The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-02

Rev. John Dixon, Of Philadelphia,
assistant secretary of the board of
home missions of the Presbyterian
church of the United States, delivered
an interesting and timely lecture last
evening in the lecture room of the
First Presbyterian church on Home
Missions" telling in a forceful manner
of the necessity for resurrection of
the old-tima home missionary feeling
now that this country has entered upon
new era, and giving reasons why
this awakening should come.
The doctor said in beginning his re-
marks that the question which the
board was now face to face with was
whether 1t should stand still or make
an advance, and, If an advance, in
what direction, how fast and how far?
| There will be no money left over at
the beginning of the fiscal year on
| April and. as the board has made
it's solemn promise to the general as
sembly to steer clear of 'the deep
waters of debt" the proposition it is
facing is serious one.
AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.
The doctor told Of the great wave of
!
swep. over the country shortly after
the Civil war and how this was due
to the fact that the eastern people be-
gan to take a greater interest in the
welfare of the western neighbors when
the great trans-continental railways
began to be constructed. 1.-The time is
now ripe" said the doctor, "for Just
such another wave of spiritual enthusi.
| asm.
This country has now come to an
other period in its history: to some it
appears a crisis. 1t may appear to
some FAR cry from the Spanish war
to home MISSIONS but I think it can
be readily seen that it has brought to
the church great responsibility,
which, If it is wise, it will do it's ut
most to meet. This war has practical
ly revolutionized the country three
ways. commercially, politically and re-
ligiously."
DR.. Dixon then described in detail
the great commercial advantages ac-
cruing to this country by the taking
of Cuba. Puerto Rico and the Philip
pines and in so describing revealed a
marvelously comprehensive and wide
grasp of affairs. whether it was
wise or foolish for the United States
to take possession of the Philippines
is not the question now," said the
doctor, 'that is an act now beyond
recall.
MUST MEET RESPONSIBILITY.
1T is for us as a church to meet the
responsibility and to take our part in
the christanizing of the world. God
| .koh1 1s.l~N y;, Oh, @1,nf 1,t
be witnessed of all men and let us
each make our little effort to further
the coming of that time when Jesus
will again return to the world for which
he died."
The doctor explained the great and
stupendous boom that this opening up
of the Chinese and eastern trade will
produce in the west and said that II
was the duty of all Christians to see
that when the new towns are estab-
lished the minister with the gospel is
the first inhabitant.
Fifty years ago we made a great
blunder," said he, "by allowing the
miner to go to the great west without
his God. Today the most barren field
in all this land for the missionary OF
God is Northern California. Prav Goo
that we shall not do this again. Shall
we allow this great influx Of people
that will soon be rushing to the Pacific
coast to go alone? Shall we allow the
children of the living God to sit silent
ly by?"
CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO.
DR.. Dixen then told briefly of th'
needs of Puerto Rico where there are
: only three Presbyterian cicrgymeI
working among 100000 inhabitants
! whom he classed as Ignorant. i'm
; moral and irreligious." The Presby
> terian church, he stated. had NJ: W
! sent dollar to Cuba. GOD !s calling
all the churches throughout this land,
: said he. in conclusion. ito cake up an,
work up an interest N the home mis-
sionary work"
In the afternoon the doctor con
ferred with a number of the clergymei
| | and elders of the church as to the bes
means of action during thu comm;
year. and he stated last ev4ring tina
, he would carry away with him man,
, valuable suggestions made at this con
ference.