Newspaper Page Text
index.
W ARREN, El m i- ‘it:
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F _W^Ky^ as . 4_ 1860.
All must be
addressed simply Macon,
Those inteye
Editor, uddre^^^^^^^piually.
REV 7 . F. M. i n d ex .
The Christian Index
Now enters upon its thirty ninth vol
ume. While its pointing has been vp
fcgfrtyard, its progress has been onward.—
iHkhis had a place in many of the
iearts °f the Georgia Bap-
years, and some
have reacPft from the days of the lamen
ted Brantly when it was called the “ Col
umbian Star.” Men loved for their piety,
respected for their talents and learning,
and highly esteemed for their usefulness,
have edited its columns. Brantley, Mer
cer, Baker, Stokes and others have left
an impression upon the hearts of those
who read their writings, which will not
pass away with their generations, but will
live a3 a memento to remind us of the
talents, the faithfulness and the Christian
zeal of those who were. The amiable
Martin, the pious and erudite Dagg, and
the energetic and Champion-like Walker }
still live in the memories and have a place
in the hearts of many who read the Index.
The present incumbent, is the least of
all saints, and his name is not worthy a
place in the list of his predecessors.
We take this occasion to express our
thanks to our readers for their forbear
ance, while in our inexperience and weak
ness, we have endeavored to edify the
body of Christ. We also tender our
grateful acknowledgements to our minis
tering brethren and others, who have in
terested themselves in extending the cir
culation of the ‘ Index. Our list now
numbers 4,728 names. We have had a
nett increase of more than two subscri
bers per day, since we have been editor,
and still they come.
A few good longli3ts, which were prom
ised by the first of January, have not yet
arrived. Some have. Send them in
brethren, and we will keep a few back
numbers, if we can , to supply them
the first No. of the new Volume.
What we expect to do in the future,
may be judged of by the past. (Save our
typographical errors, in regard to which
a great reform may be anticipated.)
We wish onr readers anew year of
much religious enjoyment, and Christian
usefulness, and that those who shall be
called away, may be found faithful
stewards, aud receive a crown re
joicing.
The New Year.
Another token of the long-suffering of
God, another witness of Divine love, has
been vouchsafed to us. The light of* an
other New Year has flooded our pathway;
and we enter upon the duties, privileges
and pleasures before us, not knowing what
a day may bring forth. Many changes
have passed over since the last new
i year’s day. Many disappointments have
k.saddened the heart, many sorrows haM
filled' the soul, sad
destroy cd present comforts— desolßj
joyous anticipations o£the &Jfcre H*sud
den and unexpected gleam Mlight has
now and then filled the soul wiWVope, and
blessings, undeserved, have crowited our
lives at every step. Friends and kifdred
have fallen upon the right aud up, a the
left, and have gone to wear a cr</wn of
life, or endure the pangs of a wmrld of
■ heart once of life, and
n with soijow, like the flower,
torm has passed, opens once
venues to its inner life, to re
iy and comfort which are its
rtion.
e past , however, we'have little
e cantn Jfceeall a moment of its
lost time, or improve its wasted hours.
The future may notie ours. The present
alone is surely our cwn. Boast not thy
self of tomorrow', knowest not
what a day may Few and
evil are our days at best, and now they
may be almost ended. The privileges
and opportunities of life, may be near their
close. Our days are numbered, and we
cannot pass the bounds thereof, they are
even as a vapour that appeareth for a lit-
tie time, ami then vanisheth away.
“ Great source of wisdom, teach my heart
To kt. ,w the price of every hour,
That time may bear me on to joys,
Beyond its measures and its power.”
To our Christian readers, we have a
word to say as we enterupon the duties of
auother year.
