Home and Foreign Journal, September 1855

VOLUME RICHMOND, SEPTEMBER *1855 PUBLISHED BY THE ВОЛШ) OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN- NUMBER 3. OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. MARION. ALABAMA. SK.n'KMUf.U, Things Seen and Heard. Thelasl Journal contained “Observa- lions by the Way,” closing up with good м Kentucky. Indian Mission matters ' mjc it necessary for a speedy return to , Washington beforo going farther West; to, , having secured letter* of introduction from j 'friend» in' ’Louisville to the officials at the Capitol, we rccrossed the Alleghanies for ' the seat of Government. On arriving, Dr. Smith, a South Carolinian, and a son-in •' law of the Hon. Mr. Guthrie, obligingly introduced us to the Hon. Mr. McClelland, Secretary of the Interior, and to Col. Mix, actin» commissioner of Indian Affairs. ]!otli°the-e gentlemen very courtcou.-ly tendered us all the assistance possible un¬ der the circumstances, for the benefit of f t|,e "red man,” which we desired, but it I was found essential to visit some of the mission stations in person in order to a full understanding of their actual condi¬ tion. Hence, again mounting the iron horse, we were galloped rapidly over tiio mountains, across Ohio, Indiana and Illin¬ ois to St. Louis. Right gladly did we enter the bounds of this queen of the West once more. There is a facination about St. Louis which no one can explain, but under whose piea-ing intluence every one feels an elevation of spirits. Stirar.d business meet one at ev¬ ery corner. It is no place for loungers, and an idle man in the street — save in front of the hotels— is never seen. Clink, clink; roll, tumble and knock arc heard on all sides, and in all directions. Im¬ provements have been made since we left the city two years ago. Warehouses of vast dimensions have been built, chinch edifices of gigantic proportions erected, but the most remarkable superstructure, now in progress for completion, is the new . reservoir for the water-works. To be ap¬ preciated or its capacity and strength es¬ timated, it mu-t be seen. The St. Louis people never do anything by halves, or dight an important undertaking because it costs money. They are not a “ two cent" . or “apitaunc" people. They have, how- ' ever, for some good reason, no doubt, fail- j to push forward the Pacific Hail Road enterpri-e. Vifiy-four miles in three years , »not in keeping with St. Louis energy in , other matters. The baptist churches in the city are, on the whole, moving onward: not, pcihaps, *’ ral% av they ought or as they might. The 2nd Church is the largest, and the ' mother ot the 3rd, and Zion Churches. 0“tol these three has arisen the West ^hurch, now worshipping in a room in the ommercial Library buildings. It was our privilege to spend one Sabbath with the , Church, where vve were happy to meet !e 've'c°ming smiles of many familiar faces. Missouri River. This river has a beautiful name, but it 11 mo>1 difficult to navigate. Eight days “Г’0|г its marshy waters four years ago, e Us fully acquainted with its stubborn -bara an<| rUhty old snags, and hence, | cnee. One thing is certain : if Job could j The Chapel is now up and Bfol|er'Shuck i J13''0 injured such nights without visible j has some hope of doing goojl. ‘Shall, he ■ impatience, there was not a man or wo- be sustained ? It rests with you?» We ■ man on board the Sultan who would have believe you will send up contributions for j made a good Job. And yet it was amus- j this mission immediately. Hitlierto we ing to listen occasionally to the remarks | have kept the funds for thishjiission dis- '. and opinions of the passengers. To hear | tinct from oilier funds. Weitill'desire to them you would think them better cap- do so, and just at this time- field hVlp.— tains and more experienced pilots than 1 Send up funds designated fofCaiifornia. : those unfortunate officers who had the | buq, ,„u,S at oa|»nU I vessel m charge could possibly be. Said . V ' 4*“ I one, “ why dont they spar- on this side if I "^'s brother, a Virginian joy birth, and they Л to gel, her off?” “There, Mere1 aPPointei1 to Oakland, opposite San Fran- is the channel,” growled out a second, ci>.co' at ,he ro,luest of Southern people "why dont they head her in there?”— llvinS ,lierp. 3,1,1 ‘he California baptist " The fact is, we have W pilots, an inex- Stale Oonvcntioii is doing a good work— perienccd set," was llm unkind opinion 1,1 a few "l0lllha ‘he first year of his ap. expressed by several. But all such re- Poi"lmellt will have expired.