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or affirmative on the second. To him who holds that the validity of baptism in no way depends on an unbroken succession, it is matter of logical indifference whether such a suc cession has, or has not, been preserved. If it has not, he still possesses the necessary and sufficient proof of this validity : if it has, he possesses that necessary and sufficient proof, with just so much over and above. In either case alike, then, he puts the historical (or traditional) aside from Ids “rule of faith and practice” respecting baptism,' the ministry and the church, and, on these points, his ‘religion is, the Bible , the Bible alone.' 5- It is clear , then-that the opiniop, ci(cd from us by the Herald is precisely such as sets us free from the necessity of forming any opinion at all, whether pro or con , on the issue raised by a “A Baptist.” But we have an opinion, and are quite willing to state it—the more especially as, in our recent references to the subject, we have had no occasion to present it, except in part. Whether an unbroken baptismal succession has been maintained from the apostles down to the present time ? is a question , ’which there is no ad equate historical proof to settle, the one way or the other. No adequate historical proof exists that it has, and no adequate historical proof that it has not. It stands in the records of providence, as it stands on the page of Scripture, a matter of indifference. But so far as regards the measure of light which history sheds over the question, it must be granted, we think, that the presumption is against the maintenance of such a succession ; and, therefore, looking at the question simply as one of historical criticism, the burden of proof lies on those who affirm the maintenance. They must overcome this presumption, or the case gravitates in favor of their opponents on that point. We must add something further, to protect this statement of opinion from misconstruction. “A Baptist” says: “ John Newton Brown has written that ‘the Baptists have no difficulty whatever in tra cing up their principles and their churches to the apostolic age.’ ” He says this, as against us. Now, let it not be inferred from the preceding paragraph that we deny the practicability of this ‘tracing,’ through bodies of men more or less de cisively Baptistic. We do not. The task, we conceive, may be accomplished, though with far •more of difficulty than Dr. Brown seems to re cognize. And is not this, (some one may ask,) a proof of unbroken baptismal succession ? By no means. The proof of an unbroken succession involves two things: first, historical evidence that there have been Baptists in all the centuries since the apostles, (a point which, as we grant, may be at least presumptively made out;) and secondly, historical evidence that the Baptists of each later century received the ordinance, with out irregularity, from those of the preceding cen turies, (the very and only point on syhich we con sider the records of the past as pronouncing no final verdict) To establish the existence of Baptists in any given age, with Baptists in the age before and the age after them, is not to establish that the ordin ance came to them, by succession, from the prior age, or descended from them, by succession, to the age ensuing. An affirmation to this effect must be grounded on distinct and incontroverti ble proof. It must be shown that, neither in whole nor in part, did they, in any of these ages, embrace, cr act on, the principle which led “the greater number” of our English fathers in the seventeenth century, (as Crosby and Ivimey, their earlier and later historians, allege,) to originate new lines of succession—the principle which Dr. Benedict, our chief American historian, avows in his remarks on the case of Roger Williams: “It was just such a course as all companies of be lievers who wish to form a church, in such extra ordinary circumstances, should pursue. Any company of Christians may commence a church in gospel order, by their own mutual agreement, without any reference to any other body ; and this church has all power to appoint uny one of their number, whether minister or layman, to commence anew the administration of gospel in stitutions. This is the Baptist doctrine of apos tolical succession .” Now, it is the fact that such a “doctrine” has been held and such a “course” of action based on it, here and there, during the period in which our records are most full and ex -Slicit, —together with the fact that there is no conclusive evidence of the failure and extinction of all the new lines thus originated, or of the perpetuation of the older lines, in uncontaminated, aeoarate regularity, —which constitutes thehistor- "nat the volume sins by the in. corporation of unsound teaching with the true. Our reference is, specially, to the second chapter (with occasional paragraphs afterward re-echoing its positions.) In that chapter the author, from the fact that truth and right must be the same for all minds, argues that “ all mind is genetically the same”—which is a palpable non sequitur. On the ground thus reached, lie assumes that the human mind must furnish an anulogue of the Trin ity in tlie Godhead. This analogue he makes out as follows, (if we have succeeded in clearing up almost the only cloud of logon his pages): In the unknowable substance of mind there are “two &yp*««tafc'S, v.i- is .