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cent city.’? I was pleased, though suf
fering from fever, to see the steeple of
the Coliseum place Baptist church
raising its high head to Heaven. To
me that was the most interesting spot
in the great city. i ‘•
ME CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
Wednesday, August 15, 1860.
And Enoch walked with God;
AND HE WAS NOT, FOR GOD TOOK
HIM ; FOR, BEFORE HIS TRANSLA
TION, IIE HAD THIS TESTIMONY
THAT HE PLEASED GOD.
HIS ASSURANCE.
Two weeks since, we presented some
views of the character of Enoch: we wflsh
now to offer a few reflections drawn from
the same source, which reflections the
attentive reader will perceive to be the
third and last ot a series.
In Hebrew 11:5, Enoch is exhibited
as an illustration of the power of Faith:
by faith he realized the substance of things
hoped for, and possessed the evidence of
things not seen. The things hoped for, are
the triumphs of the Gospel—sanctification,
’ iii a degree, here, and the eternal blessed
ness and glory of the heavenly state. —
The things not seen, comprehensively sta
ted, are all the invisible things, past, pres
ent and future, that pertain to God, his
grace and providence. All these invisi
ble things were to the eye of Enoch’s
faith visible, and to his consciousness real
ities. On account of his faith Enoch was
enabled to walk with God: and because
of his walk—that is, because of the obe
dience of his life and the holiness of his
heart, “he was translated, that he should
not see death.” We shall see death ; but
the faith that exempted him from its
sight , will, for us, rob it of its sting.
Doubtless it was his faithful, well-regu
lated walk that procured for Enoch, in his
own conscience, and before his transla
tion, the testimony, “that he pleased
God and this testimony was manifested
by his having always a lively sense of
God’s presence upon his spirit—a com
fortable communion with God.
Enoch knew that he was the sure heir
—the confirmed inheritor of immortal
life. He had the testimony. The Holy
Spirit, in whispers inaudible save to his
soul, gave him the sweet assurance. O,
what a gift! With what serene steadiness
did the Patriarch tread the paths of life,
sustained, strengthened and impelled by
the realized truth, that with him God was
well pleased!
To the good men of that day, they being
without the Gospel light that we enjoy,God
doubtless vouch safed personal revela
tions that to us are denied. And thus
was Enoch assured that immortal life was
his. Such assurance may we have in kind,
if not in degree. We may know that our
Redeemer liveth—that our sins are
forgiven—that heaven awaits us. Such
assurance may not always abide with us :
it may come and go : it may leave us
floundering in the slough of Despond, or
it may raise us to the very summit ofFis
gah. It is however our great privilege
to attain to a comfortable conviction that
we, too, shall see God in peace. But how
is this conviction attainable ? Ah, that is
the vital inquiry! Not by a sovereign and
s*igle divine impression: not by the oc
casional fervor of devotion: not by any
routine of external observances; but by
a steady walk thoughout life—closer and
still closer with God, until we arrive at
the very portal of the New Jerusalem.—
Thus, (and thus only,) may we make our
calling and election sure to our own ap
prehension.
His Preaching.
Enoch was a Prophet. This we learn
from Jude 14th. At that early day, he
foretold, “that the Lord cometh with ten
thousand of his saints, to execute judg
ment upon all, and to convince all that
are ungodly among them of their ungod
ly deeds which they have ungodly com
mitted.” We suppose that he was a
preacher of righteousness, and w y arned
the men of his generation, “who turned
the grace of God into kisciviousuess, and
denied the only Lord God and our Lord
Jesus Christ,” to flee from the w r rath to
come.
Ills teachings and warnings constituted
a part of that walk which pleased God.—
Are we not all teachers of the word as well
as, in conduct, exponents of the power of
Christianity? We may not all be authen
ticated ministers of the Gospel, but, sure
ly, we are witnesses for Christ by precept
and example; and it is the duty of all
Christian men at all convenient times, to
proclaim the unsearchable riches of the
Gospel. The time has arrived when lay
men, disclaiming the functions of the
called and accredited ministry, should
stand forth, the heralds of the cross. Not
only would w r e have them by a consistent
walk merely, portray the power and real
ality of religion; but we would have
them assume a more aggressive attitude
and, like well-drilled and impetuous co
horts —guerilla-cohorts it may be —attack
the powers of darkness at every point.
