CHURCH MISSONARY ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8326, 14 August 1895, Page 2

CHURCH MISSON ARY ASSOCIATION.

Tbe Shelbourne street Sohoolroom was crowded last night when the monthly meeting of the Gleaners' Union was held. Be? E. P. Caohamailla presided, and conducted the devotional exeroises.

Tbe Chairman thought good would oome ont of tha masaaore of the missionaries in China, which they all so muoh deplored. A f.esh Interest had been orcated in Ohina, and in missionary work. He Baid as Christians they had no businese to trouble how God Bhould deal with them, and that tbe massacred ones bad glorified Him in death, as they had glorified Him ia life. Bey George Niooll, of the China Inland Mission, spoke at aome length. Referring to the maeßaores he said that while sympathising witb tho.e who were mourning the loss 0 f beloved ones, tbey oould rejoio9 with those who were now in glory land. Ha said he

did not know maoh aboot tbe distriot where the massacres had taken place. He said that those who entered the mission field seating rem mcc and novelty would flnd little of either. He referred to the dreary work of s'udjirg the diflloolt language of China, and the lack of at.raotiveness in the people. He baid there was little natural love among them, and they used no terms of endearment. When tbey became oonverted there was a very marked change in those respects. He emphasiß'd that only Divine love oould sustain missionaries in laboring in such a field, where there was co muoh tbat waß repellent from a human standpoint.

In reply to a question, he said the so-called j Vegetananß connected with the massacres he j was oonfident were not associated with the Society of Vegetarians, members of whioh were to bs found all over China; The latter would not destroy life at al). Tbey believed in a plurality of future existences, and hoped by living good lives now to be elevated in tbe fature, the women hoping to beoome malea. Those who committed the massacres he said were fßlse Vegetarians. Iv reply to the question, aa to whether the massacres Were likely to make the position oi tbe missionaries more 3ecure or insecure ? Mr Nicoli thought a good deal depended upon the action of tho British Government, if thty dealt firmly with the Chinese Government, the mi.elonariea would be made >mVre secure. The last river trip ha toak be was insulted by the Chinese offioia^s at every stopping place. He also said that land could be bought in China, but the purchaser had to take great oare, otherwise he might be asked to pay six times its value. He concluded by earnestly urging that young men filled with love of Jesus Christ were required in tbe mission fields.

The reverend gentleman was thanked by Mr Hunter Brown for his very interesting addre.s.

Mr Hunter-Brown referred to a churoh being recently opened in the King Couritry in the Waikato, wbere formerly the Maoris had embraced Haubauism. He said although it was a stormy day when the church was opened, it was filled to overflowing with Maoris.

Mr Holloway said a letter just received, whioh had been written by Dr. Stewart, bore out Mr Nicoll's opinion that a bad lot of Chinese had taken the name of Vegetarians. Dr Stewart spoke of the uncertainty of tbeir position, and asked for their prayets. Although Dr; Stewart's request had come too Jate, they oould pray for the missionaries who remained io the China field.

The Cbairman announced that the Bubjeo: for next month would be West Afrioa.

The meeting clo.ed with singing and prayer.