United Brethren 
 In Christ 
 
 A History 
 of the 
 Won]a.n * s M i s s i ona ry 
 Association 
 
 BX^878 
 .76.A66 
 
 ^^. 
 
tihvavy of trhe Cheolojicd ^emmarjo 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 Rufus H. LeFevre 
 .1 (o. i\<oio 
 
 •AN 'asriDCjAs 
 
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 Aq pajr430j luo/^ 
 
 >i3aNia laiHdvwd 
 INnOWOlOHd 
 
A HISTORY 
 
 FEB 11 1953 ^ 
 
 ^fi/OAl 
 
 Woman'sMissionaiy Association 
 
 UmTED BRETHREN IN CHRIST, 
 
 "The L,ord giveth the word: the women that publish the tidings are a 
 great host." — Psalm 68: ii, Revised Version. 
 
 DAYTON, OHIO: 
 
 United Brethren Publishing House. 
 
 1894. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2009 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/historyofwomansmOOunit 
 
ROFUS H. LEFEVER 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 "Won^ai^'s Mi55ioi2ar\/] Associatioi^. 
 
 ' ' The Ivord giveth the word : the women that publish the tidings are a 
 great hoist. " (Psalm 68 : ii, Revised Version.) 
 
 Whether the sweet singer of Israel meant to prophesy, or 
 referred to the custom of the women proclaiming glad tidings 
 after the victory, we live in a time when the words are liter- 
 ally true. The women of Christendom are awake and organ- 
 ized, sending missionaries to every portion of the globe. We 
 are living in the times which the Revelator saw, when he 
 said, "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having 
 the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the 
 earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and peo- 
 ple." The women, by their offerings, prayers, and service, are 
 giving wings to the angel. There are six thousand two hun- 
 dred and thirty messengers from Protestant churches now 
 preaching the everlasting gospel in twenty times as many 
 languages as were spoken on the day of Pentecost. There are 
 besides these many thousands, of native converts preaching 
 and teaching the Word. In the last twenty years, in a special 
 sense, God has been pleased to call and make use of the 
 women of Christian lands. Every denomination in the 
 United States has now one or more woman's boards. 
 
 How shall we account for this general movement of Chris- 
 tian women in a new line, bringing heavy responsibility, re- 
 quiring self-denial and the service of body and mind ? It was 
 
6 woman's missionary association. 
 
 born from above. The thought was Divine. It came in the 
 fullness of time. In every mission field there was an imper- 
 ative need for the active sympathy and co-operation of women 
 at home. Missionaries were sent home to tell the story 
 of the degradation, misery, and darkness of women with- 
 out the gospel, and to appeal to the love and devotion of 
 honored Christian women to consecrate themselves to their 
 elevation. In our country these appeals met with a ready re- 
 sponse. God by his providence had during the Civil War 
 developed the capacity and energies of the women in the 
 great activities of the Sanitary and Christian Commission. 
 In every town and village the women had gathered to furnish, 
 with loving hearts, supplies for the "soldier boys." Theso 
 trying times called wonien from the selfishness and frivolities; 
 of life, and discarding the conventionalities of society, the}' 
 responded to the call of distress, and became experts in organ - 
 izing and administering on a large scale. Besides this general 
 preparation for the work, in every church there were a fevr 
 hearts who were longing for more active service, and Avitli 
 prayer and supplication were seeking direction. The twc; 
 Congregational Avomen who met to pray weekly for eight 
 months, before issuing a call to organize a woman's board, 
 has a parallel in the beginning of our work. 
 
 THE BEGINNING. 
 
 In a little room a few miles north of Dayton, Ohio, Miss 
 Lizzie Hoffman (now Mrs. Derrickson) spent the night in 
 prayer. In response to earnest solicitation, she has given the 
 following account of her experience : 
 
 "The beginning of my call to missionary work was a desire for a deeper 
 work of grace in my own heart. I felt that there were joys in the divine life 
 and attainments through grace that I was not possessor of, as well as duties 
 to perform for which I was too weak. There was a burden on my heart. I 
 took it to our Burden-Bearer in prayer, and the answer was a question, 'Are 
 you willing to go to Africa? ' I felt unqualified. The Lord's answer to Mo- 
 ses came. Thus I labored on for, I think, over one year. I sometimes felt 
 as if I could not endure the weight. One evening I took my Bible, my 
 best instrudlor, and read and prayed in my little room, determined to con- 
 
THE BEGINNING. / 
 
 quer or die in the attempt; resolved to wrestle and pray till light would 
 dawn upon my soul. It was near the dawn of day when the Angel of the 
 I,ord rolled the burden ofif my poor heart. Abraham was not required to slay 
 Isaac — only to become willing. I said calmly and peacefully, 'Lord, use me 
 as seemeth to thee good.' Soon there was a prompting in my heart that the 
 women of our Church should be organized for adlive and special work for 
 missions. The duty became imperative. I revealed the fadl to Father John 
 Kemp. He at once became interested, and visited the most acftive workers in 
 the First Church at Dayton, as well as in Summit Street Church, and prayed 
 and planned until he succeeded in calling the meeting for the organization 
 of the women of Miami Conference." 
 
 Prominent men and women of the two churches met at 
 Summit Street Church, and spent a day and an evening in 
 consultation. A woman's organization was effected for Miami 
 Conference, May 9, 1872. The following preamble to the con- 
 stitution then adopted is of interest : 
 
 " Believing that the promulgation of the gospel of Jesus Christ through- 
 out the world depends upon the success of Christian missions, and that the 
 responsibility of this success devolves upon all Christians, we therefore 
 do, in obedience to the command of our risen I,ord and Savior, ' Go ye into 
 all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, ' in convention assem- 
 bled at the United Brethren Summit Street Church, in the city of Dayton, on 
 the 9th day of May, 1872, pursuant to proper notice given through the 
 Religions Telescope, hereby, in the name of our Divine Master, and moved, 
 we trust, by the Holy Spirit, organize ourselves into a missionary' association, 
 by the adoption of the following constitution." 
 
 A number of auxiliaries were organized in the conference. 
 Money to the amount of $328.13 was collected, but no mission 
 work was undertaken. It was expected at this time that other 
 conferences would organize. Nothing was done, however. 
 For want of an object, all but two of the societies of Miami 
 Conference ceased to work. These two were discouraged. A 
 meeting was called in the First Church to consider the ques- 
 tion of issuing a call for a general meeting. Six ladies re- 
 sponded to the call. Some timid, faint-hearted ones suggest- 
 ed that we could not work as the women of some of our sister 
 denominations, and if we undertook it, there would be re- 
 sponsibility, and we would be sure to fail. Sister Sowers 
 repeated after each one of these, " They cannot do our work. 
 
8 woman's "^MISSIONARY 'ASSOCIATION. 
 
 If God calls, dare we falter?" AH' felt, that God did call, 
 and agreed to take steps toward a general organization. A 
 number of articles were written in the Religious Telescope, 
 asking for a meeting. The Missionary Treasurer, Rev. J. W. 
 Hott, and the Missionary Secretary, Rev. D. K. Flickinger, 
 pressed the matter in private and through the press. The 
 General Board of the Church had recommended such an or- 
 ganization. Mrs. Hadley, returning from Africa, urged the 
 project. Everything pointed to it as a duty. 
 
 The Religious Telescope of September 29, 1875, contained 
 the following call, signed by Mrs. T. N. Sowers and Mrs. 
 W. H. Lanthurn : 
 
 " For the purpose of creating a greater interest and zeal in the cause of 
 missions, and laboring more direcflly in the work of the Divine Master by 
 bringing into more aAive and efficient service the sisters of the Church, a 
 call is made for a Woman's Missionary Convention, to meet in Dayton, Ohio, 
 First Church, October 21, 1875. 
 
 "It is desired that the convention shall partake of the nature of a mass 
 meeting. "We therefore invite all persons interested in the work to be pres- 
 ent." 
 
 The call was answered by the following conferences : Mi- 
 ami, Scioto, Sandusky, Michigan, Indiana, Western Reserve, 
 Lower Wabash, Virginia, and Allegheny. Six of the nine 
 conferences sent delegates. The last three were represented 
 by ladies whose husbands were members of the respective 
 conferences, and at that time resided in Dayton. Five States 
 were thus represented, but only three by resident delegates, 
 viz. : Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, the last named State 
 being represented by four conferences. Those in attendance 
 at that meeting from Scioto Conference are now included in 
 the Central Ohio Conference. Several other conferences ap- 
 pointed delegates, who sent letters of encouragement. Two 
 days (October 21 and 22, 1875,) were spent in faithful, prayer- 
 ful work. A constitution that had been previously published 
 was discussed, amended, and adopted, and the " Woman's 
 Missionary Association of the United Brethren in Christ" 
 was organized by the election of officers : President, Mrs. 
 
ORGANIZATION. 9 
 
 T. N. Sowers; Vice Presidents, Mrs. Z. A. Colestock, Mrs. 
 M. H. Bridgeman, Mrs. S. Haywood; Corresponding Sec- 
 retary, Mrs. L. R. Keister; Recording Secretary, Mrs. D; L. 
 Rike ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. J. Shuey. All started anew under 
 the constitution adopted. The Miami Conference Society 
 paid its money into the general Association, and reorganized. 
 The officers in the new were about the same as in the old, 
 the smaller only yielding itself to larger existence. Spring 
 was decided upon as the time to hold the annual meeting. 
 May, 1876, First Church, were the time and place agreed 
 upon for the next meeting. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The organization includes a Board of Managers, a Board 
 of Trustees, Annual Conference Branch Societies, Local So- 
 cieties, Young Ladies' Bands, and Children's Bands. 
 
 The Board of Managers is composed of delegates, elected 
 annually by the conference branches. The Board of Trustees 
 are elected annually by the Board of Managers. The Offi- 
 ^.ers are elected from the Trustees. 
 
 The local societies hold quarterly meetings, and are the 
 chief instruments in gathering money. The branch societies 
 meet annually, as does also the Board of Managers. The 
 Board of Trustees meet upon call, in the office of the society. 
 
 By the terms of the Constitution, the Association is under 
 the direction of the General Conference, and submits quad- 
 rennial reports to that body. But in the election of officers, 
 and in general management, it is independent. 
 
 The Constitution was printed and bound, with an address 
 to the women of the Church, and sent out. Some societies 
 were organized in various places. 
 
 At the meeting in May, 1876, Mrs. A. L. Billheimer, having 
 returned from mission work in Africa, added new life to the 
 meeting. It was determined to venture out and undertake 
 gome work. All seemed to feel the responsibility of appro- 
 priating the fir«+. money. There was a unanirnnng feeling 
 
10 woman's missionary association. 
 
 that our work should be among the Avomen and children, and 
 this sentiment assumed definite shape when Mrs. Billheimer 
 moved " that the funds now in the treasury be used for the 
 founding and support of a mission school in Africa." She 
 then spoke of her personal knowledge of the need of such 
 work, and of the feasibility of the plan ; that it could be 
 started on a small scale and enlarged as our means would 
 permit. Our hope of helping Africa is through the children. 
 The motion prevailed. 
 
