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110
Unto Md Jtaptfat.
j. j. TOOX, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS — 4A 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Rkv. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1870.
Southern Religious Papers.
From statistics compiled, last winter, by Geo.
P. Rowell & Cos., Advertizing Agents, New York,
the Christian Observer gathers the following
facts, with regard to the South. Their respective
denominational papers are taken by 21,400 of the
71,960 Presbyterians, by 53,470 of the 550,000
Methodists, and by 32,453 of the 750,000 Baptists.
In other words, the proportion of subscribers to
communicants is, among Presbyterians 27 per
cent., among Methodists 9 per cent., among Bap
tists 4 per cent. Or, in yet other words, more
than one in every four Presbyterians is a sub
scriber for their papers, about one in every eleven
Methodists, and only one in every twenty-tive
Baptists.
This showing does our denomination little credit.
Its unfavorable aspect would be greatly softened,
we know, if allowance were made for the large
number of colored persons embraced in our statis
tical tables. But after the most liberal deduction
on that account, does there not remain a dispro
portion between Baptists on the one part and
Methodists an! Presbyterians on the other, which
may well excite surprise and awaken enquiry ?
Why do we fall so very far behind these denomi
nations in the patronage of denominational pa
pers ? Are our papers, by so wide an interval,
inferior to theirs, and therefore more undeserving
of support? Is there among us so much less
wealth, or intelligence, or zeal for distinctive prin
ciples, than among them ? Do our pastors more
generally ignore the value of religious journals,
and in larger degree fail to put forth effort for their
circulation ?
These questions, surely, are worth pondering.
There is a reproach that cleaves to us as a people
in this matter,and it behooves us to ascertain where
the fault lies, and correct it.
Independency.
The Church Journal taxes St. Andrew’s (Epis
copal) church, Hanover, Mass., with the grave of
fence of “ downright Congregationalism.” The
vestry, worshippers and pew-holders of that church
have decided “ that the use of all clerical vest
ments except the gown, or the robes of the bishop
at his visitations, shall be discontinued” in it;
among other reasons, because “ the use of the
surplice is not in unison with the simplicity of
the gospel dispensation, being a continuation of
the priestly ephod of the Jewish church, and is at
best of doubtful expediency.”
There can be no doubt that this is Indepen
dency. As far as it goes, too, it is Independency
put to a very sensible use. It illustrates afresh
the fact, (which we have had frequent occasion to
point out,) that, let the sects decry Independency
as they may, they find necessity laid on them, at
times, to have (surreptitious) recourse to it. Not
only so: but many of the most illustrious pas
sages in the history of these sects are precisely
those, in which they have virtually set aside their
own polity “for the nonce,” and betaken them
selves to the discarded principles of Independency.
This “placing all that is good, and venerable, and
influential, among the members themselves, at the
feet of a democracy,” as Richard Watson, the
Methodist, deprecatingly styles it, is found to an
swer the most important ends of ecclesiastical or
ganization and of Christian work, in exigencies
where nothing else avails. Perhaps, if the sects
resorted to it more frequently and openly, they
would discover that it possesses an admirable
adaptation to all exigencies, and would be taught
by experience to rest content with it, as the polity
through which the spiritual life works out its best
results. That is the lesson which they are yet to
learn, under the light of the New Testament; and
we hope they may show themselves apt and docile
scholars.
There are not wanting signs of progress in that
direction—signs, too, in quarters where we might
least look for them. Rev. Dr. Vaughan, one ol
the foremost of the clergy of the English Estab
lished Church in the Provinces, says: “ The
Church of England is becoming less and less terri
torial —in that sense (I trust in no other) less and
less national —more and more Independent—more
and more Congregational.” And as a remedy for
the ills entailed by the Establishment, he pro
poses precisely what Independency demands and
secures:” “The church of each place—the congre
gation worshipping in each church—must bestir
itself to a livelier and more earnest interest in the
management of its own concerns!" That is ex
actly the needful thing—that committal of the
concerns of each church to itself, without “ man
agement” from abroad. Do this, in the forms in
dicated in the New Testament, and you have, not
merely actual, but avowed Independency. You
might as well make the change, and spare your
sons the trouble of it—it is obliged to come, and
the sooner, the better.
“Ecclesiastical Polygamy.”
If we mistake not, Dr. Barrows has the honor
of having immortalized the above “ style of
speech” in Baptist parlance. It is getting to be
quite current in some of Our papers and denomi
national bodies. We notice ihat in a recent Bap
tist Convention in Knoxville, Tenn., “ the report
on Pastoral Work condemned the ecclesiastical
polygamy of the present time.”
We live in “ the present time,” and for a good
number of years have sustained the relation to
Baptist churches here characterized by a term
taken from the foulest nomenclature. Therefore,
it is high lime for us to say something for our de
fence and the defence of those churches and pas
tors who are in similar condition. No man shall
with impunity throw mud at the group in which
we stand.
We would be delighted to see every Baptist
church under the care of a pastor whose hole
time was occupied by his one church, and we have
uniformly withdrawn from any one of our churches
as soon as we could discover that a more promis
ing connection could be formed between the said
church and some other pastor :—have frequently
thus withdrawn when we knew the result would
be to our pecuniary disadvantage; and we imag'
ine that most of our pastors, in their self-sacri
ficing efforts to promote the Saviour’s cause, have
done the same thing. It would contribute greatly
to the efficiency of our churches, the honor of our
denomination and the glory of our Redeemer, if
every church engaged the entire services of a
competent pastor. In zeal, labors and sacrifices
to achieve this end, we will yield nothing to any
man who is so fortunate as to be pastor of but one
church.
What, then, is the objection to the phrase “ Ec
clesiastical Polygamy ?”
1. It is based upon a falte idea —upon an ideal
relation which in reality has no existence. It
supposes that a Baptist church is a wife and the
pastor is the husband thereof; and therefore, if
be be pastor of more churches than one, he is a
polygamist, ecclesiastically.
