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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 yea-, Two Dollars and
one half will be charged in all cases.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
VOLUME XXXIX.
Book Notices.
Soul-Liberty—lts Price, and who paid it. By
Henry C. Fish, D. D. New York : Sheldon &
Company.
A little book of 152 pages, abounding in histori
cal truths which every American citizen ought to
know.
1. It triumphantly refutes the hackneyed slan
der against the Baptist denomination, that they
are bigoted, by showing that from the first centu
ries of the Christian era to the present time—
whether persecuted by Catholics or Protestants—
whether before the Inquisition; in the fires of
Snlithfield, or tied to the intolerant whipping post
of the revered Puritans and their decendeDts; the
Baptists hare been the sole advocates of Soul Lib
erty.
2. It shows that the framers of our beloved
Government were taught the great principles of
political equality, which are the palladium of our
civil rights, by the religious equality taught and
practiced in the Baptist Churches.
3. It shows that the Baptists, by their blood,
their patient endurance of persecution for con
science sake, their unobtrusive piety, and perse
vering efforts, paid the price, ar and obtained for us
and our children, that soul-liberty, which is the
brightest star in our gloiious galaxy. Thank God
for such noble progenitors.
Send to the Baptist Book-store and read for
yourself.
“ABIDE IN JESUS.”
BY REV. C. .1. P. SPITTA.
“Abide, abide in Jesus,
Who for us bore griefs untold,
And Himself, from pain to save us,
Suffered pangs a thousand fold;
Bide witli Him, who still abidetli
When all else shall pass away,
And as Judge supreme presideth
In that dread and awful day.
“All is dying : hearts are breaking,
Which to ours were once fast bound ;
And the lips have ceased from speaking,
Which once uttered such sweet sound,
And the arms are powerless lying,
Which were our support and stay ;
And the eyes are dim and dying,
Which once watched us night and day.
“Every thing we love and cherish
Hastens onward to the grave;
Earthly joys and pleasure perish,
And whate’er the world e’er gave ;
All is fading, all is ileeing,
Earthly tlames must cease to glow,
Earthly beings cease from being,
Earthly blossoms cease to blow.
“Yet undecayed, while all decayeth,
Jesus stands upon the dust;
‘Lean on me alone,’ llesayeth,
‘Hope and love and firmly trust!’
0 abide, abide with Jesus,
Who Himself forever lives,
Who from death eternal frees us,
Yea, who life eternal gives !”
AN EXPOSITION.
Number 5.
BY REV. S. G. HILLYER.
“Thou art Peter, **** and I will give unto thee
t, he keys of Kingdom of Heaven ; and whatsoever
thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heav
en ; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in Heaven.”—Matt., 16 : 19.
“Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted
unto them ; and whosoever tins ye retain, they
are retained.”—John 20: 23.
“Verily I say unto you, w hatsoever ye shall bind
on earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatso
ever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in
Heaven.”—Matt. 18: 18.
But after all these concessions—and
others that might be made—it is yet
true, that there are cases, over which
each church does have exclusive juris
diction. There are cases of discipline
arising under the laws of Christ among
her members. When, therefore, she
has arraigned one of her members for
immoral conduct, and, upon Investiga
tion, has found him guilt}’ - and impen
itent, and for that reason has with
drawn her fellowship from him, her
action is, according to the teachings of
the text before us, the authoritative
decision of the case ; and other church
es are bound so to accopt it. Will it
be said that such decisions are binding
only when they are right? If breth
ren will reflect a moment, they will
see, that this cannot be. If the recti
tude of a sentence were made the ba
sis of its validity, then its rectitude
ought to be universally known. But
in the great majority of cases this is
impossible. Surely I need not delay
to prove this point. We have already
seen that decisions may be right and
yet not binding. Hence, when bind
ing, they are so, for some other reason
than because they ought. Will it be
said that a principle of courtesy impo
ses upon churhes an obligation to ac
cept each others decisions? This may
have some force under favorable cir
cumstances. But courtesy is a bond
which will yield to any degree of pres
sure. Let the decision be against high
and influential parties ; let some no
tions of general expediency be invol
ved in the issue ; or, let some popular
dogma be, in some way, associated
with the case, and courtesy is a rope
of sand. The question then recurs,
why is the decision binding ? For this,
and for no other reason —because the
church has authority to make it. Here
is the principle which covers the whole
question, and meets every issue. A
decision of a church, when sitting as a
court of discipline, is expression of the
Savior's government, which he has
himselfset up in that church. Here,
only, is the basis of its validity ; and
here is the source of its binding effica
cy upon other churches. All are un
der one common sovereign. All owe
allegiance to one common throne. The
majesty of that throne is as sacred in
one place as in another. It has pleas
ed the King to set up that throne in
church. But he who tills it is one.—
Therefore, decisions made in comfor
mity with the authority conferred up
on the church, as his executive, are
binding upon all other subjects of that
throne. Hence he pledges Heaven to
#rgait flf % <sa. Oumbentiun: tofortefc fa gltssians, Religion, anb % Interests af TfTgagtisf genmmnattan.
