CHURCH WORK IN THE SOUNDS

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 25, Issue 39, 22 May 1914, Page 5

CHURCH WORK IN THE SOUNDS

At the Home Mission Festival in Nelson last week, the Rev. C. J. H. Dobson gave an account of his work in the Sounds. After referring to the good work done in the early days by Archdeacon Butt, the Rev. S. Ironsides, a Wesleyan, and Father Besant, the speaker said he had been engaged so far in searching out the people. He found there were over 1000 members of the Church of England, and many others who belonged to no particular religious body. It must be their duty to take to them the unmutilated sacraments of the Church and the con-

solations of religion. He had found 70 people unbaptised, and had baptised them, tramping 1500 miles to do so. Except for the* good Father Besant, of whom he had spoken, no other clergyman of any denomination had ever visited some

of the places he had been to. Travelling was exceedingly difficult and when one waS continually struggling over wet tracks by day and getting bushed at night, a sense of futility sometimes overcame one, but until they had a motor launch it was the only way to do the work. There were compensations about the work, however, which outweighed the difficulties. In . the Sounds there were between 300 and 400 children of an age to receive religious instruction and whose parents were willing that the Anglican clergy should give them that instruction, and the launch would enable them to undertake that task. He wanted to thank all who. had contributed towards the purchase of the launch, and especially the children of the Archdeaconry of Waimea—a gift from children to children. The previous launch was quite inadequate, and the Bishop had “scrapped” it. A. seaworthy vessel of some size was required. It was to the people of the more favoured parts of the diocese that the people of the Sounds looked to to supply the needs of the Church there. (Applause).