MISSION TO LEPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22392, 13 October 1934, Page 5

MISSION TO LEPERS

LECTURE BY MR F. C. PERRY "The lepers are really being cleansed," said Mr P. C. Perry, New Zealand secretary for the Mission to Lepers, in the course of. a lantern lecture, at the York Place Hall last night. It was explained that the Mission to .Lepers had entered upon its diamond jubilee, and that a,s the result of its operations many thousands of men and women had found physical relief and spiritual comfort, and thousands of children had been rescued. Great advances had been made in the medical treatment from the chaulmoogra oil, continued Mr Perry, and there was now every hope for the infection being arrested if taken in time. The Mission to Lepers was interdenominational, and international. It co-operated with 37 British, American, and European Protestant missionary societies and various denominations. It was. a mission within missions— concentrating on the leper problem which confronted many of the missionary societies, particularly those occupying .fields in India and the Far East and Africa. The mission was. now working in 25 different countries, and at 112 places. It was caring for 15,000 victims and children. Last year some 6500 showed improvement in their condition, and 1300 were certified as 'symptom free,, and were able to return to their homes. The mission's first object was to bring the Gospel to the sufferers, and of those in the homes some 10,000 were Christian lepers. Medical missionaries had averred that the spiritual factor, with its mental peace and happiness, was a potent contribution to the rapid cure of the disease. The work of rescuing the children was full of possibilities. Leprosy was not hereditary, and ..by separating children from their infected parents they could be saved, and thus the spread of, the disease was definitely checked. It did not cost much to provide for a leper, an adult costing £.5 and a child £4 a year. A 'number of people were assisting the work by contributing to the support of the sufferer. Thanksgiving boxes were also being extensively used. There was a great need for extending the work which was supported by voluntary contributions. Growing numbers of lepers in all stages of the disease were seeking admission into the already over-crowded homes. A spe i.i' effort was being made to mark- the jubilee by raising an additional £OOOO this year to provide further accommodation. By this work not only were the victims being benefited, but the healthy were being protected. A*vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer for his interesting address.