The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-14
BISHOP HURsT's TRAVELS.
His Labors in Many Parts of Europe ant
Asia-BIissions in Good Condition.
New York Tribune.


New York Tribune
Among the passengers who arrived from
Liverpool on the Germanic, of the White Star
Line, was Bishop j. F. Hurst, of Buffalo, who
has been travelling in Europe and Asia nearly
fourteen months, attending and holding confer.
ence meetings of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in almost ali of the countries of Europe and at a
large number of places IN Asia He was found
by Tribune reporter, few minutes after the
landing OF the passengers. When requested to
give an account of his travels he said:
Il left New York for Liverpool in June, 1884,
and attended in succession the conference ses-
sions in Germany, Switzerland. Norway,
Sweden and Denmark. From Scandinavia
went to Servia, and from there to Vienna and
thence across the Balkan mountains through
the Shlpka Pass to Bulgaria, where | held the
conference In reaching Bulgaria passed over
the battefelds made famous by the Russo
Turkish war. There are still to be seen the
remains of the dead, and scattered about are
the implements OF warfare. Cannon and mus
kets, swords and knives, have lain there without
any disturbance for seven years. l also passed
through many of the villages which were the
scene of number Of Bulgarian massacres
From Bulgaria | went to Rumelia, and from
there to Constantinope. l then took steamer,
and sailed through the Suez canal for Bombay.
In India the Methodist Conference are divided
into two nearly distinct sections, the Northern
and Southern Conference. The Southern Con-
ference Church is an English-speaking one, while
with the Northern one the native language is
the only dialect spoken. But in spite of this
great difficulty much good has come out of our
labors with the natives Our church III India
is becoming an important one and itnow extends
from Mysove down to Madras. From Ceylon,
where held the services of the conference ses-
sion | went North to Calcutta by steamer and
from there went to Cawpere. Tervickcnu. Ba-
reibley and other places where there are missions
and to Lahore, which is the most important
mission in that region.
After leaving India and reaching the Suez
canal again l made short stop there for rest
and to recuperate for visit to Palestine. /
spent some time there and in the neighboring
regions. next turned my face toward Asia
Minor and visited the cities of the seven
churches of Asia. l was soon in Athens. From
Athens [ went to Italy The most important
missions in the old world are in Italy, and con-
ference services were held in Bologna which
were of a satisfactory nature. From Bologna
went north to Scandinavia and held the
conferences there this year. Another mission
that is doing a large amount of good
work is in Finland. Although this is in
the Russian Empire we are allowed to carry on
our ministerial work without any interference
The authorities there seem willing TO DO all IL
their power to assist The mission is in
charge of the Rev. Mr. Carlson, an able and eff
cient clergyman, and the results of his work
more than meet our highest anticipations.
After holding the conference of 1885 in Ger
many Switzerland, Denmark and Austria de-
cided that my official labors were over and
joined my family, which was awaiting me
in Paris We spent some time in that city and
then went to England, where we remained until
taking passage on board of the Gernanic for
New York. am much pleased with the condi-
ton of the various foreign missions; they are in
an excellent condition. The growth of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the spread of
religion through its instrumentality is fatter-
ing aud will add for the benefit of all who are
interested in foreign missions, and who have
helped to pay for their support, that cannot see
where there has been waste of single dollar.
Everything is conducted in the most orderly and
business-like manner. l shall return to my
home in Buffalo in few days and resume my
official labors'