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TO THE REHOBOTH ASSOCIATION.
Diab Bbkthbkn :—ln answer to several I
eails I send a few items from "The In- I
dis ns’’:
Our mission work is in a hopeful condi
tion. The native brethren appointed to
service in A-pnck sho-nub-by District are
becoming enthusiastic in their work. Re
eently a "two days’ meeting” came off at
Bethlehem church near A-tok a, at which
Benjamin Baker and 0 las-se-chub by had
been invited some time before and had sig
nified their intention to be present. But
when the time arrived they sent word that
ttiev could not leave their more destitute
»isa’/Mi field.— that the work was growing
rapidly on their hands. Invitations from
aw* neighborhoods were multiplying, and
could not supply the demands for
ibeir visits. Several c invertshave been bap
tized in that!'district and several stations es
tablfsbed. If God continues his blessing, in
a few nears we shall have several strong
Baptist churches among the Indians over
there Wilson Nail, too, is doing well
among the Ghickasaws. He has traveled
alone going from settlement to settlement,
md from house to house He has also bap
tized several —within the last few days five
at one meeting! Let us thank God and take
courage.
Bro ttoH* Hogue has just returned from To
rorto., Canada, where he attended the Third
tßrernational Sunday school Convention of
the United States and Canada, esthe repre
sentative of the Indian Territory. The dear
old brother has not had a recreation in a long
time never was north of Mason and Dixon's
lineandweall thought a trip to Canada
would do him good So we made uo the
money in our Sunday-schools and sent him
w to represent ns. He was greatly delighted.
Thedeath of Rev Lewis Cass is sorely felt
in his part of the Nation. He was a more
excellent gentleman. Poverty and suf
fering. no doubt, hastened his death. In a
letter now before me, and the last he ever
wrote me, dated February 10th, he says, "I
received yonr kind letter and gift some time
ago. and was thankful for your kindness.
Ton have done as much or more for me
than my own people. I have seen harder
times this winter than ever before in my
life Brother, you know we have no con
tinuing city in this world. Some of our
good brethren and our children are already
gone only a few days ahead of us.” This
was literally true in his case, as he died only
a few weeks after this letter was written.
The field he occupied is an old and impor-
Sant part of the work occupied by the South
»m Home Mission Board. The people, the
ehurch and the Governor of the Nation, who
resides in that neighborhood, have petition
ed the B >ard at Marion to appoint Rev. W.
8. Young, a very devoted, excellent and
suitable white man on the line in Arkansas
to supply brother Cass' church and field. It
is ofthe highest importance that the Board
respond favorably to the appeal and make
the appointment.
Rev. J A Trenchard will, D. V., soon
remove to the Creek Nation to assume the
Superintendency ofthe new Baptist Mission
School, which brother Buckner has, after
several years of faithful and devoted labor,
succeeded in establishing.
Rev. A. Frank Ross is now at McAlester,
ready to take b-other Trenchard’s place in
.hat important field This leaves the eastern
par* of the Nation without a missionary and
leader and makes the appointment of broth
er Young the more important.
The Northern Home Mission Society at its
recent anniversary at. Indianapolis, adopted
our little Indian Baptist Theological'School
I atTanleqdah, Cherokee Nation, as one of
the objec-s worthy of its fostering care. I
think this assures the success of the school.
I have never doubted the necessity and im
portance of such a Baptist school for the
.-raining of our young Indian preachers and
Christian workers I felt it should not be
jonfined to one nation only, but be open to
all the tribes We have several promising
young Choctaw preachers who would like
to attend a session or two at tjie school.
t The cost is SIOO for ten months. Who will
help these young Indian preachers?
Fraternally and truly,
J 8. Murbow.
4-tokva, Choctaw Nation, J me 30th,1881.
fl enf.raT meeting.
The general meeting of the first district of
rhe Flint River Association met with Paran
shnrch on Friday before the fourth Sabbath
m last month. The Introductory sermon
was preached at 11 o’clock by Rev. William
6 McMichael. The delegates assembled at
two o'clock p. m. for business. Re-elected
Rev Jesse Mays Moderator, and brother John
W Hooten. Secretary.
Revs William G. McMichael, John T.
Kimball, James G. Kimball and Timothy
Kimball, and brethren E. E. Pound and
James Britton responded as correspondents
from the second district.
We had a pleasant session, some good
preaching and several warm meetings. One
joined by experience, and others are expect
ed Owing to pressure of business—it being
early in the season—the meeting closed Sab
bath evening.
Our district meetings are increasing
in interest, and we trust in good We
ire generally cheered by the presence ot
enod preaching brethren from the second
district, ami we would be much pleased to
have ministers and brethren from the other
districts to visit us.
There was a large assembly on the Sab
oath ; good order prevailed, and the crowd
was bountifully provided for by the well-,
known hospitality of the brethren and com
munity.
We feel that these general meetings, well
attended, supplies, in some measure, the
long absence of the Association, on its regu
lar round, from our district; yet we cannot 1
see that the Flint River Association is too
large and cumbrous to hold together.
We adjourned to meet with the church at
Cabaniss on Friday before the third Sabbath
'■n Julv, 1882. J. M.
