Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1900-04-27
CHURCHMEN GATHER.
Followers Of All Creeds at the Ecu
menical Council.
Over 1000 Delegates mt the Opening
Session In New YOrk-Addresses
by President Mckinley and
Ex-President Harrison.

president of the United States, Ben amin
Harrison, to bid them welcome, there
were gathered Saturday in Carnegie
hall more than 1000 missionaries
from almost every quarter of the
globe. For ten years preparations
have been under way for this meeting,
known as the ecumenical conference
on foreign missions. 1t is the third of
its kind ever held. Every branch of the
Christian church is represented ex-
cept %he Roman Catholic, the Greek
and that branch of the Christian
church known as the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel.
Harrison Speaks.
The great hall was completely filed
when ex-President Harrison began his
address of welcome. On tho plat
form were many clergymen and
statesmen of world fame. Seated with
the great body of the delegates were
many workers from foreign lands
whose bright costumes added a dash
of color to the scene. Ex-President
Harrison was given q great reception.
In his address he made this pointed
statement:
1.-The men who, like Paul. have gone 20
heather lands with the message: we seek
not yours but you have been hindered
by those who coming after have reversed
the message. Rum and other corrupting
agencies come in Win our boasted civiliza-
ton. and the feeble races wither before
the hot breath OF the white mans vices
''The great nations have combined to
suppress the slave trade. Is II too much
to ask that they shall combine to prevent
fhe sale of snirifq N who lpSq than
our children. have acquired the habits OF
self-restraint? If we must have 'consum-
ers.' let us give them an innocent diet"
In closing he said:
"During the Atlantic campaign of our
civil war the marching and fighting had
been largely In the brush. Sometimes in
an advance the commander of n regiment
could see no more than half of his own
line, while the supports to his right and
left were wholly hidden. To him 1t
seemed as if his battalion was making an
unsupported assault. The extended line,
the reserve, were matters of faith. But
one day the advancing army broke sud
denly from the brush into a savannah-a
long, narrow. natural meadow, and the
army was revealed. From the center, far
to the right and left, the distinctive corps,
division, brigade and regimental colors
appeared, and associated with each of
these was the one flag that made the army
one. y mighty spontaneous cheer burst
from the whole line and every soldier
frightened his grip upon his rifle and quick
ened his step. What the savannah did for
that army, this worlds conference of mis-
sions should do for the church"
Following Gen. Harrison, Rev. Jud-
son Smith, ID. D., chairman of the gen.
eral committee. welcomed The dele
gates.
President McI<inley's Welcome.
President McKinley's appearance on
the platform in the evening was hailed
by tremendous and long sustained
applause, to which the president re-
sponded by bowling repeatedly. A
rousing greeting was also given to
Gov. Roosevelt. Norris X. Jesup pre-
sided. President Mckinley sitting on
his right and Gov. Roosevelt on the
left. In his address of welcome on be-
half of the nation President Mckinley
said:
.I am glad of the opportunity to offer
without stint my tribute of respect to the
missionary effort which has wrought such
wonderful triumphs for civilization.
1.-THE story of the Christian missions Is
one of thrilling interest and marvellous re-
suits. The sacrifices of this missionaries
for their fellow men constitute one of the
most sloroius pages of the worlds history.
v
progress of the nations? Their contribu-
tion to the onward and upward march of
humanity is beyond all calculation. They
have inculcated industry and taught the
various trades. They have promoted con-
cord and amity and brought nations closer
together. They have made men better.
They have increased the regard for home.
have strengthened the sacred ties of fam
lily, have made the community we'll or
dered. and their work has been a potent
Influence in the lRyaiOnmpnt and
the establishment of government.
May this great meeting rekindle the
spirit of missionary ardor and enthusiasm
to so teach all nations, may the field
never lack a succession of herads who
shall carry on the task-the continuous
proclamation of His Gospel to the end OF
time q"
Gov. Roosevelt Speaks.
Gov. Roosevelt followed with n well
come on behalf of the state, and was
followed by Gen. Harrison, who re-
piled on behalf of the conference.
The regular business of the confer.
ence will begin this morning with
meetings in Carnegie hall and the
Central Presbyterian church, and will
continue throughout the week.
scope of the Conference.
The foreign missionary work of the worlt
is conducted by seven great societies
They are the Christian missionary society
which represents the evangelical party II
the Church of England, and is almost as
large as the other six together; the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel. repre
sentirS . the Catholic party In the Church oi
England. and which .,-clined to attend this
conference; the London Missionary so
cisyy of the Congregational church, thu
Amer can board of foreign missions, alst
of thf Congregational church; the Presby
f.s.f.. f1,aA Ita