If Baptist churches are churches of Jesus
Christ, He is the Head—the Lord—the Ruler—
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THDRSDAY, JULY 21, IS7O.
the Patriarch—the Husband of every one of them;
and the pastor is the servant of Christ and His
church. “ Thy Maker is thine husband,” is the
testimony of inspiration. When a church goes
forth “ prepared as a bride adorned for her hus
band,” this preparation and adorning do not con
template the pastor, except as he is part of the
church—part of the adornment. It is the blessed
Christ for whom this preparation is made. A
Baptist pastor is no more the husband of his
church than is the Pope “the supreme head of
the church of God universal.”
2. Then, again, if the pastor be the ecclesiasti
cal husband of his church, where is the authority
for divorcement ? Is it not his duty to abide
with his first church “ while they two do live ?”
Must not that church die, or the pastor die, or one
of them be guilty of “ecclesiastical” fornication,
before they can be divorced ? And if they sepa
rate for any other cause and be married to another,
are they not then living in ecclesiastical adultery ?
All such pastors, therefore, as have left one church
without the above sufficient cause and taken
charge of another, are in this state of having two
or a dozen living ecclesiastical wives ! This sounds
quite ridiculously, and only serves to show that
the phrase “ ecclesiastical polygamy,” is but a
witty catch-phrase which has no foundation in
fact, and ought to be ruled out of order, particu
larly when it casts odium upon a majority of the
best churches and pastors in the denomination.
3. It has not yet been shown that New Testa
ment ministers did not in some instances take the
oversight of more churches than one. To the
contrary, it seems to us that they did. The plu
rality of churches under one pastor in this coun
try exists now, and ever has existed, from neces
sity. Put a stop to the custom, and half our
churches are at once left without the ministry of
the word. It is said that in that case other pas
tors will rise up in the churches. Not so. We
have seen it tried. We have known large dis
tricts, containing many churches, thus left since
the late war, and no pastors have yet risen up to
occupy the waste. Under the system which is
thus derided into shame, our denomination has
come up to its present noble, exalted position ;
and we are not willing to stand silently by and
see churches and pastors who are doing their best,
twitted and shamed, as if their relation were some
vile thing. R.
A Question of Pronunciation.
Dr. R. Payne Smith, in his Bampton lectures
on “ Prophecy a Preparation for Christ,” says that
“ the first a in Adonay, Lord, is a schva, or aux
iliary vowel merely, like the a inserted by us in
‘ baptism,’ pronounced baptisam, or baptism.” A
“ Regius Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ
Church, Oxford,” ought to be good authority as
to the current pronunciation of theological terms
in the chief English University. But even Uni
versities may have their provincialisms—and this
is one. We hope that Oxford will be left in quiet
possession of it, and that no innovator on this side
of the ocean will head aschisam or schism among
scholars for its introduction here.
Southern Baptist Editors.
We acknowledge the receipt of a group of pic
tures of eighteen Southern Baptist Editors, from
E. Klaubtr, photographer, northeast corner of
Third and Jefferson streets, Louisville, Ky. The
execution reflects credit on the artist, who, by the
way, ranks as one of the best in his city. The
effect of the group may be inferred from the fact,
that the sight of it came to perhaps not the least
prosaic among these “ knights of the quill” as a
poetic afflatus, and evoked from his imagination
(or memory) two lines of verse, which he thought
worthy of a place in his editorial columns, as
“original!” But seriously: here, as a whole, is
a noble body of men with noble faces; and those
who desire this presentment of them, will find
Mr. Klauber ready to fill their orders, at $2 per
group.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
The secular papers mention a revival in pro
gress in our church at Dalton, Rev. G. E. Lofton
pastor, with fifteen baptisms. D. M. Jackson
writes from Statenville, Echols county, to the
Chicago Standard, that “ there is not a religious
paper taken in the county, nor is there a single
Sabbath school.” Rev. W. T. Brantly, D. D.,
has returned from his trip Northward, and occu
pied the pulpit of the Second church, Atlanta, on
Sabbath. We grieve to announce that Rev. R.
W. Fuller has been constrained, by serious and
threatening ill-health, to resign the pastoral care
of the First church, Atlanta. He is, at present,
on a visit to Aiken, S. C. We hope that this en
forced silence of one of our ablest and most elo
quent Southern preachers, may prove but tempo
rary.
Alabama.
Rev. S. R. Freeman, President of Howard Col
lege, received the title of D.D., at the recent
Commencement of Mercer University, Penfield,
Ga.
District of Columbia.
At the recent Commencement, closing the for
eighth year of Columbian College, the annual
report of the President to the Trustees, gave his
reasons for his late resignation, and stated the fact
that he had determined to recall it. During the
last five years, since the war, the sum of $33,000
had been expended on the grounds and buildings
of the College proper, and buildings in the city
worth $70,000 secured. The actual addition to
the College property', besides the great increase in
value of its real estate, has been in gifts, legacies,
etc., $140,000. The resignation of the President
was made because, after eleven years of effort, the
improvements at the College proper, in buildings
and other appointments, did not keep pace with
the other departments, nor meet the demands of
its patrons. He urged that the property of the
College should be regarded only as a working
capital, and every portion be so employed as to
realize most for the permanent interest of educa
tion at this centre. He withdrew his resignation
because the Trustees, located in Washington and
throughout the country, had personally expressed
their wish that he should not accept another po
sition, and because they' were unanimous in their
conviction that the ends proposed should be ac
complished.
Kentucky.
The Western Recorder, Louisville, suspends
publication for a week, to appear in an entirely
new outfit of type. We are glad to note this
sign of prosperity. The members of Union
church recently presented their pastor, Rev. H.
E. Spillman, with “an elegant horse.” Rev.
G. W. Given, of Georgia, has been called to the
pastoral care of our church at Augusta, The
Louisville Recorder
of talent, energy and piety, and has made a good
impression on the church and community.”
Rev. John Kingdon, of Mo., takes charge of our
church at Paris.- Rev. A. B. Miller of this
State, has under advisement a call to the pastoral
care of the First Baptist church, Quincy, 111.
