Newspaper Page Text
CHRISTIAN IN DEX~AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
VOL. 46-NO. 2.
A RELIGIOUS AND FAMILY PAPER,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN ATLANTA, GA.
•T. J. TOO X, Proprietor.
FOK TERMS REFER TO SECOND PAGE.
Commnnicaticas.
Tliong-hts.
SUGGESTED BY I JOHN III: 1, *2, 3.
“ Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us that we should be call
ed the sons of God ; therefore the world know
eth us n*>t, because it knew him not. Beloved,
now are we the »*ns of God, and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that
when he shall appear, we shall be like him ;
for we shall see him as he is. And every man
that bath this hope in him purifieth himself,
even as He is pure.” . «
TTiehistory of the world, as exemplified in the
rise and fall of nations, and in the punishment of
crime in individuals, presents God to our view
as a just God ; one who can not look upon sin !
bat with abhorrence, and who, though long
suffering, will certainly punish the wicked.
Sodom and Gomorrah have been destroyed;
Babylon ha* (alien ; populous No is empty ;
Nmeveh is no more; Tyre and Sidonhave been
swept awa\ ; Bosrah, the city hewn out of a
rock by Edom, has been overthrown ; Philistia
ha* fallen, and Jerusalem has been laid waste.
But in the gospel we see him exhibiting
ar.other of his attributes. “God is Love.”
Oar Savior in his conversation with Nicode
rnus, proclaimed, “ God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son, that i
whosoever fcelieveth on him might not per- i
ish, but have everlasting life.” And the |
apostle here takes up the theme, “The won- j
dert'ul love of God;” and to attract our at
tention more forcibly, he says, “ Behold”—
well may we stop to ponder, to admire, the |
astonishing love of God—“behold whatman- |
ner of love the Father has bestowed.” Our
Savior says, “ The Father himself loveth j
you”—“ bestowed upon us that we should be
called the sons of God.” Not only called, but
are, by adoption, sons of God, heirs of God,
and joint heirs with Christ. “ Now,” says the
apostle, “ are we the sons of God ; and it doth !
not yet appear what we shall be.” If sons, j
what more can we desire ? Sons of God ! j
Let us walk worthy of our high vocation, j
sons of God I And as though that were not
enough, he adds, “ And it doth not yet appear
what w e shall be.” Something more glorious, \
if possible, is in reserve for those who love j
God. Well might the apostle exclaim, “ Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath en
tered into the heart of man the things which
God hath prepared for them that love him.”
“It doth not yet appear what we shall be.”
Oh! if we*could by faith realize the certainty
of these things, should we not with Paul, for
getthij, tiii thing! wtiicli are behind, press to
ward the mark for the prize of our high call
ing of God in Christ Jesus. “ But we know,”
he adds, “ tha when heshall appear we shall be
like him, for we shall see him as he is.” What
a reason! “ V. c shall see him as he is.” This
mortal shall put on immortality; these vile
bodies shall be changed and become like his glo
rious body ; changed from glory to glory as by
the soiritofGod. Like Moseson the Mount, we
shall be changed ; our faces shall be resplen
dent with the reflected glory of Jesus. Our
souls, no longer sin-defiled, but washed and
made white in the blood of the Lamb, shall
be spotless. Our affections, no longer drawn
to the transitory things of time, shall be
centered on Jesus, and unitedly we shall join
the ransomed in love to and adoration of our
adorable Savior. Worthy is the Lamb, will
not only be the language of our tongues, but
also of our hearts. The apostle further adds,
“ And every man that hath this hope in him,
purifieth himself even as He is pure.” Let us
pray for faith to believe, to grasp these glo
rious truths, that we may purify ourselves, and
that our affections may be habitually set on
things above, that we too may see him as he
is and be like him. L. P.
A Short Sermon.
Clifton Hill, Marietta, Doe. 23, 1866.
“ Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving
the Lord.”
The writer intended, many months since,
to offer the readers of the Index and Baptist
a few thoughts on the above text, but, having
practiced too energetically the first injunction
of the above passage, has been prevented the
development of the whole subject. It is ev
ident that there exist extremists on opposite
sides of this subject. For example, there are
persons whose entire religion seems to consist
jn their industry and diligence in business,
and whose boast is that they eat not the “ bread
iof idleness.” These have but little charity
for any who are not equally energetic in their
worldly avocations. On the other hand, there
are to be found many persons who at once
Cindemn an energetic business man as being
orldly-minded and covetous. This class
of persons think that an enterprising business
loan can not be a spiritualljt-minde.d .Christian.
Sow, it is clear that tlfe. ;
rWtthout making any
■s the true basis of Christian' I
Siy say of Christian character. Gospel
m Christ regards man as a perishable being,
weeding food and raiment, and subject to phy
gical want. Therefore, it demands of him en
"Srgy and diligence in providing for himself
and those under his care. The Gospel regards
man as a humane being, moved upon by be
-wyplent impulses, and therefore requires that
kh&Jahor that he may have to jfive to those
who need. The Gospel looks upon the world
as a great field of immortal souls, whitening
for an eternal harvest that must be gathered
by the use of meats ; and therefore urges dil
igence in business that means may be obtained
to propagate the Gospel and send out the
reapers. But, lest the man of business should
become too much enamored with his busi
ness, fie is equally urged to pursue his avoca
tion with fervency of spirit, and make his
very business subservient to the service of
God.
