LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6758, 16 July 1883, Page 3

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY SERVICES.

The Rev, G. 0. Newport, for 20 years a missionary of the Loudon Missionary Society in India, preached missionary sermons in connection with the above Society, at the Bereaford Street Chapel, morning and evening, and gave an interesting adnress to the children in the afternoon, fie has been appointed a deputation to the colonies this year; has alrealy visited South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania; and is now going through New Zealand. This evening, at 7.30, annual public meeting will be held in the church, and on Wednesday evening, at the same hour, Mr. Newport will give some account of the interesting work carried on iu India in connection with the Zenana mission. All interested in missions are invited to these services, especially the last, on which subject information is sought to be given. The lecture is free to all. Mr. Newport gives an address at Onehunga on Tuesday, and holds services next Sunday at the Thames, after which he proceeds on to the South. It was decided a short time ago that deputations, consisting of the society's missionaries, should visit annually the Australian colonies; and last year the Kev. S. Macfarland, from New Guinea, visited New Zealand, and by his stirring addresses awakened a deep interest in mission work to the heathen. An auxiliary was called into existence in Auckland, which has rendered substantial help iu the way of contributions to the society. The young people, in addition, provided a boat at a cost of about £40, to be used in the work of the missionaries in the i ivers of New Guinea. Some information concerning the origin and history of the Loudon Missionary Society may not be uninteresting to many of our readers. It was founded in the closing year of the last century, and has just been holding its Sdth annual meeting in London. It was formed on a broad and catholic basis, its fundamental principle being "not to send forth Episcopacy, Presbyterianiam, Independency, or any other form of Church order and goveroinont (about which there may be difference of opinion), but the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the heathen." Although since then denominational missionary societies have been formed, this society has retained its fundamental principle, and at the present does not seek from its missionaries that they belong to any ono denomination, if they possess the qualifications necessary to undertake the work of the missionary, and are willing to consecrate themselves to it. The society, however, is now chiefly sustained by the Congregationaiists, and its Board of Directors is elected by the members of that body.