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THE CHRISTIAN INDEX, PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT MACON, GEORGIA. BY A COMMITTEE OF BRETHREN, FOR THE GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, Two Dollars in advance: or paid within the year If suffered to overrun the year, Two Dollars and one-half will be charged in all cases. SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor. VOLUME XXXIX. BOOK NOTICES. Illustrations of Scripture, suggested by a Tour through the Holy Land, by Horatio B. Hackett, D. D., Professor of Biblical Literature in New ton Theological Institution. New and Revised Edition. Boston, Gould k Lincoln. The author of this book is well known as a ripe scholar. His book is w hat it professes to be —a simple illustration of passages, incidents and allu sions of the Holy Scriptures ; for instance, he il lustrates the eastern mode of traveling, manners and customs, agriculture, its operations and im plements, geographical accuracy of the Bible, Jew ish opinions and usages, Ac., Ac. Ilis illustrations amount to explanations. After reading this book one understands better the Scriptures, ha3 light thrown on obscure passages, and has the scenes and incidents of sacred history brought vividly to his mind. Allusions to manners and customs be come comprehensible, and the topography of the country becomes more familiar. The book derives additional value from the con sideration of the fact that Dr. Hackett saw nearly all of that which he describes and explains. The Southern Gardner and Receipt Book, con taining valuable information, original and other wise, on all subjects connected with domestic and rural affairs, gardening, cookery, beverages, dairy, medical, veterinary and miscellaneous.— Third edition, revised and corrected by Mrs. Mary L. Edgeworth, Fort Valley, Houston co., Georgia. Another Southern book ; and a useful one we should judge, to tM cook, gardner, honsewife and farmer, as it contains much on all the topics men tioned above. May be had of Jno. W. Burke, Ag’t., Macon, Ga. Woman’s Home Book of Health, a work for mo thers and for families, on a plan, new, safe and efficient—showing, in plain language, how dis ease may be prevented and cured without the use of dangerous remedies, by John Stainback v\ ilson, M. D., of Columbus, Ga. This is a book intended for women, and one that they will read with benefit. Part I. contains a brief outline of the Structure and Functions of the human body in general; and Part 11. is devoted to Hygiene, or the Preservatien of Health. It. teaches the Laws of Health, inculcates the great truth that “ prevention is better than cure,” and that the secret of health is to be found in correct living , and not in swallowing drugs on all occa sions. Part 111. embraces the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of the Principal Diseases of Wo men. Pan IV. is devoted to Midwifery. Part 2d treats of air, light, drinks, diet, temper ature, exercise, sleep, dress, bathing, excretions, mental hygiene, all of which subjects are treated in a practical, sensible manner; and the advice given is sure to do good if followed. We can commend the book. The author says: “ We have simply tried to communicate that knowledge which is attainable by every person of ordinary intelligence, and which every woman, and especially every mother, should possess—that knowledge which will give the ability to distin guish many diseases in their early stages, while yet amenable to treatment —and to pursue a ra tional, safe, and efficient course for their romoval, instead of resorting to a medley of dangerous re cipes administered at haphazard.” Christian Baptism, set forth in the words of the Bible, by Andrew Wilberg, A. M., of Sweden, formerly a Lutheran Minister of the Established Church. Mr. Wiberg, a Swede, was educated at Upsala, ordained and settled as a Lutheran Pastor. Trou bled by the reflection that two only of thirty whom he admitted to the Lord’s table, gave evidence of conversion, he resigned bis position and became the editor of an evangelical Journal at Stockholm. And when Rev. F. 0. Nilsson was converted to a Baptist, Wiberg felt it his duty to defend Pedo baptism ; but much to his surprise, the result of his investigations was his own conversion to simi lar views. Intolerance being rampant in Sweden, and there being no one there to baptize him, he set out for the United States, but, on his way, was baptized by the banished Nilsson at Copenhagen. Arrived in the U. S. in 1852, he was employed by the Am. Bap. Pub. Society, first as Colporteur, and then as translator; and here he composed the book un der notice. Being appointed Superintendant of Colportage in Sweden he returned there soon af ter