NEW ZEALAND C.E. UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8538, 19 March 1908, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND C.E. UNION.

A large and representative gathering of young people connected _ with the Rangitikei-Manawatu Christian Endeavour Union assembled at the Congregational Church last Tuesday evening to welcome the Rev. J. T. Pinfold, President of the New Zealand C.E. Union, who has for the past few months been engaged visiting the different C.E. Unions of New Zealand. The Rev. F. McDonald occupied the chair. After the opening exercises the secretary .was asked to call the roll, when a large number of town and suburban Society: members rose and responded to the call-of their respective Societies. Greetings were.also received fr.onj those Societies thai were unable to be present. Without delay the president was called upon to address the meeting, and as he rose to speak ho was given the usual C.E. welcome. The reverend gentleman gave a short account of his recent visits to the various Unions, this one being his last before returning to resume his pastoral work at Rangiora. He went on to urge Endeavourers to be earnest about their_ Christian work, to be as sincere and energetic as they are in matters purely secular. Ho also pointed out the advantages arising from the wearing of the C.E. badge and the good occasioned thereby. He felt sorry that so few were accustomed to wear the mono"-ram. which indicated one common brotherhood. It was the' privilege of the speaker to visit the Clutha bociety a short time ago and, present them with the banner for the greatest increase in members for the past twelve months, and hoped that next year he would have the pleasure of coming to Palmerston North and presenting tho banner to this Union. He then gave a statement of the numerical force, of the great C.E. movement, stating that there were over four million endeavourers in the -world, and over 9000 in our own Dominion. The Rev. Pinfold concluded his remarks -by again urging the members to *o active and earnest and try in the coming year to double their members. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker for his encouraging and instructive address. ' The meeting was brought to a close by singing the wol - known hymn. "Onward, Christian Soldiers." and the Benediction having been pronounced, the visiting Socie'ties adjourned to the schoofroom, where refreshments wore handed round.