Newspaper Page Text
142
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K®y. D. SHAVER, D.D., Editor.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1868.
William Sands.
We feel, as a personal affliction, the announce
ment in the Religion* Herald, that “this venerable
man died suddenly at his residence in Richmond,
Va., on Sunday, the 30th ult., at 8 o clock, P. M-,
in the 75th year of his age.” As “ the founder,
and for many years the sole proprietor and editor”
of that paper, he well and nobly ‘served his genera
tion by the will of God.* No tribute which Baptists
may pay to ijg.memory can discharge the debt of
grateful revving due him at their hands. His
editorial labofp»tched through that transition
era in the denorifmation, which gave, if not exist
ence, organized form, and effectiveness, to mission
ary work at home and abroad, Bible and tract dis
tribution, Sunday schools, ministerial education,
temperance, etc.; and noow bore himself more
valiantly or faithfully in the long battle for these
and kindred methods of benevolent and evangelical
enterprise. “Sound in the faith,he guarded
this progress, with wisewigilance, a assaults
which, from rifcfftipto agitate
and renff the chufßK—first, against assaults
from which, in
under pleas of cn'Jffwcbed liberality, would htive
wresfed it to ends’of error. This work was per
formed, too, in the midst of embarrassments,
self-denials, privations, of which we may say that
if jt was less than martyrdom to endure them, it
was mßre than heroism to welcome and conquer
The vision of his great heart struggling
! in these mesbeAthrpuuh.Jmp: years, and retaining
, it R the last, touches us
for a moment: the pang
loses itself in the thrill
speak of William Sands, rather, as we
It’ him, when these difficulties were overpast,
ripe old age, during an association of eight
Ktful years, when we had such frequent occa
lon more to revere him as a father than simply
to deal with him as our partner in business. He
possessed a marvellous poise and balance of intel
lect, which, preserving his zeal from extravagance
and his conservatism from timidity, made him
always a judicious counsellor. A sincere, though
undemonstrative, piety grew steadily on the'fra
ternal affection, to which, in the outset, it pre
ferred no boastful claim. His information was
encyclopedic; for there was no mine of history
which he had not explored ; on statistical ques
j tions, enquiry never found him at fault: in
* geographical studies, he was the Carl Ritter of
our country ; and his name stands first upon the
list of laymen who, in our judgment, might fitly
, have worn the Doctorate in Divinity. “Take him
in all,” we never knew, perhaps, a greater man.
“ If his physical had equalled his intellectual vigor—
if circumstances had set him free from the clerical
drudgery of a publication office, and left his
powers of thought in unobstructed play, with the
| leisure which ripens conception into authorship—
| if his modesty had not been as sensitive and
y- shrinking as his taste was refined, his under
standing solid, and his learning diversified —we
make no question that he would have earned for
himself an honorable and enduring name in lit
_erature. But a wise Providence ordered other
-I^is(w-o,'dered tlTat the mind-work and heart-work
ofShis life should be expended on the columns of
p weekly religious journal —seemingly an hum
bler, but who shall say, a less useful sphere of
effort? In that sphere this remains true:—at
the close of the war, when the “great fire” at
Richmond consumed his office, and cut short his
toils for the public, he was the oldest of Southern
Editors, and if, of that fraternity, there be any
who win for themselves a more brilliant reputa
tion or a wider circle of readers, none have ever
surpassed him in truth of purpose or in utility of
Afeyork. Only the revelations of the last day can
largely it is due to his labors, that the
gtt® State in w’hich he conducted the organ of the
51 denomination, is precisely the State in which our
are greatest, and the future most full of
promise to us.
Indepenacnyy.
The independence of the churches, as held by
Baptists, has very clear Scriptural support. Not
only so : Christianity , in practice, works toward
it. E&efl the denominations, by whom it is repudi
atedflfOTßhe sake of control through official dignita
ries oi*ecclesiastical counts, find themselves drawn
withinjke circle of its influence, against the force
teof theirtheory and legislation to the contrary.
f Wjp called attention, some time since, to one in-
of this truth: The Methodist discipline
on the Episcopate, the exclusive preroga-
assigning pastors to the churches. ( Time
when the practice of that denomination con
formed rigorously to this rule. But now, accord-
statements in their newspaper organs,
Jjtjhe pleading churches and the prominent divines,
throughout large portions of the North, make
their own bargains for the ensuing year, in ad
vance of the session of Conference, and the Bishop
• is shut up to the necessity of confirming these ar
rangements, as settled beforehand, without refer
ence to his authority. So mightily grows the
principle of Independency, and prevails 1
A second instance of thislugpli furnished by
& recent issue of the SoultgmMferesbyterian. That
paper says:
“Are we
In many practices.
In congregation con
trols itself. In each congrega
tion is
that control t representatives.
I’he most iiunorflßpinatter relating to the inter
ests of a is the settlement or remo
val of a JH&r. According to our system, the
PresbvjgHphas the principal and final voice in
duteroflHpwe' question of every pastoral rela
tion —aHhid decides upon the wisdom and
expedtlHKl forming every such relation and of
dissolving; ft. It should consider the wishes and
of the parties; but it has full discretion
to accede to them or dissent from them.
It has power to refuse to place a unanimous call
L. in the hands of a pastor-elect anxious to accept it.
g, The right to control such relations belongs to the
Presbytery more legitimately, as we believe, than
it does to a Diocesan Bishop, or an Episcopal
Methodist Superintendent. This power involves
a responsibility. Each Presbytery is accounta
ble to God for the formation ol every pastoral r -
latton it establishes, and the dissolution of every
one it terminates. It cannot throw this respon
sibility on either minister or people.
This is our theory , drawn, as we believe, from
the Scriptures. Certainly we have adopted and
vowed to carry it out But do we ?
