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June 23, 1909. TH
PRESENT NEEDS.
As Seen by a Texas Elder.
Your correspondent, perhaps, is not as
well known in the religious, as the secular
world; because his talents have been
more given to contributions along material
affairs.
But, for the past tifteen or twenty
yeura, first as a deacon and then clerk
of the session of the McKinney Presbyterian
church, continuously for mors
than ten years, he has been pretty well
known to the ministers of Dallas Pres
bytery, and thinks he ought to he able
to speak or write advisedly of the
Church's needs.
I sincerely believe that the lay members
are lax in duty in nut expressing
their ideas in the sessions and through
contributions in ?ur religious paper or
papers, which might add strength to the
cause of Christ. It is not always the
case that the ablest and greatest theologians
are the most successful preachers
in the winning of souls for Christ.
Hence, after prayerful consideration of
the matter and sensible of the danger of
being misunderstood and even consid-*
ered by some as a matter not within the
jurisdiction of the laity of the church,
and with no feeling of presumption, i desire
to present my views in the premises.
First, I would state that Texas is made
up of a cosmopolitan people, and to
preach to such, with so many different.
views of life, there must be a greater
allowance made in the purpose to cement
or bring together in holy communion a
united desire to work for Christ. In conference
once with a successful minister
as a delegate to Presbytery, I was sensibly
impressed with his ideas in the
matter. He said, at the outset of his
charge with the same difficulties, as I had
told him existed in our church, that he
fouud the best course to pursue was to
preach more of the love and mercy of
God, and later a short doctrinal sermon
concisely told, until the preached word
had taken deep root into the hearts of
his hearers. His style of preaching was
persuasive rather than pointed along doctrinal
lines, and presented in a spirit of
humility, asking God to strengthen the
message through the Holy Spirits' power.
An Elder.
AN APPEAL FOR THE ORPHANS.
The stringency of money matters,
caused by the recent panic, followed by
the extended and protracted drought all
over Texas, has borne down heavily on
the poor of the land, especially orphan?,
and caused many of these latter to apply
for admission into the various Homes.
The Southwestern Presbyterian Homo
and School for Orphans, located at Files,
Hill county, Texas, has had its share
of these, and has admitted. in the la3t
few months about thirty of these fatherless,
helpless and needy little ones.
This Home receives "all orpuans who are
needy. Irrespective of the religions belief
of parents or guardians," and the
most of those recently received have
fpont fan>IUoo nf /I?
*rww?> ?* Wilt 1HUUUVB VI VU1VI ucuuimua*
tions, therefore we feel that we may ap
peal to all good people to assist in its
support. There are still other children
applying for admission who are worthy,
and should be received. We are ready
to take them if assured of a support for
them from the charitable public. The
? '
:E PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOU'
recent addition to our family, which now
numbers seventy-two children and eight
ofhcet3, entails an additional expense of
about $250 a month above what we have
heretofore needed, and been receiving.
Will the friends of the orphans furnish
it? We nave taken these children, believing
that God's people and a charitable
and liberal public would furnish us
the means for their support, if advised
of their need. Was our confidence in
the^ liberality of the people, and purity
of the religion (Jas. 1: 27) of God's people
justified? We believe 30. But we
could not deny these little ones askiug
lis for bread and a home. If we had
done so, what would have become of
them? And what would the Master have
said of us? See Matt. 25: 41-45.
Remember, the summer months, when
most orphanages su<Ter for want of
funds to buy food and clothes, are upon
us. Dullness of business and absence
from home of many who would help,
cause receipts to fall short, and orphanages
to go In debt for food for the little
ones. Shall this be the case with us
this summer? It has never yet occurred,
but with our larger charge and
(expense, it w(ill this summer, unless
friends come at once to our help. If you
would prevent it, sit right down now
and send your check for such an amount
as you are able and your heart dictates.
Many churches. Sabbath schools,
ladles' societies, and some individual?,
are supporting individual orphans by
sending us six dollars a month, the
amount required for board and clothes or
an orphan; but many others, just as
able, are doing nothing. How is It with
you, your church, Sabbath school or society?
