Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

dJuhunru Ker. S. Y. JAMESON, - - Editor, (West End, Atlanta, Ga.) MISSIONS! MISSIONS! Let this editorial be on missions. Conventions, commencements, these may come and these may go, but missions must go on forever. Special efforts for special things are needed here and there, now and then ; but always and everywhere is there need to give the gospel to the heathen. Great masses of heathen people, whose numbers appall us, whose necessities overwhelm, are calling, day and night, from year to year, from age to age, that we come over to their help. Pre-eminent, amid all calls, is that of the Lord Je sus : “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” There is but one field, the world, that world is the race of Adam. Di versified as it is in nationality, sex, color; condition, capability, progress, each and every part capable of hear ing the gospel of the kingdom must be reached. Methods of preparation on the part of the missionaries, modes of entering into the race, of reaching the ear and commending the mes sage to the heart, measures by which all agencies shall be made more effective, whereby the assault on error can be made most earnest ly and with promise of best success, these which have been, must still continue to be the subjects of pray erful and profound consideration. Vaster sums of money must be giv- have ever been given be fore. The desirableness of having the work done must be effectively stated and enforced that men will be moved singly and in masses and all along the line, as when the call went forth for the building of the taberna cle. “Then the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring.” “And the people do bring” it was said “much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded to make.” O, for a time like that! And is not the former benevolence a promise of the giving that is to be ? When David was found willing to go out against Goliath, and when the [giant fell, were not these a prophecy in fact that God would raise from time to time defenders for his cause and that victory should rest on the stand ards of the Lord ? May not some coming Tichenors and Tuppers and Frosts be found sending the tidings out: “The people bring much more than enough ?” May not some fu ture Burrows have to add in some swift record : “The people were re strained from bringing more, for the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it and too much.” Ex. 86 :7. How impressive were the words of the gifted Levering as he spoke in the convention of the wealth-making power of the present age, and that the Baptists were not lagging behind in the financial race. What an inspiring gift was his and that of his noble brother; beginning the centennial gifts not with hun dreds but with thousands. What a joy theirs must be as they read of yet another who has doubled the sum that each of them had given. If a long line of Christ’s worthies shall now arise, each bringing his thou sands, then shall be seen a day in which to be living will be a glory and a joy. While these men of lar ger means are bringing their larger gifts, let no one withhold his help because it is small. “For who hath despised the day of small things.” "Doth not each rain-drop help to form The soft refreshing shower ; And every shining ray of noon To give the day its power." Let us re-read Ruskin’s “Lamp of Sacrifice” and gather help from his searching words. Our gifts must cost us something. Costliness must be an acceptable condition in all human offerings at all times. “Neith er will I serve my God with that which cost me nothing.” The best of the flock was always required. “Offer it now to thy Governor” is the divine declaration that God too will demand the best as a testimony of respect. We who have, in our homes, frescoed walls, carpeted floors or gilded furniture, should bring as memorials before God some por rion of those treasures He gave us strength to gather. The more we give the greater will be the reward. When the tythe was paid, then was given the blessing for which there was not found enough of room. By that all-gracious Spirit who helps us against ourselves, may.the Lord so help us, that, selfishness and stingi ness overcome, we may give until our “deep poverty shall abound to the riches of our liberality.” - JEWISH WORK IN ODESSA. Pastor Kornmann, of the Reform ed Evangelical Church of Odessa, writes: “During the past year I hkve baptized thirty Jews, although I had to send away many others. They all seem to have a preference for the Reformed Church for different reasons; among others, because the Ten Commandments are repeat ed in the same order as in the Syna gogue, : which is not the case in the Lutheran Church; {then, because our churches are devoid of crucifixes or images of any kind; and, again; because of the simplicity and solem nity of the Reformed service. Many