How are pastoral J^lationsTormed,? Generally
in ways which igtjgbe ih%jnafat. discretion, and
responsibility of Presbytery. HAII the prelimi
nary steps are mnmier and people
without the knowledgWWSonsertt of Presbytery.
The whole question W discussed between these
.two atftt deemed by them. Jib* Pres »y
--'terv consulted; its advice is not sought;
its control is not retognized. And if the minister
is already pastor, lus old charge is not consult
ed.' Often the whole matter is kept a secret from
them until it is tooiate io prevent the .UnuovK
to show reasons against it, and too late to
vent that alienation of feeling w hich is so natuiJ|
in such cases and which now becomes a strofejaf'
argument for removal. Thus the whole quy||Pn
is really decided before it comes into Presbytp'y,
and all that is left for that venerable body to do
is to sanction and confirm this proceeding. It
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA. GA., THURSDAY,SUrJfIa 1868.
finds the case in such an atti*ude, when first in
troduced, that it has no discretion, no choice.
The parties are agreed and earnest; the minister
has committed himself, and the church has com
mitted itself —each so fully that it would be
embarrassing to retract; the minister has already
taken steps to remove—perhaps, as in aianu
cases we have known, has actually remo»||Bg4
his new field and entered C. ‘
This triumph of IndcpendgnrfHN 4 • *4 <**- •
adel of l’i esl>\ tery is *mi "
have induced the SoudtfH GenerateArere mfely, a? j
its late .session, 11 t re ’o h ’d « >* j
urcr rompliaid® Mi the une/ ' sbx’*' '•s« j
win.l effect Ijß 'll /„ * * ’ j
~yt.:i iaas of By.j
tire,ire iiqwJb
Iviinhnrirh.aliH J * .16 l' 1 :
6 —-Inis 11 1 . 1 I'o J i
Wilson to Regent SgfigMhc."'.'?!, Urc-h-; ; wr, 1»* .
hoth he -nr, • iifrek -pi >-.tl to the SyUoJ agOHlsl'
the finding.” ' r -. 'lUit-i, .cn
hopeful of a result
it says, “Such resolutions are not more likely
to be regarded than our time-honored constitu
tion.”
While these lines have been waiting for a place
in our columns, the mail has brought us another
issue of the Southern Presbyterian , pointing out
an additional example of the practical Indepen
dency which has crept into its denomination. We
give it without comment:
“Our theory is that it is both the right and
duty of the Presbytery ‘in general to order
whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the
churches under (heir care.’ This- implies that
the Presbytery is to use its best wisdom and zeal
in forming plans for the good of all the churches,
to promote their purity, usefulness, and pros
perity ; and that having formed these plans, it is
no less the solemn duty of every minister and
cliurcfv under its care faithfully to carry them
out. But do they all do this?
Some do, but many do not. Some never do.
Some, both ministers and churches, habitually
neglect, for a course of years, every resolution,
recommendation, and injunction of Presbytery,
and have done it so long that now they are ex
pected to do so. What does this mean? Ought
it to be allowed? Is it not absolutely wrong?”
“■Calvinism” and Policy.
Thirty years have elapsed since the rupture, by
which the Presbyterian Church in Abe United
States was parted into two—the Old and the New
School. The history of these Schools is not with
out instruction, on a point of great practical im
portance.
The “Calvinism” of the Old School was more
sharply defined than that of the New ; adhered"
more closely to the sixteenth-century statement
and defence of the system ; admitted less of mod
ern speculation to soften its rugged aspects and
blunt the edge of prescriptive cavils. Now, if it
be wise policy, as men olten tell us, to “diminish
the unpopularity of ‘Calvinism,’ by smoothing
over its sterner features,” the New School ought
to have been more flourishing than the Old. But
what has been the issue?
The statistics of these two Schools at the North,
for the present year, have just been published.
The North, be it remembered, is the section in
which the tendency has been 'strongest toward
such modifications of doctrine as are demanded by
“the spirit of the age,” in its affected “liberality.”
And be it remembered, too, that, at the time of
the separation, the Old School was the minority
in the North. And yet, it appears from these sta
tistics that the Old School at the North is larger
to-day than the undivided denomination, including
both types of thinkers throughout the whole
country, the year before the schism ! It is larger
than the New, in that section, by 3 Synods, 31
Presbyteries, 530 ministers, 1,147 churches, and
83,023 communicants !
We commend this historical fact to Calvinistic
advocates of “reserve in teaching,” as bearing
with great force against their timid policy. Where
“the doctrines of grace” were modified least, there
progress was greatest. We can not surrender
these doctrines; for they are the truth of God.
The unpopularity attaching to them we must ac
cept as unavoidable, in view of the fact that our’s
is a fallen race—fallen in those powers of reason
which apprehend the truth—fallen in those pow
ers of affection which love it. And we must faith
fully proclaim them, “whether men will hear, or
whether they will forbearremembering who has
said, “My word shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which / please, and
it shall prosper in the thing whereto /sent it.”
Our Zion —in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
On the plan of securing contributions from the
membership, even if in small sums, monthly, or at
other short intervals, the First church,Macon, Rev.
E. W. Warren pastor, has already sent, during the
year, $250 to the Board of Missions,
Marion, Ala.—Rev. D. G. Daniell of his
field in the New Sunbury Association : “It affords
me no little pleasure to say that South TKewport
church, Mclntosh county, is re-organized and a
Sunday school commenced. North Newport, after
some changes, seems to be working more regularly
and hopefully'. North Salem church, which seemed
at the point of extinction, has been stirred up to
renewed effort to maintain the ordinances of re
ligion, and to organize a Sunday school. The
people of a destitute neighborhood, and remote
from any church, are willing to come out to hear
the gospel on a week day, and seem to appreciate
it. They are talking about organizing a church
and trying to build a house in their midst, at no
distant day.” At Darien, he says, it was »ot
deemed expedient to attempt ie-organization ; “the
house of worship having been burned with the
city by the Federal forces and the members scat
tered.” '
Alabama.
