Newspaper Page Text
34
moment. G*l waa therer-angela w.re
there—* waiting the result ot that iuterviev*
After prayer the man saluted his wife, an
then turned to the writer an l said, Sir.
you have saved a poor man from destrue
tiou.” —xV. F. Recorder.
■% (Original.
For the Index.
Baccjaitiai of PadJbaptist Ministers.
Dear Bro. Dtgj:—\n your pipe* of the 25;b
iiwt., 1 noticed an article frnn your correspondent
B, on the above subject, in which he has been
pletsed to review so it ? of my remirk* in a forint
number, (D-c. 7th, 13 4.) I t the article alluded
to, I endeavored to put my remark* in such a form
as would lea l a!l wh > read it, to see that I deaire*i
brethren to write as long as they could do it in n
jjpil spirit, fir mv inform ttion as well as others:
bjciuse I dee ne lit riu important question. This
fact, B. seem* to have overlooked, and taken it for
grtnte.t, that I wi* doom itic il. I will take occa
sion here to sia'6 again, “that I deem it not be**
to prep Igo this question, as H is comparatively
new and need* sifting well,” I am willing to
know the truth, and shall cheerfully take a few
m >re h ird knock* from my old friend and brothet
B, to anive at a certainty as to what is right in
this thing.
The simple correction of mistakes, which B. ha
made, as to my pwitions, will take off the point nl
oine things which he haa said. lit. He must
read agiin what I said about the functions of ti*
ministry ; and construe it rightly. He did not
begin far enough buck; the pasaags reads as fol
lows ; ‘-To this objection I answer, l*t. It cannot
be shown, we think, from the scriptures, that th<
si npie act of preaching—proclaiming the new* ot
salvation through Christ, is one of the special and
exclusive f\i c ions of the ministry. We can shew
that tha I v ng ministry is a Divine institution, am’
that as such, it h i* its proper functions, but preach
ing is not one of them ” This passage, B. con
strues thus: “Preachit g not one <*f the functions
of the gospel ministry ?” Why did they go every
where preaching the gospel, day and night, if
preaching was not one of their functions ?’ Every
one must perceive, at a glance, that the important
words —special—exclusive—proper, were entire'y
overlooked, and the argument directed against a
position I had not taken. I will not Bay, that B.
will fail to prove my position incorrect, for I think
him a* able a* any of your correspondents to do
it, if it can lie done ; but I inußt ask him to try
again on that point, and if it be as bad a* trati-
Bubstantiation, please get it out of th 6 way as
quick as possible. The next time he tries, let
him prove by (he Scriptures that the act of preach
ing is a special, peculiar, or proper function of the
gospel (ordained) ministry. To save a furtlier
misunderstanding, let me here remark, that I have
so far in this discussion, taken the terms, “gospel
ministers,” and regularly appointed ministers of
the true church of Christ,” to mean ministers or
dained and regularly set apart to the work. This
i* evident from my remarks in the passage quoted
from. Let this be the ministry held in view, and
I still think that, to their office, preaching i* not
so attached, as that the work may not be acc -pta
bly done by those.not fully inducted into that of
fice. I would inquire of B. and would be glad
for him to inform me, is there not a larger, more
unrestricted sense in which we may use the term
ministry, as pertaining to the gospel and the
Church ? The Church has her ministry, which,
we rightly call the gospel ministry, but may not
Christ have a ministry among the churches which,
as vet, they have not set ap .rt, and who, never
theless, work in the vineyard f
2nd. I do rot ray in my article, that our histo
ry. abstracts of faith, &c., teach that Baptists do
not recognise Pedobaptist Churches a* churche*
of Christ. This is the inference, but my language
is, that they tench, “that a true Church of Christ
must be formed only upon the New Testament
model. Its memlters must lie such :t having be
come old enough, h ive repented of their sir.*, be
lieved in the Lord Christ, voluntarily de
manded baptism. Ac., shewing, that for certain
principles and ordinances of Christ, Baptists had
ever contended, and suffered, and ought not, there
for.*, to be charge*! with in iking undue adm's ions,
upon what I supposed, was too slight grounds.”