Seeing ye have purified yourselves, in
obeying the truth through the Spirit,
’unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see
that ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently .’’ Individual Christian effort
alone, will never accomplish the purposes
of God in the world’s redemption, hence
he has organized churches, in order to
secure the pious co-operation of his dis
ciples, and instructs them to bear onean
other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of
Christ. But this fraternal co-operation
can never be secured, and rendered effi
cient, without fervent love one for anoth
er. It is then our duty to cultivate broth-*
erly love. This heavenly grace is bes
towed in larger measure upon those hearts
which are most deeply imbued with the
spirit of Jesus, hence, hi'gh attainments
in holiness, develop that love which “bear
eth all things belie veth all things, hop
eth all thing!?, endureth all things;
that love which never faileth.” Again,
high attainments in holiness, give us
such views of the imperfections of
our own hearts and lives, as make us
forbearing towards the imperfections
of others; and above all, produces such t
unfeig’” -d and ardent low'for the cause
of Gpd, and for his olradren, that we
earnestly desire the promotion of the one,
and pray for the welfare of the other,
rather than be indifferent to the former,
and censure the latter. No Christian can
have a correct view of the waywardness
and imperfections of his own heart, with
out having his .orbearance and forgivness
towards others, greatly increased. This
we may learn to bear, sympathise with,
and love the imperfect children of our
Holy lather. Indifference censorious
ness and bitterness are uncongenial to, aye,
destructive of the holy emotions and en
joyments of our blessec religion.
2. “Whatsoever yoar tands find to do,
do it with y o “ r m ight, for there is nr
wisdom* eT labor or devise in the grave
ydrfther you go.’’ We have a work to do.
“ Son work in my vineyard to-day.’ The
Saviour taught us to pray that laborers ,
not loiterers, rot indifferent idlers, might
be sent into the harvest field, and He has
promised that the doer of the word shall
be blessed in his deed.
The Spiritual dearth which now rests
upon our beloved Zion, upon almost eve
ry church in our land, calls for the united
prayers and pious labors of every child of
grace. The hearts of many, who once
seemed to love the spiritual services of
the house of God, are now cold, worldly
and backslidden. Prayers, from hearts
once fervent spiritual, now seem cold
and formal. ( “ Y/jsannas languish on our
tongues, anaour devotion dies.”
Ministers, who once were full of zeal,
and could weep for souls, and exhort sin
ners to repentance, and labor zealously to
advance that cause which filled the Sa
viour’s heart, are now secularized, and
partisanized. Churches, once efficient,
are now destitute of the living ministry,
and some of them are dying out.
Our hearth stones and sanctuaries are
daily crowded by friends and relatives,
whose precious souls are not at peace with
God, and who manifest no desire for that
“favor which is life, and that loving kind
ness which is better than life.”
The name of Jesus is blasphemed, the
authority of our King is set at naught,
and our Saviour is wounded in the house
of his friends. “Is there no balm in
Gilead, is there no physician there, why
then is not the hurt of the daughter of
my people recovered.” Who now, will
“ come up to the help , to the help of the
Lord against the mighty ? ”
Children of the kingdom! Men of God!
Soldiers of the cross! You who have
been redeemed with the precious blood of
atonement! You who claim, that “though
He was rich, yet for your sakes he became
poor , that you through His poverty might be
rich ;’’ We call upon you, male and female,
old and young, ministers and private
members, in the name of our blessed Re
deemer, to “let your light so shine before
men, that they seeing your good works
may glorify yourFatber which is in heav
en.” “ I beseech you, by the mercies of
God , that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice , holy, acceptable unto Him, which
is your reasonable service, and be not
conformed to this world but be ye trans
formed by the renewing of your minds,
that ye may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.” —
“ Let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let
jis run with patience the race set before
HL looking unto Jesu* who is the author
finisher of our faith. ’’ “Offer the sae
rincesyof righteousness and put your trust
in the iLord.’’ Let every one begin to
day “ toqserve the Lord with fear, and re
joice witn\ trembling.”
The baptist Correspondent.
The ahjtove, is the name of anew Bap
tist papat published in Marion Alabama,
and Edfted by the Rev. Wm. C, Buck,
at $2 annum.
Gur denomination is greatly increasing
in Enterprise and talent, if we believe the
testimony rendered by the multiplication
of religious newspapers. Our good Bap
tist brethren will speak out, and this is
right, for as Dr. Fuller said, “gun powder
‘is never dangerous, except when confin
ed.’’ Bro. Buck intends to discuss what
ever he thinks will advance religious
truth, and Baptist interests. He propo
ses to discuss controvered subjects in a
kind and c-hristian spirit this too is right.
We welcome his paper to our exchange
list, and hope his tripod wilL sit as steadi
ly and easily as our own.
“ Translation into Creek.”
