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(Original.
Fur the liul-
A Letter from Central Africa,
TO THE ALU MSI OF MEIiCER USIVERSITY.
B V REV. w SI. if. 01*A. nK .
[ CONCLI'DKD. J
It is the province of this prophet, who has his
habitation on Mt. Ado, a lofty Yoruba mountain,
and his subordinates, to announce the coming of
Shongo, which any of us may predict, whenever
therels a heavy thunder-storm. To these their
impious sacrifices are offered, presenting a fit oc
casion. as may be seen for something like demo*
niacal possession. At such times, tho,-e, other
wise gentle and easy, may be rendered almost fu
rious, particular! v, if there is any so-called insults
offered to their deity: dancing, frolicking, singing
and shouting are the usual attendants -of such sei
vice. Os nil worship ami ceremonies, that of
Short go is least tolerated in tile feelings of a Chris
tian. flis followers are the most impudent, case
hardened. and officious of all others. The wor
shippers of Orisha have many shady and green
trees, where Viand their temples, and to which
t’rmv -oon-tmies, hut not frequently resort; while
the ardent of this deil v have their little houses of
worship near their residences, where they perform
their private devotions. Besides these, there are,
snakes, tretis, Ac., to which also some pay their de
votions. I cannot say that there is any general
belief, that these idols confer more than temporal
blessings—some say they cannot save them; while
they have such slight hold on the true affections
of the people, that it is a common thing to hear
the informed and ciders say, that little by’ little,
they will take the word of trod. Frequently you
may hear the name of God called, iu returning
thanks for a favor. But the use ot very many
terms of a religious character is perhaps the boat
evidence we have of the extent of their knowledge
respecting the Supreme Being. Viewed in a re
ligious point, they area wonderful people; and so
predispoed to moral impressions, that we cannot
fail to be of the opinion, that they will one day
largely share in the Divine blessing. It is suppos
ed by some, that there are those in Yoruba, who
have even worshipped idols, but I respectfully sub
mit, lamof ;t contrary opinion. Such are the pe
culiar influences, thrown mound tlmin from child
hood, and interwoven through their whole course
of life, that it would he almost impossible for such
an instance to occur; but, devoid ot light on the
subject, l will not be tenacious. \ou would nat
urally ask what is the extent of their devotion to
their worship ? To this [ would let rav observa
tion answer, that the trammels ot social an 1 fam
ilv intercourse, the prospect of gain, the conse
quences of a change of opinion and the fear of Seri
sion, are far greater obstacles to the progress of
divine truth, than any attachment to or zeal for
their peculiarities of worship.
Tiius L have imperfectly given you these sketch
es. in great ha<te, and >n broken times snatched
from regular labors. Mu h more of course could
be said, but Id-sisi; and thanking you for your in
dulgence, only beg to offer some remarks on what
has gone before. And ldo this with the greater
pleasure since, from a personal acquaintance with
many of you, and knowing your peculiar interest
in this fit-id ot labor. I believe you would be pleas
ed to hear these reflections from one who has a per
sonal acquaintance, however limited, wiih nearly
.all the. Yoruba Kingdom. As t<> population and
territorial extent, Yoruba is a mii-hII nation; but,
when we consider its position ami tlie happy in
fluence it might exert on o very large country, it
is worthy of tar greater efforts f r its amelioration,
than have scarcely been conceived in thought. In
her resources, natural and productive, it is capable
of becoming a prosperous and wealthy nation.
Contiguous to the <eu, with a thriving ml labori
ous population all it needs for the development of
its resources, is a proper acquaintance with the
people, ami a rich l direction giv> nto enterprise,
by treaty, just ami adapted to their comprehension.