his work was finished in Swedish, leaving be hind him an English M3, copy. We are highly pleased with the work, being surprised that so much can be said in 300 pages, and we heartily recommend it to all. While it goes over all the old ground, it embraces much that is new in its method ; the author slights no objection, but confronts each boldly and carries conviction to the readers mind by his clear, cau tious, and inductive reasoning. He cites many pedo-baptist concessions, not generally known, ex amines every passage where baptism is spoken of, alluded to, or supposed to be alluded to, investi gates the claim of infant baptism as a successor to circumcision, and brings testimonies from the his tory of the Christian church down to the 4th and sth centuries in regard to the rite. This portion is interesting. He closes with an appendix on “Christian Bap tism as a pre-requisite to church fellowship and the Lord’s Supper,” which, though short, is ex haustive and satisfactory. STONY HEARTS. The stones rent and clave in sunder at the cruel death of Jesus; but the hearts of the Jews, more stony than stones are no whit me red. They rent not their garments, n uch less their hearts; whereas the earth rent the stones her bones, and the rocks her ribs. The flints are softer than they; the flints break, they harden. They still belch their malicious blasphemies, —the rocks relent; the stones are be come men, and the men stones. Oh, the senselessness of a hard heart! rocks will sooner break than that can be mollified. Even the hardest creatures are flexible to some agents, —flints to the rain, iron to the lire, stones to the hauimar ; but this heart yields to no thing, neither the showers of mercy, nor the hammer of reproof, nor the fire of judgments, but, like the filthy, are still the harder for beating. — Thomas Adams. 1629. JESUS IN THIS LIFE. “I want, : * said a young corporal one day to Hedley Vicars, “to have more of Jesus in this life.” Christ crucified is not a mere fund in reserve —a kind of extreme unction to help men to die in peace : it is the power which is dai ly to move the life —that they may live in holiness. #rgait at % §a. §ajj. Cmtkntmn: tototfb to Hftsskns, Religion, antr % Jittols xrf % §agtk fmnimatimr Review of “Corrective Church DISCIPLINE” THE CHURCH. No. 8. A local church is defined by Prof. Mell, to be “a local society, composed ot those, and those only, who profess regeneration and faith in Christ, and who have been immersed on a profes sion of that faith—who are able to meet together in one place, and who observe the ordinances and maintain the worship of God. This is the only external organization which the New Testament designates by the term church.” A little further on, it is said that baptism is an indispensable pre requisite to membership in the church. 1 am glad to see that Prof. Mell is becoming so nearly Baptistic in his definition of the church. The above certainly teaches that ail those sects, be they many or few, that have not been immersed, are not churches in the New Testament sense of the term. But on page 175, (Mell on Baptism,) he seems to teach a slightly different doctrine. He says : “The organized body ‘at Antioch’ (a Baptist church) is a church, and so is the organized body at Centre a church, though my Methodist brethren deny it, aud main tain that it is a society in the Method ist Episcopal church, South.” The reader will perceive that these views are not “identically the same yet the change is all for the better— every such change should be welcomed. The definition, as L conceive, lacks one thing. In speaking of person’s be ing immersed on a profession of their faith, he should have added the phrase, “by a properly qualified administra tor.” This is especially important in the case of Prof. Mell, since he else where teaches that a Methodist may baptize, when the church cannot find an administrator better qualified ! In answer to the question, would it be valid baptism, if a Methodist preach er, (the one in “charge at Centre,”) should immerse a believer, he says:— “Yes; if he and the church riSeant to express the belief that the immersion of a believer is alone baptism, and the administrator had himself been bap tized ; or if not, if the church and the subject could not find an administrator who comes up more fully to the scrip tural requirement.” It is to be hoped that the above suggestion will not be rejected. Let us not as Baptists, hold ing the truth of God, make any con cessions which conflict wfith the word of God, or bring into disrepute the teachings of our blessed Savior. Let us count it an honor, if we are censur ed for following, strictly, the doctines of our only Law-Giver. Let ns now take a glance at his next article —The feelings