Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871, April 07, 1870, Image 2

Christian index and South-western Baptist., April 07, 1870, Page 54, Image 2

About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1870)

Page of 4

Prev Issue Next Issue

Text PDF JP2 (8.7 MB) Clip/Print Image

Page of 4

Prev Issue Next Issue

Return to Top

Newspaper Page Text54 Unjtaf *»4 f§»ptisit —., —I.. J. J. TOOff, .... Proprietor. PUBLICATION ROOMS—4 i 6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Bey. D. SHAVER, D.D. COBBKSFONDIXO BDtTOKS: Ret. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala. ‘ Rev. S. HENDERSON, D J)., Fayetteville, Ala. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1870. jt -rmirwTajt.v.' i"» Aa Idle Christian. “ I had rather be sick than idle,” says Seneca. But the Christian who lapses into idleness, as re gards “ the work of faith and labor of love,” suf fers from both evils at once: some sickness of the soul has smitten him already, and this slothful ness is the symptom of ks presence and power. The malady must be one of serious type, too. For, no slight ailment, surely, could chill into in action the love and ardor, that hope to pour their grateful tide through eternity, and that wait for the “ words which it is not possible for man to utter,” as the only vehicle of adequate expression to their overflow of fullness. What avails to freeze these, until their current runs cold and sluggish under the ice-crust of formality, must needs be of most grave and malign import. Let the slothful Christian, then, —feeling that he is -unchristian so far forth as he is slothful set vigorous self-searching on foot, to ferret out the soul disease which threatens his spiritual strength and life. Let him not doubt that his idleness, in the matter of godly work, must ag gravate the malady from which it flows; since, while many have found ease on “ the devil’s cushion,” (as Quaker aptly styles indolence,) it stands to reason that no one can eve; find health there. Let him not play the part of the man benumbed with cold, who sits still shaking, when with a little stirring he might send the warm blood coursing through his veins, and “be him self” again: but let him straightway enter upon every form of Christian labor within the power of his hand, according to that “ working of Christ which worketh mightily” in the saints —even the weakest of them. Let him cry to the Lord for help against the spirit ol sloth, that “ idleness, the sepulchre of a living man,” may entomb him no longer—that, through the quickening of the Holy Ghost, he may experience a resurrection to new activity in the Christian life. Baptlstlc(t) The (German) Reformed Messenger speaks of “congregations without children," as a “bald Baptistic order of things.” Now, there were no children among the Twelve, whom our Lord brought into intimate association with Himself during the days of His flesh: did He give His church, then, a Baptistic apostolate? There is no provision for the introduction of children into the pulpit, (though, in the dark ages, boys were sometimes ordained as “bishops”): may we say, then, that the church has, by Divine appointment, a Baptistic ministry 1’ Children of the only age which our people regard as a dis qualification for the initial ordinance of Chris tianity, are excluded, by common consent, from the Lord’s supper: is it so, then, that the Re deemer has instituted among His people a Baptis tic table ? If the Messenger means to imply that “ the ab sence of children in the sanctuary,” when assem blies are held for the worship of God, is the nor mal development of “Baptistic” principles, or that we hold views from which such a state of things foUttws by logical inference or practical effect, —that paper ‘understands neither what it says, nor wlierebf iE affirms,’ and is therefore, as respects one trait at least, in the lineal succession, not from the apostles, but from those who pro voked apostolic rebuke through their “ fables and endless genealogies - ” We might safely defy an ecumenical council of Pedobaptists to spy out, in the faith of our churches, so much as a hair’s breadth of ground, on which to rest the charge that this faith in any way prohibits or renders in different the publication of the story of the cross to even the most tender years capable of “ hear ing ” and embracing it. In fact, we, of all men, should be most diligent and earnest in this regard, since we have no rites to build on in the premises —none to weaken our sense of absolute depen dence on the Spirit and the Word! Facts bear out this view. “ Baptistic ” congre gations are not specially characterized by the ab sence of children. We compare favorably in this respect with other bodies of Christian men. In deed, the Texas Christian Advocate refers to a statement that ‘the absence of children marks Methodist congregations more than any other,’ and does not venture an express contradiction of it—as might have been done, of course, if Baptist principles had produced, practically, any peculiar and notable delinquency in this matter. Our sys tem, when put upon trial and tested by results, falls not a whit behind Pedobaptism, either in concern for the TGffng, or power over them. fe--'Sunday School May-Day Celebrations. f It is but a few weeks until the first day of May, when we shall have a vast number of Sabbath school festivals, pic-nics and celebrations. Al ready some schools of our acquaintance are mak ing preliminary movements in that direction. And as there was last year a large increase of these parties over the number of any previous year, we suppose that this year there will be a still larger number of them. Now, if they are right, ’and useful to a good cause, they ought to increase in number until they are made customary wher ever that cause has existence. If they are inno cent, and worth as much as is claimed for them, we can see no reason why they should not be come so frequent as to be held several times a year. “By their fruits ye shall know them,” is a rule by which they ought to be tried. Have their fruits been good, or have they been bad ? We will not deny that some good results may have followed them, and we will admit that a pic-nic or celebration, in itself, may be a very harmless affair; but our observation and the accounts of them which we have noticed, have not produced a Very favorable impression on our mind, as to the influence they exert. We have witnessed a deal of vice and immorality attendant on some such occasions. We have seen interesting pro tracted meetings