Newspaper Page Text
HIE CHRISTIAN IK DEI.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
TELEGKAPII POWER PRESS.
MACON, GK/A.
. 4+
Wednesday, June 20, 1860.
STANDING RULES.
AGENTS.
Rev. F. M. llaygood, General Agent.
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TIAN INDEX,” Macon, Georgia.
Some of the Causes why a Revi
val Spirit prevails not.
Last week we let our heart gush forth
its sentiments in relation to the state ol
our churches; and we have, since pen
ning the article, sent up special petitions
to the thrown of Grace, that it might be
instrumental, through Divine power, in
awakening the churches, and arousing a
revival spirit. But now, we wish to fol
low up that article by others bearing di
rectly upon the causes that hinder a gen
eral Revival in our denomination in the
State ; and if we be so fortunate as to un
veil a few of these causes, may He who
sitteth in the Heavens, so make the appli
cation to individual hearts and conscien
ces, that the glorious fruit of amendment,
renewed zeal, increased spirituality, gieat
er fervor and a wide spread desire to la
bor for Christ, be the immediate result. —
And, if we write with plainness, our
brethren must pardon us; for we make
no personal allusions, being actuated by a
simple desire to benefit all. And, lirst,
the controversies that have agitated our
Ziou, and have swept over, and are still
sweeping over our churches, have caused
the love of many to wax cold. Now, it
may be that someone will exclaim against
this, and say, “Shall we close our mouths
when fundamental principles are at stake?
Shall we let heresies, and disorders, and
disturbing influences exist, and not lift a
warning voice, nor peal forth a counterac
ting alarm, nor enlighten the minds ol
multitudes in regard to dangerous ten
dencies? Shall free discussion cease, be
cause ot’ the timorous fears of some, that
evil may result?’’
My dear brother, you mistake the point.
T’is not whether discussion is right or not;
nor is it whether or not we should con
trovert, when we see error raising one
of its hydra-heads. But it is simply this:
That discussions have been so long con
tinued : that controversies have been so
fiercely maintained : that the warfare ol
religious opinion—the strife in regard to
Christian principles, lias been so hotly con
tested, that brotherly love and gospel
charity have grown cold : that indifter
ence between brethren has sprung up:
that hard feeling has been originated:
that harmony has vanished in many pla
ces: that pride has taken the place of hu
mility, and obstinacy that of forbearance,
and disregard that of fond affection; and
that in the place of zeal for religion, there
has arisen a zeal tor party : that instead of
a fervent support, and a powerful advoca
cy of the most humbling doctrines of the
Cross, by which sinners might be conver
ted, and saints strengthened—there has
been too strong a determination to keep
the principles of one or another wing ol
the denomination in prominent view.—
Why, it was no longer than at our State
Convention, that a ministering brother
declined dining with us, until he knew
whom he was to meet, affirming that he
was sorry to say it, but that “some of us
are not on as good terms as they might
be!”
What a declaration ! llow shall all these
brethren unite in singing the song of Mo
ses and the Lamb, around the throne ol
God ? Can the past be forgotten or ob
literated ? If they are not on good terms
here, how will they be so in heaven ?
Go throughout this, and the adjoining
states, and consult the Baptists generally,
and ask them, privately, their opinions oJ
some of their brethren in Christ, whom,
by every tie of Christian duty and obliga
tion, they are bound to love and respect;
and, from their, replies, you will discovei
that they do not love and respect those
brethren. And, if we go into individual
churches or neighborhoods, we find breth
rtn of diverse sentiments, cool towards
one another, frequently professing not t<
eujoy the holy communion on that ac
count. And go into private families and
attempt to discuss certain exciting topics,
and, instantly, blood will become heated
and words be used and opinions be ex
pressed, that darken the fairness of a chris- j
tian escutcheon ; and the worst of it ig, j
that brethren can never be made to enter*
tain the feelings of cordiality to each they
once experienced before these differences
of sentiment were discovered.
Why is it, that the meetings of our con
ventions and associations are dreaded ?
