Home and Foreign Journal, July 1854

' * «я* ' . JOURNAL; VOLUME IV. RICHMOND, JULY, 1S54. NUMBER 1. PUBLISHED BY TH E BOARDS OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHERN ВЛРТ 1ST CONVENTION. BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS. MARION, ALABAMA, JULY, 185-1. Eighlh Annual Report of the Board. All enterprises, whether for physical or moral and religious achievements, have at times their hindrances, trials and calamities. To human, and especially unsanctified rea¬ son, it may seem strange that Divine Provi¬ dence should allow any circumstances to arise by which the gospel might bo retarded in its progress, hut his ways are not as thoso of man, and while lie makes man his gent for tho diffusion of evangelical princi- ,lcs, he will yet have him to know that they - have to ho established and confirmed annd vexations, difficulties, and even death Itself. A sad and long to be remembered Ixeniplifieation of this truth was had, in the desolating scourge which swept with terriblo consequences over a large portion of the louthwest during the past summer. Many barfs of Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Arkan¬ sas, Mississippi and Alabama, wero held for Jour long months under the power of a viru¬ lent, unpitying and insatiable pestilence ! f Death, inexorable death, held undisputed jlway. He was in the atmosphere and on tho rivers, in private dwellings and public hotels, among the wicked at their sports, "end the assembled saints at their devotions. ^Dismay, dread and consternation took for¬ cible possession of tho stoutest hearts, and families fled their homes, cities became de¬ populated, and in several instances tho j'lfliurehcs of God wero broken up, and tho I Jocks scattered. The field of tho Domestic j .Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Con¬ tention, was tho place of these sore dis- ! Presses and weighty calamities. Doubtless, 1 It would not be thought strange, therefore, If the present annual report should show a ,|argo decrease in the aggregato results of ^missionary labor, as contrasted with those •if tho past year. But while tho work of tSnnict'o missions -has been unquestionably i retatded by the prevalence of this epidemic, it will he seen that both tho receipts and I 'disbursements havo been considerably aug- {-xncntevl. There lias also been an increase of I. additions to tiro churches, both by baptism 1 ’arid letter. FINANCIAL Ol'ERATIOXS. The Treasurer’s report will show that the receipts of tho past financial year were nine¬ teen thousand nineteen dollars and ninc- 'toen cents, ($19,019 19.) This amount, however, docs not include SI, 500, which .'was donated by a brother in South Carolina, ito be invested in safe hands, and the interest only to ho applied to missionary purposes. •Nothing but the interest, therefore, can pro- Й appear ir. tho annual reports. It will ' history of the past year, and rejoice in tho fact, that every claim on tho treasury, whe¬ ther of missionaries or others, has been sa¬ tisfied without tho least unreasonable delay. ic seen that the contributions from Georgia arc not in the aggrogate as largo as tho pro- ceding report exhibits. Tho reason is, so- veral hundred dollars were added into that report, which properly belonged to this, having been received after April, 1S53. Had the amount thus transferred to a prior report been reserved for this, Georgia would stand with Virginia and Alabama. Site will, however, show the whole amount of her liberality in tho next report, and it is prohallo she will bo at the head of tho 'ist. Alabama is still in advance, but only by a few dollars. Virginia is so close in her wake, that all room for boasting is excluded. The latter State has nearly doubled the jprevmus year, owing, doubtless, to tho agen¬ cies of brethren Shuck and Reynoldson,and Jtho generous appropriation of $800 for Ca¬ lifornia by the Goshen Association ; and tho former has also advanced, having received a Igift for California of $500 from a benevo¬ lent brother in Mobile. Both the Carolinas and Tennesseo havo gone beyond their for¬ mer annual contributions. Maryland, Ken¬ tucky and Missouri havo shown signs of favor to tbi3 Board, which, beyond all ques- lion, will be much того manifest before the meeting of the next session of tho conven¬ tion at Montgomery. Mississippi has more than doubled her contributions. The Board, but especially tho causo of domestic mis¬ sions, lias warm friends in that State. From all sources then, and for all purposes, the increase of receipts over any previous year is $5,931 73. Somo §3,1)00 of this in¬ crease may bo ascribed to the special efforts for California nnd Now Orleans, but (brow- ing out those enterprises, there is a clear (advance of $2,500 on former receipts. Tho expenditures havo been $17,629 04. or $3,272 53 over those of the previous year.