PROBATION AFTER DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 14

PROBATION AFTER DEATH

“FIERY TRIAL BEFORE YOU” "Probation After Death” was the subject of the lesson-sermon in First Church of Christ, Scientist, yesterday The golden text was from Hebrews xii.: 14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no mau shall see the Lord.” Among the citations was the following from the Bible: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” —1 Peter iv.:l2, 13. The lesson-sermon also included the following passage from the Christian Science textbook: "Either here or hereafter, suffering or science must

destroy all illusions regarding life and mind, and regenerate material sense and self. The old man with his deeds must be put off. Nothing sensual or sinful is immortal. The death of a false material sense and of sin, not the death of organic matter, is what reveals man and life, harmonious, real and eternal.” EFFECTUAL PRAYER INDEX OF NATIONAL GODLINESS THE HARBINGER OF PEACE Speaking at Mount Roskill Congregational Church last evening Pastor Reuben Dowle dealt with “Effectual Player,” taking as his text James v., 16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” “Ignorance of divine truth plus the pleasure-loving tendencies of a materialistic age naturally produces godlessness and worldly-mindedness,” said the speaker. “These vices are the natural products of our time. Consequently, the idea of prayer is quite foreign to a great many people. Christian charity should, and does, do much to alter this state of things. “No wonder countries are declining from national spirit and humanitariantsm. However, it is good to know, as Elijah of old knew, when distressed by national wickedness, that God has many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal,” the speaker continued. Prayer worked wonders in the spiritual world, hut self-righteousness and intellectual conceit naturally denied this. It was an important part, of course, of the Christian Church to resist insidious heresies. “Prayer, first of all, brought God into our lives in a very special manner. We realised in whom we believed. Spirit with spirit can meet, and truly an individual or a nation was genuinely prosperous or the reverse, according to the people's views upon prayer. Prayer, too, brings men and women from nature's darkness into marvellous light. Belief in a divine mediator caused them to repent and live in accordance with the divine plan. ‘Seek ye my face,’ saith the Lord. Prayer was also the harbinger of peace and serenity. Guidance w T as assured. Power was given over sin and Satan and Satan’s agents. Prayer enabled us to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.”