which he was contented and happy and to which he cheerfully brought his best service. Alas! that so suddenly this useful life has been cut short! To his family he was most tenderly devoted. In the Strong Place Baptist Church he was an active member with an ever-growing influence in its counsels. For the past two The eight years' intimate association with Mr. Bliss have been among the pleasantest in our memory. They have been years of exacting service, at times of great perplexities. But never a murmur fell from his lips. He was unusually self-contained, assiduous and patient in application to the duties of his position. During these years no word or act has marred the harmony of the relations ex-years he was the beloved and efficient superisting between us. Our evening departure intendent of the Carroll Park Mission Sunday homeward from the Rooms was usually to- School. gether. He was high-minded, large-hearted, of great equanimity, well-balanced, with a strong sense of right and justice, and with a judicial cast of mind which, with his keen perception, made him an excellent adviser. He was a man of positive convictions and decision of character, withal discreet and circumspect in all his ways. He was conscientiously faithful, diligent, and accurate in whatever he undertook. There was an earnestness, sincerity, sobriety, and dignity of manner, united to a polite and respectful bearing, which won for him the regard and esteem of all his associates. His well-disciplined mind was easily trained to almost any task set before him and his good literary taste was exceedingly valuable in the literary work pertaining to the publication of the BAPTIST HOME MISSION MONTHLY. His years of legal experience especially qualified him for attention to certain financial and property matters, which, under the new regulations of the Board adopted in 1886, were distinctively committed to him. Possessing an excellent memory,his mind was stored with details of the Society's work during the past eight years, so that he was an invaluable assistant in every department of its operations. He was the Corresponding Secretary's right arm and official confidant. His great aim seemed to be to make himself as efficient as possible to the Society which he loved and believed in as the great agency of the denomination, under God, for the evangelization of this continent. No other thought or desire was entertained than to devote his life to the promotion of its interests. This he considered his life work in In all his deportment he was the refined, Christian gentleman, not only irreproachable, but adorning the profession made thirtytwo years ago by a positive, pronounced Christian life. A good man and true has fallen. Nowhere, save in the bereaved household, will he be missed more than at the Rooms of the Society, where eight years of almost daily companionship as co-laborers have made but stronger and tenderer the ties of a friendship that henceforth becomes a memory. The church has lost a useful member, the Sunday school a loved and efficient superintendent, the Society a most capable servant, a large circle of acquaintances a true friend; the community a good citizen; the country a patriot and one deeply interested in the purification of its political life; the greatest loss, inexpressible and irreparable, is to the bereaved household who have the heartfelt sympathy of all who have been connected with him in the work of the Society. The longer I knew him the more strongly I became attached to him on account of those manly traits of character which marked his daily life. He was a courteous Christian gentleman. He had a warm nature, making him a tried and trusted friend. He possessed sound judgment, making him eminently at safe and reliable counsellor. In his relations to the Society he was faithful and true, and in his relations to the officers and others at the Rooms he was always genial and courteous. I do not know what we shall do without him.-J. G. SNELLING, Treasurer. During an official association with Col. Bliss, of two years, working side by side with him in the Rooms, and travelling with him on business of the Society into a foreign country, I always found him the clear-headed business man, the faithful friend, the courteous gentleman and the devout Christian. To me his death is a personal loss of an esteemed friend and associate. His place in the work of the Society will be hard to fill. O. C. POPE, D.D., Supt. Ch. Ed. Dept. Clear-headed, cool, of sound judgment-a true Christian gentleman, whose opinion could be relied upon. His death is a very great loss.-GEO. A. SCHULTE, Jr., Recording Secretary. We have lost in him one of the best and truest men we have ever had in the Rooms. He was clear-headed, sound in judgment, safe in counsel, genial, courteous and true as a friend and Christian. We shall miss him very, very much.-C. P. SHELDON, D.D., District Secretary. His loss to the Rooms will be well-nigh irreparable. The accuracy of his judgment was marvellous. His familiarity with all departments of the Society's work was remarkable, and I have known no instance in which he was at fault in matters of opinion in complicated and difficult affairs. Kind, genial and gentle in spirit, he was both respected and loved by all who had intercourse with him. A Christian gentleman-all who met him were impressed in his favor. His judgment on all matters pertaining to the Society's service commanded very unbounded confidence. Its accuracy was remarkable. I feel that his death is a personal bereavement.E. T. HISCOX, D. D., Chairman of Executive Board. I do not know how to express my sorrow at the announcement of the death of my friend, Mr. Bliss. I say "my friend," for I had learned through my intercourse with him at the Rooms to love and trust him with the fullest confidence. To the Society itself I can scarcely conceive of a greater loss in the person of a single subordinate officer. Conspicuous for his modesty, unobtrusive in his suggestions, he was so thoroughly acquainted with all the affairs of the Society in every department, as well as with all the minutiæ of his own, and his statements were made with such clearness and accuracy, and his judgment was so unbiassed and wise, that he had become to me an unquestionable authority on all points of business. It will be many, many years before any one so competent and so consecrated can be found to do his work. I can never expect any one in that position to fill his place in my esteem and love.