Those regulations of commerce-through mean and
unfair stipulations, apparently designed for the ben
efit of the native, bat- in r.: dilv so shaped as to
profit t!i r. o ‘! aiwavs fail in their ob
ject. When iho lasi .- l ive ship shall be seen for
the last rime on the coast, of Africa, thereby guar
HtUecing peace u> the interior tribes, from that
day will begin such a renovation ui this youtiliv,
as ‘.hey have a right 1” expect from those, who pro
h?s~ to be lite true friends ni m ot ami the champi
on of liberty. But so long ascertain cities of the
United States, and such countries as Portugal,
continue to throw their tire brands, into these in
terior nations, where cm wo expect development,
or faith in the reckless obligations of pretended
friends'? But, believing in the gradual improve
ment of our race, we are assured, from that light,
which is beginning to throw its rays beyond t! e
horizon, that “progress'’ will be reported in the
next great calendar of the world’s revolution.
Those sails, th t continually whiten our coast, and
salute the cities of Ethiopia, will not fail to bear
back to other lands, the astounding, but true re
port, there Is something good in NaZtrelh. The
iron ore u:,surpa-sed. the unequaled brass, in the
rocks and mountains the millions of gallons of
palm oil, besides a number of other articles, too
tedious to mention, must; in this rapid age, so pre
sent their claims in the world’s grand fairs, as to
draw forth those enquiries and efforts, that will
fail not in signalizing the date of Africa’s com
mercial and national birth. But what is Yoruba,
when compared to die number of countries, that
surround it with their teeming millions ? What
is her little handful, as it lies beside those rnightv
kingdoms, that line the Niger—ready to step forth
joto commercial being, and prtuv c ut their immense
exports into the world’s emporiums-. If immense
quantities of imports are brought by way of the
desert to these regions, why cannot the Niger bear
them upon iis own broad bosom Were Ia com
mercial man, and wished a fat urn-, it would be
the easiest thing attainable. Who will speak in
behalf of Africa ? The last Niger steam Expedi
tion wm vary Jpccesstul. j&bo will speak or
write for an American Expedition ? Africa must
be renovated, the day’ is at hand. But this is not
my appropriate work. Thus far, by tbe com
munication of these facts, I have gone. Gentle
meo, the good and great work, belongs in part to
you, as well as to the sons of England. Again ;
whatever Africa’s maximum intellectual height
may reach, it is not for you to judge from Iboand
Guinea specimens seen in America, lieholding
the manly firm, the European countenance, the
tine head, the sprightly expression, the flashes of
wit, the ready comprehension of the Central Afri
can, we see all the ground work for rearing such a
temple of intellectual worth, as will draw forth no
little meed of praise, from those of their brethren,
who, in tiiis respect, have received superior arid
more lavish gifts from the Divine hand. I can
didly confess, though devoted to the good of Af
rica, they are inferior in natural mental capacity,
to the white race; but I shall not admit that they
occupy a position so vastly lower. They have
their day yet to run, and what it will be, hidden
as it is, in the womb of* futurity, belongs to succee
ding genera'ions to behold; but we may rest assu
red that it will be in some way adequate to the
designs of our Creator, and that our feeble efforts
tn development of this work will not be speut in
vain. I mention Yoruba as a mission field, and
speak of its glorious prospects, with the greater
pleasure, because I know the hearts of many of
you swell with the noblest emotions as you hear of
the blessed victories of the Cross of the Son of
God. The extent of the field, and its geographi
cal relations of themselves, render it interesting.
The population, concentrated in towns and cities,
easily accessible and at short distances from each
other,, tbe character of the people, kind, hospita
ble, forgiying, open-hearted, and humble; patri
archal in their government, associations, and man
ner of living; strong moral inc.malions, striking
ly reverential, easily convinced of error and im
pressed with truth; the peculiarities of their relig
ion—their knowledge of God, a Mediator and the
unseen world; their fear of future punishment—
their love of peace, and the domestic arts; the
simplicity of their traditions; their wonderful re
spect for the whits; their readiness to bear, unsur
passed interest in the word of God; the tenure by
which their religion holds them; their own tradi
tions respecting the conquests of Divine truth ;
their unprecedented call for ministers—all, all
unite, in proclaiming ’Yoruba ready for tbe glori
ous gospel, and in sending back to you the Mace
donia cry, “Come over and help us.” Has there
ever been such an array of facts and circumstan
ces in favor of any people? And see what Africa
has been ; a long night of degrad ition has passed
over her; and I hope it has passed, though we may
now hear the howling tempest, and see the black
ened clouds a3 they roll towards the distant hori
zon. Wonderful events have transpired within
the last two years, even such as were not supposed
probable, at the beginning of that period. The
spirit of war is dying away. Messengers are sent
now from one town to another, and from one
country to another, saying we must have peace.
