The Washington times., 1910-03-22

Baptist Ministers to Investi-
gate Conditions In
Congo.

CHICAGO. March 22.-Heading z dele
cation Of four leading Baptist ministers
and missionaries from this country and
Great Britain, the Rev. DR.. Johnston
Myers. pastor Of Emmanuel Baptist
Church of Chicago. will leave for cen
tral Africa early in April 70 hold a
conference with King Albert I, of Bel
gium. regarding the Baptist missions
in the Congo.
The advent Of the new ruler Of Bel
giUm and the Congo country to the
throne has inspired the Baptists of this
country and Great Britain with new
hope for greater missionary activity in
central Africa, and DIT. Myers is con-
hdent that, under the protection Of the
young King. whC IS said 10 be a liberal
minded and progressive man, the mis-
siOnary work in Belgian Africa viii be
greatly encouraged
We have already made arrangements
for meeting the King" said DR.. Myers
yesterday, "and our conference will take
place about the middle Of May in the
heart of the Congo country. where the
King will be travelling about that time.
I'VE are confident that ne will indorse
our efforts TO Christianize his possession.
We understand that he halls with de-
light ali civilizing influences within his
African realm
King Declared Friendly.
The Baptist church ls planning 60 in
crease its missions in Africa, and this
seems 20 be the most opportune time
for so doing. We believe King Albert
Will give US his help. The English, we
know. will do their best for us IN
the TransvaaI. and. with the coming
OF the new transcontinental railway
from Cape Colony 10 Cairo. throughout
the length OF central Africa, there are
great possibilities for missionary work
Tho entire dark continent is practically
open for civilization and Christianity"
Il is likely that Dr. Myers and hts
colleagues VIII travel with King Albert
through a part or the congo and in
spect some Of the missionary posts OF
the Bapt.sts scattered along the Congo
river.
First Cooperative Move.
Should the King give his full indorse-
ment 10 TIL Baptist missionary move
mont, which IS said 20 be likely, it viii
be the first time IN history that a for
eign monarch and American mission
aries have Joined hands I'm the develop
ment of practically a savage country.
Accompanying DIT Myers Will be the
Rev. Dr. J. Q. Franklin. Of Kansas City.
Joseph Clark. missionary in the Congo
for twenty-five years, and a Mr.. Fer
guSOn, OF England. Mr.. Clark Is
Scotch missionary of note. The expe-
dItion Will take the Baptist churchmen
through Congo. through the SCudan,
the Transvaal. and south 10 Cape Col
Ouy. whence they viii sail for Europe.
The four men are sent by the American
Ergr Ion - =
$500 for the expedition about a month
ago, while in session in Boston
Plans Of Dr. Myers.
7 shall stay in this city TIL about
April 81 am going 70 vote before I 60"
said DR.. Myers yesterday. You see. I
am interested in the battle between the
'drys' and vets and, while I look
forward with pleasure 70 the trip,
would sacrifice the trip for making Chi
cago dry But just as soon as have
cast my ballot I shall be ready TO leave
for New York. From there ! shall sail
for England. Our party Will be formed
AT Liverpool, and we shall sail 70 Africa
by way Of Gibraltar ] expect 70 re-
turn 10 Chicago the latter part OF Oc-
tobCr OF early in November"
'Wnl you do any huntinE2" was
asked.
We shall be prepared 10 hunt game
was the reply. but only for our table.
We have been told by Nr. Clark that
II will be easier for US to get our prO-
visions as we go along than TO carry
all our supplies with US"
To Investigate Conditions.
Dr. Nye1s is one of Chicago's best
known cIerEymen. and has long been
pastor Of the Emmanuel Baptist Church
He has beer given a leave Of absence
from the ch drch for one year, but VIII
return to his charge when he comes
back
There has been no talk about my
resigning from Emmanuel Church said
Dr. Myers. IF I am fortunate enough
to survive this trip into the heart OF
Africa, I shall as far as I know, re
sumo my place here OF course, I may
not return TO this country at all, but
that IS not at all likely"
The congregation has taken no action
IN appointing a pastor TO act during DR..
Myers absence.