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106
fitifex Mi ftopttetj
J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Bev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
COKaKSPONDIKO EDITORS:
Rev. J. J. D. RENFRQE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1870.
The Reading of the Bible.
A few days since, we were asked—and by a
Baptist! —whether we had “ ever read the Bible
all the way through V* He thought it quite an
unusual thing for Christians to do so. No ex
pression of opinion, for a great while, has fallen
on our ear more harshly. We were disposed,
rather, to ask, whether any one, not helplessly
illiterate, could live for years as a member of the
church, and fail to “ read the Bible all the way
through,” without recognizing, in that fact, “con
firmation strong as Holy Writ,” that ‘ his faith
was vain’—that he was still “ in the gall of bit
terness and in the bond o( iniquity ?” If there are
such persons, I we stand in doubt of them.’ They
may have a strong hope: but is it “a good
hope?” Is not the habitual study of Scripture,
among the “ things that accompany salvation ?”
Does not all willful neglect of it, involve the ques
tion of salvation in painful uncertainty ?
To our mind, it seems clear that the new heart
will “hunger and thirst” after “ every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God,” whose im
age it professes to wear—that the joy of no word
of His will be voluntarily foregone by it—that He
cannot have spoken a word which it will not
“ taste,” to prove whether that word may not
show itself “sweeter than honey and the honey
comb.” Townsend, in the preface to his Arrange
ment of the New Testament in Historical and
Chronological Order, says : “ Though some delay
in the publication of this book, arising from una
voidable circumstances, has caused me much re
gret, in other instances it has Teen willingly in-
dulged. In contemplating the plan of the gov
eminent of the world, as it is revealed to us in the
Scriptures, I seemed to be surveying a more mag
nificent temple erected to the glory of God than
the round unclouded sky, with the sun walking
in his brightness. On every side I heard the song
of angels, and of the spirits of the just made per
fect. Like Adam in Paradise, I listened to the
voice of a mamfcsled God ; I conversed with the
Evangelists and Apostles; I walked with them
through the avenues of the majestic edifice ; and
even now, though their address is ended, ‘so
charming is their voioe, that I can think them
still speaking, still stand fixed to hear.’ Their
words are the words of eternal life ; and the inter
course with these priests of the temple, and with
their Holy Master, the God of their homage, ap
appeared but the anticipation of that intellectual
and spiritual happiness which shall constitute so
much of our felicity in a future state.” There
spoke the new heart—there spoke that heart’s
love for the word through which “ the renewing
of the Holy Ghost” came to it.
And the love of the new heart is for the entire
word. “ Whatsoever things were written afore
time, were written for our learning.” “ Whatso
ever” —without exception. There is a "learning ’
for us, in each and every one of them. Perhaps,
our way is darkened and our strength is weak
ened, many times, because we have not sought
out the appointed lesson—because the power, or
5;. .1it la!W ,iiU f.-.r .ic then lies in some nassace of
the sacred volume which we have left unread. A
few verses in the book of Deuteronomy furnished
our Saviour all the weapons of truth, with which
He warded off the blows of Satan, in the fierce
temptations of the wilderness. These quotations
toy our Lord are embraced within what would be
an easy morning’s reading for any of us. May
we not reasonably infer that lie had read them
during the early hours of the very day which was
to bring that sore conflict with it, and thus drew
on ‘the strength of the Strong,’ to equip Him for
the struggle and to crown Him with victory ? And
if, as a man, He needed, though sinless, the gift
and increase of might by this process, why should
we dream that the process tnay be unnecessary
for us, who are sinful men ? How can you know
that your shield against the temptations which
recently came upon and overcame you, was not laid
up for you in that, or in some other book of Scrip
ture, to which, in the hour of preparation for the
hour of peril, you turned no eye of enquiry or be
lief? Had you read it, you might have stood un
movcable ! You were moved —you fell—perhaps,
because you had not read it!
Go, then, Christian, and “read the Bible all the
way through,” that no ray of its light may be cut
off from you, that its power may flow in on your
soul with no abatement. So “ through patience
and comfort of the Scriptures” shall you “ have
hope” — the hope—the one divine hope—the hope
which alone is worthy of the name—the hope in
comparison with which all other hopes are but
despairs.
A Remarkable Testimony.
Dr. L. L. Pinkerton, of Lexington, Ky., is next
to the oldest minister in that section, identified
with “ the reformation started by Alexander
Campbell.” In the interest of that cause, he has
“devoted himself and family to poverty.” He
still esteems it a “ great work commencedby good
and self-sacrificing men,” whose hearts “over
flowed with love and charity.” And yet, in a re
cent sermon, in that city*, he made the following
statement; claiming, too, ihat ‘numbers of its
preachers and leaders throughout Kentucky, Ohio,
Indiana, Missouri and other States, with thou
sands of lay members, think just as he does:’
“The Reformation that the two Campbells in
augurated has been terribly perverted. Instead
of "their blessed plan of Christian union being fol
lowed out, the breach has been made wider by
uncharitableness. Instead of the number of con
flicting churches being lessened, another church
Ins been built up which has become worse than
any of them, because the most bigoted. It is the
narrowest bigotry on this continent.”
“ Occupied with Baptism,”
The baptismal question paid a flying visit to
Pittsburg, and looked in on the General Assem
bly of the United Presbyterian church during its
session in that # city. This makes the fifth “ec
clesiastical court” among our opponents, to which
that pertinacious question has insisted on giving
some occupation the present year. The Assembly
resented the visit, and resolved that the question
should gain nothing by it—should get nothing
settled. Or, the visit pleased the Assembly, and
arrangements were made for the return of the
question after a lapse of twelve months. For the
one reason or the other—or because difficulties
which cannot be harmoniously adjusted surround
an unscriptural practice in the premises the
point brought under discussion was left without
final decision.
That point was—the validity of Papal baptism,
(which, by the way, was the only baptism ever
received by Calvin, Luther, and all the chief Pro
testant Reformers of the sixteenth centurj'.) Dr.
