The Christian index. (Washington, Ga.) 1835-1866, September 02, 1864, Image 2

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CHRISTIAN INDEX SAMUEL BOYKIN, Editor. . . Macon, Ga., September 2, 1864. Standing Rules. SEE TERMS ON FOURTH PAGE. The Editor is not connected with the Bap tist Depository. Inquiries for books must be addressed to Rev. F. M. Haygood, Agent, and not to the Editor. 1. Always give your Post Office, whenre tokting-isoneyi --■--.* j 2. Give both offices when requesting a change of office, and write plainly. 3v LetjEtusiness communications be entirely separate from obituaries or any other com munications. Correspondents need not be surprised if obituaries written on the back of a business letter never see the light. 4-. Let obituaries not exceed tenor 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 his communication abbreviated. 5. Money may be sent by mail or Express at our risk. Seal the money carefully, when mailing, and tell no one, not even the Post-* master. 6. All old currency, including $5 bills, are taken by .us at two thirds of the original val ue only. Soldiers. The Editor requests soldiers changing their post office to make the fact known. ts Meetigs of the Associations. Clerks and others are requested to inform us of the time and place of the meeting- of all the Associations in Georgia, so that we can publish them* ts. Rags. Our friends the ladies will oblige us by col lecting rags for us, and if they cannot send them now, let them send as soon as possible. We will pay 20 cents cash per pound. Send by Express, and write telling the number of pounds sent. Always give some mark by which we will know the package and be able to identify the sender. . Index for Soldiers, Contributisns for supplying Missionaries and Chaplains of our army with the Index, are earnestly solicited. Our gallant soldiers should have religious papers, -and Christians must supply them. Let Churches take collec tions, let individuals remit, and let amounts be sent up to the Associations for this purpose, ts. Associations. We hope the brethren will assemble prompt ly at their associations and ‘transact their usual business. We hope to attend a few ; but when not present we toe earnestly desire that seme brother will represent the Index, and take up,a collection for sending it to the army. Communications giving accounts of these meetings will be gratefully received, if they tell of what was done for the Index—of large collections being taken to send it to the ariky .We therefore emphatically repeat that we hope not a single association will be allowed to pass without something be done for the Index. Any friend may represent us, and receive and end the money to us by Express or mail. * Can Baptists, without violating the Scrip tures, Conduct Missionary Operations by Boards and Conventions ? NUMBER 11. Let it be granted and maintained that God has a divine plan for spreading the gospel throughout the world, abd for preaching it to every creature, and that no one can of right “ preach except he be sent.” (Rom. 10: 16). What is that plan, and who sends the preach er? A. C. D. says it is for an individual church to separate, send, sustain and hold personally responsible to itself its own mis sionaries. ‘ \ Now, this is the very thing with which we, not only in our argument, but also A. C. D., in his practice, join issue. If this be the “ di vine plan ” it must not be ignored or modified; and every church must conform to it. It is not only what every church may do, but must do. If this plan ” be taught by in spired example, ’ then that inspired example must be imitated in all essential particulars ; and, consequently, we are led to the following’ inevitable conclusions ‘ 1. That every individual church must, by itself, embark in a foreign Mission, If, on the one hand, it neglects entirely to do so, or, on the other hand, if it combines with other churches in the same enterprise, it fails, in either count, to follow the u inspired exam ple ” —it rejects the “divine plan” and is guilty of sin; for Baptists believe that in spired example is as binding as inspired pre cept. t 2. Every church must separate and send at least two missionaries to the heathen ; for the Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas. 3. It follows that no minister can carry the gospel to the heathen, unless a church sepa rates and sends him: nay, more, that he can not go on a missionary tour to destitute re gions, in his own country, until a church shall separate and send him. Does A. C.D.’s “inspired example” teach that a minister can go voluntarily, without asking the permission of