Newspaper Page Text
118
.Index and baptist.
j. J. TOON, - Proprietor,
8,9 V. D SHAVER, D.D
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1869.
« Congregational Organization.”
A week or two since, we quoted, with ap
proval, a remark by Rev. J. B. Clark, D.D.,
that the great want in every division of the
religious world is, “ the want of proper con
gregational organization for Christian work.
The subject is of sufficient importance to jus
tify us in returning to it.
There is one thought which we particular
ly desire to urge in this connection. We
hold that such a want is less excusable in Bap
tists, than in the great bulk of the denomina
tions around us. It is, in a peculiar degree,
inconsistent with the principles which distin
guish us, as a people, from all others. Our
fundamental conceptions of the church are a
logical protest, and ought to be a practical
safeguard, against this state of things. When
we suffer ourselves to sink into it, we are
doing greater violence to our distinctive views,
than such a course involves in the case of
other communions, with regard to their spe
cialties of belief and polity. A few consid
erations will suffice to establish this position
beyond dispute.
First, then : The great mass of the denom
inations subject the particular church the
congregation —to an authority outside of it
self. There is, with them, a general organi
zation empowered to override congregational
action. They are Papal, giving this control
to the See of Rome—or Episcopal, giving it
to a body of Bishops—or Presbyterian, giv
ing it to an assembly of the Eldership,
whether clerical only, or partly lay. This
right of government extends “to doctrines
or articles of faith, to ecclesiastical canons or
constitutions, and to discipline, or the inflic
tion and removal of censures.” Baptists, on
the contrary, maintain, (as has been expressed
by one not of their number,) that “ every
particular society of visible professors,
—every congregation—“ agreeing to walk
together in the faith and order of the gospel,
is a complete church, and has full power
within itself,” without supervision from
abroad, “to elect all officers, to exclude all
offenders, and to «o all other acts relating to
its edification and well-being.” According to
our sentiments, then, the congregation is the
one only organization, appointed by God for
the diffusion of His tryth and the extension
of His kingdom throughout the earth. What
ever alliances these congregations may form
for Christian work, are matters simply of
human expediency : the congregations them
selves are matters of exclusive Divine au
thority. If, therefore, we should fail to kin
dle their zeal, to enlist their energies and to
develop their resources for the conquest of
the race to Christ, —to make the most of each
congregation, to train it, employ it, ‘organ
ize’ it, for this end, —there is nothing else,
with the explicit sanction of Heaven, on which
we can fall back : we have neglected what by
our own confession is the one single agency
ordained of God for the accomplishment of
human salvation. Does not special guilti
ness, therefore, cleave to such a course in us?
Are not toe, above all men, reprehensible for
the lack of “congregational organization,”
since no other organization wears, in our
judgment, the robes of express Divine ap
pointment?
Again: Membership in our churches is
voluntary, from first to last, and is based, in
all instances, on the credible profession of
spiritual regeneration. Every work of the
church for the kingdom of God, therefore,
comes to each individual member as a work
the obligation of which he has, by his own
act, taken upon himself, at the prompting of
anew heart —a heart belonging to this king
dom, and loving all that contributes to its
progress! Not one of our number but has
made the distinct and solemn claim, of a per
sonal and vital union with ‘the chosen gener
ation, the royal priesthood, the holy nation,
the peculiar people,’ —“.His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto the good works,
which God” in His word “has ordained,”
and in His providence “ prepared,” for us.
Among other denominations, however, mem
bership takes its inception largely without
the agency of those who are admitted to it —
admitted, while themselves incapable of faith,
on the faith of their parents, or of the church.
This membership, too, is quite extensively
confirmed, in ripe age, on the presumption
that the power of the sacraments, or the grace
of the covenant, has wrought out a spiritual
renewing—a presumption dispensing with
the marked experience and the clear profes
sion to that effect, which is demanded, by the
evangelical, at the hands of unbaptized
“ aliens.” And even this demand is waived
in some quarters, so as to welcome into the
household of faith, those who confess them
selves to be no more than mere seekers after
its quickening power. Now, must we not
be, in a preeminent measure, blameworthy
for the inactivity of the churches —their want
of thorough organization for Christian work
—inasmuch as we alone, in theory, adhere
throughout to the true Scriptural ideal of
these churches, as beginning from and building
on the inward fellowship of the believer with
Christ? Requiring, more than all others,
that each “ congregation ” shall be a pure,
spiritual body—a body of “ saints and faith
ful brethren ” instinct with the divine life and
breathing the spirit of the Saviour—are we
not culpable, beyond all others, if our con
gregations are defective in the well-ordered,
vigorous and unwearied labors through which
spirituality obtains its outward manifestation
and its legitimate, thorough development?
Limiting the church by “the boundary line
of belief and of actual holiness”—recogniz
ing it as true, only according “ to the vitality
of the faith possessed by of
whom it is composed ” —demajjHHfe|jf every
such individual that he should credible
profession, a “ partaker of the heavenly call
j D g” —and teaching that he who is called of
God, receives that new heart by which we
are “ filed ” and impelled to good works:—
standing alone in these respects, we must be
in the highest degree, false to ourselves and
false to the truth of Christ, if we do not
abound in church-action for our Saviour and
for souls.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1869.
