THE EIGHT DAYS’ MISSION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1056, 24 September 1883, Page 2

THE EIGHT DAYS’ MISSION.

The Ashburton United' Evangelistic Committee, in selecting Mr Duncan Wright to : conduct a week of mission services in Ashburton made a wise choice, judging from the impressions - formed of his efforts yesterday, and at the short meeting held at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday night. Mr Wright has :not yet arrived at the meridian of- life, is endowed with a fair amount of natural ability, and is charged to the full with energy. While he strongly denounces formality and stiffness, or, as he expressievly terms it, “ starch,” and confines himself to no set manner of conducting his meetinga, yet it is doubtful whether hia zeal would lead him to the extravagances, and sometimes questionable methods, adopted by the Salvation Army. From his remarks at the interview with workers oh Saturday evening, it might be gathered that, like a worthy evangelist of olden days, he would ’ e willing to become 1 ‘all things to all men,” that he might by all meahs save some, and from some details of evangelistic services held in other parts, and the gene'ral tone of hia conversation it is evident Mr Wright has a keen knowledge of human nature wbieh he is ever ready to utilise ►in the great wojk in which he is engaged’. Mr Wright has a whole fund of humor about him, and his general demeanor is such as to give a flat contradiction to that caricature of a religious man, in which ho is depicted as possessing a meet elongated countenance, and always having an appearance of solemnity and wretchedness. Like many other revivalists Mr Wright is a strong believer in the power of sacred song, an I shaving himself a Voice more mellow than powerful, he intersperses portions ef the service with solos, urging his audience, however, to join in the refrain or chorus, as the case may be. There was* not a very good attendance At the worker?’ meeting on Saturday night, owing, doubtless, to the difficulty experienced by business persons and others in leaving their duties, but about 100 were present at the eight o’clock meeting yesterday morning, when the time was principally occupied in prayer, a brief address being given by Mr Wright. The gathering of the Sunday schools in the afternoon at the Town Hall was one of great interest, and the building was completely clammed. Mr Wright has a happy knack of securing the attention ot a youthful congregation, and the novelty of his methods may be in a great measure the secret of his success. It was remarked that of all the Sunday School gatherings in Aahburtoh that of yesterday afternoon was the most interesting., Probably not since Mrs Hampson was here has-the Hall been so packed as it was last night, when, at the conclusion of the ordinary church hours, Mr Wright conducted a mission service, commencing at eight o’clock, and extending to a rather late hour. His address, bearing prinoi-, pally on the text, “ What think ye of Christ,” was more of an .appeal to the audience to consider the claims of religion than of an expository nature, and at the conclusion of the service a score or more persona retired to the inquiry room for advice and prayer. The mission will be oontinued this evening and every night this week.