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fflE CHRISTIAN INDtiX,
E. W, WARREN,'. Epirotf. j
TELEGRAPH POWER PRES B. “
- ‘ ■’
? ; ?M[ AGON,
Wednesday, Nov. 30,1859. *
•* < Notice. % - , V*
AU communications intended for tbe INDEX or
its EDITOR, must be addressed simply “CHRIS
- TIAN INDEX,” Macon. Ga.'V .
REV. F. M’.HAYGOOD, Ag’t.for Index.
Club Rates.
Six Copies for $lO 00. A Minister send
ing four new subscribers and $8 00, will
be entitled to an extra copy.
The Laborers are Few.
Several churches in Georgia are now
destitute of pastors, quite a number of
churches in prominent places, where the
cause of Christ greatly needs, pious, ac
tive, efficient ministers; and doubtless a
great many country churches which might
be made strong and useful, and where the
souls of men are as preeious as in any oth
- fir part of the great harvest field; minis
ters are scarcely to be had. In the midst
of this melancholy reality, “ the light of
the world’’ is greatly diminishing its efful
gence, by the - discussion of topics, many
of which are of but little, if of any practi
cal utility, while the spiritual wants of our
beloved Zion are either forgotton or are
considered of minor importance. “ Men
of Israel, fielp.’’ My Fathers children,
lift up your eyes,” and look upon the des
olate places of zion, see how her interests
are neglected, how her moral power is
waining, how her beauty is fading, how
her peace and unity are destroyed. In
many places her sons and daughters are
“ like sheep without a shepherd.” The
- candlesticks are being removed, and her
present state forbodes an evil future.—
We would not pause'here to inquire into
the oauses which have produced this sad
result—the facts may be discovered if
every Christian will, honestly examine his
. own heart and life in the light of Bible
obligations. Has the cause of our dear
Redeemer been neglected ? Who did it?
Was it you, man of God, who is called
•an under-shepherd of Jesus, whom he di
rected to “watch for souls as they that must
give an account ?” Have you faithfully
• instructed your flocks, as in the sight of
. God. Have you realized his presence
when in the pulpit preaching “the word?’’
He has been your auditor every time,
has He seen that you were-faithful in the
exposition and application of the gospel ?
In your private intercourse and influence
with your members, have you been exam
amples to the flock ? Have you endeav
ored to provoke them to love and good
works ?” Or have you secularized your
self, spoken to them alone ofctfleir tem
poral intflfists, siTFred up
vanjjty, and left the families vis
ited without the bles
sed having them
•: feel away that you had
i been with Jesus ? Do you endeavor to
develop the gifts which you may discover
among your members. Are there not
some among them whose duty it is to
preach the gospel ? have you, and do you
daily pray that if such should be the case
the Lord may bring them out, and that
He will “send forth more laborers V ’ and
are you a coworker with God in this im
portant matter. Beloved brethren in the
ministry take heed! most momentous are
the interests committed to you, most
solemn the responsibilities resting upon
you. O, how much you need- the.pres
ence of the precious Saviour, the gracious
influence of the Holy Spirit.
But we would not fix the censure on
our ministers. There is much piety, zeal
and consecration among them— much
prayer, “humility, and a salf-sacrificing
spirit. We would have them, however,
faithfully examine themselves, and see
if they have done all they could.
The cause of Christ has been neglected.
Is it you, private members of the churches?
You farmers, merchants, mechanics, law
yers, doctors. You female members, have
you neglected this cause which filled a
Saviour’s heart. Have you done what
you could ? Have you co-operated with
your pastor ? Have you prayed for him,
that he might preach as with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven ? Have
you sympathised with him and encouraged
him, and prayerfully endeavored to pro
mote his usefulness ? Have you regular
ly attended yourchurch meetings for pray,
er and the preaching of the word, and
engaged in the devotional exercises, con
tributing to make the meetings spiritual ?
Have you paid your pastor , so as to give
him an opportunity to study to show him
self approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed,” so that he
might give himself “wholly to these
things,” that he might have time to visit
families, and pray with them, and con
stantly exert a pious influence upon the
members of his congregation ? If you
have neglected all or any of these things,
you have neglected the cause of Jesus,
the cause of souls, the precious influence
which is to fill the world with God’s
glory.
