Newspaper Page Text
JOSEPH WALKER, Editor.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Associate Editor.
37. —N ew Series V 01.26.
CHRISTIAN INDEX.
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING
At MACON, Ga.,
BY A COMMITTEE OF BRETHREN,
Jfor ttjc Georgia baptist Contention.
POETRY.
Death of Bro. George G. Willis.
George Cranberry Willis, a son of
Rev. C. C. Willis, was born December
13th, 1838—professed religion and
united with the Baptist Church at
Bethel, Muscogee County, August,
1855, and died at the residence of his
father in said County after a short ill
ness, in full assurance of a blessed im
mortality.
Wc read the 14th ofSt. John,
And tried to pray to God
To grant us strength to be resigned
To his afflicting rod,
For in the distance we could hear
The swelling Jordan roar,
And knew our friend must struggle soon
To reach the shining shore.
But as the shades were falling fast,
Upon his weary frame,
We asked if he could trust his God
And praise his glorious name ;
His weeping father bending low
Spoke of the joys above,
Os angels pure, and mansions bright,
And God’s eternal love.
Our tears began to flow afresh—
Our thoughts were with the dead:
“ Talk on my father, tell me more”
The dying'Christian said.
“ 0, if it were my Maker’s will
My strength again to give,
I feel my chief desire would be
To teach men how to live.”
He told us that he loved his God
And fellow creature too,
And hoped that God would be with him
To guide him safely through.
We look’d, and lo! his soul had fled!
His corpse in vain we press !
Heav’n has a shining angel more,
And earth one Christian less. W. S. G.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Missionary Intelligence.
Yam Feast — Drunkenness — Kidnap
ping Expeditions—Defeat of Ma
rauders.
Ogbomoshaw, Africa,
Sept. 21, 1858.
Dear Bro. Walker—At the appear
ance of the new moon in last month,
the new yam feast commenced. Dur
ing which time the sacrificing was 10
Oriska Oko, the god of the farm.—
On the second day of the feast the
town seemed to be thronged with peo
ple, and many of them were very much
intoxicated, and resembled very much
a drunken posse in the States, in ac
tions and conversations. The strong
est native drink, is about equal to hard
cider, in its intoxicating qualities. —
Several of the spirituous liquors are
being introduced through the country
by the merchants on the coast. These
however, cost too much for the masses
of the people to get, and therefore
such drinkß are confined to the more
wealthy. The people here, as every
where else, love to drink, and if mer
chants bring these various drinks into
the country, missionary operations
will be much impeded, and the influ
ence of the white man greatly lessened
in'doing good. For every movement
that is made by the white man, is
closely scrutinized by these covetous
and superstitious rulers. The slave
trade is still going on to some extent,
in some parts of the country. There
is not an important town, in all the
country, but what has had warriors
out on kidnapping expeditions during
this year. The action of the French
government has opened a home mar
ket -for slaves, at attracting prices,
and which has offered a strong
inducement for kidnapping. Illorin,
the great emporium of trade of vari
ous kinds, in all this country, and
which has been extensively engaged
in the slave trade, met with a sad de
feat not long since, while her warriors
were on one of these unrighteous ex
peditions. Their object was to pro
ceed about 15 days journey into the
country, before making any attack up
on the people, and then on returning
to gather all they could from the small
towns on the road. They had gone
about ten days and were preparing to
take a tolerably large town, when a
number of small towns in the country,
through which they had passed, hav
ing formed themselves into one band
came npon the Illorin people’s rear,
and the town in front, sallied forth
and joined in the attack upon them,
and the consequence was, a disgrace
ful defeat, with loss of their comman
der. I learn that their pride is very
much lowered. An officer of this town
was with them and is so much depress
ed in feelings that he has secluded
himself. I hope this reverse of slave
catching, will prove beneficial to all
the country.
