Dannevirke.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 November 1910, Page 13

Dannevirke.

Vicar: Rev. E. Rohertshawe, B.A. Curate: Rev. G. E. Kear. During this month, m common with the rest of the Diocese, our Parish enjoyed the benefits of the General Mission. Nothing shewed more the painstaking industry and judgment of the late Canon Pollock than the way m which everything was prepared for the Missioners, and the choice of the Missioner for each Parish ; the Parochial needs and conditions being so thoroughly well considered. In Canon Ivens we had an ideal Missioner. He charmed young and old, men and women alike. A prominent hotelkeeper said of him that more men like him ought to be made. The Mission began with a Service of Reception of the Miasioner, when the Parish was given into his charge. After this a service was held m the street, when the Missioner addressed a crowd of a thousand people, being, he said, the largest crowd he had had at any open-air service, even m the Old Country. The subjects of the Mission Services were : "The Foundation," " Myself," "My Sins," "My Saviour," "My Salvation," " My Church," " My Helps," " My Future." The services for men and women were very well attended, and the children were addressed both at the Public Schools and on Sunday m the Sunday School. On Monday evening a final Thanksgiving Service was held, at the close of which the "Te Deum"was sung by a crowded congregation. During this service most of the congregation stood and renewed their Baptismal vows. After the service was concluded, most of the congregation crowded into the Sunday School to receive memorial cards of the Mission and to say "Good-bye" to Canon Irens. At this meeting some friends presented Canon Irens with some greenstone ornaments as a memorial of Dannevirke. On the next day a number of men and women of the Church gathered on the railway platform to see the last of the Missioner, and the Vicar offered prayer for his safety and success m the work. As the train left the Station, hearty cheers were given by those assembled. And so ended the Mission, but we trust that the good work begun will go on, and become more perfect from day to day. As one of the consequences of the Mission an adult Bible Class has been started on Wednesday evenings to study the Epistle of the Philippians under the Vicar, and another one is being started on Sundays. Confirmation Classes also have been begun, and we trust that many older people will come forward for the " Laying on of Hands." The G.F.S. and the M.U. are both flourishing exceedingly. The C.E.M.S. is also steadily working, and we trust that much good will result from the work of these Societies,.

The Vicar asked the congregation to consider the question of the beginning of the permanent building. He said that he did not wish them to undertake anything yet, but only to pray over it. If they only would pray, he said, then he had no doubt that God would hear and grant.