Scarcetv of ministers always indicates
an absence of the measure of spirituality
and piety in. the churches which they
should possess. O let usfihen, dear breth
ren pause and see i&ere we-are and what
we are. Let us examine ourselves to'see
whether we are in the faith, and let daily
and united prayer go up to the “ Lord of
the harvest to send forth more laborers,”
holy men of God, whose hearts shall bnrn
with love to Jesus, and be burdened for
the salvation of sinners. Let us cultivate
in our own hearts a deeper sense of our
obligations to God, and strive individually
to be more useful.
Charleston and Savannah Rail Road.—
Trains are now running on this road to jPoco
• taligo, 55 miles from Charleston.
tDIEAB Bbo. Warden : —X hm a
by profession, and qpnscietitiously agree*
with them in the manner of administer
ing of baptism.. As to that*
matter f am satisfied', but, I desire to un
'derstatfd the scripture better, qpon some
other points,-for at present, Ido #ot un
derstand it as some do, and if I am right,
some are wrong, and if I am wrong, I
want to get right, for instance, upon the
doctrine of election, I wish to be better
informed, I. wish to bh sound in the faith,
and correct in my understanding of scrip
ture. I have recently askedtwo or three
ministers of the gospel “if a man would
be saved, who had done the best he could
do, or knew how to do,”-they all answer
ed he would not. I honestly believed
that he would,.and believe it still, for it
does seem to me to believe the contrary
would be making God a respecter of per
sons, as well as unjust, and surely the Bible
teaches that “God is just,” and that he is
“no respecter of persons,” and again, if
a man does the very best he can do to be
saved, and is not saved, then I would ask
whose fault is it ? Whenein can the man
be blamed, or what more can be required
of a man than to do the best he can ?
A just God will reward a man accord
ing “ to the deeds done in the body,” and
the man is to be saved or lost according
ly, such is my understanding of scripture.
1 would like to know whether this view
of the case is unscriptural. I don’t think
a man has done the best he can do until
he cast himself upon the merits of the Sa
viour entirely, and puts his trust in the
mercy and goodness of God to save him,
if he claim any credit, he is self-righteous
and is not doing his best, because he
knows better. When the question was
asked, “ are there few that be saved ”
Christ answered it evasively, but I think
his answer meant to intimate to his disci
ple that, that was not his business, his
business was to look out for himself, to
“ strive to enter in at the strait gate,”
and I apprehend the advice very proper
ly applies to every body. In the course
of the same conversation with the minis
ters, I stated that I believed any person
living in the same country has as good a
chance to be saved as I have, or any other
person, I thought we all have an equal
chance to be saved “by grace through
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ;” but I
was told that my position was unscriptur
al, all did not have a chance to be saved,
buts if Christ has made atonement for the
sins of all mankind, then I would .think
that my position is scriptural. If the
future destiny of a soul is prefixed and
predetermined as soon as that soul enters
the body, how can it alter the case at all,
whether the soul remains in the body one
minute or one hundred years; under this
.view, what becomes of infants? I am
loth to give up my belief that all mankind
have an equal chance for savation upon
gospel terms, and it is left with them to
accept or reject the Saviour, and tbe over
tures of mercy, and when I part with
this belief, I will do so with feelings simi
lar to those wo may suppose Lots wife
had when she was leaving the city of
Sfdom, I shall want to look back, but,
nevertheless, if my, views are unscriptural,
Ido not wish to entertain them a mo
ment. I desire to grow in the knowledge
of the Scriptures, and hope you aid
me by giving me your views upon those
points which I confess I do not compre
hend very clearly.
’Yours in Brotherly Love.
J. M. W.
Laurens Hill, Geo., Oct. 18th 1859.
REMARKS.
We must not attempt to make God
such an one as we are. “My thoughts
are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways saith the Lord; for
as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Any attempt to judge of the character or
acts of God by comparing him with hu
man standards, must invariably result in
the formation of erroneous views of Him.
To ascertain truth, we should go to the
Bible, divested of preconceived views,
with a prayerful desire to know God’s
will as revealed, that we may receive it in
the love of it.
God is the Sovreign, Lord of all, who
has established his throne in the heavens,
and whose kingdom ruleth over all. He
worketh all things after the consel of his
own will.
The letter of J. M. W. states three
points.
1. Will a man be saved who does the
best he can ?
2. Have all an equal chance for salva
tion ?
3. If predestination is true, what be
comes of infants.
