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ME CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
MACON, GrA.
Wednesday, May 16, 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, Ag't.for Index
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Sec the oiler of premiums made
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cellent Books.
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Missions.
Missions have already ground many a
grim Moloch into dust; they have quen
ched the iires of Suttee, broken the fet
ters of the slave, gathered wanderers into
towns, given elevation, strength, purity
and permanence to languages, originated
literatures, conferred constitutions, crea
ted markets for trade, and laid the foun
dations of empires ; they are leavening
the countless populations of Asia,and have
given the hand of rescue to sinking races,
as did Jesus to the drowning apostle.
Missions have blessed the world. As
Peter walked at evening, his lengthened
shadow as it fell on the gathered sick in
the streets of Jerusalem, healed as it swept
over them ; even so is Christianity going
through the earth like a spirit of health ;
and the nations miserable and fallen start
up and live as she passes.— Rev. S. Cod
ley.
Individual efforts for the spread of the
Gospel have been made in every age. —
The Christians of the first century were
most zealous in the spread of the Gospel;
and many of them met death in their pi
ous efforts to preach Christ.
The Novations of the third century and
their successors down to the Reformation,
made great, almost incredible sacrifices
to bear the truth to their erring brethren ;
and most faithfully did they represent by
their instructions and in their lives, the
pure precepts of the blessed Gospel.
After the apostolic age, the first united
effort of which we are informed, to send
the Gospel abroad was made by the Wal
denses, just after receiving an accession
to their number from the pious Moravians
in 11/0. They are said to have “sent Mis
sions into many countries.’’
At what period the Baptists of Eng
land began to unite in the work of mis
sions we are not able exactly to determ
ine. Butin 1053, seventy years before
the revivals of Whitfield and the Wesleys,
there was an association of Baptists that
met at Abergavenny and passed the fol
lowing unanimous vote. “That by send
ing out, and supporting Missionaries,
as they had donehefore their persecu
tion, they would revive the ancient or
der of things.” This meeting was held
under the protectorate of Cromwell, just
after the terrible persecutions of Charles
I. Thirty-six years later, or in 1089, del
egates from 107 Baptist churches met in
London, and resolved to send ministers
out to preach to the destitute, and to vis
it the churches—both at this meeting, and
the one at Abergavanny they took “col
lections and raised funds to send out mis
sionaries.” These efforts were perhaps
continued with success or adversity pro
portioned to the persecutions endured, or
the liberty enjoyed by our brethren.
In 1760 the Philadelphia Association
took incipient steps for “the support of
such ministers as were sent out to
distant places.” In 1784 the Baptists
of London organized the “Monthly con
cert of prayer for the spread of the Gos
pel,” and, ten years after, the “London
Missionary Society”—under which Dr.
Cary went out to Bengal. In 1813, the
“General Missionary Convention of the
Baptist denomination in the United States
of America for Foreign Missions,” was
organized for the support of Dr. Judson
and his wife, and Luther Rice. Thus
slowly and gradually, was revived “the
spirit of Missions, which is the divine en
ergy of the gospel.”
Dr. Jadson labored for seven years in
Burmah before there was a single con
vert to Christianity, and yet lie lived to
* see them numbered by thousands—this
mission now contains more than 20.000
converts. llow forcibly we are taught
to “despise not the day of small things.”
Several years after Dr. Judson began
bis mission, Mr. Boardman and wife went
out and begun to preach the gospel to
the Karens, a stupid, oppressed people,
not far in advance of the Hottentots, but
aided by a native convert who began to
preach, this mission was singularly bles
sed —never did a heathen people, save the
inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands, re
ceive more readily the “glorious gospel
of the blessed God/’ Almost all the Ka
rens are now converted. They have more
than sixty native preachers, and are by
their own contributions sustaining a num
ber of missionaries, sent out to different
cities in Burmab.
Our mission at Shangahi, notwithstand
ing all its reverses during the late war in
China, has been greatly blessed. Last
year they received a gracious refreshing
from the presence of the Lord, and many
precious souls were converted.
Success is already beginning to attend
the young mission in Canton. Surround
ed by millions of- souls, sunk in a moral
darkness which seemed impervious, the
men of God have gone with the promise,
“I am with you,” and the result is prov
ing the truth of the promise.
