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86
JJttte ml Jfapfeit
J. jTtoON, - - - * Proprietor
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
[Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS :
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, «MJNE 2, 1870.
Pedobaptist Variations.
The General Conference of the Methodist Pro
testant church, at its recent session, adopted a
resolution “disapproving of re-baptism.” We
have not seen the text of the resolution ; hut, if
we may judge from the drift of the discussion, it
was designed, in part at least, to discountenance
the administration of Christian immersion on a
profession of faith, in the case of persons who have
been subjected to (non-Christian) sprinkling in
infancy. Os course, there is no repetition of bap
tism in such an act —for the ceremony which is re
pudiated by it possesses not a shadow of title to
that name. The phraseology of the Conference
needs amendment, therefore. Its resolution should
be styled, An Act to Annul the Universal Obliga
tion of Christian Baptism, and to Release Certain
Parties from Obedience to it. How far the prohi
tion of the Act reaches, we cannot say. It may,
or may not, apply to cases in which the (non-
Christian) sprinkling was performed by Popish
pi iest or lavman. Why these cases should be
excepted from its application, is by no means
clear, since a purely Romish thing ought certainly,
at first blush, to be as valid from Romish hands,
as from hands which (in relation to that thing)
are at least semi-Romish.
But this, by the way. We did not purpose to
criticise the resolution, but to gather up a passage,
or two, from the discussion on it—as illustrating
the diverse views which prevail among the mem
bership, and sometimes even among the ministry,
of other denominations, with respect to baptism.
Rev. John Clark, of West Virginia, spoke twice
against the resolution. In his first speech, he is
reported as saying: “ Lie had been for forty years
in favor of immersion. He had put water on a
few persons ; had immersed hundreds. He did
not believe infant baptism to be enjoined by either
precept or example in the New Testament, and
even doubted whether it was enjoined by the Dis
cipline of the Church.” In his second speech, he
said : “lie had not stated as his individual opin
ion that infant baptism is not taught in the Scrip
tures, but does now so declare; and if it is not
taught there, it should not be put in the Discip
line. lie holds that sprinkling and pouring are
not baptism: and John Wesley held that“even
infants should be immersed.”
This frank avowal made Mr. Clark a mark for
the shafts of more than one theological “ Little
John,” or “Robin Hood.” Dr. A. Webster “re
gretted that an aged minister should be so disre
gard/al of the sensibilities of the Conference as
to speak of baptism as ‘ putting water on children,’
and as to make light of what we consider so sa
cred and useful an ordinance. He counselled the
Conference to take a determined stand, and then
proceed kindly, saying to those who cannot sub
scribe to our faith that we deem it better for the
church and themselves that they go where nei
ther would be troubled by the question.” Dr.
S. B. Southerland said: “ Shall we say in one of
our articles of religion that the practice of infant
baptism shall be continued, and then let ministers
pour contempt upon it, and not stamp such con
duct with disapproval? There is no such thing
as rebiqMism. Baptism is an ordinance of God—*
is a single act: how can it be repeated? Any
attempt to do so is a solemn farce. Brethren
say, this will afflict their conscience. It is the
Church which afflicts them. They pour contempt,
unmeasured and unmitigated, upon the ordinance
of the Church. [Of the Church, take notice, —
not of Christ.] They who do so are not Metho
dist Protestants: they ought to be in the Baptist
church. The Church at large is afflicted by them.
We never imagined there were such heresies
among us: now that we know it, it is time to
act.” Dr. J. J. Murray, also, said: “ There were
ministers teaching doctrines contrary to the faith
ol the Church, and pouring contempt upon the
practice of the church. The Church says infant
baptism shall be retained, and brethren say it has
no warrant in the Scriptures; they say this to
congregations and to families they visit, and the
minds of the people become unsettled. The
Church should make a solemn declaration of what
it approves, as its laws have been lightly spoken
of. While brethren say they are Methodist Pro
testants, yet their teachings and practices are in op-
position to the laws of the Church. Their sym
pathies in this particular are with the Baptists,
and the tendency of their teaching is to make
Baptists of the entire body of Methodist Protes
tants." [No very dire calamity, we hope.]
These three Doctors certainly stand sufficiently
apart from Mr. Clark, when they wish to thrust him
wholly out from their ecclesiastical fold. But
there were other tokens of divergence brought to
light by the discussion.
In the view of Dr. Murray, “ it would be a pro
fanation of the sacred ordinance to re-baptize
and Dr. Southerland, as we have seen, pronounced
it a “ solemn farce." But Rev. Thomas Aaron
said “he practiced immersion of those who have
been baptized in infancy, when it was desired of
him.”
Again: Rev. Mr. Aaron thought, “as the
Church allows different modes, that one who was
baptized in infancy, when he had nothing to do
with the act, ought to have the choice of inode
when he is capable of judging for himself.” But
Dr. L. W. Bates opposing re-baptism, said: “ We
cannot practice it without abridging the right of
the parent to choose the mode of baptism for the
child.” And Rev. John Paris, speaking on the
same side, said : “ The administrator who studies
the Scriptures for his views is better prepared to
understand the subject than the candidate who
fails to investigate it.” (This was not said, by
the way, in behalf of Mr. Clarke ; but we give
him the benefit of it.)
The resolution, as we have stated, was adopted.
But there was decided dissent. Dr. J. K. Nichols
said: “Ho had grave doubts of the propriety of
passing this report. The settling of orthodoxy
bv a majority vote was dangerous. Ilis conscience
would not allow him to re-baptize. For forty
years we have lived as a church, without any thing
in the discipline upon the subject; and now no
man can submit to be controlled in his conscience
by any act of this body.” Dr. Batchelor said :
« Why put in the discipline a doubtful decision ?
The law says nothing shall exclude a person from
the Church but advocating doctrines contrary to
the law of God. There is a difference of opinion
on this subject: and when did we get infallible,
that we should undertake its decision ? Are we
going to declare that we are infallible in passing a
law determining the mode of baptism i And
Rev. J, G. Whitfield, President cf the Confer
ence, said : “ The effect of the proposed measure
was to bind the conscience of men. The discip
line allows liberty of conscience in all doctrines.
