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sinner rather than another, or in other words, it
mav nover bo Tub explained to finite minds, but
infinite wisdom is justified in all its acts. It
becomes mortals to how in holy adoration, and
say, “even so Father for so it seemed good in
thy sig'ht.”
Dear brethren, T conclude this epistle in the
language of Paul to Timothy, “Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise
God, be honor and glory for ever and ever,
Amen.” A. C,
For the Christian I id.'*.
Pro. Editor, I ennnot feel satisfied without reply
ing to brother \V. T. Brantly’s letter appearing in the
Index of the 85th of Oct., 1849 ; seeing you have de
clared your columns open for a reply. Surely he
knows but little of the Primitive, or Old School Bap
tist, (called rather by way ol reproach Anti-effort, or
Ilard-shell Baptists,) or else he has not written what
he believes of them. Be this as it may, he surely
has manifested a Pharisaic or self-righteous dis'posi
tion ; for lie appears disposed to lake praise to him
self, and to give it to every body else who will sup.
port, what he calls, benevolent puterpriz.es; while
such as do not support them by 1 heir money and pre
sence. nre by him denounced as heterodox, unchris
tian, and unworthy of even a place or name in your
religious periodicals. Sol am irrcsistably brought
to the conclusion, that this standard of orthodoxy is
not tiie articles of the Baptist Faith, founded upon the
scriplures of divine truth, but the benevolent enter
prizes. such ns Sunday school, Bible, Temperance
and other missionary Societies; all of which, in their
present operations, ate destitute of scripture authority
and not even hinted at in the articles of our faith.—
In the first place, he thanks the Editor of the Baptist
Register lor excluding us from the ranks of a Chris
tian community, because we give, (to him 1 suppose,)
melancholy evidence, that we possess but little of the
spirit of Jesus Christ. To this I would answer, that
] think VV. T. B. is mistaken in thinking the Editor
of the Register has excluded us from the ranks of a
Christian community; for we never have been ac
countable to him, or under his discipline, and wo nre
glad of it. We live in civilized Americu, and have
the liberty of conscience to worship God, according to
the dictates thereof, und according to what wo believe
tho word of Cod fully authorizes as duty. And 1
pray God may give us grace and strength, that we
may never follow tlm doctrines and commandments
of men contrary to his word. As to our giving mel
ancholy evidence, that we possess but little of the
spirit of Jesus Christ, to me, this is a matter of grief
and sorrow more or less every day ; but if we have
his spirit (or mind,) (though but little oven as a grain
musturd seed,) we arc his, and are so alone by grace
through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is tho gift
of Cod ; not of works, lest any man should boast. 1
am astonished that it has so lately occurred to tho
writer, that they were doing a serious injury to tho
cause oi truth. I. y eo ol> a r*.-s f
whose whole profession and lives indicate, that they
are actuated by the spirit of this world. I have no
doubt but he intends Uiis (*r all such as will not sup
port, what he calls, wnovolent or monied institutions.
But let him look to his own ranks, and see if there
are no evidences of the spirit of this world manifested
in pride, fashion, jestures in the pulpit, doctrines and
discipline. And after ho takes a look there, read the
Saviour’s language, Mat. 7:5, “Thou hypocrite,
first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then
shall thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy
brother’s eye.” lie continues to say of us, “But that
as a mass tlioyjuiow any thing of tlie_regenerating
grnoc ot rtw <Vvlne spirit \ have no reason to believe.”
Dl**. I*"'-'ln 1 *"'-'ln support 01, a bat lie cahls, benevo*
would ..vmuL ud I,; i...
no doubt
be a full and sufficient reason to satisfy his wind, that
we are actuated by the divine spirit; notwithstand
ing, what he calls benevolent institutions, in their
present operations, arc entirely destitute of scripture
authority. From his writing, this would be consis
tent with his ortlnfdoxv. For the Free-will Baptists,
who deny the sovereignty of divine grace, and the to
tal depravity of human nature, are spoken of in the
highest terms by him, for no other reason, than that
they are zealous in supporting the before named in
stitutions.
