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Our Pulpit.
SYSTEM A TIO BENEFICENCE.
f An idlres- delivered J*nu«ry 2M, 1881, before
the Home Mlmloii liirtilute. couveuejl In the
Second Baptist chinch. Allan.a, Ua., aridreqneet
ed br the edltoi for publication in Tint Indxx.
By Bev. 8. P. Callaway, We.t Point, Ua.]
Mr. President and Brethren :
In epeaking no this subject, I am con
fronted by some embarrassments which may
neutralize the t ff-ct of whatever enthusiasm
I may feel in so good a cause
In the first place, I have been unable to
participate in discussions which. I am sure,
have been both edifying and inspiring tn
those who have had ears to hear. Hence, I
cannot enter into the spir.t of this occasion
as others. Secondly, as I am to discourre
on the best method of raising funds for the
Home Mission Board, it will naturally be
expected that any plan recommended by me
shall have received the sanction of a person
al experience of its efficiency. But my
sphere of labor is narrow ; I am simply a
“country curate," and realize my inability
to enlighten more advanced pastors on a
subject of which they have had a much wider
observation. A •‘rush-light’' will scarcely
be appreciable amid the blaz 1 of electricity.
I have no new thing to oiler. My humble
vehicle of thought must follow the much*
traveled highway of ordinary discourse—
“the old paths" of Scripture and common
sense.
OauAnization must precede every great
popular movement. It might be called the
economy of power—the harmony of forces—
Che dynamics of success. Let us refer to
some past and present examples which verify
the correctness of our definition : Hardly
had Napoleon's victorious eagles been with
drawn from the trampled and parceled king
dom of Prussia, ere the word went forth
from the lately prostrate throne : Discipline
the intellect, organize the arms of the na
tion. That almost despairing beginning had
its consummation at Sedan, when the once
proud conqueror passed under the yoke and
his own fairest provinces were incoqiorated
into the German Empire. That feeble note
is now a trumpet tongue which proclaims
united Germany the greatest military power
of Europe, if not of earth. When our own
Southern land emerged from a disastrous
civil war, there was ‘confusion worse con
founded.” There was scarcely a nucleus
around which capital, re in forced by labor,
might rally to rebuild our ruined industries;
th'e heart of our substance was eaten out by
human birds of prey ; political chaos capped
the whole What has given us the three P's
—Peace, Plenty, Prosperity? What Peri has
opened to us the gates of gold to the palace
of wealth, not far off? The answer is one
word —Organization ! Systematic labor in
the factory, in the field, at the forge, in the
forum, has brought forth this beautiful cos
mos. And. si ', what is it that, without the
firing of a gun or the flashing of a sword
without a show of armed resistance—has
enabled Erin—the fairest gem of the seas—
to defy British power, bidding fair to banish
the relics of feudalism from her soil, and to
restore her degraded people to their lost lib
erties and manhood ? The Land League—
a peaceful but puissant organization of pa
triot farmers—is doing that great work.
Standing in this beautiful temple of wor-,
ship, in this giant centre of the new South—
ao lately the smoking site of Sherman's bro
ken encampment—shall 1 say more to em
phasize the power of organized labor ? Need
I add that, in the sinews of our Zion, is
strength to move the world ? Prophecy
proclaims the exaltation of Christ's King
dom above ail others ‘ The mountain of
the Lord's house shall be established in the
top of the mountain, and shall be exalted
above the hills, and all nations shall flow
unto it.” How is litis heavenly vision to be
realized? How is the Lord's house to be
elevated to the highestplace, and the stream
•of the nations, now flowing downward,
turned up-hill ? He who used a mixture of
spittle and clay to open blind eyes, never
disdained the use of means These are or
dained as well as the end. God’s people may
dream of a converted world, but it willnever
be until they organize to convert it. Yet
even then the excellency of the power must
be of God. We are to "do everything as if
God did nothing: depend upon God as if he
did everything ”
The great problem is, how to turn the
mighty current of the church's prayers, en
ergies and contributions into the race that
leads to the water-wheel of our Boards. (I
trust I will be pardoned for using the word
in the dual number. The inter-dependence
of our great missionary enterprises, nt home
and abroad, must never be ignored. They
are “twinn’d as horse’s eye and ear,” The
Home Board is made possible by the fact
th it Judson toiled in Burmah, and that
Crawford and Yates are consecrating tbeir
lives to China. There are no geographical
lines in the kingdom of Christ. In all lands
—in Lapland and in New Zealand—God's
children have the same impulse of love and,
under its mighty influence, they would im
part their own souls to one another. I can
not sj>eiik to missions without including all
—those who are afar off as well as those who
are nigh.
When Paul, the great first missionary,
wrote that sublime sentiment, “My heart’s
desire and prayer to God for Israel is that
they might be saved,” he was thinking upon
his own people, but he was, at the same
time, in a distant heathen city, proclaiming
all the words of this life to those who were
sitting in the region and shadow of death.
In order to show the inconsistency,' not to
say the impossibility of geographically di
viding our love, 1 will cite a single illustra
tion : I once presented the cause of Foreign
Missions to a self indulgent, gouty Baptist.
