Newspaper Page Text
ME CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
MACON, GrA.
Wednesday, August 22, 1860.
. TO THE READERS OF THE INDEX.
Fbr the first time since my connection with the “In
dex,” we are behind hand in its publication. This was
due to an unexpected derangement in the pumps, which
supply our Steam Engine with water, and which it took
an unexpected time and repeated trials to repair. As
no foresight could have provided against such an acci
dent and the consequent delay, we'trust to be held ex
cused for the occurrence.
PRINTER OF THE INDEX.
Like Pastor Like People.
It is surprising what influence a Pastor
may acquire over his people; and it is
wonderful how he may assimilate his peo
ple to himself. lie tinctures their minds,
their sentiments and their opinions, by his
own words and actions; and, as he is
himself, in the main, so do they become.
It is a fearful responsibility resting upon
him. At some future time we will advert
to this side of the pastoral relation ; but
to-day, merely observing to our brethren
of the ministry that the people of their
charge are, in many particulars, very
much as they choose to make them, we
would more particularly notice the pulpit
influence of a Pastor upon his people.
Like Pastor like People / A dull preach
er makes a dull congregation: a drowsy
preacher, a drowsy congregation ; and a
listless preacher, makes a congregation in
different to Gospel-truth. If the speaker
would move his hearers, he must satisfy
them that his own convictions are strong;
that his fears, his hopes and his anxieties,
on their account, are real. They must
see that he feels what he utters. His
earnestness must be manifested in face,
voice and gesture: in the strength of his
arguments, and in the directness and af
fectionateness ot his appeals. A dull arti
ficial delivery, or a formal elaborateness
of argument, or a cold and vapid expres
sion of face and person, will inevitably se
cure a listless audience. The arguments
of St. Paul himself, if delivered by an an
tomaton, would not arouse and fire the
attention of a mixed audience. Deco
rous they may be : grave, quiet and jes
pectful; and yet —unmoved. Earnest
ness is the soul of eloquence. In his
words the heart of a minister must speak:
zeal must glow in his actions; and, in
the simplicity and compactnes of his ar
guments preparation must appear.—
Whether he be learned or not, if such be
the character of his preaching, he will
command attention ; and just as far as he
arouses attention, just so far does he stamp
the impress of his nature and character
upon his listeners: just as far as there is
vitality and an absence of dead formality
in his sermons, just so far does he put life
and religious earnestness in the souls of
his hearers.
Would he arouse and retain the atten
tion of his congregation, and excite in
them lofty and generous impulses, and
awake in them zeal and energy and pur
pose, and create within them a thirst for
divine knowledge ? He must stir up the
depths # fV.is cJfvn mature,and, in thoughts
that breath and words that burn, trans
plant within them his own noble aspira
tions, and, by his careful preparation, be
enabled to kindle in their bosoms the fire
of acquisitiveness that burns in his own. —
One of the most amusing as well as in
structive of Hogarth’s great pictures, rep
resents a minister of the Established
Church, in gown aud bands and cassock,
drowsily reading a sermon. One hearer
looks listlessly about in dreary abstrac
tion ; another reclines on his seat, intent
upon bodily comfort only ; another yawns
openly * and yet another sleeps profound
ly. The lesson is the prostitution of the
public worship ot God to a dead formal
ism ; and it has some application, even
among us.
As to manner , then, it is clear, that a
dull preacher makes a dull people.
Further : we have, before now, noticed
that some ministers delight in someone or
more ot the doctrines of our religion;
and no matter what may be the occasion
or the text, they are sure to fall into the
same line ot thought. For example, Mr.
A. delights in the Covenants, Mr. 8., in
Predestination, Mr. C., in Total depravi
ty, Mr. D., in Justification. They feed
the flock with the some food ever; and
the result is that the people fall in with
the ministerial leading, become thorough
in a single doctrine, and that doctrine be
comes their religion; and a dry, narrow,
unproductive religion it is; for the various
truths, the enchanting beauties and the
rich graces of the Gospel, are excluded by
the stereotyped presentation of a single
phase of the great system of salvation.
Again: it is the habit of some to preach
against immorality and worldly conform
ity, to the neglect of the vital principles
of godliness. Morality is thus magnified.
A life of visible conformity begins to be
considered as religion; and the heart re
mains cold and the life inactive.
One of the most cheerless and revolting
pictures that humanity can present, is a
church resting in morality—having a
name to live and yet dead. Oh, it may be
beautiful to look upon! apparently the
garden of the Lord! But, alas, it is a
mere hnrtus siccus —a garden of dry leaves
and preserved flowers. Mark! We do
not approve immorality nor condemn its
denunciation : we but condemn a habit
that limits the discussions of the Pulpit to
a single subject, and thus brings about
such a state of things as is slightly
sketched above. •
A true minister, (aud we have many
such,) will divide the word, giving to
each his portion ; and he will apportion
the Gospel-plan, giving to each part its
proper prominence. lie will make the
salvation of souls his prime object; and
he will use the cross as his sole instrumen
tality. He will rebuke the wayward,
strengthen the weak, encourage the fal
tering, cheer the desponding and approve
the faithful. In the use of scripture
phrases, in solemn earnestness, in affec
tionate sensibility, in his visible exposi
tion pf the .mind tot the spirit, aim in the
sympathizing modulations of his voice, he
will attain to that strange power, which
we call unction.
The life-force of such a ministry is the
blood of Christ; and love is the oil of its
anointing. The people of such a preach
er are obliged to be strong in all the ele
ments of spirituality.
Lastly: The great scriptural truth that
this world is to be regenerated through
the agency of the church, seems not as
fully received by the professors, a3 many
other truths. Upon this truth does reli
gious enjoyment depend : the honor of
God is concerned in it; and, through ap
preciation of it will be ushered in the
millenial glory. It is, also, comparatively
bard to convince men, that what the
church assumes to do, in her organized
character, is none the less on that account,
a personal obligation. The obligations of
a church are but the sum of the individual
obligations of all its members. If it is the
duty of the church to preach the Gospel
to every creature, it is so because ’tis the
duty of every individual member to
preach the Gospel to every creature. —
And if it is the church’s duty to support
her missions liberally, it is because ’tis the
duty of every member to do so. If there
were no organized church, each individ
ual would still be bound to carry out these
great requisitions of our Savior. Now
suppose the preacher fails to appreciate
this truth. It is but reasonable to expect
that his congregation will be equally un
appreciative. Thus, (to speak of no oth
er duties,) the liberality of a church is emi
nently dependent upon the minister. It
is his duty to present, elucidate and en
force, at all proper times, the claims of the
enterprises of the church—such as Do
mestic and Foreign Missions, Bible Socie
ties, Sabbath Schools, &c. The people
must know the condition of these things,
and they must know the authority upon
which rests their obligation to sustain
them. They must be taught the extent
and imperativeness of that obligation. If
thus informed, and if the matter is, from
time to time, pressed upon them with se
rious, yet affectionate earnestness, it is
fair to presume that they will become in
terested ; and then to give, will be consid
ered not a reluctant duty, but a gratify
ing privilege.
Giving is a habit.
If we are accustomed to give little, it
is almost impossible to raise our contribu
tions beyond the low mark; but if accus
tomed to give much, we easily put our
figures at the high mark. The question
then, for each minister to answer is—
How far am I responsible for the giving
habit of my church ? Let him be assured
that it rests vastly more with him than he
imagines, and let him so conduct, that
never hereafter shall he have reason to
reproach himself for an illiberal habit
among his people —a habit that is surely
contrary to the genius of the Gospel.
Missionary Organizations.
Number 7.
It is objected to our Mission Boards,
’especially the Foreign Mission Board,
that they assume unwarrantable power. It
is maintained that they exercise prelati
cal authority —an authority antagonistic
to the independence of the churches, aud
subversive of the rights of presbyteries
in ordination. Are these things so ? On
this subject, we have several remarks to
submit.
1. This is an objection, not to the or
ganic structure of boards, bat to the man
ner in \Vhich they exercise their power.
The Foreign Mission Board is an agency
of the Southern Baptist Convention. It
derives all its power from the convention.
It is responsible to the convention for the
exercise of this power. If the power con
ferred is too great, let it be diminished;
or if it is improperly exercised, let the evil
be corrected, either by suitable instruc
tions from the convention, or by changing
its members. Its powers may be limited
and controlled precisely as are those of a
committee of a district association or of a
church.
2. It is not true, so far as we are in
formed, that the Foreign Mission Board,
or any other Mission Board, assumes any
power derogating, in any respect, from
the legitimate authority of the churches.
It claims no right to interfere, in any man
ner, in the discipline or arrangements of
the churches; nor does it exercise any
such right. It neither licenses nor or-*
dains ministers of the gospel. In truth,
its sphere of operations can never, with
out gross imprudence, bring it into con
tact with the churches, as all past expe
rience demonstrates.
