The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-27
SELF SUPPORTING.
Many Presbyterian Foreign Missions
Are So Reported.

Kansas City, NO., May 27-Foreign
missionary work was reported on and
discussed at the general assembly of
the PRESBYTERIAN church in the United
states of America today Great pro-
gress in this field of evangelism was
indicated by the report of the foreign
mission board. Not only has the work
prospered by the great number of
new commandments added to the rolls
or the church. but it was shown that
the natives in many foreign fields,
were contributing sums of money
large enough to make many of the
missionary stations self supporting.
The evangelistic spirit developed in
the native churches. the spirit of CO.
operation among the many denomi-
nations in the foreign field and the
unity of the different branches of the
Presbyterian churches in foreign mis-
slonary work, were matters upon
which the board laid special stress to
effort. 1t was shown that in spiritual
results. the last year had been the
| best in the history of the board
The board reported that more mon
| ey was contributed this year for for
eign missions through the board than
| during any previous year in its his
tory. the total amount, including lega
| cies being more than $1,300,000. OF
this sum churches gave $5S6,000, an
| increase of $4,000 over the proceed
ing year. The total expenses for the
year amounted to $1,455,O00 A por-
ton of the deficit reported was due to
the fact that less was received from
| the Cumberland churches than was
/ appropriated for them. The main
reason for the deficit was that while
! the legacy account fell off during the
year, approximately $780, 900 was re-
ceived which had to be applied for
| special purposes in the foreign field
\ by direction and insistence Of its
donors. A-G
A shorter catechism. which shall be
| couched in simpler language than the
| shorter catechfsm'. now in use by
the church, was recommended by the
| committee on bills and overtures. This
| catechism must cover the system of
faith and practice taught in the Holy
Scriptures and is intended for home
| instruction and for the Sabbath
schools but it shall not be one of the
standards Of the church. This shall
| be known as intermediate catechism
and committee of six ministers and
shall be the chairman, will report. on
| the recommendation at the next gen.
eral assembly.
A President on Their Side.
DR.. Willis ]. Bear, president of the
Occidental college, in presenting the
report of the board of foreign missions.
said that the nation is "foreordained to
d
| lieves in foreign missions" as both
| Secretary Taft and Mr.. Bryan had ex-
pressed their strong endorsement of the
work. He quoted Secretary Taft as
| saying christianity and the spread OF
! Christianity is the only basis of uni
| versal hope" and Mr.. Bryan was quo
| ted in strong language as favoring the
| spread of the gospel in foreign lands.
Dr. Baer submitted the recommen-
dations of the board, which included a
| request for 81, $685. 900 to do the work for
| another year.
He expressed regret that many young
ministers who are appointed for the
! foreign missionary field are not sent
| out because sufficient money for the
purpose is not available. DIR. Bear said
that war talk at home and abroad had
/ interfered with the work in Japan: he
! said that the alleged belligerent at
titude did not represent the spirls o.
| the Japanese people and that meets may
come and fleets may go, but may the
hand be palsied that puts the neigh
i boring nations of, the United STATES
| and Japan at war against each other.
Speaking Of the loyalty OF Orientals
1 to the church, DIR. Baer said that the
| Chinese built the first Presbyterian
1 church in the reconstruction of Sar
| francisco after the earthquake. He
| eastern nations had not only caused
commercial boycotts.. but had checked
4 the work of Christian evangel1zatlof
among those peoples.
Rev. DIR. Stanley White, secretary O
the board and all the foreign MISSION
| aries present, addressed the assembly
The report OF the board was adopt
ed.
r In Ol<Iahouoa