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method for him who is not? Not they. Quite as
earnestly and ns devoutly as ourselves, do they mam
tain the depravity of every heart, and the necessity,
in every case, of the interposition of the grace of God.
Who that has heard the {intdoba prist preachers of they
present day, does not rerhemoer how to their congre
gations indiscriminately thev address the word ol hliy !
and then how indiscriminately they involte ihe Messing
of the Holy Ghost! And when they have done so,!
what has been their ground of hope that they shall suo-ii
< eod ? Not the rite which was performed upon the
people in their infancy, hut the promise of Cod, - .My
word shall not return unto me void.” Tint this promise
is ours as well as theirs; and thus we have met again,
occupying common ground, and depending upon com
nioii influence ; our system depriving us ot no advan
tage, their preaching being proof. “It becomes those!
of us,” said Dr. L<uli;hild, in a sermon for the baptist!
mbilee, “who practice infant baptism, to guard pur
iiearers most jealously against making their baptism
their ground ot hope before Odd.”
Thu.-, neither in the means ol grace, nor in the influ-!
ence which they may scriptnrallv lie expected to ex-j
erf, does the jKedohapti'st enjoy any superiority —uttyj
privilege exclusively Ins own. Alter all that is saiill
about the loss inflicted on our children, there is, our!
brethren being judges, positively no loss at all. We!
believe nothing, we practice nothing, we literally
know nothing, which prevents us from vying with the,
pmdohaptist, either in suffering little children to come;
unto ('lirist, or in feeling tltat of such is the kingdom of!
heaven. . j!
To those wild differ from us it may he said : “Think
serionslv on what has been advanced, in order to treat
our peculiarities fairly, be sure of this at least, that
no paternal aspiration would he suppressed, and thatjj
no parental hope would be destroyed by your becom-i
ing baptists. Os this you may be convinced from the;
itiecting statement of Andrew Fuller, and the lender
expostulation of Samuel Pen ice. “Prove all things;
hold fast that which is good.’”
.4,, ■ 111 HI IIMI JMJ'* W I ■BIB.
yi c i a o taovrtspunifencc.
--rr:rr— •e'-.'-r.'Sjr—.t v —LJUI
[ For the Chi tsita.t Index. J
MoNT(.oMiiKv,Texas, Ihe. Till, 1817.
Hear Brother Baker,— I uttiAxled the examination of the]
studpui-A.'f Buy lor Fniversity, at Independence, Washington
• iitkr week, mid also die meeting ol the Board of’Ti ustees.
r if* l vat citpiiit, both ,
to their esteemed Professors, and to their own reputation. —,
Tito ntnnlier in the Fniversity this Session is 107 in all.—
The prospects of the Institution are Encouraging. The mi- 1
lion lees will pav Iho .safari* sos the teacher with thee.xeep-i
tioii of about §.70, and tin l Trustees design improving the!
building or buildings as fast ns their means will jusufv.— 1
There is a standing Resolution forbidding them to run the
Institution in debt. The samo Professors will be continued
ilie next year. Brother Graves is deservedly ]iopu!ar both
as President and instructor. The Board of the Baptist Edu
cation Society of Texas met at the same time. The ■■ is one !
young minister under its patronage and tltere will lie per- i
liaps one or two more in the coining year if tho Lord will. I
1 expect that before this you have heard of the death ol its cs
teemed President Bishop Win, M. Tryon, of Houston, who 1
departed this life on Tuesday ltlth, Nov., with the yellow
fever, hi die death of this beloved and talented brother, the! 1
cause of Christ has sustained a great loss. Brother Tryon:!
lias done as much, if not more for the Baptist cause, titan any!)
other man in Texas. We ail feel and mourn his absence||
from our little bund. But it is tho Lord, let him do whutlj
seemeth him good, it is ours to bow with reverence to his.-:
sovereign wili. The removal of brother 1. T. Hinton from:
New Orleans by death and brother Tryon from Houston 1
has caused us to a>i, ourselves the question, why has i lie j
I, mi tid-.on them and left others of us who are so far inferior
in point of usefulness in his vineyard. His wavs we know
are not as ours. They are all holy, just, and good, and ini
the end we shrill see that it is all right, though dark to us all
the present.
