Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-25
CITY MISSIONS.
Workln Local Foreign Field Alluded to in
Quarterly Bulletin.

The Worcester City Missionary Soci-
ETY., in the quarterly bulletin just is
sued, says in substance, concerning the
local foreign mission field:
There are 10000 Irish and 1900
French Canadians. They are to be
greatly commended for their growing
interest in public affairs, in the promo
ton of temperance, and in their active
cooperation in other moral reforms
but far too many of them are owners,
managers and patrons Of the saloons,
inmates of our prisons, and occupants
of our poorhouses. The young of both
sexes are more and more drifting from
the restraints of church and home into
infidelity and immortality A multitude
Of their children are growing up on the
street, and under the shadow of the sa-
loon.
There are $500 Russian, German and
Polish Jews, who deny Christ, re-
ject the gospel. While quiet and order
ly, they are very worldly, money-loving
and self-seeking.
There are 500 Germans, the most of
whom are Lutheran in name, but non
attendants at their own church, belong
ing to clubs instead, which hold their
meetings on the Lords day.
'There are 10000 Swedes. Though the
majority Of them are connected with
strong and self-supporting churches,
and are excellent citizens, yet a null
titude of them are non-attendants of
any church, among whom drunkenness
and it's kindred vices, and pauperism as
logical result, are on the increase.
"There are 500 Russian and 800
Swedish Firms, the former without any
religious service and seemingly not car
ing for one conducted by their own
countrymen though repeated efforts
have been made in that direction, but
greatly interested Of late in tenn
perance. The latter speak Swedish, and
are accessible to our Swedish churches
"There are 900 Armenians, the bulk
Of whom are Gregorians, a religion Of
form and ceremony, and but few OIL
them attend it's worship.
"There are 900 Danes and Nor
wegians, for whose spiritual interests
1t will speedily be ours to care, since
mission work among them by those OF
their own nationality for variety o.
reasons has practically failed.
'SThere are $50 Italians, who, though
Roman Catholics are not cared for by
their church to any extent, neither DC
they seem to care for 1t,
"There are $50 Syrians, chiefly Greel
| Catholics, but without any one OF tnell
| OWN ldC1O1ldlAty " SSsAO
7;There are 200 Poles who are Romau
Catholics and have small church o
their own, with q Polish priest Il
charge, but they are densely ignoran
and bigoted. -
"Besides these, there are representa-
tives but fewer in number, of Bohem
ians. Greeks, Turks, South Americans
| Chinese and Japanese.
"Our work among them at the presen
time: /. Between 700 and 800 girls, IRON
to is years of age, enrolled In sew
| ing schools meeting every Sunday II
Hone. Emmanuel, Covenant, Summel
street and Belmont churches, VIII
teachers from these same churcnes; a.
so. from Pilgrim, Piedmont, Old Soutn
plymouth. Union and Central churcnes
From eight to ten different mathematics
are Represented in each Of these schools
so, FREQUENT visitation of the children
and their mothers, Of the homes repre-
sented in these sewing schools, by tne
visitors in charge, and the teachers
who are always warmly welcomed.
"a. Cottage meetings in these MONIES l5t
under the care of our visitors, with tht
eid Of interpreters where they DO no,
sneak English. Marked interest ana
si1ccess have attended these meetlhgs
among the Firms, Syrians and Italians