A LONDON MISSION

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14782, 27 September 1913, Page 16

A LONDON MISSION

NEW ZEALAND MISSIONARY APPOINTED.

(FROM OUR OWN CORItESTONDE.\T.)

LONDON, August 23

Mr Frank 'laylor, who was for some years "on the road' , in New Zealand, and is well known in many parts of tho Dominion, has been appointed Dominion missionary by the London City Mission. Mr Taylor, who left New Zealand some years back to devote himself to mission work in London, is stationed in the Fulham district, and is in charge of the Eslcourt road Mission. In conversation with Mr Taylor, I elicited some interesting information regarding the fine work which has been done by the London City Mission. There are at the present time, despite the crippling lack of funds, about 376 missionaries «it work • throughout London. Only those- who are acquainted with the conditions of tho poor in London can understand the magnitude of the work which is undertaken by these devoted men, many of whom have sacrificed position and assured financial comfort in order to take up the work. The work of the missionaries varies according to the locality. Some, are stationed in what aro known as "respectable poor' , areas, while the majority pass their lives in the squalor of the slums. The missionary must be a man of many parts, for ho is called «ron during the week to play many roles. Apart" altogether from preaching, as it is ordinarily understood, every family in tho district must bo _ regularly visited, and as the missioner is regarded as tho guide, philosopher .md friend, he is called on for helr> nnd advice in all sorts of troubles. Poor to the lust degree, his flock are surrounded by much that is unlovely in their lives, and their conditions are rendered worse than ever by the prevalence of drink. But the work, though drab and depressing, is far from being thankless. _ Practically every missionary can roint to homes which he has boon able to do much to lighten, and where he is a welcome visitor at all times. As a result of the vi=it of the Rev. Martin Anstey to Xew Zealand, interested parties" in tho Dominion havo undertaken to contribute £73 a yc;ir towards the upkeep of one missionary; and it i«» still to bo. able to get tho additional £2-5 which i* rrmiirrd for a sinilo missionary contributed from tho Dominion.