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CHRISTIANINDFX SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editok. Macon, Ga., May 20, 1864. Standing Rules. SEE TERMS OX FOURTH PAGE. *l. Always give your Post Office, when re mitting money. „ a 2. Give both offices when requesting change of office, and write plain y. 3*ferßusine communications be entirely separate from not be SrisedTf obituaries written on the back of a business letter never sec the light. 4. Let obituaries not exceed ten or twelve lines: if longer, 20 cents per line of eight words must be sent. If this is not done, the correspondent must not be offended when he sees liis communication abbreviated. Five Dollar Bills. We are reluctantly compelled to announce that, in common with other papers, and in ac cordance with the universal practice, we will receive the hills of the denomination of Five Dollars at two-thirds of their value only. They are positively of no more value to us than two thirds of their amounts. 2t* The Columns of the Index will be enriched by tha nr eductions of manv of our best thinkers and writers; and able correspondents from Mississippi, the Army of Tennesse', Richmond, and from the Army’of Northern Virginia, are secured. Its varidus departments will be conducted with assiduity, and all matters of denominational interest will be duly chronicled and discussed. The soldiers will receive a large share of attention, and family culture will not be neglected.— May we not hope that the friends of the paper will exert themselves to increase its circula tion and procure funds for sending it to the army? 2t. • Gone to the Front. The Editor left early Monday for the battle fiel 1 to administer to the wants of the wounded brave. In blessing others, may he be blessed. Iffe was accompanied by a large committee of our good citizens, among them brother Haygood, who will be missed from his important and useful post. Rut we started to say that the Index again devolves on the Lo cum Tenens. It is an unexpected burden up on his weary bones, and the more so since it has grown ,so corpulent in these prosperous times. If it should exhibit signs of ill usage the readers will comfort themselves by the as surance that it will be but temporary. L. T. Gill’s Commentary. If any brother has this work to sell, lie can dispose of it by sending it by Express to the Baptist Book Store, provided his price is not unreasonably high. L. T. Episcopal Council. *• The Episcopal Council for the Diocese of Georgia convened in Columbus lately. The Committee ™ of the Church made an interesting report of the prosperousconuinou of the Diocese. The Committeo appointed to prepare a.plan of Missionary operations in the Army, .made a report authorizing the Bishop to appoint* two clergymen at a time for that work, and that a collection shall be taken up in all the Parish es on the first Wednesday in June next, for the support of such Missionary work. \ — -*>♦’ 4 Rev. W. H. Robert. When in. Atlanta, we forwarded to our Prin ter a slip from the Atlanta Reveille,” con taining the first day's Proceedings of the Con vention. That paper made Bro. W, 11. Rob ert say: “From remarks made by W. 11. Rob ert, Missionary, it seems that twenty-three Baptist Missionaries and Chaplains are labor ing in the Army of Tennessee; in same quar ter, fourteen Presbyterians, twe Methodists, two Romanists, four Cumberlands, one Epis copalian and one Sceeder.” Bro. Robert writes us that the above docs not correctly represent his statement, but that the following does: “ From his statement it appears that there are 23 Baptists laboring in that Army as Missionaries and Chaplains, 14 Presbyterians, 1 Seceder, 2 Protestant Meth odists, 1 Episcopalian, 2 Catholics,‘4 Cumber land Presbyterians and 39 Methodists.” Theatrical Amusements. Is it not strange that, amid all the calam ities, the sufferings, dangers and apprehen sions of this war, public opinion can tolerate theatrical exhibitions night after night? Is it not wonderful that the voice of a communi ty, which beholds thick-crowding dangers to our Confederacy, does not bid the cessation of those vain shows and silly trifling and mere tricious amusementsT At a tmiewhenpray/ er and solemnity should fill the land, is it right for vain puppets to strut the stage and spout pompous words and indulge every spe cies of grimace for the purpose of convulsing thoughtless crowds with foolish laughter—the laughter that cuts like a dagger into the wid ow’s heart and into the bereaved mother’s bosom ? Should those who produce nothing and who benefit no one be allowed by public sentiment to drain money from many who can ill afford to spare it? Is it right for people to waste upon idle actors that money which would relieve the necessities of so many suf fering poor ? Is it a time for theatrical