MISSIONARY WORK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 286, 14 September 1933, Page 6

MISSIONARY WORK.

ACTIVITIES OF METHODIST 1 CHURCH. LECTURE BY REV. A. H. VOYCE. A most interesting lantern lecture on missionary work on the island of Bougainville, a part of the mandated territory of New Guinea, was given in the Baring Square Methodist Hall last evening by the Rev. A. H. Voyce, who is oh furlough from tbe Solomon Islands. There was a large attendance and the Rev. G. B. Hinton presided. The speaker, who has done much pioneering missionary work in the Solomon Islands, related many of his experiences and gave those present a very vivid idea of the difficulties encountered, and of the great progress which was being made in spite of these difficulties. His remarks were illustrated by a large number of lantern slides and curios brought from the islands. • A vocal solo was contributed by Mrs W. 11. Feathers'ton, and Mr R. Watts played a clarinet solo. The choir, under the baton of Mr H. A. Humphreys, sang two anthems, "God of Abraham" and "Light in Darkness.' Reports on the year's activities were submitted by representatives of various church organisations which assist with missionary work and these showed that interest in Ashburton was being well maintained. Sister Mildred (Foreign Mission secretary) said that the total subscriptions for the year 1932 amounted to £93 3s Id, with the contribution of the Women's Missionary Auxiliary in addition. This compared favourably with the amounts raised in previous years. There were 120 subscribers to "The Open Door" in the circuit. Miss Alice Watson (secretary of the Women's Missionary Auxiliary) reported that the membership totalled '55. For the junior and intermediate Christian Endeavour, Mr Murray Graham said that £4 had been raised, while Mr T. Wakelin (superintendent) reported that the Sunday School continued to support a teacher in the Solomon Islands at a cost of £lO a year. Reports for the Young Women's and Young Men's Bible Classes were given by Miss O. Watts and Mr K. Fowke respectively: . At the conclusion, Mr Voyce was accorded ,a vote of thanks,, and supper was served. Mr Voyce left to-day for Rakaia, where he will speak this evening.

THE WOMEN'S UNION. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The annual meeting of tho Ashburton branch of tho Methodist Women's Missionary Union was held in tho Baring Square schoolroom yesterday afternoon. The Rev. G. B. Hinton occupied the chair and conducted the devotional exercises. The New Zealand president's quarterly letter was read and much appreciated. Attention was drawn to the Dominion Conference which meets at Dunedin on October 24, and Sister Mildred and Mrs W. Tinker were elected to represent the local branch on that occasion. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Sister Mildred; recording secretary, Miss A. O. Watson; corresponding secretary. Miss E. Trevurza; treasurer, Miss N. AVatson; "Box" secretaries, Mrs B. H. Carter and Mrs R. Wishart; "card" secretary, Mrs L. Hopkins; assistant secretary', Mrs Kelly; pianist, Mrs G. Holmes; assistant, Miss B. Chapman; sick visitors, Mesdames C. Horrill, G. •B. Hinton, and S. G. Macfarlane: "bring and buy,"* Miss E. A. Watson, Mesdames Sawle, and Horrill. The appointment of vice-presidents and the reading of reports was held over until next meeting. Tea was served, and the chairman introduced the Bev. A. H. Voyce (foreign mission deputation) now on furlough from the Mission Station at Bougainville, New Guinea, the speaker for the afternoon. Mr Voyce referred to the work being carried on amongst the 30,000 natives on the southern portion of the island over which the Methodist Church of New Zealand had control. The scenic attractions, climatic conditions,' the products of the Islands, the difficulties encountered through superstition and ignorance, and also the gratifying results attained * through the spread of the Gospel, were each dealt with in a most interesting manner. At the close, specimens of native handiwork, beautiful shells, and delightful views of the Islands i were displayed for sale and good business resulted. With a very hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his interesting and instructive address, the meeting closed with the pronouncing of the Benediction.