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2 r ***r<.*a 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. 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