Newspaper Page Text
78
Original.
For- the Index.
Bro. Martin: —The following^letter from Bro.
James Davis,in an answer to one,of inquiry con
cerning the “Bible Union Association,” contains
information which, perhaps, will be of service to
soihe of your readers. For this reason, and also
another, which will be seen in the letter itself, you
are most affectionately” asked to give it a place in
the “Christian Index.” J. W. O.
Newnan, Ga., April 26th, 1856.
Bear Bro . O. :—“On my arrival here from
home yesterday, I found your note of the 23d
inst., in the office, and I hasten to reply. I am
the Agent of the “Bible Revision Association,”
whose Board is located at Louisville, Ky. This
is an independent Society, South, formed at Mem-
in 1852, representing the friends of
“Rfffllßevision” for the whole South, and is in
direct co-operation with the “American Bible
Union,” whose Board is located in New York city.
The objects of the two Societies are indentical,
and their constitutions are nearly the same, only
varying according to locality. Ihese two great
Bible organizations are engaged in the Revision of
the English Scriptures, and the circulation of the
most faithful translations in all nations. It was
deemed best to have two Societies, the principal
object of which is the revision of the English
Scriptures, but the Union is also engaged in ob
taining faithful translations of the Livtng Oracles
for France, Spain, Italy, Germany, China, Bir
mab, &c., &c. It is not as J. EL C., of Griffin,
would make us believe, a union of the North and
South in the general Mission cause. On the Bi- *
b!e there was any division in consequence
of locality, for J.JI. C. operates with the “Ameri
can Bible Society” whose,Board is located at New
York, through the Nashville Board. How very
unjust then his reflections on the friends of “a
pure Bible,” when he is doing the same. Again :
it is well known that the Bible Union Board are
all with the South as individuals, while the Board
of the Society with which J. H. C. operates are
in their in their individual feelings, alk out-and
out freesoil abolitionists, while Cone. McCiay, Col
gate and others of the “Union Board” are out
and-out with the South as brethren. Thus much
to ward off this very uncalled for attack of “J.
H. C.,” of Griffin, Ga., in the “Index.”
One hundred dollars, in cash, or in five instal
ments will make you a Life Director, of either
the Association, at Louisville, or tho Union, at
New York. Thirty dollars, in one, three, or six
payments, will make you a Life Member of the
Revision Association, or Union, as above. Five
dollars will make you an Annual Member. The
next anniversary of the “American Bible Revision
Association” meets in Louisville some time next’
month (May). Bro. James Edmunds, Esq., is the
Corresponding Secretary. Address Bible Revis
ion Rooms, Louisville, Ky. If you, or anv bro
ther or friend, desires to be_a Life Director or
Member,- forward your-wame to me to Newnan,
Coweta co., Ga., with the time you will make the
first payment, and I wifi immediately report the
same to Bro. Edmunds, the Cor. Sec., or should
you desire to be a Life Director, or a member of
theßible Union—the same—l will forward your
name to Bro. Edmunds, and he to William H.
Wychoff, New York.
I shall set out soon to travel for the good cause.
§1.50 will procure the Quarterly Reporter, and
also the Monthly. Address Bro. James Edmunds,
of Louisville, Ky., or me, at Newnan, Ga.
Affectionately yours,
JAMES DAVIS.
—--
For the Index-
Repentance.
This is what God requires of all men. “The
times of this ignorance, (said the great apostle to
the Gentiles,) God winked at, but now command
etl) heal! men everywhere to repent, for he hath
appointed a day in the which he will judge the
world in righteousness, by that man whom be
hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance
unto all men in that he hath raised him from the
dead.” The law of God, in its moral requirements
having been violated, now makes no provisions for,
nor proposals of repentance. No: it takes the
transgressor by the collar, and says pay me what
thou owest upon pain of death. But the gospel,
involving obedience and satisfation to this law in
the person of a mediator, comes to the transgres
sor who is straitened under the demands of the
law, because he has not anything with which he
can satisfy the claims of law and justice, and says,
behold. I have found a ransom. God is propitious.
