Newspaper Page Text
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JfniUx And
J. J. TOON, - - - - Proprietor
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega , Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1871.
The New Year.
“ God grant that this may be a year famous for
believing /” was tbe wish of Romaine for his
people, on New Year’s Day. We adopt it in be
half of our readers, and in our own behalf. The
vital necessity with the great body of Christians
is, that faith should more and more pervade the
heart—should rule the life more and more. What
ever else is lacking, the growth of faith must
supply. Other graces are the streams; the foun
tain from which they flow, is faith.
We need a practical faith. We need, rather,
that faith should not be warped from its own
legitimate and inherent tendency toward practice.
That tendency, if not obstructed, will make a
year “ famous for believing,” famous, also, for
working! In fact, the old Saxon word, “ be
lieve,” meant, as well, “to live by.” This sug
gests important truth. Only what we live by,
we believe. We believe nothing, unless we live
by it. “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, be
ing alone.” So God judges; and, according to
this judgment, let us seek to mark the year on
which wo enter, from first to last, with “the life
of faith.”
This union of believing and working, may well
be made matter of serious thought, of holy re
solve, and of earnest prayer, when anew year
opens on us. Whether we look backward or for
ward, the question assumes, at such an epoch,
most solemn aspects.
A backward glance shows us that we have
passed through scenes unfriendly to Christian
faith and Christian work. Influences, “of the
earth, earthy,” have been about us, conducing to
obscure the vision of trust and to check the hand
of labor. They have warred Against the soul.
Their cumulative power, as-a general rule, proves
mighty enough to warrant the affirmation of
Johnson and Goethe, that “ it is difficult to be as
good when we are old as we were when young.”
How has it fared with us, then, in our conflict
with them through the past year ? Has the bat
tle, in no degree, gone against us ? Os one thing
there can be no doubt: it has been with our souls
according to our faith —for “ this is the victory
that overcometh the world,” this only. Oh, with
• the retrospect of our stumblings and falls through
its weakness, shall we not struggle toward a faith
more true, more strong, more active ?
A glance forward discloses the bar of God, as
nearer to us, it may be, than the next new year
—that bar at which our faith shall be tried by
the test of “the things done in the body.” It
was an opinion of the Jews that God holds judg
ment over tbe sons of men, on the first day of
the year. But every day is a day of God’s judg
ment. He ponders the path of our feet, every
day. He weighs our walk and our work—yea,
ourselves —in the balance, every day. And we
are hastening to “the revelation of this judg
ment.” With these thoughts under the eye,
should we not constitute the beginning of the
year, as it reminds us of our rapid approach to
ward the eternal state and the final award, a sea-„
son us special self-judgment ? Should we not hold
a High Court of Conscience, before which the
purposes that have actuated us, the feelings we
have indulged, the words we have spoken, the
acts we have performed, may be summoned, and
undergo rigid inquest there, and answer for them
selves as in the sight of God —answer to us, as
we must answer for them, to Him ? Oh, with the
prospect of the strict assaying which must come
to our faith, and to its fruits, shall we not endeav
or to make the year “famous for believing ” and
for working f
“Watchmanl What of the flightt”
In drifting along the tide of time, it is not im
proper for the Christian to pause occasionally
and attempt to take his reckonings in the light of
prophecy. Without presuming to be wise above
what is written, and with no intention or desire
of adopting or constructing a “ theory” of pro
phetical interpretation, we have thought a few
suggestions in regard to the present politico-reli
gious aspects of the Old World would not be in
appropriate. Whatever may be the motives which
influence the conduct of earthly cabinets, we
know that in the diplomacy of heaven there is
one grand object ever luminous before the Divine
mind—-the subjugation of the world to the obedi
ence of Christ. To the eye of God, those perpet
ual wars of interests which have ever marked the
contests of men, are but the evolutions of a well
disciplined army, whose every movement is di
rected by infinite wisdom. “ The wrath of man
shall praise Him.”
Accepting the theory that the Pope is “ the
Man of sin,” the “ Beast,” the “ Mother of har
lots,” drunken with the blood of the saints,” and
that Mohammedism is “ the false prophet” of
Revelations, let us look at these two powers in
the light of recent events, as well as of impending
Complications.
Let it be borne in mind that the Pope has been
kept upon his throne for twelve or fifteen years
by the intervention of French bayonets—that but
for Louis Napoleon, he would have been driven
from Rome long since. France was the last and
only power capable of protecting the integrity of
his temporal aufhority. Less than six months
ago, the grand Ecumenical Council passed the
dogma of “ infallibility,” thus writing upon his
forefront that “ blasphemy” which filled up the
measure of his iniquity. Within ten days of the
passage of this dogma, war broke out between
France, his last dependence, and Prussia, the only
Protestant power in Europe competent to main
tain such a contest. We all know the result, at
least up to this time Napoleon, whom the Pope
had patronizingly called his “ beloved son,” is a
prisoner, his government is overthrown, and
France is prostrate at the feet of her conqueror—
her capital invested, and many of her principal
cities in possession of Prussia. All this has been
accomplished with a rapidity unparalleled in the
history of modern warfare. Following rapidly in
the wake of these events, Italy rises and demands
a umfication of her political divisions, under Vic
tor Immanuel, who transfers the seat of his em
pire to Rome, thus depluming the Pope of all his
usurped political power, and circumscribing him
to the sole exercise of ecclesiastical authority.
Civil pains and penalties can no longer be inflict
ed by his Inquisilorial courts upon heretics; and
as to his “ Bulls,” they will have about as much
influence upon Christendom as if they were sign
ed by “ John Smith,” instead of “ Pio Non*.”
Who can measure the vast consequences which
must flow from the emancipation of more than
half of Europe from this spiritual and temporal
despotism ? For the first time within the “ twelve
hundred and sixty” prophetical years of the Apoc
alypse, the States of Italy, the kingdoms of Spain,
Portugal, etc., are open, and the glorious light of
Zion is already beginning to shine into these
“d-»rk habitations of cruelty,” and churches are
rising as beacon-lights to those who have been so
long sitting “in the region and shadow of death.”
