Newspaper Page Text
18
(Original.
For the Christian fintcx.
SPRINKLING.
So shall he sprinkle many nations, Isaiah 52 : 15.
Christian baptism was instituted by the com
mand of Jesus Christ. The immersion of n
believer on profession of faith, is obc-dimco to
to this command: hut men, among the many in.
ventions which they have sought out, have suit
rtituted sprinkling for immersion, and infants for
believers. Would they permit the believer whom
in infancy they compelled involuntarily to re.
ceive the ceremony of their own invention, after
wards to olrey, with unfettered conscience, the
command of the Redeemer, the case would be
less deplorable: but they teach him, that it
would now be wrong for him to obey bis Divine
Master, and that in so doing, lie would commit
the grievous sin ofanabaplism.
When we inquire on what authority the sul>.
stituted ceremony rests, which thus sets aside
the command of Christ, we are perhaps answer
ed, that wc are making much ado about nothing;
that ceremonies are the mere chaff of religion,
and deserve very little concern. It may sur
priso us to discover, that perhaps the very man
who gives us this reply, is as tenacious of his
ceremony, as if it were intimately connected with
the vitals of religion. If wo press our inquiry
further, we may perhaps ho referred to some
obscure passage o( the Old Testament, as tin:
authority which wc are demanding. Here again
we irmy he surprised, that the clear revelations
of the New Testament, should need to be inter
preted by the obscure portions ol the sacred
volume, and that a Christian statute should ho
made void hy a preceding enactment.
The passage of scripture placed at the head of
this article, has been adduced ns proof thul sprink
ling may he used for Christian baptism. Sonic
have relied on it so far, ns to employ it for the
purpose of setting aside the clear proof of immer
sion found in the eighth chapter of Acts. They
argue thus: Since Philip said nothing to the
Eunuch about baptism, [ic/io knows tliisl] , ilia
latter must have learned this duty from the pas- |
sage of scripture which he was reading, namely
Jsa, 53, Now, there is nothing in this chapter,
Cr the context, which can refer to baptism, ex
cept the last verse of the preceding chapter,
‘‘So shall he sprinkle many nations.” Hence it
is inferred, that sprinkling is the baptism for
which the Eunuch asked. This argument docs
not explain how the Eunuch should have hit on
the word baptise to express the tiling which lie
desired. With the pretended ecclesiastical use of
litis word for sprinkle, it is difficult to imagine
that lie should have been acquainted. It is
moreover unfortunate for this argument, that the
Soptuag/m version which the Eunuch was most
reading, says not a word a bont sprink-
version, the sense of
the text is: ‘‘So many nations will express
admiration at him; and kings will shut their
mouths, because they, to whom no publication
was made concerning him shall see, and they
who had not heard, will understand.”— Thomson's
Translation.
If the rendering found in our English version
were undisputed, the plain man of common sense
may well be staggered at the application of it to
baptism. It makes the prophet foretell, that
Jesus shall baptize the nations with water; and
yet “Jesus baptized not.” Jesus sanctifies and
•leanses bis church with the washing of water
by the word —that word of which it is said, “my
doctrine shall drop as the rain; my speech shall
distill as the dew.” This word is the seed of
which it is expressly said that the sower is “the
Son of man.” Now, it is certainly far more
natural, to interpret this passage as denoting the
diffusing of Christian truth among the Gentiles,
than as expressing the administration of a reli
gions ceremony. But an inquiry into the correct
ness of our English version, especially as it dif
fers so widely from the very ancient version of
the Seventy which has been quoted, is certainly
necessary.
Our English verb sprinkle is used in two differ- ,
ent constructions. We say, I sprinkle tenter on
the ground, or, 1 sprinkle the ground with water.
In this respect, it differs from tho verb pour.
We say, I pour water on the ground; but never,
J pour the ground with water. The Hebrews
uso the verb sprinkle, as wo do the verb pour, in
one construction only. The object of the veil)
was with them the thing put in motion: “Thou
shah take of the blood, and sprinkle it.” Ex.
29: 21. “He shall sprinkle of the blood of the
sm offering.” Lev. 5: 9. “Moses took of the
anointing oil and sprinkled it.” Lev. 8: 39
“Sprinkle water ol purifying upon them.” Num.
