Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 33, Number 10. 8 July, 1970
No room at the inn
No room at the inn
Accommodation was a problem: formerly hotels and motels were used, but the sanctity of these places was dubious, and visiting Exclusives were billeted in other Exclusives' homes. Halls were no longer to be hired, so buildings to scat up to 1,000 people have been and are being built in the principal 'localities': Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North, Christchurch. This of course meant great expenditure, as the halls are, of course, empty most of the time, but funds were raised when called for. These halls are closed to non-Exclusives. For a long time, if a person showed interest in being 'converted' to the straight and narrow path, in giving up living in sin (in a broad sense) and "the wicked evil world," he might be invited to attend meetings, particularly gospel preachings. But this became forbidden recently because it seemed to provide a leak for information.
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'The Gordon Street Hall' in Newtown is up for auction now. It was in use by the Brethren up to a year ago.
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'The Kilbirnie Crescent Hall'. The Brethren have been trying to sell it for several years but they can't find another venue for meetings.
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'The Witako Street Hall' was built about the same time as 'the Rex Street Hall': again, it was designed and built by members of the sect.
The interested sinner may now listen to street corner preachings on Friday nights and, having renounced all earthly vices and relatives, undergoes a gruelling examination in the presence of two or more witnesses before his case for entry is put before the Assembly. The process of getting out is almost as difficult as getting in. This may seem strict, but the Exclusives are very ready to welcome sincere new members, and very reluctant to let former members depart.