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IHE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
E. W. WARREN, Epitob.
iinsiirH rowii
- MACON, OA.
Wednesday, Noy. 9, 1859.
Notice.
All communications intended for the INDEX or
its EDITOR, must be addressed simply CHR
TIAN INDEX,” Macon, Ga.
Club Rates.
Six Copies for $lO 00. A Minister send
ing four new subscribers and $8 00, wfl
be entitled to an extea copy.
n Baptist Champion,” vs. The
GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION AND ITS
EXECUTIVES.
Disorganization seems to be a charac
teristic of the times, and the order of the
day, especially with some of our Baptist
brethren. Walker, of the Champi
on, perhaps for the sake of being in fash
ion indicates his intention to walk in the
very direction of “reform” or dissolution,
so far as Georgia enterprises are concern
ed His right to place himself in this an
tagonism, is not questioned, provided he
can show that the} are wrong or useless
in themselves, or managed by corrupt or
incompetent men. For some months he
has been making rather mistenous allu
sions, and publishing “Reform Bills” ; but
number, (Nov. Ist,) he speaks
These are his words:
Convention
and
He dares not allege that any injury to es
tablished principles, or private interests
has yet been done, but that it may occur.
The danger, therefore, is imaginary.
He also alludes to “ family influences”
which radiate from official centres. Sup
pose the number of brethren holding the
executive trusts of the Convention was in- 1
creased, would not the family influences
thus be increased ? Must the Conven
tion fill all these places with men who have
no families ? Most of these Convention
executives had “family influences” before
their election, and their brethren did not
suppose them on that account, disquali
fied for office. Our experience is that |
“family influences” contribute very much
to our happiness and usefulness, and we
believe that our brethren are better qual
ified for usefulness with such influences
than without them. Indeed, I advise all
my brethren, in ordinary circumstances,
to surround themselves with “family in
fluences.”
The Champion implies that danger is
to be dreaded from “self-interest.” This
is always a proper caution, but really it
does not seem very applicable to the Ex
ecutives of the Ga. B. Con., so far as their
offices are concerned. Except the Clerk,
the Treasurer, and the Editor, not one of
them receives a cent for his labor. To
be a Trustee costs each one of us annually,
a pretty round sum in the way of travel
ing expenses. Days and nights are given
to the perplexities of the Executive Com
mittees, gratuitously. There is no gain,
therefore, to feed “self-interest.” Is there
any distinction ? This is doubtful; if there
is, it is fully balanced by the odium which
usually attends such positions.
on in the article from which the
is taken, the “ Champion’’
f> on the g rount l that the
/Vgj r, of the Macon
§1 *X V *- r loca-
Death of a Christian Patriarch.
John Angell James, familiarly known
to the Christian world through the pro
ducts of his pen, not the least influential
of which, are the “Anxious Inquirer,” and
“Church Member’s Guide,” has finally, at
I the advanced age of 76, been called to his
rest. He died in Birmingham, England,
on the Ist of October, being still in the
ministry of the church over which he had
been pastor for fifty years.
Rev. W. N. Chaudoin.
This brother, we learn, has been called
to the pastorate of the Thomasville church,
and that he has accepted. The brethren
I there may feel assured that they have se*
cured an excellent, sound, earnest preach
er. It is an important field, and we hope
brother Chaudoin will be greatly blessed
in his labors there. .
COMMUNICATIONS.
Rehoboth Association—“A Mis
sionary BAPTIST” REVIEWED.
Sometime since, the Constitution of the
j Southern Baptist Convention was made
the subject of criticism and exposition. —
The consequence was a general agreement
as to its meaning. Now it seems neces
sary, for the sake of a better understand
ing of it, that the Constitution of the Geor
gia Baptist Convention be subjected to the
same ordeal.
In an article signed “Missionary Bap
tist,” in the Champion of the Ist instant,
and cordially endorsed by the Editor, an
attempt is made to reason the Rehoboth
Association out of the Georgia Baptist
Convention, on constitutional grounds.—
My object is to show that, “A Missionary
Baptist” has reasoned upon false premises,
and that there is nothing in said Constitu
tion, on which to base even an objection to
the continued membership of the Reho
both.
