Foreign Mission Journal, May 1887

Foreign' Mission Journal.. PDItMSIlUr* MONTHLY TIIG FOREIGN MISSION ВОЛ1Ш OP THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. it# "ALL. POWER IS GIVEN UNTO MB IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS." » Voi,. iS — New Series. RICHMOND, VA„ MAY, 1SS7. No. 10 — Whole No. 225 linltrcil nt the ГоИ at Hledmond, Ул., и» »»cond*clA»9 matter.] form a line of s/otlons across the whole country, iu an altruist north and south direc¬ tion, from the Texas border to the Pacific Foreign Mission Journal. °cean- These state. are among the rm. J I estin Mexico. And the .stations to be occu- I pied ore on /he various lines of railroad i running front' the United States to the City I of Mexico, As a lirother recently expressed it, tlies;e sl/Otlons give us n grand trunk RATES l’ER ANNUM: I. .Vcr injure addrpeeed, elilior г to ilUVcroiK post o/flaes : <i\* copy . .« . . . ЯЛ ■eSivo Mpia e*iVor.«L"L’"“’.‘."!!.'“MHot«‘. aplnce. : line of Baptist churches clear across Mex- IX. For раскаляв sent to one person, wlio ili.tll Ъл „„„ '«•4)K>D>ibH> fur ti»eir distribution : ico, from y/hich we cnn brnncli out at any .ч)юо»1Ы. . . . - our copli* for (1, or того at . 25 eu. ajiloce, Tweoty-fl ro copies for #fl. or nvn«* at . 20 cU. apiece. Пив Hundred copies for*16,'f moroat..lflcte rple<?«. 4<ГГ.еаее remit by Draft. J’o*tal Order, or In l.eflw . red Letter, and notify u- pnoainhY of aoy chi.nse ■n add roes. Addrew. ' POPL1GN MISSION JOURNAL, RtCMMOHO. Va. ADVERTISING RATES. ыРЛот», >ne Inch . г wo Inc hoe . riimlnohe* . litnrUr column... ilhlf column . 'no column . 1 Я 0 12 Month. Month» MonihH Mouth» - 1 26 Я 4П И АО 12 00 2 4U 0 46 12 50 32 5" Я 60 0 20 1Я 00 ИЗ по 4 75 1Я 00 25 ПО 40 00 j В 2fl jb ал 48 00 W) on 18 00 ло со 82 60 178 00' time. Indeed, several brandies already exist in.Coahuila, at Musquiz. Progress!,, I’atos, Hurras, and elsowhere. God is-, greatly blessing our work in Mexico. May il not be that richer bless¬ ings afe.comiog upon this work because riches- gifts have been made to it? If we would give largely to all our missions, God wo.Iild bless them largely. ■/The editor of the Baptist Missionary Mag¬ azine alluding to the recent pcntecost at Aviii remember, as long as they live, the faith, the zeal, the holy courage and enthu¬ siasm of the great gathering at Asbury FOREIGN MISSION BOARD :P;lrk- Iast МаУ' in reference to the Congo _ _ _ ............ „„.,..„.„.„.,7 I Mission. Лита Manteke is 0 oil's answer to Asb/lry Pari." So our people liavegiven ОГ THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION/ Тлсатси at Я1СИ.МОКП. VTTtniNIA. I j more liberally to Mexico than to any other ami God is anSwerhig in richer I.et us try him for all our missions. .VtiUf.efdTMiw,. W. F. AttkUaon, iff. Та ОоапквгояткоЗксввТАПТ— II. Л. TUPPE TuiUFcnnn — J. O. WILLIAMS. Rucoxunra SicniTAHY- A- 15. CI-AItliE. AtmiTon — JOSEPH F. ООТТЯПЛ. Board or .Чаилокпв,— И. K. Ellv.ou, T. B.Win- von. W. B. Hatcher. I. TV. Janet, Л. Follftrcl, Jr.. v 0. O'opton. J. B. Hni.on. W. 0 Thomn». VV. W. I.uudrnm, W J. Shipman. Qeo. Ornper. 11. W. Power,, tj. ll.Itjl.ind, II. C. IlurnotliT. I’. MMbewa. ~AU communications in reference to I President— It. H. Harris. Vnra-l’n Kfiinx-'TP —Joshua Lsverlna, JVId., C. TV. oroide», 1-а.,.П. Ц. TVinston, Vn., N. Д. BAllar, Fla., rheo, whllfliTil.N.O., о, I’. Bneby. ICy .. J. .T. 0, Hen- I roo, Alnl.ama, It. S. Dnuonn, Mo„ В. H. Onrroll, DFIIT text*. TV. Г,. Nil palrlck.au., a he. Manly, S. 0„ ocui, ‘ . ??nter. TLflnt. J_- . V: sonny, Ark., Овогко 1 Tile Missionary Review quotes with ap- | proval the following language of a proini- ] nent pastor : I “But if the excellent brethren who man- . age the Board (Presbyterian) would realize what a terrible incubus they lay upon us pastors when they ask us to beg our people to 'pay for dead horses,' they would never incur another dime of debt. It is pleasanter and easier to pay five dol¬ lars for a live horse, than a single dollar business of litis Hoard should be addressedto I for the removal of the carcass of a dead if. A, Tupiikr, Corresponding Secretary, j one." Richmond, Fc*. 