Newspaper Page Text
JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor.
VOL. XII.
TERMS PER ANNUM.
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I.npn.-g no. business. oz-g^Wßffifcnllotis
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Advertisements may be inserted on usual
■terqis, at the discretion of the Editor.
Rtporlsof Committers of the Georgia Bap
tist Convention.
We continue in our paper, this week,
the reports of the Committees appointed at
the late meeting of our State Convention as
these reports will prove interesting to our
leaders generally, many of whom will not
have an opportunity of perusing the Min
utes of proceedings as published in pam
phlet form.
deceased ministers.
The Committee on Deceased Ministers
would respectfully submit the following :
No subject is better calculated to touch
the heart, and impress us with the impor
tance of renewed dedication to God, than
Ilis mysterious dispensations in the remo
val by death of our dearest friends, and par
ticularly of those who have labored with ns
and for us in the Christian ministry. It is
the melancholy duty of your Committee to
remind you of the departure, since our last
meeting, of some of our most inteiesting
and useful laborers.
The first we call to your notice, is the
death of our venerable father in the gospel,
Dozier Thornton, of Franklin county. —
.11 e was personally known to'rnany, an i by
•character to all of this Committee. He was
a pioneer of with Mercers, Marshalls and
•others in the first settlement of the State.—
Having early devoted himself to the work,
!hc was a faithful herald of the Cross about
-seventy years. After spending a long life
•in the cause of Christ, lie was finally called
. to his reward between eiglitv-five aiidnine
-iry'YfatfrTirngc: —uuu grant 1 “mill Ini man
,-tie may have fallen upon the young brntli
iren in the ministry, and that a double por
tion ol his Spirit been imbibed by the more
-advanced and aged brethren.
We revert with feelings of sympathy and
■sorrow to the early deaths of our brethren
■Joseph Prince, of Monroe, Waiion couii
>t.y, and Nevie N. Lumpkin, of Oglethorpe
•county. This was truly a dark Providence.
Neither of them had reached the noon-time
of ordinary life ; arduously engaged in the
work of their Saviour, surrounded by the
most interesting church and family relations,
respected and beloved ; and forming the
centre of strong hopes and bright prospects,
they were suddenly summoned away by
the great Head of the Church, inflicting a
loss upon us, but conferring an eternal bless
ing on them. Brother Prince was very
•useful as the Clerk and Ttcasurer of the
App.l.aW. Association, and the devoted.
•Superintendent of a flourishing Sabbath
School in Monroe. Brother Lumpkin com
menced preaching at the early age of eigh
teen, and continued laboriously iill the pe
riod of bis death.
Besides these, we have to mourn the
•deaths of young brother Key, the Mission
ary in the Bethel Association; and his fa
ther, also a faithful minister, and likewise
brother Woodward, all of the same Asso
ciation.
These are all the cases which have come
under the knowledge of yottr Committee.
But surely these are enough for one short
year. We are all called upon to humble
•ourselves in the dust before God, and give
ourselves soul and body to the Lord. The
heads of many of our Convention are fast
whitening for the tomb ; the glow of health
has faded from the cheeks of numbers of
the young and rising ministry, and doubt-
Sfess before the next meeting of this Body,
the names of some shall be called, but the
grave will not answer; the counsels of some
will be needed, whose anthems will be
heard in heaven. Your Committee, deep
ly impressed with these truths, recommend,
in conclusion, the following resoluion :
Resolved, That as it has pleased the Al
mighty to remove from among us several
of our Ministering Brethren during the past
year, therefore we deeply sympathise with
the loss which the cause ofChrist, and their
numerous relations and friends have sus
tained, and that we spend a few moments
in earnest and humble prayer to God.
Ail which is respectfully submitted.
A. w fi.i.tavirs, urfairitian. —
Report of the Committee on Sabbath
Schools.
The Committee to whom was referred
the subject ofSabbathSchools, report, That
they are deeply impressed with the impor
tance of such institutions. They regard
them as affording opportunity to many be
sides ministers of engaging in direct in
structions from the word of God, under the
most favorable circumstances for its recep
tion ; and of enabling many to become ac
quainted with letters and religion, whose
time and attention on the Holv Sabbath
THE CHRISTIAWDEX.
