Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 142, 15 August 1941, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakatane Ministers' Association)

A SURE DEFENCE

Dr. Albert Peel, Chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, tells of the courage and faith of the Christians of the Home Land. This morning I stood amid the luins of an historic church and handled the remains of the incendiary bombs which had brought about its destruction.

To that church long years, ago there belonged a young man who. like most young men, was critical of the ways pf the older generation. In his ease, the criticism was directed against the hymns his lather and his fathers in the faith sang in their worship, and he was given the right and proper answer, "Well, then, write some better ones." He accepted the challenge, and wrote hymns which will live for ever, hymns which find a place in books wherever English hymns arc sung: only Charles Wesley comes near his throne, and our modern liymnwritcrs follow him afar off. When on great national occasions, such as the celebration of the Armistice, ricb ( and poor gather together in reverent remembrance it is to Isaac Watts they turn when they sing, "Our God, our help in ages past." Isaac Walt's church, Above Bar, Southampton, is now a scene of desolation, but the facade is still standing; with the light streaming through the window and door spaces it makes a striking picture, of which it is to be hoped photographs will be taken; and, if they arc taken from the right angle, there will be seen, high above the desolation wrought by man, the bust of Isaac Watts. 1 like to think that this is a parable—that after man in his brutal folly has done his worst, the praise of God will still be heard, that when the Hitlers, Gocbbclses, and Gocrings have gone to their place, men will still be singing the hymns of Isaac Watts and proclaiming their sure defence.

When heavy blows fall British Christians need to look forward to the days when the war will lie over in order to find encouragement. On the Sunday morning after Southampton's first major visitation the minister of Isaac Watt's church sat in his study writing out the pulpit notices for the day. I know him well for I gave the charge to the church at his ordination, and 1 gave the charge to him when he moved tc. Southampton; and I know something of his plans and hopes and dreams for his church. But when he arrived that morning there was only th?

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

burning shell of a- building; it was hot known when whether even precious Watt's manuscripts kept in a safe would be recov'f'able (fortunately they were unharmed). In such circumstances a man needs to be able to look beyond the devastation and ruin to a sure defence, to the day when there; will arise beauty for ashes.

Later in the morning I saw a worthy layman, who has a record of lifetime service in another church, where the damage had been com)paratively slight. When I asked after his welfare he replied, pointing to a small attache case, "Here are all my possessions. My home, my office, my business,- all arc gone." People with personal burdens such as there must cast all their cares upon God if they are to win through, if they are to maintain their faith and the worship and work of the churches they love. ■«

Three weeks ago I was in Coventry. There, two churches of my own denomination arc unusable, and all the others are confronted by difficult problems arising from damaged structure and dispersal of population. 1 talked to some of their ministers; they looked as if they had not slept for weeks and as if they line! been gazing into the mouth of hell all the time. That morning they had been to the funeral of 73 victims, a day or two later they were to attend the funeral of more; and all their time was spent in traversing the bombed streets to discover what members of their congregation were still alive and which homes were still standing. Minis'tcrs and people who find that sacred buildings, the very stones of which hove

grown dear to them, have disappeared, or discover all their plans shattered, need to have a religion which will sustain them through trying daj's and provide a sure defcnce.

Mutual help and sympathy, sterling courage and good humour, and, above all, unselfish service, are to b? found on all sides as British Christians, grim but gaj r , with stout hearts and willing hands, laces today and to-morrow. The religion of many, of them is inarticulate; they would not find it easy to express in words whence comes their strength. But they could do it in sacred song, in song that tells of their faith in God, the same to-day, and for ever, and in the ultimate triumph of right and justice.

And so they turn again to Isaac Watts, Whose God no bombs can destroy; the God of their fathers and their God, too.