 FOREIGN WORK. 
 
 The first idea was to support a school under the control of 
 the missionaries of the General Board, near Shaingay. It was 
 agreed to support Miss Emily Beeken, then under appoint- 
 ment. But instead of this, by the advice of the officers of 
 the General Board and the missionaries then in the field, it 
 was decided to establish schools up the Bompeh River, in a 
 thickly populated territory that was calling for light, and was 
 without any missionary work. The General Board, thinking 
 it not best to distribute their force over so much territory, 
 urged us to occupy this new ground. With repeated visits 
 and the supervision of Mr. Gomer, the mission was located 
 at Rotufunk, on the Bompeh River, about fifty miles east 
 of Freetown. Miss Beeken went to Rotufunk late in the 
 autumn of 1877, at which time we undertook her full support. 
 
 The pioneer work was difficult, but it was bravely accom- 
 plished. One with less courage than that of Miss Beeken could 
 not have succeeded in starting a mission so far from any civil- 
 ized help or protection. The head-man built a barra for wor- 
 ship, and the Association a mud house for the missionary on a 
 beautiful elevated site near the town. Miss Beeken estab- 
 lished two schools, and had public services in surrounding 
 towns. Only those who have done such work, and those now 
 in the field, can fully appreciate the service she rendered our 
 Associatit)n in laving the foundation of our mission. She 
 
FOREIGN WORK. — AFRICA. 11 
 
 made an urgent request for a large bell for the station. 
 Through the solicitation of Mrs. Sowers, Mr. John Dodds 
 gave one ; and as the ringing of the bell from old Independ- 
 ence Hall, on the morning of our nation's birth to freedom, 
 said more plainly than words could tell, that all men are born 
 free and equal, so this bell proclaims liberty to the captive, 
 and the striking off of the shackles of sin that so long have 
 bound them. 
 
 Miss Beeken was succeeded at the end of nineteen months 
 by Mrs. M. M. Mair, of Glasgow, Scotland. Mrs. Mair had an 
 experience of twenty-six years on the West Coast of Africa, 
 which enabled her to endure the climate better than new mis- 
 sionaries. She lauded at Freetown, October 19, 1879, and Avent 
 to Rotufunk the following month. The previous May, at our 
 annual meeting, we had agreed to send to Africa from this 
 country the material for a good house, so that our mission- 
 aries might have a comfortable home. Two thousand dollars 
 were easily raised outside of membership dues, and Mrs. Mair 
 superintended the construction of the building, and enjoyed 
 living in it, as she so well deserved. She was indefatigable 
 in her labors, and her influence over the natives was wonder- 
 ful. She taught them by precept and example. She corrob- 
 orated Dr. Flickinger's report, that of all dark places in Africa 
 Rotufunk was the blackest. Mrs. Mair was almost over- 
 whelmed with the responsibility of the work, with only 
 native helpers, but she said, " I always made it the rule of my 
 life, when I had anything to do, to try.'" She secured better 
 teachers for the schools, and established two others. She had 
 the confidence and co-operation of the chiefs and head-men, 
 and such was her influence over the people in three years and 
 a half, that she said she had been in but two towns in this 
 country where the Sabbath was observed so well. Pa Sourie, 
 the head-man of Rotufunk, gave up the use of strong drinks 
 and tobacco, and compelled the people to desist from labor on 
 the Sabbath day. Rotufunk was a station for slave traders 
 when our mission was located there; but before Mrs. Mair 
 
12 
 
 WOMAN S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 came away, this was broken up. A deed was received for one 
 hundred and fifty acres of ground at Rotufunk and Palli, part 
 of which was put under cultivation. 
 
 Early in 1882 we were warned of the declining strength 
 of Mrs. Mair, and began to look for reinforcement. It was 
 determined to send a man and his wife, as the work was too 
 hard for a woman to carry. Rev. R. N. West and Miss Lida 
 
 REV. R. N. WEST. 
 
 Miller, students in Union Biblical Seminary, were chosen. 
 Both had foreign missionary work in view, and were prepar- 
 ing for it. They were married in the summer, and sailed 
 from New York October 2, 1882, arriving at Freetown De- 
 cember 3. Mrs. Mair remained a few months, and then came 
 to America on her way home to Scotland. Her presence 
 at our annual meetina; a* Westerville added new 'nterest 
 to the work. 
 
FOREIGN WORK. — AFRICA. 13 
 
 At this meeting came the word from Mr. West, that 
 so many persons gathered at the public services that in 
 the rainy season no house was large enough to accommodate 
 them, and many had to be turned away. He asked to be 
 allowed to build a chapel. The Committee on African Work 
 recommended the raising of two thousand dollars, the esti- 
 mate of the cost of a suitable building. Cash and subscrip- 
 tions were taken at once to the amount of eleven hundred 
 dollars. The money was all raised and the chapel completed 
 within a year, and — what was a new thing under the sun — 
 at a cost of five hundred dollars less than the estimate. Mr. 
 West described the building as follows : 
 
 " The building is a neat, substantial stru<5lure. The main room is forty- 
 two by twenty-eight feet, with six large double windows on each side and 
 two in front, one on each side of the door. These are made of wood, hung 
 on hinges at top, and open outward. Behind the pulpit is a large double win- 
 dow of glass, hung on pivots. This gives a good atmosphere, and serves to 
 prevent sleepiness in the pulpit. There is a large double door in front. The 
 pulpit stands upon a raised platform. Its front and sides are like the five 
 sides of an octagon and the back of one side. The three front sides are 
 of counter, a native wood of great beauty, the remaining sides and top being 
 beautifully marked pitch pine. The whole is nicely varnished. The benches 
 are made of white pine lumber. They are ten feet long, with backs, and 
 fastened to the floor. Mr. Gomer says they are the most comfortable seats he 
 ever saw. The room will seat three hundred persons comfortably. To the 
 left of the pulpit is a door leading into the primary class room. This room is 
 twelve feet square, with one outside door and two windows. Mrs. West is 
 especially pleased with this room, and says, ' If a separate room is needed at 
 home for children, it is needed tenfold more here.' The building is upon a 
 stone foundation, with stone steps in front, and a belfry over the steps. The 
 entire cost of the building, including the coat of paint yet needed, is fifteen 
 hundred dollars. God has surely been kind to us, and we feel like praising 
 him for his wonderful grace." 
 
 With the exception of a coat of paint, the chapel was fin- 
 ished by the 24th of February, 1884, when it was dedicated. 
 Rev. J. Gomer, of Shaingay, preached the dedicatory sermon 
 in a very satisfactory manner. After the sermon, an invita- 
 tion was given for a free-will offering to the Lord, and the 
 people responded by subscribing one hundred and sixtv acres 
 
14 
 
 WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 of land at Palli ; live binkeys of rice (from fifty to one hun- 
 dred bushels) ; one cow, one country cloth, and thirty-seven 
 dollars and fourteen cents in cash subscriptions. The people 
 were glad for this house, and the missionaries were encour- 
 aged. The report said : 
 
 " The work has been prospering during the year. We have now, in con- 
 nection with the work, fifty-four regular preaching places, being an increase 
 of twenty-three during the year. In these places more than two thousand 
 
 MRS. R. N. WEST. 
 
 five hundred persons hear the word of God. The people are so ready to 
 hear, and always say that they want us to come all the time. Fully one 
 thousand persons everj' Sabbath hear preaching in connexion with the differ- 
 ent stations of the mission alone, and here and there is one who has given 
 his heart to Jesus and is sincerely trusting in him." 
 
 Our missionaries were to have a test of their devotion and 
 strength, unparalleled in the mission work of the Church. 
 Mrs. West wrote, April 4, first speaking of the work in con- 
 nection with buildine: : 
 
FOREIGN WORK. AFRICA. 15 
 
 "Then there were months of hard labor, only known to those who have 
 had experience in heathen lands. But our congregations were increasing, 
 and we scarcely heeded the toil, so anxious were we to get into our new chapel. 
 Now it is completed — all given up to God. For two Sabbaths the house was 
 crowded, and then the war came, and that dreaded disease, small-pox, has set- 
 tled down over our town and surrounding country. Now we are but few who 
 meet together; but only God knows how many petitions rise to him from suf- 
 fering ones out in the bush, in the town, and out on the battle-field. We 
 were much encouraged by the following testimony of a young man in our 
 seekers' meeting last vSabbath. For some time we have thought him a 
 Christian. He was in the war, and distinguished himself for his bravery. 
 He came back because of a wound received in the hand. After speaking of 
 his trust in Jesus, he said: ' When the war come, I no care to go; but when 
 the)- go come for tear down this God's house, I no agree — so I go. I take no 
 country medicine, I trust in God. He hold umbrella over me, — he give me 
 power. I kill plenty. I come back now, I kill plenty, now sin come on me. 
 I's sorry. I come here this morning. I beg Jesus to wash me. ' " 
 
 The war, which it Avas thought would he short, lasted with 
 all its attendant evils of butchery, famine, and plunder, with 
 little abatement, for two years. 
 
 ~A Mohammedan priest from Arabia brought small-pox, 
 and in a short time the whole town of Rotufunk and country 
 around were infested with it. Mr. and Mrs. West did all in 
 their })()wer to alleviate the suffering. Mr. West was sick 
 two weeks with this scourge, but recovered with the careful 
 nursing of Mrs. West. It was estimated that fifty persons 
 died. One of the mission children, Preston Edwards, was of 
 the number. He died trusting in Jesus. 
 
 Two of our stations, Mo Shengo and Sumanosogo, were plun- 
 dered, and the building at Mo Shengo was destroyed. The 
 town of Marmoo was chosen as a safe and desirable place ; so the 
 children of both schools were removed there, in the care of Mr. 
 Stewart. He opened school, September 29, 1884, Mr. Weeks 
 giving his time to itinerating. Mr. West says of Marmoo : 
 " It is a large town, midway between Rotufunk and the ocean, 
 the home of Bannah Will Caulker, a warm friend of the mis- 
 sion, and has long been asking that Ave send them a teacher." 
 Besides these anxieties, our faithful missionaries Avere called 
 to part with a little daughter, Avho, after five days of earthly 
 
16 woman's missionary association. 
 
 life, was taken to the heavenly home. Through these trials 
 of disease, war, sickness, and death, our beloved missionaries 
 were sustained by the abundant grace of God. During these 
 trying times, the buildings at Rotufunk and Palli were un- 
 harmed. The itinerating was interrupted, but because of the 
 mission and its influence, the country was not deserted. Mr. 
 West wrote : 
 
 "Though two of our stations are broken down, and though we have been 
 forced to give up preaching in forty-nine towns where before we had regular 
 preaching, and though we are pressed to the wall, sorely perplexed as to the 
 course to pursue, yet there is one thing for which we should truly praise God, 
 and which should cause every Christian heart to take courage. Our people 
 are scattered and in distress, but they have not turned away from the gospel. 
 They are not willing that the mission should go away from them. The 
 gospel has a deeper hold upon the people of the Bompeh country than it had 
 before the war. Many cling to it with the enefgy of despair. Had it not 
 been for the mission, the people would all have gone away from this country. 
 Mohammedanism, which has had such a deep-rooted hold upon the people, 
 has, I think, received such a check as will effe(?tually destroy its power in this 
 country. They have so completely deceived and defrauded the people, that 
 they are sickening of their shams, and say that they want nothing more to do 
 with them. Our influence seems to be increasing, and the people are more 
 eager than ever to hear the gospel." 
 
