ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9107, 16 July 1888, Page 11

ECCLESIASTICAL.

WESLEYAN FOREIGN MISSIONS. The annual meeting of the Pitt-street circuit of the Wesleyan Foreign Mission Society for the Auckland district, was held in Pitt-street Church on July 4, when there was a good attendance of members and friends of the congregation.

The chair was taken by Mr. C. C. McMillan, who was supported on the plat form by the Revs. E. Best (president of the circuit), C. H. Garland, A. Reid, G. Brown, Mr. Allen (secretary), and the Rev. J. S. Hill.

The Chairman in his opening remarks said that missionary activity was a sure indication of spiritual progress, and he was glad to see the Society had been making progress during the last year. The Secretary (Mr. Thomas Allen) then read an abstract of the 32nd annual report of the Australasian esleyan Methodist Missionary Society:—

The income for the previous year from the Australasian colonies, Samoa, Fiji, ami New Britain was £11,032 7s KM. The deficiency /or the year was £770 lOd, which was covered by a grant from the Special Help Fund. J,ast year New Zealand raised £y(55 for Foreign Missions, of which amount £111 were contributed by the Auckland district. Increased efforts have been made during the year to reach and influence for good the thousands of Chinese scattered through the various parts of Victoria, where the labours of the mission - workers have been attended with marked success. One of the catechists has been removed to Melbourne to assist the Rev. J. Moy lying, and has thereby opened his way for more frequent visits to up-country stations, which have all been visited during the year. Eighteen converts have been baptised during the past year, and there 28 now preparing for baptism. Two new stations have been occupied, and urgent requests are being made from other places for catechists. Several of our converts have returned to China, and, from letters received, we are glad to know that they hold fast to the truth, and stand firm in the faith which they professed iu these landa.

11l New South Wales the Iter. J. Tear Tact has been prosecuting his labours at Tingha with undoubted success. A new church has been built and opened without expense to the Mission Fund. The Chinese residents have taken a groat interest in the Church, and have contributed liberally to the funds required. This indeed is one of the most hopeful signs that good work is being accomplished amongst this people. During the past year several converts have been baptised, and the present prospects of the Church are very encouraging. From Samoa the reports were of such a nature at one time as to till our hearts with sadness. The action taken by the German Government last August, in proclaiming war against Malietoa, has had a most injurious ettect upon the people, and has very much hindered the work of the missionaries and teachers. It is, however, gratifying to us to record that the German officers and men engaged in this unpleasant duty, manifested great consideration for the missionaries and teachers. They spared the churches and teachers' houses, and in every way showed the greatest respect for the missionaries and their work. We have to record the loss by death of a grand old man from the ranks of our native ministry. Auka Taufa was one of those noble Tongans who have done so much for the evangelisation of the Pacific. He was a chief of high rank in Tonga, but gave up all for Christ, and lived his life amongst the people for whom he gave the energy of his youth and the strength of his manhood, and to whom he has left the example of a godly, self-sacrificing life and triumphant death. From Fiji we have to report that the work there has made steady progress during the year. It may well be noted with gratitude, that whilst the whole population of the group is given as 116,014, the attendants at public worship are returned as 114,067, whilst in one circuit onefourth of the people are meeting in class. At the Navuloa Training Institution, now under the care of the Rev. W. Lindsay, 118 students have received careful training ■ for the Christian ministry and school work during the year. It is intensely gratifying to note that when the call for volunteers to go to New Britain was made, at least one-third of these students offered to go, thus proving that the old ■ missionary spirit which animated the noble men and women who formed the pioneer band of 1875 still fills the hearts of those who have taken their places at the Institution. From New Britain we hear that our missionaries in that group have been severely tried during the year. One epidemic after another has swept over those islands, eacli of them carrying off large numbers, of the people.- ■ There was great joy in the district when the new books arrived ; many of the people aro buying lamps and kerosene, so that they may be able to read at night. A proof that the people value their privileges is shown by their desire to contribute to the lunds of the Society. Last year they gave £50- for mission purposes, but this year the amount will be about £90nearly double that of the previous year. No one can thoroughly understand what a change this fact represents" in the thoughts and character of these people except one who has lived amongst them, or among other Papuan races. And so, year after year, the tale is told of the world's need, of the constraining love of Christ in the hearts of His people, of great things attempted, and of great successes gained by the preachers of that Word, which is still to-day as it ever was, the power of God unto salvation of all who receive it. Good and noble men and women go fortli— from our own lands, whilst others with darker skins, and speaking other tongues, go from the islands and groups which have already received the truth, but all animated by the same Christ-like pity, all constrained by the same love—all preaching the same Saviour, and to each the same grace, guidance, and • help is given. Wherever in those tar-off groups the story of God's wondrous love to man has been faithfully preached, the olden prophecies have been again fulfilled, and " The people that walked in darkness havo seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined." But great as have been the triumphs of the past, there is much that yet remains to be accomplished. Within a few days' sail of this coast there are large islands, such as the Solomons and Admiralty Group, which are inhabited by teeming thousands of people, to whom the first tidings of the Gospel of Christ has yet to be proclaimed. We must as a Church and as individuals look upon the world in the spirit of Him who came to seek and to save it. The Spirit which was in Christ was the spirit of a deep sympathy for a fallen world, of an earnest zeal which constrained Him to do this work of the Father who sent Him whilst it was day, and of a self-sacrifice which caused Him to give His life for the world's redemption. For our direction and strength we havo the assurance of His continued presence with us, while for our encouragement and hope lie has promised that when the day's work is ended, and the labour of life accomplished, wo shall hear Him say, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of tho world, for "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

