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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor. VOL. XIII. TURKS—-‘•PER ASNI'M. The 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. Post-Masters, where the Index is taken, are requested to forward remittances for subscribers at their respective offices, according to a decision of the Post-Master General as to their right to do so. All pa trons and agents are requested to notice this. Every Agent (and all Baptist Ministers are particularly solicited to become agents) who procure and pay for five copies of the Index, shall be entitledto a sixth, as a com pensation for his trouble. Letters on business, or communications, must be addressed to the Editor, post paid. Advertisements may be inserted on usual terms, at the discretion of the Editor. For the Christian Index. Hrotherly Love—Mutual Improvement — Forced Construction of Scripture, <s'C- Dear Ilro. Baiter— If I love any object on earth, it is the follower of the meek and lowly Son of Got, ; and the more the truth abounds in him, and the more the gospel shines in him, the more my love for him increases. This is one of the strongest and brightest evidences 1 possess, that 1 am a Christian. This is the love which not only “ thinketh no evil,” and which “re joiceth not in iniquity,” but which “ rejoi celh in the truth.” This is that divine principle which “ never faileth.” It is the same here as in heaven —only that there it will be perfect: now we know in part —but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. It usher? ns, finally, into an ocean of unfathomable bliss. As we advance onwards towards that great ocean, we, who are fellow travellers, require the aid of each other. In order that we may not mistake as to the means proper to be used, we should examine the results of our own experience, anti biing them to the lest of God’s word. If they bear this test—this correct standard—we know they are good ; otherwise, we set them aside. I have seen the good effects of the fol lowing experiment. Brethren of the same Church have covenanted together for pray er and mutual improvement. They met and they prayed for the prosperity of Zion ; and while associated thus, they agreed, with Christian affection and candor, to cor rect each other’s faults—they observed par ticulars, even improper words, unbecoming tones, and vain repetitions. At the close of the service, you would see’ tie brother take another by the arm, and go off, and tell him his mistakes ; or, for the benefit of all. with the consent of all, this was done in the presence of all. In answer to pray er, Zion travailed, and brought forth—and, by these friendly criticisms, all were im proved in the exercise of their gifts. And I have seen the reverse of this, too. Without any suh agreement or understand ing, some have spoken of the delects of others behind their backs, and in public, and alienation and hard leeling were the result. I conclude that the first was the belter course. Again, I have been greatly mortified at what I conceive to be a forced construction of the scriptures. Passages are wrested from their true import and meaning. Take for example the history of the occurrences on the day of Pentecost. Acts ii.—l al lude to the Irequent exhortations of minis ters of all denominations, addressed to sin ners, as if icgeneraiion were their own act, and done in the twinkling of an eye. There is no evidence that those thousands, who were added to the Church on ‘.hat day, came there with their hearts filled with en mity against God, and would have put all the apostles to death if they could. For aught that we know, many of those who gladly received the word, and weic bapti zed, came to Jerusalem, anxious to know Vvhat the men of God could tell them of this Jesus of Nazareth, who had been three years preaching his own gospel—and who, in evidence of his mission, had raised the dead and performed many other wonderful Works. Possibly they had been astenish fed by the darkness that prevailed over all the land at the time of his Crucifixion ; or they might have heard of his resurrection From the dead, and his aacension to heaven. Suppose events of this sort were to occur in our day, would not the attention of all men, (no matter how wicked and thoughtless,) be attracted by them ? I recollect, a few years since, attending a protracted meeting at a village in Geor gia, and during the progress of the same, the atmosphere, one night and morning, ex hibited a wonderful display of meteors shooting in every direction; and it seemed as if every man, woman, and child, came to the house of God to hear what