Newspaper Page Text
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
“ngRPH WACKER, EDIJORr
inistirß r°w* ?Bi3B.
MACON, G-A.
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1859.
Notice.
All communications intended for the INDEX or
its EDITOR, must be addressed simply “CHRIS
TIAN INDEX,” Macon, Ga.
>- 1 1 - 1
tSt. Pierce’s Sermon.
On & re-perusal of this discourse, we
were no little surprised at its numerous
inaccurate statements, and reckless char
ges against the Baptist Church. Surely,
Dr. Pierce has never studied Baptist cus
toms from an eligible standpoint, or he
would have known that many of his asser
tions are contradicted by the practical
history of the Baptist denomination from
the time of the Harbinger to the present
dav. Since he has seen fit to misrepre
sent both the motives and practice of
Baptists, we shall subject bis production
to a fragmentary analysis, and he must
not complain if his assumptions are at
times made to appear ridiculous.
We shall pass in silence his episodes to
notice Catholics, Episcopalians, Rev. J.
R. Graves, and A. Campbell, and only
reply to his impeachments of the Baptists.
“The issue,” he says, “is mainly between
the Baptists and the Methodists,” and on
that issue we shall review his sermon
which he claims as being new.
His theme is, “Mode of Baptism not a
ground of Communion,” and the text
from which he pretends to have deduced
it, is the following:
Let no man beguile you of your reward
in a voluntary humility and worshipping
of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up
by his fleshly mind, and not holding the
Head, from which all the body by joints
and bands having nourishment ministered,
and knit together, increaseth with the in
crease of God. Col. ii. 18,19.
By what rule of exegesis he was ena
bled to extract such a theme from such a
text will probably remain a mystery to
theologians, though he has certainly shown
some dexterity in Methodistic homiletics,
in “ furnishing this tract for family use.”
But who would have suspected that there
was baptism or the mode of baptism in this
text ? He might as easily, as it seems to
us, have gotten baptism out of the pass
age, “Nine and twenty knives,” in Ezra
i. 9, from which an Old School Baptist on
the Eastern Shore of Virginia once preach
ed, as was said, an extraordinary sermon
before an immense audience. But the
Dr. himself informs the reader, on page
nine, that the ordinances to which the
Apostle Paul referred, were of “Platonic
and Pythagorean origin, and referred
either to an invocation of angels or a rigid
mortification of the body!” Why then
did he wrest these scriptures by making
them the basis of a discourse on baptism ?
The fact is ; the idea of baptism was not
in the apostle’s mind at the time, nor was
it necessary to show in that age of the
world, that the “mode of baptism was not
a ground of communion, ’’ since there was
but one communion then in existence.
The people to whom Paul spake or wrote,
were Baptists.
Now, there is a passage in the same
chapter from which Dr. Pierce selected
this text, and only five verses above it,
on which a sermon on baptism might, very
appropriately, have been founded. In
our Bible it reads thus:
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein
also ye are risen with him, through the
faith of the operation of God, who hath
raised him from the dead.”
Why did the author of “ the tract for
family use’’ hop over this verse and entan
gle himself in the brushwood of the Pla
tonic philosophy, against which the apos
tle cautioned the primitive Christians?
Was it because baptism is therein dis
tinctly mentioned, is significant of Baptist
“modality,” and withal closely connected
with the Head?” “Who is this that dark
eneth counsel by words without knowl
edge ?” Why, Dr. Pierce, to be sure, by
adopting a text as the ground of a dis
course on baptism which had no baptism
in it, when he might have found one that
had.
Such expedients show how sorely Pae
dobaptists are pressed by Baptist senti
ments, and how they struggle in the tram
mels of prejudice and church despotism,
to save a tottering hierarchy from falling.
Having disposed of these preliminaries
we may remark, that the first nine pages
of this tract, succeeding the text, com
prise a wild jumble of incoherent and er
roneous assertions concerning Baptist faith
and usage, and show to a demonstration
how a good mind may become bewildered
and foiled by the wrong side of a great
subject. Take for illustration the follow
ing extract:
The difference between Campbellite
Baptists and Baptists generally is found
only in degree. The former make the
-virtues of immersion extend farther than
the latter; but the latter also place great
virtue in their mode of baptism, which
they will not deny; and hence, to the
great mortification of every dissenting
Church, the two orders of Immersionists
sympathize with each other most gra
ciously in the revision scheme. There is
to each and every order of Immersionists
a spell about immersion that I would not
have clinging to my faith for all the gold
of Ophir: it cannot be indulged without
damage in some department of religion.