He answered me, that “charity began at
home," I afterwards handed him a sub
scription for an afflicted, hungry family in
his neighborhood. He contributed a shake
of the head I The frequency of that plea
would pour Baptist munificence into Mcln
tosh's lap, if it had any other significance
than us “a cloak of covetousness."
The brother who rushes to the help of
Tupper, in his momentous work, will also
be ready to respond to the pleading of our
Home Secretary, and vice versa).
But to return from this digression : That
so little is done for either Board, is not be
cause there is lack of lesources, but because
there is want of system, both in our con
tributions to, and collections for, the Boards.
“A long pull, a strong pull, and a pull alto
gether" would lift the wheels out of the
slough ; periodical jerks and starts only sink
them deeper, snap the harness, and worry
and exhaust us. The Lord's grist must be
ground not by wind, but by water power;
“the old ship of Zion” must be driven not
by the uncertain gales of spasmodic effort,
lest she be becalmed in treacherous seas;
but she must be piopelled by engines whose
regular strokes measure a steady progress
over the waves.
I believe that the majority of our mem
bers may be educated up to the standard of
systematic giving. “The priest's lips should
keep knowledge 1 ' on this great point. Every
rtor should see to it that his congregation
“well instructed unto the kingdom of
heaven,” as to the duty of constant benefi
cence ; that the crying needs of the spiritual
ly destitute are often and urgently present
ed, and that his church or chnrches shall
adopt some plan which shall regularly bring
into the treasury of the Lord the hearty of
ferings of His people. The responsibility of
the meagre, mean, insufflcient, uncertain
contributions of many of our churches to
the missionary cause is a terrible one, upon
whomsoever it may rest. Let the leader of
Che flock agitate, agitate, agitate, until lib
eral! ty and frequency areattained. Let him
take no rest until the duty is acknowledged
and the tribute rendered.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1881.
I have personally known a wealthy Bap
tist, after the annual pulpit appeal, to donate
the whole amount of rirrv cents to send the
gospel to the benighted—possibly, halving
it for the Boards I And be was a type of
thousands who are among us—but are they
of us ? This is not benevolence—it is mock
ery.
There are other Baptista (let us hope they
are the Lord's, though only a “smoking
flax'*), who are incurably ignorant, parsimo
nious and selfish in their offerings. I knew
one, liberal to a degree where the sympathies
were touched by the sight of suffering, and
who would also respond where assistance
was required to make a needed improvement
in the house of God—but from whom not a
dime could be wrung for missionary work.
This is a low grade of benevolence, bicause
it never allows a dollar to get out of sight,
and ministers only to that misery which can
be seen and touched. Content with the
beam which comes to it through the narrow
aperture of the senses, it isolates itself from
the broad sun-glare of universal Christian
love and refuses to believe that, there is a
world of light beyond. It closes and clinches
its pur.-e against a necessity as high as the
heaven from which the heathen have fallen,
as deep as the hell toawinch they are sink
ing, and as wide as the theatre upon which
they are acting out their rebellion against
the God and Father of all. It is ignoble ig
norance, pitiful prejudice, which may the
merciful Lord pardon in so many of His
own 1
We Baptists believe in the supremacy ot
the Scriptures—that they embody a wisdom
which comprehends all the varying circum
stances and conditions of the church —that
its precedents are intended to be of perma
nent authority. If the Spirit urges aud
points beyond the letter, in the matter of
organization, we step oft the platform not
at a right angle to. but in a line with, the
literal direction, and keep on in that way.
The Spirit never goes counter to the word.
Paul inculcates the duty of systematic be
nevolence, both by precept and example.
His injunction to the Corinthian Church is
still of force: "Upon the first day of the
week, let every one of you lay by him in
store, as God bath prospered him, that there
be no gatherings when I come." Tnere is a
world of organization in this Scripture.
Ist. Unity of alms and prayers. There is a
beautiful appropriateness in letting them
ascend together. That is a cheap religion
which offers only words of mouth and med
itations of heart unweighted by others'
woes. The blending of these in bis worship
commended Cornelius to the favor of God.
and secured for him the saving influence ot
the Holy Ghost. Jesus, in giving instruc
tion as to prayer, did not omit to mention,
in the same connection, its twin act of devo
tion—alms—showing that He regarded it
as an essential religious obligation. As pas
tors, we should reiterate the admonitions
of the Great Teacher on this vital point, i
and, as we urge our brethren to pray always,
likewe beseech them not to refrain their
gifts.
2nd. There is, also, uniformity as to time
—the first day of the week—divinely appro
priate. humanly convenient.
In the third place, this apostolic plan pos
sesses tlie element of comprehensiveness—
• every one of you.” When you come to
gether, let every one of you bring toe offer
ing which you have laid by for the specific
object ot that day, “As God has prospered
him.” This method will so regulate and
distribute our gifts as to cure spasms of be
nevolence, which are always the result of
morbid conditions. It places our bemfi
cetice upon a solid foundation of reason and
religion—converts it into a principle and
into worship by making it depend upon the
providence of our heavenly Father. It is
thus a rendering unto the Lord of Ins own.
