Newspaper Page Text
rm-: Christian index.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
MACON, G-A.
Wednesday, May 23, 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. UAYGOOD, AgH.for Index
Premiums.
See the offer of premiums made
in another column. It is made in
all good faith ; and the prize will
be promptly paid T>ver to the bro
ther who sends us the most new
subscribers by the first of August.
We ask all our ministering breth
ren to engage in the contest as
they have an opportunity of secur
ing some excellent Books.
A careful account will be kept
at this office.
—oa.. .•<•>•
Reply to an Anti-Mission Letter.
S. Boykin —Bear Sir : I am in receipt
of the Christian Index, of the 2d inst. I
do not wish to take the paper. If it was
your individual property I should certain
ly become a life time subscriber, or at least
as long as I could raise two dollars to pay
for it. But it is the property of the Geor
gia Baptist Convention, a Missionary in
stitution, which I hold to be subversive
of the great and fundamental truths of the
Bible, and assuming the Bible as authori
ty for their operations, whatever of prof
its mav accrue Tom the publication of the
paper is to aid in building up and strength
ening the hands of this great monstrosity.
Holding the views I do in regard to Con
ventions and Missions, I would be recre
ant to my own just sense of honor, to
contribute a mill, even indirectly, to the
support of a cause which I consider the
cause of devils, and only organized to did
dle weak-minded men and women out of
their hard earnings. Remember, I have
no objection to the Index with S. Boykin
as editor. Throw off your Missionary
gown and I will gladly take the paper.—
With this explanation you will please dis
continue the paper. I took the Champi
on because Mr. Walker received the prof
its of the concern.
Very respectfully,
F. M. Gray.
The above is from a friend of our youth.
At first we were tempted to reply sarcas
tically, but a wiser spirit ruled us. We
look upon him as the representative of a
class ; and we determined to make a so
ber, serious effort for his conversion to
missionary sentiments, hoping also to af
fect the minds of others who call them
selves Pritnitiue or anti-missionary Bap
tists.
We have endeavored to derive our ar
guments solely from the Scriptures, to
which they profess to yield believing alle
giance.
In Mark 3: 14, we learn that Jesus or
dained twelve that they should be with
him, and that lie might send them forth
to preach —which he did, saying, howev
er, “Go not in the way of the Gentiles
and into any city of the Samaritans enter
ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep
of the of Israel; and as ye go,
■preachy Matt. 10: 5,6, 7.
That he conferred on them the authority
to baptize also, is ascertained from Jno. 3:
22 and 4: 2. “After these things came Je
sus and his disciples into the land of Ju
dea, and there he tarried with them and
baptized —(though Jesus himself baptized
not but his disciples.)
And now, when he was about to ascend
on high, he commissions them to preach
and baptize in all the world, instead of, as
heretofore, among the Jew’s only. Says
lie, “All power (or authority) as head over
atl things to the church, is given me in
Heaven and in earth.” Whatever is ne
cessary for completing my scheme of re
demption I may do ; and I have determ
ined through the foolishness of preaching
to save them that believe ; “And (as) ye
are witnesses of these things—that it be
hooved Christ to suffer and to iie from
the dead the third day, and that repent
ance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations ,
(Luke 24: 47), such witnesses as are most
likely to be believed. “Go ye, teach (dis
ci pulize) all nations—baptizing them in the
name ot'the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost—teaching them to ob
serve all things whatsoever I have com
manded you. Matt. 29: 19, (and he said
unto them,) Go ye into all the world , and
premch the gospel to ettery creature , he that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved ;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And, lo !I am with you always ( tas pas
as emeras) all the days—every single day ,
even unto the end of the world, (Mark
16: 15 )
Thu, as plainly a3 a command could
be given, did Christ command his disciples
to preach as missionaries everywhere ; and
that this command was given to them as
the representatives of Christians to the end
of time, is proved by his saying, “Lo, I
am with you always (every day) even un
til the end of the world.’’
As may have been perceived above,
The Commission to preach the gospel to
rrll nations has been given three times ;
but Luke in the Acts, 1: 4,8, gives it in
another form “ And being assembled to
gether with them, he commanded them
that they should not depart from Jerusa
lem, but wait for the promise of the Fa
ther, ad ling, and (after the Holy Ghost is
come upon you) ye shall be witnesses un
to me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea,
and in Samaria and unto the uttermost pari
of the earths
We now wish to make a few remarks.