The Baptist Watchman has been removed from
Elyton to Jasper, Winston county, and under the
name of Watchman and Vindicator , is devoted,
one-half of it to “Primitive” Baptist theology, and
the other half to Democratic politics.
Arkansas.
Rev. W. M. Lea, State Missionary, reports a
meeting at Batesville, with forty-one accessions,
“including several from the Methodist and Pres
byterian Societies.” There were “ several house
hold baptisms (and no babies).”
Kentucky.
The forty-six churches of Li ttle River Association
report for the ptistyear,an increase of 500 members.
—“Deacon N. Long, of the Russellvilleijjjiapfist
(lmrel), superintendent of the Sabbauß * »•
leading member of the choir, an activoß Ahlh :
the church, one whose energy and zeal in
every thing that relates to the welfare of Zion, has
put in that church, at his own expense of nearly
SI,OOO, one of the ipost beautiful and conveniently
constructed baptisteries that we have%ny where
seen.” —Os 288 additions, by baptism, to the
churches of Campbell County Association, last
year, 134 were from the Sunday school—J antes
R. Cundiff was ordained at Meeting
August 13th; sermon by Rev. G. -
There have been thirty-four
Hill church, Taylor county, ten to
church, twenty-two to Lost Run, nine toTWHweroF
twelve to Bedford, Trimble county, eight to Forks
of Locust, seventy-four to Bethlehem, Spencer
county, twelve to Mill Creek, Harden county ;
fourteen to Liberty, Oldham county ; nine to Meet
ing Creek. —Our old Theological Seminary build
ings at Covington are now turned into a Roman
Catholic orphan asylum, and a property of $2,000,-
j 000 lias passed from the hands of our denomina-
Maryland.
The Baptist Visitor , monthly, begins its third
> volume, with the price reduced to fifty cents a year.
What more remunerative use could be made of a
1 half-dollar, than to subscribe for this sprightly
little paper ? Address Rev. O. F. Flippo, Dover,
Delaware, or Rev. J. L. Lodge, Brooklandville,
Md.
Mississippi.
Rev, R. N. Hall succeeds Rev. J. A. Hackett as
■?H£ r l' at ' Concord, Ogden and Hebron churches,
■K|||s|eounty, and Mount Bluff, Madison county
Rv M. P. Lowry recently baptized fifteen per-
win
tiMfi'.-# Missouri. jgQgjH
BKgLtbe work of Rev. Wm. llildrfift|
o.; f|lj[ominational Statistics, that
d' • >: tKb less than 70,000 in M is-
H|he American Bapt
*4 Ra membership of ihig
Hlfcifoi'- ■.l A 'social'' •: its hip-si'-i-m.n P..
,• f? Ha. as the .. colored peoplflawroflHflfl^cd
f<-,- . . fflntni Boa and be mstt acted
■kitiKm, organizing < UureWe andfdis^ksNfeji
theological instruction as theyvi% rerjom!. —The
California, Mo., Baptist Associa
tion, proposes to build a houHrof worship for our
brethren in that town by lottery, $20,000 worth of
property to be distributed in prizes. The Central
Baptist sharply, hut not too sharply .rebukes this
measure.—A Baptist church at
Jonesville, July 25th; and another, August Ist, at
Pine School House, Andrian county.
Noktb Carolina.
There are signs favorable to the erection of a
Baptist house of worship, at no distant day, in the
beautiful and thriving town of Concord.—Rev. H.
Lennon reports three revivals in Robeson and
Columbus counties; one at Antioch church, with
17 restorations and 50 baptisms; a second at Big
Branch, 12 restored and 15 baptized; a third at
Cross Roads, baptisms 13. —A recent protracted
meeting added 15 members to Valley River church,
Cherokee county.—Liberty Association reported,
for the year, a gain of only 81, and Flat River a
decrease of 2.—The General Association of colored
Baptist churches in the State, representing nearly
one hundred churches, (all organized since the
war, principally through the efforts of the North
ern Home Mission, Publication and Free Mission
Societies,) at its recent session in Raleigh, estab
lished a Theological School in that city, and ad
vised the churches to ordain no young man to the
ministry who cannot read and write.
Tennessee.
Rev. J. F. B. Mayes, who has been serving our
church at Jackson as pastor, the past year, sup
ported in part by the Board of Domestic Mis
sions, writes to Dr. Sumner: “ The membership
has increased twenty, and sixteen are to join
shortly. The harmony of the church is complete;
the financial and social status of the church is
very largely increased; field intensely hopeful.”—
Os Middle Tennessee, Rev. Wm. Huff writes:
■ * ces in a deplorable condition. Houses of worship
were entirely destroyed or rendered unfit for use,
the churches disorganized, the membership dis
couraged and without pastors, our schools aban
doned and the buildings greatly damaged; and
worse still, in some sections, conflicting political
sentiments had engendered bitter feelings of ani
mosity among the members of the same churches.
But the dark shades of this picture are gradually
passing away, and a brighter prospective is open
i ing before us. New houses of worship are going
up, old ones are under repair. The churches have
! been reorganized and the brethren are moving for
! ward in peace and harmony.”—A new house of
! worship approaches completion at Sulphur Springs.
Virginia.