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1871.
Call it fanaticism, reader, if you will, but from the
time the first gun was fired in this European war,
our sympathies ha7e been with Prussia, and we
think no Daniel is needed to interpret the moral
significance of those victories which have perched
upon her banners. The political motives by
which she is actuated may be as despicable and
vile as were those of Nebuchadnezzar, of whom it
is SAd that “ he meant it not so,” while he was
fulfilling the decrees of Jehovah. We judge them
not. We have nothing to do with them. All we
say is, that whether designed or undesigned, the
result of these Prussian victories is, that the vast
temporal despotism of Popery which has cursed
the earth for more than a thousand years, and
slaughtered millions upon millions of saints, has,
as by an earthquake, been overturned, and the
“Man of sin” now lies at the mercy of the Ital
ian government What is to he the final result—
whether he may not be “ holpen with a little
help”—whether he may not be allowed to eke
out a miserable existence for a few years, and
thus furnish an occasion for a still more signal
overthrow—we pretend not to know. Enough
has been accomplished to awaken the liveliest
gratitude of every Christian heart.
If Mohammedanism be the “ false prophet,”
we know that John associates “ the beast and the
false prophet” in a common overthrow. As they
occupy the same period of prophetical history,
their destruction is simultaneous. Like twin bro
thers in crime, they rise, flourish and fall together.
Now, whether this be the time of their fall we
neither affirm nor deny. It is, however, a striking
fact, that Turkey is the only respectable Moham
medan government now in existence, and that if
it were overthrown, the political power of the
false prophet would be practically at an end.
Whether the present designs of Russia in refer
ence to the empire of Turkey have any moral sig
nificance, the reader can judge. We only sug
gest that the finger boards of recent and impend
ing events point in a direction calculated to
awaken the liveliest solicitudes of the Christian
world.
If the time is at hand for the great spiritual en
largement of Zion, are we ready to “ go up and
possess the land ?” This question should be pon
dered by every Chr.stian. What we have been
doing for the last half century in our missionary
operations,is, to use a military phrase,but so many
skirmishing lines, preparatory to the great battle.
Let every soldier of the Cross be ready, with his
armour burnished, to move forward whenever the
Captain of our salvation issues the command, and
bloodless victories will be achieved which will fill
the earth with gladness and heaven with joy.
The Christian Mother.
The succession from Timothy—not in outward
forms of office, but in the elements of spiritual,
character—has been, perhaps, the richest channel
of blessing to the church. Only second to that has
been the succession from Eunice and Lois, in
whom the unfeigned faith that was in him dwelt
first. Christian motherhood has wrought for the
prosperity of Zion and the salvation of souls,
scarcely with less power than the Christian min
istry itself. It has been the best helper of the
pulpit; and we doubt not, that the last day will
transfer much of the fruit which men regard the
pulpit as having borne, to the credit of the priest
ess of the household, ministering among her sons
and daughters the truth of Christ, in His own
spirit of love and patience.
“ Let a woman preach as she ought to do in
the nursery,” says Rev. Dr. Francis Mason in his
recent autobiography, “and the minister will have
only a secondary work to perform in the pulpit;
and even now, in a Christian community, I arq
not sure but the mother does more than the min
ister. Os all the preachers on this wide earth,
there is none I honor like the Christian mother;
none that seek with such earnestness, and with
such perseverance under the most discouraging
circumstances, the salvation of those under their
charge.”
This language is scarcely too strong. And if
there be a Christian mother whose eyes rest on
these lines, we entreat her, “ according to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,” to ‘ mag
nify her office’—the household ministry ; to link
her influence and her memory, her face, her
voice, in the minds of her children, with the gos
pel of the grace of God; to make it her care that,
1 from infancy, they shall know the Holy Scrip
tures, which are able to make them wise unto
salvation, through faith;’ and to labor for this
end, in weariness, in disappointment, in tempta
tion, with trust in the answer of prayer and the
blessing of God.
The Logical Issue.
A correspondent of the Congregationalist rep
resents churches of that order as “universally
coming now to the principle, that any disciple of
Christ has a right of admission to any church of
Christ.” If this statement be true, we have only
to say that the logic of loose communion is at
work. The battering-ram which beats down the
fence around the table of the Lord, must break
open the door of the church, and allow the indis
criminate entrance of all who deem themselves
disciples, as well to membership as to communion.
Where there is no restriction upon the highest
privilege of membership, there can be none, right
fully, upon membership itself. We must have
churches, therefore, without a creed; must have
that creedless religion which is but the chrysalis
form of irreligion—all simply to get nd of the
law which places baptism first, in point of time,
among the ordinances.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, eto.
Geokgia.
The Talbotton Standard says: “Miss Nora
Mitchell, of Taylor county, daughter of 001. ffm.
Mitchell, a large planter, has conducted a school
this year of about 80 students, the proceeds of
which she has appropriated entirely to the re
building of a Baptist church. In addition to her
weekly exercises, she conducts a large Sabbath
school where all the children of the neighborhood
are seen gathered Sabbath mornings. Regularly
every month, we learn, Miss Mitchell furnishes
each of her Sunday school pupils a copy of Burke’s
Little Soldier , free of charge. God bless her no
ble efforts in behalf of the church and religion.”
Rev. M. J. Wellborn sends us five names,
with sl7, and says: “In the ability with which
truth is advocated in the Index and Baptist, its
friends rejoice. But some of us, at least, work
for it with the more pleasure, in view of the
strictpess of the morality inculcated by it, and
its unwavering devotion to the cause of Christian
missions.” We thank him for his kind words,
and fGr the generous efforts in correspondence
with them. Will all who share his belief illus
trate it, as well, by works ? Our church at
Marshallville was robbed, one night last month,
of the pulpit lamps, a table lamp and a table
spread. A surprise donation party visited
Rev. Dr. Brantly’s residence, on Saturday, with
quite a number of presents from bis flock. The
example of the second church, Atlanta, in this
respect, may well be followed by other churches.
