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THE CHRISTIAN INDEX,
**)jBLIBHRD EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING
AT MACON, GEORGIA.
B 7 A COMMITTEE OF BRETHREN,
r , J 1 FOR THK
GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
A TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION,
Two Dollars in advance: or paid within the year
If suffered tooverrun theyea-.Two Dollars asd
one-halk will be charged in all cases.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
VOLUME XXXIX.
POETRY, ’
From tlts Sunday School Times.
“Strengthen with all might, according to his
glorious power, unto all patience and long suffer
ing with joyfulness.” Col. I. 11.
Work ! Christian laborer, work !
Now while ’tis called to-day ;
Toil in thy Master’s work,
And, toiling, watch and pray,
j The tempter bids thee pause and sleep;
f Work! if thou would’st the harvest reap.
Pray! Christian pilgrim, pray!
And keep thine armor bright,
Th rugged be the way,
Though cheerless be the night.
Through darkest night, and weariest day,
Pray without ceasing—Christian ! pray.
Fight! Christian soldier, fight!
The battle is the Lord’s—
Strong in Jehovah’s might,
The strength himself affords.
O’er foes without, and foes within,
Strong in the Lord, the day thou’lt win.
Wail! Christian workman, wait!
Nor yet impatient be,
In this thine earthly state,
Thy harvest time to see.
The Lord’s appointed time will come :
He’ll take his faithful wo:kmsn home.
Charleston, S. C., 1860. -A. T.
BOOK NOTICES.
Five Years in China, with some account of the
Great Rebellion, and a description of St. He
lena, by Charles Taylor, M. D., formerly Mis
sionary to China. Derby and N. Y.
412 pp. For sale by Jno. Burke, Agent. $1 00.
This is one of those books we would be glad to
have our readers peruse ; for it is full of the most
minute information in regard to China and the
Chinese, if the houses they live in, Chinese beg
gars and costumes, what ind how they eat, their
notions of medicine and disease, marriage, punish
ments, preparation of tea, funeral rites, schools,
inventions, oddities, religions, theatricals, infan
ticide, charitable institutions, singular customs,
and descriptions of the principal cities, an account
of the Great Rebellion is given, the author having
made two trips to the insurgent camp. The book
closes with a short account of a visit to St. Helena.
We advise the reading of this book, it may turn .
some Missionary to China, as a field wherein to
labor for the Savior. The type is large and the
style agreeable, both desirable concomitants to a
good book.
Premature Church Membership, by Rev. M. H.
Fory, A. M., with an introduction, by Rev. Ba
ron Stow', D. D., N. Y: A. D. F. Randolph.
This is a treatise upon the. evils, the cause, and
the preventive of undue haste in the admission ol
members to Christian churches. It comes warm
ly commended by Dr. Wm. R. Williams, and pre
faced by an able introductory chapter from the
pen of Dr. Stow.
We have oftet* deplored the premature admission
of members to the church, and inquired, “Is there
no remedy ?” The only preventative swe can see,
are developed in the last chapter of this bock,
which we sincerely hope all our ministers will ob
tain and study ; for it treats of all the evils of pre
mature church membership, the causes of it and
the resposibility resting on Spiritual guides.
Its chapters on Revivals, and Revivalists and on
the proper candidates for church membership are
interesting and will do good.
If all inquirers w'ouldread this book, they would
be vastly benefitied by it; as Dr. Williams says :
“It is written with force, and contains much of
discriminating and well-timed truth.”
The Baptists in Sweden, by Mrs. M. F. Anderson.
Arne. Baptist Publication Society.
This little volume of 192 pages, 18mo. is filled
with accounts of the “great things” which “the
Lord hath done” for his people in Sweden, w here
of every true Christian cannot but be “glad.” It
commences with a brief epitome of the early reli
gious history of Sweden, and then proceeds to un
fold the history of the rise and progress of Baptist
sentiments in that country, the narration of which
is truly wonderful. To give the reader an idea of
the remarkable success of Baptist sentiments there
during the last four years, we subjoin the follow
ing figures whish we find at the close of the vol.
Jan. 1856. Churches,... 12 Members,... 476
“ 1857. “ ... 21 “ ... 961
“ 1858. “ ...*45 “ ...2,105
“ 1859. “ 69 “ ...8,487
“ 1860. * “ ...102 “ ...4,548
We know’ <tf no increase in any other country,
in modern times, equal to this.