He believed in individual responsibility, and this
involves the exercise of conscience; destroy this,
and you destroy all religion. To be morally re
sponsible, our conscience must decide what is
right. In the Scriptures we find a variety of
prac'.ice in regaid to baptism; it is therefore un
wise to attempt to fix anything definite upon this
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOOTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, JUNE 2,1570.
subject. It is natural that there should be a di
versity of opinion on this subject; and as the
Master has not made it plainer, wtio shall make a
definite rule to which all must submit ? He held
that the passage of this item would be instituting
anew test of membership, which the Conference
has no right to do.”
This discussion betrays a surprising contrariety
and conflict of sentiment. How widely those
must differ with each other, who depart from the
plain sense of Scripture !
We venture one quotation further, as a speci
men of the singular misapprehensions into which
even intelligent men, in one communion, may be
betrayed with regard to the views of other com
munions. Adherents of “ the current Reforma
tion” may well be astonished to learn that they
recognize and practice two separate amd distinct
baptisms. And yet, Rev. E. C. G. Nickens said :
“ There were different kinds of baptism recognized
by the sects. Campbellites baptize for a specific
purpose; they baptize for repentance; afterwards,
upon the conversion of the individual, he is again
baptized. Now, one who had simply been bap
tized unto repentance by this sect, if he should be
converted and come to us for baptism, should not
be refused. It would oppress his conscience, and
to refuse him would be wrong.”
Sins of Silence.
Good old Bishop Griswold, of Massachusetts, —
it was in the days when Episcopal churches were
no “higher” than others—once said to a clergy
man who asked him why he was' so often silent,
when he had so much to say that was worth say
ing, replied : “ I talked as much as anybody when
I was young, and I said a great man foolish things
that I have been sorry for: I have never been
sorry for anything that I never said.”—Congre
gationalist.
Was there never, then, “a word in season”
which he forbore to speak? Had he, at no time,
‘held his peace even from good,’ when obligation
demanded that he should bear witness to it? Had
he always obeyed, in letter and spirit, the divine
injunction, “Ye that are the Lord’s remembran
cers, keep not silence?” Could he trace the lines
of his social intercourse with men, stretching
through long years, and be smitten with no sor
rowful sense of lost opportunities to make the
freedom of conversation a means of instruction,
warning, guidance, encouragement, in spiritual
things?
Few, very few Christians, we fear, can render
an affirmative answer to questions like these. In
how many case3, alas!,
“Advice is sporting while infection breeds;”
and the lips of the believer are vocal with no tes
timony for the soul and the Saviour, when thought
lessness calls for admonition, or desire secretly
yearns after counsel —when the name of Jesus,
breathed in friendliness and simplicity, might
strike through the coat of mail in which uncon
cern encases the heart—when the power of the
Holy Spirit stands ready to link itself with the
weakness of our words, as witnesses for the truth,
and to make these words resistless by reason of
His might. Our sins of silence, in this regard,
are, for'number and enormity, scarcely second to
our sins of speech. It will be among our most
solemn experiences in the. final judgment, to meet
the things we have not said. Unspoken good
is evil—is unfaithfulness to the Master, and
damage to our own souls, and ruin perchance to
the souls of others. Oh, let the word of the
L or( ]--His enlightening, saving word—be often
on our tongue in the daily walks of life, lest, for
lack of it, leanness shall smite us spiritually, and
those we love shall drop into the pit.
An Evil Lesson, and its Fruits.
Northern denominational papers, favorable to
the American Baptist Home Mission Society, have,
at times, avowed (and fostered) the impression
that the religious culture of the Freedmen cannot
be safely committed to Southern Christians, be
cause these do not possess the “full confidence”
of the black race, and are scarcely entitled to it.
There has been injustice in this course—an injus
tice borne in silence, but still felt.
It seems, however, that they are themselves
called to lie on the bed—whether of roses or
thorns—which their hands prepared for us. Take,
in proof, an extract or two from the Editorial Cor
respondence of the American Baptist, written
from Fredericksburg during the recent session of
our Virginia (Colored) State Convention. The
writer says: “The American Baptist and the
Shiloh Herald, with the Sunbeam, are the only
Baptist papers circulating in this State among the
colored people, in which they have full confidence.
If other papers are mentioned, whe’ther at Phila
delphia, New York or Boston, the mention of
them tends only to provoke a simultaneous smile.
These brethren mean to show that they are not
nice fat black birds that can be ‘caught by sprink
ling salt on their tails.’ ” And this spirit reaches
even to the Home Mission Society itself; for that
document adds Outside of ourselves, as colored
Baptists, we get but little financial strength. We
are profusely bled, but the holy guardians of our
soul’s salvation are so bandaged themselves, that
we cannot bleed them in return. ’
« >Tis sport to see the engineer
Hoist with his own petard,”
says the poet. But the interests at stake here are
too momentous to allow of mere amusement over
this aspect of it. We content ourselves with the
expression of the hope that the papers to which
we refer, will perceive how unwise it is to teach
the colored race to suspect white Baptists at the
South, since the spirit of suspicion, once engen
dered, may be directed, in turn, against white
Baptists at the North. The practical inference
from this view of the matter we may safely leave
to their own sound sense and Christian principle.
Rev. G. B. Bealer, D.D.
We grieve to announce that Dr. Bealer, so long
the beloved and honored pastor of our church at
Darlington, S. C., now lies, to all appearance, at
the point of death, in this city. He has been in
feeble health for some time ; and his disease has
unexpectedly developed into hopeless consump
tion. Perhaps, before these lines come from the
press, he will have known “ the last of earth.”
Thank God for the comfortable assurance which
cheers his sick bed, that, when that experience
overtakes him, he will know, as well, the first of
heaven!
Reviews and Notices.
A Constitutional View of THE LATE WAR be
tween the States: Its Character. Causes. Con
duct and Results. Presented in a Series of Col
loquies at laberty Hall. By ALEXANDER H.
