Georgia Historic Newspapers

    62
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J. J. TOON, - - • • Proprietor.
Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D., Editor.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1868.
Rev. R. B. C. Howell, D.D.
The shadow Os death rested, last week, on our
own household, and denied us the ppportunityof
paying a fraternal tribute . ( to the memory of this
great, good man. Buty while that shadow has
not lifted, the deep feeling awakened by his demise
forbids prolonged silence. Our reverence for his
character was too profound for that: we prized
too highly the friendship with which he was pleased
to honor Uft throngh many years, and which, we
pray God, the Better Land and the Endless Life
may renew.
The name of Dr. Howell is wrought into the
annals of the denomination. The history of
Southern Baptists, and more especially of Bap
tists in Tennessee, cannot be written without it.
As pastor, as editor, as advocate and office-bearer
in the grand Christian enterprises of the day, and
as author, he earned a wide influence while living,
and an enduring memorial now that death has
torn him from us. It was an enviable distinction,
that he should have been able to make himself
felt “ on the other side of the globe,” and measu
rably stamp his impress upon our reviving cause in
the heart of Europe—results flowing from the force
with which his able work on Communion struck the
mind of Oncken, and moulded, through him, the
order of the infant Baptist churches in Germany,
Denmark, Poland, Russia and Turkey.
In intellect, Dr. Howell belonged to the class
in whom the logical faculties, as distinguished
from the imaginative, largely hold the ascendant,
but who are preserved from cold abstraction by
that strength of affection which renders every
belief a practical energy—and who, therefore,
warm while they enlighten, and “kindle where
they guide.” Brain-power he possessed in marked
degree ; but he was gifted, in even greater meas
ure, w’ith that more excellent endowment —heart-
power. Genial, urbane, sympathetic, unselflsh,
perhaps there is no man among us, whose death
would recall to a larger number, the memory of
personal kindnesses received at his hands. There
may be those who deem that he held erroneous
opinions on some points; but even they must
confess that he held none which were not the
honest dictate of his judgment—none which were
unsteady and wavering—none which were kept
back from frank and fearless utterance —none
which were not tolerant of dissent and open to
correction—none which lay out of harmony with
the doctrines embodied in Evangelical Christiani
ty, or with the spirit it inbreathes. It was meet
that a character of such high worth and a life of
such varied usefulness as his, should be crowned
with a peaceful death; and, while the hour of
crowning has come all too soon for our regretful
love, who shall doubt that the wisdom of the
Master has ordered it, lest the spirit of His ser r
vant, alive to the impulses and fertile in the meth
ods of Christian work, should chafe under the
enforced inactivity of paralysis through long,
weary years? Reverently, therefore, and with
out murmuring, we relinquish him, for the little
season that remains to us of mortal life, in hope
of re-union when the summons which he has
obeyed calls writer and reader alike to the life
immortal.
We give an abstract of the funeral discourse
preached by Dr. Skinner; and the account of the
obsequies published in the Nashville Banner of
the Bth inst.
SYNOPSIS OF FUNERAL SERMON OF REV. R. B. C.
HOWELL, D.D.
Delivered in the First Baptist Church, Nash
ville, by the Pastor, Rev. T. E. Skinner, D.D.,
April 7th, ’6B.
“There remaineth, therefore, a'rest to the people of
God.”— Heb. iv.: 9.
This is a solemn hour to the “people of God.”
The careless even, seem to hear the low murmurs
of the stream which is floating us all onward into
eternity, for “ a great man hath fallen this day
in Israel.”
But why are we so loth to give up our dead?
Why so reluctant ourselves to die?
The love of life is unquestionably the simplest
and strongest principle of our nature. The sight
of death inspires us with a visible horror, and we
cling to life with an increasing tenacity. When
is it, except in the very extremities of distress,
that we cannot cry most fervently in the prayer
of the Psalmist, “0 spare me, that I may recover
strength before I go hence, and am no more
seen ?”
There must be some great principle, universal
in its operation, and hence a law in us, which
thus guides and controls our feelings.
It may be, that it is a divinely planted principle,
intended to lead us aright, though perchance
usurped by Satan, and employed in the uses of
sin. It may be, that man’s utter dependence—
seen during infancy and old age, only the plainer
—has instinctively taught him to yearn for rest,
since his condition necessitates toil and care; but
rest he nowhere finds. Long before the child did
cry,
“ O where shall rest be found—
Rest for the weary soul ? ”
Long ere this, did his Father-God decree —
“Beyond this vale of tears,
There is a life above
Unmeasured by the flight of years,
And all that life is love.”
It is promised you, child, —“ Rest for the wea
ry.” Before the promised seed for the bruising
of the serpent’s head, was this first promise of
rest given us.
This Rest is not the Greek word Sabbaton,
which means the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day;
but Sabbatismos, (Sabbatism,) a word coined by
the apostle Paul, and expresses not the day of
rest, but rest itself, and that, too, an eternal rest
with God. The Hebrew word Shabbah, (to sit
still, to rest,) was not translated into the Greek
tongues, but simply transposed or placed over,
with the Greek termination added— Sabbaton.
And so our English Sabbath is of near kin to the
word which is used in Genesis ii.: 2,3, to de
scribe God’s rest from His works. There may be
more in this lineage than we are able to under
stand.
The Sabbath is not less a promise, than it is a
type of the heavenly rest. It is God’s great beacon,
light hung out from the windows of heaven, for
the disappointed sons of toil who have vainly
sought for rest in a world where there is no rest.
1. The natural law of Rest.
God gives us by the very constitution of mind,
a yeartung for rest. We go to work seeking for
it among the things of the world, in obedience to
this law. But to show us that our rest is not
here, (Micah ii.: 10,) he disappoints us at every
turn. We will not believe it, until hope deferred
makes our heart sick. We have sought riches,
and found them all mixed with care and anxiety
and a withering worldly torpor. Os pleasure, we
have a surfeit. Ambition has named us among
men with high-sounding vanity. Our superiority
may be acknowledged by the poor, for whom God
especially made the Sabbath. (1 Cor. i.: 26-28.)
But none of these things satisfy us. We want
rest, actual, abiding, comforting, spiritual rest —a
rest like God’s rest—the rest of a Believer.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ TH URSPAY, APRIL 16,1868. ■■ y
“ There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people
of God.”
The Jews took Canaan to be their rest, and
here was the proof of their carnal mindedness.
Are we not equally so if we mistake any worldly
plans of life, wherewith to compass our ends for
rest? Do not mistake, then, the natural law of
rest, as the instrument, alone in itself, whereby
we shall enter into His rest.
