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30 |Mk# and fßaptist. J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor, PUBLICATION ROOMS 4A 6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Bov. D. SHAVER, D.D. CORRESPONDING EDITORS : Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, TaUadega, Ala. Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1871. Please take Notioe. There are two things in the paper, this week, which we hope the reader will not overlook. The first is—the request of Secretary Sumner for Southern Missionary Statistics. We ought to as certain how much we give to this cause in the course of a year, whether it proves so much as to encourage our liberality, or so little as to shame our want of it. Either way, there is reason to hope that we shall give more. The second and more important matter com mended to the attention of the reader is—the ap peal of Dr. Boyce for a collection in behalf of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. If our people, in this exigency, will but manifest a thou sandth part of the self-denial for the sake of that Institution which has been exhibited by the Professors, year after year, all its wants will be met and all its embarrassments removed. Asa denomination, God has given us no one thing more helpful to us than the Seminary, if we right, ly improve it; and we should seek to approve ourselves in His sight as worthy of the gift. The churches that withhold the collection asked for, fail to do this; and may He not keep back a blessing from their local interests, because of their indifference toward the interests of His kingdom at large ? But view the matter under more generous aspects ; think of the privilege involved in the opportunity to contribute to the support of this “School of the Prophets;” and give—with thanksgiving to God that He has placed at your disposal money, which you can, for such high ends, restore to His treasury, re ceiving, in exchange, His smile of approbation and the largess of His hand. “Bequests.” Os all the benefactions bestowed by human agency, bequests may be ragarded as expressing the profoundest regard to the object which elicits them. We know it is sometimes said that they are the reverse, because they come when the par ty can no longer enjoy his means, and he there fore makes a kind of virtue of necessity. This is only true of those which have been made by persons who gave nothing while living. But when made by parties who have made liberal do nations through life, we repeat, they are the most appropriate expressions of regard to their objects which can be given. They show “the ruling passion strong in death.” At no period do the affections betray their true temper and spirit so impressively as in the last moments of life. It is then that a beloved Joseph or Benjamin comes up to share the full wealth of parental love. It is in the last utterances that the soul pours forth its most unmistakable recognition of its supremest objects. How beautifully is this thought illustrated in the intercessory prayer of our Lord, uttered, as it was, in the immediate prospect of Gethsemane and Calvary? In no period of the life of Jesus, are we brought into such direct contact with His true character. Whether it was the near ap proach of “ That last expiring agony— Those fainting pangs, that bloody sweat,” or whether it was a more thorough infusion of the “heavenly into the earthly element,” it is certain that, in these last hours, we see the lowly .sufferer in His loveliest form —we behold in Hun a spiritual beauty more thrilling than we had ever seen before. It is as He gathers His little family of disciples around Him to receive His last counsels and the benefit of His last prayer, that we gaze upon Him, with tearful eyes, “as He is." Now, by how much we can catch this spirit of our adored Master—this spirit of absorbing con cern for the proper objects of affection—do we illustrate the true intent of our calling. “If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His. ’’ Is there a cause on earth that can compare with the cause of Christ in calling out the liveliest solici tudes of every Christian heart ? Should it not be last as well as first, in every disposition we make of our earthly interests ? O, Christian.! did Jesus re member you in his last hour of grief—and will you forget Him at the very moment you are about to share the highest benefit of His death and in tercession ? Before you leave a world in which all the triumphs of His cross are to be achieved, associate your name and means in some of those great enterprises which contemplate the enlarge ment of His kingdom. Thus it will be written of you as of others of like precious faith, “ Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord .... and their works do follow them." How many professing Christians have we known, who had enough of this world’s goods to ruin their children for time and eternity, and who “died and made no sign” that Christ and His cause occupied any considerable portion of their last thoughts? Why is this? In other portions of the world, it is not uncommon for munificent bequests to be made to the several departments of this cause. But amongst us, alas! they are few and far between. Perhaps it may be because attention has not been sufficiently directed to it. Perhaps it has not been properly discussed by the religious press. Our present purpose is to call attention to it, not so much to enlarge up on it ourselves, as to enlist the pens of others. Surely, if this matter were presented in its-true light, it would not be long before our Mission Boards, our educational enterprises, our Sabbath school interests—nay, all the proper objects of Christian benevolence, would come in for their share of the last thoughts of departing Christians. One man we have known who adopted the prin ciple, thirty years ago, to make the Lord one of his legatees, equal to any of his children. He faithfully carried out the principle, and has gone to reap his reward, and his children rise up to bless hiim Brother! sister! remember Jesus in your last hours as He remembered you. H. Our Zion—dn Our Exchanges, etc. Georgia. The First church, Atlanta, has invited Rev. Q. C. Needham, the Evangelist, to visit and hold a meeting with it. As he is expected to commence, the last Sabbath in February or tnc first in March, the church is observing the present as a week of prayer. After long delay, the repairs of the house of worship of the Second church, Atlanta, are completed, and it is proposed to open the au dience room againon next Sabbath. Some SIB,OOO have been expended in the enlargement and im provement of the house, making it quite an orna ment to the city. At the request of Bro. J. H. James, the chapel erected by him at West End, Atlanta, has been adopted as a mission station by ihe Second church. Rev. I. M. Springer occu pied the pulpit of the First church, with accept ance, last Sabbath, morning and night. Rev. J. M. Stansberry writes to the Christian Herald , that, ‘ while the Baptists of East Tennessee hold to about the views of Alexander Carson and An drew Fuller on the atonement, we of Georgia adopt the more ultra views of Gill and Crawford.’ *< , • ■■■■ - - - --- THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN 'BAPTIST: ATLANTA, 61, THDRSDAT, FEBRUARY 23, 1871. Rev. E. W. Warren, of Macon, in a private letter to a friend in this city, says : “On last Wednesday night, on looking round at my prayer meeting, out of less than ten students, there were two sons of the pastor in Washington, one of the pastor of the Second church Atlanta, one of the pastor of the church in Savannah, and one a preacher’s son in LaGrange; and lam not sure but there was one other preacher’s son. How this fact contradicts the slander, that ministers’ sons are worse than other young men !” Alabama. Rev. S. S. Cutting, D.D., of New York, is ex pected to attend the Educational Convention at Marion, April 12th. We regret our inability to be there. Indian Territory. Rev. 11. F. Buckner writes that Rev. J. G. Smith, our best native preacher in his Nation, Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a good prospect of being Principal Chief, died Jan. 15th. Mississippi. Rev. H. E. Hempstead has recently baptized 29 in his mission field. “Thirteen months ago there was not a Baptist minister in the six bottom counties between Memphis and Vicksburg; now there are four. Eld. A. D. Brooks is located at Greenville, in Washington county ; Eld. T. P. Montgomery, from Tupelo, has accepted a call to the First Baptist ehurch of Bolivar county; Eld. Lewis Ball and T. J. Sparkman will occupy Coa homa county.” North Carolina. Rev. T. H. Pritchard, D.D., of Raleigh, writes to the Canadian Baptist: “The Baptists in North Carolina number about 75,000, organized into 32 Associations, two Conventions divided by the Blue Ridge mountains, and some 000 churches. There are, perhaps, 500 Baptist ministers in the State. Os other branches of the Baptist family, there are perhaps 1,000 members of the Primitive Baptist churches, who are opposed to missions, Sabbath schools, etc., half as many Campbellites, a third as many True-luck Baptists, and some eight or ten churehes who style themselves ‘ Union Baptists,’ and are open in their communion.” We never heard before of “ True-luck Baptists.” Will the Dr. tell us something about them V—-W. J. Palmer, formerly of Raleigh, has removed to Can ada, and is Ptincipal of the Ontario Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Bellville. The Raleigh church invites the Southern Baptist Convention to meet in that city in 1872. Tennessee. Rev. S. C. Evins, pastor of Friendship church, near Culleoka, and of three others, has quit the schoolroom and is now giving his whole time to the ministry. Rockford church has had 20 ac cessions ; and llftssy Creek church 33, including a Methodist preacher. Knoxville church sub scribes for the support of the pastor, Rev. J. L. Lloyd, several hundred dollars above the amount raised last year, and will soon be self-sustaining. A church has been constituted at Athens, and Rev. Jno. B. Lee chosen as pastor. The Mem phis Avalanche, of Feb. 15th, says : “ Yesterday the South-Western Publishing Company made a deed of trust in favor of nil their creditors, no preference being given to any one of the number. The liabilities amount to over $40,000, and the assets to $27,000.” The church at Bristol ha 9 purchased the Bristol Female Institute, of Rev. J. T. Kineanon, for $5,500. Virginia. J. E. L. Holmes was afdained to the ministry at Four Mile Creek church, Henrico, Feb. 12th. Our church in Manchester has grown until twice as numerous as all other denominations in the town combined. During the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Williams in Staunton, there were 00 additions to the church ; 27 of them by baptism after the visit of Rev. A. B. Earle. Glimpses of the Times. I. Bishop Marvin, of the Southern Methodist Church, found in the North-Western Texas Con ference, two ministers Who had attended the cir cus. This is one of the straws that show which way the wind of worldliness is blowing among Christian denominations. Reversing the maxim of spiritual prudence, and deeming it ‘ better to walk on slippery ice than on rugged rocks,’ many seek to bridge the gulf between the godly and ungodly in amusement. That is, they go over, themselves, to the ungodly, in this matter, and invite other professors of religion to follow them. More than any other ecclesiastical body, the Epis copal church is recognized as having surrendered to this tendency. The Philadelphia Presbyterian says : “ The passage of individuals and families from other churches into the Episcopal fold is so constantly associated with increasing worldliness and devotion to gay and fashionable life, in those who go, as to rob the reasons of their going of any religious character.” “ Let a family be sud denly or gradually enriched, and the members thereof launch forth on a life of gayety and pleas ure, and the tendency towards the Episcopal church betrays itself so clearly, that even the time of their departure may readily be anticipated by those skillful in such matters.” (The Methodist Quarterly Review , too, says, incidentally : “ Our view of American High Churchism is, that it is simply the pseudo-religious side of a lofty attempt to attract fashionable ladies and sentimental ef feminates of the other sex to form a religio-social aristocracy.”) The mischiefs of the policy which invites accessions of this class, are forcibly illus trated by a writer in the Southern Churchman , of Va. He says : “Young people are taught by the knowing ones to believe that the Episcopal church regards opposition to dancing as puritani. cal, and the eftect is, that the educated youth of all the denominations are crowding our courts, as the worldling's saloon and the devil's ball