DUNEDIN SISTERS’ MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 11658, 19 September 1901, Page 1

DUNEDIN SISTERS’ MISSION

A mission which has existed for nine years may with confidence be said to have justified its creation.- The Dunedin Sisters’ Mission can claim to have done sterling work from their foundation, and a perusal of the report (already published) will convey an adequate idea to our readers of the different phases of work done by the energetic Committee in the past year. .The anniversary of the Mission was celebrated at Trinity Wesleyan Caurch last night, and- it speaks well for the interest taken m the Mission and the recognition of the good work performed by the officials . a * arge num^er °f the public' should have put in an appearance, considering the exceedingly boisterous character of the weather. Mr Robert Chisholm presided, and others on the platform were Sisters Olive and Jean, Dr Barnett, and the Rev. P. W. Fairclbugh. After the singing of the Old Hundredth by the congregation, and-a prayer by the Rev. Mr Fairclough, the Chairman delivered an address, in which he expressed his pleasure at presiding over a meeting with whose aims' he was in cordial sympathy. For nine years the Mission had been in existence, their first representative being Sister Raeburn. He (the speaker), in his connection with the Benevolent Trustees, never met a more consistent and persistent advocate of the claims of those - n whom she interested herself. Her successor, Miss Sinclair, had capably carried out the duties, and the present representative, Sister Olive, had executed faithful work, she being a practical Christian, who recognised the need for attending to the material as well as the spiritual requirements of those she visited. The speaker pointed out that the Mission rendered help quite irrespective of denomination, and it was a pity that one in a. position to do so much good as Sister Olive did not have more means placed at her disposal, as he believed there was plenty of scope for this labor of charity in Dunedin. Mr Chisholm urged upon his audience their duty to assist the Mission by personal help as'will as monetary contributions. Sister Olive regarded it as a source rf great encouragement and a privilege 10 meet with so many sympathisers. Their mission was a work of discovery and restoration—to seek out not only the poverty and degradation, but also the cause of it, and to try to ameliorate it by endeavoring to raise the conditions of life to the standard from which they had; been lowered. The results of ten months’ experience in mission work in Dunedin had been such as to not only encourage but to impel her to advance with it. She was convinced that if it were not for intoxicating liquor there would be little need of a mission. Sister Olive ‘ gave a most interesting account of the work she was carrying out, her remarks being attentively listened lo throughout. Dr Barnett added his testimony to the good work accomplished by the Mission and the ability and tact of their representative, Sister Olive, who possessed every needful qualification for the execution of her useful work. In his professional capacity he was brought into contact with those engaged in like philanthropic labors to those described by Sister Olive, and he bore testimony Jo their kindness and unflagging zeal. He agreed entirely with the statement, that the great majority of cases of crime and misery were due, either directly or indirectly, to drunkenness. Nine-tenths of the number of accidents were due to the same cause. • . During the evening-the Trinity Wesleyan Church choir, under the leadership of Mr S. Lawn, rendered an anthem, and solos were given by Mrs Hudson, jnn. (Gounod’s ‘Ave Maria’), and Mr H. Wright (‘Nazareth’), a violin obligate to Mrs Hudsons item being played by Miss L. Himrael. The Rev. Mr Fairclough thanked those who had given assistance to the evening’s entertainment, and the pronouncing of the benediction brought the proceedings to a close.