PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 10

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

MISSIONARIES FAREWELLED

St. David's Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass. w;is crowded last evening when a public farewell was tendered to six missionaries of the church who aio pioceoding to China and India. They were the Itev. J. M. McKcnzio and Mrs. McKenzie, and Miss M. Findlav, who are returning to China; and Mrs. W. M. ltyburn, who is returning to Intua, and Misses D. Sago and E. M. Kcid, who are going for the first time as nurses in India and China. The Moderator of tho General Assembly, the Itev. 1' raser 15. Earton. presided. Mr. McKcnzio asked those present to remember that missionary endeavour was not merely a branch of the Church s activities, but was an essential. Ho said the Chineso were losing even their old faiths. A recent writer had stated China was "breaking loose from her moorings.Tho old family gods and shrines in Chiifeso houses were becoming dust-covered and forgotten. The pcoplo wore becoming blinded by tho light of materialism. Tho Chinese had many good trails of kindliness and courtesy which might yet bo preserved. Ho was pleased to sco that increasing numbers of young peoplo were offering themselves for mission service. It rested with the Church to decido whether they should bo sent or whether the Church had reached its limit.

Short addresses were also given by Misses Sago and Reid, and the Rev. E. R. Harries.

Farewell gifts of books were made to the missionaries by church organisations. Mrs. ltyburn and her daughter, Miss Helen ltyburn, tho Rov. and Mrs. McKcnzio and their young son, and Mis» Sago will leave by.the Makura this evening for Sydney. . .