We are glad to know that the American Baptist
Pub’ication Society aided greatly in this gool
work. We find in the Book a sketch of the life
of Wiberg, author of a capital and original work
on Baptism. The book is accompanied with maps
and will be read with interest by Sabbath School
Scholars.
Mary Bi n van, the blind daughter.—
A story of the time of Bunyan.
It treats of Bunyan, his family, his history, his
troubles, trials, imprisonment, and of the distress
of his family, the main figure of the story being
Banyan's daughter. The author exhibits acquain
tance with the life and times of Bunyan; but uses
the language of this day in her portraiture. The
work is fascinating; it could not be otherwise, con
sidering that it is by the author of Grace Truman.
We hope the book will sell by thousands. It is
published by Sheldon & Cos. Price, $1 00.
The X. V. Chronicle says of it:
“The life, love and death-of the blind daughter,
Mary ; the heroic affection of the wife Elizabeth ;
the godly courage and persistency of Bunyan ; the
nobility and martyrdom of Elizabeth Gaunt; with
the doings and sufferings of others, who, with, the
same spirit bore persecution for Jesus’ sake, form
the staple of the book. It is no over-wrought
picture of the fiery ordear through which the Bap
tist confessors of the sixteenth century passed.”
Harpkrs Magazine for J tne.
This is an excedent number. The articles on
“New Bedford,” “Ancient Mounments in the Uni
ted States,” and “Insects belonging to the Cotton
Plant,” are especially interesting. Its different
departments show great'industry, taste and versa
tility, and altogether exhibit a very readable com
pound.
A Plea for Baptist Principles ; or, the Baptists
and the Ordinances.
A most sensible Tract, and one that presents our
denomination as occupying the only Scriptural
and consistent ground in regard to Baptism, In
fant sprinkling and close Communion; by Geo. W.
Anderson, pastor of the Lower Merion Church. —
Published by the Ame. Bap. Pub. Society. 72 pp.
Strictures os Rev. Wm. Haynes’ Review of Fil
ler and Wayland on Slavery, Second edition,
by Thomas Meredith, X. C., Gould & Lincoln ;
63 pp.
A triumphant demolishment of the author under
review. *
The Throne of David, from the consecration of
the Shepherd of Bethlehem, to the Rebellion
of Price Absalom. Being an'illustration of the
splendor, power and dominion of the reign of
the Shepherd, Poet, Warrior, King, and Proph
et, Ancestor and Type of Jesus; in a series of
<§rpn of % (§a. Coiibcnlmn: kbofri) to lidipn, anil fire interests of % baptist |)cnoinina(ion.
letters addressed by an Assyrian Ambassador,
resident at the Court of Saul and David, to his
Lord and King on the throne of Ninevah;
wherein the glory of Assyria, as well as the
magnificence of J uea is presented to the rea
der by an eye witness. Bv Rev. J. H. Ingra
ham, LL. D.
Those who have read “The Prince of House of
David” and the “Pillar of Fire,” will want to see
this book. Its style is elevated, florid and ambi
tious ; and the reading of the book will help to
give an idea of the grandeur and magnificence of
the Israelitish Kingdom at the time of David. We
have not taken time to read it, but its title is suf
ficiently descriptive of its contents.
SELECTIONS.
From the Banner and Baptist.
Review of “ Corrective Church
DISCIPLINE.” v
the relation the pastor sustains to
CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE.
Number. 0.
Comparatively little objection would
be urged against this article of Prof.
Mell, did not that same radical error,
growing out ot his improper classifica-
tion or offences, make its appearance
again. By throwing aside his “ private
(imaginary) offences,” and’ substituting
“ personal” (real) ones, most that is said
may be admitted. But it should be
observed that the above correction
will reverse the order of procedure in
a large number of cases; since thous
ands of cases which Prof. M. would
call “public,” are “personal offences,”
and should be settled according to Mat
thew 18.
I agree with Prof. M. that where
the pastor has been trespassed (sinned)
against, he has the same means of re
dress as a private member. This is
true, when the pastor’s membership is
in the samfr church with the offend
ing.”
It is well, too, as Prof. M. contends,
Tor the pastor not to “ take sides,” un
less the innocent mam is likely to suf
fer, or the guilty to triumph. In this
case, if the church will not administer
justice, the pastor should, in the prop
er way, strive to have justice done all
parties.
This would he his duty as a member,
but not as pastor of the church. Such
occasions test the nerve of his soul, hut
he must not remain silent, when he
sees justice trampled in the dust.
That the pastor has “entire control
of the principles that are operative in
the case,” is not the happiest phraseol
ogy. In what sense is the above true ?
