The Portland daily press., 1869-07-17
Terms $500 per amman, d, adranee.
the kindred Association Of Great Britain and

lne kindred ASSOCIATION OF Great BRITAIN ana
Ireland
The Detroit Convention instructed the
committee ito employ an agent to aid in the
l,ne oi the Pacific Railroad, and in such 9th
CT sections as might be determined upon after
mature deliberations" Immediately after
the adjournment Of that Cor, r,ventiop. a circn-
lar was addressed to all the Associations In
the United States, concerning the resolutions
adopted In reference to this matter. and 90
liciting contributions to enable the Committee
to realize the wishes they expressed. None of
these circulars were sent to the Associations
in the British Provinces, as the Committee
felt it could hardly have been intended by the
Convention that call should be made upon
them for work more especially pertaining to
the United States.
In response TO the circular the following
subscriptions were received, namely: New
York, 1880; Omaha, $500; Clinton, Mass,
$40; West Winsted, Conn.,, S2456; Holliston,
Mass, S165O; Brunswick, Me-, $14; Water
vile, Me-, $40.
The sum subscribed by Omaha has never
come into the hands of the Committee, 1t hav-
ing been retained by that Association under
an arrangement satisfactory to all parties, by
Wnlch, from time to time, payments were to
be made from that fund on account of the
work.
A correspondence with the Omaha Associa-
ton resulted in the appointment of Mr.. Rob-
ert Weidensall, of that city, as the agent Of
the Committee under the resolution, at pro
rata salary OF 81 500 per year. He began his
work on the 10th OF October last. He was to
serve for few months under the arrange
ment originally made, but the appointment
has been continued until this time, and
will terminate with the discharge ofthis Com
mittee. Many circumstances seemed to point
to Bro. Weidensall as a fit person to be en-
ployed, and the discretion, good sense and en-
ergy he has displayed in the prosecution of
his work, have more than vindicated the
Judgment of the Omaha brethren, who first
suggested his name. ataa
Omaha was made the starting point for the
work, and in its prosecution, the line of the
Union Pacific railroad was deemed by the
Committee as entitled to the earliest atten-
ton. Bro. Weidensal made careful survey
of the whole line of the road, and while obe-
dent to the commands of the convention in
devoting himself to the organizations of the
Associations, he neglected no opportunity for
general Mission work which did not interfere
with the main purpose OF his employment =
He continued on this line of road until be
had accomplished all then, probable in the
organization OF Associations, when, after con-
sultation with the Committee, it was decided
that he should make a brief visit to few
leading points in Southern iowa, and then
spent the remainder OF his time in Kansas
and Western Missouri, ,reserving enough, how
ever, to allow of a visit to some of the Asso
Citations he had organized. and for another
full trip over the Union Pacific Railroad -
This programme has been faithfully carried
out by Bro. Weidensall.
The mode he adopted in the organization
of associations is best shown in one of his
on the road to the first important town, Fre-
mont, which contains population OF fifteen
hundred persons. 1t is beautifully situated
on level prairie between the Platte and
Elkhon rivers. 1t is quiet town, with
many excellent citizens, having but two
church buildings while there are eight Chris
tian denominations represented. AS soon as
| went into the town sought out the lead.
ing men in all evangelical denominations |;
also looked at all the public buildings with a
view to secure a room for the association l
was about to establish. Having obtained the
required information, 1 Immediately proceed
ed to canvass the place; began at the ex-
treme limits ON one side and finished at the
extreme limits on the other; did not pass by
single building where there was an intelli-
gent being. met persons of all kinds, and
with but few exceptions, was kindly re-
ceived. Took pains to lay before every one
met the objects and aims of Z. M. G. Associ-
ations. as / understood them. Occasionally
met those who were familiar with the work
ings of such associations. They passed into
brotherly sympathy with me, and encouraged
the foundation of one in Fremont. public
meeting was called in the Congregational
church, Sabbath evening, October 25th. II
was precious meeting. 1t was new to
many citizens in Fremont; however, all were
pleased with it. As your agent, / stated the
object of the meeting, and told them why
was ia their nnicart3 also specified a uunIuer VI
things to be accomplished by the association,
when If was once established
An association was formed here which
promises much good -Hels- 4
During the eight or nine months of his
employment he has organized twelve associa-
tions, travelled more than eight thousand
miles, at an expense to the committee of
are best stated in Brother Weidensalrs report
to the committee, which is hereto annexed,
and forms part of this report. iaisr
Your committee considered the mission an
experiment, and were not sanguine as 10 its
success. 1t was well known that prominent
association men at the Detroit Convention
entertained serious doubts in regard to it.
The enthusiasm with which a recital Of the
origin and. incidents of this mission have
been received wherever related, the opinions
everywhere expressed in its favor, the refer
ence to it in the proceedings of the Pacific
Coast Convention, and the formally
reported results, have answered all
valid objections. But there is no
doubt now in the minds of any member
of the committee in regard to the duty Of
this convention in the premises, and they
therefore recommend that the committee for
the ensuing year be authorized and directed
to continue the employment of the present
agent in the far Western and Southern field
and that ample funds be placed at their dis
posal for this purpose Na - syp e
V. There are now known to be six hun
dred and fifty-nine associations on this conti-
nent-of course they are not all equally ac-
tive; some, perhaps, have but name to live,
though there are none included in our emu
meration-from which letters or circulars are
returned. Three hundred and twenty-nine
have reported to this convention. 1t is cause
for regret that larger number have not
complied with the request made by the COM
mittee in your name. The noncompliance
however, it is believed, has not arisen from
any lack of sympathy OH the part OF the
members of these societies in the general
work, but from lack of appreciation of the
Importance of these reports to our progress,
as showing in an authentic form the real
strength of the associations, and also from a
neglect on the part of Corresponding Secre.
taries, who in many instances are changed
every year, and therefore are not fully alive
to the share of work committed to them.
The associations are distributed as follows
Maine. Illinois,. 3: