National Organizations:
• The American Missionary Society, pp. 59-60.
• The Christian Woman's Board of Missions, pp. 61-62.
• The Foreign Christian Missionary Society, pp. 63-64.
• Board of Ministerial Relief, p. 65.
• Our Church Extension Fund, p. 66.
• The National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church, pp. 67-68.
• The Brotherhood of the Disciples of Christ, p. 69.

      Forty years passed after the publication of the "Declaration and Address," by Thomas Campbell, before the Reformers, as they were styled, formed a national missionary society. In October, 1849, in the Christian Chapel, now a Roman Catholic Church, at Eighth and Walnut Streets, Cincinnati, O., they formed their first missionary organization, "The General Christian Missionary Convention," and set forth its object as being "to spread the gospel in this and other lands." This is now known as "The American Christian Missionary Society."

      The list of presidents is as follows: A. Campbell, D. S. Burnet, R. M. Bishop, Isaac Errett, W. K. Pendleton, Alvin I. Hobbs, W. H. Hopson, T. P. Haley, R. Moffett, B. B. Tyler, D. R. Dungan, Dr. A. G. Thomas, L. L. Carpenter, F. M. Drake, C. L. Loos, J. H. Garrison, N. S. Haynes, T. W. Phillips, D. R. Ewing, A. M. Atkinson, George Darsie, J. W. Allen, Jabez Hall, J. H. Hardin, M. M. Davis, F. D. Power, W. F. Richardson, W. K. Homan, I. J. Spencer, H. O. Breeden, A. B. Philputt, Z. T. Sweeney, E. L. Powell, S. M. Cooper, Geo. H. Combs, R. A. Long, and Chas. S. Medbury. [59]

      The following brethren have served as corresponding secretary: James Challen, Thurston Crane, D. S. Burnet, Charles Louis Loos, Benj. Franklin, Isaac Errett, B. W. Johnson, O. A. Burgess, W. C. Rogers, John Shackleford, Thomas Munnell, F. M. Green, Robert Moffett, J. H. Hardin, Benjamin Lyon Smith, and William J. Wright.

      The first missionary was Dr. J. T. Barclay, who was sent to Jerusalem. The first work in America was at Steubenville, O., and the next was in New England. After twenty-five years "The Foreign Christian Missionary Society" was formed, and the parent society confined operations to the United States and Canada. Thus it became "The Home Society."

      The society has raised and distributed about two millions of dollars. Its missionaries have organized about 3,600 congregations. They have baptized 175,000 persons, and have gathered into working congregations some 200,000 scattered disciples. In 1908 they organized 158 new churches, baptized 9,160 persons, and added 8,509 others to the churches on an income of $123,000.

      The society is at work on the frontiers of the United States and Canada and among the mountaineers. The missionaries organize congregations and erect chapels in new towns and in the great cities, both down town and in new suburban places. They "become all things to all men, if by any means they may save some."

      The official organ is "The American Home Missionary," one number of which annually is the Year-Book.

      The regular income of the society is derived from voluntary gifts from individuals, churches, Sunday schools, and other organizations, and is expended as fast as received in supporting the workers. Considerable money is also received by bequest.

      Twenty-one persons have created Permanent Named Memorial Funds, by each making a minimum gift of $5,000: These funds are invested, and only the interest used for the prosecution of the work. The society also receives money on the Annuity Plan, and pays 4 per cent to 6 per cent to the donors during life. [60]

      Oct. 22, 1874, in the Richmond Street Church of Christ, Cincinnati, O., the Christian Woman's Board of Missions was organized. The first to agitate the need of such a work was Mrs. C. N. Pearre, then of Iowa City, Ia. The idea was taken up by Isaac Errett in "The Christian Standard" and by J. H. Garrison in "The Christian," and a call was issued for a meeting in connection with the General Christian Missionary Convention at Cincinnati. Four hundred and thirty dollars was contributed at this first effort. Last year the receipts were over $300,000. In thirty-five years the gifts have amounted to $2,750,000.

      Work is conducted in eight countries, aside from the United States. The first work undertaken was the reëstablishment of the mission in Jamaica. In 1876 the first missionaries sailed for the island. The Board now has in its care in Jamaica twenty-five churches, with nearly 3,700 native Christians.

      India was entered in 1882. Ada Boyd, Mary Graybiel, Mary Kingsbury, and Laura Kinsey were the first missionaries sent. The first station was at Bilaspur. There are now ten stations and [61] thirty out-stations, four hospitals, twenty dispensaries, twenty-six day-schools, with 1,500 pupils, four orphanages, a leper mission, and a home for women and children.

      Papal lands next attracted attention. June, 1897, the station at Monterey, Mexico, was opened. Here a large and most successful mission is conducted. The day-school has nearly 400 pupils. There are eleven organized churches and twenty-one out-stations. Porto Rico was entered in 1898. A Boys' Orphanage, with a one-hundred-acre farm; a Girls' Orphanage, with new buildings planned; the new church building at Bayamon and chapel at Da Jaos, and evangelistic stations in near-by villages, are all significant. The beginning of a work in South America has been undertaken at Buenos Aires. Land has been purchased and new buildings are to be begun soon.

