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ME CHKISTIAM INDEX.
SAMUEL BOYKIN, ) EmTOBg
ADIEL SHERWOOD, f DlToßS
assistant editobs.
REV. C. D. MALLARY, REV. J. S. BAKER,
REV. S. LANDRUM.
TELEGRAPH POWER PRESS.
MACON, OA.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1861.
Agents tor the Index.
The following persons will receive and
forward money for the Index.
REV. S. G. DANIEL, Albany.
J. E. HOGG, Savannah.
REV. J. H. DeVOTIE, Columbus.
REV. F. SWANSON, Augusta.
T. J. BURNEY, Madison.
REV. L. R. L. JENNINGS, Athens.
“ P. A. LAWSON, Griffin.
“ W. RICHARDS, St. Helena, S C
“ ASA CHANDLER, Elberton.
“ O. C. POPE, Sandersville.
“ I. H. GOSS, Lumpkin.
“ J. F. DAGG, Cuthbert.
“ 0. C. WILLIS, Steam Factory.
“ W. I. HARTKY, Sparta.
J. F. AWTREY, Esq. LaGrange.
“ J. T. CLARKE, Atlanta.
J. B. WOLFE, Dublin.
REV. L. F. McNORRILL, Green’s Cut.
“ WM. J. SPEARS, Peak’s P. O.
“ A. E. CLOUD, Jonesboro’.
“ A. B. VAUGHN, Zebulon.
“ C. W. STEVENS, Sparta.
Editorial Pen-Dr ops.
The Commission for August has reached us and
is full of interesting matter. The existence of the
H. &F. Journal is still in obeyance. Let it net
be suspended. Remittances for it should be direc
ted to Richmond, Va.
The mail communications with our Indian Mis
sions is difficult, still, a letter dated the 12th of
September has reached us.
It is reported there that brother Buckner has re
signed, having received an appointment as Chap
lain in the Creek Regiment.
A letter from the Choctaw agency for brother
Murrow has been received by us, which we open
ed, as bro. M. has returned. Its news is not of very
special interest, but it manifests depression owing
t o want of funds.
Very interesting letters which had been detain
ed in the Dead Letter Office, in Washington, have
been received from our foreign missionaries. We
refer our readers to the Home & Foreign Journal.
If they can’t get it, tis their fault. We’ll furnish
churches with it at the rate of 26 cents per year,
in advance.
The ‘Union and American’ of Nashville, for the
6th hist., says: ‘The Bible Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention, located in this city, has in
press and will soou issue an edition of 20,600 cop
ies of the New Testament ’
An evangelical Tract Society has been organized
in Petersburg, Va. It has published 00 tracts well
adapted ‘to diffuse a knowledge of our Lord Je
sus Christ, as the Redeemer of sinners, and to pro
mote the interests of vital godliness and sound
morality.’
The daughter of Wm. B. Ewing, a wealthy gen
tleman living 6 miles from Nashville, Tenn., has
taken a situation as teacher in an academy with the
intention of giving all her salary to maintain the
war. Noble girl !
In Missouri wherever the Lincolnites go, they
put a stop to all public worship of God, surround
ing the congregations and putting the oath af alle
giauce to secessionists by compulsion. Can God
permit such iuiquity long ?
The Marshall Riflemen, Captain Miller, Orr’s
regiment, before being mustered in'o service pas
sed unanimously a resolution that no swearing
should be allowed among the members.
We learn that the Texas Baptist has suspended.
The former editor. Rev. G. W. Baines, has been
elected President of Baylor University.
At its late session the Tallapoosa Association re
commended that the 6th Sabbath in this month be
observed as a day of fasting and prayer for the
blessings of God upon our country and for success
to our arms.
We request Clerks of all Associations to send us
their minutes.
By invitation of the Coosa Association, brother
Foreman, accompanied by J. T. Foster, both na
tive Cherokee preachers, has come to Georgia to
remain until after the ensuing session of said As
sociation (2d Sabbath in October.)
The ‘Correspondent,’ edited by Rev. W. C. Buck t
Marion, Ala., will probably be discontinued at the
end of this year.
PERSONAL.
Rev. J. M. Watt, W. J. Murrow, J. E. Blitch,
W. 0. Darsey, 0. Seamans, J. H. Dumas—We
have addressed you privately.
W. P. Turner, Columbus SI,OO will pay Mrs.
M. J. T. to end of this year. She is paid to June
20, ’6l. Rev. J. M. Watt is our agent.
C. S. Gaulden. The $2,00 for Tracts are sent on
to Richmond.
James Thomas, Sparta. The paper goes to Mrs.
L. S. and is paid to July 3d, ’6l. Is it going right ?
We acknowledge the recf T p* of SI,OO from ‘Am.
icus Militis,’ for purchasing tracts and other good
reading for our soldiers in Va. It shall be properly
appropriated.
