Foreign Mission Journal, May 1885

FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. I’uliliNliort Monthly by tlic Foreign MIshIoii Board of tlio Southern Baptist Convention. “all POWER TS GIVEN UNTO ЛЕК. IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTII. GO YE. THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.” Vol. 16 — New Series. RICHMOND. VA„ MAY, 1883. No. lO.— Whole No. 202. [Entered nt the l'oNt-Offlre lit Richmond, Vft., ns 1 eecond-claes mutter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM: I. For papers uppnrntely addressed, either to same or to сШГетН postofllcc* : One cony . 3ft cts. Three copies ® 91, or . 33 Vi cts. apiece. Ц. ForpncUaues sent to on о perspn, who e)i:ill ho resjionslblc for their distribution : Four copies for tl, or more nt . ..25 cts. Twonty-flvo copies for *ft. or того nt . 20 cts, One Hundred copies for *!fl, or more at. .14 cts *3'l’lon«o remit by Hraft, Foetal Order, or Ir tered Hotter, nnd notify us ntoMi'TLY of any In address. Address, FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. Richmond, Va. foreign mission board OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION, I.oc'ATKP at RICHMOND. VUIOINIA. I*hiisid*nt-J. I,. SI. OUlinY. Tic«-I'u»6li>CMTe. — Joshua I.everlnc, Mrt., О W. Tomkins, l.a„ J. I.. Ilurrows. Va.. N. Л. Halley, Fla., U. F. Orozory, N. О.. T. T. Kalon, Ky„ J. J. J>. Ken- free, Alabama, II. 8. Duncan, Mo., II. II. (Jarrotl, TeiM, W. I.. Kilpatrick, On.. Chat. Alnnly, S. O., J. SI, Sonter, Tenn.. .1. H. Searcy, Ark., <1 force Whitfield, SIUs., W. I’. Allklsson, W. Vu. <lonn«ei'OHDi.vo SscincTAny— II. Л, ТШТ'ЕП. Tn,AEonsn—T. O. WILI.IAMS. KICOIIDIKII SBcnuTAnv— W. II. awATHMEY. Acditoh— JOSEPH F. OOTTItEI.b. BOARD or MANAnane.— J. II. Hawthorne, J. JI. Wat¬ kins. II. K. Ellyson, W. K. llalcher, li. Wortham, W. D. Thomas, W. aoiIJIn.il. II. Harris, J. Pollard. Jr., J. W. Jones. Л. II. Clarke, J. II, Winston, J. II. Hut- ion, О. II, Winston, S, (I, I’.lci'tou. t&'All communications in reference to the business of this Hoard should be addressed to II. A. Tupfkr, Corresponding Secretary , Richmond, Va. This number has been not only delayed by waiting for full report of receipts to April 30tli, but lias been in some oilier respects specially adapted to the occasion. With the next we sliall hope to resume our regular time of publication nnd to present the usual variety of letters from the field. The Editor of the Journai. went to Balti¬ more a year ago as a representative of the Ladies' Missionary Society of Richmond, 1 ie appreciates doubly the honor of a re-election this year. WOMAN'S WORK. Tlie Convention, nt its approaching meet¬ ing, will be asked to define more clearly its relation to the hundreds of missionary so¬ cieties within its borders. Few questions can come before the body that will need more careful handling. Extreme views, on one side or on the other, indiscreet renmrks, unwise action, may do more harm than many years can repair. The good sisters have too much sense and are two much in earnest to be satisfied' with flattering platitudes nnd empty compliments; they arc too loyal to the teachings of “ nature itself ” as well as of revelation, to be even suspected of aspir¬ ing to anything beyond their sphere. “ May God in his mercy," says one of them voicing the universal sentiment, " avert such an evil.” Л Committee of the Board presented at the April meeting a full report on the present status of the work of our Christian women for Foreign Missions'and a summary of all previous action by the Convention in refer¬ ence to this work. We reproduce the sub¬ stance of that report, hoping that it will not only prove interesting in itself, but will fur¬ nish a good basis for any further considera¬ tion of the subject in the Convention. Mite Societies and other missionary organ¬ izations of Southern women date back to the early days of the century, and yielded then to the treasury of the Triennial Con¬ vention contributions which are recorded as "extraordinarily liberal.” Very much of the interest whicli has given rise to the great general organizations of to-day for the con¬ duct of foreign missions is clearly traceable to tlie loving zeal and busy earnestness of these Societies. But we must pass over those former services and come nt once to tlie present aspects of tlie subject. IN TUB Fllil.IJ. In 18.(9 our Board first appointed a single woman, Miss Baker, to China. In 1864 R. II. Graves, in Canton, employed a Bible woman, to lie supported by Mrs. G. witii the assistance of a relative in this country ; this he called “an experiment.” The Board now employs ten single women, and eighteen married women, with a large number of native helpers. Our northern brethren have a still larger number; and other denomina¬ tions are not behind tlie Baptists. In China alone there are three hundred and forty-five female missionaries, of whom 10S are single, nnd twelve are medical doc¬ tors. Mr. John Furguson, of Colombo, Cey¬ lon, in answer to the question of our Cor. Secretary: "What is tlie mo«t striking tiling you have observed in connection with missions?” replied, "Tlie work wrought there by God through Christian women.” In the November number of “ Il'oman’s ll'ori in China ” a gifted missionary classi¬ fies tlie single woman workers under these heads: rst, Those who believe they have real, serious grievances, nnd \ylio desire, not as a concession of charity, but as simple justice, that these grievances be redressed by " a reform in tlie constitution of Mis¬ sions." 