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Your Committee to whom was referred
tlie subject of reading teligious periodicals,
have had it under consideration, and ane
ptepared, both from experience and infot*
illation received, to recommend to the de
nomination the reading of some approved
religious paper, sever*! of which are now
circulated, The Christian Index is partic
larly recommended, both on account of the
soundness of its Theological matter, and
the important general and special informa
tion it contains. Thu Alabama Baptist, and
Southern Baptist Preacher, or Sermons
written by living preachers, are papers
which may be safely recommended—all of
which may be had at reasonable rates.
The importance of leading and studying
the {Bible ; the incalculable good which
originates in Sabbath Schools, and the
gieat moral influence exerted by a religious
observance of the Sabbath, are subjects of
100 much moment to bo passed unnoticed.
The attentive and prayerful reading of the 1
Scriptures, is thercl'oie particularly recoin- j
mended to all the Churches of the Associa
tion. And what we say to the Churches,
we qiiy to all persons who are willing to
receive the best information and direction
ojv-sll subjects. From the Bible is obtain
(cd the only authentic account of the Crea
’ lion; it unravels the mystery in relation to
the nature ol God, of angel* aud man,; the
end for which man was made; thtf immor
al taliiy of the soul; ilieJCftgHi'oTmoral evil;
the vanities of this wforld. and the glory of
the world to come; and in it is found sure
directions by which that glorious world is
to be reached. If information of this kind
is desirable search the Sciiptures,—it is
there alone to Ire obtained. If it is desira
ble that your children, your neighbors’
children and friends should read and under
stand the same blessed Book, establish and
foster .Sabbath Schools : These are nttrse
ties where both of these obj dts may be
the most surely anil easily accomplished.
And, larther, if it is desirable that the Sab
bath should Ire respected and pass ttndese
crated; that vice and immorality should be
banished ;—aud that religion should be re
garded by the world as a substance, .and not
as a mere shadow, establish and maintain
Sabbath Schools wherever there are chil
dren to be instructed.
Kep>rl of the Missionary of the Jl'cst'crn
•Association, Gu.
Dear Brethren—Having been appointed
by you the Itinerating Evangelist lor this
Association, on the aotli of December, 1813,
and having consented to accept tire same, &
being deeply impressed with the arduous
labors and responsible position of a Domes
tic Missionary, 1 at once betook myself to
reading, meditation and prayer, which fully
brought home to rny mind my total unlit
tress and disqualification for so solemn aitd
important a service. And also being further
well satisfied of the great sacrifice it called
tttc to make of the comforts of domestic life,
of home, of wife and ten children, which
arc and were dear to my heart—allot'which
were matters of no small nor unimportant
consideration ; but being moreover impress
ed that it was my duty to enter the field of
labor—all these things were overborne, and
1 entered immediately upon the work to
which i had been called by the Committee,
and to which my mind had been led, as I
tinst, by the Holy Spirit and Providence of
Cod. And while lam further fully sensi
ble of much infirmity and many imperfec
tions, on account of which 1 beg the indul
gence and forbearance of my brethren, and
earnestly implore the forgiveness and mer
cy of Cod. Yet, nevertheless, 1 have great
reason to be filled with gratitude to my
Heavenly Father, that it is as well with me
as it is ; and that amidst many Inals and
temptations, and much persecution, (trough
which 1 have passed, that the good Lord
has been with me and blessed my poor la
bors in his great cause. To the King im
mortal, invisible and eternal, the only wise
Cod, be all the glory forever and ever, a
men. .
The following is a summary of my labors
commencing the 20th December, 1813,and
ending tlic 15tb September, 1814.
