Newspaper Page Text
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
g-aT
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1861.
Contents.
PIRST PAGE.
Poetry, Whither Bound ; Bights of Churches,
by Dr. Baker ; Note to Prof. Mell; Religious Lib
erty ; Sleepy Christians ; FinaJ Report, by Dr. Ba
ker ; \Vhat one Board has done for the Sandwich
“Llands ; Review of the Religious World ; Where
with shall I come before the Lord ; How can man
be just with God.
FOURTH PAGE.
The White Rabbits ; The Honeycomb Family ;
The Death of a Young Child.
SECOND PAGE.
Salutatory ; Midnight Thoughts ; The cause of
Missions is the cause of God; Appeal to Georgia
Baptists, by Dr. Taylor; Reminiscences of Geor
gia, by Dr. Sherwood; Last hours of Jno. E. Daw
son ; Outline of a late Sermon, by Pres. Rambaut;
Dedication of the Columbus Church; Circular of
the Index Committee; What will the Baptist of
Georgia do ? by Rev. D. G. Daniell.
THIRD PAGE.
Summary, &c.
Salutatory to the Readers of
THE INDEX.
In the language of the Apostle to the
Gentiles, we salute the readers of the In
dex, “Grace to you, and peace from God
our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We invoke upon you the grace of Faith,
of Hope and of Charity—of humility, pa
tience, steadfastness and resignation. We
more especially ask oi 4 God that grace;
which, when abounding in the heart, in
spires a consciousness of pardoned 6in,
Mud the assurance of eternal life. Grace
s favor—the favor of God, and if that is
yours, then will you enjoy peace ; that
peace which flows like a river, and cools,
and refreshes, and invigorates the whole
moral nature. The graces of the spirit
are attainable, through the efficacy of
Christ’s blood, made available through
faith in him. How then can we manifest
our interest in you, more significantly,
than by imploring for you from God, our
Father, faith in his adorable Son.
As fallen, sinful creatures, as regenera
ted sons and daughters of God—as heirs
of immortal glory—as co-workers in the
cause of righteousness and truth—as mem
bers of the same communion ; at the open
ing of another year, brethren, we salute
you. May Grace, and Peace, and Mercy
be with you !
Pretermitting the alarming oondition
of the political world, as well as the disor
dered state of our business affairs, let us
remind you that as Christians, we have
much to do. The of our beloved
Church, and the honor and glory of God,
are in oar hands. We are stewards of
the manifold mercies of God. The capa
city of every Christian—whether it con
sists of intellectual endowments, wealth,
position, or religious experience—is a
trust j and for the manner in which he
executes it, he will answer, when God
shall call the world to a reckoning. HGei
Baptist Church, is a great Charge. It isv
potent in its nnmbers, its wealth, and its
doctrines. It is a mistake to suppose that
it is in the keeping of the ministry, or the
official members, or associations and con
ventions alone. Every member in a very
important sense, is its keeper, and is more
ori less responsible for its well being. ,We
are all responsible, for the purity and
peace and efficiency of the church. Be
lieving, as we do, in the truth pf its doc
trines, the wisdom of its polity, and the
happy adaptation of its usages, to the
wants of humanity, how earnestly ought
we to pray, and industriously work
for it ? Not that it might become great
in the estimation of men, but powerful in
pulling down the strongholds of Satan,
and building up the kingdom of Heaven.
We should rejoice with humility when we
reflect what prodigious influence goes out
from her numerous membership—-her
newspaper press—her institutions of learn
ing—her distinctive Baptistic creed—
and her religious literature. Let us give
all the glory to God. And whilst we re
joice, oh, that we might feel that where
much is given, much will be required.—
We trust it is not wrong, to congratulate
you upon the present strength, and the
prospective power of the Baptist Denom
ination. Each one of us should be jealous
of its honor, and zealous for its prosperity.
And when we labor for its advancement,
we should be sustained by the conscious
ness, that we are God’s coadjutors, and
word is pledged for ou^success.
Would it not he welhWus njow, to ex-
whether there are breaches in the
walls of our Zion which need repairing ?
Have no errors of opinion crept into the
churches, whbh threaten to undermine
our foundations ? If any have, it becomes
us to correct them by appeal to the true
standard, the word of God, as read in the
light of our historic records. Those re
cords, as we believe, are the interpreta
tions of the Holy Spirit. Are there no
schisms to heal—no heart-burnings to
cool—no wounds to be hound up and to
be mollified with the oil of charity—no
pride to subdue—no partizan prejudice to
overcome ? With reference to our char
actor as constituent elements of our re
spective churches, and also as personali
ties directly responsible to God, the bur
den is upon us, to see to it, that abuses of
every kind are corrected. What we all
mainly need, is profounder personal piety.
