The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-28
THE WOMEN MISSIONERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF METH
ODIsT CHURCH SOCIETY.
OOO-Some Reports from
China.


They form the general executive committee
of the Womens Foreign Missionary Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is
the twenty-ninth annual convention of the
organization. 1t began yesterday morning
at Roberts Park Church, and will last until
next Thursday evening. The meeting is
attended by thirty-three delegates-one Sec
rotary and two representatives for each of
the eleven branches into which the country
is divided The delegates were all present
when the meeting began. The day was be-
gun by communion service, conducted by
Rev. Mr.. Rawls. The business meeting of
the delegates opened in the lecture room.
Mrs. c. d. Foss, of Philadelphia, president
of the society, presided, and close to her
sat Mrs. j. T. Gracey, of Rochester, ". ".
secretary. In circle around them sat the
other delegates, three at one table marked
by banners on which were printed the
names of the branches which they repre-
seated. Following is list of the delegates:
New England Branch--Mrs. L. A. Alder
man, Mrs. M e. Halt Mrs. J. Legg, Mrs.
w. H. Thurbur
New York Branch--Mrs II. B. Skidmore,
Philadelphia Branch-Mrs. >. l.. Keen,
Mrs. I. IA. Wilkinson. Mrs. r. II. Mattack.
Baltimore Branch-Mrs. Il. b. Stevens,
Mrs. 6. w. Baldwin, Mrs. I. Ii. Martin.
Cincinnati Branch-Mrs. e. T.. Couen,
Mrs. J, II. Creighton, Mrs. l.. Paine.
Northwestern Branch-Mrs h.. u. Gran
don, Mrs r. W Bosworth, Mrs. 4. A.
Hypes.
,Des Moines Branch-..Mrs. NJ. S. Huston,
Miss f.. Pearson, Mrs. L. IL. Hagerty.
Minneapolis Branch-Mrs s. G. Winchell,
Mrs. l; w; Joyce Mrs. j. Stafford.
Topeka Branch-Miss M. Watson, Mrs.
G. G. Adams, Mrs. !. }. Mao:
Pacific Branch-Mrs. G. O'Neal, Mrs. j.
c. Cook, Mrs. c. b. Hummer
Columbia River Branch-Mrs. "A. n. Fish
3 IiDnV.
Mrs. c. d. Bacon, wife of the pastor of
Roberts Park Church, welcomed the dele
gates to the city in the name of the twenty
six local Methodist Episcopal churches and
all those who are interested in missionary
work. Mrs. G. z. Winchell, of Minneapolis
arose to thank Mrs. Bacon for the dele
gates. She said they were proud to meet
IN State that gave to the country in one
or the darkest hours OF its history the fear
less Governor Morton, gave to the army
and to, literature General Wallace, to the
councils OF the government a Colfax and d
Harrison, and to the cause that makes for
Righteousness the dauntless spirit and the
lifelong service of Zerelda Wallace. I'VE
thank you most, Mrs. Winchel said, be
cause the welcome is not for us personally,
but rather for the cause which we repre-
sent. Whether we come from New England
or from the Pacific coast, you see back of
us and around US 10000 women who are la
boring in our cause, and, more still, your
welcome tells of your interest in that part
of our army at the front, our heroic mis-
sonares, who, amid the ravages of plague
and famine, of earthquake and war, ana in
the face of countless difficulties, have stood
bravely at their post.
REPORTS OF THE WORK.
Brief reports of the progress of the work
through the country were read. Mrs. +. p.
Crandon, of Evanston, ILL.,, secretary Of the
Northwest district which includes Indiana,
said that the society in this State is max
ing better returns every year. The society
in the New York district was said to be
prosperous, in the report made by Mrs. II.
b. Skidmore. Mrs. Skidmore has been ac-
lively interested in this work since 1869, and
she is eighty years old. Mrs Phi. Achard,
of st. Louis, reported on the condition of
the branch OF the work among the Germans
and said that the results are satisfactory
as those in the English branches of the So
ciety. After the reports of the branch treas
urers was made it was figured that the re-
ceipts of this year have been 1927, 6l445-
which is $l367b.59 more than was received
A unique feature of yesterdays session
was to hear some woman call another and
say, Mrs. So-and-So, this is Miss So-and-
so, OF Foo-ChOw, China or of Lucknow or
some other PARKWAY place. Among the re-
turned missionaries who are attending the
meeting are: Miss M. A. Spencer. of Toxic,
hama, Japan; Miss Florence Nichols, of
Lucknow, India; Miss Anna r. Flicker of
Jubulpore, India; Miss lydia A. Wilkinson,
Of Foo Chow, China; Mrs. A w. Ruddisen,
Of Madras, India, and Rev. Mr.. Thomas, of
North India.
In the afternoon Miss Wilkinson and Miss
Bosworth talked to the delegates and to the
Indianapolis people who attended the meet
ing or the work in the Foo-Chow district
of China. Both the women showed in their
faces and their manner that they were bust
ness-ilke and earnest. They. are not young
in the work, but have the advantage of ex-
perience. They agreed that the salvation of
China will be brought about by converted
Chinese teachers, because they have the adj
vantage of familiarity with the habits of
the people of that superstitiouS country and
are acquainted with the intricate language
of the people, Their description was of the
schools that are in. operation. They said
the system is extensive and is receiving
much encouragement from the rich Chinese,
religions From their talk it was gathered
that great delicacy must be used in intro
ducing Christianity. for the people have
be disturbed in an hour. The two returned
missionaries were enthusiastic over the sue
cess Of the movement for true education
and religion in China, and said that the
children who are growing UP in the mis-
sonary schools show great aptitude and
children. Western learning is what the
Chinese call the teaching of the Christian
missionaries. The two women who spoke
yesterday averred that the doors of China
are now open, and that the church's duty is
now to push education universally through
the open doors.
There will be no evening meetings during
the convention. None of the sessions will be
secret, and any one who cares to attend
is welcome, the women announce. The pro-
gramme for to-day is as follows:
Mornings O'clock
Devotional services, in charge of Mrs. j.
F. Keen of the Philadelphia branch.
Roll call and reading of minutes
Report of constitutional reference commit
tee Mrs Il. T. CoWen.
Report of constitutional publication COM
mittee. Mrs. l.. A. Alderman
Report of publishing agent Mrs. p. j.
Walden
Report of editor Womans Missionary
Friend, Miss Louise Manning Hodgkins.
Report of Children's Missionary Friend,
Mrs. o. w. Scott
Report of German Friend Mrs. Achard.
Report of Zenana papers. Mrs. S. l.. Keen.
Report of literature committee Mrs. j. T..
Gracey.
--Afternoon--2 O'clock
Devotional hour.
A conference on children's work conduct
ed by Mrs. Lucie F. Harrison.
An informal reception will be held in
Roberts Park Church this evening, TO which
all friends in and out OF the church are in
vited to meet the delegates and returned
missionaries in attendance upon the conven-
ton.