Moreover: The opinion is widely diffused
among other denominations, that the cove
nants and promises of grace are made to the
“catholic” church, as it is termed—to the
great body of men who profess the true reli
gion. As respects the title to divine succor
and blessing, therefore, the individual believer
holds of the church “catholic.” Now, since
it is natural for Christian effort to assume the
forms which are supposed to lie nearest the
promises, we should expect to find, where
this opinion prevails, that denominational or
ganization, as the only practicable approxima
tion toward the “catholic” or universal,takes
precedence of all other methods of labor, —
enlists the chief interest, and secures the most
strenuous and persevering On the
other hand, our principles imply that it is the
faith of the individual believer to which the
covenants and promises of grace are given.
Personal trust in the personal Saviour, ac
cording to our view, confers the sole and ex
clusive title to Divine succor and blessing;
and the church “catholic” holds of the indi
vidual believer. Might it not be naturally
expected, therefore, that where the centre and
the life of the promises are, as we conceive,
there should our energy principaky expend
itself, and our efforts prove most diligent, sys
tematic and untiring ? But, if this were so,
would we not give ourselves, with special zeal
and ardor, to the work of the Lord in the
personal sphere—that is, in the congregation?
And would not such labor there, ensure the
most thorough congregational organization for
Christian work? Where that organization is
wanting, then, must we not be accounted pe
culiarly guilty, as having failed to carry our
distinctive principles out, in practical effect?
But we must not pursue this subject fur
ther, at present. Will brethren candidly and
earnestly weigh these considerations, and ask
themselves whether, as Baptists, we are not
living a great way beneath the obligations
which our specialties of belief and polity
impose upon us? Will they seek the aids of
grace, and struggle towards a higher platform
of personal piety and congregational organi
zation? May He who has made us “mem
bers of His body, of His flesh, and of His
bones,” enable us, through “ the energy of
the power of His might,” to “ increase with
the increase of God ?”
Christ’s Order, a Pledge of Success.
“The Bokhariotes made their last stand for
the defence of their capital, Samarcand,
against the Russian army, on heights whose
every approach was commanded by artillery.
A sudden rise of the river had inundated the
whole plain, so that the attacking force must
march in a foaming current breast high under
a heavy fire against a seemingly impregnable
position. Gen. Kaufman, Russian com
mander, ordered an assault on the right flank.
The officer who led the attack thus spoke to
his men ; ‘Children, our father, the General,
has ordered us to storm that position, and,
therefore , it must be possible. Forward !’
They breasted the torrent, forced their way
up the heights, and captured the place.”
The language of this officer becomes as
true and wise as it is noble, when adopted by
“the soldier of the cross.” There are no im
possibilities in the orders of “the Captain of
our salvation.” There can be none: for
what He requires, His own a!mightiness
helps us to achieve. No truer “therefore”
falls from human lips, than that which argues
—if indeed the intuition of faith waits for
the slow process of reasoning—from the
command of Christ to the assurance of sup
port and success. Oh, for the spirit of trust
which says, with regard to every work, how
ever laborious, difficult and doubtful, “He
orders it, and therefore it must be possible!”
A Discredited Witness.
Many exaggerated and groundless reports
of outrages upon “ loyal men ” in Georgia,
have been admitted into Northern journals, on
the authority of the American Union —a Re
publican paper, published in Macon, by one J.
Clark Swayze. What this authority is worth,
may be inferred from the fact, that, during
the recent trial of Postmaster Turner in that
city, on a charge of passing counterfeit money,
quite a number of Republicans, white and
colored, including a minister, a member of
the Legislature and a Congressman-elect,
swore that they would not believe this accuser
of our people on his oath. United States
Commissioner Morrill, certainly, did not be
lieve him—for he discharged the accused, in
the face of the express testimony borne by
Swayze to his guilt! Is it, then, anything
but the simplest act of justice, that the North
ern journals aforesaid should place before
their readers this exposure of the editor of
the Union as utterly unworthy of confi
dence—with the admission that the reports
of outrages coming to the public through his
columns, take the taint of the discredit at
taching to him, and should be held as false,
or doubtful, until a better avouchment shall
be found for them ?
Ana-baptism.
A correspondent of the Congregationalist
and Recorder , asks : “Is it improper for those
who have conscientious scruples as to the
propriety of infant baptism, to be rebaptized,
(by sprinkling or immersion as they prefer,)
on their admission to a Congregational
church by profession ?” That paper replies :
“We suppose that the conscience of the indi
vidual must be satisfied, and if he feels that
his infant baptism, has left him unbaptized,
and we could not convince him to the contra
ry, and leave him satisfied in, and with, it, we
should not hesitate to rebaptize hirn ; although
we think there is danger, in so doing, of con
ceding too much to a mere rite, and that it
at least deserves consideration whether one in
that state of mind would not, on the whole,
be happier to join a Baptist church.”
To say that the “conscience of the individual
must be satisfied,” may sound sufficiently
plausible, when the question is, simply,
whether a member shall be saved to a 'Con
gregational church ? But have those who do
the saving, no conscience of their own, that
they should practice what they believe to be
rebaptism—an offence, which, when Baptists
are held guilty of it, the Presbytery of Des
Moines denounces as “sacrilege—the crime
of violating and profamng sacred things—a
heinous sin against God and his church,
against Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in which
the name of the Triune God is taken in vain ?”
Strange that an act of such flagrant turpitude,
when it withdraws members from Pedobap
tist churches, should yet be une which men
need “not hesitate” to commit, when it re
tains members within these churches !
