THE CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 19389, 1 November 1924, Page 10

THE CHURCH

GENERAL NEWS AND NOTES. FROM PULPIT AND PEW. The Rev. A. A. Bensley, of Bilua, Solomon Islands, will be the speaker at the morning service at St. Peter’s Methodist Church to-morrow. In the evening Mrs A. A. Bensley will conduct the service. To-mcrrow special services will be held in the Salvation Army Citadel Tay Street. In the morning Captain Neeve will take for his subject “Evolution” and at the evening service will commence a series of addresses on “The Second Coming of Christ.” At the Leet street Methodist Church tomorrow, the pulpit will be occupied at Both services by missionaries from the Solomon Islands. Mrs Bensley (formerly Sister Constance Olds) will conduct the morning service, and in the evening the Rev. A. A. Bensley will be the preacher. The story of the progress of the mission will be further told in a lantern lecture in the church on Wednesday evening. Many Southlanders will learn with regret df the death at Johnstone, Scotland, of Mrs Bissett, who, with her husband, Rev. Evan Bissett, lived for many years at the Presbyterian Manse at Woodlands, later on retiring to Invercargill, where they were closely. associated with First Church. The deceased lady will be remembered for her good deeds and kindly disposition, and the sympathy of all friends will be extended to Mr Bissett in his loneliness. “How are the dead raised? And with what body do they come? These are questions as perplexing to many to-day as they were in the days of the Apostle Paul. Tomorrow evening at First Church the Rev. J. L. Robinson will attempt to answer these' questions in the light of modern thought. The aim of this series of addresses on ‘The Things That I Believe,” of which to-mor-row’s is the sixth, is to clarify thought in respect to the doctrines of the Christian faith.

Sir Robert Perks has just given some interesting figures respecting the vote on MethoList union taken among the Wesleyan Missions in England. In the metropolis there are eleven large Wesleyan missions, and everyone of these voted in favour. In provincial cities and towns there are 18 missions, 16 of these, including Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham and Glasgow being favourable. In rural areas there are 33 mission centres, and 27 of them voted for union. The Rev A. T. Thompson, M.A., 8.D., who has been appointed as general secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Australia, stated recently that the new Maori Bible, which was revised by a Committee of New Zealand authorities is now in the Press in London. It is being produced under the personal supervision of the Ven. Archdeacon Herbert Williams. whose qualifications for the work are unrivalled. The new edition was necessary as the former one was exhausted. The “Grand Old Man” of Sheffield Methodism is Major-General Campbell. Born in Madras, India, in 1835, and educated in England, he returned to India in 1854. After serving some years in the Madras Cavalry, he joined the Royal Army in 1861. In 1881, he retired with the rank of major-general. His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad appointed the General a Judge of the Suburban Court of Judicature, and he held that position until he left for England in 1896. He has been a local preacher for forty-five years, and in his ninetieth year, in spite of blindness, he still delights in preaching. The Church Times, referring to the position of the Anglicans in W ales, has the following: “The general feeling, no doubt, is that some day there will be a great return of the separated denominations to the Church. But the day is not yet and we must frankly say that the rulers of the Welsh Church are doing nothing to hasten it. The mere addition of a solitary Labour MT. to the Governing Body is not enough. Why is that Body still so aristocratic? Why are miner, the quarryman, and the small peasant farmer so seldom heard in its debates? Why is a Welsh speech hardly ever made there?” The Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey unanimously refused to permit the erection of a memorial tablet to Lord Byron. Writing to the Times on the subject, the Dean said: “Unfortunately, Byron, partly by his own openly dissolute life and partly by the influence of licentious verse, earned a world-wide reputation for immorality among English-speaking people. Westminister Abbey primarily stands to witness for Jesus Christ. A man who outraged the laws of our Divine Lord, and whose treatment of women violated the Christian principles of purity and honour, should not be commemorated in Westminster Abbey.”

A notable example of gratitude for past blessings has just occurred in connection with Leeds parish church. At a vestry meeting the Vicar—Dr Bickersteth —reported that there was a deficiency of £54 on the choir fund, a fact which was reported in the Press. A day or two afterwards Dr Bickersteth was agreeably surprised to receive a letter from Mr Archibald Ramsden, of Regent’s Park, N.W., enclosing a*cheque for £54. Mr Ramsden said: “Many of your parishioners will remember I was a choir boy in Dr Hook’s time, and he married me. I benefited from the fact that I was a choir boy; what success I have had dates from that time.”

