Home and Foreign Journal, May 1854

AND PO JO URNAL VOLUME III. RICHMOND MAY, 1854. PUBLISHED BY THE BOARDS OF DOMESTIC AND FOR 40 A Ul> OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS, MAIHON. Л I, ЛИЛ МЛ, MAY, 1651 МЬышш'у Vbilation Jloeilng. Jlv the kind invitathyi of I’rof. Jewett and lib lady, «lie Hoard of Domestic Mission», with several other citizens of Marion, assembled al their lmu«e, on Tuesday evenine, M reli 1 1'b, I1* tabu leave of brother and sister Sliucs, prior to their departure for California. The nicotine in it. character was both social and religious, mid well cal¬ culated to impress the minds of the missionaries with tho conviction, that they were about to leave behind them many affectionate and prayin'; friends. l!cv. .lames 11. p.-votie, President of the Hoard, opened mid conducted tho reliirious exercises. Af'er singing and prayer, tho Porrc«pondiii" Secretary made a few remarks on the cn- coiiragements connected with litis mission to the Chinese in California, lie was followed by l*r. Talbird, who, while he admittoi! there were apparently some encouragements, contended that the inahi reliance of the churches for the suc¬ cess of this enterprise, must be on Coil. That while Christ! tun should ho zealous and active in the n«o of hu¬ man means and instrumentalities, their chief dependence nnist, after all, be on the convicting and converting power of the Holy Spirit. l’rof. Jewett thou made some remarks, in which he took still another vicar of this interesting subject. True, there cere many things to encourage our brother mid si»ter. They would have cultivated society— might live in a large city, and have aecu-s to numerous sources of social and intellectual entertainments, but if might be well to con¬ sider, that there were also scum dangerous temptation» I ccnli'tr to that country, which, if not strenuously resis¬ ted, might seriously embarrass the mission. There was go/d there, and it oa« i|ue»ti"iiablc whether tho advan¬ tages of civilized and refined society, would he as favor¬ able to the growth of piety and tho development of a mis¬ sionary spirit, as is tho isolated condition of missionaries among the heathen. Brother Pcvotie elosel the exercises with a very pa¬ thetic and impressive address. Ho agreed with all that had been said. It was, doubtless, all true. But it was pliin to his mind, that tho Hoard were acting, in this mat¬ ter, under tho direction of Providence. Brother Shock bad manifestly a cnll from California— a loud call. Some of thoso converted under his ministry were there. One had recently died giving cvidcnco of a hope in Christ, who ascribed his conversion to tho labors of brother Shuck. 'eating, 'wdeting, ►a&wYr There had been no previous preparation or arrangement; but we doubt, if there had been, whether tho remarks by the several speakers would have been it ore appropriate or better adapted to the occasion, heave was taken of the missionaries, and tho company departed. Лдапсу of Brother Shark. ЛИ persons who gave pledges to brother Shuck for the California luis-iims, or who have funds on hand, will please send them to William llembtieklc, ll»p, Treasurer, Ma¬ rion, Alabama. Now OrliMiis a Missionary Ficltl. During our recent visit we took especial pains to explore the great emporium of the South West. For live succes¬ sive days, by cab», omnibusscs, cars, and ott foot, we were on the go. The remit of our observations is, that the r.aptisls ovg'ir, at this time, to have not less than eight churches in New Orleans and its adjicont towns, whether they ever succeed in building up one or tint. There might be one in Carmlton, one in Algiers, two in hafayetto, one in the vicinity of the Garrison, and throe in tho city proper. Л young active man could do a goad work ia Algiers, just асго»з the river in front of tho great city. That town has now, we should judge, 2000 inhabitants, and being a railroad terminus, is destined to grow. Another could he very useful in the lower part of tho city, in tho direction of the Garrison. A third would find Ids hands full in Lafayette. These three points ought to be occupied, in addition to tho central position in the Colis¬ eum l’lacc. Wo mention those facts now as matters for thought and future action, Our impression, however, is, that, in view of present circumstances, the Baptists should concentrate their efforts in prosecuting to its completion the house in the Coliseum Place, whoso foundation is now laid. That is a vety cligiblo location— central, easy of access, and, doubtless, as