GENERAL NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16963, 27 March 1917, Page 7

GENERAL NEWS

The Second Division League is meeting with continued success throughout tho dominion. The local executive, is constantly receiving queries from and reports of branches being formed in all parts of tho country. On Friday night, at Oamaru, Mr W. F. Abel, representing the parent branch in Dunedin, ' addressed a public meeting presided over by the Mayor (Mr \V. 11. Frith). Great enthusiasm was shown, and at the conclusion the greater proportion of tho 150 people present became members. A strong local executive was formed, and a large membership is expected. The "Workers' Educational Association's tutorial cla»« in history will open its second year's course in tho University to-night. Old and new members will be welcome. The fee is only a nominal one, and tho importance of a knowledge of history is being- more and moro recognised. The monthly meeting of the Moray Place School Committee was held last evening. Tho head master reported tho number on the roll to be 331 (180 boys and 151 girls), and that the attendance had been slightly; affected by the prevalence of colds among 'the children. Tho Visiting Committee reported that it had found tho children settling- cheerily down to the work of the year; also, that the schoolrooms and grounds were well kept, and everything in perfect order. It was decided to hold tho next meeting on Monday. April 16. Accounts amounting to £10 4s 6d were passed for payment.

Harvest thanksgiving services were held in Chalmers Church last Sunday, and wore attended by # large congregations, that in the evening being particularly good. Members and friends Lad generously supplied an abundance of fruit and produce to be used for decorations and afterwards sent to the orphanage. A band of workers, under the direction of Mr B. J. M'Arthur, tastefully arranged the- gifts in the front of the church and down the aisles, giving a realistic atmospheres to the services. Appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev. E. Adams, the morning text being, "I will rain bread from heaven for you," and the evening, " Givo us this day our daily bread," while the sermonetto for the children was based on the words, "The fruit of our lips." At both services suitable hymns wore sung by the congregation, and tho. choir rendered special harvest anthems.

In tho HighelifF School on Friday the residents of Highcliff and Tomahawk held their harvest home, the proceeds of which were devoted to patriotic purposes. A thoroughly enjoyable programme was submitted by Miss J. M'Kenzio (piano solo), Messrs D. J. Robertson, J. Nash, and J Luke (songs), Masters Rowe, ' M'Dowellj and M'Donuld (exhibition of club-swinging). Those who did not indulge in dancing" enjoyed a game of cards. The young men of the district were conspicuouslv absent — few who are eligible being left—but their places were taken by married men who attended to assist the good cause. The hall was tastefully decorated. The secretary of the Otago Bible Society requests us to state that the soldiers' Testaments which are £o bo presented to tho men of this and. subsequent drafts at tho send-offs are being donated by the Bible Society, which has already distributed hundreds of these Testaments to our soldiers through other channels. Ohaplain-major Gray has kindly consented to arrange with the officiating chaplains for the distribution of these Testaments. They are published by the National Bible Society of Scotland, and include the metrical psalms, etc. The local society has had printed as insets a commendatory message and a "Prayer for Soldiers," both from the pen of tho late Lord Roberts.

The sixteenth anniversary services in connection with the North-East Vall?v Baptist Church were held on Sunday, when there were good attendances. The Rev. S. Morris took a double text for the morning service Haggai ii, 7 and Zachariah iv, 6. The pastor showed that in all great crises of men and nations, God always provided sufficient light guidance, and men .for tho varied need of the hour. In Israel there was a Moses for tho vei-y birth of the nation, a Samuel for tho transition stage, a David to lay tho foundation of tho nation's prosperity and welfare, a Solomon to consolidate, and, later on, an Isaiah to warn it of impending doom God's work must go forward God's promise of old was redeemed by His presence, with His people, and if they would have faith enough to trust Him in their weakness, in spite of all their calamities, there would bo peace in Jerusalem. Appropriate anthems were well rendered by the choir during th© day, the soloist for tho evening being Miss T. Cliff. The evening theme was based on Numbers x, 29, "Come with us and wo will do thoo good," the invitation given by Moses to Hobab. All were urged to leave tho desert and wilderness of sin and " Come with us and wo will do theo good"