Church abuses, for the most part, spring
nut of personal delinquencies. The body
will be sound when the members are
healthful. The life of conventions, asso
ciations, and churches, is fed by the pul
sations of individual hearts.
There are those, who with good inten
tions, spend their lives in looking out for
some suitable field of labor, and die un
profitable servants. They Imagine, that
in their circumstances, they can do noth
ing ; and vainly dream of impossible posi
tions and impracticable schemes. They
think that if it were possible for them to
preach the gospel—to endow a college—
to write a hook, or to lead assemblies,
with commanding eloquence, they would
gladly devote themselves to the service of
Godr Unable to do what they would like
to do, they do nothing. Allow us to say
to such persons, your field of labor is at
your door. Occupy that, and if God sees
fit, he will endow you with capacity, and
give to you the means of more extended
usefulness. The poor are about you—
feed and clothe them : the rich are near
you, minister to them : the distressed are
your neighbors, speak to them words of
sympathy and encouragement: the igno
rant abound in your community, instruct
them : sinners meet you in the streets, in
the fields, and on the highways, point
them to the Lamb of God. In a thous
and ways every man can do good. Jt was
the widow’s mite, and the cup of cold wa
fer, that elicited the commendation of the
Saviour. He that is faithful over a few
things shall be ruler over many.
But we design this article to be saluta
tory, rather than advisory. A salutatory
address is congratulation directed to an
other, on account of his safe condition —
at least this is one of its meanings. Now
who is so safe as the Christian ? If God
be for him, who shall prevail against him ?
Not all the principalities and powers of
earth and hell. He is safe in body and
in mind —safe for time, and safe for eter
nity. The source of greatest trouble to
the unregenerate mau, is an ever-abiding
consciousness of insecurity. He feels that
neither himself, nor the wisdom and pow
er of all other men combined, can guaran
tee his health, his estate, his social joys,
or his political privileges,for a single year.
Hiij life he may not prolong for an hour,
and as to his soul, it shudders ever and
anon, with fearful apprehensions of a judg
ment to come. But how is it with the
Christian ? If riches take to themselves
wings and fly away, he is still heir to an
inheritance which is incorruptible, unde
filed, and which fadeth not away, at the
right hand of God. If friends grow cold
or die, Jesus is his unchanging, undying
friend. If honor’s wreath fades and falls
from his brow, still a crown of glory
awaits him in the skies. If the subject
here of many sorrows, still the peace and
joy of God’s eternal rest are in reserve for
him. If he die, yet shall he liye, in being,
indestructible as the Almighty’s throne.
If infidelity poisons the sources of so
cial happiness, or the passions of had men
and the rage of fanaticism engender anar
chy —or convulsions of any kind shake the
moral world ; he is notwithstanding, safe.
And when God shall commission the ele
ments to break down the great fabric of
nature, and the arch-angel’s trump shall
summon the quick and'tne
ment, even then, he is absolutely and un
conditionally sale. brethren,
beloved of the Lord, we congratulate you.
—
Midnight Thoughts.
TEARS FOR OLD AND WELCOME FOR
THE NEW TEAR.
The Old -’fear fs"3eftdl 1
of December, at the solemn midnight
hour it silently winged its eternal flight;
and to-day, with its aged companions, it
lies forever buried in the Past. Who are
its mourners —ah ! rather, who are not ?
for is there one who can say, 1 have not
suffered loss; to me, it brought no mer
cies, to me, conveyed no friendly bless
ings? Nay! let us all, with reverend
hearts, stand by its new made grave, and
gather lessons of wisdom from its life and
death!