DR. ADAM T. HOLMES.
i desire to call the attention of the Baptists
of Georgia to the widow and children of our
lamented brother, Dr. Adam T. Holmes.
Sister Holmes is quite old, and very deaf,
living with her relatives because she has no
jieans of support Brother Holmes left a
Httle boy and girl that are entirely depend
ant upon others for their daily food and rai
ment. They are living somewhere in the
up-country.
If I.am correctly informed, our deceased
brother did a great deal for the Baptista of
Georgia; gave liberally of his means to Mer
air University, and was always ready to aid
in every gooa work promotive of Baptist in
terests in the State.
His body, I am informed, lies in Atlanta
without even a slab to designate the spot.
Sow, in view of all his labors, and financial
aid in the educational and religious interests
of Georgia Baptista, are we satisfied to wait
until an angel shall find the sacred spot and
rmsod his body for resurrection purposes?
x shall we not, as the people of God, do
something that will not omy designate the
root where he lies, but tell the busy passing
throng •• Here lies Adam T. Holmes: loved,
honored and respected for his true meri t and
-qany labors of love and munificent gifts to
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1881.
the educational and religious interests of
Georgia Baptists?"
If it is true that Mercer University has
shared a large portion of his financial gifts
in the past, Is it too much to ask that some
arrangements be made by which the son may
reap the advtn’.vjes of a college course?
And what shall I sav in the inter st of the
dear little daughter? What will brother
Oox, of LaGrange, do? What can brother
W. C. Wilkes, ofGainesville. do? What of
Mouroe Female College, in Forsyth? And
thus what will Baptists all over the State do?
Sister Holmes has very recently joined the
Marshallville Baptist church. It is not my
privilege, as yet, to know her, having never
met her. Neither have I seen or known the
children. Ye;, as a Baptist, lam interested
in them, and am willing to do all lean for
them. If others think as I do, and will sug
gest some plan by which the grave can be
designated, and t h e children educated, I will
take pleasure in aiding ai.y such measure or
plan that may be adopted.
B. L. Ross.
Fort Valley, Ga., July 18th, 1881.
FROM THE FIELD.
I attended the Sunday-school Convention
at Dove's Creek Baptist church, to which I
had made pastoral visits and rendered sue
cessful labors in the ministry several years
before I removed with my family to Stewart
county, Georgia, and another year since I
came back. The meeting included two days,
Tuesday and Wednesday, of last week, and
was very well attended. My brother, W. R.
Goss, who was to have preached the Intro
ductory sermon, was absent, and Rev. C. A.
Stakely filled his place well. The president
of the body,Rev. J. G. Gibson, served admira
bly. The weather was exceedingly warm,
hut speakers kept very well balanced in dis
cussions as to their warmth and zeal. Upon
the whole, evidently a good impression in
favor of the Sunday school cause was made.
The body adjourned to meet with Salem
Baptist church, Oglethorpe county, on the
same days of the week after the second Lord’s
day of July,lßß2
Last Thursday evening I went into the
neighborhood of Bio Baptist church, with
which a presbytery met, the day after, for
the ordination of brethren Cobb, Thornton
and Higinbotham to the deaconship. Preach
era present included L. W. Stephens, the
pastor, J. D. Adams, J. W. Vickery and t e
writer. By arrangement the sermon was
preached by I. H. Goss; presbytery modera
ted by L. W. Stephens; candidates questioned
by J. W. Vickery and the writer, who also
made the ordaining prayer. Moderator gave
the charge, and the occasion was very im
pressive and enjoyable in the house both
morning and evening, and very much so
around a well-shaded and a still better fur
nished table for the supply of all present.
From this meeting I went to my monthly
meeting with Line church, beyond Hartwell.
Saturday's meeting was discouraging. I felt
to say, Lord save or we perish—used the
words, “Christ is preached” Sunday we
had many out, and it was much more pleas
ant to preach. The Holy Spirit was with us
to make it so. 0 for this to be the case at all
times. The speaker wept more than com
mon, and others felt more than they do
sometimes. Agreed to have services of
prayer each Sunday, etc , till I meet them in
August. The Lord be with us then.
Last evening at the Methodist church
graveyard I found a large crowd at the burial
of a single son, who had died very suddenly
—lived only a few hours after he was
brought from the field and heat, where he
had fallen to speak no more on earth. By
request I talked to, and prayed for, the souls
ofthe living relatives and friends, especially
for the widowed mother, Mrs. Martha Teas
ley, whose tears could but fl > w on such a sad
occasion. I heard that two other men in
Hart county had recently been called sud
denly from their work by daath. Let all
“be ready, for in such an hour as ye think
not'the Son of man coipeth.” ’
I H. Goss.
Bowman, Ga, July 18th, 1881. ,
MACON ITEMS.
To-night fifteen happy converts will be
baptized by brother Warren in the baptistery
of the First Macon church. These converts
professed faith and united with the First
church, in East Macon, where there is an
arm of our church placed, for the summer,
under the care of our young brother D. S.
Marrow, a ministerial student of Mercer
University. For the last three weeks a very
precious revival meeting has b en in progress
at Warren chapel, conducted by Dr. Warren,
who was assisted by brother Murrow, and
the result thus far is fifteen additions by ex
perience and five by letter.
