ment which prevails in local Baptist churches, whose system of government summons into its fold all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and who esteem liberty of conscience according to the Word of God. superintendent through whose efforts the school has attained much of its prosperity. NEBRASKA. -Omaha is a marvel of development. Baptists are "pushing things" as best "Dear brother, I desire that the Christian they can, but they long to do more, and that quickly. Rev. F. W. Foster writes: kindness of yourself and of other brethren of the North would aid me to construct in my own house, in this city of Camargo, a baptistery for the administration of baptism by immersion of all those who may be called by our Lord Jesus Christ to the bosom of his church militant. The cost of this baptistery I have well considered, and find it will amount to thirty dollars. In this place I have pure, clear water in abundance for use as it may be needed." -Rev. Thos. Whitaker, of Aguas Calientes, writes that he has mastered the Spanish language sufficiently to preach in it, as he did recently for twenty-five minutes. This is doing extremely well, in five months after his arrival in Mexico. "No longer can it be said of Omaha Baptists, 'They have a name to live, but are dead.' From one church and one mission a year ago among the English-speaking population, we Then there was no pastor and no missionary. have grown to four churches and three missions. Now there are three settled pastors of acknowledged ability, and one missionary. Then, less than $100 was contributed to State and home missions from this field. The present or past year there will have been paid more than $400 for the same work. Last year nothing for church building or improvements. This year probably $20,000. "We have been late in doing so, but now important fields are being held and worked hard Hymn Books and Sunday School Books for in the interests of the Baptist Church in Omaha, Mission Fields. "We badly need some hymn books; second hand ones would be accepted," writes a Kansas missionary. Frequent calls of this kind come in our missionary correspondence. Many churches are changing their old books for new ones, and could easily meet these demands. Now, we propose this: Let every local missionary who wishes for his church such books, write us. Let every pastor and Sunday school superintendent in whose church or school there are such books unused, which they will give to mission schools and churches, write us about the matter, giving names of hymn books, number, etc., also number of Sunday school books and their condition. We will then put parties in communication with each other, and much good may be done. Books can be sent by freight, and it would add to the completeness of the act if donors would prepay freight. Never send such books to the Home Mission Rooms, as we have no facilities for receiving, storing, and distributing them, Let them be sent direct from the donors to their destination. The West. and we believe it is all being done to the glory of Jesus our Lord." IOWA. It is generally supposed that this State is not largely missionary territory, but the following from Rev. N. B. Rairden, General Missionary, shows that there is yet very much land to be possessed by Baptists: A little many of "I find in Iowa about 100 churches, which have been so depleted by removals that unless helped it seems that they must die. Many of them have good houses of worship. help and encouragement will save these churches. What is done for them must be done quickly. There are also about 100 places where a little effort would result in the organization of churches having every prospect of permanence and success. We have nine counties in the State without a Baptist church; twenty counties with only one church to each county. About 300 towns of more or less promise without Baptist churches, and some Baptists in each of these towns. God is turning the attention of the people to the truth, as we hold it, and it is received with favor everywhere by the people generally. "Iowa is as truly mission ground to-day, and as promising a field as can be found anywhere; so far as my knowledge extends, at least. "If we could put $10,000 a year into the State, I believe we might double our strength in a UTAH. The Sunday school of the Ogden -Our church in Algona, Iowa, under the pastorate of Rev. W. L. Wolfe, has had a prosperous year. Up to a recent date there had been twenty-one additions by baptism, and fourteen by letter. He says: "We are in the midst of a needy field. I am the only American Baptist minister in this the largest county in the State. Captain Jensen, of Swea, is the only other of any nationality, so far as I know. An earnest, well-directed effort would surely result in the organization of other churches." "The church at Hillsboro has been greatly strengthened. There have been eleven accessions during the year. We are now building a house of worship 32x60 feet to cost $300; it is almost completed. Hillsboro is the county seat of Washington County, and a very important point. The church at Forest Grove has received six members during the year. There ought to be three active Baptist ministers in this county. I will continue to preach every evening during the fall at different places, and expect that God will do great work in the conversion of souls. We are praying the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into His harvest." OREGON.