The true principle, then, is that no man is
*an efficient apd. mature Christian that fails to
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, ATLANTA, GA.; THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1867.
pursue with diligence some useful occupation,
unless he is prohibited by providential cir
cumstances. On the other hand, no man can
be a useful and exemplary Christian who is
so engrossed in business as to omit the latter
| injunction of the text —viz., fervency of spirit
|in serving the Lord. To develop the Chris
! tianity of the text requires that we should
| be much in communion with God leaning upon
him in our weakness, and praying his gracious
strength that we fulfill our Christian destiny
with triumph over the world, the flesh and
the devil. A Christian should never engage
in any kind of business upon which he can not
consistently ask the blessing of God; and
having begun by asking the direction and fa
vor of the Lord, he should, while in part de
voting his time to his employment, devote
the employment itself and all its results to
God. He should act and feel as if he were
God’s steward, working for God’s cause and
ready, in all that he is and all that he has, to
promote the honor and glory of God. Let
these thoughts prevail with all Christians, and
there will be no vagrants in the church ; neither
will be found any professors of religion pros
ecuting unholy traffic in those things which
tend to drown men’s souls in perdition.
W. L. M.
Eufaula Correspondence.
Dear Brother Toon :—The church in this
city is again without a pastor. Some weeks
ago we extended a permanent call to Rev.
W. N. Reeves, who has served us as pastor
for some six or seven years. He declines,
and hence we are without a pastor. Learning
that the health of Rev. A. J. Battlg was de
clining under the arduous labors of the presi
dency of the Judson Female Institute, which
he is now occupying, and hoping that he might
be induced to return and settle among those
with whom he spent the early years of his
life, the church unanimously invited him to be
come her pastor. We earnestly hope that bro.
Battle may accept; for certainly no one could
come here under more promising circumstan
ces of usefulness. Should he decline, I know
not where the church will look next.
Under the efficient superintendence of
brother R. D. Mallory, now president of the
Union Female College in this city, we have a
large and flourishing Sabbath school. On yes
terday afternoon the Sabbath school and
friends met at the Baptist house of worship
to enjoy our annual Christmas tree. It far
exceeded all former occasions of the kind
among us. There were too large cedar trees,
extending their branches to the ceiling of the
house, placed at the front corners of the plat
form. There was a beautiful arch spanning
the entire space between the trees. On this
arch was printed in large letters, “ On earth
peace, good will to men.” Then back of the
platform and just above the sofa was a small
er arch. On this arch were the words, “Glory
to God in the highest.” All over these trees,
suspended to every branch, were various
ornaments and presents. Many of these pre
sents were most valuable—articles of wearing
apparel of the most useful and substantial
kind.
The house was then made as dark almost
as night, and the lamps lighted. Just in front
and in the center of the first arch, was a beau
tiful and brilliant star, ingeniously made of
lighted candles. This was to represent the
star which appeared unto the wise men and
led them to the place where the infant Jesus
lay. Then a row of brilliant candles was
placed upon the top of the front arch, and also
placed in various parts of the trees. The
whole presented one of the most beautiful and
striking scenes 1 ever beheld.
When all was ready the excited and anx
ious children entered at the back door, the
girls filing to the right, and the boys to the
left, and filling the middle seats. Next prayer
was offered by brother Reeves, and then comes
the heart-stirring and soul cheering music in
which most of the children united. This
school sings well, and is fast improving under
the untiring efforts of brother Mallory.
And now and last comes the distribution of
the presents. The articles were taken one by
one, and the name written ; then, on being
called aloud, the fortunate one would come
forward and receive it
It was most interesting to witness the oper
ation, to see the great anxiety and interest
visible in the faces of more than one hundred
pupils as each article was taken down apd the
name read out.
Those who managed it endeavored to ob
tain the name of every scholar and to have
something for every one. Most of the teachers
shared in the presents, and some friends who
had been active and liberal in arranging for
the occasion.
The scene closed about sundown, and all
returned home with light hearts and happy
faces, wishing that Christmas would come
oftener. *
Such occasions much encourage the children,
and do much toward sustaining an interest in
the school.*
And now. brother Toon, before closing this
hastily written article, permit me to say a
word about brother Reeves. Do you know
any church wanting a pastor ? If so, that
church might secure the services of this broth
er. For reasons satisfactory to himself he de
clines the call of this church. Still he is anx
ious to devote his energies and his life to the
work of the ministry. Unless Some such
opening should present itself soon, 1 brother
Reeves may be lost to the ministry. He must
do something to sustain his young and grow
ing family; and if he can not do it by preaching
—the way he prefers—he must do it in some
other way.
