FOREIGN MISSIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1931, Page 9

FOREIGN MISSIONS

EEVIEW OF WORK PRESBYTERIAN ACTIVITY "This meeting to-night is our missionary demonstration," said the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (Professor J. Collie) at St. John's Church, Willis street* last evening. He was sure, he said> that those present were pleased to welcome so many of the missionary workers. The work of the missionaries-must often be most arduous and sometimes ■disappointing. An interesting- address on mission work in India was ■ delivered by the Rev. T. E. Riddle. As they looked at the religious lines in that country it was evident, he said, that they followed very much the political lines. From ancient days, the people .of "India had been searchers after trutli of the knowledge of God. Referring to the present political unrest in India, the speaker said that Mr. Gandhi was counted by the masses as fulfilling the position of a Hindu saint. Gandhi was formerly a. student of the New Testament; and was for many years undecided as to whether to throw in his influence witli the- Christians or not; but when he was caught up more intimately with the political agitations of ten or fifteen years ago he felt that he must identify himself with his people, and so ho announced, "I am a Hindu; there is no need for mo to go outside of the teachings of our ancient books, for all thrt teachings of-'the New Testament are to be found in those books." So ho turned away from, the Christian faith and Christian ideals.' There were, however, multitudes of the people there whn partly through English education and partly because of the ideals of Christianity were coming to realise that God was a personal God. Because of that, these people wore not only dissatisfied with their own past, but were searching to see if they could come into fellowship with God. During the past hundred years many a missionary had given his life in 'service for -.those people,, and some had gone away discouraged. But others looking ,!back over the work recognised the value of the work done, because the ideals of the. people had-been changed.

Addresses were also given by the Rev. G. Bu'dd and by Sister Jessie. The latter gave an interesting account of the mission work amongst the young Maori people in the Opotiki district, and made a strong appeal for. nioro financial support. COMMITTEE'S REVIEW. "Our missionaries in China and India, in spite of. threatening political conditions, have been able to carry on their work steadily and to do much to make Jesus Christ known to those amongst whom they labour. At home, increasing financial depression has affected the giving to foreign missions as well as to other Church causes, and this has given added concern to the committee," reported the Foreign Missions Committee. "The time of difficulty has not yet passed. Many of the problems of the situation are still with us. Yet our faith and. confidence., is that brighter days will return, and'that missionary enthusiasm, whose expression is checked for the moment, will again flow strongly; in its.accustomed channels." To the,committee's report there were added staff notes from China, India, and the New Hebrides. The expenditure, it was reported, had fallen below the estimate, largely owing to the loss of workers at Anthriui and at Canton. The amount contributred by congregations was: £.3434 .below what was asked for in the estimates. Thus, instead of having a credit on the year's working, the accounts showed a deficit of £1445. The committee said that whatever might be done by the Church in its work in the present economic conditions, it was trusted that it would go forward with strong missionary, faith, seeking to enlist the support of every member of the Church. The following resolution, on the reeom'mendation of the committee, was adopted:—"That Assembly express its gratitude to God for the life and work of our foreign missionaries and for the courage and devotion they have shown, in the midst /of many difficult conditions,, and assure them of the prayerful interest of the Church and of its warm sympathy, especially with those whose pathway lias been overshadowed by family sickness and bereavement. Assembly prayu that restoration to health may be given, that all needed reinforcements may be supplied, and that the work may be fruitful in great blessing to those whom they seek to reach witli the Gospel." -