PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5206, 21 November 1927, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

NEW BUILDING AT NETHERTON.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID.

The foundation stone of the Nether ton Presbyterian Church was laid on Saturday last, November 19, by the Rev. J. Lowden, before a large assemblage. Many visitors from Paeroa and other districts were, present.

The service was conducted by the minister of Paeroa, of which charge Netherton is a part. After the introductory scripture sentences the congregation sung Psalm 122, “ I joy'd when to the House of God, go up, they said to me.” After the reading of an appropriate scripture and prayer a glass stoppered bottle, containing a bi ief record of the work and workers and present members of the Nethert' n Church, was placed in the cavity. The stone was then laid, and the church named and devoted to the worship of Almighty God. After the singing of the Dpxology by the whole congregation the choir of the Paeroa church rendered the anthem O Father Almighty,” Mrs Brocket and Mr North taking the solos. The Rev. J. Lowden then delivered the following address: — “The laying of the foundation stone of a church is always an historic event. To-day many workers see the first fruits of several years’ desire, purpose, and labour. It has always been the habit of Presbytertan pioneering settlers to early erect a, place of worship in their midst. The Presbyterians of Netherton have not been behind in their loyalty to God and their Church, and here jve; see rising before us a convenient and pleasing permanent structure that will serve many generations to come. I wish to compliment the Ladies’ Guild for their ability and steady industry. To place the means of Grace within the reach of the people is .the rightjdeal. It shows appreciation of the truth given to us by Moses and later affirmed by Christ that man does not live by bread alone; but by every word of Gcd. The needs pf the body are clamorously insistent, and compel us to effort. The appeal of material progress is strong: but satisfied physical need and prosperity do not include all our wants. Thus men turn to culture and learning, to the love of knowledge and beauty, to art., science, and philosophy; to recreation, sports, and pastimes according to their bent. Yet these things still leave us consciously incomplete) and unrestful.

“So we find in ourselves the proof of Paul’s quotation from the Ancient Poets, “We are God’s offspring,” and as such with spiritual necessities, with yearnings to satisfy and duties to perform. Duties to God, which include duty to self, to State, and Church ; for surely State and Church as well as family are divine institutions and stand or fall together. “We look to governments to promote the social welfare and material prosperity of their subjects, to encourage commerce, mining, agriculture, and manufactories. The assisting of primary and secondary industries is their duty and sphere. But there; is a realm they cannot enter. The making of a nation truly great is a task beyond their power and outside their scope. It is not legislation, wealth, intellect, numbers, nor supremacy in sport that exalts a nation. It is the personal righteousness of her people; acting in combination, working in conformity with an insti ucted conscience. At the best the development of body and mind can ■only produce a splendid animal. The educated brain and neglected heart may produce an accomplished and dangerous villain. We are faced with the acts of human nature and the consequert emerging problems. There is the fact, that sin is in the world, and temptation must be met; the fact that sorrow and grief abound and comfort is needed; the fact that this life is brief and men seek another in immortality. These compel us to acknowledge that man cannot live by bread alone.

“So we need God’s Church, God’s Book, and God’s Day. These are the three pillars of society and nationhood. Neglect them and sorrow and disaster stand at the; door. Because the Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers; because the Church has survived vicious persecutions, internal wreckers, scientific opposition, alternating theologies, vast increases of knowledge, and great ■migiations of peoples; because her Founder and Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, is alive and seated at God’s right to-day, we lay this foundation stone, in confident hope. We believe that in this building many will find liflej and peace, and take opportunity to discharge their obligations to God. I invite and counsel you to make the fullest use possible of it on its completion.” After t.he singing of "The Lord is my Shepherd” and the Benediction the ladies of the new .church dispensed afternoon tea in their usual lavish manner.

The church is of concrete; blocks, and will be finished outside in white stucco and grey pillars. The inside will be of white plaster above a tinted dado. The vestry will be separated from the church by panels that can be folded back out. of the way on special occasions. The inside dimensions are 40' feet by 38 rec.t ( an'i in the meantime will accommodate seventy-two people. This can be increased later to seat another fifty. The building, completed and furnished, will cost about £BOO. The builder is Mr J. Simpson, of Hamilton and Thames.