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PEN DROPPINGS.
BY L. L V.
A MISNOMER.
By nothing is word power so strikingly
shown as by the fact that calling a thing by
a wrong name sometimes produces an erro
neous impression which whole volumes of
argument cannot remove. Such has been
the history of the word communion, as ap
plied to the ordinances of the Lord's supper.
!t never should have been called by any
such term. Sr-called, it implies that this
is a test of brotherly love for other Christians.
Its Founder intended it to have no such
significance. He indicated its meaning as
plainly as could be done by the use of words.
'■This do in remembrance of me.” Those
who meet together to solemnize this awful
rite should indeed be united in heart and
purpose. Christians at all times should en
deavor to remove from their minds any feel
ings akin to envy or malice. But their
worthines to celebrate the Lord's death does
not depend upon this It depends rather
upon their having exercised that love for
Him which prompts perfect submission to
His will. Such love on the part of those
who substitute an act which He did not per
form for one which He did in instituting
this other ordinance, may well be distrusted.
Allowing it to be called “communion,” how
ever, implies that it is a love feast in which
all who profess to love the Lord should par
ticipate. The whole syllogism lies wrapt up
in that single word, and so long as it is used
the false assumption must be continually
refuted. Discard this word and it will not
be half so hard to prove, even to weak minds
that they who have not obeyed Him in the
one ordinance should no*, be admitted to the
other. On the other hand, so long as it is
retained “close communion” will be the
one weak place in the Baptist armor of
proof. We would have the term stricken
from the Baptist vocabulary.
DISAFFECTED MEMBERS
Some time since we heard a lady, who
professed to be a Christian, say: “Tne Bap
tist church at had a rupture; several
of the members withdrew. I was really
glad of it for our church gained several good
members.” After such a confession we
were forced to distrust her profession of
Christianity. But we fear many are not lets
unkind but only less candid than she-
There is too much willingness upon the part
of all denominations to build up themselves
at the expense of others. This often begets a
rivalry toojealous and ungenerous for plain,
open-handed dealing. We have known
ministers in their greed for numbers to re
sort to arts of winning that were far from
commendable. In fact, we think any per
suasion of a person to join his church is un
becoming, beyond a clear, emphatic presen
tation of the truth. Such expressions as
“You will find it more pleasant to be with
your wife or your husband,” should be
avoided. It seems to us that a minister who
really loves his denomination would be un
willing to receive into its ranks a proselyte,
one whose change of sentiment be did not
believe to be geuuine and honest. Denomi
nations owe it to each other as a matter of
courtesy to discourage all changes of church
relation that are predicated on convenience,
or the wish to agree with relatives. Still
more should they avoid welcoming into
their ranks (through policy) those who are
controlled by pique at some ruling of the
body they are leaving. The denomination
which acts thus may acquire numbers, but
it will hardly gain that moral weight that
will render it a power in the land. Minis-,
ters, as well as private members are, we fear,
liable to forget that the efficiency of a church
depends far more on the character than on
the number of its members. They are slow,
too, we apprehend, to perceive that the noto
riety of having rousing revivals is the last
kihd of reputation agenuinegospel preacher
would crave. It may do for the sensationl
ists—the real ambassador for Christ aims at
something h gh ?r.
FALSE Biy.IEFS
The dogma of the “real presence” held by
the largest denomination of Christians is
contradicted by the perceptions of our physi
cal senses. To our touch, taste, sight and
smell, the bread and wine are unchanged by
the priestly blessing. All these faculties
tell us that a literal interpretation of the
Savior's words is absurd. A faith more un
reasoning than He ever demanded is re
quired to believe in a miracle when all the
facta show- that no miracle has been per
formed. The same denomination sets forth
in its creed that one may attain in this life
and live foryears in a state of sinless perfec
tion, and some denominations that have
protested against the absurdity of the “real
presence” hold to the belief in sanctifica
tion. Unlike the former dogma, it is not
contradicted by the senses; but it is by con
sciousness. No one, unless in a state of
hallucination, can believe that he lives over
one hour without some sinful thought
some unholy emotion. That men and wo
men make such pretensions proves them
hypocrites or evinces that they are under
some spell akin to mental aberration. Cut
off from the scenes, the strifes and turmoil
of life, one may continue for a length of
time in a state of enthusiastic rapture which
he deems a foretaste of heavenly bliss. But
to those who have to engage in the struggle
for existence this state ot spiritual exaltation
is denied. They have each the right to ask
forgiveness for the sins ofthe past day, and
though rising in the morning with new reso
lutions, they have to mourn before sunset
over broken vows. Fl ven Paul, after having
been carried to the seventh heaven, and
having his ears saluted by words unutter
able. was beset by temptations to which he
often yielded. One of this day may
be as good as Paul; he should strive to be
better for he has before him the same model
which the great apostle strove unsuccessful
ly though not vainly to equal. But few
Christians have ever attained the same
eminence in zeal, earnestness, faith and con
secration. When one approaches him most
nearly he feels himself the least of all.
