METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 183, 5 July 1937, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH.

FOREIGN MISSION SUNDAY. There were packed congregations at the Cuba Street Methodist Ctiurch yesterday, when foreign mission Sunday was observed. Chief interest centred on the visit of Rev. Belshazzar Gina, of Itoviana, in the Western Solomons, and Rev. A. H. Scrivin, general foreign mission secretary of the Methodist Church in New Zealand. There was a unique feature at the morning service, when the Islands visitor received from the individual members of the congregation their gifts in a bowl which had originated in the Solomons. Special hymns were sung, and Gina —as he is affectionately known —rendered the solo, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Basing his address on the words in Isaiah 9,2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light," Rev. Gina delivered a telling address of remarkable appeal. Tracing the amazing change that has come over the life of the ]teople in the 35 years that have elapsed since the missionary arrived, he referred to the fact ol his own grandfather and father being headhunters and of himself being, at the age of 25, a preacher of the Gospel to his own people. The speaker of seven different dialects, as well as the English language, he made a profound impression by the earnestness and practicability of his message as he spoke in convincing manner of the changed circumstances in the Islands consequent upon the impact of the Christian message. Mr C. E. Taylor, of Eeilding, district foreign mission secretary, conducted portion of the service and extended a warm welcome lo the visitor.

In his address during the evening service Mr Scrivin espoke of the amazing progress established in such a oomiDratiyely short lime. During the past year 32 new areas had been opened up and established, and at the present time there was a staff of 250 native catechists performing pioneer work in the hill villages of the group. So vast was the educational work that 4COO children were receiving tuition at the various schools, while the medical work was no loss remarkable. Men who had been headhunters— including the father of Rev. Gina —were now full members of the Church, demonstrating in practical manner their allegiance by selfless servVe to former sworn enemies. Since 1902 the progress made had beep little short of nmaz : ng. declared Mr Scrivin. who has himself had firsthand experience in .the Solomons. Tt was announced that during the morn in" the offering had ag-J gregated £lO2. Rev. Belshazzar Gina also spoke at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in the evening.