There are still gradual additions to the churches that l!
> tvc. Seventy-live have been received for baptism and by!;
letter this year. During the precious revival that followed:!
our Association in Houston, 22 were added to tha church,ii
and one since) in all 213. The brethren say that ibeij
s'l ength of the church is fully doubled from the late oddi-j
ti-ms in point of moral worth and ability. When it would,!
-m'iii to us that they mostly need a shepherd to go in amid
itit before them, the 1 .old has taken him to himself. Imme-.i
d.iitely after tiio death of brother T. the church assembled
and unanimously resolved to keep up their]'raver meet hiss .
and Sabl ath idcliools, iNiu., ami they also wrote on immedi-'i
itely tithe Board tor another Pastor. This l think is all
right. For there is no one in Texaslo spare from his pres
ent field. We greatly need, many more laborers in tho bar-;!
xest. 1 heard Inst week from brethren Hill and Chandler.,
they are going forward in the work of the Lord, Pray for
Zion’s prosperity, my dear brethren, in this far olfand distant’
land. 1 remain yours in a blessed redeemer.
J. YV. D. CREATII.
DO” Efforts are now making to establish schools among the 1
i ‘reck Indians, in their settlements out West. Public schools!!
are already one of the “institutions” of the Cherokee gov-!
eminent. 1!
£fje
ftrt gin al,
[For tht Christian Index.']
SOUTHERN PUBLICATION SOCIETF.
Mr. Editor: —This''bnoieh of benevolent action is des
j lined to hold a prominent pia'sg. In traveling widely in the
Squth and Southwest, 4 know the destitution of instructive|
books. I have fields which the Society]
could'o-<v nnd tfio prospect of an abundant]
harvest, tab in friends irj.its object, and in ihecqn.versipnjjf
snrters and comfort ‘ 9f f SSbfJPIjTF rkansas and
TeXas, are large tiehWfcjiciiftivated by sitch means as it
proposes to us -. have sent no general agent
into the Mississippi disclose their plans and rouse
up the churches to YVi!l not the Cor respond i;og Sec-
ir< tmy let the light countenance fall upon us in this
distant, dark region ? will be most cordially received.
I regia t that you disparagingly of the Great
~ West, arid questioned tie loyalty of some of our prominent
men to the good cause. Bear in mind that the Tennessee
I Publication Society was organized long before the S. P. S.,
and was actively at work when the notice for the oih# was
‘sent abroad. It has no antipathy against the S. P. S., but
I I would co-operate most Cordially with it, and extend its use
!; fulness. V “ t
If your correspondent at the Association in Alabama, re
potted some truths, lie aid not, as 1 am credibly informed,
‘give liie true version 6*he matter as it took place. When
you write about vour Im time, whose approbation it is worth
wliile to secure, your, qid pen is too still —you must scraps
it—it l k* s not reprcsajnjyour real feelings. Try to make it
‘|.F~nuify J- S- B-> ttift Jjumblo Christian in private life—he
ms u diu-rent man fvuruyadiat people suppose J. S. 15. in the
! eliair critorial is. 7 o'nm'H allowAhis. gentle rebuke, for I
jam the older man : the. a FrietW a. ° tbiin
the flatteries of nn eneyj *> I beseech you to take them
without replication.
’ We wish, in this gfrut valley, to he better acquainted
! with vour proposed measures and plans. 1 presume State
: Societies might he organized in all the West, auxiliary to
the S. B. S., if proper steps are taken: I think tliey will cor
dially unite and puslvfnrward the great work.
Let your Corresponding Secretary spend the next sum
|mer among us—#lecp in our smoky cabins, eat our coarse
lure, and tour* somewhat of our blunt western character:
the eilbct wVt be much happier than severe editorials.
Truly yours, SENIOR.