It proportions benevolent demands to our
means, and it recognizes the ability as front
the Lord. If God requires a large contribu
tion from any one of His servants. Hu will
bestow upon that servant a sufficiency to
enable him to meet the requisition There
is an implied, if not a direct, promise here
in that, if we are faithful stewards of the
divine bounty, we shall be prospered in the
temporal things. This apostolic plan brings
us into union with God as workers together
with Him—the almoners of His benefaction.
I have referred to it as an anti spasmodic.
I do not, however, mean to intimate that
there will not arise emergencies when it will
not be needful for us to supplement our
weekly offerings by putting forth all our
strength and “travailing in the greatness of
it,” in order to supply some great necessity
of the church or the world. An intercalary
donation may be sometimes required to
complete the calender of our beneficience—
to keep "the years of the right hand of the
Most High” up with the march ot secular
time. But the evil effects of ‘‘emotional
insanity” in giving are manifest. It re-acts
fearfully upon the religious character of the
temporarily demented one, who feels, when
the excitement has passed, tliat be has been
guilty of sheer folly in bleediug himself for
a cause that did not demand blood-letting.
The probability is that a long period of
withholding will ensue—one extreme pro
ducing another. I once witnessed a scene
in a Baptist gathering which is indelibly
impressed on my memory. One of oursec
retaries had made an appeal for his board,
which elicited but an indifferent response.
In tiiis crisis, a distinguished minister ar se,
and after a.i impetuous and fervid spe<ch,
took his watch from his pocket and laid it
on the table as his contribution. He had
hardly taken his seat ere a younger and
more mercurial brother sprang to his feet,
and in a lew glowing remarks, presented his
watch—possibly a gift and very valuable.
When the gale of enthusiasm had blown
over, and he had bad a night's repose upon
the matter, I noticed the despairing look of
the latter, and heard bis lament over his
precipitate generosity. Now, the Lord lov
eth a cheerful giver, but this impulsive
brother did not count the cost of parting
with so precious a treasure, and was filled
with regrets because he could not recall it.
But this caution is scarcely necessary.—
There are few Baptists who are so liable to
i be swept off their feet. Indeed, the more
they are ballasted with dollars, the less their
' danger.
The first day method, commanded by the
apostle, is “worthy of all acceptation,” not
alone for the reason already cited, viz.: that
it combines union of alms and prayers, uni
formity as to time, comprehensiveness as to
persons, living from and giving to the Lord,
and is an anti-periodic, but, also, because it
is adapted to the pecuniary condition of that
class of persons who, for the most part, con
stitute our churches. They comprise the
salaried classes and those possessed of mod
erate estates. By giving small amounts
weekly, these will add to the treasury of the
Lord a large aggregate, besides cultivating a
habit of benevolence, while not diminish'
ing their own comforts. This they will
yield cheerfully, ungrudgingly, whereas if
it is bestowed only quarterly or semi-annu
ally, the heart will be heavier in proportion
as tbe purse will be lighter, thus losing the
otherwise blessed effects upon their own
spirituality.
Paul evidently profoundly felt that God is
not the God of confusion, but the God of
peace. Hence bis suggestion of system
method—in our donations, and of this par
ticular one as the best possible. It is tbe
grand solvent of our financial difficulties.
“That there be no gatherings when I come”
—no labored efforts, no high pressure. “Let
everything be done decently and in order.”
Just as the minister is in the habit of saying
to his congregation, “Let us pray,” or “Let
us sing." so let him invoke the spirit of de
votion in that which is a more exalted act of
worship than uplifted hands or uttered
prayers—the giving unto the Lord of our
subitanoe— that which represent* toll of
brain and sweat of brawn. Paul says, in
effect: Have the money ready to liquidate
the claim on my arrival; do not theu have
to levy a forced loan, at a high rate of inter
est, upon an unwilling people. I must think
that the Lord sometimes disowns the man
ner of the labors of our contribution gath
erers. While I wouldn't utterly banish from
our congregations the living voice and the
S leading tongue of these zealous servants of
od, I am convinced that to depend wholly
upon these agencies for the stirring up ot
our pure minds byway of remembrance of
our pecuniary obligations, is foreign to the
order of the gospel, to that method which is
everywhere taught in the Scriptures, is an
unnecessary expense, and will fail to accom
plish permanent results. It were better that
our boards should sutler a temporary priva
tion in order that they might, in the end,
reap a continuous and constantly increasing
harvest of beneficence.
If it be objected that the system of weekly
contributions is impracticable in the coun
try, where divine services is held only once
a month, we answer that the “laying by”
may be done at home every Sabbath, and
the aggregate brought to the sanctuary on
the meeting day. if the transfer is only
mad«-from one pocket to another, or depos
ited in any appointed receptacle—just so the
setting apart of the Lord's money from com
mon to sacred uses is effected—that will be
an act of worship. This habit will encour
age thrift in small things by ever keeping in
view the duty and privilege of a Sabbath
donation. A more serious barrier to the
success of this plau is the fact that our rural
members usually have but one source of in
come—that from cotton -which matures in
the fall, and, must, therefore, estimate their
incomes only by the year. Doubtless, this
difficulty will diminish as farming in the
South becomes more diverse au i other in
dustries spring up. In the more populous
districts, it will not obtain. But a consci
entious Christian, under proper instruction,
will be able, with the b easing of God, to
save something for the Master, even in the
period of greatest monetary depression;
and as the returns from the main crop
conies in, may add largely thereto. Where
there is a will to work and to give, the wav
will be opened tor the turning of an honest
penny.