We publish in another column, a state
ment, of the labors of Bro. Buckner in
revising the gospels of Matthew and John,
ana a Hymn hook for the Creek Indians ;*
This statement is accompanied by ab ap
peal from him to the brethren to aid in
publishing these translations. There can
be no question as to the absolute necessi
ty of this work. Every people ought to
have God’s word in their own vernacular
tongue. The work of missions can never
meet with its full measure of success,
among any people, till they can read that
word which is the power of God unto
salvation, for themselves.
The suggestion of brother Bucknei, to
commit the funds and the <luty of pub
lishing, to the Marion Board, is a good
one. That Board is favorably known
through the South, and none, save the
missionaries themselves, feel a deeper in
terest in the success, of Indian Missions,
than our good brethren in Mari on. Here
is a Board already formed, a nucleus
around which we can all rally to this good
work, and every brother can enclose
the amount he wishes to contribute direct
ly to the board. It would be well for us
to begin at once to send in contributions
to aid in the publication of Bro. B.’s re
visions. Who will be the first? Re
member the words of the Lord Jesus,
that it is more blessed to give, than to re
ceive. Give, and it shall be given unto
you again, good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over.
H. A. Taylor. A
From the evidence furnished us by DM
Fuller of Baltimore, and the firm of Sta
bler & Cos., we think there was some mis
take about the abolition sentiments of the
above named gentlemen. That he passed ‘
under assumed names, is indubitable, ay
the Hotel book, at the Brown House k
this city, will testify.. . He also carri4
with him, the evidences of deception jm
wickedness. As the ; firm for whoa he
was agent, have sent out a large nifn er
of circulars, it is hoped they will counter
act any injurious influence to the! busi
ness, which might otherwise have resulted
from the conduct of their agent.
Mr. Branham’s Select School
Will open on Wednesday the 11th inst.
He is now in the City and is making his
arrangements. The alterations in his
rates of tuition, as may be seen by his
Circular, w ill admit those who desire an
irregular course. The past success of Mr.
B. as a teacher in Georgia, entitles nim to
the confidence of our citizens, and the pat
ronage of those who wish their daughters
thoroughly educated. Application
be made to him
Rev. R. J. Wilson, of Baltimore,
Preached two sermons for us, in this
City, on last Sabbath. He was listened
to w T ith much pleasure by the congrega
tion, who went from the house satisfied
that they had heard a man who had been
yiught of the Lord, and who felt as heart
truths the words to which be gave utter
ance. He will remain and preach for us
again on next Sabbath. He is on a visit
to his friends in the City. Should Prov
idence open a door, he would have no ob
jection to finding a home further South.
Should such be the case, his pastorate in
Baltimore would lose a most excellent
preacher, a pious man, and a learned, so
cial, and agreeable gentleman.
COMMUNICATIONS.
Translations into Creek.
To the Baptjst Churces ;
Dear Brethren : I have written but
few’ communications for the last six months.
All the time that I could spare from ordi
nary missionary labor, has been devoted
to the trauslaticn of a Creek Baptist Hymn
Book, and also of the Gospel according to
John. I am happy to inform you that the
first of these works is now completed, and
ready for the press ; and John’s Gospel
will be ready after one more revision ;
which will not require more than twenty
five or thirty days. I hope to have
Matthew also completed by Spring. The
necessity for these translations is no longer
a question, that having been duly consid
ered by me before engaging in the work.
The Board also, to whom the matter was
submitted, have given their approval. I
have also proceeded far enough to know
that it is practicable. The only question
now is, (and I submit it to you,) how shall
these books be published ?
Now let there be no strife. Decide
this matter for yourselves. If you agree
to pay for the publication of these
of course it will be lor you to sav, isfiHl
house. I wish to have no more
the matter than to prepare them fW'YTun
press.
I am willing to give the manuscripts
into the bands of the Board at Marion, or,
if they do not wish them, then I will give
them to any one you may direct. lam
connected with the Marion Board, and I
am satisfied with that connection. If the
matter -was left to me, I would say send
your contributions to the Board, and let
them see to the publication. But I will
be satisfied any way, so that the Creeks
may read the Gospel in their own lan
guage, and the Creek Baptists may sing
thkir own songs as soon as possible. lam
not afraid to say to you, (for I know that
you are a liberal people,) that this work
shall be done if God will be my helper.—
I have embarked in it with all the energy
that God has given me, and rather than
fail, I will engage in manual labor to pay*
tbe printers. I may stop after translating
Matthew, John, and a Hymn Book, but
until then, never. Just think of two thous
and Creek ’baptists singing from a book in
which sprinkling and baby baptism are
nut in blank verse! Here it is—
i.
