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THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
JOSEPH WALKER, EDITOR.
lILIOBAFH POWER PRESS.
maconTga.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1859.
Notice.
All communications intended for the INDEX or
its EDITOR, must be addressed simply ‘‘CHRIS
TIAN INDEX,” Macon, Ga.
Dr. Lovick Pierce’s Sermon.
During the last autumn the Methodist
ministry of Georgia were assiduously oc
cupied with preaching discourses against
baptism, as held and practised by the
Baptists. Several of these attempts were
made by men of meagre talents, and less
erudition, but with a'valorous zeal for the’
propagation of Methodism. Os course,
they inflicted on their audiences mere
rhapsodic harangues —some of them coarse
as to diction, and rudely boisterous —
which w<ye designed to instruct their
hearers as to the nature and beneficial
effects of the triple-mode and tiny-subject
theory of baptism. These essays admitted
of no other notice than graphic delinea
tions of the matter and manner of their
delivery, and the practice (immersing
their candidates) by which some of the
speakers neutralized their sermons. We
were soundly berated for exhibiting to
our readers “pen-and-ink’’ sketches ot
these baptismal talks and doings, and ma
ny Methodists decided, without even the
form of a trial, that we are not a Chris
tian. We hope they were mistaken in
this decision, though we have often with
throbbing temples and an anxious heart,
recurred to the following lines of Newton.
“ ’Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought,
Do I love the Lord, or no?
Am I his, or am I not ?”
As the past year was closing up the cy
cle of its eventful months, rumors from
various points reached us, that Dr. Lovick
Pierce had preached, and several* times
repeated, a masterly sermon on baptism.
That the nail was not only driven home
but clinched against the Baptists. We
do not mean to say that the Dr. himself
asserted any thing of the kind, but that
his admirers thus represented his perform
ance on the mode of baptism.
On returning from an Association, we
learned that the same discourse had been
preached in Macon. Our good Methodist
friends were extolling it in groups at the
corners of the streets, and seemed highly
delighted that Baptist bigotry had at last
received its death blow. We, of course,
began to feel a deep interest in the matter,
and at once set about making inquiries.
We had an aversion to being slain out
right without knowing it.
The sequel of our investigations show
ed, that no notice had been given of the
Dr.’s intention to preach on baptism, and
that the Baptists in several places had
only heard of this sermon after it had
been preached; so that it seemed to be
intended altogether for home (Methodist)
consumption. This fact prompted the wise
that a discussion of baptism might be had,
(since the elucidation of the baptismal
question appeared to be so necessary to
Methodists) and we modestly intimated,
through the Index, that if it should meet
the views of Dr. Pierce, we would com
pare notes with him on this question, by
parallel columns in our paper—or, if he
should prefer an oral discussion on three
or four definite propositions, an arrange
ment of that kind might possibly be made.
We did not give this intimation as a chal
lenge for the sake of disputation, but sim
ply as a suggestion, that if the Methodists
were desirous that both sides of a question
in which Baptists are so deeply interested
should be heard, the desire could, per
haps, be satisfied.
But weeks, yea, months fled apace, and
nothing was heard from Dr. Pierce or
those who espouse his side of this vexed
question. At length, we either dreamed,
or someone told us—at all events, the
impression was distinctly impressed on
our mind, that this novel, unique, conclu
sive discourse was in print. But no one
could tell us where to find it. Strange,
that some copies have not reached Ma
con! (?) Just as we advertised for it a
second time, a brother sent us a copy
from Milledgeville, about the same time
that another brother (both Baptists, of
course) sent us one from Fort Valley.
We read the document once, twice, and
are not sure that we understand it now;
but on a third careful perusal, some points
which still seem a little cloudy, may stand
out as refulgent as the mid-day sun.
This much we may say in advance, that
while the sermon lacks the two great re
quisites of argumentation— unity and clear
ness —it is written with ability , and in the
main, a good spirit , and places the writer
before the public as a man of talents, of
whom the Methodist denomination have
reason to be proud.
The following extract from the author’s
preface, will show how the sermon was
gotten before the public:
This is the substance of a discourse
preached by the author at Fort Valley
Camp-meeting, Houston county, Georgia,
on Wednesday, 22d September, 1858, and
furnished for pnblication at the request of
so many hearers, clergy and laymen, as
to make refusal unkind. The discourse
was delivered without a note, as I do not
use notes in preaching; consequently it is
not a verbatim copy; but is in all essen
tial respects the same discourse, somewhat
enlarged in the argumentative portion of
it. I have been compelled to use thesame
denominational appellation, and the spe
cific term used by the denomination tor
Christian baptism, quite too often for my
*>wn taste; but it was, in my own judg
ment, necessary.
The issue is entirely between the Bap
tists, as a Church, and ourselves, mainly,
as a Pedobaptist Church. The views
which I take of this old subject —Baptism
—are comparatively new, and, in my hum
ble opinion, set forth the only difficulties
. which will ever lead to a sound faith, in
.* the masses.
