The various branches of Christian Union work have been taken up this year on the same lines as usual. Bible study, among the women, is being based this year upon Oldham's "Studies on the Teaching of Jesus," and amongst the men on Bosworth's "Studies in Acts and Epistles" and "Life of Christ."

A Mission Study Class meets on Saturday nights, after the general Meeting, and the various religions of China are being studied as to their teachings, progress, etc. The attendance at this class is very poor, and if we are ever going to improve in this matter, we need the hearty co-operation of every member.

Miss England is still continuing her Sunday morning class. This year "Jeremiah" is being studied. Miss England's studies are well worth hearing, and we feel sure that if more members could make the effort to go, they would never regret it. Our hearty thanks are due to Miss England for her untiring zeal and kindness in this matter.

Pre-Sessional Work.

All through the long vacation Mr. Sprott, with his usual kindness, has been giving weekly addresses to Union members. This year he dealt with "The Leading Characteristics of the Four Gospels," dealing with authorship, style and matter of each, and emphasising the chief teaching of each. The Union desires to thank Mr. Sprott most heartily for his kindness in giving us this time, despite the fact that he was so busy with his parish work.

The Summer Conference of the New Zealand Student Christian Union was held this year at Marton, from Dec. page 63 30th until Jan. 5th. The number of delegates from Victoria College was nineteen. Marton proved an ideal Conference site, and the Conference was in every way a great success. Waimate is the probable site of the next Conference, which will be held well before Christmas, or late in January.

Sunday, February 22nd was observed as the universal day of prayer for students. The churches in and around Wellington were invited by circular to observe this day of prayer for the student movement, and a meeting was held in St. John's Bible Class room after church in the evening. The Rev. Blackburne, vicar of Kilbirnie, gave an address on "Prayer," and the Rev. Standage, of Kelburne Presbyterian Church, spoke on "Practical Aspects of Prayer."

Meetings.

The opening meeting of the Union was held on April 23rd in Gymnasium. There was an attendance of about thirty members. Professor Easterfield gave an address on "Old Faiths." He showed how Christianity had stood the test of the full light of science, and had come out not a whit the worse; nay, even enriched. The idea, fairly prevalent that the greatest scientists have found it impossible to retain their faith in christianity was shown, from the testimony of several of the greatest scientists of the day, to be false.

The next address, on May 14th, was given by Mr. Caughley, M.A., of the Training College. He took as his subject "children," pointing out the rapid advance of child psychology of late years, and impressing upon his hearers the importance of a right use of the influence which they as young men and women undoubtedly have upon children.

The Rev. R. H. Hobday, vicar of St. Matthew's, Brooklyn, gave a very interesting address on "Thoughts Introductory to Bible Study." He reminded us that the Bible was not one book, but a collection of books of all kinds—poetry, prose, history, etc., and touched briefly upon recent researches in archaeology and paleology, and their significance to the Bible. He concluded his remarks with an appeal for a deeper, more reverent and intelligent study of the Bible.

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The next address, on June 11th, was by the Rev. Gibson-Smith, on "Fellowship with the Living Christ." In a very impressive way Mr. Smith dwelt on the need for a living, personal communion with the Christ, which could only come from an entire and absolute self-consecration.

The women's branch has had a visit from the women's travelling secretary, Miss Reeve, of Melbourne. While in Wellington she met the various committees, and also gave an address to women students on "Personality." This was well attended, and we believe that much good has resulted from Miss Reeve's visit.

Ex-President Roosevelt in Egypt.

To all of us who take an interest in the work which is being accomplished by Britain in Egypt, the generous eulogy which was bestowed by ex-President Roosevelt upon its result, and, in particular, upon the efficiency and utility of the higher education must be highly gratifying. During the course of his visit to Cairo, he addressed the students of the local University, and his words were so wise, and set forth in so clear a light the nature of true education and its relations to the State, that we reproduce them for the benefit of our readers: "Wisdom, and sincerity, financial and educational management, and, above all, character, are more important than mental subtlety. Substantial education whether of an individual or a people, is only to be obtained by a process, not by an act. No man is educated by a curriculum. Everyone must help himself, and remember the Arab proverb: "God is with the patient if they know how to wait."