Newspaper Page Text
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX,
PUBLISHRD EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING
AT MACON, GEORGIA.
BY A COMMITTEE OF BRETHREN,
FOR THE
GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
TERMS OK SUBSCRIPTION,
TWo DoLt-ARsin advance: or paid within the year.
If suffered to overrun the yea'-, Two Dollars and
one-half will be charged in all cases.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
VOLUME XXXIX.
Book Notices.
Harper’s Series or School and Family Read
ers, Nos. one, two, three and four. By Marcius
Wilson, The publishers have sent us these books
for examination, and we find them admirable. The
reading matter of these books arc ol the most
choice, entertaining and instructive nature ; and
the embellishments are capital. Each book is
full of beautiful pictures and just of that kind to
afford entertainment to scholars. Indeed, we con
sider the series very superior—better than any
others we have ever examined, and we commend
them unhesitatingly to teachers.
Daxesbury House, by Mrs. Henry Wood. This
is a capital Scottish temperance tale that gained a
prize of SSOO. It depicts the injurious effects of
intoxicating drinks, the advantages of personal
abstinence and the demoralizing operations of the
Liquor traffic.
We welcome such books as this. 282 pp. Har
per and Brother, N. Y.
Harper’s Greek and Latin Texts. These en
terprising pub ishers publish many Classical works
and arc now issuing choice Duodecimo editions of
the best Latin and Greek authors. We have be
fore us Euripides, Aeschylus and Horace. For the
scholar they are all that can be desired, neat, han
dy, cheap and beautifully printed.
Buckner's Translation and Creek Grammar.
We have before us Buckner’s Gospel according to
John, translated into Creek, and also his Creek
Grammar. These works have been published by
the Domestic and Indian Mission Board of the
Sou. Bap. Convention ; and are an honor-to Bro.
Buckner’s scholarship and to the enterprise and
zeal of the Board. A certificate of four members
of the Creek National Council vouches for the
faithfulness and accuracy of the translation. —
Funds should “be raised to enable brother Buck
per to proceed in this good work.
A Smaller History of Greece, from the ear
liest times to the Roman conquest. By William
Smith, LL. D., illustrated by engravings in wood.
Harper & Bro.
This book is intended for the use of Public
Schools throughout the country, being a more el
ementary book than the Larger History of Greece
by the same author. 50 cts.
Words of Comfort to A..11 who Sorrow for the
Pious Dead: But especially to my Co-worker Elder
J. S. Murrow, and the Surviving Relatives of Sis
ter N. E. Murrow. By 11. F. Buckner, Micco, Creek
Nation, West of Arkansas. Charleston, S. C. ;
Southern Baptist Publication Society. 1860. pp.
56.
This is a tribute to departed worth. Sister N.
E. Murrow died on the 18th of August, 1858, aged
24, after 10 months earnest labor among the
Creeks.
Her portrait prefaces the volume, which is an
excellent sermon calculated to soothe those house
hold upon which rests the shadow of bereavement.
It is published by theS. Bap. Pub. Society and
is for sale by J. D. Cubbedge, Macon, Ga
A Gazeieer of Georgia, containing a particu
lar description of the State, its resources, counties,
towns, villages, and whatever is usual in statistical
works, by Adiel Sherwood, Honorary member of
phe Georgia Historical Societv, and Correspond
ing Secretary of the Historical Society Illinois.—
Fourth edition revised and corrected. This book
is a vademecum for Georgians. It gives everything
relating to Georgia, statistically, including colle
ges, school statistics, rail-roads, literature, chro
nology, the Press, mineral springs, cotton facto
ries, Revolutionary facts, natural history, antiqui
ties, mineral resources, Government, Population,
Religious Denominations, &c., &o.
Written for the Christian Index.
HINTS TO A YOUNG MINISTER,
And a notice of such boohs as are
likely to be useful to him.
No. 5.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
Dear Brother—ln making up your
Library, you will naturally wish to
have the standard books ot other de
nominations as well as our own. And,
as this “Church Question” is certainly
one of the “Questions of the Age,” amt
as I hope you will not be contented to
take your information at second hand,’
and on the authority of some heated
partisan, but read your opponents’
views for yourself, I give a more en
larged catalogue than I should other
wise do, of books which contain many
things that I cannot endorse.
A recent work, valuable for its refu
tation of the Romish theory of the
Church, though written by an Episco
pal Divine, is Litton on the Church.
