Home and Foreign Journal, March 1854

VOLUME III. NUMBER 9. IlICHMOND,§IAUCH, 1854. PUBLISHED BY THE BOARDS OF DO.MESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. ВОЛ HD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS, MARION. Л1.Л11ЛМЛ, MARCH 1S31. XT* Wo invite very particular attention to a plan subuiit- tcd by d. 1‘- Graves, uf Tennessee, for the tuoro efficient prosecution of Home evangelization. I.ct u?, if possible, unite nit the wheels in tbo lieu;o Mission car run, not «ill, tartly speed ami a flittering noise, but smoothly ami aniftly. The way lo Siblaln Missions. Д good brother in Mississippi iliscoursoa thus in relation to Home Mis-ions: “ I know tint Mississippi contributes a good deal abroad, and we need muck at bourn. I am star t- iug n i reposal to raise 55,000 in Mississippi, pledging myself re be one of one hundred to raise §2,000; шу daughter to be one of ono hundred to raise §1,000. New Year's Offering. Л benevolent brother has just sent to our Treasurer §200, и a a new year’s offering, nor is it the first time that lie lias done in the same way. The opinion is cutcrtained by some, that those who offer to tbo Lord annually, «ill have annually somewhat to offer. “Tbo liberal soul shall bo made fat.” Wonder if II is SO? Wonder if i chat is so! Why, the richer one grows the more stingy lie becomes. A friend has just remarked, that lie is acquainted with some Baptists who gave liberally «ben they bail but little, but new thousands fill their coffers, they give just about the same sums as heretofore. Who disposition of funds. Within the last year, several members of the different churches in America have sent largo stilus of money to Boards of benevolent enterprise to bo invested, and tbo interest annually accruing to bo appropriated to the de¬ mands of the gospel. Intend lo leave Something when I die., Well, if you have any thing when that solemn hour arrive, you will, in all probability, leave it, since no money is required in tbo grave, “tfliitlier^bou goest.;” «Hut you mean that you will boqueith smuoth!ng'fo£th‘iradvancc- ГЩ.П t °t tbuwelamnnc 1hn iWlriie. your will*- If not, how know you that time will be afforded in the dying hour lor such a performance? Better give, as the Lord prospers you, during life, and bo sure of having dono something in the laudablo work of gospel benevolence. not yet completed ono quarter, and has secured nearly one- half (if not more than one-lull) of tbs whole sum raised Iqst year. ;■ V, e have fixed our figures ut §5,000, aud say wo must have it. Our churches, i. o., tbo missionary spirit anil views of our brethren, need expanding and liberalizing. Wo must ask for tens «hero wo asked far l’s, and 100’S where wo now ask fur 10’s. Another feature : Where money can be used for Mis¬ sionary purposes, it brings a far letter interest than in the bank. Now wo cannot possibly use one-half this sum this , year, for ne can't find tbo uicn at once, but may next1 year. If your Board can use it to pay actual service, lot us send all our surplus yearly to you— (i. c., over amj; abovo the half or quarter wo give;) and if we should want того than vie can raise lioxtjcar, or the year after, draw, upon you: in other words, make year Board our “ Sub- Treasury.” REMARKS OS THE ABOVE. It being necessary to forward copy for tbo Journal, we have no opportunity of consulting the Board fiist, but without а Bre. Graves’ permission, and on our own responsibility we give tbo abovo extract to tbo public. And wo do most anxiously hope that it will bo duly pon¬ dered over by cveiy friend of Missions. Wo n ay add too, that Bro. Graves’ plan has tbo hearty approbation of the leading brethren in Tennessee, to whom be submitted it for approval before sending it to us. Wo inu-t say wo like this plan. It seems feasible. There is but one possible contingency that might prevent its complete success, viz : the failure of States to do much i but this could be obviated by an energetic and per-' severing, "must have it.” Wo might be willing to wave lions our brother proposes, though we should not object ; jr„- - — - - - - but tbo transmission to this Board, i. c., the D. M. 1!., of i-Rcv. John Winter, of Wheeling, writes under elate e f t churches have given more to objects of benevolence m they havo