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14
‘them instlftcietl-so that they may_be “apt*
to teach” others.
When will the brethren the
importaHce of. the pious arid
called men among ourselves? God
grant it may Ue soon,- harvest is
great tint! the laborers few; and the'-fields
are already white to the harvest,. Ten. Bay.
iDrigimtl.
* * For the Index. “”
Scattering Crumbs for Nibbler*.
SABBATH SIOEXINO MEDITATIONS AT TIIE SBPULCHRK.
CRUMB 107.
I. “ Come See the Place u'here the Lord Lay”,
Onward we hasfce; but what Almighty One
Shall smite the guards, and heave the massive stone?
.No dreaded barrier frowns: angelic might
Hath wrought access, and poured exulting light
Through all the vault where Zion’s glorious King
Grappled with death, and wrenched the monster’s
sting.
’Tis there: O wondrous spot ? temple of grace,
Os living hope to our apostate race.
Nearer we come. ’Tis here: around it play
Beauties more fair than Eden’s fair-born day.
What perfumes vast! Heaven’s every rolling sphere
Has sent its sweetest, costliest spicing here.
Yes, here He lay; the dear, the slaughtered one;
Yet rescued soon to seize his promised throne.
And I must enter. , God of grace and might,
Unseal my vision for the immortal sight;
- And yet uphold me with thy power the while,
Lest the vast scene should crush an atom vile.
O glory ! glory ! glory ! wonders roll
An ocean flood around my ravished soul!
Here welters Death —the tyrant pierced at length
With deep death-wounds that cost almighty
strength.
There writhes the serpent, with his impious head
Broken and crushed beneath Immanuel’s tread.
There vanquished sin, with her last dying groans
Her prostrate chivalry aloud bemoans.
And here stands Victory with glory crowned,
Her radiant features casting heaven around;
Here Immortality in Hope’s embrace,
Dear bright effulgence beaming in each face:
Anti thickly strown are flowers of every hue
Nurtured to deathless sweets by Calvary’s dew.
And all around (thus fancy docks the place
That seals tin? triumphs of Immanuel’s grace) —
And all around fair tapestries divine
In graceful folds and heavenly lustre shine.
What substance this ? What interwoven gleams ?
Wrought was the fabric from the first fond beams
That glitter from the risen Saviour’s brow
By angel hands; and stranger yet, see how
Some sweet device hangs on each waving fold!
Immortal need!-work-heaven’s inwrought gold.
Here stands the manger and the infant King,
And Eastern Magi with the gifts they bring;
And there I see the sinner’s gracious Friend
Meekly from the baptismal flood ascend,
IT is face all radiant with celestial love,
While o’er him spread the pinions of the Dove.
And here lie walks serene the raging wave,
There speaketh Lazarus from the marble grave;
Here bleeds Gethsemacne, there Calvary groans,
Whilst stricken nature to her centre moans.
But it were long to trace each dear device;
This last, this crowning wonder must suffice.
See Jordan’s smitten waves in haste divide
To welcome conquerors through his vanquished
tide;
And onward press lh<\elect in joyful band,
Ten thousand times ten thousand: —in their hands
Wave royal palms, whilst on their raptured tongues
Aloud begin their everlasting songs.
And all beyond, in infinite array
()f dewy vales and never-fading day,
Os stainless floods and amaranthine flowers,
Ands aints and angels harping in their bowers,
Sweet Canaan spreads: whilst high in the mid
scene
God and the Lamb, in majesty serene,
Cast all abroad ineffable delight
From their bright throne of adamantine light.
—■> • -
For the Index.
Recognition of Pedobaptist Ministers.
lira. L><"jy, —l exceedingly regret that
vonr correspondents render it necessary for me to
continue the discussion of the subject of intercom
munion with Pedobaptists in pulpit labors. I re
gret it for several rea onfe. 1. Because lam fully
a -varc that a protracted discussion of any suhjeet,
soon becomes wearisome to the readers of a week
ly paper. 2. There are other subjects which are
far more congenial so mv feelings, on which I wish
to write. A. It is evident that the subject cannot
be discussed in your paper on fair terms. As yet
but two articles have appeared in your columns on
the one side, white six have appeared on the oppo
site side, four ftbmyour own pen. lam thus sit
uated not very dissimilarly to a man who, in a co
terie of ladies, chances to advance a sentiment ad
verse to the rights and prerogatives of their lady
ships. He is instantly overwhelmed, not .bv the
force of their logic, but by an avalanche of words.
