The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-02
FOREIGN
MISSION
BOARD HERE

There were some rather interesting
statements made at the opening session
Of the aH-day meeting of the American
Board OF Foreign Missions at the me-
mortal chapel OF the Benefcent Congre-
gational church this morning.
Rev Cornelius H. Patton who Is in
charge Of the office of the home secretary
al Boston, made the statement that the
board this year was carrying deficit and
had to curtail in it's expenses TO such an
extent that the general success OF the
mission work has been retarded. The
board Is now bearing deficit of $l76,000.
and n order to lessen the expenses has
had TO retrench TO the amount OF $4,000
and to place the work on firm basis as
well as liquidate all the debts the amount
OF 81 600 600 IS needed.
The meeting was opened by Rev. James
T.. Mcconnell. who offered prayer. after
which hymn was sung. Rev. c. H. Pat
ton was then introduced and asked 10
tell OF the work that the board had been
doing recently lie told OF the plan that
had been devised to get the matter Of
the missionary troubles before the people
of the church.
The plan was. he said. for the board to
divide itself into two parts and make
tour OF the larger cities OF the country
aid He said that the plan had been TO
visit % cities In the east and a like num-
Der I'm the west so that the information
might be thoroughly disseminated.
Thus far the plan had worked very well
and there had been great success. The
commission has visited Burlington, VT.
st. Johnsbury. VT, Greenfield, Pittsfeld.
Springfield and Worcester. Mass, and is
here today
Having finished with the plans as out
lined he then began to tell of the work
that had been done by the missionaries
and the great needs there were for fur
ther work He stated that whole nations
I'm and about Palestine and Asia Minor
were Waiting TO become Christianized. and
that the most intelligent OF the inhabit-
ants were beseechng the missionaries to
teach them the great truths OF the Bible.
The whole Albanian nation, he said.
was asking for instruction i'm the ways
OF Christianity. one of the higher class or
the nationality had even come TO this
country and had been asking repeatedly
at the office OF the home secretary In Bos-
ton for aid,
The same condition, he said. was preva-
lent in India and China, but that the So
ciety was handicapped owing TO the re-
trenyhments made necessary by the lack
OF support. In order TO remove the de-
felt the Morning STAR vessel used to
tour the islands OF the Pacific from year
TO year. had been dispensed with and no
were being sent out this year
A number OF other ways are used TO les
sen the amount and the cutoff would be
ss1 900.
The vessel Morning Star" was used
TO carry the contributions OF clothing and
the like TO the natives. these things being
contributed by the Sunday schools and
societies.
After the session was concluded there
was n short business session IN one Of the
rooms IN tho vestry. wnere the plans for
laying the matter fairly before the public
OF this city were discussed.
At the session this afternoon there were
addresses and an interesting general pro-
gram. Among the speakers were Secre-
tarv G ~. Patton " Boston. an address
by Rev. Irving NJ Channon OF Micronesia,
an address by w w. Zumbro OF India
an address by Rev. Edward NJ Noyes of
Newton. Mass and greetings from China
By Rev. Arthur II smith. The latter
will also be the chief speaker at the even
ing session. Dr. y. y. Darlington OF
Constantlnople will also speak He Will
offer tho prayer at the conclusion ~ the
exercises