conducive to health as any in the city. Wore that church once established, it would soon become a strong church. There arc brethren and sisters enough in the city who would unite to Luild it up, wro the house Citiaiied. We havo reason to believe, too, that they would work zealously for the good of Zion, "’ore cnee the scattered Baptists in the city thus concen¬ trated, they would almost from the start support their pas¬ tor i and ho able also to assist in locating and sustaining ether interests.. On Hie firouni. Unless our missionaries to tho Chinese in California havo met witli some disaster on the way, they are now ia the field. Ono word, then, to tho friends of this enter¬ prise: we hopo it has топу friends. Tho expense of pla¬ cing Mr. Shuck upon Ids station, has been considerably greater than the Board had anticipated. This they have oo desira to conceal. They would rather prefer that the NUMBER 11. MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. more, to place the Rev. Mr. Speer in the field, as it has in, tho case of the Rev. Mr. Shuck. Tim fact is, tho packed from all our ports to the Isthmus and thence onward, havo such a largo patronage, that one must not only pay dearlyj hut .sometimes beg a little for a state room. We do t(A mention those matters because any complaint lias bectl made— wo have heard of none— hut to apprise our brott] ren of a necessity for vigorous elTort to sustain tlds mi sion. We think the worst is over. Tho liberality cf't soiiiations, churches and individuals, has enabled the В to comply witli the instructions of the Conventioi/,r^i5 this result, all the pious rejoice! Wb.it Baptist к {oj proud to have u competent missionary among the Cijncio ill his own native land ! lias (he great Jehovah sent t£e£ over to us by tens of thousands, and shall not wctciS them one missionary, even though it he expensive? , If the hoary cabinets of the Old World can rojuiro uiilliojs to enable them to mangle and destroy men's bodies, esl^l| not the Baptists appropriate a few thousand* witli a’ view if evangelizing (lie I ratface at their doors’ M'c bdiovd that tho Goshen Association, and all who take a coibprjjj licnsivo view of this mission, will continue to assist :fc Hoard in supporting it. Seal on Your rictlgcs. The foundation of tho Baptist meeting house he. New Orleans is being laid, the bricklayers, carpenters'^}! arebiteets are at work— for seeing is believing, and trur own eyes have seen these tilings— and now, if tlicro bcjiip holding hack of the needful, the Lord’s house will septum built. It is not questioned for a moment lilt that cv| brother, sister or friend, who gavo a pledge to this on prise at the last Baptist Convention at Baltimore, at the time, to redtem that pledge when called for. is it believed that any havo sinco receded from their intention. Several havo recently sent on their pb through tho Domestic Mission Board. Some, ho may entertain fears that the enterprise will after ai through, and lint their bounty will thus bo lost. Wj not believe thcro is ony ju-t ground of alarm. All si: be willing to run sonic risk in tlds matter— give beucfuctions in faith end in prayer; and if it ilUlULlwKJ _ г *jv?s.vs ----- ’a member of the ЩлмЛЫ man— has given to tho executors of tho late Mr. Baubling, his written guarantee, that tho honso shall he completed within two years, and on thiscim- dilinp they, {the executor»,) havo agreed to pay over the $15,000, mi that the work may progress. Now, then, if given pledges shall he promptly redeemed, and other per¬ sons shall as promptly subscribe and pay, tho enterprise cannot fail. Brother James II. Lowe intends soon to make sonic visits, with the view of soliciting funds for this worthy object, and we lmpc may he cordially received, and his mission liberally patronized. Convention and all concerned should know tho enter truth, flfrcc'ion of Rev. J. li. Graves. Brother Graves is a man and the whole truth, in tho ease. But this mission has sf talents, great energy, and untiring industry, llisliap- not been more costly to the Baptists, than lias been that ,tiat has a very largo circulation, and is exerting an int- of the Presbyterians to them. A correspondence wait anenro influence in the south and west, opened with that Board at an early day on Hit -.object of g Х|;„. 0>lMM „.Witsi OtmoN,c»,_Prof. William passage, outfit and salary, cud by the light of that co0n Duncan isJlie editor of tins , «nodical. We have been respondent» it is seen, that .t cost fully as »’ucb; “Mequainted with l’rof. Duncan, by his paper, for several years. IBs scholarship, graceful stylo of writing, and his power of condensing general nens Into short paragraphs,! make the Chronicle peculiarly a aluable. •• Baptist Preacher.— The February number of thus witrk has been received, ami contains two sermons, ouc by Rev. li. li. Tongue, and the oilier by llev. Sylvnnus I.au- drum. Tho Preacher has been in existence for thirteen lira, under tho control, as editor and proprietor, of ltov. Henry Keeling, of Richmond, Virginia. It is deserving of a place in the library of every Baptist minister. , Bmu U.mo.n KnrttltTim. — Wo close, fur tho present, with a notice of this monthly. It is published in Now York and edited by William II. Wycko/T, Corresponding Secretary of the American Bible Union, and (I. A. Bitck- bre, Assistant Treasurer. Its object seen s to be to keep before the public the transactions of the Bible Union. The number before us contains several of the anniversary addresses, specimens of translations, and extracts from correspondence. On examining the list of life member¬ ship, wo find the names of litany of our most pious and useful brethren, loth ministers and private members. The names of the editors are a sufficient guarantee that the llo- porter will he ably conducted. Wc hope it will ho well received everywhere, and meet nidi no opposition. We trnst the time has now fully conic when Bible translation will he no longer considered a crime, and «lien all discord on account thereof will cease. Others may do as they li*t, the Bible Union shall never havo any opposition from ns. If we cannot aid it, neither will we hinder its pro¬ gress. The wind of God faithfully translated is essen¬ tial to missionary success. Mere is I lie Man? Tho First Baptist Church of New Orleans wants a pas¬ tor, to occupy the new house now being built. Where is the man? Within less than twelve months they ho[C to worship in the basement, but they want and need tho pas¬ tor oven before that time. If any of onr brethren in the southern States know of a suitable minister nlo «ill go, they will plea«e name him to the Board of Domestic Mis¬ sions for appointment. Flanks ami licpobls. It is our custom to rend a blank report with tho remit¬ tance to each missionary, which blank ought to ho filled up and returned at the end of the quarter. Fein" of onr brethren, however, forget the blank, and intermingle their account of labors with remarks they may havo to nake. Others iiccni to retain the blank as a model by which to I!cv. J. I,. Shuck. Wc bad intended, by a distinct article, to notice tho de¬ parture of onr brother Fhuek and family front New Orleans, but t]ie notice below is, in all respects,»') kind, truthful, and. ivijbypttbn, that wo prefer to adopt it as living better laif tnjfibingwe fcculd Write.,. It is from tho pen of Uev. tbaeJitorof tho ship. On the deck of the Daniel Webster we ill gave the parting hand to the missionaries, and from the levee wc saw the noble vessel glide doun tho river. In a note to a friend, sent hack by the pilot from tho mouth of tho Missi sippi, brother Shuck staled that the weather was fine, and there was every prospect of a smooth passage across the gulf. rto.UK CHINESE MISSION. Rev. J. L. Shuck and family left this port Wednesday morning, 22nd in-t., nn steamship Daniel Webster, for California tin Niearauga. Mr. Shuck goes out ns the litis, siomry of the Southern Baptist Board, to the Chinese in California. Ilis principal station will ho in San Fran¬ cisco. This i« an important mmeinctit : one in manifest agreement with the nails and signs of tho limes, llev. Mr. Spear», of the American Hoard, is already in the field and prospering. We arc glad that our Baptist brethren aie prepared ю color it so promptly, and in the person of so efficient a minister as Mr. Shuck. In all tho range of denomination», we doubt if a missionary of higher personal and linguistic qiiaiilieatinns could he found. Mr. Sliuok is noiv in die prime "f life, industrious, judicious, and self- sacrificing. He belong* to tho highest style of the mis¬ sionary, and «e hold that the missionary is the highest stylo of the Christian minister. In Di.'io lie entered Chi¬ na mi the evangelical «ork lie is now prosecuting . labored in Macon, llong-Kong, Canton, and for tho last five years .in Shanghai, lie has translated the Now Testament into the Shanghai dialect, and written and put in circulation seven original Chinese tracts. I Ic was a member of tho roiniuittcc of seven, made up by various denominations for Irtuisliting the Biblo