Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

Who Will Send a Substitute?

Who Will Send a Substitute?

BY REV. W. H. HOLLISTER.

IN the days of the civil war in America there were many who could not go to "the front." Lacking nothing in patriotism, in valor, or the spirit of sacrifice, circumstances beyond their control kept them back. Age, varied forms of physical inability, duty to others, laid on not a few that heaviest among crosses, the duty of standing by while others rushed to the conflict for right.

Some not more patriotic, but possibly more thoughtful, studious, and businesslike in overcoming difficulties, sought out strong and brave young men to go as their substitutes. In their stead the substitutes became soldiers, and endured hardships in camp, on battlefields, and in prisons. All the terrible experiences of war were by them borne for others.

We of this generation can judge but very imperfectly of the experiences of hearts that in manhood's prime and mature years throbbed and swelled with alternate joy and sorrow during "the sixties." Praise God for the heroism of those days and for all that heroism has made possible and actual.

Man will never know how much this world owes to those thoughtful, businesslike, obstacle-overcoming heroes who, while far away, shared in the clash of battle and helped compel a victory. Are" calls to the front" a thing wholly of the past? Is there not now a sounding trump, a call to armed conflict? How Lincoln's proclamations thrilled the hearts of millions! A greater than Lincoln now proclaims His desire to give us the heathen for our inheritance.

India will soon number three hundred million. Whom among these shall we count outside of God's promises? We cannot be satisfied to leave out one. The numbers now in the fold shout aloud for joy as other thousands and ten thousands come seeking ad mission to the privileges and fellowship of the Church of Christ. What few have conceived possible for yet many years, has already come to pass. In whole provinces of this caste-afflicted land, missionaries who have hitherto spent weary years seeking willing ears for God's message must now close their ears temporarily to the cry of many pleading with them to "come and make us Christians."

Has any

Have toilers among the "heathen at home" been privileged to witness such a sight? Chicago, New York, or San Francisco pastor urged upon his people the necessity of ceasing their search in higi.ways and hedges for the lost because there were already more than could be nurtured within the fold?

Thus it is in India's whitened harvest fields. Where are the reapers? How can the young, the loyal, the strong, the brave keep out of this war? How can those incapacitated by any cause and unable to come keep from sending a substitute, or

307

supporting here a substitute? While it would be supporting ignoble to stifle a call to personal duty and provide a substitute that the sender might enjoy more of ease and comfort, there are many to whom a chance to provide a substitute will be an inestimable privilege.

Does a voice within prompt you, and do God's gifts to you warrant you in doing this? It may be done for one year, or many years. The expense may vary from the support of an uncultured pastorteacher, who yet may accomplish much for Christ, up to the support of a single or married man from America. A student in our schools may be chosen, named, educated, and fitted for the Master's service. Our secretaries in New York or any missionary in the field will count it a privilege to help you into this close, inspiring, and enduring touch with our work.

I am persuaded this will come to the eye of some whose hearts have sorrowed much because they can never come to India. Come now in the person of another. Who will for a definite term of years sacrifice as many comforts, blessings, and privileges, physically, socially, and financially, as they would expect to sacrifice if in India, that they may support a substitute in the field?

Five

Calling thus to action, it is fitting that I pave somewhat the way to action. Among my acquaintances is a consecrated local preacher of our church. About forty-five years of age, well educated, formerly principal of a high school, excelling in his knowledge of Canarese and fluent in its use. missionaries who have large personal knowledge of his fitness for the work desire that the way should be opened for him to devote all his time to the Master's service. Being a man of family five hundred dollars would be necessary for his support, and this amount is only made sufficient by the fact that his service to the government entitles him to a pension. Who will come forward and secure his services to our work for several years?

Within call is a student who gave up one fourth of his salary as a good carpenter and now lives on two dollars a week that he may prepare to preach Christ. Bright, teachable, sweet spirited, faithful, he will honor the person who secures him as a sub. stitute. At hand are many promising men. Some are in the ministry, some now preparing for it. Ten dollars a year will board a promising lad in our boarding school. Some will prefer to support boys; others men of little experience, because of inability to pay salaries of better qualified workers. Some will gladly pay salaries of men whose training is such they can correspond with them. Some, and we hope many, will want all India dotted with workers, one or more in each of the many languages spoken here, supported by them as stewards of God. Can I help you in such plans? Whatsoever He saith unto you, do.

Kolar, India.

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.

