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The Spike or Victoria University College Review September 1925

Christian Union

page 59

Christian Union.

"And when the pedants bade us mark
What cold mechanic happenings
Must come: our souls said in the dark
Belike ; but there are likelier things.'

Chesterton.

One of the brightest of 'Varsity hours is the one hour of the week devoted to our Study Circles. In groups of seven or eight we have met. and interchange of thought and experience in life has been free and frank. We have used as a study-book Picken's "Great Adventure," and some of us have learned how to make the Christian's the Great Adventure of life. That common interchange of thought, the true function of 'Varsity life, is almost lost in Victoria College, but heaven forbid that any should think that lectures are going to make the man. And in our Study Circles we have faced the principles of Jesus as relating to our own principles, and His practice compared with ours. Even the saints have been discovering that they are, perhaps, not quite perfect. But enough of study circles—those who attended were the fortunate ones.

What of "Retreats," or as the modernists say, "Advances?" We have been very happy in our Retreat leaders, particularly in that one where Rev. E. C. Dewich, of India, yarned, and he really did, to us on India, her problems, people and hopes. We who feel that unification between East and West does take place when a common ideal binds the two, are now more keen to see the clay when the Son of Man shall bind the restless spirit of the East to his cause; and when philosophical India will make her great contribution to the interpretation of Christ's teachings.

Next year we have Dr. Mott with us for a few days, as well as Student Kennedy, both of whom will be alive and forceful. Donald Grant, the New Zealand Secretary, arrives in January, with all the encumbrances of a married man. He will do us good, if we use him. Mrs. Grant proposes to move round among the women—so we women will not be neglected.

Annual meeting has come and gone. The meeting was rather wonder-fully and fearfully disciplined by the chairman. That the new constitution should be passed in under half-an-hour speaks volumes for his direction, and would hint that no one else spoke volumes as is customary. The essential superiority of the male was again demonstrated when one man successfully opposed four women for the last position on the Executive—there were a majority of women in the meeting. Almost a new Executive has been elected, only two of last year's remaining in office, the new members being keen workers. Election results were:—Mr. B. N. Eade (President); Miss A. Stewart (Vice-president); Mr. J. Dunn (Secretary); Miss A. Patterson (Treasurer); Miss M. MacLaurin (Committee-woman); Mr. G. M. Richardson and Mr. R. Dixon (Committee-men). We wish them well in the new year's work.

Finance—the bugbear of all students and no less ours—forces itself upon us. Between nursing babies (for the men) and worm-cultivation (for the women), we hope to raise some of the necessary. A Jumble Sale, which will include all manner of weird and wonderful articles, is our second string. May the harmony of these two strings be reinforced by the keenness of donors. Give 'em socks!

Have you heard of a "House Party?" No; not the bun-rush musical-cushion-type but an evening round the fire swapping one's problems with the others, discussing from experience how best to face the everyday emergencies. Do you get it? Learning how Christ can be fitted into one's own particular need. As the Chinese proverb has it "Crows are black the whole world over," and the Jap solves it. Christ has for too long been administered and administered from the second storey; the time has come when He and I should become friends. And the "House Party" is a means by which we may share Christ as well as ourselves. Watch for it next year.

General Committee has met—Conference to which all must go—is at Temuka. The central theme is to be on Christ's and our relation to the race problem. A study book is being issued.

In another section will be found a report on an address on Toc H., given at one of our mid-week groups. So with a sigh of relief I drop the reluctant pen and thank the Lord that someone else will write the next notes for that happy, if not (w)holy Club, the C.U.