Centenary of the London Missionary Society 1795-1895

Date1895

Object number00046543

NameMedal

MediumMetal

DimensionsOverall: 4 x 44 mm, 25 g

ClassificationsCoins and medals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis medallion was produced in commemoration of the London Missionary Society. The inscription reads 'The centenary of the London Missionary Society 1795-1895'. In the centre is a port-quarter view of a fully rigged merchant ship under sail, and the words 'The ship DUFF / sailed for south seas / 1796'. One the other side is the inscription 'South Seas, Africa, India, Madagasscar, Mongolia, New Guinea, West Indies, China' and four scenes of preachers and missionaries being martyred.HistoryThe Missionary Society was formally established in September 1795 to spread Christianity and the gospel and was renamed the London Missionary Society in 1818. In the 19th century the work and influence of the Society expanded into North America, South Africa, eastern and southern Europe including Russia, Greece and Malta but the main fields of mission activity for the society were China, South East Asia, India, the Pacific, Madagascar, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Australia and the Caribbean. During the course of their work the London Missionary Society, like other missionary societies, established the first printing presses in the Pacific Islands and subsequently translated the King James Bible along with numerous religious tracts, prayer books and hymnals into the various languages and dialects of the Pacific Islands. In 1895 the Society released this medallion to commemorate 100 years of Missionary work in the Pacific.SignificanceThis medallion is significant in representing the London Missionary Society, which undertook missionary work in the Pacific region in the 19th century.