We are glad that it should be thought at
least to deserve consideration, whether “one
who feels that his infant baptism has left him
unbaptized,” “would not, on the whole, be
happier to join a Baptist church?” Strict
communion, after all, may not be a thing as
hard to bear as infant baptism —where infant
baptism is seen in its true light! This , if we
understand it, is the admission of the Congre
gationalist, as looked at from the Baptist
point of view.
Evil Passion.
“A young man living in Charleston, West
Virginia, professed to have the power of,
charming snakes. On Thursday of last week,
having captured a rattlesnake, he was giving
some friends an exhibition of his power. After
fondling the snake for a time in his arms, he
threw it on the ground, and switched it until
it writhed with rage. He then took the rep
tile up in his arms again, and, saying, ‘Are
you mad ? Kiss me and make up,’ he put its
head in his mouth. The snake bit his tongue
and he died in about au hour afterward. In
fifteen minutes after being bitten, his skin
assumed the spotted color of the snake.”
We see the folly of this young man, and
yet, perhaps, indulge greater folly without
seeing it. There is no serpent with fang so.
deadly to the body, as is the fang of lusts
and passions to the soul—and these we cher
ish, dreaming that we may charm them from
the evil that is in them. We take them into
our bosom, and surrender our inner self as
their home—an act of more dire and certain
mischief than placing the head of an enraged
rattlesnake in the mouth. . Thousands, it
may be, read, with a sense of superior wis
dom, how this young man came to his death,
unheeding, meanwhile, that they have laid
bare their hearts to that love of strong
drink, that pride, that covetousness, that sen
suality, which, at the last, bites as a serpent
and stings as an adder—bites and stings to
a death which is eternal. Oh, if it were only
with rattlesnakes that we trifled, —if it were
only this mortal life that we imperilled,—how
much wiser would we be—how much happier
forever and ever !
Change of the Ordinances.
The Nashville Christian Advoeate says:
“One would think the two Christian ordi
nances were simple enough, as Christ or
dained them. To make them more simple
by eliminating the elements of water and
bread and wine, is to destroy them ; and this
is an act of rebellion which Christ will se
verely punish—unless, indeed, as in the case
of Quakers, the error may be pardoned as in
vincible.”
Now, why should not every change of the
ordinances be recognized as “an act of rebel
lion” destined to be “severely punished” by
Christ, except where invincible ignorance
pleads for pardon ? And why should not all
Christians honestly, diligently and devoutly
enquire into this matter, lest it should be
found, at last, that, simply through wilful
neglect of research, they have given counte
nance to some change in the one ordinance
or the other? Failing to do this, must not
‘punishment’ await them?
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
Our church at Stone Mountain has decided to
observe feet-washing, as an ordinance of Christ. —
Rev. J. H. Cuthbert, D. D., on Sabbath last, oc
cupied the pulpit of the Second Baptist church,
Atlanta, in the morning, and of the First at night
His sermons were such as to deepen the general
regrets over his early departure from the State.—
The occupation of their new house of worship
for the first time, by the First Baptist church,
Atlanta, last Sabbath, was signalized, in the morn
ing, by an appropriate, evangelical, touching and
eloquent sermon from the pastor, Rev. R. W. Ful
ler, and, iu the afternoon, by a reunion of the First
and Second church Sunday schools, with excel
lent addresses by brother L. G. Crawford, Rev.
Dr. Brantlv and Gen. J. B. Gordon.—Rev. E.
Heddon, Towns county, missionary of the South
ern Domestic Mission Board, reports 22 baptisms
for the past quarter. —Rev. W. N. Chaudoin will
represent the interests of the Domestic Mission
Board in our State, as far as his health will jus
tify.
Alabama.
Rev. G. Y. Browne, recently President of the
“ Central Female College,” Tuscumbia, opens a
“Female Institute” at Tuscaloosa.
Arkansas.
Anew church has been constituted near Ran
dall P. 0., Jefferson county.
District of Columbia.
Calvary church, Washington, has dedicated its
rebuilt house of worship, and dismissed its pas
tor, Rev. T. R. Howlett, who goes to the church
in Hudson, N. Y.
Kentucky.
Nine persons have been baptized at Hartwood
church, and 16 at Dry Run church, Scott county.
—Rev. W. M. Pratt, D. D., has purchased an in
terest in the book-store of Sherrill & Son, Louis
ville; aiming to supply Kentucky and the South-
West with a sound religious and Sunday school
literature.
Mississippi.
Our church at Vicksburg has been robbed, the
papers say. of the Bible, hymn book, and “ altar
cloth.” But who ever saw a Baptist church with
an “ altar ” in it ?
Missouri.
Rev. J. V. Schofield resigns charge of the First
Baptist church, St. Louis.—Our church at St.
Joseph has opened anew pasonage, costing about
$6,000, perhaps the best in the State.
North Carolina.
The Biblical Recorder, Raleigh, begins its
thirty-fourth year, with promise of improvement
It is a vigorous, excellent paper, and we shall be
glad to know that it grows in acceptance and cir
culation, as it grows in merit. Terms: $3 a
year.—Rev. J. D. Stokely, pastor of Ramoth
Gilead church, died June 13th.—Rev. James Mc-
Daniel, D. D., Fayetteville, was bereaved, July
15th, by the death of his wife.
South Carolina.
