Newspaper Page Text
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J. J. TOON, - - - - Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Ret. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1870.
A Work but Half-performed.
In the interest of Pedobaptism, men have
argued, with more learning than logic, that what
they style “ the Jewish church ” and the church
of Christ are one and the same. The alleged
“ identity ” between the two is urged as if it were
among the most patent and most important of
theological truths, when the effort is to bring lit
tle ones to “ the water ceremony,” (if we may
quote the phrase, under which a translator of
that school masks “ the initial ordinance of Chris
tianity,” in his Chinese version of the New Tes
tament.)
But when this purpose is out of mind, the
“ identity ” seems to glide away with it. And
there is a most striking indication that, when our
opponents are not thinking of infant baptism,
they recognize the churches as two. Look at the
process of canonization, by which the Greek,
Romish and Episcopal c immunions essay to honor
the memory of those members of the (real and
nominal) church who have been most illustrious
in sanctity. You will find on their lists, profuse
ly, the names of men and women in New Testa
ment times. Both sexes in post-apostolic an
tiquity, too, are pressed into service to fill out the
imposing array of saints, (except perhaps in the
revised list of the English Establishment.) So
eager has been this work, indeed, that in all prob
ability, a mythical handkerchief has been blun
deringly transformed into a female saint and in
voked under the title of St. t eronica ! And yet
you will search in vain through their Calendars
for the name of a single Old Testament personage.
Os patriarchs, prophets, priests and princes, not
one has been deemed worthy of commemoration
in this sort. Even the invaluable services of
Abraham to the cause of Pedobaptism, have not
availed to purchase that honor for him—which, we
take it, is a case of sheer ingratitude I Could
there be a more emphatic practical testimony
that the Jewish church is not accounted one and
the same with the Christian church? If there
was a real belief in the “identity” of the two,
would not both have rendered contribution alike
to the catalogue of churchly saints?
Manifestly, Pedobaptism has but half-performed
the difficult task of blotting over the features of
irreconcileable unlikeness between the diverse or
ganizations of the Old and New Testaments. We
ca’l attention to the unfinished work. Is it not a
shame that the principles of the “ pestilent Ana
baptists,” who are not of the church at all, you
kno\v<*t>*uld virtually control her action in the
bestowment of honor on her beatified sons and
daughters, and remorselessly cut off all who
adorned her annals for thousands of years from
recognition and reverence? We hope we shall
hear no more, from the quarters indicated, of
the identity between the Jewish and Christian
churches, until, by solemn act of the proper au
thorities, St. Abel, St. Enoch, St. Noah, St. Moses,
St. David, St. Isaiah, etc., etc., are duly promoted
to the serene and sacred heights of canonization.
Ought we to be content with any lower token ol
sincerity- and consistency ? Ought they f
Knowledge ami Power.
The literature of the world has been classified
into two grand divisions: First, the literature of
knowledge, and secondly, the literature of power.
The object of the one is to teach— the object of
the other is to move. The one speaks solely to
the understanding—the other, while it ultimately
reaches this faculty, accomplishes its mission
through the affections. The first is devoted to
subjects which are progressive and chargeable,
and is, therefore, evanescent —the second to sub
jects that are stable and unchangeable, and is.
therefore, enduring. To the first belongs Sir
Isaac Newton’s “ Principia which has long
since been thrown into the shade and superceded
by subsequent philosophers, who have applied its
principles and pressed its discoveries far beyond
what its great author ever had done. To the
second belongs the great poem of John Milton,
which never has, and, in the nature of the case,
never can be superceded. Who ever sees the
“Principia?” and what respectable library is
without the “Paradise Lost?”
Reflecting on this classification of profane lite
rature, it has occurred to us that it might be ap
plied to our sacred literature —understanding by
the term (literature) not that which appears only
in our religious books and periodicals, but that
also which emanates from our thousands of pul
pits every Sabbath, for this is the literature, after
all, which moulds the sentiments and character
of our Christian communities.
Wherever we go, in whatever religious circles
we mingle, with whatever denomination of Chris
tians wc associate, we hear one feeling expressed,
one grand desideratum agitating, perplexing and
swaying every sincerely pious heart— power in
the pulpit— power in the churches—poicer in all
our Christian agencies. This is the one great,
absorbing object which now enlists the solicitudes
of the friends of Zion. We are not wanting in
knowledge—that knowledge, at least, which di
vorces the affections from its objects, and which
sends the mind forth upon the limitless fields of
speculation. Now, we would not utter a word to
abate the zeal of our brethren in prosecuting any
well-considered plan of ministerial education ; but
it is a question which is now agitating many
thoughtful Christians, whether the purely intel
lectual cast of the sermons which have been
preached to our churches for years past, has not
had the tendency to create “itching ears" for
“philosophy, falsely so-called,” and thus, in a
great degree, to defeat the great end of our sacred
ministrations. May we not have been seeking to
improve the mind rather than the heart—to in
vest the pulpit rather with the attractions of
learning than the attractions of the cross ? And
has not many a Christian heart, after listening to
those sermons, had affecting cause to exclaim,
“’Tis Athens’ owl, and not Mount Zion’s dove ;
The bird of learning, not ihe bird of love!”
How, then, shall we restore to Zion her wonted
power ? How shall we impart to her agencies the
vitality they once possessed l 1 We answer, by
recurring to fist principles. Hear an apostle
on this subject: “And my speech and my preach
ing was not with enticing words of man’s wis
dom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and
power; that your faith should not stand in the
wisdom of man, but in the power of God.” The
thoughtful reader of the New Testament has no
doubt often been struck with the frequency with
which th<s attribute of power and its equivalents
is' ascribed to the gospel and its agencies—not
physical power, mere brute force, but sweetly
constraining, subduing power, which, like leaven,
permeates the whole soul with its all-conquering
influence. Thus the disciples were instructed to
tarry at Jerusalem “until they were endued with
power from on high.” Now, it is just in the pro
portion in which we are in full sympathy with
this power, that we are “ mighty through God in
pullirtg down the strongholds of Satan,” as it is
just as we recede from this power that we emas-
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1870,
cuUte the gospel, and bring it down to the mere
standard of human systems.