His grace abounds towards the chief of sinners*—
There is 1 ife*in the hands of oue who loved you
and died for you. Now’ repent and accept of
ibis ransom—accept of Grace, and receive life
without money and without price. Notwithstand
ing all this, however, the sinneh will not repent,
unvd he is convinced of his sin and guilt. Hence,
repentance includes conviction for sin. Yes, until
the sinner is made to see and feel that he has
transgressed the laws of the great God, and that
he is justly condemned, and is liable to suffer the
vengauce.of eternal fire, he will not repent. But
when he has a propper discovery of his con
dition in this respect, and in connection with the
same, remembers the goodness and love of God
in the gift of his Son, he will begin to loath him
self in dust aud ashes. And while he writes
bitter things against himself, he will at the
same time be disposed to justify God in all his
dealings with man; and not only so, he” will be
surprised at that great goodness of the Creator, bv
which his life has been spared, and by which
many blessings have been multiplied to him.
Also, he will become willing to have mercy on
God’s terms, and to become God’s servant in
obeying the gospel.
When this is the case with a soul, it will try
to avoid all sin, and to follow after whatever seems
to be right. 4nd when it has fully discovered
that there is no justification for it by the deeds. of
the law, nor as a reward for repentance, tears and :
prayers, and is just ready to despair, were it not j
for a little hope of pardon that, at this crisis, is j
leaning upon the rich and free mercy and grace
of God in Christ, there is a divine influence exert
ed about him that causes sin and guilt to passs
away, and life and peace to abound. Justification
takes place. The soul passes from death unto
life —out of darkness into light, and begins to re
joice in hope of the glory of God. God now
seems good and gracious to the soul. Jesus
Christ apppearing altogether lovely, and as the
fariest amongst ten thousand. Sweet spiritual
communion is commenced between God and the
soul of thispenetent believing person. It becomes
an anxious inquirer, as to what God requires of
the soul. And there is a disposition implanted,
deep within the heart, to love and obey Christ in
the glorious gospel. I. H. .G
For the Index.
• Very Questionable.
Bro. Martin :—ln the last number of the Chris
tian Index, your correspondent J. S. 8., adopting
the caption at the head of this article, wrote some
very appropriate remarks upon the evil of church
es passing eulogistic resolutions respecting their
pastors, when those pastors resign their office or
die. I should be glad if Bro. B. would give an
other article upon the same subject; for I am sat
isfied the practice referred to is a much greater
evil than most persons are aware of.
Having been engaged at one time in conduct
ing a religious Journal in another State, iny own
patience was frequently put to the test, by resolu
tions adopted by churches respecting the resigna
tion of their pastors. Sometimes when those reso
lutions were presented for publication, I had rea
son to believe they were merely formal, and not
always the full and sincere expression of ali who
participated in their adoption.
I remember too, how my patience became ex
hausted on one occasion, at the show made over
;t deceased minister. The minister referred to was
an able and efficient laborer, and one who utterly
despised all unneessary parade of any kind what
ever. He was serving no less than five churches,
when God to remove him by death.—
First came an obituary of more than a column in
length. This was followed by preambles and reso
lutions from all five churches; and from a Mason
ic Lodge besides. These appeared in various is
sues of the paper, when to close the series, the As
sociation adopted a somewhat lengthy report which
had also to be published. In addition to all
things, ministers were called upon to preach fune
ral sermons in the various churches which he bad
served; and not less than three funeral discourses
were delivered. Could the deceased brother have
risen from the dead, and seen all this show, he
would have been exceedingly mortified, no doubt..
I labored at the proof sheets until I had no pa
tience left for such an amount of repetition and
show; and even the readers of the paper uttered
their complaints.
I mention this circustance merely to show to
what an extreme such customs lead us. My own
opinion is, if churches would honor their pastors
more while living, support them better than they
do while they labor for them in word and doctrine,
and abide bj r their instructions mortv faithfully
they would have fewer occasions to pass commen
datory resolutions at their removals; and would
enable them to establish for themselves a far more
enduring monument (o utter their, praise when
dead. J. M. W.