The pastor has access to the jirinciples
of discipline as taught in the New Tes
tament, and he has access to the
church; but the church, and.not the
pastor, must “control,” “under Christ,”
“ the principles that are operative in
the case.”
“Again: He (the pastor) has noth
ing to do with the facts, or with the
guilt or innocence of the parties ; and
he should keep profoundly silent on
these— giving no occasion to infer what
his opinions are.” This is all good ad
vice so long as the church is inclined
to do right, and has all the necessary
evidence before her. But when the
church is about to decide a case of dis
cipline contrary to “ the facts,” the
pastor should, not in his official char
acter, but as a private member, express
his “ opinions,” either publicity or pri
vately, as circumstances and “ the
fact” in the case require. If the church
is not inclined to act as “ the facts”
justify, the pastor, as a member of the
church, should strive, in the proper
way, to influence it to do what is
right.
Once more: “In a serious dilflcul
ties he (the pastor) should direct his at
tention to the accomplishment of two
objects : First, to prevent the forma
tion of two parties in the church, &c.,
and second to make the combatants
themselves ashamed and tired of their
relations.”
The former suggestion is a good one.
The latter is a good one in some instan
ces, viz: where both the offended and
the offending are wrong; in this case,
the one in the right has no occasion to
feel “ ashamed,” nor is it the pastor’s
duty to try to make him feel so. With
these strictures, the present article may
be allowed to pass.
We now come to matters of more
vital importance. ‘‘Deductions from
previous principles. Church sovereign
ty and independence.”
Since “church sovereignty” and “in
dependence” have, of late, been dis
cussed by older and wiser pens, and
has been, as I suppose, settled in the
mind of the denomination, very little
need be said on these subjects. Let
this explain my brevity.
As the article now’ claiming our at
tention is quite lengthy, the points will
be discussed briefly.
1. “Local churches have exclusive
jurisdiction over their members.” —
Again: “Under Christ, every local
church has supreme jurisdiction over
its members.” This latter proposition
is preferable, since it marks the origin
and extent of the “jurisdiction” a
church has over its members. The
church at A cannot try the church
member at B as to his standing in his
church. I suppose this is what is
meant by ‘exclusive jurisdiction.’—
There is a sense, however, in which
the church at A may try a member of
the church at B, viz : where the privi
lege which the member at B claims, is
to be obtained from the church at A.
Suppose str. Smith, a member ot the
church at B, is guilty of some misde
meanor, or is engaged ic some busi
ness for which the church at A would
exclude one of her own members; the
church at B must refuse to admit, to
MACON, GA., WEDNESDAY) JUNE 20, 1860.
her communion, Mr. Smith ; and, in
doing this, she virtually decides that
he, in her opinion, ought to be exclud
ed from his own church. This decis
ion, be it remembered, can have no
direct influence on his standing in his
own church.
No church ought to allow a minister
to preach in her house, when that min
ister is guilty of conduct for which she
would exclude one of her own mem
bers. “ Under Christ”—i. e. under the
laws of Christ, and no further—each
church has jurisdiction over her own
members.
2. “Church sovereignty marks the
relation the church bears * * * *
to its own members ; and signifies her
power to govern them under the laws
of Christ.” I have no special objection
to this. The sovereignty of a church
is all “ under the laws ot* Christ.” The
power of a church to govern her own
members, must be restricted to the
laws of Christ.” Beyond the law of the
only lawgiver, the church has no sov
ereignty. When a church would “gov
ern” one of her members in a way dif
ferent from the laws of Christ, her sov
ereignty, so far, at least, as that act is
concerned —is forfeited.
3. “The sovereignty of a church is
subverted when her members success
fully rebel against her authority ; as
when a member under charges refuses
to he tried, and successfully tears him
self free from her jurisdiction.”
Should a member act thus, when the
church moves within the legitimate
sphere of her soverignty, he would
“subvert” to the extent of his rebel
lion, the sovereignty of the church ;
hut should the church forget herself,
and attempt to try an innocent mem
ber in a way different from the laws of
Christ, his refusal to submit to trial
would not subvert her
tor, according to the supposition, she
has no sovereignty when shells aside
the laws of Christ. The member does
not destroy her sovereignty, but the
church, by her own voluntary wicked
act, destroys it. Let the reader ponder
this view carefully.
4. “ Church independence marks the
relation that the church sustains to
other churches ; and signifies her free
dom from their control.”
