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LETTER FROM BRUNSWICK.
Diab Index: Visiting this city prior to
'leaving the United States, I wish through
■your columns to mention some facta in con
nection with it, and especially respecting
the work of our dear brother Arthur 0.
Ward pastor of the church, and one of the
■missionaries, of the State Mission Board.
First. Tbe city being generally known.it
needs but little description. Yet I may say
4t is growing rather rapidly. A large hotel
is nearly completed, with several stores in
the basement. A public hall, 40x100 feet,
is in course of construction, together with
several tine private residences, ibis seems
very natural, as the positi n of Brunswick
determines its importance at no distant pe-
With this in view, the work of brother
Ward seems to me to assume additional im
portance. His church numbering about 70
members, eleven ot whom have joined dur
ing the past two mouths, seem to be quite
enthusiastioin their love and appreciation
of-hini. And 1 must give my judgment that
■ this love and appreciation are well earned.
.It has been mv privilege to listen to several
of iris discourses, texts, “The Lord is my re
ifuge and strength." "While we look not
upon the things that are seen, but upon the
things that are not seen," etc., In these, he
seemed not only to give exact ideas of the
sacred writers, but applied them to the peo
ple, and the times in which we live most fe
licitously, and if I may judge by my own
feelings, wilh the “unction of the Holy One"
sent down from heaven.
On yesterday morning, he spoke in con
nection with the cause of missions, from 2
Chrou. 14:11. “Lord, it is nothing with
Thee to help, whether with many, or with
<them that have no power." This was an
Impassioned appeal, in which after proper
exeges is of the text, he showed that God is
independent of any help from man; and so,
is very condescending and gracious to re
ceive our efforts in His cause against the en
emy. In listening to His words which
seemed sent forth by all the forces of his
soul, I felt lifted above the cold world, and
impelled to live and work more cheerfully,
and earnestly for God, and for the souls that
Christ died to save.
Just before the regular collection for miss
ions was taken up, he said, "I will not urge
you to think," how much can I afford to
give? but rather to do large things, expect
ing large things of God. What you do, do
for Jesus in view of what he did for you.
Your work is not in vain, if connected with
> the power of God.”
These words seemed to give dignity to our
■ efforts, in that we were made to feel, that
■ Qod and us are engaged in the same work;
and that with God we are sure to succeed.
I learn with pleasure, that it is the cus
tom of brother Ward, to advocate directly
the cause of missions, every fifth Sunday af
ter which, as intimated above, a collection
is always taken up.
As to the congregation, they appear to
compare favorably with those of the other
churches, in the city, and I rejoice to see
among them, from time to time, spamen
from different parts of the English speaking
world. This is a feature of great import
tance in our brother's work; one in which
he may be envied, if it is proper to do this
in a good sense. To the importance of this
feature of his work, he seems to be fully
alive, so that he becomes acquainted with
captains and their crews, wins their confi
dence on board their own ships, and indu
ees them to attend church and Sunday
school. It was a matter of great interest, to
see several of the crew of a Nassau ship
which was in port a week ago, at c .urcn
three times one day. It w4s Uie privilege of
your correspondent to sustain the position
of Sunday school teacher to them in the af
ternoon.
This leads me to mention the Sunday
school. The pastor was re-elected Superin
tendent three weeks ago, with Dr. Macon as
assistant The average attendance is seventy,
and the school is conducted according to
the approved plan, Yesterday afternoon,
•Theglory of Israel" was thesubject of some
remarks to the school by your corresponds
«nt.
Bro. Ward preached at the St. Simon's
Union church yesterday afternoon, and be
ing unable to return until this morning, I
filled his pulpit, speaking from John 4:24;
“God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him
must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”
I have omitted to mention, that upon
Sunday night, the 23d, the ordinance of bap
tism was administered to two candidates.
A large audience, composed of various de
nominations, together with non professors
of religion and our own people were pres
ent, and an opportunity was afforded me to
present the Bible teaching in respect to bap
tism. This subject very agreeably surprised
me in the interest which it developed.
Studying the ideas which tbe sacred writers
associate with Baptism, I felt more than ev
er convicted that, "the command is not
grievous” in this matter, but full of impor
tance and truth. And I cannot but think,
there is no wisdom in a single objection to
the great teaching symbol. Others seem to
have felt this too, and we are assured that
in Brunswick, “Labor is not in vain in tbe
ilorf."
It this letter is not too long, I wish to
mention a visit this evening (Feb. Ist.) to
the Norwegian Ship Skirmer, (Goddess.)
Together, on tbe wharf where she is lying
we stood remarking upon her pumping ap
paratus. Tbe captain stepped upto her port
bulwarks, when we addressed him on the
subject, were invited on board to inspect it
closely. Just what we wanted, for he and
his crew are wanted at church during their
Sundays spent here. After a few seconds
conversation, “come in the cabin and sit
down with me awhile," he said. We went
in, found him a courteous Norwegian gen
tleman.