Five of the churches of the Accomac Associa
tion are without pastors, but at the late session all
the churches reported Sunday schools.—The Val
ley African Association has 21 colored and 1 white
minister, 17 churches, and 1,754 members, of whom
were baptized the past year. At its late ses
sion, in Lexington, the churches of the tow’n were
refused to it, (it had no place of meeting of its
own,) because the white minister, (Rev. J. P. Cor
ron, (in the employment of American Baptist
Home Mission Society,) had rendered himself per
sonally and politically obnoxious to the communi
ty. But Gen. Frazar and Lieut. Wagner, of the
Bureau and Military Commission, seized the Meth
odist Episcopal house of worship, (which was
cupied one Sabbath by the whites and another by
the blacks, alternately,) and turr.ed it over to the
use of the Association against the wish of the
membership, whites and blacks alike. Such is
the latest instance of ‘ginning the churches”
with the bayonet, as we gather it from the Rich
mond Dispatch .”—There have been 16 conversions
at Winn’s, Hanover county, and 37 at Deep Rm4|
—There are yet over 2,000 colored
connection with the Concord Association; wf3H
members 1,350. —The Richmond Dispatch, Sept. 3AH
says: “AUthe funeral of William Sands,
the Second Baptist cliurclK
attendance of c< fforgd. persons.
of the whimcliurclies
sincetKwar. Many df them the funeral
cortegfe in processionalotffnjb erWetery, and at the
close of the they assem
bled abound the o®n grave of the deceased and
snngjan appropriate hymn to”!he strains of an old
plaintive African pielody. This testimonial of
love from former 'servants and others who had
known him for affected to tears not a
few of the large crowd who witnessed it.”—There
have been dissensions in our church at
a the members
the eourt-lumse; and a Council, oy Me- \
church recently, “ without inipeaehinMjf oa,
l-ity or of any,” :hem
to W. Taggart, thejl
withdra^field of labor.
China. "
Rev. R. H. Grave® reports an instance of the I
second stage of missionary progress, a spontaneous"
native work, at there are
half-dozen
enquirers; without
payment or bjßt Lam,
baptized, at w^H^K^nßpßS^w^lla^^l'Vcn
eight years
Baptist
This body, wTiicn held its first meeting at Mt.
peasant churclr, m Hale county, Alabama, from
the 2#|fi through the 30th of Augftt, had itsori
_'gin«in a suggestion of a few ministers who met
in Marion, last May. Quite goodly
brethren, chiefly from the Cahabaand
. convened at the time appoifflffi^ilF
procewPKW accordance with a programme nre-
in connectiotygnth the csflfTor
||§f Brother L. L. Fox, had been.,
requesjia to preach the first sermon, bcinirabseiit, I
r“rein ember, tlfefffore, froujgßp-hence
th"ii arfHlff’ etc.
sive^ernHjK*ould irKjHKad hcajK
1 1 ''inissfTVn of an whaH
some refreshments, the brethrfflP
proceedetPK organize the Union.
ktXj. Battle w T as renuested to act as Modera
and Rev. C. Clerk, pro tempore.
to prepare a
Consti lWßpily7 to be reported on the
next being disposed of, the
B9slt Protracted Meetings,
discussed by several brethren, Revs. J. P.
Thompson and J. A. Hill, leading in the discus
sion. This continued until stellate in the after
nooh to leave us tnrfrvo go to our places of
abode by sundown) No services were held at the
tneeeting house at nighff*Bm%t the different pri-Jl
vate dwellings to which ve repaired, prayer and p
praise occupied a the evening.
On Friday morning, was held
at the church at o’clock, conduct® by Rev.
T. M. Barbour. At 11 o’clock, Rev. j. J. Watts,
preached an earnest discourse from Rom. i. 16.
After the intermission for refreshiofents, the breth
ren assembled and adopted a tßonslitution —the
main features of which, braides declaring the
name cf the body, were £o set forth its object,
viz: “to develope, increase and combine the piety
and efficiency of the churches to which we belong”
—and to are its members, viz: “ the
members-cifyßireUst churches, in good standing
who mayoepresentat'any meeting.” The officers
pro tempore were then elected for this session.
The body being thus organized, Revs. J. 11. Foster
and T. M. Barbour led in a discussion of the
Scriptural QugliJk(Wjpris for partaking of the
Lord's b''qatoug£AijogMrhi('h mln.r l.retlum i".*k
fie safely said, as a result of
t not only showed that there
OffinKm|Bw'qgpnhiunion Baptists in this part of
' 3»rv,"hiit tbaufcur Pedobaptist bretbrcii,
was onflprawceSlased or. ground that can
not be but that their own
ought to he to ours, i. e. limited to
those who are in actual or possible church fellow
ship. While our principles were declared ear
nestly, honestly, 1 and with the utmost plainness,
1 am sure I may add that there was nothing, in
word, tone or manner, to which even the most sen
sitive could object. Indeed this was voluntarily
expressed by several Pedobaptists present, who
also acknowledged that the whole subject had been
presented to their niin#s in an entirely new form,
which was at once striking and conclusive. That
discussion will do good.
On Saturday morning, Rev. J. P. Thompson
led the prayer meeting; The sermon at 11
o’clock was preached by Rev. 0. Manly, from Ileb.
x. 27-30. The exposition and practical applica
tion of this difficult passage of Scripture was
listened to very earnestly by a large congregation,
and appeared to be received with deep solemnity,
and to give satisfaction. The discussion', in the
afternoon, was on the Inspiration of the Scrip
tures. Revs. A. J. Battle and T JI Beck led in
this, and were followed by others. This discus
sion, though most interesting and valuable, was
felt to be incomplete for want of time—though
the exercises were continued to a late hour.
