Home and Foreign Journal, November 1852

HOME AND FOREIGN JOURNAL. VOLUME II. '“Steffi! 8r PUBLISHED BY TIIE BOARDS OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIG RICHMOND, NOVEMBER 1S52. IN NUMBER 6. MISSIONS OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. HOARD 01’ DOMESTIC MISSIONS. МЛШОМ. ALABAMA, OCTOBER, IS52. Miles if a Tour in Hid Southwest. — Ifo. 1. 5ср1. 0— Montgomery. This terminus of Southern rail- rtad travel Is still rapidly increasing ami improving ; tlio ])i|'list church, under the care of brother Tithenur, par- irtii'i'i nt iu ГгсГог1|0п "f the prosperity. Their homo of worship, planned by the architect of the Gi- nrd College, is rapidly advancing, and trill eost, probably, $[, 1,(1011. ecp, 10— Hy railroad to M’c-t Point, thence by stngo to LaGrange, justly celebrated for ill inititntlons of learu- B,. Kero the Female College, under tiro care of our dis¬ tinguished brother, Milton llacun, esqr., ii educatin' about egD уо11п£-М!е»сае1гусаг“~ЛЕпГ|Г510,С100 Has recent¬ ly teen expended, in erecting a chapel with 23 recitation rooiuc. A town clock ornaments one of the towers. Hero mo, ia the llrotrntvood Institute, now under the charge of 1’rc-iJent Sherman, who so ably conducted tiro flotvard ('.Hero for several years, and Dr. Oris Smith, formerly of reuScM. In a few months, the railroad from Atlanta will reach this pint. Arrived at Atlanta, (ia., nhidi it rapidly increasing, as а great railroad centre. The hotels, particularly, are doing a Urge busbies-, in proof of which it ii said, that ono gen¬ ii ц,ш recently refu-cd iJtlft.OOiJ for Iris hotel, purchased a lew years -’moo for 35,001). The pastor of the Baptist •hurcli at tliis point, brother llobert, bad been called away tlur 0 iv by sickness and death in a j nrtiun of bis family, lie understood, however, that the denomination is gaining ground at that important missionary point, eleven having juuicd the church at the previous meeting. Out, П — Mirictta, Ua. This interesting end growin; tonn, about 15 miles above Atlanta, is bceiuiimg quite a euuuuer resort and residence, rouiiiidiitg ono a little of Aiken, P. 0. The Baptist cause hero has, for a year or ■wo pa-t, greatly tlouri-hcd, under the eare of llcv. Carlos IV. Stevens, a brother of the li.i-ienary in Burmab, so long the companion of Judson in bis later labors, a most estiiiablc Christian and pa-tor. lie lias given notice to the church, of bis intention to retire from bis pre'cnt pas- tiiral labors nt the close of the year, to take charge, wo understand, at the request of several friend-, of a Female High Pcliool at this important point. No one could bo more Cited for this great work. Here too, is a military school of about $0 pupil--, taught by Mr. Brumby, a gradu¬ ate of Wc-t i’liint, under charge, in some degree, of tlio Plata of Georgia. In other respects the place is like ■Jericho of old, a kind-ef.city of priests; not fewer than neroii or eight liapti-t ministers, and several of other de¬ nominations, residing there. Sept. I'd — Sabbath morning. An lieiir's ride in the railroad ears, took brother llobert and myself to the door of the niccting-liousc, t.ear Aeknortb, whero the Talla¬ poosa Association was being held. Several ministers were present, uho-e mines will ever in future be honored and dear. A valuable missionary sermon was preached, and a collection taken, amounting tn $ ID. Another sermon was punched in the afternoon, and one at night, by Bor. IV. II. llobert. Between twenty and thirty came forward and requested to bo prayed for, among them some young men of much promi-e. The day was fine, the congregation umplo accommodation for recitation rooms, library, chapel, society rooms, Ac, l’lio students nil, or nearly all, board and lodge in privato families. The discipline of tbo insti¬ tution and deportment of its members aro highly spoken of. The endowment is about §50,000. But it has been resolved to endow ono or two theological professorships, and to frame a theological course to bo carried on in con¬ junction with that of the college, so that by a system of c(iiivalcuts in part, and an additional year in some eases, students for the ministry can finish their theological course, at the saino lime they graduate in the college. Sepl. IS— Arrived iu Nashvile, “a city sot on a bill” and now containing between 17 and 18,000 inhabitants. There