ME BEOWN ON THE WESLEYAN MISSION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1903, 8 February 1875, Page 3

ME BEOWN ON THE WESLEYAN MISSION.

A very interesting and instructive lecture was delivered yesterday afternoon by the Eev. G Brown, in the Wesleyan Church, Grahamstown, on the Missionary work in Samoa, and the Fiji's, and the projected New Britain, New Guinea and New Ireland Mission. His Honor the Superintendent occupied the chair, and made somo remarks, in which he paid a handsome tribute to tho worth of Mr Brown as an earnest Missionary, and enthusiastic agent of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. '-. . Mr Brown commenced his discourse by speaking of the actual good of mission work, and the surprisingly salutary effects which it had worked upon the people. 'Jho civilization of the various savage races in the South Pacific he attributed to the labor of missionaries, who christianised them, and as Christianity had to b© implanted before civilization could take place, the credit was entirely due to mission labor. He then sketched the progress made in this work, which indeed appeared surprising. The Samoans, for instance, supported their own missionaries, and desired to pay for the extension of the labor for the benefit of others, The following is a plan of the proposed New Mission :—" That the missionary barque John Wesley leave Sydney in March next with a deputation and with mission stores, &c, for Fiji, Samoa, and: Botumah; that instead of remaining in Fiji for several weeks she shall only call at one port, leaving all stores there, and taking on board native ministers and teachers; that she then go on to Samoa, and take on board a band of native ministers and teachers from • the Friendly Islands, and also some Samoan teachers, the number of the former to be determined by the^missionaries in Tonga, with a due regara to the wants of Willis Island and the new mission j that she first' call at Willis Island and ■ land teacher* to recommence our mission. there ; in answer to the prayer of numbers who formerly drave us away with war and bloodshed; that from thence the vessel go to Kotumah, leave stores there, and complete her complement of teachers and then make a direct course for the Duke of York Island, in St. George's Channel, between the large , islands of New Britain and New Ireland; that from thence the operations be conducted by visiting the most influential*, chiefs of these Islands and on the north coast; of New Guinea, and endeavouring to place native ministers and teachers in the most suitable towns. To successfully carry out this plan, we shall require a steam launch of about 30 feet in length, with engine of about seven-horse power. This, nT the opinion of Lieut. Dawson and others, is almost indispensable, for the safety of the mission vessel in calms when near reefs, and for safe and effective visitation of the various towns. . We shall also require to furnish the; teachers with biscuit, rice, yams, <fee, sufficient for tkeir sustenance for twelve months, when we hope to visit them again. They will also have to be supplied with a few clothes, knives, iron, &c, and a small quantity of such articles will also have to be taken as presents to the chiefs, under whose protection we hope to place the teachers. It is, of course, difficult with our present knowledge to calculate the actual cost of such a voyage ; but the following may be regarded as an approximate estimate :— Steamlaunch,£3oO;threenativeministers, £60 ; twelve catechists, £120; provisions, £200; presents £50; proportionate cost of John Wesley for three months, £400; deputation (six months' stipend), £90; total, £1270."