The Apostle certainly intended to show that
the rest spoken of in the text was something far
nobler than that which the Jews enjoyed in the
land of Canaan, or than that which we may enjoy
in this world.
2. The Spiritual law of Rest.
As is often seen, in the Divine economy of hu
man redemption, there are two parallel and yet
opposite and conflicting laws in operation. Both
may be ordained of God —the one indirectly, the
other directly—for the salvation of men.
The law of rest, as the natural unawakened
man obeys it, will obscure the proper interpreta
tion of God’s law of spiritual rest. Indeed, they
are opposed to each other. Just as the Law and
the Gospel may be said to be opposed—inasmuch
as one condemns only, and the other saves only.
The Law is disciplinary ; the Gospel is remedial.
The one is a scheme of literal and universal obe
dience ; the other of pure, unmerited favor—of
Divine leniency, and basing obedience upon a
higher motive than law, —even love. And yet
God uses the law advantageously, even to those
who, in Christ, are not under law but under
grace. It is their rule of action, but it cannot
condemn them, for Christ, the end of the law,
has died and is risen again, and is also at the right
hand of God, who also intercedes for us. And, also,
God uses the law most wisely in convicting the
sinner, but before Justice can seize the criminal,
Mercy liberates him and thus harmonizes the Law
and the Gospel, Justice and Mercy, God and the
Sinner. And .so is there a Law in the rest of this
world, and a Gospel in God’s rest.
The one, by its very disappointments, leaves
the miserable, buffeted sufferer to the other, the
true rest, at last. These are the laws, and expe
rience answers to them. The most successful of
earth have found their rest an unsatisfying end.
“The statesman, lawyer, merchant, man of trade,
Pants for the refuge of some rural shade,
Where, all his long anxieties forgot,
Amid the charms of a sequestered spot,
He may possess the joya he thinks he sees,
Lay his old age upon the lap of ease,
Improve the remnant of his wasted span,
And having lived a trifler, die a man.”
This is' poetry, and this is fact. Beautiful plan
of a life! formed so confidently, coveted by so
many. Ah, but there is a thorn in this rose—a
bitter in this sweet—a grave in this garden. He
feels, and tastes, and fears them all. Now, out of
a new’ experience, and in fewer words, he cries;
“ The hue of death is cast o’er everything,
And vanity is marked on all I see.”
“0 Death, all-eloqueut! you only prove,
What dust we doat on, when ’tis self we love.”
“Immortality o’ersweeps
All pains, all tears, all time, all fears,—and peals
Like the eternal thunders of the deep
Into my ears this truth—Thou liv’st forever.”
Ah, then, I must have another rest than this
earthly one. An eternal rest I need. Eternity!
Then
“ ’Tis not the whole of life to live,
Nor all of death to die.”
Aie the interests of my immortal soul resting
upon no surer foundation than that of my earthly
rest? Then, 0, for one moment of solid peace—
for one sight of heaven’s rest! Tell me not of
the world’s fair promises. Everything is disqui
etude, disappointment and distress here below.
But there is a rest that remaineth to the people
of God. I will arise and bathe my weary soul
in that sea of eternal rest. “There the wicked
cease from troubling; and there the weary be at
rest. There the prisoners rest together; they
hear not the voice of the oppressor.”
Blessed be God for the law's of His rest.
3. The Believer's Rest.
But we must speak more of that rest, because
of its infinite excellence. It is purchased unto us
by the toil, and sweat, and blood of the Crucified
One. It is a free, suitable, perfect and complete
rest. A rest from all suffering, sickness and pain.
A rest from all perplexing doubts and fears, arising
from Gbd’s displeasure in view of our sins. From
all temptations of Satan, and of the world, and of
the flesh. Rest from persecutions of wicked men
—from all divisions and unchristian-like strife
with one another—from all painful sympathy in
behalf of our dear ones, whose infirmities and
calamities we could see in the flesh, but could not
alleviate. Rest from all anguish which the impi
ety and waywardness of relatives and kindred
inflicted in the midst of tears and prayers for
them here below. A rest from all personal suf
ferings from the hand of God, whether in the
decrepitude of the body, the imbecility of mind,
overtaxed and worn out in laborious service, or
in spiritual declension, under all the manifold
temptations of this present evil world. (Baxter’s
Saint’s Rest.) It is an eternal rest, the rest of
the believer. It is like God’s rest, (Heh. iv.: 10,)
“ For he that is entered into his (God s) rest, he
also hath ceased from his own works, as God did
from his.” Not that God was wearied by his
works of creation, but that he ceased from them;
and in holy, contemplative quiet, enjoyed the
works of his hands; and so will the believer in
his everlasting rest, look back with holy delight
on the struggles which he encountered, and the
labors performed for the sake of Christ and His
cause.
Yes, the believer—who is “formed in His im
age,” and “made a partaker of the Divine na
ture,” and “who shall be like Him, when he
shall see Him as he is,”—will enjoy a rest like
that which God enjoys.
Such is the rest that remaineth for the people
of God.
Into this glorious rest, he whose funeral solem
nities we now celebrate and enjoy, has entered.
Our husband, father, pastor, friend, has left us
for his eternal rest in Paradise, and his name is
covered with honor in the earth.
4. The Departure.
Our Heavenly Father, the great Creator* on the
seventh day ended his work which he had made,
and rested. (Gen. ii.: 2,3.)
It was given unto his aged servant, after spend
ing more than two thousand earthly Sabbaths in
the ministry of Jesus Christ, and at the very
hour of his accustomed labor in the sanctuary —
to enter into his everlasting rest.
It may be that the oblivion which shrouded his
soul from the contemplation of all sublunary
things in his last days, was the mercy of the
angel encamping round about him, gently leading
him down the dark valley to the crossing of the
river.
What we mistook for confusion, may have been
the glare of the glorious light which no man can
approach unto.
The last words of the dying impress us most
deeply. And how remarkable are the deaths of
some of God’s saints? Latimer seemed to be a
torch-light in God’s hand, as he said at the stake,
“We shall this day light such a candle in Eng
land, as by God's grace shall never be put out.”
When Ambrose died, Bishop Honoratus, sitting
in another room of the house, heard a voice (in
ternally) three times, saying, “Arise immediately,
he is at the point of departure.” He ran and
saw him expire. Augustine, and thousands of
Christians, have requested to be left alone and
undisturbed, and with a fixed gaze and calm smile
settled upon their features, have thus slept in
death. Mrs. East, with indescribable lustre of
countenance said, at midnight, “He made the
stars also,” and instantly became one in His
crown. Melancthon, when asked if he wanted
anything, said, “Nothing else but heaven,” and
begged not to be disturbed. Rivet said, “I am
come to the eve of a great and eternal day.” Dr.