room. Religion, and modesty, and virtue are in great danger of vanishing from one sex, while swimming in airy circles and licentious waltzes with the other sex. Something must be done to arrest the evil, or we shall be compelled to close our churches, for these revellers during the week profane our services on Sunday by their shameful irreverence. Light brains, light hearts, and light heels go together in the world’s carnival, and Sa tan looks on, well pleased to see his slaves trip ping it so merily on 4 the light fantastic toe,’ par ticularly when he sees professing Christians en. tering heartily into the sport, it being a sure sign that their religion does not hurt them.” A de nomination is in sad case, surely, when, with the pencil in the hand of its own better members, it is obliged to sit for such a picture. And we hope that the Baptist reader will seriously ask himself, Whether he has adopted views and practices, in the matter of amusement, which, if generally em braced by the denomination, would bring it into the same equivocal position ? 11. If the Episcopal Church lends, or seems to lend, too great countenance to worldly amuse ments, we ars gratified to know that there is one extreme to which she has never been betrayed. She has never set the seal of approbation upon the theatre! One of her ablest journals, the Pro testant Churchman, of New York, says: “Th# Christian church, in all ages, has protested against the corrupting influences of the stage, and warned her children against them. No such warnings have been more emphatic than those of our own church. We believe, also, that there i| now scarcely any one cause so powerful in its de moralizing effect in our city as the stage. Actors understand this perfectly welL Dramatists know all about it. If you wish to learn the practical ef fect of theatrical exhibitions, as now conducted, you will not need to go to puritanical moralists for information. Those more familiar with the subject, and certainly not prejudiced in their tes timony, will give it.” Even Frederic W. Saw yer, in his “ Plea for Amusements,” while main taining that the drama might be brought under Christian control and become a valuable aux iliary of the church in the inculcation of virtue and religion, nevertheless says: “ The denuncia tion of theatre.?, as they are, is right; and no one should patronize them, while they are conducted and arranged as they are.” By the way, the Na. tion calls attention to the significant fact, that side by side with the discussion of the refusal on the part of a Metropolitan Episcopal clergyman, to open his church for the funeral of a deceased actor, “ the papers contained a correspondence between Mr. George Vandenhoff, a well known actor, and a person claiming to be his illegitimate son, in which Mr. Vandenhoff" repudiates the pa ternity on the ground of the exceeding badness of the mother’s character.” Beyond all question, when, branding himself with such open and enor mous immorality, this man can maintain his posi tion and popularity on the stage, we may well look to see the Christian public everywhere set ting its face, with unanimity, against the theatre as it is. 111. The Spare Hour, the paper established in San Francisco, by Rev. H. A. Sawtelle, a year or two since, as an advocate of loose communion, has been suspended for want of patronage. The apos tacy of the editor from the strict and scriptural usage of our churches was hailed by Pedobaptists with quite a flourish of trumpets ; and we were told that thousands of Baptists stood ready to marshall themselves under the banner of “ free dom” which he unfurled to the breeze. These things gave promise of a liberal support to the paper; and the paper also earned a fair title to such support by its sprightliness and ability. But loose communionism has, in this case, proved true to its character as sheer “ sentimentality;” has shown itself unequal to the task of keeping an organ alive, even at the slight cost of a dollar or two a year! A fair warning, this, to all recusant Baptists, who put their trust in the “sympathy” of the age for their effort to abolish order in the name of charity, that these hope 9 will “ melt from them like a snow in a fog." IV. Prof. Park, in the Bibliotheca Sacra, for Jan uary, discusses the question, What can be done for augmenting the number of Christian minis ters ? He places the lack of adequate support among the influences which deter many from en tering the pulpit, and relates the following inci dent : “ A young man, the son of a minister, once said to me, ‘ I dread the fiery process in which my father was burned. He had a covenanted sal ary of five hundred dollars, and I remember those small driblets in which, months after it was due, that small salary was paid. I cannot forget the anxiety of my father about his debts for my school books, and my tuition bills, and my col lege board. The sons of laymen must take their turn and go into the ministry. I know too much,’ etc.” As Prof. Park resides at the North and writes with an eye chiefly to the state of things in his own section, it seems a legitimate deduction that churches there have fallen a great way be hind the requirements of Scripture as to pastoral isupport. *What shall bq said,, then, in jview o$ the following statement from one of our Methodist exchanges, which alleges that, as regards pastoral support,churches here have fallen a great way be hind the Northern churohes : “Asa general rule, a given number of pastors in any church in the North receive at least twice as much for ministe rial service as in the South, aside from parsonages, donations and other perquisites.” Surely, Chris tians at the South have urgent need to enquire whether this reproach cleaves to them, either in whole or in part, and, if it does, to wipe it away. We hope, too, that our city contemporary, which, notlong since,pronounced hypocrisy “the greatest and yet the commonest of all ecclesiastical sins,” will see the propriety of exempting the majority of ministers, and especially of Southern ministers, from this charge; since thdYe is no dictate of common sense more certain than that men will not play the hypocrite t there it does not pay. Y. ‘A Baptist church, in Akron, Ohio, has been re-arranged, so that the water can be warmed be fore persons are immersed.’ This announcement seems to amuse some of the papers, that betray a disposition to keep Baptists “in hot water,” for their adherence to immersion. Those who at tempt to sustain sprinkling by Scripture, have slight ground of merriment in that behalf; and we do not grudge them this. But how can they overlook the obvious fact that Christ, who com mands His followers to be immersed, imposes no commandment as respects the temperature of the water in which the act is performed ; and that the Akron Baptists, therefore, have simply used the liberty of choice which He allows them ? Whether they have used it wisely ? is a question which none who are wise will pause to answer— at least until some one who is wise has first paused to ask it. vr The Christian Union says: “The pleaders for that great symbolical expression of Christian charity, commonly known as ‘open communion,’ have but one point to make as a sufficient ground for their appeal, and that is, that on this whole question of ordinances there is room for differ ence of opinion. Ought it not to be conclusive upon this point, in a discussion among Christians, that such a difference actually exists?” If this plea avails for “ open communion,” it must avail “ for all purposes of Christian or church fellow ship," (to borrow the recent language of the Union itself); must authorize and necessitate “open membership” also. Thfl fact that Chris tians actually differ as to the baptismal act, ac cording to our contemporary, furnishes conclu sive proof that “ there is room for difference of opinion,” in the premises ; and, therefore, on the ground he takes, we roust admit “acknowledged disciples ’’ into the church, whether with baptism, or with the modern substitute for it, or with the Quaker’s rejection of it. In other words, the ex istence of churches that restrict membership to baptized believers, is a blunder and a sin. The Union , in fact, then, politely suggests to every such church to become a felo de se ; not only to copy Robert Hall’s modest man who seemed to be asking pardon of every person he met for be ing in the world, but to go straightway out of it 1 This is the invitation with which loose commun jonista, if we are not to hold them utterly inno cent of logic, ply the denomination. We decline to accept it. Neander once said, “There is a future for the Baptists and we hope that Bap tists will at least strive to live until they come into the inheritance. But why limit the rule of the Union to “ the question of ordinances F” Why not apply it to the question of doctrines , as well ? Why not hold that there is room for dif ference of opinion wherever Christians actually differ in creed or polity, and strike away all re strictions of communion, of membership, and of ministry, arising m this quarter, and merge all ecclesiastical organizations in one? This seems a legitimate consequence. Perhaps, the Unietv, will illustrate and confirm its rule with a j logically resulting fiwu it, and snall see Ply mouth chore*, by way of example to Baptists, I going out of the world of its own free act! It will be time enough, when that done, for Bap tists to enquire whether they should follow in its steps. Missionary Statistics—Resolution of the Con vention. . In accordance with the instruction of the Southern Baptist Convention, held in Louis ville last May, we publish the following ac* tion of that body,: " - \f “ Whereas, The first- thing necessary to the intelligent systematizing of our Domestic Mission work, and to the dooigrfation of la borers to the most important destitute fields is knowledge, as accurate as can be obtained, of what is being actually done.in this direction ; therefore, -t “ Resolved, That the Domestic Mission Board be instructed to collect, and tabulate, and present, in connection with their annual report, a list of the missionaries employed by each State organization and district Asso ciation, with the salaries paid and the results of their labors.” It is important that tfl%"secretaries and clerks of Conventions and Associations should forward immediately, the docu ments to make out, and incorporate the above information in our next annual report to the Southern Baptist Conventtpn, that meets in May, at St. Louis, Mo. IVe hope that a prompt response may befanade to this re quest. Fprwardyour miimites, if they con tain the facts, to End cit > ur flfess ion, or annual meeting. We waflyf st List of the missionaries employed; paid them ; 3rd, The result of their labors] c Don't delay your aclionjk M. T. SumJbr, Cor. Sec. The Baptist denominational papers of the South are requested to eopfy. M. T. S. This One Thing -V’— Say. Dear Index: In ypur oolnmns I have just seen, for the first time, Teasdale’s appeal to the Baptists of (xeQtgia, in behalf of the Sunday School Board, and requesting that funds for the Board be sent tp me. I want to say one thing to the Baptists of Georgia. With the strongest and most intel ligent Baptist ministry, token all together, of any Southern State; with (I Chiak) the most numerous membership ; with church mem bers certainly not behind those of any other Southern State in intelligence, liberality, cul ture, and a love for idfisions and Sunday schools; and with a capital paper and numer ous agents constantly appealing to the thou sands of Georgia Baptists to help sustain the Board that is working dtfr the special benefit of children, —our State has given to’the Sun day School Board less than any other South ern State. What it has given, in the last year, amounts almost to nothing . How can we account for it ? Is'Tlf not a reproach ? I suppose, and believe, rt|t£ Georgia suffered, by the war, less than (my other State; and yet it gives to sustain the noblest cause on God’s earth the least oThtny. Where lies the fadlt? In my humble opinion, it lies in the lukewarmness of our ministers in the cause of Sunday schools. If they but felt the interest in this noble work that they ought to feel,and would boldly bring the subject before and request a collection for the Sunday School Board, the cause of Sunday would flourish in Georgia, and this reproachful blot be removed from the escutoheoM. p| what was once the Banner State of the Sojpth. 