Pass 3 V 2.0 G O Book z_lLE___ / 7 Z"" Up the Ladder in Foreign Missions* ,/ BY bW JORDAN, D. D., EDITOR OF THE AFRO-AMERICAN MISSION HERALD. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NASHVILLE, TENN., U. S. A.: National Baptist Publishing Board. 1901. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, One Copy Rec&vsd NOV. 18 1901 Copvvmht mrrov CLAS^J cu xxe. Ho. /(Lit - COPY B. 8*1 . 4 - COPYRIGHTED, 1901, BY LOUIS GARNETT JORDAN. CONTENTS. PAGET. reface v . 5 ntroduction ' ;..**. .*.;. 8 Stepping- Stones in Missions. ./:... :..?"..! 15 Missions of the Apostolic Age. ; 25 Early Missions 30 Baptist Pathfinder 35 American Missions , 39 Birth of Baptist Organizations , 47 cy>~^> The Field '. 63 Africa 83 Annual Retrospective Views of the National Convention from 1880—1900 87 Facts on the Crisis 105 Flash Lights on Our Works at the Various Stations 120 The Value of a Soul. Do you Say it is Too Long Between Drops ? 135 Pastors Responsible 138 Woman and Her Work 144 Contemplated Industrial Missions in Africa 149 CONTRIBUTIONS. The Bible and Africa , , , 155 How the Material Growth of Baptists Should a'nd Will :*' Affect the Race in America and Africa 160 Africa Waiting ; .....* ;.*....'/. .•:;..., 3 6$ The Voice of God in African Missions-.', v v. .v.. ;. ,\ 175 The General Agent, or the Topmost Need in Missions. .. 189 Extract from Annual Address, 1899 200 SERMONS. PAGE. Sent by Christ 207 Missions, the Design of Christianity 208 Christ Crucified, The Magnetic Attraction of the World. 209 Our Obligation to the Heathen 218 Authority for Missions at Home and Abroad 223 Our Salvation and Our Missions 228 Christian Responsibility for the Spread of the Gospel 232 Our Financial Puzzle 235 CHIPS. West African Women Influential 241 He Shall be Satisfied^ 243 Time Between the First Preaching and the First Con- vert 253 Rev. L. G. Jordan, D. P 259 PREFACE. Who knows Homer? Who knows the birthplace of Shakespeare and his life? From w T hat source can we get the facts to paint in rich oratory the achievements of Napoleon, Cromwell, L'Ouverture, Washington, Lincoln, Grant and the matchless Maceo? History alone records the deeds and sayings of these great men. And though the inscriptions may have long since mouldered on the tablets, the columns and arches which mark the spots where remain all that was mortal of them may be heaps of sand, and the epitaphs but char- acters written in the dust, yet these men live and the foot prints marking the way they went are clearly seen, as history lights up the pathway a]l down the march of time. As in the secular, so in the religious world. The lives of such men as William Carey, Judson, Lott Carey, Wil- liam J. Simmons, Cosby, Spurgeon, Coles, Luke and scores of others who were matchless heroes in the de- velopment of Christianity in this and other centuries illumining the pages of missionary history, are an in- spiration to the churches for ages to come. It is not my purpose to multiply books, for I am only a novice at the profession, and could not add an atom to v the world of letters, but it is my highest aim to record in this little volume facts, as I know them, searched for them and gleaned them from reliable sources. I have been pained to notice, in my five years ' experi- ence as Secretary of Missions, the woeful ignorance of the thousands of our laymen, and even the ministry, on this great question of missions. It is therefore my aim to furnish reliable information to the Negro Baptist churches of this and other coun- tries on this question. Again, I write because no history of missions records impartially and fully the deeds of Negroes who have gone to heathen lands and delivered, amid persecution ap.d thrilling circumstances, the Story of the Cross. It was after great research that we have snatched from obscurity Negro pioneers in missions, for men blinded by prejudice never saw the black martyrs of early mis- sions, nor even those knowing of their efforts have written fully of them. Since we are counted in the religious census of the world it is strange that our achievements in the same history are unwritten. Knowing therefore, if our children are to know the facts, we must write them, or, like us, they must glean them from the reluctant testimony of partial historians. Again I write this book and send it out on the wings of a prayer that it may be an instrument in God's hands, stimulating a new interest in missions throughout this country, and serving as a beacon light to many who shall venture forth in the service of God in African Missions. The sordid idea of pecuniary gain is far from being the actuating motive, but if not a dollar of profit comes vi to me from this humble effort it will serve my purpose if any good is done, in inspiring those who shall eome after me in the work of missions to which I have willing- ly dedicated the remainder of my life. We gratefully acknowledge the help gotten from The New Acts of the Apostles, Crisis of Missions, Thd Miracles of Missions, by Dr. A. T. Pierson; also to Rev. Mr. Moss, M. A., D. D., of Canada, for the use of his booklet, One Hundred Years in Modern Missions; Amer- ican Baptists and Missions, by Rev. E. F. Merriam; Gist of Missions, and the Reports of the Ecumenical Conference of 1900, The Author. vn INTRODUCTION REV e JOHN H. FRANK. Upon my desk, a few moments ago, was laid the contents of a new book, the perusal of which, and the description given, lead me to the conclusion that Bap- tists and all friends of world-wide missions, are, in the near future, to have placed at their disposal a volume of information at once unique and valuable, handsomely bound, typographically clear, beautifully illustrated, ad- mirably arranged and comprehensive, commending itself to liberal patronage and wide circulation because of size, accuracy, fairness, condensation, freshness, and be- cause it appears to advocate at the bar of final appeal, civilization's most signal achievements and the superla- tive concern of the Christian world; namely, the salva- tion of the perishing millions for whom our Lord died, both at home and abroad. The author and compiler, the Rev. L. G. Jordan, D. D., Secretary Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, U. S. A., needs neither identifica- tion nor introduction (if presentation) to the millions of Baptists in whose especial interest the painstaking production appears. Who does not know "Secretary Jordan"? viii The Dark Continent— A. Silent Appeal. Rev. J. C. Chilembwe, B. C. Africa. Rev. L. N. Cheek, For more than two decades as pastor, lecturer and secretary, prolific of plans and intolerant of opposition, of dogged persistence and courageous aggressiveness, energy tireless and love universal, North, East, South and West he has gone, seeming to say : To serve the present age, My calling- to fulfill. Oh, may it all my powers engage To do my Master's will. That the earth should become the Lord's in this, not in a coming generation, seems to be a possibility that cheers and a goal that draws him. Content to spend time, nerve force, brain fiber, gifts material and gifts spiritual for Africa especially, he is giving Ms zenith days, maturest intellect and ripest experience tow T ard the development and discipline of the brethren at home, and the establishment of the kingdom of heaven and its maintenance abroad. All hail Africa! With the light we are coming! Africa, poor, bleeding, suffering Africa, land of ancient history, cradle of primeval civilization, home of Moses, refuge of the infant Christ. "Thou long hast been the child of darkness and of sin," the battle ground of avaricious nations, the abused of Christian ( ?) America and the empire of the prince of darkness ! Africa, we salute thee ! The ascending Son of righteousness, pro- phetic of thy redemption day's dawn, appears, gilding the sky with the rays of thy coming glory. Shall we remain indifferent when that land so re- lated to us is the victim of man's passions and rage, rather than time's claims and nature's decays? If ix nature heals rather than wounds afflicted bodies and ruined souls, and if it were the greed, hatred, depravity of man, and not rain or snow, fire or frost, summer or winter, that struck Africa's children a death blow, leav- ing them bleeding and dying, then it is to man, to us, re- deemed, saved and sanctified, the call comes to lead Africa's gifted sons and daughters from wreckage and ruin to perfection, love and service, sympathy and sacrifice. To this end I have witnessed, as Rev. Jordan plead, till the feelings of his soul rose to tears in his eyes, and he sank down to his chair sobbing out the love that bound him to the heathen "far, far away," and that make his words so mighty to move the thousands that hang upon his lips, lips that at times seem touched with fire not of earth. And who hearing him doubts the reality of the unseen Christ, the imperative need of the heathen, the unquestioned right of the missionary to be heard, the glorious triumphs of the Cross, the possibility of the immediate conversion of the whole world to Jesus Christ our Lord? Long interested in his special theme, and distinguish- ed for information wide and convictions deep, "Up the Ladder in Foreign Missions,'' by him, was to be ex- pected. To all men it is not given to launch upon the sea of knowledge those vessels named books, laden with gold beaten and pure, from mines many and deep, for peoples wise and unwise ; for not all may rank with the few of earth's children possessed of those endowments called genius, wisdom, common sense. x Many may glean in the fields of knowledge and gather .historical data, but to what a small number of nature 's children is it permitted to master the philosophy of events. May I not say that in these pages are written con- clusions wise and enduring, from facts not theories, brought to the surface by the writer's own study and experience from foundations no less worthy than He who said, "I am the truth." Read, think, compare and see. Of course, I find here some things I could wish had been excluded, and that excluded I could wish had been included, but what thinker refuses to accord to another the liberty he claims for himself ? And let us all con- fess that even if we may be classed with the children of magnificent achievements that we may not yet claim perfection. The preface bespeaks the motive and the design of the author's production. He might have written: "Not for the polemic forum but for the truth seeker's desk, not to meet the contentions of critics, but to arm him who is in quest of reliable information on questions of the past in missions among colored Baptists, not to disparage the work of other organizations, but to give deserved prominence to our own, is this book sent forth on its world-wide mission.' ' The aggressive pastor, abreast of the religious move- ments of his day and ambitious to lead his people out into the fullness and richness of denominational life, will give "Up the Ladder in Foreign Missions" a place among the books of similar purport of the contemporary xi race (a recent one of which, by Mr. Merriam, is not only very conspicious for what it does not say of our foreign work, but is wretchedly untruthful in what it does say) the intelligent layman will add it to his book-case, and mission school authorities will at least call the attention of aspirants for the foreign field to its existence. But not an end is this book ; it is only a means point- ing toward the end, the enthronement of the personal Christ in the hearts of men, that with joy we may ex- claim : From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Through gates of pearls streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Hallelujah ! For this happy consummation, missionaries are sent out. They go to emphasize not philosophy, not dogma, not creed, not church, not a book, so much as a personal Christ, not only a revealer of the truth, but He himself the truth. 0, no, it is not only a theory, a doctrine, a band of union, a system of rules, a reformation, a profession, but a new life in that personal Christ and an ever deep- ening and widening sense of that life. They go not to establish republics or monarchies, not to annex territory or to further colonial policies, not to advance either the flag or trade, not even to introduce a new moral system where the immoral reigns, nor to abolish idolatry with its horrid customs, and not even to found educational institutions or begin benevolent en- terprises, but to establish everywhere the greatest re- ligion of earth, the union of man with God the Father in Christ Jesus the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost xii through the instrumentality of the Word; then all else germane follows. Yes, that men everywhere may know Him, when to know is life eternal ; know Jesus Christ the Lord, Son of Man, Son of God; know Him experimentally to be the Saviour of the world, the life of the denomination, the King enthroned upon the throne of universal empire. Tow T ard final domination He is marching across time periods and world areas, the unique figure of history, the heart of biography; He the sun — all other leaders but stars. Commerce, railroads, printing presses, inven- tions, wealth, all civilization 's deeds are voices preparing His way, aiding His triumph, advancing His glory. " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." The gospel banner wide unfurled Shall wave in triumph o'er the world ; And every creature, bond and free, Shall hail the glorious jubilee. Xlll UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 15 STEPPING STONES IN MISSIONS. To know the facts of Modern Missions is the necessary condition of intelligent interest. 1783. Rev. George Lisle, Rev. Moses Baker and Rev. George Givens, emancipated Negroes and Baptist preachers, left America as volunteer missionaries to the West Indies. 1790. Rev. David George, Rev. Hector Peters and Rev. Sampson Calvert, Negro Baptist preachers, left America, sailed for West Coast Africa. 1792. The first British, or the "Particular Baptist" Foreign Missionary Society, organized through the efforts of William Carey. 1793. William Carey landed in India. 1795. London Missionary Society organized. 1798. Death of Schwartz. 1799. De Vanderkemp (London Missionary Society) opened missions among Kaffirs in South Africa. 1804. Mission to Sierra Leone opened. 1807. Morrison, first missionary to China. Slave trade in British dominion abolished by Parliament. 1810. American Board of Commissioners for For- eign Missions organized. 1813. East India Company compelled by Parliament to tolerate missionaries. Judson arrived at Rangoon, Burmah. 16 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 1814. American Baptist Missionary Society orga- nized. 1815. African Baptist Missionary Society organized at Richmond, Va. 1816. American Bible Society organized. 1818. Conversion under Rev. Robert Moffatt of Africaner, the African warrior, who, because of the wrongs done his people, had become the terror of all South Africa. Madagascar Mission opened. The first Christian book printed in Siamese. 1820. Mission to Hawaiian Islands opened. Morrison, assisted by Milne, completed the transla- tion of the whole Bible into the Chinese language. 1821. Lot Carey, of Virginia, who paid $800.00 for his freedom, in company with Rev. Colin Teague, sailed in the brig " Nautilus' 7 for Africa. Missions in Liberia opened with these Baptist elders among the founders. 1822. Missions to Tonga Islands and to New Zealand opened. Nine persons baptized, and the first church organized in Liberia. 1824. Rev. Scipio Bean went to Hayti as missionary of the A. M. E. Church. 1826. Mission to the Karens ("wild men of Bur- mah' ? ) commenced. Lot Carey, the Baptist missionary, left in charge of the entire Republic of Liberia. 1833. Slavery abolished in the British Empire. (Act went into operation August 18, 1834). 1835. Rev. W. C. Monroe, a Negro Baptist, of New York, began missionary work in Hayti. 1836. Missionaries banished from Madagascar. 1839. John Williams, "the apostle of Polynesia/ ' murdered at Erromanga, aged forty-four. H tr rt Q P o p rt- a' p UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 17 1840. Livingstone sailed for Africa. 1845. Divisions of Christian denominations into Northern and Southern over the slavery fight. 1846. The American Missionary Convention orga- nized by Negro Baptists of the Northern and Eastern States, with Revs. Sampson White, Leonard A. Grimes, William Thompson, Jeremiah Asher, Theodore D. Miller, Rufus L. Perry, among its members. 1850. Missionary Society organized by the New Zealanders. Death of Judson, the Baptist missionary, in Burmah. 1854. Sandwich Islanders organized a Missionary Society. 1858. By special treaty, after 119 years of bolting and barring, Japan opened her doors to the Western world. This treaty went into effect in 1860, giving Chris- tianity an opening in Japan. 1859. First missionary to Japan. 1861. Persecution in Madagascar ceased and mis- sions re-opened. 1862. Lincoln's proclamation abolishing slavery in the United States, enabling four and a half millions of Negroes to begin their march to civilization and to God. Mexico accepts Protestant religion, despite the protest of Rome. Tonga gets a constitution based upon Christi- anity through King George. 1864. First convert in Japan. The Northwestern and Southern Baptist Convention organized in St. Louis by Negro Baptists. 1865. China Inland Mission commenced by Kobert A. Patton. 18 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 1866. At a meeting held in Ebenezer Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., the American Missionary Con- vention and the Northwestern and Southwestern Con- vention, composed of Negro Baptists, consolidated. 1874. The Consolidated Baptist Convention took over a mission station from the American Baptist Free Mission Society in Hayti. 1878. Shiloh Baptist Church organized in Morris Street Church, Charleston, S. C, and sent to Brewer- ville, West Coast Africa, on bark "Azor," Rev. H. N. Bouy, pastor. Missions to the Congo opened. Great revival at the Baptist mission station among the Telegus (Lone Star Mission), 10,000 baptized between June and December. They had had thirty years of dearth, and many pastors wished to abandon the work. Consecra- tion of the great hall by the Karans on the fiftieth anni- versary of the first convert who was baptized by William Carey. 1879. Rev. Solomon Cosby, of Virginia, sailed for Lagos, West Africa, under the Southern Board, dying at his post the same year. Rev. S. P. Flagler, with an organized A. M. E. Church, sailed for Africa. Rev. H. N. Bouy sailed for Liberia, West Coast Africa, under the auspices of the South Carolina Bap- tists, who supported him for three years. 1880. Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, com- posed of Negro Baptists, organized in Montgomery, Ala- bama, absorbing the Virginia organization. 1881. Rev. J. O. Hayes transferred from the North Carolina Convention to National Foreign Mission Con- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 19 vention. Two woman's missionary societies organized in Canada. 1883. On December 1, Eevs. W. AY. Colley, J. H. Presley and their wives, Revs. Hense McKenney ana J. J. Coles sailed for West Coast Africa, to organize work among the Vey tribe. 1884. Sister Hattie H. Presley died at Bendoo Station, near Cape Mound, West Coast Africa. Stanley opened the Congo basin, showing 5,249 miles of navigable rivers, 11,000,000 square miles of territory inhabited by more than 43,000,000 of people. First A. M. E. Conference organized in San Domingo. 1885. A plan to plant a Texas colony in Liberia. The would-be colonists sent Rev. L. G. Jordan out to see the prospects and report. Two Negro Baptist preachers, Theophilus E. S. Scholes, M. D., and John E. Rickets, sent to the Congo by the African Mission Convention of the Western States and Territories. Rev. J. H. Presley returned home from Africa, in charge of Rev. L. G. Jordan, broken down in health. JJirst church opened for Christian worship in Corea. 1887. Rev. J. J. Coles came home, married and re- turned to Africa with his wife, Lucy A., Rev. and Mrs. E. B. Topp and Uev. J. J. Diggs. Whole Bible trans- lated into the Japanese language. 1886. Rev. J. R. Frederick sent to Sierra Leone by A. M. E. Church. The Native Baptist Church organized at Lagos by Rev. Majola Agbebi, M. A., Ph. D. 1888. Students' volunteer movement for foreign 20 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. missions opened in the United States. Government of China completed the first railroad built in the empire. 1890. Mrs. John E. Rickets sent by the African Missionary Convention of the AVestern States and Terri- tories to join her husband on the Congo. Rev. Wm. J. Simmons, prince of Negro Baptist leaders, died. 1891. Death of Samuel Crowther, D. D., a native of West Africa. Born a heathen slave and died a Bishop. First section of Congo railroad finished. Susi, one of Livingstone's trusty attendants, died at Zanzibar. It was this faithful African who conceived and carried out the plan, assisted by others, to take Liv- ingstone 's body, papers and other effects over 1,000 miles on their shoulders, so they might reach his people in England. It was a journey of one year and fraught with great danger. Rev. R. L. Stewart and Miss V. A. Jones went to AA 7 est Coast Africa under appointment of the African Mission Convention of Western States and Territories. 1892. Seventeen powers or countries sign the Brus- sels treaty creating the Congo Free States — including a territory twice the size of all Europe, with a population of more than 25,000,000 souls. By the terms of the treaty, slavery was abolished and liquor and fire arms selling prohibited. The student volunteer movement organized in Eng- land. * 1893. Work in Africa abandoned by our Foreign Board at Richmond, a number of our workers having died— tribal wars having almost annihilated the Vey tribe — Rev. J. J. Coles and wife, the last workers, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 21 ordered home, and our mission house at Bendoo sold as old lumber to persons at Cape Mound. 1894. Rev. J. J. Coles, after ten years spent in Africa, returned home, made Foreign Mission Secretary by the convention at Washington, D. C, but died before the year ended Rev. R. A. Jackson sailed for South Africa and orga- nized first native Baptist Church in Capetown. 1895. National Convention in session in Atlanta, Ga., sent help to Rev. R. A. Jackson. Foreign mission work of Negro Baptists re-organized and put under a board located at Louisville, Ky. Rev. L. M. Luke, D. D., our Foreign Mission Secre- tary, died in Louisville, Ky. 1896. Rev. L. G. Jordan, pastor Union Baptist Church, Philadelphia, elected Foreign Mission Secretary. Mr. Joseph Booth, a real friend of Africa, in com- pany with Mr. John Chilembwe, a native, came to America from East Central Africa. 1897. Rev. G. F. A. Johns and wife sailed to do work among the Kaffirs in South Africa, under the National Baptist Board. They died the same year— he on June 5, and she on September 20. Rev. R. A. Jackson came home to America, returning to South Africa in December the same year. Rev. John Tule and Miss Mamie Branton were mar- ried in Scotland by Rev. D. W. Long while en route to South Africa under our board. Slavery abolished in Zanzibar. Churches organized at Queenstown by Rev. George Thomas, and at Middle Drift, South Africa, by Rev. J. I. 22 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Buchanan, under the National Baptist Board- Brethren who split from the National Convention met in Washington, forming the District Convention. Our first African students— Monte Kama and Alfred Impey, son and nephew of Chief William Shaw Kama — arrived, entering Extein Norton and Shaw Universities respectively. The Congo River railroad opened to Stanley Pool, thus connecting 10,000 miles of navigable water and mil- lions of people with the outside world. Rev. D. N. E. Campbell, M. D., and wife, sailed for Santiago, Cuba, under the National Baptist Foreign Mission Board. Bishop Turner organized A. M. E. Church in South Africa. Alfred Impey, nephew of Chief William Shaw Kama, one of our students, died in Long Pine, N. C. The Afri- can Baptist Industrial Missionary Society organized. Two other students from Natal, Southeast Africa, arrived— Isiah Ignati and Alfred Seeme — entering Way- land Seminary, now in Virginia Seminary and Benedict College. 1899. Because of wrongs inflicted by civilized peo- ple, the natives of Sierra Leone murdered five mission- aries of the United Brethren. Lot Carey Foreign Missions Convention organized. Rev. J. W. Anderson arrived in Georgetown, British Guiana, in April. In June, organized first Negro Bap- tist Church, with five members. Rev. John Chilembwe. a member of the Ajawa tribe, after two years spent in Virginia Seminary, returned to UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 23 British East Central Africa, under the National Foreign Mission Board. Rev. C. S. Morris, Financial Secretary and volunteer missionary of the African Baptist Industrial Missionary Society, went to Africa, acting as Commissioner for the National Board in connection with his work. Revs. L. N. Cheek, of Mississipi, and T. W. Longwood, of Arkan- sas, elected to go to Africa. Rev. Jonas Goduka, with seventeen pastors, thirteen churches and 1,200 members of the native church, South Africa, united with the Baptists, or New Testament Christians. 