his ser THE CHRISTIAN INDEX. vants had to say. The most wicked men tell on their knees, and implored the mercy ol God. It might have been so at Jerusa lem. Peter had only to tell them of the prophecies foretelling the coming of Jesus, and the story of his crucifixion—and to charge home upon them their guilt—and to urge them to repentance and faith in the Lamb ol God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Then it was the office of that same Spirit, which had wrought con viction for sin, to apply the healing balm to their troubled bosoms—to give them “ beau ty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of hea viness.” Their conversion may have been gradual. The change is produced by the operations of ihe4*ptrtv or~G<JTf ; rfii the convinced sinner first tries his owr. strength, before he cries out, “Lord save, or I per ish.” Once more. Our Pedo-Baptist friends, in their arguments against the necessity of immersion in baptism, maintain that 3,000 could not have been immersed in one day ; and we enter into calculations to show that they could. 1 think this unnecessary. The Testament does not say they were all baptized that day, but that they were “ ad ded” to the Lord. Were there not devout men of the Jews present from every na tion under the heaven 1 Might not some of them have been already baptized by John and the Disciples of our Saviour, du ring the tluee years of his ministry ? Per haps it only remained for them now to be embodied into the society of the faithful by covenant telation—by church organization. Perhaps they, this day, laid aside their Jewish notions, and united with the Disci ples, having been “ taught the way of the Lord more perfectly.” In that ease, of course, their re-baptism was not necessary, and therelore the historian does not say they were baptized, but “added” unto them, the Disciples. UNION. For the Christian Index. Importance of the Church. That moral organization, called, in the Bible, “the Chinch of the living God,” seems not to he properly appreciated by those who are constituent parts ol it, and is still less esteemed by those who a’re not qualified for its membership. We purpose dwelling briefly on this topic, and will give some considerations from which the impor tance of the Church may be inferred. Ist. From the price paid for it. — We know that price is not, among men, an in fallible criterion of value : they often sacri fice the greater consideration lor the less— yet price must be a criterion of worth, when it is paid by one of unerring judgment. The highest price that can he given for any thing, is blood : thut which we buy with blood is highly prized. What, then, must be the importance of the Church, when, in the infallible judgment of God, he gave for it the blood of Ins Son ? ‘J his was the consideration urged by the great Apostle up on the Elders, when he urged them to take heed unto th msel ves, “ and to all the flock.” Acts xx: 28. 2d Its perpetuity. —The Jewish dispen sation!, with its glorious rituals, its splendid services, and majestic priesthood, has come to an end. It was an important dispensa tion : yet, has it been supplanted by the Christian church! This circumstance atone would show the importance of the Christian organization ; yet, the argument is strength ened, when God declaies that his Church shall have a perpetual existence. Like Ha gar, it may be driven into the wilderness, and become faint from persecutions, but it shall be sustained. The powersof unright eousness and of darkness may exhaust tlieii energies against her, but she shall triumph. Other organizations shall flourish, and shall be abolished—kingdoms shall be overcome —the strong pillars of mighty empires shall be shaken down ; but the Church of the living God shall stand—the gales of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt, xvi: 18. Bulwarks of mighty grace defend The city where we dwell— The walls, of strong salvation made, Defy the assaults of hell. 3d. It's work. —Any part in the blessed service of redemption is honoiable, hut the Church has assigned to it the most distin guished position. John, the Baptist, was called “ the voice of one crying in the wil derness.” Matt, iii: 3.—The Apostles were termed “ ambassadors.” 2 Cor. v. 20.—But “the Church of the living God” is termed “ the pillar and the ground of the truth.” 1 Tim. iii : 15.—1 t shall, by its testimony, its character, and its work, sustain the truth like a mighty pillar. Again: It shall always furnish matter for praise and glory to God : its light shall shine most brightly, and shall never go out. FOR THE BAPTIST CONVENTIONVOF THE) STATE OF GEORGIA. PEN FIELD, G.