The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-21

The services at the First Baptist Church
yesterday morning were devoted TO an
offering for Home Missions. The PASTOR
Rev. Thomas ]. Villers, preliminary to
the mission service, offered few words
Of tribute to the late Governor Mount. He
said: whenever a man in public life
dies / always scan the accounts OF his
death to discover what his religious life
has been. i am sorry to say that In very
few instances do find any mention made
of this feature of his life. But In the
notices of Governor Mounts's death I
found that his religious life has been
emphasized. L sincerely believe that he
made religion the chief business of his
life, and his influence will always abide,
not only as a statesman, but as Chris
tian.'
The address in behalf of home missions
was made by Mrs. z. G.. Wheeler. on the
subject. "Our Country" She said: al
though this country is one of the most
advanced in the world there are millions
OF people who have no religious interest,
and hundreds of thousands who, never
heard of Christ. Out of seventy millions OF
population only twenty-seven million OF
them are in the church, which leaves a
preponderance of thirty-three million VINO
are unchurched. In the number VINO con-
stitute the field of missionary labor there
are spoken twenty-five thousand languages
and dialects. New England, because OF
its rapidly increasing foreign population,
has become one of the largest mission
airy fields. One hundred and sixty-four
thousand foreigners entered this country
last year, the large majority or whom
have never heard the gospel. Some one
has said that this element should be given
either the ballot, the bullet, or the Bible
g. he nf
active mission work is keenly felt, and
the number who are engaged in that labor
is inadequate to supply the need. one
hundred and eighty missionaries belong
ing TO the Home Missionary Society, with
Headquarters in New York during the last
year baptized about FIVE thousand people
and influenced about the same number
again TO join the church. The work with
In, our own borders has been herculean,
but to this has been added the people of
Cuba, Porto Rico and the islands OF the
Pacific. The labors of this organization
has extended among all classes of people,
among foreigners of every country. and
among the Indians OF the West and the
negroes of the South"
Mrs. Wheeler told many stories illustrat-
ing the widespread need of the gospel,
even among people who. have had every
chance to acquire it's teachings. Climate,
mountains, streams, or language do not
hinder the work that is carried by
devoted missionaries. Although mission
work is undoubtedly needed abroad, 1t is
also equally needed at home and the first
duty is with our own people. With them
is endowed the vital life of our country,
and by them are our institutions and
progress as a nation TO be Influenced in
the future. Concluding, the speaker said:
Christ broke bread and blessed IL, and
gave it to His disciples, and commanded
them 10 go forth and preach the gospel
among all mankind. Likewise does he COM
mand us to-day, and the field is rich for
our purpose. A great work is to be done,
and 1T should be the desire of every active
church member to give helping hand to
| the work. To this end, money is to be
raised, additional missionaries sent out and
a constant interest taken and support given
to ali who are engaged IN the work"