The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-05-05

Great Need Of 1t Ex-
planned at Convention
Held In This City

A foreign missionary convention
cannot iail to be interesting because
OF the important work tore.gn ms.
slonarles 10 across the vast stretch
es OF water winch separate this
country from the restless land. Mrs.
+. II. johnson, home base secretary
OF the Cincinnati branch, whu3e
home is at Columbus, Ohio, was the
most important speaker at the con-
vention OF the Morgantown district
OF the Methodist church at the Dia-
nond street N. y. churcn Tuesday,
and Wednesday OF this week, and
Mrs. Johnson's plea for more work
ers to aend into the big fore. .gn
fields which took the form of an
absorbing talk on Tuesday night
was SO impressive that an after
math OF intense feeling is still polg.
nantly sensed. Mrs. Johnson used
steropticon views to show foreign
lands, views Of actual conditions Of
suffering, want and longing. Starv-
ing children were shown mission
stations were flashed before the
eyes, and many pictures in the for
eign field walked up 100 delegates
who Travelled to Falrmont ii the
interest Of their work.
What We need is more mission
aries to go to Europe.b exclaimed
Mrs. johnson. This woman has
visited the docks and immigration
stations In New York and she car.
ried in her heart a great inspira-
tion which she endeayored to ex.I
tend to- her hearers. .Hhe told of
the many, many people more than
any of YOU realize Swhn are cons
Ing fasts ~ u tise Sand 81
America. Thege lnaiyiduaisS come
because they realize America has
something they aid mot have at
home. They come, said Mrs. john
son, because they realize America
has a great Christianity not sensed
in Europe and they come longing for
something they cannot express;
something one sees in the eyes
which is very strong and most ap-
pealing.
1t is very important that We send
more missionaries "over there" SO
that these people may be taught
our religion, so that thay may learn
not only how TO become Christians
and absorb that peace and comfort
which passes all understanding but
may learn how to farm their lands
how TO keep their home: they need
teachers in home. economy and teach
ers in agriculture, they need so in.
fsnitely much we can give them if
we will only take greater interest
Mrs. Johnson deplored the fact
that the foreign element is pouring
into the United States to such de-
gree that Is is now mater OF self
preservation that we send mission
aries abroad to teach that the land
"over there, is Just as promising
as ours II someone will give neces-.
sary instruction in Europe. The
immigrants who arrive here bring
immortality, disease and pollution
to a certain extent so that the prob
lem is one needing immediate at.
tention. Mrs. Johnson touched
with great thought on the fact that
ours is Christ nation and there
fore very powerful. Fify-one mis-.
sionaries went out from this coun-
try last year from the field which
Is represented by the Methodist
Episcopal convention held here yes.
terday and the day before. This
was the largest number in three
years.
Following the slides on Tuesday
night when the lights were still out
the hymn starting. HE gave His
life for me, what have I given to
Thee?" was sung softly, growing
louder as each voice found Its place
and without accompaniment IT
rang out in the dim church with
great splemnity. Two young women
in response to the question Of wheth
er or not there was someone pres
ent who would like to consecrate
her life to God In missionary work
came forward and stood at the al
tar. The friends and parents of the
young women came forward to
stand beside them. They were Miss
Westfall and Miss Margaret Beatty.
The convention was called to or
der on Tuesday morning and at
noon a delicious luncheon was serv-
ed by the hostess church, the Dia.
mond street NJ. E. Pink roses and
carnations decorated the dining ta-
bles and in the Sunday school room
and auditorium attractive bowls Of
spring flowers and branches oe
these made the rooms very pretty.
Three meals during the convention
were served at noon Tuesday, at |
dinner Tuesday evening and at noon
Wednesday. There was no session
Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Levi |
Harr presided at ali meetings.
A number Of interesting speakers |
took part on the programs arrang.
Continued on page fousl
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