Maclaine said, “ I can now contemplate clearly
the grand scene to which lam going. It is mag
nificent and awful.” Doddridge said, “Such de
lightful and transporting views of the heavenly
world as my Father is now indulging me with,
no words can express.” Dr. Bedell, when speech
less, was asked if he saw Jesus, and answered,
by pointing to his heart and to heaven.* And
Dr. Howell, when reminded of the infinite pity
and compassion of the Saviour for His suffering
servant, burst into tears and sobbed for several
minutes, though he had been speechless for seve
ral days, and was supposed by some, at the time,
to be wholly unconscious.
If we could trust ourself in the effort, it would
be unnecessary to refer intimately to his person
ality ; since you, with whom he has lived for
nearly the third of a century, must know him
hotter than we can. The testimony of some of
the brethren at the Ministers’ Meeting this morn
ing, was comforting to the hearts of all who heard
it. And this great throng, with hundreds who
could not obtain admission attest, surely, the con
fidence and sympathy of all for the memory of
this great and good man who has fallen this day
in Israel, and whose death will be lamented
throughout this entire country.
It is not easy to discriminate between the natu
ral and the supernatural in death.
If Paul’s vision of the third heaven occurred
when he was stoned at Lystra and dragged out of
the city and left for dead—as some have intimated,
since that event was fourteen years before his
written account of it—then, whether in the flesh
or out of it, who can tell ? May not other saints,
almost at their rest, see similar visions, impossi
ble, to be described? Gregory the Great tells
that his aunt, in her agony, called out to make
room for the Lord Jesus, whom she saw coming
towards her, and so died. And Dr. Nelson re
lates how a pious lad}’ of St. Louis, after recover
ing from a strong spasm, said to her pastor, in a
faint whisper, “I was in sight of heaven and
saw my Saviour.” Payson died shouting, “Peace!
peace! Victory! victory!” But we cannot fol
low the dfead and live, though it is true that we
shall all very soon follow them in death.
Though we are not left without strong consola
tion, yet we would love to know how our loved
ones are, and what they are doing in their ever
lasting rest. Oh ! how indescribably happy such
a soul as that of our departed brother—so fond
of pure and heavenly-minded society—must be
now in its rest.
In that world of endless day—for there is no
night there—where time is unknown, for it is
swallowed up in eternity ; —think you he could
tell, if asked, how long he had been in Paradise
with Jesus? With such growth in grace and
holiness; such inconceivable expansion qf soul,
and light, and knowledge, and such heights and
depths of love and joy and peace; think you he
could decide whether he had been in Glory one
day or a thousand years ? For if there is no time
there, then one day is as a thousand years, and a
thousand years as one day.
0, happy day, that translates the soul of the
believer from time to eternity, from earth to
heaven. Be comforted ye bereaved, afflicted
friends, and be ready to enter the rest of your
departed and glorifiod one. Who can weep for
those who have entered the rest that remains for
the people of God? Who will he unwilling to
die if waiting for that rest? Who will not be
lieve, trust, and love Jesus, the Giver of that rest?
Seeing that there is a promise left to you, we beg
that you fear more than all else, lest you should
come short of it I have sworn in my wrath,
saith the Lord, if they who disbelieve shall enter
into my rest.
Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest,
lest any man fail after the example of unbelief.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.
FUNERAL OBSEQUIES OF DR. HOWELL.
The remains ofthelateDr. Robert B.C. Howell, former
Pastor of the First Baptist Church, were consigned to
their final resting place in the beautiful Cemetery at
Mount Oiivet, yesterday, alter impressive ceremonies at
the church over which he so long presided when living,
and with befitting services at the sepulchre, by the Or
der of Knights Templar, of which he had been an hon
ored member.
It has already been stated that Dr. Howell expired, at
ter a long illness, at a lew minutes past twelve o’clock,
on the morning of the st.h in at., Sunday. About a year
ago he was attacked by paralysis, which incapacitated
him for the duties of the ministry, and he resigned his
office as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in this city.
A few days before his decease he declined rapidly, was
speechless for a day or two, and just after his people,
whom he had so long served in the ministry, had been
praying for him in their Sunday morning devotions, he
was gently borne bj angels to the Church above. Os
Dr. Howell’s labors, as'a voluminous author and a vigi
lant pastor, it is not necessar)' to speak, as he attained
a more than national reputation He was long consid
ered a standard-bearer in the Communion of which he
was so great an ornament. He was, moreover, held in
high esteem in the community at large, without respect
to church-relations.
The following action was had by the clergy of Nash
ville, on the occasion of his death :
Iu pursuance of a call made through the press of the
city in the morning papers, the pastors and clergy of
Nashville met in the first Baptist Church, yesterday at
9 o’clock, a. m., viz: Bishop McTyeire, the Rev. Drs.
Thomas O. Summers, J. B. McFerrin, R. A. Young, W.
D. F. Sawrie, and Rev. J. D. Barbee, of the M. E. Church
South Rev. J. W. Ellis, of Christ Church, Protestant
Episcopal ; Rev. Thomas E. Skinner, D. .D., Rev. L.
Dupre, of the Baptist Church ; the Rev. A. J. Baird, D.
D., of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; and the
Rev. Dr. J. VV. Hoyt-e. Rev. J. H. Bryson, Rev. R. F.
Bunting, D. D., and Ruling Elder A. W. Putnam, of the
Presbyterian Church.
On motion of the Rev. Thomas O. Summers, D. 1).,
the Rev. Thomas E. Skinner, D. D., was called to the
chair, and the Rev. R. F. Bunting was appointed Secre
tary.
The Chairman explained that the object of the meet
ing was to take some suitable action in reference to the
death of his lamented predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Howell,
and to make arrangements for his funeral.
On motion of Dr. Summers, the Chairman was re
quested to appoint a committee of three to prepare a suit
able preamble and resolutions for this sad occasion.
The Chairman appointed on the committee the Rev.
Thomas O. Summers, D. D., the Rev. J. W. Ellis, and
the Rev. R. F. Bunting, D. D. After retiring for con
sultation the committee reported the following paper
through the Chairman, Dr. Summers, which was unani-
mously adopted:
Whereas, It has pleased the great Head of the Church
to remove fb a higher sphere of action, our venerated
friend aud brother, the Rev. Robert B. C. Howell, D.