The issue, according to the author, is
entirely between the Baptists and the
Methodists. Very well, the Baptists will
meet it fairly, since the Methodists have
thought it “ necessary' >, to make suph an
issue.
To show that we are not entering on
this discussion uninvited, we subjoin the
following:
And thus far we allege, our Immersion
brethren carry their baptism; and if we
misjudge their position, we respectfully
beg to be set right through the columns
of the “Index, 5 ’ by declaring that they,
as a denomination, use immersion only as
a matter of preference for the mode, be
lieving it to be of no value in matters of
faith.
Certainly, Dr., it is the business of the
“Index” to “set” erring mortals “right,’’
and if you had not prescribed the way in
which you wish “to be set right,’’ we
might have had hope of success, but when
you ask us “to set you right,” by “de
claring that we use immersion only as a
matter of preference for the mode,” the
task becomes difficult, and it is highly
probable that we shall not be able “to set
you right.” The word “mode” as applied
to baptism, belongs not to the Baptist
vocabulary: it was coined in the Pedo
baptist mint, and as to “a preference ,’’
we can have none: baptism with us is the
simple compliance with a positive injunc
tion, according to the formula of the King
in Zion. “Mode” and “preference,’’
therefore, are ruled out of this discussion,
however much the ineligibility of these
witnesses may jeopard your case. They
have no business, and cannot be heard in
the trial.
All we can hope to do with this sermon
of Dr. Pierce, is to reply to his statements
concerning, and his impeachments of, the
Baptists, Not being a systematic argu
ment, it does not admit of a systematic
reply by logical rules, but his erroneous
statements must “ be set right,” and his
unfounded charges refuted.
Having written thus much by way of
introduction, we shall begin our review
of the sermon itselfj next week.
Waning.
The marvels of Spiritualism, which have
so captivated minds of tender credulity
during the past month, it is shrewdly sus
pected, are about losing their magical in
fluence in our city. The trance-mlitter
ings are regarded by sensible men as a
jargon of feminine gibberish, and are be
coming decidedly stale; the platform
“ committee’’ are abundantly “satisfied,’’
while the Christian Spiritualist is praying
most beseechingly for “ patronage.” A
lack-a-day! How has the fine gold be
come dim!
Well, we have no tears to shed on ac
count of the debilitated condition of the
“ Ilarmoniak Philosophy!” It is such a
strange form of Christianity, that, in our
judgment, Macon will get on very well
without it. If it should have gotten the
ascendency, the entire theological fabric
of the times would have been changed.
Women instead of men would have been
the expounders of divine truth. Mixed
committees of saints and sinners instead
of veteran theologians would have ratified
the expositions of these half-asleep preach
ers ; while the admission fee of twenty-five
cents would have deprived a great many
poor sinners—especially among the pool - —
from enjoying the benefits of the new
religion. ,
On the whole, Macon has lost nothing
by the sleeping, manipulating theology
but a few quarters, which those w ho gave
them could very well spare.
Complimentary.
We extract the subjoined kind re
marks from the South Western Bap
tist :
The Christian Index. —This excel
lent paper comes to us this week with
anew head, a polite bow, and many
evidences of the most enlarged pros
perity. The Bfcptists of Georgia ought
to furnish a list of ten thousand sub
scribers to their State organ in one
year. It is eminently worthy of a
place in every “Baptist family in the
State. Nay, we would rejoice to see
it extensively circulated in our own
State, as it is a safe, conservative Jour
nal, edited with distinguished ability,
and fully affiliatory with all the inter
ests of our Southern Zion, State and
general. We congratulate our broth
er W. on his success in securing tor
the Index so extensive a patronage.
We clearly agree with our brother
of the Baptist, that “the Baptists of
Georgia ought to. furnish a list of
10,000 subscribers to their State organ
in one year, and we yet hope, that
they may reach that figure ultimately.
With the view to (ts extensive cir
culation in Alabama, we have never
made any personal efforts. A few per
sonal friends, with various Georgia fa
milies, give us a list in that State of
about 200. While we shall always
welcome voluntary subscribers from
any place out of Georgia, we are too
well convinced that every /State ought
to sustain its own paper well , to inter
fere with its prosperity by any direct
and established agencies in favor of
our own.
Mail Troubles.
Letters have come to hand from various
parts of our State, conveying to us the
unwelcome tidings, that our first number
of this year did not reach its destinations.
And in some cases when it did finally get
to its destined post office, the packages
were broken. . The fault cannot be, en
tirely at least, in this city—neither in the
printing office nor the post office. We
can only account for the irregularity and
failures on the supposition that the Christ
mas holidays are to blame for all of these
mishaps. It is a fact, which has been de
monstrated with almost mathematical pre
cision, that neither “Uncle Sam’s servants
nor the servants of any one else, can work
well, while they have Christmas in their
bones. The secular press is making simi
lar complaints. We hope and believe
that a change for the better will now take
place.
Who owns the Book Depository
AT MACON.
