The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-10

wanted the missionaries because thsy know that the Christian church brought education and hospitals. The Russians had established institution but until the missionaries. arrived the United States had done nothing to i'm prove the people. Bishop Rowe gave the congregation some idea of the distances in Aiaska by saying that the distance from Sitka to his farthest mission was just about the same as the distance from sitka to Montgomery.
 He described the mission at Point Hope founded by Dr. Grigg. The Es- quimaux of that locality had been per- secuted by the seal hunters. They had been robbed and their homes had been destroyed by these men. Dr. Grigg volunteered to serve at that point and taught the natives Christianity and the uses of education. There Is practically no such thing as law in these interior points. There is no court of law with- in 800 miles of Point Hope.
 The speaker told of life in the under ground houses of Ice and the constant invasion of polar bears. He described the food used by tho Esquimaux which he was compelled to use and horrified his congregation by telling them that, until the misionaries began their work in Alaska. the Esquimaux killed their sick on account of superstition against having q person die within the precincts of their underground houses.
 Mtssisnaf1cs h Training.
 Bishop Rowe spoke of the great Alaskan rivers and the icebergs there on. He described the method of travel, saying that when long journey was attempted. 1t was always made in the winter and by dog trains. He told how the missionary attempting a trip into the interior had to, so through a pe- riod of training just as 8 prise fighter or a football player and described the dangers Of freexing and its horrors.
 Entertaining. anecdotes were fre- Quently used to illumine the discourse He told a story of a missionary unused to the habits of Esquimaux dogs, who erected church of skins and how he awoke in the morning to discover that the dogs had eaten the church.
 He spoke of the hospitality of the native Indians and Esquimaux and their yearning for Christianity and de- scribed in thrilling detail a trip to his farthest mission.
 Bishop Rowe alluded to the heroic work of the nurses In the various hos pitals and showed that their work was purely a work of love.
 Bishop Rowe said that in coming to Alabama he felt that he was paying a debt. This feeling showed how near people were to each other throughout the world. He said that this sense of obligation to Alabama was due to the fact that a guide and inspiration to him in this great work in which he was now engaged was the late Bishop Samuel g. Harris, a native Aiabamian, under whom he served while he was Bishop of Michigan. He paid a glow ing tribute to Bishop Harris which was gratefully received by the people of St. Johns Church where Bishop Harris often preached and with which he was associated in his early ministry. He closed by making an eloquent ap- peal for the work of the Alaskan mis- sion.
 Bishop Rowe Is a man of striking personality. His rigorous training in the Alaskan climate shows in his physique. He has broad shoulders and ruddy complexion. a clear resonant voice and graceful gestures.
 He reached Montgomery in company with Mrs. Rowe yesterday morning and was visited by a number of prominent Montgomerians He came from Wash ington, where he made a short stay. and leaves today for New Orleans. In few months he will return to Alaska.
 While here Bishop and Mrs. Rowe were the guests of pr. and Mrs. B. J |, Baldwin at their home on Madison Av- enue.