There is not the slightest objection
to this definition. One church has no
right to say to a sister church, “ You
must or must not do this or that.” The
church at A must not dictate what the
church at B must do. Each church
must act for itself. This Baptists eve
rywhere concede.
5. “The independence of a church
is infringed upon when other churches,
associations or councils either volunta
rily or at the instigation ot her reces
sant member, interfere with the disci
pline, or otherwise attempt forcibly to
control her.” ‘
It may be inquired—
What is it for one church to inter
fere with the discipline of another ?
This will be noticed in a future arti
cle, as Prof. M. brings up the subject
again. Suffice it for the present to say,
that the independence of a church is
never taken from her, so long as she is
unrestrained in her action. The recep
tion of an excluded member into one
church, does not destroy the indepen
dence of the excluding church. The
latter may pass a thousand votes of ex
communication on the same member
even after the former has received the
excluded; or she may pass resolutions
censuring the church that received the
excluded member. Her independence
remains unimpaired so long as she has
the liberty of voting. True, a church
may, and sometimes is disappointed as
to the results of her (so called) disci
pline. She may, from jealousy or envy,
desire to crush a member by unscrip
tual means ; and, to effect this, exclude
him from the church. Other churches
seeing her tyrany, may offer the per
secuted man a place with them. This
would be an interception ot the design
of the discipline, but no interference
with the discipline itself. But more
of this Union.
[AY. 9 concluded next week.
LETTER FROM I. T. TICIIENOR.
Montgomery, Ala., June 4th.
Dear Bro. Boykin:
I did not And time while at Green
ville to comply witli your request, to
write you about the Theological Semi
nary, and now that I have returned
home, I scarcely know how to give
you such an account of it, as will do
justice to the Seminary and he accep
table to your readers.
I have always entertained my fears
in regard to Theological Institutions ;
and those fears have been based upon
“results too often seen. It not unfre
quently happens, that our young men
troin them delight themselves in dis
playing their knowledge of Greek and
Hebrew, and are so tilled with a sense
of their importance, us to be utterly
unfitted to preach the gospel to any or
dinary congregation.
But appreciating such a course of
Theological instruction as will make
men able -ministers of the New Testa
ment, I could not be content to set by,
while efforts were made by others to
establish one Theological Seminary
upon such a basis as would enable it
to meet the wants of our denomina
tion. Next to a learned ministry with
out piety, I dread a ministry composed
of men who cannot teach and will not
learn. I attended nearly all the pre
liminary meetings held, with a view to
establish such an Institution, and
watched with deep interest, sometimes
with fears, the gradual development of
the plan on which this Seminary is
founded, and which distinguishes it
from all other Theological Institutions.
When the meeting held in Green
ville in May, 1858,Jaid the foundation
ot this “School of Prophets” upon the
idea of giving to every man, who might
seek instruction there, such a course
as would best fit him for his work of
preaching Christ, I rejoiced with trem
bling. This plan was, of all others,
most likely to give us such a school as
we needed. Requiring no high grade
of scholarship to enter it and adopting
the course to meet the necesssities of
the students, it would bring all classes
of our rising ministry together, and
unite them in bonds of love and Chris
tian sympathy.
When in May, 1859, the present
faculty were eiected to take charge of
its interests, I felt that in them we had
a guarantee, that, if the idea was prac
ticable, it would be made to work.—
Os these brethren, I have it in my
heart to say many things which their
modesty and the proprieties of the
case forbid me to say to the public.—
If I should tell the world what I would
tell you in the privacy of your sanc
tum, it would look like man-worship,
and this, as a man, and especially as a
Baptist, I abhor.
Knowing them before their connec
tion wAh this Institution, no other men
would have given me so much confi
dence in the success of the enterprise.
Young, energetic, thoroughly educa
ted, above all eminently pious, they
are the men to whom we caa most
readily confide the training of our ris
ing ministry.
But still the thought would some
times intrude itself, that, after all, they
were bwt men, arid that they might
soon overrate the intellectual and un
dervalue the spiritual qualifications for
the work of the ministry. After the
opening of first session last October, I
watched with no ordinary interest,
everything that indicated the prevail
ing tone and spirit of the Institution.
All the tidings that leached me
were favorable. The energy with
which the students entered upon the
work, the number and variety of the
spiritual exercises connected with the
Seminary, the interest taken by the
Professors in these meetings, the wil
lingness of the students to preach the
Gospel to the poor, their efforts to es
tablish Sunday Schools in the vicinity
of Greenville, had all prepared me to
be pleased with my visit to the Semi
nary. But not until 1 attended the
commencement exercises, did I realize
the full extent of the spirit which is
infused into the course of study.
