Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, June 8, 1894, Page 2

e i i s THE OMAHA DAILY BER:! FRIDAY. JUNE 8. 18M, “IVEN A WESTERN WELCOME (Continued from First Page.) called the Camp church, named after Rev. Camp, who established it. Tt was a poor littlo place; you could almost touch the top of it. And I said to the brethren, “Why can't we get a better place?” And we found an abandoned church that had formerly been a Baptist church down in that section of the country, and we raised the money, and we pald for it by the help of the Church Bullding soclety, and we have been at work ever since thers, on Christy street, That Is only a drop in the bucket, It is right in the midst of the throbbing population. We have everything there you can fmagine; we have the gospel, and we have temperance work, and we have kinder- garten every day where women can take their children and leave them while they &0 to work, and we have bible classes and Sun day schools and a constantly Increasing membership, It is a little thing, It seems to me to be a very small work—very small, compared with this out hers in Nebraska. Last Sunday I was in Galesburg, and I was Invited to go over to the other side of the city by Mr. Wanamaker. here 15 a large population there that fs really without a church, He has got a little building there and has begun his work, just as the work always begins, with a Sunday school. When T first got in it scemed to me to be very small, but pretty soon he began opening up doors on the right and doors on the left, and there must have been room for 250 or 300 people, and he told me he nad fifty Christian people ready to enroll in a new church. Some of the brethren talk very discouriged about It because they can give 8o little, be- cause they have so little. What you want is a man like him to stay there and keep right on—a man who s full of devotion and self-sacrifice, and who looks to God and to God alone for help. Last night I had a dream, a singular dream. I dreamed I was in battle, and I dread those kind of dreams very much in- deed, for 1 am always in a fix. T coulin't get my armor on. The firing was so repid, and I thought I wanted a musket or a riflo to fire, and then I thought about the modern rifles and wanted a good deal botter one than I saw there. I wanted one that was breech-loading, 80 that I could fre rapidl and then I was afraid that [ wonld hit so body. I could see mo way to get away from the shells and from the firing, and 1 was in great distress about it, and then finally I concluded that I would buckle on my & vord as an emblem of authority, and then I awoke. When I awoke It was daylight, and when I got up I saw a litle tablet in my room—I was at Judge Woolworth's house, and just tl\rsg words upon it: “Let nothing trouble you. Just think how trightened I was; “All things pass away; God alone is immutable. Patience overeomes all difficulties. Those who possess God want nothing. God alone suffices.”” Oh, dear brethren, how true that is! Dom't you know the passage of soripture, “If two shall agree it shall be done of my Father in heaven." There used to be a man in this church, and I ex- pected to see him here, who used to agree with me, and he was about the only one that ever did, fully and thoroughly. We would go up for example in his house, and we would take a bible there together and pray together, and then we would go out and speak to individuais together, or some- times we would go out separately and come back and report to each other. So I used to think.{hat if we two agreed and the spirlt agreed with us then there were three of us that agreed, and the thing we wanted could be accomplished. Now, dear brethren, if we want money Jot us just agree and ask for it. It is in the country. Did you think it was all gone just because it has been gathered up and 8o Its circulation prevented? Let us ask the Lord for it. (Applause.) ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. Following General Howard yesterday morn- ing, Joseph D. Clark, the secretary, presented _~ ™ & papor on behalf of the executive commit- tee entitled “Bright Spots in a Dark Year. The paper follow: “The sixty-eighth year of the national soci- oty has been financially the darkest year in its entire history. The sudden shrinkage of 30, per cent in the apnual income of the treasury was an unparalleled event, carrying in its train complications and disaiters that have affected every missionary field and every missionary home in the country. But it 18 not to dwell upon this dark story that we have met. A home missionary gathering 18 proverblally a feast of gladness and hope. This one shall be no exception. The biack shadow of the year just closed is thrown upon the canvass for a moment only, to serve as a background for the bright spots of which the year has been exceptionally full, One of the brightest of these spots was the resolve formulated early in the year, which sees its realization today in the Omaha meet- ing. That hour is an epoch in home mis sionary history, when for the first time, after sixty-eight years of faith and works, eastern and western Congregationalism meet on gen- uine home missionary ground and strike hands over the fleld they have together farmed with such ccst and labor. The point : SERIES 5. The Book of the Builders HISTORY oF .. WORLD’S FAIR v D. H. Burnbam Rl i THE MEN Chief of Construction, % »\I'n_?“_‘; S ANDR T i i F. D. Milel )}({ " Director of Decoration. RING 6 coupons with 25 cents, or, sent by mail, 5 cents extra, in coin (stamps not accepted). Address, Memorial Department, OMAHA BEE. SERIES NO. (5. DICTIONARY, Only that number of the book correspond. fng With the series number of the coupon presented will be delivered. oNE Sunday Three Week-day pons, with 15 cents in coln, will part of The American Encyclopedia Dictionary. Send ‘The Tee office, and cou buy one orders to Mall DICTICN'RY DEPARTYENT should be addressed to CENTURY nd or bring FOUR coupons and ten eents In coln to this office and receive the 13th part of this superb work—the story of the war, told by (he leading generais on both sl MAGNIFICENT LY ILLUSTHATED. of our first meeting 1s significant. Almost In the geographical cemter of the United States this city and commonwealth are a fair type and example of nearly every element entering Into the home missionary problem. Here has been |llu:trated that rush of popu- Jations which hes always been the chief spur to home missionary effort, and which, In a single generation, has transformed a hamlec of 2,000 people into a princely city. Hers has been realized that magic development of wealth aud material prosperity which are at onco the glory and the peril of the west, and which has %0 often been used to sharpen the home missonary appeal for gospel insti- tutions. Through this city also, as through a gateway, swelling tides of humanity have poured to pecple the farther west, carrying with them the ever growing argument and demand for home missionary effort. The place is well chosen for such a meeting, and it will be strange If here