In ihe next place, he says, lie had his eye on one,
(and l wish he had given his name,) who was regard
ed as a most orthodox expounder of our heterodoxy,
the burthen of whose preaching is, the denunciation
of every benevolent effort and especially the Temper
ance reformation. 1 think 1 have found out how this
was conveyed to his reverence, and, if I am not mis
taken, I heard the sermon preached by brother Geo.
Lumpkin, at Mars Mill, Clark county; and I know
lie did not oppose temperance, but zealously advoca
ted it, contending that wo should be temperate in all
things, using every blessing as not abusing it—
Neither did lie oppose worldings uniting with the j
Sons of Temperance, or Frco Masons either, if they j
choose. But for church members, bo declared the
scriptures of truth to be an all-sufiicient rule, both of :
faith and practice, and ns the above named Societies
nre destitute of scripture authority, he urged the im
propriety of church members uniting with tho world,
lo make up companies called Sons of Temperance, or
Free Masons either. And, in this last, he fully
agrees with a decision of the Georgia Association,
when her practice in preaching and discipline, were
more consistent with the articles of her faith, than it
has been of late. By reading her history, you will
find, she pronounced it disotder for a church member
to join the Free Masons, or be a member with them.
Was that heterodox? As for the Sons of Temper
ance, they were not thought of, or invented then: and
if they had been they no doubt would have been trea
ted then by the Georgia Association in the same man
ner. Farther, as the above named Societies aro en
tirely destitute of scripture authority, either by pre
cept or example, church members should “touch not,
taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the
using ; osier tiie commandments and doctrines of •
men ; which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in j
will worship, and humility and neglecting of the bo- j
dy (church ;) not in any honor to the satisfying of the ]
flesh.” He says further of our orthodox, “his dis
courses are usually followed and preceded by copious
potations of intoxicating beverages.” By this, Mr.
B. wishes to send out the impression abroad, that our
preachers, some of them, if not all, are intemperate
drinkers, for copious means large, anil potations
means drinks. If he had reference to brother Geo.
Lumpkin, lie is mistaken in the man, for I have been
with him frequenily, when lie has used some spirits,
and 1 believe he uses as little as any man I oversaw
that used it at all. And in all our churches with
which I am acquainted, il a brother preacher or lay
member becomes drunken, discipline has been ex
ecuted as quick os possible; audit ought to be in
every such case. Bull am acquainted u ith mem- I
hers of Missionary churches, who aro habitual drunk
ards, and have been for years, und discipline lias not
yet been executed. But the reason may be, because 1
they contribute lo the supjiort of what is called be
nevolent enterprises. Our self important complain- |
ant, next speaks of another of our spiritual luminaries, \
who had bc-cn preaching of the folly of excessive
prayer, and . tells the manner, lie was informed (he
says on good authority) it was done.
I do not dispute but that he heard such a report, but
I ora hard to believe that such preaching caine from
one of our order. If it did, 1 hope Mr. 8., or his in
formant, will give us his name, and place ol residence;
pd if they do not, we shall take it for granted that
1 it was raised, and told wickedly and designedly.
He says, he fears the above cases may lie taken as a
fair sample of ilie kind of instruction his anti-brethren
deni out to their people, and which the latter receive
with the highest relish. I cannot believe that, with
the opportunities and information W. ‘l'. Brandy has;
he con fear the cases he lias represented, is a fair
sample of the preaching ofthose ne calls anti brethren,
I notwithstanding ull their imperfections appearing so
j plainly in his view. He says, we, or a large mujori
, ty of us, are Unrelenting opponenls of the cause of
truth, and righteousness, and that, the powers of dark
ness have few more efficient allies than nre found in
the vast majority of us, be calls, Hard Shell baptists.
