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Original. |
For the Christian Index.
SOUL-PROSPERITY'.—NO. IV.
1. A tweet and vigorous discernment of divine ihingtone
element ofßonl-Prosperity.
But it is not every regenerated prison that (
stands fairly in the ranks with “the well-beloved
Gaius.” Every believer has the germ of soul- j
prosperity in his bosom, the capital stock, solo
speak, which, with diligent improvement, and I
the divine blessing snperadded, could receive a .
happy and abundant increase. Soul-prosperity i
implies a healthful and vigorous progression in j
piety. It is not simply the work of the Spirit j
begun, but that sustained, deepened, brighten
ed, carried successfully forward by the power of j
the Holy Ghost. There are many persons, alas ,
that there should be so many! whom our in
dulgent charity is inclined to rank with the peo
ple of God, that cannot strictly be denominated
prosperous Christians. They may have chosen
the one thing needful; but yet they burden their
hearts, and choke their piety with many un-
afiiAn pinft iit
barrenness, they find no refreshing solace in the
world, neither with joy do they seem to draw
water out of the wells of salvation. Like the
Ephesians they have left their first love, and
they scent almost doomed never to regain it;
like the Laodicesns they have fallen into a luke
warm frame, and it seems hard lor them to open
the door to the imploring Saviour, that he may
return to their bosoms with the refreshings of his
grace. If they have life, it is scarcely life; if
they have hope, it is scarcely hope, it seems a
kind of sickly, quivering gleam betwixt quietude
and despair. The symmetry of their nflections
is often marred; the beauty of their walk is often
broken. They are too much like the thriftless
farmer, who if he has succeeded in raising some
wheal, is still annoyed with many tares; like
the unskilful merchant whose books are badly
kept, and whose engagements are badly met;
whose gains arc ns often dcublful as otherwise,
and even when apparently most decided and
hopeful, are soon eaten down to u stinted meas
ure by the canker of many losses. But is there
not such a thing as true, solid soul-prosperity?
Most assuredly; and to the more direct and full
delineation of this will we now proceed.
1. A ready, active, and sic . el discernment of
the beauty and glory of divine things constitutes
on important dement in what wo understand by
soul-prosperity. A greater or less degree of
this discernment is possessed by every believer;
indeed it is an essential part of spiritual knowl.
edge, and is necessary to our progression in a
heart-afircting acquaintance with ilia word of
God. There is heavenly light in it enabling us
to perceivo what is excellent, and a spiritual
relish or taste tliut binds (lie nflVctions in sweet
bondage to the things of the Spirit. This view
seems to be embraced in tho expression of the
Psalmist, “O taste and see that tho Lord is
good;’’ Ps. 3-1: 8; and also in the words of
Peter, “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord
is gracious.” 1 Peter 2: 3. “Spiritual knowl
edge,” says Edwards, “primarily consists in this
■enso or taste of the moral beauty of divine
things, so that no knowledge can be called spir
itual any further than it arises from this sourer,
and partakes of it. Butin the second place, it
includes all that discernment or knowledge ot
the things of religion which flows from such a
source.” It is the primary bronch of spiritual
knowledge above relerred to, viewed with refer,
ence to its important practical results, that I ant
now considering. This discernment or taste of
the glory of spiritual things is embraced in whnt
the scriptures so often denominate understanding.
“I am thy servant,” says David, “give me un
demanding that I may know thy testimonies.”
Ps. 110: 123. “And we know that the Son of
God is come and hath given us ait understanding
that we may know him that is true.” 1 John 5:
20. It was this understanding that the Psalmist
desired when ho so fervently prayed, “open ihou
mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things
out of thy law.” Ps. 119: 18. This sweet,
and refreshing perception of the glory of Christ,
of trust and holiness by nature, no man possess
es. He is “darkness,” ite is under “the power
of darkness.” “But the natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness unto him; neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor.