Warren chapel has been a great conven
ience to the Baptists in East Macon, and the
effect of the late meeting in that portion of
our city has been really salutary. Held at
night mostly, and during the week, the
meetings in East Macon have not interfered
with brother Warren’s regular church duties
He will take a month’s holiday soon, and,
after attending the Rehoboth Sunday-school
Convention, near Thomaston, on the fifth
Sabbath, will proceed further northward and
seek rest for a few weeks, and he deserves it,
for he has conducted two revival meetings
successfully in our city since the hot weather
set in.
Dr. Landrum has gone northward; Dr.
Battle is at the Chalybeate Springs-; Prof.
Sanford is off on his usual summer trip;
brother Mcßryde is up the country; brother
Evans, a Mercer student, who has been re
cently ordained by Drs. Warren and Land
rum, is here hard at work in the hot weather
for the South Macon church as its pastor;
and the rest of us, who can’t get away, are
sweltering, for our city has been experienc
ing some not weather.
The Sunday-schools keep up fairly, al
though many absent ones make the attend
ance below the average. Macon is healthy,
though, and, in fact, is as healthy as any city
in the State, for which I will vouch.
Macon, Ga., July 20, 1881. S. B.
LIGHT DESIRED.
The newspapers are full of mention of the
forthcoming Revised New Testament ;—the
joint work of committees of learned men—
one in England and one in the United
States. It seems that the work has been
accomplished within the last ten or eleven
years. Now. some of us remember that
more than t hirteen years ago the Bible Union
was actively engaged in revision. Until
within a few years past, we have heard but
little of it. Some of its works we have in
our libraries, and prize them very much.
What has become of the Bible Union?
Where is Prof. Conant and his coadjutors in
this work? and what has become of their
unfinished work? It seems that the library
of the Union has been sold. What does ail
this mean ? Enlighten us if you please.
As somewhat connected with this subject,
allow me to mention what seems to the writer
a marvelous thing-a very marvelous thing.
The learning of the world says that immer
sion is the first, best meaning of the Greek
word “baptize ” And yet, up to this time—
to this last revision—there seems not to be
candor ‘and love of truth enough in the
learned world to make the New Testament
say so. They know that this anglicized
word does not reveal clearly the truth to the
popular mind, and yet they dare not remove
the obscurity. Allegiance to King James
and the Episcopacy seems te be stronger
than allegiance to truth. And this is called
conservatism in our English brethren. Con
servatism of darkness fbr the masses it is,
but not of light and candor. It looks more
like presumptuous trifling. D. G. D.
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
Dear Index Some two weeks have elipred
since my tail letter was written, during which
time I have traveled over a large scope of coun
try. In order to bring this letter within reason
able length, I shall have to omit many details of
travel that it would afford me much pleasure to
give.
My last letter left me en route for Enon church
in company with brother Patterson, the pastor.
Enon is a grand old church twelve miles (tn
Georgia) from Eitfauln. and la truly “as a city set
upon a hill," dispensing light to the Wrtultry
around. The membership is large and efficient.
A new house of worship was recently erected,
suited in every way to the wants of the large
congregation that assembles here at every stated
meeting. Brother Patterson is an excellent pas
tor and greatly beloved by his church and people
I am much Indebted to the brethren and friends
of Enon for many acts of kindness during my
brief sojourn in their midst. I spent Satuniay
and Sunday here very Pleasantly.an-* on Monday
brother A. H. Teel carried me to Morris station
en route for Fort Gaines
This. Fort Gaines, is one of the noted spots In
Georgia In the days long agene. Fort 4alnes
stands upon a bluff overlooking the river, and
took its name from the fort that was built here in
the first settlement of this country. There is
nothing left to mark the spot where the fort once
stood, save a grove of grand old oaks. During the
late war the same bluff upon which the old fort
once stood was strongly fortified by the Confede
rate authorities. One of the large guns, the rem
nants of the battery, lies near where the battery
stood. It is off duty now, and like.y to-tymaln
so, perhaps forever. I snent a part of two days
here to some profit to The Inßex, and very plea
santly to mys If. I was agreeably surprised to
find here, amonr the most active and effi lent
workers of the Baptist church, brother W. M
Speights, formerly of Hancock county. It was a
Sleasant meeting to both of us Brother 8 has
one good work here for the Index as well as for
the Baptist cause otherwise. Brother J H. Cor
ley Is serving the church here most acceptably.
I was truly glad to meet him here, but sorry to
find him quite unwell. May the good Lord res
tore him to his wonted health.
This Immedlatesectlon of country suffered se
verely from drought last year, and corn is very
scarce with the farmers. The oat crop-hauig a
partial failure this year there Is great demand for
corn, and much difficulty experienced lu obtain
ing a sufficient supply for the country.