3. What then are the powers exercised
by the Foreign Mission Board ? It is em
powered by the constitution of the Con
vention appointing it to select mission
aries—designate their fields of labor—de
cide on the amount of their compensation
—and, generally, to superintend their la
bors. Is it not essential that all these
powers should be exercised by some body
or some person in the prosecution of the
missionary work? Missionaries must be
selected —tlieir fields of effort agreed up
on —their pecuniary compensation settled
—and their labors supervised. These
powers should be exercised kindly, wisely
and for the glory of Christ. We have
learned from various sources that, with
rare and trilling exceptions there has sub
sisted between the Board and its mission
aries, the most fraternal regard, and the
most cordial co-operation. But the action
of the Board most frequently aud most
earnestly objected t< is the practice of re
quiring candidates for appointment to ap
pear before them for examination. This,
so far as we are informed, is the course
pursued by all foreign mission boards. It
might be dispensed with ; but would it be
better to do so ? The importance of mak
ing judicious appointments, all must read
i!y see. An error in the appointment is
not easily corrected. The missionary, in
most cases, goes thousands of miles to his
field, at a great expense; and his want of
adaptation to his work would become
ktioflm to the Boiftl, only after years of
fruitless, and perhaps, worse than fruitless
toil, and great sacrifices ; if, indeed, it
should become known to them at all.—
Churches in the selection of a pastor,
frequently invite him to appear before
them, that they may form his acquaint
ance, and judge of the adaptation of his
gifts to their tastes and necessities; but a
mistake in the selection of a pastor, does
not carry with it, consequences so grave
as those of an error in the appointment of
a foreign missionary. On the Board is
devolved the responsibility of making the
appointment. They are required to use
the utmost care and faithfulness in the se
lection. When a man applies, either di
rectly or by his friends, for a missionary
appointment, the question to be decided
is, not whether he is called to preach the
gospel, or has been ordained, or should
be ordained, but simply whether he is
suited for the particular field and labor for
which he is needed. It surely will not be
maintained that the fact that he is licensed
or ordained to preach the gospel, in any
church, or by any presbytery, is sufficient
evidence that his qualifications, physical,
intellectual and moral, fit him for a mis
sion to Japan or South America. But the
Board should be guided, it may be said,
by recommendations. Every body knows
how indiscriminately recommendations
are frequently given; and given all the
more loosely because it is supposed that
the appointing power will exercise due
caution. Again, it is surely not derogato
ry to intelligent brethren to say, that,
having paid but little attention to the
fields to be occupied, or the work is to be
done, or the qualifications required for it,
their judgments on these matters are not
always w r orthy of full reliance. Some
times, too, we learn, it is the case, that
recommendations are conflicting, and not
entirely satisfactory. The Board avails
themselves of every source of information
—the license of the church, the ordina
tion by a presbytery, the recommenda
tions ofjudicious friends, and the corres
pondence of the candidate himself—and
to all these they add a personal acquaint
ance, and examination, in the selection of
a missionary. We are merely repeating
facts that have been again and again
made public. Does any friend of missions
desire that the Board should relax its
care in the selection of missionaries ?
In closing our article, we notice o’ne
more objection. Missionary organiza
tions, it is affirmed, have been proved to
be inefficient. This affirmation must be re
ceived with limitation. They have surely
not been entirely ineffective. Their
work has been mostly preparatory. The
scripture have been translated into many
languages —religious tracts and books
have been provided for the heathen—
many of them have been taught in schools
—in some countries the popular supersti
tions have been undermined, and much
religious light has been diffused. Nor is
this all. Thousands have been converted
to Christ, many churches have been
formed, and, in some lands, permanent
foothold has been received for the gospel.
Has nothing been done among the Ka
rens? The missions of the S. B. Conven
tion are of an origin too recent to have
accomplished much, but they have not
been without fruits, precious fruits. Still,
it must be confessed, that our missions
have not been as successful as might be
wished. But may not their lack of suc
cess be traced to other causes than their
defective plans ? May not the lack of lib
erality, and prayer, and devotion to
Christ, among the churches at home, have
been the great cause of this inefficiency?
