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jfsibx mi gaptiist
J. J. TOO Jf, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORSRSPONDING EDITORS:
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSD \Y, AUGUST 4, 1870.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
The next session of this Institution opens Sept.
Ist We hope that the number of students will
be largely increased. If we could reach every
youthful “herald of the cross,” whose mind
wavers as to the propriety of attending the Semi
nary, we would, with earnestness and importu
nity, urge him not to forego the mental and spir
itual benefit of its instructions, studies and asso
ciations. He would thank us, more and more
every year, in future life, for that counsel, if it
prevailed with him. Might all our young men but
have a pair of old eyes with which to look into
this question ! There would be no hesitancy then.
Greenville would be full to overflowing, and the
Students’ Fund” would need replenishing many
times.
By the way, let all who are able, contribute to
that Fund. Let no young preacher be kept away
from the Seminary, because he lacks means him
self, and churches and church members will
not supply them.
The Infallibility of the Pope.
Pius IX became infallible on the 13th day of
July. This surprising trait of superiority over all
who sat, before him, in “ the chair of St. Peter,”
was conferred by 538 members of the Ecumeni
cal Council now in session at Rome. These pre
lates certainly know how to do the handsome
thing. When they open their hand, not content
with the measure of liberality which may be in
volved in giving away belongs to man—they
rise sublimely above it, and, with a munifieenoe
which earth may never hope to'transcend, give
away what belongs to God. Can generosity take
a higher flight ? Is not this the farthest limit of
benefaction ?
And yet, the ungrudging bounty of the Coun
cil—or, more properly, of the majority in that
body—does not show itself quite illimitable. Why
should they stay their hand with Pius? Those
who can makeo/ie man infallible, can make a mil
lion. Would it not be well to carry the great
work forward —at least so far as to take to them
selves what they have given to another? We
would be a trifle or two more certain of the infal
libility of Pius,—(the age is largely sceptical, you
know, and we have caught something of its spirff
perchance.)—if those who cause it to be announced
“ with all the scarlet pomp of the seven-hilled
city,” were first infallible, and therefore free from
the suspicion of error in this act. Nay, why not
add to the Infallible Man, that equally feasible
thing—an Infallible Race, and bring to a perpet
ual end all human dissensions in the sphere of
religion, and convert the whole world by a single
stroke to Romanism ?
But that, perhaps, is a boon held in reserve for
other and better days. It must be waited for—
not the lathers but the children are to receive it.
Meanwhile, then, it must be a great advance on
the old order of things, to have in the Romish see
. There ««n he no more danger
of contradiction among the popes. We need not
fear to see hereafter, as in times gone by, a Sixtus
issuing an edition of the Scriptures, to be accepted
as authentic and inspired, and to supersede the
use of all others, on pain of deposition from office
and excommunication from the church, and a Cle
ment coming after to recall and suppress it, and
to put another in its place, with two thousand
changes to attest the superior inspiration and au
thenticity attaching to it 1 Surely, when men
once know themselves to be infallible, they will
take more care to agree with each other than was
taken by these old popes, which, of course, will
further peace—among Romanists; and most sadly
do they need it, as this stormy Council shows.
We hope, too, that, since Pius is so clearly
pointed out as the true possessor of infallibility,
all samples (or semblances) of that article, lying
around loose in our days, will be duly handed
over to him. Let one infallible man suffice. He
has been invested with that attribute for all rea
sonable uses: and why should Theodore Tilton
affect it, in his zeal for “liberal Christianity,” or
C. H. Malcotn, in his zeal against strict commu
nion ? Make up your petty parcels,
and forward them to their rightful owner at
Rome.
Bat we give overmuch space to this glaring
absurdity. Such of our readers as have not seen
the shape in which the dogma of infallibility has
been promulgated, will thank us for a copy of it:
“1. If any one shall say that the Episcopal
Chair of the Roman church is not the very true
and infilhble Unair of Blessed Peter, or that it
has not been divinely chosen by God as the most
solid, enduring and incorruptible rock of the
whole Christian church—let him be anathema.
2. If any one shall say there exists on earth,
distinct and separate from the Chair of the Blessed
Peter, any other Infallible Chair of the Truth of
the Gospel of Christ the Lord—let him be anath
ema.
8. If any one shall deny that the Divine Su
premacy of the Chair of the Blessed Peter is to
all men, whether unbelievers or believers, whether
laymen or bishops, necessary as the true road to
eternal salvation —let him be anathema.
4. Il sjny one shall say that each and all of the
Roman Pontiffs, legitimately elected, are not jure
divino successors of the Blessed Peter, in the gift
also of Magisterial Infallibility, and shall deny to
any one ot them the prerogative of Infallibility
to teach the church and the Word of God, pure
from ail corruption and error—let him be anath
ema.
5. If any one shall say that Ecumenical Coun
cils are a power placed by God in the church for
feeding the Divine flock on the Word of God
superior to tiie Roman Pontiff, or equal to him,
or necessary,lty Divine institution, to the com
pletion of the Infallible Magistracy of the Bishop
of Rome—let him be anathema.”
Communion.
The Morning Star, New York, the Free-Will
Baptist advocate of loose communion, several
weeks since, complimented the Christian Intelli
gencer, (Dutch Reformed,) of that city, for the
“earnest and wise things against close commun
ion” which it had been recently saying. But,
at the same time, it expressed the fear that ‘the
views of the Intelligencer on the relation of bap
tism to the supper really justify the practice
which it condemns.’ To get rid of its misgivings
on that point, the Star say3:
“ We would like to know if it regards baptism
so essentially a pre-requisite to the supper, as to
make it improper, under any circumstances, for a
Christian to come to the latter before his observ
ance of the former. Close Baptists shield them
selves under the assumption, that all Christian
sects agree with them, that baptism must in all
cases precede the supper, and that the only ques
tion at issue is, What constitutes baptism? If
this is true, Pedobaptists cannot consistently ob
ject to the close commuion of the Baptists. But
we know that very many Pedobaptists deny this
relation to be so necessary and absolute as to jus
tify the exclusion of those who have failed to be
baptized. We believe it to be orderly and proper
for baptism to be first administered, hut that any
failure to be baptized, or any mistake as to the
act of baptism, which does not imply guilt or in
tentional disobedience, should not deprive a Chris
tian of the privileges of the supper. Does the
Intelligencer object to this ?”
