Ideals of Oxford Group Movement

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 15

Ideals of Oxford Group Movement

WOMEN'S MEETING HELD. AlioiiC seventy ladies gathered for tea at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s last evening, tho party having been; orgahised by members of the Oxford Group Movement in order to introduce two of its membors, Miss Joan Buchanan, secretary to Mr Ivan Menzies, of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, and Miss M. Davidson, member of the chorus. At the conclusion of the evening meal the ladios repaired to the large room, where short addresses were given by the guests of honour. At the oytset, Miss Buchanan called for a show of hands and found that comparatively few of those present knew very : much about the Oxford Group Movement. Miss Buchanan then briefly traced its history. It was not an organisation, she said; it was not a new denomination, in fact, there was nothing newabout it —it was 1900 years old, but it was a new determination to lead a practical Christian life. The founders had realised it was no use sitting down under the conditions prevailing after the Great War —the only way to get at the world was to get at the individual, and to start with one’s self. The members of this group did not indulge in theories but in actual experi; once, and the four absolutes, love, unselfishness, purity and honesty, set the standard' of life—a standard set by Christ. Miss Buchanan claimed that making full surrender and living according to God’s plan brought the maximum of happiness.

Miss Davidson supported this testimony and told of her own experiences since joining the group, in overcoming fear and gaining stewardship of time. She gave an interesting account of the progress of the movement in Australia, where it has been taken up enthusiastically.