2: 14. A divine influence is needful to en
lighten the eyes of the understanding; God who
commanded light to shine out of darkness, must
•bine in our hearts to give the light of the knowl
edge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. Though as already intimated, every
child of God possesses in a grealor or less degree
ibis heavgtily discernment, yet i\ doe*not always
exist in a lively and healthful state. Frequent
ly it aeemed to manifest itself in a very feeble
manner in the Apostles themselves. They were
alow in heart to believe—dull in spiritual dis
cernment. Yet gradually did the Saviour re
move their blindness, sharpen their spiritual per
ceptions, and fire up their bosoms with a soul
affecting knowledge of divine things. What a
precious interview was that which the Saviour
had with the two disciple* that went to Emmaus!
Thus do they speak of the refreshing season—
“did not our hearts bum within us, while ho
talked with us by the way, and while he opened
to us the scriptures?” Luke 21: 32. The
wonders of the penteooetal day did not consist
merely in the miraculous gifts and revelations of
the Spirit* but ic a great degree no doubt in the
enlivened and strong perceptions with which the
disciples were blessed ms to the moral sweetness
and glory of lbs things pertaining to Christ and
his kingdom. This spiritual discernment is the
golden clue leading us into the joyful recesses of
truth—the master key to s sanctifying acquaint
ance with the oracles of God. It may exist in a
wholesome degree, especially in the earlier stages
of Christian experience, where attainments in
divine knowledge are comparatively limited, as
a sound understanding in may be j
connected with limited acquisitions; but as this
sound understanding is the noblest instrument i
for the acquisition of useful knowledge, so the
spiritual discernment of which we speak will
accompany us in our religious hearing and read- j
ing and meditations as our most efficient helper,
driving back the clouds of darkness, end bring
ing to our bosoms the precious and abundant !
stores of heavenly wisdom. ‘‘Knowledge is easy
to him that understandeth.” Prov. 14: G. This
Messed discernment may be blunted, and then,
O then, how does tho soul languish! Pride,
prejudice, bigotry, and all their kindred affec
tions chill this gracious sensibility of the soul;
j an eager and selfish communion with earthly j
! objects, and the neglect of prayer for the Spirit’s j
j enlightening influence, God takes as a great I
; afiront, and in liis displeasure he withholds the
| illuminations of his grace. Does not our own
experience, my brethren in a degree more or less
emphatic, bear testimony to the truth of these
positions? Have we not often fallen into that
unhappy state, when our minds seemed to lose
their heavenly penetration and relish; when the
n utlia uU i* 1 trv 1r
engage us, rending and hearing were dull, and
perhaps burdensome formali ies, where the light
and tho music and the odors of the celestial
Canaan thut played so sweetly around us in the
sure promises of God, fuib.d to awaken our spir
itual senses? Surely our souls were not pros
pering then. But at oilier times how different it
has been with us. Coming to the contemplation
of heavenly themes with a revived relish and
invigorated perceptions, how have old and famil
iar truths brightened up before us into new and
heart-cnplivating beauties, and doctrines less
familiar and more difficult—how have they
thrown open their gates of pearl, and drawn us,
; as it were almost irresistibly in, to survey their
| vast heaps of wealth and glory. Then could wo
truly say, ‘-1 rejoice at thy word as one that find,
ctli great spoil—thy testimonies arc wonderful—
more to bo desired aro they than gold, yea, Ilian
much fino gold; sweeter also than honey and
the honey-comb.” Then we felt tlmt, through
divine grace, our souls were prospering.
llow wonderfully does such o discerning frame
assist us to consider well Iho question, “what is
the chart to the wheat?” to hunt out by tho
light ol truth tho secret lusts of tho heart, to de
lect false frames and feelings, to tear away the
specious glosses which our corruptions some
time* seek to throw upon the commands of God?
