VALLANCE COOK MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 6

VALLANCE COOK MISSION.

MR.. OOOIt WELCOMED, The mission whioh is to bo oonUuctcd in the Wesley Hall, Taranaki Street, during the next fortnight by the JRev. Vallanco Cook, was inaugurated by a successful welcome meeting on Saturday night. Tlw hall was well filled, the platform being occupied by prominent clergymen of tho Methodist community. The iiev. J. Q. Chapman, who presided, made a short introductory speech. Ho extended a welcome to Jlr. and Mrs. Cook and Miss Cook. Some of those present, he said, would remember tho visit to Now Zealand some yioars ago of the missioned 6ainted brother, tho late Bev. Thomas Cook, whose work had been of a most permanent character. Mr. Vallanco Oook was an evangelist no loss sane and gifted than his brother. The lilov. J. J. Lewis, of Petone, who made tho principal speeoh of wolcome, said that such a large meeting on a Saturday night was clear evidence of the people's inteiKst in tho mission. The present time was ono of rapid change, and to retain its hold, tho Church had to keep abreast of the most modern developments in tho affairs of the world. Their theology was not hide-bound, but all tho time they insisted on one thing, unswerving loyalty to Christ and His cause. (Hear, hear.) Tho Hon. C. M 7 Luke, M.L.C., vice-pre-sident of th® New Zealand Methodist Conference, welcomed the missioiwr, as a representative of tho laity, who, he ventured to say, were not owe whit behind the clergy in their desire to make the mission a glorious success, and push forward the kingdom of Christ. • (Hear, hear.) Tho history of Methodism was full of the achievements of tht> clergy and laity working in co-operation- for tho advancement of His cause. Mr. Cook would find the atmosphere of Methodism as warm in Wellington as anywhere else, although they might not hav» the numbers cf Christchurch, for instance. Sir. Cook, who was received with liearty applause, proved to be an cloquont speaker, with just a traco of dialectic pronunciation to proclaim his Yorkshire origin. He returmcd thanks for his hearty welcome. Ho was glad to bo in Wellington, in response to tho call of mon and tho call of God. Amidst all tho doubts of this world, lio was sure of two things, firstly, of his call to preach, and, secondly, of bis call to bo an evangelist. Ho ivas just as proud of tho second call as of the first. He thanked them for his reception, not only for his own sake, but for tile sako of his"brother, who had visited the Dominion somo 1!) years ago, and who bad always retained tho kindliest memories of the country. He himself had coine to Now Zealand in response to a definite call, as his brother had done before him. Heferring to tho present mission, the speaker sai<i: "I want you cloarly to understand tliat this is your mission. It is your mission far more than it is ours. Wo have our work to do, and with God's help we'll do it. But in a fortnight we shall 'bo gone, while you remain here, and when you are laid to your rest, your children and your children's children will 1m here." Tht< missioiior concluded with an urgent appeal for the prayers of the people. 'Sirs. Cook alsxj delivered an address. The singing was led by a combined choir, which has been organised for the mission, and a quartet. "God is a Spirit" was sutie by numbers of tho choir. Services will bo held nightly ill tho Wesley Hall during tho next fortnight, commencing at 7.45. •