]|illlH4Mii)nii«iitHiinM*iUMUiHtutiiun!tnuninitHTHniHnii B i Mi i I I till U 1 11 II I III nil lllill llil i 11 1 III I II III lilllll III |iil|llili|l|:i iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinniiiiiiiiiniHiiiniiiniiiMniH tihvavy of ^he t:heolo0ical ^tminaxy PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY PRESENTED BY BV 1516 .A2 W6 1904 Brown, Joseph, 1837-1918. Sabbath-school missions in Wisconsin Rev. Joseph Brown Sabbath-School Missions in Wisconsin A record of fifteen years of Sabbath- School Mission Work done in Wis- consin, in which the needs and the triumphs of the work are made^ known REV. JOSEPH "BROWN S^nodical Sabbath-School Missionary for Wisconsin WITH ILLUSTRATIONS PHILADELPHIA PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION AND SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK 1904 Copyright, 1904, by the Trustees of The Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work. Thomas W. Synnott 7o My Friend and Brother, THOMAS IV. SYNNOTT, of Wenonah, New Jersey, in grateful recognition of his words of encouragement and faithful support during the past fifteen years, this volume is respectfully dedicated 834 Number of volumes distributed 5>73i Number of Bibles distributed • • 1,431 Sabbath-Schools visited i.o^3 Addresses delivered 3.909 Families visited 9,476 Miles traversed 256,916 Total number of churches developed from the work since 1887 » 47 Presbyterian churches organized 44 Chapels built 44 Value of chapel and church property ^15,000.00 In order that the reader may have a comprehen- sive view of Sabbath-School missions as carried on Xii INTRODUCTORY by the Presbyterian Church, it would be necessary to multiply the experiences and results of Mr. Brown's work in Wisconsin by fifty, if the imagi- nation can perform such a feat. The example of Mr. T. W. Synnott in sending his representative into the high places of the field may well be imitated by many of God's princely stewards. While he has been engaged in the great enterprises of business, to which he has been provi- dentially called, Mr. Synnott's representative has been carrying the gospel, in its purest and simplest form, to thousands ; and has been transforming the great State of Wisconsin by building up churches and the Kingdom of Christ. The consciousness of being represented on " the firing line " is in itself precious. The prayers of all of God's people are requested for this pioneer and Christlike work. James A. Worden. Contenta I. Beginnings II. Developments .... III. ''The Common People Heard Him Gladly" IV. Encouragements .... V. Wide-Spread Interest . VI. Gather Them In . VII. From Place to Place VIII. After Ten Years .... IX. In City and Country . X. '' Come Over and Help Us " . XI. Ripening Fields .... XII. Touring with the Superintendent Viewing the Results . XIII. Retrospect I 8 17 28 38 54 67 88 115 121 ^33 143 154 xui Xi0t of miuatratione Photograph . . . . • Fad) 7g title page Photograph . . . . Fa cing dedication page Waiting for the Sabbath-School Mis- sionary . . . . • Facing pag ^e 4 Kelly Presbyterian Chapel • tt lO Open-air Sabbath-School Institute • €( 19 Harper Memorial Chapel • tt 29 Valley Sabbath-School • tt 33 Dell's Dam Chapel . a tt 40 Prince of Peace Chapel • tt 72 Ribb Hill Schoolhouse • tt 81 Deerfield Chapel • tt 98 Lansdowne Chapel • tt 117 Dekorra Chapel • tt 123 Sabbath-School Institute • tt 133 Sabbath-School Institute at Owen* sGlen tt 135 Ribb Hill k • tt 140 Institute at Dekorra with our Si iperin- tendent on the Platform • tt H3 A Blossom of Sabbath-School R /lission Work • • it tt 158 XV CHAPTER I BEGINNINGS Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of God. — Luke i8 : i6. I. How Sabbath-School Mission Work Is Done. II. One Day's Work for Jesus. I. HOW sabbath-school mission work is done. The following request has been addressed to me : " Will you state particulars as to the manner in which you seek to do your work as a Sabbath- School missionary ? " It is a privilege to give the desired information. I select a district of the county within my bounds. With my bag filled with books, tracts, and papers, and with umbrella in hand, I set out for the duties of the day. If my work lies in a district in which there is a settled minister, I generally walk two miles away from his field of labor. This I do that I may not work on ground in charge of another. By so doing I have never had unpleasant relations with any one. Having reached what I regard as a proper field, I I 2 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN begin my work by calling at the different houses along my way. The amount of time spent in these houses varies, as I am regulated by the character of the reception given and by the prospect of doing good. In visiting a district for the first time, the people are strangers to me, and I have to introduce my way among them as best I can. In such case my work is, in fact, both a tour of discovery and a species of fishing. I go among the people to do them good, and in order to accomplish this pru- dence and tact are needed. As I step into the various homes, and they are various in many re- spects, I tell the occupants who I am and what is the purpose of my visit, and as I do so I generally extend a cheerful greeting, wishing them, in the most pleasant manner possible, a good-morning. This cheerful greeting seems, in most cases, to take the people by storm. This I judge from the cordial receptions generally accorded to me. After having been invited to come in and sit down, and having accepted, my talk begins and is carried on accord- ing to circumstances. In every district there are some families more in sympatJiy with good than others. To find out such families is a matter of great importance to me in the prosecution of my work. Having found such, they become the objects of special attention. Con- versation is held with them as to the needs of the people in relation to Sabbath- School work. After I have obtained the necessary information, and BEGINNINGS 3 have excited some interest in the minds of those with whom I have conversed, generally a place and time are fixed for holding a meeting, and arrange- ments are made for conducting the service. At this meeting the importance of Sabbath-School work is pointed out in the most forcible manner possible, and at its close the judgment of those present is sought as to the propriety of establishing a school. When an organization has been decided upon, which is generally the case, the different officers are selected by the people present and all necessary arrangements are made. Before all this can be perfected, however, it must be preceded by many long walks and frequent visitations. Success assured, a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction fills the mind of the Sabbath-School missionary. When Sabbath-Schools are planted, are they left to themselves without the planter's care? Nay, verily. They are fostered by prayer, by sympathy, by revisitation, and by many helps, as each case may require and as means and opportunity are afforded. The Sabbath-School missionary has a love for the schools he plants ; and the people, know- ing this and knowing where he lives, are ever ready to let him know when help is needed. Such help is frequently asked for, and the missionary, with the means placed at his disposal by the Board, and by books and papers received from the friends of Sab- bath-School missions, is always able to extend it. 4 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN If wise and faithful, he so directs his gifts and labors as to nurture the good work begun. By use of the varied means at the disposal of the Sabbath-School missionary, a grand work is being done for Christ and the people. By this Sabbath-School mission agency the Pres- byterian Church has an instrument in her grasp by which the numerous and widespread settlers can be reached and evangelized. This attained, a moral and spiritual result will be reached that will bring honor to God and stability and prosperity to our beloved land. II. ONE day's work for JESUS. One morning in August, 1889, I left the town of Phillips to visit what is called the Parker District, a few miles out in the country, among the woods. In less than an hour, after a pleasant and thoughtful walk, I reach my field of work. Before me stands the white schoolhouse, with a number of farm- houses, in a circle of a mile or so. Visit No. I. — A German family consisting of the parents and three children. I had a talk with the mother, who is in sympathy with all good work. This family belong to the German Lutheran Church, and are expecting a pastor soon to be placed in charge of the Germans of this district. I left them something to read. Visit No. 2. — An American family, consisting of the parents and five children. The mother was < C ►J o o a tj < n DEVELOPMENTS 1 1 gave ;^33.oo to build a chimney and put in a stove in order to heat the church. All honor to them ! III. " A PHOTOGRAPH OF SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSION WORK." September i8th, i8go. — I rode sixteen miles on the stage, over a rough road, to Maple Works, in Clark County. The time was 3 o'clock p. m. The day was warm and sultry. The clouds began gath- ering in a threatening manner, indicating the ap- proach of a thunderstorm. I had a walk of nine miles before me in order to reach the interior of the country. As is my custom^ I made calls on the dif- ferent families as I passed along, and left with each some suitable reading for young arid old. I had walked two-thirds of the way when the thunder- storm came on in all its fury. Hail and rain came down in torrents. I took shelter in the first house I came to. Darkness came on, the rain continued, the lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled. What was I to do for lodging ? I could not stop where I was, for the good reason that there were no suitable accommodations. I faced the storm and went forward to a house a mile farther on, where I felt sure the inmates would kindly lodge me for the night. In this I was not disappointed. It was a humble home, but I was entertained right royally. The good people had loving hearts, and did their best to make me com- 12 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN fortable. The Lord will reward them for all their kindness to his servant. Friday, September igth. — The rain was still fall- ing, and the roads deep in mud and water. I must go forward to Spokeville, five miles distant. The road lay through a forest, and was only partially made, and consequently I found the mud and water ankle deep. Rolling up my pantaloons, I waded through, and at last reached my destination, wet and soiled with mud. But the soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the nineteenth century, must be brave and hardy, as they were in the days of old. What are mud and water compared with the ex- perience of Christian workers of the past, of whom it is written in Hebrews ii : 37 : " They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep- skins and goatskins ; being destitute, afflicted, tor- mented." Having reached Spokeville, I began my work of house-to-house visitation, and found the people de- sirous of having a Sabbath-School. At present they have no means of grace among them. I ar- ranged to hold a meeting with them on Sabbath afternoon. On Friday and Saturday nights I held services in another schoolhouse four miles distant. Sabbath, September 21st. — I held a meeting at 3 o'clock p. M. in Spokeville schoolhouse, which was filled to the door. I had a short service, then an address on the benefits of Sabbath-Schools as a DEVELOPMENTS 13 means of grace for all. At the close a Sabbath- School was organized, officers elected, lesson papers given, and arrangements made to meet the next Sabbath at 3 p. m. Thus it is that the work is be- gun, so full of important results to children and parents. I left the people, promising them all the aid I can give. The people feel drawn to the mis- sionary ; the missionary to the people. They are not noiv strangers, but friends. All hardships are forgotten in the success that has attended this work for Jesus. IV. "WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD." May 28th, i8gi.~<' We cannot but speak of the things we have seen and heard." This day we en- tered a new and needy field in the southern part of Clark County, called Dell's Dam. This district is as far as settlers have yet gone. I reached the dis- trict early in the afternoon, went straight to the little schoolhoiise, had an interview with the teacher, and arranged to have a meeting in the evening, and gave notice of the same to the children to take home to their fathers and mothers. Having gained information as to the locations of the different settlers, I set out to visit them. Par- ticular and kindly visitation is a first and essential element of successful Sabbath-School mission work. A visit from a Christian worker here is like " angels' visits," few and far between. This after- 14 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN noon I managed to visit eight of these families, all of whom received me " joyfully." In each family I spoke kindly and hopefully, gave some reading ma- terial, and urged all to come to the meeting. This they promised to do, and they were true to their promise, for at eight o'clock the schoolhouse, lighted up with four " lamps " brought by the peo- ple, was filled. We had a short service, to which the people gave heed. I spoke on the Saviour's words in Matthew 6 and 33, and sought to show the need of religion as an element in every Hfe, from childhood onward. A Sabbath-School was organ- ized under the care of two of the best adapted to the work to be found among the people. One of them was a member of a church at Neillsville. All seemed pleased at the result, and so was I. I promised to help them all I could, and urged them to help themselves. Everywhere I go planting Sab- bath-Schools the anxious question is always put : " How long will it be before you come again to visit us and have meetings ? " What is needed is more frequent service, whereby instruction and inspiration are given through the agency of the Word preached. The Word of God is the seed which requires to be sown in order to produce a crop of Christians. May 2gth, Friday. — I was up early, as usual. Bidding the people " good-bye," I set out to con- tinue the work of visitation and exploration. This last named is very necessary, as so much needs to be known in relation to the spiritual condition of each DEVELOPMENTS 1 5 district. In my survey to-day, I located another district in which I shall concentrate effort for good. The people are desirous of Christian work. I vis- ited twelve famihes and two public schools during the day, and arranged for service this evening in the Canfield schoolhouse, another needy district. There was a large attendance, and a deep impression made as to the need of a Sabbath-School for the district. The meeting voted to organize a Sabbath- School, Final arrangements were deferred, owing to diffi- culty in finding suitable superintendents. Another meeting will be held in two weeks, when it is hoped the difficulty will be overcome. Here, as else- where, the fields are white unto harvest. Great and far-reaching evil is being done in all such places on account of the want of Christian agency to direct and mould human life. This condition of things can only be changed by help from without, and that forms the grandeur of our Sabbath-School mission work. May joth, Saturday. — I set out in the early morning for the Shortville settlement, with the in- tention of spending Saturday and Sabbath there. A flourishing Sabbath-School is carried on here, attended by old and young. I found the people thirsting for frequent preaching service. I held two services on the Sabbath, in addition to the Sabbath- School service. All three were well attended, the town hall being filled each time. The simple ** Gospel of Christ " is what is needed 1 6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN to brighten and sweeten the Hves and homes of all these people. In all our visitations and meetings it is delightful to see the joy imparted to children, young people, and parents. As a help to the work being done, I have sent two libraries to two of these Sabbath-Schools. This I was enabled to do by gifts from Sabbath-Schools and churches in Philadelphia and vicinity. This is the record of five days' work done by a Sabbath-School missionary, and is given here in order that a proper estimate of the value of the work may be formed, that your love for it may be deep- ened, and out of love you may be willing to swell yet higher your gifts in aid of this Christlike work. In your joyful Children's Day services, will you not crown the services by showing in a worthy form how deep your " compassion " is for these *' millions of children " who have no Sabbath-Schools ? CHAPTER III "THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY." For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. — Luke 7 .J. I. " They all sat Down on the Green Grass." II. " Come and See." III. " Despise not the Day of Small Things." IV. From House to House. V. *' Sheep Having no Shepherd." VI. *• Without God and Without Hope." VII. A Sabbath-School Institute in the Forest. I. " THEY ALL SAT DOWN ON THE GREEN GRASS." August ^th, i8gi. — I went into the Dudley Dis- trict, and spent three days in Sabbath-School mis- sion work. Visited and encouraged the three Sab- bath-Schools there. I held two meetings, the last one was crowded, many persons coming four, five and six miles. These meetings are means of great good, the people, without a " shepherd, being wearied and lying down." Here another missio7i Sabbath- School chapel is about to be built. I met 17 1 8 SABBATH-SCnOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN the members of the building committee, and made arrangements to proceed at once. The people of the district have responded nobly to the building of a house for God. They want it finished in time to be dedicated by a delegation from the Winnebago Presbytery, which meets on the 8th of September, at Merrill, fifteen miles away. The chapel, when finished, will be deeded to the trustees of one of the Presbyterian churches of Merrill, to be held for the people of the district. On Saturday, the 8th of August, I made my way from Wausau to the Hartsville District, twelve miles east. I was accompanied by Mr. Armstrong, one of our student missionaries, our purpose being to hold a series of meetings in the new Sabbath- School mission chapel, preparatory to its dedication by the Rev. W. O. Carrier, of Wausau. Although the weather was hot, the three meetings held on the Sabbath, in addition to the Sabbath-School service, were well attended. The scattered families came together with joy to these services in the new chapel, the first in the district. Monday was the day of dedication — the greatest ever enjoyed in that district. Rev. W. O. Carrier came from Wausau, bringing a number of his peo- ple to help in the exercises of the day. These began a little after eleven o'clock, and were conducted by Mr. Carrier, who preached a telling sermon on the conversion of Zaccheus. The people of the district were out in great numbers. At the close of the ■s. 2 O o X ■s. X m "THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY I9 forenoon service a scene took place which will be long remembered by all present. A basket-lunch was provided by the people, and was partaken of in a grove opposite the chapel, right across the Eau Claire River. Four wagons were used to convey the people over the beautiful stream. This was done in style by the brave men of these forest homes, amidst much laughter and excitement on the part of the people, who were jolted from side to side as they crossed over. All were conveyed safely over to a beautiful and shady part of the forest, where " tJiey sat down on the greeji grass" and partook of a plenteous repast. They had all things in common. Such a scene reminded one of the early Christian times. It was grand ! After two o'clock, the company was moved over the river again, and another meeting was held. At this meeting the chapel was dedicated to God by Mr. Carrier, assisted by Mr. Joseph Brown and Mr. Armstrong, Sabbath-School missionaries. At this service baptism was administered to twelve persons — six adults and six children. The chapel thus erected and dedicated was the fruit of Sabbath- School mission work by the Presby- terian Church, and fostered by the pastor and church of Wausau. All honor to them ! The building is twenty feet by thirty feet, has a porch in front, and contains one hundred and eight chairs ; it also has a platform and desk, and is com- plete in every way. It is neat in appearance, and 20 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN will, by the blessing of God, be a means of blessing to the people. The total cost, ;$350.oo, was paid for by the people, assisted by the Presbyterian church of Wausau and other friends of Sabbath-School mission work. The services closed for the day at 5 P. M. Thus ended an event which will ever be sacred in the memory of all who were present. The Rev. Mr. Carrier said it was one of the happiest days of his life. The blessing of God was present at all the services, and truly every one could say : '< It was good for me to be there." II. " COME AND SEE." April ^thy i8g2. — The question is often put " What good is coming out of our Sabbath-School Missionary Work ? " We answer, ** Come and see." Come with us to Norrie, Wisconsin, and see what is being done there. It is a village, amongst stumps, with a population of about two hundred. There is a Presbyterian Sabbath-School under our care, which, superintended by Mrs. Wilson, has been doing good work these two years past. Three months ago a Congregational Church, of twenty-five members, was formed and placed under the care of the pastor of the church at Burnamwood, a town five miles distant. This development was the result of circumstances. " What God has joined together let no man put asunder." It is neither possible nor desirable to "THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY*' 21 make God's working conform to man's planning. The result is that the people now have the Chris- tian agency of the Presbyterian Sabbath-School and the Congregational Church combined in action. Two weeks ago a Young People's Society of Chris- tian Endeavor was formed, with a membership of over thirty. The villagers of Norrie are now planning to build a house of God to place beside the little schoolhouse on the hill — a church and a school, religion and education, twin forces in America's civilization. It is the law of progress, that *' God helps those who help themselves to get good." Success in this case will be achieved in the near future. III. " DESPISE NOT THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS." Again we say to all, " Come and see." Come with us to Shortville, a farming district in Clark County, nine miles from Neillsville. Three years ago a Sabbath-School was organized under the auspices of our Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work. During the past three years it has been carefully fostered by frequent visits and services by us, in conjunction with the Presbyterian pastor of the church of Neillsville. The school has been blessed by a faithful and able superintendent, aided by willing workers. After a