Foreign Mission Journal, August 1887

Foreign Mission Journal. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. “ALL, POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS." Vol. 19 — New Series. RICHMOND, VA., AUGUST, 1SS7. No. 1 — Whole No. 229 {Entered nt the I’o.t-Offlce at Richmond, Va„ ns second-class mutter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM : I. For >mprre repnrtvtely addrebttil, either to stun e or to different post offices : One copy . . . . . 35 ct*. Three copies or . .....S3H ct*. apiece. II. Fortmckajre* eent to one person, who ihnll be re*pon*lble for their distribution : Four coplc* for tl, or more nt. . 23 ct*. nplece. Twenty-five copies for +5. or more nt . 20 ct*. nplece. One Hundred copies for$l.% or morent..lflct* nplece. nr Plente reml t by Prnf t, Postal Order, or in Ttejrlr- tered better, and notify us rnoNPTLY of any chnnjte lu nddre**. Address. FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL, Richmond. Va. ADVERTISING RATES. .SPACE. 1 Month. 3 Month* в Month* 12 Month* 1 One Inch . . ... 1 26 3 45 н m 12 Ml Two Inches . 2 40 6 45 12 50 Я 50 Three Incite. . S 60 П 20 is no г» «*> «mirier column... 4 75 13 14) 25 (»U 40 СЮ Half column . P 25 25 25 4* (41 W 1Ю One column . 15 (1) 60 00 P2 50 17R U) FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. LOCATE» at RICHMOND. Т1ЛОСПА. Is it not our part to do this ? God has heard our cries and pleadings ; he has led us to the very edge, not of a great deliverance, but of a great and glorious work, and now says to us—" wherefore cry ye to me ? Go forward,” God lias done his part, that which we could not do, in opening doors and rais¬ ing up laborers ; the time has come when we must do our part. And toe art able to do it. It is the duty, the God-appointed duty of the Southern Baptists, to furnish the means necessary to send to a foreign field every approved man or woman that asks to be sent. We say it advisedly— every one, If God has called them, it is our duty to send them. Ami wc arc able to do it. Is it not time that the miserable cry of poverty, which for so many years has been raised by Southern Baptists whenever ap¬ peals are made for money to carry forward God's work, should cease ? To one who travels over the Southern country, sees the comfort, even luxury, in which Baptists are living; sees how they can and do spend money on houses and lands, and horses s and dress, on fine churches and organs, and a hundred other things, this cry seems oftentimes only a convenient ex¬ cuse for a withholding of what is meet from 1 the Lord's work. It is a cry to cover I the robbing of God. It is the cry of j "Corban” — "devoted” (to seif or the god of this world) to keep oursubstnee from being Prisidrkt— H. H. Harms. Vlcz-PntbXPXNTS — Joshna Leveling, Mrt., C. \Y. ) Т/ *w •"*'•*' T” “*'*•'* Tomkl**. La.. J. I>. narrow*. Va.. N. A. HaiUv. Па., given to the heavenly Father. IT: Ji HJ'™; I The Baptists of the South are able to send Texne, w. L. Kilpatrick. Gn., Chn., Manly, S. 0., lout and sustain in the field every approved vhmfl f uf ,ПМ It . .7 w" F. A t tin» Von" V,'.' v a!*’ ’ e°rfte man and woman that says to the Board “Here am I— send me.” Can this state- Соппхегоэтпко Secretary — II. A. TUPPER. Treascrer— J. 0. WILLIAMS. Becop.pixo Secretary— A. B. CLARKE. Auditor— H. C. BURNETT. BOARD or Maxaosrs — H. K. Ellyson, J. B. Wln- •ton. С. H. Winston. W. E. Hfttcber. 1. W. .Tones, ,T. Pollnrd. .Tr.. S. O. O’cptoR. .T. B. Hutson. W. V. Thomne. W. W. Landrum. W. J. Shluman. Про. Coodpt о. II, Byland, H. C. Burnetts T. P. Mathews, B, H, Pitt. S@ Г All communications in reference to the H. A. Tupter, Corresponding Secretary, Richmond, Va. ment be denied ? Will God hold us guiltless if we can and do not? Reader, are you without guilt in this matter? THE INEQUALITY. We received some time since a letter which says : “ You will find enclosed - , . „ , , ., , ,, dollars for the 'Foreign Mission Board’. I : send this direct to the Board in addition to my regular contributions, through the church. The church sends to the State ■ - ■ -- ' - - | Board and lets it divide the contributions The editor has been absent during the • among the three Boards, State, Home, and past two or three weeks attending several j Foreign, according to the recommendation State Conventions, and has been 'unable to personally supervise the make up of the paper. Any errors or omissions will be kindly overlooked by the readers. This absence will also explain any failure of brethren to receive replies to letters ad¬ dressed to the editor. DUTY AND ABILITY TO DO IT. On Sunday evening, June uth, the an¬ nual sermon before the Y. M. C. A. of Richmond College was preached in the First Baptist church of this city. Before the sermon, the President of the associa¬ tion made a brief statement of its work during the year just closed. Among other things, he spoke of missionary meetings of the Board, giving only about one-fourth to foreign work." Here is an evil. A State Board, charged with a special work of its own, and a work which is always calling for "more,” is given the power to distribute according to its own judgment all the money given by the churches for missions. Of course, this board, being composed of men, not angels, will see to it that the work especially com¬ mitted to it, and for which it is especially responsible, shall not suffer, even though