 Many instances have been related of the people giving up 
 their gree-grees and country medicines, which cannot be re- 
 peated here. Our first and prominent work has been for the 
 children. The older persons are so steeped in sin and en- 
 tangled in the customs of the country, that it is almost im- 
 j)ossible for them to break away from their habits. The 
 schools are made up of children from the villages and those 
 in the mission. As many children as can be cared for by 
 the missionaries, are taken under their care and are taught 
 to work. A portion of every day is spent on the farm or 
 at some mechanical employment. The aim is to train the 
 boys and girls in such a way that they may take care of them- 
 selves, and be able to develop their country. "We are looking 
 toward self-support. The children, with the help of a few 
 men, have done the work connected with the mission. Large 
 
FOREIGN WORK. — AFRICA. 1< 
 
 farms are under cultivation. Orchards are stsirted, and al- 
 ready they have a desire to have ground of their own for 
 cultivation. These children are Christians — bright, earnest, 
 and hungry for knowledge, using every opportunity to gain 
 it. So eager are they that the^^ will arise in the night and get 
 to their books. On one occasion, when the missionaries told 
 them that they sliould not do so, a boy answered, "No use to 
 stay in bed when sleep no catch 'em." These boys and girls 
 will soon become our teachers and itinerants. 
 
 Fearing that our missionaries might break down with the 
 long strain of war upon them, the Trustees invited Mr. and 
 Mrs. West to take a vacation before the expiration of their 
 term, if in their judgment it was necessary. After consider- 
 ing the matter some months, they decided to come to America. 
 They divided the Avork among the teachers, children, and 
 laborers, and arranged with Rev. J. Gomer, of Shaingay, to 
 visit the mission occasionally to see that all was well. They 
 sailed, Feliruary 4, 1886, and arrived in New York, March 20. 
 After spending several months with friends, they attended the 
 Board meeting at Huntington, Indiana, adding greatly to the 
 interest by their accounts of the work. During the summer 
 they visited camp-meetings in the East, and did good work 
 for the Association. They returned to Africa, September 18, 
 feeling they were going home. They often spoke of being 
 homesick for their boys and girls at Rotufunk. Mrs. West 
 wrote, when about to leave New York : " We go back, feeling 
 we are going home, back to Iriends, back to a delightful work. 
 We go gladly." Tliey had a long, tedious, uncomfortable 
 voyage of fifty-three dr.ys. 
 
 This field is large, extending hundreds of miles, and every- 
 where people are groining in darkness. Our work in this field 
 is limited only by our force of workers, and that depends upon 
 our contributions of money. The report of the Shaingay Con- 
 ference, December, 1886, gives five hundred and sixty-seven 
 members, and preaching in forty-eight towns. 
 
18 woman's missioxai;y association. 
 
 GERMANY. 
 
 Our second mission work was undertaken at the annual 
 meeting held at Fostoria, Ohio, in May, 1880. Rev. C. Bis- 
 chofl', superintendent of the work of our (.'hurcli in Germany, 
 was present and addressed the meeting in regard to the great 
 need of help for that work. Rev. D. K. Flickinger also spoke 
 of the great opportunity of saving souls in the land of our 
 Church father, Otterbein. We consented to support the work 
 in Coburg, a city of about fourteen thousand inhabitants, 
 with an appropriation of three hundred and iifty dollars. 
 The name of our first missionary was Rev. G. Noetzold. He 
 organized a church, March 27, 1881. He described the place 
 as a moral desert. The state churches were given over to 
 formalism. The pastors were neglectful of their flocks, and 
 the common people had no gospel. The results of liis labors 
 Avere highly gratifying. The appropriation was soon increas- 
 ed to secure a larger hall. Al)out the close of the first year 
 Eev. William Mittendorf, then our German editor, visited the 
 mission and wrote: "I thank the sisters in America, as the 
 people here say, 'a hundred llioiimnd times,' for beginning this 
 mission." At that time there were twenty members, and a 
 good Sabbath-school, and the congregations were large. 
 Preaching services Avere held at several large towns adjacent, 
 but nothing permanent was done. There have been trials 
 and persecutions here as well as in Africa. The meetings 
 were often disturbed by ruffians; stones were sometimes 
 thrown through the windows from the streets. The city 
 papers contained articles against the work, probably incited 
 by the state preachers who were hostile to our work. Of 
 these the missionary wrote : " The Lord is on our side. In 
 spite of all persecutions our meetings are increasing in 
 numbers. Persecutions do not discourage our people, but 
 strengthen them in the faith." 
 
 The women organized a sewing society in order to assist 
 the mission. They meet one evening a week, and make arti- 
 cles for side for the benefit of the mission. 
 
HOME WORK.- -CHINESE MISSION. 19 
 
 The successor of Rev. Noetzold proved unfaithful, aud was 
 dismissed. Rev. H. Barkemeyer was appointed to Coburg by 
 the conference in the spring of 1886. He is a tried man, and 
 has been faithful to the work for many years. He says : " The 
 conduct of my predecessor did much harm, but still I believe 
 we will recover the loss in a short time. Here are good mem- 
 bers Avho have a good influence, but some are not converted. 
 I consider it my first duty to seek the conversion of these 
 members." Later reports, December 6, 1886, tell of a good 
 revival influence, and the contribution of two hundred and 
 fifty marks (sixty-two dollars) by a lady in Coburg toward 
 the erection of a chapel. 
 
 HOME WORK. 
 CHINESE MISSION. 
 
 From the beginning of our (Organization, the Chinese in 
 our own country enlisted the sympathv of our ladies. The 
 bishops, from time to time, as they visited the Western Coast, 
 spoke of the utter neglect to give these people the gospel. 
 Our ministers' Avives on the coast asked frequently that we 
 supply means for reaching these people; but for want of 
 money and faith, years passed ]iy with only talk and resolu- 
 tions. Bishop Castle, by articles in the papers and by per- 
 sonal letters, awakened such an interest that at the annual 
 meeting at Western, Iowa, in May, 1881, the Board passed the 
 resolution : " That we request the Trustees to open a school for 
 the Chinese on the Pacific Coast as soon as practicable." 
 Letters were written to Bishop Castle, asking him to suggest a 
 jDlace. He visited San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon, as he 
 could, consistently with his duties, and found a great many 
 Chinese at both places who needed the gospel. 
 
 In Portland, Oregon, a Christian Chinaman by the name 
 of Moy Ling had gathered his countrymen together and held 
 a night school for six years. They had some school-furniture, 
 and paid for their fuel, light, and room rent. They were 
 taught in classes of from three to five, by voluntary teachers 
 as they could be enlisted. Tlie school grew to such propor- 
 
20 
 
 avoman's missionary association. 
 
 tions that Moy Ling Avanted some church to take hold of 
 it. This came to Bishop Castle's notice, and he began to 
 negotiate for it. Nothing very satisfactory could be arranged 
 until a teacher could be secured. The school numbered from 
 twenty to thirty. Moy Ling wrote a very intelligent letter, 
 expressing great pleasure in the prospect of our control of the 
 school. To have a school organized was unexpected, and we 
 thought it too good to l:)e true. But uj^on further inquiry we 
 
 MBS. GEO. SICKAFOOSE. 
 
 were convinced that this was the answer to our prayers, and 
 decided to take the school, in October, 1882. After much 
 thought and prayer we appointed Mrs. Ellen Sickafoose, of 
 Buchanan, Michigan, to take charge of the mission, Novem- 
 ber 15, 1882. 
 
 Mrs. Sickafoose, after her appointment, upon advising with 
 her friends, did not deem it wise or best to take that long 
 journey in the winter, and with the consent of the Trustees 
 deferred it till after the Board meetina;, meanwhile ^^^I'king as 
 
UCniK WORK. — CHINESE MISSION. 21 
 
 sue could in hor l)raiicli society. Bishop Castle and Rev. Mr. 
 Watson, the pastor of the church in Portland, gave the school 
 Avhat attention they could. Moy Ling was asked to go on 
 with the school, and remain with it as interpreter after the 
 teacher arrived. Rev. George Sickafoose, the husband Of the 
 lady appointed to our mission, was appointed by the General 
 Board of the Church to take cliarge of the mission church 
 in East Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Sickafoose attended the 
 annual meeting in Westerville, and then went directly to the 
 Avork. 
 
 Mrs. Sickafoose took charge of the school, July 16, 1883, 
 with twenty pupils. At the end of the first quarter there 
 were fifty-eight pupils and seven teachers enrolled ; at the 
 close of the second, one hundred and thirty pupils and thir- 
 teen teachers ; and at the close of the third, one hundred and 
 fifty-seven pupils and twelve teachers, showing a steady in- 
 crease. They contributed, themselves, for the support of the 
 school, first quarter, eighty-three dollars ; second quarter, 
 one hundred and fifty-one dollars; third quarter, one hun- 
 dred and seventy-three dollars, making the w^hole amount 
 contril)uted four hundred and seven dolkirs. Moy Ling, who 
 liegan and carried forward the sclioi^l for some time, has been 
 a most faithful helper. He gave all the furniture, consisting 
 of an organ, tables, seats, chairs, cluck, stove, lamps, and 
 books, to the Association. The school is held every evening in 
 the week, except Saturday, from 7 : 30 to 9 : 30. Five or six 
 are taught by one teacher. A building was rented in a good 
 location ; but with the growth of the school the rooms were 
 much crowded, and there was soon a pressing need of a better 
 building. 
 
