Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-04-26
A silver Anniversary.

On q very stormy day In March, 1869,
eight Methodist women met in fremont
street Methodist Episcopal church in the
city of Boston to organize society for the
sole purpose of sending the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ to heather women and
girls who, on account of caste, customs
and habits, could be reached in no other
way than by the presence and sympathy
of Christian women.
Two of the eight were returned mission
aries from India, whose hearts were on
fire with love for their ignorant, supersti-
tious, imprisoned sisters across the sea.
They had long been praying that by some
means, deliverance and hope through the
t'glad tidings of great Joy promised to all
people," might be borne to their desolate,
despairing hearts, and especially to these
two this new channel of help for these long
neglected millions, was like another prom
iae of peace and good will of light and life.
Two young unmarried women were sent
to India by this new society that same year
one of them, Miss DR.. Clara Swain, the
frst medical lady ever sent to Asia, and
the other teacher, the sister of Bishop
Thoburn of missionary fame for many
years. These two ladies are still mission
aries in the field of their choice. carrying
comfort and healing for body and souli into
cheerless zenanas and the brightness and
peace of the knowledge of God and His
wonderful works into many q dreary life.
They have welcomed scores of other Ia
borers to share with them the hardships,
cares and toll as we'll as the joy and reward
of winning souls and training them for
heaven, while many others called to other
|. fields have been sent out by the society,
until on this twenty fifth anniversary year
of our existence we have one hundred and
forty-6ve consecrated young women ''tsll-
ing the story of Jesus and His love" In In
| dia, China, Japan, Oores, Mexico, South
America, Bulgaria, Italy and Mslasis.
Oar real estate In all these countries In
hospitals, dispensaries, homes, school
buildings, dormitories, etc., ia estimated at
more than $500, 600.
been educated, and are in active service
for the Master, as wives of native preach
| ers, Bible readers, teachers, evsngelista
and helpers, and last year one thousand
women were baptized In q single district
of North India conference through the
lsbors of these native workers alone, there
being no foreign missionaries in the entire
territory.
In reviewing the work done by the soci-
ETY. during tho quarter of century just
closed, successes almost without parallel
arrest the thought and inspire the hearts
OF Methodist women from the Atlantic to
| the Pacific with profound gratitude for
all the way in which they have been led
and for the marvellous changes Christian
| fly has wrought through these labors in the
improved condition of multitudes of the
daughters of heathenism, a. we'll 90 in the
reception and welcome given to gospel
truth and general education of women In
heather lands.
Other woman's boards have labored side
by side with these workers, both in the
home and foreign fields, and are to. day
sharing with them in these grand results
and in the s'embsrrasslnents of q success
| as we'll, whose demands cannot be met, for
lack of funds.
The $312, 600 appropriated this year by
the Womsn's Foreign Missionary society
for the Methodist Episcopal church Ia only
three-fourths of the amount asked for, far
the work already established, to say moth
ing of ''open doors" on every hand.
In view of this fact, and another more
impressive still, that through these open
doors comes 1000 of hungry, starving
souin tuo pteduluB Cry IoE inc DEehu Oh
life, 1t lie fitting that women of Methodism
everywhere, in humble recognition of the
increasing claims of that gospel which
"maketh us to differ, /" and Of the glorious
privilege Of being co-workers with God in
such a grand work, should celebrate this
silver anniversary by some substantial
token expressive Of thanksgiving and
praise to Him who hath by His blessing,
and the help of the holy Spirit, so signally
prospered the work in every field and at
every station.
For this purpose, public services are be-
ing held under the auspices of the society
throughout the country.
at Trinity II. E. church in this city,
such service wac held last Sunday even
ing, when Mrs. DR.. Baldwin, for twenty
years missionary in Foochow, China, and
now president Of New York branch, after
looking backward and recounting briefly
'swhat God had wrought" and forward to
the promising outlook for the future, made
q strong appeal for heather women and for
generous gifts in their behalf.
Aud at the East Pearl street church at
the came hour Miss Oushman, also re-