Christ came as a missionary to earth , (Acts
10: 38.) He ordained his disciples and
seit them forth to preaeh to the Jews on
]y; and when about to leave the earth he
said, “As my Father hath sent me, even
so send I you” —and he enlarged their
field of operations to the extent of the en
tire w r orld—commanding them to go and
make disciples from all nations, promising
them his assisting presence to the end of
time, for he looked upon them as the rep
resentatives only of all his people. He
proved that he w’as with them by ena
bling them to perform miracles, thus au
thenticating their commission; and this
he did for Paul who was not present when
the Commission was given, thus proving
that the Commission was given to all Chris
tians. lie told them that they “ should
take up serpents” without hurt: —if Paul
did this, ’twas a sign that/ie w r as included
in the Commission. But Paul w r as not
one of the twelve. Hence all Christians
are commissioned to “teach all nations
for if one beside the twelve w r as, all are.
But to show that missions are scriptu
ral w r e will quote Christ’s words to Paul
when in the Temple at Jerusalem. “De
part, for I will send thee far hence to the
Gentiles.” Acts 22: 21, “to open their
eyes and to turn them from darkness to
light.’’ Acts 26:18. And at the appoint
ed lime Paul was “separated” —set apart,
by the special order of the Holy Ghost,
for a work “whereunto he was called” by
Ilim—which work was the missionary
work, seeing their labors w’ere performed
under the Spirit’s Superintendance—He
“forbidding them to preach in Asia” and
“not suffering them to go into Bythinia.”
We might rest the entire matter here,
but we will give illustrative examples of
missionary labor. The example of Jonah,
Jon. 3:2; of the seventy, Luke 10:1,17;
of the Apostles, of Phillip, Acts 8: 5 ; of
Paul, of Silas, of Barnabas, of Timothy,
Acts 16: 3 ; of Noah, 2 Peter, 2: 5, Phile
mon 1, Ouesiphorus 2, Tim. 1:16, Aquil
la, Acts 18: 26, Apollos, Acts 18: 25, Wo
man of Samaria, Jno. 4: 29, Phillip, Jno.
1: 46, Andrew, Jno. 1:41, 42, the Shep
herds, Luke 2: 17, the Restored Demoni
ac, Mark 5: 20, all prove the duty of mis
sionary labor.
These, too are amply sufficient to prove
‘that the missionary character is the cor
rect scriptural character of God’s peo
ple. And we might rest contented with
having exhibited them; but we wish,
however, to advance a few other texts
which give the strongest support to mis
sionary operations.
“Others save with fear, pulling them
out of the fire,’’ Jude 25, makes it imper
ative on all. Nor should any opportuni
ty be neglected, “for we are not our own,”
considered himsell a “debtor
both\udhe Greeks and Baibarians and
was ready to preach the Gospel to them
at Rome also,” considering that “necessi
ty was laid upon him,’’ saying, “woe is un
to me, if I preach not the Gospel.’’ And
our Saviour himself taught that one who
had begun to follow should let not world
ly matters cause him to look back, after
putting his hand to the plow.
God purposed that “repentance and the
remission of sins should be preached a
mong all nations, Luke 24: 47 —even sep
arating Paul from his mother’s womb that
he might preach among the heathen, Gal.
1: 15, 16, it being according to his dispen
sation that the riches of the glory of this
mystery —(“which is Christ in them the
hope ot glory)—should be made known
unto the Gentiles. (Col. 1: 27.) and they
be enabled to call on the name of the
Lord. (Gen. 4: 26.)
But “How shall they call on him in
whom they have not believed ? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they
have not heard ? and how shall they hear
without a preacher ? and how shall they
preach except they be sent ? Rom. 10:
14. . But God has predicted and determ
ined that missionaries shall be sent among
the heathen,saying, “I will send those that
escape of them unto the nations —to Tar
shish, Pul and Lud, that draw the bow, to
Tubal and Javan, to the Isles afar off, that
have not heard my fame neither have seen
my glory—and they shall declare my glo
ry among the Gentiles, (Isaiah 66:10) un
til, as the waters cover the sea, so the
earth shall be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord ! Hab. 2: 24.
O, in view of the glorious results to flow
from missionary labor, should we not ex
claim with Isaiah, “How beautiful upon
the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidings—that publisheth
peaee-that bringeth good {idings of good,
that pub/isheth salvation —that saith unto
Zion, thy God reigneth !
