The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-03
DOING A GREAT WORK
STATISTICS OF THE CONGREGATION
AL HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Report for Indiana Submitted by the
Rev. e. ID. Curtis. D.D.-Other Re-
Iigious Gatherings.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, June 2.-The seven
tieth anniversary of the Congregational
Home Missionary Society and its three asso-
cate societies. the Educational Society, the
Churcn-building Society and the Sunday
school Publishing Society, began last evening
with meeting of secretaries and superin-
tendents. The number of missionary labor
ers in the service of the society the last
year. together with those engaged in su-
perntending the work, is 2.08S OF these
1.345 were in commission at the date OF the
last report, and 693 have since been ap-
pointed. The number Of congregations and
missionary districts which have been fully
supplied. and where the gospel has been
preached at stated intervals, is 4110. The
number of those who have preached in for
e!gn languages is 20S The number of SUM-
day-school and Bible class scholars is not
far from 1Ss,34s. The organization Of 241 new
schools is reported, and the number under
the special care of missionaries is 2,4S3. The
additions to the churches, as nearly as can
be ascertained, have been 12.1Ss, namely g.
153 on Confession of Faith and 1886 by let
ters from other churches. One hundred and
twenty-three churches have been organized
In connection with the labors of the mis-
sionaries within the year, and twenty-four
have assumed the entire support Of their
own gospel ordinances. Ninety-six houses
of worship have been completed and l62 ma
terially repaired or improved. Three chap
els are reported as having been built within
the year. and sixty-nine parsonages have
been provided.
The society began the year with net debt
OF s132 140.O5. The receipts OF the national
society during the year from contributions.
legacies and other sources were S5SS.6o6.SS
and the auxiliaries raised and expended on
their own fields $2s9 14l.62, making the total
income for the year dncluding sll.O7o4s
of the year, s7Ss,sls.sS. The expenditures of
and expenses during the year have been
$46O. 1874, and the auxiliaries have expend-
ed s239. 90 on their various fields, making
the total expenditures for the work Qnclud-
ing SS,5233S cash in hand for drafts payable
at the end OF the year) s7oS.S7S.74. Tne. net
debt Of the society & at - the s elose n OF the fiscal
The report for Indiana was made by the
Rev. E. D. Curtis. d. d.. Indianapolis, State
wpsn the year we're ss S Supernend
ent Curtis reports: Twenty-nine missionaries
have been employed whole or part of the
year, supplying thirtyfour churches and
ssven out-stations, and performing over
twenty-five years OF labor. Thirty-seven
Sunday schecs s report an
and four additional centers OF work formed.
The year has been one Of unusual activity in
number OF churches having been engaged in
the work OF building or general repairs 'It
is gratifying the report says ITO note the
prosperity which has attended Plymouth
| Church, Fort Wayne, during the five years
ending June IL. 1895. in which 1t has been
aided. Commencing with less than neshun-
dred members, and with the only property a
small frame church standing upon leased
lot in the western part OF the city, the
| church. after five years. assumed self-sup-
| port, having meantime secured a central
| property costing some $4,000, largely paid for
| II, and now, with 400 members and one Of the
| city, is going forward To win new conquests
| for the Master Already il has become the
mother of new and vigorous offshoo., the
| South Church. which has fine field, con-
| venient edifice. and over which Rev. Ezra E.
Frame was installed Oct. as missionary
| pastor.
| the society has not assumed the support of
| an evangelist. The churches have held pro-
| tracted services and the pastors have gen.
| orally helped each ether during special sea-
| Church. which has occupied in much feeble
ness a peculiarly hard and sterile field. was
| visited during the winter with powerful re-
| vival. The reformation extended to many
| and inaugurated an era OF faithful Bible
| study, with profound reverence for It's teach
| ings and spirit. Forty-one were added to the
| church. more than doubling its membership.
| the vicinity, and under the faithful preaching
| OF the pastor, Rev. Claude +. Grove one of
| the young men Of the jamestown Church
| gave himself TO the gospel ministry, for
| which he is now preparing. The churches A I
| Fort Wayne were blest by union services
| held under DR.. Chapman, Plymouth Church
adding loy TO ner membership during the
| have received considerable accessions in
! their regular work, admissions taking rIace
| at nearly every regular communion season..