RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21627, 23 April 1932, Page 3

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

By Amplius.

“There is only one influence that converts, and that is the example of a life which is shot through and through with the glory and strength of the Spirit ol Christ.”—H. K. L. Sheppard. YOUNG WOMEN’S PRESBYTERIAN BIBLE CLASS CAMP. “ It is my joy in life to find At every turning of the road, A strong arm of a comrade kind To help me onward with my load. And, since 1 have no gold to give. And only love can make amends, My only prayer is, while I live, God make me worthy of my friends. The greater part of. our everyday life is spent in making friends. Life would not be worth living if we had no friends to encourage and help us, and whom we, in may serve. We know that he was a wise man who said: “Without a friend, thou can’st not live well; but it Jesus be not above all thy friends, thou art indeed desolate.” Camp is a splendid opportunity for making new friends, renewing old friendships, and deepening present friendships. Above all, it is an opportunity to realise what the friendship of Jesus Christ can be, and to hear more of His love and goodness. This, and more, is what the Easter camp at Waikouaiti gave to me. ~ „ ~ , As a representative from the Methodist Bible Class camp, I had before me the task of getting to know 90 Presbyterian campers. It was a big task for live days, but it turned out to be such a joyful one that it was wonderfully easy. Miss Maclie ami the girls did not treat me as an ugly duckling?’ but as one of the family. 1 felt as happy to be under the wing of the camp mother, with such a lot of happy comrades, as did any other camper. We had great times together in our worship, study, and play. Every part of the programme was attended by great appreciation and enjoyment. Uur recreation periods were catered for by a visit to the beach, a picnic at Beach Street, and a basket ball tournament. Needless to say, the tournament caused most excitement and fun, and the cheers. were loud and long when Room 1 carried oil the honours and their captain was presented with a silver cup. They won it by good, hard play, and well deserved the trophy. The camp concert also caused much merriment, and was enjoyed by all, both visitors and campers. A good deal of extra recreation was partaken of on the roads between tjic school building and the local Sunday School Hall, where we had our meals. It was amazing how swiftly some of the campers covered the distance! Camp Mother was good to us all. She was inspired by the wish to bring us up in the way we should go. This was not a difficult task, for her family, though large, was well-behaved. Their needs were many and varied, though, and Camp Mother was much move kind and thoughtful than the ‘‘ old woman who lived in the shoe.' She allowed us plenty to eat, and helped us all to have a very happy time. Me were not sent to bed until we had completed a good day’s programme and enjoyed it to the full. Another very important person at camp was Nurse Robertson, from China. She told xis lots about the Chinese people, and inspired us with a greater love toward them and a greater desire to help them to a fuller Ijfe as followers of Jesus. It was also splendid to meet two members of the Training Institute, who are preparing for full-time Christian service. They contributed a lot to tlu?Worth of the camp. When talking about personalities, it would not do to leave out the members of the house, management, and catering Committees. By their thoughtfulness and good work they niade camp a joyous place to live in. The camp theme, “ The Vision Sends Me Forth: Looking Unto Jesus,” was earned out in the whole programme. Even as we examined each other’s “.labels, we were reminded of it, for each group had writtten on their name tags a virtue that is part of the character of Jesus and a motto to interpret that virtue. When nil virtues and mottoes were put together we had a picture of the perfection of the character and personality of Jesus. Every day began with a time of worship, when we stood on the Mount of Vision and saw something more of the love of j Jesus and its challenge to us at Eastertide. . ■ The study circle subject was By Faith.” We studied the lives of men who Intel seen the Vision of God’s purpose for them, and who, in faith, followed that vision over hard and rough places, through long, weary days, until they fulfilled their part of the work of bringing men .into closer fellowship with their Heavenly Father. Their task was often beyond their strength, but still they kept on, believing in God’s power to strengthen and uphold them. We, too, can follow our vision; and do our work for the Kingdom of God, looking unto Jesus for guidance and help. In our Vesper services, every evening, we meditated on the courage, loyalty, and love of Jesus; on His relationship to ns ns our Saviour. Companion and Friend, leading us to His challenge to each of us to live a life of love, and companionship and service, looking unto Him. While every meeting was splendid, two stand out as memorable ones. The title of our Friday evening meeting was “ Two Rich Men Led by the Vision,” and this took the form of a dramatic presentation of tlie story of Nieodennis and Joseph of Aramithea, who, from being “ secret disciples,” were led to become unashamed followers of the despised and crucified Christ. Throughout, there was a fine worshipful atmosphere, and, as the various girls reverently, simply, and tellingly portrayed their parts, we felt the spiritual uplift and help of it all. Truly, as the Rev. Mr Potts said of this, ou the Sunday: “We came away feeling that we had had a definite spiritual experience, and were the better for it,” The last study in our book was “Faith’s Supreme Example--Jesus Christ,” and on Monday evening, by the help of beautifully coloured lantern slides, hymns, and interpretations of the pictures, we were enabled to see Jesus, in His work of healing, teaching, saving, and to realise anew something of His great love for each of ns. One outstanding feature of this, and of all the meetings, was (he very fine singing by the girls, while Miss Poppy Christie’s solos were truly magnificent. This report would not be complete without recording our appreciation of the fine address, given by the minister, the Rev. T. Wilson Potts, one the Sunday night, on the theme, “ Obedience to the Vision,” an! for all his helpfulness during onr stay. To him and to the Waikouaiti friends our thanks are duo for helping to make this camp such an outstanding one. Camp life gives a joy that is deep and lasting, an inspiration that lifts ii.T‘out of the mists into a sphere of wider vision and greater service. Wo have come back to our everyday life after this sojourn on the mountain-top, with a firmer faith, a greater courage, a deeper conviction that life is worth living, and a greater desire to serve and follow the Master, Whom we love and trust. Our hearts are alive to the beauty of life, and to the glory of love, and we face our to-morrows with our heads held high, always looking upward. 0 Spirit of Youth, this is your day! Yours to build with courage all undaunted, That new world that is the Dominion of God. Your eyes be keen to catch the vision, Your feet be set to walk the forward way, Each day set forth upon the Great Adventure. In the strength of Christ, Who is the Light, the Way.