Ayvtes ! Ayvtes ra pum etetakuecet:
Ayvtes ! Ayvtes pu Hesayecvt ?
Oh fesketv semah^kvn
Pum wihket kvwapkvfes.”
Now these lines tell the Indians that
Christ has ascended ; and that sprinkling
is the law that he left JSfefore he rose !
Think again of the Creeks reading a
translation of Matthew, (the only portion
of the Gospel published,) in which John
is represented as baptizing Jordan ; leav
ing the Indians to Infer that Jordan was
a tribe of people ! Not baptizing either ;
for the word is “ Okbaptizvtes,’’ which is
not a word in their language !
Os my own translations I will say no
more than this—whenever provision is
made for their publication, they will brt
accompanied by recommendations from
the most prominent and intelligent half
breedsof the Creek Nation. I Lave spared
neither pains, study, nor expense. I am
gratified by the belief that I have been
faithful, and that I have greatly improved
their alphabet, so that they can read my
translations in half an hour after first see
ing them.
Brethren, relying on your liberality and
speedy action, I am
Affectionately your brother,
H. F. BUCKNER.*
*1 will be gratified if Southern papers
will speak favorably. 11. F. B.
Dear Bro. Editor : While reading of
the questions and of the strife that have
disturbed our churches and prominent
pastors for many months, it has frequent
ly been suggested to my mind that these
things may bring down upon us the chast
ening rod of our agrieved Master. We
know that he does not afflict willingly,
nor grieve the children of men, but there
are times when His goodness and forbear
*ce tap CTS lead men to repentance, and
ttfei{|is judgments must be sent to cause
to learn righteousness.
.‘he following extract from the history
c Jftusebius, has suggested the idea of wri
mg this article. “The heavy hand of
clod’s judgments began softly, by little
little, to visit us after Ilis wonted
manner. The persecution ■which was rais
ed against us,” (viz. that of the Emperor
Dioclesian) “took place first among the
Christians who were in military service,
but we were not at all moved with His
hand, nor took any pains to return to God.
NVe heaped sin upon sin, judging, like
careless Epicureans, that God cared not
for our sins, nor would ever visit us on
account of them. “ And our pretended shep
herds, laying aside the rule of godliness,
practiced among themselves contention and di
vision.”
What a striking picture this is of the
present state of our religious affairs, and
of the conduct of our shepherds : And
has not “the heavy hand of God’s judg
ments already bpgun softly, by little and
little to vfsit us ?** Behold ! Low many
v/ur prominent churches are without
pastors .’ How many have “lost the unity
of the spirit in the bond of peace” ! How
many pastors once beloved and efficient,
have either fallen, or,by indiscretion, have
greatly crippled their influence ! Is there
no significance in these calamities ?
Read the words of Revelation : “Unto
the Angel of the Church at Ephesus write:
These things saith He that holdeth the
seven stars in His right hand, who walk
eth in the midst of the seven golden can
dlesticks ; I know thy works, and thy la-
bor, and thy patience, and how thou canst
not bear them which are
tried them which say they
and are not, and hast found theMflars;
and hast borne and hast patience, ami for
my name’s sake hast labored and hast not
fainted. Nevertheless, I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love. Remember, therefore, from
whence thou art fallen, and repent and do
the first works ; or else I will come unto
tliee quickly, and remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent.”
When God’s written word is not heed
ed, He speaks in His providence. When
the thunder of His voice is not heard, He
sends out His lightnings, and llis arrows
to scatter and discomfit the indifferent
and the rebellious. Judgment has al
ready begun at the house of God. W hen
and where shall it be staid ? The leprosy
is spreading. The pestilence is walking
in darkness, and the destruction is wast
ing at noonday. Is there no one to de
liver? Is there no balm in Gilead ? Is
there no physician there? The great
Physician is there, and lie has kindly
pointed out the remedy. Hear him
“Remember from whence thou art fallen.
Thou hast left thy first love. Repent and
do the first works.”