Pressly presented a paper, which ‘ denied that the
Homan Catholic Church is a Christian organiza
t on, and declared that her ministers are not to be
recognized as having authority in the administra
tion of the sacraments.’ On the one hand, Dr.
Scott thought “ the grounds taken were strong
aud ought to be carefully considered.” Mr. Brown
remarked that “ they should take more tifflP to
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1870.
consider so important a question, and ought to
give the world the reasons for their action.” Dr.
Black and Mr. Pollock were opposed to action in
accordance with the paper “at this time.” On
the other hand, Mr. Coon was “ in favor of imme
diate action.” So was Mr. McArthur, who said :
.“ If papal baptism is not valid, in the judgment of
the Assembly, it should so declare.” And so Mr.
Blair, who said: “Those who admit its validity
might as well admit the validity of all the ordi
nances of the Romish church.”-
These more decided counsels prevailed—at first.
The paper of Dr. Pressly obtained adoption by a
vote of 77 to 19. But the triumph was of short
duration. The Assembly veered round to the
more cautious advice, and, on “ sober second
thought,” sent back the question to the Presbyte
ries, for such instructions as might shape the ac
tion of the next Assembly. Are they destined to
secure unity of sentiment by delay '? Will the 19
come over to the 77, or the 77 go over to the 19,
that all may stand together ? We shall see.
The Proposal for a New Baptist Denomina
tiou.
“All mischief begins, In the name of God!”
This emphatic saying has had recently an illus
tration quite as emphatic. Rev. C. H. Malcom,
the loose communionist of Newport, R. 1., has
clandestinely sent to “a certain select few,” the
following document, with the request that they
would sign and return it:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost! Amen I We, whose
names are hereunto affixed, deploring divisions in
Christ’s church, do hereby solemnly pledge our
selves to advocate, and as far as possible to form, a
union of evangelical Baptists on the basis of those
cardinal principles which they have for many
generations asserted, namely,—the word of God
the supreme rule of faith and practice in matters
of religion; the headship of Jesus Christ as the
only king in His kingdom, so that the civil power
may not constrain the conscience in spiritual
concerns; repentance and faith prerequisite to
baptism; and immersion the only act of baptism.
With these principles as a foundation of agree
ment, we earnestly promise and covenant to have
towards each other a forbearingand loving spirit;
to tolerate diversity in belief and usage in things
not essential; to grant entire freedom to each
church to fix its own teimsof communion; 'to
cherish soul liberty ; to seek for the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit, lor a blameless and devout life,
for abundant labors in the cause o( Christ, for
the salvation of souls, and for an entire consecra
tion of property, time, and talents, to the glory
of God the Father, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.”
By what rule the parties who should receive
this covenant-circular were singled out from the
nine thousand “Regular” Baptist ministers in
the United States, we do not know. But their
selection involves, beyond dispute, a grave impu
tation of denominational laxity. It is, at least, a
rather immodest enquiry, whether they are not
men who have disapproved of strict communion,
and yet connived at and enforced it—men, who,
(as charged by the Rhode Island Association of
Free-Will Baptists at its recent session,) have
‘stifled their convictions, hidden their light under
a bushel, and subjected themselves to the suspi
cion of timidity or lukewarmness in devotion to
principles dearer to Baptists than life ?’ We know
of no one ii> this region, on whom Mr. Malcom has
dared to put such an affront. And it is a gratily
ing thought that Baptists at the South are practi
cally treated as superior to temptation in this
matter. When the time comes to adjust the
question, not of fraternity only, but of co opera
tion between the two sections, it cannot he from
us that these outcroppings of disorder will call
for explanation and disclaimer.
We are not apprehensive, however, that this
erratic manifestation will prepare the way for any
serious defection among Northern Baptists. , Mr.
Malcom, indeed, in a private letter accompanying
the circular, alleges that it has been honored with
the signature of “some thirty ministers, near
ly all Baptists, and among them one or two
Presidents of Colleges, and four Doctors of Di
vinity.” Their instability, of course, is matter of
regret; but the fear that they wil lbe abie to carry
the mass of the denomination with them, is just
about as substantial as “ the prospect of the
speedy absorption of the Baptist body into the
ranks of Congregationalist3,” with which Dr. Ed
ward Beecher, on a recent Sabbath, regaled his
brethren. The man who builds the apprehension
of a general apostacy into loose communion on
such grounds, would have clamored for insurance
against lire “on the thirty-ninth day of the flood
of Noah.”
The document is not sufficiently straightforward
and-outspoken, to produce an appreciable effect.
Only manly utterances ring through and rouse the
souls of men. A rallying cry demands to be
sharp, clear, distinct, thrilling. Propositions, to
waken enthusiasm, must be thrown into pregnant
statement, and stand forward fearlessly by them
selves, and challenge acceptance on their own na
ked merits. But the change which Mr. Malcom
wishes to introduce, he is afraid to trust alone.
He has not been able to hide his own secret con
sciousness that it needs bolstering and must not
be looked too squarely in the face. The new thing
which he urges is —the mutual toleration of loose
and strict communion. The corner-stone of the
edifice be proposes to rear, is precisely that. But
what has this innovation to do, in especial, with
what pertains to true Christian experience every
where—a purpose to “cherish soul-liberty and
seek for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a
blameless and devout life, abundant labors in the
cause of Christ,” etc. ? Are not these great prin
ciples of vital godliness dragged in to shield his
proposition from separate, searching inspection—
to win a favor for it, which it cannot claim when
judged calmly by itself? Mr. Maleom’s resort to
this artifice reminds us of the culprit who, when
placed on trial, in response to the enquiry, whether
he would enter the plea of “Guilty” or “Not
Guilty,” persisted in saying, “I live by the ten
commandments!” A lofty profession, doubtless ;
and, with the connivance of the Court, a very
seemly robe to cover over the offences laid to his
charge, and spare him an investigation which
might draw unwelcome consequences after it.
The Court in which Mr. Malcom enters his plea—
if it be the Baptist ministry at large—will hardly
prove so weakly complaisant.