First. Will a man be saved, if he does
the best can. We might state, that as
no such case ever existed, the question is
not a practical one. No man ever did the
best he knew or the best he could, all
men at some time of life have wilfully
sinned. But to satify our brothex. If a man
should live who did at all times the best
he could, would he on that occount be
saved ? If he were, he would have where
of to boast, but not through grace—by
works he would win his way to heaven.
But says Paul, “ by the deeds of the law
no flesh shall be justified in his sight,’’ and
“by grace are ye saved through faith.’’
But our brother says: “ I don’t think
a man has done the best he can do until
he casts himself upon the merits of the
Saviour entirely.” This seems to annex
a different meaning to the inquery.—
Sould a sinner believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, he will be saved unqustionably—
but this puts the query quite out of the
question, for here his doing is not- the
means of his salvation, but his believing.
And then, the faith which unites him to
Christ is not his act, but the gift of God,
that is, it is not the result of anything
which he has, or could do. - By the re
generating power of the Holy Spirit,
man receives Christ, as the end of the
’ law for righteousness to him, is made
free from sin, justified through the impu
ted righteousness of the Saviour, becomes
a partaker of the divine-nature, and is
adopted into the divine family. Christ is
thp Author and- Finisher of our faith.
Good jyorks are the result, not the cause
of faith.
Second. Have all an equal chance for
salvation ? God places no obstacles in
the way to keep any man out of heaven.
All have sinned and .come short of the glo
ry of God. All have forfeited any right
to the divine favor, and God is under ob
#
ligation to ncfne, and if He saved any it
is of free unmerited favor, an act of ama
zing grace on his part,
lHe does save some, he does not save all,
He is as able to bestow salvation upon the
whole world as upon one individual. He
is Omnipotent. God overcomes the op
position in the humyp heart, before that
heart yselds to the divine will. No heart
ever yields till this* enmity* is overcome,
every heart ill which it is subdued, at once
bows in submissive affection. Man alone
cannot subdue this enmity, his best at
tempts would be complete failures,
he will not attempt it, he does not wish
it done, till he is made willing by the gra
cious influences of the Divine Spirit. God
alone can subdue it. He does so in some
hearts, in others he does not. Some hearts
He renews by the power of his grace, oth
ers he passes by and leaves, just as they
desire to be left. “He will have mercy
on whom he will have mercy, and whom
he will he hardeneth.” He chooses whom
he will, and leaves whom he will; of this
doctrine Jesus said : “ I thank thee, O
Father, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast re
vealed them unto babes, even so Father,
for so it seemelh good in thy sight.” Yon
will say then he is partial, he is a respec
ter of persons. “ Nay but, O man who
are thou that repliest against God ? Shall
the thing formed say to him that formed
it, why hast thou made me thus.’’ Hath
not the potter power of the clay of the
same lump to make one vessel unto honor ,
and another unto dishonor ? “ Who ma
keth thee to differ, from another ?’’ God
distinguishes in the bestowment of his
favors, temporal and spiritual, they are
conferred occording to his will.
But perhaps our brother’s question is
directed to another point. Was provis
ion made in the atonement for all ? Is
the atonement limited to the elect, or is it
general, or made for all alike ? Upon
these questions many good brethren dif
fer, we give our opinion,* and let others
think for themselves. We would how
ever refer our brether to the opinions of
Dr. Dagg in his Manual of Theology, and
of Dr. Qrawford in his Christian Para
doxes.
If Christ died for the Salvation of all,
then all must be saved, or he died in vain
for some, if he died in vain for any his
purposes will be thwarted to that extent,
and he will not see the travial of his soul
and be satisfied. His atonement was
made with some purpose in view, which
purpose was defined in the divine mind.
that purpose is not accomplished, it
will be because God is not able to perform
it, or because his mind has changed and
he does not chose to do so. Neither of
these views are admissible according to
the Scriptuses. Then it follows that if
his purpose in the atonement was to save
all, all will be saved, if it were for a defi
nite number, they will be saved, and they
only. Ilia.purpose was definite, the ob
ject of the’atonement, w£s a definite
the satisfaction or reconciliation it made
was complete, and the number for whom,
determined and known. “ I pray not for
the world but for them thou has given me,
for they are thine, and all mine are thine,
and thine are mine ; and I am glorified in
them.” See the entire chap. John 17.
Third. If predestination is true, what
becomes of infants? Is predestination
true ? is it a Bible doctrine ? God is the
author of regeneration or conversion.