2d. Those who are satisfied with existing arrangements and are content to attain their objects and carry out their pur¬ poses by indirect inlluences. 3d. Those, who, having their rights secured, desire to see those rights extended to others. Of the first class she says : “ It is not to be supposed that women who have been in tlie field for years, who have large interests at stake, nnd decided views as to how work should be conducted, will be content that the present unsatisfactory state of affairs should continue. Simple justice demands that women should have equal rights with men in mission meetings and in the practical conduct of the work.” This is not endorsed by tlie committee, but is reproduced to allow what some others think. ORGANIZATION AT HOME. In 1S61 tlie “Woman’s Union Missionary Society ” was organized in New York. In 1S70 tlie Baltimore "Auxiliary ” was formed. On tlie 3d of April, 1S71, tlie "Woman’s Baptist Missionary Society ” was started in Boston. In October of the same year, "Woman’s Mission to Woman "was orga¬ nized in Baltimore. In 1872 the "Woman’s Missionary Society of Richmond, Va., 4vas formed for the support of Miss Edmonia Moon. Simultaneously, or subsequently, other societies originated in tlie South for the support of woman missionaries. In 1874 our Board recommended Executive or Cen¬ tral Committees for the States. In 1S76 Central Committees for Woman’s work were appointed. The appointments were made on nomination of judicious counsellors in the several States. The committees were authorized to fill vacancies; and they have, now, practically, self-perpetuating existence. Though originally appointees of our Bo'ard, some of them divide their funds with the other Board. This they have a perfect right to do. But, is not the plan approved by the Convention wiser, viz: to have a Central Committee in each State for eacli of the Boards, and let the societies contribute to the one or the other, or to both, accord¬ ing as they may elect? The reasons for separate Vice-Presidents and Boards would seem to hold, for what the Convention re¬ commends, two Central Committees in each State, As time advances and the work en¬ larges and becomes, perhaps, more compli¬ cated, tlie wisdom of this suggestion of tlie Convention and of our Baptist fathers will be¬ come more apparent. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. In 1875 the Convention adopted a report, setting forth that "too much praise can scarcely be bestowed upon the noble acliicv- ments of these gentle and loving servants of Jesus.” and inviting prayer that they may be even more “ consecrated and blessed in this sphere of Christian service.” In 1876 our Board reported that the women of South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia had con¬ tributed $3, 845 for mission houses, while those of other States bad done “nobly for the general work." Tlie report, adopted by the Convention, favored the organization of Woman’s Societies for Foreign Missions, and made several valuable suggestions on the subject. In 1877 our Board reported the general use of mite boxes by our societies and the prospect of increased contributions. Tlie Convention, in its report, thanked God that the eyes of our people were opening to the importance of Woman’s work, com¬ mended it most heartily, and intimated that " a Central Committee ” for the Central Committees might be soon needed to com¬ bine and stimulate efforts. Having Com¬ mittees in all the States, our Board reported in 1S78 that no more general organization seemed necessary. A report replete with commendation was adopted recommending among other tilings, that Central Commit¬ tees be organized in each Slate by the Boards oj the Convention , by which our Board un¬ derstood that each Board should have its own Central Committee in each of the States. The next year (1S79) tlie Convention recommended plainly "two Central Com¬ mittees in each State ” — one for eacli of the Boards of the Convention. In 1SS0 our Board reported a “ grand work ’’ done by our women, and urged tlie formation and en¬ couragement of societies in ail the churches. Tlie Convention requested tlie Central Com¬ mittees to report to their respective Boards by the 1st of April in order that abstracts of their work might be presented to the Conven¬ tion in the reports of tlie Boards. Our Board reported in 1881 500 societies that had con¬ tributed $6, 244.30. Tlie Convention sug¬ gested that our