Let us make a small calculation here, in
order to bring out more startlingly the pow
er of organization in the work of raising
funds for our boards : There are in Georgia.
150,000 Baptisis, more or less. Say that
50,000 are able to give ten cents each per
month to missions. That will foot up
SOO 000 per year—one naif of which would
go to the Marion Board. This is a low esti
mate of our financial ability. That amount
might be doubled or quadrupled. If only
a nickel per month should be contributed by
each, the aggregate would be sls 000 for
home field. That this amount can be raised,
with the inauguration of method in our en
deavors, there is not the shadow of a doubt.
Will the children i.f -ight ever t e as wise in
tbeir generation as the children of this
world?
Brethren of the ministry, we are captains
of tens and fifths and hundreds in
this vast undril ed army. The com
mander of the Lord's hosts has given
us an important work to do in
bringing our respective divisions up to the
highest degree of efficiency. It will not do
to bad a mob, however brave, against tha
strongholds of Satan. Let us so train them
to a prompt and regular discharge of their
duty in contributing—let us so impress the
obligation upon heart and conscience—let
us so form the habit i.f benevolence in them,
bv the help of the Holy Spirit, that when
the bugle blast of our departmental com
manders rings over the land, trumpeting
tbe cry of a dying world, they will quickly
form and auvance, with the tread ot vete
rans, to the rescue. “Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouses, that there may be meat
in mine hou e.aud prove me now herewith,
saitli the Lord of hosts, if I will not opeET
you the wi idows of heaven and pour you
out a blessing that there will not be room
enough to receive it." Mai. 3. the de
mand is for a tenth ; the reward of restitu
tion is overflowing fulness of temporal and
spiritual blessings.
“I cave my life for thee.
My precious blood I shed.
That tbou migh'st ran-omed bo
And quickened Irom the dead—
I gave my life for thee —
What hast thou given for me f
“And I brought down to ihee,
Down from my home above,
Salvation full and free,
My pardon aud my love;
Great gifts 1 brought to thee,
What hast thou brought to met
“0, let thy life be given,
Thy years for me be spent,
World-fetters all be r iven,
And joy with suffering blent ;
Give thou thyself to me
And I will welcome thee!"
The Sunday-School.
International Sunday-School Leosono.
[Prepared specially for The Index by Rev. 8. H.
Mirick, of Washington, D.C.]
Lesson VIII. —February 20,1881.
THE PREACHING OF JESUS.
Luke IV. U 21. A. D. 27.
The events in the life of our Lord which
occurred subsequent to the time of our last
lesson are these, viz: His baptism, his temp
tation, gathering his first disciples, his first
miracle, driving the traders out of the tem
ple at the pass over, the conversation with
Nicodemus, his conversation with the Sama
ritan woman at Jacob's well, and his second
miracle. Then followed his preaching and
rejection at Nazareth, where our present les
son finds him. Ver es 14 and 16 refer to his
preaching in various places in Galilee before
he came to Nazareth.
OUTLINE.
I. The preacher, vs. 14-16.
11. The text, vs. 17-19.
111. The sermon, vs. 20, 21.
NOTES.
I. The preacher.
V. 14. “Jesus,” now over thirty years of
age. Ch. 3:23. “Returned” from Judea. “In
the power of the Spirit.” Fully guided by
the Holy Spirit. This guidance began at his
baptism. “Into Galilee,” where Jesus began
his ministry. See Acts x. 37. The most of
the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are
taken up with our Lord’s ministrations in
Galilee, while that of John dwells more upon
those in Judea. “A fame of him.” His
preaching attracted attention everywhere,
and reports of it preceded him wherever he
W V. 15. “Taught.” Read and explained the
Scriptures as we learn from the succeeding
ve-ses of the lesson. This was his manner
of making known the great salvation. The
preacher of to day cannot be wiser than tbe
Great Teacher. "Synagogues.” Places of
public worship where the people assembled
to read God s word, and unitedly to praise
and pray. There was at least one in every
town. It was placed, if possible, on the
highest ground in or near the town. If the
highest ground could not be obtained, then
a tall pole rose from the roof to render it
conspicuous. As the worshippers entered,
and as they prayed, they looked toward Je
rusalem. The building was set apart by a
special prayer of dedication. At the end
toward Jerusalem stood the Ark, in which
the rolls of the sacred books were kept. In
front of the Ark and towards the middle of
the building was a raised platform, on which
several persons could stand at once- On
this platform, and in the middle of it was a
pulpit, at which the Reader stood to read the
lesson, or sat to teach. On one side of the
room sat the men, and on the other the wo
men, a low partition, five or six feet high,
running between them. "Glorified of all.”
Highly esteemed. He was not despised at
first as he simply announced a coming king
dom. but universally esteemed. At a later
period he declared his kingdom to be a spir
itual kingdom, and intended for the whole
race of man, and on this account became un
popular with the Jews.
