The Real Aim

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 30, Issue 5, 1 July 1939, Page 8

The Real Aim

NOT MERELY CHURCH ATTENDANCE "The real aim of our religious observance is not mere Church attendance, but the building up of a Christian character and giving to God the worship and praise which is due to Him. But attendance at services together with regular private prayer and the reading of Holjr Scripture are the means by which, we build up our characters and the means of increasing our love and devotion to God. Regularity is therefore essential. Again let us look at it from the point of the honour due to God. We say we worship the Creator of the Universe! — the beniScent God who so bountifully gives ' us the natural gifts of the earth. Then we think of the love of God as revealed m Jesus— Jesus who lived such a perfect life of humility and service — Jesus Who suffered so much for love of us. Is it not rather an insult to the majesty of God? — Is it not an insult to that wondrous love to attend Church "just when you feel like it." How often do we say "we are too tired" to go to Church. We call ourselves Christians yet we are "to tired" to wor-r ship God! As your parish priest I call on you to make a fresh "Forward Movement" m your spiritual lives— a fresh surrender to "Him who loved us and gave Himself for us." — Rev; J. M. Fisher, vicar, Kumara, "West Coast Churchman."