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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor. VOL. XIV. TERMS PER ANNUM. fjyTHE Christian Index, publish ed on Frill ay in each week, (except two in the year), will be famished to each sub scriber at $2 50 cents, in advance; or $3 if not paid within the year. *” ISvory Ministers Are particularly agents,) \vm [Jro-'-urc *rft'.rjltri*tR ,k Ve copies of the Index, shall be entitled to a sixth, as a Compensation for his trouble. Letters on business, or communications intist be addressed to the Editor, post fluid. * Advertisements maybe inserted on usu al terms, at tile discretion of the Editor. For the Christian Index. Desultory Thoughts—so- 1. “ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart Iron it.”— Solomon, the IFise. •‘Suffer litilo children to come unto me, and forbid them not; lor of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”— Jesus of Naza reth. Tile indifference which most parents manifest in relation to the true interests and welfare of the children which God lias giv en them, is matter of surprise and regret. It seems to be forgotten that children, as ■well as patents, ate placed in this world for great and important purposes, and that those purposes will be fulfilled well or bad ly, according as the infant mind is bent and diieeted. It will not be denied that parents are, in a great degree, responsible for the present and future comli ion of their chil dren, and ihui their training and proper in struction is a delightful, anil, in some re spects, a fearful task. It tills the heart with joy to see the young and yielding af fections ami passi ms take the proper beat, and tix themselves on objects and thoughts that will yield a lasting, eternal reward ; while, on the other hand, it grieves us to sue the more dangerous passions and vi cious propensities take possession of the young heart, and poison its fountains of thought and action. Which of these courses the child may take, depends upon the earn or neglect of the parents. The first and greatest object of all learn ing should be God. The noblest anil “*“> duioaiuo our til d liren are the power, wisdom, arid goodness of their Creator anil Preserver. Their minds are as capable of comprehending these simple, yet sublime teachings, as an; other kinds; and the impressions, when properly stamped upon the memory a|id af fections, will be as lasting as life, and their consequences will continue through eterni ty. l.et the infant mind be fed upon hea venly manna, and the years of manhood will afterquids surely present an intellect sound and strong in the knowledge anil fove tff God. The daily care and watch ful providence of our heavenly Father, the important means to be used for his glory and the prosperity of his cause, the proper legprd of the holy • Sabbath, the useful and sublime lessons, and precepts of the Bible, —-all “should be kept before the minds of and urged upon their attention. occasions every day present theinseTvesT'on wmcli rhese lessons may be imparted: every blessing,every evil, every mark of good fortune, every stroke of ad versity, and every occurrence iu life, offer some useful hints of the goodness or justice of divine ptovidence, and should be improv ed to the benefit of observing childhood. The welfare of our children is a great in ducement, and spur to all the duties of Christianity, and especially family devotion. The reading of valuable portions of the Bi ble, the singing of praises to God, the morn ing and evening prayer, sink deep into their minds, and help to fix them upon heavenly scetifes and eternal existence. ** All die duties of teligion,” says Dr. Dwight, “ are eminently solemn and ven erable in the eyes of children. But none will so strongly prove the sincerity of the parent, none so powerfully awaken the reverence of the child, none so happily re commend the instructions he receives, as family devotions ; peculiarly those in which petitions for the children occupy a distin guished place.” Then, Christian parents, yoHr devotions at home should be constant rffttl fervent; and yi tir care of the chil dr-n, which God has kindly given you, should/ be patient, persevering and unteniilted. Pray for them, both privately and when they are present, and pray for yourselves, that you may have patience, inclination and wisdom, to guide them in useful ways through life, and instruct them in the way to heaven. ‘ , The subject is one of the greatest mo ment, and we would that we had the pow er of attracting to it the attention of all those to whom God has entrusted the care and guidance of children. Proper atten tion ‘ tikis one matter would do much, ve THE CHIWM INDEX. ry much, to spread happiness, prosperity and religion throughout the land, and to build up iu purity and strength the temple of Christianity. It is hoped that these few unconnected thoughts will sink