Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-22
EVENING SESSION.
Iowa as Mission Field Presented by
Rev. G. w. Burch.


At 1880 o'clock Rev. H. A. Pallister.
of Keota, took charge of the meeting
as chairman and Rev. Irwin T. LIE Bar
on, pastor of the church at Milton, was
called upon to lead the devotionals.
Though the audience at last evenings
session was quite small it was one of
the best meetings held during the con-
|vention and those present had the OPP
portunity of hearing two most impor-
tant questions in the affairs of the
church discussed
G. w. Burch Speaks.
Rev. G. w. Burch, pastor of the
church at West Liberty and president
of the southeastern district Christian
churches, delivered an able address on
the subject of Iowa as Mission
Field" In treating the topic Rev.
Burch spoke in part as follows: Iowa
| is beautiful, well located state and
surrounded with all the advantages
that would join to make most pros
porous state, but the lives of her peo-
pie need to be clothed with the beau
ties of the divine life. One thing that
must be remembered is that Iowa
must be evangelical This course is
plainly our duty. What then can be
said of Iowa as mission field?
Iowa is Needy.
"This should be the first considera-
ton, which should prompt us to the
work of saving Iowa, that she is needy.
plate the ruin of the Christless people
world is to bring the gospel to those
DIT Sc hn
seen more distinctly by reference to
figures. In 1900 we had only one mem
Der for every forty of inhabitants, and
at the present time there are 1900
places in the state in which We have
no churches. There is an urgent need
in some of the largest cities of the
state for greater activity in the mis-.
sionary work. Let us remember also
that last year the state board had only
$4,000 with which to carry on its work
while this same work demands at least
$4,000 for the efficient carrying on OF
the work.
Iowa is Ready.
zone of the strongest points in favor
of Iowa missions is the fact of her
readiness. Like in the days of Christ
4 the fields are already white for the
!. harvest. Let us see if the figures viii
bear this statement out. In 1891 there
were $4,000 members Of the church in
Iowa while last year they numbered
$4,000, gain of 10000 in a single de
cade Other figures help in bearing
out the opinion that Iowa as mission
field is ready. We are doing on dol
, lars in Iowa what it takes hundreds
! to accomplish in foreign fields. 1t is
said of great general that when he
could have taken Rome he would moi
and when he would have taken her hi
!, could not. We can enter large mum
, Der of the needy fields now, if we will
; the people are ready, while ten year.
hence the present doors may be barred
Iowa is Worthy.
/ "But the question comes, is lowe
, worthy of all these efforts? She mos
, certainly is and great possibilities are
! everywhere for future advancement
In the capital city is Drake University
This, together with her worthy sell
plea, greatly Increases our obligations
To save our own is the first duty o.
life and Iowa is our own and is pre-
eminently worthy.
Essentials in the Work.
There are many essentials in prop
lerly developing the mission field which
/ shall only mention briefly. First We
need means. These We have in abun
dance, but to cause the necessary out
flow there Is a second essential, We
must have a sacrificing brotherhood
To most successfully advance the king
dom of Christ there must be greater
knowledge of the word of God. Prayer
also comes in as fourth most essen
tial consideration for this Is the means
whereby we may enlist the assistance
Of the Almighty Father. When these
other points have been reached there
Is still another that is most necessary
and that Is a complete conservation tt
1 the work. This last point will bring