the work of other boards does. Naturally, to a State board, State missions is of trail- Cendant importance, and must be provided for. Is it just either to the State or other boards that the distribution of all funds should be put entirely in the hands of the having been held, at which addresses were delivered by invited brethren, and said | State Board, which has its own interests to that the missionary spirit and zeal that had I consider, and such important interests? been awakened and fostered by these 1 ,he result—" giving onlv < meetings had resulted in the formation of a society of young men who had pledged themselves to the foreign work after they shall have completed their courses of study. This statement brought to our mind the fact that pod is raising up many, very many workmen for his work. The prayers of ten, fifteen, twenty, fifty years ago, for laborers in the harvest, are being abundantly answered. All of our ex¬ changes tell the same story of appeals, numerous and strong, coming to the boards for appointments to missionary labor abroad. Our southern young men and women are feeling the spirit’s movings and responding to the spirit’s calls. This fact suggests another : that God in calling these men and women from among us is laying upon us a solemn duty, even that of providing the means for send¬ ing them to, and keeping them in their fields of labor. God speaks by facts as well as by words, and in calling and making willing these servants of his for his work, he is mightily emphasizing to us the words of Jesus: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” We prayed once for open doors, and God gave them to us; we prayed. for la¬ borers to enter these doors, and God is giving them to us. Dare we pray for God to raise the means whereby they may be sent ? Note the result—" giving only about one fourth to foreign work.” On this point the comment of the writer of the letter is most pertinent. He says: "This does not ap¬ pear to me to be a suitable distribution. In this country there ate but very few who do not have the opportunity to have the gospel if they would, and to expend three- fourths of our efforts upon such destitu¬ tions as these, and leave only one-fourth for giving the gospel to those dwelling in darkness, does not seem to accord with the spirit of the commission.” We verily be¬ lieve the author of the commission would sanction this view of the matter. From the particular State from which this letter comes, all special agencies for the collection of funds for the work of the Southern Baptist Convention— our great denominational enterprises— are excluded, and the whole matter of the collection and distribution of funds is entrusted to the State Board. The above result is a suffi¬ cient commentary on such a plan. One-fourth of the gifts of the people go to foreign missions. Yet, under this one head is included the work, in foreign lands, which at home is divided up among several differeth boards, such as support¬ ing preachers and teachers, keeping up schools, building chapels and dwellings, colportage, and an endless variety of other things pertaining to mission work. Is there not a serious, a grievous ine quality in the working of such a plan as this? _______ MEETING OF LADIES AT LOUISVILLE- IMPORTANT ACTION. While tlie sessions of the Southern Bap¬ tist Convention were being held in the Broadway Baptist church in Louisville, other meetings of no little interest and im¬ portance were being held in the Metho¬ dist church near by. Tftis church had been kindly tendered to the Baptist ladies for their meetings, and there representa¬ tive lady workers from all the Southern States met and discussed matters pertain¬ ing to their work. Very interesting and encouraging reports were made of work already done, and plans were discussed for larger doing. Among the most im¬ portant actions of this body was the adop¬ tion of a resolution looking to a more effective organization of the women for their special work in missions. This mat¬ ter tvas introduced by a paper read by Mrs. Gammage, of St. Louis, Mo., “suggesting that in order to secure a better organiza¬ tion and devise means for more systematic giving among our Southern sisters, and an advisory board be appointed to take charge of these annual meetings, correspond with the various central committees, find out their different wants, and advise with them and arrange a programme for the annual meeting.” This paper contained subject matter of such importance that the ladies postponed its consideration for a day, taking time to think over it. On reassembling expres sions of opinion were called for from repre¬ sentative ladies from each State. All seemed to agree that better organization was a necessity, and some were in favor of immediate action on the suggestions con tained in the paper of Mrs. Gammage. Others deprecated haste in so important a matter, and urged postponement to a future meeting. These latter councils pre vailed, and the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : Whereas, The Baptist ladies assembled at Louisville in connection and sympathy with the Southern Baptist Convention, and deeply impressed with the importance of thorough and efficient organization among the ladies of the South to aid in the sup¬ port of missions now conducted by the Southern Baptists, therefore, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to