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JOSEPH S. BAKER—Editor.
VOL. XIV.
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letters oil business, orcommunications
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: For the- ~
.•nr. ■ 0.
lira. Maker, —I was not a little surprise
ed at your editorial remark, expressive ,6l
“regiet,” that the discussion of the subject
embraced in tny communications, had been
“introduced into your columns i” and, not
less so, at lire reason assigned. 1 had sup
posed that the Christian Index was intend
ed to point the honest enquirer to all gos
pel truths, so lur as they were understood
hv-its Editor, or contributors , and that its
“columns,” were not only ripen to, hut in
vited discussion upon all controverted or
important subjects, in which Ifihie truth
was involved : and l can scarcely conceive
of anv truth, in which the olory ol the Ite
rleemer, the purity and wdl-bciog ol the
church, and the happiness of mankind, is
unite intimately involved, than that which
I have assayed, {though in a feeble man
ner,) to *■ licit discussion upon, lloubtless,
all questions have a right and a wrong side
to them, and 1 have been taught, il l mis
take not, by the pious and erudite editor of
the Christian Index, as well as others, that, j
‘•truth tire 1 not fear investigating.”
If il lie a valid reason why r niff subject I
should not He discussed, because •‘‘plausi j
Ido arguments may ho adduced on both
sides of tile question,** then, I would 3S&,
whv “your, tnduoilis’* ate so illicit tilled
with dtscussiitns oil the subjects ol liapttsili,
election, atoiicinont, &e. fir. ! Are there
not “plausible arguments adduced on both
sides” ot these subjects J II not, why
sm-h diversity oj.jipmiou in reference tlierN
to ( Or, is it hoc ui e bro. linker thinks it
••I lc<s importance, to deh’.ml the holy sac
iament of tin- [end’s Supper, from a tlelil
iiicr iiiiiovation that be “legrets ’ its discus
sion J Surely not.
It was ,biu mine “platiaiblo arguments”
Joel been “adduced;” —“arguments,” how
ever. in my jJTifgineht, more specious than
solid, in favor of inebriating wine, Uilh as .
a symbol of the hftitfd of Christ, as well as
acoinimm beverage, that 1 desired to see
the subject thormighly ilist'us-ed ill the col
umns of the hub x ; i)eliviftg tltai its able
Editor, or some of its learned contributors,
would be able to detect the “pint fiblii” ur
ro, and make the truth manliest, Ami for
this reason 1 tun dwsitous to see ali contro
verted theological questions discussed, un
til the brighter glories ol the millennia! day
sh ill tlrivu :iH helcriHloX opinions from the ,
world. Aud IntflW end.i believe (t ♦*>- l>v
the duty of Christians, to “earnestly coil*
inul for the fa (It, delivered to the saints,”
which l conceive to embr cc tt i Bible doc
trine and primiti ■ christinn practice.
I honestly differ liom you, liro. Baker,
in the belief, that “alter twelve mouths
discussion, the subject would he left pre
cisely where it was found.” My own past
experience, and the history ol the discus
sion of the “wine question,” shew a con
trary result. It lias been hut a few years
since the discussion oi this subject coin- j
menced, and now, there are, probably, ten
or fifteen bundled churches in the United
States, atotte, who have banished alcoholic
winti from the Eucharistic “cupand lens
of thousands wtuk Christians, like myself,
who Itelive it morally wrong, to use the
wines of commerce, now in general use, in
commemorating the dying love of our Sa
viour. Within my very limited acquain
tance, there are a goodly number of pious
sml intelligent brethren, ol difeient deuomi
natinns, who conscientiously believe that
nothing should he used in the communion
“cup” but tlv unlermented juice of the
grape; and among these are some mins
ters, distinguished for talents, piety ami
-Jiojy zeal lor the cause of their divine Mas
ter. One of these ministers remarked to
me, not long since, that if there was no
other reason, the danger to which there
claimed and conveited inebriate is exposed,
ought to be sufficient for banishing intoxi
cating liquor from the sacred “cup.” In ,
one of this beloved brother’s churches, is a
member of ten years standing, who was re
claimed from degtaded intemperance, who
has never tasted the contents of the sacra
mental “cup,” for fear of having his vitia
ted appetite for strong drink aroused: he
• says lie “dare not touch itand the church
F hears with him. Can it be right, bro. Ba
ker, for a church of Christ, to provide such
a “cup,” which his disciples “dare not
touch” ft fear of being templed to drunk
enness again ? Surely not. Besides, if
the article provided, was such as the Sa
viourused at the institution of the ordinance,
how dare the church to wink at so impor
taut a neglect of duty ? It is perfectly as
tonishing to me, that any can object to us
ing the innocent linferinented juice of the
grape at the communion, when it is so ob
vious, that it was the very kind of drink
the Supper by the Saviour. And
ve!Pm ..'SSSWJWnce ofitnmemorial custom,
and “plausible,” but erroneous “argil
THE CHRISSAN INDEX.
