Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 47-NO. 36.'
A RELIGIOUS AND FAMILY PAPER,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN ATLANTA, GA.
J. J. TOON", Proprietor.
rOR TERMS SEE FOURTH PAGE.
..Status, Duties and Responsibilities of Wo
jp jjs man in the Church of Christ.
An read. Sabbath, July 26 th, 18«8, at Long Creek
church, Ga., before the Ministers
and of the Washington Associa
tion, by aod unanimously re-
for publication in the Index
.<» IhJwKl. Aii MiTOco of the wishes of the “Bis-
Should this essay fall short
of jmur expectations, as J know it does of
the subject, 1 beg you will remember that,
for twelve months, I have watched so eon
stantly inside the bed of a sick wife, that I
h‘& (dHHk abandoned the idea of writing,
or to this meeting. It was alone
at her rawest tjjat I began, a few days ago, to
gather up lights, arid am now here
Woman bearaamuch the satpegiM^io n to
man in the sin-
and hei|satufflSpWre position j n be
1 best discovered by illustrating another.
No more beautifully her
standing in the church, than that
she is designated—Can you real
ize the status of a Deqfpd sister in the family
circle? How tender the cords that bifid !
feUow sweet the ties that unite ! How
r estly will loving! brothers strive to aid ™
to encourage her, to do everything for her!
Not only are vwe blest with sisters in the
church, but God has given us “mothers in
Israel.” No more shoa^ 1 TOree sisters and
mothers be blanks in 'I3W phureh, than in the
family at home. jflPy are members, and
important , too, of that body, the
head of which * Christ.
We will more clearly understand the status
of woman, by considering her duties and re
■ gHRIr as to be inseparable.
omen should be 'workers in the church,
Paul writes to a dear brother : “ l entreat
thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women
which labored with me in the gospel.” Again,
he writes : “ I commend unto you Phebe, our
sister, which is a servant of the church which
is at Cenchrea.” “ Greet Priscilla and Aquil
la, my helpers in Christ Jesus.” “Greet
Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.”
“Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor
in the Lord .” “Salute the beloved Persis,
which labored much in the Lord.” Tabitha
was a “disciple full of good works and alms
deeds.” These workers, these female labor
ers, are all commended, and not a single
salutation is sent to one who did nothing.
There are tnauy ways in which women may
‘labor in the Lord.’ I think it is especially
their duty to aid, encourage and administer
to the necessities of our preachers, as they
labor and journey in our midst. Little acts
of kindness sometimes buoy up the fainting
heart, and little words of Christian encour
agement, from a good sister, sometimes make
a desponding minister strong in the work of
the gospel. It is her province to wash the
saints’ feet. Woman washed a Saviour’s
feet, and wiped them with the hair of her
head; women followed Him from Galilee,
ministered unto Him, beheld where lie was
laid, and came early in the morning with
sweet spices to anoint Him. Last at the cross,
first at the sepulchre. Is your position too
humble, my sister, to do anything? Re
member that the Canaanitish woman was in
an humble position stooping to gather
crumbs from the Master’s table—when she
obtained the cure for her afflicted daughter.
Even the giving of a cup of cold water has
its reward. The widow’s mite was more, in
a Saviour’s estimation, than all the abundance
of the rich. She who could only touch the
hem of His garment was healed. It was a
little captive maid that sent Naaman to Eli
jah. The widow of Surepta was not too poor
to feed God’s prophet, although she had but
a handful of meal and a very little oil.
For many yeatfs the minutes of our Asso
ciatiotyahow a small to missions
from sister Jane T. many of
us know how this fund was raised. Having
a large family, desirous to do sornetimg, and
having no money to give, she selected
vorite hen, raised and sold what chickens she
could from this “ missionary hen,” and every
year sent up the amount to our Association.
Her Christian husband sleeps in a soldier’s
. grave; she lingered but a few weeks and fol
|lowed him to the tomb, leaving nine children
to the care of Him who giveth food to the
| young ravens which cry. &
► Woman, yielding to the inclinations of the
God hath given her, often
cries of'Moses, she h■;: i '
f teachers of g^S
thin M instructs Titus
lioi't'™nWri. True, he \vritestgjg|’nnotsjp!
“But 1 suffer not a wo mag & teach, nor 10
ho r i
silence.” A^KK^UB^^^mwWmnie^:
yoim in the.ehnrch
jf»cs,” etc. that Paul
uses thein immediate con
aifj&fority over the
ana Priscilla- took the eloquent
jh rfecUJgjSMUipi j>, the evangelist,
Slaughters, which did proph-
of female teaching
hjyfcbeen commended by Paul,
these and other passages, I conclude
that it is the privilege and the duty of wo
man to tea® children, her own sex, and even
men, when she is competent to instruct them,
and can do so in a modest way, recognizing
the truth that man is the head of the woman.
