MISSION BEGINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32422, 24 April 1944, Page 8

MISSION BEGINS

SERVICES HELD IN PAEROA ADDRESSES GIVEN SUNDAY EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN Sponsored 'by the Methodist, Presbyterian, Brethren and Salvationist congregations, the united, evangelistic campaign in Paeroa had an auspicious beginning on Sunday, when a well-attended series of services was held in the Methodist Church, the missioner being the Rev. 'F. A. Thompson, Auckland (General Secretary in New Zealand of the Mission to Lepers). “The Church of the ’Burning Heart” was the theme of Mr Thompson’s morning address to the Methodist congregation. It dealt with the walk to Emmaus on the first Eastei’ Day. Recalling how the Risen Christ opened the Scriptures to the disciples on the Emmaus road, and how during the exposition they felt a glow of heart, the speaker emphasised that a heart knowledge of the (Bible illuminated and applied by the abiding presence of the Master, was an essential to Christian joy and warmth of heart, and that this glow and happiness would find expression in witness and service.

United Youth Rally A united youth rally was the occasion of the afternoon gathering in the church, Mr Thompson speaking of “Christ’s Challenge To Everyone,” and especially to young people, as achallenge to deny the enticements and allurements of the self-centred and self-indulgent life, and, in sharing Christ’s Cross, to share also His way of life, His service of others, andtHis joy. There was a good attendance of young people. “The Straight Life” was the theme of the missioner’s address at the united service in the evening, when the church was crowded. Mr Thompson spoke of the ultimate wretchedness and sense of guilt that dogged the steps of those who lived a crooked life and of the sense of liberation from the domination of evil and the power of a renewed and reformed life, that were the experience of those who through Christ —the straightest personality this world has ever’ seen—determined to run the straight course and live a straight life. Address To-night At the morning service Mrs ’L. Trim rendered a solo and in the evening a quartette was contributed 'by Mrs R. Catton, Miss Nelson, Rev. J. R. Nelson and Mr L. Bradley. Organ accompaniments to the singing of choruses, hymns, etc., were played (by Mrs J. R. Nelson and Mr L. Bradley. The services throughout were inspiring and deeply impressive. To-night (Monday), the missioner speaks in the Methodist Church on the subject, “A Notable Prisoner,” and to-morrow evening (Anzac Day) in the Civic Hall, on “Gallipoli In The Light of Golgotha.”