of them, however, are in pecuniary distress, and although we have no funds for such purposes, I spent three hundred roubles in the form of relief. “It gives me pain to send away the poor Jews, for there are able men amongst them; but I cannot by receiving them into the Church of Christ, sever them from their friends and natural sources of help, and then leave them to starve.” AN OPEN DOOR IN AFRICA. In a letter to the Presbyterian Mis sionary Society, the Rev. W. S. Ban nerman, who is laboring at Talaguga on the Ogowe River, West Africa, thus writes of a visit he recently paid to a tribe in which there is not yet a single convert: They gladly welcom ed us to their town when we told them we had come to tell them about God. The chief’s son who met me at the landing, said: “Why are you so long in coming ? Go to my father’s palaver house and I will call the peo ple. We are glad you have come to day for there are many strangers here from three days’ journey in the bush who will be glad to hear the words of God.” We had a large audience of men, women, and children. I was re peatedly asked why there had been so long a delay in visiting them. At the close of the meeting the son of the chief made what I thought a very striking remark: he said, “Come soon again, by your staying away so long you are hiding the words of God.” Many strangers followed me out of the town and begged me “to visit their Big Town, and Palaver Houses, three days’ jour ney into the bush. They would kill a goat in my honor.” What a change since my chilhood days when I used to hear our dear devoted pastor pray that the doors might be opened into the heathen world! There are as yet no Pangwes professing Christianity on upper Ogowe but we are ecncour aged as we consider our Mpongwe workmen, some of whom are beauti ful Christian characters althought their parents are still heathen. CONFESSING CHRIST. Something more than fifty years ago there was a small dinner party at the other end of London. The ladies had withdrawn, and under the guidance of orte member of the com pany the conversation took a turn of which it will be enough here and now to say that it was utterly dis honorable to Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the guests said noth ing, but presently asked the host’s permission to ring the bell, and when the servant appeared he ordered hi» carriage. He then, with the courtesy of perfect self-command, expressed his regr et at being obliged to retire! but explained that he was still a Christain. Mark the phrase, for it made a deep impression at the time —“Still a Christian.” Perhaps it oc curs to you that the guest who was capable of this act of simple courage must have been a bishop, or at least a clergyman. He was not. The party was made up entirely of laymen, and the guest in question became the great prime minister of the early years of Queen Victoria. He w’as the late Sir Robert Peel.—Canon Lid don. THE CAREY EPOOH. Whatever has been accomplished, says the Worker, since, can be traced to forces which l>egan to operate al most exactly one hundred years ago, and further, in all that momentous period, William Carey is easily, not only the chief figure, but the su preme personal force; yes, under God, the efficient cause of the sur prising changes brought to pass. We may speak of the Carey Epoch with as much propriety ag of the Luther Reformation. We may as fitly term Carey the Apostle of Modem Alis sions, as Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. I USE IT MYSELF’ Jno. E. Jones, Fort Valley, Ga., one of the leading druggists there states that he commends Dr. Biggers Huckleberry Cordial because he uses it himself, and knows of what value* it is for bowel troubles. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, JUNE 23. 1892. We point with pride to our news column in the last issue and in this. We are proud of our corps of corres pondents. We anticipate the devel opment of much interest along this line. The Index sends greeting to its helpful corresponents in all parts of ■the state. Savannah.—At Duffy St. Baptist Church there were large congrega tions morning and night, that at night was packed on the occasion of the baptism of a young man. The Sunday-school was the largest in the! history of the .church. Tuesday night there was organized a young men’s prayer-meeting, the only one in the city. There were three conversion from our Price St. Mission in the last few weeks. Over SBO have been raised for missions since April Ist in Duffy street church. A deep spiritu al interest prevails ; conversions nearly every Sunday. Danburg.—We had Bro. M. T. Martin of Atlanta, to preach for us in Thomson five nights, beginning on the first Sunday night of this month. He disturbed no peace or disorder, but he gave us the gospel in much simplicity. He showed us the neces sity of a quickening by the Holy Spirit, and of belief of the gospel unto regeneration and salvation. He made it clear that we are saved only by the Lord Jesus Christ, and urged us to good works for our joy and re ward. I would love to hear him again, I believe he is capable of do ing much good. J. 11. Fortson. Albany.