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JAMES SHANNON,
Editors Index; The mention of this
name in a recent number of Tub Index, has
revived recollections which it may be well
to pla'* upon record. He was an Irishman
by birth and education.
In 1821, Rev. Wm. McWhir, I) D., himself
an Irishman, a distinguished Presbyterian
minister, and all the latter fieri of tils life a
resident of Liberty county, in this State,
being about to visit bis native land, was
requested by the Trustees of iun bury Acade
my to select a suitable teacher for that insti
tutioti. Dr. McWhir had been, fora number
of years, rector of that academy, and was
every way well qualified to make the selec
tion The result was that, on his return,
Mr. Shannon came over with him. and he
was duly installed as Principal of the acade
my in January, 1822, where he remained in
charge several years, giving great satisfac
tion, and being largely patronized
The writer,then a youth of about fifteen, was
one of bis first pupils, was under his instruc
tion about three yean, and was more in
debted te him as a teacher than to any other
man. A portion of this time I was a mem
her of bis family and bis assistant teacher,
and, therefore, bad good opportunities of
learning bis history, and of forming a correct
judgment of his character.
When Mr. Shannon came over to this
country, he had just attained to his majority
—ba I but recently graduated from Belfast
College, and was a licensed minister of the
Presbyterian Church. I have no doubt be
was one of the most thoroughly educated
men who has ever figured in this State. He
was of medium height, well formed, of a
sprightly and benignant countenance, of
courtly manners, and, taken altogether, an
exceedingly interesting person. He possess
ed great mental resources, and had all the
elements of a genuine Irish orator. Though
truly pious, and sincerely conscientious, he
was, unfortunately, an extremist on all sub
jects in which he became interested. He
ever maintained an unblemished character,
yet his proneness to ultraisms was a great
drawback to his usefulness.
In the fall of 1822, a general and powerful
revival of religion prevailed in Sunbury and
all along the coast of Georgia. In Novem
ber of that year, the writer and about forty
others were baptized at Sunbury by Rev. 0.
0 Screven, D. D. Mr. Shannon and other
gentlemen occupied a position where they
had a good view of the scene. Looking on
fora few moments he turned to a gentleman
and said, “That is the apostolic mode of
baptism. This is the first time I have ever
witnessedit; but I have no doubt of the
Savior having been baptized in that way. It
is very impressive.'’
This admission of his was soon noised
abroad, and created some excite.cent among
his Pedobaptist friends. As the time for his
ordination was approaching, be was request
ed to prepare bis trial sermon on the ques
tion “Was John’s baptism Christian bap
tism?’’ He informed me subsequently that,
up to that time, he had never examined the
subject of baptism, and that, though he was
convinced that the Savior was baptized by
immersion, yet he bad no doubt that there
was Scriptural authority for infant baptism.
Under these circumstances he went to work
on his aermon, honestly desiring to ascertain
the truth on the subject. About this time
the writer and two other young brethren
were unwittingly witnesses of a scene which
seldom has its counterpart. Mr. Shannon
occupied, as his sleeping apartment, a room
in the upper story ot the academy. On the
same fl x>r, and just across the hall, were the
two young- brethren mentioned. Being in
their room on a certain Sabbath afternoon,
■the doors of both rooms being open, Dr.
McWhir made a call on Mr. Shannon, and
the subject of his church relations soon be
came the topic of conversation. Both being
Irishmen, of course they soon became exci
ted. Dr. McW. implored him as a father
and friend, and as the friend of his parents
in the old country, “that he would draw back
from the fatal step he was about to take.”
Mr. Shannon replied "that his mind was
wavering, and that he had not yet decided
to leave the Presbyterians. He had never,
until lately, doubted the scripturalness of
infant baptism ; but he had searched the
word of God in vain to find authority for
it.” Rising from his seat he stepped across
the room, picked up a Bible, and presenting
it to Dr. McW., said, “If this book contains
such authority, you know where it is, and I
entreat you, as a father, to cite me to it. A
single passage will relieve my mind of all
anxiety.” The old doctor tried to waive the
question ; but Shannon maintained his po
sition, Bible in hand, beseeching bis venera
ble friend “to point him to a single passage,
even to a single verse, that authorized infant
baptism.” In a moment Dr. McWhir was
also on his feet, and saying, “I see you are
gone,—it’s no use to reason with you,”—
started down stairs, Mr. Shannon following,
Bible in hand, still begging to be cited to
that one verse. In descending to the street,
where Dr. McWhir’s carriage was awaiting
him, they made several pauses. They were
both weeping. Arriving at the front portico,
Mr. 8 made nis last but unavailing entreaty,
when the scene claeed. It was a memorable
incident, somewhat amusing, but full of in
struction. That “one verse” has not been
found to this day.
Not many weeks intervened when Mr.
presented himself to the Baptist
church in Sunbury as a candidate for bap
tism ; —was received and baptized by Rev.
