future of the Empire depended not upon the prowess of arms but upon the depth of the spiritual awakening produced by the war What are ourideals? Apathy and indifference to religion were evident, and people were largely given np to the pursuit of material things and pleasure. Where does God come ini' At the beginning of the war we nearly sacrificed our honour because we were afraid to control the drink traffic. Gambling and impurity were denounced by the Bishop, who said also that a- standard of amusement was tolerated in some plaees that was an insult to God. The extension of God’s kingdom and the establishment of a Christian commonwealth based on Christ’s teachings bad. scarcely yet begun to dawn as an ideal in the minds of men. Do wc ever think of this war as the flashing into visibility of the great God to save our Empire before it is too late? Is not this war a call from God to all Christian men and women to rise and save the nation before its day of opportunity is past? Righteousness, and righteousness alone, exalteth a nation, and only righteousness can save from decay and ultimate destruction. It was therefore the duty of every Christian _ patriot to strengthen the bond of religion and to contribute bis share to the development of the conscience and soul of the nation. Wo were making great sacrifices for our King and country —at least our boys wore. What sacrifices were wo making for our God? There could be no such thing as neutrality towards the kingdom of God. Neutrality means selfinterest, and a neutral was God’s enemy. If God ever called men to His side he was calling them to-day, and the preacher urged that the New Year’s Day of the Church, Advent Sunday, presented a groat opportunity for men to rally to the side, of God. In conclusion, the Bishop said ho was very thankful for what the church peopled St. Mary’s had done to help their church. The offertories so far that day had amounted to about £127, and he expressed the opinion that the remaining £ll3 required should not he beyond them. He urged them to a very liberal offering as a witness to their belief in and sympathy with God. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the service _ The collection amounted to £7B, making a total for the day of £205. It is anticipated that some further contributions will yet be received.