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ME CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
POWER PRESS.
MACON, Gh^.
Wednesday, May 2, 1860.
Notice.
All communications for the INDEX, must be
addressed simply “ CHRISTIAN INDEX,” Macon,
Georgia. Those intended only for the eye of the
Editor, must be addressed to him individually.
REV. F. M. IIAYGOOD, AgH.for Index
- m
NOTICE.
Two numbers only of the Index
will be sent to those subscribers to
the Champion who did not take the
Index.
We shall be glad to have them
become subscribers to the Index ;
and will consider them so unless
they return the paper immediately.
Salutatory.
Though at different times before, con
nected with the conduct of the Index, I
have never felt till now, that I actually
occupied the chair editorial. I therefore,
embrace this opportunity of expressing
my sense of the responsibility resting upon
me. No one is more aware, than myself,
of the mighty power wielded by the press
—and no one can bo more desirous than
I, to use that power for the glory of God;
and the warm, hopeful and benevolent
feelings, that are now welling up from
my bosom, convince me that all my efforts
shall be exerted on the side of religion,
and in favor of the highest and best inter
ests of my readers.
Editorial life has its phases.
While, on the one hand, the Editor of
a religious paper lias no allowances made
for his fallibility of judgment, nor charity
granted for his infirmities, and little ten
derness manifested towards his feelings;
while lie is expected ever to breathe the
right spirit, and co ineide with the tastes
and opinions of every reader; while lie
must submit to unremitting labor, fre
quent taunts, and unjust aspersions, yet,
he h is the glorious consolation of knowing
that he preaches the Gospel to thousands,
that he diffuses light and intelligence into
many hearts, that he is advancing chari
table operations, whether of church or in
dividual enterprises, and that h 5 is exert
ing an influence for good, which will be
felt long after he is dead, and speaks and
writes no more.
Not hoping to escape censure, nor ex
pecting to avoid that which is unpleasant,
I rejoice, nevertheless, in the opportunity
afforded me of doing good.
While I do not expect to satisfy all, \
shall endeavor not purposely to offend any.
While I shall steadfastly maintain our
time-honored Baptist principles, and up
hold Baptist sentiments, and advocate the
interests of the Convention, whose organ
Iam —I shall do so in a spirit at which
none can take offence. With the Bible
for my compass and with a prayful spirit
for my helmsman, I hope to steer clear of
error and contention.
It shall be my intention and endeavor
to make the Index a paper of which its
owners shall be proud; and I call upon
them here and now to rally to its encour
agement and support, as the medium of
their exchange of sentiments, to which,
from youth,they have been accustomed,and
which, in many instances they have learn
ed to love. I- promise a high-toned religi
ous paper, which each reader may take
to his fireside and show to his children.
Personalities of an unpleasant nature, and
the spirit that strives for mere victory,
and crushes out the loving spirit of the
Gospel, shall be banished from its col
umns ; at the same time, readers need not
expect to find ne a milk and cider Bap
tist, when principles are assailed which it
shall be my duty to defend.
That I may fail to sustain the Index at
that point of excellence, which I think it
ought to maintain, is very possible ; but
I am very willing for every Baptist in the
State, to witness my experiment, and I
call upon all the friends of the paper, nay,
on every legal proprietor, to put it in their
power to do so, by seeing that a subscri
ber be obtained in every Baptist family.
It has been predicted, that th’> Index will
never more pay anything into Mission
Treasury of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion — that prediction, I want to see falsifi
ed ; and it shall be my aim to place at the
disposal of the next Convention, not less
than one thousand dollars. And to do
this laudable endeavor, I invite the co-op
eration of every Baptist Minister and lay
man throughout the State.
S. BOYKIN.
A Bird’s-eye View of the World’s
RELIGIOUS STATUS.
Mat. 9: ;‘>7. — The harvest truly is plenteous , but
the labor: s are few.
It has been more than eighteen centu
ries since Jesus uttered these words, and
they are no less true now, than they were
then. In this land of civil and religious
l
liberty—where the Bible, and the living
ministry are accessible to every citizen,
there is not one-eighth of the population
who profess to be Christians. The United
States have a population of more than
twenty-six millions, while not more than
three millions are members of any Chris
tian denomination.
The world is said to contain more than
ten hun 1 millions of inhabitants. Os!
tbisnu. ,i. i, six hundred millions, or more, !
are - qid idolatore, who have never heard
tliai Cin.au was the “end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth.”
What a sad reality for the contemplation
of a Christian heart. “Six hundred mil
lions of human beings lying in the cold,
dark death-damps of heathenism, and soon
to go down to the darker chambers of
(eternal) death!’’