Thirty Baptists at Milton, having first built a
splendid and commodious house of worship, were
organized as a church, June 25th. Vernon R.
Witt was ordained to the ministry, July 9th, at
Sulphur Spring church : sermon by Rev. W. W.
Gardner, D.D.
Mississippi.
Rev. J. W. Bozeman, Lexington, writes to the
Richmond Herald: In Mississippi there are prob
ably sixty thousand Baptists, with many talented
and educated ministers —but not one D.D. They
have a State Convention, which convenes yearly
at the same time of your General Association. It
co-operates with all the Boards of the Southern
Baptist Convention. From April 1, 1869, to April
1, 1870, Mississippi contributed to Indian and
Domestic Missions $2,106 79, and Virginia, sl,-
273 06; the former standing third in the list of
States, and the latter sixth, in contributions to
that object. And much the larger portion of our
missionary work is not reported to the Domestic
Boord at all. Besides the Southern Boards, we
have a Ministerial Education Board of our own,
which is already doing a good work in aiding
young ministers, and promises great things under
the efficient agency of our noble brother and
charming preacher, Rev. James Nelson. We
have, also, a Baptist Orphans’ Home, which is
taking care of more than 200 helpless children;
feeding, clothing, educating, and teaching them
various kinds of work, at an expenditure of about
SIO,OOO annually. It is under the superinten
dence of .brother S. S. Cranberry, assisted by a
corps of teachers. The object is to make it as
near self-sustaining as possible, by farm, dairy,
nursery, printing and mechanical arts. And we
have Mississippi College, at Clinton, where 101
young men anjd boys matriculated the past ses
sion. Rev. Walter Hillman is President, and
combines with his literary attainments the very
best financial talent. We mean to have Prof.
Steed from Georgia in his old Chair again. It
may confidently be expected that the patronage
of Mississippi College will soon equal that of the
State University at Oxford. Rev. E. C. Eager,
the financial agent, is raising funds for the insti
tution from the denomination and triends of edu
cation throughout the State.
Missouri.
At Brookville, the colored Baptists have organ
ized a church and are preparing to build a house
of worship. Rev. W. M. Hildreth has entered
the field as General Missionary of the American
Baptist Home Mission Society. Bethel Baptist
College, Palmyra, has been purchased by Rev. S.
A. Taft, D. D., of Quincy, 111.
North Carolina.
Rev. W. C. Lindsay, of Va., becomes pastor of
our church at Wilson.
South Carolina.
Rev. J. A. Broadus, D.D., expects to sail for
Europe on Saturday, at the earnest solicitation of
the Trustees and Faculty of our Seminary at
Greenville, to repair his shattered health. The
First church Charleston, Rev. L. 11. Shuck pastor,
has received nearly 40 members since Jan. Ist.
On a recent communion season, the right had of
fellowship was extended to 21 persons.
Virginia.
Rev. G. B. Taylor, Chaplain of the University
of Virginia, sailed for Europe, July 9th. Rev.
N. B. Cobb, of Portsmouth, has a call to an im
portant and prominent position in Kentucky.
On a recent Sabbath 19 persons were baptized in
connection with one of our young churches in
Grayson county. Glen Allen church, Henrico
county, dedicated anew house of worship July
4th; sermon by Rev. J. L. Burrows, D.D. It
has appointed Rev. J. B. T. Patterson a missiona
ry, to labor between Cool Spring church, Hano
ver, and Ridge church, Henrico. Rev. W. A.
Hill, M.D., has become pastor of Mt. Pisgah
church, Orange county. Mill Swamp church,
Isle of Wight county, has under its supervision
four Sunday schools, numbering near 450 scholars.
Reviews and Notices.
Prophecy a Preparation for Christ : Right Lec
tures before the University ot Oxford, in the year
MDCCCLXIX, on the Bampto-i Foundation. By
R. Payne Smith, D. D., Regius Professor ol Dvini
ty and Canon ot Christ Church, Oxford. Boston :
Gould & Lincoln. Pp. 397.
Those who have examined prophecy sinjply as
a branch of Christian apologetics, and with the
aid of popular works on the Evidences, have a
most inadequate idea of its nature and value.
They regard it, in large measure, merely as a col
lection o,f particular predictions which have been
fulfilled remarkably. But the work before us
will give them a wider view. They wijl find here
that the prophets were, so to speak, a clergy—a
community of men authorized to speak and act
for God, creating at many points centres of reli?
gious instruction, and endowed, in special instan
ces, with the higher powers of
foretold events indeed, and thus evinced a super
natural knowledge of the future, but whose more
exalted honor is, that their system of teaching
created the moral and spiritual needs and adapta
tions which only the gospel of Christ meets and
crowns. These are functions which no mere hu
man insight could discharge, and no imposture,
no forgery, even seem to discharge—and they
stamp the Old and New Testaments as harmoni
ous parts of one grand divine plan, slowly but
steadily unfolding through the ages.
To the eight Bampton lectures, Dr. Smith adds
a ninth, preached two years before, showing that
the fulfillment of.prophecy in Jesus ol Nazareth
contradicted all the preconceived ideas of contem
porary Jews, both in Palestine and abroad—a dem
onstration that the prophecy and the fulfillment
are adjusted to each other only by the wisdom of
God. Given the prophecy, no human intellect
would have- constructed the gospel as it is. Given
the gospel, no human intellect would have con
structed the prophecy as it is. And yet they are at
one. Whose work can this be but the work of
Jehovah ?
The volume will be found of great interest and
value, and will give fresh zest and new light
and power to many a page of narrative and proph
ecy in the Scriptures of the fathers.
Notes on the Gospel op Matthew, Explanatory and
Practical. By Rev. Geo. W. Clark, Author of “A
New Harmony of the Gospels.” A Popular Com
mentary upon a Critical Basis, especially designed
lor Pas ors and Sunday Schools. With Illustra
tions. New York: Sheldon & Cos. Pp. 420.