Now, if Dr. Pierce had been acquainted
with the controversy'between Baptists
and Campbellites, he would have known
that a difference of views as to the “vir
tues of immersion, ’’ is not the only differ
ence between them. The great polemical
contest between these two denominations
took place in reference to the operation
of the Spirit in the conversion of souls.
Moreover, if the difference were only “in
degree,” the same thing could be affirmed
of the Methodists and the Campbellites 1 —
with this difference, however, that the for
mer attach greater “virtue” to sprinkling
than the Campbellites do to iffimersion.
The latter regenerate souls with much wa
ter, while the former do the same with little
water. The latter require a total submer
sion, while with the former “a drop is as
good as an ocean.’’ The latter require a
conscious, intelligent, believing subject:
the former will perform this saving cere
mony on an unconscious babe.
The following quotations from Method
ist writers may aid the reader, in deter
mining the amount of “virtue’’ which the
Methodists place in their “mode of bap
tism :”
Baptism administered to real penitents ,
is both a means and a seal of pardon.
Nor did he ordinarily in the primitive
Church bestow this on any unless through
this means. — Wesley.
Baptism administered to real penitents,
was intended to be both a means and a
seal of pardon. Nor did God ordinarily
in the primitive Church bestow this on
any person till he had submitted to bap
tism ; and this may explain in some mea
sure in what sense baptism may be said
to wash away sins, and elsewhere to
save.— Benson.
Baptism in respect to adults, except in
the very peculiar instance of our Lord,
was a token of confession and humiliation
for sin, and of a design to be cleansed
from it, as the body is by water cleansed
from its pollution; and being administered
to professed penitents by divine appoint
ment is called the baptism of repentance.
— Dr. Coke.
Now has any Baptist ever said or writ
ten that “baptism is both a means and seal
of pardon;” and that pardon in the primi
tive Church “was bestowed through this
means ?” Let Dr. Pierce cite us to the
Baptist who said it. But a Methodist
Minister, acting on such a belief, will
thread the streets and lanes of a city,
peep into every nook and corner of his
circuit in search of little candidates for
baptism —yea, set forth to mothers in ur
gent eloquence the danger of postponing
such an important ceremony. Has a Bap
tist minister ever done this? Would not
Baptist mothers reject with righteous in
dignation every overture to sprinkle their
infents ? The difference, then, between
the Methodists and the Campbellites “is
only in degree”—the former attaching
greater virtue to the ordinance of bap
tism than the latter.
Again, Dr. Pierce was most egregious
ly wide of the mark when he asserted
that the Campbellites and the Baptists
“sympathize with each other most gra
ciously in the revision scheme.” While
we ourself are in favor of a revision of the
English Scriptures, we affirm here, what
Dr. Pierce might easily have known, that
the Baptist denomination as a whole is
not in favor of the “revision scheme.’’
Many Baptists are in favor of revision,
just as some Methodists, and Presbyteri
ans, and Episcopalians are, but it is not,
and never has been, a denominational move
ment. And because Campbellites coope
rate in a great reformatory enterprise
where all the members of the Society are
bound to, and controlled by, well defined
principles, is that an objection to the re
vision Institution itself? Has not a vol
untary association of Christians as good
a right to revise and correct the known
errors of the Bible, as John Wesley had
to translate the New Testament? And if
the inflexible laws of philology demand
that laptizo must be rendered by immerse ,
has not an associated compact as good a
right so to translate it, as John Wesley
had to render apo by from, in a passage of
the New Testament where King James’
forty-seven translators rendered the same
word by out of? It is astonishing that
some disputants do not escape from their
own glass houses before they begin to
hurl rocks at their neighbors.
That there “is a spell about immersion”
in the sense in which Dr. Pierce has used
the phrase, we are not prepared to admit;
but that the immersion of a believer is
invested with an attraction which never
radiates from the sprinkling of a baby,
there can be no doubt. Immersion will
always draw out a congregation: the
sprinkling of an infant never. The rea
son of this difference in the attracting
power we suppose to be this: the ordin
ance of immersion is solemn, significant,
and of divine appointment; while that of
sprinkling is puerile, unmeaning, and an
invention of man. The former is intuit
ively endorsed by common sense; the lat
ter is as suddenly repelled by sound judg
ments and intellectual perception.
In concluding this article we have only
to add, that if “the spell about immersion
cannot be indulged without damage in
some department of religion,” this cannot
be said of the Baptist Church. This
church has grown and flourished under
this “spell”—and so delightful is the an
swer of a good conscience, (the secret of
the “spell,”) that Baptists would not be
deprived of it for all the gold of Ophir.’’
Taken Up.
A stray “ D. D.” has been taken up by
some editorial brethren, and tagged un
advisedly to the name of the undersigned.
