The Mission.

Waiapu Church Gazette, 1 September 1910, Page 36

The Mission.

BISHOPSCOURT, Napier. August 12tH* 1910. My I)ear People j— . .. The Mission, for which many of us have been praying for months past, is at hand. The message, which God is sending m answer to our Prayers, will soon be sounding m our ears. It remains for us now to ask ourselves the solemn questions : — . "Am I ready to receive God's Message ?" "Am I willing to act upon God's Message ?'' Heniernber that when "the desire fora Mission originates m earnest Prayers, and m pure zeal for the glory of God and the well-being of our people, the Mission is from God. Then it is a ' time of visitation.' " This coming Mission is therefore " from God " — hence its solemnity; for this Mission is the outcome of "earnest prayers" and of "pure zeal for the glory of God and the well-being of our people " — hence our responsibility. Think seriously over those solemn words mS. Luke xix, 41-45 : "And when He drew nigh, He saw the city and wept over it, saying : 'If thou hadst known m this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes . % , because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.' " The "palsy of custom," self-satisfaction, self-righteousness and formalism had become so ingrained m the hearts of the majority of those Jews to whom Jesus spoke, that even JE£e could not touch their souls, and could only weep and die for them. "What reception will this Message from Gob receive m New Zealand? m our own Diocese ?in our own Parish ? m our own hearts % When " Jesus of Nazareth passeth by," will He find a welcome awaiting Him? Will He find a home prepared for Him? Will He be able to pour out His forgiving love upon penitent souls, conscious of their deep needs ? Will He be able to strengthen and brace up weak and feeble wills? Will He have the opportunity of bestowing that abundant life which He longs to impart? God grant that He may not have to weep over us ! * Dear people, I earnestly invite you to "buy up" this great opportunity. I earnestly invite you to come regularly to the Mission Services with an open and unbiassed

mind, and with a real desire to learn and assimilate more deeply "the things which belong unto peace." Remember that "the way of man is the vision- of God." Remember how Moses "endured as seeing Him who is Invisible." Remember that " Blessed are the pure m heart, for they shall see God." It is a clearer vision of God, of spiritual realities, and of the meaning and purpose of life that we need. It is only through a clearer understanding of the Person and work and purposes of Christ that we shall ever attain to a clearer vision of the Eternal God and Father of all. Come then to the Mission m the spirit of the prayers :— " Lord, that I may receive my sight : " " Sir, we would see Jesus : '' " Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ?" Once more, remember that "the preparation for the Mission is important, the Mission more important; the afterwork most important." The real work m a Mission is not done by man, nor by sermons and addresses, but by God the Holy Spirit. The great work of the Holy Spirit is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us ; one result ot yielding our affections and wills to the guidance of the Spirit of God, will be the realization of the true meaning of our Church life. Just m so far as we are led to a deeper love for Christ, shall we desire to keep His commandments, and find our true joy and happiness m serving Him, and helping our fellow-creatures for His sake. True love must always include obedience, and our Church life is the expression of our devotion and obedience to Christ. The Spirit of God will show to us our sins of " omission " as well as "commission;'' I trust that" one outcome of the Mission will be a stronger and deeper Church life m our midst. • Go on praying for the Mission. Go on praying for a blessing upon individual souls. " The prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Go on praying for the Missioners. Say this little prayer constantly : — " 0 God, bless our mission m New Zealand. Bless the mission m this Parish. Convert the erring, recover the backsliding, strengthen the weak,- deepen the love and obedience of the faithful. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." Keep the days of the Mission free from engagements and distractions. Give God at least one real opportunity. Spend the time of the Mission quietly and thoughtful^. "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." May God's richest blessings be showered down upon our country and Church m answer to our many prayers 1 - ... / Believe me, Your sincere Friend and Bishop, A. W. WAIAPU,