Newspaper Page Text
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX,
PUBLI9HRD EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING
AT MACON, GEORGIA.
BY A COMMITTEE OF BRETHREN,
ron the
GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
*+
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION,
Two Dollars in advance: or paid within the year.
If suffered to overrun theyea r ,T\vo Dollars and
one half will be charged in all cases.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
VOLUME XXXIX. I
New Series.—Volume XXVIII.j
POETRY.
Voice of Deity.
PART 111.
Yet onward Pilgrim, goest thou,
Forgetful of thy final doom —
Repent, retrace thy onward course,
And shun the vice, the sin, the gloom ;
List to the voice which speaks to thee
In t'iiinder tones of Deity !
Awake—arise—the earth—the tomb—
E’en these are not thy final doom !
A Harp—a Crown—a seat of Love
Awits thee in a world above,
Where all their pleasures melt in one
Song of glory, ’round the throne.
List! List! the herald angels sing
Pa: in after F;i*au, while on the wing.
Through airy realm and vaulted dome,
Echoes the song, we’re safe at home.
Our Father’s house, these mansions pure,
While ages roll, shall still endure.
W e’rc safe at home, echoes afar,
From sphere to sphere, from star to Btar;
Through widened arch and aisle of love,
With joyous tread, they calmly move—
Elder and Prophet, Piiest and King ;
Redemption’s song they ever sing;
And bear the Palms where’er they move,
\\ hich speak of God’s unchanging Love,
And of his Grace, his mercies given,
Guiding them safely home to Heaven.,
Worthy, Oh God ! aloud they cry,
Worthy art thou, our Deity !
Macon, Feb. Bth, 1860.
TIIiIIiLNAI.AIiTICI.es.
Letter from Central Africa.
Consults a British Physician—Declines returning
home—Visit to the King—Difficulty between
two towns—Destruction by Fire—Freaks of the
wind—Arrival of European Missionaries.
Awyaw, Africa, Jan. 27, ’CO.
Dear Bro. Boykin:
On the 20th inst.,lhad the pleasure
of returning to mj Station, after an ab
sence of some weeks for the purpose of
purchasing Mission cowries, and en
deavoring, as much as possible, to im
prove my health. I feel there has been
some improvement, yet I fear it is not
permanent. I still have some palpita
tion of the heart, and hut little relish
for food.
While at Lagos I went on board of
tiie English Man-of-war, Medusa, and
consulted its physician in regard to my
health, lie advised me to return home
as soon as convenient. For said lie
that in my present condition I could
be easily restored to health by having
the advantage of my native climate
and good medical aid. This decision
was very painful to me because I could
not feel willing to leave the mission in
its present condition, though I might
run some risk by remaining here.
The swelling and inflammation has
subsided altogether, and 1 have gained
some in strength of body. To leave
my mission now would show but little
sympathy for my fellow missionaries*
in the cause of Christ.
After much prayer and meditation,
I feel it less my duty now to return
home than when advised to do so by
both the physicians with whom I have
consulted.
In regard to this mission it seems
that the Lord is trying the faith of his
people, and although a sombre cloud
hangs over it and seems to threaten a
speedy termination to its progress, yet
we dare not, having put our hands to
the plow, look back, nor surrender the
held while the last precious promise
of our blessed Master stand? recorded,
“Lo 1 am with you always.”
While visiting the King of this town
a few days since, he told me that he
and the Elders of the town had been
speaking of taking some action in re
gard to allowing the people to come
and hear the gospel with ireedom.
If this is accomplished a great victo
ry will be gained. Some mofiths ago
while visiting the King I pressed this
subject upon him as much as I thought
prudent at the time. Mr. Menkin,
Church Missionary here, has also spo
ken to him about it.
Brethren of our native country, pray
for us, and that the Lord of the vine
yard may send out more laborers.
There is a little difficulty existing
between tiiis town and Ijaye, caused
by a small town west of tlits refusing
longer allegiance to the chief of Ijaye,
and desiring to become subject to this
King. A slight skirmish took place
between them a few weeks ago, which
resulted in the capture of about 80 of
the Awyaw people, and 3 of the Ijaye
people. Ibaden is trying to settle the
affair and have all the captives restored
to their respective towns.
