UNITED CHURCH SERVICE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2581, 17 May 1923, Page 2

UNITED CHURCH SERVICE

The weekly united meeting was held in the Methodist Church on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance, representative of the various local churches. At the commencement of the service some well known hymns were sung. A portion of the meeting was used for special prayer, a number of those present assisting in the devotions. The address wa* given by Ensign Huston of the .Salvation Army. The subject was “The Obligation of Friendship with Je.-us Christ.” The Apostle Paul as a follower of Christ, called himself a servant of the Master, hut Christ did not call His followers servants but friends. Here was an apparent contradiction. Christ, however, stated men were His friends conditionally: If they did as He commanded them and brought forth spiritual fruit. Hence to be a friend of Christ was to be Tlis servant, yet the true servant was a friend. Christ urged men to bring forth fruit —to be branches of the Divine Vine. Said Ensign ton: —“In our time, many men confess the name of Christ —claim to he His friends, but they are not friends for they fail to bring forth fruit, fail to do anything for their Lord. What is needed to-day is men true to their obligation, of friendship in service to Jesus Christ.” The speaker urged liis bearers to be true friends, thus would they meet with blessing in the coming mission.

The next meeting will be held in the Salvation Army Hall, the speaker being the Rev. F. McDonald.