Newspaper Page Text
106
(Driginal.
For the Id ilex.
Yorubii—or Light Springing from Darkness.
(Concluded )
It mu9t not be omitted to mention, that the
English by a most judicious management, secured
the hearts of the Yoruban people, e>pecially of the
Abbeokutans. As letters from Queen Victoria and
presents from both her and Prince Albert, excited
the liveliest sense of friendship and gratitude in
the minJs of the Abbeokutans.
The visit of Mr. Beccroft, her majesty’s consul
in the Bights had a happy and salutary effect
upon the minds of the Abbeokutans also. He
was received with great distinction; and a public
audience was given him. In full uniform he read
to them his commission from the Queen, which
was translated by Mr. Cerowther. lie thanked
them for the kindness aud protection they had
afforded the missionaries, and reminded them of
the great friendship of the English and the benefit
accruing therefrom —both in a temporal arid spir
itual point of view, removing “from Africa the
awful darkness that overshadows her.”
••lie then spoke of the desire of the Queen of
England for the welfare of Abbeokuta, of the im
portance of lawful commerce; and the necessity of
suppressing the slave-trade, if they ever hoped for
peace and prosperity. All this was warmly re
sponded to by the chiefs —both there and at a
subsequent meeting; they assured the consul that
they had not words to express their feelings of
gratitude to the Queen for sending him, or to
himself for taking the trouble to come so far,”
The consul then represented to them in strong
language, tire injustice as well as impolicy of suf
sering a few designing and interested men to stir
up persecution of the convicts, when they tliun
selves were with, perhaps, one or two exceptions
opposed to it; and the chiefs gave a proof of their
ass-nt to ill he said, by sending for three women
who had taken refuge from their persecutors in
the Aki mission premises, and telling them they
were free to go w here they would.
Mr. Beccroft carried with him from Abbeokuta
the good wishes and blessings of all. Doubtless
his ow n venerable and dignified appearance, con
tiibuted to the tfleet of the visit; for said they, “if
the messenger is so great a man, what must the
Queen be who sent him i?”
The visit of Commander Forbes in November,
ISSI, also created an immense sensation in favor
of the whites. With his enthusiasm and energy,
his kindness and evident good will he created in
their minds a feeling approaching to adoration.—
They treated him with the highest honors; and d
clareil that they would comply with all his advic<.
C ipt. Forbes, writes, “I am surprised at all I see.
I cannot describe Abbeokuta. The surrounding
country is beautiful and cultivated—the town im
mense and picturesque, scattered and clustered
among, granite hills.
The Egbas are a nation of farmers, and with
the blessings ot peace would become traders; but
that which calls in Great Britain to make a bold
attempt to save Abbeokuta is, that within its walls
are several hundred people who are Christians. —
Indeed the missionary accounts I have read did
not convey to me so sufficient reasons as my own
eves have witnessed.”
There was a |>erfiet furor created by bis pres
once. Indeed he had cotne mostly for the pur
pose of rendering them such instructions as were
needed to repel an expected attack of the Duhomi
ana. These, the fi nest of the African tribes; the
flower of wliosb army w. s c< inp >sed of women,
h ul threatened another atia.k pp< n the city, hav
ing I een defeated, as Lintel, in a lormer one.
Oapt. Forber*’ visit prob b y prevented the ca
lami'^: for the King of 1 *ah<u'ney, hearing of his
\idtand oftlte g r eat pr*pr t : ons for resistance
nude, never fulfiilled his tlir< a\
The former attack to >k place in Mitch, 1851;
but, though headed by six thousaud fierce and dcs
Iterate fern de w’ n ri >rs. by far the better portion < f
fl u armv sixteen thousand strong, yet thnugh the
intervention of ProvLlenoe they were be-ten off
with great slaughter. II id Abbeokuta fell, the
cause of missions in Yorubt would probab'y have
that day yielded up its lif.; but God would not
“pertuitjhe labors of England for the suppn 8-ion
of the slave-trade and the conversion of Africa, to
be thwarted by a blood-thirsty tyrant.” Standa g
upon a high rock in the premises of the ,\ke mis
sion, with the missionaries from Elgland. Mr.
