Smyrna times., 1888-06-13
The Work of Rev. VIM. B. Gordon
in Mexico.

O'SANC- IL @SCAeAN NaAC VIII UG luItIESIGU
in the following Report of the Advis-
Ory Committee for Church Work in
Mexico:
New YORK, April 81, 1888.
To tie Reverend Henry C. Potter, D. D.,
LID, Bishop Of Ne,O York:
RT. REV, AND DEAR SIR:
The Advisory Committee for Church
work in Mexico, appointed by you,
herewith respectfully submits finan-
cial statement of the amount received
and disbursed for year ending April l,
1888.
The figures of this report of our
Treasurer speak for themselves and
are very encouraging.
1t is beyond the province of this
Committee to give a detailed statement
of the work that the Rev. Mr.. Gordon
is doing in Mexico, for he is laboring
under the supervision of the Presiding
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal
Church of the United States, and under
appointment by the Board of Managers;
but as far as regards the financial
aspect of the work, we desired to report
to you that, in our opinion, he has
proved himself a wise and economical
administrator of the funds committee
to him, and that he has judiciously
given help where help has seemed to
be needed.
The place which Mr.. Gordon has
occupied is no easy one to fill. There
are many men of many minds to whom
this Reform movement in Mexico is of
great interest; the various cOngrega-
tions are weak and scattered, and the
difficulties that surround the work are
increased by national prejudices and
by the absence among the Mexicans
themselves of any wise and recognized
head. The people are earnest, relig
iOus and well-meaning; but they are
impulsive and half-educated, and are
apt to follow one leader to-day and
another tomorrow.
Mr.. GOrdOn's work was to bring or
der out of this chaos; and, as far as we
can judge, he has gained the respect
and confidence of all who are under
his charge. He has had 20 congrega-
tions, comprising about $500 individ-
iduals, to watch and care for Twelve
of these are in the State of Morelos,
nine in Hidalgo, three in Puebla, four
in the valley of Mexico, and one in
the capital. He has not only visited
these in person, but he has been to
some mission stations which have
never been visited before by anyone
connected with our Church, and which
are situated in parts of Mexico where
it is dangerous to travel alone.
Five Mexican clergymen, The Rev.
Messrs. Carrion, Hernandez, Busta-
mente, Lopez, and Rodriguez all of
whom are in full sympany and accord
with Mr.. Gordon, are holding regular
services in many of these places, and
their efforts are supplemented by those
of Messrs. Torres, Romero, Cacique:
and other lay-readers.
During the past year, chapel and
clergy house have been bought at
Cuernavaca, where Mr.. Carrion and
his assistant reside Another chapel
has been built at San FrancisquitO,
chiefly through the efforts of the peo-
pie themselves; and at Amecameca,
money has been judiciously expended
upon third chapel, to encourage the
congregation who needed a more suit
able place of worship.
At the latter place there is self
supporting school for boys and girls
under the charge of the Rev. ElegiO
Lopez.
In addition to these, stone chapel,
a view of which was lately given in the
Churchman, has been bnilt by Senior
Guerrero at the Hacienda of Quaxittie
for the people there; and connected
with this there is a girls school which
numbers at present thirty-One members.
The congregation in the City of Mex
leo is under the charge of the Rev. Mr..
Rodriguez and Mr.. Torres, a lay-reader;
and it is wOrshipping in a large hall
that opens directly on one of the prin-
cipal street of the city.
One of the most important works in
Mexico is the Girls Orphanage, under
the charge:Of Mrs. Hooker and her
assistants. This school, in which there
are now sixty-six scholars, ranging from
six to twenty years of age, has been an
incalculable benefit, Mr.. Gordon re-
ports, to the girls ofMexico, physically,
mentally, morally and spiritually.
Mrs. Hooker herself never has re-
ceived any salary, and her valuable
work ought to be fully sustained.
Mr.. Gordon describes the mission
ary outlook in Mexico as everywhere
full of opportunities, which he cannot
make use of on account Ofwant of funds.
And it is our belief that he has earned
the confidence ofthOse interested in the
Church work in Mexico; and that he
should receive generous support from
the Church at home.
HENRY V. SATTERLEE,
GEO. Y. GRAY,
ALEXANDER II. RICE,
GEO. WILLIAMSON SMITH,
]. H. ECCLEsTCN,
G. STUART PATTERSON,
EDWARDS PIERREPONT,
VIM. G. BOULTON,
Advisory Committee.