CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1928, Page 3

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR UNION.

ANNUAL CONVENTION. The Auckland Christian Endeavour Annual Convention opened on Saturday afternoon, when the annual business meeting was held and the election of officers took place in the Beresford Street Congregational Hall. After the opening exercises, greetings were read from the International Christian Endeavour Council, America, and frem New Zealand societies.

The chairman, Mr. H. B. Bristow, briefly opened proceedings. The treasurer’s and secretary’s reports revealed that never before in the history of the union had such definite progress been made. The membership had increased from-. 621 in 1927 to 1222 in the present year. There are 52 societies connected with the union, among these being Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, Church of Christ, United Evangelical, Presbyterian and Interdenominational. The societies’ annual returns showed that great work was being done, one society supporting a girl in India and another a boy in the Solomon Islands. Home mission work, too, had a part in their plans. Solos were rendered by Miss McTavwh and Miss B. Leese. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. G. Densem; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. Cullen, J. Bradford and S. Jansen; union pianist, Mr. A. W. MacSkimming; secretary, Miss W. Chamberlain; assistant secretary, Mr. E. H. Densem; treasurer, Miss C. E. Grant. The retiring president, the Rev. A. S. Wilson, spoke on “The necessity of greater emphasis, on our essentia] principles.” While rejoicing in the undoubted advance of the Endeavour in Auckland, it was necessary that the societies should be kept healthy as well as large. The altered status pf young people in the churches today was largely the result of the sense of responsibility and service engendered by the movement. The old question had been. “What can be done for the young people?” but the Christian Endeavour had so trained and trusted the young people that they asked, “What can the young people do for the Church?” The principle to be specially emphasised was the element of obligation as contained in the pledge, especially loyalty to the Christian Church. Next they must more clearly emphasise the idea of service as contained in the committee system, which made service possible, easy, systematic and efficient. The society was one for hard work and their motto was like the Wesleys’, “At it, all at it and always at it.” Lastly, they must emphasise the consecration meeting. This was the work of the lookout committee, to keep the members faithful to their obligations. In conclusion, he urged upon them the dying advice of the great A. J. Gordon, of Boston, which was, “Never say no to God.” Junior Rally. Despite the very wintry evening on Saturday the Unity Hall was crowded, almost to overflowing, when the Auckland Endeavourers continued their convention, and there the junior rally took place, there being over 500 in Auckland. These occupied the front seven or eight rows, the rest of the hall being filled with parents and friends.

After the opening exercises a large number of juniors gave a cantata, depicting a June garden. The roses, violets, lilies and poppies looked very sweet in their bright colours and the stage was a mass of gay tints. The three principal speakers (from Grange Road Baptist) are worthy of mention, as they played their parts so well. Great credit was due to the trainers, Mies L. Welch and Mr. B. M. Wilson, who had spent their time and energy in making the cantata the great success which it proved to be. The Rev. Palgrave Davy, the children’s miasioner onrp n t-alk John Bunvan