The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-15
AID FOR MISSION WORK.


Charles F. Coffin, delegate to the mis-
sionary conference OF the Methodist Epis-
copal Church held at Cleveland o., from
Oct. q to "a, brought the message of the
convention to the congregation of the
Broadway Church last night. The con-
vention held at Cleveland was a confer
ence for counsel on how best to proceed
with the missionary work OF the church
and how TO administer the affairs of the
missionaries. The volume of work done
and converts secured necessitated addi-
tional advice from the members of the
church.
The converts of the Methodist Church
in all parts Of the world number many
thousands and from reports read at the
convention it was learned that in countries
where evangelical work is being prose-
cuted there are not enough missionaries
and insufficient accommodat atoms for work.
ers and for converts. In India and Africa
there are many converts waiting to enter
the church and are only delayed because
there are not enough ministers there to
baptize them into the faith
Much money is needed for the work and
10 continue IL 81 100000 was fixed as the
amount to be asked for. OF this amount
100000 was subscribed In the convention.
which the conference was called, described
the personnel of the convention and recited
the names OF many distinguished members
OF the church who were there to counsel
vigorous prosecution of the work i'm the
missionary fields
Mr.. Coffin said: 1.-THE Cleveland confer
council held to consider how to care for
the growing interests of the church"
OPPORTUNITY HAS COME.
Bishop Fowler struck the keynote Of the
conference with his address on ''Oppor-
tunity,'' Mr.. Coffin said. Mr.. Coffin took
| as his subject that of Bishop Fowler. and
declared that the opportune time for eff
fective work of the Methodist Episcopal
| Church in the missionary line is the pres
ent. He said opportunities occur to mer
and institutions but once. Nations have
had opportunities and have failed" said
Mr.. Coffin. France once had the opportu
nifty to become the greatest of all nations
but refused; the door was shut, and France
fell Keeling back among the lesser powers
| Young doctors have opportunity but once
and III they do not grasp 1t they do not sue
coed in their profession, and in later year:
| look back with regret on the chance:
which they missed. When young lawyer:
find an opportunity in the conduct of a biz
| lawsuit and dc not work at il hard. do no
| in fact sleep with the case on hand anC
| lose their opportunity and are fortunate
| indeed If they find another. All of us, a
any rate some of us here tonight. can lool
back at opportunities missed. If nothing
else, some men perhaps can remembe
their school days and sorrOwfully remem
Der what neglected chances they had L
acquire good educations and fully realiz
what they have lost now.
only few years ago the doors or In
dia, China, South America and other for
eign countries were shut against the gospel
and our prayers were for an open door
Now those doors are open and the oppor
tunity is given To enter. Our prayers nav
been answered and the new conditions s
badly wanted exist, and yet church mem
bers hesitate about grasping the opportu
nifty for which they prayed" said MI
Coffin.
Mr.. Coffin described the work being don
in the missionary fields as II was reporte
TO the Cleveland conference by Bisho
Moore, of East Asia; Bishop Hartzell, Q
Africa; Bishop McCabe, in charge of tn
work being done in the Latin countries
the Rev. Mr.. Stuntz. from the Philippine:
and Bishop Thoburn, from Southern Asia
All of these speakers emphasized the fac
that the work could be done If 1t were bu
properly and vigorously approached.
1.-The chruch must meet the great or
portunity described by these missionaries.
said Mr.. Coffin. ut should meet ii for II
own protection and because ii is the cours
pointed out by Jehovah. Indianapoli
of the churches in the city and in til
State a special effort should be made I
| further the missionary interests of on
church organization and we should do
now" he concluded.
The evening services in the church wer
presided over by the Rev. Byron Carter,
, retired Methodist minister. The music wa