WESLEY AN ROME MISSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7160, 28 October 1884, Page 6

WESLEY AN ROME MISSIONS.

A meeting in connection with the Home Mission Fund of the VYesleyen body was held in the Grafton-road Church last night. Although the weather was unfavourable there was a fair attendance, and Mr. J. L. Wilson occupied the chair. The Rev. R. Bavin opened the proceedings with prayer, and the choir followed by singing tbe anthem, "Arise, shine on Him." The Chairman then addressed the gathering, and called on the Rev. R. Bavin to read the Home Mission Fund report for the Grafton district.

The report showed that £65 bad been collected last year, and £55 was now in hand towards the fund. At the services last Sunday Grafton-road, Newmarket, and Parnell had all doubled their contributions for 1883, and with what was expected last night there should be a good sum towards the work. The Sunday-school had also done its fair share. The speaker recapitulated the efforts made in the suburban churche3 to aid the fund, and trusted that that nights's meeting would subscribesucli a purseaswould provoke Remuera at their meeting on Wednesday to largely help them in their efforts. The Rev. Mr.-'SLAi>E, tbe next speaker, noted the progress made by the Church in the Auckland province, which had been mainly done by the Home Mission Fund. He instanced the want of the spread of the Gospel in the country districts, by referring to two youths, seventeen years of age, who had to give evidence in a Court at Wellington, and when about to be sworn, were questioned as to the nature of an oath, and in reply they said they had never heard of God, and did not know o£ Jesus. This, the rev. gentleman said, was what their Premier, the Hon. R. Stoat, wished to bring the country to, that was what the President of the Auckland Rationalistic Association aimed at, and he concluded with an earnest appeal for funds to- push on. the work amongst the natives and in the outlying country districts. The collection was then taken up, and it amounted to £6 9s 4d. The 742 nd hymn was sung.

The Rev. T. G.' Hammond of Hokianga, addressed the meeting on the Maori Mission, with which he is connected. He related the progress of the blue ribbon movement amongst his natives, and attributed much of the success to the efforts of Graham Tawbai. An interesting account of many of hia experiences with the Maoris was given, and. he concluded by thanking his town friends for their aid in keeping missionaries amongst the natives.

A short address from the Rev. S. Lawky on the power of the Gospel followed. The choir then sang the anthem, " The Lord is Mindful of His People." As it had been announced that Hauraki Paul would speak on the work now going on among the natives in the King Country, and he was unable to be present, Gkaham Tawhai spoke instead. He delivered an earnest and forcible address, aud concluded by denouncing the liquor traffic amongst the Maoris. He referred to the proclamation which was being sought to be made, prohibiting the sale of drink in the King Country.

The meeting closed with the usual votes [ of thanks to the choir and the Chairman, the singing of the Doxology by those present, «nd the pronouncing of the benediction by the Rev. J. Wallis.