1 have rode, as near as 1 can estimate
from my Journal, 1,842 miles; 2nd, spqnt
225 days ; 3rd, preached 201 limes ; Ith,
delivered 81 regular exhortations, besides
numerous occasional ones;sth, prayed pub
licly over 1000 times, and endeavored to
keep up constant secret prayer, 6th, visit
ed 118 families ; 7th, baptiseil 6 persons—
assisted in the ottlinalion of two Deacons,
and aided in the constitution of one Church;
and have arrangements on hand to consti
tute two mote, one in the 11th of Mcri
wether, and the other at Carrollton. 1 have
also attended one meeting for die reconcili
ation of differences among Baptists, also 1
have succeeded in adjusting some old stub
born difficulties with brethren and in sever
al Churches. Many have been convicted
and converted at our meetings, and many
added to the churches, and baptised by the
pastors ol Churches. Os the precise num
ber, i have uo means of knowing. Eterni
ty alone will tell out things as they are.
Now, dear brethren, having thus submit
ted my report, 1 take my leave of you, pray
ing Cod’s blessing on you and oti all the la
bors of your hands; lit parting, permit me
to suggest through you to the Association
the importance of eulatging the sphere ol
Missionary labors—that the Association this
•year endeavor to sustain two Missionaries
in the field. “ The harvest is truly great,
but the laborers aro low.” And would it
not be proper for the Committee to meet,
alter elected, before the Association ad
journs, and select their Missionary, ornrore,
so lire delegates of the churches might he
informed on the subject, and lints ihewholG
association;)! year bo filled out ?
VII ot which is respectfully sudinitted.
JAMES DAVIS.
To Jamks Ccj.cr.nsox, Chait’n of Com.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.
fitporl of a CommitUc oj the If (stem .As
sociation.
The Committee to whom was referred
much consideration I '**-tnfe-uuujjubv
■'tneirtime.andthe means within their reach/
would permit; and while they desist from
saying ought on the present condition of
Schools within the limitsof the Association,
“they feel that they cannot too forcibly im
press on the Ministers and Deacons of the
various Churches, the necessity of more vig
orous and persevering efforts for the exten
sion of this highly useful (and so often
blessed of flod) system of Education. Per
haps none of what may be properly termed
the minor means of Grace, lias ever been
more blessed to the conversion of souls than
the Sabbath .School. It is a generally ad
mitted truth, that early impressions are last
ing. How important, tlten, that at the time
when the young mind is just expanding—
just opening for the reception of imptes
sions which will last for life and be felt in
eternity ; and when the evil influences of
the world, and the temptations of the ad
versary of souls, are all engaged in implant
ing the seeds of sin aud death—how impor
'■ taut, we say, is it that the pure precepts of
the Gospel, that which alone is able to make
men wise unto salvation,should be given to
the youth, that it may be made a light to
his feet and a lamp to his path, Viewing
the subject in this light, your Committee
cannot too forcibly impress upon the Min
ister and Deacons of the various Church
es, the taking, of Aids cause into their pray
rapidly taken of this institution he true, we
feel that the appeal we here make to them
will be answered by efforts of an eulaigcd
nature —efforts width will result in the es
tablishing of Sabbath Schools within the
limits of every Church; and which, aided
by the influence of Clod’s Spirit, we may
hope to see blessed to the conversion of
many of the rising generation.
JOHN J. DODSON, Chairman.
, l EDUCATION.
, Tteport of a Committee oj the Western As
sociation.
Your Committee on Education, would
: make the following Report:
That the increasing interest manifested
t by the denomination in almost every scc
i lion ol these United States, and especially
■ in Georgia, is a source of gratitude and
praise to Cod. Schools and Colleges, ud
der the immediate management and instruc
t lion of our brethren, have rapidly increased
in their number and patronage, and arejust
-1 ly entitled to the cordial support of the pub
i lie. These various institutions of learning
, amongst us, arc exerting a salutary inllu
: mice in the youth, both as it respects the
j cultivation of their minds and the iuiprove
. merit ol their morals. Our growing iium
i hers and increasing resources aulhotize the
■ belief that the day is not far distant when
. not only our,(Academic S uinl mgli Schools,
| but our''Col I egos, will be crowded with
r young men.
