MISSION TO SEAMEN INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 8

MISSION TO SEAMEN INSTITUTE

Mr. B. J. Williams Welcomed BISHOP SPROTT HOLDS INDUCTION SERVICE “Of all callings in life, it is that of seamen which carries with it what is nerhnps the greatest of disadvantages, said Bishop Sprott at the induction service of the new Wellington missioner of the Missions to Seamen Institute, Mr. B. J. Williams, last evening. “Most of us have our work reasonably near our homes, but sailors may so months or even years without seeing their homes and families. Sailors may come to Wellington as.total strangers, but there is one thing that will not be strange to them —the flag of the Missions to Seamen Institute. “Many of us,” continued his'. Lordship. “are under the misapprehension that, as the institute at Wellington is a branch to the Missions to Seamen Institute whose headquarters are in London. the committee sitting in London is responsible for the work carried on here, and local responsibility, if any, is slight. This is a great mistake. The Missions to Seamen’s Institute does not relieve us of any responsibility. Rather does it help us to fulfil it.” At the welcome social held afterward, "Mr. S. C. Knox, M.A., secretary of the Missions to Seamen Institute, London, thanked those present on behalf of the institute for the welcome given to the society on resuming activities at Wellington, and to Mr. and Mrs. Williams. “After 40 years,” said Mr. Knox, “I am giving up the position of secretary in favour of a younger man. I do not like change of any sort, and my colleagues regard me as an incorrigible diehard Tory. . . . Nevertheless, I hope you will be very sympathetic with Mr, Williams in any changes he may make.” There were, however, two things which must be borne in mind, he said. First, the society operated solely for the good of seamen, and the resources of the society must be devoted exclul slvely to work among seamen; secondly, the missloner must carry on his work in strict accord with the customs and doctrines of the Church of England. A telegram from the Auckland committee sending greetings to the new missioner, was read by Canon Percival James.

Replying, Mr. Williams said that the first indication he received of the welcome in store for him was an invitation from Canon James to spend his first few days in Wellington with him. If he made any change in the mission here, it would be for the good of the seamen. If anyone had any complaints or suggestions, he would be grateful to receive them. In all cases he would do his best to please. One change that he contemplated, said Mr. Williams, was the formation of an exchange library, where sailors could procure and exchange books of all descriptions. Any donations of reading matter for this purpose would be welcome.

“I want your prayers,” said Mr. Williams, “seriously and earnestly, and I want your help.” Mrs. H. G. Good, who had been carrying on the work at Wellington since the death of the late missioner, was the recipient of a large clock, presented to ■her by Bislmp Sprott, in recognition of her work on behalf of the society. Musical . numbers were given by •Messrs. C. Walker (violinist) and Vai Jones ('baritone). Miss E. Bartley and Mrs. Walker were the respective accompanists. .