New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28

san Francisco. Feb. a (SpeciaD.-As n field
Of strenuous activity the great and growing
West presents to-day the extreme example.
The missionary with his Bible and bundle of
hymn books follows close on the heels of the
prospector. When a strike is made and camp
started he is the ground almost as soon as
the saloonkeeper and the gambler. Often the
Initial church service is held before the first
grand opening Of the rumshop.
The pathfinder Of the cloth follows the blaze
or the lumber cruiser into the depths Of the
reJWoods and the forests Of cedar and fir. lie
races with the oil speculator for the latest strike
in the newest oil field He follows the digger
Of irrigation bitches into the arid lands which
- first flow OF Ifegiving water transforms
ITO farms He crawls with the railroad build
- across the waterless deserts which at
1st falling into the grasp Of advancing civil
tIton. And everywhere he goes he leaves
rail OF Sunday schools which will eventually
grow into churches when the camp becomes
large enough and the new town really boOmS
A year ago a statistician, after careful study,
declared that there were quarter Of q million
boys and girls IN the West who had no oppor-
tGuity of going TO Sunday school or church
Eastern churchmen who had for years been
contributing generous sums for the conversion
Of the Hottentots and what nots were shocked
such a showing in their own country. They
went into their pockets again, and have made it
possible for the church to follow the kaeid-
o-copic changes Of the restless West.
Any Of the many missionaries at work in the
Western field can tell interesting incidents Of
this strenuous evangelization. To none, how
ever, have come more experiences than to the
Rev Arthur Hicks, who has charge Of the work
Of the Presbyterian Board Of Sabbath School
Work, under the direction Of the Rev. DR.. James
r. Worden, Of Philadelphia His field includes
every county Of California and Nevada, and
each year he covers from ten to twelve thou
sand miles by stage, horse or burro back, canoe,
railroad on foot. He had just returned from
a trip through the new farming district Of I'M
Ierial, in Southern California, where the newest
irrigation bitches have penetrated. when The
Tribune correspondent saw him at his home in
Oakland.
For incidents OF this missionary work we
are doing" he said, Il hardly know where to
begin, they are so many and varied. Perhaps I
had best tell Of a service l held in the red
woods Of Fresno County last May. for it was
one Of the most impressive l have ever wit
messed.
Il reached distant lumber camp one Satur-
dag morning and looked about for a place in
which to hold services the next day. An aban-
doncd dance HAN seemed to be the most avail
able place, and l set about getting it ready. A
-
tearing away the roof and three sides, leaving
only one wall in place. 1 cleared away the
debris and spread the news among the lumber |
men that there would be preaching A more
perfect Sunday. week day either. l have
never seen. There was not rustic Of wind 20
break the intense silence OF the thick forest all
about the camp. No birds sang. for there are
10 birds in the redwoods. Forty men and one
woman appeared for the service out Of the three !
hui lred souls the camp possessed. The others |
Were resting in the bunk houses or Ioungine |
about the saloon 4 few rods down the hillside
what shall sing" l asked, when it came
time 10 open the meeting.
~ huge logger, his blue flannel shirt open at |
the neck, disclosing a massive. hairy chest |
arose from the last bench and. holding out his |
hands. terribly stained with the peculiar stain |
IF tie redwood. cried. Let's sing Throw out |
the Lifeine."'
As the first verse Of the familiar hymn rang !