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About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 1869)
122 JJttda anil Jgaptfet J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor. Re v~D. SHAVER, D.D., Editor. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1869. Historical Resurrections. The “clothing blazoned with emblems of devils,” in which the generation of John Huss “ hurried him to the pyre,” is but an illustration of the misconstruction and slan der with which the world, in every age, has pursued those of whom it “ was not worthy.” Our Baptist fathers were called to drain this cup of calumny to the dregs. No faith or godliness availed to prevent their names from being cast out as evil ; and no one was al lowed to enter a plea of defence or apology in their behalf. When a nobleman of Augs burg, in 1526, wrote a pamphlet entitled “A True History of the Baptists,” it cost him his head. But the voice which could not be heard then, is speaking now; and Baptists of the era of the Reformation are emerging from the mists of reproach in which the verdict of their own age enveloped them. The disman tled edifice undergoes reconstruction, and shines more and more as a worthy temple to the praise of the glory of God. The stains of proscriptive ignominy disappear from the pure marble; the fine gold gleams out through the falling canker with which a haughty prej udice encrusted it. Schreiber on Hubmeyer, Keim on Hetzer, Heberle on Grebel, Hast on the Anabaptists, Cornelius on the Mun ster Uproar and Rohrieh on Baptists in Alsace —these monographs of German Romanists and Protestants, notwithstanding their lack of sympathy with us, help forward the work of vindication which shall “ raise from the dust the pure and holy characters” of our martyrs in the Sixteenth Century. The ar chives of the Courts of the Netherlands, too, from 1525 to 1560, are shedding light on our history, under the researches of “ the learned Prof. De Hoop Scheffer, of the Mennonite Seminary at Amsterdam, in connection with Frederick Muller, Esq., antiquarian, of that city.” Altogether, the resurrection of the honor of our fathers from the graves prepared for it by dominant ecclesiastical tyranny, makes hopeful progress. And the time is at hand when the North British Review can no longer echo, as it did a few years since, the groundless calumnies of three centuries past. Take one or two examples. In that epoch of wrong and shame, Hubmeyer testified “ that Christendom shall not receive its rising aright, unless baptism and the Lord’s supper are brought to their original purity.” For his testimony to this great truth, in accord ance with the principles of our churches, he was fated to pass through burning flames, at Vienna in 1528, to the kingdom of glory. And just after this shameful death, Zwingle, who had been knit to him by ties of personal friendship, “addressed him as roasting in hell for his sin against infant baptism !” So was it. But “his exalted character all wri ters of the present century acknowledge.” Hetzer, also, was beheaded at Constance in 1529. Though “he was like one who spoke with God and died,” and his brethren could say that “no one had with so much charity, so courageously, or so gloriously, laid down his life ” for their faith, —with what dishonor has his memory been blackened, in the sphere of doctrine as a Unitarian, in the sphere of morals as a polygamist! But, at length, the cloud breaks away. It is shown, beyond dispute, that, as respects the charge against his personal purity, false friends sold him for a few pieces of silver; while, as respects the charge against his evangelical orthodoxy, it stands exposed and refuted by his Works, in the Bucknell Library of Crozer Theological Seminary, Upland, Pa. These facts, (which we have compiled from an article of Dr. Osgood’s in the recent issue of the Baptist Quarterly, and from Cramp’s History of our people,) are not void of weighty import to the denomination. The mantle of these fathers descends to us; and do we show ourselves worthy to wear it? Do we cherish, as becomes us, ‘the precious principles which they transmitted through blood and tears ?’ Are we standing as firmly against the seductions of our times, as they stood against the persecutions of theirs? Are we as incorruptible under the smile, as they were under the frown, of Anti-Chrisl ? Let us ponder these questions, looking for ward to the time when they shall welcome us to the City of God on high, and their Mas ter and ours shall ask whether we have led lives worthy of them— and of him. And while we enquire, What rank, as respects spiritual excellence, is our generation entitled to hold in history ? let each one urge the en quiry, What rank am 1 entitled to hold in the generation ? “After Many Days.’* There is one prayer which we do not great ly like. Men frequently ask, at the close of a sermon, that the word preached may be “as bread cast upon the waters, the fruit of which shall be seen after many days.” We doubt whether this use of the language which the sacred writer employs with regard to alms giving, is, when standing by itself, appropri ate. It, at ieast, seems to surrender all hope of immediate results from the proclamation of divine truth. Why should we not expect and seek fruit to-day from the preaching of to-day ? Why should we plead with God, as if “ many days” must necessarily run by, before His word takes effect? The prayer is fit and right only as an alternative prayer. Let us first ask that the Igypjog and sanctifying power of the truth ajtkf be straightway manifested—that, at once, Hifithout delay, it may bring souls to Christ, or strengthen them in His service. And then, let us ask, that, even in the cases where this legitimate result does not follow, |pp'e : fruit, though long post poned by that unbelief of sinners which “ puts far away the” good “ day ” of return to the Lord, or that unbelief of Christians which •naflfoar looks nor pleads for an earlier bless jpg. We should begin by wrestling for “the God and the gift by grace” now, pis accompanying, without interval, the utter ance of His own word. Only in subordina tion to that entreaty, is there any meetness in the petition for fruits to