The Melanesian MIssion.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4704, 24 July 1893, Page 1

The Melanesian Mlssion.

At the Cathedral yesterday afternoon the Rev H. P. Welchman delivered an address to Sunday school scholars and their teachers on the Melanesian mission. There was a large attendance of children and teachers from the various Anglican churches in Christchurch and suburbs. The Rev H. P. Welchman preached at the mission service at the Cathedral last evening, when there was a crowded congregation; Prayers were read by the Rev W. Harper, and special prayers for the success of the Melanesian mission were offered. : The preacher took. hia text from St Matthew yii., 20 and 21, He spoke of many disabilities under which the mission. laboured, and referred to the fact that people of his own colour and race often committed Bins of which the heathen themselves would be ashamed. This brought contempt on the word of God, and hindered the work of evangelisation among tha heathen. The natives had complained to him and said, " You say this is wrong, and yet people of your own race do it." He ..could only reply that -there were bad people among the whites as well as among the blacks. He gave several instances of the good work that the spread of Christianity had performed among the natives, and said that peace, happiness and prosperity prevailed in those villages where it had been adopted. On Friday evening the Rev H. P. Welchman addressed a large audience at the Church of England schoolroom, Rangiora. •