Can the gospel, sent forth from the bosom
of the cold, worldly and unbelieving
churches, be expected to have free course
and be glorified? If there were a return to
the apostolic spirit at home, we might
hope for a return of apostolic success
abroad. Be it remembered, too, that all
the good that has been done among the
heathen, has been effected through the
activities of the very organizations which
it is now proposed to abolish. The ob
jectors, it is conceded, have one advan
tage over us. Their plans are untried ;
or rather are in an inchoate State. If
their advocates should ever clearly define
them, and subject them to the test of ex
periment, we may, after a few years, be
furnished with anew and potent argu
ment in favor of our missionary organiza
tions.
Onesimus.
THIS AND THAT.
We notice in the last N. Y. Chronicle an ex
tract from the edition of Philemon, just is
sued by the Bible Union, which extract the
Chronicle thinks favors the idea, (which we
reject,) that Paul requests Philemon to man
umit Onesimus. We present here per contra
an extract from Robinson’s History of Bap
tism, an excellent authority, published by
Graves & Marks & Cos. It appears on the
757th page.
“Onesimus was a slave belonging to a rich
primitive Christian. The slave robbed his
lord, and became a fugitive. During his ram
ble he became a Christian. (He fled to Rome;
there he was converted by Paul, who was then
a prisoner—page 756.) An apostle returned
him to his owner with a promise of repayment
of the sum, of which he had defrauded him;
but he doth not ask the master to manumit
him, on the contrary, he returns him to be
profitable to his master forever, which phrase
seems to be taken from the Jewish law con
cerning Hebrew servants —where to serve for
ever signifies for life.
T. J. Swan, agent, is going about to sell the
book, and furnish those who have subscribed.
Little Buckhead.
Bro. W. J. Murrow writes that this church
had a ten days meeting, as the rssult, had bap
tized fifteen. Bro. G. L. Jackson helped him
during two days.
Green Fork.
A meeting at this place just previous to the
one at Little Buckhead, continued nine days
—nine united by baptism. Says bro. W. J.
Murrow, “the Lord is preciously visiting us in
this part of his moral vineyard.”
COMMUNICATIONS.
Reminiscences of Georgia, No. 8.
CHURCH AND ASSOCIATIONAL AUTHORITY.
Mr. Mercer’s dissertation on this sub
ject was, in substance, .published in the
minutes of 1832, and a few extracts will
be interesting to your readers. Observe,
this was called forth by the open avowal
that associations had as much authority
over churches, as churches had over indi
vidual members.
“Associations, being without scriptural
authority, can have no power except what
the churches choose to give them; but
they cannot give disciplinary power; for
this has been entrusted to the churches:
merely advisory councils : none over the
internal affairs of the churches: they can
withdraw from the church, but not ex
communicate or unchurch a church:
churches cannot alienate the powers en
trusted to them by their law-giver—for
given to them, they may not part with
them.
Church authority extends to members
individually ; associations have nothing to
do with individuals. Churches can ex
amine and discipline refractory members,
and to render them as heathen men or
publicans : not so (lie associations —no dis
ciplinary power is given them.”
It was announced the circular ot an
association, about 1833, that when any
difficulty occurred, the churches had
agreed ll toput their keys into the hands of
the association,” till the matter was adjus
ted ! The Georgia Association answers
this by observing, it would be “to barter
away a divine trust —usurp a preroga
tive held by divine sanction.” “We con
ceive a church has no more discretion in
yielding her rights of discipline, than she
has to change the ordinances instituted
by her living Head.”
The same association “denied the right
of a church to judge of the spirit of a
member returning to seek fellowship.”—
That the Georgia thinks wrong ; for the
association in assuming to judge, arro
gates to regulate internal rights with
which she has pledged herself not to in
termeddle.
Another association condemns certain
churches for seceding, that is, for failing
to be represented in the body, and pub
lishes them and their ministers as no long
er of our faith and order. This the Geor
gia regards wrong, as there can be noth
ing so criminal in it as to warrant the
body in holding the seceding ministers up
to odium. “Secession” could not be re
garded a crime—it was the right of the
churches, when the association was lord
ing it over God’s heritage, contrary to
their constitution.
Dark days hung over us from 1830 to
1836, in regard to the powers of associa
tions and churches; and had not the “In
dex’’ been established among us, the
churches had been shorn of all their
rights; for the majority of the associa
tions sympathized with the advocates of
assdciational power, and were aloof from
the Georgia aud the Convention. The
editor wielded his pen against the grasp
ing powers of associations, and in behalf
of church authority. I have seen a mod
al presented to him, with inscriptions
something like the following: “Jesse
Mercer, the bold defender of church
rights:’’ “The Christian Index, the
scourge of ecclesiastical tyrants.” May
its aim be the same as when conducted by
that venerable man, that able expositor of
Bible teachings. Testis.