amuse ments, gaiety, dancing and mirth, when all the joy and happiness and prosperity of our land is quivering in ihe balance ? Does it be come Mayors and Judges, and distinguished men to write lettera inviting an actor to re ceive a “benefit,” in such solemn, sorrowful precious times as these? Does,it nokbecome ns rather by all possible means to humble ourselves in the sight of God, and put away all that is likely to offend him, and by sincere prayer and supplication, seek his favor ? Woe to our country if we “forget God!” This War, / ■ Evidently the result ot divine agency in hu man affairs, is intended by, the Alpiighty as a deduce of the Institution of slavery. For more than.a quarter of a fa naticism has been battering Sgajnst this special decree of Providence ; thirty years this fanaticism has sought to overthrow, in the South, that Institution which tiW p’anted here, which ho has ever sanctioned, and for which he had purposely provided a people-; and, in order to put a forcible stop to this sacriligious interference with His own plans, the Almighty brought about this mighty war, the consequence of which, by its success on our part, will be the complete vindication of Slavery as a divine institution, the certain eventuation of that destiny which the Lord has allotted to the South, and a guarantee of the grand results, whatever they may he, which African Slavery is intended to effect upon the human race. Wluxt that effect is, we know not; nor is it our purpose to inquire- But wo would simply state, that that Institu tion must be from God which is as plainly of divine origin as the Bible i self; which as clearly possesses divine sanction as do human governments; to the existence of which all history and the writings of all the Fathers bear witness ; which the ancient church ap proved n.nri practiced; to which nearly all commentators of note have assented since the Reformation ; which philosophy clearly indi cates and establishes; which received not one word of rebuke from the Savior or his apos tles ; the propriety of which has been proved by emancipation i.n the West Indies ; the ben efits of which have been shown by the moral and physical elevation of the slave ; the con sequences of which have been the wonderful amelioration and civilization of a race that else had continued to grope in heathen ness and degradation ; and the eventual lesult of which may be the evangelization of all Africa, and its disenthralment from the chains of gross error, heathen superstition and de grading barbarism. To such an institution no sin can attach ; though sin may attach to its abuse : though it be no sin to hold slaves’ yet the slaveholder may sin in the treatment of his slaves. Since slavery, then, as an off spring of the divine mind, is not merely a sin less institution, but one from which .accrues benefit to master and slave, opposition to sla very is the product of infidelity. Such oppo sition, begot by infidelity, conceived by error, and brought forth by misapprehension, is nothing more than an atheistic contest with God himself. And the sure result of defeat in thst contest, is the confirmation of atheistic principles in the mind of the human contest ant; which is'proved by the declaration of the ranker abolitionists that if the God of the Bible is the God of slavery, they will abjure him altogether. Such being the position of affairs, and abo litionism having become so foully rampant, it need not excite surprise, that the Almighty, who “ Works in mysterious ways, his wonders to pt;nux m, _ —V’ V*** should have awakened the mighty Demon of War to vindicate His purposes .and punish Ilis opponents. That we, too, are * made to suffer, may excite surprise/ but let it be re membered that w.e may have abased our trust, or that we may need this fitry purification, or that our own minds may require this decided confirmation of the Lord’s will of purpose.— But we may rest assured of this one thing, that if we are victorious in the conflict—and victorious we will be—rtho establishment of slavery as a divine institution may be consid ered stx-ongly confirmed; and su ch grandeur and prosperity will result, or such benefit and human amelioration will accrue, as will open the eyes of all, and'astound the nations of earth, and wring Lorn their reluctant lips praises to the God of Heaven. Presbyterian General Assembly. The Assembly convened lately at Charlotte, N. 0., aud the opening sermon was preached on the sth, by Rex. J. A. Lyon, D. D.; and was sa : d to be remarkable for its force, bold ness, independence, emphasis and orthodoxy. It will be published. Rev. J. S. Wilson, of Atlanta, was elected Moderator, and presided with gravity, prompt ness and dignity. Though many of the most distinguished Presbyterian divines were pres ent, yet the representation was