8: 7. In Lev. 14: 51, our translators make an
apparent exception, “sprinkle the house seven
times:” but they have omitted a preposition found
in the Hebrew text, the introduction of which fills
up the regular construction; “lie shall l-ke the
cedar wood and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and
the living bird, and dip them in tho blood of the
slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle
on the house seven limes.” If this uniform rule
of construction be applied to tho interpretation of
our text, it will appear, that what is done to the
“many nations,” is something that resembles
what is done to water when it is sprinkled. In
this two things are observable : Ist. The motion
communicated to it; and 2d. the division of it
into drops. It the latter be the prominent ideu,
the sense will be “lie shall scatter many nations:”
and this according to Dr. Gill, is the interpreta
tion of the Jewish Targum. If the motion
communicated be the prominent idea, the sense
will be that which is given by Robinson in bis
Hebrew Lexicon. This author, following Gese
nius, says that the meaning ol the veil) is, to
leap for joy, to exult, to spring. Tho primary
idea is that of sparkling, flying out. In Iliphil,
(the conjugation here used,) it signifies, “to cause
to leap for joy, to cause to exult to make rejoice.
Water is sprinkled, when it is caused tu leap from
tiie cedar wood, uiul the hyssop, to the bouse on
which it falls. But the English verb sprinkle
does not express the idea conveyed by the He
brew word in the present connection. The en
tire passage may bn paraphrased thus: As, in
viewing his deep humiliation, many were aston
ished at him.*
(To such n degree was his countenance dis
figured, m to than that of man; and his form,
more than the sons of men;) —So, by bis sub
sequent glory and triumphant success, be shall
cause many nations to leap for joy at or because
ofhtna; and white the multitudes who composo
the masses of the nations arc so affected, kings
shall shut their months.
The agreement of ibis interpretation with that
of the Septiiogint, is a strong confirmation of its
correctness. But what becomes of the proof for
infant sprinkling? It has vanished. Whether
tlio Eunuch read the Septuagini, or the original
Hebrew, lie found nothing which could lead him
to ask for sprinkling: and the advocates of sprink
ling must seek better arguments for its defence.
*llim is tbc reading of some manuscripts and is
preferred by Lowtli.
For l!ie Christian Index.
ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?
I “Ih not deceived.” You should deal frankly !
with yourself. Your relationship to the church, 1
to society, to the world, and to God, nil demand
candor at your hands. It were belter to invest!- 1
gate tile question fairly and impartially—to ;
probe every recess of your heart—to square j
yourself by the rule of God’s word.
Why do you think yourselfa Christian? What j
substantial reason or scriptural evidence have j
I you for your conclusions? Wliat is the general i
; tenor of your life? Does your daily demeanor i
compare well with the •‘pattern” shown you in
! the book of G id?
Bo patient, and we w ill investigate the ques
tion yet further. Where are your affections?—
. Arc they “set oil things above?” Do you “strive
against sin?” Do you “mortify the deeds of the
1 body?” Do you “thirst after righteousness?”— |
Is a “desperately wicked heart” a source of pi
lous grief to you? Diyou “pray without cons- !
1 ing” to la; effectually delivered from your sinful ■
| self—from the snaresof this vanity.smitten world
i —from the alluring “devices” of the devil? In
: a word, do you “lay aside every weight, and the
i sin which doth so easily beset you, and run with
; patience the race that is set before you?”
You am known by your “fruits.” Are you
liberally fruitful? What is your habitual dispo
! sition as to charitable donations? Are you “be
nevolent” from a Christian principle? Home pro
; lessors of religion “rob God !” Aro you one of !
that number? or do you “give liberally” and 1
“willingly” of your substance to the many press
i ing calls made upon you, for the nmelioration of j
j suffering humanity, bath at homo and abroad, “as ;
G-l ‘ w
Mark it well: if you are a Christian, you not
only should, but you must indeed do those things
—not that the doing either makes or can mako j
you a Christian, if not already one; but being j
“created in Christ Jesus | by the grace of God,] j
unto good works,” the living, active, and doing :
principle dwells pre-eminently in you, and is, in I
like manner, practically developed, not in pott- I
dering in your mind what you trill or should do,
but in obediently performing what, nml only wluil, I
; God lias imperatively commanded. For reinem
her, you are the friend ol Christ when you “do
i whatsoever he commands you.” And if you j
love Him, you “will keep bis commandments.” j
j Jasper, Texas- E. V.
