Newspaper Page Text
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Unite iitl Jfajrtisit.
—-gu*-
J.J. TOON, - - - • Proprietor.
Editor: Itev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1870.
Reinforcement. —The Editor and Proprietor
unite in expressing the very high pleasure with
which they announce the accession of Brethren
Henderson and Renfroe to the Writing Staff of
the paper. On the eve of going to press, we can
not say, the present week, the things which are
in our heart on this subject. We shall recur to
it again, and hope to have the privilege of an
nouncing the names of yet other brethren as
helpers in this good work.
What One Man is Doing.
A friend writes us from Washington, D. C.,
that an extensive and powerful work of grace is
now in progress at the capital of the country.
Rarely, if ever before, in the history of the city,
our friend thinks, has there been such profound
and general interest in religious truths. Though
originating in a Baptist church, the work prevails
among all denominations of Christians. All
classes are affected. Grey-headed men and little
children, rich and poor, ignorant and learned, are
»-king the prayers of the pious, and professing
their faith in Christ. A great revival, we also
learn, is in progress in Baltimore. Though not
so extraordinary as in the city first named, it is
deep and wide. Scores have been added to the
different Baptist churches; and the interest ap
pears to be in its incipient state.
This remarkable work semes to have been
brought about chiefly by the instrumentality of
one man—the Rev. Mr. Earle, a Baptist minister.
For a series of years, it would seem, such results
(more or less marked) have attended his efforts.
Winter before last, we remember, he held daily
services in churches in New York and Philadel
phia, during which hundreds were hopefully
brought to Christ. Last winter he visited Rich
mond, Va.; and the consequence was, that all
our churches there were refreshed in a wonderful
degree. The largest house in the city could not
accommodate the crowds who thronged to hear
him every day for a series of weeks. A few
years ago he visited California, and the fruits
which had followed his efforts on the Atlantic,
were soon visible on the Pacific slope. In short,
so uniform has been his success as a revivalist,
that where no ingathering has crowned his labors,
miy be taken as an exception to a general rule.
The inquiry is an interesting one, Wherein lies
the power of this brother? It does not appear
that he is a man of extraordinary education. W»
know no theological seminary which claims the
honor of having graduated him. We do not
think that he is even a College alumnus. Nor is
there anything in his discourses as preached or
published, it would seem, to indicate that accu
rate and varied scholarship has been attained by
private application. It is not said that his natu
ral endowments are so transcendent as to ena
ble him to dispense with those acquisitions of
which minds less gifted feel it necessary to avail
themselves. Nor, whilst he is unquestionably a
man of fervent piety and singleness of consecra
tion to bis ministerial duties, is it probable that
h#is superior in these particulars to others who
are far from having attained his measure of suc
cess. After repeated conversations with pastors
and people among whom Mr. Earle has labored,
we think his success, under the blessing of the
Holy Spirit, is chiefly due to three things:
1. Extraordinary physical vigor. He will
preach through a number of months twice, and
sometimes three times every day, without suffer
ing any perceptible diminution of his strength.
Many men with the piety and zeal of Mr. Earle,
fail because they are unable to follow up the im
pressions made by successive blows. Preaching,
once a day, for a few weeks produces, ordinarily,
such a strain on the nervous system, that nature
cries out for a vacation, and will rebel if she is
not indulged. But the brother of whom we are
speaking seems to need no vacation. He can
hold services thrice daily, and sometimes extend
ing through two hours each, without physical in
convenience. Hence he can strike blow after
blow, strengthening and deepening the impres
sion by each effort which is made. Physical vig
or, however, though an invaluable auxiliary, is
but an explanation in part, of his success. We
find another reason
2. In the intense earnestness of the man. Mr.
Earle is an enthusiast in religion—-the only sub
ject on which enthusiasm, in the widest import of
the word, is but common sense. His convictions
of the great truths of the gospel, the necessity of
conversion and holiness, the sublime joy of heav
en, the terrors of the second death, the ability
and willingness of Christ to save, pervade his
soul with a living energy. He speaks truth not—
as Garrick once charged a minister with doing—
as if it were fiction, but he speaks the most awful
truths as if they were undoubtedly what he repre
sents them to be. As genuine emotions are readily
communicated to others, he succeeds in imbuing
even the most stolid and indifferent with the
fervor which burns in his own heart. No man
can listen to him without the conviction, “He is
an awfully earnest man.” And then springs up
the inquiry, If this man is so much concerned
for my salvation, surely it becomes me to feel for
myself.
3. Another source of Mr. Earle’s power is found
in his faculty for rousing the churches with whom
he works to active co operation. His energy
seems to be diffusive. It flows forth from his own
nature like the electric current, and pervades all
who come under his influence. Every Christian
feels the call upon him for action, prompt and
earnest, to be most imperative. Wherever he
goes, seasons of fasting and prayer, anxious
efforts by individuals for their kindred and friends,
an absorbing religious concern, are the order of
the day. Thus he seems to multiply himself as
many times as there are live members in his
church. At some of his prayer and conference
meetings, upwards of a hundred persons have
been known to participate, each occupying from
a half minute to two or three minutes, and each
illustrating the remarkable power of which we
have spoken.
It seems to be a pity that a man so wonderfully
blessed cannot multiply himself indefinitely.
What Christian heart will not join in the petition
to the Lord of the harvest to send out many such
laborers into the harvest? May notour minis
ters and churches learn a lesson fiorn his success ?
Would not an increase of earnestness on their
fcrart be followed by an outpouring of the Spirit—
raiinilar in kind, though it may not be so exten
sive—as in the case before us ? Everything,
after all, depends on the divine blessing. Plant
who may and water who may, unless God gives
the increase, all planting and watering are in vain.