The Baptist church in Charleston, of which
Rev. James Huckins was pastor, when he died,
August, 1,863, from the effect of sunstroke while
visiting the Confederate hospitals of the city, has
raised SSOO towards a suitable monument to his
memory: but deeming this sum insufficient, it
invites aid from his brethren in Texas.—P.ev. L.
0. Hinton, pastor at Chester, finds frequent use
for his new baptistery. —The Baptist State Con
vention, at its recent session in Yorkville, (Rev.
J. L. Reynolds, D D., pastor,) adopted the fol
lowing resolutions: “ That the enlistment of the
private members of the churches more and more
largely in the exercises of social worship and in
personal efforts for the spread of the gospel, is one
of the most hopeful means of recruiting the ranks
of the ministry and increasing the efficiency of
the churches.” “ That in view of the importance
of having a State denominational paper, this Con
vention earnestly recommends the Working Chris
tian to the support of the Baptists of South
Carolina.” “ That we, as a Convention, re-affirm
our interest in the spiritual welfare of our col
ored brethren, as expressed at oar meeting in
1866 and 1867, and recommend to the churches
to extend to them all the aid in their power,
to promote this important end. That where
there is the strength, the intelligence and the
piety, we should encourage the separate organiza
tion into churches, associations and Sabbath
schools of our colored brethren, when such sep
arate organization is desired. That we urge upon
our younger brethren and sisters to aid the col
ored people in the conduct of well-organized Sab
bath schools and the providing of them with
suitable books.”
Texas.
New Hope church, ten miles from Waco, or
ganized a year ago, now has seventy members,
pays its pastor’s salary monthly, and acts out the
resolution that the Texas-dßaptist Herald should
be circulated in every family.—At Robinsonville,
six miles south of Waco, there have been, recent
ly, 5 accessions by letter and 22 by baptism. —
Jeremiah Proctor was ordained, at Cedar Bayou
church, July 11th.
Tensjessee.
Rev. P. F. Terri Hi reports a revival in progress
at Normandy ; four baptisms.
Virginia.
Rev. W. R. McDonald, of Pittsylvania county,
is dead, after a brief illness.—Our Foreign Mis
sion Board, Richmond, announces the probable
return of brethren Phillips and Reid to Africa ir.
the fall, and calls for three new men as missiona
ries to China. Do not Jhe most solemn obliga
tions bind us to re-inforce our laborers among the
heathen ?
West Virginia.
D. W. Ross has been ordained to the ministry,
at Hollywood church, Rbane county.
- .
Reviews and Notices.
Life of Jefferson Davis: With a Secret History of
the Southern Confederacy, gathered “ behind the
Scenes in Richmond.” Containing curious and
extraordinary Information of the principal South
ern Characters in the late War, in connection with*
President Davit! and in relation to the various
Intrigues of his Administration. By Edward A.
Pollard, author of “The Lost Cause,” etc., etc.
Pp. 536, with portrait ot-President Davis. National
Publishing Company, Philadelphia, Pa.. Chicago,
111., St. Louis, Mo., and Atlanta, Ga.
. No human calamities are without alleviation:
and Jefferson Davis is spared the pain of finding
a defender and eulogist in Edward A. Pollard, of
whom it may be said that the vigor of his wri
tings is equalled, if not surpassed, by their ven
om. The design of the present work is to prove
that Mr.~Davis was “ the prime cause of the fail
ure of the South in the late war though “he
did much to adorn the cause of the Confederacy
by the purity of his life, his accomplishments, his
eloquence, his dignity? the marked contrast of
his mind and manners to the uncouth representa
tive of the North at Washington,” and “raised,
in some respects, the standard of Southern char
acter in the eyes of the world.” It is not our
province to discuss, in these columns, the points,
logical and historical, which enter into ths decis
ion of this issue; and wo content ourselves with
confessing the general interest of the volume, and
referring the question it raises, with the proof it
alleges, to fair-minded readers. The work is sold
by subscription only, and the National Publish
ing Company desires an agent in every county.
A Hand-Book of Map Drawing. Adapted especailly
to the Maps in Mitchell’s New Series of School
Geographies. By Peter Ream and John Mickle
borough, (Teachers in the Public Schools of Cin
cinnati.) Philadelphia :E. H. Butler & Cos. For
sale, Atlanta, by J. J. ts S. P. Richards.
Map-drawing as a school exercise—which aims
to secure, not drawing as an art, but the im
pressing of geographical facts indelibly on the
memory —is best appreciated by those who have
made longest trial of it. The twenty-five maps
in this work, with the figures to direct their
reproduction by the patience and skill of the pu
pil, cannot fail to facilitate acquisition and assist
remembrance and intelligent judgment, in that
interesting department of study. We should
augur good results from its general introduction
into our schools.
Incidents of Mission Work.
During July, I travelled three hundred
miles, circulated nearly one hundred and fifty
dollars worth of books, preached twelve times,
made sixteen Sunday school addresses, and
visited eighty families, with whom I usually
prayed and read the Scriptures. The people
were universally kind to me.
One afternoon, while travelling in my bug
gy, a storm gathered in the rear. Suddenly
the heavens were of a yellow or golden hue.
The wind and rain came in great abundance.
I stopped in the road. A colored man came
to me. I asked him to sit with me Tn the
buggy, which he did. The storm became so
severe, that the horse was frightened. My
new friends at once left the buggy, and loosed
the horse, and we were safe as to the horse.
We sat together in the “chariot” as did
“ Philip and the Ethiopian ” of old. l,too,
preached to him of a “judgment to come,”
and trust that ere long we may hear of “ faith
and baptism.”
