The Baptist headlight., 1893-11-01
Baptist Foreign Mission Con-
ventiOn.

states and territories has resolved into what
is known as the African National Baptist Mis-
sion convention The latter name is, no
doubt, more appropriate and will appeal with
peculiar interest to all Baptists, irrespective
of color or section. The object of this con-
vention, which convened at Atchison on the
| 25th ul.. was he dissemination of the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ among the heather OF
Africa. 1t has been in operation a great
many years, and though It's efforts are small
and infnitesmal yet 1t is plain to all fair
minded and progressive Baptists that the seed
planted by our pioneer missionaries are fast
ripening into an abundant harvest of wonder
full magnitude, Rev. t. L. Johnson, who is
now lying sick in England, is the general
financial agent, and has collected good deal
of money for this great work; indeed, his la
bors and earnest consecration, which have
told SO heavy upon his health and constitu
ton here of late, have been the chief support
of the missionaries that have gone to Africa
under the auspices of that convention.
| He is man of God, filled with zeal and
fire. Rev. J. L. Stewart and wife who are
at present at work in Siberia, Africa, with
heac ,arters at Monravia, are also the repre-
sentauves of this convention. In letter re
Gently sent to Mrs. Jessie Harris, of Leaven-
worth. Bro Stewart declares with much sol
emnity that he has not received any assist
ance from the convention. 1t appears that
Providence has led them to overcome all i'm
mediate Instructions, even sickness, and the
multifaricus drawbacks that usually confront
the young missionaries in Africa. One can
not help shedding tears when he reads the
pathetic story told by this man of God.
What is the duty of Western Baptists?
First-We believe the convention, which
is living necessity, should endeavor to print
tracts and leaflets giving vivid description
of the mission stations established, the num-
Der of missionaries at work, the possibilities
Of extended prosperity, and enlargement of
the same; furnish tabulated reports of said
missionaries from time to time, and circulate
them among all the churches under the juris-
diction of this convention.
Second-We believe missionary secre-
tary, having his headquarters i'll or about the
center of the district, who shall superintend
the interests Of the convention after the or
der of the American Baptist Missionary
Union, and other national organizations,
would greatly enhance an extraordinary prest-
ige, power and love for their special work.
Third-System and organization must OBJ
tain in all of the operations of this work, if it
would enlist the sympathy of Baptist
Churches This is a spiritual age. Ideas
rule. There is more power nowadays in the
printing press in a single day than in vocal
speeches made by the wisest philosopher OF
the age. 1t were better to use the money OF
one conventional meeting in Procuring the
means which we so much need, and present
:hem to our Churches that they may become
familiar with the internal workings of the
concern. Mark it; the moral elevation oi
the mission work in the hearts of the
Churches means large and liberal givings tc
heathendom. 1t must be remembered that
the Churches, through the ministry, does
mission work, and must therefore, be edu
Gated in the letter and spirit
There is a philosophy to every movement
This is equally true of the religious as wei
as the political forum. Give the Churches
the facts and they will sustain the convention
Fourth-We believe every pastor should
endeavor to attend this convention and &C
prepared to give money literally to the Afr
can cause. Every minister should give no
less than 81 as donation. This will encour
age others to follow suit.
We believe propositions should be sub
mitted by which the multiplicity of mission
channels that permeate our state organiza
tons should be harmonized and simpllfed
in order that the fields be green with the yer
dant fruitage of effort and conservation, now
and in the future.