Newspaper Page Text
54
(Original. Q
For the lades.
the “Iron Wheel” and its Author^
Mr- Editor : I find in the Southern CbriHian’
.UroooW. of Pah. 29t)>. IM6, a hoK artteU ov*
ihe signature of “Tmumhsbms,” havtn* 4h* above j
oaptioc. This attract purport!* w> U> Üb<, frrau ;
the N. O. Christian AAvr*vH*~ * *
The sum aod ?übisr*s* of the nmole >? JMfeip
ihis: Graves’ Ire-n Whosi i-s a honk oi i>onsft~-
nod falsehood, ami would ho left U> defeat it-wlf,
bnt that men of respectability had endorse*! it,
nod aided in its circulation: that somo man ixt
nnknown to the country, had determined to reply
to it; that “in addition to animadversions upoi? the
Wheel, the work will contain an exposure of the
history and character of it* author”; that Grave,*?
will then, ye# then! “rua iba day that ha turn*:
wbeel-w right, and soma who are now befriending
him will regret the day when they oonsantHd to
he hi* scavengers.”
We have been struck with one fact in reference
to the Iren Wheel, of which the article above no
ticed wan apt illustration. It ie this; That while
Graves is denounced, and his took derided as false
and malicious, we have never yet seen a solitary
specification, that would he considered a f-peeifii
tiou by any fair and unprejudiced mind. It is
true we have read a few abusive articles, but have
never vet seen Graves proved the villain, or the
*7ie” pointed out in bis horde. *As to the Author
of the Trou Wheel,” we know nothing personal.
If his private character is ever touched, as inti
ti mated in the article above referred to, I have no
doubt he will be able to take care of himself.-
Should it be shown that Graves waa the veriest
reapa-gallow* tli ■* want unhung, will that
prove that the Methodist aristocracy—the Episco
pal oligarev of Methodism, is eitlw?wriptural or
republican in its polity—will that prove the “Iron
Wheel to be a book of lit* ? C-rftaitHy not. The
abuse of Graves’ book aud the thrusts at fcis pri
% ate character by the Methodist writers of the
day is to my mind pretty conclusive evidence of
the truth aud powrr of hi *vposition of Episco
pa! Methodism. If the blow? did not cut, lin'd
did not tell, they would hardly be noticed. The :
fact that there i* *-ucb writhing and howling, is. 1
fair evidence that th caustic appliance of. Troth i
and argument Is doing good. Th- v*rii< r, in our ;
article, more than intimates that. Grav-*-’ private j
character will l*> attacked. It'vucb eliouid Iv* the •
case it nil! only udd !>! anther ppocf, -of the i:n-.4
pregnnb>twy c.f In* positions. Why attack pmjitd 1
characters, if tin* l-.ok can be ‘successfuSv refuted'i •
Answer, hre. Myers, r.f the Southern .Christian
Ad vocal A If y>u <n do no. mere give ns mi, ;
other “W/idwif//” *Jiu>ri*l. , Yon are u good hand *
U>dcig hqu -siion. Trv yourbnrid.Mj the rpierv \
just props•un<hs,l. Some notice, jv-rfoj>? nm tie
taken <ff Grave? and his hook, hut 1 h;V niv
doubts if any knight <*f the quill wifi ever meet
and answer fairly, the fa.‘Hand t-itiufis takefi in
the Iron W heel. llliltril I Consider the article
we have prIIkI attend n to nd ©titers of the
same stripe, but as decoy* to draw the minds of
unthinking men from the great truths inculcated
in th* Wheel. Prove Graves a villain—abuse
hi- book. and yet %, The Great Ir n Wh el” will
stand on its tovr. merit*; While de-potism in
Church or Flat** is ti>l*mt*d on (he earth, “Tlie
Great Iron Wheel” will travel hand in hand with
the Bible, and the American constitution and Dec- \
laration of Independence, to battle for the rights j
of man. both civil and religious. We say to all !
those Wheels, roll on ! and yet again, roll on! I j
If a reply is ever made to the “Iron Wheel,” / j
*peak for a copy. If it i? successful in its efforts j
to refute Grave,’ positions I will circulate it as j
readily and as generally as I have endeavored to ;
circulate the “Iren Wliael” itself. Pro. Myers will j
please remember that l want a copy. Aud fur- t
the?, Bre. Myers will please re mem l*r that there ?
is socn difference of opinion among Methodists, ‘!
ibouisolves. iu reference to whether Episcopal j
Metfo>H?ro is Scriptural or Republican in it* “Pol- i
itv.” Bro. Mver? himself dots not claim, if we
understand him }*’>perly, scriptural authority for !
Episcopal iiethodi-t church polity. See his edir j
tonal, June 28th, 1855. As to the ebarg* “f j
anti-repuWicanwin, be says: “But this charge i* |
after all n shadow—it phantom of the brain.” !’
