Newspaper Page Text
September 18, 1912]
aad three are successful missionaries in
Africa.
Tuscaloosa. Ala.
\EW8 FROM THE CONGO BAND.
Egbert W. Smith.
Our people will be interested in. the
a.oonypanying letter from Mr. W. B.
6cott. captain of the L*apsley, our misc5nn
QTV on tho Prinirn Vf r
Scott la a Scot indeed, both by name
and nativity. As he is spending his
furlough in the land of his birth, he
was able to Tun down and meet the
Congo Band on their arrival in London
from Philadelphia.
228 Whitehall St., Dennistoun,
Glasgow, Scotland.
August 19, 1912.
Rov. Egbert W. Smith,
Dear Sir: I have been to London
meeting the African Volunteer Band.
They are indeed a fine company of
young folk and will I am sure make
splendid workers, lit does almost seem
too good to be true that they are all
for the Congo. We who have prayed so
long that others would come to the
help of the Lord in the Kassad district
lauuui uui rejoice ium our prayers are
being answered, and in such abundant
measure. It was a real pleasure to me
to join with tnem in their prayer meeting;
their prayers for you all, and for
each other were so definite.
They asked me to write to you explaining
why they are not all going
out on the same steamer. It is difficult
for those who have not been to the
Congo to understand the conditions
there, but I will do my best to make
it clear to >ou.
In the first place, Mr. Guyton, of the
Congo Balolo Mission at Leopoldville
said to me that if they were coming
out in t> ch large pir; -;u he could not
handle them. Then Mr. Harvey at <Matadi
said the same thing, and asked
me if possible not to let tbem come
out so many at a time. The reason is.
at those places wages are so high that
the miss.ccs cunoot keep a large staff
of men, and there are no men to b??
had Jn a push. At these places they
have other missions which they work
for as they do for the American Presbyterian
Congo Mission, besides their
own work; and as missionaries never
come out in such large bands there is
not accommodation for so many at one
time.
Then, worse still, there never was
a time when fresh food was so scarco
as it is now. This makes it most difficult
for those who have to entertain.
The ladles at Luebo would find it rather
too big a job at present. The greatest
difficulty is the Ijapsley, which is too
small for all of them together.
While the Band axe waiting in London
they are redeeming the time in
the very best wav nosslble bv stud vine
French, which will he necessary for
them In their dealings with the government.
At any time the State may
ni-ake it compulsory to teach French in
the schools. By getting a start Just
now, they will be able to continue it
?Q the way out, as It is spoken all
the time on the steamers.
Hoping by this you will understand
how they are placed, and what they
are doing, I am.
Yours very truly. W. B. Scott.
NOTES FROM CHINA.
Rev. H. F. Williams.
A Declaration by Yuan Shih-Kal.
It la stated In a recent issue of The
^'orth-China Herald that Yuan Shih-Kad,
the President of the Chinese Republic,
lBsued a statement almost entirely
Personal, in which he takes the people
lnto his confidence as to his past views
and present plans and purposes for
THE FRE8BYTERlJ
the future. The statement is as follows:
"I. Yuan Shih-Kai, from my earliest
youth have always admired the excellent
examples of Tang and Yu, who upheld
the empire without personal gain.
When I reached middle age I became
deeply convinced that the constitution
of Prance and America accorded with
the Ideas of our sages. Last year Wu
cnang raised the standard of revolt.
Other provinces followed and. hence,
after 2,000 years of despotism, republicanism
was established.
'^Having seen a long-cherished desire
fulfilled. I intended to retire and
become a peaceful citizen, but the people
forced upon me a responsibility
which I was obliged to take. 'I therefore
swore allegiance to the republic
and it has since been my duty to see
that no king or emperor reigned. Lately
there have been rumors of my unfaithfulness.
rumors that I wanted to
become another Napoleon. This I declare
to be due to misunderstanding
or to an attempt to serve private ends.
Since the establishment of the republic
the Powers have not recognized the
government and order has not been
wholly restored. Therefore this Is a
most critical time in the history of
China, and my position, which is extremely
difficult, calls for the sympathy
of the people. This matter affects the
general welfare of the country and I
hope the people will give It careful
consideration."
CONDITIONS IN NORTH KTANG8U.
There have been three tannines in this
district within three years?1907, 1911
and 1912?each adding to the other Its
weight of poverty, pain and distress.
During these famines and following
them there have been food riots and
hard times generally. The robbers, operating
generally at night, have been
bold and numerous. It Is stated that
In the famine of this year (1912) the
riotous conditions have exceeded that
of all other years. Thousands of homes
have been robbed in the daytime and
numbers of people have been kidnapped
AnH hpM fnr- ,onwtm
These famines have also been followed
by Bome results that are encouraging.
Experience In past famines has
enabled our missionaries and others
engaged In famine Tellef to handle the
situation with greater efficiency In the
way of providing work foT the people.
