Newspaper Page Text
JOSEPH WALKER, Editor.
A OLTJME 37 New Series Vol. 26#
CHRISTIAN INDEX.
PUBLISHED EVERY Wh.MXfc.6DAY MOKNINt*
At MACON, Ga.,
BY A COMMITTER OF BRETHREN,
#Bt tl>r <liror®(a Gijnfst <f onfirnttOTi.
ruinin'.
Rentier, alone in your closet reve
-reicly and silen ly read these lines.— *
Sr ill ilic hearing of your heart, lest
•• diviirb Hie sanctity of that silence
tUeJ cast over the soul:
Alone with God.
“ Alone with God ! daj’s craven cares
Have crowded onward unawares ;
Tbe soul is left to breathe her prayers.
“Alone with God ! I bare my breast,
Come in, come in, oli holy g test,
Give rest, Thy re*t, of rest the best!
*- jaaUtalm a calm f
,-ata e'tMilfWscr asTn dSioV balnt
Wlj?n seraphs sing a seraph’s psalm.
“ Alone with God! no human eye
Is here, with eager look to pry
Into the meaning of each sigh.
“ Alone with God! no jealous glare
Now stings me with its torturing siare;
No human ma ice says, Beware ’
>< Hone with God! from earth’s rud*crowd, j
With i titling steps, with laughter loud,
Mv tetter soul I need not shroud.
i
•• Alone with God! He only knows,
If rorrow’s ocean overflows,
The sileut spiing from whence it rose.
” Alone with God'. He mercy lends ;
Li - faiuting hope, life’s meagre en is,
Lilt's dwarfing pain He eomprebends.
“ Alons with God! He tetleth well
The ~oul‘s pent life that will o’erwell,
The life-long want no words may tell.
- Alone with God! still nearer bend ;
Oh, tender Father, condescend,
In this mv need, to be my frit-mi.
“A'oue with God! with suppliant mien,
t pon thy pitying breast I le.-rn.
Nor h >- because Thou ty t unseen.
“ Alone with God! safe in Thine irnis
Oh save me from life’s wild alarms,
U.i shield me fiom liie’s fearful harms.
:
** Alone wiih God ! my Father, bless
With ihv celestial promises.
The soul that needs thy tenderness.
“ Alone with God ! Oh, sweet to me
This covert io whose shade 1 Ih-e,
T brralhe repos* in The , in Thee!”
CONTIIIIHTIO.NS.
in the Life of aa Old
GEORGIA PREACHEti.
No. 2.
T it? il.ter C';iris:iatis with whom I
I. c ;i—ni-’a'fil itiosHv took ;i deep
erts: in mv welfare and usefulness.
> ■ * :'e me ihe cold shoulder, and !
j>us of me. I think
r key do .:> and ray sincerity. The) 1 1
e 4 - iv had out iiule idea of the
.!*; desire for the salvation of;
..a which was consuming me. My
z- . va- intiauied by every indication j
e<l that my efforts were not in]
- •;!. F t years I walked ten miles a ■
i. r, that i might have the advantages !
.ci iemicaleducation, whicli was !
a ;* all I ever obtained. It was a
- trial of my faith, when my op- !
*. mi Vs for improvement were eud
:'v cut off by the death of my fa-]
tin m • -er having died the pre
vi a- year, let even this event, I
ist. was sanctified to my good. A ;
v •> tlerable amount of worldly am-1
’ ■!; i.ad income mixed up with my ;
t*uo in regard to the Gospel minis- j
N but what my chief aim and
a- re was th? glory of God and ihe
—.- * ati-*n of sonls. Bat my friends had ;
i mt I was promising—gifted—tai
enttrvl; and I bad begun to hope, that
~ *:ne day I might be 11 a great preach ]
cr! * Ihe death of my father, and the ]
const’-; ietit st->p put to my educational ]
..tes, was the death blow to this j
-V -V ambition, and I was brought j
: see that I must be willing to be
anything or nothing, for Christ's sake. ;
Au: this time I was sorely tempt-,
c *. by an offer to study Law in the of- ]
Jce ofdistinguished judge. Bur this
te • ‘ii-'i-n was ssK’ii overcome by* the]
“passion f<r Souls” which the Divine i
Spiri i.-.d excited within me. Four j
year- were s-**rtit in winding up my i
: . V >j| os tale, atid in acting ilu*
p-t': *t a pndector to my three orphan
-stirs. These cares devolved upon!