auy church, preach ing as he proceeds westwafd, until he strikes the boundaries of the Indian Tribes, and does it meet him only there, with the prohibitory question, “ How can they preach except they be sent?” Would his “inspired example” leave the minister untrammeled in all his journey to the western border of Texas, but as soon as his foot touches the banks of the Rio Grande, would sternly accost him with “ Hith erto yon may go, but no farther, until some oburoh separates and sends you ? ” We suppose if, Jay any means, a-minister should find himself in Mexico, or in China, he would pot feel embarrassed by the fact that he had not been separated anti sent by a church-: be would not feel that he must keep his lips closed concerning Christ and the Gos pel until he had gained permission to preach from some church. If it be, indeed the “ di vine plan,” that individual churches must designate and send missionaries, none can go until some church permits or commands it.— This may do for the Romish Hirarchy, but it sounds strangely among Baptists. 4. Thjp “divine plan ” omits all mention of the support ol the missionaries sent. The church at Antioch says not one word about funds or salary. It “ separates and sends,” but omits all allusion to “ support.” Here then, is the “ divine plan ” a&ut missionaries which says not one word about sustaining them, and this, after all, is the great difficulty in modern missions— the means of support. — Let the necessary funds be in their control, and none ot those good ministering brethren—. whose desire is to go into the Foreign field, but whose minds are now confused by the crude essays they read or write on this sub ject, would feel it necessary to wait for the action of any church. They have received Christ's commission to go into all the world and preaoh, and a church and presbytery have already testified that, in their opinion, they have each received such a eommissiqp, and now having the means of support in posses, sion, what use have they for any other church action ? Oh yes ! they may or may not ask for the sympathy and prayers of their brethren ; but by no means and in no way do they need the permission of those brethren. But to return. Here, then, we have the divine plan for sustaining missions, which, at the raising or disbursing of funds, hints not a word. And yet, this matter of procuring funds constitutes our whole difficulty. In other respects, the plan for evangelizing the world is laid down. very plainly in God's word: the world is to be converted by the preaching of the gospel, and Christ has sent his ministers to all the world, giving them a commission to preach the Gospel to every crea ture. If they go, how shall these heaven commissioned preachers obtain the means of support? ffe need a plan for this and this alone: and on this A. C. D.’s example is pro foundly silent: that funds were raised or dis bursed at all, it does not give the slightest di rect intimation. . Is it said that the obligation to sustain is implied in the very fact that the church at Antioch separated and sent the apostles ? Then our only divine example furnishes the only divine plan• for sustaining missions, not in a “ draught or form—in a representation drawn on a plane,” which is unmistakable, but only by implication and according as we may infer it! A. C. D.’s error consists in not making a thorough induction from the scriptures. Wo are willing to grant that Paul and Barnabus were sent by the church at Antioch—that in this case a church acted directly in the mis sion enterprise, and that it furnishes authori ty and encouragement for a church to send,, and, (by implication,) sustain missionaries in the foreign field ; and should a church in our bounds attempt it successfully, that church would receive our hearty God speed l But do the scriptures, in any way teach by example or otherwise, that the gospel should be sent to the world only through the intervention of churches ? Did Christ say to the eleven apos tles, “wait until the church at Jarusalem is organized, and then, when it bids you, go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” When the brethren were scatter ed from Jarusalem, immediately after the death of Stephen, and “went everywhere preaching the word,” were they sent formally by a church ? Or, if not, did they go without being sent in the sense of Rom. 10: 15— (“and how shall they preach except they be sent? ”) Did the church send Philip to Sa maria, or say to him, “jarise and go to the south—even to Gaza,” to preach to the hea then'Ethiopian ? Did the church send Peter to preach the gospel to the gentile Cornelius ? So far from doing so, the church was dis pleased at the occurrence, and when they heard his defence, said with musing astou ment, “ Then hathj3od also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life!” Did the church at Antioch substitute Silas for Barna bas, when the latter parted from Paul on ac count of the sharp controversy about John Mark ? And if not, did Silas go and preach without being sent? Did Paul hear the Mac edonian cry through the agency of a church? Did a church send Paul by bonds and impris onment to bear witness to God by preaching at Rome as he did ? 