1 'Ve should not be surprised if a great - - - 1 - — - - — 1 many pastors in our Southern country WUAT вйлцГ BE DOHE WITH THEM 7 j This^iunstipn is suggested bj the numer- Board They hnve felt ,|ie ‘'incubus” of c.us application* that are coining l° tlle , having to beg tlieir people to “pay for dead Board for appointment to the mission fields, j horses,” and they wisli the Board of For- hese applications come from men and e;Rn Missions would stop contracting debls “■omen. For sc}me time past tlie Board , nn(, cai|ing upon them to help pay them, has been saying, to those applying: "H is j .‘The Board ought not go in debt," many ■■possible for us? to send и any new mis- say Well, so be it. But a few thoughts •ionarles." Not that there are no fields need- ! wjj| nrjse jnour mind on this subject, and a ! avoid debt, tliose same promising brethren become grumbling brethren. How can a ' Board avoid debt if the churches, and in- ' dividuals of these churches, fail to give it means for carrying on its work? Have our Boards hoards of wealth on which to draw? Yes, but these hoards are in the hands of ' tlie church members, and the drafts of the Boards are not always honored. Nor can a . Board know accurately when laying out its work, what the churches will give, Only a rough estimate can be made. "Ah," says some one, “curtail your work as soon as you find you are going to fall short of means.” That is easier to say Ilian to do. It costs a large sum to estab¬ lish a mission, and oftentimes but little less 10 break it up. To carry out tlie plan I of curtailing work every time receipts fall a little short, would be to be opening and closing missions every year, anil- would soon result in disaster, No man of sense would offer himself to a Board that would pursue sucli a policy, and no denom¬ ination would consent to have its name a synonym for fickleness and faithlessness to its obligations. The Board that pursued such a policy would soon be cast off by the very ones who now blame it for holding on to every inch of ground won from the em¬ pire of darkness, even though it be done at the cost of a debt. We venture to assert that if every all our home and State missionaries and coiporters to China ? ” A. “ No. for there are oilier considera¬ tions, patriotism, for example.” B. “It is enough that you admit excep¬ tions to the rule of going to the most des¬ titute.” A. “But you must show cause for mak¬ ing Roman Catholic countries an excep¬ tion.” li. "That shall be done in time, but let me yet further break down your rule of going to the most destitute. Our mission¬ aries very rightly remain to train and “strengthen the converts, though there be tliose beyond who have not heard the gospel.” A. “Perhaps they are wrong.” B. "They liave, at least, the example of tlie greatest and most enterprising mission¬ ary, who stayed three years In Ephesus, and who returned to build up ids converts in various fields, though all around were heathen, utterly ignorant of Christ.” “Besides, the first [labors of Christ and all tlie apostles were among the Jews, who were certainly far less destitute of re¬ ligious, and even evangelical truth than the Gentiles. They had Moses and tlie pro¬ phets, who spake of tlie Messlas, while the heathen were in utter darkness as they are to-day.” “I think you must admit that greatest des- ing them, but there Is no money with which to send them. Only n few months ago a well recommended Christian physi¬ cian wrote to the Board seeking appoint- nent as a missionary. The usual answer was returned, and now lie Is on a foreign field, as missionary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. How long is this same few questions suggest themselves. Do Foreign Mission Boards contract debts just for the sake of having a debt and worrying pastors? Is not the "incu¬ bus " much worse on the Boards, which have to plan and scheme and contrive— to pray and beg and work — than it is on the pastors ? Wouldn't tlie Boards infinitely pre- Baptist pastor in the South will do Ins duty [ / itution is only one of the elements in to Foreign Missions during the incoming j selecting a missionary field." year, the “incubus” of having to beg for' a. 11 Pass on to my other reasons.” money "to pay for dead horses " will not be upon them next