This is, therefore, to notify any person
who may desire to possess the same, to
come forward and take it away. He will
not be required, (contrary to College usa
ges,) to prove property, or to answer any
question relative to his right and title to
the same.
The undersigned cannot but feel morti
fied to think that any of his brethren
should form so low an opinion of him, as
to suppose that it would afford
gratification to possess the honorary title,
D. D. (or even “ Doctor ” Bro. Ed.*) than
the title of “ Brother,” or “ Elder.” The
title “ Brother” indicates Christian confi
dence and affection. That of D. D. may
indicate confidence in one’s popularity , but
can certainly never indicate confidence in
one’s Christian humility.
JOS. S. BAKER..
P. S. I design no reflection on those
who have received the title of D. D. I
know that several of our brethren feel the
title to be an incumbrance, and regret that
it was ever conferred on them. My sole
object is to notify distant editors, and
others who have addressed me privately
as D. D., of the error into which they have
fallen, and to screen myself from the im
putation of conniving at it. B.
[*W have long since come to the conclusion
that it matters but little whether a minister is ad
dressed by the title, Doctor or Elder. There is as
much affectation on some tongues when pronoun
cing “ Elder,” as there is on others that say Doctor.
Brother between Christians is certainly proper, but
if for the sake of variety one should address his
brother by the title, Doctor—especially, when he
is a Doctor—we dot see that there is any great sin
in so doing. Als any rate, we have no qualms of
conscience for having thus transgressed. Having
tried for years to have the world put right in refer
ence to certain divergencies from what we thought
seemly and proper, but signally failed, we have con
cluded to take it as is, even adopting its customs in
such matters as do not trespass on a pure conscience
_ Ed.]
The Arkansas Baptist.
A Baptist paper under this head has re
cently been started by the Arkansas Bap
tist Convention, issued at Little Rock,
Rev. P. S. G. Watson, Editor. It is a re
spectable sheet with a neat heading, tho’,
in our opinion, the letters would show bet
ter if a little wider. The style of the edi
tor is free and bold, as if he did not intend
either to ask favors or show quarter. We
thought his defence of the “Sledge ’ af
fair not in very good taste, since that was
one of the occurrences which all Baptists
should desire to forget. We cheerfully
welcome brother Watson to the editor’s
“easy-chair.’’ (?)
Death of President Eaton.
From various sources the sad intelli
gence has reached us, that Rev. T. H.
Eaton, President of Union University,
Murfreesboro, Tenn., departed this life
on the 12th ult. Thus has passed from
his earthly toils, in the prime of life, one
of the loveliest men with whom it was
ever our privilege to have become ac
quainted. He was amiable, sociable, wise,
noble, in one word, good. The Univer
sity over which he presided, was founded,
if we mistake not, by Dr. Howell, who
had been chosen its first President, but
having declined the offer, the lamented
Eaton was elected, and retained the posi
tion, giving universal satisfaction, to the
time of his death. The Institution has
flourished under his judicious manage
ment, and remains a monument to his
memory. Though unacquainted with his
family, we sympathize with them in this
the hour of their distress.
Death of Dr. Blanding.
Dr. Shubel Blanding, of Columbia, S. C.
was another of nature’s noblemen, and a
consistent disciple of the Blessed Saviour.
We met him once at the South Carolina
Baptist Convention, and subsequently took
tea with him at his house. The impres
sion for good which his pious demeanor
made upon us has never been effaced.
We copy the appended mournful notice
from an exchange:
Death of Dr. Shubel Blanding. —We
have the mournful duty of announcing the
departure of an old and respected citizen
of Columbia. After a lingering illness, re
sulting from paralysis, Dr. Shubel Bland
ing died yesterday. He was highly es
teemed as a consistent church member,
and highly respected by the community.
In his profession he was always prominent
and successful. The community sympa
thize with his mourning family.—Colum
bia South Carolinian, Jan. 21.
Must decline it.
Brother S. G. Rogers is informed, that
since he “ seemed ” to have entrusted his
Georgia Agency explanations to Rev. J.
M. Pendleton, we can recognize no other
man than brother P. as having a right to
reply to our review of his article. Besides,
Tennessee personalities are at a discount
with our readers, and will soon be as un
current as Tennessee bank bills are in our
State. We would return the manuscript,
but to do so would cost us nine cents, and
having no permanent agencies in Tenes
see, the Index could not well afford the
loss.
Lay up for the Convention.
Lay up money for missions, for our col
leges, and last though not least, for the
Index. But, says brother Covetous, “ I
am tired of these conventions, they always
need money.” Certainly they do, and
that is mainly what they are for. Breth
ren go there to talk about and pay for mis
sions—that is their business in this world
—and if they do not intend to promote
missions they might as well stay at home.