Os our denominational newspapers, we
will say but little, lest we say too much ;
but how brethren can write what they
should not say , and print what would lead
to a personal combat, if uttered face to
face, we cannot perceive. Yet, in these
heated, partizan times, we are not afraid
to affirm that assertions have been made,
and charges preferred in print, which if
true, would call for immediate excommu
nition. And now, if we take a more scru
tinizing glance at our churches, we will
find them, with few exceptions, ill a cold,
dead condition —so little warmth and love,
and spirituality, and fervent devotion !
so little working for the of souls,
through love to Christ and his cause ! so
little cordiality and true brotherly feel
ing ! Such cold prayer-meetings! And
yet, question a member, and you will find
him “posted” in regard to matters of re
ligious controversy, and willing at once to
enter into an argument on the topics of
the day. lie takes two or three religious
papers, “just to keep up with the times,
and sec what is going on,’’ and, perhaps,
he carefully reserves his papers till the
quiet sabbath allows him to “post him
self.”
And now, the question, we repeat, is
not, after all, whether or not controversy
is right or wrong; but this : Have not
the controversies ol the day been one
of the causes of the want of a general
spirit of Revival in our churches?
Discussion is right enough in its proper
time, and when conducted in a proper
manner; but have not the discussions of
the past tended to draw the minds of our
people from vital godliness ? Has not the
Bible been neglected for the controvert
ing paper ? Has not prayer been neglec
ted, because our thoughts have been
turned from self to others —from our own
spiritual condition to watch the course of
those whom we consider it our duty to
watch ? And has not the sanctuary been
neglected because certain persons worship
there, or because our mood rendered us
averse to spiritual exercises?
And it these, or any of these things are
true, to a greater or less extent, may we
not discover one reason why times of re
freshing are so few and far between ?
Brethren, we put the question to you
in all candor, and if we are wrong ; if we
have misjudged, let ns suffer ; but let him
only who is without sin, cast the first
stone.
What then does it become Christians to
do? O, Father in heaven, thou knowest
all tilings ; give thy people wisdom in this
hour. Grant unto them the discernment
to discover the right course, and the hu
mility of heart and devoted ness of pur
pose—to walk in that course. If we mis
take not, the proper course for each one,
is to confess to God from his inmost soul,
his own short comings, and obtain forgive
ness for them, and then will he be pre
pared to forgive others. And then let
each, by contemplation and prayer, and
devout labors, so revive love to Christ in
his own bosom,'that love to his brethren
will spring up spontaneously in that bo
som. And when this love has grown in
to a flame, then will the prayer-meeting
be dear and sweet; the prayers fervent
and sincere, and the minister’s hand will
be upheld; and gradually a deepening
and widening solemnity will manifest it
self; and speedily will it appear that the
Lord lias indeed “visited his plantation.”
To promote these blessed results, would
it not be advisable to let the exciting top
ics of the day rest ? If editors and all
others would value the peace of Israel
more, and the prosperity of Zion rather
than of party, and for six months let con
troversy alone, and “stand up for Jesus”
with pen and mouth, many, many hin
drances to a general Revival of religion
would be abated. God grant that it be
so.
Letter and Remarks.
When we received the following letter,
we hoped that it was going to help us
solve the problem of Missionary plans ;
but it does not. It simply gives us to un
derstand that a Church or Association
may or may not “exercise jurisdiction”
over a Missionary by paying or not pay
ing “the entire expenses.”
We inform our brother that no “leading
official” instructed us to write the article
to which he refers.
The Letter.
Bro. Boykin : In a short editorial, “J. B. Tay
lor, D. D.,” you state, “The Board proposes to be
nothing more than an Agent between the Churches
and Associations, and the men they send out.—
Such an Agent, it is absolutely necessary to have.”
This statement in itself, is all true, taken as an in
sulated fact; but iu the communication in which
you use it, is calculated to work a wrong impas
sion on the general reader, and is abjectionable,
at this crisis. Asa public journalist, you ought to
know from the record of the Convention, your
statement embraces only) a partical fact. That
proposition is offered, but on certain contingen
cies : thatjthe entire expenses must be paid by said
Churches or Associations, otherwise the jurisdic
tion over the field and Missionary, must be exer
cised by that particular financial Agent, of which
you speak iu such laudable terms. Your nextsen
tence which I quote, goes far to show tha! you
have spoken with too much confidence—it would
seem under the direction of a leading official—on
a subj et you would do well to investigate. And
allow me to say, in this quotation you express pre
cisely my views of what is necessary to conduct
Missionary operations. So, once we agree on this
question. lou say, “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.” If this is the sentiment prevailing at head
quarters, we have no doubt the Com. ‘‘ad interim”
will be able to report progress.
I drop this note to call attention to the discrep
ancy, as to fact, between the quotations, that the
readers of your paper may see that those who dif
fer with you on the “Board Question,” do not art
fully stultify themselves.