meets,” theie are many Who do. Some
good brethren, in the honesty of their
hearts, contend, because Webster & Walk
er detine wine tube “the fermented juice
ol the gwtpc,” that the Saviour used intoxi
c a ling wir.e ; forgetting that th€ same lexi
cographers define the fresh juice of the
grape, or “Must,” to be “new wine unfer
mented.” But it should be recollected,
that the sacred writers do not use the
term wine, in connection with the Lord’s
Supper?"but the “fruit of the vine.” And
surely, un fermented gtape juice, is inure
properly the “fruit of the vine,” than after
it imbibes another principle, through the
process of fermentation, poisonous in its
nature and demoralizing in its tendency,’
when used as a beverage.
I avtiwSTWii -• Baker,.my animadversion
upon your briefremark upon my commit
mention; fer I assure : vmt lain influenced
by-itn other, than kind feelings towards
yourself, and all others who may differ from
me in opinion. The subject has enlisted
my feelings, ami ITeared your remark,
coming from so popular a theological dis
putant, would operate as an extinguisher
to .enquiry, though, perhaps, undesigned
by you.
In the number of die Index containing
my hot c.iii.iiiimieation, and E your remark,
I observed the notice of the death ol the
Uev. Dr, Chapin ; will you be so good :s
to publish in your columns, the enclosed
thoughts upon the proper symbols of the
blood ol Christ, whit li 1 have transcribed
I tom his printed w Tilings upon that subject?
So that ‘‘though dead.” he may “yet speak”
upon that important and interesting topic.
I tint nroml to he found in such company as
Dr. Chapin upon this subject, and feel that
the opinions 1 have exptessed, are ably sus
tained by his eloquent pen. It is very pro
bable I shall not again, intrude my crude
thi.tights,on this subject, upon your untie".
I slmiild ho glad il the enclosed could be
printed immediately after this, so that it
could lit- read in connection, hut tllis'.'Tleavo
to ywnT'*fctter judgment. tt
I aril still yotifs, in gospel bonds,
BAItTEMEUS.
Dec. 5, 1845.
Remarks. — We admit tbs above, though
we cannot well spare the spare it occupies.
Il it does no other go id il will eonvev re
prnol to those who are eoiuiuually. chiding]
us for admitting so much controversy into
our columns. I'hey will see how impos
sible it is lor us, however anxious ;ve mav
liu to do it, to pleast all parties. They
who object to controversy, and fthey who
desire more ol it, arc alii e worthy brelluen,
patrons and subscribers—in some respects,
onr masters. \\ ell hath the Saviour said
•ye cannot serve two masters.
Onr correspondent wholly misappre-
I bends the reason wc assigned lor regretting
die introduction ol ( this controversy into our
columns. The reason we assigned was
that ••toe t imid see no end to it.” The
: I act that plauribl - arguments might be in
. trailwtssimu both j-ides, was that which in
duceij-the belief that the controversy would
he endless, or. if it ever ended, would end
just where it begun. The subject has been
most extensively discussed and those who
wish to investigate the subject fully, can
procure, we presume, from Mr. Delavau of
N. \ ork, all the aigomcnls and alleged
lacl s that have been introduced in support
ol the views of our brother Barlemcus.
We ask that brother seriously to reflect,
what would he the eflect upon the circula
tion of our paper, were we to go into the
discussion ol that subject fully. We are
fully acquainted with the controversy, and
a.c confident it would occupy one third of
our little sheet. Cor one year, were we to
publish all, or the half of what has been
written on that subject. In the meantime,
we should lose one half onr subscribers and
then ha ye to slop our paper for the wai.t of
support.
The Dr. Chapin whose death was notic
ed in the Index was not Calvin Chapin,
hut Stephen Chapin, for many years Prcsi
ctentoftho Columbian College, J). C.
(11l Hit* Proper Symbol of the Blood of Christ.
