PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4437, 8 April 1930, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Rev. Dr. James Gibb, of Wellington, conducted Sunday’s services at the local Presbyterian Chureii in connection with the eighty-fifth anniversary of the late Rev. -Jus. Duncan’s ministry in Foxton. There were good attendances at both services, particularly in the evening. Solos at the evening service were sung by Airs. Gray and Air. D. R. Barron and the choir under the eonduetorship of AH. R, T. Betty, sang the anthem “Onward.”

In the morning the preacher took tor his text Ephesians 1.18: “Having the eyes of your heart cnlighteiiod.” The preacher pointed out I hat with the outer eyes one secs things but to see the meaning of things, we depend on the inner eyes and with them we see many tilings that- the outer eyes cannot see at all. He instanced the eyes nf the heart in the physically blind. Some blind men stand on the pinnacle of human fame. Two of the world’s greatest poets, Homer and Milton, were blind. Hellen Keller, the authoress was deaf, dumb and blind, but her books tell of the world of truth and beauty in which she constantly dwells. It is with the eyes of the heart that we discern the real meaning' of temporal things and without them things unseen ami eternal cannot he discussed at all. The beauty of Jesus Christ and of God, His Fa - flier, are seen ,by the eyes of the heart. The organ of spiritual vision, he said, is in us, but in order to see at least the very greatest things we need what Paul calls enlightenment. In picturesque language he described some of the Holies of our mountains and lakes —superlative pictures painted by the eternal lover of beauty, the Lord our God, hut to some, whose hearts were unenlightened, they saw and yet did not see. He quoted the lines:

"One looketh on the sunset skies, and saitli to-morrow will be fair, Another's westering gaze descries, God’s angels on the golden stair.” The preacher referred to the beauty of virtue, of purity, love and self sacrifice. There were a growing number of people, who on their own showing do not see any beauty. Many hooks in the form nf novels ignore or deride the things In which Jesus attached a supreme importance. The need of enlightenment was conspicuous in the sphere of religion, said the preacher. Concluding, the preacher said: “If you are content to be in dankness, In he without the radiant vision of Christ even God can do nothing for you. Desire to see. Pray to see. Keep longing fur the light and the darkness will pass away. Eyes that have never seen will sec r the glory of God ill Jesus Christ. Eyes that once saw, Imt have been blinded by the God of this world, when (lie tears of penitence have cleansed them will sen again.' Doubt it not, for the great word stands: If ye then being evil, 'know Imw to give great gifts unto your children, how much more will your Father in heaven, give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.”

In the evening Dr. Gibb preached a most eloquent and inspiring sermon on the parable of the talenls.