C. O. Screven, D. D was licensed to preach,
and not long thereafter was ordained to the
ministry, Dr. Wm. B. Johnson, then of Sa
vannah, afterwards of South Carolina,
(preaching the ordination sermon.
A few years after this he was called to the
pastorship of the church in Augusta, Ga.,
the elder Dr. Wm. T. Brantly, having left
that place for Philadelphia. How long he
continued in Augusta I cannot remember,
though it was not many years. Thence lie
removed to Athens, having accepted a Pro
fessorship in our State University. It is safe
to affirm that be was one of the ablest schol
ars ever connected with that institution. I
Think he was the flrat Baptist ever honored
with such a position. Up to that time, the
Presbyterians had held almost exclusive con
trol. Mr. Shannon was acknowledged to be
an able Professor. The only trouble about
him there and elsewhere was, that be kept
the Pedobaptista in continual hot water.
They were oom polled to be on the defensive
all the while. In Athens he was pastor of
the church as well as Professor, and was
successful in adding many to its member
ship.
The next position he occupied was that of
President ot the State University of Missis
sippi, and the last that of the University of
Missouri. All these places were filled with
credit to himself, and to the entire satisfac
tion of his employers. He was a man of
great ability, noble impulses, and sincere
piety.
After locating in the West, he identified
himself with the Disciples or Campbellites.
<i-do not know what to call them. My un
derstanding is that they are not agreed
among themselves as to their proper desig
nation). The Baptists were not sufficiently
Baptistic for him. He was a great acquisi
tion -to any people, or party, or denomina
tion. He also launched into politics, and
had several encounters with Thoa. H. Ben
ton, who found in him “a foeman worthy of
his steel.”
My last interview with Mr. Shannon was
ra Augusta, in this State, during a session of
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1881.
our Baptist State Convention. Healing that
he was in the city, I called upon him at his
private quarters. He received me cordially
—as had ever been his wont- and, alter
spending a delightful half hour with him,
we parted, in hope of meeting in that coun
try “where we shall see eye to eye,” and
where all “shall speak the same things.”
J. H. Campbell.
Columbus, Ga.
THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE NEO RO
RACE.
Without controversy too much has been
expected of the negro, by the people who
procured iiis emancipation.
In this way much injustice has been done
the race, and probably very great injury. Os
course, this was not the intention ot the
friends of the negro, but was a very natural
mistake, resulting from not understanding
his character and peculiarities. That there
are race distinctions, is so patent, it would
seem that no thoughtful person would, for
a moment, overlook a fact so important in
coming to safe conclusions, as to the capa
bilities and poasibdities of the freedmen who
constitute no inconsiderable factor in our
population. With tbe kindest feelings to
wards the race, and with a sincere desire
for their welfare, I feel constrained to utter
truths in relation to them which others have
failed to record.
Our Northern friends are, doubtless, sin
cere in their belief that slavery is responsible
for the low state of civilization to which the
freedmen have attained since their manu
mission. That this is true, to some extent,
is not denied, but there are other causes
which must be taken into the account, if we
are to form a correct judgment upon this
important question. It is a fact that no two
distinct races have ever developed tbe same
kind of civilization, and in tbe very nature
of things, such an event can not be expect
ed.
When history speaks, her testimony will
fully sustain the ground assumed. How
different was the civilization developed by
the Greeks from that of the several races
contemporary with them in the days of Per
icles? Why did they so far surpass all the
nations of their day, in literature, science
and art ?
Location, climate and other causes may
account for the difference, to some extent,
but, at last, we must credit race distinctions
with the greater part of Greek superiority.
The Romans, although they copied much
from the Greeks, could never reproduce
their civiliza‘ion, and every nation which
has tried it since, has met with no better
success.
The Ethiopians who are supposed to have
built Thebes and Karnak never could rival
the Greeks in letters, art and science.
Then you may take all families of the Se
mitic race, and although they developed a
high state of civilization and culture, they
differed in all from tbe Aryans, and differed
widely.
China to day lias attained to great distinc
tion in letters and art, but how different is
their civilization from that of the Western
nations!
That tbe negro race may be civilized and
even enlightened, is possible, but those who
propose to do this upon the Anglo-Saxon,
plan are certainly doomed to disappoint
ment in the end.
His race distinction must be taken into
account, and he must attain to a civilization
which will be peculiar to himself, if any at
ail. His will be, as compared to tbe more
energetic Caucasian, of a lower grade and
of a far inferior type.
There is really civilization in Africa,which
is shown in architecture, manufactures, and
tbe like, but there is scarcely any compari
son to the same things elsewhere. Their
houses are not at all tbe same structures
which are seen even among the pioneers of
our Western world.
They make axes, but insert the axe into
the handle, and the same difference obtains
in all their agricultural and domestic imple
ments. lam reliably informed that there
is but one wheeled conveyance in the colony
of Liberia and that a very clumsy affair.
