HOME MISSIONARIES AND THEIR PROBLEMS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3477, 13 October 1926, Page 4

HOME MISSIONARIES AND THEIR PROBLEMS

ADDRESS BY REV. R. B, GOSWALL.

On Monday evening at the Cuba Street Methodist schoolroom, despite most inclement weather conditions, there was a fair attendance to hear an address by the Rev. R. B. Goswall. of Waltara, who is at present travelling around New Zealand lecturing on the work of Hom c Missionaries. His subject for tho evening’s address was “Home Missionaries and their Problems.” The Rev. J. ,T. Lewis (of Auckland), who occupied tho chair, briefly introduced Mr, Gtownll to those present.

Commencing his address, Mr. Goswall mentioned that his first cxperlenc 0 of Homo Mission work was at Hokianga, in the far north of Now Zealand

This was an exceedingly interesting place, both, from a missionary , and from a historic standpoint. Speculation was rife in regard to the original home of the Maori, but there was no certainty on tho subject .though so much was certain, that the first Maori settlers in New Zealand came from Hawaii in tho year 1050, and these first immigrants had landed at the spot where the town of Hokianga now stood.

Tho speaker said that he knew all typOs of natives in all parts of the world, but ho had no fear of contradiction when he teaid that there was no bettor and no more intelligent dark-skinned race than the Maori, and of this groat people none bolter than the grand old type who still up. held tho traditions of the race. Unfortunately the modernization of tho Maori had resulted in them absorbing most of our vices, but I'ow of our virtues. In tho back country, however, there were typos of the grand old Maori whose word was his bond . The missionary work among the Maoris to-duy was more productive than ever, and an excellent response was being made to missionary teachings. The Rev. Samuel Marbdon, the first missionary to land in New Zealand, had said to brother missionaries, that there were wonderful opportunities for. missionary work in New Zealand, and in 1822 the first band of Wesleyan missionaries arrived to teach the Word, but they had boon compelled to leave, only to return in 1825 to resume their work again. Since then missionary work in New Zealand had gone forward without a halt. There was still much work to be done, however. It would scarcely be credited that in tho far north of New Zealand there wore still children who , had no idea of Godls teaching, and the only time they heard His name was when used in an oalh.

Going on to refer to the problems of to-day, the speaker stated that the difficulties experienced now could not ho compared with those of 50 years ago, when, for instance, there were only three Methodist ministers' for tho whole of Auckland district. Present tim c problems wore of an entirely ’different nature, for iu the old days tho groat difficulty was lack of communication, whilst to-day the .big problem was to convince the people that the Gospel of Jesus Chri'st was a necessary thing for them and for their children. During the evening, musical and elocutionary items were delivered by Mesdames Twigg and Cottam (duet), Mrs. Cottam (solo, and Miss L. Ferguson (recitation). On tho motiop of Mr. Lewis, Mr. Goswall and those who had rendered items, were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.