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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor.
VOL. XII.
TERMS PER ANNUM.
The Christian Index, published
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Every Agent (and ail Baptist Ministers
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pensation for his trofibleP
Letters on business, or communications,
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Early History ol a Baptist Church.
Origin of the church—Correspondence
with J Jr. Oncken — Baptisms—lncident
oj an old soldier—Domestic trials—Re
markable conversion.
The Baptist church in Stuttgard, in the
kingdom of Wurtemberg, has been in ex
istence about live years. The circumstan
ces of its formation are as follows:
A Mr. Schaeffler and liomer, and one or
two other individuals, became dissatisfied
with a leligious establishment and with ma
ny of the doctrines and practices of the de
generated Lutheran church, of which they
were members They took occasion in
public meetings more and more frequently
to express their dissatisfaction and dissent.
At length they withdrew from the establish
ed church, and heldmeetingsby themselves,
in which they were wont to read the Bible,
and by prayer and mutual consultation en
deavor to asceitain its meaning, in these
interviews, different subjects connected with
the error of the Liitlicrian church engaged
their attention. They were first, and more
especially, impressed with the evils arising
from the connexion of church and state; the
worldliness and impiety, which were thus
introduced into what should be a most sa
cred enclosure. The subject of baptism,
also, in the course of their Scripture read
ing arrested their attention anil became a
frequent matter of meditation and remark.
At this time they knew not that there
were any Baptists oil earth existing as a de
'nomiuaiiou. They had only heard evil re
ports of some few Anabaptists in .Switzer
land, hut had no knowledge of our senti
ment and history as a denomination. The
object of their holding meetings, by them
selves, was,;to study the Bible, prayerfully,
and endeavor thus, by the guidance of the
written word and the illumination of the
Spirit, to form their sentiments and regu
late their conduct. Dr. Homer was at this
time agent of a tract depository, and had
been for some time holding a correspon
dence with Mr. Oncken, of Hamburg, who
was engaged in the same business. I heir
correspondence was solely in reference to
the business ol their respective deposito
ries.
At length a letter was teceived by Ho
mer writt n in another hand. This of
course excited some surprise, and in his re
ply he inquired what had become of his old
correspondent. The answer to this letter
stated, that Mr. Oucken had become a Bap
tist, in consequence of which he had been
dismissed frou his agency and was then in
prison. This letter was laid before the
meeting of praying Bible readers, and its
contents most carefully pondered. k JI
Baptistl” said they,—“who knows but
this Mr. Oncken has had similar trials and
exercises of mind with ourselves?”
Schauftier and Hoiner immediately com
menced a private correspondence with
Oncken on the subject. This resulted in
their becoming decided Baptists. In the
year 1838, Mr. Oncken was invited to visit
them for the purpose of administering the
ordinance ot baptism and forming them in
to a regular cliutch. He came, and bap
tized two or three of the leaders. This
was on Friday. On Saturday, he baptized
two or three more. On Sunday, six were
to be baptized. A meeting previous to the
baptism was held in Mi. Schaeffler’s house.
Curiosity called in quite a large assembly.
Mr. Oncken preached. The discourse was
very solemn and affective. After the dis
course he engaged in prayer, in which he
seemed to have a near communion with
the skies. The assembly were upon their
knees, and as Mr. Oncken, who was be
coming more and more earnest in prayer,
invoked the special blessing of Heaven up
on the six precious souls who were about
to follow their Lord and Master in the so
lemn ordinance of baptism, all were mel
ted in tears, and as he mentioned the num
ber six, an old soldier present exclaimed,
with emphasis, “Say seven” immediately
responded the man of prayer, and thanked
God that the old soldier was willing to en
list under the banner of the cross. “Such
a scene as I then witnessed,” said the son
ol Mr. Schaufller, from whom I had this
account, “l never conceived of before. I
was myself ready to join with them, and
would, if I had dared, spoken out too, and
requested that the nuniher might be eight.”
As the assembly arose from their knees
at the conclusion of the prayer, the old sol
dier remarked, “I am afraid I have been
too hasty. I spoke, it is true, only as I
continue to feel; hut, I am an old man, and
my wife, with whom I have lived happily
a great many years, is an old woman; and
if I was to be baptized now, without her
knowing it, I do not know what would be
the consequence. lam afraid it” would kill
her.” He was strong in the faith, and
firm as ever in his purpose of duty. But
thoughts of the grief which this step would
occasion to his wife, caused a struggle in
his bosom,
“Dauntless was the Soldier’s heart,
Though tears were on his cheek.”
