STRAIGHT TALKS TO MEN

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12767, 8 February 1910, Page 2

STRAIGHT TALKS TO MEN

The Rev. H. S. Woollcombo brought his mission in Nelson to a closo last night, when he addressed a large meeting of men in the School of Music, some of tho audience having come in from Brightwater. Tlie Bishop of Nelson presided, and tlie Rev. \V. S. Lucas offered the opening prayer. Mr Woollcombe gave a deeply interesting address. Referring to tlie slums of the East End of London, where for fourteen years ho had laboured, he said the wretchedness, the long hours of labour, and the under-pay there found was the outcome of som© persons hastening to make themselves rich at the expense of suffering humanity, and was th© result of selfishness. The evils of intemperance, gambling, and impurity wero tho offsprings of selfishness. Of the latter evils the one that was doing the most harm to the young both in tho Motherland and these colonies, ho believed, was gambling. Selfishness was sin, and the only effective remedy for it was the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He urged that many a person was lost in the vortex of sinful indulgence because no warning voice had been raised, or kindly hand stretched out to lead the victim into the better path of life. He emphasised that there was plenty of work-in this direction for members of tlie Church of England Men's Society to do, also in visiting strangers . coming to resid© in tne town and inviting them to the p^e services. He earnestly pleaded witn the churchmen to start a society in Nelson. He again urged individual responsibility in the "matter of rendering love and service to the Divine Master. . _ __ . On the motion of Mr A. T. Magmnity, seconded by Mr Hampson, a hearty vote of thanks was a.ccorued to Mr Woollcombe for his earnest and eloquent addresses. Mr Woollcombe said that while appreciating their thanks, what he wanted most was to hear after he had left Nelson that a Mens society had been started, and was doing good work. He was certain the churches would be greatly strengthened and benefited by the labors of an active society. The meeting was brought to a close by the Bishop pronouncing the Benediction.