The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-01
THE MALL MISSION.
Wonderful Growth of the Movement in France
"A Branch for indianapolis.

Rev. M. Newell and wife, of the McAll Mis-
sion Paris. arrived in the city yesterday after
noon, and are the guests of Rev. Dr. Jenckes
and wife, on North Pennsylvania street. At a
meeting of the congregations of the Presbyte-
rian churches, held in the Tabernacle last night
Mr.. Newell gave byief sketch of the history
and wonderful work of this remarkable evangel-
istic effort. His talk was intensely interesting,
giving to all an accurate idea of the beginning of
the mission, and the marvellous growth it has at
tanned. The work was begun by Mr.
McAll, just after the Commune, fourteen
years ago, and has gone steadily forward
since, blessed by the conversion of many souls.
Mr. McAll was the pastor of Congregational
church in England, with several outlying mis-
sons associated with it, and he had gone to Paris
for short rest from his labors He said ore
day to his wife II can't go back until I have
seen these Socialists and learned something
about them" And so they went, taking with
them, largely from force of habit, few gospel
leaves and tracts. These they distributed among
the frequenters Of the cafes whom they saw on
the streets. One of them, workman. dressed
in ordinary laborers' blouse said: eff you will
come and teach US of your God and His gospel
we shall be glad to hear you. l speak for
many of my associates" These words rang
in Mr.. McAlfs ears for weeks, and finally he
gave up his big church in England, abandoned
his country, and opened poor, cheap room On the
Rue Belevile. into which he invited passers-by
to hear and sing about Jesus. From this small
beginning has been the wonderful increase.
There are now fourteen missions in Paris alone,
where services are held every night. Two of
them are located in the very heart of the giddy
French capital; and while the work was at first
among the poorer and criminal classes it is now
gradually working its way among the educated
and wealthy. In all France there are 100
missions, and the work has gone across
the Mediterranean to Algiers, and Tunis is
demanding laborers for her vineyard. The work
has the assistance of the Protestant churches in
France, many of the pastors and laymen being
enrolled on the list of McAll workers. Fourteen
American cities have organized auxiliary socie-
ties and sustain one or more of the missions
apiece
Mr. Newell said that next to the dense ignor-
ance of the French people on the Bible, the in
tense yearning they exhibit to learn its truths
and teachings was the most remarkable fact
mission workers, and encouraged them
to go forward in their labor of
evangelization There is perfect freedom
in France in regious matters and Republican
ideas are fast taking root in the minds of the
people.
Mr.. Newell was pastor in the city of Brook
lyn but abandoned regular church connection
for the mission work. One of the most marked
manifestations of divine blessing upon the mis-
sion is the fact that workers have been provided
for the new stations as fast as they were estab-
!ished men and women coming from all parts of
the world to Dir. McAll asking to be enrolled in
the work.
On Sunday morning Mr.. Newell will speak in
the First Baptist and Meridianstreet NJ E.
churches and at night address mis-
sion meeting in the Second Pres
byterian Church. On Monday afternoon, from
3 to o'clock, a reception will be rendered him
and his wife at the residence of Hon. j. J.
Cooper, GIG North Pennsylvania stoeet, at
which Annie A. McAll Mission Auxiliary win be
organized. From indianapolis DIR. and Mrs.
Newell go to Chicago, st. Louis, Cincinnati,
and thence East, via Washington, sailing for
France on the Sd of March. They have been in
the country, on the present trip, about month,
and report an extraordinary and unexpected in
terest in the mission wherever they CO.