Stupid must that reader be who has not de
tected in the Sacred Writings the recognition of
a power lying beyond and above their mere
records, ready to be invoked and applied to the
great objects of the divine philanthropy. To this
power the early disciples ascribed all their suc
cesses. To this power the world will be ulti
mately subdued. And on this power we must
depend for all the success which will ever crown
our efforts in the “ kingdom and patience of Jesus
Christ." 0, brethren, let us aspire to higher
measures of this power 1 Let us heed the admo
nition of the great apostle of the Gentiles--
“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
in the power of His might." H.
Southern Baptist “ Agitation.’*
Northern Baptists ought to bear, with great pa
tience, any mistaken conceptions a3 to their spirit
and state, which we, their brethren at the South,
may form. They so often set us the example of
erroneous judgment, in the conclusions they reach
with regard to the aspect of affairs among our
seives, as to warrant the hope of charitable con
struction at their hands, for any blunders into
which we may fall, in our estimate of men and
things beyond the haze that has always hung over
Mason and Dixon’s line and obstructed clear vision
across it Sharp censure under the circumstances
would as little become them, as if a British penny
a-liner should transport Boston to ‘the junction of
the Missouri and Susquehanna rivers, in the heart
of the Western Reserve, Ohio,’ and straightway
laugh to scorn the ‘astounding geographical igor
ance’ of an American who might unluckily locate
Liverpool in Yorkshire 1
The Christian Era, in a recent issue, strikingly
exemplifies the trait of “mal observation’ to which
we refer. ‘Judging from the reports in its ex
changes,’— (these exchanges, surely, must be such
as never visit our office.) —it alleges that “Baptists
in the iouth and South-West are agitated." But
the plain truth is, that scarcely ever were our people
more entirely free from every thing which wears
even the faintest semblance of agitation : is there
a ripple on the surface anywhere among us?
We are “agitated," says the Era , “by the con
sideration of two questions;” and of these ques
tions, the first is: ‘Shall Baptists extend the right
hand of fellowship to the adherents of Catnphell
ism ?" This is news, indeed. If that point is
discussed, if it has even been raised, in our section
—it Miust be by a sort of “wizzards that peep and
that mutter for every Baptist paper at the South
is innocent of even the slightest trace of it. Not
one of our writers for the press lifts his voice in
its favor. This theological Japhet in search of a
father, when it sets out to find Southern pater
nity, will need (wo incline to think) as unresting
a foot and as long a lease of life as the Wandering
Jew- himself. We are no more debating that
question, than the old question of the Talmud, “Is
it right to kill a flea on the Sabbath ?” The Era
only echoes the unanimous sentiment of our peo
ple, when it says that “any endorsement of the
pernicious views of baptismal regeneration held by
the Cauipbcllttes, would be a heretical conces
sion."
The second question represented as ‘agitating’
us, is not phrased with accuracy. It reads : “Is
it proper for Baptist ministers to exchange with
clergymen of those denominations who do not im
merse ?” This phraseology seems to imply, that
there would be no impeachment of the proprie y of
exchanges with clergymen whose denominations
practice immersion, whereas, by common consent,
“Campbellites” and “Free Will Baptists,” who
are immersionists, are shuJL out of our pulpits—
while as to other denominations, the objectors to
pulpit exchanges by no means rest the case on the
failure to immerse alone, but urge also such de
partures from purity of doctrine and polity as at
tend it. With these explanations of the question,
much is written about it, we believe; but, for
some time past, if we mistake not, the writing has
been, with a single exception, altogether on one
side, and the ‘agitation’ which once unfortunately
beset the discussion has wholly subsided. The
smouldering embers give no sign, at present, of
bursting into fresh flame ; and we have slight fear
that the repose of our people will be broken with
the cry of “Fire 1” on that subject.
According to the Era, this third question “oc
cupies the attention ol Southern Baptists:"—
“Can a clergyman who has not been immersed,
legitimately immerse a candidate so that the bap
tism shall be considered by Baptists as regular ?’’
“Many of the Southern Baptists," says the Era,
“answer, No.” We have yet to meet with the
first writer among us who would answer, Yes, to
that question. Those who decide, (we think, er
roneously,) that Pedobaptist immersions ought to
be accepted by our churches, confess that these
immersions are administered illegitimately, and
onlv plead that, under certain circumstances, they
may pass muster as valid though irregular. Not
fesoul on that side sees (or affects to see) a regu
lar and legitimate immersion among Pedobap
tists 1 Has the Era sharper sight than theirs ? It
says that the answer, No, “involves the doctrine
ot apostolic succession” —which is logically a
blunder, as no such consequence follows, of neces
sity, from that position. It says, also, that a be
lief in this doctrine “seems” to it, “a matter of
faith without evidence, that is, superstition”—
which strikes us as a form of expression more
caustic than the matter requires. But we wish
ed simply to correct the mistaken representation
of Southern Baptist affairs, and having consumed
greatly too much space on that point, lay our pen
aside.
Queries.
“Should Baptist churches invite Campbellite
ministers to preach in their pulpits?"
