South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-07

Indiana Man and Former Fish
and Game Commissioner
Back From Trip in European
Countries.

COLUMBUS. Ind, July THE
Rev. Sweeney, former fish and game
commissioner. pleased with his ex-
periences in Russia, England and
Wales, has arrived here, after having
.ta44I-u out d mission for the Chris
ton church in the Russian empire and
delivered a personal invitation TO
David Lloyd George, chancellor OF
the exchequer for the British empire.
10 come to Toronto next fall for the
conventions OF Christian churches.
Mr.. Sweeney obtained a promise from
the chancellor that he will come if
parliament is not in session then. He
also returns with an optimistic ac-
count Of the work Of his church in
Russia.
When Mr.. Sweeney was in London
to see David LlOyd-GeOrge, he had
difficulty in getting one Of the chan
cellor's six secretaries to take in his
card. Not half a minute after the
card was delivered the chancellor APP
peared, grasped the clergyman's hand
and invited him in. Mt. Lloyd
George keeps track Of the work Of
the Christian church in this country,
and Mr.. Sweeney was surprised TO
find that he knew all about the
Sweeney family. how many ministers
it had produced and where they had
preached.
breaches i'm Wales.
On the following Sunday Mr..
Sweeney went to the Lloyd George
home at Cricieth, Wales, and preach
ed at a Christian church where a, rel
alive Of the chancellor has been pas
tor for so years. He was the guest
of the chancellor's brother, William
Lloyd George, Sunday. and the chan
cellor and his family attended the
service. When Mr.. Sweeney left.
David Lloyd George invited him to
make his London home his own when
ever he should be in London again.
Mr.. Sweeney's trip abroad was
made primarily on behalf of a COM
mittee of Russians in New York, who
wished TO know what progress is
being made by the Christian church
in the Russian empire. Mr.. Sweeney
visited St Petersburg, Moscow and
Warsaw and learned that, though the
government church frOwns on any
other. the Christian church is making
rapid strides. The interest is not
confined TO the humble classes. Many
of the nobility are interested.
Has Prepared Report.
Mr.. Sweeney has prepared a report,
directed to the members Of the COM
mittee that sent him abroad. He says
in part:
4 LETT New York April % and
reached st. Petersburg May 8. I
attended ten meetings of the church
in st. Petersburg. and became ac-
quainted with the preachers. members
and methods Of the church; they have
only one church, which meets at six
regular meeting places and at four
other places at ire lar intervals.
The church number 3 D baptized be-
levers, 700 of whom reside perman-
emily in the city. They recognize no
authority in religion but that of Jesus
Christ and His apostles They call
themselves by such names as are
found in the New Testament, but
owing to governmental regulations
they are required TO adopt some other
names that will be differentiative.
Under such cOmpulsiOn they call
themselves Gospel Christians In
some cities they are known as Evan
gelical Omissions in Russia The
movement originated more than so
years ago under the teaching of Gen.
PashkOff. a very wealthy RussiOn
holding a high position under the en-
perOr'