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white heathen* in our own country. —
Give them faithful interpretations. They
need them more than the Karens for they
have bigotry and prejudice ami false teach
ing to contend against.
1 know that with the subtlety of fiends the
Presbyterians and their Rible Society hold
on to tho old version and cry ‘'the temple,
the temple of the Lord” is in danger. It
suits them. They love darkness. It per
petuates their reign. They are persever
i iglv hostile to us and our principle*.—
‘lheit opposition to the incorporation of
our Bible Society is more hitter and ungen- 1
ctous Ilian ever, and in iny opinion we can !
only have God's blessing, if we tin at/ the !
taw : let us not fail in one point, and then :
he will lie with us mid overthrow all oppo- 1
iition. I wish to rectify one particular of j
your editorial, viz. the Title, I call for no I
new translation of the Bible. I say and j
say with honesty, we have no inte.rprela- 1
lion oj God's /lihlc. What I cull foi will ,
he the only Enui.iah Bibi.f. in existence.
Our so called Bible is fearfully imperfect, j
Let the great truth go abroad and let ns not j
be afraid to meet it. We are not old wo-;
men, to hang on to James’s Bible instead ol j
Iho word of God, or cowardly soldiers ol j
Christ, to fear our opponents. !be period
is enlightened, if not noted lor piety.— \
Many arc sti red up to see the necessity’ of j
opening their minds to truth , through an
interpretation of God’s holy word; which
will heal divisions amongst his people, and
open their ryes to a uniformity of opin
ion, which is alone pievented hv this ver
sion. See a writer 11., in the Baptist Me
morial who is of the same way of thinking, i
Alts-interpretations have made these dis- 1
ferenccs of opionion on many subjects. — j
The limn lots come when the oppression [
and sin of ignorance “ami darkuc-s must j
cease. “In the course of human events” j
says oni eclehiaied declaration of indepen- I
dcnce. Isay, in the fullness of time, it i
has pleased the Lord to burden many sin
cere minds with this matter, null', and wlmj
see ‘his salvation* in its consummation. To ,
us are committed tin* oracles of God. It
restsjwith us to give them to the pimple.—
If we do not, there is no denomination who I
will. Let us ponder on our position, ami
take a calm survey of the world, and ask
ourselves, whether God has not raised us
up as a people to be a light to the world.—
If so are we doing all he would do if on
earth, and if wo do not, what will be the
consequences? He will overthrow us.-—j
Arc we purifying his temple, or are we en
gaged in bowing down to those who came J
out from the Scarlet mother, aad retain 1
some of the doth. Old errors are being j
revived in the world; new ones are spring
ing up on all sides. Very few of these J
who surround us are Christians, and whan
aro we doing. I will tell you what some j
of our Northern Brethren are doing lately, |
assuming the Romish title, oj Bishop, and j
putting on Bandy garments, called gowns, 1
making old women of themselves, for ef
fect. Would Paul have so done ? O tein
pora ! o mores ! Spirits of the persecuted !
martyrs what would you say to your dr-!
generate successors, who are paving the j
wav for a broad distinction between clergy j
ami laity i mis organ rapary. tsue'n ‘
distinctions are. not in the llihle. These
Bishops will, I dread, oppose interpretation, |
as it would reduce their high-sounding pre- 1
latie title to that of “overseers.” They
will oppose the word of God lo save their
titles. See what one sin does. Kncroarli
menl on your valuable columns prevents
me adding much more, hut as I am engag
ed in a work to expose the false passages
or words or some of them in our present
version, if you will occasionally give urn a
corner in your columns, I will cnmmiiiiicalc
my researches for the benefit of your read i
ers and to excite a spirit of deep and mix- 1
ions enquiry. I add my own name ami ad
dress to my communication*, so that you I
may not ho responsible for the sentiments
contained in them. You name the Ger
man Lexicographers. I agree with you \
heartily, hut the modern German School ol j
Divinity is rotten with transcendentalism !
am! other trash. They have been the pur- j
ist Lexicographers in Europe, and with
Hederieus, Sehrevelius, Fabrus, and manv
others, in our hand, we may defy Pedobap
tists and all other schismatics in the world.
But this does not inform the unlearned.— ;
We might call a convention of the oilier
denominations and if they would not at
tend our call, we should know and ought
to do our duty. Awake, brethren. North,
South, East and West, and irrite this mat- \
ter into notice!