The Intelligencer seems reluctant to answer
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA. GA„ THURSDAY. AUGUST 4, IS7O.
this question. It has been silent, in fact, for a
month, and over. To our disappointment, we
confess. We felt a natural curiosity to see how
it would parry this unexpected blow from the
side to which it has volunteered its aid. Its con
sistency in speaking for loose communion is chal
lenged by loose communionists themselves. The
challenge had been urged before by strict com.
munionists—but then it might have been lightly
set aside, as coming from those whose practice
had been spoken against, and as prompted by
mere polemic zeal for that practice. Now, how
ever, the very party which is to reap the benefit
of the Intelligencer’s words, demands that thi
paper shall show its right to utter them, by show
ing that it does not, in its own doctrine of com
munion, logically and really unsay them. Will
it answer? and how?
We respectfully submit, too, that the Star
need to look after its own consistency. This pa
per concedes it “to be orderly and proper for
baptism to be first administered” —administered
before “ the privileges of the supper.” This, we
take it, is a logical surrender of the question in
favor of strict communion—for if the Scriptures
establish the priority of baptism as “orderly and
proper,” to place the supper first must be im
proper and disorderly. By what right shall the
churches sanction and share disorder and impro
priety ? Must it not be a wrong and an evil to
do so? The Star, indeed, says that the unbap
tized may be admitted to the privileges of the
supper, where their failure to receive the ordin
ance, or their mistake as to “ the act,” “ does not
imply guilt or intentional disobedience.” But is
not this saying that when a man tramples down
what is “orderly and properly,” without seeing
it, the church may strike hands with him and
help him, with her eyes open f may knowingly
depart from propriety and order, because he de
parts from it ignorantly t But let this be as it
may, the Star acts on no such rule apart from the
question of communion. In common with its
denomination, it holds that baptism should pre
cede church membership —that this precedence is
“orderly and proper.” Here it reasons as strict
communionists reason with regard to the supper
—namely, that what is “ orderly and proper ” is
therefore necessary, and must be enforced. And so,
in common with its denomination, the Star main
tains that church membership must not be grant
ed to the unbaptized; nor does it swerve a hairs
breadth from this position, on the plea that there
are cases in which no implication of guilt or in
tentional disobedience, attaches to the failure to
be baptized, or to the mistake as to the act of
baptism. Where is its consistency, then, when
it claims in the matter of communion what it
denies in the matter of membership? when in the
case it denies and in the other claims that the
church has a right to sanction and share a de
parture from what the Scriptures establish as
“orderly and proper?”
He is Guilty, we Hope.
The Church Journal charges Bishop Mcllvaine
with having said, at a recent confirmation in
Columbus, 0., that the rite he performed was no
sacrament, and that the laying on of his hands
did not confer grace. Such an “ offence,” of
course, “ is rank” in the nostrils of “High Church
men,” (the customary euphemism for “ Low
Christmen” of the more superstitious type;) —but
we sincerely hope that the Bishop is guilty. Not
that we would “ rejoice in iniquity ;” but that the
more spiritual-minded members of the Episcopal
church may have occasion to “ rejoice in” such
" irum,“ as their “chief pastors” often withhold;
while
“ The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed.”
Does not the complaint of the Journal pour a
flood of light over the Romeward tendencies of the
Episcopal denomination ? The venerable prelate
ventured on no more than so elementary a feature
of Protestantism as the denial of the sacramental
character and mystical efficacy of confirmation.
And yet, that was regarded as warranting his
arraignment, at the bar of public sentiment, de
spite his mitre, for unsoundness 1 What next?
Like to Like.
With what character may not ignorance and
superstition clothe sounds in the air at night,
when storms are on the wing ? It is not strange
that English peasants, under such circumstances,
once regarded themselves as hearing, at times, a
pack of hounds in full cry over their heads. Nor
is it strange that to their imagination, these un
earthly visitants were sent on evil errands and
ran before trouble.
The belief in “ the Gabriel Hounds,” as harbin
gers of calamity, rose in this way. And does it
not illustrate the strong affinity of Pedobaptism
for error, that it should make to itself a cosy nest
among these wild imaginings ? For, the credulous
multitude held that “ the Gabriel Hounds” were
“the souls of- unbaptized children, wandering in
the air till the day of judgment!” Ecclesiastical
history will show, we think, that this is no excep
tional case, but that Pedobaptism, through the
ages, has manifested a wonderful adaptability to
the creations of ignorance and superstition, and
has sorted well with and, as it were, fitted natu
rally into them. Now, if it had been of God,
would it not, rather, have seemed out of place and
alien, and by its unlikeness to these human sur
roundings have testified that it had another Au
thor than theirs? Its apt coalescence with them,
is, at least, a presumption that it flowed, at first,
from the same fountain. Kindred drops mingle
readily. And laying out of view all its other of
fences, —how shall Pedobaptism atone for the dis
honor cast on God, by the teaching that, for want
of baptism, He, the Merciful, the Fatherly, could
doom the souls of children to wander through the
restless air for thousands of years, driven to and
fro as messengers of ill, and when brought within
the knowledge of their race, shorn as utterly of hu
man guise as a pack of hounds ?
Marriage.
In a breach of promise case, in Liverpool, the
defendant’s counsel having argued that the lady
had a lucky escape from one who had proved so
inconstant, the judge remarked that “what the
woman loses is, the man as he ought to be.”
But does she not often lose that when he mar
ries her? And what shall make amends for that
most sad “ breach of promise,” where the wife
does not find in her husband “the man as he
ought to be ?”
Reviews and Notices.