11V THE REV., CALVIN CHAPIN, I). D.
“And the blood oj Christ eleunseth us
from sin. — l John 1: 7.
Ist. Unquestionably this precious assur
ance is expressed in figurative language.—
Its meaning, however, and right applica
tion, are not necessarily obscure; for, by
the blood ofChrisl, his sufferings amt death,
in behalf of sinners, are signified.
2. Moral agents, who, in heart, dislike
the holiness and law of the true God, are
sinners. Sin is the soul's pollution. “The
wages ofsin is death.” This decree is
just and right. It is eternal and immutable.
The highest welfare of Jehovah’s immense
dominions demands its execution. For
every transgressor, who will hale and for
sake the heart’s native dislike of the living
Gotl, and life holy acquisitions; and who,
by an affectionate trust, will become mor
ally and spiritually one with Christ, a death,
satisfactory to this righteous law, lias been
graciously suffered. That death is here
figuratively denominated, “The blood of
Christ.”
3. Another metaphor is prominent in
FOR THE BAPTIST CONVENTION Ol” THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
PENFIELD, GA„ JANUARY 9, 1846.
this blessed proclamation from heaven. It
is expressed by cleansing—by cleansing
from sin. It is a work which reaches and
renews the heart. It, of course, indicates
a moral puritication of live Vlepraved soul.—
The neart thus, cleansed, experiences,
while in probation, a partial deliverance
from the dominion ofsin. In immortality,
that deliverance will be complete and inter
minable.
4. Christ, the night in which lie was be
trayed, im United a sacramental memorial
of himself, lie enjoined its observance, to
remind his followers, that, because they are
sinners, death is their desert. Especially
by this sacrament, docs he repeat the as
tonishing truth, that he has suffered death
in their stead.—thus procuring'for them
influences, which fit them
for pardon, Justific!t/ioj|,an(l life everlasting.
In his person as Mediator —both divine and
Jninian—both God and .man —heaven’s un
repeatable law, pronouncing death on the
sinner is executed : and the
truth of Jehovah is manifested to his wit
nessing kingdom/ though penitent and be
lieving sinners, whom his own mouth had
condemned to die, are made holy—aro for
given—and will be blessed forever in reali
zing li is iufiniie approbation. Now, God
can be just, and yet justify every person,
who, in faith and love, will embrace the
principle of godliness.
5. Two material symbols are, by Im
manuel's order, to be received in the sacra
mental memorial of his sufferings and death.
These are bread and drink—the latter be
ing, in the constitution id’ this ordinance,
styled “The Cup.” Both denote, symbol
ically, the souls spiritual nourishment and
hope, Emphatically does the cup present
to view that victory over sin and Satan,
and that heavenly anticipation which ev try
faithful disciple, is warranted to enjoy,
when, by these symbols, a clear reiiiem
hrant'ii and strong impression of the ago
nies which Christ endured on the cross, are
produced.
6. t* symbol, for religious illustration, is
that natural object which Is selected to rep
resent a mojral reality. It should, conse
quently, he an article altogethet favorable
to the most edify ing and happy effect on
pious emotions, il should be, obviously,
appropriate—bearing a readily perceived
resemblance to the object which it is em
ployed to represent. If it dow not, the
impression will, at best, be inaccurate and
without force. ’ 1
7. Cleansing is intended by the symbol
,which the sacramental cup exhibits, By
cleansing is meant the removal of what is
vile ar.t! irtirc-lr-r, distnieliuM.
The metaphor before us refers, and is ap
plied to the mind. Sin constitutes the utt
cxcusablc baseness of the guilty soul.
8. It is the condemning sentence, justly
pronounced upon the penitent sinner, which
is canceled by the death of Christ? The
believers pm clou is, therefore, the inefl’abfe
favor affirmed by the declaration, that “the
blood ol Christ cleanses us from all
sin.” By shedding his blood, and dying
in eur stead, he prepared the way -for that
moral idealising which our souls need,
which we must experience, or never bo de
livered from the curse of the law.
