Newspaper Page Text
BY SAMUEL BOYKIN.
YOL. XLII.-NO 27.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Written for Vie Christian Index.
Brief Discussions of Important
Doctrines.
No. VI.
(Concluded from last week.)
FINAL’ PERSEVERANCE.
111. Effectual calling ensures final perse
verance. In effectual calling the Holy Spir
it co-operates with the other persons of the
Trinity, to execute the covenant of grace;
and according to the purpose of the cove
nant, the new nature which he produces in
the converted, is immortal. They are born
of tho “incorruptible seed’,’ 1 Peter 1, 23,
and cannot return to a life of sin, because
their “seed remaineth in them.” 1 John 3:9.
The new life which the Holy Spirit gives,
is expressly styled “everlasting;” and it is
affirmed of all who possess it, that they can
not come into condemnation. John 5 : 24.
With this view of the Holy Spirit’s work
agrees the confidence expressed by Paul,that
“he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
Phil. 1: 6.
IY. God’s promises to his people ensure
their final perseverance. The promises made
in the eternal covenant, to the Son of God
as the of his people, are in the
new covenant made to them personally. God
found fault with old ooveoant made with
the people of Israel, on the ground that it
did not secure them from apostacy ; and he
therefore established the new covenant ou
better promises. Ileb. 8 :6 —lo. “I will be
to them a God, and they shall be to me a
people.” “ I will put my fear in their
hearts that they shall not depart from me.”
Jer. 32 : 40. Men who are duly conscious
of their weakness and helplessness, dread to
be left to themselves, and earnestly pray to
be held up by divine grace, that they may
not fall. God hears their prayers; and in
answer to them promises, “My grace is suf
ficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12 :9. “I will nev
er leave thee nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13 :5.
V. It h u coLOiU.SiVc argument flir final
perseverance, that the Scriptures account
for apostacy when it occurs, on the ground
that the apostate never possessed true relig
ion. “They went out from us, but they were
not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us; but
they went out, that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us.” 1
John 2 19. The same is taught in the fol
lowing passage : “And then will I profess
unto them, I never knew you : depart from
me ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7 : 23.
They to whom this language is addressed
claim to have been followers of Christ; and
to have prophesied and wrought miracles in
his name; but the Saviour gives their true
character, “workers of iniquity;” and the
words “I never knew you,” clearly imply
that they never were in truth his people. If
any among them had ever been true Chris
tians, they might affirm in contradiction to
the Saviour, tha* he had once known them.
From the passage last considered, we may
learn that a profession of Christ, accompa
nied with gifts and miraculous endowments
may exist without true piety. So Paul teach
es, 1 Cor. 13th chap., that knowledge, mi
raculous gifts, and outward works of alms
and devotion, are unavailing without love.—
In the 6th chapter to the Hebrews, he teach
es the possibility of final apostacy, after very
high religious attainments have been made;
but he distinguishes between these cases
and those in which a ‘work and labor of love’
demonstrated the existence of true piety.—
These he regards as “things that accompany
salvation,” and things which he is confident
that “God is not unrighteous to forget.”
The doctrine which we have been defend
ing, maintains that perseverence in faith
and holy obedience is necessary in order to
the attainment of everlasting life. Those
who suppose that because they have been
converted at some past time, they will cer
tainly be saved, though they are now living
in sin, are wretchedly perverting and abu
sing the doctrine to their own destruction.—
If grace bestowed does not cause persever
ance in faith and holy obedience, we have
no scriptural authority for the expectation,
that it will secure life eternal. Hence war
nings against apostacy as dangerous and
ruinous, are perfectly consistent with the
doctrine of final perseverance rightly under
stood : and the fact that such warnings are
found in the holy Scriptures, is no valid ar
gument against the doctrine. J. L. D. ,
Do you intentionally aim to please God in
all things ?
For the Christian Index.
Life and Times of Jesse Mercer
CHAPTER* IV. —CONTINUED.
BY REV. A. SIIERWOOD.
Sketches of Shackleford, Posey, White , etc.