- Tbo balance on band is something above $3,000. This, however, will bo con¬ siderably reduced when some outstanding jaocounts shall bo presented for payment, and the salaries of several missionaries re¬ cently appointed shall bo paid. The Boajd . 'recur with peculiar pleasure to tho financial AGENCIES. A cloud of tho deepest gloom impends over this department. The fate of the Bov. J. S. KeyuolJson, general agent of the Board, has been painfully uncertain for many weeks. At the time of penning these lines, (May 10th,) there is scarcely tho shadow of a liopo that ho is still among the living on earth. It is known that ho em¬ barked on tho “ steamer City of Glasgow” at Liverpool for home, and tho vessel not having been heard from for more than two months, tho conclusion can scarcely bo avoided that he wis lost at sea. If this be so, the Doinestio Mission Board havo lost an agent whoso place it will he difficult to fill. And this loss will ho pecu¬ liarly detrimental at tho present time, con¬ nected and identified as Mr. Bcynoldson was with the interests of tho California mis¬ sion. Unless the lack of labor thus Inst to the Board shall bo inado up by tho volun¬ tary action of churches and individuals, the mission to the Chinese on our western coast will suffer. But, most of all, do tho Board lament the loss of brother Heynold- son, on account of his bereaved family. — May tho Great Head of the church care for tho widow and tho orphans. Only four agents were in the field regu¬ larly during the financial year just closed, but several others officiated in the capacity of agents for shorter periods. In Tennes¬ see Bov. Bradley Kimbrough labored for tho Board, though much hindered by do¬ mestic afflictions and embarrassed by con¬ flicting interests. In view of all the cir¬ cumstances lie did well. Rev. Jesse A. Collins traveled extensively in Alabama, and though in a new field, and with poor health, was reasonably successful. • l!cv. William 1’. Hill, as heretofore, occupied his old field in Georgia, nnd part of South Ca¬ rolina. Fccblo health interrupted his la¬ bors somewhat, and perhaps llidhlm asidd for a season, yet his remittances for ten months foot up quite respectably. Rev. Thomas B. Lockhart lias for several months been pleading tbo cause of Domestic Mis¬ sions in Mississippi, and although ontoward circumstances have been against him, still it is believed good lias been done by his missionary services, and some funds havo been remitted. Rev. J. O. Scrivon, whoso appointment for Soutli Western Georgia began on the first of January, has Icon at his work ever since. He has been every¬ where kindly received and liberally patron¬ ized. For the brief period of his agency, ho lias been quite successful, and it is hoped that former successes are but tho drops that precede the copious shower, Besides these, nn occasional agency was prosecuted by Itcv. James II. DeVotic, which has ad¬ ded proportionally to tbo funds in the trea¬ sury. The cordiality with whicli tho agents of tho Board havo been most generally re¬ ceived, is a gratifying indication that, pre¬ judices against such means of obtaining funds, ore fast subsiding. Tis useless to think of dispensing with agents— they arc essential to the existence and progress of all missionary enterprises of a general character, and it is questionable if tho time will ever come when the cause of Christ cau do without them. with three prosperous and efficient churches, yet in view of increasing demands, it was deemed essential and desirable to havo at least ono того church in that city. Hence tho Board— on tho recommenda¬ tion of ministers, both in Virginia and South Carolina— appointed Rev. T. O. Teas- dala their missionary to labor as tho pastor of tho Fourth Baptist Church, recently or¬ ganized, and for which a new .church edi¬ fice is now in progress of erection. A small appropriation was also made to assist, in connection with tho Maryland Union Baptist Association, in sustaining Rev. Onstavus Brown in the pastorate ot tho Second African Baptist Church in that city. Rev. Noah Davis, pastor of tho African Baptist Church in Baltimore, amid many trials and discouragements, was re¬ cently somewhat encouraged in his work. — Tho meeting liouso contemplated has not yet been erected, hut certainly will bo его long. Tho expenditures of the Board for Maryland, have heretofore been considera¬ bly in advanco of receipts from there ; but recently some