The following letter was written in an
swer to some enquiries made by a promi
nent brother in this State, and as there
may be others wishing the same 4informa
tion, we have obtained permissiofi to lay
it before the readers of the Index :
Macon, 10th Jan., 1859.
Dear Brother , You wish to know.
the aims and objects of our Georgia Bible
Board and Colporteur Society, “to whom
it belongs,” &c. I will first refer you to
the Constitution. The Ist. Article says,
“The object of this Society shall be to aid
in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures
and other religious books in our own and
other lands.’’ This article is not quite so
definite perhaps, as it should be. Its
present form is accounted for when it is
remembered that the Society occupied a
different relation in its incipiency from
what it does at present. It was then Aux
iliary to the Bible Board of the S. B. C.
That relationship was dissolved at the last
Anniversary, held in Americus; but this
article remained unchanged. The Ex
ecutive Board understand the objects of
the Society to be these : To aid in the cir
culation of the Scriptures, denominational,
religious, and Sunday School books in
Georgia, by sale and donations, and also
to turn over through proper channels
such funds as may be so directed, to the
missions of the S. B. C., for the circula
tion of the Scriptures in Foreign ooun tries.
In carrying out these objects a fund has
been contributed, and a store opened in
this city, as a Depository. An Agent has
been employed to superintend the busi
ness. He buys such books, as the deno
mination desires, from the various pub
lishing houses, and sells them at the low
est possible prices to prevent loss. It is
designed also to make grants of bibles and
books to the destitute poor, as the funds
contributed may justify. It is also expec
ted in future to employ Colporteurs in
different parts of the State. At present,
the moans of the Society will not justify
this. By the far the greatest amount of
business is done on orders. It is a great
convenience to brethren to have a De
pository so centrally located, from which
to secure Bibles, denominational, and
Sunday School books. Funds are re
quired to pay rent, Agent’s salary—to in
crease the size of the Depository, and to
make donations to the destitute.
The Society belongs to the Baptists of
Georgia. It has, however, no charter, and
therefore no legal rights. It has no cred
it, beyond its own good management, and
the personal responsibility of the Agent.
The control of the Society is shown by
the 2nd. Article of the Constitution, as
follows:
“The members of this Society shall
consist first, of all such persons as shall
contribute to its funds the sum of one
dollar annually ; second, of such represen
tatives of Churches, Associations, Bible
Societies, Sunday Schools, or other organ
izations as shall contribute to its funds one
representative for every five dollars sent
up. Third, any person may become a
member for life by the payment of twen
ty-five dollars, and a honorary life director
by the payment of fifty dollars.
The Society holds its Anniversaries in
connection with the sessions of the Geor
gia Baptist Convention.
The olficers of the Society are at pres
ent : Rev. J. 11. DeVotie, President;
Revds. Jos. Walker, Wm. Williams, and
J. E. Ryerson, Vice Presidents. Rev. S.
Boykin, Corresponding Secretary and
Depository Agent. There is a Board of
Managers composed of seven brethren,
residing in this city. The powers of the
Board are stated in the Constitution thus:
“The Board of Directors shall have
power to provide for a depository of
Bibles and other books, employ Agents,
Colporteurs, and do all else that may be
essential to the efHcient prosecution of the
Objects to the Society.”
The Society has no Colporteurs and
but one Agent. If all the pastors, and
preachers would undertake to supply
their own fields of labor by orders from
the Depository, Colporteurs would he
unnecessary and the Depository would
eventually become self-sustaining.
I believe I have answered your ques
tions, hut if there is any further informa
tion desired, I shall be glad to communi
cate it.
In conclusion, I am gratified to be able
to give you the assurance that the Society
is doing a constantly increasing business,
and has already been the means of dis
seminating a large amount of religious
literature. Affectionately,
S. LANDRUM.
Corrections,
We have been informed that the no
tices of the marriages of Mr. Franklin
Stokes and Miss Sarah Ann Frier, and
Nathan Head and Miss Rachel Boyd, and
Mr. John Y. Jones and Miss Emma Sta
pler, published in the first number of the
Index for this year, did not represent
facts —that no such marriages ever took
place. The notices therefore were forge
ries sent on by some unknown person.
We have not retained the name appended
to said notices, but have no doubt that it
was a fictitious one. No gentleman would
take such liberties with ladies, and the
man who is so destitute of moral princi
ple atf to do so, would never sign his real
name. An editor, therefore, as well as
the parties published, may be imposed
upon by men who are mean enough to
forge names for such purposes.
We have no doubt but that the author
of this ungenerous transaction will be
found out, if the persons who have been
thus covertly assailed will be on the look
out. Whenever his name shall be known
send it to us, and we’ll give him an exten
sive reputation. In the mean time, young
ladies, watch his movements. He will be
in the penitentiary ere long.
Cold Weather.
Last Sunday was the coldest day we have ex
perienced this winter. The Mercuiy stood in
the morning a little below twenty and ice formed
on water in tubs and troughs about the premi
ses half an inch in thickness.