"Tnis is Mr. Ward, pastor of the Baptist
■church captain,” I said. And we soon en
gaged him in conversation on the “most im
portant subject.” We learned that he is a
member of tbe Lutheran church of his coun
try, bnt he said:
’“I never did believe in con-substantiation,
•yet I am a Lutheran.”
He said further.
“A priest (by this he intended, as we
learned, an English Episcopal .minister) once
said to me:
“You go your way, and I’ll go mine, we
shall both meet together.”
Bro. Ward took occasion to say, “all who
believe in Jesus, as to be cleaned by the
blood that He shed will meet in heaven.”
After further conversation of a very inter
esting nature to us, and in which we learned
to love captain Kratz, we assured him of our
pleasure in seeing him and his crew at our
church, and being requested to come around
to seehim whenever we could we took leave.
Feeling how pleasant it is to work for Him
who did so much for us.
Fraternally yours,
B. J. Savage.
Our Private Libraries.—The Baptists of
Georgia have bought extremly few books
in the last twenty years, and had no excess
of good ones before. Does religion usually
thrive without intelligence? The above
statement is true of most of our preachers,
as of others. Is a preacher who read
scarcely anything apt to be instructive, en
tertaining, useful? Dundee.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 188 I.
JOTTINGS BY THE WA Y.
Dear Index : It has been so long, and I
have been to so many places, and through
such fearful weather (as well as having been
sick) since last I wrote you a letter for pub
lication, that I scarcely know where to ba
gin. I believe I left off at Wadley—however,
while on my way to Jefferson, (the interior
of the county), Glascock aud Warren.
At Louisville I had the good fortune to
meet that beloved brother, Rev. T. J Cum
ming. It was just what I most anxiously
desired, bnt greatly feared would not occur.
Went out to his delightful home that after
noon. It was truly a happy time with us
all that night. There are special reasons
why the bond of brotherly love is so strong
between ps, but tbe general reader would
not be interested in these ma tars.
Spent the next day or two riding around
over the neighborhood in this charming por
tion of Jefferson, (in . the vicinity of Du
iieart's church), looking after the interests
of The Index. During the time that. I was
here a most estimable lady. Miss Julia Lit
tle, died, which caused much sadness in the
neighborhood, though her death was not
entirely unexpected. She was greatly be
loved by a large circle of friends, and her
early demise is deeply deplored.
Saturday we (brother C and I) went to
Gibson, where he is, and has been for a
number of years, serving the Baptist chnrch
most acceptably and successfully. Since
brother Cumming began preaching here, a
neat and commodious house of worship has
been erected and a strong church built up.
It is truly a live church, and has a flourish
ing Sabbath-school. Here I was delighted
to meet, and find as one of the beet workers
in the Master’s cause, another long time
friend and brother, Dr. J. L, Kelly. While
attending medical lectures in Baltimore some
years ago. Dr. K. was so fortunate as to win
an accomplished daughter of noble old Mary
land, and when he returned to Georgia she
came with him as his wife. I could but
feel that Providence directed his steps in this
matter, for I scarcely see how Gibson church
could succeed so well without the services
of this excellent lady. While here we were
the guest of Dr. K. and family. It was my
first visit to Gibson, the county site of Glas
cock, and I shall ever remember it as one of
the bright incidents along life’s journey.
Returned to Jefferson Sunday afternoon,
where another pleasure awaited me in meet
ing with that jovial and beloved brother,
Rev. W. M. Verdery, pastor of Duhearts.
Monday brother Verdery gave me a seat in
his buggy to Stellavilie. The roads were
fearfully bad—almost impassable in some
places, owing to heavy -ains, but the jour
ney (eight miles) was’ soon accomplished,
bringing us to that pleasant village. This
village was built up tor educational purpos
es. and is admirably adapted to this design.
The liberal-hearte’d people have erected a
handsome two-story academy, which, with
Mays’s church, a commodious building, sets
off.he village finely. The school is under
the management of Prof. C. H. 8. Jackson,
as Principal, (a graduate of Mercer Univer
sity), assisted by a lady, whose name, I re
gret to say, I have forgotten.
Here I had the pleasure of meeting two
dear friends and brethren—formerly of
Washington county—viz: Prof. Jackson and
brother H. C. Smith. It was indeed pleas
ant to meet these brethren, whom I have
known from their boyhood, after many
years separation.
Brother J. M. Jordan took charge of me
after my arrival at Stellavilie, made me his
guest during my stay, and he and his excel
lent. family seemed never to weary of doing
me acts of kindness. When I hade them
adieu, I could not realize that we had met
as strangers only a few days previous.
The weather was so bad that I could get
out. bnt a part of one day while here, greatly
to my disappointment.
Tuesday brother H. C. Smith took me
over the neighborhood as far as we could go
in snch weather and in so short, a time.
