The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-09

He explained that missionary can be
supported in Northern China for 5000; in
other parts of China and in Africa for
$500; in India for $500. and in Japan and
south America for $4OO year.
A company of missionaries, home on
leave OF absence, and who have been in
constant attendance at the convention,
were called to the forward part of the
platform, and introduced to the audience
Then DR.. Simpson asked how many young
men and young women in the audience
had the real missionary spirit and would
be willing to accept a commission to a
foreign field. He counted about SO who
arose in response to his enquiry.
How many cannot go themselves, but
will, by prayer, sacrifice and giving ac-
cording as God has prospered you, help to
send somebody in your stead" To this
question answer came in the standing up
of nearly 1000 people.
A touching solo was sung by Miss
Shepard, a brief prayer offered, and then
the collectors were sent out into the con-
gregation, to distribute pledge cards and
collect donations. The first pledge was
$500 from the Alliance missionaries of
Central China, and the next $3.50 from
an old-time contributor.
Then the rush of contributions began.
DIR. Simpson was assisted in inspecting
and announcing by Rev. Henry Wilson
of New York, while Mrs. Simpson took
charge of the cash, and Miss Shepard
was on hand with her leather bag to be-
come the custodian of any contributions
OF jewelry that people in the audience
might become inspired to discard.
A pledge of $1,000 from the Young La
dies Alliance was, announced and the
convention chorus responded with a
hymn.
The announcement of pledge of $4,000
from the Young Ladies' Alliance was re.
ce1ved with shouts of "HalIelujah. A
pledge of 5000, one of $3.50 for India, and
one of $775 were announced in rapid suc-
cession. The small pledges came in SO
fast that the counters called for a breath
ing space. A pledge of $500 and two of
$3.50 each came in next, and DR.. Simp-
son asked the choir to sing.
"Here is ring, thank God," and DR..
Simpson handed over to Miss Shepard
an elegant ring which a lady in the au-
dience had sent up by one of the collec-
tors.
Then the counting of small pledges con-
tinued till DR.. Wilson announced that
the counters were getting swamped, and
an hymn was sung to give them an op-
portunity to catch up with the collectors
A gift of 800 and ring was an
nounced, and shortly afterward two more
rings were added to the collection.
"Thank God for this,'' broke in the
convention leader, in the midst of an
nouncement of pledges, "here is wom-
an who contributes s25O,a gold watch and
lot of precious jewelry.''
BLESSED Be His Name,'' sang the
choir, and the audience joined in the
chorus.
Another gift of $1,000 was followed by
pledge of $500 for Africa.
II think you are all going to give," said
DR.. Simpson, "but let's sing another
hymn and get chance to gather up these
pledges. AS the hymn was sung he said
1--WE have received an unusually large
number of donations thus far. Let them
continue. Contribute something that
you might spend for street car fares;
sacrifice little on ice cream; you will
be better off for it. Stint yourselves on
flowers and give to the Lord. If you
have any superiuous jewelry, send that
up too"
Miss Shepard advanced to the front of
the platform to tell the story of a poor
woman who had just handed her SIS to
be added to the fund "She told me. "
said Miss Shepard, ''that she is dependent
on a little pension, and that it is hardly
enough to support her. but she wanted to
give the S. to Gods cause When she took
out the $5 bill I saw that she had only
81 left in her pocketbook. These are the
kind of sacrifices that count for Gods
blessings"
A pledge for $3.50 was handed up to the
stand. Another ring was passed up, and
a lady on the platform stripped off her
only remaining ring and handed it to
the Jewelry custodian.
81 have no money to give, but my darl-
ing boy has stood up and testified to his
willingness to enter the foreign mission
ary work. Lord, accept him, for Thy
names sake.' This was written on
card that was handed up to the plat
form, and its reading called forth many
shout of praise.
One more pledge of $500 was announced
and then basket collection was taken,
after which DR. Simpson said he held sew
eral other pledges which he would an
nounce in the afternoon meeting, at