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JOSEPH S. BAKER—Editor. VOL. XIV. TERMS —PER ANNUM. gCST” The Christian Index, publish ed on Friday in each week, (except two in the year), will be furnished to each sub scriber at i'i 50 cents, in advance ; or S3 if m>4 paid within the year. g Every Agent, (and all Baptist Ministers are particularly solicited to become agents,) who will procure and pay for live copies of the Index, shall he entitled to a sixth, as a compensation for his trouble. letters oil business, orcommunications must be addressed to the Editor, j/ost paid. Advertisements maybe inserted on usu al terms, at the discretion of the Editor. : 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