Newspaper Page Text
142
Ijwfex and fSaptiist
J. «J. TOON, ... - Proprietor.
Bev. D. SHAVER, D.D., Editor.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1869.
ifßSr- It is with very great pleasure tbst we surren
der our editorial space so the highly interesting news
from the churches furnished by our breihren. Will
they not continue to wole ?
“ Come Forth, Beloved Sun! ”
The enjoyment of climate was an important
element in the character of the ancient Greeks.
They loved the sunlight, which fell over land and
sea as a mantle of glory. When the sky was
obscured and the rays of “the brilliant orb of
day ” were shut out, it was the practice of the
children to betake themselves, singly or in groups,
to the open air, and cry, “ Come forth, beloved
sun I ”
And what are Christians but children in faith
and love, whose gladness flows from the beams of
“the Father of Lights?” When the cloud of
unbelief, or of guilt, hides His brightness from
us; when the cares or the seductions of the
present life hang as a shroud between us and His
face; oh, what can be more seemly than that
from the closet of personal prayer, from the family
altar, and from the courts of His house, this cry
should go up from us, “ Come forth, beloved sun!
Lord of the heart, shine on it—shine in it!”
Should not every other prayer give place to this,
in whose answer alone we have the pledge of
acceptable supplication, and the assurance of
successful labor? Surely, the Psalmist felt so,
when he exclaimed: “ Restore unto me the joy of
Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free
Spirit; THEN will I teach transgressors Thy
way, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee!
Our Zion —in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
Rev. E. W. Warren, of Macon, is arranging for
an Institute to be held in that city, next Decem
ber, for the benefit of colored ministers. He an
ticipates the presence of from 30 to 50; and hopes
to secure the aid of some 10 of our best minis
ters to deliver catechetical lectures to them, each
spending about two days in the work. —The name
of Rev. J. M. Wood was accidentally left out from
the number of ministers laboring ia the revival
at Providence church, Troup county. He labored
more abundantly than either of the brethren
mentioned.
Alabama.
There were 30 professions and 12 baptisms in
a meeting with an arm of the Burleson church, at
a school house six miles southeast of that place;
and it is decided to constitute a church at that
point.—Burleson church, during a recent revival,
received 22 accessions.—J. F. Benson has been
ordained to the ministry, by a Presbytery con
sisting of Revs. T. Dulaney and W. Watson. A
colored church at LaPlace has discharged its two
colored preachers, and unanimously called Rev.
J. J. Cloud as pastor; and Rev. E. A. Taliaferro,
of Tuskegee, has for months rendered pastoral
service to a large colored church at Fort Meigs.
Arkansas.
Rev. W. D. Mayfield, in the St. Louis Baptist,
says that Rev. W. H. Robert, of Little Rock, will
locate at Trenton, just back of Helena, among a
noble set of brethren.—Rev. A. M. Russell has
baptized 19 at Rich Woods church, Prairie coun
ty ; “among the number three men and their
wives, one entire household and nothin infant in
it either.”—Arkadelphia church, Clark county,
has had 16 accessions, and proposes to give its
pastor, Rev. J C. Browning, a full support, al
) loWinaThim to devote his whole time to the min
istry^
" Kentucky.
Rev. G. W. Harris, pastor of our church at
. Shelbyville, is in very low health, and it is feared
that his valuable services will not soon, if ever,
be actively resumed. This is the result of an
impaired constitution, through a wound received
when* chaplain in the Confederate army and a
subsequent imprisonment at Fort Delaware. —
I There have been 34 baptisms at Buckland ; 22 at
I long Run; 27 accessions to North Benson, Frank
Ilin county; over 100 to Bethel, Washington
fccounty, (80 by baptism ;) 34 to Bethlehem ; 41 to
|Mt. Vernon, Shelby county; 14 to Meeting Creek,
■ Hardin county; 17 to Little Union, Spencer
county.—One Wm. A. Proctor, acting as pastor
of a church in the vicinity of Bowling Green, has
been denounced, by North Grand River Associa
tion, as an impostor.
Louisiana.
There have been pleasant meetings, with ac
cessions, at Mt. Lebanon, Buck Spring school
house, (five miles east of Minden,) Coal Spring
and Shady Grove (Claiborne) and New Hope in
Bossier.
Mississippi.
meeting at Cherry Creek church, Pontatoc
county, was crowned with 45 conversions and 33
baptisms; a meeting at Academy church, Tippah
county, with 26 conversions and 21 baptisms ; a
meeting at a school house on Chubba Creek, Ita
wamba county, with 9 accessions to Pilgrim’s
*Rest church; the meeting at luka, with 14 or 15
baptisms so far.
Missouri.
t The St. Louis Baptist says: “ During the ab
-1 sence of the Baptist pastors this summer, the
R pulpits have been very generally supplied by the
deacons and other lay preachers. But little has
been said about it, and we esteem it a great ad :
' vance that the public mind should have become
so familiar with it that it has ceased to excite any
remark, when in the absence of a pastor a private
member enters the pulpit and speaks to the peo
ple.” —A church, of 10 members, has been or
ganized at Pleasant Green, Johnson county, and
7 added to it by baptism.—ln a meeting at Salem,
Jackson county, there were 28 accessions, 20 by
baptism, 8 by restoration and recommendation.
The laymen “went from house to house, holding
prayer meetings, and pleading with sinners of all
ages, until the whole neighborhood seemed to be
divided into two parties, one praying for and an
other seeking interest in prayer.”—Look Out
Grove church, Cole county, has had 16 baptisms;
Index church, 40 accessions, of whom 2 came
from “the Campbellites,” demanding baptism
because of a want of qualification in the former
administrator; Bellfount, Pulaski county, 6 bap
tisms, (“ by moonlight, an impressive scene;”)
Blue Mills, Jackson county, 19 baptisms.