One year ago, sweet voices fell upon
our ears in friendly greetings, and loved
ones breathed for us the prayer, that bless
ings might gladden our way, and happi
ness he our attending angel through its
brief existence. The hopes and fears, the
joys and sorrows, that lay budding within
our hearts, have burst into full blown
flowers and lie scattered upon its bosom,
like the fallen blossoms upon the mother
earth. To many, it has indeed proved a
bright, a “Happy New Year.’’ At their
fireside they count no vacant seat, for, as
if favored Israelites, the Angel Death has
kindly passed their dwellings, and if, per
chance, a few clouds have gathered, they
have quickly passed, or been rendered
half transparent by their own “silvery li
nings !’’ Joys unasked, unthought of, have
unfolded before them, and the mirror of
the Past reflects no shadows to mar the
sunny picturb that, like a beautiful land
scape, lies spread before the mind. oye
favored ones, have ye no glad thanksgiv
ings from grateful hearts, no free will, of
ferings to lay upon the altar at the remem
brance of the departed year, that has been
the bearer of these Heaven-sent mercies!
* * * *
But there are others whose saddening
memories bring the blinding tears, and
whose hearts painfully throb at the men
tion of a name freshly carved upon the
family tomb. The voice of song bursts
upon the ear, hut its joyous strains send
a painful thrill throughout the soul, for
they tell of one whose voice of melody,
now hushed, mingled in pleasing harmo
ny with the sweet notes that float heaven
ward upon the morning breezes and eve
ning wind.
The festival gathering at the family
board mourns an absent member. There
is one less to greet with smiles and year
ly salutations, and echo back the kind
wishes that well up from the full fountain
of loving hearts. * * And there are
some, upon whom have fallen great and
heavy griefs—whose path of brightness
has grown suddenly dark—and the man
tle of sorrow has been folded over the
heaving breast, for Death is not alone the
messenger of woe.
The cares of this lower life—the earn
est struggles to attain to that higher exis
tence to which fallen man aspires—the in
cessant conflict with our inward and out*
ward foes, bows the strong spirit, and for
ces the too oft impatient cry, “How long,
oh. Lord, shall our enemies triumph over
us?”
But even the afflicted sons and daugh
ters of earth may not turn from the scene
unblest,if they would ask instruction from
the sorrows that have hung their dark
draperies arcund the soul! -The dark”
winged angel hears with him the commis
sion of Him whose will is Infinite Wis-
and may it not be that the broken
ties, the empty seat and smitten heart,
are hut voices from the upper skies, kind
ly teaching, Earth must grow less, and
Heaven more in the esteem ? Do not the
very weight of thy burdens—the bitter
ness of thy griefs —the overflowing fount
of tears —urge thee to seek relief? Is
thy burden heavy, “cast it upon the Lord,
for He careth for thee.” Do sorrows
overwhelm and distract, “surely he hath
borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”
Seekest thou a tender sympathizer, when
the gushing tears flow down the cheeks,
or drop, unseen, within upon the heart !
Thrice precious words: “Jesus wept,”
and weeps with those who weep!
Oh vanished Year! Let thy depart
ure leave, deep engraven on the tablet of
our hearts, the sacred truths designed by
Him who gave thee birth, and graciously
permits us to survive thy death!
May we remember that the goodness
of God leads us to repentance, and that
his chastisements are the tokens of his
love! For our faults and follies, each
known to thee, would we drop upon thy
grave the penitent’s tear, and as we turn
away to greet thy successor, lift the earn
est prayer, that dying, it may leave us wi
ser and better than now ; or, should it re
cord our own release from the servitude
of earth, that we may be called to a no
bler service above, where,through abound
ing grace the measure of our joys shall
be, not for Time, but—Eternity !
Dec. 31st, 1860.
Welcome, 1861. The old year is dead,
and we stand upon the threshhold of the
new ! With rejoicing, yet with thought
fulness, let us enter upon this new era in
our lives! Behold before us a volume,
with its leaves all fresh and pure! Upon
its unwritten pages, white as the spotless
snow, appears no blot nor stain, for we
look for the first time upon its title page.
But the sun, that gladdens this first day
of the Happy New Year, shall not with
draw its last golden ray from earth, ere
the first inscription shall be given, and
the fair page that lies first within the
book, shall be written by an unseen hand.
With each new day will the mighty Pen
man turn the leaf that is to hold the record
of our lives, and there shall be found our
words, our thoughts, and our motives,
\. Cl 1. y stpartial hand, and nightly
shall the report be borne toheaven, to re
ceive the approving smile, or reproachful
frown of the great Reviewer ! Thus, day
by day, shall the work go on, till the clo
sing day of the opening year shall make
the last entry, jiad the volume be pro
eumptoi* ! # ~
What shall he inj rj US tO
words
all unformed. O ! let
us nottheedlessly, wilfully tarnish its
unsullied pages tvith unworthy records;
but may the prayer of Faith rise heaven
ward each glad morn, that the recording
Angel may note for us, the successful
struggle for right in the great battle-field
of life ; that high sfnd holy endeavors
erowned with abundant success,may shine
upon every leaf; and that for every-sin
may be shed the penitential tear, and a
blood-bought pardon be sought and found!