into the hearts of those parents who may see them, ami cause litem to investigate the subject attentively. wiili an eye to their own hap piness and that of their tender offspring. I lie Bible, with a limited share of reason, and a faithful, praying heart, is all That is necessary to teach us the important duties we owe our children. S. For the Christian Index. Hew Ytitr's Day Trayer. Dear Bro- Baker, —1 present you with anew year’s day prayer, which originally, was not designed to see day-light, hut an after thought has suggested that it might do some good to come out of the closft, therefore 1 present it in the following order. Ist. Thanksgiving. I thank’ God that . be has kept me, 10, these 60 years lit such a manner, that not only life has been pre served, but a bone of me has never been btoken. And moreover during that time lie has given me a good hope through grace, enabling me to rely on my blessed Saviour for tilings he lias done, and is still doing forme, I mean I.is passed atonement and also his present intercession. 2nd. Proper. I pray that my Almigh ty Father during this I con tinue,) would give one to watch over my spirit anil words and actiqns for amend ment. r ***** • And that He by his good spirit, would work mightily in my heart lor sanctification. * * * Anil that 1 maybe kept in peace, with the church es and mankind generally who surround me, * * * * Secular .dffuirs, I beg my Heavenly Father for his interposition, so far that if promptness anil punctuality cannot be had, that yet satisfaction may be so given that my Christian character may not be tarnish ed. Political. Ami lastly, which perhaps should have been “first of all,” I pray God’s special blessing upon out chief mag on rare “and all Ins subsidiaries, that we may live mi mmoi~v.t-.T r— —.... i i-.i * as a uiiif among the nations of the Earth.— Amen. AN OLD DISCIPLE. January Bth, 1816. For the Christian Index. Gratitude. Gratitude, like the early crocus, springs up amid the frosts and snows of a wintry irrotigion. As soon as the heart is little softened by the bland influences of the sun of righteousness, this lately plant of paradise is seen peering, with its petals wet with the tears of contrition, where the most observant could but now have discovered no trace of Jlrulv pious feeling. But not like the crocus does it fade away in its early bloom ; but endures through all the eftan ges of life, ami sheds around an odour so delirious that'all who come within its at mosphere are siruck w : ih its rich perfume. In the spring time of ckifolian experience, when a thousand holy affections are spring ing into existence, and filling the atmos phere, as it were, with their delightful odours, Gratitude is distinguished among them all, and unites a fragrance peculiarly its own. And when high summer’s sun careers in the heavens, and the soul reach es its fell maturity, this heavenly plant ap pears in full vigor ; and, covered o’er with fruits of righteousness, leturns a rich har vest sometimes sixty, sometimes an hun dred fold. Nor does it cease to shed its delightful influences, when humanity sinks beneath the weigiit of declining years, gut as the soul repines for immortality, does it yield a larger anil yet a still larger revenue of grateful praise to the great Au thor of its being; and beyond the grave swells symphonious the sublime chorus of redemption, causing heaven’s high arches to echo back tides of immortal haynony to them that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. MARCUS : For the Christian Index. >•’ llawhtnsvillk, Jan. 1, 1845. Dear Bro. Baker, —Bro. A. T. Holmes was called, by the Baptist church at this place, to preach for it during the year just past; and it has seen proper to call another to its pastoral care for the ensuing year. As brother Holmes very justly has charac ter with the denomination, to which lie is attached, wherever he is known, the fact of liis having been once called and superse ded, and the further fact of his living in a convenient distance of this place, may opc- -c, | /n v r t-'M isrsy-■ycKr.iA. mi; the ¥ i*i.\ rePlS*ffflip Iff’ ff v * rate prejudicially to ed have been appointed a church to explain. The church considers it an actjfl to brother Holmes to make this eftß The only objection that was urgcotM bretber Holmes, in was the fact of bis havioß school; and therefore could care niton the church whichH ‘ brethren thought ilia! upon * revivals, the i ices \\ hen it upon was dosiiojdf) power to y ’ by o.iiy few IW'IIJ in ■ lb I.lies Ujf* ."U . the I % for the s dovjr ehur.