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THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
E. W. WARREN, Editor.
TILIORAPH POW SR PRS S0
MACON, GKA-.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1869.
Notice.
All communications intende-1 for the INDEX or
it3 EDITOR, must be addressed simply “CHRIS
TI A. V INDEX,” Macon, Ga.
A Note to All.
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Remittances by mail at the risk of the In
dex.
* The Church.
ELEMENT 4. —ITS ORDINANCES.
All denominations, save the Catholics,
hold that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
are the only ordinances of Christ’s church.
But what constitutes baptism, has not been
agreed upon. By some it is called a non
essential, and yet it has produced more
strife, division, persecution and bloodshed,
than any other question about which the
Christian world has ever disagreed. The
persecution has all come from those who
called it a non-essential, except that in
flicted by the church of Rome.
In a former article, we treated of the
scriptural subjects of Christ’s church—in
this we shall attempt to define what is the
act of baptism. Paul says, “One Lord,
one Faith, one Baptism’’. That baptism
is an act, all will agree, but that it is two
or three acts, many deny. John bap
tized, and the Apostles baptized, at the
same time, but at different places. What
each did was called baptizing. A bap
tism is an act, one baptism is one act, and
as Paul says there is but “one baptism,”
we philologically conclude there was but
one act. If so, what was that act ?
Mark says, Jesus “was baptized of John
in Jordan.” What was the act which
John performed on Jesus ? He did not
sprinkle him, nor did he pour him —for
solid bodies can be neither poured nor
sprinkled—and yet the word baptize is
applied to Jesus, and not to fche water.
If the word baptize means sprinkle, or
pour, it must be applied to the water, the
particles of which can be separated, or
teamed out gradually, as these words sig
nify—but if the word means immei’se, it
can be applied to the Saviour, as in Mark
it is. * A little thought on this subject and
a little looking into the definitions of pour
and sprinkle will convince any mind that
Jesus was immersed.
Paul in his Letters to the Romans and
Collossians, calls it a burial, and in 1 Cor.
intimates the same thing.
Suppose we take up one of these pas
sages and decide by it what was the act:
Rom. 6 : 4. “Therefore we are buried
with him by baptism into death.” For
the sake of perspicuity, we will read it
differently. “Therefore we are buried
with him by sprinkling into death. Did
you ever know a man buried by sprink
ling ? Can it be made to represent a
burial? But suppose we insert pouring.
“Therefore we are buried with him by
pouring into death.” If Paul had stated
it thus, would you not have put a differ
ent construction upon it, than the language
will now allow ?
If in those days they were buried by
sprinkling or pouring, Dr.-Hibbard must
have been mistaken when he said they
used a hysop bush, for that purpose, as it
would not have held water enough, nor
could the horn represented in some an
cient pictures, as being in the hand of
John when he poured the water on the
Saviour, have been in use. Instruments
of more ample capacity must have been
used for the purposes of a burial.
The places at which the ordinance was
performed, when mentioned, and the
words descriptive of the act, all prove
most conclusively that the act was immer
sion, and there is no evidence in the Bi
ble that any other act was performed and
called baptism. The original signification
of the word, as all Scholars of any celeb
rity testify, settles this question.
We propose to show by a few pedo
baptist authors that the above description
of apostolic baptism is correct.
Dr. Mac Knight, Moderator for twenty
years of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian church in Scotland, says :
“Jesus submitted to be baptized, that is,
to be put under the water and taken out
again by John.’?
John Calvin, the Father of Presbyte
rianism, speaking of the baptism of John
and the Apostles, says, “Their baptism
was not different, though it was adminis
tered by different hands; but the same
ness of their doctrine, shows their baptism
to have been the same.” In another
place, he says, “The very word baptize,
however, signifies to immerse, and it is
certain that immersion was the practice of
the ancient church .’’ “John was also bap
tizing in Enon near to Salem, because,
there was much water there.” On this
passage Mr. Calvin says: “From these
words it may be inferred that baptism was
administered by John and Christ, by
plunging the whole body under the water. ’’
John Wesley says: “Mary Welsh, aged
eleven, was baptized according to the cus
tom of the first church, and the rule of the
Church of England, by immersion.
Bossuet, a Roman Catholic Bfshop,
says: “John’s baptism was performed by
plunging ; in fine, we read not in the
scriptures that baptism was otherwise ad
ministered ; and we are able to make it
appear by the acts of councils, and by the
ancient rituals that for 1300 years, it was
thus administered throughout the whole
church as far as possible.’’