3*l. In the ease of A polios, he has expended
the force of his artillery, agnnst a battery erected
in is own fancy, not in my article, I did not ns
this c is to show, that Aquilla or th-* regulai
Ciiurch affi i ite-l with or recognize*! Apollos as
fullv in order la-fore his errors were corrected.—
To and > this, would he to destroy my own argument
But I .lid intend to shew, that before the regular
Church would regard him a* in order, it pleased
G*hl to Use him as an instrument for good, and
Aquilla and hi** wife to view him as one in whom
they owght to feel a deep interest and desire to have
him united with them. Ilere is the statement, un
der which I used this case : It is a fact, that in
connection with what we regard the true church,
person* have labored as preacher*, previous to a
regular baptism, and neither their labors nor the
fruits of those labor* have been repudiated. Let
B. establish the negative of this proposition wth
the case of Apollos. lie may h ive lc-n misled
in what he said by the word connection, but that
is not my fault : the sense in which it was used
may be easily gathered by readit g the paragraph
for which it wa* made. All which B. has said of
Apollon and shewn to l>e true from the Scriptures,
no one will dispute; as to his assumptions, they
are worth no more to him ihars mine v. u and be to
nte, ami 1 could make a number of th m. lam
aware that the proposition I have stated, has the
semblance of opjiosition to the commonly received
opinion touching John’s baptism, but I wjit here
state, that I belie *0 the gospel dispensation began
with John, and that his baptism be ng appointed
of God, answered all the purjtosce <f a Chris
tian initiatory and symbolical rite, nntil it pleas
ed (jh*ist to make a change, by tbc promulgati-m
of a different formula. I do not profess to know
vbeu, wh*-re, nor bow, Apollos was baptized.
whether before or after this change, for the Wor
loes not say; but there was evidently some irnq.-
ilaritv about him on the subject of baptism, an.
ny argument is, that as it pleased God to use hit.
vhile in that state, as an instrument for good. •
t in *y please him to use other*, even Pedobaj
rists, for purposes of good, while they are not in
condition we would rwogni*e as orderly. On rea* -
ng this. B. may say, that he cannot see what
faring my remarks, touching Apollos becoming
‘oue of the most useful and influential minister?
f the Church,” has on my argument ; and 1
•agree with him, neither can I; no wonder the
shatters came into his head on reading it.
I stated it as tny belief, that the work of quali
fying a man for the ministry w 9 God’s ; B re
plies, no one denies that, but pray teii its who is
to judge whether an aspirant-,to the sacred offic*
lias received of God the necessary qualification Ir
is the aspiraul himself to be tbe judge! To this
iatter question I answer, no. The church is to b<
.lie judge ; and I suppose her right, and her abili
ty to judge of the fitness of a Pedobaptist to speak
to the people for a half hour, is about > good as
it is to decide upon the fitness of a candidate for
ordination Will B deny the probability tha’
imoßg those of other denomination* there may b*
persona whom G*d baa called and qualified U
>reach I That is the question. Be ak*. why
U those who contend that all have the right to
preach, never invite private brethren, or young
nnl aptized convert*, bowevez gifted, to enter th,
,iulpitand preach? To this question we think we
:an give a more latifcfnctory answer than that b
Attained from Echo. Young unbaptized convert
scarcely ever feel, while in that state, imioressiar*
of duty to preach ; one in ten thousand may, in
he ardency of his first love, give expression of
bis desire for the salvation of sinners, be may do
this even publicly, but he does not remain m an
unbaptized state long enough for u to know what
would be the conduct of the church, did he, while
n that condition, show evident sign* of a cab
t-v the ministry. As to private brethren, where
they are found to be gifted and give .be least evi
dence of being called. I think it is tbe practice cf
the Churches to invite them into the pu'pit about
as oon as they are willing to go there.
Toward the close of the article there is some ap
pearanceof the “light.” I find this sentence :
“Well, but say some, I do not c nsider that invi
ting Pedobaptists into my pulp t is a recognition of
them hh ministers of the go-pd, and I should not
be responsible for their erroneous impression*.”—
Here is the point on which the first part of my ar
ticle was written ; I contend that a simple invita
tion to preach cannot amount to a recognition.—
But to this B. says, “The beet ethical writers will
sustain him in the assertion that we are responsi
ble for the impressions which we know our volun
tary act* make upon the minds of others.” This
looks like it must by.. o, but we had better exam
i *e it c'osely and see if there is not some sophistry
about it. Ist, Is every invitation extended to a
Pe lobitptist, a “• act in the sense of this
proposition* I am inclined to think, that by far
the largest number of them, perhaps all, are made
under a solemn impression of duty to Christ, aud
his cause. If this be so, it divests the act of the
purely voluntary character necessary to criminate.