—i - o •a—
For the Cliristi in Index.
ENGLAND AND POPERY.
Mr. Editor. —What is to he the result of the j
l ate appointments and measures of the Pope in j
reirard to England? Is ho to recover his lost
| O
possessions and retaliate (or her apostacy under j
Henry VI! 1? There must ho on that Island, if |
; not a large papal body, a huge papal heart; for j
: scores of ministers and others; if all have not j
fallen back into ‘ mother's” at ms, have exhibited j
strong sympathy for her ways and mummeries. |
Is the inquisition again to be set up? Or is this j
i movement to hasten the accomplishment of that j
| for which dissenters have for years been praying
| —the divorcing ol Church and State? They
I will lend their influence against popery, but will
: they do half as much as if they were on terms of
1 equality and something to contend (or ns real
freemen? Would you be surprised to see a
[ proposition from the church, “Unite with us to
prostrate antichrist, and we will put away the
, church from the State and make dissenters equal
in every respect with churchmen?” Dissenters
know too much of political religion to enlist in
such a cause unless the divorce first take place
i —they will not trust to the promise ofthedomi
i nant and domineering party; they will demand,
I “Give us equal pri\ilegos and emoluments; then
i I wo shall have stout hearts and strong arms to
. contend lor pure Christianity, divested of unholy
I defenders. It is possible God intends to over
: rule this important movement in this way, to
■ promote piety in England make her a united
■ people, and save her from falling to pieces by tbc
F weight of her own incoherent materials.
GEORGIA.
For the Christian Index.
An extract from n rermon pivacbfd at tlio luneralofn man
wbo was murdered.
“But, in the language of the text, W hat is
mau? What his life? A night of grief is passed
—a man is born, —not in all his strength it is
true, but he comes into the world a helpless and
dependent infunt. Time passes, he is a child, n
laughing, merry child! The freshness of a
May flower blooms on his check, joy sparkless
in bis eye. But time in bis onward sweep passes
i by, and bo is a youth. Bright now are the pic
’ lures ol life which pass before him. IJis dreams
, j are of bright clouds and sunshine. Merrily, Ob,
t | merrily glide the dnvsof youth. Ewccl, smiling,
. j unsuspecting youth! But it is passed, and bo
TIIE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
stands before us a man. Care, not age,®
furrowed bis cheek—and darkened bis bit-
Before him roll the sluggish waters of the (4.
stream ot death, but ho perceives it not. so
near eternity, that its dark mountains cast thr j
shadows upon him, hut he heeds not. A cloi !
passes, the sun is iiid, —his countenance chang
lie gasps, he groans.—lie dies. And such ■
the case of the poor man whose sad fate we ibF
day commemorate. His li£® U***, ao ss> spgajv]
been but a span. In the midst of his sins, wit!?-*
out a moment’s warning, he has passed into th&
presenco of his God. What may there be bX
doom, remains for tlie light of eternity to did
cover. His life was an eventful one. Frequent,
were-the strivings of tho Holy Spirit with his
heart.
But lie resisted, until he found himself under
the inveterate sway of habit. Intemperance had
long since marked him as its victim, and to day
he fiils a drunkard's grave? And now voung
man, you may see the accomplishment of that
fearful truth: “My spirit shall not always
with man;” and learn betimes , - afl
* To linte the sinner’.- path, mid finr,
The road that leads to hell,”
W W -iff Tsk? H !
& .ol 2m, & -M Mm Mm. i
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1851. ,
!
(] PAil arrearages are charged at
%'■£ 30 per annum, or 5 cents per mini- |
her. For all payments in advance thA
paper is furnished at *2 00 per annum, !
or i cents per number.
- —♦ fw—
fCT” We have received two more
to the “Proposition” to award u premium for j
Essays on the duties of Pastors and Churches.
Aged I'eriodiratx.