CORRUPTION OF THE YOUNG.
Most persons suppose that if the period of
youth be passed without contamination of
some dangerous vice, and the boy enters
upon manhood with a fair character, that he
is safe. This is true only of those whose
traits of character are such as to render a
lapse very improbable even in youth. They
are exceptions. The great mass are not en
dowed with strength to withstand any strong
temptation, and with many there never
comes a time when you can regard their
position as assured. Many develop intern -
perate habits even after they have passed
middle life. It is urged that this is only a
development of what previously lay dor
mant or concealed, and there is not a change
from a virtuous to a vicious life. This is the
case in some instances. In others the out
works of the heart's defences have been
captured, the citadel is surrendered, and the
guardian spirit has been driven away. We
can hardly believe that every man who ends
badly, was bad from the beginning. Some
who, in the seventh or eighth decade, go out
amid the darkness and gloom of moraFsbip
wreck had, at twenty five, or even at forty,
the seeming proepect of a prosperous voyage.
The teaching of these facts is obvious. There
is constant need for watchfulness. There
comes no time when the sentinel may sleep
at his poet. A relaxation of vigilance may
involve the degradation and ruin of the
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST : THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1881.
higher nature. As we watch for the coming
of the Master, so should we watch for the
foe, who knows no slumber amid his eager
ness for our overthrow. Believing as we do
that God will ultimately eave those whom
He has chosen and called, we regard as none
the less imperative the warning to be guard
ful. The enemy may greatly damage, if he
is not permitted to ruin.
A grammatical question.
The point I am about to raise against a
very popular writer of Latin text-books,
may seem to some trivial. Then let me
here remind those who shall so regard it,
that it is not to be considered separately.
The mistake to be noticed in this author is,
in itself, not so grievous as the errors to
which it will give rise—leading, as it will, to
a mistranslation of a very common mode of
expression. In Mr. Arnold’s Latin Prose
Composition.as edited by Rev J A. Spencer,
there occurs, under the head of Q iin after
verbs of doubting, etc , this direction.
“ ‘But,’ ‘but,’ ‘that’ or ‘that’ after verbs of
doubting, denying, restraining, etc , in neg
ativesentences must be translated by ‘quin’.”
To illustrate this he has among other
sentences the following:
“Negari non potest quin,” etc, that is,
"It cannot be denied that," etc.
Now my question is this, "Is negari non
potest, or ‘it cannot be denied’," a negative
sentence as Mr. Arnold implies? Does it
not contain two negatives, and, with a few
exceptions, wherever the rule can operate,
are not two negatives equal to an affirma
tive? Two clouds charged with negative
electricity repel each other just as two
charged with positive. In mathematics
minus times minus, as plus times plus, gives
plus; and likewise in language where there
are two noes, note, or their equivalents in s
sentence or clause, its meaning is the same
as though it contained neither. In the
above sentence or clause "to deny” means,
as it does everywhere else, the same as to
say "it is not so.” Then we have the whole
thus, ‘ It cannot be said that it is not so,”
which is equivalent to “It can be said that
it is so,” each negative counteracting the
other. Now, I am aware this rule of uega
tives is not without exceptions in Latin,
where occasionally one negative strengthens
the negative which another expresses But
“negari non potest” is not one of these in
cidents, since its proper English translation,
about which there is no dispute, is so deci
dedly affirmative that it must have a direct
ly opposite meaning to come under this
head. Furthermore, that the author ranks
verbs of denying in this way along with
those of doubting and restraining, shows a
misconception of their true force.
The foregoing remarks are submitted with
the hope that they are not inopportune or
unbecoming; as I have only taken advant
age of a liberty which should be allowed all
students—that of enquiring into the correct
ness of the text-books he studies. H.
WHAT CAN WE DO!
I mcai to make the work to be done by the
Home Mission Boird an accomplished fact.
It must be apparent to every one at all in
formed on the subject, that something is
defective. It is easy to say what is needed is
more money, but why have we not the mon
ey? It is easy to say the work is not suffici
ently on the hearts of the churches, but why
not? It is easy to say the churches are not
sufficiently informed as to the needs of the
Board, but why are they not informed ? It
is easy to say that is the fault of the pastors,
but why are the pastors at fault in this mat
ter? This work lies near the heart of every
cons, crated minister in our denomination,
and there are local reasons why it should be
easier to raise money for missionary work
in the South than for work in foreign lands.
And yet we contribute more than twice as
much for foreign missions than we do for
home missions Then, too, the nature of
the work under State Boards and that under
the Home Board is the same, and yet the
receipts of the State Boards are largely in
excess of those of the Home Board, their
constituencies and territories repectively
considered. What then can we do? Some
thing ought to be done, and the object of
this article is to call attention to that fact,
not so much to tell what it is.
But something ought to be done, for the
territory of the Board includes many of the
new States of the West, where there are
teeming thousands rapidly increasing who
are in great need of the Gospel of Chris I,
Those who read this article do not need to
be told how pressing is the cal' for the Gos
pel, that comes from Florida, many parts of
the Middle States, and Louisiana, Arkansas.