Each thinks herself most competent to reply, and
no oho is willing to trust their defence to another.
By pouncing up.iV him, .all at once, a fid continu
ing their volley of words dnterruptgdly, they, of
course, place it out of his power to reply effectu
ally. Ilis solo is drowned by the grand chorus of
the company. A prudent man, under such cir
eimi.Janees, \Vuuhl most .probably -sound a retreat,
’and leave his lair opponents to. exult in the vain
hnagrnuttunTiiat they achieved'H signal triumph 5
‘but as I am more gifted with temerity than pru
dence in tlie estimation of mauy', I*wiil ‘maintain
> nfy ground yet m little longer, and lift up my voice
‘ oik-c. more amid the roar of the whirlwind of word's
with which mv-positions have been assailed.
-I vety, mirth regretAliat yon should deem it ne-*”
c ssarv to stigmatize what- we'advocate'as “neajr
‘measures’ 7 without adducing proof to prove ? them
s:fch. .This looks a* j/utogli you. were desirous of
forestalling t iicopi uiuns/>Fy ofiryeaders by ftppeAl
in <>• (o 1 hoi r'ffikjhdires, I have admitted al
ready Am-rayed against us,) instead of tQ rfasoy
"or re relation. I thj§ the. most effectual way to
elicit truth? - I have urged, anJ would again urge
you, and each of your readers, to seek to divest
yourselves of prejudice, and come to the investiga
tion of the subject with a cool, dispassionate, prayer
fa! spirit,-truly desiring to obtain an answer to the
inquiry, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”
and ftllly resolved, at all hazards,'te act according,
to the answer received. I consider the question
which we are discussing a truly momentous one —
one of the most important questions that has ever
agitated the p.ublic mind since the question of the
Messiahship of the Son of God has been settled.
I may err, but I do most conscientiously’ believe,
that affiliation with Pedobaptist .churches is doing
more to impede the evangelization of the world
than infidelity, Maliommedanism and heathenism
combined —that not until the bonds of this affilia
tion are severed, will Zion appear in her robes of
victory, the kingdoms of this world become-the
kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and -‘one
Lord, one faith, o'ne baptism” everywhere prevail.
Believing this, I cannot but look upon the discus
sion of the question, relative to the recognition of
Pedobaptist ministers, as tliefirst step towards a
reformation thjit is destined to excel. as far in its
glorious results, the reformation of the 16th centu
ry, as the splendor of the second temple excelled
that of the first.
There is much that I wish to say on the sub
ject in general, but I must forbear, that I may res
ply to your correspondents. First, in order of
time, is the communication of my old friend and
highly esteemed Christian brother, C. 11. S. I
cannot but think that every unbiased reader of his
communication will concur with me in the opinion,
that it affords unequivocal evidence that he al
lowed Lis pen to be guided more by the feelings
of his benignant heart, than by \\\c judgment of his
enlightened intellect. Do you call for evidence to
justify this opinion ? You shall have it. He says,
“We can shew that the living ministry is a divine
institution, and that as such it has its proper func
tions,Tut preaching is not one of thkm. I un
derstand them to be baptizing, breaking of bread
and laying on of hands in ordination .” I place in
capitals and italics what I consider very remarka
ble assertions in the above extract. Had the
writer affirmed the real presence of the body and
blood of Christ in the sacramental elements, I
could not have been more startled or surprized than
I was at the above unqualified affirmations. In
deed the Romanist can produce more passage* of
Scripture that wouhh appear, at a first view, to
sustain the doctrine of transubstantiation, than can
C. U. S. to sustain the positions taken above.—
Preaching not one of the functions of the gospel
ministry! Why then is it required of a candidate
for the ministry that he be “apt to teach” and
“sound in the faith?” Why was Timothy exhort
ed to “preach the word”-—to “give attention to
reading” —to study to shew himself approved unto
God—“rightly dividing the word of truth”—to
commit the things he had received before many
witnesses to those who should “be able to teach
others also ?” Why are those elders specially com
mended who “labor (toil) in word and doctrine?’
