GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION BLUE RIBBON ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7649, 28 May 1886, Page 6

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION BLUE RIBBON ARMY.

In connection with Mr. W. Noble's visit to Auckland a convention of Christian and temperance workers and others was held yesterday at the Tabernaole. There was a good attendance at the morning meeting, which commenced at ten o'clock, the Rev. D. Worboys (President) occupying th& chair. Among others present were, the Revs. A. J. Smith (Primitive Methodist), J. Robertson (Congregationalist), T. Spurgeon (Baptist) Jones (Welsh), Dunn (Presbyterian), Hill, and others. After devctional exercises, and a few prefatory remarks by the chairman, the Rev. H. Bull read a paper on " The Work of the Holy Spirit " Tracing the influence of the Holy Ghost as narrated in Old and New Testament history, he described it as possessing the greatest of all power, far beyond that of wealth or intellect. With it the uccultured Christian had greater and wider influence than the cultured man who had it not. He prayed that all their brethren might be endowed with that mighty power. Mrs. Phelps, the Rev. Mr. Carr, and other gentlemen and ladies took part in the discus* sion which followed the reading of the paper. The Rev. J, S. Hill also read an able paper on "Bible Study," upon which there was a well-sustained discussion. At the afternoon meeting, at half-past two, the Rev. Mr. Worboys again presided, and, after devotional exercises, Mr. Noble gave an address on "Aggressive Temperance Work," enlarging on the great need of personal effort and personal contact with the people whom they wished to influence. " The Gospel Temperance Mission" was established for these objects : the salvation of the soul, the salvation of the drunkard from his cups, and also the moderate drinker. In sketching the work of the Blue Ribbon Army, he gave % graphic description of labour in the slums of London, in the vicinity of Hoxton Hall, and, with many illustrative stories of events which came within his own experience, urged the first importance of religion by those who donned the blue ribbon. In response to his invitation to discussion, the Rev. Mr. Hamer urged the need of more home missionary effort in Auckland, and expressing faith in the approach of a better time now that the word "Gospel" was prefixed to temperance work. Mr. Trotter, an old friend of Mr. Noble in Hoxton, said they must all put their shoulders to the wheel in helping on the work and influencing everyone when it came within their power. Mr. S. Parker and the Rev. J. S. Hill also spoke. Mr. Baker (Wellington) alluded to Mr. Noble's coming visit to that city, and asked all present to make it as well known as they could to any friends they might have in Auckland. The Rev. Mr. Monro asked if Mr. Noble could suggest a method by which they could reach the thirty thousand out of forty thousand who did not attend a place of worship in Auokland? The Rev. Mr. Bavin and Mrs. Phelps also related experience of their work, and Mr. Noble, in concluding, said the way to bring in those they wished to reach was to go to them, and suggested they should form a practical organisation for that purpose. In the evening a meeting was held in tho auditorium of the Tabernacle. Mr. Noble presided, and there were present on the platform the Revs. T. Spurgeon, Macnicol, Miller, Robertson, Worboys, Hills, Jones, Bavin, and Bull, Mr. Trotter (London), and the Hon. G. G. Waldgrave (London). There was a large attendance. After the singing of a hymn, the Chairman invited soripture quotatfons containing the word "Love," and the request was readily responded to by many among the audience, During the praise and prayer service which followed, addresses of an evangelistic character were delivered by tho chairman, the Rev. R. C. Macnicol, the Rev. Mr. Robertson, the Hon. (i. G. Waldgrave, and the Rev. T. Spurgeon.