Dear brethren, let me appeal to you
to search ont truly pious and efficient
colored men and send to this mission,
as w© cannot expect to sustain it as it
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
ought to be. White missionaries cannot
stand the climate and perform the un
avoidable accumulation of labor which
will be necessary to carry on our mis
sion operations. There is not at this
time a white missionary in this field,
who is able to perform efficient labor
on account of debility, but we hope
the Lord will soon restore us all to
health again, that we may be useful
and humble instruments in his hands
accomplishing great good for Afri
ca. Yours fraternally,
T. A. REID.
Miscellaneous — Unpleasant accident —
Studies interrupted —People willing
to hear—The tico females —Old
friend not yet baptized — Pain.
Ogbomoshaw, Africa,
Sept. 20, 1858.
Dear Bro. Walker—The last mail
brought me several numbers of the
Index ladened with much intelligence
of importance. In'one I see a letter
from Bro. Bowen, which I regard as
objectionable in several particulars, as
applies to Africa. I would love to
give a few facts and present a few
thoughts on the subject of Polygamy,
but am now too I learn, how
ever, it has been replied to by an able
pen—(l mean bro. B’s. letter.)
1 hope before this, that the optical
operation to which you have submit
ted, lias proved to be an effectual re
storation of eye sight, and that you
are again in the “ Editor’s sanctum”
“jotting down ideas for the public.”
During this month I have had sev
eral returns of fever, but of a light
form. On the morning of the 13th
inst., as I rode in at the gate of our
yard, the head piece being rather low
caught my coat collar, bringing me
suddenly backwards, affecting my
loins and head so much that I was
quite disabled to get up or stand alone
when up, for about six hours. Since
that time, I have been gradually im
proving and hope soon to be able to
resume rny regular duties. I had
some apprehensions at first, that there
was a displacement of some of the
parts, but am now very well assured
there is none.
I think I could soon acquire this
language, if I could apply myself, “but
thus far my advancement in it has
been slow.
I study it a few days, aud then take
fever and have to stop awhile and then
rise and try again with hope of suc
ceeding at last, if I do proceed with a
slothful paoe. I hope the religious
interest among the people here is
gradually increasing, for they still
come to hear the gospel, and listen
with much apparent interest. Those
females are still much persecuted, be
cause they were baptized, and are not
allowed to come to the chapel to hear
the gospel on the Sabbath. They
both remain quite firm aud decided in
the profession they have made and
utterly refuse all countenance to all
idol worship.
On account of illness, my old friend
has not been baptized yet, but is now
improving, and I hope soon to admin
ister the ordinance to him.
During this month we have had
much rain, and the earth is now quite
saturated with water, and it still rain
ing some nearly every day. The wa
ters are very high now and dangerous
for caravans to cross. During this
month since the rains commenced the
thermometer outside of the room has
ranged from TO to 88 deg. The one
inside from TO so 80 deg., making a
difference from the indications of them
during the month previous, when
there was no rain and much wind. I
have not moved the two thermometers
from their situations during the time.
Another little item I would make, and
that is, never, since I have been in this
country, have I seen the sun set with
out some cloud over it or around it.—
I have watched often to see it, but
have not yet.
Yours fraternally,
T. A. REID.
For the Index.
Reflections on Prayer.
Prayer is the offering of our desires
to God, by the aid of the Holy Spirit,
for things consistent with His will,
through the mediation of Jesus Christ,
with a confession of our sins, and a
grateful acknowledgment of blessings.
It is God’s means, through which we
obtain both spiritual and temporal
blessings. It is the medium through
which our thoughts are transmitted to
the throne of God. He could bless us
otherwise, but he will be sought unto,
for the blessings of which we stand in
need. It is indispensable to a growth
in grace, and a most endeared privil
ege. ‘ The saints, in all ages, have ob
served it, and God has, by gracious
promises encouraged its observance.
He directed David to open his mouth
and he would fill it. “ Knock and it
■ ■ “ ■- •” “ ■ •■■■■■ l ■ ■ * , 4; .. •; ~ • *
ORO-A.N OIF THE BAPTIST <pO3KT VEISTTIOTST OF THE STATE OF C3-IEOEIOIuA.
shall be opened nnto you, seek and ye
shall find.”