At Warrenton, Rev. Mr. Seals asked me
to preach for his church, (Methodist Episco
pal,) as they had an interesting me'eting there.
I did so; also addressed the young generally.
An invitation was given for all who wished
the prayers of Christians, to come near.
Nearly all of a large congregation came.
God abundantly blessed us all.
Rev. J. W. Ellington, a graduate of Mer
cer University, who kindly aided me through
the month’s labors, is a man of fine culture
and deep piety. His home was mine for the
month. Two years since, I had uninterest
ing meeting at his house. He pointed out
several persons, who are now exemplary
Christians, who date their conviction and con
version to my visit and labors. To God be
all the glory. This family were endeared to
me by the strongest ties of Christian affection.
I spoke to Clara, (a colored young woman,
Mrs. E.’s nurse,) about her soul; she was
deeply impressed. Mrs. E. joined me, and
we had a melting time. Brother and sister
E.’s children wept when I said “Good-bye.”
God bless that dear family.
Elam church is in Warren county. It has
a Sunday school, and preaching twice each
month. Brother Ellington is. pastor. He
used to teach school and preach at Elam once
a month. They have taken him out of the
school room. Now, to their credit, I am
glad to say, they are trying to anange to
take him out of th° corn-field also, so as to
have a pastor in truth and reality. It is a
shame for a man of such talent to plough.
Elam has an excellent house of worship, just
refitted in good style. Nearly every family
takes the Christian Index. This, added to
the labors of a good pastor, has greatly ele
vated the congregation, which is now tending
upward.
I w'as introduced to Dr. Pilcher in the
road. After a social talk, he asked me if I
would lecture at a Methodist church. I told
him yes, but he must let me sprinkle some
Baptist notions along, also a few notions of
my own; such as, not to eat much meat, to
use no tobacco, to drink neither coffee nor
strong drink, never to wear a long beard, and
last, but not least, never to tell lies. He
said that was good. I went to his church, and
we had a fine time. F. M. Haygood.
Macon, Ga., July 29,1869.
To the Central Association.
At the last session of this body, by a vol
untary resolution, the Association assumed
the educational charge of Rev. Wm. Norton.
The members of that body agreed, by vote,
to pay the expenses of brother Norton at
Penfietd. Brother Norton and sister Sanders
relied upon the action of this respectable
body of Christians, and brother Norton con
tinued at the University, and sister Sanders
furnished lodging and board. The first term
of the year has passed, and not a dollar re
ceived. Brother Norton is not only deeply
mortified; but greatly discouraged and de
pressed in feeling. He is a conscientious
young man, and says he cannot permit sister
Sanders to furnish him board without pay.
He complains that In cannot study whilst his
expenses remain unsettled. At the late Com
mencement he had determined to return home
and go to work in order to pay sister San
ders for his board. A good brother persua
ded him to remain until one more effort could
be made, and he assumed the future debt if
the Association did not meet its obligation.
Brethren, we wish a response from you in
some form. If you are still resolved to sus
tain brother Norton, forward the means ; but
if you have determined to repudiate the debt
you assumed, and to discard this excellent
brother, announce it at once, so that we may
know what to depend upon. It is a burning
shame to the Baptists of Georgia, that we do
not sustain this brother at Mercer. He will
enter the Junior Class next terhn, and the
question arises, shall he be permitted to fin
ish his Collegiate course? Will the denomi
nation suffer him to retire from the institu
tion for the want of means? I most earn
estly appeal to brethren everywhere to do
something for this good brother. He is wor
thy of your benevolent support. The Facul
ty, students and citizens, will testify to the
uprightness, the studiousne3s, the piety, the
consecration, the worth of this young man.
What will we do for him ? Brethren, I vT/ite
in all kindness, yet with much feeling; but
do not interpret any expression of'mine as
disrespectful or offensive. I love the breth
ren of the Central Association, and would by
no means wound the feelings of' the most
sensitive: but I would stir you, if possible,
to the immediate discharge of your assumed
obligation to brother Norton.
Fraternally, G. T. Wilburn,
Americas, July ‘2lth, 1869.
Seminary Students’ Reunion at Macon.
One of the most agreeable incidents of the
late Southern Baptist Convention was, the
“Seminary Students’ Reunion” on Saturday
afternoon. Rev. J. Wm. Jones was called
to the chair, and C. H. Ryland appointed sec
retary. The objects of the meeting were the
promotion of acquaintance and fraternal feel
ing, among those who at any time have at
tended the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, and the enlisting of the sympa
thies and efforts of all, in plans for the yet
more extended influence and usefulness of
this great school.
The prosperous condition of the Seminary,
as exhibited in the report laid before the Con
vention, and the guarantee of higher excel
lence furnished by the action of the Board of
Trustees during the meeting, were the occa
sion for sincere congratulation. The institu
tion, relieved of the perils of suspension on
account of debt, may now be regarded as
permanently established; and the reinforce
ment of the Faculty by the election of our
fellow-student of the session of 1850-’6O, C.
H. Toy, to the professorship in the school of
Hebrew and Oriental Languages, pledges
greater perfection in the department of in
struction. The appointment of brother Toy
assures us that piety, soundness in the faith
and mental culture, are to be in the future as
in the past the qualifications for this impor
tant trust, and we congratulate all the friends
ot the school upon the wise choice of the
Board.