2nd. Are we responsible for wrong impressions re-’
ceived from our acts, when these acts are right in
themselves, and stand fully and publicly explained?
Notwithstanding the admissions which B claims
our reputed leaders, and some of our Editors have
made. I must still believe that our history, abstracts
of faith, and standard works, leave the world no
ground of excuse for supposing, that by a simple
invitation to preach or pray, in our pulpits, we re
cognize Pedobaptists s regularly’ appointed and
duly authorized ministers of the true Church. If
a*. B says, Pedobaptists do not read our history,
dtc., that is not our fault, but their*. Ignorance
of a published law can never be plead in exter.ua
tion or defence for its transgression. This is a
principle of justice, and operate* in religion as well
as law.
A* the rest of my article is dismissed by B with
a w live of the hand, I neeed not follow il any fur
ther at this time. Th.*re are some things which I
wished to say of the discussion itnei*. I was pres
ent at an Association, where the subject was
brought up, condemning the practice of inviting
Pe lob qawts, fce, by resolution; I objected to the
resolution, on the ground that it would produce di- :
vision of sentiment and controversy among our j
selves, and also that it was a question of too much
importance for us to speak or write in haste upon !
it. I discover from what is nowjgoing on, that
my objections were well grounded. Brethren dif
fer m their view* of right and duty, on this question,
very much, and my fear* are. that in the haste
which has so far characterized the discussion, we
will not ailow ourselves pruning time enough, and j
word* and argument* will escape us, which, after- !
ward, we would lie glad to recall. lam not fully j
prepared, with B, to pronounce this the great ques
tion of the ago. I do think it of sufficient in.- i
port an ce to call for much prayer Mini serious re
deefon. We should be careful in what we write,
to say nothing to the disparagement of ottr breth
ren who may differ from ns in our views; this can
do no good, and may do harm. There are few
minister* of ten or twenty year* standing who have
been firm in their defense of the truth and the pu
rity of th>* churches, that have not some enemies.
We should be careful not to furnish those enemies j
with weapon* to hurt those we love. This and
other reasons, too obvicn* to need mentioning,
should deter u* from using word* or illustrations
which may wound directly or indir-ctly.
I do not intend to defend the position I at pres
ent occupy on tin* question, bu; a* I have seen mo
lives attr bated t** those who think with me that I
have not been influence*! by, and do not think oth
er* have, I will mention a fact for the information
of those who think we are sw *yn| by prejudice,
self-interest, lov* of approbation, <fce. 8 > far a* I
have been able to ascertain their feeling* and views,
Pedobaptists think our position more humiliating
aud offensive to them, than that of tie* “Qld Laud
THE CHRIST link Ihi DE X .
1 rk.” Let us, say thtfy, at least stand where w>
tty be recognised by those who are wilting to d*
t. We prefer to be Pelobaptist Mini t>rs, aud
lot to be placed iu the same category with tbe nn
•sprized and young converts. To say that uniting
vith us in your pulpit service* does uot amount to
• recognition, is to nullify in tbe most effe* iu i
vay our baptism aud ordination. Now, if tlii.-
;eliug is general, our opjionvuts must give us tin
redit of,being honest ill our views while we Hjain
liu the position we have taken.
Again: We ought to know that a feeling of self
aspect on the part of the Pedobaptists will help
o produce tbe separation sought to be effected bv
he Old Land Mark. I have not written and do
tot write with a hope of preventing this result, I
i mrider the divorce as certain, and therefore have
loth'mg to gain. Were I among the number of
hose wlm have beeu in the habit of associating
frequently (which is not the case) with those of otli
•r denominations, I should feel it my safest, course,
uider the circumstances, to stay at home and at
tend to my own work.
