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About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (March 24, 1870)
46 fitikx iul .f. J.~TOON, - - - - Proprietor. PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D. CORRESPONDING EDITORS : Ri:v. J. J. D. ItENFROE, Talladega, Ala. Rkv. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala. THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870. A Loose Communion Leader (!) The Free Will Baptists, as our readers know, are loose communionists ; and their principal or gan—the Morning Star, New York, —betrays no little zeal in behalf of their error in that regard. In a recent issue, it represents “a leading Baptist clergyman” as having said, a short while since: “If we only had a leader, we could rescue the Baptist denomination from the bondage of close communion !” Why does he not step into that vacant position himself? Who raore.fit to be a “leader” than one who is already a “leading cler gyman?” Shame on the dastard spirit, which whispers in secret that it owes to Christ a work for the purity of His church, and skulks from the manly avowal of this conviction under the eye of the sun, “Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would,' Like the poor cat i’ the adage," until a braver, nobler soul arises to hark it on 1 The statement of the Star refutes itself. No such intellectual and moral pigmy can be a “leading” man anywhere. As well might Tom-Thumb break on the world in thy.character of a champion prize fighter. “If we only had a leader!” In these words, Sawtelie, Malcom and Kennedy may read the sen tence which has gone forth against them even from the tribunal of Baptist latitudinarianism. They are not leaders: indeed, no. True, on their de fection from the scriptural practice of our denomi nation, the insignia ol that office were instantly conferred on them. With quite a flourish of trumpets, they were attired in the purple robe; and the sceptre —the rod of iron for recusant Bap tists, rather,—was placed in their hands. Even tin- springs of prophecy were unsealed, and a steady stream of predictions flowed from it, to celebrate beforehand their mighty achievements in the subversion of our principles. But “the proof of trie pudding” lias put all these fond dreams to flight. One by one, the “conquering heroes” (that were to be) have been degraded from the high post into which they were inconti nently thrust; and they are now informed, with the characteristic indirection of loose communion ists, that their place henceforth is in the rank and file—if, peichance, a rank and file should ever bo found ‘marching to the music of union’ on the basis of this ecclesiastical anarchy. For, after all, we gravely suspect that the real difficulty of the case is, the want, not of a leader, but of a host to he led. To tell the plain truth, these gentlemen have been expected to renew, with brilliant suc cess, the effort of the militia captain to ‘go through the evolutions’ without a company and to “form the hollow square” by himself 1 No wonder they broke down under that strain ; it must have been simply awful. One would naturally think, that thrice-repeated disappointment in this matter, would make men chary of new ventures in the prophesying line. But, like signs of rain in dry weather, all reasona ble calculations couie to nought in the case ol over-zealous loose communionists, and the Star has bit upon another man to form the hollow square, this time Without fail. It has discovered] one who “has many of the elements of a leader,” and who, “if the Lord confers upon him the honor of inspiring the timid with courage to assert their convictions and stand up for truth and liberty, will prove to be a deliverer to the Baptist denomi nation.” lie is “a distinguished Baptist minister, who has held the pastorate of some of the leading Baptist churches in the country—like the Second Baptist, Cleveland, Ohio, the First Baptist, Buf falo, N. Y., the Eleventh Baptist, Philadelphia, and who is now pastor of Lecompton Avenue Church, in Brooklyn.” Many will recognize him by these ear-marks; but for the sake of those who do not, our pen must take to itself the honor of tracing the name of Rkv. J. Hyatt Smith. We have no wish to disparage this “strong, earnest, bold” divine: there would be no need of it, if the statement of the Star were true—for, to be taken in the snare of the loose communion “gull-catcher,” (if wo may grace the subject with a Shakspearean phrase,) would be disparagement enough for any mortal man. But the New York Examiner & Chronicle alleges that “the whole statement is a canard, with just no foundation in the facts.” Mr. Smith “has no thought of changing the practice" of our Lecompton Avenue brethren, “as a regular Baptist church.” Those who groan under “the bon dage cf dose communion,” therefore, must look e’sewhere for leadership in that which has proved, many tiroes over, a “lost cause. Perhaps, in their desperation, they will decide to act without a leader —to follow themselves (!)—in what strikes us as merely the first stage of the progress from the safe enclosure of Organic Christianity to “that ‘Ca thedral of Immensity’ where Mr. Carlyle tells us he goes to meeting”—where not only the closeness is lost from communion, but communion itself is lost from the soul. The Sabbat h School Board. So much has recently been said by the efficient Secretaries of this Board, through the public prints, that wo scarcely know how to add a word that will assist them. Besides, according to the current views of the present age on the subject of Sabbath schools, we, if tried, would hardly bear the test of orthodoxy. Let no one suppose from this that we are not the friend of Sabbath schools; but we believe and have respect for about one-half we see on that subject. The Sabbath School Board have committed to them a very important and delicate trust; for the Sabbath school enterprise has become an estab lished institution amongst Baptists; and will re main for many years— perhaps for all time—a promising and fruitful department of t.bristian effort. And, there fine, those who are so honored as to have the supervision of this work committed to them, may welt feel that theirs is a trust of no small proportions. We have not the minutes of the last Conven tion at hand, but guided by our own views, we will mention two sphervs of labor that seem to claim the attention of this Board. The