In the first number of the present volume, w
mentioned the nge of this paper and of the Chris
tian Watchman. Tlio Christian Secretary, pub
lished at Hartford, Conn., lias invited our alien
. . i
tion to the fact, that its issues were commenced j
almost simultaneously with those of the Colum j
bian Star. It will enter on its 30th volume in j
March. Wo mwy here notioo also the Baptist j
Register, which has nearly reached its 28lh vol. 1
ume. We take pleasure in placing these papers j
on the list of aged periodicals. It is n gratify
ing fact, that they have been continuously sus
tained by the Denomination for so long a time.
■——— -
Tfte Southern lUeiwenger.
We linve received the first number of anew
religious newspaper with tbc above title, publish,
oil at Lexington, Ga. It is edited by Win. L.
Beebe, and “devoted to the service of tlio Old
School Baptists.”
The greater part of tlio present number is j
occupied with letters from tin: friends and pairoffs
ol the paper. Tim Ml.- *
the course which lie lias mnnternJut for Idinsiol: j
The “Southern Baptist Messenger” will bo
decidedly opposed to Bible, Tract, and Mission
ary Societies, Theological Seminaries, Sabbath ,
School Unions, eYc., .Ye., waging war with
Mystery Babylon, and her entire brood of institu
tions.
Wc understand this sentence pretty well till j
we come to the words iYc., <Yc.; there we have j
to supply the ellipsis by conjecture. We pro- !
sume religious newspapers may be included j
among tho Babylonian institutions, as they bear
the same marks of the beast as those enumerated, j
In tlie first place, they ure no where authorized
in the Bible. The Scriptures aro ns silent about
religious newspapers, as about B'lile and Tract
Societies. They are all the work of man’s
device.
Again they nil manifest a disposition on the
pai lof man, to do God’s work. The conversion
of sinners, and the sanctification of Christians, is
emphatically God's work. Hence, one of the
objections usually urged against missionary op
eration; is, that they come in eonlliet with God s
sovereignly. A newspaper established for the
purpose ot instructing and comforting Chris
tians, is evidently as objectionable on this ground
as any other human agency to effect the eonver- ■
sion of the world.
Newspapers, like Bible, I'ract and Missionary
Societies are monied institutions, .Many persons
have a great horror at the thought of having re
j ligion connected with money. “Let the gospel
be free,” they say, “without money and without
price. Dont give the preacher any tiling; that
would be paying for the gospel. Hunt give any
thing to a Bible Society to have Bibles printed,
that would bo paying for the gospel.” The
same object ion may lie'urged against religious
newspapers, unless you adopt llie priuciple-uja
taking your paper without paying for it. It ro
| quires money to print newspapers as well as
liiblcs and tracts, and where does this money
conic from, if not from the pockets of the sub
scribers? But if you pay for the instructions of
the newspaper, arc you not paying for the gos
pel?
These reasons are sufficient to authorize the
presumption, that religious newspapers belong
! to the clas; of tYc., eYc., in the sentence above
i quoted; and that friend Beebe will not feel tba'j
his work is done, until not only every Bible,
Tract, Missionary Society, Theological
Sabbath School, but every Religious Newspaper,
in Georgia, is demolished. We do not fear that
the Christian Index will fall in consequence of
his efforts; forevery day, the Missionary Baptists
are becoming more fully convinced of the im
portance of sustaining a religious newspaper.
We cannot speak as confidently of the safely of
the Southern Baptist Messenger. It is intend.(|
to circulate among Anti-missionary Baptists!
and though there uro doubtless many pious peer
i pie among them, they have been taught to loot
suspiciously at all human institutions connected
with religion. Wo should not be surprised thejt,
to find them very slow in giving their patronage
t to a religious paper.
Religious and Reneral lutelligeuccr.
The last number of this paper published at j
Wilmington, N. C., announces that its subscrip
tion list has been purchased by Mrs. Meredith, -
the Proprietress of the Biblical Recorder, under j
tho editorial charge of Rev. T. W, Tobey. We |
have no doubt that this is a judicious movement,
lor there have been too many Baptist papers in
North Carolina, to allow all to have an adequate
support.
s NOTICES OF PUBLICATIONS, j
* _
Science. —The January number of the seventh
ibis Medical Periodical is on our table,
* replete with interesting matter. The original
department is supplied tgith the following arti.
ales:
Cases of Obscure Pneumonia in Children, with
lenutrks, by J. Forsyth Meigs, M. D., Phil.
