Church of England Mission.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5255, 20 November 1885, Page 3

Church of England Mission.

There was again a large attendance at Bt. George's Cborch last evening to hear the mission serTice now being held by the Here. C. Bodington and G. E. Mason. The Be*. F. G. Evans having opened the serf ice with prayer, the Rev. C. Boding, ton delivered a powerful discourse, taking as bis text St.Matthew 22 chap,. 20 verse, in the course of which he said tbat God gives man a continual benediction, which it was the great work of the church to get him to enjoy ; but man himself frequently hindered the blessing of God from enter irq his heart. DuriDg His earthly life, the Lord Jesus had taught for the purpose of influencing men to receive his blessing, and tha possession of true Christinnity made men better citizens and parents, hating a.good effect upon them in every way, and enabling them to love and serre God. Man was created in the image of God, and therefore raised infinitely above tbe rest of the creation ; while his conscience taught him to discern between right and wrong. In conclusion, he would impress upon his hearers that God made them to bear his image/and would exhort them not to allow Satan to put his mark upon them. , , The Bey. G. E. Mason then delivered a short but instructive address, beseeching those present to get bold of the "big things " of religion. Many were occupied with small and non-essential things, to the exclusion of the greater and more glorious. These small things the speaker called the " spiritual confectionery," which some people wanted all.others to swallow and to live upon. One of what he characterised at th» "big things," was belief in God. There were three classes of men, viz.: the unbeliever, the agnostic, and the believer. He contended that the existence of God might be proved—(l) from nature, (2) history, and (3) conscience. The addreis was listened to with marked Interest, and in concluding Mr Mason expressed the hope that all who could possibly do bo would attend the remainder of the services of the mission. To-ni|rht there will be Evening .Prayer, at 7 o'clock, followed by the Mission Service proper at 8 o'clock, when Mr Bodington and Mr Mason will each give addresses. Tomorrow in addition to the usual services, Mr Mason will at half past two give an address on the Waio Karaka Flat, and a special address to children will be given in the Church at 4 p.m.