Two hundred millions are Roman Cath
olics,worshipping the scarlet colored beast
the “ mother of harlots.” “Blindly ad
hering to a most fatal system, where sci
ence and ignorance, refinement and bar
barism, wisdom and stupidity, taste and
animalism, mistaken zeal and malignant
enmity, may sanctimoniously pour out
their virulence againt the gospel, and cry
Hosannah while they go forth to shed the
blood and to wear out the patience of the
saints’’—rejecting the testimony of God
against themselves, and worshipping the
creature instead of the Creator, who is
blessed forever more.
There are said to be one hundred mil
lions of Mohammedans, deluded by the
“false prophet,” who lift the crescent, hut
obscure the cross, who acknowledge the
one living and true God, but deny the
“ one Mediator between God and Men,
the Man Christ Jesus.” Bigoted as the
worshippers of the Beast, self-righteous as
the devout Pharisee, and adhering to as
fatal a delusion as the devotees of Jug
gernaut, this false system “shed its blight
upon the once fairest and most favored
portions of the earth.”
The Greek Church, twin sister of Rome,
has a population of more than fifty millions
of souls. Scarcely less corrupt than Ro
manism, it is pervaded by superstition and
will-worship, substituting pennance for re
pentance, and holding in religious rever
ence the Virgin Mary, the sainted dead,
and many sacred relicts.
There are about seventy millions of
Protestants, so called, who theoretically
hold the truth. Os this 70,000,000, about
one sixth perhaps, orabout 12,000,000,are
in heart and life the disciples of Jesus. We
cannot reasonably hope that there is more
than one in eighty of the population of
the earth, that is savingly converted to
God.
Could the inhabitants of the earth be
equally divided be equally divided into as
many congregations are there are Minis
ters, there would not be less than sixteen
thousand hearers in each congregation.—
But in the heathen nations of earth there
is notone missionary,w 7 e suppose, to twen
ty millions. The sad consequence is, that
hundreds of millions of them w ill go down
to eternal night without any opportunity
of hearing that the “ Son of man came to
seek and to save that which was lost.”—
Perhaps less than one fifteenth of earth’s
inhabitants has the gospel preached to it,
so that fourteen out of fifteen are left des
titute. O think! only one in sixteen
thousand of earth’s population is a labor
er, a preacher, to point the perishing to
the “Lamb of God.’’ “The harvest truly
is plenteous, but the laborers ar efew.”
Should we not daily pray to the Lord
of the harvest to send forth more labor
ers? Let us not neglect this in our daily
prayers.
Should our hearts become cold and in
different for a single day, let us not for
get that during that day an army of forty
thousand souls have closed their eyes for
the last time to the light of day, and have
gone to the realities of a world of woe.
The Georgia Baptist Convention
Os 1860 is past. Troubles were dread
ed : division apprehended ; but instead
of division, it has been manifested that
the Baptists of Georgia are determined,
more than ever, to cling to one another.
Evidences were given that a love, stron
ger than a triple chord, binds them to
gether: —that, though differing in opin
ions, the great Baptist brotherhood of
our State is still a unit ; and to the praise
of all be it said, not one speech was made
which was wanting in the element of
love, or which really calculated to ex
cite resentment.
Most, if not all, came up breathing a
prayer for the peace of God to rule in their
hearts; and not one present would will
ingly have touched a discordant string.—
All had their fears, all looked to Him who
said “ it is not by might, nor by power,
but by my spirit, ’’—and now that it is
past, and we have seen how Georgia Bap
tists love the cause of Christ, and how
they love one another, we feel there is an
indissoluble tie which binds them togeth
er. Much has been said about partisan
ism, and it has had too strong a hold on
some hearts, but we have yet “one Lord,
one faith, and one baptism.” YVe are one
people , and in the fulness of our confidence
in a covenant-keeping God, and in the
piety of our brethren, we predict our fu
ture oneness. No one wants to divide—
no one will move a division, all w ill pray
and labor against it, and God will avert
from us a calamity which would prove so
fatal to our peace and prosperity. There
was nothing in our late Convention point
ing that way. All harmonized in promo
ting the interests of our University, Bible
and Colporteur Society, and in the cause :
of Missions.
1. Perhaps the Ministers’ meeting of
Thursday, assisted in promoting this desi
rable result. Brethren met there and
talked as Christian brethren ; and when
Friday came they were unprepared for
hostile demonstrations.
2. President Crawford’s sermon, and
the Missionary meeting on Sabbath night,
were each calculated to excite unity and
brotherly love. A more heart-melting
scene is rarely witnessed than that of tear
ful,prostrate petitioners,assembled from all
parts of the house and surrounding, in
close proximity him, whose praise is in all
the churches, as he pleads with the majes
ty on high.
