MISSIONS TO MEN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10025, 22 April 1910, Page 5

MISSIONS TO MEN.

THE REV. H. S. WOOLLCO&IBE. The following is a sketch of the career of the Rev. H. S. Woollcombe, the head of the Oxford House, Bethnal Green, who, as organiser of the Church of England Men's Soccety, will give wan address in Mastertun on Sunday next/ at the Town Hall. Mr'.'Woollcombe is a son of Devon, born within a few miles of famous Dartmoor. After finishng school at Clifton, he went to'Keble College, Oxford, on leaving which he went for a time to the University settle ment of Oxtord House in the East 'End of London. Oxford House is a place where youncj graduates chum together, doing their business or professional work in the' daytime, and engaging in religious and philanthropic work among the poor m the • evenings. His stpy here decided Mr Woollcombe's future course of life, rand determined him in taking holy orders. He was ordained an 1 wen'- to work in the parish of Stepney lor six years, after which he came back to Oxford House, this time as its head, •which position he filled for the seven and a half years which elapsed prior to his coming to Austrailasia on his -present mission. THE MEN'S SOCIETY.

Most striking than most organisations which have come to the front in the last few years is the church of England Men's Society. Engineered by the Archbishop of York and the Rev. Gordon Saville, it ha 3 introduced a connection and inter-com-munion between English diocese 3, and a sphere of work which has quickened many a parish. But the PanAnglican Congress has ushered in a new era of world-wide churchmanship. The Archbishops of Australia invited the then Bishop of Stepney to be present at the Perth Church Congress, and then to preach in the principal cities. He consented to make the tour with the intention of advocating tha establishment of the 'C.E.M.S. in Australia. As head of 'the Province of York he could not go. On resigning the Headship of Oxford House after Easter, Mr Woollcomba joined the headquarters staff of the C.E M.S. and in clue course started on a'visit to the whole ■British world. It is claimed that he is an equally good speaker to very various types of audience, to undergraduate and cabinetmaker alike. That he is abnormally full of spirits and hope; that prayer meeting, parochial mission, Christian Evidence platform in Victoria Park, or Mission in Wonderland has equally tried his mettle, and not found him wanting.