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34 f silex mi §ajiitet. J. J. TOON Proprietor, PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 £*6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Eov. D. SHAVER, D.D. CORRESPONDING EDITORS: Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega , Ala. Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871. A Word to Brother Cooper. Tho article we wrote to whichj brother Cooper refers in his kindly criticisms, was, if he will ex amine it again, purely hypothetical. We simply stated, that if those interpretations of prophecy which niado the Romish hierarchy identical with “ the Beast," the “ Mother of harlots," etc., of John, and “ the Man of sin” of Paul, —and if Mo hammedanism, as a„!system, were symbolized by the “ false prophet” of Revelations, then certain re cent occurrences, as well as impending complica tions in the old world, possessed a lively interest to the Bible student. Whether, therefore, we are obnoxious to these criticisms depends altogether upon the correctness of the theory propounded by others. And as to that matter, we neither affirm ed nor denied. As to the particular 44 Beast in Revelations to which we referred, we can'only answer, that we meant that “ Beast ” by which prophetical inter preters symbolize Roman Catholicism as a sys tem. While on this subject, we will add a few words suggested by more recent'occurrences. »The total prostration of the only Catholic power in Europe capable of maintaining the temporal power of the Popo— France—by the only Protestant nation in the old world competent to such a task —Prussia —And that with such unparalleled rapidity as that it seeins like an “earthquake,” the very term used by John to indicate the great overthrow — (see Rev. xvi: 18, etc.)—and the term used by Louis Napoleon himself of his overthrow —and all this occurring about the close of “ the twelve hundred and sixty years” since popery was invested with temporal power and declared supreme:—we say, all these facts do possess a moral significance worthy the attention of every thoughtful Christiau. pretend not to say that this is the time for the grand overthrow of spiritual Babylon ; but we do say that such breaches have been made in her brazen walls as to justify the liveliest hopes of Christendom. We do say that the Pope, being deplumed of all temporal power—the power to inflict “ pains and penalties” upon those whom he is pleased to de nounce as “ heretics,” —does throw open a field of usefulness to evangelical Christians such as has had no parallel for more than a thousand years. We do say that the breaking up of these old sys tems of error and superstition, does present a moral surface on wliich to operate, more promis ing in actual results than any which has been yet offered to our Christian agencies. And is it not wise in us to “redeem the time?” Is it notan evidence of the highest Christian sagacity to know and to do the right thing, at the right time, and under the right circumstiyices ? H. The Boards Again. A writer in the Religious Herald, hailing from Baltimore, after arguing for the consolidation of the two Mission Boards, says, “Having indicated a remedy, in part, as to our mission work, both Foreign and Domestic, let the question be sug gested, would it not be as W'ell, nay, would.it not bo better, altogether to drop the Sunday School Board from the list of Boards of the Conven tion?” Now, if it can be shown that the Sab bath School Board is a useless institution, taxing the denomination with an unnecessary and un reasonable expense; that it has no field to culti vate, —no work to do ; or that it cannot be made efficiente-cannot be made able to bear a noble part in the great work before it, then let it “be droppedbut why was nothing said about the worthlessness of that Board until it went to Memphis, or until it was clear that it would go i here ? Nothing was heard of the idea that that Board is useless until it was about to take up its “ Western TIo.” Then all at once, some how or other, it became an unnecessary concern; and Iroin that day till this it has been isolated, ig nored, attacked, sneered at, and supplanted, until one may conclude that if these things can be surmounted, and the Board ;'yet live, it is only proof that “it has as many lives as a cat.” Does not the Herald correspondent indicate the true state of the case in several of the States, when he says, “Arc not the membership, generally, in all tho great States of our Southern Zion doing it already,” (/. c., dropping that Board,) “and what are you doing in Virginia ? Cannot, and will not, (lie American Baptist Publication Society, with its large means and ability, and its power for good, do far more for us than can be done by any other organization ?” Here the American Bap tist Publication Society is directly introduced as the organization which is to supplant the Sabbath School Board in the affections of “our Southern Zion.” And why ? Simply because it has “ means,’’ “ability," and “power," while the Memphis Board is to be crushed for no other offence than that it is weaker—weaker because “ tho membership, generally, in our Southern Zion," have “ already ” dropped it, having been seduced by the “means" and “ability” of other rival institutions. Now, as Baptists, we should he thankful that thero is such an institu tion as the American Bap. Pub. Society. For ourself, we rejoice that there is on this Continent so powerful a Baptist agency. We heartily wish its books were in every family in America. Yet we can sec no reason now to excite such joyous emotions, that did not exist a dozen years ago. We see no reasons for such co-operation now as will supplant Southern Baptist institutions, that did not apply with equal force when the Southern Baptist Pub. Society was organized before the war. The books read to us just as they