And in the Kingdom of Yoruba, they now say,
every one walks the road in peace, with his staff in
his hand, literally true. There is a shakiug of the
foundation of the people, as if the volcano, that
burns under the substratum of European systems
had already been conveyed to tbe basis ot African
barbarism and cruelty. What a mighty, what a
mysterious impulse has been given to the world’s
progress —progress in , America, progress in Eu
rope, progress in Asia, and believe it, no less pro
gress, in the dark continent of Africa—progress
for its renovation—for its spiritual regeneration.
Whether of the claims of Africa, or the cheering
prospects of this mission, I speak, they are equal
ly encouraging. So far our prospects, with such
a field, and the sure promises of our gracious God,
what may we not venture to expect, when a few
years shall have rolled away, and your children
weeping for joy, shall rise up, and reap the fruit of
your labors. The edict has gone fortli “unto me,”
saiili God, “every knee shall bow, and every
tongue confess,” and ‘•Ethiopia shall stretch out
h*-r hands uflto God.” With such sureties as these
why should I speak to you of philanthropy and
humanity, when you love die name of Jesus, the
watchword of the world’s regeneration. No! gen
tlemen, you ueed the facts, you have the hearts.
Wrapt in mystery, as this land has been, no won
der you have taken no steps. But iet it be so no
long -r. I write tor you, for the good of Africa,
the advancement of that great and glorious cause
we profess to love. If you please, cornmei.ee where
I have left off, and, as offspring from the same
Alma Mater, let us become champions of this
worthy enterprise. Let your tongues become elo
quent, and your pews ever ready. Ministers,
teachers, phyeicians, lawyers, men of pleasure, all,
all, can engage in encircling the earth with the
glad tidings of salvation. I desire that you be
come personally interested in this work. The
minister by the consecration of himself or his tai
ents; the teacher by tbe instruction of and proper
impressions on his pupils; the lawyer amid his
brethren, in his extensive iuterconse in the legisla
ture, and h tils of C regress; the physician amid
all those classes, where his gentle influence leaves
its impress; and last, that class of men, who may
spend their moments profitably in conversing this
important subject, and giving their thoughts the
wings of the wind. Pardon me, if I shall have be
come your adviser, and aceept this humble tribute
of respect, with the grateful acknowledgements and
best wishes of yours ever truly,
WILLIAM H. CLARK.
For the Index.
lira. Martin : —You wiil please correct through
the Index, a mistake which occurs in the Minutes
of the Western Association. I allude to the re
port on Publications. AFhe report as adopted re
commends all bro.'Howels works, whereas the
minutes sav Knowle’s works. Tknow not wheth
er this mistake is owing to the negligence of the
Clerk or the Printer. It would be well for the
Pastors to correct this mistake in some public way
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
ah perhaps very few who will see it in the min
utes will see the correction in life Index.
TEIOS. H. MURPHY.
Greenville, Dec. 3d.
For the index.
Letter from Bro. Clark.
