Bible Class Rally

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 133, 8 June 1935, Page 6

Bible Class Rally

MEMORABLE EVENING AT ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

St. Andrew’s Church was tho scene of a very successful rally on Weduosday evening, when over 200 Bible class members gathered from far and near. The following centres were represented: Eactihi, Marton, Feilding, Bulls, Palmerston North outfields, Tokomaru, Levin, Woodvillc, Dannevirke, Ballance, Bahiatua, as tvell as St. Andrew’s and St. David’s, Palmerston North.

After doing justice to an excellent tea in tho Memorial hall, those present separated into different groups, tho majority attending an opening devotional meeting conducted by Rev. J. H. Starnes, of Dannevirke, while representatives of each class met to discuss district business. The main featuro of tho programme was tho servico in the church conducted by Dr. Hunter, Professor of Old Testament History at Knox Theological Hall. The subject of his address was “The Awakening of the Soul,” tho text being from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 14: “Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” The speaker dealt with the desirability of a gradual unspoiled spiritual awakening iu youth. For those, however, who had strayed from the light thero rvas a chance of a new beginning. Even when men had sinned themselves down to the depths, God eoukl restore them. To arouse these God used sometimes tho awakening power of a sudden disaster, sometimes memories of childhood. Tho right attitude for all awakened souls was that expressed in the words of the hymn, “Just as I am, without ono plea . ... O Lamb of God, I come.”

After the servico tho young people returned to the Memorial hall whero supper was served, followed by tho roll call and votes of thanks to the hosts. Finally, the evening was brought to a close with vespers led by Dr. lan Fraser, of Levin. An opportunity was taken to honour the young men’s district secretary, Mr. J. D. Sargent, who had recently been married, and to welcome Mrs. Sargent. Presentations wero made to them by the combined district committees and by St. Andrew’s junior Y.M.8.C., of which Miss Sargent is the leader.