That is, ee we anderatnod him, f'.piee>pal Method
i-ro is Republican iu it* polity. Rev. R. J. Hamfi,
at’ Alabama, insist* that Methodist church polhv
is Repuldicftii. Rev. Abel Cloven? in his “Chnrcti
Polity” ioeWt,. if we understand biro correctly,
that Mttbodi-t Church Polity is both Scriptural i
and Republi<“-uu On the other hand th'"* very pa- :
per—the Southern Christian Advocate—which •
Bre. Myers now edits, within the last fifteen vc-.-u.s *
in an hetd the f< if lowing language‘Tt j
is a master-axiom io our republican creed, thnA ‘
ibe popular will is tin source of daw.” But e i
urvt in the -tvtute book of Methodism a system of 1
laws which did not criginate iu the will of the !
jw*pie. It f>ilow's, of tuise, that Methodism i* !
i.-ppoeed to Jlrjuibllcaniam.
Bishop Baeemmb save; “The assumption, tbtii ‘
uherilute power iu vb affairs of chiirch govern- j
meet is asacrM •deposit ia the hands of the miu- j
Ktry, libels the-genius and eb ritic? #>f the New 1
TreuJTpeot,” i
rre w< *•• Method**ts r .>n tiris
And fvrtfi th® saoic jeiper dirfer* with •
itself under different editorial adTcinistratirt^s. — !
Why ihm abuse tirave*. and iaiank lu* priiaro
character, when he ha* don* re* iforn m h }
• itizm Iso had a right to do, and has dona no more I
than re-avow vha opinio*)* of the <aUat Method- }
ists? Apswor—* Ttia If .a Wheel” is waking up I
lha native and is making a ma hk.
In o>olu<-ion w* express th humble hnjia that
Bro. Myers and “Tenuesaee” wUF ‘not liecisne *<>
enraged wtth the •*Wheel” ns. follow the
lant example of a Methodist preochar we read of 1
the other day. It e-vro-i that said preacher eouid
net answer the a*gumnta, which -o enraged him, i
that he turned to th- likenws* of Mr. On*rm.
-- % W -*** fk, 14
; which oooompanbesdt, and gave *
GrmuiV jftwre a ■
!’ : &: awful!! nR. t. \RSVVRLI.
To Ghri*ti*n Ifeatera.;- .
Lni onr^Test article, we endeavored To show why ■
! cffiiHiiro m-'v-icrs should use the oeetmty ovearjt •’
; us give the bread,#* etemat -Ula tretneir -servwtK. *
[ It will he our aim in thi* epintie to show hose this
: grear work rxu.y If aiuuruff.
Dial the religion* training -ff .-.ur ***Ti*<it* i- a
reripturssl eeterpriso, no true f-eliever k ill pretend |
to <toubt. Taking thU tvr gramot. we will pro i
svvff :il on-v to how v
or■^ourac^mcKtK? tnpi np Ccv>mpushed*. . i
l=t. We remark thut this great work mutl l ;
d*-nc, in part, at our house?. Family religh.n is a •
pr*cWus getii, rursi is -ignifican.t -of genuine foiib; I
a faith whoee fruit is gop*t. We xre pamed to I
.la'iievc that household risligioo. wheri taker. vutoT
the account-of obtWfistnb. ie ft-re re thing. Gut \
Savior, speaking to chrfdiac* nay*, “Ve are tie *
light of the world,” ire. Like the r.y- of ihv
Sun,'which ernansto from the great : -tiiifcn *g
light, so fdiould tho light, whicli is to guldn th<.
erring, radiate from every chrietinn hpuftabold.
But here I am met by formidable excuses, or diffi
culties which up off every hand. \V win
notice ooroe of those excuse* which are urgist, and
endeavour formally, to answer therr-. lrt. Tl;-
first excuse, we notice is that of timidity. If we
urge upon Our brethren the duty of facni’y liii
gion. and especially the duty of imparting reli
gions Instruction to their servants we :ire often
met by the excuse that we are constitutionally
timid, and therefore cannot sum Tip ijoftfage suffi
cient to disd'arge such responsible duties, as in
structing all our household in the way of eternal
life. To such objections the aliovo, we answer
that the Word of God makes no provision o . Be
nides, let me ask you, if you are too timid to in
struct your domestics to do that, by which your
tempora’ interests may be gained? Tbcaiiaweris
Hi*!’ So you 6©e that each h vain excuse aa timid
itv will not stand the scrutiny of the judgment.— r
But a second excuse is, that the cross is too great.
Why dear brethren, dp you expect to get to heav
en *vn •jfl<<wery . laals of ease?” “No cross, no
Clown.’ St. John sj>a*king of the redeemed he
j saw in the. glory .world, >y*. “These, are ‘thr-v
i whi-*h cam-out of lOiudi tribulation,” - '&a-. Our
| Lind. foresaw that Iris foffpvver ß v..iu ; d
i consider tire yoke very gtilihig, ar.d ,'hcoce xvoiild 1
• rluV tr..-U5 dots; hut he nr-e!ti this \lifficwiiy t-;. ;
4 wmoirinding thesn u.'takivid* ytko upon Uiem. *
i ‘TsLj my \'bk-’ o\<Q*i )•. nod learn of rwstf'Mfee. j
. nefattuer. goes vn iff i-ncouratre then), bv
that ihe apparent dKSsfihfws w.• üBI he re-
linked* fur, (say* he) my yoke ?* c:ir, nh<l rnT
* burden i> light.” If Siffats cwn indn*e \*un to j
; sfciii l off; ar, 1 aritsyipao* it'.• ■ y<ui are to *
vrtvuf<t(*r iq the dischurge. of your rcUU'v .iiuic*.
thus*’ liifli,’ultie* will lovto. up Vtrfure you like
mountains: but if you will >ay, -get thee t-enind
me Satan.” such mountain* of difficulty will van
iii no-. nxvtriiiffwi .Vhv more; you ‘,yi. : l rieilfre
the comforting influences f God’9 divine ppr<>-
bition in the discharge of your several duties.—
So thi* apoiogv amounts to nothing, when weigh
ed in th- balances of Gral’s word.