Ijaye, Central Africa, Sept, 10th, 1856
Bro. Martin: —lt. is a question which has been
tauntingly asked, can anything good come out of
Nazareth ? not only by the proud and seif-conceit
ed Jew, but again and again by their Gentile
brethren. The origin of this question, however,
furnishes an answer so favorable to the poor and
humble, that we are disposed to give the poor (
African whatever benefit to which they may be ■
entitled. We learn from a multitude of instances
and occasions, that God is no respecter of per
sons. For many ages the most refined, learned,
and philosophical people were groping in a night
of the grossest superstition. And ‘professing them
selves to be wise, they liecune fools, and changed
the glory of the incorruptible, God, into an image
make like to corruptible man.” One of the most
essential truths, yea. central truth, of the only true
religion,—a Mediator between God and man was
entirely obscured from tire range of mortal vision,
or at most, but very vaguely imagined Such is
the case, even at this day, with nearly two-thirds
of tbe human race, whose pride is commensurate
with the folly of their idolatry. Amid tiiis dark
waste of superstition, it is a mailer of some pleas
ant reflection, to find a people, the least esteemed
on earth, presenting in their religious creed, the
necessity of a mediator between them and their
offended God. I have been led to these reflections,
partly from an interview held this evening with
some natives, and partly from the interest and im
portance of the subject. I was in the market look
ing around for a place suitable for preaching, when
1 saw a few old men sitting under a tree, taking
their ease. After the usual salutations, I told
them, I was a stranger and would be glad to hear
something of the way in which they worshipped
God. One began by an explanation. He said,
that if a man from a strange town should bring
some yams, or a present of some kind to Are, the
Chief, he would not take it in tbe presence of Are,
but would carry it to some authorized person, as
A re-A go*—or tbe Bologunn,* who would present
it to the Chief. So it was with their worship of
God. They had, he said, many orishas, as shan
go, ifa, orisha-ko, &e., and their priests, through
whom they presented their sacrifices and gifts to
God as they would thus become acceptable and
meritorious. Here was plainly expressed the ne
cessity botli of a priesthood and a mediator. Os
the virtue of these mediatorial duties, (as they be
lieve) may be inferred from the remark of another
man, whom, I saw one morning on a visit, just
concluding some of bis religious ceremonies. He
said if a man should be very sick, and send for
the priest and do as he told him, he would recov
er. That is he must make such a sacrifice, of
chicken, sheep and goats, to Isa or some orisba,
and then he would not die, if not death would be
the result. Here was a consciousness of guilt, the
feeling of necessity of an atonement, and belief in
a mediator necessary to their acceptance with God.
Such are the sentiments, with occasional modifi
cations perhaps, and less distinctness, prevalent a
mong the Yoruba people. It is very common for
them, when asked, to confess that they are sin
ners. Believers as they are in their gods, they do
not look upon them as gifted with the power of
salvation. As an old man remarked, Lord “give
them orisba to help them,” and as mediums tiiro’
which their blessings come. They do not believe
that their idols can manifest any power, except by
some mysterious communion with God; and admit
almost anything one may say, with the mental re
servation, to Jove and praise, orisba still, when you
have left their house. It does nof/seem however,
that tbe Ynmba’s have that inseparable attach
ment for their idols as s|>oken of among some other
nations. There is generally no particular offence
given, in holding up their images, as the works of
men, and incapable of conferring any benefit. They
take your words kindly and admit the truth of
what you -say. It is not then their attachment to
their peculiar worship as such, so much, as its bear
ing on their relationships, and the stupidity and
indifference to spiritual things, consequent on their
long estrangement to the true God. Then they
are hopeful people. They ueed not so much con
viction as to the folly of their worship, as that they
are dead in tresspasses and sins, and under the
consuming writh of God. As heathen, they are
well prepared to understand the priesthood and
mediation of Christ so essential to the peace of
an afflicted soul, and without faith in whieh a
Yoruban, even now, would be deprived ofthat false
hope, that cheers his troubled mind. There is
great encouragement in laboring among a peortle
thus advanced. A part of tbe work is done al
ready. What we need is ardent, earnest, avail
ing prayer. And if we are true to our work, and
faithful in preaching Christ, we shall be rewarded
sooner or later with an abundant harvest. Why
shall we not hope that the Lord wifi redeem the
character of this Nazareth, and make manifest
that Scripture which says the first shall be last,
and the last first. The peculiar religious system
of this people and tbe kindness and freedom with
which they receive us, should be taken as a token
of the Lords will that we should now arise and
possess the land. We are pressed to enter, but
we are compelled to refuse. One of the most im
portant points cannot be occupied from the tardi
ness with which our brethren of the Rehoboth As
sociation send out the successor of Bro. Dennard.