April 28th, 1850.
JEST'WiII not J. S. B. yield to the wishes of J.
M. W. The evil complained of is now becoming
general, and we hope that our correspondent will
speak plainly about it.—Ed.
For the Index.
A Voice from the Flowers.
Y KATE.
In a small silver cup, standing neir the centre
of the table is a bouquet of withering Mowers.—
Yesterday they were the pride of the garden.—
The dew-drops sparkled like diamonds among
their brilliant petals—the wild bee rifled them of
honey, and a cloud of fragrance was emitted from
their inner hearts. To-day they droop and throw
out a sickening perfume —their rainbow dyes are
fading. To-morrow no one will recoguize in their
dull and shrunken forms, a trace of former lone
liness.
Short lived, beautiful spring flowers ! Ye are
types of many things in this transitory world of
ours. Preachers are ye springing up in the deep
forest, and by the way-side—teachers of decay
and death, uttering your solemn lessons alike in
the gardens of the lowly, and the proud.
To the young, who in the radiant morning of
their days glide like human butterflies upon their
way, ye are ever speaking with a monitorial voice,
and saving, “behold our fragility; thus shall it
be with you , for the fashion of this world -passeth
away,”
Beautiful maiden, heed the voice. Your cheek
now rivals in richness, the heart of the rose, blit
when the Spoiler Cbmes, it shall shrink and fade
like the patals of yonder flowers—your eye is
blue as the violet which grows on the banks of
the stream in the woods, but it may yet languish
in pain, and fade with the washing of tears. Be
wise—be ‘ pure in heart,” for,
“Where the green willow on the'grave low traileth,
Where the sweet pansy, weeps upon the sod,
Where all the pride of man, in terror faileth,
The ‘pure -in heart’ sse God.
They see him when the gate of heaven wideswing
eth,
And they are led by angel bands within,
Where Jesus ali his fold together bringeth,
Without a taint of sin.”
For tho Index.
J. S. B’s. Conge-
Bro. Editor: Your humble correspondent,
Tau, is very much gratified and amused, that J.
S. B. rejoices so heartily over him as an “honest”
and even a “great” man. He trusts the former
opinion is correct to the latter compliment he
apprehends his claims are small.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
He thought, in the beginning, that not anything
in his first article, but rather the shadows of some
objects around, awakened the suspicions of J. S.
| 8., who, it is known, “scents treason from afar.”
Tau begs to make his bow, by congratulating
himself that so discriminating a mind as J. 8. B’s,
should find bo “material” error in the position
that, we may not object to an ecclesiastical organi
zation because it is unlike an approved political
organization-, but only because it is unscrip tural.
Those questions, the shadows of which have
fallen on the track of this brief discussion, have
_yet be€n treated in a way sufficiently common
sense, dispassionate, and unsuspecting; and, there
fore, Tau would have had no objection to answer
ing J. S. B. categorically, in relation to them, bad
be desired it. The allusion is to the questions,
practically considered. What is a Church? Who
may preach? Who may administer the sacra
ments? As, however, witness has been question
ed far enough to satisfy his generous antagonist,
he would reverentially and affectionately say,4
Adieu! TAU.’
Index.
wiW’e are We?
Reade'r,‘ are you a Christian? If you say yes,
then I earnestly entreat you to consider first the
simplicity of the gospel of Christ and the purity
of true religion. Then cast your eyes around
you, and behold the worldly conformity, the show
and parade, and the running after new things
that characterize so many professors of the present
age, and tell me, if you can, where we are in the
world. What is our latitude and longitude in a
religious point of view? Do you know?
QUERIST.
For the Index.
