The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-12
DOING GREAT WORK
IN MISSION CAUSE
Announcements Made to Dis
ciples' Convention Arouse
Great Enthusiasm.
.# FUND
BIG CENTENNIAL
rsnec,n, to The Times -Dispatoh.]

Especial to The Times Disnatoh.l
NORFOLK. VA, October 1.-THE
International Missionary Convention
OF the Disciples OF Christ, one OF the
largest OF Americas religious assem-
olAges, opened here to-day for a
weeks session, with an attendance OF
several thousand from all sections OF
the Tinted states and many Canadian
delegates.
The first day OF the convention was
given over to work OF the CHRISTIAN
woman's Board OF Missions. which,
meeting in the lecture room OF the
handsome Methodist Episcopal Church.
South, corner Of Freeniason and Boush
Streets, took UP the adjustment OF IT'S
interstate plans and work the devel-
ppment OF new national work and the
centennial aims and plans to be
brought to a contamination at Pitts
burg, Pa. in 1909. Announcer was
made of the individual gift to the CEN
tennial movement OF $4,000 by Mrs.
Maud Ferris, of Detroit, Mich, this
money to be used in new and ex-
tensive missionary training school, to
be established at Indianapolis. Ind.
To Extend Mission Work.
Announcement was also made that
although the starting OF the centennial
movement at San Francisco two years
ago only called for a fund OF $780,
900 to be raised by 1909. nearly $780,
900 has already been raised and paid
into the centennial treasury.
With this fund the church aims to
open UP eleven new missionary
branches, including the establishment
of a training school in Jamaica; mis-
t.. tt,.x n Ii
South America: Chinese mission work
on the Pacific coasts work in Utah.
Negro Mission School In Texas, mis-
sion work In Mexico, City Bible Church
Home In Calcutta. India. and great
work in South China.
The Opening Session.
The meeting OF the Christian Wo-
mans Board was called to order at
Epworth Church at 10 o'clock this
morning. with some OF the most
prominent women in the Disciples
brotherhood attending. Mrs. Ellen E..
Noses. OF Indianapolis, Ind. the presi-
dent. called the women to order and
made pleasing address OF welcome.
mrs. Moses. not strong in health,
found II impossible to preside active
~ over the deliberations. of the meet
Ing. and Mrs. Anna r. Atwater, OF
indianapolis vice. president. was called
to the chair. Mrs. Atwater too. well
somed the women, and the opening de-
Hotlonal exercises followed. This was
succeeded by the regular business OF
the meeting, the first matters taken
up being the hearing and consideration.
Of reports from officers and mission
aries under the board Quite a num-
per OF the church missionaries are at
tending this convention. Others are
10 arrive during the meeting.
An open session OF the Christian
Woman's Board OF Missions, the liter
airy work OF which Is in charge OF
MIS-. Bertha Mason, of Texas. was held
at Epworth Church tonight at 7:4E
O'Clock. The opening welcome and de.
votlonal period were conducted BY
state officers OF Virginia and the local
oncers OF Norfolk. The address of the
occasion was by Rev. w. P. Bentley
superintendent OF Oriental Missions,
and leading feature was the quartet
singing by the Meta Sisters, OF Colum-
bus. Ohio.
Many Prominent People Present.
Many OF the prominent officers, cler.
gymen and laymen OF the convention
proper. composed Of all aft,llated socie.
ties. and which meets for the first time
In Convention Hall (Armory HalD to-
morrow night arrived last night and
to-day Rev. George II. Combs, OF
Kansas City. president OF the conyen.
ton. arrived to-day from New York
where he has been attending the 'Dis.
ciples' Union" Mrs. Combs arrived
last night, having come in with a large
party on the christian uvangelists
Special" fresh St. sLouis. Among the
prominent conventionites to arrive or
this special were Rev. DR.. j. II. CARR
ton. editor. and Paul Moore, managing
editor, OF the Christian Evangelist, tn,
largest religious paper published In tn,
West; Rev George l.. Snively, genera
yuperIntendent OF the Christian Pub
Usher: Rev. DR.. W. T. Moore. OF Co
lunbia. Mo-. aged seyenty-hve years
}nd one OF the Oldest preachers in tn,
Brotherhood; r A. Long. OF kansa
City; j. II. Allen, OF st. Louis; Paine
':larkson, OF ST. Louis and w. S. Dick
nson. OF Cincinnati.
Hundreds OF delegates arrived dur
ing to-day and registered at head