BLUE SPUR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 53, 13 February 1869, Page 3

BLUE SPUR.

(From, our own Correspondent.) The Wesleyan Society of the Tuapeka circuit has recently organised a branch missionary society. This has been done mainly through the exertions of the indefatigable superintendent of the circuit, the Rev. Mr. M'Nicol. In connection with this movement a public meeting was held in the. School on Tuesday evening last. The meeting was presided over by the Rev. Mr. M'Mcol, supported by the Rev. Dr. Copland and several local gentlemen. Mr. M'Nicol stated that the object of this branch of the Wesleyan Missionary Society was to sup.port the causs of missions in the islands of the South Sea not far from the Australian colonies ; most of them, indeed," were little over 1000 miles from New Zealand, and comprised the Friendly Islands and the Fijis. There were, he said, twenty-two missionarys in these islands belonging to the Wesleyan body, 31,000 members in full communion, and 132,532 attendants at public worship. The expense of this mission amounted to £14,000 annually, £10,000 of which was raised in the Australian colonies and New Zealand, the balance being provided by the parent Society in England. Whatever sceptics might say in reference to missionary operations, the fact of 132,532 immortal beings being provided with the means of grace, and actually brought under gospel influence must be attended with blessed results. He would riot detain them any longer, but would call upon Mr. Clark to address tWmeeting. Messrs. Brydie, Carey arid M'Lelland also severally addressed the, meeting. The Rev, Dr. Copland, who constitutes in himself a missionary society, gave an interesting account of missionary operations, and of his connection with such societies, extending over a period of several years. Among other interesting. items, .he said that when Captain Cook discovered the Sandwich Islands the people were altogether heathenish arid unenlightened. According to statistics" published five years ago, there were at that time twenty . ministers labouring in these islands, and there were 22,000 church members. Honolulu, with a population of 9000, had six churches and

mission schools* There were 300 common schools and three high schools in the islands, and several newspapers were published there. In the New Hebrides, the Presbyterian body had a very successful mission, which had been in existence nearly twenty years, during which period the- islands had been completely changed, life and property being as safe there at the present time as in" the most civilised parts of the world. In one of the islands the whole of the New Testament had been translated into the native tongue, and every adult on the island could read the scriptures in their own language. The chairman now announced the collection during; the evening, which amounted to £1 7s. 6d. The children of the day and Sunday Schools sang several missionary hymns, in which all present seemed heartily to join. The chairman afterwards announced the following subscriptions, through the aid of the children attending the Sabbath S.ehools : —

The office-bearers for the ensuing year are — Secretary, Mr. R. R. Clarke; Treasurer, Mr. Luke. Committee — Messrs. Manuel, Matthews, Bloxham, and Tucker. After the benediction was pronounced, this very interesting meeting was brought to a close.

JUJX TT XVi-CiAl V/£j« Pessie Robertson £2 4 0 Choraas Bartley 10 0 William Tonks 0 10 6 Elizabeth Mitchell 010 0 Alexander Crow 0 8 0 Maria Campbell 0 5 6 Peter Robertson 0 7 6 Donald Campbell 0 10 £5 6 6 BLUE SfUK. Emily Clark £1 17 6 Henrietta Clark 1 11 6 Elizabeth Symes f 15 6 Venelena Morris ' 012 6 6 7 6 EVANs' FIAT. Charlotte Leach £2 5 6 James Hopkins 0 12 6 Mary Brooks 011 0 James Ross 0 2 0 SeorgeHall 0 16 4 12 7 Total subscriptions £14 6 Mrs. Symett's missionary box 111 Mrs. Clarke's „ „ 0 5 Collections at Blue Spur Chapel 1 8 „ „ Lawrence 1 0 „ „ Evans' Flat 016 „ „ Public meeting 117 0 4 0 6 6 0 6 Total ... £21 4 4