>wfef>t»fci»iio-p».n then what you will) —spirit and thought;” un derstanding by spirit the thought-producing, thought-using entity, or “ 1," of the mind : So “ the Son” is “the Word conceived,” the thought, “the out-birth,” of the Divine Mind, and the Holy Spirit is the “ 1,” the knowing entity, or personality. Beyond all question this is not the Scriptural doctrine of the Trinity : it is rather an imperfect reproduction of the Platonic “ Trinity,” or of the fanciful analogy which some of the Pla tonizing early Christian authors sought to trace between the relation which the reason of a man sustains to his soul, and the relation of the eternal Logos (word, or reason) to the Father. The writer who holds that God is a Trimly only' as the human mind is a trinity, and who is indifferent whether the word “ manifestation ” or the word “ person ality” be used in speaking of the Son and the Spirit, has steered clear of deviding the substance of the Godhead only by confounding the persons, and must be, to that extent, accounted “hereti cal.” We hope that this second chapter will he cancelled, if the work reaches another edition. There are certain foreign elements, too, which would admit of purgation. We instance the fol low ing genesis of the “ Republican” party: “There is a power beyond and above public men that moves them, and surrounds them ; forcing them often to pursue a course which is better than their conscience, and which in other circumstances they would resist. Witness the union of the old Whig party at the North with the unuiovable Anti-Slavery men, after the defeat of Gen. Scott. Many of the old Whigs hated the Abolitionists, but their love of power was stronger than their hatred of wrong.” All this, though discreditable to modern “Republicanism,” may be true enough; but what has it to do with the “Doctrine of the Holy Spirit ?” Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc. Auk ANSA:-. Taylor’s Ivy church, Woodruff county, has enjoyed a revival, with some 30 accessions.-i-The St. Louis Baptist contains the painful announce ment, that Rev. W. M. Lea has been excommuni cated by the First church, Little Rock. Kentucky. Georgetown College, Dr. Crawford President, has opened with an increased number of students. —To ere have been twenty-one baptisms at Deep Creek church, and thirteen at Old Cypress.—ln relation to the baptism of fifteen persons at Oak Grove church, Rev. J. F. James writes: “Os the males, one was a cripple, who had not walked a step in twelve months; ho was carried into the water on his chair, and was immersed sitting in it, though it was said by his physician that for him to be baptized would cause his death. As yet no ill effects arc apparent.”—Rev. I. W. Bruner takes charge of Pleasant View church, Meade county.—Licentiate Win. Bennett has been ex cluded from Friendship church, Logan county, because, in applying for membership, he concealed his exclusion, for unchristian conduct, from Do ver church, Barren county.—There has been a meeting at Freedom church, Garrard county, with 15 baptisms; at Mt. Zion, Todd, with 22; at Pleasant Grove, Anderson, with 18, two of whom had been Methodists and three Reformers; at Big Rock church, with 14; at Dallasburg, Owen, with 22; at Antioch, Trimble, with 9; at Cy press, Hickman, with 17; at New' Prospect, Hop kins, with 29.—A church has been constituted in Caldwell county, and will build a house of wor ship in a thickly settled but destitute neighbor hood. Maryland. Rev. S. C. Boston has resigned charge of Lee street church, Baltimore.—G. W. Matthews, of Westminster, proposes to give one of the best lots in town and $3,500 toward the building of a Baptist house of worship, provided $4,000 can be raised elsewhere; and of this sum $l,lOO have pUTII-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THU RSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1869. ’ BEL P. Tooitip'":! icolored i has . Maroon, by a Pre-byte \ of " » First ao'l ' niou ■ f _ Bk.No!’!!, stiei-t ■'!; ut ~ ' ** **- cSt. ■ pal ish, be- had LI 'f ‘f ii ISuy.oi 4? Slf ■■ Hp- V , K* | JJjs ' ‘ Hs , in- .mi i ,/ . f ■? -\t 1.b.. n; W|' w f. ’ r Hi'':/. ■! 'OI- b w'flnr 1 ' ' 1 '»- .-lit\ i" i in nVs'.'N-. ”*• * tapff. ‘Li -n; tin' - fm. f ' ■r'ct 1i - . • . Im y, i.'> t" Mai in-.:)-.. f.. i . * Ej >h ' i • J ,*<• Hit.-, and til!--. ,\b--n '•>>’ \ ' fjm -a-;nn liy fU .. . <iJJ . 'Hi -. f.iUi-i-. * j ' 1 i; th h ..ii *, t llfb to ! ibci-U and •_<! to ■ eunti ’\ . I. '. Kci _ * H been ordained to ll, t Vi/ik of (Vi -1 a I "* 111 .i■l- -. Hruber. f s A . II i*. \}. ( HV'lli-ge opened *«iii tin and u#' Rila r; 010 hair b-en no ** 6 Hit a; Indent ’ V Mynty, lias had Id add: Its v '* u bo. and wo- Hken: Ha < I V»I , ! Hi- N-i■ Xjt t* . W *4 f Hp t-i.» In 's, _ff* 1' j Bk .e: iit ' "% Hf ,:i; ni l * i V ‘ H»nn * f $ .'•''>4-," > Ba i ■ M * 1 lA i' mi " * - F| ’tf ’ y Hi • ■ Bf) ‘ .. £ ‘V- 9ft - jft p 'Vf 'l' H|' - .■ ■ ■ P ' ' I MB ill' m ‘4 4; 1 V- \ , § H' I . • ■T> s : and ■ < . ' .* V so from Mi.rrl-viilc. Inn 1 t - Hred-.r Fork. 41 .-,d-l>'i--ns ' 4 in twelve minutes;! 19; Moore’s Creek, 11 ; Ash pole, 63, (52 by baptism;) Big Branch, Robeson county, 77, (61 by baptism;) Sulphur Springs, Alexander, 18. South Carolina. Brethren Reid and Brunt, students at our Sem inary, Greenville, have held a meeting with the church at Lawrence, in which 35 whites and 4 blacks were bapfi^etj, Texas. Rev. H. F. Buckner expects to return, as mis sionary, to the Indian Territory, after serving our Domestic Board, Marion, as its agent in this State for one year.—Rev. D. B. Hale, of Marshall, has 6ecome General Agent and Corresponding Secre tary of the East Texas Baptist General Associa tion.—Homer churoh has had 11 baptisms; Ty ler, 10; Wallis Prairie, Grimes county, 17; Knoxville, Cherokee county, 11; Larissa 21. Tennessee. The Memphis Baptist resumed its publication Sept. 18th, after an intermission from July 24th. We learn from this issue that the editor, Dr. Graves, was married near Magnolia, Miss., July 27th, by Rev. I). E. Burns, to Miss Georgia Sni der. May we tender our congratulations and kind wishes?—Rev. J. H. Borum has baptized, at Dyersburg, an intelligent Presbyterian lady, of more than twenty years’ standing, who for twen ty years had suffered with an unquiet conscience on the subject of baptism.—At Oak Ridge, Haw kins county, 36 have been baptized, and a church organized.—A revival in the Brownsville church resulted in 20 baptisms, with 8 or 10 more in prospect. —H. C. Parrott has been ordained to the ministry at Stanton church, Hey wood county. — Rev. T. C. Teasdale, D. D., has been elected Cor. Sec. of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention at Memphis. We wish him success.