V. 16. "As bis custom was ” In bis child
hood and opening manhood. “On the Sab
bath day.” Thia shows that it was custom
ary for the Jews to meet for worship in the
synagogues on their Sabbath (our Saturday
"Stood up,” and by so doing indicated his
de-ire to read the Scriptures. The exercises
of the synagogue were under the direction
of one styled the ruler of the synagogue.
The presiding officer might permit any one
to read whom he should think qualified
The great fame ot Jesus amo g the people
would secure him this privilege.
11. The text.
V. 17. “Delivered unto him," by the min
ister mentioned in verse 20. Chis man
opened the doors and got the buildin z ready
for service. It was his duty to take from the
Ark sucli rolls as were wanted, and take
them to the reader at the pulpit, nturning
them when no longer needed. "The books.”
A roll, across which in columns was the
writing, and which was fastened to a roller
at either end. “Esaias." Greek for the
Hebrew Isaiah. “Opened " Unrolled. This
would seem to indicate that the prophetic
rolls were kept separate and not together, or
in one book, as with us. “He found the
place." Whether it was a part of the regu
lar lesson of the day, or a passage selected by
Jesus for the occasion, is not c*ear- Proba
bly the former is the correct view.
V. 18 This passage is quoted from the
Septuagint or Greek t-anslation of the He
brew Scriptures. This will account for its
variation from Isa 1:1, 2. The language
was used by Isaiah prophetically of the
Messiah, and as such Jesus quotesit. The
assertions here are to be taken both literally
and spiritually, but chiefly in the latter
sense. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
because.” It is in consequence of his being
anointed and sent, that the Spirit abides
upon him. ‘‘Anointed.’’ Priests, kings and
prophets were anointed with oil to represent
their divine appointment. “The poor.” In
purse and in spirit. See Matt 5.3 115. “The
broken-hearted.” Those of a contrite spirit.
“Captives" to sin. ‘ Sight to the blind.”
Spiritual sight to the spiritually b'ind.
"Them that are bruised.” By the yoke of
conscience and the law.
V. 19. “To preach the acceptable year.”
The lime appointed by the Lord. It is era
rather thaii year, and includes the whole
period from the advent of Christ to his sec
ond coming.
111. The sermon.
V. 20. "Closed.” Rolled up. The book
was written only on tbeimide. “Satdown "
Indicating his desire to speak. This, we
may suppose, was the first time he ever read
or spake in that synagogue. “The eyes of
all.” Universal attention. “Were fastened
on him.” The word denote gazing intent
ly.
V. 21. “He began to say unto them ” We
have only the opening words of the sermon
recorded here. "Ibis day is this Scripture
fulfilled in your ears ” That is. you hear,
in my preaching to-day, the fulfillment of
this Scripture. The sermon was an exposi
tory one. So Peter and Paul preached
Some of us to- day are constrained to cry
out, more Bible, more Bible in your ser
mons.
REMARKS.
1. There is in the expression, ‘‘The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me,” a remarkable tes
timony to the Trinity, the Spirit, the Father
and Jesus
2. The Nazirenes. as we learn from subse
quent verses, at first were charmed with the
words of Jesus, but soon became so enraged
with him as to reject him and drive him
from their city.
3. Learn from the example of Jesus, regu
larly to attend the public worship of God.
4. The Sunday school teacher should seek
to be able not "only to explain, but also to
apply Scripture.
5. The great work of Jesus was to save
men from sin. which brings sorrow and
bondage and blindness.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DkVOTIE, D.D., I Pf ,,.
REV. C. M IRWIN, jmanors,
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion— Offices: Rev. R. B. Hendden, President:
Rev. J. H. DeVotie, Corresponding Secretary and
Tressuicr; Rev. V, C. Norcross, Corresponding
Secretary. Members— Revs. D. W. Gwin, A. T.
Spalding, H. C. Hornady, Ft M. Daniel, V. C.
Norcross, Dr. J-s. S. Lawion Atlanta; G. A. Nun
nally, Rome; D. E. Butler, Madison: J. G. Ryals
and R. B. Headden, Carteisville; J. H. De Vole.
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.- Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Corres
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention —Rev. Wm. A. Mclntosh, D.D., Cor
reapondlng Secretary, Marion, Alabama.
Rev. W- B. Bagby and wife, Missionaries
of the Southern Baptist Convention to Bra
zil, sailed from Baltimore, in the “Bark
Yaraoyden,” on the 13th of January, 1881,
for Rio de Janeiro. Their field of labor is
Santa Barbara, in the Province of San Pau
lo, Brazil.
The Emperor ot Brazil, though a Catholic
at the head of a Catholic government, cordi
ally invites Protestant Missionaries to his
country, with assurance of protection, and
offers of pecuniary aid.