Let us observe why ye have fallen. —
“ Our pretended shepherds, laying aside
the rule of godliness, have practiced among
themselves contention and division,’ and
we have partaken of their spirit and aid
their evil work ! Mark the
HMHb! “.some of our candlesticks
’gonecrtw
Dear brethren, shall we not repent and
do the first works ? Let us take up the
language of the Psalmist, “I have goMj
astray like a lost sheep; seek thy
for I do not forget thy commandments ; ’
and let us all sing, until we can do so with
the spirit and the understanding, the fol
lowing paraphrase of it:
“ Lord, we have wandered from thy way
Like foolish sheep have gone astray;
Our pleasant pastures we have left,
And of their guard our souls bereft: —
Exposed to want, exposed to harm,
our gentle Shepherd’s arm;
fatal wanderings cease,
reveal the path of peace.
0, seek thy thoughtless servants, Lord,
Nor let us quite forget thy word;
erring feet
And keep us that
Atlanta, Dec. C.
- - ■ ..
Christ a Model Preacher.
Dear Bro. Warren: In this age of
controversy, when much is said and
written about modes and preach,
ing, allow me to lay before
the following account of the preaching of
our Great Exemplar, the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is extracted from the “Christ
of History,” a very interesting and in
structive book, written by John Young,
M. A.
“Christ composed no formal discourses,
delivered no carefully constructed ora
tions, but always spoke perfectly natural,
making use of the commonest objects and
incidents for illustration, just because they
were near, and easily understood, and free
to all. The lily, the corn-seed, the grain
of mustard, the birds of the air, the falling
of a tower, the rain, the appearances of
the sky, these, and the like, gave occa
sion for the utterance of high and imper
ishable ideas. And the language in which
these ideas were uttered was the language
of the common people. No severe philo
sophical style did he adopt —no scientific
formulas did he introduce—no new termi
nology did he create, no rigid dialectic
method did he pursue,no high and hard ab
stractions, and no close and elaborate ar
gumentation did he aflect. He conveyed
his instructions in the most unpretending
and informal manner, and in the common
and simplest words.”
For thef benefit of carping old men, who
are accustomed to decry the labors of
their younger brethren, I will make an
other extract from the same work, and
prefix to It the caption
YOUTH AND OLD AGE.
“Grave counsels, wholesome restraints,
sagacious suggestions and modifications
issue from the experience of age. But
youth has originated all the great move
ments of the world, and has most largely
contributed to the agency by which they
have been rendered effective.” r
I,t es P’ lsc
of the aglM^B a de ] )reciate tbe
labors of th^^^^T,*,
Orange Hill, WestYla. Dec. 8, ’59.
Ordination.
On the fourth Sabbath in December, at
Stone Creek, in Twiggs County, Brother
Benj. F. Jessup, was set apart to the full
work of the Gospel Ministry. Rev. Jas.
Pearson conducted the examination, Rev.
C. A. Tharp gave the charge, and Rev.
R. B. Edmunds made the prayer. The
right hand of fellowship was extended by
the Presbytery and Church. Bro. Jessup
was called to ordination by the Antioch
Church. __
Monthly Meeting, No. 2.
In our introductory remarks, we pro
posed noticing in the first place, the ori-.
gin of monthly meetings as practised
in our churches. As to the origin of
monthly meetings, we affirm that the cus
tom is human and not Divine. This pro
position is established, in the absence of
all scriptural evidence to the contrary. —
If there is any scriptural evidence for this
custom, it has escaped our notice ; nor
will we be convinced of such proof, until
“ thus saith the Lord,’’ can be adduced.
As to the time this blighting custom
originated, we are not fully prepared to
say, but are of the opinion that it hever
gained much currency, till since the “re
formation.’’ This opinion is predicated
upon historical evidence. About A. D.
107, we have the testimony as given by
the “younger Pliny,” when writing to
Trajafl the emperor, to know how to pro
ceed against Christians. Pliny says, in
of the testimony of some apos
it,e Christians, that “the whole of their
fault or error lay in this, that they were
want to meet together, on a stated day,
before it was light, and sing among them
selves, alternately, a hymn to Christ as
God,’’ Ac., Horne, who wrote the cele
brated “introduction ’’ to the study of
the holy scriptures, upon drawing his con
clusions from this authentic letter written
by Pliny, says “They (Christians) assem
bled together on a stated day, which we
know from the collateral testimony of
Christian writers, was the Lord’s Day or
Sunday, on which day Christians celebra
ted the weekly festival of Christ’s resur
rection.’’
