Foreign Mission Journal, February 1886

FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. Published Monthly by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. “ALL POWER IS G L VISIN' UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.” Vol. 17— New Series. _ RICHMOND, VA„ FEBRUARY, 1886. No. 7.— Whole No. 211. fEnleml nt the Poft-OMce «I Richmond, Vn., ne eecoml-clnes mutter.] FoKKiGN Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM: I. For jirtppr* neparntfly addressed, elllier to same or lodlflVrent l'oetoMlces: One cop)’ . . . sa cu. Three copies ($ ♦!, or......... . . . 33 К etc. apiece. II. Kor раекпкоя pent to ono person, who shall bo геР|н)Пр1Ые for ilielr distribution : Four copies for 41. or more nt.... . 2Г» eta. n piece. Twenty-live copies for*ft. or more nt . 20cte. npleco. One Ilumlrctl copies for $1.% or more cte apiece. W*PIen#o remit by Draft, Postal Order, or in ItejjlP- temt Letter, and notliy us phomptly of any change In nddrfp*. Address, FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL, Richmond, Va. FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE 80UTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION, 1ЛСАТХП at lUOHMONll. VIRGINIA 1'IIKSIDKKT— H. II. 11*11111» VlCX-I'KMIDXNM _ Josliun I.tvcrlnK. Md„ о TV. Tamkl». I.»., J. I«. Burrows. Va.. N. Л. Bailey, Fla., Thru. WhllOeM, N.U.. \V. II. Vellx.Ky., J. J. li. Ren¬ fro. , Alabama, K. S. I human, Mo.. В II. Carroll, Texas. W. I,. Kilpatrick, On., Chin, Manly, S. U., J. M. Senior. Venn . Л. В Searcy, Ark., Oeorne WtiltflsM. Ml,».. 'V. F. Attkluon, W. Viv. СОИПКЧГОНШНО SKCUKTAUY— II. Л. TUITER. TIIKASUIIKII-.T. U. WILLIAMS. Rkcoiidihu SkCUKTAiiv— W. II. OWATIIMET. Auditor— JOSEPH F. GOTTKEM,. Hoaiid ok Маканин»,— И. К. CUv.oii, о II win- •ton. A. II. Clarke, I. It. Winston. W. E. Hatcher, I. W. Jones, J. Pollard, Jr., s. O. 'lepton. I II. Hut¬ son. W. t). Thomas. \V TV. t.andrum, W .T. Ship- man, Geo. Ocoper. II. W. Powers, С. II. Hyland. t)ST All communications in reference to the business of this Hoard should be addressed to H. A. TurPKR, Corresponding Secretary, Richmond, Va. We have heretofore traced the parallel be¬ tween the rivers that Ungrate our country and the streams that feed our treasury — fee¬ ble in summer, frozen in mid-winter, strong in autumn, fullest of all in the spring time. The cold wave of January 9th was disastrous to the collections set for the Sunday follow¬ ing. Ilut we trust tlie How was only delayed, not destroyed, and the deficiency will soon be made up by another eliort. And here comes another cold wave interfering with tlie collections of January 24th. "CALLED TO STAY." One of the most efficient helpers of tlie Hoard writes thus about herself: "i love all the work of our churches, but tlie foreign mission work lias tlie first and best place in my heart. I thought my destiny lay in that direction, but God lias ordered otherwise. It may be lie calls some to tlie mission work and keeps them behind to do tiiat part which must be done at home.” Similar sentiments we have read in several other recent letters. Scattered here and there over tlie country are scores and Hundreds of persons who have felt more or less strongly a call to go forth into some foreign field, but have been detained by the advice of judicious brethren or by circumstances beyond their control. In our board there are four or five such persons. Did God call them to the work of mis¬ sions and then hedge in the way so as to keep them at home? Why uot? Luther Rice, we presume, was as truly called to this work as Adoniram Judson. Both went to India in 1812 under appointment of tlie American Boajil of Commissioners. On embracing our views and being baptized soon after their arrival, they were separated, one going to lay in Burma tlie foundations of the most successful of all modern missions, tlie other returning to stir the slumbering energies of American Baptists, and to unite them in pro¬ moting missionary and educational enter¬ prises. Judson’s name is better known, but Rice’s labors were not a whit less important. Suffer another illustration. Five and twenty years ago the country called all her sons to her defence. Some were allowed the privilege of rushing to the front anti doing battle on tlie field before the eyes of an attentive world. Olliers, chafing under tlie restraint, were detailed in laboratories to fashion tlie munitions of war and in store¬ houses to collect and forward a supply of food and raiment for tlie soldiers. If thrill¬ ed with tlie same patriotic impulses, and ani¬ mated with tlie same steady courage, these served and deserved <|tiite as well as those. Neither could have done anything without tlie aid of tlie other. And can we not see good reason for call¬ ing many to stay nt home? Tlie