Prof. Cutting says of it that it is the
most scientilic work on the subject
within the last hundred years. Per
haps the most able presentation of the
Episcopal side of the argument may
be found in Archbishops Potter’s work
on the Church.
Palmer on the Church, 2 vols, and
Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity, main
tain the same view, and say all that
can be said in favor of that side. A
poplar presentation ot the argument
on both sides may be found in Onder
donk's Episcopacy Tested by Scrip
ture, and Albert Barnes’ Reply to it.
The Presbyterian argument may be
found in Dr. Miller on Presbyterian
ism, and in Dr. Jno. M. Mason on the
Church. Coleman’s Apostolicr.l and
primitive Church, though written by
a Presbyterian, furnishes excellent ma
terial for proving the original church
es to have been Independent. One of
the best books designed to sustain the
system of Independency is S. David
son’s Ecclesiastical Polity of the New
Testament. Punchard’s View of Con-
also valuable, though
not as full and argumentative as the
preceding. A history of Congrega
tionalism by the same author is wor
thy ot perusal. Dr. George Campbell’s
Ecclesiastical History discusses some
important questions connected with
Church Government, and is marked by
the ability and candor of its learned
author. The best Baptist work on the
subject that I know of is Dr. J. L.
Dagg’s Church Order. It is an hon
est and manly discussion of the points
up, and cannot fail to extort the
respect, even of opponents.
On tne kindred subject of Church
Discipline, there is just now a good
#rgan of % ia. gap. Contention: Motet to Sessions, Jeltgiim, ant % Interests of % gaptisf fenontination.
deal in circulation: Walker’s Church
Discipline is a small book, that has at
tracted not much attention. Crowell’s
Church Member’s Manual has many
excellent points, though it may not be
accordant entirely with the views of
our Southern Churches. The same
may be said of Wayland’s Principles
and Practices of Baptists, and of Ilis
cox’s Directory for Baptist Churches.
Dr. Mell’s Corrective Discipline, tho’
limited to a particular part of the sub
ject, displays an ability which might
well be expended on a public work,
embracing the whole range of topics.
I have in iny library a little book, which
1 presume is out of print, that I wish
the author would consent to revise and
enlarge for republication, entitled—
“ Queries and Answers on Church Dis
cipline, by J os. Baker.” I have not
read it recently, but the impression on
my mind is, that, so far as it goes, it is
one ot the best books on the subject
that I ever saw. It was published,
years ago, as one volume of a “Baptist
Periodical Library,” which that inde
fatigable brother started, but which,
like so many other publishing enter
prises, fell through, after the first year
or two. Another work, first published
in that same‘Periodical Library,’ I be
lieve, and which I should have men
tioned under Church Government, is
Dr. Reynold’s “Church Polity,”a brief,
condensed, forcible setting forth of the
Baptist Argument, as to the organiza
tion and laws of Christ’s church.
Now* as to Church History—there is
really so much, that I must limit my
self to a few standard books.
1 irst, as one ot the most universally
quoted, comes Mosheim’s (pronounced
Mos-hime, not Mo-sheem,) Institutes
of Church History of which there are
two translations, the old one by Dr.
Maclaine—in which occurs the famous
passage about the origin of the Bap
tists being “hid in the depths of an
tiquity”—and a later translation by
Dr. Murdock, much the more faithful,
accurate, and scholarly. Maclaine al
lowed himself often to paraphrase rath
er than translate, his author, and has
thus often given a coloring to state
ments which the original will not sus
tain.
Mosheim’s Commentaries on the af
fairs of the Christians before the Time
of Constantine, translated by Murdock
—form a valuable addition to his oth
er work. This contains much on Church
Government as well as Church His
tory, and presents most valuable mate
rials for thought, Guericke has puU
lished a very valuable compend of
Church History in German, of which
only the first volume has yet been
translated, including the first six cen
turies. If limited to one book, this is
perhaps, for the period it covers, as
good as any other. Schaff’s Apostol
ic Church, and his History of the
Church for the first Three Centuries,
will he found able, thorough, scholar
ly, candid. He is a true German, as
to his passion for going into all the
minutiae of a subject. I think his ec
clesiastical connection is with the Ger
man Reformed Church of America. A
more readable and smaller book, tho’
not so profound, is Killen’s Ancient
Church. The author is an Irish Pres
byterian. If, along w 7 ith Church His
tory, you would like to take a rapid,
general view of cotemporaneous civil
history, there is nothing which I have
come across so graphic and entertain
ing, so just and impressive, as White’s
Eighteen Christian Centuries. The
book is written with singular pictures
que power, and gives you a moving
Panorama of the Ages.
