When I read the Psalms I find great encouragement. The psalmist is never afraid to admit to being sad or downhearted. But he always makes a choice to praise God and to acknowledge the good things God has done in his Life.
When the old building was to be sold I was very sad. I have so many memories in what was called The Princess Louise Institute, (PLI). I attended my first Sunday school class there when I was 4 years old, then moved on into the junior S.S in the main hall. My S.S teachers were husband and wife Alf and Lollie Diggins, I was taught that God loved me and Jesus died for me. When I was 10 we had a children’s campaign where I asked Jesus into my life that night. I found it very hard, I tried very hard to be good, but I tried in my own strength, not understanding what it all meant, so I let it slip. I still went to SS and the Brownies, still heard about Jesus and I loved to be in the company of Christians. I came to love the old building. When I was fifteen Billy Graham came to this country, I heard again that God wanted to be part of my life. I responded to the message gave my life again to Him but this time I was in no doubt what it meant.
We had a great group of young people that used to meet on a Saturday evening. We had a club, Rambles and we did so many things together in the Old PLI. We also wanted to learn and grow as Christians, we visited other churches and meetings and shared our faith, and sometimes took the meetings ourselves. The heads also met for nights of prayer in the Old building. I became a leader in the Girl Coevanters class we had 20 to 25 eleven to twenty year olds and I still have contact with some of them and some of who gave their lives to Jesus. So that’s why it saddened me when the building was sold and more so when we had to empty it. But like the psalmist, I made a choice to remember the good and wonderful memories I have of all that happened in the PLI building, knowing that God still has great things to do now. It’s not the building that is important it’s the people.
Yesterday, today and forever Jesus is the same, all may change but Jesus never changes, Glory to his name.
It no longer saddens me I look to the new things God has in store for us, because he has promised us.
Pat Maslin
I was one of the 'young people' who was involved with Pat and George, and many others at that time. We were very active and the PLI as a church, thrived. We had wonderful times and I do found it diffcult not to feel sad. If George and Pat read this it would be lovely to meet again. Be warned - I have photos!
Posted by: Brenda Grass | January 30, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Hi Brenda, sorry to be so very long in replying here! I can't find any way of contacting you from your comment above. If you email or call the church office with your details we will be able to let you know when there's something on. If I could I would let you know about the 7th Dec 2008 service at the Gloucester Hall on Frankham Street where you'd see some familiar faces. Please email info@thebear.tv or call 020 8691 2085. I just spoke to George who remembers you well. He said your photos would probably be of the rambles you'd all go on. Hope you are well. God Bless. Alan
Posted by: Alan Dunn | November 26, 2008 at 11:08 AM
As a teenager I attended the youth activities at PLI. The grace of God reached me through a Billy Graham Relay Service in April,1955. The relay broadcast was at Gloucester Hall. My life was transformed.
Many young people from the Deptford area were converted at that time. Truly, it was a move of the Holy Spirit.
At 19 years I entered Theological College and became a local church pastor when I was just 23. I thank God for PLI and all the young people I knew there. Especially, I salute the faithfulness and commitment of George and Pat Maslin, and their team of helpers. God bless you always!
John (researchers@ntlworld.com)
Posted by: John Cuthbert | January 04, 2009 at 02:36 PM
I just found your site whilst I was researching my family history. I had heard that the PLI had gone a long time ago. So pleased that you are continuing to preach the gospel especially to the young people.
I was a young person in about 1958 when I joined the youth club. we spent hours playing table tennis and snooker. We also were put under the influence of godly people such as Bert Thoroughgood and Mr Varley. And of course the unforgetable George Roberts, a lovely Irishman who had such an influence on my life. There was Pat who I think when to Japan as a missionery, Harry who I saw a couple of years ago and tall George.
I remember a Sunday evening in April 1960 when I heard George Roberts preach and I was shaken to the core by the power of the word. But did nothing until the following evening when Bert asked me if I wanted to talk. Well it all came out and I accepted Christ as Saviour. I had been working in a betting office for a short while and Bert arranged a new job for me. He was the CEO of an insurance company and found me a job there. George Roberts and the late Ted Hubbard of Youth for Christ fame jointly baptised me at Allerford Road baptist Church, Catford. An unforgetable experience.
Since then, nearly 50 years ago, I have tried to live a Christian life with God's help but none of this would have been possible without the good people at the PLI. My message is, do not give up, you may not see the results of your labours but God does.
Posted by: Mervyn | October 30, 2009 at 02:57 PM