Texas, Missouri, Kansas, California and the
Indian Territory. Nor do they need to be
informed how few are the missionaries we
have in this vast field.
If this field is not going to be evangelized
by our Home Board, it forfeits its right to an
existence, and we (for are not we the Board?)
ought to get out of the way, and let some
body else’s Home Board do the work. Al
ready disintegration has begun. Virginia
Baptisls have formed an official or organic
connection with the American Baptist Pub
lication Society, and Texas Baptists have
formed an organic connection with the
Home Mission Society of New York. To all
this I am not objecting, but I want to sug
gest again, that if we are not going to do
better than we have done, we bad as well
occupy the position of the dog in the manger
no longer.
I do not believe we are doing some things
that are plainly needed. One is to change
the location of the Board. The Board ought
to be located in a large city .centrally located.
This is too apparent to need argument. An
other plain need is that more should be said
in our papers about the work to be done by
this Board, the extent of the field, the de
nominational reasons why we should go in
lest another step in before us, the obliga
tions upon us as citizens, Christians and
Baptists for giving the gospelto our own coun
trymen. Let the President and Secretary of
the Board, the editors and contributors of
our denominational organs, be heard fre
qnently on this subject. You begin, brother
Index, by giving us a series of ringing edit
orials, such as you can write, on the needs
of this Board, or the field represented by it,
and let all the papers follow suit. lam
determined that the deadlock of silence
shall be broken, and if some one don't speak
out I shall fall to discussing the question of
a new Board, new Secretary, new location,
ora new alliance with another Home Mis
sion Board. Now, Mr. Editor, don’t throw
my article in the waste basket, because I
wrote that last sentence, for you know, and
the Board and Secretary would know, if
they knew my name, that I am a warm
friend to them all. But you see I am aroused.
How can wesit idlyby and seethe fields white
unto harvest and so few laborers, so little
money with which to employ more laborers,
and our brethren forced to go so far from
home to beg for what we ought to be press
ing upon them? My anxiety is not all run
into a newspaper article, for lately 1 have
resolved to do what I never did before, con
tribute regularly to this Board.
Qui Bono.
The Baptist churches in the parish of St.
Mary, Jamaica, have inaugurated the St.
Mary Baptist Association Coolie Mission.
Its object is to evangelize the Coolies who
are carried there from India for the purpose
of working upon the various sugar estates.
They are said to be in gross darkness and
superstition, and cling to their heathen
practices. They generally remain but a few
years, and when their term of service has
expired they are sent back to India. To
convert them in Jamaica is to send the gos
pel into the benighted portion of India.
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
Rlnoe my last I spent a spent a brief period
with my family at Louisville While there I
learned, with regret, that Rev. W. L- Kilpat
rick. who for a series of years has served
Louisville Baptist church most acceptably,
had resigned the pastorate of that church. It
will be difficult for the brethren of Louisville
to procuie the services of a pastor who will
be as greatly beloved by church and people
as was and is the late Incumbent The cause
of brother K's resigning, as I learn, was the
great distance he had to travel, bls arduous
ministerial labors, and bls recall to bls own
church at Hephzibah.
At the late session of the Sunday-school
Convention ofthe Middle Association, It was
resolved to hold District Conventions, one In
each district, at such time and place as should
be agreed upon. The first of these Conven
tions was appointed to be held at Oak Hill
church, Scrlven county, commencing on Sat
urday before the fifth Sunday In October.
Hoping to meet a goodly number of the
brethren In this part of the Association, I at
tended the session. Got to Millen Thursday,
and had Abe good fortune to find a convey
ance that would pass through the neighbor
hood surrounding the church. Got to brother
8. A. B Joyners Thursday night, where 1
established nea quarters during my stay In
the community, and truly pleasant head
quarters It was. I was sorry to learn that
there was much sickness in the neighbor
hood, nearly every family either having some
one quite ill or Just recovering. In some
houses there were two or three cases. The
measles, too, were prevailing, rendering the
prospect altogether not very bright foralarge
attendance upon the Convention
Spent a portion of Friday riding around
with brother Joyner who. with his good wife,
seemed constantly studying to do something
to enhance the pleasures of my visit.
Saturday morning brethren G. L. Jackson
and M B Thorn, the former from Perkins
ville and the latter from Green Fork, drove
up, and glad, Indeed, were we to see them,
went to the church, near by, about eleven
o’clock, but, owing to the reasons before
.stated, (so much sickness), but few were out.
Spent the hour lu social worship, and a pleas
ant season It was.
After dinner, at brother Joyner’s we all—
brethren Jackson, Thorn, Joyner and myself
—went over to visit brother Burke and fami
ly. Tuts brother has been sorely uffilc
ted, with a cancer on the top of Ills head, for
a number of years, and a few days previous
to our visit, while several members of his
family were on their way to attend the mar
riage ol their brother, Mr Willie E. Burke, a
mule ran away with a Jersey wagon,in which
were two sisters and a brother. The brother
(his name I cannot now recall) was thrown
violently from the wagon and one of his legs
badly broken. The twoglrlsescaped without
Injury, notwithstanding the wagon was torn
asunder Under skillful medical treatment,
and kind nursing, the Injured youth was
convalescing finely when 1 left.