Qur author says: “It is conceded that
of the Convention does
from the Associ-
BteLto be represented.”
wKwiPilll*-*’ ; wVhat
the new arrangement, and signified their
co-operation in carrying out its provisions.
Both premises therefore being, untrue, o
course the conclusion in reference to the
Rehoboth Association is so also. This As
sociation has not departed from the terms
of union on which she entered the G. B.
Convention, and therefore does not ask to
be represented, but demands such repre
sentation, with the Constitution in ber
hand.
The Correspondent to whom we are re
plying, erects a man of straw whom he
calls the Rehoboth Association, and into
mouth he puts many hard words
against the Convention. To all this, it is
sufficient to say, that it is all a figment of
his imagination; an “airy vision, signify
ing nothing.” The Association has not
said these things, and I hope she never
will.
Why all this ado about the relations of
the Rehoboth Association to the State
Convention ? Suppose she sends no funds
for African and Indian Missions to the
State Convention, but sends her SISOO an
nually to brethren Reid and Murrow; is
this anew thing under the Sun ? Have
there not always been, and are there not
now, Associations connected with our
Convention, which contribute nothing to
African and Indian Missions? Some of
these spend all their funds within their
own bounds, .under the direction of their
own Executive Committees. Is it right
for these to spend all their funds in their
own bounds, and wrong for the Rehoboth
to spend a part of hers abroad ? Why
has no attempt been made to oust these
Associations from the Convention ? “Let
justice be done, though the heavens fall.”
. Has the Rehoboth Association no inter
est in our State Convention except Indi
an and African Missions? Here are the
objects as set forth in the Constitution :
“The following are the specific objects
of this body, viz: 1. To unite the influ
ence and pious intelligence of Georgia
Baptists, and thereby to facilitate their
union and co-operation. 2. To form and
encourage plans for the revival of expen
fcental and practical religion in the State
and elsewhere. 3. To aid in giving effect
to useful plans of the several Associations.
an opportunity to those who
I think it their duty to
“N, v. of pious
i/ju J by the
f'T l^l^rislian
general scope of instruction on moral du
ties wholesome and correct. The book is
less copious and discursive than Way land,
yet some important topics are introduced
which he omits, and some impo4* nt er ’
rors corrected, into which he falls. It is |
a heap of well-winnowed wheat. Useless
disquisitions are laid aside, whilst for a
strictly elementary work perhaps enough
is said to illustrate and enforce the moral
duties treated of; and it would be difficult
for any one to suggest in what manner
the things which are said could have been
better said. Though the book is elemen
tary and much condensed, yet it is not a
volume of dry and dull abstractions; it
has life, interest, unction and power.
Whilst the student may use it as a book
of science, the man of taste may peruse it I
as a fine English classic; the Christian for
reproof, correction, and instruction in
righteousness; and the careless sinner,
that his conscience may be aroused, and
his soul urged on to its solemn, religious
preparation for eternity. There is noth
ing heathenish, or semi-heathenish in the
book. Whilst it pays due respect to the
teachings of natural religion, it brings for
ward the necessary supplemental teach- ]
ings of the Bible as to the great moi al
duties of life, without stint, without any
morbid, squamish hesitation. It is Ethics
gospelized ; it is Moral Philosophy sitting
at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in its
right mind. Whilst the offices and rights
of conscience are set forth with great
clearness and force, we are at the same
time reminded, in a very old-fashioned
gospel manner, that the consciences of
men are sadly mangled, and that the in
fluence of the Holy Spirit is needful to
raise them up to their proper dominion in
our bosoms; to work “for man and in |
man the great salvation which he needs.”
man j-,
I think it will be conceded by all who
carefully examine the work, that but few
elementary books are better adapted to
general use. It should find a place in our
Seminaries of learning; so also in our
families; so also on the shelf of the me
chanic and merchant and planter ; so al
so on the table of the professional gentle
man.