No soul was ever self regenerated. Now
if God does this holy work in the Chris
tian heart, does he perform it by accident
or impulse, or because he designed to do
so? If he designed the work before he
did it, then it was his purpose to convert
that soul before he began the work. But
God is immutiable, with him there is no
variableness or shadow of turning, he is
the same yesterday to-day and forever
more. Then no new purpose has entered
into his mind, for to do so, would show
previous imperfection, incompleteness, and
he would be changed; if changed for the
better he was not perfect before, if for the
wiser he was not omniscient before. Then
His purpose to convert the soul was coex
istent with himself, an eternal purpose.
If it is right to design or purpose to do
so, if the present purpose is right, its eter
nal existence in the divine mind was right.
These views find abundant authority in
the word of God. The words of Christ
and the writings of the apostles especially
abound in testimony to the truth of the
doctrine of predestination. Many passa
ges in point might be quoted, but our
brother would do well to go to the Sa
cred Oracles and learn from the Divine
Teacher.
Now we are responsible for none of the
consequences growing out of this doctrine;
they belong to God, and he will take care
of them. We are taught in the Bible that
infants are saved, how, is not revealed,
further than this: “ There is none other
n&me under heaven, given among men,
whereby we must be saved.” Predesti
nation does not interfere with, but is a
wonderful display of the mercy and grace
of God. It saves all the redeemed, while
it interposes no obstacle in the way of
any.
We hope our brother, though reluctant
to give up long cherished views, will be
able to embraoe the whole truth in doc
trine as well as practice, and unlike Lots
wife by Sodom, he may not look back
With longing eyes to the natural views so
much in accordance with human reason
unenlightened by the spirit of God. We
do not|mean to intimate that our good
brother is unenlightened by the Spirit,
we believe he is a sincere inquirer after
truth, but we know from our own expe
rience and observation, that by nature,
most, if not all men are arminians, and it
requires the grace of God to give a man
faith to believe, in their consistency- the
doctrines of grace.
The San Juan Difficulty.
A despatch has been received in Washington
from Gen. Scott, in which he says a temporary
arrangement will certainly be made, on the basis
proposed by the President
—W*;;
Now is the time.
Large Cotton crops have been made.
We have been blessed with an unusually
fine season for gathering them, and this
staple commodity is bearing a fine price.
A great deal of money is due to the
Christian Index. Some brethren have been
reading it for years without paying up old
scores. Others are due frajlDt two to five
Now, that you barermade ‘agWCf
crop,, gathered it in fine order, and ob
tained a good price for it, what a conve
nient time to pay up. Come, brethren,
send in your money, pay up, and let us
all, in these prosperous times, owe no man
anything but to do good.
Now is the time to send in new subscri
bers, so as to begin with the new volume
on the first of January. See our Club
rates, and see our eolum'ns, and then if
you think the Index deserves it, obtain a
few new subscribers and send in.
Coliseum Place Baptist Church New
Orleans. —Dr. Duncan has resigned the
pastorate of this Church from a failure of
health, and consequent inability to dis
charge the pastoral duties. Rev. W. G.
Howard, D. D., who has for some time
been supplying the pulpit with great ac
ceptance, has been elected to fill the va
cancy, and has entered upon his duties.
- ■.
Georgia Female College.
We call attention to the new adver
tisement of this Institution in the present
number.
For several years this has been one of
the most popular Institutions in our State
for the education of young ladies.
Its President, Rev. Geo. Y. Browne, is
justly considered one of the best female
educators among us. His system is com
prehensive and complete in its arrange
ment, and his instruction thorough. This
Institution has j ustly been a favorite and
has received a large amount of patronage.
While it is not stated in the Catalogue
that it affords facilities for the education
of the indigent, or makes large deductions
in favor of the daughters of poor ministers,
it is nevertheless true. Its benevolent
President has aided many in procuring an
education which fitted them'lfc: useful
spheres in society, who, v*ut, f ea _
ture, would have remained co^p arat i ve ]y
illiterate. This\feature, coni^ w j t j 1
other spo
ken, commend this Institution to the fa<-
vorable consideration of thoJje who wish
their daughters to receive a finished edu
cation.
Madison is a health} town,jfand is infe
rior to no village in our State|for the mor
ality and intelligence of its citJßns.
We hope the Geo. Fern. will
receive that large measure -bf public fa
vor which it justly desqjves.
■—*— *•* — jy
Jlivorce.