This is the seertt of the whole matter : wo-
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, SMEMBER 10, 1868.
man was made subjeet to man, and for her to
assMM?authority over him, or superiority to
him,is to degrade herself. Woman *is, by
no means, a creature inferior to man, but as
she differs from him, so she is designed to fill
a different station. Man is not inferior to the
horse because the horse is stronger than man.
The eagle would degrade himself by attempt
ing a foot-race; the ostrich would be de
spised endeavoring to soar above the clouds.
Away, then, with the idea, which is contrary
coiWTTon sense, that woman
teach under any 1 eireuinstances.
be, and often should be, very active, as teach
ers, and even as superintendent, where no
man can be induced to act in that capacity.
As such, I think she should read the Scrip
tures and engage in prayer. I love to hear a
good sister pray. I doubt not that
found the women praying at the
M,ry. tin* mother of Mark, e-urn
there from tin; prison. At MStp.m
' ! r- worn.-ii, who \r 'tt*p
the river side, where prayer wagraßr
made. I think women
praying here. I believe that where, from
cause, there are no men who will carry on
the prayer meeting, women should engage in
it; and I am not sure that it would be amiss
for the sisters to assist the brethren in the
grayer, meeting. The prayers and labors of
Women have often been much blessed. Rich
mond, Va., is now a great city for Sabbath
schools, but it has been only about half a
century since sister Roper, impressed with a
desire to do some good work, gathered a few
poor, ragged children together, and started a
little Sabbath school. A small corner in the
gallery of the Baptist church was, at first,
denied her; and her aged pastor remonstrated
with her against such a profanation of the
Lord’s day. She prayed and persevered, the
school increased, and thousands have been
blessed by the humble efforts of this devoted
sister.
Singing is a delightful part of the service
of God’s people, and no one doubts that wo
man’s melting voice should mingle here. Do,
my’ sister, help us sing the songs of Zion, %•
you know not what hard heart may be moved
by the sweet melody of spiritual songs.
It is natural, and often beautiful, for woman
to weep. Be not surprised, my sister, that I
it is your duty to weep. “ Blessed
tthat weep now, for ye shall laugh.”
“ Weeping may endure for a night, but joy
cometh in the morning.” How persuasive
are woman’s tears! What heart is too hard
to melt when a sweet sister, a dear mother,
ora beloved wife, is weeping day and night for
it! Fail not, my earnest sister, to use this
mighty weapon which God has placed, not in
your hands, but in your eyes.
Government in Church, as well as State, be
longs to man, yet the wishes and the happi
ness of woman will ever be regarded by all
good men. Touching fellowship, it may
sometimes be the duty of a sister to speak in
conference, but I think it better for her usu
ally to communicate her sentiments through
some brother. I should be no less mortified
to see sisters demand the right of voting, even
for a pastor, than to see an expression of their
preferences, either by vote or otherwise, re
fused by the brethren. A church thus neg
lecting the sisters, is not more likely to pros
per than the husband who rejects the modest
suggestions of a loving wife. I would never
strike obey from the young wife’s vow, but P
would ever remind the husband that her vow
follows after, and is based upon, his first ob
ligation to love her as be loves his own lesh.
Obedience flows sweetly in the channel of
love.
Home is the centre of woman’s duties and
responsibilities, yet from this centre shings
forth many a cheering ray to light up a
gloomy world. “The unbelieving husband
is sanctified by the wife ;” gnd many a believ
ing husband is encouraged by the faithful
wife. My brother, do you hold family
prayer? Do you know how easy the task
when the loving wife lights the lamp, lays'
the Bible by your side, and tells the little
children to “ sit down and be still, whße
Papa prays ?” And t et, how hard the IH|L
when the wife is cold, seems too busy with,
other things, and makes no preparatioVrlor
prayer! My sister, if your husband is%
Christian, and does not hold
it is your fault. I need notJLaJd that itJfl
your duty to continue the fafn
your husband is absent oiJjjßpb V ■ iff;' the
tomb. ’'.‘*l7 *‘ff
■ jdifetin v~>.bf 1
*' i■ ■ ( I > uliaJk 1
.i.atel-H
mdHPATnne, and lay tier
: pptWe head and teach him
ißLydp you thus cast bread
■mito "be gathered up by your
you are in the tomb? Will
iid ren remlrn beryou as a pray in g mot h -
er ? How do you expeetfto stand up in judg
ment, and hear your lost child say, “ I never
heard my mother pray ?” Example has a
powerful effect upon little children. They
vjdli r.ot remain little children long ; there
fore you must “work while it is day, for the
cometh when no man can work.” If
th«*re were more Hannahs, there would be
more Samuels.