But great as is the encouragement
to pray, it is evident, that all prayer
is not acceptable to God, and attend
ed with blessings to man. “Ae ask
and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume •it upon your
lusts.” He that turns away his ear
from the law, his prayer shall be an
abomination. (See 1 John iii. 22?)
From these, and other passages, it is
evident that the efficacy of prayer de
pends upon the manner it is offered :
Ist, Prayer is a spiritual exercise,
and can only be performed by the aid
of the Holy Spirit. “ Likewise the
spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for
we know not what we should ask for
as we ought; but the spirit itself mak
eth inteicession for us with groanings
that cannot be uttered.” What a
glorious blessing to have such an advo
cate with the father ! “The sacrifice of
the wicked is an abomination to the
Lord, but the prayer of the upright is
his delight.” The Holy Spirit is the
great agent in the world of religion,
and no prayer is acceptable without
it. Hence in Zech. 12, 10, he is call
ed the spirit of grace and supplication.
Guided by this heavenly spirit of
adoption, we may exercise the rights
of intimacy with our Father, and have
such things indited upon onr hearts
as will conduce to onr eternal benefit.
2d. Prayer must be offered in faith.
This is the sine qua non of all success
ful prayers. “If any man lack wis
dom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him. But
let him ask in faith—nothing waver
ing. For he that waverethis like the
wave of the sea driven with the wind
and tossed. For let not that man think
he shall receive anything of the Lord.”
“ lie that cometh unto God must be
lieve that he is, and that he is the re
warder of them that diligently seek
him.” Without faith prayer becomes
a cold, hesitating, heartless form.—
We will not enquire fervently, nor
honestly. Faith, as a grain of mus
tard, is a living, active principle in the
heart; and give us the full assurance
of the fulfilment of God’s promises.—
The prominence which is given to
faith as a necessary element in success
ful praj er, induces us to believe that a
want of it, prevents us from receiving
divine favors. Instances in which he
has honored an implicit, trusting faith
abound in the history of the truly pi
ous, and put to shame our doubting of
his power. These instances appear to
us marvellous; but does not this re
sult from our incredulity ? There is
nothing strange in Gods’ keeping his
promises, for all things are subject to
his control. We are often so incredu
lous as to the bestowal of blessings
that we are astonished when they
come. The church, w hile engaged in
praying for Peter in prison, were as
tonished when lie knocked at the door.
Ilad we more faith in our prayers, we
would be more persevering and earn
est —Jacob like, wrestling for the
blessing. We should desire that kind
of faith whose legitimate result will be
desire, hope, submission and constan
cy.
3d. Prayer is to be offered for things
agreeable to his will. “ And this is
the confidence that we have in him,
that if we ask anything arcording to
his will, he heareth us; and if we
know that he hear us, whatsoever we
ask, we know that we have the peti
tions that we desired of him.” Our
prayers, then, should be governed by
the revealed will of God, that they
may embrace his promises. We often
pray that his will be done, but if his
afflicting providences come upon us,
we repine and become impatient, and
are almost ready to doubt that we wor
ship a God of mercy and goodness.—
In his own good time, he will fulfil his
promises to his people. To the chil
dren of Israel his promises were all
made sure, though they became impa
tient.
4th. Prayer should be made con
fe®ig our sins and returning grateful
acknowledgements for blessings. “ I
prayed” says Daniel, “and made con
fession.” “Father,” said the Prodi
gal, “I- have sinned against heaven and
in thy sight.”
“ Lord be merciful to me a sinner.”
By acknowledgment we manifest de
pendence and humility, by confession
we glorify God. In our petitions to
God we show dependence ; in confes
sion sinfulness, and in returning thanks
our willinguess to exalt his name.—
Gratitude, throughout the scripture,
is represented as an essential quality
of prayer. An humble, contrite heart
God will not and espiße. “ Offer unto
God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows
unto the Most High ; call upon me in
the day of trouble, I will deliver thee;
and thou shall glorify me.” Let us
MACON, WEIJkSBAY, DECEMBER 8, 1858.
study an example full of these lessons.