Truly to such as are carnal, even light appears as
darkness ; and he cannot be more confident that he
sees correctly, than were the l’harisces anciently
with all the advantages of education, which they pos
sessed, when they used such hard sayings against
Jesus, because he would not conform to their religious
institutions, but reproved their eating and drinking
with publicans urnl sinners. (Mark 2: 10.) And of
Paul tho same kind of people said, “Away with such
a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that ho should
live.” Acts 22: 22. If Jesus and his apostles re
j ceived such denunciations from Pharisees anciently,
1 what may we expect from Pharisees or self-righteous
j persons now, who are boasting of their many works
and groat efforts to christianize the world. In the
next place, Bro. Editor, the writer betrays his harsh
arid sensorious disposition by saying—“l would not
be harsh or censorious,” (Ins writing was intended
lor nolhing else,) “but would endeavor lo be charita
ble, for 1 myself have to make large draughts upon
j the charity ol others.” In this he explains of what
i kind his charity is, mid it differs very much from the
charity Paul speaks of in his first letter lo the Corin
thians 13: 4, “Charity sufforetb long und is kind,
charity cuvietli not, charity vaunleth not itself, is not
puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly. Socket h
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinkotli no evil.”
lie compluins, that we are bitter in our denunciations
i of those who think they should bo actively engaged
l in the service of Christ. It is irue, we have been
bitter in our denunciations of what we verily believe
are the doctrines and coinmuiidinents of men nud
entirely destitute of scripture authority, but we never
! have denounced one who was actively engaged in the
service of Christ, according to his revealed word.
W. T. 11. will please look over his own denunciations,
and then road Paul’s letter to the Romans 2: ‘-U,
“Tlmu therefore which leaclicst another, tcanbest
not thou thyself? Thou that preuoln st a man should
not steal, dost thou steal ? ” lie says of ojs further,
“For the most pait they are extremely ignorant.”
As to the wisdom he speaks oQ (the wi.sdqm of this
World) we are very destitute it is true, but yet hope
we are, wise unto salvation by grace. For his refloc
tion, I will give a sow quotations of scripture ; first,
Matt. s:!i e!i. part of 22d Verse, “But whosoever
i shall say thou fool shall ha if* danger of hell fire.”
Matt. 11 : 25, 20, “At that time Jesus answered and
said, I thunk thee O Father, Lord ofheuven and earth.
! because thou hast hid these things from the ieise and
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so
Father, for so it seemed good in thy •sight.” 1 Cos?.
3: 18, “Let no man deceive himself, if any man
i among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him,
become n fool that he may be wise.” 19, ‘Tor the
wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it
is written, lie takoth the wise in their own crafiness.”
20, “The Lord knoweth the thoughts ol the vvlse.ihat
they are vain.” Again he says—“ When we solicit
’ them lo send delegates lo our religious conventions Wc
i in fact declare to them that we believe thertri to be A
j religious body. It is time that we oease to be abettors
of the dulusionnjin which 1 four that these opponents of
Christ’s cause i*-e living.” It is remarkable to notice
I not only in which this denouncer has writ
ton. but tlieiT,t®Bßpj T TtCii our missionary oretnron ,
1 generally, toward us ever since the dis- j
tressing divisiJrnifns urged upon us. Then they j
professed great sorrow that we would not unite with
them in support of the Baptist Slate Convention and
its tributary branches. Ever since that time, they
luivo professed to believe us orthodox in faith, preach
! ing, and discipline, so that members received and bap
! tizeil by us since the division (if one should oiler to
join them) was received and their baptism considered
vulied lor them, though administerod by us. They
have moreover occasionally sent delegates lo Associa
! lions of our order, to lubor lor reunion (though
always upon their own terms) professing great con
fidence in, and nolhing hut love toward us, as Chris
tians; and since the Inst committee appointed by
the Georgia Association to labor with the Towalliga
Association—reports mid advises lo make no further
efforts. Behold W. T. 11. comes out with the most
bilter denunciations against us whom tfiey heretofore
have loved so much —when wc fire the ray same
people we have been ever sineo, and before the divi
sion. But the fact is, now ull hopes of proselyting us
are gone, a disposition to sink us in public estimation
and destroy our reputation, (if possible) is manifest
ed too plum to be misunderstood. This evidently is I
the spirit of tyranny or persecution in its orginal j
dress, professing great love for those upon whom it
preys, until it utterly fails to lead into Idolatry, and
then strives to drive or destroy —for proof, read the
Bible and church history. lie concludes by saying,
“We should love Christ too much to call them Chris
tians—and t hem too much to misrepresent their true
character.” lam willing for vour readers to judge
and delormino by the scriptures of divine truth,
whether or not he has misrepresented our true char
acter, “We should not hate or denounce one of them.”