and actions ap propriate to a pious man, who has been unjustly accused. This article contains nearly a column of introductory matter, designing to show that “innocence” and “piety” do not always screen a church-member from slanderous and bitter persecutions at the hands of his brethren ; also that “jealousy and envy” may lead them to the same unholy—yea wicked work. “Where such a lot as this befalls a pious man, what will be his feelings and deportment.” The answer to this question deserves a brief notice. “Ist. lie submits himself to the di vine will, and patiently accepts the position assigned him. He acknowl edges the providence of God in all things, &e. It is true that the child of God ought to submit himself to the Divine will even in sore persecution ; but he ought, at the same time, to dis tinguish the human from the Divine will, Acquiscence in, and submission to, the Divine will, does not imply a tame submission to the malicious pur poses of those who seek to destroy the innocent and pious.” “2d. He will in all proper ways de fend himself against the charges alleged against him, &c. Certainly he will de fend himself in “all proper ways.” “3d. He will be careful to refrain lrom an indulgence of the spirit of his persecutors, and from a resort to the means employed by them.” The pious man, thus wantonly assail ed, /light to refrain from the malicious spirit of his persecutors. It is exceed ingly difficult, however, to do this—it is human to err. In the same paragraph, it is signifi cantly asked, “Shall he (the accused) make an appeal to the public through the newspapers, or by advertisement set up in conspicuous places, or by let ters missive to all the neighboring churches to be read in open confer ence ? Shall he thus in advance assail the motives of these men, wicked though they be ?” To these questions it may be an swered : These persecutors, by the supposi tion, are evidently under the influence of Satan ; else they strive to destroy an innocent, pious man. If, in connection with this fact, the persecuted member and other pious brethren in, and out of the church of which he is a member, should know, certainly, that these wicked persecu tors have a ruling influence over the majority of the members —with the knowledge of all these facts, who is prepared to affirm that an early dis closure of their wicked plans is wrong? I can conceive of circumstances which would justify a disclosure even through the newspapers! Such a disclosure might be one of the “proper ways” of defending himself. The character of the accused and that of the accusers, together with the facts and circa m MACON, GA., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1860 stances connected with both parties, should be taken into the account, and should decide, in a great measure, how and when the defence should be made. Who will contend that the wicked de signs of those who are under the gui dance of Satan, ought not to be frus trated, and exposed ? Whenever it becomes apparent that the evil spirit has taken possession of the majority of a church, the plans, counsels and ac tions of this majority do not deserve to be respected as if performed by those who are ruled by the Spirit of God. It by no means follows as an inevitable consequence, that the “inno cent” and “pious” man, who, under the above circumstances, exposes and thwarts the destructive designs of such wicked men, “has no defence to make for” himself. “4th. An innocent man arraigned is anxious that God’s cause and Christ’s church should suffer as little as possi ble, preferring to be immolated him self rather than principles dear to his own heart should be subverted. He values his -reputation as dearer than life, but he is not willing that this should be vindicated at the sacrifice of the principles and the forms that Christ kfts prescribed to be operative in such cases.” This (it Prof. M. will pardon me) is strange theology! It is assum ed here that “God’s cause” is one and the same with that of these wicked men ! Suppose the nefarious plans of such wicked conspirators should be frustrated, disconcerted, and wholly disappointed, would “ God’s cause” suffer? Would truth and justice re ceive any detriment ? The prosperity of “ God’s cause” is not promoted “when the wicked prosper.” Nor does the fact, that these wicked men have a controlling influence in the church, make it a sin to resist their well-stu died plans for his destiuction. The church of Christ suffers no disgrace, when such wicked purposes are expo sed and thwarted. Who will say that it does? Tiie absurdity of this doc trine will be more fully exhibited here after. Let it suffice for the present to say Christ has not submitted the in terests of his cause to any one but those who are