We think not. Tiiey have never been accus.
tomed to do so, and no reason exists at present
for a change of practice in that respect. There is
this reason for adhering to it, — the “Disciples ”
(or “ Campbellites") are not “ evangelical ," in
the long-established and unambiguous technical
sense of that term, as denoting theologians who
hold ‘the ruin and corruption of man through
the fall—his condemnation under the law and his
inability to dtliver himself by any power or
strength of his own—the divinity and incarnation
of the Son of God, as a deliverer—free and full
justification through faith alone in the blood and
righteousness of Christ —the nature of justifying
faith, as not solely an act of the intellect—and
the agency of the Holy Spirit in the awakening
of sinners and the regeneration and sanctification
of believers.’ Our correspondent needs not that
we should point out such of these points of
“sound doctrine” as are openly denied or virtu
ally rejected by the great body of adherents to
“ the current Reformation.’’ Their system of re
ligion is, for substance, “sacramental,” and (as
many hold it) “ rationalistic ” also—a state of
things which ought to forbid pulpit exchanges
with them. >
« ‘Owe no man anything, but to love one anoth
er.’ Do Baptist churches hold in fellowship,
members who have taken the benefit of the Bank
rupt Law, and whose motive for doing so was in
direct opposition to the first clause of the fore
going injunction?”
Certainly not. Where such a motive is sus
ceptible of proof—v here men in the judgment of
charity betray a purpose to defraud their credit
ors—we hope that no church would forbear the
exercise of righteous discipline; and we are sure
that no church ought to. The moral obligation
to the payment of a debt where there is ability to
pay it, cannot be impaired or dissolved by human
legislation; and the church, as the great conserv
ator of pure morality, must emphasize her indig
nant reprobation of. dishonesty under cover of
law.
Too Poor.
A thrifty, well-to-do Baptist brother met us on
the street, a few days ago, and greeted us with the
earnest appeal, “ Brother R., I am making up a
club for The Southern Farmer. 1 am already
taking three farm And stock journals, and I must
have this one, and want your name to help out
the club.” He was quite persistent in his effort
to get our name.
Thinking that it is right to reciprocate kind
nesses, we urged hicn to subscribe for the Index.
He declined with equal persistency, claiming that
he was “ too poor ” to take a Baptist paper ; and
yet he admitted that he was also a subscriber to
one daily ! Now, this brother has a fair stand
ing in the church and in society, and we suppose
that he is only doing as thousands of other breth
ren. Nearly all Baptist families of our acquaint
ance are subscribers to some sort of secular pa
per. Many of them take a weekly, daily, lady’s
book, and a farm journal. And they will univer
sally admit that religious papers are good and
useful, and generally express great regret that
they cannot have one, but they add, “ I am too
poor,” or, “ I have no time to read it.”
Will these brethren have time to die? Will
they be too poor to go to the judgment? If the
Christians of the present generation are to be
judged by the great attention they give to world
ly interests and the little attention they give to
religion, they will be too poor—many of them.
R.
Love for God.
It is a popular but erroneous impression, that
sunshine deadens fires. If this were true, what a
strange contrast would it furnish to the laws ol
the spiritual world 1 The flune of holy love rises
from the soul, only as the beams of the Sun of
righteousness fall on it. Intercept these beams
but for a moment, and straightway, where that
fl tme glowed, nature lies dark, and cold, and dead.
This fire is but the Sunshine coming down to us
—kindiingand burning within us —becoming Itself
our warmth and light.
Creeds.
Unitarianism began its career in New England,
fifty years ago or more, with the rejection of creeds.
As was predicted, the great bulk of the denomina
tion has drifted farther and farther from orthodox
behef, and a large wing of it has grown thoroughly
infilel, except in name only. The more conserva
tive and Christian party are awaking at last to a
conviction that vigorous effort is needed to stem
this tide of scepticism which threatens to sweep
everything before it. W ith this view, one of their
number, Rev. G H. Ilepworth, makes, in the
Liberal Christian, an earnest appeal for “a care
fully prepared stateinent<uf the Unitarian faith,”
and wants it ratified by “a large Convention of
ministers and laymen.”
In other words, Unitarianism, in its descent from
Charming to Frothingham, has historically demon
strated the necessity of a creed for the mainte
nance of truth. What truth it had without a
creed, it is more and more losing; and it sees at
last that the loss must still go forward and prove
total, unless the barrier of a creed be thrown be
tween to avert the impending catastrophe.
“Kind • ords.’*
It is with pleasure tha we note the determina
tion of our Sunday School Board to enlarge and
iuiprove “Kind Words."
Ilf the promise given—to make it in typograph
icjl beauty and intrinsic excellence inferior to
none —be faithfully carried out, we sincerely be
lieve that no Baptist Sunday school in the land
will consent to do without “Kind Wokds.” We
have confidence in the Board and brethren who
have this matter in charge, and therefore invoke
of the churches an earnest and liberal patronage
of this paper.
Does your school take it t If not, then send
on a subscription for 10, 50, or 100 copies, to S.
Boykin, Macon, Ga., or to S. C. Rogers, Mem
phis, Tenn. *
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
We learn incidentally that SB,OOO have been
secured toward the enlargement and adornment
of the Second Baptist church, Atlanta, (Dr.
Brandy's.) Rev. A. B. Earle expects to visit
Atlanta, on invitation from Pastors Fuller and
Brantly, and hold a brief series of meetings, com
mencing April 18th. Rev. Dr. Cuthbert, of Wash
ington, D. C., in a recent letter, says of him: “I
learn with pleasure that Rev. A. B. Earle is now
laboring with some of our churches at the South.
From personal observation of the man and his
work, I am glad to hear of his visiting any place
or people in whom I feel interested. Avoiding
every side issue, he preaches Jesus with a direct
ness, pathos and power which win for him at
once a place in your heart. Ministers and people
are all drawn out to this earnest, genial man. The
type of religion which he preaches and, I think,
>. semplifies, is a cheerful, happy piety."
Alabama.
The Second church, Montgomery, has increased
the salary of its pastor, Rev. H. G. lownsend,
whose health ts so much impaired that his physi
cian urges a suspension of labor.
District of Columbia.
The Island church, Washington, with 250 mem
bers, has grown up from a Sunday school of
twelve scholars, organized fourteen years ago by
the pre-ent pastor, Bro. Meador. Dr. Cuth
bert’s church, (the First,) Washington, is having
constant addition's, with cheering prospects of en
larged usefulness in the future.
Maryland.