did, the South lies in the same shape as before, Northern aggressions upon Southern institutions—North ern disposition to rule—to supplant—to annihi late Southern ideas and compacts, are precisely such as prevailed when we gave being to our de nominational organizations at the South. And wc now assume that the persistent purpose to supplant the Sunday School Board with the Sab bath School Department of that Society, will re act to the great detriment of every agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. Brethren may think differently, and drive blindly on ; but let them pass the resolution to “drop that Board from the list of Boards of our Convention ” after what has taken place in relation to it, and they will realize the following result: 1. With half the Baptists of the South, and four-fifths of them in the South-west, the Southern Baptist Convention will be as dead as the Southern Con federacy. ‘J. A Western Baptist General Con vention will have an existence in twelve months after the dropping act is passed. 3. A Western Baptist Theological School will follow in rapid succession. These things may be regarded as doubtful and deplorable, and there are many brethren in the West who would advise other wise, but soon nearly all would fall in ; for other causes than that of the treatment of the Sabbath School Board will operate in moulding the actions of brethren. What arguments will such a course have for THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, MARCH 2,1871. its justification!*. It will have the influence of self-defence of those Western rights which made it necessary to locate that Board in the West. It will have reason to claim that a want of confidence has led to a depressing dis pute all the time the Board has been in the West, relative to its utility and policy, with a chilling, slighting course of treatment which bears on its face intolerant opposition to certain sentiments that are supposed to hold prevalence in that re gion. This movement will carry with it the force of being strongly Southern and strongly Baptist, —ideas which will have power in all this land for many years to come. Now, we say these things simply to indicate that these questions of dropping, consolidating and working through Northern organizations, have two sides to them; and the discussions will not all be on one side. “ The Home Mission So ciety,” and “the Missionary Union” have “means,” “ability” and “power,” and it is difficult to see why, if the Herald correspondent be correct, we should not abandon all our Boards and go over en masse to these Societies. His logic in relation to the one Board, if correct, has very sharp angles about it, to jag the sides of all other Southern institutions. It is on a question of means—ability—power. We are reminded of the story of a man whoso sow bi ought forth alitter of pigs, all of which were white except ono little black runt. He, wanting to get rid of that, went, with his gun, to shoot it out of the way. Many times he levelled his piece at it, but it kept such a running about among the other pigs, that he could not single it out; finally he fired, at a venture. When the smoke cleared away, to his surprise and mortifi cation, he found that the black runt was the only pig left alive. We will not be so much surprised, but more mortified, if this proves to be the case with our Boards. The Sabbath School Board will keep such a running about among the others that the brethren who want to shoot it will not be able to single it out, and in the noise relative to consolidation, expenses, Northern money and efficiency, the majority of the litter will be killed or transferred, but the Sabbath School Board will not go North; and, runt as it is, it, or something of its will be kept alive by the Baptists of the South and South-west. It does seem that brethren might have learned a lesson as to the spirit of the Baptists of the South, at the Louisville Convention. Some one ought to say to our brethren who are looking to the supplanting of our Boards, that, in the most part of the South, Southern sentiment has not changed in five years. But what of the suggested consolidation of the Mission Boards ? Does not this suggestion sim ply mean the transferring of the Domestic Board further North ? We heard a distinguished D.D. say, at Louisville, last May, that Marion is no suitable place for a Board of that Convention. Many of us believe that a more suitable place and more efficient brethren, cannot he found in the South. If our brethren throughout the South would heartily rally to and unite with these agencies, they would at once become so strong that they would form a grand unifying centre, able to do the work indeed, and no longer would the finger of contempt be pointed at our weakness. We have the necessary strength in all respects, if wo can only keep united. If our agencies are not so efficient as is desirable, let us, in a spirit of kind ness, try to reform and improve them. If our Secretaries do not well fill their places, or if this be true of any one of them, they are Christian gentlemen, and would retire gracefully, if more suitable men can be found. But our opinion is that, if these Boards and Secretaries could receive, instead of severe criti cisms, the praise and hearty sympathies that are lavished upon Northern agencies—if they could be made to feel that our own Boards are the chan nels through which our Southern Zion will con tinue to diffuse a united strength,—then it would be seen that these agencies are of the right sort, in the right places, and well officered; and that their work cannot be done cheaper than they will do it. But some of our brethren have their heads set toward the North pole, and we fear they will not stop to look in any other direction until it is too late. They should remember that the Aurora Borealis is a false light, which