BIBLE CLASS UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 8

BIBLE CLASS UNION.

PRESBYTERIAN. The annual Easter camp and conference of the Young Men's Bible Class Union and Institute of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has proved satisfactory in every respect. Fortunately, the weather has been favourable, though not warm. On Friday evening Mr Alexander reached the camp about half-past 10, and singing was engaged in until past 11 o'clock. Mir Alexander gave an address on personal work and Bible Class work generally, 'and at the close of the meeting a number of young men testified that his remarks that evening had helped them wonderfully. The camp was astir about 6 a.m. on Saturday. After breakfast a devotional meeting was held, Mr Barton, travelling secretary, being the leader. His subject was "The Triumphant Christ." The annual meeting commenced at 9 o'clock. Mr J. S. Butler, president of the union, occupied the chair. The report on the work of the Missions Department was presented by the Missions Committee (Wellington), and raised a keen discussion in which several suggestions were made respecting the best way to increase the subscriptions to home and foreign missions. The report showed that while the contributions had been increased substantially several classes had not subscribed. The card system was considered to be the best method for reminding classes that it is " moro blessed to give than to receive." A ma«s meeting was also held, Mr A. E. Cree, leader of Knox Class, Christchureh, being in the chair. The subject for discussion was " Leadership Training," introduced by Mr W. Gordon, Napier, who read an interesting paper. The annual election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr T. C. Brasch (Lower Hutt, Wellington) j vice-presidents—Messrs A. E. Cree (Christchureh), and - J. Hitt (Wellington); secretary, Mr J. S. Martin (Wellington), re-elected. At the sports meeting in the afternoon there was a very large attendance of the publio interested in Bible classes. The members of the Dunedin Young Women's Bible Classes provided afternoon tea, which was much appreciated. The events of the afternoon resulted as under: — 100yds (junior)—Town row (Caversham), 1; Parker (St. John's, Lyttelton), 2; Murray (St. David's, Christchureh) 3. 100yds (open)—Johnson (St. John's, Wellington), 1; Glass (St. James's, Auckland), 2; Coombe (St. Jaimes's, Auckand). High Jump (junior)—Stevenson (Knox, Dunedin), 1; Murray (St. John's, Lyttelton), 2; Bell (Knox, Dunedin), 3. High Jump (open)—Bennett (Temuka), 1; Jolly (St. Paul's*, Chrietdhurch), 2; Boyes (Nelson), 3. Mile (junior)—Townrow (Caversham), 1; Parker (St. John's, Lyttelton), 2; Thomas (Trinity, Timaru), 3. » Milo (open)—Johnson (St. John's, Welington), 1; Rcid (gt. John's, Lyttelton), 2; Mabey (Lower Hutt], 3. . Putting the Weight—Bennett (Temuka), 1: Johnson (St. John's, Wellington), 2; Mabey (Lower Hutt), 3. 440yds (open)—Benntett (Temuka). 1; Johnson (St. John's, Wellington), 2; Mabey (Lower Hutt), 3. Long Jump (junior)—Ritchie (Palmerston), 1; Parker (St, John's Lyttelton), 2; Murray (St. John's, Wellington), 3 lx>ng Jump (open)—Bennett (Temuka) 1; Johnson (St. John's, Wellington), 2; Parker (St. John's, Lyttelton), 3. Three Milo (open)—Reu'd (St. John's, Lyttelton), 1; Ross (St. John's, Wellington), 2; R. Thomas (Trinity. Timaru), 3 The swimming events, which came off at St. Clair in the morning, resulted a 3 follow : 50 Yards John's (Lyttelton) 1, Auckland 2, St. John's (Wellington) 3. 50 Yards (junior)—St. John's (Lyttelton) 1 and 2, Caversham 3. The total points gained by the competitors were:—St. John's (Lyttelton), 34 ; St. John's (Wellington), 23 J Temuka, 20; Caversham, 11 J St. James's (Auckland), 8; Kno> (Dunedin), 6; Palmerston South, 5. It is worthy of note that the Temuka score was gained by one man St. John's (Lyttelton), therefore, holds fh championship banner for the ensuing year, last year it was held by St. John's (Wellington). Tea was served nt 6 o'clock and subsequently the presentation of the championship banner took place, Mr Butler (president of the union) handing it to Mr Benjamin, who received it on bohalf of the Lyttelton t e am. As leader of St. John's (Wellington), Mr Butler said it was evident that the winners had put in a good deal of truining __ The next Easter camp was be hold' at Napier, and St. John's (Wellington) would then make an attempt to regain the banner. He was pleased to see it going from one class to another, because such a thing tended to foster a real union spirit.—(Applause.) Another pleasing function then took place in the presentation to Mr Jupp, late travelling secretary, of half-a-dozen hand-jtbmely-bound volumes on Biblical subjects. Mr Butler, in making the presentation, hoped that, though Mr Jupp had practically severed his connection with the union as

