THE

Southland Times, Issue 20172, 7 May 1927, Page 12

THE

GENERAL NEWS AND NOTES. FROM PULPIT AND PEW. A relic of the Mayflower, in which the Pilgrim Fathers journeyed to America, has been sold in New York for 1000 dollars. It was a silver cup, once the property of Miles Standish, captain, of Plymouth. A recent translation of Calvin’s “Institutes” into Hungarian sold out rapidly. Lately the Reformed Churches of Hungary contributed to a fund for rebuilding the house at Noyon where Calvin was born. The Rev. J. A. Bevan, of Great Yarmouth, and Mr W. B. Sloan, were appointed by the Keswick Convention to go as a deputation to Egypt, Palestine, Ceylon, and Southern India. It was expected they would be in Palestine from March 21 to 28, and reach Colombo on April 18. The “Golden Bell” hymn book was issued 35 years ago by the Children’s Special Service Mission. Since then, nearly four million copies of the hymn book have been issued. A new edition is about to come out containing some 400 of the old hymns as well as 300 new ones. Mr E. J. Bellerby, Mus. Doc., has assisted in the preparation of the musical portion of the edition. At the Esk street Baptist Church addresses will be given by missionaries of the China Inland Mission. In the morning Mrs Howard Taylor, who is a daughter of the late Dr. Grattan Guinness, the well-known missionary, Bible expositor and astronomer, will give addresses both to the children and the general congregation. At the evening service Mr H. L. Conway, missionary and deputation secretary of the mission, will be the speaker. A correspondent to the Daily Mail states that the idea of slavery or inferiority in the wearing of the wedding ring is a mere caprice. In an old service book (Sarum Manual), the bridegroom was bidden to place the ring first on the bride’s thumb, then on the first finger, than on the second, and finally on the third finger, simultaneously saying: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.—Amen.” Thus, the wedding ring is an emblem of three great and serious truths —eternity, constancy and purity.

A most interesting Conference of missionaries, Cabinet Ministers, administrators, doctors, and university professors and others interested in Africa, to the number of 250, met at Le Zoute, a Belgian watering place near the Dutch frontier, recently to exchange thoughts about Africa, to pray for Africa, and to consider how the efforts of Governments and Missions might be concentrated on the development of the people of Africa for their own good. There were British and Boers, white and negro Americans, Germans, Belgians, Dutch, Swedes, Norwegians, Swiss and Portuguese —all united with the one object. The official title of the conference was the "International Conference on Christian Missions in Africa.”