Wm. Dickson, Milledgeville. You are paid to
Feb. 22, ’62.
Wm. Amos, Sparta. You’re paid to June 20, ’62.
J. Roberts, Hamilton. Did you send $2.00 which
never arrived? So says Dr. Sherwood. If so in.
form us and we’ll give you credit and send the pa
per.
R. S. Harvey, Stockton. 8 Testaments were sent
you. We’ll send more as soon as we can get them.
Your office is changed. Hope you will have better
luck.
H. J. Nicholes. The money you sent for the Bi
bles did not reach us: Most sorry, for it is needed.
H. J. W. Yours has come to hand.
Rehoboth Association
Met at Traveller’s Best on the 8d Sabbath. Bro.
King, I think, has been its only Moderator. His
health is now very good, much better than when
in Macon in 1857. Bro. Horn preached the Intro
ductory, ‘I have fought a good fight,’ &c. One new
church received. Bro. Murrow and wife, mission
aries to the Creeks, were present, sung hymns in
their language mneli to the interest of the congre
gation. Brethren Cooper, Tharpe and Sherwood
preached on the Sabbath, bro. Wood closing. He
requested those who had friends in the army to a
rise, and three fourths of the people arose—many
asked for prayers: it was an affecting season. Sev
eral curiosities were presented by the missionary
from the Creeks, which by a vote of the Associa
tion were given to the new Historical Society at
Atlanta to be preserved.
Some SI3OO were collected for Indian Missions.
This body is in earnest in regard to that mission.
Resolutions in regard to the country were adapted,
pledging their all to sustain it in this unnatural
contest. Agreed for bro. Murrow to employ a
colored preacher to preach to his own color and
interpret also for the missionary when necessary.
Sabbath Schools had been neglected, but after sev
eral addresses much interest was awakened and
many pledged themselves to revolutionize the
cause. Bro. Clarke preached the farewell discourse
Monday evening followed by the Missionary.—
Many tears shed. There was preaching to the
blacks on the Sabbath as the arbor could not ac
commodate all. It was a pleasant and profitable
meeting. g
News, Gossip and Plain Talk.
After an interval of two weeks spent in
visiting Associations, we again take our
office-chair to serve up the readers of the
Index with their weekly repast. Our
readers may know something of the re
sources of our “Editor’s drawer,” when
they learn that the last two issues were
prepared by us more than two weeks ago,
with the exception of two or three arti
cles, from matter on hand at that time.
These were bundled up, labelled and left
for our printer to use, the Index being
“brought out” as usual by our prompt
printer, Jos. Clisby. There is one thing,
however, of which we are convinced —
that an editor can’t leave his post except
to the detriment of his paper ; and we
are determined to remain at home. We
may attend the Hepziba and Ebenezer as
sociations—very probably the latter. It
is our business to furnish you, dear read
ers, with a readable paper: it is yours to
send on your pay, without obliging us to
run about asking you for it.
We’l, we find an accumulation of matter in
our office, among which are many obituaries.
As fast as possible we will publish them, con
densing if too long.
Our contributors and correspondents must
bear with us. Let them not be disappointed
if a contribution does not appear, or if it is
long in appearing, for we have reasons always
for inserting and good reasons for leaving out
articles. We try to benefit and interest the
largest number. And, just here, lest misap
prehensions may exist we assert that the editor
residing in Macon is the controlling editor of
the paper. Others are responsible for their
articles if inserted and sigDed; but every
thing must meet the approbation of the pro
prietor as far as insertion goes. In short one
mind controls the editorial columns tho’ they
have many contributors.
We intend to give more vivacity to the In
dex in future—more spice—life—humor; but
this shall not lesson pointedness of appeal to
sinners, nor destroy the spirituality that makes
a religious paper useful. Hitherto the Index
has not been much sought after by our sol
diers ; but now it is, and we intend to devote
a space to their special benefit: at the same
time we know they will be pleased with our
“Notes on the Times’’ and the general items
of interest to Baptists, for they desire to keep
informed in regard to all the matters of in
terest to our denomination.
The state of our missions is painfully inter
esting at this time. In particular the Indian
and Domestic missions are languishing. Most
if not all the Domestic missionaries have been
discharged, simply because the Board had no
money with which to support them. From
April Ist, to Aug. Bth, the receipts of the Do
mestic Board were $3,216 19. In our opin
ion the Domestic Board should cease its en
deavors to sustain Home Ministers unless mo
ney for that purpose is sent to them ; and
every dollar over and above the salary of one
Secretary shonld be appropriated to Indian
Missions. Let that Secretary be a healthy,
active man, who shall travel three fourths of
his time and solicit donations ; his main duty
will be to raise money and forward it to our
miss'oqaries.
They and their frmilies are entirely depend
ent upon us and they have our promise of
support; and not only so, important ground
will be lost to our denomination if these Indi
an missions are abandoned.
