Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-11
AMERICAN BOARD.
Foreign Secretary Reports
Progress in Work,
Higher Glasses in India Being
Reached as Never Before.
Expenditures That Hsvs Been Made and
Amounts Received.

MApISoN, WIS Oct. l0.--The annual
survey of the work of the American board,
lS93-9t by the retiring foreign secretary,
Rev. n. q. Clark, ID. ID was presented ut
the opening session in the afternoon. 1t
said;
II is with great satisfaction that We are
permitted TO report marked progress in the
missionary work at nearly every point in
the great missionary field. There have
been hindrances from unfriendly govern
ments, but none such as TO seriously inlure
the work save the damage 20 our high
schools ami colleges in the Turkish Empire.
Thoughtful observers at home and abroad
are impressed with the changes evidently
going on in the popular mind preparing
India for the reception of the gospel. This
change hiss thus far made itself felt moro
strongly in some of the missions of other
boards than in those connected with the
American board. Ii would seem that the
higher classes are being reached as never
before. Many of the young men educated
in the higher schools and colleges are or
ganizng into societies which practically re-
ect idDlstry and are accepting thtism. IL
is recognition of the fact that the old
superstitions and the idolairy connected
with them no longer suffice for thinking
minds. The same thought is more or less
recognized by the common people, and
many villages are rcuounCing their idolatry
and begging for Christian instruction. The
one great want of lndiq at this time Is ma
tive agency, well trained in the gospel, and
means TO support them in making il known
TO these waiting muliiludes.
Never before have so many villages bpen
reported as applying 10 the missionaries
for instruction in the gospel, and never
before have missionaries been SO much
tried on account OF their inability TO im-
prove the remarkable opportunities pre-
sented TO them.
Reference was made to the work of Rev.
S. V. Karmsrker, who at the Montreal
Endeayor Convention in 1898, made re-
mark which nearly caused riot
The report said One new enterprise
may properly be referred to-that of Rev.
s. V. Karmarker and wife, who after
some years in this country have returned
to take chsrge OF what is practically sta
ton at Bassein, IN India. Mrs. Karmarker
has had course in medicine and returns
in the hope of large influence in the prac-
tice of her profession. Mr.. Karmarker,
has had experience already as native agent,
ard returns with fresh courage and hope.
after completing in this country a course
of study of special value in its reference
to the future.
In the Madura mission, one very strik-
ing feature is the fact that the additions to
the churches come from thirty different
casts, showing wide prevalence of the
gospel, aud giving the greatest promise of
reaching the entire population at an early
date. The fact that there are now over =,
600 communicates scattered throughout the
entire population Of about 2 900 600 shows
a preparation for evangelza'iou that may
well promp to enlarge and vigorous effort in
behalf of this people. Through the special
efforts of the Misses Llitch formerly of the
Cey lon mission, the medical work has been
put on good basis and thoroughly com
petent ply sicans secured TO have charge of
it, not only in connection with the mission
OF the board but also for an English society
with which the Misses Leitch are connected.
This mission has been exposed TO peculiar
trials and difficulties from an;i-evangelical
agencies such as have beset no other mis-
sion of the board. NJ field has presented
such a conflict between the opposing forces
of truth and error. II is believed, however,
that the worst is past and that the sitting
process through which the churches are
passing will be wholesome in the end. TAX
ing into view the peculiar circumstances Of
this field, 1t il much that GO new members
have been added to the churches during the
year, that the Christian university, known
as the Dosbl-ba, and the college for women
and other educational institutions, including
a training school for women and kindergar-
ten for the children, have been so well sus-
tanned. The war that is now raging between
China and Japan cannot OF course, fail to
distract the popular mind and absorb general
interest; but, if it should end in securing to
Japan her true place among the civilized
nations of the world and the recognition Of
just treaty rights the gain to Christian civil
ization may far outweigh all present losses,
and a brighter future for the gospel be
opened to Japan.
The annual survey by Rev. Secretary
in ison Smith, ID. D., was presented. Sec
retary Smith has charge of ~ missions,
those in Micronesia and the Hawaiian
Islands, four in the Chinese Empire, three
in Africa and three in Asiatic Turkey. In
these fields, embracing highly civilized
peoples on the one hand, and peoples of the
simplest manners and development on the
ether, 3il missionaries are employed, of
whom 80 have gone out this year for the
first time. The native agency numbers
II 600, pastors, preachers, teachers and
other helpers, and at least sixty millions of
souls are accessible to Christian instruction.
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