The late learned Dr. Neander says: —
“Baptism was originally administered by
immersion, and many of the comparisons
of Paul allude to this form of its admin
istration.”
Dr. Stewart says : It is a thing made
out viz, the ancient practice of
immersion. So indeed all the writers who
have thoroughly investigated this subject
conclude. I know of no usage of ancient
times, which seems to be more certainly
made out. I cannot see how it is possible
for any candid man who examines the sub
ject to deny this.”
Dr. Wall, whose able work on Infant
Baptism may be found in many libraries,
maintains that immersion was the apostol
ic baptism, and says, “This is so plain and
clear, that we cannot but pity the weak
endeavors of such pedo-baptists as would
maintain the negative of it; ’tis a great
want of prudence, as well as of honesty,
to refuse to grant to an adversary what
is certainly true and may be proved so.”
(Just Art. Bap.)
LTpon the testimony of such witnesses,
none of whom are Baptists, we are wil
ling to rest our scriptural assertion, that
primitive baptism was immersion.
Our pedo-baptists often pray to be
“baptized with the Holy Ghostdo they
mean, in such measure as they administer
water to their applicants for baptism ?
Or do they mean in such manner as the
Saviour did, when he said, “I have a bap
tism to be baptized with, and how am I
straightened till it be accomplished.” —
Dr. Doddridge paraphrases the Saviour’s
words thus: “I am to be overwhelmed
in sorrow and sufferings, and how am I
troubled till it be passed.” If this is what
our pedo-baptist brethren mean, we hope
they will adopt it in regard to water bap
tism.
All the world agree that immersion is
as good as sprinkling or pouring, and mil
lions believe it to be the only baptism
known to the Bible. Now, as all believe
immersion is right, they can adopt it
without a sacrifice of principle. Would
it not go far towards Christian harmony
and union if they would do so ? Come,
our pedo-baptist brethren, you all agree
there is one Lord and one Faith, why not
go the whole Bible truth and adopt the
“One Baptism ?” if you will, we will re
joice to know that you are learning the
“way of the Lord more perfectly. ’’
Conversations, No. 6.
B. Pastor, excuse me for leaving you
so abruptly in the midst of your conver
sation yesterday afternoon. For, howev
er deeply I have been interested in these
conversations, I have to confess, that my
mind was abstracted just at the moment
of my departure. I felt guilty after I
left, and hope you will forgive my want
of politeness to you, and that my Father
will forgive my worldly-mindedness, in
permitting myself to be absorbed for a
moment by temporal concerns when it
should have been upon the great concerns
of religion.
A. Certainly, deacon ; I think it best,
to have only one thought in the mind at
once, and as I had presented the subject
of family religion, it was perhaps fortunate
that you had but the one thought in your
mind, provided you succeeded in retain
ing that one. You remember Paul said,
“This one thing I do.” The mind and
energies must be concentrated , if w r e suc
ceed well in anything. The absence of
this one-ness of purpose in the great in
terests of religion is doubtless the cause of
much ol the Christian inefficiency, over
which we are called every day to mourn.
B. Come, Pastor, I believe I shall
have to “call you to the question,” for my
own sad heart has rebuked me often, for
the very evil of which you have been
speaking. Tell us what you were about
to say upon the importance of reading the
Bible. -
A. Or studying it rather, for a casual
reiding in this hurrying age is insufficient.
B. Well, well, have whatever word
you may please to select, so you give your
thoughts on the subject.
A. Well, I will take it up as the
preachers sometimes do their sermons—
provided you will not think I am going to
be tedious.
First. The Importance of studying the
Scriptures.
Second. The Advantages.
Third. The evils of its neglect.
FiRSt. Its Importance. This is an in
telligent, and therefore a reading age.—
The demand is for reading matter ; and
the demand is abundantly supplied.—
Book-making is remunerative, and hence
the number of publishing houses, news
papers, presses, &e., &c.
Our people begin to read when they are
little boys and girls—when their minds
and morals are in the formative state. —
Their tastes are formed in youth, and ma
tured ere they are grown, by the charac
ter of books and papers thrown in their
way.