Let not Christians imagine that they
may repose on the well-earned laurels of
a godly life or sanctified nature; for they
have a grand victory to achieve—a victo
ry over principalities and powers and the
rulers of the darkness of this world and
spiritual wickedness in high places. And
while we would say to each minister—
“ Fight till the last armed foe expires
We would also arouse the laity by the cry,
“To ARMS, TO ARMS !’’
And we would bid them look around and
behold the general apathy of their neigh
bors, the appalling unconcern of sinners
in general, and the fearful destitution of
gospel ministers. And w T e would ask
them, in view of these facts* if it was not
high time, for those, who name the name
of Christ, not only to depart from iniqui
ty, but to engage in active warfare in his
cause. And we would remind them that
God, by visiting various portions of the
world, aye of our own State is now mani
festing a willingness to rain down bless
ings, and that it is their duty to take ad
vantage of this flood in the tide of Provi
dence, that they may lead thousands on
to the fortune of eternal life. Then, in
earnest, solemn tones we say,
Organize ! Organize !
If there is a church whose members do
naught else besides hear the stated preach
ing of the Gospel, we say to them, Arouse
you , there is something for you to do !
With your brothers and sisters, go to the
houses of those who are yet without God
in the world, and tell them of their dan
ger, and point them to the Lamb of God,
and bow with them before the throne of
Grace. Wherever you meet an uncon
verted soul, drop into his ear tidings of
that fearful Judgment at which he shall
be tried ; and leave behind a Tract or
freely-bestowed Testament to deepen the
impression. And when your minister is
laboring, in much toil and weariness, to
plant the seeds of eternal life, do you, by
carefully cultivating the soil, nourish the
germinating plant into vigorous growth.
Think not ’tis the Pastor’s task to win the
battle, alone: unaided and unencouraged
he will soon sink, spiritless and almost
powerless, before the shots of his many
adversaries. Hold up his hands. Not on
ly do w r e say this to the mature in years,
but to the young. Enoch, so peculiarly
a favorite with God, began early to serve
him and died young; for he lived only
half the time allotted to those of his day.
And yet, translated at the noonday of life,
it is certain that for three hundred years
he so lived and preached, as to “please
God.’’ In the youth of lijs age , therefore,
previous to his 65th year, he “walked
with God.’’ His 365th year, which was
the year of his death, corresponds with
the 35th year of the man of this day ; and
his 65th year must correspond with the
period of youth at our time. In his youth
Enoch “walked with God ;’’ and had it
testified to him that “he pleased God.”
How impressive the lesson!
Trod No Flowery Path.
Sy some it is supposed that it is far
more difficult to walk with God now, than
it was in the days of Enoch. They im
agine that the Patriarchs lived under cir
cumstances more favorable to holiness
than do we: that they had fewer tempta
tions, less outward antagonisms and less
inward strife : that they were neither dis
turbed by civil convulsions nor ravaged
by desolating wars : that they were neith
er harrassed by poverty, nor enervated by
ivcalth. And it is supposed that, without
commerce, without agriculture, without
arts, without books and without the vain
babble of the schools, these ‘nomad Chris
tians fed their flocks in peace, and quietly
walked in the ways of righteousness:
that they gathered inspiration from na
ture, virtue from experience and perfecti
bility from the direct teachings of the
Spirit.
There is much of all this true.
Certainly the simple lives the Patriarchs
led were favorable to holy contemplation :
they felt not the agitations of our civili
zation, and knew not the disquietudes of
our philosophy. Yet they had the heart
of the Fall—deceitful above all things
and desperately wicked.
The nature of Enoch \v r as the same as
our nature —a nature which invincible
grace alone can subdue. When men be
gan to multiply, “God saw that the wick
edness of man was great in the earth, and
that every imagination of the thoughts of
his heart was only evil continually :” the
earth was filled with violence: depravity
was rampant; and lust and rapacity
reigned. Such was the state of society
in Noah’s day, and such it was in Enoch’s
day. Such were the abominations among
men, that God saw fit to purify the earth
by pouring upon it an all-destroying
flood.
It was, therefore, no flowery path that
Enoch trod.