willing to be governed by it—wicked conspirators act neither with the authority, nor with the ap probation of Christ. He may permit, but never approves such wickedness. A. S. Worrell. Talladega, Ala, March 6, 1860. LETTER FROM AFRICA. Short Sketch of the Beginning and Cause of the Troubles—Arrogance—Blood Exeited--Son ex patriated—Capture of Russel and Stone—lm prisoned seeeral days—Escape—Take a Circuit to get Horne—Bro. Reid insists upon the King giving him a “ messenger,” and sets out to the rescue, accompanied by an Engli-h Missionary. Awyaw, Africa, March 23, ’GO. My deal’ bro. Warren : When I wrote you in January, I had not the least idea that the country would be so disturbed by hostilities as it lias been and is now. In order to be intelligible I will pre face a little. Ibadon is by far the largest Yoruba town, and has generally led off in all the important movements in the Yor uban kingdom. Last April when the late King died, Ibadon took the lead in the funeral rites, and were the first to say who should be the successor.— They pointed out Aremo, the present King, to succeed his father, <tec. In this way they have been brought un der obligations to defend the king.— Hence,in the outset of hostilities, w r hen Are, the chief of Ijaye, reiused to de liver up the Oyo captives without re demption, on application, the Ibadon people became insulted and immedi ately joined this king to bring Are to terms. Since then there have been some kidnapping and slight skirmishing go ing on, but no serious battle has yet been fought. All public communica tion from every quarter is now closed with Ijaye. The affairs of this coun try are truly deplorable, and of such an uncertain character that no one can predict the final result. The people of Ibadon, Ijaye and Oyo, are so connec ted by family ties that none of them want to fight. They say, “ how can we light and kill our own relatives ?” This king, and those helping, have manifested a desire to stop the warfare, but Are has become desperate and will not listen to any proposal of peace from any source. He says he is a man and that this king is nothing but a boy, and that he will fight now so that his name will never be forgotten. Such arrogance has excited the ru lers of Oyo and Ibadon, and they now seem to be determined to humble Are before thej r stop. Small bands of war riors are coming in from various other towns to help the king. Are has had one of his chief men beheaded because he manifested a desire to leave the town and avoid what he deemed an un just warfare. He has expatriated one of his sons because he went to Ibadon and begged the authorities not to pros ecute the war against his father. I will perhaps be able to say more by the uext mail. What I am now going to relate is more accidental. fJitfn a test of the feel ings of this people against the white man. On the evening of the 19th ult., Are sent to brethren Phillips andStoue that Mr. Vaughn, a Liberian, who had set tled at Ido, a small town on the Abbe okuta road, was in some danger, and they had better send for him to come in. On the following morning ‘bro. Stone, and Mr. Russell, another Libe- rian, went to Ido to see about Yaughn. On their arrival they found that he had gone, and ]iis house vacant of almost everything. Russel then went into the town and inquire about him. He found a compauy of Ibadon warriors encamped there who immediately seiz ed him. He was, however, soon re leased by an officer. He explained to them who he was, and that his home was in Oyo, &c. Hejthinks after this explanation that he would soon have been permitted to return to Ijaye if bro. Stone had not come into the crowd. Bro. Stone had waited at the house some time for Bussel and then went in search of him. As soon as he came into the compauy he ‘was also seized, but was soon released by an officer who told him to escape. He attempt ed to do so but was again caught and taken from his horse, but was not in jured any, save losing his hat and handkerchief. After this, a consultation was held in regard to what course they should pursue with the prisoners. Some said kill them, some turn them loose, and others to carry them to Ibadon and deliver them up to the head military chief. They were then sent to Ibadon, about four hours travel, and given to the head military chief, who expressed great astonishment at the course pur sued towards them, and ordered them to be sent to the Church Missionary Station. They, on the following day, sent to the authorities to release them, but they could get no decision on their ease. They remained several days, but to no avail. On the 24tli they left Ibadon for this place, by the way of Iwo, and thence to Ijaye, a distance of 25 hours travel, while from Ibadon to Ijaye, direct, it is only five hours.