Day would be misspent and lost in idleness
and sin. The Committee recommend an
increased attention to these nurseries of pie
ty and religion. They would especially
recommend to pastors, to preach a sermon
to their church or churches, once a year, in
which they will urge the claims of Sabbath
Schools, and particularly address parents
and children with reference to such institu
tions. We think, also, that the Conven
tion ought to be encouraged to send out their
Agent, with Bibles and Testaments; to
which might be added Catechisms for the
younger children, in order that the growing
demand for such books might he met. And
such hooks as New Testaments, together
with the Spelling books in common use and
easily obtained in any part of our country,
the Committee regard as being the.only
books really necessary for the establishment
of such schools of instruction in piety and
learning.
We beg leave, still further, to submit the
following as a plan of a Sabbath School,
for any church or community tlipt is desir
ous of establishing one. Let the School as
semble at the hour of eight in the morning,
and keep till nine. Let there be a Super
intendant, whose duty it shall be to open the
School with reading and expounding the
Scriptures, and to close it with singing, in
which all the scholars and children shall
join. It might sometimes be found useful
to have an Assistant Superintendant, to fill
his absence. As for the Teachers, it would
be best, as a general tiling, to employ only
such as have a knowledge of vital piety
though as this will not always be practica
ble, others that are not pious, whose deport
ment and life arc moral, might sometimes
be admitted.
With the Sabbath School, there might
be also connected a Bible Class, to meet at
tlie same or another hour, and which should
differ front a class in the Sabbath School,
only hv requiring all who join it to he able
to read ; and perhaps also in the use of a
Question ho*k and in the study ot a more
difficult portion of the Divine Word.
The Committee would have been glad to
have presented before this body, an account
of the condition and destitution of Sabbath
Schools in our Stale, lint as they did not
possess the requisite means for such a work,
they beg that these few hints and sugges
tions he received as the best discharge of
their duly. In conclusion, we say, that
we all have strong hopes and confidence
that the time is not far distant when these
nurseries (>£ lenriiiqy , anil rulimnu will be
‘"universal throughout our State ; and that
there will spring up annually from these
gardens of the Lord, thousands ol plants,
which shall finally he gathered into his gar
ner in heaven.
All of which is respectfully submitted
by the Committee.
Z. 11. GORDON, ~)
E. A. MARSHALL, l Com.
T. W. BOLTON, j
Temperance,
The Committee on Temperance would
report, That from the best information they
can obtain on the subject, the cause is silent
ly, though successfully exerting its salutary
influences on the public mind. Drinking
and drunkenness are becoming daily less
fashionable, and more detestable, in the
eyes of thcT sober, the intelligent, and the
decidedly pious of all denominations, It
1 -Te believed by your Committee, that the
ministry have geneially become sensible of
their duty in relation to this subject, and
have mildly, yet decidedly, advocated tem
perance in all things. There are some, it
may be, whose convictions of duty or
whose moral courage, have not been such
as to enable them to take decided measures
in its support. The Committee are happy
to state, that so far as their knowledge ex
tends, the ministers in connection with
your body are its warm and efficient advo
cates.
The Temperance Banner, published by
brother Branlly, at Penfield, and the Au
gusta Washingtonian, have, no doubt, clone
much good in enlightening the public mind,
and in exhibiting the evils of the vice of
drunkenness and dram drinking. These
papers, edited as they are, by judicious
men, aided by the occasional communica
tions of many able and interesting writers,
deserve the patronage of our brethren and
fellow-citizens generally.
The Address, published by the friends
of Temperance at their late Convention at
Eatonton, deserves the serious and prayer
ful consideration of every patriot, philan
thropist and Christian.
We further call the attention of the Body
to the Slate Temperance Convention, to be
held at Forsyth, to commence on Thurs
day, the 21st ofNov. next. We trust many
of our brethren will be present on that oc
casion.
A few facts of a general character may
be interesting and profitable:—We arc
- hu l’lM ,•, linn Uifij-x, whs not a solita
ry Tavern in Milledgeville. which kept a
public bar during the session of our Legis
lature last winter; that very few of the
members kept ardent spirits in their rooms.
These facts alone speak volumes in favor
of the Temperance Reformation.
In conclusion, wc would urge upon all
our brethren and friends, the importance
of using all prudent.measures to up-root
and overturn the prejudices which yet re
main in the minds of some against the
Temperance cause. As the cause is the
cause of wisdom, morality and religion,
every lover of God and of our country,
FOR THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF Jfrjr
PENFIELD, GA., JjtlVE 28, 1844.
should lecl himself called upon to exert
hitnself in its support.
11. FLEMING, Chairman.
Domestic Missions.
The Committee on Domestic Missions
and the state of Religion, submit the follow
ing Report:
In the Appahtchcc dissociation there
were, during the last year, four Missiona
ries employed, whose labors occupied be
tween seven and eight months of the year.
