WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 205, 25 September 1903, Page 4

WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS.

The anniversary services in connection with tho above missions were held on Sunday last, when sermons were preached by the Rev. J. N. Buttle, and offertories taken up in aid of the Mission Fund. On Wednesday evening, the annual missionary meeting was held in Whiteley Hall. There was an excellent attendance of members of the congregation and other friends of the good cause, who manifested the deepest interest in the proceedings. Mr W. Ambury occupied the chair, and on the platform were the Revs. 0. Porter (Hawera) and J. N. Buttle. After devotional exercises, the Chairman stated that he accepted it as a great honour to be invited to preside at a meetirig of that kind when members of & Christian church mat to consider the greatest work which could engage their attention, Jn referring to the extent of the fields occupied by the Wesleyan Missionary Society of Australasia, he quoted from the annual report some remarkable and interesting statistics. These covered the work in the following groups, viz:—Samoa, Fiji, New Britain, British New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. There were: Churches 1000, other preaching places 539, Missionaries 25, Lay Missionaries 3, Missionary Sisters 10, Native Ministers 84, Catechists 116, Teachers 1210, Local Preachers 3330, Native Members 40,383, Members cn trial 8194, Cate.•.tr mens 11,491, Sunday Schools 1667, Scholars 31,665, Day Schools 1601, Scholars 31,414, Attendants on Public Worship 127,576. The income for lust year from the Australian States, New Zealand, and th# Mitsiou Churches amounted to over £19,000, of which ihis colony contributed .£1439, in addition to donations given to the Century Ocmmemoration Fund amounting to £383.. The totals appeared large, but when estimated at per head of all claiming to be connected with the Church, it was only a trifling sum, which could be increased without serious injury to anyone. He earnestly appealed for a more generous support to this grand enterprise. The Rev. J. N. Buttle gave details of amounts raised in New Plymouth circuit for last year, the total being ovar jE34. For this year he anticipated about £3O would b6 raised. Included in this is a sum of £lO raised by the Christian Endeavour Society towards the support of a Native teacher. Mr Buttle stated that there were 38 Native ministers, teachers, and students supported by Sunday schools, C.E. Societies, and other friends in New Zealand, and expressed the hope that others would increase the number.

The Rev. 0. Porter, from Hawera, in a masterly address, dealt with the subject " Wanted —An Intenser Missionary Zeal." In eloqaent terms the speaker referred to the ?eal of our forefathers in the great work of saving tho heathen, and traced the causes which gave strength and power to their work. He also indicated some explanations which might be found for the re-action tfjiich had followed the glorious triumphs of past years. But to-day tb« old fire could again ba kindled into an all-oonquering passion for souls by the church comiDginto closer contact with the great Head ot the Ohurch. Mr Porter concluded a powerful and most interesting address amidst hearty applause. During the evening Missionary hymns were interspersed with the address, Miss M. Oanoell acting as organist in a most efficient nnnner,

A collection was taken up amounting to nearly £5.