RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 21073, 9 April 1932, Page 4

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

[By Forward.]

“ Is your leadership of youth a great adventure? Is there daring in it? Is there purpose? Is there vision? Is there hope? Do you permit your work to become commonplace? Or, are you Jed on by the vision of the ought-to-be in the lives of the young people, whq think of you as leader?” I PRESBYTERIAN MEN’S BIBLE CLASSES. PERMANENT CAMP SITE. On Easter Saturday Camp Tirohanga was dedicated to the service of the Master of Youth. Tirohanga, the place of far vision, commands a glorious outlook over the 1 widespreading Taieri Plains, whose fertile fields and golden crops challenge a cultivation oij character and a wider vision of life. Camping.—The very word arouses all the thrill of the out of doors, the smell of tho woods, the magic of the campfire, the challenge of the mountains,; the mystery of the night. The upward trail develops resource, patience, hardihood, and adaptability. Far beyond the reaches of the railway track or the motor highway mountain majesty calls youth to develop both limb and character, to share those experiences out of which the man of the right metal emerges with fresh courage to face his work in the world. Do you fear the force of the wind, The slash of the rain? Go face them, and fight them, Be savage again. Go hungry and cold like the wolf* Go wado like the crane. The palms of your hands will thicken. The skin of your forehead tan— You’ll be ragged and swarthy and weary, But you’ll walk like a man. But to the boy in the years of ap* preaching manhood, whose world is a. gradually unfolding one, a camp with some permanence of organisation and equipment is essential to his comfort and control. Experience is the basis oij learning. In such a camp boys experience together such manner of thought and action as yield the greatest harvests of satisfaction. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is a worldwide movement to provide boyhood with suitable rendezvous in God’s oat of doors, where programmes of play, competitive sports, swimming, tramping, interesting studies, discussions, and heart-to-heart fellowship give outlet and direction for the explosive power of developing manhood, Tho world needs_ as never before youth who dare to think their own thoughts, stand on their own feet, and take charge of their own lives.

For a generation past Christian youth movements of the dominion have provided camping experience for upwards of 1,000 annually, and certain pioneers,notably the Y.M.C.A. and the Presbyterian Bible classes of Auckland, hav® purchased permanent sites, thereby gaining increased comfort, reduced cost, and facility of arrangement and control. Further, these camp sites and their environs become sacred. Happy memories and noble ideals of other days, cultivated with care, have grown: into traditions invaluable as inspiration for tbe camper of the future. And so, with a small bank balance and an abundance of faith and hope, the Otago Presbyterian young men’s Bible classes instituted a search for a permanent site. A survey of possibilities within thirty miles of Dunedin revealed th« desirability of an eight-acre block situated at North Taieri, four miles front Mosgiel and Outram, on rising ground and fronting the bush-clad Chain Hills,An. ample jnaying area separated from the domestic quarters by a creek which traverses the site,. and beautiful nativ® bush provide unending entertainment,while further afield, Outram Glen, Le® Stream, over the Chain Ridge to tha Taieri River, or along to the Taioinal viaduct are typical of the tramps available. Already to these natural advantages have been added a bathing pool, and a substantial kitchen and storehouse, the first instalment of permanent buildings, which will include a nail to seat 150 and hutments. Expert advice is being taken in regard to tha layout of Tirohanga, which it is hoped to develop into the city’s most beautiful situation for picniciug or camp-» ing. The service of dedication was held on Easter Saturday at 2.30, when a large and representative gathering, including almost 100 pioneer campers, collected round the colours at Camp Tirohanga. After worship had been conducted by Mr R. H. Gardner (president), Revs.: 11. R. Adair, 8.D., and G. H. Jupp, Mr Farquharson delivered an address on ‘The Meaning and Purpose of Camp.’ The act of dedication was then performed by the Rev. Professor Collie, M.A., in tne following words To the honour and glory or God, our Father, in Whom we live and move and have our being; and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Whose life is the light of men; and to the Holy Spirit, our helper, Who guides us into all truth, we dedicate this camp. To the development of a healthy, vigorous body which is the temple of the Spirit and in which we are called to glorify God, our. Maker; and to th® promotion of wholesome recreation which gives zest and joy to human ate,; we dedicate this camp. . To the making of life-long friendships and to the enrichment of heart-to-heart? fellowship, we dedicate this camp. To the teaching of the Bible which! is the Word of God and the only revelation of Jesus as. the Christ; and to the study and discussion of living issues which find expression in personal relationships, social righteousness, economio justice, and world-wide brotherhood, we dedicate this camp. To the realisation of the purpose and ideals of the Young Men’s Bible Class Union of our church, and to the advancement of the Kingdom of God among the youth of New Zealand, wa dedicate this camp, (In unison.) Therefore. O God of Youth, with the dedication of this camp to Thee, we pledge our faith that here, in play, in fellowship, in study, in. worship, in service, and in personal devotion, we will ever seek to do whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, we will think on these things. To this high end. we dedicate both our camp and ourselves.