New Cyclopedia of Illustrations, adapted to Chris
tian Teaching: Embracing Mythology, Analogies,
Legends, Parables, Emblems, Metaphors, Simi.es,
Allegories.Proverbs,Classic.Historic and Religious
Anecdotes, etc. By Rev. Elon Foster. Wuhan
Introduction by Rev. Stephen H. Tyug. D.D. New
York : W. C. Palmer, Jr., aud Cos., 14 Bible House,
Asior Place. Pp. 704 Priee, in extra cloth, Lev
elled boards, $5; in library leather, $8; in hall
morocco, $7. Sent post paid to ministers, in cloth,
on receipt of $4.25, in leather, of $5, in half-mor
occo, of $5.75.
Those who “ have no ‘likes’ in their sermons,”
seal up, from themselves, one of the chief foun
tains of pulpit power. The judicious use of “ likes”
has always been a marked characteristic of the
most effective preachers. A work such as the
present, therefore, must possess a very high value.
It is the best of its kind, within the range of our
reading. Illustrations in every form except the
poetical, are gathered here lrom nearly eight hun
dred authors, on more than twelve hundred gen
eral topics, and more than six thousand subordi
nate subjects, making a bulk of printed matter
equal to six ordinary 12mo. volumes. The alpha,
betical arrangement facilitates reference to all the
illustrations of a theme, while the copious topical
index supplies the advantage of a logical arrange
ment. There are some points of doctrine, of |
course, which fall below the standard of Baptist
orthodoxy ; and a more rigorous taste, we think,
would have excluded incidents of the recent
American war, or have recited them with a care
ful avoidance of sectional phraseology ; but aside
from these not very frequent blemishes, “every
page glistens with jewels set in gold.” We shall
cull a column or two from the Cyclopedia, here
after, to acquaint our readers with its richness,
variety and interest. Meanwhile, we commend it
to every minister able to purchase it.
Thf. Sunday Magazine. Edited by Dr. Guthrit.
Philadelphia: J. B. L ppm colt & Cos. Terms
$3.5U a year; 30 ceuts a singe number.
Contents for August. 1. Episodes in an Ob
sure Life, being Experiences in the Tower Han.
lets. XI, (illustrated.) 2. Sundays on the Coni
nent, by the Editor: Florence and Savonarola
3 The Affliction of Moses, by Rev. H. Whitehead,
(illustrated.) 4. Jehu the Zealot, by the Editor
5. On the Miracles of our Lord, by G. McDonald.
LL D.; X, the Rresurrection, (illustrated ) 6.
How to Study the Old Testament, oy W. Lindsay-
Alexander, D.D.: Numbers, —Notes on Particu
lar Passages. 7. Christ’s Invitation. 8. Was it
a mere Coincidence, by Rev. H Downton. 9. The
Struggle in Ferrara, by W. Gilbert, XI, (illus
trated.) 10 Questions that are always Turning
Up, by Prof. Milligan: V, Marriage and Celibacy.
11. “The Gallant Good Riou, by Sam’l Smiles,
(illustrated.) 12. The Splinter and the Beam, b>
Rev. S. Cox. 13. Diana Ooverdale’s Letters, by
B Orme. 14. A Sun-Dial in a Church Yard, b}
Rev. G. Jaques, (illustrated.) 15. Supplement—
Notes for Readers Out of the Way.
1 “No More.”
One of the most evangelical and able of our ex
changes, announces that ‘ Rev. , of
be out of place on the lips even of the heathenism
(or the infidelity) which recognizes the immortality
of the soul. No person can rightfully use it who
does not hold that
“Death takes all, and all is naught beyond.”
How strangely it sounds, then, when uttered by
believers in “the resurrection of the dead and the
life everlasting?” when uttered, too, with refer
ence to one who has fallen asleep in Jesus?” We
hope that phraseology so little Christian, so
grossly anti-Christian, will be excluded from the
columns of evangelical journals.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.
A brother w’rites to us from Harrisonville,
Troup county; “ This is a pleasant fertile dis
trict. The planters have comfortable homes, and
are in a thrifty, well-to-do condition. The Bap
tists have a good, commodious house of worship
—a framed building. The membership are in
good working condition, and keep up an excellent
Sunday school. Rev. T. H. Murphey is pastor of
the church. The name is Providence.” Rev.
T. 11. Stout writes, from Lumpkin, to the Louis
ville Recorder: “South-Western Georgia embra
ces that portion of the State lying between the
Chattahoochee river on the West, and a line ex
tending from Columbus in an easterly direction
to Macon, thence Southward to the Florida State
line. The richest portion of the ‘cotton belt’
of Georgia, is comprehended within its borders.
For fertility of soil and mildness of climate, it is
equal, if not superior, to any other part of the
State. We have several flourishing little cities in
our division of the State. The principal of these
are: Cambridge, Albany, Americus, Cuthbert,
Thoinasville, and Fort Gaines. The Baptists are
largely represented in this portion of the State.
Six Associations, with a membership of about
fifteen thousand are comprised in whole, or in
part, in South Western Georgia. These Associa
tions represent one hundred and eighty-seven
churches, and a hundred ordained ministers.
What a moral power they would be, if each were
awake, and wide awake. They reported in their
minutes for 1869, the baptism of twelve hundred
and ninety, and a gain of between five hundred
and a thousand, though hundreds of colored
members were dismissed to constitute churches of
their own. Bishop Pierce’s assertion that Bap
tists were dying out in this portion of Georgia,
meets its sufficient refutal in the above state
ments, taken from our last minutes. In a great
many of the churches, the blacks have been let
tered off, to form churches of their own ; in fact,
this is almost universally the case, where they
have been sufficiently numerous to constitute for
themselves. The whites have encouraged them to
do so, believing they would, perhaps, learn sooner
thus to manage for themselves. Many of their
churches are doing very well; and there exists
the best state of feeling between them and their
white brethren.”
Kentucky.
The Western Recorder is out in anew dress,
increasing its amount of matter and presenting a
more handsome appearance. Rev. G. W. Given
has added 8 to our church at Augusta; and 10
have been added at Hardinsvilie.
Louisiana.
The Interior , Chicago, states that Rev. E. G.
Taylor, D. D., of Union Park church, in that city,
has accepted the pastoral care of Coliseum Place
church, New Orleans, and will enter on his labors
about the first of Oct.
