Y Column.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 362, 18 August 1925, Page 8

Y Column.

PRIZE ESSAY. The following essay won the first prize offered to the Dunedin Y’s for an essay on "Christian (riving." The Judge was a lady well known in literary circles, and her remarks are appended. Christian Hiving. “I mn't be afraid of giving. If your life ain't nuthln’ to other folks Why. whnt'a the pood of living."

(living may be termed the chief of the i.H'Ular duties of the professed Chris;ian. He, having received the blessings i\hi< h follow his acceptance of the eter ial plan, is bound by the very nature of that acceptance to spread th*» glad tidings to others. There are three methods of assistance which naturally appeal to every follow-,-r. when the question of work for the Master is involved, viz., spiritual personal and material. |i is not given to every one, no mattor how overflowing with Joy at his own conversion, nor how filled with zeal for the furtherance of the Kingdom, to go forth as a teacher or n preacher; but to everyone is given the opportunity of helping forward the cause. The personal service may from a variety of causes lx* extremely limited, and lack of ability and scarceness of opportunity may to a great degree circumscribe service along these lines. Hut there is not one who cannot in some manner help forward the work of the rhurcb by the exercise of that supreme blessing, the act of giving. Just how much should a man give to the Lord? It sounds a banal question when we remember how* we sing;

“Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small.” Hut a stern reality compels one to state that the question most commonly put by membe rs of the (Tiurch is, not how much should 1 give, but how little. The ancient Hebrew's w’ere instructed by the law laid down by Moses that a ten*h of their increase in flocks, herds and harvests was to be devoted to the lord's service, and the upkeep of His Tabernacle. Prom that Mosaic rule has sprung the tithes which are collected in the Old Country for the m.aintenance of the Established Church, but this takes the form of a tax, not a freewill offering. and saint and sinner alike have to pay. Rut the ideal gift, the giving which ensures the blessing, is whore the don or sinks his Identity in the cause he supports, and fiom sheer love of the "<>rk which he Is forwarding, takes of the goods with which the Lord has bo sed him. nnd hands them freely and fully for the furtherance of the Kingdom on earth. Wfj have the teaching of the Saviour Himself to guide us In this Important matter, for He rebuked the wealthy

Pharisee who cast his gold into the treasury but praised and commended the poor widow who gave her all. Therefore, in my opinion, this act of giving is one between the creature and the Creator, and no one should dare to lay down a rule for his neighbour's guidance.

Let each look to himself in this act of worship, and let his own heart and his own conscience be the tribunal before which he shall stand. The essence of Christian giving Is sacrifice and self-denial, and the prne tioe of these supreme virtues will ennoble the heart and mind, keep the follower of the Master more nearly in His footsteps, and so prepare his soul for all the blessings which flow, even in this life, to the disciple. "If you would truly, nobly live, (Jive ever give.”

Subject matter and thought, 75; neatness and composition. 18. Total, 93 per cent. Very well thought out essay; subject matter arranged in good sequence; the whole a nicely-balanced effort, pleasing to read, and containing a wide nnd comprehensive view of the subject on hand.