ac f ti<c age of eighteen, and divert- ;
•1 tov attention somewhat from the j
‘-great wo:k” to which I felt G..d had
* !s*l me. Even during those years ;
troable and borrow, every opportu
ni*v i*r s|*cakiug in the name of tin-
Ltl iuiimived. While attending
a j Ass* v; it ion in a neiglibiuhood where
ti.e p.** f *!e werebirangers to me, in com
ninv vri !i an elderly brotlierand anoth
er near my age, Iwent to spend a niglti
Wi a g u.ieiu tn and lady, neither ot
■ : tt a-:>:ous. Tiie elde: !y In o'her
1 •. thtr we engage in religious
• \ r -es wiih the family and guests,
lie argued ihe closing of the meet
g to in-.*, and it pleased G<d to sane
thy what was said to the salvation of
*:> • h ;!.egentleman and his wife. They
were deeply affected then, and soon
ii. protested Lope in Christ. Such cir-
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
iuimstatiees had the effect of strengili
ning my faith and inflaming my zeal,
md had much to do in bringing me to
the resolution from whifili I have nev
er swerved, that my whole lifetfnd my
heat powers should he devoted to the (Jos
pel ministry. Through grace, the pur
pose of my sonl became fixed, that if
Hie Lord would honor me by ‘‘putting
me into this ministry,, nothing should
divert me from, it. And now that my
course is nearly finished, I can say in
truth, “What things were gain to me,
those l"counted loss for Christ.'’ lam
convinced that no man ought to put
his hand to this work with a divided
heart. Unless men can submit to pov
j ertv, or any other inconvenience, for
Christ’s t*ake, they ought never to en
inNtie ministry. If they
ter wlraf are nieir*TalenTs, they will do
bat little good. On the contrary, 1
have often seen men of but moderate
abilities arrive at great eminence and
influence, who felt thatthey had but
one thing to do—to preach Christ.
Before I was fairly grown, I expe
rienced another sore trial, in the fail
ure of my health, had all the pre
monitory symptoms of consumption,
which was a hereditary disease. I lie
; came dangerously ill when far from
’ home and kindred, and do not know
what would have become of me had
not “a good Samaritan,” (in the person
! of an old brother,almost an entire stran
ger) taken me to his house, by whom
j and his wife 1 was treated as if I had
I been their own son. They gave me a
lmme for two years; were instrument
al in restoring me to heal ill, and were
all to me that my own parents could
have been. During this period, I was
m rrrii'd an dor ih linedj and lam per
j siiaded Unit those who relinquish all
things earl lily for Christ’s sake, will ;
i never lack kindred, nor friends, mu; j
homes.
It. was my happiness, in those eaily
years, to be associated with some of
the ablest men in our denomination in
. tliis State, now passed away. Among
others, I may mention Jesse Travis,
Jo.-hua S. Callaway, V. R. Thornton.
B. M Saunders and Jesse Mercer. Tra
vis was a natural orator, and for hi?-
opportunities, one of the most effec
iive preachers I have ever known.—
Callaway was a man of clear and dis
criminating mind, ot‘ persuasive elo
quenee, and greatly beloved by those
who knew him well. Thornton wa?
the most profound thinker, the deep
est theologian I have ever known, and
withal, a most cordial, companionable
person. Saunders was impetuous, rash,
and to stiangers seemed to be impe
rious in his disposition. But a more
sincere, honest, earnest Christian nev
er lived. Mercer was simple, meek,
childlike in all liis ways—a sort of Mo
, se3 to our Israel in Georgia. Yet,
when occasion required, no one was
! more firm, indexible and stern than he.