funds wero collected in Balti¬ more for California, and a lady sent $50, as a donation. VIRGINIA. The two city missions named in the pre¬ vious annual report, as sustained conjointly with tho General Association of Virginia, are still, to the same extent, under the pa¬ tronage of this Board. Tho new church at Richmond, in chargo of Rev. Reuben Ford has met the most sanguino expectations. The Board fed that their appropriations for that interest havo been well applied, and aro gratified at tbo prospect Of the church soou becoming not only self-sustaining, but a contributor to the domestic mission treas¬ ury. Tho new edifice, in tho basement of which tho church are now worshiping, has been much eotiuncudcd for its neatness and beauty; but the most interesting feature in tho history of that brotherhopd is this — “ Tho Lord has added to tho church fre¬ quently, of such as should bo.gavcd.” . . Tho. cause at Wheolingvwi--.^ho gcalqus ministry of Rev. John Whiter, Tins been greatly promoted. Not only has the church in the city greatly inercared in numbers and usefulness, but many have been converted and baptized, through the laburs of our mis¬ sionary at places in tho surrounding conn try. NORTH CAROLINA. MISSIONARIES. The books show that eighty-eight mis¬ sionaries and agents have been commission¬ ed during tho year. These wero scattered over sixteen of the Southern and South Western States. Thus it appears, that there has been an increase of ten appoint¬ ments, and though some declined serving, yet reports havo been received from fifty- nine— just one того than in the past year. To quoto the languago of tho last report it may still bo said: “twenty-one of oui missionaries have labored in twenty differ¬ ent cities of the South and South West — from Wheeling, Vu., to Tampa, Florida, aud from St. Louis, Mo., down tho Missis¬ sippi rirer, and to Houston, Texas.” In addition, we may now add two new missions in Washington, D.O.,onc in Helena, Ark., and one in San Francisco, California. Tho sentiment is fast wining favor, that towns and cities should be provided with tho gospel at any expenso or sacrifico j but to sustain this view of the case, practically, there must also be a corresponding liberality on the part of the churches. Let us now de¬ tail some particulars : few additions to tho church mado him doubt whether be ought to remain there; tho Board, however, deemed it expedient and proper to renew his appointment. Tompa being a placo much resorted to by invalids, opportunities are thus afforded for preach¬ ing tho gospel to persons who may hear tho glad tidings to oilier parts, and though tho fruits of missionary toil may not ha seen on tho spot, tho seed sown may spring up in distant places, to bless sinners and glorify God. Micanopy is the village at which the Rev. Charles B. Jones is stationed. There has not yet been a sufficient trial to show what may bo done. Like all new and sparsely settled regions, it is encumbered by some disadvantages ; but a few years usually effect wonderful changes for tho better, in every respect. Florida doe's nothing to swell our pecuniary resources, but a more auspicious season is doubtless on the wing. That pe¬ ninsula, shooting far into tho ocean, will do something yet. KENTUCKY. This Stato has her General Association, which employs missionaries to labor within its own bounds. About an hundred dollars were contributed to tho funds of this Board by individuals in and about Hopkinsville, prior to the close of the financial year, and some small amounts havo more recently been received from tho same region. It is cheering to know that much warm sympathy is cherished by brethren and sisters in that part of Kentucky, for our domestic mission interests. TENNESSEE. sent year, a most happy revival was enjoyed there. Many wero added to tho church nn- dcr tho pastoral oversight of Rev. В. B. Gibbs. Rot. II. E. Hempstead on the Gulf coast, was hindered in his work by tho delicate state of his health, but has, with tho excep¬ tion of a weeks, kept regularly at bis minis¬ trations. » The Baptist church at Raleigh, for a while assisted by this Board, has ceased to bo a beneficiary. Beyond some $200 within the past few months contributed for California, the old North State has not added much of her substance to the treasury of doinestio missions, save thoso supported within her own bounds. As the necessity for the Do¬ inestio Mission Board of the Southern Bap¬ tist Convention is now a settled point, it is Imped that all the States which aided in bringing it into the world, will afford both parental sympathy and aid. SOUTH CAROLINA. Tho Board aro yet sustaining in part, the Rev. T. J. Earle, at Pendleton. South Carolina, like many other Stales, is lauda¬ bly engaged in providing for homo evange¬ lization, but nevertheless d ing something also for the destitute in remote States nnd now Territories. Tho Savannah River As¬ sociation has Edit ns some hundreds of dol¬ lars, remitted by our agent, Itnv. Wm. B. Johnson, D. D., besides other collections were sent on through the same medium. At tho late Baptist convention of Georgia, a son of the Palmetto State pledged .