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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editoh. VOL. XII. TERMS PER ANNUM. E&- The Christian Index, published on Friday in each week, (except two in the year), will be furnished to eaeli subscriber at *2 50 cents, in advance; or $3 if not paid within the year. $C7* Post-Masters, where the Index is taken, are requested to forward remittances for subscribers at their respective olliees, according to a decision of tire Post-Master General as to their right to do so. All pa trons and agents are requested to notice this. Every Agent (and all Baptist Ministers are particularly solicited to become agents) who procure and pay for five copies of the Index, shall be entitled to a sixth, as a com pensation for his trouble. Letters on business, or communications, must be addressed to the Editor, fib's I paid. Advertisements may be inset ted on usual terms, at the discretion of the Editor. For the Christian Jin,ex. Ldtcrs to Youth. — 111. Improvement of Time. r One of the first truths that ought to en gage the attention of the young is their obligation to improve every hunt, every moment of time as it parses. The length allotted to human existence, even though it he prolonged to an extraordinary d-gr e, is indeed but short, and the proper duties of life, sitedt as arc enjoined upon all, will con sume the whole of it in their performance. “Youth is not rich in time; it may he poor: Part with it as with money, sp iring; pay No moment hut in purchase of its worth; Ami what its worth? —Ask death-beds, they can tell.” I am aware that many young persons find great trouble in passing ofi’ the hours which seem to drag heavily by them, and for which they can find no employ incut that suits their taste, their greatest desire ap pears to be to kill the time which; at some future day, they would give worlds to re call; and they are really unhappy that the slowness of its pace should keep them a wliile from the enjoyment of some antici pated pleasure. The precious moments of freshness and delight which the rosy mor ning yields are spent in slumber, or in turn ing sluggishly upon the couch of repose, the hours of the day which should he em ployed in active labor* of some sort or oth er, are devoted to lounging listlessly about the streets of the village or the cottage of the ounliy; friend* and acquaintances are sought but to while away the time in idle discoutse or unprofitable amusements; and the hours of night return to place them a guin in unquiet slumbers. During the day nothing has been learned that can benefit the mind; nothing has been done that can give health or vigor to the body; nothing has been acquired to provide for future ne cessities; while, at the same time, they ate so much nearer the grave, so much less pre pared to meet death! It cannot be always thus, young friends; in a few more years, even if your lives be prolonged that far, you will be surprised at the rapidity with which you have been borne along by the wheels of time; it will seem but a few shott days since you were young, and displeased at the tardiness of its march; manhood will have come insensibly upon yon, and the golden season of life will have gone by ere you are prepared to enjoy the sweets which it can yield; while youth is bidding you adieu, old age will be drawing you into his stern embrace. The fulfilment of high and noble objects wassetapait for you at your creation.— You wete not made merely to gratify every idle propensity of the moment; or to pass your time in running the giddy rounds of pleasure; or to bask in the sunshine of in activity and amusement; or to join the gay and the dissolute that throng around the al tar of dissipation. Every one is surround ed with responsibilities, absolute and rela tive, and to the discharge of these should every hour he devoted. When every thing is employed that can be biouglil to beat up on your duties: when every nerve is strain ed to fulfil the tasks that are set before ton as accountable beings; when every faculty is employed to obtain the wisdom necessa ry for you lobe possessed of as intelligent creatures: —still will death come before all is accomplished: time with you will have finished its course ere you have performed e v ery thing which you will see demanding your attention. It will require a life-time of constant action to work out your own happiness; it will take ever hour of your existence to acquire and keep alive the re spect, the confidence and the love of your fellow-men; to sustain,that character for in dustry, integrity and philanthropy which is so essential to the happiness of every indi vidual; to gain that knowledge of human nature which