From Fort Gaines I went by private convey
ance, some twenty odd miles across the country
into Calhoun county. The road we traveled lay
through a good farming section, and the crops
were looking well. The great trouble is, not on
ly here, but wherever I have been, too much cot
ton and not enough corn in cultivation. "Farms
ers used to say, in speaking of their crops, “my
corn field,” “my cotton patch.” Now it iscotton
field and corn patch And this change in farm
ing operations has brought our country to its
present impoverished condition, and if it is eon
tinned much longer the result will be an utter
financial ruin. Strangers, wiser than we, will
own our fair Sunny South, while we irnd our
children will become hewers of wood and draw
ers ot water. It hasgotabout to this point now.
It Is no uncommon thing to see the descendents
of once affluent families the employes of those
who have come up from the humbler walks of
life. Not long since, I saw the daughter of a
once wealthy family hoeing cotton, barefooted,ln
the hot broiling sun, thus endeavoring to aid
her husband in supporting the family, wh ie he
(the husband) was working on the same farm for
nine dollars per month Theownerof the farm
informed me that she was reared in the lap of
luxury and while off from home attendirfgschool
a negro girl was sent with herand boarded hi the
college to wait upon her.
Pardon this digression. In the foregoing. 1
have no special reference to this section of coun
try, but intend ii for all sections where king cot
ton has been a relentless tyrant *
About sundown the kind
who had giv. nme a seat out from Fort Gaines,
set me down in front of the house of one of my
long time friends, Mr. L. D Wiggins, formerly of
Washington county. We had not met in years,
and the meeting now. so unexpected was joyons
indeed. Spent the night, and the next morning
Mr. Wiggins and family went with me over to
spend the day with our good brother, Green
Whlddon, the father of Mrs. Wiggins, who also
came to this county from Washington several
years ago For years and years Green Whlddon
was not onlv a pillow in Bister's church near
Sandersville,—he was one of the corner-pasts—if
that makes It any stronger. Many happy reasons
had we spent together In the long ago.
and it had scarcely occurre 1 to me, until very re
cently. that I should ever again be with him in
this life. And now, again to be at his pleasaut
home, to sit at his hospitable board, to sing again
with him and his children as in the dags jjt yore.
How kind our Heavenly FathvtAJhkljui/jnrovid-
Ing sweet repasts along the T'Jb.-’Ajo'yflF- As
in Washington, so In CalHoum I find tills good
brother occupying the same responsible position
of deacon (and a deacon in truth) tu the church
near him and one of the best churches is ill this
country. I regret that I cannot remember the
name of this church.
My next stopping place was Arlington, the
present terminus of the branch road from Smith
ville via Albany. Thevtllagehas sprung up in
a few years, a’ <1 is likely to be a place of some
importance. This is the home ofourgood broth
er, Rev. Thus. Muse, at whose house I was most
kindiv entertained during my stay. Brother
Muse’is serving this and several other churches,
with the same z A al and devotion that has charac
teriz d his ministry for so many years.
From Arlington to Leesburg, where I remain
ed over Sunday To my deep regret, brother
Harvey, pastor of the Baptist church, was abroad
filling his regular appointment at Oglethorpe.
During mv stay I was most kindly entertained at
the pleasant home* of brother Love, whose excel
lent wife, formerly Miss Mattie Whiddon, I have
known from childhood. My trip to Leesburg
was both pleasant and profitable, and I hope to
repeat It next fall.
Next to Albany, where my heart was cheered
by receiving “letters from home" which —some
of them—had been following me from point to
point for weeks, and which would have reached
me long before, if Uncle Sam had been less tardy
In forwarding. At Albany I found brother Hauks
pastor, in the midst of an interesting meeting in
the Baptist church. There was more interest
manifested by the people, I was told, than had
been for many years. Ido hope the good Lord
has blessed Albany with a gracious outpouring
of his spirit Brother Hanksis a faithful pastor
and good preach* r, and is doing valiant service in
the cause <f Christ. This Is a strong church I
remained at Albany about twenty-four hours,not
finding much to be done at this time. The hea
vy failure of a large banking house in Albany
some months ago has had a very depre'sing effect
upon the financial condition of the country sur
rounding Albany as well as in that city It was
a heavy blow upon many, some of whom will
never recover.
From Albany to Camilla, and out one mile and
a half to the truly delightful home of that prince
of brethren, Rev. J. L. Ui derwood. It was in
deed, pleasant to be st this quiet retreat after the
noise and dust of travel. Brother Underwood I
found as busy as a tee, with his farm, his school,
and everv Saturday and Sunday preaching some
where. Camilla has suffi red severely from fire,
rhe torch of the Incendiary (as is believed ) has
been applied twice and the greater portion of the
business part of the town has been laid In ashes.
The brick have been hauled up preparatory to
rebuilding and the work perhaps begun ere this.
Spent a part of two da vs here and at brother Un
derwood's,and shall ever remember this first visit
with feelings of pleasure
But here Is the brother who is to carry me to
my next appointment and I must desist.
7 J-. M G. Medlock,
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
CENTRAL AFRICA.