“Education aud Missions,” might he
taken as the motto of the Institution.
I attended one of the Missionary So
cieties connected with the Seminary.
One of the Professors presided, and
two others sat among their brethren.
The remaining one was attending the
meeting ot the Board of Trustees, or
he would have been present.
It was worth a meeting to see
those young brethren, some ot them
recently from the plow, some fresh
from University Halls, with no spirit
of jealousy, but with the most cordial
Christian affection, mingling together
their prayers and tears for the cause
of their common Master.
At that meeting I heard one of the
Professors give his parting advice to
his classes. They had been engaged
in the study of Old Testament in Eng
lish and Hebrew. Alluding to the
criticisms, on which so much time had
been spent, he said, “My Brethren,
keep all this as far as possible from
your sermons.” He quoted and adopt
ed the remark of Dr. Witherspoon,
through whose instrumentality, main
ly, the Princeton College was built up;
“Accursed he all knowledge that op
poses the cross of Christ; accrused be
all knowledge which diverts from the
cross of Christ; accursed be all knowl
edge that is not subservient to the
cross of Christ.”
With this spirit prevailing in the
Seminary, we may feel that the pray
ers of our brethren have been answer
ed ; that God has regarded the cries
and tears of the wise and good of our
denomination, when they have be
sought Him to aid in building “a school
of the prophets” for the glory of his
name. My every fear has vanished.
Most cordially can I endorse this
movement, and most confidently do I
expect, by the blessing of God, it will
live to be a light to the world when
the current of years shall have borne
us to the great ocean of Eternity.
And now I have written you so long
a letter, that I have little room to tell
you about Greeryfille itself, or the Com
mencement Excises. The town is
beautifully situated in an elevated re
gion in sight of the Blue Ridge. It
would be a delightful summer resort
to low country men like ourselves. —
Bro. Manly says he finds very little
difference between the climate there
and that of Virginia.
The Commencement Exercises may
be briefly summed up as follows:
On Saturday night an address was
delivered before the Andrew Fuller
Society, by Bro. J. A. Chambliss, one
of the students.
Sunday morning the Commence
ment Sermon was preached by your
correspondent. Sunday night, the ser
mon before The Society for Missionary
Inquiry, was delivered by Rev. Dr.
Samson, of Washington City. Mon
day morning the Commencement Ad
dress was delivered by Bev. Dr. Man
i ly, of Ala., followed by an Address
and the conferring of Degrees, by Dr.
Boyce, chairman of the Faculty.
The Seminary, you know, is divided
| into eight schools, and a Diploma is
conferred upon the student graduating
in these schools. A full graduate of
the Seminary must have taken the en
tire course, and passed a searching ex
amination in all its departments.
I close this letter by urging you to
attend the next Commencement at
Greenville.
Yours, Truly,
I. T. Tichenok.
LETTER FROM ALMOST OUT OF
THE WORLD
TIDINTIS OF OUR INDIAN MISSIONARIES.
Little River, C. N. )
May 11th, ISOO. f
Dear IS to. jßoykin :
Six miles west from Jjicco, one huu
dred soutlnvest from the Creek Agen
cy, and one hundred and twenty-five
also west from the old Choctaw‘Agen
cy, we almost consider ourselves al
most out of the world, perhaps would,
Lad we not heard a man of veracity
say once that Micco was in the center;
and we are sure we are nearer Micco
than is Macon. You may be sure then
we were glad to be hailed at our own
gate the other day, by Bro. Willis
Burns, from the old Choctaw Agency.
He remained witli us six days over
Sabbath, #nd preached a most stirring
and arousing sermon, that is still leav
ing print, for the success of Saviour’s
cause. Bro. Burns gives a good ac
count of his own field of labor, says the
people manifest much interest in
preaching.
Bro. liogne, in the lower part of the
Choctaw Nation, from whom I receiv
ed a letter a few days since, reports
himself and family well. The Choc
taw Association will meet with one of
his churches on Thursday evening be
fore the 3rd Sabbath in September.
Last week I visited the North Fork
town, (Micco) and enjoyed the plea
sure of welcoming to the Creek Nation
and its Missionary labors, Bro. J. A.