Why* did they go everywhere preaching the gos
pel, .lav and night, if preaching was not one of
their functions ? Most evidently our brother differs
widely from the apostle Paul. The latter must
have esteemed the act of baptizing as secondary in
importance to that of preaching Christ, or he nev
er would have thanked God that he had baptized
none but Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Ste
phanos. How one as well versed in the Sacred
Scriptures as [ know C. 11. S. to be, could write
the above, I cannot see. Surely we should take
beet! how we hear, or adopt the views of one who
is so oblivious of what the Scriptures teach in re-
to the gospel ministry. The minister is to
give himself “wholly to the ministry;” but, in some
churches that I have known, there has not been a
baptism, a celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or an
ordination within a space of twelve months. How
could a minister give “himself wholly to the minis
try in such a church, if his only functions were
“baptizing,” &e. ? What a sinecure his office must
oft times be!
Again, C. 11. S. says, “I have always believed
that of qualification for the ministry was
God’s.” No one denies that, but pray tell us who
is to judge whether an aspirant for the sacred of
fice has received of God the necessary qualifica
tions? Is the aspirant himself to be the judge ?
Has not C. H. S. met with professed ministers who
boast loudly of their call and qualifications, and
yet afford abundant evidence that they have not
one solitary scriptural qualification, (unless the
having one wife be considered as such) —that they
have not even received the first thing necessary for
the work of the ministry —the Spirit of Christ?—
If he has not, he has been sated, in the providence
of God, from witnessing what lias often affected
the hearts of others with most painful emotions.—
God calls to and qualifies for the work of the min
istry, as well as for membership in the church of
Christ, but*he constitutes the church the'judge of
the call ami qualifications in both instances; and it
often happens, that they'are found, by the church,
to be the best qualified wlio are most’ distrustful of
their own qualifications.
Thecae of A polios is a case apropos, but unfor
tunately for C. If. S. it makes altogether in our favor.
I had designed, in prosecuting the discussion of the
subject, to refer to. this very case; as affording a
safe precedent for us, and unquestionable evidence
that tkeplactice of the apostles corresponded with
that which wg commend. I hope the reader will
.pay particular attention to it; and may God give,
him the discerning eye. the hearing ear, and a be
lieving heart, .that he may see and understand and
-reduce to practice what lie (earnsof the divine will.
* After stating that Apollos had received. only
Jolm’s baptism, p. H.
nTatiop tfiat Apollys hajlsny trouble on the-sub
ject of nor was his former work reputli
, ated, but from frequent allusions we
know that “lie became one of the most useful and
influential .ministers in th# church.” This-is logic
as far iieyoird my comjfrebenskm as is the lan-
of the,Flusters. The question is not, wheth
er Apollbs, os- Pedobaptist ministers have had any
THE C HE IST 1A N IN D E X
trouble oil the subject of baptism? but, is their
baptism of men or from- heaven ? The- baptism of
John, which Apollos received, we know was from
heayeti. This is more than can be truly affirmed
of the baptism of Pedobaptists. Neither is it a
question whether the former acts of Pedobaptist
ministers are to be repudiated; but it is a question,
and a very important one too, whether we should
give a sanction to their present antiscriptural course,
by inviting them into our pulpits.
But we are told that Apollos became “one of the
most useful and influential ministers in the church.”
Did Ke? Pray when ? Alas! for our opponents!
It happened too late for them to profit by it. This
event occurred after his errors were corrected, and
he had befiome united with the regular Baptist
Church at Ephesus, and had been sent forth, un
der its sanction, to preach the gospel in Acliaia and
wherever God in his providence might lead him.