| The Georgia Baptist Convention lias, in
, its wisdom aud benevolence, been laboring
i to wake up the energies of our people to
i the subject of ministerial education- Their
I labors have not been without success; yet
. there.is much, very much, remaining to be
I done, We would respectfully invite the
I ! munition of the Churches to the importance
, of directing the young gifts within their
bounds who ate (in their judgment) culled
to the work ol the ministry, to avail tliein
■ selves of the advantages proposed in the
Theological department of Mercer Univer-
I sity. And would also most respectfully re
commend to the Executive Committee of
the Convention, the propriety of granting
their appropriations to bielhrcn preparing
for the ministry, in the form of loans. VVe
further recommend to the Association the
proptiely ol’ appointing two suitable per
sons in her bounds, to whom application
may be made fur information respecting the
conditions on which admittance into the
Theological department may be obtained.
We have noticed, with much pleasure, a
plan proposed by the Convention at its last
session, by which it is designed to raise
funds for the education of the children of
Baptist Ministers throughout Georgia who
ara in limited circumstances. J'he plan re
ported by the Convention is designed to
create a permanent fund of thirty thousand
dollars, the interest only of which is to be ,
used for this specific object. ‘J'he project, (
we think, commends itself to our attention. ,
The labor of raising the above fund is divi- j
ded among six classes of donors, in shares j,
of ten dollars each, viz:
1 Class of 10 persons who will each
take 50 shares, $5,000 ,
I “ 20 persons who will each i
take 25 shares, 5,000 ,
II “ 50 persons who will each , i
take 10 shares, 5,000 !,
4 “ 100 persons who will each
take 5 shares, 5,000 ~
5 “ 200 persons who will each j,
take 2.J shares, 5,000
0 “ 500 persons who will each
take 1 shares, 5,000 i
j i
$50,000 | |
Now, as this provision anticipates the |
convenience of the childtcn who are to be |
beuefitted by this fund, we suggest that a i
fund be raised in this Association, to he ap- i
plied within its limits ; said fund to be sub
ject, in its application, to the control of the I
Executive Committee of the Convention.
This subject lias been brought before your j
committee by several bretluen who have i
proposed to subscribe liberally in order to
aid the Convention to carry out its designs.
For the information of our brethren and i
Iricnds who may feel disposed to subscribe ■
i lor the purpose of raising the above fund, 1
we beg leave to stale that the convention al- i
lows ihcm the liberty .of paying the money
1 when they subscribe, or of giving their note i
!on interest, as they may prefer. We re-; i
commend that all funds raised for .the above [’
put pose, be placed in the hands of ourTrea- j i
smor, subject only to the order ol the Ex- i
ecutive Commute ol the Convention when t
directed to the education of children within <
our bounds. j.
All of which is submitted. <
JAMJSL CULBERSON, Ch’n. -j,
fa Co|* k : AT,< * s - /
°f ,,lt Wntern .is
rel|g|ou the bounds of
our as 4u afP"articr places,
your coiitmTnee det*nWihe highest impor
tance to the interests AfZion.
\V e rejoice that tje-lime is arrived whe.n
we can introduce jiijp omjlftiomiiuittdnand
the world, a I!;
list Literature; K-Zitt
and
works must be bott^H
We mo* < ordiully
ronage of our
as a-useful andjriS9ajHHp^f*^ mol l
The of Hymns
for the use of the recent
ly issued by the Bap® vindication Socie
ty in Philadelphia, is Eisi cordially recom
mended to the a work well a
dapted to the wants dfareligious worship,
with merits equal, if tit superior, to any
now in circulation. MB also recommend,
as a most valuable religTiis paper, the Ala
bama Baptist, Mai ion, Perry
county, Alabama. Wtftannot omit again
to commend to the ntliMbon and patronage
of our bretlitcn, the (/fcistiart Review, a
work published quarterly at Boston. This
work, the fust ol the Inml ever issued by
us fiom the American prt%s, presents strong
claims to the patronage m xfie Denomina
tion. It is, doubtless, doing more to devel
op the Literary and Theological resources
of the Denomination—to give currency and
popularity to our peculiat (efiets, and to el
evate the position of otu people in the esti
mation of others, than any other similar en
terprise cvet undertaken by us.