Samuel Bowen (now with his wi r e laboring in
Yornln) witnessed this conflict. Had that day
proved a disastrous one to the town of Abbeokuta,
lie and all the other laborers in this vineyard of
their master, would doubtless have been slaugh
tered; and instead of being now the instrument of
Southern Missionary enterprise, would he singing
the praises of his Redeemer before the throne of
God.
Through the Niger expedition in 1841, much
friendly feelings towards the English, was cnated
for the di-tance *>f three hundnd miles into the
interior; but, probably, the way by which the
greatest amount of goo I was <*ffe ted-in ) rej ar'ng
Yornba for the glad-tidings of sa'v i ion, was
through the returned immigrants, who lmd at Si
erra Lc'one, been et joying the b’essingsof theGos
j*ei had embraced its holy .tenets and ha I spread
far and wide in the interior, the goo I news of
salvation. These not only by their lives evidenced
anew hie and thus preached silently but pc wer
fully; but they were the immedi ite means f mis
sionarhs being sent to Abbeokuta, for alley did
not lessen their importunities untd their beloVcd
Faihers in tjhrist had ventured amid the wilds of
Africa and established themselves in th t land of
darkness. And thus was the way openel for a
great and glorious display of the Gospel. Who
will say that the hand of Provi lence was not in
all this?
Who w'df dare assort that lie who worketli af
ter the counsel of his own will, has not thus scat
iirtxi the clouds of igneranee and superstition that
beams from the Sun of Righteousness might shine
on Africa ?
Truly we see in it all the hand of God ! And
when we look at this fine fertile and salubrious
country, with its teeming thousands begging the
bread of life, and opening their arms to receive the j
messengers who bring divine tidings, mjrff
tempted to cry, “up, and let us be doing!
and means! men and means!”
Where can we find a more favorable field ? noT
in China. Not in Burmah. Not in Palestine.
Notin the Isles of the sea. Tnis is the land, and
this is the place. Here has Providence suffered
the life of his favor to fall in a peculiar manner.—
Here has he evidenced his desire that those who
sit in “great light bhall go and preach the Gospel.”
Here have the most encouraging successes been
attained; and the most flattering prospects been
opened up.
Shall we not consider ? Shall we not labor?
Shall we not give ourselves and our means ?
Unto you, oh, peop'e, is the call made—unto you
is the word sent. Arise and be doing; for the
time cometh when no man can work.
Look at the arms extended imploringly to yoq,
saying, “come oyer and help £>ee the hun
dreds of thousands groping amid the fogs and fens
ofsin and superstition. Mark the upward turn
ings of those beseeching eyes, saying, “give us
more light.”
Who will carry this light? Oh, the glory of
serving in a Redeemer’s cause! Os planting his
standard upon the darkened heights of heathen
lands! and amids idolatry and superstition raising
the cry, “Hear, O heavens, give ear, O Earth !
Here is light; and here is knowledge!” Let us
do this. And then, may Africa, and not till then,
arouse her from her lethargy, shake off the incu
bus of ignorance and idolatry and stand forth re
deemed before the Lord. And then shall fitishes
and idols and sacrifices be abolished; and all the
cruel and heart-rending form -of satanic bondage
“gather themselves together and lie down in their
dens,” enchained till the last da); and righteous
nesses a sun, shall rise and pour over the land
a flood of radiance, which dazzles even in imagi
nation. Amen.— Ke-oh-sheb — So be it.
For the Irnlex.
An Appeal for the Indians.
BY H. F. BUCKSEK.
“COME OVER AND IIEL° US.”