COM Mb’Nl
HINTS TO A YOUNG MINISTER,
And a notice of such boohs as are
likely to be useful to him.
No. 3.
On Old Testament History and Proph
ecy in general, you will be interested in
Graves’ Lectures on the last four books
of the Pentateuch. Kurtz’s Old Covenant,
(3 vols,) which is very full and elaborate
on all the topics discussed. The 3d vol.,
just issued, brings the history down to
the death of Moses. Fairburn on Typol
ogy (2 vols,) on Prophecy, and on Eze
kiel, are well worth, not only perusal, but
study. Wines’ Commentaries on the
Laws of the Hebrews presents, in a very
compact and interesting form, much cu
rious information about the early state of
the Hebrew Commonwealth, and traces
several of our most valued political ar
rangements to a Mosaic origin.
For particular Commentaries on the
Old Testament, there are Gill, Scott,Hen
ry, Adam Clarke, Patrick, South, &c.,
and that widely circulated compend of
portions from each of them, called the
Comprehensive Commentary. As I have
named that, let me mention the Supple
mentary volume, as one containing very
much valuable and interesting matter. —
Get acquainted with it, so as to know what
is there, and you will find yourself fre
quently referring to it.
Ivitto’s Daily Bible Illustrations present
a great deal of interesting matter on both
the Old & New Testament. The six vols.
may be bought for about $8 00, 1 believe,
and are well worth much more. Bush on
the Pentateuch, Joshua, and Judges, is
able and learned —not tainted, I believe,
with his subsequent Swedenborgianism.
Andrew Fuller on Genesis, though not
critical, is full of sound sense, and good
practical suggestions. Keil on Joshua,
Kings and Chronicles, will give you the
results of the latest research on these
books. Keil is an evangelical German,
and searches into matters with all the
perseverance and minuteness of his un
wearying nation. Tholuck on Psalms has
some good tilings. A fuller Commentary
is that of Dr. J. Addison Alexander, 3
vols. 12in0.; and still fuller that of Hengs
tenberg, 3 vols. Bvo. Alexander’s for yonr
purposes, will be the best.
Altogether the best critical work on
Job is the revision of our English Version
of the book, by Dr. T. J. Conant, pub
lished by the Am. Bible Union. While
yen may differ* from the author* on the
interpretation of particular passages, (and
lie has been candid enough to give you the
means of judging for yourself,) no one, I
think, can attentively read the whole,
without rejoicing that so much has been
done for the elucidation of that most an
cient, obscure, and valuable book. And
it will not diminish your satisfaction, lam
sure, to know that this has been done by
an American, and a Baptist. Add Alex
ander and Barnes on Isaiah, and Barnes on
Daniel, and I believe and think of no oth
ers worthy ol special commendation on
the Old Testament.
Yours truly, B. M. Jr.
The following almost brought tears to
our eyes. God bless the faithful mission
ary who, afar off, labors unweariedly and
hears from home and friends and lovedom,
so seldom. Our prayers shall go up for
you, Brother Murrow, and also brother
Reid and brother Buckner, and brother
Phillips.
Write often, brethren.
Letter from the far West.
Rehoboth Station, C. N., )
Micco P. ()., July 12th, 1800. )’
Dear Bro. Boykin:
In a former communication is an‘erratum’
which both Mrs. M. and I have often wash
ed of late was “vera.’’ Instead of sixty
miles west from Micco, it is printed six.
For live long weeks we received no mail;
no one was going dowm to Micco, and w r e
had read the last mail two or three times
and then upside down and finally spelt it
all out backwards, when lo ! all unexpec
tedly the other day a young man rode up
to the gate with a flour-sack tied to his
saddle. “Nak-cho-kuh che-a-cke ko,’’says
he, (“don’t you want some papers?’’)—
“Mo-inuh-hle ma-his,’’ (yes, indeed,) was
the response, and then there w r as a race
to the gate between a lady and gentle
man ; the latter arrived first, but while
thanking the kind bearer of good news
the lady had escaped with the bundle.—
O wdiat a “feast of reason and a flow of
soul” did w r e enjoy, even until the mid
night hour. There were letters from old
and new, but all, dear friends ; how re
viving, encouraging, strengthening it is to
get letters from the home land friends ;
how welcome and how eagerly read.—
“They live, they speak, they breathe what
love inspires, warm from the soul and
faithful to its fires;’’ and then there were
the newspapers, freighted with intelli
gence from every where and everybody.
