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Many good and strong things were said in be half of MISSIONS During the Session of tho Southern Baptist Convention. Subscribe to and read the Christian Index, if you would keep informed. ESTABLISHED 1821. ©’ll# (Clirietiiut f mlcx J. c. McMichael, proprietor. Organ of (he Baptist Denomination in Georgia. Published Every Thursday at Atlanta, Ga. Subscription Prick : One copy, one yenr $ 2.00 One copy, six months 100 One copy, three months 50 Obituaries.—One hundred words free of charge. For each extra word, one cent per word, cash with copy. To Correspondents.—Do not nsoabrevia tions; he extra careful in writing proper names; write with ink, on one side of paper; Do not write copy intended for the editor and busi ness items on same sheet. .Leave off personal ities; condense. Business. - Write all names, and post offices distinctly. In ordering a change give the old as well as the new address. The date of label indicates the time your subscription expires. If you do not wish it cont inued, order it stop ped a week before. We consider each sub scriber permanent, until be orders his paper discontinued. When you order it stopped pay up to dale. Remittances by check preferred; or regis tered letter, money order, postal note. Sir Francis Bacon long ago point ed out that who hoards his w ealth until he conies to die and then makes liberal gifts to benevolent enterprises is disposing not of his own but of others possessions. Perhaps the finest illustration yet given of the use of steam as an agent in Christian propagandism is the Chapel Car on the Pacific coast. It is said that hundreds have already been led to the Savior, and that its work is steadily increasing in power. The various railroads haul it free of charge and thus indirectly contribute largely to the spread of the gos pel. Cicero said “all religion consists in action.” There are those in our own times who seem to have caught the spirit of the heathen orator and philos opher. They measure their own re ligion and that of others by the amount of work done. There is a very subtle and a very real danger in this. It becomes so easy to sub stitute doing for being, that one may delude himself into a belief that he is.an active and zealous Christian, when he is seeking only his own sel fijh AH religion* werkythat does not grow out of true heart de votion is a delusion. We clip the following paragraph Join a printed sermon by a promi nent Baptist pastor of Philadel phia: The sweetest scene in all the Bi ble to me, the sweetest expression in the Holy Book, is where the old man sits in his arm-chair at Ephesus, at the end of his life, the people all {fathering around him saying, “John s dying,” and they kneel about him while the old man, using the last breath of this life, says: “Little chil dren, love one another.” The good brother must use a dif ferent Bible from the one w e are ac customed to. Will he please tell ns where to find that “sw’eetest scene” pud that “sweetest expression.” Our young people are not wise in separating themselves into societies and working apart from the ‘older brethren whose wisdom and Godly example are so helpful to them. Whatever they would do for the so ciety they should be w illing to do for the church. We rejoice in the noble and devout young men and women whom the Lord has called into his service. We are glad of their fervor, courage and hopeful ness, but we look with distress upon whatever tends to belittle the claims or weaken the power of the local church. If the church needs new life let it come from within and from above. Bev. C. S. Farris, editor of the Florida Baptist Witness is alarmed at what ho supposes is the growth of heresy in the ranks our rising ministry. He says: “There are great numbers of our Baptist preach ers North and South w ho do not be lieve in the plenary inspiration or the scriptures.” He thinks that tho evil is growing and a premium is set upon the taint of unorthodoxy. All this sounds pessimistic to us. We have great faith in our brethren of the ministry,—faith in their piety and consecration and doctrinal soundness and common sense. We have far greater faith in Him who has called them into his service. It is a great deal easier to lecture other people concerning their faults than to mend our own. And one is often compelled to observe that those whose faults most need mend ing are most given to airing the faults of others. On the contrary, Bljf Christian Sliidrr. those who always seem to see the i best traits of their neighbors and to be ready to say kind things about them, are those who deserve the ap proval of the good. It requires a better head and a better heart to praise a virtue than to expose a fault. And the habit of praising judicious ly sweetens the