nro two Baptist churches, tlio '.'nd just struggling into existence. The 1st Church, of which Dr. Baker is the esteemed pastor, is the body with which tbo Southern Convention held -its last SdjsKii^iii' l?oTi"To*tfim''i)ody belongs most of tlio Board of Managers of our Bible Board. In this city is the chief Bible Depository of tbo “ liji has less need of your ignorance.” "Lay not careless hands,” says Con per, “on skulls that cannot teach and wil not learn.” nJolence. In any pursuit it ensures failure : in tbo wo к of the ministry, it proves lliat a man cither docs not kn w, or does not feel, the truths of tbo gospel. Xo min- isti r can lire in sight of tlio cross, and bo idle. Xo man cad heartily bclievo in heaven and bell, iu a crucified and ris n Jesus, without Icing animated to diligence. And if indolence in any pursuit occasions contempt, in the min- is|or того especially, since it casts doubt on tbo reality ofilis faith, and the sincerity of Ids heart. '^difference to the work. There aro some who are noLtcglectful, but not earnest ; not idle, but uot devoted. Xolunn can engage heartily and efficiently in a work vd/vi bp does, not conccivo to .bo in^uinux. rs.j-— t .( minister who makes light of Ids office, and' regards Ids ob¬ ject as something subordinate and secondary, is sure to fail, and sure to be despised: sinners aro sure to make light of bis llonrd. Hero too tlio Tcnnossoo Baptist is published, message when be docs so himself. One common lnanifcs- whoso energetic editor, now absent, has, by bis exertions, tatiou of this indifference is iu careless mid hurried pro- increased the circulation of tho paper within a few years parallel! for preaching; as if it were not a matter worthy from $00 to 0,000. The Baptist bookstore of Messrs. .of thought how lo save a soul from death; or as if it Tun .V Shakland, is also putting into circulation all our! were filling lo scric Gud nith that which costs us nothing. chief denominational works. On the Sabbath, tlio anti-missionary Baptists were bold¬ ing their Association. They supplied the Presbyterian pulpit. Ono nf their ministers is a professor in the Medi¬ cal College. They arc, however, fast dying out, and much divided. At tlio 1st Baptist Church, the brethren mani¬ fest a deep interest in Hie domestic missionary enterprise. On Monday evening, at a called meeting of the church, several resolutions were passed, commending the efforts of the Board to tho as-istanee of the churches, and urging that, at least, §5,000 should lo raised for tho causo in Tennessee at once. Groat interest is manifested in (he California department, Tlio ladies liavo eon-tituted a 11 Xa-hvillc Female Baptist Domestic Missionary Society.” which promi-es much efficiency from tlio spirited manner in which it has 1юсп commenced. Here loo is a Baptist Fe¬ male School, numbering about SO. Several Baptists who would be highly prominent in any community, arc located hero. Dr. Baker and Bov. IV. C. Buck in the ministry, Dr. С. K. lVio-ton, professor in tbo Medical College, Dr. King, Dr. Jones, and others. The capital now erecting, will he, decidedly, the handsomest building of tiie kind in tho United States; its cost about §800,000. It struck mo as much larger and того imposing than the Girard College, Philadelphia. The fact of tlio marble being ob¬ tained so near, and being wrought by the penitentiary con¬ victs, makes tbo building cost less Ilian any other of its linquisb or oppose it. All things by turns, and nothing s!»o Id tho United States. '• '*• ’ VI ttiwiKy-Ilcrrmr one object и, uiiuit.or, leuiteg «Црд Sept. '10— A stage ride of a littlo oioro than fifty miles took ns lo Bus-cHvillo, Ky., a retired, quiet, old, and well settled (own, where the Southern Bank of Kentucky has ils parent establishment, and of which a valued Baptist brother, G. IV. Xorten, esqr., is President. Hero is loca¬ ted too, the High School of the Bethel Association. A building is being erected at the cost of about §I5,DP0, itupo-ingly and eligibly situated. The whole owes its pre¬ sent bright prospects for usefulness largely to N. Long, esq., whose indefatigable exertions and wise arrangements have accomplished wonders. A delightful prayer meeting at a private house, and two interesting ca=es of Baptism, , : . ... . S ■' ... cave a religious interest to my acquaintance with ties