A similar affirmation may be made of Merrill,
Rice, Judson, and hundreds of other Baptist min
isters, who were once involved in the errors of Pe
dobaptism, and afterwards became consistent Bap
tist ministers; and I doubt not there are still bun
dreds in the Pedobaptist ranks, who are now
preaching irregularly, to whom I could not, at
present, extend the right hand of fellowship, either
as church members or as gospel ministers, who
will, like Apollos, renounce their errors, connect
themselves with a regular go-pel church, and be-~
come useful and influential ministers of true church
es of Christ.
But turn, dear readei, to Acts 18. 24—28 and
read for yourself the scriptural record of the events
to which reference is made. We learn from it,
that Apollos was an eloquent man and mighty in
the scriptures (i. e. in the writings of Moses and
the prophets)—that he was instructed in the way
of the Lord—was fervent in spirit—and spake and
taught diligently the things of the Lord. This
man came to Ephesus where Aquilla and Priscil
la and other disciples abode, and preached
where? Not at a Conventicle of tlie disciples, but
in the Jewish synagogue. Aquilla and Priscilla
attended (as hundreds of us have the meetings of
Cainpbellites and Pedobaptists, Universalists, Uni
tarians and Romanists,) and heard him. Now ob
serve very particularly that there is not the least
intimation given, that they took any part with him
in the public exerises, or in any way recognized
him as a duly accredited minister of the gospel ;
for though a good and eloquent man, who acted
according to the best of his knowledge, ho had
never been commended to the work of the minis
try by any Christian church whose organization
had been perfected according to the latest instruc
tions given by the great Hoad and Founder of the
Church. They would not, therefore, it appears,
affiliate with him, though they admired his elo
quence, and were favorably imposed with the
manifestation he afforded of his zeal, sincerity and
integrity. These impressions, probably, or the di
rect monitions of the Holy Spirit, led them to seek
an opportunity to correct his errors. They there
fore “took him unto them and expounded unto the
way of God more perfectly;” i. e. they imparted to
him the knowledge in which he was deficient. As
he was ignorant of the rules and regulations of the
church, they, of course, instructed him in these.—
As he was a good man in heart, and possessed a
much more teachable spirit than a majority of Pe
dobaptist ministers, lie received readily the instruc
tion imparted, and acted in accordance with it. It
was after the correction of his errors and his union
with the church at Ephesus, that he was disposed
to visit Acliaia. As the disciples in Acliaia were
not apprized of what had transpired at Ephesus, it
was deemed necessary, in order to insure his recog
nition as a gospel minister, that he should take
along with him credentials from the church with
which he had now become connected. Therefore
the “brethren (at Ephesus) wrote, exhorting the
disciples (in Acliaia and elsewhere) to receive him.”
This might have been called a “new measure”
then, but it, is rather too antiquated now to be en
titled to such an appellation. Now observe and
remember tlie fact, 1 That there is no evidence
whatever that the disciples at Ephesus invited
Apollos to participate in their meetings, or in any
other way recognized him as a gospel minister, be
fore he renounced his errors and identified himself
with them 2. That the giving him a letter of
commendation, when about to leave Ephesus, af
fords strong presumptive evidence, that the breth
ren were aware that he would not be accredited as
an orderly minister of the gospel without it. They
who can so pervert this scriptural record astomake
it sanction the recognition of Pedobaptist ministers
as duly accredited ministers of the gospel, should
never, it appears to me, utter another complaint
about Pedobaptist perversions of scripture.
Bplh C. H. S. and A. S. reiterate the argument
of the editor, already answered by me, that all
disciples of Christ have the right to preach. How
true is it that
“A man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion still!!’
The right of private members to exercise their
;gifts in the social circle, or at prayer-meeting, or
the right of ministers to call upon some gifted
brother for a word of exhortation, is not now the
subject of inquiry. The question is relative to the
recognition of Pedobaptist ministers as duly ac
credited ministers of tlie Gospel. Let the latter
lx* settled, and then, if desired, we. will discuss the
former. •*• Why do tlfo.se who so strenuously con
tend that all have the right- to preach, uerer invite
private brethren, or young unbaptised convetts,
however to enter the pulpit and preach ?