The Lord blessed their efforts to the revi
ving the churches and converting souls.
The Rehoboth dissociation has been ac
tive in the support of Domestic Missions,
though they have generally found it more
difficult to procure uitssiouaites, than mo
ney to sustain them. During a short por
tion of the last Association year, this body
employed a Missionary, who labored in
the counties of Crawford, Houston, Dooly
and Pulaski. Several churches in its
bounds, within the last twelve months,
have had large and valuable accessions.—
Sabbath Schools, Temperance Effoits, and
othei benevolent Societies are encouraged
by this body.
Tiie Western dissociation confined bro.
John G. Frey, Domestic Missionary last
year, who rode 167(> miles, established ten
Sunday Schools, labored 107 days, and
preached 75 sermons. They have a Mis
sionary at this time in the field; the
churches have had interesting meetings,
and there was an extra effort made at the
last Association to sustain the missionary
cause. It reports 34 churches, 13 ordained
and 6 licensed preachers.
The Tallapoosa dissociation stood op
posed to our Body till within the last
twelve months. She has now a Corres
pondent among us, and will probably short
ly join us, should wa promptly answer
their communication and explain to them
the objects of this Convention. There are
but six ordained ministers in Iter bounds.
And at her last meeting she agreed that all
of them take the missionary field. Some
few additions have been made to the church
es, but they arc generally cdld.
The Central .Association continues its
missionary operations, by keeping within
her bounds a Missionary continually em
ployed. They have, also, a Colporteur
system, by which the destitute are supplied
with Bibles, Tracis, and small religious
works, well selected, and distributed free
of charge generally, Some of the churches
have experienced rcvivalrand their pros
pects are brightening.
The Flint-Riva dissociation has labor
ed hard to kindle a mission spirit and to re
move all objections. There is now one
Missionary riding in her hounds, estab
lishing Temperance Societies, Sunday
Schools, and Bible Societies. The Lord
lias revived his work among the Churches.
The Coosa dissociation embracing a
large extent of country, lias 35 churches,
17 or eighteen ministers, the most of whom
are dependant upon their own labor for the
support of their families. Theie is at pre
sent no missionary in the field. Some lew
of the churches are enjoying revival sea
sons ; but generally coldness and apathy
prevail. There ate flourishing Sabbath
Schools in successful operation, in several
of tlie Churches.
The Columbus dissociation has a mis
sionary employed in its bounds, ami has
made an effort to establish a book deposilo
ry in Coin inbus for the use of Sabbath
Schools and tlie teligious information of her
people. Some of the churches have expe
rienced precious revivals ; and very lately
it has pleased tlie Lord to visit his people at
Columbus, and many have been made to re
joice at the conversion of their friends and
children. It reports 10 ordained and 2 li
censed preachers—3B chinches.
The Hightower dissociation reports 32
churches—ll ordained and 2 licensed
preachers. There is no missionary em
ployed, and some of the churches are not
regularly supplied with Pastors. Though
the state of religion is low generally, here
liave been some good meetings, and several
additions to the churches. In the circular,
the association urges upon their pastors the
duty of being wholly devoted to the labors
of tlie ministry—and upon the churches the
duty of earnest prayer for the Pastor—at
tendance on his ministrations, co-operation
in all his efforts for usefulness, delicate re
gard for his reputation and a liberal provis
ion for his support.
The Rock Mountain Association has no
missionary engaged, but desire ministering
brethren while traveling to call and preach
to the churches as often as possible. They
have monthly preaching regularly, and some
have been revived. The last two Associa
tions are not members of our Body, but
your Committee have reason to hope, from
the representation made by their correspon
dents, that they will soon co-operate with
us in all our benevolent designs.
The Georgia Association has fifty-two
cUuMihes, twenty-seven ordained Ministers,
and about fifteen licentiates. All the church
es liave regular preaching once a month, a
number of them twice a month, and a few
every Lord’s day. This Association warm
ly encourages Sabbath Schools and Tem
perance Societies. It is a zealous Mission
ary body, and as its limits are filled up with
churches, regularly supplied with preach
ing, it turns over all its funds for Domestic
Missions into the treasury of the Conven
tion for the supply of the more destitute
parts of the State. It has a depository of
religious books for the supply of its own
and the neighboring communities at cost.
