PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 15516, 11 June 1914, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FOREIGN MISSIONS COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday, 16 members being present, including Dr Bowie (of Ambrini) and the Rev. G. H. M'Neur (of Canton).

—lndia. . The Rev. T. E. Riddle reported upon the glowing success of the United Ea-ster Convention at Saharanpur. The attend? ance for the five days was 6CO. Provision is to be made for 1,000 next Easter, when a large tent, to cost £135, will be required. ’ . • Miss Henderson reported that compensation had been made for a robbery of some mission boxes six months ago. Extraordinarily cool weather was being experienced, with high winds .and frequent thunderstorms. l)r Robertson . and his assistants Were greatly enjoying the coolness and cleanliness of the new hospital, and the people have taken kindly and quickly to the change from the former cramped and insanitary quarters.

—China.— Miss James arrived in Dunedin from Canton on May 51 to undergo treatment that could not well be rendered during the unhealthy Canton summer. Several of the missionaries wrote in very high terms of the way in which Miss James had learnt the language ahd won her way into the hearts of the Chinese. The Canton Council passed a very appreciative and sympathetic minute, and the committee resolved to minute their high opinion of the worth of Miss James, with expression of their hopes that she would soon be able to return to Canton.

The Rev. If. Davies reported upon the opening of a new cjjapel on April 10 in the country. There were crowded congregations at the various meetings, from 1 p.m. till 10 p.m. The circumstances were very favorable, and were considered specially encouraging after the strenuous opposition shown last year. The hospital at Ko T’ong continued its beneficent work. Plans of the new hospital have beeon sent Home to Dr John Kirk for his inspection. The proposed Canton Union Medical College matters were very complex, new schemes springing up every now and then, nearly- all of these embracing the desirability of securing the services of Dr John Kirk.

The committee decided to arrange for payment of the losses incurred by the missionaries at Yan Woh over two years ago. as compensation had not yet 'been made by the Chinese Government. It.was reported that the Christchurch Presbytery were arranging for deputation work by the Rev. Q. 'H. M'Neur in North Canterbury and Mid-Canterbury from July 19 to August 18. After that he would probably go to some places in Wanganui and in the Wairarapa Presbyteries.

—New Hebrides.—■ A mass of correspondence was considered dealing with the Ambrim Hospital and oilier island matters'. The convener stated that the Islands Synod, which was to meet this month, would go fully into the whole question and duly report. The synod’s and committee’s reports would then be considered by the Assembly in November. The political situation was now being discussed by the New Hebrides Conference in London, and later on the Imperial Conference would take it up. Dr Bowie’s health was improving steadily, but it would be some time before he could return to the islands. In the meantime, he was pursuing medical research in Dunedin, where it had been suggested he should take his D.Ph. degree.—After full discussion it was unanimously agreed to approve of the suggestion that Dr Bowie give the next eight or nine months to such study as'he thought wise.

The Rev. \V. V. Milne wrote from Sydney stating that, owing to Mrs Milne’s indisposition, "they had been delayed in Sydney, and had not been able to join the June steamer and so get back to attend the synod. They would return by the July steamer.—The committee expressed sympathy with Mr and Mrs Milne.

—General.— The Convener reported having made a suggestion to St. John’s, Wellington, concerning its missionary representative. ’ Mr J. CL W. Aitken, Wellington, wrote indicating that for health reasons he had very reluctantly decided that he would be unable to form one of the deputation to India and China.—The committee expressed regret at Mr Aitken’s inability to go, and considered the nomination of a substitute.

The programme of a Laymen’s Mission Movement Conference and banquet to be held in Invercargill oh June 23, when the speakers would be Dr Bowie the Revs. G. H. M‘Neur, P. B. Fraser, J. VY. iSluuv, G. H. Jupp. and two representatives of rhe Dunedin branch of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, was submitted.—The committee sent an expression of goodwill. The Rev. Frank Paton, Melbourne, wrote asking for all the literature connected with the New Zealand “Every Member Campaign,” which so successfully raised funds for the hospital and buildings at Canton. The Victorian Committee were seeking to raise £B.OOO for building purposes this year.—The secretary had forwarded a complete set of the circulars, cards, post cards, etc., used in New Zealand.