Here for the present we leave this mat
ter, trusting that enough has been said to
convince any candid mind that missiona
ries, missionary labors, and missionary op
erations are scriptural, adding only that
“ the Lord hath ordained that they that
preach the Gospel should live of the Gos
pel,” 1 Cor. 9: 14, “for the laborer is wor
thy of his hire.” Luke 10: 7.
Co-operation of Church & Pastor.
PRAYER-MEETINGS.
2. Churches should co-operate with
their Pastors in sustaining prayer-meet
ings.
While the Savior has encouraged his
people to pray in private, he has, also, en
joined upon them the duty of meeting so
cially and praying together. But while
such meetings are confessedly of the great
est importance in promoting the spiritual
ity successfulness of the churches, none
are perhaps more difficult to sustain.
Men are naturally prone to grow weary
of recurring duties, and when their hearts
become cold and worldly, they can frame
many excuses for non-attendance upon
prayer-meeting.
Instead of making everything subservi
ent to religion, as they should do, too
many are disposed, in such matters, to
lose their action upon contingencies and,
living without any definite religious pur
pose, their attendance at prayer-meeting
is made to depend upon circumstances.
The weather is consulted ; and, often,
a little cloud which would scarce be ob
served on another occasion, is quite suf
ficient to confine them at home, and so
they are missed in the social gatherings
of their brethren.
Others consult their feelings; and as
their spiritual mercury does not range
very high, they soon discover that there
are sufficient reasons why they should not
be expected at the prayer-meeting.
They sat up very late the previous
night; and consequently have a dull
head-ache, and it w’ould be cruelly unrea
sonable to expect them to attend a pray
er-meeting under such circumstances.
Now r , the whole truth in such cases is,
that these “-creatures of circumstances,”
have simply ‘grown weary in well doing
and although they are under just as
much obligation to sustain the meetings
for prayer, as the Pastor, yet they permit
these meetings to linger on in a sickly con
dition or to die outright for want of prop
er encouragement and support. Now ev
ery one can see that here is “utterly a
fault.” For such conduct is downright
disobedience to Him who lias said, “neg
lect not the assembling of yourselves to
gether.”
The Pastor kr.ows that these meetings
—these much neglected meetings, are the
church’s l ight arm —aye, his right arm ;
and hence hr labors to keep them up.
But he is only one. What can he do
without co-operation ! He cannot even
have a meeting of his brethren. Most
truly should his labors, in this direction,
be warmly and promptly seconded by his
brethren, or else all his efforts will be in
vain.
And a church without a well attended
prayer-meeting would be like salt without
saltness—a lamp without light. Let
churches co-operate with their pastors in
these meetings ; let each member feel his
individual responsibility and the good re
sult will soon be realized by all.
It Biteth. like a Serpent.
“History tells m of a wine-goblet fash
ioned by a heathen. In the bottom of it
was ingeniously coiled up a serpent. —
When the goblet was filled, the viper was
not seen,but when the wine was about ex
hausted, then he sprang up, and with fie
ry eyes, open mouth, and extended fangs
appeared ready to strike.”
Two iveeks since we opened our batte
ries upon those Baptists who sell liquor—
concocted abominations, composed of poi
sons and coloring matter mixed with al
cohol, that are calculated to do injury and
injury only, Who, of late, has not read
the revelations of analysts appointed to
examine the stuff sold under the name of
brandy, wines, <fcc., without having the
very hearts’ blood recoil with horror on
discovering the strychnine and other del
eterious drugs which eirfer into the com
position of that which thousands are gulp
ing dow’n every day !
But let us take a broader view !
See the thirty thousand immortal be
ings who are killed yearly by ardent li
quors ! See the murderers, the idiots,
the maniacs that are caused by intem
perance ! Remember that three fourths
of all the crimes and all tha misery in
the world are occasioned by whisky !
The traffic is thus shown to he one
altogether inconsistent with that good
will to man, which is enjoned by God’s
law, It is not carrying out the golden
rule to do unto others as we would have
them do to us.
It dishonors God.
Whatever we do we must do to the hon
or of God: Does the liquor-seller do all to
the glory of God? Can he carry his
whiskey into his closet and on his knees
ask God to bless the sale of it, averring
that it is for the promotion of his honor?
