PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 35, 10 February 1909, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS.

ARRIVAL OP am.r HUGH : PATON. V Under the auspices of the Auckland Presbyterian Assembly, a series of missions is now being held in -the-city, a well-known missioner of Wide experience, in the person of the Rev. Hugh. Patonj" conducting daily services' in the streets and churches. The first <5f the open-air, meetings was held on Monday, at midday, and was attended with success. The Rev. Mr Paton addressed another large crowd of some 300 people at the corner of Queen and Quay streets yesterday, and was assisted by the Rev. A. Millar, who. presided, and the Revs. Gray Dixbn, Ferguson, Robey, Murray,• Barrj'Simpson, Somerville and Smellie. It is intended to hold these open-air meetings each day at mid-day throughout the month, and night services will also be held, the ■missioner preaching at St. David's Church each evening this week and next week. Arrangements are also being -made for Sunday services in the theatre, and it is hoped that, the mission, which is the first of a series ■to be carried on throughout the Dominion, will prove a splendid success. ~ Mr. Hugh Paton is a missioner, of very wide experience. He was trained at the Bible Training College in Glasgow, established by Lord Overtoun, on the suggestion of the famous American evangelist, G. M, Moodie, some years ago. Mr. Paton. completed Jiis training in 1896, and assee then has been much missionary i work- jn -Scotland, Morocco, Queensland, New South .Wales, and other parts of the world,«nd his mission work has always been fraught with considerable success. . tQuestioned regarding his. experiences in Morocco,, by a "Star" Mr. Paton said he had spent .three years in this interesting country.-Speak-ing in the general sense .of. the word, he was forced .to admit that mission work there was not an entire success. The natives are naturally hostile to the Europeans, and "unbelievers," their faith in the Mohammedan creed, making* them different to the people found in the ordinafy mission fields. Most of the missions in Morocco are medical sta*tions, and so, with a large section of the people, they earn a general reepect" and admiration. . Others, however, are fanatical in their belief, and are often inclined i 6 "be hostile. Generally speaking, Mr. Paton 6 aye he found the natives very hospitable, although it is not usually safe for strangers to wander over the country,..-., In : his case he would Simply ride out on his .mule', dressed in native robes, and on entering j a village would call out that he was un- I armed and came with medicines. The reply would be that he was welcome, and for three: days he could rest assured of their hospitality. The people ot Morocco he found extremely intereetingi and liked very much, and had lie been a; missioner with a medical training he would have remained longer. So long as their passions were not aroused, the Moors were kindly andgeneroue in their treatment, but when ■ waves of fanaticism sweep over the country the white man's life is anything but safe, the Mohammedans being stirred to the belief j that they would get a better seat in j Paradise for the unbelievers.they killed. ; He always felt safe by going unarmed,, and carrying medicines, and found that j his very helplessness was his best means j Of safety. Durinjj his three years' sojourn in'thiS"£6uhtry_, : iyrrrPa'tdn nfetthe late ! ■Sultan'and -Ka'id MacLeari,' ; andi-talks in a very interesting manner of his many queer experiences in the land of the Moor.