The responsibilities of woman are very
greal, in view of the great influence she ex
erts in the family circle, in the church, and
in the world. How important then that this
influence should be for good! A wicked
Herodias could get the head of John the
Baptist, even when Herod feaerd the multi
tude. A Pocahontas could save a Smith
even from the fury of a savage foe. Per
suasion, not force, is her most effective vveap-
on. She raßild never assiAe the sword of
authority, but she may handle the bow of
kindnes&w successfully as David did the
pebbfe§ifProm the ljrook. Man is the sturdy
oak, Horn an the tender vine. She was made
not to stand alone, but being supported to
be a help-meet for him. Her sphere is a rio
-I|pe one, yet not to rule. Let the bramble
be king; but let not the vine “ leave its wine,
which cheereth Go 1 and man, and go to be
promoted over the trees.”
The sick and the suffering should be the
special object of woman’s eare.t Little acts
of charity are doubly sweet, when dispensed
by femple hands. Her light step, her tender
touch, herIMS I vo,ce > an d her sympathetic
her an angel of mercy
ffßcPthe bed of the suffering and the eouch
of the dying. one of you, my
sisters, have that rargion which will cause
you to “ visit the fatherless and the widows
in their affliction, and to keep yourself un
spotted from theafeujd f’
fete To use industrfflHptopiomy is newssasy
BWh-nake woman and, therefore, to
Brake her it should be. She
does not help her husband is not a help
meet to him. She who is the
beauties of her home, and the comforts of
her disgraces the name of woman ;
yet there are many who make slaves of them
selves, and throw themselves away, not allow
ing the time necessary for recreation and im
provement. Martha was “cumbered about
much serving,” and complained to Jesus;
lie answered her, “ Martha, Martha, thou
art careful and troubled about many things;
but one thing is needful ; and Mary hath
chosen that good part, which shall not be ta
ken away from her.” General Meetings, As
sociations, and such gatherings must cause
some serving, but let our sisters remember
Mary’s choice. They, too, are mostly re
sponsible for so much cooking and other
work on the Sabbath day, and, now, while
we are our own servants, is a good time to
commence a reformation in this particular.
Women should “show piety at home;”
they should, also, be “ discreet, chaste, keep
ers at home,” &c., yet, I do not infer that
Paul would have them do like some of our
sisters—always stay at home. Not only the
brethren of Tyre, but also their wives and
children, accompanied Paul to the shore
where they prayed and fasted.* How many
brethren have been coming up to our meet
ings for years, and have never, one time,
brought their wives with them ! Jewish pa
rents went up to Jerusalem exery year, at
the feast of the passover, and they must have
carried their children too, for it was here His
parents found the child Jesus in the temple,
conversing with the doctors. Phebe carried
the epistle to the Romans. Brethren, does it
not do your hearts good to see some good[ oljd
sister from a neighboring church, come up
your regular meetings ?
The fact that woman must always remain
in woman’s sphere, is no reason She should
be denied any of the pleasures and privileges
God has allowed her in that sphere. She
has always been the equal of man in suffer
ing. Saul haled alike men and women, com
mitting them They, too, have
suffered together at the stake, mingling their
prayers and their ashes. Mutual helpers in
all the joys and sorrows of life, they twain
become one flesh.
It is a good regulation in our society that
so great jjopriety in woman, and
the only thing to be deplored is that just the
same is not required of man, in order that
he, too, may be respected. Modesty is the
ornament of woman. She should avoid the
appearance of a brazen face, or a too gaudy
dress, while should possess the ornament
pf a meek and quieLspirit, and a modest ap
parel. The being displeased, of
scolding, or of magnifying the imperfections
of others, may greatly injure a woman’s in
fluence for good. It is emphatically her pro
vince to utter those words, which are like ap
ples of gold in pictures of silver. It is hers,
iu the day of severe trial to lay asWe her na
tural to nerve herself for the
it re at Je w s mourn witjS
vei«u:i\o _ bi * ilJflS
obtains olfefrragce. teraßfjgife j|
>!
- .
tv . §t
T , . Bed
>
Muy
ry woman i^alln his remd !
Our P forbid the cast
ing out of do deny the
validity, and protest agiflnst ihe practice
which was illustrated recently in .fee,act of a
Ligut. Governor— ifbd popuhul
Mijhpdist preacher, who was called upon ™
admlafetpr sprmkling' to a member of the
House of ‘Representatives dying of delirium
tremens, and who solemnly, in the presence
■ of water ou his face, and
pronounced niin baptized 'into the name of
the Fatherland of tjie of the Holy
Ghost, though the uncon
scious. For such practioHße have no fel
lowshk), and while any church insists upon
»uel%an act we believe we best
please the Master in~holding to our “close
communion,” and making itannbiding protest
against all such perversions of the ordinances
of God. 'There can be no true brotherhood
of Christians until those_o,f ewPry name shall
©print it essential to walk in all the command
ments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless.