Alabama.
The Christian Herald removes from Tuscum
bia, to Nashville, Tenn., and will be enlarged and
“improved in many points.” BrgpA. B. Cates,
recently of Newnan, @a., has purchased the in
terest of Profs. J. M. Phillips and T. T. Eaton,
and will be joint proprietor and publisher with
Rev. J. Shackelford, Senior Editor. The Editors
will be, Revs. J. Shackelford and J. M. D. Cates;
with Profs. Eaton and Phillips as Corresponding
Editors, Revs. A. L. Stovall and T. P. Montgom
ry Editors for North Mississippi, and Rev. D. M.
Breaker, D.D., Editor for East .Tennesse. We
wish the paper a successful career. Rev. D. M.
Reeves, formerly of Eufaula, goes from the pas
torate at Tarrytowo, N. Y., to Bowdoin Square
church, Boston.
Florida.
Rev. P. P. Bishop writes from Pilatka to the
N. Y. Examiner and Chronicle: “ The white
Baptists of Florida have five Associations, and
the colored Baptists one. Os the former, one lies
in West Florida —the narrow strip of territory
west of the Appalachicola river. I have not been
able to procure any information concerning that
Association, the region occupied by it being nat
urally connected with Alabama, and its inhabit
ants having scarcely any intercourse with those
of other parts of the State. The Florida Associ
ation covers the section extending from the Ap
palachicola to the Suwannee, and includes seven
Georgia churches. The Santa Fe River Associ
tion occupies the counties east of the Suwannee
and north of a line drawn due west across the
mouth of the Ocklawaha. The territory of the
Alachua Association lies between the last-named
line and the parallel of latitude which crosses
Lake Apopka. All the churches south of this
parallel are connected with the South Florida
Association. The above boundaries are only
proximate, of course, since our churches are at
liberty to choose their own associational relations.
Two-thirds of the white Baptists of the State are
in the Florida and .Santa Fe River Associations.
According to the best estimate which our very
imperfect statistics enable me to make, I set down
the number of white Baptists in Florida at 5,000 ;
and I judge that we have nearly, or quite, as
many colored Baptists. The white churches
number about 120, while there are not more than
forty white pastors in the State, all told! On the
other hand, the colored preachers who are ready
to assume pastoral responsibilities, considerably
outnumber the colored churches. Our brethren
here have no sectional prejudices which will not
give way at once before the manifestation of a
right spirit. I came to Florida more than two
years ago, a Northern man, and a representative
of what all the Southern people have been accus
tomed to call a Northern Society. From that
time to this, I have been in constant intercourse
with Baptists of all classes; and no one of them
has yet denied me a fair hearing, or withheld from
me, in the end, a cordial welcome. Nor have I
yet see, in the demeanor of any part of any con
gregation which I have addressed, the first indi.
cation of an unpleasant recollection of my being
a Northern man,”
Arkansas.
J. P. Eagle was ordained to the ministry, at
Lonoke church, Prairie county, Dec. 4th: sermon
by Rev. T. B. Espy.
Kentucky.
The Louisville Baptist Orphans’ Home, (the
south wing of the building “as it is contemplated
to be when finished,”) was “dedicated,” Dec.
18th. Rev. A. 0. Graves removes from the
Stamping Ground church, to the First church,
Manchester, New Hampshire. Our church at
Jordan, Carroll county, has had 31 additions;
our church at Campbellsburg, 33 ; our church at
Lexington 61. Anew house of worship has
been “dedicated” at Brooksville ; cost, $5,000,
which is paid. Hay’s Fork church, Madison
county, publishes “Rev.” George B. Elliot as
“having abandoned his wife, swindled his breth
ren, and been guilty of other wrongs and outrages
common honesty and good order.” Rev.
' G. W. Harris, formerly of Virginia, died in Shel
byville, Dec. 10th, after prolonged illness, origin
ating in military imprisonment during the war.
He was an able minister >nd a most excellent
Christian.
Louisiana.
The Bayou de Glaize church has deposed its
pastor, W. M. Fancher, for deserting his wife, and
leaving for parts unknown with her housekeeper,
an orphan girl, daughter of a Baptist minister.
Maryland.
Rev. S. R. White has recently baptized 19 per
sons at Rockville.
Mississippi.
The Baptist Pilgrim , Meridian, is to be en
larged and placed on a firm basis, with a more
extended list of contribulors. Rev. Theo. Whit
field retires from the “ editorial responsibility, his
pastoral duties being too great to afford the time
necessary for that work.” Ingraham Purser
was ordained to the ministry, Dec. 4th, at Da
mascus church, Copiah county: sermon by Rev.
Jesse Woodall. Rev. George Potter removes
to Wallerville, from Gadsden, Ala.; Rev. J. T.
Freeman from Corinth to luka; Rev. L. Ball from
Tupelo to Friar’s Point; Rev. James Nelson from
Vicksburg to Clinton.
Missouri. ‘
A mission church has been organized in Patee
town, St. Joseph, which has now 40 members, of
whom 26 have just been baptized. The Wa
kanda church has had 15 accessions, Unity
church, Fulton county, 26; our church at Can
ton, 20; Austin church, Cass county, 17 ; Pleas
ant Valley, Dade county, 14; Providence, Clay,
36; Missouri Valley, Buchanan, 20. J. L.
Hampton, was ordained to the ministry, at New
Salem church, Jackson county, Nov. 26th: ser
mon by Rev. J. C. Maple. An interesting re
vival is in progress at William Jewell College,
Liberty: a dozen or twenty of the students have
professed conversion. A revival is in progress
in Ebenezer and Philadelphia churches, Marion
county; the fruit of a prayer meeting held for
some months past, without a preacher, on Wednes
day nights at a school house between the two and
on Saturday nights at the former church.
North Carolina.
During the meeting of Rev. A. B. Earle, in
Raleigh, two daughters of Gov. Holden were bap
tized, and Gov. Holden himself professed conver
sion.
South Carolina.
