SUMMER SCHOOL.

Colonist, Volume XLIII, Issue 9688, 18 January 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

SUMMER SCHOOL.

The second New Zealand Student Sum*' mer School was opened on January 13th by a business session, held in the Bishop's School. The meeting, a large one, was presided over by Dr Pain, Chairman, and Mr Sallmon, the Travelling Secretary. Me Sallmon opened the meeting with hymns and prayer, and then briefly explained the aims and uses of a Summer School. An "introduction" ceremony was then performed, 41 student delegates and 20 registered visitors standing up and disclosing their identity to the meeting. The Rev Dr Waddell, of Dunedin; Dean Hovell, of Napier ; and Dr Howard Taylor, of Sydney, wrote regretting their inability to be present. Dr Pain then spoke on the work of Christian | unions and of the A.S.C.U., referring especially to the spirit of healthy optimism so evident in the Summer Schools, and to the magnitude of the student movement throughout the world. He expressed his extreme gratification at being able to attend a Nelson Summer School, and warmly appreciated the hospitality and kindness of the people of Nelson. Mr I. B. Bertram, of Otago, was appointed secretary of the Business Conference, and read reports of the Business Convention held at Morningtorv Victoria, last month, and of the work of the iLis.C.U. Executive Committee in 1899. Nine committees were then appointed to assist in carrying out the work of the School. Mr Sallmon closed the meeting with a short address on the Fatherhood of God as revaaled in Christ's teaching of prayer, speaking from the two first words o£ the Lord's Prayer. He pointed out that Christ based all prayer on the fatherhood of God. The business session of the School will be concluded this morning, and this afternoon, weather prrmitting, a garden party will be tendered to the delegates and visitors and their hosts and hostesses by the Nelson Ladies' Committee, on the grounds ot tha Girls' College. The programme for the organ recital to be given in the evening ia /advertised elsewhere in these columns.

The business session of the above School was concluded yesterday morning, Dr Pain presiding. In opening he read the 58th Chapter of Isaiah, and gave a short, but very instructive, exposition of the passage, showing that in it we have a reprimand, a condition, and a promise. Three reports were then read by the Secretary, namely, (1) Beport of the Hon Treasurer of the A.S.C.U. ; (2) Report o£ the Student Volunteer Movement for 1899 ; and (3) Report of the " Australasian Intercollegian » for 1899. Questions were invited with regard to these reports. Mr Bertram recommended longer, if fewer, articles in the " IntereoJlegian, " instead of seyeral cramped articles, as at present. Mr Mawson moved that greetings from the New Zealand portion of the Australasian Union be sent through Mr Sallmon to the various Christian Unions he is about to visit on his way to America.— Carried by acclamation.

Mr Sallmon announced the completed business arrangements of the Summer School. He then offered several very valuable suggestions with regard to various' points of interest. He spoke very strongly against the adverse criticism that was made with regard to the contents of the " Intercollegian."

All the delegates have now arrived. The total number of registered delegates and visitors exceeds 100.

In the afternoon a garden party, tendered by the Nelson Ladies' Reception Committee, was held in the grounds of the Girls' College. The Bishop of Nelson addressed a large gathering, cordially welcoming the visitors to our city. Dr Pain replied in a few well-chosen words, expressing " ten thousand thanks " for the kindness the delegates had already experienced. A very enjoyable afternoon was brought to a close by the taking of a large group photograph.

Devotional exercises were conducted yesterday morning in the Presbyterian Church Schoolroom by Mr Long, who said that faith is more than belief; that the man who merely believes is not helped on by belief, but the man who has faith is able to see the way clearly before him. We must he said, have faith not only before God, but also in our union itself, before we can be of use to anyone. The University portion of the meeting was conducted by Mr Me William, the newly elected Travelling Secretary. The subject was missionary work, and great stress wa3 was laid on the necessity for a missionary library for each union. A discussion followed, in which Misses Macgregor and MacKellar, and Messrs Strong, Mawson, Elder, Me William, Bertram, and Long, and Dr Pain took an active past. The meeting closed with the Benediction, pronounced by the Rev Mr MacKenzie.

Mr A. R. Crump conducted a similar meeting for schools in the Wesleyan Schoolroom. The delegates and visitors then adjourned, to meet in the Baptist Schoolroom for Bible Study. This was conducted by Mr Sallmon, and fully- 150 people were present.