But a few years since, our mission fields
were very contracted—our missionaries
not unfrequently cast into prison to en
dure great sufferings. Now the more than
three hundred millions of China, are ac
cessible to our missionaries, and many of
them anxious to have the printed and
preached word of God. Japan also, whose
doors have heretofore been barred against
the entrance of all religious light, has
thrown open her doors and welcomes the
ambassadors of Christ.
Ethiopia is stretching forth her hands
unto God. The beloved Bowen and Den
nard and Clarke and Reid and Stone,
and Phillips, with a moral heroism that
excites our highest admiration, have pen
etrated the hitherto dark and unknown
regions of Yoruba and planted there the
standard of Jesus, and claimed for him
the continent of Africa. The efforts to
evangelize the Sandwich Islands have
been entirely successful.
Till 1819, when the first missionary set
foot on the islands, the inhabitants were
cannibals. The number of admissions to
the churches from the beginning exceeds
35,000 ; of whom about 16,000, and 17,-
000 are now alive and in good standing.
Our missionaries among the Indians of
the West, are, and have been in a high
degree prosperous. The Creeks may be
termed a Christian nation. The labors of
brother Buckner have been greatly bles
sed. He has been a laborious, and self
denying missionary lor years, and has
been abundantly rewarded in seeing his
prayers answered in the salvation of the
“red men of the forest.’’
Baptist Heralds of the Cross have set
out for the vast regions of South America
to enlighten its millions in regard to the
way ol salvation.
In Germany, Oncken began a mission,
about thirty years ago, under circumstan
ces the most discouraging; but like a
missionary brother of his who wrote sev
eral centuries since, be lias “in all things
approved himself as a minister of God, in
much patience, in afflictions, in necessities
in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments,
in turmoils, in labors, in watchings, in fas
tings.” Christian Europe has proved her
self more intolerent than idolatrous Asia
or superstitious Africa. But God was in
the work. Every convert became a vol
untary home missipnaryjo talk for Christ,
to distribute tracts, to pray, or preach.—
Their churches are now increasing by tens
and their converts by hundreds; while
spiritual oppression and legalized despo
tism are beginning to feel and give way
before their moral power.
Japan, Europe, Asia, Africa, South A
merica, and most of the Islands of the O
ceans, are now ready to open their arms
and welcome the messenger of Gospel
peace. The God o f ‘ missions has broken
down the barriers, unlocked the doors,
and is fast disarming Satan of his fires,
gibbets, and prisons. The altar of daily
prayer has been established in Jerusalem,
and Shangahi, and perhaps in many other
cities of foreign lands, where the elect of
God meet to lift up their united cry for
such a pentecostal outporing of the Holy
Spirit, as will fill the whole earth with the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cov
ers the sea.
Every letter from our missionaries,
show increased encourgement. Every
new item of intelligence from abroad is
freighted with evidences of the divine
purpose to give to his Son the heathen
for his inheritance and the uttermost parts
of the earth for a possession.
“The morning light is breaking ;
The darkness disappears ;
The sons of earth are waking
To penitential tears;
Each breeze that sweeps the ocean
Brings tidings from afar,
Os nations in commotion,
Prepared for Zions war.”
The missionary spirit is the spirit of the
age. God speed his own cause ! God
speed the salvation of the heathen ! Oh,
that Christians would awake more than
ever to this mighty—to this glorious
work !
A Church should Co-operate with
ITS PASTOR.
In our editorial of last week, we gave
some of the reasons why churches should
co-operate with their pastors, and now we
propose to show how this co-operation
can be secured.
