The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-14
STAMFORD

STkATFORD A large audience listened with close attention yesterday morning to the narrative given by Rev. W. B. D. Gray, superintendent of the Congrega- tional Home Missions in Wyoming. He is a venerable gentleman not far from 70 years of age who has given his life to mission work on the remote frontier. He regarded home missions as just one work for the conversion of the world and the Americanization of the millions of all nationalities which ahe hocking to our shores. Save America, he said, to save the world. He was often asked if the Western States are not able to support their own missions. He pointed out how very few they are, and alluded to the rapid progress of the repopulating of the West since the Indians have been taken care of. Only 80 years ago Chi cago was a frontier post, and he had hunted deer inside of what is now the corporate limits of that city. Today Chicago is the fifth city in the world in population. He said the Rocky Mountain country is one-third of the area of the whole United States. and that in a few years it will become a mighty empire. exercising a great in fluence upon the laws and the legis- lat1On of the rest of the country. Now not per cent. of the people of Wy oming are connected with any Kind of church. Cheyenne, in Wyoming, is one mile above the sea level. There is more coal in Wyoming than in any other State. There are mountains of iron, almost pure, so much so that all the owners have to do is to take a steam shovel, dump it into cars. and carry it to the shelter. The State is full of gold, silver, copper, asbes- tos. gas and oil. The latter is so plentiful it is burned in the locomo- tfves in preference to the cheap coal. All these riches lie waiting for devel- opn1ent. Then why do the missionar- ies of Wyoming ask for money? Be- cause all the industries of the State are carried on by outside capital. Not one owner lives there. The cattle raising, the mining. etc, is in the hands of combines, trusts and foreign corporations. All the profits go to New York or Scotland. People in Wyoming have to pay these trusts s2.50 for a ton of coal which costs 42 cents to mine. And these great trusts will not contribute a dollar for relig- ion or the building and support of churches. But in years to come this great land is to be the theatre of ac- tion. A woman out there is "a man for all that" One of the great dan gers is Mormonism. which dominates five States and is an influence for evil. Another danger is the lust for gold Those who go there leave their fathers God and their mothers Bible behind them. MT. Gray went on to give some of his experiences in trying to establish churches and have relig iouS services. Sometimes he travelled for a week on horseback. and went from eight hundred to nine hundred miles to preach in a little log church, or shack. He said there was never a finer lot of men in Gods universe than the cowboys and the cowgirls. They would go 50 to 100 miles to do one a favor. i've got a good word for the cowboys. and have a right to have" He told how on a mountain side they helped to build little church. by dragging down pine trees with their lariats. And they will all ways fight to protect a woman. In some places they had no religious ser vices for Is years. In other towns they were glad to get preaching once ular sermons; baptisms; funeral ser vices for all who had died; evangelis- tic meetings; and communion. Just dry goods box for . table, a towel with a red fringe for the cloth, an ordinary cup, and water that was all! This at the very center of the United States.
 In the evening at the Congregat tiOnal church. Mrs. Gray told her story, and another large audience was present.
 This evening the Mems Club will meet at the home of MT. Carey, in North Main street. MT. Gray is to be the speaker.
 Tomorrow evening the Bible study at Putney chapel will be led by Deacon Haven.
 The Ladies' Aid Society meets in the chapel of the Congregational church next Thursday, when a missionary barrel will be packed to send West. All the garments are new, as this sO- ciety does not send away cast off gar ments.
 Next Sunday night the choir of the Congregational church will render a Thanksgiving cantata. The usual services will be held on Thanksgiving day.
 Margaret Somerset of Bridgeport, came over to attend on Tuesday even ing the meeting of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety at the Methodist church.
 Elliott w. Peck surprised his audi ence on Thursday evening by using a machine which throws common postal cards and photographs. very much en-
 
 ion of lantern slides. While the pie lures are not quite so brilliant, they answer every purpose for illustrating the words of the speaker.
 Sneak thieves crop up in town ev- cry little while. A few nights ago one of these gentry entered a house in South Main street, and going to the pantry got a good luncheon and then walked off with a couple of overcoats. Moral-keep all windows well fasten- ed.
 Ario Walker of King street, was the cornetist yesterday at the Peoples church in Bridgeport.
 Miss Alice Judson is this week at tending the Missionary Institute at the First Presbyterian church in Bridgeport. Herbert W. Pardy of Barnum avenue. is also a delegate.
 Charles Dosch is one of the young men who went to Bridgeport a few nights since, to witness the conclu sion of the billiard match at Kinder's, in Broad street. when MT. Moppe play ed such a brilliant game.
 Mrs. Belle Homan, Long Brook ave nue, has been having for a guest Mrs. King of Bridgeport.
 Iva King of Fairfield. has been vis-