Confirmed & Officially announced.
Well, to aid Brother Odum and his
magnanimous employers in their laudable
efforts to help the Index along, we insert
the following, free of charge:
W. W. Odum is our General agent
in the State of Georgia, for the Tennessee
Baptist, Southern Baptist Review and
Children’s Monthly Book. Brother Odum
will be travelling during the following
year, and will receive and receipt for mo
neys on old accounts and for new subscri
bers. We trust our patrons and friends
will be in readiness to respond to his call,
or, if convenient, remit to us amount of
arrearages. Graves, Marks & Cos.
January 1, 1859.
Complimentary.
It is by no means in harmony with our
taste or habits to copy complimentary no
tices either of ourself or our professional
services, though the doing of it may un
der some circumstances be allowable.
We copied a paragraph from the South
Western Baptist last week because it came
from the State, and almost from the very
spot, in which four toilsome years of offi
cial service was given to the cherished
denomination of which we are an unwor
thy member. •
The notice below is from the Religious
Herald , published at Richmond, Va., one
of the most reliable and influential Bap
tist papers in all the South. The editors
of that journaj are our old and
acquaintances. The senior was a member
of the church in Richmond in which we
once “officiated as pastor, and subsequently
exchanged papers with us when we edited
the Baptist Recorder, and afterwards a j
department in the Howie and Foreign Jour
nal. The Junior succeeded us in the pas
torate of the church at Hampton, which
for intelligence, liberality, piety and kind
ness compares favorably with any of the
churches in Virginia or elsewhere. The
subjoined notice, therefore, from these
brethren, is duly appreciated:
Christian Index. —Thisvenerablejournal,
the senior of the Southern Baptist press,
comes to us considerably enlarged. It is
an able, conservative Journal, edited with
talent and skill, by our old friend and co
temporary, Elder Joseph Walker. We
are truly grateful at this evidence of pros
perity, and due appreciation of his zeal
and active efforts as editor. He has our
best wishes for still greater success and
increased patronage.
Queries.
A brother asks us to answer the follow
ing queries:
1. Is it right for Baptists to take their
peaches to a distillery, and have them
made into brandy ?
Answer: There might be no harm in
their so doing if some people did not love
peach-brandy better than peach-pies.
2. What should be done with a mem
ber for distilling ?
Answer: Persuade him to stop.
3. Suppose he contends that he has
done no wrong, and that the church can
do nothing with him because she has no
“written rule?
Answer: Let her find a written rule in
the Sriptures, and oppose her voice to his.
4. Will you give us Baptist usage on
that subject?
Answer: Baptist usage in relation to the
drinking and selling of spiritous liquors,
is, we believe, very similar to the usage
of other denominations and the world
generally, as it respects persons who drink
or sell at all. The Hardshell?, with, per
haps, some exceptions,, both drink and
sell. Among the Regulars, some drink
but do not sell: others sell but do not
drink—at least, so they say. Some drink
frequently : others only occasionally.
Some —as a Virginian would say—drink
“right smart’’ at a time: others just a
“leetleP Some sell by the barrel and
hogshead, but others dispose of the same
“creature’’ in bottles. Some sell on com
mission, but others keep it to sell as they*
would molasses or vinegar.
Asa matter of taste, some prefer the
“reverend” stuff —that is, the “raw mate
rial,’’ while others must have it sugarect
and watered. The ladies love it in mince
pies, syllabub, or egg-nog at
Christmas, and the gentlemen take it in
these ways, out of politeness, to the ladies.
As to church action on the subject, the
customs have been almost as variant as
the manner and matter of drinking. Some
churches make abstinence from the use
and sale of intoxicating drinks, a test of
membership. Others discipline their mem
bers for drinking. Others, in some way,
scold a little and there drop the matter,
but this may be said to the credit of the
denomination: All well ordered Baptist
churches will exclude members for drunk
enness or habitual intemperance.
Were the following rule of the Apostle
observed, it would hide a multitude of
sins, and save many .souls from death
“Avoid all appearance of evil.”
We invite especial notice to the
call of brother James TI. Low, of New
Orleans, on the subscribers to the Baptist
Church fund of that city.
A young girl connected with a juvenile
troup of theatrical performers was burnt
to death during last week, in our city.
Her dress caught from one of the foot
lights on the stage, which accident she
survived only a few hours. Ought not
this to be a warning to the proprietors of
such enterprises, who are training the
young in these schools of vice, and to
free-thinking dolts, who, in this age of
intelligence, would advocate the theatre
as a promoter of good?morals.
