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ESTABLISHED 1821.
The Christian Index.
Published Every Thursday, Cor. Ivy St.
and Edge wood Avenue.
J. 0. McMICHAEL. PaoraiaTOß.
Organ of the Baptist Denomination in
Georgia.
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THE TWO DAYS PREVIOUS TO THE
PASSOVER.
BY P, S. WHITMAN, D. D.
No. 2.
The significance of the words
“Arise, Let us go hence.”
Here let it be noticed that when
Judas had left in the night, John 13.
30, Jesus, according to John’s recoid,
commenced a very tender discourse
with the remaining eleven. How free
the interview between them contin
ues on til), at length—it must have
been nigh midnight, there comes a
sudden break. “The prince—is
coming,” says Christ, “Arise, let us
go hence.” Does any one doubt they
did go hence? No one has ever
told us where they went, but need
any one doubt they went to some
seclusion, where,after a few hours of
sletp, the interview was resumed
and the ensuing day was given to
the cordial commingling of Christ
with his disciples (the eleven), the
last and best day in this resptct they
ever had together, descriptive of
which we happily have those three
notable chapters, fifteenth, sixteenth
and seventeenth of John.
It is certainly the last thing an ex
positor should have thought of or
dreamed that, whilst putting all that
John records as transpiring after
Judas went out—all that is embraced
in the last of the thirteenth chapter
and the whole of the fourteenth—
putting all this, we say, as coming
after the memorial rite then, when
in this case it could not have be?n
much short of midnight that the
company changed their quarters, to
suppose that,before crossing the Kid
ron, they somewhere had leisure
for the tranquil and unhurried inter
course sufficient, we may well judge,
to have required a whole day’s time
—at any rate the pen of inspiration,
which is a miracle in brevity, em
ploys three whole ci apters in
describing it—all this before cross
ing the Kidron the very night of the
arrest, all this is too wild to be ad
mitted even in a work professedly a
fiction. Yes, the very expositor,
who owns that it must have been
midnight when the break occurred,
claims that it was on the way to the
garden—in the moonlight that the
discourse between Jesus and his dis
ciples was resumed ending in the
prayer as embraced in John’s three
chapters, fifteenth, sixteenth and
seventeenth; a conception which
gives to the divine narrative the a r
of a fraudulent make-up.
There was much significance in
the words “ What thou doest do
quickly.” We regard it as express
ing what was precisely the intent of
Judas at that time, for it was al
ready in his heart to betray Jesus,
but with the entrance of the devil on
taking the morse), he was possessed
with the idea that that very night
was the time to effect his purpose,
for were not the chiefs of Jerusalem
gathered in counsel that very hour?
How could he, the devil in him,
fail to seize the present moment to
appear before the plotting enemies
of Christ with the question, what will
ye give me and I myself (kaigo) will
deliver him up to you with no fear
of tumult? We know it was the
determination of Satan (we are au
thorized ,to speak of Judas under
that name) to make quick woik. (t
is no wild conjecture to say that
ere an hour had passed from the
time he went out he stood before
that council in Jerusalem to tell them
there was no need of any tumult or
of any delay. It is no wild conject
ure but only in the line of reason
to suppose no two hours bad passed
before a band was made up and
ready to start out to Bethany. This
only accords with what Jesus, we
may say,foretold when he said make
haste. It was Judas’s first opportu
nity. And would he not improve it?
Jesus knew he would succeed, but
not that night. We are free to con
jecture that when at that late hour
Jesus said the prince of this world
cometh, Judas was starting out from
Jerusalem with his band. “Arise”
we think the verb egeiro here has
its distinctive force wake up. It is
in line to su'ppcse the disciples for
the past week had only broken rest
at night and that at the present late
hour it had become almost impossi-
TEE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
I SUBSCRIPTION, Pts Yf*R, 52.00. I
ITO MINISTERS. 100. I
ble for them to keep awake. The
force of the injunction, as we may
well imagine, is “wake up now. We
are not to sleep here, we must go
hence.” We do not know where
they went; but it is quite certain they
went where Judas never found them
We can imagine what silence reigned
when he came with his band prowl
ing around the deserted premises of
Simon only to be foiled in his first
attempt to deliver up the Lord Je
sus. Jesus and his companions weie
perhaps alr< aiy in that safe retreat
where even the “prince of this world ’
could not find them; where after re
freshing sleep and their morning’s
repast, they had the day all to them
selvei; a day when Jesus stood to
them in the relation of friend instead
ofMastei; when, too, the absence of
Judas, we think, favored the free in
tercourse between them (for John at
least knew, from the signal the night
previous, his true character); the
day which afforded precisely the op
portunity which gospel harmony re
quires for continuing that farewell
discourse which the pen of John
commemorates in the three chapters
following these significant words
“arise; let us go hence”—our Lord’s
last day with his disciples in sacred
Bethany ! (It may have been miles
away from Bethany.) Here we di
verge a little to say it is quite natu*
ral to infer from John 12:10, that
Lazarus, in danger of being kid
napped, had withdrawn to some
place of concealment, Martha and
Mary with him. As Jesus was in
Bethany every night, they were
doubtless under his advice when to
go. Hence what is more natural
than to suppose that, when the
break occurred in the discourse and
the company needed a place of con
cealment for themselves, they went
to the safe retreat of Lizarus? Thus
it may have been—(and we love to
think of such a possibility) that Mar
tha and Mary with Lazirus their
brother bad Jesus and the eleven for
their guests on that day so memora
ble for all time to the lovers of
New Testament history.
Canon Farrar remarks very truly :
‘No mortal has ever known where
Christ and his disciples were
all that day and night preceding the
day of unleavened bread.” But no
one can well doubt they were away
from any human habitation, and con
sequently | an item of moment in this
connection] away from the perch of
the fowls : so that Peter never again
beard the cock crow till he had
thrice denied his Lord. It is worthy
of remark that where the synoptists,
all three of them, give the words of
Christ, and where we know it was
oa the passover evening, it is every
time “this night ’or ‘ this very day,”
before the cock will crow. But
John, speaking of what occurred on
the feet washing night, says simply
‘before the cock shall crow,” un
limited by “this night” or “this very
day.” which, interpreted by the ful
fibment, must mean before ever
again he would hear the cock
crow.
SEMINARY NOTES-
The students are filled with en
thusiasm over the action of the trus
tees in electing Dr. Wbitsitt, to suc
ceed Dr. Broadus in the presidency
of the Seminary. Had anybody else
been elected, such a howl would have
gone up from the student body as
would have been heard all over the
South. It seems in accordance with
the fitness of things that he, the last
survivor of the old faculty, should
be the recognized head of this great
institution. “Uncle Billy,” as he is
endearingly called, may count on the
hearty support of every preacher who
has had the good fortune to enjoy his
unique and eminently wise instruc
tion. He says so many sensible
things in such an original way that
they can never be forgotten.
Like satisfaction and enthusiasm
are expressed at the elevation of Dr.
Robertson to the chair of New Test
ament interpretation and Greek. In
the judgment of the students, no
man in the South is so well qualified
as he to succeed his honored father
in-law, Dr. Broadus.
Os course we knew he would be,
but still we are all delighted, that
Dr. Dargan has been made Professor
of Homiletics. How such a big heart
and brain can find a habitation in
one little body is the wonder about
Dr. Dargan. You need not say any
thing about it, but he is just about
the biggest little preacher in this, or
any other country.
I have written these things that
the Index readers may know how
exceedingly well pleased the students
are at the action of the trustrees in
promoting our loved and honored
professors. Students don’t run in
stitutions, but it means much when
they heartily indorse the trustees’
wisdom.
T. W. O.
Tels air Ville. —W e ha d a
good meeting at our church in
Burke county last Sunday. At
Magnolia church,Perkin?Junction,
God has done great things for us.
We have had a conversion at every
meeting since March. Brother Lem
on Perkins will be ordained a dea
con Sunday, 12th inst. Our inter
ests here are looking up and the
Lord be praised.
C. M. Wilkinson.
ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, MAY 16 1895.
Sonthern Baptist Convention
50TH SESSION.
The direful results predicted for
the pay plan of entertainment for
the convention failed to material
ize. The Baptists came in great
throngs. Even from far away
Texas there is a large delegation.
The Georgians present were more
than could be numbered. Standing
room in the church was at a pre
mium from the first service on
ward.
The organization was effected by
the re-election of Judge Jonathan
Haralson of Alabama as president,
and Drs. Lansing Burrows and O.
F. Gregory as Secretaries. Rev.
J. T. S. Park, of Texas, the only
delegate present who was a constit
uent member of the organization
of the convention of 1845 was by
unanimous vote elected a vice
president. On ballot for other vice
presidents, Dr. J. H. Kilpatrick, of
Georgia, Dr. B. 11. Carroll, of Tex
as, and Hon. J. T. Ellyson, of \ ir
ginia were elected.
Addresses of welcome were de
livered by Judge Jno. W. Rose,
chairman of the Board of Commis
sionersjof the city,and by Rev.C.C.
Meador, one of the Baptist pastors.
A sensible’ and fitting response
was made by Dr. J. R. Sainpey
of the Southern Baptist Theologi
cal Seminary.
Dr. H M. Morehouse, field sec
retary of the Home Mission Socie
ty of New York, by special invita
tion addressed the convention on
the work among the colored peo
ple along the plans agreed upon by
•he Fortress Monroe Conference.
This address was in advance of the
report of the committee on that
subject, as Dr. Morehouse had to
leave the city. The report was
read by Dr. Eaton at a late hour
and was adopted without discus
sion. With the matter of that re
port all the readers of the denomi
national papers have been made
familiar.
The reports of the several Boards
of the convention were submitted
by the respective secretaries and
referred to proper committees.
REPORT OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOARD.
The condition of affairs revealed
by this report is decidedly bright
and hope. The cash receipts have
been $53,000, an advance of about
$5,000 over last year. A balance is
in hand of $2,495,0f which SI,OOO has
been put ’aside as the basis of a Re
serve Fund.
BENEVOLENT WORK.
The Board has given SI,OOO to the
Foreign Board for Bible work in
their fields. It has contributed to
the development of the Sunday
school work in various States an ag
gregate of $3,375.
MISSIONARY FEATURE.
The missionary feature of the lit
erature of our Sunday-school Board
is unique. Very earnest efforts are
being made to keep the facts of our
Home and Foreign work constantly
before the minds of the children,
along with the Scripture teaching as
to all mission work.
The value of this feature can not
be too highly appreciated.
REPORT OF HOME MISSION BOARD.
This report filled us with such
glad surprise as to set us all to sing
ing the long meter doxology. Ou
April Ist, the indebtedness of the
Board was $23,000. When the books
were closed for the convention the
debt was less than SI,OOO. The ex
hibit of the work is highly gratifying
in every feature. We append a
GENERAL STATEMENT.
“Number of missionaries this year,
four hundred and twenty-five, an in
crease of forty-four over last year, and
more than in any jear of the Board’s
history.
Baptized five thousand, nine hundred
and twenty one, and increase of one
thousand four hundred and fifty One over
last year, and five hundred and seventy
two more than have been baptized in
any year since the organization of the
convention.
Cash receipts $88,640.20, being sls,
319.29 larger than last year, and greater
than any previous year except the Cen
tennial.
The Board began the year with a debt
of $6,763,54, haspaid on house of wor
ship in New Orleans $9,476.50 and for
church buildings at other points $2,386.
62, a total of $11,862 12.
After paying missionaries, April Ist,
its indebtedness was $23,000, which May
lst|had been reduced to $1,100,00, with
a balance of $109.96 in the treasury.
Increase of missionaries has been
nearly 12 per cent; of receipts. 20 per
cent; and of baptisms, 32 per cent.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Georgia stands first in the list of
the States in its contributions to the
Home Board, with the amount of
$12,813. Virginia comes next with
$10,220. Kentucky has given $9,
179.
Tbe total contributions aggregate
$76,770. Some rents in Cuba, with
the sale of a lot owned by this Board
in New Orleans, with a few otner
like items, swell the total cash re
ceipts to $88,640. We give only a
few items from the table of
STATISTICS.
In Cuba there have been 24 mis
sionaries, 118 baptisms, and the mis
sionaries have been’paid $6,747.
In Florida there have been 45 mis-
sionaries, 304 baptisms, and the
work has cost $3,000. ~
In Georgia $1,258 have been ex
pended, and four workers have been
employed.
In Indian Territory and Oklahoma
there have been about seventy mis
sionaries, and the amount expended
has been $5,018 exclusive of boxes
sent. The total value of loxes sent
out to frontier missionaries has baen
nearly $13,000.
In Texas 105 workers have been
employed at a cost of $4,893, and
1,652 baptisms are reported.
Tue report speaks very strongly
of the importance and value of the
Home Field, and also most heartily
commends the work of the Woman’s
Missionary Union.
REPORT OF FOREIGN MISSION*HOARDS
Only six new missionaries have
been sent by the Board within the
year, though a large number have
applied to go. This doss not bal
ance the 10.-ses that have occurred,
for three have died, six have re
turned home on account of failure of
healt, and one has married into a
different denomination and thus sev
ered her connection with us.
FINANCES.
“By reference to our Treasurer’s re
port, page 54 it will be seen that the
contributions for the year have been
over $130,000, This is by far the largest
amount ever given for the regular work.
While still hampered with nsavly S2O,
000 debt, yet tins is considerably less
than last year, $9,200 of it being on the
Chapel Fund. We have no interest to
pay on this last amount.
Notice that of all the funds received
at this office 92 cents on the dollar wont
to the missionaries. Only 8 cents on the
dollar was used for all expenses here;
and this includes interest and also the
cost of the Woman’s Missionary Union
in Baltimore. Be it said, to the praise
of the noble sisters who are olf eers of
the Union, that they charge nothing for
their arduous, valuable services.”
Georgia stands second in the list
of the States in its contributions to
the Foreign Board, having paid sl6,
980. Virginia comes first with $22,
862. Kentucky follows close on
Georgia with $16,287. Pennsylvania
is credited with a contribution of
twenty-five cents. Mexico has given
$377, and China $307. TA is and
Maryland »*ach gave more than sll,
000.
SOME STATISTICS.
In Africa there are reported 4
churches, 7 missionaries, 6 native
workers, 67 baptisms, 239 members.
In Brazil, 37 churches and sta
tions, 14 missionaries, six native
workers, 133 baptisms, 610 members,
$2,038 contributions.
In China, 66 churches and sta
t’ons, 41. missionaries '.fr
workers 118 baptisms, 1,131 numbers,
$2,010 contributions.
In Italy we have 64 churches and
stations, 3 missionaries, 28 native
workers, 28 baptisms, 353 members,
$357 contributions.
In Japan there are 9 churches and
stations, 6 missionaries, 5 helpers, 9
baptisms, 40 members, S2O contribu
tions.
In Mexico we have 46 churches
and stations, 20 missionaries, 19
native workers, 226 baptisms, 1120
members, $1,817 contributions.
Tbe Foreign Board report is of
special value on account of the large
amount of detailed information given
concerning each oi our mission fields.
It is worthy the most careful and
patient study.
THE CONVENTION SERMON.
The church was packed to suffo
cation at night to hear the conven
tion sermon. The number of those
turned away unable to find even
standing room was perhaps much
larger than the number who gained
admission. Dr. George B. Eager,
of Montgomery, one of the young
er men of the convention, was the
preacher. “Render unto Cicsar
the things that are Ca sar’s and tint o
God the things that are God’s.”
Separation of church and state was
his theme. Was not this eminently
appropriate for the occasion of our
first meeting at the National Capi
tal ?
The preacher showed himself to
be a man of wide reading and large
resources. The history of the rela
tion of church and state was con
cisely and vividly sketched, mark
ing four distinct periods: 1. A
period of persecution running
through the first and second centu
ries ; 2. A period of protection be
ginning with Constantine and con
tinuingseveral centuries ;3. Period
of power in the dark ages ; 4. Period
of patronage following the protest
ant reformation.
The constitution was ably ex
pounded, and its meaning and spir
it and purpose were shown to be
thoroughly apart from all religious
belief and teaching or support or
patronage. The principle of reli
gious liberty was enunciated and
defined and traced for its only au
thority and support to the teach
ings of the New Testament.
Some striking points were made
byway of practical application.
The iniquitous scheme of taking
money from the public treasury for
the support of religious schools was
fitly rebuked. The policy of those
who had made no protest against
thisviolation of the constitution but
had themselves received a part, till
aroused to see the Roman Catho
lics getting the largest share, was
strongly condemned. At the speak-
er’s apt utterances on these points
the applause of the congregation
could scarcely be restrained.
The religious liberty of our coun
try has given great blessings to
other nations.among many of which
the idea grows and strengthens.
The danger with us now is to be
come negligent and let slip what
we have. Our separation of a
church and state is aprice less herit
age which we need to guard with
all diligence.
STUDENT’S FUND.
At the conclusion of the conven
tion sermon Dr. Whitsitt addressed
the meeting in behalf of the Semi
nary Student’s fund. A collection
was taken amounting to more than
S4OO.
CONFERENCE ON ORGANIZATION OF
YOUNG PEOPLE.
According to a previously pub
lished call and announcement, the
day preceding the meeting of the
convention was given to the discus
sion of the organization of Young
Union People for the South. When
the hour for opening came the first
Baptist church was packed. The
marks of youth were not striking
upon the larger number of those
who were present. There was a
predominance of those who had
reached or passed middle age.
There is always a keen joy mani
fest at the first meeting of the breth
ren of the different parts of the
country. The old familiar songs
of the first devotional service deep
ly stir all hearts. The devotional
service of this conference was in
spiring, and stimulated the hope
that some serious apprehension felt
beforehand concerning this meeting
would show themselves to be
groundless.
The meeting was called to order
by R. 11. Pitt of Virginia. The or
ganization was effected by the
election of P. H. Mell as chairman
and O. F. Gregory as Secretary. A
motion was then made to define
who should be counted members of
the conference with right to speak
and vote. This motion at once
brought to the surface something
of the real spirit of the meeting,and
that spirit was not one to give joy
to devout and unselfish souls. H.
M. Wharton ot Biltimore, J J
Taylor of Alabama, and G. A. Lot
ton of Tennessee contended
for the admission women to the
full privilege of the conference.
This clamor seemed to have no
other purpose than to confuse
the meeting and embarrass the
question just as much as possible
at the very beginning. J. B. Haw
tiiorne,; J. T. Christian, W. W.
Landrum and W. E. Hatcher pro
tested very earnestly against the in
troduction of this disturbing issue.
The squabble was most humiliating,
coming at the very opening of the
first meeting of the Southern Bap
tists at the National capital.
the resolution.
The subject of the meeting was
brought out in a set of resolution
presented by R 11. Pitt. He earn
estly disclaimed the having of a
part in any cut and dried affair, of
fered the paper expressing his own
views as a basis for getting at the
matter,and professed a hearty read
iness and purpose to abide whatev
er decision might be reached by the
conference or convention. Dr.
Pitt’s resolutions favored the or
ganization of a Southern Union for
our young people in friendly rela
tion to the Southern Baptist Con
vention.
DR. EATION’S SUBSTITUTE.
Dr. Eaton’s opposition to any
general organization of young peo
ple is thoroughly known. He at
once|moved a substitute to the res
olutions to the effect that the con
vention request the churches and
district associations to instruct their
messengers what they desire done
in the special line of young people’s
work.
The issue was now on. The
principal speeches of the morning
were by Dr. Eaton and Dr. Gam
brell. Dr. Eaton noted the growth
of certain evil tendencies, all of
which he thinks the B. Y. P. U.
and similar institution are responsi
ble for. Pastors are valued for being
hustlers and not being “mighty in
the scripture.” Outside activity sup
plants study and secret devotion.
Worship becomes degraded and
flippant. Entertainment and dis
play take its place. The divine or
der for the family and the church
is being marred. Growth in grace is
being discounted. We cannot even
enumerate all the signs of decay
and disorder which, to Dr. Eaton’s
mind, are produced by the young
people’s organization.
Dr. Gambrell would admit and
deplore many of the evils portray
ed by Dr. Eaton. But as to their
cause and cure he would take issue.
That a thing dangerous only
proves in many cases its usefulness
when properly guided and controll
ed. He had said before that there
is danger in everything but a
grave yard. He now says that a
grave yard is the most dangerous
place to live in, with its foul vapors
and jack-o’-lanterns. Some churches
are in danger from their young
people. Too many are in danger
from prejudice and stagnation.
So the morning was taken up
mainly by the speeches of Drs. Ea
ton and Gambrell. It seemed more
like a race on hobby-horses after
bubbles than a strong team pulling
together for the glory of the Mast
er and the salvation of the world.
CONFUSION.
The morning session had been
protracted till all were impatient
for dinner. It was much desired
to have things got in shape by the
afternoon session for some definite
action. In short order the whole
matter of resolutions and substitute
was referred to a committee of one
from each state to report at three
o’clock. So soon as the committee
was announced, the charges were
open and strong all over the house
that it was a cut and dried affair,
that the committee was notably
one-sided in favor of the southern
organization. The air about the
place became blue for a time with
such charges. Here are the names
of the committee thus severely crit
icised, or rather the manner of
whose appointment was so sharply
spoken against: C. C. Meador, D.
C. : R. H. Pitt, Va. ; O. F. Gregory
Md ;T. H. Pritchard, N. C.; A. JJ
S. Thomas,S. C. ;J. B. Hawthorne.
Ga.; A. J. Dickinson, Ala.; N. A.
Bailey, Fla.; Carter IL Jones, Ky.,
W. S. Penick. La.; I. J. Van Ness;
Tenn ; J. B. Cranfill, Tex.; R. P.
Johnson, Mo.; A. J. McManaway,
Ark.
personal explanations.
Explanation seemed to be the
special order at the opening of the
afternoon session. Dr. Kerfoot,
who made the motion to refer to a
committee, vigorously disclaimed
any knowledge of who the com
mittee would be or any intention to
seek the slightest advantage. The
chairman, Mr. Mell, made a like
disclaimer in a manner transparent
ly candid. H. M. Wharton criti
cised the morning’s proceedings
with unusual severity, characteriz
ing them as unworthy any delibera
tive body, especially a Baptist
meeting. His speech was sharp
indeed, coming after the explana
tions that had been given. When
explanation had ceased, the com
mittee appointed in the forenoon
made its report.
A COMPROMISE REPORT.
The report was brief and simple.
1. The desirability of a young
people’s union for the South was
declared.
2. A request or recommendation
was expressed that the convention
provide for such an organization.
3. The rights of t he local church
were reasserted.
4. Greetings were to be offered
to the National B. Y. P. U.
Dr. Hawthorne explained and
defended the resolutions in a quiet
and sensible speech. We have heard
him when he was in better plight
and when the air about him seemed
less chill and heavy.
Dr. A. E. Owen, of Virginia was
opposed to a Southern union. He
did not use the most respectful
terms in referring to the conven
tion, calling it a weak, attenated,
tottering, old mother, worn out,
burdened with debt, and hardly
able ta drag itself along.
Dr. M. B. Wharton, of Virginia
seems to be tired of having
any separate convention or
any other organization confined to
the South, but wants everything
national, and so has been rejoicing
in the hope that the national B. Y.
P. U was paving the way for us
all to get together on all lines. His
use of certain perverted scripture
texts to point ridiculous jokes
caused some hearts to tingle.
Hon. J. T. Ellyson, of Virginia,
made a sensible speech in favor of
a Southern Union.
H. M. Wharton spoke against a
Southern Union and in favor of the
national union. He who charged
political methods upon the mornings
session now shows himself a very
prince of politicians. He chided the
Southern Baptists that they could
not form and sustain a southern
union. He threatened them that
they should not do it,for somebody
would kick. He told anecdotes
which we would blush to repeat.
Other speakers against the reso
lutions were L. L. Henson of Balti
more, an official of the B. Y. P. U.
A , and J. J. Taylor of Mobile. Dr.
W. E. llatcher and Dr. W. W.
L indrum,of Virginia,spoke strong
ly in favor of the Southern Union.
The discussion was prolonged to
a late hour in the afternoon till a
call for the previous question
brought the matter to a vote. The
resolutions favoring a Southern
Union were lost by a vote of 164 to
215.
WHAT OF THE RESULT?
The main fight on a Southern
Union was made by the friends of
the National Union. It can scarce
ly be estimated how much their vote
was helped by those who were op
posed to any general union. These
two extremes may have been nearly
equal, and their combined strength
defeated the resolutions.
The spirit of the meeting was not
lofty. Its whole tone and character
lacked dignity and seriousness.
