Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-25
A BIG MISSION TRUST
Suggested as the Best Solution of
Salvation for Cities, by
A SEMINARY ALLIANCE ORATOR.
Other Subjects Discussed at Yesterdays
Sessions of the Convention.
MANY PERTINENT QUERIES ANSWERED

Though the second day of the American
Inter-Seminary Alliance Convention, like
its predecessor, dawned dark and dreary,
that fact did not interfere with the full at
tendance of ali delegates. The ardor with
which these missionary workers discussed
the ways and means of carrying salvation to
all people served to dispel the gloom and
make the auditors forget the workings of the
! elements outside
Devotional meeting was held at 9 o'clock
in the morning. The first paper. ''The Ma
ture and Demands of the Frontier Work, I"
was read by P. w. Longfellow, of Morgan
| Park. He reviewed, in a bright and inter-
esting manner, mission work in the "Wild
West" "The three elements we have
mostly to contend against" said he. ''are
the rum shop, Sabbath breaking and
the teachings of an antagonistic church."
These obstacles" were reviewed at length,
and the requisites necessary to prosecute the
work mapped out. Discussion of the sub
ject followed, and in turn, the routine work
occupied the attention of the convention.
WORK OF THE AFTERNOON.
session was by T. w. Mccormick on ''Should
Churches and Sabbath Schools Support
Their Own Missionaries The paper
favored all churches, or a combination of
churches supporting missionary in addi-
ton to swelling the regular church mission
ary iund. The discussion that followed was
participated in by Messrs. r. P. Wilder.
Union Seminary; B. w. Marsh, Garrett
r De-
j. L. Marquis, OF Mccormick. The speak
ers all agreed in the main with Mr.. Nc
Cormick.
"City Mission Work" was the subject of
Rev. D. a. Reeds address 1t was bright
and abounded in thoughtful observations
and suggestions. Mission work in the cities,
he said, was not as effective as it should be,
owing to a division of effort among sects and
societies. such as the different church move
ments, the Y. M. c. A, Salvation Army,
etc., etc.
"Forty per cent of the population of cities
is outside of the church. F" said the speaker.
"What we should have is a union move
ment. Denominational lines should be cast
aside, and all Christian workers join in cap
turing the cities for Christ
GENERALIZATION is the sign of the times.
Capitalists combine to obtain better results
and larger profits. Why should not the
Christian workers centralize their efforts to
save sinners? 'Twould be better invest
ment of effort than by present methods Men
want to deal with things in this age in a
business way. 1 would to God Christians
would do it.
HOW IT IS DONE IN NEW YORK.
'"The Episcopalians ofNew York have the
whole city divided into districts ior the pur-
pose of evangelical work, and the plan Is
working we'll. Let there be union move
ment, and let the cities be divided
into districts. Let all Christians,
of whatever creed or movement, join in the
work and save the sinners. Canvass the
cities and reach all classes and races. If
this cannot be lone, use group methods
Divide the work among the churches and
societies. Let the converts 60 to whichever
church they will, but first look after their
souls. And above all, look after the rich
as we'll as the poor. We need the support
of the wealthy. Church people are making
yearly from $500, 900, 900 to $500, 900, 900.
The world must be won and we need the
support of these moneyed men as well as the
mite of the poor. l tell you, we must cut
these millionaires to the heart, and show |
them what grand investment is open to |
them"
After closing his address Rev. DR.. Reed
answered the queries in the question box.
A few are appended, with his answers, in
condensed form:
What is the best plan for house-tohouse visi- |
tation? Must understand human nature.
What should the missionary worker look
after first the poor mans spiritual or temporal
wants? Religion on an empty stomach doesn't
digest well.
What is the first step in the mission work of
city of $1,000 population? Study well the
field and ask the Lord.
WORK IN THE SLUMS.
How can you get hold of street gamins?
Organize boys clubs. They have been estab-
lished throughout New England and have been |
very successful. Found clubs in different Sec
tions Get rooms cheerfully furnished and |
surround the boys with an atmosphere of |
Christianity that will appeal to their natures !
and leave more lasting impression than SER |
How can boys from 10 to 16 years be reachedf |!
The Sunday school teachers should do good |
work. |
Do YOU favor police protection at mission |
meetings? 1t is well, if disorder cannot be |
quelled otherwise, but the Mccall method is |
better A young lady is stationed on the out |
side to pilot people in and distribute tracts, |
and another is inside. If a person attempts |
disorder the young lady inside goes to him and |
asks him to desist. A lady with tact is better |
than policeman.
tants an element of weaknessf Yes, centrali- |
zation is needed.
How about the permanency of city mission |
work? Depends good deal on the character |
of the work.
Can ladies work among the slums success
fully? Ies; they can reach people men cannot |
What one thing most separates the masses |
from the church? intemperance.
How can the young men in cities be induced |
to attend church? Every young man generally |
has friend who is a church member; let the |
church members be true to the cross.
TALKS OF THE EVENING.
The evening session, held in the First |
PRESBYTERIAN Church, was well attended, |
The Rev. DR.. McAllister was the first
speaker. His subject was: 'The National
Bearing OF the Great Commission" The
commission in question was that based on
the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ as
mediator, who said: 60 YOU, therefore,
and preach to all nations" ''This COM
mand, )" he said, "covers national duty, but
as you cannot baptise nation, you
must take it fguratively, and it then
means you must indivIdualize. 1t means
that each must take part in all of the great
national issues. His precepts shall be re-
garded in the national life as we'll as in the
Individual life. There need be DO union of
Church and State, but the ministers should
utter the law and the nation apply the law.
This would bring about a condition oil .af.
fairs that has never been known before, and
a state in the Church that has never been
equaled."
The Rev. George T. Purves followed DR..
McAllister. 'sTo what purpose is this
waste? was the question" DR.. Purves said,
(which is being asked. The question was