During Saturday the sad news was received
that Mrs. Jennie Parker was dead. She was
the wife of Mr. Crawford Parker, formerly re
siding in this neighborhood, but now living
at MU en. A more estimable lady wasscarce
ly to be found, a devoted wife and mother,
andan humble,s'neereChristian. Herdeath
Is deeplydeplored An affectionate husband
and six sma 1 children mourn a wife and
mother gone. As I came through Millen on
Monday I saw one of the youngest, a bright
little fellow, perhaps three years old, and not
yet had the sad news been mode to him that
mamma was dead,though her loved form was
then sleeping In the cold, cold ground. He
had asked for her, but how could they tell
him ? Dear Jesus, encircle these little ones la
the arms of Thy love, and bless the great
affliction to the good of husband and children*
But to return Sunday was a pretty day.
and notwltlistandl ng the pastor of the church,
Rev. H. G. Edenfield, and many relativesand
friends attended the funeral of Mrs. Parker,
at the family bury!ng-ground near fl y, C. R
R , a reasonably- good congregation was at
church. Brother J. G Thompson preached,
followed by short Sabbath-school addresses
from several brethren present.
The next Convention was appointed to be
held at McDonald Branch church, commenc
ing on Saturday- before the fifth Sabbath In
January; 1812.
During the present year a new house of
worship has been erected at Oak Hill It Is
not yet quite finished, but will be as soon as
practicable. The drought was quite severe
In this Immediate section last year, and thl
year not over half a cotton crop will be re
alized. Hence the brethren and friends feel
able to do but little. They have done 're
markably well to get their house as near fin
ished as it Is. I am glad to know that the
corn crop was better than the cotton,
and that there is, with care, corn sufficient
made In the county for home consumption
I spent Sunday night at the pleasant home
of brother R. A. Brinson, one of the most
successful farmers in Scrlven county To him
and his excellent family I am indebted for
some of the most pleasant hours of my visit
to Scrlven Monday morning, after the sweet
little girls had deposited in my valise a lot of
nice red apples (of home raising) for me to
take to the little ones nt home—and the way
the dear little creatures gave them was sweet
er even th in the delicious fruit—brother B.
sent me over to “headquarters,” and brother
Joyner carried me back to Millen, where I
close this letter.
Many thanks to the good brethren (and I
always secure subscribers, tco,) of Oak Hl 1
for thepleasant time I had and for the good
list of subscribers to The Index.
J. M. G. Medlock,
After my last letter I spent several days In
Emanuel county. Soon after crossing the
Ogeebee river, I learned that my aged friend
and brother, Maj Garnett Andrews, was not
likely to live, and called to see him. Several
weeks previous, as the Major was getting into
a buggy, the mule attached to It took fright
and ran, throwing him violently to the
ground and producing what I learn physi
cians call a “buggy fracture” of one of his
legs. One bone of the leg was broken and the
anklejoint fearfully dislocated. With the
hope of saving the limb, amputation was de
layed until Friday, the 4th Inst., when he died
about one hour and thirty minutes after that
operation had been performed. Brother An
drews was, I learn, about sixty-seven years
of age. He had long been a mem be- of Haw
hammock Baptist church, and death found
him ready- to depart and be at rest.
Tlier has been an unusual amount of sick
ness, with great mortality-, in this couu’y tor
the last few months. I was told that, at one
burylug-ground In the country, there were
five new graves of grown people. This coun
try is usually very- healthy, but the extreme
heat of the summer, with the dry weather, It
Is supposed, caused many cases of typhoid
fever and other fatal diseases. The crops,
too, have been fearfully- cut ofl In the 49th
district, one of the best farming sections of
the county, a drought has prevailed for three
years. The oat crop this year was almost an
entire failure-killed by the severe winter
some of the best planters losing seed. The
cotton crop, now gathered, Is very short.
Most of the farmers nave made corn sufficient
to do them. Nearly or quite all the water
mills and gins have not been able to run for
months past for lack of water. People have
had to go many miles, to steam mills, to get
grinding done.
Mr D. J. Edenfield has clearly demonstra
ted that the soil and climate of Emanuel Is
well adapted to the production of fruit, espe
cially the apple and grape. He now has a
fine vineyard In full bearing, and his apple
crop, this year, amounted to 2,000 bushels or
more of flue marketable apples.
