Christ’s Understanding Sympathy: Sermon At St. Andrew’s Church

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1949, Page 2

Christ’s Understanding Sympathy: Sermon At St. Andrew’s Church

“Nothing enables us to enter sympathetically into the temptations, struggles and sorrows of others like having faced similar experiences ourselves, ’ said Rev. James Robertson, preaching in St. \ Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Marton, on Sunday morning on the text: "Touched with the feeling of our infirmities” tHebrews 4-15). A fellow feeling and sympathy was evoked in this way that could be evoked in no other way. To sympathise truly and deeply we must have experienced truly and deeply, said Mr. Robertson. “it is the same with Jesus,” continued the preacher. "Because He knew the chill of loneliness in His own soul He can sympathise with us in our times of isolation. Because He endured some black days when the face of His Heavenly Father became dim, He can understand what a strain faith often is to us. Because His own soul was assailed by temptation, He can look with pity and understanding on our failures by the way. “Think of His treatment of some ot the sinners of the gospel page. There was Zacchaeus, whom everyone despised and hated; Jesus dined with him. There was the sinful woman who annointed Him with ointment; Jesus spoke gracious words of forgiveness to her. There is His unforgetabie parable of the prodigal son. “How His treatment of the sinners of the gospel story rebukes those wno judge harshly the man who has fallen: No doubt society must be protected. But how many can sit with the smnei in a spirit of understanding love and Pity? “Dramatic indeed is the picture which lan MacLaren has drawn for us of Lachlan Campbell, that sternest and strictest of the elders of Drumtochly, who, when his daughter Flora wandered from the iold immediately strlck her name out of the family Bible. But a gracious soul named Margot Howe, said to Him: ‘Wae’s me, if oor Father in Heaven had blotted oot oor names frae the Lamb’s Book o’Life when we left His hoose. But He sent His ain Son tae seek us, and a weary road He came. Puir Flora, ta<_ hae sic a father!’ The rebuke had the desired effect and Flora got the same welcome as the prodigal in the parable.

“But while Jesus was loving and merciful this does not mean that ne was soft or full of a maudlin sentiment that simply glossed over men’s faults and sjfis. No, Christ’s love was holy love, which hated sin fiercely and condemned and opposed It In every sort of way. And no one could b e forgiven by Christ without feeling that he must now resolutely set his face against sin and all its works. "Christ is the same still,” said Mr. Robertson, as the Scottish paraphrase has it:— “Though now ascended up on high, He bends on earth a brother’s eye; Partaken of the human names, He knows the frailty of our frame. With boldness therefore at the throne, Let us make all our sorrows known, And ask the aids of heav’nly pow-r To help us in the evil hour.” HIGH SCHOOL BACKS TOO GOOD FOR BULLS. Securing the ball from the majority of the scrums and lineouts, the High School backs were too fast and nippy for Bulls in the third grade (intermediate) Rugby match at Marton on Saturday and ran out easy winners by 23 points to three. High School did not make the most of their opportunities in the first spell and when halftime sounded led by only nine points <to three. In the second spell, however, both a hard-working pack of forwards and a superior backline paved the way for a further 14 points. Up till the interval, Bulls did well to hold the High School backs, but as an attacking machine the visitors’ backline showed little combination. Their only try was the result of some good rucking by the forwards, which led to the big Maori first five-eighths using his weight in forcing his way across fin line.