Christian Era. ,
An article recently from brother
J. J. D. Renfroe, well awaken
the serious and prayerful attenfUta of the
Baptist churches and
A subsequent from brother
some extent, it has
The many lmiiisfeAlTSH
State within the past
the few, during the sfme
come into its bor<lersjy[rom
sufficient to create thejm^figjys
even alarm, in <7frW
denomination. To the long
lilt enumerated by bwkher us
recall Hie names of many years
ago, in point of intellect, pujjjfft power, piety,
and pastoral efficiency, ranked very high in
that State. DeVotie, Curtis, Chambliss,
Keen, the Manlys, Bqhtor, Wm. Williams,
Chilton, Melver, Foster, Massey, and others,
all now beyond ffler,,borders, and most of
them living arid laboring eisewhere. This
list might be greatly extended, but is not this
enough to awaken serious enquiry among the
churches as to the causes of such removals ?
True, it is not an umnixed evil. The church
es of other States have gained by the losses
of Alabama. The kingdom of Christ has
doubtless been extended by the labors of
these brethren at other points, But has Ala
bama ever been in a condition to sustain such
losses? Have her resources of supply, at
any time been so adequate as to make her the
Nursery of Ministers for other States ? Os
the number that have come from abroad
ring the time spoken of, I remember but two
that are now in the State—Tichenor and Spal
ding—and these, brother Renfroe inform us,
are on the point of removal. Howard Col
lege has beemthe fountain from which she has
mainly drawn her preachers, but alas! for
some time past this fountain has been well
nigh dried. Very few of the young men are
thinking of the ministry, and fewer still who
possess not only the piety, but the talents
and culture which it requires. Would it not
be well seriously to consider, whether the
same causes which lead to removals, do not at
the same time operate, and with equal force,
against the sources of supply. Isaac Taylor
makes this remark : “ that a religious body,
within which there is vitality, will ordinarily
supply itself with an adequate proportion of
ministers.” There is profound truth in this lan
guage, which it would be well for the Bap
tists of Alabama to ponder.
The fault may have been sometimes with
the ministers. After all, they are “ men of
like passions” with others, and are not free
from those motives which prompt other men
to action. Some of them are ambitious, oth
ers restless, some indolent, and none perfect.
But as a class, the Baptist ministry of Ala
bama, for the past twenty years, has been as
humble, contented, laborious and self sacri
ficing a body of men as were to be found
elsewhere. I cannot think of that band of
noble brethren as influenced by no higher
motives in removal, than to acquire a. “snug
parsonage,” or to do “ garrison duty.” Gqd
knows, in regard to some, that they know
nothing now of the leisure they enjoyed as
pastorof a village church. It is now work, con
stant, unintermitting work, and work that can
only be satisfactorily performed by the most
rigid economy of time. A city pastor, above
all others, needs the prayers and sympathies
of his brethren. Still it may be admitted
that wider fields of usefulness have prompted
some of the brethren to remove from your
State. But it is my candid belief,
sickness or stern necessity, from uJB
qnate support, ills compelled
fcpllsi ve their old and cherished fielcßof 1
The war has wrought many
bright sunny South. Our people are
But will any one contend that the churches
are doing their duty in the supportNlf the
ministry ? Is there a pastor in Alabama who
would not work his fingers to the bone, en
gage in any honorable secular
rather than leave his field, if he rSPpTed that
dding all its duty for sup
por-. ■Bare mistaken in these brethren,
!FSx>v ■ you suppose that they
Won! 1 and gt you, if they could
‘ ” effi.rtyiuyoiir part,
of
Frants. But it
must be ma'Rr 'by tfiflMH
of all his flock, clWenq,t asl^H
his table, lest his more pnßjSflP
<|gJfejwn upon his extravagance —
be unable decently to
■.. . , — %it. lie alone sitfjjt|cH[)e nn
Wn who lurßfciever tofci||heir sorrows, who
fcfflik
|HBse is a noGle Absolutely
#ecessary,
shrink from its
is an evil • is it
not an unnecessary evu jufiuflas your pastors
are coneerii^|^Mi^^^^^Bv e allowed to
plead w-ith
that I could dyttSMy aH<feffeetually-™|
that you tniriMprs by sim
ply doing will
justify?- your
abound to the otlr liberality
is accepted v hat a man HEni,
hath notJktffejjct
muon t lieso pfe|pHH|Hv ' L is a Jjflß
pfgKj.niils,
a mere pittßrce.lt jw.-LaiPwti caifWß
will are reaay to
break Some who
have lire ready f to weep bitter tejtrs
as they remeujper The scencas of their early
the church oftßorig OTntiuued labors,
truD^et.hrenjy. love as their own
souls. Stern necessity compelled their remo
val, but as reminiscences of the float in
on the mind, the heart turn? fondly to Ala
bama, and the lips are wady to utter: “ If I
forget thee, let my right hand forget its cun
ning; let my torigue to the
my mouth.”