 By the time of the Board meeting in 1884, the school had 
 grown to such proportions that the services of Rev. Mr. Sick- 
 afoose were needed, and we were fortunate in securing them, 
 the General Board having disbanded the mission in East Port- 
 land. At this time we also learned that our school was liable 
 to be interrunt'^'^ by the sale c^f the pro]-»erty, and began a sub- 
 
22 woman's missionary as.sociation. 
 
 scrii)tion for the purchase of a building, estimating the cost of 
 one suitable for residence and school at six thousand dollars. 
 It was agreed to raise this amount in two years. The sum of 
 one thousand two hundred and ninety-one dollars and forty- 
 tliree cents was paid and pledged at the meeting. The 
 question of the purchase of the building in which the 
 school Avas held, came before the Trustees earlv in Novem- 
 
 REV. GEO. SICKAFOOSE. 
 
 ber. The fact that the property was not suited to our wants, 
 and would necessitate repairing or rebuilding at once, de- 
 terred the Trustees from undertaking it, and word was sent to 
 our superintendent to try to rent a place. The necessity of 
 a more suitable and a permanent place was felt by the friends 
 of this good Avork, and many expressed their disappointment 
 that a building was not purchased. We had hoped that some 
 one would purchase the property, from whom we might rent, 
 and not disturb the school. When there Avas no longer any 
 
IIO-MK AVMJtK. — CiriNKSE MISSJOX. 23 
 
 hope of this, Brother Sickafoosc Mrote lis, (U-scribiiig a good 
 piece of property, which was for sale at a reasonable price : 
 
 "The property is on Second and Mill streets, about four blocks from 
 where we are now located. It is a corner lot of fifty by one hundred feet, 
 with a new building, fifty by fifty, two stories high, with two splendid 
 business rooms on the first flojr, with stair-way in the center, and twelve 
 nice living rooms on the second floor. This large, new building fronts 
 on Second Street; has been put up and finished since we came here, and cost 
 the man six thousand six hundred dollars. Back of this building, fronting 
 on Mill Street, is a good residence of seven rooms." 
 
 After niucli thought and prayer, and with the advice of 
 warm friends, we secured the property. The cost, being eight 
 thousand dollars, caused earnest solicitude as to whether the 
 members Avould sustain the Trustees; but the advantages this 
 pro])erty liad over the other were, that it at once suited our 
 puri)Ose; tlie rents for the part not needed would secure the 
 unj^aid money, and, when the building was paid for, would go 
 toward the support of the school ; if at any time it would l)e 
 necessary to dispose of it, being built for business purposes, it 
 would be salable ; the price was only one thousand five hundred 
 dollars more than the other one sold for. The members and 
 Board commended the Trustees, and went to work to secure 
 the money. At the decennial meeting at First Church, Day- 
 ton, Ohio, in May, 1885, at a solemn, beautiful service, thank- 
 offerings were made for this building Avhich amounted to five 
 hundred and eighty dollars. The first year two thousand five 
 hundred and thirty-six dollars and ninety cents were secured. 
 The unpaid amount was apportioned to the branch societies. 
 It was expected that the whole amount would be in the treas- 
 ury by the Board meeting in 1886; but because of a failure in 
 some of the societies to raise their apportionment the full 
 amount was not paid until December, 1886. People in the 
 Church, and those not connected Avith us, speak in praise 
 of our school, teachers, missionaries, and property. 
 
 Who shall be al)le to compute the good influence which 
 shall go out from tliis school ? Already fifty have rejected the 
 Joss, and accepted Christ as their Savior, and between four 
 
24 AVOMAX'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 and five hundred have been instructed, both in the way of 
 letters and in the Avay of life. But only a beginning has been 
 made by any of the churches in this mission work. The 
 great mass of the Chinese are learning only the vices of our 
 civilization. The coming of the Chinese to America is one 
 of the mighty movements of God's providence against Avhich 
 unbelievers rage and take counsel together, and which short- 
 sighted Christians too often do not comprehend, but which 
 will be recognized in centuries to come to be one of the prin- 
 cipal means by which the final destinies of that great empire, 
 and of .Japan, and of all the nations of Eastern Asia, have 
 been shaped. Having come in contact with Western civiliza- 
 tion and under our institutions heard of the Savior of men, 
 they can never be the same as they were before. Our hope is, 
 that through those whom we bring to accept Christ, we may 
 reach many others, and eventually thoae in the empire. The 
 possibilities are great. Thousands are yet without a knowl- 
 edge of a true God. Other schools might be ')])ened if the 
 money were in the treasury. 
 
 3IOY LING. 
 
 It will be of interest to every one to know a little of the 
 history of our faithful interpreter. He Avas born in Sun 
 Ning County, Canton, China, in 1852. He attended private 
 school in China three years, and grammar school four years. 
 He has a good education in Chinese. His father was a farmer. 
 He is the youngest of three brothers, and-has one sister. His 
 father died when he was fourteen years of age, and his mother 
 when he was nineteen. He came to Portland, Oregon, in 
 August, 1872, and has been there ever since. He had some 
 idea of the great God when quite young, and believed the 
 only Avay to worship him was through Joss. The first light 
 tJiat dawned on his mind in regard to the Christian religion, 
 was from 'reading a Bible in Chinese, presented to him by 
 General Howard in 1874. He attended mission school in 
 Portland about four years, has a fair English education, and 
 
HOME WORK. 
 
 ■MOY LING. 
 
 25 
 
 is a beautiful writer. In the Bible that was given him he 
 soon learned that the Christian religion was superior to the 
 pagan, and in 1877 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He 
 then became very much interested in his countrymen, and 
 l)egun a school with ten scholars, promising to stay with 
 them till some church would take it. He joined our church 
 at East Portland in 1883, and when a Chinese society was 
 organized he became class leader. He can read, and speak ou]' 
 
 MOY LING. 
 
 language well, and is a very fine interpreter. His people 
 have great confidence in him. At first he worked during the 
 day, and gave his evenings to the school. He had a great de- 
 sire to study music and otherwise inform himself; and was of 
 such value to the school in visiting among his people, that 
 since 1885 his whole time has been given to the school. He 
 has desired to go back to China on a visit; but feels such 
 a responsibility about the work that Ave have prevailed upon 
 him to remain with it. Very much of our great success is 
 due to his abilitv and consecration to the work. 
 
26 woman's missionary association. 
 
 woman's evangel. 
 
 In the beginning of onr work we used the Religious Tele- 
 scope and the Missionary Visitor as our mediums of commun- 
 ication. At the Board meetings of 1879 and 1880, the question 
 of a paper in the interest of our work was proposed ; but fear- 
 ing debt, it was not undertaken. The demand by the workers 
 became so imperative that in 1881, at \\^estern. Iowa, tlie 
 Board adoj^ted the following resolution : 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That the books be opened for voluntary contributions, and that, 
 when in the judgment of the Executive Committee a suflRcient amount be 
 secured, and one thousand subscribers be obtained, the Executive Com- 
 mittee be authorized, in conjunAion with a committee appointed hy this 
 body, to publish a paper or magazine in the interest of the Woman's Mis- 
 sionary Association of the United Brethren in Christ. 
 
 The movement was undertaken A\ith such extreme cau- 
 tion, because all felt that no money raised for missionary 
 purposes should be used for a paper, and we were told by the 
 brethren that it would not pay for itself. A sixteen-page 
 monthly, with home, foreign and children's departments, at 
 seventy-live cents per copy, was determined upon. 
 
 Early in December the first numl»er of the Woman^s Ercm- 
 gel was issued, bearing date, .January, 1882, with a subscription, 
 list of twelve hundred. By the Board meeting it was seven- 
 teen hundred. From the beginning it has paid all the ex- 
 pense of publishing and of editorial service. The price was 
 reduced to fifty cents in 1886, with such an increase in the 
 subscription list as to promise a profit for the Association. 
 It has proved one of the l>est agencies for extending and 
 establishing our work. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 About five thousand women, over two thousand children, 
 and a few hundred young ladies, composed the membership 
 of the Association in May, 1886, — only a Gideon's band, com- 
 pared with the great number of women who are in the 
 Ch'irch. But great things have been accomplished hi His 
 
SUMMAKV 
 
 27 
 
 name, which we have preached; three large, flourishing 
 missions, in three quarters of the globe, with a membership 
 of six hundred and forty — probably three thousand hearing 
 the gospel that but for our work would be in utter darkness ; 
 property worth at a low estimate twenty thousand dollars; 
 all this for a few prayers and the gift of a little money. 
 What larger work is before us, we know not. There is no 
 time for dreams. Millions of women and children are dying 
 without a hope in Christ. The means to give them the bread 
 of life are Avithin the hands of God's children. We must 
 hasten. Let action be our watch-word, smd forward our march- 
 ing orders. There is but one motive to actuate us. Being 
 redeemed and blood-bought, we should take up the song 
 of Mary, and let it girdle the world Avith blessing, until 
 the women of every clime and nation shall hear it. " My 
 soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi-rit hath rejoiced in 
 God my Saviour. * * * He that is mighty hath done to me 
 great things ; and holy is his name." 
 
 We, as a part of the Christian Church, are under obliga- 
 tion to carry out to the extent of our ability the great com- 
 mission of our risen Lord, "Go ye into all the Avorld, and 
 preach the gospel to every creature." The promise is, " All 
 the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." 
 Shall Ave not ask, " Lord, Avhat wilt thou have me to do?" 
 and joyously offer our best gifts for the service of the King of 
 
 kings ? 
 
 Mrs. Benj. Marot, 
 
 Mrs. L. K. Miller, 
 
 Mrs. L. R. Keister. 
 
 Publishing Committee 
 
28 
 
 WOMAN S MIS'^IONAKY ASSi)(.IATlOX. 
 
 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Place of Annual 
 Meeting. 
 
 WoEK Commenced, 
 
 REC'PTS: 
 
 1875. 
 Oct.il. 
 
 1876. 
 May 11. 
 
 1877. 
 AprU 26. 
 
 1878. 
 May 1. 
 
 1879. 
 May 21. 
 
 1880. 
 May 19. 
 
 1881. 
 May 11. 
 
 1882. 
 May 24. 
 
 1883. 
 May 16. 
 
 1884. 
 May 16. 
 
 1885. 
 May 7 
 
 1886. 
 May 19. 
 
 1S87. 
 May 20. 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, First 
 Church. 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, First 
 Church. 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, Sum- 
 ■ mit St. Church. 
 
 Gallon, Ohio. 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, First 
 Church. 
 
 Fostoria, Ohio. 
 Western, Iowa. 
 
 Lebanon, Penn. 
 
 Westerville, Ohio. 
 Hartsville, Ind. 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, First 
 Church. 
 
 Huntington, Ind. 
 
 Westfield, 111. 
 
 Organization. 
 
 .Support of a school in Africa. Created 
 Life-Directorship and Life-Membership. 
 
 Two delegates to the General Conference — 
 Mrs. Rlke and Mrs. BillJielmer. Mrs. Bill- 
 helmer employed as traveling agent and 
 organizer. Miss Beeken established Mis- 
 sion at Rotufnnk. 
 
