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Jllisstonarg Department.
[from the Missionary Journal]
BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS, MARfON.ALA.;
TEXAS.
San Augustine. — Rev. Jesse Witt's Report?
I had so ordered my arrangements as to make my past,
quarter abundant in tahnrs at least. But before the close of;
the first month, I was attacked with “chills and fever,”;!
which confined me to bed for some time, and for several!
weeks rendered me too feeble for active service. 1 am now
restored to my usual health and vigor. I had the pleasures i
of meeting my Texas brethren, most of them for the first time,
at the formation of our State Convention ; and having boen
almost alone in the wilderness for a year, it was peculiarly
refreshing to mv soul. The meeting was not so largo as,;
such meetings usually are in the older States. Butin point,
of respectability, talent, piety and zeal, both of the ministry ,
and laity, it would have been a credit to any State in the :
Union. I mot most of the missionaries of your Board, and ,
take peculiar pleasure in bearing testimony to their respecta-’
hie standing and character.
They are doing the work of evangelists with diligence;
and zeal, and their influence is as a refreshing stream in u ;
desert land. The wilderness and solitary places are being!
made glad by them, churches are springing up under their|
ministry, and the voiceof joy and salvation is heard in the do-i
sert.
I also attended the annual meeting of the Union Associa-I,
tion, ut Independence—a delightful meeting. God isgru-1
cioiwly reviving his work among the churches, and our lie
deemer’s cause is taking deep root in the bounds of this body.|
Our seminary of learning at Independence is in a healthy!
condition, and is exerting a happy influence.
In surveying the western part of this State, to which tho at
tention of your Board has been mostly directed, I cun butj
exclaim with admiration and delight, “VVliat hulh God
wrought!”
tn relation to the field assigned me, I can only soy the suc
cess mid prospects are not so satisfying. No one, without
visiting the field, can estimate tho difficulties I have to eu
oounter. To these I have alluded in my former reports.—!
Vet I trust my labors have not been in vain. But tho deep
foundation of error, long laid, must bo entirely broken up be
fore much can be accomplished in building up the cause. I
attended the mooting of the Sabine Association last week.—
This body was composed of churches, some of which were)
missionary in sentiment, others anti-missionary, and some!
open communionists. The latter were excluded. This gave
the unties a majority, who, forthwith declared noil-fellowship!
with all missionaries, Masons. Sons of Temperance, &0., Stc.j
There is a respectable minority who will withdraw and or
ganize a now Association ; and then wo shall have peace.—
I have no doubt, this explosion will resu/t in it Mewmg to
this pnrt of tho State.
In this place the Episcopalians have the ascendancy.— 1
Their missionary is very industrious, and seemingly more!
anxious to makecliurclnnen than Christians. Last Lord’s day !
several were admitted to membership, not one of whom l be.;!
lieve professes conversion, and some of them exceedingly ‘
guy and frolicsome. This is a religion that seems to suit the
timer and place, just such us the devil is well pleased with.—*
I Hiring the quarter, I have baptized five persons.
Clarksville.! — Rev. IV. M. Pickett's Report.
In addition to my regular meetings, [ have attended sevo.
ral protracted meetings during the quarter, which were
bl ,'ssed to the conversion of many souls, the number I do not
know. Among them wns one Roman Catholic lady. I,
have baptized twenty.threo persons since ray lust report.—
We contemplate the formation of an Association in this part’
of the country soon. Our membership is so much scattered,!
and tho number of our ministers so small, I almost fear the;
result. I much regret that Baptist ministers will not make;
the sacrifice to come and settle in this part of the State. I,
have strong solicitations to extend my visits fifty or sixty,
miles beyond my present limits. Nothing is wanting but[i
one or two Baptist ministers of the right stamp, to lay afoun
dation in this country that all the powers of darkness cannot j
disturb. There have been great changes during the last
two years—l beliold much that calls for devout gratitude.— ,
But I see also much labor ahead. And richly will he be re
warded who performs it. I have shared it bountifully so fur
as persecution is concerned'. Not from the world, but from
those who profess to be tlio friends of him who was persecu
ted even unto death. Gur Methodist brethren are pursuing
me with the most unnatural opposition. They have received
scarcely a member, except such as were converted at Bap
tist meetings, and nearly all they are doing here, is done for
them bv the Baptists, and this seems to increase rather thun
abate their opposition. I fervently pray the Lord to qjiali
fy mo fully for the trying position 1 now occupy.
