The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-23
The Reports of the Work Done BY the Soci-
cites in the Different States of the
Northwest During the Last Year.
The Creditable Showing Made in the
Report from the Indiana Secretary.
The Newly Elected officers Of the Board
The Addresses Delivered During Yester-
days Session-The Reception.
MORNING SESSION.

the Home Work During the Year.
The Second Presbyterian Church yesterday
morning was again filed with a large audience
The devotional exercises preceded the business
meeting. and were led by Mrs. 81. D. Penfeld,
of Chicago. The hymn. "Come, Holy Spirit"
was followed by fervent invocation by Mrs.
Thomas Calf. Of Aurora. Ill Mrs. Pen6eld
read the 46th Psalm, and commented upon it in
teiligently and feelingly. Mrs. j. e. Baldwin,
Of this city, then led In prayer. and was followed
in brief prayers and addresses by a number of
ladies. among whom were Mrs. Treat, a re-
turned missionary from Madagascar, Mrs.
Arthur Mitchell, of Brooklyn. N. Y, Mrs. Raj
ston. Mrs. Kumler, Miss Helen Peabody, Of Ok
ford, O., Mrs. Gait and Mrs. Van Clsve; the de-
votional exercises concluding with the hymn,
awake My Soul"
The regular meeting was begun with the sing
ing Of the hymn, Work. for the Night is
Coming This was followed by the reading of
the reports of synodical secretaries.
The reports Of the synodical secretaries were
then taken up. The report Of ths Synod Of
Southern Dakota. Mrs. j. 8. Oliver acting secre-
tary, showed the following collections: Aberdeen
Presbytery, $45. 25; Central Dakota, $3.50. 81;
Southern Dakota, $3l. 86.
Mrs. Fl. r.. Helm, of Chicago, gave the report
of Illinois. There are eighteen missionaries
supported. many schools, and Bible women, and
much contributed to the general fund Of the
board. Last years collection amounted to
$2s, Ala &C. Twenty eight new societies have
been organized during the year.
Mrs. John Clarke, Of Franklin. made the fol-
lowing report for Indiana:
Indiana greets her sisters of the Northwest
this year with a warm welcome to the State,
trusting that this gathering of consecrated work
who come, and to those whose guests you are.
A decade ago we gathered In this city to cele-
brate the fifth anniversary OF the Board of the
Northwest, and how we recall the enthusiasm
Of that delightful meeting. In many hearts the
first interest in and love for missions was awak-
ened here in the tender, devout spirit that per-
vaded that memorable gathering. The sweet
influence of those two days has spread beyond
the bounds Of country and time, and the fra.
GRANGE of the ointment here poured
out fills many a heart and home to-day,
and is known even in the home above The
spirit was manifestly present, and the cause of
foreign missions received a fresh impulse. Indi-
ana caught some of the enthusiasm, and in one
year increased her gifts from 81, 163 to over So
900; and so, judging from the past, we are hoping
for great results in our State from your presence
among US at this time.
We long to tell you to-day Of many new socie-
ties organized, of increased membership and in
terest among the young people. and of generous
gifts. But, counting only those auxiliaries who
have contributed this year to the board. we can
report but five new societies and four Sabbath
schools organized this year. We have a num-
Der of new societies and bands that have not yet
sent their gifts, and some old societies have neg
,ected to report They may be In what
Miss Holiday once calied~s.a state of suspended
animation We hope they have not ceased to
live. Onr eight presbyterical secretaries report
that in the State there are taken 4S6 copies of
Foreign Missionary, 445 copies of Woman's
Work and 279 copies of Children's Work, a de-
crease of 50 in the circulation of the latter. In
comparing the, contributions with former years,
1t is but just to say that some Of the presbyteries
closed the year Feb. %. thus giving only eleven
months contributions. Six of our presbyterial
societies have increased their gifts, Muncie max.
ing almost 20 per cent. advance, but New AL
bany and Indianapolis have fallen behind. In
dianas total contribution to the board this year,
as reported to the secretary, is $9,251.46, an in
crease of 1903 over last year. When
we take into consideration the stringency of
the times, we may feel encouraged that
we have done this much. With many families
the experiences Of the year have bean unusual,
and some of those who have always given cheer.
fully of their means have found their hands al
most empty. Only consecrated hearts could de-
wise ways aud means to bring an Offering to the
Lord, but we know that the wondrous alchemy
of heaven can transmute these gifts OF sacriAc-
ing love from perishing dross to immortal treas
ure.
Our presbyterial meetings this spring have
been pleasant and profitable. Fort Wayne cele-
brated its decennial and had q delightful meet
ing. In honor of their tenth anniversary they
have invited the synodical meeting for next Oc-
tober. Our last synodical meeting held
at Charlottesville was largely attended.
full of interest, and precious results
have followed. We were favored by
having with as Mrs. Layah Barakat, whose
words proved an inspiration not only there, but
wherever she won't in our synod. Most gladly
we acknowledge our indebtedness to her, and
unite with thousands of others In gratitude to
God that He led her to Christian America that
she might be the means OF converting Presby-
terrain women to believe in foreign missions.
With the stimulating influence Of our beloved
board in our midst, we would trust with conf
dent faith to our Fathers blessing and guidance
in the work to which Ee has called as, and
enter upon another year with high hopes Of do
ing more and better work for the Master than
ever before.
The report from Iowa. Mrs. j. F. Young and
Mrs. Alexander Scott secretaries, was then read.
1t reported that the work among the Sac and
Fox Indians has gone on quietly, though not
without many trying discouragements, yet
through them all the one lone missionary, Miss
Skea, has faithfully toiled and prayed, constant
ly striving to lead those degraded souls to a
higher and better life. Contributions for the
year amount to So, 176.
Mrs. G. o. VanClevc, Of Minneapolis. the old-
est lady of the meeting, and who recently cele-
brated her golden wedding, read the report from
Minnesota. The amount contributed was 81
$50. 80, being a gain over the preceding year OF
ST.. 366. 90. The most valuable donation to the
board from the Minnesota P~resbytery was the
gift of a young life, Miss Fannie Ward. Of Red
Wing. who, in February, went to the scene o.
her life work at Monterey, Mexico. Though the
time was short. everything was done that could
be done to provide necessaries and comforts for
her. and in her ~far-away home she will have
tangible tokens that warm hearts are not con-