Neander’s great work on Church
History for the first 400 years, is in
dispensable, to the thorough student;
but will be thought tedious by the
general reader. It is fuller than any
other work I know of in English. The
best translation is that by Dr. Torrey,
5 vols. Svo.
Milman’s Latin Christianity, which
Sheldon & Cos. are just republishing in
this country, in a beautiful edition, is
one of the most readable, and at the
same time one of the most thorough
treatises to be found. It w*ill fur
nish food for thought on every page.
A History of Early Christianity, limi
ted to the first Four Centuries, by the
same author, has much merit. Its ob
ject is to view the history of Christi
anity not so much in a religious, as in
a social and political light—to exhib
it the reciprocal infinence of Christi
anity and Civilization on each other.
Gieseler’s Church History is a book
that I suppose few have ever read ; I
was almost going to say —none. Yet
it is a rare and valuable collection of
authorities, references and quotations
in the notes —to which the text of the
author is scarcely more than a sort of
Index. It may be referred to with
great profit and pleasure, but I should
be sorry to be condemned to read it
straight through. The author publish
ed a uew and enlarged edition which
has not been translated.
Milner’s Church History attempts
to trace the progress of vital piety,
whether in the church or in what have
been termed the sects. The author is
an evangelical Episcopalian. Kurtz’s
Church History, which is in process of
translation, and soon to be issued in an
English dress, is said by excellent
judges to possess “all the elements and
prospects of general popularity.” I
doubt not it is very valuable, judging
from other works of the same author,
which I have.
The best recent work, on the origin
and history of different denominations,
in the past as well as the present, is
Marsden’s Churches and Sects, 2 vols.,
an English book, not republished here
yet. D’Anbigne on the Reformation,
MACON, GA., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1860.
Henry’s Life of Calvin, Ranke’s His
tory ot the Popes, Bowers’ Lives of the
1 opes, Michelet’s Life of Luther, and
Father Paul’s History of the Council
of Trent will give you the material for
a study of the historical sde of the Po
pish Controversy; and while lam on
that subject, I may add, that if you
want to see the general argument in
behalf of the Romanists skillfully, in
geniously, and most plausibly set forth
you should get Moehler’s Symbolism,
and Balmeß Catholicism and Protes
tantism Compared, in their Influence
on Civilization. It will surprise you
to see how much they can make of a
bad case, and you may be aided in see
ing how to refute other systems of er
ror.
I should like to be able to commend
one of our Baptist Church Histories,
but the two, which just now are re
ceiving most circulation among us,
scarcely deserve it. Benedict’s Histo
ry of the Baptists is a laborious com
pilation, but if its accuracy with re
gard to the past is on a par with its
correctness as to matter of recent or
cotemporaneous occurrence, it cannot
claim entire confidence. There is much
however, in it, that is valuable. Os
Orchard’s History ot Foreign Baptists,
I can scarcely say that it is even a la
borious compilation. It is careless in
style, ill jointed in structure, hasty in
its conclusions, and gives evidence
neither of the painstaking, nor of the
learning, which should be bestowed on
such a work.
Jones’ Church History, 2 vols., is a
good work, but, I believe, out of print,
lie expended much labor on the his
tory of the Waldenses endeavoring to
show that a large portion of them were
substantially Baptists; and though his
veracity was assailed by Dr. Miller,
and Dr. Rice, the examination of the
subject by John L. Waller, in the
Christian Repository some years ago
led me to conclude that the imputa
tion was unjust. Brothers. 11. Ford
ought to publish those articles in pam
phlet form.
It is said that Rev. John Newton
Brown is preparing a history of the
Baptists, and we have every reason to
suppose, from the learning and candor
of the author, that it will be worthy of
high regard. The “Historical Vindi
cations of the Baptists,” bv S. S. Cut
ting, lead us to desire tuat the au
thor will extend his labors in that di
rection, and give the public the results.
This small volume is rich in interest
and suggestiveness.