lie has already denounced us and given some evi
dence ol hatred too, with all the chicanery he was
master of, to try to hide it. But his denunciations
are lighter than chntf with us, while we havo this
glorious seal, “The Lord knoweth them that ure
his.” And to our God wc stand or fall. Ho says,
“we should pray for them and exhort them to forsake
their wickca ways,” &c. It W. T. U. and others
can have humility enough to pray for such miserable
wretches os lie represents us to be, I hope they will
pray that God may enable us to love our enemies, do
justiy, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, all
our appointed time heieon earth, and never sulfcr us
to be led astray by the vain doctrines and command
ments of men contrary to his revealed word or will.
May this be our happy lot is my earnest prayer for
Christs’ eake. Amen.
DAVID W. PATMAN.
For the Christian Index.
TO THE FRIENDS OF FOREIGN MISSIONS
IN GEORGIA.
Respected brethren. — More than six montlis ago I
came to this State for the purpose of advancing the
cause of Foreign Missions. In prosecuting my la
bors, I have visited eleven Associations, many church
es and individuals. Every where I have found
triends to the cause, and hundreds have kindly re
spondee! to the call I havo made upon them in behalf
of the perishing heathen.
But a vast work remains to be accomplished, and 1
most earnestly entreat the friends of the Saviour to
“come up to the helpoftiie Lord.”
There ought to bt more of a Missionary spirit.—
Thousands who profess to be Missionary Baptists
are doing nothing to forward the Redeemer’s king
j dom. They do not inform themselves how the cause
ofChrisi is spreading; they feel of course, but little
concern for a perishing world; they pray but seldom,
“thy kingdom come they give sparingly for its
promotion. Must this state of thing continue? O.
shall thore bo one in the church, who owes his hope of
heaven to the redeeming love of Christ, that will not
TI IE CHnmTIAN IND EX.
labor to convert simidUftm the error of their ways,
; to “tiie wisdom oftljejbd!?”
Every family ought t> read either the Chrisiiao
‘.,4 Index, or the Missionary ournal, pr the Commission ;
and *ll should pray and *>'• tribute for the Missionary
cause. ,
We need a plan for si staining the Foreign Mission.
We have labored on wHiout a plan, and hence our
1 funds have been so yflirtuaiing that both the Board
j and the Missionaries Vito often been distressed.
I have proposed a jf.n to the Baptist churches in
Georgia, at once easy, sinple, practicable, and will be
, productive in grnerallAidopted. The plan is this:
j —that each church ap&*t a committee of not less than
two, who shall select member of the church (and
oj the congregation please) to contribute, at
least ten cents a year, and as much more us God in
his providence may entile him lo do,Jor the Foreign
Mission. |
This plan, if generrLV adopted in Georgia, would
| bring into the Treasury, annually, more than @SOOO,
I and if adopted by all he Missionary Baptists in the
; Southern States, wouf, yield an amount of more than
@30000! More than 1:00 ministers in this State,
have expressed theii approbation ot this plan, and
more than half of the Missionary Associations have
recommended it to thfr churches.
Wil ! every Missionary Baptist in Georgia give ten t
cents, between this Mnthe time ol the Georgia Con
vention ? Some of Ini churches are at work on this
! plan. Will all adojr it ? May 1 ask ;he delegates,
: who voted for this plm in their respective Associa
’ tions, to bring it to tfie notice of the churelies to
i which they belong.
1 must not, I Cannot Uave Georgia until I see this
I plan or some other on< bAter, if there be any, adopted
I by every Missionary llcrptisl Church in this State that
| has no objection to sane Wslem, for sustaining the
i Foreign Mission.
bear Friends Slouhl this communication meet
| your eyes, permit im to entreat you not to pass it by !
I I am pleading the eaise of millions of hpathens who
j are sinking into eterril death, and you can help them !
