STUDENTS’ MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 9

STUDENTS’ MISSION

MEETINGS AT INVERCARGILL During the past week considerable interest was aroused in Invercargill by a campaign of witness and evangelism, which was conducted in three city churches by some 25 students, the majority being members and ex-members of the Evangelical Union at Otago University. These included representatives of the faculties of medicine, dentistry, law, science, arts, engineering, and agriculture. Meetings were conducted simultaneously by three teams working in the central, north, and south parts of the city in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, North Invercargill Baptist Church, and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church respectively. The leader of the campaign was the Rev. M. G. Milmine, M.A., who was also leader of the St. : Paul’s team. The other leaders were Mr E. W. Lewis, A.11.C.A. (North Invercargill) and Mir K. Murray Fountain (St. Andrew’s). Meetings were held on Sundays, May 22 and 29, at 11 a.ni. and 6.30 p.m., and on each night during the week, excepting Saturday, at 7.30 p.m. The methods of publicity employed included newspaper advertisement, posters, on trams, and street hoardings, but undoubtedly the most effective mode was the house-to-house visitation, which afforded that touch of sincerity which distinguishes a personal from a general invitation. The main theme was ‘ Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life,’ and the series of addresses, the same at each centre, was a progressive elaboration of this theme. Sometimes the full address was given by one member, while on other occasions three members spoke briefly in turn. Extensive use was also made of the short, pointed testimonies of members. The tide of interest rose steadily throughout the week until an aggregate week-night attendance of 400 was reached, while on the final Sunday evening it is estimated that 1,500 people heard the message of the students, several of whom supplied additional pulpits in and around Invercargill. A striking feature of the campaign was its appeal to youth. Several meetings were held in conjunction with the Crusader Unions at the High Schools and Technical School, and also with the Nurses’ Christian Union at Kew Hospital. Then on the final Sunday afternoon 500 young people assembled in First Church for a United Youth Rally, which was addressed by Mr Murray Fountain, who took as his subject ‘ Life’s Choice.’ Brief though the time was at the disposal of the missioners, it was nevertheless felt that much was accomplished. A dozen or more young people will trace to this week their first experience of Christ as the Way, the Truth, the Life. Many more, both young and old, will trace to the same source a quickening of their zeal, as they have been brought to realise the driving force of

a vital Christian experience. Finally 25 students will trace to this week the discovery that their faith, hitherto to some extent a theoretical business, is essentially practical, and that, their campaign slogan—Life, abounding, overflowing, everlasting, free —is on© which now fairly describes their own experience.