to pierce and scatter tho deceptions with which
Satan would lead us from the simplicitv ol the
gospel, and to serve as they merit uli soft,
spongy, flesh-pleasing systems of theology?—
Where there is the most simple, gospel truth,
there is it tho most delighted. It scorns to lay
needless stress on things really unessential.—
With a plain, homely, pious exhibition of solid
gospel truth, it cun be well content. It strikes
for the pulp of truth, and is less concerned
about the artificial rind in which mortals may
happen to wrap it up. “I am in search of the
precious dainties of heavenly wisdom,” it cries,
“nor with less will Ibe satisfied —and when it
finds, it does not stop to descant forever upon the
foam and color and odor of the earthen dishes
in which the dainties are served up; but seizes
joyfully upon the gathered food, and appropriates
it to tho strengthening ofthcjsoul. Is not ibis
soul-prosperity?
And it may be further remarked that this spir
itual sensibility that so sweetly and readily rp.
sponds to tho tcscliings of the word of God, tends
greatly to keep the soul alive to the suggestions
of nature and the voice of providence. In a sense
it makes the whole Universe around, the soul's
bililc. In its heathful and lively exercise it
readily mid joyfully catches the voice of God,
wherever it sounds forth. God speaks in his
dealings, he speaks in his works. “Tho Lord
is known by tho judgments which he executeth.”
Ps. 9: 10. He answers mortals out of the whirl
wind, and communes with them in the lily of the
valley. Through a thousand things does he
touch the soul of that man whose spiritual dis
cernment is awake and active, inspiring precious
thought and heavenly meditation. To such a
one the heavens indeed declare tho glory of God,
and the firmament showeth firth his handywork.
To him all nature is vocal with tha praises of
Jehovah. To him the days and tho nights hold
with each other high discourses of Deity; though
they utter in this sublime colloquy no audible
voice, yet is their silent eloquence still loud and
refreshing to his attentive soul, speaking forth
the eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, of the
Godhead. In such a frame, his soul prospercth.
For the Christian Index.
BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS—SOUTH
ERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
NUMBER 11.
Marion, Ala., March 20, 1831.
In a former communication, the Board endea
vored to explain thut part of its plan which refers
to the assistance of feeble churches.
There is, however, another species of labor
embraced in the operations of the Board. This
is, to supply newly settled and growing parts of the
country, where there are at present no churches,
with the preaching of the gospel. Many portions
of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and New Alexi
co present fields of this description.
‘The classes w ho emigrate to these new lands,
and settle there, are for the most part, the young
and enterprizing, the bold and'stout hearted
They arc often also men of substance and educa
tion; or men, who if now poor, will soon be rich,
by the simple increase of their herds and the val
ue of their lands. They are men, who, even
when ignorant themselves, will educate their
children, so as to fit them for posts of the highest
influence. Some of them ar* already members
ofotir churches; others, persons who have grown
up under pious influences, for whom manv pray
ers have been offered up, in our churches, and
by their members.
‘These form a class of persons who, if pious,
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
! will make strong, enterprizing, energetic Chris
-1 lians, in the highest degree, forming the charac
of the whole inhabitants of these territories,
to remote generations; but if neglected, if desti
tute n( grace, they will become strong and bold
in crime, in violence, in bloodshed; the slaves of
fierce lusts, and ungovernable passions.
And yet these settlements, so greaUn their el
ements of future good or evil, must, wnhoptsome
system of Domestic Missions, be left utterly des
titute of the means of grace. They, haW olteri
little or no money, in proportion even to their
real property; they cannot at present pay s Min
ister any stipulated sum of money. In many
cases, there are scarcely any Ministers in large
| sections of the country. Seldom do tliey hear
! a sermon in months, often not in years. Their
children grow-up all careless, and withc&t pious
instruction, or hearing a single gospel sermon.—
Families that have always been Baptist in their
views, not only go to other evangelical denomi
nations for their religious guidance, but often
even to the Roman Catholics, for the offices of
religion.