An indefinite term, embracing in its larg
est acceptation the whole of the continent,
north of the British possessions in the South,
to the Egyptian territory, with Abyssinia
and the States bordering the Mediterranean
on the north. Within these limits are com
prised in the north the desert of Sahara,
ranged over by Moorish tribes in the west,
Suareg in the centre and Tebu inthe east. In
succession to these are the fertile and dense
ly populated countries of the Soudan, water
ed m the west by the Sengal and Gambia
rivers, and traversed farther in the interior
by the Quorra, or Joliba, or Niger, and its
large affluent, the Birme or Chadda. Along
the valleys and in the basins of these latter
rives, Mohammedan races called Fellatahs,
or Fulahs, have established the powerful
empires of Massina, Gando, Sokoto, etc , in
the country occupied by the conquered ne
gro Haussa nation. Some negro kingdoms
yet remain around Lake Chad, Bornu, Ba
girmi, Kanem. and Waday, whilst the most
eastern Darfur has been absorbed by Egypt.
On the coast, in the extre ne west ot the
Soudan, the British, French and Portuguese
each possess settlements, and passing Libe
ria, the British colony of the gold coast on
the Gulf of Guinea is backed by the semi
barbarous kingdoms of Ashantee, Dahomey,
and smaller states. South of the Soudan,
lies an immense extent of unknown coun
try, consisting of dense forests intersected by
the river Congo, the only route yet explored
across it, where are found, according to Mr.
Stanley, cannibals and savages sunk in the
loweststate of barbarism. Between the me
ridiana of 26 and 35 degrees is found the
great lake region of eastern Central Africa,
and the head sources of both the Nile a-jd
Congo rivers. These lakes form a plain
1 300 miles in length north and south with
nowhere more than about 200 miles between
the lakes, and are calculated to comprise an
aggregate area of nearly 70 000 square miles.
Around the Victoria Nyanzi the negro king
dome of Uganda and Karagwe bate attained
to a certain degree of civilization, but south
and east of these the territory is divided into
numerous petty states, and tne dreaded Ma
sai, a bloodthirsty race, soour all the country
from LakeNyassa northward to the the equa
tor, where the lofty peaks of Kenia and
Kilimanjaro rear tneir summits above the
line of perpetual snow. Northeast of the
lake district the Gallas inhabit the highlands
soulh < f Abyssinia, containing the head-wa
ters ofthe Juba river, and the unexplored
country south of the equator and the Sjma
ti, the almost entirely unknown great east
ern promontory. The most southerly por
tion of Central Africa is, with the exception
ofthe small Kolabavi Desert on the borders
of Cape Colony, a fertile, well watered re
gion.in which the sources ofthe Zambesi and
its confluents, flowing to the Indian Ocean,
interlace with those of tributaries of the
Congo. Portuguese possessions on both the
east and«west coasts, bound this territory, in
which the Ulanda, the Muerta Yanvo’s em
pire, Lobal, Kibokwe, etc., the Marutse,
Mabunda empire, the Motabeel kingdom,
various sections of Becbuana, Kaffirs, and
the Hottentot Ovampo, Damara and Great
Namaqua Lands.
The whole of the country under consider
ation may be broadly divided, in respect to
elevation, by a line across the continent be
tween the fifth and tenth parallels of north
latitude, the southern portion consisting of
an elevated plateau, rising higher and high
er at its edges near the coast, and the north
ern of a considerbly lower region. The cen
tral area, in the zone of equatorial rains, is
covered with dense tropical forests and most
luxuriant vegetation. To the north and
south of this is a belt of less wooded country
merging into rich cultivated and pasture
lands, these being succeeded by the two al
most rainless deserts of Africa, the Sahara,
on the north,the largest on the surface ofthe
globe, and the Kalahavi on the south. The
area of this vast extent of country is calcu
lated at 8 000 000 square miles, apportioned
in the following manner :
Sahara
Soudan-
Unexplored country on both sides of the
eq u ator, between the west coast and 1» ke
district-
Lake region, including the lakes 50'>.000
Galla and Somali Lands 640,000
Region south and southwest of Lake dis-
trictl.2oo,ooo
T o t a lß,ooo,ooo
Nothing beyond the roughest computation
can be given of the population of these va
rious nations, but judging the unknown by
that which is ascertained, it may be stated
at about 80,000 000, representing a density of
ten individuals to the square mile, which is
about two and a half times that of South
America, but only one fifth of that of Asia.
Some eminent geographers have made some
most extraordinary estimates of thepopula
tion of this region, i.e.: Behm and Wagner,
in Die Bevolkernng der Erde, detail some
thing over 170 000 000 as the number of its
inhabitants, and the late Mr. Keith John
ston has stated that forty to the square mile
is perhaps the best estimate and not .too
high for the average density of population
in Negroland, which comprises the greater
portion of Central Africa. The bights of
Bermi and Biafra are the territory comprised
between the points Cap"" St. Paul and Cape
St John. This tract of coast land belongs to
the different native kings,and a large and ex
tensive trade in palm oil, palm kernels, shea
butter and ivory, the latter coming from the
river Niger, is transacted. The trading rivers
are Benisi, Niger,Brass.New Calabar, Bonny,
Opobo, Old Calabar, and Cameroons.
DR. 8. G. HILLYER.