3d. Ac *'h> r objection which is often urge*!
igsii i-t iimtructiiig earvams. in the family circle, is
this: Negroes are so ungovernable, that ho *v -
tem can be invented, by which we can impart unto I
j them the bread of eternal life. Now this is trne, j
jorit is not true. Are you the head of your faroi* j
| ly? If so, do you offer unto jthe Lord your morn- j
! ing and evening ablations? If so, do you have j
t all your family G, no! iny servants are ]
j uuwilHpg-io. attend i AM have \mi n;)
j diwripline by which you rtn bring thorn in/ If
• you bid jour Servant* do a certain piece of work,
do they not obey you? Most tiiey Jo.
! Is it riot your duty connected with the highest iu-
I terest*of jour servant-, to h'cl tli-m aitend upot!
* the worship of the Almighty? T'he sequel
i tiffs, many of you hc-'e n- vtr tried to. Ctdloet all
i your PirniiirH uftu**! the * lorn as tic. circle to wor
ship ffod. Otlmrs base tried, rirs-i b*euroe wearv,
forgetful ibat'we are eoinm:i<j*M ftot to bocomi*
weary in wNM ffrit*g. I k&S that ft was either
waa not true, that oi.r servauU are it.).}
unruly to W t‘> worship Gcsi around i
tbc f*upl!y alu r . Our oWivwtiotv teffus us that
k ha- praked well i't *s*n**i famiiie,-; ho<l if it will j
iV) ioa fo* vases, will it nt do in all? Tire main I
point i*, >t s*s if nnsg with the 1 rivine -*j>jr..iiatVn : . !
Who will deny that ir d.).-- not? Tuiinot Me who f
-pi)k.e this plsrp-t of *Mirs into Iring, assf.i fob !
! lower- when doieig their duly? Biyh vain e.vu- |
; ■w* vanisli into icsignlfi(.*anot>, when brought to ]
the true text. j
| 4. We notice in the next pi** ansatwr, and i
, more formidable difficulty, which pr.wnt? ii4f, in j
the way of having our •servH&u wm-ship with u°, l
in etfr tamiiv d-vi-tiurts : They have no confidenct ]
in vjk. Therof-re, wft cap not u>o rfrbUrary UJeaue !
to gor lh'-*m in at o*> hour i>( praver. hiiioav
reasoning! Ihr we ha>** Ires confideiK- in the
Almigtitv *r ci*aiiug u> whwi we- -rr? So. j
Whyr lirtvut-.’ we, kuow wiiem the I.crd ko'fih {
he cilftifonMili • If y.'U K-rYttrU ip a i
pr**r Merit, re-l fir si orbirt* deeming punish* !
miM i, y.-ur -s-o-yit w*!i ‘. ve y,,u ,nop). It is to j
I-S- fe.-*re<s many a-n-ißls hint: n.> confidence in ;
rie-ir locau-e they -ay ;*d do not; ni.d i
orhf-rs - i
dej(C*sJ Where this is the case, tliMight that wa* l
itt you (or that-tret pret-adtd t-r hav*-> i
durkfinf's. .Vivl O! gr.v* darknr'se. Won- !
dor tHftt roanj kwrXraSrW do not brs'ornc infidoU, (
wbe* they behold i he conduct <>T, many vrhadmvo j
thp word iff G.>] to guide them ! It© fu-atred nil f
your wts arc-*c.,HtHj(t by jyour and. roeatu'K ,
may pnvMi J- .u<ii s hr :* ahiVitc courv*. Tall m ‘
oot, th<H yovr Wi-MMi have no contidonc* in you,
if your w*tk i- as l -rs.mf-th a foljoww of the !
bleeeed Jesus. < % > G*’ J*
5. Once more: we nre told by sora'-'. that Vim
tfmec&u ot Ixjsparftl't/. otfond to the w-mhip of ■
God in our familie*. Tim* ! . who gave you time? i
E CH & raT I A N I N D O
A ISm H . ‘1
r And for what are \-rnu permitted Uxrem&iri iu ihlf 4
: world/ la it mot tl&t we.ra&y devote tire time al- ;
• lotted us, to God's
pmfiubiy spent than iny|h iwstrucilon of our
hmjsehcJds iu of *a!vatioui Chris
laving uip for wfwyteJrep a WaauH ia lieSv.'*o.