This mission is, in many respects, pecu
liarly inviting, and gives promise of a boun
tiful harvest. Dr. Tupper, in Journal, says:
“Their field is the controlling empire of
South America, whose ruler is the onlyman
in the Western Hemisphere who wears a
crown, and whose territory, lying on both
sides of the equator, contains an area of
three and a-halt millions of square miles,
with an average elevation of seven hundred
feet above the level of the sea, and a geniali
ty of climate and capacity for productiveness
which are literally unsurpassed. Brazil em
bosoms mines of gold and diamonds, tbe
richest in the world; is traversed, through
its whole extent from west to east, by the
“Father of Waters,” which contributes every
second five hundred and fifty thousand cu
bic feet of water to the volume of the Atlan
tic ; has the second navy of the world, and
boasts a capital city. Rio de Janeiro, older
than any city of the United States, and hav
ing a harbor only rivalled in beauty by the
Bay of Naples and the Golden Horn of Con
stantinople. The people are Portuguese,
Spaniards, Negroes and native Indians. The
Portuguese language prevails. The State
religion is Romanism, which is completely
broken down, as to the respect entertained
for it, by the open wickedness of the priest
hood—so that “the great need of the coun
try,” in the language of one who is thorv
oughly informed on the subject, "is a pious,
self denying ministry, who, like the great
apostle to the Gentiles, will not count their
life dear unto themselves that they may win
souls unto Christ.”
"Texas has contributed for this mission
$848.32. and Missouri, $156.55, making a to
tal of $1004.87.”
“Sway thy ceptre
Savior, all the world around."
Let us follow these missionaries with our
contributions and prayers. Cor. See.
TBE NEW MISSIONARIES TO BRAZIL.
Just twenty-five tears ago wss born, in
Corvelle county, Texas, a little boy, Wm.
M. Bagby, who, at thirteen years of age was
converted, and was baptized by Dr. Burleson
at Waco, Texas.
Mr. Bagby graduated at college, became
editor of a magazine, then taught school,
then conducted a farm, began to preach, was
ordained, then solemnly consecrated bis life
to the work of Foreign Missions.
About twenty-two years ago a little girl
was born in Kansas City, in the family of
Rev. J. H. Luther. When a very little child,
Annie Luther, during a whole year, would
go into a room alone to read the word of
God, and to pray to God for the salvation of
her soul. At eleven years of age she was
converted, and was baptized by her father
in the Mississippi river at St. Louis, Mo.
At seventeen years of age, while at college
at Lexington, Mo , she became convinced
that it was the will of God that she should
labor for tbe heathen in some foreign land.
It was a great struggle to yield to what she
believed to be tbe divine requirement, but
she finally made an entire aud irrevocable
surrender.
Five years passed on. She was now asso
ciate principal in Baylor Female College,
Independence, Texas. Reseiving the ad
dresses of R.-v. Mr Bagby, she accepted his
baud in marriage, and on tbe 21st day of
October, 1880—her father officiating—she
and Mr. Bagby doubly pledged tbeir lives,
each to tire other, and both to the service of
the Lord Jems in some foreign land.
The merry ringing of the marriage bell at
Baylor Chapel, brought keen and sorrowful
regret to many a heart that day, for church
and school and community were losing one
—'heir “crown jewel,” —the fragrance of
whose hallowed life had sweetened all the
associations clustering about her.
On the first Sunday of this year thisyonng
couple—having been appointed Missionaries
of rue 8. B. Convention—were publicly set
apart to this work in the Second Baptist
church, Richmond, Va.
They had chose a Brazil as their field of
labor, and to this land they are now sailing,
unless, indeed, tbeir feet already press its
soil.
General Hawthorne, of Alabama, who is
now au able Baptist minister in Texas, was,
at the close of the war, one of those who left
his native land and went to 8 >uth America,
seeking for a new home. The knowledge of
that south-land, obtained at that time,
caused him to urge the claims of Brazil as a
mission fie.d, upon tbe hearts of these two
disciples of Jesus as they were Itbout to unite
their lives together. It was all the more
pleasant, therefore, that the last sweetly-sad
parting words, commending them to the
grace of God, should be spoken in the church
where Rev. J. B. Hawthorne —brother of
Gen. Hawthorne—is pastor.
May many prayers accompany them in
their work. May tbe blessings of our most
gracious God aud Savior rest upon their
pathway. A. T. 8.
BAY OF PRAYER FOR COLLEGES
HOW IT WAS KEPT AT THE SEMI
NARY.
Editor Index : The February meeting of
our Missionary Society was moved back to
tbe last Thursday in January, so as to coin
cide with tbe day of prayer for colleges. So
our meeting to-day had reference both to
colleges and to missions.
One attractive feature of our meetings are
the letters from tbe missionaries. To-day
an interesting letter was read from Dr. Tay
lor, our Missionary in Rome, Italy. He
gave us his impressions of the principles
upon which a minister should choose his
field of labor.
Brother David, of Africa, gave us a letter
in “a free and easy style” about real life, an
incident tn his missionary labors. A letter
was also read trom brother E. H- Quillin, our
Missionary in Brazil.
Tbe essay for the meeting to-day was pre
pared by brother E. E Folk, of Tennessee.
His subject was “Religion in Colleges and
its Relation to Missions.” Most of the mis
sionaries, as well as other men of influence,
come from colleges.
After the essay came the lecture, by Dr.
