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family of Christ, followed soon by his
wife. Very soon after, little Oscar
sickened—the angel came for him.
“Papa, Fm going to die, and I shall
goon see God.”
The mission of the child was ended
—but his parents will never cease bles
sing God for him —and the Sabbath
• school. * * li***
rilK CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, 1 oitoe.
TELEGRAPH POWER 1 i.
MACON, GrA.
Wednesday August 8, 1860.
Let your light .So Shine.
That God had a special design in pla
cing us upon this earth we cannot doubt,
although we know not what that design
may be. An attentive consideration of
the text, of which the caption above is a
part, might give us a faint intimation of
God’s purpose, not only in placing us here,
but in creating this and all. worlds. It is
not, however, our intention to pursue
such a traiu of thought; but simply to
exhibit some of the relations, in which
Christians, as God's people, are called upon
to manifest their true character, as differ
ing from society's people and, by such a
manifestation, honor the religion they pro
fess, and thus glorify their Father which
is in heaven.
“Let your light so shine that others,
seeing your good works, may glorify your
Father which is in heaven.” These words
are intended for Christians. Christians
like the sun, are the light of the world:
to illuminate its moral darkness by pre
cept and example —to lure to a better
world and lead the wsl\ is their duty.—
God has so constituted the human mind
that it requires the instruction and exam
ple of other human beings to lead men to
esteem, acknowledge and admire Chris
tianity. Naught else can so arrest their
attention, convince their judgment, dis
lodge their skeptical objections to reli
gion, constrain them to do homage to its
beauty and arouse the slumbering con
science and make it true to itself.
Religion exemplified is the voice of Dei
ty speaking in unmistakable tones: it says
to the unconverted, Behold my Religion!
See its truthfulness ! Admire its benefits
and turn you — for why will you die!
Religion exemplified is the Bible speak
ing aloud. It says, See the effects of my
doctrines! Would you be thus happy ?
Then turn you —for why will you die!
Religion exemplified is eternity talking
to sinners. It exclaims, Behold this man!
He is wise unto salvation : he has laid hold
on eternal life : unending ages shall find
him enjoying a life that grows more and
more glorious and happy. 1 urn you —for
why will you die !
And all the while the unconverted are
powerless to gainsay: they are con
strained to acknowledge the ie lity and
truthfulness of that which chanr e !a
life and compels him to live ? ording to
maxims diverse from those ordinary
life. Seeing that God has &u constituted
us, it was to be expected that he woitld
place us in just such relations as would
enable us thus to exemplify his religion.
He has surrounded us on all sides by just
such beings as ourselves : w r e can no more
escape from society :.nd froi 1 exerting an
influence upon it, than we can escape from
ourselves; and we cannot avoid manifest
ing our religious principles by a correct
Christian example without practically de
nying the Savior who bought us. Let a
Christian fail to be meek, gentle, forbear
ing; honest, virtuous, humane; kind,
amiable, cheerful: let him encourage
strife, promote dissipation, ascribe bad
motives whenever he ascribes any: let
him be penurious, selfish, hardhearted:
let him take an undue advantage of his
acquaintance or defraud him in a business
transaction : let him exhibit levity and un
concern in all his daily walk and preserve
his solemnity for the Sabbat! : let him
fail to relieve the distressed: let him
speak evil of his neighbor: let him yield
to unch anness and give way to intemper
ance ; and what will all this be but say
ing, “I do not actually guide my life by
my Savior’s example and precept: tho’ I
profess to do os, I am but a pretender!” Is
this not a denial of Christ? And will
not men so read the Book of his life ?
Not thus will Christians shine as lights in
the world : not thus will they display the
sweet beauties of the Gospel: not thus
will they prove that religion emanates
from a God of love and charity ; and not
thus will they lead men to glo ify Him.
God has also established the family rela
tion and placed us in it to act so teat oth
ers seeing our good works may be led to
glorify Him. The man who so acts in his
family that his children and domestics and
neighbors doubt,his Christianity, will have
a fearful reckoning to make at the Judg
ment ; for God has placed him among
them especially , to be a guide for them to
heaven and to happiness. Let him act
contrary to his Christian character: let
him be harsh, sullen and morose : let him
fail to bring up his children in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord : let him so
act that his servants shall despise the re
ligion he vaunts so much at the prayer
meeting ; and he defeats the ends as
signed by God to the family government.