received from tiio Domestic Board, without jiving it a cent. Now tbo plain inference, as to this mat- |cj, is simply 'this: If tbo said churches can appropriate >, objects of bcnovolenco all that the Domestic Board lives them, and more too, might they not as well retain that they thus give, for their own use, and release the of its burden! At least, this matter is worthy of itlontiou. Necessity for Enlarged Operations. Applications to tbo Domestic Mission Board, are con. ilantly increasing, If tbo Board liaif at its disposal 100,000, it would be easy to expend the wliolo amount sustain tbo gospel on Iho continent of America. The have nnd^scveral new appointments lately, trust- to tho bencvolenco of llio churches for tbo requisite Smds. Ilitherto, no missionary lias bad to wait for bis blary, when due, and while aumo advise Ike propriety of $oing in debt for tbo sako of mooting all demauds, with 4p hopo that tbo churches will сото to tbo rescue, the Board are reluctant to incur responsibilities, unless there 1 a reasonable prospect of meeting them. Still, enlarged nations is tho word, and witli enlarged contributions, itch u step is entirely feasible. Д'гош (Dnr ftiinjjionarirs. * Rov. J.S. Rcynoldsoti, in a note dated Nov. SO, 1S53, «marks : the privilege of being “ sub-Trcasurer ” on tbo condi-_ fj‘‘ Daring two months, I have traveled 352 miles, wit¬ nessed 91 conversions, and collected §G00.” Wafer Gifls. Several geld dollars have boon received at the Domestic Mission room, chiefly from Virginii, that came under the wafers of letters. Might not more сото in this way! Wo shall not despise the day of small things, nor yet their little offerings. Погас Mission Plan of J. li. Graves. Wo give below an extract from an interesting letter just received from the editor of the Tennessee Baptist, which is worth; of calm and protracted consideration. It is encouraging lo learn that sonic of our leading brethren and most able advocates of gospel t-riilii in tins wide land, are prayerfully considering as to «hat would better be dono to prevent local conflicts and general embarrassment in the groat Homo Mission fields of this glorious country. Bro, Graves says: Touching a matter to which you allude in a previous letter, I have felt the fact that tin antagonism existed between our Homo Mission operations, and deprecated it. How can it be obviated! Should all the Associations anil the States South become auxiliary to your Board, it would devolve upon it an amount of labor that no Board could perform, should it give its days and nights to the work, unless each auxiliary should have its own Executive Hoard to select missionaries, agents, or nominate them Ac.; upon which supposition tho D. M. B. would nominally havo the credit of tho work done, but not increase tbo aggvegato contributions for If. Missions. It would bo only a sort of fifth wheel. I havo decided upon this for Tennes¬ see, if it meets the approbation of the Board of M., for I wish to work with it, and for it. I.ct tbo General Ascciatioa of Tennessee resolve to appropriate one-fourth or one-third of all the Home Mission fundsil annually realizes for II, M. to tho D. M. li,, to lo appropriated in fields beyond the limits of our State, ( Г nncsscc, ) in the Great West. Suppose wo succeed in raising §0,000 per annum, (if not this year we hope shortly lo do so,) say §1,000, ono thousand would bo appropriated to jour Board, (the Board at Marion.) I.ct West Tennes¬ see do the same, which will give 51 ,000 more; East Tennes¬ see 3, -1, or 500 more. Would not this ho doing better Ibau wo have heretofore done, or you have hopes of our doing for years to сото! this I am confident can bo done, and it would bo tbo Cleans of increasing Homo Mission contributions. Ergo: Suppose wo needed ?5,000 for tho purposes of tho General Association of Tennessee, it would compel us to fix our figures at G or 8,000 for Home Mission operations for tbo jear, and our churches would soon bccomo as familiar with ,acU fiS"*cs, аз with tbo pitiable sum of 51,300, or §2,000 now. Me confidently rsncct to quadruple our contributions for Ionic Missions this year, in proof of which one agent has quarter, third, or half of what a State, by means of her Homo Mission operations, might collect annually, strikes us as