Avery large congregation assembled on Sunday
morning. The first exercises of the day had re
ference to Sunday schools. Brother Battle urged
the importance of the religious training of the
young ; and brother Manly gave some illustrations
of how a blackboard may be profitably used in
a Sunday school. At 11 o’clock, Rev. S. R.
Freeman preached to a congregation too large to
find room in the house, from Rom. 7. 13.—“ that
sir£, by the commandment, might become exceed
ing sinful.” Surely, no one could have heard this
discourse without feeling, in his inmost soul, that
sin is, indeed, exceeding sinful. Bro. Mclntosh
exhibited in the afternoon, the Power of Christ's
Death to take away Sin, in a sermon from 2 Cor.
5. 21. This discussion w r as peculiarly rich in
those old and blessed truths which form the
ground of every Christian’s hope.
Thus ended one of the most precious feasts of
Christian communion that it has ever been my
privilege to enjoy. We all felt amply repaid for
going to the meeting. It was indeed good to be
there, and w'e look forward to the next with pe
culiar anticipations of delight and improvement.
Our Union hopes to meet again on Thursday before
the 4th Sunday in February, 1869, at Mt. Moriah
church, in Bibb county. A programme of its
exercises will be sent you at least a month before
hand, and a cordial invitation is extended to any
of our brethren who may be able to attend. It
is scarcely necessary to add that genuine, Chris
tian hospitality w'as extended to all in attendance
from a distance, by the good people in the neigh
borhood. C. M.
, P«aper for Midtfte Tennessee.
In the Index and Baptist of the 3d inst., I see
a letter from brother Cates, deeply regretting
that the undersigned should have referred again
to a paper or organ of communication of Middle
Tennessee. He thinks “ that it is uncalled for
and entirely out of place.” I suppose that
brother Cates will allow others to think for
themselves on this subject.
I am not —never have been—disposed to contro
versy, and much less with my good brethren in
the ministry, it, by referring to what I thought
then a want of the section in which I live and la-
R injured the interests or wounded the
my brethren, I am truly sorry I ever
on the subject. still, I must say,
y have said upon the subject
'ts, and hence my mind remains u?®l
en I wrote last (I did not when I
) I knew of the action of the Gene
ral Association, &e., and I now know of the reso
lutSli passed by my Association, (the Concord,)
but I have long since been taught that the value
of resolves and re-resolves of Associations and
Conventions is very small. I referred to facts
as tnKjpixist in Middle Tennessee, to-day, and
they free worth more than Rushels of resolutions’
of Jp£ociatit>ns though passed unM^|l|
1 am now done with this
t-Knro, Tun.. S.pi. 4, WW. -
' WSitnar"" ratio Cares Jnties^*
P^ : iFWPfrecen: date, he says: "Did
'WWreini tHatmrella ptist Publication
Hn-ge number of Dr. Mercer’ sUi^JH
Treorgia Baptist Association ? I~K
jjred in a paper
t**i« in, lls. 1 :niv i
t!|Jm. ed rever'd
niyiKt?;|fec. I have written to
Kjuiring™' what fi:rqp» tjjis valuable histolK
be obtained, Societl
will hasp ft bemnd, Jiaving no*Wmot it
in demiKLatfSpecially wjthin* the limits
is received, {.he
su tfpr&e of ijiKpyanpounced.
I*s
will be sdfficiim? fpr the population ; but then®
will not be h?l|l|®tA>cropii*de. Causes: thel
limitM raiusfQ
and cnterpilldrs. sweeping eve
rything are very
prevalent,|u)d much Mortality
among t hereol.l <> not now have
of former days,
rell deaths among the
Ipcs. mm
L have been this year to
■ftfc church .KHHpltfUli has
. douiirejUjts ;
BTsinc«*m TnHppnmtqwfd. L kfi|- (tF
of
united, 7.cmlous3^^Hl|^K
A few near road, ]
have experienced reyivalSYbut the ex- !
ceptions. We are praying for belter
times ; but *re not encouraging. The
coloreand people
than in many other midnight drill
ings nor acts of violence that I hear of. As an
Evangelist fuqpaid, of cqprse,) I am preaching to
them as opportunity offers. I wish I could do
more of this work, gs they greatly need the gos
pel, and seem to receive it joyfully. They have
fceen somewhat offi^Ji; but seem to be getting
™er that, our fellowship and atten
tions. Only my son, being Mon
ticello, Fla., reJljßd a special invitation fc^reaclU
to the colored church, which he did, and had an
interesting time. Dear Mallary, now in heaven,
used to say to me, “ the best negro
pieachcrl know of.” 1 wish' somebody would
report me as such, to the Home Mission Board,
or some other institution’of the sort; perhaps
they would enable*me to give 1 ? more attention to
this unfortunate class : nothing be said
of my sentiments as an ex-rebtj||||3f my record,
in this respect were reported, 1 fear I should
stand a bad chance for an appoiottWj||, If, how
ever, that Board, or some other means,
could have toe magnanimity to sustairip-qonipe
tent men among them, who understand theif cha
racter and know how to reach them, much good
might be accomplished. Preachers of their bwn
color are sufficiently numerous, and are rapidly
increasing. But generally speaking, they are
too ignorant and fanatical, and are too ambitious
of political distinction, to be useful as ministers
of Jesus Christ.
J. H. Campbell.
Thomasville, Sept, 1, 1868.
