SUNDAY READING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 217, 1 February 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

SUNDAY READING.

PRAYER. Extract of Sermon preached by REV. JAMES CHARTERIS. History lias revealed that, constituted as we are, the manifestations made of the character and attributes of Cod are calculated to produce the greatest good in the human spirit, and in order that such good may be effected it is necessary that such truth be brought into contact witli the soul. The truths and manifestations of revelation are the dynamic forces in moral power, resulting in purification of the social condition. i'ra\er is one of

THE MUST POTENT FACTORS in bringing Divine truth and revelation before the contemplation of the soul. The more Mihtle physical processes and all'mitics become, the better the analogies which they furnish in the spiritual world. The influence of believing in praw-r ha> a good analogy in the daguenotvpe. By means of this proei «s the features of natural objects arc thrown upon a sensitive sheet, through a lens, and leave their impression on the sheet. So when the character of fiod is by means of prayer brought to bear upon the mind of the believer, that mind being prepared by the Holy Spirit, it impresses these, the Divine Image. In this manner the image of Christ is present in the soul, the existence of which the Scriptures represent as inspiring the believer with the hope of glory. The impulse which leads men to worship proves a curse when the object worshipped is unholy. The onlv remi'dv was the self-revelation Of

A BENEFIT]EXT AND HOLY 013.1 ECT for the supreme homage of the soul. Therefore, when to the soul there is presented such a Holy One prayer is a blessing, and a vital feature of worship. Look at the subject in the form of a syllogism: I. Man. by worshipping, becomes assimilated to the moral character of the object worshipped. 11. The Cod of the Bible is the only perfectly Righteous and Benevolent Being ever worshipped.

Therefore, man can become righteous and perfectly benevolent in no other way lint by that worship which will assimilate him to the God of the Bible. And, further, history demonstrates that righteousness and benevolence produce the rectitude and happiness—the greatest good—of the soul. Hence man can only attain the best possible life by worship, which a>similates his nature to the moral image of Cod.

JI-—PRAYER: A III'MAX XECESSITY. Prayer is consequently necessary for the realisation of (be best that lies in a, duty "rowing out of the nature of the rase, and upon which in a great measure the well-being of the spirit. ••Religion." says Carlyle, "without prayer would be dumb and useless." The apostle understood the philosophy of hU subject when lie said: "But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: Therefore it is that the commandment that men should pray is presented in the is constantly repeated by the inspired liible iii every variety of language, and •writers and by Christ himself, who commanded by his precepts and example private, social anil public prayer." lIL-PRAYER. AS A PRACTICAL IHUYER. _ The ellicacy of prayer is (he least enforced of all beliefs. Comparative luxury, possibly, have had the ell'ect of undermining „„ r f a j t j, j n ( | 1( , V;l i 1|( , ~„,] power of prayer. Surfeit kills desire. Cratitude is impossible in the recipient of a benelit when -ncli recipient did not desire our gift. Frequently our prayers are the outcome of custom more than the earnest supplication for a, necessity. When the supplication is for another, two mind- arc blessed by the answer—the individual prayed for and the one who prays. Tin? time may come when all the angels in heaven and all the saints on earth will lie blessed by mercy bestowed" 'in ;i single individual, when the last unregeiierated sinner stands in solitary and awful rebellion upon the earth -houbl tidings then be circulated that he had submitted himself to Cod. then every being celestial and terrestrial, who bad strongly desired the conversion of that sinner would be reciprocally blessed. It follows, iberefore. that a fervent, importunate stale of mind is necessary in order that Cod may be glorified and man blessed in the duty of piaycr. PRAY MR: AX OCIVOME OK FAITH AXI) INDEPENDENCE. The mve-sity df faith as a primary element in all religious services is universally admitted. Dependence is the keynote of gratitude. Without faith li;.'iv could j,e no ".raiitude to Cod for mercies received. I low could Cod be glorilied if we doubled tile source from whence the blessings of life conieV Christ's example and teaching fully conlirm this view of prayer. The Ccthseniane prayers are the most wonderful example of faith and perfect dependence. Xo miracle was performed but in which the operation of the Divine and licilevolent Hand could plainly be seen.

Finally, in ord-r that the li-li-v-r illicit-, r-iili-c hi, d"|>-nd-ii—. and have hi- fiiitli i|iii'-ki'i:r(l. I hii-i -aid: "What--o-v-r ye -hall a-k 1 in- Ka!h-r in his name" ;that. '-. "d-ii-ndm:; mi Me"), -i will do ii." A- !',•■ .it-v,.- were -011--tandy '.'•■admlcd of ih- d-l'Yci\in fruni Kvyjit. -n \h- riiv";-!i;ii\> ay riMi-tanlly i-inind-.l ni' d-liv-van I'niin -niritual honda--. in m-'li-r to nail-.' ih-ir de-l>-i:dan—. and h—au-- of this d-n-nd-''iii'i' lii-y an' -on-titnt-d priests- -to oll'-r uii -piriiual -a-riiir-- :i .•<-<■]>( aldi' to Cod iiy .!"-n- ( hrist.