9. An alcoholic, and therefore intoxica
ting, liquor, named wine, is received, hi.
iliu solemnities ol our religion, as a symbol
ol that cleansing blood, Such a peslifciii
material is taken as a memorial of that
death. It adds life and snength to sin, in
stead of slaying the detestable evil. Be it
spoiled cedar, or he it log-wood lea, min
gled with whiskey, and medicated with va
rious drugs; he it thus l-emlered exciting,
und palatable, and gratifying to an appe
tite, which wherever it exists, should be
forth with destroyed; or he it, if you will,
in some rare instances, and in a small parti
ol the foul compound, even in the juice ol
the grape: still, remember, that unless lire
contents ol the cup are unadulterated by
fi rumination, it lias ceased to lie the origi
nal and genuine “fruit of the vine,” It
possesses a nciv character. Ilis no longer
inoffensive Must. Rather, it is alcoholic
and intoxicating. It is, consequently, de
ceptive, as it affects spiritual experience.
Here, then, a solemn question arises, Be
tween the blood of Christ, in its qualities,
design and application, fi a liquor so vile in
its construction, and so dt filing in its effects,
can there be so much as a shadow of re
semblance? Ought a liquid, so corrupting,’
to be religiously employed ? Allow that it
has been sealed, treated as sacred by the,
traditionary custom of eighteen centuries'';
can any person rationally believe, that even
a tradition so inveterate, lias power to make
the poisonous fluid an appropriate symbol
of cleansing from sin ?
10. Wine, so called, and, of necessity,
in the Christian world at large, erroneously
so called, contains nothing sacramental, it
is believed, which harmonises with the
bidding of heaven—nothing which tends to
exhibit the atoning blood and death of
Christ—nothing, which, in the smallest
degree, tells concerning the great object at*
compiished by the wonders of our wigfl
F’oi, is alcoholiv drink a cleanser ? Tllr
injury regards no difference between the
real and the fictitious—between the ferment
led juice of grapes, or medicated whiskey,
or any olliei liquor from the distillery.—t
Who, now, but the fictitious, can be found
to lake such liquor, and apply it for the re
moval of impurities? llow then, can it be
an appropriate symbol of the blood divintt,
infinitely pure and precious, and which
cleanses from moral pollution? Trulyylt ,
seems evident as a sun-beam, in a dje!*
withljju clouds, that lew things, if any,
eitly (sci latiftjage or rhetoric, in sound
phjSßfef or , religion, can be imagined,
■'. .. , >T: - < rmtbiA u e uugrrroue.
TV'-.Hightio£ effects 6f driqkt
tfik’wk cktftolic. Call it wine ifyoU please.’
The” Jme is compitrltively nothing. Its
u’ be first, and most decidedly re-?
gref.-Yby the church. Its pernicious ef
fects its seen by millions, and suffered by
wre fees without number. This neleteri
ous cl jjjk stimulates the brain, throwing it
into unnatural and nihqanageablt: ejscite
ment| Ii agitates and distilibs..tlie tlirttfcing!
tacul'f of which the brahiuS’said to by the
orga ‘v Instead of cleatrsmg and ~6treifgtlie
nim jlie moral operaltous, it disturbs the
thin'dtg.aud reasoning exercises, stud pro
dtrwjtlSssirvg irregularity tiiid confusion,
aaiJSMfced u-itTi.jiy weakness and
debus,on. llow absurd, then, must be the
pretence, dial such a fluid constituted tlte
sacru.mental cup in the hands of C’lirist, or
■fiat •• could ever be commended by the au
thor jf Salvation. A t the time (If this in
s'• *tu ion, and fpi the paschal celebration in
ages preceding, fcrmcjited articles were or
dered, bn the severest penalties, to be ex
cluded” .mi tj;e habitations of the Lord's
people,;.. •
1- • Consider too, the effects of alcohol
ic drink on the heart This is the moral
department of the soul, As the haart
chu /sL's and acts, in relation to righteous
ireajtdnd sin, so is our standing in the eye
atUfphcision'of heaven. To litis moral de
part treat of the soul, therefore, the conse
quot <es of alcoholic drink, are, if possible,
nov deadly than to the understanding. In
to\„jgting drink, docs, undoubtedly, like
the Measures of sin, create a momentary
gtatdicaflon. It is, however, that soil of
joy which the wisest of mere men did long
silica pronounce, “the mirth of foots.” In
stead of cleansing and purifying, such
drink pollutes the heart. Strangely irra
jiutd must the claim he, that the intoxica
sy*Huid named wine—especially as the
w wbl generally has it—can ever have been
.selected by infinite benevolence, and made
essential, as a symbol of that blood which
cleanses the heart, and delivers it from the
despotic power sinning depravity. It ap
pears not to be doubted, that, with at least
ninety-nine hundredths of mankind, pollu
tion, not moral purification, is the sole leu
deTtcy and common effect of imbibing the
Irifbor now under consideration. What,
consequently, can the church do, that will
nitre effectually impede the progress of the
biased temperance cause towards perfec
tion, than to insist that an intoxicating sac
•'/- .afid ‘"un is iudispctisiblc to acceptance
and edification I
13. Bee, then, the conclusion at which
!! arrive, :tt:d on the correctness of which
we dike to rely. Let the inspited volume
be devWtly, inspected. Let this be done
withOuV refetMice to those popular com
ments,■‘which have no support, excepting
the tradition’ of nearly two thousand years.