fii’3t is the work of establishing Sabbath schools and the diffusion of a Sabbath school spirit throughout the denomination in the South and South-West, and particularly in those churches that have not been accustomed to have Sabbath schools. That this Geld is before them, and this work to be accomplished by them to the full measure of their abilities, will be questioned by none. ' Another work that seems to come within the scope of their obligations, is that of furnishing these schools with a healthy and faithful Sabbath school literature. If it be decided that the Board has nothing to do in this line, it will be limited, as no other Sabbath School Board lust been, and deprived of an important sphere of labor. Now, it is clear that the Board cannot accom plish these things without the co-operation of our stronger churches and iiitluential brethren. They will be compelled to have money. To secure this co-operation, is the delicate part t f the Board’s work. The other two Boards of THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTn-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THDRSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870. the Convention have felt this, and have had to make their way up to their present position through severe trials and delicate straits. The Sabbath School Board may have some of these trials to encounter. In preparing a Sabbath school literature, the Board cannot be too care ful. This is the point of their greatest need of wise counsels. There is a vast amount of worth less trash scattered among the children of this age, called Sabbath school literature. In connection with all our brethren, we have rejoiced at the union of Kind Words and The Child's Delight. If Teasdale and Boykin cannot make such a paper as our Sabbath schools need, it would be exceedingly difficult to find men wno can. They have our entire sympathy and confi dence, as have the Board. And we bespeak for them the hearty co-operation of our entire broth erhood in the South. R. Ministerial Popularity and Usefulness. “W c fought against him when he came, and would have fought for him when he went away,” said some old men who had been parish oners of Dr. Thomas Reid, when he held the living of New Machar, by presentation from King’s College, Aberdeen. The indiscretion of a predecessor had stirred their passions, and the law of patron age cut athwart their principles. Between the two, his first discharge of clerical functions among them, not only encountered violent opposition, but exposed him to personal danger. So great a change came over their feelings, however, that on his departure they relinquished him with tears and followed him with blessings. And what was ft that transformed bitter hatred to tender affection ? What swept away the storm cloud of unpopularity, and brought in lieu the sunlight of esteem and love? If we may credit his biographer, Dugald Stewart, this revolution in the mind of the people was due partly to Dr. Reid himself—to “ his unwearied attention to the duties of his office, the mildness and forbearance of his temper, and the active spirit of his hu manity.” But his wife, also, had a share in it, by “ her accommodating manners, and her good offices among the sick and necessitous.” We may well leave these facts to impress their two-fold moral, and content ourselves with the simple statement of it. 1. That popularity of a minister which condu ces to usefulness is secured by the spirit of per sonal piety and the discharge of official obliga tion. It needs no “expedients”—no temporiz ings; but is hindered and harmed hy them. Let those who hold the sacred office have hearts true to the Lord and hands diligent in (he work He assigns them : He will give them favor in the eyes of the people. 2. Happy the minister who Ins a wife helpful in his labors! It is like » doubling of his effi ciency, if she catches the spirit which impels him to prayer and toil, and, in her private sphere, abounds, as opportunity allows, in good works. This is better than that tl-.e church he serves should have two pastors, wifeless, or ill-matched for >i true pastor and true pastor s wife are the highest blessing God vouchsafes to any congre gation of His saints. Baptismal Remission. A correspondent of the American Christian Review states, that the practice of postponing im mersion after persons have made “ the good con fession,” is “becoming alarmingly lrequent” among Disciples, (or “ Campbellites.”) He is entirely right, we think, in regarding this practice as “ a virtual giving up of the doctrine of bap tism for the remission of sins.” With abundant reason, lie exclaims: “What! A man convinced that he has been all his lifetime sinning against God and His Christ, and that he is on that account under condemnation, and liable to be cast into hell, and must remain so until he is buried with Christ in baptism —and still, of choice, postpone his obedience a month, a week, or even a day 1 Convinced that he is in the kingdom of darkness, and must remain thereuntil by his immersion—his burial and his resurrection —he is translated ‘into the kingdom of Gods dear Son,’ and yet wish to remain there for a season ! How absurd!’’ Al together too absurd, we should say, to obtain cre dence for a moment. The clear (act is, that the persons who make this postponement, and the preachers who connive at it, “on account (as our informant seems to think) “of the invariably increased audiences when it is known that immer sions are to take place,” do not really believe that the unbaptized are “ liable (in spite of ‘the good confession’) to he cast into hell’ for want of that ordinance. The doctrine of baptismal remission is manifestly losing ground within the territory of “the current Reformation” itself; and even there, men feel that the believing soul is safe before and without the symbolic burial and resurrection. The pulpit creed on that point is confronted by a practical denial and refutation in the bosom of the very sect which gives a nominal acceptance to it. Why should it be embraced, then, by “those that are without?” Hu in an Dependence. Authentic history contains no instance of un aided self-civilization, on the part of a people once savage. Movements in this direction have always been the result of impulse from abroad. Judging the capabilities of our nature from its achieve ments, it follows that nations cannot civilize them selves