Foreign Mission Journal, September 1886

FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL. _ PubllHhcd Monthly by tlio foreign Mission Board of tlio Southorn Baptist Convention. ‘all POWER IS GIVIGN UNTO MU IN IIEAVEN AND IN EARTH. GO YE. THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS.” Vol. 18— New Series RICHMOND, VA„ SEPTEMBER, 1886, No. 2.— Whole No. 218 DR. YATiiS RESTING. f Г,п1ргрс1 ill Ibo !*o»l-Oll\fb lit KicJimoiui, Vn„ ne M>coii<l-cliiA» matter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM: I. For paper» «epnmtely MlilreHrd, t-Ulier io some or [o UltfiMTilt |H)II Olliers : One copy . 35 els. Thrrr copies Л? H, or . 33Hets. apiece. II. For package* scut lo onr person, who shall be responsible (or tliclr illslrlbutton: Four copies for *1, or more at . 25 cts. apiece. Twenty-five copies for M. or тоги at . 2u cts. apiece. One Ilunilrert copies for fill, or more at.. If, cts apiece1 «-Please remit by limit, Postal Order, or In Regie* tered I.elier, and notify us piiomitly of any change In address, Address, FOREIGN MISSION IOURNAI-, Richmond, Va, FOREIGN MISSION BOARD *OF THE 80UTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. I/M, ATS d at niOHMONb. VIRGINIA I'uxsipent— И. И. 11л Kills. Vlcs-PnssiDSKTS. — Jos hurl Levering. Aid.. (?. W. Tomktee. I,n„ С. II. Wlntlon. Vn„ N. A. Ilallev, Fla.. Tbeo. Whitfield, N.O., 4. V. Rngby, JC.V..J. J. b Ren- (roe. Alabama. R. S. Duncan. Mo., It II. Carroll, Tease, W. I.. Kilpatrick, Cla., Chas. Manly, S. 0., J. M. Srnter. Tenn . .1. It. Searcy, Ark . George WbltflelJ, Miss,, W. F. Altklsson, W. Va. Con nits pond I mo SccneTAHV— II. A. TCPPF.Ii Тнклыткп— J. <J. WII.I.IAMS, UecOrdihu Ssciuitauv-A. II. CLARKE. ADDiTon-JOSEl'II F. COTTRELL Волпр or Mamaokus.— II, К Ellyson. I. It. Win¬ ston, W. E. Hatcher. I '.V, Jones, .1. Pollard, Jr.. S. (I. Cloplon. J II Hutson, W. 0. Thomas, W. W. Landrum, W J. Shipman. Geo. Ocoper. R. W. Powers, C. H.Rylnnd* It. . . Hurneil, T. 1*. Mathews. tSyAll communications in reference to tire business of this Hoard should be addressed to H. A. Tupper, Corresponding Secretary, Richmond, Га. CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT. In the July number of the Journal Dr. J. W. Jones used the following true language concerning Dr. И. H. Harris, who has for several years so ably edited this paper : “ In the retirement ol this honored brother from the editorial chair the Journal has lost an able and wise editor, whose wide informa¬ tion, varied scholarship, and facile pen will be sadly missed.” Probably no one felt the force of these words so deeply as the man who, without any experience in editorial work, and tvitli very little in writing for pub¬ lication at nil, was considering what seemed to him a call from God to enter on the work of assistant to tiie Corresponding Secretary of the Foreign Mission lioard, which work involved the editorship of the Journal. A raw recruit might well shrink from being suddenly placed in command of a division of an army, especially when that division had previously been under command of an experienced and skillful officer. So shrinks the present editor from the position as¬ signed him. Yet, convinced of his duty in the matter, he proposes to do the work to the best of his ability, bringing to it neither special gifts nor previous training, only a heart full of love for the Master’s cause, an eager desire to advance that cause, and a determination to do faithfully that which his hands find to do. Is it too much for him to ask of bis brethren, all over the South, a hearty sympathy and earnest co-operation in his endeavors tomake the Journal even more effective than ever in diffusing among our churches missionary information, and eliciting their hearty and intelligent efforts in missionary work ? To accomplish any good the Journal must be read by the people— to do the greatest possible good it must be read by the largest possible number of people. Pastors can do Wuch towards bringing about this result. But pastors can not do it all ; oftentimes private members of the churches can do more Hum the pastors. Will not eacli reader of the Journal assist in increasing its circula¬ tion, and thus help on the work it is designed lo accomplish? May the Lord bless this little sheet, its editor, its correspondents and its readers, that by and through it and them, His name may be glorified and his work made to prosper. SELF-SUPPORT. So much has been said on this subject of late that possibly some are growing tired of it. We do not propose to discuss the sub¬ ject in this article, but simply to call atten¬ tion to the practical work in this direction which has recently been done in the Canton mission. The letters of Drs. Simmons and Graves will show the progress they are making towards