Wesley Methodist Church was yesterday crowded with people who spent their lunchtime honouring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday January 17 commemorated the birthday of America's most passionate civil rights leader.

Hymns were sung and scriptures were read to remind the audience of the strength and courage Dr. King had shown in tackling boundaries of injustice and discrimination.

In a pastoral prayer, lawyer Mr. Arthur Hodgson said: "Dr. King stood courageously and faced all the might of the American empire.

"The impact of his life has not only been felt in America, but all over the world and in Bermuda.'' In meditations, Shadow Environment Minister Rev. Trevor Woolridge's voice rose high as he preached to the congregation: "Share in the life of a man who's legacy lives long after death.

"The work that is ahead for us in Bermuda is considerable. Close examination reveals that not only the Government, but organisations such as the National Association of Reconciliation, and others active in the pursuit of bringing justice and equality to the people of Bermuda are not in a position to pat themselves on the back, just yet.

"There is still a great deal of work to do and barriers to be torn down. We must be mindful that now is the time to act. Now is the time to stand up and be counted. Twenty-one years later the words of Dr. King remain true.'' Rev. Woolridge went on to quote Dr. King saying: "We have come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.

"This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquillising drug of gradualism...'' He continued: "It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.'' He also said that we cannot just remember injustice and discrimination on January 17, once a year.

"It's time to stop talking about it and do something about it. It's time we stop wanting somebody else to do what we can do ourselves. If you want Bermuda to change you have to change it.

"Dr. King could have very easily decided that this was just to much for him, but he stepped out in front of thousands of people and knew he wasn't standing alone.'' In closing, Rev. Woolridge recited the words of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream'' speech.

"And when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children - black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Catholics and Protestants - will be able to join hands and to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, `Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last.'' In a closing prayer Rev. Conway Simmons added that Dr. King's cause and life reverberated around the world.

IN PRAYER -- Mrs. Margaret Godwin kneels during a prayer honouring Rev. Dr.

Martin Luther King's birthday at Wesley Methodist Church yesterday.