Advices from Rev J. A. Broadus, D.D , of
Greenville, up to Nov. 25th, at Dresden, give
assurance that he “looks much better, has im*
proved a hundred per cent., and continues to im
prove
Texas.
The Mass Meeting held at Bremond, Dec. 7th,
to decide as to the establishment of one first-class
instil ution of learning lor the Baptists of the
whole State, postponed the decision of the ques
tion, because of the small number present, to a
meeting in Fairfield, on Wednesday before the
fpurth Sunday in July next. The Houston
Herald says: “Jt is probable that there is less of
party feeling and power to-day, in the denomina
tion in the State, than there has been for years,
in the past. The Bremond meeting has dealt its
death blow. We do not mean to say that all
think just alike, that all would advise to just the
same policy, or will go the same way, but there
are no antagonistic centres around which men
will rally and feel themselves to be opposed. And
without this there can be no party or party spirit.
We anticipate that more money will be consecra
ted in Texas, the coming year, to educational
purposes, than in any past year of our denomina
tional history, and as much or more will be given
to existing institutions by the friends of the new
enterprise, than by anybody else.”
Tennessee.
Union University, Murfreesboro, has secured
the services qf Rev. J. Shackelford as Financial
Agent, to raise funds for of the
building and for the endowment of the Institu
tion. Rev. J. L. BurrowsJf.D., of Richmond)
Va., having declined the c«&. to the pastorate of
the First church, Nashville, feat church has ex
tended a call to Rev. T. G. Jones, D.D., of Nor
forlk, Y r a. After a meeting, with 9 baptisms,
a church has been organized at Walnut Grove,
Meigs county. Our church at Dandridge has
had 53 accessions; Elijoy church some 40 bap
tisms. Mrs. Nora Crowell Snider, mother-in
law of Rev. J. R. Graves, LL D., died at Mem
phis, Dec. 19th, in the triumph of faith, after
a Christian life of full J. L. Bow
ers and P. Williams were or.lained to the minis
try, Nov. 26th, at the Watauga church: sermon
by Rev. L. L. Maples.
Virginia.
Rev. P. Repiton, D.D., preaches to
Salem, Deep Creek and North West churches in
Norfolk county, end toJSj|j|R, N. C. During
the first pastoral year of Rev. C. H. Ryland, in
Alexandria, he has persons. Our
church at Fredericksburg fcs received 22 acces
sions by baptism.
Reviews anri^JTotices.
The Baptist Teacher. Philadelphia: American
Baptist Publication Society. Terms: 75 cents,
single copy lor the year--«6f) cents in clubs of ten
oc more to one address. v
This Sunday school monthly has been enlarged
to twelve pages. Editor, Sfev. G. A. Peltz, Phil
adelphia, Pa. : Associaie^Editors; Rev. A. E.
Dickinson, D.D. RiehmcgßP*., and E. D. Jones,
Esq., St. Louis, Mo. Lessons, with a
page devoted to each, worth greatly
moreeveiy month than the subscription price for
the year.
The Galaxy— New York:
Sheldon & Cos. year, in advance.
The number for January maintains the high
reputation of the Galaxy. L What that reputation
is, appears from the ibllofidkg paragraph, clipped
by the New York Evening Mail from the Boston
Journal:
The Galaxy for 1871 promises unusual attractions,
and, with its publishers, to promise is to perform.
Always ably edited and reiharkable for the good
judgment displayed in tne selection of current topics
for discussion and elaboration, it has occupied in
some degree an uutrodden field in magazine litera
ture. Iu this way it has the more con
servative periodicals ot Made up with the
same nice discernment of the public taste which
characterizes the most successful, ot the daily and
weekly journals, it is always bright, trenchant, con
cise, and pertinent. Its co..j#buuons are among the
ablest iu the land, and the<e is such a perfect adapt
ability of style and to give unmistakable
proof that a master mind p?¥sides over us columns
and maps out the work. Afltong the new attractions
for the coming year may be mentioned Porte Crayon,
who will furnish a series of brilliant sketches of
American scenes; and Mrs. Edwards, who will be
gin a novtl in the January |iumber ; anew depart
ment, bringing within popular apprehension even the
more abstruse investigations of modern science;
while the series of papera"%~ distinguished public
men will be continued ; as likewise the inimitable
articles of Mark Twain, and the popular criticisms of
Ricbard Grant While. JustiifMcCanhy, Bayaid Tay
lor, Parke Godwin, Dr. J. C. Draper, etc., will con
tinue their contributions. The departments will be
kept up to their present degree of at.ractiveness.
More than this could not injCSson he desired.”
The Suspension of Mercer University at Pen
field for the Next Term.
It will be seen by following extracts
from the proceedings of the Board of Trus
tees, at their meeting in “Macon, on the 27th
December, that the named Institution
will be suspended in its usual exercises at
Penfield until farther not ce.
“ Whereas, The members of the commis
sion appointed by the Georgia Baptist Con
vention to remove Mercer University, who
were present at a this city to-day,
passed rhe following resolution, viz: ‘That,
in our opinion,'the Trustees should suspend
the operations of University until
’such time hs the -'ae so amended
as to enable the Board Remove the Institu
tion to Macon’; and Whereas, Pending and
prospective litigation jp. regard to the re
moval of the College mtders it, in our opin
ion, altogether inexpedient to continue the
exercises of the University until such litiga
tion is terminated, or until an amendment of
our charter can be procured, authorizing the
removal to Macon :
1. Therefore, Resolved, That in the event
of final amendment of the charter for such
purpose is not obtained before the usual time
for the opening of the w.-xt term, the exercises
of Mercer University siikil be suspended until
the needed amendment can be procured.
2. Resolved, That, sympathizing with our
beloved Faculty in thtir temporary relief
from the active duty of teaching in said Col
lege, we earnestly hope that the period of
such interruption will,not be long, and that
Providence will kindly open to them some
means of temporary livelihood until we can
again claim their services.”
The Board of Trustees also elected Rev.