appear “after THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ TH URSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1869. A Special Hanger of the Times. The present generation of Christians at the South have been subject to special tempta tion, and therefore need special wariness and self-sifting, with regard to questions of mon ey. Thousands of them have been brought into both the states which seemed so perilous to Agur, that he lifted the cry to Heaven, “Give me neither poverty nor riches.” He prayed that the course of his life might not become a struggle w r ith th-. enticements of the one, or of the other, no matter which, though that alone should assail him. But to those of whom we write, riches came first, and afterward poverty. The trials of faith and godliness which Agur feared to meet singly, they have been called to meet in swift succession—a doubled snare to the soul—a two-told cord for the use of Satan in his ef fort to bind them under captivity to himself ! That holy man trembled lest he should be overcome, if called to fight either of these battles. They have been thrown from the heat and stress of the one into the heat and stress of the other, and have thus been ex posed to all the hazards of the two! Under these circumstances, with what cau tion and self-distrust should we scrutinize our feelings in the light of Scripture, and review our decisions as respects giving to the cause of Christ or withholding from it? May it not be that the risk from which Agur recoiled has been too great for us? that we have been “drawn away and enticed,” until it seems right in our eyes to keep back “more than is meet” from “the treasury of the Lord” for the prosecution of Christian works ! “At the Last.” The Egyptian goddess, Hekt, Smith tells us, was represented with the head of a frog! We read this, perhaps, with wonder that a people of culture should engraft such unsight liness upon those emblems of the divine, which might be expected to combine all that is most attractive to love and all that is most venerable to adoration. But is it not an in stance of a law, universal in the nature of things—the law that whatever departs from God, the one only fountain of excellence, shall degenerate, until the ‘ iniquity’ of this departure ‘is found to be hateful’ in its out ward aspects—its face, as it is in its inward principle—its heart ? This holds good of Error. Its earlier stages wear many features of resemblance to the truth, sufficient, if it were possible, to deceive the very elect. The form of a god dess greets and charms the eye. But this likeness fades more and more ; and in due season appears—the head of a frog, or worse ! Satan, transformed for a season into an angel of light, resumes his true and hideous shape. Thus Antinomianism in theory becomes Li centiousness in practice—and the decorous Unitarianism of Channing lapses into the boldly-blasphemous “Free Religion” of Ab bott. This holds good, too, of Vice. There is no show of grossness in its first beginnings— there are many tokens, rather, of refinement. It allures—it captivates. Whatever may strike the senses, or the imagination, without repulsion, glitters, and pleases, and woes, and wins. But look not on this goddess form : for, at the last, behold the frog-head ! Nothing sends a shudder of disgust through the soul with such power a« the loat.hliness of Vice in its final stages. To “cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart”— this is the only safeguard to the beauty of the soul and of the life. When we are His in thought and deed, His alone, His entirely— then, aud never but then, have we assurance that no evil shall wax worse and worse within us, until we become an ab horrence in the eyes of our fellows and in our own. Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc. Georgia. Under date Aug. 3rd, Rev. Dr. Landrum, Sa vannah, writes : “My vacation commences next week. I propose passing four or five weeks in the upper part of the State.”—The Second church, Atlanta, has voted leave of absence, for six weeks, to its pastor, Rev. Dr. Brantly. He de signs, we believe, to visit the Virginia Springs.— The Richmond Herald , of the sth, says: “Rev. G. C. Connor, of Ga., preached very acceptably twice last Lord’s-day at the Leigh Street church of this city.”—The editor of this paper supplied the pulpit of Rev. H. C. Hornady, at LaGrange, last Sabbath, and w 7 as gratified to hear of the high and deserved popularity of that brother in both the church and the community.—The col ored Baptists of LaGrange are organized as a sep arate and independent church, but worship in the basement of the white Baptist church, for want of a building of their own. This kindly rela tion between the two races, is creditable to both. —Rev. H. C. Hornady of LaGrange preached sev eral nights last week and on Sabbath morning for the Third church, Atlanta, (North End,) and on Sabbath night for his old flock, the first church. —Three persons were baptized in connection with the Third church, Atlanta, last Sabbath. Alabama. Rev. C. Manly, Tuscaloosa, writes to the Sun day School Banner: “ Since January, our Sun day school exercises have been held in the after noon, and have constituted our second service on the Sabbath ; and the school is addressed partic ularly, every Sabbath , on some truth in connection with the lesson of the day, (the whole school studying the same passage of Scripture.)’’—The Tuscumbia Herald quotes our recent article, headed “The Administrator of Baptism,” and says: “We accept the view's of the Editor, be lieving them to be sound and Scriptural.” We are highly gratified to have the concurrence of our judicious brother Shackelford.—Rev. James F. Shaw reports a revival at Chickasaw, with 14 conversions, 10 accessions to the church and 8 baptisms.—Rev. S. M. Steenson reports a revival at Moriah church, Franklin county, with the baptism of 15 persons, among whom was an en tire household.—A revival is in progress at Mt Pleasant church, twelve miles east of Tuscumbia, with some 30 conversions and 12 accessions so far.—The Louisville Recorder , of the 7th, says : Rev. B. M. Wharton, of Eufaula, Ala., is spend ing a few days in the city, and preached for the East Baptist church Sabbath morning, and for Walnut Street church at night.