LOCAL CHURCHES OR DENOMINATION'S.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 May 1910, Page 4

LOCAL CHURCHES OR DENOMINATION'S.

A LAYMAN'S SERMON. To the Editor. .Sir,—ln a previous letter I alluded to the a hove, that certain mat te-rs were in the power and province of the churches, concluding with the exclamation of Rouse Ye! A secular newspaper may not be considered to lie the correct vehicle, hut I do not consider the Chronicle, for my purpose, a.s too common or unclean. At the outset, J beg to express the proved adage of "Faithful are the wounds of a friend," but. the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Spiritualism for instance. In this spirit, then, I venture to launch a word of exportation and admonition, to the various denominations (here with ns) part and parcel of the recognised belief's of Xew Zealand, or of Christendoin. The church that approaches nearest to the doctrine and simplicity of pure gospel teaching, both by present and by prac tice, commands my earnest fervent prayer, and humble assistance spiritually. The topics of to-day are the procession of a celestial body, and the procession throughout the British Empire relative to its late king. T wonder whe.n such a movement will eventuate of honour (unfeigned) to the "King of Kings' and "Lord of Lords," in whoso hand are the nations of the earth, the "Al.phai" and "Omega," the "Lord God Almighty"? This query may appear unreasonable, out of place, and not directly of the province of a church; a phase of overlapping. If I, as an individual sinner, recognise and take as strictly phrsonal, the scriptural dictum of "Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, and its righteousness, and all these shall be 'added unto you," shall I he considered presumptuous in assuming that; ohiir'ehes, singly or in the aggregate, are not amenable, or exempt f rom the same promise, and predetermined result. Rouse ye! and lead; God and -damnum cannot be served. I now come to an important parting of the ways, viz. : Is the optical and auricular procedure in a church routine, partaking cither of song, prayer or preaching, a perfecting approach to infallibility, or true worship. Does the present system (obtaining) strictly coincide with the discipleship of Jesus of X'azareth's time and teaching, not by sighlt, but by and of 'faith? Are the co'iigresations strictly meeting together with one accord in one place, in that true spirit that animated (by self-efface-ment) those humble believers at Pentecost? _ If all worldly inclinations are divorced ns represented, and such a spirit prevaile'th, there is 110 need for me or any other to suggest, and no necessity for the finger of scorn to he poised by scoffers and unbelievers. Did, however, such a spiritual atmosphere exist, here in Levin as was hlessed by that nentecostal shower, nature here would he dou'hlv endowed as it were, humanity uplifted by the times of refreshing, from, and of tho presence of the Lord! This

change, urgently necessary in our national life, becomes then in tlhe province ana power of tho churches. Seek ye first the kingdom of .heaven and its righteousness. If su'cili true discipleship of accord does not exist, we htfve no need to pbse behind vested interests, and habit, and exclaim the pharasaical "What lack we .yetP" It is patent to me, and others of a single eye, that there is vital urgent need of a now "reformation" I Bespacitablo choirs, educated speakers, everything orderly according 'to our lights, does not itruly fulfil the true definition of Paul's instructions to Timotheus. Say for an apology, that it appccvrs impossible to attain sucili an ideal, is it nut extremely rare nowadays to meet even in miniature, a replica of the human, elements of Goldsmith's deserted village. T suppose "intensely worldJies" would demur at a return to such a primitive state; it would be putting the clock back a. century or so! Well, material progress and prosperity, aro only very secondary, to the spiritual need of me, you, or anybody else; that is wo