We, on the contrary, live in an age of
letters: books and schools and systems
abound : science reveals the mysteries of
nature, and knowledge pampers the pride
of men : nations are united in commer
cial bonds and are disrupted by selfishness
and ambition : ever and anon, the conflict
of armies shakes the earth : self-reliance
disclaims the sovereignty of God : wild
turmoil and contentions agitate the social,
political and religious world ; and the spir
it of piety cries out in vain for repose.—
We walk upon the level of this world’s
wild commotions. And, yet, amid all, we
move in the blaze of Gospel revelation. The
Church of God is on the advance and his
Kingdom comes: the Lord God omnipo
tent reigneth. The feeblest Christian
may still walk with God, for the Holy
Spirit guides him, theADgel of the cove
nant is his companion and the arms of the
great Jehovah are round about him.
Michael Servetus.
He was born at Villa-neuva, in Arra
gon, in 1500 —in the same year that John
Calvin saw the light.
He was a man of subtle genius, diseased
and sickly in body, and “unlike every
body but himself.’’
In the words of Moheim, “he was, be
yond all measure, arrogant and also ill
tempered, contentious, unyielding and a
semi-fanatic.’’
He regarded himself as the Michael of
scripture, and appointed to unfold the na
ture of Christ. He believed “that the Su
preme Being, before the foundation of the
world, produced in himself, and formed
two modes of existence, namely, The Lord
and the Holy Spirit ; by w’hich he might
both make known his will to mankind and
impart to them his blessings; that the
word was joined to the man Christ, who
was, by the efficient volition of God, born
of the Virgin Mary; and that, on this ac
count, Christ might justly be called God.;
that the Holy Spirit animates the created
universe ; and in particular, produces holy
and divine purposes in men: that, after
the destruction of this world, both these
economies w ill cease to he and will be reab
sorbed hi God.”
He held that the scriptures had two
senses —one religious, the other mystical.
The doctrine of the Trinity, he main
tained, was first broached when Popery
began to rule as sovereign over Christen
dom ; # and he asserted the correctness of
Paul of Samosata’s view in regarding
Christ as a mere man, insisting that it
was impossible for God to have a Son co
eternal with himself, and enforcing this
tenet in the most offensive and blasphe
mous terms. For example, he offered
such questions as these, Übinan uxorem
Dcus habuerit ? an utrumque ipse sexum ha
beat ? aliudne gigni quam caro et sanguis
possit
He dabbled in astrology; and for his
persistence is this, he was forced to leave
Paris. Ilis two most famous books were,
“Errors of Trinity f De Trinitatis errori
bus and Restitutio christianismi , (a restora
tion of Christianity)—the latter of which
was published secretly at Vienne, France,
in 1553. The publication of his works
excited the most violent indignation; for
he designated the Trinity “a Cerberus—
the persons of the God-head, deceptions
of the devil, &c.”
At Strasburg, Bucer, from the pulpit
denounced him as worthy to have his en
trails torn out; and from that time he
lived under an assumed name, being obli
ged to flee from Strasburg. Soon after his
publication of restitutio christianismi,
and on the 16th of March he was sum
moned to appear before the Court of Vi
enne to answer to the charge of heresy,
blasphemy, Ac., and his examination was
kept up until the 6th of April, but on the
7th he escaped.
He fled towards Italy by w r ay of Ge
neva where he was apprehended and in
dicted : thirty-eight heads of accusation
were preferred against him among
which were that he rejected infant bap
tism and denominated the doctrine of the
Trinity a dream of St. Augustine. This
latter charge he defended.
The former charge was, however, more
dangerous than any, for it was equivalent
to charging him with being an Anabaptist,
all of whom were regarded as order dis
turbers, and were dreaded and suspected.
Indeed it is said that Servetus did join
himself to a secret sect of the Anabapiists.
But the main grounds of his condemna
tion were his book on the Trinity, his
“Restitution of Christianity,’’ and his ob
stinate perseverance in his errors.
lie was burnt on the 27th of October,
1553. “Just before he expired, he cried
with a terrible voice: ‘Jesus, thou Son of
the Eternal God, have mercy upon me !’
thus persisting in his heresy to his latest
breath.”
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from Philadelphia.
Number 3.
Philadelphia, August 6, 18G0.
