Foreign Mission Journal, October 1889

Foreign Mission Journal. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTUERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. O>!'0 "Л “ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN • AND IN EARTH. GO YE, THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS." Vol. 2i — New Series. RICHMOND, VA., OCTOBER, 1889. No. 3 — Whole No. 255 (Entered at the Poet-Otoce at Richmond, Va., as second-class matter.] Foreign Mission Journal. RATES PER ANNUM : X. For paper, eepamtely addressed, either to same jr to different post offices; One copy.. . 39 c ts. . 33 Hots, apiece. Three copies @11, or. . XI. For nackssces sent to one person, who shall be responsible for their distribution: Four copies fort), or more at . - . 25cts. apiece. rwenty-ffre copies for 39. or more at 20cts. apiece. One Hundred copies for $19, ormorent..l6cts. apiece. «-Plense remit by Draft. Postal Order, or In Пере- tered better, «nil notify ns phoui-tly of any chance In address. Address. FOREIGN MISSION JOURNAL, Richmond, Va. ADVERTISING RATES. 8ГАОЕ. 1 Monlb. s Months e Months 12 Months One Inch . 1 29 3 46 6 60 12 00 Two Inches . 1 ЧН в 4 5 12 50 22 50 Threelncbes . 3 60 9 2 U 18 00 32 CO Quarter column.,. 4 26 1Я 00 25 00 “j Half column . . 9 29 23 25 48 0П 90 00 18 00 60 00 92 60 178 00 FOREIGN MISSION BOARD OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION, I.ooatkd at RIOIIMONI). VIRGINIA. PKI6IDCHT— II. H. IlAtllllS. Vio*-rnii8iD«HW _ Toshna Lererlnc, Md.,O.W. Tomxles. La.. Л. B. Owen, Va., N. A. Dailey. Fla.. J. L. White, N.O., G. F. Jlacby, Ky.. W. O. Bled¬ soe, Alabama, 3. P. Greene. Mo.. II. H. Carroll. Psia* W. L. Kilpatrick, Ga., A. J.S. Thomas, S.O. R. J. Wllllocliam, Tenn., J. H. Searcy, Ark., George Whitfield. Miss.. W. F. Allklsson, W. Va. OonnieroffDlHO SicniTxnY— II. A. TUPPER. Assistant sccnitTAnY. T. P. BELL. Тпялбонхп— J. O. WILLIAMS. RkCOHDINO SlCBBTARY— A. B. CLARKB. Aoditor-H. O. BURNETT. BOARD or Mahaobrs.— II. К. ЕНуаоп. О. II. Wlo- ston, W. F„ Hatcher, J. Pollard, fr., S. O. Oiop- ton. J B. Iluuon, W. fi. Thomas, W W. Landrum, Geo. Cooper. О. II. Rvlnnd, II. C. Burnett, T. P. Mathewe. R. II. Pitt. It.S. Ilosher, J L. М. Curry, Theo. Whimold. t&~AU communications in reference to the business of this Hoard should be addresscdlo H. A. Tupper, Corresponding Secretary, Richmond, Va. A NOTE OF WARNING. In response to the demands of brethren in various parts of the country, and in obe¬ dience to the command of the churches through their representatives in the South¬ ern Baptist Convention, the Board has very largely increased its missionary force. With this conies, of course, very large increase of ouliay on the part of the Board, demanding in turn largely increased giving on the part of the churches. The increase in force has been made and cannot be unmade ; the increased ouliay is going on every day and cannot be checked ; the increase of giving is but little seen or felt as yet. Last year the Board had for expenditure, in round numbers, $ioo,ooo. This year it must have $150.000. an increase of fifty per cent. Its expenditures have been increased in this ra¬ tio, How have its receipts increased? From May 1, to August 21, 1888, the receipts were $12,867.71. Between the same dates in 1SS9, they have been $13,761.03, less than $900 increase. What is the result? There can be b8t one— a larger debt in the banks than was ever known at this season of the year. We trust that brethren will not think and speak of this as 11 the debt of the Board.” So to do, leads them to feel that somehow this debt is an obligation on the Board alone, and that they themselves are not in¬ volved. It is the debt of the Baptist churches of the South and the obligation to meet it rests upon every individual member of the churches. This debt is large, and unless some im¬ mediate increase in contributions is made, must grow larger still. A party of mission¬ aries leave for China and Japan in October. These are already drawing for their outfits, and soon their traveling expenses must be met. All this, over and above the regular quarterly drafts from the field. How long is this thing tocontinue ? How long are the churches going to compel their Board to carry on their Lord’s work on credit ? How long are the banks, instead of the churches, to supply the needs of our Lord’s workers abroad ? How long is our work to be subject to all the dangers that attend upon work done on the credit sys¬ tem? We hope and believe that the churches will furnish the money needed for our work this year. It will be paid in before the books close in April next. But mean while what may not happen ? A panic in Wall Street might close every bank against us in n day and ruin the Board’s credit all over the world. But even if nothing of this sort should occur, we submit that it is not right for the churches to compel the Board tb carry the financial burdens it docs, when there is really no necessity therefor. A lit¬ tle exertion on the part of pastors and churches would easily prevent it, by keep¬ ing the treasury supplied. We would be glad to have our denomi- lional papers call the attention of pastors and churches to this matter. SALLIE R. BROWN MISSIONARY TO JAPAN, We have long wished and hoped that the Lord would open the heart of