only tlares up oc casionally, where the sun does not shine much. Glimpses of the Times. I. A bill has been introduced into the New York Senate, which, “in all institutions, public or pri vate, incorporated or not incorporated, for the reception of minors, whether as orphans, or as destitute, disorderly or delinquent persons,” for bids, under a penalty of SIOO for each offence, “any interference with the religious belief which these minors may have received from their pa rents.” The Northern religious press is unani mous and earnest in opposition to the proposed legislation; since, if it prevails, no Protestant services, not even the use of the authorized ver < sion of the Bible, can be permitted, in News Boys’ Lodgings, Industrial Schools, Orphanages, Juve nile Asylums, or Houses of Refuge, in the pres ence of children of Romish parentage. We very well understand how Baptist papers may con sistently embark in this opposition; but our mind is not quite clear as regards Pedobaptist papers. The bill in question aims simply to protect the sanctity of hereditary religion ; and hereditary re ligion constitutes the fundamental, vital principle of Pedobaptism. When this principle of heredi tary religion was divinely recognized in the rite of infant circumcision, it was fenced about by a law which subjected to capital punishment every man who sought to entice children from the hereditary religion. Now, if Christianity includes the same principle, and, on the strength of it, requires infant baptism, why should not its sanctity be protected ? Why should it be left with absolutely no fence at all ? Is not the New York bill; in fact, Pedolap . tism carried out, in harmony with the precedent of circumcision— Pedobaytism shaped into law ? 11. The editor of the Western Christian Advocate numbers in his “acquaintance, several ministers whose habit it is to preach quarterly on temperance, and one who gives a Sabbath evening lecture once a month to his people. The effect has been a great diminution in the number of church mem bers who drink wine and ale, and an increase in the number of those who have banished both of these articles from their sideboard.” Wo have feared that strong drink is often suffered to en sconce itself in the pews, without proper discoun tenance from the pulpit. Shame on the pastoral lips which are sealed from testimony and remon strance, when the lips of private and official members are wet daily with that “fire-water” which consumes both body and soul! 111. A Presbyterian church, in Buffalo, N. Y., de decided that, for the year 1870, all begging, whether by subscription papers or special collec tions, should be abolished, and the matter of giv ing left solely to the conscience of the individual. Besides $8,312 paid on previous pledges, there was secured by this plan the gratifying amount of $6,087; of which 45 per cent, came in sums of 50 cents and under, and 30 per cent, in sums of 25 cents and under. The giving was regarded as an act of religious worship, and a special prayer of consecration was incorporated Into the morn ing and evening service on Lord’s day, immedi ately followed by the gathering up of the free will offerings. There is food for thought in these facts, and we hope that not a few of our churches will take them into serious consideration. “ The treasury of the Lord” would receive much more from them than at present, we are sure, if they would adopt the plan of frequent contributions— contributions in small amounts —contributions from all; especially if accompanied, as in the case before us, with the following solemn public pro fession : “ As the Lord has prospered us, we now lay aside on the first day of the week, according to the commandment, beseeching a blessing upon the poor, and the missionaries, and all who re ceive our gifts from the Lord ; and by this offer ing, humbly consecrating all that we have to Him.” Try it, brethren. Some weeks since, we styled the Baptist Union, “the young New York organ of Free Will (a3 opposed to the Will of Christ) in the matter of the Lord’s supper.” The Union quotes this lan guage, as a “sample” of the “discourtesy," with which strict communionists “ treat their more liberal (?) brethren.” Doubtless, George Herbert spoke with good reason, when he said that “ fierceness makes truth discourtesy;" but we can hardly grant to our contemporary that sim ple, outspoken fidelity works the same mischiev ous result. Our offending phraseology does no more than characterize loose communionism ac cording to its real character. We merely cleared the cartli from its “ tap root.” Take two recent proofs. On tho question “as to who are right fully partakers of the Lord’s supper as adminis tered in our churches," Rev. J. S. Kennard, of Philadelphia, (the very unbrotherly “Adelphos” of the Watchman and Reflector,) says : “ In the absence of any specific command, the appeal is necessarily to first principles, an authority more defensible than the incidental hints which the Acts of the Apostles may give, since we have no evidence that their customs, of which we have a very partial account, were designed to be the in variable customs of the church in all ages and under all conditions.” Is not this, undeniably, an indication that loose communionism will not suf fer the precedents of the New Testament to stand in its way—that these precedents are to be set aside on the authority of its own deductions from “ first principles;” as though deductions of this kind constitute a 44 higher law” in the- premises, and release us from the obligation to follow mod estly in the steps of men inspired ? But loose communionism betrays its readiness to go further still, and to trample down even specific Scriptural commands,” if these come between it and its wishes in this case. A correspondent of the Union, unblushingly, writes: “Even if you could show an express