Brother Reeves has been unfortunate. He
had two good business houses, the rent of
which did much toward his support; but in
the late fire here, these’buildings were burned
down, and his last means cf support—outside
his personal efforts—cut off.
And permit me to congratulate you on
your success in obtaining trie services of Dr.
Shaver as editor of tiie Index and Baptist,
and express this hope that the denomination
will now come up ; and liberally sustain the
paper. Yours truly, s
* A. VanHoose.
Eufaula, Dec. 25, 1866*
Sew Sunbury Association —A Ministers’ In
stitute.
I have recently witnessed what to me was
new : the dissolution of an Association, and
the constitution of anew one. The Sunbury
Association, next, perhaps, to the Georgia in
age, is no more. It was sad to witness its
death and burial; it was dear to us for the
good it had accomplished, and for the fathers’
sake. The result was brought about by the
recent w’ai. Nearly half of its churches were
colored, and since the war, these have with
drawn and formed the Zion Baptist Associa
tion. The remaining churches have become
so feeble as to preclude the hope of much ef
ficiency in their associated capacity. Other
churches, having withdrawn from the Union
and Piedmont, agreed to unite with us in
forming anew Association. We have united
upon the platform of the Old Georgia Asso
ciation, and adopted the name of New Sun
bury. May the glory of this latter body be
greater than that of the former, and its end
less sad.
What say the brethren to a Ministers’ In
stitute for Georgia 1 Our brethren of South
Carolina are agitating the subject, and will
probably form one next summer. The idea
strikes me favorably, and I think it is practi
cable. The ministry of Georgia need a more
intimate acquaintance and sympathy—more of
the esprit de corps. Then, great benefit would
arise from the discussion of important points
in theology, church order, ecclesiastical history,
and pastoral duties. Who doubts but that a
week spent insuch exercises as are proposed by
a ministers’institute, would be largely bene
ficial to the ministers and the churches?
Why not hold one next summer at Penfield,
the week after Commencement? The build
ings there are ample ; and board could be
provided for a comparatively small amount.
Then it would bring our ministers to Com
mencement, and thus afford a better acquaint
anee with the college, resulting in a deeper
interest and a larger patronage. We can se
cure men in our own and from other States,
whose lectures would be deeply interesting
and full of instruction.
1 throw out the suggestion. If there should
exist sufficient interest to justify the forma
tion of an institute, the practical details can
be worked out. * S. L.
Savannah, Dec., 1806.
Domestic Missions.
With the opening of the new year, we
wish to see anew opening of the hearts and
pockets of our brethren with reference to Do
mestic Missions. It is truly a great work.
When I think of the ninety self-denying min
isters of Jesus whom the Board is now sus
taining—of the one thousand souls they have
been instrumental in rescuing from eternal
woe during the year just past (as per their
reports)—and of the dark unu benighted por
tions of our land they are filling with gospel
light and gospel privileges—l can but feel, in
common with the popular heart of our de
nomination, that the Domestic Mission Board
is accomplishing a great and glorious work.
During the year 1867, I want every body to
give something to this cause. What is more,
I want to call on every body ; and those lean
net call on I wish to send word to. Let us
have your tens, fifties and hundreds, accord
ing to your several ability. These Macedo
nian fields are all white to the harvest, and
every time you give you thrust a sickle in
whose reaping will inure to the filling of the
great granary of the Lord.
M. B. Wharton,
Agent D. M. B.
Macon, Jan. 1,1867.
To Subscribers to Domestic Missions.
January Ist has arrived—the time at which
all pledges fall due. —and many have failed to
send in their contributions. This has been
owing, in some instances, to ignorance of the
proper channel through which to transmit it.
I now say to all brethren whose pledges I
hold, that my head-quarters are at Macon,
and all communications will reach me here, if
sent either by mail or express. When the
amounts are large send by express. It is time
all these amounts were in, as our needy mis
sionaries are now to be paid for their labors
among the destitute. Brethren will please
send on their contributions without further
notice, and they will be duly acknowledged.
M. B. W BARTON,
Agent D. M. B.
Macon, Jan. 1, 1867.
“ Nicodemus with Jesus.”
A little work bearing
Rev. J. M. R. Otu, u s Gr J
fallen into my hands, in Jm
it to y>« ll r readers, ft “W 1
considered discussion
volved in that interestii/'
, , , T „ _ . . relief of the jwm*-**~
blessed Lord’s teaching. . infew
words, what has evidently the result of
much study, and exhibits, in a very impress
ive way, the great truths of regeneration and
redemption. It will be a valuable addition to
our Sunday School and Bible Class libra
ries. Yours truly,
B. Manly, Jr.
Greenville, S. C.
Go to Christ.— Jesus Christ is always
near you. Go to him as your Master for
grace to study, to love, and to follow his In
structions.
Go to him as your Lord, that, you may love
and serve him faithfully, and : fulfill all his
commands.
Go to him as your Pattern, that you may
follow his example and imitate his virtues.
Go to him as your Savior, that he may
cleanse your heart from sin, and make you
pure in his blood.
Go to him as your King, that he may give
laws to- your soul, and that you may obey
his laws, and never rebel against his author
ity.