STEPHENS. Atlanta: National Publishing
Company. Pp. 827, with portraits, in sleel. ot the
Author, G. T. Beaureffard, Robert Toombs, S. A.
Douglas, A Lincoln, (with autograph letters,) J.
Davis, R. E. Lee, J. E. Johnston and U. 8. Grant.
Serious apprehensions were felt lest the im
paired health of Mr. Stephens should prevent the
completion of his great work—the History of the
War. These fears are happily put at rest by the
appearance of the second, which is also the clos
ing, volume of the work.
The first volume ably discussed the nature
of the Federal Government, as a compact be
tween distinct, separate, sovereign States. The
second—which is the better adapted, of the two,
to popular reading—resumes this “ Constitutional
View;” shows how the vital principle of the
Government was assailed and imperilled by anti
slavery agitation; vindicates the secession of the
Southern States as a means (perhaps unwisely,
yet rightfully, resorted to) for the rescue and
preservation of that principle; fastens the re.
sponsibility for the war unmistakably on the
North; recites the formation and outlines the
genius of the Confederate Government; traces
the campaigns of the years of blood in connec
tion with the political history of the country, so
far as it controlled or influenced the war, or was
affected by it; relieves Southern rulers from the
charge of cruelty to prisoners; points out the
matters of difference, without feud, between Mr.
Stephens and President Davis on questions of
policy; gives a lucid, detailed account of the
Hampton Roads Conference; and sketches the
course of events since the close of the struggle to
the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment. An
appendix embodies quite a number of valuable pub
lic documents, confirmatory of the author’s state
ments and reasonings; and an ample index facili
tates reference to the discussion of particular ques
tions or the delineation of particular characters.
The public is here put in possession, for the first
time, of many facts, which, among all who have writ
ten on the war, Mr. Stephens alone was in a posi
tion to know; and many facts, greatly misappre
hended heretofore, in various quarters, are placed
in proper light and shadow for the true historical
perspective. The unimpeachable probity of the
author, his wise statesmanship, his penetrative
insight, all 'the high qualities of head and heart
which have won the admiration and affection of
his countrymen, commend this work to general
patronage, without regard to distinctions of sec
tion or party.
Mr. J. Henly Smith, of Atlanta, is agent for the
sale of the work in Fulton and DeKalb counties ;
and subscriptions will be received also by Mr. 0.
Dozier, at his News Depot, near the City Post
Office. Mr. J. K. Jamison, the Southern Agent
of the National Publishing Company, (Broad
street, Atlanta,) will fill orders from South Car
olina, Georgia, East Tennessee, Alabama, Florida
and Mississippi.
Christ’s Cadets. By Mrs. Ada C. Chaplin. Premi
um Book. Philadelphia: American Baptist Pub
lication Society. Pp. 437. with five full-page illus
trations.
This work received the premium of SSOO, of
fered by B. B. Willis, Esq., of Haddonfield, N.
J., for “ a narrative specially adapted to the case
of young believers, warning them of the tempta
tions to open sin, worldliness, and sluggishness
in their Christian course.” It admirably serves
this end. A group of youthful converts, of va
rying conditions, temperaments, helps and snares,
have their early Christian experience portrayed,
in a story happily conceived and recited graceful
ly—giving quite a vivid picture of the most
usual devices of Satan against the purity and
peace of the disciple, and pointing out the one
only source of sufficing strength—‘a life with not
a single corner where Christ has no part.’ It
will be deservedly popular, and do good.
The American Tune-Book. A Complete Collection
of the Tunes which are Widely Popular in Amer
ica, with the most Popular Anthems and Set Pie
ces; Preceded by a New Course of Instruction
for Singing Schools, by Dr. Lowell Mason. The
Tunes and Anthems selected from all sources by
Five Hundred Teachers and Choir Leaders. Bos
ton: Oliver Ditson & Cos. New'York : Charles H.
Ditson <fe Cos. Pp. 440. Price, $1 50 per copy;
sl3 00 per dozen. Fur sale, Atlanta, by Phillips
§ Creut.
This book is the fruit of a happy conception.
It contains no new tunes —none that are untried
candidates for popularity. It is made up out of
the hundreds of tune books which have been
published in the last fifty years, and contains only
such tunes as “have proved widely and perma
nently popular, and have continued to be exten
sively used.” The selection was made by Mason
Brothers, from lists prepared by Five Hundred
Teachers of Music and Leaders of Choirs, in all
parts of the country —each giving the result of
his experience and the testimony of his section.
The book supplies, therefore, more than a thou
sand *of the tunes which have stood~lhe test of
long and general use, and must embody the great
bulk of the sacred music best adapted to the taste
of our people and (by fair inference) most excel
lent in itself.
The Autobiography of Rev. Obadiah Echols. Writ
ten in his S4ih year. Memphis: Printed for the
Author. 1870.
The above is the title of a book of 199 pages,
written by one who is “supposed to be the old
est living Baptist minister in the South.” We
have read the work with interest, amusement and
profit. The author has occupied places of prom
inence and trial in secular life, and labored among
his brethren as a minister, in Georgia, Alabama,
and Mississippi. His book is in the conversational
style, his colloquy being between himself and his
grand-child, in which he gives to the youth, W.
M. Freeman, a racy account of his eventful histo
ry. To Elder Echols’ many friends and acquaintan
ces, in the regions where he has lived and labored,
the work will be very interesting. We suppose
it was prepared expressly for their reading. It
will also be found interesting to others. Let
those who want this book, address the author at
Winona, Miss. R.
The Mercerian.
This is a sprightly sheet, published on alter
nate Saturdays, at Mercer University, Penfield,
Ga., and conducted in the interest of the students
of that institution, by an editorial corps, consist
ing of Messrs. Andrew J. Beck, W. H. Norton, J. J.
Brantlv, Jr., J. T. Prior and Wm. M. Sims. The
subscription price is only $1 a year ; and, if we
knew how, we would induce a thousand of our
readers to send for it in the next seven days.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
• Georgia.