I thank you for supplying the omission
of the name of bro. Landrum, in brother
Crawford’s communication correcting
“Testis.’’ When I went to Athens, in
1848, I found the Baptist church there
prospering under the efficient Pastorship
of bro. L„ and he was my Pastor for 18
months. I take pleasure in bearing testi
mony to his fidelity and usefulness. In
the course of about three years, the num
ber of members, as has been stated by
bro. Lumpkin in his recent interesting ar
ticle, was doubled —a degree of success
which very few Pastors are permitted to
enjoy in the same period. Whilst on the
subject of corrections, allow me to correct
another inaccuracy into which your res
pected correspondent, “Testis’’ has fallen,
when speaking of the Augusta Baptist
Church. lie says, (if I remember aright,)
“Ur. Brantly returned to Augusta in
1821, and that the Baptist church was
built in 1824 or 5.” The facts are, that
lie returned 1819, and immediately took
measures for the constitution of a church,
and for building a suitable house of wor
ship. There were not twenty Baptists to
be found in Augusta, when Ur. B. re
moved there, in 1819. He*was invited to
take charge of the Richmond Academy ;
and as the post was then worth fully
$3,000 per annum, Ur. B. was able to de
vote his Sabbath and leisure intervals gra
tuitously to the Baptist interest. After
the constitution of the church, an eligible
lot was purchased, and in May, 1821, a
house of worship, which had cost upwards
of $20,000, was dedicated. More than
half the money was furnished by Presby
terians and Methodists id Augusta, pro
cured through the efforts of the Pastor,
and the balance was paid by the Church
and the friends of the cause in the State.
Ur. B. preached and toiled nearly seven
years in Augusta, without any salary from
the church. Their efforts were directed
during this period, to the liquidation of
their debt. The last payment was made
when the Pastor resigned to go to Phila
delphia ; and with the burden removed,
the church invited the Rev. James Shan
non, of Liberty County, to the vacant
place, at a salary of SI2OO per annum.—
And now as the grave has closed over all
that is mortal of Mr. Shannon, allow me
to follow in the wake of “Testis,” and pay
a passing tribute to his memory. He
was imported into this country by the late
Mr. McWhir, about 1822, to assist him in
a classical school. He came from Ireland,
being recommended by distinguished
Irish Presbyterians as a classical scholar
of rare merits. The Irish you know, are
thorough scholars, when they are put
through the discipline of their schools.—
Such was our friend; and he immediately
took high rank as a teacher in this coun
try. When he came to America he was
an ardent Presbyterian minister. But be
ing requested to preach a sermon in de
fence of infant baptism, and entering up
on a study of the scriptures preparatory
to the discourse, to the surprise of every
body, he came out a full grown Baptist,
and promptly severed his connexion with
his old ecclesiastical associates. Asa
Baptist he did noble service. He preached
the Gospel with all the fervor of his Irish
nature, sanctified and directed by the Ho*
ly Spirit. When he first went to Augus
ta, crowds attended his ministry, and a
power!J revival occurred in the first
year of his labors. At associations and
conventions he was in great request as a
preacher, and was always invited to a
prominent position. His ministerial ca
reer was but brief in Georgia. In 1829,
he removed to Athens, and though nom
inally a Baptist for several years after
wards, his usefulness was injured by the
new doctrines, which he imbibed from the
writings of Mr. Campbell. lie did good
service to the Baptist cause for several
years, and for this I honor him. He was
a scholar of fine attainments, an excellent
Professor, and a man of generous impul
ses. He was, however, defective in judg
ment. His mind was quite acute, but it
wanted breadth of beafti. He saw one
thing so strongly that he failed to see it
in its proper relations to other things
which were quite as important. lie usual
ly had some hobby, on which he ’would
ride, applying whip and spurs with all his
energy, urging the animal on to a speed
dangerous alike to the rider, and to all in
his way. His warm heart would some
times betray him into acts and expres
sions which were improper. But no one
was more ready to confess a fault, and to
seek pardon from an aggrieved brother.
I have no sympathy -with Mr. Shannon’s
vagaries, but he was a good man, and has
gone, I believe, to take his place with
those who have been washed in the blood
of Jesus.
Your printer made me say in my last
communication, that “Dr. Ide considered
the reasons which uneducated men allege
in extenuation of their neglect of reli
gion.” I wrote “ unconverted. ” men.—
Please not hold me responsible for all the
mistakes in my letters.
