Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-09-29
(New York Letter in the Indianapolis

(NeW York Letter in the Indianapolis
NeWSD
Twelve millions of people. the number
of Americans who contribute money to
world missions, are vitality concerned over
tlps and downs of money exchange rates.
and the effect of the war upon the trans
mission of money at any rates at all.
Never since foreign missions were sup
ported from the United States and am
ada, a support that began in small ways
100 years ago, were conditions in such Il
shape as today. Every Christian body,
every Jewish society, is affected. Givers
OF money everywhere are Interested.
The fluctuations of the English pound
sterling, something new in missionary
finance, has Il tremendous effect upon mis-
sionary propaganda, and upon relief funds
That are going abroad. Societies have paid
as high as s.. 10 in times past. Exchange
down to SAGE means Il saving to American
and Canadian missionary remittances of
more than $1,000, 600 were that rate to con-
tlnue for a year. and were fluctuations to
be so much as now.
Money Exchange Problem.
Money exchange is one of the most trou-
blesome problems with which missionaries
have to deal. Together, the United States
AND Canada outclass all the rest of the
world in sending money abroad for Chris
dio ISIel uses, ana U1cy experience
AS much trouble as all the world together
over this money remittance problem. Total
gifts. exclusive of Jewish and Catholic,
run $lS.COO,0OO a year. but fully $4,000, 900 Of
this sum. although 1t goes to foreign mis-
sions, Is really expended here. OF the $12.-
100000 sent abroad about $5.OOO,OO a year
mas to be converted into English money.
Hence a change Of As cents between high
and low rates makes q tremendous differ
ence.
Glvers OF mission funds not ~infrequently
get sour on their own missionary socie-
lies over money exchange expense, and
NOBODY would more gladly welcome q uni
versal world money to come with war set
Elements. whenever those settlements are
made, than American and Canadian mis-
sionary societies.
Devastation in Palestine.
The American societies fastened at once
20 the relief of desperate lights of Ger
man missionaries when the war broke out
q year ago, and they nave now contrib
uted not less than $3.50, 600 to keep them
from starving. Now word has just been
received that locusts have gone over a
good part of Palestine and have eaten
every green thing. These locusts have
proved as bad in these wal time, as ever
they did in bible times, and their ares, of
devastation has been the entire Syrian
coast. all around Beirut, and Damascus.
and south to Sidon.
The word just reached America by word
81 mouth. So strict were war regulations
thai men coming out Of Beirut were not
permitted to carry written matter in
any form or Of any kind. A student just
reached New York and reported the ter
rible scourge of the locusts. 1t is sup
posed that the devastation extends south
to Jerusalem, but all communication is
cut off from Beirut. All that is known
IS that Jews are quitting Palestine as fast
as possible, and all of the industrial and
farm relief work started in Palestine by
zionist Jews before the war is ruined.
German Support Cut OF.
New drains on missionary, and relief
funds have ben made by this locust
scourge The American societies that
Joined some months ago in sending relief
are the American board, OF Boston; the
episcopal board, New York; the Baptist
. board. of Boston, and the Presbyterian
and Methodist boards. New York. These
agencies placed almost all of their re-
sources Immediately at the disposal of
Germans whose support was wholly cut
OF. American and Canadian disbursing