— When they reached Iwo, they found that the direct road to this place was closed, and they would have to go by Ogbomishaw, ten hours travel farther. I must now take up another part of my story that all may be understood. On Thursday the 23d, after brethren Stone and Russel had left on Monday the 20th, I received a message from bro, Phillips, in Ijaye, of what had ta ken place. I immediately went to the king and asked a special messenger from him to the authorities of Ibadon, requesting him to release the white man and his companion if in their pos session. The king said he. would do so, but I must wait several days before he could get the messenger ready. On Saturday evening, after I had sent sev eral urgent requests to the king to has ten, he sent me word to be ready to start the next morning, Feb. £?. Mr. Menken, English Church Missionary in jbis tewn, who kinkly offered to go with me, myself, a Liberian, our nec essary servants, aud the king’s messen ger set out for Ibadon in search of the lost men, via Ido. In order to avoid contact with scouting parties, the mes senger led us along a very dim and unfrequented path. The bushes, vines, logs, and steep-banked streams, made our traveling very difficult. Two pla ces we had to alight from our horses, and found it difficult to get them past. We prosecuted our journey till G P. M., before we heard or saw any human being. We saw some game, and some “that appeared to be large during the day. At 6 P. M. we found a lone man on his farm, who told us that we could reach Ido between 8 or 9. rWe went on till 8, when’ our ears were saluted by the report of guns, and voices in the market of an Iwo farm village, called Feru. On reaching there we were airectad to the Rolle, or head man, who would not allow us to stay until he had sent and called the Elders of the town and consulted them. Af ter some consultation and many salu tations had passed between them and our messenger, we were permitted to stay, and lodgings were given us. We soon had some tea, for we had eaten but a little cold provision dining the day. We then retired for the night, and I thought that in all my life I had never performed such a Sabbath daye’ labor. [ Concluded next week.] BOARD QUESTION. Not long since we sent Rev .A. M. Poindexter a series of inquiries addressed to him officially—our desire being to obtain information, direct and authentic, for our readers. The replies of Bro. Poindexter will constitute a short series of articles that we com mend to the attention of our readers. Number. 2. Richmond, May 17th, 1860. Editor Christian Index : “Could not the present Board act as efficiently for the whole South, as for a part of it ? And for 200 Missiona ries, as for 20 ?” Certainly ; there is nothing in the nature of the case to prevent. Some additional expense of clerk hire might be neede 1 for corres pondence. Or rather, it might be nec essary to free the secretaries from the labor of attending to the papers. But very little additional otjice expense would be created by such an enlarge ment of the Missions of the Board. 10. “ Why is it necessary that a Board should decide as to the fitness of ap plicants for Missionary appointment ?” Simply because they are the appoint ing power. The brethren, in Conven tion has chosen to make them as such; and to the faithful discharge of this duty, it is necessary that they should form the acquaintance of the applicant, and judge for themselves as to his fit- ness. And there is reason for the course of the Convention in devolving this responsibility upon the Board.— Notice—the Board are not called upon to decide whether the applicant is fit ted for the ministry —they are not re quired, or empowered to license or or dain one as a minister. The single and only question before them is, “Is this brother suited to labor in such a Mis sionary field ?” Now, as a general fact, the applicant himself will know but little of the peculiarities of the field and the special adaptations need ed in the Missionary—the church of which he is a member still less. It is the duty of the Board to keep itself in formed upon these points. Hence it is in a better condition to judge of the fitness of the applicant for that particu lar field than is he, or his church. Nor does this at all reflect upon either of them, or interfere with the rights of the church. The church licenses, or ordains whom it sends him to any place where he may agree to go, and it may be willing to support him, with this the Board has nothing to do. But when it desires that one of its mem bers shall be supported out of a common fund , surely it should be willing to submit the propriety of such support to some common tribunal. Does the Macon church reflect at all