A NEW CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1922, Page 6

A NEW CHURCH.

PUNIHO—WAREA DISTRICT. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. About 150 settlers from the Puniho and Warea district. gathered on Saturday to join with the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. A. W. Averill) in the- ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new St. Mark’s church, which will furnish a fitting place of worship for the residents of both these districts. The Bishop was attended by Archdeacon F. E. Evans, the Rev. H. A. Coleman, the Rev. E. Strong and the Rev. G. T. Beal. Prior to .proceeding with the recognised form of •service for the laying of Anglican church foundation stones the congregation sang “The Church’s One Foundation. - ’

Quoting from the Psalms the Bishop said: ’ Lord, remember David and all his afflictions, how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty one of Jacob, surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed. I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until 1 find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” He was glad to think that the good people of those districts had been animated by this same spirit and he was happy that they would soon worship God in a building worthy of Him. They needed such a place, not only for their own sakes but for their children and for generations to come. He was reminded of a story, about a little girl, who all her life had been used to attend a well appointed church. One day this child was taken to a far less Lious church, and, looking round with 'wonder in her eyes, asked her companion if God was dead. Another incident occurred when a lady worshipper cn entering a completely furnished church, exclaimed: “Why! you treat God as a. gentleman here!” NEED FOR. MORE REVERENCE. He was perfectly certain that one of the greatest needs of people now-a-days was more reverence. They did miss the old churches and old associations, so common in the Old Country. They inspired a feeling of reverence that was instantly apparent to those attending services there. Anything that could be done to inspire people to greater reverence of God was good, and he wanted them to'realise tha t in erecting such a church they were doing a great and good work. Ono of the things that brought the world into its chaotic state was loss of respect and reverence for Almighty God. Many were of 'the opinion that they could worship God anywhere, but he thought those who held this belief were not following the teaching of David, for God had made it plain that it was His wish and desire tliat His people should, erect places of worship finished in the ibest manner they could. From very beginnings places have been set aside for the worship of God. When the Israelites returned from captivity they began to build a temple, but soon turned their attention to the erection and beautifying of their own homes. Malachi, filled with indignation. cried: “Will a man rob God?” Of course, it was not to be expected, that the growth of churches in the earlier days had been so rapid as it was now. The first church was an upper chamber, but under the freedom given them by the Emperor -Constantine, whenever Christians were gathered together they erected their temples to the honor of God. Just as houses were necessary to live in, so was it necessary to provide houses of God, wTierd spiritual food might be administered. One thing he wished them to remember, that spi?-itual rather than material food was needed, for man could not live by bread alone. Character should bo built ever at the | expense of the pocket. He then congratukited the vicar and the people, for it was a long time since a church had boon erected in these districts, and ho ■trusted God's blessing would rest upon rhe building. God needed it, and their children needeel it, as a. place in which to leceive .‘he blessing of spiritual food.

THE QUESTION OF FINANCE. Mr. W. Gray, of Okat‘6, said it was thirty-five years since a stone had been laid in t'he district. He could only see a few of the old faces present, and this reminded 'him how quickly a generation passed away. He urged the movers of the scheme not to be disheartened by difficulties or lack of funds. When money had been required for his church a call had been made upon Warea settlers for financial assistance, and he hoped if they in their turn Required money they would permit the favor to be returned. The Rev. H. A. Coleman, vicar of the district, said all had been looking forward to the laying of t-he stone. The Bishop, on his last visit to Taranaki, had expressed the thought that he would be very pleased if they got as far as even asking him to perform the ceremony. In worshipping in a church in their own district an atmosphere of devotion was present, which was not noticeable in a schoolroom. Regarding the question of finances, he emphasised the necessity for ali to do their utmost to help, he had the sum of £450 in l and, anc} had been offered two sums of £2OO each as loans. These, of course, would have to be repaid, and it. was his idea that they should pay off £5O per year, as well as the interest, so that they -hoped to pay back the whole of the borrowed monies as tim-’ went on. .ITp. wonld be glad if settlers, in memory of former relatives or friends who had loft the district, would como forward with offerings of furnishings. Archdeacon Evans said ho regarded the day as one of thanksgiving, for the church had been begun, and it served two districts. There they could sink ali petty differences and unite in the worship of Almighty God. During the singing of the last hymn p collection was taken up in aid of the building fund.