The great question to be resolved by those
who have tested the advantages of the Semi
nary, is, how we can best promote the inter
ests of our Alma Mater, and secure toothers
like advantages ? There are many youug
brethren who would gladly embrace these
opportunities if put within their grasp.
How binding the obligation upon us to seek
out these devoted men, and by counsel and
(when possible) by monetary help, urge
them to study the Bible under those wise
and good men at Greenville before they set
tle in the pastorate! We know the difficul
ties and the blessings, too —we can speak of
the sacrifices demanded, but far more of the
incomparable benefits flowing therefrom.
The expenses of a student for eight months
in Greenville are estimated at SIOO. Most
young men can arrange for travelling expen
ses and general outfit, if this amount is sup
plied by friends. Can we not sometimes se
cure this amount by private and public ap
peal, and thus strengthen the hands of a poor
but deserving man in his efforts to preach the
gospel ? We can demonstrate the practicabil
ity of the plan, others will follow our exam
ple, and thus the power of the Seminary will
be greatly increased. Who of our brethren
will decline to lay hold of this work 1 ? We
are now a strong band, scattered over the
wide South. Bound to the Seminary by ties
of affectionate interest and gratitude, it should
be a welcome duty to prove ourselves its
truest friends and most earnest supporters.
Those of the brethren who could not attend
this delightful conference were not forgotten,
and the covenant of the first session was re
newed —to pray for each other on Saturday
night of each week. Let it be remembered,
and may the “good will of Him who dwelt in
the bush” be with our growing host. Let
us emulate each other in faith and works,
and, bearing each other’s burdens, fulfill the
law of Christ. The next reunion will be
held in Louisville, May, 1870. The Secreta
ry desires the full address of each brother, so
that he may be the medium of communiea
tion between them, and furnish such informa
tion as may be desired from time to time.
Address Charles H. Ryland, Sec.
Box 756, Richmond, Vo.
A Working Pastor.
1 attended a Sabbath school celebration on
Saturday before the fifth Sabbath in May,
at Friendship church, in Glascock county,
Ga. Brother Hyman is the pastor of the
church, and he has certainly a fine school in
deed —seventy-five pupils and increasing daily.
The scholars did themselves great credit on
the occasion. A premium- was offered for
the best scholar in each class, and they were
so nearly equal in their performances, that the
judges were not able to award the premiums,
but the scholars had to draw for the prize.
After these prizes were delivered, with a
short and appropriate address to each class,
the whole school, with the visiting Sunday
scholars, formed a procession under an appro
priate banner, and marched a short distance
to a beautiful grove, in which a nice, fine table
was tastily spread with sweet things just from
the confectionery. Here all seemed to en
joy themselves. From this place they
marched back to the church, and after a short
and appropriate address from their pastor,
the congregation was formally dismissed.
Now, this is what a working Christian can
do. Soon after the close of the war, brother
Hyman was invited to this church as pastor,
when very much demoralized, and the church
had a name to live, but was dead. Under
these circumstances, this brother took hold of
this interest and went hard lo work. He
first made some changes iu the church edifice,
organized a Sabbath school and commenced
looking up the delinquent members. He now
has a lovely church, increasing almost every
month; and the largest and most flourishing
country Sabbath school I know of anywhere.
He has, somehow, excited the people in the
whole neighborhood, with a spirit of improve
ment that has changed the whole face of the
surrounding country. The farms in the vi
cinity are in a high state of cultivation.
Their dwellings have been recently fitted up,
and well furnished, so as to be comfortable
and pleasant. In fact, almost every object in
that immediate vicinity exhibits the appear
ance of prosperity and happiness. Can this
great and happy change be attributed to any
other influence than that of Christianity ?
I.
June 25, 1869,
Revival.
I have recently held a most precious meet
ing, of eight days’ continuance, with Pleasant
Grove church, Macon county, Ga. 1 baptized
twenty, received one by letter, and have four
waiting the ordinance of baptism. Ade
lightful season of grace and mercy abundant
ly revived the church. Sinners were saved,
and the entire large congregation greatly
wrought upon. 1 had the efficient labors of
brother Skellie, the four last days of the.
meeting. We can truly say, “The Lord
hath done great things foi us, w hereof we are
glad.” You can publish the above short no
tice, or let it alone, just as you please. I
dislike very much, to disturb Editors and
Proprietors of newspapers, and 1 offer as my
excuse for troubling you, the great pleasure
it affords me to hear of the Lord’s work in
the churches throughout His kingdom. May
the Lord bless and prosper the Index in its
great and glorious mission !
B. L. Ross.
Fort Valley , July 26th, 1869.
A Work of Grace.
Once more has the Lord been gracious to
our church at Mt. Lebanon. The meeting
has been going on for ten day-s, and such a
meeting 1 have not seen for years. Saints
have been made to rejoice, and sinners have
looked to Jesus and lived. We have received
fifteen by experience, and three by letter, and
the meeting is still going on. Our beloved
and faithful pastor, Rev. J. 11. Hall, has been
with us all the while, and has labored faith
fully and zealously in the glorious cause.
We have a flourishing Sabbath school and
prayer meeting in our neighborhood, and
though we have tried to labor for the promo
tion of the kingdom, we had almost thought
our efforts in vain; but many who have been
converted were among the number who at
tend the school and prayer meeting. We
have great reason to thank God for this out
pouring of His Spirit, which has converted the
young and revived the old. Brother llall
was assisted by brethren 11. S. Rees and J.
