CHURCH OF CHRIST, HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2076, 27 October 1885, Page 2

CHURCH OF CHRIST, HAMILTON.

Anniversary Services and Soiree. The .annivors'iry sei nces in connection with the Now Zealand Evangelical \sMieiation weie held <m .Sunday last, and wore eon ducted, morning and evening, by Mr George Aldndge, of Auckland. The attendance at both sei vices was \ciy encouraging. The evenine lecture was an exposition of John, XIV., I—3 v. The pi eacher said that this was one of the most frequently quoted texts in the bible, and us a .sense of comfoit to the sonow-stnekee believer it noier f.uled of its mission. In addition, however, to its admitted function, it has been wrongly employed in controversy to favour unsciiptural teachings on man's nature and destiny. After detailing the cncunistances which g.i\e rise to the passage, he went on to show that this contained .1 special ipv elation. Belief in God meant belief in the certain fulfilment of Hh pi online*. By analogy belief in Christ meant belief in His revelations, and the special tiling lie revealed v.is ceitam ti nth-, rcgatding the leather's House. The pieacher then enteied upon a rapid suncy of the Old Testiment Scuptures, 1 elating to the term "House" as connected with (Jod, finding that this signified a place where God's presence was manifested on earth. He then took up the \eision of the New Jeiusalem, given to John, and by comparison of Scriptuie showed that this was the Father's House, spoken of by the Saviour. He then briefly commented on the following portion of the text, and argued that the " coining " there piomised by Chiist must hp a, peisonal one, inasmuch as the going away was peisonal, and this conclusion clearly demonstrated that the prevalent ideas of heaven and death wcie baseless, inasmuch as the presence with the Saviour depended upon his return in pei son in fulfilment of the promise made, " I will come again." The attention of the audience was held from commencement to finish. The tea meeting in connection with the above was held last evening in Lo (>uesne's Hall. The tables were piosided over by the ladies of the church, and about 100 sat down to tea. After tho tables were cleared, Mr A. Scott took the chair, and opened tho meeting. In the oouise of his temaiks ho refeired to the heavy blow sustained by the chinch tin ough thoienunal of Mr Kees, but lie was glad to say that they had so fir been able to hold to aether. Ho load the import, which showed a, very healthy state, the morning meeting being carried on every Sunday by two brethren of the church, the A»->ocia-tion assisting them by supplying a preacher once a m >nth. He concluded by lefeiring to the encouraging fact that the church w as not in debt. Mr Manning expressed his pleasure at being present at thi-*, the third anmvert-ai y, testified to the power of tiuth to hold believers together in the bonds of fellowship, and then gave a brief resume of some of the doctiines held and taught by the Association. Mr Aldndge was .then called on by the chairman. Ho commenced by referring to his former lesidence in Hamilton, and the invariable kindness he had experienced from all, even those who were opposed to the doctrines he had taught. This ad led con siderably to the pleasure he felt at again visiting the place. He then spoke at some length, taking for his theme "<^>ieer Notions," leferrmg moie especnlly to queer theologic.il opinions, such as that none could understand tho Bible without a collegiate training ; that croedi or st md nd* contained the entuo sum of the Bible doctrine ; tho cm rent queer notions of human nature and destiny ; entire sanctification, &c. The speaker gave a few anecdotes m illustration of his various points, and concluded by singing a solo fiom Sankey's collootinn of hymns, No. »OH. Mr Kteidtnan gave a brief, pointed address, which met with deserved applause, and the meeting was brought to a close by the chairman pronouncing the Benedic tion. During tho course of the evening the audienco joined very heartily in singing some of tho prettiest of Sankey's melodies.