Go to him as your Shepherd ; for you are
one of the lost sheep he came to seek, that
you may be kept from straying from his
blessed fold. I , ;
S’ride is observed to defeat its own end, by
bringing the man who seeks esteem and rev
erence into contempt. — Bolingbroke.
, ) =
Political Religion.
The humorist of the Baltimore Episcopal
Methodist happily illustrates “ the fundament
al error, that God, having made certain
retired from the enforcement of them, and left
the Northern churches to be his general po
lice officers, with plenary powers to determine
what is wrong and correct it in whatever way
may seem to them good.” We quote a par
agraph :
“ In the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, one
of the official journals of the New England
Northern Methodist Church, under the head
‘Special Notices —Quarterly Meetings', we
find an invitation to be cured of the itch;
with assurance of successful treatment at the
hands of an operator from Massachusetts. At
first we did not know what to make of this
strange quarterly meeting ‘business. We
knew that asking questions *§ sometimes
pushed very far on such occasions, but we
had never heard the state of the skin inquired
into, nor seen a Presiding^Elder vo around
the room in the style with
spoon and sulphur. jjfl^Hhcrefore,
it must have been a p? ; or may
be, as nobody commits blunders in the North,
it might have been a sharp trick of the brim
stone vender, to draw attention to his wares
by presenting the revolting matt*?* under a
religious introduction. But upcu? reflection,
we see no reason to seek extranei jfs explana
tions. The system under whifehxhe Church
is working makes the itch a very proper mat
ter for discipline. It is an evil —ail evils re
suit from sin—they are opposed to the will
of God—the church is in God’s
will; whatever is wrong, is sjn-Jthe church
hates sin—is established to root Aut sin—and
chooses to fight it separately ; intfll its forms
and details. For turning the Ethiopian white,
the church has a bureau ; for cm biy itch, why
should it not have a quarterly meeting? Its
mission is to put things right. Every body
knows itch is not right. It is th ’retire rebel
lion against God, who made all 'lands equal
and free of -eruptions. Itch is aw<rk of Satan.
Is ho not ‘ Old Scratch ?’ Seriously we do not
see why the church that has undertaken, in
’he name of God, to take care of politics and
civil matters, should not extend tXieir care to
physical evils too. They have as, much war
rant fur one as the other, and as much ability
too. The itch comes particularly ivithin their
province, for they seem to have no confidence
in any remedy but sulphur.”
We would fain hope that those who have
shown themselves proof against tie massive
sword of argument, would be readied by this
lighter shaft of wit. But no. Asti he Metho
dist says : “ It is easier to be a Reformer than
a Christian, precisely as it is easier to be proud
and censorious and tyrannical, thr humble
and charitable and just.” Neiti '-u wit nor
argument will suffice when grace has failed, to
rectify the political religionism of '.he times.
Praying Every Where, y
We are not like children that must go- out
from our Father’s house in, the mUrning, to
spend the working,,.day awa# from J4i.“
only to come back rung. nd;
we are with Him, and Iw with us,ydl the day
through. We never leave His presence; He
is beside us through all ou • wjork, cur weari
ness, our perplexity, our '* orry, day : -
and we may tell Him wh#“we Want, and how
we are feeling—not stiffly and formally, twice.
a day, at morning and -evening, b> as often
as we please. He will not weary < f listening?;
to us, if we do not weary of speakffg to Him.
We need not limit ourselves, to morning and
evening prayer. Twenty times, and far more
than that, as you go through your day’s work,
the eye may look up for a moment, the heart
may be lifted, the brief word may carry up to
God’s ear the story of your need, and of your
trust in him. Sitting down at y:>ur desk, and
taking up your pen—if t/ia f be your work —
O, you do not know how much better you
may do it for just covering your, eyes with
your hand for a minute, and asking God’s
blessing in prayer. Or dealing with your
fellow-men —some of them impracticable and
wrong-headed enough—some of 'hem sharp
set and low-principled enough—some of them
provoking and stupid enough—how much bet
ter you will keep your temper amid the pro
vocations of business —with how much clear
er head and kinder heart you will treat with
your fellow-sinners, for a word of silent
prayer! If you desire to influence any one
for good, remember how wisely it has been
said that the shortest road to any human
heart is round by God, and explain to your
Heavenly Father all you wish to do. Every
little pain will be better borne, and every lit
tle joy enhanced, by a moment’s silent men
tion of them to God. You can, alone with
him, speak of a host of little things which
really make a great part in your thoughts and
in your life, yet which are less suitable for
speaking of in united prayer with other peo
ple. — Watchman.
