A FAMOUS MISSIONARY EXPLORER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 276, 10 November 1911, Page 3

A FAMOUS MISSIONARY EXPLORER.

DR. KARL KI MM

At the invitation of the Laymen’s Missionary League. Dr. Kaij Kumm visited Napier yesterday. In the morning Dr. Kumm was taken for a short motor spin round Scinde Island ar.d over the hills, and in the afternoon he addressed a large gathering of teachers and scholars from the Bovs’ and Girls’ High Schools. Mr. Polson, the headmaster, presiding. The lecturer’s remarks were listened to with kei n interest as he told of h'is ad ventures while travelling amongst the savage races of Central Africa. The clergy and laymen of the various churches assembled to meet Dr. Kumm at tea at 6.15 p.m. in the Troeadero. when Dr. E. Caro presided over a large gathering. Dr. Kumm gave a very interesting address on the position of Great Britain in the Soudan. He mentioned that ‘just lately he had visited Tripoli, and de«erihi d the ei untry in which the Italians and Turks are now fighting. The speak'-r sketched the history, at some- length, of the" events which led up te> the present missionary invasion of the Soudan by the Moslems. He pointed out that this faith, which has spread anel is spreading with such wonderful rapidity, was opposed to enlightmc-nt, to liberty’’, and to modern civilisation. It stooel for everything that was savage- and brutal. The world was surrounded with a great chain e>f British possessions. ami the strength of the chain was the strength of its weakest link. Africa though many people did not realise it, was the weakest Enk in the chain of the Empire. The reason was that the whole vast continent of Africa was threatened by the Moslem faith. Of all the continents, Africa possessed the greatest resources. Its possibilities in the production of gold, tin, copper, iron, ivory, rubber, cotton, etc., were enormous, and as yet none of these had been developed. Apart altogether from the moral aspect, surely from a commercial point of view, asked the speaker, was it not worth an effort to hpld, develop, and win for the Christian faith this dark benighted continent.

At the conclusion of the address, Mr. P. W. Peters proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Mr. R. C. Runciman and carried unanimously.

AT THE FORESTERS' HALL. In the evening Dr. Kumm addressed a largo audience in the I'orestcr’s Hall. Napier. Mr. 11. Hill occupied the chair and in introducing the lecturer paid a high tribute to tiie scientific and exploring work of Dr. Kumm in tiie heart ot the great continent <:f -Africa.

The title of the speaker’s address was "I nexplorcd Regions of Central Africa.” Dr. Kumm commenced by pointing out that in the past the creed of Atahomincd had spread by bounds. In recent times it had bv no means been quiescent, and the opening up of Africa by the white iii.in meant that the Moslem faith had a wider scope f’oi- spreading unless combatted by the more zealous Christian efforts. In graphic and eloquent language the speaker described his own experiences among the savage tribes of Central Africa, how lie had suffered danger and privations in his devotion to his adherents and how he ultimately succeeded in bringing his party to safety. The story told by the lecturer was enlivened with genuine flashes of vvit and humour, and the large audience listened to his address from beginning to end with almost breathless interest.

A vote of thanks proposed by the chairman was carried by acclamation.

Subsequently a brief meeting was held of a:I tho'e ini crested in helping the Now Zealand branch of the ■Siiiida:: United Mission, when those present formed themselves into a ...mimitiee, with Mr A. S. M. PolMsii president. Dr. Eric Caro vicepresident. Mr. -I. H- Oldhtim secretary and Mr. F. J. Griffin treasurer. The trca'urer received the proceeds itf last night s lecture lor the local treasury, ami will apply all st’.b'•'■riplions ri ccivi d to the tuml towards equipping the New Zealand students who have veliiliteered for service in the Soilditn. r-.vo < f whom are <,!d Napier High School Levs. . .

Dr. Kumm left By tins morning s expiess for Te Alite, where he Will addri'< .meeting' "f the Lleaiien ( onfef'-nee.