6 Dr. Andrews Battle,brother of Dr. Cul
len Battle, now of Tuskegee, Ala., was born
in North Carolina —a practicing physician in
Powelton, say 1819—married a daughter of
Judge Duggar, who survived him many
years. He was baptized by Mr. Mercer, at
Powelton. In 1828-9-32 he represented
the auxiliary societies of Pike county in the
Convention. From Pike he removed to La-
Grange, prior to 1840. While in Pike, on
his plantation, some Pedo-baptist had, as he
thought, mangled and misrepresented the
subject of baptism, as some men that know
little about it can do, and there was no man
near that could answer the discourse. So
Dr. B. gave notice and read to a large con
gregation, a most triumphant answer. He
was a man of education and largely acquain
ted with history.
7. Malcom Johnson was baptized about
1828, at Powelton, then somewhat advanced
in life—yet the love of souls burned in his
bosom, and he soon began to preach—was
pastor of several churches, and removed to
Sparta; theuce, about 1859, to Cass county,
to die at his son’s house. This occurred in
a year or two after. 11. M., his youngest
son, who was graduated in the first class at
Pcnfield, 1841, was Professor of Rhetoric,
&c., in Franklin College, and wrote a useful
and creditable book, in 1840, on “The Eng
lish Classics.”
8 Benjamin Milner,brother to Pitt and John,
was many years in Sardis church, Wilkes,
where he began to preach, whence he remov
ed to Jones, which was his permanent resi
dence till called up higher. Tie was fre
quently sent by the Ocmulgec to the Con
vention—a man of great benevolence, tho’
his ministerial talents were inferior to those
of his older brother, John. Pastor some
years of Hog Creek qhurch, some six miles
north of Blountsviile. sea* few
Dr. Blackburn and Major Tufts married two
of his daughters. The widow ot the latter
resides near Milledgeville. Died 18—.
9 Major Oliver Porter settled in Giecne,in
1784, and was useful in the councils of the
State, and one of the early trustees of Mer
cer Institute —an associate of Mercer over
fifty years. He was a member of Shiloh
church, and died between 1835 and 1840.
He was Elector for President and Vice Pre
sident four times. Greene was then a part
of Washington county, and be had to go to
a Court ground near Shiver’s mills, on the
Ogeechce, now Hancock county, to pay his
taxes and vote. He reared a large family,
and was neighbor of his friend and brother,
Thos. Stocks.
10 Vincent Sanford must-uot be omitted—a
deacon of Greensboro’ church, and father of
Prof. Sanford, a fixture in Mercer Universi
ty. He was a native of Loudon county, Ya.
He died some two years ago, over eighty-two
years old, though an active man and at the
Convention the year before his decease. His
piety and usefulness were proverbial—all
loved and revered him.
11 Benjamin H. Willson was the pastor of
Sharon church, Henry county, when the
Flint committee came to examine it, and re
tained his seat as moderator, which was his
right; for a church is higher authority than
an Association. He was a useful and active
minister, and active in the cause of the Con
vention, for which he was agent some time.
His connection with C. White was the occa
sion of his being suspected of Arminianism;
but it was untrue. He removed to Alabama,
where he died, some years ago.
12 Cyrus White was born in Elbert; profess
ed religion in Jasper, and taught school in
that county for many years. About 1830 he
published a pamphlet on the Atonement, at
the request of his church. The Convention
disapproved the publication, as he was their
agent, whether it was orthodox or not. With
out knowing it. he had run into Arminian
ism, and when labored with, he was persist
ent and ran farther, and so formed an Asso
ciation—removed to Alabama and died there
in 1842, sixty'years of age. Brethren T. S.
Hand and Luke Robinson answered it. Mr.
M. wrote him ten letters in a kind spirit, ex
posing some of his fallacies; but he was not
reclaimed. He had been a useful minister
in the Ocmulgee Association. Mr. W. was
a captain on the Georgia oast in the war of
1812.