He would be baptized, he said, at some
future time, but he fell as if lie must see his
wile and piepare his mind first. Mr.
Oncken and Mr. Schaoffier proposed going
with him immediately and speaking to bis
wile on tile subject. To ibis proposal lie
ucceeiled. t but went trembling, fearing what
nfigla by the result. His wife met them at
the door and welcomed them in; said she
was very glad they had called, and before
they had time to introduce the subject, be
gan herself to tell how her mind had been
exercised on the subject of religion, espe
cially that morning, as she had been at
home"alone, and she had been praying that
she and her husband might lie joined with
the Baptist Christians. “O,” said the old
man, in tears of joy, “that is enough. I
am ready to go now and he the seventh.”
Ilis wife, instead of being killed, or offend*
ed, was delighted io heat of what had uc
eured in the meeting and of the determina
tion to which her husband had conic, and
she agreed to go to her closet and pray for
him and heiscll, while ho went with the
brethren and the six candidates, to receive
the ordinance of baptism. In the afternoon,
Mr. Seliaufflor’s son and anolhei young
man, and the old soldier’s wife, related
their experience to the church ami were
baptized.
Thus the church in Stuttgard began.—
They were looked upon with hatred and
contempt by the peopled'the place. Their
own relatives and fotmer friends refused to
associate with them. They would take
pains to avoid them in the streets. “Had
we been among the Jews,” said young
Schaufller, “and affected with the leprosy,
we could not have been more thoroughly
loathed, or more carefully avoided;” ail'd
with deep emotion, his eyes tilling with
teal's, he remarked, “No one was more
bitterly opposed to us than my dear mother.
She had, from the first, no sympathy with
my father s sentiments or proceedings; and
especially regarded his opposition to infant
baptism as impious and awful.” It hap
pened that just about the time bis eyes
were opened upon ihis subject. Ills princi
pies were pul to the test by an addition to
bis family. His wile insisted on having
her infant baptized, according to the cus
tom ol their lathers. He as strenuously
opposed it. This brought on a most un
happy and long-continued collision. The
mother was so affected that she became
sick with a fever, ntul for some weeks was
confined to her bed. “I recollect,” said
the son, “as she lay upon her lied, pale and
emaciated and not expected to live, site ad
dressed my father, who was standing by the
side ol the bed; —‘Mv dear husband, it is
your strange conduct that is bringing me to
tiic grave. Why will you refuse baptism
to your dear child?’ My father’s whole
frame trembled and he wept like an infant.
For some time he was unable to speak. At
length lie recovered himself and remarked,
‘My dear wife, you know there is nothing
I would not cheerfully do or suffer fur your
sake, except to violate my conscience.—
That 1 cannot do if your death and my own
and that of our whole family should be the
consequence.’” Mrs. Schaufller, howev
er, recovered, blit with as strong a determi
nation as ever that her child should he bap
tized, and her husband with as equally
strong determination that it should not be
i'lie wile, however, gained her point.—
Schaufller’s brother is a Lutheran clergy
man, and, of eoutse, with most of the oili
er lelatives, took the part of Mrs. Schauf
ller in ibis coniioversy; and as they could
not obtain Mr. Seliauffler’s consent to the
baptism of his child, they resorted to strata
gem. During the absence of the father on
a preaching tour, the uncle stood as god
father, and the child was baptized. When
.Mr. S. returned, he was much hurt, and
published a remonstrance in the public
papers.
\V lien again there was another addition
to his lamily, a sintilai sc ne was acted
over. Mrs. S. is a very talented woman
and an amiable and affectionate wife, blit
she was a most sincere believer in infant
baptism. She could not endure the thought
of giving nourishment and care to an ini
baptized child. She felt, too, that her hus
band was guilty of sacrilege in taking up
on 1 1 i nisei I the office of a minister, whilst
uneducated, and not having been set apart
and ordained by the regularly constituted
authorities.
1 he members of the church dreaded her
opposition more, if possible, than that of
the church itself. She occasionally sent to
them long and pointed remonstrances in
writing, charging them with destroying the
peace of her family, and doing that which
would inevitably result in the separation ol
herselfand husband.