The Spiritism of Macon denies the
inspiration of the Scriptures, the divinity
of Christ, the existence of Satan, future
punishment, is controlled by a female,
with a committee of males to judge of
the truthfulness of her sayings, and an
nounce their satisfaction to the audi
ences !! Dpes not decency imperatively
demand that the name Christian should
never again be used in connection with
Spiritism?
To the Subscribers’ to the Coliseum Place
Baptist Church , New Orleans :
I hereby give notice to the subscribers
to the. Coliseum Place Baptist Church,
New Orleans, that the whole amount of
$15,000, necessary to liquidate the debt
upon the buildipg, has been secured in
cash or reliable subscriptions; and J now
call upon all those persons who have made
subscriptions, to ‘send the amount to the
Treasurer of the Domestic Mission Board,
of the Southern Baptist Convention, W.
Hornbuckie, Marion, Ala., as it is desira
ble to close this business before the meet
ing of the Convention in May next.
JAMES H. LOW,
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, of
the Col. P. Bap. Church, N. O.
New Orleans, Jan. 21st, 1859.
Louisiana Senatorial Election.
New Orleans, Jan. 22. — The Democratic
Legislative caucus, in session at Baton Rouge,
have had'forty-two ballots for a candidate for
United States Senator without success. On
the last ballot Mr. Benjamin was two votes a
head. There were four candidates voted for. —
The caucus then adjourned to meet again on
Monday.
Mr. Bennjamin has been re-elected.
An End to the Kansas Troubles.
St. Louis, Jan. 22.—Leavenworth advices to
the 20th state that Capt. Montgomery, of the
Jay-hawkers, has voluntarily given himself up
to the authorities to await a trial upon charges
or complaints in the recent troubles in South
ern ffansas.
It is reported that Capt. Brown, as chief of
the opposition desppradpes, has left the territory.
No further difficulties are apprehended. There
was no excitement, at Leavenworth.
Arrival of the Arabia.
The Arabia arrived on Friday with Liverpool
dates to the 25th. She reports a Cotton de
cline of an eighth on all qualities, and holders
pressing their stocks on the market. Sales 46,-
000. Fair Uplands quoted at 6J; Middling at
6 9-16. Stock in Liverpool 832,000, 255,0Q0
American. Favorable news from manufactu
ring districts. Money more stringent—consols
9#-jr s 95f, (found news unimportant
CONTRIBUTIONS.
“~Trm—nwm —mr— wi\ r ■. ■ . ■
For the Index.
Rev\ Joseph Polhill.
“ The memory of the just is blessed.”
Bro. Walker:—Although several noti
ces ot the death of this good mao have
already appeared in the Index, I feel as
sured that the following facts connected
with this sad event, will be interesting to
his numerous friends. They ought to
profit all who read them.
They were communicated by his widow
in a letter to my oldest son, who, for a
time, enjoyed the privilege of being on
terms of intimacy with this excellent fam
ily ; and, though not intended for the pub
lie eye, will be none the less interesting.
The last sermon he preached was in Louis
ville, on the night of the 4th Sabbath in
November last, from 2 Cor. 5 chap. 20 v,
“ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ
&c.’ Our Sister says, “He returned
home on Monday. That night he told
me he felt as if he had preached his last
sermon. When I asked “ why ?” He
said “ I had such an overwhelming sense
of the greatness and goodness of God,
that I was entirely lost in the immensity
of his fulness. It was all God!” The
next morning about five o’clock, he asked
me if I was awake. NY hen he ascertained
that I was, he requested me to rise, and
we kneeled together on the bed while he
poured out his soul in prayer. He prayed
for me—for each of his children bv name,
for his chnrches and friends—and conclu
ded with a most pathetic petition for sin
ners.”
“ Hcs staid in the house nearly all the
morning. While at dinner I mentioned a
sermon I had been reading, which I
thought would interest him. He read it,
and several other pieces in a religious pa
per. I went out of the room, and when
I returned found he had gone out. In a
quarter of an hour I heard the negroes
screaming, “Oh Master! Oil Master!’’
He had gone to the press to see them pack
cotton; went up stairs and leaned against
the double doors, which were but slightly
fastened; his weight forced them open
and he was precipitated to the ground,
about fourteen feet. They tell me he
struck on his forehead, hands and knees.
When I reached him, the overseer and ne
groes had raised him to a sitting posture,
lie looked at me and the children and
said —“ Be comforted ! I know you, my
darling. My back is broken.’’ NVe laid
him on a couch and conveyed him to the
house. The Lord was good to him. Af- ‘
ter he was laid on a bed, he only com
plained of soreness in his shoulders, and
he retained his senses and speech to the
last. After Augustus, (his son,) came,
he looked at us and said, “ All here ex
cept our first born. Tell my dear John
that his father has “fought the good fight.”