Read before the College of Physicians, Phil., on
! ‘<>v. slh, 1650.) This essay is an able and
JLngthy one, on a subject of daily occurrence to
■pllfWaetmnncr, and forcibly illustrates the diffi-
Thullies that beset the physician in diagnosticating
this class of diseases. The causes that obscure
the discovery of tiie existence of Pneumonia in
children are detailed in exle.nso, arid are amply
‘exemplified by eases observed by tDo author.
Indeed the numerous contributions of Dr. J. F.
Meigs to the records of Medicine, historical and
(practical, strikingly reflect the universal talent
md varied acquirements of his distinguished
jfither Prof. C. I). Meigs, whose exalted roputa
t ion as a gentleman of science aril letters will,
; or ever, he identified with American Medicine.
The second article is from the pen of William
, Junt, M. I)., Resident Surgeon of the Pennsvl
i-nnian Hospital, on a case of Gun shot Wound
I vhieh terminated fatally, arid is interesting in
j i ractical details. The original department closes
’ yitli an article headed ‘'Remarks on California ,”
l.y G. R. B. Horner, M. D, U. P. N., tic.
. “lie writer describes the hay ofijt.. Francisco,
; is mountain', soil, and trees. In descrihinglhe
oaks north and south ol the liav, be Fays: —“Os
tie oaks there are several kinds, tlio most re
markable pf which aro those bearing an acorn
t vo or more inches long, and n dwarf oak noted
i f;r its exceedingly poisonous cHeels. By eon-
I tset, and it is believed in certain cases, by merely
! n lowing tiie effluvia from it to touch the skin,
1 tlese effects are produced. I saw an officer of
otr squadron with his face so swelled that he
cnikl hardly see, and yet I understood from him
hi had not touched the plant, and could have
li en poisoned only hy lying upon the ground
where it was growing.” With his remarks on
the climate, lie gives a meteorological table full
of interest ing data. From August 1819, to June
1 59, the number of rainy days runs thus:
Aiigust, September nml October, but one rainy
d.jV in the Inst; in November ten rainy dnvs;
JjlLetmber twelve; January 1 • 50, fifteen; Feb
J2i/,„ Jr frofr; March eight; April three; May
none. Os the mineral productions
the writer says, that besides nil
ntfroctive gold, it yields iron ore, cinnabar, j s
per, carbonate of magnesia, lime and various
i petrifactions. There are also several sulphur
springs, which are already frequented by in
j \a 1 ills. In the waters of cine of the springs, he
j found, on analysis, some magnesia, and a large
I amount of muriate of soda; besides sulphur and
! sulphuretted hydrogen. We must pass 1 y the
| clinical reports ” on Demonstrative Surgery
I bribe University of Pennsylvania, conducted by
i Djrs. Gibson and Horner, which are likewise
valuable in practical surgery; as also the clinic
ollhc Jefferson Medical College, conducted bv
rtofs. Mutter and Pancoast.
•I
‘Under the head ol Demonstrative Medicine,
wfc find a lecture on anew and interesting sub
joint, l>y Dr. Jackson. The subject of this lee
tore is the spirometer, an instrument recently in*
vented by Mr. ilutubinson, for the investigation
of the respiratory functions in health ond disease,
it consists of an instrument by which may be
measured tlre amount of air that can be taken
into and expelled from the lungs by voluntary
effort. By this instrument Mr. 11. believes that
incipient disease may be detected hi fore phys
ical signs exist; thus being vastly more important
to the physician titan auscultation or poremsion.
iti as much ns the signs furnished by these
arc not developed until considerable structural
eh tinges have taken place. We regret that
want of space forbids our giving a more extend
ed notice of this instrument, and the principles
upon which its utility is based; vve may refer to
it hereafter. The Medical Examiner is edited
by Drs. Francis Gurney Smith, and John B.
lliddlo; and published by Lindsay & Blnekiston,
/Philadelphia, for S3 00 per annum, in advance.