North Carolina.
There has been a revival at Mt. Moriah church,
with 10 baptisms; at Hollow Spring church,.
Surry county, with 15 accessions; at White Plains,
B.—Mt. Pisgah church has held a prayer
meeting of fourteen days' continuance , resulting
in 43 additions to the church, 4 by letter, by
baptism 39, of whom 23 were Sunday school
scholars.—The Union Meeting of Central Asso
ciation decided that “ our churches have departed
from the New Testament model in several respects,
especially in the following: 1, in not meeting
every Sabbath for the worship of God; 2, in not
having a pastor for every church,'and in not re
cognizing and maintaining the proper distinction
between the pastoral office and that of the evan
gelist; 3, in not raising our weekly contribution
as the Lord prospers us, for the support of His
cause; 4, in not administering discipline on the
gospel plan.” .
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THU RSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1869.
South Carolina.
There have been some 40 additions to Grove
Station church and over 30 to Cedar Grove church,
both in Greenville county; 33 to Providence
church, not far lrom Limestone Springs ; from 20
to 30 to the churches of Rev. J. L. Rollings, of
Charleston county ; to Bush River church, New
berry county, 45 ; to Chestnut Hill church, Edge
field county, 109 (by baptism;) to Shady Grove
church, Anderson county, 85, “ Elder Dawson,”
now about 80 years old, often walks five miles to
fill his appointments.
Texas.
A church of 13 members has been constituted
at Houston Branch school house, Ellis county ;
and 28 members added, (24 by baptism.)—There
have been 20 additions to Navidad church, Fayette
county, (16 by baptism;) 22 to Coal Spring
church, near Lexington, (21 by baptism ;) 14 to
Christmas Creek church, (10 by baptism ;) 49 to
Bedai church ;35 to Kickapoo; 22 to Bethlehem;
27 to Indian Creek, Jasper county, (25 by bap
tism.)
Virginia.
Thirty-one have been baptized in connection
with a meeting at Buffalo church, Mecklenburg,
county. —Rev. B. Cade resigns charge of Bethle
hem church, Henrico county. Piney River
church, Nelson county, has had 28 baptisms 5
Corner Stone church, Amherst, 15 accessions;
Fincastle church, 8 conversions; Beulah, King
William, 32 additions; Antioch church, Flu
vanna, 19 conversions; Fluvanna church, more
than 60. —A church has been constituted at Deep
Greek, Norfolk county, and a house of worship is
ih course of erection.
I “ ; ' '
Sunday School Banner. «.
Dear. Bro.: Not long since I informed you
tjaat 1 should aid brother Connor in the pub
lication of the Banner. I write this to say
to you and your readers, that circumstances
have altered our proposed arrangements, and
that I arn not connected in any way, either as
Publisher or Editor, with the Sunday School
Banner. S. Boykin.
Several Things.
The revival which 1 mentioned in my last
as being then in progress at Blue Eye church,
Talladega county, Ala., resulted in the acces
sion of fifteen members. This w;i- rather a
peculiar meeting. The preachers were com
pelled to leave when only a lew had been
converted, and but two had joined by expe
rience. The membership of the church con
tinued the services four or five days ; several
exhorted, who had never done so before, and
many were converted, and great good was
accomplished ; and when the pastor goes
again to that church, he will find fifteen to be
baptized.
At White Plains church, in Calhoun county,
brother W. E. Mountain pastor, a series of
meetings resulted in the baptism of seven.
The church was greatly blessed.
Last Monday, the 6th of September, at
Liberty church, in Cherokee county, Ala.,
brother J. M. Robertson, a member of that
church, was ordained to the gospel ministry
by Elders W. E. Mountain, S. Minton, and
the writer, who acted as Presbytery for that
church. Immediately after the ordination,
we went to the water and saw four persons
baptized. Brother Robertson is about twenty
one years old, and a youth of great promise.
He has a liberal education, and is a graduate
of the Old and New Testament English of
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He intends to spend several more years in
college and in the Seminary. I have seen
but few men of his age who were his equal in
the pulpit. The meeting with that church
continues; when I left them, there were at
least forty seeking an interest in the prayers
of the church. Oh, that they may seek and
find Christ!
At Talladega church, Dr. Henderson has
just closed an interesting series of
He has recently baptized three at that church,
one of them brother Clay Taul, of whom I
spoke, not long since, in your paper, as com
ing to us from the Presbyterians—a young
minister. In the late meetings, he preached
alternately with brother Henderson, to the
great satisfaction of the brethren. The church
is going to present him a library. This
“ Talladega church ” is not the church in
TallacTega town, but it is located ten miles
from town—an old, influential, and wealthy
church. Brother O. Welch has been its es
teemed and honored pastor for twenty-five or
thirty years. He is truly a patriarch among
his people; and as the infirmities of age have
made it impossible for him to perform the
active duties of pastor, he insisted upon the
church getting another pastor. Dr. Henderson
is now their pastor, and brother Welch and
the church are “ feasting upon his ministra
tions.” Several were received by letter, and
there are others to be baptized at their next
meeting.
Is it pardonable for a “ way worn and
weary ” preacher to allude to his overmuch
work ? In the last five weeks, 1 have attempted
to preach forty-seven sermons ; and yet, there
are calls for help. Is it not wrong for all our
churches to try to pack their protracted meet
ings into five or six summer weeks ? It is
hard on the preachers, and this year it has
nearly killed some of them in this region.
All the ministers in this section of country
have seen active service this season, and the
good Lord has blessed many of the churches.
There have also been extensive revivals
among the colored people, and many of them
have been baptized. There are now seven
colored Baptist churches in this county.
