Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 183, 21 November 1941, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by ihe Whakat

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

From tlie busy round and the common task a correspondent stepped aside to write a word of encouragement. "It is so interesting to hear of a day in other people's lives," the writer says, "and to know how God helps them through a busy day or a crisis. Some people say religion is a thing of the past, but your page shows that this i.s not so."

Then the writer goes on to tell of a woman with four children, who is a Sunday School teacher, besides being in her place at church every Sunday. Someone asked her how she did it. She replied:

"I put Church and Sunday School first. The children help me with the necessary work, other things we leave. 1' am trying to build something liner than a spotless housein the clean minds and characters of my children. There is no better place to begin building than in the Church, but the Church must have the co-operation of the home."

Both divinely ordained, the home and the Church are inseparable in the great task of character building. Most of us are paying due attention to the home, but the pity is that so many mothers put the cooking of the dinner, or a day at the beach, before attendance at the House of God.

During a discussion on Church attendance one lady said:

"I confess that often I am tempted by laziness, by dislike of a minister's views or manner, by dislike of cliques, to absent myself. But I am convinced that these arguments are entirely outweighed by at least three motives lor attending Church.

(1) We can't stand outside and condemn, making no attempt to remedy the faults.

(2) Worship is natural and inevitable. Public worship supplies spiritual fellowship. Widening our sympathies with other Christians, deepening our own personal relationship with God.

(3) In a small way, to go to Church is our confession of faith, our witness to discipleship."

Another writer says, beautifully: "Az, when the day's duties are finished, I turn homewards, so at the appointed times, I go to the place of worship. It is 'home,' in a very real sense: it is the pla?e where thrChristian family meets, enjoys fellowship, receives refreshment and counsel, and goes forth again to take its part in the affairs of life."

"No man can go to heaven alone," quotes another writer. Then he goes on to say: "!For me there is a need for corporate worship, a value in joining with two or three, who can claim the Lord's presence in' the midst, as well as in the great congregration. In the small church and

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cathedral alike there is something to minister to my need. In the quietness of the sanctuary souls are richly blessed, the mind is enlightened and the body rested. To' share in the privilege of work for God, is another reason why I attend a place of worship."

These expressions arc all very refreshing and encouraging from the standpoint of the Manse. And Ave need such cheer to counteract thai

morning service

easy as that?

CHURCH

grace?

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

WHY SOME DO NOT GO TO

Instead of seeking higher quest

which we so often hear. "Don't yon think," a mother asked me, "that the increased number of motor cars will seriously affect Church and Sunday School attendance?" - (Tii her case it did). I remarked that for this reason some schools met before tlie

"Of course," she said, easily, "the Church "will just have to adapt itself to modern conditions." But "will it? Ls a worthwhile religion ever as

"Life is a selective thing," I heard a young minister quote. Actually wc have to'choose between a hot dinner for the family on Sunday, or bowing together as a family in the sanctuary; Ave have to choose between sending the children to Sunday School or taking them for a picnic. Another mother offered a strange reason for not going to Church. ""We used to go," she replied, "but father grumped so much. It was he that was most anxious that we should go, and go all together, but he didn't start to get ready until we should have been on the road. Then he was bustled and irritable, and scolded the 'boys and me all along the way. So we just stopped going."

The arresting part of thi.s thought is that if our children miss the background of the Church and a Christian home, they have missed it for all time. Whatever the future years may bring, the background of childhood is unaltered.

"They all ■with one accord began to make excuse." Some stay from Church because they say That those who go are worse than they. Then they should go, and help to make One better, for that Church's sake, Surely such holy ones should lift The Church from out its sordid drift, Some stay because they do not care For the poor preaching they get there. Then they another Church might find Elsewhere, according to their mind. Some say the Church despise the poor But welcome rich ones to the door. Then why not show a better mind And give the poor a welcome kind, Making the Church a wo-rthier place, And with that Church their presence

Others must give their bodies rest

The trust rest for heart and mind. Within God's house we'll always find, Some say they'll worship God abroad, —And then forget there is a God. Many bccause their neighbours stay To do their gardening on that day, Surely the garden of the soul Needs taking under more control. While they supply that garden's needs Their souls are growing thicker weeds. One day God gives from toil to< rest Seeking His higest interest, And those who here His House cass by, May find no house for them on high.