ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14950, 25 March 1912, Page 4

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Y.M.C.A.

The Sunday programme in connection with the Y.M.C.A. commenced at three p.m., when the general secretary conducted a Bible study class on the life of Christ. At four p.m. the men's meeting was held in the social room, when Mr. F. G. Ewington delivered his second address, his subject being "Man's Conflict and Victory." The speaker proceeded to describe the world's industrial unrest, and'to show how much of it was a- result of men ignoring or fighting against God's laws. At the conclusion of the address, Mr. Ewington ;>adc an earnest appeal to his audienco to take the Heavenly Father into account. The chairman announced that the Hon. Geo. Fowlds would be the speaker .on the following Sunday. Mr. 11. F. Green was soloist for .the meeting. The social tea followed, and was presided over by Mr. W. Campbell. Strangers were present from Falkirk, Birmingham, Essex, and from the surrounding districts. A number of these gave greetings. Various matters were discussed, and the secretary announced that a camp would be held at IJotorua during Easter week.

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. A large congregation of seamen attended evensong at the Seamen's Institute. The missionor, Mr. Arthur P. Gowie, conducted the service. A choir of young people assisted. The usual service was held at the Sailors' Home Mission Hall. Albert-street, last evening. The Rev. H. Young delivered an address, and the. audience of firemen and seamen listened very attentively. Sacred solos were rendered by Mr. Beswick and Miss Foster. CENTRAL .MISSION. Special thanksgiving services were "held in connection with the Central Mission yesterday, to celebrate the closing of the mission year. The morning service, held at 11 a.m. in the Albert-street Hall, partook largely of the nature of a " testi.mony " meeting, a great number of members and friends taking part, after which a short address was given by the superintendent, Mr. Bissett, on "Two Wonderful Beginnings." In His Majesty's Theatre, at 6.45 o'clock, a short song service was held, followed by a "praise service," at seven p.«i., presided over by the superintendent. Mr. Bissett spoke on "The Glorious Jubilee," the service being of an inspiring nature. Special music was rendered by choir and orchestra*, also solos by Miss Hunt and Mr. H. Blakely. At both services special thank-offerings were received on behalf of the mission funds.

THEOSOPHY. In the Chamber of Commerce Hall, under the auspices of the H.P.B. Lodge, Miss H. Home, of Punedin, lectured on " Psychism, Spirituality, Mysticism, and Occultism." The speaker explained that psychism was the manifestation of the powers of the soul in the matter of the three lower planes or worlds of human evolution, and that spirituality was the conscious realisation of the One Life animating all. The two could be quite distinct, but in a highly-developed man both •would be unfolded. "Mysticism and occultism were the names of the two methods of unfolding the spiritual nature. By introducing the study of the various schools of mysticism into the ordinary school curriculum, it would soon awaken the spirit of religion in the land, stimulate national ideals, and encourage the practice of cultivation of virtue, thus bringing the various demonstrations into a closer unity, and without interfering with the teachings of any. At the Auckland Theosophical Society's rooms, Weliesley-street, Mrs. Helen Pybus lectured to a largo audience on "The Saviours of the World." The lecturer said that all mankind were the saviours of each other, because so many looked up to others to teach them, and upon the quality of that teaching depended so much of the result. Under the fair skies of prosperity this was not so apparent, but 4*l darkness and storm ii was more fell.