Missionary's Observations From Work In Pakistan

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 9

Missionary's Observations From Work In Pakistan

“It is difficult for Westerners to deal with Moslem inquiries about Christianity,” said the Rev. J. Meadowcroft, a missionary on furlough from Pakistan, yesterday. Mr Meadowcroft, is staying in Christchurch for the next eight months.

“It is hard to get to the bottom of their thinking and the fact that we are Europeans means that people think that we have material benefits for them. They hope that we might be able to give them a visit overseas for education or even bring education into the country.” Mr Meadowcroft illustrated the difference in the thinking with a story of a young man who lived with them for two to three months.

“The young man seemed to know a lot about Christianity,” said Mr Meadowcroft. “He seemed foi know his Bible well. Sometimes better than I did myself. During the time he was with us several things went missing but as we had five or six other young men there at the same time we did not think of blaming him. Two days before he was to be baptised we discovered that he had told a number of untruths about his past. ‘There is a difference. A European who has a solid grasp of Christian doctrine has generally committed himself to it; but an Easterner, having a more religious bent of mind, seems to be able to

grasp religious truth without necessarily following it in the way he lives. “National Church”

“I believe then that the best way to deal with inquirers is through the national Church and our efforts should be made towards building it up.” A mass movement into the churches occurred in the latter half of last century among the Hindus in Pakistan, Mr Meadowcrofit said. There were now third and fourth generation Christians there. Only about 15 per cent, of the Christians were literate. "There have never been enough missionaries to have caught up with the need for instruction,” said Mr Meadowcroft. “Another point is that the Church tends to be identified with the lower groups because of its background.” Mr Meadowcroft is married with three children. He was born at Nelson and educated at Nelson College, Canterbury University and College House. He was ordained in Nelson in 1951 and later served in parishes in Greymouth and Seddon. This was his first term in the mission field. Before he went to Pakistan he studied in the Church Missionary Society training college in London. When he returns he will teach in a theological seminary in Gujranwala near Lahore. The seminary is for training all Protestant ministers. While he is in Christchurch he will study in preparation for his new appointment.