-WILLIAM A. CAULDWELL, Auditor of the Society, and of the Finance Com mittee. The death of our friend and co-laborer, Mr. Bliss, greatly saddens me. Associated as I have been with Mr. Bliss from the time of his election to the office in the Home Mission Society, the duties of which he so efficiently discharged, I have learned more and more to appreciate his worth as a Christian gentleman and as an officer of our Society, whose ability and rare qualifications are seldom combined in any one man. He was so able and yet so modest, so firm in his matured convictions, and yet so courteous and so deferential to the opinions of others. How greatly shall we miss him in our counsels, in our Committee and Board meetings.-EDWARD LATHROP, D.D., of the Board and Education Committee. I found that I knew Mr. Bliss only in the Rooms. Two things in him arrested my attention. One was his sound judgment. this was not because of his legal training; it did not seem at all to depend upon his being accustomed to deal with intricate and difficult questions, but seemed to be intuitive. The other was his readiness. Whatever subject was under discussion, it seemed to have just been studied by him. All his knowledge on that subject seemed entirely at his command. -REV. CHRISTOPHER RHODES, of the Board and the Church Edifice Committee. Having been connected with the Board since Dr. Hill's time, and so privileged to associate with such noble men as Drs. ness qualities, seldom found; quiet and unBackus, Taylor, Simmons, Cutting, and obtrusive in his manner, but always at his Bishop, it is no disparagement to their mem- post, and engaged in performance of his duory to say that Mr. Bliss was their peer in ties, with singular correctness and fidelity the faithful discharge of every duty imposed W. H. PARMLY, D.D., of the Board and upon him. Ever kind and gentle, he was Church Edifice Committee. nevertheless a man of very strong convictions and sound practical judgment. The Society has lost one of its most able officers, the denomination one of its most trusted ad visers, and those of us who have known him personally, a warm-hearted and true friend.— WM. PHELPS, of the Board and the Finance Committee. I most cheerfully bear witness to the uniform kindness of our deceased brother as he always extended it to myself and my associates of the Board. His great aim was to promote the interests of the Society and he rendered such faithful service as he was particularly adapted for by his early legal training The Society has lost a faithful servant, and one whose place it will be difficult to fill.. JOSEPH BROKAW, ESQ, of the Board and Auditor of the Society. In the death of our Brother Bliss, the Society has lost a valuable officer and friend. A place has been made vacant which will be difficult to fill. He was always prompt in the performance of duty, kind and gentlemanly in his deportment; and perhaps no greater tribute can be paid to his memory than to say he was in the truest sense a "Christian gentleman." He will be greatly missed at the "Rooms," and by the members of the Board generally, but especially will his loss be felt by the members of the Finance Committee, whose labors were always greatly facilitated by his sound judgment and by his careful, systematic preparation and presentation of all måtters requiring the attention of this Committee.-S. H. BURR, of the Board and the Finance Committee. In the sudden death of William W. Bliss, Esq., the Home Mission Society has experienced a loss almost irreparable. Not only was he a brother of undoubted Christian character, but possessed also of sterling busi PERSONALS. Rev. Dwight Spencer is doing pioneer missionary work in Northeastern Wyoming and the Black Hills. He will be heard from. Rev. Robert Whitaker and wife arrived at Aguas Calientes, Mexico, July 21, in good health, and were warmly received by Brother Gorman and wife. Rev. W. T. Green expects to begin his missionary work at San Luis Potosi, Mexico, early President Bacone, of the Indian University, called at the Rooms early in August, en route to the Territory, where he expects to work in the interests of the institution until its opening, about Oct. 1. He is making a marked impression for good in the Territory. His whole being seems devoted to the intellectual and spiritual uplifting of the Indians therein. He hopes to have two students this year from Mexico. President King, after attending to the preliminaries for the erection of an addition to the chapel, of Wayland Seminary which will increase its capacity nearly fifty per cent., has been recuperating in Maine. He is rejoiced at 234 the prospect of this much-needed improvement, as well as in the acquisition of an adjacent lot, on which is a residence that will be occupied by his family, thus enabling him also to convert the suite of rooms heretofore occupied by him in the institution to other uses for the school. President Culver, of Bishop College, Texas, has been kept at Marshall all summer by the severe illness of his son, who, at last accounts, was convalescent. President Tupper, and Dr. Skinner, of Shaw University, have been quietly working for an endowment of $50,000 for that institution. It is most important that this should be secured at an early date. President Corey, of Richmond, rejoices in the acquisition to the Faculty of Richmond Theological Seminary of Mr. George Hovey, son of President Hovey, of Newton Theological | Institution. Dr. Corey, himself, will take the chair of Theology. Dr. Phillips has been busy as usual in securing assistance for students and other purposes at Roger Williams University. He has been at his old home in Wakefield, Mass. President Becker, of Benedict Institute, is to have Rev. G. F. Genung and wife, of New have Rev. G. F. Genung and wife, of New London, Conn., as co-laborers the ensuing year. President Ayer, of Jackson, with his family, have been at Cottage City, Mass. He has secured money for a workshop for the industrial department of the institution. He is one of the delegates of the Society to the American National Baptist Convention at Mobile, which he expected to attend the last of August. AMERICA IN PROPHECY. BY REV. DWIGHT SPENCER, UTAH. History is fulfilled prophecy. Prophecy