In the meantime, it not iinfrequently.Jpccurg,
rtiotiv rr WVt j o<sy4.y ilt3
were abundant, neglected and despised them,
now when they are scarce, are willing Jo make
great sacrifices to obtain them. The BonVd, it
is proper to remark, in every case acts in co op.
cration with the friends of religion on the spot,
with whom it always corresponds, assisting them
in every way to take the necessary stejis to ob
tain for themselves the supply of what tlisy need.
It does not act by itself independently of ilfcm.
‘I lie Board also conducts in the same way ils
colportags of Bibles, and its Sabbath School p
---erations. In connection with this last, wc vtiill
simply make a short extract from a recont report
of one of our Missionaries:
“fn our Sabbath School, fivo of tho Wst in
tercsting scholars,girls, between the age^ofeight
and thirteen, give evidence of a change of henrl.
One of these, a girl of eight, has interested me by
her deep and active piety, evidenced in n degree
rare in one so young. She makes the influence
of her religious character felt every where
among her associates in a remarkable manner.
Last summer, or rather October, God deprived
her of her father; her mother and an infant sis
ter having died a few weeks before. A few days
previous to her father’s death, (he was then com
mending n steamboat on our river,) she wrote
him a letter, praying him to become a Christian,
and prepare to go and meet her dear mother and
little sister in heaven. Providentially, the letter
reached him in season, exerted a very powerful
influence over his feelings, and hastened a time
ly preparation for tho change that awaited him.”
R. HOLMAN, Cor. Sec.
For the Christian Index.
Oliil UNIVERSITY.—NO. I.
Bro. Editor, —l read tho communication of
Harrison in your paper of March iOih, on the
“Theological Department of Mercer University,”
and your rdiloriul ol the same date. Both those
articles, I hope, will do good, by exciting atten
tion to the important object which both you and
Harrison bnve manifestly at heart; namely the
obtaining of a more enlightened and efficient min
istry. Perhaps a few additional remarks, from
one who considers this object of prime impor
tance, may be worthy of a place in yyur col.
uinns.
The honored brethren by whom our Universi
ty at Penfield was established, felt deeply on the
subject of ministerial eduention; and it was
chiefly with a view to its promotion, that they
founded this institution of learning by their con
tributions, and poured forth their fervent pray
ers to God for itssnccess. No doubt they anx
iously desired, “that, in a few years the waste
places of Zion would receive the attention of spi
ritual husbandmen—the churches in our towns
and villages he supplied with competent pastors
—zealous Evangelists he traversing our State in
its length and breadth —and missionaries to
earth’s benighted millions bo going forth from
otir midst.” It is probable that some of them,
in the ardor of their zeal, indulged higlfVrought
expectations from the seminary which they were
instituting, beyond what a sober estimate of such
an instrumentality would justly authorize. 1
ant as little inclined to censure the hopes ns the
prayers of these good men; but it would be
wrong to bang our beads in despondency, or to
slacken our hands in the work which they have
begun, because every sanguine hope bas not
been realized. To do so would be injustice to
their wisdom and piety.
In works of human improvement, a few lead
ing spirits go ahead and the masses move slowly
on behind. So it is manifestly in the cause of
eduention. Wero there no Universities in the
world, but those of Oxford and Cambridge, the
value ol eduention in Georgia, would boas great
as it now is, but would be far less felt. Avery
; few intelligent and wealthy men would send
their sons across the Atluntic, to obtain tho rare
and costly benefit; but the mass of our popula
tion would be little moved, even with the desire
of obtaining the inestimable treasure. But when
superior intelligence and enterprise have brought
the means of education to our very door, the
1 blessing begins to bo appreciated, and multitudes
, seek it who would have remuined in their igno
; ranee. J’ho mass begins to be moved; and
though the motion is slow and gradual, ite ten
. dency is pervading.
