HERE AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 9

HERE AGAIN.

FIVE YEARS AWAY.

REV. LIONEL B. FLETCHER.

EVAIfGEUSM IN BBITAMf. The Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, the wellknown evangelist, is again in Auckland after an absence of five yean*. Mr. Fletcher was minister at the Beresford Congregational Church from 1924 to 1032. He returned to Wellington by the Rangitiki on Saturday and arrived in Auckland yesterday. He will leave by the same vessel on July 29, accompanied by his wife, who arrived some weeks ago. The main purpose of Mr. Fletcher's visit is to see hie daughter, Mrs. G. E. Creagh, of Birkenhead, and to recover from an illness which he contracted last winter in England.

He spoke of a religious revival which was most evident in Great Britain. He and Dr. F. W. Norwood, formerly minister of the City Temple, had travelled separately about Britain, conducting missions on a large scale and the response had been tremendous. "The great anxiety which exists among the nations is driving thoughtful people to religion," Mr. Fletcher 6aid, "and there is a serious stirring in the universities and among the people generally. A spiritual movement i* progressing right through the nation and though all of it is not towards the organised churches, all denominations last Easter reported the greatest church attendances known in this generation." Mr. Fletcher said his crusade would continue indefinitely. A similar movement waa taking place in South Africa, where he bad been twice before and which he intended to visit again next March. He had also been asked to tour the United Btates in 1940, in connection with a nation-wide mission campaign at present being led by Dr. Stanley Jones and Dr. Norwood. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher will be entertained to-night at the Bereaford Street Church by the congregation, where Mr. Fletcher U to conduct a "new life" cam-1 paign from July 18 to 25.