There was captiousness and narrow
j ness of view. Matters were in some
sense immature. Surface condi-
VOL. 75—NO. 20
tions were dealt with more than
deep-rooted,living principles. Wit
ticism and sarcasm and personalities
are not weapon of a great spir
itual conflict. It the young people’s
movement is to succeed it must
strike its roots deep into the prin
ciples of the truth and stretch forth
its limbs to lofty patient, self-sacri
ficing endeavor. The little ripple
of this conference will soon spread
itself abroad into waste. There
will be more thought,serious, pray
erful thought, about the thousands
of professed discipks who stand
idle in the midst of perishing mil
lions, till soon God’s spirit shall
direct to the plans and means of
their development.
SATURDAY- SECOND DAY.
Dr.- Nunnally introduced at the
opening of the morning session reso
lutions looking to the establishment
of a separate board of the convention
to which shall be intrusted the work
of church building. The resolutions
were referred to a committee of one
from each State.
ON TITHING.
A report of unusual interest was
read by Dr Kilis, on the subject of
Tithing. This committee was ap
pointed a year ago. We will not at
tempt any outline of the paper, as
provision was made for its publica
tion and wide distribution. It is
eminently worthy a careful and dili
.gent study. It is a good sign that
one of the very best hours of the
convention was given to the subject
of practical and systematic benevo
lence, and that the discussion of the
subject was so able and earnest.
REV. E. Y. MULLINS.
A matchless speech was upon the
report by Rev. E. Y. Mullins, of
Baltimore. There may be sjstem
without benevolence, and there may'
be benevolence without system. The
two should abide in fellowship.
The tithe is not strictly Judaistic,
He would make a plea that obedience
take the place of anarchy. Have we
anything but anarchy in our giving?
No go.as you-please plan for any
New TestAment duties can be allow
ed. Paying the tenth is God’s plan
of blessing. It was when this was
neglected that God smote the Jews
with blast and mildew.
There is more statesmanship in
Malachi’s question, “Will a man rob
God ?” than in the last Congress. It
is better to pay God the tenth than
to fire cannon in the air to make it
rain. Paying the tenth is better
than Paris green for potato bugs.
“Hitch your wagon to a star?” Do
God’s wi", pay him his own, and you
Will thus hitch to all the stars. In
doing God’s will all the power above
and below will combine to protect
and help you.
When there is life in the members
and conviction and courage in the
pulpit, gifts will not be lacking. A
woman in Dr. Gordon’s church had
been giving $250 a year for missions.
Under the power of his preaching she
was brought to give SBOO of the
SI,OOO of her income, saying she
could live on the S2OO. The speaker
had preached a sermon which a dea
con greatly admired, except it was
spoiled by a reference to giving near
the close. Then how badly are
spoiled many of the most thrilling
passages of the Bible.
Drs. G. A. Lofton, F. 11. Kerfoot,
I). I. Purser, and J. Wm. Jones
spoke strongly in favor of the posi
tion taken by the report, that Chris
tians should give not less than one
tenth to the Lord’s cause. Dr. Ker
foot finds the example of the tithe
very clear in the Old Testament, and
the principle of it as clear in the
New. Many of us deceive ourselves
as to the proportion we give unless
we keep books on the matter. Pas
tors must ever be in the lead of their
congregations as examples for them.
How about a man who is losing
rather than making money, says Dr.
Purser. Let him carefully estimate
the actual living expenses of himself
and family, and let one-tenth of this
amount go to the Lord’s cause. He
will not then go very far astray.
Dr. S. IL Ford and Rev. D. B. Ray,
interpreted the report as signifying
only what was involved in the old
Judaistic system, and so they put
themselves into the “objective” case.
No subject can claim a greater im
portance than that of an enlarged
practical and systematic benevolence.
May it not be hoped that this dis
cussion and circulation of the report
on tithing will be productive of much
good!
REPORTS OX SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOARD.
Two committees considered the
matter of the report of the Sunday
school Board. These committees re
ported and their reports werfi adopt
ed without a dissenting vote, or even
a word of discussion. Whenever
did it occur before that reports
of such importance were carried
through without a single speech from
anybody ? The report on the busi
ness of the board was one of fulsome
commendation.
The report on young people’s work
was modest and retiring.
It was recommended that
1. Young people’s societies be or
ganized.
2. That the churches hold them
under proper authority and con
trol.
3. That the Sunday-school Board
Continued on 4th page.