swept away by the arrival of May-day. We have known ministers to go many miles—by invitation —to hold a series of meet and find preparations for a Sabbath school Hval sitting like a nightmare on the whole con accounts of the death of three ■i last .May, who were killed in difflcul- Hbath school celebrations. ; vs?.;S. gathering of Sabbath schools, in we met a minister who was » r _ fflfcsk.d him what sort of a time they lie smiled and replied, > r 4sJ a big drunk.” Hinstance, last year, we inquired af school railroad excursion, and a affirmed that he had never been '''■'b'HPhed before with a more demoralizing occa said that as they returned home ho be lieved there were not less than fifty repeater shots fired from the windows and platforms of the cars; and it seemed to him that “half the boys were Under the influence of strong drink.” These, we will grant, may be exceptions to What is generally true of such occasions; but we •THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BlfnST: ATLANTA, CA„ THURSDAY, APRIL 7,1570. cannot resist the con vie lion that the tendency is bad in a majority of instances* and that the evil overbalance* the good. Our principal objection is, that these “things pass off in the name of religion and in the inter ests of the -ftauSe of Christ. The festivals, etc., are the w - ork of the Sabbath school, and the Sab bath school is the work of the church, and the church is the work of the Redeemer; and thus the train drives on under the power of a semi religious frolic. We talk of the dance and its type of worldlNJ amusements as not to be tolerated among churcn members; and then inconsistently attach a scarce ly less evil to the Sabbath school and church, and proclaim that in this way great things are accom plished for the cause of Christ among children and youths! And thus we are educating our children in the belief that a church cannot suc ceed without a Sabbath school, and that the school cannot succeed without its occasional worldly fes tivities. Now, we do not expect to see these celebrations abandoned. “ Our best Sabbath school workers ” will not allow this; but we will contend that they greatly need reforming,—they must be controlled and checked up, else they will become a disgrace to the Sabbath school cause. A Sabbath school may do well with them, yet we beg to say that one which cannot do well without them is not worth an existence. We can show some schools in Ala bama that did well without such things for years, and after engaging largely in Christmas and May celebrations for three or four years, they can now hardly keep up an existence, except when drum ming round for recruits to make a “ fair show ” at the approaching festival. We will not say that the celebrations alone have produced this downward tendency, but we state facts, and are sure that we have never seen the least evidence of good accomplished by them. The best Sabbath school in the town where we live, is one that has never had anything of the sort, except when, on one or two occasions, they reluctantly took part in “union" celebrations. R. Last Days of John E. Dawson, D.D. “ Can that man be dead Whose spiritual influence is upon his kind f He lives in glory, and his speaking dust Has more of life than half its breathing mould.” There are some characters of which we never tire. Tfiey present such varied aspects of manly virtue, of earnest piety, of transcendant genius, and of social qualities, that, viewed from any po sition, they are ever fresh, and our interest in them never knows abatement. Like some match less forms of beauty that now and then cross our path in life’s pilgrimage and have been cut down in all their loveliness, they linger in our memo ries with vernal freshness till death arrives. Deep down in our hearts they live, in sacred seclusion from vulgar gaze, to be exposed only where their fragrance can fall upon kindred spirits. No pen cil is needed to fix their image upon canvass—no chisel of the artist can give to marble the living forms enshrined within memory’s tablature—no records of the pen can give back to lheir remem bered words that melting tenderness which even yet steals upon the soul like plaintive music upon the waters. How pleasant to retire to some se questered spot, and unfold memory’s gallery, and gaze upon its cherished objects, more lovely, more entrancing than the most costly collection of ages that ever allured the connoisseur to its classic halls. 0, with what miserly care we guard the holy trust! They seem to be so many golden links that bind us to their glorious destiny. They have passed into that “ great cloud of witnesses” —they are consolidated with those “powers of the world to come”—that lure and beckon us onward to “ the end of our faith, the salvation of our isouls.” May we all obey the heavenly attraction I •The writer has long been meditating the servkfe, and it has cost him no little effort to enter upon itSfperformance. Not that he would shrink from any “ service of love" connected with so cherished a name, but the task is one demanding not only the sensitive delicacy of generous friend ship, but that ability manifested in selection and exposition so rarely met with in biographical lite rature. Nor has he been hitherto deterred, from want of incidents in the last days of the life of his departed friend; for these come unbidden to his mind in such clusters as that the greatest diffi culty is to choose rather than to create. We have often thought, in looking back upon the brilliant career of this great and good man, that he not un frequently crowded into a single week more of ef fective service than some whose names are upon our church books have furnished in a long, mo notonous life. But it is now nearly ten years since Dawson died ; and the wasting sands of life admonish us that whatever duty demands must be quickly done. We shall only promise the reader that the pen which furnishes these memo rials of departed worth, is wielded by one who comes with as sincere an offering to the sainted dead as any his own native State will furnish, ex cept only the dear surviving sister who has com piled a volume, soon to be published. We propose, then, in a series of short articles, running through several issues of the Index and Baptist, to furnish such recollections of the latter days of John E. Dawson as we trust will be of interest to his numerous friends. In furnishing these incidents, we shall doubtless be betrayed into sundry reflections upon the character of his talents and piety. Let not the reader, however, expect too much. Let