Evening star., 1897-05-12
SPREAD Of THE GOSPEL:
Christian Workers Meet to Arrange Sum-
m@ Program.
Rev. Z. d. Bailey Discusses the Situa:
tion-says Vice saa InAorslaty
Are on the lncreaso.

In pursuance Of Invitations sent to all
the religious bodies Of this city. represen-
tatives from the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, Central Union Mission and
many other organizations were present at
a meeting held last evening at the Central
Union Mission to devise plans for conduc1-
ing an aggressive campaign during the en-
suing months, previous to the advent Of
severe weather, when outdoor mission
work is practically impossible.
Rev. DR.. A. H. Ames Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church presided, and Mr. A. L.
Swartwout Of the Central Union Mission
was secretary.
Mr. Bailey's Comment.
Rev. E. d. Bailey of the Central Union
Mission, in explaining the necessity for q
movement such as was contemplated by
the promoters Of the present plan. said
that while a great army Of consecrated
Christian workers Is engaged with much
earnestness. and even enthusiasm. In this
city in an effort to reach the unsaved with
the Gospel of Christ; while from every pull
pit eloquent sermons are launched forth by
the pastors. that convince and convict the
hearers; while In every Sabbath school
teachers. with hearts burning with the love
OF Christ, are endeavoring to persuade the
youth to accept the Savior; while hundreds
OF Christian Endeavorers, Epworth Leag-'
aers, Brothers Of St. Andrew, Kings Sons
and Kings Daughters, and Baptist Young
People are going on errands of mercy and
doing a thousand things to advance the
kingdom of God; while the Central Union
Mission, with Its great central hall and it's
several branches and Gospel wagons, Is
holding over fifty relief meetings each
week. and visiting the jail. the workhouse
the reform schools. the engine houses, the
station houses, the hospitals and the homes
OF the poor, ard while the Salvation Army
Is carrying on its nightly meetings, yet
Notwithstanding this tremendous outlay Of
EFFORT to stay the tide Of iniQuity in Wash
ington. and to bring the blessing of heaven
to the people, observing Christians note
with anxiety the apparent increase Of
worldliness, amusement seeking, frivolity
neglect OF pulpit worship, dissertation Of
the Sabbath, reading Of Impure literature
use OF tobacco and liquor Especially Gig
arettes by women and children) and an
awful tendency to impurity of life, an In
crease OF the social evil"
A Contrast.
Mr.. Bailey further stated that .durinr
the period of the hard times, from 1893 to
the present the consumption of intoxicat-
ing beverages and tobacco has constantly
increased. while that of clothing, meat and
breadstuffs has decreased. The hard times
have diminished the amount of legitimate
business and enaptied the treasures of the
mission societies. but the distiller and the
beer brewer and the tobacconist have
waxed fat. During the period Of financial
depression from which we are emerging,
while men and firms and companies en-
gagged In legitimate business have been
iaiilng on every hand. new theaters have
been aided to the number in this city, and
all are doing good business"
After considerable discussion, all of which
was or character favorable to the move
ment, and Of approval Of the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Bailey. it was determined
TO have Gospel wagon meeting every
night on Market space, with good singing.
plenty OF Instruments and good speaking;
to recommend the adoption by the chnrches
OF parish system; to have a corps of
Bible readers from the churches to read
the Bible In families, especially in the al
ieys and poorer sections; to hold evangel-
lstlc services In various sections of the
city, and to organize a tent work. for
which one tent Is already provided