The Dawson journal., 1885-12-17
Raptist MlsSionary Work.

/ its recent meeting, relative to
missionary work in our church, il
becomes my duty to address you
upon this important subject
The first ladies' missionary So
ciety in the North was formed in
1901 by the ladies of the Baptist
and Congregational churches of
Boston, Massachusetts. The first
in the Soath was organized in
1913 by the ladies of Baptist
church in Virginia. The increase
in the number of these societies
was very small for many years,
yet the leaven was at work, it was
slowly, but surely growing. Now
the number in the u tied States
has reached about twelve thou
sand-over ninety regular organ
lied societies in the Baptist
churches of our own State.
1t is not strange that similar
desires and efforts, thoughts and
aims, for the spread of the gospel,
has been awakened in the hearts
of many thousand Christian 20
men of America, when we realize
that these have been drawn forth
by the Holy Spirit. The de-
sires and efforts Of ladies
missionary societies are but rills
of the great ocean, yet they are
attracted into the one channel
that flows to its sourc9-Gods
eternal love-"
The rays Of the sunbeam can
no more be weighed than can an
estimate be formed of all the good
which has accrued to perishing
souls through the agency Of ladies
missionary societies. The good
influences which they have help
ed to introduce and maintain, like
the efulgence of light, have no
measure and no bounas. While
the missionaries of the cross have
been faithfully sowing the seeds
of divine truth, the members of
these societies have been praying
for dews Of heavenly grace to de-
scend upon these seed and cause
them to germinate, blossom aud
bring forth to the honor and glory
of God as we'll as cheerfully giving
of their means to assist the mis-
sion board in supplying the tenn
poral necessities of missionaries
and eniarging the work commit
ted to them. Strange, indeed,
must be the condition of that
Christian heart upon whose altar
the incense Of thanksgiving does
not burn for what Go1 has
wrought through these agencies.
The Home and Foreign Mission
Boards of the Southern Baptist
! Convention have for several years
urged the formation of missiona-
| Iry societies IN the churches Of the
South. Our own State Conven-
ton, realizing the need of regu-
lar systematic way of giving, and
the importance Of adopting some
plan which would bring the work
of missions near the hearts OF the
ladies, has advised the organiza-
ton in each of our churches of a
ladies' missionary society. Shall
we allow that advice to pass un-
needed?
That there are discouragements.
many and serious. the most en-
thusiastic of us will not deny.
| But these must be overcome.
Never since the world began was
any worthy thing achieved with
out determination. We are to re-
ject every thought of failure and
go forward with energy, courage
! and patience. II some who ought
! to join heart and hand with us
turn coldly away, the more
urgent is the need that we be stir
ring and dilligent. Let us never
trust to uncertain feeling in the
matter, but follow the loftier lead.
, ing OF duty.
Some writer has said, "Tis
greatly wise to talk with our past
hours and ask them what report
they've borne to heaven, and how
they might shave borne more wei
come news" AS the full record
of 1885 will soon be complete and
, placed in the archives of heaven
to await the day Of final accounts
is not this ali appropriate tine
for us, as workers in the Master 5
: Vineyard, to talk with our past
t hours and ask them what repoi
they've borne to heaven? As we
do this will not the thought in
stinctly rise in each mind, could
not more welcome news have been
borne? Could not the retrospect
i've view been made more satisfac-
tory to us? Have we, my sisters,
+ been as jealous and self-denyine
; as is necessary to answer the
claims Of our Savior upon US and
fulfill the vows of our profession
If not, then let me affectionately
: suggest that we enter upon the
New Year with a determined pur-
pose to put forth greater efforts
for the spread Of the gospel.
Would that it were indelliblv
impressed upon the mind and
heart Of every Christian woman
: that our Savior did not enjoin the
J duty of giving the gospel to the
nations of the earth upon men
clone, but made it rest with eanal