We believe that the Lord of the harvest is as
willing to bless any sincere efforts in His cause,
by whomsoever put forth, as He is to crown the
work of the eminent revivalist, to whom reference
has been made. But they must be, like his, real
efforts, —the persevering, self-sacrificing, prayerful
efforts of a faith which takes hold upon the Angel
and says, “ I will not let thee go except thou bless
anal*
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1870.
ls Baptist Protestants.”
This is the title of anew sect, of which a
“ master builder” —“ wise,” doubtless, if only “in
his own conceit”—lays the corner stone, in a re
cent issue of the Christian Union. Whether he
shall ever “bring forth the headstone thereof with
shoutings, crying, Grace, Grace unto it,” is an
other question. We incline to think that he has
commenced the stiucture, without duly consider
ing whether he is able to finish it.
But let us see how deftly he rears it—on paper.
He holds that “thousands”of Baptists “know”
“ the dogma of close communion” to be “ foolish
and unscripturalthat they accept it because
they “ approve of the rest of the doctrines and
practices” of the denomination; and that they
are silent because “they cannot oppose it without
commotion.” These “ thousands,” we make no
question, seem quite real to him, when he mis
takes what is painted on the canvass of his own
imagination for what exists in the great actual
world ; and he calls on them to unite in ‘ public
opposition’ to the ‘ offensive’ “ dogma.” “ The
issue,” he says, “ must be squarely made—toler
ance or division; and until this is done, nothing
will have been done.” Unless we greatly mistake,
when “this is done,” somebody will be “done for ”
—our wise (or unwise) mister builder himself,
for example. And in spite of our pity for the
ecclesiastical suicide which he and the few who
are likely to follow his example would in this way
commit, we find ourselves heartily in favor of the
experiment proposed by him. We want traitors
to the denomination, and to the truth of Christ
which the denomination holds, unmasked. We
want the denomination to have the opportunity
to purge out the leaven of laxity and error—of
pseudo-unionism—of that human “charity” which
arrays itself against divine order. How it will
deal with the opportunity, we have very decided
and very pleasant anticipations. But take the
(incredible) supposition that these anticipations
prove illusory : Then—we want to “ serve the
will of God in our generation," by ‘dividing’
from a “ tolerance” which means the subversion
of Christianity in its entire‘positive department.
What there is of definiteness in the doctrine of
baptism—what there is of peculiarity in the con
titution of the Christian church—nay, what there
is of divine prescription in these regards, as a
security against the “ will-worship” which is but
a disguise for the spirit of rebellion—can have no
logical supports and maintain no assured life,
where the communion of the unbaptized gains,
ascendancy and recasts religious usage in the
mould of its own spirit. If there be a necessity
for protest against such mischievous latitudinari
anism, in the extreme form of separation, we want
to know it: we trust that grace will be given us,
when the issue is “squarely made,” to prefer our
Master’s will to our brethren’s fellowship ; and if
this be the witness for the true and the right
which the exegincies of the times demand, we
are willing resolvedly to bear it.
Our master builder proposes that his imaginary
“ thousands” shall “ give effect to their disap
proval of close communion,” by “ three simple,
practical moves.” The first is: “ Let each one
seek to extend the circulation of the Christian
Union among Baptists.” For his purpose, this is
better counsel than if he had urged them to pro
mote the study of the Scriptures on the part of our
people ! He knows where to send them in quest of
authority and countenance for communion without
baptism! The second “move” is: “Let them notify
the churches to which they belong that they rfly
ject the dogma of close communion, and that their
practice will no longer accord with it." If they
are willing to assume the responsibility of this
cieierraination to “walk disorderly,” the churches
should not hesitate to take the responsibility of
*• withdrawing” from them on that account—and
we do not fear that they will, when the time of
trial comps. The third “ move is: “ Let a meet
ing be held, to devise measures for a vigorous and
wide-spread agitation of the question.” Is a se
cret meeting meant? Are cunning devices and
hidden plots to be called into service, to entangle
the friends of order in discussions which aim at
ends not frankly avowed ? Is there to be jesuiti
cal strategy in the case ? For the honor of “ the
rest of the doctrines and practices of the Baptists,”
which these inchoate “ Protestants” maintain, we
trust not: but we commend to the adherents of
our Scriptural practice, a watchful eye against
feints and false pretences from whatever quarter,
Since the foregoing paragraphs were writ
ten, we have met with a statement, in the religious
intelligence of the Congregationalist from Maine,
which illustrates the tendency of the views held
by “ Baptist Protestants,” (so called,) to relax
the order and subvert the constitution of the
churches. That paper says : “The Freewill Bap
tists [who have always been loose communionisls]
are beginning to receive Congregationalists into
their churches without immersing them. Several
instances of this kind have recently occurred,
showing advance in true Christian liberality.”
Now : we cannot but repudiate arjd resist the be
ginnings of a “ liberality” which drives forward
into loose membership, and by thus developing,
more and more, into disobedience to “ Christian”
law, stamps itself untrue.
The Teacher Tangbt.
The minister who conscientiously seeks to in
struct his congregation, the Sunday school teacher
who “prepares” to meet his class weekly, and
the parent who labors to rear his children in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord, are not with
out reward in their own person. They reach
clearer conceptions of the truth, through the e£
fort to impart a knowledge of it. It passes from
them to others, as ships in tropical waters leave
a luminous track behind them, and shines hack
ward on their own eye with new light
Dr. Priestly once said: “I have always found
that the best way to learn is to teach, when you
will be sure to study your subject well.” And
Prof. Silliman: “Asa teacher, I was still more
a learner than my pupils, and I found my own
pupilage to be co-extensivo with my professional
life of fifty years —for I have never ceased to
learn."
This is no less the case with regard to the com
munication of religious, than of scientific truth.