} Shall he be marks are generally unjust. The Mis., on- rc-app°inted for another year ? Say you ri river pilots are the best liver pilots in 1 “ У**’ cer '“ЫУ •" Tl,e“ on funds to America. The proof of (his is to be found Hie Domestic .Mission Treasury. (live the in the very few arcidents that happen on lloard lhe mcans> anJ !t Г1" do your this the most difficult river on the Ameri- Plc3sUrc- bt. There was no properly belonging to tiie Association which could be made in any way available towards liquidating the indebtedness of Hie Indian Mission Asso¬ ciation. There are houses at the several stations, for school purposes and places of residence, and farms to be cultivated for ; the use of tha Schools; but I have as yet , been unable to ascertain that the Associa¬ tion had any legal title to this property, other than actual occupation. As soon as BOARD OF FOREIG.V MISSIOXS. RICHMOND. SEPTEMBER, 1S55. Virginia Associations. APPOMATTOX ASSOCIATION, Ne enjoyed the high gratification of Ilia absence to. The next Numb r. can continent, It is a common remark that they know every " bml place,” but none of the good ones, ami that is the rea¬ son why they seldom strike a snag though . The next number of the running right through whole nests and contain definite information even lorests of them. No, Mis-ouri river 1 MI home operations. We b pilots should not be too freely censured^ ! veling for three months, and these buildings are vacated. they belong meeting with tl^Appo^Uox brethren^ accordmg-to Indian Custom, to the first ] ... man who may choose take possession. — 1 n. aaion.°f ‘be Association. It Dro. Buckner took the precaution to place conv.enei1 al-‘fe!,lnplXyJi Charlotte coun- ty, ) a., oriTrulay before the second Lord's day, August. The delegation was not lull, but the meeting was one of pleasing in¬ terest. On the day the subject of Foreign Mis- sions was brought to the notice of the brethren by the reading of an able report upon the subject. In connection with Ihij, addresses were made by ourself and other brethren, and a subscription taken amount¬ ing to S3 Go *.’3. On Monday wo addressed the Associa- Journal will in regard to ve been tra- arc now able But hero this narrative must cease. We to speak understanding!}- of t e Indian, the shall go back to the time of writing, and Chinese and the other Missions under the speak in the present tense. It is the 2 bt direction of the Domestic i Board. We of July, and we write in a brotlier'r house shall give to Southern Baptists facts for in the town of Boonville, Mis-ouri. It is ' their consideration and action. the land and the acquaintances of Daniel | _ Boon from whom the town takes its name. To night we are to preach in the Baptist oCpICfflUCr. meeting-house, before the chinch of which ; The Summer is now about over. " Old the eloquent Tyree C. Harris was for Sol” has spent his strength and the melt- years the pador. But he is dead ! Anx- jng power of his beams have been ondur- ious thousands will hear his entrancing cd. Delightful Autumn is now greeting voice no more! Once only we heard him: the landscape with its placid-smiles, and ‘ it was at Libeily, Mo. Never before nor the husbandman rejoiccth in the reward of since did we listen to sucli pious and soul his toils. The crops have been abundant thrilling eloquence ! The slender, pale, ' to our certain knowledge, in twelve States sickly man of God had the complete mas- 1 0f this Union, and there needs be no fear tery of all hearts. But lie is gone ! Who 0f a fimine. Now what will the di«ci- ! would not drop a tear for young Harris ? p|cs 0f J0,us ,]0 por pomtstic Missions !— Ills brother Robert scarcely less eloquent, Since God has very agreeably dissipated it is said, is now the pastor of the church, the fears of the timid by maturing the May God keep him and bicss his labors 1 crops by their needed heat and moisture, abundantly ! \ is not some return of gratitude to be ten- - i dered ? Certainly, most certainly, every ' benevolent heart will respond, The Treasury. к « ill seem reasonable, that we went on J! f3r as was possible by rail road. But ashington, 51 miles above St. Louis, e took the Sultan— a fine large boat, but -o deeply laden for the then stage of wa- er- Coasei Brethren, Will yon nol Act for Us? Not wishing to increase the expenses of the Board till the Indian Mission opera¬ tions should require it, arrangements were made with brethren in Marion to perform 1 What an important agency for the pros- the duties of the office, at a small com- 1 ecutiou ol great undertakings is the Irens- pensation, till the Secretary should return uri, I But for the treasury no railroads from his journey to Kentucky to receive would be built, no canals dug, no ships the transfer, and the Indian country. But constructed, no houses erected, no iin- this ab*ensc of three months prevents the provements of any kind attempted, and the Secretary of being present at some impor- very wheels of government itself would tant Associations in the Carolinas which he stop. And but for the treasury no Bibles had intended to visit. Now, in