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EPISCOPA t PIH YtH-BOOK.
Editor, Index : Is there anyhing Irregn
lar in a Baptist minister's using the Epi-co
pal praver-book in conducting church exer
rises ? B'ipp ee the case b* that a prominent
young Baptist minister of Georgia had an
appointment in a ama’l town and upo< ar
riving at the place, found a clergyman of the
Church of England present, and he extended
to him the courtesy of conducting the meet
ing which he accepted, and was assisted by
the Baptist with the prayer book ; would it
■be right or expedient? F. 8.
[lt is certainly not customary for Baptist
-ministers to use the Episcopal prayer -book;
and thia seems to answer our correspondent's
first question.
As to the ‘'supposed case,” the Baptist
minister was under no obligation to use the
prayer-book; the courtesies of the occasion
did not call for it, and no special good could
have been accomplished by it; while on the
other hand, many Baptists would be offend
ed by it. Under the circumstances it would
have been better for the Baptist to follow the
usages of his own denomination. We sup
pose that some one of our brethren bas done
this thing. We are not in sympathy with
those who would hound him to the grave’s
mouth, and imagine that he has committed
a mortal sin.
We once read a portion of the Methodist
burial service at a funeral, but we do not
feel that we thereby denied the faith. There
are some men who are great sticklers for
small matters involving no principle, but
when some great principle is involved, they
are not so careful.
In regard to all such questions as that
now asked us, let these words of the apostle
suffice: "All things are lawful, but all
things are not expedient.” 1 Cor. 6:12.—E0.
ISDKX ]
GIVING TO CHRIST.
Editors Index : Jesus gave bis life for us,
and be expects us to give him something in
return. In the first place, he wants our
hearts; when we have truly given these to
our Savior, our influence, our efforts, our
money, will follow.
We call our gifts of money “benevolence”
because when we really wish an object well,
we prove it by our contributions; so. when
our hearts are given to Christ, we prove it
by giving him of our substance.
The Apostle Paul makes our Christian
liberality a proof of our subjection to Christ;
in 2 Cor. 9:13. he says: “ W tiile the experi
ment of this ministration, they glorify God
for your professed subjection unto the go-pel
of Christ," etc., which may be thus para
phrased : “ While by their experience of
this service which you send them, they re
turn thanks to God for this profession of
your subjection to the gospel ot Christ,” i. e.
by giving for the cause of Christ we make a
profession of our subjection to Him as our
Sovereign, just as by paying our taxes to an
earthly government, we acknowledge our
allegiance to that government.
Then, those who refuse to give of their
means to Christ, refuse this acknowledgment
of His authority over them ; they may call
themselves Christians, but it is very doubt
ful whether Christ acknowledges them as
•uch.
The Christian conscience, in many of our
churches, needs to be awakened on this sub
ject. In the first place, as to the rich. Does
not all theHibnath interest on invested funds
belong to the Lord ? I nterest goes on accu -
mulating on the Lord's day as on week days.
The mechanic cannot add to his income on
Sundav; the law interposes to prevent him
even if be wishes to work; but the rich
man’s income conies in on Sunday as on any
other day. Why this distinction between
the poor and the rich? Does not one-seventh
of a man’s annual income, from interest on
deposits, stocks, etc., belong rightly to the
Lord? If we have no right to the income
from labor on that day, have we a right to
the income from capital? It seems to be
robben’ of the Lord,and an undue advantage
over our poorer brother, to withhold from
God the interest on our money which accrues
on the Lord's day.
In addition to this, which is righteously
the Lord’s due, the rich should also make
free will offerings to God as an acknowledg
ment of His ble-singin bestowing so many
temporal blessings upon them—blessings
which so many of their fellow men are de
prived ot
As to the poorer among Christ's people all
rould give if they would give systematically.
Let. the mechanic set apart one day in each
month, the income of which should be sa
credly devoted to the Lord’s cause, and I am
persuaded that God, in h<s providence,
would send him work on that day Let the
store keeper set apart the profits of trade
of some given day in the month for the
Lard, and I believe God would not let His
own cause suffer.
Try it, brethren, for a year, and see if your
contributions to the Lord's cause will not
increase. Let the farmer devote a portion of
his land, or a percentage of his crop, to the
Lord
Thus, by the accumulated litt’es, large
aggregage sums would fl >w into the Lona's
treasury. R H Graves
FROM SENOH.
Editors Index: Although an invalid,
-seeking health, I am not unmindful that I
belong to the Baptist brotherhood, and that
! owe them service, such as I am able to
render.
I left Atlanta on Tuesday, the 26'h ult.,
and stopped over with the people of my old
charge at Palmetto. There I met a cordial
reception, and my stay was made pleasant
by just such attentions as a poor, way worn
invalid preacher knows how to appreciate
and to remember. But for the fact that 1
was away from mv dear people in Atlanta,
my cup of happiness would be about as full
as is possible in this changing world.