The Baptist Publication Society, formed
to promulgate Baptist sentiments, are send
ing lortli the stuudaid works of our ablest
writers, in a form so cheap that they may
be procured without burthen. We desire
to see them in families of all our brethren.
When they shall he more generally diffused,
we shall anticipate the rapid triumph of
truth. We should he happy to see those
works procured and kept lor sale by sonic
enterprising brother, for the especial accom
modation of those who might wish to pur
chase.
Education.
Itepoft of a Committee of the llappahun
nock Association.
‘J'he Committee appointed try the ltap.
pahannock Association, at its last session,
upon “The Education of the Ministry,”
having had the subject under consideiarfon,
respectfully submit the following repott:
It is an axiom universally true,*Tbat suc
cess in —-om|>iisiiniurii oijriji v object,
•■..otigli the means of instrumental agency,
requires an adaptation of the agent to the
object designed. To prove the correctness
of this position, a single illustration will suf
fice. Hit is impart instruction
to the htiii.an mind, in relation ’to any giv
en subject, it is indispensably neecssary
that the agent employed, be himself fully
instructed therein, otherwise iris efforts
might lend to bewilder the mind of bis pu
pil, nnd involve him iii the mists ofverror,
ralliet titan guide him into the pure light of
truth. Upon this wholesome principle,
the Supreme Ruler ol the universe seems
to have bound all the ordinary laws for the \
government of his dominions, so far as they
have been revealed to man. Throughout
the physical world, system, and order, and
fitness, are every whereedisjaluyed. Nor
is this principle the less in the
moral government of God. Thyinotives
presented to man in the sacred Scriptures,
as an inducement to love and obedience, are
all most happily adapted to that end. M’liile
the human agents every where selected,
were exactly fitted for their Tspeelivc and
appropriate duties.
We aro aware that the nrsst active and
efficient among the chosen *f2,’ were un
learned fishermen, destitute of the advan
tages ol literature and science, tmhlinl from
this simple fact, many of our brethren de
duce tire inference that education is wholly
unimportant to the Christian Minister.—
But with becoming deference to the opin
ion of such, we would remark, that the pe
culiar circumstances connected with that
occasion, place it out of the category of
ordinary events, and render it perfectly
independent of the ordinary laws of the j
divine government. Our blessed Saviour
made It is advent into the world among a
people already instructed in the knowledge
of God, by whom the sacred oracles were
daily read, and before whom they are daily
expounded. Those oracles pointed out
the coming Messiah, as the great means of
salvation, the sole medium ol communica
tion with the Father, and the only procur
ing cause of Divine acceptance. Upon 1
these subjects, no additional instruction
was required. The important object to be
accomplished was, to convince mankind
that Jesus of Nazareth was that exalted Be
ing. How was this to be effected, surely
not bv human learning. All the philoso
phy ol the schools would have been found
weak aud powerless, for the simple reason,
that •• Jhe world by wisdom knew not
God.” An open demonstration of the
Divine power, strongly marked, and clear
ly defined, addressing itself directly to the
physical sense of man, was requisite to
pioduce that conviction, and hence, the in
troduction of miracles, not the leastof which
was the extraordinary mental powers with
which the Apostles were endowed. And
it is worthy ot remark, thal theil labors
were confined almost exclusively jo the in
habitants of JetusalemySmJ
country. But when, in the order, 1 of Pro
vidence, the message of salvation’was. ex
tended to the other nations of the earth “a
different measure was adopted, iSaul of
1 arsus, a disciple of Gamaliel, outs whose
mind was richly stored with all Uie learn
ing ol the age, was selected as tl c bearer
of that glorious message to the enlighten
ed Greeks and Romans; and all u ho were
associated with him as co-laborer t in the
Genffle work, those names svffe still pre
scrvwl, were also ditUiiipoiWirJNahr their
learning and talents. The early bishops 1
of the Church, immediately'succeeding the ‘
Apostles, were, for the most part, men of
highly cultivated minds, and for many sue- 1
ceeding the literature and
tire, confineiJ to, anil pPeSWved ‘‘ByTKbl
Christian Ministry. In the early part of
the 16th century, the powerful mind, the
grasping intellect of a Luther, together with
other master spirits of the age, were called
into requisition for the purpose of dissipa
ting the mists ol sophistry which enshroud
ed the C'hVisliaii world, and speeding the
onward in the pathway of i
truth , and indeed to whatever page in the
history of the Church we may direct our
attention, whether in ancient or modern
times, we shall find that those who have
been most extensively useful in supporting
and disseminating the truths of the Gospel,
have either been men of extraordinary na
tural intellect, or else, liberally instructed
in the learning of their day.