The EditoA q£ the Chlistian Ini>ex,
has nothing whatever to do with the Bi
ble and Colportefcr Society, he is not even
‘a nfember of tie Board. rKo one con
nected'with the above named’ Socirty has
any editorial connection whatever with
the Index. The marriage was, if ever sol
emnized, under a former administration. —
But has been divorced a mensa et thoro.
Bro. Boykin, at our request, Kindly con
sented to take charge of the paper during
our illness, for which we are under many
obligations to him. We also engaged
him for two months when we first took
charge of the IndeN, to aid in reading
proof. We are all, however, in the same
building, love and esteem each other as
brethren, and would gladly promote each
others interests, and do an act of kindness
when an opportudity is afforded.
We have learned that the “ fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, kindness, &o. We desire ev
er to be filled with-such fruits.
A Child’s Prayer.
BY W. R. H.
0 Lord, our heavenly father,
In mercy upon me smile,
Through Christ our blest Redeemer,
Forgive thy suppliant child.
Bless my father, and my mother,
• And all my earthly friends,
All my evil passions smother,
Guard those which virtue brings.
Bless the widow and the orphan,
And grant them peace this night,
If earthly storms oppress them,
Fill them with faith and light.
Be with the wandering sailor
This night upon the sea,
Forgive his hasty thoughtlessness,
And guide him unto u tkee.
In pity see the prisoner
Confined within his ceil,
Bring comfort to his mother,
And save his soul from hell.
Now let my eye3 be closed in sleep,
Let angels talk to me ;
Around my couch their vigils keep
And let me dream of thee.
Atlanta, Nov., 1869.
all’s well.
The clouds which ris3 with thunder, slake
Our thirsty soils with rain ;
The blow most needed falls to break
From off our limbs a chain ;
Our very sins and follies make
The love of God more plain;
As through the shadowy lens of even
The eye looks farthest into heaven,
On gleams of stars and depths of blue
The glaring sunshine # ever knew.
J. G. Whittier.
From Texas.
Dates to the 19th inst. represent Brownsville |
as still closely beseigecl Great excitement ex
ists in tbe State, and troops started for the Rio
Grande on the 18th, under Capt. Ford, appoint
ed to the command by the Governor.
From Mexico.
Minister McLane arrived at Vera Cruz on the
21st It was reported that the French Fleet
would soon blockade that port, and Miramon
would attack it in conjunction with the French.
The Wanderer Case. —The trial of the Cap
tain and seamen of the yacht Wanderer before
the United States Cireuii Court in Savannah,
closed last Wednesday with a verdict of “not
guilty.” Three of the parties were again ar
rested on the same daf under a new indictment. *
COMMUNICATIONS.
Dear Bro. Warren :—The Lord has
been displayinghispowerandgrace among
the pupils of the South estern Baptist
Female College. About three weeks ago,
soon after the sudden and mysterious
death of Miss Marcissa Haley, we noticed
an unusual seriousness among the young
ladies which led to the appointment of a
prayer meeting at Bro. Musis house in
connection with his usual evening family
worships. Besides the inmates of his
family some of the teachers and pupils of
the College residing in the vicinity atten
ded. The attention and solemnity then
manifested suggested the appointment of
o prayer meeting at the College chapel
on the following afternoon which was
Sabbath. Unwilling to make appoint
ments in advance of the religious feeling,
the arrangement for the next day was left
unsettled, but the privately expressed
wishes of the pupils on Monday compelled
another prayer meeting in the same place
on Monday night. Thus began a series
of prayer meetings which has been kept
up at the pleasure of the young ladies.
Supposing, on Saturday last, that they had
become wearied by this constant tax on
their mental and physical energies, it was
announced that the meeting would come
to a close; but on Monday a petition
signed by about 50 pupils, asking for a
resumption of the meetings, told too plain
ly the indications of Divine Providence,
and now we have again suspended think
ing that our girls need rest, but they
seem as thirsty for devotional exercise as
ever. Not satisfied with these nightly
meetings in the Chapel, they have had
prayer meetings among themselves, every
afternoon after the adjournment of the
school. lam told that almost every pro
fessor of religion in the institution is wil
ling to take her part in reading and pray
er when called on. Let it be remembered,
that these religious exercises are not al
lowed to supercede the regular duties of
the school. Not a recitation has been
omitted on account of these meetings.
The College Chapel was chosen as the
place of meetings rather than our usual
house of public worship, first, because of
, its convenient location, second, because it
can be made more comfortable in cold
weather, third, because the religious in
terest was confined chiefly to our pupils.