being just about the best plan which has yet been dis¬ covered. If the States that tiro now prosecuting Ilomq Missions in the South would acquiesce iu this proposition, they would at once increase tbo funds of our Treasury to sod о §8,000, aud this sum would bo swelled to §20,000 in Hess than three years, for, under a reciprocal zeal, tho dif« ferent Boards would ro-act'cfficiently on each other. (And nliat could be того reasonable— sinco tho Board- located at Marion is the creature of all the Southerfi{ States— than for each State, at its annual convocation, to instruct its Treasurer to lay.ta tha.ovder «АюпёЧОипЦГМ Tbo incoming contributions for Homo Missions! This would break up no existing Stato organizations, take work from no Exe¬ cutive Boards, but, on tho contrary, keep all at work in this ono great soul-moving enterpri.-o of Domestic Mis¬ sions. Moreover, it would elicit attention to the Board at Marion. Heretofore, but few havo sympathized with it— many have not been conscious of bating any particu¬ lar interest in that concern, nnd yet it is the Board of all the States, and all the Conventions and Associations, and all tho character (Вер. Cli’s) in the South and the South West. Now, then, sinco it is universally admitted that the South could not do without such a Board, let it have its portion— tho one-third or whatever portion of goods that fallcth to it. Virginia lias this subject under advisement: Tennessee Inis, and wo hope Georgia, Missouri, tbo Carolinas, nnd all concerned, will make it a topic for discussion and action at their ensuing annual mootings. Remember, no other Board can do the work which tbo Board at Marion is pro. sccutinu. Let it live then and thrive. A Word to the Missionaries. 1. Ploavo send in your reports promptly. Better send them on two weeks before tho end of the quarter, adding by anticipation wba: you supposo would bo tho amount of labor for tbo ttnexpirod time, than to bo two days later than the end of the quarter. Attention to this is very es¬ sential. 2. Observations cn matters of general interest in your field, which will do to go into tbo Journal, ought tolo written in a legible band, and on a part of the sheet, so that it may bo torn off without destroying the report, in cases «here no blank was at hand. The Secretary has not timo to copy. Farther, let such observations be condensed as much ns possible. 3. All reports should give tbo number of weeks of la¬ bor performed, and the number of sermons preached. Some have been received, in which both weeks and acr- mons were omitted. 4. Collections reported for Domestic Missions, will lo understood as intended for the Domestic .Miss. Board of the S. В. C., unless a different explanation is given ; and it is proper to remark, that whatever churches raise for tliis object, ought to go into the treasury of the abovo named Board, if said churches are receiving aid from it, and in eases of joint ap|ioinlmcnts, the funds ought to bo equitably divided between tbo Boards supplying aid, 5. Missionaries ought to sco that those churches, which are aided by the Dorn. Miss. Board of the S. B. 0., placo tlieclaimsof tho Board by which they arc patronized, on on equality with the claims of other Boards. It is not, desired that churches shall not contribute to other objects 'll0 '‘m0, of benevolence, lecauso they aro aided by tho Dorn. Mbs. Board, but it seems reasonable, that if they can help any they should not forget those who help them. Some cases have come under our notice, whero churches that are ben- i. 27th, 1853: “ I have baptized ten and received about ns mauy by liter. Our Sabbath School is in a very flourishing con- tiou. Wo have 170 scholars, 20 teachers, and a good liblo class. I havo beguu a regular weekly meeting n1 out t Riile or того from our meeting house, in tbo South pari hi our city, where tho attcndanco is quite respectable, and Hro prospect very good, But «ho demand for labor in this great city, growing rapidly into importance ns it is, is quite <$o“great‘for ono man. I aomotimes feel that I shall break .under my labors, yot I havo not been prevented fur From Richmond, wo havo the following cheering news, from Rev. Reuben Ford : “Sinco my last report, wo havo had n deeply interest¬ ing protracted meeting, which lasted about three