‘’ M ibi* world. But for the purjK*M eff t vl ;
•: tKd Chpa. ha .tkii) 11&.,
Great Howl *4 tie* chumh would cy y..H to
glory. We ire oommaixfod p> SdtsUth frem :
* >■***•*- *M. .fefffocw®*! jojAU -5
Wbrw.” It iy hloioirr, it. the highest
’■ |**f hftwjt-mg time fervour servants
- U" wswship thrir Creator. That wcaihi tv. fivin..-*-
= after the fhth; but Paul live nfu-r *ht
■ fiesb-ye shall die; bat if-.ye, thrioogh the spirit, AtJ
] mortify the deed* iff .the body, y# shall live.”
5 ”Vc are hpaght with’a price.” Timo ts twt your*;
| property ie rot your*; vour body ami spirit v
]be a child erf’ grace) U lire L-.vrd’s. bg u- ru vr-r
| for one m.-uiten! argue the- w# hav* not lit ire tfi
! dtivoii. to the - rviw juf <*>l‘ Phit Inoti
t. m s: -
• *-
’ ■ ,>r •■bvJlnde*. -o’s
“And •iitf off Luke 22:84
All Commentators, so far h- I know, (fiis
passage iu* costaining something to Peters dix
rredit. It b com motily Raid, in reference to hi
conduct on U*e occasion alluded tu, that though
he did not •h.t- ri. the Kavi.,..-, a- di.l ir* .-t iff (I|e
other-disciples, yet he only followed nfiir off.—
Matthew Henry, the chief of practical com m erita
t-ws, says: “He followed Oh riot When led away
pri-oDcr, and showed a concern for bis master,
which was well; bm he followed afar of, that he
might 1x out of danger. J.(e thought to trim the
matter, to follow afar of and so hhvo his reputa
tion, and sleep in safety.” So ito, we often hear
language like the following applied to
and lakewarm preffeesors. Ihey do not r< nounce
the Savior and forsake hitu utterly, yet like Peter
they follow “a/hr of.”
Now, with due deference to the opinion- of
others. I respectfully dissent from this view of the
passage under consideration. For aught I know.
I am alone in my notions, and I may be wrong, vet
hear me, courteous reader. Combining the nar
ratives of the four F&i.ngelists, this seems to be
the real state of the case: As soon as Jesus was
taken in tht- garden, a l the disciples fors>;k him
find lied, exeept Peter, and “another disciple,” sup
poseii to be John. Tlu-e two went along with
; the company to the palace us the high priest,
; where Je?r- wife kept until the morning,
f- If thi-yc-Mbn of the matter -.j), not correct,’ i
---j tber ;ln- wgjjs uti.-d, or the noniiociion, or both,
niu-t contradict it. My porkhw is thar the words
t do uouviutradict it, and thic<>wne.tion Hbsrriuk-lv
irf.piireN.it.’ 1. Let tis notice the tosliuu-nt of the
i word?. Tin- xerb translate*! Hollow” inthe.nar
; r.ative- <ff th- Evangelists,'is often rendered “ac
company,” which latter meaning is in accordance
with the derivation of the original word. Con
sidering. therefore, the various passages in which
the word occurs, as well as it* derivation, this may
be regarded as lil>erl translation—“to accom
pany by following after.” I know that qualify
ing expressions may change thi? meaning; let u?,
therefore, notice the phrase “afar off.” For this
term. Matthew and Mark have the expressions,
npo mahrothen. Lake has the adverb alone, mak
rothf’n. N‘>w, these two terms are evidently
equivalent in the narratives before us, and in fact,
j they seem to be used as synonyms bv Greek wri
j ter? generally—perhaps the former is more m
---j phatic. Ou examining various passages when
I these expressions occur, there seems to be no rea
[ son for supposing the idea ta be, that Peter follow
; ed afar off from the Sailor, but rnther from the j
place, the Bvk>r waa taken. I‘he mortis 1
surely do not testify against us,
2. Let us now look at the conne>:tion. This is j
decidedly in favor of the proposed mterpvetation. |
Matthew says : “Then all the disciplre for*c>ok him j
lifid fkvl”—“but Peter followed him ufar off, unto I
the high pt-fast 1 * palace, and went in and at with :
the servant. s 'to see the end.” Mark: “And Peter i
ffffl'•(■*] Lirn afar off, even unto the palace of die \
high priest; aad he sat with the servant* Sec ” !
•fohn: “And Simon Pefer followed Je?u-, and .-* ]
did another That disciple was known
utijto the high priest, and went in with into
the pabc**of the high priest. But Peter stood at !
the door wnhotru” How it Is possible to get anv !
■other meaning-from the passages, la-side* ,, aA ;
which has l**o suggested. I am..unable to .-re.
