CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 84, 6 April 1912, Page 4

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR.

SOUTH TABANAKI UNION'S ANNUAL CONVENTION. The fourth annual Convention of the South Taranaki C. E. Union was held on Good Friday in the Methodist Church at- Hawera. Tlie afternoon meeting commenced at 2.30 p.m., there being a large attendance. Outside Societies, including Fatea, Kakaramea, Normanby, Stratfor 1 and New Plymouth Societies were well represented. Alter the usual opening hymn and prayer, the President of the Union. Mr. Dixon, spoke a few words of welcome to the members of the societies present. The Secretary's report (of which a copy is inserted at the end of this report), was read, and it is gratifying to note the excellent progress made by the C.E. movement in Ta.'anaki during the year. The bal-ance-sheet showed a small credit balance. This was followed by the election of officers for the ensuing year, the following being elected to office:—President, Rev. Metson (Stratford): vicepresidents, Rev. W. Burlev, M.A. (Manaia), Rev. Hales (New Ply-

month): secretary, Mr. D. .Everiss (Stratford) {'treasurer, Mrs. H. Whites (Stratford). it, i ' Following this, two splendid and helpful papers wore read by the Now Plymouth Baptist and Eltham Societies respectively, on "Weights and Besetments. and How to Overcome Them," ami were followed by a discussion winch will remain long in the ears or the hearers. Tin*? wore again followed by papers bv the two Stratford Societies, tto subject being "How the Endeavour Movement can be Strengthened, and Were again followed by a discussion 'loth helpful and interesting, and if all I'he suggestions brought forward by •cWese papers are accepted the . movemenl cannot but flourish. The following suggestions, to be considered by the Executive Committee., were then submitted:—-That at future 'conventions, one hour be allotted lot' Ih'ijmioss, the meeting commencing at I!30 p.m. instead of 2.30 p.m., and ! h lt Ul'eak be made between the business aiitl the devotional meetings; that the vai'ious societies bring and read at tins annual convention reports of the work done by each Society during the year; that tile date for the next convention be altered next year from Good Fri- • day owing to the Bible Class Union's faster camp being held at Wanganm; that a superintendent be appointed to organise and assist junior societies in 'iM district. - ;..,l'he meeting was then closed with pjaver and benediction. " Tiio Kndcavourers then adjourned ' to"the Wesley J J all, where an ample ■ recast was placed before them to wiliicii full justice was done. ~. .'J lie evening meeting commenced at 7.3 p p.m., and by this time the ranks ofthe Kndcavourers had been considered fa" hi v thinned owing to a consider-->abfe number if the members of visiting societies having returned by the evening trains' to their various and respecW 4 homes. After the usual opening ' 'fin address, suitable to the occasion,Wits delivered by llev. Roseveare, of N T ew Plymouth, on "A Permanent Penticost," followed ,by a tastefully rendered and well sung solo by Mi*B 0. Disoil, of Hawera. An address; was then delivered by the new President Rev. Metson, on' "Qualifications for - Saiivice." It might here _be interesting to note a remark which fell from -Jfefv. Metson's lips in his opening re-'. marks. "It is only 81 years since the QjE. movement was first started by ,Me> Clark with a society of 25 members. To-day there are in existence ■ - 70,000 societies with . an aggregate membership of 4,000,000'."' V. A vote of thanks to those societies 1 who so amply provided refreshments, : and to those who were so kindly finding homes and accommodation for the ; .visitors was then proposed by Rev. Roseveare, and seconded by Mr White, of Pa tea, being carried by acclama- • tion. , .' .'.'•' After the meeting had been closed : with the Benediction the Endeavourers ■again adjourned to the hall to partake of some slight refreshments before retiring to rest. • .-.uii THE ANNUAL REPORT. ■■ "Another year of the C.E. work has • g6!ne by, and we feel we must' thank ■ ; Utod for wliat a blessed year, it has ■Jie'en to Endeayourers K Qur.. Union ,has ■■, 1 nbiv been in existence four years next » ' »iS T qve'niber, and .during- that 1-period : good; work has been done by the dif- ' t'creut societies in the Union.

■'' "'During the past yeaiW we have held '■ sitf : executive meetings and two ralIjfil; including thto kst'trood'Friday ■rally. 'The executive been well and (delegates att-f (hi iendingithesc hnve>received nnich help 'I '''•' awd 1 encouragement. * Delegate have'fjW 1 brdugbt . several suggestions which have been helpful to others attending. :, Ok<j was that societies'try •"/•■ ! and arrange, for surprise : visits to other societies. These surprise visits : hhve been paid just lately by societies close at hand. Some few weeks ago the H-awcra Society surprisd the NormanbV'with a visit, and they returned the I visit; a-; fortnight ago. : .■'■'"'■.■;.; ui v/ftr- £'i August 'a very successful.- f :'>i rally was held at Patea. We had a'fl'Wi 'gcVdd crowd present, good papers,'and '" ! altogether the two meetings were< b'n very encouraging, i lo !t)v. .."',' ■"'lit the, afternoon meeting two ex'cel.leivt papers were read .and discussed n 'ori| ;< 'The.Power of Prayer." These Were; really helpful papers. The consecration service was a very beautiful n'ri'e', nea ,- ly every one present giving their experiences. ■ *. 1 ' lit the evening meeting we had tlii-ee helpful and inspiring addresses .which could not fail but.be a great lielp to all present. The addresses Wire given by Rev. Richards, Eltham, 'Mr. Russell, Kakaramea, and our President, and were very enjoyable. Altogether the gathering at Patea was helpful in every way. During the year our President has visited the Kakaramea, Normanby, Stratford, and Eltham Societies. The Eltham Society had not,been meeting for some time, so Mr. Dixon went up ,a'nd succeeded in starting it again. Wffli are pleased to report that they aye, having good gatherings again. Another Society has been formed in wfnteley Church, New Plymouth, and the Secretary has written asking them jbwi'join in with the Union. rP ( On New Year's Day the Endeavourersjfrom different societies in the Union spent a very enjoyable 'day at Nttyere Gardens. The day was beautifully fine, and all thoroughly enjoyed the outing. After lunch a f-.lsoit meeting was hold at the Ngacre Hall, where several gave short addresses. Some of our societies have, dui.'r.g the year, reported the loss of several of their prominent members, but ethers we find have been gaining members. Several of our societies have been having a sev«re struggle lately to keep their members together, but we hope and pray that these will s< < n be,,on firm ground again. We are scrrjrerio report the loss of the Ma x apu Society from our Union, but hope soon tftj.hear of their starting work agaiij. We thank God for the g-iod work being done in our societies, i>nd we pray that God will help us during this next, year to do all we can f'.r the 0. E. movement and t:>'at we may live up to our motto--" For Chi'vst and the Church."