3. The mauy prayers offered previous
to the Convention, doubtless prevailed in
the audience chamber of heaven—and
peace rested upon us.
4. One fact, however, was humiliating :
the amount sent up for Missions were not
as large as should have been. If we are
correctly informed, the Missionary Ban
ner, which last year w T e waved so trium
phantly, must be yielded to our sister
State —Alabama.
5. We prophecy that a larger year’s
contributions for Missions, will be report
ed a year hence in Athens, than has ever
yet been sent up ; and we predict that
more young men in our State will dedi
cate themselves to the mission cause, than
has wer been the case in any one year.
G. New issues will develope themselves
in our churches speedily. Men are sick
of controversy ; and the churches will
soon begin to look into, instead of out of,
themselves. Stricter attention wfill be
given to discipline, to regularity and fre
quency of church meetings, to prayer
meetings, to developing the latent gifts
of members and thus discovering minis
ters, to the establishment of Sabbath
Schools, to providing preaching for the
blacks, to ministerial and church co-opera
tion, to education and the acquirement of
information, to vital godlinesss; and tho’
time-honored principles of church polity
and doctrine will be discussed, yet, as the
period of revivals approaches, men will
gradually cease from strife, settle down
upon well-known landmarks, engage more
earnestly in the work of saving souls, and
follow 7 more steadily after the things that
make for peace.
7. Many interesting and delightful
scenes occurred during the session of the
Convention, only one of which will we
mention. It occurred on Sabbath eve
ning at the close of the Missionary meet
ing. After addresses had been delivered
by several brethren, and stirring appeals
made for increased sacrifices in giving mo
ney to send the gospel to the destitute,
Bro. Mallary arose, and, in a strain of elo
quence which surpassed his usual self, ap
pealed to the brethren to give their chil
dren to God, to labor tor llim here, or to
go to distant lands as lie might choose,
to bear the precious message of a Saviour’s
love to stupid idolators. Many hearts
were melted, and many eyes overflowed,
and doubtless many heart-felt prayers were
offered up for grace to enable the peti
tioners to make an unconditional surren
der of a beloved child to the ever precious
Redeemer. A scene of affectionate em
bracing among the brethren, which was
sublimely affecting, followed this appeal,
and we felt in our inmost soul, “ Behold
how good and how pleasant it is, for breth
ren to dwell together in unity.”
Bill of Rights.
An Editor has his rights, and these
should be respected ; and if he does not
maintain bis rights, he, in a measure, loses
the respect of his readers.
1. It is the Editor’s right to decide
what shall, and what shall not go into his
paper—whether all, a part, or none, of a
communication ; for it is to be presumed
that he, more than any other, knows the
general mind of his readers; and, as he
is supposed to consult the good and just
wishes of a majority of those readers, cen
sure should not be inflicted on him lor re
fusing to publish.
2. The Editor has a right to expect
courtesy and forbearance on the part of his
unseen auditory; for, it may be that the
strongest and best motives influenced him
in uttering sentiments, or pursuing a
course, for which a fiery tempered sub
scriber will hurl at him the hot shot of
quick-heated indignation: he has a right
to expect a courteous inquiry, or brother
ly advice. All the suavity and gentle
dealing should not be on one side.
3. The sympathy of his readers is an ed
itor’s right; for he is laboring solely to
please them ; is conforming himself, as far
as conscience permits, to their wishes;
and is uniting his soul to theirs by a re
ciprocal affection, super-induced by bene
fits conferred.
4. An Editor has a right to his opin
ions, and has a right to express them:
this, however, need not prevent his giv
ing others a free expression of sentiment;
for the very right he claims for himself,
he should grant to others; and as they
would not desire to be sent to Coventry
for differing from the Editor, so they
should not discard him for differing from
them.
5. The Editor of a Denominational or
gan has the right to expect that Denomi
nation to co operate with him in advancing
the interests of the paper, since it belongs
to them : the co-operation should consist
in forwarding news, counselling, procu
ring new subscribers, and collecting; and
ministers, especially, should act as agents
for the organ.
Mercer University.
The Catalogue of this College for 1859
and ’6O, is before us. We give a summa
ry of the number of students :
College.— Seniors, 22; Juniors, 39;
Sophomores, 33; Freshmen, 29; Scien
tifie, 17; Total, 140.
Theological. —Regular course, 5; Par
tial course, 4 ; Preparatory Studies, 3 ;
Total, 12.
The above numbers are gratifying.
Tiie library of the University contains
over five thousand volumes, embracing a
choice collection of many of the latest and
most valuable works of reference in the
various departments of instruction in the
Institution.
The Philosophical and Chemical Appa
ratus of the University, will compare fa
vorably with that of any other Southern
Institution. It has been selected with
great care, and through liberal annual ap
propriations by the Board of Trustees, it
is enabled to keep pace with all the im
provements and discoveries of the day.