All human productions are more or less
imperfect, as they necessarily proceed from
imperfect minds and hearts. Therefore
the impressions from human authors are
below the standard of Divine excellency ;
and leave the mind and heart without that
pure unerring instruction which God alone
can give. I would not exclude the writ
ings of men, there are a vast number of
very excellent works written by them, and
which throw much light upon moral and
religious subjects, as well as the many lit
erary works which are absolutely indis
pensable ; but all should be held as hu
man, and therefore liarle to err; while
the blessed Bible is from God, and cannot
err, save as it has been mutilated by the
imperfections of human minds and human
hearts as it has passed from one language
into another. Now the importance of
adopting it as the source of all true knowl
edge of divine things is apparent. Its
perlect adaptation to all ages of the world,
to all grades of moral existence, to all the
social relations of life, and to give the only
infallible instructions to guide us in the
way to heaven, all the good and great of
every age, have conceded. Then how
important that all should know its heav
enly instructions, and obey its Divine in
junctions.
This subject enlarges before my mind,
and I would be delighted to say more on
it, but I fear you will become ‘ abstracted ’
again, so I will pass to the second thought.
B. Go on, Pastor. Come, don’t let
my abstractions annoy you ; I will do bet
ter in future.
A. Never mind ; we will pass on to
the second.
The Advantages of studying the Bible.
It is an absorbing book. No subjects
treated by tnen, are so sublime, so pro
found, so vast as those elucidated in the
Scriptures. The study of no book so ex
pands the mind, so purifies the heart, so
exalts the soul-aspirations of man.
1. Then, as a mere mental exercise
the study of the Bible is invaluable. It
sets the mind to work. .It is suggestive
of a thousand thoughts, not apparent to
the superficial reader, but beautiful and
sublime to him who labors to find them;
they are not merely inferential ideas, but
existing thoughts embedded in this mine
of inexhaustible treasures. They must be
labored for before they can be obtained ;
the labor is pleasant and the result most
profitable.
2. It is a moral companion to every Bi
ble student. Its holy precepts are grad
ually and imperceptibly imbibed by the
Bible student. Here he meets with a
faithful and unerring companion, who re
bukes not only the waywardness of his
life, but the errors of his heart. It pene
trates the secret recesses of the soul, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart. Who ever knew a wicked,
vicious character that was a Bible student?
Man must abandon his wicked ways, or
his Bible.
3. It is a spiritual guide. “Man by
wisdom knew not God.” The Divine in
structions of this blessed Book, sanctified
by toe Holy Spirit, leads tnen to God.—
When the burdened heart is filled with
joy, through the pardoning grace of a lov
ing Saviour, and the soul feels its kindred
relation to ‘our Father in Heaven ;’ then
the Bible becomes in a peculiar sense, the
book of our directions and the law of our
life.
It teaches us what we are , what we must
do, on whom we must rely, and whither we
are going. Jjju^
We are the childrewJjPGod, “born, not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor
of the will of man, but of God.” That
as children we must obey our Divine Pa
rent, and whether we eat or drink, or
whatsoever we do, must be done for his
glory. 0 that our hearts could under
stand and realize this obligation. llow
plain are our instructions, that our whdjgg
reliance for success in all our efforts, to
serve Him, or to do good to our race, is
upon God. We are pointed by this Holy
Book to a life to come, the happiness or
woe of which, is connected with the trans
actions of the present time, and every
thought and word of this life will be re
membered there, and brought into strict
account.
The close study of the Bible, makes God
and eternity, heaven and bell realities to
the mind. It sets up Jesus as our Lord,
whose directions we must obey, whose ho
ly examples we must imitate, “whose favor
is life, and whose loving kindness is better
than life.” I.t teaches man he is a sinner,
helpless and undone, but that Christ is a
gracious Saviour, whose blood cleanseth
from all sin. It teaches us the depravity
of the heart, and thereby humbles the
soul. It teaches us the riches of grace in
Christ Jesus, and fills us vrith holy rever
ence for Him, and we determine by His
grace, to live for his glory. In a word,
the study of the Bible makes us wiser and
better, more humble and faithful; we
distrust self, and lean upon the blessed
Redeemer.
Third. The evils of a neglect of tiie
Bible. The mind will be occupied with
thoughts and subjects, good or evil—a
neglect of God’s directions, leaves it to
the uncertain instructions of men. We
are apt to adopt that which is pleasant,
and which is in unison with our natural
feelings, and nothing cun elevate us above
this, but the teachings of our Father, and
the gracious influence of his Holy Spirit.
