FOREIGN MISSIONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 223, 17 June 1936, Page 11

FOREIGN MISSIONS

Christianity Unknown To

Millions

Every minute 83 persons died who had never heard of Christianity, while there were still 1,000,000,000 persons, increasing in millions annually, who were in the same position, Miss G. F. Yerbury, honorary world deputation secretary of the Unevangelised Fields Mission, stated in an address at the annual meeting of the Wellington Missionary Society last night. in these unevangelised parts of the world there was nothing but cruelty, fear and torture, and physical conditions were indescribable, continued Miss Yerbury In parts of Africa the aged and ill were thrown into the jungle to starve or be eaten by animalts. Unspeakable things were done in the silence of the forest. Women and girls were traded as chattels in Africa and Central America. In Japan they were sold for £5 each to serve in the most awful places, while in India they were disposed of for unspeakable purposes In the fields where her missionary organisation worked —those yet untouched by Europeans—cannibalism, witchcraft and head-hunting were rife. In New Guinea, if a village was to have a celebration, it was decorated not with bunting, but with human heads. Site knew of women who had been compelled to eat their own sisters. The Unevangelised Mission was now working in the regions of the world’s three largest rivers—the Amazon (Central America), Congo (Africa) and Fly (New Guinea). Mr. El. N. Vivian presided over the meeting. The first annual report recorded a successful year's working. In all, 114 meetings were arranged for 26 visiting missionaries The sum of £B3 had been received to pass on to various missions. The membership was 130. Receipts were £lO7. including £l6 fin- subscriptions, £63 donations. £25 collections. The credit balance was £2/15/-. The following officers were elected: President. Rev. M. W. P. Lascelles; vice-presidents. Dr. E. Gordon Anderson and Messrs. 11. N. Vivian and F. C. Perry; bon secretary. Mr. L. J Morgan: hon treasurer. Mr. C. J. Mackay; hon auditor. Mr. C. S Falconer: executive Dr J. S. Laird, Messrs. 11. IV Milner. C. J. Drake, E. S. Miranis, R. Brasted, F. Gardner. H. S. Hart and G. A. Freeman.