] Some aftect to believe that Gospel min
isters are no better than other men. —
Having associated with them from my
youth up, I here record my testimony
to their unselfishness, their purity,
their charity, and their fidelity to the
Master whom they serve.
llaprison.
Polygamy—an Explanation.
Some brethren appear to suspect
that my article in the “Tennessee Bap
tist” of May 29th was designed to re
lieve bro. Graves from the odium ol
his position, by assuming a part of his
burden! A have yet to learn that
friendship to Graves would be a great
sin against Gml or man, or that he,
with all his faults, is more faulty than
] her people. Moreover, I nevei
dreamed of so much self flattery as
would make me fiy to the rescue oi
j the “li tle giant.” But the “Snath
j Western Baptist” of the 24th ulr., in
a rather contemptuous and patronizing
editorial, Inis discovered another rea
i son for tiie appearance of mv article.
It says, in effect, that it will not ac
ease “ Mr. Bowen” of-so much obliqn
ny as being friendly to Graves. Far
Horn it. “Mr. Bowen” did not know
the man. “Mr. Bowen” has been
I clearly entrapped by the crafty Grave-.
He had no conception of the snare in
o which lie was going. lie has dom
l’ l Ve ry foolish tiling, but the good soul
| meant no harm by it, ifcc. Mr. Bow
j en declines the honor of this extenua
1 (ion.
I was well aware, before iny articK
was penned, that many brethren would
regret the discussion of ihe question,
Whether polygamists in In atheii coun
tries shall he baptized 2 But this dis
cussion did not originate with me, or
with the “Tennessee Baptist.” It is
j now going on in Europe, Asia, Africa
! and America; and is likely to continue
till Christians arrive at some definite
conclusion. A discussion of this na
ture, however deplorable, cannot be
staved off; for it is really an urgent
’ practical question, which we must de-
OIR, G-A-IST OF THE BAPTIST OOKT-VTBIfTIOiT OF THE STATE OF QEORaiA.
cide in some wav. The “S. W. Bap
tist,” iu the article already alluded to,
makes a clear leap into the sanctum,
sanctorum of a conclusion, leaving all
the facts touching the real point in dis
pute, behind. This discussion will not
be final for all the world. If lam
rightly informed, the Shall
we baptize polygamists? is now| being
discussed by Missionary Boards. It
has been decided in the affirmative by
bishops and archbishops, and by seve
ral missionaries now in heathen lands.
Even those missionaries who reject po
lygamists, have never in any instance,
I believe, refused to baptize the wives
of the men whom they reject. The
two or three wives of a man may
baptized, but the man may not. Ir
.sccy j \i; iilent that- frnTfrstrnWtft”
be received, or both should be reject
ed. The manifest necessity for some
decision of these difficult points was
the real cause which induced me to
write on the subject.
I am willing to bear the necessary
burden of my opinions, but I wish my
real position to be understood* There
are two points on which some of the
brethren appear to misapprehend my
meaning.
As tot lie question whether polyga
my is se, my opinion was ex
pressed in these words: “Polygamy
is not one of those things which is un
alterably wrong as being intrinsically
repugnant to tiie law of nature. It is
not sin per se—because the holy God
himself sanctioned it among the patri
archs.” I will not attempt to ’show
how a thing which is contrary to the
original constitution of man may come
to be tolerated by divine law in socie
ty, for this would occupy too much
time. It is enough to state, under this
] head, that prophets and saints of old
; were allowed to have two wives.