the eastern giver and the western worker do not see eye for eye, and 1t both are not inspired to a new and more enlightened devotion to the work hat remains to be done for the complete possession of America. NEW AUXILIARY RELATIONS. The year just closed has also ben marked by the consummation of a scheme which promises, if cordially and intelligently car- ried out, to bind the national society and its auxiliaries in closer and more helpful rela- tions. The original compact, 3 lsting now for more than sixty years, has become out- grown. With certain notable exceptions, that perfect sympathy of aim and effort which ought to prevail between a society and its branches was not being realized, and a condition amounting in its practical effect to one of rivalry had sprung up be- tween the two. The only appeal hoard in some of the auxillary states was the local state appeal. The cause of national home missions, known to the early fathers as the cry of regions beyond, had Iost much of its force. On the other hand, the national so- clety had become unconsclously absorbed in its own special work until, in its knowledgo and sympathy, it knew no other, and the auxiliary relatfon was lecoming scarcely more than an empty name. It is due both to the national society and to its auxiliaries to say that this state of things was owing not to any real rivalry between state and national homo missions. It was due rather {0 an unhappy system inherited from the far past and outgrown for present use, All the while the missionary needs of both the na- tional society and Its auxiliaries were in- creasing. New states were being opened and peopied, demanding increased funds for their care which only the auxiliary states were able to supply. Yet, among them also, new and threatening problems were multi- plying, calling for larger resources, and re- quiring the sympathy and co-operation of L the missionary forces in the land. It was In this crisis that our twelve auxil- faries cast and west were invited to send delegates to New York to meet the executive committee of the national society, and to form a new compact which should, on the one hand, kindle a fresh sympathy on the part of the national soclety in the work of its auxiliaries, several of whom had once been its own children, and, on the other ind, should revive in the auxiliary a new :cal “for home missions outside its own borders, and a purpose to raise and save funds for the needy reglons beyond. The first convention of this sort was held in 1803, with only partial success. The sccond was called in January last, when cleven of the twelve auxiliary states were present by their official delegates. For a whole day we sat together reviewing the missionary needs of the entire country, dis- cussing and fixing the appropriations of each state, and pledging one another our best mutual effort to ralse the largest possible fund, not alone for our own comioniealths, but for the missionary needs of the United States. Three essential results are to be noted: First, all home missionary funds, wherever pledged, are practically pooled In a common store and divided according to the necesities not of one state, but of all the states; , second, the home misionary appeal is thiis broadened to cover the whole land and to include the needs of every stato and territory; and third, the new com- pact levels an old barrier, which has thus far excluded the 1epresentatives of the national society from pleading its claims, except by sufferance, within the bounds of the auxiliary, and henceforth the national and the state secretary stand side by side in every state, presenting the missionary needs both of the state and the nation. The cause of either Is now the cause of both, Such is our new auxiliary compact formed in January last. We confidently hope that it means increased knowledge among the churches respecting their work, a sym- pathy so broad as to know no distinction between state and national home missions. and a new method of appeal which should vastly increase the funds needed, for tho ro- demption of our common cointry. Do we not rightly count it a bright and hopeful omen that Vermont and New Hampshire, lllinols and Wisconsin, Towa and Michigan, oppressed each of them with 1ts own mis- slonary problem, declare their purpose to make common cause with Nebraska and Kansas, Washington and Oregon, California and Oklahoma, in planting their waste places with the gospel of life? FRUITFUL REVIVAL ‘Turning now to the broad field, one feature of the year just closed looms conspicuous above all others. It has been a year of al- most unprecedented spiritual results. Re- vivals of unusual number and power are re- ported in every department. Again, as often before, man's necessity has been the spirit’s opportunity. Disappointed hopes, vanishing fortunes, the leisure enforced by failing worle have combined to draw or drive men towards the offered eomforts of the gospel and the church, and the missionary pastor ias been quick to seize the precious opportu- nity for enforcing his divine message. The ordinary church life, especially on the frontier, Is so quiet In its movements that its value is often obscured. But when social or industrial conditions conspire to make men thoughtful about their bigher needs, then the presence of the church and minis- try become of immeasureable worth to the community. So it has proved all over the missionary field during this year of temporal Qistress and spiritual abundance. The whole length of the Pacific coast from Washington to southern California has been visited. Iourteen churches in Orcgon were specifically blessed, and no year in its whole history has been 5o noted for the number and quality of revivals. The two Californias continue the story. Across the northern frontier has swept the same gracious wave. Sixteen churches in North Dakota have been blessed and that without the special ald of any state evangelist. In Minnesota an in- stanco will best fllustrate the spirit's power. The town of New Ulm was founded by in- fldels, who once burned an effigy of Christ in their streets. For ten years our little church has struggled for its very life in this bitterly hostile alr. But gradually the unbelief of the community has been modified. Christian men were placed upon the school board and Christian teachers were engaged in the schools, and In the past winter the whole town has heen shaken for the first time with a revival. Our own church has very nearly trebled its membership and all the churches of the community have been strengthened. Down through the central tier of states also the same power has been felt. South Dakota, under general missionaries, Tomlin and Hitehcock, reports twenty-seven marked revivals, and Miss Bmma K. Henry's efforts alone resulted jn 230 professed con- versions. Nebraska has the cheering story of fourteen revivals and 363 conversions. Kansas rejolces in over 500 such fruits of the pirit's work, Indiana in 400, Florida In 300, while Utah, Idaho and Oklahoma repeat the same story of grace and fruit Yes, the