BIBLE CLASS WORK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 229, 27 August 1932, Page 2

BIBLE CLASS WORK

METHODIST UNION’S RALLY. A Bible Class rally was held in tho Cuba Street Methodist Church last evening, when Rev. A. N. Scotter, 8.A., presided over a good attendance. The meeting was addressed by Rev. J. 1). Grocott, travelling organiser for the New Zealand Methodist Young Men’s Bible Class Movement. Apologies for absence were received from Rev. F. Copeland, president of the Manawatu Union, Rev. J. D. McArthur, Messrs A. J. McLeavey (St. Paul’s), Feildon (Woodville). Tho classes represented included Woodville, Aslihurst, Cuba Street and St. Paul’s. After the opening hymn Rev. H. Jeffreys (Dannevirke) led in prayer. Rev. Grocott, in the course of an invigorating address, pointed out the challenge of the Christian faith, the necessity of having a very definite vision and not frittering time away on trivial things. It was a challenge to go out into tho world as practical men, he said. Every Bible class man must have that spirit in life which the poet had expressed in the words, “I shall not cease from mental strife.” There are some people who took the attitude that Christianity was an insurance ticket. “If we have that idea, we are sadly missing the mark, we are missing the big challenge. Christ came not only, to to save individuals, but also to regenerate society, and it is there that we can find our missionary work in life. Others give their labours overseas, but we have a job to do.” Mr Grocott went on to say that a very important stage had been reached in Bible class life in New Zealand. The movement had grown in the Methodist Church during tho last 30 years and there were now 2400 in the men’s movement and over 3000 in the women’s, tho total membership lieing over 6000. There were over 30.000 Bible class members in all the different churches. It was good to become conscious of tho strength of tho movement and to be proud of it, but not to be satisfied with it. Although tire movement was a strong one it was only touching ono man in every eight. Mr Grocott said he was convinced that 50 per cent, of the youth outside of Bible class influence woro honest, sincere, straightforward young men and if they were approached in the right manner would respond. The work of approaching these young people was not a job to be loft to the “parson” but it was the duty of each Bible class member. These men could be brought in, not by approaching them in a little and Pharisaical way, hut first by taking Christ into the life and then in the big and manly way. “Because we are already, strong we are not to stop thero, the challenge is one that will test the strength to the utmost.” Somo people would say that there was no need to bother, but thero was tho very urgent necessity of getting to work in the world. It was the duty of the Christian to share what good he had received with others. U H© is a traitor who sleeps on his watch as well as ho who goes over to the enemy.” In a city the size of Palmerston North there should he Bible class members numbering hundreds. Hundreds of men who should and could be touched by a vital Bible class life. The Church was a body with many members and the Bible class was one of those members. If one member was not functioning properly then, all would suffer. *lhe church is depending upon your strong and loyal support. If you are not prepared to do _ your part for the church you are failing in your Bible class obligatino. The Church is the strongest organisation in the world. When it is alive and ready to stand by its principles then those who are not living righteously have cause to fear. We should ho proud that we are members of this* Christian church.” Mr Grocott closed his address by exhorting his audience to a stronger and more sustained effort in the bringing about tho Kingdom, and cal!1ing tlio gathering to remember the Bible class motto, “The Utmost for the Highest.” . , An interesting discussion followed the address, after which supper was partaken of in the schoolroom.