General Appi|pl-
Letters of approval
have been us since the
issue, of oun^^H^her— among which
afe kind epistSJKn Rev. J. H. T. Kil
patrick of this; state, and Rev. A. G. Me
Crew and Rev. Edward Baptist of Ala :
bama —for whicji we cannot but feel truly
thankful. Though not sent for publica v
tion, they •fly withheld because we
fear the kind muds they contain if made
public, might subject us to the charge of
personal vanity.
In the mew time, Georgia-Baptists are
developing their dignity and character
by sending us subscribers. Our list is
running up daily, and should it so conti
nue, we have to strike off the
5,000.. As yet we have lost none on ac
count of our stand with reference to the
Nashville troubles, and we think that
Georgia Baptists generally are too sensi
ble to discontinue for such a cause.
Then let our watch-word be Union at all
hazards. Let us prepare for a glorious
meeting at Columbus. Let the churches
send up large contributions for missions,
and let our educational interests receive
due attention. Let every sour look, every
crooked stick, every gnarled temper be
left at home,-.and let us all try to imitate
that Philadelphia merchant who became
rich by minding his own business.
Index Office—Law, Gospel, and
Physic.
Our patrons“are informed that the office
of the Index has been moved from Mul
berry to Chai% street—if they please,
the* court-end of the city, since “West
ward the march of empire speeds its way.”
A few doors below the‘Telegraph build
ing on the comer, surmounted by the
golden eagle, our two dollar visitors may
find us ensconced at all hours of the day.
As nearly as we can “guess” the points
of the compass, our office is bounded on
the north by the Law Office of W. Iv. de
Graffenreid, Esq., oh the south by a three
foot alley; on the east by Cherry street,
one of the Broadways of Macon; and on
tbe west by the office of Dr. J. Dickson
Smith, whoso advertisement may be con
sulted for particulars in another column
of this paper.
Who will oblige us?
As our first No.—Jan. sth—has been
exhausted, will friends in Macon, Forsyth,
Fort Valley and other places, who do not
file their papers,, mail or send us the said
first number. We would like to supply
those places which it has failed to reach.
This, it is trjie, will be robbing Peter to
pay Paul, but it will exhibit friendship.
We will pay the postage —that is, refund
it.
We assume no responsibility in
publishing the following from the Virginia
Baptist. The story is probable, since there
are hundreds of little Sabbath School
boys who could conduct just such a dia
logue :
Tiie Little Immersionist.—As a Me
thodist preacher (who was bitterly op
posed to immersion,) was urging on his
congregation in a warm exhortation, the
importance of lollowing Christ’s example
—of “following hirm^hrough,evil as well
as good report’’—--he was singularly inter
rupted by a little boy in the following
manner:
“Did you say, sir, that we should fol
low Christ through evil as well as good
report?’’
“Most emphatically I did, sir.”
“Did you say, sir, that we should fol
low his example if in our power, no mat
ter what w T e find that he did ?’’
“I did, sir.’’
“Well, suppose we find that he went
down into the water to be baptized, must
we follow him there, too ?’’
Answer. “ Call in at my office to-morrow
and I will instruct you on that point.”
The little boy called, as requested, to
receive instruction, but to his great mor
tification, he received a terrible tongue
lashing for interrupting a preacher while
preaching. Jo. B. M.
Rev. W. E. Cooper of Florida.
We had the pleasure of a call from this
brother during the past week. Bro. Coo
per is the Moderator of the Florida Asso
ciation, and has been highly useful in his
adopted state. We trust that his visit to
our city was as agreeable to him as it was
to us, and that he may be tempted to do
the like again.
The Savannah Races
We have received nnmerous brief epis
tles on the little race notice which crept
into our columns a few weeks ago, show
ing how watchful our readers are over
the morals of the Index. We hope a
“slow runner” has satisfied all tender con
sciences ere this, that no great harm has
been done.
An aged sister fromr S. Carolina makes
the following request:
Brother Walker, please if you can find
time, write an article, on the sin of pro
fessors of religion dancing, visiting the
Circus and Opera, playing cards, chess,
and drafts—for I have seen young Minis
ters and Deacons, indulge in playing
drafts and backgammon.
Now then, what we have to say is this:
The reproofs for the race-notice, from all
Baptists who are free from the sins above
enumerated by our aged sister, will pass at
par in this office; but all who are given
to such indulgences, can make no valid
objection against races of any kind.
The Proposed Territories.
“Dacotah’’ is the western half of what was
Minnesota Territory. When the State was
formed, aline was drawn through the middle of
the Territory from north to south. The east
ern part became the State of Minnesota—the
western is unorganized and without a govern
ment.
“Arizona” is a combination of the south
part of New Mexico with the Mesilla Valley
strip of land which we purchased from Mexico
in 1854. The latter is without a local govern
ment.
“Nevada” is the western half of Utah, lying
between Salt Lake and California.
“ Laramie ” means the western part of Ne
braska, in which the fort of that name is situ
ated.
