Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-15

of the nth century 1or prinShs wv
Kingdom of God among men.
But we not only see that denomlna-
tionaI efficiency comes from the un1fy-
ing of our forces. We see that the
greatest accomplishments in a denoml-
nation like ours come from a pure
democracy. Some churches do not con-
tribute 10 the missionary societies.
Some are among the group of aided
churches. For one reason or another
they are not self-supporting. Former
ly such churches could have no voice
In the administration of the affairs OF
the missionary societies. No money,
no vote, was the rule, like the proper
ty qualification of the franchise. Now
democracy triumphs. Very little has
been said in the public press or other
wise about the action of the Northern
Baptist Convention in deciding that all
rhGrches are entitled to representation.
whether contributing to the missionary
societies or not. 1t can never be said
that the convention is close corpora
ton. nor can it's future policies be die
tated by large givers to it's funds. The
very organization of the convention,
in the fare Of vested interests is a
There is a deep meaning in move
ments like these in which we now
share. Briefly, they mean that instead
Of seeing this interest and that we are
seeing the supreme interest of our
church life--the advancing Kingdom Of
our Savior and Lord. DIR. Stackhouse
Of Canada, whose address was the
greatest oratorical triumph OF the Con-
vention, said that through the Lay
mems Missionary Movement Canada
had come to greater comprehension
of missions. American Baptists have
come to that same point. I do not care
much for empty enthusiasm grounded
in the fact that we are so great
and prosperous. We have sometimes
thought more of our glorious history
and splendid environment than we
have of doing the work that faces us,
but now we are cutting off a few
suDerfluous adjectives and getting at
our God-given tasks.
We are profiting by past mistakes
and getting down to business. Co.
operation is the significant word heard
on every hand. Moreover, and better
Still, we are cooperating The Publ
much larger place in the life of the
denomination than it ever has done
before. IS coming into it's own. This
year it will print Baptist Annual,
containing not only the report of the
Northern Baptist Convention at Port
land, but it's own report and the re-
ports of the Missionary Union and the
Homo Missionary Society as we'll. It
is printing Service" the magazine de-
voted to the young peoples work, and
some day, not long hence, you will re-
celve magazine that in it's general
makeup will compare with Scribner's
Or McClure's, but devoted to the en-
terpriSe OF worldwide evangelism.
Such practical cooperation is business
the Kings business, too. II is a new
day for American Baptists
l an glad that 1 have lived to see
this day, for il is scarcely possible to
eXaggerate the possibilities open to us
now in the Worldwide Kingdom of the
Master. Results everywhere are limit
ed only by the measure of our con-
sideration and corporation. 1t used
to be thought that universal success
in missionary achievement was a
cream OF impractical enthusiasts. Now
we behold great world movement
that foreshadows the fulfiiment of our
LORDS command. This movement in
winch we are privileged to have q
share is the granGest in all the ages.
ana is given infinite promise because
1t is now accompanied by the one uni
versal opportunity of Christian era.
Let us not satisfy ourselves with con-
Sratulations that our Publication So
cicty and orr Home Mission Society
nave had much to do with the Chris.
tan development of our marvellous
west. destined to be a great arena of
human influence; nor that our Mission
ary Union in a century of achievement
has helped to pierce the gross dark
ness that has covered heather peoples.
Let us rather eXult that God calls us
to serve in the toll and share in the
trhlmphs of this new day fer Ameri-
can Raptists.
me concluding number of the af-
ternoon program was an address by
Kew r. 5. Clarke on "The New Eng
land Home for Little Wanderers" He
told of the countless waits who have
been taken into this home the many
little orphans, who. springing from OBJ
scure parentage, have risen to high
standing in the ministry and other pro-
fessions; and he pleaded for funds to
carry on this noble work.
Miss Isabel Crawford, representing
the Woman's Home Missionary Soc-
ETY., contributed the leading number
of the evening program. She told of
her missionary work in the wild regions
of the great Southwest. Miss Craw-
ford. who is known as the heroine of
Saddle Mountain, depicted many of
the thrilling adventures that hav.
made her work no less remarkable than
those that have befell missionaries in
foreign climes. To more vividlv pro
tray the people and their customs
which she encountered Miss Crawford
appeared in the costumes worn bv the
benightcd people whom she sought to
enlighten.
The praise meeting with which the
evening session was opened was led by
Mrs. L. H. Clarke. Rev. A. b. Merriam
gave an interesting address of tho