disposition and sof tens the heart. While according to a well-known principle in human na ture, the things we praise in others take root and grow in our own lives. Are we not in danger of under estimating the work of the Hbly Spirit in bringing men to Christ? There can be no genuine conversion which is not His work, and yet in the current evangelistic methods the attention of people mainly directed toward instrumentalities. “The nat ural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are fool ishness unto him,” and he remains in this “natural” state until he receives the Holy Spirit’s life-giving touch. A passing purpose to reform, a sense of personal humiliation on account of sin, a turning to the church for help and sympathy, are as different from regeneration as a flickering rush light is from the sun. The best, because the scriptural, method of evangelism is the preach ing of the gospel and the illustrating of its truth and power by holy liv ing- The Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly had a stormy sea son this year. The church has made three departures from tho common Presbyterian practice: 1. Laymen have been elected to the position of Moderator of the highest Church court. 2. A woman has been or dained to the Gospel ministry, and her name has been printed in the ministerial directory of tho Church. 3. Women are now eligible, “where it shall appear needful,” to the office of Ruling Elder. This has the effect to admit wome with equal rights, to all of tho church iyiu-tiL Tho last point was fought bitterly and may yet be reversed, as the majority for it was very small. The church puts itself bravely on record concerning prohibition: “While we are unwilling to com mit the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to the advocacy of any pol itical platform, we are not willing that the danger of so doing should deter us from an unqualified declara tion in favor of prohibition by legis lative enactment. Positive prohibi tion of the sale or manufacture of in toxicants is the only consistent posi tion for this Church to take upon this question, and to that end our prayers and our votes shall con cur.” Shin Hing, China, May 24, 1892. Dear Index :—While here, I want to tell you some things about Shin Hing. This is a fair city and is the center of thirteen districts or counties. The city itself contains about 150 or IGO thousand inhabi tants, is situated on the West river about ninety miles West from Can ton. The West river is a broad stream and navigable for boats of ten to twelve feet draft to Ny Chan, in the KwongSai province, 150 miles West of this. The river does not flow past Canton, but West of Can ton, about forty miles and empties into the sea near Hong Kong and Macao. From the proverbial inert ness of China, or from the dislike of change or some other cause, the gov ernment has opposed opening the river to foreign and native streams. Though it is thought tho river will be opened to foreign and native steamers and commerce before long. But to come back to Shin Hing. We have had a church here for more than twenty years. There has never been a resident missionary here only for a short time, when the station was first opened. Dr. Graves lived here for a while. Since I came to China I have had charge of the work most of the time. I have spent from one to three months here each year. Part of the time my wife would be with me. And the ladies of our mission have done considera ble work here, from time to time. The people are very friendly and quiet, much more so than they are in Canton. Tho church has gradually grown till we have seventy members. Though but few of these live in. Shin Hing, they are scattered among ma ny villages, from ten to sixty miles away. Tai Wan (Bij Anchorage) twelve ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY. JULY 21, 1892. miles West and across the river, is a collection of villages (forty odd) in number and contains many thou sands of people. At one of these villages, To llai, our members own a small chapel. We have about a doz en members in this neighborhood. We need a native preacher for this section. At Lin Tung, (Lotus Pouch) tweve miles South of here, we have eight members. • There is considerable interest in the Gospel here shown by the persecutions of our members. This village has about ten thousand inhabitants and is with the villages near by a fine field for mission work. Ho Chime (village of Mr. Ho and his descendants) a few miles from Lin Zong, we have several members, with others interested. Pat Heung, (or Eight Villages) we have about ten members. These eight villages are about twenty miles from Shin II ing. This would be a fine field for a native pastor. The people are very favorably disposed towards Christianity. At Ha Tan, about