far fr An full, and much of the important business on the docket will bo postponed to the next meeting, which will occur in May, 1865, at Macfm, Ga. We present a few items of interest extracted from a letter to a secular paper. The Reports of the Committees on Foreign and Domestic Missions manifest that little is Kmng d.rne in the Foreign Field, the work he jfig confined to Missions among the Indians. The surplus in hand belonging to this charity is over $30,000, Domestic and Army Missions have been the principal work of the Denomi nation, 130 Missionaries and Chaplains hav ing been employed in our different armies, and contributions having fallen but little short of SBO,OOO/with a surplus on hand of $21,- 000. The Missionaries and Chaplains report the hopeful conversion, during the past year, of about 12,000 souls among our soldiery. The Theological Seminary at Charleston is reported in a sound condition. It has $250,- 000 invested in stocks, witli ample buildings, and a Library of some 18,000 volumes. But out of 60 students, only 7 remain, on account of the war. Very addresses on Army Mis sions were made by Dr. Palmer, Dr. Waddell, .and Rev, Mr. Lacy. . Acknowledgment. Received of Union Baptist Church, per Rev. J. 11. Stoekton, for Army Missions, $402.50. . M. T. SUMNER, Cor. Sec, Marion, Ala., April 20, 1864. ... / The Orphan Asylum. We aye enabled, this week, to lay .betore our readers a list of those persons who were elected Trustees of the Asylum, or Orphan’s Home, which it is the object of the Orphan’s Home Association to found aud endow’, with an especial eye to the children of thoie of our defenders who maybe slain in battle ;- though, of course, the benefit will not be confined en tirely to the offspring of soldiers. The enterprisers one of those noble, philan thropic and heaven emanating projects, so benevolent in its aims, so far-reaching .in its benefits, and so jtlst in itspracticalopfcrations, that it must commend itself to every ‘ humane mind and to every patriotic heart. Jfhppeals to the, sympathies and excites the sensibilities of all who have lost a friend in the cause of independence, or who Cfcmld encourage our soldiers to deeds of noble daring, or who would repay, in some faint degree, ur.told Buf ferings and sacrifices,. or who would aid in preparing intelligent minds to guard and dec orate that temple of Liberty of which our gal lant soldiers are now laying the foundations. Let it be the delight, and to the honor, of this generation to take beneathibe wiags of shel tering love and protection those! whom the death-embracing patriotism of our soldier-he roes has left dependent upon their country : Ini them with grateful and munifieeqj, dona tions provide a home where, by parental care, maintenance and education, the Sttte shall, to the children of her dead sons, show that gratitude which, in some degree, will repay the mighty sacrifices they have liade, and manifest her appreciation of that li>on of lib’ erty and independence which they] by their valor, shall have won. Though originated by Baptists, this is no denominationaljenterprise; and though mostly controlled by laptists, its benefits are intended for all who peed it. It will know* no distinction of sects] hut will stretch forth its arms to the entire* State and inrite the orphans Os all the iodigenjt toa home where love and kindness and gratitude will reign. Such an institution men of # all grades and creeds should help; for it will, benefit the de scendants of every denomination as well as those who belong to no denomination. And it deserves no puny help. It wants the princely aid of those whose wealth is counted* by thousands; those whose monej has been preserved by the valor they thus commemorate- An endowment of a million, at Hast, should be accumulated, ere six moons wax and wane, to establish this Institution once and forever, upon a firm and enduring foundation. To secure this fund Rev. H. 11. Tucker has been appointed Agent, and, under the Providences ot God, he will proceed to canvass the State and deliver lectures, in order to make known the existence, aims and objects of the Associa tion ; and we hope that, wherever ho goes, Georgians will hold out a liberal hand and, of their wealth, bestow bountifully for the bene fit of this noble cause. The following are the names of the Trust ees of the Orphan Association: N,M. Crawford, Ppulield, Ga. E. Steadman'.:.... .. . jLn#wrerrc(?vrrrty;-r—- A. Iv. Seago Atlanta, “ W J Owens. Augusta, “ . E W Warren...........Mac0n, “ S. Landrum.......... Wni Ezzard........ . . .Atlanta, “ M J Wellborn Columbus,. “ W T Brantly .Atlanta, “ Joseph E Brown. / ... .Milledgeville, “ E G Cabaniss..’ . Forsyth, . “ J P Logan ... ... Atlanta, ’ “ D A Va50n ..........