Bro. Editor :—I had the pleasure of learning
from Bro. Adkinson,. who lives in the section of
country near Brunswick, who informs me that an
effort is making to get funds to build a Baptist
church in that place. I do hope that you will
notice it in the next number of the Index. There
are but few Baptists in the place, and have one
thousand dollars to cotmqence with, and as Bruns
wick is destined to be a place, -one day, we hope
that Baptists will aid them at once. lam an up
Georgian. J, M. WOOD.
THURSDAY* MORNING, MAY 15.
All arrearages are charged at §2 50 per annum,
or 6 cents per number. For all payments in advance
the paper is furnished at §2 00 per annum, or 4 cents
pdV number
The Index—New Subscribers.
After the present year, the Index will be re
moved to some of the principal cities of Georgia,
and be placed under the direction of five jfidi
cious brethren, whose business it will be to make
all arrangements for editing and publishing the
paper. Where it will go, and who is hereafter to
managefts concerns,'are questions in which every
Baptist of Georgia has a deep concern. That the*
best possible plan will be adopted need not be
questioned. As it can by a resolution of the
Convention go no where else than to a city, those
brethren who desire its publication in their midst
would do well to bring forward, indue time, the
claims of their respective cities. The future home
of theTndexisa question of some importance to
our denomination. Let it go where it can do the
most good by being most generally read. It
should be located wherever it can be published
on advantageous terms, and most speedily reach
subscribers.
Its home patronage will not, perhaps, be mate
rially increased by carrying it to a city, since there
are not as many in any city in the State who take
the Index, as there are in several towns. Madi
son has the largest list; next stands Lexington,
and several other offices which have about the
same number of subscribers as Savannah, Colum
bus, Augusta, Macon or Atlanta, to one of which
places it will be removed. The paper will not be
sold, but remain the property of the Convention.
It is hoped that so much of the proposition of the
good brother from Clark, who wished each mem
ber of the body to send twenty new subscribers
to the Index, wil I now be carried into effect. Shall
we not be permitted to increase, by the double of
the number he proposed, our subscription list in
his county. It may be some stimulus to him to
know that there is some disproportion between
the number of Subscribers, iyid the Baptists in
his section. At the close of the present year,
someone will have charge of the paper, who will
properly care for the interests of the large denom
ination of Georgia Baptists. Up to that time,
we shall do our best to provide our readers with
the choicest varieties of spiritual food, that can
be selected or prepared by humbler hands. Will
not each one of our readers exert himself, to send
at least one or more new subscribers. Let us
hear from many by the next issue.
Savannah.
The last meeting of the Georgia Baptist Con
vention was held in this old and beautiful city of
Georgia. The first English settlement made in
this Slate was here, by Gen. Oglethorpe, in 1733,
one hundred and twenty-three years ago. In the
State Library, at Milledgeville, can be seen the
books and accounts of these early settlers of
Georgia with the English government. Their
journals can be read, even now, with great ease,
on account of the good hand in which they were
written.
There is not, perhaps, in the United States, a
city better governed than this. With a popula
tion of about 25,000, there is less disorder, and
that which is visible is more efficiently controlled,
than among the same number anywhere else.
Two reasons can be assigned for this. The citi
zens are lovers of good order, and the officers
bring all offenders to justice. Day and night the
police, some on foot, others on horseback, go
through the city, which is laid off in wards of
Jud) size as to bring any serious outbreak, in any
fmrt, within hearing of someone of their number.
Many, if not most of the offences occur on the
wharf, among the sailors. The day the Conven
tion adjourned, the police had taken in charge a
ship’s crew, who had been engaged in making bad
use of their hands and sticks on their neighbors
Heads. The efficiency of the present police in Sa
vannah is perhaps owiDg to the fact, that a retired
Naval officer is placed at its head.
CHURCHES.
The Baptists have five churches in t ? • my.
Brethren Stiteler and Winston are the ! ’-ts
ars of the First and Second Baptist Churches.
One of the largest in the State, if not in our Re
public, is to be found here, the Pastor of which is
now one hundred and four years old—the vene
rable Andrew Marshal—he has about 1,500
members. The second African church contains
JBr 1,200 members; the 3d about 450.
