THE MISSION.

Waiapu Church Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 February 1908, Page 11

THE MISSION.

WHAT IT IS, AND HOW WE CAN HELP IT. (New Zealand Guardian). Although some of us have been earnestly praying for the Mission, of which, not a few particulars have been set before us m the various New Zealand Church papers, we can safely vouch for it that the many are indifferent, and some— ,and they, perhaps, a larger number than we imagine — are even antagonistic. Such antagonism usually arises from want of knowledge, and one object of this paper is, as its title

puts forth, to tell some facts as to what the Mission is to be. The indifferent, alas ! the.y are the very raison d'etre of the Mission ; if we were all m real earnest about the Higher Life, if love of money and pleasure, and getting on, and our own way did not engross ninetenths of our best efforts, we should not be indifferent to the calls of Religion, and of the Church which Christ founded that, through her work, men might be saved and find . rest and peace unto their souls. Perhaps it will be best to state first what the Mission is not. It is not, rather it will not be, a series of exciting emotional services, m which people will be " saved " and " testify," and where practices offensive to sober-minded English Church people will be m evidence. Because the mental hospitals have received patients, the victims of such religiosity and hysteria, we are somewhat afraid of the word " mission," except as it applies to the work of converting the heathen m foreign lands. A mission conducted m the Church, by the Church, for the Church will not deviate from the faithful sobriety and moderation which, though some novel-seekers decry, have ever been the bulwark of strength to English Catholicism, The writer is not one of the Committee set up to arrange the details of the Mission, nor m any way connected officially with it — it is the outcome of personal experience of missions m other lands ; therefore anything said must not be treated as an official ' report of the exact method by which the Mission Committee is going to act. What is said here is only a general sketch, put forth with the prayer that by it some antagonism may be disarmed and some indifference dispelled. A mission m the Church is this : It is a series of services for men, women, and children, separately and united, to present to them the fundamental truths of religion, . of which they have become careless oi» have grown up m ignorance ; and all the sermons and instructions, hymns' and prayers that are so adapted as to touch the heart, to rouse the conscience, and to direct the will. That Which appeals only to the heart ends m empty emotionalism, that which appeals only to the conscience makes a moral prig— who is far removed, from a Christian such as our Blessed Lord desires — that which directs the will alone makes a stoic ; but the influence brought to bear on the threefold—heart, conscience, will— brings about true conversion of life, and by the means of grace which the Church offers may be, as St^ Paul's was, the beginning of a saint for God's Church. We do not mean for

a moment that there will be the lightning and the voice from Heaven, the startling change, arid the astonished spectators over the converted ones. God works miracles of conscience m Dunedin to-day just as wonderful as St. Paul's, but they are not accompanied by the outward signs of wonder. The converted ones speak a shade more kindly than the year before, pray a little oftener, love a little more, are more steadfast m work and m worship and m attendance at the Lord's own service on the Lord's own day, and by these signs we realise that conviction of sin has come to them, that forgiveness of sin has been vouchsafed to them, and that now, heart and conscience and will purified and 'guided, they are among God's saints on earth. So much as what a mission is and what results may be expected from it. Now, how can we help it ? The writer remembers how once, some fourteen years ago, m a parish over the sea, six months before a Parochial Mission was to be held, a meeting of communicants was called and each was given a . district m which to go, house to house, for names of people, and how, a month later another meeting was held, aud all were given . the Bishop's letter commending the Mission for distribution and papers suggesting various ways m which others might help— singing m the various choirs, taking a district, finding out .the unbaptised, giving money, or attending the intercession service. Then, at the next meeting, came the Vicar's letter, followed quickly by the^ Missioner's. and, last of'- a 1 !, notices of services and invitations to attend were scattered broadcast —services to suit everyone ; short mid-day services to suit business mon, afternoon services to suit tha mothers, united evening mission services, services of intercession for the workers, and so on and so on, ending with a grand thanksgiving service with a renewal of baptismal promises and a Holy Eucharist, which was indeed a holiday meeting m the best and most reverent sense of the word. You see how much there was to do, how many varied agencies were set to work to rouse interest and curiosity and " to compel them to come m." Of the nightly processions of surplirted choirs, not ashamed to carry the Cross of Christ through the streets of the city m which they worked ; of, the works of the many choirs stationed m various parts of the Church to help timid ones m the singing of the daily Eucharist, with its special intercessions—of these we cannot speak m this place, but surely one can see from the above that it is not too soon to think, and plan, and pray.

To pray especially : — First, for the Holy Spirit's guidance for those who have been appointed to the Committee. Second, for the Holy Spirit's influence for those who have the gifts necessary for the work of Missioners, that they may offer themselves. Thirdly, that wo may bravely and patiently do our share m the responsibility and work, m prayer and active sympathy, and lastbut, oh, surely not least — that this Mission may strengthen and " help the weak-hearted, may raise up them that fall, and finally beat down Satan under our feet."