As the result of the revival beginning with the
visit of Rev. A. B. Earle to Bdtimore, nearly 400
young converts have been baptized into our
churches in that city. The Seventh church;
Baltimore, has raised S7OO for our Board of Do
mestic Missions at Marion.
Missouri.
Rev. E. S. Dulin has been elected President of
our Female College at Lexington. Bowling
Green church has had 57 accessions, with one
“household baptism.” Our church at Ilar
risonville has decided to have preaching every
Sabbath, and called Rev. 11. Weaver as pastor, at
a salary of SI,OOO. About 50 have been bap
tized at the new church in Maries county, and
among them throe converts from Presbyterian
ism.
South Carolina.
Rev. J. F. Morall, recently pastor of our church
at Griffin, Ga., will enter, April Ist, on his labors
as General Agent and Missionary for the State, of
the State Mission Board. F. R. Underwood, of
North Carolina, and of our Seminary, Greenville,
was ordained to the ministry at Stloam church,
March 6th: sermon by Rev. Win, Williams, D.D.
He will assume pastoral charge of Siloarn and Fel
lowship churches.
Texas.
Rev. A. Fitzgerald is “devoting most of the time
in preaching the present year to Quitman church,’’
dependent mainly for a support for himself and
family on writing in the clerk’s office.
Virginia.
Rev. W. Fisher has been called to the pastoral
care of Hebron church, Appomattox county.
An interesting meeting, with prospects of a revi
val, is in progress at Hampton, under the labors
of Rev. G. F. Adams pastor, and Rev. J. Berg of
Baltimore. Rev. Bernard Phillips, formerly of
this State, died, some months since, at the resi
dence of his son, in Tennessee. Rev. C. C. Bit
ting, of Lynchburg, has been called to the pastor
ate in Brownsville, Tenn.
W est Virginia.
Our church at Pruntytowi) has had 28 acces
sions by baptism ; our churih at Spencer, 17;
Wheeling church, 30. Rev. Joel F. Hardwick
has been disabled from penciling for a time, by
sickness.
c
Her. A. B. Earift. in Mobile.
Brother Earle commenced a series of revi
val meetings in this city on the 6th instant,
and closed them on the 20„h. He preached
always twice a day, and occasionally thred
times. Quite large congregations attended
ail the meetings, and Suudays the largest of
our evangelical churches tfould nol accommo
date the multitudes who came to hear. I
think that rarely ever has the city
been so generally moved.by any religious in
terest. A degree of souranity and restraint
has come over the cardKss, even those who
have not attended the meetings; and many un
converted business men.jmve found it difficult
to attend to their ordinary duties, by reason
of some degree of conviction that seemed to
come upon them in theft places of business,
and lead them to the meetings. Many of our
church members who w&re living at a guilty
distance from Christ, ha'ie been aroused, and
many of the most faififcwit have been led to a
more blessed nearnessslo Jestis. The num
ber of converts is Between thirty
and forty have told tJi&ir experience to the
Baptist ehurohes, and quite a large number of
them were baptiz *d last Sunday. The meet
ings are still going on with interest in all the
Baptist, Methodist an Ufresby terian churches
here, and all are anxious for the progress ot
the blessed work whieij brother Eirle was
compelled to leave, to fulfill engagements in
New Orleans, Galveston, Montgomery, At
lanta, Savannah, etc.
Brother Earle came l|ere at the solicitation
of the Baptists, and his meetings were held
under their auspices, byt the other denomina
tions have freely attended, and are largely
partakers of the benefits; and join their voices
with ours in thanking our Heavenly Father
for sending so good ami faithful as-rvant
among us. Brother Etfle is truly entitled
to the term faithful. In his actions, thoughts
and feeiinus, it is perfectly manifest that the
one aitn of his life is the advancement of the
cause of Christ. blessed Redeemer,
is his thought ami theme, and he can with pa
culiar fitness appropriate the words of the
apostle Paul, “For me to live is Christ.”
Brother Earle has remarkable faith in the
means of grace, and uses them with unwaver
ing confidence of By preaching the
woid and by the influences accompanying
meetings, he knows that Cnristians must be
blessed and sinners converted. His sublime
faith, communion with Jesus, and constant
experience of the joy of salvation at once
win the con fid mce and hearty cooperation of
God’s people, and by the power of the Spirit,
working through him in prayer, preaching and
well timed expedients, Christian communities
are quickened to a zeal which “no languor
knows.” Tnus the cause of Christ moves on
with unwonted pace wherever he goes; and
his great power as an evangelist receives fresh
illustration from place to place.
Ilis preaching wil\of course, always be
variously viewed. Some will see it in one
light and some in another. To me it seems
always to be tender. All the lights and shades
of the gospel he so blends in his preaching,
that he seems to breathe the very spirit of
our wooing Saviour. *llis heart seems over
whelmed with yearnings for sinners, and his
countenance all beaming with the love of their
immortal souls. Tht#e-i* no hoarse in.
his soul, and no harsh?word on his lips. llis
discourse is ever kind* consider ate, tender.
His preaching is also simple. But it is
not simple from neglect, but from unusual
thoughtfulness and prayer. Things in nature
strike us as simple, but it is only because
they sprung from the All-Creative hand ; and
so the most consummate achievements of art
bear that most gratifying mark, simple.
There is at once sublime conception of soul
and most patient work of the hands in the
work of art that is simple. And if I mistake
not, the simplicity of brother Earle’s preach
ing is attributable to unusual throes of soul,
and the utmost painstaking in preparation.
Ilis preaching is also penetrating. Every
thought is so turned and shaped that it gdes.
through and through the heart and mind of
the hearer. So j reeininentiy is this true, that
many, unused to church-going, listen to him
and thiriK themselves uninterested, and are
just ready to decl ire that they never heard so
dull a preacher, when they find themselves
completely transfixed with the truth he is pre
senting, and all-unbidden tears of unmual
feeling come gushing from their eyes. The
truth he presents is lodged within you,without
effort of your own. And you must carry it
with you. It is as difficult to free yourself
from it as to tear barbed arrows from your
flesh.
And 1 may add this: that his preaching is
plotting. Each sermon, in its text and devel
opment, has reference to a particular thing he
wishes to accomplish with his congregation at
that particular time. He wants a certain
truth to be reduced to practice as soon as it is
presented, and his presentation of it exactly
accords with a plan well adjusted to that end.
He does no general preaching; it is ail speci
fic. He sows no seed to the winds, but to
soii of immortal souls, following it up assidu
onsly with prayer and appeal, expecting that,
by the rapid processes of the Iloly Spirit, it
will at least*germinate immediately.
But however any one may view brother
Earle’s preaching, one conclusion, l think,
will be universal—that it is not the man that
so moves the people and works such changes
in- communities, bat the Divine power that
accompanies hirn. G. F. W.
Mobile , Ala. March 23 d, 1873.
Letter from Louisville, Kj.
Dear Index: Y<>ur readers will doubtless
rejoice with us when they know that on yes
terday, March 2lst, 1370, we were permitted
of God to “brea< the ground” for the founda
tion ot our “Louisville Baptist Orphans’
Home.”
One of the three most estimable daughters
of the late Hon James Guthrie, Mrs J. Law
rence Smith, donated the lot, (200 x 200.) and
$5,000 cash towards a house to cost $20,000.
Her two sisters, Mrs. Caperton and Mrs VV.
B. Caldwell, increased the amount to SIO,OOO.
It then required but little effort to procure
the balance. The full amount being secured,
yesterday the work began. The four promi
nent features of the occasion were these: The
heavens and the earth seemed to smile out in
gladness on the Baptist pastors, with their
flocks, were gathered there ready to renew
that desert sofjg, “Spring up, Oh Well a
fine address was given by Dr. J. Lawrence
Smith, who is the President, under the char
ter, of the organization, under whose auspices
this enterprisers to be carried forward; and
lastly, the ground was formally broken by
“good old Aunt Peggy Mauzey.” This devoted
Christian woman is more than eighty years of
age, has been identified with the Baptists of
this city from the beginning, and is known
through all Kentucky and the regions beyond
as the counterpart of those olden saints of
whom we read that “left alone, they set their
hope on God arid continue in supplications and
prayers night ami day ; over threescore years
of age, well reported of for good works,
having lodged strangers, relieved the afflicted
and diligently followed every good work,”
Then three other aged workers in the vine-
yard of the Lord—two of whom are over
(“threescore years and ten”—Mrs. Tryon,
Mrs. Biggert, and Mrs. Creighton, followed
by Mrs. Arthur Peter, who is President of
the Board of Managers, came forward and
aided in digging the foundation of this house
for the Lord’s poor. One of the liberal con
tributors to the work is our beloved brother,
Dr. G. W. Burton, well known to all the
lovers of the Chinese Mission. Another is
George W. Norton, Tr. of ourS. B. Conven
tion, soon to assemble in this city. Others,
donors of like sums of SI,OOO, if as generally
known, would be also as truly appreciated.
The present buidingnow begun, is to be4B
by 80 feet. It will constitute only one wing
of the structure some day to be built. It will
accommodate 80 children. Another wing
will be added in the future, and then the cen
tral building—the whole to accommodate 300
children. This charity is designed specially
for the orphans of the Baptists of Kentucky.
A. T. S.
The Bowen Association.
The following resolutions were adopted, at
the last session of the above named Associa
tion :
“ Resoloed, That the churches be requested
and urged to contribute, monthly, and indi
vidually, to those objects of benevolence en
gaging our labors, and the labors of the de
nomination.
Also, Resolved, That the churches and indi
v'nlualsthat pledged money at the last Associa
tion for Missionary purposes, be requested to
make immediate payment of said amount,
when called on by the Executive Committee.”
The Committee have had Eider Robert
Fleming engaged as Missionary to travel
through the Association to preach to the
churches and establish Sunday schools wher
ever it is practicable in the churches and at
such places as may be destitute. As the min
utes of the Association have not come to
hand until recently, the churches may not
know what is required of them in this par
ticular item, and we have requested brother
Fleming, in his travels among them, to cail
their pirtieular attention to it at an early
• late. They can hand the money to brother
Fleming, or send it, by mail or otherwise, to
Henry Smith, the Treasurer of the Associa
tion, or to Dr. J no. B. Twitty, Chairman of
the Committee at Camilla, Ga.
Jno. B. Twitty.
Our Theological Seminary.
I beg leave to acknowledge from “a friend
in Georgia” ten dollars for the Southern Bap
tist Theological Seminary. This was sent on
the 7th of March. It is all that I have re
ceived from the S f ate of Georgia in response
to my appeal. Are there not others who can
send something? There are some who owe
installments on bonds. Can they not pay
something? The above was a donation.
Are there not others who can give? Since
my appeal was published, l have not re
ceived two hundred dollars from ail sources.
And with a treasury already in debt, I have
over four thousand dollars to meet in April
one-half of the amount to the professors.
James P. Botce.
Greenville, S. C ., March 25, 1870.
Central Mississippi.
There is no special religious interest among
the Baptists of < ’entral Mississ’ppi. The de
nomination in this State is doing a noble
work by their Orphans’ Home, where many
hapless children are tenderly cared for. A
bright ray of hope goes out from our college
at Clinton, which is rapidly filling up with
students, several of whom are looking to the
ministry. The Sunday school work is not
flourishing in the Yazoo Association. As to
vital godliness, we have cause to lament that
th 4 -re is so little. 1 would attribute this de
fect, principally, to l ‘t,he cares of this World,
and the deceitfulness of riches.”
J. W. Boz emaiL
Lexington, Holmes Cos., Miss.. Mur. 21 if.
Etifaula ami the Region Around.