In vain will'authority bit there sought, for
alcoholic drink in the sacramental cup. But
if mere tradition, without divine direction,
lurnishfes a competent warrant for such a
cup, why may not tradition be reviewed in
justification of war—of idolatry—or of sin
*■ us myriads of shapes? As well too,
noral evil, on a scale as wide as the
‘World, and as long as time, be proved pure
by tradition. Sin lifts been un the globe
much longer than the sacramental cup of
the Christian institute. If metaphors ate to
he employed to represent our privileges—
our hopes—our duties—inseparable Iron:
oitr accottntubleness to God, and our refla
tion to eternity, let them, excepting when
indubitably specified and described by in
finite wisdom, be so selected and under-
Jjfbiod, as to accord with the entire scope of
jlpviuc revelation. I'lten in their several
[pans and branches, they will be consistent
I with eacii other. Tin y will form a har
i rnonious whole. Particularly, be it regar
! fled and felt as supremely desirable, that be
’ cause moral cleansing and renovation from
j the mighty object ol Christianity, the prac
| tical application of symbols should be such,
j in accordance with revealed prescriptions,
ias most clearly to shew what is meant by
I the removal of sin’s dominion from the de
praved heart.
Far Hie ('hristiun Index.
Desultory Tiiouglils.—No 1.
‘•lt is of the greatest roneernment in the
.church and comrtiottwe,dt!i, to have a vigil
ant eye how book * demean themselves, as
well as men; and sometimes, (if necessary)
doing sharpest justice on them as malefac
tors.”— Milton.
“The trivial performances which daily
appear under the title of Lives, Adventures
and Histories, by anonymous authors, arc
most insipid and, it must be confessed, of
ten tend to deprave the morals, and to cu
courage dissipation and idleness.”— Dr.
liluir.
ft is argued by a majotity ol the Jourual
fjjgla of the United States,—mil with some
truth, —that < rimes prevail to a
more alarming extent, as the country grows
older, and incteases in population, wealth
and, tvliai at the present day is termed re
finement ; and this increase ol crime is at
tributed to dilfeient causes, by different 1
writers, tvho are influenced in their notions i
by their different occupations, professions i
and party sentiments. Thus, the advo- i
cates of the Temperance reformation lay it i
at the door of the vender and distiller of ar- t
ty-nt spirits; the aspiring demagogue in
party polities charges the fearful uccotlnMo
political corruptions ; the antiquidated Mor
alist lays the blame upon modern innova
tions or primitive manners and customs;
the self-styled Ra,triortnee 4t w> a fe’ue
'rtut increasefqreti. Wheth
er c/ne or all of these catiSes fed as they arts,
represented, or whether crimes actually do
increase in the haul, —all things being coft-_
sidered,—is not now to be discussed: but’
one truth will be readily conceded, that
crime will abound where immorality a
hpundSj and will increase as immorality in
creases. Whatever, thetwfore, hasti ten
dency to dissipate the morals of tfie people
vv.ill lead to the commission of efline; for
a man’s actions are, in all cases;” deterinin
eflyby the sentiments and lraiding of his
ftiind. “Mens comcia recti,”- —when
lirinly stamped’ upon the affections, and
cherished with Ibnuj.c.-s, \vitHiw<>r pw..,
serve an individual or a nation fiom inward
or outward dangers. People always act as
they think, and always • think as they are
taught. Hence, those who set themselves
up as Teachers of the public are responsi
ble fur the actions of the public,—so far; at
least, a? their 4 sejitiments prevail; and the
same argument holds good, when applied
to such persons as are self-taught, wiiether
their knowledge have been acquired by ob
servation, reflection or reading. These
teachers of the public are, at the present
day, becoming numerous, and influential
both for good ami to. evil : of the latter
class, not the least in number and influence,
—and consequently not the least to bo cen
sured, —are the authors of novels and ro
mances. To correct the morbid propensi
ties, which they have instilled into die
minds of their pupils, is a task devolving
upon every true patriot and philanthropist.