On the contrary, let him, by the sweet
ness of his disposition, the cheerfulness of
his manner, the regularity with which he
performs his religious duties, the conscien
tiousness with which he rebukes and pun
ishes departures from rectitude, f ch.bittfe
enforce the beauty and reality < f eligion,
and he will implant those p uples, fix
those impressions, and per) ite those
habits, which will not only rn human
nature, but lead up to nature’s God, and
result in'everlasting happiness. O, never
can parents and heads of families realize
the power and importance of letting their
fights as Christians shine! By so doing,
- ** , -
“they touch Chords that vibrate tbrdugh
eternity :” they “deposit the good seed,
which, after they are in heaven, if not be
fore, will produce the fruit of conversion
to God and of usefulness to men.” The
children of this age will govern the world
in the next age : the children of the pres
ent day, will be the church-members of
thirty years hence : how important then
to train them right! How important to
let our light so shine that the next gen
eration shall be led, by all they do and
say, to glorify God !
But Christians mingle with the world
and, like others, engage in worldly pur
suits; how are they to glorify God in
their secular transactions ?
Yonder is a man who from Monday
morning to Saturday night, races after
wealth : he is keen in a bargain, shrewd in
all his contracts, diligent, vigilant and en-’
terprising. Give him the advantage so
that he can lawfully use it and he does so:
put yourself in his power and you will
feel it: borrow of him and you must pay
a high interest. His representations are
always colored to suit his own advantage:
let an object of great charity approach,
and his heart and purse are closed: for
family prayer, he has no time : for private
devotion, he cares not; because bonds and
stocks and securities engross all his
time and attention. On Sabbath he
goes to the sanctuary and tries to give
his attention to holy things : with his fam
ily around him, he sits up erect in his
pew, and demeans himself decorously and
—thinks himself a Christian. But the
world does not think so: his actions do
not evince a Christian heart. Men of the
world have almost nothing to do with
Christians except in a business or secular
way; and if, in their business life as well as
iu their religious life men do not try to ex
emplify Christianity, how can we expect
but that men will misjudge religion it
self and become prejudiced against Chris
tianity ! Christianity must become appa
rent in our business life—in the trade be
tween man and man —in the assertions be
tween individual and individual—in the
very principles that accompany commer
cial transactions, if Christians would let
their light shine, so that men, seeing
their good works, may render praise to
God for a religion so beneficial to the in~
terests of mankind.
“As the planets accomplish a two fold
and simultaneous revolution—one on their
axes and one in their orbits—and all in
perfect harmony; so the Christian, by
having a calling and abiding with God in
that calling, may beautifully and simulta
neously revolve around the great centre
of God’s glory, and the centre of his
worldly interest.”
“Public virtue is the sum of private vir
tue ; and private virtue is the fruit of true
and efficient religion.” There is a spirit
abroad in our land, that nothing but true
religion can curb or and Chris
tians are called upon to exert their reli
gious influence.
In the midst of great political excite
ment, it becomes professed Christians to
rebuke fanaticism and turn men’s
thoughts from earth to heaven, by a more
than usual attendance upon the services
of the sanctuary and upon the meetings
for prayer, by cultivating, more than ev
er, personal religion and, in all they do,
exhibiting a dependence upon Him who
controls nations. From political party
ism they should hold themselves aloof;
and let all men see, by their sober, Chris
tian course, that,while they do not neglect
the interests of their country, and are pre
pared to act for its highest good, yet, that
patriotism is not incompatible with reli
gion : thus will they let their light shine.
“Let your light so shine that oth
ers SEEING YOUR GOOD WORKS MAY GLORI
FY your Father which is in heaven.”
The great end of a Christian’s life is not
reached until he shall so live as to prove
the reality of religion and draw men to
Jesus. This is the great object of their
conversion. Christ intends through the
faith of his followers to overcome the hos
tility of the world ; and this faith is to be
manifested in a well ordered life, in tem-
persand passions restrained, in returning
good for evil, and in conformity to the
image of Christ.
A Christian’s life is an abortion, unless it
is calculated to make men glorify God,
“not only by praising him for sending
such a religion into the world, but by em
bracing and practising that religion, to the
glory of God.’’
Let Christians ponder this well! And
let them not be satisfied with their reli
gious state, until they feel that it is such
as will lead men, by embracing, to honor
religion, and thus glorify the Author of
religion.
Book Notice.
Corrective Church Discipline ; with
a development of the Scriptural principles
on which it is based; by P. 11. Mell, D.
D. Second Edition.
It is probably a favorable indication of
the opinion entertained of this book that
a second edition should be called for this
early; and we make it the occasion to
notice the book again having just given it
a careful re-perusal. The book opens
with an Introduction stating the truths
admitted by Baptists, that converted per
sons only should join the church, that
nevertheless, churches are liable to disor
ders of which the Great Lawgiver recog
nizes the possibility and therefore has pro
vided a remedy.
