ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 21, 26 January 1903, Page 2

ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The anniversary services in connection with St. Andrews Sabbath School wero held on Sunday, and were conducted by the Right R-v. Jas. Patterson, Moderator of the Presbytesian Church of New Zealand. There were good congregations in the morning and evening. In the moruing the p'eacher took for his text the fist three vers s of the third ebap'er of the Seconl Epistles of the Corinthians, the subject b-ing " Living Epistles of Ohiist." After reminding his hearers that although Paul had numerous friends in Cn'iuih, ytt he had also there some very bitter e-amies and oponents, Mr Patterson went on to show that in every Christian cammunity, and even in the chu'ch<B themselves, there were •rnemit's of the go a pal. Paul therefore had to vindicate his ministry by pointing to the fruits thereof, and the re-sults-of his preaching. H'sonverts were liviug episdes; they were his letters <f rommeudation, Thesi pis le*, however, wore not his production (he being only the human in sTumeDt), but were the epistles of Christ, The preacher theu pointed out that we are all constantly wriing homethiog on our own he&rts, and on rhe-hearts of oth-.rs. Our vary thoughts and word j go to form cur own character. Also we influence others, and write on their, hearts. No man livis. to himself. This fact should be especially remembered by p.iretite, teachers, and ministers, whose especial woik it is to mould the character of others. The Right Rev, gentleman exborteJ all o use their efforts and their influence aright. The epistles an the heart howcv.r, be wri'ten by Christ himself, and the sooner a man allowed Christ to cqmmence bii writing the better, He would theu begin to grow like the divics writfr, and would be known and read of all men.

In tha evening Mr Pat rsonpre-chcd a powerful warning Dgiins; apostisy, takieg for his text ,l ELebrews," chapter vi., verses 4, 5 and 6. He opvned by pointing out whit a very solemn subject this was. Although, in one sense, " with Qid all things are possible," yot the scrip' ures tell us that for one who fads away from grace, repentance and forgiveness are impo eible, the reason given being that such a one has crucified Chribt af>esh. Those who call themselves Ohistian". th refore, should see to i', lh>t they are living the Christian life. The preacher spoke eloquently on the gifts b stowed by Obrist npoa those who ore living thiti life. A Ohii-tiaa must ba grateful for those gifts, and inns'-, live mindful o' the woi Id to come. If-a minwhohas lived subsequently falls away, it is imp ssible to renew him, uof will his previous experience avail him aught. Let him that thinkeSh he s f ande?<h take heed les" he fall Mr. Patterson said that a courssof wi'ful and deliberate sin would bring about this ap 'stasy, and referred especially to the sins if diqnkenness, impurity, gambling, and \yorldlines'. Thite led, he sail, to apoitasy, and apostasy final. But we shou'd turn from all such forifls of evil, !! lay aside every w.ight and t§e sin which djth so easily m " and " run with patience i he race that is se:. before us looking unto Je-us."

In tha afternoon, the rev, gentlemen distributed the p-ize book", medals, and certificates to the scholars, and preached from the words " Ihou GLd ssest me." j Tnere was a very large school present, and, in addition, a considerable number of parents and friends. Special hymns were sung by the children, assisted by St. Andrew's choir, who kindly attended. The moderator expressed his pleasure at being preEent ou the anniversary of a sablnth school, which appaarod to be iD flourishing circumstances, and also his erij iymeot of the singing of the children.