Leaving Palmetto on Friday, the 29th, I
reached the hospitable home of mv dear,
long tried friend, R D Cole, of Newnan,
and was soon with my dear brother, P. F.
Smith, whose sweet little daughter of two
years was lying cold in death, being called
suddenly to the rest of heaven.
I tried to comfort the bereaved parents
while my own tears mingled freely with
theirs;—you know why. Ah I the heart
■th robbings of bereavement ,—how many
have felt them I To such sorrows you, my
dear brother, are no stranger; therefore you
know how to weep with those that weep.
At brother Cole’s I found a real pilgrims'
Test, and a home feeling stole through the
heart as I mingled with his pleasant family.
Saturday morning found me here, where I
had spent six years in delightful work for
Jesus. I was met at the depot by Dr. F. M.
JBrantly and duly installed as his guest.
After days of languishing, painful sick
ness, none but thoee who have experienced
it can know how delightful it is to be with
those who are ready to anticipate your every
want.
I fondly hoped to settle down quietly with
the Doctor and his family to rest and recu- 1
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, MAY ly, 1881.
perate my exhausted energise, but I found
myself too weak to resist the pressing invi
taiions which came upon me from every
side, sad so I surrendered at di-cretion. and
put myself into the hands of as kind friends
as ev-r fell to the lot of any man.
Suffice it to say. I have gainer! five r ounds
in weight during a week and if I were to
remain here long enough, and enjoy the
■mod living I am having you might have a
Daniel Lambert in your city when I return.
H. C. H.
Senoia, Mav 6th 1881.
[Written tor I'hb 'hristian Index.]
SKETCHES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
GERMANY —CONTINUED.
Saxony.—Capital, Dresden. Population
197 29> King, Albert Born. April 23 1838
Succeeded Oct 29. 1873 Married June 18,
18.53 to Caroline daughter ot the U'e Prince
Gu-tavede Wat a Born Aug & 1833 Heir
preeump’ive. his brother. Prince George,
born Aug 8, 1832 Married May 11, 1859, to
Marie Anne, lulante of Portugal.
A kingdom of Germany, the third in im
portance and population of th« German
Empire, comprising an area of 5789 square
miles, with a population of 2 760 586 sou's,
2.750ti00 being Pio eeta as 73 349 Catholics.
5.360 Jews. More than one-halt ot the whole
surface is arable land, and bas always been
in a high state of cultivation. Its agricultu
ral productions consist of the usual cereal
and leguminous plants, with rape, buck
wheat, hops, flax and fruits ot all kinds suit
ed to the climate. The foresis supply tlm
ber of excellent quality, and in suc i abun
dance as to render them a great source of
industry and wealth. The minerals are an
other great source of wealth, the ores being
both rich and abundant. The mines consist
of silver, tin, bismuth,cobalt, iron,(inc, lead,
nickel, arsenic, etc , besi 'es coal, marble,
porcelain earth and vario is gems, such as
topazes, chrysolites, amethysts, cornelians,
garnets, etc. The smelting is centralized in
large establishments belonging to the State.
Manufacturing industry has been greatly
developed, and in some branches carried to
a high degree of pertection,employing about
three-titths oftbe population, the linen man
ufacture employing more than 16 000 looms,
but cotton spinning and weaving are in a
great measure superseding it Broadcloths,
merinos silk, mixed silk and woollen goods,
thread, muslin, de laines, laces and embroi
deries maintain a high reputation. Saxon
pottery and porcelain, the ‘ Dresden china,”
have long been famous. All these form its
chief exports.
The great fairs of Leipsic are the chief me
dium of commerce. Theimportsarechiefly
grain, wine, salt, cotton, silk, flax, hemp,
wool, coffee, tea, etc., its chief towns are
Dresden,Leipsic, the great book market,with
the most frequented university of Germany,
bas 3 000 students, Freiberg, in the mining
districts, Meissen, the site ot the potteries,
and Chemnitz, the Manchester of Saxo
ny. Revenue oftbe State sls 250.000, expen
diture, ab >ut the seme. Public debt, chiefly
for railways, $>66.000 000
BRUNSWICK.
Duke, William I. Born April 25, 1806.
succeeded April 1831 A State of northern
Germany, consisting chiefly of three detach
ed parts comprising 1125 square miles, with
a population of 327 493, chiefly Saxon, near
ly all whom are Protestants, only 4,000 be
ing Roman Catholics and 1100 Jews. Bud
get, $2,250 000.
GRAND DUCHY OF MECKLENBURG
-BCHWERIN.
Grand Duke, Frederick Francis 11. Born
Feb. 28, 1823 Succeeded March 7, 1842.