An American edition of Robinson’s
History of Baptism has been recently
published by Graves, Marks & Cos.,
whioh I have not yet seen ; but I un
deretan 1 it is an accurate reprint of
the complete edition. The original
work is a great storehouse of material
on the subject. An abridgment of it,
prepared by Rev. D. Benedict, has
been long circulated in this country,
(though now, I believe, out of print,)
under the title of Robinson’s History
of Baptism. But of course the com
plete work is much the moro desira
ble.
I observe that the same firm who
publish the foregoing, have announced
for publication another work of the
same author, his “Ecclesiastical Re
searches.” I trust they will not carry
out this announcement. There are in
deed some things that are both curi
oils and valuable in it; but it was writ
ten towards the conclusion of his life,
when his sentiments as to the person
of Christ had become Socinian ; it was
published posthumously, if I mis
take not; and so large a portion of the
book is taken up with defences of the
Socinians and their views, and the
facts are so often stated in an unfair
and one sided manner, that the influ
ence of the book, if circulated as a
Baptist book, cannot but be pernicious.
If it were an avowed advocate of So
cinianism, it would do little harm.—
The idea of republishing it was proba
bly adopted hastily, without much ex
amination, and it is to be hoped, it
will be dropped. Selections from it,
judiciously edited, might be very de
sirable.
In my next, I will close this series,
which I fear may not bo interesting to
any but book-worms like myself, and
which I should hardly have underta
ken but for the request of sundry breth
ren that I would aid them in selecting
a library. I know that suggestions of
this sort would have aided me much
in beginning, when, with a slender
purse, and manifold duties leaving me
but little time to read, I was anxious
to expend my money and time on none
but the best books. Hence I have
cheerfully used a few hours, not of
leisure, hut snatched from amid( other
engagements, in hastily penning these
sketches of books and men, for the ben
efit of my young brethren.
Yours truly, 3. M. J.
/
Written for the “Christian Index.”
THE PRESENT MODE OF CON
ducting Missions. Are they Scrip
tural f
BY REV. WM. CAREY’ CRANE, D. D.
As it is doubted by some, (not a
great number we hope and believe,)
whether missions a6 now conducted
are scriptural, I purpose to show that
the Boards of the present day, which
are the chief agents in conducting mis
sions are acting in strict accordance
with the scriptures. If I prove that
the principles aud the object of the
gospel are carried out, 1 shall have
done all that any enlightened mind
need desire. No sane man will con
tend that in our age, there shall be a
perfectly literal fulfillment of the
requisitions of the Bible. Where
literal fulfillment is possible, let
it be accomplished: where impos
sible, let the spirit be developed fully.
It, therefore, the principles and object
ot the gospel can be scripturally car
ried out, then, we shall have done all
that the law ot Christ commands us to
do, without studyingor quibbling over
the letter of the law. Where there is
a statute of the gospel, obedience to
the statute is imperative; where there
is no statute, obedience only to the
common law of Christianity is abso
lutely required. Revelation is to be
regarded therefore as two fold in its
teachings.
First: it inculcates great principles
to enlighten the conscience, to enlarge
the faith, to fire the zeal, and to guide
the exertions of true Christians. Hence,
it gives us, with the great principles,
great and illustrious examples of the
principle— Jesus Christ, the great
Divine Missionary from Heaven to
earth, the sublime model for all mod
ern foreign missionaries, aud the great
human domestic missionary, (from the
race ot which as a human being he
was a part,) to this same people ; and
Raul, the great expounder, teacher
and preacher and apostolic missionary
to the Gentile world.
Second: Revelation lays down laws
for Christian conduct. These laws are
ot two classes, the first are general,
and only look to great principles, and
leave those acting under them, to
make the application of the general
principle to the particular case: the
second are specific, such as those which
afiect Christian discipline and as are
laid down in the 18th chapter of Mat
thew and the sth chapter of Ist Cor
inthians, besides other passages w 1 iich
respect the support of the ministry,
and the care of the poor and unprotec
ted. These general principles must
be admitted, for indeed they cannot
well be denied ; and we can proceed
now to consider the principles and ob
ject of primitive Christianity, as de
veloped in the principles and object of
modem missions. The great commis
sion of our ascending Redeemer must
be first considered. “Go ye, therefore
and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father anti of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Matt.
18: 19, 20. These words were spoken to
the eleven disciples. The question
arises, were these words intended for
the apostles only, for all Christians in
dividually, or for the church codec
tively ?
