BISHOP OF MELANESIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 9

BISHOP OF MELANESIA

INTERESTING ADDRESS LAST EVENING. ISLANDS IN FLOURISHING CONDITION. Bishop Steward, of the Melanesian Mission, who' is at present in Wellington, gave an interesting address last evening in St. Paul’s Schoolroom, in Sydney street. There was a large audience. The Bishop, in opening his address, thanked the people for the warm welcome they had accorded him, and stated-that he was extremely glad to have had such an opportunity of speaking to those interested in hiß work. “I was rather grieved to hear the opinion of some leading New Zealand church folk,” he said. “They were of the opinion that Melanesia was in a very had state. However, I have done my best to assure them that it is not so. The islands are, in fact, in a flourishing condition. Of course, we over there have felt the strain of the bad financial years just the same as anyone else in any other country has, but in spite of this the mission is still going steadily ahead. We have never had reason to come begging to New Zealand Synod, saying that if we don’t have substantial support we will have to cease operations, and we don’t intend to. It is because of the New Zealand support that we have thrived so successfully, and as long as you supjjort us as liberally as you have done in the past we will go ahead, because we-are determined to go ahead. “The last five years have been full of important events in Melanesia. We have established a synod of our own, which has brought about a centre of 1 ife and interest m our islands. We no longer consider ourselves as isolated outposts, although we are so far away from civilisation. “It was the oustom some years back for the Bishop to he the sole advisor and administrator of the islands, but now that is not so. The whole staff express their different opinions while the Bishop acts as spokesman, and when away speaks nort only his own ideas hub those of the staff and inhabitants as well. The Melanesian Mission staff is united, and as we get to know the home churches better we will all work in unity which will greatly improve the mission. Christianity has established a firm footing in Melanesia, and the proposed visit of one of your representatives to see and learn how everything is conducted there, and who will impart his knowledge to you on his return, will greatly strengthen the link between us.” The Bisho pof Melanesia concluded his address by stating that he wished to impress the audience that in spite of the mistaken impression Melanesian mission work had thrived wonderfully, and would continue to do so if the New Zealand church people help them as generously in the future as they have done in the past.