DOMINION FACING SPIRITUAL CRISIS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 166, 4 October 1927, Page 16

DOMINION FACING SPIRITUAL CRISIS

REV. L. B. FLETCHER’S VIEW

Nearly 100 members of the Auckland Provincial Christian Endeavour Union met; at a banquet in the Wesley Hall, Pitt Street, and afterward in the Beresford Congregational Church in conclusion of the 35th annual convention of the union.

The Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, who presided, addressed the assembly at the Beresford Congregational Church. He described the progress of the alumni movement in the Christian Endeavour Unions of America, and the United Kingdom. New Zealand, he said, was facing a spiritual crisis. The union was an excellent organisation to look after the spiritual welfare of young people. There was no question that the power of religion had declined, particularly among women and girls. He found that nearly 10 men were converted to every woman and girl. The only people who were stemming the onrush of worldliness were the spiritually-minded men and women of the past generation. Following are the alumni officers for the ensuing year: President, the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. B. Bristow and S. Barry; secretary. Miss Ethel Walters; treasurer, Mrs. Snowden; committee, the Rev. A. S. Wilson, the Rev. E. Nicholls. Messrs. F. A. Wrenn. N. Carless, G. Campbell and J. Graham.