1900. April 4, Rev. C. S. Morris returned home. April 14, Rev. E. B. P. Koti, of South Africa, came to America. Corner stone laid for a second church in Damaria, British Guiana. April 21, great Ecumenical Foreign Mission Confer- ence met in New York for a nine days ' session of prayer, praise and plan for the onward march of the Master's kingdom. April 25, the American Baptist Missionary Union, the first of our great Baptist Societies, offered to co- operate with the National Baptist Convention in push- ing its mission work, which offer was gladly accepted, the plan agreed upon and entered into. The United States include a population of 77,000,000 souls ; Africa has more than three to every one of these. One man out of every seven in the world dwells in Africa. 1901, January 23, Rev. Koti returned to South 24 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Africa. Rev. London N. Cheek sailed for British East Central Africa. Rev. C. C. Boone and wife sailed for the Congo, under the Lot Carey Foreign Missions Con- vention. "Ill life A Devotee who ,haa ,beldonearmi,prightu D til it^asbecome 9tm auc * the nails eight inches long. A living babe exposed to vultures, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 25 MISSIONS OF THE APOSTOLIC AGE. "These went forth, taking nothing- of the Gentiles. We, therefore, ought to sustain such, that we may be fellow work- ers for the truth." Traditional history records little of the missionary efforts of the early ages outside of the chronicles of the Acts of the Apostles and an occasional reference in the Epistles. Most of the missionary activity of this age is recorded by Luke, Paul, Peter, John and others. The world to them was a small sphere. To give their idea of the world, read these lines from the lips of Luke : "They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. " Paul, in a spirit of joy y declared that "the gospel has been trumpeted around the known world." In reading the list of places visited by them, we readily see that beyond those borders lay a world in darkness and superstition. When we look upon the works of these men we can truly say it was an age of individual effort, and the succeeding ages got their vigor from the individual efforts of the Apostles. These believers felt it their duty to preach Christ wherever they went, to tell the story of the Cross, bear witness of the personal value of accepting this Saviour. . Whatever business errand they were on they never forgot to speak of the divine service of Christ. 26 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Though their efforts seemed feeble and the results slow during the next two centuries, the rapid growth of the Church was seen on every hand, and instead of indi- vidual efforts for the fostering of the gospel, we see an organized body of Christian worshipers who boldly asserted their right to exist. Men like Clements, Origen and Tertullian stood as the very exponents of the faith delivered to the Saints. The pathway for centuries after this consolidated period was strewn with the. corpses of martyrs. The blood of these martyrs became everywhere the seed of the Church. The translation of the Scriptures became a power for the propagation of the gospel. Rome, Athens, Smyrna, Carthage and all the largest cities be- came the strongholds of Christian worship because of the flocking of tradesmen and artisans to these centers. Soon a school for the training of Christian teachers sprang up at Alexandria, and from this institution went teachers to Africa, Europe and Asia. In this, as in the following ages, it is noticed that the kindling of a liter- ary spirit made possible a rapid advance in missionary efforts. Civilization took up its march Eastward from Jeru- salem, across Mesopotamia and the mountains of Persia, going even to Bactria. The movement spread even to India, and at the close of 190 A. D., 350 churches had been established about Malabar. The rapid growth of Christianity in Egypt was astounding. T\ T e are told from reliable authority that in 235 A. D., twenty bishops from the Nile Valley attended a council in Alexandria. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 27 Commerce became the handmaid of the gospel. The prevalence of Phcenecian tradesmen on the North Coast of Africa kept it in close touch with the Eastern world, especially with Italy. Pushing onward into Gaul, churches were established at Lyons, Vienna and Paris. In 306 nineteen bishops assembled at Elvira, and Ter- tullian addressed 200 heathen thus: "We are but of yesterday, and yet we already fill your cities, islands, camps, and your palaces, senate and forum, etc.," thus proving conclusively the rapid growth of Christianity. The next period, 312-590, marks the establishment of Christianity as the religion of the empire under Con- stantine and Gregory the Great. Goths, Vandals and Huns, commonly known as the wild men of the North, swarmed into Italy, Spain, and crossed the Mediter- ranean into North Africa. Honoratus, in France, St. Patrick in Ireland, labored earnestly to educate and Christianize the Scots and Picts. The Armenians, under the teachings of Gregory the illuminator, was the first nation to accept the new doctrine in the fourth century. Other workers pushed their way into China, Ceylon and Calcutta. While considerable advance was made in missionary efforts from 590 to 1073, the period is known as the dark ages, that millennium of death with all of its horrors of moral depravity of races and nations, yet whose appalling darkness and threatening blasts could not extinguish the lamp lighted on the morning of the resurrection. True, the influence of the church was very weak because of the corruptness of its leaders, but as in later days men lived and labored whose influence 28 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. was felt and whose efforts proved that God still reigned, even in that darkness. Such men as Columba, Augus- tine, Hilda and Willibrord were the great lights of this age, and their work in monasteries were the stepping stones to a great revival in the centuries that followed. Canute, the leader and teacher of the Danes, ranks as one of the best educators of the period. About this time, through the efforts of his sister, a Bulgarian Prince accepted Christianity and thus started a religious conquest of the Slavs. Later in the century missionaries from Constanti- nople were sent for^ and Russia soon became known among the Christian nations. Under John de Monte Corvino, Christianity pushed its way into Asia and flourished, but the fall of the Mon- gol dynasty about half a century later crushed out what Christianity there was. From 1073 to 1517 the mis- sionary spirit was dormant. Mohammedanism so threatened Christianity that there was a cessation in its onward march. Raymond Lull, however, kept alive the missionary spirit. His life reads like a romance. After several efforts to establish an institution of languages, where priests might be taught, he visited Africa, where he was thrown in prison, but his courage won favor from the Moslems and his life was spared. His efforts form the connecting link between the Apostles of Northern Europe and the leaders who, following the Reformation, carried the gospel everywhere. Over fifteen centuries we have come with many changes in individual and church efforts in missions. Then the nations became interested in civilizing and UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 29 Christianizing until whole races and communities came en masse. Many missionaries sought to educate and train their converts for future service. Men preaching a spurious doctrine had to he fought on every hand. But summing up the centuries, Christianity had flourished, the influence of the Church increased, and the road to future success opened. For that Pentecostal awakening, when three thousand cloven tongues set up their vibrations with Heavenly speech and music, sound- ing throughout all ages, "One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism," has been the great power that has banished darkness, raised up witnesses, saved people in all nations and in every age and clime. 30 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. EARLY MISSIONS. ROMAN CATHOLICS IN MISSIONS. The Reformation marked a division in the efforts of the church to prosecute mission work. Prior to this missionaries carried the same gospel in form and sub- stance, but ever since the Roman Catholics and Prot- estants have carried on a distinct work. Central Europe at this time was engaged in politics, while in other sec- tions the spirit of missions was fast dying out. The Portuguese and Spanish began to make maritime dis- coveries. The new world in the West, and the route to India was opened up. With the sailors went the priests, and soon there was a general stir in the Catholic and Protestant Churches, The names of the Jesuits, Dominican Friars and Laz- arists shall ever stand out as distinct missionary bands of this period, whose object was the extension of the Church in all the world. Each member of these orders was bound to go or do whatever was in his power to ad- vance the Roman Catholic Church. The leaders were such men as Francis Xavier, Loyola, Robert Nobili and DeBrito, whose marvelous influence Avas felt everywhere. Corruption of those who followed these great men brought the cause to reproach. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 31 The great fault that afterwards weakened the work of Roman Catholics in Asia was the lack of spiritual life, the acceptance of signs and symbols of Christianity at the expense of the education for the growth of Christian character. They did not even add one translation to the Bible, which defect deprived the promoters of Protes- tant missions from the slightest basis for work when they visited these fields two and a half centuries later. With their untiring energy, it seemed at one time that the religion proclaimed by these depraved successors would sweep all Africa, India and China. They stooped to the very customs of the heathen, and in the century and a lialf of their most degrading influences the Popes them- selves condemned their efforts and ordered the suppres- sion of the societies. It is not our intention to criticise, and yet history informs us that because of the results of Roman Catholic missions in many countries, and especially the Spanish American colonies, and the many unspeakable scandals in India, " there have been not a few to deny that Roman Catholic missions have done any real good ; and the repeated use by some of the mis- sionaries of any means to secure their ends has greatly discredited the work of all." PROTESTANT MISSIONS. Erasmus was the great pioneer of early Protestant missions, and though his efforts seemed to have done little to arouse the church in the interest of missions, he did much to solidify and clarify it in ideas. It was two centuries after the Reformation before the Protestant 32 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. church manifested a conception of God's claim upon it in missions, and three centuries before it became a mis- sionary church. There was, however, some individual efforts in mis- sionary endeavors. In 1555, Admiral Coligny received the indorsement of John Calvin, and with a company of ministers sailed from France for Brazil. Two more attempts were made in 1564. The missionaries landed this time in Florida. These three attempts were failures. In 1559, a missionary was sent to Lapland. In 1619, the Dutch- conquered Java and introduced Christianity among the natives. The work was extended to the Moluccas and Amboyna and Formosa, and it is said that in 1701 they had over 100,000 Christians in Java, and in Formosa about 6,000 converts. It was during 1716, that the Dutch begun operations in Ceylon, and in 1722, they reported over 425,000 con- verts. The work extended into India. All these efforts on the part of the Dutch availed nothing when the colony was conceded to England. The Dutch West India Company had been doing some apparent good work, but indiscriminate baptism brought their ruin. England about this time turned her attention to the evangelization of the American India whom her colonists found here. In 1649, the Long Parliament granted the first charter to a missionary society "For Promoting* and Propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in New England." Von Welz sounded the keynote to modern missions when in 1664, he asked the following pertinent ques- tions : R eY « J- J« Coles and Dr. D. N. Yassar, N. Bendoo Station, West Africa. Coat '»t Ar us -Republic n Liberii. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 33 "1. Is it right that we evangelical Christains hold the gospel for ourselves alone, and do not seek to spread it? "2. Is it right that in all places we have so many students of theology, and do not induce them to labor elsewhere in the spiritual vineyard of Jesus Christ? "3. Is it right that we evangelical Christians spend so much on all sorts of dress, delicacies in eating and drinking, etc., but have not hitherto thought of no means for the spread of the gospel V The questions were not answered by the lifeless pul- pits and sleeping churches, hence no steps were taken to aid him in the work. From human reckoning his efforts seems to have utterly failed. The Pietists begun work in 1700, on the same order as suggested by Welz. The Danes, through Schwartz and Ziebenbalg, ope- rated missions in Tranquebar. The king of Denmark, being desirous of extending this work, sent missionaries to the West Indies and Africa. Zinzendorf, the Mora- vian missionary, comes forth at this time and puts all of his social, civil and political ability and tact at the service of those whose idea was the spiritual growth of man. The Moravians were among the most self-sacri- ficing missionaries in all history. Their spirit of readiness to serve is shown by the fol- lowing incident. Count Zinzendorf went to one of them and asked, "Can you go as a missionary to Greenland? Can you go to-morrow?" The reply was, "I will start to-morrow, if the shoemaker has finished my shoes which I ordered." 34 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. In 1729, the Oxford Club in England was organized and plans to prosecute missions were laid. The Wesleys were the leading spirits in the movement. John Wesley and his brother, in company with Oglethorpe, came to Georgia, but they returned and visited Herrhut in 1738. In 1786 Thos. Coke, en route to Novia Scotia, was driven by storm to the "West Indies, but it was a quarter of a century later before the Methodists under the Wesleyans begun work in Africa. Under the different bands and orders here given the work of missions rose and fell, but the onward tread of Christianity against obstacles was encouraging to those who watched for the daybreak when all men would be imbued with the spirit of missions, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 35 BAPTIST PATHFINDERS. Whom shall I send, He saith, "What servant shall it be?" 'Tis faith's strong- voice that prayeth, "My Master, O send me! Send me to tell the story abroad." Before the Revolutionary war "two New England ministers made application to the Presbyterian Synod of New York to assist in sending two Negro ministers to do evangelistic work in Africa. ' ' The war, however, pre- vented them from carrying out their plans. Partial history fails to record the fact that while Wm. Carey was yet at his shoemaker's bench, little dreaming of the part he would play in Christianizing the world, that Negro Baptist preachers who left America soon after the Revolution were then preaching the gospel in the. "West Indies— Jamaica and Bahama. The Rev. George Lisle, Moses Baker, George Givens and others, were already at work and had flourishing churches among the natives in these Islands when the English Baptist Foreign Mission Society commenced work in India, under Carey and others, in 1792. Rev. Amos had labored for some time at Bahama and had a flourishing church of over 300 members when the Baptist Mission Society begun its work. Negro Baptists from this country carried the gospel to Sierra Leone in 1790. The names of Rev, David George, Revs. 36 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Sampson Colbert, Hector Peters, John Williams and John Ramsey will go down in impartial history among the " fathers of Baptist Missions;" for indeed they 'pre- ceded Carey, who is termed (i the father of missions" by nearly ten years. It seems almost like a miracle, when we think that in "619 the fathers of these Negroes were brought here rteves, s td ^ < h chained for 164 years, by their own efforts t rarst their fetters asunder, studied God's word, and 1783 returned to their fatherland and "went everywhere preaching the gospel." The first organization to take up foreign missions as a distinct work of the churches was the Baptist Mission- ary Society which was organized in 1792. William arey, born 1761, at Paulerspury, Eng., at fourteen a shoemaker's apprentice, at eighteen convert- ed and ordained in 1787 5 and was one of the charter members this Society, and is "the pioneer in organ- ized missions. " He was imbued with the true spirit of missions, but found many obstacles in the way. When he proposed in the association the advisability of sending missionaries to heathen lands, it is reported that Dr. Ryland said, "Young man, sit dow r n; when Cod pleases to convert the heathen He will do it without your aid or mine." Sue! the sentiment of over two- thirds of the Christian hurch of that age, for there never has been a centri;- n England so void of faith as that which be- gan with Queen Anne. Blackstone, the noted lawyer, said, "I have heard eA 7 ery clergyman of note in London, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 37 but not one discourse that had more Christianity in it than the orations of Cicero, or showed whether the preacher was a disciple of Confucius, Mohammed or Christ." • When Carey desired to go to India, the East India Company refused to take him, and ordered him from the vessel. God opened the way and he reached Cal- cutta by a Danish ship. His life is luminous with great lessons. A greater character because of its earnest, patient, Christian toils, never lived. For forty-one years, without a break, he labored in India. "Carey bore without harm the brunt of a long, hard fight. To all accusers, traducers and ridiculers his life gave the lie. The energy of his will, every purposeful soul may emulate and imitate. Life that is aimless is both restless and forceless." Never had the heathen world heard the call to awake until this brave warrior laid hand on the Christian bugle and woke the world from its lethargy, sounding the key- note to modern missions. Carey had passion for souls, and therefore real Baptist enthusiasm for missions. The record of his life work may be summed up as follows: "The first complete or partial translation of the Bible into forty of the languages and dialects of India and neighboring countries; the publication of the first ver- nacular Bengali newspaper, the language of 70,000,000 ; the first printing-press, paper-mill and steam-engine ever set up in India; organization of the first schools for native girls and women; of the first college to train native pastors; the first medical mission, the first sav- ings-bank, and the first translations of the Sanskrit into English." 38 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. He died in India at the ripe age of seventy-three years, having given long and faithful service in that land. The British authorities denied Carey a landing- place on his arrival in Bengal ; when he died the Govern- ment ordered all its flags to be dropped to half-mast. His life is indeed an inspiration to all who are laboring for and praying for "Thy kingdom . come. ' ' UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 39 AMERICAN MISSIONS. Carey's sailing in 1796, and the efforts of the London Missionary Society, aroused great interest in America, with h?r hundreds of Indians. Literature in the form of tracts and sermons was printed and scattered. In 1806 the growing interest in missions was substantially manifested by the gift of Robert Ralston and others, of Philadelphia, $3,375.00 to India for missions. Then begun the organization of societies in this country to operate missions among all heathens, whether in America or across the ocean. The American Board of Commis- sioners was the most import. It was organized June 29, 1810. In January, 1812, from an appeal, $6,000.00 was raised and thus the means to send out missionaries was provided. During this year, Judson and Newell, from Boston; Hall, Nott and Rice, from Philadelphia, sailed to Calcutta. The American Board and the American Baptist Union, organized in 1814, were pioneers, and the seed from which the other Boards afterwards sprang. It is interesting to note that at this time the countries were all ablaze with zeal for missions, and men and means came comparatively fast. Much attention was given to India. Adoniram Jud- son, whose life embodies a true romance of heroism touched and tinged with the pathos of severe suffering, 40 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. on his way to India, under the Presbyterian Board, he read many books on Baptism, and carefully read the Bible on the subject, and, being convinced that the Baptists were right, radically changed his views. This brought about a new movement, the organization of the American Baptist Missionary Union, one of the oldest Missionary Societies in the world, and changed his course from India to Burmah. This was but a true illustration of the Higher Power that rules the contrary winds. Judson established the first mission in Burmah, and labored forty years, enduring great hardships and im- prisonment ; but this scholarly, zealous man of God, who lived only to serve, lived to see the glory of the coming of the Lord in that land. When he died, over 7,000 souls, 63 churches and 163 missionaries and native helpers were left in Burmah as living monuments of his long and faithful labors. His sainted wife and Mr. Rice were loyal and loving co-laborers with him. The labors of this trio will ever live, for they laid the basis of Christian character deep in the heart of Burmah. George Dana Boardman was another hero of that age, and labored zealously among the Karens at Savoy. In 1815 the American Board sent Messrs. Poor, Meigs, Richards and Warren from Boston to Ceylon. They started work at Jaffna. In 1819 Rev. Myron Winslow and Dr. John Schudder were sent. The names of Hoisington, Spaulding, Green, Howland, Hastings and Miss Eliza Agnew, who had charge of the girls' boarding school at Oodooville, appeared among the earlier laborers in Ceylon. The following interesting incident, in which a faith- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 41 f ul Negro woman was the heroine, is related by Dr. Poor, and is worth relating and her name immortalized : In the beautiful island of Ceylon, many years ago, the native Christians, who had long worshiped in bunga- lows and old Dutch chapels, decided that they must have a church built for themselves. Enthusiastic givers were much eager to forward the new enterprise. But to the amazement of all, Maria Peabody— a lone orphan girl, who had been a beneficiary in the girls ' school at Oodoo- ville— came forward and offered to give the land upon which to build, which was the best site in her native village. Not only was it all she owned in this world, but far more — it was her marriage portion; and in making this gift, in the eyes of every native, she renounced all hopes of being married. As this alternative in the East was regarded as an awful step, many thought her beside herself, and tried to dissuade her from such an act of renunciation. "No, " said Maria, "I have given it to Jesus; and as he has accepted it, you must." And so to-day the first Christian church in Ceylon stands upon land given by a poor orphan girl. The deed was noised abroad, and came to the knowl- edge of a young theological student, who was also a bene- ficiary of the mission, and it touched his heart. Neither could he rest until he he had sought and won the rare and noble maiden who was willing to give up so much in her Master's name. Some one in the United States had been for years contributing twenty dollars annually for the support of this young Hindu girl, but the donor was unknown. The 42 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Rev. Dr. Poor, a missionary in Ceylon, visiting America about that time, longed to ascertain who was the faithful sower, and report the wonderful harvest. Finding himself in Hanover, New Hampshire, preaching to the students of Dartmouth College, he happened in conversation to hear some one speak of Mrs. Peabody, and repeated: "Peabody! What Peabody?" "Mrs. Maria Peabody, who resides here, the widow of a former professor," was the answer "0, I must see her before I leave ! ' ' said the earnest man, about to continue his journey. The first words after an introduction, at her house, were: "I have come to bring you a glad report; for I can not but think that it is to you we, in Ceylon, owe the opportunity of educating one who has proved as lovely and consistent a native convert as we have ever had. She is exceptionally interesting, devotedly pious, and bears your name." "Alas!" said the lady, "although the girl bears my name, I wish I could claim the honor of educating her; it belongs not to me, but to Louisa Osborne, my poor colored cook. Some years ago, in Salem, Massachusetts, she came to. me, after an evening meeting, saying: "I have just heard that if anybody would give twenty dol- lars a year they could support and educate a child in Ceylon, and I have decided to do it. They say that along with the money I can send a name, and I have come, Mistress, to ask if you would object to my sending yours?' At that time," continued the lady, "a ser- vant's wages ranged from a dollar to a dollar and a half a week, yet my cook had for a long time been contribut- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 43 ing half a dollar each month at the monthly concert for foreign missions. There were those who expostulated with her for giving away so much, for one in her circum- stances, as a time might come when she could not earn. 