1. Churches and pastors should co ope
rate in the administration of discipline.—
A church of Christ according to our un
derstanding, is an assembly of immersed
believers, organized upon the faith, and
governed by the laics of Jesus Christ.—
And when we speak of the laws of Christ,
we meaii all those preceptive, command
atory, and prohibitory provisions, which
lie has made for the government of his
people, and which are found recorded in
the New Testament. His governmental
provision will be found exceeding broad,
extending to every case of conscience, or
of act ion, which can be deemed relevant
to Christian duty ; and hence every order
ly church must, and will,'take the word
of God to guide them in dealing with
their brethren. And as those churches
which are constituted after the New Tes
tament model, recognize the right of each
member to vote upon all matters affect,
ing the interest of the whole, all become
responsible for the scriptural administra
tion of discipline. In trying offenders, it
is the duty of the pastor to apply the law
which controls each case brought, and un
less he mistakes the law, or wilfully per
verts it, it becomes the duty of every
member to sustain him in his rulings, and
by their votes, carry out the law in such
cases made and provided. The usefulness
of both pastor and church is deeply involv
ed in correcting all abuses, and suppress
ing all rebellion againt the King of Zion,
which may be found amongst their mem
bers ; and this cannot be done unless the
pastors and their churches co-operate. —
But it will readily occur to the mind of
the reader, that co-operation with the
pastor, in the administration of the laws
of Christ, involves the attendance ol each
member upon his Church or Conference
meetings. When the business of the
church is to be transacted, nothing short
of providential hindrance should keep the
members away. Nor will it do for them
to excuse themselves upon the pretext that
they will be satisfied with whatever the
members present may see fit to do, for we
hesitate not to say, that any one who can
thus feel, is unfit for the high position
which he holds as a member of the church
of Christ. Besides, facts show that non
attendants are usually found most ready
to disturb the peace and harmony of the
church by carping at what the rest have
done.
If the professed disciples of Christ have
not morality enough to “neglect not the
assembling of themselves together,” they
cannot be expected to leel much concern
ed about settling questions of discipline
according to the principles of the gospel.
When members are to be dealt with, or
indeed, when any business affecting the
interest of the church is to be done, the
pastor should not be more prompt in ta
king his place, than every member should
be in repairing to his. Pastor and church
should come together on such occasions
with a proper sense of their solemn re
sponsibilities, remembering that they are
standing guard for the King in Zion. —
But,as a general thing,non attendants pay
no regard to the meetings of the church,
unless they see some elements of strife
which they may be able to combine, so as
to produce disturbance. While cases of
this sort may be pending, the weather
may be cold or hot, wet or dry, the Con
ference may be held in the morning or
evening, day or night, but they are sure
to be on hand, with an unusual amount of
intellectual acumen and excitement, and
ready to fan the smouldering embers of
strife into a fervid and glowing flame. —
But it is needless to say that such members
are to the church, what Jonah was to the
ship, when he was vainly attempting to
fly from the presence of his Maker. Their
influence (for such members sometimes
possess influence) is all against co-opera
tion, lor as soon as the excitement which
aroused their slumbering energies has sub
sided, they will be seen no more at the
church meeting until waited on by a Com
mittee, or until another opportunity for
producing discord presents itself. But
those who recognize the authority of
Christ, desire to maintain his honor, and
to promote the prosperity of the Church,
will be zealous in co-operating with the
pastor, in preserving the purity and unity
of the church by the exercise of whole
some discipline.
If possible, in all cases of discipline, pas
tors and their churches should see eye to
eye, and all speak the same things, and
then may the affecting exclamation of the
Psalmist be realized in all the churches :
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity !’’
“ Freedom of the Press.”
“ That it (the Index) and all other pa
pers, ought to have just such trammels as
the Convention throws around it.
We suppose that outside of religious pow
ers, the people of this free country would shed
their h/ood for the freedom of the press.
We extract the above from a late edi
torial of the Banner and Baptist, the for
mer sentence being the second of two
reasons given why the Index was not sold,
and it bears three interpretations. 1.
That the Convention willingly retains the
ownership of a muzzled paper. 2. That
Georgia Baptists are willing to encourage
a trammeled organ. 3. That Editors can
be found willing to bt deprived of a free
expression of their sentiments.
Now, let us ask plainly —what do the
brethren wish ?