The regulations of the University are
formed with a single design of promoting
the intellectual and moral improvement of
those who attend upon its instructions.
Disgraceful punishments are, if possible,
avoided ; but no young man who indulges
in card-playing, intemperance, or other
vice, or who habitually neglects his stu
dies, can be allowed to remain, to exer
cise a corrupting influence over his fellow
students.
The course of study exhibits a wide
range, both in the theological and secular
department. Os the Professors, we need
say nothing, as they rank with the high
est and best.
The Baptist Convention of the State of
Georgia holds a fund for education, dis
tinct from the Eudowmeut Fund, amount
ing to $30,074. By this fund the expen
ses of young men of limited means, who
have been licensed for the Gospel Minis
try, may be defrayed, except what may
be necessary for clothing.
Application for the benefit of.this pro
vision may be made to Professor J. E.
Willet, Secretary of the Executive Com
mittee, Penfield, Ga.
By a late resolution of the Board of
Trustees, the sons of Baptist ministers,
residents of Georgia, and the sons of all
Baptist ministers who have died in the
service of the Church within the State,
are entitled to the privileges of the Uni
versity, free of tuition—such students,
however, paying their own room rent and
incidental expenses.
Taken altogether, our State and De
nomination, may w 7 ell be proud of this In
stitution ; and young men should not hesi
tate to avail themselves of its collegiate
privileges at its next Fall Term, which will
begin on the Ist of September.
Sermon on Ministerial Education.
Bro. H. A. Tupper, of Washington,
preached this sermon on Sabbath morn
ing to a crowded house. He selected the
appropriate words, “ A good Minister ol
Jesus Christ,’’ for his theme. As the ser
mon is expected to appear in pamphlet
form, an extended notice of it would be
inappropriate here. We will say, howev
er, that it was an admirable sermon, re
plete with valuable thoughts, full of classic
allusions, abounding in apostolic illustra
tions, presenting in a lucid manner and a
vivacious style what were the qualifica
tions of a good minister.
° •
The sermon was well calculated to in
struct and comfort every minister pres
ent, who was giving himself “wholly to
these things.’’ As one said, “Every word
was gold.”
We hope at an early day it will appear
in print, and that every minister in Geor
gia will have tbe privilege of reading it.
John’s Baptism
This able Tract, by the Rev. J. H. Cor
ley, of Eatonton, is now ready. It is
beautifully printed in large type, on fine
paper, in neat paper covers; and as a tract
is creditable to the Telegraph Steam
Printing House.
This Tract is for gratuitous distribution,
and any one can obtain a copy by simply
remitting a cent stamp to J. D. Cubbedge,
Macon, Ga. Pastors can obtain them by
the dozen, if they will forward stamps to
pay postage.
The Tract itself, is able and convincing;
it is designated, “ John’s Baptism, show
ing that it was the same in its leading fea
tures as Believers’ Baptism of the regu
lar Baptists: its designs; and that immer
sion only is scriptural Baptism.”
ORDINATION.
Bro. Rob’t. G. Gibson was ordained in
this city during the session of the Con
vention, the following brethren being re
quested to act as the Presbytery : Rev.
J. 11. DeVotie, to preside, and Rev. B.
F. Tharpe, to act as Secretary; Rev. S.
Landrum to conduct the examination,
Rev. D. G. Daniel to make the prayer,
Rev. A. T. Ilolmes to deliver the charge,
and Rev. A. Vanhoose to extend the right
hand.
The ordination took place according to
the above arrangement, the Presbytery
being fully satisfied of Bro. Gibson’s call
and qualifications to the Gospel ministry.
Rev. A. B. Cabaniss and Rev. J. Q.
A. ROIIRER.
Those who have been in the habit of
reading “The Commission,” have observ
ed frequently, the name of A. B. Cabniss;
he is a returned Southern Baptist Mis
sionary to China. 11l health rendered
this step necessary. The following ex
tract from an interesting Baltimore letter
to the S. Baptist, refers to Mr. Cabaniss.
We hope, he will soon, m some of our
Georgia pulpits, repeat his lectures on
China.
The Rev. J. Q. A. Rohrer, is a young
man who has devoted himself to the Ja
pan Mission.
Rev. A. B. Cabaniss, our returned mis
sionary from China, has spent a week in
our city and delivered five or six lectures
on China and the China mission, to large
and highly delighted audiences. The
spacious house of the First Church was
filled, and Dr. Fuller’s packed at each lec
ture. Bro. Cabaniss is emphatically a
live missionary. He has had his eyes and
ears open for the last seven years, and re
turned to America with his head full of
facts and his heart full of his works —to
appeal to the churches and arouse them
to the work of missions. He cannot fail
to attract attention and excite an interest
wherever he may go. His Chinese con
vert is an interesting man, and answers
promptly and satisfactorily all questions
asked him by the audience, through Bro.