series of six services, a petition was presented and signed by thirty persons, asking the Presbytery of La Crosse to form them into a church. Arrange- 22 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN ments were also made during the meeting to carry on the summer session of the Sabbath-School with new and increased life. We were informed that some of the young people would go to the Canfield settlement and help the Sabbath-School there. Thus the Lord has fulfilled his promise and gladdened our hearts with the blessing which has come to this people. It may with truth be said, " There was joy in Shortville ! " The lives of the people are gradually changing, becoming more Christian in every way. Thus God's kingdom is being advanced in the rural districts of our country. This fact ought to be a stimulus to all interested in Sabbath-School mission work. A Presbyterian church has since been formed. The people now have a Sabbath-School, service every two weeks, and a weekly prayer-meeting. They are preparing to build a house for the worship of God. IV. FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. There is one part of our Sabbath-School mis- sionary work of vast importance which is often mis- understood or altogether overlooked, viz., the vis- itation from house to house in scattered districts. Success in this line of work is grand and far-reach- ing in its results. The advent of the Sabbath- School missionary into a district, even for a short "THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY " 2$ season, is an event of great importance, bringing new agencies and influences to bear upon lives hith- erto unfavorably situated. Going from " house to house " as the servant of Christ, " vi^ith the impress and reflection of the love of God upon his own character," is, in every case, in one way or another, the bringing by the missionary of salvation to those homes. They are never the same again ^ but become brighter and better. Think of the many homes where the missionary remains over night ! What a strange and hallowed experience is given when he takes his Bible and holds family worship in those homes for the first time. Thus, in a manner we cannot describe, the sweet peace of God rests upon these families at least for the time being. Pray for us, that our visits from home to home may be more blessed than ever before. Having begun the good work in these families, it is important that it should be continued. This can be done through the agency of the " Post Ofiice Mission." This we have been doing for some time past, our plan being to place the names of families in our mission field in charge of Christian families, so that after having read papers in their own homes they can send them to these needy ones. A lady once asked us, " What kind of literature shall we send ? " and was answered " Whatever has done the members of your family good and has made them 24 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN brighter and better^ This is the kind to send. These weekly packets of papers for old and young are like so many '' life lines " thrown out to the spiritually destitute families amongst whom our Sabbath-School missionaries work, seeking to save and to bless. By this means a spiritual system of doing good is established which may bring a rich reward to both sender and receiver. V. " SHEEP HAVING NO SHEPHERD." Each month I spend two weeks in old and two weeks in new fields. On May 25th, 1892, I began work in a new dis- trict, in the northwestern part of Clark County. My work for the two weeks took in a tract of coun- try fairly well peopled by farmers. It contained six public schools, five of which had a large number on their rolls. At this time I found only one Sab- bath-School, and it was in its infancy. No regular service in the English language ; only an occasional service with long intervals between. I began my work by visiting among the families, seeking to do them good and to awaken interest in behalf of Sab- bath-Schools. In addition, I held seven meetings, all of which were well attended and much appre- ciated. In shaking hands with the people, at the close of the services, a number of the mothers ex- pressed gratitude that a Sabbath-School missionary had found them out and was willing to help them. " THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY 2$ Two Sabbath- Schools were organized and taken under our care. These, and the district, I will help all I can. I have sent a library of fifty books to one of the Sabbath-Schools. When I left the people the cry was, " Don't be long in coming back again.'' VL " WITHOUT GOD AND WITHOUT HOPE." August ^th, i8g2. — I went to-day for the first time into the township of Hewittsville, a district which has been peopled for the past twenty-five years. The settlers are mostly Americans. I found on my visit a large number of families, all of them living destitute of all organized Chris tiaft agency. The people told me that some five or six years ago one of the pastors from Neillsville gave them an oc- casional service, but that was stopped. When I visited the people I found them ready to admit and deplore their sad condition, but they felt helpless of themselves. They gave me a ready welcome into their homes, and expressed a hearty willingness to accept any service I could give them. Here my first duty was to preach the gospel and give them the printed Word. The first service was given in the schoolhouse on August 7th, and was well at- tended and much appreciated. I arranged to give them a second service the following Sabbath even- ing. After that I hope to form them into a Sab- bath-School and preaching station. By this means they will get help to help themselves. I will give them a monthly review service; this I shall en- 26 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN deavor to make as interesting and helpful as possible to old and young. This is a small beginning, but we have faith that God will bless this effort among people so needy. Sometimes a single spark from a passing locomotive sets a forest or a prairie on fire. This fact in the material world is typical of the spiritual. Christian friends, these dwellers of Hewittsville are your brothers and sisters, having souls to be saved and lives to be made Christlike. This people have now a well-furnished Sabbath- School and occasional preaching service, for which they are thankful. VII. A SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTE IN THE FOREST. August 17th, 1892, was a day long to be re- membered in the history of Dudley and Bloomville. On that day a beautiful and signal manifestation was given of the good that is being done by the Sabbath-School agency of the Presbyterian Church through its Sabbath-School missionaries. Mr. Gray, a temporary Sabbath- School inissio7iary , did good work during the summer, and as a culmination an all-day service was held on the 17th, when an au- dience of 300 people came from their distant and scattered homes and assembled in a shady grove in the woods. The services of the day began at 1 1 A. M., and a sermon was preached by myself. After this service dinner was served to the people in fine style. "THE COMMON PEOPLE HEARD HIM GLADLY " 2/ At 2:30 P. M. a Sabbath- ScJiool Institute was held, at which a number of the scholars gave read- ings, interspersed with singing of hymns. After this, sharp and pointed addresses were given, bear- ing upon different aspects of Sabbath-School work, by the Rev. Messrs. Fords, of Merrill, and Messrs. Perin and Gray. Mr. Gray, in a feeling manner, after expressing the pleasure he had had in his work, took leave of the people. A delegation of ladies and gentlemen was present from Merrill, who joined heartily in the services with the people. Everything in connection with the proceedings of the day was beautiful, and all felt that the blessing of God had been upon them. There are now four Sabbath- Schools and one Sabbath- School mission church in this district. CHAPTER IV ENCOURAGEMENTS Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. — Fs. iig : g. I. " A House for God Built." n. Lost in the Woods. ni. Memorizing Passages of Scripture. IV. " By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them." V. A Thank-Offering. VI. ** There was Great Joy in That District." I. " A HOUSE FOR GOD BUILT." September ^th, i8g2. — Last Saturday and Sab- bath, September 3d and 4th, were red-letter days in the history of the farmers Hving along the banks of Eau Plaine River. On those days a series of meet- ings were held in connection with the opening and dedication of a neat and commodious Sabbath- School mission chapel^ twenty by thirty feet. All the materials used in the erection of this chapel were kindly provided by the Sabbath-School of the North Broad Street Presbyterian Church, of Phila- delphia, which gave ;^ 105 .00 for that purpose. The people of the settlement did the work. Some days nine men were to be seen employed on it, and the 28 V;.' ■'-# : ■?^' '>U II **i>*:i «^.y»»-'^>y * ^^ i»8i».w''S!*ifet« -a- ' t^feSt^ jw»A-V^«<* 'J 05 O as a. ENCOURAGEMENTS 29 day before these services the mothers turned out in force to give it some finishing touches for the oc- casion. The dedication services took place on Sabbath, at 3 p. M., when every seat was filled. Some of those present came a distance of six miles. I was assisted by Rev. J. Bigger, pastor of Colby. At this service the chapel was duly named " The Eau Plaine Harper Memorial Sabbath-School Mission Chapel," this by request and in honor of the donors. A thank-offer- ing to our Church's Sabbath-School Mission Work, amounting to three dollars and twenty-one cents, was taken up. Four persons were baptized, this being the first service of the kind ever administered in the district. By the erection of this chapel the people of this needy locality are enabled to re-open their Sabbath-School, and have occasional service, with no interference. As a fitting crown to this noble work, a lady be- longing to the Presbyterian church of Bryn Mawr, Pa., has kindly and unexpectedly promised to send a new organ, which will be placed in the new chapel as soon as it comes. Thus the lives of these people have been brightened and their hearts made glad. Thus it is that Christ's plan is being accomplished. II. LOST IN THE WOODS. I have often thought, but until this time have never expressed it, that the pioneer Sabbath-School missionary carries on his Christlike work exposed 30 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN to many hardships and dangers. Such servants of Christ do, in a very real manner, take up his cross and follow him. Their work demands a constant travel along roads in many cases bad, or along paths in the woods which are, in many cases, diffi- cult to follow. This they do in all kinds of weather, in order to reach out to those families and districts where no other person goes. These thoughts have been suggested as a fitting introduction to an account of my being lost in the woods of Wisconsin. This experience occurred on Friday, November 4th, 1892, while visiting the families in the Eau Plaine Sabbath-School district. On that day I took a path that led through the for- est, but owing to some change which had been made, I failed to take the right track, and in my efforts to find it went deeper and deeper into the forest, until at last I found that / zvas completely lost. I felt perplexed at this, and, in addition, a feeling of fear seized upon me, as I realized that I was in a region where guns were sometimes set to kill deer, as they pass along these solitary regions. A year before, a man was shot and killed by a gun so set, two miles from this very place. I thought of my home and loved ones. How near and yet how far they seemed ! In my extremity I lifted up my heart to God like Nehemiah, and took courage, and pushed my way through tangled brush and over large fallen trees, but still I failed to come to an opening in the forest. Then I shouted as loudly as ENCOURAGEMENTS 3^ possible, " Hello ! " This is the lost call known to the people living in these regions. This I continued to do every now and again, but no returning call greeted my listening ear. At last I reached the banks of the Eau Plaine River and felt somewhat relieved. I followed the river with difficulty until I came to the nearest bridge ; then my anxieties were at an end, for I then knew where I was and could make my way to my destination. Upon looking at my watch I found that I had been wandering for two hours in the forest, nearly all that time perspir- ing profusely through anxiety and hard traveling. A hearty reception was accorded me at the first house I visited. There I rested and was bountifully refreshed. III. MEMORIZING PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE. September 14th, i8g2. — One of the instructions given to Sabbath-School missionaries is to this effect, that they are to carry on their work in close con- tact with, and cordial approval of the pastors of the churches. In the lines of these instructions I have spent the past few days in a most profitable manner, in associated labors, in work arranged for by the Rev. J. Wilson, of Oxford. On Thursday, Sep- tember 8th, a Sabbath-School Institute was held in the church at Oxford. It was a grand success. The service be^an at 10 A. m. and was largely attended, the audience being composed of people from all parts of the district for a radius of ten miles. The 32 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN meeting was presided over by Mr. Wilson. Ad- dresses were delivered on themes appropriate to the occasion by Rev. Messrs. Fisher, Bain and Adams ; Mr. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary, and Sabbath-School superintendents Robertson and Dunn. Mr. Wilson's conclusion was a fine sum- mary of Sabbath-School points. Prayer and the singing of hymns also formed an important part of the service. In the afternoon a memory lesson class was formed for the purpose of testing the progress made in memorizing passages from the word of God, the prize, which consisted of a Bible given by Joseph Brown, was awarded to Alexander Wilson. At dinner time, a splendid basket dinner was pro- vided, to which all were invited ; a fine opportunity was thus given to have a little social intercourse, a point of great importance. The meeting closed at 5 p. M. Many expressions of approval were heard, as the people separated. Truly the blessing of God was present at all the meetings. On Sabbath, September nth, I had the privilege, under the guidance of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, to visit and address two out of his three Sabbath-Schools ; and in addition, I gave three " Gospel Talks " in each of his three churches where his widely scattered people meet. Over 400 persons were reached dur- ing the day. To accomplish this a distance of twenty-two miles had to be traveled. Such a state- ment of facts will give an idea of the great work done in many of our country districts. Such work ENCOURAGEMENTS 33 partakes of the noble and grand, and is in the highest sense ChristUke. IV. " BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." The good fruit of any branch of Christian work is an evidence of its worth. Thus judged, the Sab- bath-School mission work of our Church warmly commends itself to our hearty support and prayers. Over three years ago a Sabbath-School and mission station was commenced in a needy settlement on the banks of the Eau Claire River, twelve miles from Wausau. The work has been continued, and a Sab- bath-School mission chapel has been built in which the school is held and the gospel frequently preached. During the past summer three grand all day services were held at intervals of a few weeks. To all of these meetings the people came out in large numbers and gave good heed to the truth spoken. At each of the meetings the Rev. W. O Carrier, pastor of the church in Wausau, preached sound gospel sermons and Sabbath- School missionaries occupied the rest of the time in giving addresses bearing upon Sabbath-School work and Christian character. At all these meetings great good was done. Eleven persons were baptized, eight of whom were adults, who thus made confession of their faith in Christ. On Sabbath, the 9th of October, 1892, that being Rallying Day in Mr. Carrier's church, twenty-five persons came in from the mission sta- 34 SABBATII-SCnOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN tion in order to be present. This statement presents a fine illustration of the cooperative character of our Sabbath-School mission work and the blessed results which flow from it. V. A THANK-OFFERING. November 2jd, iSgz. — A few days ago, when concluding a simple gospel address in a country dis- trict, I asked those present what they meant to do with the gospel message, which had been given to them that evening. If they rejected it, then the prayer of the dying Saviour was in order — " Father forgive them for they know not what they do." What a grievous loss it is for families to be reared without the benefits and comforts of applied Chris- tianity ! Every month that I labor as a Sabbath-School missionary among the needy and scattered families of Northern Wisconsin, only tends to deepen my conviction of that fact. Last month I visited four- teen Sabbath-School mission districts ; called on one hundred families, talked kindly to them and gave them books and tracts ; and delivered twenty- eight addresses. This missionary work, like all other Christian work, meets with varied receptions, but in no case is it in vain. " Like bread cast upon the water it returns after many days." As an illustration of this truth, let me state the following : When waiting in a country depot a few days ago and while talking to a farmer, he said to ENCOURAGEMENTS 35 me, " Did you not some time ago give a talk to young people in the district of Buffalo ? " I replied that I did, my subject being " Samuel, a character study." He then told me that that talk had done his son much good and that he had lived a better life ever since. Truly the promises of God are all yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Take the following as another illustration. One Sabbath this month, when halting at a home, after the hour of service, before partaking of dinner, I found to my surprise under my plate a small bag of money, as a thank offering for the good done to the people of that community. The offering amounted to ^8.15. The Lord Jesus Christ, who still sits over his treasury, will no doubt take note of the offering of this appreciative people. Christians, pray for this work that it may continue to prosper. *• Cast thy bread upon the waters, You who have abundant store, It may float on many a billow, It may strand on many a shore ; You may think it lost forever, But as sure as God is true, In this life or in the other, It will yet return to you." VI. " THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT DISTRICT." December 22d, i8g2. — On Tuesday evening of this week an important event took place in the Harper Riverside Sabbath-School Mission Chapel a Presbyterian church was orga7tized by the Rev. 36 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN E. P. Rankine, from Stevens Point, acting in behalf of the Presbytery of Winnebago, assisted by Mr. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. Twelve persons were enrolled as members, and a number of others are expected to do so at an early date. It may with truth be said " there was great joy in that district " that night. The following is a record of what was then done, which is of interest. After an appropriate sermon by Mr. Rankine, the following was submitted and agreed to : Confession of Faith. We, the undersigned, desiring to be organized into a Presbyterian church in connection with the Presbytery of Winnebago, subscribe the following confession of faith and covenant : — 1. We beheve in one only living and true God, the P'ather, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 2. We believe in the Bible as the Word of God given to make wise unto salvation. 3. We believe that we are sinners against God, and, as such, deserving of his righteous judgment. 4. We believe in Jesus Christ as the God-pro- vided Saviour of sinners. 5. We believe in the necessity of the renewing and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. 6. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and in a general judgment. We therefore enter into the following ENCOURAGEMENTS yj Covenant : — 1. We take this God — the Father — to be our Father, the Son to be our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit to be our sanctifier and guide. And we take the Holy Scriptures to be the rule of our faith and conduct. 2. As far as we know our own hearts we repent of all our sins and desire to be delivered from all sin. 3. We engage as members of this church to do our part as God shall give us light in all the work of the church and to Hve in Christian affection with its members. 4. In order to maintain our Christian life, we en- gage to practice conscientiously the duties of prayer and Bible reading, and Christian fellowship espe- cially, seeking to use the hours of the Lord's day for these purposes. All these we will strive to do, through the grace of God helping us, until death. CHAPTER V WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. — Matt, g :j6. I. The Schools That Die. li. Prayers Answered. III. Inasmuch. IV. Children's Services. V. " Don't Give up Hope." VI. " These Meetings do Us All Good." VII. Summer Work. VIII. Dedication of the Chapel at Short- VILLE. IX. Developments at Dell's Dam. X. Institute at Little River. I. the schools that die. Marshfield, Wis., March ii, i8gj. — As I sat in my home, hemmed in for a few days by the severity of the weather, I read with much interest Dr. Worden's newly issued " Drill for Children's Day, June II, 1893." There is one sentence in that drill that I want to take and make a text of. The sentence is this : " The other third die on account 38 WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 39 of unfavorable surroundings." Now, what are the facts in such cases ? While it may be true that the Sabbath-Schools, in their public organized form, may have ceased their work, it does not mean that all the high and holy influences that these schools set in motion have ceased to be. Even the short life of each of these has scattered religious and moral germs into every home and into every heart of the dis- trict and who can tell how many hearts these germs of Christian truth may lead to a Christian Hfe. What is called death in the physical world is not annihilation, it is only a change of conditions. If that is so in the physical world can we for one moment expect a less beneficent law to rule in the spiritual ? "Unfavorable surroundings" are given as the cause of the death of these Sabbath-Schools. Often and suddenly these conditions are changed, and, as a result, these schools are resumed in a more fruit- ful form. This is well illustrated by the experience of the Dell's Dam Sabbath-School, which was closed for a season on account of " unfavorable surround- ings." Some time after, a Christian family moved into the neighborhood. The mother, a noble fol- lower of Christ, declared that if a Sabbath-School could not live there neither could they. The school was at once resumed, although it was midwinter. I was appealed to for help, in the shape of papers, which I gladly supplied. Other illustrations of the same kind might be given. 