If intended for the apostles only,
and they are to he construed literally,
then their binding force died with the
apostles, and there is no commission
now at ail. Nay, more, if these words
were of mere literal application, then,
the same course of reasoning will de
prive the Old and New Testaments of
their binding force, and they would
stand before the world, as mere re
cords of history—a mere philosophy
teaching by example. They must,
therefore, if not literal be applicable to
all individual Christians, who have
through rich grace, inherited the Spir
it and the disposition of the apostles.
These words could not have been in
tended for 4;he church collectively, for
then, there was no organization of a
church—Christ did not enter into the
minutial of establishing His church.
He gave commands, laid down laws,
enunciated great principles, and left it
to his disciples to apply them to a
great organization; hence, the estab
lishment of the church and agencies,
for promoting its influence, were the
work of a series of progressive steps.
The Ist step developes a powerful agen
cy exerted on men, individually and so
cially. The second step shows the for
mation of individual Christians into a
church. “The primary design of the
church indeed, is the spiritual benefit
of the members composing it, that
each might enjoy the assistance of all:
that the Christian principles and graces
of the whole community might be col
lected, and concentrated 4 into a focus;
and each believer might stand at pleas
ure under its salutory and transform
ing influence.” The third stef) is the
union of separate churches, as the
Christian instrumentality for the con
version of the world. Jesus prayed
for this at the “foot of the cross—
prayed for it there as a means of the
world’s conversion;” “that they all
may be one, * * * * . that the
world may believe, that thou hast sent
me.” The fourth step is, “the effusion
of the Holy Spirit upon the whole
body of churches.” “For there is one
body and one Spirit.”
Primitive Christianity exhibits the
application of its principles, and the
promotion of its object, the conver
sion of the whole world. There are
the following characteristics developed
in this application: 1. System; 2.
Union of individuals; 3. Union of
churches; 4. A Convention for consul
tation and deliberation; 5. A fund ;
6. A mode of disbursement.
1. The system. All the operations
of God’s moral government, both in
ante-Mosaic and post-Mosaic, ante-
Apostolic or post-Apostolic periods un
fold a system. The system of gospel
propagatian was at first Apostolic,
then it embraced the disciples, and af
terwards included and chiefly depend
ed on Christians collected into their res
pective churches. At first each Chris
tian convert was a missionary. It
required the Spirit’s power operating
on collective bodies afterwards, to
make churches feel and act ont the mis
sionary spirit. “The first ohuroh at
Jerusalem was denomational, consist
ing exclusively of converted Jews.—
Tfie church at Antioch, including as it
did, all believers, irrespective of their
nation, was the first Catholic Chris
tian church.” “Now there were in
the church that was at Antioch, cer
tain prophets and teachers ; as Barna
bas and Simeon, that was called Niger
and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen who
had been brought up with Herod the
Tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered
to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit
said, separate we Barnabas and Saul,
tor the work whereunto I have called
them,” Acts xiii: 2. The members of
the church at Antioch had already
made individual efforts for the conver
sion of the heathen, and had been en
couraged by the conversion of the Ro
man Cornelius. Their statements
stirred up the Antiochan church.—
“And the hand of the Lord was with
them, and a great number believed and
turned to the Lord,” Acts xi: 21. But
the work was so great, they felt they
must say, “Who is sufficient for these
things? ’ “And as they ministered to
the Lord and fasted, the Holv Spirit
said, separate unto me Barnabas and
Saul for the work, whereunto I have
called them.” Here, then, we see that
individuals act as missionaries, and
now the Antioch church becomes the
first missionary society, for the propa
gation of the gospel. “And when
they had fasted and prayed and laid
their hands on them, they sent them
away. Thus commissioned, Paul and
Barnabas, went out on their mission to
distant regions, and then “returned to
Antioch, from whence they had been
recommended to the grace of God.”—
This system developed throughout the
Acts of the Apostles, shows that the
principles and object of primitive
Christianity aro not unlike the princi
ples and object of modern missions.
2. Union of Individuals. Those
who were scattered abroad, after the
persecution of Stephen, united in the
work of preaching the gospel. They
“travelled as fai as Phenice and Cy
prus and Antioch, preaching the word
to none but unto the Jews only, and
some ol them were men of Cyprus
aud Cyrene, which, when, they came
to Antioch spake unto the Grecians,
preaching the Lord Jesus,” Acts xi :
19, 20. Here, were individual Chris
tians, governed by the same principles
and prosecuting the same object.