Echo answers, “Why ?” I would press this ques
tion upon our opponents, and hope that someone
of them will answer it. The ifrgumeuts of ourop
ponenXs, on this point, prove nothing more than
the absence of any scriptural warrant for the prac
tice which they Advocate. If we Admit that a man
has a right to perform an act, (to preach, for in
stance.) it does not follow that/ we are bound to
caiWtpou him to pel-form that act, either iy our
pulpits yr elsewhere; or even that wfc would be
justifiable in calling .'upon him to-exercise that
right. , Pedobaptists have the right to administer
the ordinances according to Uicir convictions of
duty. Does it.follow, that .we are, therefore, to
aid, counsel, or abet them in the exercise of their
rights, or in any &ay sanction their pseudobap
tism ? !-
As I have stated, in a former article, when we
iuvite Pedobaptists ministers into our pulpits, botli
they, and the public at large, consider it ‘as. a re
cognition of them not only as good or gifted
men, but as duly authorized ministers of the gos
pel. As we never extend the same courtesy to
private members, we afford just grounds for the
drawn from our act. C. H. S. is certain
ly mistaken if he supposes that our history, ab
stracts of faith, &e., teach that Baptists do not
‘recognize Pedobaptists churches ns churches of
Christ. Many of our reputed leaders, (leaders
often now, as in days of old, cause our people to
err,) teach that they are true but erring churches.
The editor of the “Southern Baptist,” has very
recently so contended, and if I mistake not, the
editor of the Index has admitted the same. It is
true tlie venerated Mercer, and the great mass of
otir reflecting brethren, concur with us in our
views on this subject. Moreover, Pedobaptists
do not read our history, abstracts of faith, <tc.,
and, therefore, they can only judge of our senti
*hients by our acts. >•
Well but, say some, /ando s not consider that in
voting Pedobaptists into my*pulpit is a recognition
of them as ministers of the Gospel, and I should
not be responsible for their erroneous impressions.
The best ethical writers will sustain me in the as
sertion, that we are responsible for the impressions
which we know our voluntary acts will make upon
the minds of others ; and I think the apostle Paul
teaches the same thing, in his discourse on the
eating of meats ottered to idols.
I must here close the argument in the case of
the Bible vs. C. H. S., although I have not noticed
one-half of what I consider faulty logic and erro
neons conclusions in the late communication of
the latter. In another number, I shall argue, if
permitted, the case of Mercer, as he speaks for
hiirfsclf, vs. Mercer as. spoken for by C. H. S., and
say a few things in reply to A. S.
In submitting the subject, as far as it has been
discussed, to tlie decision of the readers of the
Index, I would most respectfully, yet earnestly urge
them, ere they make out their verdict, to bow
their knees before the Father of all light, and seek
the illuminating influences of his Holy Spirit.—
May the glory of God, and th a eternal consequences
to the children of men, Mhich depend upon the
decision of the question before you, affect your
hearts with a deep sense of your need of Divine
guidance. - B.
For the Index.
i* Sustain the Index.
zDear Bro. Dagg. —Months have intervened
since I furnished any thing for your columns; but
be assured the cause has not been a want of inter
est for the prosperity of the Index. My energies,
(such as they have been) as you are aware, have
been directed in a different direction in a similar
AO ter prise, and my time has been fully employed
in that way.
The object I have in view in this communication,
is to make an appeal to Georgia Baptists particu
larly, to rally to the organ of their, own adoption;
and I will surely be regarded as disinterested in
making this appeal, since my interest lies in pursu
ing an opposite course just now. But whatever in
terest may dictate, I feel deeply concerned to see
the Christian Index more generally circulated
amongst the great Baptist family in the South, and
especially among all the Baptists between the Sa
vannah and Chattahoochie rivers. It has been
been and is now a matter of great astonishment to
me how our brethren can so far disregard the im
portance of the circulation of religious papers
among them. They may indeed be regarded as
the vital current of re! gious literature for the mass
es, and iu proportion as ;liey are freely circulated
and read, will elevated feelings, benevolent action,
and soundness in faith be in a great measure pro
moted. That man is behind the spirit of the age
who reads no religious newspaper, and that pastor’s
congregation will always be deficient iu religious
knowledge, that does not patronize the religious
press. I would have every man of family and others
too, take one or more good religious periodicals and
read them carefully, and in doing so, I would ex
pect to find them all acquainted more or less with
the onward progress of religion in the world, and
always ready to contribute, according to their
ability, to the benevolent objects of the age. On
the other hand, I never expect to sec much liberal
ity manifested by those who buy and sell and get
gain,and continue strangers to the religious changes
going on in the world, and who seek not to ac
quaint themselves with the religious wants of man
kind. Such a thing as liberality without knowl
edge, would be an anomaly indeed. This knowl
edge can be gained only through religious period
icals, and none can effectual among Baptists
in Georgia as the regular organ of communication,
The Christian Index.
