The Assembly on Mormonism One of the closing days of the Assembly was enlivened by a ringing resolution on Mormonism presented by that anti-Mormon veteran, Dr. Wishard. It was adopted with applause and goes to the President and Congress, and is as follows: "Whereas, The Mormon hierarchy claims the right and authority to make constitutions, presidents and kings, also asserts that there is no lawful or authorized government but the government of the Mormon priesthood; and "Whereas, Its teachers, claiming inspiration, declare that the government of the United States and all other governments must be uprooted; and "Whereas, Reed Smoot, claiming to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, with all authority, is living in harmony with this teaching, and in harmony with the prophet, seer and revelator, Joseph F. Smith and other apostles, who have sworn that they were violating the law of God and of the State of Utah; and "Whereas, These violators of law are a treasonable organization; therefore "Resolved, That as citizens of this government we earnestly petition the Senate of the United States to declare his seat vacant, and thus help to remove this treasonable menace to our free institutions. "Resolved, That we urge all of our ministers to inform themselves of the treasonable teachings of the Mormon hierarchy in reference to civil governments and citizens' rights. 66 'Resolved, That a copy of this action of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in session at Des Moines, Iowa, be transmitted to the Senate and to the President of the United States." Young People's Department This is the season of the year for the conferences on various phases of missionary work and for the training of missionary leaders. From comparatively small beginnings these gatherings are assuming such proportions that the number of delegates is sometimes limited. For the Silver Bay Conference, under the auspices of the Young People's Missionary Movement, the Presbyterian delegation has been limited to one hundred and four, and the membership is to consist of secretaries and active leaders of young people's societies and mission study classes-"those who will be able to serve as speakers or leaders at missionary institutes, conventions and conferences next fall", and, in short, those who have served or are willing to serve as leaders of the young people. At the college Y. W. C. A. gathering at Silver Bay in July Mrs. F. S. Bennett will conduct the home mission study class. For all of the summer conferences the home mission topic will be the great one of Immigration, and the new book by Dr. Grose, "Aliens or Americans?" will be the general text-book. If unable to attend either the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, the Asheville, N. C., or Silver Bay, N. Y., conferences, try to find out from some one more fortunate all about the problems studied, and especially how to teach a class on immigration. This will be the subject for study classes during the coming fall and winter, and the text-book, "Aliens or Americans?" can be secured from our Literature Department for thirty-five cents in paper or fifty cents in cloth. Plan early for your class and make generous use of the Board's literature. We are fortunate in having also "Coming Americans," by Miss Katharine R. Crowell, the little book for Junior study classes. It is hoped, therefore, that all young people's organizations will make a specialty of this theme during the working months of the year. One of the hardest problems we meet in this Department is that of directing the gifts of our young people. Many societies seem to believe that any money given for anything in America-providing the object comes under the head of "philanthropy" or "church"-can be reported as home missions and so recorded in the reports and therefore in statements sent through the church for the Assembly Minutes. The following came to the ears of the Secretary of this Department during the spring annual meetings. One society reported $120, given for furnishing a Y. M. C. A. room, and another $75, contributed “for the Athletic Club parlors." Hospital work, money for public. reading rooms, money spent for Sunday school library books, and furnishings for the church and manse, were often reported in this home mission column; and while these are objects which we should support, the young people need instructions along the line of reporting their gifts and should be impressed with the knowledge that no money which does not pass through the Board can be credited by the Board. It seemed as though the limit was reached when a society reported the money spent for "six floral designs for the dead and fifty-eight bouquets for the sick" as their contribution for home missions. The annual report of this Department makes note of the large number of young people who "send their gifts direct to the field (often by advice of their pastors) and then complain because no credit is given in the Board's report, not realizing that they may be duplicating the amounts already provided for by the Board. The needs of the field and responsibilities of the Board should be presented so forcibly that all will realize the importance of sending their contributions through the regularly organized and authorized channels. especially if they would be credited in the financial statements of the year." The special aim of our young people's secretaries this year will be to secure an advance in gifts through systematic study and giving, and prompt forwarding of funds. If rightly directed, the present problem which the Board must face that of paying interest on borrowed money through most of the months of the year -will be remedied in the near future through the systematic giving of the young people. 371 AUGUST-Present-day Immigration a Challenge to Our work among Foreigners. Its unanswered opportunity. SEPTEMBER-Advance-Its Imperative Necessity. Increased field need. Increased help-funds and service. OCTOBER-The Mormons. The Mormon hierarchy-its power and purpose. NOVEMBER-The Mexicans. The power of the mission school. DECEMBER-The Mountaineers. Kinsfolk of the Covenanters. For printed matter on these topics apply to .15 Room 712. PRESBYTERIAN HOME MISSIONS, 156 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. THE BOARD OF HOME MISSIONS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE U. S. A. Comparative Statement of Receipts for CURRENT WORK (exclusive of Legacies) for the Months of May, 1905-06 $25,540.46 *$23,780.58 | $1,759.88 Comparative Statement of Receipts for CURRENT WORK (exclusive of Legacies) for the Two Months ending May 31, 1905-06 Self-Support in the Synod of Michigan Rev. David Howell, Synodical Missionary. Organized Presbyterianism gained a foothold in the Territory of Michigan in the year 1816. In May of that year a young missionary by the name of John Monteith came into the city of Detroit under the auspices of the General Assembly, and in August of the same year organized the first "Protestant Society" in the territory. Later this society became the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit. Aid was received from abroad to support this first Presbyterian minister and to build the first Protestant