‘fbe si&gfo testimony of Mark* fully dceule* the
fiwtter. Luke *w 1 \*vr foUovred >ifur rdf'. The
question then arisen, How far* Mark anawers,
“Even unto (he prince of the high priest.” And
on leading John’s account, we must certainly gn- |
ther this raeamng; that when Testis was c,trriei :
away by the multitude, h was followed by two j
of his disciples, one of wboui, Uing acquainted j
with the high priest, wywt along with Jesus into j
the pa hoc, white the , other, who was peter, j
perhaps through fear, sU-pped at the drvir. It Is ‘
certain thai John, aa tb# other diacipfe is eripphft- !
e<] to be, did not follow in the manner generally |
attributed to Peter, for be went io with .briu-roto
the p-ilac*. And since the plain inAs'ej,.-** is (J lH t |
tho two were together until they caore to the door \
of .the paJfHV*,'we conclude tliat Pei*:/ did not fob j
tow in the niftuuer usually diarjjpd iqwo him.
It th* forsg.'ing view- are eorrccf.it w ill follow j
that (•■ensure has been .unjustly heapod ujir.n }’eler, ;
f<w hi- (sandtwrt on this occasion. He <!id bad 1
enough in denying his Lord—-M us hot fovuau j
hffn of tb*t iff w hich he is innocent.. Ho for. from !
iv<t)sgriiig Petw; ** ftujfht to praise ib-.dld I
not men i timid mt mo-t dU-ipU.s., i
but went bchflj. al.ugj with tho cfpwd to eOe what i
would b*-d‘ire with hi* master. Hu likoiv r> .
mernheiot hte-proireUitions to the Havior a -h ■■n I
while before, nrr.i w * now determined to verity I
them. That Si* courage MtWquemiv failed him, !
* (ruiy to l* fomontod: bnt vre i\n> npt ju-iftinl !.*
in concluding without rvl.t. iioo, that i: had TriiGst
already, It seem- rwiM-xuri.la, that. if he w/i* so ;
timorous as not to follow Ihe /Savior oxcept at •* 1
gfßßt dh>twp, tlwt be fcUHMNMBfy VftO- I
** # , ‘ -■. -.4 - * •*. ■ ‘ * •“
. lured into the very palace cff the high priced Let j
; us, then, never more blame Peter for the manner ;
in which ho followed hi? master. Those who like J
; to feed upon the fault* of God’s children, - may j
■ not like the above interpretation. Others may be •
loathe to give up a foolish method of deaeribing {
j lukoWfirro Christians. But this h, ©it! may; |
if Peter is ckvxr of- tin? charge usu.rilv prfforrel *|
. ajifouri him, la tu- fM'irn wledgrt it, and rejnic*- hi
‘I it’. Xc*e Fvrioiv.ch m truth.” K. j
For die IrtrCeJt. I
A Strange Commiuucauoa
Bro:Editor so-In tbh fe<*t n*>mw?f iff yßtr pa*’ :
p*ir 1 oliseived a singular nr tide under the caption j
off “rfeJfehnesa Illustrated,” end eignod “J. IT. 0.”
What motive could have prompted the writer to
revive ihe rocoHec'.ion of the disftgr*\sbl - comrre j
versy which m,r*‘ than tenr years g<>, Isr! to thfo i
reparation ff American Baptiste, I am utterly uif- !
able to di i. nijine. Had flny overture-; bctii ncnW
by our former noKhorn ’o.btor.platirig i
rc-imior., of the donointbavioiq or - were fheie a j
pn&y of any proniineoco among otn-soivwsdoriious i
of effecting such a mottsum, tlnjro might U> hwho j
reueoti for such an article as that which was pub !
lashed by “J. IT. C.” iu your recent* issue; Bt:f
when no such propositions hav'ebcen ev-'n remote’ I
‘ly billfe-1 rrt. much less ncrirAtslv entertainr-d .and
urged, l can see ho port in on,-y in the oinmuiiicft
lion in question.
The strangest pouion of the aiticlc of ‘J. 11. iXi
however, is that iu which he inf unis us that the
Acting Board at Boston were induced t > make 1
derision which resulted in tho secession of th*f
South by the influence of 7>r. and that
the motive of jo. Sharp in thus dtsfolmg ildvers* -
ly to the Jfouth wa- his anxiety to propitiate his
brethren in Engfand whom he w.-m about so visit,
As I would not do y-our coi respondent any injus
tice, I quote 60 much iff bis articln t.- hears ori this
subject:
“The equivocal pvsßionof the Acting Board in
duced the celebrated Alabama Resolution?, by
which the Home and Foreign Mission Board?
were called upon to say distinctly whether they
would appoint slaveholder* a-? Missionaries. Tiie
Acting Board at Boston, who, only a year lieforc,
had seemed so fair and so firm, who had protest
ed tbeir extermination to adhere to the Constitu
tion, answered that they could pot. They were
brought to this decision by the influence of Dr.
Sharp. This will not bed niod. But what pro
duced such a change—such a sudden change
in the mind of this great man? Here is the an
swer : Dr. Sharp know that Dr. Wayland had
been slighted on a recent visit to Great’Britain by
some of the great ones of that haughty nation, be
cause he was known to have no sympathy with the
Abolitionism, and but little respect for Abolition
ist?. Dr. Sharp could not brook the idea of such
treatment from hi? lordly countrymen. Hence he
threw all tho weight of his mighty influence against
his brethren of ‘he South, and the Acting Board
made that Decision which rent the denomination
asunder!”