So shall our lives grow more pure and
Christ-like, and each setting sun, find us
nearer the shining portals of God’s eter
nal day!
Jan. Ist, 1861.
The Cause of Missions is the
CAUSE of god.
Bro. Taylor’s appeal to the friends of
Missions in Georgia, does not take us by
surprise; for it is not to he wondered that
in these troublous times when the very
winds speak of disturbances and public
disasters, when money is so scarce and
confidence so shaken, that men should for
get the cause of missions. But, Christians,
warriors in the holy warfare, when earth
ly causes secure so much zeal, promptness
and obedience, shall it be said that you
forgot your marching orders ?
Either you or your money must go to
support king Emanuel’s armies. And it
your duty, in times like the
present, to coue up to theriielp of the
Lord. ap
peal. Look afar off and see those whom
you have Bent looking to you for bread.
Oh v is you have love for souls, or love for
your Savionr in your breast, remit at once
some tangible proof of your love, to Jas.
B. Taylor, Cor. Sec., Richmond, Va.
Georgia Baptists, the cause of Missions
is the cause of God, and if you desire his
blessing, or covet the sweets of an appro
ving conscience, be not backward in aid
ing missions at this critical juncture.
That Banner! We are afraid that
Georgia will lose it. But no it must not
he. Let us raise our SIO,OOO by Conven
tion. Knowing the time that the night
is far spent and that the day is at hand, it
is high time to awake out of sleep.
Let these trying times so put us ter the
proof, that it shall be evident that our
minds and hearts are right, in the Lord’s
sight.
For the Christian Index.
To the Friends of Missions in Ga.
Dear Brethren:—The monetary crisis
which has been apprehended for months,
and which has now come upon our coun
try, places the Foreign Mission Board in
such a position as makes it necessary to
call upon the churches and every individ
ualfriend of Missions,to aid them in meet
ing their liabilities. We have in the For-,
eign field a number of able and efficient
men, brethren beloved for their works
sake, who are absolutely dependent upon
us for their food and raiment. They have
gone forth in the spirit of sacrifice, rely
ing upon their brethren at home, for their
means of support. Shall we desert them ?
The diminution of receipts has been
about six thousand dollars, as compared
with the same period of the last fiscal
year. Unless relief shall quickly come,
we must hr ruinously embarrassed. Will
our churches suffer such a result to take
place ? Will they permit the necessity
of recalling any of our missionaries from
their fields of labor, at a time too, when
the promise of success at many points, is
so cheering ? Never have we found more
encoffbagement in oar'Vork, God is be
ginning to bless us. For many years we
have gone through the toilsome, tedious
process of clearing the land, ploughing
the soil, and sowing the seed. Now, the
fruit begins to appear. In connection
with the China mission, up to January,
1858, nearly thirteen years after the for
mation of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion, our missionaries had baptized not
more than fifteen native converts. Since
that time they report fifty-nine bap
tisms. Fifty-six of these were Chinese,
so that within a periodivrfahput two years
nearly four times as many have been buried
with Christ in &aphsm,as-\luring the pre
ceding thirteen years of our history. Our
brethren in Yoruba, too, notwithstanding
their trials, are rejoicing in the prospects
before them. More than one thousand
have been bapt zed in connection with
our Coast African Missions. Shall we
give them up in a time like this ? Surely
not. Will not all our churches receive
an appeal from their pastors ? Will not
every brother and sister help us ? May
we not hope for a New Year’s offering
from many? Funds “may be remitted to
us, at once, by qjaiL We believe such
voluntary contribut&as will be accepta
ble to our Divine Redeemer. On behalf
of the Board. Fraternally,
JAS. B. TAYLOR, Cor. Sec.,&c.
Reminiscences of Georgia.
Numrsl} 18.
BY ADIEL SHERWOOD, D. D.
John E. Dawson.
I did not know him till alter 1820.
Soon after this period I think he united
with the church at Indian Creek, some 4
miles west of Madison. He was born, I
am told, in Washington, and the family
removed to Morgan while he was young.