Wo are fellow la biters in the kingdom ot Christ,
i You have a Board o the Southern baptist Convention,
I in Richmond, and tley look to Georgia Baptists for
j means to carry on ileir plans of benevolent effort.
Before I close lliii communication, I have three re
quests to make of tluse who are doing, or intend to do
something for the Foreign Mission.
1. That some fiiend, in every church that has
adopted the plan alme referred to, will inform me,
by a letter addressed to me in Macon, the names and
pesfofiice address of i|ie committee appointed to so
.l it;U funds tor the A'ission cause.
2. That ull the diuretics have their funds ready
by the last of April. bo ns to forward them by the |
delegates tu the gUnniention to meet in Marietta in
3. As I cannot Joe all the friends in the State, he
fore the State Contention, that those individuals, who
intend to contribute to the Foreign Mission ibis year,
would forwurdAbeir offerings to the Treasury of the
Lord while they bjivnit in their power todoso.
( May |ielp us to labor in his cause.
&c.
ELI BALL, Agent
i r S F M s u c
For the Christian Index.
bear brother^- Allow mo lo call your attention,
and that of the B.ntists of Georgia, through your pa
per to the following plan for sustaining two hundred
and twenty six nddilional Missionaries, to those we
; now l ,av,! in the Foreign field under the Southern
Baptist Convemhn, by 1851.
1 lor cach Association in all tho
Stall*, 1 ‘villi the Southern l\ ant vat Coiv
\yfltion, containify y
one missionary, Sj.pd no ntwitiouurone. tor every 1875
I members.
i This can bo accomplished by their pnying, on an
average, for each member, O.ne Dime per quarter;
which sum is found by cumulation to amount to 8750,
tho estimate for sustaining one minister and his wife, i
as niissioim:ies;iii*lieathou lands.
Our statistics show, that there are, in the Southern
States, the requisite number of Associations, if acting
upon the plan prflpo.sr and, to sustain one hundred and j
thirteen ministers and their wives, making the whole ■
number of missionaries as. proposed, 226. 1 further
propose, that the contingent expenses of the Soiuhern
Baptist (invention, be provided lor. by the small As
sociations also pnying, on an average of their mem
bers, alike sunt annually of One Dime per quarter.
This plan will raise, for salaries of missionaries,
eonwwMiicanis, and. for con
tiqgenf fund, |!75, 514, froij) the remaining 188,780
Baptists, making a total of 100,204. This,
to sustain present engagements, und enlarge the mis.
sions a*S proposed, is uhout the proper amount.
I am of the opinion, that the plan above is the best
for our churches, and most likely to be adopted by
them, embracing as it does many of their predilec.
! lions. Besides, there are many considerations, which
; seem to commend themselves to a thinking mind,
such ns—
Direct objects for particular social bodies, are indis
pcnsible to give them action and efficiency. There
fore, the importance of the plan, for Associations sus
taining their own missionaries in the Foreign field.
It gives to the churches an increased system of ac
tion.
It requires no change, but unites itself with the or
der, polity, doctrine, and usages of Baptist churches.
It requires no change in our missionary organiza
tions under the Southern Baptist Convention. Nor
them agencies, as at present employed are doing
away with the necessity of frequent changes; which
make all such bodies feeble concerns.
It does not interfere with our s ato organizations,
nor the local Associations.
It is practicable and expedient.
It adapts itself rather to the masses, than to wealthy
individuals.
In a word, it is clearly an efficient system, increas.
ing the number of missionaries, as fast as the Associa
lions gain members and ♦ fficiency—lienee the plan
may be relied on, because possessing ihe elements of
self-support and stability.
