NEW ZEALAND STATE SCHOOLS MISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1785, 5 February 1918, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND STATE SCHOOLS MISSION.

DEI GRATIA, 1917 (FIFTH YEAR).

A full year, chequered, strenuous, continuous, spent mostly in smaller schools, far separate, in the Waikato, Thames, and King Country; and, in many of which, by taking two talks daily, the Message was well finished within a. week, and nets drawn ashore, viz., slips from seniors, for birthday letters, each brought separately, and some very pointed pei’sonal questions, on sin and our Saviour, whispered and noted. Many Roman Catholic children — (heir attendance allowed —said they “had received Jesus.” Also Jews, who got leave to stay: one, a very intelligent lad, “had given his heart to God” in the talks. Asked about Christ; “Ob, no, I pray daily, hut never to Him; 1 go to the. Synagogue.” “Then, will you, lad, offer daily this prayer, “God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 0 show me if Jesus the Carpenter’s Son, he Thy Divine Son and our Messiah or no?” “1 will, sir.” Days afterwards, “I’m offering that prayer all the time.” May God show him speedily. Pelted without provocation in one playground; turned down by two or three who were said to “need converting badly’*; nine-tenths of school authorities made me welcome. Twenty-five recognitions and thanks, etc., came from masters, ministers, parents, church sessions, etc., including (unofficial) Inspector 'Norman MacKenzie, M.A., Frankton, who is rsady for reference, from committees.

Openings for next year, D.V., arc fixed or fixing for February, Foxton and Palmerston North, Te Kuiti, Thames, etc. The year of school missions closes with unfeigned gratitude and love to God. Totals, 1917: 44 schools, 420 talks (not including 98 Sunday services and cottage meetings for adults) to 5,150 young souls, whose attendances aggregated 38,400. Slips from seniors, 1,100 listed. 500 “Reasons Why,” and “Defeat and Victory” 450, one to each home. Expenses £9O. Receipts about £92, plus hospitalities, etc. Many heretofore helpers, crippled in cash, hav« doubled their covenanted intercessions, thus liberating more power from on High for those specially at the age of puberty, a time of changes id, and of direction of life, and of decision for or against God. Hearty good wishes for every joy and New Year blessing. Aye, yours in exercise, of my one tiny talent, steadily, happily, (Sgd.) H. BRADDOCK, Hon. Missioner.

c/o Y.M.C.A., Willis Street, Wellington,

9/1/18. [THE foregoing, which appeared in the Petone Chronicle, is published at the request of the Honorary School Missioner, who is at present conducting a religious mission in Foxton