Dined that day with Hon. Noah Smith and
family. The sad news had just, been receiv
ed that Mrs. Palmer, mother of Mrs. Smith,
and a most estimable lady, had died sud
denly that morning. The deceased had re
tired the night previous in seeming perfect
health. About day the next morning a
slight noise was heard in Mrs. P.’s room by
some of the family, and upon going to see
if anything was the matter, the old lady was
discovered in a dying condition, and expired
almost immediately. I learned she was
about seventy years of age.
But I find I will have to hasten on, orthis
letter will be entirely too long.
I bad an engagement to go with brother
Cumming to Reedy Creek. Warren county,
on Saturday, so brother Jordan carried me
back to brother C.’s Thursday, and Friday
we took another ride to see other brethren
for The Inpex. Saturday off for Warren.
The day was very disagreeable, but we found
a good Saturday’s congregation at the
church. This church is soon to have a new
house of worship. The lumber is on the
ground, and the building will go up as soon
as possible. A large congregation attends
the regular monthly meetings at this place,
and a good work is being accomplished.
Spent Saturday night with brother Hobbs
About a month previous he had the misfor
tune to have his grist mill, cotton gin and a
number of bales of cotton destroyed by fire.
He went to work again at once, and now a
new house stands where the old one was
burned down, with the mill in operation.
We called, going and returning, to see
that much esteemed brother, Hon. James
Stapleton, one of Jefferson county’s able
Representatives in the legislature, who has
been quite ill ever since bis return from At-
I lanta. His case is regarded as critical, but
| hopes of his recovery are earnestly enter
tained. Brother Stapleton is an excellent
minister, the pastor of several churches, and
a useful citizen. We hope Providence will
restore and long spare him to be a further
blessing to the country.
J. M. G. Medlock.
Tn IRD ANNUALREHOBOTH SUNDAY
SCHOOL CON VENTION.
Editor Inpex : Plea e give this an earlv
insertion for the benefit of many who will
be interested in it.
The third annual Sunday-school Conven
tion of the Rehoboth Association will con
vene at Forsyth, on Friday, Feb. 25th, and
this notice is given in hopes of drawing a
large attendance. We do expect and hope
for a large gathering and a very interesting
and improving time. All the members of
all the churches and Sunday-schools of the
Rehoboth Association are solicited to re
member this meeting, and as many as can
possibly attend should do so. Uncommon
efforts have been made to secure the atten
dance of good speakers and well informed
Sunday-school men, and the following ap
pointments have been made, all of whom
it is thought will attend. Other experienced
Sunday-school men are expected to be pres
ent to aid in the discussions. Without
going into detail, the following general out
line of exercises is given that an idea of the
programme may be obtained :
Friday. The Bible in the Sunday-school,
Dr. S. G. Hillyer. Sunday-school applian
ces, Rev. T. C. Boykin. The Internal gov
ernment of the Sunday-school, Cuas. B.
E Mb.
Friday Night. Convention Sermon, Dr.
E. W. Warren.
Saturday. The claims of Sunday-schools
and of our Sunday-school paper, S Boykin.
The religious element in the Sunday-school,
E. W. Warren. Blackboard illustrations in
the Sunday-school. J. C. Wheeler. What
is necesary to make the Sunday-rchool a
success and a power for good? L. 0. Niles.
The best method of impressing spiritual
truth on the minds and hearts of children,
Dr. K. P. Moore. A teacher's responsibility,
A. J. King and G. H. Perdue. Prayer—an
important element in the Snnday-abbool
work. J. Y. Allen. A pastor's relation to
tbe Sunday-school, J. H. Weaver.
SundaV. Sunday-school conducted by C.
C. Smith, and such assistants as he may
select. Sermon in the morning by Dr. A.
J. Battle. In the afternoon there will prob
ably be a mass meeting, and at night preach
ing by appointment.
There will be two sessions a day, and time
for discussing each subject will be allowed.
It is hoped that those attending will be sure
to arrive in time tot Friday morning's ser
vice. A generous invitation has been given
by tbe hospitable brethren at Forsyth, and
homes will be provided for all who attend.
Those intending to be present should for
ward their names in advance to Dr. K. P.
Moore, Forsyth, Ga.
C. C. Smith, President.
8 Boykin, Secretary.
SILVER WEDDING.
On the 18th of December, 1880, at the res
idence of Rev A. Van Hoose, in Senoia, Ga.,
a company of friends joined in celebrating,
with our beloved pastor and his good lady,
their twenty-fifth anniversary of marriage.
Upon entering tbe parlor, the appropriate
motto in large letters in evergreen, “Hither
to hath the Lord helped us," was promi
nently displayed in a half circle.• Jsist un
der the motto were suspended the portraits
of Brother Van Hoose aud wife, taken about
twenty-five years ago.
Soon after the assembling of the guests,
Bro. VanHoose, wife and their children, four
in number, came in and were presented to
each guest personally, when many congrat
ulations were passed. Then in some very
feeling and appropriate remarks, Brother
VanHoose' recounted ome interesting inci
dents of their married life, also thanked his
friends for many handsome presents of sil
ver donated by the following persons: Mr.