him remember that we only propose referring to that part of Dr. Daw son’s life, in which he wa' substantially laid aside from preaching by disease. It was during this period, reaching through nearly three years, and because he was disabled from preaching, that we were thrown into almost daily contact with him. It was only the “setting sun” in his day of life that we witnessed; but such a “setting sun” is sel dom witnessed. We add, in closing this article, that we shall complicate the name of our dear departed brother with nothing in the past that will give offence to any right-minded Christian. So far as human in firmity will allow, we shall write nothing which even he, from his bright abode, will wish were blotted out. And if his surviving and gifted sis ter, Mrs. Hill, has not so far perfected her work as to admit of no additional matter, she is more than welcome to appropriate anything we may offer in these papers tq, any purpose she may de sire. H. Where Economy Begins. “Many of the New York churches decline to renew the engagements for choir singers at the high prices paid last year. The low price of gold is affecting the Sunday notes of these exacting performers." Os course. The sanctuary has always shown itself much more sensitive to the fall than to the rise of prices. It is there that the fall has wrought its effect earliest, and the rise latest. What men do in the name ol religion, always comes io promptly for its share of retrenchment and econ omy —long before they accept, without grimace, the necessity for a reduction of rates when they sell, or are allowed to enjoy the benefit of it when they buy. Alas, that it should be so! This is one of the most marked and one of the saddest points of difference between modern piety and the piety of the times when men “took joyfully the spoiling of their goods” for the name of Jesus. Wbat Basil Hall, a British traveller in the United States, alleged forty years ago—that we had hare *‘ no spending class,” is not true now as a gen eral proposition; but it holds good still in the sphere of religion—we have no class that spends for the gospel, There are individuals who do it, but they are few. When shall their numbers grow ? And how—without a marvellous growth in grace among professors of religion ? National or Seetioualt In 1863, at Pittsburg, Penn., a “ mere handful of earnest men” organized a “National Association to secure an acknowledgment of God and of the Christian religion in the Constitution of thff United States." A month ago, in that city, the friends of this measure, (on a call of only two weeks, dis tributed for the most part through but met in Convention four hundred strong. Among the measures adopted was the appointment of “delegates to bring this cause before the various ecclesiastical bodies.” But—in strange disregard of the claim to a “national” character for the move ment —no delegates were sent to the general or ganizations, ecclesiastical and missionary, of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Associate Re formed and Baptist churches at the South. North ern Universalists were not passed by—but, with out exception, all Southern “ bodies,” even of “evangelical" faith, were! We hope they may be able to “sleep o’ nights,” notwithstanding. As illustrative of the spirit animating the Con vention, we make one or two extracts from the speeches, which the Christian Statesman, (the or gan of the Association, incorporates in its full report of the proceedings : Mr. John Finney: “Thirty years ago l en listed in the anti-slavery cause, because I desired to leave a free country to my children. Now for a few years I expect to work in this cause, be cause I think a Christian Government the grandest legacy I can leave to my children.” Bishop Kerfoot: (in reference to the failure of the proposition of Franklin for daily prayer, in the Convention that framed the American Consti tution ;) “ We forget not tfie debt we owe to that Convention; we bless God for the work He did for us by their means; but O, brethren, ie it strange that that Constitution uttered discordant sentences in men’s ears, till in letters of fire and of blood He has written out its interpretation, whose illuminating light was not sought early in timely prayers?” Rev. D. McAllister : “ We may also draw from our history an illustration of the influence of the constitution of a nation’s government upon its vital constitution. The early legislation of the colonies, and of the States when confederated and even for years after their union, was hostile to slavery. Though this institution had taken root in our land, liberty was predominant in the real constitution of the nation, and was fast uprooting the acknowledged evil. But when the present constitution was framed, it was made to subserve the interests of the institution, and even went so far as to prohibit by express pro vision any attempt at amendment for preventing, during twenty years, the importation of slaves. The powerfully transforming and almost fatal in fluence of this constitutional compact is matler of history. The freedom of the nation’s vital consti tution, though thus basely surrendered to its ene mies, could not be destroyed ; but to save itself and the life of the nation bound up with it, it was compelled to force its way through the agony and blood of many a battle-field to legal expression and authentication. God forbid that any other essen tial principle of our nation’s vital constitution should be forced to do the same.” The Pittsburg Gazette, too, in its notice of the Convention, held the following language, which the Statesman reproduces, as part of its preface to tho proceedings: “ This movement is well-timed. Had the recog nition of the Deity, as the source of all rightful authority, been inserted at first, it would have been well ; but to have introduced such an amend ment twenty years ago, when the Constitution was made the basis of the Fugitive Slave Law, and when it was used as a fetter to bind alike the souls and bodies of men, would have been inon struously incongruous. A foul temple would that have been in which to erect a throne for a pure and holy God who hates robbery and abhors op pression. It was well timed, because it was not done until our regenerated nation, made perfect through suffering,--had not only broken the mana cles from the limbs of the bondman, but had, in imitation of God, reached down to the poor and the despised, raised him up, and set him among princes. We may now, without hypocrisy and without danger ol rebuke, set ap that throne