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46
THE INDEX.
Thursday Horning, February 8, 1049.
THE CHRISTIAN OUSE EVER.
What, is the influence of immersion on the heart of one pioneer!
nil over in cold w iter ‘. Can it w ish away an uncharitable spirit?!
Oin it on! fn a rlarkeiatl mind ? Can it make a miuinhr kind;;
and court ua toward those v. ho are taught by the Scripturesji
that inn. <•: >• a i- t!otthchn|,tisin which the Apostles admini.-iercd, i
and that iui:wr ion does not and cannot symbolize the truth, ot
Which IJ.ipti-in in a divinely instituted sign and memorial ? It op- ■
pears that imni -re>.n lias not yet produced these fruits in the case 1 !
ofthe Rv. If. ID ker, editor of tins Christian Index, of Georgia,
and a mini iter nft.ie li.;.ti<t denomination in that Mute. In a re- t
cent iintiii; roi'itis paper, lie says :
‘Wee :■.! a.- i-tion aid in circulating a work that advocated
Univer.-fli; -a, I niturinui- in, or <>: in- ni. m, as one
Tin: moi.i; i- r.\iMsm, Podoboptisrn—more fatal, bernn-e tnor-* po
pular on-1 I p’ctrdol coil. We could as soon reconcile it to
ourcon c: ‘tor tai! ahohot.ns r ail the errors rfi'edobaptism.”
In the above quotation from tlic Observer, wo have a direct
charge, upon the lute editor of the Index, of a want of charily,,
u want of an i nlightened mind, and of Christian courtesy. —
So far ns tills charge is of a personal nature, Dr, Raiser
is amply able to vindicate himself. So far as the char
actor of tbi Index is implicated, wo Ael it our duty to
say a word in its defence. The attack, it will he observed,
is ingeniously couched in question form, and of course may
he answcii din the same way. Wo would, then, ask our
brother of the Observer, how much better has.sprinkling suc-i
needed than immersion, in “washing away an uncharitable
spirit?” or “in enlightening a darkened mind?” or “in ma
king a minister kind and courteous?” Until it can bo shown
that sprinkling lias better eflected llic.se objects than immer
sion, such questions will not exhibit the charity of their uu-’
tlior in a very amiable point of light.
Rut where lias our brother discovered that Baptists ever
professed to expect such results from immersion? If such 1
an expectation has ever been entertained by Baptists, we arejl
frank to confess our ignorance of it, and would be glad to be
enlightened mi the subject. But while we are verv far from!’
pretending to claim such virtues for immersion, will our 1
brother permit us to examine the claims for infant sprink-j
ling, set up by its advocates. They tell us it is an “out-|j
ward sign of an inward grace.” What is this grace? is it
regeneration? is it faith in Christ? or is it something else?
w is il received by the act of sprinkling, or previous to it ?
and what are the evidences by” which its existence may Lei,
discovered? and where are the evidences to he found in
Cod’s word of the existence of such infantile grace at nllj
and that sprinkling is its appropriate sign? But our brother 1
of the Observer professes to he taught by the Scriptures,
that immersion is not “the baptism which the apostles ad- j
ministered,” and we may imply, tlmt he is taught by tire ;
scriptures, that sprinkling is “the baptism which the apostles*!
administered.” Do not Unitarians and Universalists profess'’
to he taught by the scriptures the truth of their doctrine?— lj
Baptists are taught by the scriptures a very different doc-1;
trine in relation to the nature, the object, and the subjects’
of baptism. Have we not as good a right to our construc
tion of the scriptures ns our Pedobaptist friends? If we‘
have a right to our opinions, have we not a right to express
them? But it seems to be an offence, that they are com
pared with Unitarians and Universalists. Have not those
also the right to their construction of the scriptures ns well
as others, and to express that construction when entertained?
and why should it be an offence to either, for another to dif
f. r from them all, and to express the extent of that difference?
But our brother perhaps will say our dillbrence is a small
matter when compared with the grossness of the error of the’
Unitarian ami Universalist. But he should remember that,
“he that is unjust in the least,” is pronounced by the Saviour,
to ho “unjust also, in much.” It might have been consider-p
cd a small matter by Lott’s wife to have looked back when
escaping lor her life, but she was made, for that disobedi
ence, a monument ol Divine displeasure. Our first mother
might have thought so in relation to eating the forbidden fruit;
but in what lamentable ruin has it involved our world.—
The Saviour says, whosoever shall break one of these least
commandments and shall teach men 60, he shall be called the ;
least in the kingdom of heaven.
\\ e believe most honestly, that in this construction of the :
mode and the subjects of baptism, our Pedobaptist brethren !
have perverted the whole intention and design of the Saviour 1
in its appointment; that they have virtually annulled it, and!’
substituted something altogether different in its place. Audi
while we leave them to the freedom of their opinion on thisi!
subject, we must claim the liberty of judging for ourselves
and of expressing our opinions freely. We stand before the
vorld and our maker to be judged by the law and the testi
mony.
