OTAGO SEAMEN'S MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3248, 4 July 1872, Page 2

OTAGO SEAMEN'S MISSION.

The anniversary soiree of tlio Otago Seamen'B mission was held in the. Wesleyan Hall, Stuart street, last evening, the Rev. A. Reid in the chair. The attendance was apparently not so large as had been anticipated, there heing none to sit at several well stocked tables.

Among those present were the Rev. Drs Stuart and Copland, and the Rev. Messrs Sutherland, Johnstone, Roseby, and Shaw.

Tlio Missionary, Mr Gimskut, read the e'ghtli annual report, in which he stated that since the inauguration of the mission ho had had much pleasure in his w<<rk. He had, it was true, met with many trials^ but his cordial receptions and the heartiness with which the tarn joined in the services gave him encouragement. On. Sabbath days he held two services, and sometimes three, in two or three different vessels, which were distinguished by the Bethel flag. His evening meetings on week days were held ;ih a rule in. the forecastle. At those the Bible was read and expounded, and prayer and praiso offered. At the close of the meetings he gave his hearers an opportunity of asking him any questions that might have been suggested to them from the Scripture read. This offer they sometimes availed themselves of, and though the questions asked were occasionally of a somewhat strange character, yet they afforded him a good opportunity of imparting religious instruction. lie made monthly visits to Taiaroa Head, where th© pilots, lighthouse keepers, boats' crews, and their families, who, without this mission, would not have the means of grace, were located. It always afforded him. pleasure t< visit them, notwithstandingthe distance, and the passage being sometimes a rather stormy one to make in a small boat, and ho was much encouraged by the good attendance at the services, and the kindly reception he met with amongst them. Nothing would have afforded him greater pleasure than to be able to report of many conversions daring the past year ; but, like the hushandman who had sown in hope, he must patiently wait for the harvest, knowing it was the Lord's prerogative to give the increase. At a Committee meeting held in February hist, it was resolved that he should take a tour through the Province for the purpose o£ advocating the claims of the mission, andL collecting what funds lie could for its support. He accordingly began his journey on the 2nd March, and visited a large portion of the Goldficlds, and a great many stations. Ho was most kindly received everywhere. His tour occupied ten weeks, and the distance he travelled was about 1000 miles. During thafc journey ho preached and lectured sixtyseven times. The collections jmd donations, after paying his travelling expenses, amounted to £104. He had got presents of books, periodicals, and tracts from various quarters during the year, and he had sold and given away copies of the Scriptures. It was gratifying to find that there were comparatively very few seafaring brethren who had not already had a Bible in their possession.

The balance sheet showed an income as follows :—Balance from the previous year, £10 4s t)d ; church collections, £C 3 17a 4d; donations from ships*'crews, £'23 3s 2d ; donations from friends on chore, £125 ; proceeds of lectures by misßiomiry, £53 Is lid. The expenditure wtu» :—Missionary's salary, 1(5 months, £250 ; printing, £*G Os 7d ; travelling expenses, £22; ]0s Gd ; incidental expenses, £1 2s 4d ; leaving a balance in hand of £1 14s Qd~ The report and balance shout were ad pted. During the evening addresses were delivered by various gentlemen.