Victoria College University Christian Union.

Despite the adverse conditions which have arisen as a consequence of the war, the activities of the Christian Union have been as varied and as widely appreciated as ever. Some of the leaders, and many of the members are already at the front, or in training. Yet the Summer Conference, held this year at Waimate, was attended by over 130 students from the four University centres, and proved of great significance in bringing home to students who remain the added responsibilities placed on University men and women to prepare themselves adequately for the future leadership of the country. It was for the Universities to say what kind of leaders the country should have—whether their lives should be ruled by selfish and narrow ambitions, or whether their energies should be dedicated to the highest interests of the nation and the race. These higher ideals it was the duty of the Christian Union to inculcate and maintain.

The All-day Conference in connection with our own centre, held on the first Saturday of the term, was attended by about 100 of our students. The chief note struck was a challenge to the student to make the most of his passing opportunities in every direction—physical, intellectual, moral, social, spiritual—in order the better to meet the demands which the present crisis and the coming social reconstruction would make upon them.

As is usual during the session, a large number of our members are meeting weekly in small groups to study by the circle method a selected text book. The book under consideration this year is Fosdick's "Manhood of the Master." In this study the emphasis is mainly upon the character of Jesus Christ, and consequently is proving well worth while to all those who give up, each week, such time as is necessary to carry this study through.

Considerable attention has, in addition, been devoted during the past few months to the encouragement of an intelligent interest in some of the big problems which confront the modern man in his search for truth. To this end, a series of discussions on fundamental theological problems was held during the summer months. These meetings revealed a lively interest in, and a Very varied critical appreciation of the topic dealt with. A circle has also been meeting during the term to read and discuss along critical lines a work by Cohu, entitled "Vital Problems of Religion," written essentially from the modern point of view, and covering the ground from which biology, psychology, and philosophy have unearthed so many new problems. And so, while the devotional side has had due attention in Bible Study Circles and General Meetings, the intellectual side has riot been lost sight of, but always the effort has been made to emphasise the fact that Christianity is up-to-date, and well worth living to the full.