Besides the teachers of the College, we
have had the constant aid of brother
Muse and (until the session of the Supe
rior Court required his attendance) that
of Brother Platt. Other brethren have
met with us occasionally.
An opinion was current in the commu
nity that this affair was nothing but ani
mal excitement. I presume, however,
that no one entertains this opinion who
has attended any of our meetings. In
deed I have often thuoght, that if some of
our Methodist brethren were to witness
they would say, we were
the revival. If talks about
Divine Sovereignty and man’s helpless
ness, unimpassioned explanations of the
plan of salvation and evidences of a change
of heart, remarkable neither for pathos
nor vivacity, caused our prayers to be
accompanied with animal excitement then
perhaps there may be some ground for
the above mentioned opinion. I feel sat
isfied, however, that the Lord is at work.
I have not forgotten that Satan sometimes
transforms himself into an angel of light;
but I doubt Satan’s power to counterfeit
the fruits of righteousness, or at least to
give such specimens of penitence, faith
and holy living, as we have lately witness
ed. Those who a few weeks ago could
hardly be persuaded to attend Sabbath
day services, seem now never to become
tired of prayer meetings, Bible reading
and religious conversation. Whose work
is this ?
But I am growing tedious ; 27 of our
pupils have professed conversion, 12 of
• whom I expect to baptize tomorrow. —
Others are waiting to hear from their pa
rents. Would to God that this work
might spread among the citizens of Cuth
bert. * J. F. DAGG.
Cuthbert, Nov. 19, 1859.
A Supposed Spy and Abolitionist.
Dear Bbo. Warren : —A polished
scamp, calling himself H. A. Taylor, pro
fessing to be a Baptist preacher, a convert
of Dr. Fuller of Baltimore, and formerly
the pastor or supply of the Cumberland
Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va., has
lately turned up in the village of Mad
ison, Fla., and has been recognized as the
fellow who some months since passed him
self off in Southern Georgia, as Dr. Wise,
nephew of Gov. Wise of Va.. and a Bap
tist preacher.
He claims to be a partner in the firm of
E. H. Stabler & Cos., wholesale druggests,
Baltimore, Md., and his avowed business
is to sell their drugs to merchants. He
says all of thefirmbut himself are Quakers,
a suspicious circumstance.
He has a good deal of assurance, fin
gers the piano, and renders himself very
agreeable to the ladies, boast of the quan
tity of segars he smokes ($250 worth per
year,) and preaches very flowrey sermons
interspersed with select poetry. I would
take him to be about 28 or 30 years old,
a good looking, city bred fellow, and af
fable manners. When among Methodists
he passes himself off for a Methodist, tal
king care to change his name as often as
may be necessary- He is strongly sus
pected of being implicated with the Har
per’s Ferry insurgents. I hope every
press in the South, religious and secular,
will aid in placing the community on its
guard agairfst him, and that whenever he
again turns up he may be arrested, and
either sent with Gerrett Smith to an in
sane asylum, or to a penitentiary or a gal
lows, to one of which I am sure he is
justly entitled.
JOS. S. BAKER.
Quitman, Ga., Nov. 22, 1859.
Be just-to thy fellow-man.
Why is it?
Why is it that brethren who have words
enough in conversation, or debate, can’t
pray ? v Or is their acquaintance with God
too limited to admit of their addressing
him ?
Why is it that some brethren do pray in
public, but in their families never ?
Why is it that young ladies —members
ofthe Church-can sing “Yankee Doodle,’’
and such like popular songs, but when
asked to sing a hymn, can’t do it.
Why is it that Christian (?) fathers
will permit their daughters and sons to
tipple away all their early years in respec
table dissipation ? —such as card playing,
party-going, extravagant dressing and the
like ?
Why is it that honest labor in this day
is looked on as disgraceful—and the man
who follows some humble vocation is driv
en from certain circles of society ?
And why do father’s allow their chil
dren to scorn honest toil, while themselves
were bowed down to it during all their
early years ? QUERIST.
Dougherty Cos., Nov. 20, ’59.
Dear Bro. Warren : I see in your short
notice of the Bethel Association, you
make mention of my resignation as Mis
sionary of that body to Central Africa. —
It is due to myself, as well as to the friends
of this Mission, to give a short explana
tion of my course.