That we “let loose the dogs of war”
and bring horror and confusion into the
Baptist ranks ? Will they have us set
the whole State by the ears and inflame
brother against brother ? Will they have
the Index, which is the common property
of all, pursue a partizan course which shall
exasperate one-half its readers, and grieve
all good men ? Lest it be a “tender-foot
ed” Board paper, must it come out hurl
ing maledictions against every good bro
ther who conscientiously believes that
present Missionary operations may be
amended ? Lest it be “mealy-mouthed,”
in any respect, shall it appear blatant with
irony, sarcasm, and invective ? Lest it
appear “ trammeled,’’ must its fair pages
be blotted with bold and defiant asser
tions, regardless of good-taste and good
breeding and Christian love, as though
others Were not too, entitled to their
opinions ?
What, then, will the brethren have ?
Will they have a spirit of evil enthron
ed on the editorial tripod, to stir up strife,
discord, animosity and confusion. No!
we believe it not.
Is it not a thousand times better that
the spirit of concord and reconciliation
i” ‘a? Is it not a thousand times better
that we attend to the weightier matters
of love, harmony, spirituality and salva
tion ? Is it not far better that we unite,
where unison is possible, than that we
rend asunder move and more ? Are there
not souls to be saved, missions to be en
couraged, weak saintstobe strengthened,
sinners to be won, churches to be built
up, Sunday schools to be promoted, fami
ly religion to be increased, intemperance
to be put down, the minister to be instruc
ted, the church to be waked up, the pray
er-meetmg to be fostered, the Bible to be
scattered, prayer to be inculcated, and
brotherly love enforced ?
Must all these high and holy things be
slighted and the Index boldly array itself
in opposition to, and purposely endeavor
to offend a portion of its readers and own
ers ? Will ten true Christian hearts that
read this editorial actually desire the Pa
per to take up arms for them or their opin
ions solely, neglecting all those great les
sons of love and forbearance which our
Master taught us ? Will there be found
ten who will desire the paper to descend
from its elevated position of neutrality to
take sides ?
Neutrality ! We like not that word. —
We are not neutral —and never will be. —
We mean to ignore certain matters in
the Index; because we think they have
no business there and could do no good
there. We shall be forced to speak out
boldly enough in defence and maintenance
of what we consider the right, and if any
of our brethren differ with us, all their
courteous communications shall have the
most respectful editorial attention. The
Index is not and shall not be a “mum”
mouth-piece of the Ga. Baptists. It is
their organ ; but it shall be our duty to
keep out of it such personalities as may
do harm. Such a course we pursued be
fore the Convention—in one instance to
wards a brother whom we almost feared
to meet. What then was our joy when
he grasped our hand and said : “ Brother
Boykin, I thank you for omitting a part of
my communication, for I w T as not in a right
spirit when I wrote it.”
We believe that brother more our
friend now than ever ; we love him more,
certainly.
What, then, will the brethren have ?
Shall we make the Index a high toned
Christian paper—promotive of piety—
that a man can sit down to and relish af
ter hearing a soul-melting sormon ?
Shall we not continue to ignore those
matters and issues that tend to create
strife, tho’ Christian discussion of princi
ples be still allowed ? Shall we not make
it a paper that a father can hand to his
child and say, “ There, my child, read
that—it will be to your advantage ?”
God helping, we intend to try and make
it such a paper, and though we will not
say “stand by us,’’ we do say to the Bap
tists of our beloved State, by the glorious
past and by the bright hopes of the fu
ture, sustain your old Denominational or
gan.
Elder J. E. Ryerson.
This brother arrived in Rome last week,
having been invited by the Baptist church
to preach for them. We w T ere absent on
Sabbath last, but learn that Eld. Ryerson
preached in the morning and evening to
a very large congregation, and will (D.
Y.) preach again next Sabbath ?
[B. Baptist.
We have omitted heretofore to mention
that brother Ryerson preached in Macon
on Monday night after the Convention, in
the Baptist church, to a crowded house,
among whom we noticed the Governor,
Hon. Lott Warren, 11. E. Taliaferro, Rev.
J. T. Tiehenor, and many Baptist breth
ren.
His text was, “Godliness is profitable
unto all things.’’ As might have been
expected he was not pathetic; but he
treated his subject in an unusual manner,
and by his eloquence-mid the beauty of
his language, kept the assembly attentive
for more than an hour.
lie may accept a call to Rome ; or he
may accept a position of influence in the
Cresent city—it is uncertain.
Cherokee Bap. Convention.
