Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor. VOL. XII. TERMS PER ANNUM. The Christian Index, published on Friday in each week, (except two in the year), will be furnished to each subscriber at 82 50 cents, in advance; or S3 if not paid within the year. jCr* Post-Masters, where the Index is taken, are requested to forward remittances for subscribers at their respective offices, according to a decision of the Post-Master General as to their right to do so. All pa trons and agents are requested to notice this. Every Agent (and ail Baptist Ministers are particularly solicited to become agents) who procure and pay for live copies of the index, shall be entitled to a sixth, as acom pensation for his trofibleP Letters on business, or communications, must be addressed to the Editor, post paid. Advertisements may be inserted on usual terms, at the discretion of the Editor. 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*