large, and the Association itself и increasing m inlelli- | c , . e . , place, no less than the conversation of tho estimable fence ami every good work. On Monday, by request of j tho Committee on Aim-ions, a special collection was taken up for the Domestic Board nt Marion. Two brethren were also recommended by the Association, lo travel and vi-it tho churches. Sept. 14— A day’s ride on the cars look mo to Chatta¬ nooga. The scenery on many parts of the road was fine, yet tho highest part of tlio railroad is about Marietta. Be passed through the tar.nel, a quarter of a mile long, Sept. 25 — A ride of six miles look iis to the Bclbcl As-ociation, one of tho largest and most efficient Associ¬ ations in Kentucky. It numbers 59 churches, many of the highest intelligence and pious zeal, Father Boss was uiiablo to attend, but younger men of high promise are stepping forward, Brother Williams was elected Modera¬ tor, brother Anderson, Clerk. All tbo ministers seemed lo be men of earnest piety and intelligence ; a more fratcr- U Which the darkness was perftet, and yet, afterwards, j лд| knJ j nevcrKlw. Brethren from other bodies wore *o could sec through it, as through a telescope. The j к;п,цу Brother Pendleton now removed from young city to which we were carried, is rapidly ri-ing in importance. Its main street runs along a kind of valley, which gradually- widens, hills gently ri-ing on each side, on which handsome bouses arc being erected. About 3,WM aro supposed to reside here. Overlooking the city, W about five miles distance, is tlio “ Look-out Mountain,” >bout 1,500 feet high, on tlio sides and top of which many of tho inhabitants arc building summer residences, a good roa.l winding to tho top. Л cool and bracing atmosphere is there always to be obtained. The Baptist church here, recently organized, consists of “bout 20 white members; others are expected to join. They have a lot equal, if not superior lo any in tlio town, •bo title deed of which has recently been reccired. It is worth, at least, SI, 000. Л very superior school-house wow stands on it, so constructed, that if properly fitted up Especially is this the cate with a minister. He has 11 w°uld make a good lecture room, in which worship might 1 gtcJt advantages for obtaining general respect. the Association. Dr. Baker too, formerly of this body, seemed to feel as deep an interest in it as over, and all its members in him. The Bible Опте and Domestic Missions received much People will scarcely think it expedient to spend an hour in tearing a man repeat what lie did not think worthy an hour's meditation beforehand. “ Ho who speaks for eter¬ nity, ought to bo at all possible pains tn do it well.” •I dieideil heart. IVhou men see a miiiistcr relinquish¬ ing his proper pursuits for the arena of political strife, or tiie. search after mere gain, or eager in even innocent amusements, ihcy are very apt to de<pi=c him, and l,is calling. “It matters uot to the wolf what innocent re¬ creation the shepherd is engaged in, so ho bo uot tending his flock.” Jlitlerness and passionate temper. Tho heated con¬ troversies of ministers have made “ odium theologicum,'’ a byword for the bitterest enmity. An implacable mid unforgiving spirit, causeless invectives, and unfairness in argument, have often exposed, uot individuals indy, but whole denominations to contempt. The spirit of persecu¬ tion often appears when tbo power is wanting; and tyran¬ ny has sometimes sat in the bumble pastor's seat, wielding the sword of tbo Spirit, fur personal victory, and to grati¬ fy private malice. fickleness. Some have been found, so changeful as to doctrine, habits, purposes, location, that all which can cer¬ tainly be [iredictcd of them is, that they will soon not be where they arc now. Tlicir advocacy of one v ieiv, or de¬ sign, to-day, is sure piroof that to-morrow they will rc- inucli impression, and commanding as much rcspiect, as an active butterfly. Levity. The young are especially subject to this, and Timothy (iv: 12) seems particularly cautioned on this ac¬ count. But there are some to whom years bring no wis¬ dom, age no dignity, and misfortunes no seriousness. “Tis p.itiful to court a grin when you should woo a soul.” Lev¬ ity in the pulpit is an offence hardly pardonable ; but, even out of the p.ulpit, is extremely picrnioious. Men hardly credit the sincerity, or