Foreign Mission Journal, June 1887

Foreign Mission Journal. PUBLISHED .MONTHLY BY TUB FOBEIGN MISSION' ВОЛШ) OF TII12 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. <W- s'. ; >♦. “ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.” Vo i.. iS — New Series. RICHMOND, VA., JUNE, 1887. No. и — Whole No. 226 [Entered Л1 the Post-Omce nt Richmond, Va., ns second-clnes matter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES I*ER ANNUM : I. For papers HppnmtPly addressed, either to same cr to different poet ofllces : One copy . Я4 cts. Three copies or . 3:14 cts. apiece. II. For packages eent to one person, who shall be reeiKjnelble for their distribution ; Four copies for *1 , or more at . 26 cts. Twenty-five copies for *Л.ог more at . 20 cts. OneJIundred copies for*lfii or moreftt..l6ct* ADVERTISING RATES. m SPACE. 1 Month. 3 Months 0 Months 12 Months One Inch . 1 25 Я 4Г, 0 Л0 12 no Two Inches . 2 40 0 45 12 60 22 60 Three Indies . Я ДО Я 20 IS 00 .22 00 Quarter column,.. 4 75 14 00 85 00 ID 00 Half column . 0 2.1 25 2-1 48 m 00 00 One column . IS hO 60 00 P2 60 Ш no FOREIGN MISSION BOARD Of THE SOUTHERN DAPTIST CONVENTION, Located AT RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. Pdesidint— It. II. IlAlllilS. YlcE-I'nxsiDKWTS — Jo, him I.cverlnc. Md.,U. \V. Tomliloe. La., О. II Will, ton. Va., N. Л. Rallny, Via,, rti-o. Whltn.ld, N. O., Cl. F. UiiKby, Ky.,.1. .1. 1). H.n- Iroe. Alabama, H. S. Duncan, Mo,, H. II. Unrroll, Tmt, W. I.. Kilpatrick, Од., Ohn». Manly, S. O., .1. M. Son ter. Tenn.. J. H. Searcy, Лгк., О еогре Whltflfld, Mis.., W. F. AUklsson, w . Va. COnnHSrONDINO SECllETAnY— II. A. T UPPER ТпКАбоПкП— J. O. WILLIAMS. В1ГО1Ш1ЯО SKonaTAHT— A. II. CLARKK. Armron-11. C. RUKNRIT. ПОЛИП OT MANAOkne.— II. K. Elly«m, i. «.Win- • ton W K. Hatcher. I. W. Jonee, J. Pollard. Jr., S O. O'rpton. .1. II. Ilnlioo. W. 0. Thoma!, W. W. Laailrutn, TV J. Shlpmnn. (Jeo. Oeoper. R. \V. Power». О. II. Hyland, II, C. Rurcett, T. P. Mathetve. R H.Pltl. communications in reference to the business of this Hoard should be addressed to H. A. Tuppkr, Corresponding Secretary, Richmond. Va. THE CONVENTION. The Convention of 1SS7 is a tiling of the past, ami one in which, as we look back upon it, we can find much to rejoice over and be thankful for. Is it not a subject of rejoicing that such a body of God’s servants can be gathered togethet from all over our broad land, all moved by the same spirit, working for the same end— the representatives of a vast host holding one faith, believing in one I.ord, practicing one baptism ? We rejoice in the harmony and broth-rly love that were manifested in all the proceed¬ ings of the body. Many brethren looked for¬ ward to this meeting of the Convention with no little anxiety. Grave questions affecting our denominational work had been raised, and must be answered there: conllicting ideas about the policy or policies to be pur¬ sued in our missionary enterprises were to be presented ; plans were to be discussed which involved wide differences of opinion. Tlte questions were raised and answered, ideas presented, plans discussed, and, amid it all, no unkind word was spoken, no tin- brotherly feeling displayed. Peace and harmony prevailed, and while some were ne¬ cessarily disappointed in the conclusions readied, yet all gracefully and in the best spirit “accepted the situation.” Still another feature of the Convention which was noticeable, was the hopefulness which characterized the utterances of the brethren. And there was cause for this. We have just passed through the most try¬ ing ygar, financially, that our people have known for a long time, a year, too, charac¬ terized by visitations of Providence that w ere surpassingly severe. Yet out of all these trials we had come to report the best work of the years done, not only in our mission fields, but at home as well. God had seemed to reveal himself in severity at times and in places, but all over our own land, and in our mission fields abroad, he had poured out the riches of his grace, and his mercies had been beyond reckoning. Humbled and yet rejoicing, our people are thankful for the past and hopeful for the future. These feelings were voiced in the Convention. Now let us all go to work and do better things for the Lord than we have ever