MISSION WORK IN CHINA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21990, 14 January 1937, Page 2

MISSION WORK IN CHINA

EXTENDING CHRISTIAN RELIGION GROWTH OF WIDESPREAD ORGANISATION Established 72 years ago by a Yorkshireman, Dr. Hudson Taylor, the China Inland Mission has now 1400 ihissionaries in the organisation, according to the Rev. >G. W, Gibb, the director of the mission, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Of these, he said, 60 were Australians and 40 New Zealanders. Among the New Zealanders were Mr H.' Funnell, Miss Hanna Reid, Miss Bessie Webster,; and Miss K. E. Cooke. One of the first to leave New-Zealand for-’China, was Miss Harrison, who came from the Christchurch district. - The mission was international and interdenominational, arid had "developed into a great organisation for the spread of; the Gospel.. Its missionaries were recruited from the British Empire, America, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, and other countries, and included members of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist Churches and the Church of Christ. Support for the mission was purely voluntary, and during its existence it had received about £7,000,000 from the various countries of the world. Of this the greater portion had come from the British Empire and America, but many other countries had assisted. Apart from the missionaries from outside countries, Mr Gibb continued, there were about 3000 Chinese workers in the organisation. The workers were scattered through the 15 provinces of China, and the church that had been established through the efforts of the missionaries was now almost indigenous, about 60 per cent, of the support coming from the Chinese people themselves. The church was now largely self-governing and was taking a very large share in the propagation of the Gospel. Recent Progress In spite: Of difficulties faced by the missionaries, he said, there had been 55,000 converts during the last 10 years. During this time, the mission had opened 10 new centres, and now had a total of approximately 200,000 Chinese Christians. The Christian religion was ho longer despised in China, and there was a growing disbelief in;, idolatry. In the field offered byofficials, scholars, rich and poor, young and old, the opportunities were enormous. General Chiang Kai-shek and his wife were both Christians. Mr Gibb, who has served in the mission for 42 years, was appointed general director two years ago. Until his appointment, he said, there had been only two directors, • Dr. Hudson Taylor and Mr D. E. HoSte, each of whom had served for 35 years. Since leaving China, Mr Gibb, whose headquarters are In Shanghai, has visited England, Scotland (his native country), the Continent, America, Canada, and New Zealand, and on February 5 he will leave for Australia. To-day he will speak at a business men’s luncheon, and in the evening will address a meeting in the Radiant Hall. On Sunday morning he will preach at the Knox Presbyterian Church, and at night in the Anglican Cathedral.

Miss Joyce Wethered, the wellknown golfer, and Sir John Heath-coat-Amory, who announced their engagement recently, are planning to be married this month. Sir John, who is the third baronet, and his brother, have been joint-masters of hounds at Knightshayes since 1930. Miss Wethered, as well as being a champion golfer, is also a good pianist, and, it is said, a good go'ogly bowler.