burden of heathen souls lias been laid upon their j Hearts, they Have been led to gather informa¬ tion about mission fields, they have felt in fuller measure tlie constraining love of Christ, and these exercises of mind and heart prepare them not only to give of their means, but still more to be centres of influ¬ ence, and rouse to action tlie less informed and less interested Christians around them. Saul of Tarsus, for three years after lie be¬ gan to preach, felt called to present the gos¬ pel chiefly, if not solely, to his brethren after the flesh. The studies of this period in Arabia prepared him unwittingly to go "far hence unto tlie Gentiles.” God who sepa¬ rated him from his birth and called him by his grace, was preparing him for this work. So we think there are many men and women who have felt called to give themselves to foreign work, and iiave been hindered from going because the Lord of the harvest needed just such people to organize the home work, scatter information and gather funds for tlie support of them who are per¬ mitted to go. To an ardent soul the lot may seem inglorious; from him who seeth not as man seeth, the reward will be not accord¬ ing to station but according to faithfulness. THE CUBAN MISSION. For years past there Iiave been signs of promise in Cuba. Again and again brethren, cognizant of the facts, have called attention to what seemed to be an open door. Ilut hitherto something or other lias hindered. In tlie Annual Report for 1SS1, tlie Board laid before tlie Convention a resolution adopted by tlie Mississippi State Convention , and communications from Rev. J. B. Hom- berlin, chairman, S:c., and from Hon. Jas. G. Blaine, Secretary of State. The whole subject was referred to an able committee who reported that “while recognising tlie claim of this field, the time has not yet come when tlie Island can be occupied by our Foreign Mission Board,” Last summer the matter was again pressed upon the Board, first by documents kindly transmitted by the Heme Board, soon after, and much more urgently, by letters from a number of brethren in Florida. Several District Associations, as well as the General Convention in this State, indicated a purpose to enter tlie field under our Board if possible, if not, on their own responsibility. Our Cor¬ responding Secretary therefore attended the Florida Convention in November last, as was fully reported in tlie Journal for Decem¬ ber. By the terms of a report then adopted, tlie Florida Convention agreed to care for and foster tlie work in Cuba until the meet¬ ing of tlie Southern Baptist Convention at Montgomery next May, Then tlie whole matter will come up for consideration. Whether the Convention will reverse its action of five years ago must depend on the outlook at the time. We hope brethren will use every opportunity to inform themselves thoroughly and then act wisely. In the great Telugu Pentecost 2,222 were baptized in one memorable day, July 3rd, 1878. CO-OPERATION. Much lias been written and more spoken in these last few years about co-operation between North and South in Christian work. Not a little of it lias been mere "gusli," tlie elfervesence of gaseous feeling. Some lias been ill-considered and ill-timed, delaying what it was intended to promote. Some little lias been dictated by a sincere love for tlie cause of Christ, an earnest desire to pro¬ mote harmony and good will, and a wise re¬ gard for all the circumstances. To this last category we would assign an editorial in tlie Examiner of January 7th. After some reference to the Congo mis¬ sion, and to the work of our Board in Libe¬ ria and Yoruba, tlie Examiner asks : "Why might not tlie Northern Baptists, who feel that they must do something for Africa, make their contributions direct to tlie For¬ eign Mission Treasury of tlie Southern Bap¬ tist Convention?" And adds: “It would be a very pleasant way of promoting good feeling between the sections." To this sort of co-operation there can be no objection, if any among our people de¬ sire to help the missions in India or Burma, in Siam or Japan, in Germany or Sweden, we urge them to send their contributions to Dr. Murdock, at Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass., for our Board lias no missions in those countries, in like manner, we have rejoiced in getting aid from our Northern brethren, for Italy and Mexico, in which countries their Board has no stations, and if it shall seem to them wise to withdraw from the Congo, and leave that field to the Bap¬ tists of England, we shall be most happy to enlist their sympathies and prayers and money, in strengthening our base at Lagos, and pushing thence far into the heart of the dark continent. The success which has crowned tlie labors and sufferings of our devoted little band seems