9 But why multiply questions ? Here we have men sent, 1. By the Master’s oral utterance, before the first church was formed ; 2. By persecutions and by impressions of the Holy Spirit; 3. Ew divine visions, as in the ease of Peter to Conrelius, and of Paul to Macedonia ; 4. By violence and bonds, as when Paul was sont to preach at Rome ; 5. By the co-operation of a church, as in the case of Antioch. The scriptures show also that there is no one plan which alone it is lawful to employ in support of a pious minister who has by any method gone into the mission field. Take the case of Paul. At one time he was supported (tee infer ) by the church at Anti och : at another time he supported himself by his own manual labor, as the following text will show: “ And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought, for by their occupation .they were tent-makers.” Acts 18: 3. “ Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” Acts 20: 34. “ And labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless:; being persscated. we suffer it.” 1 Cor. 4: 12. “For ye remember, brethren, our'labour and travail: for labouring night be cause we wotfld not he chargeable nttHo any of you, we preached unto you the aofipel’ofi God.” 1 Thess, 2 : 9. * Then again he was sustained by volantary contributions of individual brethren: ‘ “ I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part, they have supplied.” 1 Cor. 16:17. I “ And when I was present - with and wanted, I was chargeable to no man ; for that which was lacking to me the brathren which came from Macedonia supplied. and in all things I have kept myself lrom being hardcu some unto you, and so will I keep mmelf.” — 2 Cor. 11:9. “ Yet I suppose it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messeiger, and he that ministered to my wants.” Phil. 2: 25. “Whom I would have retained that in thy stead he might have minkrtiered unto me in the bonds of the gospel.” Phile mon 13. Then,*by family contributions: “ I beseach you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firrilruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted them selves to the ministry of the saintsA2ji Cor. 16: 13. Then by contributions of the churches he plan ted,and of all who were taught in the world by him: “ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carn al things ? “ Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which (preach the gospel should live of tho gospel.” 1 Cor* 9 : 11, 14. “Let him that is taught in the word, com municate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Gal. 6 : 6. And, finally, by the contributions of “other churches ”: - “ I robbed other churches, taking stages of them to do you service.” 2 Cor. 11: 8. From all of the above we may, then, clear ly deduce the following: 1. The “Divine Plan” for the sahtetion of the heathen, (as of that of the rest of the world,) is that the gospel shall he preached to them. 2. Any pious minister who has the Master’s commission and the endorsement of a church or presbytery to show that, in their opinion, he has been thus called and commissioned, has a right to enter upon the mission work cither at home or abroad, without asking the consent of any one. 3. He can he sustained in the field by his own friends, if he has auy; by his manual or professional labor ; by ample* appropriations made by one or more wealthy individuals ; by the contributions of single churches or of churches in combinations. In short, by funds flowing from any persons, singly or combined, who sympathise with or are even friendly to the enterprise in which he is engaged. The only questions, then, to he asked and answered are, I. Shall brethren, having the right pr do So, organize a system by which they may adequate ly sustain missionaries in the Foreign field? 