of law. In seeking for some explanation of this he scrutinizes the educational methods and tendencies of the time. He is satisfied that “in the recent struggle of contending educators over the question of elective studies, due respect has hardly been paid to the discipline of the will." He proceeds to say: social ethics being made tributary to that instruction. "The Prussians have a saying, that whatever you wish to have appear in the life of a nation you must put into its schools. Will the repub. lic be ennobled, then, by the citizenship of a generation taught in childhood to believe that as soon as children can go alone on their feet they should be permitted to go alone in their judgment, their manners, and their principles ? A pleasant aphorism of a German poet, that a wise age reverences the dreams of its youth, ap. pears to frighten parents from setting up a rule in their own houses. The children are consulted as to what they like, which is well enough, with the important limitation that a large part of the appointed business of their fathers and mothers is to teach them what they ought to like. It is reckoned despotic to coerce nature, as if we did not bring into the world in our nature a great deal which, unless somebody does coerce it, ruins us. "The whole apparatus of education, from top to bottom, fails unless it chastens and molds the mind to orderly methods. Not more self-reliance, but more intellectual humility, is now our national want. To create in the scholar a patient, modest, and obedient action of the whole intellectual nature is a benefit that lasts on in the personal experience, and makes an abiding element in character, opening the soul to all the light of truth. . . "There is another modern educational innovation-the self-government of pupils. Within twenty years or less a theory has been promulgated, and in a few instances put upon experiment, that the autonomy of a college should be shaped into a democracy. The governing power of the faculty, having experience and age and deliberation, and a supposed special fitness and a very obvious and vital accountability, is intermingled or made to be co-ordinate with that of the students themselves, acting either in general meeting or by chosen representatives. A practice of politics-and it may be juvenile politics-is introduced among academic pursuits. In certain states of excitement, under the sway of those passions which inevitably sweep through a collegiate community, where pride, favoritism, resentment, false sympathy, false honor, play so large a part, who can expect the exercise of calm wisdom, of judicial impartiality, of patience, of true loyalty? Under some presidents of rare sagacity and a genius for mastery-such as the last generation has seen--so adventurous a system might be safely managed. We are not aware that any of these statesmanlike men undertook to manage it or institute it. They knew that in every academic atmosphere there are gusts. Instructive examples have been afforded quite lately of the rising spirit of pædocracy, where it has been more than suspected that the administration of discipline has been controlled rather by the dictation of the boys than by the good sense of the officers. Without in the least impugning the courage or conscience of those to whom this trust has been committed, and fully admitting the plausibility of certain arguments for a relaxation of the former police rigidity, is it not both fair and timely to urge extreme caution in changes which threaten a subversion of ideas that lie at the basis of social welfare, and which are of vast moment to the future law-makers of the country? The drift in that direction is formidable. In the multiplication of chairs there ought to be in every "We repeat, therefore, with a variation, the college a professorship where the divine sanctity Prussian maxim: 'If you would have respect of law should be ably taught and illustrated-for law appear in the life of the nation, you history, philosophy, political economy, and must put it into the schools.'" "The great master of Rugby, Dr. Arnold, when it was suggested that a proposed expulsion of some insubordinate boys of choice blood would endanger the patronage, replied: 'It is not necessary that there should be three hundred pupils in this school, but it is absolutely necessary that all who are here should be amenable to discipline.' I remember a case of disturbance at Harvard, where a budding socialist in the Sophomore class, being called before President Walker, ventured to remark that he did not approve of the law which he had just broken. The President discontinued the conversation by saying, so dryly that every drop of moisture seemed to be squeezed out of the words, 'We don't expect you to approve of the law, but to mind it ;' and he sent him home to learn a lesson more useful to him than the calculus of the Greek tragedies. . . . News and Notes. ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY.-Under the judicious administration of President Owen, and his efficient co-laborers, the work of the Institution is in excellent condition. Professor Leland writes: "I am glad to say that we are having a most prosperous term of school. We have more present to-day than at the same time last year, and almost every day we have new applications. Everything indicates a most excellent year with us." SHAW UNIVERSITY.-President Tupper, December 5th, writes that, "Quite a deep religious interest prevails in the school. Already there have been six conversions, and we are holding extra meetings. The school is constantly increasing, and the discipline of the school was never better; and in the matter of harmony and cooperation among the teachers nothing more could be expected or desired." SA-SAK-WA, INDIAN TERRITORY.