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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor. VOL. XII. TERMS PER ANNUM. I'he Christian Index, published on Friday in each week, (except two in the year), will be furnished to each subscriber at $2 50 cents, in advance; or $3 if not paid within the year. jrr 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 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 coni, pensation for his trouble. I.npn.-g no. business. oz-g^Wßffifcnllotis _ n i" 1111 1,1 > nW?l l i"lli Fill ii ji l paid. 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.