1 trust that our ministers will not continue thus to give our most important Board the cold shoulder, but talp to build it up and sustain -aJLitsContributions and subscriptions to Kindwords may be sent to me, at Macon, Ga. S. Botkin, Diet. Sec. Macon, Oa., Feb. IS, 1871. To the Churches ami. Ministers of Bethel . . Assoctartifi, Georgia. Dear Brethren: You all know, ere this, the action of the last meeting of our Associa tion, in regard to brother Hogue. No pro vision was made for his remaining in the field, but he was offered the position of missionary for our body, in its bonnds. I have a letter from H., written the 33rd of December, from which I insert these words: “ I have not yet been able to recon cile the action of the Association with my feelings and judgment, as relating to this mis sion. Q, my, brother, I have thought, and wept, and prayed ovter the case, but not alone. When 1 informed Mrs. H. what the Association had done, she hung her head and wept, and for several days had scarcely any conversation with any one. . . . All 1 have seen, are mnch cast down at the idea of our leaving. Brother Murrow, on reading the resolutions, came near bursting into tears. 1 will say, as 1 said to the committee, ‘ I do not feel that I am worth much any where.’ Still, I feel that if I am do anything in Geor gia, I might do something out here. I have decided that it seems ijnpracticable for me to leave here before next fall.” Now, brethren, I have no comment to make on these expres sions. They are front the heart, and reach my heart, and I place them before you with a proposition. As no provision was made to that effect, the Association is not committed to him at all in the Nation, but let us, as in dividuals and churchp, do something for him. He will not be here to work. The Asso- ciation pledged itself to him for a hundred dollars per month, for whatever he might be able to do. Well, if we could pay it to him here, we can there. Let us do it, then. Asa member of the Bethel, 4 I mean to do it, and 1 believe my church apd the Albany church will, I think so. I 2f ve freely with brethren Cooper and paily, and know they feel as Ido iu regard this proposition. The Association, as Saleh, is not committed; but will not the pastors and churches move in the matter, take action, and decide that what we were to pay him here, we will pay him there, until he getstback i My brethren in the ministry, I do beg yon, pray over this matter, and prayerfully try to put yourself in sympathy with our dear brother H. Stir, stir the question. The money can be sent to brother Burnett, or me, or to Marion, Ala. Do the thing, no maUer much how. And let #s not wait till fail, to do all. Begin now, and keep pn. Some of us will not stop chew ing tobacco or rubbingmuff till fall, We will get the articles, too : and so we can keep constantly helping our missionary, if we will. W. N. Chaudois. The Lynchlrurg Revival, The Lord is blessing us. In November and December last, there were indications of increased religious interest in our congrega tions. We began nightly meetings, January Ist, and during the week following, many of our members were greatly revived, and there were a few professions of conversion. January 6tb, brother A. B. Earle arrived and preached for four days to large and solemn congregations. His preaching was pluin, pointed, practical, purely evangelical, and abounding in incidents and illustrations. It was greatly blessed of God. Brother Earle made his home with me. We had very fre quent conversations on questions involving his doctrinal views, and 1 fpund him to be a conscientious and a sound Baptist. HepmrcA ed baptism of believers by b urial, is not open •ommunion, and is with us in his views of New Testament teaching. While here, he preached only in our church ; and although sometimes he does preach in other churches, it is simply because) he desires to do the ! greatest amount of gjood. Sometimes you Jtf 0 1 *ould differ witiji him as to the expedi fw of this, but I do*r>ot believe that, after Knowing and hearing could question nh motives. He is a help, foot a hindrance to lastors, if he does elsewhere as he did here, fie is a man—and pretends to nothing else— i with no more imperfections than any of U3 can find in loved brethren, f love him for his woiks’ sake and his matter-of-fact faith and piety. Brother Dickinson remained with us for a week after brother Earie left, and his preach ing did great good. He is admirably adapted to such seasons. Sometimes, after brother D. left, I was without the aid of any minis ter. Dr. Burrows, of Richmond, was with us nearly a week, and brother J. C. Long, of Charlottesville, was here two days. The meetings have continued about six weeks, without abatement of interest, ex cept on account of stormy weather. There is yet deep interest. Each night, from 20 to 30 request prayers. Every church in the city has special meetings, and the interest, springing originally from ours, has spread over the place. Other churches have had considerable additions. About 130 have united with our church. Among these are several Pedobaptists. Some 250 persons, perhaps, in all, have joined the various churches. These meetings yet go on in all except the Episcopal and Romish. Since 1 came here as pastor, we have had over 250 additions to our church, but the net increase, owing to a very large number of removals South, West, to Baltimore, etc., is not half that number. A few have died, and a few have been excluded. The business depres sion is very great, and many ar* going away in search of employment or business. The city is going downwards, but our cause has relatively advanced greatly. We have over 1,600 Baptists here now, white and colored —about 10 per cent, of the gross population. Almost all of them are poor, but they have more zeal and denominational “ back-bone” than ever before. They are a power, and have come to be feared as such. Our church is the largest white church here, and our Sun day school far larger than any other. Our congregations are uniformly large. C. C. B. Lynchburg, Va., Feb. i'th, 1871. Our Church at Cuthbert, Ga. In these days of financial gloom, when in dividuals are repudiating debts, it is refreshing to hear of churches meeting their obligations upon the square. Our church at Cuthbert, notwithstanding extensive repairs upon her edifice, and an increase of pastor’s salary of twenty-five per cent, for the quarter just end ed, has met this indebtedness punctually, and the church is clear of all indebtedness. 