—Rev. F. 0. Johnson is serving the Knox ville church as pastor. Virginia. Rev. J. L. Burrow's, D.D., pastor of the First Baptist church, Richmond, during a recent visit to Albany, N. Y., was invited to preach by two of the Baptist pastors of the city; but some members of the congregations manifested such violent opposition in view of the Dr.’s “ Confed erate” war record, some of the trustees even threatening to have the churches closed, that he felt constrained to decline the invitation.— We see with pleasure that Rev. -J. R. Garlick, of King and Queen county, takes position in the corps of instructors at Richmond Female Institute. His experience and scholarship finely fit him for the chair of Mathematics, Latin and Natural Sciences, which he assumes Oct. Ist. We count with con fidence on his success.—At Four Mile Creek church, near Richmond, 20 have been baptized; and 54 at Collierstown church, Rockbridge, where anew house of worship was recently dedicated.— Rev. Addison Hall has been pastor of Salem church, Lancaster, forty years —Rev. Dr. Hooper has removed from Wilson, N. C., and opened a school for young ladies at Norfolk. lsaac Aus tin has been ordained to the ministry, at “Mount Calvary ” church, Valley Association.—There have been 65 convereions at Lyle’s, Fluvanna; 18 at Beulah; 12 at Fork church, Fluvanna; 50 at Walker's church, Appomatox; 25 at Enon, Buckingham; 15 baptisms at Jonesborongh, Buckingham ; 13 at Bradshaw’s Creek. West Virginia. Broad Run Association, at its recent session, decided, as the unanimous opinion of the body, that re-immersion should be demanded of persons immersed by ministers of other denominations, before they are admitted into Baptist churches. Corrections. I see that an “E. A. Taliaferro,” of Tus kegee, has been aiding A. C. Barron in a series of meetings, and has been preaching for years to a negro church at Mount Meigs, Ala. No such mannas ever been at either place. H. E. Taliaferro has been here for years, and has preached a good deal at Mount Meigs. 1 want your reporter to “ take rest,” as a hunter would say, at my name ; and if “ H. E. Taliaferro” is doing any good for his Master, he does not want that stranger, “E. A. Taliaferro,” to ha>e the instrumental credit of it. The reporter is somewhat mistaken about r»y labors at Mojjpt Meigs. I preached to a church composed of white and black, from 1860 to January, 1869. By mutual agree ment, the negroes, about six hundred in num ber, were dismissed and organized into a church in January last, elected their owu pas- t<>r, a man of their own color, aud I am glad to know are doing well. I continue to serve the white church once a month, and meet the colored church once a month, to ilid them in their deliberations. During my pastorship I baptized at least half their number, and I in tend to aid thorn iu perfecting their organiza tion. Their pastor, James Foster, is a man of fervent piety, and of rare ability. It is a great blessing to the negro churches to have such a man, at this crisis in tneir ecclesiasti cal history. The Lord keep him ! 1 have given your reporter a short spelling lesson, which 1 hope he will keep before him till “Rev. E. A Taliaferro,” is such it man ir. the world, comes into Alabama. We want preachers in Alabama,but let them be sure-enough preachers. H. E. Taliaferro. Ti/sicgee, Ala. More Alabama Iteals. Since my last letter to the Index, 1 have had the pleasure of baptizing an old gentle man, eighty eight years of age; Mr. Jeremiah Collins, of this county, the father of Rev. J. A. Collins, of Cropwell, Ala.—*Mr. Collins is a man of strong mind and vast wealth, hav ing been a very worldly minded and irreli gious man. But the the relatio'nof his Chris tian experience, his statement of the work of grace in his soul, was as interesting as any I ever heard. Some ten years -ago I heard his son, the minister, say, “God pays: ‘ Prove me now herewith,’ and I am trying God for my father’s conversion,” that his father was baptized, he iSud : “ 1 have prayed for my father’s conversion for thirty five years, and now l regard this as one of the happiest days of my lifWL- Brother Col litis is an able and efficient mlfiister, I’he Coosa River Baptist Association, held its session for this year, with-the Macedonia church, St. Clair county, commencing oil la-t Saturday, the 18th. I never attended a more pleasant Associational meeting; and it was a profitable rm-eting. The Foreign Mission Board, the Domestic Mission Board, the Greenville Seminary, the “Associational Mis sion,” and n theological student were all sub stantially remember* and, l agree with every wnr*i you say in your editorial, addressed to me, on the paper subject. If we would-work more for the papers, there would be more subscribers. But there would not be unity in the matter. In the bounds of our Association, The Chris tian Index, The Religions Herald, and The Baptist, have about an equal number of readers, and if these readers were to go to work at all, they would work for the papers they respectively read. This is our ernbar rasment. Therefore, when we meet in our Associations, it is suggested, privately, that we will not, say anything upon the subject, and this suggestion takes, because the breth ren do not regard any one ’of the papers as the organ of Alabama Baptists. I assure you, Mr. Editor, that I will he pleased if our people can he united on the Index ; and then I should every way be opposed to the getting up of anew paper. What I want is, a medium of communication among our churches in Alabama; a medium, too, vjhioh will know our w ants, and feel a constant interest therein. If the oaptists of Alabama and the Index can be brought to this reciprocal and united inter eat in each other, we shall have accomplished what is desirable in this matter. As Alabani i Associations are now meeting, I desire to say a word to tljorn >» behalf of our approaching Convention. Brethren, do not fail to appoint delegates^;.represent your Association ; and if practicable, send