But whether the same thing is law
ful under the Gospel dispensation, is
another question. Some of the breth
ren write as if i had come out bodily
in defence of polygamy. In so far at
hey d.i this, they do this they do me
injustice. My own language ran a.-
tolloivs: “Polygamy is repugnant to
lie feelings of enlightened men.”—
“go far as the general bearing of the
word is concerned, we al! admit that
lie New Tes ament discountenances
polygamy.” “The Gospel lays down
principles which authorize us to sa)
ro the convert: You must never take
mother wife in addition to the one,oi
ones, yon now have.” “I should re
gard it as a sacred duty to exclude a
man from the church if he should go
into polygamy after his baptism.” In
saying all this, I meant to lay it down
as a principle, that polygamy is for
bidden by the Gospel.
How, then, could I advocate the
baptism of polygamists? Simply be
cause I thought, and still think, that
the Gospel itself makes an exception
ro its general law in favor of converts
who have been brought up in countries
where polygamy is not sin, either per
se, or by the prohibition of any known
law. Whether any such exception ex
ists, is the real question at issue. We
all agree that polygamy i8 prohibited
—that it must not bean institution in
the church; but some of us have ven
tured to say, that the Gospel requires
us to baptize converted polygamistsin
heathen lands.
Where is this required? I would
reply, In the command to baptize all
who believe. II we reject the polyg
amist, we do not baptize all. If we
baptize him, and forbid polygamy to
extend in the church, we abolish the
evil without refusing baptism to any
convert. And besides, who has an
thorized ns to establish a church be
yond the boundaries of the church, by
creating a class of unbaptized Chris
tians consisting of polygamists and
their wives?
In my other article I produced facts
to show that polygamy, or its equiva
lent, prevailed in all nations in apos
tolical time. These facts have not
been gainsayed, and never will, save
only a misprint, one wife , instead of
no wife , as if was in the MS. The
conclusion from these facts, and theii
attendants, as laid down in the New
Testament, is obvious. The apostle?-
must have baptized polygamists. It
is true that this conclusion has been
met by several acute sophisms, but
they are only sophisms after all.
Finally, in all cases of a conflict be
ween laws, the weaker law, so to
-peak, invariably yields to the stron
ger. I might illustrate by a hundred
examples. Now it often happens, in
mission flelds, that the law against po
Ivgamy cannot be enforced without vi
olating the law which forbids divorce.
The two laws come in conflict. Which
ot the two shall yield ? Shall we vio~
late the law against divorce, and drive
out a woman who is, de facto , a wife,
as much as Kachel was? or shall we
suspend the law against polygamy?
MACON, TONWAY, JULY 28, 1858.
or iu other an exception
which will secure pie vested rights of
this de facto wife I opin
ion is, that the Go&el requires this ex
ception to be made; or in short, that
all who believe shouldße baptized.
For my own part, I have no further
desire to discuss this question. All I
desire is, to have my position fairly
stated. If it can lie proved that there
is not real marriage in the case of the
second wife, I should no longer fear to
require a convert to put her away,
and to make his doing so a condition
of his baptism. , T. J. B.
Greensboro, Ga. -'j
— .
Slander is a prevalent
riiwi miiny suppose, ‘” ft
is common in almost every 1 neighbor
hood ; and is found in some form in
many a family circle. Those who put
in circulation a slanderous tale against
another, and those who purposely aid
iu its circulation, are all guilty of slan
der iu its worst form. But there are
some who, for mere gossip’s sake, re
port news they have heard, without as
certaining whether such news be true
or not. And yet their aim is not to
injure any one by repeating what they
have heard. Still they are, in a mod
ified sense, accountable for the crime
of slander, since the effect of their
gossip is to injure an innocent person.
Will the reader bear this in mind, and
guard His own tongue when reports
about others are spoken of iu his pres
ence? . J.
The Revival inF Columbus, Ga.
Although itemMof information re
specting the outpourings of the Spirit
in this city have been given from time
to time during the progress of the
work, it may not be out of place, now
the meetings are colsed, to give an
outline of the plan pursued among the
churches, and state the results of their
labors.