1 think 1 can truly say of this Church that she does not intend to adopt any of the methods, too common throughout the land, of driving away her pastor. The attendance upon prayer meet ings, S. Schools and preaching, is largely on the increase. I trust that the Lord has great things in store for us. So mote it be. T. M. Cali.awav. Cothbbrt, Ga., Feb. Btb, 1871. Foreign Mission Agency. Reference was made, in a recent issue of the Index, to the expected retirement of our esteemed brother, Rev. T. B. Cooper, from the agency of the Foreign Mission Board. We have requested him to continue in the work until the 15th of April, when our fiscal year will close. I beg also to state that we have advices from our Italian mission, and from China, of quite an encouraging nature, and we are desirous, not only to meet the liabilities of the present year, but also to ar range for the enlargement of our whole work. As Baptists, we are prepared to meet and successfully oppose the errors of Popery and Paganism. Wilijwe not go into this blessed enterprise with vigor ? We only need a con tribution from every church, and every Bap tist, with the accompanying influences of the Holy Spirit, to diffuse very widely the truth as it is in Jesus. J. B. Tatlor, Cor. Sec. Richmond, FeS. 8, 1871. I have to day received the foregoing from brother Taylor. Please state, in connection with the publication of it, that I will con tinue, as requested, till the 15th of April, praying and hoping that our brethren will re spond liberally and speedily to the urgent claims upon their offerings to the cause of Christ. Do tell them, dear brother, how anx iously our Secretary is anticipating a more general and lively interest in the world’s sal vation; how our missionaries are pained at our apparent indifference; and how the dying millions are suffering for want of the bread of life. All correspondents and contributors will please address me at Milledgeville, Ga. T. B. Cooper. MiUedgtville, Oa., Feb. 15, 1871. Rev. H. C. Hornady. The following resolutions, presented by a Committee consisting of W. O. Tuggle, B. B. Amos, I. F. Cox and J. F. Awtry, were unani mously adopted by the LaGrange church : Whereas, Brother H. C. Hornady has been called to another field of labor, as Agent of Mercer University, and has been released as pastor of our church, over which he has pre sided with eminent success for three years, during which time every interest of the church has prospered in his hands, and owing to his persevering zeal, harmony and brotherly love have prevailed among the members: there fore. Resolved, By the LaGrange Baptist church, in conference assembled, that we sincerely regret to sever the tie which has so long and so pleasantly bound us to brother Hornady, whom we love as a warm-hearted, Christian brother, whom we admire as a faithful and un tiring undershepherd, who neglected not one of his flock, and whom we shall ever revere as a devout minister, by whose earnest preaching of “Christ and Him crucified,” this church and community have been greatly blessed. Resolved, That it is oup heart-felt prayer that God will make him instrumental in ac complishing great good for Mercer Univer sity, and that we commend brother Hornady as a true follower of Jesus, to the fellowship of- Christians everywhere. Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the church minutes, and a copy be for warded to the Index for publication”. The First Baptist Church at Atlanta. Though quite in opposition to my wishes, snd not by any fault of the Index, I notice that papers abrqad have said that I would go to Atlanta, as pastor of the first phurch. This, I suppose, has been inferred from the fact that last September that church called me. The call was declined in October, but in circumstances that led to a delay in any action of the phurch, further than to request a reconsideration, and a proposition to allow time for doing so. So the matter stood until about the first of December, when on a visit •to the church, I found such unanimity in their desire for my acceptance, and such purposes declared of support and cooperation, together with the fact that 1 had been many years in my present field, and also the fact that my wife seemed to need a change of climate, that I felt it was my duty to arrange at home for settling in Atlanta, i felt, and still do, a deep interest in the church, and a great desire to see it built up. I believed, with God’s bless ing, I could be useful to the church. On :ny return I preached a sermon design ed to prepare the way for my resignation. During the day, (a communion Sabbath,) it distressed me much t:> think of leaving a united church, to whom 1 was bound by so many tics, formed in war and peace, joy and sorrow ; and I resolved to give a day to se clusion, for searching rpy heart thoroughly as to the path of duty. After more fully inves tigating all my relations and obligations at home, I reached the conclusion, and received the impression, that the time had not come for me to leave Savannah to go to Atlanta, or anywhere else. This conclusion was com municated to the church in December last.. The conduct of the First church to me has been kind and generous. They have an ad mirable location, and a beautiful house of worship. There is no congregation superior in this respect, if indeed equal to it, in the city. The church is organized, and working; the Sunday school large and efficient. With a good pastor, judicious management, and the blessing of the Lord, 1 do not see why it may not be one of the best churches in the South ern States. S. Landrum. Savannah, Feb., 1871. Friendship General Meeting. The General Meeting of the Friendship Association convened with the church at Buena Vista, Friday, Jan. 27th, at 11 o’clock, a.m. Dr. Cooper, of Americus, preached the Introductory Sermon; Elder Isaac R. Hart concluded with prayer. The body then pio ceeded to organize by the election of Elder Hart, Moderator, and J. L. C. Kerr, Clerk. Brethren Bell, Mays, Hinton and Miller were appointed a Committee on Preaching. Ad journed to meet at 2£ p.m. Afternoon ses sion : singing, and prayer by brother Mash burn. Brother Cooper read the queries of last meeting, that were to be discussed at this session of the body. After some discussion, the subjects were postponed until Saturday. Committee appointed, consisting of brethren Wells, Cooper and Miller, to report at this session, queries to be discussed at the next meeting. An expression of the body was desired, upon the question, whether a church should retain a member who was dealing in ardent spirits, which resulted in the passing of the following resolution : “ Resolved, That it is the sense of this body, that it is wrong for any church to retain a member in full fellowship who is engaged in