Dying Testimony. »
The following extract is taken from the ac
count given by the editor of the N. W. Pres
byterian of the emi
i befsLV the Second Bapt^B
and en
of '
quoting Scripture la; *}
it when minted in ■#,
»“T dicin' God said jftthhttt a fear,
because I dte jn Christ.” “* die in the
strength of the Lord Jesus Chrbt, the eternal
Son of God, who redeems us fror<& iniquity
and the damning evil of sin, by us a
new spiritual nature. Seekjhim and put your
trust in him.” He repeated morq than once
the passage, “ Thanks be unto God, who giv
eth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.” He said, “the time of my depart
ure has come; l have fought a good fight; I
have finished my course; 1 have kept the
faith ; henceforward there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness,” &c. As the closing
scene approached he said, “ Into thine hands,
O, Father, 1 commit my spirit, through Jesus
Christ, thy Son.” As he lay with his eyes
intently looking upward his brother said to
him, “ What are you looking at so intently,
brother?” He said, “I see heaven opened,
and Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.”
“ Is Jesus with you ?” he was afterwards asked.
“ Yes; O, yes.” After a while he vas asked
again; “Is Jesus still withyoo?” “Yes,
yes.” ;
Church Sociability. —The SchuylkiiS Falls
Baptist Church have semi-annual chu/cl tea
parties and semi-annual Sunday school festi
vals, so arranged that they alternate qun-Udrly.
Thus, four times a year, the whole church as
sembles in a social meeting as one grert fam
' ily, enjoy free conversation over an evening
j meal, and afterward mingle in songs, payers,
I and speeches.
The Grace of Lending.
A man may be your noble benefactor who
; never gave you a dollar, and another may be
j a terror to you though he has given you gold
j in your hour of need ; the kind word of the
| first being like balm to the heart, while the
cold patronage of the other may be as spears
and arrows.
An aged, earnest minister of Christ, speak
ing of the trials of the past, said there had
been none so sore to him as those petty ones
connected with paying his bills when they ex
ceeded his power to do so. His was a noble
soul,above the influence of meanness; and his
inability to prove it to others, made him
wretched, destroying at times both his peace
of mind and his usefulness in the church.
“ The want of ten dollars to meet some obli
gation,” he said, “has thrown, at times, such
a cloud over my mind that my pulpit prepara
tions have been hindered, and my Sabbath’s
joy, if not its work, lost.”
At one time this man labored most vigor
ously And with great self-denial to build up a
church in an important field where the helpers
were few and mainly poor. He had, howev
er, one rich man who owned about a tenth of
the property in the village, and who was very
generous in great things. lie built half the
chapel, paid a quarter of the salary, gave well
to Foreign Missions, and—stopped there ! It
was no use to present the case of a poor church,
a distressed family, or even of an Indian or
Canadian Mission in our own land. He re
plied that he “ did all this work in a lump,
that ‘ Foreigti * meant ‘Asiatic;’ and that
‘ Home’ meant ‘ Our Chapel,’ ” in his vocab
ulary. Butin justice to him we will say that
the last field covered a turkey for the minister,
every Thanksgiving!
By and by the time came to this minister
—as it does occasionally to others—to leave;
and he began, like the honest man he was, to
to call in and to pay his bills. It required a
wondrous skill to make a little go so far; but
he accomplished it within twenty dollars.
This small amount was due at his rich broth
er’s store; he had paid all outside the fold and
all poor men first, feeling, that as he should
ask only u little time to meet this, there
could be no difficulty in the matter. What
was his amazement to be met with a cold re
fusal ! “ You must think lam made of gold,
sir;” the rich man said. “How do you ex
pect me to carry on this church and give as I
do to Missions, if my creditors do not meet
their.obligations ? I sincerely hope, sir, you
will not leave, for the church’s sake, till every
farthing you ow'e is paid ! I want my money.”
The minister was dumb with mortification.
But he was not one of those who trumpet
abroad their necessities, and atone for their
wants by denouncing the church. He iiad
long ago accepted anxiety Mnd poverty as part
of his fellowship with Christ.
He went thence to the house of an old man
whose eye was ever on him as he preached
the word, and whose heart had taken in the
blessed teachings of Christ in all humility.
He told him his necessity, but not of his late
rebuff; and said, “If you can lend me that
little sum—the first loan 1 ever asked in this
town —it w'ill greatly relieve my mind, and
God will acknowledge it in your favor. I
yill give you my note for the payment in two
months.”
“Your note!” cried the old man, putting
his hard hand into his pocket. “ I’d rather
have your word ).h|m aip niece of paper {
Here’s jus? the sum—waiting lor you, I guess,
iWhen you can pay it as w'ell as not, do •
and if that time never comes, let it go!
What is that between thee and me?” This
man was a real benefactor, a friend in need,
and God remembered the gentle act, though
it cost him nothing ; and the loving words fell
like dew on the parched heart of the anxious
of God. “My brother,” replied the
minister, “ this little loan is of more value to
me now r , than the gift of a hundred dollars
would be sometimes. I trust the day may
come when 1 can return the kindness, as I
shall soon do the money. Till then, I will
ask God daily to give you what most he sees
for your good. We may never meet again,
so I have a w r ord to leave with you which may
cheer you in some hour of despondency ; it is
this : W hatever of success God has granted
me here, in allowing me to build up his
church and to gather in souls, will in part, be
ascribed to you. For you have always held
up my hands and encouraged my heart; your
presence and attention have cheered me, in
all weathers, in the sanctuary ; and your sym
pathy and prayers strengthened me in the so
cial meeting. Your voice has always been
for peace —a righteous peace ; and no incon
sistency of yours has ever given the lie to
my words—that the Christian is “ anew
man.”