There seems to be much complaint on the
part of the Indian Missionaries that they do
not hear from the Board ; but the fault seems
to be in the mails. One brother rendered his
report for April, May and June, and has as
yet heard nothing in reply : another has re
ceived no money this year. In our opinion
Postmaster General Reagan is totally ineffi
cient and should resign, (we hope someone
will show him this. Please Pres. Jeff, make
him a General and assign him a command.)
Our foreign missions seem to be prospering.
In China, ‘‘Bro. Graves, of Canton, has secured
a position in the interior, and is received with
kindness by the people. He has been permit
ted again to baptize, while several indicate a
serious spirit of inquiry. Brethren Gaillard
and Schilling still remain in Canton, and are
prosecuting their work with encouragement.
Brother Yates states that his congregations
in Shanghai are increasing, and manifest spe
cial interest iu the gospel. Brethren Hartwell
and Holmes are at Shantung, having a wide
open door of usefulness before them. Broth
er Brother Crawford has proceeded with the
British envoys, far in the interior, and was en
gaged in preaching to the people. We have
letters also from Brethren Phillips, Stone and
Reid, in Africa. They are all in good health,
and are happy in their work. The two for
mer, from economical motives, are now to
gether at Abeokuta. Several of the children
and members of the congregation, are deeply
concerned on the subject of salvation. Broth
er Harden, at Lagos, does not find so much
encouragement in his field. We learn from
B other Yates, of the Liberia mission, that the
missionaries on the coast are still prosecuting
their work with fidelity.”— Commission.
Brethren must send up money to supply
these missionaries, knowing that funds can be
transmitted. See Bro. Taylor’s letter.
Revival intelligence is scanty. A ten day’s
meeting was recently held at the Antioch
Chnrcb, Tatnall County. Eight were added
by experience and baptism ; and the meeting
closed with much good feeling in the congre
gation. The Church there will dedicate a
new and suitable house on the 2d Sabbath in
October. Bro L.. Price, Jr., writes—“My as
sociate laborers were Elders J. B. Murrow and
Henry L. Sought. The Church seemed much
revived, and great unanimity showed itself in
our midst,”
Rev. Wm. Carey Crane, of Mt. Lebanon,
Ga., in a private letter to us, says —“Twenty
young ladies and gentlemen, whites, and five
colored persons, have been added to the
Church, here, of which lam Pastor, within
the last month. A number more are enquir
ing the way of salvation. The Holy Spirit is
evidently working both on our white and col
ored population.
Exercises in our University commenced
Monday, 2d inst., the Freshman and Sopho
more Classes are under good headway; the
Academic Classes are pretty full, and the The
ological Department has two in it.”
In Georgia, Revivals have occurred in the
following Churches: In Newton county, Zion,
Rockdale, and Lilhonia. To the first, 9 were
added by experience and baptism, to the sec
ond, 21; and to the third, 3. Four of the
converts were volunteers; and in all the
Churches great interest was manifested up to
| the close.
The Tennessee Baptist reports the immer
sion of 10 persons atLexington—the result of
! a meeting which followed the session of the
West Tenneseee Baptist Convention; while at
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Allen county, Ken
tucky, a recent protracted meeting was crown
i ed with about 40 conversions.
In North Carolina, 83 late baptisms are re
ported ; in Virginia 27.
No Smith in the land of Israel.
Will the reader be so good as to turn
to the 13th chap, of Ist Samuel, and read
the 19 th, 20th, and 21st verses. Howev
ever, if this would be too troublesome, I
will read them out for his benefit. “Now
there was no smith found throughout all
the land of Israel, (for the Philistines said,
Lest the Hebrews make them swords and
spears) : Bat all the Israelites went down
to the Philistines, to sharpen every man
his share, and his coulter, and his axe and
his mattock. Yet they had a file for the
mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the
forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the
goads.” W e lea'n from this, that at the
time referred to, the Israelites were very
much in the clutches of the Philistines
there was not a smith in the land, and
when blacksmith work was needed on
their ploughs they had to go down to their
enemies.
This passage, though not in all respects
applicable to our Confederate States, yet
is well calculated to remind us of what
has been our dependent condition. There
has been a great scarcity of smiths. We
have had to go far abroad to get our coul
ters sharpened. To specify a case: such
a-thing as Bible printing and publishing
has not been known amongst us. True
we have had a few files for the mattocks,
and to sharpen the goads: we have printed
and published a few religious books, and
tracts, and primers, but as to the great
and jdmdous work of putting the Bible in
sending it out from our own
printing-houses, we have had no smiths in
the land. The war and the blockade, how
ever, are driving us to the necessity of
making and sharpening our own coulter*.