direction to restrict the communion to believers who had been immersed, I should still hold that you had not established the necessity or propriety of close communion.” After referring to the injunction that “ women should keep silence in the churches,” to the “ holy kiss,” etc., —to which the more ultra of Pedobaptists appeal, as showing that the apos tolic practice of immersion does not preclude the substitution of sprinkling for it, —he adds: “ If, in so many words, it was written, 4 Let none but the baptized partake of the supper,’ I hold, that, under existing circumstances, that injunction should have no more force than those other in junctions that we nullify so coolly, just because there is no sectarian position_at issue.” Now, if this repudiation of both precedent and precept— the only two forms under which the Will of Christ can make itself known as regards positive rites—docs not suffice to convict loose communion ism as a preference of Free Will in the matter of the Lord’s supper, we know of no other evidence that could warrant such a verdict. Men, indeed, may label the Free Will, by some strange inge nuity of self-deception, as the Will of Christ; but that is a blunder of theirs, and even charity de mands that, without vituperative epithets, we should point it out. This is what we have done. And the Baptist Union complains of this! Rev. Mr. Cheney, an Episcopal clergyman of Chicago, has been accustomed, in the baptism of infants, to omit from the service, the word “re generate;” except when parents, disavowing the High Church, “sacramental” sense of the word, as importing a spiritual new birth, requested him to use it. For this offence, he has been suspend ed from the ministry, until he shall profess sorrow for the past and amendment for the future. His case strikingly and painfully illustrates the des potism of exclusive liturgical forms. But his trial brought out another illustration of this des potism, which affords some of our exchanges no slight merriment, hut which seems to us still more striking and painful. Rev. Dr. Sullivan testified that he ‘had known one clergyman, who was always attacked by a violent coughing when he came to the word 44 regenerate,” and recovered only when ho had passed it.’ Alas, for the ty ranny which drives Christian ministers to cloak conscientious scruples and profound convictions of truth under such unmanly subterfuges 1 And yet—is not the worst fruit of this oppressive rigor found in the case of those who use the word with mental reservations, which give no outward sign of themselves, but suffer the lip to belie both head and heart outright ? VI. A writer in the Working Christian throws out a hint, which may assist some of our pastors in making fuller proof of their ministry. He says: 44 In tho country, our preachers, many of them, ‘go to their churches’ and preach one sermon on tho Lord’s day, and thoir day’s work is done, when within a eircle of five or ten miles there might be another congregation gathered eager to hear the Word of life. Let the pastor go and preach to them, even if he should be late reaching home. Others ride ten or fifteen miles to their ‘appoint ments,’ preach, and return home, passing through, or not far from a neighborhood where scores would be glad to hear them. Let them turn aside and work for Christ. Thus the ‘waste places might be built up, and the desert he made to rejoice.’” This contrasts more strongly than pleasantly with the recent statement of a city preacher, Rev. Newman Hall, of Surry Chapel, London : “I usually walk from twelve to thirteen miles every Sabbath, preach three times, hold a prayer meeting, and often address some Sunday school into the bargain. In warm weather I preach a fourth sermon to a street audience.”' Both in city and country, alas, how much less is done by the ministry than might he, and should be! VII. A writer in the Christian Era , Boston, was once told, by “an infidel of the Paine school,” that not the Bible, but the conduct of professed Christians, had tended most to make him an un believer. To point the same moral, this writer says : “We have had too much of profession and the form of godliness, without the power thereof. As proof of this, look at the South previous to the breaking out of the late rebellion. What do we behold? No community had so much religious awakening, so much going to church, prayers and communion. No place where so called ‘ revi vals’ were sc common, and where people were ‘ getting religion’ and observing its forms and ceremonies. Are we prepared to say, or do we say, that the religionists of our Southern States were ' born of God ’ in the true sense of the teach ings of Christ ? On the one hand we behold them engaged with zeal in religion, in revivals, prayer and praise, and on the other hand we see those same evangelical Christians engaged in crimes at which humanity revolts with a shudder 1 Again we ask the question, Are these men 4 born of God?” It was Burke, we believe, who professed his inability to 44 frame an indictment against a whole people;” but this writer knows howto frame a slander against them. We hope that 4 Infidels of the Paine school’ may not be unhap pily brought into association jyth him, lest their disposition to burden Christianity with the faults of its 44 professed adherents,” should draw from his conduct reasons availing to 4 make them unbe lievers’ forever. With regard^to the “crimes at which humanity revolts with a shudder,” we have only to say that we know nothing of them. What can our accuser mean ? Is this a case where ac cusations invented first for party purposes, have come, at last, by virtue of incessant repetition, to be credited by the inventors themselves, 44 even as the bulls in Borodale” (if we may borrow a figure from Coleridge) 44 are sard sometimes to run mad with the echo of their own bellowing ?” The Christian Register, Boston, expresses the opinion that ‘lawyers, physicians and farmers ought to be inducted into their regular work, by prayer, and Bible reading, and sermon, and hymn.’ Twenty years ago, Samuel J. May prepared “charges,” suitable for delivery at the “ordina tion” of persons entering Hie legal profession and the editorial We do not favor such rites and forms; but efur hearty sympathy goes with the desire to impress on men, in every calling, a sense of their responsibilities “ under the Great Taskmaster’s All right work is work for God—work which “He appoints for us, to which, in the ordering of His providence, He brings us, and for which, in the revelation of His righteous judgment, we must give account to Him, To slaves, in ancient' Colosse, engaged in menial toil through life, Paul could say, 44 Ye serve the Lord Christ!” What he said to them, he says to all. When shall the Christian layman feel it, as deeply as the Christian minister? Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc. Georgia. Rev. A. Dellamonta, (colored,) of Atlanta, en tered on his labors as pastor of the Colored Bap tist church at Thomasville, in January. We hope that the work of the Lord may prosper in his hands there. Rev. J.'R. Graves, LL.D., in the Memphis Baptist, his recent visit to the First church, Atlanta: “The church edifice is the finest, perhaps, in the State, costing some $40,000, and it is well-nigh paid for. We were delighted with the promising character of the membership—so many young men, just develop ing into strength and influence. We know of no pastorate more desirable than this in the South.” 44 We looked through brother Toon’s new estab lishment, and spent a pleasant hour with brother Shaver, whom we regard as the ablest writer in all the land.” He says also: “This visit to Georgia satifies us that Georgia will readily take the SIO,OOO allotted to her in the Southern Bap tist Publication Society: that we write down as certain.” Dr. Graves, also, says: “We stop ped at Dalton, and preachqd on Thursday night to a large audience. Brother Loftin is pastor here, and well beloved. H*isdoinga good work. Though young, he is a strong and growing man, a thorough Baptist, and the church is building up.” Rev. G. C. Needham, the evangelist, is preaching for Rev. Dr. Landrum, Savannah, the present week, and is expected to be with the First church, Atlanta, nextfcveek. Our church at Cartersville the friends of Sundays schools to hold®s!onvention there, on the day preceding the session of the Georgia Baptist State Convention, in April. Arkansas. After a service of twelve years, Rev. B. F. Thomas resigns charge of our church at Forest City, where a large and commodious house of worship is 44 now receiving the finishing touch,” and an organ has been purchased. Kentucky. Churches have been constituted at Bear Creek, on Big Sandy, at High Springs, Hart county, and at Number One, Ohio county, (Slaty Creek.) Chestnut Grove church has had 23 accessions; Bethel church, Gainesville, some 80; Hanging Rock, Grayson county, 61 ; Robertson Creek church, 23; Sandy Creek, Butler county, 9 ; Pleasant Grove, Daviess county, 14; Stanford church about 20. uOimUAJIA. Since Rev. Dr. Taylor, of Chicago, took charge of Coliseum Place church, New Orleans, Baptists from the North have joined it, who had resided in the city for years and stood aloof. The church has enjoyed a recent season of refreshing: “ be tween 20 and 30 have found peace in believing, and others are yet enquiring.” Mississippi. Rev. Theo. Whitfield becomes the regular cor respondent of the Richmond Herald for this State, to collect and forward news, etc. Elder M. P. Lowry, (well known in war times as a Con federate General); in the Mississippi Department of the Memphis Baptist , says, of the Index and Baptist: “We were employed two years as a stated contributor to that paper, and learned then to admire and love it. It is orthodox, able, Chris tian : and what more need be said of any paper ? Its proprietor and publisher, J. J. Toon, Esq., lacks uot one of the elements of a Christian gen tleman, and his energy knows no bounds. Its editor, Dr. D. Shaver, is able, discreet, courteous and deeply pious; and in view of these facts, it is not surprising that «t has a host of faithful friends that stand by it and support it, whether times are oppresive or prosperous. The Baptists of two States, Alabama and Georgia, are united in making this paper their organ of religious cor respondence; and while it is published in At lanta, Ga., Alabama hasher two able and efficient editors.” Missouri. Martin L. Laws was ordained to the ministry at Rehoboth Church, Saline county, Jan. 29th: sermon by Rev. W. M. Bell. Liberty church, Gentry county, has had 20 additions; Carrollton church, 60; Mt. Nebo, Linn, 27; Warrenburg church, (where the house of worship had been rented to the School Board,) 38.——-At Mt. Tabor church, Macon county, Jas. W. Saunders was ordained to the ministry, in February: sermon by the candidate. North Carolina. Rev. B. G. Covington has been appointed mis sionary for the Eastern Association. Rev. J. A. Emerson has been called to the pastoral care of our church at Charlotte. Rev. R. H. Grif fith teaches a male school in Charlotte, and preaches to two churches in S. C. The State Mission Board, Raleigh, has decided to send quar terly reports of the work done under its direc tion, to the Domestic Mission Board of 'the South ern Baptist Convention, Marion, Ala., to be in corporated, in substance, in its annual report. Greatly to our surprise, the Raleigh Recorder says: “We are now convinced that a division of Northern (and probably of Southern) Baptists on the communion question is rapidly approaching.” Such fears seem to us absolutely groundless. Rev. G. W. Sanderlin, of this State, goes to Bal timore, Md., as pastor of Franklin Square church. Our church