the solution of the problem in that field. The lioard, some time ago, while declining to adopt any fixed rules on this subject, yet urged upon all its missionaries the impor¬ tance of training the native Christians to habits of self-dependence in church work. It it gratifying to know that some of our missionaries are making rapid progress in so doing, brother Simmons gives an ac¬ count ol an effort made by him to induce the Shin Hing church to purchase the chapel which they had been renting for more than ten years, and of the success of his effort. The native Christians now' own six chapels in the Canton mission. Is not the question of self-support work¬ ing itself out in Canton ? Will it not do so elsewhere, under the wise direction of our consecrated missionaries ? DAY OF PRAYER FOR MISSIONS. The Foreign Mission Hoard, in its last re¬ port to the Convention, suggested that a par¬ ticular time be recommended by the Conven¬ tion, when our people might unite in special prayer for God’s blessing on the work of missions. The committee to whom this part of the report was referred endorsed the suggestion in these words: "We earnestly join in the request of the Hoard for united prayer lor the success of our missions, for the higher consecration of our people, and the revival of the missionary spirit.” The Convention adopted this report, but did not appoint any special time to be observed by the churches. Several missionary bodies, however, both in this country and in Eng¬ land, have united in recommending Sunday, November 7th, as a day of special prayer for missions. It is hoped that our pastors and churches will unite with their brethren elsewhere in the observance of this day— a day when we shall pray for our own mis¬ sionaries, and for all others as well. Among other objects, let not the various Mission Hoards be forgotten. They need the guid¬ ance and direction of the spirit as much as do the missionaries. Would it not be well, too, to observe the same day as one of special gifts to the Lord's treasury— that the prayers and alms of the people may ascend together to God ? Acts 10: 31. Will not our denominational papers call attention to this suggestion, and urge its adoption by all our people? In a private letter from Saltillo, dated August 15th, Dr. Tupper says: “I start to¬ morrow, as the doctor thinks my daughter can stand the journey." Many readers of the Journal will rejoice to see from the above that God has anwered the prayers of his people in sparing the life of our devoted missionary, Miss Mary Tup¬ per, and is blessing her with returning health. Now let us not forget to thank Him. Dr. Tupper will return to the United States, but will be compelled at once to seek refuge in the mountains from the at¬ tack of his inveterate enemy, hay fever. In a brief note Dr. Yates says: "On ac¬ count of over work, my doctor ordered me here (Chefoo) for a complete rest for n few months. I am better, but not entirely free from bad indications. I shall expect Mrs. Yates in a week or so. When she comes 1 shall have more perfect rest of mind." Our readers will remember that in the last number of the Journal Dr. Yates speaks of having over-taxed his powers, and of suffer¬ ing from dizziness, which caused him to stagger and almost fall while preaching. We are glad that he has heeded the “ danger signal " and called a halt, and sincerely j hope the rest he is taking will completely restore his health. I11 another late letter Dr. Yates says that he has had fourteen years of consecutive hard work, with sore afflictions. Fourteen years of consecutive hard work! How sweet rest must be to our aged brother. Let us pray for him that he may be entirely restored to health and long be spared to us for the work of the Lord. PINING FORGATHERINGSOFTHE BRETHREN During the next few months, nearly, if not quite all of the brethren at home, will enjoy the delights of meeting together in associa¬ tions and conventions. How much of pleasure and strength and inspiration for the work we all derive from these annual gatherings. How much we lose when de¬ prived of the privilege of attending them. As we look into each other’s eyes, grasp each other’s hands, and talk together of the work done and to be done for the Master, we feel that we are not alone, but in a great army, battling together for God. If we, who are working among Christian people, and meet Christians every day, need the inspiration of these meetings, how much more do the missionaries, working as they are among the heathen and surrounded ever by the evil associations of heathen life ? Yet the missionaries are deprived of these meet¬ ings. Those who most need them have them least. These thoughts were suggested by the following, from brother Simmon’s last letter from China: "We have just