To a friend, he said—“ Farewell! I hope
to meet you on the banks of deliverance.”
To another —“ It is all so bright, it almost
dazzles me.’’ To Rev. Key, he said-“ Do
you think it possible I can be deceived
when I have such bright manifestations of
my acceptance with God, and enjoy such
inward peace ?” To which Rev. Key re
plied—“ No, brother, you are not de
ceived.” To a brother who came to stay
the last night with him, he said —“ Dear
Frank, I am almost home, but there is not
a cloud between me and my Savior.”—
Shortly after this he raised his clasped
hands, and said, “ My Gracious Master!
when will the hour come ?” He once
more looked at me and said, “ Be com
posed, they are making preparations”—
closed his eyes, and was gone!’’
Thus has passed away another of our
. most beloved and useful ministers. Last
year was fatal among this class of men :
James Carter , F. H. Reeves , Joseph Polhill
. and Phillip Mathews —all gone ! NY r ho
will take their places on the walls of our
Zion ! Others of us will soon follow.
J. H. CAMPBELL.
Griffin, Jan. 17, 1859.
For the Index.
Amebicus, Jan. 22d, 1859.
Dear Brother Walker —It will doubt
less be gratifying to you and your numer
ous readers, to learn that the effort to
raise a salary sufficient to sustain Bro. J.
H. Campbell, as a general Evangelist in
Georgia, meets with general favor as far
as I have been able to ascertain the views
of brethren. Bro. C. D. Mallary, who is
always ready to every good work, says :
“ Brother Campbell has devoted himself
with great energy and singleness of pur
pose, to the work of the Gospel ministry,
and through Sovereign Divine grace, has
been the honored instrument of turning
many to righteousness. Put me down for
§25, which amount is re?,dy whep needed.”
Bro. S. Root, of Atlanta, also writes en
couragingly, and says: “Put down §lO
for me.” Brethren Holmes, Landrum,
Tharpe and Irwin, all speak favorably of
the object, and will aid liberally, but I do
not feel at liberty to give extracts from
their favors, but I hope each of them will
write again, and allow me to make such
use of their letters as will aid in carrying
our plan into effect. NVho else will help ?
Brethren, let me hear from you as soon
as possible, and let us be ready by the
meeting of the Convention, if not beforo,
to put Bro. Campbell into the field. I
shall report the names and amounts as
they come to hand, through the columns
of the Christian Index, in order that the
brethren may know what progress is being
made in the work.
H. C. HORN AD Y.
From our Washington Correspondent.
NVashingtojt City, Jan. 16, ’59.
Mr. Editor :—Last evening it was my
pleasure to attend a prayer meeting held”
at the rooms of the “ Young Men’s Chris
tian Association.’’ These meetings are
free to all. Strangers are especially invi
ted to come and join in their exercises,
and to avail themselves of the privileges
afforded by their reading rooms and libra
ry. After an hour spent in reading the
Scriptures, prayer, and a pleasant inter
change of expression of feelings, and,ex- ‘
hortation, the regular andsystematic study
of the Bible begins. The instructions are
imparted to the class by means of lectures,
delivered by the various ministers of the
citv, of all denominations. After the lec
ture, any person present is allowed to pro
pound questions or ask for explanations
in regard to any points of difficulty rest
ing upon his mind. These exercises are
conducted in an easy, conversational man
ner, divesting them of all stiffness and for
mality, making them deeply interesting’
and instructive. Rev. Dr. Samson, was
the lecturer on last evening. He showed
how much of God we might learn from
the light of nature. How dim our per
ceptions of his moral attributes when
viewed without the light of revelation —
the faint glimpses which the wisest men
of antiquity had of the life beyond the
grave, of the immortality of the soul, and
the indispensable necessity of a direct rev
elation from God himself, in order to the
comprehension of our duties and the
knowledge of our destiny. This is to be
followed by a development of the plan of
salvation, and its perfect adaptation to our
wants and circumstances.
At the close of the prayer-meeting, a
gentleman rose and said that he was a
skeptic—that he had a few questions to
propound, and some difficulties to submit,
which if answered satisfactorily, and re
moved as clearly and by similar processes
of reasoning that mechanical, mathemati
cal, and philosophical difficulties were re
moved, that he would abandon his creed
and embrace Christianity. His points were
made, and his difficulties stated. In the
course of his remarks he announced him
self openly, boldly, nay defiantly that he
was an infidel. He boasted that he was
deeper dyed in his faithless creed, than
even Tom Paine himself, pledged his word
to make good all his propositions, and to
prove the Bible a mere fiction—the ema
nation from a set of men, who, had they
dreamed of the power that printing was
to wield over the world, they never would
have issued such a tissue of falsehoods and
fables. He spoke in a most contemptuous
manner of the plan of salvation and the
doctrines of the New Testament, and blas
phemously of Jesus Christ our Savior. —
Dr. S. made a few brief remarks in reply,
showing him the falsity of his propositions,
their unsoundness, and the dreadful de
struction that awaited such as obstinately
and blindly entertained them.