The committee appointed by this church
in conference to prepare some resolutions
expressive of their appreciation of the char
acter and labors of our pastor, who is soon
to leave us for another field of labor, beg
leave to present the following :
Whereas, our beloved brother and pa tor,
Dr. 8. G. Hillyer, has felt it to be his duty,
in the providence of God, te accept a call to
labor in another field, ard having resigned
the pastorate of this church for that purpose,
and his resignation having been accepted,
therefore, be it
Resolved, 1. That while we regard brother
Hillyer’s character as being too well and
favorably known as a man, a Chri tian and
an ableminister of the gospel, to need any
commendation from us, yet we desire to
give some expression of our appreciation of
cis character and labors
Resolved, 2. That during his long pastor
ate among us of nearly fifteen years, he has
greatly endeared himself not only to this
church, but to our community generally, by
his useful labors, his wise instructions, and
by his example of a pure consistent deport
ment.
Resolved 3 That in this sepa-ation, we
feel that our church and community sustain
a heavy loss that we shall not easily repair,
and that within and without our church he
leaves many true friends whose sincere de
sires and prayers for his usefulness and hap
piness he will carry with him.
Resolved 4. That it is with real pain that
we part with our pastor,who has for so long
a time been the spiritual instructor and
guide of ourselves and families—who has
baptized our companions and children —who
has visited us in misfortune and sickness,
and who has administered to us comfort in
the hour of sorrow and sore bereavement
Our final words and prayer shall be —may
God’s grace and spirit attend brother Hill ■
yer and his wife, sister Hillyer, to, and in,
their new field of labor.
Respectfully submitted.
E. M. Amos,
H. H. Cabanibs,
C. A. Turner,
Committee.
Adopted by the church unanimously. In
dex requested to insert.
D. Saneord. C. C.
Forsyth Baptist Church, July 3,1881.
A FACT WORTHY OF NOTE.
From two reports in The Index of the
30th ult., we gather a suggestive fact bear
ing on revivals. In a report from Colum
bus we read : “Most of the number (baptiz
ed) have entertained a hope for months,and
some of them for years past, showing that
the Lord has been blessing the labors of his
servants at times when they saw no signs of
it.” Our pastor at Dalton writes, “Os the
seventeen experiences related (in his meet
ing) not more than two dated their change
of heart to the time of the meeting.” Here
we have in two reports the same significant
disclosure. In two meetings the fact is
brought out that souls were saved prior to
the meetings under the ordinary ministra
tions of the Word. If the data were at hand
for a broader survey, I doubt not that we
would have the same fact disclosed. We
would see it generally true that the Lord
saves through his own instituted method—
the regular “preaching of the Cross.” There
are, no doubt, occasions of “refreshing from
the presence of the Lord, ’ when numbers
are saved. But these are extraordinary oc
casions. We can not get up these revivals.
They come down from above. "Let us not
be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.” J. H. W.
Newnan.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DbVOTIE D.D., 1 Kdlto „
REV. C. M. IRWIN, D.D., f ulora ’
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Con ren
tlon—Officers: Rev. R. B. Headden, President:
Rev. J. H. DeVotie, 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 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.
“O 'tie pleasant, 'tls reviving,
To our hearts to hear each day,
Joyful news from far arriving,
How the gospel wins its way;
Those enlightning
Who in heathen darkness lay.”
LETTER FROM MISS LULA WHILDEN.
[Written to the Corresponding Secretary of
Woman's Mission Society, Great am ville ]
My Deab Sistkb: Your letter of March
sth reached me a few days ago.
I have already written to Mrs. Gresham for
your Society, and presume my letter has
reached you ere this. My letter was sent
during the last of January. In April I wrote
to Mrs. Kiddoo (who in 1880 was Correspond
ing Secretary of the Central Committee) and
asked her to forward my letter to you. In
that letter I mentioned that I had decided to
give up the instruction of I-Nai (the wo
man whom you supported, and to whom I
presume you refer in your letter under the
designation of "New Hope”) as after a fair
trial she seemed incapable of imparting in
struction to others.
Mrs. Gresham in a letter, dated October
23d, 1880, mentioned that your Society had
sent SIO.OO to Dr. Tupper for I Nai’a support,
and were expecting to forward the remaining
eights by the next quarter. I did not know
whether or not it had been sent. I wrote to
Mrs. Kiddoo to say that up to the time that
I-Nai left only little over ten dollars had been
spent for her support, and that it would be
unnecessary for your Society to send the
remaining eight as she was not studying,
consequently not receiving any pecuniary
aid at present.
You speak of $lB 00 sent to Dr. Tupper,
but I do not know whether it is a second
contribution of $lB 00 or whether it is the
remaining eight of the first eighteen. If the
first supposition is correct then there are
twenty-six dollars, or according to the second
supposition, there are eight dollars in the
mission treasury from your Society which I
have not used, and which I will not need to
use. You can to Dr. Tupper, whether
ou wish it toto general expenses, or
whether you it to be appropriated to
some other obj®rwhich you may designate
We draw money contributed for special ob
jects only as it is needed, consequently the
above mentioned amounts have never been
placed in my hands, npr do I care to take
charge of contributions, unless there as likely
to be immediate use for thrm which is not
the case with regard to money fori Nai’s sup
port. So with this letter my responsibility
ends, and your Society can use the money
sent to Dr. Tupper as you may think best.
