I WONDER

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 29, Issue 6, 1 August 1938, Page 6

I WONDER

(Contributed). Many and varied are the excuses for non-attendance at Church. I met Mrs Smith this morning and I said: "Wasn't it a splendid sermon our Vicar preached yesterday morning?" "Well," answered Mrs Smith, "really I didn't go to Church yesterday, it was too cold and I didn't fancy sitting m the cold Church for a whole hour." Later m the morning I. met Mr Robinson. "Did you get the cricket score last night at eight o'clock?" he asked. "No," I answered, "I was not at home at that time." "Oh, I stayed home as I wanted to hear the latest news and I knew I would not get back m time if I went to Church." The next person to stop and speak was Miss Oldly. "Such a disappoirit-

ment on Saturday. I had been waiting for weeks for my new coat and thought I would be able to wear it to Church on Sunday and it didn't «ome, so of course I couldn't go m this old thing, could I?" I wonder if: On a cold winter night Mrs Smith lying ill the Priest (who has come a long way m the cold) is standing beside the bed praying to the Heavenly Father to send relief and comfort, will our dear Lord say, "I cannot come, it is too cold for Me to come to your earth to-night." Mr Robinson has met with a serious accident and m his pain cries out, "Oh, God, I can't stand this any longer, help me!" Will God say, "No, I cannot come and help you today, I may come to-morrow. We are holding rather a special day here and I have not time for earthly affairs to-day." Miss Oldly dies and her spirit asks admission at the Heavenly Portal to be met with this rebuke, "You cannot come m here, you are too shabbily dressed." Earth would become one long wail for mercy if these were the answers from our Lord. No, Jesus Christ is long-suffering, patient and all-forgiving, waiting, m spite of the worldly indifference shown to Him, for His children to turn and say, "Lord, I come to Thee for love and mercy." And He with His infinite love and mercy will say, "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest." God from indifference keep us free Grant hope of grace infinitely Peace and love and mercy given To this earth from God m Heaven This our world how cruel would be If from mercy Heaven were free.