Dear Index: I have just read, with deep
interest, the last issue of my “religious and
family j turnal,” and can testify that it always
comes up to its name. Having laid the pa
per aside, I have concluded to send a few
items for the next issue, should they be
deemed worthy of publication.
This bhs been a long rainy day, and I have
been closely confined in my study, writing a
sermon the words, “ Whom do men say tnat
-Fffm ?” Inasmuch as this question was pro
pounded by the Saviour of the world, there
is no reason why others may not imitate His
example, especially if they do so with the
same benevolent design. And 1 think it es
pecially appropriate that newspapers should
sometimes ask, “What do men say that I
am?” Inasmuch as I have such decided opin
ions in regard to you, I will state that men in
this section say you are a capital paper—in
other words, in all points of true excellence,
you stand at the head of the list—that you
have the best editorials, the best selections,
and, with the present excepted, the best com
munications of any paper in the land. “What
do men say that I am?” They say that you
are not only intelligent, but that you are good
looking, that you present the highest type of
mechanical excellence. They say that you
are truthful, too; that you endeavor to speak
in accordance with the oracles of God. They
say that you are such a blessing that you
ought to be in every family ; that at least
10,000 Georgia and Alabima households
ought to have you as an inmate, especially as
your board and lodging does not cost more
for a wltole year , than one man pays at a
hotel for a single day. These are some of
the things that I frequently hear spoken of
you.
And now you and your friends elsewhere
will not refuse to hear a few things with ref
erence to ourselves. We broke ground on
our new church lot last Tuesday, and the
work goes bravely on. Tne church will be
centrally located, and will prove agreat bless
ing to our people, who now have to trudge a
mile to the present house of worship. The
style of a chitecture is very much like that
of the First church in Atlanta. The same
architect planned b >th, and we have the
same skilled mechanic superintending the
erection of ours, who was employed in At
lanta. Our church is doing as well as could
be expec t ed, religiously.- They turnout well
on the Sabbath, and listen attentively to the
preaching of.the gospel. We are praying
now for a revival of religion, and trust
the good Lord will soon favor us with
one. Our Sunday school, under the superin
tendence of brother C. Ruodes, is doing well,
considering the inconvenient location of the
church ami the scattered homes of our peo
ple. Those who have visited Eufaula know
that it is a place of “ magnificent distances.”
We lost one of our Sabbath school schol
ars this week, under the most melancholy
circumstances. It was George Prudden, aged
precisely eleven years—a son of brother J.
H. Prudden. He had been out bird hunting,
and on his return , was sitting, with gun in
hand, in a back room of the house. No one
was present but a little boy, son of a neigh
bur, aged three years. Soon the report of a
guu was heard, and his mother, on rushing to
the spot, found that her son had been fatally
shot through the head, trie whole discharge of
a double barrelled gun taking effect just above
the eye, and causing death soon afterwards,
What a commentary on the use of firearms
by children! His father and mother are
nearly heart-broken, the world is crumbled
at their feet, and no relief is found, save as
they can look upward and say, “ It is the
Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.”
George was a good boy, very intelligent and
studious, and he has frequently borne away
the prize in both the secular and Sunday
schools which he attended. But he will con
tend no more for the corruptible laurels of
earth. He has gone to the better land, and
received upon his youthful brow a victor’s
crown, which he will wear through eternal
ages.
Our churches in the country around Eu
faula, are not in a flour shing condition. Some
of them have stated worship, and arc served
by useful and devoted ministers, it is true;
but others are languishing for want of the
bread of life, and others are dead. Among
the latter may be mentioned Pine Grove and
Antioch, both distant about four miles from
town. Pine Grove was dissolved about tonr
years ago, and there has been no regular ser
vice at Antioch for years. The meeting
houses where these churches were wont to
assemble, are good buildings, and in excellent
repair, and it is to be regretted that they tire
unoccupied. We need ministers for the
home as well as for the foreign field, and it
would be well, I think, for brother Sumner to
go on some such mission as that in which
brother Taylor is now so commeudably en
gaged.
In this connection, let me state that l know
of two churches in this, Barb >ur county, in
need of a pastor, and seeking one. They
want a young man, with >ut family, and can
compensate him with his board and four him
dred dollars, to preach twice a month at each.
Can you recommend a suitable brother for
the position ? It is a good field, in a pleasant
and healthy section, and among as noble a
class of brethren as you will find the world
over. M. B. W.
Eufaula, Ala., March 25, 1870.
A Note From Newnan, Ga.
Editor Christian Index: Dear Sir —Were
you ever, in Newnan ? If not, by all means
come and see us. We will certainly expect
all the “big guns” on the 22J of April. You
know the State Convention (Baptist) will
meet here. Come down, and we guatantee a
good time, or, at any rate, plenty to eat.
Newnan begins to wear an air of thrift and
enterprise, and is destined to become a place
of some importance. The Baptists here are
very fortunate in having secured the services
of our dear brother, A. T. Holmes, as pastor.
All are pleased with the efforts of this gifted
father in Zion, and our church is filled with
anxious and attentive listeners. Yesterday
he preached from the text: “Thanks be unto
God tor His unspeakable gift.” It has sel
dorn been my pleasure to listen to a more
eloquent and touching discourse. It seems
to me that no preaching is worth the listen
ing, unless the heart of tha preacher melts in
the contemplation of his divine theme. The
mind and soul of our brother is in the work,
and under his ministration we confidently ex
pect abundant harvests. A Member.
Newnan, Ga., Match 28 th, 1870.
It is not our usual custom to speak with very
great positiveness, but we w ill venture, at least, to
say that, “to the best of our knowledge and be
lief,” we have been in Newman. We supplied the
pulpit of the Baptist church there, every Sabbath,
for nearly two months, last year; and, the present
year, we have been, for about the same length of
time, preaching in it, on alternate Sabbaths, with
Dr. Holmes. The tribute which this correspon
dent pays our venerable brother, we take pleasure
in endorsing as richly merited.
May we, in return, ask “A Member," whether
he might not as well take the Index & Baptist?
—Ed.
Report for Secoutl Quarter.
Give me space to report the result of my
collections for the quarter ending Dee. 31st
—a small portion of which I spent in the ser
vice of the Board of Domestic Missions:
Oct. sth. BriT. J. D* Dawson $ tTft
Oct. loth. Mi«» Snphia f'atot 1 00
Oct. 10th. Kev. W. K. Clarke 5 00
Oct. loth. Bowen Assocmton Treasurer 5 oo
Oct. 10th. Bowen Ass >ciation—collection 87 05
Oct. 12th. Washington Association, per Elder 0.
M. Irwin 62 20
Oct. 25th. Hephzibah Association—collection .. 10 50
Nov. Ist. Bambridge church, (Ilis. Scott, Bro.
Curry) 12 00
Nov. Cth. Salem church, sister Oreen sl, sister
Clemons, $8 4 00
Pec. 15th. J. H. McCluug, Montezuma ft 0o
Dec. 81st. S. P. Davis, Albany 10 uo
Dec. 31st. Wilson Hail, Albany 1 05
$203 55
Wm. N. Ciiaudoin,
Age. Don. Mis. Board.
Missionary Work.
Space for a few words on the Missionary
Work, is all I ask. But before proceeding, let
me express my delight at seeing your co.umns
so often graced with articles on Missions,
both Domestic and Foreign. What has been
done, what is being done, and how it is done;
also, who have done and who are doing,
must be made familiar to the people, before
they can be fully awakened to the sense of
their obligation to do. A lack of information
on these particulars—\vhich engenders dis
trust—is the prime cause of the indifference on
the part of the masses in reference to the Mis
sionary Work. Enlighten them, and the evil
will then have been remedied.
The circumstance that has led to this
thought is a beautiful one, as l now recall it
it to mind. It is the great and remarkable
interest, a missionary lady, Miss 11. G. Brit
tan, recently returned from Calcutta, is
awakening among Americans, wherever she
has told the simple but sweet st*>ry of her
most delightfully -successful labors in that Fa
gan city. Miss Briitan is sustained by the
“Woman’s Union Missionary Society of
America for Heathen Lands,” an organization
comparatively new, but one, by its success,
permanently established. I had the pleasure
of attending its ninth annual public meeting,
held on the 6th of February, at the South
Reformed church, New Yolk, the proceed
ings of which I will briefly lay before you.
Rev. Dr. Rogers, the pastor of that church,
read from the report, extracts which set forth
the degradation of woman in countries reach
ed by this society. In India alone, there are
80,000 widows between six and sixteen years
of age, in the most pitiable social condition.
This class has been especially benefited by
the presence of missionaries in their country.
Wives and daughters of men of caste have
experienced a similar good result, and are
now rejoicing in the privilege of atten ling
school and gaining knowledge. Miss H. G.
Brittan, the first missionary of the society,
has inaugurated a work in that city which is
one of the most remarkable of modern mis
sionary efforts. When she commenced her
labors there six years ago, there was not one
woman in a thousand who could read; now,
there is not a house of any respect >billty
where at least one of the female members
cannnot read ; while in zenanas, or women’s
apartments, the Biblo is read.
Rev. Dr. Tyng, a divine of celebrity, fol
lowed with the opening address, which was
characteristic of his well known energy and
earnestness. He forcibly commended the pe
culiar work of “this lovely and living associa
tion” of women employed in practical Chris
tian union, to the liberality of their fathers,
husbands and brothers.
Carleton, the great Eastern traveller, then
made a few remarks on the condition of wo
men in the Mohammedan and Pagan countries
of the Orient, and gave his testimony to the
labors of the ladies of this society, as witness
ed by him In Calcutta and other cities, stating
that it is the sweetest exhibition he has ever
seen of practical Christian union. Belonging
as they do to several different denominations,
yet they labor in unison lor their heathen sis
ters, wholly absorbed in the one great pur
pose.—how to save the lost, thereby elu
cidating the question of universal interest,
how Christian union can be secured. It. gave
him infinite pleasure to testify to their faith
fulness, since seeing them at their arduous
work in a climate where the thermometer
stood at 95° at night and 100° at seven o’clock
in the morning. These women, he said, are
dnimj a work man could never do among the
350,000,000 females in the East., owing to the
peculiar customs of their country, which pro
hibit any intercourse with males. But their
labors are working a marvellous revolution,
and at no distant day those homes, now lock
ed against the world, would be thrown open
to the light of the gospel and Christian civili
z ttion.
Rev. Dr. John Hall made the closing ad
dress, in which he congratulated the Christian
ladies, on the concourse assembled, to learn
the results of this work, now one, of the most
efficient of the Christian agencies in the Eastern
world. He paid a deserved compliment to
Carleton for acknowledging the powerful in
fluence of foreign missions, a thing very rarely,
if ever, admitted by travellers. He com
mended the work of those Christian women,
who were uniting in their efforts to elevate
their sisters from their deep physical, moral
and spiritual degradation, encouraging them
to continue the work which was so peculiarly
their own. The Christian women of America
hold the power to exercise a mighty influence
tor Christ, at home as well as in the distant
parts of the earth, and should not, therefore,
commit this power to others.
This, it is true, refers to a very limited por
tion of the grand enterprise of the Missionary
work, but the statement of facts may
strengthen confidence, inspire z-'al, multiply
efforts among those who are now weak in the
faith, or it may spring an interest in some
whose hearts have never been with a
desire to send the “glad tidings of great Joy”
to those now sitting in heathenish darkness.
Let us, then, be up and doing, using every
available means of bringing the subject di
rectly and immediately before the people.
Neii' York, Marched, 1870.
Ordination.
The church at Bethel, Walton county, Ga.,
called a Presbytery to meet with her on Sat
urday preceding the sih Lord’s day in Janua
ry last, tor t he purpose of setting apart brother
C. H. Strickland to the work of the ministry.
Accordingly the Presbytery, consisting of
brethren J. M. Stillwel , Bedford Langford
and G. A. Nunnally, met, and after a satis
factory examination of the church and candi
date, brother C. 11. Strickland was ordained
by the laying on of hands and prayer.
“ Mercer University * f — Removal.
In reading the M icon Telegraph of this date,
T noticed “ VV.’s” commuriic >tion, to the citizens of
Macon, upon the “ Mercer University ” question,
He says: “ It uiay be better to wait till the (Bap
tist) Convention meets, the fourth week in April,
decides to remove the College, and the Trustees
publish an invitation for propositions. Then we
can ascertain more definitely what is best to be
done. Let it not be understood for a moment
that the enterprise is abandoned. Macon is too
deeply interested. It is believed she understands
her own interests too well to permit to p iss un
improved an opportunity to secure an institution
which will pay her citizens one hundred thousand
dollars annually.” As W. is one of the Trustees
of Mercer, I suppose he cropt out what is in the
minds of the Trustees, —to make a proposition
for bids, or a more proper term might be used—
namely, Sell out “Mercer University” to the
highest bidder, without reference to location ; and
W, being a citizen of Macon, though not directly
interested in her real estate or merchandise, de
sires Macon to make a good speculation out of
“Mercer,” by securing its removal here. Well,
that is all very well on the part of dollars and
cents; and as a party intercsied in Macon’s pros
perity, and only for that reason I would like to
see "Mercer” here.
But as a Baptist, and one feeling an interest in
the real object of the founders of Mercer, l do
not wish the good old College removed to Macon,
Atlanta, Columbus, or any other large commercial
city. Whilst the people of this day have made
rapid improvements in science, internal improve
ments and commercial interests and manner of
conducting commerce, it seems necessary to gel
to large cities, or towns where telegraph and ex
press offices are to be reached and used. Yet I
cannot see ihe necessity of building up Colleges,
and especially male Colleges, at such places, where
the temptations are on every hind to lead the
hoys off. It is not necessary to name the list of
ruinous habits into which our hoys would fall
before they knew it, if at College at such places
as Macon or Atlanta. It must occur to evoy re
flecting mind , (and to every parent and guardian
it will occur,) that the fashionable society (to say
nothing of the habits of vice) of the<e large cities,
would perhaps destroy the sou or ward's edu< a
tion, if not his morals.
Os the two cities, Macon or Ailantn, had I the
casting vole, I would vote for Macon; but neither
place would I vote for. I hope our brethren will
consider the subject well before deciding. It is
immaterial what the money temptation may be,
from this place or that. What are the objections
to Pen field? I can sec but two. Ist. The inac
cessibility of the place. 2nd. That there are no
hotel accommodations there. For these reasons,
it is said, Baptists will send their sons elsewhere;
but these are not the reasons. The truth is, our
Baptists do not stand up to their schools, and will
not, if they are in the most accessible places.
I do admit that there is force in the first and
second reason, and that I am not opposed to re
moval; but let the location be one upon which all
Baptists can agree. Pub it on the railroad, in a
healthy place, good church society, good water,
moderate climate, neither too hot nor too cold, in
a place where the Educators of the South can live
the year through, if they wish, and all be agreed
as to location.
I would suggest three places—viz: Madison,
Marietta, Griffin. The latter placets most desira
ble. Ist. The climate is belter than Macon or
Atlanta, and M-uietta, and equal, if not better,
than Madison. The water is as good as can be
desired, society plain sailing and intelligent, and
all the advantages that large cities can afford,
without many of their vices. 2nd. Why is cli
mate better than Atlanta or Marietta? Because,
the atmosphere is as bracing in summer, and in
the winter season it is not so bleak and danger
ous to the constitutions of boys raised in South-
Western Georgia, Florida, South Alabama. All
will admit that the climate is free from exception.
Again, Griffin is central. Marietta is not, Madison
is not, and at Griffin large hotels and boarding
houses are abundant, and now the North A &
Griffin Railroad is going through; and before
many years the Georgia Railroad will build a
road from Madison, which will make Griffin en
tirely accessible.
The citizens of Griffin, no doubt, would
subscribe largely towards the improvements;
but “Mercer University *’ msst not rel.v on
cities and the other denominations to build her
up. Baptists must do it. Yes, Baptists must
do it, if "Mercer” is kept up as a Baptist
College, turning out, from year to year, ed
ucated Baptist boys and Baptist preachers.
Our honored brethren, the founders of Mercer
University, namely: Jesse Mercer, Josiah Pen
field, “Old Master’’ Thos. Stocks, James Vince
Thornton and others, intended, not only that
"Mercer” should be perpetuated to school boys,
but school them in Baptist tenets. .My opinion
is, if the friends of Mercer accept a largo contri
bution from an incorporated city, that mo tax-pay
ers of that city will require that no denomina
tional doctrine shall be taught, and that the pro
cessors shall be not only Baptist, but Methodist
and Presbyterian, and whoever offers ior the
place that may be adjudged capable. Again: they
will requ.re that a part, and perhaps a tmijoiily of
the trustees, shall be placed by the eity. Thus
you see, our Baptist college would soon be extin
guished; and in such on event, would not the
Irtends of "Mercer” weep ? Would not such men
as Thos. Stocks, Burney, and a few old O/ks (of
tho original forest of brethren yet left standing,)
go down to their graves, sad, sad, at the result of
"Young America” enterprise? I think thoy would
wish they bad long since passed away with San
ders, Thornton, Mercer, Janes and others. In
conversation with one of my personal friends, a
warm-hearted deacon of one of our churches, not
long since, the subject of removal was introduced,
by unother brother, when this good brother dea
con said : "I aui just from Penfield ; been to sea
my boy. He is delighted with the place, and pro
lessors, nnd I am too, except it is out oi the way
—hard to get to.” This brother continues: "In
the evening, I heard singing in the distance, and
made inquiry of Professor Tucker as to what it