week*, during which time, about 25 persons professed faith in Christ, 18 of whom I havo baptized. Among the persons whom Have recently baptized, aro four heads of families, ono about forty-fivo years old, All four are gentlemen. Among tho baptized, llicro aro also several interesting young men. To God, be all Iho glory. “I am glad to inform you that wo have gotten into the basement of our now house of worship. I preached in it for tho first time on last Sunday morning, to a large con¬ gregation. Dr. Jolcr preached for us in tho afternoon, and Dr. Howell at night. “Our prospects aro bright — more encouraging now than they have been at all. May God’s blessing rest upon your Board iu ail its operations.” bOt-TII CAROLINA. Pendleton. — Rev. F. J. Earlo has been, and still is, a missionary of tho Hoard at this point. Ho speaks with thankfulness of tho kind efficiency of some pious sisters thus : “Tho Ladies’ Sewing Society lias paid §20 of the amount reported, which it did last year also. Their so¬ ciety consists of only three or four, and yot they have pa d nearly all iho contingent expenses of the church, except the sexton's fees. They have given §29 towards painting tho meeting house, besides the abovo amount on my salary; making in all nearly §50. I am instructed to say that next year they intend to relievo tbo Board as far as they can by making up a part of the §200 which tbo Board appropriates to tho church.” [Very well, tho Board will bo thankful; is thankful for tiio promises, since tho help will be sure to conic. Wo heard editor Sands remark once, that while ho had lost hundreds of dollars by male subscribers, ho had never lost a dollar on subscriptions to his paper, which had been sub- scribed by females. Wo hopo tbo good sisters at Pendle¬ ton will bo greatly blessed in their work for the Lord.— Ed.] ПЕ0Р.01А. Darien. — Rev. A. S. Morrill has recently begun lo preach at this place. Ho says : “ I began my labors in this town tho first week in October. Tbo community is very much cut up and divided, as it regards religious sen¬ timents. There arc four churches, viz : Presbyterian, Me¬ thodist, Episcopal and Baftist. Only two of «liich, how¬ ever, havo been supplied with preaching during this quar¬ ter— the Episcopal and tbo Baptist.” [We hope our brother will aco tbo fruit of his toils in ■Ed.] TEXAS. Galveston.— Brother Huckins in his last report re- marks : “ In consequcnco of tho sickness which continued during two months of the present quarter, my church has eficiarics of tho Dora. Board, giro to Foreign Missions, tho Bible can so# nnd to other Societies, but do nothing dono nothing in tbo causo of missions. For tho last two weeks a new.spirit seems to have boon coming over tbs for the Board that helps them. And it is known, too, members. Prayer mootings havo been multiplied, and there is a spirit of examination and prayer. "I am now hoping for better days. I hope I shall bo a holier man, nnd that tbo cbureli will be changed in its character.” Rov. Eli Witt, whoso field of labor lies in Dallas couh- ty, has recently laptized eight, and received soveral by letter. In view of those blessed results lie remarks : 11 1 can say to you, that with respect to religion in our county, I can say with tho Psalmist, ‘bless tho Lord, oh ! my soul, and forget not all his benefits.’ ” ALABAMA. Brotiioy Whaley writoa us : “ I havo some good news. I attended a meeting with brother Fields at Mt. Tabor church. \Tbe church was greatly rovivoi, and four persons added; [by baptism wo supposo. — Ed. ] “In the western part of my field I havo been laboring by myself. In tho space of about thirty miles square thero is groat destitution, no missionary Baptist preacher but myself: but, by tho grace of God, I havo boon enabled to labor with some success. Tho Sabbaths, which were here¬ tofore spent in that ncighboihood in hunting aud gaming, arc now spent in going to mooting.” Brother Musgrove, from tho adjacent neighborhood, in¬ forms us thus : “ Our .missionary meeting, embracing tho fourth Sabbath in October, was quito nn interesting one. Wo havo agreed to meet once a quarter with as many churches as wo can. By this means wa shall bo ablo to rniso more funds for tbo Board tliau wo have heretofore. There has been quito a revival in tbo Mt. Tabor