travelling secretary, he would still continue to be a member of the camp. They would always look up to him as one of their oldest Bible class members. . Mr Jupp, who was cordially welcomed, briefly replied, and on the conclusion of his remarks luety cheers were given for him, followed by the singing of " For he's a jolly good fellow." Some of the members of the Bible Classes' Union Camp at Tahun-a went away by the north express on. Monday morning, and others journeyed southwards in the evening, leaving about 100 men in camp. Owing to the absence of a number of the ncrth men the cricket match. North Island v. South Island, was not played. The Association football match, Dunedin v All-Comers, was a draw, each side scoring 2 goals. Abo'H half-past 7 °n Monday morning, after early breakfast, the campers proceeded to Onslow House in a body and serenaded Mr Alexander, of the ChapmanAlexander mission. Later in the day, Mr Alexander visited the camp, and had his photo taken with she delegates. Subsequently, ho gave a talk on general work in connection with Bible Classes. At tea the closing ceremonies of the camp took place, numerous toasts being honoured. " The Otago District Committee " was coupled with the names of Messrs J. Farquharson (St. Andrews), and Messrs F. M'lvor and J. H. Gear (Caversham). Reference was made to the excellent way in which theso gentlemen had carried out the preparations for th© camp. " The Ministers" was also proposed, and was replied to by the Revs. JR. Fairmaid, J. Kilpatrick, and H. Barton. Mr L. A. Taylor, of the Auckland District Committee, proposed the toast of " The Ladies," coupled wih the name of Mrs Thompson, who has had charge of the catering arrangements for the camp. Messrs Wootton and Coombs replied on behalf of Mrs Thompson. On Monday night there was a camp concert. A number of the members departed by the 9 p.m. train for Christchureh, and camp was struck on Tuesday morning. BAPTIST. The Baptist Bible Class camp at Bushey, near Palmerston was most successful. The spot chosen was an ideal one, and the weather excellent. The Rev. A. North is present as representative of the 'Baptist Union of New Zealand. At the business meeting on Friday morning two classes, those at Invcrcargill and Mosgiel, were affiliated to the union. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr H. S. Goring, of Christchureh ; vice-presidents—Messrs Babcock and Hiddleeton (Christchureh); secretary and treasurer, Mr P. M. Velvim (St. Albans); members of committee —Messrs J. A. Valentine, P. C. Wmgfield, T. Hilliker, F. W. Horner, and R. N. Gray. Greetings were sent to the North Island Baptist camp, the Presbyterian camp in Duned'n, and the Mlethodist camp, Christchureh ; also a message of sympathy to Mr John Simon, who has been seriously ill. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr R M'Kenzie, who so kindly allowed the camp to be pitched on his property; to Mr M'Leod, for the use of a field, and to the Rev. W. Hay, for a trophy to encourage classes to increase their membership during 1912-13. There was keen competition for the silver cup presented by Mr R. L. Price to encourage members to become proficient in the are of public speaking. The judges ultimately awarded most points to Mr H. 8. Goring, Mr A. Mazengarb being placed second, and Mr E. Staiith third.. Numbers made good use of their time by exploring the surrounding .district, climbing to tho M'Kenzie Cairn, playing cricket, and competing in the sports competitions. Service was held at the Bible Class Union camp at Bushey on Sunday, 7th inst., and was conducted b.y Mr A. S. Adams. The model Bible lesson given by Mr J. A. Valentine, 8.A., was much appreciated, the subject being taken from John i, 1-18. In the evening 50 men marched from Bushey to the Palmerston Town Ball, where about 350 people participated in tho service, Mr Goring and Mr J. A. Valentine being the speakers. On Monday. Sports and Visitors' Day, about 200 people were entertained nt the camp, and the marquee was well filled when tne presentation of prizes took place. Immediately afterwards the men began to take a reluctant departure, after an enjoyable and profitable holiday. METHODIST. The annual camp in connection with the New Zealand Methodist Bible Class Union has been held at the Pilgrim's Corner, in the Christchureh Domain. The camp was a record one as far as numbers go, about 200 men being under canvas, in Thursday evening the visitors were formally welcomed by the Rev. A. M'Bean, the camp captain. Special services were held on Friday morning, and at 2 p.m. the annual meeting of the New Zealand Bible Class Union was held,

tho president, the Rev. A. B. Chappell, of Feilding, presiding. The report of the New Zealajnd and District Unions were distinctly encouraging, solid progress being recorded almost everywhere. Various remits were dealt with, and a revised constitution adopted. The location of next year's camp was fixed for Wanganui. At 6 p.m. the campers paraded to Durham Street Church, where they were the guests at tea of the Young Women's Bible Class Union, at present holding convention there. At 7.30 p.m. a combined meeting was held in the Church. Saturday was Visitors' Day at tho camp, when the New Zealand championship athletio banner was competed for on the Polo Ground. The Young Women's Convention was the guests of the campers at tea, and in the evening a camp concert was held, when the prizes were presented and the competitive speeches were made.