Georgia and her Bail Roads.
The courtesy extended by the several Railroad
Companies of our State to the Delegates who at
tended the late Conventjpn in Savannah, called
forth a hearty vote of thanks from the Convention,
friiich will be expressed in clue time by the proper
officers to the Gentlemanly agents of the roads.
The kindness shown enabled many, who perhaps
would otherwise have remained at home—to at
tend this important Convention of Georgia Bap
lists. Gladly would we avoid the record of any
thirty connected with these roads that could cast
the slightest reflection upon their management,
and to the credit of the State it can be said, that
there re railroads in Georgia, whose Conductors,
Agents, baggage Masters—one and all are distin
guished for the politeness with which they treat
all their passengers. In our recent trip to Savan
nah, going and returning, both on the Central
and Waynesboro roads, though a stranger to the
Conductors and baggage Masters—no complaint
can be made against them for a want of courtesy
to passengers. If the Conductor asked for vour
ticket, it was politely done; if he or any of his at
tendants passed though the cars, there was a kind
suaviter'm modo, in their manner that made all feel
that these gentlemen were ready to do all in their
power to make the time pass oft - pleasantly. From
the managers of these roads, and in fact from every
other, in the State, on which we have had occasion
to travel, the Georgia road excepted, the same ur
banity was observant in the Conductors and other
officers connected with the cars. Wo are not a little
surprised that the senior of railroads should allow
herself so completely distanced in politeness and ac
commodation by the other roads which have sprung
up around it. But that others may see that our
complaint is not without sufficient cause, a few
facts will be stated that occurred on Wednesday
30tb April. Quite a number of Delegates left
the United States hotel early that morning to take
the up-train on the Georgia road. A company
from our village paid a servant to carry their bag
gage to the cars—we did the same. On reach-
I |ftPg the Dej>t, I desired the baggage Master to
have two boxes put aboard; he replied very rough
ly, that they must go in the other car as express
freight; just at this time someone demand
ed the freight, which was paid immediately—
and the boxes were again ordered to be put
aboard. Some body else told me to have them
weighed—and the one who had charge of
this department was with considerable diffi
culty persuaded to have this labor performed.
After seme importunity on our part the boxes
were weighed and an enormous freight paid for
their transportation to Greensboro’. Shortly af
ter leaving Augusta, the Conductor passed through
the cars to collect the tickets. Ours was exhibit
ed, supposing that the same custom prevailed, as
on the other roads, to deliver the tickets just be
fore reaching the station to which they were
paid. This impression was stated to the Conduc
tor, whose only reply was to grab, rather tb re
ceive the ticket, and passed on with a ceri ■ ?f
----fian-like, and don’t-care sort of a look that b •
never been called politeness in any of our Diction
aries. Such conduct on this road has not been
unusual; seldom have we ever been on it except
the short distance from Woodville to Union Point,
that the same rude, uncouth display has not been
made by the Conductor or baggage Master.—
If they intend to be polite, they fail most glar
ingly. If they desire to improve, they are recom
mended to travel a few times on the Central or
Waynesboro roads, and they will see quite a
difference.
W e report, that again and again have passen
gers, ourselves among the number, been treated
with the grossest rudeness by some connected with
the road that bears the name of Georgia, as a
part of her own title. For the credit of the State,
a different policy should bo adopted.
Our complaint is made public as much for the
sake of others as our own; as we do,
that the Honorable President and Superintendent
of this road do not approve and will not tolerate
such rudeness in those who are in their emplov.
Asa Georgian we do not wish our own citizens,
and especially strangers to form their opinion of
Georgia civility, from the manifestation which is
made on this public thorough-fare.
All, that a great many who pass through Geor
gia see of the State is on this road. Its officers
therefore, should act with a dignity that will be a
proper expression of the character of the State,
whose name our Legislature has permitted it to
bear, or at once retire; if an accommodating dis
position is burdensome to them, and allow those
in whom politeness is either a natural or acquired
virtue, to take their places.