blackness of poverty and want have rested like a pall upon the land, and nowhere more deeply than over our mission- ary flelds. (n many a missionary home the fig tree has not blossomed and there has been mo fruit on the vine. Tho labor of the olive has falled and the field has yielded no meat, the flock was cut off from the fold and there was no herd in the stall, but the and the people have fogciher re- In the Lord and joyed in the God of thelr salvation. And while our friends of the east have been compelled to raduce their gifts to the treasury, the work Itself was yielding an increase whose like has not becn witnessed since the famons year of and '63. Brethren, have Dot the home m sionary church’ and pastor earned a e clalm to the confidence and support of the whole Congregational household? A lively spot, if not an altogether bright one, in the story of the year was the invasion of the Cherokoe Strip on the 16th of Sep- tember. It (s well that bur country has but few remainiug reserves whers the scenes of that day can ever be repsated. The mad scramble for real ostate began at noon, when more than 100.000 men and women at a given signal crossed the boundary In waions, on horseback, on frelght cars or afoot, and set forth on the frantic race for corner lots. Under tho direction of our Superintendent Parker, five missionaries of the soclety joined In that terrible rout, and before night had driven their stakes and preempted claims in the six county seats of Enid and Paul Creek, Santa Fe and Perry, Woodward and Parsons, not for themselves, but for Christ and Congregationalism. On the next day, which was the Sabbath, they held religious services in the open air for such as were disposed to attend, and from that day to this have been laying the foun- dations of churches. Never before probably in any new country has the church and the saloon had so even a start, and It would be a_reproach upon American Congregation- alism If In any enforced reduction these brave ploneers should be left without the sympathy and support of God's people. The whole of Oklahoma, of which the Strip is now a part, is already a_garden spot in the home missionary fleld. Sixty-seven churches and stations are open today, where five years ago there was nothing. In them are gathered 956 Christion souls and in thelr Sunday schools 2,859 members. Nowhere, we venture to affirm, has this record been paralleled fn the same period of time in a new country since the work of national home missions began. HOPE FOR UTAH. Another luminous point in the darkness of the sixty-e'ghth year is found in Utah and ldaho. Some very marked changes have occurred in the. conditions of this fleld with- in a few months, and all of them are full of promise. The non-Mormon population has increased, while apostates from the Mor- mon church Itself have rapidly multiplied. Mormon preaching has taken a perceptibly milder type. while a quickened finterest in national “politics is pervading the Mormon population. Dissatisfaction with polygamy is on the Increase, especially among the younger Mormons, while the old church party that hitherto has held its followers with a hand of fron, seems to be disintegrating and its elements distributing themselves among the various parties of the territory. Here are hopeful signs of a breaking up. With these changing conditions of the field the Christian forces on the ground have drawn more closely together and present almost for the first time a united front to the foe. The assoclation of ministers in Salt Lake City is the prophecy of a new era, when the piscopal, the Lutheran, the Disciples, the Baptist, the Methodist, the Presbyterian and the Congregatlonal pastors meet together every Monday for serious conference over the common good and for united action. So far has this good spirit gone in Idaho that at the suggestion of a presiding elder of the Methodist church a conference of all denomi- nations was held to devise some method by which to avold the duplication of religious effort on each other's ground. It is not to be wondered at that reviyals have sprung up' in this atmosphere of Christian courtesy, yet strange, indeed, would it be if the mil- lennium of Christian unity and co-operation were to dawn in that most unexpected quar- ter. In this search for bright spots our south- ern field deserves a moment of grateful re- view. Florida, with its fifty-eight Congre- gational churches and stations, where ten years ago there was one, is itself a notable example of home missionary development. And the brightest spot in Florida at the present moment s at Ybor City, a suburb of Tampa, where a Cuban mission of great promise is now well begun. The general association of the state, holding its annual meeting at Tampa last February, adjourned one of its sessions to the new chapel at Ybor City, among the dark-skinned Cubans of that community. The body was wel- comed with Spanish addresses and songs, which were translated into English by Rev. B. P. Herrick of the Tampa church, while the responses of the English brethren were conveyed to the audience in Spanish by Mr. Hernandez, their pastor. The Christian women of Florida trained in our home mis- sionary churches are enthusiastically main- taining this work in connection with. the Tampa church and pastor, while their beau- tiful church home is the gift chiefly of Con- necticuc friends. Georgia and Alabama have now both taken a step forward in the solution of the caste problem by the organization in each state of a general convention, in which both colors are represented and where com- plete Christian fellowship is enjoyed. Pil- grim church at Knoxville, Tenn., has com- pleted and nearly paid for its beautitul church edifice, an ornament to the city and the home of as happy a band of Con- gregational pilgrims as can be found in the land. Our church in Chattanooga plants itsSwork not along side of other churches, but in a neglected ward where institutional methods aro nceded, and where they are already being tried with success, while at Charlotte, N. C., our young church, still under a tent, is erecting a more permanent home in the heart of a natlve southern community whose good will it has already geined. The friends of home missions gathered at Omaha have no reason for fear or doubt concerning thelr work in the south land. IN OTHER FIELDS. Glancing now broadly over the remain- ing flelds, luminous points are visible in all’ directions, Washington is no longer the victim of its_great boom. For the past two years it has not lost a church or preaching sta- tion, and_during the last twelve months has 'actually organized eleven mew churches with an aggregate membership of 206, while in Spokane the First Congregational church and the Westminster Presbyterian church have been ieorganized into the Westmin- ster Cougregational church, a suggestive oxemple of one possible remedy for the burden of hard times. Northern California has more than re- deemed its pledge of contributions to the society’s treasury, the only state in the field that has done so, and as a fruit