Paul and Silas while bound with
chains in the dungeon of the prison,
did not forget praise in their prayer
for deliverance. But it seems they
“sang praises to God and the prisoners
heard them.” And God heard them.
“ Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death,
He enters heaven with prayer.
J. jS. s.
A Letter from Florida.
Dear Brother—Though not accus
tomed to writing for the public eye,
I have a good mind to say something
about West Florida, in the hope of
benefitting some of my good friends,
who are ploddingjover the hills and im
proving our resources.
The Baptists, a few years ago, when
my lot was cast in this country, had
scarcely an existence. Even now,
though the position they occupy causes
to be talked about and opposed—they
form a weak wing of the professed
Christian army, and of course have to
take the rear. We have, however, the
Bible on our side, which is the truth,
and as elsewhere thronghout Christ’s
dominions our sentiments must pre
vail. *
Some neighborhoods within our
bounds, as in Jackson county, are thick
ly settled, and has society of the first
order, but generally our good laud i
in small bodies, and settlements “few
and far between.” It is a very healthy
country, the notion of up-country peo
ple to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Dividing the small bodies of rich land
are extensive pine plains, affording an
inexhaustible range tor stock. Gen
erally the land is level, though there
is some hilly country. Orange Hill
has quite a mountainous appearance
and affords as abundant, good, free
stone, spring wateHtas any part of
Georgia, and the moU healthful and
pleasant summer residence known to
the writer. The land of Orange Hill,
though very broken and sandy, is fer
tile and well adapWlto the production
of cotton, tobacco and sugar cane.—
West of Orange about ten miles,
Holmes’ valley SgfWfc a body of as
good up land as State. One
farmer on “tht l ve tUjs year has
made £6OO per hand in cotton and to
bacco, and sustained at least 25 per
cent injury by grasshoppers, catterpil
las and rust. I know of no place bet
ter suited to small colonies of emi
grants who could form, within them
selves, good society, and develope the
resources of the county. Land is ex
ceedingly low priced, few sales ever
occurring. Let farmers come and see
the advantages to be enjoyed hero.
DETTAHIETA.
SELECTIONS.
Extracts from Wayland’s sermons for the churches
SUBDUING THE WORLD TO
CHRIST.
Nothing is now wanting to subdue
the world unto Christ, but an univer
sal, earnest, self-sacrificing effort of his
disciples, in firm reliance upon the
Spirit from on high. Thus far we
have failed in just so far as we have
trusted to our own wisdom instead of
the wisdom of the Master. We mourn
over the vices of the land ? We invoke
the majesty of the law, and laws are
not executed. Wo unite in associa
tions, and our associations are rent
asunder. We join hatids, now with
one, and then with another struggling
party, and we are sold in the political
shambles like brute beasts. Let us
then adjure all such vain alliances,
and commence the work of reforming
the world by obeying the precepts of
Jesus.
EACH OXE TO LABOR.
Let us turn for a moment to the
views which prevail in most of the
churches of every denomination.—
There can, I think, be no doubt that
the Saviour requires redeemed
soul to make the extension of the king
dom of Christ the great business of
his life, to labor personally with men
for their salvation, to invite them to
come to Christ that they may escape
the wrath to come. There can not
then be a disciple of Christ, whatever
be his condition, on whom this obliga
tion in all its strickness does not plain
ly rest. But how do we perform this
duty 2 We form ourselves into church
es, delegate the labor of extending the
kingdom of Christ to a single individ
ual, and consider ourselves absolved
from the duty imposed upon us by
simply ministering to his physical
wants. The Master summons us all
to personal labor in his vineyard, and
we combine together and send, in the
place of several hundreds, a single in
dividual. To render our conduct
consistent, we prescribe qualifications
for the discharge of a Christian duty
which Christ has never prescribed, and
then excuse ourselves from doing his
bidding because we have not these
self-imposed qualifications. We seem
to suppose that no disciple is at liberty
to invite sinners to come to Christ un
less he has consumed many years in
the study of heathen classics, and be
come familiar with the opinions of men
for eighteen centuries on the teachings
of Christ.
ASSOCIATIONS ARE FORMED.