upon other churches, or upon the character of Ministers, because it does not choose that, since the church at Atlanta has ordained a man, and he and it think he would admirably suit the pastor ship at Macon, he shall therelore be accepted and supported as such ? Does an Association assume episcopal j uris diction, when it appoints a committee to select and employ a Missionary to labor within its bounds ? Does such a committee invade the rights of the churches, because it inquires as to the fitness of an applicant for appoint ment? But there is another reason why the Board of Foreign Missions should form a personal acquaintance with applicants for appointment. If they are accepted they are brought into the most intimate relations with each other. For years they are to co operate in the great work —and by reason of the distance of the field, and the slowness of communication, there is much to try the patience, and awak en the fears of the parties. Now, if they know nothing of each other, how much less likely is the relation to prove pleasant and profitable, than where mutual attachments have been form ed. I speak from experience and ob servation both, on this question. This consideration alone, fully justifies the expenditure of time and money, nec essary to a brother’s coming from the most remote part of ihe country and spending some days with us here. 11. “Can any plan other than that now pursued, bring the Missionary and the churches nearer to each other?” Or be attended with less friction? In reply to these questions, I can only state facts. Opinions formed without a knowledge of the operation of other plans, either my own, or those of oth ers, are of little weight. It has been the policy of the Board to invite the co-operation of churches and Associations in sustaining Mis sionaries. When an Association has decided to support a Missionary, in some cases it has looked out for a Mis sionary, and recommended him to the Board for appointment; in others, the Board have recommended one to its adoption. In either case the Mission ary, as far as practicable, visits the churches, and thus forms a personal acquaintance with as many of the brethren as he can, and after he has gone to his field of labor, he is expect ed to correspond regularly with the Board, or committee of the Associa tion. The Missionary is appointed by the Board of the Convention, and sustains to them, and they to him, precisely the same relations as one for whose support no other body is responsible ; while, by reason of the tact that he is to derive his support from the contri butions of a particular Association, he regards himself as also their Missiona ry, and reports to them, as well as the Board. He has every reason for cul tivating their love and confidence which any other arrangement could give—unless it be that of mere self interest—while he is relieved from ap prehension of a failure of support on account of any local cause of diminish ed contributions, because the Board of the Convention is bound to support him, whether lunds sufficient are sent up by the Association or not. The Goshen Association, of Vir ginia, which has often been referred to as a model Association, has, from a very early period, been co-operating with the Board Upon this plan. So have other Associations. I am not aware of any friction or difficulty which the Board has had with any As sociation, or any cnurch on account of it. One Association, the liehoboth, Georgia, after having thus co-operated, has withdrawn; but there has been no difficulty between them and the Board. They thought they could manage mat ters better within their own body.— The Board, though regretting this de cision, believing it to be erroneous, have no disposition to complain, or object On the contrary, immediate ly upon being informed of the action of tile Association it tended such aid to them in supporting Foreign Mis sions, as it might be able to render. It is, and from the nature of the case must continue to be, the policy of the Board, to bring Missionaries into the most intimate and endearing relations to the churches. Upon the churches the Board is dependent for Missiona ries and for funds. There are no men to be sent out who are not members of the churches-—there are only a few con tributors except such. The members of the Board are themselves members of churches. They regard fidelity to the churches as entering into the very es sence of their allegiance to Christ.