LEPERS AND LEPROSY

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 62

LEPERS AND LEPROSY

THE DISEASE IN INDIA. SAVING THE CHILDREN. A POWERFUL APPEAL. “ Lepers and How to Help Them ” formed the title of a very interesting and impres-i sive lantern lecture given on the 7th by the Rev. Frank Oldrieve, of Mornington, in St. Paul’s Schoolroom. The inclement nature of the weather probably made the audience smaller than it otherwise would havo been, but those present were well compensated bv the story told by the lecturer. The Rev Archdeacon Gould occupied the chair, and opened the meeting with a short prayer, after which he briefly introduced the speaker. The Rev. Mr Oldrieve explained that he was the honorary secretary of the Mission to Lepers for the South Island. In 1869 Mr Wellesley Bailey was working as a missionary in the Punjab. He was one day taken to see some lepers in the neighbourhood. His heart was touched, and ho resolved to try and help them. Some time afterward ho went Home, where ho placed the needs of the lepers before a gathering of his friends. As a result of hia appeal some £6OO was collected in 12 months, and this, the speaker said, was really the foundation of the mission. Mr Bailey had devoted himself entirely to the work, and was. at present superintendent of the mission, which was now responsible for the maintenance of 50 asylums in India. China, and Japan, and was connected with 86 stations in 14 different 'countries. Over 4000 lepers were entirely dependent on the mission, and 11,800 were supported and benefited by its work. These figures showed to what extent the mission had grown during the past 40 years. The greater part of the work, continued Mr Oldrieve, was carried on in India. Of course, leprosy was very prevalent in many other countries, but in India the disease had spread, and there were at present 250,000 in 'its dread grip. There were 37 stations spread all over India, trying to deal with the awful disease and alleviate the conditions of the sufferers. For the leper was turned out and left to starve, and it was not so long ago in India that those stricken were buried alive, tncre being a superstition that if this were done other members of the family would escape the disease. There was a very sufficient reason, of course, why the leper should be turned out, but one found fault with the Hindoo for leaving the leper to starve. The Government of India had taken some steps to cope with the disease. An Act was passed .in 1898 providing for the segregation of lepers, but it was a strictly permissive measure. The life of the leper in other Eastern countries was anything but a happy one, and most of them would remember the recent massacres of lepers in China. The lecturer then proceeded to describe the housing, feeding, and education of the lepers reached by the mission. The asylums generally comprised a number of small buildings, and were interdenominational in character. Most of the missionary so-ceitios helped to support the asylums, and the Government also helped in their upkeep. Good food played a groat part' m keeping the leper in a good condition. Many of the lepers were able to work in rice fields and provide themselves with food. A great deal could bo done for the leper by proper medical attention, and this was being given wherever it was possible. Although leprosy was contagious it was not hereditary, said_ Mr Oldrieve. The child of leprous parents was born quite untainted, and one of the most important works of the mission was the saving of these children. Over 600 such children wore being cared for by the mission, and many of them were being trained to become native workers. He asked, What finer work could be done than the saving of these little ones? It was corteinly .one of the beet of the good works being performed by the mission. In conclusion the lecturer mentioned that Christian work among the lepers had been remarkably successful in fact, more so than any other department of Christian missionary enterprise. Of the 11,000 lepers in the various asylums more than 40 per cent, were The Christian religion, with its message of hope, coming to these poor, outcast people, in the depths of their despair, made tremendous appeal to them. It was very gratifying to know that the missionero wore doing such a splendid work. But more funds wore needed. The superintendents of the asylums had frequently been brought to tears because of their inability to help “poor stricken fellow creatures whom they had to turn away. Leper women had come to the asylums and begged the missioners to take their children and save them from the disease, but although it was a hard and heartrending thing to do, they had to be turned away because the asylums and children’s homos were already filled, and there was no money to enable them to take in any more. Any contributions sent to him would bo forwarded direct to the mission field to advance the work. Some 50 or 60 lantern views were screened during the lecture, the lantern being manipulated by the Rev. O. Bush-King. The slides gave a comprehensive idea of the splendid work being done by the miesionors. A collection in aid of the mission funds was made at the close of the lecture, and a vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer by acclamation.

Ml' QUEEN. When in my darkest hours I brood Upon the man I might have been, I know there's ono- who thinks me good: There’s one I worship still as Queen. And so I struggle on, and live And hope (no matter what the cost), For while there’s one may still forgive, How can I say that all is lost? E. L. Eyre. “Mokoia,” Tui st., Devonport, Auckland.