From the above testimony, it appears
the apostolic mode of weekly meet
ing together, for the purpose of public
worship, was strictly adhered to by Chris
tians. So eager were they to meet to
gether “on a set day,” the Lord’s day,
that owing to severe persecution and op
position, they would meet together before
it was light to worship Christ as God.’’ —
How withering should be the reproof,
of the above facts, to monthly worship
ers, who live in these balmy days of peace
and plenty ! Now, even though we meet
but once a month, how tardy the atten
dance of professed Christians! If it chan
ces to be a little drizzly, or cloudy, cr
windy, or if perchance the farm or mer
chandise needs some attention, the sanc
tuary is neglected. Shame! shame!!
J.M. S.
Stewaiit Cos., Dec. 10th, 1859.
Bro. “Warren. I learn that Dr. Jos.
S. Baker is in needy circumstances. Will
Brethren, BajßjtffcfGeorgia, pass this by
we
we for among all the Baptists
in Georgia is there one that will not send
him a dollar.
It may be proper to state that these
lines are written entirely without brother
Baker’s knowledge as the writer has not
seen him or had any correspondence with
him in ten years.
> A BAPTIST.
* Dr. Joseph S. Baker’s Post Office is
Radfords Mills, Ga.
Salient Points of the Alabama’
Pulpit.
Rev. D. P. Bestor, has had a distin
guished career in Kentucky, where he be
gan to preach in extreme youth; in North
Alabama, where he was conspicuous both
as a teacher and preacher ; and in South
Alabama, where this was still more emi
nently true. The Church at
under his care ten or twelve years, pros
pered most extraordinarily, crowds hung
upon his enchanting eloquence, and the
Female School over which he presided
trained a large number of those who are
now among the most accomplished women
in the South.
Brother Bestor preaches so much like
Addison writes, that his auditors feel as
if, with a little pains, they could do so
themselves. We have heard those who
could not deny his singular eloquence,
suggest that he was not very profound ;
but those who have heard him on the ful
fillment of prophecy, on faith, and on the
resurrection, have felt that he was great
as well as eloquent.
A nobler specimen of truly enlightened
humanity we have never met. His per
son is the fit habitation of so generous
and gifted a spirit. Somewhat on the shady
side of life, his appearance is still almost
youthful.
Mr. B. has sometimes mingled in the
excitement of politics, to the regret of his
friend*, especially of his opponents. He
became known as an eligible man for such
purposes by accepting a seat in the State
Legislature, to look after the educational
interests of the then young State of Ala
bama. He aided in organizing the first
Faculty, and was long an influential Trus
tee of the University of Alabama.
* Bro. Bestor is now the highly popular
pastor of the St. Francis Street Church,
Mobile. May Heaven spare and bless
him, in that capacity, many years.
CHIEL.
Rev. P. E. Collins, is the Pastor of the
St. Anthony Street Church, Mobile. He
was recently pastor of the St. Francis
Street Church, but resigned that charge
to lay hold of one of the new interests
which the enterprising brethren of that i
growing city are building up.
We question whether there are a half
dozen men on the continent, of such ver
satility of genius and wealth of material
as Bro. Collins. Whether preaching or
talking, all is “ cloth of gold,’’ and the
fountain of thought and illustration ap
pears to be absolutely inexhaustible. His
scholarship too, and information on all
subjects, is of unusual extent and accura
cy. We once-heard him, at near the hour
of midnight, after the exhausting labors
of weeks, day and night, in a protracted
meeting, get up and deliver an exhorta
tion of which a distinguished preacher
said to us, “have you any idea how a man
can elaborate such an address as that, off
hand ?”
Bro. Collins is companionable almost to
a fault. A warmer heart never throbbed
in the bosom of humanity. He is still
young, and by the blessing of God, may
hope for a long career in the unspeakable
privilege of preaching the Gospel.
CHIEL.
A Good Thing !
Punctuality—what a jewel ! A few
evenings before our meeting at F
church, we were saying to our compan
ion, that we were owing some debts that
should under any circumstances be paid
Christmas. But we could not then see
howto obtain the funds. For said I, it
is doubtful whether the church at F
will pay any thing till after that time ; as
I have seen no preparation to that effect-
Now this is my first year as pastor of this
church.
