Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-22


A marriage was celebrated in New York March
6, 1911, which was of peculiar interest to the
friends Of foreign missions from the relation of
the parties to former hOnored secretaries of the
American board and from the peculiar series
of events connecting them with the inception of
the mission to Japan. 1t was the marriage, at
the house Of jeremiah Evarts Tracy, ESQ, by
Rev. DR.. EllinwU>d, secretary of the Preshyte.
rian board Of foreign missions, of Rev. Henry
LOOMS to Miss Jane ii. Greene, daughter of the
late Rev David Greene, and granddaughter of
the late jeremiah Evarts, Esq, former secreta-
ries Of the American board of commissioners
for foreign missions.
MIR. and Mrs. LOOMS are under appointment
as missionaries of the Presby terrain board of
foreign missions to Yokohama Japan.
During the social interview that followed the
marriage ceremony gentlemen present related
a Renaissance, which had interested him, and
had been brought afresh to his mind by this oc-
caSion.
Some forty-fve years ago VIM. Ropes, Esq,
Christian merchant Of Boston, who had for
years been accustomed to attend the monthly
concert OF prayerfor the conversion of the world,
at Park street church on the first Monday in the
month, changed his residence to the suburban
village of Broollline. At that time there were
no horse railroad cars going in and out of the
city day and night every hallhour, as at present.
Finding it lnconvenient to attend the concert at
the usual place, he invited his neighbors and
friends, W no sympathzed with him, to meet at
his house. and unite with his family in a month
ly concert service. Two young cIergymen were
invited to assist in the exercises at the first
meeting.
In anticipation of a collection, a Young lady
visiting in the family placed upon the table a
beautiful japanese basket to receive the offerings
The meeting was one Of deep interest. Mission
airy intelligence was given, earnest prayers were
offered, brief addresses were made lnterspersed
with singing.
Before the collection Mr. Ropes took up the
little basket, and remarked that it was brought
from Japan, where the people have no llnOwl-
edge OF the Christian religion. He called atten-
ton TO it as a beautiful specimen of taste and
skill, and with his glowing Christian faith antic-
| lpatng the day when the gospel would find It's
way into that dark land, he suggested that the
collection to be taken should be appropriated to
| the commencement of mission to Japan, when
God, in his providence, should prepare the way.
10 this all gave their assent, and it was so APP.
| propriated. The monthly concert was continued
and was often attended by the father of the bride
Soon sewing circle was formed in connection
| with it, which was active for many years, and
many prayers were offered that ia pan might be
| opened to receive the gospel. The contributions
| to the treasury of the board from these sources
amounted to more than 5000, to which, on estab-
fishing mission to Japan, in 1869. the Ameri-
can board added an equal amount with the in
terest thereon.
Rev d. Crosby Greene, who was the first mis-
slonafy oil the American board to Japan, is a
son and grandson of the lamented secretaries,
who were esteemed friends of the merchant
He is also brother of the bride, who is soon to
| embark with her husband for Il lifework in that
| interesting country.
1t was gratifying to the company at the wed.
| ding to know that two PERSONS who were at
that first monthly concert IN Brookline, forty
| hve years ago, were now present, enjoying the
| pleasures OF this occasion. One of them was
the young lady who placed the Japanese basket
| on the table, and the other was one of the
young cergymen above referred to who related
these interesting historical facts. Illustrated
| Christian Weekly.