T. A. Barnes and lady, Mrs. E. R. Griggs,
Mrs. W. U. Barnes, Judge B. F. Cock aud
lady, Mr. M. H. Couch and lady, Mr. W. T.
Arnall and lady, Dr. F. M. Brantly and
lady, Miss Lizzie VanHoose, Mr. Z.J. Dan
iel and lady, of Eufaula, Ala.
After the conclusion of the remans by
Bro. VanHoose, Brother T. A. Barnes, Rev.
N. N. Edge and J. 8. s.
Gloverand Atkinson offered some perHhent
and pleasant remarks, after which the sonl
stirring old hymn, “AU hail the power of
Jesus’ name” was sung and prayer offered
by Bro. Ingraham.
Supper was then announced, which was
sumptuous and much enjoyed by the guests.
The remainder of the evening was spent de
lightfully, each one seeming to vie with the
others in trying to add most to the happi
ness of the occasion. I love these reunions
and believe that every family would be
happier if they would indulge in them of
tener, and, too, they are commendable for
communities. They bring us together not
only in person, but unite us in our feelings.
A Guam.
ENON CHURCH.
Editor Index : Some time ago I gave you
a few notes of progress in the good cause.
By mere oversight 1 left out one item that
should have been mentioned. I refer-to the
rebuilding of Enon church, in Quitman
county, of this State. Two or three years
ago the brethren resolved (and that word
means something among these people) to
have a bouse. Last spring it was finished,
and on the first Sabbath in May, was dedi
cated to the service of God. Rev. Mr. Warn
bolt, of Eufaula, Ala-, preaching thesermon.
The hou e is, I think, about forty by sixty
feet in dimensions, and of good height, well
built, is finished aud paid for. It is deci
dedly the best country church house that I
have see in Southwest Georgia. Among the
leading spirits in this good work
Brother W. B. McLendon, a A|UinUzTw4y
energy, liberality, good taste and piety. He
had many other good fellow-laborers, but I
cannot just now give their names. Tbe
pastor. Rev. W. H, Patterson, of Eufaula, I
should not omit to say, rendered valuable
aid in building this house of worship. He
is comparatively young in the ministry, but
is now a good preacher, and is making a
good pastor. He was educated at Mercer
University, followed teaching till he was
ordained to the ministry, but will not, I
hope, have need to return to that employ
ment again. This church and pastor are
doing well. W. M. If.
The Sunday-School.
International Sunday-School Lessons.
[Prepared specially for The Index by Rev. S. H.
Mlrick, of Washington, D.C.I
Lesson IX. —February 27, 1881.
CHRIS! HEALING THE SICK.
Luke V. 12 26. A, D. 28.
Read Matt. VIII. 2-4. IX. 2-8. Mark I. 40-
45. 11. 1-12.
Introduction.
Having been rejected at Nazareth, Jesus
went to Capernaum and made his home
there. He went, however, throughout Gal
ilee, preaching in the various synagogues.
Just after leaving Nazareth, he healed a de
moniac in Capernaum, in the synagogue,
and, going thence to Simon’s house, cured
his wife’s mother of a revere fever. On the
same day he cured many sick and many
demoniacs in that city. About the same
time also occurred the draught of fishes
mentioned in Chap. V. 1-11. And now
within three months from his leaving Naza
reth occur the two cures of our lesson.
outline
I. The Leper, v. 12 16.
11. The Paralytic, v. 17-26.
NOTES.
I. The Leper.
V. 12, “A certain city.” In Galilee, but
name unknown. “Full of leprosy.” The
leprosy was a most loathsome disease having
its seat deep in the system, but manifesting
itself on the outward skin. No medicine*
appear to have been employed for its cure;
the sufferer looked for relief to the compas
sion of God. It is the Scripture type of sin,-
and rendered its victim ceremonially un
clean. The leper was excluded from all
companionship with others not so alllicted.
"Full of leprosy” denotes this to have been
a very bad case. “Fell on his face.” Mat
thew’says "worshipped,” and Mark “kneel
ing down.” Kneeling down and then
falling on his face in reverence or worship.
“If thou wilt.” He has no doubt of Christ’s
ability, but does not feel quite sure of his
willingness. “Olean." For the law of ex
clusion, see Lev. XIII, 45 46. The leper’s
use of this word clean, instead of free from
disease indicates that his great desire was to
be restored to the companionship of family
and friends.
V. 13. “Touched him,” being "moved
with compassion,” as Mark says. Any
other touching him would thereby have
been rendered unclean, but his touch cleans
ed. "I will.” A direct answer to his "if
thou wilt.” “Immediately.” A mighty
cure and one in its instantaneousness be
yond all human power.
~V. 14. “Charged him to tell no man.”
Mark says he "straitly (strictly) charged
him and forthwith sent him away.” Evi
dently this prohibition is to be understood
as extending only to such time as he shall
have shown himself to the priest. Why this
prohibition? 1. It was the lepers duty to
go to the priest before he went elsewhere.