There ha* been, to my mind, a difficulty attend
inglhk.l inclusion from the beginning. It arose
in’tne selection of the'question. Had the qnestion
tieen, ought Baptists to associate with Pedobaptisi
ninisters in their pulpit services? I think the point
would have been more easily decided; or, had we
tarteJ with the proposition, that to invite Ped*>-
ri'aptist* to preach in otir pulpit*, is to recognize
r hetn as regular gospel ministers, there would have
>ey more perspicuity in the argument. As it is.
the difference is not really whether we ought to
reoegnize Pedobaptists, but is rather as to the wa\
we may recognize them, a* to what constitutes a
recognition. We contend t':at allowing them to
preach for us doe* not amount to such a recogni
tion. and therefore may he permitted; this our op
ponents Jeny. This is the true issue between us.
and my main argument is, that preaching—simply
proclaiming the good new* of salvttion t*> Kinder*,
is not a special or peculiar work or office of the
ministry. It is not attached to the ordinary min
istrv in the nature of a prerogative, so that thos*-
not inducted into that office, cannot perforin it ac
ceptably to God and the church, and effectually to
the conversion of sinners. As te whether Baptists
ought to recognize Pedobaptist preacher* as regu
larly appointed and duly authorized minister* of the
true church of Christ, it ought not to he a question
arr o ig its, we c >tt and mt do it and retain our views
of the doctrine and ifdinance* of Christ.
I agree with B. in nFo , in^~nw-4car brethren to
seek the aid of Gist’s Holy Spirit in determining 1 ;
these questions, ami especially that we may uot suf
fer our own pride of opinion to blind us to the truth,
or harden our hearts towards each other, but rath
er that our hive a* brethren “may abound vet more
and more; that we may approve thing* that are
excellent; and be sincere and without offeree till-.
the day of Christ.” C. H. 8.
** ‘ * *” lh<lex.
Indian Missions.
AS APPR4L FROM A MISSION ART.
Dear Brethren of Georgia :—I am now or.
my way to your State for the purpose of solicit
ing fund* to relieve the Indian Mission cause of
its present embarrassment. I have been com
pelled to this, from the force of circumstance*—
driven from mv field of labor am Creek In
dian* to assume the new and uucov.-ted duties of
an agent.
I would never have quit the field unit's* a ne
cessity had l>een laid upon me. Rut what else
could I do ? I had- been among the Creeks six
years, battling against opposition, s'ekness, and
pecuniary embarrassment ; our Board ail the time
in arrears with me, atwb unable to pay, until 1
could stay no longer, without shaming the Gus
;tei of Christ by contracting debts without any
prospect of being able to pay them. Our native
ministers, too, were in great want, and our Board
| bad been in debt to them three years. Under
these circumstances, at the earnest and repeated
request of the Board, a* weil a* with the sanction
arid appointment of the Creek Baptists thein-eives.
I consented to spend one year or. an agency in
behalf of Indian Missions.
I. find in my travels that some good brethren
j differ in regard to the best plan of conducting
j mission*—especially Indian Mission*. Some think
j that things have been badly managed at home, and
| on tiiis a* well as on other aocom t*, they are eiow
I to contribute. Now with all this I have nothing
! to do, and wish to have nothing. I have leen
I laboring to''the best of mv ability in the foreign
[ field—preaching to Indians—with what degree if
j aucces* I would not here speak. I wish soon tore
I sume my cherished labors there ; not vyish •
i to take any* part in the management of the home de
| partment. I leave all th# brethren who are
! not missionaries. But this has nothing really to do
j with my claim* nor with those of the native min
fhters. Asa denomination, we should at least
i ■
| pay our debts. We haviy promised some of our
nalivtf ministers SIOO per annum, and have paid
tfom nothing for three year;--. I o>me to secure
the amount of.our indebtedness, a* well as to make
provision for the future. Nearly all of the Indian
Missionaries have had to qu : t the field for lack of
a support. While our government, on throne
hand, is threatening to send them an invading ar
my to exterminate them, shall we, on the other,
withdraw our little army of missionaries and al
low them not only to be exterminated, but also to
perish without a knowledge of salvation? We
have abundant reason to be encouraged to a re
newal of effort. No mission ha* prospered more,
according to the moans employed, than our mis
sion to the Indian*. Half the ntnmnt ooiistuneii
in the establishment of unnecessary forts on our
frontiers, would have christianized the Indian* iong
ago ; and then we would hive had a protection
more secure titan fort* and armies can ever give.
I could write much, and I h ive it in my heart to
write much ; but 1 want my appeal to be read,
and a word to the wise is enough. I wish I could
see every church and preacliTVjn Georgia, but I
cannot canvas* the whole State. When I come,
I hope you will contribute liberally ; and I want
•very church, friendly to the cause, to take a col- j
eetiou, and if I cannot see you, Send it to me
it the meeting of the Southern Baptist Conven
ion, in Montgomery ; for, Providence permitting,
f will he there.
