By S. H. Bartlett
Corresponding Secretary, Ohio Christian Missionary Society
Oct. 17, 1903; p. 1
Every foot of our territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific; from the Great Lakes to the Gulf is the field for State mission work.
We have our national missionary organizations—the American Christian Missionary Society, and the Christian Women’s Board of Missions—each doing work in the United States. And they both bring to us a stirring appeal, and in return for our gifts show splendid results. But in almost all of this vast territory they find that the best returns are to be secured by co-operation with the State missionary organizations.
Outside of the field of the densest population of our people in the central States are vast stretches where we have almost no churches, and where the co-operation with State organizations is close and vital. The State missionary organizations look to these national missionary societies as a child to a parent. They receive appropriations from the national boards, and use them wisely and well in their own States. If the State missionary organization is strong and effective, the work prospers and grows. If the State missionary organization is weak and inefficient, the limitation of distance hinders and retards the work of the national society.
In order to successfully reach the growing populations of the great West and Northwest, and the dense centers of pulsing humanity in the conservative East, and in order to solve the ever-increasing problems of the restless South, we must have in all of the States in these sections strong and effective missionary organizations for the purpose of organizing the people to help themselves for “the care of all the churches,” and for the most effective co-operation with our national boards.
But there is another State missionary field that presents problems new and interesting, and, well, as many that are old and puzzling. This field is found in the States where we as a people are strongest; in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. This field is not considered primarily a field for home missions. The A.C.M.S. and the C.W.B.M. do their work beyond these borders, and the missionary work within these lines is left almost exclusively in the hands of the State missionary organizations.
But, says one, “Are not these fields already well reached by our people? Is not this the field in which we have strong churches, and many of them? Are not the harvest fields of this territory well reaped and gathered in? Can we not say that the work is practically done, and so turn our attention to regions beyond?”
Let us look at Ohio for answer. In Ohio we have 80,000 disciples out of the population of over 4,000,000. We have two struggling German missions in the midst of a German population of more than 8,000. We have 553 churches. The Methodists alone have over 2,000 churches, and yet they have not covered the field of Ohio. There are yet in Ohio more than 2,000,000 souls that are old enough to become Christians, that are not members of any church. There are over 100,000 Christians in the toils of superstition and sectarianism that need to see the light of day. There are in Ohio 269 towns with a population of 1,000 or more; 137 of these have no Church of Christ. There are 5 whole counties in which we have no church, and 29 counties in which there are less than 4 churches of our people. Twenty-seven of our county seats are yet unentered, and we have only just begun to reach the great cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus and Dayton.
Besides, there are various country districts where we have no churches at all, or where our churches are weak and unable to maintain their work. In every one of these towns and cities and country communities there can be found a nucleus of disciples who, with proper leadership and assistance, could be organized into churches, and made powers for good in their community. Every one of these churches would become missionary churches, and contribute liberally to all of our missionary enterprises, and so help in the salvation of the world. Ohio presents a mission field of marvelous ripeness and of vast extent. The gifts of our entire brotherhood might be poured into it for years, and yet not gather all of the harvest that is ripe for our hands.
And what is true of Ohio is true of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee; in fact, of every State within the borders named. And if this vast harvest field is to be reaped, it must be done by the State missionary organizations. The A.C.M.S. and the C.W.B.M. have all they can do in the regions beyond, and must leave this work almost entirely to the State missionary boards. Let the state missionary organizations within these lines be weak, and the work will not be done. The harvest will be ungathered.
And this field is a fruitful field, and nowhere under any skies or in any clime can quicker, more plentiful, more helpful results be gained. We need but turn to the records of the past to find proof of this statement. During the 50 years of life the O.C.M.S. has established within the borders of the State more than 300 churches, and has added to the membership of the churches more than 45,000, more than one-half of the total number of members in the State.
An evangelist recently entered an Ohio town of 3,000 people. A careful canvass revealed 48 baptized believers; 24 others were baptized, and at the end of five weeks a church of 71 members was organized, which will be almost self-supporting from the first.
Another evangelist went into another Ohio town, and at the end of about 10 weeks of labor a church of 102 members was started, which became immediately self-supporting.
Nine years ago a missionary was placed in an Ohio county seat (Newark) with a population of about 20,000. After six years of earnest endeavor a church with 400 members was established, contributing annually to all missionary enterprises more than $400. The total cost for this work was $2,000.
Where can investments be made that will return 20 percent per year, and save many souls? These are only a few of the many illustrations that might be mentioned of the fruitfulness of the field. . . .
CLEVELAND, O.
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‘The Work of the State Evangelist’ (1903)
By Geo. A. Ragan
Oct. 17, 1903; p. 8
The specific work of the State evangelist is, first of all, to resurrect, revive and strengthen the dead, the dying, and the weak churches at strategic points. There are a good many such churches in Ohio which can be saved and brought to a condition of hopefulness and usefulness only by evangelistic assistance provided by the State Board. These churches do not so much need additions as setting in order, reorganizing, pastoral care, and something definite to do. Some of them financially unable to employ a pastor for the whole time, must be brought into co-operation with another or other congregations. Others, having no church homes, are to be aroused to their need of such, and inspired to undertake a building enterprise.
The State evangelist can be of great help to all such churches. His work in Caldwell, the county seat of Noble County, is an illustration of this. The church there, organized some eight or ten years ago, has had its “ups and downs,” but recently with more “downs” than “ups,” until it was practically dead, having only a name to live.
With sufficient means with which to build a house and support a pastor for part of his time, the church has been meeting for several years in an empty store-room, and for the past five months has had no minister. The Sunday-school had dwindled to a handful, and only the “faithful old guard” met regularly to break bread. At the close of a three weeks’ meeting, during which there were seven additions—one a preacher—the church was reorganized, a pastor was called, his salary was provided for, the need of a meeting-house was emphasized, and some steps were taken toward realizing it.
In the second place, the State evangelist is to establish churches at important and prominent centers. There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed in Ohio and all other States. There are several county seats and larger cities where the evangelist could hold good meetings, and leave stronger congregations. The recent tent meeting in Byesville, O., demonstrates this. At the end of a four weeks’ meeting a newly organized congregation of seventy-one members was put in co-operation with the nearby country church of Harmony, and will soon be under regular pastoral care. These two meetings nearly paid for themselves.
Another very important function of the State evangelist is to awaken and organize enthusiasm for State mission work. He is in a position to be specially helpful in this direction. His familiarity with, and appreciation of, that work enable him to impress a strong State missionary spirit upon the churches which he revives and organizes.
Then again, coming to these churches, as he does, supported by the State Board, he furnishes a practical demonstration of the value of the State work. Churches which are the children, or foster children, of the State Board, if properly educated, will make strong State missionary churches. This is the verdict of history. Our State mission churches are in the forefront with our strongest missionary churches.
Another important work which the State evangelist can do in connection with his other duties is to solicit from wealthy or well-to-do individuals special offerings, straight gifts, an annuities for State work. He ought to provide himself with the names and addresses of all such disciples, and in every way possible interest them in the work, and secure their special help.
The State evangelist should consider himself an agent—servant—of the State Board and the brethren to do with his might whatever his hands find to do.
HIRAM, O.
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