These churches have all been organized since
the war by our own white preachers. There
are two or three other places where colored
churches ought to be constituted. We have
in our county four or five ordained colored
ministers, and I cannot tell how many others
that want to be ordained.
I have noticed in the Christian Herald what
brother Teague, of Selma, has said about a
paper that can meet the wants of Alabama
Baptists. In this matter we are in a bad case.
There are about five Baptist papers that have
some considerable circulation in our State.
This is unfortunate. Alabama Baptists have
not been accustomed to drag behind in the
great enterprises of the denomination. For
many years we have been “up to time,” but
now we are rather behind. We know more
of what Baptists are doing in almost any other
State, than in our own. This is painful, and
many brethren feel it very keenly. Our
State Convention and our important Associa
tions have been holding their annual meetings
since the war, with scarcely a newspaper arti
cle beforehand to call attention to the said
meetings; as a result, these gatherings have
been small. The same is true of our schools
and colleges. The same is true of the wants
of the Boards of the Southern Baptist Con
vention. Before the war, the South- Western
Baptist kept these things constantly before
us. There was no Baptist paper in the South
that said more in support of such noble enter
prises than that paper, and there was
no Southern State where the Baptists did
more than in Alabama. What now is the
remedy?—this is the question. Unless a
remedy is found in some one of the papers
now in existence, our brethren will seek it in
anew enterprise, and this will be a heavy
undertaking. With the number of railroads
leading from Atlanta into Alabama, the Index
is most available. It is folly to think of any
other existing paper, in their present localities,
meeting the wants of the great body of Ala
bama Baptists. So our State Convention has
thought; so I think. Therefore, Mr. Index,
what can be done?
J. J. D. Renfros.
Howard College—The Judson Female Insti
tute—Changes—A Strange Hallucination.
Tt may not be uninteresting to the reiders of
the Index and Baptist, especially those of
Alabama, to know something of the prospects
of our Institutions. lam gratified to be able
to say that, from the present indications, they
are highly flattering.
Contrary to the wishes of the Trustees, at
the close of the last session, Professor Thorn
ton resigned the Presidency of Howard Col
lege, preferring to devote himself to those
branches which accord most with his taste,
and in which he is an accomplished scholar
and a skillful instructor —Natural Science and
Modern Languages. His connection with
the College continues. Rev. S. R. Free
man was unanimously elected President, an
appointment which has met with the univer
sal approval of the denomination, and the
friends of the College generally. With good
scholarship, he combines clear judgment and
a wonderful tact in adapting himself to the
demands of the occasion. His executive
abilities in this new position, are yet to be
tested, but those who know him have strong
confidence of his success. In the vigor of his
physical and intellectual powers, he brings to
the responsibilities of the place, the experi
ence of ripened years, and the discipline of a
well-balanced mind.
With him will be associated a Faculty of i
talented and successful teachers : E Q. Thorn- j
ton, T. J. Dill, J. Jones and 1. B. Vaiden, to
be increased as circumstances may require.
The Judson Female Institute, under the
direction of its talented and popular Princi
pal, Rev. A. J. Battle, was never better
equipped for its grand and successful mission
of educating the daughters of our land, im
provement, advance, is the law of this Insti
tution, from ‘ the least to the highest in its
halls. The brilliant exhibition of the Art
Department, under the direction of Miss
Spear, and the well-arranged concerts cf pop
ular and classic music, presided over by Miss
Cocke, at the late Commencement exercises,
afforded the most satisfactory evidence of the
ability of these accomplished instructresses,
and of the talent and industry of their pupils ;
while, in the solid branches of education, the
advantages enjoyed here for thorough in
struction, will be apparent, to all who wit
nessed the exercises. Prof. A. B. Goodhue,
long connected with Howard College, is now
a member of the Judson Faculty, and will
have a fair opportunity to test the mathemat
ical powers of girls, as compared with boys.
As to the relative intellectual strength of the
sexes, I heve no opinion to express ; but >f
there is any mathematics in a pupil of his, it
will surely be brought out.
With such schools in our own State, why
should our people send abroad their sons and
daughters to enjoy no higher, and rarely equal,
advantages, at a greater cost? - A strange
hallucination, this; and yet, there is another
stranger and sadder still —the growing dis
position to patronize Roman Catholic schools,
particularly female schools. I know of no
Baptists in this part of the country who aro
guilty of this criminal folly ; but in some
sections I am inclined to believe the evil does
exist with Baptists as well as others.
lam sorry for the children. Such parents
deserve the reward which many of them will
receive, in the apostacy of their children from
the faith of the gospel, “ for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
W. H. M.
Marion, Ala., Sept. 6 th, 1869.
South Alabama. ■
In this part of the State, opr people seem
to have been educated in the “ faith and prac
tice” of periodical religion. It is the custom
of most churches, at a period in Spring, to
make special appointment, “in conference,”
formally, of the time for “ the protracted
meeting," in July or August, Tmtib which
time arrives, little increase in the church, or
“ growth in grace,” is thought of or expected.
When “the great day” arrives, committees
of invitation having busily interested them
selves to procure the services of the greatest
revivalist in reach, for the occasion—to whom,
it is freared, they look rather than to the
“Giver of every good and perfect gift,” for
success in the meeting—often, as in the pres
ent season, have the dear brethren “ reaped
the whirlwind,” having thus “sown to the
wind.”
Our churches are generally “at ease iri
Zion ;” but little spirit of revival has been
enjoyed even at the “ protracted meetings,''’
by any in the circle of my acquaintance. It
is to be hoped that our churches may be in
fluenced to pursue a different policy, and wait
“ patiently for the Lord ” —“ instant in sea
son, and out of season,” sowing “ beside all
waters” “the seed in the morning, and in
the evening withholding not the handfor,
in religion as well as politics, “ eternal vigil
ance alone is the price of safety,” and the
guaranty of success, although “the excellency
of the power is of God.”~
This spasmodic or periodical Christianity,
is likewise evinced in the meagre contribu
tions of church members, to the support of
all the benevolent and educational enterprises.