Maryland.
Rev. R. Fuller, D.D., of Baltimore, will deliver
an address, on Personal Piety, before the Evan
gelical Alliance, at its session in New York, next
month.
Mississippi.
Our church at Friar’s Point received, lately, 20
additions, 14 of them by baptism ; and testified
their gratitude for the labors of Revs. F. L. Sew
ard and W. D. Mayfield, by contributions amount
ing to about $l5O. Rev. Jordan Williams,
Canton, “a colored Presbyterian, turned Bap
tist,” reports the baptism of over 100 Methodist
members, beside 5 preachers, in the past twelve
months.
Missouri.
The Central Baptist credits our recent article
on “ Southern Religious Papers ” to the Indepen
dent. Were our confreres aiming to make us
ashamed of it? B. W. Harmon was ordained
to the ministry, July 2nd, at Pleasant Valley
church, Dade county. Our church at Lebanon,
Laclede county, has occupied its new house of
worship, which cost $3,000, and needs $1,600 to
finish it. Anew church has been formed at
Irish Grove, north-west Missouri,
North Carolina.
Rev. F. M. Jordan, after a sermon recently,
was visited by a lady, expressing great concern
about her soul. She said she was a member of
the Lutheran church, but felt that she was in a
lost condition; her hope of heaven rested upon
her infant baptism, which she had been taught to
believe was all sufficient. “The Lutherans of
that country deny the doctrine of the new birth,
regeneration, and experimental religion.” The
house of Rev. J. C. Hiden, pastor of our church
at Wilmington, was entered and robbed, on a late
Sabbath night.
South Carolina.
Out of the 3,000 colored members connected
with our church at Beaufort, before the war, only
two sisters remain and worship with it. The
rest have formed churches of their own, and
“ thrown away entirely their old teachers.”
Our church at Camden is about to build a font,
repair the house of worship, and furnish the
choir with a melodeon. J. Ti Westcott, of
Wilmington, N. C., having been called to the pas
toral care of Horeb church, Abbeville, was or
dained to the ministry, July 16th: sermon by
Rev. J. C. Furman, D.D.- A Convention held
recently at Horeb, decided to organize anew As
sociation, the first session to be held in October.
Texas.
A minister, recently a Baptist, has organized
‘‘a new church” in Southern Texas, denying
several of the fundamental doctrines held by or
thodox Baptists. Two or three of our churches
have “ wandered alter ’’ him.
Virginia.
The Society of Alumni of the University of
Virginia has appointed, a committee to publish
a Life of the late Dr. Gessner Harrison, (Method
ist) to be written by Rev. J. A. Broadus, D.D.,
now a Professor in our Theological Seminary, at
ireenviile, S. C. session of the Dover
Vssociation, Rev. R. H. Bagby, D.D., told of a
ioor sister, in King and Queen county, who sub
cribed one egg a week to the church, and paid
it. “ YYhy cannot exstf member do at least that
much?” Rev. A. M. Poindexter, D.D* re
sumes (or continues) his agency for Richmond
College. A “laymas” of this State, one with
out a peer perhaps in his chosen sphere of labor,
writes to us: “ I think your paper is gaining
ground in Virginia. 1 wish you all success.
Trust in the Lord, and go ahead." Rev. Caleb
Burris, (colored,) pa&to?'of three colored churches
on the Eastern Shore, has baptized 600 converts,
besides raising up churches, within three
years. iTv
The Ja&ociations.
Our Associations 'tuder Juring the summer,
and Rev. F. M. flAfgood ‘ )ii d myselt will
visit as many as we can ii the nteiest of the
Sunday School Board. B thren, Jesus
blessed the little child en, ius manifesting
his love for thenru Du juu not, also, love
the little ones? Well, we shall go among
you and beg °for the Board that establishes
Sunday schools for them, and sends mission
aries to tell them the way to heaven. Will
you not receive us kindly and send up funds
for the Sunday School Board? Brother Pas
tor, brother Superintendent, when you are
indicating the destination of your church
funds, remember the children, and direct some
of your funds to be 4 appropriated to the Sun
day School Board. That very money may
enable the Board tojistablish a Sunday school
in your neighborhood, or send some papers
gratis to a school in your vicinity.
Recollect that, w herever 1 may be, w hether
in Macon or at an Association, 1 am an Agent
for—l. The Sunday School Board, and, 2.
For Kind Words and Sunday School Books,
and will take order for any kind of proper
Sunday School Books. lam making arrange
ments to supply teachers, superintendents and
scholars witn just the kind of books they
want. Orders of ail kinds may be sent me,
and will beprompify filled. 3. I will receive
money for the Index and Baptist, for which
every Georgia Baptist should subscribe. Sub
scriptions may bqysent me for the Baptist
Teacher —7s cents single copies; 50 cents
where ten or more yre taken.
S. Boykin, Dist. Sec.
Dover Association, Va.
Time was. when you were wont to feel in
terested in concerned the meet
ings of the “ Oid Dover” Baptist Association,
in Virginia. Hoping that you are not yet so
weaned from your another State as to have
lost your interest in our Baptist doings, I ven
ture to send you a c immunication touching a
recent session of “ Old Dover.”
The “ Dover,” next to the “ Ketockton,”
(now no more,) is the oldest Baptist organi
zation in the St#*<4'’of* Virginia, having been
organized in 1783. Ab >ut 37 )ears ago, the
Association was divided for local convenience,
a large number cfA&kurehes being formed
into anew Association called Rappahannock,
embracing most of the churches in King
George, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Northum
berland, Elizabeth Gity, York, Gloucester,
King and Queen, King W illiam and New
Kent counties, with a few churches on the
borders of adjacent counties. This division
had been long desired, but had been post
poned in deference to the wishes of Rev. R.
B. Semple, who earnestly opposed it. The
territory of the Dover, ho wever, is still very
large, reaching from Goochland county to the
lower end of the “ Peninsula” at Hampton,
and including all the Baptist churches in Rich
mond. Local convenience will probably, ere
long, suggest another division, unless indeed
the “ consolidation’’ idea should get to be as
popular with Baptist churches as with rail
roads and civil governments.