“Two years ago, however,” said young
Schaufller (and here his emotions overcame
him) “my dear mother became, by the
grace of God. as decidedly in favor of
Christ and of bis despised Baptist cause,
as she had been before opposed. My fa
ther said nothing to the members of the
church ol the change which his wife had
experienced until he was himself fully con
vinced that it was the work of the Holy
Spirit, nor until she had herself requested
that he would administer to her the ordi-
FOE THE BAPTIST CON MENTION* OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
PENFIELD, GA, JVJARCH 15, 1844.
nance of baptism. One evening, as the
church were assembled for prayer and con
ference, who should enter but Mrs. Schauf
fler. The church had heard nothing front
her for some time, and supposed that a
storm, perhaps, had been gathering, only
to burst now with greater Inry. She had
before not only sent them written admoni
tions and remonstrances, but, on several
occasions, had come into iheir iiiee'tiiigs
and addressed them in person; and
ing now a repetition of her reprimnlid.4
they trembled as she entered. Mr. Schauf
Her understood it all, and only wanted hit
brethren to experience the surprise oljoyl
When she had taken a seat, lie,.’
‘•*Mrsf*St-haufHeV is present, fir/ihren;’ ami
lias come to relate to us the dealings of God
with Iter soul, and to propose heiself as a
candidate for baptism.” At this announce
ment the whole assembly rose u iih one ac
cord, fell upon their knees, and broke forth
in audible weeping and expressions of
thanksgiving to God. She related a most
satisfactory experience, was received be
till! church, baptized by her husband, and
is now an humble and lailhful member of
the Baptist church in Stuttgard.—.Mace
donian.
From the Protestant and Herald.
Expository Breaching,
■c -T* * * *
The method of preaching from a single
text, though it has its advantages, is ol com
paratively a recent origin in the Christian
Ghurcli ; and it is only within the last few
years that it lias become the exclusive mode
in our own branch of the ('htneli. In many
places it is not the exclusive mode even
now > some pastors spend one portion of
the day in expounding the scriptures, and
the other in speaking from a single text. —
Our own opinion is, that each method
should be practiced, that the advantages ol
both may ho united. The expository me
thod, however, has gone very much into
disuse within the range id’ our own obser
vation ; and it is to revive this, that we aim
at in the present article. It certainly has
the sanction id ancient and primitive usage.
It was the mode employed by Ezra, and af
terwards adopted in the synagogue service.
A portion of the scriptures was read and af
terwards commented upon by the speaker,
as we find our Saviour did when he enter
ed the synagogue. The same method was
mill,wed by ilit, early viuisiiaii teachers, as
is proven by the specimens ol theirsci moils
which have come down to our own times.
Augustine has left homilies upon the
I’salms; and Chrysostom upon quite a num
ber of the books of the Bible. Justin Mai
lyr declares “that, the public reading of the
text was always followed by addresses de
signed to impress the truth, they had heard
read, upon the mind. It was not until a
bent tlie commencement of the thirteenth
cenluiy that the present mode ol preaching
Irom insulated texts was introduced, accord
ing lu ‘Ho heat authority we have been able
to discover. Prior to this, religious ad
dresses were frequently delivered without
any text at all. ‘I he expository mode is
certainly best adapted to bring the hearers
to an intimate and himiliar acquaintance
with the Bible in its connections. We
say nothing here of the influence of this
mode upon the preacher himself, which we
think is very great. But if we were about
to interpret any other book, but the ILble,
to a common audience, we would consider
it a very unfair way to take a sentence from
one part, and a sentence from another, and
confine our remarks to them. Every one
would say, if wo wished to make them ful
ly acquainted with the views of the author,
we should lake up the whole subject in its
connections, and present it to them in the
same method in wt.ich the author present
ed it. Many portions ol the Bible consist
of trains of long continued logical argument,
one part of which cannot be undeistood
without the other parts are explained with
it. The preacher may present the very
truth contained in the whole, yet il they
are not presented in connection with the
passage itself, which leaches them, the peo
ple have to take them upon ins
and cannot, therefore, be sure that they arc
Bible truths. Hence the exclusive use ul
the present mode has made many eongie
gations perfectly orthodox in their doctrine,
which, at the same time, arc not at all capa
ble of pointing out the passages which
prove the doctrines. They believe the
doctrines, and feel assured that they are in
the Bible, but where they cannot tell, The
expository inode would correct this lor it
would not only enable the preacher to ex
plain the doctrine, hut il would so link it,
m the minds of Ilia hearers, with the sciip
turcs which leach it, that they would ever
alter understand both the doctrine and the
authority for it. Moreover, this mode is
the best calculated to induce the people to
engage in independent investigation for
themselves. Every one, at all acquainted
with the operations of the human mind,
knows that there is a settled aversion in
most minds to thinking for themselves, Il
they can only find someone, in whom they
have confidence, who will investigate for
them, they take his assertions as trulh, and
trouble themselves no further. However
flattering this may be to the preacher's van
d.V, vet no one, who has any proper view
ol this office, would desire to promote such
a spirit in his congregation.