The yfyphingion Association reports
seventei ii churches, seven ordaiTted and
four iici iscd preachers. It supports both
Domes! c and Foreign Missions—recom
mends ministers to bring the subjeet%:-
quently before tlie chinches—and the
churches to appoint a committee in each, to
take collections at stated periods during the
year. J&geral of its churches during the
last yearwere revived, and about one fourth
of its present qiemberq, have been added to
it during the year. -T >
The Rbenezer ‘Association reports thir
ty-one churches, twelve ordhined, and hut
one licensed preacher; has baptized tlie last
an average, about nine to each
churoiP— had a Missionary employed- se
venty-one days—wouTtfliaVCtiad more, but
were unaby. to find laborers.
The Echaconnci Association is an anti
missionary body, and yet in their circular
they say, that the taught should give to
them that teach them—that this should not
be done in secret, that it is adebt they owe
to God, that it should be done according to
what each one hath, and with a ready mind.
The Deae(ms of the chinches are urged to
know wffiaj their churches do for their Min
isters, and to see that due tokens of love be
manifested! toward them, for their often
coming to edify the body. It reports twen
ty-one seven ordained, and three
licensed preachers.
The Primitive Ebcnezer Association is
also an anti-missionary body— reports thir
teen churches with only three oiduined, and
one licensed preacher. Their minutes have
no circular, but an excellent confession of
faith. Have buptixed twenty-one, during
the last reiir.
Harmony Association is an anti-mission
ary bod) and carries her proscriptive prin
ciples sefar as to recommend to her church
es, not to receive a member from a Mission
ary chuiph, except by experience and bap
tism. They report thirty churches, eight
ordaineo und three licensed preachers.—
They /report eighty-three baptized during
the Msociational year. Their minutes con
tain tie common baptist faith, and a consis
tent sfstern of decorum, with the exception
of thesfrange article of non-fellowship for
all Societies instituted for the promotion of
acts if benevolence.
Ti e Houston Association reports four
teen lahuilches without any distinction of
ministers, or licensed preachers. They
are a Missionary body—and take up collec
tions ac their annual meetings to support an
itinerancy in their own bounds. But two
of churches of this Association seem to
have had many additions by baptism during
the year;
The Ocmulgee Association reporfs but
six churqlies, four ordained and two licens
ed preachers, with an addition of only eight
by baplit/n during the year. Surely every
christjaqwill unite in the prayer found i.i
the circular of this body.—“Oh that the
time/was! as in days gone by, when the
candle a the Lord shono round about us,’
wheb weins a denomination were united as
a bahd of brothers, truly marching in one
general army, having the appearance of a
city set oJ a hill, that cannot be hid, giving
light to all around” &c.
The Primitive Pulaski Association is an
anti-missionary body and reports nire
churches, with an addition of fifteen by
baptism dining the year. Their minutes
make nosliowing of their ministers. They
refuse fi/ correspond with any association
that fellowships any benevolent Society.
‘I be Towaliga Primitive Association is
an body, reports twenty
eigli fchurches, and an addition by baptism
duri ig the last year of twenty-four mem
bers j They have twelve ordained and two
liceised preachers.
‘l ie Primitive Western Association is
an anti-missionary body, reports twenty
churtches, four ordained ministers, and no
licerdates. Received thirty by baptism du
ring Ihe year. The most of the churches
havi had no additions.
‘I ic Middle Association reports eight
chuifhes, and an addition of ten to them by
baptism during the year. They have lour
ordained ministers, arid one licentiate.—
They appear to be doing nothing in the way
of benevolent efforts, and yet all their cor
respijndenceis with Missionary Associations.
Ammig their business transactions we find
a wlfclesome recommendation, viz: “that
the churches use great caution in licensing
and qrdaining brethren to preach.”
The Sunbury Association is an old and
efficient body. It reports eighteen church
es, tcif ordairied ministers and three licen
tiates./’ They have received bv baptism du
ring the last year 302 members, mostly
blacks. They have had a Missionary for
the blacks on the Savannah River, emp'oy
ed all the pist year, and during half the
year one for the blacks on the Aitamaha. —
Bro. Stephens and bro. Binney, Missiona
ries to Burrnah, ore both from this Associa
tion. Their minutes show that they appoint
ed delegates to the Convention, and arrang
ed funds for contribution. Happy would it
be for the interests of our Zion, if all the
churcltoß were ns devoted and effective, as is
the little band that constitutes this Associa
tion.
The foregoing are all the Associations
from which the Committee had at hand the
information necessary to enable them to .
make any statements ir. relation to them.
Report of Committee on Publications.
