The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
MISSIONARY TENS.
A System of Study and Support of the
Work.
IK G. CARPENTER.
New York Mail and Express.

New York Mail and Express.
A new and potent force in the gospel field
IS making itself known under the curious
utle Of Missionary Tens" 1t differs from
and, in fact, cannot be said to resemble
any society whatever in this country. 1t is
the latest development of the postage chain
Wnich was SO popular years ago. In this
system, which was devised for the benefit
OF hospitals and asylums, each member
wrote to five friends, and each of these, in
turn, to five, asking for one postage stamp
for the charity. The scheme proved popu-
lar, and melted several million stamps for
the beneficiary. Another step was taken by
the Kings Daughters, with it's circles of
combinations.
The Missionary Tens" sometimes known
as the Missionary Tens of Hornellsville."
started in that city in the winter of 1SSS-S9,
SO that it is now just nine years old. 1t was
thought out by a group of women in the
First Presbyterian Church of that place,
under. the leadership of Mrs. R. M. Tuttle,
note. The general outline of the plan is as
follows: Each month of the year is devoted
to the study of one foreign and one home
mission, excepting January, which is. en-
ployed in making a general review of the
subject. February is assigned to China and
the American Indians; March to Mexico,
Central America and various States of the
Union April to India and American cities;
May to Siam, the Laos states and TIE Nor
mons; June to Africa and the missionary
personnel; July to Monaghan immigrants
and the years work; August to Korea and
our foreign population; September to Japan
and the outlook; October to Persia and the
America and MexicanS within our borders;
December to Syria and the Southern states.
This is a liberal programme, and has been
well styled 1.-The Grand Tour Of the World
A glance at the details will show more than
this. 1t is a superior course or study as to
the problems of national life and society,
including illiteracy, pauperism, drunkenness
and degradation.
The study is left to the discretion of the
fY1di xTid fo1aG nd &c mt
hard and fast rules. Books of travel, works
of reference, magazine articles, newspaper
correspondence, consular reports, mission
airy letters, lectures and discussions are each
and all employed. Many of the tens con-
duct regular correspondence with mission
aries and evangelists on duty, and in this
way develop relations of friendship and even
affection with gospel-bearerS in various
lands. Each ten has a secretary, who keeps
members views and judgments respecting
the books and other reading matter, used
during the month. When ten has closed
one topic for the year copy or the secre-
tary's book and correspondence is passed on
to ten about to begin the same topic. In
this simple and patient manner the copy
grows in volume and value, until 1t becomes
a small photography and cyclopedia on the
subject. Some of those on the more popu-
lar subjects. such as India, China and ia
pan, are goodly volumes.
The plan of organization Is simple but
ingenious. Any two women interested in
these matters choose a foreign country for
Sunday-chool class, to join with them in
the undertaking. They may or may not
notify the central bureau, and may conduct
their task as they see fit. One Of the ten is
chosen corresponding secretary, another re-
cording secretary, a third treasurer and
fourth chairman. Even here perfect npefty
reigns. One member may hold all four Of
fees, or the chair may be filed anew at each
session. But some one must keep the books
and collect some money for the missions,
home and foreign. The plan of work is
drafted out and the study is started. They
can follow out their own ICES aeSgng e or ot fan
ten. In general each ten devotes one year
to a country.
Young Woman's Christian Association hall
and discuss the topics according to the
table. Those tens which are studying the
subject of the day are requested and ex-
pected to provide speakers and addresses.
Where it is practicable, clergynen, mis-
sionaries and travellers are invited to speak:
Through this arrangement the individual
tens make each general meeting of deep
interest as well as Of educational and re-
ligious value. Besides the addresses each
ten is expected to make a. brief report of
the work done by them during the year
on nth the topic of the Day.
ond, third and fourth Tuesdays Of the
month for study This Is the. general prac-
tice; in exceptional cases other days are
used and in a few instances fortnightly ses-
sions are employed.
Many ambitious and studious women be-
ant and so instructive that their progress is
very rapid. For those intending to travel in
the Holy Land or the far East, for mis-
sionary students DESTROYS Of complete infor-
nation as to their future homes, for women
wishing a better understanding of foreign
countries and of current events, member
ship in two or three tens is the best school
possible.
The methods employed have been carried
to so fine a point that 1t is now common for
a Syrian ten to send for special informa-
ton from a Persian ten, or for southern
China or Cantonese ten to hold joint dis
cussion with north China or Picking ten.
The disposition is toward specialization. An
African ten. which has studied a year, Is
apt 10 keep its title and to contine its work
the second year to Egypt
TIC help along the mission cause each ten
raises what money it can for the board.
Each member contributes at least two cents
a week, which is dollar a year. Whenever
a new ten is in a dilemma, it writes to Mrs.
r. NJ. futile, Hornellsville, N. Y, and re-
ceives advice, suggestions or information by
return mail. This is about all the central
authority there is in the system.