Canals have been dug, embankments
thrown up, and wherever possible, Instead
of distributing funds, It has been
arranged to pay men and women for
their labor In sufficient amount to sustain
life. It has had a wholesome effect
upon the morals of the people.
While recent reports contain accounts
of much Illness among the people, and
no little suffering. It Is also stated
that good harvests are expected. The
wheat crop In the famine region promises
to be good and the price of flour
Is consequently greatly reduced.
The missionaries of our Southern
Presbyterian Church have, as in fonmeT
years, stood in the forefront in the work
of famine relief during 1912. Day and
night they have labored among the people
at the risk of their lives, resulting
from unsanitary conditions. Their letters
do not complain of these conditions,
but rather rejoice in that out
of all the suffering there has come an
enlarged opportunity for the preaching
of the gospel. The people believe in
the men and the women who have ministered
to them in their suffering, and
thousands of them are making inquiry
about the "Jesus Doctrine" that prompts
these faithful servants of the Cross
freely to do so much for a people to
whom they could have no Interest except
from the standpoint of Christian
compassion.
IK or Til IIVII
THE TEXA8-MEXTCAN CAMP MEETieg.
For farming people and In mid-summer
there is perhaps no better means
for propagating the gospel among the
Mexicans in Texas than by the camp
meetings -which are held every summer
bv our MATlonn Pn*ihirtAr1?n?
group of five churches near San Marcos.
The sixteenth camp meeting conducted
by them was held this year from the
20th to the 28th of July at Martindale.
on the five-acre plot of ground which
our church at that place owns on the
San Marcos -river.
The same zeal and earnestness that
our Mexican brethren have always
shown at these encampments was manifested.
and the religious and brotherly
atmosphere which has always characterized
these meetings was not lacking.
The falling off in attendance was
unusual, but it is explained by the fact
that a great many of our members have
recently been compelled to mor? to
other parts of the State owing to the
influx of people from the Border, and
where they are better remunerated for
their labor.
Even as 1t was, there were 393 at
Sabbath school on Sunday, the 28th,
with perhaps 50 more on the grounds
outside of the tent.
One remarkable feature of the meeting;
this year was the prominent part
the children took in the services. Most
of them took seats at the front, with
Bible and hymn book In hand, and
Joined heartily in the singing, and followed
the Scripture reading in their
own Bibles.
Another unusual feature of the gathering
this year was the large number
of workers who came, that had not attended
before. rTrst, we had Mrs. Virginia
C. Staples, a missionary of the
Presbytery of Western Texas, who made
an Instructive talk to the women especially,
through" an interpreter.
We had also Rev. Alexander H. Sutherland,
the veteran Methodist missionary,
who began preaching to the Mexicans
in Texas as far baek as 1874, and
tO Whom iB due more fhni? ty".
man the splendid work the M. U.
Church, South, has had among the Mexicans
in Texas. It was a pleasure and
a privilege to have had him at tho
camp meeting and to hear his strong,
soul-stlrrng sermons.
Another brother whom we had with
us for the first time was Rev. Antonio
B. Carrero, who recently joined the
Presbytery of Dallas, and who la In
charge of the 'Mexican Presbyterian
church of Dallas.
Mr. Carrero was one of the leaders
in the "Independent Movement" among
Protestants In Mexico and Texas, but
has now cast in his lot with us. He is
a son of Rev. Eilwuritn r.nr.renn a
number of years associated with the
late Dr. A. T. Grayblll.
Rev. Ramon Ixypez y Lopez, in charge
of the Mexican Methodist church at
San Marcos, was another invited guest.
He is a Spaniard and had studied for
the priesthood;
Of the members of our Texas-Mexican
Presbytery all were present excepting
R. D. Campbell, C. R. Womeldorf
and J. O. Cavazos.
The sunrise services, as always, wer*
spiritual and helpful. Three Instructive
object lessons were given; one on
the obstacles that keep souls from coming
to Christ; another aimed to illustrate
the need of inward regeneration,
and the third was an exhortation to
treat "our dumb friends" more kindly.
To make this more effective, a horse,
a cow, a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a
parrot were placed at the front close
to the platform.
The entertainment given the large
number of children present on Satur
(10?9) 15
day afternoon was one of the moot delightful
features of ths whole enoaimpment.
Twenty-two new members were added
to the churches, and over a score
of children were baptised.
The entire expenses of the camp
meeting, which were fully $107, were
paid before the close.
Rev. E. Trevino, the evangelist of
that field, and the Elders and Deacons
Association, who conducted the camp
meeting, are to be congratulated upon
the splendid work done. "W. S. S.
Beware how you regard as trifling
faults which appear of little consequenc.
You weigh them, and think
them nothing; but count them and you
would be frightened at their number.?
St. Augustine.