11. What system is the least objectionable and most efficient for this purpose ? *-f m The Central Association. We had the pleasure of attending the late session of this Association, at Eatonton, on the 27th and 29th of last month, and retain of its meetings, its sermons, its spirit, and of the hospitality and kindness with which it was at tended, a more grateful recollection than of any Association at which we have ever been present. A spirit of brotherly amiability, of courteous deference, of Christian zeal, and of large-minded generosity, animated all. The citizens left nothing undone to make tho stay of the members agreeable. The ability, fer fervency and Gospel fire that pervaded the ser mons, though they left no shining wake to mark their course, yet exerted an influence for good that will be long remembered. The num ber of delegates was not as large as asual, but comprised most of the talent, zeal and work ing power of our Association. Dr. Brantly, who was to have preached the Introductory, was absent; hut his post was worthily filled by Rev. D E. Butler, who eloquently and feel ingly discoursed on the first few verses of the 3d chapter of Colossians. lie preached also on Monday morning in the Methodist house of worship after the adjournment, and'the native fire and sensibility of his mind flashed forth as he pictured the court of Death, and contrast ed the woes of the lost with the bliss of the redeemed. The Missionary Sermon on Sabbath morn ing was preached to a full house by Rev. J. R. Kendrick, in his own peculiar vein of chaste eloquence, accompanied hv elegHnoe of diction and grace of gesture, and was highly commended by all for its beauty and appro priateness. Brethren Wilkes, Stilvvell and Warren also preached excellent sermons, and much to’ the gratification of their hearers.— Nor were the soldiers and colored people for gotten, but sermons were preached for their especial benefit. As Moderator, Rev. E. W. Warren presided with great ability. THE MISSIONARY CAUSE. A feeling of devotion to the Missionary cause manifested itself all through tfi# session. On Saturday afternoon it burst forth in the spontaneous bestowal of SI,OOO in response to the short though earnest appeals of two or three brethren, who felt that “ a fejr words should be said for the heathen.” It showed itself on Saturday night, when, comparatively speaking, a few only were present, and when nearly SSOO were collected for domestic mis sions. It also appeared in the contribution of over S3OO on Sabbath morning for sending re ligious reading to the army. The meeting on Saturday night was dedicated to Domestic Missions, and was addressed effectively by brethren Roberts, Warren and Butler; but, •till more gratifying was the result of the ] slight effort made on Saturday afternoon in behalf of Foreign Missions, and we hope that an impetus will be given to that cause by this little effort, which will arouse tho spirit of all our Associations, <and cause them to lift this glorious cause from the slough of neglect, and bear it forward triumphantly and exultingly. Be it remembered that in an assembly of twenty or twenty-five, representing thirteen churches, SI,OOO were raised for Foreign Mis sions. Let the incident prove the vanguard of a host of others similar in We cannot refrain from adding, here, the REPORT ON MISSIONS, Adopted by the body. The Committee on Missions submit the fol lowing suggestions: -,3 • ■ The Missionary work is of perpetual obli gation, and must never he intermitted. Like keeping the heart and growing in grace, it belongs to the very nature of the Gospel, and like them, it cannot be allowed tp cease. It must be prosecuted in troublous as well as in prosperous times, and if it cannot he carried on in one place and direction, it seek new fields for benevolent effort. The spirit of missions is the spirit of Christ, aud the true Christian Church will ever be a Mis sionary Church. It is a sublime privilege as well as a solemn duty to unite with God’s people in other lands in efforts to evangelize the heathen, and it constitutes ODe of tho sorest afflictions of the present war, that it has almost excluded us from the Foreign field. What we can do, however, for Africa and China, we must do. Our Churches must Dot forget that we have Missionaries there to he sustained by our con tributions, and that enough should he for warded for this purpose, whatever sacrifice and hazard the service may involve. We beg our Churches to keep in mind, when making their annual contributions, that tho Foreign field needs money, and that money can still reach our brethren who are toiling there. In this connexion, your Committee are particu larly gratified to record the fact, that one thousand dollars were raised for this object in a few minutes, at the present sesssion of this body. Especially should our Churches lie remind ed and admonished, that no blockade opposes the