Ministers and Beacons? Meeting of the Geor
gia Associatipsi^,
The recent session of this body
church at Ebenezer, Wilks county. Tncniiecjnng
began Friday, and continued three days. The
attendance of ministerffthd deacons was not so
large as some of us had desired and expected. A*|
number of excellent and able brethren were en-H
gaged in revival made it
ticable for them to j|Vhile we were soiflj
for their that gra
Lord gave them KHpFii reason for ft- JmH
though deprived of tTfk presence of valued hre®
ren, I trust that our Heavenly Father was not»
altogether unmindful of us. We certainly had a
pleasant and profitable meeting. Besides sermons
from brethren of our own bod}- we were favored
with excellent discourses from Bro. D. E. Butler,
of the Central Association, and Bro. T. J. Veazey,
of the Washington, which latter brother ap
peared as a correspondent from the Ministers and
Deacons’ meeting of that Association. In com
pliance with last year’s appointment, two essays
were presented and read. One of these was pre
pared by Deacon L. L. Veazey, on the duties of
pastors to churches, the other by the undersigned,
on the duties of churches to pastors. I think
each of the writers did as well as he may be ex
pected to do again. The courtesy of the body,
or its compassion, or perhaps its good sense,
prompted the solicitation of a copy of each for
publication in the columns of the Index and
Baptist. As, however, the writers are both
modest men, and the readers of religious news
papers have, perhaps, already, become tired of
such documents, I think it likely that the matter
will “proceed no further.” Candidly, however,
I would say to the Ministers and Deacons of the
Georgia Association, that the writers of those
essays are not ashamed of them, and they would
have been glad had more of you been present to
hear them. [Send them to us, that we may give
these brethren, an opportunity to see them. —Ed ]
We had quite a refreshing season on Sabbath
morning, in what we called an “experience
meeting.” Several brethren told us of God's
dealings with them from the time they were first
awakened as sinners up to the present. They
told us of their trials, their conflicts, and their
triumphs, both as Christians and as ministers.
It was truly delightful to be there. Tears were
freely shed, but they were tears of joy. A simi
lar meeting is appointed for next year. The next
regular session will be held with the church at
Greenwood, Lincoln county, beginning on Fri
day before the fifth Sabbath in August, 1869.
Greenwood is fifteen and a half miles east of
Washington. The appointments for next year
are as follows: Introductory Sermon, 11. A.
Tupper; ’P. B. Robinson, Alternate—Subject,
The importance of brotherly love, and the best
means of promoting it. Essay, by Thos. W.
Callaway—subject, Duties of a Deacon. Sermon,
by P. H. Mell—subject, Importance of periha
| nency in the pastoral reluMpn. Essay, by M. H.
Lane—subject, Benefits arising from Ministers
: and Deacons' Meetings. Sermon, by J. H. Kil
patrick-subject, The necessity for increased
i spirituality in our churches. Sermon, by J. R.
Young —subject, The nature and duty of repent'
ance. It was determined to hold an extra meet
ing at Raytown in October next, during
session of the Georgia Association at that place.
The object of this extra meeting is to take ad
vantage of the attendance upon the Association
to try to awaken a greater interest in our organi
zation on the part of ministers and deacons.
J. 11. Kilpatrick.
To Georgia ami Alabama Baptists.
I know that many are deeply interested
in our Foreign Mission work. What may be thus
true, ought to be true in respect to every Baptist.
' None are too zealously affected in this good thing.
It is iny earnest desire to see every one of our
churches, and every one of our church members,
doing something practical to aid in preaching
, Christ where he is not known.
I now appeal to you, beloyedbrethren and sis-
I ters, to you who are
! , ... rerey him Tug duty of giv'reV
Kiithe interestaPt his erew
»g clear as the dutjjtfT bantism, of
' tait|i, 1 /faGy , Are ymi
Cor. Sec.,
K Let all TKSttebe addressed directlv to
tnffWasurer of thljSourd, waiter, box
130, be imme
diately ri'tm pe sent in Post
office orders, or even by regular
mail. |, J- B. T.
Richmond., Va., Aug. 28, 1868.
if
The Board has dona ted over five large
testaments to schools unable to buy them. Ap
plications have been made by a number of schools
that were able to buy. We dealinedtto fill these
as we can donate only to those who can not
themselves. appHcations were
made, too, Of course we could
not grant ours is a State institution, and
Alabama has one like it. yet
hundred on hand; theßible Society having made
us a generous donation. To schools unable to
buy we wiKgladly donate thfee, on their making
sending us their statistics.
■ . Geo. C. Connor,
Cor. Sec’y Ga. Bap. S. S. Board.
P. S. Should applicants fail to hear from ns in
dhree weeks, please write again. Mails are very
irregularafc „ *
Horace Wilde.
This little volume, recently issued from the
press of Lippincott & C 0.,, was written by Mrs.
M. J. Mallary, daughter of Rev. J. L. Dagg, D. D.
She was educated, baptized and married in Georgia.
No Northern school contributed a particle to her
accomplishments.
The book, which she has given to the public,
is an interesting story designed to teach moral
and Bible truths in the pleasing garb of fiction.
This design is accomplished with signal success.
It establishes, triumphantly, the great principles
which distinguish the Baptists from other denom
inations. To this extent, the work may be called
denominational. But the argument is so con
ducted as to give no occasion of offence to those
opposed to us. Every disputant among the dra
matis persona, is allowed a fair, candid and court
eous bearing. Not one word of asperity, or of
ridicule—not a gesture of contempt, or a sneer of
derision is permitted to mar the kinarMppiWj
bnnity of the pious friends who are
as taking part in the various discussions upmi
controverted points. The conclusions reached are
such as Baptists believe. And as a plain, intelli
gible statement of our views, with the scriptural
reasons for them, it is a book of immense value.
It exactly supplies a want long felt, viz.: a book
of moderate size, suitable for young people
to our Sabbath Schools —presenting the
jKnUst doctrines in such a way as will insure
studied and understood,
iiiit i'Rby no means exclusively denomina
tional Hb author has contrived to make her
’ "story KBffate almost every Christian virtue.
|fon purp/aml undefiled illuminates its pages.
