CANON STUART'S IMPRESSIONS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13876, 29 October 1910, Page 12

CANON STUART'S IMPRESSIONS.

The Rev. Canon Stuart, Avho has been conducting services- at the Merivale Churcb, and men's service.- at the Cathedral, when seen by a. reporter last evening concerning the work of tlie mission, said that ho Avas very thankful for the. work that liad been accomplished at Meriv__(e. Ho had been too busily engaged to ascertain tlie result ot the mission generally since it commenced in Christchurch. Ho had been told that _tlerival_ wonld bo a hard place to itiovOj as they were a respet tabl© class of people wlio would not attend on week-days, but he found this was untrue. The people Lad responded most warmly. There was certainly these characteristics about the mission —quiet solemnity, freedom from any excitement, and'solemn desire to knowmore of God's truth. Tho number of requests for prayers Avas very remarkable, not more tjian in other places—he Avould not say that —but the people seemed to A-altie the opportunity for special intercession. The desire for more Bibl. study was very marked. Another feature was the readiness of the people to consult ono in private. He rati sat in the clmrcli for two or three hours each day, nnd his time tvas fitlJy occupied with interviews, which showed that the people wero anxious to learn. Canon Stuart said ho was particularly struck by tho interest tho schools had shown in the mission—not only on tho part of the scholars, but of" the teachers as avoll. He had been to Christ's College every morning, and the boys showed the keenest interest. One of the missionera attended tho Boys' High School, and he (Canon Stuart) had been to-the Girls' High .school and to private schools, and they Avere most warmly received. Itega.ding the men's services, Canon fttnart was very pleased. Yesterday titer, were not less than five or sis hundred present, and he thought that those *#no bad attended the services had been very thankful, ,lii oonclasion, Canon Stuart said that

there was to be a conference of the clergy on Wednesday to consider the best meaas of carrying on the mission. He Avas hoping, when he returned from Diinedinrabout November 23rd, to havo a talk in the Cathedral with those who had received God's blessing during tha mission.