'I have thought it all over/ she would reply, 'and con- cluded I would rather give w r hat I can while I am earn- ing ; and then if I lose my health and can not work, why there is the poor-house, and I can go there. You see, they have no poor-house in heathen lands, for it is only Christians who care for the poor.' " In telling this story, Dr. Poor used to pause here, and exclaim: "To the poor-house! Do you believe God would ever let that good woman die in the poor-house ? Never ! We shall see. ' ' The missionary learned that the last known of Louisa Osborne was that she was residing in Lowell, Massa- chusetts. In due time his duties called him to that city. At the close of an evening service, before a crowded house, he related among missionary incidents, as a crown- ing triumph, the story of Louisa Osborne and Maria Peabody. The disinterested devotion, self-sacrifice, and implicit faith and zeal of the Christian giver in favored America has been developed, matured, and well-nigh eclipsed by her faithful protege in far-off benighted India. His heart glowing with zeal, and deeply stirred by the fresh retrospect of the triumphs of the gospel over heathenism, he exclaimed : "If there is any one present who knows anything of that good woman, Louisa Osborne, and will lead me to her, I will be greatly obliged.' ' The benediction pronounced and the crowd dispersing, Dr. Poor passed down one of the aisles, chat- 44 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. ting with the pastor, when he espied a quiet little figure apparently waiting for him. Could it be? Yes, it was a colored woman, and it must be Louisa Osborne. With quickened steps he reached her, exclaiming, in tones of suppressed emotion : ' ' I believe that this is my sister in Christ, Louisa Osborne V "That is my name," was the calm reply "Well, God bless you, Louisa! You have heard my report, and know ail ; but before we part, probably never to meet again in this world, I want you to answer me one question. What made you do it?" With downcast eyes, and in a low and trembling voice, she replied: "Well, I do not know, but I guess it was my Lord Jesus ! " They parted, only to meet in the streets of the New Jerusalem. The humble handmaiden of the Lord labored meekly on awhile, and in ending her failing days, not in a poor- house, verily, but, through the efforts of those who knew her best, in a pleasant, comfortable old ladies' home. "Him that honoreth me, I will honor." —Intelligencer. For thirty years a red star on the map of American Baptist Missions marked the only spot where they oper- ated work among the Telugus in Southern India. Dur- ing these years, with 16,000,000 speaking that language and the field one great waste of heathenism in its worst form, they succeeded in doing very little. Having labored so long in 1853, when the board met at Albany, New York, many suggested giving up the field. A great discussion ensued as to the wisdom of such a course. The pathetic story of the missionaries had touched many and so moved Dr. S. F. Smith, author of "America," UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 45 that he wrote a hymn and dedicated it to this "Lone Star Mission/' It was this song, '■"Shine on Lone Star, thy radiance bright, shall yet illume the western sky," etc., that kindled a new interest in the work. In 1877 a revival broke out and thousands nocked to the missionaries bringing with them thousands of idols and gods of every conceivable character and casting them at their feet or in the yards, as a demonstration of their complete surrender to God. Having prayed and labored for years for success, yet when it came it came with such an overwhelming force that the missionaries could hardly stand the task of the long and tedious yet pleasant work of examining so many. Within ten months during this year 10,000 persons were baptized at Ongole. In 1866 they had only 38 converts. In 1890 their converts numbered 33,838. The success of the missionaries is nearest that of the Pentecost on record, for in one day 2,222 persons were converted and they saw, as few men have seen, "a nation born in a day." This work alone is an inspiration to those who grow dis- couraged because their efforts do not bear immediate fruit. Thirty-five years with 16,000,000 before them yet only thirty-eight converts. But the time came when they witnessed the power of God above the inclinations of those millions to sin. The Presbyterians begun to do mission work in 1834 in Telugu, India. Revs. Freeman, Campbell, Johnson and McMullin were among their early workers. It was at the request of the Presbyterian missionaries that the "Week for Prayer" was inaugurated, and is almost universally observed to this day. 46 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. In 1856 the Methodists begun a distinct work in India, under Dr. William Butler. Their work has grown. Indeed, much attention has been given to India, and at present over sixty different societies are engaged in operating mission, educational and zenana work. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 47 BIETH OF BAPTIST ORGANIZATIONS. Organized efforts to prosecute missions were unknown among American Baptists prior to 1813. Throughout the country the denomination was overshadowed by other denominations and Baptist influence w T as a power nnfelt, unthought of. The fact that they had been unjustly taxed, fined and jailed for the testimony they bore, and other forms of persecution through which they had passed made them indeed the "sect everywhere spoken against." Their only school was Brown Uni- versity, Providence, R. I., and their only publication, The Baptist Missionary Magazine. Not until 1813, when Judson wrote Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, telling him ©f his change to a Baptist, did American Baptists fully realize their obligation to the heathen world, and their ability to do' mission work independent of the mother country. Prior to this, American Baptists w T ere an auxiliary to the society of English Baptists. The request of Dr. Baldwin for organized effort for Mr. Judson 's sup- port met with the hearty approval of many of the lead- ing American Baptists, and the "Baptist Society for Propagating the Gospel in India and other Foreign Parts" was formed. Mr. Merriam, in his recent publi- cation, American Baptist Missions, says : " It is a strik- ing fact that the influence which called the Baptists of America from their lowly, unorganized condition, united 48 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. and consolidated their strength, encouraged them to more vigorous efforts at home as well as abroad, and started them on the career which has given them power and standing among the foremost religious denomi- nations of America, was the call to engage in Foreign Missions." After the organization of the above-named society and the new interest kindled from Judson's cor- respondence, other societies were organized in Richmond, Va., Savannah, Ga., and New York. In 1814 organiza- tions were started in Baltimore, Md., Ehode Island and South Carolina. The clarion notes of Rev. JDr. Baldwin, inspired by Judson, awoke the Baptists in many of the other States, and soon there was a general falling in line. In May, 1814, through the efforts of the "Old Baptist Association," of Philadelphia, Penn., the first great meeting of Baptists in America was held. Eleven states and the District of Columbia were represented by twenty-six ministers and seven laymen. Rev. Dr. Fur- man, of South Carolina, was made president, and Rev. Baldwin, of Massachusetts, secretary. A constitution was adopted and the organization christened "The Gen- eral Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination of the United States for Foreign Missions." The con- stitution provided that the meetings be held triennially. Twenty-one persons constituted the Board of Commis- sioners, which board was known as the "Baptist Board cf Foreign Missions of the United States." Seven of the twenty-one members constituted a quorum for the transaction of businesss. After the convention ad- journed the board met, elected Rev. "Wm. Staughton as corresponding secretary, and adopted Rev. and Mrs. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 49 Judson, already in Burma, as their missionaries. Rev. Luther Rice, who sailed with Judson, had returned to this country. Becoming a Baptist, he could not expect Congregational support, hence he returned to plan sup- port for the Judsons and himself. He was selected by the society as field agent to travel and interest the churches in missions. The Baptist Missionary Magazine had this to say of the first meeting: "Perhaps no event has ever taken place among the Baptist denomination in America which has excited more lively interest than the late Missionary Convention held in the city of Philadelphia. It was indeed a sight no less novel than interesting, to behold "brethren who had hitherto been unknown to each other by face, collecting from North to South, from nearly all of the States from Massachusetts to Georgia, (a distance of more than one thousand miles), for the important purpose of forming a General Convention, in order to concentrate the energies and direct the efforts of the whole denomination throughout the United States in sending the Gospel to the heathen. " The center of Baptist influence being in Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island, the second session of the convention met in Philadelphia also. This session lasted a week. Baptist preachers braved the dangers of Indians and ferocious animals, yea "counted not their lives dear unto themselves, ' ' but from Kenucky and other States west of the Alleghanies made their way to the meeting that they might pray and plan to send the Gospel of our Lord to all nations/' While this reformation and organization and general 50 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. getting together of Baptists was going on throughout the country, their actions were being watched by another race— the Negro — who had not been thought of in connection with the new movement ; indeed, many Amer- icans doubted that Negroes in America or Africa had souls. But the Negroes entertained no such doubts, for, while toiling hard and faithfully as slaves, a fire was being lighted on the hearts of many of them which so burned their consciences, respecting their duties to their brethren far removed from the Gospel, that they, on bended knees, in prison houses of bondage, cried to Al- mighty God to lead them out in order that they might help their own. In 1814, just one year after their masters had organized, the "African Baptist Missionary Society" was formed. These poor, faithful slaves, out of a heart of gratitude to God, were anxious to shed light in their fatherland, but in their poverty they were unable to pay the passage of a missionary, but were de- termined to hold intact until the way was opened. Through great sacrifices they raised $700 in four years, and the white general convention came to their aid in 1819, and one year later Lot Carey and Colin Teague sailed for Sierra Leone. At the eighth anual session of the General Mission- ary Convention, 1835, religious enthusiasm reached its highest mark. The board was told to employ every ' ' properly quali- fied missionary" available in some part of the foreign field. Missions in India were agreed upon. The Amer- ican Bible and Tract Society had from time to time con- tributed to the General Convention's work. In 1836, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 51 at a meeting held by the Board of Managers, at Hart- ford, Conn., the American Bible Society offered the Bap- tists $5,000 for missions on certain conditions, which conditions were referred to a committee. It will be remembered that when Judson translated the Bible into Bengali and put it into the hands of the people a howl was set np and objections made by Pedo-Baptists. Thus the conditions upon which the $5,000 was offered. The following is the report of the committee : ■ ; The committee recommended to the Board the adop- tion of the following preamble and resolution : Whereas, This Board, at their annual meeting, held in Salem, in April, 1833, adopted the following reso- lutions : Resolved, That the Board feel it to be their duty to adopt all prudent measures to give to the heathen the pure word of God in their own languages, and to furnish their missionaries with all the means in their power to make the translations as exact a representation of the mind of the Holy Spirit as may be possible. Resolved, That all the missionaries of the Board, who are, or who shall be, engaged in translating the Scrip- tures, be instructed to endeavor, by earnest prayer and diligent study, to ascertain the exact meaning of the original text ; to express that meaning, as exactly as the nature of the languages into which they shall translate the Bible will permit; and to transfer no words which are capable of being literally translated. And Whereas, The Board still adheres firmly to these resolutions, as expressing, in their judgment, the only true principle on which translations can be made; 52 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. and as uttering what they believe to be the decided opinion of the great mass of the denomination whom they represent : Therefore, Resolved, That the Board of Managers of the Ameri- can Bible Society be respectfully informed that this Board cannot, consistently and conscientiously, comply with the conditions on which appropriations are now made, and cannot therefore accept the sum appropriated by the Board of Managers on the 17th of March, 1836. 2. Mr. Brigham further informs the secretary of the Board, that it is in contemplation to send Bible agents to several of the large missionary stations abroad, to take charge of the interests of the Bible cause so far as the American Bible Society is concerned. It is de- signed that the agent, in each case, be of the denomina- tion to which the missionaries on the ground belong. Would it ,sir, be agreeable to your Board, to have such an agent sent to any of your stations ? The committee recommend the adoption of the f ollow- ing resolution : Resolved, That in the present state of things, ttue Board cannot perceive that the appointment of an agent of the American Bible Society, at any of their stations, would subserve any valuable purpose. The committee further recommend the adoption of the following preamble and resolution : Whereas, The Board have been impelled, by a con- scientious conviction of duty, to decline accepting the appropriation of funds made, on certain conditions, by the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society; as the translation, printing and distribution of the sacred UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 53 Scriptures in the languages of the heathen are vitally connected with the glory of God and with the salvation of men ; and as the American Baptists enjoy great facili- ties for prosecuting this important work : Therefore, Resolved, That our brethren throughout the Union be most earnestly requested to adopt measures in their churches, associations, missionary societies, or by any other suitable means, so to augment the funds of the Board, that the work of translating, printing and dis- tributing the word of God, in heathen tongues, may be prosecuted with diligence and energy commensurate with the grandeur and surpassing importance of the enterprise. ' ' These men were not to be bought when the souls of men were at stake. Our Pedo brethren went further. A body of Baptists in New York during the year or- ganized the American Foreign Mission Society with a view of publishing the Bible for heathen people with- out veneering, but the act to incorporate by the legis- lature was defeated through the influence of those who objected to having "One Lord, one faith and one bap- tism" taught throughout the world. Various efforts were made to have Baptists modify their views and co- operate with the Bible Society, but all proved a failure. In course of time, however, the Bible Society revised its by-laws, leaving out the section which had driven the Baptists out, with a hope of regaining their co-operation, but the spirit of the society was yet against the circu- lation of the Burman and Korean versions of the Scrip- tures. This is shown by the fact that in 1880 the Amer- 54 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. ican Baptist Missionary Union made application for a grant from their Bible fund and was refused. Their refusal proved a God-send in time, for in 1883, at a most enthusiastic Baptist meeting held in Saratoga, N. Y., all foreign Bible work by American Baptists was put in charge of the Missionary Union. It is but just to say in connection with Foreign Mis- sion work of American Baptists that the slavery question played its part. The agitation against this awful curse had grown until 1840, whenever the Northern and Southern Christians met, the friends and enemies of man-stealing were bound to be heard. A majority of the leaders in Baptist ranks seems to have opposed the insti- tution, but the friends of slavery insisted on having slave holders sent as missionaries. While organized work by American Baptists was assuming a permanent shape, and the zeal for Foreign Missions was growing, a general restlessness between the Northern and Southern States was becoming evident. 1840 marks the time when the men who had met and planned, labored and prayed for the spreading of the Gospel, felt the first throb of agitation that would beat until North and South would stand apart in the work in which they had been engaged for twenty-seven years. Realizing that an agitation was on and in its desire to head it off, November 2, 1840, the Acting Board of the Convention issued a circular setting forth the fact that the Convention would remain neutral on the question of slavery. In 1842 what was known as the "Provisional Foreign Mission Committee of the American Baptist Anti- Slavery Convention" was formed. This body sought UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 55 to have the Acting Board clearly define its position which occasioned a second publication of a resolution adopted in 1840 to the effect that the General Conven- tion would not take sides with the pro nor anti-slavery party. AVhen the Convention met in its Eleventh Tri- ennial Session at Philadelphia the feeling had grown more bitter. At this meeting the Board again attempted to stamp upon the minds of its members the neutrality of its policy, but the agitation, though smuggled by resolutions and stifled by timidity and the usual policy crowd, threatened in this session to break out in a stronger and a more determined manner. This was the last meeting in which the Baptists of America ever met in a solid body under one organization. When the Board held its annual meeting at Providence, R. I., April 30, 1845, it found itself called upon to take one side or the other en the question, and while they still wavered the Ala- bama Convention wrote asking a very pertinent question as to the appointment of slave holders as missionaries. The Board replied that no slave holder would be chosen as a missionary. This struck the line that split the North and South in Church work. The Foreign Mission Society of Vir- ginia, the cradle of slavery and the hot-bed of the re- bellion, at once seized the opportunity to unite all re- ligious leaders who were in favor of slavery into one band. A call was issued by them and a large and enthusias- tic meeting of Southern Baptists was held at Augusta, Ga. ? May 8, 1845. This meeting resulted in the forma- 56 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. tion of the Southern Baptist Convention with a Home and Foreign Mission Board. The action was deplored by all well-thinking men. One can thus see how dear to the hearts was the institution of slavery to some men. This bitter feeling was not only confined to the Baptist denomination, but in the Methodist and other denominations, men agreed until forbearance gave out and they disagreed, and these united bodies with their anti-slavery agitators, whose voices were heard in thunder tones against professed Christians reading and pretending to believe a Bible which declares "God hath made of one blood all nations to dwell upon the whole earth/' where the Fatherhood of God and tne brotherhood of man are so clearly taught, were awaken- ing a sentiment that foretold the death of that "sum of all villainy ''—slavery. As men agitated the moral phase of human slavery and were moved to search the Scriptures and to read God's words of condemnation, their hearts were stirred and the conflict waxed warm. Then came the rending of sections and the divisions of denominations. Baptists North and South stood apart. The conflict in the Metho- dist Church gave birth- to the M. E. Church North and M. E. Church South. The same fate met the Presby- terians, and thus, under distinct leaderships, church Avork was almost revolutionized. The throwing of responsibility upon the South and the North, apart, brought about a spirit of rivalry. An ambition to excel as well as to hold their own was seen on all sides. In this great issue men took sides, and while one body stood for the most dis- • UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 57 graceful and cursed institution on earth, its followers were loyal to their convictions, and with renewed energy went to work. The war came on and these bodies still held intact, upholding their separate policies as to slavery. The conflict on battle field ended, and the South found in her lap 4,000,000 freedmen on constitu- tional equality with her w T hite population, and from whom slavery had sapped the life of intelligence, of morality and of manhood and womanhood. The ques- tion was, what shall we do with them and for them ? Northern Baptists, true to their sense of Christian duty, stretched forth their mighty arms to lead those for whom they had freely given up the ties that bound North and South in Christian work twenty years before, and in great numbers and many means came among us and lifted us up and taught us that we were men and women, created equal, and capable of every possible de- velopment. This gave new life and new inspiration to the entire race. The Southern Baptist Convention faced the issue with no degree of slackness, for it realized that slavery was forever gone and the Negro by his labor, sweat and tears had been the glory of the South, and the source of its wealth for more than two hundred years, and that hundreds of dollars paid in exchange for slaves had gone to help in its mission work. Therefore this body in many ways came nobly to the aid of its recently emancipated brothers. What has been done by these Christian organizations would require hours to tell. For they have not as yet abandoned us to our fate, but have labored unceasingly among us and for us, by establish- ing schools in nearly every Southern State, where we 58 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS so long and loyally labored, without money and without price. We have thus seen how American Baptists begun their work as one solid body ; how they labored together for thirty-two years ; how, when the crisis came, men did not fight each other by slander and abuse, but like men took the side which they felt justified in supporting. Their freedom from the spirit of abuse and finding fault and criticising the methods of each other proved con- clusively that though they differed so widely on one subject their hearts were right toward each other. The methods nor the honesty of no man nor set of men in either opposing body were ever questioned. Because men can not agree on certain principles there is no reason why they should not be brethren. The example of these men in this is worthy of emulation. But let us consider another organization that was the outgrowth of differences, though of an inferior and less important nature. We give elsewhere the organi- zation of Negro Baptists to do mission work at home and abroad. Like our white brethren, the time came when differences arose, but unlike them, in that manhood was disarmed, and under a pretense akin to deception, they broke off from the National body, formed the Dis- trict Convention, an unnecessary body, void of the true spirit. This small band of Baptists soon found an excuse for forming a convention which was pushed into exist- ence in 1899, under the name of "Lot Carey Foreign Missions Convention/ ' It was organized in Baltimore with the following officers : Rev. C. S. Brown, President, Winton, N. C; Rev. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 59 H. L. Barco, Vice President, Virginia ; Rev. H. C. Robin- son, Second Vice President, Pennsylvania; Rev. A. Brown, Third Vice President, Maryland; Rev. Wm. Troy, Fourth Vice President, New Jersey; Rev. W. P. Gibbons, Fifth Vice President, District of Columbia; Rev. W. H. Scott, Sixth Vice President, Massachusetts; Rev. A. W. Pegues, Recording Secretary, Raleigh, N. C. ; Rev. W. M. Alexander, Corresponding Secretary, Balti- more, Md. ; Rev. J. M. Armstead, Treasurer, Portsmouth, Va. ; Rev. J. R. Waller, Auditor, Baltimore, Md. ; Rev. W. T. Minter, Statistical Secretary, Salisbury, N. C. It will be remembered that soon after the formation of the District Convention application was made to the American Baptist Missionary Union for affiliation. We give below the report of the Executive Committee of the American Baptist Missionary Union which appeared in their magazine in May, 1898 : "In the month of December, 1897, overtures were made to our committee by a number of colored brethren of the South, organized in Richmond, Va., under the name of the District Convention of Colored Brethren. This convention made pro- posals to us for some plan of co-operation with the Missionary Union, whereby it might actively engage in work in Africa. The Executive Committee responded by offering to co-operate with this convention on the following basis: The convention of the colored people to adopt and sustain their own methods of organization and of raising funds; to select and appoint their own missionaries, with the understanding that the ap- pointment shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the Missionary Union; and to maintain such communication with them as may, in their judgment, seem desirable; the Missionary Union to pay one-half of the salary of a traveling or district secretary, to supply literature to a reasonable extent to the representatives of the convention who were to visit churches, and to give the officers and repre- sentatives of the convention the benefit of the advice and ex- 60 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. perience of the Union in the matter of collecting- funds and carrying" on the home work of missions, the funds collected to be remitted monthly to the Treasurer of the Missionary Union, after deducting necessary expenses and the conven- tion's one-half of the secretary's salary, the Union affording to the convention all the benefit of its established agencies for the transmission of funds and the conduct of the mission work on the field; the Union also, if desired, to assign to the convention the Mukimvika Station, on the Congo, with the support of the missionary located there; to regularly transmit funds for the support of the missionaries and of the work as may be appropriate, with the understanding- that any tempo- rary deficiency which may occur in the funds furnished by the association shall be supplied by the Union, to an amount not exceeding $500 annually, the said deficiency to be made up subsequently. "The Convention of Colored Baptists responded by sug- gesting some modification of the terms, to the extent of hav- ing a representation upon the Executive Committee, and that the Union pay one-half of the traveling expenses of the traveling* secretary. The Union declined to accede to the lat- ter suggestions. Since this, our last communication,, no reply has been received from the convention at Richmond, Va." It will be seen that in 1887 the leaders of the Dis- trict Convention received this refusal to give them official recognition, and the report made in May says: "No reply has been received from the Convention at Richmond/' Their objection to sending their money to a white organization to be sent to the field when they could have no official relations with that organization, we thought, a manly one, but, in the face of the objection and their future attempts, we must conclude that they did not mean a word of it. In important matters like this, where the interest of the whole people is at stake, men ought to be slow to decide, but when they do decide to take certain views they ought to stick to them. Their change of views was more plainly demonstrated in 1901 when they agreed to have the Missionary Union UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 61 look after the sending of the money of the Lot Carey Convention to Mr. and Mrs. Boone, who sailed during the year for the Congo. These are the first persons the new organization has ever sent out as missionaries, and it may be that their inexperience in conducting mission work of their own makes it expedient that they get the Union to attend to the sending of their money to pay their missionary. Then, too, the lack of funds to carry on the work doubtless made it necessary that they seek this relation that the Union might loan them money from time to time and they pay it back when raised among their followers in North Carolina, Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Maryland. But it is safe to say that where men shift responsibilities they also shift interest and make of their followers weaklings. When a man knows he will get his money whether he earns it or not, or in any way be able to secure it until it is made, he is less determined to succeed or to make it. Whatever may be said of the division of the North and South in relig- ious work it was the means of developing stronger or- ganizations, for responsibilities were laid heavily upon each section, and they had no other alternative, and like men they applied themselves to the task. Let Negro Baptists throw the responsibility of their work where they will, but if once removed from their own shoulders decay and destruction awaits it. The National Convention, with all of its Boards, stands for co-operation with any white or black organization that stands for co-operation and not subjugation. Ours is ours, and we bought it with a price too dear to lose it, and, God helping us, we will keep it and get more. The 62 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. noble records of the Northern White Baptists, the South- ern White Baptists and the National Baptist Conven- tion is without parallel in the records of church history.. May each live to give long and grand service in this and other lands. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 63 THE FIELD. c i Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields ; for they are white already to harvest. ' ' India, China, Japan, Korea, West Indies, Spanish America and the Isles of the Pacific. INDIA. ' i Cast off the mask and shed the light of truth upon the scene. " India, at whose portals Christianity has stood knock- ing, knocking for over a century, is gradually opening her doors to the onward march. The evangelization of India is said to be the most stupendous enterprise the Church of God has ever under- taken. India is about the size of Europe, Russia ex- cepted. The greater portion lies within the topics. The population is beyond conception, numbering nearly 300,000,000 souls. The religions and languages are numerous, but Hindooism and Mohammedanism are the prevailing religions. Although of great antiquity, India is comparatively unknown by the civilized world. The East India Com- pany began its trade there in 1600, but they avoided interference with the religious customs. This company 64 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. was abolished in 1858. Little was done for India 8 until the opening of the Nineteenth century. Wm. Carey's work of which we have spoken was the first of any impor- tance. Ward and Marshman joined him later, and their labors paved the way for Henry Martyn, Heber, Alex. Duff, Nott, Hall, Judson, Rice, Poor and many others. In 1856, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists were zealously at work. The mission stations under various boards and denominations studded the country, and much attention was given to educational, medical and the zenana work because of the satisfactory results in the work of India's evangelization. The introduction of printing presses for the publica- tion of Bibles and religious periodicals, medical work y zenana work and the vigilant work among the millions of its widows has done more to open the way for mission work than can be told. The desire for education among the Hindoos, and especially for their girls, is encouraging, and though they are removed from school at a tender age the good in- structions given by Christian teachers are hard to efface. Supplementing the school work is the printing press, through which has passed millions of Bibles in every language spoken in India, besides school books, news- papers and tracts by the thousands. Medical missionaries are doing great service in ad- ministering to the bodies as w T ell as the souls of the natives. The zenana work deserves special mention. Women in these secluded sections, thousands and thou- sands in number, can never hear of God nor of the story of the Cross, save as they hear it from the lips of female \. "■.; mmm c" REV. L M. LUKE, D. D. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 65 missionaries. Mrs. Mullins, wife of an English mission- ary, of Calcutta, has immortalized herself in the hearts of Hindoo women in these secluded places by her work and books. The saddest of all in this great field of heathenism, is that there dwell over five million widows, fourteen thousand of whom are under five years of age. God is opening the way to deliver these babes from the curse of the law, for already Pundita Ramabai, a Brahmin widow, with millions of dollars, has accepted Christianity and today gives shelter to more than three hundred of these little widows whose lives have been shrouded in despair. The American and European force of laborers number over 2,000 men and women with nearly 4,000 native helpers. But when we think of the millions that tread that soil, and the great hold of superstition and idolitry upon them, with the disciples we exclaim, "What are these among so many ? ' ' CHINA. Lift up your heads oh ye gates, even be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, and the King- of glory will come in. China, the oldest nation in the world, has stood firmly and defiantly against Christianity for centuries, almost impregnable. Her 500,000,000 souls have the sympathy of the Christian world. Three religions— Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism— have rooted themselves into the very being of her national life. As early as the Sixth century the Nestorians attempted mission work in China, 66 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. and since then effort after effort has been made to break down idolatry. The work gradually developed until 1736, when Matteo Ricci and his followers were expelled from the empire. Then China shut her doors against Chris- tianity. At the beginning of the Nineteenth century the subject of missions was engaging the attention of the world, and China being such a gigantic field the London Missionary Society determined to take up the work. Robt. Morrison went to the field in 1807. His knowledge of the Chinese language enabled him to be of great serv- ice in translating the Bible and publishing catechisms and tracts. His patience and forbearance is unparalleled in missionary history. He gave twenty-seven years of hard, earnest labor with only three or four converts. The opening of a hospital by Dr. Peter Parker in 1836 helped to disarm prejudice, and this, with war and famine, was the means of opening many doors. Rev. John Griffith, Rev. Dr. Mackenzie, Rev. Dr. Howard and Rev. J. H. Taylor, who labored so zealously in China, did much to open the way for more missionaries. It is remarkable that China with all of her heathen- ism and barred doors against Christianity, how God has spared her. Of that ancient forest one tree alone stands. Greece, Rome, Babylon, Macedonia and Egypt have passed away, but China has been kept from entire col- lapse. Morally she is rotten to the core. From floods, Avar and pestilence China has lost mil- lions. It is said that 20,000,000 lives were lost in the Taiping rebellion, and in the famine of 1877-78 carried away over six millions, yet, today, 400,000,000 souls— the most gigantic work the Christian Church ever had UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 67 upon her — are within its confines. The day will come when God shall marshal His forces, march them around the wall, blowing trumpets and singing songs until those ancient walls shall fall and with the other nations of the world China shall shake glad hands. In June, 1900, after months of threatening, the Boxers, mainly peasants and illiterate natives, who com- bined the various forms of paganism against Chris- tianity, like a cloud-burst, stirred the Christian world by their attack upon misionaries, diplomats and indeed all foreigners and native Christians within the walls. Churches and mission stations were burned and lega- tions exposed to their fananticisms. This led the Chinese to declare war and a general uprising ensued. For months the fight went on, and at one time.it seemed that the world would be involved. Missionaries, envoys and their families and all foreigners had to make their escape or perish at the hands of the merciless Boxers. Over 175 missionaries were massacred. The cause of all this, they claim, was because foreigners were seizing their ter- ritory, getting possession of their maritime customs, building railroads and insulting their gods. JAPAN. The population of Japan is over 40,000,000. The re- ligion is Shinto — a form of nature worship — Confucian and Buddhist. Francis Xavier was the first missionary to visit Japan. He landed in 1549. For a while the work flourished— but the government became suspicious, fear- ing the political influence of the priesthood, and begun 68 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. to persecute Christians. For more than two centuries she shut her doors against them. It was not until the middle of the Nineteenth century that through the providence of God, America opened the doors of Japan and Protestant missionaries were soon sent to the field. Messrs. Liggins, AYilliams, Brown, Verback and Sim- mons were the first. In 1860 Jonathan Goble, the first Baptist missionary, went to Japan and was joined by Nathan Brown in 1872. In 1873 they organized the first Baptist Church with eight members, three of which were Japanese. The names of J. H. Arthur, J. H. Rheese, Thos. P. Poate and Albert A. Bennett and wife are among the most zealous and consecrated missionaries to Japan. The Southern Baptist Convention made its first attempt at mission work in Japan in 1860. Kev. J. Q. A. Eohrer and wife set sail in that year. The parting scene between mother and daughter, as the ill-fated Edwin Forest was about to leave port, was very touching indeed. In a prayer of agony the mother committed the daughter to the care of Almighty Cod. As she was about to take her leave, the daughter in an effort to console her broken- hearted mother, said, "Mother, with the exception of parting from you, this is the happiest day of my life. If we are lost at sea, death will find us in the path of duty. ' ' They were lost. Just as the vessel was entering Hong Kong harbor she capsized and all w r ent down and were buried in a watery grave. It was not until 1889 that the Southern Baptists again attempted work in Japan, and they are now doing some work in co-opera- tion with the Missionary Union. The latest accounts are encouraging. Over 40,000 native Christians, 365 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 69 churches, 30 different missionary societies, with about 675 missionaries, and over 800 native helpers are on the field. KOREA. Korea, called by the natives "Chosen," is a penin- sula between the Yellow and Japan Seas. It has an area of 80,000 square miles, and a population of 14,000,000/ The Koreans are said to be a cross between the Chinese and the Japanese. Like China, she closed her doors to Christianity centuries ago, and not until 1882 were her ports opened to commerce. Buddhism and Confucianism are the prevailing religions. The first Protestant missionary, Rev. John Eoss, went there in 1873, under the Presbyterian Board. Later Dr. Allen went, and afterward a number of Presbyterian and Methodist missionaries went out, and to-day there are about 1,200 communicants and 2,000 catechumens. WEST INDIES. In these islands slavery sunk the vast Negro popula- tion into the lowest depths of sin and degradation. The Moravian brethren went to the island in 1733, and were struck with pity for these chained and speechless victims toiling under the yoke of human bondage. Many years of perils and hardships were experienced by them as they labored, and many of them died. The earliest preaching by Baptists in the West Indies was done by a Negro, George Lisle, of Virginia. He was licensed in 1777. He went to Kingston, 1783, and formed 70 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. a church consisting of four members, refugees from the United States. By 1792, he had baptized 500 persons. There arose a bitter feeling against his effort to give Negroes the Gospel, and his meetings were often dis- turbed, and he himself imprisoned. A white man once entered his chapel on horseback and said: "Old Lisle, give my horse the sacrament !" Mr. Lisle with becom- ing dignity, replied: "No, sir, you are not fit yourself to receive it. ? ' Against many obstacles the church flour- ished. In 1841 the membership numbered 3,700 per- sons. Rev. John Rowe went to Kingston under the Bap- tist Missionary Society of London in 1813, and in 1817 Mr. and Mrs. Coultart went to the island as missionaries. You have doubtless stood and watched the clouds as they hung heavy overhead, and noticed how they rolled and tumbled, and how the wind would shove them off, and how they would blacken, as if with mad- ness, amid the pealing thunder and fierce lightning, and then the whole earth enveloped in darkness, and the clouds would threaten to pour forth torrents of rain. By and by the matchless sun in all of his power would burst forth and with commanding brightness declare : * ' I am ruler of day, ' ' and would take his place in the ■ heavens and reign in splendor and brightness. Kings- ton, where Lisle had labored for years, at his death wit- nessed the awful darkness of oppression and cruelty, a long and dark day, and dark day it was, for it was not until 1824, when Rev. Wm. Knibb, an Englishman, came to the island, did there appear any hope for the oppressed. The window in Market Street, Bristol, England, is a UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 71 resort for travelers who know the story of this lover of humanity. It was from this window that his mother called him back as he left for the West Indies, and said : "Remember, William, I would rather hear that you had perished at sea than that you had disgraced the cause you go to serve*. Little did this champion of the Negroes of Kingston know that his would be a terrible ordeal. In the insurrection of the slaves in 1828, he was charged with conspiracy with the Negroes and tried, but over bribes and false witnesses the court declared him guiltless. Determined to revenge the missionary, British troops burned his chapel to the ground and incited a mob to complete the work of destruction. Their deeds of violence amounted to quite £24,000 ($120,000) . In 1832, soon after this insurrection, Mr. Knibbs visited England and stirred the entire country by his thrilling story of the treatment of the natives. The government made a grant of £11,000 ($55,000), and the public £14,000 ($70,000) in response to his appeals. His return to Jamaica was hailed with joy by the Negro population. He built several large chapels and did much to bring about the Emancipation Act of 1833. In 1844, he erected a theological school for the train- ing of Negroes for the Christian ministry. His zeal and dauntless courage were an inspiration to his black brothers, and it was the inspiration received from his life that led Keith, a native African w r ho had come to this island a refugee, to determine to work his way back to that dark land and preach the Gospel on the very spot from which he was sold. 72 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. As long as the faintest spark of the influences of Christianity remain in the West Indies the names of George Lisle, a Negro and the first Baptist missionary, and Rev. William Knibbs will live. The year 1842, will long be remembered in Jamaica for its great ingathering of sonls. Mr. Mursell Phillipo went to Jamaica in 1823, and gave long and excellent service. One of his converts, Mr. Geo. W. Gordon, a Negro, was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the island. In 1863 Mr. Gordon was elected a member of the House of Assembly for one of the parishes. His influence and ability won for him the enmity of the acting governor, E. J. Eyre, who made memorable the year 1865 by his high-handed proceedings. With his approbation thousands of houses were burned, 600 men and women flogged with fine wire whips heated at the ends. Mr. Gordon fell a victim to his inhuman wrath and was executed for treason with- out any evidence of the crime being produced. The English government became stirred by his acts of cruelty investigated matters and dismissed from office, called to England, and his friends spent over $50,000 in buying his acquittal. He was finally lost in obscurity. Mr. Phillipo died in 1879, after fifty years of toil among the Negroes who loved him as their friend. Geo. Givens, a Negro from one of the Southern States, planted, amid persecution and often imprison- ment, a Baptist church in St. Thomas-in-the-Vale. Many hundreds were converted under his preaching. To avoid persecution he often held his meetings in caves of the mountains, and in other unfrequented places in the darkness of the night. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 73 It was in a far-off swamp he secretly bought and erected a house where he and his rapidly increasing flock might worship God unmolested, but like the slave he was hunted, whipped and imprisoned. True to his God, however, he preached as long as he was able. He died in 1826. In 1834, slavery was abolished in the islands under British rule, after which missionary societies in England and America took up the work with new zeal. Success has crowned their efforts in the establishment of churches, schools and a general improvement among the people. In Cuba the slave trade was not suppressed until 1886. Catholicism has been for centuries the established religion, and where Rome rules, ignorance and cruelty are rampart. Since the Spanish- American war, in 1898, a religious revolution has taken place, and ere long it is hoped that Cuba, whose legends for years dripped with a silent horror of blood, will take her place beside the other Christian nations of the earth. In 1898, the Foreign Mission Board sent Rev. D. N. E. Campbell, M. D., and wife — the former a medical missionary — to this field, but nothing tangible was ever reported by him. Cuba's proximity and relation to the United States make it a home field. A Baptist train- ing school in this new field would, to our minds, be of great service to those so recently emancipated from Catholicism and oppression. One of the most romantic and interesting missions to be found anywhere is that founded in Havana in 1883 by Mr. Albert Jose Diaz. He had served in the 74 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. struggle for freedom as a captain of the insurgents, and was driven to America by merciless Spanish soldiers who pursued him wherever he took refuge. At last, with a plank as his bark and necessity as his oar, he pushed out in midstream and came near losing his life. A fishing boat picked him up and carried him to New York. Pneumonia seized him and for weeks he lay ill in a city hospital. His nurse was a devout Christian woman who talked with him on the Bible and conversion. It was in this hospital that he accepted Christ. When amnesty was proclaimed he returned to Havana but a disloyal, unchristian family refused to receive him, and he re- solved to return to America. He came and was welcomed by those who were with him in his days of illness. Soon he was baptized and joined the Gethsemane Bap- tist Church of Brooklyn. He made application to the American Baptist Home Mission Society, but for want of funds they could not employ him. In 1883 the Wo- man's Bible Society of Philadelphia sent him to Cuba as missionary. A short time after this he was transferred to the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Con- vention under which he has served ever since. Much success attended his efforts, and in 1889 it was necessary to secure larger quarters. Jane Theatre of Havana was purchased at a cost of $65,000 and dedi- cated as the G-ethsemane Baptist Church, which with its branch churches has between two and three thousand members. The Roman Catholic bishop and priests soon became envious of his success, and from time to time imprisoned Diaz and some of his workers. The United States Consul UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 75 came to their rescue and had them released. His tireless efforts in the establishment of Eed Cross stations dur- ing the Spanish- American war again caused his arrest, and was released only on his promise to leave the coun- try. He rendered valuable service as an interpreter after the intervention of the United States in behalf of Cuba. He returned after the war and begun to re- organize the mission work which had gone to pieces dur- ing the Avar. By agreement the Home Mission Board of the South- ern Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission Society divided the island. The Southern Board operates in the Western part, including Havana and the towns in which they had worked before the recent war, and the Home Mission Society in the two Eastern provinces and Porto Rico. Much success has attended their efforts. The mission, in Bahama was begun in 1833. But it is not to be understood that this was the first attempt, for it was in 1812 when Negro Baptist ministers begun work on the islands. The Church of England and the Wesleyans had also been at work for somo time, but had confined their efforts to the whites and free Negroes, hence, through neglect, the masses were untouched, and their moral and religious conditions the most deplorable. Rev. J. Burton begun work among these neglected people and soon material results were seen. Rev. Daniel Wil- shere, New Providence, has charge of the whole work now. For 1901, he reports four churches on that island, a good B. Y. P. U., day and Sabbath schools. Eleuthera, San Salvador, "Worthings, Little Exuma, Great Exuma, 76 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Andros, The Exuma Cays and Barrterra, each, have one or more churches or mission stations, aggregating 133, with a membership of 2,100, and 2,000 children in Sab- bath schools. The Canadian Baptists, with some Amer- ican friends, are aiding Mr. AVilshere in his work. But it is regretted that no attention is given to the training of natives for the work of the ministry. In all the island, we are told, there is not a church preparing a native as preacher nor teacher. How can we hope to master the mighty darkness of heathenism unless we realize with Bishop Patterson that "no church can take root without a native clergy. " God has so arranged it that each man knows his own, and can better reach their sympathies and kindle their interests than one who has to study the character and habits of those whom he tries to serve. Mr. Wilshere, while doing an excellent work, if sup- plemented by a few native helpers would do double the work. As overseer of the interests of all Baptists in New Providence he must be a vicar of Washington Irving 's day. The Church must awake to this oversight and pre- pare natives to preach to natives. The Scriptures plainly set forth this fact in the case of Moses being sent to Israel, and Ezekiel is told more than once, "Go to thy people, and to the children of thy people." In the Trinidad Island, Rev. Geo. Cowen begun to labor in 1843, and was heartily supported by natives and refugees. In 1860, Mr. Underbill, a devoted missionary, went there and to his astonishment found many excel- lent Negro Christians, the results of the labors of his predecessor. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 77 Negro Baptists begun work in Hayti as early as 1835, Mr. W. C. Monroe, of New York, being the pioneer, and in 1845, when missionary societies sent a few men to the island, they found many of his converts. The work met with much opposition when General Soulougul, the 4 Nero of the "West Indies, became president. The missionaries found it necessary to hold their meetings in sequestered places and to baptize at night, or away in some lonely spot where human foot seldom trod. One of these beautiful and picturesque scenes took place in 1848, near Jacmel, when six converts, the early fruits of Haytian missions, were offered the Lord in baptism. It was one of those solitary nights in early spring when the moon shone in all her majestic brightness, bathing nature, kissing the tall pines and mighty mountains, adding holy lustre to the scene. It was in a tranquil pool which the clear stream in its windings around the mountain side had made, and just under the lofty precipice which towered high above them, that these six converts, after supplication and song, were buried in the liquid pool. Only that little band and God saw this inspiring scene, and through thoughts of perse- cution for the gospel's sake, through isolation and fear, they heard His voice breaking the calm of that memo- rable night, saying, ' ' Suffer it is to be so now. ' ' Rev. L. Ton Evans, of Barry, Wales, who labored as missionary in Hayti, in his letter to the Foreign Mis- sion Board, of June 29, 1900, says: "The national religion is Romanism. However, the inhabitants of the Republic are only nominal Roman Catholics and are more skeptical than anything. While 78 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. they are incredulous and even unsympathetic to the teachings of religion as presented by the Romanist, who is a little removed if any from the Voodoo worshiper, it would be unfair to say they are opposed to true religion and the Christianity of Jesus. As an instance of this— Good Friday, 1893, a month after landing in the island, I urged one of the deacons, a colored brother, to let me preach on "Calvary." He formerly belonged to the Catholic Church, and I got him to interpret for me when preaching. As a result of this, some excitement was created among the priesthood, and the deacon and my- self were summoned to appear at the High Court on the following Wednesday. The priests did not turn up (the men were white, such as French, German and Irish). The native (colored) judge, a nominal Roman Catho- lic, said in French, "Continue preaching what you believe to be the Gospel, as you are in a free country, and, if you like, you will have the soldiers to guard you in the streets." We thanked him, but declined this, though we accepted the invitation to visit the prison, and used to do so every Sunday. This established the open air gospel work, which is still continued there to this day. The present state of the island is most deplorable — the densest darkness prevailing; Romanism in its worst forms; women devotees are also connected with Voodoo- ism at he same time, or what we call devil-worship. In this worship, which is the prevalent form throughout the island, fowls and beasts are offered and blood drunk. Sometimes even now human lives are offered up and cannibalism practiced. Their only hope politically and UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 79 morally is the spread of the true gospel light. This must be done by some society outside. As now Cuba and Porto Kico are being evangelized by the United States of America, and as these two are re- publics and populated by Africans, and the work com- menced here ninety years ago by colored brethren from Kentucky, for whom it afforded shelter and retreat, surely it has with its nearly 2,000,000 people, the strong- est claims on your sympathy and help to-day. ' ' SPANISH AMERICA. It was in 1510, when Cortez and Pizarro took posses- sion of the region lying between the Southern boundary of the United States and Cape Horn in the name of Spain, and named it Spanish America. Though nearly four centuries have passed since Spanish rule begun, yet the masses of the people are in dense ignorance and superstition because of the degrading influences of Catholicism, and any attempt to introduce the Bible meets with bitter denunciation from the priesthood. South America has been termed the "Neglected Continent." But, when it is remembered that the Roman Catholic Church is established by law and that her constitution excludes all other creeds, the reason is understood. With a population of over 34,000,000, only about 250 missionaries and teachers are at work. There is but little work being done for the uplifting of the thousands of Negroes burdened with the yoke of Catholi- cism. 80 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. In 1899 Kev. J. W. Anderson, a Negro Baptist minister, went from Connecticut to Georgetown, South America. Finding a great field in which to labor, he began work at that point. In March, 1900, he made ap- plication to the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention to adopt him and his work. His report showed that he had organized the first colored Baptist church, and at that time had ninety members. He found as native helpers Brethren Smith and C. W. Sargeant. The board found itself unable to help in a substantial way in this new field, but wrote them pledg- ing their "moral support and what financial help they could from time to time give." Soon after this Rev. Anderson wrote, stating that he had erected a church edifice, asking the board to give the church a bell. The Sunday schools of Louisville, Ky., were called upon, and at a mass meeting in Zion Baptist Church, August, 1900, the money was raised and the bell paid for. The work has grown gradually. Three small churches have been organ- ized with a total membership of 400. Some misunder- standing arose in the churches and the Board was asked to send its corresponding secretary to the field. They realize that this is an excellent field right at their door, and hope to be able to have the work inspected, and, if conditions warrant, to prosecute mission work among that vast Negro population. ISLES OF THE PACIFIC. The islands of the Pacific include six great groups — the East India Islands, Polynesia, Melanesia, New Zea- MISS C. G. EWEX, Is reckoned among our most faithful friends in the work of Foreign Missions, She was attracted by the earnest efforts of Rev. Jno. F. A Johns, now deceased, and through her own means kept him in school for several years and suppor- ted him through the Board during his service on the field. From time to time we are cheered by her sisterly letters and contributions to the work. Rev. R. A. Jackson And Family, Cape Town, South Af- rica. A native cf Mississippi. Went to Africa in 1894. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 81 land, Sandwich, or Hawaiian, and Micronesia. Much at- tention has been given to these islands because of the great population — 40,000,000 of cruel savages. Many missionaries l;ave been killed, some as soon as they land- ed. John Williams, who went to Society Island in 1816, under the London Missionary Society, is termed "the Apostle of the South Seas/ 9 He was a zealous, devoted worker and wears the martyr's crown, having been slain by a treacherous native in 1839, at Erromanga. We might mention the names of scores of men. who have gone to these islands, many of whom were killed, others dying of hardships. The names of John Patton, who labored at Tanna; of Samuel Marsden, of John C. Patterson and of Bishop Selwyn will live as heroes of missionary efforts in the islands of the Pacific. The venerable John G. Paton, the apostle of the New Hebrides, reported to the late Ecumenical Conference 3,000 converts, with the Bible translated into twenty-two new languages. Dr. Paton has been on these islands for forty-two years and has indeed revolutionized things, yet it is said there are 60,000 cannibals in these islands. The St. Lazarus or Philippine Islands were dis- covered March 12, 1521. It is an archipelago, Southeast of Asia. The China Sea separates it on the Northwest from China. Toward the East lies the Pacific. No definite statement can be given of the Philippine 's land area. In 1882, Domann on his map estimated an area of 114,356 square miles. Spain had the islands under con- trol for over three centuries yet much of the territory is unexplored. Luzon is the best known of the entire archipelago, and little is known of this island. 82 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. It was not until 1898, when the United States ac- quired by conquest these slands from Spain, that American Protestant Christians turned their attention to missionary work there. The American Baptist Mis- sionary Union at once went to the rescue of the 8,000,000 souls. The question was whom shall we send ? God in his wisdom had prepared a native, a Viscayan, who had been converted in the Baptist Mission under Rev. Erie Lund, in Barcelona, Spain, and this native offered him- self to go. The Union gave $150 for printing and trans- lating the New Testament and tracts into his tongue, and begun missionary operation in the Viscayan group. Under instructions Mr. Lund went to the Philippines to establish the work in company with the converted Philip- pino, Mr. Braulio Manikan. It was found that the Negro population was more ready to give up their heathen custom and priest worship than the whites and mixed bloods, hence work among them was begun with great zeal, and to-day bids fair to so establish itself that it will not be long before this group of islands will take on new life. With this new field American Baptists' work covers 2,000 miles, from Menuro, the Northern island of Japan, to the Viscayan group of the Philippine Islands. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 83 AFRICA. A weary, waiting* throng — With eager, asking eyes, And prayers that end in sighs, "Oh, Lord, how long?" Africa is the largest of all the continents, except Asia, tut less is known of her than any other continent on the globe. To have an idea of the size, imagine the western edge laid at San Francisco it would cover land and sea to the coast of Ireland. Africa is 4,985 miles long and 4,615 miles wide. Its area, including the adjacent islands, is about 11,854,000 square miles. The continent is divided into North, South, East, West and Central Africa. North Africa extends from the Red Sea to the At- lantic, and from the Mediterranean to the southern boun- dary of Abyssinia and the Desert of Sahara. Mohamme- danism is the principal religion, though the Roman Catholics hold the balance of power in Algeria. More is known of South Africa because of the efforts of Robert Moffat, Livingstone and Stanley, and more re- cently the attention of the world has been upon this section because of the English-Boer war. . East Africa includes the coast lying between Abys- 84 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. sinia and the mouth of the . Zambezi and the inland regions of Central Africa around the great lakes. Her rivers are among the largest in the world and make their way over great cataracts and water falls, through great mountain ranges down to the sea. So much has been said about the climate that many who would venture to her shores have stayed away, fear- ing death from climatic conditions. While the coast region is malarious and the equatorial region feverish, the higher attitudes are exceedingly healthful. The soil is fertile and vegetation rank. The population has been variously estimated, but reliable authorities place the figures at 300,000,000 souls. Of course no one knows correctly, as we can hardly keep correct figures in civilized countries where the census is taken each decade. There are many languages and races, but nearly all of the people are either Mohamme- dans, pagans or savages. The land-grabbing in Africa began in 1866, and the work of partitioning Africa among the various Euro- pean nations has been industriously pursued ever since, with the result that only about 2,500,000 square miles remain unappropriated. France leads the list of "grab- land" holders. Great Britain's "sphere of influence/' the new name for national stealing, is almost equal to that of the United States in area. Many men of adventure and wealth-seeking inclina- tions have made themselves famous and opened up avenues of commerce by making exploring tours of the country and reporting its conditions. Before the days of Livingstone daring explorers made their way over UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 85 mountains of obstacles in the jungles, but David Living- stone, the prince of explorers, Africa's greatest friend, made a triumphant entry and exploring tour, beginning with 1840 and running up to 1873. His desire was to open up Africa to missions and to abolish the accursed slave trade. William Stanley was also imbued with this idea and resolved to face difficulties and perils to open up Christian missions. Truly did Livingstone say "the end of geographical discovery is the beginning of mis- sionary enterprise. ' ' The light gained from these and other explorations kindled a spirit of pity and a feeling of duty in the heart of the Christian world. These men opened the road of intelligent interest and paved the way for the bearers of the Message of Salvation. The sons of Africa will not soon forget David Liv- ingstone. His kindness and sympathy in his dealings with the natives led them to call him their "great father." After thirty years of toil he fell a victim to fever and died. Then it was that the dark sons of Africa showed their devotion, for they embalmed him, buried his heart in the land he loved and bore his body by hand 1,500 miles to the sea where they shipped it to England. When the illustrious funeral train of statesmen moved down the aisles of Westminster Abbey it was meet to accord these black heroes an honored place. The impulse given missions about this time is due to the heroic life of this great man. Other men have made their way to Africa's shore, but most of them for gold and land and honor. Africa, with her millions of blacks, is waiting and watching with 86 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. eager eyes for some strong hand to stretch forth and de- liver her from the bonds of ignorance and superstition. No people so anxious for the knowledge of the Gospel are neglected and left to plod their way in darkness as are the millions in darkest Africa. So eager are Chris- tians to civilize and Christianize the nations of China, India and other lands, that by force they throw open the gates, meet death and torture that the Gospel of the Son of God might be preached. But the sword is preparing the way for a triumphant entry into Africa. God is pre- paring the hearts of the natives for the reception of His Gospel. He is awakening the Christian world to a sense of her duty to all who dwell in darkness. Though neglected and spurned for centuries, the God of nations will turn and overturn until the 300,000,000 souls bow- ing down to gods that have eyes and see not, ears and hear not the cries of the people, will turn and serve Him who desires the heathen for His inheritance. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 87 ANNUAL RETROSPECTIVE VIEWS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION FROM 1880 TO 1900. "Only the truth that in life I have spoken, Only the seed that on earth I have sown, These shall pass onward when I am forgotten — Fruits of the harvest and what I have done." It is stated, upon what may be deemed as good au- thority, that the Negroes of the United States are more intelligent, prosperous and better conditioned than a corresponding number anywhere else in the world. Look- ing upon the American Negro, then, as the leader of the Negro world, his attitude towards Africa becomes a questions of great moment. The Baptist element in the American Negroes predominate in point of numbers, and compares favorably in all other ways with the other de- nominations having adherents among Negroes. The relation that the Baptists sustain toward the whole Negro population of the United States, and the relation that the Negroes sustain toward the whole Negro world, make patent the fact that much depends upon the Negro Bap- tists as to the Christianizing and civilizing of the Negroes of Africa. For a number of years they have been carry- ing on mission work in Africa, and we now desire to glance back over these years to observe their aims, their struggles, their successes and disappointments, in the hope that it may serve as a stimulus for future en- deavor. 88 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. In the quiet little town of Hampton, Va., situated on Hampton Roads, where the Merrimac and Monitor fought their little duel that revolutionized naval warfare in the whole world, the first official action was taken under the leadership of Rev. W. AY. Colley, returned missionary of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, looking to the gathering together of the entire Negro Baptist forces to battle against the powers of darkness that enveloped the Fatherland. "We do not mean to intimate that this was the beginning of Foreign Missions. Virginia had been already fully aroused and had been putting in some giant strokes for the cause of the Master, but she had now paused to call for reinforce- ments from the entire brotherhood. Rev. W 7 . W. Colley, of Virginia, was bidden by Virginia brethren to travel over the United States and stir up an interest in a Convention called to meet with the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Ala. ; Rev. J. A. Foster, pastor, labored hard to bring about some kind of an organization. Pursuant to call, on No- vember 24, 1880, the convention assembled. Rev. W. W. Colley was made temporary chairman, and Rev. J. M. Armistead temporary secretary. There were present at this opening session 112 dele- gates,, seventy-four of whom were from Alabama, leaving thirty-eight to be distributed among the other States. Of these thirty-eight, Arkansas sent 3 ; North Carolina, 4 ; Georgia, 3 ; Florida, 1 ; Louisiana, 2 ; Mississippi, 10 ; Texas, 4; Tennessee, 6; Virginia, 5. Such was the little handful that began our great national movement. On behalf of the Alabama delegation Rev. W. H. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 89 McAlpine delivered an address of welcome to the conven- tion, extracts from which we now T give: "We hail with much joy and delight, the time of this meeting, because here we hope and expect to meet the representative men of the denomination from all over the United States, and become better acquainted with one another as one "household of faith;" to know more of each other's work, plans, views and desires, and by counsel with one another to better carry forward the work of our Lord and Master. " Again, because it seems to be the dawn of a brighter day upon the great question of giving Africa the Gospel of Christ. As those who are prime movers in the calling of this body have settled upon Alabama, her capital and the First Colored Baptist Church as the place of holding the first meeting, we feel it a duty upon our part to tender to you the heartfelt welcome of the 100,000 colored Baptists of Alabama. In behalf of 600 churches, thirty associations and General State Convention, we tender to you our hearty co-operation in all lawful and Scriptu- ral measures to carry forward the work for which you assembled." On the part of the church the address of welcome was delivered by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Foster. A constitution to govern the body was drawn up and adopted, the preamble reading as follows : "Whereas, It becomes necessary, and is our duty, to extend our Christian influence to advance the king- dom of Christ, and as African missions claim our most profound attention, and feeling that we are most sacred- ly called to the work in this field and elsewhere abroad. 90 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. therefore, we, the representatives from the various churches, Sunday schools and societies of the Baptist denomination in the United States, do solemnly organize ourselves into a convention for the above named ob- jects." The convention made choice of the following breth- ren as officers for the ensuing year : Elder W. H. Mc Alpine, Alabama, President; Elder J. AA T . Patterson, Virginia, First Vice President; Elder F. R. Howell, North Carolina, Second Vice President; Elder R. N. Conutee, Tennessee, Third Vice President; Elder E. K. Love, Georgia, Fourth Vice President; Elder J. W. Muse, Mississippi, Fifth Vice President; Elder F. Hooks, Texas, Sixth Vice President; Elder G. Eobinson, Arkansas, Seventh Vice President; Elder P. H. Williams, Ohio, Eighth Vice President; Elder J. Marks, Louisiana, Ninth Vice President; Elder A. J. Poster, Alabama, Tenth Vice President; Elder James Page, Florida, Eleventh Vice President; Elder J. M. Armistead, Tennessee, Secretary ; Elder G. H. Dewelle, Georgia, Assistant Secretary ; Elder E. G. Corprew, Vir- ginia, Treasurer. Rev. W. W. Colley was elected Corresponding Secre- tary at a salary of $1,000 per year to travel in the in- terest of the convention, collecting funds and creating an interest in foreign missions. The Virginia Baptist State Convention was asked by vote to turn over to this newly organized convention the "Baptist Foreign Mission Convention of the United States, " the missionary which the Virginia Baptists had already sent to Africa, the Rev. Solomon Cosby. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 91 The sum of $317.06 was raised in money at the convention and pledges were secured amounting to $161. Knoxvllle, Tenn., was chosen as the next place of meeting. These matters disposed of, the convention's work was done and it adjourned, thus bringing to a close the first session of the first National body organized among Negroes to do Foreign Mission work in heathen lands. These facts should be held sacred in the minds of Negro Baptists. On the 23d of November, 1881, the streets of Knox- ville, Tenn., were alive with delegates who had come from far and near to participate in the Second Annual Session of the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention. The delegates assembled in the convention with sad- ened hearts, for during the year death had shown his proverbial love for shining marks. The Rev. S. Cosby, who was laboring so faithfully in Africa in the cause of the Master, had been bidden by Him to come up higher. In the original meeting at Montgomery was Rev. E. G. Corprew, of Portmouth, Va. Rev. Mr. Corprew was a leader among Virginia Baptists, the pastor of a large church, a man of much force of character, who made himself felt. During the interval he, too, had died, vacating, at the request of God, the post of treas- urer of the convention. The death of these two breth- ren stirred the convention greatly, and no doubt did much to tighten the chords of love for the Master's service. We shall now give a few items of importance con- nected with this meeting. 