of the vigilance of the mew superintendent every church has had the service of a pastor or supply every Sabbath In the year, The same is truc of southern California; and outside this one greal state probably this record cannot be duplicated. In Kansas, the cheering but not aston- ishing fact {s chronicled that the Congre- gational policy and methods are steadily advancing in favor with the people, a fact wholly consistent with the well known in- telligence of the commonwealth. The same state of things is reported in North Da- kota, a fact that might have been expected from a people that shot the Louisiana lot- tery out of its capital with such vigor that it never stopped until it reached Central America. Missourl and Arkansas have had a year of re-adjustment under a new superintend- ent, who now has the work well in hand, and with the loyal co-operation of a de- voted committee looks to a future full of promise. Worcester academy in Indian territory has added a girls' cottage to its working equipment, by which its opportunities are nearly doubled, Pennsylvania brings the cheering report of 1,600 conversions and additions. The Tabernacle and Waverly churches of Jersey City have never had a better. year nor resched s0 many people. Colorado lies under the disadvantage of being owned chiefly in New York, Boston and England, and has suffered more than most_states in its industrial interest. Yet it reports numerous revivals and over 600 additions to the missionary churches. New Mexico presents to the Congre- gational fellowskip a new and purely Mexi- can church of elghteen members. Our little band in Montana has come through the fearful depression of the year alive, but with disastrous reductions in membership, caused by inevitable removals, yet one new apd very promesing church at Bonner has been added to the family. The Black Hills district reports one church has increased 70 per cent fn all its departments, another that has witnessed 100 conversiol aud from many points the desive for Congregational work s breaking forth In petitions sent to the superintend- ent, all of which must be denied. In Texas every chureh but one has been visited with revival blessings, the Dallas church alone recelying 138 new mombers, ebraska.is all around us to speak for herself, and wo aro here with oyes to see Superintendent Bross, whose preparations for this apniversary bave been untiring, says: “Our people are looking forward +(th eager anticipations to the coming an- niversary of the society in Omaha. Our Nebraska churches, Which are nearly ail the society's children, will give its repre- ontatives o most hearty and enthusiastic welcome, and will have abundant results to show for the years that are pas Al- ready this gracious promise of welcome has been generously fulfilled. FOREIGN DEPARTMENTS. More and more each year public interest deepens in the soclety's forelgn work, and the record of the past twelve months wmore than ever justifies the cost of the un(or«l prise. oloye Upon our Soanffmayian department has fallen a disaster almost unmeasured In the death of Superintendent Montgomery. He was Its founder and e unwearied friend. His visit to swmlné gl 1884, and the record of his discoveries prodticed a remarkable sensation throughout thie denomination. His sympathy with tha, frge. mission movement has drawn many of its churches into Con- gregational fellowdhip,” where by every tle of faith and pracetd they belong. Theso churches loved him.am ehildren love a father and they mourn him as tenderly as any of Jils American brethren can do. How to fill the unique place which he created by his peculiar gifts fs still an unsolved problem, but for the' time being the state superintendents, where the work s found, will faithfully care for its Interests. The story of the Slavic department might fill a paper by itself, and would reward the attention of this audience to the last word, At one of our recent annual meetings the gathering and recognition of a first Bohe- mian Congregational church at Cloveland was heralded as an inspiring event. This one Slavic church has already become ten churches with an aggregate membership of 554, Including recent additions of 126, all but six of whom were on confession of faith. Connected with the department are sixteen Sunday schools with a membership of 2,15 Thirty-one missionaries, besides five wives who are regular assistants, conduct the work. They labor in nine states, at thirty-two sta- tions and out-stations. In thelr Sabbath and weekly servicos are gathered 5,000 people to hear the gospel, and these people out of their poverty gave last year $686 to missions. The work, however, is largely a hand-to-hand work, Involving visits during the year to the number of 20,878, and the distribution of 278,000 pages of religious literature. In Cleveland and fn Chicago the year has been marked by a large increase in attend- ance. St. Paul and St. Louis report, each one, the organization of a new Bohemian church, The Polish work in Cleveland, De- troit, Toledo and Chicago has made a de- cided gain in overcoming local prejudices. Tho Slavie work In Pennsylvania has grown spiritually strong, in spite of bitter opposi- tion, while the Magyar work In Connecticut has given proof of the genuineness of its life in_ten souls converted. In the German department of the society's work cleven new churches have been or- ganized during the year. Including the pastors of eleven self-supporting churches, the missionary force connected with this de- partment numbers sixty. In the whole coun- try there are now 105 German Congregational churches. Six of these have been largely blessed with revivals during the past twelve months. An important auxiliary of the German department is the Theological sem- inary at Crete, Neb. Through many financial struggles this institution 18 now seeing bet- ter days and enjoys the confidence of the churches and the people more than ever be- fore. Its students are earnest and conse- crated men, and promise to be mose faithful laborers among their own people for years to come. For a long time now it has been past all question that our Congregational policy Is well adapted to the tastes and needs of the German people. It grows continually in their favor and demands are continually made upon the superintendent for the organization of Congregational churches. 