The desire is to make them like the Be
reans, who searched the ,scriptures to see
whether what they heard was true. When
the scriptures arc expounded in their order,
the congregation knows from week to week
the passage which is to come up oil the
Sabbath, and are left, if they have any taste
lor scriptural knowledge, _j(.o examine it for
themselves; and thus their minds are kept
awake. Another great advantage of this
method is, that it compels the preacher to
present the whole counsel of God, and thus
gives variety to his preaching. Ever/
preacher has his favorite subjects and texts,
wjhicli are adapted to his mental constitu
tion: lienee, if he does not take up the Bi*
h|e in its order, lie is apt to be forever
duelling Upon one class of subjects, which
necessarily alter a while, become stale to
Fearers. Wo,-have often been painfully
impressed with the smiting contffist which
exists between the variety of the Bible and
the variety in some mens’ sermons. The
Bjhle is full of glorious and sublime truths
which they never touch; but if they were
lojexpound it in its order, these doctrines
wmihl necessarily lie brought forward; and
iltf people be made acquainted with the
whole truth. There are certain doctrines
a fid duties taught in the wind of God which
art; very unpaiaftable to most men, which
can in this way he introduced and discussed
in iho least objectionable form, especially if
they be presented in their'scriptural con
nexions and not as mere abstractions. No
one can blame the preacher for introducing
them then, for they canto up in their natu
ral order. We have not room in a single
aitiele to glance at all the advantages of
ibis mode of preaching, or to answer any
of the objections which are made to it. We
feel confident that it is a slander upon the
character of our congregations to say thni
they would not he interested in this kind ol
preaching- If they are not, it shows a sad
want of love for the Bible, which every
pastor ought immediately to set himself to
work to correct. If they come to the house
of God merely to listen to a few finely
rounded periods, and to witness a rhetori
cal display, and would stay away if they
are not gratified, our advice would lie to let
them remain at home. They would not
h<‘ heiielitted if they did come; and others
will be sadly injured by pandering to their
corrupt and false tastes. The grand object
of the preacher’s office is to convey the
truths of the Bible to bis hearers; and if
he does Hot do this lie had better not preach
at all. But let no preacher suppose for a
moment that this mode can be practiced ci
ther .with interest or profit to his hearers
uTinout painful and laborious investiga
tion and preparation upon his part, A
10/ise and unstudied harangue from twenty
verses is not more interesting than such an
one from a single verse. Let him bestow
the same or more study and investigation
upon the lecture that he does upon his ser
mon, and we verily believe that he will
soon find the people as much interested,
and in many cases more, in the one as in
the other, and what is better he will soon
find himself surrounded by an intelligent
congregation of Bible Christians, such as
our lore fathers in Scotland.
For the Chridian Index,
Letters Io Youlli. —11.
CHOICE Ol* ASSOCIATES.
In all stages and relations of human ex*
isicnce the companionship of friends is ea
gerly sought alter and relished. Indeed,
society is highly essentia! to the true enjoy
iticii: of life; minds must become intimate,
confidential ; joys and sorrows must be
Communicated and divided, in older that
several may share lightly in whatever would
be sufficient to overwhelm one. This de
sire for companionship is stronger in youth
than in any ol!mr stage of life, lor the mind
is then eminently qualified for being the a
bndo of friendship ; no cares arise to ob
struct the warm current of generous feelings
which flow from heart to heart, and no ap
prehensions of future ills intrude nnwel
coinely to interrupt the search after pleas
ure as it springs forth in every direction.
All is bright and joyous, and no dark clouds
‘Jtfappear upon the sky of existence to
threaten the present confidence and securi
ty with the storms of care and sorrow that
await their progress. Youth must and will
have society, there must be a continual
companionship or intercourse with those
whose habits and sentiments are alike, and
the nature of this intercourse in Youth fixes
the character of manhood. After years will
find the mind influenced by such opinions,
passions and habits as the associations of
youth have imparted to it, the heart retains
Ibrevet the shape into which it is moulded
by the character of fiiends and companions
in its entrance into the world; and lie who
leaches to old ago will look back with fond
ness or regret upon former days according
us his associates have been the followers of
Virtue or the victims of Vico. Care should
lie taken, then, in forming connexions and
in seeking intercourse with others; and
ibis, my young readers, should be one of
the first and greatest objects of your atten
tion alter having parsed from the scenes of
parental guidance and protection.
