MEMORIAL SERVICE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 269, 3 January 1929, Page 4

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

LATE MRS. FRED HILLS. A service was held in the Methodist Church on Sunday morning, December 16, in memory of the late Mrs. Fred Hills. The effective and beautiful arrangements of the flowers arid drapery were very much aappreeiated and helped to make the service a memorable one. The following hymns were sung : “ Jerusalem the Golden,” “ There is a Land of Pure Delight,” “ Give Me the Wings of Faith,” “ God Moves in a Mysterious Way.” The whole service was' a most impressive! one, a tone of victory and triumph being predominant. A solo, “ I Have Heard of a Beautiful City,” very fitting to the occasion, was sympathetically rendered by Mrs. Ashworth. The service was conducted by Rev. H. Ashworth, who chose for his text the fifth verse of- the 17th chapter of Matthew, “ While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.” Rev. Ashworth said it was a wonderful revelation to these disciples as they experienced the transfiguration of the Master. It was one of those experiences which would remain with them to the end of their days, and yet, at the very height of rapture, and at the most luminous moment, whilst Peter expressed the thoughts of all, their hearts, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

“ Some years ago we were living in Taranaki a few miles from Mount Egmont, that beautiful mountain which stands like a gigantic sentinel and reveals the very glory of God,” the preacher went on, “ and often I have seen a cloud form very suddenly and cover the summit, hiding its exalted glory. One could even see landmarks of the track Which had been made by the feet of many climbers winding up the mountain and where it became lost in the encompassing cloud. The cloud itself was bright and radiant, it concealed, and yet it was luminous, it was a place of light, and yet it acted as a veil ; the summit of the mountain was hid, but the minister of concealment was also a minister of grace and glory. My friends,- I want to suggest to you that what I have just used as an illustration is typical of the experiences of us all. There are clouds which often overshadow the lives of the devoted friends of the Lord Jesus Christ. But thank God they are bright clouds. Secrets are hid from our gaze ; we cannot trace even the outlines of our Father’s will. Meanings are shrouded- in mystery, but in the very mystery there is a certain radiance. The Presence that is hid is shining. With the cloud comes the voice. The secrets are love secrets. The veil is there, but within the veil is the Home of God. The atonement of Jesus Christ itself is a bright cloud. As we study His life we can be greatly impressed by the sunshine and shadow which is revealed. How often in those three short years amidst the joy of service did the shadow of the Cross of Calvary steal over His pathway, and yet the cloud was not black and cold and chilling ; it was warm and radiant with eternal love. And at the other side of the cloud of the cross was the victory of the resurrection life. Let us thank God for the resurrection light which pierces the cloud, and dissipates the shadows, and gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “ And this brings me to another thought, that in Christ Jesus even death itself is a bright cloud. It is a great mystery, but it is lit up from within. The fitting symbol of a Christian’s death is not midnight, but dawn, not blackness, but greyness, for greyness is just blackness made luminous with an indwelling whiteness. Within the mystery of death the Son of Righteousness is arisen and there is healing in his radiant wings.

“ Dr. Jowett, one of the greatest preachers of our modem times, and who recently passed into the higher realm of service, in speaking on this subject once said : ‘ What we call death is like a house in the night time, whose shades are drawn and whose door is closed but whose windows are bright with the comforting cheer of fire and light within. Our Lord is in the House and the mystery is Radiant.’ And so it is with many : other mysteries which confront us along life’s way. . “ We think to-day of one choice rspirit who never feared to enter the cloud, for the Master was there. She passed into higher service as she had lived here below, fully conscious of the atoning sacrifice of the risen Lord. It is one of the mysteries of life that such a promising life should be withdrawn, and yet the cloud - is ablaze with its brightness, for our life is not measured by the number of brief years, but by the fragrance it leaves behind, and so we who remain mourn her' loss, not as those

who have no hope, but as those who know that by faith she has passed from death unto life, and thus the dark cloud is transformed and we can say as we look up to God, ‘ Thy Will be Done.’ Her quiet, loving and gentle disposition was but the outward expression of the soul within, and her memory will remain with us, and also be a comfort to those she dearly loved. “ Surely there is a message here for us, and especially for those who know not Christ as their Saviour and Redeemer. Some day we also shall be called away, and if we have not the fellowship of the risen Lord the cloud will indeed be dark. Let us all lay hold of the redemption that is Ours in Christ Jesus ; let us by faith grip the hand that saves. Then shall the dreaded cloud be transformed by His presence, and the voice shall be heard softly yet clearly. “ ‘ When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overthrow thee, when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God, the Hoiy One of Israel, thy Saviour.’ ”