R. H. Graves, of Canton, China. Dr. G. is
delivering a series of fine lectures on “Mis
sions” for the benefit of the students of the
Seminary. Our hearts responded gladly
when he announced as his subject to-day,
“Who Should Become Missionaries?” This
is a question which every young minister
must consider, at least to some extent.
Brother G. called attention to the etymol
ogy of the word ‘love,’ which is the same as
‘leave.’ Love is the affections leaving one's
self and going out to others. The word ‘live’
has the same meaning. A living church or
Christian is one who maintains the idea of
self denial for others.
The commission contains two ideas—make
disciples and train them. Most ministers
only train, are pastors. We are waiting for
sinners to come to us. We need more men
to ’‘make disciples.” When a man enlists
in the army he expects to be sent to the
front. Every man who enters the ministry
should hold himself in readiness to go to the
front, and should go unless there is some
special reason for his not going.
In our own land all can be saved if they
will- In foreign lands many millions have
never heard of the gospel. God's ministers
are heralds to announce the terms ot recon
ciliation to all people. When thirty millions
of heathen perish every year, it is not right
to spend so much time in beseeching men
who have repeatedly refused the gospel.
Then brother G. spoke of qualifications,
physical, mental and moral, for a foreign
missionary. He would not say anything
about spiritual qualifications, for all minis
ters need qualifications of that kind. But
he ought to be a man of good health. Some
times, however, persons who are not stout,
but who have no organic disease, find it
benefichl to change climates. As to intel
lectual qualifications, a college education is
to be desired, but character is to be preferred
to culture. A missionary impresses his
character on the converts more than a min
ister at home. Men of strong character will
develop on the field. The missionary must
have facilty in acquiring a foreign language.
Other qualifications were quickness of ap
prehension, cheerfulness, perseverance,
sound common sense, and a quiet enthusi
asm.
The address produced a good effect. We
look forward with interest to tha remaining
lectures, which will be delivered this week
and next. C. W. Pruitt.
Louisville, Ky., Jan. 27, 1881.
“Where There is a Will There is a
Way."—Here is an apt illustration, says S.
A. Burney: “Please put in The Index re
ceipt column “Sausage for Missions,” as
above, from Mrs. Cocroft. It may show
some how to get mission money.”
There it is in the receipt list, “Sausage for
Missions, $1.00.” This kind of giving is on
the increase. Does it not strikingly resem
ble the gift of the two mites by the widow
of the gospel ?
Those who have an abundance sometimes
say, when a few dimes are contributed, “we
have given our mites.” How mistaken they
are I A little from well-to-do Christians,
without sacrifice, and soon forgotten, can
never bear comparison with the widow-gift
of all. The motive—love for Jesus—makes
the mites of equal value with thousands of
dollars with God. Cor. Sec.
- . I I W.I aw»«aa»- • I
Appropriate Appointment.—The Mission
Board has appointed Rev. 0. M. Irwin Evan
gelist for Northeast Georgia. He has com
menced his work.
Air Enviable Epitaph.—Somewhere la
the world there is a monument sacred to the
memory of Thomae Williams. He was
Missionary to the Island of Raratonga, where
six thousand persons who, a little while ago,
were barbarous savages, now worship God
in tbeir sanctuaries, and read tbe Testament
in their own wriiten language. Mr. Wil
liams is dead now, and upon bis monument
are these words: “When he came there
were no Christians: when he went away
there were no heathen.”
A Calcutta missionary says that Idolatry
in that city is rapidly becoming an irksome
thing. Tbe number of images made for
worship is constantly diminishing, and wor
shipers are growing indifferent. The census
of missions is to be taken next year, audit is
estimated that it will show an increase of
200 000 native Christians in India, Ceylon
and Burmah for the last ten years.
Is not this wonderful success?
Valuable Discovery.- Dr. Crawford, our
Missionary to Tung Chow, says: “I have
recently found the two tables of Gene
sis, chapters 5 and 10, in their entirety, in
the ancient History of China- It is tbe most
valuable discovery of the age, as it will set
tle or clear up many difficulties io history,
theology, and chronology. I shall bring it
to light.” __________
Sad News.—The sad news has been re
ceived that o ir Missionary at Musqius, Coa
huela, J. 0. Westrop, was murdered between
Santa Rosa and Montesry, Mexico, by the
Mexicans and Indians, only a few day*
since.
God “holdeth back the face of his throne
and spreadetb his cloud upon it.”
Cor. Seo.
In a letter from Rev. Thomas H. Bttrruss,
of Hartsville, 8. C., he says: “Darlington
county raises more cotton than any other
county in this State. This section of the
county is beautiful —the lands are level, and
some are in a high state of cultivation and
improvement. The people are hospitable,
enterprising and religious. The churches
are flourishing. Preachers are justly appre
ciated and amply provided for. lam serv
ing the Hartsville and Mt. Elon churches.”
Rev. J. H- Eager and Mrs. Eager, who
have gone to Rome to assist Dr. G. B. Tay
lor. reached their destination November 18,
1880. Cor. Sec.
RECEIPTS OP Mission BOARD GEORGIA.
BAPTIST CONVENTION.