Christ would teach the man to obey God's
laws immediately. 2. As this man would
have to go some sixty miles to reach tbe
priest at Jerusalem, unless he hastened, the
-eport of his cure might go before him, and
the priest, through opposition to Jesus,
might pronounce it an imposition. “Ac
cording as Moses commanded." See Lev.
XIV. 1 32. “A testimony unto them," that
is to the people. The priest’s certificate
would be the testimony.
V. 15. “So much the more.” Disobedi
ence. See Mark I. 45 "Great multitudes
came together.” The result of the lepers
disobedience.
V. 16. "And prayed.” Amid Christ's
multiplied labors he fund time for personal
communion with God.
IL The Paralytic.
V. 17. This cure occurred according to
Mark (11. 1.) in Capernaum. "Doctors.”
Teachers of the Old Testament. “Sitting by."
Attracted by the fame of tbe words and
miracles of Jesus. They were enemies, how
ever, and not learners. “Every town of
&c.” This shows tbe extent of country
over which reports of Jesns bad gone “The
power of the Lord was present to heal
them.” That is, Jesus at that time exercised
divine power in healing in an unusual
degree.
V. 18. "Men.” *>ur in number. “Bed.”
A mattress spreaaßlpon some high frame
probably. “Palsy.” A disease which effects
the power of motion or the power of sensa
tion, or both- Sometimes one side of the
body only is affected, and sometimes both.
This man’s case was evidently a bad one.
V- 19. “House-top.” Oriental houses
were usually buiit around an open square,
termed the court, and were flat-roofed. A
stairway leu from the court to the roof
"Tiling." Os which the roof was made.
V. 20. “Thy sins are forgiven thee." Je
sus saw that the afflicted man was oppressed
with a scale of sin. “Their faith." Both
bearers and the patient believed that Jesus
bad power to heal.
V. 21. “Speaketh blasphemies.” By
claiming the power of God.
V. 22. "When.” As soon as. “'What
reason ye!” Matthew says, “Wherefore
think ye evil in your hearts ?” thereby show
ing that their questions were not those of
honest inquirers, but the suggestions of
hatred.
V. 23." Whether it is easier, &c.” He shows
his power to forgive by his power to instant
ly remove the palsy.
V. 24. He gives the proof which shall
have convinced every one of them.
V, 25. “Rose up before them.” A visible
and wonderful proof.
V. 26, "Filled with fear,” because they
recognized a superhuman power. “We have
seen strange things to day.” They marveled
that one apparently like themselves should
remove palsy and forgive sins.
TEACHING THE LESSON.
Both the leper and the paralytic well rep
resent the sinner. Both of them were incu
rable and helpless. Different ways of reach
ing the Savior are presented here. The
leper comes quickly but earnestly, with
faith yet scarcely daring to hope. The par
alytic is brought, he and his bearers expect
ing a cure. Both are in earnest, both are
prayerful, both confess themselves helpless,
both are sensible that no one else can cure
them. Bring ont the grace of the Savior to
these men. He touches the leper and he is
clean. He forgives tbe palsied man and
bids him rise and walk. The cure of both
is instantaneous and perfect. A word from
Jesus will give peace to the most anxious
soul. They that want salvation can obtain
it at once.
The great object of the teacher with this
lesson should be to illustrate the sinner’s
terrible condition, the Savior’s power and
grace, the simplicity of the method of sal
vation and the certain reward of faith.
A LETTER FROM SA VAN'S AH.
'Editor Index ! For two weeks we nave
held meetings daily in our church. Rev. J.
E. Hutson, of Virginia, had arranged meet
ings for Savannah, Albany and Americus.
He promised to be in Savannah on the 23rd
of January. The interests of the meeting
in the Second Church, Richmond, deman
ded another week there. At the end of
that week he was sick and in the hands of
doctors. Now it is probable that he will
give up his contemplated work in this State.
I commenced the meeting on the 23rd, and
Bro. R. T. Hanks, who had promised to aid
me if Bro. Hutson failed to come, came
from Atlanta on the 24th, and remained,
preaching daily, and with good effect, until
yesterday. Last evening four were baptized,
two have been received for baptism, and
seven by letter. An addition of thirteen,
and a majority of them heads of families.
The meeting has been profitable and de
lightful to Christians. Bro. Hank's labors
were constant, instructive and earnest. He
leaves us with the high and grateful appre
ciation of the church.
The Trustees of Mercer University have
elected me Financial Secretary and Lecturer
on Theology. I have declared my intention
to assume the position and its duties, as
soon as I can be released from my pastoral
obligations here. Sylvanus Landrum.
Feb. 5, 1881.
AGNOSTICISM.