A neglect of the Bible, has led the
Christian world in many instances to adopt
the teachings of men for the command
ments of God ; while such as have search
ed for, and adhered to, the holy instruc
tions of the Master , have been reviled, and
persecuted. This evil has filled the world
with sects ; substituted formalism for pie
ty, and ceremony for the power of godli
ness. It paralyzes the power of Chris
tianity, by dividing Zion’s hosts and ar
raying them in opposition to each other,
when they should be concentrated in their
holy warfare against the powers of dark
ness.
Individually, the neglect of a study of
the Bible, leaves Christians prayerless,
formal, inefficient, wlord-loving—enter
taining mistaken views of doctrine and
duty, and satisfies them with living lives
of unfaithfulness to God and man. O that
all who love the Saviour would daily
“search the Scriptures,” and obey their
divine instructions. What a delightful,
harmonious, Christ-loving brotherhoodjvve
would present to the world ! What a
moral and religious influence would go’
forth from this “city set upon an hill”—
“This is the pillar of our hope
That bears our fainting spirits up;
We read the grace, we trust the word,
And find salvation in the Lord.”
“A Legal Proprietor.”
A whole column is occupied in the last
S. IV. Baptist. , by, we suppose, a Georgia
Baptist, who signs himself a “Legal Pro
prietor.’’
The object of this long article is to show
two facts: Ist, That the Editorial Chair
of the Christian Index is an “ uneasy ’’ one;
2d, To prove that the conservative posi
tion of the Editor is injustice to the opin
ions of many of its legal proprietors.
To the first proposition we have to say:
Ist, The correspondent of the “S. W. Bap
tist” manifests more uneasiuess than w r e
are conscious of having felt in our new
position. 2d, We have never been ac
customed for a moment to consult ease
and pleasure when the path of duty was
clearly indicated by Providence. 3d, IP
our “legal proprietor” will pray for us, as
well as “ watch ” us, as many good brethren
have assured us they are doing, he will
perhaps do his own heart a service, and
make our chair easier. Come, good broth
er, we see no occasion for the splenetic ;
“ But now ye put off all these ; anger,
wrath, malice. * * * Put on therefore, as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, bow
els of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind , meekness , long-suffering ; forbearing
one another, and forgiving one another, if
any man have a quarrel against any; even
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’’
In the second place “Legal proprietor’’
thinks we do injustice to many of the pro
prietors of the Index, by our conservatism.
He says: “the legal proprietors of the In
dex cannot express their opinions, or ad
vocate their principles, no matter how
rudely assailed, unless every proprietor
shall be on the same side of every “vexed
question,” just above this paragraph the
“Proprietor’’ says, “The Editor’s business
is to make his readers ‘ wiser and better,’
and this he must do by hunting one-side
subjects.”
Our “proprietor’’ is generally a very
close and'logical thinker, and ordinarily
sees through his subject; we are there
fore, somewhat surprised that he thinks
his “opinions and principles can be rudely
assailed,’’ when only “one sided subjects’’
are to be discussed ! We are not sure
that we are acquainted with this “legal
proprietor j’jßMkmay be “the hands of
Esau, but of Jacob bat if we
are not, miwajP, it is only a few years
sinfe he thought: “though he might be
vOTy obtuse, yet he saw no occasion for
such a mercurial display',” in opposition to
a position which lie had taken in favor of
conservatism. It we are right in our con
jecture, we have only to say, “a change
has come over the spirit of his dream.’’
We will say for ourself: Ist. We
have never pledged ourself to neu
trality in anything. We have never
been accused of being a negative man,
but rather too positive. 2. We pledged
in tha beginning ; and by
God, we will keep that
nore all personal controversies. 5 ’
have not closed our columns to the dis
cussion of, any principle, qT practice,
by us as a denomination. We
shall njLiio so. There, are, howeve, cer-
questions,’’ the discussion of
engendered much strife, and
oWnerly love and fraternal co-operation,
and which has brought the belligerents
almost to the point of disfellowship. A
continuation of these discussions would
rend the body of Christ, and we will be
a party to no such unholy work.
And now because the Editor of the In
dex would withhold fuel from the fire,
and come in as a peaco-maker, according
to the spirit of his Master ; lie must be
held up, as closing his paper to the pro
mulgation of truth, and the doctrines of
Christ! But we are consoled ; for Christ
.4ays: “Blessed are ye when men shall
revile you, aud persecute you, and shall
Say all manner of evil against you falsely’
for my sake, rejoice and be exceeding
glad, for great is your reward in heaven ;
for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you.”