Looking at Mr. Malcom’s proposition, stripped
of the rhetorical drapery with which he attempts
at once to adorn and disguise it, —to what does it
amount? In the galaxy of “Regular” Baptist
churches, whose luminous tract flames out from
horizon to horizon, strict scriptural communion
prevails. But there are also loose communion
asteroids, which the telescope of the ecclesiastical
statistician discovers dimly spotting the heavens,
here and there. Or, perhaps we should say, there
are loose communion aerolites which, now and
then, sweep downward through the atmosphere
to bury themselves in the earth. And the prop
osition of Mr. Malcom is—that churches shall
“shoot (madly) from their sphere ” in this “Reg
ular” Baptist fellowship, to follow these aerolites,
or asteroids, in their erratic flight, that, while they
regard strict communion as the law of Christ,
they may “grant to themselves tha liberty” of
tolerating its violation by loose communion ! In
the way of compensation, he offers them only this
that their strict communion shall in turn re r
ceive the privilege of toleration from those whose
loose communion sets aside the law of Christ J
That we rightly construe his platform, appears
from the more open statement of the recent Free-
Will Baptist Rhode Island Association: “The
union of all Evangelical Baptists, on the basis of
soul-liberty, church independence, and entire free
dom of each church to fix its own terms of com
munion, under Christ, subject to no interference
or proscription from other Baptist churches, or
ministers on account of extending the privi
lege of the Lord’s supper to all Christians, or
restricting it to a part, is a consummation which
we devoutly desire.” In other words: the prop
osition looks to the merging of Free-Will and
“Regular” Baptists in anew denomination,com
bining within itself the discordant and irreconcila
ble practice of both with regard to communion.
When our brethren embrace such an overture,
they will have incontrovertibly established theii
claim to the title of “ God’s silly sheep,” which
King James habitually applied to Presbyterians.
But Mr. Malcom does not expect them to embrace
it. He says privately that his ‘views must b<
adopted or the denomination must be rent!’ Ani
this, being interpreted, means, that, failing to brinj.
the body of “ Regular ” Baptists over to his posi
tion, heand his associates intend to break off from
that body. We are glad to hear it. The prospect
that whatever unsoundness may have crept with
in our borders will voluntarily go out from us,
breaks with cheering aspect on our vision. The
day, we hope, is not a great way off. And if the
courage of these Dividers fails them, when the
time comes to carry their valiant purpose of seces
sion into execution, we trust that the denomina
tion will show a healthy regard to the terms of
communion fixed by Christ for all His churches,
and quicken their steps, lest they stand unduly
on the order of their going. Would it not be
helpful to the interests of order and truth among
us, if a few examples might be made of loose, re
fractory, treacherous “Doctors of Divinity and
Presidents of Colleges”—should Mr. Malcom lift
their veil and suffer us to know them ?
‘‘The Hand of Fellowship.”
A customary observance is apt, in the course of
time, to be regarded as essential. Usage takes
the shape of law ; and to provide a reason for the
law, interpretations of Scriptures are modified and
propositions oi doctrine are incorporated into the
church creed. Perhaps half the errors of Roman
ism, in belief, grew out of the effort to put robes
of theological significance about practices which
were adopted originally for aesthetic effect, or by
way of accommodation to the popular ceremonies
of races and nations, who the more readily em
braced Christianity because of its alliance with
these old forms of theirs.
It is necessary, therefore, to guard against this
tendency—to prevent matters of expediency, or
of mere ritual, from becoming matters of vital im
port to a system. All systems arc in danger of
taking up foreign elements into themselves in this
way. Baptists are not free from such hazards,
and should breast the tide which flows ir. that
direction.
Asan instance of this tendency amongourselves,
take the following statement by a correspondent
of the Zion's Advocate, with regard to our
churches in Maine:
“ Is it not generally understood among us that
if an individual is baptized he is regarded as a
professing Christian, but not a member of one of
our churches unless he receives the hand of fellow
ship ? If a member in good standing desires to
connect himself with another church, our custom
is to grant him a letter of dismission ; but if an
individual, having been baptized by the pastor of
one church, but not having received the hand of
fellowship, concludes, from some change of cir
cumstances, to unit§ with another church, not be
ing regarded as a member, he is not expected to
take a letter of dismission.”
Now, “the hand of fellowship” does not confer
membership—does not perfect a title which is in
complete without it. It is simply declaratory of
the membership which, as respects right and
privilege, was constituted and made full by the
vote of the church to that effect, as based on the
credible profession of faith and the fact of baptism
in the case of the applicant. He who, through
untoward circumstances, fails to receive it, is none
the less a member on that account. All the pre
rogatives of membership vest in him, notwith
standing; and all its responsibilities bind him.
The affection, not the authority of the church
speaks through this usage: it is circumstantial,
not constitutive —a symbol of love, not a ceremony
of empowerment.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
Our church a Rome, we learn, is expending
$5,000, on the repair of the house of worship and
the purchase of an organ. Leave of absence
for two months has been granted Rev. E. W. War
ren, of the First church, Macon.— Rev, B. L.
Roes, of Fort Valley, has on hand some proposi
tions, which, he thinks, if discussed in a Conven
tion of Missionary and “Primitive” Baptist minis
ters, would result in good, if not in union. lie
has submitted them to several “ Primitive” minis
ters, who urge their publication. We should be
glad to see them, in manuscript and in print.
Rev. H. A. Tupper, of Washington, who expected
to go North about the last of July, to preach a
sermon at the Commencement of Madison Uni
versity, N. Y., left last week ; his departure being
hastened by premonitory symptoms of his annual
attack of hay fever.-< Rev. Arthur A. McKee,
for three years up to last April, was not able to
do public service as pastor or as minister, or even
to attend church. About sixteen months ago, he
located near Bell Air, Richmond county, and found
in that neighborhood two churches without a pas
tor, with no regular meetings and no Conferences,
having been pretty much in that state from the
close of the war. Though in very feeble health,
he commenced to preach for them, as pastor, a year
ago last April, and has organized Sunday schools
in them, mostly superintended by himself.