Galueslon. — Rev. John. F. Hillyer's Report.
In the early part of the past quarter, brethren Hijl and
Burleston held a protracted meeting in this place, which re
sulted in tho addition oP twenty members by baptism.
At our last meeting I tendered my resignation as pastor of
this interesting church. With this report, I presume my
connection with tho Board should, also cease. 1 hope, how
ever, only so tar ns money is concerned. Assuro all the
members that my all of life is devoted to thelrcause in Texas.
1 go to Goliad, where [ shall be seperated one hundred
miles Irom the nearest Baptist preacher, and all beyond that
point is before me. May the blessed Saviour strengthen me
for the work. Your fostering care of Galveston now, will
be richly rewarded in future. It should be made a strong
hold lor our denomination in Texas. My connection with
&>%*
‘that church has been pleasant, and the thought of separation!
dspainful. But-thispoin will be measurably soothed, if my
;testimony of theii* religious worth and kind attention to their
pastor, will induce our brethren to aid them in their weak
ness, and influence some brother of suitable abilities to some
and take the oversight of them.
LOUISIANA.
Columbia. — Rev. Marlin Haggard’s Report.
\ Since entering my field under the appointment of your
; Board, I have preached to many who have never heard it
before. The earnest solicitation from parents, to come into j
their neighborhoods that their children might hear the news
‘nf salvation, repeatedly reached me on my tour, and in some i
instances persons like the trembling jailor have anxiously
inquired what they should do to be saved, who I trust have
found peace through the atoning blood of Christ.
Our Association has just closed a most delightful session.
It was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. —
Eloven souls have evidence of renewed life, and were added
! unto the church. I have not witnessed such a scene since
coming to the State. The spirit of missions is increasing in
this body.
The various benevolent objects which interest the great
mass of enlightened Christians, must be introduced with much
prudent care in these new fields. That most unfortunate
and blighting spirit of anti.ism lias so long held sway here,,
and the prejudices of the people have become so deeply seated,
that much time, patience and prudence will be requisite to re
move them.
The destitution of a portion of the field I now occupy lias!
! been hinted at. Allow me to refer to it again. 1 have vis
iited neighborhoods never before visited by a Baptist minister
—preached to many of mature age who never heard a ser-!
mon before. I will relate one fact which will give you some
idea of the moral condition of this people. At one ot my;
meetings, there was an agcAman who informed me that he
removed into that parish in tne year 1813, and that i was the,
first Baptist preacher he had heard since that date.
Since the quarter commenced, I have constituted one
church with eight members.
0 elect C tJ .
[From the Watchman Observer.]
THE REVOLUTIONS OF 1848.
The events of the year, more fruitful in important politic- !
at revolutions than any which has preceded it, cannot fail to 1
have an equally important bearing upon the Kingdom of 1 :!
Christ. An English periodical speaking upon this subject,!,
says “one important feature in the changes recently effected. ‘
.is, that tho nations have not been transferred from merely
one form of oppression to another. Neither have they been
(accomplished hy a class for a class; but by the people,
themselves for themselves. The Continental mind had;,’
slowly, but certainly, grown strong enough to cast o(F the
yoke of the oppressor. It has been the triumph of the men- !
tnl over the physical. It is the consciousness of national 11
mind calmly asserting inherent independence. YVliateverlj
; collapse may transpire, there can be no general return to the ,
(old state of things. Such is the happy and noble constitu
tion of the human mind, that even under a limited state of*
jrdueation, when once it tastes of true independence, nothing!