D formerly the beloved Pastor of the First Baptist
Church in Nashville, who died in this city on Sunday
l as t, April 5, I§6B ; aDd, whereas, Dr. Howell was pos
sessed of great intellectual and moral endowments,
qualifying him for tbCTßinistry, in which he was most
laboriously and successfitlly engaged for a long period,
and was highly esteemed, not only in his own church,
but also in the community at 'targe, and particularly by
us h : s brethren in the ministry ; therefore,
ResotoedA. That we bow with submission to this
dispensation of Providence, knowing that it was or
dered in infioite wisdom, power and love, and that
while Hod buries bis workmen He carries on His work.
2. That while God is glorified in the useful life and
peacelul death of his faithful servant, we will endeavor
to imitate his fidelity, that in due time we may, like him,
enter into the joy of our Lord.
3. That we tender our sympathies to the bereaved
family of Dr. Howell, to the church tbatso long enjoyed
his ministry and uow mourns his death, aud to his suc
cessor in the pastorate, on whom we pray that his man
tle may fall. , , ,
4. That we will attend in a body the funeral of onr
deceased friend, at 2 o’clock this afternoon, at the church
of which he was formerly pastor.
5 That copies of the foregoing preamble and resolu
tions be furnished to the family of the late Dr. Howell,
and to the editors of Nashville for insertion to their re-
S *Re v° Dr said: Dear Brethren, I feel sad
this morning. There aTe only two of the old preachers
left now, who were co-labvrers in the ministry with Dr.
Howell when he first came to Nashville, nearly forty
years ago—Dr. Green aud myself. I lived on most inti
mate terms of Christian friendship with Dr. Howell.—
At one time we were both editors of church journals,
and our expression ot opinion on doctrinal differences,
sometimes, as did those of the apostles of old, became
sharp, but our warm and fraternal regard for each other
was never broken, to the last. Dr. Howell was a schol
lar, a gentleman and a Christian. He enjoyed the abid
ing affection of his congregation, the high esteem of the
community, and, what was better than all, the signal
favor of God, as the abundant success of his pastoral la
* Burgess, Last Evening.
bors testified. I could not, were I disposed, pronounce
a suitable eulogy upon him, and I close by praying that
the same rich blessings Irtim find and this church and
community may be the inheritance of Dr. Skinner as bis
successor in rhe pastorate &f this flock. Amen. Drs.
Summers, Baird, Hoyte, and Rev. J. H. Bryson, also
offered appropriate tributft to the memory of the de
parted.
The funeral services at the church were peculiarly
solemn and impressive, were conducted in accord
ance with the followingprogramme: luvocation —Bish-
op McTyeire. Reading of the Scriptures—Rev. W. J.
Ellis. Reading of the Hymn—Rev. R. F. Bunting, D.
D. Prayer— Rev. Thomas 0. Sommers, D. D. Sermon
—Rev. Thomas E. SkinnerwO. D. Prayer ahd Benedic
tion— Rev. J. B. McFerrulfD. I>.
The cburchopas densely Crowded. Hundreds of per
sons, standing, filled the vestibule, aisles and choir gal
leries, unable to procure salats, and many were not able
to gain admission to the (much at all, so great was the
crowd. The interior of t®s»cred edifice was draped in
mourning. The windows were hung in festoons of
black crape, and the arch over the pulpit, the ballus
trsdes of the choir and the chandeliers were
similaV-fy and appropriately decorated with sables. Eve
ry Lodge of the Masonic order in this city, we believe,
was represented, to pay sad duties to a distin
guished departed brother ahd life long friend and mem
ber ot the noble fraternity. Besides the members of
the Grand Lodge, there were representatives from the
subordinate Lodges, viz: Cumberland, Phoenix, Ger
mania, Claiborne and Edgefield, with the Knights Tem
plar. who conducted the ceremonies at the grave.
The church choir, ably r*inforced by voluuteer mem
bers from other church choirs of the city, opened the
services at the church by singing, “Bow down thine ear,
oh ! Lord,” the sad, sweet melody of which, filled the
hearts of the listeners, and'Suggested, uo doubt, to their
imaginations as it did to ours, the heaveulier music of
those angelic choristers whose harps are now attuned
to welcome the spirit of the deceased to a brighter home
beyond the skies. .After the last echoes from the choir
had died away, Bishop McTyeire arose and delivered
the invocation, which was followed by the reading of a
portion of the Scriptures by the Rev. W. J. Ellis of
Christ Church. The Rev. R. F. Buntiug, D. D., then
read the Hymn, “Thou art»gone to the grave,” which
was immediately sung by the choir. Then, after the de
livery of an impressive and eloquent prayer by the Rev.
Thomas 0. Summers, D. If., the sermon was delivered
by the Rev. Thomas E. Skinner, D. D., present pastor
of the First Baptist Church. The eminent and learned
Divine took his text fronT the 9th verse of the fourth
chapter of Hebrews. The permon was tasteful and elo
quent, and touched the.beifFts of every one who heard it.
At its conclusion, the choir sang the beautiful hymn,
“Rest, Spirit, Rest,” and then the benediction was pro
nounced by the Rev. Dr. McFerrin.
We may mention, par parenthese, as an incident of sad
interest, connected with tftfs services at the ch,urcb, that
among the congregation as one of its chief mourners,
was the Rev. D. W. Gwinu, of Griffin, Ga., a son-in-law
of the lamented deceased, who only reached Nashville
by the Southern train, whUe the ceremonies were being
fierformed, and was to lake a last sorrowing
ook upon the features of his beloved relative and father,
before they were bid from mortal eyes forever.
The procession to the grave was one of the longest
we have ever witnessed iu our city. At the Sepulchre,
at Mount Olivet, the burial ceremonies and rites per
formed by the Knights Teifiplar were of the solemn and
imposing"character peculiafto that ancient order. They
were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Young as Prelate, as
sisted by Sir Knight Sheffield, and when concluded, the
vast concourse of spectators, Masons, Knights, relatives
and friends, retraced their sad steps back to the city.j
AN HUMBLE, EARNEST TRIBUTE.
As alike creditable to the immediate parties, and
indicative of the feelings which our Southern
Baptist ministry have ever cherished toward their
African brethren, we quote the following para
graph from an article, by Rev. Nelson G. Merry,
pastor of the First Colored Baptist church, Nash
ville, as published in the Union & Dispatch of
that city:
“ I am pressed with the thought hourly, since the death
of that good and noble man, Rev. R. B. C. Howell, D.D.,
that I cannot pass it without asking a space in your
paper to say a word about him and my long acquaintance
with him, though not identified socially, but religiously.