And one reason why the doctrinal views of Chris
tians are so vague and misty is, that they too lit
tle perform the part of teacherß in their individual
sphere, or perform it with too little carefulness
and diligence of study. Alas, that they wifi not
see how, without this diligence and carefulness,
all their testimony for Jesus becomes scarcely
better than “ the mere tinsel gilding of a wooden
ball”—a vanity and emptiness. Alas, that, in
this matter, they cannot be prevailed with to act
on the rule of the wise old heathen—“choose
that method which is the best, and custom will
make it the most pleasant.”
Dr. Mell's Sermon.
We have determined to publish this sermon as
au eight-page extra. Its publication has been
delayed a week, to allow an opportunity for this
announcement, and to give pastors, who may wish
to procure a number of copies for circulation in
their field, time to notify us. Shall we not hear
from them at once t Send on your orders, breth
ren, without delay. At least twenty thousand
copies of such a sermon, ought to go into the
hands of our people. We shall be prepared to
fill as many orders as are sent us, for two or three
weeks to come. Twenty copies for sl, and forty
five for $2, in one or two packages.
“ Baptism >* of the Dying.
Within the last few months, two gentlemen
who have held high positions in the government
of the country, have died. A short while, before
death, one received from a Methodist, and the
other from a Presbyterian minister, the modern
substitute for baptism. What a fortunate thing
it was, that these gentlemen were not immersed ?
It they had been, the ministers, of course, would
have incurred censure, in many quarters, for
“making too much of baptism”—a charge re
served for special use against immersionists, as
though they alone could be guilty of it 1
Bui what shall be said of this sprinkling, in
prospect of an early decease ? Are the denomi
nations represented by the ministers in question,
reviving the spirit of the times that Judaized
baptism by extending it to infants—the times
when Basil and Gregory Nazianzen spoke of the
administration of the ordinance as “the giving
to men their viaticum, or provision for their
journey to another world ?" Is such embryonic
Ritualism, not only the natural, but the necessary
and universal fruit of Pedobaptist practices?
Memorial Sermon of Dr. Manly.
The sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Henderson,
at Oxford, Ala., during the session of our State
Convention, in commemoration of the life and*
virtues of the venerated Basil Manly, was refer
red to the Board of Directors, with instructions
to publish it when funds were secured to defray
the expense. The manuscript has been in our
hands for several weeks, and we have been await
ing orders to proceed to its publication. But the
Board of Directors, in obedience to the instruc
tions of the Convention, decline to go forward,
in the absence of adequate subscriptions for that
purpose. When we last heard from them, scarcely
a fourth part of the sum necessary to meet the
cost had been received. We are both surprised
and mortified by this r aspect of the case. It is
a reproach to the living, when they are tardy in
tiie payment of honor to the sainted dead. The
lesson of such an exatnpie, and such a portrayal
of that example, cannot be kept back from the
churches without serious detriment. But we
persuade ourselves that the seeming neglect is a
matter of procrastination simply, and that this
reference to it, will suffice to secure prompt ac
tion. Send your subscription to the Sermon Fund
to Bro. Mclntosh, Marion, that he may empower
us to set about printing it immediately. We have
made arrangements for executing the work in ele
gant style.
Reviews and Notices.
Kind Words—The Child’s Delight.
We have received the first number of the con
solidated paper, issued by the Sunday School
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Mem
phis, with the salutatories of the editors, Rev. T.
C. Teasdale, D.D., and Rev. S. Boykin. We have
now but one paper at the South for the children :
let us combine our energies, and run up its sub
scription list, right away, to 100,000. Single
copies 50 cents ; six copies $2,00 ; ten and up
wards, 25 cents each.
Catalogue of Sunnt Side High School, (Bed
ford County,) Va., Sesssjon of 1868-9.
The advertisement of this School appears in
another column, and we call attention to it. We
have known thp founder of it, Rev. A. Eubank,
A.M., for a number of years, and can unhesitat
ingly endorse his high integrity, which will not
suffer him to make representations, as to the
School without abundant warrant of facts.
The pupils of the past session were 50 in number.
Mr. E. was assisted by Edward A. Allen, a grad
uate of the University of Virginia, as Associate
Principal; by Thos. J. Robertson, as Instructor
in Practical Surveying; and by Prof. 0. H. Kehr,
in Vocal Music and German.
The Christian Union, New York : J. B. Ford, & Cos.,
Terms, $2,50 a year.
This is the rejuvenation, enlargement and im
provement of the Church Union. The Christmas
number, with its handsome ornamental title, its
new and fair type, its variety of articles, and its
“cartoon,” (a present to every subscriber for that
week’s paper,) was quite attractive, The New
Year’s number contains the inaugural of Henry
Ward Beecher, as editor in chief, and aptly illus
trates the sources of his popular power and the
secret of his theological weakness. “ Baptist
Protestants” may well be delighted with so read
able an organ.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
The Ebenezer Association, colored, reported,
for the past year, 98 churches, 12,193 members:
baptisms 1,849, receptions by letter 429, restora
tions 94, exclusions 213, dismissions 137, deaths
131. This is a growing body, and worthy of
Christian sympathy and fraternal help,—Rev. W.
N. Chaudoin writes to the Memphis Baptist , as
the impression made by visits to seven of our
Associations the present year, that there are evi
dences of progress and improvement in several
respects, as unity of doctrine, the missionary sen
timent, a state of spirituality, etc. He says that
he attended three Associations in Middle Georgia,
where, because of dearth, the people will not
make a support, but every appeal was liberally
responded to.
Alabama.