Yours in Christian faithfulness,
H. S. ROBERTS. M. G.
Abbeville C. IL. 25th Jan. 1815.
For the Christian Index.
Primitiic Churches—Brnevolrnt Societies.
Grfenvii.le, Ga., Jan. 23, 1845.
Deal Bro. Baker —l have been a sub
scriber to the Index about ten years, during
which time 1 have had the pleasure of ad
dressing the editor only a few limes. In so
doing, I of course hoped 1 should do no
harm—and, until very recently, could tits
covei no particular good arising from it.
Upon perusing a copy of the Memoirs of
Elder Jesse Mercer, I find two letters di
rected to brother A', upon the benevolent
operations of the day; which, it seems,
were written and published in the Index in !
1830. Being tho individual referred to, in
said letters—knowing the great solicitude
felt at lh.it time by myself and othei broth-!
ren—and seeing, in consequence of the ac-!
lion we then took in the matter, the good
that has, in the Providence of God, grown
out of it —l take flesh courage, on the pre
sent occasion, in trying to address you, as
editor, on several subjects appertaining to
the Baptist denomination . and this 1 do,
not because I wish to have anything from
mo published, but merely to communicate
some things that may enable you to glean
the subject matter of a dissertation yourself.
J live here in Western Georgia, where.
[ as you well know. Regular Baptists are sur
rounded by more potent difficulties than
i probably exist in anv other section 41 the
j Slate. As Baptists, we are divided : some!
i Regular—some Missionaiy—some Anti-|
missionary—some Whit cites —-some Hard-,
I shells—some Soft-shells—some Autino
i mians—some Arminians—some Campbell*
! ites—some Liberal—some Illiberal—some
| Miserly—some Profligate—and not a few;
Drunkards ; and yet all profess to be in the 1
good old paths, and sing, with cxtacy, the i
[lines found in the Cluster:
“Children of ilie Heavenly King,
As ye journey sweetly sing.”
Now it is very evident, that there really j
do not exist hilt two kinds of Baptists, not
withstanding so many names aie assumed
in different sections, under dissimilar cir
cumstances; consequently, if we could
eradicate fiom the minds of Baptists every 1
name that has hitherto been applied to, or’
assumed by them, and then present to them j
the names of rig/it and wrong Baptists, !
uiih appropriate Banner* lor each, l rim
quite sure that the right Baptists would!
form a very large, respectahl -. and fonnitl- i
able church of true believers,,who wopld I
move on in concert like a team of horses’
; in Pharaoh’s chariot , while,.outhe other
j band, wrong Baptists would rnunfflr lew,
j and soon dwindle down to naught.
I see, from reading the Index, lhat effort
[after ellurt has been made to re-unite our
| divided and scattered ranks,and yet nothing
[scarcely has been done, I letir this will
| continue to he the ease, while the piesenl
organization of the churches lasts. Though |
a Missionary Baptist, according to the or
der ol these days—and though t referred to!
some letters addressed to me in 1836, by j
Elder Jesse Mercer—and though said let-!
tcr.-i were satisfactory, in a judgment ol
| charity—l am nevertheless (as is the case!
i with many, very many, Missionary Bap-1
lists,) opposed in hiding to the present j
Missionary audolher benevolent operations, 1
Our displeasure is at tho effect, and not the I
i cause. It must lie dearly satisfactory In 1
j a y New-'Testament reader, that the Apos-1
tics no; only went, and preached lothchea-i
then, but that tliev impressed tile obligation
“pun ollient, to do likewise. Nevertheless,
II icy met in church and assoeiniionul capac- i
■tv, as church members, ami did all in that
way. in contradistinction to the present
Society operations. Their plan was in ac
cordance with divineappointment and none
could successfully gainsay it; hence effects j
arising were permanent, and lasting; ami
hence no particular division took place with |
[ the churches in those days. Contrast the \
| elTccls of primitive missionary operations,
j with the effects of ilie present plan and or
ganization ol the Baptists. We are now
\ ‘lvnW*il v oix-lt lrviuVttrg ).m mill v mma,
lin order, and superioiity in contending for
the laitli once delivered to the saints. Each ‘
one admitting die rest to be clirtsltatis, in
heart, but sinners in understanding. A-;
mono us we have very manv anti-mission-:
ary brethren, many of whom tire worthy
members of their respudive churches ; and
not a few of whom, would delight in a re
union, provided it could he clfected in the
right way. My old Father in Christ,
Jonathan Nichols, is very solicitous, and
thinks it might he done, hv setting up a
standard, that all Christians could come to.