accept such decisions as valid. What
is accepted in Heaven ought surely to
be accepted on earth.
The conclusion just drawn, evident
ly applies to decisions in cases of dis
cipline without regard to their recti
tude. It is true they ought tube right.
The church is bound, by the most sol
emn obligations, to use all means in
her power, to ascertain what is right,
in order to establish it in her decision.
And ihe great King will, doubtless,
hold each member to a strict account
for the least want of fidelity in this
matter. We may well suppose, that
the account will be the more strict, for
the very reason that the authority con
ferred is so complete. But, after all,
the church is not infallible. The Sa
vior has left it liable to err; and it
does err. What shall we do with a
wrong decision? Will brethren still
press this question. Well, it is much
to he regretted that there ever should
be a wrong decision. It is painful to
think that the innocent may sometimes
suffer ; and that the wicked may some
times triumph. It has been the case,
however, under the administration of
all tribunals, whether secular or eccle
siastical, since the formation of regu-
lar government. The evil is inciden
tal to the imperfections of human na
ture. This evil is sought to be reme
died in the churches, by denying the
validity of wrong decisions. But this
presupposes a power, some where, au
thorized to declare a decision wrong.
If there be such a power- where is it ?
It is claimed that it is found in a neigh
boring chtwch. It it be so, let the
chapter and verse, in the New Testa
ment be shown, where such a refer
ence of a case of discipline to another
church is authorized, or provided for.
If this cannot be done, the advocates
of such a reference must give it up, or
to be Baptists. I deny its exis
tence. Hence,for a neighboring church
to declare the sentence of another
church upon questionsof fact, in a case
of discipline wrong, is herself to make
a decision upon a case over which Bhe
has no jurisdiction. In doing so, she
is guilty of usurpation. This usurpa
tion is greatly intensified, when such
an attempt is made by an association,
or convention,or any other outside as
sembly of tnen ; forsuch bodies do not
even have an existence in the eye of
the Gospel, much less any authority
under its provisions.
What then must be done with a
wrong decision ? We are now prepar
ed to answer this questmn. Leave it,
where Jesus has left it, in the hands of
the church which made it. There is
one particular in which, a church as a
judicial tribunal, differs from all others
on earth. When a secular court, of
final jurisdiction, has made a decree,
it is unalterable. It disposes of life
and properity. If it be wrong, the
wrong is irremediable. But when a
church passes sentenco upon an ar
raigned member, though no other pow
er may interfere to annul her action,
yet she is not bound. If the sentence
be wrong she can rectify it. An ap
peal ever lies to her better judgment.
Let the injured party only do right —
let him patiently await the return of
better counsels, and the good provi
dence of an ever watchful, faithful Sa
vior, and lie will not long continue un
der the ban of his brethren. They
themselves will rectify the error. This
has been often verified by experience.
Two such cases I myself have known.
If my limits permitted me to give the
details of one of these cases, the read
er would be both interested and edi
fied, but my article is already longer
than I designed. Suffice it to say, in
both cases the parties quietly submit
ted to the church. They committed
themselves to the care of one who has
promised never to forsake those who
trust in him. Both, were in a reason
able time, freely restored by the vol
untary action of their respective
churches; and not ajar disturbed the
peace of our beloved Zion. O ! how
pleasantly does Christ’s government
work, when it is left to the legitimate
processes which he has ordained for it.