a con tribution to the objects of*the Convention. Make a sacrifice, and let our State Convention be brought up to the strenJUi and influence of tither -day Jr. WertrrlS'PQfb brethren from South Alabama, and from South-east Alaba ma, and from West and North Alabama, will prepare to meet (hat body at Oxford, in No vember. Chur hes and Associations that arc very distant from Oxford, can surely send one messenger and pay his way. The Spring Creek church, Shelby county, brother W. W. Kidd pastor, has just closed a series of meetings; ten were baptized. Brother Williams at his Cain Creek church, in Calhoun county, baptized seven. Two colored churches made application for membership in our repent Association. The body declined to receive them. J. J. D. Renfroe. Tallassee Baptist Church. This church is located in the cotton manu facturing town of Tallassee, Alabama, and is composed mostly of operatives of the facto ries. It has existed for many years, and has had for pastors, J. Hooten, 2. G. Henderson, J. M. Newman, C. A. Stanton, J. S. Holmes. Under the labors of these brethren it has in creased from a small to a goodly number. Like most churches, it has had many trials and vicissitudes. Composed of an unsettled population, the church is sometimes large, and then by removals it is comparatively small. In their serv ice as pastor, this is my second year, and i have enjoyed the relation. They work in the factory, hard, all the week, and on the Sabbath they work hard for God. During the week they work by the factory bell, and on Sabbath by their ohurch bell, and they ring it often, and merrily. And they walk fast, to both places of labor, and they work hard when they get there. They do not want the preacher to do everything, being a little ptvuiiar in that matter. They believe pretty strongly in lay preaching, and lay working. The result is, something is done, souls are converted and the church prospers, and the pastor has a much easier time than if they were “pt ease in Zion.” They eat up your preaching.arid cry for more. They love preachiug too well to sleep under it. They cannot have a periodical revival. They have to work every day in the week at their business, or lose theirlp sitiou; so they have a revival every Sunday, and in their hearts all the week. I believe in my soul their every-day and week day revival is the best. Let a man rni\ with a church of poor, praying, working p ' pie, and ho w ill love the heart and admire the wisdom of Jesus for coinpuni-inizing w ith tn rn. 11. E. Taliaferro. A Good Work. Again I takirup my pen to write about an interesting meeting at Sisters’ church, near Sandersville. It commenced on Friday, the 10th, and continued night and day lor six days. We had a precious time; 14 were baptized. We left many ciujuirers. Brother Asa Duggan, Verdin, and Fulgl ain ren dered assistance. Let us i t juice and praise* the Lord. On last Sabbath I baptized four hopeful converts at Qhoopie, Washington county. Had a three da) s’meeting. Tn re have been a great many religious nin-iuigs in this part of the country. Thos. J. Cum mi no. Sandersville , Ga., Sept. 22, 1869. An Explanation. “ Vile la..d” makes a mistake in stating (he proposition I made for the religious instruc tion of the colored preachers. My proposi tion was to board and instruct, free of charge to them , as nffiny as fifty, if that many should make application; but not at the expense of the good brethren named, whom 1 had not con sulted at that time. { simply make this statement, that the brethren may know I have notf pledged their pockets. Thirty-seven colored ministers have alri ady accepted my proposition, and the Institute is expected to open on the first Monday in De cember. E. W. Warren. Macon , Ga., Sept. 25, 1869. Revival News. About 10 have been added, respectively, to the churches at Ways’, Hopeful, Bark Camp and Brushy Creek, of the Hephzibah Association. Brethren Kilpatrick, Davis and Carswell are now nightly conducting a pro tracted meeting, in the chapel of Hephzibah High School. Much interest is manifested by the pupils. Some 8 or 10 persons pro fess conversion, and some 20 to 30 more seem deeply convicted. Brothcrsvilbi, Ga., Sept. 10, 1569. Send your Superintendent. No class of Christian workers deserves recog nition more than the superintendents of our Sun day schools. For the most part, they give much time, talent and money, to advance the interests of the schools. They are hard-working, earnest, large-hearted men. Their self-denying toil is sim ply love of Christ, and love of souls. They de serve appreciation. Now, we propose to every Baptist Sunday school in the country to send their superintendent as a delegate to the Great National Convention of Baptist Schools, to be held in St. Louis, the first of the coming November, and make provisions to pay bis travelling expenses. Every school which thus honors its laborious and worthy superintendent, will be richly re warded. The generous act will give him increased devotion to his work. At the Convention he will meet the most enthusiastic and successful Sunday school workers. He will hear discussions on the most important subjects connected with Sunday teaching and discipline. He will learn the latest and best methods, as pursued in the most efficient schools. He will imbibe the spirit of the great gathering, and return to his work at home with enlarged devotion. By all means send your su perintendent. It will be a handsome compliment to him, and will be repaid in bringing back into your school the elements of greater prosperity. A Letter from Mississippi. I send you a copy of the minutes of the Bap list State Convention, held in Canton, Miss., from the 3d to the 7th June, 1869. That Convention was the most interesting and important of all held by the Baptist churches in this Stale, during the last ten years. It was characterized by a delight ful Christian spirit, and gave evidence of an earn est desire to rebuild the wastes of Zion. Cash and subscriptions for Foreign Missions SB3O ; for Domestic Missions, $1,200; for