Probably your Society will share with me
the disappointment that I Nai seems to be
wanting in some of the necessary qualifica
tions for a Bible woman, but your disap
pointment cannot be greater than mine.
Subsequent reflection has only convinced
me that it would not have been best for me
to have gone on spending so much time in
her instruction with so little probability of
its being useful to herself and others. She
has been going out with one of Our Bible
women, who says of her, “She seems to read
with very little difficulty, when she goes out
with me to assist among the women, but is
unable to talk about it, or explain it.” A
very necessary qualification in one employed
as a Bible woman.
Now, that I havefi lished the business part
of my letter, I will tell you something about
my work, or at least about a part of one day's
work.
Last week I went to the Home for old
Women, a Chinese benevolent institution,
where there are several hundred old women.
Our Bible women have been accustomed
to make weekly visits to this tome, and
lately I have gone with them. At ten o'clock
,1 left home to visit one of my schools, and
after my work there was finished, I went to
the Home for the aged Women. The Home
consists of rows of small bouses, built facing
each other, with narrow streets running be
tween. While walking along one of these
narrow streets one of our church members
invited me to her house to read, saying that
theie were some women anxious to hear me
tell of Jesus. A bench was placed for me in
the narrow street and about half a dozen
women gathered around me to listen. Among
them I noticed a heathen woman, who had
attended o ur Chapel service on the previous
Sabbath. On asking her what she remem
bered having heard there, she said, "It is in
my heart, but I cannot express it.” She was
one of my most attentive listeners.
But she, who interested me most, was an
old woman who said that she was ninety
four years of age, and had lived in t'.ie reigns
of six Emperors. She was very feeble and
partially blind and deaf. I led her to a seat
by my side and then said, "You rr - nine'y
four years old, you must die soon—will
probably not live to see a hundred—where
are you going when you die?” “Yes, I must
die soon, she said, and must go—who knows
where." "There are only two places to go
to after death,” I answered—one is a good
place, where there is no sin, nor sorrow, nor
pain, where you will never weep, but be
happy forever —the good place is Heaven.
Then there is a bad place, where there is
sorrow and weeping and eternal suffering,
this place is called Hell.”
“I do not want to go to the bad place, I
do not want to go to Hell, she said. I want
to go to Heaven, to the good place.”
"You are a sinner,” I said, "you have over
ninety years of sins upon your soul, and you
deserve to be punished, how can you hope to
eet there?” I paused and let the question
Eave Its full weight, and then told of the
way in which God had provided for the sin
ner’s salvation, by giving his own son as the
sinner’s substitute.
I told of bis death upon the cross, because
he loved and pitied us, and did not wish us
to perish. "He was good to have been wil
ling to suffer and die for us,” she said. Be
fore leaving I taught them a simple prayer
which was scarcely more than the publican’s
but which was all that they could remember.
They promised to pray to Jesus.
At another place, I met a woman in the
street, who said, “I have been praying to
Jesus since I saw you last.” She was an old
woman, who sold needles, to whom I had
spoken of Jesus for a few minutes on a pre
vious visit.
While seated in another place, reading to
the women, one of them spoke of her pain
and feebleness, and said that she did not
think she could live much longer; then ad
ded, “I wish I could die.”
I told her that unless she was a Christian,
dying would bring only greater suffering
which would last forever. Then I told her
of the only way of s.dvation through Jesus
—others were there who listened—some with
greater interest than she did. In another
place a woman who had attended our Chapel
said thatshe wished to unite with thechurch,
but though I believe she feels some interest
I found that she hoped to gain some tem
poral advantage by doing so, I therefore dis
couraged it. I was disappointed to find that
some blind women and girls, who had
shown some interest on a previous visit
seemed indifferent to-day, and when I asked
if they bad been praying to Jesus, they only
answered, "We are stupid, we do not know
bow,” but in a tone which seemed te indis
cate that they did not want to be taught or
to learn. Poor creatures, how I pitied them
in their twofold blindness, physical and
spiritual I
We have between fifteen and twenty
church members among the women in this
Home. We made short visits to almost all
of them- At one house I saw one of the old
sisters pounding rice. She was both blind
and deaf, and did not know that I was there
until I laid my hand on hers and shouted
my words of greeting in her ear. She finish
ed pounding the rice as some one was wait
ing tor it, and then took her seat by my
side. "It is hard.” she said, to be both blind
and deaf, but it is the Lord’s will; lam glad
that I can do a little work."
“It is only a little while," I said, “in
Heaven you will be blind and deaf no lon
ger.” I stopped to see another old sister,
who was blind, and had been crippled by a
fall. She seemed very glad and thankful
to day. She was thankful because her lame
ness was gradually passing away, and be
cause some benevolent person that morning
had given her some rice and other food which
had seemed almost a feast to theold woman.
She had now sufficiently recovered to be able
to walk with the use of a stick- Before this
she had dragged a small bench along and
used it some time to sit on and sometimes
as a support.