From all these considerations, in connection with
the faol, that all the south fee! that an increase of our
foreign missions is demanded of our churches, I urge
the adoption of the plan. All eyes turn to Georgia
Baptists, as foremost in this benevolence, and Chris
tian grace. Her quota in the proposed glorious en
ter prise, will from the following Associations, accord
ing lo tho ratio of the Southern States, lie as follows:
Georgia 3, Salem 1, Columbus 1, Coosa I, Ebene
zer 1, Hephzibah 1, Flint River 1, Hightower 1,
Sarepta 1, Sunburv 3, Western 2, —Total 16, and
their wives being added make 32. This number of
foreign missionaries sustained by Georgia, would
give the work an increased impetus in all her sister
states. Will the work be done? I have every reason
to believe it will. Only look again at the estimate
trom each member, One Pimp per quarter, just 40 cts.
per annum, that is all! Brother Sanders, and breth
ren of Georgia, all, think of the consumation of this
plan—226 additional foreign missionaries sent out by
the Southern Baptist Convention in two years. It is
joy to think ol it; but it will bk God.like to do the
work. Speak out, beloved brethren and sisters. Let us
hear your cheering an i encouraging speech, stirring
up your thousands ot'Georgia Baptists, and encourag
ing your sister states.to fidelity in tbeenterpri.se.
Goon and prosper., hrothren, and, God give you
and mo more grace, and more ol bis spirit’s influence.
Your Brother, I\ S. GAYLE.
(fljr Christian 3Snt.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1850.
PRICE OF THE INDEX.
Some of our subscribers seem to misunderstand the
terms of the Index. They hare taken it for granted,
that the paper is now published at 82 per annum.—
This is a mistake. The subscription price is still 82
50. The Executive Committee have, however, de
termined to remit fifty cents es a premium to every
subscriber who pays strictly in advance. Those who
allow a portion of their subscription year to expire,
without paying for their paper, cannot expect this
premium; and, of course, must not be disappointed,
to find the regular price charged on their accounts.
FRENCH BAPTISTS.
On the first page, will be found on extract from
the Missionary Magazine, for January 1850, which
will, without doubt, be read with pleasure. Besides
other interesting incidents, it gives an account of the
formation ol the first Baptist Association in France.
That there were among the Albigenses and Wal
denses, who lived in this country a few centuries ago,
many who adhered to the doctrines and practices
which distinguish the Baptists of the present day, we
have every reason to believe. But for many years,
France knew little of evangelical Christianity, and
nothing of Baptist sentiments. Since the year 1832,
however, missionaries from this country have been
zealously at work, endeavoring to point the deluded
Catholics to Jesus Christ, as the only Saviour and the
only spiritual Lord. This work they have prosecuted
under God’s hlcssing, until their churches have ac
quired strength enough to unite together in the or
ganization of an Association. We refer to this event,
not in a sectarian spirit, as though we. felt an interest
only in those things which appertain lo Baptists.
Wo look with pleasure, at all the efforts made by
evangelical Christians, to diffuse a knowledge ofChrist.
We have watched the struggles of Protestants of dif
ferent denominations to gain a foothold in Catholic
France. Wo have rejoiced at their triumphs, and
lamented their discomfitures. But this does not pre
vent us from looking, with peculiar interest, at the
spread of our own denomination. Believing that the
principles which are peculiar to the Baptist Denomi
nation, were held by Christ and his Apostles, we da
sin) to see them adopted by all who are followers of
Christ.
In France, as in all other nations that are burdened
with established churches, dissenters have much to
oppose them in their efforts lo serve God. We copy,
from the N. Y. Recorder, an account of the arraign
ment of M. Leon Pilatte, for preaching contrary to
the laws of the established church. This is but a
repetition of some of the scenes, through which some
of our Baptist brethren had to pass, two or three
years ago. France has vet to learn the fundarrrntul
principles of liberty. But, in the mean time, let the
disciples ofChrist go forward in the discharge of their
duty, remembering, that ho that is with them, is
greater than he that is against thorn.
Any incident which t-mls to pillar
opinion upon this very important I but
be deeply interesting. The cause w- £ imhaps
more than any other at present involve* and
direct avowal or disavowal of this princip.-efis that of
M. Leon Pilatte. A few weeks ago his meetings
were closed by order ol the government, and he sub
jected to a fine of 200 francs (-’S4O). The pretext
upon which this sentence was pronounced, was that
the meetings alluded lo were not intended for worship,
but were in fact neither more nor less than club mee
tings, and consequently fell under the club luw, by
which women and minors were, excluded.