Married thirdly, to Princes Marie of
Schwarzhurg-Rudolstadt. Heir, Prince
Frederick Francis, born Ma-ch 19, 1851.
Married Jan. 25, 1879, to Princess Anastasia,
daughter oftbe Grand Duke Michae'.of Rus
sia. A maritime state of northern Germa
ny. on the Baltic Sea, comprising an area of
5,138 square miles, with a diminishing pop
ulation of 558785. There exists no proper
budget, the finances, directed almost anto
cratically by the Sovereign, are very fl >ur
isbing.
GRAND DUCHY OF MECKLENBURG
-STRELITZ.
Grand Duke, Frederick William I Born
Oct. 17, 1819 Succeeded Sept. 6, 1866 Mar
ried June 28, 1843, to Princess Augusta,
daughter of the lare Duke of Cambridge,
England. Heir apparent. Adolphus Fred
erick. Born July 22. 1848 Married April
17,1877, to the Princess of Anhalt Dessau. A
state of northern Germany, consisting of two
detailed parts, separated by Meek enburg
Schwerin, comprising 1 131 square miles,
population, diminishing, 95 763 No but
get. Finance in good state.
GRAND DUCHS’ OF OLDENBURG.
Grand Duke Peter I. Born July 8.1827
Succeeded Feb. 28, 1863 Married Feb. 10,
1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of Prince Jo
seph of Saxe-Altenbur.’. Heir apparent,
Frederic Augustus. Born Nov 16, 1852
Married Feb 18 1878, Princess Elizabeth,
second daughter of Prince Frederick Charles
of Prussia. A maritime State of northern
Germany, situated on the North Sea, and the
Weser, with an area of 24 70 square miles,
and a population of 319 314 Budget $1 500-
000 National debt, $10,000,000.
DUCHY OF ANHALT.
Duke Frederick. Born April 29 1831.
Succeeded May 22 1871 Married April 22
1854 to the Princesr Antoinette of Saxe-Al
tenberg. Heir Prince Leopold. Born July
18 1855. A Duchy of central Germany, sur
rounded by Prussian Saxony, containing
907 square miles, and a population of 213 -
565 Revenue, $5 000 000 000, expenditure,
$4 500.000
(Tobe continued.)
PROG RAM M~iE
of the Sunday-School Convention of the
Mercer Association, to be held with the
Red Land Baptist church, beginning on
Friday before the fl th Sunday in May.
and continuing Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, 11 a. m. Introductory sermon by
Rev. C. A Stephenson; 2 p. m. O-ganizt
tion, followed by reports iroin schools and
churches.
Saturday, 9a. m. Question for discussion
—Should a merely nominal professor of re
ligion who does not exhibit in his or her
lile and conversation an earnest desire for
the salvation of souls, be allowed a place as
officer or teacher in a Sunday School ? Bro.
J G. McCall first speaker. 10 a m. Charac
ler and object of S ing in the Sunday School.
Rev. J M Buskin. 11 a m. Preaching by
Rev. T A. White. 2p. m. Question—Shall
every church have a Sunday School? Rev.
R A’ Peeples leading. If so, how obtained?
Rev. J. H. Carroll. 4 p. m. Should Sundav-
School be held every Sunday? Bro. W. H
Ousley.
Sunday—Devotional exercises conducted
by the pastor of the church, and such help
as be may select. 11 a. m. Preaching by
Rev. W. B. Bennett.
It is earnestly hoped that the attendance
may be good.
E Z. F Golden.
Pres. SS. Con. Mercer Asso.
Thomasville, Ga.
The Baptist Convention and the Liquor
Tbappic —However much we might, have
wished that the Convention would take
more advanced steps against Intemperance,
we rejoice to believe that they have taken
such steps as will meet the approval, and re
ceive the hearty and active co operation of
all the good citizens of the entire State Our
aim is not to unite the Church and State,but
to dissolve the connection of the Church
with the whisky shop.
Rev W t . A. Overton.
A GEORGIA MISSIONARY FIELD.
Gintown, Worth Countt April. 25th.
Dear Index : Ttdoking a few words from
this pan oftbe plney w<*>ds and wire grass
will interest and en'ertain some of your
many readers. 1 will try to tell you of some
thing going on down here
This part of Worth south of the B & A
R R , northern part of Mitoh II county .and
all of Colquitt county is in a state of de-tl
tution. The Bowen Association sent out
two missionaries Isgt fall, br >t her James C.
Bass, to Worih, Colquitt and Mitchell poun
ties, brother G. H. ('nett was sent west of
the Flint River, embracing Miller county.
Brother Janies C. Bass, our effi-i-nt mis
sionary here, is doing great and good work.
Broth* r B <ss is an ag -d and g iod minister ;
be was a unssi mary fm.it the Eufaula Asso
ciation to Al b inia He is now in his old
age working as hard for his Master's cause
as he ever did.