the sale of spir ituous liquors for other than medicinal pur poses.” Committee on Preaching reported, that brother Hinton preach at night, followed by brother Hart; brother Lyon at 11 o’clock on Satuiday, followed by brother Cooper. Meeting adjourned with prayer by the Mod erator, until 9 o’clock Saturday. Morning session. Prayer by brother Cay wood. The query, “ What is the character and extent of the rule of the officer called Bishop, in and over the church of Jesus Christ?” was discussed by brethren Lyon, Hart, Cooper and Caywood. Adjourned un til 2£ o’clock p.m. Brother Lyon preached at 11 o’clock a.m. His sermon was edifying, full of wholesome Christian truths. After noon session: Prayer by brother Mays, Committee on queries reported. Brother Hinton was appointed to write an essay on the question, “ Was the commission given by the Saviour to the Apostles, limited to them ? If so, by what authority do ministers now preach the gospel?” Brother Wilburn was appointed to write on the query, “Are the terms Eider and Bishop used interchangeably in the New Testament, as applicable to the same officer in the churches of Jesus Christ? If they are so used, are all Bishops Elders, and if they are, are all Elders Bishops? Do all Elders in the churches of Jesus Christ labor in word and doctrine? If all do not, what is the work of those who do not, and if these have a scriptural title other than that of El der, what is it?” Questions to be discussed at the next General Meeting: 1. “Has a church the scriptural right to require the at tendance of lier members upon her confer ence or business meetings?” 2. “Is there any secular business to which we can attend on the Sabbath, without violating the law which requires us to keep it holy ?” .‘i. “Are thire any circumstances under which one called of God to preach the gospel may de cline the work, and give himself to secldar employment?” After debate on general questions, a motion was passed, that a copy of the proceedings of this General Meeting be furnished the Editor of the Index and Baptist, with a request that he publish the same, and request the Baptist to copy. Brother Buckner’s (our missionary to the In dians) claims were presented to the brethren by brethren Cooper and Wells, in warm, feeling speeches. Brother C. gave a very encouraging statement of brother B.’s suc cess. Brother Buckner is sustained by the Friendship Association, Prayer for brother B. and his mission was offered by brother Shepperd. A vote of thanks was extended to the citizens of Buena Vista for their hos pitality. Prayer by brother Deavers. Meet ing adjourned to meet with the Baptist church at Ellaviile, on Friday before the fifth Sab bath in April. Brother Caywood preached on Saturday night. Brother Wells delivered an address to the Sunday school, on Sunday morning, and then brother Cooper preached an able sermon. A public collection was taken up for Indian Missions—s34.ls raised. Brother Canby preached at night, one of his usual good sermons. J. L. C. Kerr. Hum.a Vista, Feb. 1,1871. Alabama. 1 have visited Tuscaloosa. It is singular that a town of so much importance has been without a railroad. I told brother C. Manly, the pastor of the Baptist church there, that they had lived so far from railroads that the members of his church had not yet learned to exhibit the pride (the objectionable pride, I meant) which some town and city churches have the reputation of exhibiting. One good sign of religious vitality in this church, is the fact that the weekly religious prayer meetings are well attended. The Baptists in and around Tuscaloosa ought to rally around brethren Manly and Foster, who, by sacrifi ces, are keeping up the Tuscaloosa Baptist Female College. These ministers invite their brethren to visit the Institution, and see for themselves, I met a gentleman, (fifteen miles from Tuscaloosa,) one having in yievy some pqblie works in Alabama. He asked me if 1 had any reading matter. I handed him a copy of the Index, of the 26th ult., containing a Prize Essay, on the fourth page. He ex pressed himself pleased with the essay ; said it was just what he wished to see. Knowing that I had a duplicate at home, I gave him the paper. He most warmly thanked me, and said he would not take five dollars for it. Friendship Church, Thomas County, Ga. The house in which this church holds its meetings, is twelve miles north west of Monti cello, Jfla., and about a mile withiu the State of Georgia- Pei haps half of the members Jive in Florida. They number seventy and are, in the main consistent, intelligent and pious. For liberality towards their pastor, they are not surpassed by any country church of the same means in the wiiter’s acquaint ance. Like New Hope—-its nearest neigh bor-—this church and congregation make quarterly contributions to Associational Mis sions, which amounted, last year, to nearly one hundred dollars. Thell 1 ordinary con gregation is large, and on extraordinary oc casions the house, though seating about six hundred people, is filled to overflowing. Last year the pastor had the pleasure of baptizing thirty professed converts. The indications now, are more encouraging than they were a year ago. The writer’s predecessor was El der W. J. Blewett, now of Texas, who had served this church nearly twenty years. He has left behind him many spiritual children, and is fondly remembered and often spoken of by the people. Allow me to say that, it is strange that the churches should allow so excellent a brother and so useful a preacher to sell out and remove from their midst to a distant State, from a well-grounded appre hension that he could not continue to serve them without eventually reducing his family to abject poverty. His churches all received the announcement of his determination to leave them, with many sorrowful tears; but all their entreaties could not clnnge his pur pose. Should this communication meet his eye in his far-off Texas home, (he was, and probably still is, a constant reader and warm admirer of the Index and Baptist,) he will allow his over grateful Timothy to say that the impressions made upon his people here by his upright example and faithful ministry, have not been effaced ; and that the solemn admonition ho gave them in his farew'eli sor mon, concerning their duties to their pastor, has produced results the most gratifying. Friendship is situated only a few miles from the Mickasukie Lake, and is, conses quently, surrounded by good