METHODIST MISSIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1917, Page 4

METHODIST MISSIONS.

PUBLIC MEETING. '

At the recent Methodist Conference l( Was decided to make an effort to raise in New Zealand ,£IO,OOO for foreign mis- • sions, and with that object to sepd a deputation consisting of the Rev. R. C. Nicholson (South Sea Island missionary)' snd Daniel Bulo (the first converted native of the Solomon Islands) on a tour or the Dominion, to mako a special appeal to tho popple of tho chweh. In advance of this deputation the Rev. C. H. f-RWE, Mrs. E. O. Blaralres, and Mr. E. l)ixon (Mayor of Hawera) are now in Now Plymouth as an organising party, and vesterdav held meetings in Whiteley Memorial Church in furtherance' of their object.

In the afternoon a meetfap of ladle* was .held, about SO being pwseat, when addresses were delivered by, Mrs. B|attiires and the Rev, C. H. Laws, and It was decided to form a Ladled' Foreign fission Auxiliary, Mrs. W. A, Sinclair being elected president and Mrs. J. Griffin Secretary. A public meeting was held in the evening, at which Mr. V. Griffiths presided, and addresses were given by Mr. Laws and Mr. Dixon.

The chairman emphasised the importance of (he great missionary enterprise upon which the conference had decided. Mr. Dixon made a powerful appeal on behalf of fpreign missions, referring particularly to missions to thet South' Sea Islands. He had been pleased with the decision of the conference to endeavor to raise £IO,OOO, and although some people said* this was ni>tlme to raise money, he claimed that this was the time to do so, a time when tho sympathies of the people were awakened to the great sacrifices that were 'ylng made, and to the fact that thousands were daily dying without Christian ministration. It was the duty of all Christians to do their best to recognise tho great responsibilities cast upon them at this time of stress, not a time to retire or retreat 1n missionary effort, but a time to go for* ward with nil their soul and energy. The Rev. C. H. Laws described the rise and development of the missionary movement, its small beginning and the groat strides of development that had since been made. The Methodist Church, he urged, was essentially a missionary church, and it was tho duty of presentday members to uphold the glorious traditions that were their heritage. He quoted statistics to show the necessity for more: liberal contributions in the missionary cause, truly described as an Imperial cause, at the present time, and recounted how handsomely various parti of the colony had responded to the appeal. The time was one of great oppor; tunities to prosecute the work of Christ, because practically the whole world wa» open to them, and they dare not be false to their traditions as a church by neglecting these opportunities. In conclusion he asked the people of the Methodist Church to give what they'thought Christ would give if He were standing in their shoes, to give so that it would cost them something to givo. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair expressed tho thanks of all present for the able and eloquent addresses they had listened to and made various announcements at to the coming visit of the deputations from the conference.