Our smiths are at work on the Bible.—
True they have had at the beginning to
slip the plates through the blockade; but
they will soon be at work fashioning the
plates as well as working the press. The
Index has already called the attention of
its readers to the enterprizing movement
of the S. W. Publishing House: the fol
lowing communication from Br. Howell,
lately published in the Religious Herald,
will show that the Bible Board of the
Southern Bapt. Convention have entered
heartily into the work. Let the word of
God fly swiftly. Let our Southern smiths
work briskly, and furnish our Soldiers,
and all else with the Sword of the Spirit.
M.
From the Religious Herald.
Testaments tor our Soldiers.
Nashville, Aug. 26th.
Rev. J. B. Taylor, D. D.—Dear Bro
ther: Your note of the 17th inst., is be
fore me. I have made a contract for
twenty thousand copies of the New Tes
tament to be issued in this city at the
earliest day possible, with the imprint of
the Bible Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention. They will cost us twelve or
thirteen cents, at which price the publish
er assures me we will make not a cent
profit. Judging however from the speci
men copy shown me, they will be very
handsome. The Board is to be supplied
with a thousand copies in two or three
weeks, and afterwards as we may desire
them. Please announce these tacts in the
Herald, and ask our friends to send on at
once to the Board the funds necessary to
meet expenses. Stereotype plates are here,
and other sets will be made very soon,
and in a short time the Bible Board will
be prepared to supply any number of co
pies of the word of God, and at a price
as low as they can be obtained anywhere
in the Confederate States. It is hoped
that the Board will soon be placed in a
condition, not only to publish the Bible,
but also to import it from England.
Yours truly, &c., &c.
R. B. C. Howell.
Brother Buckner.
In another column will be seen a communi
cation from Rro. Murrow, advising the Central
Associations to support Bro. Buckner rather
than adopt anew missionary. We heartily
approve the idea. But there seems to be a dif
ficulty in the way ; the Marion Board having
written to Bro. Buckner that he need not
longer expect a support from it, he, it appears,
accepted a Chaplaincy in the Creek Regiment.
This, however, may bo temporary only; and,
no doubt, Bro. B’s heart is so much in his
Creek mission that he might be induced to re
turn.
Let it be remembered that Bro. B. was sus
tained by a Kentucky Association; and in the
present equivocal position of that State, he
will hardly serve under its directions, much
less supplicate a support from it. Kentucky
has ceased to sustain this noble man ; let it be
the Central’s pride and pleasure to do so.
But if Bro. B. cannot be obtained as a mis
sionary, let the Central, (and all other Asso
ciations) unite in sustaining those now in the
field. There is Bro. Willis Burns, and Bro.
Hogue—both are in need. The latter has re
ceived nothing from the Boaid this year. Let
ns give an extract from a late letter from the
Indian Territory—‘T am now pretty well con
vinced we will all be left to shift for our
selves ! I fear the people have lost sight of
Indian Missions. * * I think it a shame
and a disgrace to send men out here and treat
them this way.”
The truth is, Southern Baptists have almost
lost their interest in Indian Missions; though
if any of us had a slave worth $1 000, in dan
ger of starving, we would manage to raise a
couple of hundred some how or other in order
to save his life.
What now is to be done ? Let us emply
no more new missionaries. Let us support
those in the Foreign and Indian Field ; and if
we have any surplus funds, let the poor min
isters within the bounds of the Association*
having that surplus, be sustained. Thus out
Indian Missions will be preserved and each
Association will reap the benefit of its own
iberality.
1 To tho Churches of the Bethel
Association.
Beloved Beetheen : Allow me in a
brief communication to call your attention
’ to our Foreign Mission Cause. Our An
nual Meeting is coming on apace, and the
. question should arise in our bosoms, are
we making the needful preparation ? You
will recollect that in the Index of March
27th, your Foreign Mission Committee,
having been instructed by the Association
to select a suitable person to take the
place of Br. Clarke, our late Missionary in
Africa, recommended to the Association
Br. J. M. Harden and wife, of Lagos, Af
rica. The state of the country would not
allow us tv send out anew missionary;
we therefore thought it best to undertake
the support of an approved brother alrea
dy in the field. We hope the recommend
ation of the Committee will be sanctioned
by the Association, and that in the mean
time the Churches will gather up all the
money they can for the support of your
Br. and sister Harden. We know that
the times are stringent. Many who have
been in the habit of contributing liberally,
are now out of money and hardly know
where it is to come from. Let us all do,
however, our very best. We are strug
gling hard for our country, but God’s pre
cious Zion must not be forgotten. Our
Foreign Missionaries are laboring success
fully on their distant fields: what shall we
do with them ? leave them to themselves
to suffer and starve, or go to the expense
of shipping them home? Such a back
ward step would surely reflect no credit on
Southern Baptists, and bring no honor to
that Saviour who has said, “go ye into all
the world.” It must not, it cannot be.
