TO DO NOBLE DEEDS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 78, 28 September 1907, Page 2

TO DO NOBLE DEEDS.

ADDRESS BY THE REV. J. J. NORTH. The Christian Endeavour Convention, held under the auspices of the Wellington Christian Endeavour Union, was continued last evening, when the "All Niit^'ons' Tea," and United Consecration Service were held in Wesley Church. A feature of the service was a stirring address on the "Art of Personal Dealing," delivered by the Rev. J. J. North. He referred to the endeavour movement as a world-wide organisation. A feature that appealed t6 him was the pledge "to do noble deeds, not dreaw them all day long." It was the duty of all Christian people to assist in the work their Maker had initiated — that of Christianising the world. Ho desired more particularly 'to direct the attention of his hearers to the methods of personal dealing. For instance., he said "consider conversation ! What a charm it is !" It was among the richest of life's joys. A number of years ago the conversationalist was in great demand ; but to-day, mainly through the widespread propagation of books, authors had become the "gossipers." In the early history of the Christian church, however, conversation was recognised as a potent influence in its cause. It was well known, he said, that the Christian faith in the early years of its history spread with remarkable rapidity, and the question was how was this to be/ accounted for? How did the faith spread with such speed? Churches did not oxist, nor did great- orators abound. In i word, it was conversation. In our day, he continued, personal dealing was regarded, it might be said, as impudent. People did not like to be personally addressed, and asked whether they were saved. An exquisite amount of bungling accounted for the present dislike. Often every feeling in his nature had recoiled at things he had seen at mission meetings. For these and other reasons personal work was regarded nowadays as undesirable. This, Mr. North considered, ought not to be. It was but necessary to observe with what zeal Darwin sot out to force his theory of evolution into every mind. He dealt personally with every objector, and argued with pen and tongue until his theory established itself. Ho believed thoso people who were naturally reticent were the very people who possessed the best qualifications for this work. The speaker referred to iho marvellous results achieved by Honry Drummond in talking about Chiist. It was a fact that the best ministers fejt that public sppech did not discharge their duties. They needed also personal intercourse. The work, however, required special qualifications. It needed character, and to be able to walk blamelessly before God and man was essential . An absence of , dogmatism, an acquaintance with modern modes of thought, and the I*trend1 * trend of scientific opinion, were essential to success. But perhaps tho greatest requisite was a devotion to tho Saviour, and a great love of man for his sako. "Love," he said, *'i» tho world's greatest teacher. It perceives by instinct what to say and what to leave unsaid." This was tho path his comrades should follow. No work they could do would be more effective