3. We are the servant of the “legal propri
etors’’ of the Index, just as every good
Pastoristhe servant of'his church; for “Je
sus’ sake.’’ This principle, Paul acknowl
edged, and we presume “A Legal Proprie
tor” is such a servant. 4. It is our duty
to make our readers ‘wiser and better.’
This should be the true aim of every re
ligious paper. What will accomplish this
end, must be determined, prayerfully, by
the Editor. This prerogative we assum
ed with our duties, and shall not resign
but with them. 5. We are not conscious
of having done, or entertaining any inten
tion to do injustice to any proprietor of
the Index. We are anxious to benefit
all, but never hoped to be able to please
all. We have declined to publish a few
things from some of the “proprietors,’’
who after hearing our reasons, were sat
isfied ; had they appeared,, “A Legal
Proprietor” would have been, we pre
sume, much pained. G. “A Legal Pro
prietor,” has the honor of being the second
in the State, who has expressed dissatis
faction at our position. The first wrote
us privately ; the second publishes us in the
S. W. Baptist! The first was a very ultra
landmark man; the second is an ultra anti
landmark man. Extreme antagonisms
are difficult to harmonize ; our only hope
lies in the fact that both these brethren
love the Saviour, both are pious, both are
Baptists, both Christ’s free men, both de
siring to honor God by faith and practice.
7. If the principles of “A Legal Proprie
tor’’ have been “rudely assailed, either by
us, or by our correspondents, the columns
of our paper are open. “W e shad not dis
cuss on# side of a ‘"two-sided question, ’
without permitting the other side to be
heard. And should we do wrong, as we
are liable every day to do, we are account
able to God, and to bis cause.
8. Our Proprietor says: “borne are
wicked enough to hint that certain ‘are
sold. ’ ” It is said a slander repeated , is a
slander uttered. An oath repeated is pro.
sanity. The taking up an evil repoit
against a brother, when the report is ad
mitted to be “wicked,” is certainly not
very fraternal. We have a “good hope
through grace’’ that we have been bought ,
not with silver and gojd, but with the
precious blood of and we shall en
deavor, “whether we eat or drink, or
whatsoever we do, to do all for the glory
of God.”
In conclusion, we say, if it is any grati
fication to correspondents or Editors of
other papers to misunderstand us, and with
out asking an explanation, to hold us up
to ridicule or contempt, they can indulge
to their heart’s content; and we will en
deavor to remember that “to err is hti
man, but to forgive Divine. ’’ You may
find our lex talionis in Rom. 12 : 14.
May not the following be very appro
priate in this connection ?
Refuge froui Strife. — l haveall along
been (says the late Dr. Chalmers,) vastly
too much disquieted by the misconstruc
tions of those who did not comprehend
me, and having suffered much, both from
the fatigue of refuting and explaining the
same thing a hundred times over, and
from the vexation felt in finding that, in
spite of every effort, there is a character
assigned my views the very reverse of
every principle by which I am actuated.
But why should the opposition of men
thus affect me ? Does it not test my be
lief in the reality of an all perfect mind,
that is now looking on when I suffer so
painfully from the adverse understanding
of the limited and subordinate minds by
which I am surrounded ? Would it not
nobly accredit my faith in God, that in
quiet communion with Him I felt a rest
ing-place, when sorely urged by the strife
of tongues? To Him may lat all times
patiently commit my cause, and be still
in the thought that he is my God. Let
me consider Him, who endured not mere
ly the controversy of adverse judgments,
but of adverse wills, the contradiction of
sinners, and let me not be weary nor faint
in my mind. “If any man among you
seem to be religions, and bridle not his
tongue, but deceivetb his own heart, that
man’s religion is vain.”
Washington Association.
This body met with the Long Creek
church in Warren county.
We arrived in time (with bro. Harley,
who was kind enough to convey us over
from Sparta,) to hear the Introductory
sermon, preached by bro. W. M. Pope.
Text: —“One Lord, one Faith, one Bap
tism.’’
After a refreshing recess, during which
time we made the acquaintance of many
good brethren, the Association was or
ganized by electing Elder C. W. Stevens,
Moderator, and Elder Benj. 11. Roberts,
Clerk.