An argument equaly favoring Indian and Do
ttiest c Missions, may he founded upon tire econo
my of means. In all our benevolent enterprises as
much regard should be had to ec nomy, as in the
ordinary concerns of life. We are not at liberty
to do as we please with what we have, for we are
God’s stewarts —and “it is required in Stewarts,
that a man be foutrd faithful.” Tt will not do for
us to answer to our Master and say : 4 10 there
thou hast that is thine,” fur then will lie reply to
us, “wicked and slothful servants, you ought to
have put my money to exchangers and then at
my coming I should have receivecKniue ownmith
usury.” Our Savior hath truly said, ‘-the children
ofthis world are wiser in their manner of life. tirTuT
the children of light.” The children of this world,
in the investment of their eipital stock, have an
eye to the dividend. Ili-nce, before making an
investment, they consider well the following ques
tions:—What enterprise is the most promising?
the most convenient, the safest? While men of
small means ask another—-Which requires the
least outlay? The application of the argument,
and the answer to all these questions will be found
to favor equally the cause of Indian and Domestic
Missions. More good, I suppose, It is never been
accomplished in a given time, and according to
the means employ* and, than in the Indian country.
h usands of them are now the devoted followers
of Christ, who a few years ago were in heathenish
darkness. The Gospel of Christ has done more to
ameliorate their condition within the last few
year-', than all the other means that have been
used for that purpose since the discovery of Ameii
ci. The money expended in building aid sup
porting a single fort on our frontiers if judicieusly
applied to the support of the Gospel among the
Indians, would do more towards protecting us
against their depredations, than all lire forts arid
aim : es stationed along the line. In truth, nothing
will ever make them our friends but the Gospel
ot Christ. The cause of Indian Missions is nob’e
and Godlike—and one in wriiieb every follower of
Christ may engage with an assurance of success.
The field was never more promising than at this
time. Tire past history of onr efforts, the present
condition of the tribes, and the inciting prospect
before us, all unite in giving force to their appeal.
“Come over and help us.”
May 31st, 185 G.
(To be continued.)
For the Index.
Bro. Elilor: —I know, sir, that I am a very
poor writer, hut occasionally an idea gets into my
head which I want to speak so badly that it is
very difficult for me to restrain mv own inclina
tions, and a9 you can witness, I do not always
succeed. The matter I wish to speak about now,
sir, is one that interests me, whether it does any
on j , else or not I cannot ray.
Something like eigriiteen months ago, I saw
the notice of the death of Bro. Denuard, Mission
ary to Central Africa, published in several of our
papers and journals. That not e•, together with
the reflections excited by it, resulted in the estab
lishment of an abiding desire on my part to be
come a Missionary, either to Central Africa, or lo
some other place,, where I might dispense the
Wind of Life to persons who need ii worse, and
would appreciate it more than the people of this
•country do. I expressed my desire to some breth
ren, about the time of our Convention in Newnan,
but my own age, (32) and the size of my family,
(a wife and five children) were considered formi
dable objections and hindrances, and so I have
con inu <1 in Georgia until m w.
My obj< ct in writing is simply to say to the
Bapt sts of the South that it there should be a
Missionary in demand, and they can’t do belter, I
THE C H BJ ®T 14 N INDEX.
still willing to ixchange a
pleasant home for the pleasure the
“glorious gospel of the blessed Gou’^^^^per- 51
ishing. J. I|yJP R .
Eatonton, June 20th, 1850.
For the Index.
Bible Booms, Nashville, Tenn. r
mKrief History of the Bible contributions sent
jjr up to the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The fiir-t funds which T find to have
up for Bible purposes was one dollar , in 18*1,1°
print the Burman Bible. Nine dollars sftd a
quarter were sent up in 1832; one dolior in (.833,
and one in 1831.
Up to this time, I suppose that our brethren in
Georgia were (like our brethren every when eist)
co perating witli the American Bible Society.
In 1835, our Missionaries in India called upon
that Society (io which the Baptists had cojtribu
ted many tens of thousands of dollars) to ni( them
in printing and circulating the Bengtlli Net Tes
tament. The aid was refused, except upon condi
tion, that the version should be mutilated a|d de
formed, to suit the views of Pedobaptists; a#such
action was taken by that Society as was deigned >
to compel the Baptists either io abandon their
principles, or to be deprived of all advantages,
from even the funds which they had themselves
contributed to that mammouth institution.