From Jan. Ist, to Feb. Ist, 1861.
STATE MISSIONS.
Jan. 1. Previous report....™-..™™ 84,115 23
7 J. 11. D. V 5 CO
15 Madison church through 8. A.
Burney Tr #75
Mrs. W. H. Cowart in sausages—
“A will and way” 100
Crawfordville church, 8. A. Bur-
ney, Tr 1 9®
G- M. Campbell from 2 churches 2 41
18 Bartow church, Deacon Salter...™ 14 30
24 Newnan church, P. H. Culling,
Tr ™. 18 08
Savannah church, S. Landrum,
D.D 40 08
Hopeful church, J. 8. Patterson, 420
Eatonton church, J. B. Reese, Tr, 2 "0
Antioch church, J. H. Kilpatrick 660
Union Point church, J. H. Kilpat-
rick 7 30
White Plains church, J. H. Kil-
patrick ™ 27 10
New hope, T. J. Swanson- 3 86
Sugar Creek church, T. J. Swan-
son .. 2 I®
Central church, Atlanta, J. A. Z.
Stanford 7 40
Raccoon Creek church, J. G.
Ryals, D. D 5 29
Acwoilh church, J. G. Ryals,
D.D - 2 00
Athens church, H. A. Lowianee
. U Tr H 60
Lady at 2d Baptist church Atlanta 23
Missionary Society of Southern
F' male Col ege. Miss 8. Cox, for
Bible distribution iu Georgia.™ 5 00
Prof. I. F. Cox, La Grange, 5 00
25 P. A. Jessup collected ou Held-™ 25 00
80 A. C. Ward, Brunswick church... 50 00
J. C. Brvau, A. B. H. M. 8 75 00
G. B. Mitchell, A. B. H. 8 45 00
C. H. Lyons, A. B. H. M. 8 60 00
Joshua Gonackey, A .B. H. M. 8™ 52 00
84,6 481
SUNDAY SCHOOL EVANGEL-IST.
Jan. 1. Last report - 8851 71
15 Madison church, S. A. Burney, Tr 1 45
24 Cedar Town church, G. D. Harris, 16 40
Eatonton church, J. B. Reece, Tr, 2 00
High Shoals church J. A. Harris. 1 00
White Plains church, J. H. Kil
patrick 15 0J
Bowen Association, Robert R.
Terrell 8 00
28 T. C. Boykin, collected on field... 88 00
$738 96
HOME MISSIONS.
Jan. 1. Last report ......81,718 25
15 Madison church, 8. A. Burney™ 5 00
Crawfordville church ™ 8 50
G. M. Campbell, 2 churches 2 42
24 Eatonton church, J B. Reece, Tr, 2 00
High Shoals, church.J, A. Harris, 100
Antioch church, J. H. Kilpatrick, 5 00
White Plains, J. H. Kilpatrick.™ 20 00
81,752 17
INDIGENT MINISTERS.
Jan. 1. Former report ™ $464 10
24 Eatonton church, J. B. Reese, Tr, 2 00
8496 10
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Jan. 1. Previous report .. 83A89 47
7 H. M. Amoss - 5 00
Mrs. G. L. A. DeVotie ™ 5 00
15 Madison church, 8. A. Burney.... 10 25
Crawfordville church, 8 A. i ur-
ney, African M. 2 10; F. M, 2 50, 4 60
G. M. Campbell, from2churches, 2 42
24 Newnan church, P. H. Cutling,
Tr 16 07
Eatonton church, J. B. Reese, Tr, 80
High Shoals, J. A. Harris 8 00
Antioch church, J. H. Kilpatrick, 10 00
White Plains church, J. H. Kil-
patrick 40 50
Sugar Valley church, W. M.
Bridges 20 06
Bowen Association, Robert R.
Terrell 13 99
Central church, Atlanta, J. A. Z.
Stanford 7 40
Raccoon Creek church, J. G.
Ryals, D. D 6 29
Acworth church, J. G. Ryals,
D.D 2 00
Athens church, H. A. Lowrance, 20 00
Missionary Society Soulhem Fe
male College, Miss Sallie Cox
President, for Foreign Mission
Bible distribution 10 00
25 Received at Richmond from Dec.
14 to Jan. 11, formal .. 77 15
31 Canton cbuich, J. A. McMurry™ 10 25
Dividend 2 shares Ga. R. R. stock,
8. A. Burney, Tr 7 00
$8,660 10
RECAPITULATION.
State Missions ™....$ 4694 81
8 8 Evangelist 733 96
Home Missions ™..~. 1762 17
Indian Missions ......™ 602 46
Foreign Missions 3660 16
Educational 64 60
Indigent Ministers -.. 466 10
$ll7BB 68
J. H.DeVotib, Treasurer.
Hurrah! For Our Side.
■ Many people have lost their interest In
politics and in amusements because they are
so out of sorts and run down that they can
not enjoy anything. If such persons would
only be wise enough to try that celebrated
remedy Kidney-Wort ana experience its
tonic and renovating effects they would soon
be hurrahing with the loudest. In either
Dry or Liquid Form it is a perfect remedy
for torpid Liver, Kidney’s or Bowels. -Kx.