The King of this town is altogether
in fault m the present difficulty, in two
respects. First, because he was inter
tering with that which did not belong
to him. This town was under
obligations to the chief of Ijaye, for
some years ago when the Ibaden peo-
J)le were troubling this small town,
jaye helped to drive away the Ibaden
people.
Secondly, he sent some of his men
to tight, without the consent, advice,
or knowledge of the Elders of the town,
who3e right, in conjunction with the
King, is to decide all such matters. —
His imprudence has not won for him
any honor* but lias aroused his people,
who say they will not tight tor him
under any such circumstances.
I apprehend no further hostilities,
for the King cannot alone cope with
the chief of Ijaye, and the policy pur
sued by him since his reign, has ren
dered him unpopular among many of
the towns of this country, therefore he
cannot look to them for help.
During the present dry season there
has been great destruction by lire in
some of the towns of this country.—
Several townships in Abbeokuta have
been almost entirely destroyed by tire,
and others have suffered much. The
King’s house in Ilorin, and much <9f
the town have been burnt recently.
The Ilainatan winds have been quite
severe during the present month. Ev
erything is affected more or less by
them. They twist and warp furniture,
doors, shutters, books, Ac., similar to
tire. All combustible matter becomes
so dry under their effects, that it is very
difficult toextinguishtire when it comes
in contact with it. The human sys
tem becomes dry and feverish under
thei r effect, and the eyes smart very
much at times. At some other time
1 will describe them more particularly.
I am now much engaged in building
a wall around my station.
By the December steamer, the
Church Mission was re inforced by
four European catechists, two English
men, and two Germans.
The two Germans were designed for
Rah bo, on the Niger, but as Dr. Raike,
of the expedition, and his companions,
have been driven away from Rabbo
by the King, all missionary operations
there are stopped for, the present. —
The English government has dropped
‘the expedition, and it is now uncer
tain what will be the final result of
their operations.
During a few months past I have
received the Index very irregularly.
This 1 regret because it always gives
me so much pleasure to get and read
it. My kind regards to the dear breth
ren in Georgia.
Yours affectionately,
T. A. REID.
From the Banner and Baptist.
Review of Corrective Church
Discipline.
A number of articles on the subject
of “ Corrective Church Discipline,”
have recently appeared in several Bap
tist papers, from the pen of Prof. Mell,
of the University of Georgia. Why
these articles have been published sim
ultaneously in so many papers, the au
thor has not informed us. Possibly,
by sending manuscripts to the differ
ent editors, their publication might be
more certainly secured. Possibly, too,
the design may have been, to make a
simultaneous impression. Certain it
is that some important end is design
ed to be accomplished. What that end
is, the writer has not informed us ; nor
will time be unnecessarily consumed
in guessing, though the end seems to
me to be very transparent.
The object of every writer should
he to know, and set forth the truth.—
Where this is not the case, an oppor
tunity for the display of learning may
be afforded, but the work does no cred
it to the heart of the one who per
forms it. The present writer has no
“ pet tlfeory,” nor partisan end to urge.
To follow the truth, wherever it may
lead, is his only object.
It is suggested by Prof. M. that all
strictures tie withheld, until he shall
have closed his series. But as no inti
mation is given as to the probable
length of the series, and there is a con
siderable amount of labor to perform
before reaching his “conclusions,” it is
to be hoped that he will not object to
our commencing the work at once.
On reading his first article, I was
led to inquire, “What emergency has
called out this long article'?” “Is the
New Testament so obscure on the sub
ject of Church discipline, as to need
such an elaborate piece of composi
tion V* Even after reflection, lam un
able to see that Prof. M.’s teachings,
or expositions, are any more easily un
derstood than those of Christ and his
inspired Apostles. The writer himself
affirms that the great Lawgiver in Zion
has left his people in no doubt as to
the remedy to be applied in every in
stance —that “he has not left us to leg
islate on the subject,” nor to resort to
expedients to meet cases as they arise;
but himself has classified offences, and
prescribed the course, to be pursued
in every case. Now, if the great Law
giver “has left his people in no doubt
as to the remedy to be applied in eve
ry instance,” and if he has prescribed
the course to be pursued in every case ,
what more can be desired ? What
need have we of additional light ?
lias there been any case of discipline,
which deserves approbation, or con
demnation i If so, why not measure
that act of discipline directly by the
divine law , which is so plain, as to
leave no doubt , as to what ought to be
done l The verdict, in this case, could
be easily made. But the articles are
now in print, and I will proceed to no
tice them with all respect and kind
ness.
