The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-12-19

would not be many years before it would
be nothing uncommon for wealthy lasmen
out of their own means to bear the charges
of sustaining foreign missionary. As
consequence the missionary sentiment is
rife, and men and women i'm the remotest
sections are appealing by scores to be sent
abroad, where they may labor for the con-
version Of the heather. 1t is peculiar
state OF Affairs. have often dreamed of
something like 1t, but l am not quite sure
that l ever expected to behold it. 1t is we'll
worth journey to North Corolina to wit
ness it.
GROWTH OF STATE MISSIONS.
The progress of State missions has like
wise been astonishingly rapid. Last year
over $l2 900 was collected and expended,
and from what could gather it seems that
the fields of labor were being better select
ed than at any previous period. The fol-
lowing statement. showing the progress Of
the work within the past ten years, occurs
in the annual report of Rev. e. Durham.
corresponding secretary of the Board of
Missions and Sunday Schools:
"Ten years ago only twenty -four associa-
lions, nineteen of them represented in the
meeting at Oxford, were cooperating with
the convention; now every association with
in the bounds Of the convention is co-operat-
ing in all departments of our work. Then
the Baptists Of this State gave foreign mis-
sions q, S77.76, and there had gone out from
them only two missionaries to the heather;
now wa vivo GO yao ood Si,c~ o,,r 90 49,,
vention thirteen missionaries have gone
from the Baptist churches of North Carroll
ma to the foreign field making in all thirty
two from the midst of our churches who
are laboring among the heather. Ten years
ago the Board Of Education were aiding
twelve young ministers now they aid
thirty-two. Then the board received to
prosecute its work 81 .46S, 6a; Row they re-
ceive $500. Then We gave for Sunday
school mission work Sl,46S.ls; now we
give S5,639.o9. Ten years ago we had
eighteen missionaries in the State mission
work now we have ninety-six. Then we
gave for State missions 81, 427.1S; now we
give $12 500. Then we had no colporteurs /;
now we have fifteen of them at work. Then
we had no orphanage: now we have a
home for orphan children that is literally
sustained. Then we were erecting church
buildings at the rate of perhaps ten per
year now we are erecting them at the rate
OF more than one hundred year Ten
years ago there were added to our churches
perhaps not more than 5000 a year; now
more than $4,000 are brought in. Then our
college at Wake Forest was struggling for
existence now it has the strongest faculty,
the largest endowment, the most students,
and the brightest prospects of any institu-
ton of learning in the State. Ten years
ago the total receipts for all objects re-
ported by the treasurer of the convention
was $s,O46 now, including the orphanage,
the receipts are more than Si5 ,O00."
Certainly the above constitutes remark
able showing of work accomplished. The
Baptists of North Carolina may we'll bear
comparison for progress with their brethren
Of any other section.
PERSONAL NOTES
DR.. Biting was present to represent the
interests of the Publication Society. A
favorable hour was bestowed, and his ad.
dress made an excellent impression. The
representative of the students fund OF the
theological seminary was also granted a
hearing, and received fair collection.
The Introductory sermon. by Rev. John S.
Dill, of Goldsboro, was a performance of
exceptional ability it was so we'll received
that it became one of the features of the
entire session. DR.. Tichenor and Rev. T.
Il. Bell were at hand to speak for the Home
Mission Board and the Foreign Mission
Board respectively. 1t was decided to ask
the brethren to give $4,000 to prosecute the
work of State missions during the coming
year. Objections were made to that ad-
vance On the score of the exceedingly
short crops; but no reduction was ordered.
The corresponding secretary said that he
had been more or less intimately acquaint-
ed with North Carolina affairs for thirty
FIVE years, and that in this period the crops
had almost invariably been bad.