SUNDAY CIRCLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15986, 31 January 1914, Page 7

SUNDAY CIRCLE.

THE QUIET HOUR. Devotional Reading : Isaiah lxii. Versofl for Meditation: 6 ami 7. " I have sot watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day not- night: ye that arc the Lord's remembrancers, take ye no rest and give Him no rest till He establish, and till Ho make Jerusalem a praise in tho earth." Wero Christ to preach among us to-day He would certainly not talk in general terms, audi say to everyone: " Givo away everything you have"; but there are thousands among us to whom Ho would so speak, and that there i« scarcely anyone who feels compelled to apply these sayings of tho Gospel to himself is a fact that ought to mako us suspicious. Thero can be no doubt that Jesus demanded selfdenial and self-renunciation to a much greater extent than we like to think.—Adolf Harthack.

One hears of the mechanical equivalent of heat. What we now need to discover in the social realm is the moral equivalent of war; something heroic that will speak to men as universally as war does, and yet will bo asoompatiblo with tlieir spiritual selves as war haa proved itself to bo incompatible- I have often thought that in the old monkirih poverty worship, in spite of tho pedantry which irffested it, thero might be something like that moral equivalent of war which we are seeking. Mav not voluntarily accented povertv bo tho strenuous life" without tho need of orushing weaker pecrpks? I recommend this matter to your serious pondering, for it is certain tihat the prevalent fear of poverty among the educated classes is the _ worst moral disease from which our civilisat.on suffers.—William James.

Jerusalem has won its praise, Thy promise richly is fulfilled; Now for Thy Church in these our days Bring near, 0 God, what Thou hast willed Thy "watch and pray" sounds in our ear, The souls that win must heed that call; Unless that sign in us appear ' The Church of Christ moves to its fall. Give watchmen \vho3e keen eyes will scan The hidden sins that hinder power, Whose voices clcar will name and ban AH loveless ways that thwart and lower. Give them glad eyes aglow with hope, That in thick night behold Ihy morn; That, while dim souk in darkness grope, Know that e'en now new day is born. Give to Thy Church the fervent prayer That wrcetles in an agony; ~ That, taught by love, can all things d'are, And till Thou bless us hold to Thee. Come, Saviour, cleanse from secret stain The hearts that yearn to make lliee King; Then o'er the earth shall come Thy reign And all men songs of joy shall sing. THE Y.M.C.A. IN 1914. LORD KINNAIRD'S MESSAGE.

Lord Kinnaird's New Year message to the members of the Young Men's Christian Association in London was based on the appropriate text, " Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life ' (I Timothy, vi. 12). The Y.M.C.A. (says the Life of Faith) has long been fortunate in having Lord Kinnaird as president, for he is the type of man—manly and strong—to appeal to yonng men, and, besides, he has shown that prowess. on the athletic field need not be incompatible with devotion and loyalty to Jesus Christ. It is a fine, vigorous note that runs through'this New Year's addreas. Pointing out that the promise of the Lord is "to him that overcometh," not " to him that is popular or takes things easily," ho remarks that " the fight, even in this twentieth oentury, is against tremendous odds. Temptation was never more powerful or more insidious than it is to-day. Sin and indifference, vice and ignorance, wero never more aggressive." And, therefore, he goes on to say that " every member of the Y.M.C.A. throughout the world is callcd i to take his place in the fighting lint, to play his part m the great battle of life to make Jesus .King over the hearts and lives of men., To stand aside wpuld bo treachery, for is not this the time of all times in the history of the Christian Church and of its ally—the Young Men's Christian Association?" Every maji must conquer or bo conquered, and 'so he urges upon all the members of the association to " put on the whole armour of God," and to fight in His name, 'l'he whole message is most inspiriting. ■ Coming to deal more in detail with the work of the Y.M.C.A., Lord Kinnaird ijays that many of the associations during the past year have had to fight foe life. While it has never been 'an easy thing to run a Y.M.C.A. successfully, he considers that the task has in some respects become increasingly difficult. But looking at the world-wide mission of the Y.M.C.A., "the past year has .been one of unexampled association progress in the United States; also in Canada and throughout the British dominions, whilst in missionary lands the Y.M.C.A. has greatly strengthened Its position. In Chin.v and Korea thoro are no fewer than iO2 associations, with 10,400 members, possessing three 1 up-to-date buildings, and worked by 122 general secretaries. In Japan there are 72 associations, with 7614 members, 23 buildings, and 15 secretaries. In India and Ceylon, 158 associations, with 11,430 members and 61 secretaries. In South America, 13 associations, with 4471 members and •18 secretaries. Throughout the world the Y.M.C.A. is now represented at 8584 centres, with- ISOO buildings avpied and occupied bv the association, and 4426 salaried officers, whilst for the first time the total membership exceeds ope million. We can thank God for £§e selfsacrificing work of our 11 representatives in the foreign field, and pray that in this day of opportunitv men and money may be forthcoming, so that in the near future, instead of 11, we .may have at least 100 trained secretaries in the foreigri field supported by our home associations. The Y.M.C.A.'s of North America have set us a noble example in this direction, and their present contribution in secretaries working in missionary lands is no less than 151. The Far East is the battle ground of the association movement to-day, and there, too, we are called in the name of our Divine Master to ' fight the good fight.'" This is, indeed, an excellent record, which goes far to prove the worth of the movement and its influence in the religious world.

