THEOLOGICAL HALL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 3

THEOLOGICAL HALL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING At the annual meeting of the Theological Hall Students' Association the executive submitted the following report for the year ended August 14. Ten .committee meetings were held. They were well attended and harmoniously conducted. Owing to the pressure of Hebrew and general studies and the lack of enthusiasm regarding evening addresses, only three general meetings were held during the year. The attendance at these meetings was fairly good, especially when Dr Findlay addressed the union.

Two special general meetings were held to discuss important matters relating to the welfare of the students. The session opened with 10 first year, 17 second year, and seven third year men, making a total of 34. The executive regretted that Basil Dowling found it necessary to leave to continue his studies at Westminster College, Cambridge. The usual welcome social to new men in the hall and in the university was held in the lodge at the invitation of Dr and Mrs Merrington. It was an exceedingly happy evening, and a good beginning to the new session.

The executive was perturbed to receive an invitation to a social evening given by the Theological Hall Committee. Its fears were groundless, no church history questions were asked, and it was found that the members of the committee were interested and friendly. The annual retreat was held in the B.C. camp at Tirohanga, on the third week-end in June. Twenty hall men and one University divinity student were present. A very profitable week-end was spent. The Rev. J. M. M'Kenzie, of Oamaru, was the speaker, his subjects being: "Our Relation to Our Task as Ministers," "Problems of the Minister's Lifework," " The Place of Evangelism in the Ministry," and "The Oxford Group Movement." Papers were given by lan Dixon, "A Student's Conception of the Ministry," and Harold Turner, "Religion and Morality." The executive stressed the importance of the annual retreat in the life of the hall, and urged all men to endeavour to attend next year. The daily chapel service was held at 10.45 a.m. and was moderately well attended. The Friday morning chapel was continued and was of great help to those who had taken advantage of it. It was felt that this early chapel is a vital factor in the life of the hall, and that greater support was desirable. A farewell service was held on September 27, 1935, and was conducted by the Rev. D. C. Herron. His remarks were brief and to the point. The annual dinner was held this year at the Cafe Vedic. It was a successful function, a record number of 50 being present. The executive was delighted to welcome back Dr Salmond after his marriage. The "College wedding ceremony" was conducted with dignity and feeling on the entrance steps. To Mrs Salmond best wishes were offered, with the hope that she would have a very happy time in Dunedin. The thoughts of members went with Dr Dickie on his journey to Scotland. The executive congratu- ' lated him on his appointment to the Gunning lectureship, and was delighted that such an honour had been bestowed upon one whom it loved and revered.

The report was adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr S. C. Read; vice-president, Mr J. S. Somerville; secretary, Mr O. T. Baragwarath; committee, Messrs R. W. Brown and J. Freeman.