Aristlieues considered it one of the great
est follies in mankind, as well as one of the
most profound mysteries, that io buying an
earthen dish they wero careful to sound it
for feat it should contain n crack, and vet,
in chousing friends they are so utterly care
less as to extend their preferenCb to such as
are filled with the flaws of vice. This reck
less, careless disposition is often the source
of great unhappiness; for such a mind,
however strictly it may have been Gained
ni the paths of piety, is gradually yielded
up to the guidance of associates, till finally
it becomes the home of every evil passion
and dangerous sentiment that characterize
the vicious ami the profligate. In order to
avoid ill is great evil not one of you should
countenance the advances, or seek the
friendship of such as are disposed to treat
morality with levity, or to look with forgive
ness upon folly or dissipation. Shun them
as you would an adder; for their dangerous
habits and unholy sentiments will insinuate
themselves into the unwary min *, and poi
son its springs ere it is awaic of their pres
ence. Beware ol the deceitful snares
which they spread before you ; think not
that an intimacy with such spirits can be at
tended with no harm ; for they run with
reckless velocity the broad load of Pleas
ure; they gather many a glowing flower,
unmindful of the thorns which tie conceal
ed amid their glittering colours, till they
feel them rankling at the heart; they wor
ship continually in .the Temple of Gayety,
where all seems joy and revelry and song,
but from which few ever return till disgrace
is stamped in burning letters upon the brow.
Admitting that such a course yields a short
lived pleasure—for inure it cannot do—still
it is pleasure demly bought; at the expense,
indeed, of all that should he held dear or
sacred—of health, honor anil happiness.—
The Prodigal Son, tor u time, had all that
could delight the senses ; his ears drank in
the dulcet strains of the Muses ; his appe
tite was feasted upon the most exquisite vi
ands; beauty continually danced before his
eyes; lie inhaled the rich, perfume of “spices
of the East,” companions in gayety and
plcasuic were ever at his side ; hut sudden
ly he was strip! of all—health, honor,
wealth—friendless, and poor, diseased, foi
saken, lie found truly a sorrowful reckoning
in the end. It is thus with all the follow
ers of vice arid fully—with a!! who are led
astray by the votaries of all unnatural pleas
ures.
In older, my young friends, to make a
proper choice of associates, you must study
man ; you must look into the secret recess
es of such hearts as endeavor to entwine
themselves around your own ; you must
learn by observation and from public opin
ion the character of those with whom you
desire ail intimacy. Watch their motions
in private ; note their actions in public ob
serve the workings of their minds ; learn il
their performances correspond with their
professions ; ami ascertain who are admit
ted into their society. Never fail to select
such as love Virtue for her own sake, and
such as denounce the associations of the
vicious; make friends of those whose actions
and characters prove on all occasions that
they arc worthy of possessing your frienil
ship;courl an intimacy with such as have the
confidence and esteem of a discriminatin'?
O
public, and in whom entire confidence may
he reposed. Such characters among the
Young are, alas! too seldom found in the
present day ! Yet there are some, and it
is best generally to seek only a small num
ber ol intimate, friends, while you should
by all possible means endeavor lo gain the
Iricndsliip and confidence of all. When
once a true friend has been found he should
never be fmsaken ; Ibr he who gives up his
old friends for new ones, will seldom have
any that are worthy of the name. Let your
thoughts be turned to the future, when old
age shall have come upon you, and remem
ber that the associates of the present day
exert a great influence in producing the
happiness or misery of that period. The
friendships formed, the habits Contracted
and the sentiments imbibed now ate apt to
cease only with your existence, and it should
be yout great aim to form such friendships
in early life, as can give pleasure to the re
collection in future years.
There is yet another and a surer means
of obtaining good associates, and to this
means I would have you apply first and—
last: I mean Prayer. When you have
made a Iriend of your Heavenly Father—
when you have associated Him, and His
goodness, anil power and love with your
thoughts, be you assured that lie will give
you true friends on earth. This is a Friend
in whom you may confide; on whom you
can call for assistance in youth, in manhood,
and in old age; who will stand by you in
adversity, in sorrow and in death ; whoso
love ceases not with Time but continues
through Eternity.
“ He’s a friend above all others,
Ilis is love beyond a brother’s:
Earthly IViciuis o.ny fail and leave us.
