YOUTH CAMPAIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 4

YOUTH CAMPAIGN.

Final Meeting by Rev L. Fletcher. A large crowd, which included ministers of many denominations, packed the Durham Street Church last evening on the occasion of the final meeting of the great campaign for youth conducted by the noted evangelist, the Rev Lionel B. Fletcher. Every seat in the building was filled long before the meeting started, but a number of people were enabled to hear the preacher in the schoolroom, where a loud speaker had been installed. The body of the church was completely filled by those who had made the decision for Christ during the course of Mr Fletcher’s campaign, and the greater part of the preacher’s address was devoted to the instruction of those who had made the decision. There was an impressive scene when the preacher called upon those in the church to stand and re-dedicate themselves to Christ. Practically everyone in the building stood and repeated a prat'er of faith after the preacher. The preacher said that the news that over a thousand people had made the decision for Christ would go all over the world. Already he >had received a request from a leading religious journal that he should send news of the wonderful success of his campaign in Christchurch. Speaking to those who had made the decision for Christ, the preacher said that they should believe that they were converted. They had the right to command their own souls and no one could interfere with their belief. “It is no use going about weeping and with a long face,” said the preacher. “ Weeping does not mean repentance. What is needed is a change of heart. Religion must be got right down to the foundation of God’s Word. Never cultivate a semipious manner or phraseology, but be natural and see what a joyous thing it is to be a Christian. Nobody can get anywhere if he is a coward to Christ. One must get on to the attack and be proud of one’s religion. “ I want to ask you young folk, those of you who have not got any church affiliations, to join a church and be loyal to it and its minister. It does not matter which you join, Presby-; terian, Methodist, Baptist or Anglican; they are only regiments in the one great army.” On behalf of the Christchurch Ministers’ Association, the president,: Pastor .T. Crawford, thanked Mr Fletcher for the work he had done in Christchurch, and spoke of the wonderful inspiration his work had been to all the churches in the city. The Rev M. A. Rugb}' Pratt read the lesson, while the Rev P. Knight led the meeting in prayer.