BIBLE CLASS UNION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 87, 7 January 1935, Page 12

BIBLE CLASS UNION

Presbyterian Movement

The annual conference of the Presbyterian Young Men’s Bible Classes, which have now a membership of 7000 young men, was opened on Friday in the Presbyterian Boys’ Home, Berhampore, by the president, Mr. F. E, Chappell. Forty-one delegates from 21 districts attended. In referring to the past year, the president urged the delegates to remember th” things of the past, but to press on with the unfinished task.

Mr. J. I. B. Cook, treasurer of the union, in presenting the annual report, made reference to the success of the Day of Prayer, and to the fine service of the Waverley Class in raising over £2O for the mission funds of the union, thus winning the missions banner for the fourth year in succession. The Fred Kersley essay competition. was to be run in three sections. The attendance at- Easter camps, 1934, totalled 1100, and this year a Dominion camp was to be held at Waikanae.. The syllabusses had given satisfaction, and a third syllabus of a standard type would be issued to meet the needs particularly of country classes. Mr. J. D. Edgar, vice-president of the union, stressed the need for greater publicity for the publications of the union. The report of the “Foursquare” committee was presented by the editor. Mr. E. J. Ward, who referred to the satisfactory financial position and the need to increase the circulation during 1935. The business manager, Mr. H. L. Wilkinson, stressed the necessity of classes paying dues promptly and in advance.. _ Mr. H. S. Manson submitted the travelling secretary’s report. He referred to the fact that he had endeavoured to serve the various sections of the youth work of the ehureh, but that he had specialised on the Y.M. side of the B.C. work. A distinct advance was being made in various districts, and need for a sharing of responsibility for the class and district A£prk on the part of members was stressed. The average age of the senior membership was 19 years. The question of senior work was referred to the Otago district committee for inquiry and report.

Mr. N. McFarlane, in submitting the missions report, referred to the fact that the Rev. H. Davies had now served for 25 years in China as the union’s missionary. and that fitting recognition was being made of his services. He mentioned also the services of the Rev. M. Ryburn in India and the travelling secretary among the classes in New Zealand. Missions contributions showed a balance over expenditure. Mr. Edgar urged that no further commitme_nts be entered upon until the obligations were met. It was decided to raise the aim of missions’ contributions to a figure which would permit of a third worker being sent out to the foreign field. The election of officers resulted as follows :—-President, Mr. N. H. G. McFarlane ; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. E. Chappell and J. B. I. Cook; secretary, Mr. J. A. Orr; treasurer, Mr. J. D. Edgar.