In 18-15, while this matter was yet pending,
lire Georgia Baptists sent up about §350 to their
Convention for the B.ble cause; and at the next
meeting, when -the determination of the American
Bible Society had been made and published, the
Convention passed the following resolutions:
Resolved , Tnat we fully approve the conduct of
those translators, who give the original text its
true meaning, and that the thanks of tire Chris
tian community are due to the Rev. Aduoiram
-Judson for his untiring zeal and Christian, firm
ness in translating the Bible into the Burmese
1 mguage. s
Resolved , That the American Bible Society, by
withholding all appropriations for the publication
of those translations, in which the word bapti.-o
and its cognates are translated, instead of trans
ferred, have unwarrantably excluded the Baptirt
denomination from an equal participation in the
funds to which it has liberally contribu ed.
3d. Resolved , That the terms upon which ap
propriations are offered for the publication of such
translations are humiliatii g and cannot bit com
plied with, without trampling the consciences of
Translators, and a virtual abandonment of Truth.*
4th. Resolved , That ive feel called upon, as a
body, by tire interesting circumstance which in
tire Providence of God, gave birth to the Burma r
Mission, as well as by the present emergency to
supply, as far as practicable, tire means of pub
lishing and circulating the Burman Bible, and of
all similar trarfslaii ms.
b'h. Resolved , That until a general plan of
operations shall be denomination,
we I- -,'-i n
hoaiyfor tire to the
’'*RyfTci •can Bible Society, and that their fitmjti be
remitted, through the Baptist Board, for Foreign
Missions.
And to show that these were not mere words—
not mere paper resolutions, to be put in the Min
utes, but actual resolves of earnest minds, tlrey at
once proceeded to carry into exei ution; and the
Treasurer’s report shows that Georgia Bapti ts
gave that year the sum of $6,182 11); a larger
sum than all the Baptists of all the Sou,hern
States have ever given in any one year, until the
last, ending May, 1856, for the Bible Board of
j the Lotuhern Baptist Convention.
: In 1837, Father Mercer seems to have become
| an Agent fur ihi-cause, and $3,401.99 came up
| to the Convention, making near ten thousand dot
| larsin two years fir the Bible cause by Georgia
i Baptists. In 1838, there was $1,226.19 more
’ sent up for this purpose But in the meantime.
| the American and Foreign Bible Society had been
I former], and this year an additional sum of 8160
was sent up for that Society, all iff which, more
over, was paid by two individuals—Brother Milk
A. Cooper g'ving §l5O and Brother Jesse Mercer
$lO.
In 1839. the brethren sent up $1,289.39 for
the Burman Bible, and $134 37 for the American
and Foreign Bible Society—in ah, $1,423.76. In
1840, tire sum of $536 came up for the Buiman
Bilffe and six hundred and thirty for the American
and Foreign Bible Society. In 1841, there was
sent up for the American and Foreign Bible So
ciety. $758 34. In 1842, for Burman Bible, SB3.
j asd for Agter'can and Foreign Bible Society
$458 75; total $546 75. In. 1843, tire whole
amount of Bible funds sent up was only .$l3B 75
In 1844, the American and Foreign Bible Society
was again remembered, and $577 sent up to its
treasury.
But now came on the agitation concerning the
slavery question, which drove us out of the Trien
nial Convention, and compelled us to cease to ca
l’ operate with Northern men or Northern Soci lie°.
The brethren of Georgia had lost all confidence
I in the American and Foreign B.ble Society. It
j was located at tire North. It was controlled by
I Northern men, and though its objects were good.
and its plans for the world-wide distribution ot
! the Scriptures just euelr as every Baj tis-t heart ap
! proved, brethren would no longer sust in it. The
j Bible contribution ceased at once. In 1845, only
■two dollars came up to the Convention for the
B. causes. S imethmg more was done in 1846
and’47—about Si 10 one year, and about $l7O
the other—hut after this, the Bib e c ntrib rtions
sent up to tire Convention rmver reached one Inm
dr.ed dollars again until 1853, a r ter the recogni
tion of the Bible Board, at Nashville.
The Board was organized in 1851, and its
claims first presented in Georgia to the Conven
tion. at Columbus, ii 1852.