I noticed, a few days since, in an article giv
ing the religious news from a certain locality,
this remark : “ Brother Sumner must come
around and stir us up on the subject of mis
sions, for we are not doing much.” As though
the duty of stirring up to all benevolent
works did not rest on every minister—every
Christian, as imperiously as on brother Sum
ner. In the open and clear expose of brother
Mclntosh, respecting the Board of Domestic
Missions, you notice he accounts for the fall
ing off of funds on one occasion, because
brother Sumner had been sick, and conse
quently unable to “go around and stir up
the brethr, n.” “These things ought not so
to be.” The Bible clearly teaches that it is the
duty of every Christian “to lay by as the Lord
hath prospered him,” and the individuality
of our democratic church government forbids
the shifting of responsibilities lo Boards,
Agents and Secretaries.
The most striking evidence of vitality in
our churches generally, in South Alabama, is
the increased interest and activity in the cause
of Sabbath schools. Conventions, mass meet
ings, picnics, etc., in behalf and for the pro
motion of this great work, are common in
this region, and are producing a life-giving
effect on the lethargic and indifferent. Our
Sabbath school now numbers about 150 to
175 students and teachers in attendance. We
use the Uniform Lessons and National Teach
er, published at Chicago, and consequently
have “teachers’ meetings” weekly, that
uniformity of doctrine, teaching, etc., may be
practiced by all the teachers. Our infant
class of about 80, taught by myself, is the
great attraction of the school.
We have just had a second meeting of our
Associational Sabbath School Convention, at
Fort Deposit, and have concluded to make
these meetings a permanency in the Associa
tion—“ The Alabama," and hold one every
quarter, in the different districts of the Asso
ciation, that we may reach all the churches,
and thereby “ provoke ” the working talent
in the Sabbath school cause. Sabbath School
“ Institutes ” are organized at these meetings,
for the culture and training of superinten
dents and teachers, the discussion of such
subjects and the answering of all questions
pertaining to the establishing and successful
perpetuity of a well regulated, efficient
“ Sabbath school in every Baptist church.”
Since writing the opposite page, brother
Bell, of this place, has held a meeting at
Pine Apple, in Wilcox county, $5 miles West
of us, at which about fifty were added to the
church— 4s by baptism. He will probably
report particulars. P. . ■
Greenville, Ala,, Sept. s th, 1869.
Ministerial Education.
The Georgia at its last
meeting, recommended that the Executive
Committee this conventional
year, the plan for raising funds for the educa
tion of young ministers, which was adopted
at the Convention held in Augusta. It will
be remembered that,'in accordance with this
plan, a large -number cf brethren were re
quested, through the Index, and through
printed circulars, to collect funds for this ob
ject. Many of them'entered warmly into the
work, and liberal collections were sent up to
the Treasurer from many points. The need
of funds to defray the current expenses of the
four young receiving aid from
the churches, is as urgent now, as it has been
during the year. Wifi those brethren, who
made collections last ,\ear, continue the work
during the present year!
The Committee oafrJhcar testimony to the
worth and promise o£ those young men, who
will be the recipients of contributions.
The Convention ajpo recommended, that
the Associations consider the propriety of
adopting young musters, within their bounds,
and of raising the nSeans for their support.
The Central Association has raised $250, and
maintained at Mercer University a young
minister, during the'past year, who would
| have been compelled to leave college but for
j their timely and liberality. The
Executive Committee commend this system
: to the consideration,,of the Associations, at
their fall meetings. Itjss worthy of trial. The
: young ministers, wtuiare to receive aid, will
have personal acquaintance with many who
! exercise their gifts occasionally
in parts of the As^WSation: their personal
character may be eas» enquired into, and the
collection and disbuq&snent of funds will be
made direefty the officers of the
Associations. To oMry out this recommen
dation of the ConWntion, the Executive
Commitiee request, that some
brother or brethren in each Association will
cause this subject tq be brought before the
Associations at thetj annual meeting this
year. Very respectfully,
J. E. Willet, SOtc. Ex. Com., G.B.C.
Penfield, Ga., Sept. 3, 1169.
Reply to Brethren Lawson and Springer.
Some time since, lliddressed a note to the
Central Association, through the Index and
Baptist, calling the attention of that body to
the obligations assumed in behalf of brother
Norton. To this communication brethren
Lawson and Springer-replied. Brother Law
son, as treasurer of (he Association asserts
that they have promptly met their obligations,
and gives the dates of the several payments.
Brother Springer, in a general way, sustains
these statements of pother Lawson.
I read these communications with some
surprise. 1 know these two brethren, and I
have the utmost confidence in anything they
may affirm. But 1 had received positive in
formation to the contrary, and from a source
that l credited as equally reliable. I am
puzzled to reconcile the two statements. I
based my first communication upon informa
tion I had received from brother W. A. Jones,
a gentleman and Christian of unimpeachable
veracity. Brother Jones has a son at Pen
field, who has been tljg room-mate of brother
Norton. Brother Jones was at the last Com
mencement, and a conversation with
brother Norton on the subject of his support;
and on his return he reported to me the facts,
and requested me to call the attention of
brethren to the case oL brother Norton. Re
lying upon what broker Jones said to me,
I wrote the article. C
When l read the rfWlies of brethren Law
son and Springer, LA-ote to brother Jones
for an explanation. Mother Jones was not
at home, and 1 have tUn delayed until now
in getting his the mean time I
wrote to brethren and Springer, stat
ing the above facts, and promising them to
furnish a communication for your paper, so
soon as I should hear tom brother Jones. 1
have now received thir reply, and forward it,
although he did not write it for publication.