—Rev. W. H. Carroll baptized four persons at Union Springs, on Sabbath, the Bth. Kentucky. Rev. Robert M. Enlows, of our church at Hodgenville, died July 2nd, after a severe illness of several months from disease of the lungs. There have been 16 baptisms at a school house in Anderson county, between Lawrenceburg and Salvisa; 20 at Berry Station, where the meeting was held in the town hall; and 14 at Zion church, Pulaski county.—Rev. Smith Thomas, of Floyd’s Fork church, is dead. Louisiana. The Bayou des Glaises church, Avoyelles Par ish, has one hundred members, about equally di vided between the two races, white and black; the whites being mostly sisters whose husbands are not members of the church. There area dozen richer Baptist churches in North Louisiana ; but of this alone can it be said: “At the beginning of the present year they raised the amount for the pastor’s salary in advance and» placed it in the treasurer’s hands to be paid to him quarterly. Indeed, they raised several hundred dollars more than he deemed adequate for his support, and which he declined to accept. In addition, they have undertaken to provide a parsonage which is to cost two thousand dollars, the greater part of which they have raised ; besides, during the past year they have expended seven hundred dollars in repairs upon their house of worship. They sent to the last Association one hundred and for ty dollars.” They keep up two Sunday schools, one for the whites in the morning and one for the blacks in the afternoon ; the two schools includ ing every member of the church, old and young, and the greater part of the regular congregation. —Prof. C. Morris becomes President of Mt. Leb anon University, and his wife teacher of Mathe matics and Modern Languages in the Female In stitute. Maryland. F. R. Boston, who graduated with honor at the recent Commencement of Columbian College, is the only son of Rev. S. C. Boston, Baltimore. He enters Crozer Theological Seminary, Upland, Pa.—Rev. 8. C. Boston resigns the pastorate of Lee street church, Baltimore, from October.— Rev. H. Schneider, late pastor of our German church, Baltimore, has been called to New York. North Carolina. Rev. H. Petty, pastor at Warrenton, has bap tized 12 persons within six months. He becomes agent, for the State, of the Domestic Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and his return to Warrenton, as pastor, is doubtful. —The First African Baptist church, Raleigh, has had 58 baptisms recently.—A writer in the Eagle, Fayetteville, says, of a visit to Oxford: “ I at tended the Baptist church on Sunday night, and heard one of the most beautiful discourses to which I have listened, upon the words, ‘We glory in tribulation.’ The speaker was the venerable Wm. Hill Jordan, the Chrysostom of North Car olina, for surely he is ‘golden-mouthed.’ He is par excellence the most eloquent minister of his denomination I have listened to, and is the only really eloquent Baptist minister in the State.”— The Raleigh Recorder says: “ The views recently advanced by Baptists that Christ had ‘no human soul,’ that ‘Melchisedec waß Christ,’ and that the human ‘soul sleeps’ somewhere till the res urrection of the body, are old errors put forth in new garments.” South Carolina. D. Townsend Smith has been elected Professor of Greek in Furman University.—Dr. S. W. Bookhart becomes President of Greenville Fe male College ; succeeding Professor C. H. Judson, who returns to his position in Furman Universi ty. —The Executive Board of the Baptist State Convention has been located at Newberry (instead of Darlington,) with Rev. R. Furman, D.D., as President. Tennessee. At the recent session of the Concord Associa tion, S3OOO were subscribed, in behalf of Union University, Murfreesboro; to be used in fitting up at once a portion of the building for the min isterial students and for recitation rooms. A fund also was raised and a committee constituted for the support of a colporter (a minister if possible) within the bounds of the Association. Virginia. A colored Baptist church was constituted and a colored preacher (Beverly Sparks) ordained to be its pastor, at Zion, King and Queen county, July 19th, with the co-operation of the adjacent white pastors.—The Fourth Street church, Ports mouth, Rev. N. B. Cobb pastor, has but 14 male members. Three persons have been baptized in three months; and four excommunicated, (among them Rev. Cincinnatus Goodall, for habitual drunkenness.) Reviews and Notices. A Grammar or the English Language : For the Use of Schools and Academies. With copious parsing Ex ercises. By Wm. Bingham. A.M., Superintendent of the Bingham School. Pp. 207. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Cos. For tale, Atlanta, by J. J. db S. P. Richards. A Grammar or the Latin Language : For the Use of Schools. With Exercises and Vocabularies. By Wm. Bingham, A.M. Fourth Edition. Pp. 892. (Published and for sale as above.) Cesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War. With a Vocahulary, Maps and Notes. By Wm. Bingham, A.M. Pp. 848. (The same publishers and sellers.) No students, entering College, take a more creditable stand for thorough preparation, than those coming from the Bingham School. This fact creates a strong presumption in favor of the author’s competency for the difficult task of get ting up valuable text-books ; and, on the whole, we think the presumption fairly borne out by the volumes whose titles we give. If any doubt rests on this question, the shadow is cast by the “ Eng lish Grammar,” which, with many felicities of arrangement and definition, falls justly under the criticism of being Latinized to an extent which the genius of our language will not warrant—as, for instance, when five “cases” are attributed to English nouns, “ the nominative, genitive or pos sessive, indirect objective or dative, accusative or direct objective, and vocative.” But, after all, if Richard Grant White is right in saying that our language is really a language without a grammar, (as we sometimes incline to think he is,) Mr. Bingham may well content himself with having added, to the five hundred works on the subject published in