lam aware that many who are cailed
good men, are‘admirers of this species of
composition, and lecotnmend them lor the
morals they are said to convey either in the
plot or conception ; lam aware, too, that
some eminent public men—even ministers
of the gospel—have themselves given to
the world many productions of this charac
ter: but l dottln whether the writings of
such distinguished men, either in defend
ing, recommending or composing these
works, ought to he considered as less dan
gerous than most of the wotks themselves;
for they, too, have become, directly or in
directly, public tcaclieis of vice. One
•reverend” gentleman, more hold than his
fellows, contends that novels and romances
deserve the attention, from the fact that the
wise men of every age have conveyed their
wisdom in fables, tales, parables, &e. and
with others, introduced, in defence of his
W- - ’ A.'-.the, pne.-.-.'y.-’"'•-‘_i^-- ~9’cstam
ent! Now, where can the man be rourm,’
besides this one, with the daring to com
pare the grossly immoral and indecent pro
ductions of Eugene Sue, and many others
of the same order, with the sublime teach
ings ot Jesus of Nazareth ! It is down
right impudence, to say the least of it, and
ne who gives utterance to such sentiments
should he regarded as tin enemy to his race,
and ranked with them, whose works he
tries to defend. No arguments in favor of
i the novels and romances of this age are of
i sufficient weight to demand attention, and
, none are ottered by men who regard the
high destinies of the race. ~*
■ Perhaps works of fiction have been, and
i might yet he, made worthy of public atten-
I tion and patronage ; hut I deny that such is
i the character of the floods of silly stufl'no w
. pouring over the country in etery direction,
. and polluting every tiling with which they
come in contact. The Press, that magic
i distributor “of knowledge of good and
. evil,” groans daily under irs burdens of no.
. vels. tales, adventures, romances, and every
f sillyt idle whim that ever enters the imagi
[ nation ol the idle and the vicious. Tiic
vilest of the passions are painted in glow
. ing colors and their gratification sanctioned
. on all occasions ; truth is readily thrust a
side, and falsehood pushed forward to the
gaze, ami repicseuted as a fit companion for
. the beholder, the drunkard, the swindler,
the gambler, the cunning villian and the ü
bandoued wretch, are good, merry fellows,
and admired lor their base trickery and de
testable villauy. Good names are defam
ed and had ones applauded ; humility re
ceives a sneer and pride finds favor ; lile is
sometimes painted as it is hut seldom as it
should he; the eat lit is too low for the
Great .ir/ors to tread upon, and heaven
too high for the novelist to think about
All these and a thousand things worse, ’are
daily thrown from the press into the homes
and hearts ol the people, and are surely
and rapidly at work in tno coiruptinn ofe.v-
cry thing that is good and noble : all these,
and works an hundred Ibid more dangerous,
are Itersliled through the world, with a grand
“flourish of trumpets” from the press,—
from the common newspaper to the ele
gant monthly ami quarterly Review, laid
before the young and expanding hearts ot
the land, and permitted there to fix*the in
delible impress of tlieir fatal teachings.
While such had thoughts, examples anil
practices are set before the people in gau
dy attire, and white such evil sentiments
are forced as it were into tlieir minds, notli
ing-bui had conduct and evil practices may
be expected to be the sure result. This
is, indeed, a fearful, stupendous machine
of mischief, steadily at work in the mi Ist
of a great people, and insidiously drying
up the fountains of purity anil virtue. The
novelist and romancer is a public teacher
of vice, with many active agents and thou
sands of unsuspecting and delighted pup Is.
who imbibe dangerous sentiments and, cor.-
Publisheh—BENJ. BRANTLY,
|equent!y, contract jjangerous habits. It
ts not too much, then, to conclude that nov
els and romances are to be ranked among
the agents which, propagate vire and ini *
orality, and Hips'prepare the way for the
v > m tn is-don'orei i mefl
.. . I’. M. SLAUGHTER.
Lfe#6it)ber, 1845.
For the Christian Index.