Some one having the leisure, and possess
ing the peculiar fitness, might give to his
times a very curious and interesting work by
writing a history of Doubt. So far as I am
informed, such a service has nev r been at
tempted. Many have written upon different
forms of unbelief—each one speaking of
the particular phase of it presented in his
time and to his view ; but no one has un
■ dertaken tbe broader and greatest task of
; tracing through the ages the rise and fall of
' the various forms of doubt that have ap
I peared in the realms ot unbelieving minds
The historian in this wide, metaphysical
field would find out, in his researches, the
curious fact that unbelief—the same ancient
hoary, protean unbelief that has figured
against revealed truth—is at the foundation
of all the phases of doubt, and also find out
the Scriptural truth, that Satan—the same
old “father of lies" that has figured against
God—is at the bottom ot all unbelief. Then,
really we would have in such a work the
history, the curious history of Satan as in
carnated, and enthroned,’ and reigning in
unbelieving men—in the tbe doubt of all
ancient and modern thought. And reach
ing our time, we would find that the present
and culminating phas> of unbelief is in
Agnosticism.
t'he same ancient, shifting spirit assumes
a new form of doubt, and we must have a
new name for it, hence the coinage of the
new term, agnosticism. The word is formed
of “a,” a negative prefix, and "gignosko,” to
know. It is applied to the philosophy or
religion of those among modern thinkers
who hold to the unknowableness of divine
and eternal things. Then, an agnostic is a
philosophical or religious know-nothing.
It is no marvel that we should see this cul
mination of unbelief in universal doubt.
The unbelieving world has been led on and
on by the seducing prince of darkness into
bleaker and still bleaker realms, and it is
not strange that, at last, its “advanced
thinkers” have been led to, and have gone
over, the dreadful p e ripice into abysmal
doubt! “Working ii the children of
disobedience,” “ira lag captive” unbe
lieving thought, Satan, the arch agnostic,
has engulfed bis followers in trackless, dis
mal scepticism I J. H. H.
Newnan, Ga.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DeVOTIE, D.D.. I jm..
KEV. C. M. IRWIN, f Edltonl ‘
Minion Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion— Officers: Rev. R. B. Hcadden, President;
Rev. J. H. De Voile, Corresponding Secretary and
Treasurer: Rev. V. C. Norcross, Recording
Secretary. Members—Revs. D. W. Gwin, A. T.
Spalding, H. C. Hornady, F. M. Daniel, V. C.
Norcross, Dr. Jas. 8. Lawton Atlanta; G. A. Nun
nally, Rome; D. E. Butler,Madison; J. G. Ryals
and R. B. Headden, Cartersville; J. H. DeVole.
Foreign Mission Board of tbe Southern Baptist
Convention.-Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Corres
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
Home Mission Board of the Southern Bantlst
Convention—Rev. Wm. A. Mclntosh, D.D., Cor
responding Secretary, Marion, Alabama.
WHAT ANSWERS WILL WE MAKE?
1. What more has Jesus done and suffered
to save our missionaries than he has endur
ed to save our souls ?
2. In your estimaion, do they express too
much gratitude and love when, at his com
mand, they go to preach his gospel to the
heathen, enduring suffering, and sacrificing
all for his sake, that the lost of benighted
nations may be saved ?
3. They say “the love of Christ constrain
eth us.” How is it that his equal love for
us does not constrain us to share in that
work which is more than anything else
pleasing to our Lord and Master ?
4. If our missionaries are in the right, are
we not wrong who do so little or nothing
for the conversion of the world? Are they
under any obligation which is not, in some
way, equally binding upon every disciple of
Christ?
“Lord what wilt thou have me to do, be
the prayer of each one of us.” Then, when
made wise to know, may we be strong to do
our duty without delay.
Do something—do it now. D.
The following is an extract from the Mis
sion Report of the Friendship Association,
1880:
"Can we, shall we, hear the wails of the
destitute and dying at our own doors, and
upon foreign shores, and still allow our
hearts to remain untouched by these pathet
ic appeals, and our purses unopened by these
pressing wants? Shall we. so highly favor
ed of God in material and spiritual resources,
still refuse to respond promptly and liberal
ly to the calls made upon our Christian be
nevolence? Will we not, all of us, bestir
ourselves to do more than we have ever done
for the evangelization of a sin-stricken
world? In our own State there are large
sections of country where the gospel is sel
dom, or never heard, and where feeble
churches are struggling for existence.
“From Albany to Brunswick, along the
line of railroad connecting these two cities,
there is only one feeble church. From
Eastman to Brunswick there are only a few
churches ; and lying almost south of those
two roads is a region of 80 by 60 miles where
there is scarcely a Baptist church. Let us
then commence at Jerusalem, indeed, but
let us not stop there—let us not relax our
efforts; withhold our contributions, nor
restrain our prayers, until ‘every creature’
shall hear the glad tidings of salvation ; un
til there is not a spot on God's green earth
where the gospel is not proclaimed ; until
every human ear has heard, and every hu
man heart has felt, the preciousness of a Sa
vior’s dying love.
“We suggest as some of the causes of our
seeming indifference in regard to this mo
mentous matter:—
“Ist. The absence of an abiding and in
tense missionary spirit.
“2d. A want of iaith in God’s readiness to
give us back what we give to him.
“3d. The lack of information in regard to
our missionary places and operations.
