The Otristian Endeavor Movement.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 26 April 1895, Page 6

The Otristian Endeavor Movement.

-^. A EALLY AT WAIKAKA VALLEY. Between tho time when a lad or lass gets " too big " to any longer attend Sundayschool, and when they reach mV.ure a^e, aud are nuybe induced to throw their lot heartily into religious worfc— and maybe not — there is between these two stages a hiatus, to bridge over which many effortß in the past have beon made, but in no cine •with , much success. The latest " innovation " in this direction is the Christian Endeavor Society, which primarily id intended for the young man or woman just entering on "life's stern duties," in spiritual matters. This movement, which originated nob so many yearß ago in the Old Country, has es--1 tended all over the Eugliah-epeakmg world with wondarful rapidity, A notwork of 1 Christian Endeavor branches has spread all over this colony, and in our own im mediate neighborhood there exist a number of flourishing societies. It is claimad by those , *>who are qualified to judge, that the purpose for which the Christian Endeavor movement ' was called into existence baa been abundantly . fulfilled j tbat the youth and maiden who , in a gathering of experienced Christian . speakers of mature age would, through a , pardonable diffidence, hesitate to speak or ; take any other promineut part in spiritual work, his in tho r.evv organisation more encouragement given him or her to bring into play whatever latent powers they may , possess for promoting spiritual work. That being so, tbe Christian Endeavor organisation deserves a hearty practical sympathy from the Church generally. A " rally " of Christian Endea?orer3 took place last Tueaday evening, at Waikaka 1 Valley, iv the local church, when about 30 : members, inoludinsr representatives from the 1 Waikaka Valley, Knapdalo, Tapanui, Gore Wesleyan, and Wyndhara societies attended. 1 The " rally " wn promoted by the Waikaka , Valley society, whose President (Bey.(Joo i< ge Milkr) took the chair. The gathering was > a great succees, and those participating 1 derived an amount of profit from it. The following programme of short addresses was gone through : — Mr J. Scott, Knapdale : 2 Cor., vi, 14-17 — " Be ye not unequally yoked' together with unbelievers " Mr J. C. Trrner, Gore : James i, 22 -«' Be ye doers of the word, and nofc hearers only. 1 Mr Gh Allan, Wyndham : 1 Cor., xv, 58— "Ba ye steadfa3t, unmoveable, always abounding iv the work of the Lord ." Mr A'lam Spoden, Koapdala : A paper on "Cariutiau Work," the text beiog taken from James i, 22. Migs McLay, Waikaka Valley : 2 Cor., vi, 14*1 7—" Be ye not unequally yoked togethor with unbeiiovors." Mr 1). Giberfc, Gore ; Eph., v, 1—" Bo ye therefore followers of God, asdeav children." Migs Ferguson, Wyndham : "Ba yo aho ready." Mr Alox. Byara, Knapdalo : « Bo in perfect readiness." Rev. Mr Begg, Tapanui: Col. iii., 15 — '•Bo ye thankful." Miss Shepherd, G-oro : Matt, v, 48— "Be ye also perfect." Mr Irvine, Wyncihain : " B 9 ye reconciled to God." Mr — -, Tapauui : Eph, v, 1~" Be ye followers of God ." M ißs Wjlaon, Knapdale : " Bo ye saved." Tho meeting closed with all singing the parting hymn, •' God be with you till we meofc aguin." During the evening vooal items wore randored wi h much acceptance by Mosars James Boyne (Gore) nnd G. Allan (Wyndham). The visitors were hojpitably entertained before and after the gathering by their Waikaka Valley friends.