is necessary to your inter course with your species. It will require all your lives to possess yourselves of that which is of all things the most essential to ysur present and eternal welfare—a gentt iue spirit of devotion. The enjoyment of life, and the love of man„ and the character for honesty, cannot he compared to that joy which makes us happy in time, in death, and in Eternity,—to the love of God. which is sufficient to sustain us in sorrow and in trouble, —or to the consciousness of being a follower of piety and virtue. Ear ly and unceasing action is essential to the fulfilment of these great purposes of your creat on; he that would accomplish such objects must not be a sluggard; must not endeavor to iid himself of passing time, or to make its (light more rapid by employing it in folly, or vice, or dissipation! Besides securing your own happiness, you are called upon to aid in advancing the happiucs of others. The world lias claims upon your time which cannot he resisted with impunity; your hand must he employ ed in some of the broad fields of labor which are common to all; your intellects must he active hi tint advancement of those arts and sciences which in the end conduce to the good of the mass; your hearts must he devoted to the progress of virtue and morality among your fellow creatures; and your hands, and vour heads, and your hearts must all he willing and ever ready to lessen the burdens of the unfortunate, and to sustain a due portion of those ills that are allotted to man. Are there none around you who ate less fortunate than yourselves, aqiil whose condition might he made belter by your assistance? If so, it is your duty to render them that assistance without delay, and time should never he thought dull or slow while such blessed du ties remain to be performed. Is there a drunkard among your acquaintances whose family is suffering ft inn his fully? If there is, think not von have time to spare while there is a probability of reforming the one or benefiiting the other. In short, there are a thousand instances in which the wants of others demand your attention, and there, is not a single hour to lose for the lack of proper duties to perform. “Time is money,” and when you waste it in an unprofitable manner, you are throw ing away that upon which wealth is based. Every day of honest labor will add some thing to the store which should be provi ded for the future; anil every day spent in idleness is depriving the system of its vigor, and laying up privations, instead of com fort, for the time to come. If the hours arc allowed to pass bv unimproved now, it is apt to be the case all through your lives; if the calls upon your time nmlattention are not heeded now. they will not he heard hereafter; if you commence not to work out vour own happiness in youth, it will seldom he thought of in after years. Now is the season to be active, my young friends, “while it is call and to day,” for he you as sured “the night commit when no man can work.” Besides, an inactive youth will ripen into a slothful manhood “ Lose this day loitering,—twill be the sairtP story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory; The indecision brings its own delays, Anil days are lost, lamenting over days. Arc you in earnest?—seize this very min ute:— What can you do, or think you can?—be gin it: Boldness lias genius, power and ntngie in it. Only engage and then the mind grows heated: Begin it, and the work will be completed.” Nothing is more essential Ur your com fort and to your character than some useful employment for every hour of your lives; you must he busy in something good or your niiiul will naturally turn to what is evil. “TIIOU SHALT LABOR,” and that labor must not be of an unprofitable kiud- Yott are called upon, not only to work out your own happiness and to aid in bring ing it to others, but to advance the glory ol God. You are 11 is creatures and what can you do properly but labor in your M ister’s cause? This can lie done in different ways; by your conduct, by your character, by youi conversation, and by your prayers. This of itself should be the employment of your whole lives; the business of every hour; the thought of every moment. No study should he undertaken without having this fur its end; no work should be engaged in with any other view than that of doing your Master’s will; no friendship should be formed except such as will extend His kingdom or receive His approbation, flow few of you, young liiemls, devote the half of yotiriime to the performance of the (In ties required of yon!