Foreign Mission Journal, April 1885

FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. 1 iibliHlietl Monthly by tlio Foreign Mission Hoard of tiio Southern Jlaptist Convention. ' “Abb POWER IS GIVEN UNTO A IE IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.» Vol. 16— New Series. RICHMOND. VA„ APRIL, 1883. No. 9.— Whole No. 201. fFnteml nt tho l*«wt-OHlce lit JlUlimoiul, Vu., ae 1 M'Poml-cl.'ifii matter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM: I. Forpnpere nejiaralely atklrmcd, either to same or to illltVrent i4»»totlkf» : On*» copy . . . Wet*. Thr.*® tuple* H ♦!, or . .334 cl*, apiece. JI. For |«:icka*r*»H *nit to one регион, who shall bo resiwnelble for their .lletilbullon : Four с«*р1»,н for ♦!. nr more at . . . 25 cts. apiece. Twenty-live cople* for *Л. or тою at . 2» cte. apiece, On»* I luminal слЫен for i»l Д» or more at. 16 cl» nplpce. #**l‘)evpo remit by Draft, !*o«tnl Order, or In llccls- tcrrtl better, am! notify u* riio>ii*Ti.Y of any chanuo In ndilreM. Address, FOREIGN" MISSION JOURNAL. Richmond, Va. FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN 8APTIST CONVENTION. I,ocatsd at RICHMOND, VIltUINIA. I’HxemicNT— J. Ij. M. OUimy. Vin-l’imeiDRSTe — Jo.liun I.ercrlnir, Mil., О W. Tonkin, La.. J. L. Harrows. Va., N. A. Halley, Fla., 0. F. Gregory, N- О.. T. T. Eaton. Ky.. J. j. II. Ilen- Iron, Alabama, It. S. Duncan, Mo., It II. Cnm.ll, Tun», W. I,. Kilpatrick, On., Clm». Manly, S. U„ J. M. Siintcr, Toon . Д. II. Scurry, Ark., Or-orge Wlillfleld, Ml»*., AV. F. Attklswn, W. Va. OOHIlKSVOHDINn SKCIIKTAHY— II. Л. TUFIT.R. TlisAsvniiU— J. 0. WILLIAMS. ftrconDiHu SscimTAKY— W. II. OWATIIMEY. AYDlTOli— JOSDI-II Г. COTTItLLL. Полно or MAHAOnns _ J. It. JInwthorne, J, Jt. Wnt- rino. II 1C. Ellyson. W. K. Hatcher, E. Wonhnm, W. II, Thomae, W. Ooililln, II. H. Harris, J. Pollard, .Ir , J W. .Топе», Л. It. OHrko, .1 It. Wlneton, J. II. nat¬ ion, И II. WlnMou. S. O. Ciridon. ter All communications in reference tv the business of this Hoard should be addressed to II. A. Tupmm, Correspondin'/ Secretary, Richmond, Va. The May number will lie as usual delayed ten days beyond tlio regular time of publi¬ cation, so that it may contain all receipts up to April .10th, and an abstract of the Annual Report of the Hoard. U'care always glad to have subscribers notify ns when their papers arc not promptly received, hut next month they need not expect them before the 10th or 15th, according to distance from Rich¬ mond, PERSONALIA. With this number the Journal enters Hie ninth year since its publication was re¬ sumed in April, 1877. The annual balancing of accounts gives occasion to note evidences of progress. Up to August, 1SS2, the receipts had been little more than enough to pay the costs of publishing a sheet two-thirds of the present she. With the enlargement nt that time which, by the way, explains why the volume begins with August, the year with April,) we made also some increase both in rates and in circulation, and kept the paper self-sus¬ taining. During tlio past year the subscrip¬ tion list lias increased by about one-fourtli, which encouraged us to reduce the rates even below what was charged for the smaller size. We are, at the time of this wriling, near enough the end to see clearly that the receipts will exceed the expenses by about fnO. We, can, therefore, enter the new year with confidence, that by the help of fiiends, hitherto so generously given, the Paper will continue, even at present rales, to be self-supporting. Will not every one who receives this copy make an effort to help the cause of foreign missions by helping to circulate the Jour¬ nal? People give liberally and pray earn- estly for a good object, in proportion to information about its needs and its opera¬ tions. Is your church supplied with as many copies ns could he advantageously distributed ? Suppose you try to remedy the defect. Copies sent singly are no doubt most carc- fully read, and we shall be glad to mail them at 35 cents a year, but somehow they seem Peculiarly liable to get lost on the way, and we therefore prefer to put up packages of four or more at 25 cents apiece, or larger ones at the published rates, addressed to some one person. Under existing postal regulations, " the party addressed may call at the posloffice and write the addresses on single copies mid the postmaster may de¬ liver them," or lie may take the whole pack¬ age out of the office and distribute himself, it frequently happens that one subscribes for a certain number of copies and afterwards wishes more. In that case we prefer to have all so paid fey as to expire together. For example, suppose one in January or¬ dered six copies and now wishes four more, we should prefer to have him enclose 75 cents, paying I or only nine months, so that all will be out witli the December number. One more point— we much prefer postal orders, bank drafts or bank notes to postage stamps, and where