In connection with the visit of the Rev. Paul Kanamori to Invercargill, special services have been arranged for to-morrow in St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Churches. Mr Kanamori will take the morning service at the former church in South Invercargill, when his subject will be “The Story of my Christian Life.” In the evening this distinguished visitor will occupy the pulpit of St. Paul’s. His subject there will be “The Power of the Cross in Japan.” At both of these services retiring collections will be taken up and handed as a freewill offering to the great traveller and preacher. In the afternoon, Mr Kanamori will address a rally of the combined Bible Classes, which will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Gymnasium at 2.39 p.m. At that meeting the speaker’s .subject will be the motto of the Student Christian movement, “The Evangalisation of the World in this Generation.” Much interested is being manifested in the visit and large gatherings are expected. On Mr George’s property at Makarewa In a well sheltered paddock lying towards the sun a large band of picnickers spent a very enjoyable day. Despite the necessary rush for shelter every now and again quite a good day’s sport was obtained for the sun shone brightly in patches. The picnickers were the members of Southland Presbyterian Bible Classes and the rally had been arranged by the Young Women’s and Young Men’s District Committee. The sports were conducted by St. Paul’s class. Kennington classes gained the most points and carried off the banner. After lunch a roll call was taken which showed that delegates came from as far as Mosgiel. Mr Horwell, last year's President of the Y.M.B.C. came from Dunedin to spend the day and was • welcomed most heartily by one and all. An address was given at the close of the picnic in the Makarewa Public Hall by the Rev Murray Gow, of Waianiwa. This meeting was a most enthusiastic one, everyone joined in the singing of the well known hymns ■ with B.C. vigour and greetings were received from the Otago District Committee and also from Mr W. McPheat, an old D.C. man who did a lot towards making a success df last year’s rally. The day was really most enjoyable and given a brighter day, next year’s rally will be eagerly anticipated. CENTRE BUSH. BIBLE CLASS PICNIC. On Labour Day, all roads led to Mr 0. McDonald’s bush at Otapiri Gorge. The Centre Bush main squadron motored to Otajjiri Hall where at 11 aum. it picked up