“ Pike’s Peak ” is in the Rocky Mountain
chain in the western part of Kansas, which
part it is proposed to cut off for the new Ter
ritory.
* “Superior,” or Ontonagon, is the peninsula
between Lakes Superior and Michigan—part
of which now belongs to Michigan, and part to
Wiseonsin.
For the Index.
The Personality and Power of
SATAN.
The scriptures cannot be explained by
supposing that Satan means nothing more
than the principle of evil.. This is evident
by substituting in a few texts, the phrase,
the principle of evil for the word Satan. If,
they mean the same thing* the sense will
still be good.
Take Rev. 12:9. “And the great dra
goon was cast out, that old serpent called
devil and Satan, which deceived the whole
world; he was cast out into the earth, and
his angels cast out with him.”
Make the substitution:
And the great principle of evil was cast
out, that old principle of evil , called the
the principle of evil and the principle of evil,
which deceived the whole world ; he was
cast out into the earth and his angels cast
out with him!
Math. 4 : 5. “Then the devil taketh him
up into the holy city, and sitteth him on a
pinacle of the temple.”
Then the principle of evil taketh him
up into the holy city, and sitteth him on
a pinacle of the temple ! What a blas
phemous thought is thus expressed.—
There were none present, but Satan and
Jesus. Upon the supposition under con
sideration, Satan vanishes into the princi
ple of evil. Xow, a principle of evil must
be connected with a mind. Then the
Lord Jesus had an evil mind, for there
was none present but himself!
“And the [principle of evil] said unto
him, all this power will I give thee and
the glory of them.”
“And [the principle of evil] himself is
transformed into an angel of light.’’
“The [principles of evil] also believe
and tremble.’’
“And Jesus said, get thee behind me
[principle of evil.”]
“Resist [the principle of evil] and he
will flee from you.’’
“The [principle of evil] walketh about
as a roaring lion, seeking, &c.
We need proceed no farther to show
what nonsense is made of the holy scrip
tures, by the false assumption, that Satan
means the principle of evil!
The devil’s condition is hopeless and his
dominion is to be destroyed. The son of God
was manifested that he might destroy the
works of the devil. When walking the
earth in human flesh, his disciples said :
“Lord even the devils are subject unto us
through thy name.” It is said to Chris
tians the God of peace shall bruise Satan
under your feet. Jesus Christ “having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made
a shew of them openly, triumphing over
them in it.”
In the personality and power of Satan,
we have an adequate cause for all the
false religions of the world. Romanism
has been called his masterpiece of work
manship. Idolatry is his, and so may be
classed what is now called Spiritualism.
In Spiritualism, or, rather in this prevail
ing form of Infidelity—there is nothing
done beyond the power which the scrip
tures ascribe to Satan ; nor is there any
thing revealed beyond the knowledge
which the scriptures assure us he possess
es ; while the effects and fruits produced
by it, strikingly correspond with the
scriptural character of Satan. His char
acter and power therefore, are a satisfac
tory explanation of all the lying wonders
performed by all the false religions.
Ilis power is exerted upon individuals,
and hence that terrible wickedness of men
who have yielded themselves to his sway.
They are not passive ag<sits, and there
fore innocent; but willing children and
servants of their father, the devil, and,
therefore guilty.
He is especially the enemy of Chris
tians, but they have a friend stronger than
he. Jesus prays for them that their faith
fail not. The scriptures show us how to
meet him and overcome him. “Be sober,
be vigilant.” “Neither give place to the
devil.” Not in heart, nor plans, nor life.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.’’ Delightful assurance ! He can be
resisted, he can be driven away. Let us
watch against his devices; fortify oursel
ves with the word of God; pray without
ceasing and ever cling to Jesus, who was
manifested to destroy the works of the
devil.
Reader! under whose banner do you
march to the last Judgment, that of Satan,
or the Lord Jesus Christ? *
A GREAT READER OF THE BI
BLE.
At the late anniversary of the Ver
mont Sabbath School Society a very
wonderfurexample of Bible reading
was mentioned. There is a man in
that State, now ninety years old, who
in fifty years read the Bible through
sixty-six times. After that, in nine
years and three months, he read the
whole Bible through eighty-six times,
making the whole number of times
which he has read the whole Scrip
tures one hundred and fifty-two. And
he says he finds something new every
time he reads the blessed book. This
aged Christian united with the Sab
bath School when he was sixty-eight
years of age, and has attended ever
since..
We admire the good man’s devo
tion to the Word of God, but we must
strive to be doers of the word, as well
as readers, if we would derive spiritual
good from it.
THE INFANCY OF ANTICHRIST.
Antichrist was once an infant, small
in size, and apparently gentle and
manageable in disposition: but when
his stature and vigor attained their
maturity, all his supposed docility dis
appeared. He acquired his popular
ity and power by deviating from the
directions of the gospel; and when he
had established his throne, he pleaded
these deviations as the laws of his king
dom.—J. Kinghorn.
From the Valley Farmer.