Affectionately and trv.lv,
Your brother iu Christ,
11. F. BUCKNER.
Murfresboro’, Term., Feb. 15, 1855.
For tl*e Index.
Scattering Crumbs fjr Nibb’.ers.
SABBATH MORVIKO MRDi r AriOXS AT THE SEPULCHRE.
CRUMB 109.
IT. “ IVe have not followed cunningly devised fables”
Ilere Jesus lay ; but Jesus is not here;
T ie heaven* have drawn him to their bosom dttar,
1 1 vast, eternal quiet to detain,
Beyond the shafts of inslice, sin and pain.
All finished note, God's everlasting plan,
flint was ere earth, or earth** man.
Gently it whispered to lost Eden’s wo,
T<> foil th** edge of wrath’s avenging blow;
Then on with mantled steps it hastes along
rbfmjgh type an l shadow, sacrifice and song; j
Prepared at last its wonders to disclose,
It fin*is fulfilment in Messiah’s woes.
Finished the law’s obedience severe;
Finished the draught of agonizing fear;
Finished the pangs almighty to atone,
And rebels bind to God’s eternal throne.
Would heaven have freely lent her brightest team.
To sanctify a lie ?—a worthless scheme*
P-*ng< all inane, the hateful dolorous stench
Os bloody emptiness would she intrench
In her alm'ghty strength ? Bid the bright sun.
Put on hissackloth for the pierced one
Whose wuud*no virtues shell the lost to save?
Then snatch the vile imposter from the grave,
A sham, a hoax, a mockery, to prove
ll>*r own great work of everlasting love ?
’H* finished all. Jehovah well has placed
Redemption’* work beyond all doubt, or waste.
Or„*ad repeal ; and its pure light unfurls
The centra! radiance of admiring worlds.
Titai I aiujboug’it in body, spirit, soul,
Rlßjhtup entire from earth and hell’s control
By blood immense. N > rightful mortgage draws.
BacVto the bondage of.corruption's laws, j
One morse! of my being; not one groat
or fear, <>r reverence,or thought.
Mw ransomed frame, be God’s in every part ;
B/his each throbbing of tny ransomed hqart; j
life, be all to Jesus given.
death. I charge thee die to heaven.
Ilere Lord, doTmy utmost strife begin
With pride and lust and every idol sin.
Amce from mv bosom every golden wedge,
Aid every pictured Babylonish pledge :
tjui'-k from thy socket, thou offending jfjye,
liatnl, that harmest, quickly die.
tomb my inmost spirit Ih>ws,
HFiiivTosom I resign,
and passion, and design.
thy puissant reign
whole soul, and ever l ere remain.
H* me, teach me, numid iu>-: fill, > iVi
peace ; annihilate mv will,
JRd *lrown me iu thine own ; thou art mv Friend,
Mly Portion, All ; if I to heaven ascend,
Wliom have I there but Thee; and where below
.Jo sweet a treasure can my bosom know.
For the Index.
Christian Unity.
Although there are a number of Churches in
this country, among which, there are differences
of opinion in regard to some of the minor doc
trines of the Bible, yet all, or a great portion of
them, are endeavoring to accomplish the same
end; namely, the glory of God and the salvation
of sinners. But, to effect this worthy object, there
should he more love and Christian unity, than we
find in the different branches of the Christian
Church of our own favored land. Now mark it—
whenever w*- find that one branch of the Church
is in battle-array Against another, as to doctrine,
then, the devil’s bible becomes the comm >n prayer
bok of the and iv. What a vast deal of good could
be accomplished if there was more uni’y and
Christian fellowship in the various denominations !
and when there is not, wh it a powerful weapon
i placed in the hind* of the enemies, of the cross;
especially when they hear professors exclaim, “mv
church is right, and yours is wrong.’’ They in
variably plead, whether it i* a consistent’ excuse or
not, that there is no unity in the Church, and con ‘
scqnently, no incentive, either for them t* ,*eek
ftflig'on or join any branch of the Christian Church.
we know, that so far as the essentia! doctrines i
of salvation are concerned, there is but one opjn
i n extant, and that opinion is founded upon the
doctrines of Repentance and Faith. Then, why
not -have more unity ? Some are for Paul—some
fol- A polios, Arc., and thus it is that the work of
the salvation of the soul is retarded. and deathless
spirits ar* fast winging their flight lir perdition.—
It is high time th u the cliurelies should awake
t> this momen otts duty—th it they should daily—
hourly cultivate more love, joy, and peace in the
Holy Ghost, then will tl ev all wield more influ
ence in the c imp of His Satanic M ijestv, and tin
downfall and oveithrov of his bitteri-s wili he in
evitable, and Victory shall belong toSthe ‘Soldiers
of the Cross.” Yes. Christian Bret lirfifr.'let only
the same unity which prevails in one branch of
the church, alike pervade the chri-iian communi
ty, and a great work has been accomplished—a
KtudendouH amount of good effected let this on///
he done, and Sev istopol i taken !