His father I did not know, lor he died in
lent and dignified svoman. She survived
her husband many years. He married
young,’ a sister of Col. J. B. Walker, and
was residing on his plantation when I be
came intimate with him in September,
1827. This was STtfe Ocmulgee Asso
ciation, Antioch—probably the most pow
erful meeting ever known iu the State. —
After the 2d sermon, some mourners
crowded nearer the stand and all kneeled ;
but this did not satisfy the anxious, of
which there were hundreds ; for one or
two hours prayers were offered for groups
of special casks, here and there, in that
vast congKagatiqi* none o£_wboru
seemed willing Jo leJye the spot. Then
the crowd scattered to eat a snack ; but
many were too sick and many too happy
to touch food. During this season of
‘prayer, I saw Bro. D. sh along hands very
affectionately with whom he had
been at va r i ana,e!i was heal
ed—they had nYuU their acknowledg
ments, and were sappy iu forgiving each
other. O, if sueftaa spirit would pervade
our State, it woul<4 cure all our hard feel
ings and melt us affinto a conlession of
our unchristian conduct and uubrotherly
remarks.
That meeting will never be forgotten
even in the eternal world. For a dozen
years after, persons related their experi
ence to the surrounding churches, and da
ted their first impressions on that mem
orable sabbath. This revival spread, and
over 20,000 were converted. If they give
ascriptions of praisp in heaven to Him
who “ has in his own blood’’
surely those washed during that season of
grace will also remember their deliver
ance and salvation.
Bro. D. studied the Languages proba
bly at Madison, but he used to regret in
later years, his want of assiduity at school.
He did not make that proficiency in his
studies which his opportunities promised.
Many a young man for neglect in youth
has felt these unavailing regrets ; though
many have redeemed lost time by redoub
ling their exertions. His mind was of a
superior order, seizing subjects with a gi
ant’s grasp, and unfolding them so clearly
that others could easily comprehend them.
Nature had conferred on him a persuasive
manner of speaking and a popular turn,
so that if he had chosen, he might have
reached eminence as a statesman : spon
taneously he was ah orator.
Soon,after 18217 exhorted occasion
ally, and gave promise of great usefulness;
but it was theTmpffso of the moment
that made him speak, a feeling he could
not resist. He had no intention to he a
minister, no idea that it was his duty to
preach. His mother used to say to me :
“ He is a child of impulse—do advise—
do take care of him.” About 1834 or 5,
the Indian Creek church called him to or
dination. Brother J.'H. Campbell I think,
and myself, were pare of the Presbytery.
He hesitated veryjmucb, fearing he should
dishonor the cause. Soon after this I sold
him some of my standard Books: Mc-
Knight, Cafnpbell’s 4 ; Gospels, and oth
ers, which he studied, not merely pe
rused. For several years at our large
gatherings he wouid be called upon to
preach - K he would come to me saying he
was not prepared, had not expected to
preach, and beg me to aid him. I would
suggest a text and some heads,all of which
he would grasp by intuition, add a thril
ling narration or striking anecdote, which
would pass off effect.
His first pastorate was at Eatonton,
chosen in 1836 to begin in 1837 The
same year be was jphosen at Columbus,
but Eatonton would .not release him. He
was pastor at Eatonton some five years,
the last two of which |he taught a Female
- /
school in Madison. In ’42 he begun the
College in Lagrange, and thence went to
Columbus, where he continued pastor till
about ’56, though his health began to fail
some years previously. Several churches
at a distance honored him with a call.
His eminence as a public speaker and
sound theologian, he began to reach about
the time I removed West, so that I had
not the pleasure of hearing any of his
masterly efforts, though I heard of them
by good judges. I heard him preach in
Americus in 1858, with much power, and
at Forsyth, in a Temperance Address, but
his health was feeble. I frequently won
dered how one with so slender attain
ments in early life, should be able to
speak in language so appropriately chos
en, and with so much force of expression.
When he entered the chair Editorial, and
wrote with so much expressiveness and
power, his best friends were filled with
delight and surprise, for he exceeded all
their anticipations. The S. W. B. was
greatly improved by him ; this was patent
to all, and its subscribers increased by his
old friends. Ilis knowledge of church
polity was gathered from the Scriptures
and the old authors.
For many years he was a Trustee of
our Mercer University, and about 1858
was honored with the title of Theologi
cal DocfoK. You must fill up the remi
niscences of the last t wenty years, for
you have more knowledge on this subject
than has your friend.
[Will not 8r0.,C. D. M. give us a short
sketch ?~Ed.]
