The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-22
A Large Attendance Of Delegates from All
Parts of the Northwest, and Notable
Assemblage of Christian Women.
Christian Missionary Work Among the
Benighted People of Foreign Lands.
The Encouraging Progress Made by Self-Sac-
rifcng Workers in Noble Cause-Inter-
esting Accounts of Their Experiences
WELCOMING THE VISITORS.

WELCOMING THE VISITORS.
Large Gathering of Christian Women En-
gagged in Noble Work.
Ate o'clock yesterday morning. in the Second
Presbyterian Church, gathered perhaps the most
remarkable assembly of women this city has
ever known. There were over a thousand
women in the audience-room of the church, Of
whom about five hundred were delegates of the
Presbyterian Board of Missions of the North
vest yesterday being the second days session.
There were few unmarried women, most Of the
audience being matIonly, some elderly. Their
faces were benediction, illuminated with a
glory that comes from the Almighty to those
engaged in a noble. unselfsh work for humanity
The president, Mrs. A. II Hoge, of Chicago.
being. by reason of years and ill-health,
unable to attend, Mrs. Hsrrick johnson,
presided hrs. johnson proved an efficient pre-
siding officer, graceful and ready in speech in
fact, no convention or assembly ever held here
has been more admirably managed. This may
be. and probably is, due to the fact that but lit
tie management is required, the ladies being
wise and methodical observants of order. and
having regard to the value Of time not always
remarked in large assemblies.
The stage was beautifully and deliberately
decorated with flowers and plants, for the most
part furnished from the Conservatives of the
State Hospital for the Insane A large and fra
grant collection of cut flowers. exquisitely
beautiful, was gift from Mr.. R. r. Parker.
A letter was read from Mrs. A. H. Hoge, ex-
pressing her Inability to be present. Sac said
that ''of old. by general consent, woman was ex.
cluded from elevated pursuits and thus became
the victim of many follies; but now the highest
spiritual paths stand open bidding her to enter
and labor for life beyond the grave for herself
and for those hitherto ignorant of its existence
and lisp of the sound which the Lord God
givethq"
Mrs. FL. A. Edison. of this city, then delivered
The following address of welcome:
In the name of 1900 societies, extend a
hearty welcome to the Woman's Presbyterian
Board of Missions of the Northwest. We be-
ptorming party that will yet raiss the standard
,bf the cross over the enemy's walls after the
long siege is over, and we esteem il an honor aud
o privilege to be connected with the grandest
work and the grAndest workers Of
the nineteenth century. In the name of
1900 societies of the Northwest, extend a low
jng welcome to the missionaries. We reverence
your courage and devotion as soldiers
OF the cross, and are glad to sit at your
feet and listen as little children to SCARED vet
Grams, while you tell US of the triumphs of the
cross. We welcome you as You return for need
cd rest We have talked Of you and prayed for
You. while you were at the front; and when you
60 again our prayers and love shall follow you.
& In the name of the Indianapolis Presbyterial
Society l extend cordial welcome to
this annual meeting. We had this goodly
tree for guest here ten years ago. 1t
lbloomed here for two days, and left good seed
that increased, some ten, some thirty,
sixty fold. Our Presbyteral Society was then
little more than an infant of days. 1t has grown
70 be the acknowledged better half' of the In
dianapolis Presbytery. That pastor was not
merely attempting to be humorous who gravely
announced our spring meeting, and added: ''The
gentlemens annex of the Ladies' Presbyterial
Missionary Society will meet at the same time
and place"
! Now we shall look for new growth. Let the
delegates from abroad fill their baskets to take
homes they cannot take 1t all We shall find
good seed springing up ell over our presbytery.
We ind peculiar enrichment in the giving of
bur time, and thought, and money to foreign
omissions We cannot give anything to Christ,
for lie returns our gifts so quickly and so mani
fold. AS with the individual, SO it is with the
nation. When the gospel is sent to the heather
abroad it is sure to be shared with the heather at
home
Those who most fully realize its precious
ness for the neighbor over the seas cannot abide
at But we are afraid that this welcome may
prove to be q ''how do you doq" and
P'good-bye. too" The woman has hidden
p little leaven in good many measures
of meal in the Northwest during these
fifteen faithful years. talent for writing, for
talking. and for presiding has been developed to
p phenomenal degree in the spiritual daughters
of this board. Most of them received their first
Tevelation OF the scope of the ideal wom-
ans sphere from the noble presence and
gifted tongues and pens Of the women who have
presided at these meetings and have ordered the
affairs of the board from year to year, but they
Rre already fast bringing to pass the cherished
desire OF the board, and are making
pf the presbyterial meetings occasions
pr great usefulness. interest and en-
boyment Ah,. the meetings are doing
their work! Under the blessing of God. the
leaven is leavening the lump. One family after
another. Is quietly making provisions for the
And at home. Little by little our Christian
women and children are trying to be like those
ministers Of His" the angels, who are not
content to do His will, but also do His pleas
uren
enthusiasm, not determination to prove our
selves as hospitable as our neighbors; it implies
shat We count it an honor to be allowed to
serve the greatest work of the century
in which we live; that the annual meet
Ing did US lasting good ten years
ago; that the cause for which we shall take coun-
sci OF each other and our Lord Jesus during
these two days always strengthens our hands
and Quickens our zeal for other good works az
well. and that many of us have learned to truly
love you for your own sakes A homesick WON
an. stranger in the city. lately strayed into
church She could hardly restrain her tears as
she thought of the old church where she had sat
for 80 many years; where she knew every face,
avery bonnet and every coat-collar After
the service, as she was swift
~ threading her way through the
crowded aisle to the door, sweetfaced woman
turned and held ont both hands to her, saying
f'My dear sister, don't know who you are, but
how are your That greeting, so gracious and
no timely, made the whole city seem like home
70 the stranger. Dear fellow-hostesses of Indi
annapolis we will not wait for introductions
our own sisters. We will hold ont both hands
and say, my dear sister, don't know just who
you are but am glad TO see you"