STRAIGHT TALKS TO MEN.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12766, 7 February 1910, Page 2

STRAIGHT TALKS TO MEN.

THE REV. H. S. WOOLLCOMBE'S MISSION. The Rev. H. S. Woollcombe, who i 3 travelling in the interests of the Church of England Men's Society, opened his mission here by giving an open air address in Trafalgar street on Saturday .evening. Yesterday afternoon at three- o'clock Mr Woollcombe addressed a big assemblage of men in the School of Music, when the Bishop of Nelson presided. After the singing of a couple or hymns, and the Rev W. S. Lucas had offered paryer the Bishop Jbriefly introduced the reverend misskmer. The Rev. H. S. Woollcombe, who possesses a very happy style in dealing with his audience, quickly Jiad their attention rivetted. He said the Society which had chosen him to be their representative had a membership at • Home numbering eighty thousand. They were paying his expenses, and giving him a salary oi £200 a year. He emphasised that in spiritual matters there must be co-operation. God desired man to work with Him in a spirit of co-op-eration, and He had left work for every man to do. The members of the great Society he represented each had to promise that he will do two things. First, each day he will offer a prayer for the Church, and second, he will do what work he could for the Church ; thus there was a combination of prayer and work. He spoke of the importance of prayer as the connection between the Divine and the human. He said some people made the mistake instead of praying of preaching at public prayer meetings. Preaching was not praying, and the simpler the prayer the better. He urged that every man, it did not matter what his calling in life, could do some work for the Church. He said it was a scandalous shame that bishop and clergy should be left to be worried about financial matters. Such work should bo done by the laymen. Ho referred to the usefulness of the men's societies to the Church, in keeping buildings and grounds in good order, without cost to the Church. He urged the churchmen in Nelson .to get together, and form a society. He emphasised that if half a dozen earnest Christian men started a society, it would increase and become a power for good, and the Church would grow and be greatly strengthened. For the Church to advance its members must pray and work. At the close the Bishop pronounced the Benediction. To-night, Mr Woollcombe will address another meeting at the School | of Music, when the charm and value : of brotherhood will be dealt with. Mr I Woolloombe's efforts will no doubt be the means of men's societies be- , ing formed in the district on the lines of those in the Motherland. i Yesterday morning Mr Woollcombe preached at the Cathedral, and in the evening at All Saints' Church. At both services there were large ©on- i gregations. I