CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14620, 22 March 1913, Page 12

CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

EASTER SERVICES.

The mission programme for Thursday which was known as "Conference Day" comprised a conference of ministers at the Y.H.C.A. Hall in the morning. Tn the afternoon a special service conducted by Dr Chapman and Mr Alexander, at whirh. Dr Chapman took as his subject "The Evangelistic Church," and in the evening, the regular service in the big tent on Tuam street, at which there was again a crowded audience and many people were unable to get near enough to hear.

Yesterday hacLits full quota of meetings. At a special service held in the tent at 10.30 a.m. hymns appropriate to the day were chosen by Mr Alexander for his song service, "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood." "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and "The Lord is. my Shepherd" were sung with great heartiness by the large audience. Dγ Chapman delivered a powerful address on the subject, "The Ivory Palaces of the King." At 3 o'clock an audience comprised in the main of Sunday School teachers end Christian workers gathered in the tent for a special meeting. Mr Alexander introduced his usual spirited enthusiasm into the song service, and with the assistance of the mission choir drew a hearty response from the gathering. "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," "His Mercy Flows," and "Gospel Bells," were amongst the numbers sung. Mrs Harkness again proved her ability to sing a Gospel solo with telling effect, in her rendering of "Just Where I Am." The Rev. J. Mackenzie and the Rev. Mr Hill, of Raugiora, each delivered a short address, tho # ! latter gentleman relating an interesting story of a young teacher who had been converted during the mission in Christchurcb, and who had since given up his position and had gono to Knox College, Dunedin, to enter upon a course of training for the ministry. At the close of his address Dγ Chapman asked all those who would volunteer for service in the Sunday School, if called upon, to leave their names with the officials, and in response a lar : ?e number of people made their way to the tents at the rear to hand in their names and addresses. The singing at the crowded service in the evening went with unusual zest. Every foot of standing room inside the tent was taken up, and a large proportion of the auuielite stood just outside the ropes for the greater part of the meeting. The liev. Dr. Ervvin (Chairman ».f the Executive Committee) announced that the linal meetings of the mission would be held on Sunday. At 9.30 a.m. in the tent there will bo a consecration, service, open to ' everybody, and to which the Bible Classes of the city are specially invited. A meeting ior men only wiU bo Jieid at 3 o'dock on .Sunday afternoon, alio in the tent on Tuum sueut, at which Mr Alexander will couauct'the singing and Dr Ciiapmaa will speak on "Three Perils threateniag .New Zua.and."- In the evening the last service ot the mission will commence at y o'clock.

Taking as his text St. Matthew xxii., 42—"What think ye of Cliiist?" JDr Chapman preached what was probably tho most xwwcfrt'ul sermon of the niission. His apptai, ho said, was to those who did noo yet know Ciirist as s Saviour. So many ptople were false, to Him, because they had never i'ainy considered tho claims of Christ upon Him. "'Jf 1 couid load you to that place to-night," said Dr Chapman, •'Where you would give Him a fa.r consideration, I would have no fear of the result. What think yo of Christ? What think ye of Him as a preacher? Never man spake like this Man. What think yo of Him as a worker? From the day He first started out to lift tho burdens of other people until the day Ho d.ed upon Calvary, He was a tireless worker. What think ye of Him as a friend? There is a friend that stickeih closer than a brother. What think ye of Christ?" In striking terms tho missjoner drew a picture of tho Saviour of mankind hanging on Calvary's croiis. Then, holding aloft sa open note-book, the pages of which, were pure white, he saiu: "No matter who you arc, no matter how deep va sin, if you accept Jesus Christ as your ibaviour, your record will be made as white as the pages of my book. On the groundwork of His sacrificial death, because of His atoning sacrifice, on account of tho shedding of His blood, God finds it possible to be tho justifier of all them that believe. Will you take Him?"

In tho after-meeting which followed a number came forward to signify their acceptance of Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour.