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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.”