The Dover met this year in Goochland
county, with a church called “ Nuckells,” alias
“ Goochland,” on Tuesday, 19th of July. The
number present was not so large as usual.
The place of meeting is far away from rail
road lines, and not near enough to the “ water
line westward” to make that line to much ex
tent available; so that most of those present
came on horseback, or in such conveyances as
the fortunes of war left in t ese rtgions. Now
and then an “ ambulance,” called by some,
“ avalanche,” might be seen moving among
other vehicles, filled, not with wounded sol
diers, but with youth of both sexes, all life
and animation at the return of the annual ses
sion of the “ Old Dover.”
The writer has been, for nearly half a cen
tury, accustomed to attend the meetings of
this body. In the former days we were fa
vored with the presence of A. Broaddus, Sr.,
R. B. Semple, A. W.Clopton, William Todd,
John Kerr and others, giants in their days.
These have all passed to their recompense in
the better land. We dare not wish them
here, even at the expense of even a moment’s
absence from their blessed home. But we
were not prepared to be reconciled to the ab
sence of certain ones whose familiar faces we
had expected to see; such as J. B. Jettr, and
J. B. Taylor, and George F. Adams, and A.
tl. Sands, and others, ministers of the Asso
ciation, not to speak of sueh“ laymen” (as A.
F. Crane would style them) as J. B. Wat
kins, and C. H. \Vmstoh, and Turpin, and
Dr, Qwathmey, and Williams of Sunday
school memory, and my old friend “ Epaphra
ditus\ ” all of whom 1 had hoped to meet.
Tnese, unless they have grown old more rap
idly than the writer of this would like to d>*,
ought to have heen present, unless they were
deterred by the prospect of a ride of not more
than twenty miles on country roads. How
pleasant to contrast with their absence, the
presence of a brother by no means as young
as he used to be, who, coming up from the
“ Peninsula,” and by no means rich, paid si*
dollars for one day’s ride in a buggy, rather
than miss meeting with his brethren !
Rev. R. H. Graves, our Missionary to
China, was present on the occasion, and gave
some account of bin work among the idolaters
there. W'ith a view to recruit his health,
brother Graves will spend about twelve
months, preaching to the Chinese in Califor
nia ; after which he hopes to return to his
chosen field. Will none of our young breth
ren of the South be ready to go with him ?
The “inevitable” Secretary was at the
“Dover,’’and had an opportunity to remind the
children assembled in “Sunday school mass
meeting” in the adjacent grove, that a “ habit
is a habit,” and also to speak a word in behalf
of the scheme for educating the orphans of
Virginia soldiers. There are many readers
of the Index who know the Secretary. What
a nice thing he would think it to be, if this
allusion to him should secure to him a contri
bution at Fredericksburg, Va., by mad, from
every one who shall be able to understand
the allusion !
We are enjoying (or perhaps better) en
during the “ heated term” in Virginia. Sel
dom has the mercury stood above the nineties
in this latitude. But for two or three weeks
of this J uly, it has been quite common. We
have had pretty good showers of rain, and the
corn is promising. With a fair crop of wheat
this year, already gathered, the prospect of a
good crop of corn, we are hoping for abun
dant temporal supplies. O, for showers of
grace on all our churches, many of which are
in great need of such a visitation.
» *
Griffin, Ga.
A word relative to our brethren at Griffin
and their lately chosen pastor, Dr. J. H. De-
Votie. Having happily spent the last Sab
bath with them in public worship, the follow
ing facts were made known tome: Their
church edifice is a large, commodious and
durable one, of good architectural appear
ance. The membership of the body is about
two hundr* A. embracing many elements of
strength. The CO igregalions are large and
attentive, the population of the city, now
nearly live umujjand, on the increase, and
much confidence is reposed in the efficiency of
their able, laborious and loved pastor. Within
the week terminating on Sabbath last, nine
members were received into the church by
letter and one on a profession of faith for bap
tism. It may be added that the church has
already secured, in support of the pastor and
his family, the sum of twenty-one hundred
dollars, payable in monthly instalments.
A Visitor.
Atlanta., Aug. 2.
Ministers and Deacons’ Meeting of the Geor
gia Association.
This meeting held its session with the Etinri
church, Warren county, on the 15th, 16th
and 17th days of the past month. In the
ebst-nce of the appointee, brother P. F. Bur
gess and his alternate, the introductory ser
mon was preached by brother J. A. Carter.
After a recess and the partaking of refresh
ments, which were ample and well arranged,
the meeting was organized by enrolling the
names of ministers and deacons present, and
re-electing brother J. A. Carter Moderator,
and brother 3. H. Kilpatrick Clerk. An
essay was then read by the undersigned, on
the motives which should bring the Lord’s
people to His House. After which, interest
ing and instructive addtesses were delivered
by brethren P. H. Melt, Asa Duggan, Adam
Jones and T. J. Pilcher.
On Saturday morning at 8J o’clock, the
body met and spent a half hour in prayer.
At 9 o’clock, an essay was read by deacon L.
L. Veazey, on the importance of each church
meeting for religious services every Sabbath.
This subject, though seldom discussed in our
religious assemblies, was treated with marked
ability. To do justice to the essay in giving
a synopsis of it, would be out of the question,
and, for one, I would like to see it published
in full. After the reading of this essay, we
were very profitably and pleasantly enter
tained by addresses from brethren J. 11. Kil
patrick, L. R. L. Jennings and P. 11. Mell
in which they pointed out some of the diffi
culties in the way of reducing the plan to
practice, such as the conflict with other de
dominations in small communities, diminish
ing our congregations by confining each to its
own house of worship, and the want of a suffi
cient number of preachers to supply each
church with preaching every Sabbath ; and
even if we had them, it would be difficult for
the same preacher to keep up the interest of
his congregation for any great length of time.