I also ask pardon for bringing the name of
Mrs. Sanders before, the public, but I arn
compelled to do so in this case, in self defence.
Hoping that the whole affair may be satisfac
torily explained, i shall await future develop
ments. G. T. Wilburn.
The letter of brother Jones is as follows :
In the conversatioa-which I had with you
at this place, I only repeated to you what
was told to me by Norton and Mrs. Sanders.
I had my first interview with Mr. Norton on
this subject, on the 22nd day of May last, at
which time he said to me that he had
been corresponding with the Committee, and
from what they had v£xitten him, he thought
that they were going t>> drop him. I saw him
in relation to the matter again, on the 13th of
July. And at the same time, I saw Mrs.
Sanders, and from both of them, I learned
that no portion of had been paid up
to that time. Mrs. Sanders may have been
alluding to that portion of Norton’s board
due for the Spring term of 1868 ; but she
made no distinction at the time, and made
the impression on my mind that she had not
been paid any portion of his board. At the
time of the conversation with Norton, 1 know
that he did not know, that anything had ever
been paid towards his board, for he so stated
to me, and said that he would be compelled
to leave the institution, because he could not
remain longer with his board bill due against
him, for all the time .ie had been in the insti
tution. He said he would go home, and go
to work and pay up the bill himself. I pre
vailed with hirn not to leave, but to stay, and
I would become responsible to Mrs. San
ders for his board from that time forward.
I saw Mrs. Sanders a.yd made the arrangement
with her to board hi£i from that time through
the fall term. 1 aif! at a loss to know how
the misunderstanding has come about; if I
led you astray, I did it by repeating what I
think was good authority. I feel great anxi
ety for Norton’s weU#ire, and would certainly
do nothing but what I thought would promote
his interests. W. A. Jones.
Fort Valley, Ga., Sept. 4 th, 1569.
Friendship Association,
The churches of Friendship Association
are earnestly requited to send up liberal
contributions to missions, not forgetting our
Home Missionary. Brother Devers has been
the whole of the year in the field, and must
be paid. Brethren of other Associations are
invited. Come to Americus the 2nd of Oc
tober, Geo. F. Cooper.
A Great Revival.
A few days since I witnessed the most
glorious revival I ever saw, at Antioch church,
Tatnall county, near the line of Liberty.
Brother C. T. Mosely preached several days
to large congregations, from the fact that his
discourses were very pointed and inters-sting.
At times he seemed to thunder down the ter
rors of the law, and ihen again his discourse
seemed to be as s-\«et as the whisperi. g ot
angels. He preached with such power that
the congregations were carried away with his
eloquence, and when he closed the meeting,
29 had joined, and I believe that his services
will be the means of many more joining
soon. J would to God that brother G. T.
Mosely could come and see us often, for we
are blessed with refreshing showers always
when he comes. 1 suppose brother C. T.
Mosely is a man about twenty five years old,
and is considered one of the ablest ministers
in our country. He is highly esteemed by the
churches, and makeyan extraordinary pastor,
being well versed in church government. He
is well versed in Scripture, and anything else
that is of much advantage, and has a great
store of fine language. A Baptist.
Letter from a Virginia Lady.
A young lady was once asked by a clerical
relative to write to him; and as she was
about responding in suitable terms to his
Reverence’s civility,lest she might be too much
inflated with the honor, he added, with marked
emphasis, “ when you have learned to write
sensibly." How unlike this stolid, moping
uncle, is the gallant, accommodating Index !
“ W rite anything you like! ” My dear Index,
you are really magnanimous, after the sug
gestion of several impracticable topics, thus
to widen the margin in compassion to femi
nine incapacity ! However, it affords the
writer such genuine pleasure to scribble to
one who is not fastidious, and don’t exact
‘sensible’ letters—and, above all, sometime'
condescends to a bit of pleasantry himself, —
that she avails herself of her earliest leisure
to comply with his politely tendered request.
May she be pardoned for using some of his
own recent issues as the basis of her plati
tudes ?
“ How much will twenty-six and a half
yards of calico come to, at thirty-seven and a
half cents per yard ? ” No difficult problem
this ! The veriest tyro in Arithmetic might
solve it thus :
26J 26 yds.
37£ tH 1| 37 i cts.
182 182
78 78
13 13
18f
$9.93f (£ yd. at cts., 'lßf
$9.93J
The solution may be made as clear as a
sunbeam by a reference to the proof on the
right of the column. By-the-by, it needed
not the translation of your correspondent’s
erudite pseudonym, or the perpetration of a
pun, to prove his identity with a certain
“potent, grave and reverend" contributor to
the Herald. There is too strong an individ
uality in his inodes of thought to be disguised
under any style, however versatile, still less
under the caprice of a high sounding name.
Did it ever occur to any one that the great
revival which attended the labors of Rev. Mr.
Earle, in Richmond, last winter, might be as
largely attributable to the zealous cooperation
of individual Christians, as to the ministry of
the Word? Such was the writer’s persua
sion at the time, and that impression is deep
ened, now that the lapse of several months
permits a calmer survey of that remarkable
work of grace. It is no disparagement of
the distinguished evangelist to say that any
one can recall the names of a dozen men,
more gifted as revivalists— at least, in the
opinion of a Southern audience —than he;
yet no one pretends to affirm that the most
effective of them could have accomplished
such results, for the obvious reason that, in
the most hearty cooperation between the
churches and these ministers, there would
still have been lacking one element—if not,
indeed, the main element—of the success of
this meeting,—a compromise of State pride,
and a sacrifice of sectional prejudice. The
hearts of the Richmond brethren were pre
pared tor the work; a revival had long been
the burden of their prayers; and when Mr.
