The Church in The Front Line.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 36, Issue 1, 1 April 1945, Page 4

The Church in The Front Line.

The Bishop of New Guinea, the Right Rev. Philip Strong! who has returned from a hurried visit to England, created a profound impression on the congregations arid audiences he addressed m the Old Country. Here is a report of one meeting given by the Church of England Newspaper:— . . "The Bishop of Peterborough last week presided over a large gathering m the Northampton Town. Hall, when the Bishop of New 1 Guinea gave a thrilling account o£ his wartime experiences and a detailed summary of - the practical results of the missionary campaign m the island during the past 50 years. There were, said the Bishop, over 800 communicants at the consecration of the Cathedral m 19.41 * and when the Japanese menace began many of the Christian natives became stretcher-bearers and guides for tne Australian troops, and were instrumental m saving hundreds of lives during the Japanese occupation. "The troops showed their gratitude by giving large sums of money for the continuance of the work, which is now b'feing opened up again. The staff of missionaries is much depleted, for nine but of the 36 pre-war staff were put to death by the barbarous invaders, but the Bishop, who is now returning to his work, is very hopeful m regard to the future." ■--'■