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Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14416, 5 July 1907, Page 5

The word mission is of heathea origin, and at the cruel gladiatorial fights under the Caesars, when some wretched combatant lay prostrate, wounded by his adversary, the victor looked up to the Emperor for a signal whether the vanquished one was to bis despatched or spared. If meroy was shown, a servant' was sent into th« arena. This officer was called a missioiuarius, and hie errand was a mission. The early Christians borrowed the word, which suited their work of bringing freedom, mercy and life.