ascent ot our prayers to the Throne of Grace, and the prayer for the heathen is as fitting aud potent now as it ever has been in the history of tho Missionary enterprise. * Your Committee do not deem it necessary to press the claims,of that other field which the mysterious Prdvideucc of God has opened for us in connexion with our armies. This is en gaging the attention and engrossing the ener gies of our Domestic Board, and of various other useful organizations. The best appeal which we can make at this point, is simply to refer to the Report of our excellent Missiona ry, Brother Van Iloose, and ask for it a se rious perusal. Surely, every principle and sentiment which can operate on a human heart, prompt us to do all in our power for the spiritual welfare of our soldiers. J. R. KENDRICK. THE SOLDIRS’ ORPHANS Were not forgotten. Words were spoken in their favor and prayers uttered in their be half; and the Association exhibited its inter est in the subject of educating them by the passage of the following resolution: Resolved, That this Association highly com mends the object of the Soldiers’ Orphan As sociation, originated at the last Georgia Bap tist Convention, and urges upon the brethren of the Churches of the Association, to give the enterprise a hearty and liberal assistance; and we cordially invite the General Agent of the Association, Rev. 11. H. Tucker,, to visit and present the claims of the soldiers’ orphans within the bounds of this Association. In connection with which resolution, we give another, offered by Rev. F. M. Haygood, and adopted by the body: Resolved, That it is the sense and desire of this Association, that special and earnest prayer be made by Christians throughout the Confederacy, for the release and comfort of our soldiers and citizens who are now confined in Federal prisons. CONTRIBUTIONS. The amount sent up for various ob jects, including $96 for the Index, and $347 57 for army missions, was $855 52 Amount contributed for Foreign Missions 1,018 50 Collections for Domestic Missiofls.. 444 75 “ from colored Church, for African Missions 65 25 Sabbath collection for sending the Index and Banner to the soldiers, 304 15 §2,688 17 THE REPOT OF BRO t VAN HOOSE, Missionary of the Association to the army, was read,” and excited much interest, show ing, as it did, that he had bjeen laboring stren uously and effectively; and it decided the brethren to maintain so efficient a laborer in that inviting field, at an increase of salary. The following is an approximation to the amount of labor performed by him since the latter part of January last; Sermons preach ed, 113 ; Baptized, 41 ; pages of tracts dis tributed, 17,376 ; papers distributed, 2,838; Testaments distributed, 26; Biblea, 1 ; Hymn Books, 126. His ministerial labors had been mnch interrupted by the retrogade movement, and the constant fighting of the army of Ten nessee. But when not employed in preach ing he has been actively engaged as a member of a Battle Field Relief Committee, and also, exerted himself much in missionary duty among the sick and wounded of the hospitals. We earnestly hope that the churches of the Association will see the necessity of contrib uting liberally and speedily to the support of Bro. Van Hoose, as their army missionary. The following brethren were elected Dele gates to the next Baptist State Convention : E. W. Warren, T. J. Burney, D. E. Butler, E. Jewell, F. M. Haygood, W. T. Brantly, S. BoykiD, R. D. Mallary, J. R. Kendrick, S. E. Brooks, and A. Sherwood. The next session of the Association will ho t held with the Brownwood Church, Morgan j county, Ga., and Rev. J. R. Kendrick, with Rev. E. Jewell, Alternate, was elected to preach * the introductory sermon. Rev. E. W. War ren, (Dr. Wm. T. Brantley, alternate,) was elected to preach the missionary sermon. In conclusion to this sketch, hastily writ- 1 ten for our present issue, we append the well- : merited resolution passed by the Association, thanking the citizens for their hospitality : Resolved,. That this body tender thanks tp the brethren and citizens of Eatonton, for their. kindness and hospitality : also, to the Methodist brethren for the use of their house of worship. i We pray that the “ peace of God” may abide with this entire community. “Come to Jesus.” It will be seen, in another column, that Rev! F.*M. Haygood, Agent of the Bible and Colperteur Society, proposes issuing a large edition of that excellent tract, “ Come to Je sus,” and, also, that he appeals to the Chris tians of the several denominations to aid him, receiving in exohange for their money** s ** . trib’uted, copies of the tract, at cost price.