ANDREW JOHNSTON MEETINGS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 197, 6 September 1937, Page 8

ANDREW JOHNSTON MEETINGS

■ ■■ « Keen Interest In Blind Eyangelist A splendid and inspiring start was made yesterday in coimection with the Andrew Johnston serviees, and in spite of the inclement weather, large congregations gathered in the Baptist Church, Hastings, and the addresses were i'oliowed Avith the keenest interest. At the morning service the Rev. C. JJ. Boggis spoke a word of wclcome to Mr Andrew Johnston, the blind evangelist, and Returned Soldier, and to Mrs Johnston expressing the sincere hope that their brief visit to Hastings would be a time of a great spiritual influence in tlie comraunity. Mr Johuston read the Scripture lessons from the Braille Bible at the serviees and conducted the singing of bright Gospel hymns, and clioruses. Last night tlie address dealt Avith "Blind Bartimeus", who heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. The preacher stressed the fact that this blind beggar realised his uriique opportunity and seized it, calling out for mercy ancl lielp as the Master passed through en route to Jerusalem. The opportunities for coming to grips with the Christian message, said the speaker, are few and we need to deal with the Gospel of Christ as with a matter of urgency. The Savious, who ever has a heart of lovc, an eye of pity, an ear of sympathy, and a liand out stretched to save, stopped ab tlie cry of the blind beggar, ,..iu every sincere putreacliing of faitli, said Mr Johnston, would find the willjng response of the Lord. Men and women must have iu their bearts a decp scnse of spiritual need and must allow Christ to deliver and renew them in His own way. Mrs Johnston sang a message of great appeal immediately after tlie address. The genial personalities of Mr and Mrs Johnston have already won for them a most hearty reception in the district and the serviees will he continued at 7.30 each evening with tlie oxcoptioji of Saturday.