92 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. The Corresponding Secretary, Rev. W. W. Colley, made his report, which showed that he had raised during the year $506.78, while his expenses had been $225.06, leaving a balance on hand of $281.72. This expense ac- count does not, of course, include the salary of the cor- responding secretary, which was $1,000. It will be seen that the balance which the corresponding secretary had on hand lacked $718.93 of being sufficient to pay his own salary. The treasurer's report shows that $205.13 had been received by him during the year. The finance committee reported that $683.47 had been raised at the session. In the different State treasuries the following amounts were reported to be on hand for foreign mission purposes : Virginia, $800; North Carolina, $53; Mississippi, $25: Alabama, $25; Tennessee, $20; Texas, $100; total, $1,023. The constitution of the convention underwent re- vision at this session. Executive committees, composed of seven each, were designated for each State to foster the foreign mission spirit in their respective States. It was at this meeting that provisions were made to have the convention chartered. Rev. W. H. McAlpine was elected president again, and the following are some of the names that appear as vice presidents for this year: J. H. Wilhite, E. C. Morris and R. H. Boyd. The Foreign Mission Board was constituted as fol- lows: President, A. Binga, Jr., Manchester, Va. ; Secre- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 93 tary, Prof. J. E. Jones, Richmond, Va. ; Wm. Troy, Rich- mond, Va. ; C. Johnson, Raleigh, N. C. ; F. Brown, Green- ville, S. C. ; W. H. Tilman, .Si\, Atlanta, Ga. ; R. D. Dun- bar, Jacksonville, Fla. ; J. Q. A. Wilhite, Eufanla, Ala.; R. Ramsey, Meridian, Miss. ; J. H. Stewart, Murf rees- boro, Tenn. ; G. W. Walker, New Orleans, La.; R. H. Boyd, Palestine, Texas ; J. A. Taylor, Richmond, Va. ; H. Williams, Jr., Petersburg, Va. ; R. Spiller, Norfolk, Va. ; J. W. Patterson, Danville, Va. ; E. C. Morris, Helena, Ark. ; W. W. Colley, Richmond, Va. ; John Jones, Liberty, Va. : J. E. Farrar, Richmond, Va. ; James H. Holmes, Richmond, Va. ; J. B. Smith, Concord Depot, Va. ; L. A. Black, Petersburg, Va. ; J. H. Dickerson, Petersburg, Va. Arrangements were entered into with North Carolina whereby Rev. J. 0. Hayes, who was already in Africa, might work under the auspices of the convention, with North Carolina contributing $400 annually toward his support. Rev. R. Spiller, of Virginia, became the treasurer of the convention, succeeding the Rev. E. G. Corprew, de- ceased. The Third Convention was held with the Cotton Avenue Church, Macon, Ga., beginning June 28, 1882. Rev. E. K. Love delivered the welcome address, in the course of which he said : "Every pulsation of our hearts beat for the teeming millions in Africa, groping in ignorance dark as the night. Only permit us to join you in the good work, that we may share in the reaping by- and-by. If you are defeated we will suffer with you. If the ship in which you have embarked sinks, we pledge 94 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. you our word that we will go under with you, and shall share your fate. Our interest is common, and our destiny shall be the same. We welcome you because you are our brethren. We welcome you because you are the servants of the most high God, and are engaged in His cause. We feel that the redemption of suffering Africa depends largely upon the colored people of this country." Rev. J. Q. A. Wilhite, of Alabama, was made Presi- dent ; Rev. W. W. Colley, Corresponding Secretary ; Rev. W. R. Pettiford and Rev. J. M. Armistead, Secretaries; Rev. Henry Williams, Jr., Statistician, and Rev. R. Spiller, Treasurer. The report of the Corresponding Secretary showed that $365.25 had been collected during the year, and at this session $118.18 was raised for the work. The session was a harmonious one, and all the dele- gates were inspired with new zeal to do more than they had ever done for missions. The Convention now made its way toward Virginia to meet among the men primarily responsible for its birth and its greatest financial support. It assembled in its fourth annual session with the First Baptist Church of Manchester, Va., the Rev. A. Binga, Jr., pas- tor. The time of meeting was September 19, 1883, the date being changed again. At this meeting the Rev. J. A. Foster was called to the president's chair to suc- ceed the Rev. J. Q. A. AVilhite. The Corresponding Secretary, Rev. W. W. Colley, re- ported to the convention his work for the year. He had collected a total of $950.53, while his expenses had been $389.31, leaving a balance of $561.42, which sum was $438.38 short of being sufficient to pay his salary. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 95 At this Manchester session $915.57 was raised, while $262.68 had come to the treasurer in letters, etc., during the year. At this time the Rev. J. 0. Hayes was the only mis- sionary of the convention in Africa, and the Board was having some misunderstanding with him. At this con- vention Rev. W. W. Colley and wife and Rev. J. H. Presley and wife were elected missionaries to Africa, and Rev. J. J. Coles and Rev. H. McKinney designated as students to be sent to Liberia College preparatory to their entering actively in the missionary service. After the adjournment of the convention Rev. C. H. Payne declined the position of corresponding secretary, to which he had been elected, whereupon the board elected Prof. J. E. Jones, of the Richmond Theological Seminary, as corresponding secretary, and the Rev. Hol- land Powell as traveling agent. In 1884 the Convention assembled in Meridian, Miss., in the First Baptist Church of that place, Rev. R. Ramsey, pastor. Here the Rev. Wm. A. Brinkly, of Memphis, was elected President of the Convention. Rev. J. M. Armistead, who had from the very beginning until this time been secretary, retired from that office, and Rev. H. H. Mitchell, of Virginia, succeeded him. The office of Corresponding Secretary and Traveling Agent of the Convention had never up to this time been a success, so Rev. Dr. Binga, of Manchester, offered a resolution which was adopted, providing that in the future no money should be drawn from the treasury to supply a deficiency caused by the failure of agents to raise their salaries. 96 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Attention was called to statements from the pen of Rev. J. 0. Hayes appearing in the National Baptist of September 11, 1884, placing the convention in an un- favorable light, and the Executive Board was instructed to make suitable reply thereto. The amount of money raised at this session of the convention was $455.82; the receipts during the year were $4,310.65. After the adjournment of the convention on Decem- ber 1, Rev. Messrs. W. W. Colley, J. H. Presley and their wives, H. McKinney and J. J. Coles set sail for Africa, the four former to do active missionary work, the two latter as students in the Liberia College, with a view to become missionaries. The Convention next assembled September 23, 1885, with the Common Street Baptist Church, of New Orleans, La., Rev. A. S. Jackson, pastor. The Rev. J. A. Foster was again summoned to assume the presidency of the convention. Rev. R. Spiller, of Virginia, w T ho had been treasurer of the convention since the death of Rev. Mr. Corprew, now dropped out and was succeeded by the Rev. R. Well, of Richmond, Va. Rev. J. H. Presley was present at the convention, hav- ing returned to his country in the July previous on ac- count of the state of his health. Reports from the foreign fields were very encourag- ing, twenty conversions having been reported as the re- sult of a revival that originated from a funeral dis- course over a native. The receipts at this session of the convention were $575.80; during the year $2,288.52. Of this $2,288.52 # CO nd o pa w cr re rr 3 KD B =* rt a B 't Cfl o C-T £ B 03 - rt- cr> ~ ru rt ■-1 *■** pa > 3 -*i -1 ~ ra a> P 7) * pa pa B rt Di m rt n 3 „ rt § ^ ST* rt O B «. pa B UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 97 Virginia contributed $1,650, and we hear her first note of complaint in the report of the board, which says/ 4 Vir- ginia can not carry the whole burden of this mission work in Africa. " The Convention held its next session in Tabernacle Baptist Church, Rev. R. N. Countee, pastor, Memphis, Tenn., beginning September 22, 1886, where the Rev. A. S. Jackson was elected to the presidency of the con- vention. Several matters of great importance arose at the Memphis meeting. The question of consolidation with the Baptist Convention of the Western States and terri- tories first arose here, and steps were taken having con- solidation in view. The plan of having the various States grouped in districts was now in partial operation, Maryland, Vir- ginia and the District of Columbia comprising the First District. This one district raised $3,261.62, and the plan was urged for use in the other States. The convention during the year raised $4,473.30, and at this session $575.80. The American Baptist Missionary Union made over- tures for co-operation, which were declined upon the general ground that they lacked definiteness. The American National Baptist Convention, which had now been organized with Dr. Wm. J. Simmons, D. D., as president, sent five delegates to the convention. It was in Memphis that Dr. Simmons began to partici- pate conspicously in the affairs of the convention. The mission work in Africa was now under a cloud, one of the missionaries beino- accused of the killing of a 98 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. native. This accusation the missionary denied and Avas duly exonerated by official action in Africa. Rev. J. J. Coles, who had entered actively in foreign mission work after leaving the College of Liberia, returned from Africa and was present at the convention. Eev. W. W. Colley also came to this country, thus leaving Rev. H. McKin- ney as the only member of that group remaining on the field. The receipts at Memphis amounted to $1,161.32 ; dur- ing the year, $4,473.30. At this meeting Rev. E. B. Topp and wife and Rev. J. J. Diggs offered themselves as missionaries to Africa, were accepted and set sail that fall with Rev. J. J. Coles, who had now married and was returning with his wife to his post of duty. In 1887 the Convention assembled in the First Bap- tist Church, Little Rock, Ark., Rev. J. P. Robinson, pastor. Rev. A. S. Jackson was re-elected to preside over the body. During the year Rev. E. B. Topp and wife had re- turned from the foreign field spending only a few months there. On the 15th of April of that year Rev. H. McKinney passed from labor to reward at his post of duty, and due mention was made of this fact to the convention. The amount of money raised during the conventional year was $2,762.20. The district plan was again brought forward and the brethren urged to take hold thereof. The Convention closed its Eighth Annual Session with an impressive farewell service. The next session was held on Wednesday before fourth Lord's Day in September, 1888, Nashville, Tenn. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 99 N. B. — We could secure no minute of this session. The tenth annual session of the Convention was held with the second Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Ind., Rev. J. W. Carr, pastor. Rev. E. K. Love, of Georgia, was elected president of the convention. During the year success had not attended the cause of the convention, and the Executive Board felt called upon to cry out against discouragement, feeling that so many set-backs might have a tendency* in that direction. They said, in concluding their report : "We can not, we must not, fail in this work; Africa must be redeemed/' The total receipts for the year were $5,960.57. At this session it was voted to discontinue the District plan, it having proved a failure in operation. In 1890 the Convention met with Green Street Church, Rev. D. A. Gaddie, D. D., pastor, in Louisville, Ky., Rev. E. K. Love, of Georgia, still being president. At the Louisville sitting of the convention the sum of $941.63 was raised. The New Hope Baptist Church, Rev. E. W. Isaac, Pastor, Dallas, Tex., next entertained the convention. Rev. A. R. Griggs, of Texas, was elected as president. During the interval of the convention Rev. D. N. Vassar, of Virginia, had been appointed as a special commissioner to go to Africa to examine into rumors that were afloat calculated to work injury to the cause. The report of this commissioner was laid before the body at Dallas, and revealed no cure for the dying work. Those who took time to reflect, could see on every hand the need of a spiritual over-shadowing of this great body of men. ^ T ork for God can not be done with Him left out. L.ofC. 100 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. The thirteenth annual session of the convention was held in Savannah, Ga., in the First Baptist Church, Rev. E. K. Love, Pastor. The convention had received dur- ing the year the sum of $2,985.03. It received at this session $878.95. For some years the treasurer of the convention had been Deacon Farrar, of Richmond. During the year he had died, and Prof. D. N. Vassar was elected treasurer of the convention. For some time there had been no Traveling Agent on the field, and the Convention had called for the appoint- ment of one very insistently. The Board made choice of the Rev. L. M. Luke for the position, and he began his labors in the conventional year following the session at Dallas. Rev. A. R. Griggs, of Texas, was yet president of the convention. Rev. J. J. Coles and wife were zealously at work in Africa and sent a report to the convention, which spoke well for their zeal and energy in the Master's cause. During the year a war had broken out in Africa and Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Coles had to flee to Cape Mound for safety. The fourteenth annual session was held with the Ver- mont Avenue Baptist Church, Washington, D. C, Rev. Geo. W. Lee, pastor, September, 1893. The return of Bro. and Sister J. J. Coles to this country, leaving the station where they had so zealously toiled vacant, practically put a stop to the mission work of the Convention. The Board was not discouraged at all, but came to the Convention, urging the opening up of a new mission station. It also suggested again, in a modiied form, the district system. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 101 The amount gathered in during the year was $4,064.63. The fifteenth annual session of the convention was held in the First Baptist Church, of Montgomery, Ala., the Rev. A. J. Stokes, Pastor. It was in this church that the Convention was organized just fifteen years previous. The Rev. Mr. Foster, who was pastor at the founding of the convention, had now passed to his reward. At this session of the convention the Rev. E. C. Morris, D. D., was elected to preside. During the year, Rev. J. J. Coles, wiio had been elected Corresponding Secretary, died; and his wife, Mrs. Lucy A. Coles, was elected to the position. At Montgomery's session, consideration was given to the thought of uniting the National Baptist Convention, the Educational Convention and the Foreign Mission Convention into one organization. The Rev. J. 0. Hayes was now laboring for the Con- vention in Africa, being its only missionary at this time. During the year. Rev. R. H. Jackson sailed for South Africa to work as a volunteer missionary, though not employed by the convention at the time of his sailing. The money raised at the Montgomery meeting was $346.72. An agreement entered into between the Convention and the brethren of New England, and of the "Western States and Territories, looking to the establishment of a mission station on the Congo, failed, because the money that the Convention agreed to raise was not forthcoming. The Convention met in its Sixteenth Annual Session 102 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. in the Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga., Rev. E. R. Carter, D. D., pastor. The much-talked-of union between the three conven- tions, the Foreign Mission, Educational and National, was here duly effected, and they all combined under the name of the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America. Rev. E. C. Morris, D. D., was elected president of the consolidated convention. This consolidation, in a large measure, was due to the un- tiring efforts of Rev. Mr. McAlpine, of Alabama. Time has proved the wisdom of the consolidation. The Foreign Mission Board headquarters were removed from Rich- mond, Va., to Louisville, Ky., and the entire personnel of the Board changed. This action gave offense to some of the Virginia brethren and their affiliation with the convention ceased from this point. On December 31, 1895, following the session at At- lanta, the Rev. L. M. Luke, D. D., passed away leaving the position of Corresponding Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board vacant. The board had already been en- tirely changed, and now the death of Mr. Luke destroyed the last link between the former and the latter manage- ment, and we may well put a period here, as marking the end of an epoch of our foreign mission work. The banner of the Cross as waved aloft over Baptist warriors must never be allowed to abide in the dust. "When one standard bearer falls, another must be chosen to grasp the banner staff to keep the flag floating over them. Thus, when Rev. L. M. Luke, D. D., had been laid away in the home that awaits us all— the grave — the UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 103 Foreign Mission Board began to cast about for his suc- cessor. Among those found to be available was the author, then pastor of the Union Baptist Church of Philadel- phia, Pa. In order to judge properly of the work that has been done, due account must be taken of the surrounding conditions. When we assumed charge of the work we found a depleted treasury, the missionaries off of the field, the whole work under a cloud, the confidence of the denomi- nation in the Foreign Mission work sadly shaken. The first great task that confronted us was to arouse the lag- ging spirits and restore the confidence that was now at so low an ebb. CONCLUSION. Today the foreign mission work of the denomination is in a more healthy condition than at any other time in its history. Missionaries are being sent to the field, interest is being aroused at home and the time seems ripe for the outbreak of a true, zealous missionary spirit that will produce an army of workers, an army of supporters, an army of givers that will aid materially in driving out the more than midnight darkness and usher- ing in the day when the Gospel of God's dear Son is he^rd and heeded in all that land. SPECIAL MENTION. We are pained to note in our review of the minutes of 1885 that no mention was made by the Convention 104 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. of the death of Mrs. Hattie H. Presley, wife of Rev. J. H. Presley, who died on the field August 15, 1884. A life given to Africa for the denomination, yet her fall was unnoticed. Away in darkest Africa, forgotten so soon. But the God who notices even the sparrow's fall wall enroll her name among the heroines in the redemp- tion of Africa. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 105 FACTS ON THE CRISIS. Louisville, Ky., February 18, 1896. Rev. L. G. Jordan, Phila. , Venn. Dear Brother:— At a meeting of the Foreign Mis- sion Board held in this city on the 13th inst. you were elected by unanimous vote of the Board as Correspond- ing Secretary. It is hoped you may see your way to enter upon this work. Hoping a speedy reply, we are yours in the love of the Gospel, John H. Frank, Chairman. S. E. Smith, D. D., Bee, Sec'y. Following this, came a circular addressed "To the Baptist of America," from which the following is an extract: "The Rev. L. G. Jordan, of Pennsylvania, was unanimously chosen by our Board, February 13, Cor- responding Secretary and Field Agent, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Rev. L. M. Luke. Rev. Jordan goes forward upon this exalted and sacred calling highly commended by our leaders for his ability, as minister of the gospel, organizer, financier, orator and reformer. Your Board asks for him a hearty recep- tion and the united aid of the denomination, that a new epoch be marked in modern missions.' ' When the above letter was received we were in the height of our pastorial work of the Union Baptist Church, where we had served 106 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. for five years. The membership was eleven hundred, seven hundred of which had joined under our adminis- tration. No nobler, more loyal and loving people ever lived than they. They had stood by us in our bereave- ment, administered to our wants, loved us fondly as pas- tor, and to pull away from them was a task to which we felt unequal. When they knew of the appointment and besought us in tears to remain, we resolved to do so. But the paths trod in 1885, while in Africa, the long walks with Rev. R. B. Richardson, while in Liberia, the wanderings in the banana patch to find the new T grave of Mrs. Hattie H. Presley, the last sermon preached for Brother Henson McKinney's people, at Cape Mound, and the promise made him, and the solemn promise made Almighty God on board ship, going and coming, concern- ing our duty undone to that neglected land, came before, us like a panorama, and above the pleadings of friends and the pleasure of a good field, we heard the Master saying, "Go, and I will go with thee," and we obeyed the command. Finding it impossible to move at once we made temporary headquarters of the board at Philadel- phia until November. Our first work, upon taking charge was to take an inventory of the belonging of the board, which were as follows : one small desk, 1 stove, 5 chairs. These constituted the effects used by the board under our predecessors. The records of the former board and the money are still in Richmond, Va. It will be remembered that the .new board was elected September 1895, five months before our election. The death of Rev. L. M. Luke, D. D., who had served as corresponding secretary only three months, occurred on the 31st of UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 107 December. He celebrated the new year with the Master. His loss was keenly felt throughout the denomination. He had gone up and down this country as field agent, pleading for Africa, desiring only the crumbs, for often would he say, ' ' Give me the crumbs for Africa, ' ' and his burning message had touched many hearts. We often think of the closing words of Rev. M. Vann, his personal friend and a giant among us, at the memorial services in St. Louis. Turning to those seated on the platform, he said, looking at me, "My brother, he may have made mistakes, but the road is easier for you because he went this way before you. ' ' To fully realize the condition of the work we cite these words from an appeal sent out by the new board in February, 1896: "Brethren, to date we have received but $25.00 from the churches. At this rate our mission- ary will have to be recalled and the field abandoned. We again appeal to you for money; send it, however large or small the sums ; we can not succeed without your as- sistance. Should we fail, must your board bear the ignominy of such misfortune? Can a cause rebuke its own effect? Systematic and regular giving will mark a new epoch in our work, etc." With these conditions before us and without any experience in the work, our first idea was to go to Him who knoweth all things and is able to do for us far a.bove what we are able to ask, and there get the needed strength for the task before us. We planned a rally, issued ten thousand copies of the first edition of the Afro-American Mission Herald, the little monthly paper the board had decided to send out in interest of missions, containing the program for same, 108 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. and felt sure that this would act as a stimulus to the work. The mailing of these papers was indeed expensive, as we could not secure newspaper rates. We then tried to rally the denominational press in interest of the work, which effort met with fair success. We expected at least three thousand dollars from this rally, but only $400 was received. Then it was we realized that first the pastors had to be reached and interested in the work, and to this end we labored, knowing that if we could get the brethren to unite into one great Baptist family we would accomplish much. Accordingly we secured the co-operation of Chairman John