BIBLE CLASS CAMP

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 53

BIBLE CLASS CAMP

PRESBYTERIAN YOUNG MEN. At the invitation of the Otago District Committee, the seventeenth Easter Camp Conference- of the Presbyterian Young Mens Bible Class Union is being held in this centre, Mosgiel being chosen as the site for the gathering. Bv last evening some 350 delegates and other campers had registered, and the attendance therefore pro mises to be almost a record one. Those who have been arriving by each train since lnursday afternoon have been met by members of the local committee and conducted to the camp, which by courtesy of the Mosgiel School Committee is being held in the school building, the church building nearby being used for the meetings, and the Town Hall for meals. The camp is in charge of a Dunedin committee, of which Mr C. G. Wilcox is chairman, Mr T. Hogg treasurer and registrar, and Mr A. R. Chisholm secretary, but the conference is held under the direction of the Executive Council located in Wellington, and among the l-epresentativcs present are Mr H. C. South (president), Mr E. P. Hay (vice-president), and Mr Crawford (secretary). Business and) devotional meetings were hold yesterday morning, and in the afternoon the official opening took place, the visiting delegates and campers being welcomed by Mr Quelch (Mayor of Mostriel), the Moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery (the Kev. John Miller), and the Moderator-elect of the Presbyterian General Assembly (the Rev. W. Gray Dixon, M.A.). Mr A. G. Butcher also spoke, and the president delivered his address, after which the conference continued its session. Last evening a mass meeting was hold, at which nine returned soldier members, who on entering were greeted by a rousing cheer from the assembled delegates, occupied the platform, and under the chairmanship of Mr T. I. Steele (the travelling secretary)", one of their number dealt with the subject of "The Outlook of the Movement," a most instructive and enthusiastic discussion tak ing place. To-day is sports day, and the camp' will be thrown open to visitors in the afternoon. In the evening the usual camp concert will take place. The conference meeting will ■be continued to-morrow and on Monday, and the camp will conclude on Tuesday morning. On Saturday Eiternoon, at the Presbyterian Y.M.B.C. Camp at Mosgiel, visitors' day was observed and a hports contest held. There are now 324- members in camp out of a total registration of 383, which is within two of the record registration—that of the Auckland camp in 1915. The actual attendance at Mosgiel is also second to that of 1915. Representatives are present from all over the dominion, though the representation is largely junior and intermediate —from 14 to 20 years. The seniors in camp comprise mostly veteran leaders, returned soldiers, and soldiers on leave ,|rom camp. Following upon the usual pre breakfast Bible studies, Saturday morning's inspirational address was delivered by the Rev. J. C Jamicson (Waitati), who took as his subject "Gripping Our Real Aims," this being a continuation of his Friday morning's address. At the continued annual business conference it was decided to resume the publication of a Bible class magazine at a near date, the Canterbury Centre being empowered to undertake the work. A motion from the Palmerston North District Committee asking the union's recognition uf district Easter camps was, after full debate, negatived. "Speakers emphasised. that the success of the movement had been largely due to loyal general support of the dominion Easter camp, and that present difficulties of travel were not likely to continue. The sports were held on the Mosgiel Recreation Ground. All events are championship in this competition, and the winning class holds a handsome banner for the year. The last holders of the banner, the Hutt (Wellington) class, were keen to take it back with them again, and had a strong team entered. Against this, however, there were several Canterbury, Otago, and Southland "class teams determined to bring the championship to this island. The result was a splendid competition, and r'ght up to the last event the issue was in doubt. Lower Hutt's failure in the high jump left Palmerston winners with 30 points. Hutt's total was 28, Gore Juniors 22, and First Church Class (Invercargill) 20 points. The win, which was a popular one, must be largely credited to the efforts of the wellknown Bible class and New Zealand athlete, Mr W. J. Bennett, who has only recently organised the class at' Palmerston, showing the class has the makings of a fine athletic team. The Hutt performances were also of a high standard, Thorpe, in the juniors, and M'Caw, in the seniors, being the principal winners. Afternoon tea was, dispensed by the laches of the East Taieri Church and the Y.W. Bible classes of Dunedin. The visitors were entertained to tea, and later at- the. usual Saturday night camp concert. Under the able leadership of Mr T. W. Reese, of Christchurch, who thus celebrated his twenty-sixth Easter in Bible class work, a varied programme was presented to a packed and enthusiastic audience. In addition to the sports banner, the Union's Mission banner was presented at the concert. This goes to the _ class giving the highest mission contribution per head during the year, and was won by the Morrinsvine (Waikato) class. On Sunday the campers attended morning services at the Mosgiel and East Taieri Churches, and in the afternoon were addressed on missionary work by Rev. F. G. Bowie. In the evening an evangelistic service was conducted by the Rev. R. E. Evans, of N.E. Valley, and a thanksgiving service for a large number of professed conversions followed.