1z a recent in- stance fifty-threo persons signed such a pe- tition, which might gasily have been extended to 100. Yet, because ‘of. the restrictions laid upon our treasury, this and all such petitions have to be denied. i Such 18 the condens eighth year, at onca the, darkest and bright- est year of natlongl home missions, The number of commissioned men has been 2,029, the largest ever reported. The years of labor performed exgeeded those of the pre- vious year by forty-six, The number who have preached inf forelgn languages has been 218, an incredse’ of forty-two. Bighty- nine more preachfng Stations have been statedly supplied, Whilé ‘conversions and ad- ditions have exceeded the best previous year by several thousand. The number of Sunday schools under missjopapy care has Increased by 137, and 5,250 more scholars are reported on the rolls; And I-fhese gains have been made under a cloudl’st disfress and often of absolute want In miigiohary homes, thrown back by the inability 'of the people to meet their pledge for the misslonary’s support upon the unsupplemented grants of the so- clety. Such a record under such conditions is without parallel, It deserves a prayer of thanksglving from every Christian patriot in the 5,000 Congregational churches of the land. Alas, that the only recognition within the power of the executive committee to offer has been to cut down this heaven ap: proved work by withdrawing $75,000 from its support! Brethren, shall our brave and suc- cessful home missionaries be the chief suf- ferers In these pinching times? Is there no new measure of self-denial possible on our part to prevent it? Before this stern decreo of retrenchment shall be consummated, be- fore the little churches shall be closed and the humble flocks scattered, If possible within the next thirty days, is it not in the heart and within the power of those who love and believe in this work, to roil up a rescue fund of $75,000 and avert the terrible disaster? & “OUR AUXILIARIES.” Alexander McGregor of Rhode Is- on “Our story of the sixty- Rev. land then delivered an address Auxillaries.” He said: 1 will make my paper very short, partly because I came from the smallest state in the union, and partly because of the an- nouncement of free lemonade I3 too great a temptation. A year ago today, and just about this time, I took part In services commemorative of the founding 250 years ago of the New- man church and the anclent town of Reha- both. The circumstances of this occasion have a slight resemblance to that occasion, as it lingers in my mind. When Samuei Newman, the pastor of the church in qu tion, and the author of the now famous con- cordance bearing his name, felt constrained in 1643 to bow himself out of Boston, he, or one of his party, is reputed to have said: “We came from England because we did not like the lord bishops, but we cannot join with you because we would not be under ‘the lord brthren.’ ” Accordingly, when the same Newman and party reached the spot in the wilderness where they resolved to set up thelr banners in the name of their God, he exclaimed: “Rehaboth, the Lord hath made room for us.’” These men found what they wanted—room. ‘“There were giants in the earth in those days.”” It does seem to me, it has seemed to me as we trav- eled over the wide prairies that intervene between Nebraska and Rhode Island as if assuredly the Lord of the earth saw in the American people glants in embryo and so prepared plenty of room for them, even from sea to sea, with untold capabilities and re sources. Believe me that though fnnocent by birth and nature of spread eagleism, nevertheless I have learned my part that often “‘above the Cara,” in Scotch accents, I am heard exclaiming: “Land of the noble free, thy name I love. I loye thy rocks and rills, thy woods end templed hills; my heart with rapture thrills like that above.” Then again I recall that in last’ October I participated in exer(iiés commemorative of the 160th annivefSary of the Beneficent church in Providence, Whose first pastor was Rev. Jodah Cotton, ahd its last Rev. J. G. Vese, who was precklled by our esteemed lato secrotary, Dr. Clapp, 'who gave a decade of his best years to itsipastorate. I am led in this comparatively yeuthful presence to refer to those anniersaryidecasions because they held in solution the.war whoop of King Philip and the story of dtoger Willlam:' ad- vent and successful settlement in the state of Rhode Island andiProvidence plantations. The zeal of this bravé, good man, In secur- ing perfect religions!freedom is known and admired the world’over. In this day his stamp is manifest {n o character and en- ergy of the Inhabi(ania of the state, as In wealth and populatiyn to the square milo Rhode Island excels all tho other states. “Little Rhody,” to be sure, and yet not so little when looked upon from the stand- point of her resources. Take, it you please, her cotton and spinning and weaving capac- ity, and she will rank second in the union There a about 15,000,000 cotton spindles in the United States, and Rhode Island has one-seventh of them. There are about 3,000,000 bales of cotton consumed in the country, and Rhode Island uses about one- tenth of that number. DEARING UPON THE PRESENT, But a truce {o this vein of speaking. My maln object In referring to her past history has béen to emphasize the thought that there come to us as history times that are of vital Interest in thelr gearing upon north and south, east and west. The formative perlod of Congregationalism in Rhode Island, In New England, is intimately assoeiated with the formative period of Congregationalism in this and other western states of the unien. New England Congregationalism has proved a frofttul bough, whose branches have so run_over the wall as to bring life and cheer to full many an early settler, through its hardy ploneer missionary, by whose hands schools, churches and colleges have bee planted, which In their turn have been as eyes in the wilderness to full many a weary pllgrim on the way home. The share our own Home Missionary socloty has had in so beneficent and gracious a ministry Is fast be- coming history. Alas, that the financial crisis through which it {s now passing should suggest to some the need of searchings of heart as well as the repotition in the hearing of others of the old interrcgatory: *‘Why abidest thou among the :heepfolds to hear the bleatings of the flock?’ There is indeed no reason why we should hang our harps on the willows. “We know in whom we have belfeved." Again and again we are taught that “He holdeth back the face of His throne and spreadoth His cloud upon {t.”” For our en- couragement and Inspiration fn the dark day it fs both a privilege and a duty to call to remembrance former days, cruclal, decisive days, that at their fire we may light our toreh to guide us on our tortuous way, as the volces of the long past come to us say- ing: “Think not strange concerning the flery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened to you; but rejoice fnasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad also with ex- ceeding great jo Who but knows of our national experience on the early morn of a day nigh thirty years ago? The Battle of the Wilderness has been fought, the chariot wheels of victory drag. It is do or die The war council is called. Grant and his officers are appalled. Apparently the fate of the nation trembles in the balance, Grant writes, seals, delivers and fssues this com- mand: “Break the seal three hours later and march.” The sequel the world knows. The moral s not far to seek. He who has been given a commander to the people and who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire continues to say: -‘Behold, I have set be- fore thee an open door and‘no one can