NORTH CAROLINA
Baptist Missionary Worker.
Jesus said : “ Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
3V3Io-bto: “ Til© "Woii-ia. foir Jesus Cliarisi:-”
Vol. I.
EALEIGH, N. C., SEPTEMBEE, 1886.
!No. 4.
SOME IXTERESTLNG AND SIGNIFICANT
FACTS.
In the year 1855 the State Board of Missions
had eighteen missionaries laboring to supply the
destitution in the State. Shortly after this, a debt
began to accumulate and, in 1857, there were only
six missionaries; in 1858, four; in i860, three;
in 1861 only two, and in 1863 none. Nor was
. anything more done until this debt was liquidated.
At the close of the war, the work was again be
gun in earnest and the number of missionaries
rapidly increased from five in 1866, until there
were txuenty-iwo in 1868.
Here again a debt began to accumulate, which
in 1876 grew to $1,905.47. This so crippled the
operations of the Board as to reduce the number
of missionaries, until only nine were Jeft to carry
the gospel to the destitute.
Tn 1878 the first duty which lay before the new
Board was to pay off the remnant of this heavy
drawback, which they did, and started off once
more with no debt and nine missionaries. The ac
tion of the Board seemed to inspire confidence
anew, and the next year the number of missiona
ries was increased to eighteen, with no debt. The
third year witnessed the commission of twenty-
three, and instead of having a debt, there was a
balance in the treasury in favor of the Board of
$153.46.
The Convention was almost wild with enthusi
asm, as many can testify, and when the report was
finished in the audience of the body, a hymn of
praise was sung. Such a thing had never before
been known in the historv' of the Convention.
From this time forth the number of faithful
servants of God sent out as missionaries of the
Board has increased, until now we have seventy-
two and the Board is to pay ten more men than at
any time since our Convention was organized.
Last year, for the first time, owing to the string
ency of the times and the greatly increased out
lays, the present Board h.ad to report a small debt.
This was soon provided for, but there was a
damper thrown over the whole meeting, on ac
count of it. A prominent pastor said to me, a
short time ago, that it was the most painful meet
ing of the Convention he ever attended.
Now a few thoughts deduced from these facts :
1. We have seen that debt is killing to our
vjrork—the State Mission work—which lies at the
foundation of all our beneficent enterprises.
2. To carry up a debt to the Convention next
November would not only cripple our efforts for
next year, but would retard the wonderful pro
gress of the cause of Christ for years to come.
3. There is no need of our having to carry up a
debt. If the pastors, churches and Associations
will do their full duty, we shall not only have no
debt, but will actually have a surplus. Crops are
much better than was for a while feared, and
money matters are getting easier.
4. The Associations which have met already
have all (with one exception) done a good part by
our Board, and there is a good prospect of our
being speedily relieved, if the good work continues.
I feel it my duty to make special mention of the
Pilot Mountain and Flat River Associations. The
Pilot gave me, in cash, twice as much as she prom
ised, while the Flat River has gone far beyond
any in her magnificent aid, and has given nearly
four times as much as she promised ($881.57) ^od
far more than any other body in the State.
Now, brethren, if all will thus aid us, we shall
have no debt, but can go forward to even greater
achievements for Christ and his kingdom for next
year. What say you? Let all help, and help all
you can.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY REV. T. WHITFIELD, D. D.
PROGRESS.
From our Southern China Mission comes news
of earnest Christian effort by the native converts.
Bro. Simmons says:
“About a year ago I told the Shiu Hing church
that I thought they ought to buy a chapel and
relieve the mission of the expense of renting one
for them. One of the members that was converted
in Demarava said he would write to the Baptist
church there and ask them for a contribution.
They sent $200 for the chapel; and to encourage
the church I told them I would give or raise as
much money as they would. The church appointed
a committee to secure subscriptions and buy a
house. The Shiu Hing church numbers forty-one.
They subscribed $219. The members generally
agreed to give one month’s income. One man
gave two and a half month’s income. Several
gave more than a month’s income. Their contri
butions range from 25 cents to $10 each. They
have this week paid for the chapel that we have
had rented for more than ten years, $555.55, and
they have some money on hand for some repairs
which are badly needed.
The members have given liberally and with a
willing heart until they feel it. I have not seen
people give so liberally at home. For many of
them have of their living given until they feel it.
I have often thought that I had made sacrifices in
giving, but I know that I have never made sacri
fices such as most of these members are making.
And they are doing it so cheerfully as unto the
Lord. It is often said, and truthfully, that the
Chinese are a money-loving people. But some of
them love their Saviour more than they love
money.’’
NEEDS.
Concerning this field, embracing the Provinces of
Kwang Tung and Kwang Si, Bro. Graves writes.
Enough has been done to show that the Chinese
can be converted; that they do make substantial,
reliable church-members; that they will read Chris
tian literature; and that they may be trained into
earnest, intelligent, Christian leaders. But much
remains to be done. More preachers must be
taught to expound the Bible; the native converts
need much training to become active, useful, well-
rounded Christians. Thousands have never yet
heard of the name of Jesus. What are seven thou
sand Christians among twenty-seven millions of
heathen? Kwang Si is almost untouched by Chris
tian effort; there is no resident missionary, or na
tive, -nt'.arher there and not a dozen eonvertc
Here are new fields for Christian enterprise, new
worlds for devoted Christian men to conquer for
Christ. Except in Canton scarcely anything has
been done for the women and girls, and in this
city only a beginning has been made towards
reaching them in their homesr Truly the h.arvest
is plenteous and the laborers few. Some of the
older missionaries are beginning to feel the effects
of a long service and must soon pass off of the
scene. We need fresh blood and new life. We
must have men to take the places of those who
break down and grow old. “There is no dis
charge in this war,”—it must go on until China is
won for Christ.
HOW TO HELP.
1. Give to Foreign Missions regularly, liberally
and cheerfully. Phil, iv; 15, 16; 2 Cor. xi: 8, 9;
ix: 6, 7.
2. Secure in your Church the appointment of a
Foreign Mission Committee, to work .specially for
Foreign Missions, reporting its work to the Church,
quarterly. 2 Cor. ix: 5.
3. Take the Foreign Mission Jovrnal, and in
duce others to do so. Get and circulate tracts,
papers and boohs, which encourage Foreign Mis
sions. Ps. xliii: 3. Christians are “ children of
the light.” When they know the condition and
numbers of the heathen, the work done, and the
work needful to be done, they will help.
4. Pray daily that the gospel may speedily be
preached to all the nations, and accepted by them.
Pray also for the lives and comfort of missionaries^
their access to the people, and their Spiritual
power. 2 Thess. iii: i, 2.
5. Encourage the regular observance of the
Monthly Concert of Prayer for Missions. Ps.
Ixxii: 15.