YOUTH OF CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10565, 19 April 1928, Page 5

YOUTH OF CHURCH.

AND BIBLE CLASS- MOVEMENT. SUGGESTIONS AND CRITICISM. MJC3-S SHANNON’S ADDRESS. Some very interesting criticisms ot and suggestions regarding Bible class and other Avork among the youth oi the Church were- given to the Hawke’s Bay Rresbvtery yesterday by" Miss ,M. Shannon, travelling, secretary of the Young Women’s Bible Class' organisation. Miss Shannon is a daughter- of the late - Epa". Mr. Shannon, Avho held the Martnyhero charge for seme fn - e years, and is A'erv Avell-knoAvn throughout Povert" Bay. In introducing Miss Shannon, the Moderator, the Rev.'D 1 . J. SliaAV. complimented her on the fine Avork she Avas- doing, and stated that .tlie memory of her father was a delight fill one. while -his Avork locally musi be very well remembered. Miss Shannon, in her opening remarks, expressed the pleasure slif felt at returning" to this district, for it- brought hack memories of her fivi years’ sojourn at MntaAvhero and the happy times enjoyed there bv hers el! and. her father whom, she felt, Avar with them that day. Hawke’s Bay, continued Mis: Shannon, had not too good a name in the past for its support of the Bible class movement. Recently, liowever, there had been a great improA-e----merit in this' direction and now the prospects in this district, had improved vastly. During her visits around the district, she had encountered many- promising classes xvhich had encouraged her immensely in the work. The enthusiasm and keenness among the class members Avas unbounded, hut there Avas distinct/ scope for better leadership. The leaders. .were .deeply in earnest, hut they did not have sufficient grip and thni was a had defect. Good leadership was the life and'soul of the Avork and in this respect, ministers could be oi AA'onderful assistance to the classes. From her experience, the best plan appeared to he to form a district committee, AA'hic.h would comprise about 1.5 representatives from both the young men’s and young women ;S classes. A chairman from the mmistrv could be appointed and he must he one AA-ho Avas thoroughly in touch and in entire sympathy with the great work. Doubts had -been expressed about the feasibility' of affiliation betAveen the two sections of the classes', but, for her part, she had no doubts, whatsoever. 'Much of the success of Bible classes. Avent. on Miss Shannon, depended on the co-operation of ministers whom she urged to give all possible assistance. ' The least they could do, she averted, AA-as to take the class leaders for a. short time each week and go, over the subject for the following Sunday. . Regarding the Avork among tlie younger church followers, they hod now arrangements in hand for a ucav syllabus Avhich ivould he a vast improvement on previous ones. The “Bishop of -Hawke’s Bay” had also consented to write occasional reviews for the “Outlook” and those would be of great assistance in keeping up the interest of the young folk. Miss Shannon also made a special appeal on behalf of the missionary clubs which- deserved . every support. One of the -most important matters for them attention was the giving dt hoys and girls opportunities for helping in the work of the church. Among Bible class members the ignorance oi .missionary work v-as appalling and itwas of 'extreme .importance that this veil, should he lifted. :< The Moderator expressed the deepesfc thanks of the meeting to IVIiR’S Shannon for her highly illumin.atmg address. Miss Shannon had excellent 'opportunities of looking into the voting people’s Avork and her advice "on ,the matter was invaluable. She was particularly fitted for tlie AvorJt, too for she had that penetrative type , of mind which .went right to the heart of anything). . ~ ~ Bev. -J. Aslier, m moving that- the Pre-shvterv record their, appreciat ion of Miss Shannon’s visit, expressed himself as entirely concurring AVith the Moderator’s remarks. The church was most fortunate stq /have; such a capable worker a®. Mit®• Shannon whq was doing splendid service, and ho c strongly agreed, wiilt i>n■ j . - isuP'cestions .-she had - expressed oi rtf ado.- . . • ■ ■ ;

"The clerk (Rev. F. W. 11 chert son) remarked that, during her father's illness Miss Shannon had carried on services at Matawhero for some months. ~ ' . .. • '■‘‘j The resolution of appreciation iviii theh carried with' acclamation, and Miss Shannon with dre w l . ;