Our Domestic Board, Marion, has appointed
Rev. P. M. Musgrove, as missionary in Warior
River Association and the contiguous counties.—
The Tuscumbia Herald says: “ There is some
probability that Spurgeon will visit America du
ring this year. We hope in time for the Southern
Baptist Convention.” —A correspondent of the
Richmond Herald says: “We are happy in the
belief, that upon the whole our denomination has
made progress during the year. It is true we
have not done as much as we could wish or de
sire, but we rejoice in the fact that our people are
more united, that our Convention was a success,
that our Associations are all, or nearly all, united
in the work of the Boards, and that quiet reigns
all along our borders. We have gained consider
ably in our membership, as the statistics will
doubtless show. We have also received, during
the year, some valuable ministers into our State.
Heretofore it has always been the other way,
losing nearly all the time. But now we are on
the rise, brethren are glad to settle with us. We
have four strong men, at important points, and
all new-comers.” —Rev. H. Stevenson writes to
the Memphis Baptist; “By inquiring in travel
ling, I find that there is a great destitution of
Baptist preaching in South Alabama apd North
Florida. lam perfectly satisfied that the region
of country for a great distance on the right and
left from Pickensville, Ala., to Tallahassee, Fla.,
is a field of labor where the reapers are few, and
a Baptist preacher could find work ia almost eve-
Association as a missionary, and as a pastor for
two or more churches. For the benefit of our
school-teaching preachers, I will that they
can find a situation as a teacher almost anywhere
in the South. Alabama has a school fund, and
Florida is making preparation for one.”
Kentucky.
The Louisville Recorder announces that, in fu
ture, Rev. L. B. Woolfolk will occupy the posi
tion of Associate Editor. He wields an eminent
ly vigorous pen, and we cordially welcome bis
return to the editorial fraternity.—Chestnut street
church, Louisville, (Rev. J. M. Weaver, pastor,)
has liquidated an indebtedness of $6,000 within
three years, and enters upon the new year out of
debt—Rev. J. W. Cox has commenced, at Car
rollton, the Living Way, a quarto monthly, devo
ted to the dissemination of the doctrines of grace,
minus denominational peculiarities: terms, $1 in
advance. —The “ church ” at Owentonfis finished,
without debt—There have\een 13 accessions at
Sonora; 13 at South llatnton church, Daviess
county; 16 at Hanging Fork, Barren; 14 at
Greary Creek, Green ; 13 at Mt. Carmel, Ohio
county.—The church at Franklin has had 27 ac
cessions ; has called a pai*or for his whole time,
instead of half as heretofore; provided a compe
tent salary to be paid quarterly in advance; and
made a liberal contribution to State Missions.
That was a revival the name.
Maryland.
About 50 persons were baptized in our churches,
at Baltimore, the last Sabbath of the old year, as
the fruit of Rev. Mr. Earle’s labors, in addition
to 26 the preceding Sabbath ; and the interest
was deepening and widening. —A call to Balti
more has been accepted bj Rev. H. Miller, pastor
of our German church Ut Parkersburg, West
Virginia.
Mississippi.
Our church at CatTSprn desires a pastor, in
connection with another jehurch nine miles dis
tant, and a reasonable will be paid.—Rev.
H. Pittman has been apjgunted to preach to the
destitute in the bounds Yazoo Association.
MrJCtURi.
Two deacons of the Second colored Baptist
church. St. Louis, purchased a copy of the Com
prehensive Commentary, Baptist Edition, at $lB,
as a New Year’s presenf" to their pastor. How
many pastors of white churches have gone with
out even such a appreciation as
this!—The First and Seeond churches, Louisiana,
have merged in one.—There have been 16 ac
cessions to Mt. church, Boone county,
(among them an aged nrftron of about 70 years,
who found peace in believing during the meeting,)
and 15 to Good Hope,.Saline.— Our church at
Kirksville has had 14 additions, since it com
menced holding regular services every Sabbath. —
Yellow Creek church, Sullivan county, is build
ing a house of worship, and has preaching twice
instead of once a month?
North Carolina.
Rev. James McDaniel, D. D., of Fayetteville,
died at 6 o'clock, Christinas evening. He organ
ized,the church at that place, collected the means to
build its house of worship, and, with the excep
tion of a brief interval,"served it a9 pastor for
thirty-two years. The Raleigh Recorder pro
nounces him “ our foremost preacher and pastor ”
in this State. Rev. F. H. Ivey, of Athens, Ga.,
conducted the funeral services, and says of him:
“ His sermons of forty years ago, here and in the
surrounding counties, made impressions which
still linger on the minds qf those who heard them.
Although he was largely self-taught, yet not many
have equalled, and few if any have surpassed
him, in all those elements which make up the
attiactive, influential, and successful herald of
the Cross. He was gifted with peculiar powers
in illustrating the teachings of the Scriptures,
and with a winning address in enforcing the du
ties of the Christian life. He was a vigorous,.in
dependent thinker, decided in hia convictions,
firm in the defence oC tha faith once delivered to
the saints, uttering with a zeal that
knew no languor, a plainness which always con
veyed his meaning, and with a pungency that
reached and affected the heart. His burning
words came full and fresh from a glowing soul,
and went with convincing force to the hearts and
consciences of his hearers.” —Rev. J. M. C. Luke,
of Plymouth, reports 26 baptisms, and over 1,000
miles travelled as Sunday School Missionary, a
considerable portion of it on foot, as he was
obliged to sell his horse to get something for his
family to live on.—Rev. W. Hooper, D.D., has
returned from Norfolk, Ya., to resume his place
as Professor in the Female Collegiate Seminary at
Wilson.
South Carolina.
Rev. L. H. Shuck regards the First Baptist
church, Charleston, of which he has recently
taken charge, as an encouraging field of labor.
The congregations are increasing; the prayer
meetings are well attended; and the Sabbath
school, under the efficient management of brother
A- C. Palfrey, is steadily growing.—Rev. E. T.
