CHURCH PARADE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3762, 26 March 1907, Page 3

CHURCH PARADE

At All Saints’ Church last Sunday the sermon was preached by the Vicar, who took for his text Ephesians Vl.—u, ‘‘Put on the Armour of God.” He began by telling the boys that obedience was the great essential in an army, and illustrated it by relating the story of the “Wreck of the Birkenhead,” showing how those brave soldiers were obedient even unto death. He went on to tell them that they all belonged to a spiritual army—they were soldiers of Christ, and Christ was their captain. His command to them was to “put on the whole armour of God.” Christ sent them into the world equipped in order that they might have power to fight against sin. The preacher then explained what this armour of God was —how they are to have their loins girded with truth. This was straightforwardness and manliness in our dealings with others. Then they were bidden to put on the breastplate of righteousness. This meant holiness and purity of life. They were .to have their feet shod with the preparation of the people of peace. This was a sound knowledge in the Scriptures and a Study of the ideal life. Another weapon to take up was the shield of faith —this would shield them from all doubts. Again, they were to wear the helmet of salvation a belief in the Atonement —Christ died for me and no one can rob me of Him : He is mine and I am His. And lastly, they were to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God—the Holy Spirit, revealing the Scriptures, the Scriptures being the sword that could not be blunted by the enemy. In conclusion, the Vicar spoke of another great essential, and that of duty—at any cost I must do my duty, even if I should suffer in doing so. It was the signal of England’s greatest victory, “ England expects that every man this day will do his duty.” He went on to show how Nelson made that the watchword of his life, and related the touching and inspiring incident of his death. The dying words of this great hero were, “Thank God I have done my ditty.” Then he showed how their captain, Jesus Christ was a greater hero than Nelson : His signal to all of us was, “ Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. ’ ’ Christ was faithful even unto death and won the greatest victory of the world — Salvation for all men. He was the great example, and by following him we should be faithful to God, faithful to our neighbour, and faithful to self.