—duties, that never fail to carry with them their own reward, that give a “conscience void of offence;” that make life profitable and happy, death welcome, and Eternity sweet beyond de scription! What excuses can you render to yourselves, to your fellow creatures or to FOR THE HAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. PFNFIGLD, CA., MARCH 22, 1844. Vour God for this sad waste of 1 jlite?— Look at your courses calmly and refit.i up on what is required of you! T. M. Slaughter. Leech Spring. Fur the Christian Index. Review.—No. 10. Rev. R. B. Cater’s Consistenc}. About a year ago, Mr. Cater, ol Ala! jma, whose sermon on baptism we had review ed, stated (as we learned through tint col umns of the Index.) his design to republish the sermon, with our review and his .t. ‘in tiers, in a ‘ Kok. J But lie,has uoiyo -tfirtuu TiMfrdesign ‘so 1 far os we hav&fiy knowledge on tile subject. As we stated in our last communication to the Index, so we now state, that there are many things in his sermon, which he would not he willing should go to a re-print. There are so malty glaring absurdities in it, that his readers never tan form a high opinion of his taste, his erudition or his skill us a controversial ist. It is true he knew how to sting hie. Chilton (his antagonist in Talladega.) with sarcasm. But what becomes of his digni ty as a “ clergyman ,” when lie does it?— We give a specimen among numerous oth ers : “ The feelings,” says lie, “ which brotliei Chilton and some, (not all) of bis baptist friends, have manifested towards me and my discourse—feeble as lie pretended to make it nut—reminded me vety much of an anecdote w hich 1 once heard of a man, who had resolved to (log his neighbor; the question was asked, what for? Whv, said the man, lie called me a liar. O, said the oilier, I would not mind that. 11 is calling you a liar does not make you one. But ah ! replied the exasperated hero, “ that is not the worst of it, he not only called me a liar, but had the impudence to prove it on me. It is that which hurts me so bad.” Such language at any time ami at any place, sounds in utir rustic; baptist ears very harsh and anti-clerical. But when it is sounded out from the sacred desk, we think it is wotse, and when piinted, slili worse, hilt printed in a book it is shameful. We think there is no probability that the seihnon will ever go to the press again, by Mr. Culer’s Consent, without some exptir gation and trimming, in argument and in style. We wish our baplisr brethren, gen erally, could see the sermon in all its singu larly original beauties. But whatever may he Mr. Gater’s wishes with respect to its re-publication, h;s ministering brethren will never advise him to re-print it. Tne ignorant and uninformed among the Pres byterian laity may probably desire it; but we think they have more judgment than to do it. But we designed to say some few things in this number about Mr. G.’s consistency. We have been favored with an extract from a letter written by a worthy Baptist minis ter ol S. Carolina to another in Georgia.— It is as follows : “ Dear bro. Stokes—ln your last paper l saw Bar Samuel on Mr. R. B. C’ater's sermon, (I have not the number,) I thiuk.it is in the second stricture, where lie notices Mr. Cater’s expression about ,e sousing them neck and heels under the water.” It brought to my recollection an action of Mr. (J. which l wonder whether he has got for giveness for. Avery respectable lady of eoiisid rable properly, Mrs. II n, of Greenville, S. Carolina, was induced by him to join the Presbyterian church, but full it to lie her duty to he immersed ; when, sooner than lose her, Mr. C. took her, with an attendant, to the river one morning be tween day-light and sun rise, and, (as I suppose lie would cull it,) “ soused her in, neck and heels.” I should like for liar- Samuel to know the circumstance, that tie may ask Mr. Cater, if he saw proper.” Now, we think it unnecessary to ask .Mr. Cater about the “circumstance.” We have no doubt of the truth of the. above state meats. But the reader may ask—what il Mr. G. did do, as above stated ? Listen— listen—ami you will hear uliat he says in his pamphlet, page ‘it, “ I cannot believe that the Eternal Cu.l ever imposed upon his militant church the mode of an ordi nance so entirety inconvenient, that it could not be administered at any lime, and in any place with very little trouble.” What shall we say now, dear reader ? Shall we sav that Mr. G. will perform, as a religious rite, or service, what the Internal God has not required? There is no garb ling here, Mi. G. We disdain all such ar tifice in controversy. Our friend of Garo- Itna wishes to know if Air. G. has got “for giveness” for this art. We cannot inform him. We hope he has. “O strange how men, wise in their own conceit, will trifle with the oracles nf