Ai.aba.ua.
The Christian Herald , Tuscumbia, has com
pleted its fifth year; and its increased list of sub
scribers renders it necessary to get a power press,
which will be done in a few months. At a ro
cent meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Coosa River Baptist Association, Revs. S. Hen
derson, W. Wilkes, S. G. Jenkins and J. J. D.
Renfroe were appointed to devote a month or six
weeks of the summer to missionary work in that
Association, in visiting churches, aiding in pro
tracted meetings, preaching to destitute neighbor
hoods and collecting mission funds.
Kentucky.
Th & Baptist Sentinel, Rev. A. S. Worrell editor,
Lexington, says that the Index and Baptist “is
certainly a neat, tasty, interesting and ably edited
paper. In some respects we regard it as perhaps
the best of our exchanges. We refer to its con
densed column of news. This paper is gaining a
wide circulation, and, considering its territory, it
is strange that it should not have at least ten
thousand subscribers ” ——Mr. E. Ivlauber, N. E
corner Third and Jefferson streets, Louisville, Ky.,
solicits orders for his picture of (eighteen) South
ern Baptist Editors. Price $2. Locust Creek
church, Carroll county, has had 49 accessions.
June 26th, at Flagg Spring church, Campbell
county, W. T. Jolly was ordained to the ministry :
sermon by Rev. N. C. Pettit. Rev. A. J. Hall
is Superintendent of the Sunday School depart
ment of the General Association. On a recent
Sabbath, the Walnut street congregation pledged
over $1,050 to the Louisville Baptist Orphans
Home, in monthly payments.
Mississippi.
I£ev. J. L. Pettigrew has recently baptized
twenty--three converts in our church at Clinton,
while four or five others await the ordinance; the
fruit of a meeting in which he was greatly aided
by students for the njinistrj jn Mississippi Col-
lege.— Mississippi, without a Baptist organ
within its limits, seems well supplied notwith
standing in the newspaper line. There are Mis
sissippi departments, or editors, in the Missionary
Baptist, -Corsicana, Tex., the Christian Herald,
Tuscumbia, Ala., and the Baptist, Memphis, Tenn.
But Mississippi has a Baptist paper, as we
have learned since the last paragraph was writ
ten. It is the Baptist Pilgrim, with Rev. Theo.
Whitfield as editor, issued at Meridian monthly,"
but hoping soon to appear semi-monthly: terms,
j>l a year. Our church at Aberdeen has had
14 additions during a Visit of Rev. James Nelson,
ind has called him a4-f>astor. At Meridian, 10
jersons_ were baptized on a recent Sabbath;
tmong them a liulg_£iri near her tenth Spring,
ind an aged man who has passed sixty winters.
Missouri.
A writer in the Watchman and Reflector speaks
of Rev. Lansing Burrows, pastor of our church at
Lexington, and son of Rev. J. L. Burrows, D.D.,
of Richmond, Va., one of the ablest young
men of the denomination.”
Nop.tß Carolina.
Benj. B. Baber was» ordained to the ministry,
June 20th, at Live Oak church, Johnson county:
sermon by Rev. A. Weaver.
South Carolina.
The Working Christian says : “The spiritual and
financial condition of-'the two Baptist churches,
Charleston,may be considered as good as that of any
other churches in the'eity. During the present
year, both have been rec. iving constant accessions,
and our interests are certainly gaining ground.”
Rev. L. 11. Stim’k, of the First church,
Charleston, has suffi pen tty recovered health to
preach, and baptize 8 persons last
Sabbath. —Rev. E. T. Winkler, D.D., of Citadel
Square church, Charleston, baptized 9 persons,
June 24th. M. Magee was ordained to the min
istry, May 22nd, at Neal’s Creek church : sermon
by Rev. W. D. Beverly— Our State Convention
will meet in Greenville, Thursday, July 28th : in
troductory sermon by -Rev. J. L. Reynolds, D.D.;
charity sermon, by Rev. R. Furman, D.D.
Texas.
The Board of Managers of the Sunday School
and Colportage Convention, Bryan, has decided
to make an effort to increase its capital of $2,000,
by $5,000 more. There has been, for some
time, a division in theTlichland Association; and
two bodies were in existence, both claiming that
name. But in a recent Convention of the churches
involved in the controversy, at Pleasant Grove
church, the difficulty was amicably adjusted.
Tennessee.
Rev. I, R. Branham writes to us from Browns
ville: “We have heerTwithout a regular pastor
since January. I have consented to supply the
church until the close of the year. Meantime we
are looking out for a suitable man to take charge
of us next year. The College is steadily growing.
Our late Commencement exercises passed off most
pleasantly and satisfactorily, closing with an ad
mirable address from President N. Iv. Davis, of
Bethel College, Ky.” Rev. J. M. Sparks, Fin
castle, has baptized 131 persons in two years, and
assisted in the organization of four churches, three
of which were gathered under his own labors.
Virginia.
At the recent session of the General Associa
tion, a resolution was offered in favor of co-opera
tion with the Sunday School Board, Memphis.
An amendment was offered in favor of co-operating
also with the American Baptist Publication So
ciety. The amendment did not meet with a sec
ond, and the resolution was adopted
unanimously.— j— T. Schoolfield writes to us
from Petersburg, July 4th : “We commence on
to-morrow the enlargement of the house of wor
ship for the use of Byrne- street church. Our be
loved pastor, Rev. J. E 7 Hutson, has received sun
dry responses to his appeals from breth'ren in
Georgia and other States, for which we all feel
truly grateful. We shall expend about $3,000;
and tho church house, when completed, will be
one of tho neatest places of worship in the city.
We are quite sure that none of the kind donors,
could they see the house when finished, would
regret the benefactions bestowed upon their Pe
tersburg brethren.” llev. R. 11. Bagby, D.D.,
resigns charge of Bruington church, after a ser
vice of 28 years, to accept the Corresponding Sec
retaryship of the General Association.