some South ern Baptist to undertake the support of one of our missionaries. This hope has at last been realized. Hon. J. R. Brown, of Can¬ ton, Georgia, has agreed to pay the ex¬ penses out, and support for some years, one of our new missionaries going soon to Japan. This brother Brown does in memory of a beloved daughter, who was, a short time ago, called to her heavenly home. It is probable that Bro. J. A. Brim son, of South Carolina, will be the one chosen. The only condition .attached to Bro. Brown's offer is that the name of the daughter shall be perpetuated in connec tion with the work of her representative, and the chosen missionary will be known as the " Sallie R. Brown ” missionary. May the Lord’s approval rest upon this arrangement, and may great blessing flow to the heart of the bereaved parent from the work done in the daughter’s name among the heathen. MOVEMENTS OF MISSIONARIES. Miss Alice M. Flagg expected to leave Boston on September 16th, to join the other out-going missionaries in San Fran¬ cisco in the early part of October. She goes to Shanghai. A party of nine will sail from San Fran cisco on the steamer “Belgic," October 17th. Of these, four go to Japan, three to North, one to Central, and one to South China. Three men and six women. William Whitsitt Chastain and his twin- sister Effie arrived at Matehuala, Mexico, August iSth. They are fine vocalists, and speak the Spanish language as well as they do English I If it is the pleasure of the good Lord to spare their lives, may they one day become missionaries indeed , and far more efficient than their parents can ever hope to be. How many good people will unite with us in prayer to this end?— У. G. Chastain, Matehuala , Mexico. Mrs. J. L. Sanford is taking a temporary rest in Swatow, China. Dr. Graves says, “She works so energetically that she will soon break down unless she rests for a while.” Rev. G. P. Bostick and family, with Miss Fannie S. Knight, have safely reached Tung Chow. They had a pleasant trip. Already they see the great need of more laborers. Rev. Mr. McCloy will begin his labors with our Canton Mission on October 1st. Bro. Simmons considers him a valuable accession to our working force there. Miss Emma Morton has arrived in Rio dc Janeiro. She had an attack of fever before arrival, but lias entirely recovered, and when she wrote, was ready to begin work. We extend our hearty congratulations and best wishes to Bro. and sister McCollum. God bless them as they go to Japan to do the work of the Lord. In the hollow of his hand may he keep them.— Ed. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Collins heartily invite you to the marriage of their daughter, Dru, to J. W. McCollum, Wednesday, Septem¬ ber n, 18S9, at 8:30 o’clock, a. m.; Macon Baptist church, Gailion, Ala. Our missionaries are all over-worked, and are all asking for helpers. Men and women are asking to be sent. But since May 1st the churches have sent in for the work only some $14,000. How can we send any more workers out ? O, for a "re¬ vival of giving.” MINUTES OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION— WHAT BECOMES OF THEM? Each year, forseveral years past, the Con¬ vention has directed its Secretaries to print 7,500 copies o( the Minutes for distribution. This direction they have carried out prompt¬ ly and well. Within less than a week after the Convention adjourns, a neat, well ar¬ ranged, and z'fo't/n/Hffifcpamphlet is Issued, and it is announced that copies are read у for distribution. What becomes of these Min¬ utes? We attempt to answer in part, and shall be glad to have others answer for the rest. And our answer is based on obser¬ vation and experience. A few, several hundred perhaps, are sent directly by the Secretary. Dr. Lansing Burrows, to such members of the Conven¬ tion as give him their names and addresses at the meeting of that body. Several hun¬ dred more are sent to each of the Boards, Home and Foreign, to be used by them in their work during the year. The others, and the bulk of them, are sent to various parties iu the several States, through whom it is thought they can be best distributed to such brethren in these States as wish them and will pay the postage on them. We take it for granted that this is done in all the States, since we know it is done in Virgin¬ ia— the Foreign Mission Rooms being made the distributing point for that State— and South Carolina, as we learn from notice in the Baptist Courier. This is the best ar¬ rangement the Secretary can make, he not being directed to do any thing else. Our experience with those sent to us has been about as follows : Last year we gave notice through the Religious Herald , that the Minutes were in hand, and that a copy would be sent to any one who would send the postage, three cents. About twenty, perhaps thirty, copies were sent for, and the rest lay unused in a box until summer, when we endeavored with but partial suc¬ cess, to get them distributed at the Associa¬ tions. We have been informed that this was. in large measure, labor lost, as very few copies were ever carried away from the Associations. This year some twentycopies were sent for, and again hundreds were left on our hands. We found it difficult to arrange for having them carried to the Asso¬ ciations, and were in doubt What to