God!” says Mr. Gater, in regard to Mr. Chilton’s views. See pamphlet, page 42. Ostrange that “ an old-school Presbyterian clergy man,” (as he cails himself.) should teach or practice for “doctrines, the command ments of men ;” or, which is the same thing, do what the E'ernal God has never imposed upon his militant church. We Baptist preachers, (not clergymen.) believe the “ Eternal God has never impo sed” infant immersion, nor infant sprinkling upon his militant church ; hence we never baptize nor sprinkle infants. To do it we contend would be to teach for doctrines the commandments of men. It would be doing as Mr. l.'ater di l, (according to his system of Divinity,) when lie immersed the honor- Wfl woman in Carolina. IVe close here. not to in trude upon the public attention any inure on this subject, unless Mr. G. should show himself in his threatened re-print, which we think he never will. Bar Samuel. P. S.—We are glad to hear of the rap idly rising prospects of Mercer University, ft is a shame dial some baptists don't pat ronize it. For the Christian Index. Carxesville, Ga., Feb. 28. 1844. Aly dear bro. Laker —l regret vety much that you are so troubled with my poor old query. I see in the Index, No. I, that a Minister of the Sarepla Associa tion has written in reference to it, an extrac t of which you published, and in which he complains that the case is not fairly pre sented in said query. I argue that it is, and that the query precisely suits the case of the individual since his restoration. As to the crimes committed and the investiga tion by the church, they were subjects that 1 had nothing to do with in my query, and Ido not see how any body else could. 1 must confess, that notwithstanding I had been in the pastoral services of the church for 3 vents, I was in considerable ignorance in relation to his expulsion ; for it was a thing that I knew but little about till since I wrote the query. I see also: luother Baker, in the sixtli No. of the Index, an article over the signa ture of “ A Baptist,” in which he states, I noticed the query of bro. Vandivere, of Franklin Cos., nod inn soiry to say the bro ther has been unfortunate in the fotmatioti of his query. Now, my brother, “A Bap tist,” if so, why eo unfortunate yourself, as not to be able to make a query to suit your own subject, without dragging mine from where it properly belonged and applying it to a very different subject ? lam as much for maimaining purity in the ministry and chinches as any man. and my query alludes to nothing else. If Nails Greek Church erred, 1 am confident that it was an error of the head and not of the heart, and she stands ready to he corrected at any time when con vinced of an error. There certainly is a mistake about his asking leave to withdraw from the Church. I have it from the best authority, that he laid iiis credentials on the table, took up his hat and walked out, saying, I am no longer a member of the ‘Jhtirch; and the church, thrown into such unexpected confusion, just made their re cord, “suffered him to withdraw.” If they had gone into full investigation of the whole matter, and expelled him legally, it would have been better for all parties and better for the blessed cause that we profess. Last June the Nails Creek church, at the insti gation of two other churches, called a com mittee of ten ministers and twenty-nine lay members to examine this individual’s case, to see if he should he set at liberty. The lesult was, 17 for and 22 against it. The church gave up her own keys and did not act upon it, which if she had, there would have been a large tnajoiity in favor of it.— The strength of the Sarepla were present, and from their conduct, a favorable impres sion was left upon the mind of the church that things would come right after awhile. If these brethren possessed knowledge of the illegality of his trial, &u:. at the time of this meeting, 1 think it would have been much better had they laid their grievances before the church and endeavored to show them their error, and not had all this ex posing bustle in the public prints. Is it not strange that the Sarepta should hold’ the Nails Greek church in full union for four years, under such circumstances, and say nothing about it till this late period? But, perhaps, they were like myself, knew nothing about Ids trial, &e. till recently.