— What then should cause them to seek to weaken the ties between a Mission ary and his church and his brethren, or to throw any obstacle in the way of the fullest, freest, and most fraternal co-operation on the part of brethren and churches every where ‘ Affectionately yours in Christ, A. M. Poindexter, Cor. Sec., For M. 8., S. B. C. CORRESPONDENCE FROM NEW YORK. New York, May 22d, 1860. Dear Bro. Boykin : In mv last, I stated your regular cor respondent was ill, and that “Occa sional” would fill the place—then hop ing ere this, he would be in a position to resume his post of honor in your valeable family journal. But how mysterious are the ways of Provi dence ; little did I then think he would only arise from his own sick-bed,to take his anxious place beside the sick and dying-bed of a most fondly loved daugh ter. But so it is, his lovely of the love liest of daughters is no more ; cut down by disease and death, just as she was budding into womanhood. Universal ly loved and admired, and the picture of perfect health the day before she was taken and bid as fair for long life, as either of the many youthful readers of the Index. Her funeral took place from the church, where the deeply solemn and interesting ceremo ny was conducted by four of our city pastors, all sympathising most deeply with their afflicted and almost crushed brother minister. I will not attempt any description of the many interest ing addresses. Suffice it to say, the aim of the speakers was to improve the Dccasion, to Impress the multitude that had crowded every nook and corner of the church, with the importance of sa vingly seeking the Savior in their youth, together with appropriate words of sympathy to their afflicted pastor. I will venture farther, and allude to one of the most touching and affecting meeting, I was ever privileged to at tend. After the pastor had placed the remains of his loved daughter in the beautiful cemetery, where the silent dead sleep so quietly, and returned to his home to enjoy a day of silent and uninterrupted leisure with his God, to acknowledge to him, first, his deep sense of his goodness and love to him even in this, his sorest affliction—then requested his church to meet him last Friday evening in the vestry, that he might there, in the most free and un reserved manner, express to them his feelings. It was a profitable, as well as a melting season. As the greatly beloved pastor stood before his flock, and gave them a full account of his ex ercises during his affliction—how rich had been his expression of God’s love in his soul—how precious the Savior had appeared to him—never before had he known so much of the love of Christ—he felt he would say of a trdth, it is good to be afflicted, and I love the Lord because he hath chastised me.— Such a sweet and subdued spirit, I never before witnessed, every eye was filled with teais, and every heart was melted in love and sympathy for their pastor. But I have occupied more than I intended, of my letter, with what may be more interesting to my self than your readers. I had intended to give you an ac count of our Anniversaries, as May has become the month for the gather ing of the Saints of the Most High, of all shades of religious opinin, to celebrate their anniversaries, some thing after the manner of the Jews of old, when they were wnot to ga ther at Jerusalem to celebrate their national feasts. In this annual ga thering of God’s people, there is very much to interest the reflecting Chris tian. To recount all the Lord has done for them during the year—to acknowledge His mercies, and make mention of His goodness. But with this, we get much that is extringent and flourish; but it is ordained that the wheat and tares grow together, until the time of the harvest, when the Lord will separate them. The atten dance was less than unsual this year, owing in paH to the great scarcity of money at the West, where many of the ministers find it all they can do to live without leaving anything over, to in dulge in a trip to this American oern salem. The meeting of the Bible and Mis sionary Society, were of much interest; but the Tract Society as usual, became the chief source of interest, and result ed happily for its future stability and usefulness. Your own Dr. Fuller was the principle speaker on the occasion, and acquitted himself most nobly.— The large audience would not permit him to stop when he wanted to. His speech was eloquent, abounding in beautiful thoughts, that moved the hearts of his hearers, and commended the most strongly united efforts of all those who love the Savior, in their ef forts to promote his cause upon the earth, and had no sympathy with those who could not see any good outside of their own sect; for himself, he would love all who love our Savior, and labor to ‘promote His glory, and advance His Kingdom on the earth. I bad intended to say something Tterms of ilvertlging. For all transient advertising One Dollar per square of ten lines for the first, nod & cents pet MptuM for all subsequent publications, < RATES FOB CONTRACT ADVERTISING. 