The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-08
CHRISTIAN CHURCH SOCIETIES.
Discourse by Rev. E. j. Gantz on Their Work
and Their Needs.

Discourse by Rev. E. j. Gantz on Their Work
and Their Needs.
The attendance at the services at Central
large. Rev. Gantz had for his subject "Our
Organizatons-Their Work and Needs" He
took for his text
And as Esaias said before, except the Lord of Sab
aoth had left seed we had been as Sodoma and
been made like unto Gomorrah.-Romans tx, 30.
The work of the organizations of the church.
he said. had become of as much Importance as
that of the ministry. The minister directs, but
the responsibility of carrying out the great
work Of Christianity rests almost wholly
with the church organizations. There has
been a wonderful growth among all these or
CARNATIONS in the past few years, and great
development in efficiency. The late conventions
of the organizations of the Christian Church
held recently in Kansas City. revealed a much
grander work in progress than any had antici-
pated Perhaps the most important auxiliary
to the church is the Woman's Christian Board
of Missions. The annual report to the general
treasurer for the year ending Sept. 30 showed
a balance on hand at the end of last year of
$2,64S. 49, receipts for the current year, $18.-
2S3 63 The total disbursements for the year
were $40, 932 AZ There is general
fund on hand of SIG, LOG. A, and
an endowment fund of 50. 600. The balance in
the treasury at present is 81 225 49, Last years
contributions camo from thirty-three States and
territories. The report shows a great increase
over last year. This society was ORGANIZED in
1875, and for the first several years existed with
much difficulty. The contributions from all the
STATES in the first year amounted to only 81, 169
but every year from the beginning there has
been a steady increase The total re-
ceipts since the organization has been in
existence are $93 56S94. Indiana has sixty-fve
societies, with 1900 members, showing a net
gain of five societies during the year. The re-
port of the officers Of the Foreign Christian Mis-
sionary Society showed receipts for the year
amounting to So, $3.50 06. OF this sum $50. 779 GO
was received from requests. The increase
of the society's income during the
year was $5,15324 The monthly expenses
are $4,000 When we consider /" said Mr. CAN'T.
that the world is their field, this is truly small
sum- Something must be done to arouse more
general interest in the work. The missions in
China Japan, and Italy are growing every day,
and their needs keep pace with their develop
ment Every congregation in the State ought
to take a deep interest in the work of this society
Indiana is represented in the foreign field in the
person Of Geo. T. Smith, native of our State
With him in the work in Japan are Messrs.
johnson and Harrison, of Madison Ind. The
General Christian Missionary Society is now sus-
tanning thirty-two men in the general field. =
This association looks after the rapidly growing
interest in the South and West, principally, and
should have the sympathy and support of all
Christian people. The great need of all our So
cieties is more earnest workers Too many good