The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-14

0BF,W 80 ~ @r@r~4S - -
dorse these suggested amouns
hastily and suggested that the
whole matter b gone over thor
oughly, and By vots Of IS to - the
conference sustained his conten-
fion, and each item asked for will
Be given attention In open confer
ence tomorrow.
Conference opened ct $50 O'Clock
this morning after prayer had been
offered BY Rev. H. T. Russell,
Smithshire. Bishop Nicholson said
In . charge that . clergyman could
60 around whining about the aw-
full condition Of the world, or he
could take . hopeful view and re-
gard II a. an opportunity. Il pre-
fer to he An optimist," he said. Zone
can tell how horrible the World
war was" said the bishop, "or in
| preference can tell what glorious
| triumph the United States
achieved"
Tonight at 1880 O'Clock, Rev. f.
! NJ. Conover, d. D.. Philadelphia,
will discuss work among negroes.
Proud Of Centenary.
Sessions last night we're opened
with announcement relative to the
! conference and a prayer by Rev.
Ralph Wakefield, Galesburg. 1.-The
centenary movement-the mission
sc ciety OF the church-has been a
great success, not 100 per cent, but
noticeable enough that the people
are proud Of the work." Bishop E.
G. Richardson. speaker Of the eve
| ming. said.
In more recent days there has
been a great deal Of criticism and
fearfulness rather than thanksgiv-
ing and joyfulness. The facts are
just as true today as they were
three years ago that the centenary
was divinely inspired movement. "
he continued. THE first three years
we did not receive s60,000,000 we
expected. Taking into considera-
ton the pledges we could not rea-
sonably expect more than $50, 000,-
000 The actual receipts amounted
to $45. 100000
THE true sense of stewardship
which is needed at the rate of loo
per cent in all of our churches tC
attain an agreeable end, has only
come to about 10 per cent Of the
membership" the bishop said.
AS an interesting illustration
Bishop Richardson told the story
of one Of the large churches will
a membership of 1900 people. L
was discovered, he said, that 81
per cent of the missionary money
was being given by Is per cent o
the membership. This small per
centage was allied in a tithin,
band.
Lack Interest In Christianity!
I'VE are facing today the stron,
possibility of a decrease of receipts
over last year. 1t should not b.
necessary for US to launch a BIZ
drive at the 18th hour to cover de
felt that occurs nearly every year
If the cooperation that should b,
given to the movement is realized
then the big campaigns for tn
raising of money would be uncall
ed for.
ut has been a rather significan
fact that there has not been an.
slump in the foreign mission field
OF our church this year. l believ
we can find in this fact that tn
real reason for a shrinkage a
home is the lack of real interest il
and appreciation of Christianity
The one who sees Christianity il
countries with non-Christian be
liefs appreciates its superiority
The one who has recently come on
, of the hopelessness of the heather
/ faith into the Joy of the Christian
, faith appreciates his blessings. We
who have been surrounded b,
Christianity and its attendant bless
ings all our lives, have lost a grea
, deal Of the thrill that faith shoul
give u.s." he concluded.
, The evening session was close
I by prayer by DR.. ]. T. Jones.