in Raleigh has painted and re paired its bouse of worship, and secured an eligi ble lot just across the street, for the erection of a parsonage, which is to-be commenced without de lay. South Carolina. Abbeville Association has established a mission at Greenwood, the preaching done principally by the professors and students of «mr Seminary at Greenville: there are 27 members, and a church is in process of organization. Texas. Prof. 0. P. Westmoreland, agent of the Bay land Orphans’ House, is dead, and Rev. A. Delaplain has been appointed to succeed him. The Southern Missionary Baptist, Corsicana, says: “The Index and Baptist has once more found its way to our office. We are pleased to grasp your journal hand once more, brothers Shaver and Toon. You make a most excellent paper. May you long live to bless the reading public.” * Tennessee. A private note from Murfreesboro informs us that 21 young men are studying for the ministry in Union University, (18 Baptists and 8 Method ists,) and one or two more are about entering the class. Anew church has been organized, three miles from Maryville, and 10 persons added to its membership. There have been 23 recent accessions, at Beaver Creek, Sullivan county. The Memphis Avalanche, Feb. 10, says: “We are requested by Mr. R. D. Goodwyn, Secretary and Treasurer of the Southwestern Publishing Company, to state that the assets of that corpor ation are SBO,OOO, and the liabilities, $60,000.” YrRGINIA. Gar Foreign Mission Board, Richmond, an nounces that it has four laborers in Rome, Italy, with two places of worship opened and one church constituted. Rev. J. B. Hartwell, Tung Chau, China, reports to the Foreign Mission Board that the chapel in Chefoo was built and presented to our church, by a Chinese convert whom he bap tized ten years ago, and who then was not worth SIOO. The young men of the First church, Richmond, have organized a mission on Clay street. In Scott county, 17 have been added to Clinch River church, and 24 baptized at Car ter’s Tow’ii, Rye Cove, where before there had been but two Baptist sermons preached. The Second church, Richmond, is to have a fine or gan : the money has been provided for it. W est Virginia. Our church at Charleston has met every night for six weeks, and conversions are more numer ous now than at any time since the meeting be gan. Rev. S. M. Ferrell was ordained to the ministry at Flat Rock church, Roane county, Jan. 15th : sermon by Rev. J. Bennett. Rev. Thos. Harmon, Sr., for many years one of the ablest and most influential ministers of the Teays’ Val ley Association, is dead. Mt. Moriah church, Putnam county, has had 28 accessions; Stillwell church, 13 baptisms, (one candidate having been strangely and wrongly rejected, by a single vote, because, being not quite eight years of age, she was thought 44 too young.”) The Orphans’ Home. 1 am glad to see that renewed interest is manifested among the Baptists of Georgia, in regard to the establishing of an Orphans’ Home. The great difficulty in such an enterprise is in securing funds to purchase land and erect suitable buildings. In Georgia, if the course I propose is adopted, this difficulty does not exist. Last April, the Convention decided to re move Mercer University from Penfield. The Commission, to which the business was en trusted, has fixed upon Macon, and the remo val would before now have been an accom plished fact, but for litigation instituted by the opponents of removal. When this litigation is concluded, and the legal obstacle, which postpones removal, no longer hinders, the question arises, What shall be done with the property at Penfield ? My first suggestion was, that a High School be established in the buildings heretofore occupied by the University. But as the offer of the Trustees to the citizens of Pen field has been so emphatically rejected, and as it is impossible to conduct successfully a school of that kind in a hostile community, some other disposition of the Penfield prop erty must be made. I suggest, therefore, that the Orphans’ Home be located at Penfield, and the Uni versity property there be appropriated for that purpose. The buildings, as they now are, will accommodate a hundred children, and the land is ample for a farm. Tho real estate thus provided to our hand, the funds and supplies for carrying on the enterprise will be readily furnished. In honor of one of the oldest, foremost, truest friends of Penfield and Mercer Uni versity, let the new Institution bear the name of the Stocks Orphans’ Home, for the Bap tists of Georgia. N. M. Crawford. February 20, 1871. South-Eastern Georgia, Y our modest offer for 44 Press MS.,” is not without effect. But what can I write that will interest your readers and promote the cause of Christ 1 ? This South-Eastern corner of our State, bordering on the Atlan tic, is sparse in its white population, abun dant in its black, broken down most distress ingly in its resources, and owing to some facts peculiar to itself, is not likely to recu perate as readily as Middle and Upper Geor gia. All this has had its effect in inducing persons who were born and raised here, to emigrate to other sections. It is not easy for the preacher to avoid this moving conta gion. He, too, wishes to make the most of his short stay on earth in building up the cause of Christ, and for this purpose, looks for large congregations as affording the best prospects for accomplishing his object. But if all the preachers go in search of the crowd, what is to become of the scattered sheep? Somebody ought—somebody must —look af ter them, and why not he that is here? Be it so, if God wills it. By appointment of New Sunbury Associ ation, a Union Meeting was held at South Newport, in Mclntosh county, on the old stage road from Savannah to Darien, embracing the fifth Sabbath, ult. A Union Meeting of the same preacher and people who have