DUNEDIN CITY MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 4

DUNEDIN CITY MISSION.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin City Mission was held in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms on the 4th. Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., presided, and about 30 interested persons were present. & number of apologies for absence were received.

The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report (published below) .end balance sheet, said in a sense the City Mission did not need any more appreciation of the work being performed than was shown by the confidence which the public had in it. No appeal was ever made to the public, as was the case with many other institutions, and still they were always in a state of financial comfort. This was the fourteenth annual meeting held, and the mission since its inception had been growing in the minds and good wishes of the community, and now enjoyed an extraordinarily firm hold. It had achieved great educational work in the study of the Bible. It was the duty of the churches to provide for instruction in the Bible that was not given in the homes. He felt satisfied that any attempt to introduce the Bible as part of the school system was inviting failure, and while he had sincere faith in such a system of teaching, he considered it would wreck their cause if they endeavoured to have it brought about. It was a remarkable fact that a couple of thousand children came under the missions' influence every year, and that those children were prepared to receive instruction after their ordinary school hours. The assistance of teachers was for a long time forthcoming, very slowly, but it was now freely and thankfully given. He emphasised the excellent work that was done year in and year out by their missionary, the sympathy existing between the mission and kindred societies, and the fact that its work was free from all sectarian differences. The Rev. Dr Waddell seconded the motion. He paid a high tribute to the work carried on by Mr Duncan Wright. Mr F. G. Cumming also spoke to the report. The motion was named. On the motion of the Mayor (Mr J. JrJ. Walker), seconded by the Rev. Mr Bailey, it was resolved—" That this public rneetm? desires to express full sympathy and approval of the Citv Mission work earned on bv Mr Duncan Wright amongst all classes of the community on broad, unseetarian lines in and around Dunedin. and once again commend him and the Dunedin City Mission to all persons who believe in home mission work and aggressive effort. The Rev. R. E. Davies moved, and Sister Evelvn seconded, and it 'was resolved, as follows:—"That sincere thanks be recorded to all friends who have during the past year contributed so generously to (1) the General Fund, out of which the missionary is sustained; (2) the Good Samaritan Fund, out of which urgent cases of need are assisted; (3) the Children's Fund, out of which are purchased evangelical literature, cards, and prizes for work done in the classes for Bible-reading." On the motion of Mr Brown, seconded by the Rev. Mr Fairmaid, it was resolved: "That the retiring committee be heartily thanked for services during the vear, but especiallv the honorary treasurer (Mr Rosevear) and that the following gentlemen be elected to office for the year 1910-11: Messrs John A. D. Adams, Edward Aslin, John Barnes, John Blair, Joseph Bralthwaite, P. L. Clark, Peter Dick, Alexander Hais\ George Reid. Ernest Rosevear, Geo. M. Thomson, and James H. Wilkinson.

The fourteenth annual report says;— •• Fifteen years ago. after consultation with head masters, and the full approval of this committee, Mr Wriaht organised Glasses for Bible reading- after school hours, for which he had then, and has now, the thank« of some teachers, very manv parents, and the Christian public generally. For a long time it was a matter of regret and disappointment that so f«w rersons volunteered to co-opsrate. either within or without, the schools visited. Rut after years of patient plodding- and. waiting the whole condition of things has changed, as now all the head masters co-onerate', .either directly, or indireetlv. and, in nearly all the., schools cordial help is givo.n by members of the teaching staffs. The senior scholars, too. are most helpful. So largo have the classes bepn—pome 1900 or more have been enrolled year after year—that the attendance oft?n tests the size of the room, and it. is a common thing, to have present. 200 pupils and over. As no classes but these were in existence 15 years ago, and the

missionary's method suited the purpose, it has not been deemed prudent or necessary to make any radical change. As the missionary has had long years of experience amongst adults in all branches of evangelistic work, and amongst young' people .in the Sunday, schools ■in the Old Land and the new, these gifts and experiences are, year after year, brought into play on broad unsectarian lines wherever a call comes for help. From the names of some of the places where, on Sundays and week days, Mr Wright has assisted, friends and subscribers may judge for themselves: —Dunedin Prison, Knox Church, Garrison Hall, Office-bearers' Association, Sunday School Union, Kew, Chalmers Church, Caversham Baptist, Council of Churches, Central Mission S.S., Choral Hall S.S., Knox Church 5.5.,. and Temperance-Meet-ing. Port Chalmers' Congregational Church and Sunday School, Presbyterian S.S., Society Protection of Women, etc., Baptist Church S.S., Tabernacle, Chinese Class, Christian Workers' Meeting, N.E. Valley Band of Hope, Cargill Road S.S., Kaikorai S.S. Teachers, N.E. Valley S.S. Teachers, Moray Place Weekly Service, Roslyn Presbyterian S.S., Baptist Church.. Glenavon, Creat King Street Congregational Church S.S., Maori Hill Sunday School, Teachers, Woodhaugh Church, Woodside Hall, St. Kilda, Kelso, Glenkenich, etc., etc. And the weekly Sunday evening service in Albany Street School continues to be most encouraging. All helpers are thanked. As in years past the missionary observes no geographical boundaries as to visitation of the aged, the sick, the poor, and the dying, and he is ever a welcome visitor, whether in the city or the suburbs, and, indeed, far beyond both. From month to month his memo, gives details of urgent cases of distress, and whilst there is but little that is tragic or remarkable there is quiteenough in the constant round, week -by week, and month by month, to stir the soul of tile agent and of all truly sympathetic onlookers. The woeful havoc brought about by strong drink, the lack of reverence, and the shameful neglect of parents by young people of both, sexes may well bring the blush of shame to our faces. The old age pension proves to bo a boon to crowds of old peonle. And in addition it is well known that what is done quietly by the churches, by the hands of pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, and private workers, represents a very considerable sum. The City Mission does its share, arid so scatters sunshine. The committee has with deep regret to record the death of a member of our committee, Mr 8. C. Phillips, who. from the day that be joined its ranks, "as sympathetic, kinriiy, and regular in attendance' at the monthly meetings. A resolution and letter of oondo:ence were addressed to bis widow. Th"? balance sheet shows that so f*r as financ is concerned the feres iamb maaeek&H with the Mfs-iion— the :-=nd znz Hierafeure for the children 2.n<i ysaE? pesole. toe good i&rr.arlr—, texo& to assiss tnrgest eeserving cese3 of and fund, out of which the missionary is nsaintained, are oil in a, flourishing condition. Forne 'of the gifts.- are large and anonymous, and alreadv the missionary has been promised substantial sums for next year s work.