This brings us at once to the likelihood
of offences in the church aud to the num
ber of kinds—namely two—Private and
Public.
Private offences he designates, “ those
that are personal— committed exclusive
ly against individuals ; as when encroach
ments are made upon individual rights,
interests or feelings.” “The specific char
acter is that the act is not a crime against
religion and morality. 5 ’ If we understand
this, it means that Private offences are
composed ot such acts as, separated from
their motives, do not constitute, essential
ly and necessarily, sinful acts. For in
stance we may neglect to speak to a broth
er time and again : in the act itself there
is nothing sinful—nothing immoral —noth-
ing absolutely contrary to religion: it may
arise from hurry or absent-mindedness ;
and he has no right to complain until he
comes to us and asks our reasons for
such unusual conduct. In a twinkling we
may make all satisfactory to him and as
sure him that no offence was meant, that
it was all unintentional, that we love him
as much as ever. Here is exemplified the
beauty of Christ’s rule, “Go tell him his
fault, between thee and him alone.”
It is necessary to a “Private offence”
that it be committed against a brother
church-member ; now there is no deny
ing that such an offence may become sin
ful on account of the motives or temper
actuating. Still the beauty of Christ’s
rule becomes manifest: by following it
the agrieved may mollify the offender or
reclaim him from an evil course, regain
his good will, bring him to repentance
and secure peace and harmony. The man
apologizes for his rudeness or whatever
the act may be, and, in contrition, begs
God’s pardon for his sinful motives and
feelings,—the appointed means for secu
ring repentance have been followed, God
blesses them and the offender is made to
see his fault and repents. It may be that
the complainer has unwittingly given of
fence : by his going to his brother, he dis
covers the real cause of the difficulty and
an adjustment is effected. We recollect
once that our pastor with whom we board
ed, treated us with marked coolness, re
fusing to speak to us for several days. Os
course we were miserable. Unable to en
dure it longer, and refusing to leave his
house and complain to others, we went to
him and asked him what was the matter,
stating that we were grieved —offended,
at his conduct. He replied that we had
broken a promise made to him not to
dance at a pleasure party; we retorted
that he was misinformed—that we did not
dance, and in fact did not know how to
dance. We had made the promise in the
best faith and with the best of reasons :
he had heard a wrong tale : but thinking
us guilty he had manifested his displeas
ure. His act was not in itself sinful—yet
it offended us; but, upon a mutual expla
nation, all was satisfactorily adjusted.
“Public offences,” Prof. Mell designates
1. “Crimes exclusively against religion
and morality. 2. Offences against the
church in its organized capacity.’’
It now appears that any offence may
be private —as synonymous with secret,
concealed, hidden; and public—as synony
mous with open, exposed to view, mani
fest. Hence the confusion, arising from
the use of the two terms.
Any act, sinful in itself, is a “public of
fence ;’’ so also is a “transgression against
the church in its organized capacity”—
as when a member denounces the doc
trines of the church as unscriptural and
becomes himself antLscriptural, or when
he endeavors to promote schism in the
church.
It will now be perceived that an offence
may be partly “private” and partly “pub
lic it may be a “public’’ offence commit
ted against a brother-member—an act
really sinful and immoral performed to
the detriment of an individual brother.—
This kind of offence Prof. Mell styles
“mixed offences,” though he does not
dignify them by the appellation of a third
class. We clearly perceive that such of
fences may “come and here, we may
say that Prof. Worrell, in our opinion, has
misapprehended Prof. Mell’s classification
of offences.
Chapter 2d, treats of Treatment of of
fences ; and we think all its positions ten
able. Chapter 3d discusses questions sug
gested by the previous chapters— espe
cially, What shall be done when an ag
grieved person attempts to bring ‘private’
offences into the church without having
Gospel steps ?
Chapter 4th, treats of the feelings and
actions of a pious man who has been un
justly accused. Chapter sth, inquires into
the nature of “the church.” Chapter 6th
shows the relation the Pastor sustains to
Corrective Church Discipline. Chapter
7th begins the discourse upon “sovereign
ty” and “ independence”—it discusses
whether or not a member may refuse to
be tried—supposing him to differ from the
church in regard to the kind of offence ;
whether a church disregarding Matthew
18th, ceases to be a church : may a church
expel by a majority ? May a minority
never unchurch a majority ? May the
minority unchurch the majority if the ma
jority disregard the law in Matt. 18th.—
Chapter Bth continues to discuss “church
sovereignty”—asks can a minority be tried
without Presbytery or Council ?
What is a minister? what is ordina
tion ? the relation a Presbytery bears
to ordination —Prof. Mell’s discussion of
of all these chapters pleases us and we are
prepared to give in our adherence to all
the arguments presented : we think his
views sound and think it will be a long
time before a book on discipline more plain,
concise and scriptural will be published.