The establishment of our University has great
ly benefited our denomination in Ojbrgia, by
increasing the desire of education. Uneducated
parents feel that the institution is ours, and wish
their sons to enjoy its benefits: and rich have
been the benefits w hich, though yet in its infan
cy,, it has conferred on many who have’ been
brought within its immediate influence. VVe are
able to point with pride to a goodly number of
well educated men who have gone forth from its
walls and are filling important places in society;
but the utility of the institution must be estima
ted, not so much by the number and talent of the
students Whom it has educated, as by the influ- |
enee which it sends forth on the mass of our peo
pie. Il lias inspired with ths desireof education
the minds of many who never reach its classic
grounds. It has furnished many able teachers
who, with distinguished skill and success, are
advancing the cause ol education, and pouring
through the community St reams of knowledge j
which may toe-just+y ■mured’ Trp~to ruts rtmmam *
lof intelligence. By its improvement of ouracod
| emies nnd common schools, by its influence in
awakening a desire of education, and by the pre
paration which it is thus making for a large in
crease in future years of literary and scientific j
men in our ranks rather than by the number it j
lias already educated, the great benefit which the ‘
University is conferring on the community,ought
to bo computed.
The published catalogues of the University
show that about 130 annually attend on its in
structions. A largo proportion of these are mem
bers of our churches and sons of Baptist parents.
Who will calculate the influence which the in
struction imparted to them will exert on the
churches nnd families with which they are con
■—•*‘u pfr*pit Pltnolyir pf students in the
regular college classes is 70, a number which
compares very favorably with that of other col
leges at an equal age; and it is confidently be
lieved that a comparison ns to the character and
attainments of the students, would be still more
favorable. The University ha* not supplied our
churches through the length and breadth of the
land with pastors, nor our missionary stations at
home and abroad with missionaries; neither has
it filled the ranks of our laity with learned men;
but it has made a good beginning in a glorious
cause, and has accomplished and is accomplish
ing enough, to induce its friends to thank God
and take courage. MERCER.
For the Christian Index. S
BAPTIST CONV E NTION.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Bro. Editor. —Pemil me, through your paper,
to submit to the consideration of the Delegates to
the approaching Convention at Perry, the stilt
ject’ofthe basis of representation, which was un
der consideration last year at Marietta, and was
suspended for consultation between the dele
gates and their constituents, with the understand
ing that il would be taken up again at the meet
ing at Perry. Upon a subject so important, it
might have been well for the brethren to have
had a more full and free interchange of thought
through the public papers at an earlier period
than this. Lest the consultation which some of
the Delegates desired last year to liqve, should
still be neglected, I have been willing to break
the prevailing silence upon the subject, nnd to
submit the views that, it seems to me, might give
general satisfaction. They are these, That all
the Associations may be encouraged to unite in
promoting the objects of the Convention, I would
propose,
Ist. That each Association, contributing any
amount whatever for these objects shall tie en
titled to 2 delegates.
2d. That each Association shall have one
additional delegate for every 500 members in its
churches.
3d. That each Association shall have one ad
ditional delegate for every 850, contributed to
the objects of tbe Convention since its last an
nual meeting.
4tli. That each Society (whose constitution
shall be npproved) shall have one member for
every 850, contributed to the objects of the Con
vention since its last annual meeting.
While some think that tbe representation
should be governed by reference to numbers
alone, nnd others think that it ought to be gov
erned by reference to funds alone, this system
makes a compromise of this difference of opinion,
and gives a fair to both the num
bers and th ofunds ol the constituent Associa
tions. In the mean time to tender a welcome to
the weakest Associations, both in numbers and in
funds, they are to be entitled, each to 2 delegates.
Let us examine the Minutes of the last Con
vention and see how this basis will work.
Ist. Twenty-two Associations are there stated
to be constituent members of the Convention.
These will bo entitled to 44 delegates, for the
mere fact of their constituency.
2d. These twenty.two Associations report over
50,000 members in their churches, which ac
cording to the above basis; will entitle them to
100 members more.