Christ commands every one ot us,
individually, to follow his example,
and, laying hold qf the weapons of
faith and love, with holy boldness com
mence the warfare against every form
of vice and oppression. It is on the
efforts of single men, moved by a com
mon love of Christ, aud guided by the
indwelling Spirit, that the gospel re
lies for success. We, however, take
a different course. Instead of com
mencing this labor, each one for him
self, we prefer to merge our individ
uality iu extensive volntary associa
tions. We meet in conventions, we
deliver platform orations, we pass
strong resolutions, and we return home
well pleased with the belief that, though
we have not reformed a single sinner,
we have made a powerful impression
on what we term the American mind.
In this conviction we remain perfectly
at ease until the next anniversary, when
we meet again, make speeches, pass
resolutions, talk vehemently about the
all-controlliug moral efficacy of the
ballot-box, and, although we have not
touched the burden with one of our
fingers, wonder that the work of refor
mation is not akeady accomplished.
We proceed in the same manner in the
matter of ordinary benevolence. Jesus
Christ has made it the duty of every
one of his disciples to feed the hungry,
the naked, to visit the sick and the
prisoner, to speak words of comfort to
the disconsolate, and to carry the good
news of salvation to publicans and sin
ners, the lost, the forgotten, and the a
bandoned ; and he has said, Inasmuch
as ye have done it to the least of these
my brethren ye have done it unto me.
He has taught us that personal labor
in these forms of charity is a means of
spiritual improvement, just like pray
er or fasting ; lie has subjected it to
the same rules, and promised to it the
same rewards. How do we obey this
precept ? We form a society to which
each member contributes a miserable
mite, and thus a sum is annually col
lected, no greater than that which
many of these individuals expend in
thoughtless extravagance. We em
ploy an agent to distribute these lit
tle offerings, and never ourselves come
into personal, contract with poverty,
wretchedness, and crime. Thus the
work of charity is, as we suppose, ade
quately, as it certainly is economically,
performed. It costs no sacrifice. It
cultivates the Christian graces neither
ot the benefactor nor the recipient.—
In all this, do we keep or break the
commandment of the Redeemer?
ALL MAY BE MISSIONARIES.
The command of the Saviour to his j
disciples, is, Go ye into all the world I
and preach the gospel to every crea
ture. To fulfil this command is the
very object for which the church of
Christ Was constituted, and for which
each individual Christian lives. Eor
himself and for his fellow-men he seeks
first the kingdom of heaven. To this
object the plans of his life should be
subordinated. Every disciple of Christ
should hold himself ready, all times,
to spend his life in any place where he
can the most successfully labor for the
conversion of souls. With these views
I do not see why a Christian merchant,
or mechanic, or physician, is not
bound, just as much as a minister of
the gospel, to ask. Is it the will of the
Master that I shall serve him in a
heathen or in a Christian land ? The
cause of Christ requires the aid of all
men of every calling. Men of the
world go to heathen lands by thou
sands for the sake of gain ; why should
not Christian laymen accompany them
and labor to recue souls from perdi
tion ?
WORKS PROVING FAITH.
If you then really desire to witness
the triumph of the cause of the Re
deemer, yon must begin to live a holy,
selfdenying life. You men of wealth
must cease from accumulation, and
devote not only your income, but your
selves to the work of the Lord. You
men in active business must be content
to accumulate less rapidly, that you
may have more of your time to conse
crate to the salvation of men. Ye who,
professing obedience to Christ, are yet
living in subjection to the maxims of
the world, eagerly chasing its frivoli
ties, and teaching the lesson to your
children, must commence a life ot
godly simplicity and Christian self,
denial. Every disciple, by his mode
of life, must show that he is not of the
world, even as Christ was not of the
world.
GEORGIA TELEGRAPH STEAM POWER PRESS
Appeal of the President and Oor.
SEC. OF THE AM. BIBLE UNION.
