MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 10

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A meeting of persons interested in the establishment in Otago of an auxiliary to the London Missionary Society was held in the lower hall of the Congregational Church on the 15th. The Rev. Dr Roseby presided, and the Rev. Mr Maxwell opened the proceedings with prayer. There was a small attendance.

The Chairman said that, at the recent meeting to welcome Mr and Mrs Chalmers, a resolution was passed affirming the desirability of establishing in Dunedin an auxiliary or branch of the London Missionary Society, It was then thought that the auxiliary would be constituted simply of these interested in the London Missionary Society, and belonging to the Congregational Church, but so great interest appeared to h*ve been taken in the London Society on the part of others, and notably on the part of the Presbyterian Church, xhat it seemed rather to be necessary to extend somewhat the character of this organisation— to render it a perfectly undenominational Society in connection with the Society of the Home country. This meeting had theretore been convened generally of all interested in the London Missionary Society, and an Intimation of the meeting was accordingly sent to the various churches in town, to have been announced on last Sabbath, and also through the public Press. They met this evening for the purpose of constituting or foriuing this auxiliary. They were not very many iv number, but those who had come showed by their presence their interest in the work. They were numerous enough to make a beginning. He did not think that they should at present be expected to raise any considerable sum on behalf of the London Missionary Society, so much having been quite recently raised. The value of this organisation wa3 tliat it would excite interest in the London Missionary Society when the enthusiasm displayed on the occasion of the visit of Mr and Mrs Chalmers had to some extent passed away. This institution would remain permanj ently for the purpose of receiving contributions towards the London Missionary Society, and to endeavour to preserve in this community a pleasing recognition of the importance of that grand Catholic institution. He suggested that the rules of the New South Wales auxiliary of the London Missionary Society withslight amendment, would be suitable for themselves.

He quoted the following as the fundamental principle of the London Mi&sionary Society : — "As the union of Christians of various denomi nations, in carrying on this great woJk, is a most desirable object ; so to prevent, if possible, any cause of future dissension, it is declared to be a fundamental principle of the London Missionary Society that its design is noi to send Presbyterianism, Independency. Episcopacy, or any other form of Church Order and Government (about which there may be difference of opinion among serious persons), but the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, to the heathen ; and that it shall be left (as it ought to be left) to the minds of the per sons whom God may call into the fellowship of His Son from among them, to assume for themselves such form of Church Government as to them shall appear most agreeable to the Word of God."

The rules of the New South Wales auxiliary of the London Missionary Society were adopted as amended.

It was resolved:— "That the local association be called the Otago District Auxiliary of the London Missionary Society, all subscribers to be recorded a3 members of the Association. That the funds ot the Society shall be appropriated to the evangelisation of the South Sea Islands."

ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected: — President, Rev. Dr Roseby ; Treasurer, Mr S. J. Jackman ; Joint Secretaries, Messrs A. Barr and G. T. Clarke ; Committee of five (with with power to add four to their number) Messrs J. B. Thomson, Austin, R. Ritchie, R. Brown, and R. Williams.