MISSION- COLLECTIONS, AND OTHER ASPECTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 9

MISSION- COLLECTIONS, AND OTHER ASPECTS.

To the Editor. Sir, —The writer is pleased to note how effectively the Gipsy Smith mission treasurers have answered, in your issue of Saturday last, your sneering correspondent, “Free Faith.” Will he be man enough to reveal himself, and accept their challenge to examine their mission accounts and balance-sheet? T doubt if his “faith” is “free” enough for that. It is too one-eyed. Now, I wonder whether your correspondent has ever reflected for one moment that there are other sides to the question of what the missioner may get out of it. What about his converts’ future physical, moral, financial or spiritual bene fits? There are people seen at his ser vices who seldom or never go to any religious pr temperance meetings some who have wasted much of their mental, moral, physical and financial substance in gambling, drinking, or unclean living. Hundreds, if not thousands, of the Gipsy's hearers have signed his “decision” cards; but, supposing for instance, that only one man permanently reformed as a result of the mission, would it not have been well worth while to that man and hi? relatives even if the mission party did take some two or three hundred sterl ing out of the city? The writer know.--one such good legacy of the Chapma’ Alexander mission of some years ago and the social and economic gain to his relatives and friends has been simply incalculable. Can such a result in his case be measured in terms of £ s d ? But if, as is probable, some hundreds remain faithful to their decision vows, what a great impetus to moral, mental and physical efficiency and uplift in good citizenship, must accrue to this city and Dominion. Does “Free Faith” ever ponder such problems? Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY.