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TUB SOURCES OF CHINESE OPPOSI
TION TO CHRISTIANITY.
Christianity meets with opposition every
where but the sources of this dislike are not
always the same. Wherever it has con
quered it has had to win its way. “Going
forth conquering and to conquer is the
Scriptural description of its progress in the
W to the natural opposition of
the human heart which the religion of Jesus
has to encounter everywhere, there are other
hindrances to i - s progress in heathen lands,
and some [>eculiar obstacles to be overcome
before it will prevail in China Let us look
at some of these. Any one will take but a
partial view if he dwells exclusively on any
of these as the source :
1. Foremost among these is the conserva
tive character of the people. They revere
the ancient order of thines, and yet there is
a profound state of dissatisfaction with the
present order among the masses of China
The rapidity with which the Tai Peng re
bellion spread throughout the principal
provinces of China twenty years ago, shows
that the conservation of the masses is not
complete. The progress of Christian mis
sions, too. shows that the Chinese are not all
irremediably wedded to idolatry. A little
water in the bottom of the kettle will soon
boil, but it takes a long 'ime to boil a large
chaldron full. So, apart from the character
of the people, a small country like Japan, or
the South Sea islands, is more easily affected
than the 300,000 000 of China. Far more
labor makes less show.
2. Another source of opposition, and one
of the greatest we have to contend against is,
that Christianity is a foreign religion. The
Chinese, and especially the ruling classes,
look on everything from a political point of
view. They see how England has gradually
absorbed nearly the whole of India, and how
she has acquired possession of Hong Kong,
and gained a foothold on the mainland.
They regard missionaries as political agents
sent out by their respective countries to gain
over the hearts of the people, and so gradu
ally prepare the way for European occupa
tion. They look on our native converts as
traitors to their country, who have identi
fied themselves with foreigners, and will be
ready, in case of war, to act as spies and
scouts.
The Chinese have been strengthened in
these suspicions by the fact that the Romish
missionaries have mingled in political in
trigues both in China and Japan, that they
now claim to rank with Chinese officials,
and that some Protestant missionaries have
entered government service as interpreters,
consuls, etc.
The Chinese, however, are beginning to
understand us better, and some mandarins
are even willing to encourage Protestant
missions as an offset to French and Catholic
influence, which they dread still more. Most
of them prefer to have as few points of con
tact as possible with foreigners. Much of
the opposition to railroads being introduced
into China, arises from this same source.
The Chinese generally have but little oppo
sition to our religion as such ; it is because
it comes as a foreign system that they object
to it.
3. Much opposition arises from the literati
they have been looked up to by the masses
as their guides and leaders, and they resent
any one else, especially any foreigner, taking
their places as the accepted guides of opin
ion They are the Scribes and Pharisees of
China, and Christianity meets from them
precisely the same opposition that it did
from the Pharisees and Sadduces in our Sa
vior's time. Some of these, however, have
become converted, and our Christian litera
ture is being read by the literary classes
more and more every .year.
4. The freedom of social intercourse be
tween the sexes in Western lands is another
stumbling block to the Chinese. Oriental
ideas of restriction were shocked at Western
freedom even in the apostles' days. Os
•course abandoned women are found in China
as everywhere, but, as a general thing, loose
neas of morals does not appear on the surface
in Chinese society. The women are gener
ally chaste in dress and deportment. When
the Chinese go to Europe and see the semi
nude figures in the ballet, and the low
necked dresses in state balls, they return
with their minds fully determined that if
this is civilization and Christianity, these
shall never be introduced into China if they
can help it.
The loose lives of many Europeans who
are living in the open parts of China, only
confirms them in the belief that Christianity
(for they judge of it by its results, as they
sunpo'e'. seen in the representatives of so
called Christian nations), tends to looseness
of morals as far as intercourse between the
sexes is concerned.
5. The facts that opinion has been forced
upon them by a Christian nation, and that
Christian na'ions have been engaged in kid
napping and selling coolies, only convince
them the more strongly that Christianity, as
judged bv its fruits, is not a desirable thing,
and especially that Western nations are only
influenced by the greed of gain in all that
thev do. .... ,
6. Their intercourse with foreigners has
not generally tended to increase their esti
mate of their religion It must be remem
bered that the Chinese expect influences to
extend from above downwards, that they
take court-life as being better than common
life, that thev expect the government to be
actuated by the spirit of the religion of the
land. j
I was interested in reading, the other day,
some extracts from the diary of Tin Ta Jen,
a Chinese embassador to England. He was
taken to see the arsenals and navy yards,
the men-of-war, and the parades, and his
reflection is that Western civilization is all
in the direction of brute force, —that it is
destructive, and not constructive,—that it
does not tend to justice and humanity as the
teachings of the Sage (Confucius) do. So
with regard to the freedom of intercouse be
tween the sexes, —he does not see much to
admire.
As society is constituted in China, morali
ty ia based upon seclusion, and it is not
strange that all freedom appears, to an ori
ental mind, as license.
Chinese officials who visit Europe see little
of the Christian homes of England, or of the
home life of Germany. They are not able to
judge of the influence of religion on the
masses of the people.
So with regard to the Chinese who come
to California, they do not generally go home
very much prepossesed in favor of Chris
tianity. Still, they are learning to distin
guisb between the Americansconnected with
the Protestant churches and the base ele
ment of American society that prosecutes
them.
These are some of the obstacles Christiani
ty has to overcome in China. What are we
to do? Make a pusillanimous retreat ? Stand
aghast and let our arms fall helplessly at
our sides ? No: let us go forward strong in
the might of God's spirit 1 Much has been
done. Surprising progress has been made.
China is opened as it never has been before.
Prejudices are melting away before the ear
nest words and consecrated lives of the em
bassadors of Christ. Souls are added to the
number of believers in Jesus every year. We
need the contributions and, above all, the
prayers of God's people.
By God’s help China’s millions shall yet
be evangelized. B. H. Graves.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1881.
FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSO
CIATION.
To Pastors, Superintendents and Teachers
of Sunday Schools in the Friendship Asso
ciation:
Dear Brethren : By a resolution at the
last Sunday-school Convention, it was made
my duty, as President, to address you con
cerning “the objects of the Convention, and
such other information as may be useful in
increasing the interest in the Sabbath school
work."
The objects of the Convention are “to or
ganize, maintain and improve Sunday
schools, and to advance the Redeemer's
cause.”
If I can add a word to increase your inter
est in this cause, I shall have achieved a
good work. I apprehend that, at no time,
has there been a more urgent need for Sab
bath-school work than now, that the young
may be thoroughly armed with the truths
of the Bible before the insidious iufidelity of
the present age shall sap and mine their
tender hearts.
It I recollect correctly, it is claimed that
largely more than half of the Sunday school
scholars of the world are in the United
States. And here it is, I think I can safely
say, that evangelical religion has the great
est impetus, unless it be in the small country
of Wales. There, as was said in the Nation*,
al Sunday-School Convention, two-thirds of
all ages are in the Sabbath-schools. One of
the circuit judges there, after ten years of
service in three counties, said that during
that period only six persons had been con
victed before him.
In 1864, in all Wales, there was only one
person found guilty of murder; and it is
claimed that this advance in morals is tracea
ble, step by step, to the agency of the Sab*
bath school.
I do not believe we realize the rich harvest
that is to be gathered from the Sabbath
school cause ;—like the mustard seed in the
Good Book, it will yet grow and expand into
much larger proportions.
“I think myself happy” in being permit
ted to address pastors—the messengers of
the Most High —on such an importaut sub
ject. You we deem “expert in aM customs
and questions," touching the interest of the
Sibbath-school, and the advancement of the
Redeemer’s cause; “wherefore I beseech you
to hear me patiently.”
The Convention is anxious that each
church shall have a Sabbath-school. Will
each pastor in the Friendship Association
take the responsibility to see to it in person,
that a school is established in each of his
churches?
The Convention, by resolution, requested
that the pastors preach on the Sunday school
work, and call special attention to the Con
vention and its work. In pusuance of this
resolution, we request the pastors to preach
on this subject on the first Sabbath in June,
and on the succeeding Sabbaths, where they
have more than one church.
Our next Convention will be held with
Mt. Carmel church, Marion county, on the
fifth Sabbath in July. We would be glad
that the churches and schools send us a full
delegation; they will be entertained by kind
and hospitable brethren.
Brother T. C. Boykin is our State Sunday-
School Evangelist, and I think works with
love and effective zeal for the Master, giving
bis time and talent to this important cause ;
"a workman worthy of his hire.”
We ask that the churches and echools in
sending their letters and messengers, send
also suitable contributions for his support
and for the advancement of the cause, such
as brethren from willing hearts lay on the
altar of the Lord. Affectionately,
J. A. Ansley,
President Friendship 8. 8. Convetion,
Americus, Ga.
JOTTIKGa BY TBB WAY.
Editor Index :—My last letter left me
near No. 15 C. R. R. Thence I went to Big
Sandy church in Wilkinson county, one of
the oldest and largest churches in that por -
tion of the country. Rev. B. C. Green is
the pastor, and has a fine congregation.
Brother Green is a faithful and zealous min
ister, preaching with great fervency, and the
Lord has blessed his labors. I dined with
brother R. R. Stanley, and spent a pleasant
afternoon. Later in’the afternoon, another
brother Stanley, whose initials have escaped
me at this moment, came for and carried
me to spend the night with our aged broth
er, Rev. T. W. Dupree. This good brother
resisted the conviction that it was bis duty
to preach until a few years ago. I spent a
truly pleasant season with him and his
family Back to church on Sunday. Bro
ther Green preached an earnest sermon to
an attentive congregation. It was our priv
ilege while here to receive a good list of sub
scribers for The Index-
Back to the Central R. R. and thence over
the Macon & Brunswick to Dodge county,
where I spent a day or two, but I regret to
say not very successfully. Thence to Haw
kinsville. Arrived just in time to attend
the Sunday school pic-nic. The pic-nic
was held in the grove where old Hartford
once stood. The old village is all gone now,
nothing remains to show that there ever was
a village or town here. I could scarcely re
alize that it was ever in contemplation to lo
cate the capital of Georgia here, but such
was the case. To-day all the Sunday-schools
of Hawkinsville assembled here for their
annual gala day. Col. Lamar, the honored
Representative from this county in the Leg
islature, delivered an address, the brass band
rendered delightful music, while the Sun
day schools sang as only they (Sunday
schools) can sing. The people of Hawkins
ville and vicinity were here en masse, and
a happy re-union it was. A splendid dinner
was served, after which all betook themselves
to social enjoyments, as suited the varied
tastes and eyes. It was my first visit to this
part of the country, but brethren G. R. Me
Call and J. S. Willis, and my long time
friend, George P. Woods, of the Hawkins
ville Dispatch, soon had me armed, and
made me feel that I was truly among friends
and brethren.
Spent the night (Friday) at the pleasant
home of Mr. Woods, and Saturday morning
Master Julian Willis accompanied me to
Harmony church, in Dooly county. This is
an old church, having been constituted a
great many years ago, and has a member
ship numbering about two hundred. Brother
Steely is the pastor, and has fine congrega
tions. I formed many pleasant acquaiutan
ces here, and have the promise of a large
subscription list to The Index.
This portion of the country has suffered
severely from drought, having had a partial
failure of crops for three years past. Plant
ers who have always produced corn and ba
con for home consumption, and, perhaps, to
spare, are now, many of them, buying botb.
The growing crops, however, are looking
well and, with reasonable seasons, the corn
cribs and smoke-houses will be filled again
next fall.
Spent Saturday afternoon and night most
pleasantly with our good brother, Horn and
family. On Sunday, not many miles distant
from where I was, in this, (Dooly) county, a
most shocking tragedy occurred, the par
ticulars of which have been published in
many of the papers of the State. A promis
ing and highly esteemed young man was
shot and instantly killed by his brother.
Strong drink was the cause of it. Ido think
that the time has come when every Christian
should take a decided stand against the sale
of intoxicating liquors I There should be no
halt way ground in this matter! If every
professing Christian in Georgia would do
this, there would not be a liquor shop in the
entire State twelve months from to-day
But, I regret to say, there are Baptists, so
called, whose names are on our church re
cords, who frequent bar-rooms and embibe
the poisonous stuff there sold. It is with a
feeling of shame that I say this. God grant
that the day may be at hand when it cannot
be truthfully said. Permit me to say, how
ever, before I leave this unpleasant subject,
that I believe we are about as free, as a de
nomination, from this curse as are any of
the denominations of the laud, but I want
Baptists to be a little better than others—to
be truly “the light of the world."
Back to Hawkinsville Sunday afternoon,
and to the home of my good friend, Mr. Jas.
D. Stetson, whom I have known from his
early childhood, he having been reared in
good eld Milledgeville. It was, indeed,
pleasant to be with “Jimmie" again after our
long years of separation, and to enjoy the
society of his excellent family.
Monday to work Brother McCall, who
has so long been the beloved pastor of the
Baptist church here, rendered me most effU
cient service, and the result was a fine list of
new subscribers, both for The Index and
Biographical Compendium. I have never
had a more pleasant time at any place in all
my travels. Hawkinsville is truly a charm
ing little city, and is certainly blessed with a
large hearted people. I shall never forget
the great kindness and unbounded hospitali
ty extended to me during my stay in their
midst I did my best to accept all the invi
tations to dine, to take tea. or spend a night,
but my time was too short.
The Baptist church here is strong, not only
in members, but in efficiency. The church
is preparing to erect a new house of worship,
a part of the lumber is now upon the ground.
Just here I wish to say something that I
know will be good news to friends of Mercer
University everywhere, who do not know it
already. I have been frequently asked if the
Mercer stock in the Georgia railroad had
been sold? I now answer no, it has not
been sold. The Treasurer, Rev. G. R Mc-
Call, was urged, by many brethren indiffer
ent parts of the State, to sell out when the
stock rose to 135, but he declined to do so—
not believing it to be best to sell. How he
could resist when so many of our wisest and
best brethren urged a sale, I can understand
only in one way: the good Lord is watch
ing protecting and blessing the seed sown
by Jesse Mercer. I have thought this before
—I believe it now, and that the great work
will go on and on to bless the land and ad
vance the cause of Christ.
But I hear the train approaching, and will
have to close. J. M. G. Medlock.
BRETHREN MORROW AND KENNEDY.
Editors Index : The churches in this
section do not manifest as much zeal for the
Master as we would like to see; yet, out of
their poverty, they are contributing some
thing to His cause, and there is a growing
disposition in them toeoforceorderand good
discipline. You. brother editor, have had
much to do in setting us right on this point.
The Sharon church. Columbia county, has
sustained quite a loss in the death of deacon
P. G. Morrow, who died April 28th, in his
eighty-second year. This church passed
through a sad declension. Brother Morrow
was the last of the good men who sustained
the cause during those dark years.
To day we have a new church, except a
few sisters. Few men had more of the con
fidence and love of his community and
brethren than did Deacon Morrow.
It may not be out of place to say a pleas
ant word about elder James H. Kennedy,
who died December 16th,1880. in his seventy
fifth year. He joined the Shiloh church.
Greene county. April, 1828. and was baptized
by elder Jack Lumpkin. He was ordained
to the ministry March. 1832, at Pine Grove,
McDuffie county. He studied theology
under elder B. M Sanders. He had a good
and retentive mind, with a fair English edu
cation. He was a good preacher, and a fine
exhorter He served the following churches:
Salem, Sharon. Bethlehem, Bethel, Pine
Grove, in Georgia, and Redoak Grove, Plumb
Branch and Buffalo, in South Carolina He
was cut off from the pastoral work by the
loss of his eyesight ; but, although blind, he
traveled and preached a great deal for the
last twenty or thirty years of his life.
He was a useful man ; his labors were
blessed; he baptized agreat manv, some of
whom are to day in heaven with him. He
left a wife, with many relatives and friends,
to mourn his loss.
It appears that many of our best men are
dying. Perhaps Georgia has never, during
one year, lost so many good, useful and
prominent men as she’ has the last twelve
months. It surely becomes us who remain
to copy in our lives the virtues of these hoiy
men,—to shun their faults, improyeon their
lessons of experience, take courage and labor
perseveringly for our Lord, knowing that we
do not "labor in vain in the Lord.”
Fraternally,
J. H. Fortson.
Danburg, Ga., May 3d, 1881.
The Sunday-School.
ZnfernaHonaZ Sunday-School Lesson*.
Lesson A".— June 5, 1881.
THE CRUCIFIXION.
Luke XXIII. 33-46 —April, A.D. 30.
Read Matt, xxvii. 33 50; Mark xv. 22 38 ;
Join xix. 17-30.
Leaving Jericho, the scene of our last les
son, our Lord arrived at Bethany, about two
miles from Jerusalem, on Friday evening,
six days before the Passover. There he re-,
mained over Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.
On Sunday be made his triumphal entry
into the Holy City, returning at night to
Bethany. Ou Monday he went again into
the city, and entering the temple drove
thence the crowd of trdears that had gath
ered there, returning, as the day before, to
Bethany at night. Ou Tuesday he went
again to Jerusalem, and on that day, among
other instructions, spake the parables of the
two sons, the wicked husbandmen and the
wedding garment. Again returning to
Bethany at night, he remained there during
Wednesday, going to Jerusalem on Thurs
day afternoon. Having eaten the Passover
there with his disciples, he went to Gethse
mane, where, at midnight, be was arrested,
taken back to the city and, by morning,
condemned to death, this brings us to our
lesson, one of the most mysterious scenes
ever witnessed on earth.
OUTLINE.
I. Crucified, v. 33, 34.
11. Derided, v. 35 39.
111. Saving, v 40 43.
IV. Dying, v. 44 46.
NOTES.
I. Crucified.
V. 33. “They.” They procession conduct
ing Jesus and the malefactors to execution.
“Calvary.” Literally, "the place, which is
called a skull.” Matthew, Mark and John
give the Hebrew name, Golgotha. Calvary
is the English form of the Latin word calva
ria, which means a skull. "Crucified him.”
Stripping him of his clothing, they placed
him on the cross as it lay upon the ground,
and stretching his arms along the cross
beam, drove huge iron nails through the
open palms of his hand into the wood.
Then through each foot, or through both,
placed one over the other, they drove other
nails. “The malefactors.” The Savior was
placed between these as a mark of contempt.
V. 34. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them,” etc. This prayer was uttered proba
bly as the soldiers were nailing him to the
cross. It was sprayer for all who participa
ted in the crucifixion. It was a fulfilment
of the prophecy of Is. 53:12, and an exem
plification of our Lord's instruction to his
followers, “fray for them which despite
fully use you. “Parted his raiment, and
cast lots," These were the perquisites of the
soldiers who nailed him to the cross. In
this act a party of heathen soldiers, without
the interference of either friend or enemy of
Jesus, fulfilled to the letter the piediction of
Ps. 22.18, which gave one garment by lot to
one person, and divided the remainder
among them all.
11. Derided.
V. 35. ‘ The people stood beholding.”
Awe-struck, they remained quietly looking
on for a while. "The rulers also.” This
implies that the people who at first were si
lently beholding, were afterwards derided.
“Dended.” Scoffed at. "He saved others.”
Their reference is to his works of healing and
raising from the dead. Thus they involun
tarily acknowledge his power really to save
others. Deeply outraging him, they yet
attest, unconsciously, his greatness. "Let
him save himself.” Words full of bitter
hatred.
V. 36. "The soldiers also.” Heathensand
Jews alike scoff at the innocent sufferer.
“Vinegar.” The sour wine, which was the
usual drink of the soldiers, they mockingly
offer him.
V. 37 The rulers deride him for calling
himself the Christ, but these soldiers to
whom that term meant nothing make sport
of him as a pretended king
V. 38. “A superscription was also written."
This had been probably placed over the Sa
vior’s head before the cross was lifted from
the ground. All who saw it could read in
at least one of the languages, who he was.
Thus was proclaimed, in the three great
languages of the world, the truth which drew
the Magi to the manger, and which will yet
be owned by all the race of Adam.
V 39. “One of the malefactors railed on
him.” Joined in the general scoffing by
crying out against him. Perhaps both reviled
at first. See Mark 15:32. It is not absolutely
necessary, however, to admit the scoffing of
both. It may be thus explained. Not only
did the people who stood by. the rulers and
the soldiers, scoff, but even his fellow suffer
eta, the thieves. Compare Matt. 2:20, where
“they” is used and Herod meant.
111. * Saving.”
V. 40. “Rebuked” sharply and with deep
feeling. “Thou” Emphatic. "Fear God.
Are you not afraid to meet God as your
judge, before whom you are about to appear.
•In the same condemnation." These men
and Jesus had been condemned to death on
the same charge, viz: Sedition against the
Romish government. See 23:2.
V. 41. "We indeed justly.” A full con
fession. "Hath done nothing amiss.” Lit
erally. out of place. In claiming to be king,
he did nothing amiss. The words of the
malefactor meant much more than he
thought.
V. 42. Observe closely the prayer. “Lord.”
He uses the language of profound reverence.
“Remember me.” He does not ask libera
tion from the cross. He expects soon to die.
He only asks to be remembered. “Into thy
kingdom.” Rather, in thy kingdom. He
believes the declaration of the superscription
that Jesus is the king. A bold and surpris
ing prayer, when we remember that even the
apostles' faith in the Messiah was wonder
fully shaken.
V. 43. “And Jesus said unto him." To
every taunt of ruler, people, soldier and
malefactor the Savior had observed steadfast
silence, but to the petition of this believing
penitent he gives an immediateanswer. “In
paradise.” The Savior promises more than
he asked. Paradise here is that part of Hades
referred to in Lesson VII as “Abraham’s
bosom.” “In the assurance of a being with
the Lord in this Paradise, there is, at the
same time, included for the Penitent Thief
the promise of the resurrection of the just,
and of further participation in the blessings
wAtbe Messianic kingdom.”
”lV Dying. '
'V. 44. "Sixth hour.” Noon. “Darkness.”
Supernatural. "All the earth,” land of Pal
estine “Ninth hour.” Taree o’clock p. m.
V. 45. “The veil of the temple was rent
in the midst.” The thick veil between the
holy and the holy of holies. Two things are
to be noticed here. The veil was torn from
top to bottom, and the temple itself remain
ed uninjured. It was not, then, the result
of an earthquake.
V. 46. “with a loud voice.” He does not
die, then, from weakness. “Commend.”
Commit. “Gave up the ghost.” Expired.
HINT FOR TEACHING.
Gather from the four gospels as complete a
picture as you can of the whole scene of the
crucifixion. Present, in your own language,
the actual nailing to the cro»s, the jeers of
the four classes, —people, rulers, soldiers and
malefactors. Show the awful wickedness of
such treatment ot one against whom no
crime had been proved, but one, on the con
trary, who ever went about doing good.
Make as clear as possible the Penitent Thief s
plea, and the merciful answer of the Savior
Show how Jesus died for our sins. Then re
turn to the very language of the Scripture
account and let your class read together the
lesson as a close of your teaching.
THE WHISKEY TRAFFIC.
The abolition of the whisky traffic would
certainly be a great achievement; and while
Baptists do not believe that they, as a de
nomination, should be politically blended
with the State, yet I maintain that it is their
duty and privilege as citizens to do all that
they can to effect such an important end.
We should not be content to sit still and say,
"do as you please,” but by all means we,
as good citizens, should cooperate with the
advocates of so praiseworthy an enterprise
Let it be known and felt all over this State,
as far as The Index goes, and as far as. Ba
ptist influence extends, that we are an anti
whisky people. Fraternally,
H. T. Smith.
Swainsboro, Ga., May Bth, 1881.
The English, after all, risetoa higher level
than any other nation. There is a sturdy
love of the right at the basis of the English
character—and no foolishness of any sort.
Their conduct in the matter of the Transvaal
is worthy of all praise. Smarting under a
defeat at the hands of the Boers, Gladstone
comes forward and asks, What is our duty?
There was, of course, the usual talk on the
part of many about what honor required
them to do in order to wipe out the disgrace
of defeat, but the government remained firm
in its determination to ascertain what was
just. This is one of the greatest victories of
modern times—the dawn, wehope, of anew
era in the policy which will control other
nations, as well as Great Britain, in the
future. We say it was a great victory; Eng
land will never regret it if she is the first to
demonstrate that fairness and justice at the
hands of a nation are as imperatively de
manded as on the part of an individual.—
Southern Presbyterian.
In its contest with the Boers —a con
temptible little power in South Africa
—England was worsted. But it has
risen grandly from defeat by achieving
one of the sublimest victories known in
history. It has conquered its own
pride. England has conquered Eng
land, and that is what no other power
on earth can do. The Christian world
cannot use terms too strong in express
ing its appreciation of the noble course
of Mr. Gladstone.
Judge Crockett, of the Supreme Court,
California, was baptized on Lord’s day even
ing, April 24th, and finited with the First
Baptist church in Oakland. He iz in his
seventy-third year, and has been eleven
years on the Supreme Bench of the State.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DkVOTIE, D.D., I
REV. C. M. IRWIN, f Editors,
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion—Officers: Rev. R. B. Head den, President;
Rev. J. H. DeVotle, Corresponding Secretary and
Treasurer; Rev. V. C. Norcroa, Recording
Secretary. Members—Revs. D. W. Gwin, A. T.
Spalding, H. C. Hornady, F. M. Daniel, V. C.
Norcross, Dr. Jas. 8. Lawton. Atlanta; G. A. Nun
nally, Rome; D. E. Butler,Madison; J. G. Ryals
and R. B. Headden, Cartersville; J. H. DeVote.
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.—Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Corres
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention—Rev. Wm. A. Mclntosh, D.D., Cor
responding Secretary, Marlon, Alabama.
FOREIGN MISSION BOARD.
EXTRACTS FROM THE TWENTY-SIXTH
ANNUAL REPORT MADE TO THE
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVEN
TION A T COLUMBUS, MISS.,
MA Y FIFTH, 1881.
DEATH OF A VICE-PRESIDENT.
On the 7th of February, 1881, Rev. T. B
Espy, D. D., vice President of this Board for
the State of Arkansas, after a fortnight's in
tense suffering, entered the rest that “re
maineth to the people of God.” One who
krew him well says of him : “As to the life
of Dr. Espy, it was without spot or blemish.
A purer man never lived in Arkansas. He
gave his heart and life, without division, to
Christ How we shall miss him in the
church I How we shall miss him as Presi
dent of our Mission Board ! How we shall
miss him in the whole State! We are all
crushed with agreat sorrow ” But the work
at home and abroad is the work of the Mas
ter, who has called to his reward the faithful
servant. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they shell see God.”
RETURN AND DEPARTURE OF MISSIONA
RIES.
In June last, Rev. and Mrs. R. H. Graves,
of Canton, China, after eight years of severe
labor, returned to this country, with the
consent of the Board, in part to recruit their
strength. Since their arrival they have done
much to quicken interest in the work lying
ntarest to their heart. They expect to go
back to China in the fall of this year.
Mrs. M. T. Yates with her daughter, Mrs.
Seaman, embarked for Shanghai last Sep
tember. Dr. Yates writes: "During the
entire voyage—from September 11th to No
vember 14th—they did not encounter a sin
gle storm. Such a thing is unprecedented.
Truly God has been good to me and mine
Blessed be his name forever.”
Rev. J. H. Eager, of Mississippi, accepted
by the Board on August 4th, 1880, sailed
from New York with his wife, formerly Miss
Olive M Board, of Bedford county, Va., on
the 18:h of October, and arrived in Rome—
his field of labor—on the 12th of Novem
ber.
Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Bagby, of Texas,
sailed from Baltimore, in the bark Yamoy
den, January 13th, and arrived in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazri, as announced by telegraph,
on the 2d of March. They started soon after
for their station, at Santa Barbara, in the
province of San Paulo.
woman’s work.
The Board cannot commend too highly
the efforts of our Christian women. Yearly
their interest increases. In the early future,
it is hoped that the Societies connected with
our Board, will be more perfectly organized
under the State Central Committees, when
the difficulty of obtaining full statistics will
be diminished. The number of societies is
some five hundred. The contributions of
three hundred and fifty of them amount to
$6 244 30 These figures represent, very in
adequately, the work of our women for For
eign Missions.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON CONTRIBUTIONS.
Following the instruction of the Conven
tion that the Board should “appoint a joint
Committee of three, whose duty it shall be
to prepare a paper setting forth, if possible,
some plan by which this Convention may
better succeed.in reaching for contributions
the masses of our Southern churches,” the
Boards agreed on the mover of this action,
Rev. F. H. Kerfoot, D. D , of Maryland, as
Chairman of the Committee. The Home
Board appointed Rev. W. C. Cleveland, D.