Happily was I disappointed in my cogi
tations, in regard to the punctuality of
this church. At the close of all reference
business in the conference ; the clerk said,
“ this is our day brethren, to pay our pas
tor.’’ I sat speechless for a while, wait
ing to hear a motion or suggestion, when
in a few moments purse strings and pock
et books began to fly open, and the cash
rattle upon the table. “ Wait, wait,
brethren, cried the clerk, till I can get
your names and amounts.” Nearly every
member walked up to the table and paid
his quotum, for the church were pretty well
all out. The result was, the clerk paid
over (all at once) something more than
was expected! How it encouraged our
poor heart! This encouragement, origin
ated from the three following causes. —
Ist. That the church loved their pastor.
2nd. That the loved ones at home would
not suffer want. 3rd. That the church 1
were punctual. This we have written, to
encourage other churches to do likewise.
>bi J. M. S.
Athens, Ga., Dec. 26th, 1859.
Bro. Warren : At the last session of
the Sarepta Association, the following ac
tion was taken.
Whereas, the Georgia Baptist Bible
and Colporteur Society is doing a great
and good work in supplying our denomi
national Books and Bibles to our own peo
ple upon such favorable terms; and where
as it has established a Depository.4it Ath
ens, and appointed Bro. W. F. Stark, De
pository Agent, who will furniAfi books at
cost to Colporteurs and otherlwiying to
sell again. Therefore
Resolved, That we our
brethren of this Association
the Depository at Athens, and thiSthey
aid by contributions, said Society,
tinue the good work of
b >oks gi\
to the destitute. hHHB.
Resolved, That the Executive V
tee in employing a Missionary to lab^^ff
the bounds of this Association for the
next year, have the approbation of the
body in the following :
Ist. To make the contract with said
Missionary for the Calendar year, instead
of the Associational year.
2d. In uniting with the Georgia Bap
tist Bible and Colporteur Society, so that
our Missionary be their Colporteur—that
Society paying a reasonable part of his
salary.’’
In accordance with the last resolution,,
the Executive Committee have appointed
Brother John Westmoreland, on the p *rt
of the Association, with every confidence
that they wall have the hearty co-opera
tion of the Society at Macon. They com
mend Bro. Westmoreland to the kind of
fices and Christian sympathy of their
brethren in the bounds of the Association,
where he will doubtless labor industrious
ly and usefully.
The Committeefeel confidentthat breth
ren will come up liberally to the support
of our Missionary, and that it will only be
necessary to call their attention to the
subject, and there will be brought up to
the Association next Fall, more than
enough to enable the Committee to meet
their engagements.
WILLIAMS RUTHERFORD, Jr.,
One of the Ex. Com.
Communication from Bro. Clarke.
In a late communication in the Index,
assigning the reason for a personal with
drawal from the Central African field. I
intimated my purpose of suggesting apian
for our future labors in that country, more
in accordance, as I believe, with wisdom
and divine prfyidence. In introducing
this subject, I afti well aware I subject my
self to criticism from those whose morbid
state generally leads them to pull ‘down,
:rather than to build up. All I ask is a
fair patient hearing.
My sentiments with regard to the Afri
can climate, the people, and the country,
as a field- for missionary labor, remain un
changed. Since I have written on these
subjects, however, many things calculated
to invite to careful investigation and pa
tient thought, have transpired, and had
no little to do in bringing me to the con
clusion, which, contrary to my proclivities
and prepossessions, I have ultimately
reached. I shall not argue the theoreti
cal question, whether or not, we could
eventually succeed in establishing on an
immovable basis, the Yoruba Mission, by
the instrumentality of white labor, provi-
had the spirit of Leonidas in with
standing the Persian invaders. For pro
vided we had a ladder that reached the
moon, we could ascend and descend, per
haps, without serious difficulty. I shall
deal with the question, as a practica 1 im -
portant one. THe Yoruba Mission, when
I left the geld eighteen months ago, pre
sented then to my mind a very different
aspect to that which I now behold. Then
I hoped soon to recover frorti severe pros
tration of mental and physical energy—/
then I fondly expected to be able soon to
return and inspire new vigor in my worn
out brethren—then I had no doubt many
young men, burning with a sincere zeal
and devotion, would be ready almost at a
moments warning to buckle on this ar
mour, and then I hoped those on the field
would all be.porrfiitted to remain until in
the providence of God, I should, with re
cruits, be spared to return. But alas, in
everything I was doomed to disappoint
ment. I shall not allude to my own suf
fering—enough to say, the failure of my
health, after a twelve months effort at re-
cruiting, the absolute unwillingness if not
refusal of our young men to enter this
field, the return of another missionary
and the farther prospect of another’s re
turn, together with the condition of the
two remaining on the field, and the neces
sity for a return to a high latitude every
fourth or fifth year, involving heavy ex
pense, and loss of time, not to mention
other flicts already transpired and patent
to all, have forced me to consider most se
riously the question, is there not a plan,
more in accordance with wisdom and di
vine providence, by which African evan-
gelization, can be successfully carried on.