O, dear, a “newspaper ; who has not felt
the pleasure that it brings ?” Even the
advertisements are read with interest and
one feels like sending a bill, things are so
temptingly cheap. But What’s all this
worth ? If nothing else to make candle
lighters. Hold, however, before we quit
that mail, we want to know what you
have done with our brother Buckner over
there : I searched every paper to see some
tidings of him, but alas, in vain. Has he
arrived amongst you ? if so, why don’t
you talk about it ? We know he is a
more worthy object of notice by editors,
preachers and every body else than half
who are lauded and eulogized. But I
hope you won’t let him see this, for he
gave me “a blessing’’ one day for calling
him “modern Apostle,’’ ifcc., and I prom
ised that I wouldn’t do so any more.
Last Sabbath week I immersed three in
the“Ok-ta-put-chie’’ (North Fork River.)
One was a Methodist exhorter and had
been for years. Another was a Presby
terian, and the third anew convert. Last
Saturday night in another town, another
came forward and related a good expe
rience, was received and was told to come
next day prepared to be immersed. Next
morning one of the sisters came to me
during service and told me the young
woman’s uncle overtook her on the way
to the arbor and drove her by force back
home. Bro. Halooche Islands has immer
sed several lately.
To-morrow I start for another meeting
which will probably continue several days,
and very probably will be of much inter
est, and we hope result in good. The An
nual Campmeetings have begun quite ear
ly and will afford more labor than some
of us are likely to endure ; the prospects
now are that in some parts of the nation it
will be a glorious campaign. At anew
Station several are inquiring what they
must do to be saved. The old Stations
progress is slowly.
Facts to keep before the people.
1. The Seminoles have no Baptist Mis
sionary.
2 # The Witchit-taws have no Baptist
Missionary. 3,000 Indians within ten
miles square.
3. The Chickasaws have no Baptist
Missionary. „
4. Remember those Creek Translations.
5. Remember the Indian Mission Board,
or act independently if you prefer.
6. Pray for the present missionaries.
7. Pray for an increase of missionaries.
8. There are 350,000 Indians in the
bounds of the U. S., probably 100,000
have the gospel preached among them.—
Who will hear our report ?
My paper is ended —farewell.
Yours ever, J. S. MURROW.
The following is a condensed statement
ot an article sent us nearly six months
since. Our time has been too much oc
cupied to accomplish it sooner.
Two Camp-Meetings.
Mr. Editor:
In the “Southern Christian Advocate,”
of Nov. 10,185!), I lind an article under
the above caption, and over the signature
of “Tacitus,” the first paragraph of which
I wish to notice. It reads thus :
“We—that is five gentlemen and lady,
started for Telfair Camp-Meetings; which
commenced on the 7th of October. On
the first day out, stopped opposite a farm
house to eat a cold lunch. ‘The lord of the
manor’ being asked for provender, gave a
gruff assent, but took care not to invite us
to the hospitalities of his shade and wa
ter. After dinner, one of us, a little bold
der than the rest —w r alked into the piazza,
struck up a conversation, and invited in
his comrades. Though we scarcely con
sidered him a legally authorized adminis
trator of invitation, yet, under the circum
stances we submitted. The old gentleman
(?) (wdiose feet, by the way, w ? ere as Job
said, he came into the world plus some
natural accumulations,) lay stretched up
on the bench, like an alligator sunning
himself, not even condescending to rise or
offer a seat to lady entering. On hearing
her name called, however, he remarked,
‘I recon that is N B ’s daughter
that sung so purty, the last time I was at
the church.’ The lady’s blush
was her only reply. One of us endeav
ored to relieve the case, by remarking,
that it may have been one of her sisters.
‘Wal,’ he persisted, ‘suppose you sing a
song, and let me see if you are the ‘arae
one.’ A deeper blush.
‘I would like for my old woman to hear
you,’ persevered he, ‘and see if she thinks
you are as purty a singer as I did. She
—turning to his wife—is the second best
singer I ever heerd; Miss G sings a
little louder and shriller than she does.’—
With great, good nature, the lady hu
mored his whim, and we departed for
camp-meeting.’ ’’
Did the above paragraph contain the
entire and no misrepresentations, I
would by no means raise my pen in reply.