40 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Another point I want to make here, is this : In the organization of every Sabbath-School the Sabbath-School missionary makes the personal ac- quaintance of the families in the district. This, on the part of the missionary, means much ; aiming as he does at the salvation of souls, acquaintance ripens into friendship, which opens up the way for doing good in many forms. Through the ef- forts of the missionary, scores of families have received and are receiving Bibles, books, tracts, and weekly packets of suitable Christian reading, sent by the members of our different churches. There is no failure in any work done in faith for Christ. II. PRAYERS ANSWERED. April 1st, i8gj. — Prayer is a duty often pressed home on the heart of the Sabbath-School mission- ary as he begins his great work, with few workers. God's answers to such prayer come in various ways, and when they do come, it is but right that they should be made known. A wonderful answer to such prayers has come to the Sabbath-School and district of Dell's Dam. The work begun there some three years ago, was not as prosperous as we longed for, owing to the want of suitable workers. But that is now changed. Last fall a Christian family of the right kind and full of the spirit of Christian work came to settle in the district. The Sabbath- School was opened on the first Sabbath in January, and has been carried on with vigor and success not- u < a a z a < Q J J WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 4 1 withstanding the deep snow. The average attend- ance was thirty. I visited the district this week and saw the good- ness of the Lord. I held a service, the school- house being filled. The service seemed to be a de- light to all, old and young. This new style of liv- ing has given birth to new tastes and new wants. This I found in my visitations among the families. One lady teacher gave me an order for seven Testa- ments, these to be given to her class. One man, the father of a family, wanted a Bible of large type, with references in it. Another family wanted a book of " select readings " suited to the new con- dition of things ; and, most important of all, a strong request was made for more frequent preach- ing of the gospel. I promised to help all I could. I will try and give them services at least once a month, until more help can be given. They gave $l.2j as a thank-offering. Knowing their circum- stances as I do, it looks as if this gift was worthy of a place in the roll of the " widow's mite." III. INASMUCH. April 22y i8gj. — On Saturday last I left my home for a mission tour in Lincoln County. Spent the Sabbath at Merrill where I gave several talks to the Sabbath-School and people. Early on Monday morning I set out to make my way to the Bloom- ville and Dudley Districts. The distance was fifteen miles along a road which in places was simply 42 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN awful, so deep was the mud, but a careful driver and two good horses, got us safely through. I found my visit was made a little too early in the season as the roads had not settled ; my visi- tations therefore " from house to house " had to be made under difficulties as the roads were in many places deep with mud and water. But I struggled through a portion of the district and held two meetings on different evenings for the purpose of stimulating the people to renewed activ- ity in Sabbath-School work during the coming spring and summer. I was pleased to learn that three of the Sabbath-Schools had been carried on during the winter with varying success. Such dis- tricts, so isolated and possessed of so few Christian workers, need in a very special degree, all the " prayers and help " that more favored Christian people can give them. The Presbyterian Sabbath- School mission agency has done not a little to help along in these lines, for which the people feel grateful. In this district there are upwards of sixty fami- lies located. The only means of grace that has as yet reached them consists of the Sabbath-School, and the occasional services given by the Sabbath- School missionary, or some servant of God who may happen to pass that way. In nearly all the homes good religious reading is to be found, much of which we have supplied. All these things form so many " life lines " that have been thrown out to these people as brethren " whom some one should save." WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 43 Among the families that rejoiced in blessings re- ceived, was one that had been benefited in many ways, and came to express thanks. The four motherless girls of this family are now in close con- tact with a class of twelve girls in Philadelphia; each member of the class sends a weekly letter to these girls whom they have never seen, and whose lives in their little log cabin have been brightened and made better in many ways. All this I can testify to, having known them before and after the inflow of this tide of better things. Oh ! the lux- ury of the blessing, that must come to them that do good, near or far, in Jesus' name. «' Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these ye did it unto me." IV. children's services. Marshfield, Wis., June 28th, i8gj. — The month of June is generally considered the prettiest month of the year. It is appropriate, therefore, that Chil- dren's Day should be held in that month. One of the great objects of these services is to make chil- dren happy by helping children less favored than themselves. They do this by providing money to send out Sabbath-School missionaries to organize and encourage Sabbath-Schools in spiritually desti- tute regions. During the present month, I have had the pleas- ure of presiding over four Children's Day services. All of these were looked forward to, by old and 44 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN young, with absorbing interest, and in consequence, the attendance was large, over one thousand per- sons being present at the four gatherings. The good work done was encouraging, giving tangible evidence of the benefits arising from Sabbath-School mission work — these schools themselves being the fruit of such work. To show how good repeats it- self, the schools gave thirty dollars to the funds of our Board, to assist in sending out missionaries to organize other schools. Knowing as I do the cir- cumstances of these children, this contribution was encouraging in the highest degree. At each of these places, in concluding the services, I took oc- casion to test the children on their knowledge of the Bible, and was much pleased at the answers given. This was a fine commendation of the value of the work. As I scanned the faces of the parents, I saw how pleased they were to have their children taking part in such services. Here, as in other things, success leads to success. By doing good work, the way is opened to do better. We thank God, take courage, and go forward. v. "don't GIVE UP HOPE." July, i8gj. — I spent last week in a new district, mostly in Waushara County, which has a population of over thirteen thousand. On Tuesday last I visited in Plainfield Township. There I came across a con- dition of things which made my heart sad, many families being submerged in a condition of com- WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 45 plete forgetfulness of God, of his day, and of his ordinances, and the children growing up widiout the benefits of any Christian training. I selected a district and visited all the families, sixteen in num- ber. I sought to get acquainted with the people and to help them with the means at my disposal. The people were ready to admit their conditions were bad, both for their children and themselves ; and a feeling of hopelessness, as to anything better, seemed to possess them. I told them not to give up hope ; that I had come for the purpose of help- ing them to help themselves to have the benefits of a Sabbath-School and an occasional preaching service. They seemed to think that I had under- taken a difficult work. But, with faith in God, I resolved to try. A meeting was arranged for in the evening, to be held in the schoolhouse near by. It certainly was a work of faith, and the mountains of difficulty were removed. A good meeting was •held, and a Sabbath-School was organized and placed under the care of a lady, who was one of the few in the district who had any church connection. At the earnest request of the people, I held another service for them on the evening of the 15th of July. VI. " THESE MEETINGS DO US ALL GOOD." Marshfield, Wis.y August 2jd, iSgj. — One prom- inent feature of our past month's work has been the local Sabbath-School Institutes which have been held in different portions of our field. There have 46 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN been four such gatherings, at which nineteen Sab- bath-Schools were represented, drawn from a wide region of country. At these meetings, two or three ministers of our church were present and took part, in addition to the superintendents and Sab- bath-School missionaries. The number of people in attendance was large, reaching to between two and three hundred. The meetings lasted the entire day and were devoted to the interests of Sabbath- School work in one form or another, and these were presented in such a manner as to be interest- ing and helpful to all. In addition to sermons, there were short and snappy addresses bearing upon several phases of Sabbath-School work. A Bible memory contest was held, and prizes awarded. These competitions were attended with good results, as they awakened great interest in this branch of our work. Altogether, the good done by these meetings is very great, deepening and rendering permanent the Sabbath-School work begun in each district. These meetings do good in bringing the people together in a new relation and they help to develop the longing for all that is good and true. When such gatherings come to a close, these words are often heard : " These meetings do us all good." VII. SUMMER WORK. Marshfield, Wis., September 6th, i8gj. — At the spring meeting of the Winnebago Presbytery, it was WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 4/ agreed to ask for the services of four summer Sab- bath-School missionaries, to be placed by me in such parts of the field as seemed best — this to meet with the approval of the chairman of the Presby- tery's Sabbath-School Committee. I met the young men as they came to begin their work, and instructed them as best I could. In each case I directed them to carry on their work in close con- tact with the different pastors near their fields of labor. From the knowledge already in my posses- sion of the work done by these students, it does seem that a grand work was accomplished by them. A fair number of Sabbath-Schools were organized and reorganized, families were visited, and numer- ous districts brought into contact with the word preached, as well as in printed form. I am pleased to know that many of the pastors bear testimony to the good work done. The numerous Sabbath- School Institutes that have been held in each of the districts, have given evidence of the blessed char- acter of the work of these students. It has im- proved whole districts. In addition to these young men, Mr. Mack, a worthy elder from the state of New York, was commissioned and placed in this Presbytery early in the summer. His work has commended itself, and has been much blessed. VIII. DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL AT SHORTVILLE. Marshfield, Wis., October 2jd, i8gj. — The past 48 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN week has been made memorable by the work which has been done in connection with Sabbath-School missions. Two chapels have been dedicated and arrangements made for a similar service, on the 1 8th and 19th of November, at Dell's Dam. On Tuesday, October 17th, the chapel at Short- ville was dedicated. On that occasion three services were held, all of which were well attended and much appreciated. All who attended were kindly entertained at dinner by the people of the settle- ment. It was truly a love feast. P'ive ministers and two Sabbath-School missionaries took part in the day's services. The people of this settlement were grandly helped by the ladies of Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, who gave the sum of ^100.00. A pulpit Bible came from a mem- ber of the Sabbath-School of the same church. The sum of ^15.00 was given by the Wenonah Sabbath-School of New Jersey, to aid in purchas- ing chairs. In recognition of this kindness, the chapel was named, " The Arch Street Shortville Church." The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Rollo Branch, of Marshfield. On Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 22d, dedicatory services were held in connection with the chapel at Trapp City. Two ministers and two Sabbath-School missionaries took part in the services. On Saturday, the dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. W. O. Carrier, of Wausau, assisted by Rev. James Ford, of Merrill. Here also the peo- WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 49 pie attending these services were kindly entertained at dinner by the inhabitants of the settlement. En- couraging help was given to this district by one of the devoted elders of the North Broad Street Presby- terian Church, Philadelphia, who donated ^loo.oo. Aid was also rendered by some of the members of the Presbyterian Church at Wausau. By this timely assistance, the people were enabled to erect their chapel in one of the most needy districts of the mission field. The services were continued throughout the Sabbath by Messrs. Brown and Mack, Sabbath-School missionaries. Officers for the Sabbath-School were elected and everything put in good shape for work. These chapels, completed, cost ^400.00. They are sufficient for the purpose and will be the means of great spiritual good to the people of the various settlements for years to come. May God bless all coming work which shall be done in these Sabbath-School mission chapels ! IX. DEVELOPMENTS AT DELL's DAM. Marshfield^ Wis., November 21st, 18 gj. — The laying of the foundation stone of the " Ox- ford" Dell's Dam Sabbath-School Mission Chapel, is worthy of being recorded. This was an event that awakened the deepest interest among the fami- lies of the district ; all turned out, dressed in their best. The people formed in procession and walked to the church in the following order : Sabbath- School scholars first, led by the superintendent, ac- $0 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN companied by Mr. Oakley, an elder of the Presby- terian church, of Neillsville, and myself; and then came the fathers and mothers. Truly it was a sight to behold, and one well fitted to awaken hopeful thoughts of a far-reaching nature. It might well be classed as one of those scenes calculated to awaken interest even among the " Angelic host." Suitable services occupied the day, two hours being set aside for dinner and social intercourse ; the latter being an important element for good at all such meetings, giving reality to the idea ofa Christian brotherhood. This people have done well, having out of their small means, subscribed ^300.00 for the church. Grand help came to them from the children and young people of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, they having given ;^ 100.00, and an organ. They also promised to send one hundred books for the library. For all this the people feel glad and thankful. November i8th and 19th, 1893, were days which will be memorable to the people in the district of Dell's Dam, for on these days the dedication of the new chapel took place. The weather was all that could be desired. The services were well attended and much appreciated, and were conducted by Rev. T. C. Hill and Mr. Oakley, both of Neillsville, as- sisted by Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. Mrs. McAdams and Mrs. Oakley, also from Neills- ville, took charge of the musical part of the pro- gramme, and delighted the people with sweet strains WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 5 I from the organ which had been so kindly presented to them. On Saturday the people were entertained at a sumptuous dinner provided by the good housewives of the district. The chapel, which is neat and well finished and which is capable of accommodating above one hundred persons, cost ^404.00. It was intimated that the Sabbath-School of We- nonah. New Jersey, would present the chapel with sixty chairs. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to these kind friends, and to all others who had in any way given aid. This chapel is the seventh that has been erected in the needy fields of this state under the auspices of the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sab- bath-School Work within five years. These form the entering wedge which will lift the people to a higher and happier life, and supply important ob- ject lessons in illustrating how Sabbath-School work is being made successful and permanent. X. INSTITUTE AT LITTLE RIVER. Marshfieldy Wis., December, 18 gj, — The hearts of the people of the Presbyterian Church in town and country are beating in Christlike sympathy for Sabbath-School missions. We make this statement because of what we have seen and heard. On three successive Sabbath evenings, after doing 52 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN missionary work in the regions around I was privi- leged to address the following churches, Poynette, Fort Howard and Oconto. In each of these I found the pastors and members in hearty accord with our Christlike work. Four weeks ago, I made a profitable visit to Mr. James Bain, the Sabbath-School missionary for Madison Presbytery. I went over some of the fields of work opened by him, and in each place found that the work done was grand and hopeful. Notwithstanding a blinding snowstorm, which took place during the time of my visit, the people came out in goodly numbers and filled up the little schoolhouses where the meetings were held. In every place I found evidences of good work being done. On Saturday, December 2d, the last Sabbath- School Institute for the year was held at Little River, in the County of Oconto. The arrangements for this meeting were made under the direction of Brother Bossard, pastor of Oconto church, and Brother Very, home missionary for the districts of Styles and Little River. The institute was a grand success. Although the snow was ten inches deep, the families of the settlement turned out in goodly numbers ; there was also a delegation of twenty-five noble hearted ladies from Oconto to aid in the serv- ices of the day. The papers and addresses were excellent, and brimful of suggestions helpful in Sab- *bath-School work. The institute closed with the WIDE-SPREAD INTEREST 53 usual Scripture memory class, under the guidance of Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary. The appreciation of the people was such that it was ac^reed to hold another institute next June. CHAPTER VI GATHER THEM IN And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. — Luke 14 : 2j. I. A Great Change. H. Scotland Interested. III. One Week's Work for the Master. I. A great change. April ^thy iSg/j.. — On my way to visit Hewitts- ville, I met Rev. Mr. Hill, the new pastor of Neills- ville, who accompanied me in order to see the needs of the field. We visited fourteen famiHes and arranged for a meeting. Fifty people assembled, coming from homes far and scattered. The visit- ing pastor was astonished and impressed at the sight. The meeting was a stirring one, all appar- ently feeling that it was good for them to be there. While taking supper in one of the homes, the father of the family remarked : " Before this Sabbath-School work began we played cards all the Sabbath day, but now all this is changed and we all try to spend the day as God commanded it should be spent." April 2jth. — I visited Stratford to-day for the first 54 Gather them in 55 time. This is a new center of habitation about fourteen miles from Marshfield. Here are a saw- mill, a boarding house, fourteen homes, a fine new schoolhouse, and, sad to say, three saloons. I called upon the school board and obtained permis- sion to hold service in the schoolroom. I visited all the homes, leaving reading material and inviting the inmates to attend the meeting. A good and at- tentive audience assembled. At the end of the service, a Sabbath-School was organized. The majority of the people are connected with the Catho- lic Church, although there is a goodly number to be reached by the Sabbath-School and the occasional services connected with it. April 2gth. — I went out to visit the Kelly Sab- bath-School, accompanied by two good brothers of Wausau, who have, during the past year, done no- ble work in connection with the school of that place. Last year the school was reorganized for the fifth time. Before, for various reasons, it failed, but this year it is a grand success, through the bless- ing of God upon the untiring zeal of the two work- ers to whom I have referred. During the past year they have driven sixteen miles every Sabbath to su- perintend and teach in that Sabbath-School. The membership is now eighty-five, many of the people coming five miles in order to be present. There is a Bible class composed of twenty-five men. " Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap, if ye faint not." 56 SABBATH-SCIIOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN II. SCOTLAND INTERESTED. Marshficld, Wis., November igth, iSg^. — Last week I went to Neillsville to join Rev. Mr. Hill in a week's mission work at Dell's Dam. At the close of the week's services, ten persons signed a petition, desiring to be formed into a Presbyterian congrega- tion. This result cheered us greatly. While sojourning at the parsonage a Scotch pa- per, entitled The Hamilton Advertiser of September 15, 1894, was placed in my hands, containing the following graphic letter, written by Mr. Hill. This letter gives a good idea of the cooperative work of the missionaries and ministers of this state : '* On Tuesday morning, according to arrangement, Mr. Joseph Brown, Sabbath-School missionary for the Synod of Wisconsin, arrived at the manse about half-past seven o'clock. He had come on the train from his own home that morning, some thirty miles distant. We had breakfast, and started at eight o'clock to a district called Weston, eight miles from Neillsville, our objects being to visit the farmers for six miles around ; to hold a service in one of the schoolhouses, of which there are two; and, if possi- ble, to organize a Sabbath-School. We made some calls on the way, and reached a Mrs. Black's about twelve o'clock. She is a Scotch woman, a member of our church in town. Her husband died some time ago, and her son now manages the farm. Here we were well entertained, had a rest, and started on the road again after one o'clock, our in- GATHER THEM IN 5/ tention being to visit right on to the end of the section, fourteen miles from Neillsville, where the roads stop on the edge of the forest land. " We got to the end of the road. On the top of the hill here stands a nice little white schoolhouse just on the edge of the forest, the tall trees form- ing a shady and picturesque background. Mr. Brown opened his bag at the schoolhouse, and it would have