LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21977, 12 June 1933, Page 4

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY

VISIT OF HOME SECRETARY KEY. W. NV BITTON WELCOMED. t The Rev, W. X. Bit ton. home secretary of the London Missionary Society, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon from the north, and received a welcome from ministers ami officers of the Congregational churches. The Rev. Air Bitton, who has just concluded a visit to Australia and Samoa in connection with toe work of tile Missionary Society, is now making a tour of New Zealand. The Rev. Mr Bitton was the guest at a reception tea held in the Moray i liicu Congregation Church Hall on Saturday evening. Speeches of welcome were made by Mr J. Abernethy, chairman ot the London Missionary Society (Otago district), Mr K. G. Roy, chairman of the Otago District Committee of the Congregational Union ol" Now Zealand, Airs . Searle, president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, | and by the ministers of the local Congre- | gations churches. 1 Mr. Abernethy referred to the Rev. Air Bitton’s great work in Chinn and other lands, and said that since their visitor had entered upon his task as home secretary for the London Missionary Society, his wide knowledge and experience ot ■ missionary work had enabled him to fill the position with credit to himself and j with benefit to the body he represented, i Every person, said Air Abernethy, who |

came in contact with Mr Bitton welcomed him on account of his powerful personality. His addresses gave a great incentive to wider thinking, and his very presence stimulated every audience. It was indeed a great pleasure to extend a hearty welcome to Mr Bitton. After the reception a public meeting was held, Air J. Abernethy presiding. The chairman said it was a singular honour for all to have the privilege and opportunity to meet the Rev. Air Bitton, who has come from the home base of the work of the London Alissionary Society, and who knew the world as few knew it thronch his long association with missionary enterprise. Mr Bitton was a man of many parts—a missionary, an author and journalist, an organiser, and an at-

tractive and forceful speaker. It was a pleasure to welcome him on behalf of those assembled. REV. AIR BITTON’S ADDRESS. In the course of his address Mr Bitton said that in these days it was necessary for Christiana to remember that they lived in God’s world. The remembrance cleared their vision and enlarged their hope. They were too often tempted to think of God’s work as a little item in tile life of man instead of setting it before them as the biggest thing the world held. Through sympathy with a world enterprise they were brought into contact with races and events which enlarged their lives. Supporters of missions did not need to ask where was Johol, or who were the Alongols. Intelligent prayer for the world meant knowledge of and sympathy with the world in every place and on all occasions. God’s causes were always great causes, and God’s cause created great men. When Christian missions laid hold of David Livingstone or Robert Alorrison, and others, they made heroes and heroines of otherwise unknown and little people. When heart and mind were fired with the service of men for God's sake all things were possible. Alen thought lug thoughts and attempted great deeds when the love of God fired the imagination and directed the service. There were those who had gone from as' far away a place as Dunedin and from the Congregational churches. They were men whose lives had lifted and blessed far away peoples. Power came into the humble life that gave itself to God. The whole record of the London Missionary Society was convincing proof of this. Out of this review of God’s work, said the speaker, through missionary service

a great hope dawned on the darkest day. Looking hack over the past century it was possible to sec what great tilings God had done. One of the greatest Christians of to-day was the Japanese Kagawa, who lived in a land where 80 years ago the name of Jesus Christ was almost entirely unknown. Islands now Christian less than three generations ago were in savagery and cannibalism. Every supporter of the Loudon Missionary Society had ground for hope in the coining of God’s Kingdom. Let them, therefore, go forward with courage and do their part to bring the love and power of God into living touch with the needs of men everywhere. The Rev. Mr Bitton preached fit the United Congregational Church, Albany street, yesterday morning, and at the Moray Place Congregational Church last evening. There was a large and appreciative congregation at each service. This afternoon he will address a ladies’ meeting in the Jubilee Hall, View street, and a public meeting in the Ravensbourne Congregational Church this evening. Tomorrow evening Mr Bitton will address a public meeting in the Port Chalmers Congregational Church.