PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 349, 1 April 1911, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Last Sunday marked an epoch in the history of t Lie above Church in this town, for the introductory service conducted by the Rev. A. A. Armstrong testified to a change of policy, so far as the Presbyterian Church work here is concerned. Hitherto the work has been carried on largely by "student" home missionaries, who have laboured faithfully on behalf of their church and the people of this and adjacent districts. A transition has taken place, however, in the conditions and prospects of Te Kuiti, and it is now deemed opportune and advisable for a minister to be permanently settled in this rapidly rising town. The Rev. A. A. Armstrong arrived during the week to take up this position, and commenced his ministry with a very successful and impressive service on Sunday evening last. The sermon was prefaced by a few remarks suitable to such an occasion. The Rev. Armstrong said that the commencement of a ministry was always fraught with deepest interest both to the people and the preacher. Just how to make that initial impression—which was generally so very important —a favourable one was the difficulty. As a stranger, he felt somewhat like the man called upon to speak at a wedding who nervously said, "Well friends, if you only felt as I felt you wouldn't know how you felt." He trusted that every day would help to eradicate the strangeness, and bring in friendships which would prove lastingly and mutually beneficial. He had come to Te Kuiti with a threefold object in view; first-

ly to live a Christian life, secondly to preach the Christian truth, thirdly to try and build up a strong Christian church. In endeavouring to accomplish this great weal, the emphasis of his work would be upon the sympathy, sincerity and strength manifest in Christ Jesus, Whose claims upon the souls and service of men, when rightly apprehended, always proved irresistible. He believed that the unchangeable centre of the moral and spiritual universe was the Cross of Calvary— that only from there radiated those forces which were productive of permanent spiritual attainment in the human soul, thus making possible the social and economic salvation of the race. He believed that the church was entering upon an enlarged and more effective mission to the nation, and that no time ever called more loudly than the present for the preacher with a message for the people. He bespoke the conviction and co-operation of the people, as he endeavoured to fulfil his ministry in their midst, and with Abraham Lincoln tried "to pull up a thistle and plant a rose," and so thus cultivate all those qualities of heart and life, which in their sum total proclaim the Christian weal of manhood —"a citizen of the household of God." The services will be continued in the Town Hall until the opening of the new church, tenders for which are being called immediately. Young men and non-churchgoers are specially invited to attend.