Jkethren, dear bret®cß»f*Alabama, the
all future removals is jjj :
owflHH May God make you. j[ 1 ?>Y
chiluMa' Qfjssaehar, which were ?nJi
had uridffrabnding- of the timesJß|• -v'
to do.” Jit
WL.. , %tf Wm.Tcßaßp'
Mcrci i Fniversify. J
osltion, we tian-rfer, byreifH '■
| It 4fe'es, at least,
days us lA.wbrs and eorp-
some other mo le
of public than small post
coaches and two horse hacks. The locality
itself is very desirable—celebrated for its
health, Dure air, and pure water. The Facul
ty is ijfljKjßnsed of men eminent in their pro
fession. P Tne accommodations are ample.
The locality itself is all that is desirable ex-
dclay\juid discomfort and uncertainty
"which attends upon coach transportation of,
five, or seven, or nine miles from Greensboro,
Woodville, or Union Point.
Can this be remedied? There are some
forty five thousand members of the Baptist
church in Georgia. A contribution of one
dollar from each of these will raise an
amount sufficient to overcome this difficulty.
I am told that twenty thousand dollars will
build a horse railroad to Union Point by
way of Woodville, and that if the worn light
rails which the Georgia Railroad is selling as
fast, as they can be replaced on the Athens
branch, > e used, this sum can be reduced.
With all becoming diffidence I suggest to
our beloved pastors throughout the State to
take up a collection .Or this purpose. I be
lieve that such contributions are demanded as
a Christian duty. If the pastors of the
churches will co-operate, I am sure a sufficient
amount of money t-an be raised. A contri
bution of ten cents from each member each
Sunday will produce an amount ample to
plaC3 Mercer so that it will again flourish.
The second great difficulty that oppresses
Mercer is the uncertainty whirl* has grown
out of the constant agitation of the propriety
of removing the College elsewhere. Build
this Horse-Railroad and this is silenced for
ever. The people will again look upon it as
a permanet institution—and it will flourish.
Persecution of our American Fathers.
A writer in the Christian Intelligencer,
gathering up facts in the early history of the
Dutch settlements in this country, furnishes
us with the following chapter in the experi
ence of a Baptist minister, of Providence, a
strong friend of Roger Williams:
“ From the records of the court at New
Amsterdam it appears that ‘ William Wick
endam (November 8, 1656), for officiating as
a gospel minister at Flushing, without author
ity, is fined £IOO, Flemish, and to be ban
ished the province; meanwhile to be impris
oned until it be paid with costs.’ Three days
later the fine was remitted,‘as nothing can be
got from him, as he is burthened with a fam
ily.’ The preacher maintained that he was
commissioned by Christ, and had dipped the
people in the river. From this fact we may
infer that some of the people of Flushing
were Baptists.
1656. November 8, William Hallett, sher
iff of Flushing, is removed from office and
fined £SO (failing which to be banished) ‘ for
daring to collect conventicles in his house,
and permitting one William Wickendam to
explain and ccmiment on God’s Holy Word,
and to administer sacraments, though not
called thereto by any civil or clerical author
ity ; and fir assisting at such meeting and
accepting from his hands the bread in the form
and manner the Lord’s Supper is usually
celebrated.’ After nearly three weeks’ im
prisonment, on his own petition and that of
his townsmen, the sentence of banishment
and imprisonmenUgM/as remitted (December
21) on condition he pay the fine and
costs.”
To ‘accept from the hands a Baptist
[minister, ‘the bread in the form and manner
Lthe Lord’s Supper is usually celebrated,’ ap
pears to have been, in those days, no slight
offence. With what
at New-Amsterdam ” i heard
propWfies ring’
descendants be
they would haye asked ; exclaiiiifl|gkin an
swer, “ God forbid !”
TT# W
Coming Ij^Clirist.
Question. How I be qualified before
dare to believe in Christ?
Come, sensible of UryTmis and of
of God due unto tLem, for thus
in HP bid to come.
ever any come tßus to Christ?