A Convention of delegates from churches of the
Ocmulgee and Towaliga Associations, Primitive
(“Anti-Missionary”) Baptists, held at High Shoals
church, May 6th, decided to consolidate the two
Associations, under the name of Towaliga.
The Convention called by the Ebenezer Associa
tion (colored) to assemble in Augusta, May 13th,
organized a permanent Georgia Colored Baptist
State Convention. About a hundred delegates
were in attendance, and Rev. F. Quarles was
elected President. An effort was made by Rev.
W. D. Siegfried, in the employment of the Amer
ican Baptist Home Mission Society, to induce the
Convention to become auxiliary to that Society;
but it failed The revival at the Second church,
Macon, with 9 accessions, reminds us that the
church is embarrassed by a debt for which the
building is mortgaged. The friends of Jesus
should help to lift this burden from a band occu
pying an important niche in the walls ot our
Zi on . Rev. J. 11. DeVotie, D.D., Columbus,
returns, in fair health, from a visit to his brother
in i owa . -In the Richmond Herald , Rev. W.
M. Davis says: “ From Blakely, Ga., to the Coast,
a distance, perhaps, of a hundred miles, not one
flourishing church is known to exist. Many
churches have either died completely, or are in
such a state of decline as to promise little im
provement.” Rev. F. Quarles, pastor of the
Friendship (colored) church, Atlanta, baptized
seven candidates last Sabbath, and seven others
are awaiting the ordinance.
Alabama.
Rev. E. G. Baptist, of Uniontown, writes to the
Richmond Herald: “I have recently organized
two Sunday schools, and expect to baptize six
persons soon. lam ordaining colored preachers
and am organizing colored churches, and hope to
form a colored association.” While Rev. G. W.
Wilcox, of Woodville, was absent, with his fami
ly, at church, Sunday, May 15th, his dwelling
and entire contents were consumed by fire, leav
ing them without even a change of apparel.
They are now in the world without shelter, or
food, or raiment, and are poor. Who will help
them ? Who will not ? •
District of Columbia.
Rev. G. W. Samson, D.D., has tendered his
resignation of the Presidency of Columbian Col
lege.
..Kentucky.
On Tuesday evening, May 17th, a church was
constituted in the new house of worshij) on
Broadway, Louisville, with about 100 members,
principally from Walnut street church.- J. B.
Webster, of Louisville, secured original photo
graphs of the ministers attending the Southern
Baptist Convention, which he will group together
in a single picture, containing more than 300
figures; orders filled #t $2 per group. E.
Klauber, of Louisville, will send, for $2, a group
of 18 Southern Baptist Editors; who attended the
Convention. Rev. C. C. Chaplin, of Va., ac
cepts a call to our church at Owensboro. Rev.
E. N. Dicken, Processor of Languages in Bethel
College, retires at the close of the session, to take
charge of Bethel fhurch, Christian county.-
At the General Association, “It was stated that, of
the 200,000 Freedjnen in the State, 20,000 are
Baptists. A church, of 34 members, has been
constituted at Kiddville, Clark county. Rev.
Enoch P. Bowman has been excluded by Cow
Creek church, fistill county, on a charge of
“conduct unbecoming a Christian and a gentle
man.” r
Louisiana.
The St. Louis Baptist states that Rev. E. G.
Taylor, of Union Park church, Chicago, has
accepted the pastorate of Coliseum Place church
New Orleans. ***
North Carolina.
A private letter from Wilmington to Dr. Wink
ler, mentions tbulT'a revival has begun in our
church at WiltnijjgJpn. Why have we not re
ceived the Biblical■ Recorder for two weeks or
more? Rev. CUT. Bailey desires a good Bap
tist physician to-settle in Edenton, in the midst
of a population 5,000, and six Baptist
churches with a membership of 1,600.
Virginia.
The announces the decease,
in that city, May 23rd, of Rev. J. S. Walthall,
aged 58 years. He has done good service as an
able minister ol«Cfhe New Testament, and the
patrons of the Biblical Recorder, while he occu
pied the editorial-chair, know how vigorous a pen
he wielded. Forty persons have professed con
version at Enon church, Roanoke county ; a large
number of them«si*e young ladies at Hollins In
stitute. A meeting held by the students of
Richmond College, in the City Alms House, re
sulted in 12 conversions. Richmond College
desires a Professor of Moral Science. See the
advertisement on our third page.
The Orphan’s Home Once More.
Will you please permit this one more call
of attention to #ur cherished enterprise to ap
pear in your columns l We wish it emphati
cally understood by every one, that a cash
contribution, while by no means objectiona
ble, is not the nor yet the primary ob
ject of this call upon the people at large, and
the Baptist brotherhood in particular, by the
resolutions of the Huntsville church, but that
pledges be taken for from one to five years,
to be paid, thejHst installment, at least by
the close of thi- year. A respectable pledge
of this kind \vil|. give us boldness in our ap
proaches before' the throne, that the good
Lord send prosperity upon us, and upon our
afflicted land. A large book of registry will
•be kept in the archives of the institution, in
which the name of every church, agent and
individual contributing, together with the
amount contributed, will be strictly recorded.
This record may be of special interest to com
ing will also serve as a pro
tection to thos«pai>aging its affairs. v
Will all dditrrs please publish?
J. Abert Hill, Gen'l Agent.
Carrollton, Ala., May 10 th, 1870.
Second Baptist-Church, Macon, Ga.
Since last writing to you, a meeting of
more than two weeks’ continuance has been
going on in the Second Baptist church of this
city. Asa result, four have been baptized
and four are now waiting to be baptized.
The meeting has not been discontinued, though
interrupted by rain. There are others who
have professed conversion, and expect to join.
Brethren Everett, Warren, Haygoud, and J.
Thomas have preached effectually, and the
meeting has been characterized by earnest
ness and depth of feeling, without any great
manifestation of excitement. Some of the
conversions were striking and interesting—one
a most palpable answer to direct and perse
vering prayer. We have been compelled to
dig a well for filling our baptistery, in pay
ing for which we were liberally assisted by
the congregation. I sincerely hope that the
brethren wiil bear the Second Baptist church
of Macon up to a Throne of Grace, in their
prayers, for it occupies an important field.