GENERAL BRAMWELL BOOTH.

WELCOME HOME FROM AMERICA.

The Central Hall fit Westminster ia the latest argument for English Methodism; Lufc it is also becoming the rendezvous of Christendom. On a Monday evening of last December a great crowd that filled every part of the handsome building met to weleoms the general of the Salvation Army on h's reborn home from CanwJs. and America. General Booth was loudly cheered on rls<ng to speak. He saluted, and waved his hand, and bowed, but still tho cheering went cn. His opening words were roodeet and since/e. " I am very grateful to see you again." He spoke for nearly an hour, and although he laboured somewhat, he interested the vaet audience. Ho reminds one who heard him at times of Dr Mover in his style of speech. Indeed, some of nis words sound exactly like tie Baptist preacher. Ho said that f>e had been greatly impressed with the love and revexence expressed everywhere for hU father. Sis name and character exerted an irmrensc influence, and his memory still inspires the hearts of men. With trembling voice the General spoke about " Jay dear old fatier." Speaking first of Canada, the General sstd he was impressed with the greatn«as of the country, with its wealth, with ita BTmwusucca, its thought, its comparative comfort, «bund*tnce. «f Nature, and wiiJi its afe>a»f?«acQ of opportunity. He not f»fl tfl be imprMised with tho happiness of the pe«pte as a whole. It gave him great pleasure to see how appreciated -was me irork of the Salvatrßn Army in CanadaTV™ was a grr&t abewsnce oljWiythfng like jealousy i« the churches. Tjere was a general appreciation of tho officers and of fnerr werk. Indeed, he had received more words of appreciation in a few days than he had recefred in ath-er plaees in as many ream A nrost notable meettng was held m Tomrfce. with orsr SCOO soldiers present, and there was a moving response from thcae Ealrertianisfa. Nine yefting men came ferwmrd art the close and offered ■fehemsefves *s »ite#ra for China .and the Far R*et. Soeh m**s esnvtaoxi the Gsb£t«l #»at fhe B*lv*ts«B Arwy_ is alwfcrtaH s*c»d in its hnwr life, and in its Wth in G«d. After leaving C«m*U. tho Gmeral erweod fche border to the United St**e«. Tike W million* of people rwprnwd him greatly. F*k<?y were wealthy, productive, full if orerwhplminj; enerry, ami wutoJ of a roiphty collection of w«W-poo«l». In one of his me«Hnfc» in Chwafo tnera yrrr* 11 jsah'onaliHes prcnent, and at the yenitmit form afterward# no f«nr«r than effht nationalities wer« repr—nited—wfcieh fuct led the General to cry—" What a union fha m ere v-scat is I"

RELIGIOUS READING FOR THE HOME.