The Way to Wealth.
Benjamin Franklin, the self-taught American
philosopher, was perhaps the most extraordina
ry man that this country has ever produced.
It may be impossible to gather from the histo
ry and labours of one individual mind more
practical wisdom and varied instruction than he
has given to the world. For many years he
published the Pennsylvania Almanac, called Poor
Richard (Saunders) and furnished it with many
wise sayings and proverbs which related to top
ics of “industry, attention to one’s own business,
and frugality.” The most of these he finally
collected and digested in the following general
preface,—sayings so peculiarly adapted to the
present times, that we do not know that we can
do our readers better service than to give them
a place in the Valley Farmer. These sayings
were not more applicable to the people and the
times one hundred years ago than tojthe present.
Their teachings should never be lost sight of, un
til the world is much wiser and better than it is
at present:
The Way to Wealth , as clearly Shown in the
Preface of an old Pennsylvania Almanac ,
entitled ‘"Poor Richard Improved
Courteous Readers :—I have heard that
nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to
find his works quoted respectfully by others.
Then how much I must have been gratified by
an incident lam going to relate to you. I stop
ped my horse lately where a great number of
people were collected at an auction of merchant s
goods. The hour of the sale not being come,
they were conversing on the badness of the
times; and one of the company called to a plain,
clean old man with white locks, “Pray, Father
Abraham, what think you of the times ? Will
not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country ?
How shall we be able to pay them ? What
would you advise us to ?” Father Abraham
stood up and replied: “If you would have my
advice, I will give it you in short, for ‘a word to
the wise is enough,’ as Poor Richard says.”
They joified in desiring him to speak his mind,
and, gathering around him, he proceeded as fol
lows :
‘“Friends,” said he, “the taxes are indeed very
heavy, and if those laid on by the government
were the only ones we had to pay, we might
more easily discharge them, but we liavc%any
others, and much more grievous ones to some
of us. We are taxed twice as much by our
idleness, three times as much by our pride, and
four times as much by our folly; and from these
taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver
us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us
hearken to good advice, and something may be
done for us ; ‘God helps them that help them
selves,’ as Poor Richard says.
“1. It would be thought a hard government
that should tax its people one-tenth part of their
time to be employed in its service, but idleness
taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing
on disease, absolutely shortens life. ‘Sloth, like
rust, consumes faster than labour wears, while
the used key is always bright,’ as Poor Richard
says. ‘But dost thou love life, then do not
squander time, for that is the stuff life is made
of,’ as Poor Richard says. How much more
than is necessary do we spend in sleep, forget
ting that ‘The sleeping fox catches no poultry,’
and ‘That there will be sleeping enough in the
grave, as Poor Richard says.
“If time be of all things the most precious,
wasting time must be,’ as Poor Richard says,
‘the greatest prodigality,’ since, as he elsewhere
tells us, ‘Lost time is never found again; and what
we call time enough, always proves little enough.’
Let us, then, up and be doing, and doing to the
purpose; so by diligence we shall do more with
less perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult,
but industry all easy, and he that riseth late
must trot all day, and scarce overtake his busi
ness at night, while Laziness travels so slowly,
that Poverty soon overtakes him. ‘Drive thy
business, let not that drive thee, and early to
bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy,
wealthy and wise,’ as Poor Richard says.
“So what signifies wishing and hoping for
better times ? We may make these times better
if we bestir ourselves. ‘lndustry need not
wish, and he that lives upon hope will die fast
ing.’ “There arc no gains without pains; then
help, hands, for I have no lands,” or, if I have,
they are smartly taxed. “He that hath a trade
hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath
an office of profit and honour,’ as Poor Richard
says; but then the trade must be worked at,
and the calling followed, or neither the estate
nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes.
If we are industrious we shall never starve; for,
‘At the working-man’s house hunger looks in
but dares not enter.’ Nor will the bailiff or the
constable enter; for Industry pays debts, while
despair increaseth them.’ What though you
have found no treasure, nor has any rich rela
tion left you a legacy ? ‘Diligence is the moth
er of luck, and God gives all things to industry.
‘Then plow deep while sluggards sleep, and you
shall have corn to sell and to keep.’ Work
while it is called to-day, for you know not how
much you may be hindered to-moarow. ‘One
to-day is worth two to-morrows,’ as Poor
Richard says, and further, ‘Never leave that till
to-morrow which you can do to-day.’ If you
were a servant, would you not be ashamed that
a good master should catch you idle V Are you,
then, your own master ? Be ashamed to catch
yourself idle when there is so much to be done
for yourself, your family and your country.