The Augusta Baptist Church have
called the Rev. Mr. Huntington, of Vir
ginia, to be their Pastor. You wfill find
him a most agreeable and valuable co-la
borer in every good work. I made his ac
quaintance in College twenty years ago,
when he was a faithful and exemp ary stu
dent. lie has filled a Professorship in
Columbian College, and has occupied oth
er important posts. I hope that he may
be very successful in his new field. I in
tended when I took up my pen to write
you a northern letter; but I have been
betrayed into other other themes. On
this sultry August day I will add no more
—not even the usual signature, as you
have proclaimed the person it represents,
and he can no longer retain bis incognito
under that style. Tijeopiiilus.
[We add the name. We what has giv
en distinction to is worth having and
worth keeping. Be assured our readers
Theophilus literally, j
A Missionary Tour—Savannah—
THE GULF ROAD—HIGH FARE
AND BAD FARE—PREACHING
IN SEVERAL TOWNS.
More than two w r eeks ago, we left our
home on a tour into the low country. —
From mine host of the “Brown House” in
Macon, we received the usual kind and
gratuitous attention with wfliich we have
ever been treated by him. Travellers
will find no better Hotel in Macon, nor
elsewhere in the State, than at “Brown’s,’’
opposite the Passenger Depot. A night
ride brought us to Savannah at half-past
seven, A. M., where we got a tolerable
breakfast at the Marshall House ; not so
good, however, as might be obtained at
twenty Hotels in the interior. There are
airs assumed at some Hotels, which are
anything but agreeable to plain, common
sense people. The Omnibus ?nan swin
dled us in a small way, as a matter of
course.
On the Gulf Road, which we took at
Nine, A. M., we met with several very
agreeable travelling companions, among
whom were a few friends of our school
boy days, from old Liberty, and an excel
lent Presbyterian clergyman, now resi
ding on the point of land, from which,
during the War of 1812, we occasionally
witnessed the burning of American ves
sels by the British. In his intelligent and
pious lady, we were happy to discover a
daughter of early friends, now gone to
the better land. The Gulf Road is a mod
el of its kind in more ways than one. It
has only two curves in a length of one
hundred and sixty miles. It will be a
good road, when it gets settled and lev
elled. It is comparatively rough now. —
For one hundred and fifty miles, the fare
is seven dollars, being higher in proportion
than any other road in the State, and the
same price as that charged on the Cen
tral Road from Macon to Savannah, a dis
tance of about two hundred miles. And
then, no distinction is made in favor of
clergyman, as is done by the Central
Road. The eating fare is still worse. I
advise travellers on this road to take along
their provisions with them, till a better
Dinner and Breakfast House is provided.
The Conductors are sober, gentlemanly,
and accommodating young men, and de
serve higher wages than they receive.
We w r ere brought under special obliga.
tions of gratitude to Mr. Goldwire, of
Valdosta, the new county siteof Lowndes,
for attentions which expedited our move
ments, and greatly promoted our com
fort. Tiie Lord reward him!
On Sunday we met a good congrega
tion at Quitman, the capitol of Brooks
county, who received the word preached
with profound attention. We were in
duced to address them again on Monday
night, and should rejoice in the privilege
of holding a week’s meeting w'iththem.
Near this place, we had the satisfaction
of spending a day in company with our
esteemed friend, Rev. JosEtsfr S. Baker.
His friends will be gratified to learn that
he is in excellent health. Indeed, in ap
pearance, he has grown younger, instead
of older. Oh, what a privilege to spend
even a few hours with one whom God has
so highly honored, and whose conversa
tion is so much in Heaven and of heaven
ly things l
The growing crops are quite promising
in these lower counties. Next winter
will be a favorable time for farmers from
the interior to remove to this section, as
corn will be much cheaper here than
there; and a most desirable farming
country it is. On our return, we preached
at Valdosta at night, to an orderly and at
tentive audience. They have as yet no
meeting house of any kind, either at this
place or Quitman. But at each place they
have a temporary Court House, the use
of which is allowed for religious purposes.
These towns are growing rapidly, and we
may hope that church houses will soon be
erected. At No. 7, we left the Gulf road
and took a private carriage to Ilaynes
ville, Hayne County, w here the Baptists
and Presbyterians are both without pas
tors. Here we preached on Saturday and
Sabbath to a people who seemed to be
hungering for the bread of life, and bap
tized an intelligent lady of good social po
sition. The Baptists of Brunswick, 25
miles below r , are also without a pastor,
Bro. Fleming having decided to leave
there soon. Unless an arrangement can
be made between these churches to
choose and support a pastor in common, I
see but little prospect of any improve
ment in their affairs. I think it would be
well worth while for them to make the ef
fort.
