NEW ZEALAND CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11552, 13 February 1906, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the abovenamed Association was held last night in the Bishop's Schoolroom* when his Lordship £hf>. Brshtfp tit Nelson pfesid&ti After devotional exercises the annual report was presented.- -. : , , The latter spoke 6'f Miss Pasley .in' Japan, Miss Alice Wilson in SWtli Africa, Mr and Mrs Rolando on furlough from Japan, Miss Smith dfl furlough from India, Mr and Mrs Carr on furlough from South India, Miss Blakiston working amongst the Maoris, two Maori missionaries working in the Urewera country, and work being done by the Society's | missionaries in Melanesia. It spoke of Miss B. Gifford and others about to be added to the Association's staff of missionaries. It noted that Mr Holloway, the Secretary, was about to take a holiday and visit England. Mr Holloway presented the balance etheet, which had been audited by Mr H. V. Gully. The receipts were shown at £1586 Os 9d, and the expenditure at £1523 16s lid, leaving a oredit balance of £l& lOs 9"d. He noted a departure had been niacte, inasmuch as i t was clearly shown 1 what income had been received froTfi each town or parish. . Affcer a hymn had been sriing, liis Lordship reviewed the aspects ..presented by the report, also that of the Church Missionary Society. He noted the enormous expansion of Christian missionary work in different parts of the world. He pointed to the good work being done* by the Students' Christian Union in China. He emphasised that difficulties and differences of opinion were not sources for discouragement, and that their aim should be to supply the heathen with a sufficient knowledge of our Divine Master, and leaving that knowledge to work its way. He moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and the Committee for this year. Mrs Carr seconded the motion. She said India was composed of many different countries and different religions. She spoke at length of the native women^ of South India. They hold a very inferior position as compared with the nien and boys. The latter had their meals by themselves, and the women had to take their leavings. A widow had a terribly hard lot, being considered accursed, and was not allowed to appear at weddings and festivals. Christianity appealed most to the widows, their condition being so extremely wretched and friendless. Mrs Carr related some of tier own experiences among the .women of South India. She concluded by urging upon the audience to pray for the women of India and other heathen countries. Rev. J. D. Russell moved the second resolution, expressing gratitude to God that the war in the Far ]£rast was ended, and an open door for . missionary efforts had been thrown open in those countries. He reviewed the beneficial efforts of missionaries labors ih .New Zealand, in India, in Uganda, etc. He contended missionary efforts had materially aided the expansion of the British Empire. He emphasised that they were deeply thankful the horrid war was over, and that there was the glorious possibility of winning Japan for Christ. Rev. W. G. Baker seconded the resolution. He noted the Church Missionary Society urged that native missionaries should be placed in the front rank, and the European missionary should be kept in the background. He considered Christians should be distinctly thankful to be able to help missionary work in any way they can. He was surprised their Association 'had not received more money. He hoped those missionaries now on furlough would soon be able to return to tneir fields of labor, for their knowledge of the language of the countries they had been laboring in was wcrth a great deal. He pointed to the fact that those in power , such as the Lieut-enant-Governor of the Punjaub, had acknowledged the power of the missionaries for good. Both resolutions were carried unanimously. Archdeaoon Wright moved a \ote of thanks to Mrs Carr and the Rev. J. D. Russell for their excellent and earnest addressss. Carried by acclamation. Singing and prayer brought the meeting to a close.