ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 210, 5 August 1937, Page 11

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

ADDRESS TO FELLOWSHIP. A talk to the laymen of the church was given by Air C. E. Taylor, of Feilding, at the inaugural meeting of the Alen’s Fellowship of St. Paul’s Aletliodist Church. Mr W. B. Cameron, president of the fellowship, presided and asked for yvholehearted support for the movement. The interests of the church and the cause of Christ depended upon the co-operation of the men of the church. He was hopeful the fellowship was going to meet a deep-felt need. Choosing for his topic, “Tho Methodist layman: his job in the Church,” Air Taylor said it was high time they had some fellowship which would arouse the men to a full sense of their responsibilities. But whilst.) man power was necessary, it was vital that the spirit of earnestness should be in every movement. Dr. John R. Mott, he said, had set out to find what men in various countries were doing for God. He had found that not 10 per cent, of the men of the Christian Church were manifesting real pulling power. This was a strong indictment against laymen. Speaking from a long expereince of Christian labour, his recent experience was, he regretted, that the one-talent man was doing his job hut it was the men more gifted who were not pulling their weight. “God,” Mr Taylor continued, “demands the best of us, and if we are going to do the job of 1937 as it should be done nothing must be withheld.” In the main, the King’s business came first, otherwise there could be no lasting success. The success of the fellowship would depend upon work and a personal witness to tlie power of God among men. It might involve withdrawal perhaps from certain associations, some of which often led to compromise not helpful to the cause of God ; "however, every sacrifice in such a cause was worthwhile. AVere they satisfied with conditions in the world to-day? asked the speaker. Spain, for instance, where father was in arms against son. Was home life what it should he? What examples as fathers did they offer to their children? Did first tilings come first in the education of the child ? What was the lavman’s job in the life of the community? Alan outside the Christian Cluirch had the right to expect honesty and honourable dealings from men of the Church; he was afraid and sorry that the Church had been “let down” badly oil occasions. A strict code of honesty in everything was definitely’ necessary from men of the Church to-day.

Concluding a fine address, Air Taylor asked for a more generous giving to the work of the Church.

Owing to a defect in the lighting system at the elm roll, the meeting had to be held at the parsonage. A party of men from the Feilding Fellowship, led by their president, Mr B. Tait was present. Mrs M. A. McDowell served supper at the close of the meeting. Votes of thanks to the hostess and speaker brought the meeting to a close.