-Rev. W. H. Black, of Forest Grove, Washington County, Oregon, has the following about his large field, in which he is NEVADA. Rev. J. W. Helsley, who has doing itinerant as well as local work: labored so faithfully at Wadsworth and at other "Washington County is situated in the north-localities, as well as among the Indians at Pyrawestern part of Oregon, about forty-eight miles mid Lake, has decided to accept a call to Cali from the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded on the north by the coast range of mountains. In the centre of this county is a section of country known as the Tualitin Plains, twenty-five miles long by fifteen wide. Nature and man have beautified this country to a wonderful degree. "To this highly favored county the writer came one year ago, at that time a licentiate, and, as he looked over the beautiful stretch of country, dotted with groves, farm-houses, and villages, and inhabited by an intelligent people, most of them unsaved, he was convinced of the importance of the field and his duty concerning it, as the two Baptist churches were without any supply, and there was not a Baptist minister in the county. "The church at Hillsboro numbered eight; the one at Forest Grove, twenty-six; but they were badly scattered. The writer accepted a call as their supply, until he could be ordained, at an anticipated salary of $250 a year. I preached once each month at each place, and the rest of the time I devoted to evangelistic work in the country. I commenced a series of meetings early in the fall at a place called Shadybrook, nine miles north of Hillsboro, held two weeks. Some twelve or fifteen were converted. And during the fall and winter I held seven protracted meetings. God blessed our work in all these meetings in the saving of souls. There is a great deal of destitution in this part. One place, where I held a meeting of twelve days, they told me they had had no preaching for three years not one sermon; and some of the peo. ple had not been to church during that time. fornia. Who will be his successor ? A recent letter contains the following about an incident of interest to many who knew the beloved agent mentioned: "Our Indian work looks encouragingly. "I was at Pyramid Lake Reservation on Memorial day, and after appropriate services the remains of Agent Spencer were removed out of the school-yard to a more suitable location. The whole school, headed by their teachers and an Indian Marshal, marched after the wagon bearing the remains. After the body was lowered into the grave they all marched around it, and each pupil threw in a bunch of wild flowers; then all returned to the agency in the most orderly manner. "Some of our brightest boys have gone to the Government school at Grand Junction, Col. "The older Indians are anxious their children should be educated, and I am laboring to show ❘ them the need of a spiritual as well as an intellectual training.” Then follows an account of one of his missionary journeys to attend a funeral service of a prominent resident at Wadsworth, a long distance from the out-station where he was preaching. It was 9 P. M. when he finished preaching, and at 2 P. M. next day he must be sixty-five miles away. "In twenty minutes I have feed and water for the journey, and the sound of my horses' feet makes music along the dismal road, with the coyotes joining in the chorus. "At 3 A. M. I reach White Plains station, the most dismal place between New York and San Francisco, and just twenty-eight miles from starting point. Here I feed and water the team, roll up in my blanket on the ground, sleep an hour or two, hitch up, and am on the road again at 5.30 A. M. At 12.30 drive into Wadsworth, having made the distance of sixty-five miles, over a bad road, partly at night, in fifteen hours. I rest my team an hour, get a cup of coffee, then drive out into the country two miles in time for the funeral. "Why did I make such an effort to get here? The person dying belonged to the first settlers, was everywhere favorably known, would have a large attendance, affording an opportunity I could not afford to miss. "Now if you will consider that I had slept scarcely any the night before, on account of mosquitoes, had preached twice and driven eight miles during the day, then drove nearly all night and the next day till 12.30 P. M. without food, composing a talk for this special occasion during the time, not daring to sleep while driving, lest my team would leave the road, you get some idea of the nature of the work here. And yet I would be willing to spend my life here if I could only incline the hearts of this people toward Him who taketh away the sins of the world." MINNESOTA.—The Waseca church, of which Rev. W. D. Atherton is pastor, has recently made needed improvements in its house of worship at a cost of $225; and have sent supplies for children in the Indian Territory. Though the town is "cursed by rum and Catholicism," there is spiritual progress in the church. NORTH DAKOTA.