I formed acquaintance with- him in 1844. While I was
yet a sinner, I made it my business to go and hear him
preach nearly every Sunday, until the pardon of my sins
in 1845, when, on the 9th day of October of the same
year, he buried me with Christ in baptism, so I got very
near to him. One glorious thing I can say about him—
he was the first white minister that ordained a colored
man in Tennessee to the wj#rk of the gospel ministry;
that was the ordaining of Rev. Edmund Kelly, of Colum
bia, Tennessee. I visited him, and received such cour
tesy that I was often astonished. When I would walk to
the door of his study, the firrt word was, ‘Come in and
have a seat;’ and he would lay down his pen and com
mence conversing and giviag.me such good lessons for
my welfare and success. He did all he could to have a
good colored church built in connection with his church.
He found it was best to let the colored church worship to
themselves, so in 1848 he helped us to get a place to wor
ship in ourselves. I was with, him until 1851, when he
moved to Richmond, Va. T was loth to give him up.
But the Lord brought him back again in 1857. When he
found me trying to preach the gospel, beseemed to think
more of me than ever. He found me also sexton of the
First Baptist church, where I have labored as sexton up
to this time. All these years I never had a. better friend
in Nashville than Dr. Howcjf. I rejoice to say I did not
only find him so before thechanged state of the coun
try, but he remained the same since I first formed his
acquaintance. Well may we say, a great man has fallen
Died.
At her husband’s residence in Nashville, on
Monday, April 13th, 1868, Mrs. Isabel llowcll,
wife of Morton B. Howell.
The friends of the family are invitechto attend
her funeral on this, (Tuesday) afternoon, two
o’clock, at the First Baptist church. Divine ser
vices by Rev. Dr. Skinner.
Death of Mrs. M. B. Howell. —We regret to
record the death of the estimable wife of Mor
ton B. Howell, Esq., Clerk and Master in Chan
cery. Mrs. Howell was a native of Virginia, but
had resided in this city eight or ten years, and
made many attached friends by her winning de
portment and various excellencies of character.
Her husband, in the deep affliction so quickly
succeeding the loss of his venerable father, has
the profound sympathy of his numerous friends.
Union & Dispatch, lith.
Slumber over Souls.
Jacob Knapp tells us that the devotion of his
ministry, exclusively, to the work of an evangel
ist, was occasioned, forty years ago, by “the
wide-spread apathy and inefficiency of the church
es”—their slumber over souls. He pictures the
state of the denomination at that time, we think,
in colors, by much, too gloomy. The sleep, of
which he complains, was neither so general, nor
so profound, as he represents it. There was more
of aggressive warfare against the hosts of evil,
and more of progress, among our people, than
his impetuosity allowed him to recognize or his
impatience qualified him to appreciate.
Still, there was a large measure of truth in the
conclusion which he reached. Suppose, now,
that this conclusion was transferred to our own
tj mes —to our churches and ourselves; would
there, or would there not, be a large measure of
truth in it? Are we slumbering over souls to
day ; or are we not ? This is a momentous ques
tion. It should be asked with tenderness of con
science, and answered in the light of Holy Scrip
ture. A few inquiries, in aid of faithful self-ex
amination, therefore, cannot be out of place.
What light is shed on this question, by our
dealings with ourselves? Do we, from day to day,
quicken ourselves to think of souls; of their un
speakable value, their redemption, their
imminent peril, their eternal destiny ? Do we
admonish ourselves to be mindful of duty and
watchful for opportunity, as respects the work of
saving them? Do we reproach ourselves for
having done so little in this matter? Do we stir
ourselves up, to devise methods of effective labor
in their behalf?
What light is shed on this question, by our
dealings with God? Do we pray for souls, with
the regularity of habit, and the fervor of impor
tunity ? Are there souls for whom we pray by
name, w T ith special urgency of desire and confi
dence of faith? Do we, amid the toils of busi
ness and the pleasures of social life, find our
hearts, ever and anon, rising, in sudden, short
ejaculations to God, for His blessing on the souls
around us? Do we hail the coming of the prayer
meeting hour, that we may mingle our supplica
tions for souls with the supplications of our
brethren in Christ, if, perchance, the united cry
of the church may bring down an answer denied
to us individually ?
What light is shed on this question, by our
dealings with our fellow-men f Do we make the
religion of Christ attractive by a godly example?
Do we speak, in season, words fitted to convince
the gainsaying, to alarm the thoughtless, to win
the wavering, to strengthen the despondent ? Do
we employ the volume, the tract, the Christian
newspaper, the private, friendly letter, as channels
for conveying the truth that saves souls, as wit
nesses to our tender sympathy with them, and
our earnest desire to bring them to Jesus ?
Perhaps, it is not too much to say, that, where
Christians have truly shaken off slumber over
souls, all these questions may be answered, with
more or less emphasis, in the affirmative. Taking
this, then, as the rule of judgment—how stands
the case with your chureh —and with you s
negligent Heading.
The editor of the Western Christian Advocate
must read his exchanges, now and then, with a
negligent eye. In his last issue, he says: “It is
common in some sections in the Baptist church
for the minister to use the India rubber overcoat
and pantaloons, and it is becoming so in regard to
the candidates."
Now, that portion of this statement which we
have thrown into italics, when made by Rev.
William Barrows, D.1)., was “repelled” by Bap
tist papers, “as being alike unjust and untrue.”
The author of it, in explanation, professed to have
the testimony of “quite a number of Congrega
tional ministers” to the effect, that “in some
places the Baptists protect the subject from being
fully wet;" and admitted that he had “made the
protective garments ‘water-proof and tight-fit
ting,’ in a rhetorical way." His statement, even
as modified, was" still pronounced false, and he
was asked to give the names of the Congrega
tional ministers, on whose authority he rested it—
a demand with which he refused to comply; thus
leaving his unsupported allegation, even in tjiis
milder form, counterbalanced and refuted by the
testimony of our journals to the contrary.
Has not the Editor of the Advocate, tiMto, read
the articles on this subject with the least possible
care, that he should, at this late hour, follow Dr.
Barrows in a “way” which he apologetically
calls “rhetorical,” to evade the application of a
much less creditable epithet?
The Open Communion Leader.
We have an eye to Ilev. C. 11. Malcom, of New
port, R. I. It is altogether natural we should.
Is he not, by appointment of the Church Union,
the Champion of the ‘triumphant’ hosts of open
communionists —yet to be? And who shall more
reasonably attract special attention, than the
Leader under whose flag ‘the entire Baptist de
nomination’ is to range itself—“in the Greek
Kalends ?”