We have been so urged to the occupancy of that
point, by church missionary members, who seem
anxious to join us, that we are forced from oht in
active position to some preparatory steps for build
ing. Should this meet the eyes of King, Tharp,
or Landrum, or any member of said Body, they
will be advised of the condition of affairs, and the
great necessity of haste in appointing and equip
ping asccessor for our lamented Bro. Dennard. I
would suggest, that it is not good policy to ap
point or choose any man now supported by the
Board, as this- course gives no advanCettfienflsn the
Always select a ne# man, With the view
of increasing our number. Had this policy been
’Universallyadopted, we would now have one more
man in the field than we have. There is another
applicant for baptism, but no accession lias been
made, F.ver yours affectialely,
W. H. CLARK,
For ills Index.
Wrong Applications.
ft is very important that the Word of God lie
rightly divided, and lightly applied th-at each one
Tnay get his own portion in due time. Sometimes
great mistakes are made in applying the Word in
‘its threatening promises, Arc.
1 was at the Elbert Campmeeting, for 1850,
ami there, if I mistake not, I heard some wrong
applications made as follows, by Mr. Tally :
The doctrine of election he applied to those on
ly who had already been brought into the posses
sion of personal salvation. These were the el*-ct.
and besides these, if I understood him correctly,
there were none that should be called the elect.—
Now it seemed tome that the world at large was
elected or chosen of God, in preference to fallen
~ angels, as including those for whom Christ died,
l or that should have exercised towords them the
general benevolence of God ; as it is written, “God
so loved the world that He gave his only begutten
Son that whosever believes in Him should not per
i'll.” Now here was a display of the sovereignty
of (rod in this respect. Again the Jewish uation
wis elected of God, in a sense, in preference to
Gentiles. And lastly, Gentiles are chosen or elect
ed to have the gospel made generally effectual to
them or to have their fulness to come in belore the
Jews shall be converted. There is a people a
mongst them whom God foreknew, and whom
God predestinated t<> he conformed to the image
of his Son, and whom God is now calling effectu
ally by bis gospel—justifying by his grace and
bringing to glory by his power through sanctifies
lion of tbe Spirit and belief of the truth. Now, to
hold out the idea that sinners must first be in pos
session of salvation before they cau be called the
elect—seems strange. Are not sinners in a lost
condition, tbe ones whom God has chosen unto
salvation —elected unto salvation ? And is it not
wrong to apply the word elect to the righteous a
lone? How would the Word of God read if we
were to make an alteration in it which this pod
lion demands ? Why, then we should have to
say that the righteous whom God foreknew to be
such, he did predestinate to be conformed to the
image of his Son. And what image wouij a right
eous man have, differing from what he already
has, after this transformation shall ha.’e taken
place? Surely not any. Again ive should have
to say that God, according to his foreknowledge,
has chosen or elected the righteous in Christ unto
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth, and that too before the founda
tion of the world. Sinners, therefore, are the ones
that Are elected unto grace and glory, and pursu
ant to this are called justified and saved.
Furthermore, Mr. Tally applied the Scripture in
John relative to the branches to the different de
nominations, and taught that each denomination
was a branch as there brought to view by our
Savior. This I thought was wrong, for it appear
ed to me that each professor was a branch as al
luded to by Christ. Why apply that to denomi
nations which properly belongs to individuals ?
Mr. Tally should have remembered that all these
denominations, of those who profess to be the peo
ple of God in this day did not exist at the time of
our Savior’s using liie expression. He should have
remembered, also, that if no one denomination in
eludes the church hut is merely a branch of the
church, that then it whs improper for him to com
plain so much at that Baptist minister because he
had refused to call the Methodist society a church.
He ought merely to have complained because lie
did not call it a branch of the church. Mr. T.
should not say Methodist Episcopal church. He
should say Methodist Episcopal branch of the
church. And then, too he might do well to re
member that there is no Presbyterian church, and
Baptist church, and no Lutherian and Catholic
churches, but merely branches of the church bear
ing'all these names, Are.—and that according to
this view there is no church, it being all mutral
ized and turned by Mr. T. into scores of branches.
