MISSIONARY FROM INDIA

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 3

MISSIONARY FROM INDIA

MISS BECKINGSALE HONOURED Members of the Hanover Street Baptist Church assembled in the church hall last evening to extend a welcome to Aliss E. Beckingsale, who recently returned to Dunedin after forty years’ service in tho mission field in India. The Rev. Id. S. Tuckwcll, who presided, said that ho and those present considered it a privilege to honour one who had laboured so faithfully in the mission held on behalf ot the church. Her service was one long record of achievement, and her work was. of the type that went far towards forwarding the missionary movement. Air J. J. L’urdic spoke on behalf of the Sunday school, and said that Aliss Beckingsalc’s work had been an inspiration to the scholars. Her liio had urged them on to missionary effort, and to her the tlianks of every teacher iu the school were duo. Airs C. North, speaking for the women of the cliurcli, recalled Aliss Beckmgsale’s long years oi service, and said that during those years three •Sovereigns had been on the British throne. Tremendous changes had taken place throughout the world, and through them aU’Aliss Beckingsale had faithfully represented the church iu India. Air W. J. Bardslcy extended a welcome on behalf of the New Zealand Baptist Union, and said that, although great changes had taken place in the political, economic, and commercial world during tho past forty years of Aliss Beckings-alo’s missionary career, yet Christianity had not been making the same progress, lie expressed the hope that Aliss Beckingsale had not yet finished her service lor Christ. Dr C. North, speaking tor the ciders of the church, expressed himself as privileged to have the opportunity ml welcoming Aliss Beckingsale. Tie felt sure that the Hanover Street Baptist Church was her “home,” and gave as tho prescription which kept her in the excellent state of _ mind, body, and heart which she enjoyed, the text ‘‘ In quietness and in confidence is your .strength.” In reply, Aliss Beckingsale said that much opposition had come to her work recently iu the form of the Nationalist movement. To this movement one could not help but ho naturally sympathetic, as the people of India wanted India for the Indians. But when this movement antagonised all European missionary efforts, she ielt that the Indians had overstepped Ihoir bonds. However, during tho last year or two this opposition had died down, , and. in fact, the pendulum was swinging the other way. It was surprising tu_ find how, even in far-off villages, new ideas were gradually creeping in. There were buses running from town to town, and occasionally an aeroplane was seen passing overhead. People wore coming to believe that an injection might do more good for an illue'ss than a charm. The old ideas, traditions, and customs wore gradually giving way to more modern ways. It was. this change which would bo "the hope -of Christianity. If tho people were willing to accept new modes of living, surely they would begin to think that new religions needed consideration, if not tolerance. Miss Beckingsale was warmly applauded at the conclusion of her remarks, and the serving of supper brought the gathering to a close.