-This is a new school for the Society, though it has been in operation several years, lately under the auspices of the M. E. Church South. It is in the Seminole nation, in which there is a Baptist church, of which Rev. John Jumpers is pastor. The general sentiment of the Seminoles is favorable to Baptist principles, notwithstanding special efforts of Pedobaptists to change their views. The school is for girls. A building which has accommodations for about forty pupils has been erected by appropriations from the national treasury, from which also about $2,500 are appropriated annually for the support of the pupils. Rev. W. P. Blake, formerly a missionary among the Seminoles, and recently a missionary of the Society in Kansas, is superintendent of the school, and Miss Elder, who for a time. was missionary of the Woman's Home Mission Society of Chicago, among this people, now leaves her work at the Indian University to engage in similar work in the school at Sa sak-wa. The Seminoles have an interesting history, which we hope ere long to give to the readers of the MONTHLY. It is expected that this new undertaking will be as greatly blessed as work of the same character among the Cherokees and others. SELMA, ALA.--President Purce makes an earnest appeal, which we hope may reach somebody's heart and pocket: "We are very crowded with students. We have 262 enrolled, and only 7 teachers. Our school house is too small to accommodate all. We have five girls sleeping in one room, and some rooms have six girls-it is the same way with the young men. We have many boarding in town, but, of course, they do not get the training and influence that those get who board in the Institution. "During the past two months we have been able to pay over one thousand dollars on the debt of the school. Oh, that some friend would help us in our desperate struggle to be free! We are certainly in a needy condition. Our school buildings are in a dilapidated condition, but we are unable to do anything in the line of repairs. Can you assist us in any way to interest some of your wealthy friends to help us? We need help, and I think if there is any set of people in the world worthy of it, they are here." CHURCH EDIFICE DEPT. How it is Done. According to the last report of the Board of Church Extension of the Methodist Episcopal church, 466 Methodist churches were aided by gifts in the erection of houses of worship during the year 1886. During the same period our Church Edifice Department aided with gifts about 40 churches in erecting houses of worship. Their receipts for this work were far in excess of ours, although the strength of the two denominations is about the same. For their gift fund they obtained from "Miscellaneous sources, bequests, etc.," $18,017, while we obtained from similar sources a little over $43,000, thus far exceeding them in income from special appeals and donations; but in ad dition to this they received from regular contributions of their churches, $99,445, while our income from regular contributions from churches was next to nothing. Here is a difference of nearly $100,000, or enough to secure the erection of 400 chapels, all resulting from the fact that our churches do not take regular collections for this work. It is seen at a glance under what great disadvantages our missionaries in the West labor. How can it be expected that we shall hold our own in the great mission fields when another denomination builds 466 houses to our 40? Should it be a matter of surprise that our members, scattered in those new fields, attach themselves to churches that offer the facilities of a neat chapel for worship, while our missionaries can invite them only to uncomfortable school-houses, or perchance to some vacant store-house, or inconvenient public hall? Can the children be expected to attend Baptist Sunday schools, meeting in private houses or illfurnished and unsuitable rooms, while the Methodist Sunday school meets in a well-appointed chapel? The best workman cannot do efficient work with a scant supply of tools, and of poor quality; neither can our missionaries, with zealous hearts and a pure gospel, accomplish great results without a place in which the people may be gathered and the children trained. Special appeals and spasmodic efforts may do for a great emergency, but to carry on a great work successfully there must be a regular and certain source of income. This can be obtained only by regular and stated contributions. No one man, or twenty men, can collect funds sufficient for such a work as is committed to the Church Edifice Department of this Society. We shall always be in the background until our pastors take hold and present this work to their churches and take collections for it. It is said that we have so many collections in our churches now that there is not room for another. We ought to make room for a collection for this work, or say frankly that we cannot carry it on and leave the fields for others to occupy. Other denominations are willing to furnish the facilities for worship to our members in new communities; the Catholics, even, are liberal enough for this, and if our pastors are unwilling to present to their churches the claims of this work, then we must occupy a subordinate place in the great work of evangelizing the West. It is not sufficient to take up a collection for the Home Mission Society. Not a cent can be used in Church Edifice work, except such funds as are designated for it. We are powerless to