Alas! Alas! for the church. She has disappear
ed and we have now only the branches thereof.—
But we tbauk God that this is all a delusion, and
that tbe gates of hell, and of Mr. T. have not pre
vailed against the church which Jesus is I uilding
upon a rock, and which is a spiritual building com
posed of those who are called out from the world,
and have put on Christ as a buried and risen Sav
ior in baptism. Look to the New Testameut Mr.
T. for a church. You will find one composed of
about one hundred and twenty men and women
to which the Lord added daily the saved. And
now don’t apply thi3 Scripture relative to the
branches to the many denominations, to try to
make the impression that one is about as scriptur
al and correct as another ; and to try to influence
the people to think that all that is required of
them, in the way of joining the church, is merely
to become a member, not of the church, but of the
Methodist branch of the church, or of some other
branch of the church. Again, Mr. Tally applied
the making of the rule which debars persons, that
is, professors of religion from the communion to
Baptists. How dare you, said he to them, to
make a rule of this sort. But sir, thought I, we
are not guilty of this charge. You make a wrong
application here. I knew that Baptists were just
moving forward in obedience to the laws of their
great and divine lawgiver—denying all lawmak
ing power to the church—and were requiring sin
ners, Ist, to believe, 2d, to be baptized, 3d, to
commune at the Lord’s table, &t. And I knew if
Mf,|* or any one else was debated from the ta-
was owing to some failure on his part to com
ply with this divine rule as found in the precepts
and examples of God’s Word. I suppose Mr. T.,‘
that if you have believed, you have never been
baptized in the fellowship of a Christian church
upon profession ofthat faith. Think of this.— I
Your leaders have made rules for you* that have :
virtually dehared you from the Lord’s table as
served by his churches; and you complain that
this churyh —Baptist Church—lias made the rule
that debars you. Lo*>k at the first observance of
the supper when our Lord served at the table.—
’lhefe were communicants present, but it so hap
pens that they were all believers by profession, and
find all been baptized in w iter. There were oth
ers in the world at that time who professed to be
.the.w.orshippep of the tr ie G > I ; but our Savior
<Ud not require them to be present uor would he
have invited them to eu of the bread .and drink
of the wine, if they had been present; because
thty had nol at hat time submitted to the requests
of His Gospel, which preceed the observance of the
Lord's Supper. Yes, there were the Pharisees,
Sadducees, and others who thought themselves
nearer right in the service of God than those who
were observing in an upp-i room that restricted or
close communion; ye; they were not invited as a
part of the guests at the Lord’s Supper wlie-. it
was here first celebrated. Nor did our K ivfer com
maud h s disciples that were pre<en> on th it occa
sion to invite these denominations in the future,
together with other denominations, that would
arise, and that would not. obey his gospel in l>e
ntg baptized after the pattern given by’ himselt in
the river of Jordan, and to which the apostles con
formed in practice; and that would not be sound
in faith anil doctrine to partake of the bread and
wine. No; our Savior as well as Paul taught,
that, iho.se who would not teach and practice in
accordance with the gospel should not be treated
as orderly persons, but should he considered too
mijch out of order for the churches which teach
and practice scripturally to retain them in fellow
ship. Withdraw from such, was the direction giv
en with reference to anyone who would not obe.i
God’s Word as delivered to the churches by the
apostles. These churches wi re required to do this
faithfully,
Mr. 1. also applied, in doctrine, baptism to in
fants. 1 his was, to my mind, a wrong applica
tion,, Hesaid they—the Methodists—baptized in
fants in obedience to the ex imple and precept of
the apostles—that nothing could be more fully es
tablished by church history than that infant bap
tism has been practiced ever since the days of tin*
apostles. But strange to tell, he never showed
that exauqi'e and that preceptiof the apostles, nor
that historical proof which was necessary to con
firm what hesaid. It is true that after saying
many things, all of which failed to establish his
positions: he talked as if there were many other
things that might be said on baptism. But I
thought that he could bring forward nothing, in a
week, more to the purpose than what he had al
ready mentioned, for I knew the most of their
ground for practicing as they do. However. 1
found Mr. T. could present some novelties. Such
as that they baptized infants to constitute them
members of the covenant of grace that was made
with Abraham. Now I thought tiffs lather new
for his order. Tt appeared to imply that those in
fants might he or would be lost which were not
baptized, and as such not constituted members of
the covenant of grace. [ knew his order, howev
er. believed all infants will be saved, and how couM
tiffs be, thought I, if they or any of them should
ftil to he brought into this covenant of grace.—
Mr. TA NARUS.; how did females under the law get into
this covenant ? The covenant of grace is different
from that, of circumcision. The latter was design
ed to include males of the Jewish nation, hut the
former includes persons of all nations. The latter
was made with Abraham. The former with Christ.