Miss. College, $2,- 700, and for the Orphan’s Home, $2,300. An agent was immediately placed in the field for the College, and he has raised the subscription above five thou sand dollars already. The Orphan’s Home is still in perplexity as to its future location—a locus vexatissamus —the property at Lauderdale Springs having passed out of the hands of the Trustees. At the recent Exhibition or Pic-nio, on the 15th instant, there were present in the Home, about two hundred orphan’s. It was a sight to touch the hearts of all the good. They have been well cared for, and well taught. They wait upon themselves, learn to work, and make good use of their privileges. This Home is so far in the hands of the Baptists, as the appointment annually, of the Trustees. In its conduct, everything of a de nominational character is avoided. Its attitude is, of course, suspicious to those whose denomina tionalism is highly intensified in either direction, but the Home of the soldier’s orphan, appeals to every generous heart. If will appear from our minutes, that we have in this State, eleven Associations, 312 churches, and 20,811 members. VVe have, however, several other Associations, whose statistics the Secretaries have not been able to obtain. Our list of minis ters also, with 251 names, is, especially, far from being complete. Yet, these statistics are indica tive of a great disparity between the number of churches and that of ministers, espeoially when it is remembered that a large number of those enrolled are on the retired list; and one should think, might go at once to heaven, as their minis try is finished. One Association, the oldest in this State, with more than forty churches, has but one minister actively engaged in the ministry of the gospel. That Association appealed to its churches for a contribution to missions in its own borders, and they responded with $52. These things are reported to me by an excellent brother who has been among them, Alas, these are some of the sad breaches in Zion. But I have glad tidings from many sections of this State, fn one letter 1 hear of a brother who has received into his churches, one hundred and nineteen by baptism during the year. There is no Baptist paper published in our State, and perhaps for that reason, our brethren do not re port the glorious news, which otherwise, might gladden all our hearts. In this little city, (we call ours a city, of course,) we have been not a little blessed. Within a month twenty have been added to the church, others are still coming. I have had no assistance except from this noble “ band of brothers,” (surely / may call them such.) On yesterday I baptized a young man, brother C. C. Busby, who has been for about two years a min ister of the Congregational Methodist church. The Sabbath school statistics are of necessity very imperfect, forty schools, 335 teachers, and 2,146 pupils. It would be sad to think that the proportion of Sabbath schools to churches in our denomination in this State, is (orty to 335, or one to eight, and yet I fear this is near the truth. We hope for, and expect a great advance of our Master’s work during the Conventional year. It will be seen from the very imperfect report of the Corresponding Secretary, that something is being done by our Associations, both of missionary work and of ministerial education. But the brethren abroad must not conclude that the reports in the minutes of our State Convention exhibit all that is being done for our Master in the State. In my opinion the statistics given are about one-third below the true numbers. Tiieo. Whitfield. Meridian. Miss., Sept. 21,1969. Florida News. It is always encouraging to the Christian heart to hear that the Lord has graciously visited and blessed His people, and tnat sinners have been made the subjects of redeeming grace. Such in telligence I am happy to be able to communicato from this part of the Master’s vineyard. We commenced a meeting with Eliam Baptist church, Putnam county, E. Florida, the third Sunday in August, which was continued day and night for more than a week, and resulted in twelve acces sions to the church—all by baptism. When the meeting closed many were asking the prayers of God’s people. It was my privilege to attend the last “ Put nam Union Meeting,” which was held with Paran church, commencing Friday before the sth Sun day in August. The “Putnam Union” is com posed of five churches in Putnam and Alachua counties, E. Florida. All the churches were rep resented by two or more delegates. In the ab sence of the brother appointed to perform that service, the introductory sermon was preached by your correspondent, from 2 Tim. iv : 7, 8. The meeting was organized by the re-election of Rev. E. B. Timmons, Moderator, and brother Wm. Green, Secretary. The brethren manifested a missionary spirit, and several speeches on mis sions were made by different brethren. An effort was made to raise a small amount for the relief of brother M. T. Yates, one of our China missiona ries, and some forty dollars, mostly cash, was ob tained, which has been sent to brother Taylor, Cor. Sec. Foreign Missions. Saturday, the second day of the meeting, the discussion of the query, Christian Duties: What are They t was an nounced as in order, and the discussion was opened by your correspondent, after which other brethren followed in short but edifying addresses. Altogether, the meeting was a very interesting and delightful one. Our Association, the Santa Fee River, meets with Eliam church, ten miles south of the Flori da Railroad, on Saturday before the second Sun day in October. Can you not be with us, brother Proprietor? We design, at that time, advancing the claims of the Index and Baptist, and hope we may be able to send you a few names. If you .will not consider it out of place, I might say a few words about the crops. These, lam sorry to say, are very short. The corn was cut short by the drouth, the cotton destroyed by the caterpil lar, so that scarcely a half crop will be realized. J. H. T. Waldo, E Fla., Sept. 17, 1869. Ingathering. Our