C. Camp. R. E. Pitman.
Coweta county , Ga. July 25th, 1869.
North Carolina Correspondence.
Mr. John Stuart Mill complains of the
low style of morality taught in the New
Testament. He says it does not teach men
to do right just because it is right; but that
it appeals to the low and selfish motives of a
love of heaven and a fear of hell. Dr.
Bledsoe, of the Southern Review, discusses
this position with admirable ability, lie
shows that Mr. Mill attempted to kindle the
wrath of Englishmen against Mr. Jefferson
Davis, by telling the people that Mr. Davis
was a ring-leader in the repudiation move
ment in Mississippi, and that he was Gover
nor of the State at the time of repudiation.
Dr. Bledsoe then remarks that this repudia
tion business is much misunderstood, and
intimates, (what we are satisfied is true,)
that the State did not really owe the debt
which is commonly believed to have been
due. But he also shows that Mr. Davis was
not Governor of the State at the time, nor
(we believe) at any other time ; that he had
nothing whatever to do with the repudiation
movement, and was, therefore, not at all re
sponsible. He then says, that there are a
great many people in this wicked world,
whose morality might be much improved by
a careful attention to even such vulgar mo
tives as a love of heaven and a fear of hell;
and adds that if the love of heaven did'nt,
the fear of hell ought to have kept Mr John
Stuart Mill from telling such lies on Mr.
Jefferson Davis. We regard this as one of
the finest hits that we have met with in our
recent reading.
It is said that domestic cats, grown wild,
have been terrifying the people of San Joa
quin, California. Well, such spluttering and
caterwauling are perfectly appropriate to the
times. Stir, fuss, contention and confusion
are the order of the day. The wonder is that
all the cats do not grow wild, and serenade
the perturbed earth night and day with one
universal and unceasing squall. What busi
ness has a cat to be domestic, we should like
to know, when the people have stopped being
domestic —when every body and every thing
is out and astir?
Who has any home nowadays? What has
become of all the old-fashioned fireside en
dearments and comforts? Nobody has any
fire place nowadays. Stoves, grates and all
sorts of fire boxes are universal—anything,
indeed, that will do away with the honest,
old-fashioned fire place, is acceptable. Now
the cats are beginning to find this out; and
as they never were more than half tamed
anyhow, and always retained a sneaking like
ness to their ferocious cousins, the lion, the
tiger and the panther, they are, perhaps,
beginning to conclude that domesticity, under
present circumstances, does not pay : that
their rights are too often curtailed ; that there
is no longer any fire place before which they
can stretch themselves, and that things gen
erally are turned upside down. Thus, owing
to a concatneation of circumstances, we have
a feline rebellion.
There is a cat in North Carolina that had
all the fur on one side singed off by lying be
fore a grate. Then her owner, finding that
she was full of fleas, bathed her in Kerosene
oil, (another new fangled invention,) and thus
left her perfectly furless all over. Now this
long suffering beast has great reason to be
tired of her vain attempt to be domestic.
Grates and kerosene oil, those new-fangled
substitutes for fire places and candles, are
enough to make any sensible cat give up all
ideas of being domestic. Our North Caro
lina cat, when last heard from, was seriously
contemplating the matter of emigrating to
California, carpet bag in paw, and was enter
taining hope, that in case of any attempt at
reconstruction among the rebellious cats at
San Joaquin, she might become Governor or
Judge among the reconstructed denizens of
catdom.
It is stated that the five reigning belles at
the French court w\ar false teeth. We
know that most bells wear manufactured
tongues, and that these tongues common!)
move in the midst of brass ; but we are re
ally surprised to learn that teeth have to be
manufactured for these French belles.
We think belles are a useful institution,
notwithstanding the ravings of certain Eng
lish and American journals over “the girl of
the period.” We can present some particu
lar points in which we have known them to
be especially useful to society. In the first
place, we may mention, (what is not at all
new,) their value as advertising agents. Ever
since perambulating bundles of dry goods
and whalebone have passed current as wo
men, the belle has been useful as an adver
tising medium.
Then we must not. overlook their value to
raw youths, who have some vague ideas of
marrying, but have very dim notions as to
how courting is to be done. These promis
ing young gentlemen would be at their wit’s
end, but for the kind aid which the belles fur-
nish them. Anybody can court a belle. She
makes it so easy. Indeed, if the youth be
comes very hard pressed, she can save him all
trouble by doing the whole business for him.
This, of course, is immensely comfortable,
and has saved many a bashful youth a world
of trouble. To be sure, if he has any sense,
he will never entertain the remotest idea ol
marrying a belle; but then she has harm'd
not to expect this, and hence the thing is all
the more convenient.
How much will twenty-six and a half yards
of calico come to, at thirty seven and a half
cents per yard ?
This question has puzzled some prominent
business men in Charlottsville and in Nor
folk, Va., and in Wilmington, N. C. Mer.
chants, bank officers and preachers have ar
gued it extensively. There are two parties
who wmrk it in two different ways, and get
different results.
The first party works thus : The other thus :
26* 37*
37* 26*
182 222
78 74
13* 18?
18* 13
$9.94 $9.93*
That is, one party makes it nine dollars,
ninety-three and three-fourth cents ; the
other, nine dollars, ninety-four cents. Each
parly insists that its solution is correct. Ot
course one of them is wrong. Now, which
is wrong, and wherein consists the error?