Better, by far, leave these wrong de
cisions where Christ has left them.
Mercer University, April 15, IS6O.
Brother Boykin :
I have read the editorial articles in
several of the last numbers of the In
dex, with unusual interest, and I assure
you that there is one, at least, who
enters fully into the spirit of the wri
ter. And one who has long been mour
ning over the desolation of Zion, and
one too, who is willing to hold up your
hands by his prayers, and every means
that God has put in his hands, to eu
encourage you in thus faithfully prose
cuting the work in which you are en-
gaged.
There are indeed many reasons why
there are so few revivals of religion in
the churches, and so little spirituality
manifest. It is true that controversy
and formality have, in too many cases,
taken the place of spirituality and holi
ness. The cold sermons, the tormal
prayers, the listless devotions, and the
thinly attended prayer-meeting, are
truly, as you have said, the fruits of the
idleness, indolence, and lack of zeal in
the professed followers of Christ.
Now, my brother, I believe in cause
and effect, in spiritual matters as well
as in natural and temporal things. The
farmer, the mechanic, and the merch
ant, all know well that it is constant
labor and perseverance ouly, that will
insure success in their respective em
ployments. And the word of God ev
erywhere teaches us, that the Lord has
j appointed means for the accomplish
* ment of his purposes. And where the
MACON, GA., WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1860
means of grace are not employed, or
where they are improperly applied,
spiritual prosperity in the churches
need not be looked for or expected.
The first, and I think the greatest
cause that now exists, and which has a
tendency most effectually to paralyze
the best efforts ofjhe gospel minister,
is the present system and practice of
supplying churches with pastors.- A
very large portion of the churches in
this State are virtually without pas
tors. One minister undertakes to
preach for four different churches, con
sequently he cannot be a pastor for
either of them. He must, of course,
live at a distance from all or most of
them, and cannot visit either church,
but twelve times in a year. And some
of those appointments are often missed
in consequence of sickness, rainy
weather, or bad roads. Pastoral du
tiee cannot be performed when minis
ters live so far from their field of labor,
and their work divided between so
many different localities.
The evils of the present system are
too numerous to point out in one short
article. I expect to refer to the sub
ject again. And I hope that some bet
ter scholar, with a clearer head than
mine, will take up the subject and do
it justice.
My object in writing this article is
to refer to some of the evils that first
present themselves to my mind.
In the first place the officers and
members of such churches are gen
erally inactive. There is a want of
spirituality and zeal throughout the
whole body. There are few, if any,
nursing fathers and uursing mothers,
to speak words of encouragement and
consolation to young converts and to
doubting and wavering young profes
sors ; none to encourage young men
when they first unite with the church,
to improve their gifts in prayer and
exhortations, the proper means not
having been used, the talent of many
lies dormant, and the church suffers
the loss. A spirit of penuriousness
generally pervades such churches; —
many members do not pay one tenth
part as much as they should, to sup
port their ministers. And they do
nothing, or very little at most, for mis
sionary societies, and for other benev
olent purposes. Some brethren who are
abundantly able to pay four or five
hundred dollars a year for the cause
generally,can quiet their conscience by
giving ten dollars to their preachers,
and perhaps not hear him preach more
than six times in a whole year. And
to pay two-dollars for the Index is a
piece of extravagance that cannot be
tolerated by them. Such a thing as
“honoring the Lord with all their sub
stance,” does not once enter into their
minds. The consequence is that a great
many members of churches instead of
being engaged in Sabbath Schools, and
prayer meetings, on Sunday, when
they have no preaching, are making
visits and taking dinners with their
neighbors ; engaging in all kind of
conversation, about crops, stock, and
politics ; every subject is brought up
and discussed but the subject of relig
ion. And when the preacher comes
around in his turn, he has to do all that
is done ; thereis not a brother that will
either exhort or pray in public, and I
fear there is but few of them who ever
pray in secret. All is as cold as the
icebergs of the frozen ocean. If the
minister succeeds in getting up a lit
tle feeling in the church during the
Saturday and Sunday that he is with
them, his labor is entirely lost, for as
sood as the meeting is over all settle
back into the same state of indifference,
until he cotnes again. Proper discip
line is neglected, sore difficulties arise
aud go unsettled, and wounded feel
ings go without being healed. Sick
ness and death frequently occur with
in the bounds of the church and con
gregation, and there is no Christian
minister at hand to pray by the bed
side of the sick and dying, or to con
dole with the bereaved mourner at the
grave. Now I ask where are the
Aarons and Hurs to hold up the hand
of the gospel ministers in such church
es?
