MISSION TO THE GUMFIELDS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 160, 26 August 1892, Page 2

MISSION TO THE GUMFIELDS.

A meeting, which was very largely attended, was held in tlie Alexandra-street Primitive Methodist Church last night, in order to hear Mr Geo. Field give an aecoimt of his recent six weeks’ mission to the g-umdiggers scattered over the northern territory of this island, and to inaugurate a mission iu that respect. Rev. J. Guy occupied the chair, and the meeting was opened with praise and prayer. He then read a letter from Dr. Kenderdine, who had promised to preside at trie meeting, apologising for unavoidable absence. Bov. J. Berry also wrote, saying that he was sorry he could not he present, but thought the movement a very excellent, one, and wished them every success in it. The chairman spoke on what the meeting had been called for, and then he gave an account of how the mission had been started. Many Christian men were on these gumficlds, never hearing the Gospel or anything appertaining to religion, and it. was with the object of ac cornplisbiug these ends that the mission was commenced, but how to reach them had always been the difficulty. Mr Field, who had been toiling on the gumficlds, and preaching occasionally on Sundays, in this way gained valuable experience, and he had been asked and agreed to enter into a mission there, so that from his experience they could form definite plans for future operations. They had gathered there that night to hear the story, and see what help they could give. Mr Field then held the platform for nearly an hour, during which lie gave an interesting and, when recounting some of his experience, amusingaccount of his recent six weeks’ trip amongst: the gumfields. Fie had visited gangs at work on the extension of the railway in the Kaipara gumfield camps, and many single whares scattered all over the waste of bnsh in that rough country. , After giving a detailed account of his work, he concluded with a few eloquent words showing the necessity that existed for such a mission, and appealing for help to carry it on Some of his experiences with various persons on the field were very touching, and he proved conclusively that a great amount of good had been done even in that first short missionary trip. Several persons present spoke on the need of such a mission to be in existence, ar.d a motion, proposed by Mr Brown and seconded by Mr F. A. White, to the effect “ That this meeting is in hearty sympathy with the work,” was carried unanimously. The meeting also very highly approved of MiField’s report. A collection was taken up towards funds for lire mission, and the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction closed an enthusiastic meeting.—* Auckland Star.’