Rev. John E. Dawson.
It is a pleasure to give honor to whom
honor is due. Certaiuly few men of war
mer heart or purer character than brother
Dawson, have come within my sphere of
acquaintance; and I desire the space of a
few lines in the Index to record this hum
ble testimonial to his worth.
It was my privilege to visit him a very
few days before his death. I remarked to
him that his brethren felt much for him,
as he lay there suffering, in comparative
solitude, debarred from meeting them in
their Convention. lie said, “I have not
felt by myself at experienced
none of the lonoliffesfoi'Che sick chamber.
It is a thought of great sweetness and
comfort to me that I have a warm place
in the affections of my brethren.’’ After a
brief pause, he added :
“God has been fulfilling to me richly all
the glorious promises bp which I have
looked for years. I feel, indeed, in this
hour, more than ever, that I am a great
sinner; and I see more clearly than ever
that a thousand merits of mine could be
of no avail.” And as he uttered these
words with surprising emphasis, in the
husky whisper, which was all that was left
of that clear, full, noble voice, which has
thrilled thousands, he grasped my hand
with an earnest force which* showed that
upon these truths his soul had taken hold
with a death-grasp, and added, “And I
bless God that he has given me, in this
•hour, an unshaken confidence to sustain
me. None but Christ! None but Christ!”
After some other remarks which I do
not recall, he said, “I have now more bu
siness with the other world than with this.
I have balanced accounts, and closed my
earthly affairs. Though there are some
things to remember and pity, there is
nothing, which I have not cordially for
given.’’
I retired from the room, feeling that I
had been profited by the interview. And
in the hope that others may be interested
in it, I have written out for you the brief
memorandum which I made at the time,
of his conversation. It is one of the in
numerable cases where our Heavenly Fa
ther has bestowed dying grace in a dying
hour. We shall all need it soon. When
the din of strifes, and the seductions of
worldliness are alike hushed by the pres
ence of the messenger to call us away—
may we thus peacefully fall asleep in Je
sus. B. M., Jr.
Greenville, S. C., Dec., 1860.
Outline of a late Sermon.
BY PRESIDENT RAMBAUT.
Bro. Boykin—You and many others
have been pleased to call our attention to
the deplorable condition of our country
and to persuade us to draw nearer to the
cross of Christ and depart from all un
righteousness. Our church in this city,
have just listened to an admirable sermon
by Dr. Rambaut, of Cassville College, on
the proposition that God has something
to do in the affairs of the nations. He first
exposed the common notions of the cause
of national prosperity, as fallacious: First
—lt, (the cause,) does not consist in the
education of the people. Second—lt is
not found in the good common sense of
the people. Third —It is not in their ag
ricultural or commercial skill. Fourth—
It exists not in military powers. Fifth-r
It is not in a nation’s politics. He next
showed us where it is to be found. It is
in God. He rules by moral, right. He
implants upright principles in the mind
and sanctified affections in the heart. The
result is the uhion, happiness and pros
perity of the people and of the nations.—
He said that if it is God’s will to deliver
uS frpm present dangers, we shall be de
livered ; but if it is His purpose to destroy
our Government, He will break it to pei
c|uß the potter’s vessel is broken by the
rod of iron.
In conclusion, our attention was direc
ted to the fact that the revolutions of na
tions have been favorable to the procla
mation of the Gospel and the extension of
the kingdom of Christ; and we are great
ly encourged to trust in the Lord, who is
making the wrath of man to praise. him
and the afflictions of His people to work
out for them a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory.
My object in writing this is both to give
you the analysis of an able and instructive
sermon, and to suggest that this is not
the time for us to be indulging in contro
versy and brotherly (?) contention. When
God shows his wrath and makes his pow
er to destroy known, we should stand in
awe of him and cultivate brotherly kind
ness and charity among ourselves.
How h*as our own Zion been afflicted
by questions and debates, estrangements
and heart-burnings !
Our greatest and best men have come
down from their most noble work of per
suading men to be reconciled to God and
to love one another, and have engaged in
a warfare of words that has tended to
alienate the feelings of the best of breth
ren, bring contempt upon the cause of
Christ, and heap up standing blocks in the
way of inquiring sinners. O, brethren,
when shall this unnatural strife have an
end ? When shall the world take knowl
edge of us that we have been with Christ ?
When shall we hear it said “See how
these brethren love one another ?”