-'i, byflj. It v. d'S;7 f been until wr \ mi'dit, in depended, although it wa^^R|B objection at the time. This church adopted the shire—or, a* they are more cotnij known, the Florida Articles of Fail! which brother Holmes is opposed. ,■ however, could not, and ought not, to 1 had much influence, for two reasons : ] 1. Because brother Holmes hail called once, notwithstanding the Article Faith; and 2. Because the church is now self upon tii is very subject— ing whether there against the A.tii^tf l!i oilier 11 “lyfSjj opinion of Ins ever they m.ii *f propel liosiliol jßi deemed it our iAs ’The churi litT : a very large iiKJ sisters, love hr All and ns a minis®* grieve them more lion of their church slnPl|f ‘■ the least degree in lht*Atght Please publish this and oblige, <Bj •—T ■ - JLT .i /Ti ii ii i 1 . - P. E. LiJtfE, ■ A. R. KELLA.M, ‘ ( r j| JAS. C \RIJT’HTR^^g| .Unit-nee itv ii i:Mynj It is the I membtn of them-elvcs a/jHj of (fed. EiH| and there is them, their |r?TMiaile l.hmiiCT’ once on fee S g? L business croiuW%xs mneli as ean ic.isßLjJ Odicis must have a f ‘ better one, too, than 4he seven ; and then they while eating it; and must dine so that they arein no condition to gfi out an’ listen even to the moil eloquent and itJ pressive sermon, much less to an ordimtrl disSobrse, iiowever impirrtant the subjeeJ Now the staying at I feme for such JV aone is a very great.foiiit. ‘The exptciedADjpreaCh twice, every hut of wliat possible ailvantage can those of his people who are at their beds digesting their often happen dial Ins nuclei! as lo require order to. de either. leren e j- h if liie £JH the t>U. ■ i th it te; ‘ i op;.’ /. “i. Hjtg ed t -fM . t.’.'V.i “| tiieinH M are n\ fe’ those wimNjfe garil to Judge! The who slay at hum dined ‘to do as tin can the children ‘• ‘ : '’ J| recaul m the 8 JM ‘'!■ ..fehe- ■>; .’ it ;*•••;.<* f ‘ r’-h’Wg s iluiv. punctual m ~ , • . i . lint <j arc m Jinl'M cloud v.uy v, , out /or r;u , , fR would „ ; le,J ’ ness au j ‘ ,lum 1 “ bllrii "3 day. | Pi'gnh hour fu I 15, likely-v, Mi. rn ... jfij ; ‘‘ ■ . .fef. r ••/C. | h.fl . & a • the church dour are in stormy weather, reside three or four miles sometimes thought, more B great fault —a fault which it difficult to offer an ex- Hhe day ol Religious Herald. of the S.ntlh g:: Mt-sioa JV the SV ii v. hi cuti'Mi 5-a Yr'ud, a - Ml. kCi ii [ 1 ivn, SfllUll ifMF’ ivy Mr \W- .. t. u ‘.en and [fekJ'jjpthron. whose spHsmiing, til litem emi .Much lime has l> cm ■pi-oitsumcd in corresponding and waiting lot their The Board are now hap ■ state that they have secured for the B partially anil temporarily, the ser ■ifßav. .1. B. Taylor. They have Hil it wisest to defer a permanent up ■icnt until the meeting of theConvett flli June next. H; Bfiartl, though unable, for so long a ■to secure the set vices ol a suitable Bwtf,, were not unmindful of the great Bffifflfift' 1 filled to their hands. At an China as a field g N .animtUn: was ap fiutrnt mission iy Mr'y.-itli I>i* •i! i --Vve.-;, on tins ul ple'N , b:m bl ’ “ SSiv expected smm as JEXo.n-i ol the Hr i""’*,- ts , W c'l'asnre, our u es in ('lima W- ni:llllantioii lias yet 1 a Jvisuu^ido so iVv the China whose patronage East. Bin. Shuck is fcwin thifei; oiled MWlai'tory arraugi |khiis m t hul l. Hfcihonbi tlie-e 3 .mr Board, Dafv i 1’ die mi jgKii.d o;ie:i at f|, ill, a most fltllV ll ‘CMI f jW” South and jfljfoe I o - Xli Haa tin en, learn eiilei pilse, to the plans and pros- Wf!v\ Board, search outsuitable inis- HPies, and secure effective agents for the of money. ■r-'. the foreign mission enterprize the H'-/ rd will need men. It cannot be suc |F/ssfully prosecuted without missionaries ; (and in the present condition of the church / es, without agents lor the collection ol funds, die Board would seriously direct the atten- of their brethren to this subject, 11 that we should efficiently en voidn lie has, some ivline, to pn■Semite__lL t Jj. it m• ’.D~- Ljrudmns, young minis seriously to u.- l lim t 1 > l only t: [a -in iy !• In:: >rn - S- T< ■x / ff m fs : i.. i ■ MjJtf pi “Ration. of the Foreign Mis- HRk determined lo arrange ( \iu: of the missionaries aliea as earls’ as lie: mouth of A tvil! cn ii.U: I'm ni lo n mur-nee I.Jk ‘ asr;'u>’ ej"'n ‘he iieid oi :oi is, te'loru ihe close o( art! now unending llie \ Medical College <il this ciiv, ■, a of scoring some general Hoi’ the science of medicine. /e of use to them in the Ireal- Hhuon cases ol disease. At Inc tlicv will [trollahl V VI- ere ihey have lAe'J’C I e0,..-’ .11 tic:;.’ pL,; fX .. **'''* mIL; i , 1 1 and 1 j IP.'’ O’ ‘ semi-civilized, but wlio, in respect to spir itual things, are shrouded in darkness. — They will need more than ordinary discre tion. humility, and self-denial. Will rot the churches bear them on their hearts be fore the throne of grace l eNN **T. Wlmportance of y The following extracts from Aboei’s in Cltinat’ ipay be read with profit by the friends of Missions: **T. “But the subject of the greatest interest, connected with this scene of exertion, is the conversion of China unto him from whom site has revolted. Here is an object indeed, whose magnitude beggars descrip tion. The salvation of a whole empire— the most important empire upon earth, it self moie extensive than all Europe, and containing at leastone-thiid of earth’s entire population. Look where we may, beneath the wide expanse of the heavens, wo can find no distinct enterprise so laudable, so imperious, so inconceivable in il9 results, as the conversion of China. The real condition of her hundreds of millions is but little understood.