May. “ It is easier and pleasanter” to criticise and condemn a work than it is to perform that work. If there were less criticism and more giving there would be fewer debts. How easy it is forthat same writer to pen these words— applicable in part to other denominations as well as his own : " It is undeniable that the contributions of tlie Presbyterian denomination to For¬ eign Missions — or Home Missions— have not kept pace witli tlie rapid increase of their wealth. This is a burning disgrace. Bill to tell our people that the work of tlie Boards is being extended and enlarged by involving fresh indebtedness, is not the best :vay to enlarge their contributions. A far better way would be to call upon the churches to discharge the presentindebted- ness. and to assure them that it was to be the last one. When that if our noble Foreign Board would run lip to masthead the inspiring signal, “ A mil¬ lion of dollars for Christ this year, and not a dime of debt "— it would send a thrill В. “ I would be the first to admit that there are excellent Roman Catholics around us, many of whom are, 1 trust, sincere Christians. I go farther, there have been sucii in all tlie ages. Pascal, Feneion, Thomas A. Kempis and Madame Guyon, are among the choicest spirits of Christen¬ dom." A. “You make then a very important admission in favor of Roman Catholicism.” B. “Yes, and I am glad to say that Roman Catholicism does not directly deny any of the cardinal doctrines of Christi¬ anity.” A. “Then you give up tlie case.” B. “ Not at all. for in the countries men¬ tioned Roman Catholicism has practically either denied or overlaid with traditions and superstitions the cardinal doctrines of the has been done— ; gospel. ' “ Let me answer here also your third ! reason : "Yes, Christ is not unknown in Roman inswer to be given to every applicant lor I fer not to baue a debti blU abvnyS to n,ake work under our Board ? How long are tlie ■ tbejr appropriatjons from a full treasury? nxious applicants to he kept from the - дц [be blame of a debt incurred is tluown , leedy fields? Just so long as the Lord's j on thl. Boards. We think we can show in ■ leoplo in, our churches withhold their a few worcjs that in this matter Boards aio nouey from the Lord's work, either to ‘ made the scape-goats for tlie sins of the loard or to spend'on themselves; l°nK. ! very pastors wlio complain of the incubus, mil no longer, will the Board's answer to i and of tbe churches whicli they represent, applicants be what it has been and is. [Mission Boards are only servants of their Reader, are you in any way responsible . reSpectjVe denominations, and they make orthis answer? ;at the annual denominational gatherings - i reports of their work. In these ADVANCE MOVEMENT IN MEXICO. reports they show receipts and ex- An important advance is just now being ! penditures, give account of work done, made in our Mexipan work. Mexico, tike J or to be done, in a word, set forth the con- mr own country, is divided into separate | dition of the work and ask for instructions, -tales, each under its own state govern- Thereupon the representative men of the mem. Hitherto,! most of 0l,r work has j denominations, examine the reports, up- teen done in the State of ConhuiU, of (prove or condemn the action of the Boards, vhieh Saltillo is the capital; though in its ef- ] and give them instructions for the future, i.rcts it lias readied the State of Zacatecas, |They direct tiiat new fields shall be oceu- adjoinlng. During last year our brethren | pied, new stations opened, new mission- 1 n Mexico felt that ah enlargement of tiifc ; aries sent out. “ Forward,” they cry in : work was absolutely necessary, there be- i tlieir enthusiasm, and when the Boards, or, l.g many open fields about them, from tlieir secretaries, warn them that all these ■ hicll came earnest appeals for the gospel, movements will involve tlie expenditure of Lounsolling together they determined to ; large sums of money, they pass solemn' ipen work in three other states. Zacatecas, resolutions to rnise more money, and pledge themselves to do great and greater 1 things for tlie cause. Tlie Boards, which are only executors of tile will of tlie de¬ nominations as represented in the annual through tlie hearts of God’s people, which j Catholic countries. Representations of tlie ЖМЁЭДЙЙГ» ЕЙЙ * о, К?! ; “а- •;.