In concluding this article I take the
liberty of saying, that I think the min
isters are in the fault, and they are the
greatest sufferers by pursuing this ob
jectionable system. And it is to them
we must look for the correction of the
evil. Let them demand an equivolent
for their services, and refuse to serve
churches that will not give them enough
to enable them to give themselves
wholly to the ministry.
It is true that such a course would
diminish the number of churches. But
there would be more real good done
with half as many churches properly
managed, than there now is. The min
istry would be better supported and
more respected, and there would be
more done for the cause of missions,
and all other benevolefit institutions
in our denomination would be greatly
benefitted. Old Baptist.
Dear Bro. Boykin :
It is not because I have not thought
of you and the Index, that you have
not heard from me oftener, but that 1
prefer to peruse the many interesting
letters and communications in the col
umns of the paper, than to trouble you
with anything from my poor pen.
You know that I am, (too much I
reckon,) like the Yankee asking ques
tions, if I don’t answer any I have been
thinking and thinking over our trou
bles, strife and contention; and like
other brethren, I have longed for peace.
While my mind was engaged upon the
subject,it would naturaly turn in search
tor cause, and remedy. I thought of
our name, our belief, our practice—‘
then our good brother Mallorys ser
mon, at Columbus, the subject, the
discourse, all flashed across my mind
—‘Denominational Idolatry.’ And the
question arose, are we not reprehensi
ble for attaching 60 much importance
to a name ; in other words, ought we
not to fear lest by our over-striving for
a name, we should fail to accord all
the honor and glory, as churches, to
our Master, to whom it justly belongs?
It is held that a single church is inde
pendent and sovereign. Os course,
Christ's glory is exhibited through that
single church. But we know that His
glory is exhibited only in proportion to
the godly walk and holiness, found in
such church. All men have not faith.
All churches are not perfect in this
respect. Will it be good logic, (par
don the term,) to argue, that in pro
portion to the lack of faith and holiness
in a church, just in the same propor
tion will there be a “zeal not according
to knowledge,” and strange as it may
seem, yet it is true, that their zeal is
tor the name (denomination) universal
ly. “They have a name to live (upon)
but are dead.” Now put all the zeal
of this sort together, which may be
fouud in all the churches, (denomina
tion,) and how much of the glory of
the churches is left for the Savior?—
May we not then apprehend that there
is just cause for troubles in Israel, ow
ing to the fact that we have gotten to
ourselves a great name? And upon
that name, it is to be feared, too many
—too many are living. Hence it is
that our troubles are brought on by
ourselves.
God has, in all ages through the past,
revealed the fact that His Zion upon
earth has at different periods, under
gone the trying ordeal of being refined.
A searching with fire. A distinguish
ing of the peculiar people from the
whole world, that llis name, Ilis glo
ry, may be magnified, as the end draws
nigh. In view of all these things,
ought we not, each of us, to humble
ourselves under the mighty hand of
God ? He may be now on the search
with that candle, the light of which
will assuredly find out each of us. Let
£he solemn question come home to each
of us, as our Lord is passing by in the
search to find out who they are that
trouble Israel. Lord, is it I ? 3 is it I ?
We want peace—peace in our beloved
denomination. Peace in all the church
es—in each church. This can only be
attained by and through each of God’s
people, realizing that soul peace—
“soul prosperity,” which ought to be
desired by all—and can only be reali
zed in deep humiliation at the foot of
the cross. Now fur my queries, which
I will thank you or some of the breth
ren to answer, and I close.
1. Is there any scripture warrant for
deferring baptism, when a person gives
a justifiable experience? Suppose a
man to apply to me at my home for
baptism, giving a satisfactory experi
ence, would I be justifiable in refusing
to administer the ordinance?