In South Africa the Dutch Boers have es
tablished free States, and developed a credit
able civilzrtion, but how is the case with
their neighbors,the Caffres and the Besutos?
Have they kept pace in improvement with
the whites whose example is ever before
them ?
So far from this being the case, they are
in the same condition of semi-barbarism of
their forefathers a thousand years ago.
In fact about the only civilization ot any
value which has been built up in Africa has
been done either by the white or mixed
races, while the negro has clung to the bar
barons traditions that obtained among his
ancestors in the days of Alexander tbe
Great, and in the time of the Caesars These
are facts, and they are said to be stubborn
things.
True, there are exceptions among the
race; for some have risen above their fel
lows, catching the spirit of improvement,
but exceptions serve to confirm the rule. It
is right to help the negroes, but certainly it
is not sound policy to do too much for a
people.
It is the order of Divine providence that
men and nations should carve out their
own destiny; and if the negro is to come to
much in the future, be must achieve it by
his own energy and effort,
No one can ever make an expert swimmer
who relies upon floats to sustain him in the
water, and no people can ever become great
and powerful, who depend upon the brain
and muscle of others more vigorous than
their own.
Too much tutelage will ruin any people,
betause it tends to repress and destroy their
internal forces; and ir tbe negro waits and
relies upon the support of either Northern
or Southern whites he is’doomed to be a per
fietual underling. If he'cannot courageous
y grapple with the great problems of life
for himself, and work out a civilization pe
culiar to his race, then I must, tell him
plainly that his freedom will never prove
the inestimable boon which he lias been
taught to regard it. “The gods help those
who help themselves," and this is just as true
of nations as of individuals. Honesty,
truthfulness, chastity, industry and econo
my, if persisted in, will just as surely make
a nation prosperous and happy as the same
causes will produce similar results to indi
viduals.
There must be stamina in a people who
overcome the difficulties which oppose
themselves to progress, for without these
there is bound to be collapse and failure.
Let the negroes, then, cease looking to out
side help, and trusting in tbecommon Fath
er, fall back upon their own brain and mus
cle, and work out their own temporal salva
tion by their own exertions, although they
have to do it in fear and trembling. But as
Christianity is the foundation for all true
civilization, the negro should rely more upon
the knowledge of the gospel than upon sec
ular education for the elevation of his race.
Let a people become truly Christian, and
civilization, education and national happi
ness will as surely follow as day comes with
the rising sun. Pure religion, and undetiled,
is what the negro needs,—religion which
will insure honesty, truthfulness and chas
tity. Tinder this blessed power he will de
velop a civilization, but it will be that suita
ble to his race condition. H. C. H.
Io all there are 241 ordained missionaries
of all denominations in China, and 19,000
Communicants. There are 165 stations and
576 out stations. China is supplied with the
goepel as well as the United States would be
supplied if there were only 45 ordained
ministers of all denominations in the en
tire country.
MONTHLY OLIVE BRANCH
The recent decided expressions condemna
tory of the spirit of war, and of participation
by Obri-tians in war itself, which have ap
peared in various Baptist quarters, seem alto
to have stimulated thoseot other denomina
tions to kindred responses. Thus it is (by
way of comparison) when men apply them
selves to lift a wagon out of a rut; the exer
tion which raises the particular wheel at
which they are laboring, elevates, at the
same time, the whole body of the vehicle to
a better position. 80, it is equally impossi
ble that any one should be faithful to tbe
talent, small or great, that has been commit
ted to him by tbe Lord of all, but that tbe
body of society will be affected in an appre
ciable degree (although this may be appar -
ent only to God himself) by the upward
impulse. With this preface, I think the
following thoroughly appreciative remarks
by the “Christian Intelligencer,” upon tbe
morally brave position taken by the present,
Gladstone ministry in retiring* from the"
Transvaal contest, will be perused with in
terest by every reader of Tax Index :
"The virtual withdrawal of the British
government from the Transvaal is, in many
respects, the most noteworthy and auspi
cious event of modern times. We doubt
whether any other country but England, or
any other minister than Mr. Gladstone,
would have been capable of an act of such
magnanimity. It was dope in spite of the
inherited depravity of a former administra
tion, in spite of pride, of the counsels of a
worldly-wise expediency. It was a conces
sion not in the hour of victory, but of defeat
At the same time, it was done with entire
consciousness of power to crush the plucky
little antagonist It was with the full
knowledge that the act would be trumpeted
over the entire East, and interpreted as a
retreat, and perba[>s be regarded as a pre
mium on insubordination to the empire. It
was simply an act of consistency with itself
on tbe part of government, and of justice
which must be done though the heavens
fall. We believe it to be a pure act—at its
fountain-head at least —of Christian princi
ple; one of the very finest applications, if
not the first, of the Golden Rule, and the
Sermon on the Mount, to international puli
tics.