Winkler, D.D., pastor of Citadel Square church,
Charleston, has recently baptized some candidates.
Texas.
Rev.J. T. Zealy writes from Houston to the
Richmond Herald; “The Baptist denomination
in Texas is a large and influential body. Con
nected with its ministry are some men of unsur
passed intelligence and piety, earnest, active men,
laboring for Jesus with efficient and unwearied
industry. The ministry, as a whole, will com
pare favorably with that of any other State. The
churches are well oiganized, composed of good
material, interested in all the great religious en
terprises of the age, and influencing for good the
thousands lyho are coming from the older States
to occupy the broad prairies of this western land.
The harvest is great here, but the laborers are
few. Localities are to be found everywhere suf
fering from spiritual destitution. Centres of trade
and population are, in many instances, without a
stated ministry or house of worship. We need
ministers, wise master-builders, workmen need
ing not to be ashamed, men of intellect, with
hearts burning with love for Jesus and for souls,
to come from the crowded ranks of the old States,
and aid u'sln evangelizing the multitudes flocking
to this tropical home. The Texas Baptist Herald
is published here, and is regarded as one of the
best religious papers in the South. Its editor is
doing much in the way of indoctrinating the
churches, elevating the standard of piety, and
pushing forward the great enterprises which have
been inaugurated and fostered by Southern Bap
tists." —Rev. John J. Berryman, of Va., has taken
charge of Rryan College, and everything is work
ing well.
Tennessee.
Rev. Dr. Teasdale says, of our Memphis pas
tors: “Dr. Ford is thoroughly ingratiated in the
affections of his people, and is doing a good work
jn Memphis. Elder Burns has already filled his
church house with admiring hearers; and if he
had a bpilding of much greater capacity, it would,
doubtless, soon be thronged. Ilis people honor
him with their confidence and love, and his pros
pects for permanent usefulness in this growing
oity, are very promising."—Samuel Holden was
ordained to the ministry at Herman, Lauderdale
county, Dec. 25th.—Rev. R. W. Norton resigns
pastoral care of our church at Brownsville,
Virginia.
There are 43,318 colored Baptists in this State,
not including those in white churches and asso
ciations. Os these the African Valley Associa
tion has 2,892; the Union Norfolk, 11,767; the
colored Shiloh, 29,159. The largest membership
in any church is, 4,685 in the First colored church',
Richmond.—The new house of worship of the
Lower Northampton church has been finished and
dedicated.
Pennsylvania.
“ Rev. Geo. A. Peltz, pastor of the Tabernacle
Baptist church, Philadelphia, has been appointed
General Secretary of the Sunday school work of
the American Baptist Publication Society.”
The Ministers’ Institute at Macon—An Ap
peal for Aid in Sunday Schools.
During my course of Lectures in the In
stitute for colored Ministers at Macon, under
the direction of brother Warren, the subject
of the relation of Ministers to Sunday Schools
was under consideration, when the following
resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That Dr. Landrum be requested
to make an appeal to the white brethren to
aid in organizing and superintending colored
Sunday Schools, when requested to do so.
The adoption of the resolution was cordial
and unanimous.
It originated in this way : The question was,
“ how can Ministers benefit the children
One of the answers was, “ by originating and
sustaining Sunday Schools in every congre
gation to which he preaches.” One of the
preachers said, “ I admit the importance of
doing so, but how can it be done 1 * For in
stance, I preach to four churches, and hence
can be with each church but one Sabbath in
the month.” He was answered— ■“ find some
one for Superintendent, and put him in charge
of the school in your absence.” “ But,” said
he, “in some of my congregations there is
not a man that can read.” “ Is there not then
a white brother who can read, in the neigh
borhood 1 ?” “ O, yes, but perhaps he wolud
not help us.” “Go to them” (the white breth
ren), said some, “and plead with them to
come and superintend your schools, and they
will do it for Christ’s sake.” Now at this
point, the resolution above was passed.
The statement of the case, is of itself, an
appeal. Sunday Schools furnish a way by
which the gospel may be preached. He who
died for us, and rose again, has commanded
His disciples to preach the gospel to every
creature. The spirit of Missions is the spirit
Jesus. You have been redeemed by the blood
of Jesus Christ, and you love Him. Now,
here are the ignorant and the helpless, asking
that you will come and teach them the good
tidings- of Jesus. Can you refuse? Not
You must, when they ask it, help them to
knew God and eternal life.
One plantation was mentioned, on which
there are one hundred colored children, and
no Sunday School. What a field for useful
ness isheio presented, for some private Chris
tian longing to do something for the good
cause. This work may not have the romance
of a mission to Africa or China, but it is
equally dear to Jesus. Are there not breth
ren, who are not engaged in the schools for
the whites, who can teach the colored people
God’s word on Sundays? May not some be
spared from our own schools to aid colored
Baptist Churches in conducting their schools ?
They are not instructed ; many of them can
not read; go, when they desire it, and help
them. Good will come from such a course
in many ways, both for the life that now is,
and that which is to come. S. L.
The Late Her. Jesse Battle.
I noticed in your columns, some weeks ago,
a simple announcement of the death of our
venerated and beloved brother Rev. Jesse
Battle, who died at the residence of his son,
Col. J. R. Battle, near Montezuma, Ga., Dec.
2d, 1869, aged 81 years. The death of such
a man requires something more than a mere
passing notice; for when the scroll which
contains the names of all the good and the
useful shall be unrolled for the inspection of
men and angels, high on the list will be found
that of him whose virtues these humble lines
are designed to commemorate. There is an
ancient heathen maxim, founded alike in wis
dom and propriety, which bids us “say noth
ing but what is good of the dtj»d.” This in-f
junction in the present instance can be obeyed
without the slightest violation of the most
scrupulous dictates of truth. Nothing but
good can be spoken of Jesse Battle ; for he
was a good man, a good husband, a good
father, a good citizen, and “a good minister
of Jesus Christ.”