sixty miles from Shin Hing, we have about a dozen members. This is at the head of navigation, the San Hing river, South of Shin Hing. Here is one of the finest vallies that I ever saw. It is called Tin Tong, or Hea nen. There are more than two hun dred villages clustering round the market town, the most distant is not more than seven or eight miles away. I have often wished we had a couple of missionary families for this heavenly vally, that these teeming thousands might be chang ed into saints fit for the true heaven- At all these places our members keep up services on Sundays with more or less regularity in their own houses and at no expense to the mission. The missionary pastor> Fung Chak, at Shin Hing, is sup posed to visit all these places regu larly, bnt doos not from bad health or some other cause get around very often. Really he has more to do in Shin lliug than he oan do well. Thert is a largo area of country and many thousands of villages and towns that should be reached from Shin Hing as a mission center. In many respects this is the most desir able place to live, in the interior that I know of. . Who among the Georgia brethren, will volunteer for this Shin Hing mission? Do not ask to be appoint ed for Canton, but for Shin Hing. For if you are appointed for Canton, with a view to settling in the coun try afterwards, you may find it hard to get away. Better come with your mind made up, then it will not be 'so hard for you. lam ready to ren der you all the assistance in getting you houses, teachers, etc., that I can. Your mail or anything that you want from Canton will take about three days to come up. Are there not some called of God, ready for this work ? Brethren let me hear from you. Os course you are to bring your wife with you. We’ve got no body out here for you. May the Lord guide some of you to this field, is the prayer of Your brother in Christ, E. Z. Simmons. Canton, China. INDIAN TERRITORY MISSION HELDS. You all know where and what the Indian Territory is, and of the poor heathen people who live there. My home is in the Choctaw Na tion, in the little village Atoka, nest ling among the green hills, bounded on the South by the wind swept prairies. There are five churches in the little vjllage, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Camphellite and Cath olic. The Baptist is the oldest and has the largest membership. There are also two mission schools, a Baptist and Presbyterian. The Baptist has the larger patronage. Now let us go together through this school. All the poor, and orphan children find a home here, where they are well cared for. Many of them stay at the Mission Romo all tho year, as they have no pleas ant homes to return to during vaca tion. In the literary department we find them studying the necessary branches. The boys' are taught the various industries, and when they have learned a trade, they are often employed by the men of our town, and the pay they receive for their work, they donate for the help of the other tribes which are less fortu nate than themselves. In the Industrial department, the girls are taught to sew, and make many articles •which they sell and the proceeds of which they use for the same purpose the boys do. This teaches them the missionary spirit, to give as freely as they have received. On Wednesday afternoon, after school, a prayer-meeting is held in the school room, and many have been converted thron h the influence of these little meetings. No doubt you have often heard of the revenge ful spirit of the Indians; there is some truth in this, but no one could be more appreciative of kindness than they are. To return any kind ness shown them or to befriend you would risk their own lives. This has been proved by the success of the missionaries who have worked among them. Although we need more missionaries, ju opportunity for doing good is nev; ;• lost by the faithful few who are there. Even when visiting their ne ghboring mis. sionaries they go prepared to preach the Gospel. One missionary carrid music, lights, and a tent; all of these were new and attracted much attention. The missionary was much encouraged by the large and attentive congrega tions, but one night hi* was surpris ed to hear the Chief clnnmand him to move his tent and other attrac tions away from the place, and told his people nbt to be persuaded to turn from the worship of the Great Spirit to worshop the God of the cruel white man. But atlast the missionary succeeded in convincing him that the God he was preaching about was God to the Indian as well as to the white man. The conversion of this Chief was the origin of “‘Lone Wolf” mission, where we now have able workers in Bro. .Lancaster and his devoted wife. The Indians are not depending on the white people alone to send the Gospel to the remainder of their na tions, for a great many of them are preparing for their lifqwqrk in mis sion fields there. Sove‘Ly oar ® a ß‘' at the close of tho Baptju associa tions which were held in Atoka, two little girls who had keen deserted by theis step-mother were found weefl ing on tho church steps. They were cared for by the Christian women. Now they are almost grown and have about completed their educa tion for their mission work. The younger will remain with her own tribe, the elder will go as a mission ary to the Indians in Mississippi. You can find the number of churches and missionaries in this field by reading “Our Horne Field.” 