We know'their are many useful, very
useful Ministers among us at the present
day,’ who are destitute of the advantages of
an early education ; and it gives us great
pleasure to testify that t(ieir labors have
been abundantly blessed in bringing thou
sands of wanderers into the fold of Christ.
But these will generally, if not in every
case, be found possessed of strong natural
intellects, of great energy of character, and
above all, of that sterling pnßy*-whieh
stamps the impress of truth upor. all their
precepts, and imparts a vital power to all
their teaching. And when we consider
that the great mass of lire community among
whom they were raised up were them
selves uneducated, we perceive at once a
manifest display of Divine wisdom, i& a
dapting the talents and qualifications of the
Minister to the circumstances in which lie
may be placed, and the degree of enlight
enment existing among those to whom he
ministers. Past generations possessed hut
little information themselves, and therefore
required hut little in their ministers. But
now the condition of society is altogether
different. The march of inipiovciiient is
onward in our world, and pre-eminently so
in our own country. ‘J'he desire to learn
pervades all classes, and the fruits of that
desire are daily being developed in the ra
pid advancement of entile communities.—
How important then is it, that those who
seek to instruct others in the most deeply
interesting of all sciences, should them
selves be well informed. llow very desir
able that they should be enabled to draw
upon all the departments of learning, for
aid either in combating error, on the one
side, or enforcing truth upon the acceptance
of mankind, on the other. How uccessa
that they should “Study to show them
selves approved unto God, workmen that
need not lie ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth,” ■ ’*<%* ‘Jt
These views, do not, \vc conceive, con
diet in any degree with the acknowlvd sov
ereignty of Jehovah. Nor do they contra
vene the sacred declaration, that “all his
people shall be taught of the Lord.” For
Cod fS*alike the author of the divine com
| inUnication, and of the intelligence which ;
enables man to comprehend that comnnmi J
cation- Lis only-through bis mental Le
nities that man can ever receive divine in
struction. For that purpose were those;
laculties conferred upon him, and it is the I
possession of them alone which raises him j
above the inferior orders of creation.
Os these considerations our Brethren of
other denominations appear to be fully!
sensible, and hence it is, that with many of
them, who seem to go to an extreme in 1
their requirements, a thorough course of j
instruction is an indispensable pre-rcqnis- !
ite to the conferment of clerical orders ; j
while all require an amount of education,
at least sullicient to enable llieir Ministers j
to impart instruction to tlieit bearers with
ease and perspicuity. Does it not become j
us also to awake to a full sense of the im- j
portancc of this subject ? Believing as we 1
do that our denomination stands alone in its ,
maintenance of the whole truth , is it not :
our imperative duty, to bring to its support [
the ablest defender? Oris Truth less wor- j
thy than error, of an enlightened advocacy?