The occasion of my resignation was pre
sented by the action of the churches in
failing to send up an amount sufficient for
my support. It is due the churches to
state, I knew the causes of the failure,
though it was not my part to interpret
their action: That failure I had anticipa
ted, because I well knew the influences
produced by certain leading questions ag-
itating the Denomination that were at
work. As the result proved, there was
scarcely any other course for me to pur
sue, without forcing myself on the Asso
ciation, over the rates and action of the
churches. I knew full w r ell that my resig
nation was merely an act of propriety,
that could be withdrawn at any time
when circumstances should justify it. So
much for the occasion.
The true cause, and the reason for avail
ing myself of the occasion, were based on
a fact which, for reasons satisfactory to
myself, I had kept with all its unhappy
force within my own bosom, but which I
greatly feajed would have to be made
known at the session just closed, or before
the ensuing Spring. That fact, I may
more plainly state was my healtlf. Du
ring my sojourn in Africa, and especially
since my return to America, I scrupulous
ly avoided any reference to myself in this
connection, lest I might injure a cause
very dear to my heart, and strengthen
prejudices against the unfortunate coun
try, already too strong in the minds of its
detractors. Fearing the consequences
that might prove disastrous to the mission
by a premature statement, and preferring
to suffer horrors, agony, physical and men
tal, in my own person, rather than take a
false step, I withheld this statement until
compelled by the force of circumstances
to make it, all the time hoping that I
might be able in due time to enter again
upon my missionary labors. Yet I have
all the time known that if my health did
not materially improve, my return to Afri
ca would, to human wisdom, be a wanton
sacrifice of life. I had held firm my pur
pose, until duty compels me to bespeak
from our denomination, a patient hearing
of a plan for African evangelization more
in accordance with wisdom and divine
providence.
You shall hear from me in future more
fully. Very truly yours,
W. H. CLARK.
P. S. All my Correspondents will please
address me at Albany, Ga. Landmark
Baptist will very much oblige by inserting
this communication. W. H. C.
Florida Association.
Dear Bro. Warren: I have just been
in attendance upon the meeting of this
large and interesting body, held at Friend
ship Church, Thomas County, Ga- The
introductory sermon was preached by El
der R. Fryer, and after reading the let
ters, the body was regularly organized
by the re-election of Bro. W. B. Cooper,
Moderator, and the election of Bro. J. O.
Goldwire, Clerk, Bro. Craft, the former
efficient Clerk, declining to serve any lon
ger.
The delegation was rather full, and
quite a number of visiting brethren were
present, among whom were Dr. J. S. Ba
ker, ol East Fla., and Eld. J. M. Wood, of
Cherokee, Ga. Bro. D. G. Daniel, Agent
For. Missions, and others of the “Piney
woods Bishops,” and some Bachelors.
The baptisms reported amounted to
some 275, and upwards of S7OO sent up
for Associational Missions.
We remarked that the labor of their
Missionaries had been much blessed, and
more generally than that of Pastors.
The questions mostly discussed were
missions, and the formation of anew Asso
ciation on the eastern boundary of the
present territory of the body, which now
covers so large an area as to make anew
Association necessary. All questions were
discussed in an amicable, Christian spirit,
which pervaded the body in all its delib
erations.
The missionary spirit seems to be in
creasing, espeeially Home Missions. A
step was taken in the right direction, as
we thought, to increase this spirit, viz:
passing a resolution which makes it a re
ligious duty of pastors to urge their
churches to contribute for Missions. That
is beginning at the root of the matter.—
Long have we been forced to believe,
that pastors were more to blame than any
one else, for the great failure of churches
to support their pastors, and support mis
sions as they ought to do.
The Association does not do a great
deal for Foreign Missions, and were she
to do more abroad, she would no doubt be
blessed more at home. ,
The stand on Sabbath was filled with
preachers, of whom in the forenoon, Bro.
Baker preached a sermon on Missions,
(the appointee, Bro. Gold wire, being ab
sent,) followed by a most earnest, search
ing appeal by Bro. Wood, and the result
was a collection amounting to upwards of
$l3O, a sufficient testimony this, of the
sermon and exhortation. In the afternoon
the people were addressed by , a
young exotic, a land-marker from the
“west’’ followed by Bro. N. A. Bailey, of M
Tenn., a man of much the same
and who we are glad to say has accepted*
a call to the church in Monticello, Fla.—
Bro. B. is a young man, a graduate of
Union University, and if his health con
tinues, will do much, we trust, in the
Lord’s vineyard.