Next, came the sermon by brother J. H. Kil
patrick, upon the Abrahamic covenant, as a
foundation for infant baptism. This was a
plain, candid and conclusive discourse, show
ing that that covenant was no ground for in
fant baptism. In'the afternoon we were
agreeably entertained with an address from
brother E A. Steed, on the terms of soriptrfVal
communion,w hich, w hile it was an able defence
of the Baptist practice of restricted commu
nion, was also interspersed with illustrations
that rendered it inexpressibly attractive.
On Sabbath morning a 9 o’clock, there was
a Sabbath school mass meeting addressed by
brethren M. H. Lane and T. J. Cummini*.
Brother L. R. L. Jennings preached the 11
o’clock sermon, on the importance of a con
verted church membership. In the afternoon,
brother P. H. Mell preached on election, its
uses and abuses. Both of these sermons were
characteristic of their respective authors, and
were worth the attention of that vast assem
bly which gathered together to hear them.
Taken altogether, it was a most pleasant
and profitable meeting—the first one it has
has been my pleasure to attend since its or
ganization, some years ago. I was informed
that there was a much larger attendance than
at any previous meeting since its beginning.
There were a large number of visiting breth
ren from other Associations; among whom
may be mentioned brethren Asa Duggan, T.
J. Veazey. T. J. Cumming, VV. J. Harley and
Adam Jones, of the Washington Association.
Every one present must have been impressed
with the generous hospitality of the brethren
and friends who had their numerous tables
that surrounded the church yard, amply sup
plied with the necessaries and luxuries of life.
It is our prayer that the meeting may be
blessed to the spiritual good of the commu
nity who so hospitably entertained us, and
that the influence for good may be general
and lasting. B. M. Callaway.
From New York to Alabama.
The 30th ult. 1 left New York for my home
in the South. I took passage on the day line
of steamers up the Hudson, as far as Albany.
It was then I beheld, in all its beauty and
grandeur, the world-renowned scenery of this
noble stream. Pen nor pencil has exagger
ated ij. The magnificent palisades is the first
object of peculiar interest; then the high
lands, both of which are on the right bank ;
on the opposite side are princely villas whose
exquisite surroundings never fail to delight
the eye long accustomed to the red walls of a
huge city. West Point comes next but the
curious traveller looks in vain for a glimpse
of the town. He satisfies himself with what
he can see—-which are precipitous heights,
dense foliage and rugged rocks. Poughkeep
sie then comes, a place dear to the hearts of
Baptists, on account of its famous fern tie edu
cational institution, Vassar College, the only
endowed school for girls on the continent, 1
must not fail to notice the Catskill mountains,
which rise high up, defying in strength the
thunder of heaven, producing the most pleas
ing emotions, as their ever-changing grandeur
gradually opens up to the beholder, Th e entire
route Is one of constantly recurring beauties.
The uniform width of the river and the pearly
Clearness of its water were ever to me a cause
of wonder. The distance, this route, hetween
the metropolis and the capital is made in eight
hours,
Arriving at Albany, I took cars for Sara
toga, where I spent a day, which gave me am
ple time for a bird’s eye view of this cele
brated watering place. It. in every respect,
went beyond my expectations. For recrea
tion, recuperation, diversion, fine water and
pure air, it can scarcely be surpassed. It has
many springs, the principal of which are the
Congress, the Empire, the Star, High Rock,
Pavilion, Geyser and Seltzer, possessing like
properties, but in different proportions, chlo
ride of sodium being the predominant ele
ment. The accommodations for visitors,
pleasure seekers and invalids are extensive,
including every grade, from the cot to the
most elegantly furnished suites of rooms.
Leaving Saratoga, 1 soon found myself
dashing over the New York Central, along
through the fertile and picturesque valley of
the Mohawk. It was here 1 first saw a boat
on the Erie canal, which forms so interesting
a feature of the country almost along the en
tire line of this railway.
One o’clock in the morning I reached
Niagara, and there, for the first time, heard
the roar of the most stupendous cataract in
the world. That I might enjoy it as fully as
my short time would allow, 1 stopped at the
Clifton House, on the Canada side. I arose
early to gratify my eager desire to see the
falls. This was easily done, for I had but to
step from my room out upon the open veran
dah to take what is called a “ view of the
falls from the Canada side.” I spent the day
visiting the Burning Spring, the Museum, the
islands and other places of interest. On Bath
Island is the paper factory of the Tribune.
My curiosity was awakened to go through it,
when I was told the material used is straw,
and that the Tribune office consumes all the
commodity there made of it. The process is
an interesting one. Having made the circuit
of Goat Island, and the Three Sisters, I re
turned, realizing that the longer I lingered
over the prospect, the grander lt-beeame. It
is at such a time, through His sublimest
works, that man feels that God is great, and
greatly to be praised.
The Sabbath I spent in Cleveland, Ohio—
a most beautiful city. It seems the country
and city artistically combined, so spacious
are its private residences and broad and shady
its streets. I attended service at the First
Baptist church: pastor, Rev. Dr. Stanton;
church edifice large and congtegation very
fuil. In the evening, attended a meeting of
the various denominations, on the Evangelical
Alliance, which convenes in New York in
September next. The occasion drew out an
over-crowded house. The Secretary of the
organization, long a resident of Paris, ad
dressed the meeting. Romanism, he informed
us, has lost its foothold in Europe. Its hope
is now in America, and it is making desperate
efforts to possess it. Now is the time for
Protestantism to take a decided and bold
stand against its intrusion.
The next day, the fourth, 1 resumed my
travel via InJianapolis and Louisville. I
called at the Mammoth Cave. lam sorry
that I cannot speak a word in favor of the
accommodations at this place for the vast
number of visitors which frequent it during
the year. One less accustomed than myself
to meeting with obstacles, would have been
disheartened at the moment of his landing at
Glasgow Junction, —the nearest station—
distaut seven miles from the Cave. On ac
count of bad management, I was deterred
from making satisfactory exploration of this
huge wonder. In consequence of it, I joined
a party going into a newly discovered cave,
called the Diamond. It is a perfect little
gem, abounding in interest from entrance to
terminus —formations of the most beautiful
and exquisite chaiacter. Whoever stops to
see the Mammoth, I would recommend to visit
this. 1 got to the hotel in the afternoon,
but too late, to take a route. Next morning,
at 9:30, I went with two parties from Louis
ville, the short route, making it in three
hours. The long route is made in twelve
hours, the number of miles walked from
eighteen to twenty. Soon, it is proposed to
open a way by which visitors can enter one
door and make an exit at the further end,
which will certainly be very agreeable, in
more respects than one. Nothing is more
needed for the comfort of those who go to
this place, than that competition should exist
between parties whose property it is. It is,
indeed, expensive sight-seeing.