into Chinese, of which Dr. Mcdhurst was Chau man. There are in California at this time, by tho most proba¬ ble cstimitc, 40,000 Chinese. Many of thc*o have heard Mr. Shuck in their o«n land, and some were members of Ids church. It gives us unfeigned pleasure to sco so com- шако out a report nearly the same in form. M'c request that the same blank sent ho returned : «с «ill send them j a missionary, «bile others are going eastward, sent regularly as needed, and we earnestly request that any westward to meet this incoming tide. Wo trust the cn- remarks which will do for the Journal, bo written onajlMpriae nay bo energetically supported and abundantly distinct page, so that it may bo cut oil' and sent to the press without re-writing. Wo havo one more request to make— that all our brethren «ill write English, that is, so that what they write can be read, A little pains to form letters properly and write legibly would save tho Secretary much trouble. Brethren, have a little mercy on us I Weeklies ant] Monthlies. Xew York Recorder.—' Tld* colossal sheet, so ably edited by Bcr. S. Й. Cutting, is a welcome messenger to our mi»si"n room». It has additional value, in tho pre¬ sent condition of Нигере, front tho contributions of its foreign correspondents. While wo take no part in and express no opinion of what is called the Nebraska bill, wo think Senator Douglass has found hii match in the editor of the New York ltccorder. New York Chronicle. — This paper has entered on the fourth volume, arid has made its visits to us for seve¬ ral months. It is edited by Rev. Orin B. Judd, a young nan of fine abilities, and is ono of the most useful and in- 1 tcresting weeklies of the times. Tennessee Вагнзг — This is the organ of the Bap¬ tist denomination ia Tennessee, and under the editorial successful. Her. Mr. M'alkcr, tho Corresponding Secretary of the Board, accompanied the parly to this point of departure, and is now in the city. ■ I ■■ — - <■*»» . Visit lo New Orleans. Shut Hale — Selma —PrieeuU at the l/in/lin*. — Cremnnia. — Alabama Hirer.— Mobile Вау — Mobile.— Лею Acquaintances — Baptists.— Medina liaises.— bod's Bay — Departure for the. Crevat City— California. — /Vues ami the Calf Coast.— bd.es — 4'i ramp. — Лею Orleans — Hotels — l /гее — Halite Ground — .i'pf'l of the City.— Baptists-— bird's Day Scni- tes.—Shurh's Departure. M'hcthcr or not ties readers of the Journal will bo in¬ terested with our “notes by the way;” or, as recent tour¬ ists havo it, “ observations here and there,” wc have, at present, no means of knowing, hut it has become fashion¬ able to tell the world where you h«70 been, and what you haro seen, and wo have no notion of living out of tho fashion. Our adventure was an excursion to the famous city of New Orleans, in company of the Her. J. I,. Shock and his family, who were “ en route ” for California. This will do ns our exordium. March 15th, 18.14, eleven o'clock at night, and we took stage at Marion. Yes, the stage, for there is, as yet, no other means of conveyance from this inland town. All we have to say of this itago ride, Is briefly this : it was tho most disagreeable jaunt wo ever experienced in all our life before. Language cannot describe it. Wo would much prefer lo nuke tho «hole journey of threo huDdrcd miles from Selma to Mobile, than tho gogging, jolting, cross-pole night trip between Marion and Scluia. But let that pa»s, wc shall havo a railroad in 'a fow months, and all will ho well. As the sun rose next morning, our coach camo to a stand at tho G. House, in Scluiu. This town was sorely afflicted last fall hy the ravages of (ho yellow fever, which for a season rctaidod its commercial prosperity, but its prospects are again brightening, and it promises to he a placo of some importance. Being, as wo supposed, and as tho se¬ quel proved to ho tho fact, late, wo at otico sought a boat bourn! for Mobile, presuming to find Mr. Shuck and fam¬ ily on bojrd. But they had not yot taken passage, Su'd wo prevailed on the captain to tarry n short while for them. On looking down tho river, wo saw them in company with several friend» on tho wliarf-hoat at tlm lower landing, nud en perceiving them, the captain loused hi* cables and dropped down. All on hoard tho Crcmotiia, and steam fairly on, we retired to our state room to seek tint repose uliioii a rugged necessity denied the previous night. On the way down we were frequently struck with tho beauty of tho Alabama River. Its banks or sides are hero and tlicro abrupt, and occasionally a bold promontory flings its