 Miss Beekeu returned on account of ill 
 healtii. Mrs. Mary M. Mair appointed to 
 Rotufunk. 
 
 $458 50 
 
 325 74 
 
 1,391 
 
 1,985 68 
 
 A mission house for Africa ordered. Mrs. 
 Billhelmer to collect money for it. 
 
 Mission at Coburg, Germany, taken. 3,691 S4 
 
 Association incorporated March 28. Paper 3,679 03 
 ordered started. Mrs. L. R. Kelster em- 
 ployed as corresponding secretary and 
 editor, June 15. 
 
 Help ordered sent to Africa. Rev. and Mrs. 5,458 
 R. N. West appointed, June 22. The 
 work of organizing given to the corre- 
 sponding secretary, November 15. Mrs. 
 Sickafoose appointed to Chinese school, 
 Portland, Oregon, November 15. 
 
 Chapel ordered built in Africa ; $1,191.39 6,559 89 
 secured. 
 
 Rev. George Sickafoose appointed superln- 8,094 23 
 tendent of Chinese mission. A subscrip- 
 tion of $1,291.43 was secured to purchase 
 property for Chinese school. Property 
 purchased, February 23, 1885. 
 
 Celebrationof the decennial year. A thank- ] 10,072 32 
 ottering of $585.10. Board endorsed the 
 purchase of the Chinese property. $3,000 
 raiseil in cash and pledges. 
 
 Help for Mr. and Mrs. West ordered, and 
 that $1,000 be secured by special effort for 
 this purpose. Death of the president, 
 Mrs. Sylvia Haywood, October 24. 
 
 " Mary Sowers Home for Girls " built. Rev. 
 and Mrs. Sage appointed to Africa ; sailed 
 September 24. Mrs. L. K. Milller appoint- 
 ed president. 
 
 12,054 72 
 
 11,681 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 29 
 
 Date. 
 
 1888. 
 May 17 
 
 May 8. 
 
 1890. 
 May 21. 
 
 1891. 
 May 19. 
 
 1892. 
 May 11. 
 
 Place of Annual 
 Meeting. 
 
 Toledo, Iowa. 
 
 Harrisbiirg, Penn, 
 
 Dayton, Ohio, Sum- 
 mit St. ChurcL. 
 
 1893. 
 May 9. 
 
 Decatur, 111. 
 
 Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Germantown, Ohio. 
 
 WoEK Commenced. 
 
 Rec'pts. 
 
 Mrs. L. R. Keister appointed organizer. 
 Mrs. L. K. Miller appointed associate edi- 
 tor and publisher of the Evangel. Mes- 
 dames Miller and Keister sent as dele- 
 gates to the World's Missionary Confer- 
 ence, at London, England. 
 
 Misses Frances Williams and Ellen Groen- 
 endyke appointed to Africa ; sailed Octo- 
 ber 16. "Boys' Home" at Rotufunk 
 built. Rev. Sickafoose and Moy Ling 
 sailed for Cliina, October 4, together with 
 the appointed missionaries, Misses Aus- 
 tralia Patterson and Lillie Sliaffner. Aid 
 Society formed at Rotufunk. 
 
 W. C. T. U. formed at Rotuf nnk. German 
 Chapel funds loaned. Rev. Jacob Miller 
 and wife appointed to Africa; sailed 
 November. Rov. Sage and wife returned 
 to America in October ; also Miss Shaffner. 
 Mrs. Bertha Gorlaugh appointed secre- 
 tary of the Teachers' Fund. 
 
 Assisted in opening a mission church at 
 Portland, Oregon. Rev. and Mrs. West 
 returned to America. Dr. Mett. Hatfield 
 and Misses Elma Bittle and Ella Schenck 
 appointed to Africa; sailed September 
 23. Dr. S. L. Halverson appointed to 
 China; sailed November 28. 
 
 Cover ordered for Evangel. Dr. Regiua 
 Bigler appointed to China ; sailed Novem- 
 ber 16. Rev. and Mrs. I. N. Cain and Miss 
 Lydia Thomas appointed to Africa, and 
 Rev. and Mrs. West returned; all sailed 
 October 1. Death of Frances Williams, 
 July 19. Death of Elma Bittle, August 7. 
 Return to America of Rev. Jacob Miller 
 and wife, October. Resignation of Mrs. 
 Gerlaugh and appointment of Miss Marie 
 Shank secretary of Teacliers' Fund. 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Fix appointed to China ; 
 sailed October 10. Resignation of Mrs. 
 L. R. Keister. Appointment of Mrs. B. 
 F. Witt as corresponding and recording 
 secretary in May. Appointment of Mrs. 
 L. K. Miller editor of the Evangel. Res- 
 ignation of Mrs. M. E. Sickafoose of 
 charge of Portland scliool, to take effect 
 October 1. Appointment of Mrs. Mary E. 
 Henkle to Portland school. Last Sunday 
 of September of each year set apart as I 
 "Woman's Day " by General Conference. 
 
 $11,448 44 
 
 11,503 ."ig 
 
 16,7:)6 66 
 
 16,678 32 
 
 16,068 24 
 
 24,155 90 
 
SUPPLEMENT.- 1 888. 
 
 The preceding pages brought the record down to the close 
 of the year 1886. 
 
 With a new edition a few pages are added, giving the new 
 work done and proposed in 1877-1888. 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 Previous to the Board meeting of 1887 the question of 
 doing more for the Avomen of Africa was discussed in the 
 Evangel. Mr. and Mrs. West had written and told us that Ave 
 must do something for the uplifting of the girls in Africa, if 
 we expected to accomplish anything permanently. Brother 
 Gomer and other missionaries had told and written of the 
 degradation of Avomen till our hearts ached, and we said 
 "What can we do?" Little girls are sold as Avives, and 
 Avhenever they are claimed by the purchaser they must go, 
 and if in our schools, are thus lost to our mission. It is the 
 la.AV of the country, and Ave are compelled to submit. By 
 talcing girls into the mission, this selling can be prevented, 
 and these girls can be taught in the schools Avith the other 
 children, and out of school hours be taught by the missionary 
 to SCAV, to cook, to keep house, and thus after a Avhile to make 
 homes in Africa. This matter Avas talked over, and many 
 prayers offered for direction. To do this a separate house and 
 additional missionaries would be necessary. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board at Westfield, Illinois, it Avas 
 decided to put up a new building, to be called the "Mary 
 Sowers Home for Girls,'' and to raise $2,000 for the purpose. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sage, graduates of Union Biblical Seminary, 
 with experience in African Avork in the employ of the Gen- 
 eral Board, Avere appointed to go to Africa to build the house 
 and take charge of it. 
 
 30 
 
sri'l'LKMENT. 
 
 oi 
 
 Mrs. Sage has had some experience -with the training of 
 girls, and is peculiarly adapted for the charge of the Home. 
 
 The money was all raised at the Board meeting of 1888, 
 and the Home completed -with tlu^ exception of a little paint- 
 ing. 
 
 Our leading object being to prepare the natives to evangel- 
 ize their own i:»eople, we consider this project of vital impor- 
 tance as an agent in the establishment of Christian homes. 
 
 With the additional help of the new missionaries, Mr. and 
 Mrs. West are able to give some time to teaching in the 
 schools with the most gratifying results. 
 
 KEY. W. S. SAGE. 
 
 Beside teaching, ]\Ir.*West is superintendent of the mission. 
 Mrs. West has charge of the mission house and teaches. 
 Mr. Sage has oversight of the outside work and itinerating. 
 Mrs. Sage has charge of the girls' home. All have part in 
 the reliirious work of the stations. 
 
32 
 
 Sl'l'l'LE.MENT. 
 
 Tlie statistics of May, 1888, are as follows : Mission sta- 
 tions, 4 ; appointments, 50 ; organized churches, 2 ; seekers' 
 classes, 25; number of members, 37; seekers, 578; total, 615. 
 Sabbath-schools, 4 ; meml)ership, 180 ; day schools, 4 ; pupils, 
 132. A gain over last year of 2 j^reaching places, 3 
 classes, 48 members, 21 Sunday-school scholars, and 7 day 
 scholars. 
 
 GERMANY. 
 
 >. 
 
 Because of a growing feeling among those having the Ger- 
 man work most at heart, that to secure better results, we must 
 
 MRS. AV. S. SAGE. 
 
 provide a permanent place of worship for our mission, and 
 receiving encouragement from several small donations toward 
 that object, the Board of Managers, in 1887, moA^ed that "con- 
 tributions be received, and that as soon as sufficient funds are 
 in the treasury, a chapel be built or a house be purcha^sed." 
 
tiUri'LEMKAT. 
 
 At the Board meeting in 1888, only $500 having been re- 
 ported for this object, it was urged that more vigorous efforts 
 be made to raise the necessary funds, $3,000.00, the coming 
 year for the above-named chaj^el. 
 
 CHINESE WORK. 
 
 During the five years of our mission work in Portland, 
 Oregon, great j^rosperity has attended it. More than fifty have 
 professed faith in Christ and are living exemplary lives! 
 
 As we had hoped from the beginning to be able to extend 
 our Avork into China, either through these converts or by 
 eventually opening a mission there; and as the "boys" re- 
 - turning to China are beginning to feel the need of a church- 
 home, and as leave of absence, to visit his native land, had 
 been granted Moy Ling ; to use his experience and knowledge, 
 the Board, in 1888, upon the urgent recommendation of Mrs. 
 Sickafoose, who was at the meeting, decided to open a mis- 
 sion in China, and to send out Kev. Sickafoose with Moy Ling. 
 
 They were appointed to locate a mission if it be deemed 
 advisal^le so to do 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 We have now, in 1888, in all our missions, seven mission- 
 aries, seven native missionaries, five day schools Avith an 
 attendance of 192, church membership of 706, value of prop- 
 erty, $26,000. 
 
 HOME WORK. 
 
 Because of the facts that but a small proportion of the. 
 women of the Church are enlisted in the Women's Mission- 
 ary Association, and that upon our increase of membership 
 we must depend for funds to extend our work, the Board 
 authorized the Trustees to appoint an organizer. On August 
 27th they appointed Mrs. L. R. Keister for this work, and 
 Mrs. L. K. Miller assistant editor and publisher of the Evangel, 
 to take charge of the oflice work. 
 
 The association was represented in the General Conference 
 of Missions, held in London, June 9th to 19th, 1888, by Mrs. 
 L. K. ^[iller and Mrs. L. R. Keister. 
 
SUPPLEMENT.- 1 890. 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 The question of sending out teachers for our school in 
 Africa had been discussed for several years, but not until the 
 Board meeting of 1889 were definite steps taken. Mr. and 
 Mrs. West had done what they could to carr}^ on the school 
 work themselves, but with their many other duties it became 
 such a strain on their strength as to endanger their health 
 permanently. Some of the young people were more advanced 
 than the native teachers from Sierre Leone, who had proved 
 very unsatisfactory. 
 