_ ; £ -
J udson Female Institute, Marion, Ala.
I undertake the fulfillment of my promise, with
a good deal of embarrassment. Tnis arises from
my fearing that the description I give of the per
formances of the “Judson” will be accepted by
your readers as on a par with the usual newspaper
notices. As lam not addicted to much praise,
and more frequently view with a critic’s than a
flatterer’s eye, I will be believed, I trust, in all
that I may say in the following letter. This time
you shall have an untarnished description of what
was done at this important Institution oflearning.
The Examinations.
Public examinations are not necessarily decep
tions. That some attention is paid to show and
effect must be admitted, and that the performance
of a young lady on thase occasions is not always
a fair illustration of her standing and accomplish
ments. In schools, however, where tiie pupils are
carefully reviewed every few weeks, tiie public,
making an allowance for embarrassment, can form
a fair estimate of theit pfofieiency at the public
examinations.
The young ladies of the “Judson” gave evi
dences of careful training and faithful study.
Many of them elicited the unqualified approbation
of the Board of Visitors. The graduating class
was particularly successful. In Astronomy and
the Calculus the young ladies stood above the ma.
jority of young men in our Colleges.
That all were ru->iL to he understood.
Some surpassed others in intellectual vigor, and
some as laborious students. Some of these young
ladies will reach distinction in the future, while
some will remain at their present level. All the
teachers could do was their whole duty.
Tiie Art Levee.
On Friday night over one thousand people as
sembled in the brilliantly illuminated and gayly
decorated halls of Ihe Institute. After appropri
ate opening exercises,-they retired to tiie galleries,
where 227 works of art. executed by the pupils of
the session, were on exhibition.
The catalogue was arranged as follows :
1. Studies in Pencil, 00 specimens; 2. Studies
in Crayon, from the Round, 35 specimens ; 3. In
Crayon from casts, 10 specimens; 4. Heads in
Cravon, 20 specimens ; 5. Water Colors, 45 spe
cimens ; 6. Neutral Tints, 9 specimens; 7- Oil
Colors, Still Life, 9 specimens ; 8. Landscapes in
Oil, 27 specimens; 9. Figures in Od, 10 speci
mens ; 10. Photographs in Oil, 2 specimens.
Many of these called forth enthusiastic praise.
The department is in charge of a cultivated artist,
Mrs. M. J. Daniel.
Tiie Annual Concert.
On the following Monday night the Annual
Concert was given. The large chapel was packed
with people, whilst a considerable number were
compelled to occupy the corriders. So successful
were the pupils that we remained in our seat until
12 o’clock—just four long hours—until the last
note died away upon our ear. We were particu*
larly impressed with the skill displayed in adapt
ing the pieces to the voices of the singers. A
master hand—even though it was a woman’s—
was visible throughout.
Excelsior and Alumn.e Festival.
On Wednesday at 10 o'clock, a.m., the Alumnae
Society assembled in the Baptist church. The
first exercises were graduating Theses by the
“Excelsior Class.” This class is supplemental to
thO College course, and is enfered by graduates of
the Institution. Its graduates are called “ gradu
ates of the second degree.”
Tiie graduates this year were Miss May Judson
Clark, Miss Kate Huckabee and Miss Buster—all
of Alabama. The exercises of the Excelsior con
cluded, an oration was delivered before the Alum
nae Society of the Jud<on Female Institute by
Capt. S. Adams Lee, of Virginia: his subject—The
Ocean.
This Oration was one of the most appropriate
and exquisitely written it has ever been our pleas
ure to listen to. We took our seat in the church
reluctantly, as we tremble for our patience, ex
pecting a speech filled with cant and clap-trap
about the so-called “Progressions” of the 19th
century. Judge of our joy when the subject of
our most rapt investigation—the Ocean —was an
nounced as the theme of the gifted orator.
The Commencement Exercises.
On Thursday, July 7ih, at 10 o’clock a
very large assembly sat down in the Howard Col
lege Chapel to listen to the Graduating Essays of
the following young ladies:
1.. Miss Annie King Lumpkin, of Athens, Ga.,
—(First Honor,) French Salutatory. Essay—The
Ministry of Angels.
2. Miss Sallie Billingslea — The Secret of Wo
man’s Power.
3. Miss Mary Grace Billingslea —“Good Ac
tions Crown Themselves, etc., etc.”
4. Miss Kate A. Gresham —“A Little Learn
ing.”
5. Miss Laura A. Pinkston —Shadows of the
Past.
G. Miss Nannie E. Shivers— (Honorary Latin
Essay) De Usibus Sciential. Essay—The Sun
beams we Scatter.
7. Miss Luella T. Smith— Pictures from the
Galleries of Memory.
8. Miss Mary Ella Smith— The Rolls of Fame.
9. Miss Lucy Sturgis —The Heights of Humil
ity.
10. Miss Carrie M. Tait— Art the Mirror of
Nature.
11. Miss Lizzie Wilson —Angels of the House
hold.
12. Miss Katie M. Woods —Stars in the Firma
ment of the Future.
13. Miss Mannie H. Woods —The Value of a
Noble Ideal.
14. Miss Estelle Zimmerman —The Path of
Glory leads but to the Grave.
The last Essay was not read. The spirit of the
sweet girl who had written it was then among the
angels, having passed to the better land a few
weeks before. When the last young lady con
cluded, the class arose, and with bowed heads and
tearful eyes, listened to the wail of a Requiem
(Ave Maria) which thrilled the audience with sym
pathy for her bereaved classmates.
The Principal, forcing back the tears called
forth bv this sacred tribute, arose, and in an ad
dress filled with woids of encouragement and pa
ternal counsel, presented to each her diploma.
This ceremony was followed by the “Valedicto
ry ”of Miss Sallie Billingslea. With the Bene
diction, the exercises of the Judson Female Insti
tute, for tho Session of 1869-70, closed.
During the session nearly 200 pupils were re
corded upon the books of the Institution. The
Principal is aided by 3 male and 5 female Teach
ers. The course is full and thorough.
