Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-27
HOME MISSIONARY LABORS.
What Has Been Accomplished By Presby-
terians the Past Year.
RENEWED ACTIVITY EARNESTLY URGED.
Proceedings of the American Baptist
Union at Cincinnati Financial
Condition of the Vari-
Gus Bodies.

DETROIT, Mich, May 26-In the morning
session of the Presbyterian general assembly
the salary Of the secretary of correspondence
was fixed at 81, 500 year. a committee Of
five was then appointed to consider the COP
stitutionality of the action proposed, to
report to this assembly at their earliest
convenience. The standing committee
on the board Of home missions
reported through DIR. Raymond of AL
oany. He thought the church neeued a
great missionary awakening rhe speaker
gave glance at northwest New EE gland
and at otter divisions, especially emphasizing
the need of the foreign population. The re.
port shows total receipts for the year of over
S9Ss,O0O. One hundred and thirty-five
churches were built during the year at a cost
OF 81, 500 and church deots were paid to the
amount of Sl44,O00. The membership in the
churches increased until their total
reached $4,000; total in the Sun
day schools; l7S,OOo. The year
closed with debts amounting to s9s,00O
which were caused by falling Oft in lega-
cies. Great progress in the work of evan.
gelization was reported from all over the
country and the need of more workers was
evident, especially In the newly settled por-
tions OF the west. III the new mine and stock
raising states OF Montana and Idaho there
were great inducements for good workers,
and in the swiftly growing towns Of
Washington there was an imperative
need for more men In Utah, Wyoming aud
Colorado there had been good progress. In
New Mexico there were opportunities to reap
large harvests. In all but four southern
States-South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi
and Louisiana-tne board has missionaries
Considerable progress had been made among
tie Mexican and Indians and Mormons.
Recommendations were made In connection
with the overture asking that each presby-
invited select iplppatn5
constitute special committee on home mis-
sions within the bounds of each pres bytery,
also urging the board TO push Sabbath work
among the foreign populations.
Inc moderator announced the instantane-
Gus death of Prot Vandyke of Brooklyn, who
had lust resigned mis- pastorate to take the
chair OF systematic theology in Union theo-
logical seminary A telegram of coincidence
10 the widow was voted.
Dr. Mcmillan, the new secretary OF the
board OF home missions, spoke at some
length OF the work of the board In the west.
He gave vivid picture of the difficulties of
getting hearing for the gospel in some of
the new towns during their booming period,
when Sunday was BY far the busiest day in
the week. In the west nowadays
there is almost nothing of the old
time rivalry between denominations
He said the Indian Is very accessible
to the gospel and work among them is very
hopeful Had we spent 10 per cent of what
II,
there would have been no ghost dance. He
told OF the great progress made in New Mex
leo among the Spanish Americans. He con.
Guided by say ing this work should not De let
go by default for lack of money.
Elder Van Reusselar of New York said in
regard to the recommendation to raise 81 ,O9o.-
600: "What is the use of pledging
ourselves 10 raise this money if
we don't do itl 1t is mockery unless
we can reach contributing churches.
a In AanA Tt ~, 60. q
the ministers. They read the notice in a
tremulous voice. out don't preach and in
form the people about it.n
Rev. Thomas Boyd of Oregon told how they
raised money there. He said there were l52
home mission churches that have paid their
share of the great debt.
James Lewis, ID. D., of Illinois spoke Of
the aspects of the work in the central part of
the country. He thought the amount voted
not an absolute pledge, but mark to be ar
rived at.
The recommendations of the report were
tnen taken up seriatum.
Rev. Adolphus Krebs of St. Louis urged
provision for two German seminaries. The
Germans were tired of resolutions that were
not acted upon. Recess until l 80 p. m.
AT the opening of the afternoon session
after the assignment of correspondence with
other ecclesiastical bodies to the first holr
tomorrow. Colonel Eliot +. Shepard of New
York read the report of the committee on the
observance Of the Sabbath. The report was
accepted and the recommendations adopted
The standing committee of the boara Of aid
to colleges reported through Rev. DIR. Hayes
OF California. DR.. Cans secretary of the
board, gave q statement as TO the need of its
work. 1t aids colleges and acadamies organ
lied before the year. when the board was
established, as well as twelve colleges ana
sixteen academies founded since that
date. The aided institutions have g. l73, 27s
worth OF property, 3,35S students, thirty
three OF them in the college course, 236 in
classical study. There are |, IA church men,
bers, 800 in systematic bible study having
the ministry in view. The amount received
during the year was sl0l, 19O S94 The report
was accepted and its recommendations were
adopted.
The special committee on the board Of pub
lication through Judge Hand of Scranton
Pa, stated the reason for approving the re.
port made this session. Judge Hand ad-
dressed the assembly at great length on the
subject and management of the board and de-
Tended 1t warmly.
Rev. Simmons, the fighting elder, is chair
man OF the special committee appointed in
1884. The report of this committee drew
strong opposition at Saratoga last year sew.
eral heated discussions arising between the
committee and friends Of the board The
assembly had heard these grave charges
against the competency of the business com
mittee Offset by rebutting statements
and by charges of untitness by injustice and
Misrepresentation and this made state of
things upon which the assembly could not
wisely act without further light and ap-
pointed Judge Hands committee of four 10
consider the whole question and report their
finding Of facts TO the assembly of 1891.
In Mr. Simmons address he disavows all
intention TO insinuate or charge crookedncss
or dis honesty agains the board, its business
committee or any OF rs employees. His re-
port was directed against their trying to man.
age business involving a great mass OF
details for which they have not the neces-
sary knowledge or training.
Pending further discussion the hour for
adjournment left the matter unsettled. MIR
Simmons is contident that il the rest of ms
recommendations are adopted saving of al
least $4,000 annually will be affected,
Reformed Presbyterians.