Spearhead of the High School attack was R. Kan, who started off at centre but it was not long before he was back In his customary position of first five-eighths. He was always looking for holes in the opposition and found them. Once he waltzed through the Bulls team in an amazing run of some 50 yards to score near the posts. He made several other effective breaks. T. Knight, at centre, also used his speed to advantage and he scored two tries. Other tries for High School were obtained by E. Bason, H. Downs and M. Ellery. D. Timmins kicked a penalty and P. Whale converted a try. For Bulls, Te Memo scored. Third Grade. The second round of the knock-out third grade (open) competition will not be played until August 6 and the draw is: Athletic v. Ratana, at Marton at 1.15 p.m. Marton Old Boys have the bye and will play the winner ot this game in the final on a date to be arranged. The following is the final points table in the third grade championship: P. W. L. D. Pts. Ratana 8 7 1 0 14 Athletic 8 5 2 1 II Marton 0.8. ... 8 3 5 0 6 Ohingaiti 8 2 4 2 6 Flock House ... 8 1 6 1 3 MARTON PLAYERS TO PERFORM AT HUNTERVILLE At the invitation of the Huntervllle R.S.A., the Marton Players will give a one-night performance ot E nlyn Williams’ three-act play “Night Must Fall,’’ in the Huntervllle Town Hall tomorrow night. This play was recently staged tor three successive nights in Marton and was greeted with a capacity house on each occasion. Proceeds from the Huntervllle performance are being donated to the R.S.A.’s sick benefit fund. The play is excellent entertainment and is packed with clever and witty dialogue. Right to the thrilling finish’it does not flag in interest and cannot fail to keep the audience enthralled. The play is produced by Mr John Wales and the lending artists appearing are Vera Bevan, Doreen Kimpton. Ena Wales, Mary Leslie, Kathleen Cooper, Stan Laurenson, Noel Rix-Trott, Owen Hunt, and Ken Stanford. Clever stage scenery, lighting and musical effects and split second timing of the curtain all combine to make the performance one of seemingly effortless smoothness. It's a play Huntervllle residents will appreciate and one that certainly cantured Mar-

ton audiences. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. and reserves may be made at Stan Abel’s, Hunterville. RANGITIKEI HOCKEY TEAM TO PLAY TARANAKI. The Rangitikei women’s hockey representative team is expected to meet with strong opposition when It plays Taranaki at Marton next Saturday. The Rangitikei team was announced last night by the sole selector, Miss M. Wilkie, as follows: Goalie, S. Towler (Huia); full-backs, K. Taylor (Te Kauwau), M. Pine (Taihape); halves, D. Kent (Te Kauwau), S. Campbell (Athletic), M. Teague (Te Kauwau); forwards, J. Paterson (United), R- Wilson (Athletic), J. Judd (captain, Huimai), B. Iwlkau (Tuis), D. Paterson (United). Reserves: L. Paterson (United), M. Ta Wano (Tuis) and another to be selected. Players to assemble at 2.30 p.m. As a curtain-raiser, a Rangltlket team selected from the senior B grade will play Taihape. THREE ROAD ACCIDENTS IN MARTON. Marton was the scene of three road accidents on Sunday and yesterday. A certain amount of damage was suffered by the vehicles involved, but Injuries to drivers and passengers were slight. At 7.30 on Sunday night a vehicle struck a three-ton truck parkea on the roadside near the Victory Hall in Wellington Road. The force of the impact shifted the truck some distance, causing about £5O worth ot damage to the tray. The vehicle involved was quickly driven away before the driver's name, or the vehicle, could be identified. A portion of the canvas hood of the vehicle was left by the wrecked truck, while a felt hat was found nearby. A similar accident occurred near Huntley School on the Wanganui Road on Sunday night ( when a touring car driven by Mr. G. Wood, Crofton Road, Marton, strtick the rear ot a truck parked on the roadside. The motor-car was extensively damaged and slight injuries were received by a passenger, Mr. J. Lamas. Another passenger, Mr. A. Hunter, was unhurt. The third accident occurred at the intersection of Stewart and Morris Streets yesterday morning when a mo-tor-car driven by Mr. 11. Mcnstorth down Morris Street, collided with a lorry driven by Mr. C. L. Riddell, and belonging to T. and J. Mcllwaine, Ltd., Marton. The windscreen of Mr. Mensforth’s car was smashed. The car was swung round and thrown into a hedge on the corner. Mr. Mensforth received cuts and shock. PERSONAL. Miss A. M. Middlemiss, who has been on the Marton Post, and Telegraph Department staff for the past seven years, has resigned to enter business on her own account in Marton. Miss Middlemiss is being given a farewell in the Parish Hall tonight at a social and dance arranged by the Post Office social committee. MARTON COURT HOI RS Starting this week- the office of the Magistrate’s Court. Marton, will he open on Tuesday of every week. In addition, the office will be open on Court day, Wednesday. July 27. and after that on every alternative Wednesday (Court davs). as well as each Tupsdav.