-... Albany, “ J L Seward Thomasville, “ H A Tuppcr Washington, “ II C Hornady .Atlanta, “ A J 1Jan5e11.......... .Marietta, “ S R00t... ..... Atlanta, , “ D E Butler .Madison, . ‘ ‘2 • B F Tharp Perry, i‘ W L Mansfield..Lumpkin, “ Its President is Dr. Jno. W. Lewis ; Vice President, Dr. N. M. Crawford ; Secretary, A E Marshall ; Treasurer, T. J. Burney. The President’s Message. This document presents an encouraging view of our national affairs, except that it sees no immediate prospect of foreign recognition ; but it says: “If our arms are crowned with the success which we have so much reason to hope, we may well expect that this’ war can not be prolonged beyond the current. year.-’ The President is violently opposed to an in crease of a circulation of Treasury notes, •'be yond what the present laws admit. lie de nounces the continued barbarity, of the enemy in this war; compliments the sufferers .highly : eulogises the army, and concludes with a very cheerful and encouraging view of the general state of the war ; but reminds us that “while resolute, and devoting all our energies to se curing the realization of the bright auspices that encourage us, we must not forget our humble and most grateful thanks are due. tp Him, without whose guidance and protecting c&re all human efforts are of no avail, and to whose interposition are due the manifold suc cesses with which we have been cheered.” The Child’s Index. “ Child’s Index, by S. Boykin, Macon, Ga., cpmes at $5 for five copies to one address. Children’s minds will be employed, either in good or evil things. Such a paper would fur nish excellent mental and moral food for the mind- This little monthly paper would do a world of good to children. A minister who loves souls could easily raise sufficient money to supply all the children in a neighborhood. E. DODSON.” We copy the above from* the “Biblical Re corder,” and we might produce hundreds of letters and any quantity of testimony to prove that the above is the universal opinion con cerning the Child’s Index. Its circulation is 12,000 and daily inscreasing. Sec advertise ment in another column- Denominational .Usage. “ Query. Is it right for a Baptist, holding our peculiar views of a Church and Church Membership, to stand up and invite men to unite with other denominations which we do not consider real churches?” Such is the query of a veteran in Longstreet’s’ Army who has witnessed what he describes in the follow ing language, “ as presented before the large and witnessing congregation —three Biiptist Ministers and one Methodist officiating, ihe Baptist Minister opens the door of the Cjuirch for the reception, of members into, any of .the ■ Churches. Several -join the Baptist, several the Methodist, and the next day are baptized. The Methodist makes it discretionary-Wjth ap plicants to his Church, whether they will be immersed or poured upon. Some are im mersed, some poured upon; those of the Bap tist, of course, are immersed. After baptism, we all meet at our place Os worship ; the right hand of fellowship is given—Baptist and Methodist uniting ; the new converts all stand in one row or rank, and all go up and wel come them into full fellowship into the Church of Christ.” And in another army a Rafffist Missionary receiv.eS the experienecofconverts, takes.“ the names of those of a different faith, the denomination chosen, and pi'oeures, if pos sible, a Minister of the same to administer bap tism and givecertificates.” And still another instance occurred, membership who hud been expelled from the (a) Baptist Church.. He made his acknowl edgments, and was received.” We took occasion, lately, to express our dis sent from certain departures from long-estab lished Baptist usages—usages founded on the nature and organization of Baptist churches, as derived from ScriptuTe; and we take this occasion to disagree with those who have fol lowed the above quoted practices. The Church which has expelled a member is the body to which lie should make acknowledgments, and which should restore him.- It is ridiculous for a Baptist Minister to as sume to receive members into the;. Methodist Church; and it is still worse for him to rec oguize the validity ol sprinkling or pouring as baptism, by procuring a minister to perform the act and then give the right hand of fellow ship. Who ever heard of a Masonic Lodge receiving members into the Odd Fellows or ganization? A Baptist Missionary or Chap lain goes to the extent of his duty when lie receives and baptizes converts on a profession of their faith, and gives them a certificate of bap ism ; nor should lie do this, if he lias rea son to believe that they do not intend to join a Baptist Church, or that they intend to unite with the Presbyterians or Methodists. Our denominational principles do not permit us to act in such a way as to endorse sprinkling or pouring as baptism ; nor do they