RELIEF OF LEPERS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 5

RELIEF OF LEPERS

SIXTY YEARS’ GOOD WORK.

BENEFIT TO THOUSANDS.

In an address at, Wellington on v the work of the Mission to Lepers, Mr. F. C. Perry, secretary for New Zealand, stated that since the mission was founded 60 years ago many thousands of men and .women had found physical relief and spiritual comfort, and thousands of children had been rescued. The first object of the mission, Mr. Perry said, was to bring the Gospel to the sufferers, and a large percentage of the patients became Christian lepers. A wonderful spirit of helpfulness and service prevailed in the homes, and the spiritual aspect had an important bearing on the physical treatment. The mission was co-operating with 37 British, American and European Protestant missionary societies in 25 countries, and was associated with various denominations, said Mr. Perry. The work among the children was full of possibilities. Leprosy was not hereditary, and by separating the children from infected parents they could be saved, and thus the spread of the disease was definitely checked. The lepers were seeking admission to the homes in increasing numbers, and young children were being brought to the mission by leprous patients for protection.