shut it, for thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and not denied my nams. Go preach the gospel to every creature.” Such is the marching order. No matter what Red Sea of difficulty and discouragement there may lie before us, mo matter what foo presses from behind; the volce of God as of yore is heard clear and loud: “Speak unto the children of Israel that they go for- ward.” Catching the echo shall we not say; “Forward be our watchword, hearts and vofces joined. Seek the things before us, look not behind. Burns the fiery pillar at our army's head. Who shail dream of shrinking by our captain led?" The parent society can certainly afford a complacent _recognition of the. guileless sim- plicity of this little one I represent to you, in its endeavor to put heart into the dis- tressed mother as she grieves over her treas- ury shrinkage. “Little Rhody” looks up info the face of the parent society, whose strains have been recently heard from ocean to ocean, with tho child of other days and says; “Is God dead, mother dear? Is he not the same yesterday, today and forever, and still says, ‘Dvery beast of the forest is mine, the cattle upon a thousand hills— the world is mine and the fulness thereof. Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.' " FORCES IN RHODE ISLAND. In Rhode Island we have thirty-six churches with 5,600 families and a mem- bership of upwards of 8,000. Last year these contributed to foreign missions a round figure of $13,000; to the home missions, $21,000; to home expenditures and other benevo- lences, about $195,000. We employ a state missionary all the year, who has made full proof of his necessity as an evangelist. During the past winter Moody and his co- worker were. with us and greatly blessed us. At one conference held last week most cheery reports were made from all the churches. Brethren, the truth can bear frequent repetition that God has given us a great work to do in this land. “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee that it may be displayed because of the truth.” The banner of God has been handed down to us by faithful men and true. It Is ours to hand it down to the generations that are to follow, 50 that it may be held aloft until the fiery fight is heard no more and the storm has ceased to blow. We are here today on a kind of Ararat whence we have the near look and the far look. May our attitude toward the future be an ox- pectant one, looking for great things to be done in the name of the holy child, Jesus, greater things than our fatliers were able to accomplish. We are men of many minds; our culture varies; we may, we must, look at things from different standpoints, but we must be one in our faith and hope it we are to be counted worthy of being followers of Him who came to seek and to save the lost. I am reminded of an early morning watch I once kept on the Rigi. I saw men of many nations.and kindreds, some grotesque figures, We were all intent. upon one thing. We were looking for the king of day fo rise upon the snow-capped summits of the Alpine range. At length he rose in ail his splendor and glory and the mists and shadows crept slowly away before the glory of his coming. So we are, though of different states, different nationalities and. different culture, to keep our face toward the rising sun, the sun of righteous- ness for whom we are looking. Iven so come Lord Jesus. In_closing, Mr. Moderator, T offer a_per- sonal allusion. It was in the year 1866, the year_in which the international gathering of the Young Men's Christian assoclation met in Portland, Me., that I first had the pleasure of sceing and hearing you. I shall never forget the enthusiasm you created in that vast assembly when that empty sleeve was noticed and the significant and honorable emblem of your love and devotion to the nation in its dark hour. It indeed it was possible’ o have men's hearts so touched by that transfigured sleeve, surcly, surely the sight of the King as revealed to the eye of faith with visage so marred more than any man, and his form more than tho sons of men, should rouse to high and holy work, enthusiasm in him, while in_the ear of faith he whispers: his have I done for thee; what-hast thou done for me?” OTHER ADDRESSES. Addresses on the same subject were made by Rey. William H. Moore of Connecticut, Rev. Dr. J. G. Fraser of Ohio, and Rev. Dr. T. 0. Douglass of Towa. Yesterday afterncon the ,meeting of the convention’ was devoted to ““Home Missions and Church Bufldings,” and several interest- ing addresses were delivered. At 3 o'clock Secretary Choate spoke on “Home Missions for the Sake of America,” and at 8 o'clock Secretary Cincald considered “Home Mis- sions for the Sake of the World.” His address was followed by several others of great interest. G. H. Payne, chairman of the local com- mittee of arrangements, called his commit- tee together after the afternoon session yes- terday and gave Mr. of a surprise. Dr. Butler was the spokes- man, and a handsome bouquet of roses was handed over to the Omaha orator of the morning session. Mr. Alexander replied in @ neat speech, expressing his appreciation of the honor. Chairman Wood of the local committeo is- sues the following: The custodian of the city hall will ba on duty all day Saturday to show visiting guests through the bulldin The tower of the New York Life bullding will be open to visiting delegates. A trip to the tower will give a beutiful view of the city. Call for passes at room 305, in the building At 2 o'clock sharp all delegates are re- quested to assemble at the Millard hotel, from which place a drive over the city will be tendered ull delegates who apply. This will include refreshments at St Mary's Avenue church enroute. In the evening at 7:30 delegates are re- quested to meet the business men of the city at the rooms of the Commercial club, fifth floor, Chamber of Commerce bullding, south- west corner Sixteenth and Farnam. En- on Farnam street. gates are olso iuvited to visit Lin- inger's art gallery, southwest corner Bigh- teenth and Davenport streets, all day Satur- day after 10 o'clock. Admittance free. An excursion to Tabor college s also tendered delegates, leaving over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rallway at 9:45 a. m. and returning at 5:65 p. m. Tickets can be procured Friday of President Brooks at the First Congregational chureh. — Excursion to Deadw 1 aud Hot Springs. Only one fare the round trip for Cong gatlonalists and their friends, Train leaves via F., B. & M. V. Ry. Monday, J Call on W. P. Brass at the First gational church for (oform Ll commodations, Congre~ and ac- Alexander something | CURRENCY SYSTEM AT FAULT Ignatius Donnelly Assigns a Cause for the Nation's Present Woes, UNDER THE TYRANNY OF MONEY KINGS Government Issue of Paper Dollars Would Cause an End of De Rising While 18 Fallin The lecture of Hon. Ignatius Donnelly at Exposition hall last night on “Signs of the Times” was heard by an audience that fairly fled the auditorium. While the populist clement predominated, there was a faic rep- vesentation