view of could bo printed, no missionaries sent to this fact, we appeal to brethren to act for the heathen, and no churches established ms. Do something at all the Associations in destitute places at home. Infidels may for Domestic Missions. Help us, help us, prate against religious beggars— as they and we'll labor with you to promote this j call them— and covetous Christians may good cause. And what wc say of the bluff off agents— it is nevertheless a fixed Carolinas will also apply to Tennessee and fact, that the Domestic Mission Board, at ' other States. least cant get on without a treasury, and a run treasury at that. So, as it seems to us, it would be much wiser, more gene¬ rous, and decidedly more Christian-like, to speak for the treasury instead of against it, and to contribute for its replenishment, rather than to disparage and neglect it. Indian Missions. The article in another column may per¬ haps be modified somewhat by disclosing events. 'J, and quentiy, she frequently ground- was compelled to work for two 0 e nights before she could free herself °ra *^e Powerful grasp of these bars, and UP 35 far as Boonsvillc. There we or, determining to go by stage to Kan- rjJ’ . cr ‘ban risk health and life on the 'er. in that state and that hot season of 'ae year. 'Hether Job ever traveled much by ;Лег 0r no*> is not certainly known; but to some who have been fated 1 mat a night on a sand-bar in tho broad usoun river would have added greatly 14 troubles, if nothing to his impati- The Reason. Our long absence from Mai ion will ac¬ count for the want of replies to many let¬ ters. It Must he Done. What must be done ? Why, more for all our missions than has ever yet been done. Why think of the millions expend¬ ed by three mighty empires in trying to j have been transfered to take a few rocks from the Russians, and shall not the people of God give their mo¬ ney and their prayers to save a world from sin and death ? California. Brethren, wc need funds for the Chi¬ nese in California. Shall we have them ? Indian Department. TRANSFER OF INDIAN MISSIONS. TO THE BAPTISTS OF THE SOUTH. Dear Brethren : It is made my duty to acquaint you as soon as possible, with the condition of the ; several Missions among the Indians which have been transfered to the Domestic Board by a mutual agreement between the Am. Indian Mission Association and the Southern Baptist Convention. Of the true, state of things at the several Stations I cannot yet speak definitely, hut shall be able to do so after a visit to those places, I to make which I am now on a journey to the Kansas Territory. The following facts, however, I presume are unquestion¬ able : a man in his house duriu keep po.-session. 2dly. The liabilities of the Association — as nearly as could be ascertained— are about $12,000; not less than this sum. This money is owing mostly lo the Mis¬ sionaries, and a considerable poition of these debts is of several years standing. 3d. The resources of the Association, including some funds from Government, the collections of Bro. Buckner, money ' sent up from conventions, associations and ' individuals, a legacy from the estate of Melville Wilson, of Baltimore, and one lion on Domestic Missions, referring also from a daughter of Bro. Bush, of Coving- lo tho [lH|ian MissionSi and _cd‘a ton, ky., are, in round numbers, about „„ 1 1 , $(>, 000— /мт" a deficiency in favor of соп|пЬи1|Ш1; Other brethren seconded the Missionaries of, I suppose at least ; 11,0 projiosition by subscriptions and ad- $6,000. j dresses. And, (including an amount ob- 4lh. Some of the Missionaries have left | laincd lit tho stage by Bro. Gilliam, who the stations for want of support, and two, was sent out by the Association for that Bros. Buckner and Walace, are now cm- 1 purpose,) about $230 were pledged It jdoved on agencies with the view of re- docs our heprt good wlicn wc can° se'cure licvmg these Indian Missions from ember- rassment. These are the facts, so far as,?" °l’P°r‘' Щ of thus aiding our good developed. It is possible, too, that the Woa j “,o1 _r " illicr- Mission is forever lost to us, though ils ! This Association has resolved to ex- loss will compensate somewhat by lessen- elude Sunday from its meetings hereafter. Reliabilities. ! It will convene on Tuesday before the sc- When Ibis state of tilings was made i cond'Lord'a day in August. The disorder manifest I, as authorized by the Board to I of Uic congregation on Lord's day, though receive the transfer, know not what to do. i , . .. . v °, But on recurring lo .he minutes of the ; not 8rca cr, lhan» Usual when such Convention, I found that I had no discre- j crinv'i4 assembled fixed the conviction of tionary power: I was not at liberty to refuse j the propriety of this change in the minds' when an " exhibition of affairs uni made.f \ of some who were rather undecided be- The transfer was thereloro received in (-orc proper and legal form, and henceforth the i ,n „ , , Indian Missions, heretofore conduced by : . Г|,сгс aro min)' ««Bent brethren, tho American Indian Mission Association, j ministers and lay members in the churches are to be prosecuted by the Domestic of this body. But it is not so active and Mi-sion Board of the Southern Baptist liberal as it should be. True the subscrip- Convention. . | lions at the Association were, under the The great problem now lo be solved is, ' circumstances, as liberal as any we have hod Ml this debt be paid} how shall funds rcceivcd. 