The dark corner of Jaspet; ‘ ( oustilution
oj Enori Church ; Increase thereof
glorious liecivulin progress ; IntfKHg
Jieldfor Ministers, itfho desire, employ- .
ment. Where are our lierdficiaries and
i lie S. \V.. portiiyi of JgspM county, in
this Sfiite, has been styled byothert, be
sides the- writer, “ the dark corner,” ijpl
•so much on account of tho intellectual or
rtro!V:tjfli-isir ter oi tic! inhabitants, as of the
destitution of the means of grace. Seldom,”
very seldom, were their ears saluted with
“the.joylui sound.” A few, however,
were found even there, who called mightily
upon God ; and they sent out invitations to
the preachers of the gospel, most contigu
ous to them, to come among (hem and break
to them the bread of lile. Last spring, bro.
Jarrell, a persecuted, hut godly and useful
man, went thither, “hearing preetoitsseed.”
•lie was soon followed by brother John P,
James. It was evident that light had arisen
amidst the darkness ; for numbers were
heard crying lor mercy, while the faithful
were greatly siirred up and encouraged’. *
In July last, the writer met brethren By
ars and James, with a large congregation,
under a grove in the open air, and there as
sisted in the constitution of Enon Church,
with some lour or five members only. (U
was distinctly understood that” several
would join immediately upon the organiza
tion ol the church.) The exercises were
witnessed by a deeply interested and affect
ed audience. The feeble baud were com
mended to the rare ol the good Shepherd,
in solemn, fervent prayer. It was u scene
exciting alternate hopes and leafs 1 All
s'icmetf to- realize that; God was there.
Several were baptized before that meeting
closed.
The fifth Sabbath in November was a
cold, raw day—exceedingly so for our cli
mate. That day I . had the pleasure of
meeting brother James itt “ the dark corner
ol Jasper” again. I felt much discouraged
on account of the state of the weather. The
services were appointed to be held at a pri
vate house, a brother Wheel hurst’s. To
my great astonishment, a congregation of
between five and six hundred were in at
tendance, a large portion ol whom stood in
dcr.oE i! Le coantr —; —*■ ‘
pressing as near as possible, that they
might hear the word. Many w**tTt “Sway,,
who could find no room in the house,
’Phe gospel was inside quick aiid powerful,
and scores are still inquiring the way of
life. The afternoon was rainy and CJ.ces
sive/y cold ; still there ovas a spirit in the
people which may no; be restrained by out
ward circumstances. Hundreds repaired to
the Ocmulgee River, Upwards of a mile dis
tant. and there witnessed the baptism of
eight believers by brother Jumi'i. The
church now numbers thirty five I think ;
and the prospect is cheering for the addition
or ns many more.
V on inav tell your preachers, Mr. Editor,
who desire ar. inviting field in which tola
hor, here is one, in the central part of our
own Georgia, destitute enough for the
most flaming missiousry zeal, already
white unto the harvest. Invite them to
come and do their ownclearing and fencing,
and then they may hope to sow and reap
an abundiitt harvest. The brethren men
tioned above have never enjoy.-d the advan
tages of a liberal education. They have
never, that l know of, seen the walls of a
Theological Seminary ; vet they have a
zeal which urges them out into (he high
ways and hedges, and their labors are abun
dantly blessed. The Lord forbid that I
should say aught, which might even seem
to savor of opposition to Theological edu
cation. But for one fact 1 find it bard to
account; that is, while the means of Theo
logical instruction in this Statu have been
gradually increasing, the number of preach
ers (in this region at least) have been gradu
ally diminishing ; and that, too, while we
have had several young brethren, front
year to year, under instruction at Penfield.
Several of our beneficiaries, who have left
(he University, have, I learn, engaged.in
teaching, instead of enteringat once in to the
ministry. If our University, in its Theo
logical Department, is designed tn educate
teachers instead of preachers, I think ou
people ought to he informed of it.
J. H. CAMPBELL.
Clinton, December, 1815.
Kcmarks. —The facts mentioned by broth
er Campbell, and the inquiries made by
him, merit the attention of all concerned’ for
the prospects of Zion. Many a graduate
may see that, in respect to all usetulness, he
is, in comparison with his uneducated ueigh
ber, as a pigmy to a giant. Education,
how valuable soever, is not eveiy thing.
To Theological students sueh hints rnay be
of great service. They also involve en
couragement to zealous servants of God,
whose advantages are inferior. If any
should construe them into objections to
Theological Seminaries, they “would riot'on
ly dissent from the views of brother Camp
bell, hut pervert the facts of the case. Two
JNO. 2