PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4431, 25 March 1930, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY,

WELL-ATTENDED < >1 >EN ING SERVIICE.

The first of a series of services In commemorate the eighty-fifth anniversary of the late Rev. Jus. Duncan's ministry in Foxton and district was held on Sunday: Tliero were good attendances at both services and among those present were members of oilier denominations. The choir was specially augmented, and was conducted by Air. R. T. Betty. Included among the congregation were ALiss Duncan, (daughter of the first minister), Aliss Doull (daughter of one of the late pioneer Presbyterian ministers on this coast), Air. J. Linklater, Ar.P. and Airs. Linklater and many representatives of. pioneer settlers. At both the morning and evening services Aliss Doris Morgan, of Palmerston North, rendered solos and (ho choir an anthem. The services were conducted by the Rev. G. K. Aitken, of New Brighton, the first ordained minister to the charge following the late Rev. Jas. Duncan. Messages were received, conveying good wishes to the congregation from the Revs. G. Shaw, McKenzie, 0. T. Brown, and the Right Rev. Geo. B'udd (Moderator of the Assembly). At the morning service, the preacher took for his text the words used by Jesus in the parable of the “Unjust Steward” —Luke 10.5. “llow much owes! thou unto my Lord.” Explaining the meaning to be attached to Christ’s application of the parable to bis disciples, he proceeded to show the value to the the religious life of past generations to the life of our time. He said, “I want to present this question of our text as having a bearing on the event we. arc celebrating today, Imt as well as that, bringing within the horizon of our spiritual vision events of the long ago that have a. relative value to the experiences of every one of ns.” He then prodeoded to show the value to the world of the life of faith manifested |bv the patriarchs and the men and women of faith as recorded in Hebrews, and in relation to such

“how much do we owe.” Coming down to a later period he'* spoke of the institution of Christianity and its value to the world. It introduced, he said, a new conception of l God, and a fuller, richer, spiritual relationship with the Divine Spirit. The spirit of service and sacrifice that characterised (lie new religions set an ideal that the world has over-since regarded as the. highest and best in the interests of humanity. For the generations of men and women all down the Christian era who had not counted their lives dear unto themselves but had faced death in the Roman arena rather than bring discredit upon the religion they had espoused, and in later times men and women had lived up to their principles and had achieved magnificent services in the uplift of humanity and in liberty of religious thought. To such how much did we owe to-day, said the preacher. Proceeding down the ages the preacher drew attention to the tremendous impetus the Reformation had given to the practice of true religion, and how farreaching that event had been. He wondered if we ever stopped to think of the marvellous work of the Reformation and its value to us today in securing for this generation civil and religious liberty. At the conclusion ,of a sermon that bold the attention of bis audience, Mr. Aitken went on to speak of the life and character of the late Rev. James Duncan, the first minister of this parish who began his work 85 years ago. He was not only a minister of the Presbyterian Church, which may or may not stand for much in the estimation of some, but he was a servant of God, a preacher of righteousness, a minister of Jesus Christ, one who loved his Master with a devoted heart and a-sanctifier! life. One who knew the love of God and understood the manifestation of that love in the j'ace of .Jesus Christ. He.began his ministry here, said the preacher, under conditions that might well have dismayed and discouraged the stoutest heart. But he had a message to proclaim and proclaimed it in no uncertain sound or terms. Speaking at further length of the work of Ah'. Duncan, he concluded 'in these words, “For his life, for his ministry, for bis uprightness of character, for his kindliness and generosity, Ihe people of this locality owe more than they know, and in perpetuation of his life and ministry among their forefathers should rally round the church which in the good providence of God he was instrumental in founding and in so doing' honour him whose memory we revere, and the honour and glory of the Master he loved and adored, ‘How much owest thoil unto my Lord.’ ” The Rev. Air. Aitken preached to a large congregation in the evening.