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Show 81 - Mr. Fairfield combines the functions of evangelist and pastor, and in the latter capacity has this to say of the Greatvale church, which is under his care: " The church has increased steadily in its membership, both of those who have been baptized, and of those who are preparing for baptism. Eighteen have been baptized and one has joined by letter, twenty-seven have been received on probation, and one hundred ten have signified their desire to join the church We owe much to the schools and the hospital for those who have locally come into connection with the church. The Sunday-school has been largely depended upon for Christian nurture, but one special class, meeting daily for two weeks, has been held for Bible study A large share of the pastoral care for those conning into the church has been placed upon the new deacons, who are entering upon their new duties with a gratifying sense of consecration and responsibility." A Sunday School Class That Preferred Outdoor Air Speaking of the reorganization of the local church, Mr. Fairfield says, "A new constitution, better adapted to the new conditions, has been adopted, and officers have been elected and installed. As the church has not yet been able to call a pastor, they have asked me to serve as acting pastor for the time being, but it is intended to leave just as much of the responsibility for directing and carrying on the work as may prove to be possible to the officers elected by the church. As soon as the roll of members is completed, a budget for the balance of the year will be adopted, and the finances placed on a more certain basis than they are at the present time. The church entertained the delegates from the other churches at the Easter meetings, and with proper assistance should be making steady progress. Two managers of shops and a chief accountant were baptized at the last communion, and we hope it will not be long before the missionary may become simply the assistant of the church in carrying out its own plans for evangelizing the city." Mr. Corbin's relation to the outstation churches and the entire country field of the station is similar to that which Mr. Fairfield sustains to the local church and the city field. Under his pastoral care Mr. Corbin has six outstations, as follows: Pure Spring City, South Green Mound, Westvale and Old Top in the Pure Spring district; Shop Mound in the Greatvale district; and Eastern Sun in the Elm Inn district. He mentions in his report fifteen other points in this country field, nearly all of them thriving market towns, where outstations should be opened. From Mi. Corbin's report we glean the following notes as to the churches under his care. " In February a class was held in Shop Mound, with a total enrolment of 27 men and boys, from 12 different villages in 4 districts. Elder Yang assisted in the teaching by taking one class. In March a residence of two weeks in the Pure Spring church gave an op- |
