STUDENT CHRISTIANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19998, 15 November 1927, Page 11

STUDENT CHRISTIANS

CONFERENCE AT MARTON WORK IN INDIA DESCRIBED A conference of the Wanganui and Feilding branches of the Student Christian Movement Auxiliary was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Marton, on Saturday last, 26 members being present, including Miss D. Gavin, MA.., student secretary in Calcutta, Miss E. A. Sewell, MA;, travelling secretary in New Zealand, and Mr Donald Grant, MA., general secretary of the movement. During the morning the conference studied the ability of Jesus to use all powers of life freely. At the first afternoon session Miss Gavin spoke of the Indian student field and her own work in it, explaining why New Zealand students maintain a secretary in India. Students in U.S.A., Europe and Great Britain had opportunities of sharing life with foreign students, studying abroad; but New Zealanders were isolated and expressed their spirit of service by way of practical help to European students, and by lending a worker to help pioneer the way for the Indian Student Christian Movement. In a sketch of her own work as warden of an Indian student hostel, Miss Gavin gave a vivid glimpse of th© conditions of life of the Indian student.

Later, Mr Grant opened a discussion, on "The Place of the Auxiliary in the ■■ Student Christian Movement.” its ! true source lay in the generous impulse i of youth and in Jesus Christ, as the I embodiment of all that youth loves. The auxiliary movement was a union of graduate students who desired to conserve this spirit of youth, and enter- ; prise. As students faced life after i University days, their problems chang- • od. There was need for further explor- ! ation of Christianity, for the diagnosing of the wrongs of society, and the application to them of Christian princI iples. In this connection it was sugi gested that a special New Zealand i auxiliary conference be arranged. After time for recreation and music, Miss Sewell closed the conference, em- | phasising th© fellowship which' binds ■ the movement.