VICTORIA COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2421, 29 March 1915, Page 3

VICTORIA COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN UNION. On Saturday, at Victoria University College, the University Christian Union held a Presessional Conference to consider and discuss the work of tho union for tho coining year. About 100 students were, present, and the addresses, which were of a high standard, - dealt to a large extent with the question of the relation of Christianity to the present war. . Mr. J. R„ Young, M.A., of College House, Christchurch, opened the conference with an address on the "World's Student Christian Federation and the Crisis." He pointed out that this great world-wide movement had branches in nearly every country that boasted a university. Members of the movement in those many different nations were bound together by two very strong ties: the fact that they were students, and that they were Chrie tians. Some of the countries where the movement had the greatest hold were thoso very countries which are at present engaged in the world struggle. Many of the leaders in the movement had hoped that by its fostering of the spirit of Christianity—tho spirit of fairplay, justice, and an endeavour after a mutual understanding—something wa6 being done to prepare, the way for higher ideals in international relations. But war has come upon us, and we feel tempted to ask whethor Christianity has not been a failure. What definite mission have we to perform in view of tho state of affairs ? We must endeavour to create the atmosphere which will enable our statesmen to act in a Christian manner when terms of peace are at length considered. Mr. L. Bastings, 8.A., 6poke of the Christian Union and of the need there was for such an institution in connection with a university which is definitely pledged to a secular attitude on religious matters. In particular, he emphasised the fact that in the study tiireles of the union it was a duty , laid upon students that they should bring to tho solution of religious. difficulties and problems the best training in accurate thinking with which their academic work provided them.

Probably one of tho most inspiring of the addresses given during the afternoon was that delivered by Mr. D. S. Smith, Lli.M., on "The Personal Responsibility of Students to the Reconstruction Which Must Follow the AVar." He commenced by showing that the principle of nationality was definitely Christian. Peoples that had mado the greatest contributions to the progress of the human race were peoples among whom the national spirit was strong. We must recognise this principle of nationality in tho affairs of the world, and endeavour to have it adhered to in the coming readjustment in Europe. At the same time, our attitude towards other nations must undergo a radical change. Fear, hatred, malico, and envy must give place to Justice, lympatliv. and goodwill. New Zealand was already taking her part in the stri\ggle. When it was over, the settlement of tho conditions of peace would not be left to a few irresponsible diplomats, but would bo largely determined by the atmosphere existing at the time of settlement. Tho creation of this atmosphere must be commenced now. Thus would the people of this country be able to use an influence, small though it may be, to secure for the vanquished conditions which are just, honourable, and in accord with the highest ideals of which we know. The British Empire went into the struggle in support of a high moral principle, and it would be to our everlasting disgrace if we were to demand from out enemies an enormous war indemnity which would have the effeot only of sowing the seeds of an age-long bitterness. The war was. already having a great meajning for the countries engaged in u.. The tide of cloth and extravagance due to material prosperity was being stemmed, and the national life of these countries wa6 being purified. So far, however, our life in New Zealand had not been affected much by these great purifying influences. Our problems were mainly economic ones. Probably during the next ten years we would pass through a period of retrenchment. Let us, however, exercise sanity in'our expenditure, conserving what we have, yot not carrying the retrenchment so far as to kill tho small trader.

The president of the Christian Union, Mr. Con Strack, in lii 6 presidential address, emphasised the need for an appreciation of the wonderful age in which we were privileged to live. Despite all the troubles that besot the world, they were really the troubles of an age of reconstruction. AVe should not be discouraged in the face of these difficulties, but should realise that this year of war was a challenge to all Christians to live Christianity more intensely. Alore and more must wo be ready to take Christian principles and ideals into overy department of life, until at last there would be no distinction between the sacred and the secular. The remainder of tho conference programme was taken up with a series of brief impressions of the summer conferences of the Australasian Branch of the movement, by Misses 1. AVilson, M.A., J. G. l'ark, and Mr. K, Ross, 8.A., slid two terse exhortations on "The Student Christian" by Miss Wilson and Mr. .M. A. Tromewan. The conference wile liiought to a litting close by a Devotional Meditation by 51 r. J. R. Yfttms, w||n returned to Christchurdi the same night.