farming land, some of which is very productive. But like all other sections of the country, the planters, though thrifty, have to contend with the draw backs peculiar to these times. The preacher who stands in this pulpit may be sure of looking out upon a company of sensible and attentive faces. The next Dis trict Meeting is to be held with this church, commencing Friday bofore the fifth Sunday in April. As it is a central point, and sur> rounded by a hospitable community, we hope the attendance will be large. Thus, brother Editor, I have been led, by the appeals of yourself and “ W.,” to give your readers an account of all the churches that I serve. If you say so, I will wiite one more letter about a well ordered colored Bap tist church and their pastor. [Write, by all means.] A. B. Campbell. Monticello, Fla., Feb. 9 th, 1871. Rehoboth Missionary in Great Need. Beloved brethren, of Rehoboth Association; your missionary is now in pressing need of funds, as I am informed by brother Amos* your Treasurer. Will not ever church and* friend of the Master’s cause come to the res cue? Let the pastors urge the churches, ah the earliest opportunity, to pay as liberally as the times will warrant, and send to brother Amos, Forsyth, Ga. Brethren, as you love the cause of God, and sympathize with the spirit of missions, respond to this call. B. L. Ross. Fort Valley, Feb. 10, 1871. A Solemn Warning. Madison has witnessed a strange sight to day. Two funerals have been crowded into its brief hours. One was the funeral of Mr. Wrn. M. Burnett, an aged and highly re spected citizen. The writer conversed with him, on one of our streets, on Friday last— Tuesday following, saw him a corpse; and, this morning, our entire community congre gated to witness the burial of the dead. Miss Carrie Foster, eldest daughter of A. G. Fos ter. Esq., was at school at Salem, N. C. A telegram, on Monday eve, informed her pa rents that she was very ill. Within two hours, another dispatch announced her death. Her remains arriving to day, the funeral ser vices were attended by a very large assem blage of sorrowing and sympathizing friends. It is understood that the deaths of both were theresultof paralysis. Another remarkable feature is, the reported death of Miss Foster’s most intimate school mate, a few days earlier, by the same disease. Thus, age and youth, mature manhood and blooming beauty, all unexpected, enter to gether the silent abode of the dead. The warning to the living is impressive. Be ye also ready, for in an hour ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. Friend. Madison, Feb. 10. The Missions of the South. The Domestic and Indian Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention is doing its best to meet the increasing wants of our churohes, and to give the gospel ministry to the vast destitution of our Southern land. Ninety men are now under appointment of the Board in the various States and Indian Territory. They must be sustained, or they will be forced to abandon the field. Though our receipts are not less than four thousand dollars ahead of last year, there remained due missionaries for past services to the first of January, 1871, some eight thousand dol lars. The salaries of another quarter will soon be due, and our fiscal year is fast draws ing to a close. What showing will the Board be able to make in May? Will not the friends of the mission come forward and fur nish immediate relief? What is done should be done quickly. M. T. Sumner, Cor. Sec. Marion, Ala. County Line Church, Ala. I am a member of County Line church, near the line of Chambers and Tallapoosa counties. Brother Frank Moss is our Pastor. Our church is a large one, but seems to be cold at present, and working rather slowly. I could wish to see more zeal manifested in our Saviour’s cause, on the part of profess ors. We have an energetic preacher and a good man, one whom we esteem and love as a Christian brother. We have had no Sabbath school for two years. The brethren seem backward about this work; lor which I am sorry. The churches through here, gen erally, seem cold. We need and pray for a deeper interest, more zeal, more faith, more love in and for our Lord’s cause and king dom. (Mrs.) S. A. Mills. Dadleyeillt, Ala., Feb. 10, 18T1. Newington Church, Ga. Newington church, of this county, is in a very healthy and prosperous condition. The community in the neighborhood, though scat tering, take a lively interest in the prosperity and success of the church. The members, at present, are gradually increasing. On the third Sabbath of December last, we had an addition of two members, and on the fifth Sabbath of January two moye were added to the church, (all by baptism.) Five members were added by letter. The total number now is fifty-one. J. G. Norris, Pastor. Savamtuth, Ga., Ftb. 15, 1871. To All Whom It may Concern. By an appointment of the Georgia Baptist Association, at its lust session, the General Meetings of both the first and third districts, belonging to that body, are to meet on the fifth Lord’s day in J uly next, which, of course, makes thetwoconflict with each other. Since some of the brethren from each of the dig tricts desire to be at both General Meetings, therefore, by a request from the Ist district, the church at County Line, with which the General Meeting of the third will be held, has changed the time of the convening of the General Meeting of that district, from the fifth Lord’s day in July next, ns appointed by the Association, to the fir.-t Lord’s day in August next. A. A. Fjlukkr, Clerk, Tiic Chinese, South. Please acknowledge, through the Index, for missions among the Chinese, South, the fol lowing sums : Donations from individuals at Benevolence church, Crawford county, Ga f , s7ws; in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mrs Richards, $1.50; Mr. Skelton, $1; Miss Prince, 50 cents. The Marion Board are greatly indebt ed to brethren Gw in, of Montgomery, Man ly, of Tuscaloosa, Warren, of Macon, Teague, of Selma, Shaver, of Atlanta, and Weaver, of Chattanooga, for obtaining for me trav elling privileges in laboring among the Chi nese. The Chinese whom I visited on the sth Sabbath in last month, were not very far from Tuscaloosa. 1 was very much encour aged in holding religious services with them. They are said to number between seven hun dred and a thousand; better satisfied than they were two months since, and w. rk pretty well. B. W. Whildeh. MarthaUeills, Ga. j