Can the liquor seller avow that his
course promotes revivals ? Does not his
conscience tell him that what he is doing
is in direct opposition to religion and a
shame on his profession ? Does not the
Christian recollect that lie is hurrying souls
tn damnation by his course? Does he
not know that drunkards cannot inherit
the kingdom of heaven ? What shall we
say then of a Christian that persists in sel
ling that which makes drunkards ?
Does he give a satisfactory evidence of
piety ? “By their fruits ye shall know
them” —“He is the occasion of stumbling
to those for whom Christ died, and of
dark reproach on the church : he wilfully
helps consign millions to perdition : he is
the occasion of offence, grief, and discord
among brethren: he grieves the Iloly
Spirit: disregards the plain spirit of the
Bible ; and he shows that he has no real
love for man nor respect for God, but that
he is actuated by a sordid desire for gain,
at whatever cost.’’
As be who quaffs the cup of pleasure
finds at the bottom a lurking and veno
mous serpent, springing with fiery eyes
and open mouth, ready to dart his fangs,
so, he who sells the liquor that brings
“ wo, sorrow, contentions, babblings and
wounds,’’ will find at the last that lie is
laying up a treasure that will “bite like a
serpent and sting like an adder.”
Salvation.
“ A vessel was once wrecked at the
mouth of the river Panara, in South A
merica. The foundered crew took to
their boats. Having lost their reckoning,
and supposing they were on the wide
ocean, they pulled in a northern direction
with all the energy of desperation. At
last a vessel coming from Buenos Ayres
hove in sight. With eager delight they
hailed her, and desired the captain to take
them on boare. The captain was amazed
at the vehement earnestness which in tone
and gesture they displayed, and asked
what the matter was. They related their
story, and added that they had suffered
greatly lor want of water.
“Why,” said the captain, “you’ve been
in fresh water now these two days, and
all you needed to have done w r as to dip
your heads iu and drink !
Thus, traveler o’er the sea of time, you
have but to extend the hand ofFaith and
grasp salvation.
“Whosoever will let him take the water
of life freely.” God has prepared a free
salvation for whosoever is willing to take
it. He offers an all-sufficient Saviour, and
as many as receive Him to them he gives
the privilege of becoming the sons ofGod.
The only difficulty is, sinners do not know
or will not believe that they are thus float
ing on the sea of God’s mercy. They will
not believe that they may have a mighty
Saviour tor the simple taking. And they
do not know that simply to trust their
soul’s salvation in the almighty merits of
His atonement is the simple reception of
Him as their Saviour. They cannot get
their-conseni to let go all else and cling to
the simple merits of a crucified Redeemer.
G v sinners, ye who are hungering and
thirsting for eternal life—
• Jesus ready stands to save you,
He is able, He is willing.
Doubt no more.
Death.
“Sometimes death comes so near us that
W’e almost shudder, as though his cold
hand were about to be laid, upon us. —
Such were my feelings this morning when
I went to my place of business, and found
that my neighbor who had been in his
accustomed place only the day before, in
the enjoyment of apparent good health,
had gone to his heavenly rest.”
Who has not, at times, had a thrill of
awe pass through his frame, as Death has
suddenly smitten down one almost at his
side!
You almost felt the thrill of his icy
breath as he breathed upon the blasted
flower; and at such a time you murmured,
“Ere he can come again I will be ready.”
But before long the chilly dread passed
from your soul, and, all unconscious of
death, you joined the giddy throng in
pursuit of pleasure.
Unconverted man, pause. Death mut
ters words of fearful import to you, as
you are hastening on !
Unconverted woman, pause. Death
whispers in earnest accents that which
should attract your attention !
Giddy maiden, pause. Death earnest
ly invokes you as you whirl in the mazy
dance!
Light-hearted youth, pause. Death in
solemn tones is appealing to you !
Y r e worldly-minded sinners, that are
hurrying forward in gayety, in careful
thoughtfulness about this life, in utter for
getfulness of eternity, in total unprepar
edness for Death, to one and all the grim
monster says in tones of deepest warning,
“ Be ye also Ready”
Sweet Times.
An old woman of ninety-one years is
now living in Alleghany, in a little room
not much larger than two pews of a church
joined together. She has few friends on
earth and not a living relative. But she
is a Christian, and as happy and cheerful
as the day is long. I said to her on a recent
visit, “My good woman, don’t you feel
very lonely here ?” “Oh, no ! I have not
many friends, I know, but then Jesus and
I have such sweet times together !”