It has been thought, and proven by actual
experiment, that wheat could not be grown
to profit In this portion of country. Last fall
Dr E. W. Lane received, from the Agricultur
al Department In Atlanta, a package of the
Dallas wheat. In order to test It fully, the
Doctor sowed it on a spot of ground where
cotton, pea vines, and every other crop plant
ed upon It, had rusted badly. The wheat
stood the test, making a flue yield, with not a
particle of rust. Wheat Is almost the only
crop that will not produce well In this coun
try and If the Dallas wheat proves to be rust
proof, It will be a blessing, Indeed, to this
peop.e especially. Dr. Lane has promised to
g.ve us the benefit of his experiment with
this wheat for the agricultural department of
The Index. He Is truly a scientific and suc
cessful farmer, and his statements may be
fully relied upon. His grand-parents came
to this country, from North Carolina, in 1783,
and were among the first settlers. Hlsgrand
m other was a staunch Baptist, and Hebron
Baptist church, one of the first churches built
In what Is now Emanuel county, was built
by Dr. Lane’s grandfather. It was then called
Lane's Meeting-house. Upon my first visit to
Emanuel, In 1858, the Doctor and I became
acquainted, and have been the best of friends
ever since. Many pleasant seasons have I
spent at his happy home. During my visit
of which I am now writing, I spent a part of
two days and one night with him and family.
His eldest single daughter—Miss Annie—was
quite 111. though convalescing, with typhoid
fever. 1 hope she has entirely recovered ere
this.
Spent Friday night with my long-time
friend and brother, George W. Clifton, the old
and faithful Clerk of Elam church. Brother
C. was born In this county, and has, no doubt,
surveyed more land lu this portion of Georgia
than any man living.
Attended Elam church Saturday and Sun-
day. For three year* the brethren have been
endeavoring to build and complete a new
house ot worship. But for the continued fkll
ure of crops, the house would have been
finished long since. The building, though
not complete, Is so near it that It Is used for
public worship. For many years, and until
ne was called from labor below to refresh
ments above, the church was under the pas
toral care of Rev. J. H. Cowart. His memory
1B reverred by the church and people, and
will be so as long as any of hlsoldchurch and
congregation survive to respect his noble
Christian virtues. Rev G. w. smith Is now
the beloved pastor, and has Just entered upon
his second year as such. ,
During my stay I met many old friends and
patrons who gave me their support and en
couragement when I first began business as
editor and proprietor of the old " Central
Georgian,” In Sandersville, many, many
years ago.
Spent Saturday night at the pleasant home
of brother Charles Aarons, and dined Sunday
with brother! T Johnson both among the
staunchest farmers of the country.
Truly my visit was a pleasantone, besides
receiving a goodly number of new subscribers
to The Index, with the promise that many
more will be added.
J. M. G. Medlock.
DEAD IN THE STREET.
MRS. MARY FRANCES HUBNEB.
Who was It died last nigh’ In the street?
Out in the fearful storm?
Out In the cold and pitiless sleet?
Whose was the lifeless form ?
Who was it died last night In the street?
Only a drunken sot,
A wandering, outcast vagabond,
By every friend forgot.
And yet that bloated, loathsome form
Once held a noble soul,
That glowed with aspirations high,
Until the poisoned bowl
One fatal day was offered him,
Where lovely women vicl,
With Satan’s wiles, from Virtue’s j ath
To turn his steps aside;
He struggl d—yielded—drank—his fate
Was seak d—that hour he fell;
Temptation had o’ercome his will,
He could not break the spell;
It dragged him swiftly down, and down,
'Til his last hope was riven—
An outcast wanderer on the earth,
A soul debarred from Heaven.
'Twas him they found in the snowy street,
With blood bedabbled hair—
His eyes fixed on the pale moon's face
With a wild look of despair;
Thus was he found in the silent street—
Thus laid in a pauper’s grave;
Ah 1 woeful life; ah 1 woelul death
Os the wine-cup tempted slave I
Ga.
LETTER FROM MISSISSIPPI-SOME
STRIKING FIGURES.
About a year ago, I wrote a letter to you
giving some account of the meeting of “The
Central Association” of this State. For sev
eral days, including the second Sabbath in
October, I was attending the meeting of the
same body again. Some features of the
w irk strike me.
Ist. It was stated on the floor that eight
years ago, the Association, which then num
uered perhaps a thousand communicants,
gave, for all benevolent objects outside of
church expenses, I think, less than 35 cents
per member, annually. But, eight years
ago, a band of devoted men and women went
to work, and steadily the contributions have
increased. So that, at our last meeting, the
three leading objects of interest to the Asso
ciation, viz : State Missions, Foreign Mis
sions and ministerial education, had receiv
ed, from the Association, about $4 000 for
the Associational year This averages $2 00
apiece for each member of the thirty live
churches that now compose the Association.
2d. It is a fact that this Association lies
partly on the Mississippi river, and covers
very rich lands. It is also a fact that the
rich lands are all missionary ground, and
draw far more from the Mission-Board than
they contribute to it. It is true that most of
the money comes from the churches that
occupy the poor lands, and poor people com
pose those churches It is probably true
that if all the churches averaged as much to
the member in their contributions as some
do, instead of the general average beings 2 00
per member, from the whole Association, it
would be $4 00 It appears, also, that the
churches that give most liberally stick to
their figures; so it seems that giving does
not impoverish.
