MISSIONARY UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 250, 20 September 1929, Page 8

MISSIONARY UNION

ATTAINMENT OF MAJORITY. CELEBRATION BANQUET HELD. The Palmerston North auxiliary of the Methodist Women’s Missionary Union at a banquet held in the Cuba Stroet Schoolroom, last evening, celebrated its attainment of the record of twenty-one years of service. There was a very large attendance, including visitors from Woodville, Eeilding and other towns. The guest of honour and principal speaker was Mrs Goldie, wife of Rev. J. E. Goldie, head of the Solomon Islands Mission, and herself a missionary with a distinguished record of service. Rev. F. Copeland, of Eeilding, who also saw service in the mission field, was chairman of the banquet, which was characterised by much enthusiasm in the missionary cause. After the loyal toast had been honoured. Rev. J. Ernest Parsons proposed the toast of the Solomon Islands mission, the history of which, he said, furnished one of the most thrilling stories in the annals of missionary enterprise. If a writer could arise w r ho could tell the story of the work accomplished there, he would gain the ear of the world. Mr Parsons paid a special tribute to the noble work of Mrs Goldie who had gone to the Solomons as a young woman with her husband, and heroically faced the almost superhuman task of carrying the Gospel to one of the most savage races on earth, and the magnificent result achieved was largely' due to her courage and • selfsacrifice. Mrs W. Cameron briefly acknowledged the toast which was honoured w-ith enthusiasm. Proposing the health of the missionaries, doctors, wives and sisters, Mrs Pacey declared that no great work was accomplished without sacrifice. This was the keynote of the success of the Solomons mission. The devoted band of men and women who had not counted their lives dear unto themselves had by their teaching and example—by their living and loving—won thousands to the Cross of Christ. “We thank God for the achievement of the past 27 years, made possible by the work and sacrifice of such as Mrs Goldie,” she said. Mrs Goldie was greeted with applause on rising to reply. Reminiscences of the early days of mission work among the most blood-thirsty head hunters of the Southern Pacific were recounted to give emphasis to the marvellous change that had come over the “Transformed Isle," and f. Mrs Goldie gave instances of the new spirit abroad amongst the natives and the great need for developing the work, concluding with a moving appe.al for greater efforts by those at home.

Mr It. H. BiJlens proposed the toast of the M.W.M.U. Alluding to woman’s greater capacity for sacrifice, he said the self-denying work of the missionary cause made an irresistible appeal to women, and the 'world-wide growth of missions had been due largely to the enthusiasm and sacrifice of women. A tribute was paid to the splendid work accomplished by the Palmerston North auxiliary, mention being made of the great service rendered by Mrs T. It. Hodder ; one of its foundation members and its president tor many years. Responding, Mrs Hodder outlined the work of the M.W.M.U., claiming that it contained in its ranks the cream of New Zealand Methodist womanhood. They were specially interested in work among the women of the Solomons whose condition was so terribly degraded, and at home they had the welfare of the Maori girls as their special care. Mrs Richards, of the Woodyille auxiliary, proposed the toast of kindred societies in a striking uddress, and Mrs G. T. Brown, in reply, traced tersely and comprehensively the part played by women in the great missionary efforts of the Baptist, Congregational and Presbyterian churches. In replying to Mrs Richards’s thanks for the hospitality accorded Methodist Maori girls in the Turakina Presbyterian College, Mrs Brown said that as the Methodists had a Maori boys’ college, and the Presbyterians a girls’ college, it would seem that the best way to cater for the double need was for both churches to work together, each using the other’s college. Warm applause greeted the remark, showing how keenly it was appreciated. The final toast of the evening honoured the Bible class movements of the Church, and was in the_ capable hands of Mr T. R. Hodder. The response was made by Mrs C. E. Taylor, Mayoress of Feilding, who eloquently showed how the Bible classes were the nurseries of the mission field. Rev. J. D. McArthur also briefly responded on behalf of the young men’s movement, and warned his hearers that there was plenty of work awaiting them not only abroad but at their own doors. During the evening enjoyable items were rendered by Misses Jean Pacev, Jean Laurenson and L. Ferguson, and Messrs A. McLeavey and H. Woodhouse, the accompaniments being played by Mrs S. Kingston and Mrs H. Woodhouse.