THE CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 8

THE CHAPMAN-ALEXANDER MISSION.

In spite of tho continued inclement weather, there were not inmiv vacant seats in tiio Town Hall last evening, when another service iu connection with the "Chapman-Alexander- mission was held. The choir was in good voice, and being fully represented, gave a number of hymns iu a very pleasing niuuuer, Mr. Alexander conducting. Prior to Dr. Chapman's address, the plate was sent round, and everybody was exhorted to give liberally. Dr. Chapman took ior his text Hebrews X, Verse xxvii, "And. as it is appointed unto men once to die, but alter this the Judgment." The speaker stated inter alia that ho could not tell how many times he had read that scripture, and thought about the words-which it. contained, and lie then wjent on to expound the evangelical doctrine of the' Atonement. It was not right for a man to imagine that because lie had sinned lie could not ba a servant of Jesus Christ. "If you have ncceptcd Jesus Christ as your Saviour your sins have been put away," ho said. "For the man who is not a Christian, who has resisted God's Grace, .and,has said that ho will not accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour (the speaker continued), I have always trembled." He said many people had said that tlicy could not be Christians, but when asked they could not give an excuse which would stand the light of judgment. No ono could hide their sins. "It you reject Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will meet your conscience." The servico then concluded. Particulars of this evening's services will be lound elsewhere in this issue. BIBLE CLASS RE-UNION. Members of-,the men's Bible classes of the city mustered ill'strong lorco at St. John's Schoolroom at six o'clock k."st evening for tho purpose uf meeting 'Dr. , Chapman, Mr. Alexander, aud members 'of the mission party at presout in Wellington. Notwithstanding t'he bitterly cold wind and rain, there was an attendance of about 301), and had tlie weather been line, it was expected there wculd be a great many more. The Rev. Dr. Gibb, who presided, v r as supported oil the, right Jjy-Dr. Chapnuia and on the left by Mr. Alexander, whilo sealed at the same table we're Brigadier Foster, of tho Salvation Army, the Rev. J. G. Chapman, tho Rev. Macdonald Aspiand, and a number of other city aM suburban clergymen. /A committee of ladies had prepared tea, and this was thoroughly enjoyed by leprescntativcs of the Presbyterian, Wesloyan, Baptist, and 1 Congregational Unions, and the Salvation Army Central Band, and the Junior Central Mission Band. Afterwards tho gathering, urnlcr the direction of Mr. Alexander, sang tho chorus of the well-known hymn "Others," after.which Dr. Gibb and the conveners of committees mads short addresses' of welcome. Dr. Gibb, in tho courso of his remarks, expressed great pleasure in welcoming Dr. Chapman, becau-e of tho letter's attitude towards tho Church. There had been previous evangelistic missions, which had "stunk iu the nostrils of tho Church," or, at all events, had "stunk" iu his nostyils. because of tho attitude cf the missioners to the Cliurch. Dr. Chap, man, on tho other hand, was well known as a champion of tho Church. Ho (tho speaker) was glad to observe right through tho present mission that Jesus Christ had been held up not as.our example, but as tho Great Saviour of mankind. Dr. Chapman bric:ly responded to ths welcome accorded him. He said that the Bible-class movement had been a success whenever it had been properly guided, but a failure whenever .-it had r,f.ne off on lo a side-track. He warned his hear--1 ers against ,a few of the dangers that, had confronted the Bible-class movement in bis own country. First of all, it was a mistake to think of Bible classes as sufficient in themselves. The more tliey woro regarded as a part of tho Church, the,more would they succeed. Secondly, it was dangerous lo think that tl.ey' could increase the membership . if tho movement were made more secular'. The Bible-class movement had never been a success when it had. ' been other than spiritual. Thirdly, there was a dangerous disposition to think of tho Bible class as a sort of socia'.. movement. But whenever they put anything beforo the building of character, tho movement was sure lo suffer. He could not help remarking on the opportunities which they had hero in New Zealand, with so many things to make life attractive, l'f they wished lo bo stiecessfus, he advised them wished to be successful, he advised them ■their personal Saviour; to stand upon God's word as a su::e foundation, feed upon it as the food of life, and commit it to liiemury; and above all to pact.iso it, in their everyday life. no advised them also lo make the Bible class a great personal work agency, for there was no joy in lifo like the jc.v of soul winning. At the conclusion of the meeting, tbos» present formed a profession and marched to the Town Hall, where seats hud br>?n reserved for them at the mission service.'