We were most cordially received, and
listened to with apparent pleasure, as we
presented the claims of the Index. They
seemed to “believe our report,” for sever
al brethren went to work, and ere we left,
furnished us with twenty new subscribers,
in a community where the Index had be
fore, a very general circulation. We are
truly grateful for such manifestations of
kindness and brotherly love. A good
brother said, his wife was so anxious to see
the Index of late, that she thought we
ought to issue it twice a week.
On Sabbath morning bro. W. I\l. Ver
derey preached the Missionary sermon. —
It was a good effort, displaying a strong
and vigorous mind, and an ardent interest
in the cause of missions. This Association
is sustaining bro. Stone in Central Africa,
and at its late session, adopted liis wife
also, who is to be supported principally by
the sisters. At their next session they
will probably adopt and support a mis
sionary among the Indians. This body is
a missionary body, and the spirit is rap
idly on the increase. Though small, they
are able to do a good deal, and feel they
must.
In the afternoon bro. T. J. Adams
preached the Education sermon, which
Was intended to stir up the educational
spirit in favor of their own, the Linton, or
Washington Institute. This Institution
is situated in Hancock county, a few miles
from Sparta, bro. C. W. Stevens is the
Principal, and is assisted by bro. Adams
and others ; they have now one hundred
and ton pupils, and the school, with its
able corps of teachers, seems to be grow
ing in the confidence and favor of the
people.
llow manifest it is, that God is taking
charge of the educational interests of the
day, by placing them in the hands of his
people, and in many instances under their
fostering care. As the Baptists are His
peculiar people, lie is causing them to en
gross, in a great measure, these educa
tional interests.
On Monday, the Association completed
its business in much harmony, and with
much dispatch.
How pleasant it is to be with God’s
dear people, when they have one mind
and one heart, and all seem to have the
spirit of their master. We felt reluctant
to leave the dear brethren and sisters, but
duty, before pleasure, bas always been our
motto, so we tore ourselves away, and
took the Geo. R. Road in time for supper
in Augusta. After tea, we spent a pleas
ant hour with our good bro. Zimmerman
and his family, where we also had the
pleasure of an acquaintance with sister
Meredith, relict of the late Editor of the
Biblicel Recorder. Ou our return to the
Hotel, where we had to remain till mid
night before the train left, we received a
call from our excellent brother Rev.W.
J, Hard, and a pleasant hour we spent
with him in conversation about mattoisof
general interest.
How we felt when we arrived at home
after a long ride and a sleepless night, our
readers do not care to know. Our trip,
however, was a delightful one, and eveiy
acquaintance we made, added to oui
•pleasure. We hope to visit Augusta soon,
and ktioiy more ol our brethren there, and
let them know more of us. We hope al
so will become, il it is not now,
a favdnte among them.
We should have stated before, that the
Association sent up funds in advance for
their missionary, though they, operate
through the Foreign Board ; this is right,
as it relieves the Board of the necessity of
advancing the money for them, as it has
often had to do for other bodies.
A large number of additions by baptism
were reported by the churches.
. * a>i
Grace Given as Needed. —When
Christ told his disciples to feed the
multitude with five loaves, they did
not hesitate, and say, “Lord, let us first
see the bread multiplied ; if we begin
and have not enough, we shall be put
ttf&h'arne—but tljjgr distributed what
they had, and it increased with the
distribution.—[Payson.
Go to Jesus.
Not Guilty.
In your issue of Sept. 7,1859, you have
published a letter from Dr. J. S. Baker,
from which I extract the following :
“Although I am theoretically and prac
tically an Old Landmark Baptist, and fa
vorable to the S. *S. S. Union, I should
much regret to see the Index made the
organ of the party with -which I co-oper
ate. I felt and complained of the injustice
done to us when it was made the organ
of an opposite party.’’
That letter, including, of course, the
above extract, you have endorsed, in the
following words:
“DR. BAKER’S LETTER.
As there are brethren on both sides of
an exciting question, who would commit
the Index to a partizan position, notwith
standing the injustice which would thus be
done to a large portion of its legal pro
prietors, we have concluded to publish
Bro. Baker’s letter, as indicating the true
relations and objects of the Index.”
In the above you have italicized the
word “injustice,” which shows that you
referred to the same “injustice” of which
Dr. Baker says he “felt and complained”
when the Index “was made the organ of
an opposite party.”
Xow, brother Editor, as you allowed
Dr. Baker to make a statement in your
columns which impeaches my honor—for
he undoubtedly alludes to me in the above
extract —you will not, of course, deny to
me the right to deny the correctness of bis
statement, through the same medium.—
Attention, then, readers of the Index !
