The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-07-06

1t is, however, practical problem,
and popular; for it can employ con-
structive and immediate remedy for
the ills in sight rather than the thous-
and-miles distant ones
In getting to my story I do not
have to discuss Foreign Missions,
though I have to make reference
to that branch in starting of.
In populOus and prosperous town,
less than 5000 miles from here,
there lived five devout women (Lord
bless us, good women are everyt
where) who believe they do God SER
vice by giving every year lots of
money toward serving, if not saving,
the heather. 1t is said each Of the
five gives the support Of one foreign
missionary. Say $4,000 in ALL 1t may
be less. it is likely more.
Wien we think Of the sympathy,
the concern, the piety involved in
this Offering, one yearns to get hold
OF the hearts back Of it, and use that
money for something real fine. that
is if he happens to be one who thinks
Foreign Mission methods are any
thing but fine. He gets to figuring
on the power that might come Of such
benevolence wisely directed
A Methodist Brother was carrying
me TO the station from lis hospitable
home; and we came to a noble look
ing old church, now unused, about
four miles from the five ladies. This
venerable building is dropping into
decay, dying of disuse, beautiful in
it's decline-a brick relic an anti
mi n
that should be arrested.
Until a few years ago this was
meeting place, and is still in the
nlidst Of people needing the minis
trations Of q pastor-a real pastor
about as badly as any community I
know: that is, judging from what
nay host said and I saw. Yes, and
from what l heard about false swear
Ing at their courthouse.
4 lack of the funds necessary to
loe4 preacher preaching, is the
reason for this antique becoming an
tiquatad It is not claimed that the
people got tired Of going to church,
or became so yirtuous that they need
ed no more sermons, or so good and
happy that they wanted no daily as
sociation with q wise, inspiring coun-
sellor, such sc every pastor can be,
and should be.
No. Money got scarce, and the
preacher, properly enough, needed
money, and had to go where he could
Set H.
This field would strike any visitor
as white-unto-the enough
for any laborer Beng on Georgia
soil-if that is too close, let as say
in America this field has a fair
lien on the liberal women sincerely
anxious to serve the Lord.
And I can't help believing that
these Eve elect women could be
brought to see the truth, if some one
close 30 their confidence were to get
after them When l mentioned it to
q minister his lack of interest made
me drop the subject.
And | don't suggest that any Or all
OF those worthy women Re taken lin
state that is in an automobile for
ii wouldn't fit-to view the land
scape Ger. If some old cracker"
out there in the wilderness, SO to
say, were sick or dying, or in any
sore straits calling for the lubrica-
tons OF genuine religion, then and
there would be the chance. 1t would
be possible to find minister who
could find one OF the Decreases, and as
in Paul's time, set something doing.
If the lady or ladies might go out
and look the field in the face, it were
enough. One genuine heart, and a
full basket would make a good be-
ginning. The next Sunday that old
church would be whispering comfort
and n01-nSeI fO roany q w2nderer. and