The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-24

Rev. j. ID. Fitzpatrick, of Toronto
One of the Speakers.

Date, of Chicago called the meeting TO or
der and announced that he would preside In
the place of Charles r. MCGEE. OF Boston.
who was on the programme for that office.
While awaiting the arrival OF Rev. A r.
Smith, of Hannibal, Mo-, who was TO con-
duct the devotional service, there was a
ten minutes song service. Chairman Date
asked that If A F. Smith were in the audi
ence he would come to the stage. and con-
cluded by saying that If he was not present
some other Smith would do just as well.
In introducing the first speaker, Chairman
Date said he came from the best-governed
and most orderly city in the Western hemis-
phere.
Mr.. Fitzpa tricks Talk.
This referred TO Rev. ]. d. Fitzpatrick, Of
Toronto, Canada, who spoke on Our Force
In the Field" Among other things he said:
The birth of the founder of Methodism
was contemporaneouS with the birth OF
modern missions. John Wesley belonged TO
Egede and Zinzendorf. the missionary pio-
neers He was foreign missionary pioneer
himself. for, four years before the great
awakening in Jonathan Edwards church.
six years before David Brainard became
missionary, twenty-five years before VIII
liam Carey was born. fifty-six years before
seventy years before Henry Martyr touched
the shores of India, and the same period be-
fore Alexander Duff saw the light of day,
John Wesley crossed the seas to preach the
gospel to the Indians of Georgia. 1t was the
revival under the Wesleys and Whitefield
that gave the impulse to the modern mis-
sionary achievements OF this century, and
IL what has been achieved thus far be but.
many think, the awakening Of the church,
We are convinced her Methodist members,
largely through the efforts of her Epworth
League workers, will claim no little share
of the accomplishments that are to be.
Look at that great army marshaled on
the field, not for a review, or holiday, but
already in a hand-to-hand encounter with
the powers of darkness. determined TO do
or die for Christ. In the van are the mis-
seventh one Methodist And next in rank
TO these the native helpers. over $1,000 OF
them. and every seventh one Methodist.
And then the rank and file, a million and a
quarter strong, and every seventh one
Methodist. There are over $500 mission
stations in-the great world field. over 1900
Sunday schools In mission lands, with nearly
100000 scholars enrolled in them. while last
year over 5000 new converts to Christianity
were added to the church: and. speaking
approximately, every seventh mission sta
ton. every seventh Sunday school. every
seventh Sunday school scholar. and every
seventh new convert Methodist.
ALL FIELDS OCCUPIED.
Almost every field of importance in the
world we occupy. Six of the sections of our
common Methodism have sent workers to
China. three have branched into India, four
nave SLtSItu Japan, lOuI nave thc
dark continent, two have begun work in
South America, while Australia, Korea.
Mexico, Bulgaria, the isles of the sea. and
France, and even Italy, are listening to the
teachings of Gods holy word from the lips
of humble followers of Christ, who, in their
doctrine and experience. are one with US.
The inadequacy of the force might we'll
cause us to hang our heads in shame. In
Indi lon x-il1o o,,I n,,1x, x,,fc-
sionary to every 400 of them. In one part
| of Africa alone are 100000 people, and
| only one missionary. In four provinces of
| China are about 100 aboriginal tribes. all
| untouched, to reach whom will require fifty
distinct languages and translations Of the
| Bible And as Tor South America, in Brazil
alone are $50 Indian tribes, and at least
100000 not yet having anything done for
them. AT home We have an ordained min
| lister to every 200 people, in heather and
| Mohammedan lands they have one to every
100000; while it has been estimated that
there are 200 in this great world to-
| day who have never heard the name of
Jesus. We know not what that number
means. but if you desire to get even a faint
your watch and listen to its ticking and
you will count 1t, day and night, for ten long
years before t:a,e It ticks soo,oooooo times. and
| Christ died, who never yet has heard His
| name. and 10000 of these are dying every
day. If you~wish TO think just what that
every time its pendulum swings to fro
| is tolled the death knell of immortal
| twilight Of time into the midnight of
| eternity"
Miss Smith, of Montana.
The audience seemed to appreciate the
| possibility of hearing an extemporaneous
speech. When Miss Maggie V. Smith. of
| Helena, Mont, came on the stage to discuss
| the subject, Work of the League Mission
| airy Committee" she said: II feel almost
tempted to lay aside my written paper and
! speak as usually do This remark was
| greeted by loud applause. Miss Smith. how
ever, soon proved to her hearers that she
| could read a written address and be inter-
esting at the same time, a thing the hearers
! seemed to doubt when she made her first re-
mark. Continuing she said:
! mo truer statement has been made than
| that the life and growth of our Epworth
League depends upon missionary activity.
| Christianity at home and abroad cannot be
| separated. The question, as some one has
| put 1t, is not whether the heather can be
| whether We can be If we fail TO obey the
| command Of Christ. Go ye' Is the order
rene. 1t is not a question of choice, but
| Of duty; all are not called into the field.
but all are called to aid. AS an organiza-
ton are We doing all We can to disciple
all nations and preach the gospel to every
| creature?
Provision was made for the work by those
| who drafted the constitution The way is
| now open, our great missionary spirits have
| been and are devising ways and means by
which our youth can inform themselves
| If We would do our duty We must organize
| not put In more machinery, but put In mo.
ton the part that has already remained
| at standstill too long. We have wealth;
| We have intelligence; we have men ready
| to answer the call. Shall we say them nay.
| or shall we meet the demands made upon
| US? In order TO do so, We must plan care
| fully and prayerfuly. Our forces must be
| united. We must be all at ii ali the time
| But we must have leaders, those able 10
conduct the campaign. TO marshal the
| mands And this will call for a mission
| airy committee
| LAS to the number composing IL, i am
/ inclined to favor a single individual. 1t ex-
| pedites matters 10 have but one. Now a
| committee of one does not exclude any
| this one should be an organizer, able to
| call into use all the talent at his disposal
| His strong point should be his ability to en-
| list others. The work is new and of such
| vital Importance that the very best you have
| ought TO be put at the head. II you have
| Of him. The committee should cooperate
| with the pastor and all other workers &c
| bring the members into the New Testament
| standard Of experience. Too much empha sis
| cannot be placed upon this part of the work
| A good revival will do more TO engendel
| a missionary spirit than all else beside one
| OF the prayer meetings of. each month
! should be in the interest OF mission work
| Great should be taken In preparation
| definite plans should be laid weeks before
and those who are TO be placed on the pro
| gramme should be given the material from
1 urht oh 20 vnrL Inx Gxr-