“THE INESCAPABLE HARVEST”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2711, 22 March 1924, Page 3

“THE INESCAPABLE HARVEST”

SERMON BY REV. F. McDONALD,

Speaking from the text Gal. VI., 7-8. at the local Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, the Rev. F. McDonald said ,we expect to reap .what wo sow in ad fields except that of Life. The preacher emphasised iln- natural law of sowing and reaping and its application to the spiritual law. He said there was no exception to'that law, yet men deceived themselves in the belief that (he law would not operate in this case. They sow evil and expect to reap good, slander and expect peace, niggardliness in support of the gospel and expect a. spiritual revival. Every thought, word and deed was a seed sown for good or evil. Referring to “the sowing of wild oats” he asked did this mean that a man should learn purity by bathing in pitch or righteousness through the experience of sin? The sowing of wild oats in one’s life z’esulted in a costly and painful harvest. The sowing and reaping was visible day by day in the lives of people we meet. The same law applied nationally as well as individually. He referred to the sowing of national secularism, irreligion and the lowering of moral standards. The sowing of injustice in' social relations resulted in the muTtiplinution of divorce, drunkenness, etc., capitalism and revolution, armaments and war. He said there are sowers to-day who arc scattering a “seed of dragon’s teeth,” which must bring us to destruction. They inculcate the “go-slow” policy, sabbotage, strikes and even murder. Such doctrines of das- hatred and strife are being spread broadcast by certain sections of Labour. Tt is a seed that most, assuredly does not make for brotherhood and peace. “Unless the masses," said the preaeher, “wake from their apathy and actively support institutions that teach a sane and a loving gospel of life we are hound to face hig trouble in the future." The devil bad served the hearts of men the twin ambitions of greed and pleasure and this seed is choking the religion of the people and lessening tlies upport of religious institutions. There was only one way to stop the spread of evil and that is the way of Christ.. He urged the sowing of Christ’s Kingdom in the national life —the seeds of love, truth, loyalty, justice and peace. Sin was the destroyer of national life and “the nation that forgets God shall be cast into hell, “lhat,” said the preacher, is not. prophecy or theology merely, it is experience, it is history.” Concluding, Mr McDonald said the security of national life lies in character and the foundation of worthy character is the fear of God. “Tt is as we individually and nationally sow to the spirit, we shall gain the prize of life. From that sowing springs the harvest of brotherhood, love, peace, progress and prosperity, but be not deceived, God is not mocked and whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”