done. He has taught us that we can give to him out of our poverty without impover¬ ishing ourselves, and during this year, as he gives us the means, let us fill the treasure boxes of his house, that his work- may go on, ever growing larger. OUT OF DEBT-INTO DEBT. It was indeed vvitli glad hearts that the Hoard was enabled to report “ no debt " to the Convention. And glad were the hearts of the brethren to hear the good news. By a few large gifts from a few men and women of means, and by many small gifts from many of small means all over the land, enough money came into the treasury to pay all the notes in the banks, meet the demands for current expenses, and leave a small balance. Instead of a debt of over $S,ooo, as last year, there was a balance of #211 in the treasury on the last day of the conventional year. This, however, let us bear in mind, was the result of extraordinary elforts put forth by many brethren, especially by our excellent Cor¬ responding Secretary, who, for weeks was on the road, visiting churches and indi¬ viduals, and pleading with them for the means to meet the large obligations then upon the Hoard. We were in an emer¬ gency that called for extraoi dinary efforts, and they were put forth. The emergency was met, the debt paid, and all of us drew a long breath. Some in their hearts and some with their lips sang, " Praise God from whom all blessings fiow.” The Convention over, the lime has come for us to look forward. What do we see ? Just before us, nayjust at us, we see the familiar form of debt ready to clasp us, all unwilling as we are, in its strong, crushing arms. Hardly are we -out of its embrace before we must enter again, unless - , The treasurer informs us that drafts have already come in from all our mission fields, save one, for the second quarter’s expenses of the missions. These drafts call for over #9,000, and they must be met at once. How shall they be met ? Hither the money must come in at once from the l.ord's people or the Hoard must resort to the banks again. Which shall it be ? It must be a resort to the banks unless God's Spirit shall move our brethren to do liberal things at once for his work. Are there not in many of our churches men and women who have enough money to live on and some to spare, who have done little or nothing to relieve our past necessities, but who might now come up to the help of the Lord and save his cause from the evils of another debt? Are there not churches that could give, say one-half of their year’s subscription now? Could not many churches give at least a small amount now to save us from debt? Every dollar given now will be worth to the Hoard a dollar, plus one year's interest. Every dollar held back to be given next April, will be worth one dollar, minus one year’s interest. Stewards of God, hear his call. than the year before. For example, Penn¬ sylvania is credited on last year's report with #1,1 10 as against #3,567 the year before. New York with $177.50 ns against #431.65. Still another fact is apparent which further exhibits the growth. Of the #83,- 1404.51 reported as received year before i last, $6,751.46 was money collected .by Rev. i W. D. Powell during /SS./-J, and only re- 1 ported to the Corresponding Secretary at ; the Convention in Augusta. So that, j year before last, deducting the amounts re¬ ceived by brother Powell in 1884-5, the States embraced in our Convention (includ¬ ing the District of Columbia,) actually gave $71.652.09, while last year they gave $84,682.03, an increase of $13,029.94. When we remember that this increase was made while our people were enduring the severest financial pressure that they have felt in many years, we are greatly en¬ couraged in our belief that our people are indeed “ growing in the grace of giving.” An equal increase of gifts during this year would give the Hoard the #100,000 asked for. GROWTH IN GIVING. To any one who will compare the report of the Hoard for last year with that for the year before, the pleasing fact will be appa¬ rent that our people are growing in the grace of giving. Eleven States report larger contributions, the increase varying horn a few dollars to thousands. Virginia made the largest increase, her contributions going up from $9,425.85 to #I3.347.75. Ar¬ kansas and Louisiana enlarged their