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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 • j