request Central Committees of the several States, each to appoint three lady delegates to meet during the next ses¬ sion of the Southern Baptist Convention, to decide upon the advisability of organi¬ zing a general committee, and, if found desirable, to provide for the appointment, location, and duties thereof. Resolved, г, That the above is not to be construed as a desire on the part of the ladies to interfere with the management of the existing boards of the convention, either in the appointment of missionaries or direction of mission work, but is a de¬ sire on their part to be more efficient in collecting money and disseminating infor¬ mation on mission subjects, Rcsolced.j, That in order to provide for our next meeting, a committee, composed of the secretaries of the Central Com¬ mittees of the various States, be appointed to confer with the Central Committee in the State in which the convention shall be held to select a presiding officer and sec¬ retary, and to arrange a programme of ex¬ ercises for said meeting. We shall watch the progress of this movement v/ith no little interest, sympa¬ thizing with every aspiration of our women after better doing for the Master, yet earnestly hoping and striving against any effort that may come to be made to effect a separation of “ woman’s work " from that of our Convention. The trend of affairs in other religious bodies is in the direction of this indepen¬ dent woman’s work. Let us hope that through the wise conservatism of our peo¬ ple, both men and women, this indepen¬ dence may never obtain among us. It can be avoided by the Convention's giving proper recognition to this work, and allow¬ ing to it such representation upon the floor of the body as will not conflict with the constitution of the body, nor with the sen¬ timents of our people in regard to woman’s true position in this work. At the ladies’ meeting in Louisville re¬ ports were received from the Central Com¬ mittees in twelve States, showing contribu¬ tions amountingtoover$32,ooo. Thesecon- tributions were made to various objects, both home and foreign. COMMITTEE ON METHODS OF WORK. At the late meeting of the Convention In Louisville, the following resolution was adopted : Whereas, the duty to employ the best available means to accomplish the ends sought is as apparent in religious matters as in the secular affairs of life ; and Whereas, circumstances, during the ses¬ sions of the Southern Baptist Convention, are unfavorable for securing deliberate and wise action in modifying and perfecting its plans of work: therefore Resolved, That the two Boards of this Convention be instructed, as soon as prac¬ ticable, to appoint each two persons, one from its own number, the other from the denomination at large, who. together with one other person to be chosen jointly by the said Boards, shall constitute a com¬ mittee of five for thepurpose of thoroughly considering the present methods of the Southern Baptist Convention for conduct' ing its missionary enterprises, and also for considering the needs of the field of its operations, and by comparison of the plans of similar missionary organizations, or otherwise, to report at the next session of this Convention such modifications of its present plans of work, and further, to sug¬ gest such new methods as may seem de¬ sirable to said committee ; and that the Secretaries of the said Boards be requested to furnish to said committee such informa¬ tion and assistance as may be in their power ; and that the said Boards be in structed each to appropriate the sum of fifty dollars, or so much thereof ns may be necessary, to pay the expenses of the work provided for by this resolution. In accordance with this resolution the Home and Foreign Boards have selected five brethren who will meet at Henderson¬ ville, N. C., about the time this paper is issued, to consider the work of the Conven¬ tion and prepare a report or a plan or plans of work, to be presented to the Con¬ vention at its next meeting. The com¬ mittee consists of the following' named brethren : from the Home Board, Rev. Drs. L. Burrows and J. G. Gibson; from the Foreign Board, Prof. H. H. Harris and Dr. T. T. Eaton ; chosen by the two Boards, Dr. F. M. Ellis. The committee is a strong one, and needs to be. for it has an important and difficult work Before it. If the purpose of the resolution is carried out, this committee is in a measure to give shape to the work of our Convention for years to come, recon¬ ciling conflicting ideas and interests, and directing the whole denominational effort by one uniform plan of operation. May wisdom be given to each member from on high. Let special prayer be made for the committee in its labors. BELL FOR CHINKIANG Messrs. Meneely & Co., West Troy, N. Y., have recently shipped a fine bell for brother Bryan’s chapel in Chinkiang, China. The whole expense, Including in¬ surance and freight, was some $212. Most of this money was raised through the kind efforts of our former missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Walker, of Georgia, who are sfill deeply interested in the work in China. The English Church Missionary Society has embodied a new feature in its plans of missionary work. This is nothing less than the sending out from England to India and Ceylon of a "mission,” com¬ posed of consecrated clerical and lay workers, who will go, two and