Bv>r this reatlin, also, it must exert a beneficial
influence upon its readers. And it is worthy of
special remark, that it gives a story which is ex
ceedingly interesting, without the introduction of
a single vicious character. The common senti
ment that virtue must have .a foil to make it at
tractive, is shown to be erroneous. No Signor Mon
toni, no Dirk Hatterick, no Oily Gammon,
lutes the pages of Horace YVilde.
I do most sincerely recommend this little book
to our youth throughout the country, and espe
cially to Sabbath Schools and public institutions,
wherever there are circulating libraries.
; Sknescens.
Forsyth, Ga., Sept. 4, 1868.
Stone Mountain Sunday School Convention.
Through some misapprehension the objects of
the Convention were not fully understood by the
Church, nor indeed was the appointment. On
this account the first day of the meeting was not
as profitable as could be desired. On Saturday,
however, the interest began to increase, and by
Sabbath we pronounced it a success. The Sab
bath was one of the most delightlul it has been
our pleasure to spend in some time. Brother At
kinson preached at eleven. At three o’clock, P.
M., we had a Childrens’ Meeting. It was a good
one; teachers and scholars enjoyed themselves.
At night the writer preached. Nine persons came
up during the services for prayer. YVith our
brother, Turner Goldsmith, as Superintendent, the
Stone Mountain Sunday School will be a good
one. His business calls him off so often now,
that the cause suffers. The brethren are anx
iously looking for the time when he can give the
School his whole attention. God bless the good
work at Stone Mountain. G. 0. C.
Elder Win. 11. Goldwirc.
I learn that the brother whose name is placed
at the head of this article, contemplates taking a
tour, at an early day, in the upper portions of our
State. As it is a time when clerical impostors,
as well as carpet-bSg politicians, abound in the
South, I take the liberty, (without his knowledge
or consent,) to commend him to those with whom
he may meet on his journey, as a brother highly'
worthy of their Christian confidence and affec
tion. lie has labored some fifteen years, more or
less zealously and effectually', as a gospel minis
ter in Southern Georgia, and contiguous parts of
Florida ; and probably, no man enjoys in a higher
degree than he, the confidence, not only of his
brethren, but of the entire community in which
he has lived and labored. Jos. S. Baker.
Brother Baker allows me to signify my appro
val of the foregoing, which Ido most cordially.
J. H. Campbell.
September 1, 1968.
Tuskegee Fourth General Meeting.
The General Meeting for the Fourth District of
the Tuskegee Association cbnvened July 28th,
with Union Grove Church, Lee county, Ala. The
introductory sermon was, by request of the body,
preached by Elder T. B. Slade, and the meeting
was organized by' appointing Elder J. L. Revel,
Moderator, and Clark Aldridge, Secretary.
The letters from the churches were read, and
the names of delegates enrolled, as follows:
From County Line, J. G. Butler, C. Aldridge;
Rocky Mount, J. Howell, J. C. White; Union
Grove, D. Fuller, T. YV. Echols; Liberty, L. M.
Dodson, J. Coir; Philadelphia, S. L. Mullin, Z.
Stroud; Salem, Z. D. Roby, T. Davis; Opelika,
J. A. Dodson; Concord, D. Stringer.
Ministering brethren, and others, were invited
JUo seats in the body. Elder T. B. Slade accepted
Hie invitation. Appointed D. Fuller, T. W.
J. Howell, J. G. Butler and L. M. Dod-
TOi, a committee to arrange preaching. Clark ’
: Aldridge and John Corr were appointed a com
tjrfetee to arrange business to come before the
mjftin|^ t Priiyer by Elder A. YVhitten. Ad
journed to halfjjiast 9 o’clock to-morrow morning.
Met to the hour. Prayer by
■_ While. After which an invitation
'/vvft-j. irevre:.. to 'ißgrymig brethren to take seats
■MbD accepted the
4 S i" Tt/'fS vJUtMip ■Rfjtbe <'"lilliiltti'i ".I
'tehfat ¥ V’*-; *1 ihGjre „ HMprwire read are!
if for this tae< ..
S hool.'t and regulftfi^re’re .V
--sln«ul(lfto. YVe would Mgy-"' -rere
tire v, during this uieetjUjgl
which may cause, us 1
to be more in earnest and eiiCTtr<}|| ■ ; these )
Christian duties.
Read the minutes of the mcetingWWHK
body. Appointed the next meeting of the body
at Philadelphia Church, seven miles Northwest
oL«Columbus, near Smith’s Station, commencing
on Friday before the fifth Sunday in August,
1869. Bro. Z. D. Roby was appointed to preach
the introductory sermon at the next meeting.
Bro. Hearn, Alternate. 0
The best course to encourage energy and sys
tematic effort in establishing regular prayer
meetings and Sabbath schools in every church,
was discussed by our aged and good brother, T.
B. Slade, Bro. J. L. Revel, and Bro. Z. D. Roby.
Their addresses to the meeting were truly inter
esting and instructive. After which, there was a
general confession of faults by ministers, dele
gates, sisters and brethren generally. The dele
gates, after confessing thoir faults, agreed and
vowed to God and each other, that they would
try to establish a regular prayer meeting in every
church in this district.
Appointed a Sabbath School meeting at Salem,
Saturday before the third Sunday in October next.
Resolved , That the proceedings of this meeting
be sent to the Christian Index and South-West
ern Baptist for publication.
Prayer by Bro. C. Aldridge.
Adjourned to the time and place above named.
J. L. Revel, Moderator.
C. Aldridge, Secretary.
News from the Churches.
The Lord’s people at Hebron, Pike county, Ga.,
are enjoying a precious revival season. During
a meeting of two weeks’ continuance, twenty-five
were added to the church, twenty-four by bap
listn> J. M. Wood, Pastor.
