Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17
MORRISON MEMORIAL
MEN ON WAY TO
CHINA FOR CELEBRATION.

Local religious workers and friends of 8.
w. Woodward and John B. Sleman, who
left New York recently for the orient, are
interested in the proposed Robert Morrison
memorial in connection with the visit of
these gentlemen in China az delegates to
the Morrison centennial of Protestant Mis-
sions in China.
Missionaries in the oldest and largest
missionary center in China will undertake
the erection of a 100000 building for the
Young Mems Christian Association. The
movement came about in this way: Rob-
ert Morrison sailed for China in 1907, and
all China is celebrating the centenary of
Protestant missions in the empire. The
Canton missionary conference representing
thirteen mission boards and societies Of
America. Europe and Australasia. under
took to erect in Canton, where he lived
and died, building memorial to Nor
rison. 1t was unanimously decided to give
the building to the International committee
Of North American Young Mems Christian
associations to be held in trust for the Can
ton association. secretary has been ap-
pointed for Canton, +. o. Lesser, who Is
now at Hongkong, learning the language.
This Morrison memorial building move
ment has been Endorsed by the missionaries
of southern, central and northern China in
the various gatherings, anu the CIllHeSe
Christians are taking the matter up and
pushing the subscriptions heartily. AT a
meeting of Chinese Christians of Canton,
$1,000 (Mexican) was raised. Chinese ladies
sent up their gold rings. Sir Robert Hart
of Picking has subscribed $1,000 (MeXican)
and the canvass goes on. John Lake, a
former association secretary, now a mis-
sionary in Canton was sent around the
world on four months leave of absence.
He has secured treasurers and committees
In the various countries.
Among those on the committee in the
United States are:
ington, D. c.; Bishop James w. Bashford
DID,, Shanghai, China; Gen. James a.
Beaver, LID, Bellefonte, Pa; James Bow
ron, Birmingham, Ala; Samuel B. Capen
Boston. Mass; Rev. s. H. Chester, ID.
Nashville. Tenn; Rev. Henry B. Cobb
DID,, New York; Rev. T. T. Eaton, D. D.,
Louisville, KY; John w. Foster, LID,
Washington, D. G; John M. Harlan, LID,
Washington. D. c.: Clark Howell, Atlanta.
Ca. Rev. w. R. Lambuth, MD, Nashville,
Tenn; Henry B. F. Mcfarland, Wash
ington. D. c.; President E. Y. Mullins,
DID,, Louisville, KY; w. ]. Northen, At
lanta, Ca; Rt Rev. Henry C. Potter, DID,.
New York; Rev. J. N. Prestridge, DID,,
Louisville, KY; Robert L. Speer. New
York; Selden P. Spencer, st. Louis, Mo-;
Edward B. Sturges, Scranton, Pa; Prof
Henry Van Dyke, DID,, Princeton, N. j.,
and President Woodrow Wilson, LID,
Princeton, N. j.
F. B. Schenck, the treasurer Of the in
ternational committee, is the treasurer for
this fund in America.
President Roosevelt, after giving Mr..
Lake an interview, wrote the following
letter:
MY Dear Mr.. Lake: Permit me to ex-
press my hearty sympathy with the pur-
pose to erect a building at Canton to the
memory of Robert Morrison, who came as
a missionary to Canton just 100 years ago.
1t is a touching fact which you tell me
that 1.5OO Chinese, including converts and
adherents from all the native congrega-
tons in and near Canton, and the Chinese
preachers and teachers from all the mis-
sions, should have been planning for the
erection of such a building. 1 hope our
own people out of their abundance will con-
tribute for the same purpose.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT
1t is regarded as notable and significant
that this movement Should have been start
ed by the missionaries of their own mo-
ton, without even the knowledge of the
association people. The decision was unan-
imous that the building should be given
untrammeled to the Young Mems Chris
tan Association