Thank God for religion ! Come pain,
come trouble, come sorrow, come afflic
tion, ’tis ever a solace, ever a soothing
balin.
Say, Christian, for wiiat would you bar
ter your sw’eet hopes of heaven ? For
how much would you part with those
“sweet times’’ you often have with your
Savior ?
Is it not this joy of your heart that Jesus
is yours —yours for time and eternity. Is
it not your consolation amid the storms
of sorrow, or a deluge of cares, or when
a world is frowning, that Jesus is yours ?
yours in the dark night,yours in the bright
sunshine, yours on a bed of death.
Vain, delusive world ! I have a place
you know not of—a joy you cannot give
nor take away.
Sinner, would you be happy ? Take
Jesus for your Saviour—embrace Him in
the arms of a living faith.
Then can you smile at Satan’s rage
And face a frowning world.
J. B. Taylor, D. D.
This Secretary of the Foreign Mission
Board is now traveling in the South-west
and has spent a day with us in Macon. —
He gives us to understand that the gene
ral feeling in regard to Foreign Missions
is very encouraging, and says that never
before have so many of our best young
men contemplated, at one time, an en
trance upon missionary life.
We wish him great success.
And just here, we would remark, most
distinctly, that our present “machinery”
as it has been called, is not only the best,
but the most economical—the plan pre
senting less friction and the one that
brings the missionary nearer to the people
(their supporters) than any yet devised.
The Board proposes to be nothing more
than an Agent between the Church and
Associations, and the men they send out.
Such an agent it is absolutely necessary
to have. In missionary operations three
things are necessary, the people to pay
the money, the agent through whom this
money is to pass, and the missionary to
whom the money is to go. By concert
of action the churches send their money
to their Associations; the Associations
remit it to the Agent, and the Agent trans
mits it to the missionary. Now the sim
ple questian arises, Is it not better and
cheaper for all the Southern Baptists to
unite in paying one Agent, or set of A
gents, than for each Association to have
its own agent ? Most assuredly.
State Conventions are either the chan
nel through which the Associations remit
their funds, or else they are merely a me
dium of report to let all know what each
is doing. They promote unity of action
and design, and thus most encourage and
foster missions in that State.
The Biennial Convention is nothing but
a rostrum for Report to all the States, and
the body which, by common consent, has
the appointing of the Agents through
which funds are to be transmitted, as is
meet.
Its effect is still more to give unity of
purpose and design to missionary opera
tions, and thus prevent scattered and in
efficient efforts.
COMMUNICATIONS.
Commendable Strife.
It is right to contend earnestly for the
faith which was once delivered to the
saints. It is right—nay a most urgent
duty to strive against sin and the devices
of the devil. There is such a thing as pro
voking one another in a gospel manner.
Paul well understood this, and forcibly
taught it. “And let us consider one an
other, to provoke unto love and to good
■works.’’ Many seem to have fallen out
with the religious contentions of the day:
well, brethren, what say you to this gos
pel fight of love and good works? We
must have some kind of earnest battles or
the world will never be subdued to the
Saviour—none of us will ever reach the
Kingdom of Heaven.
Our Alabama brethren have of late be
come somewhat pi ovoking. Brethren, will
we bear it quietly ? “ And what have
they done ?” Done? why they have out
stripped us this last year in their mission
ary contributions ; and what do you think,
one of these provoking brethren, had the
affrontery, or the faithfulness, (just as you
please) to remind us of the fact at the late
Missionary meeting at our Convention in
Macon. Kay, the brother (Tichenor, I
think they call him) volunteered to take
the Banner which we had carried for some
time, and bear it with him to Alabama !
Some four brethren threw in their caveat;
but, brethren of Georgia, it will be of no
use unless we bestir ourselves—have the
Banner the Alabamians will, and deserv
edly too. lam for fight—for a good-na
tured, loving, prayerful, earnest, Christian
battle. They are provoking us. Shall
we sit still ? Just to think —the Empire
State of the South —nearly one hundred
thousand Baptist brethren—to be beaten
by that trans-Chattahoochee State, young
er in years, less numerous in Baptists, and
though abundant in wealth, yet in this
respect still behind us. Our Georgia Zi
on must awake and put on strength.