S. Boykin.
P. S.: We still invoke the assistance of
friends and lovers of Zion to aid us in pay
ing the church debt. We have promises, but
would be glad to see more fulfillment of
them. Anything sent to me soy that purpose,
will be gratefully acknowledged. S. B.
Macon, May 27, 1870.
Northern Baptist Anniversaries.
Philadelphia, May 24th, 1870.
Here we are attending the anniversaries ofthe
Northern brethren—giving practical demon
stration of our report on co-operation. If you
will take a pencil sketch of matters and things
hastily thrown together—put down just as
they came up —you are welcome to it. Quite
a goodly number are here from within the
bounds of the S. B. Convention : Dr. J. B.
Taylor, Dr. G. W. Samson, R. B. Kelsay, J.
B. Hawthorne, Dr. F. Wilson Chambliss,
C. H. Hyland, R H. Graves, E. J. Willis
(Va.) Dr. J. A. Broaddus, Dr. B. Manly, Dr.
W. F. Broaddus, George Bradford, L. E.
Cuthbert (S. C.), A. E. Dickinson, C. C.
Meador, Hardwick and Dunaway.
The meeting of the Baptist Historical
Society was held last evening, at the famous
“ Beth Eden” church. Too late so hear the
address of Prof. Osgood—highly spoken of
as a “ big thing.” But I saw “ Beth-Eden”—
that is, fragments of it. To describe it is im
possible—cannot be done on papers—at least,
to the comprehension of ordinary readers.
Such an extraordinary house would require
such an extraowlinary genius to describe it,
that when described the article would have to
go begging to find an extraordinary reader to
understand it. It must be seen, and seen all
over, and seen again and again, to form an
idea of it; and then,"even, you wilt not be able
to recall anything in the past or present, in
the books or out of them, to compare it to.
I have seen St. Peters, at Rome, St. Pauls, at
London, cathedrals of all imaginable shapes
in Europe; 1 have seen Grecian, Gothic,
Doric, and pure American architecture—es
pecially the latter, where a house has grown
bv patches —a main building, then a shed on
the north side, then a shed on the south side,
then a patch on the end ; 1 have seen white
houses, and red houses, and brown houses,
and black houses; I have seen houses with
galleries, high galleries and low galleries—
gdleries in the end and galleries on the sides;
church buildings with pulpits and without
pulpits, —with front doors, and back doors,
and side doors :—I would say imagine a
church edifice blending all these styles and
peculiarities, and colors at the same time,
built of the most costly material and of ex
quisite workmanship—no sham, no mere rep
resentation, but every article being what it
represents to be— i. e., the marble is marble,
the stone is stone, the oak wood is oak wood,
the walnut wood is walnut wood, etc. It has
thirty rooms—rooms in the basement and
rooms on the top of the house—rooms in frout
and rooms in the rear—rooms everywhere,
and for every conceivable, purpose. It has
memorial columns and memorial windows,
beautiful and significant, but dangerous. I
am afraid of such things in Baptist churches.
“Ye observe days and weeks,” etc. “I am
afraid of you, etc.” “Thou shall not bow
down nor worship them,” etc. Yet the house
is beautiful and grand, and grows upon you.
The meeting of the Missionary Union came
off in the First Baptist church, a large, sub
stantial, beautiful edifice; Prof. Martin B.
Anderson, President of Rochester University,
presiding officer. Opened with prayer by
Rev. Ward, twenty years a missionary in
Assam. Followed by a capital address from
the President, reviewing the work of missions
and looking into the future. A hopeful, cheer
ing view. “ Missions not a tailure. As
much good has been done in the last fifty
years as in any fifty years since the introduc
tion of Christianity.”
A resolution was offered by Dr. J. Wheaton
Smith to invite the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian church, now convened in this
city, to unite with the Mission Union and
spend from 5 to 6 o’clock in a social prayer
meeting, at Beth-Eden church. Unanimously
adopted.
The Report of what we would call the Board
—but they call the Executive Committee, —
located at Boston, was read by Dr. Murdoch.
An example worthy of imitation in this : a
brief abstract, taking but little time. The
death of such members of the committee as
deacon Heman, Lincoln and Dr. B. Stow
was most touchingly alluded to, and consumed
the most of the time in the report.
At 11.30 the annual sermon was preached
by Dr. Everts, of Chicago—an excellent ser
mon: “ Following Jesus in the regeneration
the nature of the regenertion, and the powers
in the regeneration ; the powers —the Bible,
Jesus the God manifest in the flesh, and the
Holy Spirit. The points were well taken
and well sustained. They had the ring of the
true metal. Dr. E. preached without notes ;
he is an earnest, impressive speaker; not un
like J. R. Graves in appearance and manners.
1 liked him. The opening prayer was made
by Dr. J. B. Taylor, of Va.
Several men from the South were upon
various committees. I have not heard of any
of them acting. One on the committee to
nominate officers, concluded he was not a
member of the Union, and had no authority
to appoint any man in the South to act as
an officer of the organization, though cherish
ing the best of feelings to the bod), as an in
dividual, and enjoying the meetings and the
social intercourse of his brethren, respectfully
maintained a dignified silence and absence
from the committee. As far as I can learn,
the brethren from the South are treated with
the greatest possible kindness, as I have
always, and on all occasions, been treated, be
fore the war, during the war and since the
war.
The Committee to wait upon the General
Assembly reported that they were warmly
received, but that body h id so much business
on hand and the day’s work so mapped out.
that while they could not meet the Union in
a body, they would send a delegation of
twenty of their best men to represent them.
This rather took the Union aback. Some
were for appointing a similar committee to
meet their committee ; others for receiving
the committe at the First church (where the
Union was holding its session.) But in view
of the fact that the Union did not consult the
Assembly as to the time and place, it was de
cided unanimously to adjourn and meet the
committee at Beth-Eden at 5 o’clock. An
immense congregation. Some one said “it
was the General Assembly meeting the church
of the first born."
