WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 165, 16 July 1903, Page 4

WHITELEY MEMORIAL CHURCH.

[COMM [JNICATED.] There was a very large congregation at the Whiteley Memorial Church on Sunday evening to hear an addrrss by the Rev. J. N. Buttle 00. tha TorreyAlexander Mission, which hid been Specially announced. The preacher said mission bad been one cf the mast important religions movements in the colony during recent years. He attended th 9 meetiegs in Chrisichurcb, and he would describe some of the imp'-esuons which he had received. " It was clearly seen that the old' goepil had no; yet lost i's power ovit the nuPSfa, as people representing • almost every c'ass ward present at the services. The " AleVs Meetings" were a distinct fea'ure, drawing audiences of about 3000 oa each occasion. On the second Sunday evening, it was estimated that 10,000 people were in and around the Canterbury Hall. On the last two week nights cf the mission, with a view of relieving tbe pressure, two meeting) were held on each evening- A women's meeting first and a men's mesticg eftorwnrd*, the hall being crowded on pa<in < oottaion. These great crowds did not come to hear of a new way to ges to Heaven, but to leirn of God's reuvdy for man's sin. The mission also emphasis 2d tbe faet for the necessity of varie'y in modes of worsh:p. The preacher hell the opinion that in every 1 rga community, there should bi a mission ball, where services would bo conduc ed under the auspices of a recognisai ew.rgelical denomination, and which would bi free fcrm tha conventional forms usually p-evail-ing. These ra ; s ion halls wculd supply tha needs cf a section of th<* public. Tue of this kiud tf service in o'.bcr lamls proved rho truth of the above Ma enient. But everybody could not fit d a p'aee of worship in such surrouu(;ir gc Tbe stit.ely cathedral, the ciy cVu'.ch, as olso ; ho ornate suburban saf.cUn'-y w.u'd still be required. sirjgi'jg needed furihar cultivation. It was not necessary to hav-i "filthy" m-.loJies aid songs to get the- massaa to join in th ; s part of worehip. Tha gij>nd rid hymns "All hail the power of Jesu's name," " Jfe.«u, lovo • of my sou!," and others, were never sung wi'h ..ff;ct thi-.n by the hu"i rronrd-i which gathered at the tnt.'e;i:;gi or the lnr-sion. As a preacher, Br. Toney u=cd grea; dhicin« 83 of tp3*ch. His manner was that of a trained lawyar, to which profession he formerly belonged, He !:e!d oka?

and strong reasons why he believed the Bible to be the Word of God. He supported, his presentment of Divine trutn with quotations, giving chapter and verse in proof. He massed bis evidence, comparing scripture with ecripture, until its accumulating force brought conviction to the conscienc \ and submission to God was yielded. Dr. Torrey held the necessity of conversion, as assurance of this must be clear and definite, whatever may be the mode or manner of its accomplishment. The whole service was bright and hearty, the singing being specially so. Instead of tbe usual anthtm, Mr Alexander's " Glory Song " was sung, Mies Felt ham taking the solo very effectively. Mr G. H. White was organist, and there was a large attendance of tbe choir, [We are always pleased to publish such reports as the above, but would be batter p'eased to receive them earlier.—Ed.]