been worshipping together for over three years past. No other churches represented—no other preachers present. The Agent of the D. M. B. promised to come, and so did oth ers, but alas! the solitary preacher, as sev eral times heretofore, in similar meetings, was left to serve alone. The congregation was full, especially considering the threaten ing appearance of the weather. The exerci ses closed on Sabbath p.m., at the river side, with the baptism of an interesting young lnd v. At the close of the war, this church was broken up, its book carried off or destroyed by Federal soldiers, its members dead or scattered, and the few remaining so discour* aged as scarcely to consent for the preacher to make an effort to rebuild. Now they are organized and working harmoniously and comfortably. A Sabbath school is conduct ed under the superintendence of our venera ble brother, C. I. W. Tharp, 83 years old, who walks five miles, to and fro, weekly, in doing this work. The membership and the congregation have increased gradually, from the beginning. A collection is taken month ly, for the support of the gospel, by which an amount is raised in the year, that would seem impracticable to the people if it were pro posed to raise it at one time. 1 have spoken of this section as under dis couragements now , but it will not always re main so. The natural and artificial advanta ges which it possesses, must, in time, over come its embarrassments, and make it one of the most desirable sections in our State. Now, then, in this, its hour of depression, is the time for persons in want of lands, and looking for them West, to secure, cheaply, as good as they can fiud anywhere. 1 am desirous, brother Editor, to bring this coun try to the notice of hoine-hunters, not alone for theirs and the country’s good, hut mainly to promote the cause of Jesus in building up efficient churches and Sunday schools, and other schools also. 1 his can be done only by increasing the white population. That there are serious obstacles in the way now, is true. That they will be removed in time, I sincerely believe; and to hasten that object, if I can, by your permission, I will tax your columns with two or throe short articles. D. G. Daniell. Walthourville, Feb. 17,1871. Progress. From May Ist, 1870, to Feb. 14th, 1871, the First Baptist church at Wilmington, N. C., has had some sixty additions to its mem bership—making considerably over one-fourth of its present numerical strength. Thirty four of this number were received by bap tism. Elder Hiden, the pastor, has admin istered the rite of baptism every Sunday for the past six weeks. Within a few months past., the Second Baptist church of Wilming ton has been organized, and, under the min istrations of Elder Jno. King, now numbers considerably over one hundred members. They are about to erect anew house of wor ship, in the southern part of the city; are receiving accessions every few days, and are much revived and encouraged. Mercer and the Mercerians. It is now pretty generally known that the Trustees of Mercer University have appoint ed an agent to raise funds for the purpose of further endowing this Institution. This trust they have confided to me, and I now write to ask every student who has ever enjoyed the benefits of the Institution to send me a con tribution for the alma mater, that her useful ness may he greatly increased. Let every one who may see this appeal send some amount, large or small, to aid in the great work of making Mercer University the first Institution of the country. If her children will it, the thing can be done. Contributions may be forwarded to me at LaGrange, Ga., in checks or in money, by Express or in registered letters. Who will be the first to respond ? „ H. C. llohnady. Church Dedication. Tho Second Street Baptist church, (color ed,) Macon, Ga., was dedicated Sabbath, February 19th, 1871. Hymn by liev. F. Quarles, of Atlanta; prayer by Rev. Wilkes Flagg, of Milledgeville ; reading of the Scrip tures by Rev. F. Quarles ; second hyinn by Rev. 11. 11. Tucker, D.D., of Mercer Univer sity ; sermon by liev. F. Quarles, from Ps. lxxxvii: (5, to a very large congregation, which gave marked attention. The dedica tion prayer was offered by Rev. 11. 11. Tucker, D.D. A collection was taken up, amounting to SBS, toward paying the debt of the church, (some $200.) The house, which is not entirely finished, is 27 by 50 feet; has cost $1,400 thus far, and will cost SBOO more. Will the generous-hearted Baptists (and others in general) help this poor but faithful church to complete their house of worship? Y r es; i( they have the Spirit of the Lord, they will. Their beloved pastor, Rev. J. A. James, will thankfully receive any amount sent to his address, at Macon, Ga. The church now numbers, in membership, 285. It was organized in September, 1865, with 150 members. In 1866, a church was organ ized in it of 27 members, and went to Libe ria; and one in 1868 of 11 members, remain ing in the State. At 3 o’clock, sermon by Rev. Wilkes Flagg. At o’clock, sermon by Rev. Isaac Prymus, of Perry, Ga. Cntlibert Baptist Female College. The Baptist Female College has been res urrected, the buildings improved and beauti fully painted, and the establishment is look ing much better than it ever looked. We have a live, moiing man at the head of it— brother W. B. Seals. He is one of the very best teachers in the State, ( and no mistake.) If the Baptists want their daughters educated, (and not galvanized ,) they had better send them at once to brother Seals. The school is doing as well as was expected, yet there is room for several more scholars. I must say to the friends and brethren that gave a sub scription to the College, that we need the money to complete the repairs and purchase furniture for the school, and I hope they will forward the amount due, to me at once. Thomas Muse. Guthbert, Feb. 22, 1371. Associatlonal Minutes. Two Associations have been dissolved or absorbed by others of which I have received notice. There may be others. Please pub lish the list as 1 have classified them, that brethren acquainted with the facts may in form me of the dissolution of any, or of any error in their arrangement. 