 Miss Frances Williams, who all her life had wanted to go 
 as a missionary to Africa, was appointed at the Board meet- 
 ing, 1889. Miss Williams spent several years at Otterbein 
 University in special study and two years in successful Bible 
 work in the Moody Training School in Chicago, and is in 
 every way fitted for the work. During the summer Miss 
 Ellen Groenendyke was also appointed. Miss Groenendyke 
 studied several years at the school at Harts ville, Ind., and for 
 a number of years was a successful school teacher in the 
 South. She is a good organist and vocalist, having completed 
 a course in music. They sailed from New York via Liver- 
 pool, October 16, 1889, and arrived November 12th at Free- 
 town, West Africa. After a few weeks spent in Freetown, 
 they went to Rotufunk and soon had charge of the schools. 
 Mr. West wrote of them' after five months' residence there : 
 "Our new teachers are making themselves very much at home 
 
 34 
 
SUPPLEMEiST. 
 
 35 
 
 here. They are well received by the people, and give strong 
 promise of being able to live here and do effective work." 
 
 A commodious native house was built at Rotufunk during 
 the year 1889 for a residence for the mission boys. The 
 native school building, having become unfit for use, was 
 replaced by a good frame structure with modern conveniences 
 and a special fund of $2,000 was raised for that purpose. This 
 gives us at Rotufunk, our principal station, all the buildings 
 needed for years. There are now a mission residence, chapel, 
 girls' home, boys' home, and school building, all in good 
 repair. 
 
 During the year Revs. Sage and West, with the older mis- 
 sion boys, made an extended trip interior to the Mendi coun- 
 try. This is a large country lying east of the Sherbro and 
 Timne countries. It begins about ten miles east of Rotufunk 
 and extends toward the interior several hundred miles. The 
 Mendi people are superior to most of the other tribes about. 
 They show more intelligence, manufacture more cloth, and 
 mine and work the iron ore which is found in great abund- 
 ance in some parts of their country. The missionaries were 
 interior about one hundred and fifty miles from Rotufunk. 
 They found large towns; some they estimated contained six, 
 nine, and twelve thousand inhabitants, and one as many as 
 forty thousand. The people received them cordially when 
 they understood their purpose. They found no Christian 
 missions, but evidences of superstition everywhere. Every 
 town, large and small, had its devil houses. 
 
 Mr. Sage made another extended trip into the same country 
 in March, 1890, with good results, people begging him to re- 
 main and repeat his message to them. He could tell it but 
 once, then pass on. At the Board meeting, 1890, the early 
 occupation of this densely populated territory was looked 
 upon with favor. The work of itinerating has been greatly 
 
36 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
SUPPLEMENT o7 
 
 blessed. A number of the older mission boys with the mis- 
 sionaries do this work 
 
 An aid society composed of the missionaries and native 
 Christians was organized in 1889, and had in its treasury, 
 1890, $158.42 to extend the work 
 
 The mission boys do the work of the mission largely, and 
 thus support themselves. 
 
 A visit in 1889 of Mrs. Amanda Smith, the noted colored 
 evangelist, did much toward breaking up the popular idea 
 that the gospel was better suited to the white man. After her 
 visit, which was accompanied with great power, it was said, 
 " The word the white people tell us, now the same word the 
 black woman tell us." 
 
 During March, 1890, Mrs. Mary Clement Leavitt, the 
 Woman's Christian Temperance Union missionary, visited 
 Rotufunk, gave great help and encouragement, and organized 
 a union. 
 
 The school at Bompeh has been in charge of Mrs. Thomp- 
 son, daughter of Bishop Crouther, of the Niger Mission, 
 This school numbers thirty. When Mrs. Thompson first went 
 to Bompeh she said she did not wish the mission to furnish 
 clothing for the children of the school. To the people she said 
 that the mission was not to clothe their children, and that she 
 would not have naked children about her, but that they must 
 feed and clothe their own children and send them to school. 
 At first they thought it hard, but they did it, and the plan is 
 working well, though it would be hard to find another who 
 could or would do as she has done. A class of seven full 
 church members -was organized December 22, 1889, and the 
 general outlook for the place is exceedingly favorable. 
 
 Since the school at Palli was consolidated with the others, 
 Rev. Johnson has given his whole time to itinerating, with 
 excellent results. He has preached at fifty-five different 
 
38 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
SUPPLEMENT. ?>'.♦ 
 
 towns and visited regularly forty-eight towns, which is more 
 than three men working in the same field had done before. 
 
 GERMANY. 
 
 P'or years very little success attended the mission in Coburg. 
 We had employed a man in connection with the General 
 Board ; though faithful, only part of his services were given 
 the mission of the W. M. A. and various obstacles arose. The 
 trustees deeming it best, officially gave back the station to the 
 General Board in the spring of 1889, which action was ap- 
 proved by the Woman's Board, at the naeeting in Harrisburg, 
 in May, 1889. Persons best acquainted with the field recom- 
 mended that a mission be opened in Berlin. Not finding a 
 suitable person, one thoroughly acquainted with German, and 
 with the United Brethren Church as well, an evangelist, and 
 a practiced business man, it was decided at the Board meet- 
 ing in 1890, held in Summit Street Church, Dayton, Ohio, 
 that the $2,300 gathered for a chapel in Germany be kept for 
 that purpose, and that we continue to keep a fund for the 
 German work, and that this fund be left to the disposal of the 
 trustees as to where it shall be appropriated. 
 
 CHINESE SCHOOL. 
 
 The mission work in Portland, Oregon, has gone on with- 
 out interruption. The attendance has diminished somewhat 
 because of the decrease in the number of Chinese in the city. 
 The enrollment for 1890 was 80, with average attendance of 
 30; number of communicants, 64. 
 
 CHINA. 
 
 The visit of Mr. Sickafoose and Moy Ling to China was 
 deferred one year. It was decided at the meeting of 1889 to 
 send missionaries with them to remain with the mission 
 when located. The perfecting of plans and appointment of 
 
40 
 
 PUPPl.EMEXT. 
 
 o "2 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 4J^ 
 
 missionaries was left with the trustees. Inquiry was made 
 concerning the qualifications of a lady at the training school 
 in Chicago. A reply was received without her knowledge, 
 giving most fiivorable recommendations. At the same time a 
 letter was received from a committee of Western College 
 students, stating they desired to contribute to the support of 
 one of the graduates of the college in a foreign mission field, 
 and had a subscription of more than $400. They had elected 
 as their representative the same lady of whom we had in- 
 quired. They further wished to know on what conditions 
 they could work through our Association. 
 
 We answered that we should be glad to have them work 
 through our Association, we being responsible for the addi- 
 tional amount necessary, and they being responsible for the 
 collection of the money. Then we wrote asking the lady of 
 her call to the work, her willingness to go for our Association, 
 and inquiring about company. To this we received word, 
 indicating her willingness to go, either alone or with another 
 lady. She wrote : 
 
 " I am sure that the Lord has called me to work in his vine- 
 yard wherever he may appoint my lot. My work among the 
 Chinese here has quickened a desire I have had for years 
 to help on his work in Asia. For the past few weeks I have 
 been led to pray that if the Lord wanted me to go to another 
 land than this, that he would open up the way and prepare 
 the heart of my mother to let me go. When asked if I would 
 represent Western College in a foreign land, the way seemed 
 opening and I answered, The Lord willing, I will go wherever 
 you want me. I am very glad I can go out under the direc- 
 tion of your Association." 
 
 Considering all these facts, the three parties, trustees, 
 Western College students, and the lady, without any com- 
 munication, all led to the same end, what could we do but 
 
42 SUPPLEMKNT. 
 
 acknowledge that God was planning for us, and with the 
 acceptance of our proposition by both parties, appoint Miss 
 Austie Patterson as superintendent of our mission in China? 
 
 Miss Lillie Shaiiner, under appointment to Africa, had ex- 
 pressed a preference for China, and at her request we gave 
 her the privilege of changing. After considering the matter 
 prayerfully, she accepted the place to go with Miss Patterson. 
 Miss Shaffner had almost completed a course of study in 
 Lebanon Valley College. She had a varied experience in 
 hospital and W. C. T. U. work and had succeeded well in or- 
 ganizing in our Association 
 
 With the sympathy and prayers of the Church, they sailed 
 with Mr. Sickafoose and Moy Ling, October 4, 1889, and 
 landed at Hong Kong October olst. The ladies remained 
 there a few weeks, visiting missions and making the acquaint- 
 ance of the missionaries, while Mr. Sickafoose and Moy Ling 
 went to Canton. By the advice of missionaries of experience, 
 it was decided to locate in the city of Canton, the metropolis 
 of Southern China. The protection of life and property, and 
 the facilities for the acquisition of the language afforded here, 
 make it especially desirable. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 We have now m ^ur employ ni three mission fields 10 
 American missionaries, an increase of 4 ; 18 native helpers, a 
 gain of 4 ; a membership of 1,484, a gain of 545, with prop- 
 erty valued at $28,500. 
 
 HOME WORK. 
 
 Each year has added to the number of workers at home, 
 but the years 188«) and 1890 will be memorable for the increase 
 of numbers and interest among the young peoj^le. The sup- 
 port of the four new missionaries was made the especial work 
 of the voung people — societies giving a pledge of one or more 
 
SIPPLEMENT. io 
 
 shares of $25 each. A large number of young people at home 
 are thus holding the ropes for the gifted, devoted girls, who 
 have gone into the pits of 'sin in Africa and China to tell the 
 story of salvation through Jesus. There has been contributed 
 by the women and children of our church, through the Asso- 
 ciation since the organization in 1875, the grand sum of 
 $110,637.09. How marvelously tlxe Lord has blessed us ; to 
 him be all the praise. 
 
SUPPLEMENT.-I893. 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 At the time of the Board meeting in 1890 the missionaries 
 had special services. One Avrote : '' You must have prayed for 
 us, the way we felt over here. On Pentecost Sunday we 
 prayed for a pentecost indeed in our little church here." 
 All who have read the Evangel know something of the 
 remarkable answer to the prayer. 
 
 On account of the ill henlth of Mrs. Sage, she and her 
 husband returned to America in October, 1800. 
 
 At Rotufvmk the new school building was completed, but 
 there was some delay in getting it seated. Two rooms, how- 
 ever, were occupied June 1. 
 
 In church and Sunday-school work there has been a decided 
 advancement. The itinerating work has had some draw- 
 backs on account of frequent changes in workers. 
 
 In June, 1890, Rotufunk Aid Society employed James H. 
 
