The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-13
Passed Much wreckage.
HEAVILY IN DEBT.
The Board of Foreign Mission Consider
Their Financial Condition. A'"


Z Madison, Wis.,, October 12.-The American
Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions
were chiefly cupied this morning in dis
cussing their embarrassing financial condi-
ton. and finally voted not to devote its
fund of $4,000 to partial liquidation of
the $4,000 debt of the board, but to use it
as previously determined. By an enthu-
siastic Iisngsah hove it was determined not to
band on a single mission under the control
of the board. but establish new ones as
rapidly as circumstances would warrant.
Resolutions were adopted providing for the
appointment of special committee of three
in Chicago, New York and Boston, 10 OBJ
tain contributions from every Congrega-
tional church in America. During the
morning, addresses were made by Rev, DR..
Richards of Philadelphia. DR.. q. D. Davis
of Japan. H. M. Sissell of Minneapolis.
Rev. E. M. Hill of Montreal, presented the
salutarions of the Congregationals OF
Canada. ~
Rev. James Z. Barton, DID, the for
eign secretary Of the American Board,
who was elected to. succeed Rev. N. g.
Clark, DID,. has been associate secretary
with DR.. Clark during portion of the
last year. He was born in Chittenden
Co., VT, Sept. 9TH, 1855. His parents
were of the pioneer Vermont stock of
old families. They belonged to the So
clety of Friends, commonly called Quak-
ers. The early training of the new secre-
tary was among Friends. His parents
were poor. His early life and expert
ences were amid those scenes so familiar
to students of New England history,
struggling for an education when every
condition, except the will to succeed.
seemed againt success. He prepared for
college at Beeman Academy in New
Haven, VT, and taught in the academy
during the course to help meet expenses
He entered Middlebury College in 1887,
graduating in 1881 as salutatorian Of
the class. He paid his way through COL
lege by editorial work, reporting, tutor
ing and writing in the office Of q judge.
After graduation year was spent in
business to close up remaining debts.
He entered Hartford Theological Semi
nary in 1882, graduating in 1885. He
married Miss Flora E. Holmes June.
1885, and was ordained for missionary
service the same month, having been
appointed by the American Board mis-
SlOHatJ W L uTkGy IbW weeks before.
He sailed in September OF that year.
reaching Harpoot in the Eastern Turkey
Mission in the latter part of Noyem her,
He resided there until the summer of
1882, when the complete break down of
Mrs. Barton's health compelled q return
to this country. While in Turkey he
was general missionary. For six years
he was secretary of the mission, and for
about the same time had the care of the
missionary society of the evangelical Ar
menian churches for work in Koordistan.
In 1892 he had in charge translation of
the New Testament into Koordish, a
part of which has been put through the
press. and also preparation of hymn
book in the same language. For some
years he was instructor in the Eastern
Turkey Theological Seminary at Har-
poot, especially in the department of
Biblical Theology. After returning to
America he was elected president OF
Euphrates College, athe alumni of that
institution with large representation
of former pupils have separately urged
and petitioned return to Harpoot to
assume the administration of the college.
The decision of Secretary Barton to ac-
cept the urgent invitation of.the commit
tee of the Board to remain in this
country as secretary, was made aftei
months of consideration, and when the
prospects of ability to return to Turkey
were exceedingly dou btful.
Secretary Barton brings to the office a
direct representation of the missionaries,
such as none of his predecessors could
furnish, because none had been mission
aries. He is welcomed by the entire con.
stltuency of the American Board.