The Minutes report about 85,800 collected by
the Financial Committee and the agent for For
eign Missions. This sum will be entitled to a
representation of 116 delegates, making nn en.
tiro delegation of 260 members, besides those
that shall be sent by Societies. If this proposi
tion for the basis of representation has any jest
ground of objection to it, I should be glad to have
it thoroughly canvassed and the objections made
known, and a more just and righteous basis sug.
gested, and let us come together at the Conven
tion prepared to settle this question without any
unpleasant controversy. S.
For the Christian Index.
Brother Editor. —The following lines were re
ceived on last Sabbath evening, from a devoted
and pious sister, afier services, the object of
which was, to impress iheobligation of Christians
to live for the Lord, making all our worldly af
fairs subservient to the interest of the Redeemer’s
Kingdom.
My Dear Brother. —l cannot let this day pass
without letting you know that your ‘labors of
love, yesterday and to-day were not in vain.—
At least they were highly beneficial to me. I
have been made to feel unworthy to be called a
follower of our blessed Redeemer. Is it possible
thit God will accept such a worm of the earth as
I? Omy brother, I felt to-day less than the
least of God's children, I am indeed humbled to
the dust—pray for me my brother, that God may
show me whut He would have me to do, aod give
me grace and strength to do His will.
J desire above all things, to be a true, humble,
and faithful Christian. I often have many doubts
yet, Ido believe the good Lord has changed my
wicked heart. But hearing you talk makes me
feel like a speck, unworthy a place in the bouse
of God where so many good people are. Am I
deceived or do you think 1 may still trust in Him
Who has promised to hear the prayers of the tru
*7 {iuniiu.il. U. *— —7 IT, —y Mlvuloa. my
all. To wltom shall Igo but to Him who is able
to save to the uttermost ell that come to God by
Him! I cannot express my feelings, but God
knows the heart. M. W. M.
-The simplicity and (ervency of these lines, Bro.
Dagg, strike me as being worthy public notice,
and may encourage such toil-worn and self
abased servants, as I ant, to be prompt and faith
ful in the discharge of duty, leaving conse
quences to God. We have good meetings here
sometimes, But O how destitute of laborers in the
Lord’s vineyard. D. P. E.
mar
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1851.
(£7” All arrearages artr chat god at
$2 50 per annum, or 5 cents per num
ber. For all payments in advance the
paper is furnished at $2 00 per annum,
or 4 cents per number.
Tbe Art of Seeing.
In viewing natural, as well as spiritual things,
there are those who “seeing do not perceive.”—
; One man walks through the world with his eyes
; open, eagerly watching every passing event and
; noticing every fact, that he may be adding con
i stantly to his stock ol knowledge. Another sees
nothing worthy of his attention, and the objects
which meet liiseycmuko so feeble an impres
sion on his mind, that lie is as though he “sees
not.”
In one of Mrs. Rarbauld'g instructive pieces
for the young, is an incident entitled “Eyes and
no eyes, or the Art of Seeing.” Two boys start
ed out together to sp;.-nd an evening holiday in a
ramble in the country. They soon parted, how
ever, as their diversified tastes made a separation
more agreeable. Robert finding nothing attract
ive in the quiet meadows, and along the desolate
hill side, hurried home and complained of the
dullness of his walk. William arrived after n
while, and gave an enthusiastic account of his
excursion. Every tiling he met with afforded
him amusement and instruction, and each cir
cumstance suggested a theme for a pleasant con
versation with his teacher after His return, illere,
he found a misslefoe that brought to mind the re
ligious rites of the ancient Druids. There, a
flock of birds amused him by the peculiarity of
their cries, and their manner of flight. Even a
viper was not an uninteresting object to his inqui.
sitive mind; and as he stood upon a high summit
from which he could see the neighboring farms,
villages, church steeples, ho endeavored to ob
tain a knowledge of the geography ol the coun
try A splendid sunset too suggested to him some
important inquiries in natural philosophy, while
his relish for the sublime and beautiful was not
at all impaired by his thirst for useful know],
edge.