do the tithe of what we ought to do unless the pastors generally will call the attention of their churches to the work, and either take a separate collection or, presenting the whole work at once, see that a part of the contribution is This Rev. W. H. Sloan rejoices in the completion of the new house in the City of Mexico. is what he says: "Sunday, the 27th day of November, 1887, was a day memorable in the annals of the Baptists of Mexico. "We had long prayed and waited for a house of worship, and our prayers had been answered, and our waiting turned into rejoicing. We dedicated to the service of Almighty God the first Protestant church built in the city, and the most beautiful structure for Protestant worship in the republic. "Three services were held, the one in the morning being the dedication proper in Spanish, Rev. T. M. Westrup, of Monterey, preaching the sermon. It was a forcible and practical presentation of the theme of "Christ the Foundation." Brother H. P. McCormick, of Zacatecas, delivered the charge to the church, and it was one they will never forget, filled as it was with wise and apt advice. Rev. W. D. Powell, of Saltillo, made a tender and heart-stirring prayer, when he offered the house to God. Rev. A. J. Steelman, of Mexico City, read the Scriptures in Spanish, in a manner that would do credit to one thoroughly acquainted with the language, and the pastor of the church, Rev. W. H. Sloan, at the close baptized four persons in the new baptistery. Three of these persons constituted a "household." Five Baptist missionaries on the platform reminded us that this was the largest number of such workers ever seen together in the history of the country. Three others, Green, of San Luis Potosi, Whitaker, of Aguas Calientes, and Wilson, of Guadalajara, were unable to be present. About four hundred people were in attendance, including many of the prominent citizens and officials of the city. "In the afternoon, at half past three o'clock, there was a rally of all the evangelical missions of the city, crowding the church and the adjoining school-room, which was connected by folding-doors. An address of welcome was delivered by the pastor, and responsive addresses were made by representatives of the Quaker, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist South, Presbyterian, and Episcopal missions, and by the agent of the American Bible Society. The interest and enthusiasm were very great. The singing of the hymns by the great congregation brought crowds of people to the doors and windows, who listened with marked attention. Precious seed was sown, and many prayers have been offered that a rich harvest may be the result. "In the evening the American and English colonies in large numbers attended the dedicatory services in English. The house, lighted up for the first time at night, presented a beautiful appearance, and won praises from all present. Its acoustic properties, too, are perfect. The lightest word uttered distinctly in the pulpit can be heard at the door of entrance, fifty feet away, without the vestige of an echo. church is entirely completed with the exception of the spire; $500 American money would place the finishing touches upon everything." News and Notes. ---From Sedan, Kansas, a missionary who has been struggling for several weeks to get into a new house, writes: "Our place of meeting has been greatly against us. An old schoolhouse, at one side, with low seats and space between only for children, has been very uncomfortable for grown people. Our standing as a church is improving. Our new house speaks of our work louder than any words can do." If our large churches knew how much joy a few hundred dollars brings to a little church out West, we should have more contributions from churches for this feature of our work. - We call attention to the letter of our missionary in the City of Mexico, giving an account of the dedication of the new house of worship there. A few years ago the Baptist house of worship in Monterey was the only Protestant house of worship in the Republic. Now houses of worship are dotting the land in every direction, standing as light-houses of truth in a land of moral darkness. Who regrets having contributed for these houses? Our work in Mexico "The evening service began with an anthem, sung by a choir selected from the American and English colonies. This was followed by an invocation offered by Rev. J. W. Butler, of the Methodist mission. The Scriptures were read by Rev. W. B. Gordon, Superintendent of the Episcopal mission, and a most effective address of welcome delivered by Rev. A. J. Steelman, of the Baptist mission. The sermon was preached by the pastor, Mr. Sloan, from Psalm 26: 8, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy by gift from the Society to make a contribution house. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. H. W. Brown, of the Presbyterian mission, and a financial statement was then presented by Mr. Steelman. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Dr. Patterson, of the Methodist mission South. During the exercises several anthems were effectively rendered by the choir, and two solos sung in charming manner, one of them by Mrs. Consul General More, and the other by Mrs. Col. W. H. Harris, of Cleveland. A collection amounting to over $100 was taken for the purchase of pulpit chairs. Taken altogether, the service was a most delightful one, and one that will never be forgotten by those who participated in it. "The bills have not yet all been paid, but the hope is entertained that the church will find itself entirely free from debt when the final settlements are made. If there is any indebtedness, it will hardly pass the sum of $100 in amount. The is now on a solid basis. -We called upon all the churches ever aided for church edifice work during the month of December. The first church to respond is Fairmont, Minn. They are now without a pastor and not very strong, but they showed a willing mind by sending a contribution of $5.00 to help other weak churches without even a house. been aided will think of others who are without We wish to see how many churches that have a house. If all do as well in proportion as Fairmont, we shall have quite a sum to report in our next. -We have been able, recently, to assist several churches among our foreign population in obtaining chapels. Our German, Swedish, and Norwegian brethren are mostly poor when they emigrate to our great Northwest, and it requires several years for them to get a start in life, but they are among Our most faithful church members. When they settle in a community they soon or ganize a church, and as soon as possible erect a chapel. Their influence over their neighbors is excellent. They ought to be assisted in their efforts to maintain their Christian integrity by assisting them to chapels. If some of our wealthy Baptists would give us $5,000 or $10,000 to help build houses for these Baptist immigrants, it would be an excellent investment of money. We aid all we can, but would like a special fund for this purpose. -Dr. Edward Bright is a man of very extended observation in denominational affairs, and his opinion concerning the importance of securing that $10,000 for work next Spring, we commend to our readers. In the Examiner he says: "A church without a chapel is a church without a home, and homeless people are never good for much. We cheerfully and earnestly commend this good work in which our Pope is engaged, to the heartiest good will of everybody who can give $100. It is in every way a beneficent and worthy thing to take care of the colored men of the South, and the Indians of the remote West; but if we do not mistake, there is nothing quite so necessary and important as to evangelize the white people of the great West. Man has no richer physical heritage than they enjoy, and they are bound so to grow in numbers, intelligence, wealth and power, as by and by to come near having, if not quite to have, the destinies of this country in their hands. Now is preeminently the time to plant seed throughout the West that will bear a harvest that can be rejoiced in." This work of building chapels in the West can only be provided for by funds especially designated for that purpose. -A pastor in Michigan writes that he is greatly interested in our chapel building work, and proposes to be one of twenty preachers to give $50 each by the first of April to make out $1,000 of the $10,000 fund we are raising for work next spring. Another preacher who reads the letter, says: "I will go into that arrangement." Now if eighteen more will send us their names, $1,000 of the amount will be secured. We know that preachers generally are not moneyed men, but there are hundreds of preachers better able to give than these two. We shall see what we shall see; something may come of this. -An Episcopal lady subscribes $300, the amount necessary to erect the chapel in Tempe, Arizona. There is not a house of wor ship of any kind in the place. We can furnish our Baptist sisters with names of several places where a few hundred dollars would secure a house, if they will drop us a note. In some way we must provide for these new towns in the West. -Our thirty chapels for which the money was raised last summer will soon all be completed and paid for. Now for twenty-five more in the early spring. BOOK NOTICES. REST DAYS IN A JOURNEY TO BIBLE LANDS, and OTHER JOURNEYS ABROAD: Sermons Preached in the Four Quarters of the Globe. By S. Dryden Phelps, D.D. With Prefatory Notes and Illustrations. New York: Ward & Drummond, 116 Nassau St. Christian Secretary Offices-Hartford, 336 Asylum St; New Haven, 44 High St. Pp. 244. $1.00. The title page well indicates the contents of the book. The "Rest Days" refer to the Sabbaths when these ten "Sermons" were preached at the times and places noted-in America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and on the great seas that separate or unite these continents. The sermons also have generally a fitness to their occasions. There are, besides the discourses, an "Introduction," and also "Prefatory Notes" to each sermon, describing the circumstances and incidents connected with its delivery. There are eight full-page illustrations of localities or objects near the place of the preaching, and several smaller pictures or tail-pieces. Also original hymns or bits of verse follow most of the sermons as suggested by them. The sermons are characterized by deep spirituality, and will be welcomed by many outside the circle of the honored author's friends. BAPTIST LAYMAN'S BOOK: A Compend of Baptist History, Principles, Practices, and Institutions. By W. W. Everts, D.D. 12m0, 180 pp. Price 75 cents. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society. This is a compend embracing Baptist church history, doctrine, usages, institutions, etc., etc., the whole furnishing information in a concise form, which members of our churches at large should possess. -The following books for the Sunday school have also been received from the American Baptist Publication Society: AUNT CLARA'S SCHOOL. By Mrs. M. Jeanie Mallary. Pp. 250. UNKNOWN PATHS; OR, TORRIE'S GUARDIANS. By Mary Bradley. Pp. 320. $1.25. MRS. GOLDWORTH'S CHARITY. By May F. McKean. Pp. 247. |