OTAGO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' CHRISTIAN UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12759, 4 September 1903, Page 7

OTAGO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' CHRISTIAN UNION.

The Christian Union of tho University Presbyterian Theological Hall, Selwyn College, and Training College, held a united meeting on Wednesday evening in the chemistry room of the University to say farewell to tho Rev. W. Mawson, M.A., and to hear his last message. Tho meeting was a solemn and impressive one, which will not soon be forgotten. For seven year 9 Mr Mawson has been actively engaged in union work. He was one of tho " loundation members" of the union, and right through ho lias been one of the chief influences in tlio lifo of tho society. Slucb of its suocess is duo to his thoughtful and sustained interest in all its affairs, and in its members and officers. When tho Student Volunteer Band was started ho became a. member, and now that lie is about to set out to the work for which he has been preparing tho unions feel they cro losing the presence of la wise counsellor, an active worker, and a true friend. Tho sense of loss is keen, but at the samo time tho unions aro proud of the prospect of having so good a representative in tho mission field, and the prayer of many a heart is that tho Master who gave tho call, and with it tho will and tho opportunity to go, may make him conscious moment by moment of His presence, which is the Hssuranco of all blessing. Tho meeting took the usual form of union meetings. When Mr Mawson rose to give his address ho was received in the heartiest student fashion. He said it was with mingled feelings that lio ro&o to speak to his fellow students lor what might bo tho last time. Tlio college had had a large part in tho recent years of'his life, and he could not part with it without some feeling. Strong ties were formed at tho Alma llater; friendships wcro formed here moro than elsewhere. He had taken a share in all the University flife, and he was sure the things that would livo longest in memory were those of the social life. The personalities of the professors would remain. Tho Debating Society, tho Students' Association, and the union had cacli had a great formativo influeuco 011 his lite. Those who had been associated with him hero as students were now scattered to the four winds—some in Christian lands and somo' in heathen. Tho timo was near when he, too, hoped to set out to work in the foreign mission field, and a question naturally, suggested itself to all who know him and to himself—namely," Why have theso others gono into missionary work, and why am.l going?" He thought the answer lay in the claims of mission work 011 students. In recent years missionary enterprise had grown to an enormous extent, and more missionaries wero being sent out now than ever before. Tho best minds were now engaged on this question, and thoso include university students of America, Britain, tho Continent, and Australasia. Each of these countries had sent its sharo of students, and they at present found an over-increasing number of the best of students giving money ond time and thought to the work of evangelisation of the world. Tlio history of missions showed that this was an enterprise that had touched the best of students of all ages. This was indisputable while they had such examples at Paul, Duff, Scliofield, H. ITarfyn, and Gilmour, of Mongolia, Tho best men wero occupied with the questions of this work, the best men were needed to do tho work, and the best men were constantly going out to do it. Hie speaker went 011 to give a few of tho many reasons why this work was attraoting world-wide attention. It was said that the only solution of the Chineso question was the Christianisation of China. Missionaries had done moro for India than any other influence. Ho went on to show the supreme importance of Christianity, and that every man needed knowledge of Christ; and therefore students wero seating to bring it to overj man. Missions had now become a science, and had special claims on students, becauso the work was difficult. Tlio college nndthe university could not furnish too much ability or too much culture. It must not bo understood, however, that he placed intellectual equipment before spiritual qualifications. The latter were essential. Tlio speaker went on to show that the opening up of heathen countries—China, for example—to tlio influences of Wostern civilisation had an important bearing on mission work. God placed beforo them tho need of workers, but compelled 110 ono to enter on the work. Love constrained, but there was 110 compulsion. God wanted volunteers with willing hearts. Difficulties would bo mot with; but. the difficulties were as nothing, compared with tho privilege of publishing the Gospel among the heathen. This was a privilege many might envy. As Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, so the speaker hoped none of thoso present would be disobedient, but that, finding tho path God had propared, each would do his utmost for the evangelisation of the world, whether they should spend their lives in Christian or in heathen lands.