done you good to have seen how de- lighted these children were to receive magazines suited to their ages full of beautiful pictures and good wholesome reading. There were forty chil- dren in this school, and there is neither church nor Sabbath-School in the district. I may tell you that there are no ragged children here, nor poor chil- dren in the sense we understand it at home. Some of the farmers have not much money, but they have good homes, always plenty to eat, and can manage to clothe themselves and their children in a respectable way. The girls had on light calico dresses, and the boys — well, in summer, with the thermometer above one hundred, a pair of trousers, with a printed shirt, a straw hat, minus boots and stockings, completed their attire. These children, bright and intelligent looking, acted as missionaries for us. They carried the word to their homes that we were going to have a service in the schoolhouse in the evening. We had supper at Mr. BuUard's, whose wife is of Scotch descent — M'Kelvie being her maiden name. The farm of Mr. Bullard is the 58 SABBATH-SCnOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN best for twelve miles round about. He settled here sixteen years ago, cleared the land of the wood, and has now something like eighty acres under cultivation. His house is beautifully situated on the top of a hill. It is a large house, and has plenty of accommodations for visitors. Here we had supper and it is enough for me to say that we were entertained like princes. If kings, in the imagina- tion of the children, live on bread and honey, we were entertained like kings, for we had bread and honey fresh from the ' skep,' of which I counted twenty-three in the front garden. Speaking of the bees and how the Strathaven weavers carry the ' skeps,' out to the heather, Mrs. Bullard wanted to be enlightened. She actually wanted to know what heather was like ; she had only heard about it, but had never seen it. She expressed a desire to have a piece. Now here is a task for some of your young men, to climb Kype rigg and pull a nice piece, and enclose it in a double-sized envelope. It will be valued by more than this lady, as there are many of Scotch descent who have never seen the heather, although they have often heard about it and the heath clad hills. " But to my story of the day's work. After a good rest, we started for the schoolhouse, and held a service there at eight o'clock. There were sixty- five present, half of that number being young men and women. It is more than a year since a re- ligious service was held in the schoolhouse; and GATHER THEM IN 59 what makes it worse is, that few of the farmers come into church at Neillsville on Sunday. It is a long road, and as they all do their own work about the farms, it is almost impossible to get to town. The vexing part of the whole subject is that the religious training of the young is sadly neglected. We hope, however, to remedy it, and if we did nothing else than reach and influence these young people in their different districts, we would do a work impossible to over-estimate in importance. We have already preached in six different country districts, and were asked last week to preach in a seventh, and all this, independent of our church work in town, gives you some idea of the great need. Our Presbytery, I hope, will take the matter up and send a missionary or a student to help me. This has been talked about, but the funds of the Home Mission Board have suffered through the de- pression in trade felt all over the land. " After the service, we got on the road about half- past nine o'clock, with good eight miles before us to reach Neillsville. Imagine one of the balmiest evenings at home, with a full moon and not a cloud in the sky, and you will have some idea of the night. Our longest summer evenings here are shorter by two hours than those at home. It is dark here just now at half past eight o'clock, while you will have it light on a clear night till after ten. This, of course, gives us a longer and cooler summer evening. The drive home was de- 60 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN lightful. We overtook not a single person, nor did a single person or machine pass us the whole way. The farmhouses on the road were all in darkness. " Early to bed, early to rise," is necessity here if the farmers would do their work and escape the midday heat. One part of the forest appeared, at a distance, to be on fire. As we came nearer we discovered that a farmer had been clearing about two acres of the forest. We counted thirteen heaps of branches and brushwood, and all these heaps were burning, and this is how they clear the land and prepare it for cultivation. " We struck off on to what, we were told, was a shorter road home. I had never traveled it. Mr. Brown had taken it once. It was a pretty road. It was deeply shaded by forest on either side, and not knowing it very well, we had to be cautious, lest our horse and gig would flounder in some hole. It was a great relief to get into the open country, with the moon to light us on our way. We passed four great mounds all in a row ; after the shape of Loudon Hill, one of them as high. They were wooded to their summits, and looked weird and fantastic in the moonlight. We were enjoying it immensely when we were brought to ourselves — not by brigands, if you please, but by the fact that it suddenly dawned upon us that we had lost our way. We had gone over a good piece of ground, it was after ten o'clock, and we found no road turning southward to take us home to Neillsville. Mr. GATHER THEM IN 6l Brown began to laugh, and, breaking out into broad Scotch, said : ' I dinna mind the road very weel, and I'm no very share as to whaur we are.' Lost or not lost, it was positively reassuring to hear one's mother tongue here on this lonely road more than four thousand five hundred miles from home. At last, after driving on a mile or so, we struck a road going east, and when we got to the top of the hill, we came in full view of the electric light of Neillsville, and knew that we were all right. We got home after eleven o'clock, having had a good day's work, and feeling very much in need of a good night's sleep. This diary of a day gives you some idea of the great field we have here and the great work yet to be done." III. ONE week's work FOR THE MASTER. Marshfield, Wis.,Jmie yth, i8g^. — Jesus sent out his disciples to prepare his way, two by two. We may be sure this was a wise and successful plan, and worthy of our imitation. Following his ex- ample, Mr. Genung, missionary for Chippewa Pres- bytery, and myself, made plans last month to work together for a week, in the counties of Dun and St. Croix, the week to begin on May 7th. On my arrival at Hudson, the headquarters of Mr. Genung, I was met and kindly entertained by the Presbyterian minister of the place, the Rev. Charles T. Burnley. On the morning of May 8th, I was joined by my fellow-worker, and we prepared 62 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN to begin the work of the week. We took an early- train for Wilson, where we left some of our bag- gage, having the prospect before us of a long walk and an exceedingly warm day. Our destination was a district peopled by a good many Scotch families. For a time, we walked along the railroad track. While doing so an engine came along and the engineer stopped and took us up and conveyed us to a place called Knapp. We had a good talk with both workmen on the engine. Leaving Knapp, we began to ascend a steep bluff. The road being circuitous and sandy, with the ther- mometer about 90°, you can readily imagine that it was a warm climb. When at school, one of our copy-book maxims was, " Perseverance overcomes difficulties " ; by perseverance, we finally reached the Millar settlement, arriving at the home of the first family just in time for dinner. We were heartily welcomed by this good Scotch family and after partaking of a bountiful repast, we had a little praise service, singing in conclusion the 1 00th Psalm in true Scotch style; prayer was then offered for the blessing of God to rest upon the assembled family. In the evening, our kind host drove us to the Hall schoolhouse for the evening service. Here a Sabbath-School had been organized and it was to help and stimulate this work that we had come. We had a good audience, and the people seemed to be benefited and encouraged by the visit and GATHER THEM IN 63 service. It is interesting to meet and make friends under such circumstances. The meeting over, after a hearty hand-shake all around, we returned to the home of our host ; this we reached after a most deHghtful drive, the even- ing being very fine. On Thursday, May 9th, we were up bright and early. This is one of the requirements of a mis- sionary in these country homes, and it has its ad- vantages as it lengthens the day and gives oppor- tunity for a " big " day's work. At eight o'clock we made a start for another field of labor, the Kimball District. This was ten miles distant. The walk was long, but very suggestive. The beauties of nature were a joy to see ; but some of the lonely homes we visited exhibited conditions much lower than we like to see as the heritage of the common people of America. They need the elevation and joy of Christianity to lift them up and make bearable their lot in life. From house to house we went, spoke kindly to the people, and put into their hands the Word of Life. We reached the first family in the Kimball Dis- trict at 5 p. M. It was an humble but hospitable home, as, in fact, all the homes are which it is a missionary's lot to visit. Having partaken of sup- per, we set out with the family to the schoolhouse. The building was filled by a most attentive audi- ence. The service did all present good and deep- ened their interest in Sabbath-School work. Here, 64 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN as elsewhere, we shook hands and made more friends to be remembered in our prayers and to share our efforts. On Friday, May lOth, we were early astir, with the prospect of a walk of five miles on a solitary road deep with mud. Our destination was Glen- wood, a town eight years old with a population of over two thousand. Here we found a Presbyterian church and Sabbath-School, the results of our mis- sionaries' labors. The purpose of our visit here was the same as in other places : to encourage and to instruct. We visited families and held service in a hall which had been nicely fitted up by the Syme Manufacturing Company for Sabbath-Schools and meetings, and truly it has been well-equipped for the purpose. At the end of the service, questions were asked and answered in relation to Sabbath- School work. We found them a noble people with a beautiful city which has no saloon, a wonder in this part of the state. Saturday, May nth. — To-day we had to use a team to drive nine miles to where another Sunday- School is doing its blessed work. We had a meet- ing in the evening and met with good results. The superintendent of this Sabbath-School said to us, " We love Mr. Genung for organizmg this Sabbath-School and giving us preaching services oc- casionally. A minister of another church paid us a visit and looked over our spiritual needs. Before GATHER THEM IN 65 he would give us help he asked how much money we would pay for a service every other Sabbath. The amount mentioned was not enough to satisfy him and he passed away leaving us in a wounded condition. Mr. Genung acted the part of the good Samaritan, and we love him for it." This is a suggestive statement and well worth the consideration of all lovers of aggressive Christian effort. Stinday, May I2th. — This was a busy day, but it was blessed in its results, as was evidenced by per- sonal testimony. We drove twenty-three miles, and held Sabbath-School and three preaching services. In the morning we were at Inlet, and had a good meeting in that needy field. We took the names of all the families and placed them under the Portal mission. In the afternoon another helpful meeting was held at Hemple. This meeting rejoiced the people, and many kind invita- tions were given to the missionaries for a repetition of their visit. At 7 : 30 p. M. a service was held at Glenwood, where the hall was filled with an intelligent and ap- preciative audience. These services have been to us both suggestive and memorable. Suggestive, in so far as the results tend to confirm the grandeur and the wisdom of this branch of our Church's work ; memorable, on account of the pleasant associations, and the many blessings which God in his goodness showered down 66 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN on the people, young and old, who composed the audiences. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the greatest thing in the world. Let us follow the example of our blessed Master, whose record is, ** He went about doing good." A little verse in one of our late magazines, entitled *' The World's Need " has impressed itself on my mind. Let me pass it on : " So many paths that wind and wind, "While just the art of being kind Is what our sad world needs." CHAPTER VII FROM PLACE TO PLACE And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. — Matt. I. Our Efforts Appreciated. II. A Blessed Day's Work. III. A Spring Tour. IV. Triumphs of Sabbath-School Missions IN Marathon County. V. North Lowell. VI. Taking Possession. VII. Sixteen Miles on a Hand-Car. I. OUR EFFORTS APPRECIATED. Marshfield, Wis., March, j^, i8g6.—As I sit and think, in the few restful hours which I am enjoying to-day, my mind is engrossed with the great possi- bihties of the Sabbath-School mission work in this state. Eight years' service in this branch of work has impressed me with its importance. The ques- tion presents itself to me, *' How can I best get others to feel the same enthusiasm ? " I have come 67 68 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN to the conclusion that one of the answers to that question is, " By endeavoring to portray some of the good resuhs of the work which has been in progress during these years." As an illustration of some of these, I have cut from papers of recent date, two articles, the first of which, taken from the Portage Democrat of February 14th, shows the ap- preciation of the work of Owen J. Owen, who labors during the summer in the interests of Sab- bath-School work. The contents of the paragraph give ample testimony that Mr. Owen's labors have been greatly blessed. The second article is from the Belleville Recorder of February 28th, and gives an account of one of the many Sabbath-School Institutes which are being held all over the state in the interests of Sabbath-School mission work. The missionaries find that this method of work is pro- ductive of wonderful success. The Portage Demo- crat says : ** Last Wednesday night the many friends of Mr. O. J. Owen, gave him a surprise. About 7:30 p. m., the teams began to arrive all loaded down, and by eight o'clock the house was packed, about one hun- dred people being present. This was a meeting of people interested in Sabbath-School matters and they met to show their appreciation of the work that Mr. Owen has been doing in the surrounding localities in organizing Sabbath-Schools. There were three schools represented, two of them organized by Mr. Owen. In due time the meeting was called to FROM PLACE TO PLACE 69 order, by the chairman, Mr. G. Rice. Mr. Owen was presented with an elegant gold watch and chain and fountain pen, also a few dollars in cash. The presentation address was made by Mrs. Jennie Row- lands, in behalf of the schools, in a befitting man- ner. Mr. Owen responded, thanking his friends for their respect, good will and support in carrying on the good work. The programme then was carried out in recitations, singing and debating, which all enjoyed. As usual, the ladies had come prepared to satisfy the most delicate epicure and proceeded to serve the crowd. After spending a few social hours, all left for their respective homes, feeling that the evening was well spent." The following is from the Belleville Recorder: " The Sabbath-School Institute at the Presby- terian church Saturday and Sabbath was a most flattering success. The attendance was large, the house being filled to its utmost capacity. The ad- dresses and papers as called for by the published programme were all forthcoming and were pro- nounced of a high order of merit. The sermons of Rev. Joseph Brown were extremely interesting and practical, and full of good suggestions to the young. The work performed by both himself and Rev. James M. Bain can hardly fail to produce good re- sults. The Sabbath morning session was devoted mostly to methods of making the Sabbath-Schools better and more attractive. There were many able papers. The afternoon session was devoted to 70 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN little people, and the attention which they paid to this service goes farther than words to tell that it Wcis highly enjoyed, and was very beneficial to them. The closing session was taken up by the young people. There were many interesting facts presented at this service that should be utilized by both old and young. May the time speed on to the day when this village may enjoy another such rare treat as this Sabbath-School convention." II. A BLESSED DAY's WORK. Marslifield, Wis., March 20th, i8g6. — A day well spent in the mission field for the Master, brings with it a holy joy. Such a day was yesterday. At 9 A. M. I started from Neillsville to visit the mission district of Pine Valley. The pastor of the Neills- ville church drove me two miles in order to facilitate the work of the day. I was enabled to visit twelve families of that district, with all of whom I had pleasant, loving converse. I left in their possession some of our missionary literature, which is always productive of good results. In all the missionaries' home-to-home visitations, the following grand words apply : •♦ The loving toil of the Sabbath- School missionaries and the self-sacrifice of their lives make just the needed link that, alas, is so often lacking between the ungospeled and the gospel itself. They will not believe in God's love, unless they see it lived out and manifested in the hearts of those who give the message, and that in the most FROM PLACE TO PLACE 7 1 practical and uncontroversial way." Going amongst the people and taking them just as we find them and striving to do them all the good in our power, has a wonderful influence over their hearts and lives, and also over our own. I visited one home and found the father and mother absent; on exploring further, however, I discovered them at the wood pile, engaged in saw- ing wood. I did not interrupt their work, but had an interesting talk with them, which they seemed to enjoy exceedingly. At the next house I visited, I found the good wife of the household busied in preparations for dinner. She apologized for her appearance (her clothing being covered with hay seed), saying that she had been assisting her hus- band in moving some hay. In the midst of the preparations for the noonday meal, I had a pleasant chat with the various members of the family, and was cordially invited to remain to dinner. This I gladly did, as I was feeling hungry from my long tramp (the presence of a few hay seeds in some of the dishes being no barrier to my enjoyment). A little further along I came to a house standing at a short distance from the road. When I entered I found only the wife and children present. I talked with them and invited them to come out to the evening service, and requested especially the attendance of the male members of the family. One of the men came in. He had never been known to attend a religious gathering in the history of the 72 SABBATH-SCnOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN settlement. He was a most attentive listener, and only God knows what will be the result of his hear- ing the gospel message on that occasion. I went across the fields to the next dwelling. On my way I had to pass through several wire fences, which, by reason of past experiences, are always a terror to me, my clothes frequently bearing witness to their danger. I found the members of the family engaged at work in the clearing up of a field. I chatted with them for a time, commending them heartily on their endeavors to make success of their farm. These unconventional visits are always well received, and this one was no exception. A kindly invitation was extended me at parting to visit them at their home either by night or b}^ day. I went to the little schoolhouse near by, addressed the children, and left a present with the teacher to give to the scholar who received a perfect mark for conduct during the day. Thus I went, from house to house, until I reached the chapel of the Prince of Peace, which had recently been erected. In the chapel I found ten mothers busily engaged in mak- ing a quilt, which was to be sold to purchase an organ for the Sabbath-School. Of these dear women with toil-hardened hands, it may well be said : " Silver and gold have they none, but such as they have they give." Here I rested for a short season. A neighbor kindly hitched up his team and drove me to the new settlement where I arranged to have a meeting in the near future and organize a Sab- ►J < s < X W a! U u < w 3h Z FROM PLACE TO PLACE 73 bath-School. Then I returned to a home near the chapel, where I rested until time for the evening service, which was well attended by an appreciative audience. There being many young people pres- ent, I gave an address especially to them. As an evidence of their careful attention, I found that they were able to repeat the leading thoughts of the talk. Thus ended one day of work in the vineyard of the Master, the results of which are in his hands, and will be made manifest in the lives of the people. The faith of the Apostle is ours : No work done for the Master in a right spirit ever fails of blessed re- sults. This one day of labor is a fair example of the work done by all Sabbath -School missionaries in the needy fields of our country. III. A SPRING TOUR. Marsh field, Wis., May ist, i8g6. — I went to Eagle last month to take part in the Sabbath- School Institute, superintended by the Rev. Henry L. Brown, and Mr. Lane, Sabbath-School mission- ary. Five services were held during Saturday and Sabbath, April 6th and /th. Four Sabbath-Schools were represented, and a fine spirit of Christian unity prevailed. The addresses and papers were able and appropriate, and the blessings received were great. I went from Eagle to Waukesha and visited Mr. Forbes, the new Sabbath-School missionary. I had 74 SABBATH-SCIIOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN a pleasant conference with him as to future work. I visited Carroll College and addressed the students there, by special request. On the 9th, I went to Oshkosh to attend a meet- ing of Winnebago Presbytery. There are five Presbyteries in Wisconsin, and all of them hold their spring meetings during the month of April. As Synodical Sabbath-School missionary, it is my duty to attend as many of these meetings as pos- sible. It is good to keep in close and loving touch with the various pastors and elders, in order to keep them informed of the progress of the great work in which we are engaged. On the 1 2th, I went to West Salem to attend the Presbytery of La Crosse. I reached there on Fri- day in time to make an address on our work at the evening