BAPTIST MISSIONARIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19239, 1 August 1924, Page 5

BAPTIST MISSIONARIES.

WELCOME HOME SOCIAL. At the South Dunedin Baptist Church on Wednesday evening a welcome homo eocial was tendered to Mr and Mrs Rucben Richardson, who are home on furlough from the mission fields of China. The proceedings opened with a hymn and prayer and the Scripture reading was taken from Isaiah 54. The Rev. G. Thornton was in the chair, and in Iris opening remarks stated that he wished to welcome home the guests of the evening after their nine years’ service in China. Ho referred to the splendid work of both, and stated that thoin self-sacrifice was an example that might well be copied by many of the members of out churches. The Christian Church to-day more than ever, was called to active service, especially in the foreign field. Mr John Wilkinson, the local representative of the China Inland Mission, expressed pleasure at being able to welcome home Mr and Mrs Richardson, Ho was glad that the South Dunedin Baptist Church was a missionary one, and that from its ranks many had gone forth to proclaim the Evangel in foreign lands. He gratefully thanked tho returned missionaries for what they had don© for Christ’s cause in China. Mr Ashton, in extending a welcome on behalf of the Sunday school, referred to the early life of Mr Richardson and to the remarkable way in which God had preserved their two friends amongst many dangers. Miss Inga, a returned missionary, extended a welcome on behalf of the ladies of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. . Mr Richardson, sen., in a short speech said that he was indeed proud to be present to take part in the proceedings. He thanked tho friends present for the kind welcome they had extended to his son and his wife. In replying to tho welcome, Mrs Richardson stated that she came amongst them as a stranger, but she already felt very much at home. She outlined some of the work that they had boon able to do amongst the Chinese, and pointed out the great difficulty they had in approaching the women of China. She made an earnest appeal foil more women workers. Mr Richardson said he wished to thank all who had contributed to the magnificent welcome extended to himself and his wife. He referred to the many difficulties that they had had to contend with in their nine years of service on Chinese soil. He stated that in a most remarkable way they had time and again been saved from death. He thanked them, too, for the financial assistance rendered from time io time, and stated that on a future occasion be hoped to give them an address on tlie work of the ChinaInland Mission. During the evening a duet was given by Misses V, and A. Todd and solos were rendered by Miss D. Wheeler and Mr C. J. Darracott.