— We commend his scheme to our brethren, and toother denominational papers, aud ask them to call attention to it. Bro. Haygood's facili ties for issuing a large and neat edition, are very good, and all those desirous of procur ing copies of this most evangelical tract for army distribution, are solicited to forward him a remittance, according to the number of copies desired. Personal. Rev. W. C. Buck is transferred from Mont gomery to Shelby Springs, where he is doing a good work as Missionary of the Domestic Board. Rev. T. W. Tobey is laboring in the hospit als in Montgomery, as Missionary of the Do mestic Board. His labors are highly appre ciated by surgeons and soldiers. Rev. W. H. Robert, Agent for the Domestic Board, is in Georgia, engaged upon his riiis sion, and we hope his efforts will prove successful. He will visit such Associations as may be in his power, and, as the cause he represents is the most important now claiming the attention of Baptists, we hope his appeals will be responded to lib erally. Let it be recollected that the expenses of the Board in supporting many army mis sionaries is heavy; and be it also remembered thattke best way to secure God’s blessing up on our army is to work faithfully in his cause in that army. Those who honor God lie will honor. BOOK NOTICES. Nellie Norton ; or Southern Slavery and the Bible—a Scriptural refutation of the princi pal arguments upon which Abolitionists rely —a vindication of Southern slavery from tho Old and New Testaments, by Rev. E. W. Warren. Published by Burke, Boykin & Cos., Macon, Ga. This is the work of which a portion ap peared in the columns of tho Index, and which was so highly complimented by several of the secular papers, while a few chapters were ap pearing in the “Daily Telegraph” Newspa per. It is a volume of 208 pages, very neatly printed, put up and covered. Its execution doe3 great credit to the publishers, during these war times. Its style is smooth and flow ing, its diction choice, and its sentiments al ways such as are calculated to elevate. The hook has been written with the single aim of discussing the subject of slavery, and proving its authority from the Bible—its ar gument is drawn strictly from the Bible, and may, therefore, he considered irrefragable.— At such a time as this, it was much needed, and We hail its appearance as an event calcu lated to settle the minds of all the wavering upon a subject which has, by its agitation, dis turbed the whole civilized world, and brought upon it a perfect deluge of misfortune, all through the wicked passions and infidel ten dencies of designing and ambitious men—men grasping for power. There is a delicate and interesting thread of story running through its pages which lends ’ attraction to its perusal. The characters are well drawn and sustained: to the last the ar gument preserves its crushing force, meeting and overwhelming every objection; and the reader is not permitted to rise until his mind is satisfied that slavery is a Scriptural insti tution. Occasional flashes of humor illumine its pages; portraitures of Southern life in va rious interesting aspects arc given ; and a truthful representation of Southern slavery is exhibited—all of which will have due effect, we hope, upon the Northern mind, and upon the public sentiment of Europe, if the work should ever be issued, as it deserves, from the European press. General Orders fiom the Adjutant and In spector General’s Office, Confederate States Army, from January 1, 1864, to July 1, 1864, inclusive, prepared from files of Head quarters, Department of S. C.. Ga. and 1 la., by R. C. Gilchrist, Acting Judge Advocate General: with full Index, Explanatory Notes, and such decisions of the War De partment as could be collected touching matters oT general concern to the service. Published at Columbia by Evans and Cogs well, 1864. This, for business men and army officials, exceedingly useful book, hap been sent us by the Publishers. It is very neatly printed, and forms an invaluable sequel to the Ist volume of General Orders, noticed by us sometime since. We know it to be very highly prized by an eminent law firm to whom we present ed the first volume, arid v?e presume all busi ness men and those connected with the army will rejoice to obtain the work, as it is full and. complete, and presents all necessary in formation connected with the army. Absence. The editor has been absent this week, at tending the Central Association, and Was no} able to give much personal attention to edito rial details. Will be Kept Up. The Index will he kept up—all mail failures to the contrary (apparently) notwithstand