We intended to speak more at length on
the last chapter 9th, but want of space
forbids : we will do so another time. We
cordially believe that it is the duty of ev
ery Georgia Baptist to procure this book
and read it carefully. The perusal of it
in book form made a far more favorable
impression on us than when we read it in
detached numbers.
Before concluding this, the first part of
our critique we will say that the text does
not sustain those who may suppose that
Prof. Mell thinks a church ought to enter
tain a charge “wickedly” brought before
her.
Correction.
In the second sentence of Prof. Hillyer’s last
article, for There read These. Thirty lines
from the beginning, for “ought” read “are
right.” Accidents will happen : not only our
self, but Mr. Clisby, one of the best of proof
readers, read the proof of that article.
Missionary Organizations.
Number 0.
CENTRALISM AND EXPENSE.
It is objected to our missionary institu
tion that they tend to centralism. We
do not know precisely what this is. We
suppose, however, that it is a concentra
tion of power likely to prove dangerous
to the independence of the churches. In
our view, centralism is simply a bugbear.
It seems strange, that any person ac
quainted with the present condition, or
past history of the Baptist denomination,
should not perceive that among them, the
centrifugal is much stronger the centripe
tal force. We are in far greater danger
of divisions than of consolidation. Our
experience in this country, for a century
past, has shown that we are liable to be
agitated and rent asunder by aspiring par
ty leaders and sectional jealousies ; but if
any evil or danger has sprung from cen
tralism, we know nothing of it. Had
there been more combination among Bap
tists, they would have had fewer feeble
and abortive enterprizes among them, and
would have promoted more effectively the
general denominational interests. Their
resources have been sadly squandered in
ill-advised schemes which might have
been prevented by a little more concert
and counsel —that is, a little more central
ism.
Why should centralism be dreaded ?
Who constitute this central power ? The
delegates from the churches and mission
societies, generally the most pious, ear
nest, discreet and trust-worthy of their
number. Will they conspire against the
liberty of the churches ? They come to
gether, not to lord it over God’s heritage,
but to counsel and concert measures to
promote the cause of Christ, and to pray
for its success. It is the centralization of
wisdom, experience, piety and resources,
to save the perishing heathen. If then
brethren should be so insane as to aim at
spiritual domination, how could they ex
ercise it ? They could enforce their de
crees only by love, and argument, and
persuasion. Any association or church,
or member of any church, may at any
time cease all connexion with the central
power. If it is not invested with civil au
thority to enforce its mandates by pains
and penalties, it surely need not inspire a
larm. If it is dependent, as it must be,
solely on moral suasion for its influence,
to dread it, is not merely to call in ques
tion the motives of those who exercise the
power, but the capacity of the churches
to protect themselves from the most ar
rogant and imbecile tyranny. If any
thing so impossible as an attempt to make
our missionary organisms engines of spir
itual despotism should occur, those alarm
ists, who urge the objection under con
sideration, may be quite sure that the
present advocates of these systems will be
as prompt and earnest as themselves, to
oppose the evil.
There is no use in citing instances of ecclesias
tical tyranny in other ages, and occurring under
circumstances widely differing from .these in which
we are placed, to awaken a fear of the “raw-head
and bloody-bones,” called centralism. Nothing
deserving the name of spiritual despotism can ex
ist apart from a hierarchy. Can any mortal per
suade himself that in this country, where there is
such a diversity of sectional interests, so many re
ligious sects, and so many argus-eyed friends of
liberty, that any ecclesiastical establishment can
be reared, and especially of Baptist materials ?
But if the Southern Baptist Convention is to be
dissolved on account of its centralizing tendency,
let us be consistent and crush the heads of the
whole viperous brood of centralisms—conventions,
associations, societies, boards, and committees.—
Why should we destroy the mother and let the
offspring run at large? Until we make a clean
riddance of the pests, we shall prove that we are
bad logicians, or are only half sincere in opposing
the evil.
Another objection to our missionary plans is,
that they are expensive. The facts furnished by
Bro. Poindexter are a sufficient refutation of this
objection. .We will, however, examine the mat
ter somewhat particularly as it relates to the For
eign Mission Board, as that is the special object
of attack.
From all that we can learn it is impossible for
missions to be more economically conducted than
they are by that board. For room rent, and the
onerous services of the treasurer, nothing is paid.