“4th. A failure to realize that the law of
Christ requires every one to lay by him in
store, every week, as God has prospered, and
the consequent neglect of a regular system
atic plan of contributions.
“We recommend a still more hearty and
cordial support of our State Board of Mis
sions, and request all of our churches to take
up regular monthly or quarterly collections,
and forward to Dr. J. H. DeVotie, Corres
ponding Secretary and Treasurer of State
Mission Board, Atlanta, Georgia, or to Wm.
Wells, Treasurer of Friendship Association,
Smithville, Georgia. B, W. Bussey,
“Chairman.”
The Executive Committee of the Associa
tion has lately made an appropriation to our
State Board of $350 toward tbe support of
Rev. P. A. Jessup, our excellent and efficient
missionary located at Eastman, and preach
ing at several stations in the destitute re
gions referred to in the report, along the line
of the Macon and Brunswick railroad.
D.
Report on Missions prepared by Judge J.
R. Brown, of Canton, Georgia, and adopted
by the Noonday Association, at its annual
meeting, 1880. Read, reflect, reduce to prac
tice:
“The great work and mission of Christ’s
Church on earth, is the spread of the gospel.
Christ commanded his disciples to ‘go and
preach the gospel to all nations,’ and we are
taught in his holy word, “That they who
preach tbe gospel shall live of the gospel.”
The same blessed book which teaches it is
the duty of the minister to go and preach,
also teaches that it is the duty of the churches
to sustain him while he goes. The history
of the Church, through all the ages of the
past, shows that God has sent bis gospel by
means, and he has placed the means in the
hands of his people, and pointed them to
the field where the labor is to be done; and
will hold them responsible, in the great day
of his reckoning, for the manner in which
they have used the means placed at their
command.
Thousands and millions of our fellow-men
and women are perishing for want of the
gospel! The harvest is great and the labor
ers are few. The blessed Master commands
us to pray that more laborers be sent into
the field. But how can we pray for more
laborersand, at tbe same time, refuse to con
tribute the means to support them? God
will not hear our prayers while we thus re
fuse to obey’ his commands.
“We feel encouraged and profoundly
grateful to God for his increased interest
manifested in the churches of this Associa
tion, in this important work, as shown by
the increase of contributions for the present
over the amount contributed for last year.
But a still more encouraging prospect is the
fact that several churches have made con
tributions during thisyear which made none
heretofore. This shows that our brethren
are beginning, more than ever before, to ap
preciate the great importance of the work ;
and, seeing and understanding their duty,
are, like faithful servants, performing it.
But, without intending to make the slight
est reflection upon either the motives or con
duct of those good brethren who have not
felt it their duty, in the past, to contribute
anything to this great and glorious object,
wc suggest, in the utmost kindness and
brotherly love, that it is difficult for your
committee to understand how it is that a
church composed of brethren and sisters who
profess to be missionaries can content them
selves to let a whole year pass without con
tributing anything to the cause they admit
it is their duty to sustain I We do not insist
that brethren, or churches, should contribute
more than they are able, but we think it to
be the duty of every church to do something
in this work. We pray God to awaken in
the minds and hearts of his people a greater
zeal and more lively interest in this impor
tant work. J. R. Brown,
“Chairman.”
"DOES IT PAY?"
“At the first meeting of the Triennial
Convention, $25.00 was raised for Foreign
Missions. Now about fifty grand Protestant
organizations are engeged in the work, with
11,040 Christian laborers, 761,388 communi
cants, 229,058 scholars, and 350,000 adher
ents, who have adopted the Chiistian name;
and this work is supported at an annual ex
penditure of $6,531,930. Tn more than 300
’alee of Eastern and Southern Polynesia, the
gospel has swept heathenism away’, says the
Secretary of the London Missionary Society.
Os the 1,350,000,000 of the earth, 360,000,000
profess faith in Christ.
"You express doubt as to African Evan
gelization. Philip bad no doubt when he
preached Jesus to the Cushite, or black man,
whose people, ruled by Queens called Can
dace, according to ancient writers, lived
‘South of Egypt.' Witness African evangeli
zation in America. Are Africans more de
graded than the Fijis? At a recent Anni
versary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society,
the Governor of Fiji said that of the 120,000
Fijis, 100,000 were regular church-goers;
that the natives themselves had built 800
church-houses.
"On the progress of the work, Rev- J. H.
Boothe, says, in 1879; 'During six years the
Protestants of Japan have increased from
thirteen to 12,000. The leading paper in
Japan, speaking of Christianity, said not
loug ago. ‘lt is astonishing how this way is
spreading.’
“The Hon, William Ware has lately visi
ted the Sandwich Islands, and be reports
that no land is now better supplied with
schools, And churhes; and says ‘There are
in Worcester county, Massachusetts, more
persons who can neither read nor write, than
in the Sandwich Islands. Sixty years ago
these people were cannibals. On the mon
ument of Dr John Giddis, who labored as
Missionary in one of these Islands, is engra
ved the sentence : when he came here there
were no Christians; 'when he went away
there were no heathen.’