is the dim outlining of the Divine plan; history shows us the plan executed. Thus in the ninth of Genesis it is predicted that of Noah's three sons Japheth should have the supremacy. While of the other sons it is simply said that one should serve and the other be served, of Japheth it is said: "God shall enlarge Japheth," and "he shall dwell in the tents of Shem." And history shows us this prophecy in process of fulfillment. The Hametic family moving to the South, "as thou goest toward Sodom," have naturally become ease-loving, indolent, and weak, while the family of Shem, settling near the old homestead, "by a mount of the East," have just as naturally become slow and plodding. But it has been quite different with the family of Japheth. Moving westward, we first find it in Eastern Europe, "dividing the islands of the Gentiles," then sweeping across the continent, they plant the insignia of empire first upon the Grecian peninsula, then upon the banks of the Tiber, and finally, when all Europe had acknowledged their supremacy, they set up their standard upon a cluster of "islands" jutting far out into the Atlantic. But Japheth is still to be "enlarged." restless and adventurous spirit once aroused, will not rest satisfied until the farthest boundary has been reached, and the remotest West possessed. Launching their ships upon the Atlantic, they force their keels through untried waters, land upon these shores, and found an empire differing from all others the world had ever seen. Its standard was the cross; its motto, "Peace on earth, good will toward men." This The world's circuit had been made; the last empire established: "Westward the course of empire takes it way; A fifth shall close the drama with the day; But this is not all; Noah's eldest son is yet to "dwell in the tents of Shem." Not by the sword is the conquest to be made, but by the mightier weapon, the gospel of peace. The march of infant Christianity from East to West was feeble and uncertain; matured and robust Christianity will sweep from West to East, surmounting every obstacle, and bearing down all opposition. The conquest of the world for Christ-this is America's mission. And God has abundantly supplied her with resources for the work. In square miles it lacks only two hundred and fifty of the whole continent of Europe, while in climate it embraces that of every zone, and in production whatever is choicest among fruits, and most necessary for the sustenance of life. In its accumulation of wealth, history affords no parallel. While America has barely passed her first century, her wealth already exceeds that of the richest nation in Europe, and that, too, with her agricultural resources only partly developed, and her mining in dustries yet in their infancy. The assessed value of her property is more than sixty billions of dollars, and this only represents about two-thirds of her actual wealth. The increase of wealth in our own denomination affords an illustration. In 1836, when our Home Mission Society was organized, the total wealth of Baptists in the contributing States was only twenty-one millions of dollars; now it is a billion and a half. It is safe to say that there are a half dozen Baptists to day, each one of whom is worth more than the whole denomination was worth fifty years ago. When Peter said, "silver and gold have I none," he did not mean to undervalue these as evangelizing agencies. The church in her poverty could only heal here and there one; but God has stored up for the American Church wealth sufficient for the "healing of the nations." But a greater surprise awaits us if we consider the people of America. The great Aryan or Japhetic family, strangely broken up and separated in its march across Europe, is being wonderfully reunited in America. Teuton and Celt, Scandinavian and Slav, settling in the fertile valleys of the West, or engaging in commercial enterprises in the cities and towns, build their homes side by side, and forgetting race prejudices and former antagonisms, soon come to look upon the country that opened loving arms to receive them, as their own, and unite their energies in devel- | oping its resources and increasing its power. And from these different branches of the family of Japheth God is bringing forth His crowning work in a race intellectually and physically superior to any the world has yet seen. All former molds are being thrown aside, and, From the sweet clay of the exhaustless West," God is forming a new man endowed with all that has been grandest and best in the different branches of the parent-stock. Already we behold a quickness of intellectual life, and a fertility of invention, that promise the speedy fulfillment of the glowing utterances of inspired seers and prophets. While Asia is indulging in a sleep of thirty centuries, and Europe is bound hand and foot by state conventionalities, America moves swiftly forward, astonishing the world by the brilliancy of her genius and the vastness of her power. But while God "sitteth in the heavens " working all things in the interests of "His Christ," He seems to leave all to human sagacity and foresight, and is constantly saying to us, "Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved." "The forces of the gentiles coming to us" from civil and priestly despotism, unless we receive them with the loving embrace of the gospel, and thoroughly imbue them with the spirit of our King, will become the dupes of cunning demagogues, and "run greedily" after every error that promises either pleasure or reward. But, viewed in the light of a grand opportunity, we see in it the "new thing" that God is doing in our day. Europe, shaken by revolution, and in terror from Nihilistic plots, its inhabitants taxed to the point of starvation to support tottering dynasties, is sending her millions to America to receive at our hands the precious boon of gospel light and liberty. A member of the German Reichstag said recently, " The people of Germany want only one thing: money to go to America." This is but the fulfillment of prophecy. The Messianic kingdom takes the place of the Judaic, and these restless masses coming to our shores are "the Gentiles coming to our light;" these "the sons of strangers to build our walls," and "to make of the little one a thousand", and of "the small one a mighty nation." And God has given to His church abun |