Fair Play.
Malvern Hill, Mas 26th, 1860.
REMARKS.
The great cause of Missions lies Very
near our heart; and we have written no
thing on the subject but with the sincere
aim to advance that cause. We believe
it to be The Duty of God’s people on
earth to evangelize —christianize every
one who knows not our Lord Jesus Christ,
and obeys not his Gospel.
This, we repeat, is the duty of God’s
people on earth ; not of organized church
es solely ; but of Christians. Effort,
persistent effort, on the part of those
who profess to be Christians, is command
ed by the Savior, to spread his name
abroad. And when a Christian man or
woman can “go” to preach the Gospel, it
is their duty to do so ; but if they cannot
or ought not, they are bound to grant,
subsistence to those who do “go P We
say each one is morally bound to do one
or the other—go himself, or send his
money to represent him—as his proxy. —
And to do this, some agency is necessa
ry to enable the supporters to perform
their part of the work. Now we are not
so strongly wedded to forms, as to say
that there is only one kind of agency that
can be~ established —one only that is like-
ly to prove efficient; but which ever one
is manifested to be the best, that we fa
vor. Our Savior prescribed no mode for
maintaining or sending out Missionaries.
So the work is done —so Christians per
form their duty, we think it immaterial
whether a “Board” is employed or not. —
We look upon “Boards’’ as conveniences
only. Therefore, we shall not quarrel
with those who want them not, though
we think apostolical precedents point as
strongly to Boards as to any other mode
by which to send out Missionaries. But
we think, seeing that Christ prescribed
no mode, that the spirit and principle
rather than the form of apostolic prece
dent in this matter, should be regarded.
For instance, some of the churches sent
money to Paul by a messenger; it is
enough for us to send the money in the
best, most economical and most expedi
tious manner.
We know it is argued that the act ot
sending a Missionary, should be strictly
an “official act.’’ To this we would sim
ply say, that no man sends out a Mission
ary ; the Holy Ghost sends him. The
man may, by his means, support that Mis
sionary. Acted upon by the Holy Spirit,
a servant of God consents to labor among
the heathen ; he makes known his con
sent, and his brethren agree to support
him, and this they must do through some
systematic plan ; for where numbers unite
plan is necessary.
It is said, “We read of churches
only supporting Missionaries, and argue
hence that they only should support
them.’’ We will believe that intelligent
Baptist, who says this, to mean it, when
he tells us that every pedo-baptist in the
world ought to cease Missionary opera
tions, and not give aught more to spread
the Gospel. “Oh,” says our Lankmark
reader, “he is acknowledging pedo-bap
tist societies to be churches of Christ!’’
Dear brother, we do not think it the ex
clusive duty of ORGANIZED CHURCHES to
support Missionaries.
But are not our Boards as now consti
tuted independent of the churches ? If
they are, they ought not to be. What
is the Southern Baptist Convention ? Is
it not intended to be the representative
of Southern Baptist Churches—composed
of the members of those churches, and
acting under their instructions ? “No. It
may be composed of any who will pay for
a seat.” Well, well, that will be correct
ed at the next session of the body; and
doubtless, afterwards it will be composed
of Delegates, members of and represent
ing all the Baptist churches of the South.
“No, only those that send money.’’ Ju t
as you please, brother, but still they will
be delegates from regular Baptist church
es, (we will speak of “the money basis,”
at another time,) and therefore their rep
resentatives. Now is not the Board ap
pointed by this body to represent it, a
representation of the churches composing
the body ? And when the Board orCom-
rnittee supports, or, if you please, appoints
or sends out a Missionary, is this not the
same as the churches doing so ? When the
churches appoint an agent to act for them,
are not the acts of that agent the acts of
the churches?
“Why not appoint a ciil t rch as the
agency at once ; and let the Missionaries
ALL JOIN THAT CHURCH AND BE SENT OUT
AND SUPPORTED BY IT, ALL THE OTHER
Baptist churches assisting ?”
Dear brother, please suggest a plau that
all Baptists will see at once to be better
than our present one. If the plan hinted
at above, is such a one, they will surely
see it.