The Index belongs to the Convention, the Con
vention is composed of Associations and other re
li nous bodies, throughout the State of. Georgia,
hence it is the property of the Baptists of the
State. They must feel an interest in it that can
not ordinarily be felt out of the State, not only be-,
cause it is located among them, but because ..no
other paper in Christendom can be fully tlie organ
for the Baptists of Georgia. They need a paper
of their own, and-that paper above all others’ should
be well sustained by them.
What then if a hundred other papers are taken,
they cannot supersede the usefulness ot it. It is
the desideratum that ajl the others combined to
gether cannot supply.
And suppose it is not edited or published pre
cisely As every one of its subscribers might wish,
mast it be decried on that account ? ‘ Let us see,
even adbiitting deficiency here, whether the
paper is not worth the snb-Vriptfou price, (ah ! and
ten times as much niqfe.)
To begin then with the first January numberan
185;;: I"find about 18 columns, of well selected
reading matter, a half or more is furnished for
them by original writers, a large portion of which
will never find its way into any other paper, and
but for the Index, would never have been written
at nil. Then again,the selections are taken from
so many source*, that no. one reader would ever
see one half of them in other papers ; hence, at
least, three-fourtlie of its contents will he that much
clear gain to the reader. And where in ail the
world will a man look to find more interesting
reading? Now multiply the above by 50, and
see vvliat an amount of reading two dollars will
afford. In no other form can it be obtained half
so cheaply ; then it comes weekly and is so varied
as always to contain something deeply interesting
to the reader. And aqthe end of the year, tlie vol
ume will be worth all it cost, after the articles have
been read and re-read.
Again, increase tlie subscription list, and great
improvements can be made, which cannot be made
without it. Editors know this by experience, and
the different editors of the Index have realized it
to their sorrow. I care not then what an editor’s
ability may be, he cannot do all himself,, and I
venture the assertion, that the ablest editor in the
United States would be deficient, if his energies
were paralyzed by a meagre support. Give the
Index a wide circulation, and you can mas!; it
equal, if not superior to any paper iu America.—
Now let every one who may read this communi
cation, resolve that he will make a good effort to
get 10, or 20, or 50 subscaibers, and how easily it
could be done. You need not inform tlie editor
of your design, but go and do your best, and then
acquaint him with the result; promises beforehand
often produce disappointment, but let your works
go before, and my word for it, Bro. Dagg will not
complain.
I have written but lijtle, and yet my sheet is
full. What say you, brethren of Georgia?
J. M. \V.
Alabama, January 7, 1855,
For the Index.
A Sketch of “The Baptist Church of Christ at
Macon, Ga.”
The constitution of this church was recognized
by three ministers: John M. Gray, C. A. Tharpe
and Jonathan Neal, in tlie year 1820. The con
stituents of the bodywere nino in number: Rich
ard W. Ellis and wifi*, Austin Ellis, James Hollings
worth and wife, William Brown and wife, Benja
min Russell and wife. For some time the church
had no house of worship, and was dependent upon
the town, then in’ its infancy, for a place in which
to hold its meetings.
The Rev. .John M. Gray was tlie first pastor of
the church. lie sustained the relation for two
years. Mr. Gray was ordained in Franklin county
in 1815. He died in Alabama in 1805 or 30,
having preached the day before in the town of La-
Fayette. He was truly a useful and laborious man,
and very successful in the ministry. At the time
of his death lie was pastor of the Columbus and
Mt. Zion churches.
