Church Army Mission in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 219, 19 September 1934, Page 3

Church Army Mission in Feilding

OPENING SERVICES AS ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Representatives of the Homo Mission Society of the Church of England commenced a mission in Feilding at St Join’s "Anglican Church, on Monday night, when Ecv. Canon. F. H. Petrio welcomed tho missioners, Captains Beck and Banyard and Sister Jutson. Tho mission wa3 founded by Prebendary Wilson over 50 years ago, and the founder, ■who is in his SSth year, is still working for the society without payment or reward. Tho society trains laymen and lay-women to preach tho Gospel, and practise it, in the homes and institutions, numbering almost two hundred, in different parts of England, conducted for tho downfallen and unfortunate. It lias 1300 trained officers and sisters in England, and 64 departments of work. Thus tho comprehensiveness of the socioty can be seen. It successfully tackles practically ievery problem tho Church of England is faced with, cither spiritually or socially, and so it has been aptly described as the “spearhead” as well as the “handmaid” of tho Church, and its worthy founder as tho “Archbishop of tho Gutter.” The society’s 66 mission vans constantly itinerate the country villages of the Homeland, holding missions and teaching tho faith, literally going into “the highways and byways,” compelling people to como in; raising the fallen, arousing tho careless and restoring the penitent. Pioneer officers break up new ground and tackle almost impossible .jobs, often depending upon the open air for tliisir church, or a borrowed tent. The Church Army is tho only society doing full-timo work in English prisons,. 10 officers working as assistant-chaplains, whilst practically every prison in the land is visited by a missioncr once a yoar. Tho sisters are also assiduous visitors and work splendidly amongst tho women and girls. They tackle the big problems of toscuo and preventive work. In the course of his welcome Canon Petrie said that the peoplo of the parish had been praying for GocTs blessing on the mission and tho missioners had como as God’s messengers with tho old story of the Gospel. It was confidently expected that there would he great blessing from tho mission. A song service was led by Captain Beck, and an eloquent address on the work of tho mission and its hopes for tho church was given by Captain Banyard, who explained that it wa3 hoped to get in touch with those who had drifted from tho church and had lost interest in it. A service is to be held each night at St. John’s. A missioner is stationed at CoVyton for this week and another will devote himself to the Halcombo and Stanway districts.