BIBLE CLASSES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 6

BIBLE CLASSES.

METHODIST GATHERINGS. HEY. L. M. ISITT AND NO-LICENSE. The nniir.nl New Zealand Convention of the Voung .Aim's Methodist Bible Class Union and the New Zealand Young Women's Methodist Bihlo Clas-s Union was held yesterday. The two unions, though in touch with ono another, mot separately. Tho Young Men's Union arc oneamped at Hint, where they nrn holdinc their ronventinn. Their meetings com" inencc'd on Thursday evening, about 100 representatives from all over New Zealand being present. The Tiov. A. B Chappell, M.A.. president of the union, was iu charge of the. e:mip, and in his official capacity gave- a formal welcome to the visitors. The proceedings commenced in earnest yesterday morning will; a missionary study mooting, the subject being "The Great Commission." the study was based on Hip Acts of the Apostles, chapter 18. The meeting was led by Mr. A. Jamieson. The subsequent morning service was conducted by the Rev. T. H. Harris, the discourse being based on tlie example of the life of Christ to young men. Rov. L M. Isitt. In the afternoon the Rev. L. M. Isitt, of Clirislehurch, gave a forceful address on Xo-Licensc. Mr. A. S. Doust, vicepresident, presided. . The speaker said that no man could be imbued with the true spirit of God unless lie spent his life in His service, for the good of humanity, and therefore every man * who claimed to he a Christian should support tho nght against the liquor traffic. He, stated that the Baptist Bible Class union of Chiistchurch, which was eighty members stro'ig, had decided to lay aside their syllabus this year and c'cv'olo all their efforts to No-Lieenso work. Ho dealt with the properties of alcohol as a drink, and declared that ten per cent, of the moderate- drinkers in tho long run were ruined by drink. Ho dealt also with the evolution of the drink evil m the national life, pointing out that in France, where ouco light wines were mostly drunk, absinthe and liqueurs were now tho curse. Ho then spoko of tho liberty of the subject, stating that while this matter was never mentioned by the liquor party when they were in tho majority, it became their, principal argument when the fight was going against them. In times not very distant, also, the deliberations had been over the question as to whether drink was harmless as a _ beverage. Xow the- question was: Has it useful as a medicine? A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Isitt for his address. Evening Entertninmant. In the evening the campers paraded at Petone, and came in a body to Ihv city, where, at the Taranaki Street Methodist Schoolroom, they were entertained at tea by the Young Women's union. Young Women's Classes. The annual conference of the Young Women's Union started early in tho forenoon, and was continued through the day. A welcome to visiting delegates to the number of about lot) was , extended by tho president of '.ho New Zealand Union, Mrs. E. 0. Blamires, Sfiss Boxhall, president of tho Wellington Union, and the Rev, Chappell. The meeting then went into a discussion on Bible-class methods and tho furtherance of the study of tho Bible on up-to-date lines.

Luncheon was held in the schoolroom, about 300 taking part. At the afternoon session a paper was read on "Tho Secret'of Power," by Hiss (lUiison, and a discussion thereon was introduced by the Canterbury Union. The chief feature of this session was an address by Dr. EdithHuntly, of Wellington, on "The Power of Womanhood." Altogether, the. opening session wns a very successful one. Combined Mccling. At the evening meeting the Tara-nak-i Street Ciiureh held a large congregation. The Rev. A. B. Chappell was in charge of the meeting, which was a combined gathering of both the Young Men's and Young Women's Bible Class Unions. Mrs: E. O. Blamires, president of the loung Women's Union, addressed the gathering on "The Rhythm of Service." She recalled the passage in Scripture in which reference is made to Hie sending out of missionaries by Christ just before the last journey to Jerusalem, and to tho Master's thankfulness, and invitation to all who wore heavy laden to come unto Him. There were two kinds of rest, she proceeded, that which was gained and that which was found. There were also two classes « people, those constant]- feeling overburdened, and those who received rest m service. The rest which was found came stonhng into the life when that I'lpwas given up to the Divine service. ,-' r '«' -V Holmes, secretary of' tho l-.M.C.A., spoke of the British Empire, and said that perhaps it had reached Us zenitn ot development in the present Proposed unlimited arbitration treatvj with America, which all must hope would become accomplished. The Empire was the result of tho hard work of our forefathers, whose self-sacrifice had made possible the present heritage. We should bo unworthy of the past if the past was merely exulted in, and no effort made to maintain in the future the prestige of tho days gone by. The Rev. L. JI." Isitt said it was tweut.v-livo years since he first occupied the Taranaki Street pulpit. He. spoke about self-consecration, but urged his bearers not to bo too wrapped up in the religion that cared only about tho salvation of one's own soul." There was nothing in New Zealand that so hindered the progress of the Dominion as tho liquor tnJlic. and this year God was giving them another opportunity of grappling with the evil. Viral solos were rendered by Miss Brittain and Miss Ward. To-day's Mißlings, To-day each union will hold its annual meeting, and discuss the year's business. In the evening the ladies will be entertained at tea at the camp at Hutt. The Centra] Mission service in the King's Theatre to-morrnw evening will be conducted by the delegates to the Young Women's Bible Class Convention. Mrs. Blamires, and Sister Nellie, deaconess to the. Maoris, will speak, and a solo will bo rendered by Sister Huia, Maori probationer. It is expected that over 100 delegates will bo on tho platform. The Wellington Brotherhood is in recess till after Easter.