Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-12
ABLE SPEAKERS.

Meeting At Center Church Last Even-
 1mGThe Work Ofthe American Com
 gregatIonal Union.
 Parishioners from many of the Congrega tional churches of the city gathered at the Center church last night to listen to speakers on behalf of the work of the American Con- gregational union. The society was organ ized in 1858 for building churches and par sonages for the home missionaries of the de nomination. Its efforts have been mainly in aid of the former. Within few years the need of parsonages has become So imperative that permanent fund of $25, ,000 is being raised for building purposes. Rev. Dr. l.. H. Cobbs, secretary of the union, first ad- dressed the congregation. He said: "Ag- gressiveness of piety is characteristic ot the times This spirit gives rise to and is the fostering spirit of our home missions. We have various organizations for carrying out this idea. I particu- larly mention the American Home Missionary society. It sends missionaries into the West and has over one thousand workers west of New England. Where if the man to preach and where shall he live are two questions to be asked. have lived eight years on the frontiers and do not ex- aggerate the particulars. The speaker then graphically pictured the life of home mis sionary in Minnesota. He is, as a rule, ar eastern man of education, with a wife from 6 cultured New England family. In the new
 towns his church is a district school house
 in which he must alternate with minister of another denomination. His parish is ( circuit of many widely separated settlements which necessitates hard travel and frequent
 preaching. His home is tdugout" or 6
 cramped and unwholesome chamber in 6 shanty, which affords inadequate shelter against the cold weather of 40o below zero
 Sickness is common in the family from ex- posure."
 Accounts were given of the life in the fal
 West, which appealed strongly to the sympa l thies of the audience.
 Dr. William NJ. Taylor, of the Broadway
 Tabernacle, New York followed in stirring
 earnest address, saying ''I have been accus toned in my native country to see commo,
 dious parsonages with every church. The
 contrast of that with what you have just heard stirred my heart. willingly gave uI my work in New York for month to hell in this field. week ago put the matter before my own people, and the response was $4, 900. The speaker then emphasized Dr. Cobb's remarks by reading extracts from letters just received from some home missionaries giving accounts of hardships of the frontier families which spoke eloquent1y for the needs of the work. When I read these felt did not deserve my elegant home and study if did not do something for these men. I appeal for this work on account o1 the increased efficiency it will give to the workers. The demand is imperious. The balance of power is soon to be in the West The disadvantages of those at the frontiers handicap their use fitness. Their pulpits cannot be abreast o1 the age when their parsonages are so far be- hind. plead for this fund because good parsonage will add to the influence of the minister. A the avenue in our cities commands the public ear better than the may though the latter be. Wise in our generation we should give him this advantage in public estimation. A man stamps his individuality on community by his long life among them. These mission aries cannot long stay amid these hardships
 You say 1t is hard times, yes, hard for you but how much harder for them. It is now ebb tide, but it has been so before. The great ocean is back and it will flow up again
 Show now your faith in Gods providence for better times I have great faith that Goo looks after his givers. When pump has lost it's suction, you put in little water to moisten it and then the flow begins. The commercial pump has lost it's suction, mois ten it with benevolence. God loveth cheer full giyer. The speaker said that $3, 100 haC
 been contributed in Boston, and altogether 000