A Wolf in Step’s Clothing-
Below we give an extract from the Cherokee
Georgian, published at Marietta. We know of
but one preacher of this name in that part of the
State, who, although he was called a Baptist was,
nevertheless, accused of a strong tendency to
Campbellism. Brethren who knew him best did
not-hesitate to locate him in the ranks of A,
Campbell. He baptized many, but imon insuffi
cient grounds, as many Baptists in
have again and again testified :
“Rev. Mr. Hutchins, well known in Georgia as
an able Baptist clergyman, whose field of labor
has been for some years in Forsyth county, came
to Marietta on Saturday the 26th ult., with a wo
man and three children, took a room as man and
wife at one of our hotels, and stopped over Sab
bath. Persons from Forsyth county, who were
familiar with the parties, recognized the woman
as a M rs. Cain, whose husband has been some
years in California. Mr. Hutchins left a wife,
children and grand-children behind, telling them
that he was going out West to look up anew lo
cation, and would return for his family. He took
.out letters of dismission and recommendation from
the church for himself and wife, and evidently in
tends cloaking his infamous conduct under the
garb of religion. He returned to Forsyth county,
after depositing his fair charge somewhere up the
road, and settled up his his business, revealing his
intentions, and making over his little property to
his lawful wife. He then bade his wife and fami
ly a long and terrible adieu, and returned to his
fair, but fallen enchantress. It seems that affairs
were approaching such a crisis as would soon bring
ruin and disgrace upon the standing of the guilty
parties at home, and they choose the pleasantest
of the two evils, with the risk of escaping expo
sure in parts unknown.
“Mr. Hutchins passed through here last Friday,
on his way to rejoin his paramour, and is no
doubt reveling in her smiles in some part of the
West. He is sixty-five years old, and has been
preaching about twenty-five years; his ministry has
been very successful and he has probably baptized
more persons than any minister of the Gospel in
the State during that period.
“We hope the infamous conduct of this gray
headed old adulterer will be made public by our
western exchanges, that he may be prevented from
inflicting any further wound upon the church, if
he cannot be brought to a summary punish
ment.
Bishop-
In an old number of the Index, published in
1830, we find the article given below. It furnish
es, perhaps, as good a reason as can be given
against the application of the term bishop, to
ministers of the gospel. The meaning now
generally attached to this term is too lordly to
suit an bumble minister of the gospel. If, on
account of the change of language, a word ceases
to convey the idea originally intended, there is no
impropriety in dropping it and taking one in its
place, whose meaning cannot be mistaken:
“ The Term Bishop. —A fancy more whimsical
than just, seems disposed to introduce the custom
of calling all pastors of churches by the name of
Bishop. We have been addressed several times
of late, both by word and by writing, with the
dignified appellation of bishop. This old scheme
owes the currency which it has obtained to the
Brooke County Reformer, and seems destined to
become one of the features in the baptismal re
generation plan. The word bishop, if any one
can believe it, is derived from the Greek EiriCxoiros
which, in Latin is Episcopus, and detorted into
Saxon is biscop This is natural enough, since by
dropping the c, and substituting b for p, —an or
thography often observable among illiterate peo
ple, even in the word baptist, improperly spelt
babtist —the word becomes biscopus. People un
acquainted with its import would readily cut off
us, and so make biscop of it. The transition,
thence, to bishop is very short and easy. It would
hence appear that bishop is not a translation of
the original word, but rather a corruption of it
The knowledge which the early English obtained
respecting the office of a bishop, came from the
Roman Church in the Latin language. In that
language it means a dignified clergyman with in
ferior clergymen under him. It has the same im
port in English. Our version of the Bible was
made by Episcopalians, that is, advocates of the
office of bishop, and hence it has an Episcopal
dress. This fact enables us to account for the
words Easter, Bishop, and others, which evident
ly favor episcopacy. Hacl the word been trans
lated, it would have been rendered “ overseer ” in
every case, as it is in some instances.