Offences are divided into two gener
al classes—“ Private” and “Public.” —
The formor he defines thus: “A Pri
vate Offence is one in which the act is
not essentially a crime against religion
and morality, and the object affected by
it is a brotner.”
With regard to this definition, I re
mark :
Ist, That an act which is a crime
against neither religion, nor morality,
deserves not. to be called a crime, in
the sense in which it is used in the
definition —it is an imaginary , and not
a real crime. True, every crime is not
committed with the view of reproach
ing religion, or morality indeed,
crimes, thus committed, are very few;
but it is also true, that no act oughtio
be denominated a crime , which does
not,violate the laws of morality or of
religion.
2nd, The examples, given to estab
lish the rule, do not, in my judgment,
: sustain it. A9 specimens, here are
1 three: • “As when encroachments are
made against individual rights , inter
est, or feelings.” Will it be contended
that an encroachment against an indi
vidual’s rights , his interests , or his feel
ings, is a crime against neither religion
nor morality ? The Professor must be
exceedingly strict in his notions of
what it takes to constitute a crime, it
be supposes a crime can be perpetra
ted, which is not essentially a crime
against religion or morality. There
are crimes enough, essentially against
morality, or religion, without floodiug
the church with this new species.. The
definition, to my mind, is entirely nov
el, and unknown alike to religion and
morality. The definition of “private
offences” ought to have been more ex
plicit.
“A public offence,” says the profes
sor, “is one, in which the act is essen
tially a crime against religion and mor
ality, or the object of it tW church in
its organized capacity.”
The objections to this definition are:
Ist, That unless religion and morali- ‘
t.y are co-extensive terms, it is possible
for “public offences” to exist, without
being committed essentially agaii st.
both religion and morality. If these
tetms are co-extensive, one of them
is superfluous, and ought therefore to
be Every crime against re
ligion, is not necessarily a crime against
morality; but every crime against mor
ality, is a crime against religion.—
Such distinctions ought to be noticed,
especially in definitions of such impor
tant subjects.
2nd, I enter a
against the latter part of the defini
tion : “Or the object of the church in
its organized capacity.” Philosophers
ordinarily give a definition, and then
adduce their examples to show the ap
plicability of principle or law defined ;
but never, till I read this definition,
hare I seen, what might be an exam
ple under the rule, incorporated into
the definition of the rule itself! As
if a geometrician, in defining a trian
gle, should sgy, “A triangle is a figure,
composed of three sides, and three an
gles, as the triangle AB C. While
the lines A B*C is a triangle, be it
known to everybody (who does not
make a distinction between a rule and
an example under it,) that “A B C” is
not a definition of a triangle! No
one, competent to reason, will fail to
condemn the Professor’s definition of
“public offences,” as radically un
philosophical.
3rd, Still another objection is, that
this same definition is as illogical , as
it is unphilosophical. Suppose it
should become necessary to discuss the
merits of some “act against the church
in its organized capacity,” and Prof.
M. should, in stating his premises, af
firm “that an act against the church,
in its organized capacity,” is a crime
—public offence he might justly
be required to prove his assertion. —
Ilia opponent would say to him: ; ‘Sir,
you have assumed as true, what you
must prove!’’ The-question to be dis
cussed, is simply this: Is the particu
lar act a crime—public offence ?'—
You, sir, affirm that it is a crime — a
public offence. But you must prove it.
You fault is called, by logicians, “Pe
titioprinciple —a begging of the ques
tion.
It is true that some such acts may bo
crimes, or even public offences ; but it
it equally true that other acts, com
mitted against the church, even in its
organized capacity, are not crimes, and
consequently not public offences in
the offensive sense of the term. Nu
merous examples might be adduced.
