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142
C|e Christian Jjnfcc*.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
JOSEPH WALKER, Editor.
Macon, Wednesday, Sep. 9, 1857.
Motives Inciting Young Ministers to
STUDY.
On the mind of an ambitions theologist. one
who is striving lawfully for masteries, and
covets earnestly the best gifts, it flight be
sufficient simply to urge his capacity for self
i mprovement. If the mists ot a befogged un
derstanding still linger, the same mental agi
tation continued, which brought him to his
present point of advancement, will disperse
them, as the morning sun dissipates the
mountain vapors, revealing foliage, plants and
fragrant flowers. But aside from this, their
are motives which appeal to him.as lover of
his race, and as an instrument in the hands of
• God to effect the soul’s present and final h!ip
pines?.
The moral power of the pulpit, considered
in the light of its efficacious
influence, should be a mighty motive to ediSce
the sympathies, and excite the philanthropy
of young ministers. Why, a single mind,
and that in the pulpit, can erect a standard
of virtue, restrain popular abuses, shape hu
man character, direct individual conduct, and
promote the present and eternal happiness of
the people of a whole city or district of coun
try. Nor is the influence of the pulpit con
fined to the region of any particular location.
Its potent efficacy has crossed oceans, tra
versed valleys, scaled mountain slopes, and
been felt in every civilized nation on the
globe. Nor yet do its salutary pulsations
cease their th robbings’ when the cold grave
has received the mouldering ashes of the out
er man, but the winged thoughts of a Flavel,
a Chalmers, or a Bunyan, still hover about
the hearts of the living, to woo and win-them
to the Lamb of God.
Were still another motive wanting to enlist
the minds and affections of young ministers
in this glorious profession of their choice, we
might name the trophies of gospel victory.
The ancients, as the moderns are still, were
wont to collect the shattered weapons and
torn banners of the routed enemy, as memen
tos of their courage and bloody conquests.
These were kept in the imperial museum, to
satisfy public curiosity, and enkindle anew
tlie martial flame of patriotism. In a few
lines from his versatile and gifted muse, Dry
den poetizes this ancient custom thus:
“ Around the posts hung helmets, darts and spears,
And captive chariots, axes, shields and bars,
And broken beaks of ships, the trophies of their wars.”
More excellent trophies than these, how
ever, have the soldiers of the crop. Trophies,
not won by carnal weapons, tbdt tell of strife,
and groans, and death, but with spiritual,
furnished mid sharpened hi the arsenal of the’
skies, and which are mighty, through God,
lor battering down the strongholds of sin and
satan. Very true, theirs is no ordinary war
fare—they war against principalities and pow
ers, and spiritual wickedness in high places;
yet, with no other armor than the sword of
the Spirit, the shield of faith, and the helmet
of salvation, they “ wax valiant in fight, and
turn to flight the armies of the aliens.” Hence
the gospel minister rejoices over his trophies
with better reason, than mail-clad emperors
and plumed warriors, over the broken artille
ry and slain foe on the battle field.
“ Ye,” said Paul to the converted Corin
thians, “ye are our epistle, known and read
of all men.” This was joy enough for him.
And, indeed, if one soul is worth a thousand
worlds—as it surely is, and much more—the
hope of having been instrumental in the con
version of only one, though it cost years of
study and a long lifetime of the hardest ser
vice, will amply repay the man of God for all
liis toils and trials, when he pillows his head
far the grave ?
Os the final reward, as a motive to zeal and
energetic action, we shall say but little. That
it will be great and glorious, we have the
strongest assurances. The most beautiful ob
jects in nature are selected to convey to the
dark understanding of man, a feint concep
tion of its entrancing felicity. Paul denom
inates it a crown of righteousness. “I have
fought a good fight, I have finished ray
course, I have kept the faith”—and what
next? there is laid up for me
a crown, which God, the righteous judge, shall
givfe unto me.” What a boon is this! A
crown, a crown of righteousness, and the om
nipotent God himself the giver.
Daniel compares the reward of a faithful
pastor, to the light of those twinkling orbs
that smile so lovingly upon us from the blue
vault of night. “ They that turn many to
shall shine as the stars in the
firmament, for ever and ever.”