allow us to recognize a Methodist or Presbyterian Minis ter as privileged to perform an ordinance which will entitle a man to the Church fellow* ship of Baptists ; nor do they permit us to act so as to recognize Methodists and Presbyteri ans a3 regular members of Gospel Churches. li continue our practice of restricted communion. We may recognize and love them as Christ ians—as sincere followers of Jesus, and unite with them in prayer and praise ; but when it comes to Church ordinances, by which we would admit them, to be members or ministers of regularly organized Churches of Christ, we are restrained by principle, and necessari ly so, from such recognition. There is a difference between Christian courtesy and ecclesiastical -fellowship, and the two are not necessarily congruous. There is a difference between Christian fellowship and principle, and the practice of the former should not be allowed to invade the dominion of the latter. We hope that laxity iq the ob servance of denominational principles will not be permitted, to attend the official functions of our Missionaries and Chaplains. “ The Bible View of Slavery.” It will be recollected by our readers, that at the request of some personal friends, theßish op of Vermont, in a pamphlet of moderate size, thus set forth “ The Bible View of Sla very.” The Bishop of Pennsylvania got up a “Protest,” which was circulated for signa tures among the clergy of his Diocese, and was widely published, in which the terms used against the Bishop of Vermont were such as wc prefer not to characterize. The Bishop of Vermont replied to the protest briefly, at the time, iu ‘terms the strength and warmth of which were natural under the extraordina ry provocation. In that reply he promised a full vindication of the correctness of his opin ion concerning the teaching of the Word of God as understood and acted on by the Church in all ages. That promise has been fulfilled in the publication of a volume giving “ a Scriptural, Ecclesiastical and Historical View of Slavery, from the days of the Patriarch Abraham to the Nineteenth Century,” of which a second edition is now in press, one edition of 2500 having been sold. Concern ing this book the Editor ot the Church Jour nal, N. Y., March 30, 1864, says : “ But no one can even attempt to answer the argument of the book, without first of all going further than the President and Congross have gone, without also working directly in the tqeth of the Holy Scripture and the whole Church from the beginning; nor, finally, without Towing theologically in the same boat with Theodore Parker.” And also— “ The modern school of immediate Abolition • is finally traeed 4o its fountain, and quotations from Emerson- and Theodore Parker prove that infidelity is the essence of it now, as tho roughly as when the French infidels, on .the same principles, did their work in St. Doniin g°-” . , \ m \ Baptist Banner. Our contemporary has assumed anew dress that much improves its appearance. “ Organic Union ” Dr. Thos. O. Summers devotes nearly three columns in the last “ Southern Christian Ad vocate,” to the vain endeavor to discover some basis of union'upon which all denominations may agree, and form “an organic union of tne various bodies'of Protestants amongst’ us —Roman Catholics not being embraced, as they havp ‘another gospel, ’f If be had no ticed the Presbyterian papers and observed the difficulties which seemed to intervene be tween the union of two classes of that name, not very-dissimilar, he would at once perceive the utter hopelessness oif-the enterprise con cerning which he writes. Speaking of the difficulties in tire way of union with the Bap-’ tists,-he says : “ The Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyte rians are so satisfied that infant baptism is a Divine institution, and that affusion is the scriptural mode of administering the ord : . nance, that it is the height of absurdity to propose a platform of union which would in volve the renunefation of these points. On -tlwHjtiier hand, Baptist brethren arc so satis fied of the contrary, that it would be equally absurd to propose a platform which would in volve the assertion of these points. We have, ftunsequently, come to ( a dead lock, unless we can agree to disagree in regard to the points in question, and meet together at the table of our common Lord, singing that catholic hymn of an excellent Baptist— “ Let party names no more The Christian world o’erspread, Gentile and Jew, and bond and'free, Are one in Christ our head.” We can unite together in the most spiritual and solemn of religious exercises, prayer to Qod, and why may we not unite in commem orating the love of our common Lord ? We unite.together in handling his sacred person by faith.; why cannot we unite together in looking at his picture and touching