THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 5, 1 May 1937, Page 6

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER.

Diocesan Office, Napier. My Dear Girls and Boys, In my first letter I told you that m the Church's Calendar there were special days called feast days and fast days. Why is it important that we remember the great feast days and fast days? Because they tell us of the events or happenings m Our Lord's liifle. The solemn season of Lent, Good Friday and Easter Day have passed. During those times we have thought

of Our Lord as He prayed for: strength and guidance, as He suffered and died on the Cross and as. He rose again on Easter Morn. What joy the festival of Easterbrings us! And before I write again another two great festival days will, have come and gone. May 6th is Ascension Day; Orit this day we remember that a few weeks after His Resurrection, Our Lord ascended into Heaven, that is, He went back into the very presence? of God. Always, while He was on earth, Our Lord was m touch with God, and very close to Him, but His Ascension took Him back to be with. God. Where is heaven? Is it above theclouds arid above the blue sky? I do< not think so. Heaven is where God, is. Here, on this earth, boys and girls: can know something of heaven be-cause-you and I can get very close to God. Some day, when we areready, we shall go right into thePresence of God and then we shall., be m heaven. May 16th is Whit Sunday. On that day we remember that the Holy Spirit of God came to live m men's; hearts — the hearts of the disciples of" Our Lord. Before His Ascension, Our Lord, gave the disciples some work to do, but He also promised to send a. Helper. On the first Whit Sunday, Our Lord sent the promised Gift — His own Spirit, who was to be their friend, their guide, their strength- . ener. Jesus asked His friends to be Hisi witnesses m the world; and they were so, by the help of His Spirit. Can we receive this same gift? And are we witnesses? At Confirmation the very same Gift whom the disciples received is given to vs — OurLord's disciples to-day. This friend, and strengthener is longing to workin and through us. .'He is a most precious gift, for the Holy Spirit is: God's Gift of Himself and there is: no task which we have to do, and do alone. Take your Prayer Books and find: the Confirmation Service. Look for"the prayer which begins with thewords: "Defend O Lord .... ."This prayer is worth learning because it . helps us remember that we are God's; children, and that we have His help»

daily. If we depend upon the Holy .Spirit daily, we shall daily get closer to God and nearer to heaven. In my next letter I shall tell you what a witness is. Girls and boys, if there are any questions you would like to ask, or if there are any stories you would like to have, please do write and tell me. I want this to be your cor--ner, and I should like to hear some your ideas about it. Your friend, D. M. BEATTIE.