lie thinks, the missionaries have some
humps that need topping olf on the one
hand, and the anti-missionaries on.the oth
er; some sinuses that need filling up.—
Consequently, when the standard, for fel
lowship is set up, and brotherly love resior
ed, it will he nceessaiy to settle down upon
duty and practice; The question will then ;
arise, “What shall he the practice amongst
the Baptist churches? Will they return j
to primitive order, ami endeavor as fat ns!
the Lord will enable them, to aid and sus- !
lain not only the preacher sent, Imt also, the
poor brethren, in all nations ?” All this, i
1 hope, will take place, in my time. 1 [
i long to see it. But why talk about imnro-1
i liabilities ‘ I know the present missionary j
j operations have In come so deep rooted and j
grounded in the minds of some, that no j
other plan would suit them ; and in like !
manner some are so imbitteredagainst mis
sion efforts tb.it a plan suggested within the
pales oi the chinch, would scarcely be re
ceived by them. Act no other plan will
ever succeed. Such an one in my opion
ioti would finally overcome any obstacle,
and unite all good brethren of both parties.
This opinion is the more freely express
; ed, because I believe, ere long, the South
jern and Neither” Baptists will split entire
ly asunder in all their benevolent opeta
’ lions, and then by remove one grand on-
I jcclion many have urged in Western Geor
j gitt against the several Society* operations, j
It is a fact, well known to me, tin t the inis- j
; siouary Baptists have been accused, in aid-’
j htg and abetting the Northern Baptists, in j
itheir abolition movements in unit-;
J ‘g with them in the several benevolent op- !
: orations of the day, It is a fact also, that
| our anti-missionary brethren have told us |
ail aumg that the ultimate design of North
ern Baptists, was abolitionism; and that
the Societies were intended to draw us in j
j vimperceptibly) until they could get thp ad-;
i vantage!! llow far their predictions are [
iiki lv to mine to pass, may be ascertained ‘
by reviewing die conduct of the board ol
missions, in the case of bro. Reeves, Sic. j
If tlu n, a separation, in benevolent oper-;
atidns most take place; and if all lhatis’
now done by Societies, can be dine by
churches, associations, and conventions,
[ dliat- doth hinder n union of the clinches
iii the South? Our anti-missionary übreth-j
I re n. in this section, arc not
in spirit. Far from it, they are ont*- anti
society. They believe the cfuft'eAts are
sovereign and independent bodies ; and that
when sitting tn gospel order they are not
i amenable to any other body ; and thdt con
sequently they are the only ecclesmstical j
Judges of the manner, method, andlxtent I
of fulfilling lhat great ride, laid down by
1 the Saviour and carried out hyhhe epistles,
j “to go into all the world and pteacli the ;
gospel to every creature.” They wsh to j
see the Bible circulated, and the minister j
go as lar as he is able, and bis brethren to
enable him to go still farther, and yet to go’
111 the name of Goo, and with lhe 4approbn
i lion of the “churches, and not societies. It,
lis true some few, as before stated, might!
; object to missionary and otic r betjjAolent
1 operations in any form ; but they would be ‘
j few, and coultl do the churches littlejiurm,
! compared with thp evil no.v existing**! ac- j
j count of divisions. I hope, ill conclusion,
1 that, from the impel feet ideas whiehThive
attempted to throw together, you tray be
able to oudeisiand me. so as to enable von
I so give the subject a serious thought and >
I spread before the readers of the Index
something in a more tangible form ; some
thing lhat will set the heads of sonic of the j
good men of Israel to work and figure out,
if possible a plan lor 1 (-union nf Baptists
upon apostolical faith ami practice. A re
! union is desirable, I think, Inin several
[considerations. It is desirable because 1
chrisl aiis professing the same faith, —be-
j longing strictly to the same household—
j should have each others spiritual assistance.
, And it is desirable because a house divided 1
j against itself cannot stand. And it is fur- j
| liter desirable, because it would gladden the I
I hearts of hundreds, who are now bowed j
I down with grief and sorrow, on account of;
I the distracted condition of our churches.
