MESSAGE FROM THE PULPIT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1, 26 September 1907, Page 13

MESSAGE FROM THE PULPIT.

PROBLEMS TO BE FACED. Referring in his sermon at St. Paul's ■ Church on Sunday morning last to tho need for sincerity in religion, tho Rov. A. M. E. Robinson said that New Zealand was about to celebrate the conferring of a new titlo on this section of tho Empire. The conferring of a titlo worked no essential chango in tho individual or the body politic, but it was a reminder that an epoch in tho inevitable advanco had been reached, and it was an occasion for seriously considering tho principles of development oil which progress was being made. The motto which should bo written across tho Dominion if it was to prosper was "Truth." "Ho shall cover theo with His feathers,, and under His wings shalt thou trust. His Truth shall be thy shield." Truth, that was, in holding all our avowed principles; Truth in recognising our undoubted responsibility as a State to tho'world; Truth' in facing all the problems of our political life. Thoro wero such problems as religious education, gambling, licensing, labour, socialism, and Chinese immigration—problems we would havo to face; our votes would go to make the opinion of tho State on them. On all these matters we should, as individuals, be desirous of obtaining tho solution which was to the glory of God and the good of mankind, for so only could wo force our responsibilities and prosper as a Stato. Selfishness and laissor faire, or the holding of cut-and-driod. opinions, should not inspire tho nation in its attitude towards important questions. The State's life should bo our life, and our lifo its lifo. Wo should not delegate to others important duties that required to bo thought out and fulfilled by ourselves. " When Gorl punishes a people Ho operates through the laws which naturally regulate the welfare of nations." "God grant that the Dominion of Na,v Zealand may be not only in the van of labour legislation and atliloi'ic. achievement, but also be a 'aider in the groat cause of Truth .iu,l righteousness I "