CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Evening Star, Issue 26030, 19 February 1947, Page 8

CHURCHES OF CHRIST

HALF-YEARLY CONFERENCE The half-yearly, conference of the j Associated Churches of Christ in Otago •vvas held on Saturday last in the North-east'.Valley Church. After the opening devotions a welcome' to''the delegates and members was extended by Bro.-W. .Brown. Following a period set aside for the discussion'.'of business connected - with ciiurch'activities, an address was given by the Dominion youth director, Bro. A. E. White. “ Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever thing are honest, whatsoever . things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Quoting a verse from the fourth chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. Mr White drew attention to the fact that, whereas “endure” should >. be the keynote of the Christian life, to-day constant trial sometimes caused Christians to compromise for a little while. When this happened the first thing to be sacrificed was truth. Supporting this contention, _ Mr White spoke rtf the problems being faced in the wasted areas of Europe, where children through the long years of German occupation had been taught that it was a desirable thing to lie to, steal from, and cheat the Nazis, so that eventually a great victory might be won. Now, when parents and teachers were endeavouring to train them in truthful ways, the children of Dr Jekvll were showing the features of Mr'Hvde. “ There is too big a gap between our talking and our doing in many matters,” he said, reminding his hearers that, while we are exhorted to think on all things true, honest, just, pure, and lovely, we should also note that Paul’s letter continues; “Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me,

do.’’ We need to both “ think ” and “ do.”

During the afternoon a vocal solo was given by Mrs Coulter, of St. Andrew Street Church.

The evening session was of an inspirational nature, the speaker. Mr L. E. Jones, centring his talk around the verse. “ This is the victory that overeometh the world, even our faith.” A duet was sung by Mrs Beadle and Miss Benjamin, of North-east Valley.