Here is a comprehensive one : A refu
sal, on the part of a member, to acqui
esce in any violation of the Scriptures
by the church, cannot be a crime, how
ever offensive it may he to those who
are called the church.
An act against the church is a spe
cific crime , if a crime at all; but it is
by no means self-evident that such an
act is a crime, unless the church is in
fallible. The only proper course for
the Professor to pursue was, first to
have given a correct definition of a
public offence , if the Bible is not suffi
ciently plain ; then , if there is any act
against the church in its organized ca
pacity, he should have compared that
act—taking into the account the facts
in the case—with his definition ; and
had said act been found to contain the
necessary elements of a public offence ,
then , but not till then , ought he to have
asserted that that act is a public offence.
Logicians will ever remain astonished
at reading the Professor’s definition ot
a public offence!
4th, This definition is objectionable
in a theological point of view. As
intimated above, his doctrine can be
true only on the supposition that the
church is infallible. W r ill Professor
Mell advocate such a Romish dogma?
He does advocate it in the definition
we are now considering, and will con
tinue to do so, until he rejects from the
sentence, the clause, “or against the
church in its organized capacity.”—
Will he do this?
Asa philosopher, logician, and tlieo
logiau, 1 am forced to enter my protest
against his definition of “public of,
fences.” His ground is nearly ail
wrong, and it will be wonderful, if his
superstructures should be able to stand
against the first gale.
© ©
“Mixed offences” will be noticed in
my next article.
A. S. WORRELL.
“They that be wise , (or as the mar
gin reads,) they that be “ teachers' ’ shall
shine as the brightness of the firma
ment; and they that turn many to
righteousness, as the stars for ever and
ever.” Dau. 12: 3.
MACON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1860.
In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a
moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have
mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.—
Isaiah 54 ch. 8 verse.
On my sky dark clouds are drifting,
Hiding Jesus from my sight;
While my soul is weary groping,
Mid afflictions cheerless night.
Sorrow’s sea is o’er me rolling,
With a deep and sullen moan;
Yet Thy love is all-controlling,
Thou wilt ne’er my soul disown.
Mournful blasts are sadly wailing,
Os the loved, the lost, the dead;
Wild the waves of anguish breaking,
On my sorrow-stricken head.
m
Bowed with woes too deep for weeping,
Filled with many a cruel fear;
While adversity is sweeping
From my heart, each hope once dear.
Yet ail earth and hell combining,
Shall not turn my soul from Thee;
Bright thy promises are shining,
Teaching me to trust in Thee.
Trust is Thee for Love and Mercy,
Thou my refuge ! Thou my all!
Make me know and do my duty ;
Keep me, lest I faint and fall.
Let me feel that thou dost love me!
Though baptized by fiery pain ;
From the dross of sin, 0 free me!
Cleanse me Lord, from every stain !
March 17th, 1860. E. S. W.
Infant Baptism Examined.
BY REV. J. 11. CORLEY.
Bro. Editor:
I propose in a few short articles to
examine the claims of Infant Baptism
as they are set up and pressed upon
the people by Pedobaptiats; and whille
I am doing so,jf any of its advocates
think of an argument they would like
to have considered, it shall be attended
to if they will present it through the
Index.
The first and most reliable argument
presented by the advocates of this
youthful ceremony, is that founded
upon the law of circumcision, record
ed in the 17th chap, of Genesis. To
this claim we enter the following ob
jections, viz:
Ist. Circumcision was only intend
ed -and given us as a mark of national
distinction, and had no reference what
ever to Christianity. This is evident
from the fact *that the circumcised
were, and still are the deadliest ene
mies to Christ that were to be found
amongst men. (Does infant baptism
make its subjects such friends to Christ
as the Jews are?) They, yes, those
same circumcised Jews, were of all
others the loudest to cry crucify him,
crucify him ; and to-day they will tell
you to your faces that Gen. Washing
ton could make you as good a Saviour
as Jesus of Nazareth. Circumcision
a Christian rite ? Then verily hath
not God been giving that which is ho
ly unto dogs ? a
The Covenant of circumcision, more
over, fcould not have confirmed a Chris
tian rite inasmuch as it guaranteed on
ly temporal blessings. The land of
Canaan, and temporal blessings there
in, only, are promised in that covenant.