Brother Bass constituted a charch in Col
quitt on toe thin) Sunday in the present
month Something was-aid about building
a church house. A non professor, a mill
man. said they must have a house, and if no
one would help, he would build, himself, a
good framed house He is not a member of
any church, but says bis father was a dea
con.
There are several other points brother B
bas been Solicited to go to, but be has more
to do than he can gel arou'-d to soon One
point on the B & A. R R be expects to
visit as soon as he can, and constitute a
clinch there- Tnerearesaw mills a turi>en
tine still, grist mid etc., quite a little village
and there are a number of Baptists there,
mostly from South Carolina. A non-protee
sor says he will give all the lumber to build
a church with, already dressed. There is
no church near thereat all. Oneother prom
inent point brother B wil go to as toon as
be can ; thev have sent for him to constitute
a church, there being thirteen Baptists there.
He told me that be bad preached at several
points away from the railroad, and mothers
came up to him and asked him when he
wa< coming back, and begged him not to let
it be too long, saying “It is the first preach
ing I have heard since the war,” and they
entreat him to come again. Brother B
keeps in good spirits anu is working hard
Dear brethren, there are a goodly number
of Georgia Baptists that have no idea of the
situation in some of these out-of-the-way
places, but God be thanked, the Lord is at
work; I can feel and see it. Brethren, pray
for these infant Baptist churches.
Youis in Christ,
R M H.
THA NKFUL BAPTIST OH UR CH—A
PLEA FOR HELP.
We, the pastor and members of the above
named church, have made an arrangement
to have our church rebuilt as soon as possi
ble. We now solicit aid from all who are
willing to help us in this, our great under
taking
We are now without a house to worship
in, and are compelled to beg a place to wor
ship our and your Savior in.
Please, friends, give us all the help yon
can, remembering that God's blessing will
ever rest upon the cheerful giver
The following persons are authorized to
receive donations:
Mrs. Hyram Dunn, Mrs. James Hagans,
Mrs Anderson Ridley, Mrs. Anderson Dan
iel, Mrs. Peter Richardson, Mrs. Thomas
Michell, Mrs. Betsy Gwaltney, Mrs. Ella
Duncan. Mrs. Liddie Gordon, Mrs Adaline
Fears. Rev. J Milner.—R >me Bulletin.
The Sunday-School.
International Sunday-School
Lesson IX.—May 29,1881.
PARABLE OF~THE POUNDS.
Luke XIX 11-27.
Jesus, on his last journey to Jerusalem,
stopped for the night at Jericho, a city about
fifteen miles to the northeast. Here be was
the guest of Z iccheus, the publican, at whose
house the parable before us seems to have
been spoken.
OUTLINE.
I. A trust, v. 11 14.
II Fidelity, v. 15 19
lit. Neglect, v 20 26.
IV- Hostility, v. 27.
NOTES.
I A trust.
V. 11. “They ” His disciples and others.
“These things ” What had passed between
Jesus and Ziccheus. especially the words in
verse 10 “They thought that the Kingdom
of God should immediately appear ” There
was a widespread expectation among men
that when Jtsus should enter Jerusalem
again, he would establish a temporal king
dom. His present nearness to the city, and
bis evident, intention to go there now, great
ly intensified the excitement of the people.
In this the disciples evidently joined. This
parable was intended to teach all men that.
His kingdom was not of this world, but that
he must, for a time, go away, and that, in
the interval between His Oeparture and His
return, all who would be His disciples would
be tested.
V. 12 “Nobleman.” One of noble birth,
and used by the Savior to represent himself.
“Went into a far country to receive for him
self,” etc. It was a customary thing for one
who had a claim to the throne of a tributary
kingdom to go to Rime to secure its ratifi
cation. “And to return” with royal authori
ty
V 13 “His ten servants.” Rather, "ten
of his servants.” “Ten pounds ” One pound
to each. The pound is generally considered
a certain weight of silver, worth, in our
money, about twenty dollars. "Occupy.”
Trade. The same Greek word, with a prejio
sition prefixed, is translated in verse fifteen,
“gained by trading.” "Till I come.” This,
of course, suggests an account at that time.
V. 14. “A message.” An embassy to the
Emperor. The Jews would fully understand
the Savior's meaning, as they had sent just
s ich an embassy to R >me, protesting against
Herod’s son being made king. "We will
not.” A determined opposition.
11. Fidelity.
V. 15. “Returned” as he intended. "Hav
ing received the kingdom,” notwithstanding
the protest. “Had gained by trading ” What
each man had done with his pound, and
what he had made by it
V 16. “Thy pound.” Esch man acknowl
edges the money to have been the noble
man’s, not his own. “Gained ten pounds.”
A very large gain ; showing earnest devotion
to the charge given him.