the hem of his garment ? It seems to me, if this diffi culty were overcome, no other would be insu perable. Os course, there can he no merging into one organization, if we cannot preach, pray and commune together. It does not fol low from this, however, that we cannot love one another—no, God forbid! ” Wo freely agree with the last sentence;’ hut must freely admit, that besides those men tioned in the above extract, there are other insuperable difficulties” in the way of de 'nominational fusion. Besides all our differ ences in regard to doctrines and ordinances, wc assure the Doctor that he is right when he has “shrewd doubts” whether the Baptist:, who “ are such such sturdy advocates for ah’ solute parity ” “ would be willing to recog nize bishops in any other sense than simple pastors of churches.” We are glad, though, that he says of the Baptists, “ That which di vides them from us is not mere doctrinal spec ulation—it is a practical, fundamental matter, so far, I mean, as Church membership is con cerned.” So that, not merely considering the differences between Methodists and Baptists, but between each denomination and all the others, we fear tfie Doctor must continue, as ho savq/ih 1m “ scandalized • at thfi-disjsiorra of Christendom—at least, mortified at witnessing them and their pernicious results—altar against altar, a half dozen separate organiza tions in a village, whose spiritual necessities might be very well met by one Church and Pastor. All this is revolting to us.” Religion in the Churches. Wc are rejoiced to announce that in For syth, Griffin, Atlanta, Augusta, as well as in other places, the spirit of the Lord is at work upon the heart of his people, and is evidently preparing, by refreshing showers of grace, to terminate the spiritual drought which has so long; hung over most of our churches. Glory to his aiamc, that such is the case! Glory be to Him who vouchsafes to consider us, amid all our worldliness and forgetfulness of him, and to show to us that wc are indeed the peo ple of his pasture and the objects of his caro ! We were gratified by the report one of our . country ministers gave as we returned from the Convention. Said he: “ Bro. Boykin, I’ve not found it true that our Churches are so cold and lifeless, as Bro. Warren stated in the Convention; for, to tell the truth, my churches are in a better state than I’ve known them to be in a long time, and I have baptized a good many, and have some waiting for the ordinance now.” This was encouraging ; and O, that it could be said of all our churches! But, alas! such is not the case. Still we hope the 7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal are earnest in prayer and fervent in spirit, and that, be fore long, they will be tlie means of drawing down great heavenly blessings upon our churches. Brethren, how is it with your churches ? Write to us and let us know. If you are warm, and if your first love is burn ing brightly, and if your light is shining far and wide, write and let the people of God know it, so that they may be encouraged, and be induced to imitate your good example. And if your state is one of coldness ; if luke warmness has taken possession of your church, and your love is faint and weak, then write and let the people of God pray for you that you may do your first works, and thatGodmay revive you, and that thus the waste places of Zion may be discovered and up. Oh, all wo need is tho warm and united prayers of God’s people. Let them all pray for tho churches, then ; and soon we shall have re vived churches, growing churches, working churclios—ohurches that shall be an honor to religion, to our country and to our race. For Bro. Barrow. Mrs W. Todd, • . • SIOO Rev B L Rose, . . 10 00 W Singleton, . . • 20 00 Mrs MG Harris, .■■■ ;. • 10 00 Mrs W llßice, . . . ■ . 10 00 May 7, ’O4. Mrs. II Lofton /, . . . $0 05 A Friend . . 20 00 All this has Been paid but the last two smrts. — FiD. . • Attend your Prayer Meetings. 1. Because it is right. Your Rather com mands nothing but what is right. He has c ommanded you to attend the meetings of the Saints “ Forsake not the assembling of your selves together.” It is not a matter of discre tion with you, to go or not, as you please. It is true, there is no physical compulsion to go, 4uid you can stay away; but you incur the guilt of disobedience to your Father’s ex pressed injunction. Were it your own busi ness, you would be at liberty to neglect it; but it is®,our. Master’s, who bought you with his blwd, a’nd who-requires you to glorify him in . y/ur body and spirit, which are *hig ; hut no one ever glorified the Savior by disobedience. Let the love Christ constrain you to go to your prayer meetings. 