two, to the different mission fields and hold special services, extending through a period of four months. The circular of the society with regard to it says; ' It Is too well known how stagnation and formality are apt to creep over churches, and how the enemy will try to dim the light which he cannot extinguish. It is known, too, how often God uses n fresh voice pleading in connection with some special effort, in behalf of which much prayer has been made, to convert and edify and bless. Year by year large numbers of young men go forth from the schools and colleges in India, whose faith in the idols of modern Hinduism is alto¬ gether shaken. Many of them know some¬ thing of the facts and doctrines of Chris¬ tianity. They have a fair knowledge of the English language. And who can tell the incalculable blessing which might fol¬ low, if these educated non-Christian na¬ tives could be reached by the scheme now in contemplation ? " Protracted meetings, as we would call them, In mission fields seem to be the idea; and it is a good one. The laborers in this case are to receive no pay, their actual ex¬ penses alone being met by the society. The following letter was not written . for publication, but we publish it nevertheless, hoping it may do good, showing to pastors who are doing nothing for missions, how the best people In their churches feel about it, and how solemn is the responsibility resting upon them in this matter. Dear Bro.— Are there any more such pastors ? I regret very much to do it, but I write to ask you to discontinue my club for Foreign Mission Journal. Our present “pastor" is evidently a man of marked ability. He pleases the people. This Is his — year with us, and during the entire period he has not said a word, voluntarily, in advocacy of missions— State, Home, or Foreign. , Some of our members have said .that' if the work of missions was as important as I think it to be, our "pastor" would cer¬ tainly say something about it. I have told him this, and have on some few occasions urged him to speak in favor of the general or some special work, but it has always been done in such a lialf-hearted way as to be of little or no effect. The members of the club heretofore sent are able to pay for the Journal, and do more besides ; but under the Influence re¬ ferred to. they have lost interest in the work, and decline to renew. I dislike very much to find fault, or com¬ plain, but I have learned from experience and personal observation that1 much, very much of the cause of the meagreness of the gift of many of our churches to the cause of missions, lies at the doors of our pastors. I am glad to state, however, that г know some who are pastors indeed, and are doing their whole duty in this direction. Three years ago the churches in Japan .belonging to the American Presbyterian, the Reformed, (Dutch,) the German Re¬ formed, the Southern Presbyterian, and the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, united under the name of the United Church of Christ in Japan. Efforts are now being made to bring the churches con¬ nected with the American Board of Commis¬ sioners of Foreign Missions, (Congrega¬ tional,) into this union. Committees have been appointed and preliminaries arranged. The parent bodies in this country should follow suit, and so decrease the number .of "sects.” _ ' 1 The table of missionary statistics publish¬ ed by the Missionary , Review (or x8S6, sho ws that there, are 50 American organizations for carrying on foreign mission, work. These organizations represent a constitu¬ ency of 11,842,462 members. Their mis¬ sionary income is $3, 898.544- They have in the field 1,119 ordained. 144 lay, and 1,266 female foreign missionaries, with 1,272 ordained and 9,105 unordained native workers. They report 297,675 native com¬ municants, a gain of 22.069 ovet the year 1SS5. Read Miss Lottie Moon’s letter in this number of the Journal , and answer her question as to the larger doing of our Methodist sisters in foreign missions. Otlr women must arouse themselves, or be left in the race by their more energetic, If not more consecrated sisters of other denomi¬ nations. Who will respond to Miss Moon’s call for workers ? Who will furnish the means to send them out ? What an oppor¬ tunity for consecrating wealth to God’s service. Messrs. Cook & Sons, of London, so well known as managers of excursion parties In all parts of the world, have re¬ cently undertaken to conduct the annual pilgrimage of Mohammedans from. India to Mecca. A monster excursion party truly. What next ? The General Assembly of the Presbyte¬ rian church (North) proposes to the churches to raise $1,000,000 for foreign mis¬ sions during the present year. They raised $784,159.59 last year. A million of Southern Baptists fall short of $100,000. Why? FOR' CHRIST'S SAKE. When a teacher was wanted by the mis¬ sionary, Dr. Mason, of Burma, for the war¬ like Behais, he asked his boatman, Shapon, if he would go, and reminded him that, in¬ stead of the fifteen rupees a month, which he now received, he could have only four rupees a month as a teacher. After pray¬ ing over the matter, he came back, and Mr. Mason said, “Well, Shapon, what is your decision ? Can you go to. the . Bghats for four rupees a month ? ”• Shapon answered,-. “No, teacher, I could not go for four rupees a month, but lean do \tfor Christ. And for Christ's sake he did go.