The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-22
THE GENERAL ANNIVERSARY.

THE GENERAL ANNIVERSARY.
THE OPENING BxERCIsE-A PRAISE MEETING
CHURCH DiGNITARIRS PREsENT-BIsHoPs
AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND AID
DREssEs-soNG IN HINDooSrANEE-oNLY A
BEGINNING.
The first meeting of the anniversary of
the Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church was held at Roberts
Park last night. For some reason
Bishop Bowman, who was expected to
preside, was not present. The Rev.
DR.. w. II. Goode, of Indians,
occupied the chair: The service began py
singing a hymn, From all that dwell below
the skies which was followed by prayer
offered by the Rev. DR.. Andrus, OF Evans
vile. Scripture was read by the presiding
officer, another hymn was sung and the
meeting was ready for business. Upon the
platform were several mon of emineDce In
the church and wide celebrity. Foremost
among these was the genial Bishop Harris,
who is Just now
ESPECIALLY CONSPICUOUS,
because of his successful journey round the
world on tour of Episcopal visitation to
all the prominent mission fields OF the
church. He was once the missionary secre-
tary, one Of the highest offices in the gilt OF
the Methodist church. In that ca.
pacitv he became well and widely
known over all this country. The
bishop was always remarkable for
seemed to be contagious whenever he ap-
peared in public. This quality still ap-
pears. but the fine dark hair of the former
days is now silvered with age and toll,
despite his merry nature. Both Dr.
Dashiell and DR.. John NJ Reid, the present
m han pa-
sides those mentioned there were the Revs.
Parkhurst and Spencer, who, also, describe
missionary operations In pagan lands, from
personal observation; the Rev. N. l..
Brakeman, DR.. Edwards, editor OF the
Northwestern Christian Advocate at
Chicago, and throughout the audience were
preachers of note from abroad and resident
in this city. Others are to come. Bishops
Foster and Bowman will be here to-day,
and many other leading lights of the pulpit.
The chairman, DR.. Goode, expressed bis
pleasure In meeting so many on this inn
portant occasion. He was glad that no
fixed programme had been laid down, and
thought that the meeting would be carried
on in an easy and spontaneous manner. He
would first call on Bishop Harris for short
address.
RIsHoP HARRIs's REMARKS.
he said he was willing to begin and
break the ice II the others would only get
In afterwards. He had been for many years
deeply interested In the missionary work OF
the church, and for "a great part of his
life had made 1t q subject of special atten-
ton. II grows upon me, said the bishop.
It is said that familiarity breeds contempt,
but such 10 not my experience In this noble
missionary work of the church. Every day
brings II nearer to my affections, my conf
dence and my heart. More and more find
IL an occasion for gratitude to God that the
missionary work is doing so much and 80
much good. II / we're TO speak OF the
causes for praise at this meeting. 1 would
mention the influence OF the
missionary work on the church
at homo, its reflex influence in
which the principle that action and reaction
are equal 10 exemplified, and some times
think that the reaction Is equal to the &C
lion and little more so. De would mem
ton bat Two or three points: /, He noted
the constant and steady growth OF the mis-
sionary spirit in the church. Never were
the congregations so large to listen to the
accounts of the work. Never was there q
time when so much published information
was desired. Never was there less unfavor-
able criticism. Never before didthe church
pray more devoutedly and earnestly. All
these things indicate the missionary spirit
of the church. 2. There never was time
when there was a greater readiness on the
in the missionary work. A long list OF
names Is held in reserve in New York OF
those waiting to go, men called to preach,
full OF faith and the Holy Ghost. This
springs out OF the missionary work. 3. The
financial affairs OF the country have not
been the best, and the board bad not dared
TO hope for an increase ofcontributi0ns; they
had only hoped not to be overthrown. But
he reiOiced that we have maintained
our contributions to q better degree than
any other organization. He supposed il
was
MOI IN ORDER TO OYER ANY RBPRoACHES
as 1t was a private meeting. But while
he thanked God tor what bad been done.
he wished IL not to be understood that he
considered that the church had done all
she could or should have done. Yet he did
not wish any to feel that we are on the
down grade. We are going on AMI on till
the whole world shall be converted to God.
When we step cut of this country there are
reasons for gratitude. No missionaries
have died within the last year, bat all are
well and cheerful, happy in their work and
successful in their fields OF labor. i ven
ture to assert that the harvest OF souls
gathered into the garner OF God Is greater
than the harvest at home during the last
year, In proportion to the invest
mont That IL Iuduo IN edcn y No lncrebSo
Is in AS great ratio in the missionary field
as here, and tnis regard as q reason for
gratitude that the gospel Is the power OF
God. do not believe in measuring by the
results OF to-day. IL is for us to do our duty
and Christ will take the responsibility; but
IL Ia cheering that our labor has not been In
vain in the Lord. expect to have mission
aries in our fields by the thousands where
they are now counted by the hundreds. A
songs
GLORIOUS things of Thee are spoken"
was then introduced.
DIR. DAsHIEL,
the missionsry's secretary, then spoke. he
thought il was unnecessary to break the
ice as there was no ice to be broken. 1t was
the best "send off" OF any meeting ne had
attended for q year, but IL any ice was to be
hrnkan uhara Piahan Harria oouId