Here Dr. sharp is distinctly charged with is* ing
influenced in his course towards the South by the
desire of making favor with Englishmen. Now,
Mr. Editor, on what authority is tins charge pre
ferred ? Did Dr. Sharp avow any such motrio?
If he has not avowed it has any man a right to
charge it upon him ? If he has avowed a differ
ent motive i* it not impeaching his veracity to im
pute this to him i The truth i*, that it is impos
sible for ‘J. IT. C.,’ or any man, to prove that Dr.
Sharp decided adversely to the South* because he
wished, thereby, to promote his popularity in Eng
land ; and lam grieved when brethren utter un
tenable charges which are calculated, if believed,
to tarmisk the reputation of Christ’s ministers.
Dr. Sharp is dead. He has gone, I believe, to
the Christian’s reward and con not be reached by j
the praises or censures of mortals. The last time
! I saw him in public was, in the city iff Baltimore,
, during the session t 4 the Southern Baptist Conven
| tion, a few weeks foffore hi? death. He was iu I
I the pulpit of tho Ist Baptist Church, in company j
I with slaveholders, when the Missionary meeting i
j woe held there, and on the invitation of a slave- j
i holder, he offered 11 most fervent proyer for the
! bfeasing of God upon iba .Southern Baptist Cow
j vention. Cntil ‘J. JI C.’ furnishes the proof, I
j will ixit liciiave that hi* motive, ia tho pc4itioo
| he look, in regard to the South, wa,? such as hs
■ been iinj.uted to biro. JI7STIOE. I
For the ledex.
Ab Hosts Diace
: The abpv* is an old Latin maxim which loach- i
j as, that we may learn valuable lessons even from I
an enemy. This is very true. Die world is an on- i
eray that has done ns much injury, yet the chil- f
dren of light may take ]-.-sos from the children :
of this world, and bo greatly profited thereby.— J
This the Saviour teaches, in Luke xvi: 8. j
( Examples 1. Look at tho interest fcxeiled, t |
the North and in the South, in the- decision of the j
question, whether slavery shall wist iu Kansas.— ;
Ought nct Christian? to tW-l more solicitous about :
tho question, whether its influence shall be enlist- ;
ed itt tha cause of Christ or against ft ?
Ex. 2. Note the large contributions that, have
fo-eri made, at the North and in the South, to
advance the interest? of sectional and political
parties. One Southern g. nilemas, the papers in- i
form u?, has generously given *I,OOO, to aid in !
filling op the Terriu.ry with Southern men. He !
has done well. Ila? any Christian contributed as j
largo an amount to aid in sending Southern Mis- i
sionßries there ? Wifi bro. Walker, the eorres- ’
ponding secretary of our So. D. M. Board, imform |
u? what proportion ;ho contribution* marie for tho i
one purfioae Lear to thofto made for tho other i j
Ex. 3. Volunteer* are going bv s<v>re- and ;
hundreis to plant their Anti-slavery nnd IV* !
slavery banner* in Kansas; but we hear of very ]
few volnntdf-rs enlisting to plant the banner of the I
C-roe* in that fovnly fond.
Ex. 4. Th-.?e volunteers nrn foraishtxl with thy
Weapons deenie.} necessary for thfor own defence
and the subjugation of iheic adversKrleo-cargooß
of Sharp’s rifles and revolvers have fe*vn torwar-led
to them. Can bother Dayton, the Cor. Sec. of
theS). Bifi.e Board, inform us how many Bilhs
Jiavp burn forwarded for distribution in Kan^w?
Not fto emigrant go<* to that country without tha
—.. opy-----------
weapons fri his bofiily defence. Should
not every one bo furnished with tlie sword of the
Spirit—ft copy ot’ the Bible i
“Ho I-tor Kansas ! n —.When this cry ia mftde }
stud the queeti‘>o aricr?j by pbUticbins, “ Whom
shali we send?” Many are the - Here :
am I: Send met” Who will goes MisekHinri-ts? |
WRi will aid in farnishuig the fnnda requisite to
susifori ih'vu j Who nil! furnish ihern with
Bibfos An distribution ‘i O, brethren, it‘you fove
your Lord anand
yout own souls, lei the only re?j*>nse given to j
these JinquHfes be that of ErHO^~*--Whd*j !
J. A. B. 4
Fw
Queries for a Correspondent
Dear Bro. Martin: —<bic of your eorresp. nd- j
ant*, some short tirao since, reflected somewhat up-’ I
’ on tbe’dditore of the H. W. Baptist and the Tci.n. •
‘ Bpi'?t. for di* u-iriog in their column? riio claims |
iof M.<Hhodi-t, chure.be* n repubiioaiism. He* ap- j
1 pears ki U* at a lo** to know what, yoerf l* lifoffy {
i to result front such discussion* in religious paper*;d
! and think* they ought to bo carried on wholly in
. joliticol paper- ! I hop* your ex>mapoSidnnt will
i not be offrodivt at MiK.rherCprc-umingto question
| the oorteCthes? of hi? views, hi the same public
j maiir,* rin whiJj they w c re adrj[iced, stud through ;
; tLr medium u.-*hl by him. But, I hesiute —I ;
feel a gre-it, a very great, .a very gr>su repugnnpce ]
to iMutrovcrtißg publicly a good brothers view*fe— i
(I doub! iKje. your txxrespondent is a rr-ry g<kA I
brotberfe—l will, therefore, upon second thought,
only pix>jointd to him a few questions, in thv b<q>e
tliHl th> y may lead him. ir he ha- crrfsl, to dU
c >w.r Ids erroi-g and to ejitertnht a more- favora
ble opinion of the worthy brethren whose editorial
course he has cenaure<J —in the opinion of sortie ot
j US. unjust!y.
j l. .Were not thi npaetolte ihurch< , organized
; with a xfxcifc form rff government?