$500, to be paid in Gvc annual instalments. GEORGIA. MARYLAND AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUM¬ BIA. At the metropolis of our country, a city ever filled with statesmen and visitors from all parts of the confederacy, if not of the world, it his seemed imperatively necessary to aid in the establishment of another Bap¬ tist church. Though tho city was blessed The church in Atlanta, of which Rev. W. II. Robert is pastor, has become self- sustaining. Some of her members aro now giving of their substance to aid the inter¬ ests nf this Hoard. Thus a part of wliat was formerly appropriated to help snpport their pastor is coming back. The day is not very far distant, when that flourishing city will need another Baptist church. Indeed, tbo question of another interest has already been mooted, llcv. A. S. Morrall is active¬ ly employed in building up and strengthen¬ ing his charge at Darien. Tho present signs indicate prosperity. On the seaboard efforts aro being made to provide stated preaching for the colored people. . One or more mis¬ sionaries will probably soon be located in thoso parts, to bo supported conjointly by the Georgia Baptist State Convention and tho Domestic Mission Board at Marion, Al¬ abama. Oeorgia beiDg a liberal contribu¬ tor to tho funds of this Board, sbe will bo cheerfully accepted as a co-partner in en torprises во noble and merciful. FLORIDA. At Tampa, Rev. J. II. Breaker still con- tiuucs his labors. Discouragements and bnt In this Stato tho Hoard have aided in the support of five missionaries. At Knox villc, Rev. Mathew Hillsnian has continued his energetic labors with beneficial results. The importance of the place, nnd the neces¬ sity of а того commodious house of wor¬ ship, induced him of late to undertake a collecting tour, with tho view of soliciting funds with which to erect a meeting-house. Tlin.tftwn.pf Cbattanqoga„ia middle .Ten¬ nessee, is rapidly extending its dimensions and filling up. Being the central point of several railroads, its growth and improve¬ ment must make it an interesting mission station. A neat Baptist house of worship has within tho past year been completed, through the energy and commendable persevcranco of Rev. E. Strode. The arduous toils of this brother have already been rewarded, but the future, without doubt, Ьаэ still richer blessiugs in storo for him. In tho bill country, between Cany Fork and tbo Cum¬ berland mountains, Rev. Sinnet L. Summar has for several months past, been doing a good work. Souls in that rugged region have been permitted to rejoice in Jesus, and confess him in the waters of baptism. Rev. Noah Cute has been preaching in and about Rogcrsvillo. Rev. J. W. Ccarly held forth the word of life in the hounds of tho South¬ western District Association. During tho first half of his year, he was permitted to baptize about sixty converts. Resides these Missionaries in Tennessee, tho Hoard have by a unanimous vote, appropriated $300, to aid in sustaining a pastor in the 2nd Bap¬ tist Church in Nashville. ALABAMA. With some exceptions, Alabama carries on her missions in connection with the Do¬ mestic Mission Board of the Southern Bap¬ tist Convention. Probably sho will soon avail herself of this medium altogether. — Though she lias more missionaries under the patronago of this Board than other State, yet these being sustained in part by other bodies, a large amount of her annual contributions goes out of tbo State, to more distant and destitute regions. Among the colored people, tho Rev. Jeremiah Reeve’s labors havo been greatly blessed, and though the aggregato additions by baptism in tbo northern portion of the State, is not ns great as might, under more favorable cir¬ cumstances, have been expected ; yet tbo general interest of Zion lias steadily ad¬ vanced. Mississippi. MISSOURI, The interest of Ibo Board in this Stato assumed a more promising aspect during tho past year, notwithstanding the noisomo pes¬ tilence, and the want, for some time, of nn agent. _ . Bov. C. S. McCloud was missionary for this Board at Vicksburg, during the early part of tho year, hut tho violciico of tbo yellow fever