WESLEYAN HOME MISSION FUND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 160, 17 October 1881, Page 2

WESLEYAN HOME MISSION FUND.

The annual meeting in. connection with the Hawera branch of the Home Mission Fund was held in the Wesleyan Church on Thursday evening. The Rev. J. Luxford occupied the chair, and Rev. Mr. Williams attended as a deputation from the managers of the fund. After singing and prayer, the chairman read the annual report giving an account of work being done among the Maoris and Scandinavians, and explained what was being done in other town and country home mission stations. The rev. gentleman added a few remarks appealing to the liberality of those present in behalf of a fund which had done, and was still doing a great deal for the Patea-Hawera circuit. The Eev. W. J. Williams then delivered a very interesting address on the scope and character of the work taken up by means of this particular fund, alluding especially to the work among the Maoris, whom he was afraid, unpopular as it might be to say it just now, did not receive sufficient consideration at the hands of most European Christians. It was true that owing to change of circumstances the Maoris had fallen back in religious matters, but that retrogression was to be traced directly to the evil example of Europeans, and should only act as an incentive to Christians to endeavor to undo the wrong which had been committed by persons of our own race. This fund helped on that work, and there were now at three Kings fifteen Maoris being educated for native mission work. The rev. gentleman also spoke of the necessity of the church following people ouk into sparsely settled districts, and of the better education of those who were to minister in spiritual things. A collection was then taken up amounting to £3 10s. The chairman in the course of a few remarks echoing what Mr. Williams had said in reference to the Maoris, mentioued that only on the clay previous Sir Wm. Fox had told him that if a Maori missionary were sen t up this coast though he might not be tolerated at Parihaka for a time, he would be still very heartily welcomed by many of the natives and would undoubtedly do a deal of good. He also stated that when (he Mr. Luxford) was at Parihaka he was agreeably surprised to see a Maori with a New Testament in his hand. The native asked him if Mr. Eolleston believed in the Book, ,and when he replied that he believed so, the native asked him why the Government did not remedy several grievances. The Bey. Mr. Ensor also delivered an address ; after which, on the motion of Mr King, seconded by Mr. Earle, a vote of thanks was passed to the Eev. Mr. Williams. The proceedings were varied by psalmody, Rev. Mr. Ensor presiding at the harmonium. The meeting was brought to a close by the chairman pronouncing the benediction.