H. Frank and Kev. M. Vann, and together we visited the Western States and Territorial Convention that year, in session at Chicago, and laid our plan before them and urged them to send a large delegation to St. Louis to our National Con- vention. In person we met the New England Con- vention, in session at Hartford, Conn., and laid the claims of Africa upon their hearts and the awful sin of neglect, until strong men wept together. They gave us $60 and their pledge that they would unite with the National Convention. Having clone all that we could to get the denomi- nation together in this work of Foreign Missions, and having been pledged the loyal support of these agencies, we turned our attention to the field. Eev. and Sister J. J. Coles were our last missionaries, for it will be remembered that Brother J. 0. Hayes was out of touch with the board at Richmond and Brother Jackson had not been adopted. Since we were to go before the churches it was neces- sary to present to them something tangible; we, there- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 109 fore, went over the letters, tried to understand the troubles and get matters in shape that we might get these brethren to take up work under the new board. The matter of the final appointment was to come before the meeting in St. Louis. In the meantime, the convention, through Dr. Morris, the president, received a very touch- ing letter from Eev. R. A. Jackson urging the need of a chapel at Capetown, South Africa. From time imme- morial the Negro of this country had been taught that all Africa was one great wilderness with a desert, where man ate man. So prevalent was this idea that the igno- rant as well as the educated Negro accepted it as a fact. Only a small number of us were aware of the fact that Capetown was a great city with electric lights, railroads running into it, street cars and all that goes to make a great city that had been on the increase for over 113 years. We concluded that a $700 chapel in any part of Africa would be a fine building. The following appeal for the work at Capetown was sent out at once to every pastor whose name appeared in the Baptist year book : Philadelphia, Pa., May 2, 1896. Eev. and Dear Brother:— Your State annual meet- ing will soon be upon you, and your people will be asked to send up money for various purposes; will you have them remember Africa? The Negro Baptists of America are pledged to the dark land. Rev. R. A. Jackson, of Capetown, and Rev. J. 0. Hayes in Liberia, with their families, are doing a good work -and should be sustained. We read: "For on behalf of the name they went forth, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to sustain such persons that ice may become fellow- 110 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. workers for the truth/ 9 — III John 7, 8. Enclosed please find a coin mailer for yourself. As your general secre- tary I am trying to raise money from Baptist preachers, to build our first chapel at Capetown, South Africa. Will you join us in this noble effort? Brother Jackson writes, "We need a chapel so much. A Jew gave us forty cart loads of building stone and a Mohammedan twenty loads." Shall we do less than the wandering Jew w^ho does not recognize our Lord, and the Mohamme- dan who depends upon his strength more than upon God? What joy it would give the great Baptist family to know that the pastors had succeeded in building our first chapel in South Africa. Not a cent of the Preachers 9 Fund ivill be spent in any other ivay. I hope to meet you at your State meeting and talk over matters. Please return coin mailer in the enclosed envelope at once. Will mail you a number for the members of your church, if you desire to help us. Yours in His name L. G. Jordan. Corresponding Secretary Foreign Mission Board. The result hardly paid for the outlay. This served to awaken us to the task before us. Indeed, step after step revealed the denomination's true condition as re- gards missions. Inquiry and research developed the fact that only a small per cent, of white Christians were in- formed on the subject of missions, and what could be expected of the one and a half million Negro Baptists who had not had an opportunity to know anything of the work. They had been discouraged and misled and in many cases money given by them had been withheld and misappropriated. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Ill Later, we learned, to our sorrow, that our Foreign Mission Board was looked upon as a begging machine, that might be helped or not. The work of giving the Gospel to the lost was not regarded as a duty laid upon Christians by their Lord and Master — a duty not to be shaken off. At our St. Louis meeting Rev. J. 0. Hayes and wife, of Brewerville, W. C. Africa, Rev. R. A. Jack- son and wife, of Capetown, South Africa, Rev. G. F. A. Johns and wife, of Baltimore, Md., were elected as missionaries. The latter sailed January 26, 1897. The session of 1896 was regarded as an improvement over many past sessions. For once Negro Baptists answered the summons to duty, and "Like a mighty army moved the church of God." Nearly every part of the country w 7 as represented. During the year $700 had been col- lected on the field, and $1 ,800 was laid on the table at the session. The mass meeting at Convention Hall, on Sunday, September 18, was regarded as one of the most inspiring meetings ever held among us. During the meeting a telegram was received notifying us of the arrival of Mr. John Tule, w T ho was baptized by Rev. R. A. Jackson and sent on to us. This was the first African baptized by one of our workers we had ever seen. Money was sent on to bring him on to St. Louis, but he failed to reach there in time for the meeting. The delegates went home from this meeting cheerfully to meet in Boston, September, 1897. Among the things done at St. Louis was the ordering of a series of supplies for the Sunday schools to be out by January 1, 1897. The board having this in hand, 112 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. elected Rev. R. H. Boyd, D. D., as secretary and instruct- ed him to see that the order was carried out. The Sun- day school supplies did appear as ordered. As Foreign Mission Secretary, we made an* effort to get to most of the State meetings in the interest of our work. As the publishing project was yet in its infancy, and a creature of the National Convention, and we an official of the same, the Secretary of the Publishing Board sent to our care packages of his publications to be given to the brethren, which we did. Desirous of seeing this effort made a success, we took interest in calling the attention of the leaders in these meetings to the fact that they ought to stand by the convention in this new ven- ture. Many of those who had been our best friends criticised us for this and expressed their ideas in the fol- lowing extract from an editorial in the February number of the Christian Banner: "The Banner would like to know, has Rev. L. G. Jordan been employed to act as agent for the National Baptist Board, or is he working and talking for them for the love he has for the com- bination?"" We realized that in all great crises men have had to take a stand and let the world know on which side they were, and believing as we do in the pos- sibilities of the race, representing a department of the convention, we came out boldly for the publishing pro- ject. Then it was that some of the leaders turned the fight on us and our Foreign Mission work. A corre- spondence was begun with our missionaries which occa- sioned a great unrest among several of the men on the field. Three of them begun complaining and soon resigned. n ■»TJ p UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 113 One of them turned upon us with a bitter fight, but afterwards discovered that he had been deceived and returned to work under our board, where he is now serv- ing with credit. That the facts, as they are, may be known and our position clearly seen, we give these extracts from the Mission Herald of April, 1898, setting forth the reason why we favored a publishing house : ' ' Our Publication Board gives young men and women of the race situations that will give them an idea about bookmaking and busi- ness in general, which they could not get in any other way. We should not be unmanly in our effort to make money or win the friendship of others. 'We live in deeds and in words.' ' ' For twenty-one years we have pastored and suffered with our people in Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. We always had time to sell a little talent for use, but our convictions are individual property, not for sale nor rent. We respect the parent society — Amer- ican Baptist Publication. Yet we feel it our duty to be loyal ; since our great National Convention said we are to have Sunday school supplies we are with them. AVe have said, and say now, every church ought to give the Publishing Committee a fair show. "The time to have made all this ado was at St. Louis, when the vote was taken to have Sunday school supplies k for January 1, 1897. Our Banner man must have thought we would go on lying about publications as we have done for five years. No, we are not a paid agent, but our influence shall go to help make publications of our own. Our children from the kindergarten to the college see in 114 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. all the books they use, pictures of cats, clogs, pigs, snakes, and sometimes the devil, but no pictures of Negroes un- less it is to advertise some foolishness ; nor do they read stories of the Negroes' greatness in the books by white men They read about 'Black Beauty,' the horse; 'Beautiful Joe/ the dog. Knowing that the sense of sight is the most important in childhood, the pictures to be seen by our children on the 'Negro backs' will be a source of inspiration to every young Negro who sees them. ' ' This was a sign for the most bitter attack, and espe- cially by those who were in any way employed by the American Baptist Publication Society. The matter was fought out in every State meeting, and a special killing of the project was planned for the Boston meeting. It was believed that Boston was so far North that there would not be many of the brethren present. The officials of the American Baptist Publication Society and the Home Mission Society were there, and those from Vir- ginia and North Carolina, who were not at the last two annual meetings, were on hand in large numbers. The reports of the boards were read, and in spite of the vari- ous methods employed to confuse and stampede the con- vention, Negro Baptists saw their way to respect their white friends, but in the meantime sustain their own pro- jects. The Home Mission Board with its publishing plant was endorsed. It will be remembered that at the St. Louis meeting the Foreign Mission Board was empowered to district the country that the churches might be better reached. In their report at Boston they showed what had been done, but because of the success of the publish- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 115 ing plant there were those among us who tried to split the convention. First one and then another device was resorted to. At last they decided that it would be well to have a District Convention. The National Convention understood their purpose and held, that the American Baptist Publication Society, The American Baptist Home Mission Society, The American Baptist Missionary Union and the Southern Baptist Convention, with all of their wealth and intelligence had, for sake of convenience, districts and district secretaries, but had no district conventions. At this meeting Brother John Tule, a native, Brother Joseph I. Buchanan and family, of Maryland, then in Africa, and Miss Mamie Branton, of Canada, then of North Carolina, were elected mission- aries. The Annual Missionary Mass Meeting was held in Tremont Temple. The memorial services for Rev. M. Yann, of Tennessee, and Rev. G. F. A. Johns were held in connection with the mass meeting. It afterward de- veloped that Mrs. Johns died in South Africa on that day and about the hour we were in service. The dele- gates, with a few exceptions, returned home from this meeting delighted with the results and the outlook. All great bodies must undergo their siftings. No conventional year in our racial and denominational life has been so signal with fratricide as the years of 189 7 and 1898. Brethren who were employed by other socie- ties set to work to organize another convention, with a hope of destroying the publishing project. A knife was laid at the throat of our denominational life. Those who opposed the Negro publishing plant called a meet- ing at Washington, D. C, December, 1897. An organiza- 116 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. tion was formed, but men who had been so long associated with their brethren who were with the National Conven- tion were not ready nor willing to be split off so abruptly. The real motive of the men who represented the new convention— The rending of our National Convention — were kept hidden. To mislead those who were loyal and have them believe that nothing was wrong, the following resolution was adopted: < ' The First District Convention is in no way antago- nistic to the National Convention. ' ' But the papers op- posed to our work were induced to take up the cause of all who were opposed to the publishing project. Bitter were the sayings, and fierce the fight made by these men in their papers. The ex-treasurer of the Foreign Mission Board in Kentucky was induced to make a distorted re- report, which was used against the work. The Baptist Truth, Savannah, Ga., published by Rev. E. K. Love, D. D., in an issue of August, 1898, took up our cause and made the following manly reply to the slanders and false accusations of the seceders : ' 'We have never read a more incoherent thing in the shape of an article or editorial than the Evangelist con- tained concerning our board. The Evangelist says : ' ' We think it time to become rampant when the representatives of 1,800,000 Baptists are unable to keep a few T mission- aries whom they have sent to preach the gospel to the heathens in Africa from starving. ' ' Just what the Evan- gelist means by this vague statement is quite difficult to determine. If it means that the 1,800,000 Baptists have supplied the money to keep the missionaries from starv- ing and that the board has embezzled it or refused to pay UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 117 the missionaries, then the charge is a serious one, and the situation becomes grave and we join the Evangelist in saying "it is time to become rampant." If the Evangelist means that the board and Corre- sponding Secretary are responsible for the salary of the missionaries, whether the 1,800,000 Baptists furnish the money or not, then we most respectfully submit that such talk is both idle, silly, thoughtless, unreasonable, unjust and savors of the vaporing of a mad man. It is slander on the board to publish such traducing allegations to the world, especially in absence of proof to convict. The few rash and thoughtlessly edited Negro papers will have a mighty job to make the denomination in this country discredit the honesty, fidelity, veracity, fairness, faithfulness and ability of the noble, great and good men who compose our board. Rev. John H. Frank, the chairman of our board, possesses real ability, a strong personality, undoubted piety, irreproachable Christian character, unsurpassed honesty, and has en- deared himself to the Baptists throughout this entire country. Any intimation that he would do wrong in this matter is an insult to our whole denomination and race. Rev. Dr. C. IT. Parrish is a man of matchless ability, a polished Christian gentleman upon whom merciless sus- picion wouldn't dare light after flying around the world a thousand times in search of something or somebody upon which or whom to light. Mr. W. H. Steward, the popular Secretary of our Convention, the able editor of The American Baptist, the greatest layman in our de- nomination, and whom Satan himself should blush to accuse. AVe regard Mr. Steward as beins: one of the most 118 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. all-around, able men of our acquaintance, and as up- right, honest and honorable as he is able. There are other members connected with the board of whom we can say as much. Now, to make the intimation that these men are starving the missionaries ought not to be tolerated except upon proof beyond the shadow of a reasonable doubt. Our Corresponding Secretary, Rev. L. G. Jordan, has not an equal in this work. He seems specially fitted for the work in which he is engaged. It seems to us heartless to complain of him, much less charge him. Who of these grumblers could do half as well as he? Our work has never had an abler or more faithful correspond- ing secretary. We submit that those of us who are so sorry for the poor, starving missionaries, show it by raising money on our fields of labor and sending it to the board. If the board is not keeping the poor missionaries from starving, we are sure that these learned, eloquent articles, abusing the board and Corresponding Secretary will not prevent them from starving. As a rule, those who grumble most give less. If we would stop coming up to the National Convention dress- ed within an inch of our lives, with the money raised from churches on our backs, instead of being in our pockets for Foreign Missions, our poor missionaries would not be starving and these complaints would not be possible. If we would represent the work instead of having our extravagant dress represent us and posing as some great ones, our work would be in a better condition. The Evangelist says it will not admit any defense of the board in its columns, and claims in so doing to be follow- UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 119 ing the New Testament. We know not what part of the New Testament teaches this downright, homespun cowardice, for it is verily cowardice, to attack one in your columns and deny him the right of defense. It is lynching. The Evangelist insists that the Board should resign. The Evangelist in this shows a woeful ignorance of such organizations. To whom should the Board tender their resignation? The board is the convention during its recess, and there is no authority, real or imaginary, to whom the board could offer their resignation. It is non- sense to talk about the Board, the only authoritative part of the organization now that can be held intact during the recess of the convention, and which is itself greater than the convention during its recess, resigning. To whom has the constitution given power to pass upon and accept said resignations ? Then, should the Board resign, who would appoint their successors ? " 0, what fools we mortals be. ' ' It does seem that the Negroes are at their best when they are abusing and showing up the weak- nesses of each other. If the world wants to know how mean and dishonest we are, we recommend that they read the average Negro newspapers. 120 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. FLASH LIGHTS ON OUR WORKS AT THE VARIOUS STATIONS. If ourselves we can not labor, 'Mongst our brothers far away; We can help to send them others — We can work, and watch, and pray. — Jennie B. Garnett. UBBR.IA. Liberia is a Negro Republic on the Grain Coast of Upper Guinea, with 600 miles of coast and 100 miles average breadth. Its early development was aided by the American Colonization Society, organized December 31, 1816, with Henry Clay as president. The founders of this society desired to give the Negro a chance for self-development in all the affairs of life. Their first efforts were not successful, but in 1821 they secured a more healthy location and begun work. Liberated slaves from the United States found refuge in Liberia and many came to the colony from the sur- rounding country. Each .man was given thirty acres of land for cultivation. Monrovia was founded at Cape Mesurado and soon became the leading town. Cape Mount and Caldwell, the latter named in honor of the originator of the scheme, were soon settled. The plan worked so well and the country developed so rapidly that UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 121 in 1847 Liberia was left on her own resources and de- clared a free and independent republic. The government was committed to a President, Senate and House of Representatives. The president and repre- sentatives elected for two years and the senate four years. All citizens are allowed to vote at tw-enty-one, pro- vided they own property. The judicial power is in the hands of a Supreme Court and subordinate courts. Slavery and slave trade is prohibited. At first the rapid increase of the settlers and the success in establish- ing schools and churches was indeed astonishing. These institutions in the neAV Republic grew faster in propor- tion to the population than in the United States or Britain. Postal system was established and several news- papers published. In 1848 Great Britain recognized the Republic and other European powers followed. The population is about 1,500,000, with 50,000 speaking English and quite 7,000 members of the Christian churches. Agriculturing is extensively carried on. Sugar is the principal article produced, cocoa, rice and coffee are also cultivated. Lime made of burnt shells. palm oil, gold dust, indigo and coffee are the main exports. It was in this republic, near Monrovia, that Rev. J. O. Hayes begun mission work, more or less of an in- dependent nature. In 1881 the National Convention adopted Rev. J. O. Hayes as one of its missionaries to do mission work at this point. For some time he labored as missionary and teacher, but in time accepted the pastorate of the Shiloh Baptist Church at Brewerville, which church he is now r 122 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. pastoring. This church was organized in the Morris Street Baptist Church at Charleston, S. C, in 1878 with a number of strong workers among its founders. These workers sailed in the bark "Azor, " under the American Colonization Society and soon begun to exert such an influence that many joined them. Rev. H. N. Bouy be- came pastor at its organization in this country. He spent three years in Africa, but returned to America to secure aid in the prosecution of an industrial school. The means was never given, but he is now giving excellent service as District Secretary under the Foreign Mission Board, and hopes to return to the field in 1902. The membership of that Church is now over 200, mostly Americo-Liberians. In 1884 the Bendoo Station on Lake Peisne, fifteen miles from Grand Cape Mound, was organized by Brethren Colley and Presley. A plot of ground of 100 acres was given them to be used by the National Baptist Foreign Mission Board for missionary purposes. This land has never been surveyed and fully turned over to the Board, and yet is the property of the Board because of the agreement between the mission- aries and the government. Had Brother Stewart. known the facts in the case earlier he would have begun his work there, as it is said to be one of the best spots for mission work in the colony. But for want of funds the Board would have turned its attention to its cultivation some time ago. In 1885 Jundoo Station was opened by Brother J. J. Coles on the opposite side of the same lake. He spent seven years in Africa, returning to this country once during that time, and while here married Miss Lucy A. Henry, and they returned to the field, UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 123 where they labored earnestly until circumstances forced them to leave. After giving up the work in Africa Rev. Coles and wife returned home, and, still anxious to hasten the dawn of Christianity in Africa, applied them- selves to the work of helping raise means for those on the field. He was elected Corresponding Secretary of the Convention in 1893, but before the year ended he fell asleep. His death was indeed a blow to the denomina- tion. True to her sense of duty, his wife took up the work, having been appointed by the Executive Board to fill out the year. Mafa Station, near Grand Cape Mount, was opened by Rev. Henson McKinney, of Mississippi, who sailed from New York December 1, 1883, reaching Africa Jan- uary 13, 1884. He received his training for the field in the Jackson College, and the Liberian College in which he matriculated soon after his arrival. While in school the anxiety of this»young man to help' shed light in that dark land was so great that he gave much of his spare time to teaching the natives. In 1884 he was appointed to do active missionary work, and from that time to his death labored earnestly for the salvation of souls. In the vigor of manhood and burning with zeal to spend and be spent in Africa's redemption, on April 15, 1887, he was called to rest. In his death the Convention lost an earnest, consecrated missionary and the African a true friend. In 1893 Rev. R. L. Stewart organized an industrial school and begun mission work among the people of the Congo. The station was opened near Monrovia. Brother Stewart has fallen since we begun writing this history. 