V 17 “Thou good servant." A commen
dation from the king. “Because thou hast
been faithful.” He is about to be rewarded
for his fidelity, not his success. "In a very
little.” Fidelity to a small trust obtains a
blessing. “Have thou authority over ten
cities." The king honors greatly his tried
capacity, his fidelity and his humility
V. 18 and 19 “Gained five pounds.” "Over
five cities.” The reward of fidelity is pro
portioned to the actual gain, as showing
capacity.
11l Neglect.
V 20 "Behold, thy pound.” Forgetful
that a strict charge to "occupy” had been
given, he comes confidently believing that
nothing more could be required of him than
to return what he had received. “ Have
kept.” I have not lost it, nor have I squan
dered it. “Napkin.” Handkerchief He
had kept, but had not used, the pound.
V 21. "I feared thee.” Afraid that he
should not fill the expectation of his king
“ Austere." Severe, hard. “ Thou takest
up,” etc. A man exacting what is imprac-
ticable, and one whom nothing would
pt a e
V 22 "Ont of thine own mouth.” His
y rv words show his intentional neglect ot
the trust committed io him. There is no
n>edo* witnesses. ‘Will I judge thee.” A
jlist condemnation. “Thon wicked servant.”
Ills wickedness was his neglect to do what
h <1 been commanded him, a simple neglect
of duty.
V 23 “Wherefore then." If you knew
that I should tie severe in my requirements,
it would have been wise in you to have made
t>e best use of (he money you c uld. You
have no right to complain now if I condemn
you. ‘ Tne bank.” Not the institution we
so name. but. the table at which the money-
C isiiger sat in the market or public place,
and upon which he placet! the money re
quired ol him in hisdaily business. "Usury.”
Interest in a good sense.
V 24. "Them that stood by " Theking’s
gmrd. “Take from him the pound." A
failure to use it results in iia 10-s. “Give to
him that hath.” He has done well with bis
p iund and, therefore, shall have more.
V 25 Astonishment is expressed by the
sol iters at their lord's c mimand
V 26 "I say unto you," etc A general
principle ohen stated by theStvior, that be
who rightly uses his advantages-hall receive
additional advantages and he who neglects
hi-advantages, loses the ti ne-ts which he
might have secured and is in danger of los
ing the advantages themselves.
IV Hostility.
V 27 “Those mine enemies." See verse
14. Slav before me.” The end of the op
p liters Certain and severe is their condem
nation and punishment.
Undoubtedly the Savior -peaks this para
b'e of himself, of his servants and of his
enemies He is about to lea e the earth,
anti commits to his disciples a trust. He
will come a -ain and require au account of
each one.
The nehleman is Jesns, who is going to
return to heaven and gives hi eicb of bis
servants a work to do in his absence. His
own nation, the Jews, are hostile to Him,
and so is the natural heart. He will return
witn full authority, arid then will He re ward
His servants according to their fidelity or
neg|. ct. He who is faithful to his trust will
fl d his trust greatly increased and he who
neglects shall be deprived of ail trust. The
oiien enemies, and those secretlv hostile to
Him. shall be utterly destroyed. The pri
mary app'i-ation of this parable is to the
destruction of Jerusalem, hut it is equally
applicable to the coming of Jesus at the end
of the world. Men who now profess to be
Christians, will be judged according to their
fidelity to, or neglect of. the commands of
Jesus, and all His enemies will be destroyed
forever.
REMARKS.
The Savior esteems fidelity very highly.
The requirements made of us now are tests
ot our character. Nothing can change the
judgment of the Lord when once pronoun
ced. Every faithful Christian will be re
warded Every one who neglects bis duty
must suffer therefor. All enemies of Christ
wjll finally perish.
The evidential value of many inci
dental allusions in the New Testament
is very marked and strong.
There is a minute account of the
certain occurrences in Herod’s palace.
How Herodias danced before the king
and delighted him ; how the mother
took advantage of his good humor to
wreak a grudge against the Baptist;
how Herod was sorry for the rash
promise; how the ghastly and revered
head of John was brought in to feast
the eyes of the bad and vindictive
woman ; how, afterward, the conscience
pf-Jjlerod interpreted the fame and
mighty works of Jesns and John, as
risen from the dead.
How did these happenings and con
versations in the halls and chambers
of Herod come to the ears of the dis
ciples and to the authors of the me
morabilia of Jesus? A single paragraph
explains it. It is told that in his
journeying through villages and cities
“the twelve were with him and certain
women” also, and among them Joanna,
the wife of Chuza (Herod’s stewart),
which ministered to him of their sub
stance.
It can be readily understood that
Chuza.,a confidential officer of the king,
one of the household functionaries,
would be familiar with all the small or
greater matters of conversation in the
palace. Joanna, if not in possession of
the facts about the Baptist directly,
would gather them from her husband.