3. Union of Churches. The first
convention which appears ever to have
been held, since the ascent of the Sa
vior, was at Jerusalem. That was the
proper place for the meeting, “begin
ning at Jerusalem,” the gospel was to
bo preached from thence throughout
the whole world ; there was Christ cru
cified and there was that grand Mass
meeting on the day of Pentecost: at
which three thousand were converted,
immersed and added to the church.—
Individual Christians had already gone
out as missionaries from Jerusalem.—
Missionaries had also gone to the Gen
tiles from Antioch. Now, there arises
a question which it requires a consul
tation between these two churches to
decide, hence, there is held, the great,
Asiatic Christian Missionary Conven
tion, composed of the Apostles and
Elders. Here were the representa
tives of the Jerusalem and Antioch
churches in convention assembled, to
determine after what manner the na
tions of the earth were to be discipled,
Acts xv: 1, 41. There can he no
doubt that this convention was com
posed of such only, as would at that
time be called Baptists. None others
should belong to our conventions now.
It is true, nothing was said about mon
ey —Christians had the Jewish pattern
before them, and acted, “every man
according to his ability,” Actsxi: 29.
4. A Fund. If it can be proved that
money was collected at all, that is suf
ficient to prove that there was a fund.
A fund supposes a treasury and a dis
burser, call him treasurer or not, as
you may please; a plan of disbursing
and a board of tw*o or more managers,
who should say how the money should
be disbursed. Under the Mosaic dis
pensation, the Priests were dependent
for support upon their spiritual avoca
tion. Num. xviii: 20; Deut. x: 8,9;
xiv: 2; xviii: 1,2. This principle is
retained in the gospel. “Those who
preach the gospel shall live of the gos
pel.” Ist Cor. ix: 13, 14. “Who go
eth a warfare, any time at his own
charges.” Ist Cor. ix: 7, 11. “Let
him that is taught in the word, com
municate to him that teacheth in all
good things.” Gal. vi: 6. Luke xxii:
35. Paul indicates the divine method
of collecting funds in the words : “Up
on the first day of the week, (Lord’s
day,) let every one of yon lay by him
iu store as God has prospered him.”
Ist Cor. vi: 2. Paul, also, teaches how
he was supported in the great mission
ary field. Ist Cor. xvi: 17. Phil, iv:
15, 20. 2nd Cor. xi: 8, 9.
5. Amode of Disbursement. A fund
and the keeper of the fund necessarily
suppose, that there must have been
some way of disbursing the funds: as
that is an irresistible inference, the
scriptures are silent a6 to whether or
ders were passed, drafts drawn and
signed by the Moderator, and counter
signed by the Clerk.
There are some plain deductions which
we are now warranted in making.
1. That Primitive Christianity aimed
at preaching the gospel to every crea
ture, if so, then Primitive Christianity
and the Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention and every similar conven
tion, have identical principles and ob
jects.
2. If Primitive Christianity had a
system, so has the Southern Baptist
Convention.
3. If Primitive Christianity united
individually upon common principles
and objects, so does the Southern Bap- j
tist Convention.
J- If Primitive Christianity called a
convention for consultation, so also
does the Southern Baptist Convention,
regularly, biennially, for consultion
and co-operation.
5. It Primitive Christianity required
and called for a fund, so also does the
Southern Baptist Convention.
6- If Primitive Christianity had a
mode of disbursing funds, so also has
the Southern Baptist Convention.
7. If Primitive christiauitv expec
ted all to give, so does the Southern
Baptist Convention.
8. If Primitive Christianity stipula
ted a measure of giving, “according to
one’s ability,” so does the Southern
Baptist Convention stipulate identical
ly the same measure. Hence, has it
not been demonstrated, that the pres
ent mode of conducting missions is
scriptural, inasmuch as the principles >
and objects of Primitive Christianity,
and of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion are one and the same, and the re
sult is the same likewise—the conver
sion of men to the truth of the gospel?
I have not exhausted the argument,
but I have satisfied all the require
ments of reasonable logic, intelligent,
biblical criticism: and earnest, devo- t
ted, true hearted Christian benevo- ,
lence. W. C. C.
Mt. Lebanon, La., Aug. 8, ’6O.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.