Read the 17th Chapter of Genesis, and
you have the whole amount of that
wonderful covenant.
2. Females having nothing to do
with the governmental affairs of the na
tion, were excused from any personal
participation in the right of circum
cision ; if, therefore, baptism comes in
the place of circumcision, unless there
is a special enactment for their benefit
somewhere to be found, of course they
should bo excused from any participa
tion in the substitute. Female infants,
at least, are therefore excluded, by the
very law that is claimed as authority
for the rite. But,
3d, If baptism is the substitute for
circumcision, what meaning or sense
was there in baptizing those Jewish
converts who had been circumcised ?
Evidently they had received all the
benefits of the original ceremony, and
consequently needed not to have been
baptized, if baptism was substituted
for the former. But again,*
4. The original must be removed, in
all cases, before-its place can be occu
pied by a substitute, and this in the
present case has not been done. The
covenant of circumcision was given to
the Jews as an everlasting covenant
to all their generations, and of course
is still in full force and virtue among
them unless it has been abolished. See
Genesis 17: 7, “And I will establish
my covenant between me and thee and
thy seed after thee in their generations,
for an everlasting covenant, to be a
God unto thee, and to thy seed after
thee.” (10th verse.) “ This is my
covenant, which ye shall ]*eep between
me and you, and thy seed after tbee ;
every man child among you shall be
circumcised.” Must not this covenant
be broken, this law be repealed, and
this rite be abolished before another
can legitimately take its place ? Has
this law ever been repealed, or this
rite ever been abolished l When?—
Where ? And where is the evidence
of the fact ? The Jews are strict in
the observance of this rite till the pres
ent day, and doubtless will be until the
fullness ot the Gentiles shall come. —
But to give this subject a practical
bearing, let ns suppose a case. If bap
tism can take and till the place of cir
cumcision, then of course the latter can
fill the place of the former,, or rather,
its ownplace. -Now, suppose a circum
cised Jew, in the city of Macon, should
profess faith in Christ, and apply to
the Presbyterian church in that place
for membership, would they administer
to him the Lord’s 6upper upon the
strength of his circumcision ? Would
they ( Why should they not ? Cir
cumcision can fill its own place, cer-,
■ tainly, then if baptism can fill it, eith
’ er can. Why then should they not be
used interchangeably ? Pedobaptists
contend that the Christian church is
but a continuation of the Jewish es
tablishment. Tiiat its rites and cere
monies are the same, but in a modified
form. Now if this position be correct,
I must confess that the Jews, with all
their blasphemy against Christ, rebel
lion against God, and disregard for re
ligion,are their elder brethren and have
a right to demand admittance to the
sacramental tabte in the churches of
their younger brethren. But let us
pass on to notice,
5. That there is an awful difficulty,
like a great gulf breaking out from the
infernal regions, that underlies this
substitution doctrine. Agar is in bon
dage until this day with her children,
(see Gal. 4th chap.) and those who are
circumcised cast in their lot with the
bondwomen and children, and thus
bring upon themselves the awfully
fearful doom of living and dying with
out Christ. “
Laptism is the substitute for circum
cision, therefore those sprinkled chil
dren are circumcised as truly as if the
knife and the original form of the rite
had been used. Now according to
J aul s notion ot the matter what must
become of them? “Bjhold, I Paul,
say unto yon, that it ye be circumcised,
Christ shall profit you nothing. For
I testify again to every man that is
circumcised, that he is a debtor to do
the whole law.”
I would not, as poor as I am in this
world’s goods, I would not have a child
ot mine baptised under that arrange
ment for the town of Eatouton.
“Christ shall profit you nothing .”—
Think of it.
- r t ■ n.
New Orleans Letter.
New Orleans, March 29, ’6O.
Dear Bro. Boykin :
New Orleans is truly a great city,
far beyond all my previous conceptions.
I have been disappointed in almost
every respect, both in the city and its
inhabitants. Ihe city is far larger and
more beautiful than I expected, and
the recklessness of life, out-breaking
immorality, and utter disregard forsa
cred and holy things, for which the
people have credit abroad, I have not
seen or heard of.