The Rev. G. Brown then addressed the audience. He said he agreed entirely with the chairman's remarks that the strength of the missionary spirit was the test of the vitality of the Church. A Church that was not a mission Church was a dying Church. The missionary spirit was the spirit of Christ. Mr. Brown then proceeded to allude to the great change in the people of New Britain, indicated in the report by their sending this year £90 to the funds. He said this change indicated great changes both in Church progress and in commerce. The early condition of these natives was then graphically depicted, with anecdotes of their ways and manners. The collection was here taken up, realising £13 14s, during which the choir sang " From Greenland's Icy Mountains." The Rev. A. Reid moved, and the Rev. J. S. Hill seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Brown. The vote was carried by acclamation, and suitably acknowledged by Mr. Brown. A similar compliment having been given to the chairman, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Best, and the Rev. C. H. Garland, the meeting closed with the Doxology.

GRAFTON ROAD CIRCUIT.

The annual meeting of the Grafton Road circuit of the Wesleyan Foreign Missions was held on June 28, in the Grafton Road Wesleyan Church. The chair was taken by Sir Wm. Fox, who was supported on the platform by the Rev. Geo. Brown, of Sydney, the Rev. J. A. Taylor, senior minister of the circuit, and the Rev. W. L. Salter, junior minister of the circuit. There was a fair attendance of the congregation and friends of the church.

Sir Wm. Fox opened the meeting by an address, taking as his subject the early Christian missions of the world.

The Secretary (Rev. J. A. Taylor) then read the report of the Mission. The Rev. George Brown, of Sydney, then addressed the meeting. He commenced his address by stating the method in which the reports of the various circuits were made up. He next proceeded to speak of the work in various Pacific islands, and the difficulties and perils under which the missionaries labour. Speaking of the Islands he said, whiie lie did not covet territory, yet he believed that England would bitterly regret some day the way they were letting these islands slip away from them. The usual vote of thanks and devotional xercises concluded the meeting.

The Presbytery of Dunedin again considered on July 4 Dr. Salmond's pamphlet, " The Reign of Grace." After deliberating for seven hours, the following resolution was agreed to:—"That the committee meet Dr. Salmond to represent to him the judgment of the Presbytery, and expressed in the report adopted, and in view of that judgment ask him to suppress his pamphlet ; to remonstrate with him as to the way in which he speaks of the public teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ; to endeavour to bring him to a better state of mind concerning this most important matter, and persuade him, if possible, to express deep regret for the terms in which ho has characterised the utterance of Him who is a faithful and true witness ; and admonish him to bo more careful in the future not to pronounce so dogmatically on subjects which the Father hath reserved in His own power, and in his sermons and publications to abstain from teaching doctrines which are contrary to the Standards of the Church, and which are fitted to wound and grieve the hearts of many of her ministers and members."