only truly believe. If I am shown the goodly stones of ecclesiastical eredtiions; their eye ami ear eatel»ment area of adornment; what is that in comparison of the inward adornment of a meek and lowly soul in whom is the temple of God perfected? Our modem civilisation is ostracising tho natural man audi woman of our day and generation. Are the choirs selected on their evangelical status or of faith, or are they .singing with the lips only? If with lips and heart (true combination) there is hope for such a church, as a present light, both to lead, and to convert. What a pleasure to hear congregational singing, from the heart; the real praise and magnifying of the Lord, of heaven and earth. In this lies the true harmony, and not tho lack of it, lor a too strict adherence to the dictates of a composer (always) is not necessary in God's praise. On the operatic stage, Jt may be. We need, therefore, to "ringout the false, sing in the true." To fulfil a programme, or function, every Sunday, year in year out, very little heart hunger satisfied, possibly tho need o.f hunger and thii'st spiritual is simply dormant, or non-ost. Tho onus of proof of either, lies with the churches. Each church (or in combination) should show .indirect or direct results (if faith abounds) for each and every Sabbath service, if this is considered a figure of imagination only ; then there is ono thing essentially lacking, the serving of our "Maker" in spirit and in truth : audi reiterate "Rouse ye!" If sincerity and earnestness of purpost* in God's cause are not in, evidence sooner or later, I predict that church or churches as in extremis, the creature not the "Creator" has been served and nourished. lam now about to launch at the leaders of spiri'tnal thought, for I have something against you, your own conscience will clear, or betray,

viz. : Is the stipend the attraction, or the cross? What a fall my masters to the worldly pride of place, and circumstances, if it was decreed to-morrow by heavenly messenger, -that true discipleship means resignation of present pomp and vanity, for pastors to bo a la Tolstoi, on the the level of a Lazarus, without purse, etc. The only earnest "Good Lord deliver us" (sot to voce) will then be heard. It is written, "tho hireling careth nothing for the sheep." IT a pastor translates to us the Beatitudes, why ignore personally the attributes of the Galilean fisher men? Tt must como to this, before the class can -reach the mass. Say to-morrow ono decided to try faith in the promise,? (of more value than many sparrows) the stimulant of such iruo discipeship. would so gain the esteen of the flock that there would be no dearth of life necessaries. Such a one might be deemed fanatical, or an imbecile, but proeastination (in t'liis necessary change) is the thief of time and probably of jeopardy of °iiul.

If there is no response to the crying need by personal example of t rue humility and meekness, churches must exist with -the name only, the Laodicenns of our day and generation. Whom doth the "spirit" bless for ordaining in this our day? Not often university men, but ft converted thief, or a gipsy. Messrs Chapman and Alexander drew mul-'iiit-udes. What was the apparent cause of their success? Simply that they rested on the old time interpretation faith. Read their souvenir. There are no two persons alike in the gifts proceeding from and of the "holy sprit" the "comforter." "Some are of Paul, some of Apollos, God giveth the increase." Dr Surrey once remarked on the number of ministers, who had never felt or known the change termed "tho new birth." Pitiful ml mission for ministers this; precept, not practice, evidently, was with them to the -time of -making such an avowal. Better late than never, but scripture certainly assorts:- "Woo unto ye, blind guides." While referring to this mutter, below is the latest confirmation to t!ie declaration of Dr Sorrey, viz. : vide Christian Herald of the current month

Under the heading of "Why some preachers fail," Dr Wilbur' Chapman, who with Mr Alexander lias just concluded a 'remarkable revival in the Far lilast and Australasia, gave a Boston audience of Christian workers, the other day, his ideas why somo ministers fail. As the audience sang softly, ministers literally by the hundred, gathered about the speaker, and joined together in a prayer of consecration. Among the poinits enumerated by Dr Chapman was as follows: (1) Because tho preaching had become a profession, instead of a passion. (.) Because they try to enter by the head, rather than by the door of the heart. (3) Because they have departed from the Bible as authority. (4.) Because they have lost the evangelical tone. (5.) Because they do not spend enough time on devotional Bible re.uling, :: \l private prayer. Dr Chapni.ti. ono-d his addresa wiltlhl the following story:—"As the widow of ex-Presi-dent Harrison stood alone for n final farewell beside the silent form, sho heard the door open and saw an old soldier entering on crutches. Ho approached and mingled his tears with hers; hobbling to the door, he turned, stood at attention, and said-: 'General, J salute you!' So imnst successful ministers salute 'the Master."

Were those ministers who crowded the speaker, greater sinners than those with us? Rouse ye! and do the first works requisite! A fortnight or so past a women advertised herself under Spiritualistic auspices as the messenger of God. I have seen no mention of a Wellington minister rising to the occasion (deference to females is out of question here, as an excuse). Was there with them no one who felt jealous for the Lord God of Hosts? Ts there not urgent need of a Reformation with us; not only for ministers—more for the precious souls who (like mv.self) compose (the rank and file?— Yours, etc.. W.M.F.