to indicate that we arc working on a good line and may hope for the continuance of the divine bless¬ ing. Witli more means at our disposal, more men would be forthcoming, and tlie work might be expected to go forward at an ever-increasing rate. MEMORIAL TO MRS. DAVID. Brother W. V. Macfee, now at the Semi¬ nary, Louisville, Ky., sends $7, of which lie wishes #5 to be credited to the students, and adds : “ By tlie help of tlie Lord I am going to put six hundred dollars in your hands. Brother David writes me that the interest on tills sum will support and train one native preacher. I hope to send a larger amount next month.” Who will help these young men to raise this memorial to the noble woman who gave her life to Africa, and from the depths of her ocean grave calls to us all never to give it up? What could be more appropriate than a fund which will go on through all time to perpetuate her name and extend tlie work she loved so well? There are in China, according to the latest statistics, employed by n American, 12 British, and 5 Continental Societies, 334 ordained missionaries, r.oSs native preachers, and 23,922 communicants. Tlie China In¬ land Society lias the largest force of mis¬ sionaries, 66; the Church of England lias tlie largest number of native preachers, 163; tlie London Society lias tlie largest number of converts, 2,924, closely followed by tlie English and American Presbyterians, each counting over 2,750. Rev. W. W. Gardner, Bardstown, Ky., orders is copies and hopes soon to double the number. “ It is," says he, " a valuable auxiliary to a pastor in his missionary work in his church.” Tlie little incidents which Mrs. Eager has gathered up, and states so neatly, show the drift of sentiment in Italy. They present nt once the dillicultiesand the encouragements of the work. Our readers will look with eagerness for more of tlie same sort, which our good sister kindly promises to send from time to time. Dr. J. B. Hartwell, of San Francisco, after entertaining our company of missionaries en route for China, writes to the Biblical Re¬ corder: "North Carolina Baptists may well be proud of their representatives in China." Yea, we add, and more than proud, grateful to God for the opportunity of usingsuch in¬ struments, for tlie promotion of ids glory. Tlie Missionary Magazine calls for men and means to enter Upper Burma witli its four or five millons, just thrown open by the defeat and capture of tlie cruel king Tliebaw. “Twenty-five new missionaries," it says, "is tlie least number that should be sent out the coming season. Fifty would find ample work. Tlie men will not be wanting. Will the Lord’s people provide tlie means to send them? The question is narrowed to this. Ample and promising fields, plenty of vol¬ unteers, but no funds. Arise, ye people, and send the means to advance the Lord’s work.” The January number of the Baptist Mis¬ sionary Magazine contains four pages of valuable statistics compiled from the Review, (Princeton,) and the Missions- Zcilschrift, (Germany.) If you want to know the facts and figures about missions of all landswrite to tlie magazine, Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass., enclosing f 1 for a year’s subscription or 10 cents for this number. Rev. D. 1$. Vance, Woodbury, Tenn., ex¬ pects to spend some time travelling among tlie churches this year and promises to send us several clubs. He thinks mission workin Tennessee is on a better basis now than ever before. N1CW ROOKS. Tlie American Baptist Publication Society hand us tlie following: Commentary on the Gospel of John. By Alvah Hovey, D. D., LI.. D. 8vo., 423 pp. Price, $2.25. This, witli tlie volumes on Mark, Luke, Acts and Revelation, heretofore published, makes five volumes of the Complete Com¬ mentary on the New Testament, prepared by eminent Baptist scholars under tlie gene¬ ral supervision of Doctor Hovey, of Newton Theological Seminary. in tlie commentary on John we iiave tlie ripe fruit of the Doctor’s varied learning, strong, sound sense, genial piety, nnd^dqep spiritual insight, along witli critical remarks on tlie text by Dr. Jno. A. Broadus. It will’ be just tlie book for Sunday-school teacher: who use tlie International Lessons, which for six months after April istare taken from this Gospel. Our ministers and oilier stu¬ dents of the Bible cannot afford to do with¬ out it. The Last of the Link. By Miss L. Bates. 12ПЮ., 31s pp. Price, *r.25. This is a picture of labor in a poor and unfashionable quarter of a great city. Rose Buds For the Little Ones. By Mrs. R. M. Wilbur. Price, £2.00, postpaid. Ten beautiful books with numerous pictures, all put up in a neat paper box. Our own little ones have devoured them with equal pleasure and profit. May they carry as much happiness into many other, homes.