“But I object to the Board “exer
cising jurisdiction’’ over my Missionary
and coming between him and me.” —
What! after you have made it so by your
own appointment of that Board, and have
placed your Missionary under its direc-%
tion? Would you make the exercise of
the discretionary powers you have confer
red a nullity, by withholding support ? Be
sides, is not that jurisdiction a very trou
blesome and difficult light, far easier and
better exercised by an agent ? Is not the
agent directly responsible to you or your
representatives in the Convention ? Be
sides, again, that same Board offers to re
sign all authority in any individual case,
and act as your financial agent, at the
cost only of what it takes to transmit your
funds.
“Oh, but the whole machine is an epis
copal body—a centralized power contra
ry to the genius of independent Baptist
Churfches.”
Webster defines Episcopal to mean “be
longing to, or vested in Bishops,’’ aud
Bishops, he says,are “spiritual superinten
dents, rulers or directors.’’ Are members
of a Mission Board such ? Episcopacy
he defines to be “Government of the
church by bishops or prelates; that form of
ecclesiastical government in which dioce
san bishops are established as distinct
from, and superior to priests or presby
ters.’’ But how different with a Board!
All the power they have (and none of that
is ecclesiastical,) is conferred upon them
by the churches —flows from the churches
up through the Associations and Conven
tions. The power lies in the churches.
Butin Episcopal organizations,the power
of government is vested exclusively in the
officials; and they are members of Confer
ence, Council or Synod, by virtue of their
office ; and all the rules and regulations
for the government of the churches, ori
ginate with them in their general assem
blies, and flow from them down to the
churches. What a difference! Besides,the
Constitution of the Southern Baptist Con
vention, guarantees full respect for “//te
independence and equal rights of the church
esßut 5 we repeat, we are not wed
ded to forms. Give us a better plan
for carrying on Missions than through
our Conventions and Boards, and we will
advocate it; but do not destroy our pre
sent plan which we conceive to be the
best and in which we are doing much,
until a better shall have been exemplified.
The Championship.
They Meet.
Those two mighty Champions stand
face io face and begin the death-struggle,
which shall make one or the other a vic
tor throughout eternity. Leaving his
throne on high in a world of light, the
champion of eternal glory ventures to
earth to meet in mortal combat the Prince
of the power of darkness.
Three worlds gaze upon the contest in
awe —heaven, hell and earth.
In the wilderness they meet first. Ah,
how crafty, how skillful, how bold is the
champion of darkness! Assault after as
sault does he make, each fiercer than the
other. But an imperial, “get thee hence,
Satan,’’ ends the struggle; and Angelic
seconds minister to the hungry and faint
ing Jesus.
The contest is renewed in the body of
the lunatic child. As one entrenched in a
strong citadel, the Prince of darkness de
fies his adversary ; can he but successfully
oppose the performance ot a miracle, and
thus defeat Christ’s claims to divinity,
how will hell howl in triumph! And
when they meet, he tears his victim, ma
king him to fall, wallowing and foaming,
impotently asserting superiority.
But with what majesty does the victor
exclaim, “I charge thee come out of him
and enter no more into him !”
Again baffled, the champion of dark
ness goes down to his gloomy regions.
Ah, how fierce is the next contest! Al
most overcome by his mighty antagonist,
He who has been twice victorious ex
claims, “Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me!” and big drops of
bloody sweat testify to his mighty throes.
Again he is victorious ; and the same an
gelic host, as they minister a second time,
sing sweet soDgs of triumph.
And now comes the death-struggle!
Put forth thy mightiest, O champion of
eternal misery! And ye who surround
that fearful ring, wag your heads in deri
sion !
Alas, alas ! Is the victor conquered ?
Where now is his invincible chivalry ?
Does he succumb? What means that fear
ful cry, “My God, My God, why hast
thou forsaken me ?” Hide your face, O,
Sun ! Put on mourning, O, ye Heavens !
Rejoice, 0 ye denizens of regions infernal!
Your champion has conquered.
But, no! The contest is not yet finished.
For the fourth time they enter the lists.
T’was early in the morning, and amid the
appalling sanctity of the tomb, that the fi
naj collision took place. And then, O
then, did he put forth a giant-effort; and
bursting the icy mortuary ligaments that
bound him, he rose triumphant over hell,
death and the grave. And the Heavenly
umpire, with snow-white raiment and
lightening countnance, pronounced him
VICTOR,
in the word — “He is not here, for he
HAS RISEN.”
Jubilant be thy strains, O Heaven!