Church building in the territory. Thus was Presbyterianism in Michigan baptized into dependence, and for 35 years received aid from abroad to sustain its ministry. This church increased from one organization in 1816 to 262 in 1902 with more than 33,000 members and over 100,000 adherents, and millions of wealth. The liberality of the church at large to the feeble churches of the Synod has been marvelous. The Board of Home Missions disbursed to them during the 16 years preceding self-support $265,000. During the same period the offerings for home missions were $125,000, leaving the Synod debtor to the Board for that short period $140,000. Those who understood the situation felt for some years that it was not honorable for the Synod to remain longer dependent on the Board. Action was taken, therefore, looking toward self-support. A period of preparation was entered upon which continued six years. A systematic and persistent campaign was made among the mission churches to inspire them to self-respecting independence. The result was that during that time the grants from the Board to the Synod were reduced from $22,219 to $13.913. During the last year of dependence the Board disbursed to the Synod $8,306 more than it received in offerings. Notwithstanding this wide chasm between disbursements and offerings the Synod decided to become self-sustaining on April 1, 1902. Through the kindness of the Board of Home Missions the Synod was permitted to retain in its treasury the offerings to home missions for six months preceding its independence, the Board continuing to pay the missionaries dur ing that time. In this way the Synod secured a treasury fund of about $6,000 with which to begin work. The Board also consented that its treasurer might act as treasurer for the Synod. The scheme of self-support in Michigan is strictly Synodical. The business is administered by a Permanent Committee of Home Missions, consisting of one minister and one elder from each presbytery. It meets annually in connection with the Synod in October and passes upon applications. It employs a Synodical Missionary who has charge of the office and is the executive officer of the committee. The details of the work are transacted in the office. The Executive Committee meets once in two months. The sources of revenue are offerings from churches, Sundayschools, young people's societies, and individuals. The aim is to secure an offering, however small, from every church member. The influence of self-support in Michigan has developed a closer and more sympathetic relation between the self-sustaining and aidreceiving churches than ever before existed. Many churches which were despondent and helpless have been aroused to self-respecting independence and intense activity. The home mission offerings have more than doubled without detriment to other missionary causes. Indeed, the activity for home missions in Michigan has had an inspiring influence on all of our benevolent work. While the Synod has cared for its own it has not lost sight of the work at large. Five percent of all offerings for self-support is given to the Board of Home Missions for the general work. Synodical missions has fostered the evangelistic work of the Synod on the principle that it is better to enlarge the membership and spiritual life of a feeble church than to give it money. Synodical missions has encouraged and made possible the employment of a Student Pastor for the Presbyterian young men and women in the State University. Self-support is making the Synod of Michigan. The churches are tremulous with awakened zeal to build the Kingdom of God. B. L. AGNEW, D.D., CORRESPONDING SECRETARY The General Assembly and the Board of Relief The work of the Board of Relief never experienced a more royal reception than it did at the General Assembly at Des Moines, Iowa. The Standing Committee, of which the Rev. Henry Sloane Coffin, of New York City, was Chairman, presented a most interesting and important report, which was earnestly discussed, unanimously adopted, and is as follows: "We have carefully examined the Annual Report of the Board and the Minutes of its sessions throughout the year ending with the first of April, 1906, and cordially recommend the same for approval by the General Assembly. "There is much in the Report that calls for thankfulness and praise. "The past year has been the best in the history of the Board. More money has come into its treasury, fewer churches have failed to make offerings, more cases of relief have been cared for, and a smaller percentage of the money received has been spent in the expenses of administration than ever before. "Nine hundred and fifty-two names are upon the roll of beneficiaries, of whom 175 are ministers honorably retired, whose average age is over 77, and whose average active service has been nearly forty-three years. "The receipts of the Board amounted to $240,863.96, an increase of more than $20,000 over any previous year. But the contributions to the Permanent Fund were $39.919.13, a falling off of $12,000 from the amount given in 1905. In addition to cash contributions, boxes from woman's societies have been sent to families on the list of annuitants valued at $7,183.28, an increase of $2,400 over the amount given in this way last year. Ninety more churches contributed to the Board than during any previous year, and with the stimulus of the Apportionment Scheme many churches substantially en larged their offerings. "Your Committee takes special pleasure in calling attention to the fact that but three and three-tenths per cent. of the receipts of the Board is consumed by the cost of administration.. "But while we rejoice in these gratifying advances, it is our solemn duty to call the Church's attention to its shameful neglect of this great cause. Only five Synods gave more than they drew out of the funds of the Board-the Synods of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Baltimore and Montana-while nineteen Synods actually gave less than five cents per communicant to discharge their solemn obligation to those who have given their lives to the Church's service. Your Committee earnestly asks the commissioners to this Assembly to look at the record of their Presbytery's contributions in the tabular statement appended to the Report of the Board and see how it stands. It is not saying too much to stigmatize as disgraceful the indifference of the vast majority of our churches to the claims of men who have given years of careful study to fit themselves for their high calling in the Christian ministry, have devoted strength and talents to the Church's work, at salaries for the most part barely sufficient to provide them and their families with support, and who find themselves penniless in old age, or in invalidism, or who die leaving their widows and orphans in poverty. Is it just, is it Christian, that the Church should continue to hold out before those who labor in its ministry the prospect of declining years of failing health, to be endured in penury, or the prospect of death with those they love best unprovided for? When we reflect that according to the statistics of the past, one in every eight of the families represented on the roll of our ministry to-day |