 Parks as its missionary, and chose the Masimera country as 
 
 its mission. This was the first practical work of our mission 
 
 in self-extensi<.)n. After six months' work Mr. Parks re[>orted 
 
 forty-six regular appointments, with one organized seekers' 
 
 class of forty members. Five thousand five hundred and 
 
 eighty-one had heard the gos])el for the first time through the 
 
 |)reaching on this work. The society raised the total sum of 
 
 $232.53, and expended on this mission the sum of $61.60, 
 
 leaving a balance in the treasury, December 31. 1890, of 
 
 S170.93. Such missionary work done by the native church 
 
 is an incentive. 
 
 u 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 45 
 
 We secured the services of Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Miller, 
 students in Union Biblical Seminary, to reinforce our African 
 mission. They arrived at Rotufunk December 31, 1890. and 
 on the first day of January, 1891, took up their residence in 
 the Mary Sowers Girls' Home, and entered upon their work. 
 
 Marietta Hatfield, M.D., was appointed medical missionary 
 to Africa. 
 
 Bishop Kephart made an otiieial visit to Africa and Germany, 
 and held a conference at Rotufunk, January 21 to 25, 1891. 
 
 Rev. and Mrs. West returned to America this year for a 
 much needed rest. Before leaving, Mr. West emploj'ed for 
 one year Alice Harris, M.D., a well educated teacher and 
 physician of the Wesleyan Ghurch, wdio by the return of her 
 comrades from the field was left alone in Freetown. The 
 trustees considered it fortunate that help at hand could be 
 secured to lighten the extra burdens of those left in the field. 
 
 During the summer. Miss Elma Bittle, of Lewisburg, Ohio, 
 and Miss Ella Schenck, of Lockington, Ohio, were appointed 
 to accompany Dr. Hatfield. These three well qualified 
 teachei's sailed from New York Septeni])er 2;'), 1891, and 
 reached Rotufunk November 3. 
 
 Because of the continued sickness of Rev. Miller, and at 
 the unanimous request of the missionaries. Miss Williams 
 was given the superintendency. 
 
 At Bompeh station Mrs. Thom})son has worked hard, and 
 has also held meetings in three other towns near by. 
 
 In 1890 Chief Gbannah Will Caulker gave to the mission 
 a fine plat of ground for a mission residence. The work 
 so increased that it became necessary to employ a teacher for 
 the school in order that Mrs. Thompson might devote her full 
 time to church work. In April, 1892, her daughter, Miss 
 Florence Thompson, was engaged to take charge of the school. 
 She also held Sunday school in two of the villages. 
 
46 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 The people at Bompeh have been doing what they Cuuld to 
 help themselves. The enemy has been doing his utmost, it 
 seems, to test the strength of the little band of Christians 
 there. Bnt the conflicts they have been called to undergo 
 seem to have strengthened the faithful few. 
 
 They have built a little barra for a school-room, and begun 
 building a stone chapel, for which purpose they had $24 
 collected. When completed it will be a splendid building for 
 the purpose, and will likely stand several hundred years as a 
 monument to the enterprise and devotion of Mrs. Thompson. 
 The trustees donated a Bible, and the First Church,. Dayton, 
 a l)en, to this chapel. 
 
 On Bompeh circuit Rev. .Johnson has been preaching 
 regularly at sixty-two towns, besides occasional sermons at 
 five other places. 
 
 At Palli the mission property consists of one hundred and 
 sixty acres of land and a mission house and chapel combined. 
 During 1891 the congregation so increased that the place of 
 worship would not accommodate the people. Rev. Johnson 
 and his people went to work, and before the missionaries at 
 Rotufunk knew anything of their plans, had a chapel begun 
 and a number of pounds collected toward its erection. 
 
 During 1892 Rev. Johnson's health was very poor, but he 
 kept up his work in all the more important places. The 
 chapel,' called "Keister Chapel," was completed, and April 
 9, 1893, after liquidating a debt of £21, it was formally 
 dedicated. Cost of chapel, £62. 10s. A Bible and bell for 
 this chapel also were furnished by the same parties as at 
 Bompeh. 
 
 The school work at Rotufunk has been very materially 
 aided by apparatus sent, and the pupils take a keen interest 
 in the telescope, microscope, skeleton, etc. 
 
 It had long seemed marvelous to our friends on the coast 
 
sr I'l'KEMENT. 47 
 
 and ill America, that in the tliirt3--sc'\eii years of uiir African 
 mission, death had not entered our ranks. But the year 1892 
 marked a new era in our history. Frances Williams died, 
 July 19, of malignant malarial fever, and Elma Bittle fol- 
 lowed her, August 7, from nervous shock, and now we have 
 two graves in Africa. 
 
 We had come to think our missionaries hedged in from 
 death, as they had gone and come again so often; and with 
 the cheerful, liopeful letters always speaking of good health, 
 the cable messages were a great shock, and for a little time we 
 were silent in the presence of this providence. Then we 
 remembered the Lord of the harvest had promoted the reapers, 
 and that he could fill the ranks, and would out of this, to us 
 a great loss, bring gain and greater glory to his name. 
 
 These two deaths and the return to America of Rev. .Jacob 
 Miller and wife the same fall, owing to the illness of Mrs. 
 Miller, together with the sickness of the other missionaries, 
 greatly broke into all the work of the mission and almost 
 paralyzed that of some departments. 
 
 The ranks were strengthened by the return to Africa of 
 Rev. and Mrs. West, accompanied by Rev. and Mrs. I. N. 
 Cain, graduates of Western College, who had been appointed 
 at the Board meeting, and Miss Lydia Thomas, appointed in 
 the fall. These five sailed from New Y(u-k October 1. 1892, 
 and arrived at Rotufunk November 13. School was soon 
 reojiened and all settled down to earnest work, Rev. West as 
 general superintendent. Dr. Hatfield as physician, Miss Groen- 
 endyke as superintendent of school, Miss Schenck and 
 Rev. and Mrs. Cain as teachers. Mrs. West in charge of the 
 Girls" Home, and Miss Thomas in the Mission House. Miss 
 Groenendyke returned to America in the spring of 1893 on 
 vacation. Because of the depletion of the force, Rev. West 
 Imd to delav going to the Meiidi eountrv. 
 
48 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 During 1893 Otterbein University presented the mission at 
 Rotufunk with a fine lot of band instruments; the Union 
 Biblical Seminary donated blacksmith and farming tools, and 
 Rev. Cain began the experiment of making brick there. 
 
 Summary. 
 
 We have in Africa, in 1893, Bompeh Mission, including 
 the central station at Rotufunk, Bompeh station and circuit, 
 and Masimera mission, projected and supported by the 
 workers at Rotufunk. Fields, 4; appointments, 151; organ- 
 ized classes, 3; Sundav schools, 6; i^upils, 260; day schools, 
 2; pupils, 145; native itinerants and helpers, 20; American 
 missionaries, 7; ordained preachers, 5; American houses, 4; 
 native houses, 5. 
 
 GEEMANY. 
 
 At the Board meeting of 1891, it was decided to secure, if 
 possible, the sfervices of Mrs. Justina Lorenz Stevens to open 
 work in Berlin. Mrs. Stevens had other plans, and the recom- 
 mendations were not carried out. At the Board meeting of 
 1892 it was decided that the work must be carried on through 
 the Parent Board. The trustees were therefore authorized to 
 otter to that Board the money in hand for building a chapel in 
 Weimar, and to appropriate $200 for this year for the supj)ort 
 of the pastor. The offer was accepted. 
 
 CHINESE SCHOOL. 
 
 The Chinese Mission, at Portland, Oregon, was visited in 
 the fall of 1890 by the corresponding secretary, Mrs. L. R. 
 Keister. In July, 1891, Rev. George Sickafoose resigned his 
 position in the school to enter the active ministr3\ Mrs. 
 Sickafoose and Moy Ling continued the school. Mrs. Sicka- 
 foose, who had been superintendent for ten _years, was reelected 
 for one year; but her health, which had long been poor, 
 steadily declined, and she offered her resignation, to take 
 
sr PIM.KMEXT. 49 
 
 ellt'ct October 1, ISDo. It wa.s accepted, and ii{»(»i veiy high 
 recommendations, Mrs. INIary E. Henkle, of Philomath, Ore- 
 gon, was appointed to the vacancy, with Kev. Moy I^ing 
 continned as interpreter and assistant. Mrs. Ilenkle entered 
 upon her work at once, and reported the l)oys well contented 
 and all doing good work. Knrolhnent, sixty. 
 
 CHINA. 
 
 Miss Shaffner returned to America in October, ISOO, on 
 account of ill health. Rev. Moy Ling remained a few months 
 longer and then Miss Patterst)n was alone. With a courage 
 and heroism few possess, horn of her dee}) conviction of God's 
 call to her to work in thnt land, she clicerfully gave hers(>lf to 
 the work l^efore her. She l)egan at once acquiring the lan- 
 guage, and in addition su])erintendcd a Sunday school among 
 the English and American children of commercial residents 
 who were hitherto neglected. She also visited weekly two 
 schools for girls taught by native Christian women educated 
 in other missions, one in Canton and one on Honan. The 
 interest in her Sabbath school greatly exceeded her expecta- 
 tions. Miss Patterson soon mastered the language sufficiently 
 to do house-to-house visitation, with the aid of a Bible 
 woman. Dr. and IMi's. Kerr, of the Presbyterian mission, 
 invited her to board Avith them, which she gladly accej)ted, 
 where she was among friends and at home. 
 
 In 181)1 the Pnanl secured the services of Dr. S. Lovina 
 Halverson as medical ndssionary. She sailed from San Fraii- 
 cisco Novemher 28, and arrived at Canton December 24, and 
 entered at once upon the study of tlie language. 
 
 Miss Patterson rented a doul>le native house, making some 
 changes for comfort and setting apart a room for a chai»el. The 
 location was in a part of the city where no mission work was 
 done and where there was no medical disi)ensary. 
 
50 SUPPLEMEXT. 
 
 In May, 1892, they went, on invitation, to the Presbyterian 
 Hospital to occnpy the rooms made vacant by the return to 
 America of Dr. and Mrs. Kerr. Dr. Halverson tlius had a 
 fine opportunity to obtain valuable knowledge of the special 
 diseases of the Chinese, to observe and assist at surgical 
 operations, as well as to be helpful to the i^hysicians in the 
 hospital, and care for sick missionaries. Here they pursued 
 their study and superintended their schools as before, with 
 cheerful and good sanitary surroundings. 
 
 • At the solicitation of Miss Patterson and Dr. Halverson, 
 Dr. Regina Bigler was appointed to China in 1S92. She sailed 
 from San Francisco November 16, and reached Canton in 
 December, and entered upon the study of the language, 
 giving her strength to it. 
 
 Dr. Halverson, after a year of study, had sufficient com- 
 inand of the language to Ijegin dispensary work and give 
 medical attendance. She secured the services of a Chinese 
 Avoman who had spent five years at the hospital ( three years 
 as a student and two as medical assistant ), and fitted also to 
 do the work of a Bible Avoman. 
 
