FAREWELL SERMON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19525, 26 June 1933, Page 4

FAREWELL SERMON

RETIREMENT OF REV. ADAM EEOG 1 TYEN YEARS' MINISTRY ENDED. After fifteen years ministry at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Highfield, the Rev. Adam Begg relinquished his charge last night, when large congregations attended both morning and evening services. At night Mr Begg preached a parting message to the people. Mr Begg chose as the subject of his address: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day and for ever.’’ He said: "Changes come in this earthly sphere. Nothing that is human can go on and on in endless routine. This applies to the Church of God. God has planned to do His work in His own wise way. We never know how long we can count on the human instrument. Each has his opportunity and then he passes, and someone else is called to take his place. Jesus entrusts the service of the kingdom to a line of spiritual men and women whom He Inspires for their special task. One does his part, and another Is sent to take up the task at the point where it has been laid down and carry forward the Lord's work at a stage further. So the divine programme Is fulfilled. Picture to yourselves the situation In which these Hebrew Christians found themselves towards the end of the first century. “Perhaps John was the only survivor of Christ’s immediate companions and contemporaries,’ says Selby. 'Timid souls might think that the faith itself might be stripped of its chief defences when the last of the apostles had passed away.” Possibly they were the subjects of the despondent pensiveness we often feel v/hen the great leaders of our country are removed by death. We ask in our bewilderment “who Is to take the helm and guide us through the critical times that are at hand? The spirit of change is in the air and great revolutions are coming to the birth.’ As we ask these questions, we scarcely realise the dismay with which they would be asked in the closing decades of the first century when the last eyewitness of the work of Jesus Christ and the last posessor of miraculous gifts, was about to pass away. It seemed as though the pillars of the Church were falling from their places, and the Church Itself were threatened. The last apostle could not tarry much longer, and Christ Himself, whose second coming many were looking for, had not returned. Who will guide us through these days of trouble, and who will Inspirit us With strength and courage in the crisis of our weakness?. The inspired writer comes to their aid with a God-given message. He bids them remember their spiritual guides who had spoken to them the divine word, and consider what had been the issue of their manner of life, how it had made them more than conquerors in the great battle of their time. Imitate their faith. Go on in the strength the Lord offers. ‘For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever.’ What He did for the apostolic Greathearts, who initiated the glorious movement to which they belonged. He will do for you who are carrying on the movement they began. And if you read history aright you will discover over and over again that because the followers of the Master have caught some such message In days of difficulty in times of transition, in moments of discouragement, the Christian cause has been able to triumph over the things that hinder. “At this particular juncture In your life as a congregation, we bring you this same great message,” said Mr Begg. "If you are looking out into the future with some concern, if you are wondering how you are to be led, if you are thinking about the difficulties in the way, the provision made is mo6t ample. Jesus Christ is with us as our Leader, and He is the same yesterday and to-day and for ever. Workers come and go according to His wise programme. He himself abides, the strength of His people, their unfailing source of wisdom and initiative, their guide through all time.” The address In the evening was based upon the words of Paul: “We make it our aim to be well-pleasing unto Him: for we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ,” and was an appeal to give heed to the call of the highest that one may make full proof of His manhood. The soloist was Miss Beryl Stevens who gave "Spirit Divine."