NBWTA Report 1904-042
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80 81 DEPARTMENTAL EVANGELISTIC REPORTS. DEPARTMENT. In response to the circulars sent out asking the Secretaries of our County Unions to send accounts of Evangelistic Work accomplished in their Unions, the following reports have been ‘received :— East Anglican Union —Two good Gospel Temperance missions held by Dr. Henry and Mrs. Harrison Lee, roo Sunday meetings in churches and halls, 112 prayer meetings, 419 pledges taken, 326 new members gained. Bedford Union.—11 prayer meetings, 72 new members gained 41 pledges taken. who Birmingham holds weekly Union Gospel reports the Temperance the dinner hour. Dorsetshire Union.—Two meetings, 29 prayer meetings, taken. missions 68 new employment of a missionary meetings and visits factories in held, members 67 Gospel gained, Temperance and 41 pledges 3 Devonshire. — Exmouth reports a new departure in the way of afternoon social meetings with Gospel Temperance addresses and tea resulting in many pledges taken. Glamorganshire and Monmouth C.U.—1r12 prayer meetings, 100 meetings in churches and halls on Sunday, 96 Bible readings, 236 pledges taken, 107 new members gained. The Union has also helped missions arranged by the Free Church Council. Somersetshire Union.—35 meetings, 75 new members gained, 65 pledges. Staffordshire Union.—4 Gospel Temperance missions held, 1 450 pledges gained. ae Secretaries are asked to carefully note anything that has been specially helpful in evangelistic lines of work and to report at the end of the year. Sunpay SERVICES, We have had delightful reports from the Sunday services at Ply- mouth. Every effort was put forth to make them a success, with the result that a very large number received a straight Gospel Temperance message. Our London services have not been so successful, although last yeara great many letters were written, and circulars sent out. I cannot help wishing that our London friends would make further effort with this work. I think if a little more thought were given to it, every branch could secure at least one meeting in its locality, if not a regular Church service, at least a P.S.A. or Bible Class. As a rule people who conduct classes are so glad to get the chance of a fresh voice. When I had more time to give to the organization of the work, I managed one year to secure 160 services and meetings in churches. Surely those who worship inthe churches should have a much better chance to secure I think it is impossible to over-estimate this result than a stranger. the importance of the work. Our Devotional Day.—As usual last year, we were crowded to the doors both morning and afternoon, and I am continually receiving I think it is testimony to the helpfulness and inspiration of this day. so good that we give, so to speak, our first day of the Council definitely to God, thereby giving our testimony that we recognize that our dependence is so absolutely upon Him. It would be a very great sorrow to me if the time should ever come that we should decide to curtail one moment of it, especially as I have been discovering that some are only able to come in the morning and others only in the afternoon. I earnestly hope that the Council will agree with me not to make any change in the length of time we have given to this important day. LANTERN LECTURES AND SERVICES. Lantern work has been quite a revelation to me during the past year. I have been so distressed to see the hundreds of people in my own town who never care to go to any place of worship on the Sunday, and who aie practically living without God, and without any hope of a I thought I would try a lantern service, and now every future life. Sunday during the winter months my Mission Hall is crowded to the doors with such an attentive audience, and very definite testimony reaches me that real good is being effected. I am only just beginning to discover the wonderful possibilities of a lantern, both for Sunday and week-day work, but I must confess it involves immense labour and a good deal of outlay at the commence- ment, and I am sure that only the strict observance of certain conditions I shall be very glad to give the benefit of will really make ita success. my experience to any who may care to write to me about the matter. I have I am now preparing a new lecture on “Life in Prison.” been most fortunate in securing a splendid set of slides, showing every These detail of how prisoners live and move and have their being. slides are absolutely accurate, having been obtained by special permis- I believe the lecture will prove an sion from the prison authorities. attractive draw to those outside our ranks, and it is obvious how very easy it will be to incorporate strong temperance teaching with such a subject, seeing that our prisons would be half empty if it were not for Full particulars of this and other Lantern Lectures will the drink evil. be sent on application. Before closing my report I wish to express my very grateful thanks to all our Sunday speakers, who have always been so ready and willing to give their valuable help for the Sunday services, and also to Mrs. Shepherd and her band of workers, and to Sister Lily and the choir, who have done so much to make the devotional day a success. Mary GoRHAM, Nat. Evan. Sec. B—4 |