By the time our Association convenes, it
is to be hoped there will be some scatter
ing dollars iu this country; —dear brethren
do not let Caesar have them all: divide
; liberally with the God of Missions.
May I be pardoned for speaking in be
! half of our Indian Missions: though this
does not properly corae within the sphere
of your Foreign Missionary Committee.
The Marion Board, it seems, have pretty
i muctr suspended, for the time being, their
Domestic Department, bat they feel they
must not, cannot, give up their work a
mongst the Indians. The Missionaries
there are self- denying, laborious and godly
men, and are doing a good work. If they
are withdrawn from the field, much valu
able missionary property will be lost to us;
as some of it is secured to us upon condi
tion that it is used for missionary purposes,
and the rest will be of little or no value.
Our infant churches there will languish,
perhaps some of them will die; souls will
perish for the lack of gospel instruction ;
and the withdrawal of our missionaries
would be a great loss to our Southern
cause. Brethren of the Bethel, do not
forget Br. Hogue and Br. Perryman, your
missionaries amongst the Indians.
- r %C. D. MALLARY.
Chairman glrcbxrForeig^Miss.
> of the Bethel Ass’n.
Banner and Baptist please copy.
Good News.
Richmond, Sept. 20, 1861.
To the Churches of Georgia :
Deak Beetheen—lt will be gratifying
to you to know, not only that we can
send funds tc our missionaries, but that
we can receive letters from them. From
different parts of the field in heathen
lands, the most encouraging reports are
received. Bro. Stone says, under date of
May 27, 1861, “Since I came to this
country, I have never been so much en
couraged or interested as I am at present.
The Spirit of God is evidently in the
midst of us, reproving of sin, of right
eousness and of judgment. After every
Sabbath Evening service the room is
crowded with those inquiring after the
way of life.”
Brother Phillips writes June 5, 1861,
“We are at present deeply interested in
the work of grace going on here amongst
our people. I rejoice at the prospects be
fore us.” He then adds—“ My health is
very good, notwithstanding I am now go
ing on in my sixth year. Cannot white
men live in Africa?’’ Brother Stone and
wife are in excellent health. We learn
also that Bro. Reid’s health is improved.
In China, the work of conversion is go
ing on. Brethren Graves and Gaillard
are much encouraged. Brother Hartwell
with Bro. Holmes are commencing in a
healthy and most interesting region, a
new station.
The brethren at home must, and I believe
they will, sustain the brethren abroad.
Brother Stone, in reference to a letter of
mine in the Index, says, “ With yon, I be
lieve Georgia will do her duty.” We will
ask to be remembered by the pastors and
their churches — by every one , who loves
our Lord Jesus Christ, and his precious
cause. Fraternally,
James B. Tayloe,
Cor. Sec., <fcc.
The Columbuj Association
Met on the 4th Sabbath at Hamilton. Introduc
tory by bro. Watt, from “All things work togeth
er for good,” &c. It was a suitable discourse. The
Clerk, Gen. Beall, had been on a bed of affliction
for five months—was pale and feeble, though he
was actively engaged. The excellent pastor at
Columbus had also been sick for weeks but was
foremost in every plan of benevolence, though
quite feeble. The idea of calling home missiona
ries, was out of the question, it ought not to be a
debatable matter. Then came the tug of support,
and nobly did they come up with their twenties
and smaller sums. So also when a farm was to be
purchased for the widow and children of brother
Osteen, their domestic missionary, when over S3OO
of the S6OO necessary were raised in a few minutes ;
then a poor minister, much disabled, was made
happy. It was apparent, it was demonstrated, that
“it is better to give than to receive.” The amount
was not named, but I presume near SI,OOO were
raised by the messengers before the close. Some
7 or 8 sermons were delivered on the Sabbath, be
sides those on Monday and at nigta. S.
For the Index.
Notice.
Visiting Brethren coming by Rail Road
to the Ebenezer Association, will be met
with conveyances, at the Station No. 16,
on the first two days of the meeting.
E. B, BARRETT, Ch’n Com.
Vacation Rambles in S. C.
I have heard of an old Virginia black
smith who used to propose to his hands
after a hard day’s work, that they should
stop now, and “rest by chopping wood.”
My fashion of resting in our vacation has
been to ride about to associations and pro
tracted meetings, and preach.
I know your penchant for seeing the
color of my ink; and at the risk of weary
ing you, will spend an hour in recalling
some of the occurrences in my more re
cent rambles, and writing them down for
yon.
THE SALUDA ASSOCIATION,
Which met this year with the Turkey
Creek Church, is quite a venerable and
respectable body. Its members have been
thinned by the formation of other associa
tions, but it retains enough strength and
vigor to “bring forth fruit in old age.’’