In the moan time, we, in our turn, protest against the
charge of want of charity, want of courtesy, and want of en.
#ll3 tp*
enlightened mirkis, because we presume to express the ex- j
tent to which ouf opinions differ from those of other brethren.
! We would not charge our brethren with want of sincerity in
their belief, nor would we doubt the sincerity of Saul of Tar
sus, when he thought he ought to do many things against the
name of Christ. But his sincerity did not make his opinions
* correct.
ji \
[From the Baptist Missionary Magazine. ]
CONDITION OF MANKIND.
i More than seres parts out if riithl of the whole population of
11our globe aregtill sank in deplorable darkness and corruption.—
HOf the eight hundred millions of immortal souls, which the earth is
Ij supposed to contain, only about sixty, or, at most, seventy mi: :ions,
. are nominally Protestants. The great muss of the remaining
..scten hundred ant forty midions are either Pagans or M'duim
uied ins, or nearly as destitute ns either of siuing evangelical light.
*Of these sixty or seventy millions of nominal Protest.nits, onh
about, a third part, or ■ !i"le more than twenty millions, can be said
!to have the real gAspel es Christ, in any thing like its purity, so
much us preached among them, (it those which, in a large sense
ol the word, we may call eian/grtica! congregations probably not
more than one half, or ttrrlcr. midi n<. are even prof ssors ot reli
gion, in “any dish net or intelligent import of the terms. ‘l';.at is.
of the eight hundred nil inn* of the world’s population, but little
more th in an r.i inttCTii part are even raw e-?o;:s of iip.i icx-x.
in any scriptural form,or claim to know any thing of its sanctity ing
i power, iiow many of these professors of religion we may calcu
late upon as pro i ibl l real Chris lions. —ah ! —that is a question on
which the humble, < idighren believer, though he may hesitate and
weep, will l’orlii ar to ittempt an e timate !
I Such is, confessedly,at present, the dark atul distressing state of
the great mass < four world's population. What a little remnant,
A'ia>;".r al the multiplied millions of mankind, have any adequto
;nrs,,yii. ‘ knowkdg” of the religion of Ciiri-t! O what a moral.
: c'liarnel-i one di os our world appear! What a valley of “dry
phones!—exceedingly dry!” “Can these dry bones live?” Yes.
they shall live? ‘jim mouth if itv Lord hath * nit. Andereii
pxow, amidst the darkness and misery which l>p ud over the greater
! part of the earth, there are appearances, every where, which
promise the approach of better days. A short time since, a large j
; part of the inhabited globe was absolutely chord aguin-t the miq-j
! sionarics of the cross. But now it may be said, without exaggera
tion, that the whole world is opened wide to the bearers of the gos-,
i pel message.— Mi'irr.
ij We suppose that from the authorities by which the above
calculations are sustained, they may be pretty nearly correct.
What cliristiuu can read them without heart-lelt pain, and
earnest prayer, that the Lord would send forth more labor-1
ers into the harvest. While ihe contemplation of these me
lancholy lacts are well calculated to produce the deepest
sensations of distress, how encouraging are the promises
found in the gospel, that the Christian shall be able to apply
an effectual remedy for such a world of wretchedness and
ruin. We thers find the promise made to the Son of Gpd!
to give him the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost
parts of the earth for his possession. We there learn that
lie lias died for our sins and has risen again for our justifica
tion; tlmt he has commissioned his disciples to go into all the
‘world and to preach the gospel to every creature, and that
lie that believeth shall not perish but have everlasting life,
i With this remedy in his land, and the promise of Christ to be
with him, bow can the Christian sit still and see thousands
|!of his fellow-beings dying daily in their sins, and manifest
jno care lor the salvation of their souls! Let all professorsof
i| religion consider well the responsible positions they occupy,
and see to it, that in the great dav of accounts, tliev be not
! c haracterized by the Priest and the Levite, without compas
sion for the sufferings of a fellow-being, rather than by the,
good Samaritan who hud compassion on him. Let us obey
the command of the Saviour, and go and do like this Samari
tan. Let us reflect’ upon the condition of the world—the
iremedy provided for it, by God himself, and put into our
bauds; the assurances we have that our labor shall not be in
,vain in the Lord; and in addition to all this, that in the Pro
vidence of God, he is at this time opening a wide door for the
| effectual ministry of his word in almost every part of this
ruined world. Let us think of all this, and then ask our
selves if we can sit still any longer, without a more diligent
, use of the means in ottr hands, and yet hope at last to hear
‘jit said to us, “well done good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the joys of thy Lord.”
ASSOCIATE)XAL RECORD.
Mississippi Hirer Baptist Association. —This Association
reports no general revival of religion within its bounds the
j: last year—and that but few other changes have taken place.