Faith and Census of Some American Churches.

WE have received from the United States Census Office in Washington the following, prepared by Henry K. Carroll, LL.D.:

THE FREEWILL BAPTISTS.

The first church of this denomination was organized by Benjamin Randall in New Durham, N. H., in 1780. He was at first a Congregationalist. Changing his views on the subject of baptism, he became a Baptist; but he did not adhere to the Calvinistic doctrines of predestination, election, limited atonement, and the final perseverance of the saints, as generally held at that time in that denomination. He was therefore adjudged unsound, and fellowship was withdrawn from him by the Baptists. This was in 1779. In 1780 he was ordained by two Baptist ministers who sympathized with his doctrinal views, and in the same year the first Freewill Baptist church was organized, as already stated. This church and others of like faith which sprung up in New England were simply called Baptist churches. At the close of the century the distinctive word "Freewill" was adopted, members having been popularly designated "Freewillers," in allusion to the doctrine held concerning the freedom of the will. The churches multiplied. At the end of the first year there were 5, at the close of the first decade 18, and at the close of the first half century 450, with 21,000 members. The denomination was gradually extended beyond the bounds of New England into the West. Its strong antislavery sentiment prevented its advance into the South. In 1835 the General Conference, speaking for the whole Church, took a pronounced position against slavery. In 1841 the Free Communion Baptists, of New York, united with the Freewill Baptists, adding 55 churches and 2,500 members. The body lost several thousand members, however, by the Adventist movement and by local divisions. It had 60,000 in 1845, but in 1857 this number had been reduced to less than 49,000. Its numbers also declined during the war, many of its ministers and members going into the army. By 1870 it had recovered from all its losses, reporting 60,000 members as returned in 1845. A fact deserving mention is that women began to labor as preachers among the churches as early as 1791. They are not debarred from ordination.

The principles of doctrine and practice held by the Freewill Baptists are embodied in a "Treatise," ordered by the General Conference in 1832 and pu'lished in 1834, and since revised. The doctrinal chapters, twenty-one in number, declare (to give their more distinctive statements) that though man cannot in his fallen state become the chili of God by natural goodness and works of his own, redemption

aid regeneration "are freely provided for him. The "call of the Gospel is coextensive with the atonement to all men," so that salvation is "equally pos sib'e to all." The "truly regenerate" are "through infirmity and manifold temptations" in "danger of falling." and "ought therefore to watch and pray, lest they make shipwreck of faith." Christian baptism is immersion, and participation in the Lord's Supper is the "privilege and duty of all who have spiritual union with Christ," and "no man has a right to forbid these tokens to the least of his disciples." The denomination has always advocated open communion, as expressed in the foregoing sentence, in opposition to close communion, which is the rule among the Regular Baptists. In the brief articles of faith provided for churches the "human will" is declared to be "free and self-determined, having power to yield to gracious influences and live, or resist them and perish;" and the doctrine of election is described, not as an "unconditional decree," fixing the future state of man, but simply as God's determination "from the beginning to save all who should comply with the conditions of salvation."

The Freewill Baptists have quarterly and yearly Conferences, and a General Conference meeting once in two years. The Quarterly Conference consists of delegates representing a number of churches. It inquires into the condition of the churches and is empowered to advise, admonish, or withdraw fellowship from them. It may not, however, "deprive a church of its independent form of government nor its right to discipline its members, nor labor with individual members of churches as such;" it may only deal with the churches as churches. The yearly meeting is composed of delegates elected by quarterly meetings. It occupies the same relation to quarterly meetings as quarterly meetings do to the churches. The General Conference, which is charged with the care of the general interests of the denomination, is composed of delegates from the yearly meetings. It may discipline yearly meetings, but not quarterly meetings or churches. It is expressly forbidden to reverse or change the decisions of any of the subor dinate bodies. Those desiring to become ministers are licensed for a year by the quarterly meeting and ordained by a council of the meeting. Each church, besides its pastor, clerk, and treasurer, has a board of deacons, who assist at baptism and the Lord's Supper, which is observed monthly, have the care of the poor, and conduct religious meetings in the absence of the pastor.

The denomination has 51 yearly meetings (some are called associations), with 1,586 organizations, 1,225 edifices, valued at $3,115,642, and 87,898 communicants. It is represented in 33 States, chiefly Northern and Western. It is strongest in New Eng

Churches and Societies.

