The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-05-13
MALL MISSION IN FRANCE
LECTURE BY REV. J. F. LOBA, D. D.,
 LAST EVENING.

The Original Field of McAlrs Missionary
 Enterprise-Soenes in and Around Paris
 Character of French People-Features
 of the Work--American Association's
 Fourteenth Meeting.
 The fourteenth annual meeting of the American McAll association, the regu- lar session of which commences to-day, was informally inaugurated last even ing by a lecture on "The Work in France" by Rev. J. F. Loba, D. D., of Evanston, H.
 The chapel of the United church was well filled in spite of the heavy rain that fell at the time, many of the visit ing delegates being in attendance. The lecture was finely illustrated with ster- eopticon views of scenes in Paris and of the classes of French people, and also of scenes more closely connected with the McAll mission work there.
 The Rev. Dr. J. F. Loba is polished speaker and his interesting and instruc- tive presentation of the work in France, where McAll first began his mission labors, forms fitting frontis- piece for the two days meeting of the association.
 The lecturer was introduced by Judge Livingston w. Cleaveland. He divided his subject up at the outset into three parts-scenes in Paris, the Con- mune in Paris and the McAll mission. Under the first head he showed histori- cal Paris as it was known to McAll when first he began his work, its splen- did buildings, fine streets and boule- wards and magnificent arches and mon- uments.
 Following this were scenes from the period of the Commune, when so many fine buildings were irreparably damag- ed by the French mobs. Speaking more especially of the French people and the work of the missions among them, Dr. Loba said:
 "Of all missionary undertakings the evangelization of city populations is the most difficult. Among the rude people of the Hebrides it Is much the same as teaching children, but in intel ligent historic, cultivated Paris it is far different.
 Paris Is always busy, seldom quiet A couple of hours, from to o'clock in the morning, is the only time when there is anything like quiet. The crowds of Paris are very polite and well behaved, and one can travel all over the city, by night or by day, without licrp11YtnSsV
 ''It is sometimes said that French po- liteness is superficial. This l have not found to be true in my experience. and I believe that their politeness is sincere and genuine The only thing they Will not sacrifice for politeness is money, Tor they are very shrewd business people,
 "The social side of French character is very marked. They are as a race, to a. great degree, devoid of conscience, and their conduct toward their fellow men is regulated by their feelings.
 50 their action toward others is con- trolled by the desire of giving pleasure and avoiding giving pain. They carry on their domestic affairs in public manner so that one can know the fam fly history and life of all his fellow
  is curious to witness in such places the beginning of a family jar and some- times the reconciliation which follows.
 Tt Is sometimes said that French people have no word for home. This is true, but they have a word that means the same to them, and their at tachment to their family is very great. They are intelligent, industrious peo- pie, and of the working classes 1t is difficult to find one who has not made some provision for a rainy day.
 They are extremely patriotic, very proud of France, and look with pity upon a foreigner because he was so un- fortunate as to be from outside of France They are also very suspicious of foreigners.
 "The children are the most inter- esting class In Paris. The street gam ins, among whom we work are very susceptible to kindness and love. I was much surprised at meeting which 1 had addressed, while shaking hands with the children and saying good night, the children had formed in a ring for the purpose of shaking hands again.
 ''It was to such scenes as these that MT. McAll came in August, 1871, with his wife from his home in Hadley, Eng land, for the purpose of spending his vacation of a few days. He brought some tracts with him which he dis tributed. It was while he was thus employed that the suggestion was made to him by Frenchman that he should undertake missionary work in the country.
 This he determined to do, but met with little encouragement at first. lie obtained a hall however, and as the work increased large halls were secur- ed He was a simple, but broad mind ed man, and he endeared himself to the French people.
 He was surrounded with efficient helpers, among others, Miss Beach, noble young lady known to many here. She returned to America to regain her health and assisted in the forma- ton of McAll mission here. She per ished in the Columbus disaster.
 "One of the features of the work is a boat, the Bon Message used for mission work In all places accessible by water in France. It will accom- modate about 300 people and rapidly