Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-25

| report when we consider the severely
| hard times" through which we have been
| passing. Every congregation In Mary
| land gives 20 foreign missions. The State
| contributing the largest amount IL Ohio.
giving sl0s619S, closely followed by ILL.,
| nols with Ss.Si3T5. Kentucky with ss.loo9s.
and Missouri with s6.6i2s7 Frankfort.
| Ky, leads, with si2l.02. and the Sunday
school of the Central church at Des
| Moines gave sil3. followed closely by
Allegheny Pa. with $iO0Is
The work OF the society consists, con-
tinues the report. not only in preaching
the Gospel to the heather. but In order to
do that best the society has builded hos
pitfalls. and established training schools
and free dispensaries. BY thus reaching
the bodies OF men do we most success
fully reach their souls.
ENLARGEMENT.
in speaking Of the enlargement OF the
work the report says:
THE Disciples OF Christ are growing in
number and In wealth as never before.
We have become a great people. The
good hand Of our God has been upon
us for good. What shall we render to
Him for all His mercies? In no way can
we show our gratitude more acceptahly
than In charging our efforts 10 evan
gcliZe the world. We are called upon 10
80 up and possess tho land. We are well
able TO do this. We must do Il II we would
conserve and increase what we have gain
ed. We cannot hold fast the truth we
have. IL we do not seek TO publish Il
abroad. There is that scattereth. and yet
increaseth; and there IS that withholdeth
more than is meet and IL tendeth to
poverty. In the coming year two things
ought TO be kept steadfastly in mind
We must strive TO increase the number
Of givers. ana to secure larger offerings.
81.
cations OF Disciples IN the United States
Last year one in four responded to our
calls for financial aid. The standard OF
giving can and should be raised. For n
people a million strong 10000 for work
in the regions beyond IS small sum
Twice that amount would not represent
the measure OF our prosperity. Yet that
modest sum has not been raised in any
year II IL patent TO all who have eyes
to soc that God has blessed us in our
home work as our sympathies have en-
braced the world. Churches and lndvidu-
ais have been blessed in the proportion
In which they have sought TO bear the
Gospel to all the ends of the earth. Even
in these hard times there should be no
stinting here. The men whom we have
placed in the forefront Of the battle must
not be left unsupported. Let the words
Of Scripture be borne in mind: God is
able to make all grace abound unto you,
that We. having always all suficlency in
everything. may abound unto every good
work."
a STRONG ADDRESS.
After the reading Of the report and some
earnest words by the president. a strong
missionary address on the GLORY Of the
Missionary Character" was delivered by
w. J. I.hamon. Of Canada. and was well
received by the large and interested audi
ence.
ON the left Of the platform was n large
map Of China. at the top Of which was
printed these pathetic words: "a Million
a Month In China Are Dying Without
Cod" Suspended beneath the organ was
a map Of the world, showing the progress
Of mission work, and on the right was a
statistical map showing the increase by
States Of the churches which We're con-
tributing 10 foreien-miss!on work
The constant attendance upon the
sittings Of the convention during the five
or six days has been very encouraging to
the denomination. MS showing the in
domitabc zeal and absolute conservation
Of the delegates. who have come from
all parts Of the country to do the work
Of their common Master.
The Evening Session.
The convention reas1embled at 7:30 p.
especially attractive. Rev. a. L. cobb and
Rev. l. j. Spencer were the speakers Of
the evening The former is one Of the
most eloquent and successful ministers In
the Christian Church, and the latter IS
a great faVOrite in Richmond lie lived
here for number Of years. editing the
Missionary Weekly, and preaching Tor
churches IN this vicinity. II will be re-
membcred that he held a revival at the
L B. OH
in which there were more than hundred
additions.
The devotional exercises were led by
Rev. H. King Pendleton. of Pittsburg,
and the convention greatly enjoyed a
solo by Captain Frank Cunningham.
The first address was by Mr.. y. T.
cobb. upon Missions and the Con-
science" 1t was a forcible and practical
talk. intending 10 touch the conSciences
Of the members Of the convention TO the
quick over the subject Of making larger
offerings for missions.
MR.. SPENCER'S ADDRESS.
After the convention had sung 1.-THE
Morning Light Is Breaking" Rev !. j.
Spencer was introduced. His subject was:
"'Thcrc Is a Difference Between the Con-
science and the Heart TO illustrate THIS
he told a story of the dedication Of
church. \ rich brother had given nothing
AT the morning service, and the preacher
determined to reach him at night. lie
made him cry but got but little money.
Paul used the text upon the occasion
when he said: IF We be beside ourselves,
1t is into the Lord"
Love. said Mr.. Spencer. Is the diVinest
Of motives. The life Of Paul Is an illustra-
ton Of the power Of this motive. He was
willing to spend. and he spent. God SAID
Paul was a chosen vessel, To pear his
name before the Gentiles.
Il thank God" exclaimed the speaker
chat Paul was caused to suffer for
Christ. II keeps us from complaining
When we suffer We send Tor our
fri,nd-." So Christ put His burdens on
paul. and stil places them upon those
lie loves The world needs more suffer-
ing. The Golden Kule is not, do unto
others as YOU would reasonably expect
them to do unto you" but the new com
mandmcnt that Christ gave to Ills
disciples. THAT YOU love one an
other as have loved you" or. as Paul
said: In honor preferrinS one announcer
CONSTRAINT OF LOVE.
Mr. Spencer called attention TO the con-
straint Of love, which is the only con-
etraiut that the Christian needs. Better
is the man who marches under the pan
ucr Of love than the one VINO Is lorceu
,o 10. Salvation in Jesus is like river
flowing for the good 1t can do. 1t turns
the wheels Of the factories and bears the
commerce Of the world. Children are
afraid Of the current. They venture out
and al last sail away To some distant
land 10 carry the Gospel. People at flrst
think they are crazy. but at last praise
and honor them.
Mr.. Spencer spoke Of the constraining
pa,yer Of Christs love in individual
lives. Africa he said, is not far of, ana
Madagascar only little farther. BISHOP
Patterson went 70 Polynesia and was KILL
"a by the clubs of those he died to
saye. Bishop Harrington went to Africa
and was dragged by ruifians, and before
he died sang. safe in the Arms OF
Jesus." and said. God. l love Thee
Albert Sturgis, who served for thirty
three years as missionary Of the Ameri-
can Board after being stricken with
rsralysis said. IF had power to come
hack from Heaven would come. that
l might teach these poor heather Of their
~ Is our privilege" Mr.. Spencer con-
cluded. "to suffer for Christi lay down
our lives for Him now. May God bless
us and teach US TO do our duty.