That daily prayer for “God’s best gift”
ascended a little while from the pastor’s new
home, and then came the news that prayer
was no longer needed fur the dear, humble
old man. God had come very gently ana
saved him from his life-long fears of dying;
translating him from the lowly room where
he daily toiled, as unto the Lord, and crown
ing him among the sanctified in glory.
It is not probable that ever that faithful
disciple was able to give away, at one time,
twenty-five dollars; but the little sums came
and went as the drops of water do which, in
the end, make the river. None was ever sent
from that little shop, empty away; if the
money was low, the love was not; and kind
words and aid in some other form was sure.
From him that would borrow, this man never
turned away; and thus he often relieved want
while he spared humiliation.
voice that says, “ He that giveth
to the Lord,” says also,
oKat would borrow of thee, turn
u
r-ft"requires more grace to lend than to give;
and one duty can not be substituted for the
other simply becausg it is more agreeable.
The borrower may be as well off as the lend
er, and therefore he neither needs, nor would
he accept, actual charity ; but in some peculiar
hour of trial an act of brotherly kindness
which costs nothing may relieve him and
make him a grateful friend as well as a ser
vant to the lender.— Christian Era.
“Tiie Promised One.” —Men may be in
sane for opinions, but who can be insane for
ffiets! The coming of Christ was prophesied
a thousand years before. From the begin
ning of his ministry, he lived wholly before
the eyes of mankind. 11 is life corresponds
with the prophesies in circumstances truly
beyond the scope of conjecture, contrivance
or power. The virgin mother—the village
in which he was born—the lowliness of his
cradle —the worship paid to him there—the
hazard of his life —all were predicted. Could
the infant have shaped the accomplishment of
these predictions ? The death that he should
dig the hands by which it was to be inflicted
even the draught that he should drink—the
raiment that he should be clothed in the
sepulchre in which he should be laid—all
were predicted. Could the man have shaped
these accomplishments? The time of his
resting in his tomb —his resurrection —his as
cent to heaven—the sending of the Holy Spirit
after he was gone —ail were predicted. All
were beyond human collusion —human power
—even beyond human thought. All were
accomplished ! Is not here the finger of God 1
Christian Observer.
A Wonderful Mill.
The owner of a certain mill took pains in
building it to use only the best materials.
The owner intended it to grind wheat for his
own use, and charged the man who took it to
use none but the best of ivheat, to keep the
mill in repair, and to make it his aim to see
how perfect would be the flour produced. It
would be difficult to describe this mill accu
rately. It was so constructed that it was al
ways well housed, yet so portable that the oc
cupant could move it around wherever he
chose. There is no need at present of my
telling you the name of the miller, but you
know him. The mill was also so constructed
that it was always grinding something—if not
flour something else—a most productive con
eern. It so happened that it must be fed of
ten, and it required great care to tend it.
Passing this mill one day, I heard a conver
sation between the owner and the tenant.
“ What is the matter with our mill ?” asked
the owner.
“Why, nothing that I know of. It keeps
grinding all the time, and consumes a great
deal, and produces a great deal.”
“ Yes, but what awful flour it produces ! It
is not fit for use.. It can’t be used for bread,
pies or cake. Now you know 1 have taken
great pains to have this mill produce none but
the very best of flour.”
“ 1 know it, sir, but it don’t work well. I
know it don’t produce what it ought to make.”
“Do you feed it ?” .
“Yes, 1 always keeD the hopper full.”
“Full of what?”
“ Wheat, si;, if I can get it. Butyouknow
that real good wheat is dear to buy, and heavy
to lift, and so 1 don’t always feed the mill
with wheat.”
“ Indeed ! May 1 ask you what you do
grind up in place of wheat ?”
“Well, sir! sometimes find it convenient
to put in chopped straw, and much chaff with
little wheat. And sometimes when lamina
hurry, l throw in dirt, and even ‘filthy rags.’
If the mill clogs, I pick it out as well as I can,
and let it grind on. Chaff and straw are so
light that I like to use them. Sometimes I
smoke the machinery with tobacco, or oil it
with whisky, but never let it stop. Indeed,
you know, sir, it w<-n’t stop. I hope you are
satisfied with the quantity it grinds.”
“ Perfectly. But what a perversion to
make my beautiful mill receive all these use
less and foolish and hurtful things, and put me
off with the results and call them flour!”
“It doesn’t seem quite right, I know. But
it is so much work to watch the mill, and see
that wheat is put in just at the right time,
that I want to take an easier way.”