for the Most High.” But enough. We have no controversy with the men who must needs say these sharp things—any more than we would have quarrelled with Paddy, the tippler and toper, for declaring, in his cups, that Irish whiskey was “meat, drink, washing and lodging." We are quite willing, however, to stand apart from them, as they seem to prefer—perhaps for the sake of indulgence in just such speech. Our Zion —in Our Exchanges, etc. Georgia. Rev. I. H. Goss, who removed last year to Keen, Ky., finds the winter climate there too severe, and desires to return to Georgia. He is now an a visit to the South-Western part of the State, and we hope he may find a field of labor there. Rev. W. T. Brantly, D.D., baptized, on Sabbath night last, at the Second church, Atlanta, a hus band and wife. Alabama. Rev. F. L. Seward has been appointed Agent of the General Association of North Alabama. Rev. W. W. Kone is acting acting as agent to collect money to build a Baptist house of worship at Decatur. Rev. J. A. Hill, agent, secured over SSOO on a recent Sabb .th at the Baptist church in Huntsville, for the Alabama Baptist Orphans’ Home. Arkansas. Wm. W. Chaney was ordained to the ministry at De Witt church, Arkansas county, Feb. 27th, sermon by Rev. J. T. Marshall; and Charles Cross, (colored,) March 7th, at Rising Sun church, Arkansas county, sermon by Rev. W. M. Lea. Rev. Mr. Thrasher, through the influence of Rev. W. D. Mayfield, President of the Baptist State Convention, has been appointed by the American Baptist Publication Society as agent or missiona ry for this Mate, to collect half his salary on the field. Kentucky. Our church at Henderson, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Talbird, formerly President of How ard College, Marion, Ala., has a revival, with 38 accessions so far. —t—Rev. A. C. Caperton, of Mayfield, goes, as pastor, to our church at Evans ville, Ind., succeeding Rev. Dr. Baker. —t —Rev. H. McDonald exchanges pastoral care of our church at Danville, for that of Madison street church, Covington. Rev. A. W. Chambliss, D.D., of Maysville, has been called to succeed Rev. W. W. Gardner, as pastor of our church at Russellville.——James Q. Jenkins has been or dained to the ministry at Stanford.——Fifth 3treet church, Louisville, (colored,) has had over 100 additions in the revival just closed. Louisiana- Up to March 24th, the labors of Rev. A. B. Earle in New Orleans gave promise of a powerful revival. The two Baptist churches unite in the meeting, and Baptists in the city from all sec tions. Mississifpl We learn from the Richmond Herald that Rev. T. Whitfield has issued, at Meridian, the first num ber of anew paper, the Baptist Pilgrim. Missouri. Rev. J. W. Warder, after a pastorate of ten years, resigns charge of onr church in Kansas city.—Our church at Canton will be able to com plete its new house of worship, through S4OO the proceeds of a recent fair. There is no Baptist house of worship in St Clair county, and our church in Roscoe, which began one sometime since, has not been able as yet to finish it. North Carolina. Our cbnrch at Wilmington, N. C., is numeri cally the smallest, and financially, one of the feeblest in the city; and yet it is about finishing a house of worship which has cost fifty, thousand dollars. It owes a debt of '■slo,ooo, and needs $1 ,000 for lighting the building, etc. South Carolina. On account of the extended territory and large number of churches in Edgefield Association, there is a proposition to form anew Association, to be composed chiefly of churches in Abbeville county, and to bear its name. • 2’b&A s - Rev. E. F. Thwing has accepted a position to preach to seamen at Galveston. Rev. D. B. Hale has resigned, and Rev. T. L. Scruggs has accepted, the General AgSSLJf' of the Sunday School Board, Memphis, for this State. —Win. M. Gough was ordained to the -ministry, at Waco, March 13th: sermon by Rev. W. C. Buck, D.D. Bethel, Willow, Union Qrove and Macedonia churches, Harris county, Rev. R. F. Harris, at a sadary of S6OO, as a missionary to the destitute. within their bounds. Rev. W. C. Buck, D.D., will close his 80th year in a lew months. One of his is fiearly extinguished by a cancerous affection, and the other so dim that he can hardly see the letters as he writes. Tennessee. Rev. Dr. Teasdale, Memphis, March 28th, writes to us: “We are having ameeting in Elder Burn’s church, in this city. iiPaddition to my onerous office duties, I atn preaching to great crowds every night. Several are to be baptized to-night. We are looking for the happiest results. Pray for us!” From the first of September to the close of February, Re** baptized 39, and witnessed thebapSJSU*o»-i4, chiefly in Hawkins county. A yieetffigat Holston Union church resulted in 42 c<jn.ven4ons. —The First and Second Baptist churches./ have been united as one, healing old strifes. Virgin^ Court street church, Poriwjputh, has called as pastor, Rev. W. M. Young/D.D., of Pittsburg, Penn., formerly ol Williamsburg, Vs., and more recently of Wilmington, N. C. Revivals are in progress at Fourth street, P»/tsmouth, and Cum berland street, Norfolk. -’fev. J. B. Taylor, D. D., reports, as the result of his Southern tour, that at least five promising young men are pro posing to re-inforce the mission stations of our Foreign Mission Board, locatfid at Richmond. China. Rev. R. H. Graves, missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention in China, had reached San Francisco, Cal., March 21st, accompanied by a native licensed preacher. The Evangel says of Bro. Graves : “He is well versed in the Cantonese dialect, that spoken by the Chinese in California, and this is a special qualification for labor among them. Baptists have been too remiss in the mat ter of missionary work among the Chinese among us, and we hope measures will be devised for stirring them up to effort in this direction.” Reviews and Notices. Crowned and Discrowned; "Dr, the Rebel King and the Prophet of Ramah. By Rev. W. S. Culver, A.M. With an introduetioii-by Rev. <t. W. Eaton, D.D., President of the Theological Department of Madison University. Boston : Could <t Lincoln. Pp. 150. This volume works a miqe of thought, which the press, and especially the pulpit, greatly neg lects: we mean, the use of Old Testament narra tives, as the embodiment and-illustration of prac tical Christian lessons. There is a perpetual ap plicability in the facts of the Sacred Records to the “ radical questions bearing on religious opin ion and life,” which every age is called upon to decide for itself, in relation?