The moral of this narrative is thus expressed
in the advice of the teacher, at the close of his
dialogue with his pupils: “Do you then, William
continue to make use of your eyes: and you,Rob
ert, learn that eyes were given to use.”
There are many branches of knowledge that
are hidden from tlm mass of mankind. The
results of long experience, constant observation
and careful reasoning, are often recorded in
books that can be read only by tbe few. Many
of the facts of physical science can only be dis
covered by those who have prepared themselves
expressly for this purpose. But there is a field
of observation in which every one who has eyes
may profitably carry on liisinvestigations. Not
a day passes, but nature or art presents some,
thing that is calculated to awaken the attention
of the curious. At all hours and in every
place,nature may be found working in her labo
ratory, illustrating in divers experiments some
of the most important principles of natural phi
losophy; and in many cases, man has laid hold
of her complex machinery, and has left in beau
liful impression, the stamp of his own mind upon
the mote rial creation.
How much does ho lose who does not culti
vate the habit of observing the objects which
pass before him! These objects may be com
mon, and may afford r.o new truths to add to the
stock of knowledge which the world already
possesses. But tlicir very commonness presents
a reason for their being noticed and impress* and
upon the mind. The unlettered man ought to
study the book of natnre-because it is the only
volume, (unless it may bo the word of God,)
from which he can obtain much instruction.
The educated man ought to keep his
that he may add to the stock of knowledge alrea
dy obtained, and at the same time confirm with
new and varied illustrations, the truths which
have become familiar to the mind.
It is pleasant to acquire knowledge by actual
observation, far rriore so than to receive it at
second-hand. There are many persons who
have no relish for books, but it is rare to find a
man who has no desire for information. ]t is
natural for the mind to love knowledge, however
useless that knowledge may be, and whenever
the effort is not too great, it will seek to learn
something. It needs therefore no demonstration
to show that lie who goes through the world with
his eyes open, has a thousand sources of enjoy,
ment not possessed by a person of opposite habits.
The former finds himself in a Crystal Palaoe,
surrounded with all the curiosities of the Uni.
verse; while the latter is walking through a
barren waste, cut off from every souree of pleas
ure except that of communing with his own
mind.
The man of observation possesses a rich trea.
sure of information which he can profitably em-
ploy it* social intercourse. This is the very kind
of knowledge that can be used to ths greatest ad
vantage in conversation. A man of very super,
ficial attainments who has however acquired tbe
habit of observation, and who can display to ad.
vantage what little he knows, is often regarded
as highly intelligent, and compares very favors*
bly with one who with a more disciplined mind,
and a more thorough education, is less observant
of the objects anrerntw-Rround him. If there
fore a man has respect only to his own reputa.
tion, he has a strong inducement for cultivating
the habit of observation.
But we should ever act from a higher motive;
our great aim should be, to exert the greatest
amount of usefulness. Who does not see the
bearing of the habit to whieh we have referred
upon our capacity for usefulness? Whatever
our sphere of labor in life; the greater our
knowledge, the greater will be our influence.—
Whatever increases our mental furniture, in
creases the capital which we may use for the
temporal and spiritual gqod of our race. Espe
cially is this true of the Christian minister. If
his heart and his head aqe properly prepared for
his work, he will be able to turn to great advan. 1
tage, the common everydayTrßsrwTfaprWfffcti he
acquires. Every event in the political world,
every truth in science, every object in nature, ie
to his mind an illustration of the great truths of
the gospel.
——
Baptist messenger.
The Baptist Messenger of North Carolina has
been discontinued “for the purpose,” to use the
words of its Editor, “of increasing the influence
of the Biblical Recorder.” We have no doubt
this is a wise arrangement, for more than one
Baptist paper in that State cannot reasonably ex
pect on adequate support.
missionary Appointments.