“ ‘Yes, Christian,’ it will be said, ‘but not
statesmanship.’ We join issue there. We
believe the truth applies to States as well as
to individuals, that if we ‘seek first the king
dom of God and His righteousness.’ all other
things shall be added unto us. We believe
that the peacemakers will be blessed,and that
tbe meek will inherit tbe earth. If England
has not always been trne to this spirit, let'ns
all the more readily accord her the credit in
this case; and let us not show our own want
of Christian charity, by ungraciously going
about to find other motives for her action.
Mr. Gladstone's act probes the heart, and
t“sts the reality, of the so-called Christian
world. Shall we be noble enough to recog
nize this practical Christianity, and shall we
be true enough to imitate it, and more and
more to make tbe law of the Kingdom of
God the law of nations? We crown that
‘good grey head' with olive leaves far brighter
and more glorious than laurel. Ana as he
shall take his contemplated and well earned
Easter vacation among the sunny shores of
the Mediterranean, may the peace of God be
on his spirit—as of one who knows that be
see<s, like his risen Lord, ‘Peace on earth,
good will to men.’ ”
In the light of this really Christian action
of the British minister, and of the approval
which it must elicit even from the enemies
of our religion, I believe there may baflnK
struction and warning in lifting, for one
moment, the mask of the hateful war spirit,
and in beholding its repulsive lineaments
revealed. This wemay do in reflecting npon
the following telegram sent from South Af
rica to tbe “London Times” only a month
ago, when the prospect of peace seemed im
minent. The dispatch reads: “There will
be great consternation in the colony should
peace be signed without the Boers having
felt the superiority of our arms.”
Only a few brief months haveelapsed since
W. E. Gladstone, immediately after his ac
cession to his present high position, was
waited upon by a committee of earnest,
peace loving members of Parliament and
others, with the request that he would fully
declare his approval of a parliamentary mo
tion looking toward some proposition of at
least partial disarmament by the European
powers. But the Prime Minister, whilst
expressing his concurrence in the ends pro
posed by his esteemed visitors, stated that
there was one thing which especially con
cerned him, which was—that England her
self was in the midst of her own troubles of
interference and aggression, in Europe, Asia
and Africa, and that it seemed, to his mind,
there would be a significance and power in
proposing measures of disarmament and
peace to the other powers, when England
herself should lead the way, with clean
hands, in the path of consistency.
Now, was the Prime Minister in earnest,
or was his answer that of a diplomatist, such
as—it will be allowed me to say—was Bea
consfield, his predecessor? A brief survey of
the present aspect of Britain’s political hori
zon will convince us that the words were ins
tended by Gladstone to be understood as ut
tered, and that actions accordant therewith
might be expected of himself.
As proof, we find in Europe, the negotia
tions with Greece and tbe Porte, proceeeding
calmly and deliberately, although they in
volve a notably perplexing and irritating
question. In Asia, Afghanistan has been,
or is being, evacuated by the British army,
and the “Scientific frontier” is no more
heard of. In Africa, the wars in Basuto-land
and the Transvaal have apparently termina
ted, whilst a threatened war with the King
of Asbantee has entirely subsided and peace
is assured. Even respecting the relations of
America and England upon the Fisheries
question, there is now every prospect of an
early settlement. England, it is understood,
has signified her willingness to concede a
lioint, so that an assessment of damages in a
ump sum may either be made by the mutual
agreement of the parties, or, the matter may
be settled by the course of arbitration,—
England and the United States each to select
an arbitrator, and those two to choose a
third, in the usual way.
In contemplating these cheering results,
we may well ejaculate—" What a blessing to
a nation are God-fearing rulers!’’ Ana, if
blessed with such ourselves, let us not forget
to strengthen them by our prayers and ny
our honest endeavors. J. W. L.
Philadelphia.
REMINISCENCES OF MERCER.
NUMBER 111.
"Ernest” has suggested the "Old South
western" Society as one of the topics upon
which he would like to have something
written. I know nothing of that Society
save some traditions which were still linger
ing in the College in 1851, and whieh seemed
to place this in the very remote past.
From what I could gather, the boys who
composed that society brought themselves
into considerable odium, and after it was
disbanded, nothing of the kind was attemp
ted fora number of years.
The next secret society in the College, of
which I knew more, was not less disturbful
of harmony and good feeling. It was in the
Fall Term of 1852 that a few students—per
haps a baker’s dozen—were noticed wearing
a golden badge of a peculiar shape upon the
bows of their cravats, or the lappels of their
coats. It was a globe inclosed in a square,
and upon the globe were tbe two letters "K.
A.” When questioned about it—which, of
course, they were —they said that it was the
badge of a secret society, Kappa Alpha by
name, but nothing further was oommumca-
ted. It was not known when nor where
they met; nor what were their objects, aims
and principle*. That these were, in nowise,
dishonorable, one might have been assured
by tbe character of the members; for almott
every one was distinguished for moral, as
well as intellectual, worth. But it was not
to be expected that school-boys wonld take
this into consid ration, nor had they exper
ience enough of secret societies to feel sure
that there was no secret worth keeping, and
tiiat, beyond certain grips and pass words,
there was no mystery.