He was a good man , In all the varied re
lations of life he had respect to the quality of
goodness. He was one of those men who
seemed to be born to piety and good deeds,
no part of his life, even before conversion,
being given to that worldliness and dissipa
tion which so often characterize our young
men. He professed religion at the early age
of sixteen, and was baptized by Rev.
Jesse Mercer, into the Powelton church, of
which he was pastor in 1804. From that
period until the day of his death, he was one
“whose doctrine and whose life, coincident,
gave lucid proof that he was honest in the
sacred cause.” I have often thought he re
sembled the character given of Barnabas in
the sacred Scriptures, and that he deserved
the high enconium paid to that eminent saint;
“He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost
and of faith.”
He was a good husband. He was married
February 23d, 1815, to Miss Martha Rabun,
(daughter of Governor Rabun,) one of the
loveliest and most amiable of women ; one
whom I believe, if she had enjoyed the same
opportunities, would have been the equal of
the first Mrs. Judson. He made her a good
and devoted husband, and they walked to
gether like Zachariah and Elizabeth, “in the
ordinances and commandments of the Lord
blameless.” Asa hushand, as in every other
relation, he was a “pattern of good works.”
He was a good father, and brought his
children up “in the nurture # and admonition
of the Lord.” No better evidence of the
kind care bestowed on hig children do
we need, than that found in the manner in
which they almost idolized him while living,
and now mourn for him that he is removed.
Says one of his sons in a recent letter to a
brother: “1 would have written to you
sooner, but I have been so overwhelmed with
grief at the loss of our dear old father that I
have been incapable of doing anything. Al
though I have been away from him sq long,
and accustomed to rely on my own resources,
still 1 felt that he was the head of the family
and in any great emergency 1 could go to
him for comfort and advice.”
He was a good citizen. Although he did
not leave his ministry to take part in politics
as so many of his contemporaries did in those
times of party excitement in which his last
days were passed, his great influence was al
ways thrown on the side of law and order.
While rendering unto God the things that
are God’s, he never forgot to render “unto
Caesar the things that are Caesar's.”
But he was especially “a good minister of
Jesus Christ .” He was ordained to the Bap
tist ministry in 181 b. The Presbytery that
examined him and set him apart to his work,
was composed of no ordinary men. Among
them we find the names of Jesse Mercer and
B. M. Sanders. Those venerated fathers, on
that solemn occasion, laid their hands on one
whose labors would entitle him to a name
and a place with theiqselves in the catalogue
of the good ; for hundreds have been saved
through his instrumentality, and an influence
exerted for our denomination which eternity
only can reveal. He commenced his pasto
ral work with the Mount Zion church, in
Hancock county, and this was the plaoe of
his residence and the field of his labors
through nearly the whole of hia life. For
twenty years he was pastor of our churches
at Island Creek and Bethel; was pastor of
the Darien and Beulah churches also. The
writer frequently attended his meetings, and
large congregations were always in attendance.
The most delightful baptismal scenes I have
ever witnessed were performed by him in the
Little Ogeechee river. Asa pastor he was
eminently successful. Hundereds were bap
tized by him, and built up in the holy faith
of the gospel. His churches grew and flour
ished under his labors, and were distinguished
for their zeal, piety, and benevolence. Asa
preacher he was lucid, impressive, and inter
esting. He had not the advantage of a good
education, but possessing a strong mind, by
close application, became sufficiently learned
for all the purposes of his ministry. He
made the Bible his study, and became emi
nent as a sound gospel preacher. From the
lips of such a man no wonder that truth pre
vailed with a double sway. Ho was for a
number of years Moderator of the Washing
ton Association, and always presided with
intelligence and dignity. The influence which
he exerted in that body for missions and every
benevolent enterprise will long be felt and
gratefully remembered. He died at a very
advanced age, surviving his good and noble
wife for a number of years. We regard his
demise as another link broken in the golden
chain which binds us to the past generation.
He was contemporaneous with Rev. R. Gunn,
Rev. W. H. Stokes, Rev. Benj. Roberts, and
Rev. Asa Duggan, the two last surviving
him. With these good brethren he labored
much and with great success. But his labors
on earth are ended ! he has passed to his re
ward. As we behold his pure example let
us obey the Scriptural injunction arid “ be
followers of those who through faith and pa
tience have inherited the promises.”
C. M. Irwin.
Wootton, Jan. 6th, 1870.
One of Onr Wants.
Will you re-publish an extract t hat appeared
in the Index and Baptist about April or May,
1868, headed, (l think,) “ The Creed of the
Campbellites?”
This piece purported to be from a Camp
bellite paper, and is an abridgement of the
peculiar tenets of that denomination. It is
believed that its reproduction will do good.
Our people, generally, know too little of the
faith of the Campbellites. The truth is, we
need a work, accessible to all our people, on
this subject. I would rejoice to see in the
next Index, from your pen, the fust article of
fifty, on the doctrines of the Campbellites.
Then let the articles be bound in permanent
form, and preserved. It is believed, that a
proper understanding of the doctrines above
referred to, would lead to their abandonment
by many of their followers. You are the
man for this work. I hope you will think of
it, and commence at once. Dr. Jeter s work
is not sufficient. W hat we need is, that which
distinguishes them from all evangelical de
nominations distinctly set forth.
A. J. Kelly.
Jefferson , Ga., Dec. Ith, 1869.
J3|F“ There are certain phases of the discussion
with “ Reformers,” to which we have purposed, for
some time, to pay attention. The request of our
brother confirms this intent—though we have no
hope of meeting his expectations in the premises.
Second Baptist Church, Macon.