I have always heard that the Sab
bath was unknown in this citv, but I
was most agreeably surprised to find
that as much respect was paid t:o the
Sabbath, ai least in the part ot the city
which came under my observation, the
American part, as any citxq either
north or south, that I have ever visited.
It is true that many of the shops were
open, but I did not see a person in
them to trade, and even the persons
who sat at the shop doors were dressed
in Sabbath attire. A Sabbath quiet
rested over the whole community.—
The congregation of the Colliseum
Place Baptist Church, was large and
most intelligent in appearance, and I
am told that all the churches a*re at
tended by large and appreciating con
gregations. The Colliseum Place Bap
tist Church is certainly a credit to the
denomination. The Sunday school is
the mort interesting I ever attended.
I never witnessed in any school such
perfect order, every department being
under a complete system, which has
rendered it not only a model school,
but has given it a commanding influ
ence which ig felt all over the city.—
The noble edifice which stands as a
monument of the liberality of South
ern baptists, and reflects the highest
credit upon the persevering labors of
Bro. James 11. Jones, of this city, and
the Rev. M. T. Sumner, of the Domes
tic Board of Missions, who has thrown
his soul in the work of relieving the
trustees ot the heavy debtou the house,
and successfully too.
This large house is attended by a
large congregation, and the church is
growing steadily and surely under the
labors of the Rev. Dr. Howard, who
is one ot the most eloquent, popular,
and faithful ministers in the city,
while the members of'his church are >
burning with missionary zeal, and ma
ny of them yearn to go out and plant
the cross in the many parts of the city
destitute of religious privileges. They
want Ministers to lead them. But the
difficulty is, they must have, in order
to success among this people, men not ;
only possessed of deep piety and a ;
yearning love for the salvation of souls,
men ready with self-sacrificing zeal to
labor in the work, but they must be
men of commanding talents, of effect
ive pulpit powers, which will draw the
people to the house of God. For men
possessing these qualifications and who
also desire to use them for the accom
plishment of the greatest good, there
is no field on the continent to be com
pared to New Orleans—and to tnis
needy city, a city great in theiiumber
of its inhabitants, great for its attract
ive beauty, great in its immeuse com
merce,great in the marked intelligence,
not only of its resident citizens, but al
so of the immense tribe of non-resi
dents, who would appreciate the labors
of a strong, and good minister of the
gospel. Great in its destitution ot the
churches of Jesus Christ.
To this city, we earnestly hope the
eyes of our strong men will be turned.
R.
Jews.
In the LTiitcd States there are believed to be
about two hundred thousand Jews, while
according to a recent statement in an English
publication, there are in all England only
thirty-five thousand.
Judson.
Rev. Dr. Tyng, of the Episcopal Church, is j
to discourse before the Boston Young Men’s j
Christian Association on Adoniram Judsom.
From J. H. Campbell's Georgia Baptists.
Jesse Mercer.
He was the son of Silas Mercer, one
of the pioneers of the gospel in Geor
gia, and was born in Halifax county,
N. C., December 16, 1769. lie was
the eldest of a family ot eight children,
consisting of five sons and three daugh
ters. He was a most amiable and mor
al youth, having never been known to
be overcome by passion, or to have
used a profane oath. ‘His conversion
took place when he was abmit fifteen
years of age, he was baptized in his
eighteenth, and soon after began to
preach the gospel. His marriage to
Miss Sabrina Chivers occurred in his
nineteenth year, January 31, 17SS,
with whom he lived till the period of
her death, in 1826. Mr. Mercer’s op
portunities for education in early lile
were very poor, and hissubseqent im
provement and usefulness seem to have
been greatly promoted by his first wife.
He was ordained before he was twenty
years old, by Silas Mercer and Sanders
Walker. Though so very young lie
was called to the pastoral care of Hut
ton’s Fork, (now Sardis,) in Wilkes
county, which relation he sustained for
more than twenty years.