The only officers of the board that receive any
compensation for their labors, are the secreta
ries. They receive, we are informed, a compen
sation less than many of the pastors of our
churches obtain, and perform far more laborious
and self denying services. They conduct the cor
respondence, edit the papers, superintend the em
barkation of missionaries, and spend half their
time from home in fatigueing journeys; and in
various labors. And is it no abatement to the
cost of supporting them, that they give their en
ergies and experience freely to advocating and
advancing the denominational interests wherever
they find an opportunity for doing so. As evan
gelists their labors are invaluable.
It is true, that the cost of supporting missions is
greater than it ought to be. But the chief ex
pense is in the agency system. If our churches
had been duly trained to beneficence, and their
pastors were properly awake to the importance of
the missionary work, and would take the trouble
to superintend the annual missionary collections,
the service of agents might, in most cases, be dis
pensed with. In some of the older States, where
the churches have been trained to make the con
tributions, by the frequent visits of agents, their
labors, we understand, are now discontinued, or
are retained at a very small per centage on the
aggregate amount of contributions. But in many
portions of the country to dispense with agents
is to dispense with contributions. If agencies are
expensive, the fault is not in the Foreign Mission
Board, but in the lack of benevolence or system
in the churches, and of missionary zeal and dili
gence in their pastors. The evil must be correc
ted, not by that Board, but by the brethren gen
erally in the regions where it prevails, by the dif
fusion of intelligence, and a liberal spirit, and the
adoption of plans which will secure regular con
tributions from the ohurches.
We cannot close these remarks without bearing
our individual testimony to the value of agents as
a class ot laborers in the kingdom of Christ. They
are evangelists, occupying extensive fields, and
many of them laboring with eminent success.—
They diffuse important .'information, encourage ev
ery good work, foster a liberal spirit, in additon
to obtaining contribution for their several objects.
No class of workmen are more worthy of their
wages—wages frequently very inadequate to their
services, and sometimes grudgingly bestowed at
that—and none deserve a higher regard in the
affections, and a higher place in the commenda
tions of their brethren, than agents.
Penfield Commencement.
On Sabbath morning the Baccalaureate
sermon was preached by Dr. Crawford,
President of the University. The Chap
el was full, and, as usual, Dr. Crawford
kept the attention of his audience enchain
ed by the magic power of a chaste, manly
and dignified eloquence. The sermon was
appropriate and of its kind possessed pe
culiar excellencies. The President of Mer
cer never makes an effort at display ; but
there is in all his performances an evidence
of genius that lends interest to the occa
sion and throw’s a charm around his sub
ject.
Rev. J. 11. Corley, preached the annual
sermon before the “Young Men’s Mission
ary Society.” The sermon was very good ;
for brother Corley is one of our strongest
preachers. lie thus helped make Com
mencement Sabbath one of the most pleas
ant and interesting that has ever been
witnessed at Penfield.
The Soplimore prize declamation on
Monday could w T ilh difficulty be excelled ;
and deserves the meed of high praise.—
It is evident that the Prof, of Oratory has
performed the duties of his post well; but
the native abilities of the young men and
their desire to excel ably seconded the
Professor’s exertions and thus secured an
exhibition that could hardly have been
better. The first prize for superior decla
mation was awarded to George A. Lofton,
and the second to Robt. D. Render. A
list is appended of all the contestants and
their subjects :
Joseph N. Beadles, The Irish Distur
bance Bill; Merrill Calloway, Mark Anto
ny at Ciesar’s Funeral; Thomas K. Mc-
Call, The Return of liegulus to Carthage;
Ed. C. Everett, The Spirit of the South ;
Jno. S. Newsome, Against employing In
dians in the American War ; Louis G.
Crawford, Pitt’s reply to Walpole ; Willis
J. Milner, The burial of Sir John Moore;
A. ,1 udson Cheves, The Grave, by Irving;
Robt. H. Harris, Specimen of the Elo
quence of James Otis; George W. Grif
fin, Las-Cassas dissuading from Battle ;
Jephtha V. Davis, Spartacus to the Ro
man Envoys; George A. Lofton, Fitz-
Jamesand Roderick Dhu ; Robt. D. Ren
der, Speech for the Union ; J. Walter
Perry, Concerning a llat.
On Monday night E. Y. Hill, Jr., Esq.,
delivered a very creditable original poem
on Eloquence. Mr. Hill performed his
task well ; and by the beauty of his lines
and the elegance of his thoughts and ex
cellence of his delivery successfully inau
gurated anew species of entertainment at
our Southern College Commencements.
It would not be praise enough simply to
call Mr. Hill’s Poem good, for it was
more.
Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Junior Exhibition took
place, the following young men delivering
original speeches on the subjects given :
The True Statesman, Richard H. Max
well.
The Eloquence of Decay, Albert E.
Johnson.
Undesirableness of a Universal Lan
guage, James B. Darby.
