DAY OF PRAYER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1940, Page 7

DAY OF PRAYER

MASTERTON CHURCHES CROWDED YESTERDAY TERRITORIALS ATTEND SERVICE AT ST. MATTHEW’S. BASIS OF EMPIRE'S GREATNESS. Unprecedented scenes were witnessed in Masterton yesterday when churches were filled to overflowing with congregations attending special services for the observance of the National Day of Prayer. The local Territorial units, comprising 0 Squadron, Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles, and C and D Companies, First Hawke’s Bay Regiment, led by the Wairarapa College Pipe Band , formed an impressive parade yesterday morning, when they attended the service at St Matthew’s Church.

Considered by old residents to be the greatest gathering at a Church of England service in the history of Masterton the accommodation at St. Matthew’s Church was severely taxed. The address was given by the Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich. The lessons were read- by Captain R. J. Fowler, officer commanding C Company, First Hawke’s Bay Regiment. At a similar gathering at the evening service, the lesson was read by the Mayor. Mr T. Jordan. “It is in a spirit of humble confidence and calm assurance that we join today in this great National Day of Prayer,” stated Archdeacon Rich. “All that Christ won for humanity—freedom, justice, the right to develop our own personality—is threatened as never before. The British Empire has ever been in the forefront of the great upward struggle of humanity. There are blots in our history but it is simple truth that wherever our flag has gone, freedom has been established, justice has been done, and men and women have been able to go about the daily business of living without fear.

“The spirit of our Empire, combined with that of France blocks the way to that world domination which is the policy of the monstrous tyranny which seeks to hurl humanity back into the darkest age of savagery,” said Archdeacon Rich. “The former Prime Minister of England uttered prophetic words when he said: ‘lt is an evil thing that we fight; more evil, treacherous, cruel and base that we could first believe. Evil has been organised for abominable ends.’

“But spiritual forces are the basis of our Empire’s greatness,” stated Archdeacon Rich, “and it is for us to deepen and strengthen the spirit of our race. Those moral and spiritual qualities which have always been the secret of our progress reveal themselves in sacrifice and in service. This day of prayer can mark the end of apathy and carelessness. All that makes life worth while is at stake at this grave hour, but we go from this service with brave hearts and undaunted spirits clad with the whole armour of God. determined, with God’s help to destroy for ever forces which degrade humanity, and to build again God’s Kingdom of free men and women.

METHODIST CHURCH PRAYER & WORLD CRISIS. The services at the Masterton Methodist Church yesterday specially observed the desire of the King in the appointment of a Day of Prayer. There were large attendances. The Rev. H. S. Kings delivered an address on “Prayer and the World Crisis.”

Mr Kings stated that the world had passed through many crises, and today history not merely repeated itself, but compelled them to realise that their very civilisation was in the balance. They faced a day when the things they held dear, some of them dearer than life itself were threatened with ruthless destruction. He stated that the call from the Homeland had stabbed them awake, and the insistent question arose: “What can we do?” As an Empire and individually they were forced to their knees. They knew they must pray. They believed that “Prayer changes things.” A parallel was drawn with the crisis of Calvary. The preacher outlined the scene and pointed out the Christ lifted His gaze from the turbulent world and fixed it upon God. He saw God on the Throne, triumphant, controlling the very forces that threatened destruction. Christ looked from earth to heaven. That look brought steadiness and peace, and in that confidence He prayed. “There is no other basis on which we can pray with confidence,” said the preacher, “otherwise prayer will be a cry of panic and fear.”

Special prayers were offered and the whole congregation spent a period in guided intercession. Suitable hymns were chosen. The service concluded with the Benediction and the National Anthem.

LANSDOWNE SERVICE

GOD’S PLAN AND PURPOSE. "The Lord reigneth, let the people tremble,” was the text taken by the Rev. David McNeur, at the Lansdowne Presbyterian Church. “God has a plan and a purpose running through the whole universe. That plan has gone on through countless ages,” stated Mr McNeur. "With the Lord a thousand ages are as one day and these present incidents 'last but a moment in God’s plan. The plan is most persistent. Attempts to frustrate that plan are of no avail. God cannot be beaten. He makes even the wrath of man praise Him. Wicked men, in setting up the Cross thought that they were carrying out their plan, like Pilate and others, but they were hastening on the completion of God’s purpose. The countless acts of heroism and courage may seem to some of no more value than straws dropped into the abyss, but because God reigns none of the good can be lost. The Kingdom of the world must at last become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.” The Rev. McNeur preached services at Eketahuna. Kaiparoro and Alfredton yesterday. There were large congregations at all services.