H. C. Hornady, of LaGrange, agent for the
interests of Mercer University generally, and
especially for its farther endowment.
r S. Landrum, Sec,
A Letter from Phillips.
I am now just about leaving here for New
York, where I am to take passage to Africa
via Liverpool. I think now, 1 shall sail Sat
urday, 24th inst.
1 want to let yotir readers know the pres
ent plans of the Board, with regard to the
African Mission, It is about the same re
ci mmended by the Southern Baptist Con
vention at May: viz , to have
the work done mairdy by the colored people
of this country. lam now appointed to go
and /isit some other points than those where
wealready have missions; seethe men already
there, and know the accessibility to the inte
rior tribes from Liberia, and set them at work
if I find any qualifi-*^—also to see our church
at Lagos, of the Yoruba mission, and arrange
for them as best I efin. I am then to return
to this country, and labor in preparing, in
every way 1 can, metl ur that work.
I shall probabiXbe absent six or eight
months, and I wisfijkj-Tiey to my brethren in
Georgia, to pray for me, that God will make
my visit to Africa g. blessing to that people,
and be for the advancement of the cause of
missions; and prav that God will protect me
from the dangers oPtffe sea, and the sickness
of the African climate. Then let me urge
churches just now, at the beginning of the
\ear, to make liberal contributions—make a
sure investment for the Lord, and consecrate
all to His service. Let particular attention
be paid to the instruction of the colored peo
ple, that when I return I may find a people
prepared for the work. Le't particular at
tention be paid to the religious culture of
those beginning in'-he ministry.
The ctianged condition of the colored peo
ple of this country, and at the same lime
some of the kings of large tribes in the inte
rior refusing to receive white missionaries,
while willing to cacnive colored, surely indi
cate clearly our duty to prepare and send
them the gospel by the hands of their own
people. I am very sorry I have not now
several colored men to go with me.
Farewell, brethren. Pray for me.
Y<>urs in Christ, A. D. Phillips.
Richmond, Va., Dec. 21 st, 1870,
A Revived Church; The Prayer Meeting.
Believing it to be a duty, 1 wish to state
through the Index, how the work of the Lord
is succeeding at Brushy Creek church, Butler
county, Ala, Brother B. F- Lockhart has had
the pastoral care of the church for 1870, and
has done a great deal of good, in getting all
hands at work. During the protracted meet
ing in September, the old and young mem
bers of the church took up their cross more
fervently than ever, and have borne it faith
fully up to the present. They have regular
prayer meetings, once every week; and I be
lieve the Lord meets with them every time.
Some of their meetings are equal to any re
vival in protracted meetings. Blessed be the
name of the Lord; He will help those that
help themselves. The prayer meeting is the
life of a church ; therefore, I would that all
should adopt it, and become full soldiers of
the cross, and fight the good fight of faith,
and inherit eternal life in the end. The Brushy
Creek soldiers seem to**he fighting that fight;
and a great many others are also fighting, yet
there are large numbers that seem to be idle,
and unequiped, waiting for their preacher to
do all the fighting, while they lie in the rear,
perfectly easy. Let me admonish all to work
while it is day, for when night cometh no man
can work. Our preachers can not do all the
work: so let us help them and gain the vie
tory. ___ M. T.
December 15, IS7O.
. Tidings and Queries.
We have had to part with many brethren
and sisters this year from our three churches;
some twenty-five in number, who have left for
Texas, to better their condition in this life.
We have received some in their places. We
dearly loved those brethren and sisters. But
we trust that they will be useful to the
churches and cause of our blessed Redeemer
where they may settle. We loved to meet
with them in the house of God, to worship
Him we love together, in the enjoyment of
His holy service. We have many large
hearted, intelligent members in our churches,
and we love them for their Christ-like spirit,
and zeal, and cooperation with their pastor in
the Master’s cause and in leading sinners to
Jesus, their only Saviour, who is ever willing
and ready to save all who call upon Him. • 1
assisted iu a meeting of days at Mt. Zion
church, in Pickens county, Ala., in which nine
converts were baptized the day before I left,
and seven afterward, and three restored.
We close this letter by asking you to an
swer a query or two, for the benefit of many
inquirers after truth. 1. Is it right for a min
ister to refuse to accept of a call to the pas
torate of a church for one year, because that
church does not call him for life, which he
demands] 2. Is it justifiable in a minister
to urge his claims for the second, or even the
third or seventh year, when a very prominent
part of his church does not want him ? 3. Is
it right for a church to call a pastor during
his life, and thereby forfeit all claim to a
change, even if necessary, in the future ?
P. F. Terrell.
Carrollton, Ala , Deo. 10 th, 1870.
1. The Scriptures contain no express teaching
as to the duration of “ the pastorate.” The na
ture of the office, the importance of permanence
in it, the mischiefs of instability, and the need
that both parties should feel thoroughly commit
ted to each other, (with many kindred points of
thought,) set the seal of condemnation on that
very modern thing in Baptist usage—the call of a
pastor “ for one year.” During more than half
our ministerial life, we have uniformly and stead
fastly refused to accept a call with this limit to it.
But, on the other hand, a call “ for life” seems, at
least, to contravene the right of the church to
make a change in the pastorate and the duly of
the minister to transfer his labors to a diffe-ent
field, when sufficient reasons demand it. The
proper coarse is, to leave the question of time out
of tho call, that the connection between the pastor
and the church may be “indefinite” as to contin
uance—with no liability to dissolution and no
title to prolongation, except in view of adequate
cause. And Dr. Hiscox alleges that this is the
“more common” usage of Baptist churches at
present.
2. Such a state of things as this query sup
poses, is more likely to arise under the system of
calls than under the system for which we
expressed Whgre this
of things has arisen, all parties need special wis
dom, and should seek it at the hand of God. No
one without acquaintance with the facts of the case,
can decidehow far a minister may “justifiably” in
dulge his reluctance to leave a field which he be
lieves that the Head of the church has committed
to his care, and in which he realizes the Divine
blessing on his labors. There have been very
opposite errors in such a contingency :• some pas
tors have timidly withdrawn who should have re
mained, and some have obstinately remained who
should have withdrawn. Each case must be de
termined upon its own merits. The great point
—alike for pastors and dissatisfied minorities—is,
to purge the bosom of all evil motive and feeling,
and act simply under the impulse of the truth and
fear and love of God.