Such was his desire for education,
that even after his marriage and ordi
nation, he sold out his little farm, and
went to setiool two years to Mr. Spring
er, a Presbyterian clergyman, under
whom he obtained some knowledge of
the learned languages. From this time,
the field of his labors was much en
larged,and we find him not only preach
ing to the churches at Powelton and
Eatouton, (then the most important in
the interior of the State,) but traveling
far and near, and being well received
everywhere. He was the most influ
ential minister of bis day, and perhaps
the most distinguished minister of the
denomination ever reared up in the
State. Yet others were more success
ful in gathering members into the
church, and ipdeed of promoting revh
vals of religion.
In 1798, Mr. Mercer was a member
of the Convention which yvas appoint
ed to amend the State Constitution.—
His services in that body were highly
valuable. A lawyer moved that min
isters of the gospel be ineligible to the
office of legislator, which was warmly
advocated by both doctors and law
yers. Mr. Mercer offered an amend
ment, to the effect that both of these
professions be included in the contem
plated act. The motion was speedily
withdrawn. Tie offered once for sen
ator in the county where lie then resi
ded, but was not elected. Afterwards,
he was urged to allow his name to be
used for the ofiice of governor, but pos
itively declined the honor.
On several occasions did he repre
sent his brethren in the sessions of the
Triennial Convention of the United
States, always with credit to himself
and to the satisfaction of his constitu
ents. The degree of Doctor of Divini
ty was conferred upon him by Brown
University, though the title’'was sel
dom applied to bun among his imine
diate friends, knowing it wou'd not be
agreeable to him. For many years he
was moderator of the Georgia Associa
tion, of thp Baptist State Convention,
and indeed of all the general meetings
of the denomination when he was pre
sent, and where it was meet he should
act in that capacity. His second mar
riage was to Mrs. Simons.
llis approach to the tomb was grad
ual, he having experienced a low state
of health for years before his death.—
This event, deeply lamented by thous
ands, took place at the residence of
Rev. James Carter, Butts county, Sep
tember 6, 1841. His remains were ta
ken to Fenfield, and buried near the
site of Mercer University, named in
honor of him. His estate, which was
large for a Georgia minister, was be
queathed to the above university, and
other benevolent objects. Seldom has
the world been blessed with such men
as Jesse Mercer.
Ten Pins.
Ten years ago, the college student at Y"ale,
convicted of “rolling ten pins’’ was punished
by the Faculty; now the Faculty invite him
to roll, and occasionally take a hand them
selves, for the benefit of their health.
Church Djficulties.
“You may be sure that these difficulties, the
world over, arise from a few restless, im
pulsive, wrong-headed individuals, who over
estimate their own importance, and are more
anxious to rule than to serve.
But what is sitting out , without
holding out? Mutability is at best but
the badge of infirmity. It can only
be those trees witch are unsound at
their roots, that cease from putting
forth leaves in their season.
The flowers of paradise would quick
ly wither on earth, if they were not
watered with drops from heaven.
As there are none so old, as that
they should despair of mercy, so there
are none so young, as that they should
You teach a cur while he is a whelp,
and break a horse while he is a colt.
A plentiful harvest is the issue of an
early seed-time
Young reader, remember that your
youthful sins lay a foundation for
aged sorows. lYu have bnt one arrow
to shoot at the mark; and if that be
shot at random, God may never put
another into your bow.
No music could ever equalize the
heaven-born cries of new-born babes.
When the snow-drops of youth appear
in the garden of the church, it evinces
that there is a glorious summer ap
proaching.
It is hard to castoff the devil’s yoke,
when we have worn it long upon our I
’ necks.
Tcniis or Advertising.
For all transient advertisin g OneDollar per square
ot ten lines for the first, and 50 cents per square for
nil subsequent publications.
KATES FOR CONTRACT ADVERTISING.
1 square of 10 lines per 3 months $ 4 00
“ “10 lines “ 6 “ 7oq
“ “10 lines “ 1 year 10 oo
These lines are the text advertising lines and the
chajge is for the space occupied by ten such lines
as are used in the body of an advertisement. Lon .
ger advertisements in the same’ ratio.
NUMBER 15.
SABBATH SCHOOL COLUMN.
For the Christian Index.