The Twelve traveling with this elect
lady and sharing with their Master of
her means and kind service, would
hear the story from the wife of the
steward.
And wc set it down as next to im
possibility for a forger in a century or
two after that time to have prepared a
narrative of the length of the gospel
sketches and woves in, but wide apart,
the two items of conversation in the
private aparfments of the Tetrarch,
and the incidental words that the
household steward of Herod was hus
band to one of the devout women that
entertained Jesus on his expeditions in
Gallilee.
Let us take another side allusion
and sec- how it tallies with the main
narrative.
John is the only writer that men
tions the name of the servant whose
ear Peter cut off. It was Malchus. In
another part of the account it falls out
that John gained ingress for his friend,
Peter, by knowing the servants of the
high priests. So he would likely be
familiar with their names.
And, as to that ear. Peter when he
used bis sword was not in a condition
to make a chivalrous battle. It was
not probable he would make open fight,
face to face. And so it turned out.
It is incidentally told that it was the
right ear that was cut off; that is, Peter
struck the man from behind.—Rich
mond Christian Advocate.
The missions of the Moravian Brethren
are carried on not in the most densely popu
lated and most civilized parts of the heathen
world, bnt in its more remote regions in
regions which may emphatically be called
the uttermost parts of the earth. Their
“Mission provinces” are Greenland, Labra
dor, among the Indians of North America,
the West Indies, the Cape of Good Hope,
Thibet, and Australia. They have ninety
nine stations and 314 missionaries, with 14,-
000 native assistants. The income last year
was 18,0001.
Missionary Department.
REV J H DkVOTIE D.D.i
REV. C M THWIN. [Editors.
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion—Office's: Rev R. B. Hesdden, President;
Rev J. H. DeVotie, Corresponding Secretary and
Treasurer: Rev. V. C. Norcross, Recording
Secretory Members—Revs. D. W. Gwin, A T
Spalding. H C. Homady, F. M. Daniel, V. C.
N- rcrosa, Dr. J.a. 8. Lawton Atl-mta: G. A Nun
nally. Rome: D. E. Butler Midlson: J. G. Ryals
and R. B Headden, Carteiavllle; J. H. DeV >te.
Foreign Mlsaion Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.- Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Correa
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
Home M lardon Board of the Southern Bantlat
Convention—Rev Wm. A. Mclotoah, D.D., Cor
re-pondlng Secretary, Marion, Alabama
HOME MISSION BOARD.
Extracts from the Thirty Sixth Annual Re
port to the Southern Baptist Convention
at Columbus, Mississippi, May 6th, 1881.
Since the last meeting of the Convention
the Board have prosecuted the work assign
ed to the extent of their ability and the
means furnished. A review of the past year
calls for devout gratitude to God for his tner
cies which have b»en manifold and which
about I quicken bin people to greater conse
cration, to more liberal gifts, and abundant
labors tor the enlargement of the Kingdom
of HiaSon.
Our mission to the
CHINESE IN CALirOBNIX
is already bearing fruit, as will be seen in
the account ofthe organization of the first
Chinese Baptist Church of San Franci-co.
Brother Hartwell bas since b iptized a Chi
nese woman, the first tetnale of that nation
hapt'Z-d (as we regard baptism) in Califor
nia. and probably the second in America.
The Board take pleasure in mentioning
acts <>f Christian courtesy extended to bro
ther Hartwell by the California Baptist State
Conte, tion, in resolutions of wele 'me to
that field, to him and through him to the
Home Mission Board, and the pledge of
hearty sympathy, and so far as practieable,
of co-operation.
A pleasing sign of progress is indicated by
the fact that brother Hartwell has found it
necessary to employ an assistant in bis night
school, in which the Chinese are taught En
glish, and also the Scriptures in their own
tongue
He writes: ‘On the 61 hos Jannary I en
gaged Miss Florence N. Worley, as an assis
tant teacher in my night school, p -omising
her compensation at the rate of sls per
month, tshe labored faithfully for two
months when on account of her health she
was obliged togive up the position.
“I then succeeded in securing the services
of Mrs. Guirey, wile of Rev. Geo. Guirey.for
the same compensation. She is an accom
plished and experienced teacher a devoted,
earnest Christian, and withal, a musician,
which latter qualification is an important
consideration tn a mission school. The in
crease in regular attendance and interest in
the school since I have had an assistant, has
been all that I expected. The smallest at
tendance during the last month,for instance,
wass(, the largest 75 The average bas
been 64. • • • » "The de
mtnd furan assistant seemed to me so im
perative that though I knew the fund pro
posed (sums which he receives for occasional
preaching in the American Baptist church
es) was not sufficient to last through the
y«ar. I determined to make the engagement,
and if the money does not come in from the
Calitornia churches. I will pay the balance
out of my own pocket.”