O! who would not be a minister of Christ ?
It was this recompense of reward that recon
ciled the Old Testament saints to their trials
and gave courage and zeal and perseverance
to the apostles. They looked beyond the star
paved firmament it to heaven itself, and “ en
dured as seeing him who is invisible.” Then,
young brethren in the ministry, let your
watchword be, Christ and his Cross , now and
forever. And when the war is ended, the
victory won, and the white banner of peace
shall wave joyfully over your sepulchres, your
happy spirits will make their triumphal entry
into the celestial city, where the Father, the
Son, the Holy spirit, shining angels and glo
rified saints, shall welcome them into ever
lasting habitations!
Editorial Correspondence.
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 18, 1857.
My dear Landrum. —Being now rested, and
about to depart for the upper Mississippi
country, I despatch the third epistle of Joseph
for the columns of the Index. Iti writing from
a place like this, so prolific in subjects of va
riant interests, the mind is perplexed with
the difficulty of makingselections,and cap on
ly speak of facts and events, in generalterms.
It seems proper to begin with
The City and its Population.
St. Louis is extending areal limits on all
sides except on the east, where its progress is
arrested by the united waters of the Missis
sippi and the Missouri. It is five miles in
length by at least one and a half in width
perhaps more—with numerous suburban ap
pendages. Commerce lias been very flour
ishing, and the consequence is, the erection
of new buildings of all sorts and sizes. The
population must now be about 150,000 souls,
with a daily influx from all parts of this great
land, if not “from every nation underheaven.”
There are no idlers here —thousands are “ma
king haste to become rich,” and as many
thousands more, serving, most faithfully , “the
world, the flesh, or the devil.” I would not
havfe you infer this, however, that there
are no pious, God-fearing people here: there
are some such. But of morals and religion, I
shall speak hereafter. Time and space do not
permit me to particularize—that is, to tell of
her rail roads, stately edifices, trade, river con
veniences, commercial and banking institu
tions, educational enterprises and facilities—l
shall only express the conviction, that St. Lou
is is destined to become tiie city of the West.
I may profitably drop a remark on the
CHARACTER
of her population. This may be inferred,
however, from a knowledge of the places
whence it came. There are large numbers
from all points of the North and East of our
own country; some—though not so many—
from the South and the South-west; about
39,000 Germans, many—l know not how ma
ny—French, Irish, Scotch, Italian and Eng
lish. It is therefore a mixed population,, in
the strongest sense of the word. There are
also numbers of negroes here, both bond and
free, but there is a powerful effort being
made to crowd off the labor of black men by
that of white. The Planter’s House—the
first Hotel of the city — is Irish in the whole
of its length and breadth, and from the cellars
to‘the garrets. Whether the proprietors are
Irish or not, I have not been informed, but
there are Irish men in the office, in the prin
cipal halls and passage ways, scores of them
around the dining tables, Irish girls all oyer
the house—some with brooms, others with
towels —in a word, the Planter’s House is a
little Ireland, per se—in itself. But it is one
of the best houses in the land. For two dol
lars and fifty cents per diem, you can have all
you wish, and in the best style.
’There are many Germans here of the bet
tor ela&l who oecupy promiiientt puaiLUMM- iw
banking houses, and numbers of them, as welj
as English, who hold places of public trust
under the municipal authorities. I think,
however, that, as to influence and power, the
American element predominates. There is a
staidness, and-straightforward consistency in
the bearing and dealings of well bred Ameri
cans—whether of the North, South, East or
West —that gives tone both to business and
morals. But while I believe this, I must also
say, in justice to foreigners in St. Louis, that
many of them co-operate, most commendably.
for the production of these results. I ques
tion if a city can be found on this continent
where business is transacted with more integ
rity. There is a law of honor prevailing among
the merchants and business men of St. Louis,
that is even more powerful than legislative
enactments.
