FIRST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 6

FIRST CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING The eighty-eighth annual congregational meeting of the First Church of Otago was held in the Burns Hall last night. There was a good attendance, presided over by the Rev. W. A. Stevely. MINISTER’S ADDRESS. In the course of his ministerial address, Mr Stevely expressed his deep appreciation of the co-operation of tho office-bearers and other workers, mentioning in particular the session clerk, the clerk of the Deacons’ Court, and the treasurer. Mr Stevely said the crest of the Presbyterian Church (the burning bush) and the quotation from Exodus iii., verse 2, enshrined an important truth—- “ The Church of God abides.” The church lived on because its foundation was Jesus Christ, the Lord, and because it bad an indispensable service to render to all the world. “It sufficeth not,” wrote Michael Angelo, “to be merely a great master in painting and very wise, but I think that it is needful for a painter to be very good in his mode of life, even, if possible, a saint, so that the Holy Spirit may inspire his intellect.” Michael Angelo was of undying fame—sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. Never was artist so noble, never did artist work with more worthy" motives. He laboured at the building of St. Peter’s at Rome, refusing any payment for his vast and exacting work, “ done,” as he said, “ for the love of God and tho Apostles.” From a great cloud of witnesses to the truth that the culture of the soul was of supreme importance, let them recall also the Tvords of John Milton: “ He who would not be frustrate of his hope to write well hereafter in laudable things might himself to be a true poem.” The connection between spiritual life and service, Mr Stevely added, called to-day for fresh emphasis. Was it not one of the lamentable facts of modern life that spiritual life and knowledge were so unrelated P This was what Professor Mac Murray had had in view in his impressive broadcast address—he called it the modern dilemma; ‘‘ There has been an immense development of knowledge. There has been, however, no corresponding emotional development. As a result we are intellectually civilised and emotionally primitive. And wo have reached the point at which the development of knowledge threatens to destroy us.” Man’s mastery of Nature and knowledge of her secrets were being used for destruction. The wonderful art of flying and the mysteries of the chemical world were employed for the spreading of poison gases and tho bombing of helpless and primitive people. Michael Angelo and John Milton were right. It sufficeth not to be merely a great master in any art. It was needful to be very good in the mode of life. We cannot neglect the soul without disastrous consequences,” Mr Stevely slated. The church lived on because it was the Divinely-appointed garden of the soul. Flowers grew host in a garden. They needed protection and the timely attention of the gardener. He was a wise man who had counselled that friendships ought to be kept in constant repair. The friendship between the soul and God required constant attention. Weeds required no cultivation; they would grow apace without it. But if they were not to beat the flowers in competition for soil and sunshine, the flowers must be faithfully tended, and the appropriate means of cultivation adopted. “ For this cause our time above all times needs the church in order that there may bo a spiritual development commensurate with our intellectual achievement. May people everywhere rise to tho occasion in Jesus Christ, and live greatly in great days,” Mr Stevely concluded.

THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, Dr Gumming said all would agree that the report made very satisfactory reading. One could not look around the gathering, however, without noticing some gaps in the congregation, and they sympathised with those who had suffered bereavements during the year. There were over 20 organisations connected with the church, and all were united in the cause they served. The speaker then referred to the wholehearted work of Mr and Mrs Stevely for the church, as well as the deaconess, Sister Elinor. Everyone realised the value of visitations, but it was not always possible to make a success of it. In First Church it was most successful. The figures in the balance sheet, went on Dr Gumming, were considerable and satisfactory. The members of the congregation owed a great debt to the various church workers. “Be ye not weary in your well doing,” urged the speaker. Work might sometimes be arduous and thankless, but those who were taking part in church work were doing the greatest work in which any human being could be engaged. The motion was seconded by Mr N. Mollison, who referred to tho work which lay before the young men of the church. Keen activity was being shown in all the organisations connected with the church, while, since 1930, the roll had increased by 334 names. It was the young people of the church to-day, said Air Mollison, who would carry the responsibility of to-morrow. In order to prepare these young people over 60 members of the church were giving their service to youth work, and they deserved a special word of praise. The Sunday schools were making good progress, as wore the other organisations connected with the church. The motion was carried. DEACONESS’S ADDRESS. Sister Elinor said that there was no thing spectacular in a deaconess’s work, a great part of which was carried out in the homes. _ Many people thought that the most important work a social worker did was to provide material assistance. This was necessary, but, if left at that, they were not doing the work the church stood for unless spiritual assistance was also provided. In conclusion, Sister Elinor expressed her thanks to all who helped her in the various organisations. A vote of thanks to all those who had given assistance during the year was moved by Air W. H. Adams and carried. During the evening songs wore contributed by Aliss Nettie Bnuld, Air and Airs G. AI. Barnett, and Air Alfred Walmslev.