The Musical Department is thoroughly organ
ized, with competent instructors. Instruction is
given in vocal music, and on the Piano, Harp,
Zether and Guitar.
The Art Department is well supplied with the
necessary Models, Casts and “ Originals.” The
Principal is a lady of rare artistic taste.
The Literary Department has it corps of ac
complished teachers. Profs. Battle, Goodhue
and Thornton are known to be successful instruct
ors
The Boarding Department , with its Steward,
Governess and Matron, is a home to the young
ladies. Mothers can send their daughters, feeling
satisfied that they will not be neglected.
Having visited a number of schools for young
ladies, in the South, and having looked into their
claims with critical carefulness, we are glad to be
able to state that in everything necessary to a
goo! school for young ladies, the Judston Female
Institute, of Marion, Ala., has no superior in the
South, and very fern equals. G. C. C.
I will write you about the Operetta and Fair
next week.
Tusbaloosa, Ala.
On the 20th of June we reentered our
house of worship, which we have been re
pairing. In the morning, atß^-o’clock, I bap
tized two young ladies, members of our Fe
male College. After preaching from 1 Tim.
iii : 13, at a.m., it was my pleasure to
engage with brethren J. C. Foster, J.T. Yer
by, J. 11. Foster and J. P. Thompson, in the
ordination of my brother, R. F. Manly, to
the office of deacon. In the afternoon, the
ordinance of the Lord's supper was adminis
tered, after the reading of the covenant and
ritiht hand of church fellowship was given to
eight ladies, previously received. The day
was one of deep interest to us all.
The exercises of our Female College closed
last week, alter interesting examinations, con
cert, etc. We shall continue next year and
hope for increased suoeess. C. Manly.
Tusialoosa, Ala., July G, 18G0.
News from the Field.
During June I travelled nine hundred miles,
circulated nine thousand pages of tracts,
preached 11 sermons, delivered 11 addresses,
visited 35 families and 7 Sunday schools, sold
some books, made collections for Sunday
School Board, Home and Foreign Journal ,
Kind Words, and Index and Baptist, and
received many promises of funds to aid the
Sunday school cause, which are to be sent up
to the various Associations, soon to meet.
Appeals are coming up for help. One
brother writes; “I am trying to get up a
Sabbath school near me, and need some help.
It is a poor neighborhood. We are not able
to buy a library. Do what you can for us.”
Another brother says ; “ We want some ques
tion books for our Sunday school, but hardly
know how to get theni, because of our pov
erty. Can’t you help us some? We can
get a little money now, and a little more in
the Fall. We will accept old books. Little
ones want to see you again here, and old ones
too.” And still another brother, after giving
an account of the loss of their house of wor
ship. by the army, in 1801, and their strug
gle in getting up anew house, says: “We
organized a Sunday school there, three weeks
ago, and it promises to be an interesting
school, if we can get the necessary books. I
submit the case to you, praying you to help
up us in this great work.
With the funds of the Sunday School Board
of the S. If. Convention, I supplied all the
above appeals. To the last case named, I
have received a reply as follows : “Your kind
letter and package of books were gladly re
ceived, and iii behalf of the church, I extend
to you our cordial thanks. They were the
books we needed. By order of the church in
conference.”
Opelika, Ala., is quite a railroad town.
Has two good houses <>f worship—Methodist
and Baptist. They have excellent Sunday
schools, and a church going people. It is a
growing place; may be a large town at no
distant day. Brother J. J. Cloud is pastor
of the B iptist church.
Loachapoka, Ala., (an Indian word—name
of a creek, and implying slow creeper, or
terrapin,) is a nice little place. I had a nice
congregation. The Baptists have an excellent
house of worship, and flourishing Sunday
school.
I stopped one day at Notasulga, Ala. Tvo
young ladies joined me in an effort to have
the Baptist church opened for worship, at
night. The official said it was no use unless,
and unless, eto. etc., so I said good-bye to the
hotel, the landlord, the two interesting ladies,
and an ex-minister at the depot. The latter
has my sympathy. lie was excluded from his
church (anti missionary) for joining the Ma
sons.
Montgomery is a flourishing city, about as
large and pretiy as our own beautiful Macon.
The Second church is elegantly located. The
First is served, with great satisfaction, by
brother D. W. Gwin. It is truly a live
church. Is in a kind of protracted revival.
The young men and young ladies, each have
a weekly prayer meeting. By invitation, 1
attended a meeting of the former. We had
a delightful time. I was homed while there,
with brother Hatchett and his family.
At Savannah 1 found brother Landrum and
his large congregation still under a kind of
heavenly influence. No doubt it was largely
owing to the visit of brother Earle, who is
attended by a kind of heavenly spirit, nearly
like the Shekinah of olden times, and which
still lingers amid the most pious ones of Sa
vannah.
Whitesville, 30 miles from Savannah, has
a Baptist church, of which brother Cassadv
is the pious pastor. I had a nice visit and
service with them.
I made only a short visit at Augusta. Saw
brother J. Dixon, D.D., pastor of the First
church. He is a great accession to the Bap
tist brotherhood of Georgia. The Second
church has recently enlarged their house of
worship. On reaching there I found that Dr.
Teasdale had an appointment there. Hence
I made no effort for the Sunday School Board.
I think Augusta is tho city in the
South.
Lawtonville, Ga., is a small place. Here
a Baptist church was recently constituted,
with which we had an excellent meeting.
At little Buckhead church, Burke county, I
stayed with Dr. Wallace. Mrs. W. is fond
of music, sings and plays at home, Sunday
school and church. She is located in the
centre of the church house, with the organ.
If the children and congregation were sup
plied with books, and would do the best they
can, they would greatly excel what 1 heard in
one or more of our cities, in the form of a
quartette. They are and ought to be proud
of their excellent pastor, Rev. W. L. Kilpat
rick. My stay with them was short and
pleasant. F. M. llaygood, S.S.A.
Macon, Ga., July 1, 1870.
Montgomery, Ala.
The Second Baptist church of Montgomery
has secured the services of Rev. Wm. M.