Earle came among them, knowing only
“Christ and Him crucified,” they were willing
to ignore their own preferences in the conduct
of the meeting, and to sanction much that
was repugnant to Southern taste; and verily,
they had their reward in an outpouring of
the Spirit, whose precious influences still
linger about the churches.
Perhaps a more forcible illustration of the
power of Christian jteveaiwas not furnished
during the progress ogthis meeting, than on a
sacramental oSeasifeh in which several churches
united in commemorating the death of our
Lord. The main audience roorA of the First
Baptist chflreli, a spacious building, was
thronged to its utmost capacity—the galleries
with spectators, the lower floor with commu
nicants, for whose accommodation benches
had to be placed in the aisles, and even then,
the deacons and many of the older brethren
were compelled to crowd the pulpit. The
rich and the poor, the educated and the illit
crate, the refined and the uncultivated, met
together in fraternal harmony ; yet something
seemed wanting to the perfect enjoyment of
the sacred feast. Mr. Earle was absent! An
appointment in a distant portion of the city
detained him, and a sort of nervousness and
expectancy appeared to sit upon the congre
gation. lie arrived at a late hour, just as
a deputation of deacons from the several
churches was about to distribute the conse
crated symbols. Then methought a holier
hush brooded over the vast congregation ; an
unbroken repose sat upon every countenance
as this man—a New Englander in every
essential of Yankee character, except its
most disagreeable trait, a pragmatical inter
ference in other men’s matters—‘ sat down,
for the first time, with his Southern brethren,
around the Lord’s table.’ As the hundreds
of happy voices, some tremulous with emo
tion, united in chanting the praises of ‘ Him
who had called them out of darkness into His
marvellous light,’ and the hand of Christian
fellowship was extended from one to another,
all over the house, and to none more cordially
than to our reverend brother from Massachu
setts —the scene was more than inspiring : it
was grand ; it was almost worthy of the com
munion of saints in the New Jerusalem !
The usual season of protracted meetings in
the country churches is now upon us, and 1
have recurred to this ‘ Mr. Earle’s revival,’
chiefly to encourage lay cooperation in such
efforts, but partly, also, because of its fra
grant memories. From some neighborhoods
of this and adjacent counties, we have the
glad tidings that “Jesus of Nazareth passeth
by.” May all our churches soon share in His
gracious visits, and many sightless sinners be
induced to sue for mercy, that—like Bart'-
meus, the way-side beggar—they, too, may
experience His healing power!
To the Ministers and Churches of Bethel
Association.
Dear Brethren : The time has come w'hen
we have to raise money to send up to the
Association, for brother Hogue’s support, as
our missionary to the Choctaw Indians. You
will remember, the Association had no funds
on hand, and made no provisions for his salary
of $1,200 for the present year. We must
send up at least what is now due, and we
should send up his salary for the next year
also. This we can do easily by a united effort,
and I hope we all feel the importance of the
subject, and determined to meet this urgent
and honest claim. I received a letter from
brother Sumner, a short time since, and he
says brother Hogue is in great need of his
salary. Ilis family is sick, and he has
buried another little daughter among the In
dians, and he is really in distress. The Board
has no funds on hand to advance for the
Association, or they would have done so. My
dear brethren, remember, it is more blessed
to give than to receive, and the Lord loves a
cheerful giver. Thomas Musk,
C. D. M. C., of the Bethel Asso.
News from the Dalton Church.
Tiie Baptist church at Dalton, has been
much revived. Last Sabbath, five were bap
tized. Since January last, about twenty have
joined p-i haps more. Our congregations are
large and attentive. Twice every Sabbath
they come to hear the gospel. Our Index is
gaining more confidence, and hope it will soon
enjoy a large patronage in the mountain
country. I will do all in my power for the
Index —it is second to no paper in the land.
Yours in love, J. L. Butch.
Dalton, Ga., August 26fA, 1569.
Stone Mountain.
The church here did not agree to observe
the “ w'ashingof feet” ns “an ordinance,” but
only as a Christian duty. We regard it as a
means of grace, as important to us as Sun
day schools or prayer meetings. We have
attended to this duty once, recently, and we
are now satisfied that for the past we have
been neglecting our duty in this ri spect; the
performance of which has been followed by
most happy results. But 1 sat down to tell
your readers that “ the Lord has done great
things for us, whereof we are glad.” e
commenced meeting here on the third Lord’s
day in August, which has not closed yet. In
this meeting we have seen prejudices between
brethren removed, mountains of coldness
have dwindled into molehills, and a most
Christian spirit of charity pervades all hearts.
The results of the meeting up to this time,
are, added to the church by letter, seven ; by
jo Loration, two; by baptism, thirty two. Our
congregations have been very large and at
tentive, the feeling of interest general. At
our meeting last night, about forty penitents
presented themselves for prayer. Among
those baptized, we have one Methodist and
one “Catholic." The most remarkable fea
ture of the meeting is the deep, yet calm,
quiet manner in which the Spirit has done
His office. Brethren F. Maddox and Barrow
rendered timely and valuable aid in the meet
ing.
We are looking forward to the Association
soon to meet here, when we hope to have our
interest increased, the lambs fed, and all ben
efitted by the prayers and preaching of our
dear brethren. Wm. Henry Strickland.
03gT“ Bro. S. corrects our announcement of the
fact that the Stone Mountain church had decided
to observe “ the washing of feet.” Will he allow
us to explain our meaning, and to ask an expla
nation of his ?
