CHURCH REFORM.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 June 1916, Page 3

CHURCH REFORM.

[Sermon by Rev. J. A. Lamond, Methodist Preacher, -Kaukapakapa.J

ONE Holy Catholic Church.— Ephesians 4: 5 : " One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all, and in you all." Modern speech N. T. R. F. Weymouth, D. Lit.: " There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, who rules over all, acts through all, and dwells in all." Such a Church is needed. One Church as wide as the universe ;' one Church to worship but one Lord ; one Church and one Lord with no reverse ; one Lord for all, one Church His word. One faith in one Holy Catholic Church; one Church to know no other faith ; one Lord, one faith for every research; one holy catholic Church, he saith. One holy only baptismal rite; one baptism administered. One holy Church baptised, and invite union for all —alive and dead. One God and the Father of us all; one Lord, one faith, one baptism ; one holy Church for all —great and smalt; one, only one, and one in Him. God has a sovereign right, and rules all. God acts through all for all to tell. God saves us all from Adam's fall, and God in all is pleased to dwell.

One Holy Catholic Church we all need. Our need is great for unity. In Christ we may all unite indeed, unite for all eternity. Need of the world, and world of gi*eat need; one holy church that need to meet. With all and for all the church must plead, and plead for all,, for all entreat. Number the church roll, a roll for all; the roll of Christ's own church redeemed. Unroll the roll, and write to man's fall, one holy catholic church esteemed. For our one great need is one great church, holy and worldwide and divine. For there's no church like the Christian church to meet our needs, both yours and mine. So let us all agree, and enroll as members of Christ's only church. No sects nor creeds under Christ's control, but iust one holy catholic church.

The need of one holy catholic church is self-evident. Everybody knows, and nobody will oppose, but although all may feel, and all may even kneel, yet there is not in the world one holy catholic church. Everyone may wish it, but there seems to be noone to initiate it. Many men may say, but there are few to do. And many more may pray, while fewer still pursue. But to say and to pray is the way to do and pursue, for a felt-need may always become a supplied-need and this church-need is spoken of and prayed for everywhere. It is a forerunner of better things for the Christian church. Daylight is a sign of the rising sun. And speaking of future blessings of the Christian church, Peter speaks prophetically, proverbially and analogically, and says: "Until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts," And so our very need of one holy catholic church makes the day dawn and the morning star arise. A bright day is dawning, and a bright morning-star is rising for the Christian church. Such a church is needed, It is also earnestly pleaded. Q, dawning of that morning, brightly shining, widely beaming] ten thousand hearts are praying, and ten thousand lips are saying, let it come, and ten thousand times thrice welcome. And this need alone is widely known. .It also points us to one heavenly throne. It is also the chief foundationstone. The church has. many needs, but " oneness " is the qne great pressing need. Division, is ! weakness, hut uniqn js strength. T/he church is torn and bleeding and weak through many,human divisions, but it may recover from this church-sickness. It may become healthy in every sick divisiqn-^united strong again. A_ thousand evils m.ay follow one evil, qr- end in. the ending of qne. Q, thaij men would "\valk an 4 tajk^ together, and qpen^y fa,ce %\\\s standing disgrace, for- an evil well-faced, is an evil well-replaced. One evil ended is a thousand evils mended.

Non-churchmen are surprised at pledged-churchmen, and laymen are surprised at clergyman,. There is such a little difference between them all." A. few little handfuls of self-saved people boldly declare that they are saved. But others wonder much at their conduct. Wordiness is always a danger, h,ut kindness can he • trusted' even by a stranger. 'B/hle wordmess and. IBible kindness are two different things. It is not safe to argue. Bible argument is sour, unpliant and unpalatable. No heart responds tq B,ib,le argumap,i Ji is true that many have "yielded to Bible arguments, and men have filed off into different sects of religion, but every sect of the Christian religion stands to day in condemnation qf Bible, argument 1

(tq be £on«lude.d \r\ n,ext issue.)