Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-04-25
eaalsrrAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning April -.


Topic.-fIome missions among foreign
srs in America.-Eph. Ii, Is. 10.
The population of the United States,
according to tie census of 1900, not
Including our insular possessions, was
76,3o3.3ST. OF this number 1046ooS5
were foreign born and 15,sS7,S2 the
children of foreign born parents. Thus
every third person on an average IN the
United States is foreign born or the
child Of foreign born parents. And
from 1860 the tide IL Immigration has
not receded In 1901. 4s7,91S foreign
ers arrived on our shores, and in 1905
they came million strong,
Nor do the tremendous numbers OF
our increasing foreign population alone
appail u.s. Their character is a fea-
ture that must be taken into coasidera-
ton. The tide of immigration from
such European countries as Great Brit
ain, France. Germany and Greece has
decrease largely in comparison with
the past, and these armies of new popu-
lation are coming from Russia, Aus
tria- Hungary and Italy, and especially
southern Italy. They are illiterate,
morally in many cases far below our
standards of morality and with prac-
ticaiiy no conception of the principles
of our government or the essentials of
true Christianity. They crowd into our
large eastern cities, into our great in
dustrial sections and are in no small
sense constant menace 10 the Amer
lean government, and especially to
American institutions. They cling TO
their native customs, their native
speech and their native religion, or the
absence of any religion, which are as
far from American as the east Is from
the west.
The dangers from this undesirable
clement in our midst must not be over
locked by state or church. Both have
q grave responsibility upon them.
Otricter immigration laws should be
enacted and strictly enforced. The Chi
nese can be kept out of our land and
ought to be- Any one who has had the
least opportunity to study the life Of
the Cinnamon already In our country
cannot doubt the wisdom of excluding
others Of similar character from our
land. The Chinatown of any of our
great cities is 4 pest hole of dirt and
Alth and usually of vice and Of sin
But If Chinese can be excluded from
our shores, why not the undesirable
hordes of the European nations? The
nation should at least have a breathing
spell. which can be occupied in mission
ary work among those who are here.
The government Is awakening to its
responsibilities and vigorously enforc-
ing such laws as we have and adding
gtricter ones to the statute books. The
church is also getting wide awake, and
missionary work among the foreign
population of our country is most ac-
tive and aggressive. In New York.
Philadelphia, Pittshurg and Chicago
much successful work is being done
among foreigners. This is also the
case in the states where they have seq
regated in large numbers. And God
is blessing the work. In Philadelphia
great work is being done by the Pres
byterian evangelistic committee among
the Italians. 4 commodious taber-
nacle has been erected for their use
The children are daily taught, and a
vigorous Sabbath school is in operation.
A church has been organized which has
several hundred members. A number
of young men are studying for the min
1stry that they may preach the gospel
to their own people. This is only one
story of which many could be told
God can save any human soul and
make its owner no longer IAN alien and
stranger" but fellow citizen with the
saints and of the household of God"
But the work Ii America is a great
one and needs the heartiest sympathy.
prayers and cooperation Of all Chris
tdans. If you want to preserve the
character of the American nation and
Of its institutions. If you want to keep
the American home what 1t has been,
II you want to safeguard the American
Sabbath and, above all, save immortal
souls, put your life. as far as you have
opportunity, into home missionary work
among the foreigners in America.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ezra vi, $40; Neh. II, Is; Ps. II, IS:
cxlvii, 20; Prov. xiv, 81; Jer. xxx, Z:
Matt. xvii, 24-27; Acts 1, s; Il, sill;
xvii, Dps; Rev xxi, 24-2e.