3. This question, is sufficiently answered in our
first paragraph.
Sunday School Convention.
The next Sunday School Convention of the
second district of the Alabama Association
will be held with the Bethel church at Fort
Deposit, on Friday, the 27 th of January,
1871, at 10 o’clock, a.m.
The brethren whose names appear below,
are requested, and will be expected to pre
pare lectures or essays on the subjects assign
ed them, not to exceed fifteen minutes in
length. Immediately after each lecture, fif
teen minutes will be allowed for five-minute
speeches, or criticisms, or music.
1, The Government of the Church and the
Duty of Christians—'Elder D. Lee. 2. The
Sin of Covetousness—R. M. Burt. 3. Are
the Unconverted under any Obligation to Sup-,
port the Gospel?—J. P. Cross.’ 4. What are
the Evidences of a Change nf Heart?—Elder
H. Stevenson. 5. Necessity of the Spirit’s
Presence and Influence in Sunday Schools—
H. W. Watson. 6. Can Christians Grow in
Grace without Daily Habits of Devotion?
J. W. Coleman. 7. Can a Christian Refuse
or Neglect to Give “as the Lord hath Pros
pered him” for the Support of his Minister
and Missions ?—G, W. McQueen. 8. Re
sponsibility of a Teacher—G. W. Thigpen.
9. What Advantage to the Young Christian
is his Previous Training in Sunday Schools ?
—S. A. Satterwhite. 10. What is a Model
Church?—A. F. Goldsmith. 11. Are the
“ Kingdom of God” and the New Testament
Church Synonymous ?—Elder M. Bishop.
12. The Force of Example—ll. M. Moss.
13. Can Christians Refuse to Work in the
Sunday School with Impunity?—L. D.
Brooks.
Brethren, generally, are invited to attend;
and, as the Convention meets at Fort De
posit, on the railroad between Montgomery
and Greenville, we solicit, and confidently
expect the brethren of Montgomery and
Greenville to favor us with their presence,
counsel and prayers. We trust our confidence
will not be disappointed. B. A. Jackson.
Pine Level, Ala., Dee. 14,1870.
The Baptist, Memphis, will please
copy.
4 Word ip Sequoq.
We have just received a letter from Dr.
Henry Ward Poole, of the City of Mexico.
The following brief extracts arrest attention :
“I give you my opinion, and that of all the
Mexican friends capable of judging, of your
excellent translation of the New Testament,
called El Nuevo Pacto. It is in elegant lan
guage, and in conformity with the original
Greek.” “ You may make use of me in dis
tributing copies, or in any way in which 1
can serve the cause.” John W. Butler, of
the same city, writes in equally strong lan
guage, and offers to aid in every suitable way
to circulate our books. Rev. Thomas M.
Westrup, in the city of Monterey, Mexico,
is equally decided in recommending our Span
ish Testament, and equally ready to aid in
circulating any number which we can afford
to donate. He has six Baptist churches under
his charge. The pastor of four congregations
in and near the City of Mexico, fully accords
in these views, and has fully expressed them
to us in person.
We have from time to time, as the Lord
has granted us means, furnished copies of this
excellent version for circulation in Spain, in
Mexico, and in South America, and scarely a
week passes in wlaolteap do not donate some.
More than copies of Span
ish Scriptures printed from
our plates, and nearfyan are in
At this period of the year, we wish fccPcro
more than usual. New Year’s gifts are sea
sonable. Noue can be better than the pure
word of God. We wish to send to Mexico
within thirty days, more than two thousand
copies of Spanish Scriptures. We are now
giving orders both to printer and binder to
prepare them. But we have not the means
of paying for them. There are already
seveuty-three congregations of evangelical
Christians in Mexico, and we wish to see the
whole country evangelized. The most effect
ual means for this object is the pure word of
God, the seed of the kingdom.
Who will send us means to furnish this
New Year’s gift to Mexicans?
Thos. Armitage, President.
Wm. H. Wyckoff, Cor. Sec.
American Bible Union, 32 Great Jones St., JV. 1".
Ex-Goveruor Wilson Lumpkin.
This aged statesman and veteran soldier of the
cross, expired at his residence in Athens, Georgia,
on Wednesday evening, 28th December. He had
been in infirm health for some years past. The an
nouncement of his death surprised none of his
friends. Indeed, they have been rather surprised
that extreme age should so long have sustained the
constant and unsparing maladies by which he has
been so long afflicted. As Governor Lumpkin was
at the time of his decease, probably the senior Bap
tist of the State, if not in years, at least in the
term of his religious life, and as he has at different
times held the most distinguished positions iu the
gift of his fellow citizens, our readers may be
pleased to have more information than they pos
sess, respecting him. J 1
He was born, we believe, in Pittsylvania county
Virginia, in January, 1783. Early in life, liis pa
rents immigrated to this State, and settled in Ogle
thorpe county. In this, and in Morgan county, he
resided principally, until about thirty-five years
ago, when he removed to Athens. Here he built
for his.family, a substantial stone mansion in the
vicinity of the town, and continued until the close
of life.
When but a boy in his teens, he may be said to
have entered upon official life. His father was
Clerk of the Court, and the son was his deputy.
In 1804, when but twenty-one years of age, he
was elected a member of the Legislature of Geor
gia. His contemporaries in that body have all
passed away long ago, and his death now erases
from the records of the living the last representa
tive who in that day made laws for the people of
the State. In 1814, he became a member of
the National House of Representatives, having
been connected with this body w hen, during the
war with England which raged under President
Madison’s administration, the British, under Gen
eral Ross burnt the Capitol and other public build
ings at Washington. After serving through sever
al terms in the Lower House of Congress, he was
in tne year 1831, elected Governor of Georgia’
holding the office for four years. But a short time
had elapsed alter leaving the chair of the State
Executive, before he was elected to the Senate ol
the United States. Retiring from this postiu 1842
he field, durmg his subsequent life, no other civil
office but that of Trustee of the State University.
