CHURCH MOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 August 1901, Page 4

CHURCH MOTES.

[By Amicus],

The preacher having spent some two or three mornings in careful preparations for a Sunday' morning sermon becomes a little dismayed when the rain teams down and he finds few to listen toils prepared discourse. The tendency there is to hold over the sermon for another Sunday, and he treats his hearers to a running exposition on a familiar subject. He sees an easy work before him with only one sermon to prepare, and the wet Sunday morning is not without its compensation. Some preachers are not without its compensation. Some preachers are very loyal and know their best hearers come through, the rain and he gives them , of his best preparation and it pays well.

Sunday morning the weather was wet as we wended our way to the Wesleyan Church. Wc had fears for a small attendance and it was so, but the Rev. Mr Gray treated us well. Selecting from the philosophy of Job a text “Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Wc were treated to a fine discourse that repaid any being made to attend the service. “1 rouble came from three sources said the preacher “ work, pain and dissatisfaction. Each element of trouble was dealt with at length, and it was shown how the aim of it all was to lead the soul up to_ God. The sermon was well appreciated, and proved a source of help to those present At the Presbyterian Church last even-* ing the Rev Mr Stewart preached on “The Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ. The text was taken from Phillippians 111 8. After speaking of Apostle’s desire to exalt Christ, his unique experience as a chds ian and the Jews conception of religion the text was treated as follows : 1 The know! dge of Christ. This knowledge was perceptive and spoken by one who had the most intimate acquaintance with its founder. Wo should study (a) tue hi-torical knowledge of Christ. Men of criticism smdy Him as an historic person. (b) A speculative or philosophic knowledge. Christ should be judged by our reason. From this we get our doctrinal point of His teaching. (c) fhere is the knowledge that comes fom experience. Experimental knowledg- as known in theology hardly x r-ws the proof clearly as in all cxoer. i. nts there is a measure of doubt. Experimental was the better word although recently coined and specified the meaning that we needed. II The excellency of this Knowledge. (1.) Its dignity ; sublimity were grand. (2.) It comes from God and is divine. (3.) It exercises • beneficent influence in man. (4.) The happ\ destiny of its possessors. (5.) Its comparative value far excelled all other knowledge. The discourse was attentively listened to, well prepared, thoughtfully arranged, and the matter was such as to give us something to think of for the rest of the week.

Grey y. Hokitika The match between Grey and Hokitika -vas played on Cass Square Hokitika, on Saturday last and resulted, says the Times, in a win for Hokitika by 6 points —two tries —to nil. Hokitika kicked off and had rather the best of the play for awhile, Murray picked up the ball and after making a. good opening, passed out to Macfarlane, who after a good run transferred to E. M'Donald who scored. During the first spell the Grey forced the ball into the Hokitika twenty-fives, where free kicks in good positions were awarded the Grey team for infringements of the rules by Hokitika players. No score, however, eventua'ed. Findley, the Grt-y half, getting possession of the hall started a passing rush among the Grey backs. This ended in Morrisey crossing the line, but he was brought back for knocking on. Hokitika, by a forward rush succeeded in driving the • Greys back a short distance. The Greys, however, still pressed till J. M'Donald cleared the Hokitika line. In the second spell, although Hokitika frequently looked dangerous, only one score was made. This was made by Murray, who getting possession of the ball from a scrum, made a fine dodgy run and crossed the line. The kick at the goal was again a failure. Many ■passing rushes were made by the Hokitika backs, but none others resulted in , scores, Hokitika thus winning a good game by 6 points. The Hokitika forwards played much better than in the preceding match. Had Butland been playing to open up the game it is probable Hokitika would have done much better. One notable feature of the game was the success of the new players, E. Macdonald, Howatt and Wallace. The old members of the team acnuitted themselves very creditably. The scrum on both sides was well and quickly packed. Grey brought down a weaker team than on the last occasion. Dansey was badlv missed. Greg as usual, played a good game, though his play was somewhat spoiled by off-side play H. Brown as five-eight, played his usual good game. Stitt and O’Donnell’s line kicking was of much service to their side. The last named made several good one of which looked dangerous, till MFarlane checked it. The Grey forwards worked hard and kept the opposite side in check. Power f requently earned the ball through the Hokitika forwards.

Red Roses y. Reefton Rivals. The Junior Cup football match, played on the racecourse on Saturday afternoon between the lied Roses and Rivals resuited in a win for the local team by nine Joints (three tries) to three points (one tVvl The came throughout was somewhat uninteresting, scrums being principally the order ot the day. Mi. T. Locher had charge ot tbe whistle, and hie decisions gave the visitors every satisfaction.