The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-13
Home and Foreign Missions.

The reports of the Home Mission Board
and Foreign Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Church, which were presented to
the Southern Baptist Convention, at Rich
mond, on Friday, and published in our dis
patches yesterday, show that the missions
OF this church are in a very fiourishing con-
dition, and promise splendid results for the
future. The Baptist Church is a very
strong one in the South. and its power and
influence for god are steadily increasing.
1t reaches the masses, and gathers within
its fold converts from every class of So
ciety.
The work which the different churches
are doing in the missionary field is so great
as TO excite the wonder of those uncon-
nected with it, who take the trouble to make
themselves acquainted with its magnitude.
1t IS "A work which is steadily being extended
and broadened. Those who conduct it are
found in every land. They keep constantly
in view the object they are aiming TO ac-
complish, and they freely make whatever
sacrifices are demanded of them Those
whose lives are absorbed in money getting,
in schemes for personal aggrandizement, or
in society'S follies, though they may be con-
tributors through the regular channels Of the
churches to the missionary cause, doubtless
frequently pause in their pursuit of gain,
ambition or pleasure long enough to wonder
If the earnest Christian mission workers,
whether in their own or in foreign lands,
are not, after all, doing more to advance
civilization and uplift the human race than
those who command armies, direct govern
ments or handle the worlds wealth.
While the work which foreign missions
accomplish cannot very we'll be overrated,
there has been a growing impression of late
years that the importance of home missions
is not sufficiently appreciated. Only
small portion of the people of this country
ever see the inside of church. Only a few,
comparatively, do not believe in the
Christian religion. The reason, there
fore, that there are not more
churches, and that their congregations are
not larger, is not because of disbelief
Every Christian minister knows, perhaps,
why, i'll nation of $1,000, 900 of Christian
people, there are not more pro-
Tossing Christians. There is no
doubt that if more attention were
given to home missions the membership of
the different denominations would be largely
increased. Indeed, it is probable that more
could be done by mission work than in any
other way to bring the masses within the
churches
II is question whether it would not be
advisable to devote much of the energy and
money that now go to foreign missions
to the building up of home missions. The
influence of this country for the promotion
of Christianity in heather countries would
be increased in proportion as the people be-
came members of church congregations.
BY giving greater encouragement to home
missions two objects would be accomplished
The number Of protesting Christians would
be vastly increased, and the churches, be
ing thus strengthened, would be much bet
ter able to carry on foreign missions. There
is certainly much to be said in favor of
making much greater effort to save those
at home, who are Indifferent to relig ion,
than to convert the heather abroad