numerous reinforcements from Winton, Pukearuhe, South Hillend and Dunearn. The happy procession consisting of 15 cars, 2 gigs and a heavily laden motor ’bus continued its way to the picnic spot where all were immediately charmed with the magnificent virgin bush which clothed the hillside in the full glory of spring time. Here the picknickers found that the host and Mr Adam Hamilton had all arrangements made for the refreshing cup of tea. Baskets provided by the members were laid out, and the contents were done full justice to by all. During the afternoon, bush rambling, the gathering of ferns, and the playing" of games occupied one and all until 3.30 p.m. when tea was ready. After all appetites were satisfied, the rally photograph was taken, and some words of appreciation to Mr McDonald for the use of his bush and to the Centre Bush Class for their kind invitation were spoken by the various class leaders. The roll call was then taken and greetings passed on by Rev F. J. Tylee, for Pukearuhe; by Mrs T. McWilliam, for Winton; by Miss P. Clark, for South Hillend; and by Miss Agness Clark, for Dunearn. Rev W. H. Norton then spoke a few words stressing the importance of the Bible class movement and its ideals, how it was essentially worth while every member putting forth his very best effort into the movement. Tie gathering closed with the Doxology followed by a thanksgiving prayer. Then cars and gigs dispersed homewards carrying upwards of 130 of the brightest of faces, and the lightest of hearts—a fitting conclusion to a glorious sunshine picnic day in the bush. ORAWIA. GATHERING OF BIBLE CLASSES. The first question asked by many young people on Labour Day was—what will the weather be like? That was the predominant question in Orawia and many rejoiced to see the sun shining, and in spite of the strong sou’-wester they decided to have a good time.# The Bible Classes from Tuatapere, Pukomaori and Orawia met at 2 p.m. at the residence of Mr and Mrs McLelland, Orawia, when short addresses were delivered by Mr and Mrs Taylor welcoming the visitors. Three hearty cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs McLelland who had kindly placed their grounds at the disposal of the Bible Classes for the day. Tennis was then indulged in for a couple of hours after which afternoon tea was served on the lawn. The classes then indulged in games, a paddock being kindly lent by Mr J. King for the occasion. On the arrival of the Rev A. McNeur and party from Winton, the gathering re-assembled at the tennis court to regale them with afternoon tea. An adjournment was then made to the Manse, where about 20 Bible Class enthusiasts sat down to tea to which full justice was done.* At 7.30 p.m. the delegates and friends assembled in the local church for the evening rally. After the opening hymn had been sung and prayer offered Mr Reid moved a motion of sympathy with Rev S. Waddell, minister of Tuatapere and Miss Kennedy, leader of the Tuatapere Bible Class, who were absent on account of illhealth. During the evening recitations were rendered by Messrs Jenkins, Reid and Buddle. A reading by Mr A. B. Ansley, instrumental selections by Messrs Dawson and Harrison and solos by Mrs Taylor and Mr Nicholas, the company song by the Tuatapere Bible Class, Rev A. McNeur (Winton) and Mr Byers (Knapdale) delivered earnest and forceful addresses on Bible Class work and “Christ, the Power for Service.” A vote of thanks to the Orawia Bible Class for their hospitality was moved by Rev A. McNeur, of Winton, and seconded by Mr Dawson and carried by acclamation. The gathering then joined in singing “God be with you till we meet again.” Supper was then partaken of after which the company dispersed, feeling that it was good to be engaged in the service of the Master. MOKORETA-REDAN. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Mokoreta-Re-dan 'congregation was held in Mokoreta Hall on Wednesday evening, October 22, Mr T. Knight presiding. The attendance of members and friends was good and all parts of the parish, namely, Redan, Wairekiki, Mokoreta and Flamborough being well represented. The proceedings opened with praise, after which the Moderator, Rev. J. E. Lopdell, led the congregation in prayer. On behalf of the Kirk Session and Mangement Committee, the Chairman gave a verbal report of the work of the church for the year ended June 30 last, referring in detail to the membership, their various activities and also to the financial position which was healthy and sound. From comparisons made of the main sources of revenue —collections and Sustentation Fund —for the previous three years it was shown that those of the past year had exceeded former records, and that, as a congregation, their position w r as gradually improving year by year, financially and otherwise. A sum of £4O had been raised for church schemes and the Gladstone Orphanage. Anzac services had been held at Mokoreta and Redan and the collections (£2 2/-) voted to the Disabled Soldiers’ Unemployment Fund. Children’s Day had also been duly observed. The Lord’s supper had been dispensed and baptism administered where required. Sunday Schools were carried on by a faithful hand of teachers at Mokoreta, Redan and Flamborough, so that the lambs of the flock were well cared for. A Young Worshippers’ League was carried on throughout the parish with encouraging results. In acknowledging the Divine blessing which had accompanied their humble efforts, thanks were also extended to the various Sunday School teachers, church organists, the Sustentation und collectors and to all others who had helped forward the work of the church throughout the year. He was glad to report that the services were better attended than they were twelve months ago, and that, altogether, they had had a good year. But while this called for unfeigned gratitude and presaged a promising future, they should, nevertheless, address theselves with greater diligence and earnestness to the work of the current year and, finally, he bespoke a continuance of the same sympathy and co-operation evidenced among them during the past year to the end that this year might be equally, if not more successful. Meanwhile, they had good cause to thank God and take courage. (Applause). Mr J. B. Taylor (treasurer) read the balance-sheet, making explanatory remarks where necessary and ultimately moved its adoption. This was seconded by Mr Dynes in a few well-chosen words, and carried unanimously. Inspiring and helpful addresses were delivered by Revs. Mackie (Mataura), Lopdell (Wyndham) and Armstrong (Brydone)—their respective and encouraging messages being greatly applauded and listened to with rapt attention. During the evening the following musical items were contributed: —Pianoforte overture, Mrs W. J. Leckie; songs, Messrs D. Macpherson and A. McArthur (both encored) ; bagpipe selection, Mr Alex. Leckie; two recitations were given with fine effect by Mrs Lopdell, and greatly appreciated. During the evening Mrs Strang acted efficiently as musical accompanist. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Mr W. Murray (who spoke in racy, reminiscent mood) to the various speakers and musical performers for their valued services, and. also to the ladies who had provided the supper, about to be served. The vote, characterised by the Chairman as a wellmerited one, was carried by hearty acclamation. After the National Anthem Grace was also sung. The Benediction was then pronounced by Rev. R. Mackie, after which supper was served by a willing band of stewards, and a pleasant time spent in social intercourse.