this country, one of at least average merit. Os the “Latin Grammar” and the “Caesar,” however, we may speak in terms of more unqual ified commendation. The former, since its publi cation in 1866, has deservedly reached a fourth edition; the latter, issued last year, must achieve, we are sure, an equal popularity. Costbk Grkw : or, The Young Machinist. By Rev. Geo. B. Taylor, Staunton, Ya. Philadelphia: Amer ican Baptist Publication Society. Pp. 220, with 4 full-page illustrations. This book is in the best style of its author, who earned, years ago, an enviable reputation as a writer for the young. The narrative is interest ing, and suggests much to stimulate, direct and comfort the child of God, or to reclaim him when wandering from the Father. We quote a para graph, as a specimen of the happy veins of thoughts which are characteristic of the author: “ We often wonder whether we shall know our friends in heaven, and, on the supposition that we shall, we are perplexed to reconcile that like ness to their former selves by which they will be recognized, with that likeness which they will bear to the glorified Redeemer. Perhaps, some light may be thrown upon this difficulty. How changed is the youth who returns to his bumble home, after years of absence, during which body and mind have been developed—so changed that Sven the mother who bore him, might not at first recognize him! But when he has made himself known, as her eye scans his countenance, and her ear listens eagerly to his tones, she soon begins to recognize this feature and that trait, as having belonged to her prattling child; and thus she links the glorious youth with the child whom she remembers so fondly; she feels that he is the same, and loves him not merely for what be is— worthy as he is of love—but with all the hoarded affection of a mother’s heart Something like this may be our experience when we reaoh the heavenly world. Loved ones will be gloripusly changed—so changed that we might not at first recognize them; and yet retaining such linea ments of face and fcEaracter, that as we mingle with them and study them, or, as they are made known to ns—introduced by some bright angel, or by our Elder Brother, Whom we shall all know —we shall gradually recognize them, and see and feel them to he they; persons whom we knew and loved on earth.” ' North British Review. New York: Tho Leonard Scott Publishing Company. Terms, |4 a year; with Blackwood, s7;‘wTtSthe Londou, Edinburgh aud Westminster Reviews, 112; with the Reviews and Blackwood, sls. Contents for July. —l. Dr. Hanna’s Life of Christ. 2. Henry Crabb Robinson’s Diarv. 3. History of European Morals. 4. Geological Time. 5. Danish Literature—Ludvig Holberg. 6. Me moir of Sir Williajp Hamilton, Bart. 7. The Early History of Man. 8. Walter Savage Lan dor. 9. The Irish church Measure. This number, the hundredth of the Review, is one of peculiar interest. The Editor announces a change in the cha|Tcter of the Review, of which we will speak hereafter. The Sunday SeSnol Work iu Alabama. I see an earnest communication from our beloved brother Cloud in your columns, sug gesting a Sunday School Couveution, to meet at Oxford the the next Alabama Convention. 1 great respect for any opinions of brotherC. on such subjects. We all know full weinhe “unfeigned faith that is in him,” and the large measure of the Spirit of the with which he is blessed. For my own part, I have to say that I feel at a loss as to the means of promoting Sab bath schools. Wnen I lived in Alabama in early life, our brethren were content simply to make Sabbatlj sphools a prominent sub ject of consider*’ in the regular business of the Convent* * That may be true of many yet. Ido not clearly see why the sub ject might not in that way receive sufficient attention. We should go up to the Conven tion prepared patiently to remain until the business for whigj) we meet, of whatever character, is fully done. Nevertheless, this subject of Sunday schools has, undeniably, been very much overlooked. When I went to Georgia I found a Sunday School Convention in existence, meeting the day before the Convention. I quietly, as usual, fell into ranks. Two or three meet ings afterwards tqCk place at the Convention or between the times of its meeting ; and then the leaders in the matter, for some rea son, suddenly abandoned their own project. Last fall 1 went" up a day before the Con vention, to Marion, and found but two other brethren, 1 belieYe, in addition to those already on the ground, present. • Those who suggested or called the meeting were not there. So we hajl a good report, as a part of the business of the Convention, a speech or two and nothing more. We do need organization. But whether we have it not already’, if the subject were allowed time enough for full discussion, as one of the topics of magnitude for which we meet, I am not prepared to say. I think something might Tie done in that way. Oc casionally, meetings at other times—county, district or associational, have been, and will be, of use. Yet I confess that those I have attended have, for the most part, been repe titions of each other, and sometimes very dull, and, I conceive, not very profitable. It is expensive to altend these meetings, attend ed with the neglect of home duties, silences many a minister for a day, and takes pastors away from theif fold. This may be no harm once in a while. But organization ought to be simple—too much machinery is one of the tendencies of the times. We may tax the community of Oxford, though I supposa not. lam willing to act on brother Cloud’s suggestion. E. B. Teague. Great Revival. On Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in last month Rev. David Peebles, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. David Lee, E. B. Hardie, Mathew Bishop and Dr. Wm. C. Cleveland, began a meeting with the Bethany Baptist church at Coljirene, Lowndes co., which lasted eleven days, and resulted in an accession of over twenty members. All things considered, it was the best meeting I have ever witnessed. Six or more of the coldest backsliders of that community have been happily restored ; and the church well nigh extinct, looks forward with pleasure to the procurement of a pastor