Christian Endeavour Holds Big Rally

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1939, Page 11

Christian Endeavour Holds Big Rally

More than 180 -young people gathered at the Presbyterian Church, Whangarei, on Thursday' night, for the annual rally of tiro Christian Endeavour movement. Cf these, 120 were members of tho movement from Maungaturoto, Portland and Maunu, as well as from Whangarei itself, the remaining numbers being made up of members of Christian youth organisations in the town itself.

Eariy in the evening, the gathering met at tea. and prior to a big service in tho church a parade was held through the business area, headed by' the Salvation Army Band.

The Rev. J. Sands, of Maungaturolo, occupied the chair Jfor tho evening. while an inspiring address was given to the young people by Mr A, Sutherland, 'president of the Auckland Bible Class Union, and treasurer of the Christian Endevauor movement. With, 4,000,000 members spread throughout the world, the Christian Endeavour movement is international and interdenominational. It embraces 120 States and countries, and 100 denominations. Purpose of Movement. The purpose of tho movement was outlined in his address by Mr Sutherland.

“The Bible Class movement in Now Zealand is unique. - ’ said the speak-

■Christian Endeavours cannot take the place of Bible classes, and does not profess to do so, but it does bring out the best in young people through its weekly fellowship meetings, “And Ho came down to make all things according to the pattern of the mount,” was the text of Mr Sutherland’s remarks.

These words, he said, had been spoken of Moses after he had been face to face with God. To 'accomplish anything for God, as in the material world, vision was necessary, and to

gain vision it was necessary to spend quiet times climbing to the Hill of God and learning His secrets.

inspiration of Calvary

Higher than Moses’ Mount of Sin'ar however, was that called Calvary,

Saul of Tarsus’ climbed this mount to learn the secret of how God could change the lives and hearts of men.

Among the names of others in later years who had received similar inspiration were William Carey, missionary in India, Livingstone, Raton (who went to the New Hebrides as a missionary) and Grenfell of Labrador. “We have no right to call ourselves Christian Endeavourers unless we have had deep soul' experience with Jesus Christ,” the speaker told his hearers. It was then incumbent upon, such Christians to translate that vision into everyday life and to something worth while. “Unless we have in yur hearts the vision and the message which will

change man, we cannot “make all things according to the pattern shown in the mount,” Mr Sutherland concluded.