Dr. Anderson, in behalf of the Union, wel
comed the committee. Dr. McCosh respond
ed on Behalf of the Assembly. Several short
addresses were made and earnest prayer of
fered, and “ All Hail the Power of Jesus’
Name” “ Rock of Ages” were sung with heart
and voice. Many good things were said on
each side, and all seemed well pleased and
edified. A committee of twenty from the
Missionary Union meet with the General As
sembly in asocial prayer meeting to-morrow
morning.
The body being so large, it seems difficult
to find a place to hold its sessions. Only
three days arc allowed now for all the meet
ings—a day to each society—Foreign Mis
sions, Home Missions and Publication Socie
ty. Dayton, Ohio, invited the Mission Union,
provided it alone met with them, so it might
have more time to attend to its business. A
division of the meetings was to be depreca
ted as injurious to all. Matter referred to a
select committee of fifteen. Reported to ac
cept the invitation to Dayton, provided they
would receive all the societies, with the un
derstanding that two days be given to the
Union, and a day to each of the other Socie
ties. To save time, it was decided to dis
pense with the Annual Sermon.
We are entertained with true politeness
and genetous hospitality, at the beautiful
home of Mr. Shoemaker, and never had ex
tended to us more elegant courtesies. You
shall hear from me again as the meetings
proceed.
May 25th.
Meeting of Am. and For. Bible Society.
The trouble about the union of this Society
with the Baptist Publication Society, not set
tled yet. All agreed to the marriage, but there
seems to be some difficulty about the con
summation. Hope to complete the union at
this meeting. These Societies have but little
time allowed them for business ; only an hour
and a half to the Bible Society. Enough, it
was supposed, for a general service.
Meeting of the Bap. Publication Society.
Annual Sermon by Rev. J. D. Fulton, of
Boston : “ If the truth make ye free, ye shall
be free indeed.” Subject: “The World’s
Need of a Baptist Literature.” A grand
theme, and grandly discussed. Such a ser
mon as no man but Fulton could preach, and
delivered only as Fulton can deliver a sermon.
Immense audience all absorbed; some wept,
some laughed, and many clapped. Yes!
chipped again and again, as if listening to a
political speech. Anew kind of active piety
and demonstrative- worship. They clap in
prayer meeting, and during a sermon, if any
thing is said that touches the head, heart, or
feeling—solemn,grand,or laughable. Strange
to my ears. Where I wept, or smiled, or
groaned, or said amen, praise the Lord, they
“ bring the house down with applause.”
sermon was a grand thing, abounding with
rich thought, striking, thrilling illustrations,
and good, soul-stirring truths, dear to Baptist
hearts. Fulton is a real good fellow and"hard
worker, though mighty strange in some things.
A warm heart, an open hand for all who love
Jesus and work for Him.
J. W. M. W.
Ordination of Deacons.
In compliance with the request of Mt. Pis
gah church, I proceed to report the ordination
of brethren J. W. Darnell and Levi Reece to
the deaconship of the aforesaid church. On
Saturday, 14th of May, several brethren met
’ and organized a presbytery for the ordination
of brethren Darnell and Reece. The ordina
tion sermon was preached by Rev. Wm.
Land. The candidates were then examined
by our pious and devoted brother, A. B.
Mitchell, who investigated the deep and sub
lime doctrines touching the foreknowledge of
God in a plain and comprehensive manner ;
the candidates giving satisfactory evidence of
sound, orthodox, Christian faith. Brother
Smith, in solemn prayer, consecrated their
lives to the service of the Most High. The
charge was afterwards delivered by your
correspondent, dwelling exclusively upon the
practical duties connected with the deacon’s
life—thus qualifying, by the imposition ol
hands, and setting apart by the efficacy of
prayer, two brethren for the service of the
Lord. William P. Edge.
Campbellton, Ga., May 23, 1870.
Encouraging Success.
It may be interesting to the friends of the
Sunday School Board, to know something of
the progress which that Board is making.
How things are looking up with us, will be
sufficiently indicated by the following state
ment, exhibited at our Board meeting to-day.
During the six months immediately prece
ding my official connection with the Board,
there were raised for Kind Words 81,245 53,
and general contributions, amounting in all
to $209 03; making the total for six months,
of $1,454 56. During the last fiscal month,
commencing the 15th of April, and ending
the 14th of May, we have received for Kind
Words, The Child's Delight , $855 63 ; dona
tions for general purposes, $1,009 08; per
centage on sale of Sunday school books,
sll6 65; making a total, in cash, of $1,981
36. Besides this, the unpaid but reliable
pledges given at the meeting of the Southern
Baptist Convention, amount to $1,140. If
these be added to the cash receipts, we have
a grand total, for the month, of $3,121 36,
against $1,454 56, for the six months to which
I have referred. We think the steady, and,
we may add, the rapid increase of the pat
ronage of this Board, for the last eight months,
must be gratifying to its friends everywhere;
and it is especially' matter for devout grati
tude to all the members of the Board at
Memphis. But all that has been done thus
far, has been done by comparatively few ol
our churches and schools. Will all the other
churches and schools stand idly by, and see
us hear the burden of this noble work with
out their aid? Pastors, superintendents,
teachers, pupils in our Sunday schools, will
you not all help us to establish Sunday
schools amongst the destitute, and thus en
deavor to lead the children to Jesus?
T. C. Tkasdale, Cor. Sec.
Memphis, Tenn., May Yolh, 1870.
A Letter from New York.
Since I have been in the great metropolis of
America, I have seen many things new and strange.
But this is not remarkable in one whose scenes
were those peculiar to a plantation home in the
far-off sunny South, and whose customs those
which engender that gentleness in the female
character which is a distinguishing mark of the
women and girls of my own native land. It is
not surprising, then, that here, I have been shocked
dumbfounded, chagrined, captious, at meeting,
face to face, the opposite of all which I had been
accustomed to. One has but to take the rounds
to the various stores, restaurants, places of busi
ness in general, to find bow gruff the New Yorker
is. He takes no measures to conceal that the mo
tive-power of his being, the spring-lock of all his
courtesy, blandness, suaviter in moilo, are con
centrated in the dollar. If he thinks lie is going
to get a cent out of you, he is all smiles; if his
expectations are disappointed in this, such a re
verse! It almost takes a good Southerner's life.