The Association adjourned yesterday,
(Monday,) after a most delightful session
of four days, to meet at Grooverville, Ga.,
on Friday before the third Sabbath in Oc
tober, instead of November as heretofore.
W. N. CIIAUDOIN.
Thomasville, Ga., Nov. 22, 1859.
P. S. I don’t mean above, that it was
not the duty of pastors before to urge
their churehes to contribute. In passing
the resolution they thereby acknowledge
it a duty, and promise of course to do
their duty. W. N. C.
Revival Incident.
Dear Bro. Warren : The following ex
tract of a letter recently received, may
probably be of some interest to your read
ers.
“We have had a nice little meeting go
ing on for about two weeks, confined al
most entirely to the College. About sev
enteen have been converted, and most
hopefully too. One conversion seems so
plain an answer to my poor prayers, that
while I wonder, it seems a sin to doubt.
She is a member of my class in Sabbath
school, and for several years, ever since I
first met her, I have been deeply interes
ted for her, and have earnestly prayed for
her conversion. At the commencement
of the revival my interest in H , very
much deepened, but I was beginning to
fear that this visitation of the Holy Spirit
would pass, and she would be left uncon
verted. I went to prayer-meeting one
night last week, doubting everything. I
doubted principally the efficacy of prayer,
was much perplexed with the passage
“where two or three agree, &c.”-thought
it referred to the apostolic churches, rath
er than the prayer of faith for friends.—
The fact is, my mind was never so trou
bled—prayer seemed out of the question,
the heavens seemed closed against my pe
titions, and faith gave place to distressing
doubts. Accidentally I sat near H ,
and I noticed her every feature seemed
stamped with despair—but still I could
not pray for her. Mourners were invited
for prayer, but she did not go until a sec
ond call was made and then with great
hesitation. In deep trouble I bowed my
head on ray desk and prayed that God
would show me that night whether there
was truth in the word I had doubted—
that he would show it to me by convert
ing H , during that prayer. After
one fervent prayer had been offered, I
raised my head. No sooner was the
Amen said, than lo ! II rose from
her knees, and though her cheek was still
wet with penitential tears, with a trans
porting smile playing over her face, she
walked directly to me and threw herself
on my neck. I burst into a flood of tears.
She said, “Oh, don’t weep, lam so, so
happy.” I told her they were tears of
joy, (she little knew my feelings,) and
then almost as if directed, she said, “ Oh!
my God is a prayer-hearing, and a prayer
answering God.”
OJb, she was happy, and I blessed God,
and from my soul exclaimed. “Lord I
believe, help thou mine unbelief.”
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA—AN
DERSON DISTRICT.
The Baptist Church op Christ at
Union.
Whereas, Our much esteemed and be
loved brother, Horatio J.
informed us that he contemplates remo
ving westward, and labor in the cause of
his Master and our blessed Redeemer, in
another field of His vineyard. We regret
exceedingly to give up our dearly beloved
brother and pastor, but the will of the
Lord should be submitted to. Our be
loved brother has labored amongst, and
for us faithfully for the space of six years,
in which time, his labors, in a great many
instances, have been abundantly blessed
to the peace and joy of many precious
souls, which we trust will never be for. •
gotten by many of us. ’
We earnestly and heartily recommend
our beloved brother to all with whom it
may please God in his providence to cast
his lot. May God continue to bless him.
Done for, and in behalf of the Church
at Union, and by order of the same in
Conference, November meeting, A. D.,
1859. KELLY SULLIVAN, C. C.
Resolved, That the above be spread
upon our records, and published in the
Christian Index and Cherokee Baptist.
KELLY SULLIVAN, C. C.
A Layman’s Thoughts on African
MISSIONS.
Mr. Editor: I have been deeply inter
ested in the perusal of T. J. B.’s letters
on African Missions, in the Index, and
am forcibly impressed with the import
ance of those missions.
The great commission is—“Go into all
the world, and preach the Gospel to eve
ry creature.” In this commission of the
great Head of the Church or Kingdom,
Africa comes in for a large share. Sixty
millions of people, without the knowledge
of Jesus and of his salvation!
they perish ? Oh ! no. We
blessed with the Word of
and—“ Deliver their land
chain.”
‘ Shall we whose souls are lighted
By wisdom from on high,
Shall we to man benighted
The light of life deny ?
Salvation! 0 salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till earth’s remotest nation
Has learned Messiah’s name.
But we are told that the climate is a
great drawback in African missions, and
past experience has proven the fact to be
a fearful certainty in the precious lives