(j ; rrt West, December, 1,917.
Tlie “rebukes” of our respected brother “Senior” wo re
ceive kindly, but pve must add a few words, to prevent his
article from makilg a false impression on the miiids of our
y ill’ll’ (Jl\ ‘wnrihura, of whom wo have many.
1. We are not cease ions of ever having spoken or writ
I ten “disparagingly of the Great West.”
2. We believe t!i” public acts of public men are justsub
jjccts for praisaror censure.
, 3. We hanti more frequently commented on the acts of
i“prominent men” in the Bast, than on those of tiny class of
]men iu the West. We have not connived at wlmt we deem-,
led censurable, even in the acts of those with whom we hold,
almost daily intercourse.
•L The Virginia Publication Society was also organized
llong anterior to the Southern Publication Society, and we be-:
jlieve, anterior to the Tennessee Publication Society; yet
jltlte Virginia Society nobly resolved to co-operate!!with the;
jjSouihcrn Baptist Publication Society. We have also been*
assured by “prominent brethren,” that a suitable agent:
I would lie well received in that State—indeed we have been!
j; invited by at least one prominent brother, to visit that State,. 1
and present the claims of the Society.
The statements of our correspondent, as we represent-’
i ed them, have Been confirmed bv the statements of the junior
editor of the Tennessee Baptist.
t>. We have never advocated any local State interest in op-,
position to toe general interests of our denomination in the*
South, but or> the contrary, have advocate and the general inter
jests of the denomination, even when they seemed to conflict
with our Stale interests. Wo glory in ihe fact, that Georgia
! Baptists have never as: ireal to have any of ov.r jmblfc Boards',
.located in unr Slate. Tliey have ever advocated. Southern
interests, not eastern or Georgia interests.
7. We fi-cl as much interest in the advancement of the
I cause of Christ in the “Great West” ns in the little East.—
We would have the Lard glorified in every section of our
Li. ‘ |
We hope, brother Senior, you will find no marks of a
; “still"’ pen in the above. If you detect any, point them out.
land we will “scrape” our pen again. If we had anv of the’
oil of adulation in which to steep our pen we might make it
solt enough even for our venerable ‘Senior,’ but that is a
commodity we do not keep on hand. Can’t you send us some
! front the ‘Great West?’
P. S.—l. We rejoice to learn that both you and Senior,.
:Jr., are, in heart, favorable to the Southern Baptist Publica
tion Society. If your hearts are right in this matter, we do
not fear but what your, hands will also be right before
illong.
!P- S.—2. We have resigned our official agency for the
S. B. P. S., as it appears some in the‘great West’object to
usas such; but we mean act as voluntary agent —on our
own hook —without fee’ or rdward—wherjfer we go, even
should wo penetrate info one of your “smoky cabins.”—
When the grass on your prairies begin to greuv, look out for
I US ’
■I [For ihe Christian Jrolcx.' (
SQUEEZED IN.”
Brother Baker, —The American Tract Society publishes
very many valuably books; which, from the wide circulation
‘they have anpong us, at® dyMg.much good. It is to be re
jgretti'and,
itself not se.ctufiah , tSife is, occasioiftlly, a Peclobnptist er
]i ror squeezed a:to tlie and gent out
by tlie Am tiioie jiiy Baptists dbnuected with tlso
j Board of Publication oLlifct Society ? If there are, how
j, comes it to pass that tliey overlooked, did not detect, the sec
* tariunism of this tftitenc# foiißfl at page Bth of the little book
called “ TheSabhdrh No. 111. ?
“ Children are the creatures, and, as sudi, the property of
! God. He commits thorn to their parents as his re present a
: lives and officers, to jxjceiw and train them for his .service.
For this purpose tliey are, From tlie beginning, privately (and
publicly to consecrate tbern to him.”
I ask what it is that isrfneaot by publicly consecrating a
child 14 God? Presbyterian and Methodist ministers ntejaii,
,pby this* expression, mfanl bapiism. It is a mode of expu
lsion codktuntly used whim, they public!/ bSptize children.