      An industrial school has just been started by a graduate of the Southern Christian Institute in Liberia, Southwest Africa. Two buildings have been erected. The Board is coöperating with the churches in New Zealand and Canada in evangelistic work.

      For both the home people and the aliens within our gates, work is conducted in thirty-three States of the Union. Seventeen schools and Bible Chairs are maintained. Eleven State missionary boards and two city missionary unions receive annual appropriations. Nearly all the work for negroes done by the Disciples of Christ is administered by the Christian Woman's Board of Missions. The work for Japanese and Chinese on the Pacific Coast and the work among the Appalachian Highlanders is under this Board. Four hundred and sixty-six workers, including ministers, evangelists, and teachers, are aiding in the United States and in lands abroad.

      The Centennial Aim of the Christian Woman's Board of Missions was to raise $200,000 for a worthy Centennial Building in each of the existing fields of work, and to enter one new foreign field. The largest of these building enterprises has been the erection of the Sarah Davis Deterding Memorial Missionary Training School and National Headquarters Building at Indianapolis. [62]

      This society was organized in Louisville, Oct. 21, 1875. At that time the Disciples of Christ did not have a single herald of the cross in the wide field destitute of the gospel. Now we are at work on four continents and in thirteen countries, as follows: India, Japan, China, the Philippines, Africa, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, England, Hawaii, and Tibet. The growth of the society has far exceeded all that its founders dared to ask or think. Men and women of ability and culture and consecration have been raised up for the service; the funds required for their support have been contributed; homes, chapels, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages, and asylums have been built; mission-boats have been provided; the gospel has been preached near and far. The churches in Canada, England, and Australia have united with the churches in the United States to carry on the work.

      The missionaries now at work number 167; the helpers of all kinds, 594. The churches organized number 117; the membership, 10,435. The pupils enrolled in the Bible schools number 7,258; the hospitals and dispensaries are 17; and the patients treated last [63] year, 127,000. The pupils in the 62 schools and colleges number 3,669; the children cared for in the orphanages number 400. The receipts from the first amount to $3,348,657. Of this amount, $858,563 came from the Bible schools. The bequests aggregate $132,000, and the funds received on the annuity plan, $321,864. A considerable literature has been created since the society began its work. "The Missionary Intelligencer" has been published for twenty years. Millions of tracts have been scattered broadcast. The following are some of the books that have been published: "With Tibetans in Tent and Temple," by Dr. Susie Rijnhart; "Illustrious Chinese Christians," by W. P. Bentley; "Breaking Down Chinese Walls," by Dr. E. I. Osgood; "Heathenism Under the Searchlight;" by W. R. Hunt; "Indian Folk Tales," by E. M. Gordon; "Missionary Addresses," "Hand-book of Foreign Missions," "A Circuit of the Globe," "Where the Book Speaks," by A. McLean. "The Church of Christ," by a Layman, has been translated into Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi. The Four Gospels and several of the Epistles have been translated into Lunkundo; the Pentateuch has been translated into Illocano; an English and Illocano Dictionary and a hymnal have been prepared; any number of booklets and leaflets have been printed.

      The society has its graves in many lands. Its heroes and heroines sleep under the glorious sun and under the solemn stars. Thus Mrs. Josephine W. Smith and C. E. Garst rest in Japan; C. E. Molland, A. F. H. Saw, E. P. and Mrs. Hearnden, in China; Miss Sue A. Robinson, Miss Hattie L. Judson, and G. L. Wharton, in India; Dr. Harry Biddle and Miss Ella Ewing, in Africa; Mrs. Mary B. Moore, Mrs. Carrie Loos Williams, and M. D. Tood, in America; Dr. Z. S. Loftis, on the border of Tibet. T. J. Arnold gave his life for China. Their graves are waymarks to those who survive, guiding them as they press into the regions beyond. The good hand of our God has been upon the society for good from the first. He has blessed it and all who have contributed to its prosperity. [64]

      The Board of Ministerial Relief was organized by the National Convention at Dallas, Tex., October, 1895, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana, April, 1897. Headquarters are at 120 East Market Street, Indianapolis, Ind.

      The primary purpose of this Board is the care and support of our aged and disabled dependent preachers or their widows. The support of this ministry is one of the church's most sacred obligations. The third Lord's Day in December is the regular day for contribution to this work.

      This Board will receive cash on the annuity plan and pay a reasonable rate of interest during the life of the donor. Persons making wills in favor of this Board should use the following form: "I will, give, bequeath, and devise to the Board of Ministerial Relief of the Church of Christ, of Marion County, State of Indiana, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Indiana, the sum of --------------- dollars, and the receipt of the Treasurer of said corporation shall be sufficient discharge to my executor of the same." If real estate is bequeathed, it should be accurately described and located as if in a deed. [65]

      The Church Extension movement, primarily, was for the object of establishing new congregations, that would be simply Christian, in the growing towns and cities of the United States, by helping homeless churches to build at once. Given a consecrated minister and a proper equipment and the plea of the Disciples will win quickly anywhere.

