The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-23
CONGREGATIONAL
MINISTERS STAND
WITH Mr.. CR|STy

The annual conference OF the Con-
gregational churches was brought 10
a close with this forenoons session.
The principal address was given by
Don O. shelton Of the National Con-
gregational Home Missionary society
OF New York
Mr.. shelton dwelt on the heroic SER
vices of the great pioneer preachers Of
the Gospel. who, as the star of empire
moves westward, went forward in their
work Of Christian conquest
There are country frontiers in
America today having some features
similar 10 those our forefathers knew"
he said "rhe chief changes have been
I'm their locations. In their need OF
aggressive evangelism they are as as
sertive as the frontiers OF fifty years
ago.
"a part OF the modern frontier is in
New England. From country districts
multitudes OF American young people
have removed and large foreign pop
ulation has come In. Forty-seven ana
nine tenths per cent OF the states OF
Maine New Hampshire, Vermont Mas
sachusetts, Rhode Island and Connec-
ticut is of foreign parentage.
"As a result OF this radical change
new and formidable conditions pre-
vail The Gospel must be taken 10
the foreigners in their own language
frontier demands on the part OF the
Christian church strategy, initiative
and self-sacrihcing zeal.
"The frontier that our fathers knew
still exists. broad stretches of coun-
try. thinly peopled hamlets on the
edges OF the prairie, stern ana riBor-
Gus conditions of life. Some of this
frontier Is also I'm New England AS
large as the whole state of Massachu-
setts Is Aroostook county, Maine. or
trE- 4. tftt- -t4te- -fteres-Sea.990 or less than
one-ffth. are occupied by villages and
farms OF this small fraction, fully
one half are uncleared.
'fSome OF the most extensive and needy
frontiers today are in our great cities.
In densely populated regions. which are
to an alarming degree neglected by the
Christian churches nerce battles with
moral foes are fought.
THE moral and spiritual needs of mill
lions submerged In dismal tenement
houses and I'm regions where life is hard
and grinding are such as to call forth
a Joyful. whole hearted response from
all sympathetic Christians.
Forty per cent OF the people I'm our
great cities are foreign born; from two
thirds 10 five-sixths are foreign by birth
or parentage
"Strong Christian churches have with
drawn from the congested districts OF
great cities where many of these foreign
horn peoples live. AS the masses have
crowded i'm many Of the vigorous churches
have moved out.
1.-TWO or three small. inadequately
equipped and meagerly supported mis-
sions and churches are striving TO meet
the needs that are extensive and appal-
ling. In many large American cities to-
day sections can be found with popula-
,tons ~ from 10 600 10 Is 600.
"The Christian church must. through
widely directed forms Of home mission
effort go into the present neglected parts
OF our great cities with an equiphmnet
adequate to meet the diversified needs OF
the people. Into these crowded districts
the church OF Christ must go with the
gospel for the alleviation and emanclpa-
tion and salvation Of those who are IN
bondaRe TO evil surroundings and sin.
,.In 1saO. Boston had one Protestant
church 10 every 1928 people; in 1890. one
Protestant church to every 25Sl people
In 1910 New York had one protestant
church 10 every 1892 people; In 1890, one
TO every 1862 people. Thus in 1890 large
cities did not have more than one-half
as many Protestant churches TO the pop
population as In 1S4O.
'For the further Christian conquest or
America. what is required? A clearer
ties: more distinct recognition Of the
greatness and imperativeness OF our mis-
,sion as representative or Christ. In
very real sense we are a chosen genera
tfon a royal priesthood an holy nation.
a peculiar people and we are here to
show forth. not only TO America, but 10
the whole world the praises OF Him who
hath called us oitd OF darkness Into His
marveloCl. light
Faith I'm God. faith In the dlvineness
and essentialness OF tho mission OF the
ChriStion church. faith I'm tho lmmanence
and exceeding great might OF the Spirit
OF God faith I'm the Gospel OF Christ as
still the power Of God unto salvation to
all who believe, will avail for the evangel-
ization and Christian conquest OF the
modern frontiers whose needs now ur-
gently appeal 90 the sympathy and
strength OF the Christian church"
The report OF the Rhode Island branch
OF the woman's Board OF Missions was
read and an address was given by Rev.
J. l.. Sewall OF Randolph. Mas, on Tho
Day OF Council. and our Dcnomanational
Opportunity"
Al the business session the following
Officers were elected:
state secretary Rev Charles NJ
Whlttlesey: treasurer Arthur w. Cla1n:
auditor. Edwin Barrows: committee on
benevolence. Rev. John Deans. a. G. Day.
Rev. A. T. Roraback. board OF trustees
OF Rhode Island Temperance league. Rev.
p j. Goodwin. Rev. H. r. Root and Rev.
T. l. Llndh. voting representatives OF the
conference with the Congregational Home
Missionary society. Rev j IL. Lyon.
Gardner s. Perry; committee on Rhode Is
land T,pderaflon ~ churches Rex lanes