Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-03-20

Oity and Country Population Present
Distinct Problems for Solution.
F0RtIGN INFLUX ELEMENT OF FORMER
Immigrants Bring Language and Customs
that Must Be Dealt With,
METHODlsTS FACE THESE VITAL ISSUES
Digpitaries Of Church Discuss Best Means
Of Extending Gospel,
HOME LAND PRESENTS FERTILE FIELD
Northwest Division of Mission Board
Closes Its First Convention After
Two Days of Inspiring
Communion.
HOME LAND PRESENTS FERTILE FELL


With the devout singing Of "Ameca,"
suggested partly by the theme of the last
address delivered. the first convention Of
the northwest division OF the Board of
Home Missions and Church Extension of
the Methodist Episcopal church, Twentieth
and Davenport streets Tuesday evening.
Earnest resolutions Of thanks TO those who
aided and took part in the meetings was
the last item Of business, and at the close
the gathering engaged in a general hand
shaking. particularly with the visiting min
listers, and chief Of those, George Elliott,
j.. D., of Chicago, whose evening address
marked the close Of the season.
The title Of DR.. Ellitt's talk was Amer
lea as a Missionary Field and Nation"
with language Of the most direct and
forceful character, and with eloquencc Of
unusual strength he took hold Of his sub
3ect, and though he brought out a great
deal which one would wish were not thee
fact during the course of his speaking, he
closed with a picture of universal peace,
and trimumph for the cause of the Name
The churches of today did not come In
for the commendation from DR.. Elliott
which they might wish. In fact the speaker
pronounced an arraignment Of them, inti-
mating lack of enthusiastic work and
straying from the straight line is a notice
able weakness on their part in the mission
ary work in America.
The matter of tainted money" came in
for brief mention at one point. To Illus
trate his own attitude on the subject, al
though he declined TO go into 1t for thor
ough discussion, he said he wouldn't advise
anyone to offer him any money with the
expectation OF his making an investigation
into the manner in which It was earned
before accepting IT, But" he continued,
''if our business frms corporations and
dealings were patterned after Christ, there
would be no need of any investigation, or
fear of tainted money"
Inspiration to Patriotism.
Generally, however, DR.. Elliott's talk was
one to inspire greater patriotism, greater
love for and loyalty 70 this country, and
the singing of the national air of praise
was undertaken with increased fervency
fand feeling result
After the close Of the evening address
the committee on resolutions presented the
following paper, which was adopted:
Whereas, Under the blessing of the Al
mighty God we are just closing the first
convention of the board OF home mission
and church extension held in the north
That we thank Thomas c. hin, d. D., fol
his untiring efforts in arranging and carry
ing forward the work of this convention;
That we extend to Charles M. Boswell
u D., OF Philadelphia, and George Elliott
u. D., of Chicago, our highest appreciation
OF their splendid addresses, which have en-
thused and greatly helped us;
That we extend our gratitude to Frank l.
I.oVeland, ID. D., and his congregation fol
the use Of their church for the convention
That we have appreciated the course o
the daily press in their aim and effort L
give extended reports OF the convention
That as a body Of preachers and laymel
we pledge to DR.. uif our hearty sympath!
nd m ~ In q -
OF the home missions and church exten
sion.
Earlier in the evening a praise servic
was held, led by DIR. Frank l.. Lovsland
The evening meeting wa sin charge OF Hon
Charles A. GOss. Dr. George Elliott. VIII
is field secretary of the organization, gav
the only address of the closing portion o
the program
Problem of Country.
The mornink session began at $50 Tues
day morning, with Rev. d. X. Tyndall. Z
D., formerly OF Omaha, presiding elder o
the Norfolk district, presiding, and close
with the evening session.
The quiet hour services were led by Rev
+. p. Cook Of McCabe Memorial Ghure
, and were full OF interest.
The first address OF the forenoon was b.
Rev. John Grant shick on the subject o
the Country Problem" He said in part:
when anything becomes a problem
becomes a prophecy. How am I to knov
what God will have me to do2 Most Of u
need a stimulus when we are confrunte
by a problem and must go at It with IN
expectancy Of a conquest. The question {
'The Country Problem is just as vital 1
church extension work as that Of n
yellow Peril and has a distinct bearin
upon the matter IN hand. How can "
maintain and increase church usefulnes
IN the country? In the old days there wa
the basket and camp meetings and l sonl'
times wish they had not gone from I
forever. Not that the old days were bett'
than these. But we must not inquire int
the many social problems in the oountr
districts. II is possible that humility ha
70 great extent given way to pride an
benevolence TO other social orders
Matter of Maintenance.
THE trouble with our country districts
the matter OF church maintenance Is b.
cause Of the ever shifting character OF n
country populations. The old time countI
church seems 70 be a thing OF the pas
The same observation will apply to the o.
time graded country school. While
country funeral may an the country churC
from the pulpit 10 the doors, the regull
y attendance at the country churches Is r
duced TO the lowest minimum. This Is a
tributable TO a great extent to the influx
foreign population whose members are NJ
h sympathy with our church forms
language.
I'VE ere now confronting the stranl
paradox that we are reaching the foreil
world by having It come 10 US with 1
forms. traditions and language. We mu
give the gospel 70 them In their oV
tsnEus or not at all The Methodist ehur'
must change It's attitude toward foreigne
II n would prosper with them by practcii
a missionary spirit among the foretSne
az home with the same energy that We
IN foreign landA The solution OF q
country problem is 20 faithfully preal
the gospel IN the country as well as in q
city and give the country communities &
gospel In their own tongue"
Rev. william Gorst concurred in the pr