= sight of that signal!” I teaching of the Church of Rome, for the i greater part, turns away the mind from How сапа Board promise not to Incur j christto the Virgin and to numerous saints, debt when its receipts are and must be mi- j from failh to workSi as a means of saK.a. certain, coming as they do from bodies and ^ f[om repentancc to penance, from individuals over whom they have no con- ■ omn,„„ioll will, God in secrel to at. trol? \Ve cannot help wondering |Г the L prayers in an unknown tonKuei and writer over tried to "unlock the st.ngizst , confi.ssioiI to n 1шта1, priest. Tlie Gospel purse, and swell the bounties of the moat js |I0t preached. Absolution for sin is sold liberal " by running up a signal to a mast- 1 for moncy, Tllere is in 1Ыу a fair trans. *,ca,k ! lation of tlie Bible by Arch-Bishop Martigni. not been WHY? But it lias not been in the bands of tlie people, it is not road, and the Church of A. " Wily should we send missionaries to j Rome has not favored Bible reading. The nominally Christian countries, instead of I priests in these countries are, to a large concentrating our forces upon the heathen I extent, not sincere believers in the Chris- world?" 1 tian religion; many fill tlieir office for a II. “ Before I reply, perhaps you would j living ; not a few are dissolute and ex- declare, as they find everywhere shrines pictures and images, with lamps burning before them, and the people calling upon saints and the Virgin; 'it is as idolatrous here as in the lands we have left.’ One constantly says to himself, ‘ oplimus cor- rvplus pessimal' ( tlie best tiling corrupted becomes tlie worst). Is it wise in an army to move into a new territory utterly .care¬ less of re- taking tiiat which lias fallen into, tlie hands of tlie enemy ?” A. “ You paint a dark picture.” > B. “It might have been made darker without untruth. Allow me to .turn to a more pleasant view. Even supposing that the religious condition of China is far worse than tiiat of these Roman Catholic coun¬ tries, there are some special reasons why they should be evangelized. 'Think how much nearer they are to our own country. Mexico, for instance, is at our doors, as is also Cuba, while Soutii America and Southern Europe are at least, practically much nearer than China and Japan, or Africa. “ Take another view. Roman Catholicism is overrunning many portions of our, coun¬ try in a way tiiat causes us anxiety and alarm. Is defensive warfare always tlie best ? Where strike a foe who is trying to throttle you, if not in the head and heart? And are not the head and heart of Romanism in Rome? if tlie Pope is not content with sending, tils missionaries to heathen countries, but seeks to dominate our own fair land, should we not answer by preaching the pure Gospel in his home and in tlie regions where lie rules with almost undivided sway? , “Then, it seems to me, that the character of a people may offer a reason for seeking its evangelization. From one point of view, all human souls are of equal value But some men wield a far greater influence than others, and so their conversion would be more important towards the conversion of the world. The same Is equally true of nations and races. A wise Scotchman said, ‘to gain Europe is to gain the world,’ and let it be remembered that tlie populations of Mexico and South America are mostly ■ of European stock. What a power, for exr ample, lias Italy been! Despite her de¬ pressed and divided state, she has led the world in civilization, and her contributions to literature and art have, been prccioiis beyond the power of description. Nor is she now effete as many ignorantly suppose: After centuries of oppression and division into petty States, each under n tyrant’s heel, she is now free and united, and mak¬ ing giant strides in every direction of human progress. Her one, her supreme need, that she pursue her patli of national great-! ness and usefulness is, that she return 4o tliatpure and simple faith for which, i the early Roman Christians were knowiijn'all the world. 