Taking seat, once more, in the cars, I an
ticipated no further interruption in my South
ern flight. As I neared my home, scenes, by
degrees, grew more and more familiar. The
cotton field, the negio and the mule, the sun
bonnet, the tooth-brush, the snulf-box, (hope
I will be excused for this last, reference, but
it is true,) the burning sun, the tanned skin
I reaehetf Oxford, my destination, the
morning of the 12th. I discovered, in look
ing around, that within the two and a half
years of my absence, it had made remarkable
strides in improvements, such as business
houses, residences and schools, and also a
corresponding advance in social and religious
status. It is now a most attractive little vil
lage, possessing some advantages which rival
those of larger places. In morals, enterprise
and industry, it is unequalled. Schools fine,
churches and Sabbath schools large and well
attended, locality healthy, enjoying one of
the most beautiful mountain prospects South.
The first Sunday after my return, Rev. Mr.
Haygood, one of the Sunday School Agents
of the Southern Baptist Convention, was with
us, addressed the school in the morning and
afternoon, preached morning and evening.
The children, for whom his visit was espe
cially intended, were much pleased with him.
Yesterday, he was in Selma, entertaining the
same class with his pleasing stories.
Clementia.
Oxford , Ala., July 25, 1870.
Kind Words.
As the various Associations will hold their
annual meetings within a few weeks to come,
let me beg some brother, in each of the As
sociations, who is a good Sunday school man,
and a friend of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion, to interest himself in procuring clubs of
subscribers for Kind Words in all the schools
within the bounds of his own Association.
This child’s paper being the organ of the
Sunday School Board of the Southern Bap
tist Convention, has special claims, on that
account, to the universal patronage of the
Sunday schools within the boundaries of the
Convention. And besides, the Board is ta
king special pains to make it one of the very
best. Sunday school papers in the land, Tes
timonials of its esteemed excellency are com
ing to us from every quarter; and its circu
lation is being rapidly extended all over the
South. Eighty thousand copies of our little
sheet go out monthly to gladden the hearts of
the dear children, and instruct them in the
things that belong to their everlasting welfare.
These papers are read, probably, by 400,000
persons, every month. We want to run up
the list to 100,000 within the next three
months. Who will work for us in the sev
eral Associations ? Dear brethren, the South
ern Baptist Convention is your Convention ;
its several Bo rds are your Boards; and
Kind Wohds is emphatically your paper.
Proper acknowledgements will be made for
all the voluntary services which our brethren
may find it in their hearts to render to the
Sunday School Board.
Thos. C. Teasdale, Cor. Sec.
P. S.; The Board is now also earnestly
engaged in its missionary work. May we
not hope that the Associations, ohurches and
sohools, all over the South, will help us in
this noble work. So far, our missionaries
are doing an excellent work, and are greatly
encouraged in their labors, We want to in
crease their number four-fold at once. Our
motto is, “The Children of the South for
Jesus,” Who will help us to lead them to
Jesus 1 T. C. T.
Lights and Shadows.
If predominance of light constitutes a hap
py life, I have been happy recently, and es
pecially when I was at Salem church, in Ogle
thorpe county, where I met brethren Chandler,
Stevens, Gibson, and others in the ministry,
and Clarke, Hawkins, Callaway, Howard, —
well, a host of privates —“high privates”—
deserving promotion, and who will be promo
ted to a throne and crown, and royal robe,
and mansion, before long. Bright spots in a
weary agent’s ever changing experience, when
he can repose at Deacon Hawkins’ or Clarke’s,
for this 1 experienced and wanted to experi
ence the same at many other Baptist homes
1 have up there. 1 never had much opinion
of “ love on sight,” but I came away from
Oglethorpe a real victim, no subject,of “love
on sight”—on first Bight it struck deep, and
on second sight (for some 1 had seen before)
I could not control myself.
But the General Meeting was a precious
and profitable season. I seldom have enjoyed
such occasions more. Regretted the feebler
ness of brother Ivey, and that I could be with
him no more, but there was light in his
speeches. Would his speech, urging the ob
ligation upon us now, of weekly contributions,
could have shined all over Georgia. The
Lord bless him with health. So much good
feeling there, so much spirituality, so much
Sunday school and missionary zeal; and there
were mission funds there. Sweet are the
recollections of that meeting, my new ac
quaintances, my old ones strengthened, the
treatment I received; and may the Lord
bless His cause there, and the brethren, for
their kindness to me, and my brethren of the
Mission Board.
Bairdstown was light while I was there.
There will be light where Dr. Mell is bishop,
and then, too, it is near enongh for Penfieid
to cast a ray now and then, as when I was
there. Dr. Tucker preached on the “im
portance of baptism,” and I never heard any
thing like it, never expect to again. How l
wish it could be sent over the whole land.
Those who make the ordinance a condition of
salvation ought to hear it, and learn that they
magnify its importance. Those who consider
it “a mere form,” ought to hear that dis
course and learn that, while it is a form, it is
not a mere form, but more than a form—“a
form, plus” a command. Those who enter
tain correct views of the ordinance, ought to
hear that sermon, that they might be im
pressed with their honor and responsibility,
as “God’s truth keepers of this ordinance.”
1 said amen! in iny heart, when he said,
“We know that we are right,” and empha
sized it, repeated it, shook his head over it.
I reached Bairdstown too late for the busi
ness of the General Meeting; but it was said
to be a success. Brother Kilpatrick’s sermon,
Saturday night, was good ; his sermon to the
Sunday school was good; the singing was
good ; the attention was good, and the audi
ence large, very large. One shadow only
crossed my mind, and I cast it. Brother
Mell said 1 could “do as I pleased” in talk
ing about missions, and 1 pleased not to talk.