2 Is chureh membership attainable,
before baptism ? And is it deducible
from the scriptures, that all who were
baptized in the days of the Apostles,
joined themselves to churches ?
Yours, Landmark.
[Answer to 1. No. The correct an
swer to the second part of this query
depenus on the circumstances that
might attend the case. There are cir
cumstances where, in a proper quali
fied administrator, would be justified
in baptizing a candidate anywhere, and
there might be circumstances iq, which
it would be wrong for you to defer
baptism under the supposition above.]
From the New York Observer.
UNCTION IN THE PULPIT.
BY THE KEY. HEMAN HUMPHREY, I). D.
We all know that the effect of preach
ing depends very much upon a good
delivery. The voice must be clear, the
modulations natural, the articulation
distinct, and the slides and cadences
adapted to the subject in hand. The
preacher must be animated, and care
fully guard against falling into monot
onous tones of voice, whether high or
low. But all this is not enough ; nor
when graceful attitudes and gestures,
not too many nor too few, are superad
ded. It is the becoming and pleasant
drapery of the pulpit, with which it
should be adorned, and which cannot
be acquired without careful training.
But w 7 e want something more. How
ever dazzling, it is too superficial to
meet the wants of the soul. It may
flash and play around the head, while
it leaves the heart unmoved.
To make full proof of his ministry,
the preacher must feel what he says,
and show that he does. He must con
vince his audience that he is not acting
a part, but that he comes to them as
an ambassador of Christ, beseeching
sinners to be reconciled to God. To be
a truly effective preacher, in the high-
~~ j i ~ j - O
est and best sense, he must have a ho
ly unction in his delivery; must put
himself*in communication with his
hearers by what, for want of a better
term, I venture to call a sacred mag
netic attraction, emanating from the
depths of his own yearning soul. It
must show itself in his countenance, in
his eye, in the tones of his voice. And
when it does, there is a power in it
which is hardly possible for the most
careless to resist. When it springs up
spontaneously in the pulpit, it will
sometimes be felt in a moment, like an
electric flash, by the whole congrega
tion. No matter whether we can ac
count for it or not, so it is. We are so
made that we cannot avoid, if we try.
And no preacher whose discourses
want this unction, emanating from the
Holy Spirit, is in a right frame to win
souls to Christ.
We know, indeed, that ministers,
like other men, are constitutionally
different in their emotional influences.
In some they lie much nearer the sur
face than iii others. One is easily mov
ed himself, by the solemn truths which
he utters, and his voice trembles, and
the tears start in his eyes, while the
fountain lies deeper in another; and
we are not to infer that a preacher does
not feel, because he is ordinarily less
tender in his delivery. But the topics
on which every faithful minister dwells
are of such amazing importance, invol
ving the immortal destinies of his con
gregation, that if the yearnings of his
soul do not impart more or less unction
to his discourses, it should lead him to
inquire, whether he has not mistaken
his calling. It proves at least that he
is in too low a state of declension to
expect much fruit from his labors. —
While one minister, who is quite de
ficient in the outward adornments of
the pulpit, may be eminently success
fid in winning souls to Christ, by the
depth of his piety and the unction that
flows from it, it is no wonder, if anoth
er, whose praise is in every mouth as
a great preacher, but who has little or
no unction in his delivery, should, for
the want of it, fail to accomplish the
great ends ot the Christian ministry.
llow then is this motive power to be
obtained ? It is the gift of God, and
the heart of a preacher can be tilled
and kept full of this holy unction, by
prayer and devout meditation. It is
not possible for every minister to be
an eloquent orator. But every preach
er ‘who is called of God as was Aaron ;’
can open his heart to receive the divine
afflatus, and can pour it out from the
pulpit with an effect, which no talents
or rhotoric can produce, where it is
wanting. To this end, ardent piety is
an essential qualification, for which
there can be no substitute. Let the
preacher of ordinary talents imbue his
preparations with humble and earnest
prayer, from beginning to end; let him
go from his knees to the pulpit under
the full impression that he “watches
for souls as one who must give ac
countlet him pour out the mighty
yearnings of his soul over those that
are ready to perish, and, by the help
ot God, he will pluck them as brands
from the burning, when they would be
entirely beyond the reach of the mas
ters in Israel, without the anointing of
the Spirit. This is what I mean by
unction in the pulpit, and when there
shall be a great deal moxe of it the suc
cess of the Christian ministry cannot
fail of being proportionately increas
ed.