This commentary in parts is written too diffuse
ly, perhaps; and explanations are often given
where none were needed. But, as a general rule, it
very well preserves “the golden mean” between
the severely critical and loosely popular in topic
and treatment. It will prove a valuable aid to
many a youthful student of the Scriptures and
many a Sunday school teacher “ commonly intel
ligent."
Temperance Anecdotes. Original and Selected. By
Ueorife W. Bungay. Pp. 233, with 12 full-page
illustrations. Price, sl.
The Temperance Speaker: A Collection of Original
and Selected Dialogues, Addresses and Recitations,
tor the use of Temperance Organizations, Schools,
Bands of Hope, Anniversaries, etc. Edited by J,
N. Stearns, Compiler of *• Temperance Chimes”
“Temperance Hymn Book,” “National Temper
ance Almanac,” etc. Pp. 283. Price 75 cents.
■Jug-or-Not. By Mrs. J. McNair Wright, Author of
“John and (fie Demijohn,” “Ohio Ark,” "Priest
and Nun,” "Almost a Nun,” etc. Pp. 346, with 3
full-page illustrations. Priue, tt 20.
These works are from the press of the National
Temperance Society. The first presents quite a
number of incidents, which range “from grave
to gay, from lively to severe,” and are well adapt
ed to “point a moral” in temperance speeches.
The second furnishes an entertaining miscellany
of articles in prose and verse, appropriate as ex*
ercises in declamation. The third is an interest
ing story, designed to illustrate the hereditary
effects of strong drink—the wreck it works among
the offspring, even where the parents are never
betrayed into drunkenness.
We have seen no other publications of the So
ciety; but are glad to learn from the announce
ments accompanying these, that it is getting up
an extensive literature in the interest of the great
reform which it was organized to further. The
subject is one which ought to have a prominent
place in our reading—especially in the reading of
the youDg. And we notice with pleasure that
among the issues of the Society there are some
twenty-five volumes designed for Sunday school
libraries. Perhaps most of these libraries have
an insufficient supply of works devoted to this
topic; and we invite to these publications of the
Society the attention of schools about to replen
ish their stock of books. Address for information,
J. N. Stearns, Publishing fgent, 172 William
street, New York.
Clarke’s Short Voluntaries 41 for the Organ, Reed
Organ, or Melodeoii; design*'! chiefly as Opening
Voluntaries and Responses *r delicate and ex
pressive Shops. Selected and arranged by William
H. Clarke, author of New Method for Reed Or
gans,” “ New Reed Organ Companion,” eic. Bos
ton : Oliver Ditson & Cos. I } 64 Price, in boards,
$1 50. For sale, Atlanta , by Phillips ts Crew.
The name of the attests the
value of this collection, as a'guide to the unprac
ticed player, and as a help to the experienced or
ganist in improvisation.
The Baptist Quarterly. Philadelphia: Bible and
Publication Society. Terms, $3 a year.
Contents for July. —fT'Miracks, by R. E.
Patteson, D.D., Upper Alton, 111. 2. Subterra
nean Rome, by S. L. Caldwell, D.D., Providence,
R. I. 3. Bible Chionologv, by Pies. G. W. Sam
son, D.D., Washington, D. C. 4. Gladstone’s
•Juventus Mundi, by L. Lincoln, LL.D ,
Providence, R. I. 5. Exegesis of Hebrews xii;
18—24, by Rev. H. M. Kiiigt-Boston Highlands,
Mass. 6. Exegetical Studies. 7. Book Notices.
To the RehoboH^^gciation.
Permit me to remind Clio- brethren of the
Rehoboth Association, thafc-it was agreed, at
their last session, to year’s session
with Benevolence church, in Crawford county,
eight miles from Fort Valley, beginning Fri
day before the 3rd Sunday ii^Detober; and
also, that it was decided tojffeeffm Thursday
previous, to consider the interests of Sunday
schools. That is the way the minutes read ;
but my recollection is, that it was resolved to
hold a Sunday school meeting, with a pro
gramme of exercises. I invite attention to the
subject, and beg the brethren to be sure and
attend. I think, also, that'it would be a capi
tal idea for those brethren who expect to at
tend this Sunday school meeting, and are will
ing to take part, to sign much to brother
B. L. Ross, at Fort Valley, pastor of the Be
nevolence church.
It was also requested of the brethren to
give, in their letters this year, a full statistical
report of their Sabbath schools—number of
male and female teachers, and pupils, how
many books, papers, etc. Last year, eighteen
schools were reported, which contained 972
scholars and 122 teachers. I expect to see a
better account this year of the numbers and
size of the schools.
I hope the different churches of the Asso
ciation will not forget the Sunday School
Board in making up their contributions. It
is doing a good and great work in our State
and all over the South ; and 1 will say the
same to all the Associations of Georgia that
meet this year-
Remember the Sunday School Board!
Let it have your good will and your benefac
tions. In contributing, be sure and appro
priate part of your funds to this Board and
its objects.
I do not think I err in pleading with the
churches and pastors of"1?be Rehoboth not to
forget the debt of the 2nd Baptist church of
Macon. I humbly yet earnestly request each
pastor to make at least one appeal and take
up one collection for the benefit of our church
to help it pay this debt. Snail 1 ask in vain?
If any of the churches or schools do not take
teacher's or children's Sunday school papers,
they are recommended to subscribe for the
Baptist Teacher and tar Kind Words. Money
for these papers may sent to me, at the
Association, or may be-yniled tQ me, q/iy
tinge, at Macon. 1 wouldjurge the schools to
subscribe for these twoJpaperS, knowing as I
do how necessary and advantageous they are
to the prosperity of a Sunday school.
S. Boykin, Hist. Sec. S. S. B.
South Alabama and Florida.
r fhe Baptists disdqin centralism, and glory
in the purest democratic “government the
world ever saw,” seeming to forget that “ in
union there is strength.” '•aOur missionaries
and evangelists have made a sad mistake in
the organization of so many snaall, inefficient
bodies, called churches, all over this region.