The abused owner, seeing that there was
nothing but dishonesty and indolence, had the
tenant cited to appear before a judge. Now,
this court was held in a great hall, and there
Judge ■Conscience took his seat, and heard the
case, and gave an awful sentence against the
occupier of the mill. He was condemned to
eat nothing but the filthy stuff he had been
running through the mill ever sin#e he took
it; and as the heap was enormously large, it
was thought that he would never get through
with the punishment —especially as, after all
this, he continued to scrape in chaff and dirt
and stones, and every thing he could get hold
of with his hands. The owner was grieved
exceedingly, and offered to remit the sentence
and the punishment, if he would even thVn
jjrlnd only wheat. Butanol the. jpnn
.‘promise no-such thing, and there the pour
ruined mill keeps on grinding -and be Uylng
to eat its produce ! » " J .
My reader, do you understand my parable 1
The mill is the human heart. The wheat is
truth and light from the Bible, and good
thoughts. But when, as you know, the heart
will be ever, like the mill, grinding what you.
put into it, you fill it with chaff in the shape
of foolish novels and works of fiction, or fill
it with books and bad thoughts of bad men,
you are putting dirt into it. When you sin,
and fill the heart with your sins, you are put
ting in stones and all manner of evil. Purity
of heart and holy thoughts are the wheat of
the soul, such as God seeks, and such as" he
intended the heart to produce. Your heart,
dear reader, is a machine of great capabilities,
and it can be fed with the finest of wheat, or
with the filthy things of sin. With which are
you daily filling it? And when the great
owner comes, what will be the reward you
will receive for your use of that heart.— Rev.
John Todd, D.D
What Made Him Say That?
A little boy’s Testament lesson was the
story of Zaccheus. When he had read the
verse where Christ calls to the man in the
tree, “ Zaccheus, make haste and come down,
for to-day 1 must abide at thy house,” he
paused, and inquired, “ What made him say
that when he wasn’t invited ?” u
“ Because,” answered the teacher, “ Jesus,
being God as well as man, knew every thing
about Zaccheus. He looked into his heart,
and knew his thoughts; aqd he saw that he
would be welcome.”
The child was satisfied that it-was proper
for the Lord to speak thus to a stranger, and
went on with the lesson ; but I kept thinking,
“ What made him say that?” For Christ
never goes to a house where he is not wanted.
The chief of the publicans was eager to see
the wonderful prophet) he was willing to take
much pains for the privilege; and his heart
was ready to respond to the Messiah’s call.
It is a beautiful thought, that, without a word
on the publican’s part, the Savior should re
cognize a waiting friend. j
Zaccheus was rich ; and, in' his new Sense
of honor and of glory? he .gave, no doubt, a
noble entertainment to his distinguished guest.
A most blessed season they enjoyed over the
repast and in the hour of communion and re
pose, yet not for the costly fare, or the sump
tuous couch, or the rich perfumes, or the cour
teous attendance; the sweetness of the inter
view was in the holy, loving looks, the words
of truth, the peace and rest, which had never
before found place under that roof. Zaccheus
was a sinner, and he never saw how vile was
his heart and how small his possessions until
he felt the presence of infinite purity and
goodness. Jesus was a Savior, and he de
lighted to draw his generous host to himseif
in forgiveness and reverence and love.
So Jesus is ready now to come to every
house and every heart; he never waits, if he
but sees we are willing to receive him. And
the day of his coming is the sweetest of the
year, the most blessed of the lifetime. Ho
offers to be an abiding guest; to make his home
wherever he is welcomed; ta shed the fra
grance of his peace and love and beauty
through all the chambers of the soul. He
does not call in audible speech, as he did to
Zaccheus in the sycamore-tree; but the heart
recognizes the silent voice; and, if it is long
ing iike the publican, for intercourse with the
Lord, it will respond at once and receive him
joyfully.— Christian Banner.
A Paper kor Every Family.—A Presby
terian minister of Cincinnati was asked by the
editor of the Western Christian Advocate
whether his people generally took their church
paper ? “ Every family of them,” was the
reply. “We find that there is i*either health
nor progression where the religious newspa
per is not taken; hence, one of our rules is
to see that every family, however poor, is
supplied."
WHOLE NO. 2322.
ffortrg.
God.
O Thou Eternal One I whose presence bright
All space doth occupy, all motion guide—
Unchanged through time’s all-devastating flight!
Thou only God —there is no one beside!
Being above all beings ! Mighty" One,
Whom none can comprehend and none explore!
Who fill’st existence with Thyself alone—
Embracing all, supporting, ruling o’er—
Being whom we call God, and know no more!
«
In its sublime research, philosophy
May measure out the ocean-deep—may count
The sands or the sun’s rays—but, God! for Thee
There is no weight nor measure; none can mount
Up to thy mysteries; Reason’s brightest spark,
Though kindled by thy light, in vain would try
To trace Thy counsels, infinite and dark:
And thought is lost ere thought can soar so high,
Even like past moments in eternity.
Thou from primeval nothingness didst call
First chaos, then existence—Lord I in Thee
Eternity had its foundation; all
Sprung forth from Thee—of light, joy, harmony,
Sole Origin—all life, all beauty Thine;
Thj' word created all, and doth create;
Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine;
Thou art, and wert, and shalt be 1 Glorious 1
Great!