It appears that there is a regularly or
ganized club of infidels in this city, and in
other cities of the U. S., under the direc
tion of a sort of Grand Council, all acting
in unison, and co-operating with the Re
publicans of France. This was openly de
clared by the person above alluded to. —
What a work here for Christians! These
men cannot be reached by argument —
they believe nothing —denying all first
truths, no foundation for an argument can
be laid that will find access to ther reason
or hearts. Such spirits as those with which
they are possessed, can only be cast out
by fasting and prayer. The light of heav
en itself can alone illuminate their dark
ened understandings, and correct their
prejudices. Let Christians pray that the
Holy Spirit may wield with power that
“ two-edge sword,” quick and powerful —
discerning the thoughts and intents of
their hearts, and lead them to embrace
that Savior whom they now so bitterly
revile.
It is my pleasure to be a regular atten
dant upon the ministrations of the Rev.
Dr. Cole, at 13th St. Baptist Church.—
He is a very zealous Christian, a deeply
pious man, and an able minister. Tire or
dinance of Baptism was administered at
his church to two candidates on last Sab
bath evening. Avery large congrega
tion was in attendance. Deep solemnity
pervaded the assembly during the exerci
ses, and it is to be hoped that the impres
sions made will be lasting, and that soon,
others will follow the footsteps of Jesus.
Union prayer meetings are still kept up
mornings and evenings—much religious
interest pervades the whole city. Let
Christians everywhere continue to besiege
ttyj Throne of Grace, by their united sup
plications, until sinners throughout our
whole country shall be gathered into the
fold of God by thousands, and until the
dark places of the earth shall be illumina
ted by the glorious gospel of our Blessed
Savior. CHRONICLER, i
From Holland “ Bitters Sweet.”
Tlic Cradle Song.”
What is the little one thinking about ?
Very wonderful things no doubt,
Unwritten history 1
Unfathomed mystery!
Yet he laughs and cries, and eats and drinks,
And knuckles and crows, and nods and winks.
As if his head were as full of kinks
And curious riddles as any sphinx !
Warped by colic and wet by tears,
Punctured by pins an Aortured by fears,
Our little nephew will lose two years ;
And he’ll never know
Where the summers go—
He need not laugh, for he 11 find it so .
Who can tell what a baby thinks V
Who can follow the gossamer links
By which the manikin feels his way
Out from the shore of the great unknown,
Blind, and wailing, and alone,
Into the Light of day ?
Out from the shore of the unknown sea,
Tossing in pitiful agony—
Os the unknown sea that reels and rolls
Specked with barks of little souls—
Barks that were launched on the other side,
And slippped from Heaven on an ebbing tide I
What does he think of his mother s ejes t
What does he think of his mother’s hair.
What of the cradle-roof that flies
Forward and backward through the air .
What does he think of his mother s breast
Bare and beautiful, smooth and white,
Seeking it ever with fresh delight— #
Cup of his life and couch of his rest.
What does he think when her quick embrace
Presses his hand and buries his lace
Deep where the heart-throbs sink and swell
With a tenderness she can never tel,
Though she murmur the words
Os all the birds— „ #
Words she has learaedtomurmurw
Vow he thinks he 11 go to sleep .
I can SCO the shadow creep
Over his eyes in soft eclipse,
Over his brow and over his lipa.
Out to his little finger tips 1
Softly sinking, down he goes!
Down be goes! Down he goes!
go! be lskuihed in sweet rapes*!
WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
DRUNKARDS ?
This is a serious question ; for res
ponsibility rests somewhere. Such a
temble evil as drunkenness, falling so
heavily upon unnumbered families and
wasting and consuming so many of
God’s image, cannot exist under the
moral government of God without lay
ing at some one’s door, and invoking a
terrible responsibility.
■ I. It lies at the door of the drunkard
himself. It is a moral, not a natural
and physical evil, for which there it
no more accountability, than for blind
ness or lameness by birth; it is the re
sult of choice, of gratified appetite;
and though it may seize and bind him
in its iron chains, for it he is account
able. He has destroyed his body, and
sinned against his own soul, and he
must bear it.