Then h-t us all cultivate a spirit of love one for.
another—seek alter a deeper work of grace in the
heart, and when soul and body are about to be
separated, we shall all feel that it was “gooi ff. >r !
laethren to dwell together in n . tyand even'u
a!ly, when the Arch-angel’s hump shall break>the
stillness of our grave--, we rha I become member*
of the Church tr iimplnnt. nd j in in die song
of “Glory to G- and in . tin- highest.” >
ONE LEAST.
Pesfidd, Ftbi J7 t 1866,
Fur the Index.
Female Piety.
In a former numb- r ot the Index, I offered
soyie geaeral observati* n j . upon this subject, am
proposed to regard it subsequently in some of th*
relation* of life.
First iu the relation of sister, now felicitous is
female piety. The infiu *uc- of a sister upon ;
brother, or another sister, is g> ut!e, tender, and
constraining. If tfiu sister i* light sud irreverent,
tbeti how tearful the evil she prebiee-!; But i’
her heart l*o filled with the love of Christ, and
her life* exhibit the beauties of faith, hope and
charity, then how incalculable her power for good !
W hat brother does not carry thtough life th
*'>ec{ memory of a sister—his earliest com
pamoti, ii; : ; fir*; eonfi -Initial friend, the sharer oi
bis infantile and youthful joys and >j>rts?’ And
Low solemn tiie .brother’s convictions ot sin, and
how v;vid his view ot tiie judgment, when he sees .
the sister bowing at the eros-; of Christ, and pub*
itclv consecrating her-elf to God. Many a broth
er whose feet were entangled in the meshes >f sit;
has Ihh-u estricate-i. and: lead into the path of pier
! *}’ ‘■‘f'd virtue, by the iostrumentality of a i-ister’s
1 pictr.
Secondly, I may naturahy par* from the influ
e;)*Hi <>t a sister’s piety to cmrider that of a pi*np>
daughter. If in heathen countries the daughur
is lightly esi-enn.d by fatln-r; it is not so. in
Christian lands. It bar been raid that mothers
love sons more, while fathers give to their daugh
ters the warmest, place in thtir afieCtions. With
what vigilance the father guard*, and ed
ucates t; i daughter; and with what agonv of soul
he yields her, .even at his own request, to the
bauds of another! He may be a man of the
world, iiis heart tnay have been hardened by con
fa**t with nmo. his affection* obtunded by untie lied
and sin. and still the piety of his daughter is
beautiful to him’ as n vision of angelfc. As the
srnotlu-red fires .*f a volcano break up the hard in
crustations oi tin* earth, so do the burning affections
of the fathevV soul break up the surface, as he
see* hi* daughter with tears of penitence embrace
the Redeemer of the World. L.
for the Index,
ideptrt
Os Agent of the D.M. li <f Marion, Ala., far the
State of Georgia, from Ist October, 1854, to
Ist. Jenna y, 1*55.
Tin-last quarter of my gency during the past
eventfu! vear, having tenninareil, it now becomes
my duty to furnish a report iheieof. Your agents
gratefully a*kn**wled<res, tiiat he is indebted to
I the Divine favor alum-, f-r the measure of success
which has attended his labor . Such .enieiu
bra lice oi die goodness of Him who controls ali hu
man agency, may strengthen the hope, .that the
| future may Is- more prolific for good than appear
ances now indicate. Your agent rejoices m the
that the self-same principles of pietviti
the var oils ai** ml da: es of tiie Lord’s people whom
he visited, exhibited in tbeit results, that they
were alike the fruit of the Same Holy Spirit, llis
heart ha* often |te,-n cheered fiv that readiness to
contribute which characterise* some, and, so em
phatically expresses “a Go-1, speed” to the cause
of missions, while his ingenuity has failed in find
ing ‘‘Causes proportionate .to their adequate effects,”
why many others do not participate in the bles- ]
swines* of‘‘doing goo I and communicating.” Leav
ing to others the solution of tiie solecism, at least
in reg ir*l to g a>d men, allow me to give a brief
staiein -nt of my tour aftet attending the meetings
of the Flint River, and Rehohoth Associations.
