New-York tribune., 1901-01-18
Comfy IN MISSION WORK
A DISTINCTION MADE BETWEEN UNITY
AND COOPERATION AT THE CON
FERENCE OF MISSION WORKERS

Comfy" was the theme yesterday at both ses-
sions the fourth conference Of the Womans
Boards OF Foreign Missions in the United States
and Canada, which is being held in the Marble
Collegiate Church, at FIfth-ave Twenty ninth
ST. The object TO determine. If possible In
what ways the various denominatonal boards can
work together not only to reduce expenses. but 10
lessen the number OF workers and not do the
work twice At the morning session a paper by
Mrs. ]. T. GTacey suggested that a book should be
prepared by all the boards in common. giving a
short summary Of the work OF each and also that
headquarters be established in some large centre
centres where people, regardless of denomina-
ton, can learn what has been accomplished on
mission lines by each board.
Among other topics discussed was the united
study of missions. a committee which has been
engaged upon the subject for two years has issued
topics for six lessons which be made TO cover
a year. These are designed only for women's
but for all boards. and for all students of missions
Ellen {. Parsons. a member of the committee read
a paper upon the topic and a spirited discussion
le6 by Mrs. Rae. for many years a missionary in
Persia, followed. Mrs Rae took Miss Parsons 10
task for saying that the united study series was
being prepared for English speaking societies
There are. she said. missionary societies on all
mission fields and they, too. desire proht by the
committees work. She was amazed that Miss Par
sons, herself an old missionary, should conhne her
self to tongue.
In her paper on "Co-operative Publications as
Suggested in Resolutions Of 1900" Mrs. w. W.
Scudder advised not only the publication Of books
or general missionary usefulness by RESPONSE
bic publishing house in this country, but the joint
publication of such Christian books would be of
in native tongues. The conference voted to ap-
point two committees. one TO take charge of this
work IN this country ana the other in foreign
lands
At the afternoon meeting interdenomina tional
work was considered in reference TO education and
medical work A the former read
by Mrs l.. =. Wolf, of Madras. In the absence of
Dr. Mary Fierson Eddy; who was TO speak on
medical work. DR.. Edna @. Terry, OF Peking whose
death reported last summer, spoke. The dis
cussions following the various papers partic-
pated in by missionaries, who were able TO answer
The arguments advanced by illustrations from the
field. II the general decision that while abso-
cety must be guided by its teachings.
operation 10 an extent IL possible. The geography
and customs OF the various countries and the
quent difficulties besettinR women travellers. make
In large centres and II IS therefore better have
smaller and more numerous institutions. Educa-
uon OF young people in their own countries was
generally considered more advisable than bringing
them 10 the United States.
In the absence Of Mrs Baldwin exhaustive
paper on Comfy: How Far Practised by Our
Boards Here and Mission Grounds read
by her husband. the Rev. DIR. s /. Baldwin.
held this morning at 10 o'clock. Features OF the
session will be talk by Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick
a question hour led by Miss Susan Hayes Ward.
and papers on Settlement Work. by Mrs. r. &.
Morse: Educational Work in Japan by Miss
Mary Deyo; New Educational Methods by Miss
G NJ Woods: Ourselves I'm our Work. by Mrs
y B. Nilmott. and "Philanthropic Work" by Mrs.
7. w. Anderson.
the following women: Miss Susan Hayes Ward,
Mrs. A. i. Schauffier. Mrs. T. c. McKelvey. Mrs
A II. Studebaker Mrs. r. @. Janeway and Miss
Katherine Van Nest.