The Portland daily press., 1895-05-20
THE GOSPEL MISSION.
The 18th Anniversary Celebrated at
City Hall.

Inc 1Gh Anniversary Celebrated al
City Hall.
What Has Been Done During the Past
Year-Rev. Mr.. Pearson Asks for Bet
| ter Support.
The 18th anniversary of the organi.
zation of the Gospel Mission was OBJ.
served at City Hall last evening. Nearly
1000 were present and listened to the
exercises. Working for Jesus" was
given by the choir. Mr.. Pearson then
read selections from scripture and off
cred prayer. Clarence CT Brooks sang
"Palm Branches" followed by congre-
gational singing of "I've found a friend
in Jesus"
Mr.. Pearson then read his annual re-
port as follows:
The annual report shows total receipts
of 2,S48.12, of which $475.59 was re-
ceived in the mission; $50 from
mem bership cards; 81, l,156. 20 from collec-
tions and subscriptions; S7s5 from loans
made of Annie Baker, N. G. Davis,
Traders Bank and L. D. Austin, and
from miscellaneous sources.
The expenditures have been So, s4s. IL,
of which $685. went to pay notes; 1925. As
on Mr.. Pearson's salary last yeal; S439
rent and repairs on hall; $3.50. 81 for
charity; and various smaller items in
cldental to running the mission.
The mission owes $3.50, of which $1,000
is due Mr.. Pearson for salary, S210 note
of l.. D. Austin, ana $500 Traders
Bank.
Five hundred and twenty-seven SER
vices have been held at the Mission this
year, the attendance has always been
turned away for want of room. AS a
direct result of these meetings, three
hundred and twenty-five have come for
ward to the altar for prayers, thus ex-
pressing their desire to commence a
Christian life.
A series of special revival meetings
were held in the winter, at which the
New Orleans Jubilee Singers assisted.
These services were blessed with great
success, the attendance being very large,
and much interest being shown during
the whole season. One evening it was
estimated that a Thousand people were
turned away from the Goor, being un-
able to gain admittance. Many converts
were secured, during just ona day the
mum ber coming forward for prayers was
sixty seven. Later in the season union
revival services were held at the Mission,
which met with the same good success.
Prayers have often been held at the
homes of those who were sick and unable
to attend church service; in this way we
have carried the gospel to many who
would not hear 1t in any other way.
We have had ministers from different
churches and many other able speakers
to address the people at several of these
services.
Our Christian End eavor Society has
been very prosperous in its work among
the young people this year.
Early in the season owing to the in
creasing mum bers of young people in the
Mission, it was thought best to organ
ize Junior Christian Endeavor Society,
which has met with success far beyond
Cur expectations.
We find much to encourage US in our
work for the temperance cause; three
hundred and forty-seven names have
been added to our pledge, and we know
that, whereas many of these were once
classed with the worst drunkards. to-day
they are standing firm and steadfast to
their vows. Oftentimes those who are
not able by their own strength to resist
this appetite for drink. have in their
weakness come to US for help.
The Children's Temperance Meatings
and Entertainments have, as usual, been
very entertaining and interesting; the
attendance has always been good, and
much enjoyment and benefit is given to
the little ones in this way.
VISITS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pearson fhave made one
thousand six hundred and fourteen visits
among the neglected, destitute, sick and
suffering of this city. To such they have
carried whatever relief was needed, thus
giving help and comfort to many dark
ened homes. Theilong cold season, the
depression in business, ana the want of
employment on the part OF many have
made the demands upon our limited re-
sources unusually large and trying.
Many for the first time have been
| obliged to ask for aid to help them dur
| ing this hard season. Little do some
realize what terrible poverty and desti-
EMPLOYMENT.
We have secured employment for two
hundred and eighteen persons during the
year. This branch of our work was first
started simply to aid the girls in the
mission who were seeking employment,
but others soon came to us and sent their
friends, until now we have every day
many applications from those searching
for work and also from those desiring to
find help.
FUNERALS AND MARRIAGES.
Thirty-two funeral services have been
conducted by Mr.. Pearson. in many
cases entire charge of all the arrange
ments being taken, and where destitu-
tion and poverty has been found. every
thing needed has been provided, even a
las resting place in our Mission lot at
Forest City Cemetery.
| Rev. S. F. Pearson has united in mar
riage twenty couples during the past