We learn from the Missionary Journal that
Dr. Burton, of Tennessee, has been appointed
by the Foreign Board of the S. B. C. as Mission
ary and Physician for Shanghai, China.
The Indian Advocate states that the Rev. Isaao
F. Herrick, a member ol tbe Theological claw
of Howard College, has been appointed as a Mis
sionary of the Indian Mission Association. His
particular destination has not been fully settled
upon.
OCT We learn from the Macon Journal it
Messenger that Brother Landrum has consented
to resume his pastoral labors in connection with
the Baptist Church in Macon.
The Southern Baptist mentions the ordi
nation of Rev. R. R. Vann to ths work of th
Gospel Ministry at Black Creek Church, Dar
lington District, S. C., on the lflth ult.
s.
IC7* Rev. Jos. Polhill requests his correspon
dents to address him at Woodburn, Ga., instead
of Waynesboro.
Hfligiotts Suteiligtorp.
Revivals.
During a recent revival at Detroit, Michigan,
180 persons were baptized. The work appears
to bo still extending 28 have been recently
baptized at Edwardsburg, in the same State.
The pastor of the sth Baptist Church, Cincin.
nati, baptized 20 persons on Sunday, March 2d;
and 23 were baptized as members of the colored
Baptist chorcb. The Ohio Journal and Messen.
ger furnishes also accounts of revivals at the fol
lowing places: Fredericktown, 29 baptized;
Bethel, 29; Greentown, 35; Friendship, 17; Mid
dletown, 9; Pennsylvaniaburg, 22.
The church in Factoryville, N. Y., has lately
received 26 additions by baptism. At Fairport,
53 have been baptized. In Vienna also, an ex
tensive revival is pervading all the churches.—
H is thought that as many as 100 conversions,
have taken place. The N. Y. Register mentions:
a revival in Broadalbin, which has resulted in.
the baptism of 71.
At West Waterviile, Me., 50 souls have been
hopefully converted. The Baptist churches in
Jefferson, in the same State have had 25 addi
tions.
At Beloit, Wis., there have been 20 hopeful’
conve'sions.
At Chicago, 111., 17 have been recently added:
bv baptism to the Baptist churches.
An extensive revival has been in ‘progress in
South Andover College, Ind. Out of tflO stu
dents, 125 are hopefully pious.
ORDINATION.
At the call of the Auburn Baptist Church, In
Macon county, Alabama, Elders Reuben Thorn
ton, James Cadenhead, James P. VV. Brown,
Willis B. Jones, Albert Williams, and James M.
Watt, assembled at Auburn on the 23d instant,
for the purpose of setting apart brother Mark A.
Westmoreland to the work of the gospel ministry.
On the 24th, he was accordingly ordained to the
work with the usual forms and solemnities, and
he is now commended to the confidence and re
spect of the churches and brethren.
WILLIS B. JONES Pastor.
Auburn, Ala., March 26, 1851.
From the Missionary Journal.
CENTRAL AFRICAN MISSION.
LETTER FROM BROTHER T. J. BOWEN.
Abbeokula, Africa, Oct. 1, 1850.
Dear Bro. Taylor,-—I have arrived sh Yariba,
but have found its condition unfavorable to my
design. The nation has beer, dismembered by
civil war, and the divided provinces are still more
or less unfriendly. Besides, the people in the
west have imbibed a foolish notion, that if a
white man comes into a tow n, it will be destroyed
by war, as some places were not long aftt t tbe
visit of the Landers.
I have been as far as Ijaka, (Lander’s Chakka,)
about four days ride from Bohno. At Ijale, a
few miles further on, I remained seven days ox
changing messages and courtesies with the king
of Iketu, who finally ordered me to go back from
his country. 1 was obliged -to obey. There
was war on both sides of me; and one day aome
people were kidnapped not far ahead of me, in
ths same path. Several towns were quits uo.
[April