In regard to prospective results, our broth
er says: "It. is well to warn ourselves against
too sanguine expectations of rapid success
here as well as in the case of missions in
China The immigrants to America are the
same staid, conservative people that they
were in China, and we shall have to be pa
tient, and wait the Lord’s time. But let not
this feeling of caution against discourage
ment retard our faith and prevent onr ask
ing and expecting great things from God.”
Such is the outlook of this mission. A
church has been established, the labors of
God's servant have been accepted in the
converson of souls upon his field, and the
opportunities for reaching the heathen and
extending the work seem to lie open before
us without let or hindrance; almost simul
taneously with the sowing oftheseed appear
the first fruits of the harvest.
During the preparation of this Report, ap
plication was received for appointment as
missionary to this field from a gifted and
pious sister, the daughter of one of our most
esteemed and useful ministers. The Board
had no thought of immediate enlargement
of that work, but may not this incident be
suggestive of the Divine will and of our
duty ?
INDIAN MISSIONS.
The Reports of our brethren in the Indian
Territory, show a healthy condition, but
great need of additional laborers. Several
young men are pursuing a course of studies
in the collegesofthe States with a view to
the ministry. O:e has been a student in
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
during the past sessions; two others wilt
enter at. the next opening. Arrangements
have been made by Dr Buckner, with libes
ral hearted, brethren, for the support of these
young men and,others.
Now that the facilities for obtaining an
education are brought so nearly within the
reach of all who desire it, our true policy is
to seek out among the tribes, young men of
gifts, whose hearts burn to preach Christ,
end train them for the work.
THE LEVERING MISSION SCHOOL
In October last the Corresponding Secreta
ry visited the Creek Nation, and under in
struction from the Board, entered into con ■
tract for the erection of buildings suitable for
a school of one hundred pupils, and the
family of the Superintendent and his assist
ants. In selecting a location, regard was had
to health, good water, fertile land, abundant,
timber and pasturage for stock. A farm of
one hundred acres inclosed, fifty in cultiva
tion, the balance unbroken prairie, with
some houses that can be utiliz’d for our
purposes, was secured. To this are to be
added sixtv acres of unimproved lend ad
joining The entire cost of the property
when the buildings shall be completed, will
be seven thousand seven hundred dollars.
To this must be added the expense of furni->
tare for theschool-room dining-room, kitch
en, bed rooms, bedding and bed clothes,
with implements and stock for the farm.
To meet this, we have $lO 208 92.—After
paying for the farm and buildings, $7,700,
we shall have, for furnishing the same, $2 -
508 92
The buildings are to be completed by the
Ist of July, and it is to be expected that the
school will be opened in the early autumn
of the present year.
The Boird have elected Rev. J. A. Trench
ard, Superintendent, at a salary of S6OO per
annum. He is a graduate of the University
of Georgia, has had large experience as a
teacher, and we have every reason to be
lieve, is admirably adapted to the position.
It will be seen that, after paying for the
property, the balance in hand for the neces
sary outfit (nearly all of which must be pur
chased in the States), and cost of transporta
tion. will be very scant; and then the salary
of the Superintendent must be provided for.
An enlargement of work, means an increase
of expenditure. The Board have carefully
guarded against any involvement in debt,
and have preserved the funds appropriated
to this enterprise exclusively for its promo
tion, not even expending a dollar to defray
expenses incidentally incurred in the prose
cution of their plans. But to insure success
with God's favor, to this undertaking, and to
avoid financial embarrassments in the fu
tore, increased contributions are indispensa
ble—as In sowing seed, the wisest economy
is to be found in the largest liberality.
In the
DOMtBTtC DEPARTMENT
of onr work we have had, during the year,
missionaries in eight ot the States connected
with the Convention. Tae positions occu
pied by them are important and, in most
cases, without the assistance of this Board
would be destitute of the ministration
of the Word of Life by our denomination.
Applications for aid to support evangelists
and pastors,have greatly exceeded our ability
to respond. We but give voice to the appeals
that reach us from Florid < and Ark msas'.and
Missouri and Texas and Loiusia ia. and we
might add other Sta'es, when we plead for a
large increase of the means to send the gos
pel to our own people, who have neither the
printed page that tells of Jesus and 8 Ivation,
nor the living teacher to guide them to the
knowledge ot the trmh.
Nor will these applications be diminished.
With the growing population of thee mntiy,
with new lines of railways penetrating its
forests and transforming the wilderness into
Irutiful fields and prosperous towns, there
is, and must be in the future, increasing de
mands for just such work and workers as
this Board was designed to supply.
