New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-11
MISSION WORK IN LARGE CITIES.

BY THE REV. ROBT. KNOX, d. d.. BELFAST, IRELAND
| ask the attention of the Conference to tho
moral and spiritual condition of our great ctes' mo
masses OF the people in the growing ceners Oh popu
ton are being lost the Church The Earl OF ohaies-
bury stated public meeting not long ago that not
more than two per of the working men Of London
attend any house of worship Ia the city OF Glasgow
the nonchurchgoing amount TO 10000 that IS, one
fourth OF the whole population. In Elnborough, the
same class TO 6O0O0 that is, Onethird or the
population while in London the capital Of Chrstendom.
this class amounts to the enormous number OF 10000
that Is about onehaf of the population II may be as
sumed that the condition of NewYork and other great
cities OF the continent OF America not satisac
tory Whatever explanation may DO given OF this state
OF things we have the melancholy fact staring us IN the
face that the great cities Of Europe and America the
masses have fallen away from the Church. ana nave as
sumed with more or intensity. attitude Of hostil
ity to the Gospel In accounting for this condition Oh
things some trace to the pressure of poverty They
tell us that many families who went every Sab
bath from the rural home TO the House OF
God, when they pitch their tent in the great
city and get dishcartened IN the terrible
struggle for existence sink into Indifference and are
buried in the seethng. goddess mass Some trace INC
evil liquor traffic and those habits OF intemper
ance it generates and fosters They tell us now tno
drink begglrs and degrades Dunts the edge OF con
science quenches the spirit OF piety ana demorazes
the whole man. Others trace the e!l 10 INC NIeeneo
habitations OF the people Ihey TEL US lhaJ III inc
sunken regions OF great cities many OF the poor nero 70
Ceth
young up IN surroundings WHEN poison tne srngs
life and render all dellcaoy or feenng Impossible
Many don't hesitate TO trace the nhdety OF the masses
to the spirit and bearing OF the Church0 her want OF
life and holiness and love. Men fail 10 see IN the Church
might exneot 70 come from God They cLarge the
Church with w0rldness aud pride, ana lnsensOlhy 70
the condition OF the and the pershng ana arc thu
led to give up faith in the reality and power OF re-
gOn. Whatever be the true explanation we nave me
the great cities In dealing WIN TINS TACT
we remember that cities are The centers
OF influence and moral power. The world VIII advance
slowly and the masses already aien SINK deeper ana
deeper in misery and crime Wealthy CHRISTIANS Dust
be taught that need more than their money to evan
gelze world. We need their personal service tbo
living voice and the loving heart We ASK them 70 %
like the Master, who though He was rch yet for our
sakes became poor that We through His poverty might
be rich" They should do as lie dldst3nd,ln the must
of pubcans and sinners. 10 may he hard ana trying
work but lie did it, and He did more Trap att TINS, Ho
are rich in fatn that though they have lttle OF tho
gold and silver TO lay at the savlors fect tsy can
hearts valiant and ready TO work tor Him. We must
show them how grace lifts the poor out OF the dung mn
and him princes, making hm an embassador
Christian people III personal services FOR Christ has much
augment the working power OF the Church hundred
fold I would bring untold blessings to the Church
herself by its rehex power and besides ali ms ~ Mona
furnish the world what the cynical unDeeving world
loudly demands The world asks with snSer %hers
Chrstianityi The poor are oppressed ahd you .Vn
pty them they ready TO perish, aad You dont ay
t 70 heart. You are selfish supercous, hNhg apart.
We wipe out this repoacl Oy te CHRISTIAN propo
down among the Wrttcucd anu poor At
nee OF time and feeling under the promptngs OF love
that casts out fear.
The paper of the Rev. Dr. Grundemann on " Roman
Catholic Greek ana Protestant Missions Compared"
TO be presented by Prof Chrsteb d. d., came next In
order on the programme. Prof Christeb said that the
paper had been translated only few hours The work
was poorly done and the penmanshp into when II was
transcribed was bad that he could nos read II with
facility consequently preferred not to read II at
ALL The fifth and sixth verses of the lSth hymn
vere next sung after which the Hon. Frederick Pre-
nnehuysen of New-Jersey was introduced. When Mr..
Freughuysen had finished his address, Mr. stuart read
letter which he had received from the Rev Alexander
Diff d. D.. Ii. D., the wellknown missionary OF the
Free Church Scotland i'll which he expressed regret
at being unable TO attend the Conference OF the Evan
Oelenl Alliance and sent a fervent God speed' 10 It,
Tho afternoon session was then brought TO 1oso by
benediction by the Rev. DIR. FoSs.