METHODIST CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1939, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

WOMEN’S AUXILIARY. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. A very happy gathering took place at the residence of Mrs. J. Andrew, Opaki Road, on Thursday afternoon, when Mrs. L. Jansen Presided oyer a large attendance of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary. The room was attractively decorated with spring flowers. t> -d + Letters were received from Dr. -Kutter, Solomon Islands, H. Pacey and Miss M. Burton. It was arranged that the Auxiliary Executive should open a membership campaign. , After a dainty afternoon tea had been dispensed by Mesdames J. Andrew and E. Martin, Miss L. MeGregor gave an interesting talk on the work of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. The Presbyterian Church had four branches of missionary enterprise with 80 missionaries and deaconesses in New Zealand, New Hebrides, China and India, she stated. The first workers to be sent out from Scotland were the Revs. Watt, Milne and Michaelson. Mr. Michaelson worked on the New Hebrides field until 80 years of age. The China Mission really commenced on the Otago goldfields, where there were numbers of Chinese. Mr. Don, a schoolmaster, started working among the Chinese on the field, but could not speak the language. This obstacle was overcome and he soon became the friend and confidant of all. Thus, in 1901, through ■his influence a mission was opened in the' region surrounding Canton which had hitherto been closed to all missionaries from other countries. The Rev. D McNeur is working at the present time -in this field. In 1908 operations were commenced in the Punjab, India, ■by Dr. Portitus, of New Zealand; where good work is being done among the untouchables. In 1843. the Rev. Jas, Duncan was sent out by the Church of Scotland to do mission work among the Maoris of the Taupo and Urewera ■country. The speaker went on to tell of the different means whereby the Gospel was spread and taught in the various stations under the control of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

Miss McGregor received the warm thanks of the meeting for her talk. Two solos were sung by Mrs. W. H. Snowsill and were much appreciated,; the accompaniments being played by Mrs. Speight.