for two Sab baths in a month. Other meetings are ap pointed through the country, and we are an ticipating glorious times. The churches are waking up and wanting more preaching ; and I hope soon we will have Dr. Talbird back from Ky. I thank God for the introduction of our efficient brother Cleveland into the ministry just at this time. Our crops are fine, churches revived, spirits cheered and debts almost paid ; and now brother editor, for a better support of the Index and Bap tist. B. H. Crumpton. Pleasant Hill, Dallas co., Ala. Madison University Jubilee. You, brother Editor, know all about Ham ilton. But there are many people who never heard of this “ gem of the Chenango Valley,” and the ancient Institution of learning located here, whose semi centennial anniversary her Alumni have been summoned lrom the four quarters of the earth to celebrate. I draw my bow at a venture —not knowing that I shall hit any attention among your readers. Well, the jubilee n over, and a joyous time it was indeed ! The meeting and greeting of old class-mates and Professors ; the reminis cences of th. l , Jiving, and the memorials of the dead; the speeches and sermons; the festivities and offerings; the Sight again of dormitory and lecture-rooms, and library and society halLawaken emotions in one who returns to his Alma Mater, after twenty years’ absence, which he must not forget thatsubscri bers to the Index a thou.-and miles off have not the slightest interest in. It is due, how ever, to a great epoch in the history of a Uni versity, which has given to the world fifteen hundred ministers, and sixty-seven Foreign Missionaries, and twenty well known au thors, and twenty-two Presidents of Colle ges, and, under the preaching of whose Alumni several hundred thousand souls have been converted, that some record of it be made by the Southern press. 1 will r’estrict myself to little more than a naked outline of proceedings. On Saturday night, the 31st of July, the Prize Declamation came off. The speakers were the four best declaimers of the three first classes of the college. Among them was a Karen who spoke our language well enough to pitch into the “rebellion” with such force as to keep awake, in a Southern gentleman, who sat just behind him on the stage, a pretty distinct consciousness of the latitude to which he belonged. Six prizes were awarded ; hut the young Asiatic did not get one. Sunday morning Dr. Shailer of Portland, discussed, in a clear and conclusive way, from the text, “Every man hath his proper gift of God ; one after this manner, and another after that,” — the propriety of RECOGNIZING THE DIVERSITY OF GIFTS IN ALL education. In the afternoon the Alumni had a precious meeting for prayer and confer ence, where old associations were revived, and Christian experiences exchanged. At night Dr. A. H. Burlingham, late chaplain in Paris, and now of St. Louis, preached before the “Society of Inquiry,” a glorious sermon, “On Missions, as the self assertion of tbs Gospel : or, the spontansous and ir repressible EXPRESSION OF CHRIST IN THE soul.” Our old friend and classmate has become a power in the land, and bids fair to be more powerful still. The Alumni met on Monday morning, and raised $5,000 as an in stalment of the gift proposed to be presented to their honored Mother, on this her golden wedding. After dinner the venerable “Bap tist Education Society, of N. Y,.” of which Hamilton Theological Seminary and Madison University are offsprings, held its fiftieth an nual meetiug. The reports and speeches were full of interest. One church had sent $3,500 for the support of young men in the University. Some $15,000 had been given during the year by this and other churches. Dr. Price, of Wales made some telling state ments with regard to education in his coun try. After the business, Dr. Lorrimer, of Albany was to deliver the annual address, but a dispatch announced that he could not be present, on account of domestic bereavement. The society re-appointed him for next year, and Mr. Tupper, of Georgia, to preach the ! Education Sermon. “The New Chapel,” which accommodated 1,500 persons, was crowded to its utmost capacity at night, in honor of the anniversary of the jEotiian and Adelphian Societies. Rev. Dr. Anable, of Cambridge, Mass., enchained the audience, while he illustrated “The Service of Sci ence to Christianity,” —lst, in its aid to Biblical interpretation; 2d, in quickening Christian faith ; 3rd, s in its practical promo tion of the gospel. He was followed by the Poet, B. F. Taylor, of Chicago, who poured forth such a shower of word gems, and thought-gems, that his highly expectant lis teners were not only satisfied, but, if you .will suffer the figure “on all fours,” were completely saturated with the brilliant affu sion. Tuesday was occupied with the Com mencement exercises of the Theological and Collegiate Departments. The speeches were much as such speeches commonly are ; and strnogly marked by the distinctive difference between the oratory of the North and South. At night, we had Repoits on Class-Histories, Necrology, Foreign Mission Work, and War Record. To-day, Wednesday, was the great day ! President Dodge gave to the Alumni his speech of welcome, full of lofty thoughts and broad sentiments. Dr. Eaton built up, in a Historic Discourse of two hours and a half, a grand monument for the University. Dr. W. C. Richards delivered a poem highly seasoned with Attic Salt, —and then came the Jubilee Dinner! Under an immense tent, one thousand were greeted to a superb re past. The best was reserved for the last, when the speeches of the Alumni, from all parts of the world, raised the tide of enthu siasm to the proper height. The subscrip tion ball was set in motion again, and before it stopped an offering of one hundred thous and dollars was made to the College, as a ' present worthy of the jubilant occasion, and to complete her endowment of three hundred thousand dollars. I dare not attempt a des cription of the scene. I only add, without the least hyperbole, that the whole season i came nearer to realizing my ideas of a Jubi : lee than I ever expected to witness on earth. To-morrow, I am off for the White Moun tains of N. H. Alumnus. Hamilton, New York , Aug. 4th, 1869. To the Baptists of Atlanta, Augusta and Macon. Dear Brethren: We, a few of the members of the Baptist church, in and around the lit tle village of Homer, have been for sometime engaged in building us a house of worship at that place. Up to this time we have, with a few exceptions, contributed all the labor, money, etc., and now have our house up, covered, weatherboarded, and partly floored, but we find that we have run short of means; crops, owing to the drouth, are cut short, and we can furnish no more money; and we are forced to ask our brethren abroad for a little help. With one hundred and fif ty or sixty dollars, we can (by doing the work ourselves) get the material, glass, etc., and can put our house in a condition that we can worship in it. We know that our church can and will flourish, if we can get us a house. We have now 35 members, and our church has not been organized a year yet. Will not our friends give us fifty cents or a dollar apiece, and thereby gladden our hearts and advance Baptist interests in this section ? All who feel disposed to give anything, will please send it to D. M. West, “Chairman Building Committee, Homer Baptist church.” We hope the pastors of the different churches in Atlanta will take an interest in the matter, make small collections and send the same to us. All amounts received will be acknowl edged in the Index and Baptist. We make a like appeal to our brethren in Augusta and Macon. We are, brethren, fraternally yours, etc., T. C. Chandler, L. Smith, J. J. Wilson, D. M. West, Building Committee. Homer, Banka county , Ga ., August 4, 1869. Georgia, ) I, William Turk, Clerk of Banks County, j the Superior Court in and for the County of Banks, take pleasure in cer tifying to the facts contained in the above letter; and, although I am a member of a different denomination, I wish the cause God speed, and hope that those to whom the ap peal is directed may respond promptly, and enable the good work to go forward. William Turk. August 4th, 1869. A Good Work. I am happy to inform you, and the friends of Zion generally, that a meeting of six days has just closed with Carmel church, Newton county, Ga. The result of our meeting is as follows: 1. The church is saved from dis solution. This church has a respectable membership, and a good house of worship, and a most inviting field for church activity ; but so completely had Satan gained the mas tery, by alienating the feeling of the brother hood, that it had become a hissing and a by word in the community; and the more thoughtful began to advise a dissolution. 2. Entire fellowship is restored. The older dea cons had gone off from the church—one by letter and the other by exclusion. These brethren are again in their places, and prom ise again to return to their posts. The breth ren grasped each other by the hand in token of their entire fellowship. 3. A weekly prayer meeting is established, with the prom ise of organizing a Sabbath school. 4. Some six or eight professed faith, and two were buried with Christ in baptism. One pro fessed who was some seventy years of age. This aged saint will be baptized at our next meeting, with others. Our brother Patillo, recently ordained, did us good service in this meeting. I think I shall never doubt the power of God’s grace iu subduing the evil passions of brethren again ! J. M. Stillwell. Correction. In the last issue of the Index, a letter from G. T. Wilburn states that the Central Bap tist Association, after promising to support brother Wm. Norton at Penfield, had failed to furnish him with the means of support. The letter was written under a misapprehen sion of the facts. lam the Treasurer of the Association, and paid to brother Norton, in November last, $25; in March last, SIOO, recently SBO, aggregating $205. The appro priation for his support was, I think, $250, Only $45 are unpaid, and I expect to pay that amount at or before the next meeting of the Association. The above has been accom plished in addition to the payment of the salary of a missionary employed within the bounds of the Association. Thos. G. Lawson. Eatonton , Aug. 7,1869. Hephzibah High School. A good school is a good thing, and the peo ple should know where to find it. I passed a few days last week amidst the scenes of the examination and Commencement occasion of the Ilephzibah High School, in Richmond county. The school is excellent. Its teach ers are doing a great and good work. Tho school is located in the small village of Hephzibah, situated about 13 miles South west of Augusta and nearly equi distant from the Georgia and Waynesboro’ Railroads. The location is regarded as very healthy, and many of the planters of Burke and Jefferson counties propose locating here for In alth, so ciety and schools. The growth of the village is beyond question. The school edifice is a large wooden building of two stories, and wings at each end. The upper story of the main building forms a large and pleasant chapel. It is used by the Hephzibah church, as well as by the school. An additional out lay of money is desirable for furnishing the school rooms and for the improvement of the building and grounds, which, no doubt, the many ardent friends of the school will furnish at an early day. The school is mixed; males and females recite in the same classes- This arrange ment has its advantages; especially in the way of aesthetic and emulative influences. There are about one hundred scholars in at tendance. All the grades of classes are here taught, from the primary up to the Junior class of the of the State. Young men prepared here find no difficulty in enter ing the classes in college when they make ap plication. Brethren Kilpatrick and Davis are gradu ates of Mercer University, who have estab lished reputations as efficient and popular ed ucators. They are both ministers of the gospel. As joint Principals of the school, they are exerting a wide and happy influence. Having considerable familiarity with good teachers, and having given close attention to the examinations of the Hephzibah High School in its English, Classical and Mathe matical departments, I have no hesitancy in commending it without reservation, to all who desire first rate teaching, with the most wholesome moral and religious influences. Board is offered at the low rate of sls per month. Os the addresses at the late Commence- ment I can speak only of that cf Prof. S. P. Sanford, of Mercer University, and of that, merely this: It was learned and entertain ing; bringing the light of Astronomy and Astrology to bear upon that somewhat famil iar publication— “ The Almanac.” S. L. Savannah , Aug. 3d, 1869. Another correspondent “Earnest,” of Thomson, —says : “The commencement exer cises of this school commenced on July the 25th, and continued four days. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Landrum, of Sa vannah, who preached a good sermon—ap propriate —and delivered with effect, . The examination was a very thorough and impartial one, conducted in every instance by competent scholars not connected with the school, whenever the Principal or Assistant could get them to act as an examining com mittee, —evincing a willingness on the part of the teachers for a fair test of the proficiency and advancement of the scholars. Tne examina tion, as a whole, did credit to all parties . . The teachers, Revs. W. L. Kilpatrick and W. H. Davis, are gentlemen of fine rnunners, of most engaging appearance, fine scholars and teachers. Rev. Mr. Kilpatrick, whose pro found scholarship has long since been ac knowledged by his contemporaries, and whose reputation as a kind and successful teacher has extended beyond the limits of the State, is well worthy of the high position ‘ which he fills. This school was established just before the war, and was intended to be a permanent school. A pleasant little town has sprung up Rround it, the inhabitants of which are deeply impressed with the impor tance of educating their children. Provided with a beautiful and commodious edifice, pos sessing the advantages of a very favorable location, remote from influences of dissipa tion and vice, it is destined, if properly man aged, to be an honor to the founders, an or nament to the community and a nursery to . foster and develope the intellectual and moral faculties of the youth of the country. It has been the general opinion that mixed schools would not prosper, but thus far the Hephzi bah High School has hurled this idea to the ground aud stamped falsehood upon its face. The zeal and pride which actuates and in spires the girls to surpass and excel the boys in perfect recitations, and withal the boys to eclipse the girls, is an argument powerful enough to convince even the most incredulous that a mixed school is not only equal, but superior to those where the scholars are of the same sex.” “ Church Communion.” Os this work, (which is for sale by J. J. & S. P. Richards, Atlanta,) Rev. William Williams, D.D., Professor in “the South ern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Green ville, S. C., says, in a commendatory letter to the author, W. W. Gardner : “When your book was first put into my hands, and I saw the title, I said to myself, ‘ What need for another book on the commun ion question V But an examination of it has satisfactorily answered the question ; and you have given to the denomination a contribu tion upon that subject sui generis, and which I think will be more valuable to the general reader than any other book, and for which you deserve the thanks of the denomination. As one of the number, I return you my sin cere thanks, and hope the book will receive a wide circulation, as it deserves. “ Much has been written upon the com munion question, but this book has a special merit and value of its own. With some of the positions taken, all would not, perhaps, agree; but the author has given us an excel lent book, which ought to have a wide circu lation, especially among the brethren and sisters of our churches. The style is clear and plain ; and this book is better adapted, perhaps, than any other, to meet satisfacto rily the difficulties that many of our church members feel upon this subject, and to ena ble them to answer the objections of cavil lers.” Signs of Promise. I would that I could communicate a state of revival; but while I cannot do this, there are, I think, omens of better times religiously, in this country. There is a spirit of desire that points in that direction, manifested by some of the churches, and epecially by indi vidual members, on the part of churches and communities. Occasionally, persons present themselves for prayer. These, we trust, aro like drops that precede an abundant shower. O, may it be the will of the great Head of the church to give us a revival of religion indeed. We need it on many accounts; and especially do we need it that God’s people may be one in heart and effort. D. 11. Moncrief. Cklhoun, Gordon county , Ga. Theological Faculty at Chicago. We are happy to learn that the Baptist Union Theological Seminary at Chicago, will start out with such a noble Faculty of instruction, in September next. The Faculty will consist of Rev. G. W. Northrup, D. D., Professor of Christian Theology; Rkv. A. N. Arnold, D. D., Professor of Biblical Literature and Exegesis; Rev. Wm. Hague, D.D., Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Duties; Rev. J. B. Jackson, A.M., Pro fessor of Ecclesiastical History. The new Seminary building, which was dedicated J uly Ist, is now being furnished, and will h i ready for occupancy at-4he 'opening of the term, September 9. Most of the rooms are already engaged. * To Rchobolh Association. Dear Brethren : I have just returned from a week’s tour. Met brothers Peter Fulsmn, Simon Hancock and James Williams, unlive ordained preachers, and a number of excel lent brethren. I baptized six, and brother Williams two, into the fellowship ot Zion church—a new church in Toboxy county, northwest of ihis station. Brother Kam-pa lub-bee, an excellent man, was ordained as deacon of said church. He bids fair to make a useful officer. Brother Peter Fulsorn informed me that owing to the size of his family, it being large, and he being in debt, and not getting a suffi cient, salary from the Marion Board, S4OO a jear, he proposes to enter into a trading bus iness, i. e., buying and selling corn and oilier provisions, to movers passing through the nation. I fear it will ruin him