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About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 1868)
142 ISSr 4% lyl-Jv W w jw J* [pw ;:‘ — 1 1 T — , 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