An apology made for this inhumanity—l cannot
apply to it a gentler term —is, that he has so
many to deal with during the ten hours he is at
his post. This would he a very convincing argu
ment, were it not that wc are at no time excusa
ble lor a breach of civility. Besides, in Paris,
one of the grand centres of the moving world, the
merchant, the shop-keeper, the tradesman of every
description, is so exceedingly polite to a customer,
that he makes one leave his store with a feeling
of regret that he could not buy the obliging man
out. I warn our noble Southerners against imi
tating the example of their austere Northern
neighbor.
The next thing which disturbed nay equilibrium
in coming here, was women orators, women lectu
rers, women preachers, women doctors. I had
heard of these before it was rny good fortune to
visit New York, but hearing of, is not hearing nor
seeing. I was perhaps never more curious than
to attend a Woman’s Rights Convention to see
how women organized and conducted their meet
ings. Two weeks ago I was most abundantly
gratified; that is, iny curiosity was, in this par
ticular; for, at the same time, but in different
halls, sat in session the Union Woman’s Suffrage
Convention, and the American Woman’s Suffrage
Association. Really, l had more than 1 could do
justice to; but to reap, as far as it was possible,
an equal benefit from both, I alternated, going
first to the one, then the other. Seeing the pio
neers, Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony Mrs. Lucy
Stone Blackwell, and their army of satellites,
hearing these speak, discuss and debate, listening
to their statements of the progress of their work,
based upon a broad and philanthropic platform ;
their eloquence, their self-possession, their grace,
case, altogether, quite overwhelmed me. I went
bolstered up with prejudices I had been gathering
about me since I had first heard of Woman's
Rights, and I confess that they were somewhat
shaken. Do not you in turn become shocked.
But I cannot withhold an expression of my admi
ration of the ability displayed in our sex, on
these occasions, which I never dreamed belongs to
it. lam now thoroughly convinced that woman
needs but the opportunity to show that she is
richly endowed with mental faculties. Whatever
may be said of this organization, detrimentally or
otherwise, there is one thing quite sure, right or
wrong, scriptural or non-scriptural, it is rapidly
gaining favor, and before the end of another year,
it will have been sounded throughout the length
and breadth of the land. I endorse much they
propose; but I am not yet prepared to give my
assent to woman’s going to the polls. It is a
question which, on my part, will require much
study before I can take a stand firmly against, or
in favor of. I furnish you Wm. Lloyd Garrison’s
twelve reasons why women should vote, and then
leave the subject with you.
First. They have the same natural and inalienable
rig-tits and the same common interests as men.
Second. They have as much concern in the estab
lishment of justice, the insurance of domestic tran
quility, in providing for the common defence, promo
ting the common welfare and in securing the bless
ings of liberty to themselves and their posterity as
have men.
Third. They are naturally as capable of under
standing and determining what laws will be equita
ble and what measures eflective to these ends as
men.
Fourth. They have ns strong n love of country and
as exalted and pure patriotism as men.
Fifth. They are taxed without representation, and
in various ways by unjust legislation.
Sixth. They are made amenable to the laws even
to the extent of capital punishment; laws which
they have no part in enacting and to which their con
sent has never been asked or given.
Seventh. Deprived of the ballot, they have no means
of self protection against legal and judicial injustice.
Eighth. With the ballot, they will possess an equal
share of political power, and thus be able to redress
every wrong.
Ninth. All casle legislation is oppressive.
Tenth. A government which excludes one-half of
the population from all participation in its affairs is
not a government of the people.
Eleventh. To make sex a ground of exclusion from
the possession and exercise of equal rights is as un
justifiable and tyrannicalas it has been to make color
of skin the ground of similar abuse.
Twefth. To withhold it from women is to assign
them to a stale of guardianship through sheer usur
pation and the strong arm of brute force, and conse
quently tends injuriously to aflect the character, pol
icy and destiny of a country, and to make a pure and
just administration of government utterly impracti
cable. •
Not long since, feeling unwilling to take my ac
customed walk of two miles to Rev. Dr. Artn
initage’s church, I attended Rev. Dr. John Hall’s,
(Presbyterian,) near by. Dr. Hall is one of the
star ministers of New York, ranked by none in
learning, fluency, earnestness and piety. His
congregation is the largest in the city—St. Ste
phen’s, of the Catholic persuasion, excepted. See
ing the great crowd, the Sabbath I was thoro, I
looked round for the attraction. It was certainly
not in the vast proportions of that massive Gothic
structure, which, aside from the design, presents
a most subdued oak coloring appearance; not in
the fancy painting of the organ, for it partakes ol
the same hue of the roof, gallery and pews, and
the most of which is hid behind the pulpit. Ibe
preacher, in exterior, is in perlect keeping with
the church edifice. He would not strike one as
being of the school of Chesterfield; far from it.
“Perhaps it is in the services; the choir, I pre
sume, is grand,” I said to myself. But it was not
in this ; for there w r as no choir. The tunes were
old—very old—such as all could join in. The or
ganist played the air, gave the key, and a lone man
came out, stood on a lower platform of the pulpit
and led the congregation in singing. The magnet
was in the soul of the speaker. Still, it struck me
as being odd, since men in general are drawn in
masses by show, and not by intrinsic worth. But
this is, without doubt, a noble exception. Taking
the church, the services and all—anything so for
eign to display, I hnvo not, no, never before been
so happily transported back to the primitive ages
of the Christian worship.
The next thing of interest which has recently
come before me, is the Republican Tournament,
of Saturday and Tuesday last, which ended in
victory to Southern knights. I allude to this sim
ply as one of the many evidences of the growing
union between the two sections, which, from their
earliest recognized existence, have been opposed
in feeling and sentiment. The chief cause of this
disagreement being removed, it seems that the
North and the South are destined finally to coa
lesce and form one mighty nation. None was ever
more bitterly opposed to the North than myself.