We are therefore of opinion, that since the term
bislioj) is one which episcopacy has appropriated
to itself, and since too it has been corrupted from
the primitive simplicity of its import, Baptists
should not be very forward to adopt it as a desig
nation of the ministerial office. The use of it
looks rather too much like a disposition to plume
one’s self with borrowed feathers. To call a plain
Baptist preacher, who claims no pre-eminence
among his brethren, by the imposing name .of
bisho]) to our ear sounds more like the ridiculous,
than the sublime. We trust that the sound dis
cretion of our brethren will reject promptly, the
silly gravity by which such an innovation is rec
ommenced to patronage. As all the substitutes
which have been proposed for the title of “Reve
rend” appear to us to be exceptionable, and as
‘•‘■Reverend” is thought by many to make us too
sacred and holy, we would respectfully suggest
the abolition of all titles, and recurrence to the
simple custom of naming ministers without any
honorary appendages.”
To Correspondents-
We have no recollection of seeing the piece
of “Zembla” inquired for by Bro. P.
Our books show Mrs. M. Hill credited to March
1857. She is right; the mistake was in the re
ceipt.
Call Accepted-
A Columbus paper states that Rev. J. H. De
Votie has accepted the call of the Baptist church
in that city to become its pastor.
Mgiairs §nt?llig?nrp.
Foreign Religions Intelligence.
.J. ENGLAND.
Music in Churches. —The propriety of instru
mental music in the service of God, is agitating
not only the Free, but the United Presbyterian
Church in Scotland. Dr. Candlish has already
addressed a note of warning to his brethren and
he implores the advocates “of this novelty in their
worship” not rashly to push their opinions.
The Wesleyan Conference, at its late sitting in
London, England, so altered their ecclesiastical
regulations as to allow ministers to retain five
years at one place, provided the Quarterly Con
ference of the Circuit make a yearly request to
that effect after the second year. A similar
change in the discipline of the Methodist Church
in this country has long been greatly desired.
SCOTLAND.
The tenth session of the Baptist Theological
Academy for Scotland closed early in April, when
the examination was conducted as usual in the
presence of the committee and friends of the insti-
IH* The conduct of the students during the
session was reported.as having been most becom
ing and praisworthy. They had engaged in their
various studies with energy and perseverance, and
had, “to their power, yea, beyond their power,”
ministered on Lovd’s-day to#h?stitule chruches.—
The examination was almost entirely on the He
brew, Chaldee, and Greek Scriptures, with which
the students showed an acquaintance that was
gratifying to those who witnessed it.
• FRANCE.
Efforts are made for thee stablishment of an Eng
lish church in Paris. The Rev. J. Sbedtock, M.
A , has been ministering there for some months,
and with encouraging success.
Some few yearn ago, a place of worship was
built by Sir C. Eardley, at Erith. It was asort of
model church, and was to be a sort ofexpoent of
the views held up by the worthy baronet, and a
party who sympathized with him. A Noncon
formist minister has since occupied the place, and
a church, based upon what is called catholic prin
ciples, was formed. From some cause, Sir Cullen
has consented to have his church licensed in con
nection with the Establishment, and thus exclud
ed all Dissending ministers from the pulpit!
Hostility to Protestant efforts still continues.—
One of the Wesleyan ministers in the South of
France has been called before one of the Criminal
Courts for holding a meeting for religious worship.
The officer who conducted the prosecution was one
of high rank, and abused aiid ridiculed the minis
ter in no measured terms. He and his compan
ions were sentenced to pay a fine and the costs.
’ GERMANY.
Krummacher, in one of his sermons on Christ
and his people, which have lately been translated,
asks:—“Where are the preachers yvho are wishful
to be called rationalists in the present day/? If
there are any, they are at least ashamed of con
fessing it. Rationalism and mental shallowness
are become almost synonoymous ideas; and those
churches stand empty and deserted, where they
still vent their shallow effusions. The testimony
of Christ; whether it be incidentally or of good
will, passes again through the world like a migh
ty rtishing wind, orally and in writing, scientifical
ly and popularly, in prose and poetry, from the
pulpit and the professor’s chair, by the church and
by the various existing religious societies; and the
words of Solomon, ‘Wisdom uttereth her voice in
the streets,’ appear to be again verified.