! May the great Head of the church (dispose :
j us all, f r action, and give us all, the spirit
!of love, charity, and brotherly kindness,
and lead 11s all in the way we should walk,
is my prayer,
JOS. W. ANTHONY.
N. B. Jam heartily glad that some of
the brethren have taken the subject of camp j
meetings into serious consideration. I
stand ready at all times to record my pro
j test against them; pteferiing regular and I
protracted meetings, in all cases, (’amp
meetings have done the Baptist no good, j
but rather harm in our section of the State. 1
I hope the Baptist will leave them in the j
hands of others. J. \V. A. 1
■ !
lor the Christian Index.
Oil Creeds. —No. 3-
,
If it is important that there he some cer [
j tain point, or centre of union,around which i
all may rally, I would ask, what objection
can there he to the system of laitli that lias
been submitted, and united upon, by the de
nomination, from time immemorial ? If it
is not the truth, let us abandon it; if it is
consistent with Bible truth, let us never
shrink from it.
It will hatdiv he denied, by those who j
understand the subject, that union or fel- j
lowship, in a church capacity, should Ik: in- 1
tended to glorify God in the mutual edition- j
lion and happiness of the members, and in!
holding forth the word of life, by a uniform j
cultivation of the cluistian graces and do- j
ties required in the Gospel. For the at
tainment of these desirable etuis, the union
] must not only be apparent, but real; and,
lo be real, it must be founded upon a unity
j of piineiplcs, of sentiments, and of objects.
: But, from the great variety of religious
[ views, derived professedly limn the Bible,
; it is impossible, in the nature of the case, 1
j for professors to understand the principles, j
i sentiments, and aims of each other, with- j
lout a thorough examination. If, for in-!
| stance, of two professors, one lidiciiles!
t and despises experimental and practical re
i ligion, as a phantom conjured up in the
i brain of the feeble-minded, hv the craftiness 1
of the aspiring priesthood—while the other
regards it as fruits of the teachings of the
Holy Spirit—although both profess faith illj
the same Lord Jesus Christ, it is very evi- j
Hem, at the first glance, that, whatever may
he their views, or professed views, of the 1
fact, relating to Jesus Christ, there is a dis
crepancy of principle and sentiment which
forbids the most distant hope that any real
good can result from such a union and fel
lowship. A great and good man observed,
on certain occasions—“ Even thieves and
robbers cannot enter into, or expect to
j maintain, their dreadful confederacy, with
: out possessing similar principles, and under
standing fully the aims of each other.” If,
; therefore, it he discovered, by fair experi
j inent, that individuals, having professed to
j unite with a church upon certain definite
j fundamental principles, possess those which,
! if known, would have prevented the union,
then it is difficult to conceive how any good
reason or authority can he drawn Irani
j scripture, to justify a continuance of the
[ union : for, as thelawlTilness and expedien
i ey ofthe union must depend upon a oneness
of principles, sentiments and aims—so no
j possible circumstances can render it lawful
i or expedient, where these aro utterly dis
! cordant. For how can two walk together,
[except they be agreed? An avowal of[
these sentiments is an open declaration of
war, a commencement of hostilities,against
those principles and doctrines, that order
j and discipline, which the great body of the
; English afld American Baptists hold as fun
damental. And there is reason to believe
that those ministers who can, at pleasure,
vibrate from high-toned Calvinism to an
ism far below the lowest—the lowest grade
;of Arminianisin, can assume and adopt
j whatever is most convenie.it, as easily as j
1 Shechem believed in, and submitted to, cir- j
! cumcision. There are many that are ever!
learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. There is no evil
; against which we are more advised and
j cautioned in scripture, than this—which
shows not only the evil of patty strifes, but
’ the unhappy bias under which we naturally
tend to divide :in<L break asunder the cords!
which bind us together in unity and peace.!
i To avoid these, however, as being contrarv !
to the whole'genius of the Gospel, wc
should enter primarily into the arms of all l
those who unite in * church. Hence, if a;
1 single member of a “church adopt his own
•steed, that church can have no security for
its future pe ace, unless it abolish its consti
[ tntion, renounce its own creed, and adopt
that of the individual member. She may
■ thus follow many wandering stars, and
change as often as the wind.