*® its - own peculiar circumstances/ wants and, dfcngerlg. !|he new is but the old under changedplmses, without change of grand, essential, determinative principles. With force of thought and dnfcctness of style, our author exemplifies tnis truth-7and shows the wis dom and peril cf men for the present (and for all) times, as written beforehand in the life o r Saul and his converse with Samuel. There are some points on which we demur to tiis estimate of re cent events in our own country, and many who agree with him in these, will dissent from his animadversions on Episcopacy and Infant Bap tism ; but the work is pleasing and of value. The Interior. This is the recently established Chicago organ of the Presbyterian church, since the union of the Old and New Schools, Norih: Rev. Arthur Swazey editor, Rev. C. Van Stantvoord assistant editor. It takes rank with the largest and best religious journals of the country, in typographical execution and in the variety, ability and interest of the matter which fills its fifty-six columns weekly. Terms, $2 50 a year. To the Baptists of the South. The appearance of articles in the Religious Herald, over the signature of “ A Southern Bap tist,” proposing the transfer of our Foreign Mis sion Work to other hands, has led to an inquiry from several sources—whether such a thing is contemplated by the Board in this city. The Board entertain no such purpose. They are of course dependent on the will of their brethren in this thing. If the churches of the South shall de termine, with all their heart, unitedly, energeti cally and liberally, to supply the men and the money for sending out Christ’s gospel to the hea then, the Board see no necessity for suspending their work or of transferring it to others. If, how ever, the heart of Southern Baptists is not in the enterprise, so that they shall sustain it feebly, pray for it doubtingly, and become impatient if large results do not immediately follow, then, it were better frankly to confess their incapacity or unwillingness to conduct such an, operation, and leave it to be controlled by those l\vho may more fully comprehend the obligation it^olved. The Board are impressed with the conviction that Southern Baptists are abundantly able to carry on this work with efficiency. They have the men, and, with God’s blessing, they will soon have the pecuniary means. A reason exists for the fact that no more has beeh -recently done in this line. When the war broke out, the annual income of the Board was nearly forty thousand dollars; they had more than thirty missionaries in the field; six of the best young men of the South were under appointment, and ethers were applying to be sent forth. Such was the influence at work, that the Board and Secretaries felt them selves warranted to declare that every well quali fied applicant should be appointed, even though it might involve the expenditure of one hundred thousand dollars. Up to this time, a gratifying success had attended our work ia the field abroad. The number baptized by our missionaries was so large that all had reason to thank God and take C °ln a fhe midst of these cheering indications, our work was interrupted by the breaking out of the -war. We were cut off from our missionaries, and were’“Jt with a debt of more 4-han twelve thousand dollars. Our whole-country had been desolated by the tread of contending armies. Our people were left with nothing but their lands— with no farming utensils, mules, horses, cattle or money. They were dispirited and demoralized. But they soon recovered from this stunning in fluence, and indicated a mind to work. Contribu tions gradually increased. The Board have been permitted to pay the entire debt, and to sustain the missionaries which were yet in the field. Is it surprising that, up to this time, they have been unable to reinforce their missions ? All the schools and colleges of the South had been broken up, and the sources of ministerial supply had been cut off, while the Southern people had not suffi ciently recuperated to furnish large pecuniary con tributions. A change of condition is, howeveiYJjaSF taking place. A number of good brethren are inquiring as to their duty in regard to the foreign field. Two or three are ready at once to go. The spirit of missions, though far from being what will please the great Head of the church, is, nevertheless, in creasing in many of the churches. We have en couragement to go forward in this blessed enter prise. The rallying cry of “onward,” is only to be passed all through the hosts Zion, and they will move to glorious succ4b. The leaders of these hosts should be inspired with new en ergy. The marching orders of the great Com mander must ring in their ears, “ Preach the gos pel to every creature.” If the}* cannot go them selves among the heathen, they must urge the churches to sustain those who are willing to go. Then, without injury to any part of the home work, the men and the pecuniary means will be abundant. “ Then shall the earth yield her in crease, and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.” I have said all this on behalf of the Board, with out wishing to throw a straw in the way of heal ing the breach. Something else is needed, rather than the breaking up of our Boards. A mere at tempt at organic union may prevent the desired result. The endeavors of Baptists, North, South, East and West, should be in harmony, and not in opposition. A true, real union can only be effected by studying the things that make for peace. The denominational papers must cease their harsh, re proachful animadversions and recriminations. The peace-loving spirit of Christ must be cultivated, and each section of the Lord’s heritage must pray • for and rejoice in the other’s success. The terri j tory is so widely extended, that a wise economy, as well as an increased efficiency, may be promo ted, by separate Boards acting in harmony with each other. James B. Taylor, Corresponding Secretary, etc. Richmond, Va., March 30, 1870. Elder A. C. Dayton—An Appeal. “ He was laid away in the quiet little cem etery of Perry, and the Southern pines sing every day a requiem above him. Those who loved him there, intend inclosing his lowly resting place with an iron railing, and the first proceeds of his Memoir, if I am permit ted to write it, shall be devoted to the erec tion of a simple monument. Hitherto, it has been hard to keep so many little ones fed and clothed.” The above extract, from the sketch of Dr. Dayton, in the Baptist, written by his daugh ter, fills my heart with sadness. What