With this truth I became fully acquainted,
during a residence of three years, and my
conviction has not been shaken by observa
tions made in the last few days. But you
wish to hear something of the
MORALS AND RELIGION
of this growing metropolis of Missouri. Here
I confess tny incompetency to form a correct
judgment. It is easy for occasional visitors to
jot down impressions from superficial obser
vations made, and hence also, oasy to do peo
ple injustice. If my heart does not deceive
me, I am sure I would not knowingly put
down ought amiss. I believe that good mor
als and sound religion are steadily, though
slowly advancing. There is a Gospel heart
in St. Louis which sends its healthful pulsa
tions among the masses—obstructed and re
tarded as they are by the propagation of Uni
tarian sentiments on the one hand, and Ca
tholicism and the absorbing cares of business
on the other—which must ultimately attain to
a marked ascendency. But while this is true,
it is also unquestionably true, that hundreds
who have been religiously educated—many
of them church members—are so occupied
with the affairs of this world, and particular
ly, the vanities and customs of city life, that
their religion is a mere nominality , if I may be
allowed to make a word. “They have a name
that they live,” hut, as to vital piety, they are
“dead.” Their hearts are full of stocks, in
voices, houses and lots, bank or land invest
ments; and their heads of figures and profits,
but for Christ and him crucified, there is
scarcely found room in either their hearts ot
heads. They can tell you with great readi
ness of mind, that “cotton is buoyant”—
“lead heavy”—“flour dull”—“freights are ac- fl
tive”—-“wheat is light”—“pork better,’’ and
“butter fair;” but if their lives depended on
it, they could not say who was at the prayei
meeting the past night, or what was the theme
of the preacher’* discourse on tho last Sab
THE CEEEISTIAtHSr INDEX.
bath. Business, money, fashion and amuse
ments are the powerful and formidable foes
against which the Gospel has to contend in
this city. It is a hard field to cultivate, and
no minister or missionary need be ambitious
to enter it, unless lie is willing to toil assidu
ously and suffer many things for the sake of
Christ alone. As was said of New Orleans,
it will require much watchfulness, and un
ceasing prayer to reach heaven by the way of
St. Louis. Thousands are wrecked on this
delusive rock of the world.
I find that my letter is lengthening itself
unduly, and I have not yet said anything of
BAPTIST AFFAIRS.
I shall only relate that which I heard or
saw with mine own eyes.
On last Lord’s day morning I attended
worship at the 3rd Baptist Church, and heard
a good sermon from brother Barn hurst, the
pastor. The congregation was good, consid
ering that many members are absent from the
city, and the aspect of matters impressed me
favorably. This Church has from its begin
ning been partly sustained by our Southern
Domestic Mission Board, and I regard that
money as having been well expended. They
are now returning a portion annually for
diart Missions, through the “Young Peopfe’S
Missionary Society.”
At night, I attended at the 2nd Church—
that is, the largest and wealthiest Baptist
Church in the city—and listened to a good
sermon from brother Read, the former pastor.
The congregation was small. The Church
has made several efforts to procure a par tor,
but without success. Their last call was gi-.
yen to Dr. Hague, but it is feared that he will
not accept. I hope they may soon obtain a
man of the right kind for that important
place. There is a large amount of wealth iu
the Church, and some very good members.—
Like several other churches of the present
day, however,.she has a notion of her own as
to the kind of man she must have, and it may
be a long while before her wants can be sup
plied. There are doubtless men in the State
of Missouri itself-who could fill the post ably
and successfully, but this fact boots nothing
while the brethren think differently. And
since the Church, with perhaps a dozen ex
ceptions, is made up of northern and eastern
people, it seems proper that she should have
a pastor from the east. I most sincerely hope
that she may bo able to obtain one at an ear
ly day.
The Zion Baptist Church in North St. Lou
is is also without a pastor. Os the other Bap
tist organizations I have heard and seen noth
ing.
The most absorbing topic of inquiry which
at present agitates the political circles, is the
uncertainty as to who has been elected
GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI.
It is generally conceded that Stewart, the
Democratic candidate, has a majority, though
nothing but the official vote can determine
that fact. The result is no test as to slavery
Just as I was closing up this article, in came
all the way from Macon! Never did it ap
pear more beautiful. You may be sure that
all minor matters were laid aside till its clean,
bright-eyed columns had been carefully read.
