The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON SYs-
TEMATIC BENEFICENCE.
Condition of the Fund That Is Intend
ed to Wipe Out Debts of the Mis-
sionary Societies.

PITTSBURG, May 22-The first session
Of the commission on systematic Christian
beneffcence of the Baptist Church was
called to order by the chairman. Thomas
b. Barbour, at Gas o'clock this morning.
The first business was the reading of the
report of the secretary, B. F. Dennison, of
Philadelphia The commission was APP
pointed May 10, 1886, and is made up of
members of all the Baptist societies. The
aim is to promote systematic and proper
tionate contributions of money from the
churches and members. Chairman Barbour
stated that the work of the year had been
heavy, but good results had already been
attained.
Unusual interest was felt in the work of
this commission, as it had charge of the
raising of about $3.50, coo necessary to accept
the offer of a like sum made by John d.
Rockefeller to cancel the debt of nearly a
half million dollars now burdening the
missionary societies of the church. The
programme called for ten-minute addresses
by Stephen Greene, the newly-elected pres
dent of the home mission society; Fl.
Kirke Porter of this city, the retiring
president: Rev. DR.. E. l.. Anderson, of
New York; j. S. Dickerson, of Illinois, and
Rev. Dr. ID. D. MacLaurin, of Michigan.
The speakers said that they were all greatly
encouraged by the work already done and
the prospects for the future. Rev. II. G.
Mable, d. D., then read the report of the
money pledged to make available the
gift of $250000 of John D. Rockefeller.
He said some might be disappointed at the
report, but he had strong faith in the fu-
ture. Last December the first step to meet
the great debt was taken. SeVenty-three
thousand converts were baptized during the
four years when this debt was contracted;
At the meeting in December it was settled
that New England could at once raise
$4,000. This was two months before Mr..
Rockefeller made his magnificent offer. Mr..
Rockefeller inquired how much would be
needed to pay the, debts a dde Was tod
100000 and he raised it to $250,000. We must
raise S236, GO in addition to this In add
ton to his gift Mr. Rockefeller gave, on
last Christmas, $4,000 each to two socle-
ties
In the list of contributions thirty-nine
States are represented, and the amounts
named are actually pledged or paid, and
the total is $l99 $500. The amounts come
from the following States Massachusetts,
$52 1851; Maine, $46S6.6O; Connecticut, 81
$780, New Hampshire, $Sl394, making $780,
0S745 of the $4,000 pledged by New Eng
land; New York. $4S944.09; southern New
Jersey, $l489.51; Pennsylvania, SIS, 229. Al;
Delaware 81, 1882; District of Columbia,
$1,025; West Virginia, $l55.S5; Ohio $l2 75S;
Indiana, 81 70S;6S, Michigan 81, COZ So illinois,
sofa, 81, 1915; Iowa, $4o9.S5; ., Neb HI;s
s k5 sSS North an pakot sS'5 &c. south
Dakota, $11760; Wyoming, $45; Colorado,
$240.50; Oklahoma So; Indian Territory, so;
Idaho, $42.93; Montana, sol; Nevada, ~;
Washington. S14051; Oregon, $644.15; British
Columbia $1O5 California; $2oSs Ss 4d Ark kan
cellaneous from offices in Brooklyn and
New York. 81, 100, making total of $780,,
$685. as mentioned. The announcement
was greeted with applause and waving OF
handkerchiefs and the meeting adjourned
for lunch.
The entire afternoon session of the COM
mission on systematic Christian 6enence f1l
was turned over to the Baptist Young Peo-
pies Union of America. After the usual
preliminary praise service an open parl1a-
ment was held on the topic of young people
in missions.