MISSIONER'S LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 23, 28 January 1933, Page 5

MISSIONER'S LIFE

The story of his life -will be tola by Mr. F. Williams, missioncr of the Down and Out Mission., Auckland, at tho Wellington Pentecostal Mission, Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith street, to-mor-row evening. Mr. Williams is a gardener by occupation, but on certain nights in the week ho visits the Central Mission Hall, in Albert street, Auckland, and does his best to set on the right path those who have, deviated from it. In addition to giving sound advice, Mr. Williams dispenses food, drink, and clothing to "down-and-outs." Mr. Williams has beeu carrying on this work for thirteen years, and, in his own words, "was once as bad as Jho worst of the men that attend the mission." He recently described in a pamphlet the life he once lived, untiJ he was suddenly converted. "My life has been a remarkable one for many reasons, not the least of which is that onco I. was a smoker of opium and a worshippor of Chinese gods," he stated. "When only a boy I was very self-willed, and always wanted my own way. I refused to bo taught at school, and made myself so troublesome to the teachers that at last they refused to persevere with me. I was not only an opium smoker, but a hard drinker. I was sent away from home, as it was thought that if I left the old scenes and old haunts I might change my ways. But no. I went back to the Chinese.dens and became dulled to all sense of English ways and habits, and Hvea as a Chinese." Mr. Williams states that, he was eventually sent to Auckland in the hope that new surroundings would work a change in him, but once more he settled down to live as a Chinese, and became associated with hardened criminals, who led him into worse trouble. One night, about twenty years ago, he had arranged to do a crooked thing to get money. As he was walking along the street to the spot where he was to meet his companions who were to assist him in the "job," he waa accosted by a man who handed him a card. ."I looked at it and saw it was an invitation to a mission," he states. "I asked the man what sort of meeting that was, and he said it was a religious meeting. I said I did not want to go. Then he told mo that if I went I would learn of the Saviour. I did not know what he meant, and said so. I would have gone on my way, but he knew how to trust to God, and he persevered with me until at last I was persuaded to enter the hall. At that meeting I accepted Christ as my Saviour."