For the next two years the Rev. Add Sher
wood, D. D., now of Illinois, was pastor. He re
sided in Eatonton and visited tlie church monthly.
Dr. Sherwood was succeeded by Rev. Jesse H.
Campbell, of Griffin, who was settled with the
church during the year 1831.
The late Rev. Josiali S. Law was next in the
pastorate of the church. He remained during a
part of the year 1832. Mr. Law was iftei wards
pastor ofthe Baptist church of Savannah, but spent
most of his days in Liberty county, laboring chief
ly for the spiritual welfare of the negroes. lie
died in 1853 in the vigor of manhood.
During the remainder of the year 1832 and
the year 1833, Rev. C. A. Tharpe, of Twiggs comi
ty, visited the church occasionally as a supply.
Rev. A. T. Holmes was ordained in 1833 and
became pastor in 1834. His connection with the
church continued four years. He is now President
of the Baptist Female College of South Western
Georgia, at Cutlibert.
Rev. S. G. Hi I Iyer, Prof, of Belles Lettres in
Mercer University, was pastor for the year 1839.
Rev. Thomas Curtis, I). D., of South Carolina,
was next settled with the church for about two
years.
During the year 1842, Rev. C. D. Mallary, 1).
D., then residing in Twiggs county, visited the
church monthly.
The pastorate of the Rev. J. R. Kendrick, now
of Charleston, commenced with 1843, and closed
in 1847.
From the Fall of 1847 to the Spring of 1849,
the Rev. .Albert Williams was pastor.
The present pastor, Rev. S. Landrum, was set
tled in Jan. 1850.
Up to trie pastorate of Mr. Kendrick, the amount
pa'.d the pastors was very small. This, probably,
was the chief cause of these frequent changes, which
so much retarded the growth and usefulness of the
church.
At first, as already mentioned, the church had
no house of worship. About 1827 or 28, the Pres
byterians generously offered the use of their house.
T*liere the church continued to assemble till 1832,
when the brick house on the corner of Second cfe
Mulberry streets, was erected. The erection of that
house and the death of an influential member, in
volved the church in a debt which it could not pay.
The house was sold, and anotliei built near, which,
is at present, the old Cemetery. About 1839, the
church sold this house and built another on First
street, near Cotton Avenue, which has been occu
pied to this time, September, 1854. During tlio
past year, the congregation lias erected a hand
some and tasteful gothic edifice on Second street,
in the heart of the city, at a cost of about &18,00 y.
This house lias its main audience room 74 by 51
feet, with an end gallery, a lecture room in the
basement, a baptistery, and committee rooms. —
When finished it will be the most attractive build
ing in the city.
One of the most memorable facts connected with
the history of the church was the great revival of
1843, when about 80 persons were hopefully con
verted and baptized in a few months. The Min
utes show that during Mr. Kemlrick’s ministry, 130
were baptized. Since 1850, during the present
pastorate, 13.\> have been baptized. The meaib<J||
ship now stands thus: Whites, 199; blacks, 2S;
total, 482. w y
It is thus seen that a majority of the elmrch are
colored people; and, nearly all of them tire slaves.
These, though members of the same church with
the whites, still, tire to a great extent, a distinct
body. They have their own house of worship, and
conduct their own services, under the direction of
licensed ministers and deacons* of their own color.
They receive and exclude their own members. The
ordinances, however, are administered by the pas
tor of the whole church. This branch of the
Church is also preparing to erect anew and larger
house, to accommodate their increasing congrega-’
tion and membership. x
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 25.
£3?”All arrearages are charged at -?2 50 per annum,
or 5 cents per number. For all payments in advance
the paper is furnished at $2 00 per annum, or 4 Cents
per number.
The Human Nature of Christ.