In the generosity of your heart, you prom
ised me, at Greensboro, during the “ Georgia
Association,” that anything I desired to say
through your paper, in behalf of the Second
Baptist Church, Macon, Ga., you would gladly
insert.
It is said, I believe, that if woman knows
anything, she will tell it. So it is in my case,
at present, any way. You, perhaps, remem
ber the promise brother West made, that lie
would pay any one $25, who would preach in
his place Sunday morning, at the Methodist
church. Well, as Mr. Hay good filled the
place, I claimed the $25 for the Second church,
of brother West. Now, just see how nobly
he responds: “Sister Haygood, be so good
as to appropriate the enclosed S3O to the Ma
con church, it being the amount 1 promised
to pay towards the. Macon church, at the As
sociation, for brother il’s preaching in my
place, so nobly. Yburs, &c., Thos. B. West.”
And the Greenbacks are in hand, not only the
$25, but $5 more than promised—making a
total of $35 collected by my appeal, at the
Georgia Association.
I wonder if there are not more such men as
Rev. Thos. B. West? Are there not one
hundred Baptists, or ninety-nine, who will
contribute S3O towards the Second Baptist
church ? Or cannot six hundred be found in
Georgia, who will send, each $5, which will
free the church of debt? Then the little
“ Ship, Zion,” could “ launch out into the
ocean with full masts, and come into the har
bor with many souls; plucked as brands, from
the burning deck.’ Who will, like brother
West ,freely give 1 Whosoever will, let them
respond, with the Greenbacks, to
Mrs. F. M. Haygood.
Macon, Ga., Jan. 1, 1870.
Agcncy for Domestic Missions—First Quar
ter.
Allow me space to report the following
sums reoeived during the months of July”
August, and September, a part of which was
occupied in the service of the Board :
Thomas Whitsett, $10; Henry H. Liggin,
$5; Pine Bluff Church, Dougherty county,
$22 95 ; collections at Central Association,
$8 05; Stone Mountain Association, SBB 25;
J. H. Alman, Conyers, ($1 applied to H. and
F. J.) $1 ;J. S. Shipley, Conyers, $1; Mrs.
M. A. Gresham, (50c. applied to H. and F.
J.) $1 50; Mrs. Lizzie Reese, Madison, Ga.,
$5; Appalachee Association, SO9 05; a lady
at Appalachee Association, $1 ; F. R. Grif
fith, Monroe, Ga., 50c.; J. J. Toon, for Ap
palachee Association, sl2 05; Middle Cher
okee Association,s7s ; Sarepta Association,
per F- M. IL, S7B 64—Total, $378 99.
Let me say here, that the New Year’s of
ferings are coming in, and I have received
some handed me personally. No Sunday
school has been heard from yet. Send them
on, but don’t wait too long. Come, friends of
Jesus, lovers of the gospel, take courage;
promise God to do more for him. , and begin
by sending your Domestic Mission contribu
tion. From the last letter received from our
Corresponding Secretary, I learn the Board is
now, by reason of its assets, virtually out of
debt, and 30 men appointed already. Dear
brethren, take courage, be thankful, and let us
do more. Begin the year with sacrifices, plan
and work in hupe, and trust our heavenly
father. Yours in the love of the truth,
Wm. N. Chaudoin.
Ordination of a Beacon.
At a call meeting of the Baptist Church at
Taylor’s Creek, Liberty county, Ga., Rev. VV.
O. Darsey and Rev. A. Weathers, pastor,
met on Saturday last, January Ist, for the
purpose of ordaining brother James Mobley,
to the deaconahip. The Ordination Sermon
was preached by Rev. W. O. Darsey, who
also questioned the Church as to the qual.fi
cations of the brother. Examination o; the
candidate by Rev. A. Weathers. Prayer by
brother Weathers. After the charge delivered
by the same brother, the Church and Pres
bytery united in expending the hand of fel
lowship. Thus we set apart to this responsi
ble office, as we believe, a good and faithful
servant,
A precious work of God’s grace, is going
on at this place. On Saturday last four were
baptized. G. G. M.
Taylor's Creek, GaJan. 3,1870.
Rev. W. J. Hard.
Whekeas, Our beloved brother, Rev.
Wm. J. Hard, for four years our earnest and
faithful pastor, has resigned the pastorate, to
take effect at the close of the present year :
It is therefore,
Resoloed, That in accenting the resignation
of our honored pastor, Rev. Wm. J. Hard,
and thus severing the relations which have so
pleasantly and harmoniously existed between
us, while we bow in humble submission to the
will of God, we cannot withhold the expres
sion us our profound regret at the separation
from one so faithful, so orthodox and zealous,
and whose life is so illustrative of the doo
trines of our divine Master, that he preaches.
Resolved, That we commend him to the
brethren everywhere as worthy of their high
est regard, and pray God that success may
attend his labors in new fields «f his choice.
Resolved, That these resolutions shall be
placed upon the minutes of our church, and
a copy furnished the Ciiuistian Inokx for
publication. Gko. W. Evans, Mod.
J. T. Skinnkk, Clerk.
Abtline Church, Columbia eo., Ga., Nov. 0,1809.
To (lie Brethren of the Bethel Association.
Dear Brethren : You will remember that
at the last session of the Bethel Association,
1 was appointed to raise funds to repair and
fit up the Baptist Female College of South-
Western Georgia. I commenced the work at
the Association, and have succeeded so far
pretty well, and 1 am encouraged to believe
I shall be able to raise the amount needed.
The subscriptions were made one-half paya
ble the first of January, 1870, and the other
half January, 1871. I now earnestly request
all those that gave me r. subscription, to
forward at once the half now due; it will be
out of my power to visit you at this time,
and the money is needed to go forward with
the repairs.