13 Sylvanus Gibson was born in Wilkes co.
1783, was baptized and began to preach
at Clarke’s Station. Preached some eighteen
THE PASTOR’S AID: THE CHRISTIAN’S GUIDE: THE SINNER'S FRIEND.
MACON, GEORGIA, MONDAY JULY 6, 1863.
years in Georgia, and removed to Lawrence
county, Ala., July, 1851, having baptized
over 1,000 persons —a feeling, good niinis
ter.
14 Thomas Meredith, a Pennsylvanian by
birth, and a student of Dr. Staughton, in
Philadelphia; was pastor at Savannah about
1821-2-3—4. Thence he removed to North
Carolina, where he was active with Wait
and a few others in originating the State
Convention and Wake Forest College, be
tween 1833—35. Soon he commenced the
“Biblical Recorder,” a very excellent freck
ly, which he conducted till his death, in
1851. Mr. M. Was a gentleman of great ur
banity in his manners, a handsome speaker,
and an able defender of the truth.
15 John A. Willson,deacon of Society Hill
church, S. C„ was an enlightened and libe
ral man, eminently useful in the church and
neighborhood—a great admirer of Mercer’s
original thought in discussing knotty ques
tions on Theological subjects.
16 Thomas Stocks was President of the Geor
gia Senate many years, from Greene county;
joined Shiloh church about 1828, _was active
and punctual in the Convention and Execu
tive committee; attended the Triennial Con
vention in New York, in 1832; was Com
missioner to run the line between Georgia
and Tennessee, in 1818, and explored Nick
ojack Cave; was Preside^ of the State Ag
ricultural Society; active Trustee of Mercer
University; moderator of the Baptist Con
vention after Mercer’s death, till his deafness
forbade. Born on his own plantation in a
Fort, Ist Feb., 1786; been an active mem
ber of Greensboro’ church over twenty years;
now over 77 years old. Still he is active
and never misses a session of the Conven
tion nor of the Trustees of the University.
17 Joshua Key began to preach in Burke as
early as 1821, and was an active pastor and
messenger in the Convention from the Hcp
zibah Association. Kilpatrick and Key la
bored much together in the good cause; —
they seemed to he identified in feeling and
effort. Os late years, JJrp. K<.
had held hack—had lost his zeal, or infir mV
ty had prevented his active lab< rs. Died
quite suddenly, Nov., 1862, at his residence
in Jefferson.
18 Joseph Polhill,youngest son ofllev. Na
thaniel Polhill, who wrote a work on Bap
tism, 1814, was probably born in Burke.—
For a short time he studied at Penfield. Af
ter this he became very useful in the Hepzi
bah Association. Died about 1859, having
fallen from his Gin-house.
19 Wm. Redd and Ross Conyers were ac
tive co-adjutors in the early efforts at Pen
field. The first had been a Presbyterian,
and desired to continue such—it wrs all pro
ved in the Catechism; but the minister who
he expected would relieve his difficulties did
not quote a single text of the Scripture.—
This increased his troubles.
For the Christian Index.
Gen- Colquitt’s Brigade.
Bito. Boykin. —l will give the readers of
the Index the result of my visit to General
Colquitt’s brigade, composed of the 6th, 19th,
23d, 27th and 28th Georgia regiments. I
arrived at their camps on the sth inst. The
27th regiment requested me to preach for
them the next morning, which I consented
to do. They soon prepared an arbor, with
seats. The hour arrived, and, to my aston
ishment, hundreds of persons were seated,
who listened to the word preached with unu
sual interest. At the close of service I gave
an opportunity for those seeking the salva
tion of their souls to signify it by coming
forward. Avery large number came for
ward and requested special prayer.
I continued there eight days. The meet
ing and night, and a more
gracious work of divine grace I have never
witnessed. Hundreds would crowd the al
tar, at a time, for prayer, while saints were
rejoicing, and some shouting aloud the prais
es of God.
During my stay amongst them I heard no
swearing, nor did I see any card playing.—
But one regiment had a chaplain, which is
the 19th. It is supplied by Bro. McDonald,
of Henry county, Ga., who promises much
usefulness. The 27th had petitioned for
Bro. G. T. Embry to he commissioned as
their chaplain. These are both young bre
thren of promise, and I pray may be a bless
ing to their charges.