Your traveling correspondents write in a ve
ry happy mood, while the paper contains
some excellent favors from contributors.- The
piece that was to me of very special interest,
was the pathetic and touching description oi
“Little Eva.’’ The world lias bloomed for
a brief season, with hundreds of such “Little
Evas,” and many a parent had a counterpart
while reading the affecting story. Let their
dust sleep in the grave, while their angelic
voices praise Christ on his throne.
Adieu, for the present. You may hear
from me again, ere long. EDITOR.
Illinois, Ang. 24, 1857.
Mij dear Landrum. —Before leaving St.
Louis, I visited various places of interest, ol
which I propose to speak briefly, as a supple
ment to what I have already sent you. And
I may properly begin with the
bellefountaine cemetery.
This celebrated repository for the dead of
all nations, lies north of the city, and is about
five miles from the City Hall, or Court House.
It comprises within its bounderies two hun
dred and thirty acres of ground , and is one of
the most picturesque and spacious burial pla
ces I have ever seen. Shaded by forest trees,
that stand as sentinels over the dead in the
luxuriant richness of their vernal foliage;
with a surface of hills and dales, mounds and
ridges, the whole carpeted by a suit of long,
silken grass; it is in the highest sense both
beautiful and attractive. The gloom of death
is dissipated, and the sorrows of the soul are
lightened by the aspect of cheerfulness which
salutes the eye from every point of compass.
We stand at the grave of a relative endeared
to the heart by a thousand reminiscences—
and we . thank God that the departed has a
resting place for the body which accords with
our ideas of the rest promised to the souls of
the righteous in the Spirit Land. How de
lightful to enter those entrancing precincts ol
a sleeping world! Some twenty workmen
are continually employed on the grounds,
making avenues, mowing down grass, repair
ing graves, and doing all and everything that
is necessary to adorn and protect the place,
as well as to attend to funerals and receive
and direct visitors. Already the under-ground
population of Bellefountaine is immense, and
if the influx to the city should long continue
at the present ratio of arrivals, it is sad to be
lieve that in fifty years this Cemetery may
have to double its area.
But let me come back to the living, and
conduct the readers to the levy, with its
THREE MILES OF STEAMBOATS.
I was told that their line was three miles in
length, but I shall say two miles. They ex
hibit a forest of iron chimneys, and with puff
ing, and fluttering, and wheezing, and howl
ing, and shrieking, fill the surrounding at
mriSphere with tumultuous and strange noises.
JL counted one hundred of these river, .ani
mals, but their number was still greater.—
They do not “shriek for freedom,” but seem
ingly for freight, and obtain all they can carry.
I have merely referred to these boats to con
vey to the reader an idea of the great trade of
St. Louis.
BLOODY ISLAND.
This Island lies just in front of the city to
wards tho east, and takes its name from the
(fuels that were fought upon it in former days.
That was the ground on which Benton killed
Lucas, where, as I believe, he was himself
pounded. The Island is now used for a bet
ter purpose, it being the terminus of the two
Rail Roads. A long and broad dyke connect
ed it with Illinois, and by this thoroughfare,
coal, lumber, and produce of all kinds are
-brought, and ferried over the river in boats
built’for that purpose. It isin contemplation
to dispense with ferry boats by building a sus
pension bridge, but the feasibility of such an
undertaking is seriously questioned by many
citizens. There are no natural abutments on
either side, and massive towers of immense
height and strength would have to be erected.
IRON MOUNTAIN.
A Rail Road is now building to a mountain,
standing some 40 miles south of St. Louis, that
is a solid rock of iron ore. The iron is of the
finest quality, and must become a source of
great revenue to the city, as well as the Com
pany owning it. But Ido not design to par
ticularize, and shall bring this appendage to
former epistle to a close.
My next will give incidents by the way,
though, on these dusty, western roads, one
has but little heart for journalizing.
I hope all is well in the Index, office, and
that you are uot overtasked. EDITOR.
lowa, Aug. 27, 1857.