We expect to attend this Convention
and make an attempt to establish friendly
relations with our brethren of the moun
tains. We fear there is less intimacy of
acquaintance between the Baptists of up
per and lower Georgia than there ought
to be. So, to manifest our good will and
endeavor to help the circulation of the
Index in the upcountry, we will attend
the Convention, (D. Y.)
Gov. Brown.
*We think the editorial of the S. W.
Baptist of the 3d, was written under a
misapprehension.
All who heard Gov. Brown’s remarks
in the Convention, will bear witness that
they were offered in the kindest manner;
nor does any one believe that he intended
an attack upon any one, his great object
being to preserve harmony in the Con
vention, which he could have illy have at
tempted by the manifestation of an un
christian temper or spiteful allusion, in
himself.
Kentucky General Association
Met at Elizabethtown on Friday, and
adjourned on Monday the ‘Hh inst. El
der Coleman was Moderator, and the ses
sion was harmonious and pleasant. The
report of a committee upon the S. S. U
nion was not admitted. The Association
recommended the Bible Board of the
Southern Bap. Convention, and advised
the formation of Bible Societies in Ken
tucky.
Come and see for yourself.
Parents and Guardians of the city of
Macon, wishing to give their daughters
and w’ards a thorough and finished educa
tion, would do well to call at the Select
School of Mr. I. R. Branham, and observe
his manner, of teaching, bis thorough sys
tem of instruction. He would be pleased
to have spectators present during any of
the hours of recitation. It may be to
your interest to come and see for yourself.
y A Patron.
A Teacher.
Savannah, May sth, 1860.
Dear Bro. Boykin :
The union Society of this city are in
quest of a teacher to take charge of the
Boys, under the watch care of that Insti
tution, and the thought has suggested it
self, that there may be some student in
Mercer University to whom the place
would be acceptable. There are forty
one Boys to be taught and overlooked,
and the salary is Six Hundred Dollars per
annum and board and lodging free. Any
further information can be had by addres
sing the President, Col. A. B. Walker.
Yours truly, F.
Mell’s Church Discipline.
>
A few things about brother Mell’s Cor
rective Church Discipline. There were,
to my mind, some remarkable features
connected with brother Mell’s underta
king in the out set. That so many papers
should be engaged at the same time in
publishing the same article, was unusual.
1 concluded, however, and I suppose cor
rectly, that the author wished to make a
simultaneous impression on the Baptist
mind at least, so far as certain influences
had extended. To this I could see no
reason for objection. The next strange
feature was that he should request no one
to review him until the whole series were
closed. Brother Mell seemed to be con
scious* someone would follow ■with a re
view. Why ? This question I will not
undertake to answer. The sequel has
made the impression, on the minds of
many brethren, and unless brother Mell
shall explain satisfactorily or disclaim any
design to take undue advantage, his good
name may suffer, that he arranged his se
ries with reference to the sitting of the
Convention, so as to bring the last article
so near the Convention, that no one would
have time to review, and in the meantime
have his articles put in type by the S. B.
P. Society as fast as they came out, so
that when the Convention met, “Correc
tive Church Discipline’’ might be out in
book form having the sanction of that so
ciety, and of the several Editors who en
dorse it, together with the good name of
the author, to rule the Convention provi
ded a vote should be taken on the North
Alabama and Middle Tennessee Conven
tion, or any other relating to the Nash
ville difficulties. I have made the forego
ing statement with the kindest feelings to
brother Mell, and hope he will disabuse
the minds of the brethren.
I will state my objections in part, to
brother Mell’s Corrective Church Discip
line in a few words, for which I feel sure
brother Mell will not fall out with me. It
seems to me his whole aim was to protect
majorities, whereas majorities can usually
protect themselves ; but minorities need
protection by constitutions and laws, and
that he might have given in thirty lines
all that he did in the whole article. If ir
regularity nor wickedness in the bringing
ot a charge against a member will not pro
tect him or the minority against the ru
ling of the majority, it is because minori
ties, whether large or small have no rights
—hence it appears to me that bro. Mell
might have summed up the whole matter
and said : whatever the majority does is
right, until said majority thinks proper to
rescind. While many and weighty ob
jections might be urged, I will only say,
if brother Mell is right I have only mis
conceived the relative rights of majorities
and minorities, under the constitution of
Christ and his Apostles.