Tire next year, 1853, over $250 came up to the
Convention, besides a large mm, (over a thousand
dollars as we have been tol I) V h ell was collettid
by the Bible CoimniiWe of the Convention, at
LaGraui>o, of wluse action we find no report.
About the same sum (S24U) came up in 1854, j
and the B.ble Committee report near three, ttyu
sand dollars; besides wh ch, there there was afer
SIOO sent by individuals directly to the Board, at*
Nashville. Since that time, owing to some peeff- j
liar contingencies, the work has gone down again.
At the meeting at Savannah, in April of this
a larger amount, than usual was sent up to
but we do not know precisely
it was.
Convention passed a resolution directing
their Bible Committee to turn the whole work ,
ov r *o the Board at Nashville, with the under
standing that if it shall be thought derirabie, at
the next meeting of the Convention a State Bible
Socmtv shall be organized in accordance with ti e
gqjieral p'au of operations adopted by this Board.
Bro, Harley, of Sparta, is still the agent for the
cause in Eastern Georgia. Bro. V. A. Ga>kiii has
been recently appointed the agent of the Board
for Western Georgia, until someone can be b
tallied who will give all bis time and all his ener
gies to the work—which we ace sorry to say bro
ther G. is not able at this time to do.
Yours in the Gospel,
A. C. DAYTON. Cor, See.
For the Index.
The Christian Index—its Importance.
The Baptists of Georgia have never learned to
value the power of the press as its importance de
serves. They have riot duly considered its poten
cy for the promotion of good. Hence, they do
not give that encouragement to denominational
publications which their importance warrants. —
These remarks are made with especial reference to
the Christian Index. This paper is the property
of the Convention, and the direct organ of the
Baptists in every part of the State. It is the only
medium of communication between them, and
the only paper devoted to their interests. For
years its weekly vi-its lias been greeted by bun
dreds and thousands of readers; and they have
been edified by perusing its columns.
The Christian Index lias been identified with
all great denominational improvements; and it has
been the devoted patron of almost every good en
terprise. It lias proven itself to l>e a powerful
agniit fur effecting good, and its wide influence
has been felt far and wide. Yet while it has thus
exerted its power s > extensively, it has had a verv
limited cireu'ariori. Prubihly ah mt one Baptist
out of every thirty in the State, lias been a sub
seriber. If therefore it has, with so small a circu-
I ition accomplished so much good, what might it
not have acc mrplished had its circulation been
t*nfld w hat it Iras?
These remarks are made (o show that the Bap
tists of Georgia owe much of the present pros
perity to the extensive influence of tire Christian
Index; and that if they would still go on to great
er success, they should foster this excellent paper
as tneir strength, regarding it as
a ill promo!inor their
T ncr ‘ : >
and he knows something
of the power it wields in moulding the public
mind, and in giving tone to religious sentiments
and indices. And he is bold to say that no en
terprise among us is of more importance than
thi>; and there are none which more fully com
mend themselves to our patronage. All other en
terprises are measurably dependent upon it. The
Christian Index is to go forth in the country, visit
ihe firesides, and tning^f 4 in the family circles—to
i rstruct ami encourage the ma-ses and prepare
them to give their Mipport to other benevolent en
terprise. It is to go Ibrth as tire teacher of right
eousness—to correcterrors, expose heiesies, vindi
cate correct principles; and to bind Ute Baptists
together in one brotherhood, all embracin'? one
principle, possessing one feeling, and abounding
in one practice.
Every subscriber who pays fl>r it and reads it
with care gets much more than the worth of his
money, while its influence extends to many others,
[r i evidently the interest of all to promote its
• in illation by all reasonable means.
In another number I propose to offer some sug
gestions for its enlargement and improvement.
J. M. \V.
- - —* • -O- ® *■
• For t lit- 1 rlv x•
To the Churches of the Eethei Association.