This Society soon became as much an ob
ject of hatred as it was of curiosity. By some
it was thought that these parties had banded
themselves together for tbe purpose of carry
ing out certain plans in the two literary
societies Others, who esteemed the mem*
bers personally, resented the eclecticism that
left them out. Tnus, for one reason or an
other, they incurred a large measure of
odium. Still, they had their friends. The
little community was, in fact, not very un
equally divided, and it was anticipated that
tbe election of anniversary orators in the
Ciceronian and Phi Delta Societies, in which
the two factions would measure their
strength, would be very hotly contested.
But that this new society was tbe occasion,
if not tbe cause, of much ill-feeling, there
could be no doubt. All along through tbe
Spring Term of 1853, this went on spreading
and becoming intensified. Old friends be
came estranged. Plotting an 4 counter
plotting was continually going on. The dis
position to work for party effaced, to a great
extent, the emulation that the students were
wont to feel in working for their respective
literary societies. It began to be no unusual
thing for concealed weapons to be carried.
There was, in the minds of those least affec
ted by this strife of parties, a constant dread
of some outbreak. Considering how much
excitement there was prevailing, it was really
•a wonder that no open rupture occurred.
The bitterness of feeling, however, knew
little abatement, though, towards the close
of the year, other excitements, of which we
may hereafter speak, for a time rendered
this less conspicuous. But when the Spring
Term of 1854 opened, it found the secret
society still tbe object of jealousy and hate,
and it also found it standing pretty much
alone; for those who had enlisted as its
friends in tbe preceding year, upon outside
issues, had mostly fallen away. How long
the Faculty had been apprised of this bad
state of feeling among the students we do
not know; but they had learned both that
the jealousies existed, and that this secret
society was, if not the cause, certainly the
occasion. Not long after the opening of the
Bpring session of 1854, they determined to
make some effort to remedy the evil. They
went about it wisely. All the members of
the society were summoned to the study of
the President, who, with that touching elo
quence for which he was remarkable, appeal
to them to aid the officers in healing the dis
sensions among the students. They then
retired. In a few minutes they returned to
bis room, and their spokesman Unformed
him that they had unanimously agreed to
dissolve. This he took occasion to announce
that afternoon in the chapel when the whole
college w%s as-embled for prayers, and in
doing so he paid a warm tribute to their gen
erosity in yielding their preference to the
general good. The announcement was re
ceived in perfect good faith, and we soon
ceased to hear even the name “Kappa Al
pha” mentioned. So closed the history of
the second secret society at Mercer.
L. L. V.
' [Written for The Christian Index.]
SKETCHES OF FOREION COUNTRIES.
PRUSSIA.
Capital, Berlin. Population 1,045,000.
King, William, Emperor of Germany, born
March 22nd 1797, succeeded January 1861,
married June 11th 1829, Augusta, daughter
of Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Saxe-
Weimar. Heir apparent Prince Royal,
Frederick William, (Prince Imperial of Ger
many) born October 18th 1831, married
January 25th 1858, Victoria, Princess Royal
of Great Britain.
An extensive kingdom of Central Europe,
comprising the following 13 provinces;
squxßß POPVLA
MILKB. TION.
East Prussials,7s3 1,856,421
West Prussia 9 127 1,342,750
Brandenburgls,so6 3,126,411
Pomeranial2,l3o 1,462,290
Posenll,33o I,fire,oß4
Silesials,6os 8,843,699
Saxony 9,729 2,168,988
Schleswig-Holstein 7,414 1,073,926
Hanoverl4,B46 2,017,393
Westphalen„ 7,761 1,905,6'J7
Hessen-Nassau 6,943 1.467 898
Rhenish Provinceslo,2B9 3,804,381
Hohenzollern 453 66,466
137,066 25,741,404
Prussia possesses a large number of navig
able rivers intersecting the country, viz, the
Niemen, Pregel, Vistula, Oder,"Elbe, Weser
and Rhine. The coasts of the Baltic and
North Seas form a number of gulfs and bays
Its principal mountains are the Harz- and
the Riesengebiwe, tbe latter reaching an al
titude of 5,225 feet. The forests are extensive
occupying an area of nearly 10 million acres,
chiefly consisting of firs. Its minerals con
sists of iron, copper, lead, alum, nitre, zinc,
cobalt, sulphur, nickel, arsenic, baryta, am
ber, agate jasper, onyx, and a small extent
only of silver. Salt from tie brine springs
of Prussian Saxony is abundant, a'so coal.
Metallic ores, salt,’precious stonesand sm-‘
ber belong to the crown, agriculture and the
rearing of cattle constitute the principal
sources of employment and wealth of the
rural population of the entire monarchy.
