SAVING THE LEPER

Evening Star, Issue 18281, 22 May 1923, Page 3

SAVING THE LEPER

A WORLD-WIDE MISSION.

REV. EDDY’S INTERESTING

ADDRESS.

‘Tho S.O.S. ot tho Leper’ was the title of the subject dealt with by tho B-av. Walter J. Eddy, of Australia, before a fair attendance in the Bums Hall hist evening. Mr Eddy is on a world-wide mission, and his lecture was on a most comprehensive scale. It was made all the more interesting by a largo number of now pictures from actual photographs taken by the lecturer during his recent visit to fourteen leper stations in India, China, Africa, and Korea. The Rev. IT. H. Barton presided, and m welcoming Mr Eddy said 1 hat the visitor was favorably known in Australia, and was the secretary for Australia of the Mission to Lepers. Mr Barton referred to his own recent visit to India and China, and stated that while in tbose_ countries Ihe had visited several leper stations. He j fully realised the wonderful work which was being carried on, and the great necessity for its continuance. While he was at Allahabad the lepers had asked him to convey a message to the people of New Zealand. The message was: “Thanks; gratitude.” On the motion of Mr H. Driver the audience then carried a resolution expressing thanks to (the lepers at Allahabad for ' their greeting, and conveying good wishes and sympathetic interest. At the outset the lecturer stated that the mission, which was founded in 1874, represented the Protestant Churches of the world, and it existed for the sole purpose of succoring the lepers of the world. The Mission to Lepers commenced its work with three missionary and it now had associated with it thirty-three missionary societies; It worked in fourteen different countries, and operated ninetysix stations, in which there were 14,800 lepers under treatment. The Roman Catho- | lie Church also carried out a good work (among the lepers of India, as did tho Salivation Army, in Java. Leprosy was probj ably the most human disease, and it had been estimated that there were 550,000 lepers in India, and about 500,000 in China. Japan and Java also had thousands. The ‘ first object of the mission was to preach the Gospel. In referring to the disease in India, Mr Eddy said that the worst phase was the pauper lepers, who herded together promiscuously, and so spread, (ho disease. The disease was mainly spread by nasal discharge and by touch, and every time a leper coughed or sneezed bacilli were emitted. There were 5,000 pauper lepers in Bengal alone. Speaking of the Christian teaching, the lecturer said that in one place in India where there were 800 lepers 80 per cent, were living in the hope of everlasting salvation. Not only did the mission seek to cure the disease, but it saved the outcasts, as the lepers were regarded in India, body and soul. Several photographs were thrown on the screen which showed the horror of leprosy, but' now (said the lecturer) there was a message of salvation for them which gave them hope of the life to come. Often when lepers were taken into the missions they fell on their knees and blessed those who had removed them from “ hell to heaven.” Air Eddy then spoke of chaulmoogra oil, which was obtained from a native shrub in India. This oil was injected into the lepers, and with the new treatment 25 per cent, of the cases were being partially cured and 75 per cent. arrested. He mentioned the case of one poor girl who had tramped through tho jungle to the mission to receive treatment. She was a fine girl, but, unfortunately, was suffering from (lie disease. He had since received a letter from the doctor to say that the girl was making good progress towards recovery, and that there was a possibility of her being discharged from the institution in three or lour months’ time. One of the pictures depicted a fine view of one of the leper missions, which the lecturer described as one of the best and most modern in India. The work of the Mission to Lepers was the finest incarnation of Christianity.

I In speaking of leprosy in Africa, Mr | Eddy said that it was hoped that the i Mission to Lepers would co-operate with the Sudan United Mission, and a great work would result. In Korea clinics had been established for the treatment of leprosy, and if the present progress continued that country would be free of the disease in twenty-five years. As a proof of the success attained, pictures were shown of lepers who, before treatment, could not use their hands and feet, making bricks which were used by them for erecting missionary buildings. Many of the lepers became missionaries, and greatly assisted the work of the missions. If they could get the support of the Christian world the dreadful scourge of leprosy could be completely eradicated in every country in fifty years. It was possible to have the germs of leprosy in the system for a quarter of a century before it showed itself. The children if lepers were growing up free from the disease, and happy, and the result of their treatment proved that leprosy was not hereditary. In conclusion, ihe lecturer spoke of the heroic work of the missioners, many of whom had died for the cause. He made an appeal for funds to carry out the work, and expressed his thanks to the chairman and to Mr W. F. Simpson, who operated the lantern.

After a. collection had been taken up, the Rev. Mr Barton pronounced the Benediction.

The lecture, which does not dwell on the more repulsive aspect of leprosy, will be repeated this evening in the Baptist Chuich, South Dunedin.