ST. JAMES’PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 14, 23 October 1871, Page 3

ST. JAMES’PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. The Rev. R. F. McNichol, of Auckland, conducted the anniversary services at this Church, yesterday. In the morning the reverend gentleman preached an eloquent sermon, taking for his text the Ist verso of the 42nd Psalm —“ As a hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my sonl after Thee O God.” This psalm,said the preacher, was supposed to have been written by King David when in Exile. As he stood beneath Mount Hermon, with the River Jordan at his feet, a stag pursued by the hunter, and panting and weary from the chase, sought the cool waters of the river for refreshment, doubtless suggested the language of the Psalmist, whose soul was longing for God. This was the condition of every true believer, and there were several circumstances which intensified this feeling. The want of religious ordinances was especially calculated to produce it. David was far from the Sanctuary at the time, and although God’s presence is not confined to temples made with bands, for Ho is everywhere, yet David felt the want of the more immediate presence of God, as in the Sanctuary, as was evident from the second verse of the same Psalm, where lie says ; “ When shall I come and appear before God,” and so does every true believer feel when deprived of the ordinances which God has established. Some people excused themselves from not attending public worship because the lives of many who went regularly to Church were totally at variance with their profession ; but was that any reason—because there were religions hypocrites—to undervalue the ordinances themselves? Could it be said that the rites and ceremonies of the Israelites were of no avail ? nor those of the early Christians, because there was an Ananias and Sappbira amongst them. Another condition which tended to increase the desire for close communion with God was when sorrow arid adversity come upon us—when the only time aid and sympathy to be found comes from Him, and can be conferred by no human friend. In happiness and prosperity a man is seldom without the society of companions and friends, and is often apt to forget God ; but when cares and troubles arrive, happy is the man who feels that he is at peace with God, for he knows that God can make all things work together for good. Christ the Saviour became a “ man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” and finally died upon the Cross that man might be saved and inherit eternal glory, and in times of tribulation, when the “ heart knowetli its own bitterness,” it was to God that the believer’s heart would instinctively turn. Hatred of sin was another condition under which the believer would pant after God, as the hart after the water brooks. The unbeliever could see no beauty in holiness and bad hatred of sin—he never prayed to be delivered from it, although lie might desire to avoid the evil consequences which often, even in this life, followed the commission of sin. The good effects of this feeling of longing for God, are that it is calculated to bring down God’s blessing, and it was from this characteristic of David’s life that lie was especially the man after God’s own heart, dispito of his falling into temptation and sin. God invites all to come to him. “Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He says and again, “He that loveth me,” says the Saviour, “ shall be loved of my Father.” They who have this spirit, set not their affections on things of the earth, “ but upon the treasures that are laid up for them in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal.” The reveratul gentleman concluded a most impressive discourse by urging upon his hearers the deep importance of attaining this spirit, which would be their greatest consolation in this world, and lead them by God’s favour to eternal life. At the close of the discourse the Rev. Mr. Hill announced that the Rev. Mr. McNichol would address them again in the evening, and that on Tuesday the soiree would take place, at which he hoped all the congregation would be present. On these occasions Mr. Hill said they were always glad to see persons of other denominations, but he especially desired to see the members of his own flock there, and hoped they would all attend.