The question was asked at the Mission
ary meeting, “why has Alabama outstrip
ped us?’’ I will here give one reason. —
Many of the brethren there entered hear
tily into the recommendation of our Rich
mond Convention, and devoted a week
to earnest prayer and labor for the cause
of missions. They arranged their meet
ings in due time, looked forward to them
with deep interest, and when the time ar
rived they went forth to their work with
a fervent and earnest spirit. They had
preaching, andnuissionary addresses and
much prayer ; their missionary contribu
tions in many places w r ere more than dou
bled ; and in many respects a Yiew and
beautiful impulse was given to the mis
sionary cause. We Georgians did but
little, I apprehend, in this way. Less at
tention was paid to these special efforts
than should have been ; and this will ac
count in part for our comparative failure.
And our Alabama brethren are prepar
ing for another provocation campaign.—
They arranged for it last year. They
were so comforted and encouraged by
these missionary labors, that they said one
to another, “This is a good work we will
try it again.’’ The time is hastening on,
and the brethren are setting the Battle in
order. Shall we not he provoked to love
and good works, and go and do likewise?
Our Foreign Missionary Com. of the
Bethel Association have recommended
the observance of a missionary week in
July. I am pleased, bro. Boykin, that
you have called attention to it. Ministers
and brethren of the Bethel, will you re
spond ? Rehoboth, what say you ? Cen
tral, Columbus, Western, Georgia, Wash
ington, Ebenezer, Sunbury, Sarepta, and
other sister Associations throughout the
State, will not your Ministers and breth
ren fall into the plan, and for one earnest,
blessed week meet together arid preach,
and talk, and sing, and pray about the
SALVATION OF TIIE WOULD ?
And loosen your purse-strings somewhat
also ? O what an animating theme for
the saints of the Lord. Every day should
it engage our anxieties; and by grafting
well an occasional special effort on what
we should regard a part of our daily work,
the most happy results might be looked
for. Our hearts would become more per
manently wed to the missionary cause. —
God in answer to prayer would send forth
more laborers into the harvest. Those
who are specially charged with carrying
forward our Missionary plans would be
greatly encouraged. Our missionaries
who are bearing the heat and burden of
the day on destitute fields at home, and
in heathen lands, would be made to re
joice anew. Christ, and, angels, and re
deemed saints above would be pleased ;
there would be joy in heaven.
Are we ready for the strife ? Who
shall have the Banner next year ?
C. D. M.
Letter from Dr. Fuller.
My Dear Brother —I have just return
ed from New York, where I went to ad
dress the Tract Society. It is one of the
noble bonds of union still left us,and there
fore I could not decline the invitation.
There was a vast body of most enligh
tened men from every part of the United
States, and never have I seen a more im
posing assembly.
The abolitionists attempted to introduce
some resolutions; but I am happy to say
that they met with a stern rebuke and
would not be allowed to profane that great
enterprise with their vapid fanaticism.
You ask me to send you something for
the Index. 1 had intended to send you a
letter ; but as to meddling with disputes
now going on, in some of the States, it
should be generally regarded as most pre
sumptuous in me.*
I deplore these quarrels most deeply,
and cannot see why brethren should be
thus angry. I hope that peace will yet
come out of these strifes. But I can only
pray. Others would be ready to censure
me for the impertinent intrusion of my
views,
The Society will print my speech and
I will send one to you, hoping it may do
good.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
R. Fuller.
*lt is not the desire of the editor to
introduce strife or “meddling’’ into the
Index ; but to refrain from both.
We hope Dr. Fuller will send a com
munication : we shall not expect nor ap
prehend any “meddling” from him—un
less it be meddling with the powers of
darkness to the extent of putting them
underfoot.
A Letter from the Seaboard.
We solicit news letters similar to the
following from all quarters.
Let them be short, spirited and written
on one side of the sheet only.
Ed. Index.
Bro. Boykin—Yesterday your corres
pondent accompanied an excursion party
on the steamer St. Johns, from Savannah
to Beaufort, S. C. As we fioated down
the Savannah river all classes and ages
manifested delight, and especially were
the children, taken from the crowded city,
jubilant in the fresh and balmy air, and
in view of the new scenes which opened
iP their delighted eyes. The passage was
the inland one from Tybee through Cali
bogue sound and up Broad river, thus a
voiding all the discomforts of sea-sickness.
