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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.