Foreign Mission Journal, July 1884

FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. Published Monthly by tlio Foreign Mission Board of tlio Southern Baptist Convention. “ALL POWER IS GWEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.’ Vol. IB-New Serie RICHMOND, VA„ JULY, 1884. No. 12.— Whole No. 192. (Entered at the I’oet-OfTlco at Richmond, Vtv., as 1 eocond-cJnsi matter,] Foreign Mission Journal RATES I’ER ANNUM: One copy, separately folded and addressed... 50 Three conies, addressed to one person,... . 1 00 Ten copies, addressed to one person..... . . 3 00 Forty copies, addressed to one person . .10 00 Onelmiidred copies, addressed to one person . 20 00 ***r!ense remit bv Draft, Foslal Order, or In Re^ls- tered better, and notify us promptly of any change In address, Address. FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. Richmond, Va. FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN OAPTIST CONVENTION, Locatxd AT RICHMOND, V1HOINIA. Fh*8ID«nt-J. Ь. M. CURKY. Tic.*r».em«NT8.— Joshua Levering, Mil,, J. A. Hackee, I, a., J. L. Hurrow., Vh., N. A. Haller, 0. F. (Irrsory. N. С.. T. T. Union, Ky„ J. J. i‘ free, Alabama, It. S. Duncan, Mo., It. II. t Texas, W. I.. Kilpatrick, (lx., Ohae. Manly, Malt. 11111, man. Tenn., J, 1), Searcy, Ark., Whitfield, Ml,,., W. F. Attklsson, W. Va. Oomt ICS PONDING SKCHkTAlIT— H. A. TUI’l’EK. ТКВЛ8ИПК11 — J. O. WILLIAMS. Kkcohdino SICIIXTAIIT— W. H, OWATHMEY. ADOITOn-^ICI.SEl’H F. OOTTItELL. Hoard or Мамаожпя _ J. It. Hawthorne, J, It. Wnl- kla,. It. K. Ellysou, W. E. Hatcber, E. Wortham, W. I). Tlionme, W. Ooiljlo, II. II. llarrl», J. J-ollard, Jr., J. W. Jones, A. II. Clarke, J. II. Winston, J. It, Hut¬ son, О. II. Winston. S. O. Olotuon. tSTAll communications in reference to the business of this Hoard should he addressed to H. A. TurrEK, Corresponding Secretary , Richmond, Va, Look at die meagre receipts for this month, remember the drafts constantly coming in; read carefully the Secretary's appeal, and then— well, what ought you to do then ? THE MONTHLY CONCERT. We owe ninny thanks to Rev. Theron llrown for an article in the baptist Missionary Magazine of February, calling attention to the origin of the monthly "Concert of Prayer for Missions,” just one hundred years ago, and urging its revival tills year wherever it has languished. Cox, in Ills History of the baptist .Mission¬ ary Society, (London 1Я12,) traces the origin of the movement to William Carey, who was born 17111, horn again and baptized 1783, and immediately began to think and talk and write about preaching to the heathen. “At the meeting of the Association in 17S4, at Nottingham, it was resolved to set apart an hour on tlie first Monday evening of every month for 'extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion and for the extending of Christ's kingdom in the world.’ This sug¬ gestion proceeded from the venerable Sut- ciifT. Its simplicity and appropriateness,” adds tlie historian, " have since recommend¬ ed it to universal adoption ; and copious showers from on high have been poured fortli upon tlie churches.” Not long after this ap¬ peared Carey’s essay entitled, "An Inquiry into tlie obligations of Christians to use means for the conversion of tlie heathen." Then followed in May, 1702, his great ser¬ mon from Is. liv : 2 and 3, with tlie two well- known divisions: 1. Expect great tilings from God ; 2. Attempt great tilings for God. This so stirred tlie brethren present that they at once took tlie preliminary steps for orga¬ nizing on tlie 2nd of October following, “a society for propagating tlie gospel among tlie heathen.” Tlie example was caught up by other bodies of Christians, and so the work lias gone on, widening and deepening till the present time. Tlie results of tlie century now drawing to its close have far surpassed any like period in history. Experimental science and prac¬ tical Christianity have gone hand in hand— the one extending, tlie domain of mind over matter and bringing the world into closer relations of space and time; the other spread¬ ing a knowledge of tlie word of God, turn¬ ing blinded eyes to tlie true light, and preach¬ ing the gospel of pence, has extended the sway of spiritual truth over the human mind. With n corresponding rate of progress, another hundred years will see tlie whole world chris¬ tianized, and foreign missions no longer needed except for tlie interchange of frater¬ nal greetings with our brethren of other kindred and tongues. When God through Ezekiel promised Ids people n new iieart and restoration to their inheritance, lie assured them of his gracious purpose and plainly declared his reason, " not for your sakes, О house of Israel, but for mine own holy name’s sake,” and then added: "Thussaitli tlie Lord God; I will yet for tliis be enquired of by tlie house of Israel to dp it for them.” So now, our hopes rest on his sure promises, tlie blessing will not be given for anything we do, and yet not till with one consent we earnestly seek it in humble prayer, can we expect tlie fullness of tlie Gentiles to come in and all Israel to be saved. Notice the objects proposed, " the revival of religion and tlie spreading of Christ’s kingdom in tlie world." Tlie two are one. No pious Iieart can truly pray for revival where Christianity Is already preached without also desiring to spread it where it lias not been heard. No iionest worker for foreign missions can fail to he deeply interested also in home work. Donotthese objects now, as well as a hundred years ago, deserve at least one hour a month of extraordinary prayer? And will not sucli prayer be followed now as it was then by copious showers from on high ? Many of ourchurches which once observed tlie concert of prayer have grown weary in well-doing and have allowed it to die out. Now is tlie best lime to revive the old custom and with it seek a revival of the old spirit. Many others with small and scattered mem¬ bership never had stated meetings for con¬ certed prayer. Tliis centennial year is a peculiarly favorable time fur setting up this ancient landmark of our fathers. Tlie time, as originally set, was tlie first Monday even¬ ing in tlie month. This would still seem to be on some accounts the best time, when¬ ever practicable, but the first Wednesday or tlie first Sunday afternoon might in some places secure a better attendance. We care more for tlie tiling than for tlie exact hour. The meetings ought to lie varied by read¬ ing some of tlie teachings of Scripture, by singing with tlie spirit and with tlie under¬ standing, and by some little talking about the condition of tlie world and tlie encour¬ agements to work, yet let it not be forgotten that they are primarily and beyond all, meet¬ ings for prayer. A WORD TO FRIENDS. HE NOT DECEIVED. The balance shown in tlie hands of the Treasurer of tlie board of Foreign Missions in the last report to tlie Southern baptist Convention must not mislead our Southern brethren. In April last the board, by cable¬ gram, authorized Dr. Yates, of China, io draw six thousand dollars for a mission house in Chin-kiting. Tliis draft is daily ex¬ pected. Eleven missionaries, recently ap¬ pointed, expect to sail this’summer and fall. Tliis embarkation, with outfits and advanced salaries, will require some eight thousand dollars. As.previously stated, other houses in China, Africa, Italy, and South America, should be built this year. This church build¬ ing alone would cost £20.000. 00. The cur¬ rent expenses of our work, on tlie present base of operation, will be £7,000.00 per month. ЛИ this makes it necessary that the board should receive at least one hundred thousand dollars tliis year, and that amount in nearly equal monthly instalments. In contrast with tliis requirement, the receipts from May 1st to June tlie lOtli have been £3,811.07. Tlie surplus in the Treasury from last year lias saved us from embarrassment, but, that surplus is virtually consumed. The duty of the churches is, therefore, obvious. There must be contributions ; contributions prompt and regular ; contributions now and all through tlie summer; contributions upon sucli system ns may be devised or adopted by each church. QUOTAS OE STATES. Tlie hundred thousand dollars, needed for 1884-5, has been apportioned among the States as follows : Virginia . ..£12,500 00 Georgia . . .. 12,500 00 Kentucky . .. 12,500 00 - $ 37,500 00 Nortii Carolina, ..£ 8,000 00 Soutli Carolina., 8,000 00 Mississippi . .. 8,000 00 Missouri . .. 8,000 00 Texas . .. 8,000 00 - £ 40,000 00 Tennessee . ..£ 5,000 00 Alabama . - £ 10,000 00 Maryland . , 4,500 00 Arkansas . . 1,000 00 Louisiana . . 1,000 00 - $ 2,000 00 West Virginia... ,i 500 00 Florida . 500 00 - $ 1,000 00 £ 95,000 00 Last year’s pledges made for Mexican church houses and schools, say . 5,000 00 Total . £100,000 00 HELP TO OUR VICE-PRESIDENTS. The board will be grateful for the aid of our brethren and sisters to our Vice-Presi¬ dents in distributing missionary literature sent to them, in enrolling tlie churches and Sunday-schools that contribute to our mis¬ sions, and in carrying out the following re¬ quests of our board : In co-operation with your State Boards or Central Committees do see— , 1. That proper apportionments of the States’ quotas are made among your district associations, and presented to them for their approval. 