The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-09-09
CONVENTION OF DISCIPLES.
Annual District Meeting Held la Paw Paw
this Week.

The annual convention of the church
of Christ for the second district opened
in the Paw Paw church Tuesday even
ing with fair attendance. After half
hours song service an address on "Our
Field" by Rev. III. l.. Mailman of Bloom
ingdale occupied the balance of the even
ing. The address was an excellent one,
we'll calculated to inspire a missionary
spirit in his audience.
The Wednesday morning session open
ed at o'clock and was presided over by
President A. {. Roe of Buchanan, who
did not arrive for the Tuesday evening
session.
After devotional service, Miss Hattie
Cooley of Bloomngdale gave one of her
enthusiastically excellent addresses on
Sunday school wook, what to Teach
and how to Teach It. speaking from
large and successful experience as
Bible class teacher.
The center of attraction at this SEES
sion, however, was the address of Rev.
A. Mclean of Cincinnati, president of
the foreign Christian Missionary society.
His intimate association with the foreign
personally visited all the mission fields
lent peculiar interest to what he had
to say. We regret that we cannot give
a complete report of his excellent ad-
dress Those who did not hear him
missed the opportunity to listen to one
of the worlds great missionary author
tiles. He had large map of the world,
with the lands of various religious faiths,
Protestant, Catholic, Mohammedan,
Greek and heather, in different colors,
which brought home to all who saw it
the astounding fact that christianity in
any form holds sway over only third of
the world, the other two-thirds being
given up to heathenism. The map also
showed large red rosettes marking the
centers of Protestant faith as exemplified
by the Disciples, with 30 red cords lead
ing from them to yellow rosettes in the
foreign fields, indicating that 30 of the
churches of this people are represented
by their own individual missionaries in
heather lands. Mr.. Mclean expressed
the belief that the number would be in
crossed to go within the next five years,
and hoped to see the day when 1000 of
the churches would be so represented in
the work. The foreign work of the Dis
ciples was organized in 1873, when only
$500 was raised, and it has grown from
that to over 100000 in 90 years. The
first year, 20 churches participated IN
the missionary offering last year nearly
5000 churches. He spoke entertainingly
of the various foreign fields, and said 1t
was easier to get an audience in Japan
than in Paw Paw-and we believe any
of the local clergymen will agree with
him.
This session closed with an excellent
home missionary address by Rev. +. G..
McHenry of South Haven.
Wednesdays afternoon opened with
short talk by Rev. G. Nj. Keene, state
secretary, on "Some Facts on State
Work"
Rev. A. b. Vertner of Vandalia then
read paper, "The Local Church's Rela-
ton to State Work"
Rev. W. II. Belts of Trowbridge spoke
on The Mutual Necessity of Co-opera.
ton of Ministers aud State Officers"
Rev. A. G. Roe of Buchanan then gave
brief but pointed presidents address
Pastor Wilson Of the Baptist church
at Burr Oak, who intends to unite with
the Disciples, was introduced and made
few remarks
The afternoon program closed with
another address by Mr.. Mclean or "The
Duty of Giving" which he treated from
a scriptural standpoint, not sparing the
large percentage of church membership
who are willing that salvation expenses
should be borne by others The address
was strong one and while not Of so
entertaining character as his morning
missionary talk, was not less profitable.
On account of the poor railway con-
nections, Mr.. Mclean was unable to re-
main for the evening session, necessi-
tating change IN the program.
First was paper by Miss Ora Haght
of Trowbridge, describing the educa-
tional work in which she has been en-
gagged among the mountain people of
Kentucky. The fact that Miss Haght
is under appointment as missionary to
India and will leave for her new work
very soon, added to the interest in her.
The rest of the evening was taken up
by a sermon on "The New Birth" by Rev.
J. III. Reese of Bangor. The subject is
one not often treated from the pulpit,
and the speakers method of handling it
was thoughtful and convincing.
Thursday morning was given up to the
G. f.. and ministerial session, and we
regret that lack of space renders it i'm
possible for us to give even a synopsis of
the excellent program.
The following district officers were
elected: President, II. III. HALEY OF Kal-
amazoo; vice president, G.. A. Gsh of
Benton Harbor; secretary and treasurer,
f. l.. Taylor of Hartford.
Thursday afternoon was occupied with
the G. w. b. NJ. program, and the ladies
conducted very interesting and profit
able session.
The convention closed last evening.
with an address by Rev. III. l.. Mailman
of Bloomingdale.
All the sessions have been we'll at
dol h., 4. A