Feeding The Lambs Of Our Household; Shepherding The Stray Sheep

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 December 1949, Page 2

Feeding The Lambs Of Our Household; Shepherding The Stray Sheep

Choosing as his text, the words of Christ to Peter, "Feed my Lambs.” the Rev. H. Prowse, when speaking to his congregation at the Marton Methodist Church on Sunday morning, said that, young New Zealanders, with their life before them, were a challenge to all Christians. The future of the Church certainly depended; on God, but God also expected us to use the material at hand. Our youth were that material, and the command was to us, as to Peter, “Feed my lambs,” said Mr. Prouse. One writer had said "Ignorance is the underlying cause of most of the sorrow, strife and suffering in the world, therefore, give everyone an education, raise the standards of living, elevate the ideals, and! thus by creating a desire for better conditions, a better life will naturally follow.” "But is that true”? asked the preacher. “If increase of knowledge has put our feet in the path of Utopia, then surely with the thousands striving after academic honours, our country should be showing a decrease in prison and borstal populations instead of facing the fact that many are well filled with young men, far better educated than were their parents. “If education is to be the solution of evil, then why is it with the streams of graduates, we are faced with an ascending divorce rate, outstanding increase in the manufacture and sale of strong drink and astounding figures on the tote? Why is swearing and blasphemy so prevalent and God's name taken in vain If increased knowledge is the panacea for evil, why are we all afraid of what will happen next? Boys in their 'teens can get drink, high school children can bet, because politicians have made the way easy lor them.

"I believe the answer and solution,” said Mr. Prowse, "is in the home—the individual. The God of our Fathers has no part or place in many homes. We are feeding the 'Lambs' on the wrong kind of food, because we love other things more , than Christ. "Some people say, 'I let my children please themselves whether they go to Sunday School or Church.’ What would happen if they pleased themselves whether they went to dayschool? Sunday School takes up only three weeks in the life of a child, and in that time a teacher is supposed to teach duty to God and to man. We have got to face facts,” said the preacher, "and if we would augment Christian education, then we must be witnesses for Christ in our homes. The Christian home cannot function if the Spiritual power is turned off. But many Church-goers, like politicians, blame the other fellow. What we need is a burning evangelism. Church buildings and equipment are no substitute for the Holy Spirit. We might raise money, but will it raise the moral of the Church? We might have a good programme, but no time for prayer, and so we just become a paying Church instead of a praying Church. We have got to get back to Isaiah 40-31. ’They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.’

"The first duty is to wait daily on Him, not just at Church, but seven, days in the week. We too often leave Christ to carry the Cross alone; we don’t want to bear our own Cross. Our lack of power is because of our lack of loyalty to Him. “Feed my Lambs” said Jesus, then He said, "Be a shepherd to my sheep." Somebody needs a loving hand, or a kind word. Some-one is sick and needs a visit—then be a shepherd to them, "The war record of Japan makes us shudder, but Gen. McArthur, realising their need, has ordered 10,000,000 portions of Scripture for them. We, too, must get back to the Bible. Fears may obstruct our way; past defeats bid us be careful, but when we let the searchlight of God's word shine into our hearts, and receive the power which the Holy Spirit gives, we shall be able to feed the lambs of our household and shepherd the sheep who have gone astray." "One ship sails east and another west. With the self-same wind that blows, 'Tis the set of the sails, and not the gale that determines the way you go. Like winds of the sun are the ways of late as we journey along through life, It’s the set of the soul that decides the goal, and not the calm or the strlfp.” AMBULANCE INSPECTION. The Marton divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade will fall in at the Victory Hall on Monday at 7.15 p.m. for the annual inspection by Assistant Commissioner W. Bourne and his district officers from Wanganui. An ad dress of welcome by the president of the local divisions, Mr. C. M. Holdaway, will be followed by a reply from Mr. Bourne and the district officer for Cadets, Mr. J. Welton. Last Monday evening the committee of St. John finalised arrangements for the inspection. Parents of cadets ore asked to advise, if possible, the cadet, superintendent if they will be attending the inspection and the brigade evening. The local divisions have extended a cordial invitation to the public to be present on the occasion of their annual inspection. GORSE HEDGE AIJGHT. Burning rubbish set alight to a gorse hedge next to Faull's store in Crofton Road, Marton, yesterday afternoon. The Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade received a call at 4.33 p.m. and extinguished the blaze before any damage was done. STOCK AOENCVMEKGER Further explanation ot the projected amalgamation nt Abraham and Williams. Ltd., with Wright, Stephenson, Ltd., was given by the chairman ot directors of both companies, Mr. S. C. Sutherland, at Ihe annual meeting ot Abraham and Williams this week. Shareholders had been advised ot the values under which Wright. Stephenson and Co. had agreed to exchange that company’s shares with Abraham and Williams' shares. "Abraham and Williams debenture-holders have also been made an otter to exchange Wright. Stephenson and Co. pretcrence shares," said Mr. Sutherland. "Any ordinary shares under the number ot 100 are to be paid for In cash at an advance ot 2/6 above those shares tn excess ot that number, the reason tor this being that Wright. Stephenson and Co. directors considered those Abraham and Williams shareholders being paid in cash should receive a higher price owing to being deprived ot an investment. “The large amount ot work involved in bookkeeping made us suggest to small share and debenture holders the idea ot accepting cash tor their holdings, Wright. Stephenson and Co. directors. o( which you know I am chairman, gave serious thought to the proposals. and the result, we reel, is a very talr and even generous otter, "The otters are conditional on 90 per cent, ot Abraham and Williams shareholders accepting before January 31, 1930,"