of prominent business men and professional men, attracted by the fame of the reformer. Mr. Donnelly’s address was not of a sensational character. His but seldom rose above the tones of ordinary conversation and his aim was evidently moro to set his audienco to thinking than to cre- ate enthusiasm The speaker was introduced by D. Clem Doaver and met a cordial greeting. In an- nouncing his subject ho said that the ques- tion should be approached without mental prejudice’ or partisan feeling. All men had a right to their opinions and he believed that no one ever cast a vote with the deliberate intention of injuring the country. In some respects, Mr. Donnelly remarked, the signs of the times were excellent, in others threatening. In many respects the present was the most favored age of the world. The public mind was more temperate and was le:s disposed to be clouded by pas- sion, bigotry and superstition. \The world was more tender-hearted and humanity had become humanized. The speaker devoted some time to tracing the growth of litera- ture, invention and commercial enterprise. The progress achieved in government was equally wonderful. Kvery great battle for human rights from the Magna Charta down to the present time had contributed towards the present broad and liberal system of gov- ernment. When our ancestors came to thi country they established equality because there were no inequalities among them. Now that they had expanded into a nation of 70,000,000 of people they had developed the most intelligent and generous population the world had ever seen. It consisted of the best blood of Burope brought to perfection by our free institutions and our liberal sys- tem of education. But why was it that in the midst of all these ble:sings we were an- noyed, disturbed, alarmed? Every news- paper told some new story of violence and disturbance. What was the cause of all this turbulence among the laboring classes? We could almost hear across the ocean the ex- plosion of dynamite bombs, and every cable flashed the news of anarchy and violence. Many of the well-to-do in this country had no sympathy for the toilers. They feit just as did the aristocracy of England when the common people rose to demand their rights, as did the nobility of France when the peasantry rose up to claim nothing more than mere bread for their labor. One of the strongest Instincts in the humgn breast was to hold on to an advantage and to look with distrust and hatred on those who were not so fortunate. But the prosperity of the well-to-do minority.in this country depended on the prosperity of the toiling majority, and the middle classes should understand that in_permitting conditions that fmpover- ishes the working classes they impoverish their own customers upon whom their own fortunes depend. The money question, according to the speaker, was the root of the whole trouble. The idea that gold and silver had an in- trinsic value was all a sham and a sham that was destroying mankind. Every one had seen how silver had fallen nearly 50 per cent in value when deprived of govern- mental recognition, and the same thing would happen to gold if it received similar treatment. The money kings of the country had plotted to increase the value of their Loldings of gold by the demonetization of silver, and the result was that gold was rising and humanity was falling. The power exercised by corporations in the legisiative and judicial branches of the government was discussed at length, The peo- ple of America today were not as free as the subjects of the czar, The democratic party had got into power on the platform of free trade. They had promised to repeal the McKinley bill, but had finally introduced a measure which was more ‘of a protective measure than the McKinley bill itself. The railroads controlled the legislatures and the courts, which were supinely obedient to thelr interests. It was so through the wholo cate- gory and the man who worked with his hands or brains in an ordinary way was fortunate if he got enough ahead with which to bury him when he died. If the legisla~ ture passed a law that was offensive to the corporations the supreme court declared it unconstitutional. In closing Mr. Domnelly alluded again to the money question and advanced the prop- osition that the only value of money de- pended on its recognition by the government, and it the government issued paper money its stamp would make it worth its par value the world over whether there was any fund for the redemption of the notes or not. volce DONNELLY ON OMAHA, Says the City is the Fhiladelphia of the In- dustrial Revolution. Hon. Tgnatius Donnelly arrived in the city yesterday morning. He felt somewhat fatigued from travel, but talked freely to a Bee reporter upon the question of the day. A large number of his Omaha friends and admirers called at the hotel yesterday to see him. The Bee reporter got a few minutes with him, during which time he said: “It is always a pleasure to me to visit Omaha. I was in congress when the Union Pacific railway was being built, and the name of the city has been familiar to me ever since. [ was well acquainted with that singular_and eccentric man, George Francis Train. I have paid several visits to Omaha for the purpose of lecturing or to attend con- ventions, and have always been very kindly treated by the people. Wo populists have a sort of feeling that Omaha s to the great industrial revolution what Philadelphia was to the revolution of 1776, as it was here on the 4th of July, 1892, that we put forth the new declaration of independence. The time will come when Omaha will be very proud of that fact, if sbe is not now. We are, of course, mecessarily at present con- strained to make our campalgn upon speclfic issues, as the sllver question, the per capita of cutrency, the control or ownership of rallroads, etc., but above and beyond all these, which aro In thelr nature some- what'temporary, and which we hope & few years will satisfactorily séttle, there 15 a greater mud wider quostion Wwhich dates to the beginning of civiiization, and will continue In some shape as long as soclety endures, that Is, how far and In what way can the common people, the masses, middle classes and the work de fend themselves agalnst the encroa uts and aggr fons of the moneyed aristocracy. All men ro to become rich, A few have a greater capacity for accumulating and acquire vast fortunes, usually by obtain- ing some grip under the law or against the law upon the tail of the multitude, We are not waging war upon these people Individu- political parties, and everything that can be of use to them. They do not mean to des stroy civilization, but that must be the in- evitable outcome of thelr work. That I8 simply the conditfon that s now upon es. Thoy propose to meet disaffection, discontent and domoralization, not with a redress of grievances, but with armles and cannon, They propose that the evil couditions shall continue, but that the sufferers shall be kept in obedience, as they are in the old count They insist that their robbery shall