MEETING AT ORMOND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 899, 23 May 1903, Page 2

MEETING AT ORMOND.

There was a fairly representative

dance at the meeting at the Ormond Presbyterian Church, a brake-load going out from town. Mr Tylca presided over the leveling, Mr «T. East conducting tiie musical portion of the service. The meeting was opened in the usual manner by prayer, reading of 11 portion of Scripture, and a hymn. Tho Rev. McDonald, who was cm A tally received, gave a most impressive inh.i-ess, which was listened lo with rapt attention. Ho commenced by stating Amt such 11 meeting as was now being field was brought about by three great events in history, tho first being the reformation which took place in the 10th century, the second was the revival of religion in the 18:1, century, mul the third in tho l'Jih century the printing of the Bible ami its distribution through means of the British and Foreign and other Bible iioeieties, Early in the ISth century a great religious revival which affected tho Church of England, caused the founding of Methodism and various missionary societies, and the Bible Society, which had since labored to spread the knowledge of the gospel. Tho blood that was spilt at tho time ol tho reformation, tho breath of religious lifo which euused tho revival and the missionary spirit taught tho truth that tnau shall not live by bread alone, but by ovory word that proeccdeth cut of the mouth of God, as shown by both tho old and now testament, which proved God’s beneficonco to His creature man. God had given them this beautiful earth to live on, but that was not sufficient, and lie had also given them tho Broad of Life to feed their souls. lie required that each of His children should co-operate in llie formation and supporting of such a Booiety as this Bible Society, whose object was to spreal tho knowledge over the whole world of tho salvation which was proclaimed through Jesus Christ. Continuing, the Rev. McDonald referred to tho class of moil who received the command from Jesus lo go into all tho world and preach the gospel to every creature. At the time of Mbs injunction the Roman Empire really represented tho whole world, which occupied but a very small proportion of the world as known t 6 us at the present time. Tiie /Xjjoitic Raul was the first to attempt to organise Christian churches. Some critics raised tiie question, Why should Christians trouble themselves In disturb the peoples of other nations as to their religious beliefs ? But the work of Christians was to obey the command of tho Lord Jesus, and to engage in missionary work in proelaimiug the Gospel lo every creature. Our forefathers would not havo been reclaimed from their paganism had the missionaries who taught them Christianity been influenced by such criticism ns he referred to. The speaker said that during the past few years it had been noticeable in England how such men as tho late Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Weslcott, and many loaders of all denominations, had been impressed with tho duty of the English nation propagating tho Gospel amongst the heathen. He relcrred to the beneficent 1 fleet that the English rule had had upon the people of India n regard lo their temporal government, but Christians must realise their responsihi it'es, which were laid upon them through out the world, to endeavor that the blessing they enjoyed of an open Bibio stiould bo the portion of every nation on earth. This was the object for which the Bible Society existed. Taking the Bible in his hand Mr McDonald delated upon its various portions from Genesis to Revelations, pointing out its teaching and its beauties, and the blessings which had followed by its introduction in the heathen countries in which it had been introduced. He spoke of tho wonderful manner in which the Jews had tenaciously preserved tho Old Testament records, and the whole world was indebted to them for having done so. The New Testament explained the prophetic declarations and their fulfilment, and as Christ declared. He compared the loss which tho Jews sustained by not studying the New Tesliment to a person who owned a violin worth a thousand pounds, most carefully preserved in wool, but could not play on it, and thus bring out all tho lovely harmony that a clear musician would do. Until quite lately tne Bible Society had been unable to publtsn the revised version, but it was now about to do so. He hoped that the meetings now being held would help to auanen 1 "rc-ater feeling of personal interest mu trie study of the Bible, and those who md so would discover more and more of its wonderful lessons and the beauties which it disclosed. Mr Dc-Lautour addressed the meeting, and expressed the hope that those present would realise their individual responsibility to help forward the work ot this wonderful society in their efforts to place the whole Bible iu the hands of every inhabitant of the earth. At his request Mr Tylee consented to assist in forming a working committee for Ormond to act as a branch of the Gisborne auxiliary. Bv the thoughtful consideration of the Ormond friends the visitors were supplied with refreshments, which were much appreciated.