The scarcity of ministers, and the poverty
of these weak bodies, render it impossible
for those to “ live of the gospel,” who go
forth “sowing precious seed” among the
people ; consequently, “ many are sickly ”
and lukewarm, among the membership—not
glowing in grace and knowledge of the troth.”
Frequently has it been fqimd necessary to
“dissolve” these sinali bodies, and blend
them, making one of two or three. How
much better, if need be, for one to go six or
eight miles, to worship with a strong, active,
efficient church, —which is a “power in the
land,”—than to have a puny organization on
every hilltop.
To the Greenville church there have been
three other additions by baptism, sir.qq my
last communication.
The church called Antioch, near Bolling’s
Switch? in Butler county, is to be dissolved
on the fourth Sunday in this month.
At Georgiana a “ Union” Sunday school
had been kept up during the summer, for some
years; but the Methodist “ preacher in
charge ” this year, very wisely opposed such
a non-committal policy, and organized a school
under the direct superintendence and instruc
tion of that “ branch of the church ”(?) This
act branded that preacher, in the opinion of
some, with selfishness and bigotry ; but to
prudent, correct thinkers, it showed him to
be candid, shrewd and consistent. Long ex
perience has proven these “ Union Sunday
schools” to be negative and pointless; sel
dom accomplishing much; therefore, let every
church have its own school, and" by generous
emulation strive to see “ who can best work
and best agree.” It is not bigotry or sectari
anism to “ teach those things diligently to our
children,” “which become sound doctrine,”
and “ are to make wise unto salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus.”
Pensacola, Fla., established by the Span
iards, near three centuries ago, still has many
traces of its antiquity and papal rule, or
rather, mix-rule. Almost every hour in the
day the ear is saluted with a sound from the
Catholic bell tower, summoning to sundry
duties, penances, prayers, etp., the many de
votees at the shrine of the “ Holy Virgin.”
These throng the city—embracing, perhaps,
from one-half to two thirds of the population,
being principally of Spanish descent | and
in many cases speaking only their mother
tongue. The Episcopalians, Presbyterians
and Methodists, have ''each an organiza
tion, and a resident minister in the city.
The principles of the Baptists ‘very legiti
mately seem never to have been indigenous
in this place. After much effort and expen
diture, a church was planted here ffipe 25
years ago, aftd under the labors of be
loved disciple,” Z. G. Henderson, who “ died
at his post in the pastorate,” It seemed to
grow and thrive. After his death but little
regular service was kept up in the church,
and when the war came on, most of the mem
bership were scattered. After the surrender
thf military authorities took the building,
and gave it to the negroes, who have been
worshipping (?) in it ever since. These ig
norant Baptists, “so-called,” being desirous
of imitating the powers around them, have, I
learned a bishop and a priest, with elders,
deacons, leaders, etc., etc. The few Baptists
in the city have, since the surrender, like
their Master, had not where to lay their
heads as a church; worshipping in an “up
per room,” or private apartment, as occasion
might require. Their building, quite respect
able in appearance, and eligible in location,
will, it is believed, be possessed by the “lit
tle flock” before a great while; and if the
Lord shall open the way for some shepherd
to lead them, “taking the oversight thereof,”
there will evidently be a future to the Baptist
cause in this city. The brethren here, “though
cast down, are not destroyed,” or dispirited ;
but with a martyr spirit, they are endeavor
ing, “in the name of God, to set up their
banners,” keeping the commandments and
“ordinances as they were delivered unto
then#’ Let every Christian pray for success
to their laudable efforts.
Rev. G- W. Kierce, missionary for Bethle
hem Association, lives at Milton, and spends
his time among the settlers and timber cut
ters along the bay coast, from that point to
Pensacola, a distance of 25 or 30 miles, often
preaching in the hearing of persons from 12
to 20 years of age, who never before heard a
sermon ! Contributions to him, of tracts, or
religious, papers, after they have been read,
would be gratefully received, and greatly aid
him in his “ labors of love.” Brother Kierce
has a boat of his own, which he mans with
out aid. When a “dead calm” comes on
he furls his sails, raises his awning and reads,
or meditates, until Providence sends again a
favoring gale. At various points he goes
ashore and preaches to the people “ the word
of life;” and truly do “the common people
hear him gladly.”
The authorities in Pensacola very kindly
granted the Baptists the use of the U. S.
Court room, for the time being, and brother
John D. Beck, a licentiate, engaged in secular
business there, has agreed to preach every
Sabbath, and try to gather the scattered flock
together by the time the building shall be
obtained ; that matter having now been sub
mitted to legal arbitrament. Gladly did
these brethren avail themselves of the privi
lege to welcome the Index and South-West
ern Baptist to their homes as a long absent
Iriend. The visitors to this city luxuriate in
the fine bathing, rare, luscious fish, melons
and fruits, added to the genial hospitality of
the citizens; or, thus did Viator.
Greenville, Ala.
To the Baptists of Florida.
I wish, through the Index and Baptist, to
make a proposition to our brethren in Florida,
as l suppose your paper has the widest circu
lation in the State. 1 request all your ex
changes who have subscribers in Florida to
copy.
The proposition is this : I will be one of
two thousand Baptists to give one dollar and
fifty cents each, to be paid over to the State
Convention, at its meeting in Jacksonville,
for the Domestic and Foreign Boards of the
Southern Baptist Convention for the purpose
of assisting that Convention in sending the
the gospel to the destitute. I propose $2,000
to the Boards, SSOO to pay expenses of dele
gates. lam sure this can be done, and much
more too, and nobody hurt.
Dear brethren of Florida, let us wake up
and go to work, for the night eometh when
no man can work. We want the gospel; our
people are perishing without it. Can we be
at ease, and enjoy these blessings ourselves,
when so many are perishing without them ?
There are whole counties in East Florida in
which there is not a Baptist minister. The
crack of the ride and the cow whip is more
common on the Sabbath than sermons from
Baptist ministers. These people ought to
have the gospel ; they ought to have Sabbath
schools; they ought to have religious books
to read. How are they to get all this, unless
it be sent to them ?
