PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18497, 6 September 1923, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS.

FAREWELL GATHERING. ACTIVITIES IN CHINA. ;; A , large and i representative gathering of Presbyterians, assembled last evening at the Scots '• Hall, Symonds Street, to bid farewell to the Presbyterian missionaries -■.who are leaving the Dominion at the ; end of the week for Canton. ■■ ..;;! , The members of the mission, the Revs. J. M;:MciKenziel and H. Davies, Dr. H. B. Turbot, Miss M. Findlay, and Mesdames '• Davies and Turbot were welcomed by the chairman, the Rev. G.W. Blair; I |i moderator -of the Presbytery, Who, in a brief speech outlined : the work and influence iof former " missions. The present mission, he said, was the largest Presbyterian pa'rty ever engaged on foreign mission work. - • ; •< '■.'*' ~ The dedication of the new missioners, the ' Rev. G. M. McKenzie, Mrs. }: McKenzie, | and Mills M. Findlay, was "performed by j the moderator, who referred eulogistically i to >the/'efforts of each in furthering local Bible-clus3 and •;. church work. ; j . Dr. Turboft, who has the distinction I of being.; thff first New Zealand-trained i medical .officer to be attached to the China.l mission, .thanked those present for the' reception 'accorded the members of tha! mission. . r " ! An \address on the progress of mission activities in Canton was delivered :by the Rev. H. Davies, a ■ missionary of 14 years' experience, who graphically described tho life and routine of the English teachers at the mission stations. He indicated the difficulties and hardships which daily be- I set the '. missioners and spoke of their efforts to ■ overcome the retrograde influences manifest in every Chinese village. The speaker referred to the unhappy life of the majority of Oriental children, who were compelled, by the poverty of their I parents to do ]■ strenuous manual labour ! almost ifrom their infancy. The English missionaries, he continued,! received invaluable aid from - the Christian Chinese students, but without the continuijil backing of the Europeans, the Chinese evangelists found themselves almost helpless. owing to the antagonism of sections of their countrymen. :> A description of the life of the Chinese peasant women was given by Mrs. Davies, who* has been'attached to the .Canton mission station for over 19 years. She detailed the work of -the''Chinese Y.W.C.A., and emphasised the necessity for. all churches making a concerted effort to alleviate -the suffering of. the heathen women. An enjoyable vocal item was given by Miss I. McCoskrie, and Master 'J. Davies gave several items in the Chinese tongue A farewell to the women members of tho mission. Was held yesterday afternoon in St. David's Hall. _ Mrs. G. Budd presided, and the missionaries, Mesdames Dayiea';:and McKenzie and Miss Findlay, were entertained at tea. .Mrs. Davies gave an. interesting address on the work at the Canton mirsion station', and emphasised the urgent need for the establishment of Uhineso' schools and Christian institutions. -.;,.,;■'