Arizona republican., 1911-03-06
NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED
Missionary Work of Pres byterian and Other City Churches Among Indians Has Done Great Good and Shows Results.

special communion service for the
 Indian members of the Phoenix Pres
 byterian church was held yesterday
 afternoon at 3:30 o'clock in the main
 auditorium. A large number of
 students from the Indian school. from
 which the home missionary workers
 have been enlisting many members.
 We're in attendance. although not as
 many as would have come out had the
 weather been more favorable The
 regular congregation of the church was
 well represented. and also a number
 of teachers from the Indian school who
 have been cooperating with the volun-
 teers from the Phoenix Sunday schools
 in promoting a knowledge of Christi
 anity among the Indians
 A song service preceded the open
 ing address Of Dr. Campbell. and it
 was inspiring to hear the strong manly
 voices of the Indian young men and
 the sweet voices of the young women
 raised in singing the old hymns of the
 church which have been sung by de-
 voted Christian workers for hundreds
 Of years. It was not easy for those in
 attendance to believe that the body of youthful professors of the Christian
 religion were the grandchildren Of say age and uncivilized aborigines. and
 their presence in the house of worship was stronger tribute to the faithful ness If the home missionary workers. and fo the conservation of the teachers who inaugurated the Sabbath school and Bible study work at the Indian school than could have been given by the most eloquent appreciation and praise.
 Before the opening of the public service. twenty-eight young men and women were received into inc church on confession of faith all of whom were babptized during the open ing meeting which followed. with the exception of one young girl who had been baptized in infancy. The recep- lion nf these members increasedl the number of Indian communican.s to ap- proximately 250. and this number will be steadily increased as the work among them is continued
 The work Of the Phoenix churches among the Indians of the Salt river valley is the outgrowth of the labors of Dr. Charles II. Cook of Sacaton. who entered the field Of home mis- sionary work in the southwest more than thirty years ago and is still act lively engaged in 1t. During these years the extent of ihe missionary effort has only been limited by the ability of those in charge tO secure adequate funds for inaugurating the aggressive | force of teachers and missionary work | CTS which were considered necessary for the Christianization of the Indians. | bnt during the last few years. particu- 1 larly during the last seven. a measure | of reward for the volunteers who have | been carrying on the work. largely | without any remuneration whatever. | has come to the teachers and Bible | workers in the conversion of great | numbers of their young students. in | whose hearts they have been striving | te inculcate knowledge of the religion | of Jesus Christi That the success of | this work has been appreciated by the ! Loard of home missions was evidenced | hy the announcement made by Dr Campbell. during the afternoon that the board has appropriated money for the construction of an Indian church in rhis city. which will be used for their services exclusively. This church. it is has been projected largely for the Indians who leave the school and find employment in the city. tO en- able them tD continue their Christian associations. and band together in congenial congregation made up of people 0f their own race
 The teachers of the Presbyterian Sabbath school of Phoenix have been -onfucting weekly classes at the In- dian school generally on Tuesday evening, and it has been the aim of Dr
 ampbell to give this work the atten- non ana consideration which il rightly deserves. as offering the nearest field l for home missionary. workers. Teach ] PTS from other Protestant churches. md also from the Catholic church, nave attended the weekly meetings at he school, and nearly every denomina- ion of the ci:y has manifested interest m the spread of the gospel among hem Before the communion ceremony afternoon, Dr. Campbell gave brief talk on the subject of the mis- ;ionary labors which have been per ormed in this vicinity and gave high praise to the men and women who nave been engaged in the work. re- erring with equal cOmmendation anu gratitude to the members of all hurches which have sent teachers in- O the field. Referring to the Indian chool he said: "The spread Of the eligion among the Indians has been ,reatly helped by the teachers of the