The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-04-25
DR. HUNE'S WORK IN INDIA
FLATTERING RECOGNITION BY
 GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY.

Christians Capture Ahmednagar-Ne'
 csssity for New Chareh-Converti
 to christianity Iacressins--Interesi.
 ing Statistics Reach Here.
 It Will be. interesting to the many friends in this city of Rev. Dr. R. A.
 Hume brother of the late lamented
 Hannah Hume, who was for many
 years the lady missionary of the New
 Haven City Missionary association, to
 learn that his work in India is bearing
 glorious fruit. Norris his efforts in the Indian field without recognition. The
 following from Governor Northcote, of
 Bombay, will show how pr. Hume's
 work is appreciated by representatives
 of the British government in India. Governor Northcote has written:
 '"On more than one occasion, when have been in Ahnednagar, have seen for myself what excellent practical re- suits your colleagues and yourself are achieving in stimulating the rising generation of natives to self-help. The Bombay government owetd much, to you for your great exhorta- tions during the famine of 1S9S-190o; and I am glad to think that we have been able to help you occasionally in your excellent and practical schemes of benevolence."
 The. converts to Christianity in and around Ahnednagar, which is Dr. Hume's especial field. are increasing in numbers so rapidly that plans for a large church edifice have been drawn, and energies are being bent to carry these plans to practical realization.
 The following statistical information is indeed interesting:
 n 1902 the first church of the Ameri- can Board Mission in Ahmednagar, In- dia, received 196 persons on profession of faith, Having at the close 644 con- municants in it's membership. During the year 220 catechumens were received orl a covenant for catechumens, there were l,244 names on it's roll on Janua- ryS1, 1903. Besides enrolled members a consid derable ! community connected with the church enters into it's life and services. The Indian Christian con- nlunity of Ahnednagar city numbers over 2,109 or six per cent. of the popu- lation. Because the present place of worship is entirely inadequate, it is im- possible for all the members and the congregation ever ito come together for worship, In the busy part of the year they meet in four sections. Its Sunday school of 1,139 members meets in three sections. These statements illustrate the need of a new place or worship.
 In the early part of 1902 the founda- tions were completed for a new build- ing to accommodate thirteen hundred persons, as people. in India can be seated. In addition to the main room for worship the plan includes large room for the Infant Sunday school and weekday meetings, and small rooms for other purposes. It is the definite plan to make the new edifice an Orien- tai one, and structure fitted external Iy and internally to illustrate both to Christians and non- Christians the pow- CT and grace of Christian worship and the Christian church.
 In May and June of 1902 about five thousand dollars were obtained for this building from kind friends in America. But at least twelve thousand dollars more must be secured to build 1t at all adequately. The Rev. James r. Barton, D. D., secretary of the American board, has written: 'sFor three or four years it has been appa- rent that there was crying need at Ahmednagar for a new church build- ing in order to accommodate the rapid ly increasing constituency connected With the first church. I am glad to hear, on behalf of the prudential cor- lnittee, our testimony to the need of the building, and to express our approval of the plans as set forth in your circu- lar. * I hope the money for the church will be forthcoming, for it cer- tainly needs it, and needs it scrsly" The following statement from President Charles Cuthbert Hall, of New York, who has just been delivering the Bar rows lectures in India, was written by him after he hal left India, and was thinking over his experiences in India: ''After a careful inspection of the ope- rations of the American mission in the city, of Ahmednagar, am glad to ex-
 
 sighted way in which the ground is be- ing covered. The present leaders of the mission enjoy the respect and con- fidence of the non- Christian communi- ty, and are using that advantage in a statesman-like manner. They may be said not merely to be conducting mis- sion in the heart of a populous city, but to have occupied the city with a system of Christian institutions, indus trial, educational and sanitary, where by various and continuous modes of in-, Auence are being brought to bear upon native thought and opinion. One is as- tonished ard gratified to observe the i number of points of contact, and to l perceive the foreeSof the influences gen. erated at those points of contact. An other generation of such work, and, | with Gods blessing, the city shall be ssuauered for Christ. But never for 8 5ft -tt Atr. |