A word to the Board of the S. B. P.
Society. Will not Prof. Worrell’s re
view be published, or will that Board
make the impression of design in this
whole matter stronger on the minds of
brethren by not publishing it, and violate
its obligations to a large number of breth
ren, having as much interest in the Soci
ety as those whose wishes have already
been complied with ; and besides, will
the Board make itself a party in this mat
ter ? Fair play brethren is all we ask;
give us the review.
T. 11. Murphy.
“While at the Convention in Macon,
bro. Mell disavowed any complicity with
any editor or anybody else, and said that
he had not written to anybody in regard
to the objects of the series—that they
were written in reference to no particular
case, and that he was entirely willing that
these papers should publish articles op
posing his views.’’
The above extract is made from a late
editorial of Bro. Wood, and may place
brother Mell in a right position in the
eyes of many. We never thought he had
any ulterior designs in his “Discipline,”
and believe he wrote it during the leisure
of vacation—to occupy his time.
Letter from Dr. J. S. Baker.
Steamer blown iip —P reaching and
Baptism—a Magdalene Converted
—her baptism deferred.
Apalachicola, Fla., April 30, 18G0.
The mail Steamer, J. C. Calhoun, was
blown up yesterday morning on her up
ward trip with the mail from this place.
Six hands were sent down in the yawl
boat to communicate the sad intelligence.
They report six negroes lost, two passen
gers and the Captain and Mate badly scal
ded. This is the steamer on which I came
down the river, and on which I expected
to go up to-day. I sent by her, for you,
a copy of the “Apalachicola Times,” con
taining admonitory verses addressed to a
party of pleasure from Columbus. May
this sad catastrophe impress the truths
contained in those verses on the minds of
those to whom they were addressed.*
I preached my farewell here last night.
Only one white baptized and one colored
person received, whom I expect to bap
tize to-day. A Magdalene has professed
conversion and desires to unite with the
church ; but we deem it expedient for
her to evince, by her subsequent life, the
genuineness of her conversion,and thus se
cure the confidence of those with whom
she seeks to unite, before she offers to
join the church. Some of the good sis
ters could not, as yet, receive her to their
affections. She sees the propriety of fol
lowing the advice privately given, and
meekly and humbly acquiesces in it. I
have great hopes for her. Her contrition
appears .to be very deep, and her resolu
tion to lead anew life very firm. May
God enable her, by his grace, to hold out
faithful. It is very trying to our feelings
to decline receiving one who appears so
penitent and desirous to obey that Savior
whom she had so long rejected; but we
cannot, like the Savior, read the heart.—
Hence it is necessary to use great caution
in receiving into the church those whose
been notoriously sinful; other
wise the cause of Christ might be subjec
ted to public reproach, and the eternal
welfare of others be thereby damaged.—
It is better that one member should suf
fer, for a season, than that the whole body
should sustain permanent injury. So think
we ; others may think differently.
J. S. B.
[*The verses will be found on our first
page.—Ed.]
The Cash System again.
Dear Bro. Boykin :
I am glad some brother has brought
this matter up for consideration, and trust
that many editors and subscribers will be
profited by perusing it. I desire, howev
er* by way of impressing what our good
brother has written, to call attention to
one rule of editors, which strikes me as
unjust, thereby showing the greater ne
cessity for adopting the cash system. It
is this: “No paper discontinued till all
arrearages are paid.’’ Now what sort of
justice is there in such a rule? My Gro
cery merchant has the same right to send
on my annual supplies without any order
from me. Again, the law of newspapers
is generally conspicious in their columns.