The Committee on Publications respect
fully recommend totlic favorable con .idcr-
ntiowaf Qty Brethren and friends the follow
ing publications, viz: l\c Christian index
—This periodical has greatly improved, and
is an excellent family paper. Many of its
articles arc ofthe first order: and if it shall
continue to receive the'patronage it deserves
and the contribution of its able correspon
dents, it will doubtless be an important en
gine in rousing the energies of our denom
ination; in uniting us in word
and work; and in promoting the general in.
terests of Zion in the earth. ~, .
The Baptist Preacher, published month
ly at Richmond, Virginia, by bro. H. Keel
ing, at one dollar per year, is a work which
deserves the patronage of our brethren and
friends. ,
- The. Alabama Baptist, —a .weekly paper
published at Marion Perry Cos. wc would
recommend to the patronage ol the denom
ination, as well as other Baptist papers of
the South.
As many of our Brethren arc so zealous
ly affected in the good cause of Sabbath
Schools, and as we arc destitute of a De
nominational Catechism, wc respectfully
suggest the importance of anew edition of
the Improved Catechism, with such amend
ments as may render it more strictly de
nominational in its character, and better a
dapted to the uses of families and small
children.
In conclusion, we express the belief that
more ought to be attempted by the Conven
tion in encouraging the Colporteur system,
assured as wc (Ire that it is eminently calcu
lated to spread abroad the knowledge ofthe
truth among men.
JESSE 11. CAMPBELL, Cli’n.
Education.
The Committee on Education beg leave
to submit the following ;
Your Committee would state, that they
have had the subject referred to them un
der serious consideration, hut from the short
ness of the time allowed them, and the press
of other duties, they have been unable to
give it all that attention which its impor
tance demands.
The Committee learn with great sat
isfaction, that the prospects of Mercer Uni
versity are of an encourageing character.
Its funds have been considerablyjaugment
ed of late, by the payment of the legacy of
our venerable, departed father Mercer ; and
it is proper also to state that the most of the
balance of that legacy, will in all probabil
ity, be paid over to the Treasurer ofthe Uni
versity during the present year.
•’ There .are now in the hands of the Trus
tees, the ambunt of $39372,17 for theologi
cal purposes; this together with the amount
of 70,000 now m hand, and the balance of
Mr. Mercer’s Legacy above referred to,
constituting a perrnament endowment for
Literary and scientific purposes, will ac
complish much, so far as pecuniary means
are concerned, in placing the University
upon elevated ground. The prudent man
agement of this endowment, with the en
larged and corresponding patronage of the
denomination throughout the State, which
may be confidently anticipated, authorize
us to look forward with cheering hope, to
the time when the University will exert a
wide spread and salutary influence upon the
churches of Christ, and the community at
largo.
Your Committee mo impressed with the
great importance ofThoological instruction;
and they would therefore coinmend this
branch of education, to the special attention
of your body, and through you to the dili
gent and unwearied cure of the Hoard of
Trustees, anxiously hoping that all proper
measures may be adopted to carry out fully
the wise and benevolent designs of our fa
thers, brethren and friends who have con
tributed so liberally to thisimportant object.
Whilst we express an anxiety that the
Theological department may be efficiently
sustained, we would beg leave to add that
we feel deeply interested also in the Litera
ry Department. We arc pleased to know
that at present this is in successful opera
tion, and is so conducted by the valuable
Faculty of the University, as to give it strong
claims upon the favorable notice of the de
nomination, and the public in general. The
Library and Apparatus connected with the
Institution, are not as complete as could be
desired, yet we trust that its increased re
sources, will enable the Trustees at some
early period to supply all important defi
ciencies.
Your Committee are happy to learn from
various sources, that encouraging efforts
are now making, by our brethren and friends
in many sections of the State, in the estab
lishment of high Schools and Academies,
many of which are now in successful op
eration. No illiberal jealousies should be
allowed to fetter our operations ; all should
be cheerful and prompt to extend their fos
tering care to every laudable etfort of our
brethren to disseminate useful knowledge,
and improve the rising generation.
Your Committee huve also had under
consideration the proposition for raising a
fund to assist in the education of the chil
dren of Baptist ministers, submitted to us
in a letter by a member of your body; and
we recommend the appointment of a Com
mittee to confer with the member in rela
tion to (his matter, and also to suggest such
a plan through the medium of the Index,
as would be likely to secure the accomplish
ment of such a desirable and important ob
ject.—ln conclusion, the Committee beg
leave to recommend the adoption of the fol
lowing resolutions ?