— If the church is the highest tribunal on earth, holding her own keys, and the. Ass ociation only an advisory council, how is it tlint an Assurin’ ion can dictate for a church, without being called upon according to the Gonstiiutioii ? And again, why is it that the Sarepta (ac cording to her Minutes) debars Nails Greek from council out of other bodies confining her to the Sarepta, and she in the hound of the Tugalo, surrounded with Tttgalo churches, and her pastor belonging to the I ttgalo, yet no one allowed to act upon it but the Sarepla? We are not solicitous to share in so unpleasant a discussion, but, brethren, I thought we were one people, all aiming at the same thing ; to promote the good cause among us, and we ought to be neiglibotly. I have thrown these scattering thoughts together, bro. Baker, to let my brethren know where I stand, which I want you to be sure and publish in the Index entire ; for as the Sarepta decided that Nails Creek was in disorder, I, being her pastor, fell myself in a very awkward condition. 1 thought if the church was in disorder I must be so too, or at least some might think so, and not being acquainted so well with the irial, <fcc , I wrote the query for inforina lion, not aiming to bear upon any one’s feelings, and if it has, I am truly sorry for it: for 1 think I want to live in love and Christian union with all my dear brethren, the little time 1 have yet to live on earth. And l do not want me world any thing the worse for my having lived, when lan gone. 1 know I have written in a plain and candid manner, for the emergency ol the case re quired it, but I have written with-due defer ence to the feelings of my brethren, although my language may not so appear. I am now done with this unpleasant subject, un less cases of real emergency require it. Yours in the hope of tmmoitality, i\J. W. VANDIVERIi. P. S.—Bro. Baker, is it not proper for your correspondents to sign their proper names to their articles? dJnswer. — We think it is, when reply ing to a communication over the real name of the writer. We hope that we shall not be requested to publish any thing more on this query case. For the Christian Index. Tiis Christian's Directory. EXTRACTED FR>M AN’ OLD AUTHOR. The Christian receives Christ Jesus the Lord in his conversion ; it must, therefore, j ever be his study to walk in him all the days of his life ; “ to hold the beginning of liis confidence steadfast unto the end, al ways leaning upon the Redeemer, both for righteousness and strength. To such the following scriptural directions are affec tionately presented : 1. Never let the world occupy God’s room in your heart. Oiien think of that awakening word (1 John 2* 15.) “Love not the world, neither the things that ate in the world; if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” This is the sin that ruins multitudes; they mind earthly tilings, and they have their portion in this life. Remember the more eagerly you pursue the world, the farther your af fections go from God. You are but a stew ard, and the larger your possessions are, the greater account you will have to give to hint who has entrusted you with them.— You must answer for your riches, your riches cannot answer for you. To have a competent portion of earthly things in this world rs a mercy ; but to have earthly tilings for our portion, is a drcadlul misery, t/ei the business of your soul be the busi ness of your life. Entertain the same opin ion of the tilings of the world now, that you will have of them when you come to die. You s L e what a low price men set upon the riches, pomp, and glory of the world, when they are dying. Had you the same thoughts of these tilings now, you would not venture the loss of your soul, the loss of God’s lavor, and the loss of eternal glo ry, for a whole world, far less for a small trifle of it. as many do. Think much of that text in Mat. 16: 20, “ Wlmt is a man profiled, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? Or what shall a mail give it) exchange for his soul !” 2. Be not a stianger to yourself, but of ten search into the state and frame of your heart. (Ps. 4: 4.) When others are censur ing and backbiting their neighbors, be you living and censuring yourself. Self-exam ination is a most necessary duly. -‘Exam ine yourselves, whelhei ye be in the faith : prove your own selves, (2 Cor. 13: 5.) — Judge of your eternal slate by your spirit ual state ; and judge of your spiritual state by the bias of your affections, the sources of your delights, ami the allowed actions of your life. Judge of il by your hatred to sin, and love to Christ; by the conscience you make of secret prayer, and reading God's word. In communing with your own heart, ask yourself what are likeliest to he your death bed thoughts and wishes ? Will they not he such as these ? 