The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-02

The womans Board OF Missions il a
national organization and a far reach
ing and virile force in the Congregational
church With headquarters al Boston.
its influence radiates in all directions and
through the concentrated force OF its
thousands OF branch organizations scat
tered throughout the land its work Of
missionary enterprise is carried 10 the Ut
most corners OF the earth.
This mornings session opened al s.l5
At which hour brief devotional service
was conducted by Miss Alice NJ Kyle OF
Boston, 1sld secretary OF the national
board
At 10 o'clock the regular business OF the
convention was taken up. some 1900 per-
sons being In the church ar that hour.
The attendance was added To considerably
as the morning passed. 1t was impossible
to form an idea as TO how many delegates
were present, though 500 would seem a
conservative estimate.
Mrs. Judson Smith, president OF the na-
tlonal organization, occupied the chair.
The pulpit and chancel OF the church
were tastefully decorated with potted
palms and ferns with a profusion OF
large, white chrysanthemums
After a second brief period OF devotion.
Mrs. II. w. Wilkinson OF this city, presl-
dent of the Rhode Island branch orgah-
xation, delivered an address OF welcome
With few well chosen words, the visit
ing delegates were made 70 feel the pleas
ure and the qualification which the pres
ence In the state of so splendid a repre-
sentation OF the national organization has
brought to Rhode Islands branch mem
bers
To Mrs Wilkinson's courteous welcome
Mrs. Smith, the national president, re-
sponded with similar courtesy. The rou-
tine business of the convention was then
taken up. the first report called for being
that OF the home department which was
presented by Miss z. Harrie Stanwood
of Boston, the secretary of the depart
ment.
REPORT OF HOME DEPARTMENT.
In introduction the report noted
change IN the executive heads OF three
of the branch organizations and comment
ed appropriately upon the death OF Miss
Susan U. Brown OF Newouryport, who for
% years served as president or the Essex
North branch
The magnitude OF the organization re-
ceived commendatory notice. especial
stress bling laid upon the value or the
Junior work and the educational advan-
tages OF all well conducted mission work
The specific reports Of fieid nr sscresapil esaplss
work, were reviewed. as was also the re-
ceipts in contributions from younk
women's societies throughout the country
The remainder or the report, Whlch was
OF quite good length, was devoted 10 the
review OF the progress made at the va
rious mission settlement maintained ny
the board in Japan, sout. en- ASA eias Shlna'
The official organs OF the board, Life
and Light and Mission Dayspring"
were referred 70 favorably. as were also
the loan library and the prayer calendar
The report was enthusiastically re-
ceived by the meeting and was onlcially
adopted and placed upon record.
TREASURERs REPORT.
The treasurers report was next IN
order, and as submitted by MISS sarah
Aouise Day OF Boston showed receipts Tor
the past year of S2S2, noe; expenditures
OF s2sl. .6S7l3. and cash balance or N9-Z 10.
The report was duly received ana ap-
The remainder OF the morning session
Was devoted 10 addresses upon the Work
AZ the various missions maintained by the
board in far away countries in all parts
general summary OF the years labors
N foreign missionary fields as given by
Miss Kate Lamson OF Boston. The tone
souraging and it's scope riost compre-
hensive. II was enthusiastically re-
ceived.
THE POWER OF THE WORD"
Mrs. Emily l. Mclaughlin OF Rox 9ury.
Mass, then delivered a brief address
upon THE Power OF the Word" dealing
with missionary work In the abstract and
dwelling upon the great and good resGl .
That must attend ths preaching OF Chris
tan doctrine % benighted peoples VINO
know not the folly OF idolatrous practices.
Miss MARY l.. Daniels OF Harpoot.
Turkey, one OF the most important mis-
siouary nelds OF western Asia was next
introduced by President Smith.
Under the title Cont asts." Miss Dan
iels delivered a most interesting sketch OF
the work which is being done at Hsl goot
by her brother and sister missionaries.
She told OF an Eastern city VII So
buildings are OF mud few of stone. with
small shops many only booths. OF tur-
bansd men, with flowing robes, of women
with veiled faces walking silently: OF
oamels laden with dates salt OF wheat
passing through the streets: OF tiny don
keye with large loads % wood. Then shs
described an American city full OF crowds
hurryins tc and FRO. the large high build.
ings and department stores the tfolleys
automobiles electric lights etc. Ameri
can homes have soft carpets. furuac,
heat electric lights. beautiful furniture
works OF art on the walls books ma "A
xfnss and papers IN abundance. A village
house In faraway Turkey II very differ
ent. no furnace heat. no electric lights
no pictures. no magazines. only book OF
two.