Puri.isiier— BENJ. BRANTLY
Resolved, Thht we commend to the pray
ers and patronage ofthe denomination Mer
cer University, and earnestly recommend
bur churches to encourage their young min
isters who may need the benefits of theolog
ical instruction, to avail themselves of the
advantages of the* institution, and to our
brethren generally who may easily secure
for their sons a liberal education, to give
the preference, as far as circumstances will
allow to our own University, and place their
children under its fostering care..
Resolved, That we deem it of great im
porlance that the denomination afford ail" '’
the encouragements and patronage in their
power to the various academic institutions,
male and female, in different sections of the
Stale, that be under'the particular'direction
ofour own brethreu.
Resolved, That, should the Committee
above referred to be appointed, and should
they submit a definite plan for raising a fund
to assist in the education of the children of
Baptist ministers, our brethren feel them
selves called upon to consider the claims of
this important object, and if they approve
the plan, to sustain it by their genctous con
tributions.
The Treasurer's Report•
Wc deem it unnecessary to give the de
tails of the treasurer’s rejldtt, but the follow
ing recapitulation, in the close of it, will
prove interesting and ihStriictive. We de
sire to be thankful for what th'6 B'ord has
disposed and enabled Its to do, but regret
that we are not able to say of the denomi
nation in our State in general, “It has done
what it cptrlil.” With more zfial dud a
stronger faith we might have doiie much
more.
RECAPITULATION.
May 24, 1844, Balance to the credit
of Perm’nt Fund, 20187 73
General Purposes, 200 97
Domestic Missions, 83 38
Education Fund, 87 40
Foreign Missions, 092 81
Burman Missions, 5 00
African Missions, 2 00
Am. Bap. Home Missions, 40 00
Edu. ot Indigent Orphans, 2577 14
Missionary Purposes, 194 44
Am. &. For. Bible Society, 22 00
Permanent Mies’y Fund, 1225 49
Town Isit Fund, 4893 18
Snnday S. Library Fund, 82 37
Bap. Gen. Tract Society, . 5 00
Indian Mission Association, 80 85
$30395 70
Os this amount,there are in Notes, 81491 08
25 Shares of Geo. R. R. & R. Cos.
Stock, cost 100 pr share, 2500 (X)
Receipts, Bank notes, current and
uncurrent change bills, 2404 10
$30,395 70
ABSALOM JANES, Treasurer.
May 24th, 1844.
From the Christian JVatthman.
Character ami Influence of the Newspaper
Press,
It might seem to be uncharitable, to as
sert of our newspaper press that it lias an
immoral character. We will not make the
assertion, though it would not be difficult to
prove that a large number of newspapers
are conducted without any regard to moral
principles. It is safe, however, to say
that their moral character is distinguished
by any thing else than the lofty morality
which the gospel enjoins. Their charac
ter for truth has become so bad, that any
uncommon event needs confirmation before
we are ready to believe it. Tlie late acci
dent oil board the Princeton was thought
by some to he a hoax—a very soft word,
however, by which to express the atrocity
of such an outrage upon the moral feelings
of the community. And when the intelli
gence of this calamity reached England, it
was not believed till it had received confir
mation ! In the heat of a political contest,
nothing is more common than to Withhold
or pervert (acts for the purpose of cat lying
a party measure, “All’s fair in politics,”
has so long been a proverb, that it lias now
come to be believed as a truth. That there
are many honorable exceptions to these an
imadversions, we fully admit, but even
those whom we except, will assent to our
testimony that it is true. * ‘
As to the religious character of die press,
little need be said. Alt know what it is.—
We, of course, in these as well as in the
foregoing remarks, except that portion of
the press, strictly called religious. The
character of the latter is far elevated above
the former in both respects, though in a lit
erary and intellectual point of view, it would
permit of being still more elevated. But
to speak of the religious character of the
newspaper press at large would he to talk
of gathering of grapes from thorns or figs
from thistles.
If such, then, he the character of the
press, its influence must be deleterious ev
ery way—and such we believe it is. News
paper reading like this is the very worst
kind of reading for a literary, a moral, or
for a religious man. It corrupts the tastev
blunts the moral sensibilities, and wipes S
way from the heart all serious impressions.
Wc except, of course, those papers which
arc of a different character from those de
scribed. And it is certainly important fci*
Christians who may do so much towards
remedying the evil, to consider hovi far
they will lend their influence i'fi’ sustaining
a paper which is tilled with billingsgate,
and falsehood and sneers at Christianity.
Timothy.
N.O. 26.