THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2802, 27 November 1907, Page 40

THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

THE RECENT V.M.C.A. CAMPAIGN. The Dunedin Young Men's Christian Association, in conjunction with kindred associations throughout the Dominion, held a special thanksgiving service at its rooms, Moray place, on Sunday afternoon, to commemorate the success of the recent forward movement, which has resulted in nearly £50,000 being raised for building purposes. Towards this total sum nearly £16,000 has been received in cash payments, or has been promised,' in Dunedin. When the campaign closed in Dunedin on September 13, the sum of £14,800 had been promised or 6«nt in towards a total sum of £17,000 aimed at, and on the night of the closing £200 additional was promised, which brought the amount up to £15,000, and since that period an additional amount, approximating to £1000, has been promised or received. When the sum of £17,000 was aimed at, the resolution setting out the object, and passed on January 30, 1907, contained the proviso that if a site for the proposed building for this oity was presented to the aesociation, the sum proposed to be raised would be reduced proportionately. At Sunday's meeting in Dunedin Mr M'Farlane, the retiring secretary, who embarb for America by £he^ Mokoia on Tuesday, presided, and the attendance, which was not large when the service commenced, increased a3 it went on. The Rev. C. H. Laws, i^who was present by invitation, said the hand of God was distinctly visible 'n the great movement which had been recently made by the V.M.C.A. in Dunedin and elsewhere in the Dominion. There had been good organisation and earnest work by those who planned the raising of funds'j but the suggestion for the movement in the ftret instance come from God — the greet hand of tho Great Father was in all good work. At the conclusion of the address the usual strangers' tea was served, at which Mr M'Farlane presided for the last time prior to his departure.