UNITED EVANGELISTIC SERVICES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 116, 1 June 1901, Page 2

UNITED EVANGELISTIC SERVICES.

Tbe United Evangelistic services that have been held during the week in the Whit eley Mr morial Hall were brought to a close List evening. Like all the services the rloeing on* was well attended, ind«ed the interest in the feivic s his grown steadily eich night, and the rapt attention and deop spiiit of earofstnefß which pervaded lasteveoing's meeting was very marked. Mr Whittaker presided 'at the organ, and a strong choir led the singing, and the Revs. o«borne and lags engaged in devotional ex<r-cis-s. Following bis previous custom the Rev. R. M. Ryburn, M.A., who has conducted the mission, re<d and expounded the 17th chapter of St. Jjuku's Gospel. Another hymn was sung and a collection in aid of the expenses of the m'ssion was taken up. The Rev. Ryburn then took for his text part of the 17 th verae of the 17 <li chapter of S\ Luke " Where are the Nin"," and de'ivered an earnest and powirful discourse. He dwelt upon the story of the ten lep?rs and the base ingrati'ude of the nine as contrasted with the one who returned and fell at Jesus' feit giving thanks for being healed. He pointed out how from earliest infancy we stid."thank you " for everything and to every one. Yet how frequently people forgot to give thank* to God for the blessings of h°alth and life. He spoke strongly on the base ingratitude of those who failed daily to give God thanks for all his ble-sings. People said they had forgotten to pray, but it was not so.. It was the sin that sto >d be'.wieo tnem and God that made them neg'ect to return thanks to Him fer all His mercies. He dwelt on the numerous blessings enjoyed by all, and the indnhtedne?s of each and everyone to God for those b'es-dng', and urged the assembling together publicly to give l thanks. The 1 ppr did not stop to thick what people thought of him, but right u s l; as he wa<<, be threw hims If at Jesus' feet" and gave thanks. The people often blamid tbe Minister, bu* the most faithful pr.achi'.'g was oftun ineffectual, because the pl-ag'irosof the world, the tares, sprang up and choked tta goad seed, Wor'diioess was the onker worm of the church and it waonly by temembering our gi'htitud". to God and the most pi-ayerful ness that the labours of God's servan's and our own eff rfcs would beneficial. Mr. Ryburn concluded with a very impressive appeal, and thi singing of the D >xology and the Benediction concluded the service.