Light giving, life-sustaining Potentate.
Thy chains the unmeasured universe surround—
Upheld by Thee, by Thee iuspired with breath!
Thou the beginning with the end hast bound,
And beautifully mingled life and death !
As sparks mount upward from the fiery blaze,
So suns are born, so worlds spring forth from
Thee;
And as the spangles in the sunny rays
Shine round the silver snow, the pageantry
Os heaven’s bright army glitters in Thy praise.
A million torches lighted by Thy hand
Wander unwearied through the blue abyss—
They own Thy power, accomplish Thy command,
All gay with life, all eloquent with bliss.
What shall we call them 1 1 Piles of crystal light:
A glorious company of golden streams —
Lamps of celestial ether burning bright—
Suns lighting systems with their joyous beams t
But Thou to these art as the noon to night.
Yes ! as a drop of water in the sea
All this magnificence in Thee is lost:
What are ten thousand worlds compared to Thee?
And what am I then ?—Heaven’s unnumbered
host,
Though multiplied by myriads, and arrayed
In all the glory of sublimest thought,
Is but an atom in the balance, weighed
Against Thy greatness —is a cipher brought
Against infinity ! What am I then ? Naught 1
Naught! But the effluence of Thy light divine,
Pervading worlds, hath reached my bosom too;
Yes! in my sprit doth Thy spirit shine
As shines the sun-beam in a drop of dew.
Naught! but I live, and on hope’s pinions fly
Eager toward Thy presence —for in Thee
Hive, and breathe, and dwell; aspiring high,
Even to the throne of Thy divinity.
I am, O God! and surely Thou must be! |
Direct fnymndtrstanding then to Thee;
Control my spirit, guide my wandering heart;
Thtougg 1 but an atom midst immensity,
Still I am something, fashioned by Thy hand !
I hold a middle rank ’tfrixt heaven and earth—
On the last verge of mortal being stand, •
Close to the realms where angels have their birth,
Just on the boundaries of the spirit land!
The chain of being is complete in me—
In me is matter’s last gradation lost,
And the next step is spirit—Deity!
I can command the lightning, and am dust!
A monarch and a slave—a worm, a god!
Whence came I here, and how ? so marvelously
Constructed and conceived ? unknown ! this clod
Lives surely through some higher energy;
For from itself alone it could not be.
Creator, yes! Thy wisdom and Thy word
Created me ! Thou source of life and good !
Thou spirit of my spirit, and my Lord !
Thy light, Thy love, in their bright plenitude
Filled me with an immortal soul, to spring
Over the abyss of death; and bade it wear
The garments of eternal day, and wing
Its heavenly flight beyond this little sphere,
Even to its source—to Thee—its Author there.
O thoughts ineffable! O visions blest!
Though worthless our conceptions all of Thee,
Yet shall Thy shadowed image fill our breast,
And waft its homage to Thy Deity.
God! thus alone my lowly thoughts can soar,
Thus seek Thy presence—Being wise and good!
Midst Thy vast works admire, obey, adore;
And when the tongue is eloquent no more
The soul shall speak in tears of gratitude.
G. R. Derzhavin (Rue.) Trans, of J. Bowring.
An Affecting Scene.
The Richmond Enquirer, of a few days
since, has the following :
An affecting scene took place a few days
ago at the police station, which melted more
than one stern heart to tears. A young man
of most respectable connections had been ar
rested for drunkenness and disorderly con
duct, and was raving like a maniac in his cell,
when his aged mother, attired in widow’s
weeds, entered the station house, and request
ed to be allowed an interview. The request
was granted, and she stood face to face with
her erring son. The surprise almost sobered
him for a morpent, and he greeted her witn
manly tenderness, but the demon of intoxica
tion soon broke forth in fresh ravings. The
mother endeavored to calm and soothe him,
but without avail; his dulled ear was deaf
even to the tones of maternal love, and retir
ing from the cell she sank into a seat while
the sobs so long choked down, burst forth
with passionate vehemence for her son—her
fallen son, her fond hope and pride, the prop
and stay of her old age—for whom she would
willingly have laid down her life. For two
hours* her uncontrollable agitation had full
sway, and then, with an effort at calmness she
departed.
It was a scene which none could view with
out emotion, and spoke in thunder tones of
the evils of strong drink. For your own
sake, for your mother’s sake, for God’s sake,
spurn the intoxicating bowl. It is fraught
with ruin to body and soul; it is a liquid fire;
distilled damnation, the strongest weapon of
all the devil’s potent enginery. Don’t drink.
The ruby bowl may invite, but there is death
in every sparkle; tears and sighs in every
glowing drop. It will deprive you of health,
fortune, reputation and friends; mar your
every prospect, blight your every hope, bring
down the gray hairs of your parents in shame
and sorrow to the grave, and finally consign
you a poor, ldoated, disgraced wreck to a
paupers trench in Potter’s Field. Boys, don't
drink.— S. C. Advocate.
To be able to bear provocation, is an largu
ment of great reason, and to forgive it, of a
great mind. — Tiilotson.