Returning by Steamer from Brunswick
to Savannah, and homewards, we had our
patience put to the test by failures to
make the usual connections, &e. But
finally reached our home, having borne as
much fatigue and suffered as much from
heat and dust as perhaps we had ever done
before in the same length of time. In
conclusion, we can only express to the
brethren and friends in the regions
through which we made this flying tour,
the deep regret we feel that it has not
been put in our power to devote more of
our attention to them.
J. H. CAMPBELL.
Griffin, Ga., Aug. 3, 1800.
To the Messengers and all the
Brotherhood composing the Union
Meeting for the Third Section of the
Chattahoochee Association.
Dear Brethren :
Having met for the purpose of co-oper
ating together in the worship of God, we
call your attention to some remarks con
nected with the present state of religion,
and other surrounding influences among
the churches.
The state of religion in the bounds of
our Association, presents a lukewarm con
dition, if not at the lowest ebb. To use
prophetic language, Zion is mourning.—
And why ii it so ? God has said he would
place watchmen on the walls of Zion,
whose duty should be to give warning of
approaching danger ; to show the people
their sins by crying aloud, not sparing to
declare all his counsel, and if they are
still at their posts, warning, admonishing,
and reproving ; declaring against the vi
cious practices and popular vices with
which the churches are surrounded, why
all this lukewarm and barren condition,
having the placed on earth in
stead of heaven ?
We pray the Lord, that an increased
zeal in the cause of their master, may fire
the heart of every minister, in using the
sword of the spirit against the machina
tions of the Devil, in all his wily arts to
entrap immortal souls. ! But are all the
watchmen at their posts, who have been
placed on the watch-tower ? We believe
that some are faithfully laboring in their
Lord’s vineyard, whose great object is to
win souls to Christ; abhorring the idea of
making merchandize of the Gospel; some
of them laboring almost without any re
muneration.
But there is another class, though not
in our immediate field of labor, of whom
we claim the privilege of making a pas
sing remark; known as erudite and clas
sic scholars ; having been favored with a
seat at the feet of Gamaliel; and whose
fame have attracted those who move in
high circles. But where is their field of
labor ? Some of them, (for we do not in
clude all the educated ministry,) seem to
be compassing the land, if not the sea, in
answering to the calls of wealthy church
es and large salaries, though the call may
be from a distant city, perhaps forgetting
that he who had not where to lay his
head, but preached the Gospel to the poor,
hath appointed a day, in the which, he
will render unto every man according to
his work.
We are not to be understood in the
foregoing remarks, as opposing a classic
education or towering talent, knowing
that such have been the chief builders in
Zion. But we come nearer home, and
speak of those occupying a more humble
position : the Deacons of the churches. —
And although much more numerous than
the watchmen, perhaps they are fewer in
number, who fill the character and per
forin the duties as required in the holy
Oracles. Look at the condition of the
churches, see what want of a scriptural
and w’holesome discipline—what laxity in
bringing offenders to a proper account ;
and what neglect in remunerating pastors
for their responsible services and scriptur
al labors ! These with others that might
be named, we hold to be the bounden du
ty of the deacons to see to ; which if not
carried out, no church will send forth a
good influence causing her light to shine.
We now make the appeal to the whole
Brotherhood; male and female, old and
young—whither are we drifting ? follow
ing the Savior, or a giddy world ? In
days gone by,prayer meetings were a mat
ter of interest with many churches J but
to our shame, with some, they are num
bered with the things that have been ;
and perhaps the family altar is much neg
lected. The signs of the times proclaim
the desolations of Zion—iniquity abounds,
the love of many waxes cold: our rising
youth are growing up with little regard
for religion, and we are yielding to the
allurements of a soul destroying world. —
Among the strong evidences of a luke
warm condition, is the empty seats of
members on conference days, thereby dis
couraging their minister, and destroying
their own religious influence. It is in
these times of declension,that young mem
bers are inclined to turn aside to vain a
musements, to seek on forbidden ground,
something to satisfy “an aching void the
world can never fill.’’ The fondness of
party amusements and plays, have a be
witching influence in drawing their minds
from the path of rectitude and all relig
ious meditations.