On the Li -Sabbath in October, leaving the
residence ot Bro. V’. R. Thornton, in Greene eo.,
I preached at the Bethesda Church iu that vicin
ity ; proceeded thence through Orawfordsville,
W arrenton, and L ni*vi!le, receiving coiitrilmtions j
during my progress, and arrived on the 7ih inat..
at the residence of Bro. Win. Sapp in Burke < o
Attended on the next day, tiie meeting of the
Middle Association at the Greenl’o'k church, wa*
kindlv received, and assisted by brother PolhiJ
presented the claims of 1 >omfsii<r Missions to their
attention. The total amount subscribed was
Si 12 71, of which S2O 15 being a part of the
collection taken up on theSibbath, was given by
a resolution of the body. Alter receiving other
liberal contributions in Burke co., and on flit: etr
suing Sabbath, at Hopeful Church, I attended the
meeting of the H- plizihah Association at Reedy
Creek Church in Warren co. Received from es
ieemctl brethren there and from friend* Associa
tion, &102 50.
• I then left the eastern part of our State, pass
ed tlie intervening towns and counties, presenting j
the interest? of the case which I represented, mi- j
til tnv arrival on the 4th of Nov., at the IL-bron j
Church in Leo cn„ where the Bethel Association
held its session at that time. The good brethren
lu re did not assist in proportion to mv expecta
tions, and give only in subscriptions #2B, but,
i forgave them, not because tiny sustain a Mis
sionary within their own hounds, and a colporteur
it may be, in addition, but on account of their
liberality in giving during mv former v'sit. S4CO
or upwards,. possessing still, as I believe, suf
ficient heart” to welcome myself and
Book on otiJKext arrival in My
pt^vr-rat names and of all oth
ers who wire for\ the tiling* o£Gfod, may be writ- j
ten in hist ff 0 oejKfr Book of Remembrance. —
From tilts went with si me of tlie bo th
rent hTto attended the meeting of tbe
Florida A-F.ociatC mt fl t Concord Clmrcb in Madi
son county. ‘yijrfiMdc gratified in ob-i-nb.g th.-ir
zeal for tin* imejc.sts of Christ’s kingdom in ili-ir
midste'and with him formation of their State Con
vention, which bj s fair under such good influen
ces, to assist at liLsme. and abroad, in all the be
nificent operationJ^four.Mission Board. R.-ceiv
ed sl4 20 of wy.Ji $36 20 was given by tlie As
sneiation and a .tyffoinmendatorv
A jtfTt attention of otin
in their Sr;iu ‘^rp r)i , n t i, ( . nC e. I visitel MonticelK
Tallahassee, A „endcd while in Tab
laba*e, the Qf j^embly
vliicli wa* Uien ( rritF*t*sH<>i, amt became acquaint*
•■d with Gov. Broome wlio ia a inemler of the
Baptist Church. My visit to Florida was uot mi
*uccessful iu good results, but from the pressure
here iu monetary matters as elsewhere, I had to
receive subscriptions often, a* I had done in our
uni State, on promise of future payment. Allow
tie to inform all who are interested thereiu, that
I shall have to charge them double for retaining
longer iu possession that deodand, the value of
which is only to be estimated in a ratio propor
tionate to the good which it might accomplish,
and the bestowmeut of which to sacred purposes,
has already been th** occasion of such joy aR the
tih ral alone can expet i* ruv. Will not *>ur friends
send up the above mentioned funds to our next
State Convention at Newnan?
After so w trdiag by draft the donations of the
friends of I). M., which I had received, to the
amount of SBOO, to Bro, W. HorubuckJe, Treasu
rer of tint Boar*l, at Marion, Ala. I started on
my journey homeward*, and arrived, by die Lord’s
blessing, iii LaGrange on the 19th Dec. 1854.
f O. SCREVEN.
’ lii insx.
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 1.
£ST4JI urrearage* are charged at $2 60 per annum,
ur i cents per number. For ail payments in advance
the paper is furnished at $2 00 per annum, or 4 cents
per number.