LETTER FROM AFRICA.
Ijaye, Africa, March 15th, ’6O.
Dear Bro. W arren :
’ In writing to the Index, I always
like to relate the general news of this
country, and tell the brethren as much
about our work as I can. But I write
at this time with a specific object—
and shall perhaps have room for but
little more. I must say, however, that
the country has not been in such agi
tation and confusion since I’ve been
here as now. Two or three other
towns have combined to war against
our chief; and though they are afraid
or unwilling to make an open attack;
they have liers in wait, nearly all
around us, so that it is dangerous to be
far from the town walls. This howev
er, cannot go to Abeakuta to be sent
to America until we have peace, so
you will hear more of the war before I
close.
My object in writing now, is to fight
against the idea prevailing in some
parts at home, that “white men can
not stand this climate.” We have liv
ing examples to the contrary of this
now in Africa. Rev. Mr. Gallmer, a
church man in Abeakuta, has been
living in Africa about twenty years —
he usually returns home every fifth
year, but he told me himself his first
term was seven or eight years ; he is
now enjoying good health—his wife
also enjoys good health—has been
here nearly twelve years, and borne
two children in Africa.
Rev. Mr. Townsend, also, has been
here about the same time—his wife
not quite so long, and both in good
health now. I could also name others
who have not been here so long J some
twelve and some ten and eight years;
all now in the country in good health.
What better proof could be brought,
that white men can live in this climate.
This is not like our own native climate,
and we have to be more careful here
about diet, exercise and exposure to
the sun, than we are at home. But
with the necessary prudence, I believe
a person with sound constitution may
enjoy-good health here. I know our
mission has suffered greatly by so
many invalids returning home. But I
feel safe in saying that not one can
trace their failure of health to the cli
mate alone. Some have been diseased
before they came here, and the cli
mate developed it sooner. Some have
lost their health from undue exposure
to wet and cold. Os this latter class,
we may regard bro. Bowen. He told
me that the first time he was here he
went barefooted—(could not get
shoes,) and he waded through the
streams like a native, and that in con
sequence he was then (1856) suffering,
and had it not been for that exposure
he would then have been enjoying
good health. With all due difference
to bro. Clark, I must say, when he left
here, I regarded him in good health. —
His woik here had been one of toil
and care, and I believe that a short vis*
it home would invigorate him enough
to pay for a short absence from the
field. I know he was dyspeptic, but
I believe he was dyspeptic before he
left America, (if not, he can correct
me,) and as I said before, men of sound
constitution may enjoy good health.—
I fear bro. Clark did too much, and
rested too little when he went to
America. If I have made any state
ments regarding any of those who
have returned, which are not strictly
correct, I hope they will concct me.
My idea is to show that white men
may live and enjoy, at least reasonable
health in Africa. And now I do
think that every unprejudiced mind
is convinced that lam right. We are
not now situated as we once were.
There are now good houses into which
new missionaries may come, and not
be exposed as some of the pioneers
were. Were Ito tell you of the hard
ships we hSve undergone, you would
not be surprised that we had bad
health, but your wonder would be that
we are even alive. I do not wish to
offer myself as an example of good
health, but I will say, the four years
I have spent here, I have enjoyed as
good health generally, as any four
years of my life, that I now remem
ber. True, I have had about ten at
tacks of malignant African fever, but
most of them have been checked in a
few days—(unchecked, they generally
terminate fatal in about six days,) and
I have generally regained my strength
very readily. lam just now recover
ing from an attack of smali-pox, by
which I was kept in the house mostly
for four weeks, but now (in the fifth
week.) I feel as well as ever I did,
and as full of life and zeal. The cli
mate does not seem to retard one in
recovering from sickness at all, but I
have thought it a favorable climate
for recovering. I would not exgerate
—I would not mislead the mind of any:
and I repeat, we must have more care
about our health here, than at home.