All the churches except one have enjoyed the preached word,
and a lively interest has prevailed upon the subject of Sab
bath schools. It has 11 churches—39S members—4 ordain
re>d ministers.
West Florida Baptist Association.— This is anew organi
zation—has lately held its second session—has 13 churches
J —151 members—B ordained ministers—and 4 licentiates
—in the last year have baptized 103.
(ICrThe Savannah Republican says, we learn that when
the passenger train to Macon, Jan. 28th, was passing a small
bridge over a creek, some six miles from town, the bridge’
gave way, precipitating the locomotive and tender into the
creek. We have not heard that any one was injured.
THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
The Aquilcx Division of this Order celebrated their first
anniversary, in our village, on last Saturday. The Division
from Greenesboro’, and members from other neighboring
Divisions were present, and “fraternized” with their breth
ren of this place. Our space will permit us to notice only
the more important particulars of the exhibition. After an
introductory prayer, Miss Ellen Richards, representing the
Indies of Penfifcld, presented to the Aquilex Division a beau
tiful Bible, as a token of the great solicitude which they feel
for the success of the nohle cause in the Sons of Tem
perance are enlisted. Miss Richards performed the task as
signed her in a very handsome manner. Her address was
appropriate and in good taste. She alluded to the influence
which the efforts of those whom she addressed might exert
upon the happiness of her sex, and pointed them to the Biblo
as the “star” that must guide them on their pathway of use
fulness. She was responded to in suitable terms by .Mr.
, Gaskill, in behalf of the Division.
This ceremony was followed by the Anniversary Oration.
The speaker was Rev. N. G. Foster, of Madison, who enter
tained the audience most agreeably for nearly an hour. His
speech was replete with good sense and good humor. lie ex
cited some laughter at the expense of those who “natallv
love the creter,” and of those, too, who “lie in the loft”
while others “light the bear.” And yet ho was not all mirth
ful. There were, here and there, tearful eyes and subdued
fi l ling", when, wi;h touching pathos, he portrayed the woe
of that heart which drunkenness has destroy, and. We trust a
deep impression was made in favor of the great tcmperanco
reformation.
A sumptuous Pic-faic Dinner, furnished by our citizens,
, closed the entertainment.
!
SIGS T S of the times.
The year Eighteen Hundred and Forty Eight has been a
truly eventful year. Its revolutions and political enmmolions
will occupy a conspicuous place in the future history of the
world. France, Revolutionary France, led the way, and
the other governments of Europe were prepared to imitate
her example. Crowns and thrones have been tumbled in
the dust, and the millions have risen in the majesty of their
strength determined to be free. Even the Pope, whose bulls
and anatliamas were once more terrible than anv army with
banners, is now a miserable old man, no; trtTOWiirywtlffflfT”
io fly for a place of safety. Whence all these commotions?
Why this mighty over turning amongst the nations? Has
Providence nothing to accomplish by these movements ? Is
there not some grand event just before us which is to “stain
the pride of all [earthly] glory and to bring into contempt
all the honorable of the earth ?”
Italy, during the first three centuries of the Christian era,
drank the blood of thousands of the saints ; Home pagan then
wielded the sword; subsequently to that time, Rome papal
has acted a principal part in a tragedy which has coupled
her name with every thing execrable in human or fiendish
natures. France too, has done her part in the work of pro
scription and murder. The other nations are not bloodless
i m regard to the people of the Most High God. Will He who
, sits upon the eternal throne, one of whose atributes is Justice,
inflexible Justice, fail to reward guilty nations like these ?
Upon our own continent there is a nation where the ‘Beast’
lias for more than two centuries borne exclusive sway. The
Bible until recently never cast i's light upon this dark land.
Phis nation has been thrashed by the army of the American
Union most fearfully; and at this moment, is groaning un
der the deadly influence of anarchy, the most deplorable evil
to which any people cun be subjected. The public mind is
too ignorant, by its voluntary exclusion of light, to frame and
sustain an efficient government. Mexico lies there near tho
centre ol this broad continent, a monument to the blighting,
ruinous effects of Popery.
In view of these things it would perhaps be wrong to spec
ulate ; but as we are drawing nearer and nearer the six
thousandth year of the world’s existence; ag the Millennial
Sabbath approaches, the present time may be the day of pro
paration. Os one thing we may rest fully assured—the hu
man mind is every where throwing offits shackles; freedom
ofthought and freedom of action are the watch-words of the
times. Copies of the bible, translated as it is info the various
tongues of this babbling earth, are multiplied indefinitely,
whilst ministers and colporteurs run to and fro scattering
broad-cast tile precious seed. Fearful indeed are the re
sponsibilities of the Christian church. Will she gird herself
fora faithful discharge of the duties of her station ? Will
there be more faith, more zeal, more prayer, more devotion
to the glorious cause ?
(KrThe citizens of Troup and Coweta counties have taken
stock to the amount of SIBO,OOO, for the building of a Rail
I Road between Atlanta and La Grange.
[February