BJavid came jailer
BKhus; also, ChrilJlWWHpers came
(mis: Psa. li: 1-3; Acts ixlßr; xvl: 30,
“l ; ii: 37. #
Q. But doth it not seem most reasonable
that first and be good ?
cian, :il lst n °k
. .-jfejEjc (^^^ent
(R But Wit tint - }' -if ° |lC c ' al] >
to menHPl|BflH^^^Hr
A. man should
say, W'nl besT for to Re well before
Igo physician?” or'as if a wounded
man should say, “When cured I will
lay on theagplaster.” * pBBr
Q. But when a poor creature seer vile
miess, it is afraid to come to Christ, is it not?
BfekA. Yes, but without ground; for he has
I Sb “ Say to them that are of jarful heart,
nRFye strong, fear not;” and |^(
«i 1 1 I look, even to him that is pßWnd of a
Nitrite spifet, and
Isa. xxxv: 4r, Ixi: 5.
Q. What encouragement can tfrfiven us
1 th BBq
/mLWhe came thus, hj&fother
i received him, and*Kli and
I kisseddttfefe 1-0 the
L-ssijW D
ii: 3.
Q. Will you one rrf^^^^^ffage
ment? • *
A. The so worded
that are scarlet
pheinous to.«ome
Mark iii: 28; XXV ' ’
|p
A Threat. —-A late number of the Chiß-ch
Times if the Anti Ritual Party
do anything Hfejflftrliament to pnjmagalg, their
opposition to the new illfrivemerit7 the
body of willf make a wholesale
transfer to R<§rafpm, and, uniting with the
English and Irishjlatholics, make the largest
religious body Britain.
sh ■Bbs—Are they Ilaptists ?
?' jgeatef.ff.the Euxine and Cas
- , .. i-BLaiiks i .I’ i h'' Terek, in
..HBraagmiu'iiiar and ni'er
flley i: t .
wT*? . • BByiu—ia. Liiiie
t * < (Hut'i, f.iii!i. d' -
a Gieer' : pci ip.
\ ■ been giv* • 10 • ' 1
pe j'istf fifc.yypHper m » '
k , ‘ been, under a
«f, ,/<* devoted to
theSiiltb lmreh. Private
■ ffigrißßCThrs hitherto been the
not easily obtained ;
for any person mingling with these people
would soon enjoy the special attention of the
imperial police.
The religious principles and faith of this
people are simple and Scriptural. They hold
the doctrine of the Trinity, appeal to the Bi
ble, as they have it, as the only rule of faith
and practice, teach that only believers should
be baptized ; reject infant baptism ; and hold
that immersion oni; is baptism. They have
no priesthood, at least in the sense of the
Greek church. Their form of worship is
.;Y?Q:»-ri£ar .our own, Wheq thejj, ©otrm to
gether their Elder, generally a man of age
and experience, reads a portion of Scripture;
djthey then sing and pray ; afterwards the
leader or elder proceeds to expound and ap
ply a portion of the word, answer questions
with regard to the teachings of the Scripture,
etc.
They have been much persecuted, and are
still under the ban of the priesthood and gov
ernment. It is not safe to be a Malakan even
yet. When a stranger attends their services
for a few times, and seems likely to become
a regular attendant, some of the elder breth
ren call upon him and ask “ what he wants
among them?” If it is his desire to meet
and worship with them, they tell hurt plainly
that they are a down-trodden and persecuted
people,* that need not look to them for pro
tection, but that, if he is willing to trust God,
and go to prison and to death for the truth’s
sake, that he is welcome to come among them.
Now what are they? Are they Baptists?
Their history should be carefully looked into
by our historians.— J. A. Dacus.
Clerical Costumes iu Scotland.
Perhaps you are notawarethat every man
who writes Reverend before his name is ex
pected to dress in black, with a white necker
chief. During the week a little license is
given, and one who is less careful of punc
tilio, may tie a strip of black silk beneath his
chin; but he must doff it when he officiates.
So universal is this, that I never saw a preach
er in the pulpit otherwise dressed. The or
dained ministers have the Geneva gown, which
is made of black silk, and is tolerably capa
cious, and on' the whole, comfortable, espe
cially when underneaih it there is the cassock
—a close-fitting jacket of the same material,
which allows the preacher to throw aside his
coat, and leaves him more at ease.
But what is still more peculiar, and seems
to have struck two Americans whom I met
lately, with astonishment, is the bands, which
are only worn by ministers who are settled,
arid are never, in any circumstances, put
around the neck of an unordained man. They
are two strips of fine muslin, about a couple
of inches broad, tied around the neck, and
lying on the chest, some being six inches long,
some so, and diverging more from each
ftther as they get nearer their lower extremi
ty. My American friends fancied they were
a part of the preacher’s neckerchief. Gowns
and bands are never worn by Independents
or Baptists, but they are universal among
Presbyterians and Episcopalians. If I have
been retailing what we call piper’s news in
this country —that is, news known to every
one, I have been led into it by the wonder of
your countrymen.