0 that I had loved Christ more and the world less ! O that I ha.l im proved gospel opportunities belter! O tha I had accepted t lirisi’s calls and invitations more readily! O that 1 had spent more Publisher— BENJ. BRANTLY. time tit prayer and searching the scripture,! O that I had been more spiritual and fer vent in every duty ! Ask yourself, what are those sins and practices which will ap pear most Irightlul when you see yourself within a step of God’s tribunal! Com mence with your own heart upon vottr bed, apply to tiie blood of Christ to wash away your transgressions; and Ask what is my present state ? Should I be willing to lie down and die in the frame and disposition lam in just now ? And I know not buts may be as near death this moment, as if I were struggling with the pangs of dissolu tion ! 3. Put a high value upon precious times, and devote the earliest and best part of it to God ant] the iutffrSSTs >/T eu j tiny 1 ; ** Look upon loss of time as a greater loss than the loss of money, or ariy worldly tiling. Slum, therefore, idle and unprofit able diversions. Let the morning of your youth, and the morning of every day, and particularly the precious time of the Lord's day, be employed and improved for God and the good of your soul. You cannot consecrate yourself too soon or too entirely to God and hi3 service. As he demands, so he deserves the first and the best of your days. “ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” (Eccl. 12: L) — Honorable mention is made in Scripture of the child Samuel’s Ministry before the Lord —nf young Jusiah’s tenderness of heart— of Solomon's early choice of wisdom—and of Timothy’s knowledge of the Scripture* from his infancy. Allow some time every day to think of and prepare for eternity 1— O eternity ! One serious thought of eter nity is enough to strike a careless soul to the heart. Man stands every hour at the door of eternity, and if he step ill while out oi’ Christ, he is eternally undone ! What an awful thought is this ? Every one of us within a step of being eternally blessed, or eternally cursed—eternally saved, or eter nally lost! O, if every one did but believe and consider this ! If we could but all pray as for eternity ! repent as for eternity 1 hcaf as for eternity ! and live as for eternity!— 0, let not religion be your diverson, but the chief business of your life. It is the one thing needful. “Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.” Make sure your calling, and thus you make sure your election. If you would make sure your calling, make it sure that you are uni ted to Christ, and that Christ is the life of your souls ; “that when Christ who is your life, shall appear, you may also appear with him in glory.” Do not rest in convictions, nor in tears, nor in prayers, nor in duties, nor in anything short of Christ. Press both for an interest in Christ, and for the assurance of it. Assurance is attainable, and has been attained by many. And it is most necessary for cheerful obedience, sot bearing the cross, rejoicing in the Lord, giving thanks for redeeming love, and for performing many other ditties of christian ity. 4. Employ Christ as your surety in all cases, and in every difficulty go to hfm for relief. When you are called to perform du ties, hear afflictions, resist temptations, struggle with corruptions, or engage with enemies, look stilt to Christ, and cry, “ Lord be surety for me. O Lord) under take for me.” (Ps. 119; 122. Is. 38 : 14.) I’ltad his own promise and expect the ful filment of it. “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” C. For the Christian Index.- Whitesville, March 7, 1844. Brother Baker —As the time is drawing near for the meeting of the Convention, when we should again contribute to the treasury of the Loud, I wish to enquire of my brethren, through the Index, whether we had hot better fall back to our old auxil iary system in making our contributions?— This enqtii y I make, not because 1 think the churches do not constitute the proper organ through which we should contribute, hut because of the peculiar temperature and motions of some of the ministers who pre side over some of the churches of whom, it is expected that all the relative duties of church members will be pointed out. But, alas 1 The year rolls by, and the minister has never told the church of the much land that is vet to be possessed by the church in heathen countries ; the great good that Bible Societies has done and is yet destin ed to do; the necessity that there is for them to patronize religious Periodicals, &c.; to bo an intelligent, religious people t no, not even to recommend Temperance asso ciations as promoting the cause of morality in a community, yet great missionaries!- Oil, consistency, thou art a jewel. But they directly or indirectly oppose some or all of the above associations, which have for their object to do good. Ilence some of our members make whiskey, ©th< NO. 12 4