1 will not exhaust your patience by repeating their names. Ardmore is the largest town in the Chickasaw Nation and has a pop ulation of 3000 people. It is in the midst of the densest population! of any town in the Indian Territory. There are at least 30,000 people in an area o( fifty miles around it. There is not a single denominational school in all that region, excepting the Daws’ Academy for negroes. “There’s work enough for Christians In distant lands we know. Our Txird commands his servants Through all the world to go, Not only by the heathen; This was hiscounnand to them, Go preach tho word beginning Hero at Jesus aletn. ” Active, consecrated missionaries for the Commanche, Kiowas and Whichitas, and other Blanket In dians is another most important need. While so many are offering to go to foreign lands, surely the Lord has some good men and women for these poor people in our own land, they are begging for unselfish Christian preachers and teachers. If you could only go, you would need no further proof of our great need of help. Ida B. Moore. written for This Indkx. FROM_ ALABAMA. IMMORTALITY. The Greek philosopher, and the Romans, who echoed them, had def inite ideas of immortality, as the Az tec Chief, of whom Prescott informs us; and the idea was possibly -wide spread. This idea limited to natural im mortality, unless possibly we may except the case of Socrates as indi cating something wider, receives an addendum in the Hebrew conception, even if we confine ourselves to tho meaning of Old Testament Scripture as ascertainable without reference to the New, apparently Dr. Harper’s notion of scientfio interpretation. Job, Abraham and David were evi dently animated by something more than the exhilatory thought of natu ral immortality,—with the conscious ness of the life of God in the soul, and belief in the indestructibility of this consciousness. But the full revelation of this fact, of the life which is in Christ Jesus, was reserved to the “coming of Him through whom life and immortality are brought to light,” the reference here being to a new life, engrafted on the natural, to be indestructible. Drumipond argues its indestructibil *ty, from a scientific stand-point, due to the indestructibility of its environ ment, God himself. He, however, has left his argument in a shape from which the annihilation of the wicked might be inferred, as Dr. George Dana|Boardman and others, for he has not fortified his position against the suggestion that the wick ed have not the environment of the infinite Spirit that encompasses the righteous. In all such cases, we are to have recourse to the “more sure Word.” Revelation settles questions too high for philosophy. If the new life communicated in regeneration bo indestructible, so must the sou' in which it inheres be indestructible ■ and a parallel history, in this respect, of the righteous and the wicked, is everywhere in Scripture assumed. The imaginings of John Foster, Bickerstith, Tennison, and the new theologians, as to returning cycles to restore all things to the unfallen state of man at the creation, are but a revamp of the purgatorian ideas of the Romish Church, and en tirely without basis in Scripture, on ly adopted to act as a sedative to wholesome concern as to the future. E. B. Teague. Written for Thk Index. EROM MISSOURI. CONCRETE EVIDENCE. Not less theory, but more practice. Not fewer trees, but more fruit. Not Jess doctrine, but more life* 'Re sults which materialize, which can be seen—this is what we need just now, in the Christian world. Testimony which lives and moves and has its being in visible results. “Shew me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will shew thee my faith,” is a text which needs to be emphasized and repeated by the preacher. One need not—ought not dispar age doctrine, for it would be as irra tional to expect life without doctrine, as to expect a living tree without roots, but the tree is expected to bear fruit and so is doctrine. There fore, comes, strongly and clamoring ly, from the unbelieving world, upon the churches of Jesus Christ, the de mand that, life shall correspond with