High-Cliurch Arrogance.
The London Church Times, an organ of the
English ritualists, thus savagely arraigns the
unlucky Queen of England for her polite tele
gram to the King of Prussia on the occasion
of the recent unveiling of the statute of
Luther, at Worms, wherein she undoubtedly
expressed the feelings of three fourths of her,
Anglo-Saxon, Welsh and Scottish subjects:
“Although the Queen cannot find time or
inclination to discharge her duties as the chief
officer of the State, it seems that she is able
and willing to make herself prominent in
matters which liecompletely-outof the sphere
of
telegrUß to the King of Prussia, on the oc
casion of his unveiling the Luther monument
at jWorms, she attempted to pledge the nation
over which she rules to sympathy with the
apostate and profligate, albeit able and cour
ageous, Augustinian. In so doing she need
lessly insulted all her loyal Anglican subjects,
who are pledged to resist Lutheranism to the
uttermost, all her Roman Catholic subjects,
and finally, all her Scottish Calvinist lieges,
the maintainers of a creed which Luther stout
ly anthematized. And considering that she
holds the title of ‘ Defender of the Faith ’ on
no other ground than that an ancestor and
predecessor of hers controverted Luther, she
(ought either to have checked her pen or abdi
cated the distinctive appellation.”
Light Breaking In upon Mexico.
The immigration toTuxpan Valley, Mexico,
is said to be increasing. A railroad from
Tuxpan City to the City of Mexico is in con
templation. Weekly newspapers, well con
ducted—some in the English language —are
springing up in various parts of Mexico.
Much interest is manifested in regard to the
education of the masses. The Protestant
religion is freely tolerated. Several railroad
enterprises are being agitated. A few rail
roads are in actual process of construction.
Texas is contemplating the penetration of
Mexico with railroads at several points. The
Protestants of the South ought to be vigilant
in training up ministers, teachers, colporteurs,
to follow in the wake of other elevating and
liberalizing Influences into Mexico. The
SflttuMrn Pacific Railroad, in reaching the
;' will penetrate the heart of
Wm. A late writer predicts that, in ten
at least one hundred Protestant church
edifices will have been erected in the Repub
lic of Mexico.
RnmusTic Romanism. —Among the new
developments of Ritualism is the formation
on the part of the clergymen of the English
of a society called “The Confratem-
Body and Blood of our L<>rd.'’
is to promote the honor due to the
persbfpW Christ in the sacrament, which
(raehuEffo propagate the Roman Catholic idea
One of the prayers
adopted by the society is as follows: “ I adore
thee, O Lord my God, veiled under these
poor earthly elements, and prostrate before
Thy Divine Majesty, I desire to honor thee
with all the devotion of which I am capable,
and that I may the better honor thee, I unite
myself with all thy saints and angels in
more perfect adoiation. Hail! Living BreaM
that comest down from heaven to give IJfefl
to the world. Hail, most holy flesh
Christ! Hail, heavenly drink of Jes®tsjßiP
to me, above all things, the sura and fullness
of delight!”
WHOLE NO. 2406,
Out of the shadows of sadness,
Into the sunshine of gladness,
Into the light of the blest—
Out of a land very dreary.
Out of the world of the weary, < j
Into the rapture of rest.
Out of to-day’s sin and sorrow,
Into a blissful to-morrow,
Into a day without glantn ;
Out of a land filled with (filing—
tut rv, h '. -^|h fte,—
» wreck ow( fliore.
Out of the
Out of the world of the wailing,
Thronged with the anguished and ailing,
MSB Out of the world of the sad—
World of I" igljWbpons and voices—
there’s ‘ Jjffifcj" '
One golden morn, to Adine’s home there came *
The angel bearer of a sweet behest—
“ With loving care,
Adine, thy house prepare,
For Christ the Lord this day shall be thy guest.
With awe Adine the heavenly message heard :
A holy hush fell on her heart and face:
And going'fh'nodMM^^^^
" To-day His presence shali^^f^MPr^^aoe. ’’
Long hnurs she watched—arid her ear, ’
And thro’ the twilight strained her #
A shadow crossed the floor,
And at the door -•>‘i , nt
A sad-Syed child begged shelter from the nig ou l “*
M
But Adine waited for her Kingly guest, '
With hope and fear at war within her hbart, Lr
No thought or care 'if-
The weary child could spare, V 'M
And with ungracious alms bade him depart.