During his political career he was the contem
porary tor many years of Henry Clay, John C.
Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Edward Everett,
Franklin Pierce, and other men of renown!
Whilst we do not claim for him an order of intel
lect equal to the best of the names we have men
tioned, his intellectual status was such as to com
mand their respect, and to render him, even to
them, a formidable opponent. With Mr. Calhoun,
he was on terms of great intimacy, and in proof
of his regard tor Carolina’s gifted son, he gave his
name to one of his children. The Governor’s po
litical career was marked by common sense and
tact. He was guilty of no blunders whicn morti
fied his friends and compromised his popularity.
When he wished to carry an important measure,
he knew how to operate on the men who could he
most efficient in the promotion ol his views. He
j was not ambitious oi being prominent, and' was
to be “ th«v power be U inch the throne,” i/
thereby he might give to that thnme the desired
< impetus. He was not, in the ordinary sense of the
l word, an educated man, but he was a man ol
’ much thought and of close observation, and when
he was seeking to accomplish an important end,
he allowed no intermission of his efforts until’
crowned with success or deterred by obstacles ab
solutely insuperable. If to hold for forty years
important positions of public trust, and some of
these the most conspicuous which his State could
confer; if to command the highest regards of his
constituents during the period of his service; if to
maintain the respect of his most eminent col
leagues in the public assemblies of which lie was
a member, be evidences of success, then was the
public life of our departed brother a political suc
cess.
It is an interesting fact, that his entrance upon
the service of God was quite contemporaneous
with the beginning of his political career. In
1801, he became an humble follower of the Son of
God. We have repeatedly heard from him the
circumstances connected with his conversion and
with his profession of Christianity. These are
especially interesting to Baptists—serving, as they
do, to show the power of that truth which to us,
as a denomination, is peculiarly dear. The father
and mother of young Lumpkin were members of
the Methodist church, and, up to the period of
which we are speaking, the son attended no other
church. During a season of revival, he became
anxious on the subject of religion, Applying, in
his distress, to a Methodist brother, he was ad
vised, among other things, to join the church im
mediately, as a means of grace. The counsel
shocked him. He saw himself as a sinner, and
only a sinner, and felt himself utterly unworthy
of association with those who professed to be the
people of God. Such was the effect of this advice
upon him, that he then determined, as he remarked
to the writer of these lines, that he never would
unite with a church which received into its mem
bership unconverted persons, believing them to be
such when received. His idea, he said, had been
to join the Presbyterians, if he ever c-nneoted
himself with any church. He knew nothing, par
ticularly, of the doctrines of this church; but he
was acquainted with a number of their members,
and admired their general character. Os the Bap
tists, he then knew but little, and that little was
not of such a character as at all to predispose him
to their views. Entertaining, after a time of seeking,
the hope that he was regenerated, he then deter
mined, that before uniting with any church, he
would faithfully examine the word of God on the
requisites for a profession of faith; and that then,
discarding all the prepossessions of the past, he
would identify himself with that people who, in
his'view, appeared to be most conscientiously com
plying with the instructions of the New Testa
ment. The resuit was that he became a Baptist.
His family were surprised and disappointed at his
choice. (Subsequently the father and the mother,
by a process similar to that which had wrought
eouviciion in the son, united themselves with the
Baptist church. Other members ol the family fol
lowed, until all the sons, who became Christians,
joined the Baptist church, with the single excep
tion of one brother—the late Chief Justice Joseph
H. Lumpkin; and even he was Baptist enough to
say to a tfiend who made the inquiry of him, that
there was not, in the word of God, any Scripture
requiring the baptism of infants.
It usually happens, that good politicians are
poor Christians.; The expedients essential to suc
cess amid the wrangling ot parties, are not such
as foster the honest following of the Sou of God.
But our departed brother was, throughout, true to
his principles. He defined his position, every
where, as a Christian and a Baptist. He was ever
ready, when called on, to bear his testimony for
Christ —to speak and to pray in the public assem
bly. The writer, will never forget his pathetic and
truly eloquent address, delivered nearly twenty
ago, to a company of young converts who had
just connected themselves with the church of
Which he was a member. He was then nearly <
threescore-and-ten, and as he stood before them ,
with quivering frame and silver locks, and with
tremulous voice entreated them to be steadfast, 1
impressions were doubtless made which no time 1
could remove, i
Fur many years he was both deacon and clerk
of the church in Athens. When, late in fife, he
was elected Moderator of an Association, he re
marked, that no civil Office he had ever held had
been to him the occasion of more real gratifica
tion-implying, as it did, the regard of those
whom he loved in the Lord.
In private life, the lamented deceased was high
ly entertaining. He was fond of talking; and in
his wore vigorous days, be would entertain his
friends by the hour, with interesting incidents
connected with his public life. In his house, he
was the very soul of hospitality—always receiv
ing visitors with the most cordial greeting, and
furnishing them the best entertainment within
his power. In the days of slavery, ho was more
like a father than a master, to his slaves—deport
ing himself towards them in such away that they
were rather a pecuniary burden than the source
of profit. Ilia heart was full of the “milk of
human kindness,” and it overflowed upon the
dear ones of his immediate household, in tender
ness and love. In early life pne of his children
was so unfortunate as to lose his mind, through
a,n accident which befell him, This child (a son)
was on his hands a hopeless imbecile for nearly
fifty years. And yet, through this protracted
period, he was nursed and cherished by .he father
as tenderly as though he had been an infant.
And when, at length, he wandered away and per
ished in a watery grave, the loving parent’s heart
, was sorely crushed.
But we must draw theso remarks to a conch
sion. About 18 years ago, Gov. Lumpkin co.n
menced an auto-biography. He had written, when
we last conversed on the subject, more than two
thousand folio manuscript pages. Could this
book be given to the public, it would form a most
interesting history of Georgia for tho first half
of tho present century. W. T. B.