The Rev. A. J. Seamer and his talented mission party of Maori orators and singers arrive in Invercargill to-day. This evening they will give an entertainment in the Otatara Church, and to-morrow they will conduct services in St. Peter’s, Elies road, in the morning; Longbush in the after- [ noon; and Central, Leet street, in the evening at 6.30. On Wednesday evening the ■ public will have an opportunity of w’itnessI ing a first-class Maori entertainment in the [Methodist Sunday School, corner Yarrow i and Jed streets. Included in the programme will be weird ancient waiatas, ancient I dances, poi action songs, and Maori songs and hymns. The visit is in connection with the annual Home Mission festival in the Methodist Church. Dr. Masterman, Bishop of Plymouth, in “The Future of the Church of England” states:—"The Church of the future will have to find some better justification of the social order than the doctrine of the divine right of existing economic conditions. A false standard of values runs through English social life, and fosters selfindulgence at the one end of the social scale, and embittered resentment at the other. To turn the social order upside down will be no remedy. We must learn to estimate human values by a different standard, to regard great wealth as Jesus Christ regarded it, las a hindrance rather than a help to spiritual life, to welcome as an ally every man who sets before himself as life’s true purpose not to be served, but to serve. To denounce covetousness in men living on the margin of poverty, while we condone it in men whose incomes are fully adequate to their needs, is a complete reversal of Christian standards of life.” A very good attendance of the “Y’s” came to the meeting held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms on May 1 at 7.30 p.m. to welcome their new organiser, Miss McClay. The president opened the meeting w’ith a hymn, after which Mrs James read a short Bible reading which was followed by a prayer. The secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting, after which the business of the meeting was discussed. The street day which was supposed to have been held on April 30 was postponed until May 21 owing to Plunket Day falling on April 30. Miss Birss then gave a very interesting account of Convention. Miss McClay was welcomed to the meeting and gave an address on the work she was doing and also about the two issue ballot. Members enjoyed the adress very much. Miss McClay had the honour of welcoming a new member. Another meeting, taking the form of a social evening, is to be held on May 9. The meeting closed with a repetition of the pledge. In response to urgent requests from all parts of the Dominion the Rev. A. J. Seamer, general superintendent of the Historic and Extensive Methodist Maori Missions, will be visiting the Methodist Churches of Southland with a distinguished party of talented Maori orators, singers and musicians—typical representatives of the various great tribes. Mr Tana Ruka, chieftain of the Wairaus, together with leading Chief Wharehuia Rangiheuea and Chieftainesses like Miss Meii Per an a and others who will take part in the local home mission festival which is to be held at St. Peter’s Methodist Hall, Earn street and corner of Elies Road on Tuesday, May 10, at 7.30 p.m. sharp. This unique, fascinating and educative programme, which has created such interest in all the cities and chief towns of the South Island, consists of novel and delightful Maori greetings, karangas, hakas, ancient dances, poi action songs, weird ancient waiatas, songs and hymns I in Maori and English. Some of the items are seldom seen or heard by Europeans. Marl- ‘ borough Preas reports, “That it is undoubt- ' edly the best programme of the type ever | given in the South Island.” Admission will be by ticket 1/- each. Everywhere their programme has attracted crowded and enthusiastic audiences—you will be well advised to secure your tickets early as our space is limited. Don’t miss this treat; pro- [ ceeds for Home Mission funds. | Mrs G. Mackenzie (Queenstown), who is : known throughout the Dominion as an unI tiring worker on behalf of the child-widows and orphans in the Ramabai Homes at ! Mukti, India, is coming to Invercargill early I next week to hold a sale of Oriental goods on behalf of the mission conducted by the late Pandita Ramabai. For many years Mrs Mackenzie has held these sales up and down both Islands. It is now five years since the late Panetta Ramabai was called to her rest, but the work at Mukti still goes on just as it did during her lifetime—in dependence on God for everything. It was | Ramabai’s one desire that the 19 millions of Marathi-speaking people should have the Word of God printed in their own language and if possible a copy of the Scriptures should be placed free in every Marathi home. She had just finished translating the Bible into her native tongue at the time of her Home-call. Since her death both Bibles I and Testaments are being printed on Ramabai’s own printing presses and sent out to the people free. The people of Australia send the money for the Bibles, while New Zealand, provides the funds for the New

Testaments. Besides printing, many other industries are carried on in the Homes at Mukti, while Cue younger children also receive a good education. Bands of the girls under the guidance of some of the workers also go round the neighbouring villages preaching. TUATAPERE METHODIST CHURCH. (From Our Correspondent.) The visit of Rev. Seamer and six Maoris to Tuatapere enlivened interest, in missionary work amongst the Natives of New Zealand. On Saturday evening the party gave a very interesting and entertaining concert in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The items included hakas, choruses, etc., to the accompaniment of a steel guitar and ukulele. On Sunday morning Rev. Seamer conducted a service in the Methodist Church. The hymns were sung by the Maoris, some in their own language and some in English. During the offertory one member of the party played “Nearer My God to Thee” to the tune Horbury. Rev. Seamer gave an interesting and enlightening address, in which he referred to missionary work as a whole and to the need of practical Christianity. Harvest thanksgiving services were conducted by Rev. A. A. C. Lion in the Presbyterian Church, Tuatapere, on Sunday last. There was a record attendance at the evening service, when appropriate hymns and anthems were sung. The minister gave an inspiring address. On Monday evening a concert and sale of goods was well attended, £l3 being realised. The opportunity was taken to welcome Mr Lion to his new charge. Rev. Bickerstaff, Otautau, welcomed Mr Lion to the Western District, and Rev. Hodgson of Orepuki wished him every success in Tuatapere and district. The Session Clerk, Mr Phillips, spoke on behalf of the Presbyterians of Tuatapere and district, and Mr F. Harrison welcomed Mr Lion on behalf of the Methodist members and adherents and assured him of the goodwill of the sister church. In his reply Mr Lion said that if the people would co-operate with him, he was sure good work for the extension of God’s Kingdom would result.