nothing else can be had, we pre¬ fer one or two-cent stamps to those of larger denomination. But let us add that in all these matters subscribers will best please us by pleasing themselves— the Journal is theirs, they know their circumstances better Ilian we can, anti we shall earnestly try to be their servants for the Lord’s sake and for spreading abroad " the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ ? ” THE CONVENTION. The Southern Baptist Convention is lo meet Wednesday, May Gth, at 10 A. M„ in the First Baptist church, Augusta, Ga. It was here that forty years ago (May 8th, ISI5) the Convention, consisting of “ dele¬ gates from missionary societies, churches and oilier religious bodies of the Baptist denomination in various parts of the United States," was organized "for the propagation of the gospel," or, ns more fully stated in Article II of the Constitution, “to promote foreign and domestic missions, and other important objects connected with the Re¬ deemer's kingdom, and lo combine for this purpose such portions of the Baptist de¬ nomination in tile United States as may de¬ sire a general organization for Christian benevolence, which shall fully respect the independence and equal rights of the churches." Dr. J. I.. Burrows, who was present at the organization, lias been ap¬ pointed to prcacli before the body an his¬ torical sermon. The progress of the work, the fall of noble workers, the raising up of others to take their places, the difficulties and triumphs, the wondrous blessing on our labors, and the remarkable growth of a few years past furnish a grand theme ; and the speaker's thorough sympathy, his fondness for historical research, and his power of graphic portrayal make it certain that, as nearly as any one can, he will be equal to the occasion. The discourse will call up to the older members many a reminiscence, give to the younger many an instructive les¬ son, and, we trust, stir all up to greater dili¬ gence in the work of the Lord committed to their hands. The Convention sermon is to be preached by Dr, J. L. M. Curry. We presume that, as in Baltimore, last year, the first tiling after organization will be tiic appointment of a Committee on Order of Business, and that this committee, taking account of all the matters claiming attention, will divide the time among them ns fairly as possible. We trust that the or¬ der, when adopted, will be allowed to stand without Interruption by special orders or ex¬ tension оГ time, except in cases of unfore¬ seen necessity. Last year some important matters were crowded out. There was some discussion a year ago . about the best way of expediting business. It seems to be agreed on all bands that the Reports of the Boards are presented foi the information of the body, are not open to amendment, and, therefore, cannot he taken up directly for discussion and adoption — the several topics they treat may be brought before the Convention either by volunteer resolutions or by reference to committees. We venture to suggest that each of the Sec¬ retaries on presenting his report, shall ask for committees on any portions on which ids Board would like to have, either in ap¬ proval of what has been done or in specific instructions for the future, the deliberate judgment of the body, and for the rest shall rely upon tiie brethren specially interested to prepare and offer appropriate resolutions. It will, of course, be equally competent for any other delegate to ask for additional committees or to offer other resolutions. It will be understood that these sugges¬ tions come not from the Board of Foreign Missions, but from the individual editor of the Journal, and are made to economize time as much as possible, without infringing upon the rights and duties of the Conven¬ tion as a deliberative body, representing in¬ dependent churches and legislating for the guidance of its own executive boards. WOMAN’S WORK. Nearly one-third of the money thus far received by our Treasurer can be traced to the Woman’s Missionary Societies. This is not a measure of what the Baptist women of the South are doing for foreign missions — many of them contribute also (as we think ail ought to do) through their several churches, and on the other hand some of this money is gotten (and very properly, too,) from brethren who love to help every good work — it is rather a measure of what the societies as such accomplish In addition to what would be collected otherwise. The churches bring in their sheaves of grain once, at most twice, a year ; these glean be¬ hind tile reapers quarterly, monthly or weekly. The former are like the lad in Galilee with bis five loaves and two fishes ; the latter gather up the fragments. So far from interfering with the proper work of tiie churches, as some have alleged, rightly conducted societies really help it. Tills is seen by comparing’ tiie contributions of churches which fosler such agencies with those of