MISSIONARY WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23320, 13 April 1939, Page 3

MISSIONARY WORK

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL IMPRESSIONS OF DELEGATE ADDRESS TO AUCKLAND WOMEN A description of impressions gained at the conference of the International Missionary Council, held at Madras last December, was given by Mrs. D. N. McDiarmid, a delegate from New Zealand, when speaking to members of the Auckland Presbyterian Association at St. David's . hall, yesterday afternoon. Mrs. P. Gladstone Hughes presided. "The conference was an unparalleled demonstration of international friendship at a time when most of the people of the world were conscious of extreme nationalism," said Mrs. McDiarmid. "Throughout the conference we used a hymn book in which the hymns had been translated into many languages, so that they could be sung to the same tune."

Mrs. McDiarmid said there wore 470 delegates present from many different countries, Sixteen subjects were submitted for study, and eight of these were dealt with in each of the first two weeks, the delegates being divided into groups of about 50, each group being as representative as possible. During the third week the findings of these study circles were discussed by the entire conference. Persecution of Christians

"A deep impression was left on our minds that Christians were being persecuted even more to-day than was the case 100 years ago," continued" Mrs, McDiarmid. "Two young men from Turkistan spoke of the tortures they had undergone because ot' their faith. The Korean delegates were forbidden to come at the last minute, as the Japanese Government felt that they could not rely on their loyalty. Missionaries who were on leave were present, however, and told of sufferings that we had not previously realised. "These missionaries told us that, if the Korean Christians refused to bow to the Government shrines, they were imprisoned and tortured horribly. In Arabia and in Germany missionaries were finding difficulties which had never been apparent before." TUB problems of- the Africans in South Africa were also discussed, added Mrs. McDiarmid. Much injustice was being done to educated Africans. In many cases their salaries were almost literally regulated by their negro blood. One or the delegates, a highly educated woman, and a school teacher, had actually had the length of her hair measured by an inspector.

Church in Punjab ' Mrs. McDiannid spoke enthusiastically of a church in Punjab, which had been built partly with money donated by Maoris and partly by the efforts of the Indians themselves. During the conference a collection had been taken up by Indians to provide a corner stone for a New Zealand church. . At the commencement of the meeting Mrs Hughes made reference to the tragic death of Dr. O. L. Eaton, who was killed by Chinese bandits. Gratification was expressed during the meeting at the formation of a new: branch at Glen Eden. It was announced that Miss Grocott, who .had been connected with the office of the association for over nine years, was to retire, owing to ill health, and it was decided to send a letter of sympathy, with hopes for a speedy recovery. Mrs. J. A. Braclstrcet expressed the appreciation of the members for Mrs. McDiarmid's address, and also thanked the singers, and the members who had given flowers for the stage. Afternoon tea was served by the members from Knox and Balmoral.