And shout Hosannas, all ye hosts of Hea
ven ! Make the eternal arches of the
Universe ring with your pteans of joy.—
And Oye gates, lift up your he?ds; and
be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors,
and the King of Glory shall come in.—
Who is the King of Glory? The Lord
strong and mighty —the Lord mighty in
battle. He has overcome bis great adver
sary ; has hurled him into the bottomless
pit; and, escorted by a mighty convoy of
of angels, has ascended to the regions of
Glory, and there, sitting at the right hand
of the majesty on high, he proclaims him
self the triumphant champion of the Uni
verse —the successful competitor for the
life and immortality of his chosen people.
Oh, place upon his exultant brow, the
laurel of everlasting victory ; and crown
him Lord of all !
And you, Oye people of God, for whom
Jesus died; and iu whom ye live and move
and have your being, what exalted, wbat
unbounded joy and gratifllde should swell
your songs and raise your triumphal notes!
For even amid tribulation “we are more
than conquerors through him that loved
us; for I am persuaded, that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor principali
ties, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor beighth, nor depth,
nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
++
Minutes of the Georgia Baptist
CONVENTION.
From the advance sheets of the Geor
gia Baptist Convention for 1860, we com
pile the following tor our readers:
STATISTICS.
N umber of Associations in the State,
65 ; of which 40 are regular Missionary
Baptist, 23 Anti-Missionary Baptist, and
2 L nited Baptist Associations.
The number of Churches is 1,422, and
the number of members is 95, 27 ; the
number of baptized since the last report,
5,481. (This cannot be all, as the minutes
for the last year of some of the Associa
tions could not be obtained. The Clerk
seems to have used 13, of years prior to
1859.) The gain in membership in one
year, is 2,280. There are in the State
737 Ordained Baptist ministers and 211
Licentiates There is therefore about
twice as many churches as ordained min
isters.
The amount contributed for Missions
during the last year, as far as reported , is
$20,329 97 —though it must be admitted
that more was contributed, but the exact
amount could not be obtained by the
Clerk.
The Anti-Missionary Baptists have 388
churches, about 11,000 members, 183 min
isters, 31 Licentiates; and they baptized
during the year, about 121.
There are other regular Baptist church
es in the State, not included in the above,
because they belong to no Association,
and consequently make no reports. [To
the above 820,329 97, should be added
the amount contributed to the Bible and
Colporteur Soc’y last year, s2,ooo(about.)
And if to this is added amounts contribu
ted not reported to the Georgia Baptist
Convention, it will, by a fair calculation,
make up $25,000.]
There were contributed for
Domestic Missions $4,681 63
Indian do. 4,071 54
Foreign do. 6,463 10
WIIAT SOME ASSOCIATIONS DID.
The Columbus. —To support A.
D. Phillips, Missionary to Af
rica $ 788 27
Also for Domestic and Indian
Missions, 742 78
$1,531 05
The Washington. —For Brother
Stone in Africa, $ 178 99
Ilis wife, 20 05
China Mission, 4 40
SBO3 44
The Georgia sent up to the different
Boards of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion, $5,096 71, (The famous Goshen As
sociation of Va., contributes about $5,000
annually, to Missions.)
ON EDUCATION.
The Committee congratulates the de
nomination on the prosperous condition
of our educational interests, affirming that
at r > previous period have our denomina
tional Institutions enjoyed greater pros
perity.
Mercer University is reported as gradu
ally extending its sphere of usefulness and
efficiency, and enjoying unusual prosperi
ty. The Faculty is full; the chairs being
occupied by tried, competent and united
Professors; while the students, who are
especially characterized by their good de
portment and diligent study, are more
numerous than at any previous period.
There were in attendance 121 students,
one half of whom are professors of reli
gion. During the year the University
was blessed with a Revival and 27 stu
dents were converted. 12 young brethren
are preparing for the ministry.
There is urged upon the incoming
Board of Trustees the adoption of Buck
measures as, in their judgment, may seem
best calculated to bring to early and suc
cessful completion, the endowment of the
Sanders Professorship. [Rev. D. E. But
ler has been appointed agent for this im
portant work, and has entered upon his
labors with the ardor of his energetic na
ture. We do hope that all our brethren
will hear his pleading favorably.]
The following brethren were elected as
a Board of Trustees of Mercer Universi
ty: Thos. Stocks, C. D. Mallary, J. H.
Campbell, S. Landrum, J. H. DeVotie,
M. F. Wellborn, E. G. Cabiniss, C. M. Ir
vin, James Clarke, N. G. Foster, T. J.
Burney, G. W. Evans, J. W. Johnson, J.
