BISHOP OF MELANESIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 22 December 1932, Page 2

BISHOP OF MELANESIA

WORK OF THE MISSION. PRAYER WITH EXPECTANCY,

The Bishop of Melanesia, Rt. Rev. W. H. Baddeley, formerly of England, who leaves New Zealand on January 6 en route to his diocese in the Pacific, delivered an inspiring address in All Saints’ Hall lost evening to these who support the work. Welcoming His Lordship, Canon G. Woodward, vicar of All Saints’ Church, stated that the parish had always supported the Melanesian Mission loyally. Prayer was the strongest power in support of the work, and Bishop Baddeley seemed to be the right man to accomplish things—a man with personality who would inspire them with his words.

Rev. O. E. Hyde, curate at All Saints’; endorsed the welcome to His Lordship. Bishop Baddeley said he had been very glad that an itinerary had been arranged for him in Now Zealand before be proceeded to his Island Diocese. Ho had found wonderful enthusiasm and help everywhere for the work in Melanesia. Ho was pleased to establish personal contact with its supporters and to realise the depth of their sentiments. He could not talk with authority about Melanesia because ho had not yet been there, but all had been instructed in the geography and history of Melanesia, a series of very interesting chapters, particularly during tho past fifty years. Melanesia was. in its origin, an ecclesiastical term derived from the Greek, and meaning “black or dark.” Many islands formed the Melanesian group which first came under the aegis or the Church in New Zealand, ho understood, through a mistake in tho instructions issued by the Colonial Office to Bishop Selwyn when ho came .out in tho early days, tlie northern limit being erroneously defined as 30deg north of the Equator instead of 30deg. south. However, he had since been informed that when Bishop Selwyn drew attention to the matter, he was told it was not a mistake.

Bishop Baddeley referred to the fact that over £25,000 had been raised in England for the construction of the new vessel the Southern Cross, which was recently wrecked at Aneityum, on its maiden trip.' The blow lrad been a terrific one to the Mission, but the heroism of tho crew had been a redeeming feature. The Mission did not cease its activities, he said, simply because of the disaster. When news of it was received, with the sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury nn appeal was launched to provide a special emergency fund of £SOOO to meet heavy expenses likely to be incurred in tho chartering of ships and forwarding of stores, etc. He had received a cable to that effect when at Honolulu, en route to New Zealand. When he arrived at Auckland he received another cable remitting half the amount —a tremendous tribute to the enthusiasm of the people. It was extraordinarily encouraging, though not all enthusiasm was measured by pounds, shillings and pence. It was in hard times that the people did the greatest things. Tho Mission had established a hospital at Mala, in the Solomons, and a doctor who had voluntarily undertaken the work had done splendidly until ill-health had forced his resignation. There was at present no one to fill his place in giving an expert medical service to 2000 miles of tho diocese among which were scattered 50 or 60 white people, 20 or 30 clergy, COO native teachers and a big native population. There were three fully trained nurses doing noble work at the hospital, but what was required was a missionary-hearted doctor who would go out and work for men’s souls. There was a great shortage of wdrkers, for whom the necessary finance could not be found at present. Things, however, did happen through Christian prayer in the real spirit of prayer ; and the Melanesian Mission required that prayer. The Church surely had a right to expect from its children what the Empire had secured in the days of war by a great call, His Lordship concluded.

Rev. F. C. Long, organising secretary for the Board of Missions, thanked the parish for the financial support given the board last year—a contribution of over £260, which led the amounts in the Wellington diocese. He was perfectly certain that just as liberal assistance would be given again as last year. The Board of Missions was facing a hard period calling for faith, work and sacrifice.

SUPPORTERS IN ENGLAND

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 21. Through the generosity of the supporters of the Melanesian Mission in England, £2500 has bene made available for the purchase of stores lost in tlje wreck of the Southern Cross' and for the emergency transport for their distribution around the mission stations. The money has been remitted to the Auckland office of the mission, and is the first response to the appeal for £SOOO for this' purpose launched by the Archbishop of York. The mission authorities have arranged for the purchase of stores in Sydney and for their carriage to a central point in the islands by one of tho steamers belonging to Burns, Philp and Co. The Administrator of the Solomon Islands' has been asked to make arrangements for the chartering of local craft for taking the goods from the central point chosen to the stations, and the mission is at present awaiting advice from him concerning his decisions in tho matter.

Tenders for the purchase of the old Southern Cross, which is at present lying in the stream at Auckland, closed to-da.v. vSeven offers have been received and these will be considered by the Mission Board.

The replacement of the wrecked Southern Cross rests witli the English committee of the mission, but no advice lias yet been received as to whether the committee will have a new vessel built or purchase a suitable boat.