Preston and his dear wife. His “pas
sage” out, was tedious and tiresome,
but he is now “regularly in,” and bids
fair to become a hold and faithful sol
dier. We shall he much mistaken if
lie does’nt, should he live, deal some
heavy blows upon sin, superstition and
error in his labors. With sister P., I
was acquainted “in the old country,”
and rejoiced to my very soul when I
welcomed her to the Creek Mission.—
A more suitable match, I think, could
hardly he found. Bro. P., has a big
body, and sister P., has a big heart, so
between them they are thoroughly fur
nished for any and every work.
I visisted my old home, bro. Buck
ner’s dwelling. Sister B. received me
with her usual cordiality and kindness.
I visited “the it was vacant
and in ruins, scraps of nouns, verbs and
Testaments were scattered around in
wild confusion. Hasten back bro. B.
for we need both you and your books.
Dear brethren and sisters, let me
urge} on, you who have not fione so,
send up a contribution to Marion for
the printing of those Creek transla
tions. A very small sum will pay for
the publishing of one book, will you
then, all of you send just enough to
give one book to a poor Indian man or
woman ? It may he the means of sav
ing a soul.
Let me acknowledge with a grateful
heart, the reception of two boxes of
presents from friends and Christian
brethren and sisters in Georgia. One
from Perry, the other from Atlanta.— j
Each box contained many things of
value to us, such too as we were need
ing. If it has not impoverished you
brethren, it has certainly enriched us.
I would especially return thanks to
bro. and sister Tharp, Prof, and sister
Goode, and to Miss Mattie Y. Warren,
also to bro. J. F. Woodbury, Dr. Mas
sey and lady, bro. and sister Ilaygood,
bro. S. Boykin, and most affectionate
ly to the young gentlemen of the twi
light prayer meeting, at Penfield. God
bless them all. My library was espe
cially enriched, (and I hope my head
will be, ere long,) thanks to many, es
pecially sister Warren; Mrs. M. too
returns thanks, aud would express
thanks to Mrs. W. C. Moore and, “a
little girl,” God bless her. Farewell,
please do not forget us in prayer. In
an hour I start for an appointment a
good way off,
Yours in hope of Heaven,
J. S. Murrow.
BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE
DOOR AND KNOCK.—Rev. iii. 20.
He is bent upon admission. lie
stands; and he makes known his er
rand by liis unceasing knocks, that the
inmate may hear and open. lie longs
for entrance. lie must be in. To
dwell in us is that on which his heart
is set. O infinite Lover of souls, what
grace, what patience, what compas
sion, what loveliness, are thine ! O
bewitched and benighted soul of man,
shall he stand and knock in vain ‘.
Five Things. —ls we are to be the
“lights of the world,” there are five
things we must believe. That these is
a heaven. That there is a hell. In
the atonement of Jesus Christ, the son
•of God. In the value of the soul. In
the shortness of life, and its impor
tance in view of the terribly vast in
terests that depend upon it. And in
order that these five truths may have
their designed effect upon us, and lead
us to holy, heavenly lives, make us ac
tive, useful happy Christians, they
must be habitually , seriously prac
tically considered.
Come to Jesus, and he will give you |
a robe washed white in his own blood.i
He that hateth reproof is brutish, j
JACKSON—VICKSBURG.
Dr. jdro. Boyk in :
According to a partial promise made
you before leaving Georgia, I drop
you a few notes, by the wav.
Jackson—both you and your readers
are aware, is the capital of Mississip
pi. It appears rather in a declining
state from what is seen by a passing
stranger. Anew impetus may be
given to it, however, by the Great
Northern Railroad which is just com
pleted, connecting New Orleans with
the great system of Northern Rail roads.
But some of its inhabitants think that
the passing ot the Bailroad beyond
Jackson,'has been a decided injury to
the city. It has, theysay, about 5000
inhabitants, most of the denominations
are there represented—Catholics hold
a prominent place, next Episcopalians,
then Presbyteiians, then Methodists,
then Baptists, and Campbellites. Ido
not vouch for the truth of this state
ment, but this is the representation
made to me. The Baptists have a
small church, and I am told, a good
pastor. I did not have time to makq
his acquaintance Here is the State
House and Penitentiary. The latter
appears from a distance, a fine build
ing—and the State House is not with
out some architectural beauty. It is
rather a tasty, though ancient build
ing. They have, what I suppose is an
important matter in these parts, a
“Pistol Gallery,” where men are
taught scientifically to shoot at each
other, or rather, they are there trained
to shoot correctly—preparatory for du
elling.