W. Ilaoun, E. B. Teague, H. Bunn, J. T.
Wingfield, D. E. Butler, E. W. Warren,
Wm. Sapp, B. F. Tharp.
The funds of the University, according
to the Report of the Treasurer on the Ist
of July last, were as follows :
University Fund, $75,604 89
Central Professorship Fund,... 18,400 43
Mercer Theological Fund,.... 21,492 48
Sanders’Professorship Fund,.. 14,371 15
Tuition and room rent Fund... 31 31
Interest Account, 3,563 06
Real Estate, 30,000 00
Aggregate, $163,463 32
REPORT OF TIIE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Eighteen beneficiaries have received
aid —14 at Pentield and 4 at other places.
$l5O per annum is announced as waiting
to pay the expenses of some indigent or
phan. Ilearn School —reported prosper
ous —No. of students, 57. Exclusive of the
Hearn legacy and real estate, the Trus
tees report $2,683 62 on hand. Rev. J.
11. Campbell was recommended as State
Evangelist.
Elected the following Executive Com
mittee : brethren Thomas Stocks, T. J.
Barney, N. M. Crawford, D. E. Butler,
S. G. Hillyer, J. E. Willet, J. It. Sanders.
INDEX.
The following statement shows the fi
nancial condition of the paper from the
Ist of January, 1859, to the Ist of Ja nua
ry, 1860:
Cash on hand Ist Jan’y, 1859,. .$1,165 80
liecepts during the year, 7,671 90
Total, 88,837 70
Expenses during the year, $8,514 41
On hand Jan’y 1, 1860, 323 29
$8,837 70
The above expenses include printing,
salaries, incidental expenses, and SSOO
paid to Convention.
The following was the actual state of
the Index:
Cash on hand about $1,300 00
Number of issues, . .4,800
There we.e due the Index on subscrip
tion, $8,600 00
of this $3,400 is bad,
2,600 doubtful,
2,600 good.
Due the Index for Advertising, $ 640 00
Total due, $9,240 00
[Do our subscribers wonder that we
jog their memories about paying up,
sometimes ? Reader, perhaps you owe
some of the above. Is it right for you
not to remit ?]
A special Committee reported in favor
of the sale of the Index ; but this was de
clined by a motion which was carried to
table the whole matter.
The Finance Committee reported the
whole amount sent up to the Convention,
for various purposes, to be $4,589 62.
The Committee on Deceased Minis
ters report the death of Elder Enoch
Callaway, Elder James Davis and Elder
James Whitten ; three servants of God,
eminent for piety, zeal, and usefulness in
all the departments of Christian labor.
The following brethren were appointed
a Committee to report to the next Con
vention, concerning the following:
“And if we are below the Scripture
standard of Christian benevolence, what
are the causes and what the remedy for
our deficiencies and short comings? what
the plan and means of so perfecting our
system of contributions, as to bring out
the great strength of our whole denomi
nation in aid of the many important be
nevolent objects and enterprises wh’ich we
have in charge ?’’
D. W. Lewis, T. J. Bacon, E. G. Cab
an iss, J. W. Johnson, M. J. Wellborn
and Lott Warren. •
The Convention recommended to the
Churches and Societies composing this
body, when sending up their contribu
tions annually to their respective Asso
ciations for benevolent objects, that they
send up some funds designated as Funds
for Indigent Ministers, to be paid over
to our Treasurer, and to be subject to the
draft of the Executive Committee, for the
support ol our indigent, old, worn-out, - or
unfortunate ministers of good standing.
Bro. E. W. Warren was appointed to
preach the Introductory Sermon, Bro. 11.
C. Hornady, alternate; Bro. S. G. Dan
iel, to preach the Education Sermon, Bro.
L. R. L. Jennings, alternate.
Appointed the next session of the body,
to be held with the Baptist Church at
Athens, on Friday before the fourth
Lord’s day in April, 1861.
COMMUNICATIONS
Reminiscences of Georgia, Con
vention of 1824.
Number 3.
The Convention held its sessions at Ea
tonton, 1824 &, ’25. A remarkable fact
in that of 1825 was, that after Mr. Mer
cer’s sermon on sabbath morning $2lB
were collected for missions; the largest
probably, ever made at any meeting of
the body.