P ‘
’ Minutes of the Bethel Association. — rite 13
anniversary was held at Palmyra, Leo county,
Uu., Nov. 3, 1830. Elder Win. L. Crawford,
was elected Moderator, Elder E. ‘V. Warren,
Clerk, and Brother 11. Q. Dickinson, Assistant
Clerk.
The Executive Committee reported that they
had employed a colporteur who had labored 241
days in the service of the Association. Acting
fatso ns.missionnry, lie had baptized 14 persons.
There are 36 churches in this body, number
ing 3903 members. Baptized last year 3G5.
Amount sent up to the Association for different
benevolent objects 8777 83. It appears from
the report of the Committee on Sabbath Schools,
that 8 ol die churches are engaged in the work of
Sabbath School instruction.
The Circular Letter treats of tiie duties con
tained in die two great commandments of Christ.
Minnies of the Florida Baptist Association. —
The Bth annual session was held with the Hicks
town church, Madison Court House, Fla., Oct.
12, 1830. Elder W. B. Cooper was elected
Moderator, and Elder Samuel C. Craft,-Clerk.
The Executive Committee have had two mis
sionaries in their employ, who baptized 38 per
; sons during the year. Besides these, another
brother lias been employed in the capacity of
colporteur and missionary, who has aided in the
establishment of 11 Sabbath Schools.
Preliminary arrangements have been made
for the establishment of a literary institution, to
be located at Madison Court House, in Madison
county, Fla. Twenty acres of land have been
given for this purpose.
There are 33 churches in this body, number
ing 1457 members, of whom 218 were Bptizcd
; last years,
Tlio subject ot the Circular Error is “?elf-
Examinalion.”
We notice that our Publication Society in
: Charleston; is called -in the Reports of tho Treas
urer and the Executive Committee, “The South
’ ern Raplist Philanthropic Society.” Whether
this name would he recognized in law is a ques
tion which we shall not raise. We should bo
glad however to sec it recognized in the cash
! books of all our brethren, or ut least we would
i have the idea which it conveys so impressed
! upon the mind, that every Southern Baptist may
do somethin'; towards aiding this useful society
in publishing thetruiii as it is in Jesus.
We thank the brethren of the Florida Associ
ation for the following notice of our paper. Flor
ida Baptists have at this time no newspaper of
their own. We hope, therefore, that as a near
neighbor, wc shall be permitted to pay them our
weekly visits.
“ Resolved , That the ‘Christian Index,’ pub
liihed at Pi afield. Ga., be recommended to the
confidence, support and patronage of Florida
Baptists.”
Mi nulr.s of Ihr Baptist Stale Convention of
North Carolina. —We have received the Min
utes of the 21st annual session of the Baptist
Convention of North Car’ lina. Iho body met
with tho church at Louisburg, Franklin county,
North Carolina, Oct, 17th, 1850. Elder James
McDaniel of Wilmington, was elected President,
Elder John H. Daev, Corresponding Secretary,
ami Nathaniel J. Palmer, Recording Secretary.
It appears from the Report of the* Board of
Managers of the Convention, that 8 domestic
missionaries were in pari sustain ‘d by the body,
during the last year. These missionaries re
ceive their support also in part from tho Asso
ciations in whose hounds they labor. The Board
have also aided tho Raleigh Church in support
ing their pastor. Seven candidates for the min
istry have been aided in their studies, by the
funds of the Convention.
Wake Forrest College is represented to he in
a flourishing condition. Tho Chowan Female
Institute, Sedgewick school, Milton Female
Academy, and Rockford Female Institute, under
the direction of Baptists, are spoken of favorably.
A Female College under tho control of the Bap
tist Denomination, is about to he established in
the town of Oxford, N. C.
Minnies of the. Maryland Baptist Union Asso
cigticn—arTbv loth meeting was held, in Ihe
inerting house of the East Street Baptist Church,
\t nshingioti, D. l\ Nov. 0, 1850. Elder Rich
nrd Fuller was elected Moderator, and Bro. Ful
ler Crane, Clerk. There are 20 elm relics in
this body. Oft members were baptized last year.