Cabaniss as interpreter.
Mrs. Cabaniss in in feeble health, but
somewhat improved by the voyage.
We had an interesting service last Sab
bath night in the First Church, the ordi
nation of Rev. J. Q. A. Rohrer, to the
work of missions in Japan.
Bro Rohrer is about thirty years of age,
was born in Rohrersville, in this State,
graduated in both the literary and theo
logical departments of the University of
Lewisburg, Pa., and was recommended
to the Board of Foreign Missions in the
highest terms by his instructor, Dr. Cur
tis. He expects to be married in a few
weeks, and it is gratifying to know that
the mother of his intended will accompany
her daughter to.her home in the far East,
upon her own charges. He will probably
sail during the summer, and will proceed
first to Sfiaughai, China, where he will
seek information as to the manners and
customs of the Japanese, learn as much
of their language as may be practicable,
and then proceed immediately to Japan.
Bible and Colporteur Notice.
During May I hope to visit Augusta, Waynes
boro’, Macedonia, Alexander, and other places
adjacent to the Rail Road, from Augusta to Sa
vannah. F. M. IIA\ GOOD, Ag’t.
Cool Weather. —The weather, for the past
few days, has been very cool—chilly. We have
seen over-coats, in plenty, early in the morning
and after sunset We understand a private let
ter trom Whitfield county (near the Tennessee
line,) speaks of a heavy hail storm in the vi
cinity of Tunnel Hill, last Tuesday. Very pos
sibly we may hear of damage to fruits and
crops, from frost, in Northern Georgia.
The Vera Cruz correspondent of the New
Orleans Picayune writes that Mr. McLane, our
Minister, received a cordial reception on his re
turn to that city, and that tho other foreign
ministers intend to invite him to join them in
an effort to bring about peace between the
two factions in Mexico.
DR. COLE’S TESTIMONY.
Several weeks since, Dr. Isaac Cole,
of Washington City, made a tour thro’
the South to obtain subscriptions for
the First Baptist Church, Washington,
D. C. We had the pleasure of making
ills acquaintance, and he impressed us as
a whole-souled Baptist, devoted to his
Master’s cause- We have received from
him a private communication containing
tfie following testimony , in regard to the
religious privileges and condition of our
colored population, which we commend
to the special regard of the “Examiner,”
“ The American Baptist,” and the
“Watchman and Reflector.’’
“Great sympathy is manifested for the
poor negro in the South ; many suppose
their spiritual wants are entirely neglect
ed —that they are unhappy in their pre
sent condition.
During my recent tour through the
South, I had ample opportunities oflearn
ing just the reverse. I did not hear one
negro (and I talked with them freely,) ex
press a desire to be free, or that he was
dissatisfied with his condition.
I had the pleasure of attending several
of their religious meetings in Barnwell,
S. C., in Augusta, Madison, and Colum
bus, Ga., and also in Columbus, Miss. I
preached, prayed and sang with them. I
was highly gratified to find such ample
provisions made for tlmir moral and reli
gious improvement. They have in many
places, their own houses of worship, and
conduct the services according to their
own pleasure. Both white* and colored
Ministers preach to them. In Augusta,
the Church oion their preacher, that is
more than any white Church can say.
The congregations were large and at
tentive —they listened to the word with
delight, and gave evidence of its moraliz-’
ing and sanctifying influences on their
hearts ; their behavior was decorous and
becoming.” ISAAC COLE.
Baltimore, April 9th, 1860.
Dr. Cole’s Report
Os Subscriptions for the First Bap
tist Church, Washington, D. C.
Subscriptions in South Carolina, $289 00
“ “ Georgia, 401,00
“ “ Alabama, 490,24
“ “ North Carolina, 500,00
“ “ Washington, D. C. 100,00
$1,780,24
A true copy of the above Report.
WM. V. 11. BROWN,
Treasurer,
First Baptist Church, Washington, I). C.
The following is an extract from Dr.
Cole’s letter alluded to above :
April 21.
Dear Bro : The several subscriptions
taken in the different States are summed
up by two brethren, so that the Report
might not take up much room in your
columns. Yours truly,
ISAAC COLE.
HSqmmilnicatjojvs.
The Cash System vs. the Credit
SYSTEM—A WORD TO NEWSPA
PER MANAGERS.
