ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1940, Page 7

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH

REV FATHER MOORE’S SERMON. “Today we join with the whole world in a cry and prayer to the sacred heart of Jesus to save the people whom He has redeemed,” stated the Rev Father N. Moore in his serman at St Patrick's Church yesterday. “We make an act of faith in God and the revealed truths of God. Especially do we turn to our Divine Lord. We recall His infinite sympathy and compassion; we remember how He wept over the destruction of Jerusalem, and we directly appeal to Him to save the world, and to spare the people from utter ruin and destruction born from the fierce fires of war. The first cause of this terrible world-wide war is the revolt of the nations against God. These people have derided God. They have become corrupt in their ways. There is first the universal intellectual revolt against God. This revolt is manifest in the home, the school, the college, the university. The first principles of natural reason are denied and the people have worshipped at the false altar of so-called science. The Divinity of Jesus is denied, and all the truths that flow from this great doctrine. As a natural and logical result of this apostasy from God and denial of Jesus there is undermined the very basis of all moral law. We see it everywhere—there are sins crying to Heaven for vengeance. There is first the fierce and horrible injustice in the State and in the world. There is also the fierce unnatural crime against the very principle of natural life itself. The law, the state, the professional man has consecrated the very destruction of human life itself. Let us be candid and admit that the greates! enemies are those who have destroyed the principle of life itself. Everyone knows the Press, the magazine, the law, has sanctioned this terrible thing. The enemy of France, the enemy ot England, New Zealand, is that professional man, who in the name of science has sanctioned this terrible destructive principle of the life of a nation. Nations and family die of sterility, but. alas, crime is fertile. The deliberate destruction of the unborn child is murder, and red with the blood of innocent children are the hands of- those who destroy the unborn children, created by God. Where is virtue? Where is patriotism? Now they are loudest in their cry that othfer peoples’ sons should be offered, and in their criminal and unnatural heart is dead the first principle of patriotism. We turn Thee out, we believe, we trust, we hope in Thee. We ask Thee to put aside our crimes. Remember the people whom you yourself redeemed. France can be saved, England can be saved, the nations can be saved by' one and one. alone, and He is the Saviour.”

RIGHT WILL PREVAIL REV. JOHN DAVIE'S ADDRESS. “It is gratifying to note the very widespread response made to the King’s appeal that the Empire should observe this day as a day of prayer for the Empire and our Allies,” said the Rev John Davie at Knox Church. “We must make sure that our being here and our calling upon God is not merely because of panic, but because we believe our cause to be just and right and in consequence we can with a good conscience ask the blessing of God upon our efforts for victory. That our prayers be not merely words, we are called to co-operate with God, and that means service and sacrifice to the very uttermost limit of our ability and power. It is here where we mostly fail it is hard to persevere until the end. The crisis of the hour is so momentous that I am confident we shall all be able to call up reserves of courage and resolution and with a confident faith in God and in our righteous cause continue until victory comes. Great causes make great characters and public crises create public souls, and when a man engages in matters of great moment something of that greatness enters intc his character and strengthens his spirit. In times of great danger it is the spirit of the community that at last, is the determining factor, and there is ncsystem of teaching comparable with Christianity for developing and enriching human life and character, and buttressing the human spirit to enable mankind to serve without hope of reward and sacrifice with elation. Our nation has survived the onslaughts of the enemies of the past because her sons and daughters were taught to believe in right and honour and truth and just ’dealings; these in the long run prevail over every foe, it is in this we have our confidence today.”

AT CARTERTON GATHERING IN REGENT THEATRE. Besides the services held in Carterton churches last evening an intercession service was held in the Regent Theatre, the building being packed despite the inclement weather conditions. The Rev. W. F. Stent, of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, the Rev. W. J. Couling, of St. Andrew’s, the’ Rev. Daglish, of the Methodist Church, and Captain Ojala, Salvation Army, were all associated with the service. From the operating box at the theatre a picture showing the crucifixion of Christ was thrown on the screen. The following hymns were sung: “Lead Kindly Light,” “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With Me.” Prayers were led by the Rev. W. J. Couling, Captain Ojala, the Rev. Daglish, the Rev. W. F. Stent and from two members of the audience. Mr Stent thanked the public for attending in such large numbers the operator and the pianiste, Mrs Bath. The singing of the National Anthem closed a sincere and solemn ceremony.