      Therefore, the National Convention of 1888, which launched this work, directed that the Board of Church Extension be located in Kansas City, Mo., because it was in the centre of the territory where most of the money would be expended in helping our missions to build. The church builder follows the evangelist and the church organizer; and, at this time, the waves of evangelism were sweeping over the Middle West as the country was developing and on to the Pacific West and Northwest. Later came the continued and steady growth of the New Southwest and South. Later still the Eastern States claimed attention, with need of large loans from the Church Extension Fund.

      Secular loan companies would not loan money to the mission church anywhere. Therefore the need of this Fund which our brethren decided to make a Loan Fund to be returned in five annual payments by the missions using it. The plan has worked well. Over $890,000 has been returned on loans, to go out and help other churches build. Seven hundred of the 1,258 churches aided have paid their loans in full. Our 700 homeless churches should be helped at once to get church homes at the beginning of our second century's work.

      Before June, 1909, the Board had received $230,000 from 249 annuitants to whom it pays interest during life at four, five, or six per cent, according to age. This money alone has built 150 churches.

      For information write G. W. Muckley, corresponding secretary, 500 Waterworks Building, Kansas City, Mo. [66]

      The Benevolent Association of the Christian Church was organized in 1886. Mrs. M. A. Younkin was the leading spirit in the movement. Mrs. S. T. McCormack was the first president and Miss Sue Robinson the first secretary. In January, 1887, a permanent organization was effected by the election of Mrs. John T. Hogan president, Mrs. J. K. Hansbrough recording secretary, Mrs. O. C. Shedd corresponding secretary, and Mrs. C. A. Wiggin treasurer.

      The Society was incorporated under the laws of Missouri, and did its first work in St. Louis in 1887. The receipts for that year amounted to $300. In February, 1889, the first home was opened and was named the Christian Orphans' Home. In a few years a good-sized modern building was erected at 915 Aubert Avenue, St. Louis.

      Through the generosity of Robert H. Stockton the present building, located on Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, was erected in 1909. This Home accommodates 200 and has aided 2,858 unfortunate [67] children, placing 1,229 in family homes, besides relieving 730 widows. In 1889 the Mothers' and Babies' Home was opened in St. Louis. A hospital department was added in 1892. This institution has ministered to 405 indigent sick, 715 mothers, and 1,670 babies. It has room for 50. In 1900 a home for the aged was opened in St. Louis. In March, 1901, it was moved to Jacksonville, Ill. This Home accommodates 30 persons. In 1901 a general secretary was added. In 1902 the Association came into possession of the Havens Home for the Aged, at East Aurora, N. Y., the gift of Alonzo Havens and his wife. It accommodates 26, and its rooms are always full. In the same year the Christian Orphanage opened in Cleveland, O. It now occupies a commodious and modern building on Loraine Avenue. This Home accommodates 75 children, and has given aid to 438. In 1904 a Christian Home was opened at Loveland, Col. In 1907 this was moved to Denver, where a modern building is being constructed. It will furnish a home for 50 little ones. The Juliette Fowler Home, on a 200-acre farm, near Dallas, was received into affiliation with the Association, July, 1904. It cares for 70 children. The Southern Christian Orphans' Home was opened at Baldwin, Ga., in 1905. It accommodates 35, and has cared for 100 little waifs. The same year the Christian Hospital was opened in Valparaiso, Ind. More than 400 patients have been treated in this institution.

      "The Orphan's Cry," now "The Christian Philanthropist," the official organ of the Association, was started in 1894.

      The National Benevolent Association now has under its care eleven institutions. Through these, 885 needy sick, 114 homeless aged Disciples of Christ, 785 destitute women, 956 needy parents, 5,445 parentless children, have received aid, and 3,150 of these children have been placed in family homes.

      The Association has about $120,000 in annuities. It holds in trust for its several institutions property worth $257,254.32.

      This great work is supported by the free-will offerings of its friends. It needs the support of every Disciple of Christ. [68]

      At the New Orleans Convention a committee of seven men was appointed with power to act, looking to the inauguration of a vast Brotherhood movement among the churches devoted to the restoration of New Testament Christianity.

      The committee elected R. A. Long president and P. C. Macfarlane general secretary. The National Headquarters of the organization are located in the R. A. Long building in Kansas City, Mo.

      The organization issues model constitutions for Local Brotherhoods and is providing for State Brotherhoods and, through these, a compact National Order. The motto is "A Man's Work in a Man's Way."

      One of its slogans is "Brotherhood Men for the Bible School;" another, "Brotherhood Men for the Ministry." It interests itself in the life of the boy. It also seeks to provide for the social life of its members.

      The National organization publishes a magazine, "Christian Men," notable for its masculine quality. Its emblem is an oval button bearing the cross and star, with the letters B. D. C. in gold upon a red background. [69]

[CCP 59-60]