CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 11

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The annua! mooting of the CJhristchurch brancli of th«> New Zealand Church Missionary Society was he'd in St. John's Hull last evening, the Rev. E. C'. W. Powell presiding, over a good attendance. Annual Report. The annual report was as lollows: The different brunches of the work of the society have been carried 011 with the usual energy during the year. There have not boon quite so many functions as usual, aa members and supporters have been busy working for I he relief of distress in tho City—at the same time, a large amount of work has beeu done. The local committee has met regularly, and there havo been one or two special meetings to welcome missionaries and officers from other parts. On August 27th, 1931, a committee meeting was held, and the Kcv. E. C. W. Powell was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. At this meeting it was suggested that a system of executive and sub-committees be adopted, to relieve' the chairman of some of his work. This suggestion was adopted, and these committees liave been in operation since then. At the end of August the Ladies' Committee was elected, and it lias worked steadily through the year, holding two meetings a month, one for making garments and hospital necce- ) sities for the various missions, and the other for intercessions and letter-read-ing. The work of the depot has gone on steadily throughout the year—the sale of books* has increased to such an oxtent as to constitute a record in that direction. New books have been ordered from time to time,.making the depot a really good book-room, and one that should be patronised by all Church people. The committee wishes to remind its friends and the clergy that the depot is the only Anglican book-room run by the Church in the diocese, and that it deserves greater support than it has received in the past. Meetings. The annual garden party was held at Bishopscourt on Saturday, November 21st. Considering the hard times the results were quite satisfactory. At the beginning of September, the depot was mo-ed from the Dominion Buildings to "Church House." The new rooms are in a better situation, and are near to the chur.ch offices. The weekly and monthly prayer meetings have been held regularly, and thanks are due to those who have kindly acted as leaders. In November last, the committee had the pleasure of a meeting with the society 's president—the Bishop of Nelson; a business session was followed by a social half-hour. A few days after the visit o£ the Bishop, members welcomed the Eev. anu Mrs Evitt, from Khammamett. The visitors addressed a meeting in St. John's Schoolroom. At a meeting of members held on May 30th, a very interesting address was given by Miss K. Opie, describing her work in Ceylon. The society feels gratified that two of its supporters have been honoured dur-

ing the year. In April, Mr tf. Stening was appointed life governor of the society, and a little earlier the Eev. A. 11. Norris was appointed a canon. The committee wishes to congratulate these two officers of tho C.M.S. It was with deeit regret that tho society learned of the death of Miss Alexander, who was for many years keenly interested in outwork, and who gave up much of her time to it, In October the C.M.S. benefited to tho extent of £IOO. through tho bequest of Miss Elizabeth Menzics. Tho mouey has been invested and the interest will be used _ for the perpetuating of Miss Mcnzies annual subscription and for the general purposes of the society. The committee would like to draw attention to the matter of the appropriating of moneys given to the C.M.S. Considerable misunderstanding has occurred in the past due to neglect in this direction. If subscriptions, etc.. were definitely marked, a deal of time and work would be saved. Finance. The iinaiu-ial position ot' the Christchurch branch has been dealt with in the balance-sheet, but the committee wishes to report here that the depot has cleared off the debt which has been outstanding for the past three years, and is able to show a small credit balance. The amounts of .subscriptions paid to the C.M.S. quotas, through the depot and the diocesan oflice, show an increase on those of last year. This is a matter for thankfulness, but we must not relax our efforts, but rather strne to make the coming year a still better one. _ The society is looking forwaru to the coming year as a time of advance and new enterprises. We all feel that God has greater thin'gs for us to do m the near future, and we must ever press on to the goal which lies before us. It is anticipated that there will be '\ isits from several missionaries on furlough during the coming year. To have firsthand news of work at the front is always an inspiration to supporters at home, and all of us will keenly look forward to these visits. Finally thanks are due to all those who have left property, and helped tho society during the year. Particularly, the committee wishes to express its thanks to the Bishop and Mrs West-Watson for their kindness in lending Bishopscourt tot the garden party and in helping to make the function a success. Election of Officers. Officers were elected as follows: Secretary, Mr J. D. Slater ; treasurer, Miss Simpson; committee, the . a. H Norris. the Ilev. E. C. AY. Powell, the Rev. W. A. Orange, the Rev- *• 13 Redgrave. Mesdanies ji£ird.>« Goring, McKechnie, and Slater, Misses Hitch, Knight, Mcßae. and Tayler, Messrs R. Bargrove and G. btenin^. Mission Work iu the East. At the conclusion of tho meeting Mr J. E. lvinnear. assistant superintendent of the Nile Mission Press, Cairo, outlined the work ot tlie 1 uolications Committee, of which he is a member. Mr K.inuear said that the issue of bocks and pamphlets was by no means a secondary tiling in nusMonary w#rk. It was a fact, so far as the Moslem world was concerned, that the printed word was the ideal way of reaching the hearts of the people. There must, of course, bo the Dersonal approach as well, hut in breaking new ground the medium of literature was indispensable. Air Kin near spoke of the magnitude of the work among t.he Moslems in the near East, describing tho manner in which it is carried out and the difficulties in the w'ay of the workers. He illustrated his lecture with- lantern slides. He was accorded vote of thanks.