 A few months after Dr. Halverson reached China, she and 
 Miss Patterson saw a boatman in front of their door pre- 
 paring to drown his little son, aged thirteen, for a trifling 
 theft. They pleaded for his life. The father replied : " I 
 never want to see him again. If you want him, you can have 
 him ! " The girls took the forsaken boy, the father giving a 
 paper transferring to them the right to him. Shortly after 
 this, Dr. Halverson adopted him. His name is A Kam. He 
 has become very dear to her, and has been placed in a good 
 boys' school at Fa Ti. Dr. Halverson insuring his good 
 behavior. The missionaries have great hopes for his future 
 usefulness. 
 
 Miss Patterson has, to date, 1898. three schools taught by 
 
SUI'PI.K.ME.NT. 51 
 
 native Christian women, with an enrollment of seventy-two. 
 These she visits every week, examining tlie work done, talk- 
 ing with them, and making visits in the neighhorhood among 
 the families of the children in the scluxtls, speaking to them 
 of the -'doctrine,'" as the gospel truth is called hy them. At 
 two of the schools Sahbath services are held. This personal 
 honse-to-house evangelistic work is a great power that will 
 win souls. 
 
 When Dr. Bigler went out, the plan was to establish a home 
 for children at Macao, a healthful seacoast city, but finding 
 this impracticable, they decided to have all at Canton, where 
 there is great need of such work as we propose to do. Our 
 missionaries, acting upon their best judgment and the advice 
 of friends of large experience, propose to buy ground enough 
 in Canton to contain all the buildings that will probably be 
 needed in the establishment of a mission, and to build first a 
 home foi- the missionaries, with a small annex for a children's 
 home. 
 
 Not finding just the location desired, or else meeting 
 obstacles in the way of purchase, in the fall of 1893, Miss 
 Patterson rented, for six months, a large house on Jlcinan, 
 whither they removed October 1. 
 
 Dr. Halverson has o])ened two disi)ensaries, one on Honan. 
 and one in W'ampo. about ten miles distant, where she expects 
 to oj)en a school with a native teacher, and go down once a 
 week for dispensary work, and at that time dismiss the school 
 and have the teacher talk of Christ to tlu' women as they 
 wait their turn. 
 
 In the spring of 189o the Board ap})ointed Rev. and Mrs. 
 E. E. Fix, graduates of Western College and Union Bil)li(al 
 Seminary, to China, who sailed from San Francisco October 
 10, 1893, and reached Canton Xovember 8, to set up a Cbiis- 
 tian home, and, we trust, soon to form a church. 
 
52 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 SumTnary. 
 
 We have in- Cliina in 1893, American missionaries 5, — 3 
 evangelists and 2 medical; native 5, — 3 teaeliers and '2 Hilile 
 women; day schools, 3; pupils, 72; Sahbath schools, 2; dis- 
 pensaries, 2. 
 
 HOME WORK. 
 
 Among the workers at home there is a growing interest and 
 enthusiasm, and a gradual increase in members and contribu- 
 tions. From the fall of 1890 to the spring of 1891, the corre- 
 sponding secretary and general organizer, Mrs. L. R. Keistcr, 
 was continuously traveling in the interests of the work in the 
 middle West and on the Pacific Coast, encouraging the Locals 
 and Branches organized, and organizing new ones, Ix'sides vi.s- 
 iting our mission school at Porthmd, Oregon. 
 
 The visits of our returned missionaries. Rev. and Mi-s. West 
 and Mrs. Sage, and the outgoing missionaries, both to Africa 
 and China, have given new life to our work East and West, 
 and have stirred the people as nothing else could do. 
 
 The Association has received generous gifts of money, land, 
 and valued articles from time to time. 
 
 Through the advice of Bishop Ilott, the Board at Decatur, 
 Illinois, May, 1891, decided, as s})ecial home work, to help the 
 Oregon Conference to church property in Portland, Oregon, 
 and agreed to raise $;>,000 for that purpose, and to contribute 
 to pastor's salary for five years, Oregon Conference to appoint 
 the pastor and erect the building. The Conference appointed 
 a committee to locate the mission. November 13 an organi- 
 zation was eft'ected with twenty-six members. A hall was 
 rented and services held. R<nne time later a lot was secured, 
 and in the spring of 1892 the Avork of building a church whs 
 begun. The location is considenMl a choice one. 
 
sriM'I.KMEXT. Oo 
 
 In 1890 Mvs. Bertha (u'rlaugli was appointed seciX'tai'y nf 
 tlie Teachers' Fund. Her lioalth tailing, she resigned in IM)2, 
 and Miss Marie Shank was appointed to the vacancy. 
 
 Miss Groenendyke returned to America, and was present 
 at tlie Board meeting in May, 181)3. She was appointed 
 Held worker at home for the year, and after a j)eriod of rest, 
 started on her work th(> hist of .Tuly, and continued in it 
 until Christmas, visiting camps and various Locals in Penn- 
 sylvania, then journeying westward, stirring u|) Branches, 
 }iutting new vigor into almost dying Locals, and oi'gani/.ing 
 new ones, reaching as far as the West Nebraska ("onference. 
 She met with success I'ar Ix'Vond the exi)ectation of the 
 l)oard. 
 
 The Association sustained a great loss, early in lS9o, in the 
 resignation of Mrs. L. R. Keister, who had .so long and al)ly 
 ]ierfornied the duties of corresponding seeretai'v and general 
 organizer, and who was largely instrumental in pi'ojeeting 
 the Evangel. Juiui 14 she was married to Mr. William P. 
 Harford. Slie was continued as trustee ami Evangel corre- 
 spondent. 
 
 In May, 1S<);], :\[rs. L. K. Miller, associate editor of the 
 Evangel, was appointed editor and manager of the same; and 
 ]\Irs. B. F. Witt, a trustee, was a})pointc(l corresponding and 
 recording secretary. 
 
 'I'he General Conference of May, 180H, granted the re<|nest 
 of the Association, made through the secretary, for a day. and 
 the last Sabbath of September was set apart as " Woman's 
 Hay." 
 
 EVANGEL. 
 
 The circulation of the Evangel has steadily increased until 
 it has reached 5.0(H). In l)ecemb(M-. 1892. the Evangel was 
 issued with a cover. 
 
ot 
 
 .SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 GENERAL SUMMARY. 
 
 Since our organization we have gathered the sum of $161,- 
 224.52. We have in 1893— Branches, 42 ; Locals, 435 ; mem- 
 bership, 7,264 ; Young People's Bands, 37 ; membership, 847 ; 
 Children's Bands, 86 ; membership, 2,642 ; total membership, 
 10,753. We have in 1893, in our mission fields, American 
 missionaries, 14: native itinerants and missionaries, 26; 
 <n-dained preachers, 8; medical missionaries, 3; organized 
 churches, 5 ; full members, 136 ; appointments, 154 ; members 
 and seekers, 1,679 ; Sa^bbath schools, 8 ; attendance, 345 ; day 
 schools, 9 ; pupils, 262 ; valuation of propert.v, $38,000. 
 
 Mrs. Benj. Marot, 
 Mrs. L. K. Miller, 
 Mrs. B. F. Witt, 
 Publishing Committee. 
 
United Brethren Publishing Ijouse. 
 
 CHURCH AND SUNDAY=SCHOOL SUPPLIES. 
 
 B00K5 FOR T H E HOflE. 
 
 MISSIONARY BIOGRAPHIES. 
 
 A serios of biographies of eminent missionaries, written in a concise and popu- 
 lar form, and published at a low price. There are included the lives of such 
 persons as William (^arey, Robert Morrison, Robert Moffat, James Chalmers, 
 Bishop Pattison, Thomas J. Comber, Samuel Crowther, Henry Martyn, and 
 others. Price, per volume, 75 cents. 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN Q. PATON, 
 
 Missionary to the New Hebrides. Edited by his brother. New illustrated 
 edition. Two volumes. Price, net, $2.00. 
 
 " Perhaps the most important addition for many years to the library of mission- 
 ary literature."— C/irisfiaH Advocaie. 
 
 Any Book on Hissions or Other Topics, if Regularly in the Trade, 
 can be Supplied. 
 
 SONG BOOKS. 
 
 THE OTTERBEIN HYMNAL. 
 
 For CHURCH WORSHIP, PRAYER-MEETINGS, MISSIONARY AND OTHER 
 SPECIAL SERVICES. The best Hymnal now made, with old favorites and 
 later popular souKS. An edition with Responsive Services for general use. Plain 
 edition, without responses, 75 cents ; with responses, 90 cents. Various bindings 
 at low prices. 
 
 SPIRIT AND LIFE. 
 
 A new song book for SUNDAY SCHOOLS and SOCIAL SERVICES. Great 
 care has been exercised in its preparation, and only such songs have been chosen 
 as are worthy. The music is bright and fresh, while the spirit of the book is 
 devout and evangelical. Price: Per copy, postpaid, 35 cents ; $3.60 per dozen, 
 by express. 
 
 MISSIONARY SONGS. 
 
 For the use of MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, MISSIONARY AND GLEANERS' 
 BANDS, AND OTHER MISSIONARY MEETINGS, with special provision for 
 Missionary Concerts. Prepared by Rev. E. S. Lorenz, A.M. .4 most useful hook. 
 Prices: Postpai<l, 20 cents ; per dozen, by express, charges unpaid, $2.00. 
 
 THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLES 
 
 AND TESTAMENTS are the best to be had. Text, Reference, and Teachers' 
 Editions. Clearness of print is a feature of each book. The "Helps" in the 
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 be found styles and prices to suit all. 
 
 Address 
 
 W. J. SHUEY, Dayton, Ohio. 
 
WOMAN'S EVANGEL. 
 
 A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, 
 
 PrSLISHED BY THE 
 
 WOMAN'S niSSIONARY ASSOCIATION OF THE 
 UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. 
 
 DEVOTED TO THE 
 
 INTERESTS OE MISSIOiAfi! AND CHRISTIAN WORK, 
 
 MRS. L. K. MILLER, Editor and Publisher. 
 
 It is the only home magazine in the Church, and persons, 
 whether engaged in missionary work or not, will be interested 
 in reading it. Send for sample copy. 
 
 Names of subscribers should be addressed to 
 
 MRS. L. K. MILLER, DAYTON, OHIO. 
 
 Rates : 50 cents per annum, in advance. One copy free 
 for every ten subscriptions or renewals. For ten new names, 
 in addition to the copy free, we will give a cabinet photograph 
 of any of the missionaries. 
 
 Subscriptions may begin with any number. 
 
 Money must be sent by post-office money order, registered 
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 In sending names, give name, post-office, county, and State, 
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 56