public meeting. The subject of the even- ing was " Missions." The audience was large and appreciative. I had a pleasant conference with the pastors and elders. Mr. Lane is the new mission- ary for the Presbytery, and at this meeting he was introduced to the brethren. His work is in a field which is truly " white unto harvest." On Sabbath, the 14th, it was my privilege to worship in the morning at the First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse and to teach the Bible class. In the afternoon I visited and took part in the Sab- bath-School service of the North mission school, and in the evening I did the same in Grace Sab- bath-School. There are three mission Sabbath- FROM PLACE TO PLACE 75 Schools in La Crosse, the results of mission work of the First and North churches. On the 17th and i8th, I attended the meeting of the Milwaukee Presbytery, at Racine, and the Presbyterian Christian Endeavor Union meeting — the latter being held in connection with the Presby- tery. I had the privilege of addressing the people three times. I felt much benefited by the many excellent papers and addresses, and by the profitable talks. At these meetings Mr. Forbes, our new missionary, got a fine introduction to many of the people. On the 20th and 2ist, I labored with Mr. Bain at Deerfield, a mission station under the care of the Madison Presbyterian Church. Important work was done in this district, and steps were taken to build a mission chapel. The services held during our visit were well attended and much appreciated. May God bless the work so much needed and so hopefully begun ! I was unable to visit the Presbytery of Chippewa, on account of its meetings being held on the same days as the La Crosse Presbytery. Mr. E. S. Genung is the Sabbath-School missionary for this Presbytery and is doing grand work. He is ably assisted by all the brethren of the Presbytery. The Madison Presbytery met on the 23d, at Oregon. Owincf to a combination of circum- stances, I was unable to be present, but our work had an able representative in the person of Mr. 76 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Bain. He has won the confidence and cooperation of all the pastors and is doing grand work for the cause of Christ among the many needy districts of his Presbytery. On April 25th I went to Fenwood, a new field. It is a sawmill district and has a population of about two hundred. They have two saloons, but no Christian agency to counteract the work which Satan has begun in their midst. Visited fourteen families and arranged for a service in the new schoolhouse. It was filled by an attentive and ap- preciative audience when the meeting was held. At the close of the service, a vote was taken in favor of organizing a Sabbath-School, but un- fortunately no one could be found who was willing to act as superintendent of the school so I had to be content with leaving lesson papers and cards among the families. On April 26th I visited Whiting's mill, another new field a few miles below Stevens Point, on the bank of the Wisconsin River. I was accompanied by Rev. E. P. Rankine, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Stevens Point. On April 27th and 28th I visited, in company with Mr. Rankine, the McGregor settlement in Waushara County, thirty miles below Stevens Point, to aid in the organization of a Presbyterian church at that place. The work was performed with many evidences of God's favor. The weather was fine and the services were well attended. The church FROM PLACE TO PLACE 7/ was formed, with sixteen members. Two elders were ordained, and sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. It was a day to be remembered by all who were present, and will mark a new era in the life of the people of the district. May God's blessing continue to rest upon the work ! On April 30th I went to Free District in the town of Weston in the northwest part of Clark County. On my way to the place, in addition to house-to- house visitation, I paused at the schoolhouse where the children were at play and distributed some of our beautiful primary lesson cards. They promised to read them" and learn the golden text. Their childish delight was pleasant to see. Every true Sabbath-School missionary is a firm believer in the beautiful words : " a little child shall lead them." I held a service in the Free schoolhouse and re- organized the Sabbath-School, to the great delight of parents and children. The school consists of four teachers and thirty children. Thus the seed has been sown during the past month. May it bring forth abundant fruit ! If we could only make known the intense needs of these people who are scattered over this broad state " like sheep without a shepherd," surely every heart and voice would be lifted in prayer, and every hand stretched out in hearty assistance. The days speed away and are soon months, the months are rapidly speeding into years, and thus our lives pass away. May we remember, one and all, God's command to 78 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN " work while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work." IV. TRIUMPHS OF SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN MARATHON COUNTY. Jime 8thy i8g6. — In company with Mr. Strand, we set out on Friday morning, June 5th. Stopped for two hours at a place called Norrie, a small village in the woods. Some years ago we helped these people in their efforts to establish a " Char- acter Manufactory " in the shape of a Sabbath- School. Now they have also a church, and a Christian Endeavor Society. We visited five fam- ilies and cheered and encouraged them. This visit revived the old affection and brought sweet memories of a gracious past. We went ten miles farther to the village of Aniwa. Here the remainder of the day was spent in visitation. In the evening an interesting meet- ing was held in the schoolhouse ; it was attended by a goodly number of young people, all of whom seemed to appreciate the services. A Sabbath- School service is held, and also a weekly service every Friday evening. A Ladies' Aid Society has been formed and they are talking of having a little church building of their own. We promised to help them to help themselves in this noble purpose. We lodged for the night in a home in the great forest. At seven o'clock on Saturday morning we set out on our work of the day. For five miles our FROM PLACE TO PLACE 79 road was through the forest, in the direction of the Hogarty settlement. We visited the lonely homes of the few settlers to be found. Such house-to- house visitation is most blessed ; on this occasion it was specially so. The people seemed to appreciate such visits so much. Heart response was earnest and beautiful, as was shown by the glint of the silent tear and the warm clasp of the hand. We reached the Hogarty settlement about the noonday hour. While there, we visited the families of the place, and put into their hands precious tracts. We did what we could to revive interest in Sabbath- School work. A request was made for occasional services. Among this handful of people, in the dense forest, twenty-four miles from the nearest church, there are a saloon and dancing hall. Only think of it! Such a place is in a desperate ex- tremity, and calls loudly to the people of God for help. Let it not call in vain ! We set out for the Johnston settlement, four miles farther, and stopped at a Norwegian's home in the forest for dinner. The dinner was not only good, but was given with grace and heartiness — but this is so everywhere. Reaching our destination, we ar- ranged to hold a cottage service in the home of Mr. McDonald. The meeting was a grand success. Twenty-eight persons were present, six of whom stood up, thus expressing their desire to become Christians. One man promised to look after the Sabbath-School work. 80 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN We lodged for the night in the same house. We left on Sabbath morning at eight o'clock, making for the Knowles settlement, to be present at the Sab- bath-School and preaching services, which are held in the beautiful chapel every Sabbath. The serv- ice on this occasion was delightful. Many chubby faces graced the meeting, and there were also many parents. A grand work is done here, over sixty persons being present at the Sabbath-School and preaching service. Such a sight is worth going miles to see and to take part in. All honor to those who lend a helping hand in such blessed work! At 12:30 the meeting closed. We took dinner in an humble home near by. Our next point was Kelly, where we desired to be present at the Sabbath-School. We had seven miles to drive. As we went, we halted at the Sandy Sabbath-School house in order to see it — so grand in its humbleness. Here a Sabbath-School is held every Sabbath morning, and a service every Wed- nesday evening, the place being always filled. The Kelly chapel was reached before three o'clock. As we approached we saw the people neatly dressed, making their way to the house of God. How beau- tiful ; how grand ! And what a blessed Sabbath- School service ! Over one hundred persons were present to drink in the water of life as it was given from the pure fountain of God's Word. It was a blessed privilege to engage in such a service, in such a place, with such memories of noble work done. « ■Si D O r ►J o o a u ■r. 33 FROM PLACE TO. PLACE 8 1 The service ended at five o'clock, after which we were driven to Wausau in the carriage of one of the humble workers from that church. Thus ended our mission trip of sixty miles, over fields all grandly helped by the pastors, elders and members of the Wausau Presbyterian Church. Nor is this all. There are three other fields on which they have laid a helping hand : Westside, Trapp City and Ribb Hill. At each of these places, a noble work is being done. We hope and pray that such work will be maintained and extended. The above description is not only honorable for the church concerned, but it is interesting and helpful, as showing forth the lines along which the needy and spiritually destitute are to be evangelized. V. NORTH LOWELL. May ^th, i8g6. — The beautiful Presbyterian chapel in North Lowell was dedicated yesterday with appropriate ceremonies. For some years a mission Sabbath-School was carried on in this neighborhood, five miles south of Beaver Dam, in private houses and in the schoolhouse. By the liberality of Alfred Percival Smith, Esq., of Phila- delphia, ^200.00 was given to the chapel to perpet- uate the memory of his deceased mother, who was a great lover of and worker in Sabbath-Schools. The new building will be known as the Corneha Stanley Allen Smith Memorial Chapel. Seward Pendleton, of North Lowell, gave a 82 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN pleasant site, and the people of the settlement and their friends, gave their money and labor to the ag- gregate of about ^300. Joseph Brown, state Sab- bath-School missionary, preached three times on the Sabbath, and the Revs. R. K. Wharton and T. S. Johnson, of Beaver Dam, A. Woodhead, C. Plank, A. P. Lawrence, John Dumas, J. W. Ganes, of Lowell, Rudolph Edwards of Milwaukee, made brief addresses. A pleasing feature was the reading of an original poem by Mrs. Etta M. Dumas, which gave a description of the North Lowell Mission, which is under the care of the Assembly Presby- terian Church of Beaver Dam. THE SMITH MEMORIAL CHAPEL. BY ETTA M. DUMAS. " Sow the good seed ! " spake one whose voice the prophets heard of old ; His servants listening heard the voice, and saw without the fold Wide barren fields and treeless wastes waiting the sower's hand, So he, with song and prayer went forth and sowed throughout the land. And some seed by the wayside fell, and some on stony ground ; Some, falling where the ground was good, a surer foothold found, And yielded to the sower's hand a greater gain than gold — Some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundredfold. Right here a tiny Sabbath-School took root and slowly grew Through difficulties great and small, for helpers, strong and true, God sent to comfort and protect the plant his love had sown, His sleepless eye will ne'er neglect to guard and guide his own. FROM PLACE TO PLACE 83 " Sow the good seed ! " again went forth the Master's low com- mand; And one gave freely of his time, and one gave of his land ; And some gave gold, and some gave toil, with willing earnest hands. And lo ! an offering to God, this little chapel stands. About it, fancy almost sees the radiant, smiling one, Who gave more generously than all to aid us, through her son : The tried, true friend of Sabbath-Schools, we hold her memory dear; «< She being dead, yet speaketh " words of happiness and cheer. Oh ! may we realize how great God's watchful care has been. And closer live to him each day, and other weak ones win. We know by these good gifts of his, we do not walk alone. For on our poor imperfect work his loving smile has shone. And many a one in after years may point to this, and say : « 'Twas there my Christian life began ; 'twas there I learned to pray." A higher word of praise than this no mortal tongue has told ; A sure reward laid up in heaven, more precious far than gold. And while we gather here to-day to praise, and pray, and sing. And dedicate this chapel to the service of our King, May we not hope that in that land that gave the impulse birth, The angels are rejoicing o'er this little spot of earth ? We may, indeed ! We know he smiles on all our labors here ; That work for Jesus, great or small, brings heaven very near. So let us bring more willing hands and greater faith and love. And serve him till he bids us come to dwell with him above. VI. TAKING POSSESSION. On the 30th of June, 1896, I entered a new field ten miles northeast of Black River Falls, and found 84 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN a scattered settlement of mixed nationalities. In my visitations, I discovered that many of the par- ents could not speak EngHsh but that the children could — thanks to the work done in the httle school- house near by. As I went from house to house, I was especially attracted to the children. In sev- eral cases, as I gave out the lesson papers, the little ones took them and read them in the hearing of their parents and myself, and this greatly delighted me. I learned that I was the first person who had ever visited the settlement with a view to planting a Christian organization. This being so, like the ex- plorers of new continents, I took possession of the settlement in the name of King Jesus, the Saviour of the world and the children's special Friend. I found the number of famihes to be about twenty- five. The center of the settlement was the post office. Finding that, at present, a Sabbath-School could not be organized, I resolved to form the set- tlement into a Home Sabbath-School. The post mistress readily agreed to distribute the necessary material. I left a package of lesson papers with each of the twenty-five households. This arrangement seemed to please them all, especially the children and young people. This day's experience shows in a striking man- ner, the simple yet important form in which good work may be done. No settlement need be left un- helped. The beginning of good may be like the FROM PLACE TO PLACE 85 mustard seed, which, by the blessing of God, may grow into a wide-spreading tree. Vn. SIXTEEN MILES ON A HAND-CAR. I am often asked, when about to speak on the subject of Sabbath-School mission work, to give, in my own way, a word picture of work done, with the lights and shadows of actual experience. Simple truth is often strange and interesting. I will give an account of three days' work done in the month of September. On Monday, Sep- tember 3d, a Sabbath-School Institute was held in the Dudley District. This, like all the others, was well attended and was a grand success. Rev. W; O. Carrier, of Wausau, and Mr. Mack, came to the Institute at noon, having traveled by rail and car- riages, a distance of thirty-four miles to be present and take part in the exercises. These were con- tinued till after four o'clock, at which hour the people began to make their way to their several homes. This was but the beginning of the three days* work, which had all been previously planned. The Institute over, a drive often miles was be- fore us, in order to reach Parrish, away in the dense forest, where a service was to be held in the school- house at 8 p. M. A halt was made at the home of a farmer, three miles from Parrish ; here we were hospitably received and entertained at supper. Our entertainers felt honored, as this was the first time a minister had ever been in their home, and 86 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN they had been settled there for fourteen years ! After supper, we had a hard ride over very bad roads ; this, united to the darkness of the night, did not tend to make our journey a pleasant one. Con- trary to our expectations, we reached Parrish in safety, but thirty minutes behind time. The school- house was well filled and we had a grand service. On Tuesday morning we were up bright and early, ready for the work of the second day. Our destined point of work was Aniwa, nearly fifty miles distant. A difficulty faced us here : Parrish was sixteen miles from Pratt J-unction, and this point we had to reach before 2 p. m. in order to catch the train for Aniwa. No convenient train left Parrish. There was one way out of the difficulty, and that was to use a railroad hand-car. This was kindly provided, and at 9:30 Mr. Carrier and myself mounted the car. Coats, vests and satchels placed on a board behind, we made our start amidst a chorus of hurrahs from the friends assembled to witness our departure. Up grade we found our work slow and hard, but down grade it was quick and easy. In this way we went through the forest and reached the Junction in good time for the train. Although perspiration streamed from every pore and our hands were blistered, yet we had a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction at the novel way in which we had traveled. We were kindly received at Aniwa, a Sabbath- School missionary station. In the evening a well FROM PLACE TO PLACE 8/ attended meeting was held. In truth it may be said the people heard us gladly, as well they might, these mission services being their only means of hearing the gospel. Truly the fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few. After a good night's rest we arose on Wednesday morning refreshed and ready for a day's mission work. Our point of work was Hogarty, where another Sabbath- School Institute was to be held. Our intention was to walk the five miles to this place, but our kind entertainers drove us over in a lumber wagon. The way was over new and poorly made roads and the jolting we experienced is better imagined than de- scribed. Stumps to the right of us, Stumps to the left of us, Stones in front of us. O'er which we thundered, As we rode on to duty. Hogarty was reached in good time. In addition to the assembled people of the settlement, we were joined by Mr. Mack, with a party from Wausau, they having driven eighteen miles. The service was a very helpful one, and was much appreciated by the people. Time, on such occasions, flies rap- idly, and the hour for our departure came all too soon. The friendly good-byes were spoken, and we joined the Wausau party for their homeward ride. Thus ended our three days' mission tour, leaving behind it a train of sunny memories. CHAPTER VIII AFTER TEN YEARS Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matt, ii :28. I. A Day in the Northwest. II. Out in the Highways and Hedges. III. Strenuous Work. IV. The Manifold Character of Sabbath- School Missionary Work. V. Sabbath-School Institutes. VI. The Messenger of Glad Tidings. I. A DAY IN the northwest. March ^th, iSgy. — Left home this morning at two o'clock for Woodville to visit a missionary dis- trict in the Chippewa Presbytery, under the care of Charles Lawson. This was an early start on a winter morning, but duty called. That is to the earnest Sabbath-School missionary the voice of God — duty and blessing always go hand in hand. I had sweet thoughts given to me as I journeyed to my destination. These will be of use to me in future addresses. I found a fine text in Luke 3 : 2 — " The word of God came unto John in the wilder 88 AFTER TEN YEARS 89 ness." Yes, this world is a wilderness to man in his natural state. Look at the figure a little while and draw from it some lessons that will be helpful. The coming of the " Word of God " to man is the dawning of a new life, in which new thoughts and purposes become the ruling factors of living. I reached Woodville at 9 : 30, and was met by Mr. Lawson. We had to wait an hour in the depot to get a train to take us to Spring Valley, a distance of fourteen miles in the interior of the country. The time was spent in profitable conversation. Mr. Lawson read an interesting letter from a lady, tell- ing of the good done by the Sabbath-School or- ganized in her district, and asking for an early visit and service. Such letters call for great work on the part of ministers and Sabbath-School missionaries. We reached Spring Valley, a town of 800 inhabi- tants, at one o'clock. It contains seven saloons and a Congregational church. We took dinner there. We then rode ten miles in a wagon sledge reach- ing our destination about three o'clock. We held a service in the evening and had a good meeting. What a field for Christian work is presented in our farming district ! So vast, so scattered, so needy ! A moving agency is needed to meet it. March 6th, i8gj. — We spent the night in the home of Mr. Young. A bright day, but the snow deep. We visited five families ; prayed with two of them. We held two services : one at two o'clock, the other at 7 : 30. Both good meetings, and the 90 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Spirit manifestly present. The evening service was crowded. At the close, several men and women stood up, indicating their desire to be Christians. This is a fine field for religious work. Sabbathy March ythy iSgy. — This has been a stormy day, with six inches of snow. We held Sabbath-School and three other services — two at Rock Elm and one at Waverly. The hall at Rock Elm was crowded morning and evening with intelli- gent and appreciative audiences. There was evi- dence of good done at all of these meetings. It was cheering to hear the testimony of the changed lives of the people, especially of the young men and women ; and of their readiness to do good work. Indeed, the whole community has been awakened as never before in the history of the set- tlement. This is practical evidence of the good that is being done by Sabbath-School mission- aries. I found this missionary trip rather tough work, surrounded, as it was, with such wintry conditions. But here comes in the heroism of this Christlike work. As I looked over this field, originated by the planting and fostering of a great Sabbath- School, I was made to see and feel in an impressive manner its value. It opens wide doors for our Church to enter in ; it promises to possess the land ; it offers to Christian workers full opportunity to do their share in saving these scattered country dis- tricts for Christ. AFTER TEN YEARS 9 I II. OUT IN THE HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES. March zyth, i8gy. — I came to Westfield and vis- ited four families. The day was fine, and I met many on the