No. 5.
THEY ARE A NECESSITY.
Thus far, reader, the importance of
these schools has been considered, it
is proposed in this number to show
that they constitute a necessity. The
substitutes for them may be consider
ed ; the pulpit, the parent and the
press. These will be taken up in their
order.
1. The pulpit, that would discuss
topics only suitable to the childish
mind, and in such language as it
could comprehend, would soon lose
the mature and cultivated portion of
its auditory. Let its simplicity be ev
er so simple, and its words belong on
ly to the forcible Anglo Saxon, yet
there are topics, whose explanation in
terras plain enough to be grasped by
childhood, would fatigue, if it aid not
disgust riper minds. I have known
whole congregations converted into
Bible classes, but how many grown
men and women would be willing to
be taught by the Infant Question Book,
or to join classes taught as the junior
members of Sunday schools are! If
failure would mark every effort of
the kind, how futile would it be to at
tempt to substitute the pulpit for these
schools! The writer remembers with
gratitude to God, the kindly interest
manifested by Rev. Mr. O ***** *, a
Presbyterian clergyman in “the rising
generation.” This gentleman, once a
distinguished and powerful Revivalist,
had his compassions stirred towards
the children of the city of C n.
He became a child’s preacher, and
was successful in his labors, but when
invited to preach to grown persons,
open dissatisfaction to his ministry was
expressed. “We are not children,”
said the congregation. If the question
should be asked by any reader, why
then take children to church? The
answer would be, there is much that is
profitable in the scriptures that are 1
read, in the hymns that are sung, in
the prayers that are offered and there 1
may be somethings in the sermon; but
the principal benefit to be derived by
the young persons, is the habit of go
ing to the sanctuary.
The truth is, £he Sabbath school is
as indispensable to the pulpit, as the
Academy is to the University. Ele
mentary truths have been learned in
the lower seminaries, and the pupil is
prepared for instruction offered by
teachers in the high schools of science
and theology.
2. Parental instruction affords no
substitute. We are about treading on
ground that fills us with apprehension,
and cannot restrain the expression,
alas ! poor children ! How little are
your souls cared for by those, who are
directly and immediately responsible
for them ! Parents may be divided in
to three classes—the truly pious—
worldly professors and the openly irre
ligious. The former in providing for
bodily wants, education, and accom
plishments, have, as they think, only
time for an occasional homily on reli
gion in general. Heart-probing, and
conscience-touching exhortations are
but seldom, and feebly attempted.—
Said a pious mother, “the pangs, and
anxiety,-and heart-aches of maternity
I could cheerfully endure, but parent
al responsibility is crushing.” Such
paronts would not be without the aid
of Sabbath school instruction. The
formal professor is not qualified to
minister in holy things to his offspring.
If he 6hoald have temerity to present
vital godliness to his children, nis ex
ample nullifies his teaching. The
openly irreligious, who care not for
their own immortality, have no con
cern about their second-selves.
The fact is startling: the vast ma
jority of children are the subjects of
spiritual orphanage—no man cares for
their souls! ! This must be, and is for
a lamentation. The main, the only
hope for them, is the Sunday school.
8. The press with its innumerable is
sues are without doubt beneficial, but
it no more constitutes a substitute for
the school, than it does for the pulpit.
Who would not shudder at closing the
latter? The Head of the church has
ordained the necessity of a living min
istry; and to the end of time He will
send His heralds to preach the good
“Terms of A^etiistW*
ofJ,eti line* for tire first, anti r,o ctnlsper s'qlt.Rre sos .
all subsequent publications. * * *
**• ,* • *. * *
KATES Toft CONTRACT'^nVERTISiqG,
lsquareof 10 lines per 3 months....‘.4 f bo
“ “ fOlinel “ 6 “ i M. - mft)
“ “10 lines 1 year &>.... lq^o.
These lines are the text advertising lines mod tl.e
charge is for tlio space occupied by ten sisb ImjV ■>
as are used in the body of an advertisement. Loi
ger advertisements in the same ratio.
N. S., VOL. 28, NO. 36
news of salvation. The same reason
that induced His mercy to make provi
sion for His wandering 6heep, has
moved His people to provide for His
lambs.
This conclusion, it is hoped, is
reached—the pulpit, parent, and
press —each, ladened with blessings as
it is, affords no substitute for that ne
cessity—the Sabbath school.