It-seems to me that the time has come
when these old questions should be left to
the good sense and charitable coversation
of the great Baptist family, old and young
in private circles, and that their places in
our religious paper should be filled with
some kind of spiritual food that will digest
out these works of the flesh, “hatred, va
riance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies,” &c., and nourish instead the
fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, and temperance.’’
“All the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this, Thou shalt love thy neigh
bor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour
one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another.”
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of
vain glory, provoking one another, envy
ing one another.’’
“As many as walk according to the rule,
peace be on them and- mercy, and upon
the Israel of God.”
Yours in Christ, C.
Bro. C.’s suggestion and reflections co
incide with our own opinion and deter
mination.—Ed.
Dedication
OF THE NEW BAPTIST HOUSE OF WORSHIP
IN COLUMBUS.
The Lord’s day of Dec. 9th, 1860,
dawned upon us bright and beautiful—ap
pearing to rejoice with us that the temple
which God had put it in our hearts to
erect for His service was at last comple
ted. Rev. Dr. Basil Manly preached the
Dedication sermon, from the ninety-sixth
Psalm, “ strength and beauty are in his
sancturry.” Ps. 90 :G. It was a very fine
discourse, and listened to with profound
attention by the immense audience—for
the house was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity. The Dr.’s appearance is eminent
ly calculated to command respect and at
tention. His venerable head is “silvered
o’er” with the [rpsts of more tjian three
score winters—while his countenance
beams with benevolence, speaking only
the language of “ peace and good will to
wards all mankind.”
In the afternoon our beloved pastor
gave us a most interesting sketch of the
history of the Columbus Church from its
very origin, years ago, when a small band
of Christians, weak m numoers, but strong
in faith, met in a small on Broad st.
Os this memorable band, there now re
mains only two sisters. Their emotions
on last Sabbath can be imagined, but not
easily described. A just and merited
tribute was paid to the memory of the
sainted doad —among whom were the ven
erable deacons, Thornton, Gray, Boykin,
Birdsong and others, and elders Whitten
and Dawson. Truly these have “ gone
to their rest, and their works do follow
them.” The memory of these venerable
worthies is embalmed in our hearts, for
we are now reaping, in a measure, the re
ward of their labors.
The loss of our former pastor, Rev.
Jno. E. Dawson, is still fresh and vividly
before us, but we cannot selfishly mourn
when he is only taken homo to a loving
Father.
After Mr. DeVotie had read us the very
interesting history which he had carefully
compiled with much labor, the congrega
tion was dismissed and the sacrament of
the Lord’s supper was administered. A
large proportion of the members were
present, and the brooding spirit of the
Holy Dove seemed to rest upon all, and
imbued every heart with tender solemni
ty. It was a most solemn and impressive
occasion, and all, we doubt not, realized
that it was “the House of God, the very
gate ofHeaven.”
At night Dr. Manly gave us another
very able sermon,.characterized by his ac
customed clearness and beautiful simplici
ty. He came among us almost a stranger,
but when he left, he left us his warm,
friends —respecting and esteeming him as
though we had known him for years.
We pray that God will continue to
bless and prosper us in our new house as
He has in the old—for all our help must
come from Him.”
Circular of the Index Committee.
To the Constituency of the Georgia
Bap. Convention:
Brethren—The duty of managing the
general affairs of the organ of the Con
vention which you have imposed upon us,
is one of great delicacy. It involves grave
responsibilities of which we have not been
insensible. Prompted always by a desire
to promote the honor of our Divine Mas
ter, and the welfare of the denomination,
we have, under all circumstances, acted
in accordance with our best judgment.
The interest which has been manifested
in the prosperity of the paper by many of
those to whom it belongs, and the en
couragement given to the Editor, brother
Boykin, has afforded us great pleasure.—
As to the manner in which he has con
ducted the paper, it is unnecessary for
us to speak. With untiring energy,
he has combined dignity, ability, and a
genial Christian spirit which we feel sure
has not failed to reach the hearts of all
who have been attentive readfys of the
Index. While its columns have been open
and free to a judicious discussion of doc
trinal topics, he has wisely excluded all
communications ol a personal charactei
that could work no good, but only tend
to foster partizan strife and to destroy the
peace of the denomination. His course
has our hearty endorsement, and we ear
nestly solicit for bim the continued sup
port and sympathy of all those who chose
us as their Committee.
The Committee have passed this reso
lution—That all subscriptions must be
paid before the Ist of May, 1861, and
such subscribers paying before that time
will have the paper at $2 00 per year.