1 do believe, brethren, that if we will rise
and shake ourselves, we can shake $2,500
down by the time that the Southern Baptist
Convention meets next May ; and if this is
done, I believe, further, that before our State
Convention in 1872, missionaries and colpor
teurs will be traversing the wilds of Florida,
and many that are old will not die until they
have seen that wonderful sight, some one
buried by baptism unto death in Christ Jesqs,
1 have been, in a half crippled manner,
giving half my time to the Board of the San
tafe River Baptist Association since its last
meeting. lam sure the field is white to the
harvest. The Macedonian cry is, l< coiqe over
and help us,” Brethren, I feel some times
like I could spend my whole life in this work,
but I have my home, as you have, which 1
must provide for. But I must say, in con
clusion, let us not fear, neither despond, but
let us have faith in God. On my last tour in
June, I had the blest privilege of taking seven
willing converts down into the St. Mary’s
river at the old brick yard below King’s
Ferry and of burying them in baptism. Two
more are to be baptized. We need not fear,
if we do our duty. If you think this humble
suggestion worthy your notice, and come to
the conclusion to engage in it and wish to cor
respond, so that we may have light and un
derstand each other, or engage in a better
plan, you will address me at Waldo, East
Florida. E. B. Timmons,
July 12 th, IS7O,
More Light Wanting.
Our good brother, W. N. Chaudoin, Agent
of the Domestic Mission Board, is all the time
on the wing. His unfaltering zeal and devo
tion to his Master’s cause work an influence
that will be felt for all time, no doubt for all
eternity. His meek and quiet spirit wins the
esteem and love of all. Not long since, he
took a flying trip through this portion of
South Western Georgia, where he met with
“ Lights and Shadows “At Bainbridge, two
ministers whose ministerial light is obscured
—brother Cliett’s, by a steam mill; brother
Johnson’s, by a public office. Can’t they
preach more than they do?” I can answer
only for myself.
1 entered the ministry in my youth, and,
being blessed with a plenty of earth’s treas
ure for the support of my family and the edu
cation of my children, 1 gave the most of my
time to the work, believing it to be my duty ;
and I can say it was a happy time. I enjoyed
the light —scarcely a shadow upon me. Thus
1 lived and preached. If l was paid, well and
good; if not, I had plenty at home. I con
tinued until the close of the war: then, for
the first time, I was shaded , having nothing
left me but my lands and stock, a wife, and
three or four children to raise and educate.
“ I resolved what to do: l cannot dig, to beg
lam ashamed to rely upon the churches
for a support would not do, —so J concluded
finally to purchase the bulls , and keep them
in motion, and preach all I could. The first
year I refused to preaoh except to one church.
I paid my ferriage to preach to them, and re
ceived nothing. Since then I have been
preaching when and wherever I could, both
in this place and in the country, assisting in
Sabbath schools, prayer meetings, etc., etc.;
and yet, there is a shade upon me. I will
state a few instances to illustrate, and then,
if my good brother C., or any other brother,
can shed rays of light enough for me to see
how to live and give myself wholly to the
work, I will promise to begin at once.
The support of the ministry we regard as a
debt, which the church in whose service they
wear out their lives is under obligation to as
sume, and cancel every year. They give their
strrngth and manhood to the service of Christ,
living upon what tWchurch or churches give
them, but saving nothing, and now, when age
and infirmity is upon them, are they to be
turned away as paupers? Are their wives,
who leave homes of comfort, and often of ele
gance, to share in an itinerant’s life of toil,
after the husband is gone, to be turned out
upon society to beg or starve ? The position
and office of the minister are peculiar. His
position in society is that of a public teacher
of religion, and to qualify himself for his du
ties he spends some of his best years in study,
and usually all the patrimony he has, and so
he enters upon his mission poor, and often in
debt for books and schooling which he after
wards pays out of his meagre salary. Ala v
yer is employed with the privilege of making
his own charge, and very often he receives
more for the advice and service of a few hours
than the minister does for the exposure and
labor of a year. The physician is called and
he attends faithfully, it is true, to the wants
of his patient; but in many instances the
minister is there as regularly as the doctor,
ana goes as far to pray at the bedside and
sing to soothe the sufferer’s pain. There is
no comparison. The doctor did his best to
save life, but the pastor pointed the trembling
soul to the cross of Jesus, that in that dark
hour he might receive the sweet assurance of
the life eternal. Now, we have no quarrel
with other professions, but instance these to
show that while these are all paid for their
services their own price, he who goes out to
dispense the word of life, finds his greatest
consolation in the promise, “ Lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
lhe minister goes to his work cheerfully
among the people, to visit the sick, and bury
the dead, and to administer spiritual consola
tion everywhere, trusting them for the sup
port of himself and family.
Not long since, a minister rode fourteen
miles iu a wagon and thirty upon the cars, to
preach the funeral sermon of a young man
whose father was worth $50,000, and did not
receive even his fare upon the railway. Still
another agreed to serve three churches, they
pledging to support him. At the close of the
year one church gave a barrel of syrup, the
second a ham of bacon, the third cloth enough
to make him a pair of pants. Thus he (the
former moderator of the*Bowen Association)
is in total darkness, has been forced from his
ministerial duties, and is now acting as depot
and express agent, requiring a part of his time
even upon the Sabbath day. And still an
other brother preaches for four churches. I
met him at one of his charges last year. He
called the attention of his people, with tears
in his eyes, to the fact, that when hesleft
home, he had not a dust of meal, no meat,
and not a cent of money, and his little chil
dren were crying for bread. I have more
dark pictures, but let these suffice for the pre
sent. Hoping to hear something that will
forever drive away these shadows, Yours in
Christ Jesus, G. 11. Cliett.
Itev. It. W. Fuller.
At a called Conference of the First Baptist
church, Atlanta, Sunday, July 10th, 1870, the
following communication was received from
the pastor, Rev. R. W. Fuller:
My very dear Brethren ; I have a painful
duty to perform. In the mysterious provi
dence of God, 1 am very unexpectedly forced
to resign the pastoral charge of your church.