\., JANUARY 24, 1845, This the Apostle asserts in a memorable doxology—“ unto Idm be glory in the Church, by Christ jesus, throughout alt ages: world without end —Amen.” Eph. iii : 21. 4th. The instruction it contains. —Froni Eph. iii: 10, we think it may be clearly in ferred, (if it be not directly stated,) that God exhibits his perfections in the Church more clearly, more copiously, and with more variety, than he does elsewhere: so that angels, by the Church’s history, are more instructed than they are by the great and glorious works of God, and by the won ders of his providence. True, in them they have seen wisdom and goodness, but they have never seen it in such diversities, and Trrsueh rich unfoldings, as they do in Hi§ work of love in the Church. There is “ known by the Church tire manifold wis dom of God.” These heavenly pupils, who are always learning God in his works and in his government, are directed to the Church for the highest developments of di vine wisdom and love, sih. The place it holds in the Saviour's affections. —The relation that excites in man the warmest and most enduring affec tion is adopted by the Spirit, when speak ingtif Christ’s love for Ilis Church: that we may know the preciotisness of the at tachment, she is called “ the Lamb’s wife.” Doth affection prompt man to cleave to bis wife? How much more abiding and lender is the affection of the Saviour lot llis belov ed ? He bids husbands observe his un changing devotion to his Church, that they may learn how to love their wives. Eph. v. 25.—The Church shall always be the subject of his peculiar care—shall always enjoy his warmest love. ‘Ye!,’ sailh the Lord, ‘should nature change. And mothers monsters prove, Sion still dwells upon the heart Os everlasting love.’ oth. Its glorious destiny. —The Church has, in every age, exhibited higher excel lence than any other organization ran boast. Its members, chosen from the world, have exhibited virtues which the world could not imitate. Wherever it hath been it hath dispensed blessings: it has smoothed the roughnesses of uncultivated minds—it has softened the fiercest natures—it has moral sed the corrupt—it has led to Christ lor re demption the ruined and the lost. In all these works of merry, it hath showed it self to be the “ Church of the living God,” “Yet dark spots have resled upon ii marring its glory. But it shall be fair as toe morn and bright as the sun. Christ will robe his bride not only in salvation hut in unsul lied holiness. “ lie will present it to Him self a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing—but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Refections. —How impoiiam to he a member of the Church! Are we, in the sight of God, “ accepted” memheis ?—Ap plication to be made by the reader. SCRIBE. For /he Christian Index. Dear Bro. Baker ; —My main object in writing, is to request you to inform me how much lam in arrears for the Index. I became a subsciiher early in 1824, and have continued regularly to take it, under the editorial management of Knou/ls , Stow, Meehan , Brantly , Mercer, and Stokes; and it has been a very useful com panion, and a welcome weekly visiter. It has been of incalculable value to me; and I unfeignedly regiet, that I have not at all times been able to compensate the primer and editor in advance. And as“ you have recently concluded that a pojlion of your subscribers do not furnish evidence of be ing either ‘-honest or beneficent;” and as you have probably, (and not without rea son,) put me among the said class, it is ne cessary that T should make the best atone ment I can. There is but one reason why I have not been more prompt in paying. That reason is expressed in three words. I belong to that class of men commonly called, poor Baptist Ministers. With your kind permission, I take the liberty, respectfully, and affectionately, to beseech the hundreds of your Baptist read ers, whom God has blessed with an abun dance of the good thiugs of this woild, “that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God.Jwho giveth us richly all things to enjoy ; that they do good ; that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to com municate.” One method of doing great good, is to furnish the Index to poor min isters, who are not able to furnish them selves. It will kindle and nourish a true missionary spit ft; it will give them correct views of the deploiable condition ol hun dreds of millions of the human race, who are perishing for lack of knowledge; it wiljgladden their hearts by the intelligence of he mighty achievements of the everjast inggospel, in pulling