The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-11-11
MISSION WORK
HAS BEEN GIVEN
GREAT IMPETUS
J. Campbell White Tells Detroit
Pastors of Stimulus of Lay
mems Movement
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE
GREATLY INCREASED
Toronto's Record Cited as Mark
at Which American
Cities May Aim

j. Campbell White, Of New York,
general secretary OF the Laymen's
Missionary Movement. who is TO be
one OF the leading speakers at the
mems banquet In the Woodward-ave.
Baptist church house. this evening.
addressed the members OF the Pas
tors union in their regular meeting In
the T. ID. e. A., Monday meFRfng He
spoke on the question OF foreign mis-
sions, pointing out how the financial
contributions to work In the foreign
fields had been largely augmented
since the organization OF the Lay
mems Missionary movement, and
showing the present needs OF greater
donations and religious activity in the
distant lands at the present time.
Mr.. White said he had just come 10
Detroit from Toronto, Ont, where, on
Sunday, the churches celebrated the
fifth anniversary or the Laymen's
Missionary movement In Canada. The
Toronto churches, he said, did splen-
didly In the matter of increasing their
foreign mission subscriptions. Five
years ago they were giving but $780,
900 year to the work In the foreign
field; now they are subscribing S479.-
600. the latter sum having been sent
abroad In the past year.
wish we had city in the TINT
ted States that we could point to as
an example like Toronto" said Mr..
White. New York Is too big city
to be considered for such honor, but
there is no reason why Detroit should
not become the example. The popula.
ton Is just about right here"
Mr.. White drew the attention OF his
hearers to the conflict now being
'waged In the Balkans, and urged them
to action In behalf OF the attempt be-
ing made to check the advance OF
Moslem worship In the Balkan terri
tory. II was also imperative that
Christians In America take steps to
plant the seed of Christianity In
China without delay, he said. Now
was the psychological moment for the
Christianizing of the Chinese, in view
of the changes which had been effect
ed In China by the revolution, Mr..
White contended.
Let us not make the mistake with
China that we did with Japan said
Mr.. White. I'VE neglected to take
hold OF Japan when she was in plastic
shape for molding. China will be
easier to work with In the next 10
years than she will be In the follow.
ng decade"
Mr.. White took up the matter CT
the pastors responsibility towards
the missionary question. He said tie
pastor often made the mistake of try
Ing 10 do too much himself, instead
OF enlisting the help OF the iaymen.
All Congregations were peculiar: he
admitted, but he said the men could
be induced TO work for and contribute
shown their opportunities In regard
to spreading the gospel In nUn-
Christian lands. An appeal to men
along the line of character building,
and service was always
successful, the speaker averred.
And, In this regard, Mr., White took
occasion to say that men OF charsc-
ter, though occupying humble pos
tons In life, often left q stronger dm
preston for good on the world thar
the men OF genius. He knew Of few
men OF genius who had done anything
really good for the world. He ado
Gated the idea OF pastors taking men
from their congregations and allow
ing them 70 assist In the pulpit, each
one being allowed to speak for Ave or
10 minutes during a service. II was
q peril to Christianity to have the
pastors doing al the talking.
towards missions IL they were but
Previous to Mr.. Whites talk, the
Rev. j. Frederick Fitschen, Jr.. pas
tor Of the Jefferson-ave. Presbyterian
church, and chairman Of the PASSIONS
union committee on Sabbath observ-
ance, said that he didn't think there
was much use In calling the commit
tee together. unless the union was
prepared to back 1t up In two things,
namely, the suppression Of contract
labor and amusements for gains on
Sundays.
I'VE have been beaten to a finish
on the question OF trying to stop Sun
day BASEBALL" said Mr.. Fitschen,
and we don't feel like going into the
other matters unless the union will
help"
/, II was decided to refer the matter
to the committee on economies.
Secretary Udell, OF the United Char
tiles, asked the union to provide a
source OF information on city mis-
sions, relative to their standing, and
the Rev. VIM. t. JaQuess, OF the Trum-
hull-ave. Presbyterian church, advo-
Gated the appointment of a committee
of Ave from each Protestant demon.
ination In the city to regulate the
matter He also explained that the
committee would be able TO prevent
the overchurchiug Of local eommun-
tiles, by allowing a certain church to
take care Of territory where mis-
sion was desired.
Thia maftar Was alao left To tha-