Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-16
Woman's Foreign Mission Work.

SlOnafY societies we've In amman con-
vention at Green Bay on May Is and -.
Mrs \. {. Bennett and Mrs. F. A.
Nimits # his city attended said session
as delegates from the Grand Rapids
auxiliary. Last Friday Mrs. Bennett
read Il report before the local society
giving details of The work done in com
vemii"n. This report is herewith pub
lished in full, Ivy special request, as
follows:
Madam President and members of
our Missionary society: l suppose,
after sending two delegates to the dis
trict convention, you will expect full
report at this meeting. As you know,
we left Grand Rapids May II, stayed at
Appleton over night and took the morn
ing train for Green Bay. The pastor of
St. Paul's church met us at the depot
and invited us over TO the parsonage to
rest and find what arrangements had
been made for our entertainment. We
were given a place during our stay with
very pleasant family where we had
every comfort and convenience and
were we'll pleased with the hospitality
shown us as guests. We went over to
the church and found it bad been beau
tifully decorated for the occasion with
banners, potted plants, palms, etc.
We counted fifteen jars of the largest
variety Of Gala lilies [ ever saw AT
2:30 the WOman's Foreign Missionary
society of Appleton district opened its
first session, with the president, Mrs.
J. w. Hammond, in the chair and 60
delegates present. The meeting was
opened by devotional exercises con-
Quoted by Mrs. Holmes of Green Bay
and Mrs. M. A. Waldo, also of Green
Bay, gave an address of welcome,
which was responded to by Mrs. D. J.
Kelsey of Stevens Point. A synopsis of
the work in foreign fields was given by
Mrs. E. S. McChesney of Depere. Some
very fine music, duets, ETC., were inter-
esting features in the program and were
appreciated by all present. Quite a
number of papers having direct bear
ing on missionary work and missionary
workers were read, and the meeting
closed in the usual way with singing,
prayer and the benediction.
In the evening, Mrs. w. P. Byers, a
returned missionary from Ansanol,
India, gave an address that was not
only very interesting but instructive
and profitable and was listened to with
marked attention by a packed house
She had little Indian maid with her,
dressed in her native costume. and they
both sang-Mrs. Byers sang in Hindoo-
stance, the little girl an Indian song.
Mrs Nimits could tell you more of Mrs.
Byers and her work in far away India.
| wish you could all have had the priv
ilege Of listening to her for yourselves,
she was so sweet in her Christlike sim
plicIty and worked SO cheerfully for the
Lord, notwithstanding all the discour-
agements that must always be met in
a heather country where her husband
and herself have labored patiently for
twelve years.
The morning of the 10Th opened with
a devotional meeting, led by Mrs. S.
DIN of Clintonville. A roll call of Off
GERS and auxiliaries was next in order
and each auxiliary made its report of
the work done through the year, moneys
received from dues, thank offerings. etc :,
in short all money contributed directly
to the board of missions. Next in order
reports of committees were presented
and then election of officers for the
coming year, which resulted in all the
old officers being reelected with one
exception, resignation was rendered
on account Of i'll health and, of course,
was accepted. This closed the business
of the morning meeting of the 10TH
At the noon hour very pleasant sur
prise awaited us. The ladies of the
church had arranged for reception of
the commodiOus new parsonage from
y to ,. The house was beautifully dec.
grated and large table in the dining
room was banked with lovely foliage,
roses, carnations, ETC., bordered with
large red lilies extensively grown in
India. I understand the bulbs
that produced this floral display
were procured by Green Bay florist
from specimens brought to the worlds
fair from India. A very elaborate
lunch was served and delightful inter
change of greeting and converse fol-
lowed until the hour arrived for the
afternoon session, which was opened
promptly at o'clock with Bible read
ing and the usual prel;miuaries. A
paper on "What Have Missions Done
for the Home Church?" was read.
Fraternal greetings were then given in
a fine solo by Mrs. w. A. Ringsdorf of
Green Bay, then paper on what have
colleges done for missions was read and
other interesting papers followed.
Thursday evening was our last meet
ing and was opened with scripture
lesson and prayer by Dr.. J. r. Creighton
of Green Bay, singing, etc, and Il fine
address was delivered on missionary
work by Mrs. Z. S. Davis of Appleton
that was pronounced one of the most
able and interesting discourses delivered
during the entire session. BY special
request Mrs. Byers again played and
sang in Hindoostanee and Soondee, the