THE CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER CAMPAIGN. I—THE GLASGOW MISSION. iJY D]{ J. WILBTJIt CHArMAN. November 30, 1913, will ever bo a remarkable; clay in the spiritual life of ('l o - 3 ' gow. It. was Decision Day in the Sunday schools. Four hundred Sunday school superintendents entered into a covenant to make this a day when the young people should bo asked to stand for Christ, and to ?ntcr into a covenant with Him to confess Him, serve Him, and follow Him. Reports have thus far been received from Ices than 200 schools, and these reports declare that 4784 young people on that one day alone made their decision. This work was directed by the superintendents and the teachers of the schools, in many cases under the direction of the pastors themselves. We are told that 1200 or 1300 more young people reached their decision that day, but there were no cards at hand for the recording of their names, so that it is true that on one day alone more than 6000 young people took a stand for Christ. I am not prepared to say that these were all definite and clear conversions, but I am confident that if Scotch young people are anything- like American young people, it must have ir.eant much to them to take the slightest stand, and all the reports sent to Us by the superintendents indicate that In their judgment the work was extremely thorough. I do not know how many people have passed through the inquiry room in the mission as a whole, I have purposely avoided asking. This number will proba.bly 1»3 given out later by the committee, but the harvest has been abundant, and the reapers arc filled with joy., I am afraid to make too much of numbers yet. I think we have a Divine precedent for giving some of the results of a mission in figures when we remember that the Spirit of God did not hesitate to make rccord of the thousands converted on the Day of Pentecost and the days following. The personal work in Glasgow has been done by the General Committee and special committees. Many of the workers are the fruit of Mr Moody's missions. I have not, in all my life, seen better work done than by these consecrated followers of Christ. I have an intense longing to see Scotland moved for God. I have always felt 'that a wave of blessing here would be felt in all parts of the Christian world, and I believe it to-day more than ever.

LI—THE EDINBURGH MISSION.

OUTLINE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.

Stimulated to still greater effort and expectation by the marvellous awakening and ingathering twing experienced in Glasgow, the committee lor the comiug visit to Edinburgh oi Dr Chapman and Mr Alexander have done much recently to perfect thoir arrangements. The executive announced that the mission would begin on January 16 with an afternoon meeting for ministers, ond a gre.it evening gathering of office-bearers and all Christian workers in tho well-known United Free Assembly Hall. With the ixceptibn of district evening meetings to be held in the various churches during the first days of the mission, and possibly aieo towards the close of the mission, the campaign will take the form of afternoon and evening meetings at 3 o'clock and o o'clock respectively, part of the time in the Assembly liall and part in " The Olympia," tho iatter a great building situated in Leitli walk, and cipablc of accommodating 3QOO people. In all probability all the alternoon meetings, including those on Sunday, will be hcid in the Assembly Hall, and the evening meetings from February 3 to March 4 (Saturdays excepted) in "The Olympia." The several Presbyteries and representatives of the smaller denominations have manifested the utmost sympathy and prayerful interest in the preparations, eiving all legible assistance in supplying the names of willing and reliable workers in the inquiry room, as stewards, and in the choir. No one is more enthusiastic in the movement than tho miuch-cstcemed oonvener of the committee, Sir Alexander Simpson; and the various general Christian organisations, such as Car rubbers' Close Mission, the Edinburgh Evangelistic Association, the Sabbath Morning Fellowship Union, and those associated with tho work of the "Monthly Visitor'.' Tract Society, etc., etc., are oordlally united in co-operating witli the executive of the General Committee. It may Confidently be said that not for many years has there prevailed in the city so lively and earnest an expectation of a. great time of widespread and lasting . spiritual blessing. Prayer for blessing is being offered in many of the churches and in the mission and other ' Prayer Circles." j FROM ALL SOURCES. A New Zealand correspondent writes to the Guardian in reference to tiie Bibio-:n : Schools campaign:—"Tho programme of the Bible-iu-bchools League has 'the combined support of the Church, the Preebyter;an and Method'st bodies, and also of the Salvation Army."

