DR HENRYS MEETINGS

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 12975, 14 December 1910, Page 3

DR HENRYS MEETINGS

ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN,

"What laymen are doing in the United States and Canada in fields of reform and religion" was the subject of an address by Dr. Henry, the American evangelist, to business men at the Council Chambers at mid-day yesterday. . The attendance was not large, owing no doubt to the inconvenient hour at which the meeting was held. The proceedings opened with prayer by the Rev. B. L. Thomas, after which the Chairman (Cr/W. S. Hampson) introduced Dr. Henry. In doing so he expressed his pleasure at being asked to preside and. his regret that there was not a larger attendance of representative business men to hear what Dr. Henry had to say. He said they welcomedj>r. Hanfy as they welcomed any expert, and'he ought to be able to tell then what influence the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ was exercising on the people of tha earth. Mr. Potts- then .sang a. solo, after which Dr. Henry delivered a stirring ■address. He said. that some of his most delightful experiences during tho past eight months' mission had been in the men's meetings, and he spoke or the enthusiasm displayed in a number of New Zealand towns which had resulted- in the establishment of branches of the Y.M;C.A. Hereferred to the spread of Christianity m the United States and its influence on the businass life of the people. There was, he said, a larger percentage of communicanta of the Christian Churches^in America than any other country in the world, and also more Sunday schools. America had in the past been the dumping ground for the awrul ot tho world, and the foreign element was largely responsible for the mis-govern-Inent and corruption in the large cities. Out of a population of 90 millions -between 14 and 15 millions were bornJimder the flags of other countries sU\(l tilwse \wre responsible for .68 per cent, of the crime. The alien problem he said, was the great problem of tho United States and what had been^accomplished in the way of reform had been done by the clean manhood of the Christian churches. Canada was now threatened by a- wave of Orentalism which was prejudicial to the welfare of the country. In regard to the drink question, Dr. Henry- said that moro than half the population of the United States .were living in "dry' towns, and this had been brought about by the federation of the CKristiari church. An astounding fact was that there were fewer public houses in the fourteen southern states of America with 26 millions of population*, than in the city of Chicago alone. It had been said that "commercialism wiU kiUthe public houses in 25 years J.and he Agreed with this opinion. All railway men were now employed on a teetotal basis, and were subject to immediate .dismissal if known to drink at any time.; It was typical of commercial life of the United States that the first and best positions were cloßed to those who drank. Dr. JJenry^then dealt with the growth of the adult Sunday school movement and the tremendous hold the V.M.C.A. had on the. people Jt had been realised that if : men could not go into public houses. they must ; be provided witlr some sort of recreation and the V.M.C.A.. was the most practical thing. It provided for the physical, social and spiritual development of the young men. mous sums Tvere. Bpent annually on buildings and equipment— it was not, said Dr. Hejtry, sentimentah sm ,- but hard headed sagacity by business men. I The speaker then referred -to thei Lay- ' men's Missionary movement, which lie

said was spreading like wild fire throughout, Canada and Ameiica, and lie said it woidd bo difficult to find any Christian man of any standing who had not felt the inlluwice of this lesson. IMucii had been done for tlie purpose of urging forward the evangelisation of the world. Dr. Henry concluded his address with an earnest appeal to those present to strive to become true Christians.

A hearty vote of thanks to Dr Henry moved by the Chairman, was carried by acclamation, and a similar compliment to the Chairman, moved by Mr. N. A. McLaren and seconded by Mr. E. Weblay, concluded the meeting.