When we consider the universal proueness
of mankind to fall into error, and the loud j
tenacity with which they adhere to it, wv j
should be unwilling to sit down in apathy,
and trusting to the maxim, that “Truth is!
mighty and will prevail,” nirke no effort for !
their recovery. That maxim can never be j
verified till truth is presented to the human 1
mind, with a power and force that cannot
be resisted. And charged as we are, with
the exalted privilege, and highly responsi
ble duty of being ns only human defenders,
it becomes us to use every proper means 1
to fulfill the sacred tiust. Not only should
we foster the ministerial talents already ex
isting among us, hut would it not bf wise to I
exercise a judicious discrimination, in the i
ordination of such only, as furnish a tea-j
sonable assurance of future usefulness ? :
Should this course be adopted, we doubt
not the character of the Christian Ministry
would soon be greatly elevated, and the
Church, so far front losing any poilinnof
its talents, would hut improve them all by
limiting each to its own peculiar sphere.—
We learn from the holy Word, that “there
are diversities of gifts bestowed upon the
Church, for the perfecting of the saints.” 1
If all these be merged in one, the Church j
will present a mis-shapen mass, instead of’
that beautiful symmetry of form, which
properly become tire body of Christ.
We cannot, therefore, too earnestly re
commend, that all our Ministers, as far as it \
may be practicable, should seek to acquire, :
x|f they do not already possess, the advan
tages of a liberal education. But whilst
we do this, we are not mrmindlul that there
are other requisites, far more important in
j forming the character of the efficient and
faithful Christian Minister-requisites with
! out which, the highest order of intellect,
| combined with the most extended culliva
j tion, would leave the possessor but “sound
ing brass or a tinkling cymbal.” To de
line those requisites, is not’on this occasion
within our province; We
contentourselvessingle remark,
i-- ;
—that deep-toned ’ piety of heart, evinced
by a systematic life of practical “godliness,
when found united with a full measure of
’ that holy benevolence which, ardently tfe
i siring the salvation of met!, induces the
’ niayYvm souls to 75hirst, M the
broad foundation on which to build up the
Christian Ministry. When these cardinal
talents exist, it is the duty of the Church
to cultivate them, by all the means which
: education can afford. And if this duty
i were faithfully performed, we are fully
j persuaded that our Churches would all
i soon be supplied with Ministers, who for
j talents and learning, would favorably com
; pare with the most distinguished men of
! the age, and who would exert an influence
| resistless in its power, and wide-spreading
i in its extent; before which etror would fall
prostrate, and truth, pure and unadulterated,
acquire universal dominion.
Although not strictly belonging to this
j report, vet as being intimately connected
\ with the subject, we deem it not improper!
to call the attention of the Association to
the neglect on the part of many of our |
; churches, to niekc suitable provision for j
‘ the temporal wants of those who labor for j
them in M’ord and doctrine. This circum
stance, perhaps, more than any other, re
tards the improvement of our Ministry at
j this time. Nor ran it lie otherwise, until j
j the evil shall be remedied. * For while our
MtmfiFrs 1 by the cares and
perplexities oftlie world, and compelled to
devote the greater portion of their time to
‘ secular pursuits, in order to procure the
i means of support for themselves and fatni
i lies, they can never make such advances in
’ the acquisition of knowledge as will plare
them upon their proper eminence, and fi:
i them for a high degree of usefulness in their
holy vocation.
j In conclusion, your committee would
earnestly recommend the encouragement
, of the Richmond and Columbian Colleges,
I by the liberal patronage of all our brethren,
> believing as we do, that those institutions
i are well calculated to afford important aid
; in elevating the intellectual character of our
i Ministry, and thereby increasing to an al
most inappreciable extent their capacity for
usefulness in the Lord’s vineyard.
All which is respectfully submitted.
AND. BHOADDUS,
E. T. MONTAGUE,
GEO. WRIGHT.
For the Christian Index.
Richard Orderly.