Amid the great contentious which pre
vail in the Christian world, we cannot expect
much from Lntiludinarian Baptists. The
annals of the church furnish no instance in
which they have sacrificed much in defence
’ of truth, but they afford many instances of
tergiversation and dereliction,
JAMES BERRYMAN.
For the Christian Index.
I liurcli Dissolved.
I lie Church at Snndfort, for the want of
[ a regular pastor, and by tho removal of
members, came to the determination that it
would he best lor them to dissolve. Ac
i cordingly, tlipycalled for several Ministers,
1 who met with the Church on the second
[ Saturday in this month. After hearing the
condition of the Church, the Ministers!
j agreed with them that it would he more for!
the glory of God, for their) not to attempt to !
I keep house any longer. The Church, in j
j view of her death, willed her Church-book
! and papers to the nearest sister Church, au
j thorizing them to transact any business j
j that may he necessary with reference to)
I them dining their existence as a Church.
[ Bite ministers then formed themselves into
| a presbytery and gave each member a letter,
j Bid we do right ? None present had
; ever seen a Church dissolved. W. B. J.
I Society Hill, Ala.
For the Christian Indr: .
A Proposed Remedy for Ills. Noticed by Mntliclcs.
Daiu.onf.oa, Jan. 19, 1814.
I Bro. Jlal.tr —l sc-c, in a late number of
j your paper, one of your correspondents com
plaining of the practice, too common among
Baptists, of talking at Church, and particu
larly out of doors, sometimes of politics,
sometimes of crops, dry weather, hard
limes, Sic. This kind ol conversation, on
| some occasions, lasts for nearly an hour ;
; and I have no doubt is much regretted bv
I °
the more pious pmtof the Church—and that
1 they would gladly be instrumental in re
-1 forming a habit, so derogatory to good or
i der in a religious assembly. I have, there
! fore, taken my pen to remark, that if those
| who disapptobate the course, to which al
lusion is here made, would themselves go
into tho house, as soon as they arrive at the
place of worship, and commence singing
some suitable hymn, to prepare the mind
for the services ofthe day, it is probable a
great portion of jhe evil would be averted ;
! and, perhaps, some good impressions would
be made on some wandering minds.
li the preachers would impress this duty
! @n the deacons, and tire deacons would call
j on the brethren and sisters for assistance, it
would he no very difficult 1 natter to engage
a large portion of the congregation in this
; delightful exercise, until the hour for
; pleaching arrive.-.
I make tins suggestion with the more
confidence, because I have witnessed some
[ofthe beneficial influences of the course
I here recommended—and believe that none,
: who have witnessed its influence on tlicor
| der of the congregation, disagree with the
opinion here expressed.
A BAPTIST AT DAHLONEGA.
[\Ye should he glad to hear from the au
thor ol the above as often as he may find it
convenient to write.—Ens.J
A Sound Opinion,—l positively never
know a man in the country who was too
poor to take a Newspaper ; yet, even many
respectable people read no papers but what
they borrow—as 1 speak generally, 1 hope
Ito ollend none. Il l do, the greater the
; necessity to speak on. Every man is able
• conveniently to take a paper. Tho cost is
five cents a week. How many, who think
i j themselves too poor to take a newspaper,
II pay as much daily for mere trifles?— Dr.
1 Franklin.
The Dublin Monitor states that the O’-
Connell rent, for the last year, amounts to
the enormous sum of twenty-eight thousand
’ eight hundred and fifty pounds sterling—
'; about one hundred and forty-four thousand
■ dollars.
> .
PENFIELD.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1845.
Explanations.
The money handed us, some weeks
since, for brother-J. T. S. Park, by Dr.
Turpin, we placed to the credit of Robert
Morris, anew subscriber, whose name
brother Paik enclosed as a N’^BkY ear’s
Gift, in the letter handed us T.—
Brother Park had
vance lo lan. 1817. The 85 00 us
at the same time by Dr. TANARUS., for Mrs. E.
Farrar, we acknowledged, incorrectly, as
coming from brother P. instead of Dr. T.
The memorandum given us did not specify
whether it was paid by Dr. T. or bro. P.
The SI 00 for the Baptist Preacher, was
paid to brother Keeling for brother Park—
was that right ?
To another. —Dr. E. J. Palmer’s credit
was extended two years to Oct. -15 : it was [
omitted, we ptesume, in copying from our
cash book. Mrs. E. G., according to our
books, is in artears one year.