Handle your tools without mittens; remember
that ‘The cat in gloves catches no mice,’ as Poor
Richard says. It is true there is much to be
done and perhaps you are weak-handed, but
stick to it steadily, and you will see great effects,
for ‘Constant dropping wears away stones,’ and
‘By diligence and patience the mouse ate through
the cable,’ and ‘Little strokes fell great oaks,’
“Methinks I hear some of you say, ‘Must a
man afford himself no leisure ? I will tell thee,
my friend, what Poor Richard says, ‘Employ thy
time well, it thou meanest to gain leisure, and
since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not
away an hour.’ Leisure is time for doing some
thing useful; this leisure the diligent man will
obtain, but the lazy man never ; for a life of
leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
Many, without labour, would live by their wits
only, but they break for want of stock, where
as industry gives comfort, and plenty, and re
spect. Fly pleasures, and they will follow you.
‘The diligent spinner has a large swift; and now
I have a sheep and a cow, everybody bids me
good-morrow,’
“11. But without industry we must likewise
be steady, settled and careful, and oversee our
own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust
too much to others; for, as Poor Richard says,
‘I never saw an oft removed tree,
Not yet an oft removed family
That thrive as well as those that settled be.’
“And again, ‘Three removes are as bad as
a fire;’ and again, ‘Keep thy shop, and thy
shop will keep thee; and again, ‘lf you would
have your business done, go, if not, send.’ And
again, ....
•He that by the plow would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive/
“And again, ‘The eye of the master will do
moue work than both his hands;’ and again,
‘Want of care does us more damage than want
of knowledgeand again, ‘Not to oversee
workmen is to give them your purse open.’
Trusting too much to others’ care is the ruin
of many. For in the affairs of this world
men arc saved, not by faith, but by the want
of it, but a man’s own care is profitable;
for ‘lf you would have a faithful servant, and one
that you like, serve yourself.’ A little neglect
may breed great mischief; ‘for want ofanad
the shoe was lost; for want of a horse the
rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the
enemy.’ All for want of a little care about a
horse shoe nail. . , , . , ,
“111. So much for industry, my friends, and
attention to one’s own business; but to these
we must add frugality, if we would make our
industry more certainly successful. A man may,
if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep
his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die
not worth a groat at last. ‘A fat kitchen makes
a lean will;’ and
‘Many estates are spent in getting,
Sinc/women for tea forsook spinning and knitting,
And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.
“If you would be wealthy, think of saving as
well as of getting. The Indies have not made
Spain rich; because her outgoes are greater
than her incomes. . .... .
“Away then, with your expensive follies, and
vou will not then have as, much cause to com
nlain of hard times, heavy taxes, and
E e famihes. And farther, ‘What maintains
one vice would bring up two children.’ You
may think, perhaps, that a little tea or a little
nunch, now and then, can be no great matter
but remember, ‘many a little make a mickle
Beware of little expenses; ‘A small leak will
sink a great ship,’ as Poor Richard says; and
again, ‘Who dainties love, shall beggars prove,’
and moreover, ‘Fools make feasts and wise men
eat them.’
Si“ Here you are, all together at this sale of goods
and nicknacks. ,You call them goods; but, if
of fineries you do not take care they will prove
evils to some of you. You expect they w ill be
sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than
the cost, but, if you have no occasion for them,
they must be dear to you. Remember what
Poor Richard says,"‘Buy what thou hast no need
of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.’
And again, ‘At a great penny worth, pause a
while.’ He means that perhaps the cheapness
is apparent only, and not real; or the bargin,
by straitening thee in thy business, may do
thee more harm than good. For in another
place he says. ‘Many have been ruined by buy
ing good penny’s worths. Again, It is foolish
to lay out money in a purchase of repentance,’
and this folly is practised every day at auction,
for want of minding the almanac. Many a one’
for the sake of finery on the back, have gone
with a hungry belly and half starved their
families. ‘Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets,
put the kitchen fires out,’ as Poor Richard
says.
“These are not the necessaries of life; they
can scarcely be called the conveniences, and j et
only because they look pretty, how many want
to have them ? By these and other extravagan
ces the genteel are reduced to poverty,and forced
to borrow from those whom they formerly de
spised, but who through industry and frugality,
have maintained their standing, in which case it
appears plainly that ‘A ploughman on his legs
is higher than a gentleman on his knees,’ as
Poor Richard says. Perhaps they have had a
small estate left them, which they knew not the
getting of; they think ‘lt is day and it will
never be night,” that a little to be spent out of
so much is not worth minding; but ‘Always
taking out of the meal tub and never putting in,
soon comes to the bottom,’ as Poor Richard
says ; and then, ‘When the well is dry, they
know r the w r orth of water.’ But this they might
have known before if they had taken his advice.
‘lf you w'ould know the value of money, go and
try to borrow some, for he that goes a borrow
ing goes a sorrowing,’ as Poor Richard says ;
and indeed so does he that lends to such people,
when he goes to get it again. Poor Dick furth
er advises and says,
‘Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse,
SEre fancy you consult, consult your purse.”
And again, ‘Pride is as loud a beggar as want,
and a great tleal more saucy.’ When you have
bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more,
that your appearance may be all of a piece;
but Poor Dick says, ‘lt is easier to suppress
the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.
And it is as truly folly for the poor to ape the
rich, as for the frog to sw'ell in order to equal
the ox.’