8 doni ‘H’ic missionaries acted under the appoint
ment of the Board.
The Report of the Committee on Sabbath
Schools is a stirring appeal in behalf of Sabbath
School instruction. Attention is called to the
fict that a large proportion of those who were
converted during the last year, were members of
the Sabbath School.
The feebleness of the Baptist cause in Mary
land may he inferred somewhat from the follow
ing statement of the Committee on Destitute
Churches.
Out of the 25 churches composing this Asso
ciation, 20 are destitute—that is, unable to sup
port the go<p'-l among themselves. Os these
10 are so feeble that to withdraw aid from them
would be to extinguish them immediately. Six
of them have now not even the. occasional preach
ing of the word.
Catalogue of the Instructors , Patrons, and Pu
pi/s of the Edgefield Institute , for tho instruction
,of voting ladies. Messrs. Walker Ac James of
i Chaileston can perform some neat jobs ut their
j steam power press. Wc have admired the Cata
-1 logues of the LaGrange Female Seminary, and
Georgia Female College. The Catalogue now
before us is another of the same sort.
Robert 11. Nichols is Principal anJ Pioprie
tor. Me is assisted by three female teachers.—
The number of pupils is 23. It appears from
thts pamphlet, that ample provisions are made
for a thorough course of instruction in the solid
and ornamental branches of education.
The Christian Review. —The January number
of this valuable periodical has been received.—
We have delayed a notice with the expecta
ion of speaking of the character of its articles. —
We have not yet been able, however, to give it
an examination. The following is the Table ol
Contents.
Art. 1. The Last Fifty years.
Art. 2. Tennyson’s Poems.
Art. 3. Uphain’s Life of Madame Guyon.
Art. 4. I he Antigone of Sophocles.
Art. ft. Elements of Western Character,
i Art. 0. The Hellenes, Romans and Israelites.
Art, 7. The Papal Aggression in England.
Art. 8./Flic Phases of Geological Science.
Art. 0. Report to The Trustees ol the Univer
sity of Rochester.
Art. 10. Notices of New Publications.
Art. 11. Intelligence.
The Mother's Journal. —For a number of
years, a Baptist Monthly Magazine lias been
published with the special design of aiding Moth
ers in training their children. Last year this
work was merged info a pedo.baptist woik of a
like character- The Baptists have seceded how.
ever, and restored their independent journal. It
is now edited by Mrs. Mary G. Clarke, aud
published by Edward H. Fletcher, Nassau st.,
New York. This little pamphlet is well adapt
ed to perform its allotted shale of useful labor.
Besides the articles intended especially for
Mothers, it contains much that is instructive and
entertaining to the young.
- t
The Baptist Preacher for January 1851, con
tains a sermon by Rev. J. P. Tustin of Georgia,
on “The Resurrection of the Dead;” and one by
Rev. R. B. C. Howell of Virginia, entitled “To
the Christian, death is desirable.” Tjiis work is
issued monthly by Rev. 11. Keeling and cost
only one dollar per annum. A choice library ©I
sermons may bo possessed by every one who will
preserve these sermons, and have them bound
every year.
We are glad to read the following fact in the
Editor’s annual address. “Within the past year
our list of readers has greatly increased, espe
cially in the Carolines, in Georgia, in Alabama,
in Mississippi and in Tennessee.”
Jpmilar.
THE CIM| POSTAGE LAW.
It will be n matter of general gratification we
presume, to know that this bill, which has sos
some time been before the House of Representa
tives, lias finally passed that branch of Congress
by a vote of 130 to 75, and will probably pass the
Senate, either as it is, or at least, with slight
modification. The of this bill must be
esteemed a matter of good policy, whether we
consider it in regard to the great increase of cor
respondence—the consequent increase in the dis.
fusion of intelligence, and a greater stimulusgiv
en to the gcoerul intercourse between the various
parts of tlie country, or in regard to the increased
amount of revenue to tho Post Office Depart
ment, which will undoubtedly follow, though not
immediately, tho reduction of the present rate of
letter postage to a minimum of three cents.