Nothing can be distinctively “a Christian du
ty”—“a means of grace”—except that which is
clothed with that character by the commandment
of Christ. There are two classes of circumstan
•ces under which this commandment has been
issued. First: where it simply enforces that
which is right and obligatory in itself, and which,
therefore, would be binding independently of ex
press injunction; (as in the case of preaching the
word and of prayer.) Secondly: where it pre
scribes that which derives its obligation only
from the injunction,—which could not bind the
conscience, therefore, in the absence of injunc
tion, because nothing in the nature of tilings or
the reason of the case marks it out as obligatory ;
(as in the case of baptism and the Lord’s supper.)
Commandments of this latter class are distin
guished by the title, “ordinances,” in the form
of speech adopted to escape the use of the word,
“sacraments,” with its false and misleading asso
ciations in the literature of “Churchianity.”
When we announced, therefore, that “our
church at Stone Mountain had decided to observe
feet-washing as an ordinance of Christ,” we sim
ply indicated to which class of commandments
the practice was supposed to belong. Now, does
brother S., by rejecting that title, mean to hold
that there is something in the reason of the case,
or in the nature of things , which makes it right
and obligatory, independently of express injunc
tion, that a body of believers, assembled for the
worship of God, should wash each others feet ?
Does he lift it from the number of “ positive” to
the number of ‘‘moral” precepts? If ho does
not, he clearly ranks it as an “ordinance.” If
he does, why ?— Ed.
' Biography.
The late deacon Daniel D. Johnson, was
the worthy son of James and Lucy Johnson,
of the county of Oglethorpe. He became a
memb|r of the Baptist church at Cloud’s
Creek, in September, 1888, when about*seven
teen years of age; was baptized by Rev. P.
P. Butler. The change wrought by the power
of Divine grace in this young man, was re
markable. All the fire of youthful vigor,
moved and actuated from early boyhood, in
persuit of the pleasures of sense and the in
dulgence of sin, was changed, and his soul
absorbed deeply with the love of Jesus, be
gan t£» take delight in bearing his cross, and
thus learning meekness of Him who was
meek and lowly in heart, and finding rest to
his soul. One of the remarkable character
istics of the man, and the Christian, in Mr.
Johnson, was firmness, stability, unswerving
integrity. His love of truth, justice and
mercy, were plainly and unmistakably evinced
in his business transactions, and intercourse
with men, and with Christians. His alliances
with his fellow-creatures, were in a measure,
regulated by these great principles ; hence his
confidence and warm friendship were always
firm and abiding in those who possessed and
developed these elements of character. He
was a lover of good men for their goodness’
sake. He had conscientious scruples in re
gard to his fitness for the office of deacon ;
but after the exerc>se of caution and great
prudence, he submitted to the judgment of
his brethren. Mr. Johnson had been from
his youth an advocate for the support of the
ministry; and a liberal contributor to the
support of his pastor, and for the furtherance
of the gospel in general. Asa member of
the Executive Committee of his Association,
supervising missionary and evangelical work,
he was candid, kind, liberal and efficient upon
the whole. Daniel D. Johnson, the grand
son of the patriarchial and pious Daniel
Dupree, long since departed, was a man of
sterling worth and prominence in theSarepta
Baptist Association. His memory will be
cherished in connection with the names of
former departed worthies in the deaconship,
such as John Baughan, Thomas I. Bowen,
Horatio J. Goss, Wm. Sanders, Amos Baker,
Jesse M. Fortson,Thomas R. Adams, Edward
Adams, Britton Stamps, William Glenn,
Thomas Stapler, Joseph Davis, Berry M.
David, and others. Brother Johnson died
suddenly in the prime of life, being as it is
presumed, only in the forty-eighth year of
his age. What an admonition to us all. Be
ye also ready. Truly we know neither the
day nor the hour, wherein the Son of man
Cometh. A. C.
Revival at Sardis, Henry County.
1 have just closed a very interesting meet
ing at this church. The meeting continued
twelve days, with day and night services. The
Lord was pleased to send down the rich
showers of His grace. The church was great
ly revived. About twenty-five conversions,
with sixteen additions to the church, was the
immediate result. The meeting closed with
forty to filly penitents earnestly enquiring
the way of salvation. The fruits ol the
meeting, we have no doubt, will be gathered
up many days hence. We had the efficient
labors, at intervals, during the meeting of
the following brethren in the ministry : James
G. Kimbell, 11. S. Dicken, J. T. Kimbell,
Wc. G. McMiehael and old brother Richards.
Altogether, it was one of the most interesting
meetings we have witnessed since our sojourn
in Georgia. J. G. Woolsey, Pastor,
From the Mountains.
We have had a great revival at Tilton
church, brother E. M. Lowry pastor; the
meeting commenced on the first of August,
and lasted sixteen days; twenty-one united
with the church by experience and baptism,
and four by letter, and when the meeting
closed there were mauy mourners enquiring
the way of salvation. Our church had been
in a cold state for sometime previous to our
revival; but thanks be to our God, we are in
a prosperous condition now, and hope to have
more additions soon. S. A. Osboxn.
A Wayside Note.
Somebody has said: “Let no one go to
Europe until he has travelled on the Balti
more and Ohio Railroad.” But travelling
ouly will not do. lie must stop somewhere
between Piedmont and Cheat' Liver 5 and
ramble about, and dip in, and be satisfied.
The railroad itself, between these points, is a
marvel. The grade from the former place
to Altamont, seventeen miles, will average
one hundred and fourteen feet to the mile;
the overcoming of which revolutionized the
principles of civil engineering. There is noth
ing like it —without it be on the Rocky Moun
tains except over Mount Cervis, in France,
where only fifty passengers arc transported
at one time. At Cheat River, a wall of stone
masonry, two hundred feet high, and as many
long, guard the snorting horse from plunging
into the frightful abyss. The trestle work is
of similar dimensions, and seems like a grand
effort of art to vie with the surrounding
grandeur of nature. The huge rocks, cleft by
the pickaxe and powder blast, present a strik
ingappearance. Between the frequently occur
ring strata of gray limestone, the softer
brown stone cracks up into innumerable little
angular parts, which makes the towering
heights to resemble the exquisite stone-fret
work on medieval abbeys and cathedrals. The
historic christening of blood does not de
tract from the suggestive effect. Nor is the
poetic sentiment offended by the information
of a practical friend at the elbow, that the
Road cost fifty millions of dollars, and yields
an income of five hundred thousand per
month!