creed. Tho story was read somewhere, of a man who gave out that he had originated and completed a wonder ful invention. The neighbors were invited in to see it. Its arrangement was unique and ingenious, the most accurate calculations of results had been made. He explained the phi losophy of it with “great swelling words” of vanity. A doubting Thom as asked to see a sample of its work. To the disgust of the crowd and the disgrace of the inventor, it prov ed a miserable failure. Some years ago, D. L. Moody held a series of meetings in Kansas City with grati fying results. Tho meetings closed and Moody gone, the “Ministers’ Al liance” discussed Moody and his work. One brother called attention to his bad grammar, instancing tho expression, “I done it,” to which an other replied, “Well, he does ‘done’ it.” No sooner had philosophy finished demonstrating, to a dead certainty, that stream could never be success fully used for ocean travel and com merce, than a steamboat plowed the Hudson, right in the face of the demonstration in the North Ameri can Review, Sept., 1891, are four learned articles, from as many learn ed physicians. These concur in pro nouncing drunkenness medicinally incurable. One reads these articles and finds himself unable, from the view point ui medicinal science, to answer the arguments or deny the conclusions. Straightway ho goes on the strqct and meets a half-dozen men, who have twelve sober months lying between them and twenty years of drunken dissipation, inen raised from the dead, men with new hope and new manhood ; then is he compelled to believe Dr. Hammond and his logic, notwithstanding. This is concrete evidence. “Amos, the high-priest, and Caiphas, and John, and Alexander, etc,.” could deny Pe ter’s statements and wade his logic, but when they saw the man whom Peter healed, “walking and leaping and praising God,” “when they be held the man which was healed standing with them, they' could say nothing against it.” In their pri vate consultation they were forced to say: “For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” Here, again, is concrete evidence, and it conquers. How different the scene, the impressions and the re sults if the poor man had hobbled into the temple on crutches, with his ankle bones still crooked and stiff ! When the disciples,of John came to Christ with the question: “Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?” “Jesusanswer ed and said unto them, go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see : the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” What He did proved what He was. Nothing more was needed; nothing loss would have answered. Oh, that His churches might go before an unbelieving, sinning, sink ing, perishing world, with such an answer and such testimony to-day! Oh, that every pastor could point to his people for illustration and re inforcement of the Gospel he preaches 1 Let the truth be certified and the doctrine magnified by a correspond ing life. Let the blind w’ho have been made to see; the deaf who have been made to hear; the lepers who have been cleansed, the lame who have been made whole and the dead who have been raised to life, let <hese be our witnesses to confirm the doubt er, silence the critic and wrest from the devil his most powerful weapon— let these compel the respect of men and the blessings of God. R. K. Maiden. Independence, Mo. Written for The Index. FROM TEXAS. BAPTIST HYMN WRITERS. Baptists have always placed a higher estimate upon preaching than upon singing; and so they are more famous for sermons than for songs. Indeed, prior to 1673, the Baptists of England were, for the most part, opposed to congregational singing. About this time they began, in some quarters to sing a hymn at the Lord’s Supper. A little later, some introduced singing upon thanksgiv ing occasions. In 1693 several members withdrew from Benj- Reach’s church, in London, on ac count of the growing disposition to sing at all the services ; and they or ganized a church opposed to singing during worship. Gradually their opposition gave way; and finally they became singers, just as other churches. Exerywhere the custom of singing found favor, and all oppo sition died out. Within the past two hundred years Baptists have not only enjoyed, as well as others, the rhapsody of song, but they have largely contributed to the bymnol ogy of tho world. So large and val uable has been this contribution that one will be surprised, unless he has carefully looked over the matter. While not unappreciative of what has been written on the subject of Baptist hymnology, I must say that it is greatly to be regretted that no man has yet given us the book we need. It is to be hoped that some brother with largo information, with a passion for exactness of history, and with broad sympathies, will take hold of the matter and give us tho book we ought to have. Dr. 11. S. Burrage’s work (1888) is good, but sadly fails in some respects. It is interesting to note the num ber of best loved songs among Chris tians everywhere, that were written by Baptists. It is my wish, in this article, to mention those that are popular where I have lived; I can not know the extent of their popu larity in other sections. The follow ing all English: “Another six days’ work is done.” Joseph Stewart. 