Tho principal points of the Bill as emended
and passed by the House are,
1. After the 20tli of June next, the postageon
every Idler, weighing less than lialfan ounce, to
he three cents, and the same for each additional
half ounce.
2. Postage on newspapers, magazines, period
icals and printed books weighing twoounces, one
cent, and one cent for each additional ounce.—
Books not weighing over thirty ounces are con
sidered mailable matter. Newspapers circula
ted within tlie State or Territory where printed ,
pay half such postage, but when mailed within
the county or within thirty miles of the place
where printed, and sent to subscribers, they cir
culate free of postage. Postage on magazines
’ Are., when prepaid, reduced one half.
3. A coin of three cents in value is to be pre
pared, which shall be a legal tender in sums un
der thirty cents.
4. Postmasters are to bn furnished with three
cent stamps for sale. Persons forging these
stamps subject to a penally of $503, or imprison
ment five years.
5. A million and a half of dollars appropriated
to meet any temporary reduction which may oc
cur.
G. Lists of Utters to be published in the paper
; having the largest circulation. If the. publisher
refuses to publish them, lie shall bn deprived of
a /rce exchange, and oilier benefits of this act.
7. Tlie Postmaster General is to establish post
routes and oliicis of deposit and delivery, and
appoint carriers in cities to deliver letters for not
t xceeding two cents. — Atlanta Intelligencer,
FROM THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
The barque Ocean Wave, Capt. Cutter, from
Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Dec. Ist. ar
rived at this port this morning. Left no Ameri
can vessels.
The Cape Town Mail of Nov. 30, contains an
account of nn expedition, by Colonel Harding
and about sorry volunteers, to punish a tribe of
Bushmen, whose depredations hud caused severe
suffering among the settlers.
The expedition however, did not trouble the
haunts of the Bushmen at all, hut took a different
direction and made their way to the krall of the
old Awapou, a Chief, the staunch friend of tho
colony through the Kaffir troubles. Harding
obtained 800 head of cattle from tho chief and a
cession of till his lands.
The affair caused considerable excitement
among the colonists.
The Governor had visited the frontiers, where
he found the Kaffirs improving in civilization.—
They understand the value of money; tire
plough is fast coming into use and the men work
ed with their wives. A Kallir newspaper had
been published.
The Governor had determined to establish a
rural police, for protection, which would cost
about J2GOO.
In another column of tho same paper it is sta
ted that the measures taken by the Governor, it
his late visit to the frontier, have neither restored
confidence among the farmers, nor stopped Kaffir
depredation. Numerous cases ofslicep and cat
lle stealing are reported.
Farmers are much alarmed at rumors respec
ting the warlike preparations of “Macassa,” tho
Tainbrokle chief.
Sandulli, a Kaffir chief, had been executed.
FLGRIDA*LEGISI,ATURE.
Tho bill establishing a Supreme Court has
passed both houses and was before the Governor
for liis signature. The hill for tho removal of
the Indians passed both houses. The
Senate had resolution to adjourn on
the 18lh, last lUlKday. We are indebted to
the Florida Re public an for the following synopsis
of flic Indian removal bill.
The Indian Removal bill, instructs the Gov
ernor to urge upon the President of the United
States the necessity of removing the Indians, in
fulfilment of the treaty of Payne’s Landing, and
until this can be affected of maintaining the force
and posts designed by the Secretary of War in
1842; and also authorizes him to raise ond equip
a regiment of mounted Volunteers, to consist of
ten companies ol eighty rank and file each, and
to increase the same it need he to two regiments.
It also invests the Governor with power
said force to co-operate with any U. S.
President may order to Florida removal
of the Indians, or if in his judgmenHTt > t{ w ' J L t, e
come necessary, to use them as an indepmflMta
force. Said troops to have the same pay and
rations as allowed to the U. S. troops, and that
the Governor be required to make application to
Congress to make provision for the payment of
the expenses so incurred.
The bill further enacts that 850,000 be appro
priated, subject to the control of the Governor,
to provide for the necessary supplies and muni
tions, and authorizes the Governor to pledge the
State for the payment of the sum of money so
appropriated. The bill also provides that if the
United States decline or refuse to take prompt
steps for the removal of the Indians, that the
( Governor is empowered to proposo to undertake
[January