I'he scenery by the way has but little va
riety ; the islands and the main land, pre
senting almost unbroken plains; and yet
at this season of the year these rice and
cotton plantations with their clusters of
white farm houses, aud occasional groups
of Eive-oak and Palmetto, present a lively
picture of trophical beauty.
Near Beaufort my attention was called
to the farm of Dr. Richard Fuller of Bal
timore. The residence lias a fine posit
ion and must be a quiet and attractive re
treat; one to which the doctor may re
turn with pleasure in the evening of life,
from the toils of a city pastorate.
Beaufort is a handsome town as you ap
proach it from the South. As our boat
remained but one hour, I could see but
little of the town. It is not so large as it
appears to be when first seen from the
river. I suppose the population to be a
bout one thousand whites. It is remark
able for two things. There is not a ho
tel OR A GROGSHOP IN THE TOWN. Both
are excluded as injurious to public morals;
the prevailing religious denominations are
the Baptists and Episcopalian. The re
cently called pastor of the Baptist church,
brother Wilson of Baltimore, is expected
this week, and the church is much en
couraged in prospect of his settlement a
mong them.
1 had the pleasure of taking brother
Cohen, of the St. Helena Island, by the
hand. He has resolved to leave his pres
ent field and settle with the church at
Newbern, N. C. May a successful minis
try await him in his new and larger field
of usefulness.
Those who have seen Savannah in win
ter only, can form no idea of its beauty in
the month of May. With its numerous
open squares carpeted with beautiful grass
and shaded by large trees of various
kinds, clothed with luxuriant leaves of
richest green, it presents a scene of pic
turesque beauty, rarely, if anywhere, sur
passed. The citizens, however, seem to
anticipate that the present charming
weather and lovely prospect will not last
through the summer. Business is about
over for the season, and they are prepar
ing to go, and already going, in all direc
tions, many of them to return no more un
til autumn. This annual migration is not
favorable to the religious interests of the
community. The business of the year is
crowded into six or eight months, and is
so intensely absorbing as to make it diffi
cult to gain attention to the great sub
ject of salvation ; and when this period is
past, the community is all astir for a de
parture to summer retreats. Here, how
ever, many go no further than the neigh
boring islands from which they occasion
ally return to enjoy religious services ol
the Sabbath.
In the Baptist church here things look
encouraging. The congregations are large
and an increasing state of religious feel
ing is manifest among the membership
generally. The last Covenant meeting
was a very useful and plesant one. A
number of brethren spoke cheerfully and
feelingly of their religious exerciser. I
am satisfied that the good results of that
meeting were experienced at the commu
nion season on Lord’s day. It is profita
ble to speak one to auother of our inner
life as well as to pray one for another.
I am glad that you are making a good
beginning in your new position as iditor
You need an especial supply of Divine
grace to meet your perplexing and deli
cate duties. I hope your brethren will
not forget to pray for their editor.
Affectionalely, L.
Savannah, May 11.
Extemporaneous Preaching.
I like this method of preaching. Let
the preacher study the Scriptures, and let
him study his subject well, if he can, and
if he has the leisure let him write dowm
his thoughts, but when he rises to preach
let him speak as his ideas How. Let him
not Strive to be eloquent, or beautiful, or
polished in his discourse, but let him use
simple, plain, intelligible language such as
the weakest hearer may understand. In
his illustrations let the preacher be as
abundant in Scripture quotations as pos
sible. In order to do this, he should com
mit to memory those passage which he
expects to avail himself of, in his contem
plated sermon, so that he may avoid the
confusion to himself and hearers incident
upon stoping to read while he is in the
act of preaching. The minister of Jesus
should go from the closet to the pulpit.
That is, he should endeavor to pray earn
estly by himself in secret for help to
preach, and when he undertakes, let him
depend on God to help him, to open his
mouth anti proclaim the mystery of the
gospel. Let him seek the guidance of the
Holy Spirit and not depend on his well
arranged skeleton, or his beautifully writ
ten manuscript. -Let his manner be easy,
simple and unaffected ; avoiding all mim
icry, and all disto.tion of features. Let
his continuance be gracefully sincere, but
natural, and his words, the words of truth
and soberness. Let him not attempt to
be eloquent in his discretions of the dis
tinction of the wicked, as though he pi i
ded himself in his abilities to depict in
awful terms the torments of the lost in
hell; but upon this solemn subject let his
words be direct and forcible, mingled
sweetly with sympathy and affectionate
condolence. Let the eloquence of the
pulpit be that of deep feeling; the allu
sions of a heart full of love and good will
towards men, and overflowing with grat
itude to God for the gift of his Sou and
the blessings of salvation and eternal life
through his name.