The Half Educated Teacher, Erastus J.
Murphy.
Pursuit of knowledge, Alvan D. Free
mau.
Language a Monument of Human Ge
nius, George F. Burch.
Responsibilities of Educated Men, John
T. Murphy.
Effect of the Treaty with Japan, Chas.
A. Hawkins.
The Popularity Hunter, John T. Har
ris.
Benefits of Solitude, Robert 11. Caden
head.
The demands of the Joseph VV.
Cabaniss.
Prospects of Italy, F. Lorraine Hillyer.
The Beauty of Design, W. J. Brown.
Unfortunately J. A. Billups, Esq., who
was to have delivered the Sophmore pri
zes, was prevented by illness; consequent
ly the President delivered them without
a speech.
On the afternoon of Tuesday the new
Phi Delta Hall was dedicated, on which
occasion a Dedicatory Oration by Prof.
Tucker, was delivered.
This was the Speech of the week.
The address was superb and replete
with all those intrinsic qualities that make
an oration acceptable. Such a speech few
men can make. Classic, amusing, elo
quent, it kept all attentive and interested
for two hours.
The author has declined to have it
published ; but has consented for a copy
to be filed among the Archives of the In
stitution. The New Hall is handsome
and possesses more architectural beauty
and style than any building in the Cam
pus. Its cost was $7,000. On Tuesday
night a large number of persons attended
the President’s Levee. Here new ac
quaintances were formed and old ones re
newed. This delightful re union was dis
tinguished for the absence of constrained
formality: each moved about at will ; and
the consequence was that all enjoyed
themselves.
Wednesday,
Commencement day, ex
ercises of which were according to the
following programme :
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
MUSIC.
Prayer.
MUSIC.
Latin Salutatory, M. N. McCall, 2d Honor.
The Last Day of Moses, Owen C. Pope. Gradu
ate of the Theological Department.
MUSIC.
Popular Errors in regard to Education, A. Mon
roe Marshall.
True Greatness, John T. Chapman.
The Demagogue, Eugene S. Mitchell.
MUSIC.
The Expensiveness of Ignorance, John M. Proc
tor.
The American Triumvirate, Charles M. Willet.
Permanency of Slavery, Palemea J. King, 3d
Honor.
MUSIC.
Resources and Prospects of Georgia, Samuel A.
Barney.
Beauties of Geology, Joseph P. Carson.
Memorable Epochs in the Progress of English
Liberty, Jewett G. DeYotie.
MUSIC.
Annexation of Mexico, John T. Blount.
Home Patronage, M. N. McCall.
Effect of Agricultural Pursuits on Moral Char
acter, James W. Murrow.
MUSIC.
Valedictories, John M. Proctor, Ist Honor.
MUSIC.
CONFERRING OF DEGREES.
The Degree of Bachelor of Divinity was confer
red on Owen C. Pope, of Washington co., Ga.
The Degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred
on the following named gentlemen :
John T. Blount, P. D. S., of Talbotton, Ga.
Samuel A. Burney, C. S., of Madison, Ga.
Abner B. Campbell P. D. S., of Gridin, Ga.
Charles D. Campbell, P. D. S., do do
Joseph P. Carson, C. S., of Reynolds, Ga.
John T. Chapman, C S., of Crawfordville, Ga.
Jewett G. DeYotie, C. S., of Columbus, Ga.
Zachariali J. Edmondson, C. S., of Eatonton,Ga.
J. Madison Granberry, P. D. S., of Grenada, Miss.
Allen F. Holt, P. D. S., of Macon, Ga.,
Leonidas W. Howell, C. S., of Beulah, Ala.
Palemon J. King, C. S., of Greene county, Ga.
A. Monroe Marshall, P. D. S., of Knoxville, Ga.
Moses N. McCall, C. S , of Black Creek, Ga.
Eugene S. Mitchell, P. D. S., of Macon, Ga.
James W. Morrow, C. S., of Monroe, Ga.
William S. Neel, P. D. S., of Mount Zion, Ga.
Francis G. M. Peebles, C. S., of Tazewell, Ga.
John M. Proctor, P. D. S., of Talbotton, Ga.
Charles M. Willet, C. S., of Macon, Ga.
MUSIC.
BENDICTION.
The speeches were all good, aud exhib
ited oratorical abilities, excellence of com
position and powers of mind that may
well make the graduates glad, and afford
gratification to the Prolessors ; but where
all was good it is not well to distinguish.
The Valedictory was a chaste and beau
tiful effort; but somewhat wanting in that
which bestows the charm upon such ad
dresses—EMOTlON.
