DUNEDIN CITY MISSION (UNDENOMINATIONAL).

Otago Witness, Issue 2244, 4 March 1897, Page 22

DUNEDIN CITY MISSION (UNDENOMINATIONAL).

The following report was submitted to the annual meeting on the 2nd inst. held in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms :— In response to a circular issued by Mr Geo. M. ThomsoD, of this city, to ta^c into consideration tho advisability of re-establishing, on undenominational lines, city mission, work in Dunedin, a public meeting was held in Old Knox Church on February 28, 1896. The attendance was not large, but those who were present were very much in earnest on the subject. It was on all hands admitted that, without clashing in any way with existing agencies, there was ample room for such work, and after considerable friendly consideration of the whole quettion, it was resolved that a city mission bo established. It was also agreed unanimously that the services of Mr Uunran Wright, whose long experience in such work in Scotland and in Dunedin and in evangelistic work throughout this and the neighbouring colonies was so well known, be secured. A provisional committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs H. E. Shaddock, WiKum, Hutchison, J. P. Simon, D. Booth, J. W. Jaxo, Wm. Coull, Peter Barr. John A. 1). Adams, Captain lhom*on, and Geo. M Thomson. The missionary wAs very soon in harness, and tlie following items will give an idea of what has been done and attempted to be done :—: — 1. Compared with the year 1874, when he undertook mission work in connection with. Knox Church, Dunedin, the muaionary has been struck with the very large number of aged and infirm persons whom he has visited during the year in different parts of the city. His ministrations to these have been much prized. 2. He has also been able to visit, aa occasion required, the hospital, and a large number of the poor, the sick, the dying, the widow and fatherless children, and non-churchgoers. 3. It has also been his privilege, as an unsectavian worker, to co operate with many of the city and suburban churches, and assist in Sunday school work, and buth ordinal y and special weekday and Sunday Church serv.ceß. Cottage meetings, which were appreciated, have been held in several parts of the city. 4. His evangelistic gifts have also to some extent been utilised in conducting services at Winton, Centre Bush, Invercargill. Kel*o, Otautau, Eastern "Bush, Nightcap 3, Wood^ide, Maori Hill, and Kttssell street Mission Hall. la most cases, the committee received from these places not only special letters of thanks for the missionary's assistance, but donations towards his maintenance. 5. With the sanction and hearty concurrence of the committees, soon after hii appointment, Mr Wright found his way into the State schools at High street, KensingtoD, Albany street, George street, and Arthur street to read the Scriptures with the pupils who chose to stay after school hours. The attendance has often been as high as 2000 per month. By the blessing of God, a measure of .success has attended this effort, and it is believed that a largo number of parents all over the cilv h.ive been very grateful. When addressing the parents in December last at the breaking-up of one of the city schools, the chairman referred to this branch of our work ai follows :— " TheDuuedin City Mission had opened a Bible class in the school, and ifc has been a great succes3. He*had the authority of the head master for saying that he could- not wish for any class to be better conducted than was the class conducted by Mr Duncan Wright." The.se classes are now in their second session. To the various school committees aud the teachers of the schools already « named special thanks are due for their cordial cooperation and assistance. Although in no sense a solution of a difficult educational problem, your committee are glad that their agent has undertaken this work, and would very earnestly ask for tile continued assistance of all parents who are in sympathy with the idea. 6. Soon after the missionary was appointed it was deemed advisable to have in some centre a suitable place for a weekly Sunday evening service* Albany btreet Hall was tried for e> few

week?, but was not quite a succes*, owing to the fact that there woio so many churches working . in the neighbourhood. Application was made to the office-bearers of First Church for the use of their Mission Hall in Russell street, and this was r at once agreed to. Since April last services have been conducted in that place every Suuday evening, and the attendance has been mc3t encouraging. Several of thoae who attend remember with, pleasure and gratitude the services of the late Mr James Macfie, who laboured there many years ago. So far as we can judge this means of grace . meets a distinct want, and is increasingly valued by old and young. 7. The committee feel bound to record their ■ thanks (1) to the churches and individuals who have assisted the mission financially '; (2) to the pastor and office-bearers of First Church for the free use of their comfortable Mission Hall in Russell street; (3) to Messrs FeiguaEon and Mitchell, who have dove so much excellent print* ing for the mission free of charge ; (4) to tho ladies and gentlemen who have so willingly assisted in the singing, and in giving addresses so readily at the Russell street Hall and elsewhere, and so lightened the labours of the missionary ; (5) to all the kind frieuds who have given cast-off clothing, books. Bibles, <fee, for disposal by tha missionary ; and especially to the business firm in Dpnedin who, a few weeks ago, sent £5 to tho missionary to purchase Bibles and wholesome literature ; (6) to the ladies who have assisted the committee in procuring funds to carry ou the work, and otherwise furthering tho interests of the mission. Finance.— The balance sheet shows the financial position of the mission. No special appeal has ao fai' been made for funds, butthey are now urgently needed, the committee 'being in arrear with tho missionary's salary. It is hoped that the simple statement of work, dove, as set .forth, in this report, will at once lead, those who are interested in home evangelistic effort to aid ttis unobtrusive but necessary city mission. H. E. Shacklock, President for year 1896.