Males wf re constituted members of the laster bv
birth or purchase with money, and were recognized
members by circumcision ; males and females were
included in the feimer before the world began, and
became personally and savingly interested in it,
in time, by faith, in Christ or through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Hence, per
sons should give all diligence to make their call
ing and election sure, or in other words to make
it evident that they are the people whom God
foreknew—predestinated to be conformed to the
image of Christ, and has called aud justified pre
paratory to their glorification.
Mr. T. you may take a child of wrath or of the
wicked one and baptize it without effecting any
change upon it. Its relation to God remains the
same. How long before you discern this ? It is
by grace alone that a child can be changed aD<l
saved. Why baptize infants then ? God can change
them.by his grace without baptism, should they
die in infancy. Did not Jesus teach us this much
when he took little children into his own arms and
blessed them without baptizing them, ami without
commanding his disciples to baptize them ! Here
we see his blessing can reach them independently
of baptism. If children should be baptized to
constitute them members of the covenant of grace,
then all children should be baptized to make them
all members of it. The middle wall of partition
is broken down between Jewish and Gentile in
fants. If they are to be baptized because they are
members of the kingdom of heaven or of God,
then why not baptize all, as one is as much n mem
ber of this kingdom ns another ? Mr. TANARUS, if you
get your law of baptism from the law of circum
cision then you must baptize only male infants of
the Jewish nation, and such males as they may
purchase with money. The former, when eight
days old ; the latter when bought with money.—
But if you gel your law of baptism from our Sav
ior’s commission, which you say was given when
Christian baptism was first instituted, and which
is found in the last verses of Matthew, then you
must teach all persons, or make them disciples, be
fore you baptize them, whether they ar6 Jews or
Gentiles —males or females—bond or free. And
tiien, if you can teach nn infant scrcas for it to be
come a believer, as Mark in his gospel shows of
those whom the apostles were required to baptir. \
you may baptize it upon a profession of that faith
and not otherwise. Think of this, and don’t ap
ply baptism to infants. Why apply a part of the
commission to them and not all ? If you apply
all of it them, then those of them that believo not,
j . • r ‘
:as it .will fippear, shall he damned. Yes, and your
doctrine of constituting some of them members of
the covanant of grace, seems to damn by implica
tion some ofdin**ii also, that are not tlus consti
tuted members <-ft this covenant.
Lastly. Mr. T. applied the want of brotherly love
to baptists. It was not brotherly fevc, manifested
when a Baptist .add, Methodist B shops were ty
rants, and that, their system is one of tyrany. —
Why, cannot a Baptist so love all Christians of
your order as to desire them a better and a more
republican ft rm of government th in what you and
they have? You know that Baptist said what he
did because your brethren in general have no voice
in choosing their representatives, or in their gov
ernment. He thought, I suppose, it. is under ty
rants alone that people are deprived of the right
of suffrage. So your application here, Mr. TANARUS.,
was wrong. Make it to yotiisd, if you please,
next time when you are calling Baptists bigots,
and when you do not love the brethren so much,
lint what you plead for the continuation of that
government over them tinder which they are tax
ed, or compelled to pay quarterage but are not
al owed tic* right of suffrage, or to vote.
REPUBLICAN.
For tbe Index.
Elder James Perryman and my Articles on
Spurgeon.