street. I went to Harrisville in the evening and had a good meeting — forty being pres- ent. The night was not dark, our drive being Hghted by the stars. It was eleven o'clock when we returned. March 28th. — The day fine, the sun shining. I held three services and spoke five times — three times in Westfield and twice at the Flats. I had good meetings with appreciative audiences. The evening service was crowded. March 2gth. — I visited six families in Westfield. I left Westfield at 2 p. m. and drove eleven miles into the country. I called at six homes and left word about the meeting. I reached Spring Prairie District about 5 : 30 p. m. I lodged and had supper in a kind home. I went to the schoolhouse and had a good meeting. There were fifty persons present and they gave good attention. I presented the importance of a Sabbath-School. The one here was closed for the winter but it will be opened in a short time. The Rev. Mr. Griffith preaches here frequently. March joth. — I started out on a mission tour at 9 A. M. I visited six famihes and drove six miles before halting at a kind home for dinner. The day was fine. I went to Buckhorn Prairie schoolhouse at 2 : 30 p. M. and held service there. Thirty-six 92 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN people were present. We had a pleasant meeting and a Sabbath-School was organized. A resolution was formed to build a little chapel for Sabbath- School and preaching services ; and also to be used in other ways for the Christian elevation of the peo- ple. I shook hands heartily with the people, bid- ding them good-bye. This closed the first after- noon service ever held in that district. It was interesting to see men leaving their work and com- ing just as they were to the meeting. Five men, who were sawing wood with a machine driven by horse-power, came gladly to hear the Word of God preached. I drove seven miles through the woods to where another service was to be held. The meeting took place in the home of Louis Brooks at 7 : 30 P. M. Forty persons were present. They had come from their farm homes for several miles around. All seemed to enjoy the sweet and simple service in the home. I was much impressed with the beauty and benefits that come from such meet- ings in such needy places. March jist. — The weather fine, but cold and windy. Sand, in great clouds, was blown about us. I had a drive of ten miles to the next station. I made four visits by the way, and took dinner at Mrs. Frank Pond's. I reached McGregor's at 3 p. m. Here I halted for the day, and was made to feel at home ; as is usual everywhere we go. Held service in the chapel at 7 : 30. Fifty persons were present notwithstanding the stormy weather and the AFTER TEN YEARS 93 darkness of the night. The evening meeting was a memorable one, it being our first one here since the accident on the 5th of July last, which took place in this district. The chapel has been grandly im- proved by the people at considerable expense. It is a picture of neatness and comfort — a fit place for all kinds of meetings. In addition to these im- provements by the people, a handsome new pulpit adorns the platform and makes the whole a thing of beauty. This pulpit is a gift from Mr. Joseph Brown and his family as a thank-offering to God for his restoration to health and work again in the needy fields of Wisconsin. The presentation of the pulpit, by Mr. Brooks, took place in the first part of the service. Rev. J. H. Griffith offered up a solemn and appropriate thanksgiving prayer, after which the service was continued, and was highly appreciated by the people. Mr. Griffith has often ministered to these people and by his faithful labors has gained a warm place in their hearts. This chapel was the first Sabbath- School chapel erected in this state in connection with Presbyterian Sabbath-School mission work. The ^100.00 given to help in its erection was from the Wenonah Sabbath-School of New Jersey. The example of the Wenonah School has since been nobly followed by many others, whose names will one day form a grand roll of honor. April 1st. — I started out on missionary duty again and made some visits, and then had dinner. When 94 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN a missionary halts for dinner at a farm home, work is suspended for the time being that all may join in the conversation. I drove to Poolridge school- house, five miles from where I dined. Here a Sab- bath-School and other occasional services are held. That the people love such services was evident from the fact that nearly forty persons attended the meet- ing held at 2 : 30 P. m. The appreciation of the people was great. Though very poor, they are contemplating the erection of a small Sabbath- School chapel for the benefit of the district. Could the eyes of our Church have been turned to this meeting a wave of Christlike compassion would have been aroused as the deep needs of the people stood revealed. A drive of ten miles, and another service at 7 : 30 p. M. at McGregor Wenonah Church, finished the work of the day. Thus ended six days of associ- ated work with Rev. J. H. Griffith away out among the highways and hedges. Every part of the work was a success, all being covered with rich blessings of Almighty God. III. STRENUOUS WORK. May 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1897, were spent in the mis- sion field extending from Aniwa to Schofield, in- cluding Hogarty, Johnston, Knowles and Kelly. At all these places a work of grace is being done under the fostering care of Mr. Strandt. The work is not alike in its development ; parts of it are bet- AFTER TEN YEARS 95 ter than others. One thing I noted : wherever I found a Sabbath-School in good working order, there the best progress was seen. The work at Hogarty needs more Sabbath-School and preaching services. I took occasion to point out the need of more loyalty to the great Presbyte- rian Church, which had planted and fostered this blessed work, especially in relation to using its les- son helps and religious books. This I consider right and proper, and it can be easily accomphshed if those in charge will guide the minds of the people along right hnes. Such guidance is a blessing to the peo- ple and to the work, and is all the more necessary in view of the multitude of " claims and peculiar views or ideas " which are abroad, many of which are not favorable to our churches. My present visit to Aniwa was of special interest as it gave me the first sight of the new church build- ing, which is near completion. Sabbath-School and other services are already being held in it. This work has been grandly helped by the young peo- ple of the Second Presbyterian Church of Camden, N. J., and by one of the worthy elders of the North Broad Street Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia. A grand effort will soon be made to finish the build- ing. When completed, it will be an honor to God and a blessing to the people. One result of this noble effort made by the Pres- byterians was to stir the Lutherans to duty. They said, " If such a small body of people can build a 96 SABBATH-SCIIOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN house for God, we, too, can do so." So they began the good work of building a church home. In this we have a tangible and beautiful illustration of " provoking to love and to good works." Hebrews 10: 24. Monday y May 6th. — After getting a little rest, and having answered all letters, I again set out to do work in the needy fields of western Clark County. I went by train to Spokeville, and then walked eight miles to a mission field where a little chapel, twenty by thirty feet, is in course of erection. I called at the farm home of Mr. Haselett, whose wife is a grand Sabbath-School worker. I there learned that work on the chapel building would soon be taken up and pushed forwards to completion. Friday, May jth. — I started early, having a big day's work mapped out. One has to follow a pre- arranged plan to have good success in mission work. The day was fine and the roads fairly good. I went to the brick Sabbath-School mission in order to arrange for a service there on Sabbath at 3 P. M., — this service to be preparatory to reorganizing the Sabbath-School. This school has been closed for nearly two years and no sermon in English has been delivered in the last eight months. This serv- ice arranged, I rested for dinner. After dinner I started to a new field twelve miles away. Halted at the Free settlement and arranged for service at 7:30. Reaching the Sprague District, the end of the set- tlement, I found seven families with no means of AFTER TEN YEARS 97 grace. I was most kindly received and arranged to organize a Sabbath-School. The school-teacher and a young lady will take charge of it. The serv- ice in Free settlement was a grand one. The audi- ence was great and the interest deep. Eight months had passed since their last service. I arranged to get the Sabbath-School reorganized. Thus the day was finished. Miles traveled, twenty-four ; famihes visited, ten. Many picture cards and tracts were given to the people by the way, in the homes, and at the meeting. The seed was being sown broadcast. Saturday, May 8th. — I started away early from the farmer's home, after being kindly entertained. The morning was refreshing, all nature being beautifully painted by the hand of God. I drove twelve miles to Hevvittsville, where I visited many families and made arrangements for service on the Sabbath at IO:OOA. M. Sabbath, May gth. — This was a busy and suc- cessful day. I drove twenty miles, and held three services, all of which were well attended and much appreciated. At two of the places they have had no service for eight months. The Sabbath-School was reorganized at the Black District and placed in charge of a fine young man. Wednesday, May 12th. — I paid a visit to Merrill and Wausau, and made calls at both places. In the evening I went with Mr. Carrier to his prayer meet- ing. We had a good meeting, and I spoke a few loving words. Brotherly love is sweet and helpful. 98 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Thursday, May ijth. — I went to the Free District with Mr. Hill, of Neillsville. We drove twenty-six miles. The schoolhouse was crowded and Mr. Hill preached a good sermon. At the close, the Sab- bath-School was reorganized, supplied with mate- rial, and put in good order. Saturday y May i^th. — I went to Nora and Deer- field, by invitation, to do a little fostering and en- couraging. At each of these places there were helpful meetings and good seemed to be done. The Sabbath-School is promising. In this field as well as in others, I am deeply impressed with the fact that our Church has a great work to do in bringing the gospel to the people in an earnest and loving manner. Wednesday , May igth, — I left home to attend the General Assembly at Eagle Lake, Ind. I halted at Milwaukee in order to give an address on Sabbath- School missionary work at the Emmanuel Presbyte- rian Church prayer meeting. This I did in response to the kind invitation of the pastor. The address was sympathetically received and warmed the hearts of the hearers to our great work. Noble words of ap- preciation were spoken by several who were present, all of which went to prove what the pastor said to me at the close of the meeting : •' Your visit and address have done us all good." I reached the Assembly on Thursday. It was a privilege to enjoy the benefits of the meetings dur- ing the few days I was there. The public meeting a ■J a a 2: a 2 a a :5 AFTER TEN YEARS 99 on Sabbath-School work, which took place on Fri- day night, May 2ist, was the principal object of my visit, as I had been asked to give an address on that occasion. I was associated with noble men as speakers ; we had a spirit-filled audience, and the meeting was one of memorable success. It was said, by one competent to judge, to have been one of the best meetings of the kind ever held. This, with the exchange of loving greetings from many of the dele- gates present, made another ♦* sunny memory." Refreshed with this experience we hurried back to take up again our much-loved work. Saturday, May 2gth. — I set out to-day to join Mr. Lawson in a missionary tour in a field in the Presby- tery of Chippewa. We held three services in Ca- dott — one on Saturday night, and two on the Sab- bath. At all of the services the audiences were large and the interest great. At the last service, a goodly number indicated their desire to become Christians. A great stimulus was given to the Sab- bath-School work so ably directed by Miss Delia Felch, under the guidance of the Rev. Mr. Waller, who preaches there every other Sabbath. Monday, May Jist. — Mr. Lawson and myself set out early, with a good team, on a well-planned mis- sionary tour, to the regions beyond Cadott, easterly fifty miles. We visited six school districts and made numerous visits ; organized one Sabbath- School, reorganized another, and finished with a grand rally of the people at Estella schoolhouse on 100 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Monday night, when over one hundred persons were gathered together from far and near. It was a memorable service in every way, and the people, out of loving hearts, gave a collection which more than paid the whole expense of the trip. It is gratifying to be able to report good work done over the state by the missionaries during the month of May, upwards of twenty Sabbath-Schools having been organized. IV. THE MANIFOLD CHARACTER OF SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONARY WORK. Wednesday, June 2d, i8gj. — I set out this morn- ing at 6:15 for Cedar Grove, in Sheboygan County. Our purpose was twofold : To give an address on Sabbath-School missionary work before the Presby- terian church, through the kind invitation of the pastor ; and to meet Mr. Wm. Thomson, our new Sabbath-School missionary for the Presbytery of Milwaukee, and conduct him to the fields within his bounds. Both of these objects were accom- plished. The people of Cedar Grove church expressed their interest in missions by a substantial contribu- tion of money to the Board. Mr. Thomson entered his field of labor after being commended to God in prayer. It was our privilege to have an extended conference with Dr. Roth on important matters in connection with the future work of our Church. The towns and regions along the lake show Pres- AFTER TEN YEARS lOI byterian work here and there only. This seems hardly as it should be, and should prompt to better effort in the future for the extension of our denom- ination. Saturday and SabbatJi, June 5, 6. — These two days were spent with Mr. Mack at a grand Sabbath- School Institute held in the fine new church of Wausau, under the direction of Rev. W. O. Carrier, assisted by Messrs. Strandt and Hamilton, the two field workers of the Wausau Church. The meetings held were six in number, three each day. The papers and addresses were able and appropriate to the occasion. At all of the meetings the interest was great. On the Sabbath the audiences were large and composed of delegations from Sabbath-School mission fields extending to a distance of twenty- four miles. The fifth session of the Institute, which took place on Sabbath afternoon at 2:30, was one which will not soon be forgotten by those who were present. The delegates from each of the Sabbath- Schools presented reports, setting forth the wonder- ful benefits that have come to the people of each settlement. The facts were impressive and they were told with a beauty of expression and with a pathos that appealed to the hearts of the hearers and bedimmed the eyes of many with sympathetic tears. Tuesday, May 8th. — I set out at 1:22 a. m. for Cambridge, on a visit to the Rev. Messrs. Bain and Woodhead, Sabbath -School missionaries. Halted 102 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN at Cambridge to be present at the installation of the Rev. Mr. Breeze. Two services were held, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, both of which were of interest to the people. I was called upon to take part in each of the services. At the service in the afternoon, two addresses were delivered upon Sabbath-School missionary work, one by Rev. Mr. McNary, the other by myself. In this way our Sabbath-School cause was helped greatly. The Rev. Mr. Bill also spoke. He made a kind allusion to the work and gave an able address on the pastor as sent of God. Wednesday, May gth. — I went on to the mission district of Arhngton, where I met Mr. Bain. A splendid meeting was held in the evening. The audience was large and the interest great. Out of loving hearts they gave a good collection for Sab- bath-School mission work. Early on Thursday morning, Mr. Bain and I parted for duty, after planning future work. I drove out into the country, made several visits, and then took the train for Beaver Dam. While at Beaver Dam I met Mr. Woodhead and conferred with him as to his work. He had planned for a meeting in the Lowell chapel, but, owing to rain, it did not take place. We were there, however, and had the pleasure of meeting the pastors of Beaver Dam, both of whom are ready to help in this blessed rescue work. Sunday, June ijth. — Sabbath last was a day of AFTER TEN YEARS I03 days at the Nasonville Presbyterian Church. Chil- dren and parents turned out to celebrate Children's Day. The number and beauty of the audience were greater and grander than ever before. Over four hundred were present, in and around the church. The exercises were fine and were much enjoyed. The meeting was one of the best held and reflected great credit on all concerned. Addresses were de- livered by Messrs. Joseph Brown and Clark Mack. Ten dollars were given as a collection for Sabbath- School mission work. Monday, June i^th. — This was a day to be re- membered at Harper Mission Chapel, six miles from Colby. All labor was suspended, and parents and children turned out en masse to celebrate Chil- dren's Day. The people, to the number of one hundred and thirty sat down to a fine dinner in the shady forest near the chapel. At the head of the table was seated the Rev. Mr. Brickies, and on the right Joseph Brown and Charles Mack, who were present by special request, to take part in the beau- tiful exercises of the day. Looking down the table so bountifully filled and so finely surrounded by bright happy people, made one think of Pentecostal times when '' they had all things in common." The company gathered in the chapel at three o'clock and a profitable service took place in which suitable ad- dresses were given. At the close, a collection of five dollars was given to the Sabbath-School mis- sion work of our Church. This ended another of 104 SABBATII-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN these services that go to brighten and strengthen the whole hfe of a settlement. Sabbath, June 20th. — This was a day of extra hard work. I was on duty from 9 A. m. until 10:30 p. M. At 10:00 A. M. I attended Children's Day service at Shortville. Some three hundred persons were present. It was a grand success. I drove ten miles to Deh's Dam in order to be present at the Children's Day service, which took place at 3 p. m. This service was notable in the completeness of the exercises, and in showing the knowledge of the Bible possessed by the scholars. Collections for Sabbath-School work were given at both places. I again drove eight miles to another service in the chapel of the " Prince of Peace," in Pine Valley. The chapel was filled with people from the scattered homes, hungry for the gospel. Thus ended a day of much blessing. June 22d, 2jd and 2/^th were days of important service and reception. They were spent at the grand Synodical Sabbath-School Institute at Fair- field, Iowa. The meetings held were seven in num- ber, and were pervaded by the spirit of God and blessed by the earnest and helpful addresses of men selected for the occasion. This gathering was a fine example of the hearty cooperation of all branches of our churches, the Sabbath-School mission work among them. This part of Christian work is being grandly done by Mr. Ferguson and his coworkers, supported by all the pastors in the Synod. From AFTER TEN YEARS IO5 what we saw and heard at this Institute, it is evi- dent that the Presbyterian host of the army of the Lord in Iowa, is a noble, loyal, and compact body. Sabbath, June 2ph. — I attended a Children's Day service at Woodland Sabbath-School, a few miles from Marshfield. This Sabbath-School is composed of children of foreign extraction, who are there being taught of God. It was pleasing to see the progress that is being made. The whole service went to show the good that is being done in im- proving the habits and manners of those who at- tend. Though very poor, they gave a collection of $i.SO for Sabbath-School mission work. Monday, June 28th.