I am opposed to it now ; for I am often made to
shed tears over its inconsistencies, in extending a
hand of sympathy to othePhations “down trodden
and oppressed,” while it persists in keeping the
foot of tyranny pressed hard upon our necks. But
in all, I recognize the hand of an overruling Provi
dence. A Christian, or any man, who will take
the pains, from our present stand-point, to survey
our history of the past fivc*years, is compelled to
acknowledge that it is a blossing that the negro is
freed—better for him and better for us.
But I have trespassed further than I intended.
Clementia.
Ae.ro York , May 25, 1870.
Onr Convention—As an Outsider saw it.
Our readers will feel a natural curiosity to
know hew Baptist visitors from the North regard
ed the Convention in Louisville. To gratify this
feeling, we give the annexed article from the pen
of Rev. Dr. Moss, editor of tho National Bap
tint, -Philadelphia, —with whom, by tho way, we
formed a very pleasant acquaintance, “at least to
us.”
The Convention was organized, and just
ready for business, when we first entered the
house. The large number of delegates seem
ed to be all present, and there was also a
good audience of citizens and visitors. We
were struck with the candor and frankness
that marked the general appearance of the
assembly. Our first reflection was, that these
good people will be pretty apt to say just
what they think, without any special regard
to the feelings or convictions of others. A
disposition to bo individually independent in
thought and action, and at the same time to
be firmly agreed in the defence of each other
against all the world beside, appeared to us
a controlling characteristic of these Southern
Baptists,—manifest in their public discussions
and not less manifest in their personal bear
ingand private intercourse. Intellectual ability
and moral earnestness were conspicuous in
almost all that was said and done.
Perhaps we had no right to be shocked by
an object so common as tobacco-juice, but we
were rudely roused from our meditations
above suggested, by the incessant recurrence
of short and sharp spirts all over the house,
—like the firing of miniature musketry. The
explanation, we soon discovered, was in the
fact that we were in the midst of"a company
of tobaeco-ehewers, and that, without thought
of irreverence or uncleanliness, they were,
each for himself, firing their saliva and their
“ quids” under the seats in front of them.
Many a poor spittoon was the target for mul
titudinous shots, which only missed their
mark to spatter their filth upon the floor and
furniture. Little lakes of tobacco saliva were
numerous, over the fine carpet, under the
pews and around the pulpit, and the excellent
and hospitable sisters of the Walnut Street
church, —if they feel as ladies usually do
about such matters,—must have been almost
disgusted with some of the habits of some of
their guests. But this is a digression, and
only tho personal boldness to say what we
thought, which the Convention stimulated and
strengthened in us, would move us to refer to
the subject.
Dr. M’ell is thb best presiding officer wo
ever saw over such a gathering. Perfectly
familiar with all the points of order, and per
fectly impartial in his rulings, he was never
confused and never lost his temper. Prompt,
decided, imperative, and imperturbably good
natured, he kept the Conventiou to the busi
ness directly before it, and thus hastened mat
ters forward without infringing the freedom
of debate.
The devotional element was strikingly
manifest in all the sessions. A special devo
tional service, occupying half an hour, pre
ceded each day’s deliberations, —not as a sep
arate meeting, but as part of the official pro
ceedings, and after the Convention had been
called to order for busiuess. There was fer
vor in the prayers and singing, which made
these “ seasons of delight” seasons of spiritual
profit also. The same thing was felt in the
conferences and preaching services which oc
cupied the evenings and the Sabbath. The
hymns in the Supplement to the Pealmist, —
many of them (he most precious among our
“ songs of Zion,” —were frequently used. Wc
ought to add, as our own grateful testimony,
that we have seldom heard grander singing
than that furnished us by the large and well
trained choir of the Walnut Street church.
They had an ample and competent chorus in
the crowded congregations, at the evening and
Sunday services, for the choir sang what the
people knew.
One-half of the numerical strength of our
denomination in the United States, lies within
the limits of the field occupied by the organi
zations of the Southern Baptist Convention.
These brethren have a mind to work, and
will doubtless show even greater efficiency in
the future than in the past. Enlarged liber
ality, increased attention to ministerial and
general education, the strengthening of feeble
churches, the evangelization of destitute re
gions, the multiplication of Sunday schools, —
these and kindred results may be confidently
anticipated in the years to come.
Northern Baptists will eagerly read the
doings of this Convention, to learn the feel
ings of their Southern brethren towards
themselves. Not that there is any special
anxiety among us on the subject. We can
afford to wait, and that, too, without any fear
that the cause of Christ or the cause of de
nominational unity will suffer by delay. Our
doors are open, but no one will be forced to
enter them. We shall be happy to inter
change the courtesies of Christian friendship,
and to share the counsels and co-operation of
our brethren, but we do not want them to be
moved toward us by any arguments except
the persuasions of love and tho desire to ad
vance Christ’s kingdom. There are, doubt
less, extreme partizans both at the North and
South, —certainly as many at the South as at
the North, —who would insist upon impossi
ble conditions of united action. Dr. Jeter
well said that he heard the late war spoken
of several times at the Brooklyn Educational
Convention, but alwaijs by brethren from
the South. Time, however, will heal our
chief differences, and smooth our rougher
asperities. Meanwhile it will probably be
acknowledged, by the great body of prudent
men in both sections, that the existing organ
izations at the South should for the present
be maintained, as one method of fostering
fraternal feeling, and accelerating fraternal
co-operation. This, as will be seen, was the
very decided conviction of the Convention at
Louisville, and we think its wisdom will be
generally recognized. Tho few brethren from
the North who were present at the Louisville
meeting, although courteously invited to seats
in the Convention, abstained from public ex
pression of their opinions. So far as we are
aware, not one of them took any part in the
proceedings, except in the devotional exer
cises. v
We cheerfully* bear witness that those
Southern Baptists, for the most part, spoke
kindly of their Northern brethren. Tnose
who were at Brooklyn last month were not
backward in giving testimony as to the man
ner in which they were welcomed there.