The American Missionary — Volume 43, No. 08, August, 1889Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 43, No. 08, August, 1889
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
Aim at unity of effect for each meeting. Make some one of the six
benevolences the subject, and center everything--Scripture, hymn,
prayer, letter, paper, leaflet, about the single topic. Suppose it be
"Missions on our Western frontier." Ask some lady to prepare a fifteen
minutes' paper. Give out in addition six back numbers of the _Home
Missionary_ to as many ladies, asking each to select a paragraph or
short article bearing directly on the subject and which she thinks
will, or ought to, interest the meeting. Let several of these ladies
be chosen from the passive list--the diffident or even the
indifferent. In making their selections, they will perhaps have made
their first acquaintance with missionary magazines and will have
learned something about the heroism of our home missionaries.
Moreover, they will have participated in the exercises. This, repeated
with variations, will give them courage to speak, and intelligent
thoughts to express. _They are on the way to active participation._
Crown the exercises with a collection. The leader must know how to
kindle enthusiasm and put it to the tangible proof.
The subject for the next meeting may be some branch of the work of the
American Missionary Association, as "Indian Missions in Dakota." Assign
to some one a paper, an historical sketch. She will need books from the
missionary library. "Ten years among the Dakotas," and "Mary and I; or,
Life among the Sioux," (to which she would never think of going for help
unless informed that the Dakotas and Sioux are one.) She may also send
to Miss Emerson for further helps. Then, in addition, give out back
numbers of the _American Missionary_ to two or three passive ladies,
asking them to make short selections concerning Indian missions--or let
one read Prof. G.F. Wright's leaflet--"Indian Missions as seen upon the
ground"--and another some missionary's letter. Call out expressions of
interest in the work--proofs of its success--etc., and ask if we ought
not to do something for its support. Give to everyone present a small
envelope with the request that it be brought to the next meeting with a
free will offering for Indian missions.
The next meeting may be devoted to "Christian work among the Mormons,"
using the "New West Reports," "The Gleaner," newspaper extracts,
missionary letters and, if possible, have the experience of some one who
has visited the schools and the homes of sin-cursed Utah. Having
awakened deep interest, the proposition to procure a lecture or a
musical entertainment and devote the proceeds to the New West Commission
will probably find favor and be carried on to success.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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