But wfiatdoes a Baptist mean by this mode of ex
i pression ? He doei not us&Jt: It is not found in his reli
gious vocabulary, uor in his system of theology, tkk Biule-
Our friend, Ilev. InsUtL Edwards, in this little book of his,
rms saw u So „ pitv t W,t expres-
Mon is found in it. Baptists cannot countenance its circula
tion.
; Fiiuids of th truth in rive South, you s.-c the need of a
■ Baptist Publication Society. If we desire the
; truth to triumph over error, we roust preach it with the pe a
; and the press. All our ministeis sliould be on tho alert
I hey should read and watch against error, and “squeeze it
fut by f weeing in” the troth. O, fie ! says some ho.lv,
this wtr, be com rove.-sy !! Well, I cannot help it. Gl
lias a controversy —a universal controversy—with error
,.inil that minister who noes not have a controversy with it
does not disc liaise his duty. 1 ’
Ministers are set for a d.donee of tlie gospel, as Paul was •
consequently, they should defend the truth from the inroads
of error. The truth roust not only be preached, but it must
be deft'ruled.
; “To attack vices iu the abstract, without'touching per
sons may be safe fighting, indeed, but it is tightinrr with
ers of the jn escgt age. John the Baptist did not attack tla•
i vice of adultery in “ the abstractlie attacked it in the
.personol Herod aud his brother Philip’s wife. Ho Inst his
■life by it, it is true, but he had the approbation of bis enn
.'.science and of bis God. Stephen charged the Jews: “Yo
jstiff-necked and uncircumuised in heart and in ears, V e do
-always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did,"so do
!,ye.” And, for this pointed, personal preaching, he lust his
Mife; but the heavens were opened unto him. Don’t be
• afraid to defend the truth.
j I hope, should I live a few years, to see all our ministers
| land lay-members well qualified to defend the truth. Tlie
’Southern Baptist Publication Society is unquestionably well
: i ad opted to the work o i sitting, us right wherein we are
j wrong. Through it we shail feel it is our privilege to
; squeeze tlie truiicin and squeeze error out.
VERITAS.
————— ‘ .
[For the Ciu-isiian Index.]
CATECHETICAL INSTRUCTOR.
TwtGr.s CoT7.\Ty, Ga., Dec. 21, 1847.
Brother Baker, —I have recently had an opportunity of
.examining Brother Chambliss’ Catechetical Instructor, de
signed for tiie use of Families, Sabbath Schools, Bible Class
ics, and to aid in the oral insiruci'on of our colored popula
tion. My opinion of the merits of this- work inclines me to
add my humble testimony in Hs favor, to the many flattering
,notices which have already appeared.. The author would
i t uot expect rne or any one else to pronounce it perfect, but I
•do not hesitate to say that it is a production of great merit,
and one which is worthy of extensive circulation and use.
Mt contains milk for babes and strong rru.-at tor in- n. As an
jauxiliary to Bible Class instruction, 1 think it will be found
quite useful. Asa fluidly fire-stflo Companion, it cannot fail
to perform an important service.. And''although some of the
questions will need simplifying, to bring Ahem down to the
capacity of many of onr colored people, yet in the hands of
judicious teachers it will no doubt aid very much in commu
nicating to that interesting portioh of oiir population, clear
and scriptural view.vof gospel truth.
Although there may he some who would not assent to e verv
thought and expression in the volume, vetlthiuk that nil will
regard it as embracing a system of divinity substantially in
accordance with wbat has ever been regarded as sound and
scriptural by the great body of regular Baptists. Tlie re
.marks which follow the ditferent lessons, embrace a large
!'amount of valuable thought, in the main, judiciously ur
; ranged, sometimes quite original, and; uniformly condensed
in a small compass. One feature of the work particularlr
pleases me : it aims at presenting something like the whoL
truth. Many of our Sabbath School Books are prepared
with a view to their popularity and general circulation
amongst the different religious denominations; hence acer-
\Jannaty