2. Your heart requires you to go. It may be cold .and prayerless ; if so, you should avail yourself of every means divinely appointed for its improvement. You should he unhappy, dissatisfied with yourself when you Lave not the spirit of prayer and love. “ Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion.” You are of no service to the Church, of no spiritual advan tage to your brethren, have no cheering and comforting views of your Savior, without a praying heart; nogoulwillbe saved, no sin ner awakened bv your influence, none who are weak will be strengthened, who are wayward will be reclaimed by you 8p long as you are without the joy of Goffisisalvation.— As no Christian occupies a neutral position, (the very attempt to do so would be treason to tlic King of saints), it follows that he is dead weight to the Church—a positive injury to the cause of Christ, when his heart is devoid of spiritual joys. It is an anomalous condition in the Church of Christ. The rule is, “Re joice always, and again I say, rejoice.”— “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give un to you.” For a child of God to be without joy and peace, is as if a soldier went on the bat tle-field without a gun or sw r ord. Then-go to your prayer-meetings regularly, devotiffnally, prayerfully. 3. Your, example is needed to encourage others. The pastor misses you, and feels dis couraged ; he wonders where you are, and rvhy you are absent; he fears your good repu tation as a Christian will suffer by this one neglect of duty ; he misses your prayers and pious co-operation ; he wants your Christian sympathy. The younger members of tho Church miss you, and wonder why,you are not there. They begin to think prayer-meetings are not so im portant as they thought, and that it is no harm to stay away, or you would not do so.— Either your Christian character or the prayer meeting suffers in their estimation. Sinners are present. They listen to the stirring ap peals of the pastor, but they are unmoved. — They think that cither the preacher is an en thusiast, in which event his words fall power less, or tha.t his church members arc fa he to their profession, for their seats are vacant. In either event, they excuse themselves from that solemn attention and conscientious considera tion aft lie word of God, which they otherwise -TrOwM-give to it. 4. You can never fill up the measure of your moral influence; you can never let your light shine; you can never prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God, without attending your prayer-meetings. You can never glorify God in your body and spirit which* are bis, by absenting yourself from your church meetings. For each of these reasons, attend your prayer meetings.. L. T. Brief Mention. In a letter to the Religious Herald, Bro. A. E. Dickinson says of the Georgia Baptists : “ The Georgia Baptists are, indeed, a pow. erful body of Christians. They have numbers, (their membership being not less than 95,000) wealth, and high social ‘position. Many of the most prominent public men of the State are Baptists, and not merely such in name. They are men of faith, and zeal, and consistent Christian piety. .The Georgia pulpit is equal, if not superior to, that of any other State in the Confederacy, as any one will confess who is acquainted with N. M. Crawford, 11. 11. Tucker, W. T. Brantly, J. 11. Cuthbert, A. J. Huntington, S. Landrum, J. 11. Campbell, A. T. Holmes, S. G- Daniel, C. D. Mallary, E. W. Warren, P. 11. Mell, and a host of others whose names I cannot now mentions” llospiTAT.iTY.—Speaking of the kindness of the citizens of Atlanta, he observes : “ Before closing this communication, I must .make mention of the munificont hospi tality extended to us by the citizens of Atlan ta. Iu times of peace and plenty, when for a dollar or two a day, ouo can get board at the hotels, it does not mean 30 much to entertain delegates; but now, when flour is S3OO per barrel, and bacon $8 per pound it is a very different affair. But, really, the friends in Atlanta feasted the Convention as though war, blockade and high prices were terms'of which they had no conception at all. May tho God of all grace and consolation repay them for their kindness to us.” In regard to tha seizure and occupation of the Southern Baptist and Methodist houses of worship by Northern emissaries, the Louis ville, Ky., “ True Presbytrian ” says: “We say it with all deliberation and coolness, that no* man can logically show any reason why theologians who can justify such robbery, should not solemnly canonize Judas Iscariot as a patron saint, and declare Simon Magus to he the genuine apostle and themselves his legitimate successors.” —.—... m* Hasty Telegrams. - Ro.bt. Raines. Your money amounted to §0,65 only. You must send more for the book, the price of which is §5 new issue. Edgar Jewell. That way .will do as well as the money if you keep on. J IIS. No spelling books to be had now.