Forty-eight miles from Jackson
brings on : by B. B. to Vicksburg.—
Thiity miles of the distance is over a
fiat, and rather poor country. This
valley of the Miss, is wonderful in its
extent. For a long distance it spreads
out on either side of the river. Ten :
miles before reaching Vicksburg, we !
come to the “hills,” which extend to
the bank of-the river. These are cu
rious in structure and appearance.—
They appear as an extended potatoe
field—partly planted in ridges, and
partly in hills. The soil seems a sort
of lime, and alluvial deposit, overly
ing, marl, and a kind of soap-stone. —
On such soil, and on the bank of the
“Father of Waters,” lies the city of
V icksburg. It and environs, contain i
about 8000 persons. It. is an old city j
—and like its neighbor, Jackson,
seems declining. It is the most hilly of
all the cities —still in some parts of it,
von see evidences of improvement.—
They are completing, it is said, the
best Court House in the South. It is
a magnificent structure for the pur
pose of the administration of justice,
and I trust, may never be the seat of in
justice. It is of modern finish, *and
costs 1 am told, nearly a million of dol
lars—this it seems to me. too much
however. The Great Northern or Cen
tral B. 11., as it*is called, has greatly
injured the’ boating business on the
river, and consequently, this city.—
But they are looking for compensa
tion, in part, from the B. B. in con
struction from this piece; to sfcreve
port, and farther West.
Following my instincts,' °Y
sought out the “seoteyery wher#spok
en againsf.” Bulr I found this one of
the places where they are not spoken
much against, because they are not
spoken much of. They are not here.
For years the little church here has
been aided by one of the Associations,
of this State, and the Don* Board, in
supporting the Pastor, a bro. Snod
grass, whom I did not have the pleas
ure of seeing. But from one of the
principal members, I gained the fol
lowing facts: They have 70 or 80
members in all—4o sabbath
scholars, a good, but rather small hoftse
of worship, and it about paid forf— I
There are only 5 or 6 male members
who take interest in the affairs of the
clinch. They have 300 volumes in sab
bath school library; they have just
dissolved their connection with their !
pastor, and are without a shepherd. —
They are in a destitute condition. —
Why is it, that the Baptists have taken j
such little interest in occupying the j
towns and cities? It is a mistaken pol- j
icy, and should be corrected. But my
time is out. They are now in waitiug
to take us from this place to Minden,
La. We are about to plunge into the
swamps of the Mississippi, just one
hundred miles in extent from this
point. Think of that—entering such
a swamp on the 2nd day of June.—
Morq-iinon. P.
RESULTS OF THE REVIVAL IN
ROME.
Rome, Ga., June 7th, 1860.
Editor Christian Index:
It is with a joyful and grateful heart
that 1 inform you, that God has mani
fested his saving presence in our midst,
and not only revived the church which !
had grown cold and .feeble, hut more
than forty souls have been led from
nature’s darkness, into the light of the
precious Gospel of Christ, and scores
are still seeking the salvation of God.
Our church, has been without a pastor
since the resignation of Prof. Ilillyer, |
last September, and dependant upon
the labors of our devoted Brother Still
well, who notwithstanding his pressing
and arduous secular duties has sup
plied the church once on the Sabbath.
The first Sabbath in May, the Rev. Dr.
Ryerson, visited us and was received
with open arms, by not only our own
church, but all classes of our citizens.
God blessed his every effort, and a stLti
of thoughtfulness and seriousness com
? menced. with many as the result of his
[ first effort; and increased with every
1 1 ** ‘ 5
Terms of Adverts sinsr.
For nil transient advertising One Dollar per square
often lines for the first, and 50 ctns per square for
all subsequent publications.
KATES FOR CONTRACT ADVERTISING.
1 square of 10 lyies per 3 months $ 4 00
“ “10 lines “ 6 “ 700
“ “10 lines “ 1 year io oo
These lines are the text advertising lines and th e
charge is for the space occupied by ten such line*
as are used in the body of an advertisement. Lon
ger advertisements in the same ratio.
N. S., VOL. 28, JVC). 25.
additional sermon until many asked
“ what they should do to be saved.”—
At lais time the Rev. Mr. Fisher came
from Atlanta, and for tot days they
have larbored together day and night
for the good of souls. Last Sabbath
Bro. Ryerson baptized fifteen joyful
converts, and will baptize more than
that number on next Sabbath, many of
them are our best citizens and heads
ot lainilies ; quite a number have and
will unite with the other churches of
our city.