do with them. But at the suggestion of Bro. H, K. Ellyson, we treated them as containing valuable missionary information, and so coming under the order of the Convention to disseminate missionary information, and mailed a copy to each active minister in Virginia. We trust good use will be made of them. What has been done with them in other States ? Judging from the notices in the Baptist Courier, we suspect that Bro. Hoyt did not succeed in distributing all that were sent to him for South Carolina. And from the fact (1) that we frequently have to give away the two or three copies we carry to State Conven¬ tions to brethren who have to make reports, and (2) that we sometimes ask in vain for a copy when stopping with pastors, we are led to fear that comparatively few of the many copies printed ever find their way into the hands of pastors or readers of any kind. Is not this one reason why so many pastors know so little about the Board's work. Now the issuing of these Minutes is very expensive. Last May, the two Boards, Home and Foreign, reported, each $332.93, as paid to Southern Baptist Convention. A very large part of this was for Minutes, and that in addition to the expense of printing their annual reports which are used in the Minutes. The question arises, is it wise to spend so much 'money on Minutes, if they are not distributed? Would it not be better to print fewer copies of these, and let each of the Boards use its own printed report, such as is circulated at the Convention, as a tract for distribution among the churches? For our part we believe the Minutes are well worth all they cost, and indeed are worth so much that the Convention ought not only to have them printed, but au¬ thorize some one to use the additional means that would be necessary to put a copy in the hands of every white Baptist preacher in the South, leaving some for such other preachers as might desire to have them. They are exceedingly valuable mis¬ sionary documents, and with the denomi¬ national statistics, so ably compiled by Dr. I-ansing Burrows attached, we cannot see how any pastor can afford to be without a copy. HISTORY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA. - Tills is the title of a neat volume of some 350 pages, written by Dr. H. A. Tupper, D.D. It is the history of the First Baptist churcli of Charleston, S. C., during the two hun¬ dred years of its existence, 1683-1883. But so closely lias this church been identified with the Baptist history of the State, so potent have been the influences for good that have gone forth from her to bless the whole State, that she may well be styled "the First Baptist Church of South Caro¬ lina.” This book is an exceedingly valuable contribution to the history of our denoml nation, and is very interesting, being writ ten by a son of the church, into the record of whose life he has not only put much re search, but into which he lias poured a son’s love. In addition to other valuable historical material, the volume contains the “ Bi-centennial Papers and Addresses " which were prepared by Drs. B. Manly, Tupper, Curry and others, on the occasion of the bi-centennial celebration of the church, in connection with the session of the Baptist State Convention in 1883. A short chapter is devoted to “Work Among the Negroes," which, while relating facts commonly known among our own people, will afford interesting and, we trust, profit able reading for some who, at this late day, seem to think that nobody ever tried to bring the negroes to the knowledge of the truth until they began. But such will read it and glorify themselves still, while they forget the labors of love that the old slave-owners put forth for their slaves. But God knows. This work was prepared at the request of and for the First Baptist churcli of Charleston. Persons desiring copies can address Rev. R. W. Lide, Charleston, S. C. SCRAPS PICKED UP. Two missionaries of the China Inland Mission have begun work in Thibet, having entered from the side of China, wearing Chinese dress . Over thirty-five mil lion dollars worth of opium is imported into China yearly, and twice that much raised at home . “If a churcli pays more for music than for missions, does it not thereby profess that it cares more for gratifying self than for saving souls?” . The Moravians have attempted an en trance into Thibet from the South. The people, while friendly, warned them that Europeans would be kept out of their country by force, if necessary . The Y. M. C. A. seeks to enter China . The fidelity of some Chinese converts may be learned from a nickname given a few of them living near Shao-wu. They are there called the “ Kneel-in-bed sect,” and some heathen declared that the Christians always went to sleep on their knees. In the place and at the time when their neigh¬ bors would suppose they would be asleep, these Christians were at prayer . The King of Belgium has invited a conference of the powers which took part in the Berlin Conference about the Congo, to consider the two great evils — the slave trade and the rum traffic. May the Lord direct this conference and show them how to check these evils . “Strictly speaking, polyg¬ amy is not practiced at present in Japan. Indeed, it has never been legal : the law acknowledges only one wife. But concu¬ binage is not uncommon. In many re¬ spectable households there is a concuhine — perhaps two, or even three.” . The Bel¬ gian Chambers have voted a subscription of ten million francs toward the cost of the Congo railway. This seems to insure its construction . All that tends to ex¬ cite and maintain a spirit of vital godliness and living faith will tend to excite and maintain a missionary spirit.