1668-1718. “Holy and reverend is the name.” , John Needham. Published 1768. Brother Minister, Working Layman, Zealous Sister, We are striving to make Tlie Index the best of its kind. Help us by securing a new subscriber. VOL. 69.—N0. 29. “Father, whate’er of earthly bliss.” Miss Anne Steele. 1716-1778. The greatest female hymn writer that ever lived. The above hymn is supposed to have been written soon after the death, by drowning, of her affianced, More than one hundred of her hymns have found their way into hymn books. The hymn: “Come, ye that love the Savior’s name, and joy to make it known,” is scarcely less popular than the other one men tioned. “Did Christ o’er sinners weep.” “Come, Holy Spirit, come., Benj- Beddorne. 1717-1795. “Come, humble sinner, in whoso breast.” Edmond Jones. 1722- 1765. “Majestic sweetness sits enthron ed.” “How charming is the place.” “On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand.” Samuel Stewart. 1727- 1795. “Come thou fount of every bless ing.” “Mighty God, while angels bless thee.” Robert Robinson, 1735-1790. “Awake my soul, in joyful lays.” “O could I speak the matchless worth.” Samuel Medley, 1738-1799. “Religion is the chief concern.” “Thus far my God hath led mo on.” “How precious is the book divine.” “Blest be the tie that bind.” This last was written on the occasion of the author deciding to remain with his poor, but devoted flock in York shire, even after he had accepted a call to London, as successor to Dr. Gill, and had preached his farewell sermon, preparatory to leaving. John Fawcett, 1739-1817. “Lord, dismiss us with thy bless ing,” has been attributed to Fawcett, by some, but there seems to be some doubt about it. “How firm a foundation! ye saints of the Lord.” Geo. Keith, dates un known. “Jesus, thou art the sinner’s friend.” Richard Burnham, 1749- 1810. “I n all my Lord’s appointed ways.” John Ryland, 1753-1825. “Holy Bible, book divine.” “Time is winging us away.” John Burton, Sr., 1773-1822. “Mid scenes of confusion and crea ture complaints.” David 'Denham, 1791-1848. “My hope is built on nothing less.” Edward Mote, 1797-1874. “Thou hast said, exalted Jesus.” John E. Giles, 1805-1875. The following are by American Baptists: .“Oh, could I find from day to day.” Benj. Cleavland, 1733-1811. “The day is past and gone.” John Leland, 1754-1841. “My Christian friends, in bonds of love.” John Blain, 1795-1879. “The morning light is breaking.” S. F. Smith, 1808. “Take, the name of Jesus with you,” “There is a gate that stands ajar.” Mrs. Lydia Baxter, 1809-1874. “There is a land mine eye hath seen.” Gordon Robins, 1813-1888. “Savior, thy dying love, thou gav estme.” S. D. Phelps. 1816. “There is a hppe, a blessed hope.” 11. H. Hawley, 1817. “Shall we gather at the river.” “Weeping will not save me.” Rob ert Lowry, 1826. “Jesus, gracious one, calleth now to thee.” .Mrs. S. A. Collins, 1830. “He leadeth me, O blessed thought.” J. H. Gilmore, 1834. “J need thee, every hour.” “What can wash away my stain." Mrs. Annie S. Hawks, 1835. “’Tis the promise of God, full sal vation to give.” “Whosoever heareth, shout, shout the sound.” “Free from the law, oh, happy condition.” “I am so glad that our father in heaven.” “Almost persuaded, now to be lieve.” “Only an armor bearer.” “Repeat the story o’er and o’er.” “Tenderly the Shepherd.” r“I will sing of my Redeemer.” P. P. Bliss, 1838-1876. It is proper to remark that Mr. Bliss became a congregationalist a few years before his tragic death. “What though clouds are hover ing o’er me.” Ilariet M. Conway, 1838. “Must I go, and empty handed.” C. C. Luther, 1847. “Tho prize is set before us.” “In the harvest field, there is work to do.” C. R. Blackall, 1830. Dr. Blackall is also the author of those popular cantantas, Belshazzar” and “Ruth.” By mentioning the above hymns, Ido not mean that they are “pure gold,” but that they are popular. I could not, in so short an article, mention all the hymns I wishid, nor ail tho Baptist hymn writes; but enough has been written to show that Baptists have done much for Christian hymnology. We may sometimes add interest to tho sing* ing of a hymn by mentioning the fact that it was written by a Baptist, es pecially if some historical details are given. Geo. W. Baines, Weatherford, Tex,