The Apostle John says, “The word was made
flesh and dwelt among us.” The Apostle l j aul
says, “He was made in the likeness of
in fashion as a man.” These passages prove, at
least, that he had a body like other men, that he
was not merely a spirit vested with such a form
as to represent a human body. In Ilob. 2 chap.,
he is described as p s taking of flesh and blood in
order to be like his brethren. The title, Son of
Man, which was so often applied to him, proves
that he possessed human nature. He is also called
Man , as in this passage, “One mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” The cir
cumstances of his birth, ’as particularly described
by Matthew and Luke, prove the same point.—
Animal feelings are ascribed to him; hunger, thirst,
fatigue, and suffering, in different ways. He also
underwent mental sufferings. He is described in
prophecy, as “a man of sorrows and acquainted
with grief.” He wept over the grave of Lazarus,
and also when be drew near to Jerusalem. Iu
the descriptions wdiiclc Matthew and Luke give of
his sufferings in the garden of Gethsemane, we
have a strong evidence that his mind, as well as
his body, was made in fashion like men. We
may also instance the temptations which lie en
dured. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us, that he
spent forty days in the wilderness where he was
tempted by the Devil. Paul, in writing to the
Hebrews, says, in order to show Christ’s ability to
succor the tempted : “he himself hath suffered be
ing tempted ” In another place, he tells us, that,
“he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.” Had he not possessed the soul of x
man, he could not have suffered from any of these
causey The fact .Iliat'^firis&.Sva*,made under the
law,” sfiq<Vs that lie had a human synl. If his
humanity had extended only toliis bodv,lic could
not have become subject to-the law. Otrthe same
supposition, he could not have been made a little
lower than the angels. We are still further
taught the human nature of Christ, in those pas
sages which speak of him as receiving or losing
aid from Heaven. “And the child grew and waxed
strong in spirit, tilled with wisdom, and the grace
of God was upon him. After his temptation
“angels ministered unto him.” During his ago
ny, in the garden, “an angel appeared from heaven
strengthening him.” While on the cross, Christ
prayed, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsa
ken me.” In his Divine fixture, he could not in
crease in wisdom; lie could not need the assist
ance of angels, nor could lie with any propriety,
offer.un prayer to God.
The incarnation of Christ was necessary in order
that he might cat rv on his mediatorial work.—
“When the fullness of time was come, God sent
forth his son, made of a woman, made under the
law to redeem them that were under the law,”
(Gal. 4: 4.) It was necessary in order that he, as
a great high priest, should have a sacrifice to offer;
“wherefore, when lief comet h into the world, he
saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but
a body bast thou prepared me.” (Ileb. 10: 5.)
Ihe theory has been entertained bv some, that
Christ’s human soul existed prior to bis incarna
tion.
Ihe Scriptures do not teach the pre-existence
of Christ’s human soul; but on the contrary, thev
leave us to infer that Christ was in no sense a
creature, until lie “was made of a worn in, made
under the law.” Had he been a creature before,
he would also have been under the law, before he
was made of a woman, so that it would be improp
er to speak of those two events as simultaneous.
ihe most plausible argument in support of the
affirmative of this question, may be drawn from
Col. 1, 15: when he is called “tlm. first-born of
every creature. It is not probable that the prior
existence of his human nature is here intended,
since the whole scope of the passage is to show
bis pre-eminence above all creatures; a pre-emi
nence conferred on his humanity, not on account
of its priority, but on account of iis union with the
Divinity. Compare Ps. 89, 27: “1 will make
him, my iirst-born, higher than the kings of the
oarth. In the account of the appearances of
Christ, which are recorded in the Old Testament,
there is abundant evidence of his Divinity, but
there is nothing ascribed to him that is peculiar
to meir. In some eases, it is true, he assumed the
outward appearance of a man, but ibis did not
require him to assume a human soul It has been
contended that the inferior rank in which Christ
is placed in the Old Testament, (use. g. when he
is called, the argel of the Lord,) must have refer
ence to his human nature. But if the same argu
ment he used with reference to those passages
which describe the Holy Spirit as being sent bv
God, it would prove that he possesses a human oij
angelic nature. The fallacy consists in mistaking*
the inferiority of Christ’s office for an inferiority in
his nature. Those passages “In the New Testa
ment which speak of Christ's pre-existence, present
no difficulty, when*, applied to his Diviiie nature,
which would not be found if applied, $ h£> Jjjuiuau
JaiitisiTY
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