The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-10
NINETlETH ANNUAL
Meeting of the American Board
of Foreign Missions.

st. Louis. Oct 1O-The ninetieth an
nual meeting of the American board OF
commissioners for foreign missions. con-
vened this morning in Pilgrim Congre-
gational church and will be in session
three days. Between 200 and 300 COR
| porate members, officers of the Ameri-
can board and the women's auxiliaries.
missionaries from foreign and home
fields, as well as prominent ministers
and laymen from many Congregational
/ churches all over the country were pres
! ent The church has been beautifully
decorated for the occasion and every aid
| to the convenience and comfort of the
visitors provided.
The Initial session was opened with
devotional exercises at the conclusion OF
which Rev. DIR. Michael Burnham. pas
tor of Pilgrim Congregational church
/ delivered a short address in which he
welcomed those present to the city.
A fitting response to DR.. Burnham
eloquent remarks was made by Samuel
3. Capen, LII. D.. of Boston, president
Of the American board, who said in
part:
There will be two thoughts constant.
ly before US all through these meetings.
| The first, that it is the closing year Of
the century, which win be known in his
tory as the great missionary century.
All our missionary boards, the Sunday
school in its present form, the young
mems and young Women's Christian as
!
movement, were born in the century now
hurrying to its close. There is a sacred
ness about last things always. And the
second thought will be the fearful story
from China. Never before have we held
our meetings under such a shadow. We
remember the noble men and women
from our firesides who wear the mar
tyr's crown; we remember the native
Christians who have not hesitated TO
show their fidelity by shedding their
life blood; and our prayers Will go out
to the home friends whose hearts are
bleeding and torn. Nineteen years ago
in this city, the Shan ST mission was in
augurated; this year it has been practi-
cally exterminated in awful massacre.
''St. Louis has held many conventions,
pO1tlcal and business the last Few years,
many of which have stirred the whole
city. but l venture to predict that none
has been as important in the greatness
of its outlook as the meeting of this
American board. It reaches in it's infiu-
ence around the world and has to do
with the mightiest forces that can lift
the nations.
THE interest of the press in all these
great world movements is one of the
most significant things Of this genera
tion. How different all this is from
the conditions even 20 years ago, to say
nothing of the periods in the early his
tory of the board. And it ought to be
noted to the credit of the secular press.
as well as to the great magazines, that
as a rule they have understood the pres
was some ignorance, speedily the great
truths came home to them that the Chi
nese uprising was not chiefly because of
the missionaries. They saw that the
great reason was the injustice of the
foreign nations in stealing their ports
and territory, and the commercial pro-
gress which had often selfishly and
heartlessly run rOughshod over Chinese
traditions, which in any case was de-
priving laborers in great numbers Of
their employment. 1 am not familiar
with the facts in the west, but our press
in the east has editoriaIly recognized the I
humanity and unselhshness, at least, Of
most Of our missionary effort. When we
hear at times, sweeping criticisms OF our
press, let US remember there is another
side, and that there is great service
they often render for humanity and
righteousness"
Following the advice of President Ca
pom some matters of routine nature such
as the appointment Of committees We're
disposed of and Rev. Charles H Dan
iels, D. D, secretary of the home de-
partment read his annual report Which
is the special report Of the Prudential
committee.
Frank H. Wiggin Of Boston presented |
his annual report