—Mrs. Burton died June I’2. Rain much needed; blackberries plentiful, cheap: wool coming to market and selling at I‘2| cents a pound. Peaches abundant at 30 to 100 cents a peck. Maj. Camfield is in town prospecting. The pretty girls are coming home from school. Miss Janie Godwin graduates at Union College Ala. Merchants doing 11116, business and hopeful. Money plenti ful and easy. Melons moving rapidly $l5O on track. Our Methodist friends have a good $750 organ in their church. We have fine music in all our churches. Three deacons were ordained last Wendesday night; Me morial service at Camilla. Forsyth.—Our Quitman Guards, after making a fine record at camp Northcn, returned Monday. We have two candidates for Congress in our town Col. Rebert L. Berner, a mem ber of our church and Col. T. B. Cab aniss. Either one if elected, will prove a worthy and efficient representative of his people. The Willing Workers of the Baptist church over which Dr. Carroll has such good supervision, will give an entertainment at the res idence _of deacon Cater. (That is a good name for an entertainer.) The financial proceeds are for mis sions and we hope for good results President J. E. Powell, of Monroe Female College, held in highest esteem by the people, is doing very effective work. His commencement is on hand. Albany.—There was a big fire on the I.3th. The dwellings of Mrs. At kinson and Mr. Runney were coni sumed the latter had no insurance. The Methodist Pastor leaves to-day on a well deserved vacation. The saints at Tifton occupied their new house for the first time last Sunday. They recently ordained deacons. Very little sickness here now. There was a lecture here last w r eek by Mr. John A. Davis for the benefit of the Baptist church; subject “Woman, her misssion and influence”. Camilla church house has been improved much of late. A fine union depot is being built. Rev. W. 11. Robert preached recently at the Baptist church. Rev. F. C. Johnson thought once of preparing a lecture on woman He said he took his latin lexicon and found mulus was a mule and mulier that ought to be more mule, was a woman. He did not finish the lecture on that line. Newnan.—Crop prospects promising since the recent rain. The poor made glad by the wise supplementary pro vision of natures crop of dewber ries and cherries, which are now ripening. The political caldron is be ginning to boil. The calcscence’ is evolving diverse spirits, and as usual making strange bedfellows.” Political disturbances, like atmospheric, are ncccessary evils, leaving re-adjusting and purifying influence in their wake Centennial meetings are being held. Observation suggests the wisdom of conducting them with great prudence lest they prove a boomerang in reac tionary spiritual effects. The New nan Baptist church has recently re ceived 86 into its membership. Two await baptism. Rev. W. S. Rogers, of Barnesville, a consecrated brother and strong preacher assisted Dr. Hall the gifted and beloved pastor in the meeting. Gainesville.—Chestnut Street Church enjoys a protracted meeting of increasing interest, twelve have joined to date. Rev. F. C. McCon nell delivered the “Literary Address” at Hartwell High School Commence ment June 15th. Rev. C. W. Pruit, returned missionary, arrived here from Ohio, Tuesday, and expects to visit churches and associations in this section this summer; Rev. S. C. Hood has returned from his first year at the Seminary and has charge of the church at Maysville. Dr. B. H. Carroll, of Waco, Texas, on his way to preach the sermon at Rich mond College, stopped off at Gaines ville a few hours, greatly to our de light. «We are having the fiist old fashioned summer weather. Receipts for missions, first half of June, sixty dollars. Dawson.—Seven flourishing Bap tist churches in Terrell county. Six deacons ordained in the Dawson Baptist church. The church is look ing for a “great increase of the Word.” Rev. J. R. Hawkins resigns at Herod. A drougth is prevalent in our county. The Dawson church sustains a great loss in the death of Bro. J. 11. Grouch. Rev. W. L. Cutts, of Macon, has his mail directed now to Dawson, Ga., and desires his correspondents to note the change. The correspondents of Rev. C. W. Pruitt, will note the fact that he has changed his address from Tallmadge, Ohio to Gainesville, Ga. Owing to circumstances over which we had not control the obitua ry of Rev. J. A. Hughes has not ap peared in Index. It will appear as soon as we can obtain the MSS. Rev. C. E. W. Dobbs last Sunday preached the dedicatory sermon for the church at Rockmart, Ga. Then- New and attractive stone edifice has been completed and Dr. Dobbs