down the strong bolls of sin, and in building up the king duvhf OtfearlSinrv— A wcU jeowduet ed t.tigioUS journal, will unquestionably ptoJuce great and” good effects upon the •heail and life, of a truly pious minister of iheLoid Jesus Christ. If he will only im provVthe valuable knowledge it places within his reach,he will be belter informed, than lie otherwise could be; he will be moe liuinbly, more thankful, more pray erful, more devoted, more laborious, and mo'e useful. I speak, from ail experience of more than twenty years; and 1 speak ashnitq-wise men. ‘ . „ Yer4‘soon nftef the writer <>f AheseTines had made a public profession of religion, “The Latter Day Luminary,” the verv first periodical published by the General Convention of the Baptist denomination, was placed in his hands. And not long alter that, did his soul burn with a strong desire, to be a missionary on Burinah’s shore. But a limited education—a large and destitute field of labor all around Lis own door—together with other circumslan. ces, seemed to forbid the idea, of his going far among the heathen. Brethren, beloved in the Lord ■ hived lor vour work’s sake, let mu freely unto you. 1 have often desit v ■ j c rich. Ah ! say you, that is what we well believe. But hold niv brethren, and do not judge quite so fast, i have desired to be rich — not that 1 might avoid following the plough, for I am not ashamed of that; —not that I might have a magnificent mansion to dwell in t —ngt for the sake of a line carriage to ride in} —nor ftti* the sake of hundreds of acres of fertile lands, and hundreds ol ser vants to cultivate them; —but wholly, for the sake of being able efficiently to aid the missionary cause at HOME and ABROAD in ALT, LANDS. Finally brethren, give “all diligence” to “add to your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temper ance; and to temperance, patiuce; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness,broth erly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, charity.” “Whatsoever things arc true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever thiiigs atej jilt, whatsoever H/ifngS'are pure, whatsoever things arc lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if tlicie be any virtue, and if there any praise, think on these tilings. Those tilings which ye have both learned, and received, and heard and seen,” “DO ;” “and the God of peace shall he with you.” Til EOPHILIiS, Junior. Travelers Rest, Dec. 30, 1844. For the Christian Index. Crawfordville, Jan. 7, 1844. Dear Rio. Raker —l enclose you the proceedings of our Sabbath School Con vention, held with the Church in the city of Griffin. lam happy to say, that I find the brethren ol the Flint River Association truly alive, and active, and zealous mevery good word and work. Thus engaged, we find our work pleasant. Melancholy and ennui will flee away —worldly sorrow, which worketh death, will yield to pious grief for the miseries of a world, and our work will ho as pleasant as it is gteat. Did not Vandcrlieinp act wisely, when he toiled in a brickyard that lie mightleacli the Hottentots how to build comfortable cottages? Did not Mylne consult his real happiness, when he proposed lo go as a servant to the Chinese mission, if he might but go? Did the young and lovely Jane, whose hones lie u thousand miles in the in rior of Africa, forget her own mercies and despise the recompense of reward, when she left all for that land of darkness ? Her dying message to her widowed mother and fatherless sister, was—“ I am glad that I came to this land;’’ and then she kissed her babe and died. And, sir, lam constrained io say, that our beloved old brother, the Rev. Joshua S. Calloway, will never regret the day when, as a good and noble hearted Christian, he stood firm and unyielding, in the strength of his divine master, against the storm produced by the anti-mis- ■ >ry here sy in the hounds of the Flint i{” ii -- ciation. It will cover his head u laurels than if he wore the crown oi me Caesars. And that is not all—thousands, yet unborn, will learn to lisp the praise of J. S. Calloway; for, 1 tell you, sir, he is the best man 1 ever saw ! and M this time doing more good than any minister within all my acquaintance. May God, in his goodness, prolong the life of Joshua Callo way. The best method of perpetuating the gos pel *in its purity and power amongst our selves, and imparting stability to all our good institutions, is to live, and I’eei, and act in accordance with the obvious dispen- sation of the gospel, rommilled to us as a people, highly favored of the Loid, lest he come and remove our candle-slick, and leave us in judicial darkness. May God help me to remember what 1 have written. Yviurs, iiubohds, ~ JOHN W. WILSON. Sabbath School Convention. A Convention of the friends of Sabbath School instruction, was held, according to appointmen., at Grflln, Pika Cos. Ga., on Saturday, Sunday and Monday the 28, 2D, and 30th Dec. 1844. (I Alt iulrodnctory Sermon was delivered by Bio. Jno. Wilson of Cr;?wfordville, from *Deut. 6: 6.