Wheat, rye, oats, barley, peas, millet, rape
seed, maize, linseed, flax, hemp, tobacco,
hops, etc., are extensively cultivated and
largely exported. The western division is
noted for its excellent fruits and vegetables
and the Rhenish provinces stand pre-emin
ent for their wines' Prussia has upward of
100 mineral spring; possessing various pro
perties and qualities. Itsgnanufactories con
sist chiefly of linens, for which Silesia, Sax
ony and Westphalia have long been noted.
Tbe cotton works are also extensive. Be
side these there are numerous manufactories
of silk, woollen, mixed cotton and linen fab
rics, including shawls, carpets, etc. 'Woollens
are made in almost every town and large
village. Next in importance are leather,
earthenware, glass, paper, and tobacco manu
factories and working in metals. Brewing
is a business of great importance. The prin
cipal imports comprise coffee, tea, sugar,
cotton and other colonial produce, wines
silk, fruit, manufactured goods, tin, furs,
dyestuffs. The principal exports comprise
linens, wools, hardware, gram, corn, wool,
timber, pitch, linseed, tobacco; mineral
waters, horses, horned cattle, bams, salt
meats, etc., and from the Rhenish provinces
much wine. For the work of education there
are about 25,500 public schools and 1,500
private and elementary schools. There are
also 520 middle class schools and 280 higher
schools. There are ten celebrated Universit
ies in Prussia, and tbe whole of the educa
tional establishment are under the immedi
ate control of the Minister of Public In
struction and Ecclesiastical Affiirs. Tbe
Royal family belong to the Evangelical or
Lutheran faith and the majority of tbe
population consists of Evangelicals (Protest
ants) who number 16,600,000, of Roman
Catholics there are about 8,626.000 and of
Jews 339,790. Amount of public revenue
130 million dollars. Public expenditure
about the same amount.. Total national debt
275 million dollars including railways
thirty million dollars-
—The 282,920 Congregationalists in tbe
United States gave, last year, for their reli
gious work, $3 692 922 24, or on average of
nearly $lO per member.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DsVOTIE. D.D , I
REV. 0. M IRWIN, | Editors,
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion—Officers: Rev. R. B. Headden, President:
Rev. J. 11. DeVotle, 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. S. Lawton Atlanta; 0. A. Nun
nally, Rome; D. E. Butler,Madison; J. G. Ryals
and R. B. Headden, Carteisvllle; J. H. DeVote.
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
responding Secretary, Marion, Alabama.
THE ISLES OF THE SEA.
We are struck with the fact that, while
infidels are active in trying to overthrow
Christianity in its old seats, the teachings of
Jesus are quietly spreading over tbe whole
world, taking root and penetrating where
they were never introduced before This is
vividly illustrated by an article before us
from the “Japan Gazette" of March 15th,
giving an account of the visit of the King of
Hawaii to a Japanese church in Yokohama.
It seems that about ten years ago the con
verted heathen of Hawaii sent the sum of
SI,OOO to build the first native Christian
chapel in Japan. The members of tbls
church, the King of Hawaii being in Yoko
liana, were anxious to give expression to
him of their thanks for this donation, and
accordingly he was invited to visit the
church, which he did on the 10th of March.
The king was received at “the station” by
Dr. W. T. Gulick on behalf of the church,
and escorted in a private carriage to the
church, where he was met by the church
officers, and conducted (with his attendants)
to a seat on the puloit platform. "The word
‘Alora,’” we are told, “in evergreen capitals
on the rear wall of the pulpit, the Hawaian
Christian saiuation, ‘ Love be to thee I'
brought a thrill of joy to tbe members of the
royal party.” The introductory address was
then made by Dr. Gulick, who stated that
the SI,OOO donated by the native Christians
of Hawaii, with additional amounts from
private sources, had “provided them with
the use, free of all expense, of this beautiful
house of God in which we are now assem
bled, and in which, for upwards of four
years past, we have steadily worshiped,”
Dr, Gulick stated that beheld in his hand a
religious paper published at Honolulu which
made grateful mention of the presence of
his majesty at the recent dedication of the
first Cninese church in Honolulu—an edifice
which cost SIO,OOO, one half of which sum
was the contribution of Chinese converts,
and the remainder of friends in Japan. Dr.
Gulick then presented to tlie king the Rev.
Okuno Masatsuna, who delivered an address
to the king in Japanese, which was transla
ted into English by tbe Rev. Ikuba Kachi
noske. Among other things in this address
occurs the following passage:
“We have heard of the great success which
has attended the preaching of tbe gospel in
yourdominions, but the cause of Christianity
as yet with us is in its infancy. Yet we are
happy to tell your Majesty of more than
seventy churches and four thousand Chris -
tian believers. We hope, also, tbe day is not
far distant when we in turn shall send our
missionaries to other islands and countries
to proclaim the glorious gospel of the blessed
God.