ded icated it last Sunday in a sermon of great power. Mr. John W. Jackson, of Ameri cuss and Miss Florence Stanford of Atlanta, daughter of Dr. L. C. Stan ford, were married on the evening of 16th day of June, 1892. Rev. J. M. Brittain performing the cere mony. Vienna Progress we note: “Rev. O. C.Pope,of New York City, who is on a visit to our town filled the pulpit at the Baptist church here on Sunday morning last and preached a most powerful sermon. His congregation were very much interested and it did much good. The Rockdale Banner says: “Dr. J. M. Brittain’s sermon last Sabbath at the Methodist church in this place was exceeding well received. The church though much the largest in our town was still packed full and others were standing around the door. About 500 people were present, and all were de lighted”. Brother A. L. Calvin writes from. Locust Grove, that Bro. G.L.Williams has assurance of the sympathy and prayers of his church on his entrance into the ministry. He has been two years at Mercer preparing for his work. Superintendent T. E. Sulli van is doing a fine work in building the Sabbath-school. Rev. W. B. O’Kelly, of Gainesville, preached Sunday, and Rev. B. J. W. Graham, pastor is spending a week with ug. He is working up an Institute among the colored preachers for Dr. G. R. McCall. Last Thursday and Friday the general meeting of the Noonday As sociation was held with the church at Marietta. Rev. W. H. Dean was made Moderator. Thursday was consumed in the interest of the cen tennial and many good things were said. Saturday morning the body discussed “Howto secure the interest of church members in the Sunday school.” Effective suggestions were offered by brethren Boykin, Hatcher, Gibson and others. “Shall we teach our distinctive doctrines in Sunday school”? This question did not admit of discussion. There are Baptist Sun day-schools in which other denomina tions are invited to come in as teach ers. This question brought out the fact and showed that if such teacher taught our distinctive doctrines in such schools they were not true to their own church, not true to princi ple. Superintendents should know who their teachers are and see that our distinctive doctrines are taught. Rev. C. E. W. Dobbs gave the audi ence Saturday morning a systematic, forcible gospel sermon bearing on missionary character, his subject be ing “Behold the world has gone after Him.” John 12:19. The meeting adopted a resolution condemning the practice of baseball as now conduct ed,gambling and betting being prom inent features. The next meeting will be held with New Salem Church—the church appointing the time and the Moderator will ap point the committee on programme. The discussion of the question: “Is the Sunday-school church work”? re sulted in decision for the affirmative. The meeting was a profitable one though not so many were psesent as should have been. The Commencement of the South ern Female College, LaGrange, Ga., just closed was one of the most brilliant. Commencement Sunday dawned fair, and a large cultivated audience filled the college chapel to hear the baccalaureate sermon by Dr. A. J. Battle, the learned and polished pres ident of Shorter College. The affection and regard between the management of the two institutions is beautiful. The discourse, upon “keep the heart with diligence,” pleased all. ’ At night the sermon before the missionary society was preached at the church by Rev. J. A. Smith, Fair Bluff, N. C., formerly of South ern Georgia. The effort was grand and inspiring, as the speaker is fired with enthusiasm in this centennial of missions. The college society re ported collections this session to be $1,516.84. This amount represents free-will offerings, most of it of course being contributed by the fac ulty and management of the institu tion. Monday morning, the juniors read bright, spicy essays. Special men tion should be made of the essay of Miss Lucy Stanton on Individuality in Art, which won the medal. She wrote from an intelligent conception of her own life purpose. Monday afternoon came the cele bration of Clionian society. A very able and instructive debate was held upon the elective system versus cur riculum. The orator of the occasion was Blewett 11. Lee, of Atlanta. He is a son of Gen. Stephen D. Lee and a relative of Robt. E. Lee. After grad uating in Mississippi he has spent seven or eight years in special stud ies, part of the time in Germany. He is moreover a devout young Baptist brother. He thrilled and captivated his audience with his theme. “The women of the Confederacy.” Dr. Geo. B. Eager exclaimed, “That ovation is history, philosophy, poetry and prophecy.” Monday night took place the med al contest by four pianists and four vocalists, who are selected from 200 music pupils as the best. The skill of the young ladies was remarkable.. One could hardly realize that such performers were only school