First then : Who was the “lord of the
manor?’’ Every one probably in this whole
section of country, who has seen the let
ter of “Tacitus,” is w r ell acquainted with
the personage referred to ; and all know T
him to be a minister of Christ, who has
for a number of years, stood and wrnrned
sinners to dee the wrath to come. Though
not an educated man ; yet, a faithful wit
ness to Jesus. One who has, and does
still “earnestly contend for the faith once
delivered to the Saints.’’ Though not
well versed in orthoepy, and the formal
etiquette of the day; yet he is in as good
standing in the Baptist church, as “Taci
tus” is in Mr. Wesley’s. He was once
young and strong, his cheeks bloomed
with health. But, alas ! he is now old—
the frosts of many winters have bleached
his once auburn locks.
He is well known and highly respected,
and altogether unworthy of the unchris
tian-like conduct, that he receives at the
hands of “Tacitus.”
From “Tacitus’ ’’ own statement, his
party did not wait to be invited to the
hospitalities of shade and water ; and in
stead of giving a “gruff assent” to the
query regarding “provender,” the “lord
of the manor,’’ kindly, but it may not
have been in city-bred intonations, in
quired what kind of provender was want
ed, and permitted each one to choose for
his own heart, that which suited him best.
And it w r ould have been well for “Taci
tus’’ to have added, whether or not he
and his party were charged a high trice
for the “provender.” He seems, too, to
have forgotten that a pitcher and glasses
were kindly sent from the house for the
use of the party, while drinking at a well
which “the lord of the manor” had pur
posely dug near the roadside for the ben
efit of travellers.
The memory of “Tacitus” is short
also, in reference to an invitation into the
house. If he or some of his party will
best recollect, they may call to mind that
such an invitation was given.
I wonder what degree of condescen
sion a Methodist expects of a Baptist, and
especially of one laden with years, and
bound with infirmities? From even
“Tacitus”’ most oblique presentation of
facts, our aged brother will be perceived
to have rendered all the politeness de
manded of him, by even an enlarged lib
erality.
And, when I think of the spirit and ani
mus that prompted “Tacitus’’ to write such
a communication in regard to one whose
hospitalities he had enjoyed, I feel in
clined to blush for human nature. Thank
God, a Baptist in giving an account of a
religious camp-meeting w r ould not have
so colored and misrepresented facts as to
cast odium upon the aged follower of Je
sus. PLOWBOY.
Bi-Monthly Chat.
Dear Brother Boykin :
I place at your disposal and submit to
your (good) editorialjudgment, a short
chat, as the time has come again for me
to do so. But such is my bodily weak
ness this morning—my disease is fluctua
ting, sometimes up, sometimes down—
that my mind is sluggish and gloomy, and
if you think it proper to give the space
to the matter of others, you know, it will
be no offence.
My last conversation with your readers
was at Barnesvilie, from which point I
went to the Mt. Zion Church near Ma
con, where I labored a few days pleasant
ly in my three-fold capacity, as your no
tice stated, of Agent for the Index, Col
porteur Society, and “sort of Evangelist.”
I suggest whether “Evangelist’’ is not
rather a dangerous title to give a novice.
What does Paul say about a novice ? And
if you see proper to apply it in a sori of
qualified way, mixed up with other things,
you had better say, that its voluntary, and
originating from no “body” or “power”
on EARTH.
From Mt. Zion I went to Montezuma,
and aided brother W. C. Wilkes in clo
sing—“breaking up” might be better —a
good meeting at Traveller’s Rest Church.
Thence crossed the Flint River, and spent
a short time at Oglethorpe and attended
two meetings at Cuyler Church hard by,
and left brother Ross there, and a more
general and hopeful interest among the
unconverted, than at any place I have
been. Thence to this place, wearied,
weak and coughing badly, but among
good friends, and my “better half” too, is
here —palliating truth always in my “low
down” spells,'referred to above.
Monthly Summary.
During this (my first) month, as Evan
gelist, ! have labored in three protracted
meetings, at which there were 15 receiv
ed for baptism as follows: Barnesville 7,
Mt. Zion 1, Traveller’s Rest 7 ; baptisms
witnessed 10, sermons preached 20.
Collected for the Index, on accounts,
§44,00, and received 7 new T subscribers,
praised the Index and some other papers,
abused none, disapproved some things in
some. Books sold, §80,35. Donated,
§3,00; Bibles donated 1, sold 10; Testa
ments sold 3 ; pages of tracts distributed
1,128, and two or three dozen of “John’s
Baptism.’’