-From the annual report of General Missionary Rev. G. W. Huntley, at the recent meeting of the North Dakota Baptist Association, we are permitted to make the following extracts: Three churches have been constituted during the year, viz. Galt, in Welsh County; Rosa Lake, in Cavalier County; and White Rock, in Roberts County. More than twice the number would have been organized if pastors and means for their support could have been assured. The increase in membership of the churches the past year has been more than twenty-five per cent. By baptisms, 161; by letter and otherwise, 117, making a total of 278, including the unassociated bodies not yet connected with either Association. Diminutions have been considerable, and in some localities seriously felt. A sort of mania prevails on these frontier fields for moving from place to place, thus hindering the permanent establishing of congregations, and bringing the net gain in membership down to a little more than fifteen per cent. over last year. Removals have not been alone among the laity. Pastors, in several instances, have left their flocks. Seven such changes. have occurred since the last anniversary of this body, causing anxiety and derangement in the churches thus left, as well as making additional care and labor for the General Missionary. Nine ministers have come into North Dakota All these are and have been elected pastors. commissioned and supported in part from the Board in New York. We now have twenty-two missionaries laboring on this field who are receiving aid from the American Baptist Home Mission Society's treasury, including the German brethren and the General Missionary. The Scandinavian department of our work greatly needs reinforcements. At present our beloved brother, Rev. J. A. H. Johnson, is the only Norwegian Baptist preacher on this field, where there are more than 40,000 of his countrymen. No class of citizens are more ready or hopeful. The Scandinavian churches in Fargo and Caledonia are making commendable progress, while at Grand Forks and Bismarck the cause is weak for want of pastors. The advance made last year affords cause for fresh courage. fruitful in most departments of our mission No previous year has been so work. Never before had we so many important places occupied. Yet we have greatly fallen short of meeting the demands for Christian effort on this great and growing field. We ought to have six more men appointed at once to occupy places where our brethren are calling for us to come over and help them. There never was a year equal to the past season in railroad building. With the extension of these iron highways, settlements are extended over these fertile lands, and new towns are laid out and built with such rapidity that to persons not accustomed to Western frontier life it seems truly marvelous. Last year we reported eighty towns and fourteen county seats without a Baptist organization or minister. That number is now increased. We have failed to keep pace with the onward march of the multitudes of people from our Eastern States, and from all parts of Europe, who come here to possess these lands and bring under the hand of culture what was so lately a country belonging to the wild and desolate public domain. In all these new places there are Baptists who need a little encouragement and aid to start into church organizations, and the number of our churches would be greatly multiplied, so that instead of only forty-three we should soon have a hundred such centres of Christian influence and power for good. Our Work at Castle Garden. Fifth Annual Report, by Rev. John Schiek. In preparing this report of my labors during the fiscal year now passed, I cannot forbear, with deep gratitude, to acknowledge the great many tokens of mercy and loving kindness of God, with which He has so abundantly blessed and strengthened me in soul and body to perform the arduous and important work He has intrusted to me. Among the multitudes of immigrants that passed through our portals in this country last year there were a great many members and friends of our denomination. The greatest number of our brethren came from the churches in Russia and East and West Prussia; but side by side with them were also others from Southern Germany and Switzerland, from Bulgaria, Poland, Sweden and Denmark, some even from Turkey and Greece. "Verily this and that man was born in Zion." Ps. 87, 5. When we contemplate the spreading of our churches in Germany we are forcibly reminded of the words of the psalmist: "This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes." Ps. 118, 23. What a wonderful tie it is that unites them, according to Eph. 4: 4-6, on the same foundation! When the Scandinavian, whose home borders "Greenland's icy mountains," extends to me the hand of brotherly love, his greeting is to me as hearty as that of the Suabian or the Swiss. The same love that has its origin in Saviour's love has also made his heart warm. Six hundred and sixty-five persons have been announced to me by letter and recommended to my care. These announcements were partly made by relatives and friends in this country, and sometimes by the parties them Our selves. Some also came unannounced, which swells their number considerably. In taking care of these strange and helpless people I become aware of their several needs and wants. Some are in need of help and advice, some are without means and friends, and some even know not where to go and what to do. In such cases God's Word says to the missionary: "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people." Is. 40: 1. By God's help I was enabled to bring comfort to many a troubled heart, and succor them in their need. There are plenty of opportunities for good Samaritans in this great field. Gratefully I acknowledge here the receipt of many mites that have been sent to me for such as were in need, and they have been employed for the benefit of our brethren in their greatest necessities. To many a one