reverence tlio character of ministers, who strive after eminence in jesling, and aro mighty makers of jokes. They soon learn to laugh at those who arc accustomed to inako them laugh. Vanity. Scarcely any fault is того fatal to a minister, yet there arc some peculiar temptations in his offico to this very fault, if his mind bo weak, and bis heart not forti¬ fied with grace : — In niau or woman, but far most in man, And most of all in mail dint iiiini-tcrs And servos the alar,— in my soul I loathe All affectation. ’Tis my pi rfrct scorn, Object of my implacable disgust. What! will a man play tricks; will he indulge A silly fond conn-it of his fair form. And just proportion, fashionable mien. And prciiy face, in presence of hii God7” Tlio vanity of intellectual or oratorical eminence, or of popularity and influence, or of some eccentric habit or opinion, is a far more jcductivo nnd common snare, and attention. It was resolved that 81,000 ought lo bo raised t|lcroforc more dangerous to us пек, than that so indig- for tlio Marion Board within the next year, and that each ■ nanl]y c,p0SC,l by C'oupcr. pastor should be requested to present tho subject as early as possible, to his church or churches. A Despicable Ministry. Л SBOUT SERMON TO MINISTERS. Let no man despise thee. — Titus ii: 15. If a man is despised, it is ordinarily, if not invariably, his own fault. Fear of men. Xotbing can lo more opposite lo tho character of the Christian minister, nothing more destruc¬ tive to true dignity, than a fawning, crouching, timid dis¬ position, which shrinks from tho truth when assailed, or connives at and sanctions evil when popular. Tho vacilla¬ ting time server will soon bo detected, and gain tho con¬ tempt of those very persons for whose praise lie sacrificed his duty and his soul. Covetousness awl prodigality. These opposite errors, their dealings with men, have ruined tho influence of . . * . . - . - I . . . . - - . ' * * ** .but slow ю perform, — men donations are offered towards creeling a bouso of , Jercd, persecuted, but cannot be despised. them dishonest, and despise them with unaffected detesta- *or!biP- | J. Qualities which ехгозе the ministry to con- j ^ consequences of such delinquencies, however, were confin¬ ed lo tbo offenders. But tbo innocent often bars the re¬ proach with tho guilty, and ministers as a body, suffer in tlio indiscrimmatenoss of popular indignation, tho cobso- quenees of tho transgressions of somo unworthy individ¬ ual of their class. IIovv careful, then, should they nil bo to “ lay hands suddenly (or rashly) bn no man,” П. Motives tor keepinq the Ministry above cost- TP.Mfg.. Self-respect. Can men consent not only to bo contemned, but to bo truly contemptible ! It would bo a small thing if one wore despised unjustly and ignorantly; but to deservo it is painful indeed; and to desorvo to bo despised in tlio noblest of all callings, is to bo burled from tho pinnacle into tho abyss. The dignity of tho offico ho lias dared to assume, adds degradation lo the minister who i.4.roit!jr.worU»T(oC Wug da^.ued^ *£>-.■ Lore to dod. If a really р!оиз man, by any remiss- ness, is in danger of allowing his ministry to lo despised, a single glance at his Redeemer will recall him to his duly, ilo watches for the souls for which Jesus died. По loves his Savior, aud that loro constrains him ; compels him to live not unto himself, hut unto Him who loved us and gave himself for us. If ho is despised, his Master is dis¬ honored, an J his Master's message. The causo suffers the reproaches justly duo to hiui alone; and he would rather dio Ilian blot tbo stainless banner of Jesus, or cause men lo blaspheme bis worthy name, by whioli ho is called. Con¬ cern for God’s honor will inaku him careful to bo truly honorable. Lore to souls. No man can benefit those who despiso linn. If, therefore, bo would win souls, ho must win their confidence. Every thing which degrades him iu their esti¬ mation, is an additional stone to tlio mighty barrier over which lie must pass iu attempting the salvation of sinners. Every occasion lie gives for despising tbo ministry, is an occasion of stumbling, and a rock of offence, nnd a ruin to souls. For their sakes, tlio truo minister will not only avoid evil, but every appenmneo of evil. Fear. If such motives niovo not a man, it is clear ho is out of libs calling, and