The Editors of Newspapers are continu
ally grumbling about delinquent subscri.
bers. Every conceivable contumely is
heaped upon the man, who will not “pro
perly pay the printer.’’ By many, the
“laws of Newspapers’’ are weekly para
ded before their readers, to terrify “all
who are concerned.” Distressing com
plaints, also, about the thousands that
have been lost by the credit system, fre
quently sound in the public ear. Indeed,
judging from the querulous tones of the
“poor editors,” that stride the tripod in
every quarter of the land, one would sup
pose that the law compelled them to furnish
newspapers to any and every body, and
then left them to get their pay by perse
verance in dunning.
Now, there are probably none who ab
hor not paying the printer, more than the
present writer. It has been truly said
that meeting promptly one’s indebtedness
to newspapers, is one of the best tests of
honesty. The inquiry, however, arises, if
so much evil flows out ot the credit sys
tem, why, in the name of common sense,
is that system not stopped ? Is not this
a free country ? Is not every man a liber
ty to say whether he will dispose of his
property for cash, or on credit ? Most
assuredly. How then shall this eternal
ding dong about delinquents, arrearages,
ifcc., &c., be brought to an end ? The
remedy is in the hands of those who com
plain, and let them pay for their negli
gence if they fail to apply it. And what
is the remedy? It is nothing more nor
less than a strict cash system. The plan
of sending a paper to a ma 1 without his
having paid for it, and keeping on send
ing it, is at the bottom of this great evil,
which seems to embitter the lives of the
whole newspaper fraternity. I know that
“always in advance,” figures largely in
terms of most papers; hut what avails
this, seeing that it is almost invariably
falsified ? A man may be ever so honest,
yet this credit system is enough to make
him remiss in duty. When his subscrip
tion expires, knowing that his paper will
continue any how, and perhaps, not find
ing it convenient to send on the money
just then, or having pressing necessity for
it otherwise, he puts the matter oil’ for the
present. After a while, perhaps, he for
gets all about it, or loves to think he has
paid up. So it goes, and so comes diffi
culty. If it were not for wishing so many
persons to do wrong, I would that the peo
ple generally, should entirely quit paying
for their papers, that thus, “those who are
concerned’’, might be compelled to adopt
the cash system.
It may, perhaps, be objected that it a
man’s paper were stopped when bis sub
scription expired, he would not likely re
new, and so a subscriber would be lost.—
In many cases this might be true, but the
loss is more apparent than real- Those
who fail to renew, are the very ones who
will not be apt to pay under the present
system. True, sometimes a person who
would have continued to pay up punctu
ally, might fail to renew ; hardly, how
ever, if he wanted the paper. The truth
is, editors are too mueh bent on having
people take their papers, whether they
want them or not. They “compass sea
and land,’’ to get one subscriber, and
when they have gotten him, they still
compass the sea and land to keep him.—
Sometimes they send out agents, and
sometimes they go out in person, and in
stead of simply presenting the claims of
their papers lothe attention of the people
collectively, they beseige them individu
ally, and keep on beseiging them, and
don’t stop beseiging them, until the peo
ple subscribe, not becausedhey want the
paper, but to get rid of the tormenting
importunity of the agent, or editor. A
man who subscribes under these circum
stances, feels that he has been circum
vented ; and when the times comes to re
new his subscription, nine cases out of ten
he does not want to do it. Why ? Be
cause he does’nt want the paper —he nev
er did want it. Well, does he not
stop it ? lie does not wish to do that ei
ther. Most editors are exceeding tender
on the subject of stopping papers. With
many, when a subscriber says, “stop my
paper,’’ he becomes guilty of an unpar
donable sin. Almost every one of them
think that every body ought to take his
paper. When, therefore, any one dares
to think differently from them, they think
hardly of him, and sometimes they write
hardly. Many a poor fellow has had
his ungrammatical epistle paraded before
thousands of readers, simply because he
said, “ste pmy paper.” And so the man
does not stop his paper —and so the paper
comes on—and so another is added to the
list of “delinquents.”
It may be objected that the people do
not want the cash system. Whether all
want it or not, it is the only proper plan.
Besides, many do want this system, and
sometimes ask for it, at least, in reference
to themselves, but do not always get it ;
no, indeed, it is too much trouble, says
the editor, and so the delinquent list
swells. Editors would like to have p, oinpt
paying subscribers, but are unwilling to
adopt the only plan to get them. They
are so much afraid of losing names, that
in the end they lose money. In conclu
sion, I would say, let the cash system be
adopted, and then this excessant cry about
“delinquents” will cease. Do not be afraid
of it, gentlemen editors. Mark this,
mark it well! A paper that the people want
will not fail by adopting the cash system —a
paper that the people do not want , ought to
fail, with any system , and sooner or !uter y it
will fail ALIQUIS.
Spirit of Christianity, No. 3.
“Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ
he is none of his.”