PRUSSIA.
Religious liberty is advancing. Restriction and
High Churchism have jnst had a signal defeat.—
The constitution of the kingdom has this article as
one of its fundamental principles:—“The enjoy
ment of civil and religious rights is independent
of the religious profession to which citizens may
belong.” An influential member moved its abro
gation. The interest excited was intense. All
the influence which could be secured in favor of
. the proposition was rejected by a large majori
ty-
Secessions from Rome are numerous in some
parts of the kingdom. Upwards of eight hundred
enrolled their names in the Protestant register, in
Silesia alone, last year.
AUSTRIA.
The Vienna Gazette of the 7th, publishes an
ordinance relative to the keeping of the Sabbath
and fete days in that capital. In future, all places
of amusement, all business establishments and
shops, will be closed on that day, excepting those
necessary to the existence of the >population, such
as butchers, bakers, Ac. These will be allowed to
sell until nine in the morning, and after four in
the afternoon, but with shutters half-closed. Re
ligious or charitable concerts are exempted from
the restriction.
SPAIN.
A letter from Madrid states that a Judge at
Barcelona has ordered the discharge from custody
of the Protstant clergyman, who was arrested for
acts condemned by the circular of the Minister of
Public Institution. The judgement states, as a
gaound for his liberation, that religious toleration
is established in Spain by the second article of the
Constitution. So there is a direct conflict between
the Judgoand the Minister. Either the Judge ov
tlie Minister must fall. Should the government
take the part of their colleague and dismiss the
Judge, we need not repine, says an English paper,
as it would kindle a flame in Spain which no
fire-annihilator could subdue.
MADAGASCAR.
Rumors have reached England that the Prince
of Madagascar, who so loDg manifested his attach
ment to the Christians in that island, in the midst
of the severest persecution, has adjourned his early
faith, and soughl union with the Romish Church.
The Directors of the London Missionary Society
have despatched the Rev. W. Ellis to the islands,
partly to ascertain the truth of these rumors, and
to aid as far as possible, the native Christians and
the mission.— Examiner.
Blkpllanpm
Attempted Abduction in Missouri,—Consider
able excitement prevailed in Edina, Knox count}',
Mo., the past week, in consequence of the follow
ing incident, as related by the Lagrange Bulle
tin :
“It appears that Mr. James Reid, a hotel keep
er in the town, was chosen guardian for a family
ot children, and was determined to shut them lip
in some Catholic convent, contrary to the wishes
of the ffiends and relatives of the children, and
of the children themselves. Reid was requested
by the citizens to relinquish his purpose, but re
fused to comply with their wishes, and on Wednes
day night week he took the children from their
home, and was bringing them to this city to take
a boat for St. Louis, when he was arrested by a
party at Monticello, the children taken away
from him, and Reid himself was arrested on a
charge pf abduction, and held to bail in the sum
of SI,OOO to appear at the next term of the court
for trial.
To Periodical Publishers. —The editor of the
Whashington (D. C.) Spectator designs to pub
lish, about August next, a list of all the periodicals,
from monthlies to dailies, in the United States -
embracing California and the Territories—with
terms and general character, so far as be can as
certain them.
To aid in making up his list, and in carrying
out his further plan, he invites all publishers to
send him three copies of their publications, first is
sued after the fourth of July, (or such as shall con
tain fullest accounts of the occurrences of that
day.) These he proposes to bind—one set to be
filed in the Congressional Library—one in the Li
brary of the Smithsonian Institution—the other
for his own sanctum.
He also requests this notice may be inserted
one or more times, in the editorial columns of his
cotemporaries. Those publishers who give it a
place and send him a copy of their papers contain
ing it, will be furnished with a copy of the list
yhen published. •
Washington, D. C., May 3, 1856.
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