An English cousin, on the other side of the
water, asked us satirically, “ VV hat scenery
have you in America “The Silver Spring”
of Florida had not so much as reached trans-
Atlantic ears: “The Mammoth Cave,” he
doubtless thought a monstrosity ; “ Mount
Washington” would make even Regi and
Pilatus smile ; “The Hudson” was nowhere
by the Rhine; and “Niagara,” he said, “is
half British.” (They think now, there are
no rowers in America!) 1 wished I had my
Englishman on the brow of “ Hall’s Hill,”
to look out upon the grand repose of nature,
which rebuked the conscious breathing, and
subdued the emotions of pleasure into the
silence of awe. How I’d have said, Haha!
haha!
But what of all this? Much. He who
piled up these hills, and dug the vales, and
arched the. heavens over all, can save into
THE UTTERMOST. V IATOK.
Times of Refreshing,
Our church at Senoia, Coweta county, Ga.,
has just closed a very interesting meeting.
The meeting lasted for ten days and nights,
with a crowded house at night, and fine at
tendance in the day, considering the busy
season for gathering fodder. The business
men of the place left their trades and occu
pations to attend the hours of worship: an
example worthy of imitation. Nine were
added by experience : among them an aged
man, in his eighty-third year. Avery large
congregation assembled to witness the per
formance of the “emblematical ordinance.”
Long may this pleasant meeting be remem
bered by the brethren of Senoia and vicinity.
J. C. Camp, C. Leavell, and W. C. Barnes,
assisted the writer.
Bethlehem (colored) church, Fayette Cos.,
Ga., during the present year, has added to her
membership over fifty. A colored brother
by the name of Scott, has the pastoral charge.
His colored brethren speak in good terms of
him. He hails from the “ Gate City.” From
reports, the colored brethren of this section,
are winning the day. Quite a rival spirit ex
isted between them an.l their Methodist
brethren for a while, but at last the latter
caved in, and the former claimed the victory.
They are trying to imitate the whites in many
respects : big meetings all ground among
them. May that ignorant people be blessed.
11. S. Reese.
To Hie Brethren of Mercer Association.
Brethren : 1 notice in the Index that your
Association is to come off at the same date
of ours (the Smyrna Association.) I learned
from our delegate to your Association last
year, that a proposition had been made to
consolidate the two Associations, and if they
were consolidated, to meet on the Saturday
before the fourth Sunday in October, (the time
of holding our Association,) and for which
yours is now published; but we failed to
unite. I write this for fear there may be
some misunderstanding in regard to it. If
so, there is time yet to correct it. Our dele
gate, (brother Morgan,) further stated that if
the two Associations were not consolidated,
you would not change the time of holding
yours. Two Associations held so near to
gether, at the same time, and (this year) on
the same line of railroad, would very greatly
conflict. Yours, in the bonds of brotherly
love, J. T. Smith.
Homerville, Ga., Sept. 11, 1869.
Tunes of Refreshing-.
The Lord has been blessing the churches
in this - section for two months past. The
preachers have seemed fully awake to the
great work of proclaiming the gospel to sin
ners—salvation by grace. At the following
churches, —all in Dooly county, and not more
than ten miles apart, —we have seen precious
fruits of grace. At Mount Harmon 38 were
baptized, (23 whites,) at Drayton, 7; at Mt.
Ariel 18 were received, 13 by baptism, and
among them my little daughter, seven years
and ten months old. The Lord continue his
work. N. A. Hornady.
Montezuma, Sept. 6 tit, 1869.
A Fruitful Meeting.
On Saturday before the fourth Sabbath in
August, we began a meeting with Bethlehem
church, of Middle Cherokee Association,
which continued nine days. The result was,
eleven were baptized : several professed who
did not join. We expect some of them to
join at a future time. Jtw as'a good meeting,
and when we say good, we suppose that those
who love the Lord know wh.it the goodness
of God means. D. H. Moncrikf.
<A Pleasant Season.
A meeting commenced on the 20th iiscanc!,,
at Ohoopie church, Washington
continued six days. It was a precious, meet
ing: nine were baptized. The interest seemed
to increase to the close. The church seemed
much revived. «V e had the assistance of
brother Fulghum part of the time.. To God
be all the praise. Taos. J. Cummings.
Sparta, Aug. 30th, 1869.
Intolerance.—Our exchanges state that a
gentleman, recently from France, was lined
$6 and costs, not long since, at the instance
of the parish priest, at St. Henry, nine miles
from Quebec, Canada, for selling a‘copy of
the Gospels.
The Sabbath.—Rev. Robert Collyer, Uni
tarian, at one of the Chioago cemeteries, on
occasion of the decoration of Federal sol
diers’ graves, expressed the hope that annu
ally hereafter the Sabbath day would be
selected, and that the churches would be
closed and the entire day given to “decora
tion.”
Degrading Scripture. —ln the English
Theological Review, Unitarian, a writer ad
vocates “ the expediency of an extended lec
tionary in public worship,” meaning by this
that ministers ure to be considered at liberty
to read before the congregation as lessons for
the day, not only the usual selections from
Holy Scripture, but judiciously selected pas
sages from the great devotional poets and
prose-writers of more recent times.