Dear Brethren : —At cur last Anniversary at
Cuthbert, (lie following preamble and resolution
were passed:
Whereas the subject of withdrawing the mern
b rsliip of this Association from the Gi. Baptist
Convention, and uniting it with the Florida Bap
tist Convention, has been agitated within our
bounds, and whereas many of our brethren think
it would be for the advancement of our beloved Zi
on for this change to be <ff cted, therefore—
Resolved, That the churches be requested to
send up to ibis body in tluir next letters, their
minds upon this subject, and ifanvof them should
be disposed to withdraw from this body rather than
submit to such change, that fact be mentioned
also.
rhis resolution will require your action at an
early meeting. As I was the mover of this re •
quest, and as it did then and doubtless will now
meet with some op|>osition, I desire to state some
of the reasons by which I was actuated.
1. Our own (the Ga. Bap. Convention) is a very
strong body, containing so much strength, and so
many members, that our influence is not much
felt, nor would it be missed much.
2. Ihe demand for missionary effort is two, if
not four fold greater in the bounds of the Florida
than in the Georgia. And much of this_ destitu
tion is in the Southern bolder of our own State.
2. Tne Florida Convention, with iis present !
strengrii cannot supply its own destitution, nor can
it, for a number iff years, if ever, have the ability
t>do so without us. By going we cun do much
to ‘ar Is g ving the Gospel to those now* destitute
of iis 1 lessii gs.
4. r l lie destine ion spoken of in our own State,
is >o remote from our Executive Committee, and
bcit g within the bounds oftbe Florida. Convention,
Our Committee are not likely to afford jnuch if
any
tists do and possess” this destitute, but
invUing and important field, some who hold less
oqßoith may. /j'he Georgia Convention never
wWf in all probability, afford the needed help.
Witli7niv.us.lbe Florida cannot; with us it can, and
doubtless ’ will.
6. It is the duty of Christians to labor where
they can do most for the glory of God, and the
good of souls; the question tiien for us prayerfully
to consider is, can and will we do more by form
in'? the proposed union, than we are doing in our
present connection 3
It is a pleasure to me to meet annually my be
loved brethren of the Georgia Baptist Convention;
their w’se counsels, their Christian greetings, and
their good sermons, always do me good, and abun
dantly repay for g’ ing. I enjoy myself.—
These tilings bid me stay. But when I read “for
as much tlmn as Christ hath suffered for us in
the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same
mind." —l l’et. 4: 1. And, that though He was
rich,yet for your (our) sakeshe become poor, that
we through his poverty might be rich.—2 Cor.
8:9. I feel, flesh and preference have no voice
in this matter. T must ask, “Loid what will
Thou have me do.” If we go brethren, let us
carry our united strength—all is needed !, And if
this enterprise is to rend our Body, so that we
cannot carry weight enough to be felt , let us not
S°-
In deciding this matter it is to be hoped that
minoriiers will always submit as Christians should
to the majority—for otherwise an unpleasant state
of feeling may exist in some of the churches.—
May the, Lord direct us. Yours in the Love of
Christ, j* E. W. WARREN.
For the Index.
The Scriptural Idea of Protracted Meetings-
To the Brethren of the Western
Asociation, and all whom it may concern:
Will you permit me to suggest, that at our
j next meeting some hour be set apart by the busi
i ness committee, for a free conference as to the re
| laiions of Pastoral work and Evangelism, the.
Scriptural idea of Protracted Meetings, and con
nected suljects, with the view of attaining to
higher wisdom, if possible, on the>e suljt-cts?
j Pastors and teachers, evangelists and exhorters,
are there recognized. The Apostles and Evangel
ists of primitive times frequently preached many
days in succession, not only where churches were
not. But also where they were established; as at
Antioch, Philippi, Corinth and elsewhere. The
Scriptures give us full instructions as to protracted
meetings, as well as ordinary pastoral labors.
Willi abiding solicitude for the salvation of
souls, I am, dear brethren, your unworthy co
laborer. E. B. TEAGUE.
LaGrange, May 20, 1856.
For the Index.
The Love of- Money- •
The love of money is a prevailing evil in the
present day, as every one will readily admit. All
classes of society want money. The cry contin
u illy is, money—more money. The poor man in
his hovel cries money; and the millionaire in his
palace, echoes money—money —money. But to
come to the particulars. There is old Mr. A. who
loves money better than he loves God, or anything
to be found in the world. Mr. B. and Mr. C.
love it 100 well tox Ah ! and there is church
member I), an 1 Deacon E., and Minister F„ that
love it too well too. And there is—
Stop, stop, reader, do you not love it too well
j yourse f? Now think a little, and answer my
| question. Will you? QUERIST. ’
For iho Jndt-x.