My health, which has always been delicate,
has declined very much in the last two
months. The distance at which 1 have re
cently lived from the members of the church
and from the church building, and the long
walks which, in consequence, 1 have had to
take in the performance of my ministerial du
ties, have overtaxed my strength, and have
subjected me to more exposure, after preach
ing, than I was able to bear. lam now suf
fering from a cough which renders it impos
sible for me to preach, and my physician tells
me that, without rest, recovery is impossible.
Under these circumstances, it becomes my
duty to resign the pastoral charge of the First
Baptist church. In my state of health, 1 can
not do the amount of work neoessary. Ido
not know that I ever will be able to do it,
and 1 could never consent to bo an incum
brance to the church.
And now, deai; brethren, though my work
among you is done, still, it is painful 1 can
not tell you how painful —to sever the tie
which has bound us for years, and such years f
We have struggled together through difficul
ties and discouragements of no ordinary kind.
We have stood beside each other in dark da>s
--rdays as darh as they well could be. But at
Jhe last we have seen the ; blessing of God
crown our labors, And now, when the diffi
culties have well nigh passed, and a prosper
ous ffiture seems to await you, the hand of
God has touched me, and our relation as pas
tor and people is dissolve!. But it is the
will of Him who doeth all things well. It
seems hard, but it is wisest and best—best (or
you and best for me.
But though our public relations are changed,
nothing can change the affection which 1 (cel
for you, 1 thank God that ( came here. I
thank God that I have known you, and I trust
and pray that the friendships which I have
formed here will be completed m a purer and
an eternal world,
Ever your friend and brother,
R. W. Fuller,
Atlanta, July 9th, 1870.
After hearing the letter read, the matter
was postponed until the next Sabbath, and a
committee of three was appointed to wait on
brother Fuller, to see if it was necessary that
the church should accept his resignation.
Brethren L. G. Crawford, A. K. Seago and
M. E. Cooper were appointed to serve on the
committee.
Sunday, July 17th. The church met in
conference, and the committee appointed to
wait on our pastor made the following report:
“ The committee find our beloved pastor,
brother Fuller, in a very feeble state of
health, and under medical treatment at this
time, with positive instructions from his
physician to abstain for an indefinite time
from all preaching, in view of his recovery.
Brother Fuller, in consideration of these facts,
regards the step he has taken as absolutely
necessary and dictated by Providence, and
furthermore frankly expresses his inability to
perform the labor due the church in future,
even were his health to rally after a few
months rest. The committee cordially re
commend that, should the church be forced
to the painful necessity, under existing cir
cumstances, of accepting the resignation of
our much loved pastor, his salary be contin
ued for two months beyond said resignation;
and also, beg leave to express their sinoere
Chirstiar, sympathy and regrets to hisfamily at
parting with a leader so much beloved and so
faithful to his flock,”
The following resolutions were offered and
adopted ; “ Whereas , The hand of Providence
seems to have rendered necessary the sever
ance of the relations which have heretofore
existed between us, as a church, and our be
loved pastor, Rev. R. W. Fuller, who has,
on account of ill health, tendered us his resig
nation as pastor of this church :
jßesolved, That it is with heartfelt sympa
thy with brother Fuller, in his affliction, and
with deep regret, though humble submission
to the Divine will, that we accept his resigna
tion.
Resolved , further, That the salary be con
tinued until the 15th day of September next,
and that a copy of these resolutions be fur
nished the Index and Baptist, w ith a request
that they be published.
W. L. Abbott, Ch. Clerk.
Sunday School Meeting.
Our Sunday School Meeting, at Clayton,
was quite a success, although very few from a
distance were with us. We were indebted to
brother Ely VanHoose, A. H. Borders and
brother Dickson, for the interest they gave
to the meeting by their interesting speeches
and instructive sermons. We h"ld another
ao Midway, commencing on Friday night be
fore the fifth Sunday in this month. Wont
all our people try to be with Us at that time?
Brother Dix, of Midway, is appointed to read
an essay on “The Influence of Romish Doc
trine on Baptist Teaching.”
J. Stratton Paulun.
Clayton, July 11 th, IS7O.
Judson Female Institute, Marion, Ala.
Last week I took leave, with a promise to furn
ish for your next issue an account of the Ladies’
Fair, and the Operetta given for the benefit of the
“Judson,” during the Commencement week.
The Ladies’ Fair.
The ladies of the Alumnae Society determined
to erect within the present structure, a large
“ Music Hall, ’ to be used for Public Examinations,
Concerts and Commencements. Asa beginning,
they announced a “Fair,” and solicited and ob
tained contributions from various parts of the
country. A Piano, Sewing Machines, Washing
Machines, and other articles of value were con
tributed.
lhe Fair lasted for two nights and one day.
I he ladies under the direction of their President,
Mrs. J. B. Lovelace, labored with great zeal, and
the attendance was very large. They will real
ize, we are informed, over $2,1)00. This, in addi
tion to the receipts of the Operetta and contribu
tions from friends, will enable the architect to
begin the work at once.
The enthusiastic attachment of these ladies—
many of them now the heads of families—for
their “Judson” is very beautiful. They gladly
sacrifice time and money to further its inteie«ts
and aid in making it what it must become in the
future —the best institution of its kind in the
Cotton States.
The Operetta.
Saroni’s beautiful little three-voice Opera, “Lily
Bell, or the Culprit Fay,” was produced by the
Musical Department of the Institute, with beau
tiful effect. Saroui's composition was re-arranged
by Miss J. Zitella Cocke, (of whom we have pie
viously spoken as the finest musician we have
met in the Sunny South,) and the changes added
very much to its brilliancy and dramatic effect.
If there was any fault in the arrangement, it was
in its length.
The word opera will grate on the ears of some
of your readers, especially those who never wit
nessed one, and really know nothing of what it
is. The complaint of Christianity against the
Grand Opera, is not to the music, but the sur
roundings and the reputation of the performers.