* With all her empty boast of pertection, and the vapidjeulogisins oi lier ignorant panegy rists, there is probably no other space upon earth so filled with wretchedness as China. Her mild patriarchal government, is a system of injustice and oppression. From the ‘Dra gon throne,’ to the lowest menial iu author ity, sell-aggrandizement is the reigning passion, extortion anil cruelty the means of its gratification. Her plebeian happiness is the combined result of poverty, viitual slavery, and vice. Those who have had the best opportunities of judging, give the most painful description of the indigence and depravity of the populace, The mid dling class, or those who enjoy a compe tence, is a small minoiity, and they 100 are often dealt with, without justice or mercy, and if capable, are quite as unjust as mer- ciless. Even the appearance of happiness which captivates the stranger, must be mere show, lor, consisting as it doea in earthly possessions, there is vory vety little iu the laws, or their corrupt administration, lo give it basis oi perpetuity. It is true their literature is extensive: hut. how far it is calculated to elevate their char acter or meliorate their condition, may be | determined by the fact, that scarcely a sub ject of which they treat is understood, while the most important truths, the only ones which-can improve the moral charac ter of man, are totally unknown. ‘Thus the conversion p! China, with all iiio uidTTiii^i. 1 atictjiiai. t itjioii efinsliriiilj , becomes an object of woihlly’ philanthropy, as well as of Christian benevolence. None whose heart is not adamant, can gaze upon this scene of distress without emotion. But how infinitely vast—bow worthy of all sacrifice, all hazard, all experiment does the moral elevation of this nation ap pear, when viewed in its connection with the Redeemer’s glory. Here is a triumph and a trophy for His victorious grace —a gem, the purest and brightest which earth can offer to deck His mediatorial crown ! With the eye of this gracious Being upon us, and his heart upon the salvation ol those who have been promised him as his inheritance, what can express our gratitude, evince our discipleship, or display our -lfo gianco anil love, if the conversion of China he not in our prayers and plans, and ut- most endeavors. For the present accomplishment of this undertaking, much, very much, may be done “Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, Relics on that alone ; Laughs at impossibilities, And says it shall be done.” Missionaiies should be sent foitb to eve rv accessible place in iiio empire, and to every mart of her commerce in the circiim jitMJmSC-tiS.—The coasts should be invaded, and the seaports entered, as they have been, anil still are, by the undaunted genius ol commerce. Every opening should be searched out—every tenable post occupied every lawful engagement subordinated every passport possessed. Others have en tered, and gained their respective objects. Pagans, Jews, Mahounnetans, Catholics, nominal Protestants—all have penetrated but those who were alone capable oi beuo fitting the nation, and the only ones com manded to hazard their lives in the at tempt.” Report of a Committee <f the Rappahan nock dissociation on Foreign Missions. Since the last meeting of this Associa tion, events have transpired peculiarly in teresting to American Zion, and more es pecially 5 to that section of it, in whose hon or or dishonor we feel ourselves most deep ly involved. . The question of Slavery, which has lor years imbittered the feelings, and disturbed ihe harmony ol the South and North, has led to a division of the Baptist Missionary Society of the Uniled States. We are, therefore, now, not one gigantic Society for Foreign Missionary operations, extend ing from Nova Scotia to Mexico, and from the Lake of the Woods to the Gulf of I‘ior ida, containing little less than three millions of square miles; an extent very undesira ble for one Missionary Society to occupy ; *The most authentic census, taken in iHtekD , ‘ y***"•oi th rCli of ui ii hundred and sixty millions- Publisher— BENJ. BRANTLY. an extent which would always preclude a very large portion of our most pious and benevolent members from attending the meetings of the Society, and participating in their toils and In their rewards, in their sorrows and in their joys. For in addi* tion to the hazards connecf, ( ‘, j~ Jong journeys, the time and expmifSUK.'ed in attainting sue h meetings, etn&Rmllgford ed by very few. “And to limit the surface over which one Sodiety should