% “And these words ’which I coinmaud tliSe this day, shall bein shine heart: ArnHhon shall tcSch them dil igently unto thy children, and shaft talk of them when thou sittist in thine house, and when thou vvalkestby the way.” <fcc. Jno. W. Wilson was chosen Moderator, and J. R. Eskew. Clerk. The following names were then enrolled as delegates, most of them furnishing let ters Irout the churches, stating the amount of their contributions for the objects there in designated. From King's Hill, Joseph Smith, Jacob Smith, B. Barfield, E. P. Bolton—sl lor S. Schools. Mount Zion, —S. Jones, W. Ross— slo for Domestic Missions. Sardis ,—ll. Smith, J. R. Eskew, $20,- 00 for I).- Miss. Griffin, —T. Falkner, A.G. Colbert, A. Shackelford, J. It. Shackelford, $lO for Miss., $5 for S. S. Hebron, —15. Lee, .!• McLendon, $lO for Miss., $2 50 for S. S. Philadelphia, —J. S. Callaway, T. 15. Landrum, T. Eason, J. L. Head, VV.Tarp ly, W. L. Keinbrell $lO for Miss. $5 for S. School. Parin, —C. Purefoy, J. Bullock, $5 for Missions. Holly Grove, —11, 15. Walls, W. Har rison, $lO for Miss. Liberty, Pike, —L. Martin, E. F. Lew is, $0 Miss. $2 25 for S - S. Friendship, —S-. Stamper, S. Mattox. E. Keneday, F. Ellis, sll lot Miss. Towaliga. —W.Jarril, D LDuffee, I. Keembrill, T. 11. Connell, S. \V. Bowls, (. Bryant, D. Evans, sl2 Miss. $2 50 S. Schools. Flint River, -E. Harris, Jno. Williams, $2 for Miss., $3 perse. Macedonia, —J. Carter, J. H. Feeltlin, $lO for Miss., $0 50 for S. S. TntUinirCtf>tttnrnrtvnftvnf m.. —it, vv. .1. Stephens, $1 for S S.; Lee Strickland, $5 S. S.; Jno. Davis, $1 for S. S; Appointed J. S. Collaway, D. L. Duffee, L. Martin, A. Shackelford and T. Falkner a committee to arrange preaching. Appointed J. Carter, J. R. Eskew and A. G. Colbert a committee on finance. Appointed J. S. Callaway, J. Carter, J ll.Feelden, J. R. Eskew, and Jno. VV. Wilson a committee to arrange the busi ness to dome before the body, Appointed T. Falkner, A. Shackelford and Jno. VV. Wilson, to select a presbyte ry lor the ordination of a Deacon on Sab bath, at the request ol Griffin church. Adjourned to the Acadtrny at Candle light.—Prayer by bro. Carter. Met according to adjournment.—Prayet by bro. Callaway. Read and adopted the report of the com mittee on business, which is as follows. We the committee oil business would submit the following:—lst. We recom mend the adoption ol the following consti tution : Art. Ist. This body shall be called the Flint River Baptist Sabbath School Con vention. Art. 2nd. This body shall be composed of delegates from churches and Sabbath Schools, and of any individuals who may contribute, each church or school, being entitled to three delegates, who shall pre sent a letter certifying their appointment, and the amount of their contributions. Art. 3rd. The officers of this conven tion shall consist of an Executive Commit tee of five, to he chosen at each annual meeting who shall have power to fill any vacancy that may occur in their own body, a majority of which shall form a quorum foi busine.-s; whose duly it shall he to pro mote and encourage Sabbath Schools with in the bounds of the Flint lllvei Associa tion, and act as general agent in appointing special agents to carry out the objects of this Convention. Art. 4th. The funds shall he expended as follows: All donors maybe entitledto draw half the amount of their subscriptions in books at cost, the other half to remain as a permanent fund to operate upon, and up on the donor’s second application for hooks, he or she shall have them at cost: but those who may apply for hooks, who are not contributors to the object of this con vention, shall pay 25 per cent oii criSt.