girls, the orchestra and chorus varied the program. The Eclectic graduates and a sec tion of the regulars read Tuesday morning. The Eclectics gave the audience the fruit of special study in .Spencer’s Faery Queene. Such topics were treated fts relation to Elizabethan Era, Spenserian stanza Art Aspects, Morality. The Regu lars discussed unique themes, Chalk, Dish-rags, The . Delights of Latin Versification. Dr. Geo. B. Eager, of Montgomery, then won his hir ers by his graceful, eloquent and helpful address upon “The Relations of the Real to the Ideal in Southern Life.” In the afternoon the remaining Regulars and the three full graduates read their excellent essays. It was the common remark that the essays of the entire commencement were the best that had been heard. Skill and taste were evinced by the teach ers planning each sot of composi. tions. The teachers select a general topic, assign the pupils subjects un der that topic, and thus secure unity and symmetry in the program. The full graduates presented in a scien tific, philosophical and poetical man ner. The three kingdoms, mineral, vegetable and animal. Their treat ment of the subjects was novel and refreshing as well as learned and deep. Prof. Charles C. Cox, who now assumes the name of president of the institution as he has perform ed for some time the duties of that office, delivered in an effective man ner the baccalaureate address and conferred the diplomas and degrees upon twenty-two graduates. The college strives to restrict the number of graduates and gives di plomas only on merit. The annual concert —what music! It surpassed the concert given the convention. The vocal teacher who was then sick, had performed her duties, and brought her work up to the high standard. The solos, or chestral pieces, choruses, ducts were such as only this school renders: Dr. Robert H. Harris, of Colum- bus, then awarded in an impromptu, witty, tactful and taking speech the much longed for medals of Junior Essay, Literature, Piano, Voice, Art, and general excellence. The exercises throughout were unanimously pronounced the most brilliant in the history of the college and the most largely attended. Purposely, there was no elocution ary entertainment. Some concert recitations with Delsartian postures permitted. The health, scholastic, financial and religious record of the session is the best. A report of the Commencement exercises of Mercer has already ap peared. Some things apart from the program should be of interest to all the friends of the school. A few points are here submitted. One of the most conspicuous things about the college is the won derful energy of President Nunnal ly. The prominent feature of his work has been the adding of fifty thousand dollars in cash and sub scription to the endowment fund. Who else would have succeeded in raising such an amount in such a time of financial depression ? Who would even have undertaken it? Yet this is not all. The largely in creased number of students speaks much in his favor, and unmeasured good has been wrought by his efforts to increase the gen er al interest in edu cation over the State. The trustees heartily commended his work and bade him go forward. The Student who left Mercer sev eral years ago finds now upon his return only two of the old Profes sors to greet him. Dr. J. E. Willett and Dr. J. J. Brantly continue stead fastly at their posts, and their greet ings constitute the highest joy to a returning alumnus. Never were lives made a more complete sacrifice to their chosen work than have been those of these two men. Toilsome, patient, faithful, conscientious, have been their labors, and by all thetr pupils they are regarded with most reverent and grateful affection. Their faithful instruction together with their bright examples of most noble character have been a blessing to many. Dr. Ryals finds the joy of his life in giving instruction to young preachers. Os the soundness of the instruction that he gives, nobody thinks it necessary to ask any ques tion. He has completed an entire course of original lectures for the use of his classes. It should be somebody’s care to see that these lectures be given a permanent form and a wider sphere of usefulness. Whatever may be the opinions of some regarding the practicability of a Theological Chair, all are agreed in giving honor to Dr. Ryals as one whose paths in Theology may be safely followed. • Many words of sad regret were spoken concerning the sad illness of Prof. Duggan. All bear testimony to his earnest work and to his rapid growth in proficiency and skill as well as in favor with his pupils and associates. Prof. R. L. Ryals in the Chair of Mathematics magnifies his office and cherishes the ambition to put bis department on the very highest plane. It is gratifying to see on every hand the desire and purpose to reach an elevated standard. The retirement of Prof. T. W. O’Kelly