Brethren of Baird’s church, excuse me this
lime, and don’t tell on me. I would have
lelt better had 1 talked, and so would you,
and especially had you given some, as you
would.
My dear brother Landrum, (I love the
name,) carried me to Antioch, aiso brother
Mell’s charge, to lecture to the children. Not
very many out, but the extremes of age
nearly were there. Some children asked me
to pray for them—some grown children too.
Two precious ones rode several miles to the
children’s meeting.
My travelling companion, as he is some
times, F. M. Haygood, sent an appointment
for us, “all two of us,” to be at Lexington
on Monday night after the general meeting,
and there 1 found lights and shadows. “ Four
meeting houses and no religion,” said one
brother in answering a question. Rather
shady, but that was intended as a hyperboli
cal remark. The attention given to preach
ing, the money for missions and Sunday
schools, and the care taken of “ all two of
us,” and other lights 1 sa-v there, show there
was some religion there. There will be light
where brother Gibson goes. It is in his heart,
and his face shines. 1 love him much.
Preachers ought to tell the truth, and as
brother Goss says my travelling companion
looks grum, lam not going to deny it. How
ever, that might be a mere matter of taste,
o\er which sister Haygood and sister Goss
might dispute, as to whose husband looked
“ grummer.” 1 know brother H. is one
of the best travelling companions I have found.
He is cheerful, gentleirgmly, accommodating
and inventive. At a place where we were
straitened somewhat for something to help
sustain the “outer man,” he invented the
“Agent’s Cheap Lunch.” It consists of but
ter crackers and loaf or clarified sugar—
sugar in lumps. 1 publish it, hoping to be of
some service to other agents, and knowing,
too, my worthy brother’s timidity might keep
him from publishing his own invention.
Dear reader, did you send me a contribu
tion for Domestic Missions last week ? 1
have not received many yet. Did you for
get it? Please send it this week. You can’t
imagine how good it makes me feel, and it
makes our missionaries feel better still. Try
it, and see if it wont make you feel good to
give something. Please send on. Pray for
our missionaries, and write to them an en
couraging letter and send me, and I will send
it to them. VV. N. Chaudoin.
General Meeting.
Proceedings of the general meeting held with
the Zion Baptist church, and ministers from sis
ter churches, on Friday, July 15th, at 11 o’clock:
Rev. F. Quarles, of Atlanta, called the meeting to
order ; prayer by Rev. George Owen.
In the afternoon, half an hour was spent in de
votional exercises. Rev. E. B. Rucker was elect
ed Moderator, A. DeLamotta, of Atlanta, Secre
tary.
Rev. F. Quarles preached the Introductory Ser
mon, on Friday night, at Zion church, from Mat
thew, 2nd chapter, 10th verse. Rev. George
Owen, at the A. M. E. church, on the same night.
Rev. A. DeLamotta preached at the Zion church
on Saturday at 3 o’clock. Saturday night Rev.
E- B. Rucker preached at the Zion church. The
meeting then adjourned nine die.
On Saturday night. Rev. A. J. Beavers preached
at the A. M. E. church. After the sermon
preached at Zion church on the same night, by
Rev. E. B. Rucker, some of the delegates ad
dressed the meeting in relation to the progress
made, and the destitution prevailing in their cir
cuits. Rev. J. M. Rice delivered a very thorough
and comprehensive address in relation to Sunday
schools, and also in reference to the great work of
the Baptists throughout the State. On Sunday,
at Zion Baptist church, Rev. J. M. Rice addressed
the Sabbath school at 9 o’clock. Rev. L. Green
lee, of Gumming, Ga., preached at 11 o’clock.
Rev. E. B. Rucker preached the Missionary Ser
mon at 3 o’clock. Rev. F. Quarles preached at 8
o’clock. After brother Quarles’ sermon, the
Lord’s supper was administered. A hytnn was
then sung, and a parting shake of the hand was
given. At the A. M. E. church, Rev. F. Quarles
preached at 11 o’clock; Rev. A. De Lamotta, at
3 o’clock ; E. B. Rucker at 8 o’clock.
Names of the Delegates Present.
Rev. F. Quarles, Rev. A. De Lamotta, Atlanta,
Rev. E. B. Rucker, Columbus; Rev. T. M. Allen,
Marietta; Rev. L. Greenlee, Gumming; Rev. W.
Thomas, Marietta; Rev. J. M Rice, Augusta;
Rev. George Owen, Atlanta; Rev. A. J Beavers,
Campbell; W. Thomas, Licentiate, Marietta; D.
Williams, and S. Mimms, Deacons, Marietta; K.
Howard, Deacon, and H. Dodd, Atlanta ; E. Smith,
R. Harvey, C. Thomas, Marietta.
E. B. Rucker, Moderator.
A. De Lamotta, Secretary.
Marietta, Ga., July loth, 1870.
Sophocles on Baptizo.— Mr. E. A. Sopho
cles, a native of Greece, an eminent scholar
and professor of Greek in Harvard Univer
sity, has just published a “Greek Lexicon of
the Roman and Byzantine Periods (from B.
C. 400 to 1100 A. D.,)” —a work of incom
parable value to the student of New Testa
ment Greek. We give the following speci
men : “ Baptizo— l. To dip, to immerse, to
sink. 2 Mid. baptizomai , to perform ablu
tions, to bathe. 3. Baptizo , mergo, mergito,
tingo or tinguo, to baptize. [There is no evi
dence that Luke or Paul and the other writers
of the New Testament put upon this verb
meanings not recognized by the Greeks.] For
the mode of administering the rite, see Bar
nabas, Justin, Irenteus, Tertullian, etc., etc.
For trine immersion, see Tertul. 11. 69, a.”
It will be Been that the theories of Dr. Edward
Beecher, Dr. Dale-*&nd othei Pidobaptist
writers who have “ sought out new inven
tions” as to the meaning of baptizo , obtain no
countenance from the learned author of the
new Lexicon. The real scholarship of the
world is with the Baptists.— 'Chris. Era.