“As a trifling token of our high respect for
your Majesty we humbly present your
Majesty with a copy of the New Testament
in our language, and pray that tbe high
degree of liberty and advanced national
prosperity which has been the blessing of
those nations where this book has had its
widest influence, may be more and more
fully enjoyed both by your Majesty's people
and ours.”
The king replied, in which he said :
"I feel very much gratified for this ex
change of love, not only between Hawaii
and Japan as nations, but also as between
the Christians of my country and yours. I
shall ever consider this estimable gift of the
Christians of Japan, as a valuable memento
of my visit to this country; and Ido not
doubt it will be very gratifying to the Chris
tians of my kingdom when I return, and
when I show them the present you have
given me to-day. The Christian religion is
the prevailing religion of my people, and I
hope the liberal spirit of the imperial sov
ereign of Japan, and your labors —the labors
of the missions and of the communicants —
will conduce to the progress of the work.”
The exchange of these Christian courtesies
between the king of one of the Mid Pacific
Islands and an organized native Christian
church in Japan, would have appeared very
strange fifty years ago. They sound strange
now, and yet the king of Hawaii might be
met by precisely similar manifestations of
Christian feeling in China, India, Persia,
Syria, Siam, or South Africa.
The whole thing shows the progress of
European thought in the remotest parts of
the world. There is first the newspaper,
which reports the scene; secondly, the king
is met “at the (railway) station ;” then there
is a handsome Christian church, with its
native congregation and its native church
officers; then there is the speech-making ;
then there is the contribution from the con
verted cannibals of Hawaii in aid ot the
native converts in Japan ; and then the fact
is brought out that Christian converts in
China and "friends in Japan" have erected a
Chinese church in Honolulu (costing $lO,-
000); and finally the Rev. Mr. Masatsuna
gracefully alludes to the fact that they had
heard in Japan “of tbe great success which
has attended the preaching of the gospel” in
Hawaii, and mentions that they have more
than seventy churches, and four thousand
Christian believers in Japan.
All this is beautiful; and yet there are
cultured men in Europe and America —the
foremost names of the day—who are trying
to break down this influence which the
Christian Church is beginning to exert in the
great Empires and States of Asia, and among
the savages of Africa. Cuibono? What do
they propose ? Are they going to Honolulu
or Yokohama, or Cape Palmas to give of their
substance to the people, and to teach them a
better way ? Have they any balm to offer
them ? Nothing: nothing better than Lu
cretius and Sextus offered to the Pagan
world eighteen hundred years ago. Do we
not know that the Christian religion will
change the face of India and China, and
bring them into the family of European
nations ? and, more specifically, that if that
religion is thoroughly carried out amongtbe
masses of the people, a society far superior
to any in Europe or America, will be de
veloped ?
Suppose, on the other hand, we go out and
teach those people that there is no God, and
that Jesus Christ was an imposter or a
dreamer, and that there is no such thing as
Regeneration, and no evidence of a Hereaf
ter —suppose our philosophers go out and
explain that to them—what then? “By
their fruits ye shall know them.” —Central
Presbyterian.
Tbe receipts of the American Baptist Mis
sionary Union for the financial year just
closed, were as follows: Donations, $169,-
685 78; legacies, $28,651.10; from Woman’s
Societies, $59 899 52; from other sources,
S3O 566 44, total, $288,802 84. The debt of
the Union now stands at $18,650 08—too
great a sum, but, happily, not so great as was
feared.
—ln Western Africa within the last forty
years, 120 missionaries have fallen at their
posts, but the value of their labors is seen in
the 30,000 converts to Christianity in that
ragion.
MISSIONARY NOTES.
A new Baptist chapel is being completed
at Cape Town, South Africa.
—British Christians spend over $300,000
a year for the conversion of tbe Jews.
—Three learned Mohammedans and one
learned Brahmin have recently been com,
verted to Christianity in Calcutta, India.
—The Baptists have about twenty flour
ishing churches on the island of Trinidad.
Tbe work on the island was begun by the
B iptisls of England, but it is now self
sustaining.
The whole number of Christian Chinese
is said to be 18,516. Notwithstanding thia
seemingly small number, the increase in the
past three years has been about forty-two
per cent.
—Tbe Jamaica Baptist Union, which held
is annual meeting last months, reports the
baptism of 2,391 persons in the past year,
and 4,446 “inquirera” who are candidates
for baptism.
Reader! to which branch of the Baptists
do you belong—the Mission Biptists. the
Anti,mission Baptists or the Omission Bap
tists? If an Omission Baptist, we pray for
your conversion, the evidence of which will
be a contribution to the Home Mission So
ciety.—Dr. H. L Morehouss.
—A generation ago, the people of Raitea,
Society Islands, worshipped with the bloods
iest of rites their god Oao, Recently a church
was dedicated there, to which the natives
contributed $8,760. The island is Christian
ized and civilized, and no more idolatry is
practiced.