I affirm there is a plan, fraught with wis
dom, strongly marked by providence, al
ready stamped with the surety of success,
and destined to be put in. operation, with
our co-operation, if we will, without it, if
we will not.
W. H. CLARKE.
*** C. and L. Baptist, please copy.
{To be Continued.)
BOOK NOTICES.
Pendleton’s Sermons —Short Sermons
on important subjects, by J. M. Pen
dleton, Prof. o£ theology in Union Uni
versity, Murfreesboro’, Tenn. S. W.
Publishing House, Nashville. 458
pages. SI.OO
This book embraces 50 short sermons
on the most important subjects in theolo
gy, and they all bear the impress of their
author’s genius; for they are methodical,
logical and lucid. They are full of instruc
tion ; and are calculated to do good espe
cially to young ministers. Nor can any
one read them without obtaining food for
serious thought. We commend the book.
The Pine Farm. —This is a very pleas
ant and interesting little book by a Bap
tist minister of S. C., and published by
Graves, Maiks & Cos.
It is a true picture of Southern Bap
tist ministerial country life. It gives pic
tures of Southern life that are true to na
ture ; and depicts the economy of the
Baptist Denomination in a manner that
none but those conversant with it could
do. The story itself bears much .of the
impress of reality ; and its delineations of
life and character are so natural and vi
vid that, having begun, one is drawn on
unconsciously to the end, as we were.—
The Book is a success; and we hope that
one who can thus unite instruction and
Lsentiment, and mingle tears and smiles,
wrillsend forth something more elaborate,
Ph£>m his pen. B.
Bro. Warren. Below please
finfl a notice of Dagg’s Moral Science, ta
ken from the Daily Southern Son, Vicks
.burg, Miss.
Every Southern editor should examine
and notice the work; every Southern
College should introduce it; and every
southern man should read it.
Would it not be well for Sheldon & Cos.,
to publish the Sections on Slavery and
Abolitionism separately? Their circula
tion North and South would do good in
these times of murder and house burning.
HARPER’S FERRY.
MORAL SCIENCE FOR SOUTHERN
COLLEGES.
Eds. Sun : I would avail myself of
your extensively circulated paper to call
attention to a, new publication ofSheldon
& Cos., entitled “ Elements of Moral
Science,” by Rev. J. L. Dagg, D. D.
Such a work has been a desideratum
for many years. We, as Southern people,
have been using imported moral science too
long for the good of om; people and cher
ished institutions. Students in our schools
have been compelled to study the provin
cial Moral Philosophy of. New England,
either because their professors secretly
sympathized with the doctrines of Aboli
tionists, or because they have had no text
book giving the Southside view of slave
ry, and at the same time adapted to the
wants of the recitation room.
This last difficulty has been removed by
the publication of Dagg’s Moral Science
and I earnestly hope that it will be intio
duced into every college of the South.
Written by a man of rare attainments in
philosophy, and by one who has spent the
best portion of his life in the lecture room,
it possesses and elegance of style, an ad
aptation to the wants of teachers, and a
maturity of thought, which the labor of a
studious life-time can alone give. The ar
rangements is clear and simple, the style
pure and idiomatic, the discussions brief
and conclusive, (an admirable quality in a
text-book,) and the whole work pervaded
and characterized by the irresistible charm •
of earnestness. It is impossible to follow
its arguments and not feel that we are in
the presence of a strong and intensely ear
nest mind, which dares to grapple with
any error and honestly desires the estab
lishment of the truth.
Asa text-book for colleges, it has all
the merits without the detect of Way
land’s wellkno'wn Treatise. Our author,
while acknowledging his indebtedness to
Dr. unsparingly exposes his
errors and successfully gefutes his theories
on many points. Among other points
that might be mentioned, I will refer to
but one—the subject of slavery. Way
land, perhaps, has contributed more to the
dissemination of wrong views on this sub
ject than any one man of our country. —
All his arguments on this question have