without external help. To rise aline, transcends their ability: they must be lifted. Now, why may we not transfer this principle from the plane of merely intellectual life to the plane of life spiritual ? If human nature has no independent power even to civilize itself—why should we credit it with the power of independent self-i egeneration? Must it not hold true, a for tiori, that the dependence on help which obtains (as all history demonstrates) in the lower and less difficult sphere, reaches (as Scripture testifies) into the sphere which is higher aud of greater diffi culty ? Thus, that Science of Human Nature, on which infidel Positivism plumes itself as its perfect fruit and crown of glory, bears witness to one of the most profound and most unwelcome truths of Christianity—the truth, namely, that this nature can never rise above the inward reign of sin, ex cept through aids which come to it from without. If in the civilization that simply developes, much more in the regeneration that transforms, another Hand than ours must lift us. Our Domestic Mission Board. A Southern Methodist Conference, at its recent session, received $22.80, the amount of the Sab bath collection at the Baptist church of the city in which the session was held. The Conference, by resolution, testified its high appreciation of “this generous expression of Christian courtesy andsytn' pathy from a sister denomination.” An exchange, also, represents that the sum in question wa3 “the regular monthly collection” of the church, and was contributed, through one of the deacons, as a ‘donation to the Domestic Mission Board of the Conference.’ We have no comments to make on this trans action ; as we suppose, —the foregoing statements to the contrary notwithstanding,—that there was nothing more in it, than a relinquishment to the Conference of the privilege of lifting a collection on that occasion, from those who were willing to contribute toward its funds. Our purpose in re ferring to it, is of quite another sort. The great majority of Baptist churches at the South may bo 'fairly considered as pledged to the support of the Domestic Mission Board of our own Convention. That Board has been embarrassed by debt; and, while it is doing a good work, it is obliged to leave many important fields vacant, because its means 1 are not adequate to their occupancy. Now, are there any of these churches, in which no collec- ; tion has been made, the present year, in behalf of this Board? If there are such churches, might ! not all of them well try the experiment, whether j as barge a sum may not be secured from their next SMath-congregation for our Board, as was se cured from the congregation of the Baptist church already mentioned, for the Southern Methodist Board ? Make a trial of the matter, brethren and send at least $22.80 to Newnan, or Louisville, for the Board at Marion. We think you can do it. We think you ought to. Will you? Will you nott “The.” “The Rev. Joseph Walker isdead.” Sosays a Northern exchange; but we do not know hy what authority it frames the announcement after that Style. Os all Rev. Joseph Walkers, was the sub ject of the paragraph from which we quote, the only one truly entitled to the prefix “Rev.?” Had he a more valid claim to it than the former editor of the Ciiristian Index, now quietly and faithfully prosecuting his ministry in Virginia ? We dare say, not. Why, then, style him “ the Rev. Joseph Walker,” as if the prefix belonged to him by exclusive right ? The simple truth is that a “Rev. Joseph Walker is dead;” and very indefinite must be the habits of thought which associate with the announcement of this fact that article, which is shorn of its legitimate functions and forced to bear false witness when standing where it is not and cannot be “definite.” Reviews and Notices. Annual of Scientific Discovery: Or,Year-Book ol Facts in Science aud Art lor 1870; exhibiting the most inuortaiit Discoveries and Improvements in Mechanics, Useful Arts, Natural Philosophy, Chem istry, Astronomy. Ueolojjy, Biology, Botany, Min eralogy, Meleorology, Geography, Antiquities, etc.; together with Notes on the Progress of Science during the year 1869—a List of recent Scientific Publications —Obituaries of eminent men of Science, etc. Edited by John Trowbridge, 5.8., Assistant Professor of Physios in the Massachusetts Insti tute of Technology ; aided by Samuel Kueeland, M D., Professor of Zoology and Physiology in the Institute, and W. R. Nichols, Graduate of the 111- slitute. Boston : Gould & Lincoln. Pp. 354. with Portrait of Benjamin Pierce, Professor ol Mathe matics in Harvard College and Superintendent ol the United Stales Coast Survey. Price, $9. This publication runs back, with the break, we believe, of but a single j'ear, to 1850, making the present the twentieth volume. Each volume is distinct in itself, and contains entirely new mat ter. The series has earned a high reputation, as a record of current improvements and discoveries in art and science, and is indispensable to those who would keep up an intelligent general acquaint ance with the march of events in that department of human research. We cull a fevv items, as illustrating (though hut partially) its practical value. A series of chemical tests with lager beer, hy Prof. C. F. Chandler of the School of Mines of Columbia College, proves that the nourishing qualities ignorantly assigned to this drink are only fictitious—since it is composed chiefly of water with a certain amount of alcohol, enough to cause intoxication when copiously imbibed. Gen. Morin, in a report to the French Academy, shows that stoves and heating apparatus in cast or sheet iron, without interior linings of fire-bricks or other refractory substances which will prevent their becoming red-hot, are dangerous to health ; for, at a dull red heat, they cause the develop ment of a determinate but variable amount of carbonic oxide, a very poisonous gas. Fresenius calls attention to the fact that the soda of commerce contains arsenic—(a fact of no little significance if the soda used in cooking comes under this denomination.) The “safety envelopes,” now extensively man ufactured in England, are sealed with a gum— (from the thick tough sap in the leaves of New Zealand flax)—which, when dry, unites the sur faces of paper so thoroughly that no process of steaming or soaking will permit them to be sepa rated again. Even stout drawing paper can be made as trans parent as the thin yellowish paper at present used for tracing purposes. “If it he damped with pure and fresh-distilled benzine it at once assumes a transparency, and admits of ink or water-colors being used on its surface without any ‘running.’ The paper resumes its opacity as the benzine evaporates, and if the drawing is not then com pleted, the requisite portion of the paper must he again damped with the benzine.” But we might fill columns with such paragraphs —and must forbear. The volume will be found to contain many “ facts—curious, entertaining and instructive —for the farmer, merchant, law yer, physician, statesman, clergyman, scientist, teacher and artist.” John Ploughman’s Talk: or, Plain Advice for Plain People. By C. 11. Spurgeon. Sheldon & Cos, New York, publishers. For sale also, by J. B. Lippincott &C Cos.. 715 and 717, Market street. Phil adelphia, and by Phillips $ Crew, Atlanta. Pp. 177. This little volume treats a score and more of practical topics in every-day life, with great plainness of speech, often with humor, and always with good sense—facts which have won for it a wide popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. The Galaxy : An Illustrated Magazine. New York : Sheldon & Cos. Terms, $4 a year. Contents for April.— l. Put Yourself in his Place, by Charles Reade, chapters xxxvni, xxxix. 2. Mr. Raymond and Journalism, by L. J. Jen nings. 3. Letters from Havana: Laura D'Hau terive to Angela Gaynor, HI, bv E. de M. 4. Ex : le, by 11. 11. 5. Ten Years in Rome: The Propaganda. 6. An Editor’s Tales: IV, The Spotted Dog, Part I—The Attempt, by Anthony Trollope. 7. Eugenie, Empress of the French, by Justin McCarthy. 8. Pine Plank, by J. T. McKay. 9. The Case of Hamlet the Younger, by Richard Grant White. 10. The Future of New York. 11 The Galaxy Miscellany. 12. Drift-Wood, by Philip Quilibet. 13. Literature and Art. 14. Nebulae. Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc. Georgia. Rev. F. M. Haygood, of Macon, occupied the pulpit of the First Baptist church, Atlanta, last Sabbath night. Rev. J. B. Taylor, D.D., Cor. Sec. of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, passed through our city, this week, on his way to Mercer University, which he visits, (as he has visited other institutions of learning,) to as certain whether any students for the ministry can be induced and may properly be encouraged to devote themselves to the work abroad. Alabama. A worthy young brother, in a letter on other subjects, writes to us: “I am a minister twenty two years old, without money. I have just en tered the Freshman class in Howard College. I am trying to work my way through. It is hard to do, and sometimes at the end of the week I find myself out of money, and do not know where she next dollar is to come from.” Haven’t you, reader, a dollar, or five* or ten, which you will send us for him ? We would gladly serve as the instrument of conveyance for deserved and time ly aid. Arkansas. E. L. Maynard was ordained to the ministry, at Pleasant Grove church, Pulaski county, Feb. 27th: sermon by Rev. T. B. Espy, District of Columbia. Rev. Romeo Elton, D.D., recently deceased, left $20,000 to Columbian College, Washington, to found a professorship. He left a like amount, for that purpose, to Brown University, Providence, R. I. Kentucky. B. F. Spillman was ordained to the ministry, Feb. 26 ih, at Peter's Creek, Barron county. Nouth Carolina. At the last session Tar River Association re ported 202 baptism* and 2,294 members of churches; Raleigh Association, 232 baptisms and 3,921 members; Flat River, 246 baptisms and 2,732 members ; Eastern, 238 baptisms and 4,677 members; Sandy Creek, 149 baptisms and 2,678 members; Yadkin, 31G baptisms and "2,178 mem bers ; Brown Creek, 264 baptisms, and 1,395 members; .Catawba; 225 baptisms and 1,605 mem bers; Cedar Creek, 23tH5Sptisms and 2,876 mem bers. A correspondent of the Raleigh Re corder says; “The Baptist Associations in the Western end of North Carolina are rolling on in sweet Christian love, union and harmony and friendship.” Louisiana. Four squares of ground on St. Charles street, near Carrollton, New Orleans, with a house and other buildings on one of the squares, have beea purchased, at a cost of $25,000, as the site of a Baptist University for Ereedmen. The American Baptist Home Mission Society pays half the amount, and Dea. Chamberlin SIO,OOO of the re mainder. Mississippi. “ Sunflower county has no Baptist minister, and they say they would support one well.” The church at Amaziab, Tippah county, reports the exclusion of Rev. W. M. Williams for unchristian conduct. Rev. J. died at Centre Hill, DeSoto county, recerihyjv after a severe week’s illness. Rev. J. B. Gambrell takes charge of West Point church, county. Tennessee. Rev D. M. Breaker,, editor of the East Ten nessee Baptist, has ‘abandoned his school in compliance with the wishes of the friends of the paper, to get his support from that source if he gets it at all.’ Rev. T. A. Higdom commenced his labors at Ducktown, two and a-half years ago, with not more than twenty Baptists in the place; and the church, which he organized, now num bers 200. Virginia. The Young Men’s Missionary Society of the Second church, Richmond, has decided to support a native missionary in China Rev. Stephen Eastin, of Fluvanna, county, died, Feb. 19th, in his 72nd year. Rey. A. E. Dickinson, of Rich mond, lias been elected associate editor of the Young Reaper, the child’s paper of the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia, but has postponed the decision of the matter until the meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, next May. The Baptist Secretary, a little sheet published four times a year in the interest of the Boards of the Virginia Baptist General Association, says, in its last issue, of the Baptist Teacher: “The merits of this monthly paper are so decided, that it deserves distinct com mendation. Its Girth was auspicious. Announced at the great St. Louis Sunday School Convention, where the Baptists es America forgot the past, and were led by a ‘little child,’ it was duly ushered into being with this opening year. Its dawning life was effectively fostered by its edit ors, Rev. A. E. Dickinson, of the Herald, (this Board’s former efficient superintendent,) and Rev. Geo. A. Peltz, of Phdedelphia, where it is print ed. It is a beautiful, bright, vigorous journal, full of Sunday school intelligence, with Bible lessons, and sparkling all over with the best thoughts of the &est authors. It is true as steel to Baptist No school ought to do without it. <ropies 75 cents, 10 or more copied 50 cents orders, with the money enclosed, to **Baptist Teacher' 530 Arch street, Philadelphia.” XV f*t Virginia. Our church at Butler has had 18 accessions, and our church at Boothsville, 14. The Sunday School Board, S. B. C. Alter an absence of twelve weeks from my office, in the interest of the Sunday School Board, I am once more at my post. Our Board hel 1 a large and enthusiastic meeting to-day. We are all jubilant over the rapid advancement of our noble cause. Kind Words—The Child’s Delight. It was resolved at the meeting to-day to present Kind Word.'