dark shadow across the stream, but tho scenery, as a «hole, is rather beautiful than sublime. Indeed, ex¬ cepting the Ohio, no regard it as ono of tho most beauti¬ ful rivers «о have ever seen. Its navigation, too, is both easy and safe. True, it is said, there nro sonic rocks on its bottom, but they are peaeealdo and entirely harmless, if lit aloac. It is only when molested or encroached upon hy soino officious prow or keel that they wako up, and, like all rocks, retort thoso thumping arguments which are sure to compel respect, anil leave them in the undisputed possession of their right». On tlm second day about uoou, Mobile Bay was spread out before us as' a sea of glass. Tho balmy sea breezes gently rippled tho waters, aud ia the whispering tones of uualfeolcd love, seemed to say : “ welcome, thrice wclcomo to our watery hut healthful do¬ main.” Tlw city of Mobile, as approached from up tho river, appears low, and does not, at first, make a favorable impression on a stranger. Wbcu, howevur, ho gets uoaror to it, enters within its limits, leeks at its business mart* and spacious warehouses, 1m is at once convinced that it is nohieMt.eHyj'and is destined to become a, vcry.grcat mi wfci- RftSiTlirtSTro1, Inuusi becoaw. ilf vastly increased commercial importance On arriving at port, we aoou made tho acquaintance ‘of brother T. IV. Miller, anil subsequently of Dr. Ilrutnby, and their families, witli nlioiu wo felt quite at home. Fhuek and family found lodgings awaiting them at tho res¬ ilience of tho latter, «bile wo were kindly entertained hy tho former. It is not only pleasant, hut it is delightful to he greeted with such a cordial welcome. May tho Lord abundantly bless those brethren and ni,ters, and all like them. The Baptists of Mobile, as a class, are certainly, wo think, of the better sort. They, like many others, have, in past times, had seme troubles, hut troubles aro no new or strange tiling under tho son. The apostolic churches had troubles, even while llie apostles wero yot living, nud why should the churches of modern times ex¬ pect exemption from that «hieli bcfel tho primitive Christ¬ ians ’ At present there is peaco in tho churches of Mo¬ bile, and the Baptists there are a devotional, liberal, kind hearted people. There may he indicidual exceptions, but ire know of none. But wu ilo know that tiio Domestic Mission Board lia» been liberally patronized in that direc¬ tion. ’Vo saw three Baptist houses of worship. That occupied hy the colored elmrcli is spacious and convenient. It will scat, including tho galleries, perhaps 1200 persons, and is a much better anil neater house Ilian many white congregations possess in some of your largest cities. Tho house, formerly occupied hy tho Faint Anthony Street Church, is of kick, and, wo should judge, large enough to accommodate five or six hundred person*. This is the house in which the lato D. II. Gillette preached. There is an effort about being made, cither to resuscitate tho old St. Anthony Street Church, or constitute a new one, and tlm house has lately been opened with this end in view. The only objection we can sec to tho adoption of such a course, is tho nearness of this location to that of tho St. Francis Street Church. If the hou»o and lot could bo sold, and a new house should ho erected fur tho above named church in а того remote part of the city, a con¬ flict of interests would be avoided, and того good might possibly lo accomplished. The honso on St. Francis St., of which Rev. T. G. Keene, formerly of Louisville, Ky. is tho pastor, is a commodious, spacious, and an excellent building. Its external appearance is attractive, and tho audienco room is finished in fino architectural taste. It has, however, two depots, which may bo easily remedied at anytime. Tlicro is no interior communication between tho pastor’s study and tho upper part of tho house, and tho baptistry is ia tiio basement! It must ho very incon¬ venient for the congregation at tho closo of tho service to go down into tho basement to witness baptisms, and yet their presence to witness that solemn ordinance, could scarcely ho dispensed with. Brother Kccno his boon pas¬ tor of this church for about four years. Ho ia s diligeat student and an able preacher, and is sustained by a hand of disciples who are ready for every good word snd work. We had tho privilege of spending in Mobile only1 on* Sabbath. M'e worshiped in the morning with tho St. Francis street church, and heard a sermon from brother Shock ia the sime place at night. Much , more , night bf