The time appears to have arrived
for such persons cheerfully and hear
tily to unite with us in this great and
good work. The past history of the
Union must convince them that we
are not disposed to accelerate the re
vision to such a degree as to endanger
its thoroughness and accuracy. The
character of our revisers, should satis
fy them of the eminent ability with
which the work is conducted, and the
extraordinary merit in respect to faith
fulness, erudition, sound judgment,
and scholarly finish, with which each
part will be completed. While no
change will be made by scholars of
their character, which the exact mean
ing of the original and the present
condition of the English language do
not require, we sincerely believe that
there will be much more of Saxon
strength and simplicity, and of chaste
and pure expression, in their revision,
than in the version as it now stands.
And that it will more faithfully and
accurately express the mind of the
Spirit, and exhibit, in a more pure and
striking form, those glorious truths
which Christians love and cherish,
there is no room to doubt.
Under these circumstances, we cor
dially invite those, who are with us in
principle, to co-operate with us in the
support and conduct of enterprise.—
Come and join us, brethren, and as
sist us with your counsels. All admit
that the principles of the Bible Union
are right. The plan which we are
pursuing is highly approved. The
men employed as revisers are unex
ceptionable. Our business is believed
to be judiciously managed. We will
welcome you to our ranks. Let us
stand shoulder to shoulder in main
taining the truth. f
POINTED PREACHING.
Father Moody was an eccentric man.
He had in his congregation a Colonel
Ingraham, a wealthy farmer, who had
kept back bis large stock of corn from
the market in hope of raising the price.
The pastor heard of it and resolved to
make a public attack upon the trans
gressor. One Sabbath he read for his
text, “He that withholdeth the corn,
the people shall curse him; but bless
ings shall be upon the head of him
that selleth it.” Prov. 11: 25. Colo
nel Ingraham could not but know to
whom the reference was made, but he
held up his head and faced his pastor
with a look of stolid unconsciousness.
Father Moody went on with very
strong remarks, became still warmer,
and touched the Colonel still more
closely, who however, still held up his
head, apparently determined not to
feel. At last the preacher lost all
patience, and cried out, “Colonel In
graham, you know that I mean you:
why don’t you hang down your head?”
EVANGELIZATION IN SPAIN.
The earnest oH'orts of European
Christians to evangelize the seventeen
millions of spain who are so complete
ly subjected to the papal yoke, are
meeting with encouraging success. —
In spite of the great difficulties from
tlie'yvigilance exercised on the frontiers
against the introduction of books and
pamphlets, and especially of Bibles,
which are particularly prohibited, the
work goes on quietly but constantly :
the evangelists and colporteurs are ob
liged to act with the greatest caution,
as the priests and Jesuits demand of
the Government rigorous measures
against every attempt to proselyte.—
Missionary tours are made by conver
ted Spaniards, and private religious
meetings, at which only a dozen per
sons are admitted, are held for ex
pounding the word of God. Through
the labors of one of these converts, sev
eral hundreds, it said, have opened
their eyes to the Romish impostures.—
In the first six months of 1857, more
than 2,00 persons heard the gospel
preached by one agent, and 213 pros
elytes were gained to Protestantism.
Many have embraced the faith, revol
ted by the new doctrine of the immac
ulate conception; and many others are
Protestant at heart, but fear to avow
their belief.
Proselytism.— A Methodist lady
who connected herself with the Bap
tist church, recently, was visited by
the preacher in charge after her im
mersion, and urged, as she was now
satisfied on that point, to return once
more to the Methodist church! His
proposal was declined, and he avowed
to her his intention to invite her to
come back, often as he met with her,
until the Conference assigned him an
other field of labor!
Eight Baptist Associations in Geor
gia are proposing to send out mission
aries to Central Africa, as soon as they
can find the men.
Number 49.
Spiritualism Surprised.—A test of
Spiritualism was recently made at
New Bedford, Massachusetts, which
we commend to believers in the “new
revelation.” The son of Mr. Wade
was supposed to be lost with a wreck
ed ship some years ago. The father,
a full believer in the truth of medium
ship between mortals and immortals,
enjoyed communications with his lov
ed and lost son. The son, through a
medium informed him that he was
happy among the saints, and that a
crown of glory was in reserve for him
self.” Mr. Wade, however, was “ta
ken all aback” a few days since by the
arrival of his son in the form of flesh
and blood, and his relation of wond
rous escape by field and flood.