I, Joseph Walker, do most emphatically
deny, that the Christian Index, while un
der my control, was ever made tiie oe
gax of a party,’’ or that it ever did Dr.
Joseph S. Baker, or “the party with which
he co-operates,” the least, injustice. I de
ny this, and roll the onus prohandi on him
who has made the assertion.
I look back to no part of my profes
sional history with more satisfaction than
to my management of the Index, during
two years of high excitement and ram
pant party ism. I co-operated with no
“party,” do not now co-operate with
any, and never I despise party
ism among Christians, but if it has become
“expedient that one man should die for
the people,” and I am to be the victim,
“I refuse not to die,’’ provided only, that
I have done something worthy of death,
and shall be executed fairly.
JOSEPH WALKER,
Ex-Editor of the Index.
Bro. Walker has requested us to pub
lish the above disclaimer, and as we inad
vertently published the sentence in Dr.
Baker’s letter of which he complains, we
have concluded to comply with his re
quest. We say inadvertently , because we
have studiously avoided and rejected ev
erything like censure on the course of our
predecessor. It is not our business to dis
claim or endorse, any or all of bis editori
al labors. He has made his record, and
it stands for itself. We wish to make our
own.
As to our endorsement, we intended it
to go no further than a single point , viz :
“The relations and objects of the Index.”
These we were regarding {as the first, part,
of our sentence shows) not retrospective
ly, but prospectively. We bad not the
remotest allusion to the former Editor, or
his coui-se, but simply referred to our own
policy in future.
So far as Dr. Baker is concerned, he is
able to speak for himself, but as we have
been unintentionally the means of draw
ing him into the collision, we should be
glad, if we could, to make it unnecessary
for him to speak. We have no idea that
Bro. B. dreamed, even, of impeaching
Bro. W’s honor. He merely states that
sometime in the past, he “felt’’ that
“injustice’’ was done to those with whom
he co-operated, in one thing, which he
specifies. Xow it is an every day occur
rence for those who advocate a measure
to feel that those who oppose it are
treating them with injustice, without
ever for one moment thinking of impeach
ing their honor. Xor do we suppose that
Bro. B. intended anything half so serious
as that to which Bro. W. thinks the state
ment tends.
Bro. Baker is also an ex-Editor of the
Index, and now an aged man, and we
would have been glad if Bro. AV . bad
written in a less defiant tone.
We are happy in agreeing with Bro.
W. in disliking mere partyism among
Christians. Adherence to principle, and
fearless advocacy of the truth, are praise
worthy and christian-like, but mere pai -
tyism and blindly following of party lead
ers are unworthy of the children of the
Kingdom.
Bro. W’s last sentences seem too sad ;
we see nothing like martyrdom in the
single sentence of Dr. B. A\ e do not
think it is necessary for him “to die for
the people” just because he is willing to
die UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. „sUre
we are, he does not look much like-dy
ing, and we hope our good brother ‘will
cheer up. -V
Baptist Female College 6i B. W.
Georgia. ‘
This Institution is the foster child of the
Bethel Association. For the last four
years it has been under the Presidency of
R. D. Mallary, who has been assisted by
an able Faculty.
It is now entering upon its Fall term,
and though only the second week of the
term, numbers 110 pupils, 65 of whom
are taking lessons in music.
It has been most skilfully, energetical
ly, and faithfully managed. Its progress
has been onward. It has had a gradual
and steady growth in the confidence of the
people, and in the affections of its pations.
The substantial mental training, the
moral elevation, and the social refinement
of which the pupils here have the advan
tage, are privileges which parents have
learned to value and appreciate. Being
familiar with the mode of instruction
adopted by the Faculty, the perfect sys
tem uniformly adhered to, and the rigid,
yet tender discipline enforced, we are pre
pared to say that thorough work is done
here.
The time was when females weie con
sidered as serfs and treated accordingly;
another extreme was to consider them,
rather as butterflies, marie for ornament
and show; but now they are treated as
intellectual, social aud moral beings,
and educated with a view to develop them
as such. This is right.
The Institution at Cuthbert under Pres
ident Mallary, has adopted, wo think, the
system of education well calculated to an
swer the end designed.
We can commend this Institution, the
individual members of the Faculty, and
the course of study adopted and carried
out by them, to all who may wish their
daughters to take a thorough Collegiate
course.