For some time previous to the com
mencement of the present revival, an
interesting series of meetings had been
carried on in the Methodist church,
and a good many conversions were re
ported. Besides this, there had been
a growing anxiety in the hearts of
Christians for a blessing from Heav
en ; and the wonderful awakening ex
perienced in :i;-s Ciiie?;, had
encouraged them to pray for an exten
-ive revival among them. About the
20th of April, as nearly as I can now
recollect, the Young Men’s Christian
Association commenced holding daily
prayer-meetings at 5 o’clock, P. M.,
at Temperance Hull. A few days af
ter those meetiugs commenced, the
pastor of . the Methodist church—Rev.
A. M. Wynn—with the concurrence
of his members, invited the other pas
tors and congregations of the city to
unite with them in union prayar-meet
ings, to be kept up every morning.—
The invitation was accepted by the
Presbyterian and Baptist pastors and
congregations; and for about eleven
weeks, these union prayer-meetings
were kept np. At night each church
had its own meeting, which was con
ducted according to its own method.
The union prayer- meetings were held
alternately at the different churches,
two days at a time at each ; the servi
ces being conducted by the pastor of
the church with which the meeting
was held. Entire harmony prevailed
throughout, and the members of tbe
different churches seemed to vie with
each other in cultivating brotherly
love and unity. The effect upon the
community was most salutary. Often
daring the services the vast congrega
tions seemed to be overwhelmed with
feelings. Frequently fifty or more
persons would go to the altar, or arise
in the congregation, to ask an interest
in prayer. Daily there were conver
sions reported, and large additions
were made to the different churches.
In all the religious exercises there
was a quietness observed which is un
common amidst great revivals. There
was very little enthusiasm manifested.
Everything was solemn, and compara
tively silent. And every care was ta
ken to guard against extraordinary ex
citement. Whether in the union pray
meetings in the morniug, or the pray
er-meeting of the Y r oung Men’s Chris
tian Association in the afternoon, or
the regular meetings of the churches
at candle-light, prayer was the prevail
ing element. That was the great in
strumeutality used. All persons in at
tendance seemed to feel that a throne
of grace was near by.
After keeping up these services 11
weeks or more, the meetings were
brought to a close. The results are,
as near as I can now ascertain: nearly
500 conversions took place. About
150 joined the Baptist church. About
110 the Presbyterian, anff about 300
(including probationers sot converted)
united with the Methodist church.—
The Episcopal church also had a se
ries of meeting?, and enjoyed some in
gathering, but I am not informed as
to how many. The precise number of
additions to the churches I have not
ascertained.
Altogether, the present revival has
been the most extensive and most in
teresting ever experienced in this city.
Truly, the Lord has done great things
for us,, whereof we are glad.
J. M, Watt.
Columbus, Julv 16, ’SB. r
VALEDICTORY.
Georgia F male College. —- Macon ,
BY MARION PRESTON ROSE,
July 4th, 1658.
Address
. —i
As the indulgent and attentive au
ditors of my classmates, you will allow
me to follow them, as Ruth did the
reapers—to gather what they may have
left in the wide fields, over which they
have passed within the last two days.
Like the Moabitsh maiden, I hope to
obtain favor as the representative of
my class, whilst 1 say a few parting
words.
During the two past days, we have
appeared before you in the last scene
of our scholastic life. Bright and hap
py days they may have been, but they
terminate now in a few brief words
and a sadly spoken farewell! Then,
we come among you and we launch
our frail barks fully upon the broad
ocean of life—upon whose Summer
shore we now stand. To us, who look
into the future, as through a misty
veil, the life beyond appears very pleas
ant and attractive. But even through
the veil’s deceptive folds, we have sect
that there was someth! ng el.-e beyond
it, than mere pleasure ; and the knowl
edge of the great and onerous duties
of woman’s life, have broken in upoi
our minds ; faintly, perhaps, vet snffi
ciently to teach us that there was need
for us to prepare to encounter them
successfully. We have, therefore, du
ring the years we have spent with
in these College walls, endeavored to
acquaint ourselves with those branch
es of human learning, which should
best prepare us for sustaining the po
sitions which we are to occupy in the
earnest, busy world, to which a major
ity of rbe to-day, belong.
