LEPERS AND LEPROSY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16120, 8 July 1914, Page 9

LEPERS AND LEPROSY

THE DISEASE IN INDIA,

SAVING THE CHILDREN.

A POWERFUL APPEAL.

" Lapere and How to Help Them " formed tho tifco of a very interesting and impressivo lantern lecture giveji last evening by tho Rov. Frank Oldriove, of Mornington, in St. Paul's Schoolroom. The inclement nature of tho weather probably made the audience, smaller than it otherwise would havo been, but thoso present wore well compensated bv the story told by tho lecturer. The Rev Archdeacon Gould occupied the chair, and opened the ineotinig with a eliort prayer, after which he briefly introduced the speaker.

Tho Rev. Mr Oldricve explained fcliat he was the honorary secretary of tho Mission to Lepers for the South Island. In 1869 Mr Wolleeloy Bailey wae working as a missionary in the Punjab. Ho was ono day taken toeeesomc lcpcre in the neighbourhood. Hie heart was touched, and he resolved to try and help thorn. Some time afterward ho went Homo, whero he placed the needs of the lepers before a gathering of his friends. As a result of ha appeal some £600 was collected in 12 months, and this, the speaker said, was really tiio loundation of the mission. Mr Bailey had devoted himself entirely to tho work, and was at present superintendent of tlie mission, which was now reepoiisiblo for the maintenance of 50 asylums in India, (Jliina, and Japan, and wae' connected with t6 stations in 14- different countries. Over 4000 lepers wero eptirely dependent on the mission, and 11,800 were ciupportod and benefited by its work. These figures showed to what extent tho mission, had grown during tho past 40 years.

The greater part of the work, continued Mr OldricTO, was carried on in India. Of course, leprosy was vpry prevalent in many other countries, fcnft in India the disease had spread, and there were at prceent 250,000 in its droad grip. There were 37 stations spread all over India,, trying to deal with the awful disease and alleviate the conditions of the eufferore. For the leper was turned out and lelt to starve, and it waa not eo lon<j ago in India that those stricken were buried alive, there being a superstition that if this wore done other members of the family would escape the disease. There was a very sufficient reason, of course, 'why the leper should bo turned out, but one found fault with the Hindoo for leaving the leper to starve. Tho Government of India had taken somo eteps to cope with tho disease. An Act was paesed in 1898 providing for the segregation of lepers, but it was a strictly permLseive measure. The life of tho leper in other Eastern countries was anything but a happy one, end most of them would remember tho reocnt ma&jacree of lepors in China. Tho lecturer then proceeded to describe tho housing, feeding, and education of the lepers reached by the mission. The aeyhims generally comprised a number of' small buildings, and were interdenominational in character. Most of the missionary soceities helped to support the asylums, and tho Government also helped in their upkeep. Good food played a great pert in keeping the leper in a good condition. Many of the lepers were able to work in rico fields and provide themsolves with food. A great deal oould be done for the leper by proper medical attention, and thie was being given wherever it was possible. Although leprosy was contagious it was not hereditary, said Mr Oldrieve. The child of leprous parents was born quite untainted, aiid one of tho most important works of the mission was the saving of these children. Over 600 such children were being caret! for by tho mission, and many of them were being trained to become native workers. He asked, What finer work could be done than the saving of these little ones? It was certainly one of tho beet of the good works being performed by tile mission.

In conclusion the lecturer mentioned that Christian work among the lepers had been remarkably successful in fact, more eo than any other department of Christian missionary enterprise. Of the 11,000 lepers in the various asylums more than 40 per cent, were Christians. The Christian religion, with ite massage of hope, coming to theso poor, outcast people, in the depths of their despair, made tremendous appeal to them. It was very gratifying to know that tho missioners .wore- doing euch a splendid work. But more funds were needed. The superintendents of the asylums had fre-quentlj; boon brought to tears because of their inability to help poor stricken fellow creatures whom they had to turn away. Leper women had come to the asyhuue and begged the miesioners to take their children and savo them from the disease, but although it was a hard and heartrending thing to do, they had to bo burned away because the asylums and children's homes were already filled, and there was no money to enable thorn to take in any more. Any contributions eent to him would be forwarded direct to the mission field to advance the work.

Some 50 or 60 lantern views wore screened during the lecture, the lantern being- manipulate* by the Rev. C. Bush-King. The slides gave a comprehensive idea of the splendid work being dono by the miesoners. A collection in a-id of tho mission funds was made at the close of the leoturo, and a vote of thanks was passed to tho lecturer by Declamation.