The Religious Outlook

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 17 October 1942, Page 6

The Religious Outlook

NEUTRALITY (Extracts from a Campaign sermon in Nelson Cathedra] by the Dean) “How long halt ye between two opinions?’ 1 “He that is not with Me is against Me. 1 ’ We cannot get anywhere unless we know where we are. We must have the spirit of the good soldier. Remember Joshua- “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” He could not tolerate compromise. They must make up their minds and be on one side or the other. And by way ot example, he declared his own position: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” But some one may say he does not really know on which side he is, it is so difficult to tell what is true and what false. But it is not so much a question of intellect as a choice ol the will. The big question of life is not how fully do we understand, but how much do we care. It is so with regard to Christ- “ What think ye of Christ, friend? When all’s done and said, Like you this Christianity or not?” Some hold aloof, because they don’t want the ideals of purity and honour for which the Church stands. CHRIST THWARTED He cannot do what He wants to do for He has not enough agents. Like General Gordon at Khartoum, and like some of the officers in Crete and other places. Helpless because of inadequate support. Jesus Christ, the Saviour, frustrated because so many refuse their co-operation “They only just passed down the street and left Him in the rain.” THE SIN OF MEROZ Beware of the sin of Meroz In the Middle of the Song of Triumph sung by Deborah and Barak after a victory over the Canaanites, comes a note of fiery indignation: “Curse ye Meroz,” saith the angel of the Lord, Cuise ,vj bi ...ly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not \c the help of the Lord against the mighty ” It was a natural outburst of the contempt and anger that men feel who have fought and suffered and then seen other men coming out, cool and unwounded, from their safe hidingplaces and funk-holes, to enjoy what has been won for them by the courage and loyalty of their fellow-citi--5f n ?’ That is what Meroz stands for. It didnt turn tail, it did’nt play the spy, it didn t help the enemy directly by supplying food or ammunition it just did nothing, it held aloof. Beware of the sin of neutralitybeware lest you fight against God. it was Christ Himself who said: “He that is not with Me is against Me ” u ls U w ? rn „ in „s not only for those who hold aloof from corporate vvorship but also for those within the Church who fail in their witness to l Christ in business, sport, home, etc j UNION IS STRENGTH We profess Christianity; let us live it. And remember the Church founded to help us to do this Union is strength. You may have little respect for the Church, but don’t be content to hold aloof. Remember Meroz. No society is perfect. In spite of its weaknesses, the Church is the one society with divine authority to carry on the work begun by the Saviour 2000 years ago. And it needs your help just as you need its help.