#*H***
We, probably, owe an apology for
the late appearance of this criticism
which was intended to appear in the
Landmark Banner and the Index sim
ultaneously. The reason of delay is
that the first number failed to reach us
in time, and therefore we did not feel
specially called upon to hurry in its
publication.
DR. S. G. HILLYER’S EXPOSIT
ION.
Math. 10, 19 .* 18, 18. John 20, 23.
BY REV. A. T. HOLMES, £>. 1).
t Were it not that matters of serious
; import are involved—matters affecting
the peace of Zion and the purity of the
churches, it would be amusing to no
tice in what manner, and to what ex
tent the difficulty in the church at
Xashville has taxed the ingenuity and
awakened the responsibility of news
paper contributors. Opinions, various
and multiplied, have been boldly ex
pressed, while conclusions have been
reached, and unblushingly avowed a
like startling, preposterous and absurd.
Among the strange developments at
tendant upon the excitement produced
by this difficulty, there are three which
have, more particularly, arrested my
attention. These are the “Corrective
Church Discipline,” manufactured to
meet the emergency involved, the at
tempt to stigmatise old Baptist usage,
and plain Baptist doctrine as anew
and dangerous theory, and the “Expo
sition” as noticed at the head of this
article. The “Discipline” and the At
tempt will receive proper attention,
from the proper source, and no doubt,
will appear in their proper character,
in due time. In regard to the “Expo
sition,” permit a very humble individ
ual who does not often trouble the pa
pers with his productions, to offer a
tew remarks. Before I proceed, how
ever, I will take occasion to say that
Dr. Hillyer is no stranger to the wri
ter. For nearly thirty years we have
regarded each other as personal friends.
We haj^^^^Mgl^d
com m unmated wt
lation to our dearest interests,
all that time, even to the present hour,
I have felt, and loved to feel, that he
was justly entitled to be numbered
with the soundest heads and purest
hearts of our denomination. Such men
may be effected by circnmstances„and
their moral vision may be obscured,
because the medium through which
they look is colored or confused. But
Truth has electric power, and the mor
al atmosphere will be purified. It is
fatal to error to convince a conscien
tious man that he is wrong.
The portions of the Divine Record
which Dr. H. has expounded have been
variously interpreted, and are acknowl
edged by wise men to involve more
than ordinary difficulty. One expo
sition invests Peter with supreme au
thority, as the first in the order of in
fallible, ecclesiastical Dignitaries. A
nother informs ns that the word ren
dered Rock is Petra , a feminine noun,
and not Petros, and therefore, not Pe
ter, but his confession and thedoctiine
contained is the foundation v upon
which the church shall rest. But the
Dr. from a 6tand point, unoccupied be
fore, overlooks all difficulties, ‘and ar
rives at the very sage conclude, that
Peter and the other Apostles were in
vested with authority t o exercise
church discipline—that they were not
infallible—that nevertheless their de
cisions could not be invalidated—that
right or wrong, Heaven is pledged to
ratify them, and that ergo , as the legit
imate, logical conclusion, the action of
the Frst Baptist Church in Nashville,
in excluding Rev. J. R. Graves and
others, righteous or unrighteous, has
the Divine sanction, and a refusal to
recognize their exclusion is to set aside
the sovereign authority of the Great
Head of the Church.
I propose, brother Editor, to exam
ine this Exposition, in one or two ar
ticles. How far I concur with my es
teemed brother, will appear in the pro
gress of my remarks. Wherein I must
join issue with him will likewise ap
pear, and I indulge the hope that noth
ing will be written by mo, that shall
in any manner, disturb the pleasant
relations which have so long existed
between us. I would give my proper
name, but as brother “M.” of the S.
TV. Baptist, doubtless, intended to say
of his name, it w r ould not give to my
articles any additional force. As lam
not very careful, however, to be incog ,
you may feel at liberty to give it to
any one, who, in your opinions has a
right to ask it.
Although there have been many medicinal pre
parations brought before the public since the first
introduction of Perry Davis’ Vegetable Pain Killer,
and large amounts expended in their introduction,
the Pain Killer has continued to steadily advance
in the estimation of the world, as the best family
medicine ever introduced. Sold by druggists and
grocers.
There is a man out West by tho name of
John Hole, who is so lazy that in writing his
name he merely makes aJ, and then punches
a hole through the paper.