One of them says, that “a refusal to take
a paper from the Post Office, is primae
facie evidence of fraud.” So the poor
subscriber who neglects to inform the
publisher to discontinue his paper, lays
himself liable, first, to have the paper
sent to him as long as the Editor chooses
(if he is good for it), and secondly, to be
prosecuted in the bargain for fraud. I
say nothing of the duties of the Post Mas
ter’s under the laws regulating newspa
pers and editors, except that, having for
a number of years acted as one, I know
how to sympathize with them. Now, if
the Government would abolish or repeal
all such regulations as laws, and let every
Editor, like every other man of business,
manage his own business, it would be the
best for all parties concerned. But, I
only wish to make a suggestion through
you to the “Index Committee” about the
Index. Adopt, as suggested by your
Correspondent, the “Cash System.” In
addition to this, let the paper be furnished
to subscribers free of postage, attho same
price, $2. That is, you pay the postage
at Macon. The paper can be afforded at
that price. You will have less trouble,
and Uncle Sam cannot be swindled.
Yours sincerely,
LANDMARK.
Letter from Augusta.
Mr. Editor : The question, “ What
are we to do about a preacher ? Who
will we get for our next Pastor?’’ and
similar ones are the main questions that
trouble the Baptists here now. It is a
question of momentous importance as the
Pastor will have one of the most respon
sible positions that has ever been attached
to any minister that has ever occupied
the place. The church, as it now stands,
is in a critical condition. It is divided,
and there is not that oneness of purpose
that actuated the members in times past.
Some are in favor of withdrawing and es
tablishing a second church, others of se
lecting one who will endeavor, by precept
and example, to unite all these discordant
factions, and give to the church that state
ly eminence that it once enjoyed. Judg
ing from the present state of feeling, and
the way that things have worked since
it fell from its lofty position, I have my
doubts that any one ever will be enabled
to give harmony to its future, unless there
be a distinct church organized. I have
heard that some of the officials of the
church are in favor of things remaining
as they are now, have no regular Pastor
but fill the pulpit when any one is in town
that will preach to them. That, indeed,
would be a pretty state of affairs! The
whole church is divided on this point,
some being in favor of one and others of
another, each anxious for his favorite. —
This being the state of affairs, it is not ea
sily determined what course will be the
most productive of good. I have no
doubt jthat it will be the best policy to
select someone if they can,, and let all go
to work and bring about a change in the
feelings of the members, and all will be
well. Memrer.
Radical presents a jeu d'esprit that will
be relished by those who can guess his
identity.
The old Paths.
Mr. Christian Index, Sir—l am as
tonished out of measure to see you and
others contending for Boards. Boards,
sir, are named in the N. T. once, but
there in connexion with Paul’s shipwreck.
You will all be wrecked if you don’t let
Boards alone. I desire to walk in the old
paths, and am glad to see some missionary
brethren coming over to us, in repudia
ting Boards, Committees, and all those
family alliances, which Primitive folks
know nothing about.
The churches have been oppressed long
enough, and cheated out of their privi
leges too long. Societies and Boards are
unscriptural concerns —let the churches
do their appropriate work. I read about
parchment and scribes, but nothing about
printing, especially with steam power;
it is a profanation. In early times the
scribes wrote on parchment,but paper was
unknown; now we must return to primi
tive practice and every church scribe
write out copies of the Bible and other
books, on good stout parchment, not on
paper. Let all Committees to revise Sab
bath School and other books, be abolished
and every church do its own work in sen
ding out preachers and preparing books.
Publication Societies are all an abomina
tion. Popes may creep into Boards and
Publishing Committe s, but not into
churches. The old Landmarks must be
set up and the old paths found and walk
ed in. Your influence will be eclipsed by
other and better papers, if you advocate
the abominations. * Radical.
Summary.
PREMIUMS.
For the largest number of subscribers sent
us by the first of August: The Com
prehensive Commentary, and Andrew
Fuller’s Works, (or books of equal price
—giving him the choice.)
We will add Olshausen’s Commentary on
the New Testament if the list runs up
to 40.
For the largest amount of cash remitted,
in payment for new subscribers, in the
same time : Ten dollars’ worth of such
books as we shall think most preferable
to the person gaming the premium.
As will be seen, the same person lias a
chance of gaining both premiums. Let
all engage vigorously, then, in obtaining
new subscribers. We intend to make the
Index worthy of the recommendation of
its friends.
Rev. Dr. Maclay
We regret to learn of the death of the
Rev. Dr. Maclay. lie died in New ork
on the 22d, after a lingering illness, at the
age of 82. He succeeded the late Dr.