The True Issue. —Elder Baker, in
his forth-coming work, “The Sects ver
sus the Baptists,” quotes the Southern
Christian Advocate, of June, 1857, as
saying : “Immersion, as an ordinance,
has no divine sanction, no natural fit
ness.” Looking to the spirit rather
than the letter of baptismal controver
sy, tliis is the point which our oppon.
ents are establishing, or—vanly labor
ing to establish.
—Baptism of A Methodist Minister.
The Rev. Edward S. Zocum, for
many years a prominent Minister of
the Protestant Methodist Church, was
baptized by the Rev. C. C. Norton in
to the fellowship of the Sixth st. Bap
tist Church of this city, last Sabbath
Evening, Nov. 21st. Bro. Zocum has
long struggled with his convictions of
duty, and has at last followed his Sa
viour into the 1 iquid grave. For many
years he has preached in this city and
in Philadelphia, and great success has
attended his labors.
The Hiding-Place.— lt is nature that
teacheth a wise man in fear to hide
himself, but grace and faith doth teach
him where. Fools care not where
they hide their heads. But where
shall a wise man hide himself when
he feareth a plague coming? Where
should a frightened child hide its head
but in the bosom of his loving father?
Where a Christian but under the shad
ow of the wings of Christ, his Saviour?
“Come, my people,” saith Clod in the
prophet, “enter into thy chamber, hide
thyself.” But because we are in dan
ger, like chased birds, therefore our
Saviour giveth his disciples these en
couragements . beforehand, that fear
might never so amaze them, but.they
might always remember that whatso
ever evils at any time did beset them,
to him they might still repair for com
fort, counsel and succor. For their
assurance whereof his “peace he gave
them ; his peace he left unto them,
not such peace as the world alfordetli,
but peace that passeth all understand
ing !”
Thansgiving. —Thanksgiving Day is a New
England Festival. It had its origin in the
grateful piety of our Puritan fathers, and de
rived its character from their social habits.
They recognized God in nature and provi
dence, as well as in grace. Abundant harvest
they ascribed to His blessings on the labor of
their hands. The pestilence and the drought
were alike under His control, and might be a
verted by the prayers His people. Learned
men, like Buckle, maycallthis superstition in
stead of piety ; but wisdom is justified of her
children. Scientific savans may sneer at the
credulous faith which connects prayer with a
healthful season, or a bountiful harvest, but it
may happen in this particular, as in many
others, that the wisdom of the world in fool
ishness with God. May the day be far distant
when our rulers or our people shall forget to
acknowledge their dependence on God, or to
return thanksgiving to Him as the Giver of
every good and perfect gift! It is an en
couraging feature in our national history,
that this New England festival is becoming
nationalized throughout the Union, and that
nearly every State now sanctions its annual
observance.
“I never was'fit to say a word to a sinner ex
cept when I had a broken heart myself; when
I was subdued and melted into penitence,
and felt as though I had just received par
don to my own soul, then was my heart
was full of tenderness and pity.”— [Payson.
Chinese Wit.—-A missionary in the Chi
nese waters having distributed several cop
ies of the Ten Commandments on shore, they
were sent back the next day with the request
that they might be distributed among the
French and English, for the tracts contained
admirable doctrines, and these people evident
ly much needed them.
Turkey- —The committee of the Religious
Tract Society have prepared a series of sixteen
Scripture hand bills, teaching the plan of sal
vation as revealed in the Gospel, in the ver
nacular of the Turks, who neither read nor un
derstand Arabic. They have been thankful
ly received, and intelligently perused by I urk
ish sailors.
A Chinese Professorship. -Ihey are
talking about having a professor of the Chinese
language in the Southern Thelogical Semina
ry, to qualify missionaries for their work. Dr.
Jeter is much pleased with the scheme, and
thinks “had we been favored with such a pro
fessor in the commencement of our Foreign
Mission enterprise, we should have saved
$20,000, besides several valuable lives and
much precious health.”