11. All venders and all enticers to
wine and strong drink. They are the
tempters. They spread the snare.—
They say, “Come, drink my wine.”—
They allure and drag down to the pit;
and they must answer for the horrid
result.
111. All moderate drinkers. But
how are mey responsible i
1. They set an example which leads
to destruction. They teach by their
practice, that a resort to the intoxica
ting cup is pleasant, is safe, and who
knows not that example is more power
ful than precept, especially if it isset by
the respectable and influential.
2. They hinder reform. They set
them an example which they cannot
follow and be safe. No drunkard,
drinking moderately can possibly be
come a reclaimed man. And to stem
the power of moderate drinking in all
around, is almost an utter impossi
bility. Think of this, moderate drin
ker . As you pass through life, say
ing let me eat and drink and be mer
ry. you hedge up the w T ay of reform to
the last; you rivet upon him a chain
that cannot be broken. You are the
great obstacle which he daily en
counters ; and when he lies on the
burning gulf, gnawing his tongue for
pain, his thoughts will follow you
wherever you go. Remember you,
lie will. Yes! remember you—your
example ; your teaching ; your indif
ference, your denial of all obligation
to make sacrifices for the good of
others, and your perseverance in the
way of supposed safety, till you saw
him sink in perdition, Temperance
Journal.
Curious Railroad Incident —A Pick
pocket Robbed. —The Cincinnati Times re
lates the following incident, said to have oo
curred on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad a
few days ago.
Mr. John Lindawood, of Cadiz, Henry coun
ty, Indiana, was a passenger on the train, and
as through passengers are very apt to do,
dropped into a snooze soon after dark. After
snoozing awhile, a jolt of the cars awakened
him, and looking up, he saw, just above his
shoulder, the head of the passenger occupying
the seat just behind him and at the same time
he observed that passenger slip his pocket book
from bis breast pocket, and instantly arise and
make for the door Mr. Lindawood endeavored
to catch the dishonest hand, but failed; yet,
just as the thief reached the door, he caught
one of the skirts of his coat. The thief pulled
hard, and so did Mr. Lindawood, and off came
the shirt. The thief was just outside the door,
when Mr. L. caught the other skirt of the coat
and of it came. The cars were then under
full headway.
The drowsy passengers just began to un
derstand the nature of the difficulty between
the two parties, when the thief parted wth
his entire coat-tail. Several of them ran to
the assistance of Mr. Lindawood, but too late.
The thief preferred to risk a broken neck to
the State prison, and leaped off the ears while
under way. Whether he was killed, hurt or
escaped uninjured, we did not learn, but it is
said he must have fallen a distance of fifteen
or twenty feet before he reached the bottom.
The pocket book which he stole from Mr.
Lindawood and kept, contained §6l. Anoth.
er one containing S6OOO, he failed to reach.
Mr. Lindawood was regretting his loss, wlior,
he conductor proposed an examination of the
thief s coat-tail, which was done. To the sur
prise and gratification of the passengers, two
elegant gold watches were found in the pock
ets, It was unanimously voted that to steal
from a thief is not criminal, and the conductor
passed the watches over to Mr. Lindawood, to
repay him for his loss, There is no danger of
the owner ever calling for them, The time
pieces sjre valuable ones, and Mr.Lind a wood
made fully SIOO by being robbed that time.
4*
THE BEST LEGACY.
A gentleman, whose name and
I standing are known afar, not many
| years ago devised to each of his chil
j dren sixty thousand dollars. Within
! five years, one of these who was rednc
|ed in circumstances requiring assis
i tance, said,to a friend who bad exten-
J ded to him some aid: “If father had
j not left me five dollars, and made me
! a business man. it would have been
| much better for me.-
Methods of the Enterprising.—
j Great personal activity at times, and
! close sedentary and severely thought
ful habits at other times, are the forces
by which able men accomplish notable
enterprises. Sitting with thoughtful
brows by their evening firesides, they
originate and mature their plans; after
which, with energies braced to their
work, they move to the easy conquests
of difficulties accounted formidable,
because they have deliberated upon
and mastered the best methods for over
coming them.
IVEissionaries Wanted
By the Georgia Baptist Association—one
for Central Africa; and one for the Creek
Indians. Address H. A. Tapper, Wash
ington, Ga.
The Echo’s Africans.
Washington, Jan. 23. — Mr. Dowdell, of Ala.,
in the House of Congress, to-day, moved to strike
out the appropriation of Seventy-five thousand
dollars (in the consular and diplomatic appro
priation bill,) to enable the President to C fry
into effect the act of Congress of 3d March, lt-1),
and any subsequent acts now in force, for On
suppression of the slave trade. The motion lad
to an angry sectional discussion.