AN AID TO SELF-EXAMINATION.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 6, 1 June 1937, Page 7

AN AID TO SELF-EXAMINA-TION.

"If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." (I Cor. xi, 31.) When you are alone m the Presence of the Eternal Father-God kneel down and pray: —

"Eternal Father, Fountain of all life, Who upholdest all creation, quicken my conscience with the Light of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may see myself as I am m Thy sight, that I may judge myself, and see what part I am taking m the building of Thy Kingdom m the world of men. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

In the stillness of God's Presence ask yourself the following questions: Am I living the life of a Christian? I have been baptised into Christ's Body, the Church; am I striving to lift that Body up, and to draw all men into it; or am I living for myself and my own circle of friends? Am I ever ashamed of my religion? Do I support counter-attractions m this world which may draw men away from their duty to God? Have I settled m my own mind that the Christian Way is the only Way of Salvation for the whole world? Do I lead others to suppose that any laws of men can be better than the laws of God? Am I content with myself as I am; m what ways is my personality weak? Do I speak of other people contemptuously? When I see faults m others, do I talk about them, or do I help them? What do I do to help others overcome their weaknesses? Do I listen to gossip and scandal; and what do I do to suppress these things, and to sow the seed of goodwill and sympathetic understanding? What is my idea of being a "sport"? Do I think it more sporting to swear than to pray; to be seen m an hotel bar than m a church? Do I encourage gambling? Does my example lead others, especially young people, to think that the pleasures of this world are more important than the things of God? Am I afraid of being thought "goodygoody"? What is my sex life like? In what way am I trying to purify

and sublimate my natural creative, energies? Am I being content to dissipate them m self -abuses and sensual pleasures? What is my mind like? Because I know others cannot read my thoughts, am I indulging m thoughts and imaginings which I would not like others to see? Do I often remind myself that God knows the secrets of my heart? Do I pray to Him to help me keep my mind pure; do I try to fill my mind with pure and beautiful thoughts? Am I honest? Do I try to pose as being better than I am? Do I ever rob God of His glory by letting others think that I can live a good life without Him? Do I give God the glory for being as good as I am; are my good deeds done for my own satisfaction, or for Christ's sake? Do I constantly remind myself that "This is the will of God, even my sanctification"? What am I doing to further the will of God, and to become more wholly holy? Do I realise that there is no hope of peace on earth until all men are seeking to do the will of God, and to sanctify themselves? What am I doing to help others to see this fact? Is my life constructive, useful; or am I one of the thoughtless, and content, to leave things as they are? What really definite work am I doing for God? or m what way am I qualifying myself to do work for Him? What active part am I taking m Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, or any other Church Clubs and organisations? Do I support these things as I might? If not, why not? What am I doing instead, how am I spending my spare time? As I a worker for and with Christ, or do I shirk? Am I a deadweight, or a living member of His Body? Will the world be better for my having passed through it? Am I sincere? Confess all your sins to God honestly and sincerely; and pray: — Q Lord Christ, Thou Perfect Man and Lover of my soul, Who never once turned aside from the will of the Father, and never flinched from the pain of the Cross; help me. in my. weakness. Make me more sincere,

give me more courage m serving Thee. Take my life and let it be

consecrated Lord to Thee; take my moments and my days, and let them flow with ceaseless praise, to the glory, of Thy Holy Name. Amen.

Make a habit of Self-examination along these lines; and remember that your vicar is licensed to "The Cure

of Souls," and is always ready to help m all difficulties.