! short of overwhelming power can again place it in shackles.!
Come the worst, we cannot see from whence the strong in-,; 1
licence is to proceed sufficient again to coop tip the people!,
I into a corner, and render them the tame slaves of oppression; ,
i all mental and moral laws decry such a sad consummation. ;
’ Mental freedom has been achieved, and will he secured to a
! large extent, and hence leaves us to calculate its happy in
fluence upon the progress of the gospel of Jesus Christ.—jl
The human mind, before this victory, thought from sheer in-;
ability of power to prevent it; but investigation was either
greatly limited, totally prevented, or else poisoned at its very :
J .source. If pure truth reached it, it was cast into a mould i
!dictated by theoppressor. Bold inquiry was systematically i
1 crushed, and free thinking, in the best sense of the term,
handed over to the police. In short, national mind wassur
) rounded by high walls, deep ditches, strong palisades which
in effect said, “Hitherto shalt thou come and rio further.’'’
1 But now these obstacles are removed out of the way, and
the ransomed spirit walks forth to breathe the sweet and
bracing air of liberty, the gospel may approach it in those
pursuasive ami happy tones, and with that frank and noble
bearing, which have never yet failed of ultimate success.—
’ Now that the nations are free to look truth fairly in the face,
ponder her weighty annunciations, and contrast her heaven- j
born principles with the miserable garbage upon which they,;
have been wont to subsist, we may rationally anticipate ini
portant spiritual results. There is, it is true, a state of transi
tion to pass, one of such, boundless area to the now liberated 1
mind, that for a time perchance, infidelity here and there
may be the result. The marks of despot ism, either political;
or ecclesiastical, are long felt in the soul, although actually
liberated. The genius of the gospel, the balm it carries to,
wounded souls, the calm it throws around the irritated spirit,
the living evidence and demonstrative seals it presents of its
veracity, the glorious liberty which it offers to all its willing
disciples, will ultimately conquer early difficulties, and at
tract to its feet millions that they may drink of its life-giving
stream and bask in the sunshine of its heavenly influence. :
AJI history, alt experience attest that freedom of mind and,:
gospel triumphs go hand in hand. Wiltinghood only can ;
ctiectuelly deal with williflghood. A righteous liberty of
thought is the very life-blood of the gospel of Jesus Christ;
‘for when the Sjiirit if the Lori is, dtere it liberty.’ ”
The et&ct of these revolutions hoe not only been to set tbe (
national tinnAfrec, but it has also in a measure liberated truth
from the dominion which has been exercised over it by the
, unhallowed alliance between Church and State. “We need
not,” says the same writer, “elaborate to view the melan
choly fact, that Christianity on the Continent has for the
most part been presented to the people through the distorting
medium of a corrupt state-churchism. Roman Catholicism
materializes everything it touches. The spiritual it abhors
(any further than it is seen through the material. It not
only teaches error, but degrades truth. It is the gospel
jstripped of its real attributes, and dressed in the meretricious
.splendor of a pagan ritual. This is one of the secrets of its
|bondage. It captivates, but does not really teach. In a
jvvord, it is the masterpiece of Satan, built upon the propen
sities of our fallen nature; to make nations imagine themselves
devout and safe in the midst of ungodliness and error.—
Tngh, then, in such regions, as viewed on the throne, in the
.senate, the pulpit, the church, the convent, the Vatican it
self, has been imprisoned in unrighteousness. No one looks
for figs upon such obvious thistles.
“Will, then, the political changes abroad go far to rescue
truth from such manifest degradation ? Will they depress
priestcraft for the happy coming and deeds of willinghood I
Upon this issue much depends. We are disposed to take
the affirmative of the question, for reasons which appear to
our minds conclusive.