Stripped of these, the Opera stands out as the
perfection of musical composition, and the most
inspiring and elevating of secular pleasures.
The Operetta given by the young ladies of the
“Judson,” met all the reasonable demands of
Christianity, and every demand of the strictest
morality. None were on the stage but the pu
pils, and nothing in dressing or actions indicated
aught but the refinement and culture inseparable
from the Faculty and Pupils of the Judson Fe
male Institute. On this account, it received the
approbation of the most devout.
For the information of those who have listened
to the Operetta from the score of Saroni, we give
the characters as arranged by Miss Cocke:
Titania —Queen of lhe Fairies. Mix* Maggie Goldsby.
Lily Hell —Favorite ol the Queen . Miss Nora Whelan.
Thistledown —Rival of Lily Hell.. ..Miss L. T. Smith.
Ruby t hroat—Fmiry in Tit a ilia’s train . Mitt E. Baldwin.
Heartsease — “ “ Miss Annie Lockhart.
Daffodil— Fairy in Titania’s train.. .Miss F. 'Tarrant .
Siver Spray- Fairy in Titania’a lrnin..itf/'.»» E. Wyatt.
Crickit - Fairy in Titania’s train . .Miss Nettie Carlisle.
Sentry Fays... Misses Cobb, Bates, Hatch mid Walker.
Oberon —King ot tho Fairies...... Miss M. G. Hattie.
Puck—A. Fairy Mrs. M. M. Melvin.
Eitdora —Queen of the Naiads Miss Alice Ratcliff'.
Undine—A Water Nvmph Miss Cairie Tad.
Enrybia—A Water Nymph Miss N. Shivers.
Tritonia —A W tier Nymph. ...Miss Annie. Lumpkin.
Doris —A Water Nymph Miss Ada Beck.
Lurline —Nymph of the Rhine. .Miss Kate Robinson.
Oriana —Nymph of the Rhine. ..Miss Alice leockhart.
Choruses ol Fairies, Fives, and Naiads and Nymphs
of the Lurlitterg.
From tho above, it will bes en that a number
of characters not known to Saroni, are introduced,
and the Libretto shows a number of added songs,
which pleasantly increased the variety.
The large hall was packed with people, and the
performance was highly commendable. About
S7OO in cash was received at the door. Both or
cliO'tri) and young ladies (fairies) received at the
conclusion, unstinted and intelligent applause.
We were informed, by competent judges, that
nothing equal to it had been given in the town of
Marion before. G. C. C.
Monroe Female College.
This Institution is located at Forsyth, Ga.,
about the centre of one of the wealthiest coun
ties in the State., In fact, Monroe, though
containing no large city within its limits, is
the fifth county in point of taxable property.
I his would indicate fertile lands and well-di
rected agricultural enterprise. 1 was informed
by gentlemen who have large planting inter
ests in Georgia and South Carolina, that this
section is justly regarded as offering greater
combined advantages to the farmer than any
part of the State. Forsyth is said to be the
highest point between the sea board and Ma
rietta. The water is pure, the climate very
healthy, and the society good.
I’rum what ! saw, and from the statements
made by those who have had ample op
portunity to judge, 1 should infer that the
people ot T orsyth and Monroe are fully en
listed in tho cause of education, appreciating
its benefits, and willing to make sacrifices for
its advancement. A striking proof of this s
seen in their oiler to the Trustees of Mercer
University ; an offer piesenting many strong
inducements, and the most liberal yet made,
considering the population and commercial
importance of Forsyth, as compared with
other cities. If they do not succeed in get
ting the University, they will enjoy the pleas
ant satisfaction of having deserved success.
Before the war, the citiz-ms of this section
erected a large brick edifice for a Medical
School, at I<orsyth. For some reason, the
original plan was abandoned, and the Monroe
I’eiriale College established. It has been un
der the management of some of the best
teachers in the State. Rev. S. G. Hillyer,
D.D., is now the President. lie is well
known as a gentleman of ripe scholarsh'p,
large experience, and devoted piety. II is
principal associate, Prof. Asbury, with his
liberal culture, untiring industry, and most
amiable spirit, would adorn any Institution.
Th eso beloved brethren enjoy the warm affec
tion of their pupils, and the full confidence of
the public. It was refreshing to one who has
known something of the cares and perils of
the teacher, to hear from some of the young
ladies the unsolicited utterance of their high
regard and admiration for their faithful in
structors. Eminently fitted for their position,
th *y are doing n »ble service in the cause of
female education, and deservo large success,
lhe citizens of Forsyth and Monroe ought
to raise a fund of not less than $25,000 —
fifty thousand would not he too much for such
a praiseworthy object,—enlarge and beautify
the building and the grounds, a»d furnish all
needful appliances for a liberal education.
Then these gentlemen and their assistants,
relieved of their present disadvantages, and
fully equipped for their work, would furnish
a school ot which the citizens of Forsyth
might well be proud. Failing to get Mercer-
University, let them give one-half the pledged
amount to Monroe College. Their daughters,
and the distant generations yet to come, would
bless them for a benefaction so noble and so
wise.
Over one hundred pupils attended this In
stitution during the last session. The Grad
ating Class—eleven in number—gave evi
dence of careful training und diligent study.
I will not attempt to describe the examina
tions and closing exercises, simply because 1
cannot do so with exact justice. 1 aiti sure
they would not suffer in comparison with
similar exercises of the best female schools
in the State.
I shall long cherish the most, pleasant re
collections of my visit to Forsyth.
L. R. G.
The ThomsCn High School.
We had the pleasure of attending the clos
ing exercises of the Spring Term of this ex
cellent Institution of learning, on the sth inst.,
and never witnessed anything ot the kind
more entirely satisfactory. Professors A. E.
and T. M. Steed are thorough scholars and
untiring workers, as the results of the exam
ination lully proved. Every recital gave
striking proof of the eminent skill, fidelity and
system with which the scholais had been
trained. The proficiency of thechildien, wo
think, excelled anything we had ever seen.
They wore well advanced, and seemed to be