—The Child’s Delight, with an entirely new dress as a May-day gift. It is intended to make its external attractions —in the quality of the paper, the size of its type, the beauty of its cuts, etc. —correspond, in some good degree, with its internal merits. When these improvements shall have been consummated, we shall be able to challenge the world to produce a better paper for chil dren than our “Kind Words.” Brother Boy kin, as you know, is the Prince of editors for a child’s paper; and he means to immortal ize himself in making our paper the very best in the world. He will he supported, also, by the best writing talent for children in the land. There will henceforth be no necessity for looking towards the north pole for a suit able Sunday School paper for Southern chil dren. We shall have it at home, in the organ of one of the Boards of our own Convention. Now let the list of subscribers be run up to 100,000 at once. Roll of Honor. We have opened a book in our office, in which we enter the names of all the children who contribute any amount to the Sunday School Board ; and we mean to preserve it among the archives of the Board as the Roll of Honor for our little workers. We have a large list of names already to be inserted. L“t the Sunday Schools all over the South send in the names of all those who collect for us, or contribute themselves for the objects of our Board, that they may be entered on our Roll of Honor. Remember, too, that a prize is given to each contributor, or collector ! Swell the list as rapidly as possible. We have a lady engrosser, who works for noth ing for us, who wishes to be kept busy in entering in our Honor Book the names of the -contributors. Dear children, keep her busy ! Send on the names ! A Noble Proposition. ' The following letter speaks for itself: “ In a recent number of the Baptist, I notice a proposition from some brother, (incog, as to name and place,) offering a prize of SIOO for a Sunday School book best calculated to Dad the young to Christ. In connection there with, you ask the question, ‘Who will give another SIOO to procure the stereotype plates for the work when written ?’ I answer, I will be one of floe to contribute, each, S2O for that purpose; the amount to be paid over to you as soon as it shall be certainly ascertain' ed that an acceptable book of the character named by the proposer of the prize will be written. Let us have the book out, and into active service, as soon as possible. What other four brethren will give the balance of the amount? Let us hear from you at once. Sknex.” Now, brethren, send us the,other four pledges without delay. Several Mss. are already received as competitors for the prize. Others are soon to to us. The book will be one of unusual merit. The names of the contributors to procure the stereotype plates will be inserted on the title page of the book. Whose names shall appear on the title page of “a book best calculated to lead chil dren to Christ?” * Another Proposition. A friend to the Sabbath School cause has sent to R. G. Craig & Cos., Memphis, Penn , a lot of Brazilian pop corn for sale, and di rects the proceeds to be applied to the pur chase of books for a Sabbath School in a city devastated by the war. The price is 10 cents per ear. Those who are fond of the best pop corn, (Dr. Phillips, of the Southern Farmer, savs it is the best, and he knows,) would do well to send us their orders at once. They would subserve their own interests thereby, besides aiding a very worthy object. Prizes for the Children.’ Let us beg the dear children who have sent in their contributions and collections for our Board to be patient a little while longer. Our long absence from the office will occasion a little delay in preparing the prizes and send ing them to the children to whom they be long. They will be forthcoming soon. Thos. C. Teasdale. Cor. Sec Sunday School Board. S. B. C. P. S.—What Sunday Schools in Georgia and Alabama will be represented in the South ern Baptist Convention in May next, by the contribution of SIOO to the Sunday School Board ? Several have determined to do so, and have already sent us the money. How many more will follow their example ? History of Georgia Baptists. In a late number of the Index, the editor having kindly urged the brethren to provide fur the publication of the new edition of my History of Georgia Baptists, I take occasion to respond by making the following state ments: The first edition of two thousand copies was published in 1847, which was soon disposed of. It contains —1, Biographical Sketches of sixty five Ministers; 2, Introduc tion of Baptist sentiments into the State; 3, Increase of the Denomination ; 4, Benev olent Institutions; 5, Histories of the State Convention, and of the following Associations, viz : Georgia, Sarepta, Ilephzibah, Savannah River, Ocmulgee, Ocmulgee Junior, Ebene zer, Piedmont, Sunbury, Tugaio River, Yel low River, Flint River, Mountain, Hightower, Cnattahoocliee, Columbus, Western, United, Canoochee, ltchaconna, Washington, Chatta hoochee River, Oaklocknee, Houston, Rock- Mountain, Primitive Western, Oconee and Central. Among the more prominent min isters mentioned in this edition, are Edmund Botsford, Daniel Marshall, William Davis, Henry Holcombe, Cnailes O. Screven, Win. T. Brantly, Sr., Silas Mercer, (father of Jesse Mercer,) Dozier Thornton, Joseph Clay, (pronounced by Judge Berrien, the most elo quent man he ever hearJ,) George D. Sweet and Jesse Mercer. This synopsis is given, under the impres sion that comparatively few of your readers possess this unpretending volume. About two years ago, the second edition of this History was ready (or the press. In ad dition to the foregoing, it comprises the (ol lowing items: 1, Biographical sketches of thirty ministers; 2, History of State Con vention, continued ; 3, Histories of the follow ing Associations, viz: Bethel, Rehoboth, New Sunbury, Sunbury, continued; 4, Literary Institutions: Mercer University, Cherokee Baptist College, Monroe Female University, Bapt’st Female College, (Culhbert,) Wash ington Institute and Hearn School. Among the more eminent ministers, whose biogra phies will he given as new matters, are W. A. Callaway, Humphrey Posey, B. M. San ders, C. D. Mallary, V. R. Thornton, J. E. Dawson, Jacob King, 11. O. Wyer, Josiah S. Law, J. S. Dennard, (Missionary to Africa,) and Adiel Sherwood. Several of these sketches will comain from fifteen to twenty five pages. They will possess one merit at least, —that of truthfulness, —the author hav ing been intimately associated, for years, with many of the good men, whose memory he has thus attempted to rescue from oblivion, and whose example he would record for the bene fit of the present and future generations. The new edition will contain from five to six hundred pages, probably about five hun dred and fifty. Soon after its completion, an effort was made to publish the work by subscription, which was only partially successful. Not having the means of publishing myself, nor of paying agents to canvass for subscriptions, the only thing left for me to do was, to lay the manuscript aside, and try to preserve it for future use. Should it be destroyed by fire or otherwise, the loss could hardly be repaired. Jf the Baptists of Georgia feel sufficient in terest in the matter, it is believed that sub scriptions for one thousand copies could easily be obtained. A simultaneous effort through out the State, between this and the Conven tion at Newnan, would likely accomplish the object. I shall be thankful if it is made, though, of course, I cannot urge it. Should brethren act on the foregoing sug gestion, subscriptions may be turned over to brother 11. C. Ilornady at the Convention at Newnan, or forwarded to me at this place. The book will be furnished to subscribers as low as it can be afforded, and the money will not be called for till a sufficient number of subscribers are obtained. J. 11. Campbell. Thomasvilte, Ga., March 15 th, 1870. We beg our readers, in Georgia especially, to act on the very fesiable plan which Bro. Camp bell suggests, and do hereby put our name on the list of subscribers. Come, brethren ; the pur pose is a good one ; let us accomplish it at once. We will publish, next week, a biographical sketch from the work, as a fair specimen of its interest and value. Florida Baptist Association, The Executive Committee of this Associa tion, at a regular meeting, adopted the fol lowing preamble and resolutions: “ Whereas , There is a great destitution of preaching and religious influence in the terri torial limits of this Association, which cannot be supplied by the labors of one missionary ; and whereas, we feel it to be our duty to en deavor to occupy this field, but have not the necessary funds on hand : therefore, Resolved, That application at once be made to the churches of this Association, through their pastors, to solicit quarterly contribu tions from their members individually, and from their congregations at large. Resolved, That each member of this Com mittee act as au agenlf for the collection of funds, as opportunity may offer.” The above plan is being practically tested in a number of our churches, which have adopted it; and the results, so far, are very encouraging. So satisfactory is the success attending it, that the Executive Committee have employed three brethren as missionaries for the Association. Two of them give their entire time to the work; and the other, more than one-half of his. Believing that the re port of our missionary, engaged for the first quarter, will interest and encourage the hearts of some of the readers of the Index, and especially Florida brethren, 1 herewith ap pend it, to-wit: “ Report of Elder W. W. Bostic, Mistiona ry Fla. Bop. Asso., for I*/ quarter; 1. Trav elled 1,210 tqiles. ss. Preached 48 sermons. 3. Baptized 48 whiles and 5 colored. 4. Re stored 3 and received by letter 2. 5. Re ceived 5 from Primitive Baptist churches. 0. Assisted in ordaining one white and one col ored minister, and three deacons of churches. 7. Collected from destitute churches and congregations, $46 DO.” We led that the Lord of the harvest has blessed the efforts which have been made for the promotion of II is glory; and, dear breth ren, ought it not to encourage oue and all of us to activity, zeal and liberality in Ilis cause 1 Mav we seriously ponder, and weigh well the*question, “How much owest thou my Lord 1" Are we faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God ? fie commits to our trust, by liberal bestowm'ent, and yet how few render “ unto God the things that are God’s!” As an excuse for not giving to the objects which are promotive of God s glory, many persons use the plea, “l am ' n debt, and, therefore, honesty of purpose and justice to my creditors demand that 1 should econo mize my means and save my money for my creditors.” But, my dear brethren, is not God our oldest creditor, and surely the oldest debt should first be discharged. Again : is He not your largest creditor, and will you pay least where you owe most? Ah, where is honesty and justice when the cause of God is presented? Are you poor? Remember that the poor widow who cast in the two mites was commended above all others. A. M. Manning, Sec. Savannah Items. I have just received a letter from brother A. B. Earle, stating that he will reach Savan nah on the 23d April to commence his labors with us on Sunday, the 25th. This will be the time of our State Convention. Could he meet the Convention at Newnan, on his way from New Orleans, I doubt not but that it would be pleasant and profitable. God has greatly blessed the labors of this brother everywhere. We are looking to his coming to Savannah with great interest, and I take this opportunity of asking all the readers of the Index, who believe in prayer, to pray that the way may be prepared here, so that we may receive the fullness of God’s grace. Last Sunday evening I baptized four young persons from our mission in the southern part of the city. Dr. Edward L ithrop, pastor at Stamford, Conn., is expected