Presbyterian Church's Share In Missionary Work

Chronicle (Levin), 30 May 1949, Page 4

Presbyterian Church's Share In Missionary Work

— : — "The Presbytefian Church of New Zeaiand takes its share in the rmssiohary task of the World Church, and has taken the initiative and aCcepted the' responsibility for procla.iming the Gospel and demonstrating the life of Christian faith i'n three very different areas of the earth's surface— the islands of the New Hebrfdes in the Pacific, the vi lages near Canton in South China, and in the farming and villages areas of the East Punjab in North India," said Rev. A. Salmond, preaching on Foreign Missions Sunday in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church yesterday. "Our mission in China is very much in the thoughts and prayers df our members in these days. People are asking what is the position and what. news will the next few months bring? " 'Already,' writes one of our missionary nurses from the hospi.al wneve she has served through the stormy years of Japanese invasion and occupation, 'we can see breakers on the horizon which may sweep in and crash against our frail .craft; but we stand firm .together at the wheel and launch forth in complete trust, knowing lthat the God who has guided us through last year will also remain faithful through this one.' ■ "That comment expressed the attitude -of our missionaries," conlinued Mr. Salmond. "A! great deai of apprehension exists regarding the possible faie of the church in general or of its pastors and preachers in particular. As long as our missionaries can preach and teach and heal in Christ's name, and exercise a Christian ministry to Chinese Christians and nonChristians, they will remain. Orily if their presence becomes a source of danger to the Chinese Church and on occasion of hindrance to Chinese Christians will they try to return to this country." Mr. Salmond said that a missionary teacher, in a letter to New Zealand, wrote: "The other day a fellow missionarv at Paak Hok Tung said: 'Well, we can just go on a day at a time. I'm keeping praying that God will give me the gumption to do and say the right thing in a erisis; other people's lives may depend on that.' If you pray such a prayer for us it will not be out of plaoe."