church, about five miles from here.” [The same we presume referred to by brother Wlialoy. — Ed.] Brother Jesse A. Collins, agent of Iho Board, writos from St. Clair county on this wiso : “ In all tho churches and associations which I have visited, whero apathy, uot to say prejudice existed, a deeper interest is felt in tho ob. jecls of tbo Doiuostic Mission Board at Marion. Brethren are gradual' у leaving tho ground heretofore occupied by too many, that missionary work may or may nor bo per¬ formed ; they begin to feci that it is a duty which God requires, and that oo-0|Wrntion with your Domostio Mission Board is tbo host medium of giving tbo gospel to tbo destitute iu oar own land.” Iu tbo report of brother John A. Wheclock, wo have tbo subjoined cheering information : “There bare been 45 conversions this quarter at tiio mootings which I havo at¬ tended, and 33 of that number havo beenbaptizod into tbo fellowship of tbo different churches.” ._,lWr.W;uu— Hold ut uvaugolloul ope¬ ration's embraces parts of Alabama and Mississippi, givos Iho following account of soma good mootings : “ I havo been exchanging some labor lately with brother Philips, aud wo have had interesting mootings. Ono with Provi¬ dence church, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of 2G persons, 17 of whom wero laptized during tho mooting, and !) sinco. Another mooting was held with tho Good Spring church, whore throe wore converted, and many loft anxious. At their next mooting I baptized two, and three mote wore received by tho church.” Rev. J. Reovo, missionary to tho colored people in Dal las county, reports for tho lastquartor 33 sermons proachod, 1(1 family visits made, and ono convert baptized. MissiastiTl. Of the condition of things in and about Vicksburg, brother McCloud writes thus : “ In this my fourth and last quarterly report, I truly regret and mourn that I am not able to give you more inloresting items. Had it not boon for the ravages of tho epidemic, discouraging nnd throwing everything into confusion, so that wo could have no meet | ings for over two months in tho fall, I havo no doubt that cro this I would havo good nows from Vickshorg. There is Baptist material here, and it only needs tho right sort of labor and timo to bring it into the church. " I hope you, tbo Secretary, will not consider that this placo lias been sufficiently tried, especially tbo last year. Every tiling lias been in my way, and I have not tbo shadow of doubt that I can, witli God's blessing, buildup an effi¬ cient church in this placo, or any other man of ordinary faculties could do it. “ But, my brother, tho effort has not yet been mado by tho Baptists. A little effort for one year at a timo has been made; but what is that,! It may tako three or four years to accomplish tbo work, but when dono it will bo a great work for tbo Baptist cause. No minister has evor loon supported here. Ho has been pinched for means, as I would iavo boon, if I had not used some in my posses, sion when I came. « I will assure you I havo dono tho best under all tho cir¬ cumstances that I could. I think a good deal has been dono for our cause boro, if not in increasing the number, yet by indoctrinating and disciplining tho church. Tho congregations are larger than they havo over been. Ono already lias been received for baptism, not baptized yet. I know of four or five I think who will very soon unito with the church by baptism, nnd more than that number by letter, being persons who wore converted about in tho coun¬ try during tho epidemic. Oar Sabbath school is defnnet. VTe have not been able to rcsuscitalo it since tho yellow fever. It has always been rather weak, and having bad a severe attack in the summer, it is now difficult to nnrio it, but I think wo shall succeed, for tho brethren and lis¬ ters havo a mind to work.” [We have given tho whoio of our brother’s remarks, that our readers may bo informed of some of the trials of our missionaries, and the oveals and causes of hindcrance. When thus providentially prevented from prosecuting their great work, it becomes their patrons to submit in the spirit of Christian meekness, and make renewed and more rigor¬ ous efforts to regain what seemingly was lost by reason of the infliction of heaven's righteous judgments. The ex-.