— When any donor or donois may wish to withdraw from this convention, he, she, or they, shall be entitled to their proportion of the permanent fund in books. Art. sth. No person shall be appointed as an officer of ibis convention unless he is a member of a regular Baptist church. Art. 6th. All persons friendly to the ob jects of this Convention, and who contrib ute to the same, shall have the liberty of speech and vote, and may receive the kind of books wanted. Provided they be on hand. Publisher— BENJ. BRANTLY. ■> Art. 7th. This fill her delibera tions shall be governed by the decorum of the Flint R,iver Association. Art. Bth. This constitution may be al tered or attended by Iwo thirds of the members pre&enl at any regular meeting of*; the convention. Adjourned to Monday morning 0 o’clock: prayer by bro. Shackelford. Monday morning, met According to ad journment—Prayer by bro. Stephens. Adopted the following Queries, and reso lutions * Ist. ,Query. Is it practicable to sustain Sabbath Schools in country congregations? Alts. It is, provided parents do their duty. 2nd. Query. Bo we consider Sabbath Schools of so much imporlauce that not withstanding the obstacles known to exist, is it thy ihM.y of the church to keep them up?—-Ans. We do. Resolved, That we recommend a more general use Ol the Bible in all our Schools and Colleges; Resolved, That we suggest to all Minis ters of the Gospel, the propriety of preach ing, at their earliest convenience, on the subject of Sabbath Schools, and of using their efforts to establish them. Resolved, That we approve the lesolu tion of the Baptist State Convention, au thorizing its Executive Committee to ap point an agent, part of whose business is*to travel through the Slate, and nrire upon the Churches the claims of Sabbath Schools ; ami that, as one object of the said Conven tion is to promote useful education, we deem Sabbath School Instruction a most im portant branch of it. Resolved, That each member of this Convention agrees, on his return home, to use all reasonable e(Tolls to get up and sus tain a Sabbath School within his neighbor hood. Resolved, That this CoTivention has seen and highly approves the proposition, as made by a gentleman of Georgia, in the Mjjjedgeville papers, in reference to dona tions to Sabbath Schools on certain condi tions, and cordially recommends lo our brethren and friends, who may be active in pioinoting Sabbath Schools, to avail them selves of the proposition; Resolved, That we recommend the Churches of the Flint River Association to observe the 3d day of July next as a day of prayer for the blessings of God on Sabbath Schools. Appointed the next meeting of this body at Griffin, on the 4th day df July next, Elected Rev. Joshua S. Calloway, John VV. Wilson, S. Stamper, A. Shackelford, am! .1. H. V’ -Smw (nn CuiauutUnu The Committee on Finance made the following report: For Sabbath School purposes, we have received, through the delegates to tins Con vention, in cash, s3t 85; and in subscrip tions, fiom the same source, SB I*2 50; by public collection, sll 56 in cash—which we h;lve,placed in the hands of A. G. Col bert, the agent, appointed by your Execu tive Committee. The unpaid subscriptions we.e placed in the hands of your Executive Committee. I: It ESKEYV, A. G. COLBERTj J. CARTER. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Convention be signed by the Moderator and Clerk, and forwarded to the Editors of the Christian Index, and Georgia Jefferso nian, lot- publication. JOHN W. WILSON, i\lod. Isaac 11. Eskew, Clerk. On Sabbath, the ordination of a Deacoil was atteeded to, and such was the solemni ty of the occasion, that all seemed to feci j and during the preaching and duties of the day, a (ixed attention seemed io pervade all persdilS. For the Christian Index. Salilmlli School (ioiivenlioii. Shiloh. Troup co., Ga., Dec. 29, ’44- Dear Rro. Raker —We are instructed, by the Sabbath School Convention, which met at this place on the 27th and 28th of December, to forward this report to ydu sos publication, which plan was adopted by the Convention. The Convention is to meet again at Ilepsibah, Trotip co., at which time the Churches are requested tri represent themselves by a delegation equal lo their representation in the Association; also, brethren Posey, Dawson, and Bacon, are requested to prepare and deliver ad dresses on ‘.lie occasion; [report.] The Committee of the Sabbath School Convention, (James Davis, Chairm.an-- John White, Tlios. Jennings, James Rain water, John Davenport,) to whom was re ferred the devising of some plan for getting up, and permanently establishing, SunddJ Schools and Bible Classes, in the bounds ol all the Churches in the Western Bap tist Association, beg leave to report as fol lows : The Committee, being deeply infpress-i ed with the great importance of Bible Class es and Sabbath Schools, upon the simplest and plainest principles of Bible instruction) have unanimously agreed to appoint and re quest the Ministers and Deacons of the Churches to enter fully into the work, on the following divisions of their labors, viz : Rev. James Rainwater—Hepsihah and Western : Rev. N. 11. Williams—Bethel NO. 4