continue, even though the whole land is one seething, bolllng mass of discontont. “The many are to be destroyed for the benofit of a few. We are today almost in a state of civil war. The news reports remind one of the time when the northern and southern tropps were battling for supremacys Every day we read of skirmishes, marches, violence and murder, and no man can tell when the flame may spread into universal conflagration. No man can deny this states ment of facts. It is not a time for men to be filled with partisan bitterness or do= votlons to past traditions. Every man should say to himself, what can I do to save tho republic for myseif-and posterity? To do this they should try to inform themsvlves upon all sides of all questions, and welgh the arguments of contending elements they would if on a jury the evidence being presented to them.” DOUGLAS COUNTY DELECATES. Those Who Winl Attend the Ropublican Stiate Lerguo Meeting. Douglas county delegates to the republi- can state league meeting, with some clubs yet to hear from, are: First Ward—B, J. Cornish, president; 1, A. Walkup, secretary; C. 8. Elgutter, John Rosicky, John F. Coots, 8. 1. Gordon, K. W. Bartos, Peter Back, John H. Butle C. F. Goodman, John Plerson, Morris More rison, John W. Honza, Rasmus Peterson, W. F. Bates, R. F. Willlams, Peter Hane sen. Second Ward—H. J. I'rank Dworak, secretary: Willlam_Alsted surer; M. H. Redfield, Roy Wilson, I3 Van Dorn, Ifrank J. Casper and W. Youd. Third Ward—R, 8. B. Denney, secretar; urer; A, Banker, presideni Berlin, president; John 'Wright, troas: s Menter, A.'Dubins sser,’ W. Lewls, H. Com= Ward-—Thomas nt; Bd Whitehorn, hel, John L. Webster, John M. ton, Rosewater, Isanc Adams,, ( Anderson, Wall Broateh, Fred nell. Fifth W dent; W, dict, White Ervin, 1stay McCorne - e W. Holbrook, presi- . Stockham, secretary; 1. Benes treasurer; John Henderson, A, D, JoW. Pearman, J. W, Croft, R. 8. Gibson. .at ally, but we perceive that thelr Instincts compel them to try tg control the govern- ment for the protection’ of their wealth or to increase it. Being few in number, they make their struggle largely through corrup- tion. They buy up the Tepresentatives of the people, judges and juries, newspapers, H. G. Counsman, R. W. h Ward—Miles D.' Houck, president; Tucker, secretary; S. O. Benn W. 0. Morse, R. W, Ph Milo Toberts, " Joh Coryell, John M Scott Ju Dillon, ckson, H. B L. s n T, CClearie, president; ham Parl I Irey, 3. K H 9 K. Baldwi Charles ‘L. 1 5, Lee Yates, T. D, Crang Bighth Ward—J. W. Furnds, president; James Allen, secretary; Dr. 8. K. Spauld= ing, treasurer; Dr. J. J. Saville, A. J. Her- old, G. W. Rathburn,”R. P. Dolman, Sey= mour G, ‘Wilcox, T. 8. Crocker, W. N. Nason, T. H. Fitzgerald, J. W. Rodifer, Charles Soudenburg. Ninth ‘Ward—John Lewis, president; J. K. Coulter, secretary; Robert B. Guild, treasurer; J. A. Beverly, I. R. Andrews, Charles Unitt, 1. P. Davis, Phil Winter, Carl Herring,’ William 1. Kierstead, L. Blickensderfter, Dr. S. D. Mercer, H. D, Istabrook. West Ind Club, Sixth Ward—J. M. Gil= lan, president; . C. Froom, secretary, G. D.‘MeDill, B.'T." White, Martin_ Gregs, F. B. Millar, J. . Burgess, I". I'. Osborne, G 1. Johnson. th —J. M. Lamme, vice presiden Isunac Sylvester, secretary; W. H. Sterns, treasurer; W. K. Wilson, Joseph P. Deegan, D. L. Anderson, Elias Gilmore, George E. Wilson, B, 1. French. Union Leigue Club—B. H. Robison, president; J. M. Gillan, secretary; H. M. Boyles, 15, "M, Stenberg, G. 8. Brb, J. B McGre: C. J. Green, W. J. Broatch, John C. Wharton, 'W. G. Shriver, Clinton Powell, W. I. Gurley, Ben Baker, E. M. Bartlett, George F. Monroe, M. F. Singleton, E. G. McGliton, Judge "I, B. Tiffany, Beach Higbee, Charles Lamb, Howard B. Ke nedy, Willlam A, DeBord, J. W. Battin, G H. Younger, George S. Smith, Frank T. Ransom, Henry Bolln, George G. Bowman. Hamilton Club—H, C. Brome, president; A. L. Wiggins, secretary; T. W.' Blackbura, treasurer; J. 'T. Wertz, J. N. Westbers, J. H. Kyner, Jonathan ~Bdwards, Isaad Noyes, Richard Smith, C. A. Gos: Cook, John Rush, W. 'A. Saunder: West_Omaha—D. L. Johnson, p A. D. Eby, secretary; George Jeffrey, J. J. Halligan, George Reed.’C. Isdgérion, W. L. Selby, Henry Weise, Walnut‘Hili—C. D. Hutchinson, president; s, T. Wiggins, secretary; G, W. Mercer, A. H. Burnett, H. F. Cady, . L. Hodgin, J. Hy fting Men's Club—H. H. B oung Men's Club- 9 5 dent; R, H. Jenness, secretary; M. G. Me- Leod, treasurer; H. A, Myers, 'W. A, Mes- sick, K. S. Fisher, C. B. Winter, Charles Lesiie, 12d Koen, I, C. O'Halloren, Henry Talbot, H. L. Day. West Side—P. Schwenk, president; George B. Striker, secretary; 'Morris Morrisey, treasurer; Jacob Houk, George A. Bennett, AIf W. Jeftries, George G. Bowman, Feis dinana’ Haarman. Mekiniey League—A. . Murdock, prese fdent; 1. 0. Mayfleld, secretary; Bert Wils o, treagurers J. H. VanDusen, J. 1. Brion,, . i, Elllott, Alex Schlegel, Henry Murphy, ruce McCulloch, Iver Thomas, A. L. Sut ton. Harrison Club—Herman C. Timme, pres. ident; Chris Stiger, secretary, Henry Kel: ey, treasurer; Henry McKinsey, Edward Wallker, Zach' Eilis, Claus Oft, Tomer Whitney, George R. Willlams, 3d_Stout, Gus Knowlton, John Lemcke, Charles Stevens, Asmos Gale, H. . Karling, Asne ton Clements, Jame Walsh, John Mc« Ardle, Charles Potter, Frank Munn. Danish American—John Matthieson, pres- jdent; Thomas J. Lund. secretary. The Danish American Republican club will hold a meeting Saturday evening at 8 o’clock 1330 South Sixteenth street. All mem- bers and also all Danish republicans are expected to be present. e BURGLAR RESISTED ARREST, Omcer's Sealp Open Another a Lively Fight Oficers Tler and Byrnes arrested Charles pBridgewater, colored, for burglary at 4 o'clock yesterday morning. The screams of a woman attracted the attention of the of- fleers to the burglar near Sixteenth and, Leavenworth streets. He was then on the walk and Tler chased him, firing three shots at him. Catching up with him he struck 4t him with his revolver, when the burglar retaliated by striking the officer across the left temple with a chisel, Inflicting an ugly gash. The two then fought and Byrnes came to Tler's ajd. Bridgewater was taken to jail. He had entered the flat occupled by Mrs, Valentine, 711 South Sixteenth strect, and when discove 1 in the room of Ryan, & rocmer, the latter pursued him and fired at him. He stole several trinkets identl- fied by Mrs. Valentine and was himselt identified by Rtyan. Thomas, les, prests Cut One nd Gave Miss Susle Foster, dressmaker at 1316 Capitol avenue, has asked the police to in- terfere with Willlam Dike, employed at the Iotel Dellone, in the intentions she alloges im to haye respecting her. She siys he has tireatened to kil her for breaking a mar- rlage engagement, and says he wanted to take her boat riding only that he might drown her. SR vloy Got Away. afternoon Charley confidence man, arrested Wednesday night, ran out of the police court room when brought up for a hearing and escaped te Council Bluffs. Yesterday 0'Connor, S Little pills for great ills: DeWitt's Littie rly Risers.