CENTRAL METHODIST MISSIONSISTERHOOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13207, 14 February 1905, Page 5

CENTRAL METHODIST MISSIONSISTERHOOD.

: A sooial gathering io commemorate tso 6ixth anniversary of .the Methodist Sisters' Movement;in connection with the Central Mission was iheld in the Mission Hall, Stafford, street, Jast evening, and. wae well attended, ladies boing particularly numerous; : •■■'■"■ . - ■ ' .. '

■■The following is a summary of the report) . of-tho past year's work:— . It is now oloso on six yews since Sietorj Ruth first acted as deaooness in the Dunedin Methodist Control Mission, and at the present tims there are five deaconesses; in connection with : the various ohuichea (not including » Anglican sisters), but mi are assured that each one finds plenty to do in connection with their ■~' own particular centre without overlapping-, and all work harmonionely together. In connection with our own, work; we sao gjad to report tbM everything has gone on steadily. ° We thank all friends who we always so willing, to help, and hero wo mention that the sum of over £40 has passed through the Sa-vingi '■■ Olub to the.credit of the metiers during tiiq* year. .Our Sunday afternoon Biblo class il growing, and we are hoping that good worls will be the outcome- of a-U efforts in this direction. The children, of our Junior Endeavors Band have shown great wilKngness.. Thora /';. are 50 on our roll at jprcsont, and wo generally liavo a good attendance There havo been opportunities of rendering help in our visitation work to the gaol. G.othing has been eup- . ". ■ plied during the year to women leaving the institution, and they know that the sister . ig their friend, and is every ready.to help them- ' on to tie right traok. Wo have visited tho Hospital as regularly as possible, because some of our girls have been spending soma wear/ months within ite walls, and thero liavo been many opportunities of administering spiritual comfort. Our homo lias been a boon : to several; girls have been glad of a quiet rest to enable them to get strong for their work; bed and board have been supplied to the homeless. Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., who prosided, spoke a few words at opening, expressing admiration at the goon work done by i tho Central Mission, and especially the work dono by the Sisters. It was his sympathy with the movement that had wade him consent to preside over tho meeting in the absence, of IBro. de Lautour. Sister Mildred (South Duncdin Presbyterian Church) referred to tho friendly relations existing between the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in regard to the work conducted by the Sisters of each body, and congratulated the. .Methodists upon ]>eing the first to introduce the Sisters' work in Dunedin. Sister Mildred expressed her. indebtedness to Sister Marie for assistance cheerfully rendered, and proceeded to rofei to tho extreme- antiquity/of the order ol deaconeses. Sister Mario also spoke, referring at some length to tho work dono during the past year. ' The Rev. W. Eeadv said he thoroughly appreciated the work done by Sister Starie, and UTged those present to cheer and encourage her all they could. . No doubt Sister Marie had been discouraged, like all Christian workers were. They could never please some persons, tb what they would, unci he counselled grumblers to koop thoir complaints to themselves, and "consume their own smoko." Lot them not complain of the Sister's work but let them encourage her all they possibly could, and help lior . along with their sympathy and their purse. During the evening songs were given By Mrs T. E: Thomas,' Misj Sinclair, Miss Bewley. tho Rov. Then. Thomas, and master and Miss Hodge. A violin solo was also rendered by Mr B. A. do Lautour. SEDDON v. TAYLOR: EXPLANATION BY THE PIiEMTEE. TO TITE EDITOR. Sir,—Tho following letter, which I forwarded to tho Wellington Evening Post in reply to a paragraph similar to what appeared in your journal of tho Ist inst., will, I hope, with your readers correct any wrong conclusions that may havo been formed in respect to this matter. I also hope that you will troatmo' with the same courtesy as tho editor' of your contenv porary.—l am, etc., R. J. Sedtjon. Wellington. February 10. SEDDON v. TAYLOR. TO TEE r.DITOE. Sib,—Under this heading appeared a ]e«<i« ing article in your columns of tho 4th inst. The wholesome rule, with which you are fully familiar, strictly forbidding as a contempt ot court newspaper comment npon ponding litigation, proclndes any notice of your reference . to this trial, or to tho conduct of its parties. I am, however, free to correct the erroneous " inferences respecting myself to which your article gives rise. I also believo and feel sure you would not knowingly do me an injustice in the matter. I sent to my frien3 and former colleague, Mr lleoves, that to which you refer. The information was not sent to him officially or by me officially. The sending of the information was paid for by me as a- private citizen. ■ My right to.send such information by cable, and which had virtually appeared in every newspaper in the colony, is, of course, beyond question. If indeed, as you say, it appeared in English newspapers as from me as Premier of this colony, my answer simply is that snch pub- " lieation as official was the Tesult of a misunderstanding, and was not authorised by me. Probably Mr Heeves was not in London to receive the message, and if it appeared as reported, this was probably done in the absence of specific instructions.—l am, eto., February 8. E. J. Skddom. [The friends of the Premier will be glad to know authoritatively that his telegram was not sent officially, but was a private • message. Our interpretation was based upon the manner of publication in the leading London daily papers, as The Times.and' Daily Chronicle, which prefaced the messago. thus: "The Premier of Now Zealand ha< communicated the following to the Agentgeneral for publication."—-Ed. Evening Post.] .