meeting at this place resulted in the addi tion of 13 by baptism, and 8 by letter and restor ation. We enjoyed the efficient aid of brethren F. M. Daniel, S. P. Callaway, and A. R. Callaway, during a portion of the time; all of whomjabowl with zeal and ability. Dr. Cunningham, (Pres byterian,) also took part in tho meeting, and rendered efficient service. The church has been! greatly revived and their faith strengthened. H. C. Hornadt. LaQrange, Sept. 23nd, 1869. £p *■' Virginia Tidings. Several churches in this section have held pro tracted meetings recently, with unusually fine suc cess. First came a meeting at Olivet, in this county, Rev. T. B. Evans pastor. He was assisted by Rev. Dr. Bagby, and others, and some twenty or thirty persons were baptized. Next at Matia poni, Rev. A. Bagby, pastor, several ministers of the vicinity preached, and there w r eie about thirty baptisms. The following week at Bruington, Rev. Dr. Bagby, pastor, preaching chiefly by Dr. Curry, tw f enty-three baptisms. Next at Beulah, in King William, Rev. J. O. Turpin, pastor. Rev. J. A. Chambliss, and Rev. C. H. Ryland preached, baptisms thirty-two. Next at upper King and Queen, Rev. A. Broaddus, pastor, preaching by the writer of this, forty-four baptism. There have been several other successful meetings, of which I have heard, but do not know the particulars. So far as l have been able to ascertain, the Divine blessing has been experienced in every instance. The churches mentioned above, five in number, will report at least 150 additions by baptism. Labor ers in the fields, are of course, greatly encouraged, and 1 am inclined to think that over large sections of the State, the same good indications are appa rent. I received a letter two days ago, from Rev. Thomas Hume, of Portsmouth, speaking of re freshing revivals in the country aiound about that city. I rejoice to send these joyful tidings to brethren in the South, and hape they are enjoying the refreshing favor of the same good God. J. R. G A RUCK. King and Queen county , Vu.. Sept 16, 1669. Alabama Clinrclies Blessed. I aui pleased to inform you, that the Lord is still carrying on a mighty work in this section. I commenced a series of meetings with the Salem church, in this county, 28th August, which resulted in the accession of thirty to our number, twenty-four by baptism. I was assisted by tl'io zealous and efficient services of brethren K. Haw thorne andO. W Hare. There were no unusual outbursts of religious excitement, everything went on calmly and deliberately ; yet all could see that the work was deep and genuine. Nearly all the churches throughout tins section, have re cently enjoyed a season of refreshing Protracted meetings have been held with several churches, with the following results: At Concord, there were received by baptism, sixteen ; at Bethel, twenty-five ; and at Zion, nineteen. Truly the Lord is displaying His power in saving souls, whereof we are glad. W. G. Curry. Monroeville, Ala., Sept. 16/A, 1869. Mississippi Items. f can only give you a few' notes. There have been some of the best meetings in North Missis sippi this fall experienced there since the war. At Verona, brethren Montgomery (pastor) and Ball held a meeting of many days, which resulted in the baptism of some forty persons, among them six or seven Methodists. At Tupelo, brethren Stovall (pastor) and Ball— fifteen or twenty. At Richmond, Itawamba co., under brother Thomas —ten or fifteen ; by the same, at Hopewell, the same county—-ten or twelve bv baptism. At Bou gefaliah, under brother Montgomery, six were baptized on Tuesday last, and the same night eight moie were received for baptism, amongst them two Methodists. The churches generally seem revived and a solemnity unusual to peivade the whole congregation. A. D. Phillips. September 23 d. Good News—Supplementary. I reported for your columns, last week, the blessing the Lord bestowed upon our labors at Salem, (13 miles above Savannah,) during four days of our meeting. On the fifth day the meet ing was closed, as anticipated, to enable our mis sionary, brother Daniel, fn fulfill engagements previously made. At its close, one more candi date was received for baptism, and the ordinance was administered in the presence of a large num ber of spectators, to twenty-three converts. These, added to the two previously received, make the total number baptized within four <L» \ sand a half, 25. Reconstruction.—Much has been said, at tin seat of our National Government, and elsewhere, about reconstruction. lam happy to he able to report that, at our meeting at Salem, a reconstruc tion was effected which appeared to give satisfac tion to all who witnessed it, however widely they differed in their -political views.. -Among Umsc baptized on the fifth day of our meeting, were two daughters, intelligent and interesting girls, the only children of a Federal Captain, who had received in his body, during the late war, one or more Confederate balls, and who, at the close of the war, bought the landed estate of one of our Confederate Generals. On last Lord’s day (the 3rd) the Captain himself was buried in baptism, with three others, by brother F. R. Sweat, of Savannah, who, at the earnest solicitation of the church, went out, preached for them and admin istered the ordinance as aforesaid. This makes the total number baptized 29, and it is confident ly expected that others will be gathered in at the next visit of our missionary. One of the four baptized by brother Sweat had been a member of the Lutheran church for fifteen years. Thus, you will see that our reconstruction process brought into Christian unity not only persons of different political parties, but also persons of dif ferent religious creeds. God grant that this work of reconstruction may go on till all shall become one in Christ Jesus. A Query. —Would it not be good policy in our General Government to substitute for the soldiers employed in promoting reconstruction, heralds of the Cross ? A Suggestion.