PROTESTANT RALLY.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17995, 14 April 1930, Page 7

PROTESTANT RALLY.

OPEN-AIR SERVICE. LOCAL MINISTERS UNITE. GRAPPLING WITH IRRELIGION. Striking testimony to the growth of the "united” movement among the Protestant Churches in this town was afforded yesterday afternoon when a largo gathering attended the open-air service at Ferry Bank, arranged by the Hamilton Ministers’ AssociationWhile much lias been spoken of the ideal of church union few practical steps in this direction have been taken and Hamilton can claim to be the only town in New Zealand where ministers of the Established and Nonconformist Churches have co-operated in public worship with such successful results. There were an unusually large number of young people at yesterday s outdoor service. While most of them appeared to be organised from Bible classes there must have. been many who had attended of their own accord. The Salvation Army Band was stationed on the rotunda and played the accompaniments to several well-known hymns. The sendee was conducted jointly 7 by 7 the Rev. 11. G. Gilbert, the Very Rev., G. R. Barnett, Dean of Hamilton, the Rev. Lawrence Rogers, Adjutant Fraser of the Salvation Army, and Pastors J. Salisbury and G- Bycroft. . _ Rev. Gilbert, of St. Andrews Presbvtcrian Church, apologised for the absence of the Revs. P. Paris (Methodist), J. Haslop, A. 0. Harris and Mr Dyason, who would have been present but for their engagement at afternoon services. Appeal fop Faith. Addressing the assembly, the Very Rev. G- R. Barnett, Dean of Hamilton, said it was pleasing to see such a gathering at a demonstration of Christian unity on the eve of Easter. The greatest factor which had hindered the spread of Christ’s faith on earth had been the pre-occupation of the leaders of the churches in their own particular theological differences and disputes. They had not concentrated enough on the great outside world and the need for bringing moic men and women into closer touch with Christ. The preacher said he was not one who thought the .world was deliberate]j' heedless of religion, lie believed if ail were given an opportunity to realise what the Cross of Calvary meant there would be greater faith. " He urged his listeners to read a vain the narrative of -Christ and was convinced that if they did so with understanding they would never more lurn away from Him. Attitude Towards Christ, A brief address was also giver, by Rev. Gilbert, who described the three croups in the world to-day 7 and t-hcii attitude towards Christ. There were those who openly reviled Him because they did not know of His works; (here was the indifferent type who could be 'compared io those who cast lots for His garments at the foot of the Cross; and thirdly, there were those who worshipped Him. “If Ihc average person in Hamilton was asked if he was going to the Easter meetings would he reply ‘to the races’ or ‘to the Ngaruawahia convention’?” Mr Gilbert asked. ‘‘They like to be baptised and they like a Christian minister to bury them, but that is about all they see of re J|si on from the cradle to the grave- Other people like to have the Bible near them, but they never open it. A Bible on a bookshelf is no more use than a book of Nat Gould unless it is read. Rev Gilbert concluded by offering thanks to God for that great group who exalted Him and held up the ideal of a united Church of God containing thousands redeemed by the blood of Christ. , ~ The gathering dispersed after Rev. Gilbert had pronounced the Benediction- .