; 2. Were not the prineipls dt-vtlopod in their
Organization designed to bo perpetual ? Iu other
words, were not the apostolic churches designed
P> serve as models for other church organizations
through nil future time 1
3. Were they republican or anti-republican ?
•t. <Jan the in?! ruction* iff tho Saviour iu Mutt,
sviii: 15-11 be carried out, or the example of the
Corinthian church, referred to 2 Cor. ii: 6, tie fol
lowed under an nnti-republicau form of church
government like that adopted by the Methodists t
5. Is it not lies duty of religious editors, flDd
ip deed <ff all engaged iu communicating religious
instruction, either orally or through the press, to
advocato and seek by all lawful meacs to preserve
unimpaired, and propagate as extensively as possi
ble, the principles e-tablished by Christ and his
apostles 1
0. Would it nos !*< dre mtxl an arrogant and
extremely dangerous assumption, were the .politi
cal press to claim that they only had the right to
discuss forms of church government ’
When these ‘easy questions’ are answered, I
may ask others of more difficult solution. I delve
only for the truth. J. H, B.
For the Index.
A Correction.
D<ar Bro. Martin : In a recent article publish
ed in your paper, I stated, that there were ffty
families within the bounds of the Bethel Associa
tion reported iast fall as destitute of the Bible.—
Since that article iva* written, tho Minutes of the
Association have come to hand, and I find that
i instead of fifty, I should have written ont. m-v
----j RRl> A XT) FfFTT.
A Problem to be solved. —ls there bo in the
enlightened and wealthy section eff our State, in- ,
I eluded within the bounds of the Bethel Areovia
-1 lion. 150 families destitute of the word iff God,
how many is it probable there are in Jess favored
sections ?—ln California, Oregon, Kan*H?, Nebras
t ku, AcJ J. S. B.
For the Index.
Diar Bro. Martin: Enclosed I send you a list
of Monies, for the benefit of a distressed Bapli-t
Preacher:
From Dr. W. Iff. Turpin, Augusta, $ JO 00
*• A brother or friend, A., 5 00
“ A Lady, signed A. ILF.. 2 00
“ riiater J. H. Ilardin. Columbus, Ga., 200
•• A young sister, 1 00
“ A sister of GroenCslxiro’, 5 00
“ C. Mays, B. O. Heater and NT. W.
Collier, a check of, :JP 25
** A little boy, 8 years of age, 25
“ Bro, H. W. Joyner, a contribution
from hi? church, near Marietta, 700
*• Bro. J, 8. Warren, Perry Gn.. 00
“ An nnkrnwn friend, 2 00
A flft 50
♦<>
For the Index.
Acknowledgement,
Mr. Editor : Someone from your State, and i
I should judge, not a thousand miles from Greenes
loro\ has sent me forty dollars, to bo divided
between Domestic and Indian Missions. I take
this method of returning my thanks to the donor.
The money came very opportunely. May the
Lord bless the giver. The May number of the
Journal will contain two interesting letter? from
two native preachers. !
JOS. WALKER, Cor. Ftec’y.
Marion. Ain., March 22,
- . -m*-m * •- •
t-W It. Nutting, of Randolph, Vt., doorihos j
in the Country Gentleman, an original and ex- ‘
eeedingfy ingenious contriviuice for setting tho j
wind to work for us, for which he has applies! for j
a patent. A working model, which has l*een in j
operation at Randolph tor a month, Is said to
justify great confidence in it? value for farmer* and ‘
mechanic*.
A letter from tfortu -totes that the last crop of’ I
olives in that island has heen so ravaged by the
worm thet two-third* of it has l*er> destroyed.— j
Tho frnit attached by thi* deatruciive insect hoe ‘
falfen from tho trees fe'forc it attarned maturity, ]
and, os there wore not hand* sufficient to oollect 1
If, the heavy rains at the end of the year destroyed
tho whole. * .a'%
THEINDEX.
THUKSDAA MORNING, APRIL S.
- --~rrC<r- . - - -
arrearages arc eharged at *is 5u annum,
or 5 rents per nunfer, For all payments in a*!
! the paper i furnlxhcd at ffi 00 per annum, *r 4
per titunber
To Printers.
A good Compositor G wanted itnnKlfoicly at Ud-.
j office, to whom a permanent sitiiatfon will be givea.
I None but ivraan of sober and trAustrious habit* nred
opfJy. Addrus? j. T. BlaJn.
-
Georgia Baptist Coaventioa.
