Tolaga Bay.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XV, Issue 12, 1 June 1925, Page 348

Tolaga Bay.

Public Baptism.— l believe one of the faults of the lack of membership is largely due to a right conception of Holy Baptism. We have a Solemn Baptism at the Sung Eucharist and everyone expressed what a lesson it lias been. The church was full and the atmosphere of prayer was present. It is a corporate Body or Membership that we are admitted into the Avhole body of Christ's people. The early beginnings of the Divine Society was a very real membership; now, m the majority of cases it seems to be more practiced by the Sick Clubs, Freemasons and* other charitable institutions, and we have lost touch to a great extent of the membership and have drifted to the "ego" or "I" theory. How many Baptisms the remark is passed we want the child christened or even "done" very much like we should take it to the doctor to be vaccinated and expect some magic charm to be given. Then, m moat eases, father will be busy or out or the remark, "I always leave them to the Missus." The consequence is the Missus has very little chance, poor dear. In these days when they get on, they generally please themselves. Hence what follows when trial and temptations come; they have nothing to stand by them. If we as Church people, "Christ's people," i eel the present day sorrows of mothers and Avives, and we all went forward united m a body and after the Baptism watched that new member, cared for it and loved it, if it was down we should help it up, if it went astray we should go and seek it back, not criticise it, if it had every blessing we should all rejoice. This I believe would bring the Church to be a live body. Fathers, take your stand by your wife's side: that boy or that girl will need help. We show the world we are afraid of its taunts and sneers. A soldier who is unfaithful is a deserter. Think these things over, far better than the old ruts of a lifeless faith. ,

The Guild meets on the first Friday m each month. The annual Sale of Work is fixed for the end of November. Who will begin working now? There are several important things to be done. See if we can do this for "His Sake" and don't let the grudging spirit enter into our work. "God loveth a cheerful giver." I know the turkey is harder to catch for the ;Chureh shop or sale than for the world's wants, arid the oven gen-

erally goes wrong that day or the fowls won't lay. Still if it takes a good deal of doing it's worth while. "Keep on hoping. "

Communion.— lt is cheering* to feel at last we are making a move and our young men and others are coming along to their early Communion. This means something. It is easiest to stay m bed or not feel like, and if the Pictures were very late on Saturday. Well we know physical nature's limits, but that makes it all the more acceptable.. Don't you think we have missed a lot m times past, and only .worshipped God, if it was a moonlight night, or if it didn't look like rain, oi- if the visitors didn't stay too late. Thank God, we are, I believe, learning to give ourselves to God for what He is, eternal love, and not to go to get, but to give Him ourselves our

souls and bodies. This is Christ's Avay, not man's, and may we go on persevering and finding daily a present Saviour. Until I get more help with the Scouts the work must be held back, with no lay reader, and attending to the Maori work as well. There is no hope, as far as I can see, of me getting help. In the meantime we must all do our best to keep things going. St. John's Cathedral.