here, in a few days, on a visit of some weeks to his daugh ter and other relatives. S. Landrum. March 18,1870. The Albany Revival. It affords me great pleasure to communi cate some good news from our church. The Lord has been graciously pouring out 11 is Spirit upon us for the past six weeks, reviv ing the hearts of His children and converting sinners. A Ministers’ Deacons’ and Sabbath School Meeting was held with our church, embracing the sth Sabbath in January. A report of this meeting has appeared in your paper. An interest being manifested on Sabbath night, we were induced to appoint meeting for Mon day night, and thus from day to day the meet ing was continued until last Sabbath night. Although there was a great deal of unpleasant weather during the time, we never missed having services twice each day', save one. During the meeting there were twelve re ceived by letter and restoration, and forty four by experience and baptism, makingjfifty six additions to our number in all. jThere are some seven or eight others who, I think, will join after a while. We were blessed with the labors of brethren Warren, of Macon, Cooper, of Americus, Muse, of Cuthbert, Langley, of Dawson, and Chaudoin, of Cottage Home. Brother A . H. Cooper was also with us some and preached twice. All things considered, it was the most remarkable meeting it has ever been my privilege to be in. The whole church has been greatly revived. To the great Head of the Church be all the praise. N. A. Bailey. Albany, Ga., March 14, 1870. A Word to the Alabama Churches. Dear Brethren and Sisters: You are doubt less informed, as to the action taken, during the late Meeting of the Baptist State Con vention, touching the orphan cause. The ne cessity of local agencies throughout the State, is apparent to all. By this means, abundant success can be given to the enterprise, and the pleasure afforded to all of helping forward a cause so angelic in kind. The sisters will have but a pleasurable task in bringing this work to an immortalizing triumph. Woman made herself an angel of mercy to the dying soldier a few years ago, and when remembering the pangs of the dying parent, occasioned by the thought of leaving those babes in destitution, she will be the same to the orphan. Who would ever think of re fusing aid to a lady on such a mission of love ? May it not be that we huve acted strangely even in our benevolence ? We have reported, resolved and looked serious while asking, what can we do for the negro, etc.? hut have seemed to say to the ot phans of our own brothers, many of whom fell in the effort to save us and ours from ruin, we must permit you to sink in oblivion, as a reward for your fathers’ bad conduct! Oh, thou monster ingratitude, how unlovely thou art! How can we look for prosperity while acting thus, unless it be such as was granted Belshazzar, to revel in luxury till the very hour of de struction. Were we to acknowledge the mighty obli gation to aid this cause, but attempt to hide behind the veil of poverty, wou and not almost numberless unnecessary expenditures, such as candies, Christmas toys, monkey shows, etc., rise up and condemn us? Then let the effort of all be, so to report of themselves as will enable them to meet with joy those fallen ones and their children in the dag of accounts. We cannot risk it, to not help such a work, lest we or ours cry in vain, in the day of our distress. Please let us hear from you at the earliest practical moment. Address, at Sel ma, care of Maj. Abner Williams. A Plan for the Relief of Our Own Or- PHANS. Let a neat box, titled, The Orphans’ Box, be placed prominently at each door of every church house. Appoint a treasurer for each church, or, if thought better, for each box— ladies preferable. Let these treasurers report and express to the General Agent, at Selma, care of Maj. Abner Williams, say every two months, which reports will be published by him, in the organ of the enterprise. Be it remembered, that the benefits of this institu tion, when erected, will apply to all destitute, orphan, white children. The orphans’ God will not suffer “the barrel of meal to waste, nor the cruse of oil to fail,” of that people who shall, in good faith, thus divide with their own distressed ones. Will “the ambassadors of Jesus” please call attention to the above ? J. Albert Hill, Gen. Aft. Selma, Ala., Jan. 13th , 1870. The Georgia Convention. This Convention will meet next month, and is the only Baptist State Convention that will meet before the Southern Baptist Convention in May, and we earnestly request every church in Georgia to make up a collection for the Domestic and Indian Board, and send the amounts by their delegates to that body. This can be used in helping us to pay the last dollar of indebtedness to our-needy mis sionaries. Brethren, we must pay this debt, the last dollar of it; let us pay in the name of Jesus, to whom we are indebted for all things. Remembur our eternal life— it is the gift of God ! Brought to mind by this paragraph, from the March number of the Journal, and ap propriately connected therewith, is the fol lowing resolution on the same subject, passed at the last session of the Georgia Associa tion : “Resolved , That this Association advise the ministers present, to lay the claims of the Domestic Mission Boaid before their respec tive churches, and endeavor to procure funds sufficient to the liquidation of the indebted ness of said Board, by the next session of our State Convention.” This resolution was unanimously passed. There will be but one meeting more, at many of our churches, before the Convention. Will there not be unanimous action, not only bv the ministers, by every protessed Christian' % Not only in the Georgia Association, but throughout the whole State, and each one according as God has blessed us, (He asks for no more,) pay our indebtedness to Him? One year ago this debt was almost in a state of repudiation. God has b'essed us, in turning us from the consequent shame and disgrace of such an act. The debt has been reduced almost, or quite, three-four’hs (?) Let us show our gratitude by paying up promptly not only the old debt, nut some thing in advance, and thus share the work before us, to the end that our Secretaries of the Boards, and missionaries, may hereafter work with lighter hearts and brighter hopes, in the arduous, but delightful task, of making known the name of Jesiis to all, from the least