My dear Landrum: —l am penning these
lines in the centre of a beautiful farming coun
try, which but a few years ago was the home
of the wild Indian. Every trace, however,
of the Red Man has been effaced, and the
places of his wigwams, lodges or tribal en
campments are occupied by spacious brick ten
ements, surrounded by extensive fields of
luxuriant wheat, corn and oats. There is, in
fact, nothing left to perpetuate aboriginal
reminiscences but the Indian nomenclature,
which will forever be read in the rivers and
mountains of this mighty land. Whether in
the North or the South, the East or the West,
the tames of rivers, mountains and districts
of country are Indian, as if Providence had
to prevent the remembrance of
that people from sinking into oblivion. But
I must not invert the order of my narrative
of events by beginning “with the conclusion
of my story. I had intended to sketch an
account of impressions by the way, and was
only diverted from my purpose by the morn
ing smiles of an entrancing landscape, that so
captivates my vision, while I write, as to
make it difficult to confine it to the paper or
to command connected recollections. Still,
like a child at school, I must turn back to
tny lesson, and begin with my
DEPARTURE FROM ST. LOUIS.
The Omnibus—that vehicle which can al
ways take in one more—left the Planters
House at a quarter after eight o’clock for the
Depot over the river. The time of starting
having been changed that morning, there
were but nine passengers —eight men and a
dog. Some three or four of the company,
more loquatious than intelligent, soon man
aged to get up a discussion on the relative
commercial importance of St. Louis and
Chicago. There were two men present—the
one a doctor and the other a merchant—who
seemed to be well “ posted ” on western af
fairs, and who decided in favor of St. Louis ;
but the others, young America like, contrary
to facts, statistics and common sense, con
tended that Chicago was the more prosperous
city. “Well,” said one of the two men, “1
have no prejudice against Chicago or Chica
go people. If they would let our negroes
alone, I could see them prosper without any
emotions of envy.’’ That remark brought up
the slavery question, and the Chicago advo
cates were ready, no doubt, for a long Avar ol
words. The dog—an intelligent looking ani
mal—said nothing, but seemed to listen at
tentive to the confident assertions of his abo
lition masters, as if he sympathized with them
most heartily. The debate, however, Avas
abruptly terminated by a sight of the cars,
when the chief concern of each one Beem
ed to be, to get possession of a seat. “ All
right ” —“ Go ahead,” and the first section of
a journey through
ILLINOIS
had commenced. The route took its direc
tion from Bloody Island, via the Alton and
Terre Haute Railroad, to its connection Avith
the Illinois Central, at Pana, a distance of
one hundred miles. That part of the State
contains very rich prairie land, which Avas
covered with an abundant yield of wheat and
corn. Nlimerous little towns have been start
ed on either side of the road, every one of
which —in the opinion of its inhabitants—is
to become the chief city on the line.
Three hours run brought the train to Pana,
where tho Alton and Terre Haute crosses the
great Central that reaches from Cairo to Dun
licth, at tho lowa line. At this point there
was a delay of three hours before the train
from Cairo came up. Nearly the entire dis
tance thence to Freeport, was traveled in the
night, so that I cannot speak either of the
country, or the towns and cities on the way.
There can be no doubt, however, but that
this road runs through the richest part of Il
linois, and it is a thoroughfare to its principal
towns, both in itself and by means of the
numerous roads that cross it from east to
west. It is crossed by seven .or eight first
class Railroads, so that when the traveler has
once reached the Central, he may go where
he pleases by Railroads.
At five in the morning we arrived at Free
port, 67 miles from Dubuque, where we were
compelled to wait three hours for the Chica
go train. About ten, we had reached the
Mississippi river, and were soon ferried over,
by steamboat, to
DUBUKUE, IOWA.
This city has a population of over twenty
thousand souls, but which twenty-five years
ago, was merely a small village of indifferent
log-huts. It is prospering in all the depart
ments of city business, has its churches of all
denominations, good, common and high
schools, a tine river and Railroad trade, an
immense country of arable land and mining
districts to support it, and consequently, in
all apparent probability, must become* a large
and important city. The citizens are acting
on the belief that its steady enlargement is a
fixed fact. They are buying and building,
borrowing money and investing—some pay
ing interest on money at the rate of twenty
five per cent. The city may prosper, and
thousands become rich, but this giving and
receiving twenty-five cents interest on every
dollar, must, in the end, effect the ruin of
many. The man who can make money on
money for which he pays twenty-five per
cent., in my opinion, does so by oppressing
his neighbors, though possibly, in this I may
be mistaken. As is generally the case be
tween rival towns,.some bad feeling has de
veloped itself between the citizens of Dubu
que and those of Galena, a city of about the
same size, twelve miles distant in Illinois. Its
highest beliggerent manifestation, however,
has been confined to newspaper paragraphs.
