ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1888, 7 May 1889, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR'S CHURCH, TEMUKA.

A large congregation attended the above church on Sunday last, to avail themselves of what was probably the last opportunity of hearing His Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese iu Temuka. The service in the morning consisted of Morning Prayer, conducted by the Incumbent, and the Communion Service, by the Primate. About 40 communicants partook of the Sacrament. The text was taken jfcm John v., 39 and 40: " Search the Scriptures: for in them je think ye haye eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me. And_ ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life." The words " Search the Scriptures," his Lordship said, might be looked upon as a command from our blessed Lord. In the revised version of the Bible the text reads " Te do read the Scriptures," as if to give the Jews credit for it, but however it was r«ad profit could be derived from it. In the tim6 of our Lord only the books of the Old Testament were in existence, and from these the Jews •eemed to have gathered hopes of eternal life. There were many tokens of this, but it remained for our Lord to further reveal these hopes. He seemed also to have blamed them, that they, having searched the Scriptures, did not see in Him the promised Messiah. In the very first pages of the Bible they would have found reasons for such a belief, but they looked only for temporal blessings and freedom. Even the disciples were imbued with this idea, and could not realize the true mission of Christ. The whole scheme of His existence, as well as numerous prophesies, showed that there was to be One Who would dike a complete sacrifice for man. -lObe Jews had sought more diligently they would have found that Christ came to save them from the tyranny of sin, and he (the preacher) urged them to look upon those three words as a command, and avail themselves of the teachings of the Bible. Let them value the book which God had placed in their hands. It was a blessed privilege given them, for there were many places into which it had not yet penetrated. Let them take it into their hearts and learn from it what He taught them to be. In the second place He reproached them that they did not come to Him for life. What life was meant? Not that which they shared in common with the brute creation, but that, higher, unseen, spiritual life, which beginning in this world, reached to eternity. On one occasion He said " Whosoever believeth in Me shall never die," and this eternal life which was promised was the life our Lord was grieved that the Jews could not appreciate. The gift of eternal life as given bv God was the raising of our dead souls to a higher world. Our affections should be set on things above. The fulness that was in Him He was ready to impart to all. The search for eternal life must, however, ' be begun in this world. By diligent study of the scriptures they might obtain dominion over their sins. God had dealt mercifully with them. Upon them He had showered precious gifts Vthat should enable them to love Him .' better than they did. Let them pray to Him and endeavor to follow in His blessed footsteps that they might enter and enjoy the life eternal. By the help of the blessed Sacrament of His body and blood they could walk consistent!? and faithfully unto the

end. . . , ! In the evening tne cnurch wasj crowded to overflowing, the vestry,! chancel, and nave being filled, and many people either having to leave or remain outside at the windows or in the porch. The service consisted of a • shortened evensong vnov to the administration of the rite of confirmation to twenty-two candidates—seventeen females and five males, presented by the Incumbent. Previous to the laying on of hands the Bishop addressed the candidates in a few brief but impressive words. He reminded them that they must work out their own salvation. They might be willing in mind and spirit, but it would need a continued effort and struggle and a steady pressing forward. From the answers they were about to give him he would understand that it was their hearts' wisb to become Christ's faithful Boldiers, and to take upon /themselves the promises made on their at their baptism, but thw they could nut do of themselves. They must have God's help, and it was with a wish for such help that they must come forward that day. That help

Christ had promised them when He said that He would not leave them comfortless. His Holy Spirit waa with them to prompt them to good, and warn them from evil. The ceremony was then proceeded with most impressively. At its conclusion the Bishop renewed his address to the candidates, and to the congregation enlarging, upon the collect which formed part of the service. He reminded them of the blessed privileges they enjoyed, and urged them to a true spirit of thankfulness. The address was received with the most earnest attention, and in spite of the crowded state of the building, which must have caused physical discomfort to many, it was evident that a feeling of regret prevailed when it was concluded. Appropriate hymns were sung for the occasion. Mr Proudloek presided at the organ.