At 4 o’clock, R. G. Harper, Esq., de
livered an Oration, belore the Literary
Societies of the Institution, on the.subject
of Eloquence. It was a well written ad
dress, beautiful in its fine rhetoric, and
delivered with an eloquence at limps im
passioned. Mr. Harper is a graduate of
Emory College in the State : he was re
cently a candidate lor Congress in the 7th
District; and stands among the first young
men of.Georgia.
On Wednesday the Degree of Doctor
of Divinity was conferred upon Rev. S. G.
Hillyer, which is a well merited honor.
Remarks.
The Commencement was a success —a
real literary festival. All were pleased
and gratification shone in every eye.
The University is more flourishing than
ever, and is justly a source of pride to the
Baptists of Georgia : the Lord is answer
ing the prayers of the fathers. It. turns
out this year six young men whose lives
will be devoted to preaching the un
searchable Christ.
Change.
The Commencement day lias been
again changed : it will take place hereaf
ter on the Second Wednesday in July
instead of the Fourth. The members of
the Board of Trustees, it is understood,
deeply regret these changes, but the
health of the Students and Faculty seem
ed to demand a longer Summer vacation
and a shorter one in Winter. It is hoped
that there will be no necessity for another
change.
A want of Penfield.
A good Hotel is much needed at Pen
field. There is also a demand for good
Boarding houses. Persons wishing to ed
ucate their children cheaply, could easily
do so by residing at Penfield and board
ing students. Are there not some wid
ows who have sons to educate ? They
would do well to move to Penfield and
open boarding houses. Houses for the
purpose can be rented or purchased there
at a low price.
The attendance this year was larger
than last year, but it would have been
larger still, had it been known that there
were sufficient accommodations. Doubt
less the heat and dust kept many away,
as it had not rained for many weeks.
The Jane Posey Fund.
The Board of Trustees have named the
SIO,OOO bequeathed by Mrs. Posey, “The
Jane Posey Fund,’’ and ordered a fine
likeness of sister Posey to be painted and
placed in the College Library among oth
er likenesses of distinguished friends. Are
there not others who will follow the ex
ample of Mrs. Posey and bequeath a por
tion of their property to Mercer Universi
ty ? Many churches, especially in towns
and cities would be greatly blessed by
such bequests on the part of members.
[We publish the announcement below
with much regret; but we hope that, tho’
no agent is in the field, that Georgia Bap
tists will look upon the endowment of
this professorship as a duty, and and con
tribute to effect that end by remitting
money or notes to
T. J. Burney, Tr., Madison, Ga. Is there
not one liberal Baptist who will leave a
large bequest for this purpose, and be his
own Executor?]
Tiie Sanders Professorship.
It was announced some time since that
brother D. E. Butler had been appointed
Agent for completing the endowment of
the Sanders Professorship in Mercer Uni
versity. The Agent entered the field
with energy, but at the recent meeting of
the Board of Trustees, after proper delib
eration, it was resolved that his labors be
suspended for the present year. The rea
son for this action lies in the condition of
our country from the recent wide-spread
drought which has so materially, and in
some localities so sadly, cut off the corn
and cotton crops of our State. The best
friends of the object feel that it is imprac
ticable for them to do, at this time, any
thing worthy of so good an object. Their
means are absolutely required to secure
bread for their families from some more
fruitful section .of the country.
The suspension of the effort is to be re
garded as temporary only. The endow
ment is a necessity which the Board feel
obliged to meet in order to sustain the
demands of the nge, and the rapidly in
creasing prosperity of the l niverrity. -
God is greatly blessing our Institution,
and it is believed that He will soon place
our friends in such circumstances as will
enable them to supply cheerfully all the
means needed for its fullest development.
By order of the Board,
S. LANDRUM,
Sec. B. T. of M. U.
August 1, 1860.
Extracts from the Commission
FOR AUGUST.
Letter from Brother Bowen.
BRAZIL.
Rio dk Janeiro, May 25, 1860
Dear Brother Taylor:
Although I have been hero three or four days I
have been so verv busy that I bad no time to
write.
The yellow fever is bad in the city, and there
is considerable cholera. It is the worst season for
several years past.
Mr. Waight has been exceedingly kind. He
t would not permit us to remain in the city, but
would insist on our goiug to his house. I succeed
ed, through his aid, in getting quarters for a few
days at Bennets, in Tijuca. Expenses are enor
mous—about double what I expected.
I have been Very much harrassed and fatigued,
and am so sore from head to foot that I almost
fear an attack of sickness. I shall not come to
the city any more for a week or so.
There are hundreds of Protestants (Germans) a
bout Petropolis, who are anxious to have a mis
sionary. This, I believe, is my work at present.
What a nucleus is here! But I shall make no
permanent arrangement till I receive instructions,
or a carte blanche.