But with care we may enjoy reasona
ble health, or good health. *
Now what more could I say to in
duce one to believe that white men can
live in Africa. I % do not wish to make
an appeal or give an exhortation, but
I must say, it looks to me like where
ever the creatures of God are found,
that there the heralds should go, as
they are commanded, “go unto all the
world.” Experience and observation
do not justify us in saying white men
cannot live in Africa.
Though some of our first missionaries
were forced to leave the field, that
does not say the rest of us will have
to, or die soon. I believe wherever
God has a work for me he will keep
me there until it is finished. And if I
go wdiere he has sent me he will either
take or send me away. While I feel
my duty calls me here, I will say,
“No burning heat by day,
Nor blast of evening air,
Will take my health away
If God be with there.
I’ll go and come,
Nor fear to die,
Till from on high,
Thou callest me home.”
May the Lord revive his work here,
and at home, and soon send us more
laborers.
Your Bro. in Christ,
A. D. PHILLIPS.
S. W. Baptist copy.
P. S. —This goes by an armed cara
van : no news about the war: still
shut up. A. D. P.
June sth, 1800.
Dear Bro. Boykin :
living Mt. Lebanon, we passed a
country very similar to that already
described, and soon came to Minden,
situated in the Parish of Claiborne. —
This town contains about 800 or 1000
inhabitants, and like Mt. Lebanon, is
in the woods. The soil being exceed
ingly fine is easily cut up; and windy
weather is much driven by the wind.
Hence, it is exceedingly unpleasant in
dry weather. There are many Geor
gians in, and around Minden, enter
prising, industrious, and successful in
the various departments of business. —
The water in the town and country
round here, is pretty good. Like all
countries just being brought into a
state of cultivation, it is liable to “chill
and fever.” A little of this is visible,
even at the present time.
In the town are two church edifices,
and three churches. The Methodists
and Baptists have good buildings, and
the Presbyterians have an organiza
tion, but no house of worship. Dr.
Ford is their pastor; who is also Pres
ident of the Minden Female College.
This Institution unlike that of Mt.
Lebanon is not denominational; but is
in a flourishing condition. The cata
logue shows about one hundred and
fortv. They understand in this col
lege” how to make extra charges, and
how to put up tuition. The public
here, as in Georgia have been greatly
imposed upon by these extras. A girl
should be taught as much as a boy for
the same money.
Bro. Moore is pastor of the Baptist
church in Minden, and also of Fellow
ship church, 8 miles in the country.
He has been here only a few years,
and does not seem satisfied with his lo
cation. He says he gives attention to
pastoral visiting, which is the right
arm of the pastors strength.’ I had
the pleasure of preaching for him at
prayer meeting on Wednesday night,
but both preacher and people seemed
peculiarly dull. While in this neigh- j
borhood, I made a short visit to the
family of Dr. N. recently of your city,
I found him in his farm directing his
Terms ol Advertising.
For all transient advertising OheDollar per square
of teif lines for the first, and 50 centft<ptr square for
all subsequent publications. ,-f'- r ’* *:■
RATES FOR CONTRACT ADVERTISING. ‘ V
1 square of 10 lines per 3 months t --
“ “10 lines “ 6 “ - T A o<r -
“ “10 lines “ 1 year 10*00
These lines are the text advertising lines and if e
charge is for the space occupied by ten snch Jim s
as are used in the body of an advertisement. Lon
geradvertisementsin the same ratio.
N. S., VOL. 28, NO. 20.
own servants, and very much pleased
with the change from city to country
life. The best possible motives influ
ence him to retire to the country. He
has seen the elects of city society on
the young, and is satisfied that, boys
brought up in a city have very few
chances to be of any account to them
selves or society. He does forego the
pleasure of city 7 life rather than vic
timize his sons. I trust that the Dr.
will be eminently successful in train
ing his children for usefulness, and
that his example may be followed by
many others. His wife,daughter, and
the whole family seem delighted with
the change. Peace, happiness and
prosperity attend them.
