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work that
God ordained to do through the agency of his Church. Rev. D. F.
Wilberforce, in charge of Imperreh Mission, West Africa, a Christian
gentleman, a native of that country, educated in America, has exerted
more influence in breaking up cannibalism in the several territories
of Sierra Leone, "West Africa, than the British armies and has
thwarted more native wars than the military officers could accomplish.
It is "Righteousness that exalteth a nation," even though it
be a heathen nation.
ONE THOUSAND
DOLLARS NEEDED.
We
need $1,000 to meet all of our obligations to the several mission
conferences. Heretofore we have met every dollar before the close of
the fiscal year. Shall we do so this year? While from some quarters we
suffered a falling off of missionary collections we have not upon the
whole, taking the last two years into account, received less money
from the fields than heretofore. We had faith in our people to
increase our appropriations and they paid it nobly. The money panic
has been on for the last four years and no abating yet. We have made
appropriations again upon the confidence we have in the generous
heartedness of our people. Shall we be disappointed? We hope not. We
think not. We pray not.
But
how shall we reach them? We cannot personally go to each one and ask
to aid us to meet our obligations. If we could reach them the money
would be forthcoming. If we had them in an audience together we could
soon secure it all; but this we cannot hope to do. How then shall we
get the money? That is the question. We appeal to all who read these
words of request to become personally interested by giving and by
getting others to give until the whole sum is reached. When you send,
say for special fund of $1,000. Send to the treasurer of the
missionary society.
WASHINGTON'S
BIRTHDAY.
On
the 22nd of the present month we will celebrate as a nation the birth
of George Washington. In Bible times events, not men, were
commemorated. It was proper then to be so; but today we associate
events so closely with the men that brought them about, that both men
and their achievements are made the subject of celebration. George
Washington was one among the men of an age. We think of him as a Moses
who lead the people from bondage. We look to him as a Gideon who
subdued his enemies. We look to him as a David gave sanctity to
government. His character may be seen in many phases of his life, but
in none better than in his religious life among the people whom he
loved. Said he, "Above all, the pure and benign light of
Revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind, and increased
the blessings of society." Lord Brougham says, "It will be
the duty of the historian and sage of all nations to celebrate this
illustrious man, and until time shall be no more, will a test of the
progress which our race had made in wisdom and virtue be derived from
the veneration paid to the immortal name of Washington."
We
appreciate the many words of high approval regarding The
Missionary Monthly. Elsewhere in these columns will be found
the encouraging things said about it and its mission. We take pleasure
in quoting the kindly words spoken of it by the editor of the Conservator.
He says: "The first number of The
Missionary Monthly is before us brim full, not only of
missionary matter, but of the missionary spirit, and we congratulate
the church on its ap- |
pearance.
It will supply a long felt need, and has before it a grand field and a
great mission. But in order that it may occupy its field and
accomplish its mission, along with the Conservator, it should go into
every home in the church. And every-wide-awake pastor or other
Christian worker should and will do his best to put it there.
As
the name indicates, it is a monthly periodical in magazine form,
published jointly by the Board of Missions and the Woman's Missionary
Association, edited and managed by the secretaries of these boards and
printed at this office. The regular subscription price is fifty cents
per year, and we suggest that some member of every family into which
the Conservator now goes at once send in a subscription, either to
Rev. H. J. Becker, 1618 West Second Street, or to Mrs. A. R. Kiracofe,
119 North Summit Street, Dayton, Ohio. Long may this new monthly live
to spread missionary information and develop missionary zeal and
enthusiasm through the church."
How
shall we get our people to take hold of the work assigned them at the
right time? A premium will be due any one solving this problem. We
make calls and wait, and wait, and wait. After awhile somebody writes
and says, "About four months ago I saw a notice in the paper that
you wanted etc., etc., and I thought I would write you about it and
learn if you have secured yet what you desired? "Bless you,
brother, we had given up all hope of hearing from you at all. We have
had a funeral since then and the interment was a success. The whole
matter is settled. We gave it up for want of attention being paid to
it. Keep pace with us please, keep pace. Watch each issue of the
Conservator and of the Monthly and
write before you retire and take hold of the enterprises if you want
to be of any service to us in the emergences that are upon us. We need
the help of all of our people. Do not say, "They are after money
all of the time." Give as God has prospered you and it will be
easy to give to them all.
Self-denial
has past. That is, the time set apart for giving during the first week
in January is past. All who denied themselves of something to give to
the cause of our missions in Africa, have it ready to hand to the
pastor or some one who will see to it that it is sent to the treasurer
of the missionary society. Those who have not yet handed the money in
should do so at once. To drag the matter, is to impose upon other
interests which need attention. We shall expect each preacher in
charge of a field to send a self-denial collection from his work
whether he called for envelopes or not. The call is not exorbitant.
Any one can deny himself at least a farthing. If that is all they have
to give, it will be acceptable. Send it.
We
heartily congratulate the W. M. A., upon their department of the
MONTHLY. The first number comes to us well freighted with newsy items
of interest to all who sincerely desire to see prosperity in our zion.
The Parent Board department is a very close neighbor of the W. M. A.,
columns. In fact we are under the same roof and there is nothing but a
column rule between us and that is invisible. The readers of these two
departments will no doubt be made to feel when they have read one of
the departments that the half has never been told and read the other
half of what has been told.
Bishop
Dillon says, "Our Missionary
Monthly is a thing of beauty and I trust will be a joy forever.
It is the indissoluble bond of union between the two missionary
societies, the covenant that makes us one. Every man who loves
missions and every woman who seeks the salvation of the lost, should
subscribe for it."
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