Bro. J. S. Murray was re-elected Modera
tor. He is the efficient principal of the
Johnson Female University, at Anderson
C. H., and is also Pastor of the Church.
His school is well conducted, cheap, and
eminently successful. The Association had
but little business of importance to trans
act. A difficulty had arisen by two sets
of delegates appearing from one church.
The matter was settled very quietly, how
ever, I believe, by the
ply receiving the representatives of the
majority, and suggesting to the minority
to organize a separate church, after obtain
ing letters of dismission. The difficulty
originated out of the fact that the larger
portion of the members desired to remove
to another place of worship, and had built
one for the purpose; the others refused to
leave the old place —and now the contest
was, which should have the old name. It
seemed to an outsider to be a controversy
about a very small matter —“great cry
and little wool.”
The Association made very liberal con
tributions (more than $300) to Indian
Missions and for the support of colporteurs
among the SQldiers in Virginia.
The meeting house, in which the Asso
ciation was held has, behind the pulpit, a
tablet in memory of their pastor, a some
what remarkable man, who has recently
died. IXis name was Arthur Williams.
He had been pastor of that church with
interruption for fifty-seven years, a rare
case in these days of ministerial changes.
He was a doctrinal preacher, plain, sober,
solid. He fed the flock ,f God, and kept
oversight of them. His compeer and as
sociate was James Crowther, his equal in
talent, but more active in going about
and preaching.
I am reminded here of a story which
my father has told me of James Crowther,
which I may relate. Crowther was an
Englishman, ran away when a boy, and
was sold, when he reached this country,
by the transport vessel, to pay his passage.
When Abbeville District was an unset
tied region, Crowther and a companion
a dry Jail, on an advent-ura.
looking at the cowii.vy. ,flfl Hiey walked all
day about in the woods, and found no
water. Night overtook them, famished
as they were, and they concluded it bet
ter to keep on as long as they could walk,
their sufferings were so intense. Pretty
late, they came to a stream, skirted by
thick, stiff, large canes, now called Long
Cane Creek. They made their way to the
brink. The banks were perpendicular.
They could hear the water rushing, but
could not reach it, nor tell how deep it
was. And neither could swim. On Crow
ther’s proposal, his companion propped
himself on a tree that leaned over the
stream, and grasping Crowther’s ankles,
let him down like a plumb-line, head fore
most, till he could suck in the water!—
That was a case of hard drinking. He
performed the same operation for his com
panion. Father Crowther lived to be a
very useful man—a man of blessed memo
ry, a man who had communion with God.
THE TYGER RIVER ASSOCIATION
was the next one which I attended. It
comprehends a large portion of the chur
ches in Greenville and Spartanburg Dis
tricts, and is growing in efficiency and
usefulness. The exercises, though inter
rupted by rain, were of more than usual
interest. The subject of col portage en
listed much attention. About $l3O was
raised for colportage among the soldiers,
$270 for colportage and missionary laborat
home, and over S2OO for Indian Missions.
No one had supposed that in these hard
times, and in this poor body, as much mo
ney as that had come up to the Associa
tion. But the members seemed to feel a
great zeal for pushing on the work of the
Lord, now —and not waiting till the war
was over, and the Devil had got stronger
hold.
An interesting part of the work of the
past year consisted in a supplying of the
destitute with Bibles—upon a method,
which, as it is very simple and very prac
tical, I may be pardoned for detailing.—
At the last Association, a resolution was
adopted, in accordance with which, one
member in each church had volunteered,
pledging himself to visit throughout the
bounds of that church, so as to ascertain,
if possible, every destitute family, that
had neither Bible nor Testament. Then,
if the church was able and willing to sup
ply the want, they would proceed to do
it. If not, the number of Bibles wanted
was to be reported to the Bible Commit
tee of the Association, who pledged them
selves to see the demand met. At this
Association each brother was called on for
his report, when it appeared that in only
two or three of the churches, there had
been no destitution discovered ; that in ev
ery case, each churoh had assumed the ex
pense of supplying its own destitute with
out applying to the Committee, and that
one hundred and sixty-five families, that bad
not had the word of life, had been sup
plied during the year, by this cheap and
unostentatious method. The result was
so gratifying that it was unanimously con
cluded to try the same plan again, so that
if any should remain without the Bible,
they may still be found, and supplied.
A good deal of interest was awakened
on the subject of Sunday Schools. Out
of thirty-one churches all but seven , I
think, had Sunday Schools; and it may
not be amiss to say that, of these seven
all hut one have started Sunday Schools,
since the meeting of the Association —and
it is earnestly hoped that next year, even
that exception may be removed. It was
determined to hold mass-meetings in be
half of Sunday Schools at several points
within the Association.
I would go on to tell you about one of
these that I had the privilege of attend
ing ; but this letter is growing too long
already. Perhaps I may next week.
B. M., Jr-
Greenville, Sept. 19, 1861.
A Sunday School Pic Nic.