[blocks in formation]

309

ancient brethren, take part in numbering our people in this way; and we further agree to publish this our conclusions in The Vindicator, and that a copy be sent to the aforesaid census agent. So ordered and provided for in the presence of Elders A. Flory, H. D. Davy, E. Hoover, and a number of others.

The following table, however, represents them quite fully. The statistics were obtained partly from sources outside the denomination and partly from sources within, and have been verified.

They have 135 organizations, 63 church edifices, with a seating capacity of 25,750, and valued at $80,770, and 4,411 communicants. They are strongest in Ohio. The average seating capacity of their edifices is 408, and the average value $1,279.

[blocks in formation]

15

13

$1,245

[blocks in formation]

250

40

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

188,200

3,122

[blocks in formation]

5,435 Arkansas..

[blocks in formation]

1,497

California.

1

[blocks in formation]

1,339

Illinois.

Missouri..

108

56+

59,825

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

2748

12

[blocks in formation]

9

2,600

13

[blocks in formation]

New York.

134

127

529,050

8,636

Kentucky

[blocks in formation]

Maryland.

[blocks in formation]

1034

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Nebraska.

[blocks in formation]

North Carolina..

: :

[blocks in formation]

South Dakota.

[blocks in formation]

11,500

168

Ohio...

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Pennsylvania.

5,000

311

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

7,000

478

West Virginia

12

1+

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

29

Wisconsin

48

422

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Total

1,586 1,225+ $3,115,642

87,898

Total.

4,411

THE OLD ORDER BRETHREN, OR DUNKARDS. This is one of the three branches into which the Dunkards were divided in 1882-1883. The statistics of the other bodies were given in Bulletin No. 131. The Old Order Brethren adhere more strictly to the principle of nonconformity to the world than either of the other bodies. They oppose as innovations many practices which are tolerated in the conservative and progressive branches, such as Sunday schools, schools for the higher education, departures from simplicity in dress, in the furnishing of houses, etc. It has been very difficult to obtain statistical information from them. Some responded to inquiries, but others politely excused themselves on the ground of the following action, reported in The Vindicator, their organ, printed at New Lebanon, O.:

Whereas, a number of our elders have received papers and blanks from one who claims authority from the United States as census agent to collect statistics and secure the enumeration of church membership, etc.; and, whereas, a number of elders and speakers were in council at Donel's Creek, Clark County, O., and took the matter into consideration, and unanimously agreed that we could not consistently, according to our understanding of the former usages of our

135 63+ $80,770

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

organization was formed in Philadelphia in November, 1888. They believe that God is pledged, through the mouth of the prophets, to the final restitution of all things. They expect to see the kingdom of God established on earth, with Christ as King of kings, the saints being associated with him in the government of the world. They believe that Israel will be reorganized as a nation in the Holy Land, that the dead will have a literal resurrection, the righteous to receive the blessings of immortality and the wicked to be destroyed, and that eternal life comes only through Christ. They hold that acceptance of the Gospel, repentance, immersion in the name of Christ for the remission of sins, are conditions to forgiveness of sins, and that a holy life is essential to salvation.

They have churches in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The churches are associated in District Conferences, and there is also a General Conference. Each congregation selects an elder, or elders, and a deacon. The officers are a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. The elder serves as president and looks after the welfare of the members. Ministers receive certificates from the State and also the General Conference.

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Methodist Episcopal Church in Michigan, but soon left it and became a disciple of Mrs. Beekman, who before her death, which occurred in 1883, declared herself the "spiritual mother of Christ in the second coming." and pronounced Schweinfurth the Messiah of the New Dispensation." He accordingly became the acknowledged head of her followers, and removed the headquarters of the sect from Byron, nine miles from Rockford, Ill., to the Weldon farm, six miles from Rockford, changing the name of the body to the Church Triumphant. A large frame house, called "Mount Zion" or "Heaven," is occupied by Schweinfurth and a number of his disciples. There are also other companies, each of which is presided over by an apostle," who reads weekly the sermons previously delivered by Schweinfurth at Mount Zion. There are no rites, ceremonies, or forms of worship. The single condition of membership is recognition of Schweinfurth as the "Christ of the Second Coming" and discipleship.

[ocr errors]

The Church Triumphant accepts the Bible as the word of God, but denies the essential divinity of Christ. He was a mere man, but passed through an experience in which he was freed from the power and curse of sin, after which he received the Spirit of God and became divine. Schweinfurth does not claim to be Jesus of Nazareth, but to have received the same spirit and to be equal to him. He claims to be sinless, to perform miracles, and to be able to bestow the spirit on whomsoever he chooses. He also declares his power over sin, not only to save from its curse, but to save from its commission.