Bio. J. H. Calloway is referred to our
receipts. The credits mentioned by bro.
Perryman will be regulated as he directs.
We found $2 50 unappropriated, and not
knowing how to apply it, credited it to the ‘
new subscriber. Cosby’s name was
omitted in the letter.
Baptist Statistics in Ya
There are, in thalState, 82,500 Baptists,
of whom more than 10,000 were baptized
last year. There arc 35 Associations, ol
which 12 areopp sedto missionary efforts. I
These 12 have 48 ministers, 6854 mem
bers, and received by baptism last year on
ly G3. The number of ministers in these j
altogether, is riot double that of one of the !
Mission Associations. One of the lattet 1
contains more than twice as many rommu
nicants as the whole of the former ; and i
that Mission Association, which received
the smallest number by baptism, last year, !
received more than all the others combined, j
Rev. N. R. Granbcrry, Misssi.ssijipi. — !
We regret lo learn that this active and be
loved brother has not only sufi'cied the loss
of an endeared child, hut has also sufleted
the 10-s of health and is reduced to a low
stale, by an inflammation ofthe lungs.
Close Communion.
We this day commence the publication
of an Essay on this subject, prepared by
special request, by Rev. Dr. I)ag<>.
—The completion of it, in this form,
will require, perhaps, some four or live
Nos. of our paper. But we are, at the
same time, making arrangements to give it
to the public in a mote portable size—a
pamphlet, or small hook, less in dimen
sions than Jewett on Baptism. To ask an
attentive perusal of its contents, would he
almost superfluous. The reputation of its
author, for mental power and resources, as
well as for Christian courtesy anil brotherly
kindness, is sufficient to ensure this. The
iriends of the theory and practice it advo
cates will read it, in the expectation of find
ing their own opinions nblv defended ; and
those on tho opposite side will read it, if
from no higher motive, under the influence
o! curiosity, or of a desire lor an intellectu
al least.
It is foreign from our wishes to attempt
,o forestall public opinion, ns regards the
i merits of this essay. We would not, if we
[could; and we could not, il we would.
But if we mistake not, i! will produce a
! sensation. It seems to us to he the verv
thing the truth has needed lor a score of
years past. It is so cheap, that everybody
can buy it; so small, that everybody can
spare time to read it; so plain, that none
j cun fill to understand it ; and we add, so
1 conclusive, that few will remain uneonvin*
1 ccd by it.
Robeit Hall, although a Baptist, is the
; only author, worth reading, who has ever
, appeared on the IV lobaptisl side of the
. question. P.vdobapiists admit this, and do
! little more than reiterate his thouhts.
e
Fuller, and all others, who have encounter
ed this gieal ‘1 heologieal Napoleon, have
attacked him in the detail. This has been
their error. Tho present essay attacks him
; in the aggregate, and routes his whole lor
i res at once. This is tho way lo do the
work, and the only way. If an old build
ing is to be taken down, the way to do it is
not to tear ofl'a plank here, <fc a timber von
i der; but to fasten ropes to the under-pin
ning. stand at a sufficient distance lo avoid
the crash, and fetch a pull. Why expose
one’s self to the trouble and agony of put
ting to the bayonet a whole regiment, one
by one, when, by placing them i:i a line,
one shot from a twenty-four pounder will
do the work. We are no advocates for
war, except in self-defence, and for the
maintenance of national honor; but if on
: the high seas we must encounter a foe,
j whose bravery, as well as our own, will
! conquer oi perish, we would rather than
I put each man to the sworJ, fire a shot into
1 the magazine.
! Thus summary is the process of this lit
tle Tract. Robert Hall sets out to prove
that no condition is necessary for coinmii
i nion, which is not necessary for salvation.