Greenville, So. Ca., Sept. 1861.
Dear Bro. Boykin : —I believe I be
lieve I partly promised to give you an ac
count of a Sunday School Mass Meeting
which lat tended. It was one of sever
al, appointed by a brother in the Tyger
River Association, for the purpose of awa
kening and intensifying the interest on
the subject of Sunday Schools. Our mot
to is—a Sunday School in every Bap
tist Church ; and we don’t mean to rest
till we have done at least our share to
wards result..
It was duly announced in the District
papers that on Saturday, Aug. 31, there
would be a Sunday School Pic Nic at
the “Head of Tyger,’’ a church with a
very fierce name, about 19 miles north of
Greenville C. H., S. C. A little before
sunrise our party started, Bro. C. J. El
ford, the Superintendent of our Green
ville S. School being the pilot and captain
of the expedition. Pursuing a road that
wound along round the hills, bathing our
horses’ feet in brooks so clear and spark
ling that they betrayed at once their
mountain home, and catching, every now
and then, through some opening vista, a
fine view ot the distant mountains, we
found the time passed rapidly away, till
about ten o’clock, when we began to
reach the neighborhood of the church.—
There were signs that something was
going on. Buggies were run out before
the doors, horses hitched at the gates as
we passed, men were moving about, dress
ed in ‘store-clothes,’ and, finally, as we
reached one house, a big basket of peach
es came right out, and deposited itself in
one of our buggies, as much as to
“Eat us, if you dare.” Well, you know j
we South Carolinians are not the folks to j
back out, so the peaches suffered. I
need hardly mention that the peaches
were accompanied by a kind-hearted bro
ther ; but as we did not eat him, I omit
ted to name him. A mile or so farther,
we came to the “Head of Tyger,” and 10,
a beautiful grove, with horses, and carria
ges, and wagons lining the out-skirts of
it, and in the centre a perfect fortress of
baskets, big baskets, and broad baskets,
I and fugn ‘Dasßercs, airttßtjiraro 7.-/4-
( round basket, all nicely covered over
j with white cloths, and beyond them,
a long table of rough boards, supported
by stakes driven into the ground. When
’ we came to inspect it more closely, we
. found it was about one hundred yards
. long.
A drink of water, and a little chat about
the news of the war prepared us for busi
ness, and we proceeded to the church,
followed by a crowd ; but behold, there
was already a crowd within. The ladies
had pre-occupied the ground, and the
, church was already full, while as many
more remained outside. It was proposed
to have the speaking on the door steps,
so as to speak half inside and half out;
but we concluded that would be like Sol
omon’s proposal to halve the baby, and
would suit neither party ; so we would
move the whole out of doors. No sooner
said than done. Proclamation was made
for every gentleman present to seize a
bench. Bro. Elford and I set the exam
pie by marching off with the first one,
and locating it under a neighboring tree,
whose large branches spread so wide and
thick as to make a tent almost for a
thousand; and in five minutes we had
the seats arranged out of doors, and were
ready to proceed. This was a good
movement. Besides being actually more
pleasant out of doors, and affording better
accommodation for all to hear, it had the
effect of breaking up the stiffness liable to
arise when the speakers and hearers are
entire strangers to each other, and it
made every body feel that it was their
meeting.
Then came the speaking which was
by Brethren Boyce, Manly, Broadus and
Elford ; and of which I will say no more
than that the people seemed interested,
and gave unremitting attention during
about two hours and a half, many of them
standing through the whole time. At the
conclusion, the brethen of the place in
formed us that they had thought it best
to have a procession formed, marching
every body on the ground to the tables,
in regular order, two by two, so as to
prevent any confusion on the one hand,
and any hanging back, or over-looking to
invite, on the other. So, the preachers
were marshalled first, the ladies next, the
members of a volunteer company that
were just organizing for the war, next,
and the citizens, generally, last. When
we were all in fine, they marched us—
where do you think ? why, right back to
where we had seen those baskets and that
long table. The baskets, however, had
disappeared, and their forces had been
used to garrison the long table, which
must have been one of those “masked
batteries,” we hear so much of. We were
marched up and halted two and three
deep along the table. Mr. Elford then
gave us a short address, reminding us
that we had been speaking and singing
for the Sunday School, and exhorting us
now to eat, valiantly in behalf of the Sun
day School. It is needless to add that his
orders were implicitly obeyed. A most
bountifully spread table sustained the
successive assaults of vigorous foes, who
“fired and fell back,” till they were ready .
to say “enoughand then the colored
friends —the “Black horse troops ’ (that
is to say, the blacks who attended to the
horses) came up and charged with great
effect, —closing the scene.
