Bid Farewell
to Miss Hellyer
A meeting of unusual
interest was held on Wednesday evening of last week when
representatives from the various churches in the vicinity gathered
with the congregation of the Baptist Church to bid farewell to Miss
Clara B. Hellyer, who leaves the middle of the month for India, as a
missionary of the Women's Baptist Foreign Mission Society of Ontario
and Quebec. She sails from New York on the 18th in company with six
other missionaries.
After the opening exercises
led by the pastor, Rev. J. D. MacLachlan, Rev. Rickard of the
Anglican Church and Rev. L. Vail of Boston, short commentary
addresses were given by Rev. J. B. Moore representing the Villa Nova
Church, where Miss Hellyer was brought up, and Mrs. George Pearce,
representing the Women's Board. Doris and Phyllis Veale sang
beautifully "Missionary Bells."
Rev. H. E. Stilwell,
Secretary of the Baptist Union of Canada, representingg 144,000
Baptists was the speaker of the evening. Having spent several years
as a missionary, Mr. Stilwell was able to describe most vividly the
journey to India and the trials and joys that await the new recruits
as they learn the language and adapt themselves to new surroundings
and conditions of life. He appealed for a constant support of Miss
Hellyer by prayer and sympathy.
He spoke too of the unrest
in India caused by the non-cooperative movement led by Gandhi, which
it is hoped may be quieted by the British Government's present great
experiment in giving India a large measure of Home Rule.
Miss Hellyer spoke of her
call and training for mission service and appealed to the young men
especially for greater interest and activity in B.Y.P.U. and other
fields of Christian service. Her strong Christian character and
splendid training promise a successful career for her as a worker in
India.
Mr. R. D. Gibson, on behalf
of the Church, read an address, while the presentation of a tray of
silverware was made by little Helen Snively, cousin of Miss Hellyer,
and a basket of flowers in which was hidden a cheque, by Doris
Veale. Miss Hellyer made a graceful, appropriate reply.
Later a social hour was most
pleasantly spent in the basement where refreshments had been
prepared. Short addresses were made by Rev. L. Vail of Boston, Mr.
O. U. Robinson of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Wallace E. Mason.
The doxology and benediction by Rev. H. E. Stillwell closed a
meeting unique in the history of the church and long to be
remembered.