from the work of teaching, was regarded with tenderest feelings. Nobly has he done his work in the Professor’s Chair, but all the time there has been burning within him the desire to preach the Gospel. He enters upon his new work at Hawk insville under brightest auspices. A man of bright talents aud sweetest spirit, |we shall all follow him with earnest prayers and fond expections. It is earnestly to be hoped that he will not abandon the idea of a Semi nary course. The wide place he has in the hearts of the people should impel him to lay broad the founda tions of future usefulness by a com prehensive course of study at the Seminary. A very pleasant and profitable feature of the past session has been a special course of lectures on Physi ology and Hygiene, by Dr. K. P. Moore. Dr. Moore is specially fitted for thia work, and his generosity is entitled to the highest appreciation. ‘Twas with him a labor of love, and a joy it was to those who had the privilege of hearing him. It was a day of great good fortune to Mercer to secure the services of such men as Prof. E. S. Tichenor and Prof. J. S. Murray, are repre sented to be. The selections were made out of a list of perhaps seventy five. The testimonials furnished by these men were said to be as fine as have ever been read by the Board of Trustees. Prof. Tichenor was grad uated from Georgetown College, Kentucky, and President Dudley of that institution pronounces him the best man ever at that school. He is said to excel in every department. Prof. Murray of South Carolina, was graduated at Furman, studied one or two years at Johns Hopkins, and some five years in Germany. For three years he has been with the University at South Carolina. His attainments are of the very highest order. The coming of such men as these ■ to our beloved institution should be hailed with deepest joy. In addition to the selection of these men, which of itself will great ly raise the standard, the Trustees ordered an extension of the curricu lum. More rigid are to be the re quirements for entrance, especially in Latin and Greek, and studies in these branches are to be continued through the senior year. This ad vance of the standard is highly grat ifying. Graduates who hereafter go from Mercer to other institutions may have as good showing as those from other colleges. The work done by Prof. Carl W. Steed, as supply in the department of Latin has been very superior. It is understood that he will continue his studies at the University of Vir ginia. When he has done so, many will rejoice if away opens for him to follow out his Father’s steps. In a man of such marked excellence, Georgia should see to it that she looses not her own. The work of the Trustees at their late session was quite laborious They seemed to go about it with marked conscientiousness and zeal, resolved to be faithful to their trust They were determined to correct any wrongs that might exist and to make whatever improvements they might find room for. Any one of them is willing to explain the busi ness affairs entrusted to them and show that no such wrongs have ex isted as some few have suspected. Things were found in good shape. The improvements recommended were radical in no particular, but on ly an advance along lines already marked out. Os the twelve who were appoint ed by the State Convention as a Board of Visitors, five were present. Considerable time was spent by the committee in the examination of pa pers submitted them, and a very fair estimate was got of the work being done. The results of their in vestigations were quite satisfactory, and the features of their report were simply to commend the work being done and encourage an advance on certain lines. They did not feel it incumbent upon them to unearth any skeletons or develop any sensa tions. Had this been their task they feel that they could not have suc ceeded unless perchance by the help of some imaginative newspaper re porter. One special need of Mercer, has been a Gymnasium. It is promised that this need is soon to be met. Some caricatures of Northern schools would indicate that boating and wrestling constitute a principal part of the course. If some go to an absurd extreme in their athletics, we may be in danger of equal folly on the other extreme. Some appli ances for healthful exercise and physical development are of the highest importance. Mri. William Lohr Os Freeport, 111., began to fall rapidly, lost all; appetite and got Into a serious eondlUoatrom nvenonela Bha oould n<>t •dyspepsia üblM or , T , a toast distressed ber. Had to give an house work. In a week after taking Hood’s Sarsaparilla She felt a little bettor. Could keep more food on her stomach and grew stronger. She took g bottles, has a good Ippottte, gdlsnodsa lbs., does her work easily, J bow In perfect health. HOOD'S Pills ere the best after-dinned rills. They assist digestion and cure anOath* 4 I 3