UNDER MANY SKIES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1922, Page 7

UNDER MANY SKIES

METHODIST MISSIONARY WORK. CHURCH AND TO-DAY’S PROBLEMS. An interesting account of the work being accomplished in many lands by the missionary efforts of the Methodist Church was given to a large audience at the Whiteley Hall, New Plymouth, on Wednesday night. The speaker was the Rev. Alexander McCallum, the president of the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia. Unfortunately the lecture could not be illustrated, owing to the non-ar-rival of the lantern elides The Mayor (Mr. F. EE. Wilson) welcomed the lecturer to the town and introduced him to the audience. There were forty million Methodists scattered throughout the world, said Mr. McCallum, and the number included people of all , countries, colors and tongues. The date Muy 24, 1738, really marked the birthday of their church, for it was then that John Wesley first gave his inspired message to England, a message which left a great mark on English social and religious circles. The lecturer enunciated the principles for which Methodism stood, and then went on to give an account of various phases of the movement he had come in contact with during his travels, interspersing the body of his remarks with many an anecdote, mostly of a humorous nature. Methodism flourished in practically every country in Europe, Mr. McCallum alluding more intimately to Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France and Italy, all of which he had visited. Just as interesting and wonderful a story was told of the work in the Far East, especially in China and Japan. “The Chinaman makes a wonderful Christian,” said the speaker, “and would face death itself for his faith.”

The lecturer next took the audience in fancy among the Pacific Isles, which he had visited last year. A difficulty encountered, in their work in the cities of Australia was in the struggle against the liquor traffic, which created a real peril and trouble. There was a greater work yet to do in touching the masses outside. Religion must relate itself to the circumstances and necessities of the people; at present it was too conservative. He heard a lot of the trouble (between capital and labor, a very real trouble, but a great settlement was coming, and the speaker believed the Church of Jesus Christ was to provide that settlement. The world was in a hot temper to-day, and it was the duty of the church to go forth to cheer and sweeten it, and get right alongside the man who carried the burden and was faced with momentous problems.

Mr McCallum said he had come with a message of his own experience. The future, he believed, was mil of hope, and the church must do a greater woYk than ever.' He urged them, in concluding, to put their whole soul into the centenary movement and commence a second century full of hope and a generous spirit.

Rev. W. J. Elliott moved a hearty vote of thanks to Rev McCallum, describing the lecture as racy, refreshing and interesting. Mr. C. Carter seconded, and the vote was carried by hearty acclamation, a similar compliment being paid the Mayor for presiding. In the course of a short reply, Mr. McCallum referred to the Rev. J. W Burton, a former minister of the Whiteley Circuit, but now in Australia. The speaker said the Methodists of Victoria appreciated Mr. Burton as a man of wonderful resource. The singing of the Doxology and the recitation of the Benediction brought the gathering to a close.