received the paper accounts of the Convention at Montgomery, and we rejoice to learn that you had such a good meeting. We often pine, as in a desert, for such meetings. I think one of the greatest trials of the mis¬ sionary is to be denied such spiritual and social privileges as our conventions afford.” Brethren, let us heed the words that close the letter: “Pray for us.” Let us pray for them in our associations and conventions, that God would supply all their needs through his gracious spirit. PLANS. Within the last few weeks we have heard very much said about plans to be adopted for increasing interest in and contributions to our various mission works. Almost every one with whom we have spoken, sug¬ gests a different plan, and feels assured that his particular plan could be worked to ad¬ vantage, and, if worked, would produce the best results. From this much talk about plans we have come to the conclusion that, in the present condition of things in the South, no one plan could be adopted whicli would suit all cases, and be acceptable to all parties, A plan that would work well in our city churches would not do so in many country fields. One that would accomplish the best results in a section of country where inter¬ est in missions is deep and intelligent, would be found utterly unsuited for another sec¬ tion, where this interest is either entirely lacking, or is very weak. Prejudices would have to be overcome in one place whicli are utterly unfeit and unknown in another. For example, at an association we visited a short time ago, an intelligent lady tokl us that the difficulty lying in the way of the formation of missionary societies was found to be a fear on the part of tiie pastors that these so¬ cieties would interfere with the regular church work, and do a work that would be independent of the church. In other associa¬ tions their formation is encouraged by pas¬ tors as of the greatest help to them in de¬ veloping the missionary spirit in the churches. And so it is that the varying condition of things all over our land prevents the adop¬ tion and working of any one particular plan. What then? Why this. Let every earnest lover of missions, in council with as many kindred spirits as lie can find, consider care¬ fully the condition of affairs about him, study out, with the help of tiie Lord, such a plan as lie thinks will suit for the particular church and section in which he works, and then go to work on that plan. Let him work it for all it is worth in the field about him. If it proves to be a good one lie might tell the brethren about it through tiie papers, that they may try it too. If it proves un¬ successful, drop it and try another. But let us all remember that no plan can possibly work ilself; while on tiie other hand almost any plan will accomplish some good results if worked. What our cause needs most is not plans, but earnest work by earnest workers. The church that does most for others, near and afar off, will have most done for it by Him who is Head of the Church, and whose heart yearns over all. — A. C. Thomp¬ son, D. D. The truth above stated was forcibly illus¬ trated by the reports of churches made to an association we recently attended in Vir¬ ginia. The churches whicli reported the largest amounts contributed for missions, also reported the largest numbers of addi¬ tions, and their letters indicated the largest amount of spiritual life. Almost without exception, those churches which reported no gifts to missions, complained of great cold¬ ness and spiritual depression, and begged for the prayers of the brethren, that the Lord would have mercy on them. If their tithes were brought into the store-house of the Lord would not their cry of distress soon be changed to one of joy and gladness ? Mai. iii: S-12. A SLIGHT CHANGE. We would call the attention of tiie brethren to a slight change in the acknowledgment of receipts for foreign missions as published in the Journal. The receipts for each month will bo given as heretofore, but in addition we will give tiie total of each State's contributions from the beginning of the financial year, May 1st. This will enable brethren to ascertain at the end of each month exactly how much the several States have given, and how much of their quota still remains unpaid. See what your State has done, dear reader, consider how much remains to be done, and go to work. The northern Presbyterian Board is troubled, as are all others doing work in Western Africa, by the climate, which is so fatal to foreigners. The question is raised whether colored missionaries should not be employed. There is no idea of giving up the work. Souls are to be saved. The native Christian communicants in India are estimated at about 528,000, and they are. growing at an increasing ratio.