The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1910-01-26
give TO
FOREIGN MISSIONS
Church Membership Of 1868
Pledges $3,765
$3.14 PER MEMBER
Talks on Laymcn's Movement at First
8 PrCSbytcrian-tm Prom
fR iScd For Tie Year.

The Sunday morning service at the
First Presbyterian church was given
ITO a symposium on missions, Rev. c.
#, Rankin pastor, and the three lay
ldelegates from this church to the re-
cent Laymen's convention in Columbia
taking part
eThe striking features of this great
Christian gathering, such as the splen-
Gid and inspiring addresses heard
there, the marked unity of all creeds,
and the business like way in which the
time was utilized were all referred to-
SDr. II. *. Aiken, one of the deacons
of this church. commented incidentally
upon the late convention and then ad-
dressed his remarks to the inquiry
"Why is there a Layman's movement?"
With accent on the terminal man.
"'Ihe missionary spirit" said he, "is
aframe of mind, an attitude, an essen
tai element in the character of all
members of Christ's kingdom. The
absence of it is proof positive that we
never knew Him. The present move
ment is no new organization but new
inspiration for Indifferent and nomi-
nal followers of the great founder of
the work. Jesus Christ as the organ
izer Will ever be the head. The Bible
is the prospectus, and His professed
friends are asked to invest not only
their money but their talents, their
interest, their PRAYERS and. for those
who have the bravery to make the sac
rihce, their lives il this the supreme
business of the whole church."
Missions is no longer matter of
opinion but one Of evidence and the
best way to get interested in this sub
1ect is to investigate It. This invest
ment is the only one that will pay div
idends for time and eternity"
These are few of the thoughts ella
berated and illustrated by the speaker,
but no brief synopsis, such as space
Will permit, does Justice to the con
yincing character of the layman's aD-
peal. DR.. Aiken spoke with earnest
ness and evident feeling, for twenty
minutes or more. This church has for
some years. been supporting one mis-
sienary in the foreign field but for the
coming year will contribute it prorata
of 81 per capita on a membership of
about eco.
In connection with the meeting at
the First Presbyterian church, and in
view of the interest centered in the
cause of foreign missions, it will be
OF interest to the people to know what
the churches of Laurens are doing in
this line of Christian work.
Among the seven white churches of
the city, the First Baptist leads in the
matter of contributions to foreign mis-
sions. With membership of 27O this
church will give during the coming
year $4,000 to the cause. The second
Baptist, membership Of 145, will give
500; the Episcopal, with membership
Sof 20 will give $685. the First Presby-
terian with membership of 2G0 will
give 81 ,040; the Todd Memorial (Pres-
byterian) with membership of 80 will
give $40; the First Methodist with
membership of $50 will give $3.50: and
the Second Methodist with member
ship of "A will give 500.
X The total church membership OF the
city is 1lGS, contributing total a.
mount of $3,7S5 to foreign missions
or $3.l4 per member. The figures Civ
en- above are in several instances APP
DrOXimatp bocad ON tba contr;l,,, ton q
of last year.