ing. Let all remember this who think of re mitting to us. Money may he sent by mail or Express, at our risk. Friends and well-wishers to the paper are urged to promote its circulation. We need money at this time, as our expenses are heavy. Key. W. H. Robert. This beloved brother, so well and favorably known to our brethren, is authorised to raise funds for tho objects of the Board of Domestic Missions, S. B. C., in Georgia. We feel as sured that he will meet with a cordial recep tion, and be able to rejoico in a liberal contri bution to his work. The time has come when tho Board must be sustained, or dismiss many of its most valuable and dependent Mission aries from its service. Brethren, what will -ytlll do to aid us ? Fifteen thousand dollars arc required to meet our monthly expenses. M. T. SUMNER, Corresponding Secretary. Notice to Missionaries of the Board of Do mestic Missions, S B. C. Missionaries will please notify the publish ers of the several religious papers, sent to them for distribution in the army, of any changes that may occur from time to time in their address, as this will save loss, and secure punctuality. M. T. SUMNER, 4t Corresponding Secretary. Dr. W. S. Lightfoot. This estimable brother and deacon of the Macon Baptist Church, was suddenly sum moned into tho presence of his Saviour on the 4th iust. without a moment’s warning. But he was ready. lie left his house to take his usual round in administering to his patients; hut had not driven more sqare before he was strick en with Apoplexy and sank into unconscious ness immediately and died by the time he was homo hack in his buggy to his home. For more than thirty years Bro. Lightloot had been an orderly and consistent member of the Baptist Church, for the last ten years a deacon of the. Macon Church. His dignified hearing, amiability and cour teousness, sanctified by his piety had greatly endeared him to the members of liis church, and, indeed, to all who knew him*well. Ilis pie ty was unostentatious and uniform; his charities ■were bestowed with a prudent, but plentiful hand. lie gave where it was needed and whatever supplied the necessity. He was a discreet and wise counsellor, the sequel gene rally vindicating the wisdom of his advice. Ilis professional services were alioays avail able for the poor. Many weep at his loss and will bless liis name so long as they live. His benevolent and generous hearts always re sponded to their wants. The city lias lost one of its most valuable citizens, liis profession one of its most skill* ful and courteous members, the church the invaluable services of a noble Christian gen tleman who was always a pattern for others; but his heart-stricken family have lost— more than all— Oh ! who can tell. May God comfort them in this sad hour. PASTOR. Resolutions Ot the Baptist Church of Macon on the death of Deacon W. S. Lightfoot. Whereas, It lias pleased God t-o remove from the church m ilitant to the church triumph ant, our beloved brother W. S. Lightfoot, a deacon of this church, Resolved therefore, That in the death of Bro. Lightfoot, this church lias lost one of its most estimable and rmiable brethren, a valu able and useful deacon who has filled that of fice well for nearly ten years, a courteous, consistent and upright member whose coun sels have been valuable and whose life has been a “living epistle known and read of all men,” and a co-laborer of irreproachable mor ! al and religious reputation, s Resolved, That in this bereavement of our ■ church, the poor of our congregation and city j have lest a sympathising friend whose pro -5 Jessional services have always been freely giv -1 en and gratefully received and. whose place - cannot again he filled. 5 Resolved, That as a church we tender our - heart-felt sympathies to the family of our de -1 ceased brother, praying that this affliction 1 may work for them and us a far more exceed ing and eternal weight of glory. E. W. WARREN, Mod. R. D. Mallary, Clk. Acknowledgments- Mr. Editor.— Please acknowledge, through the columns of the Index, the following col lections for Army Colporcage— Columbus, Ga . $1356.00 Eufaula, Ala. . . 300.00 - Mobile,Ala. . . 1000.00 Tuskegee, Ala. . 240.00 Montgomery . . 1250.00 . $4140.33 For various reasons, I have concluded to re turn to Virginia until the Fall, when I hope to resume my collections in Alabama, and to avail myself of the kind invitations of various pastors. The warm-hearted hospitality every where experienced will be gratefully remem bered. “J. B. TAYLOR, Jr., Army Missionary. Aug. 23, 1864. Received for Bro. Barmw. We have received for this afflicted brother from E. W. 8., SSO.