A Missionary Toub of the 'World.—Rev.
W. F. Bainbridge, while on a recent tour of
visitation to the various Protestant mission
ary stations of the world, journeyed more
than fifty thousand miles and met more than
one thousand missionaries and a >reat num
ber of native preachers and helpers.
Tbe Japanese converts are said to be
among the most stirring and zealous. Mrs.
Pruyn says of the girls in her school at
Yokohama, that though they were carrying
a good course of study, they would hurry
through their lessons every day so as to get
time to go from house to house to read the
Bible to the women.
In Guadalajara, Mexico, December 26th,
Rev. David F. Watkins baptized eighty per
sons into church membership, among them
Crysanto, who bore the lighted torch at Mr.
Stephen’s assassination. When he address
ed Crysanto as once a persecutor, but now
following in the footsteps of tbe sainted
Stephens, poor Crysanto burst into tears,
ana there was scarce a dry eye in the assem
bly.
—Rev. A. Frank Ross, mi sionary in the
Indian Territory, writes to the Religious
Herald : One of our best preachers (Louis
Cass), after fighting the good fight for just
thirty years, threw aside his armor hist Sun
day, and quietly retired from the field of
wear a crown that will sparkle with many
stars. He was one man against whom I
never heard aught spoken; he had no en
emies, but many friends.
Who can doubt that Dr. Christlieb is right
in his careful estimate of the wonderful work
of missions, when he comes to this conclu
sion : “If, In the history of missions, there
have been times when tbe consummation,
long prepared for, was seen to hasten, as if
in mockery of its former slowness —in our
age of universal missions it will be seen,
even more widely, that the long and labori
ous process of undermining the chief strong
holds of heathenism, will one day be follow
ed by a great crash.” That such a “great
crash” is impending we are authorized to
expect, for history, prophecy, and the signs
of the times, all point that way, and the
event may be very near. That crash will be
the painlul travail of the birth of nations.
"A nation shall be born in a day." Is the
day at hand ?
—“The missionary world," which is grow
ing larger and larger, embraces interests now
of immense importance. The wonderful
success wrought iu Turkey, India, China,
Japan, Africa and its outlying islands,and the
South seas, stimulate the churches to raise
more money, and lead to larger efforts and
increasing results in the field. Eleven
societies increased their totals of communi
cants in connection with their foreign mis
sions the past year by about twenty-two
thousand. The great Central African mis
sions still maintain their ground, if they do
not make much advance, while in Turkey,
India, China, Japan and other countries the
past twelve months have brought about
great results. Surely, the church has abund
ant encouragement to enter with new zeal
into the missionary work.—N. Y. Times.
PROGRAMME
Os Sunday-school Convention of the Colum
bus Association to be held at Hamilton.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 27, 28
and 29, 1881.
Friday, 11 o’clock, a. m—lntroductory
Sermon by Rev. R. J. Willingham. Text,—
Psalms 78:4 8, or the speaker select his own
text.
2 o’clock, p. m.—Temporary organization.
Appoint Committees, lon nominations of
new officers, 2, on general business.
News from the field, including letters,
reports from officers of convention, pastors,
superintendents and delegates.
Miscellaneous business,
8 o’clock, p. m.—The aims and objects of
our convention, and how best promoted.
Address;by Rev. J. S. Searcy, followed by
general discussion.
Saturday, 9 o'clock, a. m.—Reports of
committees, and further rejwrts Irom the
field.
How to secure a more general interest in
the Convention and a more hearty’ co-oper
ation with the officers. Address by Rev. T.
C. Boykin, followed by general discussion.
The place and purpose of the Sunday
school. Address ny Rev. S. Maxwell, fol
lowed by general discussion. Question
Box.
2 o’clock, p. m.—Miscellaneous business.
The church and the Sunday-school.
Address by Rev. A. R. Callaway, followed
by general discussion.
The Pastor and Sunday-school. Address
by Dr. E. C. Hood, followed by general dis
cussion. Answers to Questions from the
Box, members of the Convention.
8 o'clock, p. m.—Duties of Superintend
ents and Teachers. Address by Rev. S. T.
Fuller, followed by general discussion.
Sunday, 9 o’clock a. m. Sunday-school
exercises
11 o’clock a m.—Sermon by Rev. T. 0.
Boykin. Text, Gen. 18:19.
3 o'clock p. m.—Sunday-school Mass Meet
ing, conducted by Rev. T. C. Boykin.
8 o’clock p. m. —The church of the future
as related to the children of the present, by
Rev. J. W. Howard.
Closing Exercises.—Speakers are request
ed to be on hand promptly, and prepared to
discuss topics assigned them. Churches are
entitled lo two delegates each, Sunday
schools to two.
Leading speeches not to exceed 30 minutes
others not to exceed 10 minutes.
0. C. Willis,
A. B. Campbell,
J. F. Johnson,
E. P. Willis,
Ex. Com.
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bottle.
