CHURCH SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 12624, 2 October 1905, Page 8

CHURCH SERVICES

The -weekly Gospel temperance meeting held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Albany street, veslerdav evening was conducted by Mrs Don, assisted by Mrs Stead, of Victoria. During the course of her address Mrs Don said that in her many years of experience in visitation, both in Hie homes of the poor and in the gaol, die was sure that threefourths of tho crime and poverty in cur City van due directly to excess in drink, and she urged all present to do their utmost to remove temptation from tho way of the weak. Mrs Stead is a recant arrival from Victoria, and although it was her first appearance on a platform in New Zealand, she succeeded in creating a most favorable impression. She has a dear method of enunciation, a good command of language, and by apt illustration sbo carried home the argument that it was the Christian’s duty to seed at all times and in all circumstances. As far as the temperance movement was concerned, there could to no doubt as to whether it was the Temperance people or the Liquor party who were sowing the good seed. A number of tho members of the Dnndas street’ Primitive Methodist Choir led the singing. Miss Davis playing the accompaniments. The united Gospel meeting held in the North-east Valley Hall last evening was well attended. Mr J. Reid presided, and a number of addresses were given. Tho revival of deep interest in religions Hfe in different parts of the world has come in some degree to the North-east Valley, and many, it is said, have already been brought into the “ light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” and are rejoicing now in that fact. Unfortunately this week the Valley Hall is engaged, but the Y.M.C.A. will continue the meetings in the Valley Baptist Church.

'Hie third meeting of a series of Gospel temjierance meetings . Kras held hist night in tho Baptist Schoolroom, Main South road, yesterday evening, when there was an excellent attendance. Mr J. Wright occupied the chair, and in the course of his opening remarks referred to a section of ihe Christian Church who would never vote Xo-License until 'they had sustained some personal damage from tihe ravages of strong drink. Mr Harold Herons, the speaker for the evening, remarked that while conducting a mission at Port Chalmers recently he found that No-license bad helped considerably to facilitate tho work. The temperance of the Bible ho believed to be total abstinence, and the only way to prevent drunkenness was to wipe out the drink, traffic. His definition of a drunkard wasanyone who was bound by the bad habit of drinking, and in this connection he quoted Sir Frederick Treves. Mr Hercus then combated the statement that the re-mov-al of temptation would result in moral llabbiness, and concluded by likening the efforts to reform the drink traffic to a man playing a tin whistle to charm a boa constrictor. Thu Cargill road Wesleyan choir rendered two anthems during the evening, and Bliss Firkins contributed a solo. Thmeeting closed with a vote of thanks to all who bad assisted to make it a success, and tho Benedition was pronounced.