Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-06-05
BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF VA.
FORTY-FIFTEE SESSION.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

AFTERNOON SEssIoN-The Association re-
assembled at o'clock, and after devotional ez-
ercises, the minutes of the forenoon session
were read, corrected and approved.
The committee on the order of business made
the following report, which was adopted:
Thursday, 8 p. m.-Take up report OF board
of foreign missions. j
Friday, 81 a. m.-Report Of Sunday school
and bible board IL a. M, interest OF Green.
vile Theological Seminary; 3 p. NJ, report OF
educational board; p H., Richmond College.
Saturday, 81 a NJ. Report of State mission
ary board; p. M, miscellaneous business.
Monday, o. a. m.-Report Of domestic mis-
sions; p. NJ, miscellaneous business
The report Of the board Of foreign missions
was taken up and read, as follows
It is a trite saying among us, that the work
Of foreign missions is to be regarded as the very
life of that missionary spirit which IS to bring
our race into subsection to Jesus" 1t cannot
be denied that among US as n people, there was was
but little organized effort for supplying with
the Gospel the destitute of our own land, until
our Careys and Fullers and Judsons @nd Rlces
infused into the hearts Of our brethren desire
to spread the knowledge of the true God anon g
the long neglected heather. Within the last
three years, in view Of our unprecedented pow
erty, brethren have not unfrequently ylelded
temporarily to the idea that the claims or the
destitute Immediately around us demand the
application of all the money which we can raise,
and put it out of our power to do anything at
present in foreign lands. Observation, however,
will readily show that in proportion IS this idea
gains upon christians spirit of sel1lshneSs,
near akin to covetousness is nourlshed IN the
heart, and labor in the vineyard at home be-
comes too great sacrifice for such o spirit to
bear. --... 49,
The Foreign Mission Board Of the Southern
Baptist Convention has labored under great
disadvantages from the scarcity of money
Moved, however, by the spirit which brought
the or anizafion into existence, the brethren
intrusted with this work have persevered against
Obstacles which to men OF more timld tslth
would have proved insurmountable; and at the
late meeting in Baltimore wero able to make an
exhibit highly encouraging TO our hopes: Inc
sum Of Sl4, 1872 a was collected. By judiCious
disbursement of this sum, aided by liberal APP
propriations directly made to different stations
in China by an esteemed brother in Kentucky"
tho wants Of our missionaries have so far been
met as TO prevent actual suffering; while debt
of nearly 0,000 has been reduced to less than
$1,000. Thanks are duo to our brethren, but
above all to our Heavenly Father, for the en-
couragement given by this report, inspiring
hope that whom the condition of tho country
shall furnish the means, our brethren will have
q heart equal TO tho magnitude and importance
Of this great work
For detailed account &C our missions abroad
VIC refer to the report OF the Foreign Mission
Board, which will be found in the minutes OF
the late meeting of the Convention in Baltimore.
1t will be seen that the missionaries we have in
the field speak encouraglngly Of the prospect
before them, and are sangulne IN the pellet that
an increase of laborers would, by the Divine
blessing, be attended with enlarged success.
We must not withhold from our brethren the
gratifying fact that during the fiscal year just
closed, Virginia, next to Maryland, has con-
tributed more to foreign missions than any other
State connected with our Convention. a lit
tie more system in our mode Of collecting funds
would no doubt have increased the amount
considerably. In the language of the ConVen-
ton Board, 'ifit be our duty, rs most Of our
churches acknowledge; to send the Gospel 10
tae heathen," then we ought to stir up our
hearts to increased interest on the whole qucs-
ton. no.
Rev. George T. Adams, Of Hampton, in q
strong, clear and succinot argument, then advo
Gated the maintenance of foreign missions, con-
tending that the reflex influence was of the Ut
most benefit to the church at home.
Rev. j. B. Taylor, ST., OF Richmond, second
ed the views expressed by Mr.. Adams, in few
pertinent remarks ie thought that if ten
young men, in the South, could be obtained to
60 abroad in the interest of the Baptist church,
the influence would be ten fold. lie referred
especially to the mission in China, which he
thought had been roportionatcly more success
inl than any other denomination in that vast
Empire The speaker concluded with an car
nest appeal Tor aid.
Dr. A. NJ Poindcxter, Of Culpcpcr, followed
Mr.. Taylor, reluting the idea that poverty was
any excuse for not giving literally for the spread
of the gospel, and sevcrc y condemned those
who limit their libcraity by their feelings, not
by their ability, apd suggested that our present
poverty could be traced to the fact that when
We had plenty we gave sparlngly. We arc at
present going through another ordeal-to be
tried in poverty The greatest results that the
world mad ever seen were done by poverty; and
now, poor as we are, great results can be effect
ed if only actuatcd by the proper motives
The speaker concluded with most earnest ap-
peal in behalf OF missions-foregn and domGs-
tic-and renewal of true religious spirit, and
called upon Rev J. a. Broaddus to offer up
petition to Heaven for the spread Of true rclI-
gion, and q rebaptzlDg of the assembly with
the true spirit.
Rev. Mr.. Broaddus complied with the call
and made fervcnt prayer,
Alter which Rev. j. A. Chambin, Of Rich
mond addressed the assembly, also in behalf
of the cause Of foreign mission, and dcp!ored
the falling of in the interest that used to be
manifested in this cause, and concluded by Of
fcring the following resolutions:
RcSozrc0, That every pastor be requested to
use earnest efforts to circulate the Home and
Foreign Missionary Journal among tie people
to whom he ministers.
Resolued, That we recommend to all the
churches to observe the monthly concert Of
prayer for missions.
The question on the adoption Of the report
was then taken, and it was unanimously adopted.
Remarks in behalf of foreign missions were
then made by Rev. DIR. Broaddus and Dr. Man
ly, jr., who addressed their remarks especially
to the young. DR.. Manly argued forclbly in
favor of the Chinese missions, even if mission
aries had to be withdrawn from other fields,
and if young men would give themselves to the
work, he believed that the means would be
raised before the Fall TO scrd them to their
fields Of labor.
Rev J. B. Hardwick, of Parkersburg, fol-
lowed DIR. Manly, showing by actual figures
that Notwithstanding the poverty Of the South,