EGYPT GENERAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 19407, 16 November 1926, Page 11

EGYPT GENERAL MISSION

THE YEAR'S WORK ANNUAL MEETING OF LOCAL BRANCH The Dunedin branch of the Egypt General Mission held its annual meeting in the First Church Hall last night, the Rev. W. Hnmblett presiding over a large attendance, which included Miss Catherine Murray, the New Zealand representative in Egypt, who is at present on furlough. , The meeting opened with hymn ami prayer, the chairman then welcoming Miss Murray and Mr Nathanael Paterson, who recently visited the mission stations in Egypt. Ho referred i? the importance of Egypt as a great straw®gic point for touching the Moslem world with the Gospel. Ho spoke of the early history of tho Egypt General Mission, which began work at Alexandria in 1898 with five members. Scarcely any notice was taken of it in those days, but gradually it became a force to be reckoned with, though there came ft period of opposition. Those were difficult days, but more than one missionary had said that the opportunities for service in Egypt were abundant. That was true not only of Egypt, but of all Moslem countries. Wherever one turned-there was a call for workers, and he referred to the activities of the Anglican Church in this connection, 736 new workers, having been called for, which would mean an obligation on tho church of raising £250,000 more annually Even this would not cope with the work that was avaihble, many of the recruits being required to replace the annual shortage due to sickness, deaths, and retirements through various causes. There wore opportunities in India and China, too, and ho thought the evangelisation of the world was possible if tho church would consecrate herself to tho work, and he believed God for them in the evangelisation of the Moslem. As the result of twenty-five years’ work in tho dominion, New Zealand had only one worker in the field in Egypt, and what was wanted was far more young people to take an interest in the mission. In conclusion, he referred to the indebtedness of the local branch to Miss M. J. Gairdner, the secretary, whose work had been an inspiration to all of them The Secretary (Miss M J. Gairdner) presented the annual local report, which stated that during the Exhibition period a considerable quanti y of literature was sold, and an effort made to give greater publicity to the mission, and to mike known some of ‘the great needs of Egypt and other Moslem lands. Mr Alex. Mill, the North Island secretary, gave a most interesting address, with lantern views, in _ February,, and also several addresses in and around Dunedin. They deeply appreciated the work done by the local secretaries in other towns, and during the year they had despatched two cases of Christmas gifts to the field workers, funds amounting to £43 15s 8d being subscribed for this purpose. The St. Anne’s Working Circle, under the leadership of Mrs L, Cook, had year after year faithfully supported the St, Anne’s bed at Shebin Hospital, subscribing £lO a year. Personally, she appreciated tho devoted cooperation and fellowship of the Prayer Circle members, their presence being a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. Miss Gairdner also presented a report on the work of the mission in Egypt, where forty-eight missionaries are now engaged on the field, two being on extended leave.

The financial statement showed receipts amounting to £193 11s lid, the balance in hand being £l3 7s Id. In proposing the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman thanked members who had been responsible for the satisfactory position of the local branch. They had heard an inspiring, report of activities on the mission field, work which was growing in size and usefulness. Mr Kihnear seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Nathanael Paterson gave a brief address of his visit to the,mission stations in Egypt, which he placed next to Palestine as the most interesting country in the world, because of its ancient history and its wonderful monuments. His party had found difficulty in getting an insight into the work being done by the missionaries, and had to content itself with seeing the missionaries themselves among those visited being Mr and Mrs G. Swan, at Zeitoun, at whose homo many Now Zealand soldiers had been warmly welcomed during tho war. Great work was being done by the hospital at Shebin-el-Kanater, and it was work of this kind that made the Moslems realise just what tho Christians were doing for them. Miss Murray, in her opening remarks, expressed her thanks for the welcome she had been accorded, and said that after five years in » Moslem country it was very pleasant to be on furlough again in a Christian atmosphere. Though she had often experienced great disappointments in Egypt she was sometimes cheered by the' fact that the Holy Spirit was working in tho hearts of the people, which made her realise that God had caused goodness and mercy to follow her. She expressed her pride in the work of the Empire in Egypt, and said that it was impossible to go there as a tourist or visitor or to live in Egypt ns a missionary without realising what the country owed to Great Britain. She was glad to say that peace had been restored, and that Britain was taking a strong hold on the country, Lord Lloyd being a firm and wise administrator. A great many of the people in Egypt were peasants and poor people, and there were thousands of villages, some of them 100 per cent. Moslem, in which great work could be accomplished. She was thankful the door was open for hospital work and teaching in the schools, all of which tended to break down the existing prejudice against Christians. It was not possible merely to preach without taking an interest in the children, and trying to relieve sorrow, sickness, and suffering. She spoke of the work that had been accomplished by the special mission at Shebin-el-Kanater, every missionary going out daily to hold meetings in the neighboring villages. Mootings had been held for high-class ladies, who were enabled by lantern slides to see views of the Christ of whom they hod never heard. They had attended regularly, and great good should result. Egypt was one of the most difficult fields to win converts, there being only one convert for every three missionaries, though there were many secret believers. More prayer was needed, and more workers were wanted to go into the remote villages of Egypt. She considered that she was privileged to be a worker in so difficult a field, and said that it was not by great organisation or more wonderful methods, hut by the simple preaching of the Word of God that the end would be achieved. . The singing of a hymn and the pronouncement of the Benediction closed the meeting.