Having an eye, then, in this natural way, to
Rev. 0. 11. Malcom, we notice a statement in the
Christian Intelligencer, that he has written a
letter to Rjev. Mr. Denison, the Baptist pastor at
Westerly, urging him to meet Rev. Mr. Hubbard,
the Episcopal rector of that place, “half way,’
and to give him “a free communion table” in
return for “a free pulpit.” This was done,
doubtless, in pursuance of his high functions un
der the appointment aforesaid; but we fear that it
was at least siightiy indiscreet. The Ereneh have
a saying that “nothing succeeds like success;”
and, by parity of reasoning, we may say that
nothing fails like failure. The managers of anew
movement sadly mar its prestige, when they
adopt abortive measures in its interest. Their
own prestige, too, suffers with it; for the impres
sion takes wind that they lack the practical sagac
ity whidh reads the signs, and the personal influ
ence which moulds the character, of the times.
That this is the fruit likely to grow out of Mr.
Malcom’s letter, will be apparent from the lan
guage employed by Mr. Denison, in his account
of the Westerly revival—language breathing the
spirit in which men are most unapt to stoop to the
chicanery of open-communionism :
“An unauthorized statement went abroad in
some newspapers that the various churches in the
town and vicinity expected to have a union ob
servance of the Lord’s Supper. No such step
has been taken or proposed by the churches.
The union of the churches is one of heart and
labor, one of love and life, not one of ceremony
or ecclesiasticism; ;t is a oneness in Christ and
Christ’s work, and not a oneness of parade, uni
form, step and drill; the brigades make one army,
and move to one action ; the Spirit of Jesus keeps
them in line, shoulder to shoulder, and fills them
with a unifying zeal.”
We notice another indication that the move
ment of which Rev. Mr. Malcom has taken
charge, is scarcely destined to be a movement for
ward. For thirty years, the Second Baptist
church, Newport, practised open communion more
or less, in a quiet way, and with the tolerant for
bearance of adjacent churches. That was the
method best adapted to diffuse the leaven of laxi
ty. But Mr. Malcom grew dissatisfied with it,
and would render his pastorship of the church
notable as an epoch of progress in this matter.
Hence the ostentatious “ union communion,” of
a month or two since, and the ‘flourish of trum
pets’ over it. But the sound of the trumpets in
this instance, seems only to have startled our
brotherhood in Newport, from their unwise for
bearance toward an error, which had at last as
sumed the aspect of immodest aggression. The
First Baptist church of that city, according to
the Examiner & Chronicle , has withdrawn its
fellowship from the Second, on account of open
communionism. And the case looks very much
as though Mr. Malcom, instead of bringing open
communionism into the denomination at large, is
simply cutting it off, and himself with it.
We shall view his course not without sorrow,
if he persists in being a martyr to an unsubstan
tial and impracticable sentimentalism. But we
notice several things further in our exchanges,
which will greatly alleviate the pain of separation
from him. The Watchman & Reflector , for ex
ample, states that, at his “union communion”
service, “the terms of the invitation included
Unitarians and Universalists, as well as Evangel
ical denominations,” and that “ Mr. Malcom has
since exchanged pulpits with the Unitarian pas
tor!”* The Exominer & Chronicle also informs
us, that ‘the new Baptist denomination’ which
he aspires to form, is to have “ a ritualistic wor
ship,” as one of “its distinguishing features!”
Surely, it requires no great nerve to witness un
moved, or at least with resignation, (he transit of
such an erratic orb across our denominational
lines—provided the motion is from us.
The facts just brought out are not void of sig
nificance. Among New England Baptists, it is
precisely in connection with open communion,
that, on the one part, a voice of advocacy is raised
for Ritualism, and, on the other, a hand of fra
ternity is reached forth toward Rationalism ! It
forcibly recalls the kindred fact, that Prof. Curtis,
who, in his days of orthodox belief, wrote ably
from the defence of our denominational usage, no
sooner comes before the public as an author on
the Rationalistic side of the controversy respecting
the inspiration of Scripture, than he announces
himself an open conununionist! Why is this?
Are these things all products of the same un
healthy type of thought and feeling? Was the
type of thought and feeling which made Rqfcert
Hall rationalize on the nature of the soul, the
doctririe of the atonement, etc., in the earlier
years of his ministry, only partially rectified;
and did its lingering influence work, during his
later years, in the form of open communion ism ?
Was John Foster an open conitnunionist through
this type of thought and feeling; and do we owe
to it the Rationalizing speculations of his old age
with regard to eternal punishment ? Is this type
of thought and feeling in Spurgeon, too; attach
ing him to open communion, and making him, on
the question of slavery, a mere echo of the veri
est Rationalist ? There is matter of serious reflec
tion in these enquiries, and we commend them to
any of our readers who may incline toward the
laxity of Rev. Mr. Malcom, concerning the order
of the Lord’s house in the observance of His
“supper.”
* We aee, by the way, that the Boston Unitarian or
gan, the Christian Register,- -collecting facta to show
that the tendency of the times is toward “a broader
charity,” “a more comprehensive ground of unity,
such as will bring ‘ Evangelical and Liberal Chris
tians into “one Jfold refers to this exchange, and
savs of Mr M : “Oo that occasion he preached a dis
course, which was so cordially received that the congre
gation have made arrangements to have it printed, the
sermon had previously been given before an association
of Baptist ministers, but was so objectionable In its
sentiments that this body departed fremits usual cus
tom and did not ask a copy for the press.
First Baptist Church, Nashville.
Yesterday was an interesting one to our church;
thirty-three persons were received into our fel
lowship. Our meetings were continued every
night last week, and will go on this week, by an
expression of unanimity on the part of the church
at the communion season yesterday morning.
Two interesting conversions last week, though as
yet we have not called for enquirers publicly.
Several are awaiting baptism.
Yours truly, Thos E. Skinner.
Nashville, April 13<A, 18G8.
Eufaula Second District Meeting.
The Second District meeting of the Eufaula
Association met with Ramah church, Mareli 27th,
1868. Deacon T. J. Florence was elected Mode
rator, and J. S. Paullin Clerk.
The following names were enrolled as messen
gers from the churches: Ramah —T. J Florence,
VV. M. Davis, W. L. Davis, M. Cody, J. A. Cobh,
W. P. Gucrry, W. VV. Vaughn. Cowikee —H. G.
Glover, J. A. Gandy. Gleunville —J. S. Paullin,
VV. S. Paullin, VV. H. Owens Midway— E. Y.
Van Hoose, A. F. Dix, VV. M. Cato, J. M. Bledsoe.
Eufaula —M. B. Wharton, J. A. B. Besson, R. I).
Mallary, Dozier Thornton. Enon —T. D. Morton.