Statistics of the denomination are given
10 associations: 260 churches, 110 min
utes, 23 Licentiates, 18,480 members.—
What hath God wrought since that pe
riod in the State? Now over 90,000
members! With what humility and grat
itude should we look upon these facts.—
Instead of inflating pride and self love,
unmerited goodness shown towards us,
ought to make and keep us very humble:
for our danger is, that we exult in the
success and spread of the truth as if we,
not God, had accomplished* the work.
A young minister from S. C. was in at
tendance at the session of 1824, whose
services were greatly blessed of the Lord
and highly appreciated. When in Col
lege he had passed a vacation in the place,
and become very much endeared to many
citizens. There was a peculiar tremu
lousness, and tenderness in his voice anil
heart, that affected all that heard him, so
that he was selected to preach there days
in succession. Doct. Cullen Battle, not
then a member, was told by the Clerk,
that he would draw tears from his eyes
in spite of his efforts ; but this seemed
rather incredible, but proved to be true:
he was seen among the first, feeling for
his handkerchief. It is presumed that so
uniform a shedding of tears by all,or near
ly all has been seldom witnessed. A
brother from the country led the services
sabbath morning, from Ist Tim. 1: 15,
but as the house was packed, gallory and
all, after having surveyed the crowd, be
exclaimed: “Where shall we procure
bread for such a multitude ? Then, as if
recollecting himself, he observed, “there
a lad behind me, wh j has a few barley
loves and some small fishes ; but what
are they among so many ?” But God so
multiplied them, that every one in the
vast congregation had something to eat.
It was a weeping time—many asked the
prayers of God’s people. That youth,
though gray hairs are found in his head,
still lives to preach the Gospel, and in
form penitent, but insolvent sinners, that
though they “have nothing to pay, Jesus
frankly forgives.”
The introductory by the Ckrk, Mer->
cer’s Exposition on Apocalypse, 12th
chapter, and essay on duties devolving on
ministers and members in governing the
churches, were directed to be printed.—
The sermon contained the first plea, in
behalf of a theological school, ever pub
lished in the State. The text was 2d Cor.
6 : 3rd Homeopathic dose. TESTIS.
Westward, Ho!
The following is the 2nd letter from a
Ga. Baptist Minister, travelling westward.
The form dr was crowded out:
ON THE “KENTUCKY.”
May 30th, 1860.
Mr Editor .-—Since I wrote you at Tus
cumbia, nothing of special interest has oc
curred with me, only I became so much
interested in the people, and for the cause
of the Baptists in that place, that I re
mained there over sabbath last, and gave
them a few of my most intensely baptis
tic sermons. The cause of truth is not in
such a condition there as might be de
sired, but still under the ministry of their
faithful pastor, Elder Gunn, I hope they
will improve. Some of the brethren, and
especially some of the sisters promised me
that they would go immediately to work
to secure some repairs, which are very
much needed on their house of worship.
Hope they will be successful.
We left Tuscumbia sabbath evening, 6
o’clock, and arrived in Memphis 1 o’clock
Monday morning. (I doubt your being
able to read what I write, while the boat
is running.) Memphis must be a place of
considerable business, it is at least a place
ot a great deal of bustle and noise, espe
cially down on the river. We made no
acquaintances in \ a., being without a sin
gle familiar face to commence with, and
also, as perhaps you know, being natural
ly somewhat backward.
Tuesday evening, 5 o’clock, left the
dusty streets of Memphis for the more
agreeable river breeze of the great Mis
sissippi, and we are now at the time of
writing, surrounded with about one hun
dred passengers on board the Memphis <fc
Vicksburg Packet, Kentucky. Our offi
ceps—Captain James Lee, .Master, and J.
K. Moody, Clerk, we think are decided
ly gentlemen, but our crowd of passengers
are considerabl y mixed. Just up in front
of our writing table, and to the right ;
hand side of the boat, is located the “Bar,”
not the bar of judgment, but that of con- *
demnalion , by which a great many, both
of men and women , are going on their way J f
to that of the judgment. Over to the left
.hand in the front end of the boat, and en
tirely convenient to the Bar , is located
the gambling table, and it has been well
surrounded all the time we Lave
been awake since we left Memphis. —
Scattering about in different directions,
are to be seen a few —say eight or ten
‘Young Americans’ of the real Simon-pure
grit—noses as red as a turkey-gobbler’s
snout, and a cigar wallowing qbout halfof
its length iu their mouth. II their Maker
feels as indgnant at their appearance as
we do, they are greatly to be pitied.—
Just below a few doors, are to be seen,
lying in lonely solitude, three sick men,
looking as if they were just ready to say,
“no man cares for my soul.’’