Cone, as the second President of the A
merican Bible Union. Recently he has
been an agent of the American and For
eign Bible Society, in whose behalf he
was a strenuous laborer before the for
mation of the Bible Union.
Paragraph Bible.
The Annotated Paragraph Bible, which
has been in preparation and in course of
publication by the London Religious
Tract Society for the last seven years, is
now complete. Duplicate plates are on
their way to this country, and the whole
Bible will soon be issued here as well as
in London. It is destined to have a large
circulation. Sheldon tfc Cos., are the pub
lishers in America.
Lee Street Church.
Dr. Isaac Cole has accepted the call of
this Baltimorean Church, of which Rev.
R. J. Wilson, now in Beaufort, S. C., was
Pastor.
He is to take charge immediately.
The Congress.
It was stated that Austria, Russia and
Prussia had agreed to the proposition that
the contemplated European Conference
of France, on the Swiss question should
meet in Paris? The Conference, it is pre
sumed, will be composed of the following
powers : Austria, France, England, Spain,
Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Sardinia, Swe
den and Switzerland, who will be repre
sented by their ambassadors to France.
Voting in Savoy.
The voting on the question of annexa
tion to France took place on Sunday the
23d ult. A dispatch from Chambery in the
Paris journals says, the enthusiasm was
immense, and that all efforts to induce the
people to abstain from voting completely
failed. The voting was almost unanimous
in favor of annexation.
Debrides.
The Hebrides and Orkneys are now
the scene of an outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, such as has not been witnessed in
all their previous history, and here, as in
Ireland, the physical manifestations, as
might have been expected,are more prev
alent.
Ireland.
The fields heretofore reaped seem rea
dy to yield anew harvest—in Dublin, in
Derry, Belfast, Cork and Sligo, the work
which seemed for a time at a stand-still,
is going forward with new power.
Convicted.
J. S. Harden, the young Methodist ex
horter who was charged with the murder
of his wife by poisoning, in New Jersey,
about a year since, was convicted of mur
der last week, after a very protracted
trial.
London.
“The revival in London is silently work
ing its way. Superficial observers are apt
to say that the excitement is dying out,
but this is a mistake. The kingdom of
God, at some periods more than others,
‘cometh not with observation,’ and there
are districts in London where the Spirit’s
work is going forward successfully, tho’
few hear of it beyond the circle of those
who are instruments in its promotion.”
Lewis Cass.
Hon. Lewis Cass has presented a lot for
building to the French Baptist Church in
Detroit, Mich.
Articles Received.
Commendable Strife, The Sab. School.
Obituaries Received.
Wm. W. Ferguson—A Friend-of Mrs.
Chisholm—from M. D. G., Z. P. R.
Christian Movement in Persia.
A German traveler sojourning about thir
teen years ago with a Prussian officer of high
rank, interested him in the Bible, and about
Christ. Soon 15 or 20 became equally inter
ested, and the traveler remained there 3 years
instructing them. ‘‘For ten years past,” says
Rev. S. B. Bergne, one of the Secretaries of
the British and Foreign Bible Society, who
has lately returned from Constantinople,
‘‘these few persons have assembled for thepur
aose of reading the New Testament and offer
ing up united prayer. By the Spirit’s teach
ing they have discovered truth after truth, and
all rejoice in the assnrance of a Saviour’s love.”
Mormons.
It is an ascertained fact that they derive
most of their supplies of converts from Eng
land and Scotland.
Turks.
It is stated that not less than 10,000 Turks
in Constantinople are in the habit of diligent
ly and earnestly studying the Bcriptures.
Ireland.
Crime has been most wonderfully diminished
in Ireland by the great Revival. This is cs
specially the case in Protestant counties.
Providence Working.
The Duke of Marlborough has given notice
in Parliament, that after Easter he will call
the attention of the House to the state of edu
cation in India, especially to the exclusion of
the Bible from the schools and colleges, for the
purpose of moving the following resolution :
“That the British Government in India, as the
representative of a Christian nation, is charged
with the duty of promoting the moral as well
as the social welfare of the people of that coun
try, and that, in order effectually to further
such objects, it is the opinion of this House