This (lav kind, the next bereave ns;
Ilot thi-> Fiieitd can ne’er deceive ns ;
Oft! How be loves !”
Publisher— BENJ. BRANTJjY.
Be wise, then, in time, my young readers;
seek God as your first Friend, and he will
prove the best; gain Ilis love and approba
tion and you will surely receive the love
and approbation of (be wise and good a
nioiig your fellow-men. And even though
the world despise and persecute you ;
though the clouds of sorrow gather around,
and pour their storms ffpon you—though
aii else forsake you, yet is His Love and
Friendship alone sufficient to bear you safe
ly on through Time. Our earthly friends
ate dear to us ; their counsel Is of the great
est use in our temporal affairs; arid their as
sistance often takes from us many caves to
which we should otherwise be subject t
their presence and the consciousness of pos
sessing (heir Confidence and esteem .ire cal -
culated to buoy us up on our pilgrimage
through life But how much more impor
tant and dear is the Love and guidance of
Him who never forsakes ns on earth and is
willing to take us to Himselfin Heaven!
T. M. Slaughter.
Beech Spring.
For the Christian Index.
Brother Baker. —l have been informed,
from various sources, that some of our bre
thren are dissatisfied with the 4th at tide of
the Constitution of the Georgia Association
anil others, anil I have also noticed a piece
in the Index oil the same subject, over the
Signature of “ Inquirer,” in which he asks
this question, Is there not a wrong? I
answer, there is certainly a wrong. Now
the next question in course is, Where does
that wrong exist? If the article is not Bi-
Mu truth Hie Wrong existed in those that
framed it, and still exists in those lhatadvo*
cate it. But if it does not contain any thing
but Bible truth, then the wrong exists in
those that find fault with it; because the
Bible, and not our Constitution, is the stan
dard of orthodoxy and to the Bible we must
go. We admit that the arlieie is not ever*
word in Scripture phrase, but may hot
sejipture truth be expressed without scrip
ture phraseology in every word ? We pre
sume that none will contend but what it
j may ; we therefore proceed to examine the
article. It reads thus: “We believe ia
the ever lasting love of G'od towards his
people and the eternal election of a definiie
number of the human race to grace and glo
ry,” Ac, Two words, we presume, con
tain all that is oojetddiiabTe in this portion
of the article, viz : eternal anil definite. If
we are correct in our presumption',’ we shall
endeavor to show that they stand on sciip
ture authority. First, for the word Eter
nal, read Ephesians 3 chap., 9th, 10th,
11 ill verses, “and to make all men see what
is the fellowship of the mystery which from
the beginning of the world hath been had
in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ; to the intent that nbw unto the prin
cipalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known, by the Church, the mani
fold wisdom of God, according to the eter
nal purpose which he purposed In Christ
Jesus our Lord.” I will now ask, how
could such a purpose exist in the mind of
God toward the ChUreliif no Church exist
ed in the foreknowledge ami purpose of
God ? and how could such knowledge and
purpose exist without a choice ? Blit Paul
tells us that we are chosen in him before
the foundation of the world: Ephesians,
first chapter, 4th vefsc: Again, Patti says’
to Timothy, ‘• who hath saved us and call
ed us With an holy calling; not according to
our works, hut according to his own pur
pose and giaee, which was given us id
Christ Jesus before the World began.”—*
Will not our brethren, who are dissatisfied
with the word Eternal in out Constitution;
admit that such scriptures as the above nat
urally lead the mind back into the fathom
less depths of Eternity? I will now as/i
my brethren, how they can he dissatisfied
with God’s Eternal Choice when such glo
rious, such unspeakable blessings flow from
it as a necessary consequence ? But, rne
tliinks I hear some saying, I cannot gel a
’ long with this definite number. What is
to become of my soil and daughter, if there
is a definite number chosen? ‘They may
be left out anil have no chance ever to get
to heaven. Well, Brother, or Sister, as the
case may he, let us substitute the word in
definite for the word definite, and suppose
that in the choice of God tho number is in
definite ; let us now see what world be the
consequence. We will suppose a case for
illustration. We will suppose the Presi
dent issues oiders that nil indefinite number
of persons in the State of Georgia shall be
enlisted, ii respective of age, sect or condi
tion. but states to the Governor, that all wlidf
are willing lo receive the bounty and leave
the State to serve their country shall be ena
listed. Now our Governor would know
how to issue his orders and the under offi
cers would know how to act, but what
would be the situation of the President ?“**
NO. 11*