I shall close this article with a few remarks on
tho
SLAVERY QUESTION.
I have passed through regions of under
ground Railroads, have ascertained some se
crets concerning the agitation of this question
that are not generally known as far South as
Georgia, and have drawn conclusions con
cerning the agitators, that are quite satisfac
tory to my own mind:
Firstly, Hundreds take an active, and even
a violent part in the controversy, who do not
understand what they are talking about. With
such it would be time wasted to exchange
opinions on the subject. Let them talk—their
views, incoherently expressed, can not affect
the question much either one way or the
other.
Secondly , Many agitate who do not care how
the controversy shall end, provided that their
own political purpose and aims can be advanced
by the adgilalion. They care less for the slave
than they do for his master, and would not
give him a crust of bread nor a night’s lodg
ing if he were 6et free to-morrow, unless some
pecuniary advantage should arise from so do
ing. Such principles will be despised, ot
course, but they cannot be corrected.
Thirdly, The border States, such as Ken
tucky, Missouri, and Virginia are nofW) near
abolitionism as the newspapers and politicians
have reported. The late Missouri election
has been regarded as proof positive that Mis
souri is about to emancipate. Nothing could
be further from the truth. The late election
was no test as to Missouri sentiments on the
question of slavery ; for first, Rollins, the so
called emancipation candidate, has not been
elected, and secondly; hundreds of slave
holders voted for him, while many, it is said,
who would favor emancipation, voted for
Stewart. The result of that election was no test
of the question that has caused so much bad
feeling between the North and the South.
But I am no politician—have but little con
fidence in many of the noisy, active leaders of
any party —and have only given the above
facts to impart correct information to the
readers of the Index.
I leave to-night for Ohio, where, from some
convenient point in the Buck-Eye State, you
may hear from me again. EDITOR.
For the Index.
Creeks.
Dear Index. —l forward you a letter late
ly received from our esteemed brother Buck
ner. It contains an appeal, which I trust will
not prove unavailing. It refers to discoura
ging circumstances, which should lead the
friends of Missions to a throne of grace.
No one unacquainted with the situation of
our Missionaries among the Indians can ap
preciate their real condition. We know very
little of their toils, trials, anxieties and per
plexities. It we did they certainly would
share more largely in our means, sympathies,
and prayers. My oun interest in them has
increased ten-fold since my visit to them. I
hope soon to be aole to lay before our
churches some of those things which inter
ested me, with the hope that like interest
may be awakeneebin them.
In the letter below, brother B. calls earnest
ly for aid. He greatly needs it. It is sincere
ly hoped the mind of some suitable brother
will be effectually moved in that direction.—
Former appeals have been read, and called
the attention of several ministers to this field,
a few of whom havo indicated to the Board
their willingness to enter upon tho work f
the Board deemed them competent. In most
oases, wo regret to say tho applicants hajo
SEPTEMBER, 1857
not enjoyed those advantages which qualify
them for those responsible positions now
claiming the attention of the Board. Wo
need a man to locate immediately at the Mus
cokee Church, near the Creek Agency. But
it is necessary he should be a man qualified to
fill almost any position in the States.
This is an intelligent Church, and in the
most enlightened community in the Creek
Nation. In this vicinity are found the strong
est opposing influences to tho Baptists, and
the truth itself both from the world and oth
er denominations in the nation. We need a
man of competent learning and pious nerve to
meet these influences. This is also a central
point for many native preachers. Here they
meet once a month for religious service, mu
tual improvement and instruction from the
Missionary. At this time they are much en
gaged iu a sort of Theological, or Bible Class,
under the tuition oftheir spiritual guide. To
him they propound all the difficult questions
which have arisen during the month, and pre
sent all the difficult passages of Scriptures
they have found, and all the objections that
skeptics and opposers have urged that he may
answer, expound and remove. Hence he
must be a man well read in the Scriptures—
a Bible Thelogian, not only qualified to in
struct R Church, tro train preachers.
