The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-22
Sang the National Anthem After q
Forcible Appeal for Dona-
tions 10 Missions.
COLLEGES ALSO NEGLECTED
OVER 5000 CHURCHES FAILED To
REPORT ANY GIFTS.
Recommendations OF the Committee
on Church EIections-Close of
United Brethren Conference.

PHILADELPHIA, May 21.-The commits
sioners to the Presbyterian General AS
sembly to-day gave vent 10 a spontaneous
burst of patriotic enthusiasm, which found
voice in the hearty rendition of a national
anthem. Ii was a fitting conclusion 10 a
mastery address delivered by Rev. Or.
Charles o. Thompson, secretary OF the
home mission board. The report OF the
committee the home missions had been
read and DR.. Thompson arose TO make the
usual appeal for aid. which developed into
oration and aroused the assembly TO the
highest pitch of enthusiasm. Among other
things DIR. Thompson said:
Home missions are needed for the
benencence Of our international influence
We are suddenly a nation among nations.
IL came not by the madness OF Spalns
great historical positions are not brought
on by madness. Rather. our God Is march
ing. We are drawn into the line OF that
march. We are force among nations
Not more signally did we Outright on two
seas, than aid outgeneral the allied
powers in the field of diplomacy. But pow
er means peril. What brought about the
uprising in China? What but the fact that
nations flying Christian nags were biockad-
ing ports and openly planning the partition
of the empire? The Boxer movement vas
the savage outbreak OF uncivilized patriot
ism. Because Christian nations were un-
Christian. Hence the martyrdOms- The
marine III ports OF heather nations; these
are the severest obstacles our missionaries
encounter"
A statement in the committees report
that over 1900 churches failed TO give
directly TO the home mission board aroused
the ire Of the commissioners representing
self-supporting synods and presDytcries,
and. after a brief but lively debate. the OBJ
jectionabe paragraph was eliminated Rev.
DR.. Hugh X. Walker, chairman OF the COM
mittee in discussing the report declared
haf afn1o he oh cd =
missions the foreign missions would fail-
The report urged Congress 10 act on the
anti-polygamy amendment 10 the Constitu-
tion before the Mormons secure the balance
Of political power in any additional States.
Both morning and afternoon sessions were
devoted to routine business.
Rev. DR.. I. ID. Ewing, of Iowa, chairman
of the committee on aid for colleges. read
the report of the committee at the after
noon session. The report stated that more
than 800 churches are not reporting any
gifts to the board. In commenting upon
this DR.. Ewing said the establishment OF
the board OF aid for colleges had met with
disfavor and il was evident that the board
was still unfavorably regarded In his APP
peal for increased assistance DR.. Ewing
said: Our church is largely dependent
upon this board for ministers, missionaries
and teachers This is where home and for
eign missions grow.
Rev DR. Herrick Johnson and Rev. Dr.
F.. c. Ray, OF Chicago. Rev. ". c. Roberts,
president of Center College. Danville. KY.
and Rev. DIR. John Dewitt, of Princeton
University, spoke IN Dendlf OF the pOdrQ.
The committee recommended that not less
than $4,000. the amount actually needed.
be contributed this year. The report was
approved.
The committee on church erection, in it's
report, recommended the adoption OF the
following resolution: That Rule !. Article
u, plan of the board. be amended TO read.
No grant shall be made to any congrega-
tiOn unless the title 10 the lot on which its
house of worship Is situated or on which IL
proposes TO build. is in fee simple. free from
all legal incumbrance and vested either IN
such congregation as n corporate body, II
the statutes of the State permit incorpora-
tion, or, in any Incorporated presbytery OF
of the Incorporated boards Of the General
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States OF America
A telegram OF greeting was forwarded 10
the Cumberland Presbyterians az West
Point, Miss.
The Woman's Board OF Home Missions
met to-day in the Witherspoon Pudding
and elected the old board OF officers. as fol-
lows: President. Mrs Darwin II. James.
Brooklyn; corresponding secretary, Mrs.
Frederick IL Pierson. Elizabeth. ~. J.: as
sstant secretary, Mrs. j. r. Pingrey, New
York; treasurer. Miss $. +. Lincoln. New
York; Young Peoples secretary. Miss NJ.
Josephine Petrie, New York: editorial so
ciety Mrs. ID. Z. Ffnke. New 1ork; record
ing secretary, Miss V. Al. White. New
York: general secretary Freedmens depart
ment Mrs. +. ID. Palmer, New York: cor
responding secretary Freedmen's depart
ment Mrs. V. T. Boggs New York. Be-
sides these, a vice president was selected
from each OF the several States Of the
Union.