pecuniarily, for he has no disposition that way, no tact, and no experience. Brother James Williams is the most laborious preacher in the Choc taw nation. He, somehow, manages to exer cise an oversight of seven churches. It an Association would adopt him and give him a salary of two or three hundred dollars a year, it would be a very profitable invest ment. There has been a steady increase in the .membership of the churches of this na tion since the war. Brother Williams states that at the close of the war he found forty members in good standing in the bounds of his field ; now, there are one hundred and ninety. Nearly one hundred increase in all the churches the past twelve months. Our own field gives promise "tnf a large yield of fruit. Let us thank God and take courage for the future. It is my purpose to try and leave here about the middle of September, en route for Georgia, taking my children with me, to leave with you. It is no doubt best, yet I dread to think of parting with them, now doubly dear to me since their mother’s death Remittances, recently received from brother Amos, have relieved all my home necessities, and if you can supply me, between tnis date and the Ist of September, with enough to pay our travelling expenses, it will be sulfi cient. The sickly season, however is upon us, and we know not what hour some of us may be stricken down with fever. In God do we trust. Pray for us and the poor Choc taws. Your devoted, yet unworthy Mis sionary, J.S. Morrow. Ah-to-ka P. 0., C. N., Ark., July 21*1, 1869. Revival. There has just closed one of the most in teresting meetings at Shiloh, Marion county, we recollect ever witnessing. The meetiug was characterized by much seriousness and solemnity from begining to end, and a time of much joy and rejoicing. The Gospel was preached by our much esteemed and be loved pastor, Rev. G. A. Loftou, with power and effect. There were, as we hope and be lieve, thirty happy souls converted, added to the church, and baptized by our beloved pastor iuto Jesus, and five others received by letter. Just one year ago we enjoyed a glo rious revival, under the gospel preached by our worthy pastor, Rev. G. A. L. On that occasion there were added to the church twenty by experience, and five by letter, making a total in the last twelve months of sixty ; in whom we have the utmost conti dence. Without flattery, 1 know of none who promise so much in the Master’s vineyard as our pastor. May the Lord bless him abundantly. A. C. B. Preston. Ga., July 29, 1809. In reference to this meeting, and others, brother G. A. Lofton writes from Americus, August slh: l have been engaged for the last twenty days, preaching the gospel to the churches— most of the time night and day. I have hardly had occasion to rest more than a few hours during that time. It has pleased the Lord to bless my labors and those of the churches to which I have preached, abundant ly. My labors during this period, have been confined to two churches under my charge— Shiloh, in Macon county, and Antioch, in Lee county. We received in all, thirty-four mem bers upon a confession of faith, and immersed them. Os these, thirty were received by the church at Shiloh, and four by the church at Antioch. Other glorious revivals are going on in our midst. One has just closed at Friendship, in this county—brother Cawood pastor —in which he baptized thirteen, and one is now progressing at Shiloh, in this county, (Sumter) —young brother Tharpe, pastor —in which he has already baptized eighteen. So brother Cooper informs me, who on yesterday evening returned from laboring with the church. You see the Lord is doing good things for us, adding unto the churches daily such as should be saved. Letter From Arkausas. With reluctance, but from a felt necessity,, I wrote last spring requesting you to suspend sending the Index to me whui my time ex pired. I regretted when the number came bearing the ominous figures, plainly sa\ing this is the last, and I shall not receive your welcome visits again, nor see your face any more, for a while at least. But the next week I was made glad and 1 was made sud in welcoming my favorite “Index” again; and every week since 1 “joyfully” receive, and gloomily respond 1. O. IT. Bear with me a little longer ; there is some appearance of a break in the cloud, and the sun will shine again. Our prospects are more cheering than they have been any time since the desolations of the war; crops are promising, and the evidences of thrift and plenty are more manifest, and a brighter day is dawn ing ; therefore, I hope soon to be able to send you the “material aid” and receive a more welcome “Index” because paid for. Our churches have been in a “cold state” for a year, but there are now evidences of a “better state”—buddings of a revival spirit in all our churches ; and we pray that it may bloom and bear much fruit to the glory of God in the salvation of souls. Our weekly prayer meeting has been changed to twice a week, and is moved from house to house so as to reach all sections, and to bring all as far as possible under its influence, The at tendance is good and the interest is pereeiva bly increasing at each meeting. S. W. Cochran. Union, Fulton Cos., Ark., July 27 th, 1869. Ordination of a Deacon. At a call ot the Baptist church of this place, Elders Wm. S. Tweedell, Jas. Barrow and G. W. Colquitt, pastor, met on Saturday last, July 31st, for the purpose of ordaining brother Wm. M. Whatley to ibe deaconship. The ordination sermon was preached by the pastor, who also questioned the church as to the qualifications of the brother. Examina tion of candidate by brother Tweedell ; prayer by brother Barrow. After the charge, delivered by the same the church and presbytery united in extending the hand of fellowship. § P Thus was set apart to this responsible of fioe, as we believe, a good and faithful ser vant. J. B. Bowdon, Carroll eo., Go., Aug. 4<A, 1869. Death. —ln his last sickness, Dr. Absalom Peters, when allusion was made to the com fort the Christian has in leaving to God all the details of dying, said : “ 1 have a death to die, but I have not a death to choose ; and 1 am glad that is not laid upon me. It is all well, from Him iu whom I believe.”