Sarepta Observer.
Summary.
PREMIUMS.
For the largest number ot 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 Commentarv 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 gaining the premium.
As will be seen, the same person has 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.
Hearnville, Ga., May 7th, 1860.
Bro. Boykin: Please find $2, for Index, with
my humble prayer for the downfall of Satan’s
kingdom, and the early building up of Christ’s
upon the ruins thereof, and that your heart
may be the habitation of the Holy Spirit to
lead you into all truth, that the light thereof
may be reflected in the Index.
Yours in love, C. N 11.
The above $2 pays you to No. 21, 18GI.
Bro. Boykin: I was a subscriber to the
Champion, but my wife takes the Index or 1
would take it. I will do all I can for its cir
culatiou though. p a. p
Hon. Howell Cobb.
The Macon Telegraph says : We are grati
fied to hear that there is a prospect that Hon.
Howell Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury, and
his interesting family, will take up their resi-*
dence iu Macon, after the expiration of his of
ficial term. — Chronicle Sentinel.
A mistake. Mrs. C. declined the gift from
heF brother, Jno. B. Lamar, of a $15,000
house, preferring not to reside in Macon.
See advertisement of ‘‘Situation Wanted.”
.The absence of the Book-Keeper will ac
count for there being no Receipt List this
week.
C. K. Hardin.
Your wishes are obeyed. You are credited
to the amount of $2.
P. S. I would like very much to take the
Index now for I like you as Editor and thepa
per will prosper in your hands ; but I do not
feel able at present. I will do all I can for
the paper, and may the blessing of God at
tend you, my brother, and may the heathen
be enlightened through God by the glorious
missionary enterprise. Pray for me.
Yours very truly, A. F. G.
T ou have just sent two new subscribers.—
That is equal to sl. Send two more and you
will thus pay for the Index for one year.
We send you the paper.
t. m. c.
We find it as you say on the Champion Re
ceipt List. We send Index to M. G. C., Green
Hill, and will let the other $1 pay for a yoar.
Bro. Boykin— Dear Sir: I like the Index.
You may send it in place of the Champion.—
My address is J. E., Fort Valley, Ga.
Paris.
Revivals in all essential features like those
in America, are said to be enjoyed in various
Churches of France, and the power of prayer
is felt and seen in the remarkable answers for
individurL and communities. A union pray
er-meeting is held in Paris by the English re
sidents every Monday at 3 P. M., presided
over alternately by ministers of different de
nominations or laymen; the attendance in
creases, and an earnest solemn spirit is diffused
ameng those present.
Father Chiniquy.
As the result of a visit to the French Cana
dian colonies in Illinois,Rev. Dr. Baird reports
that he finds in all 886 families, and nearly
6 200 persons who have left the Church of
Rome through the influence of Father Chiui
quy, during the last two years, In regard to
the distribution of the money and clothing
which had been sent to Rev. Mr. Staples and
Father Chiniquy, he says: “I am confident
that it has been as careful and judicious as
could be expected.”
Presbyterian Board.
The Presbyterian Board of Domestic Mis
sions will report this year an increase of more
than $20,000, and the Board of Foreign Mis
sions a still further increase of upwards of
$30,000 over the income of the previous year.
This exhibit is regarded as a satisfactory proof
of the vitality of the Church, and inspires its
members with fresh zeal.
Defeated.
A bill to enabie the clergy of the English
Established Church to celebrate Divine ser
vice in buildings other than consecrated edifi
ces, has been defeated !u the Home of Com
mons by the High Church party.
lion. Townsend Harris.
The death of Hon. Townsend Harris,United
States Minister, at Yedo, Japan, is confirmed
by private advices, and it is thought proper
and proposed that our Government shall take
fit notice of the calamity. Mr. Harris’ services
as a diplomast have been frequently applauded
by our wisest statesmen, and we have never
had a representative abroad more worthy of
honor.
Teetotal Movement.
The Jews of the city of Wilna have joined
the teetotal movement which has lately sprung
up in some of the more westerly provinces of
Russia. To invest their resolution with a high
er degree of solemnity, it was announced in
he synagogue, a special service having been