The New York herald., 1845-11-26
NEW YORK HERALD.
Progress or the Missionary Enterprise
Success In Converting the Henthen.

ceedlngs of the Baptist General Convention for
Foreign Missions, which assembled in the Null
berry street Tabernacle This body consists OF the
northern branch OF the Baptist Triennal Conven-
ton, which held its last meeting IN Philadelphia in
April, 1884, and adjourned TO meet al Cincinnati, in
April, 1917. The southern portion of the Conven-
tlon II will be remembered seeded about a year
since, IN consequence of circular published by the
acting board, dated at Boston, in reply TO certain
questions, propounded by the Alabama Baptist
Convention, relative to slavery. The acting board
declared they would not, on any consideration ap-
point STAKEHOLDER missionary. In
quence OF this statement, the southern members
withdrew, and formed missionary convention OF
their own The northern branch, therefore, called
special meeting, and adopted new constitution,
changing their name from that OF Baptist General
Convention, 10 that of g American Baptist Mis-
sionary Union"
There are some very curious and funny things
about this constitution The " Union" is 10 be
composed entirely of " lite members" and any
person, whether Jew, Turk, or Christian-Unita-
ran, Unversaist, lnfide or Catholic, may become
members on payment of one hundred dollars. The
Chairman proclaimed the object of this arrange
ment 10 be the collection Of dollars-the largest
amount OF money, he remarked, could be collected
by this means. Every member represents one
hundred dollars, and has one vote An application
Is 10 be made to the Legislature of Massachusetts
for an act OF incorporation; and when charter is
obtained, great extension of missionary effort
mayb expected. Attempts will, undoubtedly. be
made 10 evangelize and Chrstianize the whole
world-lncluding this hitherto much neglected por-
tion of creation, called New York. Meanwhile
the Southern convention are extending their opera
tions and usefulness The American Board OF
Commissioners-the Methodlsts, old school Pres
byterlans, Eplscopalians, and Cathocs-all deter.
mined to propagate their peculiar views, and make
converts to their dognas, will have their zeal
awakened, their passions aroused and
grand, and glorious outpourng OF the spirit
may accordingly be anticipated Probably
not less than million and half OF dollars
are yearly expended In educating, fitting out
shipping oil, and supporting enthusiastic young men
in distant and unhealthy climes. The Catholics
take the lead IN this movement, and appear TO be
successful in their efforts TO convert the souls
OF the unbeheving heathen-the missions which
they establish, generally of permanent char
acer, and, In majority of cases, support them
selves. The Protestant missions have been much
less successful; but the spirit-the same natu-
raj desire TO triumph-anlmates both parties
corporate bodies, and religious institutions, whose
ostensible object is the Christanizng of the world
The sympathies OF the members overflow, and es-
cape in streams OF JOY, whenever the subject is
mentioned-their hearts gladden. with delight
when prospect is presented of making converts to
their peculiar tenets, while boundess pleasure reigns
IN their souls, when the news of victory arrives
meetings are held in all parts of the country-funds
collected-prayers are offered-speeches made.
and young men of talent and ability, are selected
and educated missionaries from the funds of the
society these off to the banks of the Can
ges and Burrampooter-to China Africa, Syria,
&c-to convert the ndolent and runcivillsed in.
habitants of these regions. TO the doctrines and
dogmas which are professed by the benevolent mis-.
slonaries. In this way, million and half of dol
lars are expended.
The Baptist Convention, according to their Trea.
surer's report, expended, during the year ending
April, 1874, S947S 2s for this purpose They have
been In existence thirty years. and during that time
have made 5000 converts in Asia The EXPENSES of
the American Board of Commissioners for FOREIGN
Missions, last year, s264, 4,OOO for similar Dur.
poses. Under the pastoral OF the missionaries of
this Board, sixty-five churches embracing d :
$50 members, according to the statement of the
Board themselves. II questionable however IN
say the least, II many of these converts TO the faith
would be received and acknowledged by orthodox
professors here In England the expenditure is
much greater. The Quarterly Reriec, for June.
1873, states that f., 900 day expended on
Foreign Missions, which would give us an estimate
OF 3b5O0O per annum. Since then, the amount
has very much increased
This enormous expenditure, il might be sunnosed
would produce some eYtraordinaru and h~n.E...t
results. We might reasonably expect to hear of
much good being done, but Judging from all the
information IN our possession, but little has been
achieved. One reason for the want of success at.
tending missionary efforts, is to be found in the
TACT that missionaries do not teach one faith-one
rellgon-but quarrel and fight about minor points
There is no harmony existing between the different
burnlngs, ealousies and chickering's
usurp the place OF love, kindly feeling, and one
ness OF spirit, faith and interest. The beauty SUBJ
Unity, and purity OF Christianity is often lost sight
oil IN controversies about unlmportant .dogmas and
non-essentials. This is lamentable fact which
requires no proof Missionaries do not 90 TO
heathen lands tor the purpose of Chrlstianlzne
them, but with the avowed intention of making
converts to their own sects and creeds They Quarrel
about the saving power of baptism"-one sec,
contendlng that a man must be dipped all over in
water-another that he must only have little
sprlnkled In his face, in order to be saved from
everlasting perdtion and damnation This absurdly
foolish and ridiculous warfare has now lasted manv
years, and there is prospect of its being settled
very soon. spirit of rivalry is thus engendered
and native converts are divided into eliques each
clique filled with bitter animosity towards all others.
The time that should be devoted to advancing the
moral, spiritual and physical condition of the people
IS wasted In talking about theological maxims me-
taphyslcs,and absruse rules for church government
How different from the teaching and example of
the mild and lowly Jesus, who commanded charity
humility and love We would recommend the
MISSIONARIES 70 STAY al home and senIe .haix