Bible Class Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 307, 29 December 1939, Page 10

Bible Class Conference

YESTERDAY’S ADDRESSES Tlic Presbyterian Bible Class Confer--1 ence was continued at the showgrounds yesterday, when a number of addresses were delivered to those present. The day opened witn a devotional service led by Rev. L. F. Gunn. It was wholly i a service of prayer and worship and the j need for silent communion with God was stressed In introducing the study book, * ‘ Then and Now/* tne author, Rev. J. C. JamiesoD, youth director of the Presby- j terian Church of Victoria, referred to. an article in a leading newspaper of the Dominion in which the traditions of tho British Navy were discussed. Mr.' Jamieson stated that the traditions of • the Church were similarly very old and very wise, in spite of its critics, and they should move us tremendously. Wo were facing a great crisis in history and as is always the case in crises, the result was either a great advance or a great setback. Tho “then" in the title referred to tho first century and they were to coniI pare what was done then with wliat was jto be done now. In the first century | early Christians faced great difficulties and yet they turned tho world upside down. To-day they were again facing great, difficulties and wanted to achieve great things. How to Read the Bible i “It has been said by some people: Why not read the Biblo like any other J book I Why should the Bible be set apnrt as somethin;; unique and different The Bible has a great deal of human interest aud could quite easily be read as any other book. Wo cannot read the Bible as an ordinary book because the Bible is different. It is the Word of God,” said liov. J. W. McKenzie, 8.A., when speaking on “Hove to ileau the Biblo.” “If you read the Bible like any other book you will ! ; miss the wonder of it and be disap- j pointed. It isn't like any other book. I It is different, ,

‘‘The Bible is primarily about God and it is the revelation of Himself to man. It is also about God’s Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. It is also about God’s Spirit and how the Spirit of God worm. You don’t get that in any other book and because this is in the Bible you have got to read it in a different way. The Bible is also about maD. When you read the Bible bo prepared for shocks, for the Bible ! tells what sin is. You will feel the 1 misery and tragedy of sin, because the j Bible talks to us about sin as God reveals it. It takes sin as real aud not fiction. The Bible will also bring j pleasant surprises. You will meet saints 'and spirits and gracious influences.” j Address by Rev. A. C. McLean ; In the evening the members of tho conference were addressed by Rev. A. C. McLean, of St. Paul’s Church, Wanganui. Mr. McLean said: ‘‘Looking back down the from this centennial conference, we must remember that life begins with Christ. Tho past has no value for us save as it enshrines Christ at work in the lives of our 1 fathers in the faith. Behind the great cloud of witnesses who have kept outheritage through the years we must see tho figure of their Lord who made them what they were. “To apprehend and appreciate tho past we need to centre our thoughts on that gracious life-giving One whose power and love have been transmitted to us through the Jives of just men made perfect. Wo must dwell on the grace of His life, the love of His death, and the power of His resurrection. Into the lives of those whom He touched and who have passed on t 0 us their faith j Christ’s grace of life, sacrificial love j and risen power has been poured so that I the years ha ve been more wholesome in i tone and more fruitful in service. “To-night wo seek the stream of our faith at its fount m the Rock against which the powers of evil flung themselves iu vain. With convictions that our faith is fixed firm in that living yet I i immovable Rock, wo may face the un- \ known adventures of the morrow with ’ \ jourago and buoyant hogV*