-~l went to Rural in order to be present at the Sabbath-School Institute at Wau- paca Lake, which was • to take place the next day. On that day a fine rally of the people of Rural, Badger and Sheridan took place. The service lasted from 10:30 until six in the evening. This included the dinner hour, important in many ways and very helpful in binding communities together. In addition to the pastor and myself, Mr. Mack and Rev. C. Smith, of Oshkosh, were there to help, so that with singing, recitations, papers and addresses, the day was replete with blessing. The spiritual atmosphere of this Institute was like all the others held — of a very helpful kind, making all present feel that it was good to be there. Wednesday, June joth. — I made my way to Mil- I06 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN waukee to meet Mr. Thomson, Sabbath-School missionary, there. I was pleased to learn that he had succeeded, with the help of some of the breth- ren, in organizing a Sabbath-School in a needy portion of the city, which by fostering care, may soon develop into a church and thus promote the highest good of that great city. It has been adopted by the Rev. Mr. Chapin and his church and will be a fine outlet to their Christian activities. I was privileged to speak at Perseverance Church prayer meeting that night, and I took occasion to com- mend and stimulate them to generous action in re- lation to their newly adopted work. They all seemed pleased. During the month of June seventeen Sabbath- Schools have been organized by our missionaries in this state. This means increased responsibilities on the part of our Church as well as increased blessings to the community. So, Lord, help all of us to do our duty faithfully, cheerfully and well. V. SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTES. An interesting series of Sabbath-School Insti- tutes, beginning July 31st, and ending August 8th, 1897, were arranged and superintended by Rev. James Bain, Sabbath-School missionary of the Madison Presbytery. The four Institutes which convened during that time were divided into thir- teen sessions ; praise and prayer, reading of papers bearing on the work of the Sabbath-School, ser- AFTER TEN YEARS IO7 mons and addresses, combined to make each session instructive and helpful. The districts blessed by this means of grace were Deerfield, Verona, Rocky Run and Caledonia. Our hearts were cheered and encouraged by large and attentive audiences. As an evidence of the high appreciation of this branch of Sabbath-School mission work, the farmers residing in the various districts laid aside their harvesting in order to enjoy the privilege of attending the services ; and the general impression was that the blessings received were more than worthy of any self-denial they had made. In addition to the work of Mr. Bain and myself, ten neighboring pastors took part. Twenty Sab- bath-Schools were represented. Closely following upon the series of Institutes in Madison Presbytery came an interesting season of similar work in the Presbytery of Milwaukee. Three Institutes were held, lasting four days. The material contributed at each of these was of the highest order, and tended to stimulate and improve the work of the Sabbath-Schools. The places in which the Institutes convened were Horicon, Waupun and North Lowell. These serv- ices were attended by the inhabitants of the towns in which they were held and also by the people of the surrounding country districts ; an idea may be formed from this of the far-reaching good accom- plished. I08 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Another interesting series of Institutes, continu- ing for four days, was held in Winnebago Presby- tery, superintended by Missionary Clark Mack. These, like the others, were a great success, large and interested audiences attending. Mr. Mack and myself were grandly aided by twelve pastors, and also by helpful prayers from teachers and superin- tendents. The Institutes were conducted in Coulter- ville, Dudley and McGregor. At Dudley the schol- ars from one of the Sabbath-Schools represented, astonished the audience by their excellent work in the Bible Memory Class. This is a part of the work of the Sabbath-School which is worthy of special attention, as there is a tendency in these times to depart from the grand old plan of commit- ting the Word of God to memory. The superin- tendent should insist that scholars memorize choice portions of the Scriptures and the Shorter Cate- chism ; by so doing, a solid foundation for the building of true Christian character will be laid in each young life. I left my home in Marshfield on the morning of August 24th, 1897, to spend six days in Sabbath- School Institute work within the boundary of Chippewa Presbytery; the work was planned and directed by Rev. Charles Lawson, missionary. The Institutes, five in number, were held in Knapp, Rock Elm, Emerald, Bateman's and Estella ; the services in the last place continuing for two days. Sixteen Sabbath-Schools participated in AFTER TEN YEARS IO9 the benefits of these meetings ; also large num- bers of people who came from all parts of the settlements to enjoy the unusual privileges. The audience expressed their hearty appreciation of these meetings and evinced an earnest desire for more of this work. In concluding this blessed week of labor in the rural districts of this Presbytery, extending one hundred miles, the following deep impressions were made on my mind : First. — The large number of families who are fainting and scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Second. — The adaptability of Sabbath-School missionary work — as carried on by this Board of our Church, aided by the earnest prayers and efforts of pastors, elders and members — to the great needs of the people. Third. — The unexpressible blessings which Sab- bath-School missionaries' work has brought to many of these needy fields. This fact is strikingly em- phasized by personal testimony and by the changed condition and habits of the people. Fourth. — An urgent call from such fields comes to the Presbyterian Church to render increased help to *' the perishing " in all needy places. The planting and helping of even one Sabbath-School in such districts is a privilege and honor of which any one may well be proud. The mission work in this state during the month no SABBATH-SCIIOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN of August was greater than any yet accomplished. I personally attended forty Institute meetings and delivered thirty-six addresses, most of them in the open groves of the beautiful woods of Wisconsin. Thus through the associated labors of missionaries, pastors and Sabbath-School workers, the good seed of truth has been sown in many hearts. VI. THE MESSENGER OF GLAD TIDINGS. Sabbath-School conventions in country districts have become a great means of grace, tending to improve the work done in the Sabbath-Schools, and to better the condition of the people. On Novem- ber 5th, 6th and 7th, 1897, the fourth annual Sab- bath-School convention of the Winchester district was held. All of the sessions were well attended, the last four crowded. The benefits received were great, and the people testified to their appreciation at the close of the convention. The services were grandly aided by Rev. Mr. Badger, of Stevens Point. His sermons will long be remembered by all who were privileged to hear them. Mr. Emer- son, of South Oshkosh, did efficient service. Mr. Sellers, of Winneconne, presided. Sabbath-School missionaries Rev. Joseph Brown and Clark Mack were present at all the services, ready to do their best to promote the success of the meetings. The exercises of the Sabbath-School were excellent and showed much earnest preparation. The material provision made for the people was splendid and re- AFTER TEN YEARS III fleeted finely the loving hearts of the kind enter- tainers. It was pleasant, indeed, at the close of the convention, to hear loving words spoken, and the hope expressed that next November another con- vention would be held. For the past ten days our work has been out in fields far from cities and railroads. In all such places these words of Scripture are very applicable : " Blessed are the feet of them that bring glad tidings." The planting of a Sabbath-School, with visitation and occasional preaching of the gospel, bring untold blessings to the people of such com- munities. I would like to describe the labor of one day as a sample of the rest. Let me take the trip to " Shanty Town," a mission eighteen miles from Stevens Point. On stepping out of the train on the morning of November 9th, 1897, I was met by Rev. Jacob Patch, a well-known servant of the Master, aged eighty-two years. He was waiting with his team to convey me to the far-off field. The day was fine, and, in spite of bad roads, our pleasant converse made the journey seem short. At noon the district of Jordan was reached. There we halted and were kindly entertained at dinner. We stopped at a schoolhouse near by and made a short address to the scholars. Sabbath-School and preaching service are held in this little building. A drive of ten more miles brought us to Shanty 112 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN Town where we partook of supper. At 7 p. m. the schoolhouse was filled, about sixty persons being present, many coming long distances. We gave them two addresses, one for the children, the other for all. The service was much appreciated, and the meeting ended with a hearty hand-shake. The Sabbath-School grows grandly. Material for a Presbyterian chapel has been provided and willing hands will assist in its erection. The people are worthy of all that is being done for them ; they are willing to help themselves. All honor to " Fa- ther Patch," as the people lovingly call him, for his blessed labors. May God's blessing rest upon the noble work which is being done there ! I returned on the 15th of November, 1897, from a long promised visit to the Waukesha Presbyterian Church. The pastor, Rev. J. G. Blue, kindly set aside the time for the presentation of the claims of the Sabbath-School work to his people in the con- gregation, Sabbath-School and Young People's So- ciety of Christian Endeavor. We had a fine meet- ing. I pray that the seed sown will bring forth abundant fruit. I had the privilege of addressing the Young Men's Christian Association also, at which meeting eighty young men were present. It did our hearts good to see the building so finely adapted to the work. I paid a visit to Carroll Col- lege, by the invitation of Professor Rankine, and AFTER TEN YEARS II3 was privileged to speak a few words to the students who number one hundred and ten. How inspiring to look into the faces of so many young men and women preparing for the battle of hfe ! After a pleasant drive with Mr. Blue around the beautiful city, my pleasant visit terminated. I reached home on November 22d, 1897, after a week of grand work in company with Rev. C. R. Lawson, missionary for Chippewa Presbytery. The meetings were held in Rock Elm and Waverly, in Pierce County. The sessions were crowded with an attentive and appreciative audience. The good seed of the Word was widely and earnestly sown in the faith, that, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, abundant fruit would result. It may be interesting to state that during the week we made thirty visits, and were entertained in many homes. As we received the generous hospitality of the people, we try to give in return the blessings of the Christian missionary. Oh ! the manifold ways in which a missionary may impress communities for good and point them to Christ! Two Christian Endeavor rallies were held during the week, both of which were much appreciated and will prove especially helpful to the people. Delegations were present from River Falls and from Ellsworth. Al- together it was a blessed week of service. It was interesting to hear the testimony of the people 114 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIOxXS IN WISCONSIN themselves regarding the blessings which had come to them since the planting of a Sabbath-School there over two years ago. They are now on the upward grade of better living and happier homes. It is our prayer that God will bless them in this noble struggle. CHAPTER IX IN CITY AND COUNTRY* So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. — Neh. 8:8, I. Sabbath-Schools in Clusters. II. The Sabbath-School Outlook. III. Another Church Dedicated. IV. The Young Men Improved. I. sabbath-schools in clusters. June 2jd, i8g8. — In Wisconsin we have often noted the fact that pine trees frequently grow in clusters of five or six — sometimes nine or ten. It is the same with the Sabbath-Schools ; they, too, are often found in clusters. I noted this as I traveled through Clark County a short time ago. I found fine clusters of schools here and there, beautiful to look upon, the fruitage of ten years' work. Here it is in a nosegay. Nearly all of them are alive and doing good work. They have been planted to stay for the good of the people. Twenty-two Sabbath-School organizations and ten preaching stations have grown out of these. Four mission chapels have been built and two Presby- 115 Il6 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN terian churches organized. It is impossible to estimate the number of those who have been helped through this blessed agency. A high value ought to be placed upon this part of the work. A mother recently said to me : " I thank you so much for your visit to my home." There was to me much meaning in these earnestly-spoken words. II. THE SABBATH-SCHOOL OUTLOOK. Milwaukee Presbytery has eleven counties within its bounds. The population of these counties is 563,028 — 236,101 being in Milwaukee County. The Presbyterian Church has a membership of 4,270, and a Sabbath-School membership of 4,087. By multiplying the Church membership by five, gives 21,350, being the number we can claim, as a Church, of the 563,028. This is a very small show- ing and is well fitted to awaken thought and prompt to action. Can we not do better ? We believe we can. The Sabbath-School work of our Church is an important factor that will grandly help to this end. The cities of Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan and Waukesha have already been laid out for Sabbath- School effort. In some of these important cities Sabbath-Schools have been planted by our mis- sionaries and are doing well, being grandly helped by our Church. Milwaukee is an important field of itself, and is well deserving of special effort along these lines. In some of the counties a number of Sabbath- u < a O z IN CITY AND COUNTRY 117 Schools have been planted and are doing good work Dodge County having the greatest number. These having been grandly helped by the pastor and church of Beaver Dam. Other pastors and churches have also been very helpful in this noble and Christlike work. Indeed, we can say with truth that all of the pastors and churches are coming into line on this work ; this promises well for the future. With Mr. Samuel McComb, our able and devoted Sabbath-School missionary for the Milwaukee Presbytery, a new era of Sabbath-School work is begun. From what we know by personal survey of the field, we hesitate not to say that the field is rich in Sabbath-School ore. The children and youth of these counties, largely speaking a foreign tongue, are open, in a special degree, to Christian teaching, given in the English language. Changes in many ways are needed, and we hope the Presby- terian Church will be brave and heroic and, with God's help, do its part in the development of a new and noble manhood and womanhood. III. ANOTHER CHURCH DEDICATED. July 13th, 1898, was a great day in Badger, Portage County, the occasion being the dedication of the Lansdowne Badger Presbyterian Church. Three services were held during the day, at each of which the church was crowded. The church is twenty-four by thirty-six feet and is seated with fine chairs. The total cost was five hundred Il8 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN dollars. During the day the collections amounted to one hundred dollars, which paid all charges, and the church was dedicated to God's service free of debt. Rev. W. W. Henry, the pastor, presided. All of the services were of a high quality and were much appreciated by the hundreds present. Rev. L. C. Smith, Rev. Angus Sillars, Rev. Joseph Brown and Mr. Clark Mack participated in the grand day's serv- ices. A sumptuous dinner was provided for all in the shady wood near by. At the evening service special votes of thanks were given to the Sabbath-School and church of Lansdowne, Pa., for the gift of one hundred dol- lars and a pulpit Bible ; to Mrs. Gardner, of Spen- cer, for her gift of the pulpit; to Mrs. Fink, of Stevens Point, for the gift of two pulpit chairs ; to Mr. John Swan for the gift of the ground; and to all others who so kindly helped. Truly it was a day long to be remembered. The great crowds present at each of the services — at a time when work on the farms was so pressing — showed in a fine manner the hope and joy of the whole community far and near. The Christian ac- tivities of the people will be finely shown in the good use they will make of the new church. IV. THE YOUNG MEN IMPROVED. On Sabbath, October 17th, 1898, it was my privi- IN CITY AND COUNTRY UQ lege to visit and to tell the story of the Sabbath- School mission work, to the First Presbyterian Church, of La Crosse. The audience was large and appreciative, and formed good ground on which to sow such seed. I also visited and addressed inter- ested audiences at all of the mission stations founded by the First Church, the work of which is superin- tended by devoted members of the mother church. The following Monday and Tuesday were spent in associated work with Mr. Campbell, of Lodi. On Monday evening we had the privilege of ad- dressing the members of the Christian Endeavor Society, who met in the parlors of their church. The visit was unexpected, and the talk was from heart to heart ; all felt that " it was good to be there." On Tuesday, Mr. Campbell accompanied me to the mission field of Okee, where we spent the after- noon. In the evening we held a service in the schoolhouse. The night was dark and lowering, yet the house was filled, upwards of eighty persons being present. A helpful service was given in which Mr. Campbell and myself took part. At these little meetings we had a fine illustration of the blessing that comes from a Sabbath-School and oc- casional preaching services. The people, when assembled, always conduct themselves with true dignity and decorum. As one of the men of the district said to me : " The young men now have self-respect, and feel that they are of some account, I20 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN and can enter into fields of work of honor and re- sponsibility." This makes a new era in the life of many a farm boy. May God continue to prosper the work ! On Saturday, October 30th, I journeyed to Ash- land, where a fine new church is in process of erection. It will be a commodious and beautiful building when completed, and will afford pastor and people a fine means of meeting the Christian wants of the city. By the kind arrangement of the pastor, a good day's work was done on the following Sabbath. In the forenoon I addressed the congregation and members of the Sabbath-School. The attendance was good and the interest great. In the afternoon we visited and addressed the Bethel Mission Sab- bath-School. In the closing address to the evening congregation I endeavored to give some graphic pictures of the Sabbath-School mission work as it is being done by our Church all over this great state. The pastor, in a few well chosen words at the close of the service, said that the results of this visit would lead to more earnest prayer for, and in- creased interest in, this important branch of our Church's work. CHAPTER X " COME OVER AND HELP US >) Search the scriptures ; for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me. — John j / sg. I. A Macedonian Call. II. Africa or America. III. Among The New Settlers. IV. The Sabbath-School Institute an Im- portant Feature. I. A MACEDONIAN CALL. Sunday morning, March ijth, /<5'pp.— Mr. James M. Bain and I rode along the banks of the Wis- consin, with forest, river and many small islands so enveloped in ice and snow as to resemble the Klon- dyke regions. The first six miles we passed but one habitation, and this so grotesque and primitive as to suggest a hunter's hut on Hudson Bay. This fam- ily of seven children, attended neither public church nor Sabbath-School. Some of the children could neither read nor write. When we reached the site of the former village of Dekorra, now merely a thickly settled rural district, we found the people crowding into the spacious 121 122 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN public school building to hear their first sermon of the season, and so hungry for the Word that they expressed great joy when we promised to return on the following Tuesday evening for another service. We then went to District No. 7, five miles south, and were followed by so many from the place of the morning services that the schoolhouse was uncom- fortably packed. Here the same earnest desire for a continuation of the meetings was expressed and we arranged to hold two more, visiting during the day. We also tried to see what could be done by way of building a chapel for the worship of God. Monday morning early we began house-to-house calls which revealed many heartrending instances of lack of Christian training and home comforts here and there among a thrifty, moral, intelligent class of people. We found three families, aggregating thirty-one children, and one of these was in a log house fifty years old. Although sleighs were still being used, the youngest of ten children, thinly clad and with one foot bare, was out among the cattle and sheep. The home of a motherless family of seven, — the father being given to drink, and with no one to counsel or protect the elder girls entering Vv^oman- hood, — was the rendezvous of many reckless young people during the Sabbath. On the afternoon of the same day we entered the adjoining school district where we found thirty chil- dren and youth who would attend Sabbath-School '* COME OVER AND HELP US 123 if we could organize one ; they had never enjoyed such a blessing. To our dismay, one of the school board refused to give permission to use the school- house, and there being no other available place, we were helpless to meet the mothers' appeal for " some- thing to save their children from prevailing vices." The severest storm of the season set in near night, and continued with wind, sleet and snow for three days, yet in spite of all, the people turned out in good numbers and after the close of the Wednes- day evening gospel service a business meeting con- vened which resulted in a unanimous vote to build a chapel in District No. 7, one that could also accom- modate the neighborhood where we were denied the schoolhouse. A building committee was ap- pointed to take charge of the matter and the sub- scription list was headed by ;^ 100.00, — the contribu- tion of a Christian Endeavor Society in Phila- delphia. This chapel will be seven miles from the nearest village, Poynette, and the center of a large rural district without any public means of grace, stretching from Portage to Lodi, twenty miles. Thursday morning was still stormy. We drove twelve miles through swollen streams, ponds of water and blockaded roads — caused by sleet freez- ing to limbs of trees, bending them to the ground — yet with grateful hearts because of what the Lord had wrought, not only in completed arrangements for a chapel but also because we were going to open a Sab- bath-School in the two districts where we had held 124 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN meetings, with some prospects of another chapel in the so-called village of Dekorra. Macedonian calls for Christian help and personal work were never greater. We most earnestly so- licit the continued cooperation of God's people in this work of possessing the land for Christ and his Church. II. AFRICA OR AMERICA. Man works under limitations ; he can only do one thing at a time, and be in one place at a time. A life full of planned work passes with great rapidity ; a month is as a week, and a week a day. Such are my thoughts as I review the work of the first quarter of the year 1899. During these past three months I have traveled five thousand miles, visited one hundred and sixty-seven famiUes, delivered seventy-seven addresses, visited eleven Sabbath- Schools, and reorganized two; held two Sabbath- School Institutes, and, in addition, have packed a number of missionary boxes for distribution, and kept up a large correspondence. As the first six weeks of the quarter were spent in presenting the claims of our work to the churches in the East, it gives me pleasure to state that my efforts were greatly blessed of God, as the following quotation from one of the letters received after my return will show : " I was so impressed with your sermon about your experiences in the far West I made up my "COME OVER AND HELP US 125 mind that if I were able I would send you some money. So the Holy Spirit has been, time and again, reminding me of my desire and purpose, and I write now to find out where I can send you ;^5.oo so that you may receive the money safely, and make it a blessing." This is but one of the many letters I have re- ceived, expressive of interest in the work. The last weeks of the quarter have been spent in the country districts of the state. During this period of labor, much that is interesting and suggestive has taken place. In confirmation of this, let me describe a three days' mission tour with missionary Samuel McComb to the district in and around Milwaukee. We reached that city early on the morning of March 24th, 1899. At ten o'clock we made our way to Jones Island. We were rowed across the river, by one of the fishermen, and after