The Magnolia gazette., 1899-11-25

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terests of the people.
The above is a sample list.
Look at it. Thoughtful and un-
prejudtced people will consider
these in the light of charges, Ne
mos "mild review theory to
the contrary, Notwithstanding.
And he alone is responsible for
these reckless assertions, which
he has neither proven, modified
nor retracted. He stands alone
and his solitude is terrible. His
loneliness places him in a bad
light before the public, and it
suggests that in the above and
similar assertions he may have
been prompted by a spirit OF
fault finding and criticism.
In contrast with the foregoing
charges, wish to present some
facts and figures concerning the
work of Mississippi Baptist min
listers and their congregations.
From the annual report of the
Convention Board, made at Aber-
deem last July, take the follow
ing items:
Amt given to Foreign Missions S., ,s3g,9l
" q" Home {" 3.093 25
expended for State 100000
as shown by the report on
Woman's Work, for various
Miaaiana Caitaro Crfhauaaa
etc. -......... .........- 6,556.S5
Grand Total ........- .......... ..S2l, ,l90.0i
There were about seventy five
State missionaries employed, who
supplied 1l9 stations, rendered
1886 days Of service, travelled
%, 900 miles, preached 2900 SER
mons, visited 5000 families for
religious purposes, and baptized
355 persons. These men also
distributed Bibles and Testaments
and religious tracts, led in build
ing and repairing churches, look
cd after Sunday school interests,
etc. The B oard which plans and
leads all this work and of which
the writer has had the honor to
he member for several years,
is composed of sixteen men, thir-
teen Of whom are preachers. The
report OF the statistical secretary,
A. j Miller, also shows that in
the whole state nearly 1000 people
were baptized into Baptist
churches during the last Conven-
tional year. All this work done
and these thousands baptized un-
der the leadership Of men who
according to Memo, pay little at
tention to the spiritual interests
Of the people, and who are Offer
ing a cheap religion to the world.
Judge ye. But then Memo would
say that fifty per cent. or more
OF these people are unconverted,
and thus sit in judgment on the
work OF the Holy Spirit. We
preach the gospel which is said
to be the power of God unto SAL
walton, we pray for the presence
Of the Holy Spirit which is prom
ised, but when, under this divine-
ly appointed means the people
profess faith, we are told that
half or more of these professions
are spurious.
Memo mentions strife and trou-
BILE as indications Of religious de-
clension Yes, we have these
always. Like the poor they are
ever with US. The devil is al
ways busy and he will always get
in some OF his work. But that
does not mean that Christians are
all dead, nor that the religious
world has swung off its axis. |
would respectfully say to Memo
that | and my people are moving
on in the even tenor OF our way,
baptizing people, teaching the
young in the Sunday school and
giving money for the extension
Of the Redeemer's Kingdom. We
may not always agree, tut we
adjust matters and move on.
This is the work | am doing Sab
bath after Sabbath, while Memo
complains of spiritual dearth and
criticises the over-burdened
preacher.
With best wishes to Memo and
all his, / here rest the case.
II. G. ScHILLING.
Gillsburg, Nov. 20.
eff it were possible. - says
Bishop Spaldinp (Catholicl ~