UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' CONCERT. LECTURE BY MRS SARA DRAFFIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 178, 28 July 1903, Page 2

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' CONCERT.

LECTURE BY MRS SARA DRAFFIN.

A very enjoyable invitation concert wa3 held at the University on Saturday evenLug, the programme being provided by members of the University Musical Students' Association, assisted by Mr M. Hamilton Hodges. Piano solos were played by Miss G. Davidson, Miss Rosa Binstead, A.M., and Miss Estelie Davis. Miss Sibbald sang Clutsam's "If I Were a Lark" with excellent taste and expression. Miss Edson contributed "Pansies" (Elgar); Mr Madid, "The Scout," and Mr Sinclair, "Honour and Arms." Miss Doris Douit's playing of part of a violin concerto by Godard was much appreciated. Mr M. Hamilton Hodges sang in hi* usual finished manner three short songs, "A Rose,'' "The Monotone," "A Song of Sleep." The rendering of tne "Monotone" was a revelation to the vocal students, aud displayed to perfection the singer's power. Mrs E. Queree and Dr. Thomas acted as accompanists during the evening. Sir Maufic O'Rorke presided, and in a neat speech thanked the Professor and students for the excellent programme presented.

Last night Mrs Sara Draffin lectured in the Unitarian Church on "Life and its Purpose." There was a large and appreciative audience which warmed to '.he lecturer's eloquence, and at the close many questions v, ere asked and ably answered. The lecture was sandwiched between two pianoforte selections from Wagner."* wonderful music drama, "The >:: >hingen Trilogy." Earma, the law of caiu-e and effect, or the reaping what has been sown, with Its concomitant teaching, the laws of reincarnation, formed the theme. '.Chere was one great Law —God's manifestation to men —

and we erring mortals were ooand to suffer until we learned our lessons by experience, until we realised that the Jbaw was infinitely greater than our limited reasoning faculty could cognise. If one went against tne Great Law the result must be discoid; if one went With it, the result must be harmony. The Great Intelligences who work for humanity cannot take away the suffering, withe law must be fulfilled. They can only guide and point the way. There was nought lor it but to learn how to conform witn tne Law, and that progress is the result of iuuiv'aual self-effort. Mrs Draffin will lecture next week'on "The Other Chamoers of tiie King."