Centre Ridge —VV’. H. C. Perkins.
Brethren VYm. M. Davis, E. Y. Van Hoose, J.
S. Paullin and M. Cody were appointed to report
business for the meeting. A committee on reli
gious exercises was appointed, consisting of the
pastor and deacons of Ramah church. Adjourned
to to-morrow, !) o’clock a.m. Preaching at night
by Elder J. S. Paullin.
The committee on business, at 9 a.m., Saturday,
made a report, which was adopted, and the com
mittee discharged.
The first query offered by the committee was
then discussed—viz., “Ought a minister to re
quire a stipulated salary before he accepts the
pastoral care of a church ?” The following was
adopted: “ Resolved, That in ord r tllat the la
borer may secure his hire, and his family he pro
vided for in accordance with the teaching of Scrip
turq, it is best, when practicable, for ministers of
the gospel to receivo stipulated salaries in com
pensation for tlfeir services.”
After considering the seconcf query, the follow
ing was adopted:
“ Whereas, Wo feel that an alarming apathy
exists in our churches in regard to spiritual mat
ters, and it is necessary that some steps should be
taken at once with a view to remove this unhappy
state ; therefore, Resolved, 1st —That each pastor
in our Association he requested to preach to his
congregation, at as early a day as practicable, a
sermon on the subject of spiritual declension—
showing, as best he can, its causes and evils, and
the best remedies that can he recommended for it.
2nd—That our churches he recommended to hold
prayer meetings for the special object of asking
God to revive his work in the hearts of all his
people.”
On the subject of Sabbath Schools the follow
ing was adopted: “ Resolved, That the motto of
this District meeting be, ‘ A Sabbath School in
every Baptist Church ;’ that we pledge ourselves
to do all in our power to bring about this result
so devoutly to be wished for.”
Committees appointed: To prepare an essay on
the “Duties of Pastors to their Churches"—
Brethren A. F. Dix, M. B. Wharton, W. 11. C.
Perkins. On the “ Duties of Churches to their
Pastors” —Brethren R. D. Mallary, J. A. B. Bes
son, H. G. Glover. On “How much, and in what
way, should Christians contribute of their means
to the Kingdom of Christ?”—Brethren E. Y. Van
Hoose, M. Cody, and J. M. Bledsoe. These essays
to be read at the next meeting.
The next meeting was appointed with Midway
church, to begin on Frida}’, August 28th, at 11
o’clock a.m. Elder J. S. Paullin to preach the
Introductory Sermon. Elder W. M. Davis was
appointed to preach, during the meeting, on Com
munion ; Elder Win. Cum Lie on Election; Elder
M. B. Wharton on Home Missions. Brother R.
D. Mallary was appointed to prepare an essay on
Sabbath Schools. Elder A. F. Dix whs appointed
to prepare an essay on Missions.
Resolutions of thanks were unanimously adopt
ed—to the community around Ramah church for
their hospitality, and to the Eufaula News, Clay
ton Banner, and Index, for gratuitously publish
ing the notice of this meeting.
Sabbath Exercises: 9 a.m.— Prayer meeting,
conducted by brother R. D. Mallory; 11 a.m.
Sermon on Baptism, by Elder M. B. VV barton ; 3
p.m.— Sermon on the Final Perseverance of the
Saints, by Elder J. S. Paullin.
Adjourned to meet with Midway church, on
Friday before the fifth Sabbath in August, at 11
A M T. J. Florence, Moderator.
Jas. Stratton Paullin, Clerk.
We had a most delightful meeting, the attend
ance was good, and the brethren seemed to enter
fully into the work, and every thing was conducted
in a spirit of brotherly love;‘and the best interests
of Zion and the glory of God inspired every heart,
and we hope for great things from these
delightful gatherings. None who attended, I atn
satisfied, but went away feeling benefitted. Ido
hope and trust, that a still greater interest may
be awakened in the minds and hearts of the
brethren in these meetings, and as iheyare purely
devotional, I see no reason why they may not be
the most profitable meetings we attend, and be
but the kindling of a flame of true and vital god
liness, that shall glow in every heart throughout
our entire land.
Our dear brother, M. B. Wharton, preached on
Sabbath morning, to a large and intelligent con
gregation, on the subject of Baptism, from the
words, “ He that believeth and is baptized shall
be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damn
ed ” It ’was one of the best efforts I ever listened
to He held his audience as it were, spell bound
for one hour and ten minutes, many of them
Pedobaptists, who after the services, confessed they
had never heard such a sermon before on the sub
ject, and acknowledged it was unanswerable. May
God open their eyes to their errors.
In the afternoon brother J. S. Paullin, preached
on the subject of “ The final Perseverance of the
Saints,” and fully met the expectations of his au
dience and placed beyond a doubt the great Bible
doctrine, so comforting to the Christian's heart.
Our next meeting will be yet more lnteresting
as a reference to the foregoing minutes will indi,
cate, and we hope to see an increased number in
attendance; in the meantime we will pray for a
refreshing from the Spirit of the Lord.
I would not fail to mention the hearty welcome
nnu bountiful liberality, which we received at the
hands of the community, where the meeting was
held • all denominations throwing their doors open
to us’ And we felt a warm Christian love in our
hearts for them, and thought how happy would
be the day when there will be onty, “One Lord,
one Faith, one Baptism.” J. A. B. B.
Good Work at Bainbridge.
*
We have just closed an interesting meeting of
eleven days continuance at this place, which re
sulted in fifteen additions by letter and baptism to
our weak church. We had the labor of our pas
tor Rev. J. H. Campbell, aided in part by his two
sons and Rev. W. Blewit, who preached with
great power. Brother Campbell, though feeble in
body, ha 9 lost none of his zeal. Connected with
that, his great tact in hunting up the scattered
Baptists and rallying them at every point to the
sense of duty, fits him for the great work of an
Evangelist. I trust that our State Convention, to
convene in Augusta, soon, will sustain him in that
work, which no one in our own Slate can fill bet
ter. There is much to do in this part of Our
State. , ... f
Our town is improving since the completion oi
the railroad. Efficient Baptists are moving oc
casionally in, and I hope we shall soon be able to
sustain a pastor. Our county churches arc gener
ally weak, and with a few exceptions have very
poor houses of worship. Their pastors, I learu,
receive from fifteen to twenty dollars a year tor
their services. Poor pay and poor preach. I find
the Hard-Shell Baptists here, who seem to extend
'tte"blesslns of God, I »goiu to
good hesdth: so my brethren at a distance would
recognize me by my size and hearty Ihugh, with
out that accustomed smile, which brother Camp
bell spoke of; and that house, a kind of Baptist
home, is nearly done, and some of my good
brethren have favored me with a call. Enquire
for me brethren, when you corne this way. My
doors arc open. Yours in Christ Jesus,
Q. H. Cliett.
The Sunday School Convention.