Calhoun, Gordon Cos.,
Thero is but little apparent interest manifested
by the churches, on thesubjeefrof rehgfm.
tics has the ascendancy, apd wjHa|ill the present
conflict is over, I suppose. are, however,
some exceptions to this general they are
like “angel visits, few <><>l the
churches within the bounds orjp'iy luhp.r, have
been revived to some extent; eight
persons have been baptized. I here is but lilt le
doing comparatively, in the kingdom of the la rd
Jesus Christ. We look for a brighter day, and
rest in humble faith, on the promises of tho
Saviour. D-JIT
Marsh all villl,. Audflt 20.
On Saturday the Bth inst., a PriWylery was
organized at Beulah in Dooly
county, consisting of Godwin, Win.
H. Rice, and the writer, to** apart to the work
°f jjjßninistry, our yoK brother, Lafayette.
PowelL The duty wasjJUbroed in the presence
of a ml|j§iMsd attentive 'dHTgregatjon. And oli
SnndajjSjmorning following, ttie young brother'
aidedpastor in “burying with Const by bap
tism into death,” quite a number of happy be
lievers in Jesus. Kehlah church has
enjoyed a most preffmis revival. It was our
privilege to be with the pastor, our esteemed
■brother W. 11. Rice, during the last two days, of
sth e meeting. The membership seemed to be
generally and awakened to a sense
of duty. Sixteen or seventeen were added to the
church by baptism. And the meeting closed under
most auspicious circumstances— a large number
daily asking anlnterest in the prayers of God’s
people.
Every Sunday school connected with the
Rehoboth Baptist Association, is invited to send
a delegate to u District Sunday School Meeting ,
to convene in Marshullville, on Friduy, 11 A.M. t
the of September. Large Sunday schools
having one hundred pupils can send two delegates]
those with 150 pupils send three and
so on. Let every Sunday school send up what
funds it can, to aid in this great and gootf tjgfk,,
in the bounds of our Association. Bring letters
also, giving statistical and general information,
which will add interest to our meeting. Brother
Connor, from Atlanta, will be with us.
W. C. W.
Muscogee, Cos., Ga., Aug. 31.
The Lord has graciously revived his people at
Bethel church, Muscogee county, Ga. We closed
a meeting of nine days and nights yesterday. It
was a delightful time to our souls. We had fif
teen additions, twelve by baptism, and two by
letter, and one by restoration ; all fine material.
Among the baptized was a prominent citizen in
his 78th year. We closed with a very large and
solemn congregation, many asking prayer to be
made for them. Brother T. B. Slade preached
once for us, brother F. C. David once, brother J.
H. De Votie twice, brother M. J. Wellborn twice;
brother Win. Johnson was with me all the meet
ing. I have been the humble pastor of this church
twenty-eight years, and never had before, so many
good loving ministers with me in a protracted
meeting. Many thought the meeting ought to
have been continued longer, but I felt too much
worn down. I had tho pleasure of baptizing a
beloved daughter with the number baptized.
I baptized the last day of the meeting.
Avery large crowd was at the water, to sec how
Jesus our Lord was baptized. C. C. Willis.
A meeting, conducted by brother M. B. Tuggle,
closed at Salem, Cherokee county, August 16th,
after a continuance of nine days. Fourteen
united with the church by experience; ten of
whom were baptized on the last day, by brother
W. 11. Dean. A good state of feeling prevails,
and others are eonfidently expected soon to seek
fellowship with the followers of Christ.
J. D. C.
Island Home, Ala., Aco. 29.
In compliance with your request for religious
intelligence, it is my pleasure to be able to stato
that the Lord has been blessing my labors recently
with the churches of which I have the care. I
began with the Tallapoosa church, on Friday be
fore the fourth Sabbath in July, and continued
for ten days, during which time the church was
greatly revived, and there were seventeen addr
tions ; ten by baptism. Two were brought in by
letters, who had been holding them since 18-19.
Four days afterward, I b.egan another meeting are
Mt. Zion church, winch lasted a week, ami resulted
in seven accjp&ions ; six by baptism. Ttuj, meet
ing here was not so interesting as at Tallapoosa,
owing,; perhaps, to the fact that the church felt
joif much ease after the feast of last year. This
| church, however, has since the second Sabbath in
July, 1867, received nearly seventy additions.
The next day after the close of the last mentioned
meeting, I began at Liberty West, under very in
auspicious circumstances. There is every reasoned
however, for gratitude at the result Dissensions
that prevailed have been healed; in a clinch
where none scarcely would pray in public, nearnr
every male member took up the cross. The churcnj|
was refreshed with sweet and constant showenyjL,.
graced and the word appeared “quick and power
ful.” There were lu^J
inotfrafwm considerable garnering yet
those
nv that
<W., Sbvt.
ii m 11 >ll
|Diet on Friday pas-
J. Harrison, intendingnH|iMs|he nieet ‘
but for tli
aid, it on Monday, with three a»vi •
have lin i;
added if The ehim h
again met on 28th : it b'mig a
busy season, Sunday, with
two accessionggby were other
converts
and many were left to eternal
life- J.mJF
in A^^^^R'he
tian Review long jgFlsgiplc
made out a list ot articles to be
and furnishing a meeting-hodfc.
given into the hands of a fflOTchanWßjk on
supplying the articles, made out his
against, ‘TheCampbelliteChurqL* The brother
who ordered them informed the merchant that be
could ‘Pay no bills for the Campbellito Church.’
The merchant would not correct his bill and so
lost his sale. That is just right. Wo cannot
acknowledge the name ‘Campbellite’ directly or
indirectly.”
-v’. ivrf • ' aft