Board might appoint a woman superintendent, if deemed wise, and recommended that tlie societies report more generally anil more regularly. In 18S2 tlie Board reported that in tlie exercise of the discretion allowed, they had not appointed a superintendent, and gave their method of managing Woman’s work. Tlie Convention expressed the opinion that "no change in the plan of organization seemed desirable.” Another report recommended that if they thought it expedient, the two Boards might appoint a superintendent of the State Central Committees. Our Board, having already considered tlie question, did not think it expedient to unite in such appoint¬ ment. In their report of 1883 the Board mentioned favorably the publication of the Heathen Helper in Louisville, Ky., as the organ of Woman's work, and reported the rule adopted by the Board that unmarried women should be appointed missionaries only with reference to tlie views and wishes of the missions to which they are appointed. The Convention gave five reasons why pas¬ tors should encourage the formation of Woman’s societies in their churches. In 1SS4 the Board reported 642 societies, con¬ tributing Ji6, 895.58; stated that, in ten years, the Board had distributed gratuitously 28,520 mite boxes, which had probably yielded in that time to our treasury $ 75,000 , and con¬ gratulated our ladies on their disposition to work without any more separate orga¬ nization than their societies and Central Committees. The body “ resolved, that tlie Convention lias heard, with pleasure, of the large amount of money raised for Foreign Missions by tlie Woman’s societies working with our Board, and of the entire harmony, in plans and purposes between the Board and these societies.” Our Board having ex¬ pressed a preference for no superintendent, the. Convention referred resolutions on this subject to the Home Board. This year (1885) special efforts have been made to stimulate the societies and the Central Committees. The indications are that our women have done more, relatively, than in any previous year. The Central Committees heard from ■ to April tst show that, in their respective States, tlie woman Societies had contributed one-third of the amount given for Foreign Missions. Tlie number of societies is rapidly increasing. The Heathen Helper claims to be tlie organ of 1.200 Woman’s so¬ cieties.' The Baptist Woman's societies of the Nortli and Northwest gave during the last year $95,548 to Foreign Missions. Woman’s societies of tlie English speaking tongue give $800,000 per annum, which is one tenth of the world's annual contribution for the evangelization of the nations. WHAT is TO 11E. Tlie formative slate through which the general missionary meetings of our noble Christian women are passing is worthy of serious consideration. At first, these meet¬ ings were occasional; now they have be¬ come a permanent institution. "The ladies in Baltimore passeda resolution perpetuating a woman’s missionary meeting, to be held annually during the session of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Central Committee of tlie State, in which the Convention meets, to take charge and conduct the meeting.”' A discussion lias appeared in print whether the meeting shall be held with closed or open doors. The Central Committee for Georgia seems to have decided the question for this year by the following : ” Resolved , That as we believe women cannot take the exclusive management of a large meeting without becoming public speakers, whicli we regard as contrary to the scriptural teaching, therefore, we request the officers of our Committee to invite certain brethren, who are in sympathy with our work, to address the meeting on such topics as sliall be selected ; that all public speaking be done by the brethren; that the Central Committee, and officers representing wo¬ man's mission work in eacli State, be re¬ quested to send one or more delegates of their number, with a written report of the year’s work of the societies of tlie State, such reports to be read at tlie meeting by a lady if so desired." If our Convention does not give form to these meetings — as we are sure the ladies desire— they will soon give fixed form to themselves. And who shall say that the experience of our northern brethren may not be our experience at the South? When the question of woman's organization for work was, in 1870, laid before the Mission¬ ary Union, the then secretary said : “Tlie time lias not yet come." On further reflec¬ tion, lie gave his cordial approval, but the organization had passed beyond the control of the Union. Let us be wise. The first element of wisdom is justice. Here tlie question arises: Whether this woman’s work, growing into sucli great pro¬ portions, should not have fuller presentation and fairer representation on the floor of tlie Convention? And let not the Convention wait for any demand. Let the right thing be done spontaneously, cheerfully and promptr ly, on the simple ground that is it right.