Twenty-seven letters have been received up to
date, (April 10th) heartily approving the call for a
Convention of Sunday Sohool workers, to assem
ble in Augusta, iu connection with the “Georgia
Buptjst Convention.” A number of schools report
having elected delegates. We are, therefore, en
couraged to believe we will have an interesting
and profitable gathering.
We take the liberty of making extracts from a
few of the letters received by us, in response
to the call.'Wfirother Warren, of Macon, writes:
“ I am very much waked up on the Sunday school
subject. I feel that the cause must receive more
attention from us. We must arouse our people
to its value, as a great family auxiliary in
training the children. What the preaching of the
gospel is to adults, the teaching of the gospel
must be to children, to bring them to Jesus.
It is a startling truth, that a million more than
half of the population of this land, are under the
age of twenty. If we are ever to benefit the
people, it must be done while they are young.
In this glorious work let us invoke and expect the
help of our glorious Master.”
In another letter the same brother says: “I
am heart and hand, soul and body, with you in
the good work. We must move. must
arouse our brethren. We must feel our obliga
tions in this matter.”
Brother Smith, of Warrenton, writes: “Our
school heartily concur in the move, and I pray
God that much good may result from the meeting
of the lovers of Sunday schools.’’
Brother Clark, of Lexington, writes: “ Our
school is unanimous in favor of the Sunday School
Convention.”
Brother Branham, of Madison, says: “ I am
heartily in favor of the Sabbath School Conven
tion, and I pray that it may be but the beginning
of a glorious revival of Sunday school efforts.”
Brother Gvvinn, of Griffin, writes: “My heart
is with you, and I hope the Convention will be a
great success.”
Brother Hills, of Rome, writes: “I do most
heartily approve your call for a Sabbath School
Convention, and will cheerfully render all the aid
in my power. I hav j long felt the need of com
bined and active effort in this work, and really
hope that your call will result in stirring up our
Sabbath school workers. We need more enlight
ened views of the importance of our work, and I
know of no better plan to awaken interest and
develop practical ideas in the management of our
schools, than the one you suggest.”
A large number of brethren, from whom we do
not quote, have written us just ns warmly in re'
gard to this subject. Let all come up then on
Thursday night, April 23rd, and with the bless
ing of God, put this ball in motion.
Geo. C. Connor.
Our Alabama Letter.
On Saturday, the 14th, ult.., brother R. G.
Pardee, of New York, a distinguished Sabbath
school lecturer, “whose praise is in all the schools ,”
visited Selma. He came by invitation of promi
nent Sabbath school men of all denominations,
to hold for a few days, a Teachers’ Institute. But
short notice had been given, and as a consequence,
but few persons from the surrounding country
vtffcre present. The eitizens of Selma, bowever,
took great interest in the Institute, and through
out its session were largely attended. The ses
sions were protracted from day to day, until
Thursday, and Resulted in great good to the faith
ful Sabbatli school laborers of this city. Every
body was delighted with brother Pardee’s manner
of conducting an Institute, and the facility with
which lie supplied all needed information on every
part of the great Sunday school work. Besides,
brother Pardee, and the city pastors, brethren
Mclntosh and Curry of Marion, were constant
attendants, and took an active part in all the ex
ercises of the Institute.
A meeting of some interest was in progress at
the beginning of the session. This was a union
effort of .Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist pas
tors, conducted in the manner of a prayer meeting.
These meetings continued to increase in interest,
and to develop new features, until finally all the
churches enjoyed a most gracious season of Divine
grace. Scores were converted, and these of the
business men of the place. It was not an infre
quent sight, as the hour of prayer approached, to
see the merchants closing their stores, and clerks
and employer all wendinj their way to the house
of prayer. The number joining the several
churches were about equally divided. Such a
revival, so wide spread and far-reaching in its ef
fects, has not been known in this section for
years. \
Oo Thursday, the 19th lilt., the Teachers Insti
tute, of Montgomery, met in the audience room
of the First Baptist church. Brother Pardee, did
not arrive from Selma, in consequence of a failure
of the boat, until Friday night. Professor John
Darby, of Auburn, the speaker of the occasion,
delivered a very appropriate and instructive ad
dress on the qualifications of the Superintendent,
after which a general discussion, participated in
by several brethren, members of the Institute,
and brother Cooke, of New York. Friday, Sat
urday and Monday, were spent in the discussion
of various questions of interest connected with
the Sunday school work; these discussions elicit
ing many points of interest and profit to all pres
ent. The entire session was well attended by the
citizens of the place, and all felt it was good to be
there. The Institute was productive of a good
state of feeling, and we parted with brother Pardee,
with much regret. An increase of interest in all
the schools of the city, is decidedly apparent, and
all seem to be putting forth new efforts in the
good work. The various schools are highly pros
perous, and at our monthly meetings for prayers,
numbers have bowed to ask an interest in the
prayers of Christians.
From some of the churches we hear good re
ports, and that they enjoy gracious seasons of
Divine grace. Dr. Tichenor’s church, of Mont
gomery, has now in progress a protracted meeting.
Considerable feeling is manifest in the school, and
in congregation are many who apparently, areanx
iotisly seeking for Jesus. Their (the First) has a
very large membership, but as yet they do not
seem to be much revived. Meetings .for social
prayer are held twice a day, and the interest is
evidently on the increase.
The Second Church, wo learn is enjoying a
revival of discipline—a. revival to he generally
wished for. They have pruned the vine very
freely. In the Sabbath school—which is large
and growing—a number are deeply p>ncerned
about the salvation of their souls. On Sabbath
morning, at the fifteen* minutes prayer meeting,
which is held previous to the recitation of lessons,
in response to an invitation of brother Barron,
the pastor, nearly a hundred children knelt for
prayer. It was a sight to move the hardest heart,
to sec all those children, under the impulse of one
strong common desire, how all together, Riying.
“ Pray for us." In the afternoon Sunday school
prayer meeting, the same spirit prevailed, and many
wept freely. At the night services some inter
est was again manifested. So our churches in this
city, are not altogether without evidence of the
presence of God’s Spirit. .
At a meeting of the Executive Board, o! the
Alabama Baptist Sunday School Convention, it
was resolved to call a meeting of the Convention
on Thursday night, before first Sabbath in June.
It is to be hoped the meeting will be largely at
tended.