31. If some churches do this, why may
not others? why may not all? And, there
fore, why may not Mississippi raise $224,000
annually for missions? And why may not
Georgia raise $500,000? If all did as well as
some poor churches in this Association, it
would be done. J. L. D. Hillyeb.
November 4th, 1881.
BOSTON BAPTIST CHURCH.-REV. J. L.
UNDER WOOD.
We, the undersigned committee, appointed
by the Boston Baptist church to prepare a
suitable tribute of respect and esteem to our
retiring pastor, the Rev. John L. Under 1 -
wood, present the following:
During the past Associational year, we
have been comforted and cheered by the
faithful labors and council of our dear
brother, and it is with hearts full of sadness
that we bid him adieu as he takes his leave
of this church. Beloved and honored for his
many sterling qualities of soul, and the
sound, logical sermons which he preached at
this place, his labors must be rewarded by a
rich harvest in days to come; for we believe
that the good seed have been sown, and will
spring up again bearing fruit to the glory of
God.
In severing the ties of pastor and people,
we commend brother Underwood to the
brotherhood and people, and may the great
Giver of good ever lead him into peaceful
and pleasant pastures.
J. T. Culpepper,
Wm M. Jones,
W. J. Wilson,
J. 0. Lewis,
Committee.
Boston, Ga., October 18,1881.
India.—The new census of India shows a
population of 252,500,000. . . . There is a
great quickening in religious matters in In--
dia. All sects are effected by it, and Brah
mans, Hindus, and Mohammedans are on
the qui vive for great and important events.
... in four provinces of South Ceylon there
are 150 Wesleyan congregations with 5,000
worshippers, who contribute upwards of
$20,000. In North Ceylon the contributions
have reached an average of $2 75 per mem
ber. .. . The Brahmans have decided that
to sit in a railway carriage beside a Sudra
does not break caste.
Home and Foreign Missions make very
close connections. At the meeting of the
American Board, in St. Louis, Secretary
Clark said that “at the last farewell meeting
held in Boston with missionaries about to
leave for their several fields, of the fifteen
new missionaries eight were from beyond
ihe Mississippi—from Kansas, Nebraska and
Minnesota. Missouri was forward a year
ago, when she gave three of her choicest
daughters to Turkey and Japan. Let us
accept the gifts of these home missionary
States as illustrations of the union of home
and foreign work, and as the pledge of a
grander future.”
The greatest luxury of superfluous wealth
is in giving it away.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DzVOTIE. D.D.,1
REV. C. M. IRWIN. D.D., f
REINFORCEMENT.
In the November number of the Foreign
Mission Journal we find the following ar
tide to which we call special attention.
“The failing health of some of our mis
sionaries in China make it imperative that
there shall be immediate reinforcements.
Rev. N. W. Holcomb is on his way to Tung
Chow; but that is not enough. The question
arises whether brethren who propose to go
next year should not go at once. Two mis
sionaries, with wives should start at an
early day for Shanghai and Tung Chow. The
case is urgent. The hearts of our people
should be burdened on this subject, and con
stant prayer should ascend that the Lord of
the harvest would so open the wav, by his
providence, that other well qualified mis
sionaries, men and women, shall start before
next year to the whitening field of China.
Mrs. Crawford, worn down by toil, must
soon return to America. Other changes
are probable. Who will go and take the
places of these noble workers, who must rest
or die?”
In the same number of the Journal is an
interesting letter from brother Simmons,
who is at Canton, China, and from which
we take the following:
“By the blessings of God we are getting
through the hot season tolerablj’ well. I
think Miss Whilden is stronger this sum
mer than last. She is working just as
though it was cool.
“We have had five additions by baptism
during the month. There seems to be a
spirit of inquiry abroad among the people
Two boatmen, not members, have j ust left
me, who came to ask if they might come
and study the Scriptures with me during
September. And one literary man. who
lives about 100 miles away, has written to
know if he may come and study with us.
Os course they all come at their own charges.
O! how I wish brother Graves was here to
take charge of the class instead of myself.
He is so well fitted for such work. I think
the class will be large from the way they are
coming in from the country. Ido nope
brother Graves will bring some help with
him, not only for North China, but for our
station.”
Thus it will be seen that calls are now
made for reinforcements in our foreign mis
sion department, specially in China, which
must be heeded. Those good brethren and
sisters who have been laboring there so long
ought to be relieved. We would suggest
that the churches hold special meetings,
when prayer be made to the Lord that He
would raise up and send forth more laborers
into this large and now inviting field. We
would further suggest that at these meetings
we freely and willingly contribute of our
means to support those whom the blessed
Lord may call to His work. Is it not a time
for earnest prayer and liberal giving?
C. M. I.
THE PEOPLE AND COUNTRY OF MADA
GASCAR.
Madagascar is an island on the south-east
coast of Africa, in length about 950 miles,
and in breadth, in its widest part, 350 miles,
with an area of about 225,000 square miles.