As it was with the Athenians, so it is
now—whatever is new, claims the most
attention ; and hence the never satisfied
propensity, to follow every change of
fashion invented by the fickle fancy of a
wicked world, all of which have their in
fluence in a wrong direction. While in
some communities other new things have
made their appearance: schools of eti
quette have been introduced or revived ;
teaching the science of polite manners,
the chanting of the viol, and the exercise
of the cotillion dance. Dr. Wayland, in
his Principles and Practices of the Baptists
remarks, “that the vain amusements of
the present time, were formerly much
kept down by the old fashioned Baptists,’’
but to our reproach the present genera
tion have laid the old practices aside.—
While the adorning of holy women of old
is no longer patronized by the sisterhood
of the present time. But for the love of
fashion, religion must hide her head or
appear in silver slippers.*
Some may blame us for being too plain
and pointed ; our object has not been to
offend any, neither to please by flattering
words; but to give each one their portion
in due season, regardless of the position
they r may occupy, all of which we think
the crisis demands, and we are willing to
abide the decision ofthe great assize.
M. MOORE.
*See Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress.
■ 4
Missionary Prayer Meeting of
tiie Columijus Association.
Hamilton, Harris county, /
Aug. 0, 18G0. j
Brother Boykin :
The Baptist church of this place, com
menced a Missionary Prayer Meeting the
oth of July, in accordance with a resolu
tion of the last Columbus Association
which was continued until Friday follow
ing the appointed time of the General
Meeting of the first District. After the
introductory sermon by Elder C. C. Wil
lis, the meeting was organized by electing
bro. Willis Moderator, and E. 11. Beall
Clerk. There was in the business of the
meeting interesting reports made of the
condition of each church in the district,
followed by special prayer. Amongst the
objects that claimed attention ofthe meet
ing, was the missionary cause and an in
crease of laborers in the vineyard of the
Lord.
Listened to several interesting addres
ses. God seemed to meet with his people
and their hearts were inspired with new
zeal and energy in the cause of Missions,
and an earnest desire that the Lord would
send more laborers into his vineyard. Un
der a feeling sermon, on the Sabbath, by
Bro. Willis, God manifested his presence
in the midst of his people, by the out
pouring of his Spirit, and sinners W'ere
made to tremble and many came forward
seeking an interest in the prayers of God’s
people, inquiring the way of life and sal
vation. Brother Willis having to leave,
(which we all regretted,) the meeting was
continued until the present time with in
creasing interest. Our beloved young
Pastor, Bro. J. G. Johnson, has labored
incessantly with zeal, fervor and energy,
in the cause “which lies so near his heart,
which is the promotion of God’s kingdom
and the salvation of sinners. Bro. J. has
occasionally been assisted by our good
brethren Reese and Miller ; up to this time
received by experience (whites) twenty
nine, one by letter ; blacks by experience
seven, making thirty-seven. Nearly all
that have united with the church are
young, and we have great confidence to
believe will make active, consistent and
pious members. Owing to the increased
labor of our pastor, his bodily strength
having nearly failed, the church conclu
ded to suspend the meeting for a while,
but having been favored at our closing
services on last evening, by the presence
of our beloved former pastor, W. D. At
kinson, the meeting is still continued with
much interest. Dear brother, pray for
us. Our hearts are made to flow out with
love and gratitude to God, for the great
expressions of his loving kindness and ten
der mercies. The Lord lias done great
things for us, whereof we are glad. To
God be all the praise. B.
INDIGENT MINISTERS FUND.
Dear Brother Boykin :
I desire to say a word through the In
dex, to the Churches, and Societies, that
compose the Georgia Baptist State Con
vention :
Dear Brethren, as some ofthe churches
may not receive their minutes of the Con
vention, until after they may send up their
contributions from their churches, to their
respective Associations, for different ob
jects, I have thought it might be proper
to inform our brethren throughout the
State, that at our last Convention, there
was a resolution passed requesting the
churches in sending up their contributions
to designate some ot it every year, as In
digent Ministers Fund. Brethren, let the
i writer urge upon you that you attend to
this matter. Other denominations sup
port their old, worn out, and decrepid
preachers; and shall we, because we are
the most republican and free people on
the earth, be so uncharitable as to suffer
our preachers to wear themselves out in
serving the churches, and in old age be
brought to sutler, for want of the neces
saries of life, when, if it had been the will
of the Lord that they should have follow
ed some other avocation, they might have
been in easy circumstances ? I trust not.