From the Ladies’ Cabin comes up oc- f
casionally, the sound of the merry laugh,
indicating that there is, at least, some en-
joyment on board. A
Taking our crowd in all, passengers, of
ficers and boat hands, near two hundred
souls, if we should suddenly go to the bot
tom of this mighty river, alas, how few of
the number would rise up from this ‘wa
tery grave’ to glory and to God.
Yours fraternally,
BAR WILLIS.
THIRD LETTER.
Houston, Texas, June 5, 1860.
Bro. Boykin :
Altera long and-tiresorae travel, com
prehending the tusual variety of such voy
ages, I am seated in my room for the pur
pose of writing just enough to let you aud
other brethren know’ that I have not yet
‘yielded the floor’ of the Index altogeth
er. Nothing of special importance has
occurred with me since I wrote you, more
than I have rocked anil tossed on the
Gulf under the influence of a strong wfind,
amounting almost to a gale, until my
head has not overed it yet, though I have
been off now* just one clay. lam not pre
pared to say any thing to your readers
on the state of religion in this Western
country, for the simple reason, that as yet,
I have not been able to discover the least
conceivable evidence of its existence.—
Os one thing I am fully convinced, viz :
either that good people—l mean Chris
tians—do not travel as much as evil dis
posed wicked people do, or else Chris
tians leave their Christianity at home when
they travel. I have uunil but one pious
man on the great line of travel from
Memphis, Tenn., to this place, distance
of some twelve hundred and fifty miles,
and that one was a Cumberland Presby
terian preacher. If God was not long
suffering, he would certainly send storms
of wind and bail and rain upon these riVers,
gulls, tfcc., and dash their vessels to pieces
and hurry their immortal freights into
eternity without delay. Why sir, I think
I have heard ten thousand oaths sworn in
traveling one thousand miles, and drink
ing and gambling are the common occu
pations. Almost every man that you
meet out here, is weighed down with pis
tols and knives, &c., until a civilized man
from ‘the States, feels that he is at the
mercy es every drunken fool that chances
to come upon him. These things all ta
ken together, render a travel through the
West exceedingly unpleasant. Our steam
er ai rived at Galveston this morning at
about 6 o’clock, we then took the cars for
place, and arrived at 3 P. M., since that
time, there have been three men shot in
town. One of them I learn, is dead, one
of the others, I saw carried into another
room of this house, and now while I am
sitting at my table waiting, I hear the
noise of those who are dressing him and
trying to save his life ; I think he will be
dead in the morning. Os the third one
I know but little, only that he is badly
shot. ’L he most of the shooting was done
by an old gentleman by the name of
Cain, a man probably sixty years of age.
Just returned from the supper table where
I learned that another man was shot dead
to-day in the neighboring town. There
may be some good settlements in Texas,
but in general, it must be filled with an
exceedingly savage people.
This is said to be a great cotton-growing
country, but I have traveled fifty miles
by land, (from Galveston to this place)
and I have not seen the first cotton-plant
grawing in Texas soil yet. The country
over which I have passed, is level, barren,
and dry, not timber enough in sight of the
railroad for the whole fifty roiled, to tim
ber one lot of land well. The Lord will
ing, I shall see to-inorrow how the coun
try looks a little farther up. I think the
Squatter Sovereignty doctrine has, prac
ticably, the ascendency in that portion of
the country that I have seen.
Yours, Fraternally,
Bar Wili .IS.
* ♦♦♦—-—.—
Success of Bro. Ryerson.
Rome, Ga., June 10th, 1860.
Rev. S. Boykin, Editor Index .-—I am
glad to report a continuance of the inter
est with which God has blessed us. Bro
Ryerson baptized twenty-five Sunday
morning. J
It was a solemn time and deeply felt
as such by the immense concourse that
stood in breathless silence on the river
banks. At the request of those who had
been led to feel their need of a Saviour
through the instrumentality of Bro. Ry.
erson, and were brought to see Jesus
through his conversation and instruction
as a mouth piece of the Holy Spirit, he
met between sixty and seventy Sunday
afternoon, at 5 o’clock, and gave them
parting council. Never did I witness
such a scene. While he spake to them as a
father to the children he loved, every
heart was full, and every eye blinded
w ith tears, and they fell upon his neck
and w-ept aloud. Being urged to stay
one day longer, in order to bury with
Christ by Baptism, a gentleman, who, up