D., of Alabama, and our Board appointed
H. K. Ellysun, Esq , of Virginia, as the other
two members of the Committee. This Board
understands that its duty was limited to the
appointment, jointly with the Home Board,
of this Committee; and that no responsibili
ty attaches to the Board with regard to the
report which the Committee may present to
the Convention. It is hoped that these
brethren, eminently fitted for the work, may
devise some plan which, cither harmonizing
several theories held in the Convention, or
superseding them by something better, shall
secure the hearty approval of the churches,
and accomplish, by the blessing of God, the
end contemplated by the Convention.
treasurer’s report and building
FUNDS.
Receipts and Disbursements.
The Treasurer's receipts have been $46,-
820.48. His disbursements, $46,179.43 ; leav
ing on hand $64105. The liabilities, $6,389.
72, reported last year, have been discharged
The Torre Pellice chapel fund was $3 000.
Dr. Taylor drew for SI,OOO of it. The re
mainder is temporarily invested in $1,600
City of Richmond 8 per cent, bonds, costing
$2056, which are safe and available. A
small additional sum has been received for
t is chapel. The Treasurer holds, also, the
$5 000 Isaac Davis fund. This beautiful
state of our finances demands gratitude to
God.
Moon Building Fund.
In our last report, the reasons were given
for the investment of this fund, ($1,951 57),
in United States securities. On application
of Miss Moon, who does not need the money
for a house, the donors allowed its appro
priation to a debt of many years standing,
(1,70195 Taels), on the chapel at Tung
Chow, and $2,091 38 was sent to Dr. T. P
Crawford, who held the obligation of the
Board.
Second Canton Residence.
This house Rev. E. Z. Simmons expects to
complete this spring. The fund collected
for it ($4 591 87), is in the treasury of the
Canton Mission. The lot purchased is near
the present mission house. An intervening
lot will probably be secured by private sub
scription, which would render the mission
premises very compact, and ample, and
valuable.
Chapels at Rome and Torre Pellice.
The cost of the Rome chapel has been
$30,5,9.73 Since our last report SSO has
been received for the chapel. This amount,
with a balance of $189.76 held in reserve for
contingent expenses, making $239.76. will be
applied, if so much is needed, to drainage
and other similar work on the premises,
which the Board has authorized Dr. Taylor
to do. The mission at Rome agree that an
other story should be put on the mission
house. The Board, because of pressing needs
in other fields, has not, as yet, authorized
this improvement. For the Torre Pellice
chapel $149.10 has been received this year,
making the whole amount received $3,149 10.
A lot has been bought for L 3.220, equal to
about S7OO. Dr. Taylor asks for $2,000 more
than the remainder of the fund, as necessary
to erect the chapel. Shall not the friends of
Italian Missions speedily raise the amount,
lest mockers say, “This man began to build,
and was not able to finish !”
APPLICATION FOR CUBA.
At the last meeting of the Baptist State
Convention of Mississippi, the following
resolution was adopted:
“Resolved, That a committee of three be
appointed to look after the establishmen of
a Christian mission in the island of Cuba,
and report at the next meeting of this Con
vention.”
The Chairman of the appointed commit
tee, Rev. J. B. Hamberlain, wrote to the
Board: “The three Baptist sisters I wrote
you of a year or two ago, are still in Cuba,
and longing for a pastor or missionary, and
are able to help support one. • • • The
names, etc., of these ladies should be kept
private as a protection to them. They be
lieve they would be severely persecuted if
known to the Catholics. Your Board should
send the missionary or missionaries. We
believe that, if sought for, one or more could
be found, and would be sustained. We sug
gest that you make, to the Secretary of State
at Washington, inquiries as to the toleration
or protection of Baptist missionaries in
Cuba.”
Having recently started missions in Mexico
and Brazil, ar d our missions in China being
greatly in need of men and means, the Board,
while sympathizing with the desire to give
the Pure Word to Cuba, did not feel at lib
erty to do more than to make the inquiries
of the Secretary of State, requested by the
committee of the Mississippi Convention.
The reply of Mr. Blaine Is as follows:
Department of State, 1
Washington, March 18, 1881. J
H. A. Tupper, Esq., Corresponding Secreta
ry of the Southern Baptist Convention,
Richmond, Va.:
Sir : I have received your letter of the Bth
instant, wherein, representing the Southern
Baptist Convention, you inquire, "Whether
the Spanish or Cuban Government would
protect or tolerate Baptist missionaries in
Cuba; and, if not, whether our Government
would do anything, by treaty or otherwise,
to secure protection for any of our citizens,
whom the above named Convention might
appoint as missionaries to that island ?”
