The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-19
The MISSION FIELD.
Discussed by Methodists
at New Orleans.
The Meeting to be Followed up by a Great
Campaga Throughout TIE Southern
Methodist Church.

conference in New York in 1900, caused
the leaders of the Southern Methodist
Church to seek to have a similar gather
ing at New Orleans, April 24-30, of this
year. 1t was success far beyond their
expectation. At the time you gave your
readers brief daily account, Mr.. Editor,
but it seems to me that the great num-
Der of Christian readers Of the News and
Observer, who do not see the Methodist
church papers and yet are interested in
such an important movement, would like
more detailed account.
The meeting was held in Tulane Hall,
which was said 10 have a capacity OF
5000. Three sessions were held a day,
and the hall would scarcely hold the au-
dience in the morning, and at night it was
altogether too small. Nearly two thou
sand delegates and visitors attended be-
side the people of the city. Five bishops
of our church and Bishop Thoburn, of the
M. e. Church, thirty-six missionaries, in
Guiding the venerable DR.. Young J.
Allen, of China, and Rev F. d. Gamewell,
the hero of Pekin; Hon Jno. Barrett and
many leaders of our own and other
churches occupied the rostrum. Behind
in view as we planned and prayed for its
salvation. Around hung the flags of the
heather nations, entwined with the flag
we love. Encouraging and inspiring scrip
ture texts spoke from every wall. The
faces of the hero pioneer missionaries of
our church looked down upon us. But
best of all God was with us. His pres
ence was so felt that there was no diff
Hnta1f in halt ,sca
am with you always.
Oneness in Christ" was one of the
first and best addresses, but it was also
vital fact binding together there men
of different creeds and colors. Represen-
tatives of many churches, but especially
of the Northern Methodist and Presby-
terian churches, lent their aid. The
presence of a common ideal and the pur-
suit Of common purpose are rapidly
uniting the severed members of the
church. The Adequacy of Christianity to
Meet the Worlds Need" formally dis
cussed by Bishop Hendrix, was also part
of every address. The relation of all
forms of Christian work to the foreign
work were considered. The different de-
partments of the Commissary Department,
the children, the Epworth League, and
the women's societies, as well as the
pastors and the regular work, were con-
sidered. THE Responsibility of the
Young People" by Jno. R. Mott, secre-
tary of the Worlds Federation of Chris
tian College Men and Women; The
Young People and the Church of the Flu
ture," by Or. James Atkins, and other
similar themes awakened great interest.
The Prospect in all the fields but espe-
cially in the Orient also demanded the
attention of ALL
Without single exception the mission
aries and the bishops in charge of mis-
sion fields told of great good done and
the prospect of even greater success. Hon.
John Barrett for several years United
States Minister to Siam and familiar with
China, Japan and Korea, who reached
the East prejudiced against the mission
airy, told by what means he was caused
to change his views and bore testimony
to pre- eminent value of the work of the
missionary in those lands. Bishop Will
son, who reached New Orleans during
the conference, fresh from China. where
he had been for months, told of heroism
unexcelled and of wonderful opportunity.
He said that there never had been time
which offered better prospects in China
for the entrance of Christ. Rev f. ID.
Gamewell, the South Carolina boy whose
skill in fortifying the British legation at
Pekin saved ambassadors and mission
aries, told the thrilling story of the
siege Two thoughts ran through it all:
the heroism of the Chinese converts and
the saving power of prayer. To prayer
and to the Christian Chinese they owed
their lives.
But the work at home was not forgotten.
The true missionary spirit does not neg
lect the home. The men and the women
who are doing most for the heather
abroad are the same who are doing most
for the heather at home. The needs of
the work in the cities among the factories
and with the negro and the Indian and
the problems of such wor received care
full attention. One of the most eloquent
speeches ever heard was that by Booker
T. Washington, a Southern negro of whom
Southern white mon are proud, on the
negro problem. The problem is far from
solution yet, but if all would but APP
proach it in the spirit of DR.. Washing
toms address and of his attentive au-
dience of Christian men and women, it
we're more than half solved already.
Inc climax OF the occasion was ouAudy
night, when Biship Charles Galloway, one
Of the worlds orators, spoke on Lessons
from the Master Missionaries. More
than three thousand people heard him.
II was grand spectacle, but even grand
er was the scene which followed when
that audience gave gladly, literally gladly
tyou could not stop them) more than $780,
900 for the college at Soochow. China.
Two nights later they added $4,000 for the
woman's college at the same place
There were about sixty delegates and
visitors from North Carolina.
1t is purposed to follow up this meet
ing with a great campaign throughout
the whole Southern Methodist Church to
awaken soul-saving zeal, prayer and
liberalty.