■*-
Franklin
A modest system of canvassing for the
Presidency of this Institution, 1 has been
adopted by some of our exchanges. The
name of Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, LrL.
D., of Alabama, has been suggested and
acquiesced in, so far as we have seen.
We take the liberty as the wheel has
been set in motion, to suggest the name
of Prof. P. 11. Mell, D. D. It is true he
has never “been Minister to Belgium, rep
resentative to Congress, of
the Smithsonian Institute
been for a long time a faithful tfrigrepciehfc
Professor, and is acknowledged
extraordinary administrative powers. He
would make a mo3t efficient ad accepta
ble President for our State University in*
which he is now a Professor.
Southern Literary Companion.
In another column will be found a circu
lar of the above new paper, to be pub
lished in Xewnan, Ga., on the first of Jan
uary, by I. X. Davis, Sr.
The blind Editor certainly deserves the
sympathy of all; and the enterprise and
energy he manifests, give an earnest of
success. Ilis paper is intended to be an
interesting and useful journal. The as
sistance promised him will certainly ena
ble him to accomplish his desired purpose.
Will not brethren and friends interest
themselves in behalf of the afflicted and
send him subscribers.
He is a son of Elder James Davis, who
is well known to Georgia Baptists.
AYe wish him great success in his new
and arduous undertaking.
m
r JTo Jhe Ciiy Church-Singers.
In another column will be found a no
tice from Prof. Hinman, who proposes to
give instructions in vocal Church-Music.
Prof. 11. comes well recommended by
responsible persons, both as a gentleman,
and a proficient in the science of vocal
music. It is to be hoped our congrega
tional singers will avail themselves of his
instruction, and thereby improve the mel
ody of the “sweet songs of Zion.”
—♦ -<£*•>- *-
Removal.
The Index office is removed from Cher
ry Street to lower end of Cotton Avenue,
opposite the Triangular Block, two doors
below J. E. Swanson, and in the back
room of Baptist Book Store.
Aunt Mary’s Reflections—No. 3.
AFFLICTION Ol'T IN MERCY SENT.
The tolling of the bell breaks in upon
the stillness of the morn —’tis the funeral
chime! Death has claimed another vic
tim —another cherished one has been torn
from the fond embraces of loved ones.
She lay in all her loveliness—cold and
motionless —the bride ol a fewshort weeks,
now wedded to the Great Destroyer.
Her husband leans over her almost heart
broken; her pale mother gazes on her for
the last time. The last time? No! she
waits to meet her soon in the bettor land ,
her stern father laments in bitterness his
lost idol. Hear bis heart-rending cry,
“Come back ray child, my only child, you
are lost to me now;” and there in gloomy
despondency he tries to pray, tries to ask
for the help he needs in this dark houi,
but he cannot say “Thy will be done.”—
The man of God speaks words of conso
lation ; lie heeds not, and bom his lips in
the anguish of his spirit comes a prayer
that’he too might die.
A sleepless night brings him no comfort,
anil arising unrefreshed he wends his way
to the most sacred spot on earth to him
his daughter’s grave, there once more to
pour out his soul in prayer, He prays;
the answer comes to his troubled heart,
like dew to the parched flowers; by faith
he is enabled to lay hold on eternal life.—
lie goes forth rejoicing, with that joy un
speakable and full of glory. And now the
breathings of his prayer is, “Lord what
wilt thou have me to do ?” Oh ! happy
man, anew creature in Christ Jesus.
Ilis idol was shattered, but his soul was
saved. AI XT MART.
Augusta Ga.
Talbotton, Sept. 22, 1859.
Dear Warren : The Western Associa
tion closed on last 1 uesday in Greenville
one of the most harmonious sessions it
was ever the privilege of that body to
hold. There were brethren present en
tertaining antagonistic views in regard to
the current questions which are agitating
our denomination, yet, it in any ot their
discussions there was an angry word, or
an improper expression of any kind, I nev
er heard of it. The preaching was evan
gelical, and in the demonstration of the
Spirit. A liberal spirit .was manifested
towards our various missions. Bro. M.
T. Sumner was there and made a speech
on Domestic inissious. While listening
to that speech many a cheek was bathed
in tears. Many were astounded at the
facts presented, well authenticated facts,
showing the destitution that prevails m
some parts of our Southern country, lliis
speech was responded to by a large co
- I think the impression will not
be soon forgotten.