From this decision M. Pilatte immediately appealed
to the Court of Appeals, maintaining that in no parti
cular could his meetings merit the character given.
His case was therefore brought bcfoic the Court of
Appeals on Saturday, Nov. 17.
From the very commencement, it was readily seen
upon which side were the prejudices of the President
of the Court, as will be remarked by the few follow
ing interrogations :
Pres. Your name ?
P. Pilatte.
Pres. Your first name ?
P. Leon.
Pres. Your occupation ?
P. Minister ot the Gospel.
Pres. What Gospel ?
P. There is but one. 1 have been consecrated by
the ministers of my Church.
Pres. Then you are minister of a religion which
you have made yourself.
After this interrogation was concluded, which had
no relation whatever to the question iu dispute, M.
Pilatte offered to bring forward witnesses to prove that
at his meetings, prayer, singing and preaching were
prominently introduced; therefore such meetings
could not fall under the club law. This right was
denied him. His defense was then undertaken and
ably sustained by M. Flandin, a member of the
Chamber, who, although a Catholic, spoke warmly
and eloquently against bigotry in religion, and in fa
vor of free worship. Notwithstanding all, however,
the case was dismissed in a most summary manner,
the Court refusing to hear witnesses on the character
of the meetings alluded to, as they were already suffi
ciently enlightened on that point, and they pronounced
us judgment, that they perfectly coincided in the con
demnation which the first Court had given.
M. Pilate immediately appealed to the Court of
Cassation, the result of which appeal remains to be
seen’ Will France prove so recreant to her best in
terests as to revert to her ancient laws which allowed
liberty of worship to none but Romanists?— N. Y.
Recorder.
LETTER OF A. C.
The length of this letter may deter some of our
readers from attempting its perusal. We are aware
of the great prejudice that exists, against long articles
in newspapers, and we should be sorry to encounter
this prejudice very olten. Permit us to say, however,
that the subject embraced in this letter, is one which
has perplexed the minds of some of the brethren in
an Association, within the boundsof which our broth
er A. C. holds his membership. It was to aid them
in this perplexity, that he wrote this letter. To them,
therefore, we are persuaded that it will prove very
acceptable. And as the subject is not local in its
character, but is applicable to any part of the fold of
Christ, we cannot conceive of any place, visited by
our Index, in which it may not be turned to a profit- 1
able account.
The largest part of this letter is made up of Scrip- i
ture quotations. It was the design of the writer, to i
bring together the prominent passages of the Bible
I which relate to this subject, that his brethren might
have a scriptural sermon on Election. With regard
j to a few of these passages, it may be questioned,wheth
er they do certainly apply to the subject in hand. But
I without these, the writer has quoted errough to sustain
the positions which he has taken. If he had founded
any of his arguments on the teachings of the fathers,
; or on creeds and confessions of faith, we should be at
liberty to call them in question; but if he has simply
echoed the voice of the Scriptures, he has s P < >ken
truth, Who can resist it?
—-*.♦.— -9m
MISSIONARY PLANS.
We publish in the present number, two tb
object of which is to rouse the Baptists of Georgia (<f
greater activity in foreign missions. One of these is
from brother Ball, whose personal intercourse with
Georgia Baptists, during the past summer and fall,
has made the cause of foreign missions feel doubly
dear to them. The writer of the other, brother P. 3.
Gayle, of Tennessee, we have known chiefly through
his useful labors as missionary of the Domestic Mis
sionary Board at Marion. Each of these letter* pro
poses a plan for raising contributions for the support *f
foreign missionaries. How far the churches of Geor
gia are prepared to adopt either ofthese plans, we are
not able to say. But these letters will at least do
good, by drawing their attention to the subject of for
eign missions, and impressing them with tbe impor
portance of some system in their benevolent opera
tions.
Why may not our anti-missionary brethren adopt
some plan, like those recommended in these letter*,
lor sending preachers of the gospel to destitute por
tions of the earth ? Do they not acknowledge their
obligation to go, teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ?
Then let their Associations and churches take this
j matter in charge, and raise money to bear the ex
penses of those whom they send away from home.