124 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. No missionary under our Board has been more loyal, more willing and more consecrated to the work than he, and his death is mourned by the entire denomination. His illustrated lectures when he visited this country did much to awaken our sleeping churches on the subject of missions. Rev. R. A. Jackson, a native of Mississippi, who, dur- ing the last years of his stay in America, lived at Hot Springs, Ark., with membership in the Roanoke Baptist Church, went to Africa as an independent missionary in 1894. The story of his work, as told in communications and reports, for nearly six years, is proof positive of his earnestness, The Beer-la-hai-roi (A vision of God to the Living Baptist Church) was organized in Capetown by Rev. R. A. Jackson in 1894. This has grown to be a strong band of worshipers of nearly three hundred members. In 1896 Brother George M. Thomas, a member of the church at Capetown, went to Queenstown, called a meeting and told them the story of Christ. His effort met with success, for many ac- cepted Christ and were baptized thereafter. Among the first persons to accept the new doctrine was E. B. P. Koti. Brother Thomas returned to Capetown elated over his victory over sin and Satan and asked Rev. R. A. Jackson to go with him to baptize those who had been converted. After traveling 750 miles Brother Jackson came to Queenstown on the 17th day of January, 1897, and in the presence of Almighty God and a crowd of witnesses, baptized fourteen souls, the first fruits of the efforts of George Thomas. From this sprang the Queens- town church, now one of our most important stations. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 125 In 1898 Brother Koti was ordained by Rev. R. A. Jack- son and Rev. C. S. Morris, and is now pastoring at Queenstown and carrying on mission work at two other stations near that place. It will be remembered that Rev. Koti came to this country April, 1900, and spent several months traveling and lecturing in interest of his work. His visit was in every way a blessing to the cause of missions. He made many friends and when he sailed January 23, 1901, among his effects were many useful gifts, among whch was an organ for his chapel, the gift of the Francis Street Church, Rev. E. M. Cohron, pastor, St. Joseph, Mo. ;also $200 toward the erection of a chapel, which money was raised by the Foreign Mission Board for this purpose. Rev. E. W. D. Isaac, Secretary of the B. Y. P. IT., became very much interested in the work Brother Koti was trying to do and pledged $700 from his young people for his chapel, which amount he is now making a great effort to raise by the National meeting. With these needed helps our brother received new in- spiration and is now laboring earnestly to get his work in good shape. Mr. Joseph I. Buchanan, of Baltimore, Mel., who had followed the life of a sailor for eight years, found himself shipped for Africa. Having become a Christian while in Maryland, and on reaching his father- land, seeing the needs of the heathen, he felt that here was where God wanted him, therefore to tell of Christ, who alone can save, became the desire of his soul. He settled in Capetown and soon formed a mission, where he talked of Jesus to all whom he could reach. When Rev. R. A. Jackson came to Capetown Brother Buchanan 126 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. joined him, turned over his work to the Rev. Mr. Jack- son and himself became a deacon after being baptized. After two years he felt that God wanted him to go into the interior and carry the story of the Gospel. He accordingly took up his journey, and after a long and perilous travel came to "Kahma's Land/' Middle Drift, 1,000 miles from Capetown. Here he pitched his tent and begun work. A successful revival was the result, and he immediately sent to Capetown for Rev. Jackson to come down and baptize for him, which he did, and they organized the St. Joseph Baptist Church. On return- ing to Capetown Brother Buchanan was set apart to the Gospel ministry by the laying on of hands by Brethren Jackson and Johns. In one year he had baptized 310 persons at Middle Drift. His w T ork grew very rapidly. His encouraging reports to the Board, as published from time to time, made for him many friends in this coun- try. In 1898 the First Baptist Church Sunday school,. Helena, Ark., Mr. Dawson, superintendent, made him a gift of a large chapel bell, which did more to inspire the natives than can be told., Indeed when the first Gospel call was heard from this bell Brother Buchanan states that far and near the news was noised abroad that the "big Baptist bell had come from America.," and many flocked to the mission and were saved. His last report shows that he has eleven stations, at four of which are good church buildings. Rev. Buchanan visited America in 1889 in interest of his work. While here he formed the acquaintance of Miss J. P. Moore, founder of the Fire Side Schools, who was so touched with the needs of the field in which he was so earnestly laboring, that UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 127 she decided to help him prosecute his school work by giving $100 per year of self-denial money from her workers. The school was started, and true to her word, this friend of humanity and lover of good works has, since the day of its opening, supported through her self- denial contributors, this school. We beg to state here that Sister Moore has spent many years in work among Negroes, and her efforts have been the means of making hundreds of homes purer and better in every respect. There has never labored among us a more consecrated, faithful Christian woman than this sage. Her memory shall ever be perpetuated in the homes and hearts of thousands of women in this country, and by those who live in and near Middle Drift, South Africa. Had it not been for her kind and timely help we would not have been able to keep up the schools in connection with the church work at Middle Drift, where many children flock to receive instructions. On March 21, 1897, Rev. Johnson Mfozwe, also a member of the Capetown church, went to Port Elizabeth and opened a mission station. He is still engaged in the work. In 1900 he went to Durham, Natal, to work, and is regarded as a good evangelist, and is our only worker in Natal, and has two churches, each of which has over 200 members. THK NATIVE CHURCH. Eev. Jonas Goduka, formerly a. Wesleyan, who tired of the unbrotherly treatment of his white brethren and finding that they persisted in their discriminating rule, left the denomination and organized the African Native 128 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Church. In course of time Rev. E. A. Jackson was in the interior baptizing and organizing the churches. He at- tracted the attention of this black apostle, Rev. Jonas Goduka, who was anxious to know the whole truth as set forth in the Scriptures and begun to correspond with Missionary Jackson on the question of baptism. This correspondence resulted in the settling of the honest con- victions of Rev. Goduka as to Bible baptism. He invited Brother Jackson to Hillside Blikana (via Herschel), where he was laboring, to confer with him and to baptize him and many of those who had decided to be baptized arid worship as set forth in the New Testament teach- ings. Just at this time Rev. C. S. Morris, Commissioner for the Foreign Mission Board, arrived at Capetown, and while at Queenstown, in company with Rev. Jackson, Brother Goduka and his helpers had a conference with them. After the conference and a thorough understand- ing of the New Testament doctrines, with forty-seven leaders who had come out from the AVesleyan Church, Rev. Goduka put on Christ by baptism at the hands of Rev. C. S. Morris. He and his followers then turned their attention to the thirteen churches with their 1,200 members which had also pulled out from the Wesleyans. It was not long before all of them were turned and led, under Brother Goduka, to the Baptist denomination. . Word came to us in America of the great victory, but it is sad to state that this work was not permanent, and to-day Brother Goduka and all of that band, with three or four exceptions have gone back to most of their former practices. This did not prove the modern pente- cost as we had hoped. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 129 Mr. Peter Lesi, who with Johnson Mf ozwe was ordain- ed by Rev. C. S. Morris in September, 1899, is at King Williamstown, South Africa. This is a city of 12,000, and great opportunities for doing an effective work are before him. When we think of the influence that has gone out from this Capetown Church through the various work- ers, w r hen we note that all of the work in South Africa sprung from this point, we are more and more convinced of the fact that ''a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Truly, Capetown is the New York of the dark continent, and to religious work the Jerusalem, and Beer-la-hai-roi Church our "Antioch." KAST CENTRAL AFRICA. Imbued with the spirit, and touched by the needs of the millions of blacks about him, Mr. Joseph Booth, a lay worker in Mr. Spurgeon's church, working in East Coast Africa, resolved to come to x\.merica and lay the needs of that neglected land heavily upon the hearts of the Christians of this country. He, accordingly set sail in 1897 and landed in April of the same year. With him came a native young man about twenty-three years of age and of rare natural abilities. For months he and this bright lad toured this coun- try and so touched the hearts of the American Negroes everywhere that many were moved to tears of sympathy and resolvd to join in the salvation of Africa. Mr. Booth had hoped to receive $30,000 to start an industrial work in East Central Africa, but he knew that 130 TJP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. while the Negro Christians were willing to do all chey could according to the light they had, that they were too poor to give so great a sum of money. Many wealthy Christians of the North and several missionary organiza- tions were appealed to by him, but because of the fact that so great an investment was to be made on Negroes his appeals fell on deaf ears. We can never forget the day when he made his last effort. He had the promise of a conference with the officials of the American Bap- tist Home Mission Society and the American Baptist Missionary Union in New York, where they were to hold a session to divide the money raised from churches, or- ganizations, and through a special gift from Mr. John D. Rockefeller, which total contributions enabled them to wipe out the debts under which they had been struggling for years. He wrote us of the conference and asked that we join him in New York, to be present. AYe went, and as we ascended to those rooms where the meet- ing was being held Mr. Booth seemed much disturbed, but on seeing such an army of noted Christian workers representing the wealthiest organizations in the world, he took courage. As if a burden laid heavily upon him he arose, and in an anxious and touching manner ap- pealed to those men to help him in some way to take up the work in that part of Africa, so long neglected and so ready for the Gospel. AYhen he had finished, Dr. Duncan, one of the officials, as if excited at the idea, threw up his hands and said, "YTe can't give you any money. If you want advice we can give you that." This abrupt, unchristianly blow almost stunned Mr. Booth. He took the lad and we retired from the UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 131 scene. With a trembling voice and tears in his eyes, he turned to us after we had gone down the steps and said, "There is the lad. Can you get him in school V We were even more touched than he, for as we looked at that black boy of no mean ability, willing, ready and anxious for an education and Christian training, the ties that bound us as a race were tightened and we resolved, with God's help, to take him and do what we could for him. We at once secured him a scholarship in Virginia Theo- logical Seminary and College at Lynchburg, Va. The Baptists of Pennsylvania pledged and payed for a part of his schooling and the President, Prof. G. W. Hayes, gave the other. After two years of earnest study he was set apart to the work of the Gospel ministry at Lynchburg, Va. He sailed on June 20, 1899, for his home on the Zambesi. This was none other than Eev. John Chilembwe, who is now engaged in mission work at Chiradzulo, B. C, Af ricaj and conducting an industrial school with nearly 200 pupils. The work at this station is indeed a credit to the de- nomination, and this young man has done a great work among his tribe — the Ajaw's. He is giving much atten- tion to the industrial feature of his work and has se- cured for cultivation a tract of ninety-three acres. At the Arkansas Baptist Convention in 1899, $7.50 was given to buy coffee plants. In December, 1900, he set out 13,956 coffee trees. With the proper support this farm will soon yield the denomination from five to fifty pounds of coffee per year from each tree after the third year's growth, which trees will bear for fifty years with 132 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. proper cultivation. As this section of Africa is especially adapted to the growth of coffee and the lowest market value is sixteen cents per pound, in four years from now the coffee from these trees will over support the work there and enable us to do work at other points in that section. Rev. L. N. Cheek, who sailed January 23, 1901, has joined Mr. Chilembwe, and with his help we can but hope for greater results. Few men have come to this country and made more friends than Brother Chilembwe. His gentlemanly bearing, his true and honest nature and his earnest con- viction to tell the truth under any circumstances, were traits of strong character that were very marked in his life. Besides receiving many pledges for support while on the field many gifts have come to us for him. When Brother Cheek sailed in January he carried with, him for our brother a large trunk of made garments, cotton, needles, thread, pins, pencils, paper, bedding, the gifts of our women throughout the country. Along with these went a sewing machine given him by the Missionary Society and Sunday School, Second Baptist Church, Hernando, Miss., Mrs. P. M. Martin, President, and a chapel bell the gift of Rev. G. W. Lewis, of Arkansas. It was desired that Miss E. B. Delany, of Florida, be sent by her State to this station, as the services of some good Christian woman was very much needed. The way may yet be opened and some woman will be sent there to teach domestic industry and in a material way help on the work. We, who live in the dawn of the Twentieth century, can truly say, "Mine eyes hath seen the glory of UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 133 the coming of the Lord," when we notice the great Bap- tist army marshalling its forces and swinging nearly around that grand old continent, a distance of over 5,000 miles, with reconnoitering parties making their way into the interior and enlisting men and women who have never heard the command, "Follow Me." Guarding the post, away up on the Western Coast, at Senegal, is Eev. Roberts with the only Baptist church in all French Africa. Nine hundred miles to the south in Freetown is Rev. G. T. Lawson, with a large corps of laborers and seventy-five strong young Baptists in training; one hundred and fifty miles to Monrovia, with 3,500 Baptists, is Rev. Dr. R. B. Richard- son and others. Leaving Monrovia, going south- ward, we come to Cape Coast Castle and greet her 600 Baptists under Rev. Mark C. Hayford; 250 miles down the coast to Lagos and we find Rev. Majola Agbebi, A. M., Ph. D., strong in character, wonderful in intel- lect and consecrated in service, holding high in his un- daunted, hand the banner that will conquer Africa. On to Accra, after a travel of sixty miles, and we find Rev. Robert Tago at work. Take up the travel once more and 600 miles will bring us to Cameroon, where Rev. Joshua Dibundu labors; 2,700 miles more down the coast and we are at Capetown, where Rev. R. A. Jackson, a son of Mississippi, the Peter of Negro Baptist Missions in South Africa, whose love and faith have evoked a spirit that has been the means of saving many, for from his labors has come our own Buchanan, Koti, Mfozwe and scores of others, who, with the message hot from the altar, are now delivering 134 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. it with great power throughout South Africa. Up, up, way up, the Eastern Coast, 2000 miles on the Zambesi River, whose waters tell of the former glory of Africa and of her coming redemption, labors one of Africa's" own sons, one of the grandest characters she ever bosomed; young in years, docile, manly, dauntless, God fearing, Rev. John Chilembwe, at the head of seven tribes numbering 7,000,000. With him is our own L. N. Cheek, w T hose brotherly nature and zeal for the work will doubt- less mark him as a loyal, successful helper. Truly the morning light is breaking and Ethiopia is stretching forth her hands unto Almighty God. UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 135 THE VALUE OF A SOUL. DO YOU SAY IT IS TOO LONG BETWEEN DROPS? Full many a gem. of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear. Stand near a drip about your house while the rain slowly descends. See that large stone just under the drip. Count the drops as they fall from the gutter, one by one, upon that stone. Each drop washes away a particle of dirt and makes it cleaner. Leave the scene for five years and then return. You left a half dirty stone without a single impression on it, but, behold, the drops no longer fall and roll off, but the constant, con- stant, constant, untiring beat has made a deep impres- sion so that some of the water is retained. Now, what was an unpolished, unattractive stone, has its surface whitened, and its center has been penetrated so that it contains a drop of pure, clear water. Go with us to Bur- mah, where Adoniram Judson labored six long years before he had a single convert; visit India, where Wil- liam Carey spent seven years of untiring labor before Krishnu Pal, his first convert, accepted Christ ; now visit China, where Morrison labored seven years; Polynesia, where for sixteen years a lone man toiled, resulting in the conversion of King Pomare II; in Greenland, the first missionary spent five years; Madagascar, thirteen 136 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. years ; Labrador, five years ; New Zealand, eleven years ; Japan, five years ; in South Africa, Moffat worked eight years ; and on the Congo, Richardson spent seven years. Their efforts were but drops upon stones, but by that constant, constant, untiring never-giving-up spirit, they beat their way, like the drops of water, into the hearts of these souls and left there "A well of water springing up into unto Everlasting Life." Though the progress of Christianity in these countries has been slow, its work has been lasting, and they paved the way for modern missionaries. You say negro Baptists have labored twen- ty long years and have saved only about three thousand souls. These men labored from five to seventeen years each, saving a single soul each. We can not appreciate their efforts, nor our efforts, until we know the worth of a single soul. We can not tell the good they have done in the salvation of that soul until we fathom the bottom- less pit or scale the highest heaven. We can not esti- mate the value of a single soul until we know the mean- ing of a never-ending hell or a never-ending heaven. Eternity can only stamp the seal of value on a soul. Francis Xavier, when Prance remonstrated at his going to .heathen lands, remarked, "If these lands had scented woods and mines of gold, Christians would find courage to go there ; nor would all the perils of the world prevent them. They are alarmed because there is nothing to be gained there but the souls of men. * * * Whatever form of torture or death awaits me I am ready to suffer it a thousand times over for the salvation of a single soul." For four thousand years God was planning the salva- tion of man. At last the plan was completed, the Saviour UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 137 born, and in after years, when trying to have men realize the worth of that soul he came to save, He exclaimed, 1 i There is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repent- eth than over ninety and nine just persons that needeth no repentance. ? ' Reader, do you know the value of your soul? Do 3^011 know the value of your brother's soul? Will you help save him? Remember, you are but one, but you are one; You can not do everything-, but you can do something-; What you can do, you ought to do, And what you ought to do, By the grace of God we hope you will do. 138 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. PASTORS RESPONSIBLE. L,end a hand! Lend a hand! In the work for the world! Place these words on your banner? Never let it be furled. While sin, pain and sadness Holds sway in the world, L Rev. Wm. A. Credditt, A. M., Vice Presi- dent, Philadelphia; Rev. Jas. A. Francis, Correspond- ing Secretary, New York ; Mr. Joseph Booth, Field Sec- retary and missionary, Philadelphia ; R. V. Lewis, Esq., Treasurer, New York. Executive Committee. Rev. E. S. Hollowway, Chairman; Rev. W. H. Phil- lips, D. D., Rev. W. T. Dorwood, Rev. J. Wesley Sul- livan, Rev. J. "W. Sullivan, Rev. Chas. Schiverkert, Rev. Richard Hartley, Rev. E. W. Moore, Rev. Walter H. Brooks, D. D., Prof. Booker T. Washington, Mrs. C, H. Banes. The purpose of the organization was to undertake the prosecution of industrial work in Africa. Rev. C. S. Morris, then pastoring at West Newton, Mass., was UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 151 chosen as their financial agent, to succeed Mr. Booth, the originator of the plan and the first financial agent of the organization, who had resigned and returned to Africa under another board. Their plans attracted the atten- tion of many of the leading divines in the East. In June, 1899, Rev. C. S. Morris sailed for Africa for the purpose of inspecting the field, and to look out for the most desirable place in which his society could begin work. His expenses were defrayed by the American Baptist Missionary Union and the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, in connection with his own society. In return for this assistance Rev. Morris was to visit the Union's work on the Congo and the work of the Foreign Mission Board in West, South and East Central Africa. He went direct to South Africa. His visit to our Western station was a success in that Brother Stewart and many of the leading Liberian Bap- tists decided to join him in his effort to open an in- dustrial mission on that coast. En route home from Monrovia, West Africa, Brother Morris stopped at Senegal and organized the work there. This is within French territory and promises to become a permanent and flourishing station. The work is now in charge of Mr. W. A. D. Roberts, who seems to be quite a strong Baptist. Brother Morris spent several days at CapetoAvn and seized the opportunity to explain to Brother Jackson's people that the reason why the chapel at Capetown had not been built, that the denomination in America had not given the money with which to do so. This settled any possible thought from them that 152 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. Brother Jackson was using the money for his support. He visited other points in South Africa, but his health began to fail and he did not complete the tour on which he started and returned to America in January, 1900, after four months in Africa. Had it been possible for him to have spent more time on the continent greater good might have been accomplished, and the thirteen new churches so strengthened that they would have remain- ed with us. On his return, the Foreign Mission Board and the Missionary Union entered into a plan of co- operation, the Union paying him $1,000 per year as salary. It was agreed that he spend two-thirds of his time among the colored churches and one-third among the white churches of the North, raising means and in- teresting people in African missions. The Foreign Mis- sion Board was responsible for his traveling expenses to the amount of $500 per year. The contract has been in force one year, and it is now hoped that the Union will be able to continue this help or aid Brother Morris in his industrial work which he hopes to undertake in Africa. The Industrial Society under which he started to work has disbanded, but if the work is undertaken it is believed that the National Baptist Convention, through its Foreign Mission Board, will do all it can to help foster the work until it becomes self-supporting. Brother Morris has made many friends since travel- ing in this country and it is believed that the Baptists will rally to him and his industrial work w 7 hen he goes to the field. The fact that Brother Stewart has fallen makes his task more arduous. Because of Brother Stewart's long ft JO V! n o si o C0 o o n o UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. 153 experience and Brother Morris' zeal for this feature of mission work it would not have been long before the field would be self-supporting. While we regret the death of our Brother Stewart, God has doubtless put in training this young man to take up where he left off. 154 UP THE LADDER IN FOREIGN MISSIONS. CONTRIBUTIONS. And he said unto them t Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to e^bery creature* He that beli&vetb and is baptized shall he sa