My principal labors have been in preach
ing, hence my agencies were prosecuted
secondarily and when able to
work. Many, many thanks to the breth
ren among whom I labored, for their kind
—well I’ll call it retaliation —you know
w hat I mean, and happy will I be to see
you all again if rny life is prolonged. But
lam admonished sufficiently this morn
ing, not to promise myself “many years,”
or even days t Brethren, pray for me. —
’Tis a serious thing for one to feel, that
they are walking constantly on the brink
of eternity, expecting that any day the
sands may give way, the bank tumble in ;
but sucii the writer feels —has sometime
felt—w T as his condition. His cheerfulness,
often amounting, perhaps, to levity, is but
an effort often to w r ard off the melanehol
ly which he feels frequently when remin
ded of his earthly prospects, and especial
ly that of his family. Oh ! for faith to re
sign all this to God, and improve this con
dition to a better preparation for eternity
—under God’s grace.
W. X. CHAUDOIN.
Forsyth, Aug. 11, 1800.
To the Union Association.
A Missionary.
Dear Brethren of the Union Associa
tion —Onr Association will convene at
Tomes’ Creek Church, Liberty county,
Ga., on Saturday before the third Lord’s
day in September, We give this public
notice in order to urge upon you a more
general representation than we have usu
ally had for several years. As you are
well atvare there w r as not enough of mon
ey appropriated at our last Association to
sustain a missionary in the field this year,
consequently we have no one among the
destitute, and there are several brethren
who are very anxious to have a missiona
ry in the field next year, and we hope
that the churches wdll spend part of their
time at least in prayerfully considering
the claims of the missionary cause on our
confidence, our prayers, and our liberal
contributions. The cause of missions is the
cause of God, and his cause w r e profess to
love ; let us show our love by bringing
our hearts money into the w T ork.
We need men that have the spirit of Je
sus to preach the gospel of the blessed
God to a sin stricken world, and means to
sustain them that they may preach Christ
the w'ay of life. Let us meet together
and ask God in earnest prayer for the
men to preach at home and abroad, and
give the means to sustain them. We have
the money and God has the men, and will
give them if we will only ask in earnest
prayer. Can’t w r e have mass missionary
meetings at our next monthly meetings ?
What say you, brethren ? We cordially
invite ministering brethren to attend.—
Can our State Evangelist and Agent of
Bible and Colporteur Society be with us ?
Come, brethren, and may the good Lord
come with you. Bro. W. L. Geiger will
preach the introductory sermon.
W. O. DARSEY, *
A member of the above Church.
August 13, 1860.
Inconsistent.
Yes, very inconsistent, to hear how very
earnestly some of our Georgia Baptists,
talk about “charity beginning at home,”
and “having the heathen at their own
doors,” and such like, when you press the
claims of Foreign Missions, and yet see
them doing almost nothing for missions
ANY WHERE.
Perhaps too, some of these very men,
so full of charity for home, for their own
heathen, have really from twenty to a
hundred of heathen under their controlj
and dependent on these home-charity men
for all their religious privileges, and yet
these men will have a protracted meet
ing, hear the best of preaching for a week,
revel in the privileges of the gospel, and
these heathen —members of their families
—are none the better for it; except that
they go out Sunday, and even on Sunday,
if the audience is large, they are nearly
all crow ded out, and yet may be no extra
meeting for them.
I’ve been with, or among, and preach
ed to the blacks a great deal, and I be
lieve in all honesty, that the owners pe
cuniarily, would be benefitted,to say noth
ing of spiritual benefits accruing to them,
by doing as ha3 been done at one place
—Everett’s quarter, near Fort Valley—
have special camp or protracted meetings
for them. W. N. CHAUDOIN.
Ordinations.
Sweet Water Church, Warren County, Au
gust 11th, 1860.
At the request of the Church, Elders Rad
ford Gunn, Aaron Adkins, Jonathan Iluff, W.
P. Steed, (the Pastor,) and the writer, met
with the church this day, and formed a Pres
bytery for the purpose of ordaining Pro. Al
fred Roney to the work of the Ministry, and
Bro. H. G. Burson, to the office of Deacon.
The ordination sermon was preached by
Bro. Gunn. Examination of the brethren, by
Bro. Huff, after which the brethren were sol
emnly set apart to the work of the Lord, in
their respective callings. J. H. S.
Thomson.
I have been engaged in meeting every day
but one, since the 2nd inst. The Lord has
been pleased to display his gracious manifes
tations at one of my churches, when for six
days we had a precious time, and trust llis
name was magnified. We had no additions,
but several conversions. Thanks to Ilis great
name for renewed tokens of His love.
J. H. STOCKTON.