By reference to the history of our Sa
viour, as recorded by the iuspired Evan
gelists, we find that he possessed in a won
derful degree, the Spirit of prayer. For
example, Matthew says, in 14th chap, and
23d verse, “ When Jesus had sent the
multitude away, he went up into a moun.
tain apart to pray.” Mark records in the
first chapter of his account of the acts of
Jesus, “That he arose a great while be
fore day and went out in a solitary place
to pray.’’ Luke also bears testimony to
the same truth, in 9th chapter, and we
find recorded in John, a prayer of our
Saviour, which tills an entire chapter, viz:
17th chapter of John. Then, if all the
sacred Historians agree in this, we must
come to the conclusion, that the Spirit of
Christ, was one of prayer. And, Oh ! what
earnest prayers he uttered. llow fervent
were the out-gushings of his soul, when in
communion with his Father ! What ear
nest prayer that must have been in the
garden, when his soul was exceedingly
sorrowful —when his sweat was as great
drops of blood ! And then what benevo
lence in that prayer at the close of his
life, when his body was in torture, “Fa
ther, forgive them, for they know not
what they do.’’
And now brethren rnd sisters, you who
claim to belong to Christ, do you possess
a praying Spirit ? Ido not mean, are you
willing to open your lips in a public meet
ing and say your prayers. But do you
carry about with you in your heart, a con
tinued disposition to ask of God, the spir
itual strength you need for yourself?—
Are you accustomed in all your hours of
tempation or distress, to go to your Ileav
venly Father, with your troubles, and ask
that his will may be done ? Do you ha
bitually lift up your soul to the throne of
grace, and ask lor an out pouring of the
Holy Spirit upon your brethren and upon
the world ? If so, let me congratulate
you on having so much of Christ’s spirit
enstamped upon your soul. But if you
have no lieart to pray —no desire to pour
out your heart to God—no willingness to
ask for his spirit, let me warn you, that
the teaching of our text is, “That you are
none of Christ’s,” and let me beg you to
covet earnestly, this best of gifts; for if
you reach the perfection of this devotion
al spirit, you can move the arm that moves
the world. May God give all his people
a spirit of prayer. Amen.
M.
From the True Union.
Call Accepted.
Rev. R. J. Wilson, pastor of the Lee
Street Baptist church of this city, has re
ceived and accpted a call to the pastor
age of the Baptist church, Beaufort, S. C.
It is with unfeigned regret that we make
this announcement. During his residence
in Baltimore, bro. Wilson has proved him
self not only a faithful, eloquent and suc
cessful minister of the gospel, but a friend,
whose piety, intelligence and social quali
ties, have endeared him to all who know
him.
The annexed complimentary preamble
aud resolutions, which were passed unani
mously by the church he is leaving, pro
claim the high estimation in which he is
held.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, we are called upon to accept
the resignation of our beloved pastor,
Rev. Robt. J. Wilson, after a pleasant and
acceptable sojourn amongst us, during
which we have learned toesteem him very
highly iu love for his work’s sake. There
fore
Resolved, Ist. That in accepting his
resignation, we cherish the highest feel
ings of regard towards himself and family,
and assure him that nothing could recon
cile us to the separation, but submission
to what seems to be the Divine will.
Resolved, 2d. That though we cannot
but feel sad on account of this separation,
bro. Wilson having endeared himself to
us all by his kind and gentle admonitions,
his fervent and zealous efforts to promote
piety in the hearts of the members, and
his unwavering adherance to the princi
ples of truth, yet in leaving us we assure
him that he has our hearty “God speed,”
and prayers that he and his companion
may be spared to a lengthened period of
usefulness, and be the means of greatly
promoting the cause of the Redeemer,
w herever Providence may fix his lot.
The foregoing resolutions were unani
mously adopted by the Lee Street Bap
tist church, on Friday evening, March
30tb, 1860. J. J. G. Riley, Cl’k.
Minutes Wanted.
The Minutes for 1859, of the following named
Associations, are needed to complete the Statistics
of the denomination in the United States, for the
Almanac for 1861, now in course of preparation.
Will the Clerks, or any of the Brethren connect
ed with the Associations named, please forward a
copy of their Minutes to the American Baptist Pub
lication Society, and thus aid us iu perfecting these
important tables.
Direct, 1 OUNG REAPER,
, 630, Arch St., Philadelphia.
GEORG! 1.
Arbacoochie, Appalachee, Bethel, Bowen, Chat
tahoochee, Chestat°e, Columbus, Coosa, Ebenezer,
Elijah, Flint River, Georgia, Hepzibah, Iliwassee,
Houston, Lawrenceville, Middle, Middle Cherokee,
Mountain, Muckalee, Noonday, Oostanaula. Pied
mont, Rehoboth, Sarepta, State Line, Southern,
Sunbury, Tallapoosa, Toccoah, Taguio, Union,
United Baptist, United Chattahoochee, West l
nion.