Such is the anxiety for the gospel to be
preached to them, that one regiment propo
sed to j>ay me for my services, and pay my
fare on the road, once a month, to preach to
them, which would cost about SIOO a trip.
And, now, brethren and sisters at home,
wbat should be our efforts to supply those
war-worn soldiers who have and are suffer
ing so much for us. Oh you spend a week,
and witness their fare, and their great will
ingness to bear hardships TPthe defence of
their country’s rights, you would offer up
your prayers continually to God for them,
and untie your purse strings and contribute
liberally to Ripply them with thorn with the
written word and preached gospel.
J. 3. DODD.
June 22, 1863.
For the Christian Index.
About Several Things.
Bro. Boykin. —l have just received your
paper, of the 22d, and feel moved to write
you a few lines. You speak of the Bible
Board as “virtually extinct.” It was form
ally abolished, and its work entrusted to “th e
Boards of the Convention.” If my memory
serves me, it was suggested in the commit
tee’s report, that the Bible work abroad be
managed by the -Foreign Board, and that
contributions for general home distribution
thould be made to the Domestic Board. This
ileport was prepared I presume, before it was
known that a Sunday School Board would be
established. There is no inconsistency, how
erer, in our Board’s procuring Bibles and
Testaments in the best way we can, for the
use of Sunday Schools. Accordingly, an
attempt has already been made, by which, if
unsuccessful, we lose nothing, and is suc
cessful, we shall receive probably 20,000
Testaments at a reduced cost.
Distribution to the destitute generally,
and to the army seems to belong more pro
perly to our brethren of the Domestic Board.
But if we Lre able to secure supplies ol the
Word of God, we shall take great pleasure
in furnishing them with all we can spare,
aud co-operating with them in every way.
I was in favor, as you know, of action by
the Convention in regard to a European
Agency for the procurement of Bibles, &c.
It was no part of the plan, however, that the
Convention should send a man ins taster,
Without due examination of the probabilities
of the case. We had some grounds for be
lieving that the expenses of importing tho
books could be greatly reduced. The cost of
bringing in a Testament costing five* cents,
was stated in one case to be sixty cents; in
another, forty cents. We saw a method by
which we believe this cost could be reduced
at least one half, so as to make 810,000 con
tributed to Bibles do the work of 820,000.
The proposition was to appoint a brother of
known tact, ability and energy to examine
minutely into this matter, and to go, if he
judged it expedient, and could find it com
patible with other duties. It would have
been a sacrifice of private interests for him
to go, bat he would have gone, at the re
quest of the Convention, much more readily
than by the solicitation of someone of the
Boards.
The safeguards thrown around the scheme
were these: First, a committee of one, (usu
ally the most efficient) was appointed to ex
amine into the whole matter, and as he
would feel the responsibility of carrying out
the plan, if adopted, he would naturally
scrutinize closely the chances of success or
of failure, and would not go unless there was
a strong probability of accomplishing some
thing valuable—something equal to the ex
penses and the time that would be required.
Next, a committee of five business men,
(not preachers) men acquainted specially
with the matter in hand, was proposed, to
aid this brother in his inquiries, and in case
it seemed a desirable thing ; but if he coaid
not go, they were to nominate some other.—
Then, thirdly, the whole matter came under
the review of theßoards; for the agent was
simply to attenato “such business as might
be entrusted to him by the Boards of the
Convention.” And they must be satisfied
that thuplan was feasible and that it would
pay—or They would have no business to
place itfn his hands—and the agent, of
course, oiuld not go.
Such was the plan proposod. It was nev
er fully argued before the Convention, and I
shall not undertake to argue it now. The
lateness of the period when it was brought
np made brethren impatient of discussion.
And the only attempt that was made to state
the reasons for it, was decided out of order,
as the merits of the question could not then
be discussed. This is not complained of.—
The Chair was right. But that is the fact.