gifts, each about fifty per cent, while Missouri added #2,212.72 to her #6,021.57. Four States report a decrease, viz: Florida, Soutli Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. In the cases of three of these four States, good reasons can be assigned for the falling off. Florida lias had a large work on hand providing for her own destitution and aid¬ ing the Cuban field ; South Carolina suffer¬ ed last fall from severe drought, which, to¬ gether with the earthquake, greatly impov¬ erished her people; while .Texas, "accus¬ tomed,” as one of her delegates said at the Convention, “ to do everything on a grand scale," had a protracted drought which ex¬ tended over n large territory and threw large numbers of her people on the charity of the others. Texas has also done a great work in trying to supply the destitution in her own borders. Tennessee alone has fallen behind without any adequate cause being assigned. Another fact is suggested by the com¬ parison of these reports, which is, that all the increase in our receipts came from within our own borders. Contributions from without were mucli smaller last year SAILING OF MISSIONARIES. At a meeting of the Hoard, held 16U1 May, the application of Brother W. B. Iiagby and family to return to their field of labor nt Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was considered and endorsed. Tiiey sailed from Newport News, Va., on the 25th. During Brother Bagby's stay in this country, about a year, he did good work for the cause, travelling over several States and laying before the people the prospects and needs of the Brazilian work. His own enthusiasm in, and evident consecration to his work, awakened a deep interest in the hearts of his hearers — an in¬ terest that showed itself in liberal contribu¬ tions to the work of the Board. For seve¬ ral months past he had been exceedingly anxious to return to his field, but the Board was unable to send him. With renewed health and vigor, he has gone to his work. May the blessing of God go with him, and make his labors fruitful in the conversion of souls. Along with Brother Bagby went Miss Maggie Rice, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Miss Rice lias long desired to go to this field, and on her formal application to the Board at its late meeting she was accepted. She came before the Board with tile hearty, even enthusiastic, endorsement of the Mis¬ souri Baptists, and with the best testimo¬ nials as to her mental and physical fitness for the work, from her teachers and physi¬ cian. As far as we can judge, this appoint¬ ment is a most excellent one, in every re¬ spect. A fuller account of Miss Rice will be given later. Let the prayers of God's people accompany her on her journey and in her work. SUNBEAMS. We presume that most of our readers know by this time what the "Sunbeams” are, yet we venture a few words of expla¬ nation with regard to them. From many brethren in different parts of the country there came to us appeals for something to interest tlte children in the work of missions. Some said that they were willingand anxious to get the children ! of their schools to work, but did not have I the means of instructing them, and so 1 keeping them interested. Where could i they get information in such form as would ; interest the little folks? While we were anxiously considering the question, brother ■ Geo. Braxton Taylor, son of our esteemed missionary to Rome, proposed to us to . undertake this work of organizing and fur- nishinginformatlon for childrens’ societies, conducting the work somewhat on the plan i of the " Rosebud " movement, which had i proved so successful among the Metho- ' dists. He proposed to prepare simple con- | stitutions for the societies, and when or- i ganized, to furnish to them each month such missionary information as he thought would be suitable, in such form as would j make it interesting as well as instructive. jThis he does by preparing monthly "Trips” j to various heathen and Catholic countries, I in each of which he gives an account of some country, its people, customs, &c, and of the work being done there. From a number of persons in several different States applications have come for constitutions, and many societies have been formed, the number increasing weekly. We take occasion just here to say : 1. We do not nt all design to have this “Sunbeam " movement interfere will) any Societies that are already in existence, nor with any plans that may be on foot in any sections of the country for organizing the children, und getting them to work for the Lord. We aim only to supply a want which had been pressed on our attention time and again. 