The church has unanimously called
the Rev. J. E. Ryerson, D. D., to be
come its pastor, and the call is enthu
siastically seconded by the whole com
munity. Other denominations warm
ly welcome him in our midst. Broken
health has, however, decided him to
desist from all labor for some months,
and we will have to him up for a
tew days, when lie will leave Georgia
lor the North. May God restore him
to health and strength and to the South
again, and his future be one of unin
terrupted usefulness in winning souls
to Christ, is the prayer of hundreds in
this community as well as of your un
worthy servant.
Ax II l'jiei.e Follower of Jesus.
From the Louisiana Baptist.
WHITHER ARE WE DRIFTING?
Must the Nashville difficulties of
necessity result in a division of the de
nomination ? Is there no alternative ?
There is a fearful responsibility some
where. On whom shalHt rest? Bap
tists of the South, to you the appeal
comes. By the love you bear the Re
deemer, by principles dear; to every
Baptist heart, bj r the blood of our mar
tyred ancestors, interpose and arrest
the tide that is driving us upon the
frightful rock of schism. The blessed
Savior once “turned and looked upon
Peter. ‘ In that look was conveyed
a sentiment that had the desired ef
fect. May we not suppose that he be-*
holds, with the same glance of re
proach, the posture of affairs in our
beloved Zion ?
Think what is at stake. The inter
ests of the denomination—the love of
Christians one for another—the spread
of the g spel in the world. What
shall be done, and whose duty it is to
do it? Do I hear the answer, that
; “principle” is involved, and therefore
there can be no compromise? Stop,
<ny brother. May not the “principle”
of pride be the chief barrit r ? True,
while the present state of feeling lasts,
there’ can be no adjustment. The
breach is widening—difficulties are
•thickening—dangers are increasing.—
Now, I repeat, what shall be done?—
Where are our wise men ? Where our
patriarchs They do not answer.—
There is too much involved to let mat
ters go on as heretofore. No one else
has spoken; none seem disposed to
take the initiative. Then hear me for
my God and Savior. Come to my aid,
ye sages of the church. Mighty mas
ses of the great Baptist family, breast
the storm.
Let each, as he reads this, ask him
self the question as a lover of Jesus,
What can Ido ? First, my brother,
decide what you will not do. Have
you hitherto takes sides in the contest ?
Have you entered into heated disputes
in defence of your favorites? Dave
you suffered yourself to utter bitter
things against those you considered in
the wrong? Then you can stop all
this. Let a truce be enteced into for
six months. Let those Baptist papers
which have been involved in the con
flict, take down the red Hag for the
time. The supplies being cut off, the
soldiers in the ranks will no longer
revel in blood. Six months is not long,
yet long enough to give time for reflec
tion and prayer. Do not write, do
not talk, do not even think (Except as
a subject of prayer,) of the personal
difficulties, but pray* and strive after
the Spirit of Christ. Meantime let the
old and wise ones of the church devise
terms of settlement.
Now, dear brethren, what say you ?
Bro. Lee, will you not second the
move ? What say the Tennessee Bap
tist and Baptist Standard ? The Reli
gious Herald has not been a party to
the contest, yet I have known brother
Sauds long and know he will favor
peace. Bro*-Farrar, we fonght side by
side in other days; bring up the Mis
sissippi Baptist to the rescue. Bro.
Baines, too; I know his spirit, and re
ly confidently on his co-operation.—
The Texas Baptist will rally its forces
to stem the torrent. Other papers
that love Christ a*nd his cause more
than the gratification of personal feel
ing, will speak favorably, I feel sure.
A now have written what was in my
heart, and pray God to take the mat
ter in his own hands, and overrule to
bis own glory and the advancement ot
his cause. F. Courtney.
Mt. Lebanon, La.
Will Baptist papers please copy ?
Lady Byron. —This lady, a few days previ
ous to her death, sent the sum of two hundred
dollars to the Sicilian committee of London, in
aid of the Garibaldi fund. By her death her el
dest grandson, aged twenty-four years, enters
the House of Lords as Baron Wentworth.
A short time since a child of Mr. Evering
hain, residing in South Troy, Mas seized with
an alarming illness, the prevalent symptoms be
ing violent spasms of coughing. After the
lapse cf a week, during which time this myste
rious attack continued, the child spn. out a large
carpet-tack, Mrhich had been lodged in its wind
pipe, and caused all the trouble. It is now do
ing well. !
Another Wonder. —A most magnificent
cave has been discovered in El Dorado county
California. Several large rooms M ere found in
it, several hundred feet in length by nearly as
many broad, and a lake, the extent of M'hich
is as’ yet unknown. The floors as well stasa
lactities are all of a beautiful white crystalized
marble.