It is about 300 miles from Africa. It was
first visited by Europeans in 1506, when
Almeida, the Portuguese viceroy of India,
stopped there on his way to India. The
population at the present time is about
2 500 000. The inhabitants of Madagascar,
though Lving so close to Africa, are not Af
ricans, but are allied to the Malays. Their
physical appearance, habits, and language,
all prove this.
In the persecution of the native Christians
in Madagascar, beginning in 1836, it is esti
mated that between sixty and eighty suffered
martyrdom. Many hundreds died from pri
vation and severe labor imposed upon them.
Now Christianity triumphs. "More than a
thousand congregations have been formed,
and a number of a thousand native agents
are engaged in various kinds of Christian
work. The schools are numerous; there are
seven or eight hundred in connection with
the London and Friends’ Societies alone,
and there are three mission printing-presses
at work, which issue about 200,000 volumes
a year.”—Sunday Magazine.
It is supposed that at least half a million
a .’ow themselves to be Christians; the Mon
arch, and highest noble o , and officers of the
Government, are Christian professors. Sun
day. February 21st, 1869, the Queen and her
husband were publicly baptized in the name
of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. In September the image of the
Kelimalzala, the chief idol of the Malagasy,
was publicly burned in the sacred village of
Ambohimanambola. An officer was sent to
the village, who dragged the idol from its
shrine and exposed it to the people. “Whose
idol is this?” he asked. “It belongs to the
Queen,” replied the bystanders; to which
the officer made answer: ‘ “If this idol be
mine,’ saith Ranavalonamanjaka, ‘I need it
not; let it be burned.’ ” This was followed
by an immediate burning of all the idols
throughout the central provinces, and as far
as the Hova dominion, was practically ex
tended.
The following is a part of an address de
livered bj- the Prime Minister of Madagascar
at a dedication July 11, 1878:
“ As Prime Minister of Madagascar,” he
said, “I have no business here, but as a man
loving the Lord Jesus Christ, and desiring to
promote His kingdom, I have as much right
here as any ot you.” He spoke of how he
had once gone to that same district in a war,
in which ten thousand of the people were
killed. Then, turning to the missionaries,
he said, "It is not on an errand like that
that you are going now, but to bring those
people to know Jesus Christ and His salva
tion. Do not threaten them. Remember
how Christ bore with the ignorance of His
hearers. He threatened not, nor was He
easily angered. Gentleness and meekness
were His method of winning them to Him
self. Let such be your practice.” Then,
turning to the congregation at large, met as
they were in the Memorial Church, built on
the rock from which the martyrs had been
hurled, he said, "Years ago there were gath
ered on this spot some officers of the king
dom, and my father among them. They
had come to carry out the sentence of death
upon the Christian. My fathtr saw in the
c impany of the martyrs a girl, fourteen years
of age. ’Take that child away,’ he said ;
‘she is a fool.’ ‘No, sir, I am no fool,’ she
answered, ‘but I love the Lord Jesus Christ;
throw me over with the rest.’ ‘Take the
child away,' my father said the second time;
‘she is a fool.’ Again she answered, 'I am
no fool, I love the Lord Jesus Christ; throw
me over.’
“If a girl in those dark times could give
her life for the love of the Savior, shall we
hesitate to give of our substance to send the
missionaries to the heathen ?” The speech
of the Prime Minister was received with the
greatest enthusiasm, the audience again and
again clapping their hands for jov.
The mission thus inaugurated has been
remarkably successful, and 70 congregations
have already been gathered.—Stanley Pum
phrey, in the Friend of Missions.
Rev. J. H. Layenberger writes from Chefoo,
China, that in the village of Martswang
where eighteen persons were baptized, ten
children, ranging from eight to twelve years,
were discovered in a room by themselves
wrestling with God for a blessing; praying
that they might be saved. Let Christian
children pray for the Chinese children.
MISSIONARY STATISTICS.
A valuable volume has just been published,
The Problem of Religious Progress, by Dr.
Dorchester, giving some interesting statistics
of missionary progress. The figures are
somewhat larger than former authorities
have given for the results of missions, and
the logic of arithmetic is certainly very
startling as read in the light of these state
ments.
Fifty years ago, there were 502 mission
stations in foreign lands. There are now
5,765, an increase of eleven fold. Fifty years
ago there were 656 ordained missionaries,
native and foreign. There are now 6,696, or
an increase of more than tenfold. Then
there were 1,236 other laborers and assis
tants. Now there are 33 856, an increase of
nearly thirty fold, and forming a total army
of over 40.000 laborers engaged in the evan
gelization of the world.
Then there were about 70 000 communi
cants ; now there are 857 332, an increase of
twelve fold. These 857,332 communicants,
however, are reported from only about three
fourths of the actual churches, leaving
enough margin to make the aggregate over
a million. The actual hearers of the gospel
and nominal adherents are estimated at over
3 000,000. The contributions of American
Christians in this field have risen from about
$250 000 a year to $2 500 000 per annum, an
increase of ten fold. These hopeful figures,
however, have another aspect of contrast and
significance. These six thousand ministers
are but one in ten of all the Protestant mins
isters in Christendom. These 40 000 laborers
are but one out of every three thousand
Protestants, and one to every 20,000 heathen;
so that were every one of them a separate
and distinct missionary, he would have a
parish of 20,000. These 1 000,000 converts
are but one in every 1200 of the world’s
lost population, and these $2 500,000 per
annum are but in the proportion of eight
cents for every Protestant in the land, or
twenty-five cents a year for every professing
Christian in America.
