Wesleyan Home Missions.

Southland Times, Issue 9384, 25 November 1886, Page 3

Wesley an Home Missions.

♦ : The annual public meeting in connection; with the Wesley an Home Mission aud Church Extension Fund waß held in St. Paul's Wesleyan Ghurch yesterday evening. Prior to the public meeting the members of the congregation and their friends partook of an excellent repast in the schoolroom, the tables being presided over by tho following ladies : — Meadaoios Pearce, J. Wesney, and A. Hawke, and the Misses BrowD, Smith, Trew (2), Wilson, and Barham. The after proceedings consisting o£ addresses and selections from tho choir commenced in the Church about 7,30 p.m , Mr J. Simon (Dunedin) being voted to the chair. The Ohairmau said he had great pleasure in being present, and he hoped they would have a very successful meeting. Aa a stranger in Invercargill he had been asked a number of timeß what ha thought of the town, and be had to confess that thu place was not bo small aa he had expected to find it. He had no idea it was ho beautifully laid eat ; ha had been Barprised to see the fine wide streets and the magnificent buildings. The general appearance of the town conveyed the impression of weajtb to visitors, and he hoped the result of that night's meeting would be a proof of the accuracy of that impression. The Rev. W. B. Marten read several extracts from the report of the Home Mission, showing the state of its finances. He pointed out that L 35 was expected from the people of tho Invercargill district, and to make up the amount LlO would have to be collected that evening. The Rev. John Smith (Balclutha) addressed the meeting on the snbject of " Tho Maori Mission." He gave an interesting account of his experience among the Maoriea in the Waikato district, and impreßßed upon his hearera tho great importance of aneaioa work among the natives of this colony. The Key. C. Griffen gave an amusing and able address on " The Experiences of a Country Parson," narrating several incidents in connection with his first work in New 2 ea^ an<^j bii earliest equestrian essays, &c« He concluded with an eloquent appeal to the people to assist in the mission work by liberal contributions, by sympathy and by prayer. The Rev. S. Stone (Roxburgh) next addressed the meeting, his subject being " Home Missions." He compared the colony with the old country as regards its Christian state, pointing out that while in Britain the Mission had to contend against poverty, misery, and ignorance, they had here to meet and combat indifference and apathy. He related some of his personal experiences in the outlying districts, and urged the people of the town to remember the spiritual requirements of those who were thinly scattered over vast tracts of country and enjoyed but few opportunities of listening to Gospel truths. The Rev. T. Fee (Poit Chalmers) spoke on the subject of " Christian Griviog," and after a few humorous remarks at the expense of several of the other speakers, he too urged upon his bearers that it was incumbent upon them to help in the salvation of those who could not help themselves, to help as if they personally knew every person who would be benefited, as if they were acquainted with all the details of every cabe. The Rev. R. Taylor then addressed the meeting on " Home Mission 3in large Cities." While admitting the importance of mission work in the sparsely-populated outlying districts, he contended that they were not doing the work they ought to do in the dark lanes — morally and spiritually dark — of iho large towns, and expressed the hope that in this direction the mission work would increase greatly in power and usefulness. At this stage the Chairman announced that tho collection, which had just been taken, amounted toL7 9s 4d. (Applause). The Rev. Mr Spence (Oamaru) was the last speaker and spoko on wbat he termed " Button hole E vangelism. ' He explained that what he meant was the influence of individual effort, end pointed out that in many inst<mo9s great good oould be done in this way by means of tact; perseverance, love and sympathy. Trie choir sang a number of hymns, &c. dnring the evening in excellent style. — At the conclusion of tho meeting votes of thanks were accorded the ChairmaD, the speakers and the ladies.