On sabbath I had the pleasure of
preaching at Fellowship church to
many Georgians, and to several ac
quaintances. The church is composed
ot about one hundred members, with
the brethren, John and Jacob. Pearce,
from Georgia, rs deacons. Here ma e
the acquaintance of Bro. James Ful
ler, formerly of Harris Cos. Ga. He
has been in this county about eight
years, and is a sensible, pious and relia
ble man—lie is old, but still preaches
and farms. I had heard of him in
Georgia, and was much pleased to “see
him in the flesh.”
More anon. p.
AM I A CHRISTIAN. *
- Ibis is a momentous question,
which exercises the minds of all more
or less. There are many false tests
and standards, and there is need of
much discrimination.
Religion does not consist in feeling.
Many have nothing but a religion of
emotion. When they have a certain
frame of feeling, they are satisfied, and
look no farther. V ery little matter
what has caused this feeling, or wjiat
is their life and conduct; their emo
tions are excited to their gratification,
and this is enough. But it is a great
mistake. The Scriptures now here as
sure any that they are Christians,
merely because they feel well. The
selfish may 7 have such feelings.
Nor Joes religion consist in having
an orthodox creed. With some the
great question is, What do you be
believe? And if the theory is correct,
no more is required. But what does
the best theory avail, without prac
tice ? Some of the most immoral peo
ple have an exalted code of morals.—
One of this class once offered himself
for church membership, with a confes
sion written out at great length, with
much ability, and possessing rare ex
cellence. But it was to the individual
wholly ideal, and in no way expres
sive of his own state.
Nor, finally, does religion consist in
action. We may be able to boast of
mighty deeds, arid to say, “Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in Thy name,
and in Thy name cast out devils, and in
Thy name done many w T onderful
works,” yet Christ declares lie never
knew 7 us. Yes, in action we may go
farther. “Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, .(divine love.) I am
become as Bounding brass or a tinkling
cymbal. And though I have the gilt
of propecy, and understand all myste
ries, and all know ledge, and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains,and have not charity, lain
nothing. And though I bestow all my
gqvds to feed the poor, and though I
give my body to be burned, and have
not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Here are tests, which strictly applied,
would cut off many talse hopes, and
disclose many sandy foundations.
Religion is comprehensive.* It first
takes possession of the heart, the foun
tain of moral and spiritual life, dis
placing selfishness, worldliness, sin,
and setting God there supreme. en
it secures a conformity of the lii and
conduct, the intellect and theory.—
Thus it makes the whole man new.—
The feelings are right, the mind is
right, the actions are right, all being
in harmony with the Divine will.—
Morning Star.
Perry Davis’ Vegetable Pain Killer
possesses virtue, which not only re
moves pain instantly, but regulates the
stomach, gives strength, tone and vig
or to the system. It is one o** those
medicines which is tvorth more than
gold. Sold by druggists generally
throughout the United States and Can
da.
+*
TIIE CORN CROP, &c.
The universal drought of the past month in
Georgia, renders it a matter of certainty that
the corn crop is to be very short in this State.
Corn has ruied at a high price the past j ear,
and notwithstanding the promise of abundant
grain crops in the West, it will rule still higher
this year, unless our Railroads abate their ‘
freight charges on the article. This it will he
good policy in them to do. They should show
their sympathy with the planting interest,
(their great supporters.) by voluntarily surren
dering at least a portion of the profits they will
make out of their misfortunes. Let corn “o
forward this year at reduced rates. It will he
a wise as well as a just liberality.
In Alabama, as we see by the Mail, the corn
crop is already a failure. On thin lands f that
paper says, it has already perished, and a scar
city approaching famine cannot be avoided in
the Eastern and Middle counties.
So also in Florida, the drought has been very
Severe, and the Tallahassee papers say the crop
will be a failure.
In regard to cotton, we think its chances aie
very precarious. Such an extreme of dry weath
er we may reasonably apprehend will be follow
ed shortly by a corresponding extreme of wet,
and if it comes, the fruit will drop, and nothing
hut a very protracted season and late frost will
bring an average crop. The past month has
i very°materially moderated the expectations of
! planters.
j Anew Post-Office has been established
at No. 11, South-Western Railroad, in Hous
ton county, called Byron, and Geo. S. Peebles
appointed Post Master.