MELANESIAN MISSION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 6

MELANESIAN MISSION.

BISHOP WOOD IN WELLINGTON. ■ WELCOME AT THE TOWN HALL, Despite the inclemency of tho weather, a large n,umber of people interested in tho work of the. Melanesion Mission carried on by the Anglican Church, assembled at tho Town Hall last evening, to extend a welcome to the .new-Bishop of Melanesia (Dr. Wopd), and' listen, to speeches about the mission work, in these .remote islands' of the Pacific. Tho Bishop of Wellington ;(Dr. Sprott) presided, and.thero were also present: His Excellency the Governor'(Lord'lslington), the Primate of New Zealand,(Dr.,Nevill), tho Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Crossley), and others. Tho Bishop of Wellington, in opening the meeting, extended a cordial welcome to Dr. Wood,, and made an earnest appeal.on behalf of the Melauesian Mission, which he said was .'the missioii.'of tho ls T ew Zerijiuid Church, arid; a first charge upon their support. _ - The various great mission fields'of; the wbrldT-Chiifa, Japan, Indiit— alsivhad their claims for support in this' great' endeavour to accomplish tlia Christianising of tho great brotherhood of man, but' their own mission, the Melanesian Mission, must never be allowed to drop into the background. (Applause.) In an interesting review of the development of mission work generally in thef Pacific Islands, the Primate (Dr. Nevill) • referred to the lengthy .negotiations in connection' with (he establishment of tho See of Polynesia, and the satisfactory result of voluminous correspondence with successive Archbishops of Canterbury, and the succcssive Bishons -of London. The;- sister missions of .Melanesia,. Polynesia, had common interest, difficulties, and problems, and each had to look for support to the Christian communities in theij' vicinity, as well' as those further abroad. Members of the Church in New Zealand should not fast content in tho feeling"that, the' periodical contribution to the_ mission was a sufficient dischargo of their obligations with respect thereto. The Church itself should systematically support tho Melanesion Mission as tho first mission of the Church 'of Now Zea-' land..

Bishop Crossley (Auckland) said that people did not realise the vast opportune- 1 ties open to them of assisting missionary work. The question of moment to his brother of Melanesia would be that of supply—'workers. It was one of tho proudest reflections of .the Church of- New Zealand that tinder the inspiration and guidance of Bishop Solivyn, it had been 'missionary" from its inception. Ho dwelt upon the difficulties of keeping tho islands of tho scattered diocese of Melanesia in intimate touch with ■ the Bishop. The difficulty of intercommunication by set was great,' m3.1l it was proposed to take a leaf out of the Presbyterian l Mission in these islands, and establish a service of motor-boats. At present they had none. New. Zealand was asked to assist In providing tho -fighting ships for tins navy of peace. (Applause.)' ■ ■ . His Excellency the Governor, in extending his welcome to Dr. Wood, and assuring him of his .sincere regard for his welfare in his new sphere, referred to the distinguished services ' .'which had been rendered to the Mission of Melanesia by tli? liishcVs eminent ilishons Pattison, Sclivyn, and Wilson—and enlai7?d on the exam "le .'"t. pi'=tc;Htv l<v these pioneers in the field.. Dr. Wood had an interesting opportunity before liim of studying the. sociological development of the small communities in these i'arofr'islands, arid hu felt sure,that' strengthened by the inspiration of his distinguish-' ed predecessors, and assured of the practical sympathy and support of liis.friends in New Zealand,, Dr. Wood would provo to be a worthy successor to those who had gone before him. (Applause.) The Bishop of Melanesia* said that when he was asked to come to the Melanesian Mission he felt, that he was being asked to take up and carry on work which hail been begun and developed by great men. There were one or two problems which fa'cedhim atthestart. The first was concerned with the .change, of the Bishon's residence! from Norfolk. Island to the Solomon Islands. If. would be an unwise thing to discount, in anv way the importance of the Norfolk Island as a mission centre, and how to maintain its present Importance and usefulness when his own hcadnuarters were removed to the Polomofi Islands would 'be a difficult problem. Hie second difficulty- was that of language. He was firmly convinced that She native mind must receive its impreclions anil teachings in -the languago with ■vhich was associated the common things jf everyday life.■■ To-tench Christianit.v h a native in the English language was like creating a separate comnarhnent in tho native's mind, dissociated fr<.m his everyday existence. The third problem was that of transport, an;! lie saw that if tlie.v were to save tho physical' wear and tear involved in Vmsr voyages in •whale-boats they must admit the conveniences .of. civilised transport, and pet j motor-boat service. He was assured of a motor-boat from the Punedi>» people: of one from Christ church, and ono from .AnpVlaml. He also wanted one from Wellington, at about. . (Applause.) A short editress was also qiven Kv the Rev. H. N. Drummond, of the Melimesion Mission, and tVe proceedings concluded with the benediction.