The new Baptist church here is pi ogress
ing finely, and will probably be completed
this year. It is said to be one of the finest
churches in the South, and is certainly very
beautiful. The members are greatly encour
aged at the idea of finishing the house in a
few months, and of having the privilege of
meeting in their own beautiful temple.
Altum Latibulum.
Wilmington, N. C-
Many of our readers will not need to
be told that the long Latin signature to this
piece means simply a high den —not the best
place in the world, (however it may suit
others,) for our correspondent to kide'n.
Ebenezer Church, Dooley Cos., Ga.
A few items of a recent visit to this
church may be worthy a place, as “ news
from the churches.” Brother Isaac Hobby
serves the church. He is a young man—
quite a young preacher—and though he has
not had educational advantages, he has native
intellect, and is a growing minister, serving
four churches, and much beloved. As an ev
idence that he wants to grow, and will grow
more, he subscribed for the Index, and would
have had it before, had he been able. How
he got to be able, I will explain. Dr. J. G.
Polhill, (son of Elder Joseph Polhill, de
ceased,) now a deacon of Ebenezer church,
was struck with a suggestion of brother Stil
well, in his articles on deacons’ duties,
moved in the matter, visited some of the
churches served by brother Hobby ; and u
mouth before my visit, a meeting of the
deacons of three ol brother H.’s churches
was held at Ebenezer, and resulted in “stir
ring up” the brethren—raising subscriptions
—s line of which are paid, in whole or part,
and this accounts for brother ll.’s taking the
Index. I hope brother Stilwell will see this.
The colored members of Ebenezer remain
with the whites—meet with them on Satur
day in conference —and a conference for them
is held under the auspices of the whites, who
take an interest in them, and takes pains to
instruct them in holding business meetings.
This pleasant state ot feeling 1 noted with
pleasure, and I heard with pleasure testimony
borne to their orderly behaviour and Chris
tian character.
I was delighted in the acquaintance I made
with deacon Polhill. He is an intelligent,
reading, working Baptist, and 1 hope will ytt
be “ constrained” to devote his talents to the
ministry, which I feel satisfied he should have
done long ago. He is, as Dr. Crawford says,
one of the “old sons of Mercer University,”
a graduate of medicine, and in a practice of
twenty-five years, has had good opportunity
for studying human nature, as well as human
diseases, which he has improved.
An unusual, and yet pleasant, occurrence
connected with my trip, I must mention.
Deacon Thomas Whitsitt, of Ebenezer
church, now advanced in years, has recently
built a large, comfortable dwelling in which
to spend the evening of his life. During its
erection several of his neighbors, who were
party inclined, urged him “to give a party”
when he finished. This he deferred till my
visit, and before l left he “ticketed” his party
friends and others, killed his pigs, &e., and,
as he said, 1 acted as “ fiddler” on the occa
sion. I used no musical instrument, however,
but tried, vocally, to draw some music out of
thecxxvi Psalm. “The Lord has done great
things for us, &c.” The people were very
attentive,and when I was done a good dinner
was served, a pleasant time spent in conver
sation, and so ended, pleasantly indeed, the
first dedication of a dwelling I ever took part
in. The whole originated in the feeling of
brother Whitsitt’s heart, gratitude to God,
and a realization that all he has is God’s.
How much may one live working member
do, in giving life to a cold or careless church..
A church in Dooly co. had not communed in
three years, till this year, after a brother and!
his wife moved near and joined it, who could
not think of living in that way. Through
the influence of one brother, brother
Hobby’s churches will double the amount
they otherwise would have paid him. How
many churches need even one live member.
1 collected fifteen dollars at Ebenezer for
Domestic Missions. Thom. Whitsitt, SIO.OO ;
H. H. Liggin, $5.00. Wm. N. Chaudoin.
Cottage Home , near Albany , Ga., July 20, 1869.
Baptism. —The (Dutch Reformed) Chris
tian Intelligencer says : “The Reformed doc
trine is, the faith is the bond of union be
tween Christ and the members of his mysti
cal body, the church. There must first be
living union with Christ, who is the Fountain
of life. Every one thus united to Him is a
member of Christ and of the church, which
is His body, the fulness of Him who filletb
all in all. lie does uot become a member of
that mystical body by being baptized, but he
is baptized because he believes; he is bap
tized, therefore, because he already is a mem
ber of Christ; he is baptized, that he may,
by baptism, be recognized as a believer, and
that, he may be solemnly invested with all
the ecclesiastical and spiritual privileges
which belong to him as such, and that his
covenant title to them may be acknowledged
by the body of believers.” We are not sur
prised that the (German) Reformed Church
Messenger should charge that paper with be
ing “Baptistic.” Who can contest the Romish
idea of baptism without becoming so ?
Enforced Psalmody —A hymn recently
forced upon the Protestant congregations ol
Prussia, by the Minister of Ecclesiastical
and Educational Affairs, contains, besides
some worse things too groos to be reprinted,
the following: “Almighty God, I am content
to remain the dog 1 am. lam a dog, a des
picable dog. lam conscious of revelling in
sin, and there is no infamy in which 1 do not
indulge. My anger and quarrelling are like a
dog’s. My envy and hatred are like a dog’s.
My abuse and snappishness are like a dog’s.
My robbing and devouring are like a dog’s.
Nay, when 1 come to reflect upon it I cannot
but own that in very many things I have be
haved worse than the dogs themselves.”