‘Vessels large may venture more,
But little boats should keep near shore.’
“It is, however, a folly soon punished, for as
Poor Richard says, ‘Pride that dines on vanity,
sups on contempt. Pride breakfasted with
plenty, dined with poverty and supped with
infamy.’ And after, all, of what use is this
pride of appearance, for which so much is risk
ed, so much is suffered ? It cannot promote
health, nor ease pain ; it makes no increase of
merit in the person ; it creates envy; it hastens
misfortunes.
“But what madness must it be to run in debt
for these superfluities ? ,We are offered by the
terms of this sale, six months’ credit, and that,
perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it,
because we cannot spare the ready money, and
hope now to be fine without it. But ah!
think w'hat you do when you run in debt; you
give to another power over your liberty. If
you.cannot pay at the time, you will be asham
ed to see your creditor, and will be in fear when
you speak to him ; you will make poor, pitiful,
sneaking excuses, and, by degrees, come to lose
your veracity, and sink into base, downright
lying; for ‘The second vice is lying, the first is
running in debt,’ as Poor Richard says, and
again to the same purpose, ‘Lying rides on
debt’s back,’ w'hereas a free born man ought not to
be ashamed or afraid to see or .speak to any
man living. But poverty often deprives a man
of all spirit and virtue. ‘lt is hard for an emp
ty bag to stand upright.’ What would you
think of that prince or that government who
should issue an edict forbidding you to dress
like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of
imprisonment or servitude? Would you not
say that you were free, have a right to dress as
you please, and that such an edict would be a
breach of privileges, and such a government
tyrannical ? And yet you are about to put your
self under such tyranny when you run in debt
for such dress! Your creditor has authority
at his pleasure to deprive you of your liberty,
by confining you in jail till you shall be able
to pay him. When you have got your bargain,
you may, perhaps, think little of payment, but
as Poor Richard says, ‘Creditors have better
memories than debtors; creditors are a super
stitious set, great observers of set days and
times.’ The day comes round before you are
aware, and the demand is made before you are
prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt
in mind, the time, which at first seemed so long,
will, as it lessens, appear extremely short. Time
will seem to have added wings to his heels as
well as his shoulders. ‘Those have a short lent
who owe money to be paid at Easter.’ At
present you may think yourself in thriving cir
cumstances, and that you can bear a little ex
travagance without injury, but
‘For age and want save while you may—
No morning sun lasts a whole day.’
“Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but
even while you live, expense is constant and
certain. ‘lt is easier to build two chimneys
than to keep one in fuel,’ as Poor Richard says,
so, ‘Rather go to bed supperless than rise in
debt.’
“IV. This doctrine, my friends, is reason and
wisdom ; but after all, do not depend too much
upon your industry, and frugality, and prudence,
though excellent things, for they will all be
blasted without the blessing of heaven, and
therefore, ask that blessing humbly, and be not
uncharitable to those that at present seem to
want it, but comfort and help them. Remem
ber, Job suffered, and was afterwards prosper
ous.
“And now to conclude, —‘Experience keeps
a dear school but fools will learn in no other,’
as Poor Richard says, and scarce in that, for it
is true, ‘We may give advice, but we cannot
give conduct.’ However, remember this, ‘They
that will not be counselled cannot be helped ;’
and further, that ‘lf you will not hear Reason,
she will rap your knuckles,’ as Poor Richard
says. •
“Thus the old man ended his harangue. The
people heard it and approved the doctrine, and
immediately practised the contrary, just as if it
had been a common sermon; for the auction
opened, and they began to buy extravagantly.
I found the good man had thoroughly studied
my almanacs, and digested all I had dropped
on these topics during the course of twenty-five
years. The frequent mention he made of me
must have tried any one else, but my vanity
was wonderfully delighted with it, though l was
conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom
was my own which he ascribed to me, but rath
er the gleanings that I had made of the sense
of all ages and nations. However, T resolved to
bo the better for the echo of it, and, though I
had at first determined to buy stuff for anew
coat, I went away resolved to wear my old one
a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the
same, thy profit will be as good as mine.
“I am, as ever thine to serve thee,
“Richakd Sanders.”
A Windmill Pump at Sea.
The Frundshung, of Liverpool, laden with
rice for the Cape, put into Queenstown a day or
two since in distress. She sprung a leak at sea,
and was filling at such a rate that the or
dinary pumps, exerted with the power of all
hands, could not have saved her. In this strait
her captain, Adam John Bray, bethought him
of a windmill pump, and the idea had no sooner
occurred to him than he set about realizing it and
committed the execution of the plan to William
Foulkes, his carpenter, who being an expert and
skillful artisan, carried out the captain’s idea to
perfection. By the power of this extemporized
pump the vessel wa,4 kept afloat one hundred
days, until she made Queenstown in safety,
where she may now be seen, a signal proof of
the power of the human mind, when energeti
cally and ingeniously exerted, over the greatest
difficulties. [Cork (Ireland) Reporter.