1 am not appealing to a mere sentiment, for Christian missions must, in our minds and hearts, rest on a more basis. My point is that tlie evangellzjj of European nations is, as farashti can see or mind judge, one of' tlie potent factors in tlie conversion of tlie i populations of tlie Orient and of the Dark Continent. “ It seems to me that I have rebutted your arguments, and presented some strong rea¬ sons wlsy nominally Christian countries kindly say why you would except nomin- j tremely corrupt. Naturally, they do not as | should not be neglected in our' missionary ally Christian countries, which are clearly | a class enjoy the confidence of the people. he capital of winch bears tlie same name; ^guas Calientes, ;the capital of which is ■iso the same,—" Warm Waters a name derived from the, hot' springs, which are among the finest' in America, and Jalisco, ! meetings, go on and obey orders, trusting ihe capital of which is Guadalajara. Our I to the promises of the brethren. The new stations will be ip these capitals. A ] brethren go home after having given orders • liurcb lias already befin orgapized In; to the Boards, let their enthusiasm cool, <acatccns. " ’ I forget their promises to do great things’ U any of our readers will glance at tbe j for the cause, and towards the close of the! map of Mexico, they will see that these! year, when the Boards call for help to included ill tlie commission. A. “ Because in them Christ lias been named and tlie Bible exists; judging from men and women I see around me, Roman Catholics may be very good Christians; and, as we cannot reach all with our means and men it is better to go to those abso¬ lutely destitute.” B. "Three apparently decisive reasons, and very clearly and succinctly stated. I am very glad to have them. I suppose they are all.” A. “ Yes, all. If you can set them aside, any doubts I have had as to European, South American and Mexican Missions will be quite removed." B. “ I will begin with your third reason. It seems to me to prove far too much, for it would hold ' qualiy good against Home Missions. All over our Southern land, the religious destitution is not to be compared to what ii is in China. Should we not then abolish our State and Domestic Mis¬ sions in all tlieir varied brandies, and send Popular proverbs, which are a sure index to popular sentiment, in, nt least, some of these countries, speak of the priests with scorn and ridicule. “As tiieresult of this, evangelicai religion, which produces a holy life and eternal sal¬ vation, is in these countries well nigh a lost art. Multitudes of tlie brightest and best people have been driven by the cheat of tlie Church into open infidelity and material¬ ism, while others still hold to the form of a dead faith, so tiiat Pharaseeism and Sad- duceeism reign in the land, and tlie few sincere souls who seek the truth, find it trampled under the feet of their religious teachers. So after all, the religious desti¬ tution in these countries may be called ex¬ treme. Well do you call them nominally religious, for as far as the Gospel is con¬ cerned the religion is chiefly in name. It is very curious that missionaries coming from Ciiina and Africa to Italy, instead of rejoicing in a purer religious atmosphere, receive just the contrary impression, and work.” A. “ Yes, you have given me something • to think about, and I am more than half convinced." ■ " G. В. T. University oj Virginia. у We sometimes hear Christians at', home pitying missionaries in theTield. It will be a surprise to some home Christians to know that missionaries are pitying them. A missionary writing from Japan says ; “It seems very blessed tq be able, even in a simple way, to speak without notes, from tlie heart to the heart. What a glorious thing it is to be a foreign missionary ) I often pity and daily pray for the. home pas¬ tors, and especially do I pity and pray' for those who do not yet know the luxury iof working for tlie Lord." ' Medical missions are proving of gieat benefit to the Presbyterian mission work in • Persia. A Christian physician has been appointed consulting physician to. the. heir apparent of the throne,- and his influence'is^- felt in favors shown todhe’mission’wdrk;/;1* £.; Г p-. ,t* 7&I--I n 7*