YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17321, 22 May 1918, Page 10

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

LECTURE BY THE REV. R. S. GRAY. An interesting and instructive theological lecture on "The Deity of Christ" was given b" tho Rev. li. S. lirav in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night. The lecture room was comfortably filled by an earnest and appreciative audience. ■ The lecturer handled what is a rather difficult problem in a concise and lucid manner, and withal brought much study and scholarly knowledge to bear upon his theme. After cleaning away certain confusions of thought, which he said existed, on phases of the subject, Mr Gray emphasised tho necessity for recognition both of the absolute humanity and the deity of Jesus. He considered the statements of tho New Testament writers on tho subject, which he contended were quite evidently true expressions of the thought of tho writers, and of the impressions made on them by tho Saviour's teaching on this question. Mr Gray dealt with Christ's own statements about Himself, with the views held by the - Apostles, and tho way in which they arrived at their conclusions, pointing out tho references to His pre-existenoe, His power to forgivo sins, and His authority as the arbitrator of man's final destiny. Tho growth and achievements of Christianity were used as a strong argument for the substantiation of Christ's claims, and' tho lecturer concluded by earnestly urging the tremendous obligations which rested on all who called Him Lord to demonstrate the fact of His power and lordship. The lecture occupied about an hour's time., after which another hour was spent by individuals asking a large number ot questions raised in tho course of the lecture and! which Mr Gray answered carefully'. His disoourso was so much appreciated that he was persuaded to continue it next Tuesday evening. Mr J. Farquharson was in the chair.