mem ories does it awaken ? At once I am trans ported back fifteen years, and see that good man, just as he appeared to me when we first met. All his tender advice and in struction to a “beginner” in the ministry, as to health, voice, delivery, doctrine, and everything pertaining to success, is tearfully remembered; for to do one man, living or dead, do 1 owe so much. Memory recalls that lovely home in Edgefield, Tenn., and the happy family there, where I so often met a sweet welcome, and the daughter who wrote the above, though the oldest of the children, was but a small child. Then, too, I see him, who had been to me as a father, as he was when last 1 saw him, still cheerful, trustful, though a refugee, driven from his lovely home and separated from his loved ones. (Strange coincidence ! He who was the providential instrument of sending me to Georgia, was by Providence sent here to die.) Reader, you can never know the feelings of my heart as 1 pen these reflections. But 1 restrain them, except to give them utterance in a protest and an appeal. 1 do protest against his dear daughter being allowed to “ erect that monument.” It must not be! Whether or not it were ‘ hard to keep so many little ones fed and clothed,” it would be easy for us —for Baptists, to whom A. C. Dayton belonged, for whom ho wrote and labored, to give such a faint expression ol our love and friendship. And now, as “ those who loved him there,” (in Perry,) who enjoyed his last labors, who had the privilege of burying him, “ intend inclosing his lowly resting-place,” let us out side of Perry, “ who loved him,” too, put a monument over. J appeal to you in Georgia, in Tennessee, in every State, let us do it at once. Let all who (Jesire it have an interest, and I therefore suggest that one dollar, or less, (but limit none who wish to give more,) be given to this purpose, by each one. One dollar! Oh ! 1* know that all over the coun try are persons—hundreds of persons —who revere the memory of Elder Dayton “ for his work’s sake,” that will feel it a privilege to aid in this laudable expression of appreci ation of a devoted and pure man of God. One dollar! Send it by registered letter to Elder B E. Tharpe, Perry, Ga., or several unite and send money, wiih names, in one letter, by express or postal order, to Elder N. A. Bailey, Albany, Ga., as Albany is an order office. Sei and on promptly, move at once, charge your memory with it ere you put down this appeal. Wait for no other appeal. His “Theodosia” and “Infidel’s Daughter” appeal to you. His labors as a minister of Jesus appeal to you. His de nominational influence and labors, appeal to you. Let us, for the love we bear his fami ly, give them assistance by relieving the lov ing child of this duty, that she may do more for her mother and family. The money sent shall be reported, properly used, and an nouncement made when the work is done. Wm. N. Chaudoin. Cottage. Home, near Albany, Ga. We think this proposition a good one. Baptists, who loved and honored Elder Dayton while living, should not withhold a tribute of re spect from his memory now that he has passed before us into the skies. If a tithe of those to whom his pen ministered instruction and delight move in this matter, the monument will soon rear its head over his quiet resting-place. And why not care, too, for the orphaned “little ones?” All Baptist papers that favor the proposition, will please publish this Appeal. Domestic and Indian Board. We hope to meet a large delegation of brethren at the Georgia State Convention in April, and we earnestly request every pastor to take up a collection for the Southern Board and bring it with him to Newiian, or send it by some one coming. Sixty men are now under appointment of the Board, and the ex penses are heavy, The old debt is reduced to $3,000, and must be paid by the Conven tion in Louisville, if possible. God will bless the liberal giver. M. T. Sumner, Cor. See. To tbe Baptists of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Dear Brethren: On the tenth day of last month, the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, at Memphis, Tenn., elected and commissioned me General Agent of their Board, for the three States named at the head of this article. 1 have ac cepted the appointment. To-day, I go forth to work in the field named above. I hope to meet with universal cooperation. Let us at once place the Board beyond doubt as to its final success. My aim will be: To preach Christ to the people; to address the old and young about their souls; to help to organize a Sunday School in every Baptist church as soon as we can ; to circulate religious books and tracts, by sale and grant; to aid in the circulation of Kind Words, Home and Foreign Journal, and other Baptist papers; to help, as far as 1 can, all the Baptist Sunday School workers in the field ; to collect funds, to aid the cause of the S. S. B. of the S. B. C.; to tie the Board to the brethren, and the brethren to the Board ; to try to induce all the brethren and sisters to remember our Boards too, when they make up their offerings to God. The work before us is a great undertaking. It is aimed to give the gospel to the childreu. That is the class which promises most. Dear brethren and Christian laborers, my heart warms as 1 write these lines. Tell the dear little ones all to give their hearts to Jesus. I now drop a tear in memory of Him who shed His blood for me, and for you, my Chris tian brother and sister, pray for me, and the cause of Christ. F. M. IJaygqod. Macon, Ga., April 1,1879. Sunday School Board 8. B. C. You will oblige me by permitting me to inform your numerous readers that I intend to bfe at the Georgia Baptist Convention,God willing, and shall be most happy to receive a contribution at that time for our Sunday School Beard from every church and every Sabbath school in Georgia that have not al ready made their contribution. The follow ing churches have sent us their liberal contri butions already, viz : Ist. Macon, Ameri cas, Albany, Cuthbert, and Ist Augusta. And the following Sunday Schools have nobly re sponded to our appeals, viz: Ist Macon, (which stands as yet as the banner school, having contributed $66.71.) the AmericusSun day school, Albany Sunday School, Cuthbert Sunday School, 2d Macon church Sunday School, 2d church Sunday School, Augifsta, Dawson Sunday School, Ist church Sunday school, Atlanta, class young Misses, Greens borough, Blakely Sunday School, LaGrange Sunday school, and a few children in the Co lumbus Sunday School. If all the Sunday schools in