Altogether, the day was a very pleas
ant one, and I hope not an unprofitable
one. The people had turned out from
their mountain homes —for we were al
most under the very shadow of the “Blue
Ridge—in such numbers as to surprise us
and themselves. They had provided
most abundantly, however, for the large
company, and seemed highly gratified
themselves, at the success of their meet
ing. No incident occurred to mar the
pleasure of the occasion, and as we re
turned home, we felt that it was a day
that would be long remembered by us, as
one of our most agreeable.
Other similar meetings are to be held
in other parts of our district. May they
all be as happy and as profitable as this.
B. M., Jr.
A Reminiscence.
Some years since, a venerable Baptist
brother, well known to the readers ot the
“Index,’’ and who has considerable hu
mor in his composition, returned from his
accustomed labors to dinner. It was an
excessively warm day in suinmUiV-.—Tlh- j
good brother, wiping the perspiration |
from his face, immediately exclaimed ; j
“Well, I saw a sight just now, that I
never before witnessed in Georgia.’’—
“What was that ?’’ said a venerable sis
ter, who happened to be present. “Well,’’
said he, “I saw a family moving. It con
sisted of a man and his wife, and three
children, the eldest of the children not
being over six years. They had one
horse, but no carriage or wagon. What
little clothing and bedding they possess
ed, was carried on the horse, and the man
himself was riding on the horse, whilst
his wife was trudging along in the hot
broiling sun, leading two children and
carrying the third in her arms.” The
brother had’ proceeded thus far in his
story, when the good sister could re
strain her virtuous indignation no longer,
and very freely expressed what she
thought ought to be done with a man,
who would treat his wife in so brutal a
manner, in this Christian country. The
brother listened very quietly for awhile,
when suddenly interrupting her, he said,
“Oh, but I omitted to mention one little
fact, which was, that the man had just
met with a severe accident, and broken
his leg.’’ “Ah,’’ exclaimed the good
sister, “that alters the case very material
ly,” and she was now ready to admit,
that the man was, perhaps, not so great a
monster, after all.
The above story points a moral. Mow
ofter do we find persons severely animad
verting upon certain acts of their neigh
bors, or friends, or even of their brethren,
1 when, perhaps, if they would take the
inquire, into all theand
surroundings, they would form a very
different judgment. “Every question
has two sides.” This, we readily admit,
but it is often forgotten in our daily deal
ings with our fellow-men. I think, Bro.
Editor, that you, yourself, have often
been requested to give your opinion up
on certain hypothetical cases of doctrine,
or of church discipline, when the facts
stated, though perhaps strictly true, were
yet not all the facts involved in the
case. Whenever I see such inquiries pro
pounded, I think of the man with the
broken leg. “Judge not according to
appearance, but judge righteous Judg
ment.” A strict observance of this pre
cept, would abate much of the wrangling,
and evil-speaking, which often disturb
the peace of society, and of the church.
ZADOC.
We hope friend “Zadoc” will favor us
with more of his reminiscences, of which,
doubtless, he possesses a store. We are
fond of this species of communication, es
pecially when, as above, a moral adorns
the article.
Zadoc’s name is familiar to every Ga.
Baptist; and the “venerable Baptist bro
ther” is—every Index reader can easily
guess who, as they see his name every
week.
For the Christian Index.
Hard Times.
Bro. Boykin : I am pleased to see that
you intend visiting the Ilephzibah Asso
ciation, which will covene at Bark Camp
Church on Saturday before the 4th Lord’s
day in October next. I hope the Index
will raise the blockade on the pockets of
the churches composing the Ilephzibah
Association by that time, so that our bre-_-
thren may not fall short in their annual con
tributions to benevolent objects. There
are two things our brethren should not
neglect, and there is a third one that is in
danger of suffering.
The Hephzibah High School should
have at least one-half of the funds sent up
by the churches, appropriated to its bene
fit, for reasons unnecessary here to give.
The Index should be met with a heavy
list of new subscribers, and old ones be
prepared to pay up, one year in advance.
The Index must not even totter amid the
convulsions of the hour.
Again, Bro. Boykin, will it not be a
burning shame for our brethren to curtail
the salaries of their pastors for 1862 bos
cause of the hard times? Provisions and
supplies generally are rising in price, and
if times do not soften, many a poor preach
er will feel sensibly the pinching influence
of want. This remark will apply else
where as well as to ourselves.
Stir us up, Bro. Index ! Stir us up !
% [ Burke.
Contraband in a Coffin. —On Monday after
noon, Bth inst., says the Baltimore Sun the
sentinels of the 2d Maryland regiment, on guard
at the Long Bridge, on the Anne Arundel sho>e
of the Patapsco, had their attention attracted
to the approach of a funeral procession
consisting of a sombre hearse, with atten
dants. The first sentinel allowed the hearse to
pass, but the second stopped it, and an examin
ation revealed a lot of muskets and amuqition
concealed in a coffin. The attendants escapedT’
but the hearse and horse were captured. ’
Richmond Enquirer.