OXFORD GROUP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 1 July 1937, Page 16

OXFORD GROUP.

THE FINAL GATHERING. The final gathering of the Oxford Group house party was held last evening, when Rev. M. Hodder was the leader. Gratifying numbers stated their intention of joining the ever-growing ranks of the movement in the Dominion.

The chairman pointed out that for many who had shared in the privilege of the house party the question was now, “How shall I begin?” In the first instance they had been leaning on the followship of the , party, but the test would come when they went on their various ways and faced the new experience of leaning on God alone. Many of those present were called to witness to guidance towards new decisions as to what next they had to face. An outfitter proclaimed his decision to put into practice cooperation rather than competition; honesty with the members of her family was the decision of a young woman ; to witness in his daily life at school with new-found happiness without fear of the future was a young man’s decision ; to lead his family and not push them was a father’s utterance. With a clefinite call to be associated with this fellowship, a minister declared that if he could not go forward with the four absolutes defined as a way and approach there must be something wrong. Happier family relationships with tangled skeins with her father unravelled was the happy response of a young woman. A former sceptic made public his decision to participate in the world revolution for Christ.

There was a next step for each individual and for each town, declared the leader; that was away and beyond the personal aspect. The Oxford Group was not concerned with personal problems. he said, although those came in at the beginning. Only as men were changed in increasing numbers would New Zealand become God-controlled.

There was a pleasing incident when Mr and Airs AV. Oliver were called to the platform in order that members of the team might show their appreciation of the care and attention received at the .Tade Tearooms. In conveying thanks for the comfort provided. Air Hodder asked ATr and Airs Oliver to accept a hook from the team. Mr Oliver returned thanks to those attending the house party for making his job easy, particularly those who had assisted behind the scenes. The speaker expressed gratification that ho had made many new friends living up to the highest ideals of the movement, which he declared was to make bad men good and good men better.