Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-24
HOME MISSION MAss-MEETING.
Interesting Addresses Last Nigbt-A
Handsome Collection.

The special order for last night was
made by the assembly a public meeting
in the interest Of the home missions
There was a very large congregation in
attendance and addresses We're made by
men who are actually engaged in the
| work. On motion, collection was taken
| up, and 1861 was donated TO the Indian
| Territory mission.
Rev. DR.. w. ~ Scott OF Texas pre-
| sided over the meeting, and Rev Dr.
Craig, secretary Of the Home Missions
Committee, took an active part in the
| proceedings.
A MISSIONARIES EXPERIENCES.
Rev. j. l.. d. Houston. Of Northwestern
Arkansas. who has been engaged in the
work in the Northwest for nineteen years,
was the first speaker. He told how he
went into the work without assurance of
! support or promise Of money A church
| was founded with five members, and at
| the present time II requires three minis
! ters to carry on the work He detailed
/ his experiences in communities where
the Gospel had never been preached, and
told something of the difficulties he en-
countered. If there is any restitution i'm
China or Africa that equals that OF the
Northwest, the speaker said. he had not
heard Of II. There was no place that had
stronger claims upon the Christians
| everywhere. They are doing all that can
be done TO help themselves, and last year
the Church in Arkansas contributed $40 a
member. and raised Sl700 for local home
missions. Crowds are hurrying TO the
zinc-mines in that territory. and the
present is the time for special effort. The
Church has increased in membership from
800 10 over 5000. and in ministerial SER
vice from 10 -.
IN MEXICO AND TEXAS.
Rev, r. NJ. Hall. OF the Synod Of Texas.
spoke Of the great Mexican work being
carried on in Western Texas He came
he said, from the centre Of the most i'm
terestng foreign mission work at home.
The Mexican work was so persistentlv
presented, because Texas is a big Stale.
The presbytery with which he was con-
nected covered 1000 square miles There
were seventeen men actively at work
there The work was only begun I'm 1850
by Mexican elder There were about
10000 Presbyterians I'm the presb ytery. but
they were being neglected for lack Of
workers and funds.
Rev. John V. Mccall. OF Texas. told Of
the work on the outposts. The Fort Worth
Presbytery covers 800 miles by 200
to the western limit. and $50 10 the east
ern limit. Out of a population OF 2i0.O00
there were only 2,l5O Presbyterians with
sixteen ministers. The net gain I'm NOM
bership Is only about 2l-2 per cent. The
southern Church had only contributed
TO this field the sum OF 5000 last year
He spoke at length OF the needs of the
work and made an eloquent plea for
further assistance.
THE SITUATION IN FLORIDA.
After the singing OF The hymn, "onward
Christian Soldiers" Rev w. 5. Milne
was introduced from the Florida home
mission field. lie told of his arrival
in Florida seven years ago. ana spoke
Of the beauty OF the country and
the wealth OF its inhabitants. Since that
time, however. the glory OF Florida has
departed. the people have been ruined. and
the people are In need. All that was
needed IN Florida was help for a time I'm
order that they might keep for a time
what they now have. There was "A great
deal Of Ignorance in Florida: the country
was extensive. and the needs very great.
Rev. W. J. b. lloyd. who has labored
for twenty-nine years In the Indian Ter
fitory. was the next speaker. When he
went TO the field, in lSTI the work had |
just been taken up. having been abandon !
ed for some time. AT that time no farm
Ing was done In that country, audN the I
Indians were gathered along the streams. |
He gave an Interesting account OF his |
work and the outlook The country IL /.