extend, on ly by the limits of this vast empire, would be an extent much forger than could be well supplied with Missionary intelligence, and beyond the power of one Society to inspire it with a M issionary spirit. These ought to be important considerations', in connection with a cause with which every Christian should identify himself. A Southern and a Northern Convention will in future lead on the Baptists of the United Slates, in the great enterprise of Christian missions ; and though many pi ous minds were much distressed at the idea of a division, yonr committee rejoice in the assurance that He, whose cause we are en* deavoring lo promote, has his way in the whirlwind anil in the storm, anil is con stantly rendering those occurrences in the administration of Ins government in the physical and the moral world, conducive to the prosperity of his cause, which seem to man lo portend tire most calamitous results. To what parts of the world our Mission ary efforts may be directed in future lime, will be necessaty to decide. We look at Asia; including China, and long to send them the bread of tife. Our eye then sur veys neglected Africa, and we adopt the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, when ho beheld the sin and misery of his beloved nation : “ Mine eye uffectelh mine heart.” Central America and South America seem t.) claim from us the same benevolence which Hiitish Christians are bestowing on the papal continental nations of Europe. And ‘•Shame should cover us ungrateful,” after having driven them from their hunting grounds, and from their noble rivers, teem ing with fish of every fin, weie wfc to ne glect the Indian tribes. But let our philan thropy go forth in whatever direction it may, we shall see the fields white to the harvest, and as the whitening gram belore the reaper, so all nations will do homage to that Christian charity, which shed* a broad the light of the Gospel of Christa mong those who dwell in the valley ol the shadow of death. j Wherever our Missionary labors may . he directed, it will be of the greatest impor tance that h o keep our minds steadily fix ed upon three things: Ist. We cannot rea sonably expect much success, except a lib eral portion of the wealth of the Church he consecrated to the cause of God. 2nd. The earnest and confiding prayer of the Church intimately connected with the ful filment of the promise: *•/ shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” The promise is introduced by: “Jlsk of me!” 3rd. Our best inten tions may be followed by our most zealous efforts, hut the accompanying power of the Holy Spirit is essential to success. CONTRIBUTIONS. It seems very natural to suppose, that every one who has the spirit of Christ, should take pleasuie in contributing to the fund, from which the Missionaries of the Church draw their necessary support. — This is a feeling which we should loudly cherish; for to lake pleasure in doing good is to establish it as a habit. The rich aud the poor should be encouraged to feel an equal interest in raising funds so s the cause of truth and holiness, and to bear their parts in doing this great work as the Lord hath blessed them. Until the poor man’s cent is placed by the side ul the rich man’s dollar, and each is lound encouraging the other to take his part in the burinc#* ?** the Missions, as capabilities amt opportuni ties are afforded, the Church will not come up in its beauty, and in its strength, to tins verv important work. An enlightened pie ty is the consummation ofehrislianity ; and its offering, like the widow’s two mites, ren dered to Christ, with a heart heating truo to him, will receive higher commendation, and be of more worth in the estimation of God than the riches of many wicked. PRAYER. The same scripture which informs us, that to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba, says, likewise, Prayer also shall be made for Him continually. And Christ himself has left us this most encouraging lesson, given to the Church in its very in fancy, in compliance with the request,— teach us to prop! Set;/, thy kingdom come —was the answer. So far as your committee has obtained information, there is ground for lamenta tion, that ihe periodical meetings oi the Churches for prayer, on beliall of Missions, are attended by very few persons ; that the character of the prayers put up, indicate but little knowledge of the condition of the be nighted nations of the world, anda still less degree of that aident feeling which should till every bosom with holy desire tor the banishment of moral evil f. om the earth, and for the undisputed reign of Christ over the heart of every man. And we mention with the deepest regret, that it is believed, while many of the members of our Churches sel dom attend those meetings, there are some •I who never attend them at all. And some JjJhnrclies neglect such meetings altogether. NO. 5