There are in all 12 organizations and 384 members. All the services are held in private houses with one exception, Mount Zion being returned as a hall.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

1

95 2934 $46,075

36 2,872

THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT (SCHWEINFURTH). The founder and head of this Church is George Jacob Schweinfurth, who was born in Marion County, O., in 1853. He entered the ministry of the

THE CHRISTADELPHIANS.

John Thomas, M.D., an Englishman, c me to this country in 1844, and identified himself with the Disciples of Christ. Soon after his views changed, and he became convinced by a study of the Bible that the cardinal doctrines of the existing Churches correspond with those of the apostate Church predicted in Scripture. He began to publish his views, and organized a number of societies in this country,

12

[merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed]

Churches and Societies.

[blocks in formation]

The Christadelphians do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. They hold that Christ was Son of God and Son of man, manifesting divine power, wisdom, and goodness in working out man's salvation and attaining unto power and glory by his resurrection. He is the only medium of salvation. The Holy Spirit is an effluence of divine power. They believe in the natural mortality of the soul, and that eternal life is only given by God to the righteous; that the devil is the evil principle of human nature; that Christ will shortly come personally to the earth and set up the kingdom of God in place of human governments; that this kingdom will be established in Canaan, where the twelve tribes of Israel will be gathered, and that at the end of a thousand years judgment will be pronounced upon all, the just receiving eternal life, the unjust eternal death.

The Christadelphians practice immersion. They have no ordained ministers. Those who speak and conduct services are called "lecturing" or "serving" brethren. Their meetings are held in public halls or private houses. They have in all 63 organizations, with 1277 members, who are scattered over 20 States. SUMMARY BY STATES.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

311

one shrine, the more frequented temples having several, so that a number of persons can perform the usual ceremony, each for himself, without being obliged to take turns. The worshipers do not meet in a body, nor is any particular time set for devotions. When about to enter upon a new enterprise or to take a journey, or when in doubt concerning any particu lar course of action, the Chinese are careful to consult their gods and patron saints. Every worshiper provides himself with incense sticks, candles, and sacrificial papers, which are generally to be had of attendants at small cost. Offerings of wine and meat are added on special occasions. The candles and incense sticks are lighted and placed in their proper receptacles. If wine is used, it is put in minute cups scarcely larger than thimbles, and these are ranged in a row before the shrine. The meat offerings may be roast chicken, roast pig, or any other table luxury. When everything is properly placed, the genuflexions begin and the request is presented. If the answer required is a simple affirmative or negative, the worshiper drops a pair of lenticular pieces of wood on the floor a number of times, and calculates the answer from the number of times each face turns up. Another method of obtaining responses, particularly when fuller responses are desired, is by shaking a box filled with numbered slips of bamboo, one of which will fall out, and then consulting a book containing numbered answers in Chinese verse.

The interior of Chinese temples is often highly decorated. The walls and ceilings are hung with tablets having inscriptions in the Chinese character, and there are often rows of lanterns and embroidered silk umbrellas. Fine wood carving is also to be seen. The decorations are the gifts of worshipers.

Most Chinese temples are free to all. No register is kept of members. Of the four temples in New York city, one, Chung-wa-kung-saw, claims 7,000 worshipers; Chap-sing-tong, 700; Hok-san-kungsaw, 1,000; Lung-kong-kung-saw, 1,000. Chungwa-kung-saw is an organization in which every Chinaman in New York is supposed to be interested. Chap-sing-tong admits laundrymen only, and the other temples are supported by those who come from Hok-san and Lung-kong respectively. A laundryman from the district of Hok-san may therefore be a member of three of the temples. For this reason no statistics of members can be given.

Chinese temples are usually well supported. The revenues are derived largely from the privilege, sold at auction to the highest bidder, of selling the articles of worship, which every worshiper must have. Thus the privilege of selling for the Lung-kong-saw of San Francisco brought in 1890 $12,365.50, and that for the How-wang-mew in the same city $3,961.60.

According to the returns of population there are 107,475 Chinese in the United States, of whom 72,472 are in California, 9,540 in Oregon, 3,260 in Washington, and 2,935, the next largest number, in New

« ПредишнаНапред »