The very clear and able discussion oi
the subject of slavery it is to be hoped
may be useful to many of our brethren at
the North, and also the powerful remarks
on abolitionism in the closing section of
A few of the closing senten-
I was desired to pour out our hearts for
some signal mark of the divine favor, or
some question arose transcending human
wisdom, we almost invariably called upon
Brother Hartwell to be our mouth-piece
at the throne of grace; and none w o
heard him will forget how humb y, er
vently, rapturously, he performed that
service. He was a man of prayer, an
rose to an eloquence and a power, in t at
exercise, far above himself. # .
CAL 1. viovj lal aUv v # ,
I have known two men whose spirits
took fire when missions were the special
subject of supplication—Deacon J. L. b.
Foster and Elder Jesse Hartwell. God
asked a daughter of the one and a son of the
other for the Foreign Mission.
Oh, if I could have stood by the dying
bed of father Hartwell, when his pure and
noble spirit took its flight, I could have
exclaimed in the fervor of my Ifeart, with
Elisha, when his master was translated,
“My father, my father! the chariot of Is.
rael and the horsemen thereof!” O,
brethren in the ministry, those are pre
cious words to the honest servant of God.
“And when the Chief Shepherd shall ap-
pear, ye shall receive a crown of glory
that fadeth not away!’’
This little tribute, Brother Editor, has
been burning on my heart for weeks. His
pupils and friends, who knew him better
and more intimately than I did, will par
don the presumption of so imperfect a
sketch. E. B. TEAGUE.
Revival at Mt. Zion.
The following will be read with inter
est :
Bito. Editor. —
l ain surprised that in the numerous ac
counts of Revival seasons throughout the
State, no one has so much as mentioned 1
Mount Zion. This omission ernnot cer
tainly be from want of remarkable events,
and I am unwilling that it should pass, |
without something being said to let the
people know how good the Lord hasbeen
to us.
Day after day the house of God was
crowded, and numbers were pressing anx
iously around the altar, soliciting the
prayers of the pious. Prayer meetings
were held, at times and places unwonted.
Private dwellings were heard to echo at
the dead hours of night, with the plead
ings of distressed souls. The people laid
. aside their daily business those who
were far estray from God, and deeply in
volved in the world’s sinful pleasures, and
No. of families fround destitute of the
Bible, 1
No. of families found destitute of all
other Baptist books, 3
Report of Rev. U. M. Matthews, Col
porteur of the Western Association, for
the month of Oct. 1859.
No. of Baptist families visited, 18
No. of families visited, not Baptists, 10
No. of families prayed with, 15
No. of persons conversed with on the
subject of religion, 47
No. of Sermons or other public Addres-
ses made, ?
No. of Sabbath Schools visited, _ 2-
Value of Books and Tracts sold, 78,15
Value of Books and Tracts donated, 5,70
Pages of Tracts donated, 2,620
No. of Bibles or Testaments donated, 13
Special attention is called to this re
j port. Suppose every Association- in the
State had its Colporteur engaged in this
work, what would be the result? If Col
porteurs will make reports similar to the
above to the Corresponding Secretary, he
will publish them, that all may see what
is doing. Rev. F. M. Ilaygood’s report,
made to the Society for last month is en
couraging. It should be known that the
donations of both the above are grants by
the Society. Will not its friends help it,
when it is engaged in so noble a cause ?
I S. I5
Something New.
We have some strange things in this
Wire Grass Region. Something over 4
years ago, in a revival in this County, in
the absence of the Pastor, but by request
of the Church, I baptized a gentleman
l who some time after took his letter and
carried it to another Ch'urch. The same
man being pastor of both Churches, his
letter was objected to, but after some dis-
I cussion he was received. lie remained in
full fellowship for about four years, when
his case was taken up again, and he was
re-baptized by the same man that had
j been pastor all the time. Another case :
a brother about the same time joined the
same church by from Mt. Iloreb
Church. Sometime after he moved off, ta-
I king his letter and putting it into Redoak
Church, after which a committee was sent
to see him and called for his letter, he ob
tained his letter upon which he joined at
Redoah, carried it back and proposed to
give the letter he received from them for