Georgia would aid our Board as these have done, we could support at least ten or twelve Sunday school missionaries among the destitute. Why should not uli the rest do just as well as these? I trust they will not wait for a personal visit from me. Our Beautiful May Queen. * The Sunday School Board, at a recent meeting, unanimously decided greatly to in crease the external attraction of Kind Words, the Child's Delight. The paper, the type, the pictures, are all to be improved. It is in tended that our child’s paper, both in its ex ternal beauty and in its internal merits, shall reign without a peer in all our Southern land. It will make its appearance in its new and elegant dress on the first of May. We are making gre it preparations for the crowning of our little May Queen ; and we want all the Sunday school workers in the South, both children and adults, tq, take part in this glo rious coronation. Every person seftding us the name of one new subscriber to Kind Words will be considered as having contrib uted a laurel to the crown of our Queen. A club of twenty-five names of new subscribers will add a ruby to her crown ; fifty new names will embellish it with a pearl; and one hun dred new names will deck it with a diamond. We think our beautiful little Queen will de serve a very rieh crown ; and we mean that she shall have it. Who will contribute a dia mond, or a pearl, or a ruby, or a laurel, to deck her diadem ? Superintendents, teach ers, children, all earnest Sunday school workers, are invited to take part in the ap proaching coronation. Please send in the new names at once, that we may complete our arrangements for crowning ogr Queen. Long live Kind Words, the Child's Delight, our beautiful May Queen ! The Roll of Honor. Remember, children, what wo said about that Roll of Honor in a late paper. The names are coming in very fast. We want every child’s name recorded in this good book. Get up clubs of names where you can, and send us the list and the money which each one gives; and every name thus sent will be entered in the Big Book which we call the Roll of Honor. When the children ol a Sunday school, or schools, cannot be in duced to send up their names together, let each child for himself, or herself, send us a donation, and let the name go in that Roll of Honor. We received, the other day, two dollars from little G. 11. P , of Mississippi, fourteen months old, that his name might be recorded in the Roll of Honor. Our lady scribe is hard at work recording the numer ous names. Keep her busy all the time, and send in your names at once, children. Do not delay. The Sunday School Board. This Board has constant appeals for help from weak churches and Sunday schools, for aid in establishing and sustaining schools. It confiden|kji* asks all the Baptist Sunday schools of the South to send us contributions for this noble purpose, for which receipts will be found in the Home and Foreign Journal. We must have money to hire meu, and buy books, and Bibles, and Testaments. We call upon the churches and Sunday schools to send us money for these purposes. T. (J. Teasdale, Cor. Sec. Memphis, Tenn., March 261A, 1870. “The Mereerian.” Allow me, through the Index, to call atten tion to the effort which the students of Mer cer University are making to publish a Col lege journal. They began last Novemlmr, to publish a small twelve column weekly. They have been able, thus far, to make the paper self-sustaining, and they have fair pros pects for the future. But their printing is badly done, and without more money than they can now command, it will be difficult to improve much in that respect, though an effort will be made to improve the appear ance of the sheet soon, as it will be enlarged and published semi-monthly, instead of week ly, as heretofore. Do not the students of “Mercer” deserve to be sustained in this effort which they are making to build up the interests of their College, and to improve themselves in the accomplishment of writing? Does not the scheme commend itself to the friends of the students and of the College, and especially to the Alumni ? The subscrip tion for one y ear is only one dollar. Will not every one who reads this, subscribe one dollar to the carrying forward of this enter prise, and receive in return a semi-monthly visit from “Mercer?” which will be an am ple quid pro quo. I am interested in the paper only as a student of “ Mercer.” lam desirous for its success on that account. All letters for the paper must be addressed to Andrew J. Beck, Business Manager, Penfield, Ga, The “ Young Men’s Missionary Society of Mercer University,” will send a messenger to the Convention. No news. Things move on as usual at Penfield. Leadley. March 39. We have never seen the Mercerian, but bespeak for it a liberal patronage among the friends of the University.— Ed. Letter from Richmond, Ya. On yesterday Dr. Jeter resigned the pas toral care of Grace Street ohurch, in this city. This action on his part is not unexpected to many of his friends, who knew that he felt himself overburdened by the chiel editorship of the Herald , and the pastorate of a large church. Some may think that he ought to have relinquished the former rather than the latter; but as the Herald is read by mail} thousands every week, it is certain that some one of first class characteristics ought to have charge of it. It is unquestionably true, that there is no other man in the country in whose wisdom, sagacity and reliability, as a safe re ligious teacher, the great Baptist family of the South will so readily confide. The church will deeply feel the bereavement; but it is to be hoped that the interests of the cause gen erally will be promoted by his devoting him self exclusively to the Herald. Long may his life be spared and his health preserved, that he may be the counsellor of his brethren and the instructor of thousands of readers. We have been in something of a revolu tionary state here for a week or two regard ing the city government. Governor Walker, acting under a law of the of Vir ginia, appointed anew City Council, which, at its first meeting, elected brother IE K. Ellyson Mayor ; but on his undertaking to assume the office, he was resisted by Mr. Chahoon, the former Mayor, who now gather ed around him a crowd of riotous negroes and a few old policemen, and kept the city in ex citement for some days. The case has now been before Judge Underwood for nearly a week, and much anxiety is felt as to his de cision. It is declared by lawyers generally that he has no jurisdiction, but nobody sup poses that