the churches which neglect or op¬ pose them. N'o doubt the earnest sisters get now and then a dime, or a quarter, or even a dollar, which would have found its way into the church collection, but then their spirit diffuses itself, and their example stimulates the whole church, and most of our churches, good orthodox bodies, are sadly in need of provocation lo good works. From an admirable tract, entitled “Friendly Words for Collectors," issued by the Central Committee for South Carolina, we clip the following : “When we look at our last report, and compare it with our first, the figures, as to money received, and the number of co-ope¬ rating societies, are very encouraging, and indicate a remarkable growth of missionary conviction and purpose. But when we think how few attend our meetings, when, indeed, any special meetings are held, and how many there are in the churches where even our most efficient societies flourish, who are not associated in the work, we are con¬ strained to admit that there is much to be done in tiie field where the Woman’s Mis¬ sion idea has -already been planted. What glorious possibilities nre in the future, when the large reserve force of Christian women become interested, and are willing to give a portion of time, talent and prayer to aid in Woman’s Work for heathen women !" Our Home Correspondence lias been very interesting for months past, but we have not found room for any of it. Tiie Уеаг Hook states (top of page 99) what many of our correspondents also seem to believe, that Dr. H. A. Tuppcr is editor of tiie Journal. This is a mistake. The Corresponding Secretary does much to help us, by furnishing interesting letters from his correspondence, by offering opportune sug¬ gestions, and occasionally by writing arti¬ cles which appear in editorial type; he is, therefoie, more fully entitled than the editor to many of the complimentary things that are said about the paper, but is. not responsi¬ ble for any of its faults. Who. then, is the editor? His name lias been repeatedly pub¬ lished, but he does not think proper to keep it standingat the head of columns which ought to reflect the views of the Board rather than of any one person. We may add, that though the editor be unknown even by name to many subscribers, he is readily recognized at Post-office and at Bank, and finds no difficulty in collecting a properly filled money order or draft paya¬ ble to “ Foreign Mission Journal." Mrs. Yates writes that she expects to sail from San Francisco on the Peking ApriNth. Her health has been much improved, but not in time to allow her proposed visit to friends in Carolina. She has met Miss McCown and expresses Kreat satisfaction that "one so lovely amFso worthy" is to join the Shanghai station. “She appears," says Mrs. Y.-, “to be free from romantic ideas of missionary work— to have a good stock of plain, common sense, as well as much general Information— a remarkable amount of energy and good judgment, a readiness to meet and overcome difficulties, and that quiet self-possession which always imparts dignity.” A GOOD CONSUL. Dr. Graves encloses a copy of a memorial by Americans resident at Canton in favor of the re-appointment of Hon. Chas, Seymour as Consul at that port. I le adds : Hong Kong, Feb. 0, 1885. • As Mr. Seymour, our American Consul at Canton, lias been one of the most satis¬ factory officers we have c.ver had, it is the universal desire of the American commu¬ nity that lie may be retained. We mission¬ aries, especially, feel indebted to him for the courtesy he has shown us and the aid he has afforded us. If you have any opportunity of. using this testimonial where it will help to retain him here, I hope, for the sake of the cause here, that you will use it. Yours fraternally, R. II. Graves. The Baptist Year Hook for 1885, (Ameri¬ can Baptist Publishing Society, Philadelphia, Price, 25 cts.,) is one of the best issues we have .seen of that annual, and sold at half the former price. Suclt a compilation is liable of course to slight errors — we miss, for ex¬ ample, the names of Mrs. Halcomb and Mrs. Flournoy in the list of missionaries; Sig. Papengoutb, and perhaps others of our Italian evangelists might also have been properly included — yet it gives tiie best at¬ tainable information about the denomina¬ tion and its work, its institutions, its minis¬ ters, Sec., all compactly arranged and very valuable. The total membership of all regular Bap¬ tist churches in tiie world is given as a little over three millions. Two and a half mil¬ lions are in the United States, and one mil¬ lion eight hundred thousand of these In the Southern States. Not quite half the latter are colored. Will the 950,090 white Baptists of the South give this year to their Foreign Mission work an average of ten cents apiece ? It will take a good many hundreds, and fifties, and tens to make up for the thousands upon thousands who will give ab¬ solutely nothing.