This, perhaps, is the most important and re
sponsible part of his Missionary duties. Bro.
B. resides 45 miles from this place, and visits
it but once in 8 weeks, and then at great sac
rifice. They need a man located there. It
is an interesting and important field.
Bro. B. lives in the Upper District. Bro.
Murrow, late of Mercer University, will go
to his aid as soon as arrangements can be
made by his brethren to send him out. In a
letter dated one day subsequent to the one
below, he says, “I want you to start brother
Murrow right, on” This does not supply Miis
cokec Church. Fray- and give for the poor
Indian. Yours, &c.
R. IIOLMAN,
Cor. Sec.
Mjcco, Creek Nation, )
July 29, 1857. f
Dear Bro. Holman. —Since my return from
our tour through the Choctaw Nation, I havo
had time to look around, and I moiethan
realize all the anticipated evils resulting from
a temporary absence from my field of labor.
The enemy was just then coming in like a
flood. “The payment” which the Creeks are
soon to receive is attracting to the Nation,
the baser sort of speculators; and to prepare
them for all sorts of vice, all sorts of intoxica
ting liquors are introduced under cover of the
labels of the various popular patent medicines.
The Creek General Council had adjourned
a few days before my arrival. Among other
acts, they passed one instructing their “Light
110 se” to spill all tho intoxicating liquors
found in the possession of the Indiansand ne
groes, and they petitioned the Agent, CblT“
Garrett, to stop the licensed traders from sel
iing “Bull’s Sarsaparilla,” “Extract of Gin
ger,” etc., etc., but with what effect, yet re
mains to be seen.
I found a letter from brother James Per
ryman, earnestly entreating me to come to
Big Spring to-morrow, and aid in ordaining
brother Washington. But lam compelled
to deny myself this pleasure, as my sen ices
are demanded at North Fork. Thdre are so
many duties claiming mj immediate at|en
tion, that I am M loss to know what to do
first, and what next. I would cry with em
phasis for help, if I had hope that some effi
cient Baptist preacher would hear me, whose
soul burns for the salvation of the Indians.
The present is a time of great trial. I have
never seen the prospects so unfavorable as
they are just now. O ! that God would look
down from heaven, and strengthen our hands.
Affectionately, 11. F. BUCKNER.
P. S. I shall be compelled to neglect home
altogether, and travel from point to point un
til this payment is over. I hope you will
stand by me. 11. *F. B.
For the Index.
Ordination.
The Baptist Church at Sugar Creek, Mor
gan county, Ga., met according to previous
appointment on Saturday before the fifth Sab
bath in August, for the Ordination of brother
11. C. Stewart, to the Gospel ministry. The
Presbytery was composed of Elder J. M. Still
well, our Pastor, Elder A. T. Spalding and
Elder J. J. Wallace.
Tho Church presented the candidate, who
gave a satisfactory relation of his Christian
experience—call to the ministry and views of
Scriptural doctrines, and after an interesting
and careful examination of the candidate led
by brother Spalding, the Presbytery with the
members of the Church gave him the right
hand of fellowship.
On Sabbath morning, the exercises were
opened by an able and eloquent sermon by
brother Wallace, which was highly aepro
priate to the occasion, followed by a solemn
and interesting charge to the candidate, also
the presentation of the Bible and ordination
prayer by brother Stillwell; imposition of
hands by the Presbytery and Benediction by
the candidate.
Brother Stewart is a modest, pious and de
vout brother, desirous of devoting his life to
the Master’s service, and has received and
accepted a call from a Church, to become
their Pastor. lie is much beloved and es
teemed by his brethren, and we congratulate
the Church in the union thus formed and de
sire that it may result in the increase and en
largement of tho Christian band located in
that community.
We hope for him great success in the no
ble and responsible work of the gospel min- *
iitry. J. W. JACKSON,
Church Clerk,