True, American Christians have raised, in
the past fifty years, fifty million dollars for
foreign missions. But Americans spend
more than that sum in one year for tobacco.
And for alcohol the people of the United
States, in a single day, just twice as much as
all the churches of the land give annually to
evangelize the world. Fifty millions in fifty
years for the waters of life. Why, the
saloons, distilleries and excise departments
receive that much every ten days for the
waters of death I Oh, when will we stop
this idle self-complacency and awake to find
that we are trifling about God’s solemn
work, and men’s perishing souls? The
“ Problem of Religious Progress ” will be
much simplified when men honestly face
the question of religious selfishness.—Gospel
In All Lands
The Constantinople correspondent of the
Daily News telegraphed on Sunday : Appli
cation has been made here to obtain from
the Porte a grant of land in Syria, to be
allotted to the Jews who wish to emigrate
from countries where they are being perse
cuted. In order to encourage Jewish fami
lies to engage in agriculture, it is proposed
to open up means of communication by the
construction of roads, tramways and rail
ways, and to establish colonies in blocks of
land around the railway stations. The pro
ject has been initiated by some English and
German gentlemen, who, by their influence
and financial strength, are able to carry out
the undertaking, and who are willing to give
any profits which may arise beyond the sum
necessary to make the undertaking work
satisfactory to the Government. The Coun
cil of Ministers has accepted the application
in principle, and the project is now being
examined in detail. The Sultan is reported
to be favorably disused towards the scheme,
wh'ch, beside benefiting the persecuted Jews,
would also be a source of new revenues to
the Imperial Treasury. As the traditional
policy of the Porte has been to protect the
Jews, it is by no means improbable that
this project will receive the Imperial sanc
tion.—From the Jewish Chronicle, Sept. 9th,
1881.
Fibst Hindu Convert.—The first Hindu
convert of modern Protestant missions, was
brought to Christ by means of a physician.
When Dr. Carey went to India, Dr. Thomas,
a surgeon, accompanied him. They labored
six years without seeing any results, but one
day a carpenter, while working about the
mission, fell and injured his arm. Dr.
Thomas was called, and while binding up
the wound, he told the story of Christ to
those gathered about him. The carpenter
was so touched that he went to the missiona
ries to hear more, and soon became an ear
nest Christian. Although greatly persecu
ted, he came out boldly and was baptized by
Dr. Carey in the Ganges in the presence of
crowds of Hindus and Mohammedans, who
came to the banks to watch the scene. He
lived twenty years after to work for Christ,
and wrote tracts and several hyms, one of
which begins:
“O, thou, my soul, forget no more
The Friend who all thy sorrows bore;
Let every idol be forgot,
But, 0, my soul, forget Him not.”
—Gospel In All Lands.
The First Mabtyr.—The first Christian
that was put to death wasßasalama, a young
woman. When brought to the place of exe
cution, she asked to be allowed a few mo
ments for prayer. This was granted; but
while upon her knees the spear of the execu
tioner pierced her body. It is affirmed that,
like our blessed Lord, she passed away from
this mortal life before the weapon had
touched her. Upon the spot where the
proto martyr of the Malagasy was imprisoned
before her execution now rises one of the
Memorial Churches of Antananarivo, the
first building in Madagascar ever erected
expressly for Christian worship. It is ot
stone, and would be counted a handsome
structure in England or America.
The Moravians have been taking the lead
in self-denying zeal for the extension of
Christ’s kingdom. Although they do not
number at home more than-20 009 souls,
they have gathered into the fold 73,000
heathen, of whom 24,000 are communicants.
Through their labors the evangelization of
the Esquimaux in Labrador and Greenland
is almost complete. They have four sta
tions among the American Indians, and six
stations on the Mosquito Coast. They are
also at work among the negroes of tne West
Indies, among the Kaffirs in South Africa.
A missionary writes from India: “In the
twenty-four years that have passed since I
first came to India, I have never seen such a
spririt of hopefulness and faith among the
missionary workers of all denominations as
there is now. The native Christians are
waking up and becoming conscious of power,
and becoming alive to their responsibilities
and privileges.”
A half dozen professed followers of Christ
forty years ago are represented to day in
China by over three hundred churches and
twenty thousand communicants, more than
half of whom have been added during the
last five years, and China is open toChristian
effort throughout its vast domain.
A large part of the great results which we
have reaped in Madagascar must be put down
to the Bible. When the missionaries were
driven from the island, they left the written
Word behind them. It proved to be the
power of God unto salvation.
That terrible indigestion and sick head
ache will yield readily to Warner's Safe
Kidney and Liver Cure.