INDIAN MISSIONARY DEMONSTRATION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 301, 6 December 1923, Page 3

INDIAN MISSIONARY DEMONSTRATION.

TO-NIGHT AT HASTINGS. The Indian party, under Colonel Suttor, who Jis the leader and an Australian missionary officer, arrived in Hastings to-day and will appear in the Hastings Assembly Hall tonight. in a thrilling Indian missionary demonstration. The party consists of Lt.-Col. Suttor, chief secretary for Southern India. Airs. Sutton. Lt.-Col. Samaraveera (interpreter), Adjutant Santosham and Captain Jayawansa, and, on their arrival, a representative oi the “Tribune” met them and entered into conversation. In reply to a direct question. Colonel Sutton said,: “To put it briefly we have come for the purpose of endeavouring to visualise the work that is being accomplished by the Salvation Army among the non-Christian population of India and Ceylon, and to give the people of this country some idea of the character and abilities of the native officers. AA'e further seek to arouse interest in our missionary efforts, the extension of which is limited only by the lack of funds. The results of the tour through Australia have exceeded our most sanguine expectations. AVe were welcomed with immense enthusiasm at every place and the financial results were splendid.” Col. Suttor then introduced the party in short, piquant sentences. Aly self and Mrs. Sutton are well known to Australians, having been transferred to India from Australia luring the last six years. Airs. Suttor is a decided acquisition to the party, and her singing of Indian choruses, with their English equivalents, is quite captivating. Lieut.-Colonel Samaraveeira is a Cingalese. He is rather tall, slightly built, very dark and has the coal-black hair of the Indian races. He is very intelligent. possesses considerable charm and culture, has a fine voice, :ind speaks excellent English. He was formerly a Buddhist, but has been an >fficer for 33 years.

Adjutant Santosham, whose name signifies Salvation happiness, is aptly named, for there is nothing ascetic in his face or figure. He is the vocalist ind chief musician of-the party. He pla\s the violin with considerable skill, i le has been fourteen years ah officer, uid is the son of an officer, who was me of the first converts in Travancore. Captain Jayawansa is, perhaps, the nost picturesque figure of them all. He is also a native of Ceylon, and, :ike Lieut.-Colonel Samaraveera, does not wear a turban; so his profusion of long black hair, his ebony skin, and his light scarlet jacket, made a pleasing imk vivid contrast in colour. At meetings, suspended around his neck is a keg-shaped tomtom, which his long, slender fingers unceasingly slap and •arees. He is an extraordinary young man. He is twenty-five years of age. md was a Buddhist priest in good standing for fifteen years. He was connected with Buddhist priestcraft since seven years of age, but was converted to Christianity through reading .he Bible. He has been a Salvationist for three .years, and an officer two years. In a further statement Colonel Sutfor said that in the native state of Cochin, not very long ago. the divisional officer, wrote to headquarters to say that there were now seven hunIred duly enrolled soldiers, and could they send him ten pairs of officers nore, as he could place them most advantageously for soul-saving work. But to this request Colonel Suttoir, as chief secretary had regretfully t 0 writ and say that it couldn’t be done, for while they had the officers they had not the money. The maintenance of an officer is £1 ner month. Ten pairs of officers would cost twenty pounds per month, and -they couldn’t afford it—these ten villages are still waiting. I Their meetings are said to he remarkable for their human interest, missionary fervour and spiritual power, so that a large gathering mav f>e anticipated at the Assembly Hall this evening.