— As the North is sending mis sionaries and revivalists among us, I would sug gest a consideration of the propriety of sending some of our most successful revival preachers North, that they' may labor to revive in the hearts of our brethren there, the love of Jesus and the remembrance of the pure and peaceable princi ples inculcated by Him and His inspired apostles, in and through the saored Scriptures. If you should chance to fall in with President Grant or Governor Bullock, you may call their attention to our very successful efforts at recon struction. It may suggest a new' and bright idea to their minds. But be sure to let them know that we neither have made, nor intend to make, any charges for our services, against the govern ments they respectively administer, however val uable they may be considered, or prove to be in the end. J. S. B. Western Association. It was my pleasure, and profit, too, to attend the late session of this body. On Saturday and Sabbath, the number present was large. The in troductory sermon was preached by brother 11. C. Hornady, from the commission as given by Matthew. He made only two divisions : 1. The work to be done: teach repentance, faith and baptism, and then all things whaisoever Christ hath commanded. From babes we should grow up to be men and women in Him. 2. Who are to do the work ? Both ministers and people. The duty of every one, in his place, to preach the gospel, was clearly enforced. It was an excellent and stirring sermon, and doubtless had much to do with the increased missionary interest mani fested by the Association. After dinner, which was eaten upon the ground, the body was organ ized by the re-election of the former officers, viz: Brother Hornady, Moderator, and brother Rhodes, Clerk. Brother 11. seems quite conversant with parliamentary rules, enforces discipline with good humor, and dispatches business rapidly. Indeed, if he has a fault as a presiding officer, it is in business. Now began that bore of every Association —reading the letters of the churches. Forty-three, I think, were read, some of which were spread over two pages of foolscap! If the churches will not observe a brief formula, it would be wise to refer the letters to a commit tee, who might cull and present in a synoptical report, all desired information. On Saturdaj r night a brother from another As sociation preached from the text: “The redemp tion of their souls is precious.” In attempting to quote the language of the angels to the shep herds, he said, Christ was the “ Prince of the power of the air.” This, of course, was shocking and inexcusable. Judging from the confusion with which other passages were quoted, 1 conclu ded it was not from inadvertence, hut from the failure to have in the mind a clear knowledge of the language of the Scriptures. And I allude lo it not to offend, but with the hope that, having his attention culled to it, he may not repeat 'it. At two o’clock, Sabbath, brother De Volte pleached from 1 C*>r. xii * 81: “I show unto you n more excellent way,” a sweet and touching sermon, which started teaps from many eyes, and, if not a “feast of reason,” was a “flow of .soul.” After this, a blind brother was presented to the congre gation, and I was glad to see the brethren re spond, to the amount of near fifty dollars. Sab bath night brother Carmichael preached fiotn 1 Cor. xv; 3: “That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,” an instructing and comforting sermon. The business of the body was resumed 8* o’clock Monday morning, and upon the report ‘‘on the State of Religion,” which was made by brother Daniel, of Newnan, and was eery good, a warm and most interesting discussion sprung up, which moved the hearts of the brethren and end ed in raising, in cash and pledges, nearly a thou sand dollars, to be increased to fifteen hundred, to supply the destitution within their own hounds with an able evangelist. Every one seemed grat ified at the increased interest in the spread of the gospel; and though the amount sent up by the churches was not large, it exceeded that of last year; indeed, was about double, and real, decided progress was made. At 11 o'clock brother A. R. Callaway preached from the words: “Ye must be born ugain,” a good discourse, lie has a line voice, and uses it well, and to me there appears no reason why he should not be eminently useful. There are some things that should be corrected in the pulpit, which are thought to be inoffensivo and unnoticed. For example, some of us ure fre quently drinking to relieve dryness of the throat, which is a great mistake, for it produces it, as any one will find who observes, and which will he effectually removed by abstaining from water while speaking. Some hawk and spit often, which, like drinking, breaks the thread of dis course,” and offends persons of delicate taste. Some use loose or slang phrases which always mar the “beauty of discourse,” unless in the few who use them with effect. These, however, can never be patterns. Others prologue their ser mons with an unbearable apology, both in matter and length, as if this would mitigate their failures with the audience. Some read the gospel, which is not in obedience to the command: preach it. It is the privilege of every true ambassador of Christ to be so full of the work and truth of his Master, that, ‘thoughts that breathe and words that burn,” will come better from the tongue than pen. So far as I know, there was not a jar during the session, and I think the brethren have taken fresh encouragement to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, with the hope that the ensuing year will yield an hundred fold. Q. K. C. Appalachee Association. The Appalachee Association held its lust ses sion with the Bethel church, Walton'county, be ginning Friday, Sept. 17th. The Introductory Sermon was preached by Rev. J. J. Wallis; after which the letters were read, and the body organ ized by the re-election of brother B. S. Shouts, Moderator, and Rev. G. A. Nunnally, Clerk. The letters indicated the state of religion to be quite low, but few of the churches having