• Brother Martin : I will thank you to t*nnoun-.v
j that tho Central Kail Rond, the Macon a- rrv.o
j cm, the Western d* Atlantic nr State K-vl,
1 nnd the Muscogee Rail Ro-'i will pan? delegate
‘ to and from tKi OottHhUon In SttfAcntih for or
’ fare. The do’eg'Ues will p:iy going down and
! wili return free on presort ting certificvitcK t'oan tho
| President of the Convention.
The South WesUri* ami Augusta rff hKapm>
Railroad? will also pane Delegates for on
fare. N. M. CRAWFORD.
At4F* Receipt.? next week.
To Correspondents.
j No anonymous communications are pubfislied
!in the Index. Nam’- will be concealed, if
I -ired; but they mu?t to} in pre-es-ion >ff the Jvdi
| tor to insure uttentiou.
■ Bro. 11. C. 11., Mr?. K. O.of V—, paid April 3<>,
’ 1853, ®2, Nov, 19, 1855, *5, which extended her
j credit to I)ee. 15, IPS-1; thi? amount i? all that
i h? I?-en received.
Georgia Baptist Convention
Will meet on Friday before the 4th Sabbath In
j April, (25tb). This sev.-rnl Railroad Companies
j mentioned in the notice which ha? appeared in
the Index, have agreed to reduce the fare. No
application ha? been made to the Eatonton, Rome,
and other Branch Road?. It was suppos'd that
those residing in tlie vicinity of three would ruskv
the application hi tho proper authorise*.
j isrw are indobto<l to the Hon, Llowell C<ibb.
| aud A. 11. .Stephen?, for valuable public doeu
i uieutv arid al°o to the latter for pome choice v<j
j rietie? of ftceds.
“cow!*’
! Last Friday io? remaine.l on the grqtimi here
1 all day. Tuesday morning, the Ist of April,
most who left a warm bed saw a whiter fru?t than
j has been seen in a month. Moat of tho fruit trees
1 are in blossom and are injured if not killed.
Fire
| A blacksmith step belonging to Wii
-1 reem A Maxy wa.? consumed on th>v26th ulu Ou
j tho same night, Woodviite Steam Mill was buret,
j On Satnrday morniog, 29th ulr., the house occu
j pied by Mr. James Armstrong, twk fire about 7
j o’clock, and was consumed in an hour. The k>t
1 was formerly owned by B. Bramly, m-u to the
j office of the Index.
A Hew Paper.
Like Noah’s dove, our old friend and brother,
Dr. Baker, can find no real, for the sole of his foot,
or the point of his pen outside of the printing
office. He will, as wifi be seen by tbo Prospectus
in to-day 1 * {>apcr, shortly start the Baptist Union.
We express our be?t wish, that the Union may
unite in its support all the Baptists ia our great
‘ and liappy country.
Bible Union.
It is well known, that for years there has been
in progress an effort to revise the present English
translation of the Scriptures. In this work some
the best scholars and Christian? of America have
participated 1 Spencer Cone, a man whose me
morable deeds will long remain a monument to
‘ his untiring zeal, felt that In revising the Scripture?
be was as profitably employed as in preaching the
gospel itself. It is now a point conceded on all
sides, that there are iimccurk-s in tho present ver
sion. which the present use of the English lan
guage does not sanction. Some expression.? that
have long grown obsolete, such as “I do you t
wit.’’ “ I wot not,” “ I was let hitherto,” and
others, for which plaiuer phrases could be substi
tuted. No Christian is opposed to any translation,
that will speak in bis own language, words
j that correspond precisely in meaning, with those
spoken by the prophets, not in the words which
man’s wisdom teacheth, but in words spoken by
the Holy Ghost. A TRANSLATION THAT
SPEAKS THE VERY MIND OF THE SPIRIT
OUGHT TO RECEIVE THE APPROBATION
OF ALL GOD'S PEOPLE. Whether such a
translation will be produced by the present lie
visionists is indeed questionable. The following,
taken from an exchange, certainly needs expiauu
| tion, if true, and contradiction if false. Brethren
| have urged upon us a defence of the Revision
| cause. Again and again, appeals have been sent
which, when not of too great length, have been,
and will continue to be, admitted. The column?
of the Index will remain open to those who wish a
discussion of the question. But brethren must allow
us to discriminate between the propriety of n new
translation aud the adopting of the translation
j now in progress.
Resignation of Dr. Maclay.
♦ We learn from a New York correspon
; dent, that Dr. Maclay has resigned the
! Presidency of the Bible Union, and die
| claims any more connection with it. The
: reason nasignod, is, the heretical expree-
I sions that are creeping into the new trans
| latkm of the Bible, and especially those
j I*>rtions about to be issued from the press.
I The representatives of eight different deno
minations are making a very curious ]>ap
, tist Bible, it is resulting, as we always
i supposed it would, first, in confusion, and
: second, in complete failure. Win. Colgate,
! ftgq., has also resigned the treasuryship of
I the Bocietv, anti we presume from the same
| cause. Where, now, are the great lights
of the Bible Union. Dr. Cone, Dr. Maclay
| and Win. Colgate f
April