Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-29
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
LAST NIGHTS LECTURE AT THE
FIRST CHURCH
By Rev. DR.. Arthur Mitchell Of the First
Church of Clevtland-Ihe Music
Interesting Words About
the Cause.

Such another large, cultured, intelli-
gent and interested audience as that
gathered in the First Presbyterian
Church last evening, it would be hard
to find. II the term would not be out
OF place, it could readily be termed a
fashionable" audience. The church
commenced to fill almost al hour before
the time set for the opening of the lee
ture, and when the lecturer, DR.. Arthur
Mitchell, of Cleveland, took the plat
form, the vast building was
CROWDED ALMOST TO sUFFocLTIoN.
Every seat was filed, and the aisles
were filed with chairs. All the dele
gates to the Woman's Annual Mission
airy Society were present, and in addi-
ton, nearly all the church people OF the
city.
The church never looked better, and
the society is to be congratulated on
having such an able decoration commit
tee; the usual space about the pulpit is
covered by large platform on which
are advantageonsly displayed large
stands of plants and flowers; all over
the pulpit boquets were fitted in giving
the whole an air OF taste and
elegance. On the organ front
is large cross, upon which is
an open hand and wrcathed about the
arms the words, "E teneo FL teneor," the
whole forming the seal and motto OF the
society; at the base of the cross the
word "Welcome" in flaming gas jets,
together with the other gas lights OF the
church lighted the edifice up handsome
ly. Around the walls were large BAN
ners with the names OF the various
FOREIGN LANDS AND THE NOBLE WOMEN
who have labored there so successfully
and sometime seven unto death, display
ed thereon.
On the platform in addition to the
speakers stand and press tables, were
seated about twenty prominent divlnes
ofthis vicinity. .
The exercises were opened by a well
selected qusrtette composed OF Mrs. g.
w. Eoff, Mrs. Gen. Bell and Messrs.
John Mendel and w. B. Howell, giving
Tours Gloria in Ercelsis, which was fol-
lowed by prayer, being offered by Rev.
Mr.. Graham of the Washington Presby-
terry. The entire congregation then
sang the 6i5th hymn, "Shall We whose
souls are lighted with wisdom from on
nigh" being led by the grand organ
which was manipulated by Mr.. G. W..
Eotf in his most splendid style.
DIR. Cunningham then in a few brief
words introduced the speaker OF the
evening. DR.. Mitchell, OF Cleveland.
Mr.. Mitchell, although many years in
the ministry, is very young appearing
man. He is very earnest talker, and
at the same time interesting. There
was not moment that he did not claim
attention, although he gave many statis-
tics, which are usually dry and musty
sYNOPsIs or TIE LECTURE.
He commenced by saying, that in un-
dertaking to address the audience on the
subject OF foreign missions he did it
with misgiyings Of not being able to DO
it justice, it was such q sacred cause. II
he should attract the attention OF his
hearers he should know that he was
ably aided by the prayers OF the ladies
to whom the subject was so dear and
whose hearts were aflame with the holy
work.
He had not agreed 10 address the So.
ciety until he had been assured that he
might also address the men. The ladies
were already fighting nobly, and the
past decade had shown among them a
glorious advance in relation to missions;
yet among the men there was GOODNESS
and there was crying need OF progress
among them. He gagged his statements
by the gifts OF money from the living
church. The speaker followed this i'll
PRODUCTION up with some statistics,
showing shocking falling off for several
years past, thus causing fatal retrench-
ment among the missions-a thing that
should not have been. True, in 1880
the Board had reported year past with
out any additional debt, yet the years
before make sad showing.
These figures when placed in contrast
with the reports OF the Women's socie-
ty, showed no advancement, while the
ladies had stepped far ahead. DR..
Mitchell gave more statistics at this
point, all OF which we're extremely in
teresting.
GENTLEMEN, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
this constant advance" was the ques-
ton asked. He read dispatch just re.
ceived from Chicago, where a similar
Woman's meeting is being held; the
dispatch said, 800 delegates present,
church crowded, and placing the years
gifts at over S54 1000.
He continued: 1t is great mistake TO
believe that the women draw all their
gifts from the husbands and brothers
and thusexplain the falling of OF the
church gifts and progress and the ladies'
advancement. While We are under OBJ.
legations to the ladies for their gifts, We
are still more indebted for the informa.
ton that they have gathered for US, con-
corning foreign missions.
The ladies' work for the past ten years
in establishing magazines, hymn books,
maps, etc, which are now spread over
the country by the thousands, and the
large increases year by year OF the edi.
tons OF their periodicals is simply won
derful, as shown by some pertinent
figures. In addition to adding to the
information, they have quickened the
sympathy OF the church. The speaker
described one OF the women's monthly
missionary meetings aud eloquently re-
ferred to the immense cloud OF prayer that
arose from those meetings to the throne
OF the Master. In addition to thes,
monthly meetings, look at these annual
meetings. Is it not glorious? Ipredict
that it will benefit every family in
Wheeling that knows anything about it.
1t will quicken the men to renewed
work, and if it don't, am afraid it will
be because the ladies have refused them
admittance to their intensely interesting
meetings. However, let US hope they
may have some Of the
SPARKS OF LIGHrFALL on THEM"
Some remarks followed on what the
ladies' society had done. and their warm
welcomes to returned missionaries were
all pleasantly referred to. Also their
influence on the pastors. Not a minis
ter now dared TO be a sluggard in the
mission work, and that influence on the
husbands and families was widely felt.
In addition to the sympathy, there
was another secret TO the steady ad.
vancement, and that INSTRUMENTATION
"A matter that was by nearly every one
supposed TO be a masuline accomplish.
ment only. Never was a greater mis-
take made. DIR. Mitchell related what
various Women's Boards had done In
that line, and then said: Business
men, you that know the benefit
OF advertising and agents. What
uould Won th;pk ~ . 1St ,..oJ,. -.