enjoyed any revival or ingathering. The amount of money reported was also small, hot the delegates present were liberal, and “ to their power,” if not “ beyond their power, were willing of themselves,” and, notwithstanding the almost entire failure of their crops, liberal contributions were made to three ministers, while the Foreign and Domestic Boards received material aid. The agent of the Domes tic Board was cordially received, and addressed the Association and a large audience on the sub ject of missions, and the address was instantly seconded by a freewill offering ol $29.80. There were reported only about half as many Sunday schools as churches. The afternoon of Saturday was given to the Sunday school cause- Brethren Stillwell and Haygood addressed the audience generally ; the writer preached to the children. The writer agrees with those brethren present, who thought they never saw as large an audience of so fine looking people as on Sabbath at Bethel. W.\t. N. Chaudoin, Agt. D. M. B. To Rehoboth Association. Bear Brethren: Eleven have been added to this mission church since last report. And still they come. There is no excitement, hut a sincere and thorough conviction of the truth of Christi anity and its individual claims. The mutual head (man and wife) of three families have been added, all of mature age, and weighing well what they were doing. Another old man is about eighty years old. God willing, I will leave here in two weeks to visit you. Will bring my little daughter, desiring to leave her with you. According to recent statistics there are thirteen Baptist churches and four hundred and sixty-seven members in the Choctaw Nation; lour native ordained (one died recently) and three native unordained preachers, and two white missionaries. Population of Choc taw Nation over 23,000; area, 15,000 square miles, I suppose, in love, "J. S. Mukkow. Ah-to-tu, C. IV., Ark., Sept. 13, 1809. Resignation. Whereas, Our beloved brother. Rev. F. M. Daniel, who has zealously, faithfully, and effi ciently served the Newnan Baptist church, for the past five years as pastor and Superintendent, hav ing declined to accept the call of the church the ensuing year, Therefore, Revoked , That it is with regret that we sever the ties which have so long hound us to gether, and humbly pray that our beloved brother may be abundantly blessed in whatever field of usefulness the Lord may call him. Resolved , That we cordially recommend Rev. F. M. Daniel, to our brethren wherever his lot may be cast, as a pious Christian, faithful pastor,, and successful Sunday school superintendent. Resolved , That a copy of these proceedings bo sent to the Index for publication. By order of the church in conference. J. E. Robinson, Clerk, pro tem. Newnan, Ga., Sept. 26, 1869. Revival in Forsyth. A meeting, which continued about three weeks in the Baptist church in Forsyth, closed last Wednesday night. During the meeting four young ladies, students in tho College, and ono young gentleman, were baptized. A large num ber would come up for prayer when an invitation was given, and many are entertaming a hope that their sins are forgiven, and being boarders in the College, are awaiting the consent of their parents for baptism. The pastor, Dr. Hillyer, was assist ed by brother W. C. Wilkes, Dr. j. 8. Lawton, a ministering brother residing in the place, an 1 by Rev. Mr. Pledger, of the Methodist church. Monroe Female College has opened this term under favorable auspices. About 100 pupils are in attendance, and for the first tiuiu in its history, the attendance for the Fall is larger than for tho Spring session. Forsyth, Sept. 2\st. A Time of Refreshing. A meeting which began at the Mt. Zion Bap tist church, Bartow county, Ga., on the 4th inst., and which was ably conducted by brother J. G. Ryals, assisted by brother Rippey, was closed, with evident reluctance, on the 15th. Twenty one were converted, nineteen of whom—chiefly sons or daughters of the older members—united with the church. One excluded person was restored. A happy state of feeling prevails, and much good seems to have been done, giving us great reason to rejoice. Though brother Ryals is ono of the best teachers I have ever known, wiiat a pity that his churches do not say to him, as they ought: “ Here is jour money, (or a pledge for it;) leave the school room ; we claim your entire devotion to your higher and nobler calling—that of ambas sador for Christ!" J. I). 0. Outpouring of tho Spirit. We are made to rejoice w hen we read, in j r our paper, of the prosperity of the kingdom ol our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord has greatly blessed his people in our midst. The two churches known as Sugar Creek and Shiloh, of Morgan county, which hive been so cold for years, are now rejoicing on account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Several have united themselves to each church by baptism, letter and i csioration. Great was the rejoicing here on earth and in heaven over the conversion of sinners. Six were baptized at Shiloh on yesterday ; after which brother Crawford and I endeavored to preach to a large congregation—too large for the bouse to contain. lam now trying lo make up a club for vour paper, and hope to send up several new sub scribers shortly. E. H. L. At Jlome , Sept. 20th, 1869. Signs of Promise. We have been enjoying a most delightful series of meetings at Hearriviile Academy. The meet ing has been in progress every night for ten days. Our beloved pastor, brother has preach ed with more than his wonted power and spirit. Brother Jewel has assisted him. Four have ex perienced a change, and before the meetings close we hope to have several additions to the church. To-night the meeting is appointed at the church, (Antioch ) Sam’l A. Burney. Madison, Morgan Cos., Sept. 211869. Kindly. —Our neighbor of the Methodist viante say 8, with regard to the Index ri-r: "ll is an aide paper, and sijUjj®,,:,., place in evi ij 11 ipi is i la in iiy in lhejM%^ and In.; e .1 . ’>■ •. “slow of heart to believe " what mutter.