“Recent events, both at Rome and in the papal states, seem
to intimate that the Po|e, if not close upon being denuded of
his temporal possessions at least holds them by a very inse
cure tenure. The Italians of late have manifested anything
but abject submission to their Pope. They for a time con
stitute themselves the state, imprison their once all-potent
sovereign in the Vatican, compel him, against his will, to go
to war with Austria, and, in fact, prove that he is little bet
ter than a puppet in their hands. Now the people having
thus once boldly slapped the face of their pontiff as’ to his
earthly dominions, cannot entertain such a very profound
sense of his spiritual power. YY’hen Popes can, at the bid
ding of the popular will, be stripped of the sword, they will
in due time be regarded as mere vulgar mortals. Since his
sword is so powerless, it may occur to their minds that his
crook is no better. The Italian mind free from civil thral
dom, is likely enough, at no great distance of time, to cast
off its ecclesiastical fetters. Austria, already, has bid adjeu
to the Pope; perchance but the first of an extended series of
farewells 1 At all events the head of Popery is in a singular
ly weak state. Now the Papacy is a great organized sys
tem of hypocrisy. But break down the system, cut it up into
parts, make it a tiling of fragments, and its power, to a vast
extent, is gone. Unity is its life and soul; greatly injure
this, and you destroy tho very sinews of its strength.—
In this direction, therefore, we see ajrreat opening for the
‘gospel. Truth, not as in the time of the Reformation put
! under the ban and keeping of earthly princes, (which was
the radical cause of its failure on the continent,) but walking
’ forth in its inheritent vitality 1 , would make that certain degT6o’
of progress which it always has done under such circum
stances.
“It can hardly be denied that amid this general “shaking
of the nations,” that the compulsory principle, as embodied
in the idea of state-churchism, has received a severe blow.
In the early phase of these revolutions, their aspect was de
leidedly averse to the continuance of such an unnatural and
unhallowed union, h was sufficiently visible that the popu
lar mind on the continent, could it give unbiassed expres
sion to its sentiments, would declare against the continuance
of this unseemly alliance. The upheaving of national mind
from its very depths revealed dislike to this unscriptural as
sociation. For the present this sort of national instinct will
loot be gratified. Neither in France or Germany will so de
jsi ruble a divorce be speedily consummated. But we think it
; Las received a shock from which it will not recover.—
; Throughout the civilized world, tho compulsory system ap
-1 pears doomed. It may linger or limp on for a season, until
I a new setof circumstances shall give it and death blow ; until
(the now partially ransomed people, conscious that the hour
jof its extinction has arrived, will consign it to deep and eter
nal graves. Thinkingandcandid men have long viewed the
Church and State idea as a great fallacy ; nor has it escaped
their notice that, foreign to the sympathies of the people, it
invariably has sided with the powerful and the oppressor.—
It may attempt to adapt itself to the altered state of circum
stances by which it is surrounded, but the attempt will prove
a failure, for that which in its very nature is compulsory,
must at last come into collision with the people, must stop in
its concessions, and when the day arrives, its crisis has come
and its doom is fixed. Classing, therefore, these probabilities
with the great success of the anti-state.church movement
in this country, we may embrace the hope that in no length
jened distance we shall see the departure of a system, the evil
results of which defy calculation.
“Suppose, tlien, the unity of the Roman Church broken
up, and the state-church system shattered, what immenso
obstacles are removed from the highway of the gospel ! Or
ganized hypocrisy laid in the dust—priest-ernft deprived of
its most formidable weapons—creeds examined, not by the
; standard of human authority, but by the lamp of reason and
j revelation—persecution gone out of fashion—money, divert
ed from false systems, flowing into purer channels—the Bi
ble, no longer bound either by police or bishop, would find
its way to the perishing souls of men. Let truth, the trnth
as it is in Jesus, be set free from the officious patronage
ijo# the civil powers, or the yet more dangerous surveilance
> of a proud ecclesiasticism, and we cannot doubt but that it
: would march onward amid the nations, everywhere effecting
the spiritual liberation of the human mind. Blessed harbin
ger would this be of the grand prophetic era, when ‘the earth
will be covered with the knowledge of the Lord, as the wa
terscoverthe channels of the great deep.’ ”
[January