2. We do not propose to dictate in the least to the societies as to what direction they shall give to their money. We desire to give them information, such as they need and will receive, stimulate them to give to and work for the Lord's cause, and then leave them to use as they see best the re¬ sults of that giving and work. 3. We do not propose to confine the "Trips” and the information contained therein to the fields occupied by our own Board, but to others as well, endeavoring to enlarge the views of the children as to tlie work of missions. 4. We think It best for the societies to send such funds as they may raise, after designating them, through the treasurers of the churches, simply reporting what they have done to Brother Taylor for his en¬ couragement and that of other societies. All communications with regard to this work should be addressed to Rev. Geo. Braxton Taylor, University of Virginia. SUMMARY. We give herewith a summary of the re¬ ports from our mission fields, which we trust will prove useful to the brethren in their associational reports and missionary sermons and addresses. It formed part of the annual report of the Board, but we did not have room for it in the last Journal : SUMMARY. From the foregoing report it appears that our Board has missions in the five conti¬ nents of t!,' globe, presenting statistics as follows : Brazilian Missions — Missionaries, native and foreign, 14; churches and stations, 6; baptisms, 30; members, 175. Brother Taylor says there are monthly additions. The main feature of tills work is the fierce opposition overcome, though much oppo¬ sition remains. Five hundred dollars has been collected on the field. Mexican Missions — Missionaries, native and foreign, 17: churches and stations, 21 ; baptisms, 100; members, 350; pupils," over 100; candidates for baptism, 150; contribu¬ tions, #823. Brother Howell thinks 10 new churches should be organized. This mis¬ sion is a marvel, considering its youth. The intelligence of our sister Republic swing- THE TEIXEIRA. DEATH OF ANTONIO d'ALBUQUERQUE. A great loss lias fallen upon our Brazilian mission ! A mission station, is without its leader and a church without its loved pastor. A devoted wife and five children are stricken with the shadow of a great grief. The sad news has just reached us that the faithful, earnest, truthful, humble servant of Christ, whose name heads this sketch, has laid down his armor in his own native Brazilian town, and his warfare is ended. The writer of these lines knew Senhor Teixeira personally, and during his three years intimate association with him learned to love him very dearly as a Christian brother, and as a co-worker for the salva¬ tion of his Brazilian countrymen. His qualities of mind and heart were admirable indeed, and he seemed fitted in every, way to do a glorious work for the enlighten¬ ment of his people. Senhor Teixeira was about thirty-eight years of age at the time of his death. He was born in the province of Alagoas, north Brazil. His parents were persons well-to-do in life, and took great pride in educating their son and giving him .all the advantages in their power. They were like many of their countrymen, de¬ vout Roman Catholics, and early decided , that Teixeira should enter the priesthood. He was soon prepared for college and sent ' to Pernambuco, where, he entered Ollnda Theological Seminary, and began . bis - studies as a candidate for ordination as priest. In liis little book, entitled Tres Itacoes Bor- gut Deixtia Jgreja Romana, (Three Reasons Why I Left the Church of Rome,) he says of his life at the Seminary, where his doubts and investigations began : “ Edu¬ cated in the solitude of an ancient convent of the Jesuits, under the direction of six priests of the ‘Society,’ 1 learned the Romish theology, having at the same time to obey blindly all its dogmas. I had no time to engulf myself in covetousness, nor to encumber myself with