scattered tho church and caused a suspension of public worship for a season. Our brother resigned at the closo of the year 1S53, and siuco then the church has not been able to obtain a pastor, though strenuous efforts wero made. The same blighting influences operated to tho detriment of the church at Natchez, but on the opening of tho spring of the fie- Tho Board have, for ono year, been assist¬ ing to support Bov. William F. Boy-akin at St. Joseph, on the Western limits of tho State, and in view of tho manifest impor¬ tance of that point, re-appointed him. The Baptist church, though, numerically small, has somo good materials, and all her available strength will doubtless bo exiled into exercise this year, for tho erection of a house of worship. The two interests at St. Louis, so auspi- ’ ciously originated at tho instance of Dr. Je¬ ter, aro, all things considered, in a pros¬ perous condition. The timo for which the Board had agreed to assist tho Third Church, expired with the end of tbo year ’53; but so critical was her state while without a regular pastor, that, on application made, it was decided to aid her another year, as soon ns a suitable pas¬ tor could be obtained. Sbe has been fortu¬ nate in securing Rev. John Teasdalo as pastor, who lias acted in that capacity since the 1st of January, lie has baptized some thirty converts, and the church having now procured a lot, are about to make vigorous efforts to build thereon a meeting house. The Zion church in North St. Louis, of which Rev. E. J, Owen is tho pastor, is doing well. Brother Owen reported some fifteen baptisms, _ and ten by letter" and restoration — making 25 in all, and giving a total of 68 in fellowship. This is an ad¬ vance of about 50 from tbo beginning. To those acquainted with the trials and difficul¬ ties under which brother Owen his prose¬ cuted this enterprise, this increase is more than could have been hoped for ; hut as the plentiful harvest follows tho first fruits, there is now grcur.d-to expect. much.cQrc, пЪк.;',. At Hannibal, Rev. M. if. Modiset has been tbo means of doing good. The church there, having been long in a fccblo state, is gradually growing. She has somo devo¬ ted and valuable members. Rev. Thomas F. Lockett, of Jefferson city, has lately accepted nn agency for this Board in that large, and, soon to be, Bap¬ tist State. Should be succeed in obtaining funds to the amount anticipated, the Board will extend its favor to other destitute por¬ tions of Missouri. The General Associa¬ tion employs sevoral missionaries who arc doing good, but there is room in tho State for many more. While on this point, it is but justice to state— and tho statement is made with un¬ feigned pleasure— that in prosecuting the two missions in St. Louis, much is due both to the Second Baptist Church of that city, and to tho General Association of the State". Within the period of perhaps a little over threo years, the former paid over for tho support of those missions Dearly, if not quite, $3000— and tho latter tho rise ' of $1000. May tho Lord reward their liberality ! ARKANSAS. Helena, an important town on tho Mis¬ sissippi river, perhaps 150 miles below Memphis, has in it a small, but growing Baptist church. Rev. Reuben Jones, late of Norfolk, Virginia, is the pastor, and your Board have mado a small appropria¬ tion towards his support, ilis congrega¬ tions, though small at first, aro increasing, and there aro in other respects favorable indications of prosperity. Rev. James Vea- zey has for sevetai months been located at Dardcncllc, and Rev. John W. Miller, who has recently resigned, was stationed at Ratcsvillc. Resides these, three other bre¬ thren have been appointed within a few weeks past, to labor at various points in that largo and spiritually destituto State, tkSas. So important is this State likely to be¬ come as a large area of Baptist territory, that tbo Hoard have not hesitated to con¬ tinue their patronage fur its benefit, to the full extent of their ability. Tbo seat of a university, rapidly winning favor and res¬ pect, and the receptacle of an, immense in¬ flux of population from tho other States, Texas ought not to be relinquished as mls- s’onary ground, till churches cf strength nnd influence shall havo been planted in all its largo cities and more important towns. The missionary labors heretofore prosecu¬ ted, have resulted in much good, and brought tho blessings of tho tospcl to hun¬ dreds of anxious families that have sought homes in tho valleys, and on the tablo lands and prairies of that part of tho, earth..; Rev. David Fisher has boeq assiduous fo proclaiming the gospel of tho '.ktigdoa" to ,