New York ‘‘Examiner’’ and Black Repulic
anistn.
This paper has been deservedly popular even at
the South. It has uniformly been edited with
i much ability, and until lately conservative in its
I character. While undvr the control of President
j Auder-on, it was a paper of which baptists every
| where were justly proud, and to which they would
| naturally have refr-rred an enquirer who wished,
j in all respects, the best periodical representative
■ of die denomination. It is si ill conducted with
; ability but its conservatism is all gone—it is thor
i oughly committed to the advocacy of Black Re-
I publicanistn. For several weeks it has devoted
i from two to three columns to bitter, unreasonable,
! and unjust abuse of the Southern States. It has
i a Washington correspondent who writes political,
! Black Republican articles for its columns. Dr.
j Wayland’s last abolition speech, delivered at an
! indignation meeting in Providence, is published
i entire in the last week’s issue. Our baptist preach*
| er thus goes to a great political indignation meet
! ing and makes a speech; another baptist minister
! publishes the speech in a baptist paper, “the Ex
j aminer,” for politic and effect! The Savior said, “go
i preach the G s; el to every creature;” and again,
i “my kin,do n i- not oftbis wor’d.”
No man under-tands the c >nsti ution of Bap
; tist chu ches, and the duties and qualifications of
I baptist ministers belter than Dr. His
! articles in the Examiner signed, “Roger Williams”
| are worth more than the subscription to the pa-
I per. It is painful to see such a man condescend to
, mingle in the fanaticism which is sweeping over
i New England; and attempt to add fuel to tiie
■ fires which threaten to burn up the constitution
| and liberties of his country. L.
For tlc linl*x.
“Theodosia Earaest.”
This new book h now before the public. It is
written in the novelist style of the day, and ad
vocates the peculiarities of the Baptists. Its au
thor is Bev. A.C. Dayton, of Nashville. It suc
cessfullv meets the p ipular objections and preju
dices against tlte denomination. Its spirit is good,
its characters are very \v> 11 sustained, and it must
pro.luce a sens<ition wherever it is read. There
is a vast amount of philological and historical in
formation for the popu’ar mind, presented in a
most ea c y ami engaging manner. Ministers and
private members will fiud ‘’Theodosia” a charm*
ing an l efficient c in a difficult, but nec
essary department of their labors. Let everybody
buy and circulate “Theodosia Earnest.” L.
THE INDEX.
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 3.
ssß?™All arrearages are charged at $2 60 per annum,
or 5 cents per number. For all payments in advancr
the paper is furnished at $2 00 per annum, or 4 cent
per number
g&~ Any person sending money to the Index*
will please notice the receipts, and inform us of
any errors that may occur in them.
;£srowing to sickness, Bro. J. E. Sharped ap
pointments have been re-called; *
JdrFrom an a Iveit 8 ment in to day’s “paper
it w II be seen that R* v. N. M. Crawford is to
preach the C.mmenc ment Sermon at Forsyth.
“Woodland.”
The notice of fchi, Ins.itu.ion appeared as soon
as received.
To Correspondents-
The last payment of T. Douglass was, accord
ing to our books, to June 1854. The amount
seat up pays h’.ra to Ju'y ’56. fiee terms on fin-t
pag*-
Delayed-
Two communications which appear this we<k
have been unintentionally delayed for some time
We leave out the usual Editorial to give place to
them. Our correspondents will pardon the seem
ing neglect, when they are assured that their com
munications are always welcome to the Index.
Send on ag in and you shall have a more spe ‘di
ll earing, provided your articles do hot manage
as they did this time, to lie in the box beyond
their day; when iff and -covered, they will as in the
priSYnt instance, be hastily put beneath our ink
fountain to go forth on their mission for good.
New Sub3cr.bars—Encouraging.