Davis, of Blakely, Ga., who enters upon his
work in August or September. Several
prominent brethren having withdrawn from
the First church, have joined the Second ;
and it is sincerely hoped that a prosperous
future lies before that church. I have bap
tized about 12 since writing you. Nearly,
or quite 50 have been received —about 45 by
baptism. D. W. G.
Montgomery, Ala., July Ith, 1870,
Alabama Baptist Orphans’ Home.
At a meeting of the B >ard of Directors of
the “Alabama Baptist Orphans’ Home Asso
ciation,” held in Talladega on the 4th and
sth of July, 1870, after a very full and frank,
conference between the Board and their Agent,
Rev. J. Albert Hill, in which brother Hill
made an extended report of his labors as
agent, and of the success which had attended
those labors, it was Resolved, by the Board, to
discontinue operations for the present, and
refer the enterprise back to the “Association,”
which will meet in connection with the next
session of the Ala. Bap. State Convention.
In coming to this conclusion, the Board Teg
leave to make the following statements:
1. Our agent, who has worked indefatiga
bly and zealously, and at great, personal sac
rifice, privation and expense, has not met with
sufficient encouragement and response from
the people of the State to justify the hope of
final success, having been able to procure
scarcely money enough to meet actual ex
penses and a reasonable remuneration for
services rendered by him.
2. And although we feel that it is quite
humiliating to be forced to this course of ac
tion under all the circumstances, yet we feel
that, unless there were greater reason to ex
pect success, our difficulties and embarrass
merits will only increase upon us every month
that we continue our efforts in a hopeless
cause.
3. The stringency of the times, the great
number of denominational enterprises which
we already have on hand—and which are by
no means well supported, and the fact that
this one seems not to have found an abiding
place in the hearts of our people, together
with the large amount of money that would
be actually necessary to set such an institu
tion at work and keep it going, seem to indi
cate to us that it would be unwise and dan
gerous to attempt to go further at this time.
4. While we, as a Board, bear testimony
to the devotion to this cause which our Agent,
Rev. J. Albert Hill, has displayed, we also
cheerfully testify that he is still hopeful—
still believes that the cause could be made a
sublime success, and in his great love of the
orphans he still wishes the Board to prosecute
the enterprise on which he has so fondly set
his heart’s desire. But the Board do not feel
that the ciicumstances will justify brother
Hill’s sanguine expectations, although they
honor him for his zeal and devotion to this
good cause, and deeply regret the necessity
which, in their opinion, suggests the wisdom
of their present determination to pause until
future events shall make the prospect more
encouraging. Sam’l Henderson,
T. C. Boykin,
J. J. D. Renfroe.
Talladega, July sth, 1870.
To the Baptist Churches composing the Beth
lehem Association.
Dear Brethren : At our last session, as you
will remember, we elected brother Kieree to
occupy, as missionary, the destitute regions
in the bounds of the Association, and pro
mised him that we would sustain him. The
means to do this being yet in the pockets of
the brethren, a committee were appointed to
meet that emergency ; that is, to collect for
and forward means to brother Kieree to meet
his wants. The committee, up to this time,
either from delinquhnoy or failure in their
efforts, have not been able to forward to bro
ther Kieree anything like an adequate sup
port. While biother Kieree is going to be
supported and kept in the field until the As
sociation, it is proper that the churches should
be informed that the burden of this mission
will fall on a few brethren, unless you bestir
yourselves and send up to our next session
handsome contributions for the missionary.
Brethren, think of it: Brother Kieree writes
me that he has preached to grown young peo
ple who never heard a sermon before ! He
has already baptized several, and much inter
est is felt for the continuance of the work.
Will you not, dear brethren, meet this de
mand upon you, and prove yourselves both
able and willing, not only to support this
mission for the present year, but place it upon
a basis of continuance, by sending up to the
Association, in addition to the present year’s
obligations, at least enough more to pay the
missionary for the first quarter of another
year, in advance, and reliable pledges to en
able us to meet, in advance, the remaining
quarters? And. Jay, Ch'n Oom.
Jay villa, Conecuh Cos., Ala., June SO, 1870.
Howard College.
I recently spent a few days at Marion in a
meeting of the Board of Trustees of Howard
College, and in attendance on a portion of the
exercises connected with Commencement.
Such of these exercises as I witnessed were
very satisfactory. A fine oration before the
Franklin L'terary Society, by Col. Fowler,
of Mobile; the graduating speeches, which
were of a high order, and a masterly speech
by the President, Rev. S. 11. Freeman. A
full account of these exercises by some one
who witnessed them all, will, doubtless, be
given by a more competent hand. A stu
dents’ roll of 185, an increase of some 75 or
80 on the previous year’s attendance, is very
encouraging; indeed, everything is encour
aging except the finances of the Institution.
A heavy debt hangs over the Institution, the
means of liquidating which are coining in
very slowly. The agent in the field has suf
fered much from ill health and other inconve
niences. The simple facts that stare us in the
face are, the necessity of a large amount of
money, for whioh wo cannot wait long, of in
creased interest on the part of our people,
especially laymen, and of whatever else may
be necessary to secure the enthusiastic sup
port of the College,
The back claims will have to be made, if
in no other way, at no distant time, out of
the buildings and apparatus. It will be a
shame if 60,000 Baptists cannot pecuniarily
sustain one Institution in the Slate. Let us
all look to the next Convention, to meet in
October, at Opelika, as the time and place to
solve effectually the pecuniary problem be
fore us. Let not that Convention, as hereto
fore, since the war, be made up nearly of
ministers. They are not the best financiers ;
they have very little money. They have been
for the last several years pouring out their
scanty means —the very life blood of
their families—in a vain effort to “supply
the luck of service” due from others. This
cannot last. Why will notour wealthy lay
men, who know how to make money and use
it, come up to our annual convoc itioiis ? We
need the presence of such men as our brethren
Thomas and Miller, of Mobile; Crenshaw,
Iluckabee and King, of Marion ; Watts, Chil
ton and Noble, of Montgomery ; yea, a host
of such, whom we have not been accustomed
to see of late years.