I have been a helper in need throughout the year, and have dried the tears of them that were afflicted. God bless the givers! In my labors for the benefit of our immigrants it has ever been my endeavor to bring our members and their relatives in connection with our churches. When they arrive in this country they are, in most cases, without a home and without church privileges, and it is therefore our solemn duty to lead them into the fold of Christ and the fellowship of our brethren. For this reason, and to facilitate this purpose, I hand to every Baptist our "Wegweiser," a guide for Baptists, which, besides other useful information, contains a list of our brethren in the ministry, with their addresses. In some cases, when time permits, I accompany these little guide-books with a written recommendaAlso such as are not members of our tion. Baptist churches I admonish and advise to seek a church home, or at least attend divine service. God be praised for many souls which I was privileged to guide and benefit in that way! A few weeks ago a whole family (containing together seven persons) found, through my recommendation, not only a home, but what is much more, a place in the church of Christ, where they were converted, baptized, and received into the fellowship of God's children. Besides the care for the welfare of our brethren and their relatives, I enjoy the blessed opportunity to do general mission work in Castle Garden by sowing the seed of the Word, although it is a sowing in hope, as the multitudes are only passing by me; but they take the seed along in the remotest regions of this great country, where it will spring up in God's own time. Here the words of our blessed Master prove true: "One soweth and another reapeth." How often I am encouraged and animated in my work when I see the multitudes flock from Italy, Bohemia, Hungary, and other Roman Catholic countries to ask for the Word of life! With grateful hearts they receive the presented New Testament or the tract, and thankfully kiss my hand. Three hundred and seventeen poor and needy relieved. Four hundred and forty-nine testaments distributed. Sixty-three religious services held. Twenty-five thousand four hundred and eighty tracts distributed. The poor fund shows receipts of $86.80; disbursements, $97.95. GRAND LIGNE, CAN.-This school, with its related mission interests, was for a time assisted by this Society, and it still has numerous hearty supporters in the United States. It has been thought that the article in the September MONTHLY, on the need of a French department at Newton, reflected somewhat upon the soundness of the Baptist teachings at Grand Ligne. Rev. Dr. A. G. Upham, of Montreal, and Presi A very laborious work in connection with the immigrant mission is the correspondence. Many an hour at night is spent in this, but the most labor is caused by transatlantic letters, in which advice regarding proposed emigration is sought. How conscientiously one has to judge and act in order not to advise or counsel emigration in wholesale, or, on the other side, to dissuade people from it! In my experience Ident of the Evangelical Society of the Grand often feel compelled to do the latter, and I have sometimes succeeded in cases of older people, or such as were in indigent circumstances, who had not the slightest chance of making a living here. It is certainly a different thing with younger people, or those who have means and grown up children, and who find enough chances to get along, although the old adage may prove true: "All beginnings are hard." It is incredible how many rose-colored and exaggerated descriptions are sent into the old country, and how many efforts are made by unscrupulous agents and founders of colonies to induce ignorant people to emigrate. Thousands have been deceived in this way. Permit me, dear brethren at home, to give you a timely warning not to plunge headlong into this new world, with its many uncertainties and risks. Ask the Lord, I say to all, and be fully assured of His divine sanction. Only in this way the exit from the old and the entry in the new world will be accompanied by God's blessing. The statistical report for the year is follows: as Three hundred and eighty-six calls made in Castle Garden at the landing of immigrants. Seven hundred and seventy-five visits made in the different emigrant homes, hospitals, etc. Six hundred and sixty-five immigrants received whose coming was announced by letters. Seven hundred and seventy-eight Baptist members and their relations received. Ligne, writes that this "was true once, it was open communion in spirit and tendency, but it is not so now any more than the American Baptist Home Mission Society is. No person is eligible to membership in its Board who is not a member in good standing in a regular Baptist church. The working force of the mission, French pastors and teachers, are sound in the faith as American Baptists hold it. A number of the churches of the Mission have recently been re organized and put on a sound Baptist basis. In fact, this is to-day, and will be henceforth, a French Baptist Mission. We would like to stand before American Baptists, to whom we owe so much, just as we are." We are glad to get these words from Dr. Upham. The italics are his. We know that the esteemed writer of the article in the September MONTHLY will rejoice with others in having these statements from so excellent authority. EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. |