Those articles expressly gave Jesse Mercer and
Andrew Fuller as wimples , ot ministers who un
derstood the whole trtrh, and held a just ropor
tion of faith. So that Bro. Berryman’s first para
graph simply asserts, in fuller form, what I said,
iu brief. Spurgeon, does not leach that the atone
ment of Christ is suffi ;ient in its provisions for the
salvation of every man; and, in this alone, differs
from Mercer and Fuller. Any one can see, that
sovereignty is his hobby, as most preachers have
a hobby.
Whoever dries not know that Wesley and
Fletcher and Fenelton were eminently pious and
devoted men, is not in possession of the facts, or is
the victim of prejudice. When I desire to be im
bued with the spirit of such men, I desire to be
imbued with the Spirit of Christ, for they had that
spirit.
I have not the slightest partiality for a single
pern/iin ilt/, doctrinal or practical, of Methodism or
Episcopacy. But whenever I may, fittingly, 1 ac
knowledge and rejoice in acknowledging, piety,
devotion, service to the cause of Christ, in any
body. Ish ill be sorry when the day comes that
Baptists shall make a virtue of denying piety to
anybody out of their ranks; and if Wesley was not
a pioiis man, my ideas are all at fault on that sub
ject i vi-n to this hour. “By their fruits ye shall
know them.'’ Heavenly tempers, weeping pity
ing compassion for souls, sacrifices and laborious
efforts to save them, are among the fruits referred
to, certainly. The former part of his life, I know,
he vv is a moralist—the latter part, he rested on
the righteousness of Christ; and from tins latter
point began his evangelical labors, and his succes
ses. That lie ever comprehended the doctrine of
justification bv faith as thoroughly as some otheis
have done, I do not assert. But very much that
1 have seen written, during the current monom -
nia on Methodism, has dealt simply in his faults
and ignored his virtues. I have no faith in, and
little patience with, any thing else than that no
ble candor which rejoices in the virtues even of a
foe, in matters of religion.
I cannot avoid loving all who love our Lord Je
sus in sincerity, if I would; nor can I believe, that
the Divine Spiritever sanctified a single soul who
did i ot. in some measure and some way, reflect
the glory of God and rei ve the interests of his
cause on earth. Therefore, whenever I read of, or
hear, a man who preaches the Gospel with the
Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. I rejoice, yea,
and I will rejoice, be he known by whatever name
be may. E. B. TEAGUE.
For the Index.
The Glory of the Cross.
Christ e.tuciiied, what a wonderful mystery !
Never before was there such a scene ! He was
the eternal Word who was with God in the begin
ning ; and who was God ? By whom also the
worlds were created ; and in whom all fullness*
and glory existed.—John 1 : 1-3, 14. Heb. 1 c
2, 3. Coloss. 1 : 16. But to accomplish the ob
jects embraced in the everlasting covenant, he
“made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men : and being found in fasbiou as a
man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death—even the death of the cross.” Phil
-2 ; 7, 8. Thus constituted he was, “God mani
fest in the flesh,” —The glorious Mediator between.
God and man.
His divinity gave excellency to his mediation-
It was in virtue of this that his atonement was suf
ficient tor the redemption of men. Had he not
been divine he could not have accomplished ob
jects so great and secured ends so important; for
it was not in the power of created beings to do
what was done by him.
His huma ity was an essential part of his na
ture afto. It was nece-sary that he should be
man to be closely related to those whom he was
to redeem; and be under the law to fulfil its re
quirements, and to magnify it, and make it hon
orable in the deliverance of sinners from under its
condemnation. To save them from death, it was
necessary that lie should suffer death “that he
might destroy him that had tbe power of death.”
In this way the honor of the divine government
could be vindicated, while untold millions of guil
ty sinners might be saved. This divine expedient
was provided in the everlasting covenant before tbe
world began ; and hence it may be regarded as an
organic law in the divine economy.
There was then no violence done to the govern
ment of Jehovah in ndopting such an expedient;
nor was there any unjust sufferings inflicted upon
the person of Christ. Alb was done in accordance
with eternal design, and in fulfilment of sacred
agreement. The cross of Christ may therefore be
viewed as the full vindication of divine justice, and
December