out of Christ. If tbo lukewarm Christian Is spued out as neither cold nor hot, with how much greater indignation shall a lukewarm minister bo re¬ jected ! If men despiso him, who see but a part, bow will God, who secs tho whole, scorn him and punish him! If tho watchman who warns not tho people, shall liavo their blood required of bis hand, shall not lie, also, bo visited with divino vengeance, who takes sure methods to mako bis warnings ineffectual, by letting all men despiso him 1 An unconverted minister is liko a flcshlcss skeleton in tlio pul¬ pit, bolding a torch in its hand; not only incapable of giv¬ ing others life, instruction, or guidance, it is dead itself, l’tofessiog to point to Leaven, Jliat, mjniator is speeding-» dowi! tola'll1 . . . *■ 1. Tlio work of tbo ministry is n great work, л noble ind exalted vocation, sinco bo who rightly discharges it cannot bo despised, 2. The guilt of those who permit thomsclrcs and their calling to bo despised, is great. 3. The most solicitous earo is required, lest by anj ro- missness or cpror, we should lot men despiso the ministry. В. M., Jr. 538 1,101 ■19 79 1,919 3,581 21,032 013 ■1,358 27,037 2,307 Number of students 1а*Г term about 170, of whom 20 ' unlearned may clearly read therein tho way to life, learn “0.rllfi“!‘°" Р‘щ. icion 0f hypocrisy in tho minds of VfOfQ _ _ * < .1 ■ • . me t i ,1. |) . * - 1-.1 !!._!. L (L •.'■■slsi »л Л»г.1ч!п пИпатпв. 1л flPU *U* * “И * *' * Ьу tbo ""ucr 01 students last term nuout no, or пиши -u um»ma . !nVjria preparing for the ministry. This institution, founded 1 ing is needed by the minister to explain allusions, to dc- .. . - о Tennessee Baptists, wants nothing now but a fur- 1 cido between doubtful interpretations, to remove diffieul - 1 ' ltr 8 ' _ . , ken of an„ of >Wr endowment, to make it all its best friends could desire. [ ties, to answer tho objections of scientific infidelity, and t a j It will be obse ^ ^ ICC03a;(y| Tho college grounds aro beautiful, and a very substantial ' gain a title to bo heard and heeded among educated met . tloso grosser cnm_ , > ц :J h *»d neat ediSc. of brick, reeling .boat ? 15,000, .fforl. » If Gol hv, no need of our learning,” .aid Dr. Soutl , detract, .. to minut.nal character. Prchljjleri'dn Doincsllc Missions. From the report of their Board for 1852, wo perceive that tho Old School I’rcsbytcrlans bare had in commission during (bo past year 531 domestic missionaries, together with four agents, nuking a total of 538. Tbo following table presents the results for cloven months : Number of missionaries and agents, Churches and missionary stations supplied, Newly organized churches, Churvli buildings erected or finijliod, Members admitted on examination, и “ by certificate, Members in churches connected with tho Board, Number of Sabbath schools, Number of teachers, Number of scholars, Baptisms, ‘ These facts might furnish a theme for much instructive remark. At present wo only observe, 1. The number of conversions reported is 1,919. As only 412 missionaries reported, this makes an average of not quite fee to each minister. Wo know not how this will compare with other missions. But wo cannot help feeling that tbo aggressions on tho kingdom of Satan ought to bo expected to bo larger than this. It will to a long time, and will require a great many preachers, bo- foro at that rate the world is converted. 2. Tbo number of teachers and scholars in tho Sabbath schools exceed, by more than 5,000, tho members of the churches connected with tho Board. This is a most en¬ couraging fact, and shows energy in that good causo. 3. Tbo number of missionaries employed is very large in proportion to tho number of the whole body. They number in all : Ministers, ’ Church03’ ovnlu Total communicants, 210,014 It would seem then that about one-fourth of their min- isters aro either wholly or in part supported by their Board of Domestic Missions. The receipts for eleven months are §81,748. This would make sn aversgo con¬ tribution among their members of about thirty entt a piece. This may look small. But wo doubt if any otic; denomination ia tho U. 3. can show as large an average contribution for this object. Bo thankful that your lot ha. fallen pn toes I though there may be man/ evil *»»«?•» “£ "tlKnied spirits, there sre none who bare fire and • maud. id oxssperated begot at com- Jfgg A