And what is that position? It is
that, of the true woman; the friend,
counsellor, and comforter of man. And
in that position to do, and to be, what
Longfellow would have us—
“ And that Hnile like sunshine dart,
Into man}’ a sunless h^art—
Fo; a smile of God, thou art.”
If we have failed in attaining to the
high standard we have set up, I ask of
you—respected Audience, that you
judge us not too haslily. But be that
as it may, we have striven to become
worthy of the name of woman, in the
sense of which God applied it to Eve.
Equal, nay, superior to man spiritual
ly and morrally, inferior physically,
and perhaps intellectually. Even
Thackery, with his continual sneer at
mankind generally, admits this superi
ority. He says, “ women are pure,
but not men—women are unselfish,
but not men.” Therefore, we would
ask of you when we mingle with you
in the world, that yon treat ns, not as
mere butterfiy-creatures, who are to be
toyed with for a passing hour, and then
be cast aside like a faded flower. Bui
as beings with as true hearts, and deep
feelings as yourselves; capable of lov
ing with unwavering trust, and of de
voting a whole life steadily, untiring
to duty. In proof of this, we need on
ly refer to the records of woman’s life,
from the Creation to the present time.
Ruth’s whole beautiful life was an ex
hibition of filial love and duty. Then
we see the sweet crazed face of Emilie
de Lavellette, as she gazes anxiotish
through her prison bats; she has sac
riiiced her whole life, and at last hei
reason, upon the alter of conjugal love
and duty. Again, in the founeenth
century we hear of the heroism of Ger
trude Von de Wert, whose mime be
came to her countrymen, syi.<>n> nnui.-
wirti “Fidelity unto death.” M.m\
other and illustrious names as we scan
the ages of the past, rise up to show
what power woman does possess, and
how she “ can suffer and be strong.”
Hu: it is not necessary tolook for them
in history alone, for there are thous
ands now, whose sacrifice in daily life,
have been equal even to those we have
mentioned. Women whose one life
thought has been “duty”—aud whose
lives have been as pure and unselfish
as saints ; yet who have gone down to
the grave with broken hearts, unloved,
because unappreciated. Woman's
mind and character, however, soon will
be better understood aud appreciated.
Her qualities have hitherto been made
known to the world ofcenest, by suffer
ing. If education aud enlightenment
continue to advance as rapidly as now,
the time is not far distant, when she
GEORGIA TELEGRAPH STEAM POW-ER PRESS.
will be known by her deeds as well as
her sufferings. Then, will she adorn
many stations, which now seem inap
propriate and unapproachable—a n and
which are closed to her aspirations.—
Those.who are accustomed to inveigh
agaiust woman’s curiosity, as unfitting
her for positions of confidence and
trust, and who denounce her as the
betrayer of man, should refer for
a moment to the Sacred Record. —
It tells us that the heart of woman de
sired ivisdom. Shesinned because she
aspired to knowledge above her hu
man condition. “ But though sinning,
her aspirations were Heavenward.”
She did not, therefore, as so m e
would have ns believe, eat the’ apple
i to know
KPfc it t se~ ot
knowledge the act would give to her
eager mind. This is seldom thought
of in explaining this much agitated
question, but is none the less true.
We are no advocates of the so-called
right’s of woman, but, we ask that she
be allowed to seek and appropriate
those means of improvement which
contribute most toiler usefulness, her
happiness, and to the perfect develop
ment of her character. We thank you
for your kindness in sustaining by your
countenances and substantial aid, those
who are engaged in this noble work of
educating the female mind and heart.
Most earnestly do we hope that you
may be encouraged by the results el
the past, and animated by the promise
ot the present, still to aid and encour
age this the noblest and best work oi
human enterprise.
