THE CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1867, 11 March 1913, Page 2

THE CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

SONG-SERVtCE AND ADDRESS. AN EMOTIONAL GATHERING. The huge tent in which the Chap-man-Alexander mission is being conducted in Cliristchurch was again crowded to overflowing (says Saturday's Lyttelton Times). The early part of the service was occupied by singing and prayer. Dr. Chapman read the first seven verses from the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark. Before praying, he read requests for prayer. One was for a young woman, who '' understood the way,'' but "would not surrender."

"Here is one for a young lad that he may be persuaded to come to the meetings,"said Dr. Chapman. "Here is one for a husband and father, another for an old man, who has concern for his soul; another from one sister for her unconverted sister. Here is one for a young man, who is giving way to drink and gambling. Pray for a son who was once a Christian. A mother requests prayers for her son, who has drifted from God. Another requests prayers for her son, who is dying and thinks God has dealt hardly with him." The hymn "Full Surrender" was sung. Mr Alexander sang first, then the choir and then all. When the chorus was finished, the first verse was sung by Mrs Harkness. Referring to the offerings, Dr. Chapman stated that for tne past two nights he thought they were the smallest that had vet been received in the dominion for the size of the ftudieuce, He asked that they should give treble what they had given the previous nights. The preacher, in the course of his address, stated that there was thousands of people in Christchurch whose names were once on the church books, but who now had drifted. To-day a tear might move them, a word even. The one to whom lie specially gave his message was he who had lost his power, he who had left the Church. His,, message was to them "And Peter." Any man who had ever Known Jesus Christ and wandered knew this to be ; true, that he had lost his power and I had lost his joy "And Peter. " The huge congregation was intense in its earnestness. A woman stood up, and in voice broken but distinct cried: "I will come back! I will come back!" There was sobbing and weeping from all parts of the tent, and when the preacher said "Put up your hands all who will come back," there were hands held up from many places. Prayer was then offered for those who would "come back," and after an interval of silent communion, Mr Alexander conducted the choir and congregation in song.