— Rev. J. C. Whiting. The German Mission Reports, found among the correspondence in this number of the Magazine, will be read with painful interest. They tell of an unusual amount of opposition to the preaching of a pure gospel. It is indeed, evident, from the re¬ ports of our own missionaries, and from those of other evangelical laborers, that there is a greatly increased opposition to "the SecLs,"as they are called, in all the countries of Central Europe. The success of the wotk has aroused bitter persecution, and the priests and clergy especially seem determined to harass and punish as much as possible those who love and labor for a pure gospel. The governments, also, which have, formerly regarded infractions. of the religious laws with considerable indiffer¬ ence, are becoming more severe in punish¬ ing any departure from the “established” forms of religious worship. Russia has even outlawed the Lutheran Church. All tills should lead us to more sympathy and prayer for our brethren in Central and East¬ ern Europe. We know that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work," but we are assured that in due time he shall be de¬ stroyed. — Baptist Miss'y Magazine. Still do the “ Kings of the eartli set them¬ selves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed.” But the signs of the times are that "the Lord shall have them in derision.” Pray for the persecuted ones. But for all .this, the Chinaman is “a great waster." The waste of idolatry is enor¬ mous. No Chrislian church gives such a proportion of their income for the of our Lord as do the Chinese for he rites. Rev. Mr. Noyes, of Canton, mates that two hundred million dollars are spent on ancestral worship alone. Of nine persons whom he asked their Income and outlay for idol worship annually, the ratio of expense to income varied from a trifle less than one-fifth to over one-third ; none so small as a tithe. During1 the cholera season in Swatow last year, thou¬ sands upon thousands of dollars were squandered upon offerings, processions, and theatres, enough to have cleansed the city for a year. — Exch. If Christians would give the tithe — smaller though it is than the smallest gift of the heathen Chinaman — this “waste of idolatry ” would soon cease, and the gold and silver would be for the glory of our Lord. Reader, how much do you give? Ten of the principal churches of Boston, including the largest and the strongest, spent last year nineteen thousand dollars for church music, and gave six thousand dollars for foreign missions. Is that what we have been redeemed for, that we should call in the minstrels, the singing men and the singing women, to enable us, at such sumptuous expense, to be at ease in Zion, when a thousand million of heathen are perishing, and calling for our utmost help to rescue them from eternal perdition ? “ Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” says Christ. And there is no denying the solemn law which our Sa¬ viour here Tays down. — Dr. el. J. Cordon. We sometimes fear that the luxuries in¬ dulged in by many of our churches will rise up and condemn them in the judgment. Thousands of dollars for fine churches, fine music, fine church decorations— only hundreds, if so much, for the salvation of souls. How does Jesus look on these things ? Rev. Jno. Jones, of the London Missionary Society, late of Mare, writes to us on the need for regular and continuous effort for the maintenance of missionary work abroad. He advocates a weekly as well as annual contribution by those who desire the coming of Christ’s kingdom. He truly says : We know the necessity of a weekly con¬ tribution for home work. Should there not also be a thought for the heathen at the le time? Our forefathers were heathen, I we should be so now but for the Gos- of Christ. Our immense worldly pros- . ity is the result of Christianity having permeated our nation. What have we that we have not received ? Then says the Mas¬ ter, "Freely ye have received, freely give.” We lack faith and consecration enough to put our foreign on the same footing with our home work. Why should we not do it? How greatly God would bless us if we did I When ICo-chet-thing, a Karen convert, visited America, he was urged on a certain occasion to address a congregation in re¬ spect to their duty to send out and support more missionaries. After a moment of downcast thoughtfulness he asked, with evident emotion, “Has not Jesus Christ told them to do it?" "Oh, yes,” was the reply; “but we wish you to remind them of their duty.” ‘\Oh, no I ” said the Karen, if they will not obev Jesus Christ, they will not obey me.” — The Chrislian Secre¬ tary. Not unfrequently converts from. heathen¬ ism teach us lessons of faith and obedience which our dulled hearts and minds, have failed to learn for themselves.- “ Has'not Jesus Christ told them to do it?'";, Brother you are. one of them,,, Howiare. you.pbey- ing? . , . . jt/HuPni