We call especial attention to
NEW ORLEANS
as affording, perhaps, the most inviting field
for effective missionary effort in the United
States. A distinguished layman of Missis
sippi, in an earnest app al to the Board in
bibalf of this city, writes: “With the suc
cess of the jetties, the recent important rail
way connection with Texas, and the new
line of Mexican steamships. New Orleans is
destined tube, at no distant day, second only
to New York. As Baptists we cannot stand
idly by and make no effort to promulgate
the truth, as held by us, in that great me
tropolis "
Is it not a reproach to us that, in that city
of two hundred and twenty thousand in
habitants, there is but one self sustaining
white Baptist church?
The organization of the First Baptist
church has been preserved, and they enjoy
the efficient services of Rev. Mr. Cole, sus
tained in part, by the Mission B >ard of the
Mississippi Baptist Convention, from whom,
it is understood, a communication u;>on this
subject will be presented to the Convention.
As a means of awakening greater interest
in our work a
HOME MISSION INSTITUTE
was held in Atlanta during the month of
January, which, notwithstanding the in
clemency of the weather prevailing at the
time, was attended with encouraging results.
By sermons, essays and general discussions
of the various topics considered, brethren
from different parts of the State who took
part in the exercises, rendered valuable ser
vice to the cause. The hearty co operation
of the resident pastors, and the liberal con
tributions of the chu ches, deserve special
mention.
It is contemplated to hold like meetings
at such times and places as may seem fa
vorable.
“kind words.”
The contract with Messrs. J. W. Burke A
Co., tor priuting “Kind Words” has been
renewed upon the same conditions as In the
past, except that the royalty paid by them
will be increased to one thousa id dollars per
annum from the first of June next.
The Board found it necessary to make ar
rangements early in the year for the con
tinued publication of the paper, and as there
would remain at the expiration of the pres
ent contract, a considerable balance still due
the firm ; and, further, as they were willing
to increase the royalty, it was deemed best,
for the interest of the paper and of the Board,
to renew the engagement for another term
of five years By this disposition of the
paper, we have not only been relieved of a
burdensome debt, and an annual outlay for
its publication, but it is made to yield a
revenue equivalent to 10 percent, interest on
$lO 000 00 clear of all expenses.
Rev. M. B Wharton, B D., a partner in
the house of J. W. Burke &Co , and busi
ness manager of the deptrtiuent of Kind
Words, is a'so associate editor with Rev.
Samuel Boykin.
The paper is gotten up in good style; and
conducted with marked ability. It deserve*
and is receiving a liberal patronage from
the denomination. It is a Sunday School,
Missionary, Baptist paper.
woman’s work.
While we have received contributions from
various societes in the different States,
which we gratefully acknowledge, no gen
eral system of co-operation between the fe
male members of onr churches and the
Board has been reached. The central com
mittee in Georgia, and some perhaps all, of
the societies alluded to combine in their
work both home and foreign missions. Wo
learn that a movement has recently been
made by the ladies of the First and Eutaw
Place churches in Baltimore, looking to In
dian missions, and especially the Levering
Mission School.
We trust that others will be moved by the
same spirit, and that the co-operation of the
women of our churches, which has proved
so effi tent upon other fields of Christian ef
fort, shall not be withheld from us in our
endeavors to evangelize our own people and
the heathen in our own country.
AGENCIES.
While we do not believe that the time has
come to dispense with agents whose special
duty it is to collect funds for onr benevolent
enterprises, and do not intend by commend
ing other plans, to depreciate the valuable
labors of our brethren who are engaged in
this service we think it proper to express
our gratification at the degree of success that
has attended the plan for raising funds, in
augurated by the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion two years since, and which with some
modifications, was adopted by the Alabama
Baptist Convention at their last session, viz,
to commit the entire responsibility of collec
tions for the Boards of this Convention to
the State Board of Missions, the Correspond
ing Secretary and Treasurer of the latter,
(these offices being combined) becoming the
General Agent for State, Home and Foreign
Missions, charging the expenses of the agen
cy to the several Boards, represented by him
in proportion to the receipts of each. In
both Georgia and Alabama, the plan has
worked well.
It is simple, economical and efficient. It
requires labor and executive ability on the
part of the Secretary, and the hearty co
operation of pastors and churches.—These
conditions have to a large extent been met
where the experiment has been tried.
Before dismissing this subject, we take oc
casion to remark that in the opinion of the
Board it would be a step in the right direc
tion if the older States, in which the denom
ination is strong, would undertake tosupply
the destitution in their own borders, and
without diminishing the amount now given
allow the funds raised for this Board, to be
appropriated entirely to those districts in
which the Baptists are weaker, and thus ex
pend our strength in communities where
help is most needed.
Rev. A. Frank Roes, missionary in the
Indian Territory, writes to the Religious
Herald: “One of onr best preachers (Louis
Cass), after fighting the good fight for Just
thirty years, threw aside nis armor last Sun
day and quietly re'ired from the field to wear
a crown that will sparkle with many stars
He was one man against whom I never
heard aught spoken; he had no enemies,
but many friends ”
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