The condition of the buildings is such,
and the Trustees alter making several unsuc
cessful efforts to employ a suitable man to
take charge of the school, have determined
•hot to open the school until next September.
We wish, if possible, to have the buildings in
complete order by that time, and it is°also
hoped we shall be able to secure a suitable
man by the fall, to take charge of the Institu
tion. Thomas Muse,
Agent B. F. 0. S. IF. Ga,
Cuthbert, Ga., Jan. 4, 1870.
From the Field.
I believe that no month has revealed to mo
more of the wickedness of the people, than
the pa->t. Oftentimes my heart has been made
sad, by observation, and a revelation tint so
many of our Baptist members, in various sec
tions of the country, deal largely in liquors.
Our churches usually exclude members upon
getting drunk, or selling liquor by retail.
But our large wholesale dealers arc held as
good and faithful members. A deacon told
me, that it would not do to exclude the whole
sale dealers, for some of them were our most
liberal -supporters of missions and the church.
How sad ! It makes my heart ache to walk
about a city, or over the country, and see the
people rushing to ruin.
1 never use tobacco in any form—lnrc of
ten been made sick by others smoking. 1
stopped at one place where there were four
men, all of whom lighted their pipes at once.
They made a circle around the fire, I next to
the wall, and a little girl next to me. 1 was
tried by the curling fumes. Soon a lady
came in, with lighted pipe also, and hers
looked as if she had filled it at the tobacco
house, for she made as much smoke as the
four men. The little girl gave her seat to
the lady, so she sat next to me. 1 have often
said I never smoked, but 1 certainly smoked
that morning. I believe it is a sin to use to
bacco, as hundreds of our best people do, in
these days of poverty and want. Have vis
ited two Christmas Trees, ono with the white
and one with the colored people. At each
place the little folks had a gay time. All
got a present, which tended greatly to their
happiness. Ihe colored children saug several
beautiful songs, and had some interesting and
instructive recitations, which added much to
the occasion. Ihey reflected credit upou
their instructors, as well as themselves, in
the exercise*, manifesting much improvement.
Attended a Christmas festival at Second Bap
tist church, in this city. In some respects it
surpassed any thingofthe kind which ithas ever
been my lot to witness. It was opened and
closed with prayer. They had songs and reci
tations. Ihe room was beautfully decorated.
The occasion was gay, yet religious ? lively,
yet solemn. One recitation, called “ The Lit’
tie Penitent,” performed by two little girls
(Georgia and Maggie), in which the school
joined in a song, was touching and beautiful.
Well may the parents be proud of their dear
little ones. “The Apostrophe of Heaven,”
by three Misses, was also magnificent. Miss
Baitlet s address, t as she bowed upon the altar,,
moved the soul. Miss Victoria filled the room"
with her elegant and beautiful voice. Tho
other member of the trio also acted well her
part. Why not make all of our Festivals,
Christmas and Maydays, more religious?
Most people are fond of compliments, so I
will close with one to the Baptists. Rev. 11.
11. Tucker, D. D., (Baptist), President of
Mercer University, Penfield, Ga., preached
recently in a Presbyterian church. A gentle
man, (not a Baptist), to whom Mr. Tucker
was a stranger, was asked how he liked the
sermon. To which he replied, that he liked
it very well, and that he was a very talented
man. But there was qne curious thing to
him, for, said he, “ I do not see how a man <_f
Dr. iucker’s sense, oan believe in the doctrine
of Infant Baptism." Yours very truly.
„ F. M. Hayoood.
Macon, Ga., Jan. 1, 1869.
To the Baptist Sunday School Wokers of the
United States.
Dear Fellow-Laborers. —At the recent »a
tional'BaptistSunday School Convention,heldi
at St. Louis, the propriety of publishing a.
teacher’s paper was disonssed, and the whole
matter was refforred to a oommittee of seven!
brethren. lhat committee have arranged
with the American Baptist Publication society
to publish The Baptist Teacher, a monthly of
eight pages.
Its mission will be to afford a series of les
sons with questions, oxplantaory notes and
illustrations, which from a Baptist stand point>
will be rendered so attractive that it is hoped
every Baptist Sunday school in the land will
not only adopt the lessons, but will subscribe
for a sufficient number of copies to supply
all of their teachers. The beautiful harmony
of thought and feeling that will bo produoed
among those studying together will certainly
be a coveted attainment in denominational
unity and fellowship, so much desired, by the
brotherhood from every section of this broad
land. It will be a truly national organ, at
tractive in appearance, ably edited, conducted
in the interest of our entire denomination,
and will command the Baptist talent North,
South, East and West, in its articles upon
the best methods of managing ar.d teach
ing Sunday schools.
The time has arrived when the Baptists of
America shonld strike hands in one grand and
united effort to marshal every force at our
command for taking the youth of the land
for Christ. In this mighty host lies the per
petuity and strength of ourjchurches. Belore
us lies a field bright with promise.
As an assistant to the pastor, the tenoher,
and the parent, The Baptist Teacher will be
invaluable. Let every pastor and superin
tendent become personly interested, and sec
that it circulates largely among the teachers
of their schools.
May the great Head of the church crown
it with rich blessings, and render it the means
of uniting us more firmly in bonds of Chris
tain fellowship and inspiring us to labor more
diligently for t\c glory of our common Mas
ter. E. D. Jones Chair’n
St. Louis, Mo.
“Tub Coming of Christ in His Kimodcm.”—
Our readers should not overlook the artEle; #f
Rev. S. G. Flillyer, D.D., under this heading.
The subject is one wliioh is of equal important)*
and interest: and the Dr. writes on all subjects
judiciously and forcibly.
08" The Editor has been suffering from neuralgia,
and is iudebted to a friend for the eader, “ What.
One Man is Doing,”