Elder J. H. Campbell.
The numerous friends of this aged and be
loved brother will, no doubt, be pained t<>
learn that he has been, for months, prevented
from prosecuting his labors as an evangelist,
by the afllicted condition of his wife. She
has been prostrated by a paralytic affection
and rendered very helpless, requiring the
almost constant attention of brother 0., by
day and by night. He has been, like many
of us, since the war, without any certain
worldly resource. While he was enabled to
travel and preach, the necessary wants of his
family were supplied by tho contributions he
received for his services, but these were never
sufficient to enable him to live luxuriously,
or to lay up anything for a day of adversity.
His children, all but one, have growing fami
lies of their own to support, and, being with
out a fortune or lucrative employment, find
it no easy matter to provide for there the
comforts of life. Os course, the little that
they contribute can defray but a very small
portion of the necessary expenses of their
venerable parents. I recently visited brother
o.—found his wife meekly and patiently bear
ing her affliction, and he himself much bro
ken down in body and depressed in spirits,
and in need of pecuniary help. I communi
cate these facts without the knowledge or con
, sent of brother C., and am confident that
nothing more will be necessary to induce his
friends, and the friends of Jesus, to conGib
ute, from time to time, tho funds necessary
for the relief of our afflicted brother and sis
er* Jos. S. Baker.
“A Strange Prayer,” Again.
Allow a correction of an impression which
has been made upon the mind of brother “ S.
C. H.” During the session of the Ala. Bap.
Convention at Opelika, Rev. Dr. Manly, of
S. C., preached at the Methodist meeting house,
from the words of the commission, “Go ye,
therefore,” etc. He incidentally commended
the zeal and energy of his Methodist brelli
ren in their efforts to spread the gospel.
Growing out of this commendation, and out
of the spirit of catholicity which is a chief
element of orthodoxy, flowed the prayer of
Rev. Dr. Skinner, who closed the services of
the occasion. The language of the prayer
was, “ O God, we thank Thee for our Metli
odist brethren ; we thank Thee for our Pres
byterian brethren .” The prayer does not
offer thanks for Methodism and for Presby
terianism. Christian brotherhood is inde
pendent of ecclesiastical systems. Not exact
obedience—and who renders this]—but faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ secures ihe title of
brother. Ananias gave this title to Saul be
fore Saul’s baptism. (Actsix: 17.) Baptists,
whose peculiar and essential principle is not
immersion, not close communion, not church
poliry, but regeneration before membership
in the church, can certainly, without iriconsis
tency, pray “for all saints.” (Eph. vi: 18.)
D. W. Gwin.
A Plea for News from the Churches,
The question occurred to me this morning,,
“What shall 1 write to my Georgia breth
ren I” The answer was suggested hy a copy
of the Religious Herald, which I accidentally
took up while hunting for a subject. A por
tion of the paper has this heading; “News
from the Churches.” In this, are placed short
letters from various brethren in different parts
of the State, containing intelligence respecting
religious matters. In the paper referred to,
there were fifteen such statements, none ot
them long enough to be prosy, and all of them
interesting. It occurred to me to write to
the publisher of the Index, and urge the breth
ren of Georgia, Alabama and Florida (for
these States constitute the field of brother
Shaver’s labors) to take such an interest in
the prosperity of the paper as to prepare
each, a short statement of the condition of the
church of which he is pastor, and send it up
to Atlanta for publication.
To my mind, the most interesting feature
of the Index, next to the able leaders of bro.
Shaver, is the column headed “ Our Zion.”
When we read a religious newspaper, we do
not wish long-winded articles about Predesti
nation and Free Agency, but short, pithy
statements of facts. We wish to know who
our brethren are, and what they are doing,
and how they prosper. Your Montgomery,
Luskegee, Union Springs, Talladega, Marion
and other correspondents have done good ser
vice to the cause. In Georgia, Florida and
Alabama are many valuable workmen, who
can do equally good service and give the va
riety which is so desirable in a newspaper.
But a difficulty occurs just here. Brethren
do not like to have their articles changed, and
editors must, if they are faithful, use the scis
rors. VVe must write for the paper with the
distinct understanding that if needful, the
most brilliant sentence may be left out by
the editor. He is to be the judge of that
which best suits his readers.
Brother Puller’s articles arc read with
pleasure. May he be greatly prospered in
his new vocation. To increase the circulation
of the Indkx is a work worthy of the best
efforts of our good brother. W.
e hope that the plea of our correspondent
will bo more effectual than the many wo have
written to the sarno effect. Send us Church.
News, brethren!
A Visit to tho Baptist Church*
On lust Sabbath, it was our privilege to
listen to a forcible and interesting discourse
delivered by the pastor of this church, Rev.
P . AX. Daniel. His theme was the existence of
a Supreme Being as shown from the light of
nature. Having no notes, it would bo unjust
to attempt any sketch of tho argument and
remarks of the speaker. Concise, well chosen,
and to the point, however, they must have
staggered the atheist and proved eminently
consoling to the true believer. The manifold
works of creation, the springing corn, tho
blade, the ear and ripened grain ; man’s inys
terious and wonderful organization, the testi
mony of pagan writers, the natural religion
of the untutored savage, and the absolute ne
cessity of the case were all drawn upon with
graphic effect, to prove that a groat “first
cause” must have preceded, and spoken into
exiatenoe, the world and all upon its surface.
Mr. Daniel possessss a sweet and powerful
voice, and is a faithful and devoted servant of
God. We rejoice to state that his lot will bo
cast in our midst the ensuing year.
The Baptist Church has recently undergone
thorough and extensive repairs, and several
important changes have been made in its in
terior. An addition to the building has been
constructed at the north end, which affords a
neat study for the pastor, a dressing apart
ment, and a baptismal font which is located
directly under the platform upon which the
pulpit isjsituated. The box form of the latter
has been abolished, and a beautiful and chaste
table or altar constructed, open beneath, and
handsomely carved out of black walnut. An