And when the undebatable motion to “lay
on the table” was urged, many of those
who favored the scheme voted to lay it on
the table —satisfied that it was undesirable
to carry a measure of the kind by a mere
majority, even if it could have been done. I
think it might have been one of the most
useful movements of the Convention. But
it was defeated, chiefly by the indisposition
to deliberate, which always crowds and con
fuses the closing periods of a session. There
are so many who think that the great end of
Conventions and Associations is to get to the
end. Having come, the chief object of anx
iety is to get away again. The fact is, I
enjoyed myself so much among the Georgia
brethren, I would willingly have stayed a
day or two longer—and mean to come again
whenever I can get a good excuse.
The Virginia brethren have contributed
very cheerfully and liberally to our
School Board, placing nearly $3,800 in our
hands, and promising whatever more may be
needed. I trust Georgia will do the same
thing, whenever an opportunity is present
ed. Yours, truly, B. M. ; Jr.
Greenville, S. C.
For the Christian Index.
A Chaplain’s Report.
Camp Gregg, Ya., June 5,1863.
Dear Bro. Boykin. —For the gratifica
tion of friends at home, permit me to make
a summary statement of my past month’s la
bor as chaplain in the army.
After remaining in the army preaching
and conducting other religious exercises, du
ring the winter months, I thought it best
thgt I should take some respite, which I did
by making a visit to my home in Georgia. I
took leave of my regimenton the 6th day of
April, and arrived safe. I enjoyed the
sweei comforts of home twenty days; and
arrived at Richmond on the 2d day of May,
on my return to the army.
At that place I heard of the battle that
was coming off at Chancellorsville. Commu
nication, with the army being cut off by the
raids of the Yankee cavalry, I was necessa
rily compelled to remain in Richmond, amid
more excitement than I had ever seen or
heard of before, until Thursday, May 7th,
when I again mounted the iron horse in
feuarcli of my regiment. -
On Friday evening I arrived at the camp
of the 49th Georgia regiment, much fatig
uedl This regiment took an part in
driving Joe Hooker, with his grand army,
back to the North side of the Rappahan
nock. I found them encamped in a pleasant
oak grove, rejoicing over the glorious victo
ry with which the God of battles had crown
ed them.
After resting a short sime I visited all the
companies in the regiment, when my heart
was often saddened in finding so many ofthe
boys that had so often met me at the place
appointed for the worship of God, gone—
some of them killed in the batile; others,
wounded, and off at the hospitals.
At night notice was given for religious
service. I soon saw that the great interest
for the salvation of their souls, which had
so plainly manifested itself during the win
ter, had not abated; but, on the contrary,
the fatiguing march and hard fought battle
had increased it. I found the soldiers ready
and anxious to hear the words of eternal life.
Soon the sweet strains of music from the
voices of the war-worn soldiers were heard
to echo and re-echo up and down the valleys
and hilb where so many Georgians had fall
en in defence of their country. It would
have done your very soul good to have been
with us. I would have caused the hearts of
all pious mothers, fathers and sisters to leap
with joy to have seen their friends, with
tears making paths down their soldier-like
faces, asking for the prayers of God’s peo
ple. From that night until now prayer meet
ings, with few exceptions, have been kept
up.
We all find that the Lord is not slack con
cerning his promises, as some men count
slackness, nor has he retired from the world,
with the sweet and powerful influences of
of his Holy Spirit in reviving the hearts of
Christians, reclaiming backsliders, convict
ing those who had hitherto been careless, and
bringing them to the light and liberty of the
gospel.