And now thanking you yet again,
and wishing for you individually and
collectively, Heaven’s choicest blet
'ing.- in all the future, we must with
-mceie regret say, “Farewell.”
Are Agents a Nuisance?
We find this week an article in tin
y. Y. Chronicle , with the above cap
ion. Much is said about Churchei
doing their duty, and dispensing with
Agents. But the difficulty is, they do
not do their duty , and as a general
rule, will not , and therefore, Agents
are indispensable. Something was
said a few weeks ago in the Index,
bearing upon the expensiveness of out
benevolent organizations, and we now
commend to our readers a few para
graphsfroim hi* article already alluded
to. *
This we consider one of the mos
alarming features of our charity entei
prises. Without Agents they cannot
succeed. To cast out agents is shut
s ing the door against such men as Paul
who was a collector of money for char
itable purposes, such men as Adrev
Fuller, George Wiiitefield, Nathaniel
Kendrick, John Peck, Alfred Bennet.
Luther Rice, Lewis Leonard and hun
dreds of our most deserving brethren.
True, an agency is a costly thing
We find it so from our own experience
in conducting a newspaper. So an
ships costly things. And yet, you can
not carry on commerce without them.
Nor is it possible to carry forward a
great charity without agencies. It u
“a mistake to estimate the cost of ai
agent’s services by the percentage oi
his salary and expenses on the monei
he collects. Dr. Nathaniel Kendrick
was a slow tnau in the collection o’,
money. He lacked that witchery ot
eloquence which fills a coutributioi
box. And yet, let Ins’ salary and ex
penses be estimated on his influence
as a whole, or on the good which In
actually did by going among tin
churches, and it would be found steal:
indeed. A good agent does a gone
deal of work that brings no immediate
return. It was said to lissome yean
ago, that a certain society would give
such a man as Dr. Way land S3OOO i
year to go among the people to repre
sent its claims. This it would do, no
with reference to immediate, but nl i
mate results. And it would have beet
a wise expenditure of money, even ii
the Doctor had not collected enough
to pay his salary.
A good agent increases permanent
ly the intelligence and liberality of tin
people, lie goes prepared to”diffuce
information on a particular subject
hat they could not otherwise obtain,
or not with equal practical results.—
tie trains the people to giving. Hi
enlarges the scope of their thinking,
heir aspirations aud their contribu
tions.
We say these tilings with the deep
nst concern at the movement which
wo see on foot to discredit our agents
Theirs is a very self denying work,
and yet if our organized charities an
as valuable as we believe them to be,
it is a work second to no other in im
portance. The churches are not mori
certain to decline without pastors than
our benevolence is without agents. —
We entreat our brethren to weigh well
this matter before they proceed furth
er against those brethren who bavi
been persuaded to accept this sell
denying work. Not a -man of them
will remain, if they be not treated in a
more brotherly and trustworthy man
ner.
Romanism : the Bible. The Church
of Rome has preserved the Volume that
is destined to destroy her. Like Phar
aoh’s daughter, she nursed it as her own,
for the destruction of her own kingdom.
Carson.
Number 30.
THE UNCONVERTED.
YOG DON’T KNOW?
Reader, how is your soul? How is
is it between von and God ? Have
you been born again ? Are you con
verted ? Do you repent and believe
in Christ? Can you give me answers
to these questions#* Very likely you
cannot. Very likely you will say,
you “ don’t know.”
You do not know ! Yet heaven or
hell is wrapped up in this question. —
An eternity of happiness or misery
hinges upon your answer. You do
not leave your worldly affairs so unset
tled. You do not manage your earth
ly business so loosely. You look far
forward. Yon provide against every
•bontiugency. You prop
erty-. Oh, why not deal in the same
You do not know/ Yet al"l around
you is uncertainty. You are a poor
nail worm, your body fearfully* and
wonderfully made, your health liable
to be put out of order in a thousand
ways, ihe next time the daisies bloom,
it may be over your grave. All be
foreyou is dark, iou know not what
i day may bring forth, much less a
year. Oh, why not bring your soul’s
business to a point without delay ?