1)ut wc Гсаг lh(,re is a wan, of DC prOClirCU tO pOV inOSC JUlSMOfUinCS WilO . , have waited for and suflercd because they ,>stc,inal,c aml cncrSclia acll.°“ amnnS tlic did not receive, their salaries? It would be churches. One of their ministers corn- idle and vain to wa-le time with censures plained that this was so, and wc fear lie and criminations. There may have been wat right, fault, lint where was it, and on whose shout- 1 jn pU|Ur0< ders is the blame? 1 am sorry that so large a i ' _ _ _ balance appears against the Association, i bui find it not in my heart to ca-t reflections ] . association. on any one. The brethren at Louisville I ; 4 1,14 ljrnc 3ni1 efficient body convened found to bo a generous-hearted and hono- 1 at Upcr Zion, Caroline county, Va., on rablc body of Christians, desirous that this Tuesday after the first Lord's day in An- Indian Mission enterprise may yet flour- ' Xl,e delegation was large and the i4i, ami awning me that tlic Hi рЫа of . . . . , , . Louisville will not be backward in doing I cnlir0 scss,on was cliaraclcn^d by chr.s- their part towards taking up this debt. I [ Han courtesy, harmonious action and zeal- fully believe that they will do as they had ous devotion to the interests of the Rc- said— that is to say, will heartily co-ope- j deemer's cause. The congregations were rate with the Southern Bapti-t Convention . , hu on ,he ?ccomf ,, of (he in prosecuting tin** anil other kindred cn- 1 . , . , , , . ; . terprises; and I believe the same may be j !CS4lon- «inch was devoted wholly to said of the Baptists of Kentucky gene- ; preaching. Good order pi evailed through- rally. out the meeting; and wc have no doubt Well, how is the money to he raised ? but that tho decision of the churches, (by Why, this is my suggestion : Let every a majority of one,) hereafter to include church, on reading this article, resolve to , 1лгс|’а Jay in the meeting of tho Asso- take up a special collection for Indian Mis- j cial; was a sourcc of t m non 8, and send the amount, whatever it .4 4 ... ° . • may be, lo U’m. Ihrnbuklc, Marion, Perry , as “ *" t0 ">• wh,lef wc contrasted the со.,Л1а. I am very sure if this course were . solemn scenes of Wednesday with the adopted generally among the churches of. disorder and confusion so often witnessed the South and South-West, this whole de- a[ suci, (iInc, on ij0rd's jj... ficiency could be met in less than two ; Wo „„ t(ei| to ajJre„ thc As. months. Wiu.it be done? I hope so. . . ‘ , r . ... And are there not individuals who will !0Clll,0n on Tliursday upon Foreign M.s- makc liberal contributions tc. this special i sions, and obtained a subscription amount- object. The Baptist Denominationis uouNri, . ing along with what was given at the in honor bound, to pay this debt. Who stam| to 5717 25. A considerable pro- that giories in the name of Baptist would ' |ion of which was paid. This, as in- willingly let these missions pass over to • ‘ . f the I’edo- Baptists. Who is willing that ! (lecd thc mount[ Plcd^d »» each of the these Mksionaries shall wait a single [ Associations we have attended, was given month longer for their money ? Who can ( as an extra contribution in view of the hear the humiliating thought that the half ■ necessity of increasing tho funds of tho dozen native preachers shall henceforth цоаг j. . p_ ceare to proclaim Christ to their people? ' _ . No, brethren, without lessening your con- . sai.em un.on association. tnbutions to foreign and domestic mis- . . sions, respond promptly to this rail. Give | Having just returned from the annual the Domestic Board a lair chance, by a!- meeting of Ibis association, which oc- lowing it to begin even, and I shall not fear curred at North Fork church, i.oudon Co. to promise that it will keep even. . Our ap- j wo arQ happy lo record our pleasuro in But wc expect better tilings Г. peal is before you, and I will write again on this subject when I have learned more. JOSEPH WALKER. Cor. Sec. Dom. and Ind. Missions. St. Louis, .Vo., July 13, 1855. meeting many old Christian friends, and forming associations with those, before un¬ known. The occasion was one of, liyeiy interest. As the meeting was held in the