In reply, I have to observe that, while the
existing treaty relations between the United
States and Spain protect the rights of citi
zens, as such, i o assurance can be given in
advance as to the action of foreign authori
ties toward the missionaries themselves or in
respect to their work. This government,
however, is always ready to give all due pro
tection to Americans, if their rights as citi
zens are infringed. I may add that it is not
thought likely that your agents in Cuba will
meet other greater obstacles than in the
countries named by you, where the Conven
tion already has missions.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Jambs G. Blaine.
The following excerpts are from recent
communications of Rev. Edward Kenney, D.
D., missionary to Havana, Cuba, of the Pro
testant Episcopal Church, to the Cuba
Church Missionary Guild of this country:
"Recently I have dared to have notices prin
ted and posted in the hotels and at promi
nent places throughout the city. In a few
instances they have been torn down, but
with these exceptions there has been no dif
ficulty occasioned either by the district mag
istrates or the police force of Havana. • •
Several attempts have been made, with per
sons of influence here, to secure permission
to build, but it has seemed unwise to push
the matter to a decision until the Island of
Cuba shall be fairly represented in the
Spanish Cortes, and the promi ed reforms
distinctly promulgate! as the law of the
land. * * Nine years ago it was a pun
ishable offence for a clergyman not of the R.
C. Communion to hold a church service here,
and we were compelled to meet for prayer
and praise, and for the ministration of the
sacrament, in the harbor of Havana. * •
Eight years ago ,we held our service with
closed doors, having succeeded so far as to
establish ourselves on shore. • » In Jan
uary, 1879, we held our first service in our
present hall in the Hotel Passage, re ted for
$27 (gold) per month. » • What opposi
tion was met with at the outset from Jesuits
and clerics, was checked by the frowning
presence of theguns of our ships of war, and
by the liberal folds of the Stars and Stripes,
until a footing, prudent and proper, is made
for the planting of the Cross.
MEXICAN MISSION.
Agreeably to the action of the Convention
at its last meeting, Rev. John O. Westrup,
who had been supported in Mexico by breth
ren in Texas, was formally adopted as our
missionary, and stationed at Musquiz.in the
State of Coahuila. On the 18th of December,
while on his way from Monetery to Musquiz,
he was barbarously murdered and mutilated
by a band of Indians and Mexicans. A
brother writes: “Brother Westrup’s sudden
death deprives us of much information re
garding his work. He was visiting the five
or six little scattered churches and endeav
oring to ra'ly them. He was not idle, and
others are not idle in trying to take advan
tage of his death, to push the claims of their
church to nis work.”
To his widow, who is residing with her
sister, Mrs Newton, at Cudereita, near
Monelova, Mexico, the Board has remitted
SIOO, which was sent to her husband last
October, but was never received by him.
Rev. T. M Westrup says of his murdered
brother: “ Sometimes I think Catholic fa*
naticism or national prejudice had more to
do with the case than appears so far.”
Brother William M. Flournoy, writing
from Laneda, Texas, March 23d, says: "Some
are of the opinion that Mexicans, disguised
as Indians, had known brother John in Santa
Rosa de Musquiz as a Protestant preacher,
and butchered his body so through hatred to
Protestants.”
MEXICO AS A MISSIONARY FIELD.
The population of Mexico is nine millions.
Three-fourths are Indians or of Indian de
scent. They are superior to the Indians of
our country, and more given to agriculture.
They seem to desire to learn. Three centu
ries of papal domination has done nothing
for the people. They are only nominally
Catholics. Railroads are traversing the
country, and commerce is greatly stimula
ted. Providence invites the fuller inroad of
the gospel of Christ. As a neighboring Re
public, and a part of our own cmi nen‘,
Mexico calls upon her more favored Chris
tian sister to come over and help her. In
1872. the Presbyterians entered the field, and
the next year the Methodists. The Episco
pal church is also working there. Great
success has crowned their labors. There are
10,000 Protestants in Mexico, and a school
for every 1,100 of its people. The land is
fertile, the mineral resources are boundless,
the spirit of improvement is abroad in the
country, and the spirit of Christ bids us to go
up and possess the land. While others are
active, shall we be idle ? Shall not the blood
of our martyred brother be the seed of Bap ■
tist churches ?
The following has been received from
Texas:
“At a meeting of the Board of our State
Convention, held on the 6’h, the following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
"That we recommend to the Foreign Mis
sion Board the appointment of Rev. T. M.
Westrup as the successor of Rev J. O. West
rup as missionary to Mexico; and that we
pledge our Convention to support him at the
same salary we gave his brother, viz : S4OO
per annum. That Rev. O C. Pope be ap
pointed a committee to inform the Board" at
Richmond of our action, and to arrange for
the appointment of the missionary.”
Brother Westrup has been invited to meet
at this Convention a committee of our Board.
Brother Pope writes: “Our people have
responded to the Mexican mission with a
unanimity before unknown, and with the
close relations soen to exist between the two
countries, I regard Mexico as a most prom
ising field for work.”
