Evangelical Union

The Times in which we live have sometimes been called the "Second Age of Reason." This is an age of great scientific progress in which men like to believe that their actions and thoughts are logical and rational, an age that frowns on emotional exuberance and extremes of conduct or ideas. It is not surprising, therefore, that religion in any active form is carefully shunned or conveniently ignored by most students as something purely of the emotions, and in any case rather beneath the "intellectually enlightened."

And what is more natural, for after all, what is the use of a code of ideas, a philosophical system or an outworn history that has no practical application today.

The "E.U." is a fellowship of students who accept the responsibility of witnessing to their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and God. They seek to show that not only is this faith real and personal, but it is essential and practical. Their basis of belief is "one in tradition and content with the chief Protestant confessions of faith," and is well able to satisfy the tests of higher learning and practical application. Some highlights of past activities emphasise these beliefs.

1955: After Study Week a special series of lunch-time and evening meetings under the title "Can a Thinking Man be a Christian?" was conducted by Dr. Howard Guiness of Sydney, who, in stating the truths of Christianity and the claims of Christ, was not afraid to meet the challenge of secular opinion. The titles show the nature and scope of the material discussed, e.g.: "Christian Sex Morality is psychologically sound and medically up to date," "Five good reasons for believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," "The Three Essential Steps to Becoming a Christian." Two to three hundred students attended each of these meetings and St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral was packed for the final service on Sunday night, July 17. Towards the end of the year a special series of addresses on the Christian and Society was given, with subjects such as "The Christian in Education" and "The Christian and the Law."

1956: Speakers included Dr. Jeffries, District Officer of Health, Dr. Edwin Orr and his team of speakers, Don Harris, Vinerian page 88

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Scholar of Oxford, Canon Breton, the Dean of Nelson, and others. During the May vacation the annual Inter-Varsity Fellowship Conference was held at the Hutt, having as its theme the relevance of Christianity to the things we do, say and think. Students from all the Universities and Training Colleges were present.

1957: In April some 120 students attended the house party at Paekakariki. The Bishop of Nelson and the Rev. Eric Sherburd of Wellington were the main speakers and the theme of the house party was "Behold the Man"—Christ Jesus." All were challenged by a new appreciation of what it meant for Christ to come and die for us"—how that everyone has erred and cannot justify himself before God, but that because Christ died we have the free offer of pardon and joint heirship with him. Later in the term Rev. Rogers spoke on the necessity of accepting this offer and the need for progressing in the Christian life from this first decision.

During the last few years the Union has grown spiritually and organisationally. Actual membership has increased to some seventy students and a full programme operates; prayer meetings and Bible Study groups, regular Friday night meetings, occasional Sunday teas, hikes and social evennigs, and three weekend house parties during the year. Our speakers have come from every denomination and widely varying vocations, ministers, missionaries, business men, university lecturers, civil servants"—from Britain, Europe, the United States, Indonesia, Australia and the Far East as well as New Zealand.