Would you not like to share, in
this great work? If so, send on your offering
at once, if possible. We need it.
Think of these little ones suffering while
you are enjoying your good things. Read
1 Jno. 3: 17, 18.?These orphans are in
need, will you not help them? Send all
offerings to R. W. Coffin, Treasurer; or
the undersigned, at Itasca, Texas.
Jas. D. McLean,
President of the Home.
Itasca, Texas.
WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
North Mississippi.
On the thirteenth of May a Women's
Missionary Union was organized at Canada,
in the Presbytery of North Mississippi.
height churches were represented and
the work of organization was conducted
by Mrs. A. T. Grayibill, of the Foreign
Mission office, Nashville, Tenn. The work
is to include both home and foreign missions,
and those present feel greatly encouraged
to hope for a successful union.
Let all the societies come into the
union at once; and the churches that
have no societies are urged to organize.
If they need help our Presbyterial visitor
Is ready to aid, free of expense to
them. Also the secretary oi Young People's
Work is anxious to organizo the
boys and girls into active workers. God
needs the boys and girls; they are the
men and women of tomorrow.- He needs
us all. Let us hasten the coming of his
Kingdom.
The Union will hold its first annual
meeting at Senatobia. April, 1910.
rH. 17
WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
Cherokee Presbytery."
The second annual meeting of the
Women's Missionary Union of CherokeePresbytery
was held in the First. Presbyterian
Church. Dalton, Ga., June 2-3,
1909. There were present six officers,
and twenty-eight delegates, representing
seventeen different societies and
thirteen churches.
Reports were very encouraging, an<t
showed that several new societies had
been organized during the past year.
The Union was exceedingly fortuuatein
having with them Rev. Homer McMillan,
of the Home Mission Committee, Atlanta,
Ga.; Dr. W. H. Venable, medical
missionary to Kashing, China, and Dr.
J. O. Reavls, of the Foreign Mission
Committee, Nashville, Tenn., each one or
whom gave interesting and inspiring addresses
along their respective lines or
work.
A special feature of the meeting was
the presentation of a map of tho Union,
by Mrs. F. K. Sims, which showed very
vividly the vastness of the work to bn
done.
As a specific work, the Union decided
to undertake the support of a Presbyte"
rial visitor, or deaconness, within the
bounds of the Presbytery, and a fund
was at once started sufficient to justify
the beginning of the work. It was arranged
for Miss Louise Milam, of theEuharlee
church, to be this worker.
The next meeting is to be held at
Roswell, the third Wednesday in June,.
101 A
All came away with hearts full of gratitude
for the success of the meeting anil!
grateful memories of the cordial hospi
tallty 6f the Dalton people. Rec. Sec.
WOMEN'S MISSIONARY UNION.
Savannah Presbytery.
The second annual meeting of thd
Women's Missionary Union of the Savannah
Presbytery was held April 10, 11
and 12. at the First Presbylerian church.
Valdosta, (la. The people of this church
gave the delegates a very hearty and
cordial welcome. Thirteen delegate?
were present.
Encouraging reports from the local societies
were received. Three new societies
were enrolled, making a total of
fifteen.
The program was very interesting ami'
every effort was made to make the meeting
profitable. Several splendid paper?
were read by members of the Union.
it was a great privilege to have withus
Rev. G. W. Painter. D. D., of Hongchow,
China, and Miss Mattie S. Tait, or
Chunju, Korea, each giving very interesting
accounts of their work in the3ecountries.
The office of field secretary was-,
created. Miss Van Geason, of Savannah,.
Ga? was elected to fill the same.
In discussing "Definite Objects for
Which Our Union Can Work" the Women's
Debt Fund was brought up as tho
most Important work to be considered.
Upon motion it was carried that wejoin
with all tfie other Georgia unions:
in an overture to the Georgia Synod in
regard to forming a Synodicnl Union.
Wa ' - -
.?? v.o.1 uui !)?y wuai mis meeting has
meant In the way of Inspiration an<?
spiritual help.
Eunice Lester, Cor.' 8ec.
Statesboro, Ga.