Dr John R. Mott is at present on tour on the Continent. At Vienna ho presided at a meeting of a special commission to consider and report on the student situation in Aifetrid-lluilgary and the Balkan States; and at Budapest he addressed an audience of the leaders of . the Hungarian Protestant Churches, on "What the Present Situation in the Far East means for the Churches of the West.'" Discussions have also taken place with regard to a conference for dealing with the question of missions to Jew, to be held probably in Cracow, in 1915.

An actress in London was nightly making mor6 than an ordinary exhib.tion of her person, when a bishop objected. An antagonist on the other side declared, in these words, that it was as legit.ino.te for a dramatist to suggest sexual emotion as for a bishop to (suggest religious emotion by his preaching; and he added that there was a voluptuous side to religious ccstacy and a relgious ?ido to voluptuous eoetacy. On this The Mahratta comments:—"Commonsense deprecates, ajid rightly deprecates, morbidly peffervid appeals to religion and religious ecsiacy, and it can similarly deprecate the erotic to voluptuous ccstacy."

Tho Times, in a weighty leading; article on the Ivikuyu controversy, aptiy ssaye:

"No doubt the Bishop ol Uganda would himself bo the first' to say that the united eerviCe of holy communion at the close of the Kikuyu Conference stands ouls:de trie arrangements for future mte-r-act.on and federation. Nevertheless, the fact that the Itfshop of Mombasa did • ofiiciate at such a ceiebration, in a. church belonging to the Established Kirk, ol Scotland, where missionaries of several denominations jo.iud with Churchmen in the highest act of Chr stian wors'h.p according to the order of the Anglican Prayer Book, is in :tself of h.g.i significance and of gracious promise. it serves to illustrate a common experience, that a proceeding which makes excellent Christian people at homo quake in their shoes, us though some misguided Uzznh had laid hands on the Ark of the Covenant and must needs be smitten for his,error, becomes a natural and almost instinctive action, when men are face to face with tho foroes of paganism out in tho high places of the field."

Canon Newbolt, preaching at St. Paul's Cathedral on a recent Sunday afternoon, said that St. John the Baptist stood at the threshold oE the Gospel as a figuro of warnin; and a figuro of protest. The Saint's life ■was a stern one: his message a severe one—" Repent, prepare, amend." And according it had been reserved for the frivolity of our times to drag h : s death into the travesties of a mus'c hall and as the srtHng for. a dance. Tt was an easy matter merely to protest. There had never been wanting cynics who had cronked with a. savapo pleisurG o*er the frivolous vartif'es of national decadence. It was but little Uflo tb rvjur contempt on evil* which they wer? neit.ner competent nor willing to cure. There were few of them who had not taken im the newspapers in recent times and said. ''What. are we corning to?" All things seemed moving, tossing around them in a vast chaos. Yvhit we reeded more than cnyfh'T"? e!s<? "was a public recofnr'tion of •God. tTrntn time to tim« the ouestion ws deh^d—TV> men snd women fro to church a* they used to do? Where neople used to trn to church one" *. Sunday as a cor>ec*sio.n to rvriv-iri'**T. did they not new seldom m at nil? WVre they used to go to eWr*h tw'CA d : d • they iwrtr once? .AUhoufh there wjs room for improrem-nt : t w»n tiptr"e. if th»-y took th» lenrfh and bn»sr<"th if Tlmrlan.d. s»t that people had «riven no to church.

EXTTrnTTrnrrfi TF*CTnr«i fhs.t nr,thins h so fir e-xtrrin*' poremral e'esr!' TirF« and t?)e he*'th b«arttT of the «fc.'n as VV\W POAf Th' 1 !. is irwwitest'ablr proved bT the •Tn»r'Tce of 120 y car* and the testimony of six generations r! celebrated beauties.