The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-21
CHURCH WORK IN CUBA
THE ISLAND TO BE INVADED SOON
BY RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Gen. Gomez Anxious for the welfare
of the PeopIe-Americnn Priests
May SuppIant Spanish.
snecial to the rndlanapolIs journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Aug. 2O-General Gomez
has sent 10 the United States Mr. Jose De
Armas. well-to-do Cuban planter of high
standing, charging him with the duty of
consulting with managers of church mission
boards. with freedmens and other aid asso-
Citations, and with leading men in this coun-
try concerning the religious and educational
future of Cuba He has already arrived,
and has told some of the persons indicated
that he has not come seeking money SO
much as methods. He says that he wishes
10 ask those moral forces which sent battle
ships 10 Cuban waters to free Cuba what is
best to be dcne in order to make the most
OF freedom. Mr.. De Armas also says he de-
sires to see the secretaries OF those Meth
odist, Congregational and other societies
which undertook work among the colored
and poor white people of the Southern
States at the close Of the civil war. General
Gomez is sure that they must have learned
by experience. He wants the benefit of that
experience Mr. De Armas has already met
several of the committees representing the
Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal and Quaker
societies which contemplate educational
work in Cuba He is highly gratified to
learn that these societies are to observe
comfy in entering into these new mission
tartan rivalry.
The Young Mems Christie n Association.
through its international committee, has al
ready taken preliminary steps to open in
Hanava an international association head
quarters. Investigations are under way to
learn whether such association will receive
within reasonable length of time some To-
cal support, or whether Ii must be sup
poIts "a noenhltely from outside sources. Ii
the former prove to be the outlook the in
ternatlonal committee announces its inten-
ton Of establishing an association in Ha-
Nana Just as soon as political conditions will
warrant 1t Is purposed to begin in Havana,
but associations will be planned for other
cities II local support can be had. The con-
ultoh OF young men OF the better class in
the islands is said TO be such that impera-
tive need for such an agency as a Christian
association exists.
High officials in the Church of Rome are
already acting iii regard to religious work
in Cuba and Porto Rico. The private Sec
rotary of Archbishop Corrigan, of New
York, went within few weeks as chap
lain the transport Relief, which led TO
the rumOr in both this country and in Cuba
that the Catholic Church was acting
through New Yorl1 Such is not, however,
the case, prelate of the church fully
cognizant of its affairs saying this week
that it is yet too early to tell what is
D6St TO De OoDc. he lQUiCaIou the progress
of events to date: Archbishop Corrgan is,
as you kn6w. in episcopal control of affairs
IN the bahamas but has never had any
thing TO do with Catholic affairs in the West
Indies. The archbishop of Santiago out
ranks in seniority any American archbishop.
We expect to see Cuba, inside of ten years,
an Englsh-speaking island. Hence we
think it wise at this early date to provide
the church there with American priests. be-
cause they know American ways. Indeed,
there are reasons why American priests are
best In any event, since the church there
must be unsupported by the state, and the
Spanjsh-speaking priests of Europe
familiar with the system We look to see
the priests now in Cuba sent back to Spain
by the authorities at Rome, and American
priests sent to take their places. Core
spondence is already passing concerning the
best plans to adopt"
1t is the general belief that the Rev DR..
John Hall will retire from the pulpit of the
Fifth-avenue Presbyterian Church. New
York, when he will have reached the fiftieth
anniversary of his ordination next year. The
situation is that DR.. Hall is ready to retire
at any time a successor can be found. The
pulpit has a nominal supply committee. but
that committee is leaving the details of its
duty in great part to Mr.. Moody. In order
to assist to a satisfactory solution of the
problem of providing the greatest PreSby-
terrain Church in America with new pastor
Mr.. Moody and the supply committee are in
viting to the pulpit during July, August and
September. men who may be considered in
connection with call The favorite to date
is the Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, pastor Of
the New Court Congregational Church, Lon
don, an able divine. who is quite the oppo-
site in pulpit method and personal appear
ance from Dr. Hall. His London church is
organized along institutional lines. 1t is
the conviction of Mr.. Moody and of the
committee from the session that it will not
do to call an American, but that some one
from across the Atlantic must be secured.
At least that is said on good authority 10 be
their judgment.