political intriques, . as many of the clergy (priests) did. I learned all from obligation, not conviction'. -. I did not study the Bible, there being no course for this in the Seminary. When I read the Bible, then I saw with surprise the error of the religion in which I was edu¬ cated, which I was following, and in which, unhappily, I had been ordained." He found himself soon involved in great ^ difficulties anil darkness, as he continued ing away from the churchism of Rome ! to study the old Italian Bible he had dls- seems to seek the liberty of the trutli in ; covered. .He went once to hear a Pro-. « Christ. Л handsome church edifice, in the testant missionary preacher, and soon began , ■*’ SaitUIo ,he City' l'aS bee" erCCted ,n) to study the New Testament in Greek. He’, Italian Missions— Missionaries, native ' found the light he was searching for. He and foreign, 15 ; churches and' stations, 14; saw the miserable and sinful condition in , which he, in company with all his, com-', panions in the priesthood, were living. He • irse ! members, 306 ; baptisms, 26 ; church-houses at Rome and Torre Peillce. From Its very beginning, this work sprang into a first-class mission, and ever since has been making steady and substantial growth. In almost every important city, from the Alps to the Gulf of Taranto, a light is burning from a gospel candle-stick. African Missions — Missionaries, native says of himself at this time: “Remorse^ and inquisitorial sufferings accompanied ■ me everywhere. I sought the Lord Jesuj * Christ, the only refuge of sinners, and,J found Him. 1 received Him, and in that and foreign, 16; baptisms, 26; members, , hour, the happiest of my life, I felt the 138; schools, s; teachers. 6; pupils, 2S4 ; effects of the grace of God and, the work churches and chapels, 5. Since the rcorgaiir 1 . , e”;.;, heart » ization of the Yoruba Mission there have i.of ‘he Holy Spirit in my heart. • been 171 baptisms and 32 deaths. The 1 He determined to marry and live an prospect is brighter than ever, though j honest Christian life. He did so and re- brightness adheres ever to the promise, 1 n0unced Romanism. For this he was dis'» ^thiopia shall stretch forth her hands to |nherUed by fa,her and mother> a„d (or'- China Missions— Missionaries, native and I saken by his friends. He went to south foreign, 54: churches and stations, 24 ; bap- 1 Brazil, and there became a Baptist, and was tisms, 46: members, 677; . schools, 18 ;! baptized and ordained to the gospel niir.j Й5Й2 j«*" «&»* Barbara, He went wiih Wong, costing some #r,ooo. This is the brother 1 aylor and the writer to Bahia and grand missionary field of the world, now began with us the work there. Crowds thrown open to Christian missions by im- 1 gali,ere(j t0 hear him. He preached arid the ^heSph?' of their subBm^opportunitjq j worked with us faithfully for two years, ' and what will the Master say ? 1 did great service, visiting in shops and Total— Missionaries, native and foreign, ; houses, scattering Bibles, Testaments and. 116; baptisms, 22З; members. 1,551 churches and stations, 65 ; schools, 25 pupils, 5S7 ; contributions, #3,012.61. KOOK NOTICES. Ur Hill; or Paul Soutiif.rland's Pro¬ gress. By Mrs. J. C. Yule. 12 mo., 416 pp. Price, #1.50. The Ashmkads ; or Scenes in Northern Europe. By E. P. A. 12 mo., 251 pp. Price, fi.oo. Two neat volumes from the American Baptist Publication Society. Prettily illus- triited, and pronounced " good ” by a lady friend to whom we submitted them for perusal. tracts, and preaching from day to day. ^At length lie wrote his book, "Three Reasons,!?' it produced great commotion, anil was everywhere eagerly read. Some of his old friends up at Maceio, where he was raised; and where he began his life as priest, heard of his preaching a new religion and read his little book. He went to Maceio and. began to preach. Crowds flocked to hear- him, and finally a number of persons,- 0 among them his old father and mother,! ' were converted. A church was' constit'j~ - ted and Teixeira was called as pastor? H He has labored faithfully, has been instate ,4 mental In leading many to Christ. Now; j * lie rests from his labors and his works’-do: ' follow him. May the Lord raise up some1 one to take his place I \V. B. BagdyP~£,4Bj Richmond, Va., May 23, 1S87. ’Wju™ .