If a man. while devoutly engaged In
prayer, were called by some duty 1n
the providence of God to cease therefrom
and cook a broth for some sick
person, or any other such service, he
should do so willingly and with great
Joy.?John Tauler.
TIME AND rLACE OF PRESBYTER I At.
MEETINGS.
Synod of Alabama,
East Alabama. Qabbstt. near MUstead,
Oct. 22. 7:10.
North Alabama, Handley Mem., Birmingham.
Oct. 22, 7:80.
Tuscaloosa, Catherine, Oct. 16, 7:30.
Synod of Arlusnaas.
Arkansas. Cottar. Oet 17, 7:30.
Ouachita, Worable, Oct. 22. 7:80.
Pine BlufC, Fordyce, Oct. 22, 7:30.
Washburn, Bethel ch? Cane Hill, Sept.
26. 7:30.
Synod of Florida.
Florida. Madison, Nov. 7, 7:30.
St. Johns. Lakeland, Oct. 16, 7:20.
Suwanee, Riverside ch., Jacksonville,
Oct. 29, 3:00.
Synod of Georafa.
amena, Comer, Sept. 24. 8 P. M.
Atlanta, College Parle, Sept. 24, 8:00.
Augusta, Mtlledgevllle, Oct. ?, 7:88.
Cherokee, Ringgold, Sept. 24, 7:80.
Macon, VlneviUe ch.. Macon, Oct 22, 7:88.
Synod of Kenteekr,
Ebenezer, 1st ch., MUlersburg, Sept. 24.
7:80.
Muhlenburg. Newstead cb., Sept 24. 7:20.
Transylvania, Burnelde, Sept 24, 7:80.
West Lexington. Plsgah en., Woedferd
county, Sept. 24, 7:20.
Syaod of Lonlslaaa.
Louisiana, Lake Charles. Oct 22, 7:30.
New Orleans, Prytanla St. ch., N. O., Oct
IB, 7:30.
Red River, Alabama St cb., Choudrant
Oct 22, 2:20.
Syaod of Mississippi.
Central Mississippi, Camden ch., Oct. 24.
East Mississippi, Walnut Creek ch., Oct
22 7*30 P. M
Meridian, Eatonville. Oct 22, 7:30.
Mississippi, Red Lick, Oct. 16, 7:20
P. M.
North Mississippi, Sand Springs cn?
Taylor. Sept. 24, 7:30.
Synod of Missouri.
Upper Missouri, Barbee Mem., Excelsior
Springs, Sept 24, 7:30.
Synod of North Carolina.
Albemarle, Littleton, Sept 26, 8:00.
"
...... go., macon county, Sept.
24, 8:00.
Concord, Concord (Iredell), Sept. 24, 2:80.
F&yettevllle. St. Pauls. Sept. 24, 2:00.
Mecklenburg, Hopewell oh., Mecklenburg
county, Sept. 24, 8:00.
Orange, Bethel ch., Guilford county,
Sept. 24, 2:00.
Wilmington. Clarkton, Sept. 24.
Synod of South Carolina.
Bethel. Fort Mill, Sept. 24, 8:00.
Charleston, McClellanvllle, Oot 1, 8:00.
Rnoree, let oh., Spartanburg, Oot. 1, 8:00.
Harmony, Beulah ch., Olanta, Oct. 8, 8:00.
Piedmont, Walhalla. Sept. 24, 8:00.
South Carolina, Denalds, Sept. 24, 7:80
Synod of Tennessee.
Columbia, Fayettevllle, Sept. 24, f.tb.
Holston. Mooresburg, Sept. 28, 7:80.
Memphis, White Haven, Sept. 24, 7:80.
Western District, Denmark, Sept. 24. 7:80.
Synod of Texas.
Brazos. Bryan, Oct. 1st.
Brownwood. Winters, Sept 27, 11:00.
Dallfcs, Petrolla, Sept. 24, 8:00.
Rastern Texas, Tenaha, Sept 27, 11:00.
Fort Worth a?~. ? "
? - ? t mw ?vu, *n, f . O U.
Paris, Center ch., Eldervllle, Sept. 26.
7:30.
Western Texas, Westminster ch., Saa
Antonio, Oct. 4, 8 P. M.
Synod of V train I a.
Past Hanover, Emporia. Sept 80, 8:00.
Kanawha, 2nd ch., Huntington, W. Va?
Sept. 24. 8:00.
T.exlngton, Millboro, Oct. 8. 8:30.
Winchester, Piedmont, W. Va., Oct. 1,
8:00.
Ebenezer?Laymen's Conference on
September 26, In connection with the
Presbytery on Home Missions and "Assembly's
Plan."
Mississippi?Sessions will send up contingent
fund 7c. per capita.
Holston?Conveyances will meet the
members at RuasellvlUe on the arrival
of the local trains from the east and
west at 8:10 P. M., September 26.
J. ?. C.