The Newton Congregational Church held its anniversary on the 3rd July by a social tea and soiree afterwards. •At the tea some eighty persons sat down, the trays being presided over by Mesdames Bali, Wood", bmeeton, and others. At the after-meet-ing the chair was taken by the minister of the church (the Rev. H. J. Lewis). Tho reportread by the secretary, Mr. H. Rotherham—showed that the Church had increased its membership considerably during the past year ; and throughout the year, notwithstanding the depression, the congregations had been large. Mention was made of the New Year's offerings, that had exceeded expectations. The financial statement (Mr. Frank Rowe, treasurer) showed the receipts to be £271 6s 7d, which amount the expenditure had exceeded, leaving the Church with a debit balance of £20. A most pleasant evening was concluded by devotional exercise?. The Salvation Army held on .Wednesday, June 27, what they described as an "Indian Meeting" in the Barracks in Albert-street, the occasion being addresses from "Colonel" and Mrs. Taylor, lately from India. The Barracks were packed to the doors, fully 800 people being in the building. The platform was occupied by the officers of the Army and Sir William Fox, who gave an address during the evening. The meeting was a thorough and complete success. The addresses of Colonel and Mrs. Taylor were full of pith and point, and contained many interesting and instructive particulars of Hindoo life and customs. The work in India was reported as progressing actively and successfully. The proceedings concluded with a prayer meeting. Pastor George Muller and Mrs. Muller were passengers to Sydney on June 27 by the Rotomahana. They express themselves highly satisfied with their visit to Auckland.

A soiree and public meeting was held on July 4 in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, to welcome back. Mr. George Aldridge, of the Church of Christ in Auckland, from a five months' lecturing tour in the South. Over 300 persons sat down to a bountiful tea spread in the large hall, which presented a very pretty appearance. Mr. E. Carr presided. • Short addresses were given, and the meeting concluded with the Doxology and Benediction. _ On the '25th June, Pastor Muller delivered his final address, at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, upon the subject of the "Second Coining, of Christ." There was again an attendance that completely filled the hall. The address was a brief resume of the course, and an appeal by Pastor Muller to his audience to do their part in furthering the coming of the kingdom of the Lord. Pastor Muller also answered a number of questions on the subject.

A memorial service in honour of the late Emperor Frederick was held at Christchurch on the 24th June in the Cathedral, which was draped in black. There was a very large congregation, including the Mayor and city councillors, and. a considerable number of Germans. The Dean of Christchurch preached the sermon. The committee of St. Matthew's Gift Auction met on the 20th of June, Dr. Hooper in the chair. The balance-sheet showed receipts from all sources, £116 ; expenses, £5 ; leaving a net' balance to the credit of the fund of £111, to which will be added some small sums ■ not yet got inVotes of thanks were passed to the ladies, the auctioneers, the ladies and gentlemen who assisted in the entertainments, the Press, and to all those who had contributed either by assisting or by donations to the success of the undertaking. The annual social gathering of the parishioners of St. Sepulchre's Church was celebrated on June 21, by an entertainment held in the Sunday - school, Symondsstreet. About 250 sat down to an excellent repast prepared for them, the tables being presided over by various ladies of the congregation. A very successful concert was held immediately after. The meeting was brought to a close by tho singing of the " National Anthem." The annual meeting of- the Devonport Wesleyan Church in" connection with the Foreign Missions was held at Devonport on the 29th June. Mr. Woods presided, and Rev. Mr. Dukes read an extract from the annual report of the Australian Wesleyan Missionary Society, which gave interesting details of the good work that was being done in Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, New Britain, and other groups, and also among the Chinese residents of Australia. The Chairman then called upon the Rev. George Brown to address the meeting, and in graphic language that gentleman briefly described the amount of success which had attended the missions in the South Sea Islands. He also pointed out that great as had been the triumphs of the past, there was much that yet remained to be accomplished. At the conclusion of the address, a collection was taken up in aid of the funds of the Foreign Mission, and the meeting closed with the singing of the Doxology anil the Benediction being pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Dukes.