Ilis first premise is, that Hie wotd church
is used in scripture only to mean— lst,
! The whole body of the faithful, or the in
; visible Catholic church ; and 2nd, All pro
fessing believers in any one place, us Rome
or Corinth. His second premise is, that
whatever entitles to fellowship in the first,
does also in the last, since the last sustains
to the first the relation of a part to the
whole. The conclusion is irresistible: But
the second branch of the first premise is
false, because the word church is seldom
used in that sense ; and in connexions, re
garding this argument, never. Its common
use respects a congregation of persons pro
fessing faith in Christ, and assembling in
one place for worship. This premise is,
therefore, lalse : the second is equally so—
because church, in the congregational
sense, and this is the only sense in which
it has anything to do with this discussion,
does not sustain lo the invisible church the
relation of a part to the whole, but is alto
gether a different organization. Robert
Hall does not state bis premises In these
few words, and this close order. Any
mind, of one hundredth pait the sagacity of
his, would have detected such errors at a
glance. But this is his argument : and we
do now wonder at ourselves, and everybody
else, who has examined the subject, that it
never was exposed before.
Wc have time only to si’hmil the Table
of Contents, which is as follows :
Introduction.
Chapter I —The Question Slated.
Chapter 2 —Review of Mr. Hall’s Trea
tise “ On Terms nf Communion.”
Chapter 3—The Question Discussed.
flection I—The Lord’s Supper designed
for Churches: The Church Catholic : Spi
ritual Communion: Rauimlar Churches:
Ceremonial Communion. 2—Baptism a
l’re-requisite. 3—Toleration. 4—Con
clusion of the Argument.
Chapter 4—Miscellaneous Topics.
I —Perfect Communion. 2 —Divisions
among Christians. 3—John's Baptism.
4—Argument from the Signification of the
Sacraments. s—Sacramental Efficacy.
o—Why Strict Communion has appeared
Odious. 7 —The Spirit with which Strict
Communion should he practiced.
Chapter s—Address to Christians of
other Denominations. 11. K.
Alabama Baptist.
W e exceedingly rcgretjthe course, which
the editor of this paper has thought proper
to pursue towards us, as wc desire to live’’
and labor with him on brotherly terms.—
From his remarks, and those of another of
the fraternity in Marion, (on a late editorial
of ours, relative to Mercer University,) it
seems to be his desire to produce the im
; pression on otir Alabama brethren, (proba
! hl v to curtail the circulation of the Index in
Ala.) that wc are arraying Georgia inlcr
! cats against theirs, than which nothing can
!be further from the truth. AVc have rom
i mended the editor —his paper —his school
—Howard College —the people of Morion
—blit all ibis avails us nothing, so lono* as.
Mordccai-likc, we refuse to bow the km c to
this modern Hainan, and acknowhdge him
i and his clique to be infallible and superior
\to “all creation besides.” The more we.
i esteem this brother, (and esteem him wc
! certainly do, and that highly,) the more
do we regret his course.
Wc cast no reflections on anyone, in the
(editorial which has awakened the warlike
I propensities ofthe editor and his aid-de
| vamp. We said nothing that we consitlei
ed disparaging to Howard College ; but we
: had the tcineriiy to express the honest con
| vaction of our mind, that a scheme, which
( he Inis thought proper to advocate, must in
j evitably fail of success ! Wc did not spear
<l this scheme with any special reference
to Alabama, or Howard College ; but spoke
, “fit in a general way. Our remarks were
fully as applicable to institutions in South
and North Carolina and Virginians to How
ard College. \\ hv did not ourbiethren in
those Stales take umbrage at them ? We
can conceive of but one answer—lt takes
a (we will not say who or
what, for fear of further offence,) —to see
throi.gh a millstone.
omt POSITION.
We contend, 1. That there is,at present
no Baptist institution in the South which
i afloids due advantages to those who would
go through a thorough theological course
of instruction.
2. That there should be such an institn
lion.
3. That the attempts to get up a theolo
( gieal school of a high order, in connection
; with literary institutions in each State, tends
lo prevent the establishment of such an in
stitution as is needed in the South.
4. That the attempts must inevitably
fail of success and eventually be aban
doned.
We may succeed in sustaining in each
State one who shall he, nominally at least,
a professor of Theology ; but this we should
view as a positive evil, lor two reasons : 1„
It would tend to prevent the establishment
of a Theological school of a high order.—
2. It would induce some to content them
selves with a mere smattering of theology,
who would otherwise go through a regular
j theological course of studies. Note, that
we do not deem it either necessary or desir
i able lhat all our young ministers should go
[ through a full course of theological studies,
but we do deem it important that some
should, unless we would rely on the North
for our professors, city pastors, <fcc. To
such a state of dependence on the North
ice shall ever object, whatever those may
do, who are engaged in the wholesale im-