Last week we leceivt-d about thirty new sub
scribers; ab< ut twenty of these were from one
office, Macon. Another writes that he will for
ward ten, A good old brother hearing that a
M ni-ter in Texas wi-lied the Index, but was una
ble to pay for it, hassmt payment for it for one
year. Such favois are riiai kful y received. We
send Mis. Motlia Collyer’s paper to Indian
Springs; if this is not right let us know.
Bib e Eevision.
Pam's Epis l; to the Thessalonians. Just re
ceived. The piiei if the woik is, paper cover,
40 cts; bound in c’oth, 60 cents. For these prices
the work will be sent, free of postage, to any part
of the United States. We learn that the other
portions iff the New Testament are rapidly ap
proaching their completion. Address, Win. 11.
Wyckoff, New York.
J®“The allowing communication is, of itself,
of such importance, that we cheerfully admit it
to our paper in the room of an Editorial prepared
on a diff rent subject. Ath nigh the particular
day is past upon vh c'i thedifferentchurches were
requested to offer their supp'ications in behalf of
our common country, the cris's is of Hich a na
ture that to pray without c; s i g is ihe appropri
ate duty of all Christian-. In praying for Kings
and all who are in authority, we not only obey a
Divine preiept, but adopt ihe surest c.cwsa for in
suring oar ov n, and oi r cou try’s peace.
Appjal of t’ e Dr y o’ Riclond.
At a inhering u the A i..isieis>i the Gospel, in
the city of Richmomi, ton\etnd on Thursday, the
19th tilt., afier public notice, the luv.T. V. Moore
was called to the Chair, and the Rev. George
Woodbridge appointed Secretary.
The Rev. Dr. Smith, of Randolph Macon, be
ing present, was invited lo assist in their delibera
tions.
The meeting was ( patted with prayer by the
Rev. Mr. Woodbridge
The followin'? address was then presented, and
after mature dtlibera ion. mianum mly adopted.
T. V. MOORE, Chairman,
Geo. Woodbkidgk, Sec’y.
Brethren and Pillow-Citizens :—The under
signed, Ministers of the Gospel of different Clni.--
tian denominations in the city of Richmond, do
not think that we shall transcend our proper
sphere in addressing to you, reepectfu ly and earn
estly, a few conservative remarks on the present
alarming crisis in our national affairs.
Our clerical profession, though it has restrained
us from taking an active part in political inatteis,
has nut quenched the arih rol our patriotism. W e
cherish, as pur invaluable l-iitli right, tlie liberty,
civil and relig ous, secured lor us by the toil, vah r
and blood of our Others. We re fervently at
tached to our national institutions, planned by tho
wisdom, and consolidated by the conservative
spirit, <f revolutionary patriots. We love our
country—our whole country —our country with
all its fmlts. We look upon the citizens of every
State of the Union as our brethren. Os all
people on the f.ce of the earth, they have the
greatest cause to he thankful mid contented. —
‘File sun does not shine upon a nation so free, so
fivored, so prosperous, as ours. We deem it our
solemn duty, as patriots and ChriMian*. to contri
bute in every lawful method to the perpetuation
of blessings so numerous, so various, and so rich.
We hav e seen, with painful solicitu D, ihe agita
tions which have marred the peace and threaten
ed the stability of our Union. Sectional jealousies
a’>d bitterness have, to a great degree, usurped
the place of patriotism and brotherly love. Citi
zens of the same country, descendants of the same
race, inheritors if the same priieVss privileges,
guardians of the same beneficent institutions,, are
set in deadly hostility against each other. The
sp’rit of violence, showing itself in misrepresenta
tion and abuse, in the licentiousness of the
tongue, and of the press, in personal assaults, in
insubordsnation, and in armed recistattce to law
ful authority, is rife ami spreading in the country.
The flames of civil war are kindling on our bor
ders. As American citizens we are bumbled, and
as Christians we are deeply mortified and grieved
at this state if things.
We have seen that, in various parts of the coun
ty. meetings sue called, conventions are held,
speeches are delivered, resolutions are adopt'd, and
all, or nearly nil, are designed to agitate, inflame,
July