Tyrone Church

(1893 -)

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 27, 1894 page 746 Vol. 32 No. 47

OUR SCRAP BOOK

The Mission Work.

We are glad for the growing interest that is being taken in mission work in our church, and yet we cannot help but feel that the growth is too slow. Even yet in some churches the mission work receives but little attention and encouragement from the elder in charge. These elders are excellent men, but have not been accustomed to think along the line of mission work, and being aged, it is very difficult for them to appreciate the importance of anything that has not specially occupied their minds. How to awaken a deeper interest in their minds on this subject is an important question, because they preside over large congregations and exert a widespread influence. This matter was brought forcibly to our minds recently when efforts were made to procure funds for mission work. Various excuses were made, such as the hard times, a few hundred dollars debt on a church, etc. Of course those things would justly affect the amount of contributions, as we are to give as the Lord prospers us, but the Lord always prospers us enough to do something for his cause. The trouble really was not so much the inability as lack of interest. An elder whose church is always ready for any good work said, " Money is scarce and we have some debts that ought to be paid, but if the members will make just a few sacrifices, we can easily pay our debts and also do something for this cause." The result was a liberal contribution. This shows what can be done when churches have elders who have the weight of souls lying on their hearts. We are glad that we have aged men among us who are brimful of missionary zeal, and it seems to us they could do a great work by making visits to churches whose elders need stirring up on this subject. It has been stated in these columns recently that no elder should oppose mission work, and we thought it might here be added, that no elder should even be indifferent, for he that lacks the mission spirit, lacks so much of the spirit of Jesus and his apostles.

THE TYRONE MISSION.

About one year ago Eld. Gray, of the Warrior's Mark church, Huntingdon Co., Pa., commenced holding services in Tyrone, which was in the limits of his congregation. He rented a hall on the second story of a building, and the first few appointments were well attended, but it was not long until it was manifest that the attendance was the result of curiosity, rather than a real interest. We were solicited by Eld. Gray to hold some meetings, but the attendance was very small, sometimes not more than seven or eight being present. There were that many members, or perhaps more, living in the town, but on account of their business they could not be present. We thought we made a good effort to advertise the services and to get in the people, but all our efforts seemed fruitless, and we went home much discouraged. The few brethren living there, urged that it be made a mission point, which was done, and it fell to our lot to seep up the appointments. We have filled the appointments twice each Sunday since last February with a few exceptions, when other brethren filled them.

   The congregations have grown, and in July last

a regular organization was effected, under the supervision of the Mission Board. We now have a Sunday school which averages forty, and only a few days ago we commenced the erection of a meetinghouse. Since July five have been added by baptism and others contemplate uniting with the church ere long. Our congregations are steadily increasing and the prospects, we think, are encouraging for building up a fair congregation. We make this statement with but one object, and that is to encourage persistent efforts in mission work. The work at Tyrone is by no means what may be called a success, but things certainly do look brighter than they did one year ago, when we preached sometimes to seven and eight persons. If we will build up congregations in the towns the appointments must be regular, not every two weeks, but every Sunday morning and evening. Then, too, at once, the Sunday school and prayer meeting should be organized and small attendance should not discourage. The greatest  successes often come from small beginnings. Although we do not yet have enough money raised to pay for the house now being built, yet the contributions from some of the churches have been liberal, and we hope by the time the house is completed there will be sufficient money on hand to pay off all indebtedness.

OUR BIBLE CLASS.

We are conducting an interesting Bible class in

the College since the opening of the fall term. We have given an outline of the life of Christ and are just now taking up the Galilean ministry in review. We now study more carefully the text in connection with the outline given. Bro. H. B. also has an interesting class in Old Testament history. These classes are not as large as they should be, but the interest of those who take the Bible study makes the work interesting to us. We were very much pleased, however, recently, to find our class largely increased. The Bible room is now filled end we commence the review and study of the Galilean ministry with much interest.

J. B. B