“ The Presbyterians of this country report
600 converts at their missionary stations du
ring the past year; the Congregationalists
1,225, while the Baptists report 17,000. The
Presbyterians spent $461,668, the Congrega
tionalists $482,204, and the Baptists $278,823.
“Tbe various Missionaiy Societies of the
world have put in circulation one hundred
and fifty millions of copies of the Scriptures
in heathen lands, and the Bible is now prin
ted in 230 modern languages and dialects.
“Hear what the Secretary of the Mission
ary Union says, ,in his Annual Report of
1879: ‘Especially do we find ground of en
couragement in the wonderful success of
Christian Missions hitherto. At the close
of 1877, British India, including Burmah
and Ceylon, contained 500,000 Christian na
tives, with a nominally Christian population
of at least 2,000,000, or more. And at the
same ratio of increase which has prevailed
during the last twenty years, fifty,years more
will make the whole vast region as really
Christian as Great Britain is to-day. Then
look at China, with its 14,000 converts, most
ly gathered since the opening of the treaty
ports. If any one should be inclined to re
gard this as a small number to be gathered
out of the 350,000,000 or 400,000,000 of Chi
na, let us remind him that, if conversions go
on in the same ratio in the future as in the
past, thirty-five years from to-day will see
26 000,000 of professing Christians in China,
with a nominally Christian population of
100,000,000 more. Then look at Africa, with
its 180,000 Christians on the Southeastern
coast, between the Cape of Good Hope and
the Zambesi, besides the thousands on the
southern or western coasts, and four, per
haps five, of the noblest Missionary Socie
ties are pushing on to occupy the region
around the great central lakes. See Polyne
sia, with 68,000 converts, and a Christian
population of more than 100,000. Think of
Japan, which stands in the van of heathen
civilization, and inquires for the true relig
ion, tbe authoritative system of God, and
the all sufficient religion for humanity.
Though the open converts to Christianity
are not numerous, yet the labors bestowed
upon the people have resulted in more than
the average success in other lands.” —(For-
eign Missionary of S. B. Convention, p. 260
and 261.) —St. Louis Baptist.
PROGRESS OF MISSIONS.
We sometimes hear doubtful or disparag
ing remarks on the subject of missions—usu
ally to the effect that the results are by no
means commensurate with the machinery
employed and the expenditure of money.
What are the facts?
Fifty years ago there was but one Chris
tian convert in Burmah; to-day there are
more than 20,000.
In a recent address Rev. Arthur T. Pierson,
D. D., of Detroit, Mich., gave the following
figures, which show at a glance the immense
development of missionary work during the
present century:,
Raiieof
Number of 1800. 1880. Increase.
Translations of Bible. 50 250 5 fold
Missionary Societies... 7 70 10 ”
Missionariesl7o 2,500 15 "
Contributions 8250,000 $8,250,000 25 "
Bibles distributeds,ooo,ooo 150,000,000 30 "
Converts 50,000 1,800,000 35 "
Schools 70 12,003 170 "
When the modern missionary work began,
it had not only every difficulty in foreign
fields to overcome, but it was weak at home,
from lack of interest and confidence, and,
consequently, from lack of support. If this
be duly considered in connection with the
result reported, and if, then, we consider the
multiplication of agencies, the vastly aug
mented resources and facilities, we are justi
fied in expecting much greater results from
the next half century’s work.—Baptist Fami
ly Magazine.
No Excuse.—Opportunities for extending
the knowledge of the gospel areso abundant
that all are without excuse. The work is
brought nigh, even at our doors. In it every
Christian man and woman can engage, as
sured by the blessed Savior that their efforts
will not be in vain. Os all the duties to
which a Christian can devote himself, there
is none that more clearly illustrates the
spirit of Jesus and imparts richer spiritual
enjoyments, and inspires us with brighter
hopes of heaven, than constant, regular,
systematic efforts to send the gospel to the
nations. If we look for the brightest exam
ples of true devotion—for those whose praise
is in all the churches—where are we so like
ly to find them as among the friends of mis
sions ? As you regard the last command of
vour Lord and Master—as you value, above
all things, his approving smiles—as you de
sire to rescue the perishing—if you would
promote the glory of God, make no excuse,
but enter heartily and liberally in the cause
of missions.
Will not every Baptist in Georgia respond
to the call for help recently made by our
Foreign Mission Board? Reader, have you
read that appeal ? Have you forwarded your
offering? If not, what excuse have you?
Are you sure your excuse will be accepted
by Him to whom you will have to render
your account? I.
The Japanese Sunday-schools disapprove
of the fictitious tales with which our library
books for young people are loaded. They
want true stories, or none. A number of
American and British Sunday-school libras
ry books have been translated into Japa
nese, but the youthful Japs refuses to give
heed to those which contain fabulous narra
tions. Dry biographies and uninteresting
“memoirs,” which the American child long
ago laid aside as bores, delight the Japanese
mind because of their real or supposed his
torical accuracy.—Baptist Teacher.