FLORlDA.—Alachua, Florida, West Florida.
ALABAMA.
Alabama, Bethel, Bigby, Cahawba, Canaan, Ca
rey, Cherokee, Coosa River, Eul’aula, Liberty
East, Liberty West, Mulberry, Muscle Shoals,
North River, Pine Barren, Providence, Shelby,
Tennessee River, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, Unity.
NORTH CAROLINA.
Beulah, Briar Creek, Cape Fear, Catawba, Cedar
Town, Flat River, French Broad, Green River, Ili
wassee, Jefferson, Liberty, Lowe’s Creek, Pee Dee,
Raleigh Roan Mountain, Salem, Sandy Creek, Tar
River, Taylorsville, Three Fork, Tuckaseege, U
nion East, Union West, Yadkins.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Barnwell, Bethel, Broad River, Brown Creek,
Charleston, Columbia, Edgefield, Edisto, Enoree,
Fork, Moriah, Saluda, Savannah River, Twelve
Mile River.
TENNESSEE.
Beulah, Central, Concord, Duck River, East
Tennessee, Enon, Indian Creek, Johnson, Judson,
Mount Zion, Nolaehueky, ‘Northern, Salem, S.
Western District, Sweet Water, Tennessee, Union,
Western District.
From the N. Y. Observer.
Foreign Revival Intelligence.
Scotlald.
The work of God now progressing in
this country, is more remarkable than
that in Ireland.
Belgium.
The revival continues to assume every
where a serious character, and to manifest
fruits of a real sanctification. The churches
of the Evangelical Society have taken an
active part in the re-unions for prayer
since the second week of January, and in
many localities these exercises have been
very much blessed.
Turkey.
The signs of religious progress in this
country are increasing. There has been
much more prayer than usual during the
past winter, and although no very marked
and powerful awakening has occurred in
any place, like those which have been en
joyed iu Ireland, Scotland and America,
still there is in many places an increased
attention to the preaching of the word,
and souls are converted to God.
The new religious movement among
the Turks at the capitol is remarkable. —
There have been lately forty or more calls
a week of Mussulmans, at a house where
religious inquirers of this class are always
sure to find someone to converse with
them, under the direction of the Ameri
can Missionaries.
France.
Revivals, in all essential features like
those in America, are enjoyed in various
churches, and the power of prayer is felt
and seen in the remarkable answers for
individuals and communities. A union
prayer meeting is held in Paris by the
English residents every Monday at 3 P.
M., presided over alternately by ministers
of different denominations or laymen, the
numbers attendingincrease,and an earnest
solemn spirit is diffused among them.
South India.
Eight native pastors were recently or
dained, making seventeen in all.
Valleys of Peidmont.
It will rejoice the hearts of many of
our readers to hear that the Lord has
begun to visit the Waldensian Valleys
with “times of re reshing from on high.”
In many of the parishes a remarkable re
ligious awakening has begun.
AKIiIVAL OF THE AFRICA.
DECLINE IN COTTON.
New York, April 27th.—The steamship
Africa has arrived with Liverpool dates to the
14th inst
Liverpool Cotton Market.
April 13th.—Sales of the last four days are
45,000 bales 4 with a decline of an eighth to a
farthing, chiefly on inferior qualities. Prices
were very irregular, and holders pressing sales.
Fair qualities unchanged.
[Dispatch very confused and contradictory.—
Editor.]
Provision Market. —Breadstuff's ad
vancing. Provisions dull.
London Money Market. —Consols were quo
ted at 941 f° r money, and on account.
ARRIVAL OF THE ARABIA.
New York, Friday April 27.—The Arabia
has arrived with Liverpool dates to, and includ
ing Saturday, 14th.
Liverpool Cotton Market
The sales of Friday were 7,000 bales, with a
steady market. The following are the authen
tic quotations:
Fair Orleans, 7-J
Middling Orleans,- 6}
Fair Mobiles, 7|
Middling Mobiles, 6 3-10
Fair Uplands, 6£
The stock on hand in Liverpool was 955,000
bales, of which 767,000 were American cotton.
Manchester advices were favorable. Ooods
were slow of sale, but prices unaltered.
Latest from the Liverpool Cotton Market.
8,000 bales were sold on Saturday—market
closing very dull for inferior qualities, but bet
ter descriptions firm.
General News. —lt was rumored that the in
surrection in Sicily was spreading, although
asserted that tranquility had been restored.
Palermo was in a state of siege.
Spain was tranquil. There were rumors in
Vienna of an alliance between Austria, Russia
and England.