There are thousands of Yoruba people here
They swarm around me like bees, and seem de
lighted that I have come to teach them. I have
forgotten little or none of their language.
Please excuse this apology for a letter.
Truly yours in hope of life,
T. J. BOWEN.
writer :
“The people of Brazil, though nominally Catho
lics, are at heart infidels.” The writer continues :
“The climate is salubrious, and facilities for trav
el good. Brazil contains within its borders 3,004,-
460 square miles, andis 68,294 square miles larger
than the whole territory of the United States.”
AFRICA.
Brother Phillips writes on the 13th of April,
from Ijaye:
A BATTLE.
A few days ago a battle was fought very near
this town, but nothing of importance accomplish
ed. The Ijayans caught about eighty, and as Arie
will not sell a Yoruban, he killed all except foreign
ers. We uo not know how many were killed, or
how many of the Ijayans were killed and caught,
but the Ijayans claim the victory.
HEALTH AND PREACHING.
We are all tolerably well. I am just recovering
from another attack of malignant fever. The rains
are now beginning to fall pretty fa-t* I have our
house-roof completed, and the most of the repairs
done.
We go on without molestation in preaching the
gospel; though I have not had much time to
preach, except of Sundays, for a long time.
Bro. Stone writing from the same town, says :
NUMBER OF SOLDIERS.
You may judge of the population of this town
when I tell you, that, though a large reserve of not
less than 10,000 warriors remained in town, and a
large army was stationed in the stronghold of Erau,
yet an army not much less than 40,000 wariiors,
headed by the Chief and his staff, passed by our
house after the battle or skirmish was over.
I think a decisive battle will soon be fought,
and itis horrible to think of the carnage that will
be the result. An army itself is a terrible sight.
OUR MISSIONS.
We have no letters from China or Liberia since
our last issue of the Journal. From our Liberia
mission we have not heard for several months.
APPOINTMENT OF A MISSIONARY.
At a meeting of the Board on the night of Tues
day, the 10th of July, Brother Richard Ratcliff -,
who graduated at Mt. Lebanon University, La., at
its late Commencement, and was ordained by a
presbytery of ministers in attendance on the Louis
iana Baptist Convention, recently held at Mt. Leb
anon, was accepted by the Board as a missionary
to Yoruba.
Bro. Ratcliffe will spend some months in study
ing Theology. [He should also acquire some
knowledge of medicine.— Ed. Index |
California Items.
We extract the following from a correspondent
of the Tennessee Baptist:
NUMBER OF CHURCHES.
The lirst Baptist Church in this State was or
ganized in San Francisco, 1849. Two we-e form
ed in 1850, one in 1851, one in 1852, three in 1853,
four in 1854, three in 1855, eight iu 1856, eleven
in 1857, ten in 1858, eight in 1859, and seven thus
far iu 1860, making sixty in all, embracing up
wards of one thousand nine hundred members.—
About half of these churches have good houses of
worship ; others meet in coi*rt houses, and such
other places as they can command. We have six
ty-one preachers; thirty-one of whom are pastors,
others are licentiates, or without charge. Many
churches are very small, but give promise of heal
thy growth.
As far as I can learn, we have quite an active
and efficient ministry.
HARMONY.
The churches in this State are in harmonv and
peace. No unhappy dissensions disturb the broth
erhood and hinder their usefulness. All endeavor
to carry the gospel to regions beyond, and the
churches are multiplied, walking in the fear of
God, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost.
We have so much to do in preaching Christ,
and extending his cause, that we have no time to
indulge in mutual jealousies, or angry feeling to
wards each other.
FIRST CONVENTION.
The Convention held in San Francisco last Feb
ruary, was a fraternal conference. Brethren from
distant parts came together to get acquainted with
each other, to tell what the Lord was doing in
their respective fields, to give the statistics of their
churches, and to encourage each other to be faith
ful in the work committed to their charge. It was
a delightful meeting of Christian brethren, all la
boring for Christ, and sympathizing with each oth
er.
PAPER.
\Ve have a valuable little paper, called the ‘Bap
tist Circular,’ edited by Elder J. L. Shuck, and pub
lished monthly. In July, brother Cheuv of San
Francisco, will take charge of it, and publish it
semi-monthly. We hope soon to issue it weekly.
Letter from Bro. Reid.
We have just received an interesting letter
from Bro. Reid, telling of the disturbances in
Yoruba: he himsel is feeble, and should be
permitted to return home until the war is over.
Denominational Idolatiy Reproved.
This is anew edition of Rev. C. D. Mallo
ry’s famous sermon. Price 15 eta., at Baptist
Depository.