Foreign Mission Meeting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6624, 16 February 1900, Page 2

Foreign Mission Meeting.

The annual Foreign Mission meeting of the Methodist Church was held at the Broad-street Wesleyan Church last evening before a very good congregation, the Church being comfortably filled. After the opening exercises, the Eev. Mr Williams, of Fiji, delivered a very instructive address on the manners and customs of the Fijians, and on the work that the Methodist Church had performed in the Islands. The Fijians had been rescued from caanibalism by the efforts of the missionaries, and when the English Government took over- the Islands they were so satisfied with the work of the missionaries that they followed in the same lines. The Fijians had a great love for the British race, and any false report spread as to Britain's waning power greatly affected them, until the missionary dispelled their fears by showing them pictures of the latest ironclads, and reads to them of England's greatness. Though such good work had been done In Fiji they still wanted workers, not only for Fiji but for the Solomon Islands adjacent, where two millions of people had never yet seen a white missionary. They wanted two sisters to help them in their work, and he hoped they would be able to get them in New Zealand. New Zealand had sent their young people to China and to India, then why not to Fiji. Josefa, the native teacher, then addressed the meeting in his native tongue, his remarks being interpreted by Mr Williams, Josefa commenced by saying that there were two great powers that they loved, one was their Lotu, or religion, and the other Great Britian. They were very thankful Fiji was under British rule, and their only regret was that all the Islands of the Pacific were not under 'the same rule. Fiji had been civilized by the British mission- ' aries, and now the Fijians were going to New Guinea to carry the Gospel to the i natives there. That could not be said of the Chinese, the Indians, or even the ) Maoris, which argtied well for the good j j work done among the Fijians. He I would be glad to see two young ladies sent from New Zealand to help in thenmissions. They would work for them and give them all their food. Whereas here he had seen people paying sixpence for bananas and oranges,, over there they would give them more than they required for nothing if they would only come and teach them the English language so that they might be able to read and improve themselves. He would not keep them late as he saw the little 1 ones looking sleepy, but he would like to say in conclusion that he was afraid the white people had done more for the Fijians than for their- own Maoris, Where were the Maoris to-night? He did not see one in the Church. | In Fiji every man attended his Church, and another thing he was sorry to see in New Zealand was that so many white people did not respect the Sabbath. He saw them going out shooting and indulging in other sports, whereas in Fiji they kept the Sabbath sacred. He thanked them all for listening so patiently and he hoped God's blessing would rest upon them all. During the evening Josefa sang in his native tongue two of Sankey's "Hymns, " Hold the Fort " and " Work for the night is coming," after which the meeting closed with another hymn and "ike Benediction.

The choir assisted at the service, and the Rev. W. Beck occupied the chair. A substantial collection was taken up at the close.

To-night the deputation hold a meet ing at the Wesleyan Church, Buunythorpe.