Then suddenly the childish form was changed,
And with a look that smote her like a sword—
Ail fair and bright
In robes of silvery white—
He turned and said, “Adine, behold thy Lord!”
And while with trembling hands her face she hid,
The glory faded that thro’ the place had shone;
The sheen of pinions fair
Swept thro’ the silent air,
And in the twilight dim she stood alone.
Still for the Master’s coming Adine waits.
But help from those who need no* more withholds,
For evermore,
In all who seek her door,
Adine the image of her Lord beholds!
A Shrewd Deacon.
In the “good old days” when the Conare
gationalists were the “standing order,” and
were supposed to have the right of “ eminent
domain” in all New England, save in that
balky little province of Rhode Island, where
that pestilent man, Roger Williams, had sown
his tares of religious liberty, there was
ing, so tradition goes, a sharp witted, pluckvfei
Baptist deacon, in the town of Stamfords
Conn. He was a blacksmith, and had a
heart as well as a stout arm. Now, it was
one of the duties of the “orthodox” cler
gymen of the “parish” to collect his own
fare. It so happened one day that the then
incumbent was going the rounds etu|ftjtfiHj|ja
said sacred business, and called at
of our Baptist deacon. He was hard at
work, but politely stopped on the entrance of
the minister. After the usual salutations had
passed between them, 'the reverend gentle
man presented a “bill” to the deacon. Ho
put on his “specs” and examined it, evi
dently with some surprise. It contained a
charge against him of ten dollars for attend
ing the parish church. “ But,” said he, “ I
am a Baptist, and go to my own meeting, ind
help support my own minister, and have
never entered your <;hurch through
“ Well,” was the reply, “ the door tfgflHHjl
and you could have entered.” Tire deacon
excused himself for a moment, and went into
his house, which was near the shop. He*’
soon returned, and, with a twinkle iphiseye,
handed a paper to the minister, who read it
quickly, and then said. “What does this
mean i A ten dollars for shoeing
my horse! I have never brought my horse
into your shop.” “Well,” replied the dea
con, “ the doer was open, and you could have
entered.” The minister’s reply is not on re
cord, nor whether he had the
and sent to the county jail to night
for his perverseness, as was donW*With con
tumelious Baptists in more than one
in the town of Dedham, Mass., arfPdoubtldM
elsewhere. — Cor. Examiner and: Chronicle.
- *
A“ 1 "■"■ " ■ . \'rA
Memorizing Scripture. —Let eveftjfMnHj
tian household have an exercise in
from the Bible morning and evening. :
with the child as soon as he can artrenflraK.
and carefully making selections for him, fol
low’ it up until the day he leaves homeibr
school, or it may be for college. Sometimes
require a whole Psalm, or several conni|Kip
verses, half a chapter, as Rom. v :
even, after a while, whole chapters. Learn-?
ing a few verses at a time, repeating them
sometimes in concert, this becomes practical,
and even quite easy. And not only do you
thus make the child very familiar, in a few
years, wjlJja large range of Bible truth, but
you give bjtttfwo very important habits, that
will prove a'llAtfig benefit. Ist, the habit
of storing select portions of
the word of GotMßt 2d, the habit of learn
ing it correctly, word. If you add
to the above of analy
zing portions of repeating the
substance in our for an occasional
exercise, and the ooUvHMu several passages
explanatory of one upon the same
subject, and the hymns,
you will have accomplished desired.
Private Prayer. —The roOpf^M>rod
the beautiful and flourishing treiflPrth all its
spreading branches, verdant leaves, And re
freshing fruit, that which gains for it
vigor, and fruitfulness, is all unseen, and'pp
farther and the deeper the roots spread
neath, the more the tree expands aboviff
Christians, if you long to bring forth all tJfej
fruit of the Spirit, strike your roots deep and
wide in private prayer. That faith and sup
port, that strength and grace, which you seek
of God in secret, that it may be exercised in
the hour of need, God will in that hour give
it to you before men.— Bickersteih.
Influence of Romanism. —Wherever Cath
olicism has held absolute dominion, there so
cial life has withered jTthas struck nations
with
being able f«y to e||2fiirsh order ; it has not
been able tb*>reveny.he recurrence of peri
ods of bittqr trials, and when those times ar
rived it knew not hoWto ayMd excesses, and
was incompetent alike either toMsforin or ip
maintain itself. — Guizot.
Grotesque Cni RCULpEae. —“At a recent
meeting of the rural' deanery of Leek, Eng
land, the Rev. A. IJ. Boucher stated that he
|could remember the Jtinne, about twenty-five
I years ago, wheiijin tfiat place the ceiling of a
1 church was papered with Punch and the /if
I lustrated London News."