2. That suitable brethren are secured, not only to advocate tliis interest at the associa¬ tions, but to engage brethren who, in co-ope¬ ration with themselves, will sub-divide tlie quota of each association among its churches, and make earnest efforts to have tlie same collected. SUMMARY. Tlie following summary of our work pre¬ sents a view at once encouraging and sug¬ gestive of tlie necessity of vigorous efforts in pressing it forward. The number of our missionaries, native and foreign, is 05 ; their stations and out- stations are 42 ; the increase of membership last year was 175; the pupils of the Sunday and day-schools number CS4 ; our church membership is 1,141 ; the contributions on the fields amount to £1,077; tlie home receipts have been £80,405.87. The work is expand¬ ing signally in eacli of tlie five continents in which our missionaries labor. This year at least five chapels should be built, and at ten additional missionaries should be out. Our Mexican enterprise needs a heavy outlay of money. Into all our advances the Board lias been led seemingly by the hand of Providence. The past inspires gratitude; the future stimulates faith. The Board ex¬ pects to go forward, depending on the liber¬ ality of the churches and claiming the promise of the Saviour: “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." H. A. TUPPER, Cor. Sec'y. A GENEROUS GIFT. A brother in Philadelphia, well-known for such acts of liberality, has given £1,000 to¬ wards the purchase of a Library tor Madero Institute. Tlie money will be available as' soon as a safe place for the books is pro¬ vided at Saltillo. Dr. С. C. bitting, of the American baptist PublicationSociety, under¬ takes to get at wholesale rates any volumes selected, whether published in this country or in Europe. This will be a good nucleus and an earnest, we hope, of many similar gifts. And as long as tlie school endures the girls of Coahuila will have reason to remem¬ ber gratefully the founder of their library. By a letter from Mrs. Yates, dated Paris, May 19th, we learn that she had had a pros¬ perous journey thus far. On the long voyage through tropical seas the weather was fine and the heat not oppressive. She thinks she lias steadily improved in health, and on land¬ ing at Venice was able to enjoy the quaint old city and the journey thence through- northern Italy and by the St. Gotthard pass to Switzerland. She proposes on reaching New York to find a quiet retreat for the sum¬ mer and not come Soutli till autumn. “ I must be miserly,” she writes, "with what strength I do pick up, so as to take it all back to the dear Shanghai home." P. S.— We have just learned of her arrival June 15th. She will remain awhile at West¬ chester, N. Y. _ Tiie apportionment among the States, pub¬ lished in this number, was first suggested a year ago. In the light of the contributions re¬ ported to the Convention some alterations might be made. Texas certainly has a right to be ranked with tlie foremost. Maryland, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida have demonstrated their ability to do more than this schedule calls for. Some other States may perhaps find themselves rated too high. Yet thereis no room for complaint. These amounts are not assessed as taxes. There is nothing obligatory about thqm. They are merely sums which the brethren are respect¬ fully requested to contribute, not at the close of the year, but all through its course, "that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ." Dr. Thompson in his history of Moravian Missions, as quoted in the Missionary Re¬ view, says : " most inspiring is it to contem¬ plate the example of a brotherhood * * * which sends out nearly one in every fifty of its communicants for foreign missionary work.” The Review adds some figures show¬ ing that all Christendom sends out to evangelize the heathen only one hundredth part as many in proportion to numbers, or one missionary for about 5,000 members at home. How do Southern Baptists compare, not with tlie Moravians, but with the average of Christendom ? One for every 5,000 in a membership of 900,009 would give ISO for the foreign fields — we actually have 42, that is less than one-fourth of the average propor¬ tion of Christendom. We ought to double our forces tliis year. The thirteenth annual report of the Wo¬ man’s Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, presented at Buffalo, April 1C, 1884, shows : Receipts, £50,955; expenditures, £53.91 1 ; bal¬ ance vs. the Society, £7,950. The Society supports about thirty lady missionaries, be¬ sides a number of native teachers and Bible- women. _ Tlie Southern Methodists, with a mem¬ bership not quite equal in numbers to the Southern Baptists, (white,) raise just about twice as much money for foreign missions, and with it support a number of missionaries about equal to ours and six times as many native preachers and helpers.