Should there be a Sabbath school in
every church ? It appears that there
should, because the Sabbath school af
fords the best means of instructing the
youth. Do the youth need instruction t
If so, where shall we look for a place
better adapted to instruct them than
the Sabbath school ? The preaching
of the gospel affords but little if any
profitable instruction to the youth of
eight, ten, and even twelve years.—
Depravity, the atonement, the cross,
&c;, are unmeaning words to them.—
The minister may simplify his lan
guage as much as possible, and then
it tails upon the ears of the youth as
empty sounds. Perhaps it may be
said that they may be instructed at
home around the fireside. This is quite
true. It may be so. But in how ma
ny communities are all the parents
able and willing to instruct their chil
dren. Perhaps not one such neigh
borhood exists in the State. Then if
neither the pulpit nor the fireside af
fords the means to instruct the youth,
where may we expect to find it but in
the Sabbath school. While in school
the teacher can interrogate his class
until he ascertains the advancement of
each one of its members. Then he can
adapt his language to their v arious ca
pacities, in explaining anything to
them which he may think proper, or
in answering their questions which he
might.have elicited. In this delight
ful exercise-the teacher and liis class
become so intimate that he feels no
hesitancy in explaining, and they feel
no timidity in asking. If they become
perplexed with their studies, they have
only to express their difficulty to the
teacher and he can at once remove it.
Here it is easy to perceive that the
teacher has a much better opportuni
ty to benefit the youth, than the min
ister or any one else. Children at
preaching are apt to think that the
minister is talking to someone else',
and they themselves are not concerned.
Even if the words children, little boys
and girls, &c., are made use of, they
only conclude that their neighbors
children are addressed. Quite differ
ent when the teacher speaks to them,
for he speaks to them individually and
they know it. And if they do not
seem to understand it; he can name
them. A. J. KELLY.
A PROCLAMATION.
W hereas, the Good Book has au
thorized aud required us to “ provoke
one another to love and to good works.”
Now, therefore, this is to call upon
all churches of our denomination in
Georgia, to strive earnestly for the mas
tery in the following particulars :
1. To see what church will secure
the largest number of Sabbath scholars
in the aggregate, in the nextO months.
2. To see what church will secure
the largest number of Sabbath schol
ars in proportion to the number of
church members.
3. To see what church in the same
time will secnre the recital of the lar
gest number of verses from the Bible,
in proportion to the number of schol
ars, between May 14th, and November
12th.
4. To see what school will circulate
the largest number of copies of chil
dren’s papers among its scholars.
A record to be kept and forwarded
to the Eabbalh School column of the
Christian Index, for publication.
MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS.
We hope all the Sabbath Schools of
the State are preparing for their Mav
day celebrations. They are the delight
of the scholars, and interest them more
than is thought, in their schools, their
teachers, and their books. Let young
speakers be chosen, banners be prepar
ed, processions be arranged, a dinner
provided, and everything managed for
the special comfort, happiness, and
gratification of the young folks.
Begin in time so that all things will
be ready on the appointed day, and
thus be enabled to pass off happily.
MAKE MOST OF THE TIME IN
SABBATII SCHOOL.
It is of the greatest importance that
teachers should make the most of their
time in school. It is Sabbath time—
it is our Lord’s time —not our own, —
it is six times more valuable than com
mon time. It is consecrated to the
good of the children, and should not be
withheld. Punctuality is indispensa
bly necessary; five ininntes taken from
one hundred children would be a rob
bery of five hundred minutes in the
whole.
HOW STRANGE!
When we take a survey of the church
of Christ, and behold what numbers
gather around the table of the Lord
to commemorate his dying love, and
thereby evince their attachment to
him and his cause, we are constrained
to exclaim, how strange is it that there
shoul i be B such a deplorable want of
efficient teachers in our Sabbath
schools. That such a want does exist,
none will deny who ever crossed the
threshold of a Sabbath school.
UNACCOUNTABLE.
Christian parents know their chil
dren to be immortal; and yet what
apathy they evince in regard to Sab
bath Schools! Go away from our cit
ies, and you will find thousands of
children whose parents are members
of the church, and yet neglect not only
to send their children to a Sabbath
school, but neglect all religious instruc
tion at home.