landing, amidst snow, mud and water, we walked along a narrow lane. When we were fairly on the Island I paused to look around and view the scene. " Where are we, in Africa or America ! " I exclaimed. Such a cluster of poor humanity cooped up in so little space, was touching to behold. But a Sab- bath-School and preaching service had been planted here and it was in connection with these we came. A little mission chapel is needed at once in order that good work may be done. Money for this pur- pose has been contributed by a generous Presbyte- rian church in Philadelphia and is ready for use 126 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN whenever the necessary steps for building shall be taken. There is no time for delay in this matter as the needs are so great. March 25th and 26th we spent in visitation and service in the West Park, outside the city limits, commonly called ** Silver City." In the work that needs to be done, and which is now being done in this place, we find a proof of the grandeur of the la- bors of a Sabbath-School missionary. The place is wisely chosen and the time is opportune for great work ; the people are here in great numbers and in terribly needy spiritual condition. But the work is going on apace ; already the Sabbath-School num- bers over one hundred scholars, a preaching service is held every Sabbath evening, and a sewing school of one hundred members every Saturday afternoon. The meetings are held in a dancing hall which has been rented and kept sacred for this work. But the lease expires next July, and the man who owns the building refuses to rent it again for this purpose. Clearly a chapel is needed here, and we are praying that we may be divinely guided in the matter. Grand work is also being done in the " Faith " Mission Sabbath-School, which is fostered by one of the city churches. I would need the pen of a ready writer to record all the incidents of interest, but I must not fail to notice my last mission trip to Chippewa County, which began on the last day of March and contin- ued to the third day of April. During this trip we " COME OVER AND HELP US " 1 2/ drove over seventy miles, with two feet of snow all around ; the visit was fruitful and did much to help the people to resume their Sabbath-School and be- gin a series of cottage prayer meetings. In conclusion, let me say that my long service in the survey of the conditions of rural Wisconsin impresses me with a sense of the need of more Christian effort in order to develop a higher stand- ard of manhood and womanhood. This is the de- sign of Christianity and the work of the Church. III. AMONG THE NEW SETTLERS. May ^th, i8gg. — I explored a district to-day in Wood County which had never before been visited by a Christian worker. At 9:30 a. m. I stepped out of the train at the little town of Auburndale and walked down the railroad track for one mile and a quarter, where I reached the road which led into this hitherto unexplored district. I found it a fairly good farming country, but as yet thinly settled. The events of the day were intensely interesting and memorable, and worthy of record as being a fair example of the labors of a Sabbath-School mis- sionary and his experiences in house-to-house vis- itations. Visit No. I. — On going up to this home I found the father in the barnyard. I introduced myself and told him the nature of my work. We had a pleasant conversation. The husband said they were Lutherans. He had a wife and three little ones and 128 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN said he would like some good reading for them. I gave him a supply from the capacious satchel, which is the boon companion of every Sabbath-School missionary. The papers and booklets were received most thankfully, and we parted with the mutual hope of meeting again. Visit No. 2. — In this farmhouse I found the parents and five children. The mother received me kindly and bade me be seated when I made known the purpose of my visit. After a little talk, I left them some good reading matter, which was received with apparent delight. Thus the seed was sown in that little dwelling. Visit No. J. — At this home I found a solitary man, a Frenchman, and a strange character he seemed to be. Wife and children had all gone from him, and he worked alone on the little farm. He told me he had a son who went to the war in Cuba and died there. Upon speaking to him on the subject nearest my heart, I found him to be of the large number of those who are ** without God and without hope in the world." After a few earnest words, I left him with the silent prayer that light would come to his darkened heart. Visit No. 4.. — This was the home of a new settler, the house standing in the midst of trees on a small piece of cleared land. The dwellers were a young couple with one child. I also met the sister of the young wife, a new settler in a home across the road ; she had a husband and five children. I " COME OVER AND HELP US 1 29 had a good visit and found them in hearty sympathy with the work. I left with them a supply of lesson papers and good literature, and bade them good-bye with a hopeful heart. Visit No. J. — This was another new settler's home, somewhat more pretentious than the last, standing in the midst of the great forest. Here I found an aged widow and her son ; the mother re- ceived me graciously in her way but she was a Ger- man and could not speak much English, though she had been forty years in America. Her son is a promising young man, and will be a great helper in the work I hope to begin in the district. Visit No. 6. — This was another new settler's home, with conditions much like the others of the same class, but this was the brightest and most as- piring of all the families visited during the day. The household consisted of father and mother and four bright children. After I had introduced my- self and stated the purpose of my visit, the parents expressed their joy that a Sabbath- School mis- sionary had at last come to their settlement to help in the work of the organization of a Sabbath- School. From the nature of my reception and the character of the conversation, it dawned upon me that this home was to be the center of effort in seeking to hold a meeting and then to organize a Sabbath-School. Plans were at once made; the meeting to be held, if possible, on Monday evening. May 7th, in the new schoolhouse of the district. 130 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN To obtain permission to use the building for that purpose, it was necessary for me to visit the three school directors, which I afterwards did. It was now near the noon hour, and I received a cordial invita- tion to stay to dinner, which I very gladly accepted. While the meal was being prepared, the husband and I visited the schoolhouse near by where I was permitted to address the children. I gave each of them a picture card. I found the teacher in hearty sympathy with the proposed organization of a Sab- bath-School. After a hearty midday meal, and with the kindly words of these good friends ringing in my ears, I set out, with a cheerful heart, to make other visits. Visit No. y. — This was a new home alone among the trees, where I found a young couple and one child. The mother was bright and happy and re- ceived my visit with pleasure. She expressed her joy at the prospect of having some Christian agency in their midst. She had recently come from a city of considerable size and had known the blessings and benefits of church and Sabbath-School. Visit No. 8. — This was to the best improved farm in the district. The household consisting of husband and wife and four children. They were Catholics, and the father was a member of the school board. I had been informed that his con- sent to get the schoolhouse would settle the matter, so after some conversation I introduced the subject, and was delighted to obtain his cordial consent. "COME OVER AND HELP US " 131 Visits Nos p, 10. — Two houses stood side by side across the mill creek, which was two feet deep ; there was no bridge, and in order to reach these homes I had to step across on the trunk of a tree about six inches in diameter. With the aid of a pole, I reached the other side in safety, and visited both families. I found them Hke many of the others, happy in the prospect of having meetings and Sabbath-School. Thus ends the exact record of one day's work for the Master, in the accomplishment of which I walked ten miles, and completed the round of vis- itations as the sun was sinking to rest. Though somewhat weary in body, the spirit within me was renewed in strength as I rejoiced in the belief that an important step had been taken to bring into oper- ation agencies which would bring numberless bless- ings to the hearts and homes of the people I had visited during the day. May gth, i8gg.—-l am glad to add that on Mon- day, May 7th, a meeting was held in the district and a Sabbath-School organized, which was placed under the kind benefaction of the Grace Sabbath- School of Camden, New Jersey. IV. THE SABBATH-SCHOOL INSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT FEATURE. [ From The Presbyterian. ] Sabbath-School missionary work is progressing in Wisconsin and some of the best out-of-door as- 132 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN semblies of the summer have been where the neighboring schools have rallied in some convenient grove, and held an open air meeting all day, with an intermission at noon for a picnic dinner. The Rev. Joseph Brown, the Synodical Sabbath-School missionary, calls them his Sabbath-School Institutes, and during August he presided over eleven of these large assemblies. He has a wonderful faculty of interesting the parents as well as the children, and thriUing them with the importance of doing their duty and serving the Lord. These Institutes are the leading events in many remote settlements and often the entire communities turn out to hear the Word of the Lord, and renew their covenant in his service. The northern part of Wisconsin, after many years of waiting, is now rapidly settling up, and sturdy men are found who go into the forests of the Chippewa and the Wisconsin Rivers and hew them out a home. There is hard work and it is slow, but in due time there will be smooth fields and gar- dens and happy-hearted children will play. Mean- while the Sabbath-School missionary organizes his school and teaches them to fear God and keep his commandments, and lays the foundation of the future church and a larger work for God. ft? ^ ■I. X a r. X o 33 s 'J z CHAPTER XI RIPENING FIELDS And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. — 2 Tim. j .• 75. I. A Memorable Trip. 11. It Looks Like a Miracle. III. The Well- Worn Bible. IV. A Red Letter Day. I. A MEMORABLE TRIP. In concluding one of my Sabbath-School mis- sionary addresses, before the congregation of the Presbyterian Church at Lansdowne, Pa., in the month of January, 1900, I said, " How my heart would be rejoiced if one of the pastors of our large churches would come and spend his vacation season with me and lend a helping hand in our Sabbath- School Institutes held in the beautiful forests of Wisconsin. We would take good care of him and send him back in fine shape for his winter's work." Rev. William Boyd, pastor of the Lansdowne Church, accepted the invitation. He spent the fol- lowing August with me in Wisconsin. I met him at Chicago and brought him, by way of Milwaukee, to Cambria, where the work was begun, in concert 133 134 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN with Rev. James Bain, who had arranged for the first meetings in his Presbytery of Madison. The following is a quotation from the printed notes of Mr. Bain, relative to the work done in his field : — " A week was spent in perfecting arrangements for a series of Sabbath-School Institutes to extend in an unbroken chain throughout the Presbytery, a distance of seventy-five miles. August ist, 1900, in company with Rev. Joseph Brown, and the Rev. Wm. Boyd, a busy pastor of an important suburb of Philadelphia, who volunteered to spend his vacation with the mis- sionaries of Wisconsin, we participated in the first one of the season in Taylor Park, Cambria. The pastor, who is also the Presbyterial chairman of the work, associated in all our plans. Rev. R. M. Wil- liams had every arrangement completed, with a strong programme enriched with local talent from his own young people. He struck a high key of excellence that was maintained in each succeeding Institute to the pleasure and profit of all, especially those engaged in Sabbath-School work. August 3d, fully two hundred persons assembled on Penin- sula Resort, Dekorra, and so deeply interesting were the exercises that people for many miles tar- ried so long that another luncheon was spread on the rustic tables overlooking the majestic Wiscon- sin. All retired stimulated with holy ambitions for more consecrated work of the Master. •' August 4th and ^th, igoo. — We held forth in o m Z O P H H Z I-) O o X o i a H n < RIPENING FIELDS 135 Poyiiette, all churches of the village and vicinity giving way for the Institute, making an assembly at the four sessions estimated at three hundred. " August yth. — We were in Owen's Glen, Cale- donia. There was a large audience assembled with the characteristic dignity, grace and deep spiritu- ality that has always been maintained. " August gth. — Midway between Prairie du Sac and Baraboo in Pine Hollow, in a gorge extending half a mile into the semi-mountain range surround- ing Spirit Lake, Sabbath-School scholars and peo- ple, covering a territory ten miles square, gathered to the number of two hundred. Sabbath-School banners, flags and bunting, with a well-dressed peo- ple engaged in the Lord's service in the presence of wild, graphic scenery, deepened impressions of God's majesty and love. " August loth. — With a select party on the sum- mit of Gibraltar Rock we worshiped God, and in the evening, in the village of Okee, we held a service with a packed audience eager to hear the gospel message. " August nth. — We held forth in Belleville in the Presbyterian Church, also Sabbath morning, the 1 2th ; then a twelve-mile drive to Verona Scotch Church, and in the evening in the village three miles distant. So interested were the people that many followed from place to place, riding home eight and ten miles in the rain after the evening service. 136 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN " August i^tJi. — The two brethren went on to Mil- waukee Presbytery, leaving me for work in Sauk County, but we were together again on the 17th in a great Institute, including the villages of "VVestfield and Packwaukee, in the village of Oxford. At this meeting there were six pastors and four mission- aries. This was my last day with Mr. Boyd, who endeared himself to all who met him and listened to his soul-inspiring addresses. He returned to his pastorate after delivering twenty-five addresses, with the ' God bless and reward you for your works and labors of love,' going out to him from his thousands of newly made friends in Wisconsin." From Oxford Mr. Boyd and I went forward to the McGregor settlement, where five splendid Sab- bath-School Institutes were held, attended by large congregations of people who were greatly blessed. In memory of this visit, one of the classes in Mr. Boyd's Sabbath-School sent a silver communion set to the little congregation, which will always be kept in loving remembrance. From Hancock we went forward to Marshfield, and spent a season of sweet communion in the home so dear to my heart ; then forward to Wausau to visit its many mission fields. In company with Rev. W. O. Carrier, D. D., and a large number of his good people, we had a fine Sabbath-School In- stitute near the banks of the Eau Plaine River, which was also a grand success. We then drove around and saw the other mission stations, and RIPENING FIELDS 137 Spent a delightful evening in the home of Dr. Car- rier, and after a sweetly solemn season of prayer took our departure for Duluth, spending the next day in viewing the sights of that city. At 5 p. m. I saw Mr. Boyd safely on board the steamer which was to take him to Buffalo, on his way home. Truly God blessed his visit to many districts and people, and he in turn was blessed in body and in spirit. As we parted, he said, " I shall never forget this memorable trip to Wisconsin, the grandeur of the work, the kindness of the people, the goodness of God ; all this has made an impression upon me which never can be forgotten." II. IT LOOKS LIKE A MIRACLE. ♦' It looks like a miracle." So said a lady at the dedicatory services of the little chapel at Redcliffe, a needy field situated a few miles from Bayfield, Wisconsin. It is just a year since Missionary Terry, of Chip- pewa Presbytery, and his wife organized the Sab- bath-School at RedcHffe, and under the wise care of Mrs. Terry the school accompHshed splendid work. All the meetings were convened in a private home, there being no public building for the purpose. One month ago, the people, stimulated by Mission- ary Terry, resolved to erect a little chapel for their Sabbath-School and other services, and they set to work at once to accomplish their desire. Truly they must have been inspired by the message of the 138 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN great Apostle, who said, " This one thing I do," for in a brief space of time a neat Httle chapel was erected at a cost of ;^200.oo, all paid for by the people, with a little aid from a few friends. November i8th, igoo. — It was my pleasure and privilege to visit Redcliffe and to participate in the dedicatory services in company with Rev. Mr. Breckenridge of Bayfield and Missionary Terry ; the two services held were splendidly attended ; the exercises by the Sabbath-School prepared by Mrs. Terry won the admiration of all present. The scholars are especially to be commended for their memorization of so many portions of God's Word. While waiting for evening service, Mr. and Mrs. Terry and I were finely entertained in the large sawmill boarding house on the banks of Lake Su- perior. This portion of the day was in hearty accord with the pioneer character of our Sabbath- School missionary work. Truly it may be said that " there was joy " in that little settlement on that day. A company of twelve ladies, who drove out from Bayfield, lent much aid in the services. And so another little house of the Lord has been erected in the •• highways and hedges," and from the seed sown we expect an abundant harvest. III. THE WELL-WORN BIBLE. April 2jd, igoi. — I visited to-day a district called the Ebbe settlement, in the northern part of Wood County. The place consists of a school- RIPENING FIELDS I 39 house, a sawmill, and a few farmhouses. In the school I found an enrollment of fifteen scholars with ten present. By permission of the teacher, I ad- dressed the scholars, and gave them picture cards and papers. The place had never before been vis- ited by any Christian agency. I asked the scholars if they would like to have a Sabbath-School, and, with beaming faces, they all raised their hands. I next visited the homes of the people, and in every instance was heartily welcomed. I took dinner in the home of the oldest settler, and found that he and his family had been hidden away in these woods for thirteen years. The mother showed me a well-worn Bible and told me of the comfort she derived from it. Before I took my departure, an agreement was made for the organization of a Sabbath-School. The advent of a Sabbath-School in such places is the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness. Such visits as I have described are the initial steps in this work which are being taken in multitudes of places with the happiest results. The sowing of the seed is soon followed by abundant harvests. On a certain Thanksgiving day I left a little family party at home to catch a train which was to take me within seventeen miles of a place where the openmg services of a mission chapel were to be held. It snowed all the way, and after a drive of three hours we came to the new chapel standing among the remains of forest trees, with a small hill 140 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN as a background. It was the product of the humble efforts of humble people whose children had been gathered into one of our mission Sabbath-Schools. We held services there for three days. The school has progressed finely. The chapel is the only semblance of Protestant Christianity for twenty miles around. IV. A RED LETTER DAY. Sabbath, October 20th, igoi, was a red letter day for the Presbyterian Church of Wausau. It was the first harvest home festival held under the new pastor, Dr. Wilson. Ample arrangements had been made for the occasion, provision for •* men and beast " being on a liberal scale. The weather was all that could be desired and the attendance of dele- gates and people was large. The church was taste- fully decorated ; also special music was rendered in fine style. The services of the day were three in number, presided over by the pastor. In the fore- noon the sermon was preached by the Rev. L. C. Smith, Synodical Home missionary for the state. This sermon was one of great practical utility, sounding a suitable keynote for the services of the day. The afternoon service was a memorable one. On the platform were seated the church's own missionary workers, three in number, one of whom was from the foreign field (Africa) ; and, in addi- tion, there were delegates from sixteen mission fields from the surrounding country, extending a RIPENING FIELDS I4I distance of twenty-four miles from the church. The following mission stations were represented : Aniwa, Heights, West Side, Hogarty, Brokaw, Edgar, Johnston, Schofield, Fenwood, Knowles, Kelly, Stratford, Sandy, Ribb, Trappe and Hull. All of these were developments of Presbyterian Sabbath-School mission work, fostered and cared for by the pastor and devoted members of the Wausau Church during the past thirteen years, with the help of the Sabbath-School missionaries. The sight presented was an object lesson full of guidance and comfort, helping to solve the great problem of how best to meet the deep spiritual needs of our agricultural population in this and other states. The service opened with an address of welcome by the pastor, giving expression to the deep affection existing between the church and the mission fields. This was followed by a graphic " word picture " address by Rev. Joseph Brown, Synodical Sabbath-School missionary for the state. The address of Rev. F. G. Knauer, of Bantanza, West Africa, was most interesting and suggestive. Then followed stories of work done by field-workers and superintendents of the sixteen Sabbath-Schools represented, all of which formed a picture of the working forces of Christianity grand to behold and worthy of being remembered. Every arrangement for the entertainment of the numerous visitors was made by the kindly people of the Wausau Church. Each service was per- 142 SABBATH-SCHOOL MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN fectly planned ; altogether, it was a day to be re- membered by all who were privileged to be present. Its common experiences bound all as one family, and right heartily did every one join in the closing hymn : — " Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love ; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above." flfi o t^ a Q H <; u H z M .-) o o a: I X H