If the Howard were once again out of
debt, we could hope to make it self-sustain
ing, with its large and increasing patronage,
should endowment prove impossible. That
were a most unsatisfactory programme ; but
even that were better than the peril under
which we now labor.
It may be charged that debt ought not to
have been incurred. We answer, there was
no other alternative than to close the doors
of the College. That the Trustees had grounds
to hope that fiir more than we owe could be
collected from outstanding claims, and that
the Convention, wo opine, selected the best
men, in their opinion, to judge of these mat
ters, as their Board of Trustees. These Trus
tees have used their best discretion. They
would have been glad to have been relieved
of their great responsibilities by better and
abler men. They have spent a good ffcal of
valuable time, incurred Inrrassing embarrass
ment, and been at considerable personal ex
pense to do what they could, all the while
endorsed in their action by the Convention.
Come up, brethren, next fall, and advise and
help us ; replace us by better men, if you
will ; and give us your money as some of
these have done, and things will assume a bet
ter aspect. E. B. Teague.
News by the » ayside.
1 am still moving on slowly but surely to
the Indians. Crops were never better than
they appear to be along the whole route from
Jefferson to Paris, and as far in every dirc
tion as I have heard from. We have had
eight or ten days respite from rain, with the
exception of a thunder shower yesterday,
which did not make the ground too wet for
farming. A little boy near Paris was killed
by lightning yesterday evening.
The meeting at the Baptist church in Jef
ferson is still progressing, as I see from the
papers. More than one hundred persons have
joined, and “s'till they come." Brother R. C.
B. preached for them the first two weeks. 1
had the pleasure of being with them at the
commencement, but was hindered from
taking any active part because I was on the
eve of starting to the Creeks. J preached
here in Paris lor my brother’s church a few
days, and 1 never witnessed a more encour
aging prospect for a revival than wo had ; but
the various school examinations coming on,
and a stage having been previously erected
in the Baptist church for that purpose, the
outside pressure made the brethren yield to
the requests —not to say the demands—of
schodl teachers. 1 fear that by this we have
grieved the Holy Spirit, who undoubtedly had
a higher and a previous claim. 1 think if the
Saviour had been present in person, He would
have made a scourge of small cords for the
benefit of the clerical pedagogues that took
possession of His Father’s house, when they
had houses of their own amply sufficient in
all respects for their school exhibitions. Why
should Pedobaptists insist on the use of Bap
tist meeting houses for secular purposes, when
they have houses of their own in the same
town? And will Baptists never learn that
they cannot conciliate the opponents of Chris
tian baptism, by yielding to unreasonable de
mands? Education is only the serving maid,
not the mistress of religion ; and 1 am op
posed, f>r one, toto ccclo , to the practice of
using houses of worship for any other than
religious purposes.
We leave tor Red river in the morning,
and will soon be in the Choctaw nation, it
is one hundred and fifty-seven miles from this
place to North Fork, Creek nation, where I
expect to make my home. I am buying chains
and locks to fasten my horses to the wagon at
night, until 1 can get twenty or thirty miles
into the Indian country. The most danger
ous part ot uiy road is on each side of the line
twenty miles. After I get into the Indian
country proper, I will be tree from danger.
I will be glad to get letters from the breth
ren of Friendship Association. Remember my
address—“ North Fork, Creek Nation „ In rf.
Ter" H. F. Buckner.
Paris, Tex., Jane 28, 1870.
On a Jaunt.
I don’t like gambling, in any way or any
where, and it is revolting to me to be annoyed
witli professional gamblers on the railroad,
in the shape of pert news boys, with their
“cash boxes” of candy, inducing persons to
buy candy that don’t want to, by telling them
there is “gold, silver, or jewelry” in the
box, perhaps to the amount of what they ask
for the box. Now, this is a start towards
converting the ears “ into a den of thieves.”
I wish railroad men would stop such conduct,
even with “a scourge of small cords,” if
necessary.
From Cartersville, Ga., to my present lo
cation, liltecn miles from Nashville, Tenn.,
the scene is delightful to behold, especially to
one raised on a farm. The green cornfield,
the brown wheat field thickly set with shocks,
the oat field that will soon need the reaper,
with the beautiful forest adjoining, constitute
a view’ at once so varied, with such contrasts
as to relieve it of monotony, though the view
is repeated at every farm. I gazed and gazed,
from the car-windows, and then after starting
into the country in private conveyance, I kept
gazing, and iny heart would run out in grati
tude to my Heavenly Father.
Good judges have told me they think the
wheat crop will average fifteen bushels to the
acre. The oats are excellent, and corn, at
present, promises an abundant yield. But, 1
must tell your farmer readers about some
corn I saw to-day, cultivated by my father-in
law, W. D. h rensley, on Cumberland river.
1 rode and walked through it for more than
an hour, and it would average higher than my
head, sitting oil a horse, while much of it was
considerably higher than I could reach, on a
horse, and the tassle frequently not yet in
sight. O.ic piece excelled anything I ever
saw, and I have helped to make,-gather and
measure over fifty bushels per acre. It was
planted on fresh bottom land, seven w’eeks
ago this day, Ist of July, has been ploughed
one time only, and hoed once, is drilled in
rows four feet wide, two stalks every two
feet in drill. Now, lest some one might think
this a “ snake,” or, at least a corn story, 1
have not over, but rather underrated my state
ment.
On my jaunt thus far, nothing has occurred
so unpleasant as the running off of the engine
just as the train was leaving Cartersville, ne
cessitating a detention of three fall hours at
that place, sitting in the motionless cars with
Ihe heat nearly to the baking stage. This,
however, was endured impatiently, and as no
body was hurt, I tried to feel thankful to our
Heavenly Father, whose sleepless eye is ever
looking upon us, that it was no worse. [
have travelled thousands rrf miles, and that
was the most serious “accident,” so called, I
ever witnessed on the railroad.
W. N. CIIAUDOIN.