Reader, 1 entreat you to begin the
great business of self-examination.—
Rest not till you know the length and
breadtli of your own state in God’s
dght. Backwardness in this matter
is an evil sign. It springs from an un
easy conscience. It shows that a man
thinks ill of his own case. Ho feels,
like a dishonest tradesman, that his
accounts will not bear inquiry. He
dreads the ligh t.
Reader, make sure work. Take
nothing for granted. Do not measure
your condition by that of others. Biing
everything to the measure of God’s
words. A mistake about your soul is
i mistake for eternity. “Surely,”
’ays Leighton, “ they that are not
born again, shall one day wish they
tad never been born.”
Reader, take my advice this day.—
Never r**t tiU you know the state of
your soul.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
1. NY ill- 1 lie road in which .1 am now
walking, lead to heaven or to hell ?
2. AVill the imaginary advantages
f sin here be a sufficient eompensa
ion lbr the eternal loss of my soul
hereafter ?
3. Going on as 1 now do, shall I run
no risk of being condemned forever?
4. Havel tot committed many sins
igainst God, aud thereby provoked his
-uigef? ~ ‘
•>. Il God should this moment call
*<> his bar, am 1 prepared to meet
him?
0. Am I born again ?
7. Do I rest my hope of heaven on
nv own doings, or on the merits and
mediation of Christ ?
8. Do I humbly and diligently read
lie word of God, for the purpose of
knowing his divine will, and learning
my way to heaven ?
D. Do I believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ with all my heart, and are my
ins pardoned and washed away by the
blood 1 of Christ ?
Id. W hue evidence do I give of my
.’aith in Jesus (
11. Du I pray sincerely, fervently,
ind constantly, with all humility of
uind?
12. Do I heartily repent of every
mown sin, hate it, aud endeavor to flee
.Yom it?
13. Do I desire holiness as much as
I defeire happiness?
14. Do 1 hate vain thoughts, and
’linn vain company ?
Oh, my soul, weigh these questions
well. Let my conscience dictate the
answers.
ON BY “l RY.
Reader, there are many difficulties
n a man’s way if he takes up real, se
rious religion. I know that well. But
lo not let these difficulties stop yon.
Try to servo Christ. Only try.
There are difficulties, but God will
give you grace to overcome them.—
Cod is not a hard Master. He will not,
■ ike Pharaoh, ask you to make brick,
and find you no straw. He never laid
in man commands which he would not
give man power lo perform. Only try.
Reader, try to serve Christ. Resist
bedevil when he says it is impossible,
fry, mid Jesus will help you. He
love 6 to meet those who strive to come
o him, and he will meet 3011 and give
you the power that you feel you need,
ile like the man whom Banyan's pil
grim saw in the interpreter’s house;
go forward boldly,saying, “Set down
.ny name.” Those words ofourLoid
are true, though 1 often hear them re
peated by heartless and unfeeling ton
gues : “Seek, and ye shall find ; knock,
and it shall bo opened uuto you.”—
Alatt. 7: 7. D.ffieuities which tec mid
tike mountains, shad melt away like
snow in spring. Obstacles which seem
uke giants in the mist of distance,
-hall dwindle into nothing when you
fairly face them. The lion in the way
which von fear, shall prove to be chain
ed. If men believed the promis. s
nure, they would never be afraid of
duties. But remember that little word
I press upon you, and when Satan
says, “You cannot be a Christian,” an
swer hint, “Get thee behind me, Sa
tan ; by God’s help / will try.”
Depend on it, With the help of God
there is nothing impossible. Where
there is a will, tliere will always be a
way. Take down your Bible aud be
gin to read it. Seek God in prayer,
and be earnest about it. But try.