Will not some brother, or the pastors of
the different churches, remember this
matter and see that it is amended to in
every church ?
Brethren, if the strong churches would
send, say five dollars, or less amounts, and
the weak ones one dollar, and if some
should conclude they were not able to send
anything, why we have churches enough,
that are able, if they are willing, to con
tribute a right handsome sum every year,
that judiciously applied by our executive
committee, would gladden the heart of
many a poor old brother that is in want.
Brethren, think of it —those old brethren
may have worn themselves out in the very
community where you now live ; may
have been the instruments used in the
conversion of your fathers and mothers,
but now living in some remote part of the
State, will you not lend a helping hand,
and send up a mite, for this cause ? The
writer intends to see to it, that something
is sent up from his church, and if the
church won’t help, he will send up some
thing himself. Won’t you do likewise,
my brother ? God grant that you see
your duty, and perform it.
CLARKE.
News Items.
Degree Coj?ferred.
Rev. Wm. C. Crane,l’resident and Pro
lessor of Moral Philosophy ofMt. Leba
anon University, Louisiana, has recently
been made Doctor of I )ivinity by I Toward
College, Marion, Ala.
Rev. J -.Francis.
This widely known and much esteemed
has accepted an appointment as
agent for Missouri, of the Southern Bap
tist Foreign Mission Board.
Query and Answer.
Is it according to Baptist usage for a
church to turn a member out by his own
request, without a charge being entertain
ed against him ?
Yes—lst, where the member was fully
satisfied that he had been mistaken as to
his conversion, and had joined the church
in an unconverted state. He being able
to satisfy the church of the facts, w T e think
he should be allowed to withdraw with
out a charge.
2d. If a church becomes satisfied that
she has been mistaken, and has received a
person who was unconverted, she may,
and we think she ought to correct the er
ror as far as possible, by rescinding her
act of reception,, as an illegal act, and de
clare the person out of the church without
any charge. —[Texas Baptist.
In the second case, we do not see how
a church could arrive at the conclusion
that a member was unconverted, unless
from his conduct. And any conduct that
would prove this, would justify a charge.
Where a member, against whom noth
ing is known, comes before the church,
and, avowing his conviction that he has
never been converted, desires to be ex
cluded, if the church is satisfied of the
fact, he certainly should not be retained
in membership. But such a request would
rarely be made, unless the person had
been guilty, to say the least, of open or
secret violation of Christian propriety.
[Bap. Standard.
Missionary Ground.
The American Sunday School Union
has come to the conclusion that Massachu
setts is missionary ground, and has em
ployed a missionary, Rev. B. W. Williams,
to explore the waste places of the State
and organize Sabbath schools. It is sta
ted that there are 75,000 children in the
State not connected with any Sabbath
School.
Xo Papist.
Garibaldi is a decided anti-papist. Some
time ago he addressed the students of one
of the Italian Colleges, denouncing Pope
ry as the nightmare which depressed It
aly.
Xew Yokk.
In the city of Xew York there are 33
Baptist churches, 33 Methodist, 43 Presby
terian, 52 Episcopalian and 32 Catholic.
Chili.
Mr. X. T. Gilbert, a graduate of Ando
ver, was ordained at Rutland, Vt., on the
18th, as a missionary to Chili, under the
direction of the American and Foreign
Christian Union.
Is it Tkue ?
At a recent Methodist love-feast at
White Plains, Xew York, remarks were
made by a son of Van Wert, one of the
persons who captured Major Andre. Jle
is now a local preacher.
Royal Preachee.
Rev. G. Osborne, one of the Secreta
ries of the Western Missionary Society,
stated in a recent speech, that the king of
one place in the South Sea Islands was an
excellent local preacher, and went about
every Sabbath preaching the Gospel.
Sunday Schools.
Rev. Dr. Tyng states that in the thirty
one years he has been a city pastor, and
personally connected with large Sabbath
schools, he has received over three hun
dred youths of both sexes to the Lord’s
table directly from the Sabbath schools,
and he has no doubt that two hundred
more united with his church as a result of
the influence of previous Sunday school
instruction.
Again.
The statistics received from about 28
Methodist conferences show that in the
last four years the number of conversions
among the Sabbath school children reach
ed 84,339. The Xorthwestern Advocate
says that had every conference made a re
turn the figures would unquestionably
have reached 100,000.