We issue this circular to remind you
that the paper possesses nothing in the
nature of an endowment, but is solely de
! pendent upon the voluntary remittances
1 ofit3 subscribers, and that when these
cease, its treasury becomes empty. We
’ therefore strongly urge upon each and
all of you, in view of the stringency of pe
cuniary matters at this time, which seri
ously affects the fiscal affairs of the Index,
to interest yourselves in procuring a
prompt and general remission of funds—
especially of funds due to the Index. The
prosperity and perhaps the existence of
thepaprr depends upon your timely ex
ertions in its behalf.
With sentiment of Christian regard,
We remain yours, &c.,
J. DeLOACH,
WM. FEARS,
I. R. BRANHAM,
T. J. MELL,
C. M. IRWIN,
W. C. WILKES,
G. S. OBEAR, Sec.
From the above it will be seen that the
days of grace to those of our subscribers
who are overtaken by hard times has been
extended 4 months. —Ed.
What will Georgia do ?
Dear Brother Boykin:
Allow me to call the attention of the
Baptists of Georgia to a couple of extracts
and an incident which many of them will
remember.
In the minutes of the Georgia Baptist
Convention of 1859, are found as part of
the report on Missions, the following res
’ olutions, viz :
“Resolved, That it is the sense of this
Convention that one hundred and twenty
five thousand dollars should be raised du
i ring the ensuing year, for the furtherance
of our missionary operations, Domestic
and Foreign.’’
“Resolved, That the members of this
body be, and are hereby affectionately ur
ged to make increased efforts among
their constituents and the churches, that
an amount may bo contributed by this
Stnte not less than twenty-five thousand
! dollars.’’
Alas ! neither of these resolutions was
realized. On the contrary Georgia fell
behind herself and her younger sister, Al
abama, last year; and many will remem
: ber the request made by brother Tichenor
of Alabama, that Georgia, which had
heretofore carried the Banner, give it up,
to which was responded an emphatic NO !
One of the Seretaries of the Foreign
Board, in a letter to the Agent, writes,
(not for the public, but I trust he will ex
cuse me for giving it,) “Georgia, which
so nobly contemplated large results in the
resolution adopted at the Convention in
1859, will, I hope, secure for us, within
this fiscal year, at least ten thousand dol
lars. Will she do it.”
What shall we do, brethren ? Shall we
yield the banner ? or take the lead
again ? Shall the hopes of our Board in
regard to the ten thousand dollars be real
ized or disappointed ? If we intend to
raise that amount it is well for us to re
member that only a little over three
months of the fiscal year remains in which
to do it. Times are squally and money
stringent, it is true, but all the money in
the world belongs to Christ, and so do we.
0 let us prove the sincerity and strength
ofourloveto Him and His cause in this
. time of trial, and trust Him for the pro
tection of our persons and substance. It
will not do to call back oar missionaries,
it will be too bad to keep back any who
ought to go to the foreign field.
D. G. DANIELL, Ag’t,
For Mission Board.
MUSIC.
We have received quite a generous pile
of new Music from the agent of the Meth
odist Depository, some of which deserves
a favorable notice from us. In the flood
of so-called popular music that constantly
streams from the various publishing hous
es of our country, there is only occasion
ally a gem worth preserving from the mass
of rubbish. Among these before us, are
four very pretty songs. “I watched last
night the rising moon,” and “ I think of
thee,’’ are both beautiful ballads of sweet
and sentimental melody. Another, “Good
night,” a cradle song, by Richardt, is a
simple but very sweet German song.—
Another, “ Dormi Jesu, or, the Virgin’s
Cradle Hymn,” by Boott, is a song in Ger
man chanting style with pretty and sooth
ing harmonies.
We have received with these also, two
very good fnstrumental pieces. “ Grand
Galop,” by Ketterer,and “La Fringante,”
a Mazourka, by Ascher, one of the best of
our modern writers, both of which are
brilliant and appropiate pieces for the
Concert or Salon, and excellent “etudes’’
for the scholar.
U. S. TROOPS ORDERED FROM KANSAS.
Leavenworth, Kansas, Jan. 5.—A1l the
available forces of the United States in Kansas
Territory, including two companies of Light
Artillery, two hundred and twenty-five men,
ant} one hundred and thirty horses, have been
ordered, and are now preparing to leave for Fort
Hji ry, Baltimore.