1 3qnare of 10 lines per 3 months -• 8 4 00 “ “ 10 lines “ <T 7 00 “ “10 lines “ 1 year—— 10 00 These lines are the text advertising lyvea the charge is for the space line a as are used in the body of an advertisement ‘YonT ger advertisements in the same ratio. N. S., VOL. 28, NO. 23. about our own anniversary, but will defer it to another occasion. Yours, Observer, INDIAN MISSIONS./’ SERIES V. <q. How long has there been a mis sion among the Indians ? A. In 1817, Rev. Humphrey Posey was appointed a Missionary among the Cherokees. He began his labors about 1820 at Yalley Town, on the HI wassee River, in Cherokee county, N. Carolina. * In 1820 Rev. Lee Compere was ap pointed a Missionary amongst the Creeks, and settled on the line of Ga. and Ala., either in Benton, or Ran dolph counties, Ala. Perhaps not un til 1835 or HO was there any Baptist mission amongst the Choctaws. A mongst the Chickasaws there is none still; among the Beminoles none; amongst the Witchittaws none. Who will go to these tribes ? Q. How long has the Southern Board had missions amorsgst the In dians ? A. Since the Transfer. Since Hum phrey Posey and Lee Compere, I can’t find out that there was any Southern man appointed until Henry Frieland Buckner, in 1847 or 8, I think. There are now 7 Southern missionaries at work. Q. Which is the nearest and best route in going out ? A. From Georgia by R. R. to Mem phis, via Chattanooga, then down the Mississippi to Napoleon, and up the Arkansas river to Ft. Smith. From Southern Alabama and Mississippi, the usual way is by New Orleans, and up the Mississippi River to NapoleoD, and then up the Arkansas to Fort Smith. Q. How long does it take to go out* A. When the Arkansas river is w/>, one can comefrom Macon to Ft. Smith in 10 or 12 days, and then two days to North Fork or Micco. Q. What does it cost ? A. From seventy-five to a hundred or more dollars a piece. It cost me for self and wife, I think, about $l9O. Q. Is there any danger from Arkan sas Hoosiers? A. Just keep all hands of!’ of Ark., it is a great and good State, and has as clever, kind hearted people living in it, as can be found anywhere in the world. I*B boats are safe, and the of ficers polite and agreeable ; fare first rate, and berths clean. Beware of the “Worsham House,” Memphis, Tenn. I got “sucked in” there to the tune of sl6 50 for a day and a half and two nights stopping.— Out-ra-ge-ous!! Q. Is the scenery pleasant and va ried ? A. O yes. Any one with a light, grateful heart, can find objects of in terest, amusement and profit, at every Us rn of the road. Q. Do the Indians hire themselves out to labor? A. Sometimes they do. Q. Are they industrious ? A. Not very : their farms don’t show much work. Q. What is the price of labor ? A. Men and worfien hire for four bits—so cents a day. A negro girl, or woman either, will hire for from $6 to $8 per month. A man $8 to sl2. Q. Do Indians chew and smoke much tobacco ? A. I think Uknowofbnt two Indian men who do not both chew and smoke. They pass the pipe around and every fellow takes a puff. Q. Do you smoke with them ? A. Never smoked or chewed in my life. ‘ Can’t go it. Q. Do they ever get offended at you ? A. O no. I don’t guess it hurts their feelings much, only they would like for me to carry a little piece of hitch-ie with me sometimes. Choc taws mix the dried leaves of Sumach with their tobacco. Q. Does polygamy prevail much ? A. Not much. It is not against the laws, but is discountenanced, and there are not a great many men m the nation who have two wives. Yours, J. S. MURROW. ♦Old Father Compere is still alive, living in Mississippi, and to this day is venerated and loved by a great many Creek Baptists. 11 ■ THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION. “Earth shall cast forth its dead, and they who dwell in dust shall awake and sing,” whilst even the tears of this night of sorrow shall sparkle in the light of Ilis glory as the dew of herbs. O what a hope is that of the resurrec tion ! Its energy is marvellous, reach ing forth to that within the veil, to a risen Jesus, to a life beyond the reach of death. Death is nowhere so asham ed as in the chamber of a dying be liever. There the victory is felt.— Weakness, mortality, corruption, all proclaim,” “As she has borne the im age of the earthly, so shall she bear the image of the heavenly.”— Lady Pow erscourt. Entire Consecration. —Mrs. Fry, the distinguished female philanthropist, solemnly declared to her daughter, in her last illness. “I can say one thing: 6ince my heart was first touched, at the age of seventeen, I believe I have never awakened from sleep, in sick ness or in health, by day or by night, without my first waking thought be ing how I might best serve my Lord.*’