Near our camp we constructed a pool, the
waters of which have often been troubled by
willing converts going down into it and being
buried with Christ in baptism. It has been
my privilege to baptize in that pool fifteen
young men, and still the work goes on.—
Large numbers, at every opportunity given,
are asking for the prayers of God’s peopled
I have three times since returning to the
army been invited to Gen. Wright’s brigade
to baptize soldiers. The chaplains in that brig
ade are brethren Cook, Stokes, Jones and
Houser. They are laboring zealously and
TERMS, $4.00 IN ADVANCE
50 NOS. IN A YOL.
faithfully. I have baptized in that brigade
sixty-five men. I have baptized in all, du
ring one month’s labor, eighty soldiers.—
Surely the Lord is preparing the way for
peace; anff I trust the dawn of peace will
soon be seen, and find us not a demoralized
set of men but an army of Christians; and
may all go home and meet their loved ones
as the children of the living God. Will not
every heart be uplifted to God in our behalf.
Parents, wives, sisters and friends, all of you
have dear ones in the army, many of whom
are without God. Can you not, will you not
warn them of sin and point them to the Lamb
of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Your letters are anxiously looked for, joy
fully received, and read with avidity. One
word from you may do great good.
Yours in Christ,
J. J. HYMAN,
Chaplain 49th Ga. Reg.
Hamilton’s Crossing, )
June 14, 1863. }
The regiment being ordered off at night to
meet the enemy, then crossing at Freder
icksburg, I could not mail this letter. We
have been in our entrenchments nine days
and nights.
Tho boys are all cheerful and our meet
ings regularly kept up. I have baptized five
since we arrived here. lam sure that the
enemy at night can plainly hear us singing
the praises of God. J. J. H.
Prom Virginia.
Ilead’qrs 12th Ga. Reg., May 29, ’63.
Dear Bro. Boykin— Yesterday I visi
ted the 3d Ga. Reg. and found a very inter
esting state of things in the whole Brigade.
I was invited there to baptize those who wan
ted to unite with the Baptist church. I
found 26 waiting to receive the ordinance.
Bro. Ilaymen of the 42d Ga. was with me
and we both went in to the water together
and while I was baptizing one man he would
be getting ready, and so we carried on the
work pretty rapidly until the 26 were buried
witjj Christ in baptism. For the last two
weeks the Index hosfailed to reach us. All
are disappointed in not getting it.
Your brother in the Lord,
A. M. MARSHALL.
Foreign Mission Funds-
The Southern Baptist Convention, at its
recent session, instructed the Board of For
eign Missions to “prosecute vigorously the
collection of funds, at least to the extent of
our present annual expenditure.” This is
clearly the dictate of wisdom. Nothing else
can preserve the Convention from crushing
debt. Our missionaries abroad secure loans,
which must be repaid when the course of
events restores our communication with the
world; and if the treasury of the Board is
not in a condition to meet this demand
promptly, an embarrassing loss of credit and
influence will ensue on the part of the Con
vention and its laborers in foreign fields.—
What Baptist of the Confederate States is
willing to have such a page written in our
history? Not one, we are sure. Our confi
dent persuasion is, that the denomination
will cheerfully contribute, year by year, the
$25,000 necessary* to avert a dishonor so
deep.
In accordance with this resolution, the
Board, at its meeting last week, instructed
the Corresponding Secretary, flev. J. B.
Taylor, D. D., to devote his whole time to
the collection of funds. With his charac
teristic faithfulness and energy, he has en
tered on the work. He is now absent on a
visit to one of our porta, to make arrange
ments, if possible, for another shipment of
cottoD, in relief our brethren, whose neces
sities call from Africa and China for the help
of the churches. Let the churches rest as
sured that in some form or other funds will
be transmitted to England for this purpose.
Let them remember that in their hands are
funds, which the Lord of missions has en
trusted to them for the prosecution of the
work, and give as He has prospered them—
give what may otherwise fall into the hands
of the public enemy.— Pel. Herald.
The Hungry Arab.
An Arab was once lost in a desert. For
two days he found nothing to eat, and was
about to die of hunger. Fortunately he hit
upon one of the wells which lie on the tracts
across the desert; and whilst assuaging his
thirst, found also a little leathern bag on the
sand. ‘God be praised,’ said he, he lif
ted it; these I think must be either dates or
nuts; how reviving they will be ! With
these sweet anticipations, he opened and
looked into the sack, and exclaimed in a
mournful tone, ‘Alas, they are only pearls.’