A Specimen of Bigotry.
The editor of the Presbyterian Herald, publbh
ed in Louisville, Ky, in commenting upon Dr.
Achilli s translation of the New Testament in the
Italian larigu,.g -, makes the following remarks :
“We as sincerely f*eiieve that in the long run,
the Italians will be injured bv the, inauguration of
Dr. Achilh's translation among them, as he be
lieves theJJ wiil be benefited bv it It will ren
tier tlfose who a-lopt it inacce..sibfei to the efforts
<>t all. Protestant Christians throughout the world,
‘•xi'ept the Baptists.
While we have great regard for the Baptist
I Church, we would consider it a less evil to Italy
j to be. without ilie Bible, until a g*>od tra- elation
| can be made, than it would l>e for her to be inac
j ce'*ab!e to all proteStAnt influence* except tlmee
! **f the Baptists.”
How does this language Fonn*l in the mouth of
i one who condemns Baptist* for their bigotry and
I sectarianism ? The South Western Baptist* ap
propriately a*k* whether Presbyterians and other
Ped*-baptists endorse the position, that Italy had
beetter be without a Bible than a Baptist Bible,
j b*‘tter remain uixli-r the influences of Popery than
under B*ptist i iluences. Wonder if the Presby
terian HeraUi think* that Burtnah bal lietler have
remained under the dominion of Paganism, or
have been converted to Romanism, rather than
cotne under die influence oftfßuptist missionaries
or a-Bible translated by tWs ? We hope for
the honor of Christianity tiiat the sentiments of the
Editor of the Presbyterian Herald will be repudi
ated by his brethren.
Something Curious in Alabama.
7 tie S*u h Western Baptist contains the follow
ing remarkable paragraph. We have some poor
Baptists in Georgia , but we will not de
tain our readers from the extract:
Poverty that is Poverty: —A man who is a
member of a Baptist Chttrc , and whose crops turn
him out several hundred bales of Cotton annually,
orders hi* paper discontinued and plead* poverty
as a reason for so doing. Truly such a man is to
be pitied these bard times.
Notices of Publications.
The Casket— Sacred Melodies for Public nnd
Social Worship ; containing many choice mel
odies from eminent American and European
Composers, besides a Large Amount of N* w
Music, also Selections from tlie Winks of Han
del, II ivdn, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini and
other celebrated M ister*, arranged expnsslv for
this Work. /By (j. O. R-bin>on, assisted by J.
B. W uodbttry. Publishtd by the Southern
Baptist Publication Society, Charleston, S. C.
The Sacked Lute— A Collation of Popular
Hymns. Selected and arranged by E. T. Wink
” lvr Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Charles
ton, S. C. Publi-hed bv the Southern Baptist
Publication Society, Charleston, S. C., 1855.
Tiiese works have just been issu>*l by the Publica
tion Society at Charleston, and of course their merits
have yet to be tested by use. A hnstv examina
tion of the two works, has given u* a favorable ini- •
pressi<>n of the taste and judgment exercised hy the
compilers. Many of the best standard hymns and
tunes in n*e have been retained, and the new ones
■ that have been introduced, will generally commend
themselves hy tlieir excellence to the attention of
those who lead in tins part of Divine service. The
nine C'rtonviUe has become almost an essential
part of our sacred psalmody ; yet in many of the
tune book* in use it is not to lie found. The com
pilers of the Casket by inserting this and other
tunes of like merit and popularity, have no doubt
aided in preserving tin m from the abuses of those
who can sing only by ear, or at best by patent
notes.
A .convenient ar.angement of the headings of
the Sacred Lute has been adopted, by which
tin* names of tunes appropriate to the sent intent 8
•>f the respective hymns are inserted. It was in
tended that all the tunes should Ik* found in the
Casket, though we discover a few have, from some
cause, been omitted.
We hope this effort of the Southern Baptist
Publication Society to improve a very important
part of Divine service will not be unsuccessful.—
Let I hone churclo s that at e not already supplied
with good hymn and tune hook*, procnro the Bap
tist Psalmody, the Saetvd Lute and the Casket*
and let thetti encourage their in* miters to cultivate
their powers of Voice, The Casket contains in
at ruction in the *‘El> ments of Vocal Music'’ by
m -ans of w hich almost an v p* >on can by prac ice*
become qu difid to sing any of the tunes at first,
sight -■ - V ’ : ,
March