THE REV. R. WARDLAW THOMPSON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue X, 28 August 1897, Page 303

THE REV. R. WARDLAW THOMPSON.

THREE great missionary organisations, viz., the Church Missionary Society, the Baptist Society, and the London Missionary Society are characterised by two excellent features, the one of policy and the other of management and control. These societies have proved that it is possible to work in harmony and in entire co-operation with the great countries of India and China, where so much has been expended by them. They have each been distinguished by their efficient, broad-minded, and statesmanlike foreign secretaries Mr Eugene Stock (now editorial secretary of the Church Missionary Society), Dr. Baynes (of the Baptist Missionary Society), and the Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson (of the London Society)have each rendered splendid service to the cause they represent, and through them these organisations have commanded and received a large measure of public esteem and confidence.

The Rev. R. Wardlaw Thompson, whose portrait we give, became Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society in 1881. During the period which has elapsed sincehisappointment Mr Thompson has personally visited the principal stations of the Society in South Africa,

India, and China, and has by these visitations done much to consolidate the work of the Society and to extend its usefulness and power in those lands. In company with W. Crosfield, Esq., of Liverpool, England, Mr Thompson has jnst completed a tour of inspection of the Society’s stations in British New Guinea from the Fly River to East Cape, the Torres Straits, at Lifu in the Loyalty Islands, in the Cook Islands, Mite and the Islands of Samoa. A brief account of this visitation and its beneficial results, especially in the promotion of a sound and vigorous educational policy, were given by Mr Thompson to a meeting of friends and supporters held at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Auckland, on the nth inst. Mr Thompson’s appointment to visit the Island of Madagascar, a visit rendered imperative by the changed conditions of work in that island consequent upon French annexation, prevented him from spending a longer time in Auckland than that allowed by the mail steamer en route from Samoa to Australia. Mr Thompson will be associated with Evan Spicer, Esq (of the London County Council, and a Director of the London Missionary Society) in the Mission to Madagascar. We may add for the information of those interested in recent events in Madagascar that the Rev. R. Baron, of Madagascar, is about to visit New Zealand in the interests of the London Missionary Society. Mr Baron is well known for his very able contributions to various scientific societies of papers on the flora and fauna of Madagascar.

The Rev. J. E. Newell, from Samoa, is also at the present time on a visit to New Zealand.