In another house one of the old sisters
said, “I wonder when the Heavenly Father
will take me to Heaven,-when do you think
it will be? I hope it will be soon.” I told
her that none of us knew or could tell; that
we were like little children at school, whose
mothers said, ‘Study hard, and I will send
for you to come home,’ but they could not
tell just when they would go home.
So we are here in this world and Jesus
gives us work to do for Him, and tells us to
go on doing it, until He sends for us to come
home. We do not know when that will be
—all we have to do is to go on working hard
until He calls us.”
A heathen woman when I spoke of Hea
ven, said, "It matters little about this life,
if we can only be happy in thelife beyond.”
I have told you of this day, to give you
some idea of our work, and how other days
are spent. You will see that in a single day's
work there are encouragements and dis
couragements. Pray for us as we speak for
Jesus, that the Holy Spirit may teach us
what to say and that they 4nay hear aright,
and receive this Savior as theirs.
Yours with Christian love,
Lula WHit den.
Canton, China, May Bth, 1881.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COM
MITTEE ON WOMAN’S MISSION
SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MAY 1, 1881.
Owing to protracted illness in the families
of several members of the Committee, the
attendance on the monthly meetings has
been very irregular. The correspondence,
however, has been maintained, and has been
attended with good results. We are much
encouraged with the success of our efforts.
The receipts have been almost double those
of last year. Several new societies have been
organized, and we hope another year will
show a greater increase in the work. We
give below the amount contributed and
reported by the various Societies of the State,
through this Committee:
W. M. S., Ist Baptist church, Atlanta, $36 00
W. M. S., 2nd Baptist church,Atlanta, 78 95
W. M. 8., sth Baptist church, Atlanta, 27 04
W. M. S., Quitman church .... 42 85
W. M. 8., Redland church .... 100
W. M. 8., Albany church .... 72 00
W. M S , High Shoals 10 00
W. M. 8 , Gordon Springs and Tunnel
Hill 17 65
W. M. S., Greshamville 51 00
W. M. S , Corinth church . . ; . 16 65
W, M. 8., Fishing Creek and Penford
churches 8 00
' Total $372 14
Os this amount $39 35 was contributed to
State Missions, and S2O 00 to Home Missions.
We solicited a full report of the benevolent
work of the Societies, but have received re
ports from only three, which are appended -.
City Mission and Benevolent work of
Society Ist Baptist church, Atlanta, $lO2 75
Society 2nd Baptist church, Atlanta, 571 00
W. M. S., Albany church . • . . 16 70
Total . . . i . . $690 45
We greatly desire a correspondence with
every society in the State, and where there is
no society, we beg of the pastors to send us
names of the female members of their
churches, who would interest themselves in
organizing societies in the many churches
where there are none. There is no extra
expense in sending funds through this com
mittee. postage, stationery, etc., being con
tributed by the members of the committee.
Earnestly asking the prayers and co oper
ation of every pastor and society in the State
in our work, this report is respectfully sub
mitted.
Mrs. Stainback Wilson, P. C. C.
Mrs. A. C. Kiddoo, Cor. Sec.
The $25 000 which we want to raise this
Conventional year, is likely to be realized, if
the spirit which pervades the following letter
prevails through the State.
All honor to the Southern Female College
Mission Society, and its branch society at
Thomasville, with Miss Ellie Pittman its
president.
This is an original and beautiful sugges
tion-mission societies in all our institutions
of learning, with branches at the homes of
pupils and graduates. Miss Sallie C. is au
thorized to organize branches. All these fair
contributors will please accept the thanks
of the Corresponding Secretary. D.
“ Dear Tb. DbVotie : I enclose check for
$25.00. The missionary society of the South ■
ern Female College sends $13.00 of this
amount, and wishes it appropriated to the
distribution of Bibles in foreign lands.
" I know you will be glad to kam that we
have a branch society at Thomasville, Ga.,
organized by Miss Ellie Pittman, of that
place, who graduated at our college last
summer. Miss Ellie came to our Commence
ment this summer, attended our last mis
sionary meeting and brought with her the
$12.00 which I herewith enclose. She wishes
it appropriated as you think best. If you
acknowledge receipt of same in The Index,
please say it is from the Southern Female
College Flinch Society, at Thomasville,
Miss Ellie Pittman, President.
“ Sallie C. Cox.
“ Southern Female College, LaGrange, Ga
June 30:h, 1881.
INDIAN MISSIONS.
Rev. Benj. Baker, missionary, of the Flinf
River Association to the Choctaws, makes
the following report for quarter ending June
30th, 1881:
Day’s service 63—miles traveled 452—chur
ches supplied 2—stations s—Sermons preach
ed 30—Exhortations 21—Prayer meetings
held 35—Religious visits 73—Baptized 4
Restored 4—Pages of tracts distributed 462
Bibles and Testaments sold 16—Sunday
schools 3 pupils 165, teachers 7- Number
professing conversion, but not baptized 3.
Brother Baker has been promptly paid at
the end of each quarter. Brother Murrow
writes encouragingly of his work.
J. M. Wood, Ch. Ex. Com.
E. M. Hooden, Secretary.
A Bloated Body does not always belong to
an inebriate. Kidney troubles will cause
bloat, but Warner’s Safe Kidney and Liver
Cure has never failed to remove it.