unto the greatest. \V. Washington , March ICiA, 1870. To the Baptists of Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Dear Brethren : I ani happy to be able to state to you that the Siirtdky School Board is going to take immediate and vigorous steps to render you all necessary aid in the g-and Sunday School work. It has just elected and commissioned Rev. F. M. II ay good as Gen eral Agent for the States of Georgia, Alabama and Florida, with headquarters at Macon, Ga., and it will be his duty to visit every portion of those States, in the Interest of the Board and of the Sunday-school work. Please address him or me at this place,and make your wants known, and state what cooperation you are willing to render the Board. VVe want all our schools to subscribe for Kind Words, which is to be enlarged and improved. We want every school to put itself In correspon dence with one or the other of the Secretaries of the Board, and make known its strength, numbers, and the probable extent to which it will give aid to the Board. Remember, brethren, the Sunday School Board is but the agent or instrumentality by which the Bap tists of the South are trying to bring the chil dren of the South to Jesus. Wont you all assist in this great and glori ous work? S. Boykin, District Secretary. Macon, Ga. Items. Work for the Fkeedmen. —The Watch man & Reflector says : Our theory for a long time has been that the freed men have at the South many of their best friends —men whom -Northern philanthropists would do wisely to consult witli respect to the best modes of giving to the emancipated the civil rights and the kind and degree of culture which will sub serve their true interest. Hence we have ad mired the wisdom of Dr. Sears in recognizing this fact, and putting himself into communi cation with this class of men, thus availing himself of the most serviceable aid in the ad ministration of his important trust. The Home Mission Society, studious of the wel fare of the freedmen, wpll not be so unwise as to ignore the judicious Christian men to be found in every Southern State, whose intelli gence and goodness of heart qualify them to be counsellors and co workers in the great work of enlightening and elevating the people whose common humanity and whose suscep tibility of improvement are frankly recog nized and acknowledged. Giving. —The Evangelical party in the English church, which Romanists and Ritual ists represent as dead, contributed last year, for various forms of mission work, SI,BOO, 000 (in currency.) Woman. —The Protestant Churchman con tains an able paper, showing that the failure of missions in West Africa results from not educating the girls. The boys soon relapse into barbarism, if they have no Christian girls with whom they can associate. Baptisms. —The South Georgia (Methodist) Conference reports, for the past year, 800 in - fant and 1,833 adult baptisms; the Mobile Conference, 1,059 adult and 858 infant bap tisms. Extravagant Claims. —Rev. Dr. Miner, (Boston,) in a recent speech in New York, said that ‘‘the Universalist exposition of the doctrine of endless punishment w.is now ac knowledged and preached in all the Protes tant churches, though it might not form part of their creed.” If this were true, (as every one knows it is not,) it augurs badly for the, cause of vital piety, judging from Tuft’s Col lege, (Universalist,) where there has not beer/ a prayer-meeting for three years, and where only six or seven of the students are profes sors of religion, t-ven after the low standard of that sect. Circumcision. —A recent Convention of Reforming Rabbis, at Philadelphia, decided that birth, not circumcision, is the initiation into the Jewish religion. Babylon Saints. —The “ Campbellite”' Standard, in reference to accessions from other denominations, says: “Some of those who come are Christians —they are already ‘in a saved state,’ but have been in Babylon with out knowing the way out. ‘Come out of her, my people.' ” Spiritualistic Concern. The Annual Convention of New Hampshire Spiritualists adopted the following resolution: “That this Convention views w ith concern the fact that a large majority <>f the children of this State are under the influence of the Sunday schools of the so-called evangelical sects, where they are taught to despise their own natures, and to believe that their God hates them, and that they can only be at peace with Him through a creed and bloody atonement.” They also decided “ that the (ear of God is the beginning of folly.” Queer Mission Policy. —ln sending out two hundred missionaries lately, Brigham Young selected, as their fields ot labor, States having more women than men ! “Yankees.” —The American Churchman, Chicag », says that the knaves in Utah are. nearly all Yankees, including the “apostles,” “bishops” and “elders,” and till who get the tithes; while the dupes are mainly very de graded European peasants, many of them from England and Wales, and members by baptism of the English Church. The Scriptures. —The Jewish authorities in London have issued a ne.v edition of the Old Testament in English, arranged for fami lies and schools; which, on inspection, is found to be no other than the authorised version verbatim ! English Protestantism. Peter Bayne writes from London to the Watchman <£ Re flector : There are thousands in England,— some would ray tens of thousands, bu* I am not so sure of that, —who were recently Pro testants, and who now rejoice in imitating Archbishop Manning in bringing intellect anil conscience into slavish submission to the Pope. Many good people are alarmed by this cir cumstance. I confess lam not. The species “fool” is a very wide one, and embraces a vast number of persons who pass for clever; but in the long run the course of the world is shaped, not by the fools—the sentimental fools, the dreaming fools, the dressing fools, the learned fools, or even the devout tools— Init by the wise men; and Protestantism in England has as strong a hold on t he affections of wise men as it ever had. The Other Side—The Revolution, the Woman’s Rights organ, edited by women, s that “most men are, after marriage, brutes, alike unsparing, relentless, and igno iant.” Whereupon, the Conyregutionalist rt maiks: “The editorial corps of that journal must be unfortunate in their male acquain tances. And, then, if this bo true, what a terrible showing it makes of th-j influence of wives upon their husbands.”