Mr. Fditor —ln the years 1821 and’22,
there wasasaucy writer over this signature,
.I in the “ Missionary,” then published al
ij Mount /ion in ibis State, who exposed
■! some of our follies and inconsistencies with
i a master’s band—vexed many of us and
■ j made some down right mad. This was,
■, I suppose, before you lost your confixing
scales. Nn much was a portion oftbccom
. mttnity aroused that a delegation was actu
ally'sent from Jackson county to demand
: the author's name t hot the editor gave them
ino sali|lactum and they returned worse
; when they went. 1 cannot call
i to mitidall his pieces, but a onc, ‘Our Minis-
I ter,” portrayed the feelings of a miscalled
j old school Baptist on the subject of Mis-
I sions, .Ministerial Education and his fears
; about new ways, when both those subjects
; are old as Christianity. Another No. was
beaded “Our School Master.” lie was
employed by professing Christians; yet he
, ridiculed religion and sometimes carried liis :
, bottle to the school bouse—was “ barred
i out” in the L'hristmas holidays, a custom
j that used to obtain, w hen you and 1 were
i boys. Heovcrheard the following one day .
as lie was passing the school: Teacher, j
I “Bound North Carolina.” The pupil an- 1
swered so low that he could not be heard
i by our author on his horse ; hut the Teach
er ban led out “Haul I told you it is the
biggest Flats in the government, reaches
| away to Kaintnc, the Alabain and Natchy
j country ?” But the employers thought he
was a mighty good teacher, lie brought the
; pupils on so fast and taught so cheap. This
used to be the first question in regard to
teachers, “What price per quarter?” the
qualifications of the man, seemed not tocn
ter into the account; but those days arc past.
“My neighbor, the Politician,” was an
other: here the character of a candidate for
the Legislature was drawn and his election
eering tricks were exposed. “ My Guest”
was a fourth paper, descriptive of a visit,
which was paid our ujlhor by a young
Scotchman just trom his native country.—
He saw our chicken lights—our roads con
sir in ted in semicircles to accommodate the
long trees thathad fallen across them, which
the stranger supposed was at ranged in imi
tation of Hogarth’s “line of Beauty”—our
desecration of the Sabbath,etc. etc. In go
ing to worship one Sabbath about Christ
mas, liichard and his guest met some row
dies with chickens under their arms, who
accosted the stranger, “How’ll ye trade
jcrittms?” who answered in his broad ac
; cent, “1 bae uacralurs about me, if ye hae,
kape your distance,” The unintentional
pun on the word “critter.” which was the
i comiiton name for horse, in by gone days,
as used by the stranger was really amusing:
he designed to insinuate creatures that
crawl about dirty low fellows.
“The Skeletons,” a description of two
discourses by It. and G., furnished a curi
ous specimen of our back-woods preaching
a quarter of a century ago. One might be
compared to “Point no Point,” as there
was no plan to the discourse—no point in
! it: nothing was proved or attempted, it was
a mere harangue without sense, but not
mtomund: the impreesion was like
that made by a snake crossing the road, no
one can tell whether it was gone N., S., |.
or West; so the sermon; the sentences
so unconnected that the last might hare
beeh first, and yet the impression would
have been just the same. Mr. G,’ wasja
I>BiA*mii Ii * ot .v—Tgospel
of salvation; yet the discourse of R.
altogether the most popular. There wefe
tears and shouting under it; while the con
gregation was suddenly taken with a fit If
yawning soon after Mr. G. began! Suii
was our taste, at the period of which 1
speaking. Mr Scotchman, in the sent),
ment of Richard Orderly, observed that R.i
discourse brought to bis mind the retnarkk
ofone Doct. Horace, who enquired -if yot
would not laugh, to see an aitist paim t
horse’s head with a human body and a fisluj
tail? and blend the three into one picture?