Let each Association support one preacher, and
much will then be accomplished towards preaching
’ lhe gospel to every creature. They can do this,
without declaring fellowship vith our Conventions,
our Colleges, our Sunday schools, our missionary
societies, or our temperance societies. They can
thus do the work of the Lord, in their own way, with
out identifying themselves with missionary Baptists,
or any other denomination who have, in their judg
ment, departed from the faith.
(yfr A letter from an anti-missionary brother, in reply
i to brother Brantly’s former letter, will be found in
another column. As tiiis controversy began in the
I last volume of the Index, and as the columns of the
paper were declared open to our anti-missionary
| brethren, we hare thought it our duty to admit the
article of brother Patman. Enough has now been
said, we presume, to render further discussion unne
cessary. We hope, therefore, that, unless there may
be something new to lay before our readers, this sub
ject limy here be allowed to rest.
OCT” Rev. James M. Watt requests his correspond
ents to address him, hereafter, at Society Hill, Ala.
Rov, Stephen Rowe reqfrpsTs fns Tt!Pnt'Bponcl
enls to address him, hereafter, at Chattahoochee, Fl
(fcy“Rev. R. Booker, requests his correspondent*.to
address him at Aonia, instead of Rehoboth. ,
BROWN WOOD INSTITUTE.
We have lately received a circular from this flour
ishing Literary Institution one and a half miles west
of thj,own of Lagrange. Rev. Otis Smith, the Prin
cipal and proprietor, informs us in bis circular that
lie is now adding to his already large and commodi
ous building, another, 100 feet in length, furnishing
in all a suit of some 50 apartments for the use of the
Institution. He has associated with him Mr. A. M.
Bennet who has assisted him the last three years with
ability and success, and also, Mr. John T. Stephens
of Forsyth, Ga., who recently graduated at Mercer
University with the highest honor of his class.
It was our happiness to havj spent eight or ten
days in Lagrange something over a year since, du
ring which time we paid almost daily visits to this In
stitution in company with the pastor of the Baptist
church. It afforded us peculiar pleasure to witness
the good order manifested by the pupils, and the se
rious nnd respectful attention given by them to the
religious exercises, which it was the object of our vis
its to engage in with them. The cheerfulness, the
application, the good order of the students, and indeed
every thing we witnessed indicated a successful and
prosperous Institution. For the cause of Education*
and especially for the interest of Western Georgia
and of Eastern Alabama, wq rejoice at the enlarge
ment of its means of usefulness. Believing that the
prosperity of all such Institutions in our State will
best promote the patronage and success of our Uni
versity, nnd of course the intelligence and prosperity
| of the Denomination, we note the promising aspect of’
;of this Institution with peculiar pleasure. We would
commend it most earnestly to the patronage of the
country around it. B. M. SANDERS.
Penfisld, Jan, 7th, 1850.
NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS.
Memoir of Sarah B. Judson, by Emily C. Judson..
A New Revised Edition, with notes by the Author*
The former edition was noticed in this paper, at the
| time it was issued. One improvement in tbe new edition,
is, that it appears as the work of Mrs. Emily C. Jud
son, instead of Fanny Forrester. The notes are inten
ded, chiefly, to explain or illustrate certain allusions;
to the history and customs of the Burmese, made in
the body of the work. There is, in the third note,
an interesting description of the first Mrs. Judson,
which we copy.
Ann H. Judson. —lt is sometimes thought, that
the higher attributes of intellect are incompatible
w ith those gentle and winning virtues, essential to
the completeness of female character. Whether this
opinion be in general correct or otherwise, the life of
Ann H. Judson affords a beautiful example of tbe
union of Christian heroism with the most attractive
feminine excellence. She is known to the world,
j through her brilliant and striking traits of character;
! but there are a few hearts in which her softer and
i more retiring virtues have reared ano less enviable
! mausoleum. Two ladies, who knew her somewhat
I intimately, were once describing her as n person of
j “queenly” presence; when one of them, (Mrs, Wads,)
1 added, “But it was not for that, nor for hes superior
t-litmxuxy