BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 248, 26 October 1897, Page 2

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Baptist Foreign Missionary Society (Auckland auxiliary) was held last evening in the Mount Eden Baptist Church. Asocial tea was held prior to the meeting, when Rev. G. Rouse, M.A., D.D., '* missionary from India, who is touring the colonies, met delegates and Baptist leaders in Auckland, the public meeting"l^ '"frtjM* at 7.30, the Rev. A. H. Collins presiding. Seated on the platform were Revs. Dr. Rouse, J. F. Jones, C. Carton (of Ceylon), and Mr S. H. Matthews (Tabernacle). The Chairman welcomed Dr. Rouse and said the report of the year was the best in the history of the Society, and the income onethird greater than in the previous year. Mr F. N. Andrews (Secretary and Treasurer) read the report and balancesheet. This showed that continued interest had been taken by the churches in the New Zealand missionaries stationed at Brahmanbaria and Chandpore. Last year the income of the general hmd was £162 Os 7d, and this year £261 14s, showing an increase of nearly £100. The following were the contributions from respective churches : — Otahuhu, £3 5s 3d ; Mount Eden, £13 I!s4d; Ponsonby, £124358 d ; Tabernacle, £157 15s 9d. In' addition to these amounts the sum of £40 2h was contributed on behalf of the Indian famine fund and sent direct to the missionaries at Brahmanbaria to be distributed at their discretion.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of the Rev. Mr Jones seconded by the Rev. Mr Carter. Dr. Rouse followed with a most interesting address. He said that he knew the New Zealand missionaries now stationed in India, and was acquainted with the twa lady missionaries who died in mission work. Miss Mac George, of Dunedin, and Miss Pillow, of Christchurch. In January last he met .some of them at Darjeeling, recruiting their health. The great earthquake had injured seriously the station buildings and hall at Brahambaria. The mission house at Chandpore had escaped injury. Chandpore was going to be an important station, as a terminus station, as from thence would probably be carried the railway to Assam, Burmah, and China. The doctor enlarged upon the importance of this railway ana pointed out what influence it would have in the future on British trade in the districts through which it would pass. By arrangement with other missionary societies, a million and a half of the population was left to be dealt with by the missionaries from the New Zealand Baptist Foreign Missionary Society. He thanked those present for their kindly feelings expressed towards him, and the cordiality ot their reception. It was gratifying to him to see that the New Lealand Baptist Churches took so deep an interest in mission work in India.

On the motion of Mr S. H. Matthews seconded by Mr Andrews, a vote of thanks to Dr. B.ouse for his address, was carried by acclamation:. This evening Dr. Ptouse will give a lecture in the Tabernacle on his recent travels in Palestine, illustrated by limelight lantern. At the meeting of the delegates representing the Baptist Churches of the Auckland province held previous to the public meeting Mr H. M. Smeeton was elected president for the year, and Mr F. N. Andrews was re-elected secretary and treasurer.

Dr. Rouse leaves for Christchurch on Thursday next, thence he proceeds to Melbourne and back to India.