SOUTH AMERICAN-AUSTRALIAN

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 53

SOUTH AMERICAN- AUSTRALIAN

A meeting was held last night at the V.M.C.A. Rooms to bid farewell to Nurse Homier and Miss Robb, who will shortly leave for Argentina to labour in connection with the South American and Australian Mission. The meeting began with devotional exercises, followed by a dueb by Nurse Honner and Miss Rcbb, "Standing on the promises of God." The Chairman (Mr Heyoook) introduced the business of the evening, and read a recent letter from. Mr George Allen, formerly of Dunedin, now labouring amongst the Indians in Bolivia, who, he said, were suffering a double slavery — first to the land owners, and secondly to the priests. The natives there etill indulged in superstitious dances in the temples. The sisters, he explained, were going to Argentina to stand in the gap as messengrs of God. For the past six years that mission had become entirely an Australian one — five missionaries had gone from Australia and one from New Zealand. Now these two sisters were to be added to the number, and Mr Charles Wilson would follow shortly. They went without any guarantee — any human guaran-tee,--but looker l to the Lord to provide for those who went forth. Miss Robb was going out to join Mr Alexander, of South Dunedin, and Miss Homier to join Mr Huttou. of Adelaide. A box was being prepared to send ovit with the sisters, and if friends liked to contribute useful articles they would be gladly received before the sister? left on October 25, though Miss Honnor would - travel overland io Auckland, addressing meetings en route. Sister Honner, in a short address, told how her interest was aroused in the work of missions. She said she had spent three years in traininar in the Rev. Mr Blackwood's College in Melbourne. Her only object in going- into tho dark land of South America was the love of saving some souls amongst the VI millions who were there without light — to raise the Indians spiritually and morally. Tha people did not know the Bible ; some of the priests had not even seen one. For these reasons, and to do some good work in the dark land, she was glad God had called her to go to .South America. Miss Robb referred to her training for missionary work first at home missionary work in Melbourne and Ballarat, then as hospital nuise ; afterwards at Angus College, and finally at Hobart to learn Spanish. She narrated several interesting incidents connected with her labours, and pointed out how difficulties in her path had been overcome. After silent prayer for the departing sisters, the meeting closed with the doxology.