will muke any difference, provided he feels like assuming jurisdiction. When Mayor Ellyson was proceeding to possess himself of the offices, papers, books, &c., be longing to the city, Gen. Oanby, of course, concluded that a breach of the peace was im minent, and professing to have nothing to do with the quarrel, yet took military possession of one of the police stations, and guaranteed Mr. Chahoon safe entrance and exit that he might act as mayor. Most persons believe that he promised him support before hand, and was a party to the plot to keep the offices in the hands of the Radicals. A few evenings ago, thp literary societies of Richmond College had a public celebration at the First Baptist church. The large house was well filled, and the ora’ors —J. E. L. Holmes, E. C. Cabell, and John B. Turpin— acquitted themselves very well. The College, we believe, is on the high road to prosperity and distinction. It has a noble faculty—men, for the most part, of splendid abilities and the highest character. Give it three or four hundred thousand dollars—which I hope it will get in ten or fifteen years—and it will take rauk with any institution oh this conti nent. * March 28th, 1870. Alumni of Mercer University. The Alumni Association of Mercer Uni versity is endeavoring to collect memorials of the Alumni who fell in the late war. It is important that these memorials should be complete, inasmuch as they cannot easily be amended or added to, after they are bound in book form. Replies, with daia more or less complete, have been received from the friends of the. following—viz: Class of 1847, William G. Johnson. Class of 1851, Francis C. Shropshire. Class of 1853, Pleasant S. Bonner. Class of 1854, Judson C. Sapp. Class of 1855 Frederick E. Wimberly. Class of 185 G, Thomas J. Pinson. Class of 1857, William C. Chapman. Class of 1857, Thomas W. Davis. Class of 1857, Thomas J. Dyson. Class of 1858 William L. McElmurray. Class of 1858, George W. Wimberly. Class of 1859, Robert R. F. Prior. Class of 1860,........Le0nidas W. llowcll. Class of 1861, George T. Burch. Class of 1861, Robert H. Cadenhead. Class of 1861, Charles B Harris. Class of 1861, William T. Head. Class of 1861, Albert T. Johnson. Class of 1861, Richard M. Preston. Class of 1862, Joel Ilogg. Class of 1862,.. .William Marshall Walker. We have no record of the following: Class of 1853, Thomas E. Daniel. Class of 1857, Robert J. Boyd. Class of 1859, Charles W. Thornton. Class of 1861, Charle? A. Hawkins. Class of 1861 Jerome B. Henderson. Class of 1861, F. Lorraine Hi I Iyer. Class of 1862, Augustus L. Cleveland. It is possible that the above catalogue may not include all the names of our Alumni, who fell in the late struggle. We earnestly request the friends of our brethren to furnish us the materials for the Memorial Record. Those who have written heretofore, may, if they desire, communicate any additional information. Friends of those of whom we have no record, and of those whose names do not appear above, can obtain the necessary blanks by writing to the under signed. It is hoped that, early in May, we may be able to copy these brief biographical sketches in a form suitable for binding, and, at Com mencement, to present to the Association the. Memorial Record of her “ lleiioio Dead.” J E. WILLET, Permanent Secretary-, Pen field, Ga., March 37, 1870. Mercer University. I have no controversy with “Mercer” in the last Index, as to the future location of the University. 1 only ask parmission to set the good brother right before the readers of his article, who may misunderstand him, beoause they do not know him as well as I do. Ha says: “As W. is one of the Trustees of Mer cer, I suppose he cropt out what is in the minds of the Trustees—to make a proposi tion for bids, or a more proper term might be used, namely, sell out Mercer University to the highest bidder, without reference to location.” Now, “Mercer” did not mean just that, because he knows, and loves, and has the ut most confidence in most of the gentlemen composing the Board. He does not think they would betray the trust which has been so long confided to them by the Convention He does not believe these men, who have given this Institution more thought, and made more prayer for it than other men now living, and who annually pay from twenty-five to fifty dollars each for the privilege of attending to its interests, and then of having their motives impugned, and their purposes misunderstood; I say, “Mercer” does not think these men would “sell out” the institution for a good sum of money, without reference to its fu ture usefulness to the denomination. Ho used strong language, but he didn’t mean it. Nor does “Mercer” desire to have it under stood that W. would in any senso compro mise the interests of the University, for any local advantage it might be to Macon. He would simply say that lie and W.differ as to location—-that is all. We intend to have no strife on that question. What is the use to write about the future home of the College before its friends decide to remove it? I am heartily glad that “MERCER” fa-, vors removal. He will be all right at the- Convention, as he generally is. As he is a, practical business man, he douhtless under*, stands that the interests of the Institution positively demand a ohange in its location. W. To the Churches of the Alabama Association. Dear Brethren: We have a fifth Sabbath in May, July and October. How can wo best promote the Master’s oausc at these times? The State Convention “believed” if more attention were given by the Associa tions to Sabbath schools, their number and efficiency would be greatly increased. Our last Association expressed a desire to have, every church organize itself into Bible classes to study God’s precious word every Sabbath* and they also pledged themselves to one an other to do all they could to bring about that desired result. The brethren of the first district have gone zealously to work, and many brethren and some enm dies have agreed to hold a meeting with the Hickory Grove church, Montgomery county, commencing on Friday before the filth Sabbath in May next. The following is offered as the plan of the meeting: Friday, 11 a.m. —What are the duties of Churches o( Christ on the Lord’s day—John Gambel, Esq., Elder B. A. Jackson, alter nate. 1 p.m.— Convention will organize hy elec! ing officers. 30.1.—What relation does the Pastor sustain to the Sabbath school ? Twenty min utes’ discussion—Elder D Lee, Elder P. H. Lundy, alternate, 30.2—Wh0 shall Teach in the Sabbath School?—Elder W. W. Lloyd,