Mr. Orderly wrote with an iron pen af
boutsom£ of our customs and manners,ant)
i probably induced us to abandon many thal
i would now seem om-landish and barbarous
i I think we have improved. Our youni
| preachers now do not get up and fire awav
j without having prayerfully studied w|j a
I they ought to say : nor as then that thei
I were inspired and would abstain from study
jin order to bring more glory to God. Yot
| can scarcely conceive of tffe effect producei
,by his Nos. The very captions made nt
scringe: then to see how unceremonious
ly lie would lug out our foolish customs in-j
io view and let us look at their haggardness,
was a caution to all delinquents in proprie
ty. l’robably some good was done, thomdi
Mr. O. was like a rough surgeon—lie prob
ed deep.
If he were among us now, he might re
prove our remaining notions and inconsis
tencies. He might satirize some of our
“old field schools” with the ignorance of
trustees—our monthly meetings when prim
itive Christians meet every Sabbath our
inspired seimons—our hasty resolutions
but tardy acts of benevolence and our want
of discipline in the churches, and hurried
j admission into them.
“7'//e tcould be preacher, or preacher in
the potential mood” I presume was front
j his pen. 1 think his object was to take off
I those who honed\ vrv much to preach, while
I a® church cared to license, or
to hear them. ‘I he schemes of this class, de-J
vised to obtain notoriety, are to sav ilieT
! least undignified. They remove their mem-#
bership quite often, to see, if in their ncvvT
relations, they may not lie called to
lion, and are constantly talking of the
ol distant brctlueu'to have them full
vested with the sacred oilier.
frequently grumbling heraiisc ihrv
put forward, annoying the pastor and
ling parties in the churches ThcV
used to talk about a call as distinct a* IS a nil
lie), hut those duvs are over.
In regartTic such a class, one
plain as your nose on your face, thai ‘lioH
who has impudence enough to ask ln| I
ecclesiastical office, is unfit for it.
er this maxim holds true in regaid to pnl|
ca! offices, this deponent doth not sav.
is probable, however, we should have
good legislatures, if real merit, which is all
ways retiring and modest, were
by the people and promoted without one’s ]
pulling Itis oirn great self into notice.
SENIOR.
Oconee, Oct. 184-1.
For the Christian Index.
Diversion.
The folly of youth is often exposed, and
their vain pursuits utterly disappointed, by
the supposition that mere diversion forms
the business of “ real life.” ‘J’he young
man, who, when separated from his father
or guardian, acts according to this supposi
tion, however large his patiimony may be,
will soon find himself to be a “prodigal,”
in deed and truth, without money, friends
or credit. And lie, who solicits his favor
ite “ Fair One,” merely as a matter of di
version, is quite apt, if successful at all, to
get a mere “Thing,” instead of a “ Wife
‘J’he very definition of the term itself,
being “the act of turning aside from any
cause; that which diverts the mind from
care, business, or study ; sport, play, pass
time, &c.,shouldconvincethe most thought
less. that this supposition is an incorrect
one. The same is true of the literal signif
ication of similar words ; as relaxation, rc
creationamusements, &c. Indeed, some Ire
quentlyuse these terms to express, of their
own conduct, what would be much better
expressed by the term “Laziness.” As
diversion signifies to wilhdiaw or turn form
business, (good or proper business ofcourse,)
all that the above supposition lacks of being
an absurdity, is expressed by that memora
ble maxim ; “those who have no business,
are in bcul business.”
The mere votary of diversion, often ends
his sport, fool-born jests and laughter, by
breaking into the real business of. the
“State’s prison.”
Man was made ior business, and busi
ness forman. Hence,all experience proves,,
that those, whether rich or poor, who aro
really idle, or mere votaries of amusement,
which often proves-worse than to have been
idle, cannot be happy. How deeply should
j this he impressed upon the minds of youth,
j both the “ Strong ” and the “Fair!” Stag
* riant waters soon become oflsnsive; undis
turbed vegetables become petrified; and
I one great end of the winds, rains, lightning,
; snow, hail, and the featful tornado, is to re