CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2472, 10 April 1909, Page 5

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.

ANNUAL CONVENTION. The annual convention of the United Christian Endeavor Societies of Gisborne took place yesterday. Services were held in the Baptist and Wesley Churches, and in the evening an openair meeting, was held at the firebell tower in Gladstone RoacU The various meetings, which were well attended, were of a bright nature, short addresses being given and special convention hymns sung. The day's doings commenced at 7.80 ~ a.m. with a prayer meeting in the Wesley Church, Mr. ’ E. Yardley presiding. Hymns and prayers were given, and with Bible reading, an hour-was spent in devotions. At 11 a.m. Communion service was conducted in the Baptist Church, the Rev. W. Lamb and C’. Griffin giving, addresses. The subject of the Rev. W. Lamb’s address was ‘‘The Universal Gocl,” aud to illustrate it ho took several verses from Romans, where the apostle Paul reasons with the Christians in Rome, and shows them that God is not only the God of the Jews but the God of the heathens also. God, Mr. Lamb continued, was the factor needed for the. ' completion of every man. There l was something in man’s heart that called out aftc” God. At the same time God was outside seeking to awaken a response of love, and when the heart responded there came a union between it and God. and man was satisfied. .Without the knowledge of the only true God t-lie innate passion for God made men to produce God after their own imagination. The heathens all had a god, some of wood, some of stone or gold* and if they looked round the town and cities they would see men sacrificing themselves to some god, money-making, pleasure, business —something winch they had taken into their lives. But they never found, rest, as there was only one God who was able to satisfy every child of man. They had all come from God, and it urns his intention that they should spend Eternity with Him. There was no perfect mate for the human being but God. Another reason that Ho was the Universal God was because He was kind to all, supplied the needs of every creature, sent the ram and sun upon the just and unjust, Die Christian and the heathen. It was said bv some that the heathen were better off than the dwellers in the slums of the cities, but when sorrow crushed their life, when, pain came, the heathen were hopeless and had no knowledge o God to whom they could turn. But m knowing God Christi'jfys had a responsibility. and responsibility implied action. ‘ God had said, ‘‘Go, preach the Gospel to every creature,” and it rested with them to do all the good they could. Some people believed tnat the Almighty God could do what lie wanted without the help of anyone. This was wrong, because God needed human instruments in his plan for the uplifting of humanity. Ho womd not keep the young from tlio sin of gambibi'cr and the power of drink without their help. The Saviour was counting on Christians to make known the love of God to humanity, and the mission of every converted life was to make known the "love of God to others. The Rev. C. Griffin said that two days after be landed in Gisborne lie had had the pleasure of taking part m a Christian Endeavor Convention, and now, two days before he left, he again - took part in one , and lie could say that through the whole of his three years in Gisborne he had never once lost trust in God, and never once felt that He who went about doing good bad left him. In every sorrow and work Ho had been present, He wanted to say that for those who had had similar experiences to those he had had, their love for God was not going to bo made manifest by just talking. If they loved Christ their lives would be the means of bringing others to God. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was then administered.. At 2.30 a children’s meeting was held in the Baptist Church. Addresses were given by Mr. Thompson, Miss Broekenshire, and Mr. Kent. _ _ _ ™ At 3 p.m. a meeting was hold in the Wesley Church the Rev. Mr. Walker presiding, the speakers being Messrs Perry, Grubb, and Foster. Mr. Perry took f— his subject “The Universal Kingdom,” and said _ that since the beginning of the Christian era the Church of Christ bad spread to almost every land. Looking at the world-wide endeavor from a Christian standpoint, they found shat the Christian Endeavor had grown into a mighty organisation. There were 700 branches in India and thousands in England. Societies had sprung up in China and Japan and in the islands of the sea, and work had been begun in' Brazil and South Africa, The movement had gradually expanded from small beginnings. They were g,lad to hear of the efforts of God’s people in foreign lands, but had God’s kingdom spread in Gisborne during the last twelve months? The different societies had met perhaps a hundred times during the year and discussed subjects which had brought a blessing to their own souls, but had they done''much to extend God’s kingdom? In looking round they saw that there were three societies in Gisborne now, but there were not many conversions. There was one thing lacking—the living power of God. it was only by the spirit of God overflowing in them that they could be a blessing to others. Mr. Grubb spoke on “Universal Fellowship.” He said they had various fellowships in this life. The desire for God was universal. Everyone was feeling after God, even the savage when he worshipped wood and stone. The time would come when there would be universal fellowship in which the chief note would be “Glory.” It would have to be founded on Jesus Christ as their Saviour. In conclusion, he said, the closer the fellowship was with God the closer would be the fellowship with one another Mr. Foster, in speaking on Universal Brotherhood, said it was a subject of great importance to every child of God. It should be considered by all, because without it they could not bring any to the. love of God, and unless they were brothers 'and sisters they could not enjoy the love of God. They should do their utmost to preach 'the saving gospel of Christ, because the time was drawing nigh when Christ would reveal himself. At 5 o’clock the Endcavorers had tea in the Wesley Schoolroom, after which a short open-air meeting was held, at which an invitation was given to the final meeting in the wesley Church. This meeting was of a very earnest character, was well attended, and addresses were given by the 1 Revs. W. Grant, Walker ,and Adjutant Melkshaiii, the Rev. W. Lamb presiding. Mr. Grant said he was impressed with the importance of speaking as ra-p----ha^ador„oL,<^ri^.^His..:aime.alAvpiiUL

be to to Christ. He had a message to give to undecided men and women. The Lord was there irf all his compassionate Iqve, and they could let' Him into their hearts if they would. He had knocked tenderly and often at the hearts of some, and still they had refused him.

Adjutant Melksham said that he Was very glad that over 20 years ago he had come to Christ. He thanked God because there was a reality in His religion. God had helped them in tlio past, and was able to help them now. If they wanted help the only one to satisfy was Christ. Mr. Walker spoke on “World-wide Christianity.” He said it was inspiring to speak to such a gathering. It was an easy thing, lie thought, to he •a Christian Endeavorer at a meeting lkie that., but what about the morrow when they came in contact with the world ? The Lord was calling them to be Christian Endcavorers in the fullest sense of the word. He wanted them to watch during the six days between the Sabbaths. It was useless to go and pray if they did not try to conquer the things that were evil. He believed God was willing to do what it was impossible for them to do themselves, .but He was not going to do what they thmseiVes could do. The Lord wanted them to sympathise with people in truoble, buff lie also wanted them to do something to prevent people from being surprised by the power of evil. Voluntary testimonies were given by various members, and the Convention closed with prayer.