1 have a copy of the minutes of each Association for 1870, marked with a*. I earnestly beg the clerk, or any brother who may see that, his Asso ciation is not so marked, to send me a copy of his minutes at once. Associations which are members of the Con vention : Appalachee, Bethel,* Bowen, Cen tral,* Clarkesville, Columbus, Ebenezer,* Fairburn, Flint River, Friendship,* Georgia, Hephzibah, Houston,* Liberty, Mercer, Mid dle,* Middle Cherokee,* Mt. Vernon, New Sunbury, * Piedmont, Rehoboth,* Sarepta, Southern, Stone Mountain, Tugalo, Washing ton, Western. Associations not members of the Convention: Arbacoochee, Chattahoochee, Coosa,* Cave Spring,* Ellijay, Hightower, Mountain, Law reuceville, North Georgia,* Noonday,* Oos tanaula, * Tallapoosa,* Toccoah, Smyrna, Union. Anti-Missionary: Alabaha, Upper and Lower Canouchee, Connasaga, Hatmony, Hi wassee, Echaconnee,* Little River, New Hope, Oclocknee, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Prim. Ebenezer,* Prim. Lookout, Prim. Western, Pulaski,* Suwanee River, Towaliga, Uharlee, Upatoie, Yellow River, United Baptist, United Chattahoochee. Colored: Ebenezer, Middle Georgia,* Zion, Western.* Reader, look at these names, and if your Association is not marked, send me a copy of your minutes, together with those of other Associations you may possess, and you will deseive the thanks of all who wish to know the number of Baptists in Georgia. G. It. McCall. Ifawkimville, Ga. Sabbath School Visitation. I am glad to have an opportunity of furnishing to your readers the ing report, hoping that it may prove in teresting at least to friends of Sabbath schools. For the last four months I have been a frequent visitor at the Baptist Sab bath school of this city, (Marshall, Texas,) and it is indeed gratifying to reporta decided improvement in every department connected with this school over last year. The school numbers about 150, with a very full average attendance. Superintendent W. P. Hudgins is prompt and untiring in his efforts to train children for Jesus. Oh, what a noble work ! If parents would lend a helping hand by their presence and prayers in the school, their chil dren would become ornaments of society and true followersof the Lord Jesus Christ. (Pa rents, will you come and give aid to instruct your own children? If so, you will have reason to rejoice in the future.) Rev. J. L. Blitch, the pastor of this church, during his whole pastorate, has been a co-worker in this holy work of love,and the cheerfulness with which he imparts instruction to the children unfolds to the world a spirit of brotherly kindness worthy of emulation. There are two Bible classes; one in charge of Prof. Boone, the other in charge of Deacon Rainey. The minor classes are all in charge of expe rienced teachers, who are ever watchful over their pupils and prompt in attendance. Now, it is fair to presume that there are but few schools anywhere in a more prosperous con dition. The improvement in music is almost without precedent, and when the whole school is singing, their songs are truly devo tional. May God bless this school and make it an ornament to the city and a blessing to all its members. W. M. Willson, Independent Missionary Marshall, Texas, Felt. 13,1871. Ordinations. At Beulah Baptist church, Lee county, Ala., Feb. 4lh, after a sermon by Rev. R. A. J. Cumbie, the following ministers formed themselves into a Presbytery, (by previous request of the church,) for the purpose of or daining brethren W. E. Hudmati and J. J. Adams to the office of deacon, and brother Sion Hill to the gospel ministry : Rev. R. A. J. Cumbie, Rev. W. 11. Stanton,Rev. F. C. David. The church was now heard from as to the Christian character and qualifications of the candidates, —which was satisfactory. The candidates related their Christian expe rience, and brother Hill his call to the minis try, and were examined as to their belief in scriptural doctrines as held by our denomi nation, brother Cumbie leading. On Sab bath, Feb. sth, the sermon was preached by Rev. R. A. J. Cumbie, from Paul to Timo thy, “ Study to show thyself approved,” etc., which was interesting and edifying to all the lovers of Zion ; Rev. F. C. David offered the prayer ; and Rev. H. D. Harington deliv* ered the charge, and presented the Bible. I cannot now remember ever hearing a more solemn charge, or one more to th < point. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. S. Hill. F. C. David, Sec. Lights and Shadows. . How pleasant it is for the sun to come out cheerfully and bright, after a long, cloudy spell. It was a similar case with me when I went from Thomasville to Quitman. It was my first visit, too, but 1 hope it will not be the last. I was in attendance upon a Union meeting of the Association, which was inter esting, though thinly attended. Bishop Mc- Bride, —dear man, —knows how to make an agent feel good, and a sweet home had 1 in his house. He is a working, praying, earn est, Index, Sunday school and missionary pastor. Now, need i say be has a good church, after saying what I have?. I must tell you, l was only allowed to do half my work. Preaching and collecting is my work, but 1 was not allow'ed to do the collecting. I preached to good, appreciative audiences, and the money just came in, and before l left there, a large ray of green light darted to wards Marion, Ala. Brother Mcßride preaches there bi month ly, and has for some time, and is “ esteemed very highly for his work’s sake.” The church is favored which has him as pastor, and the church that grumbles or starves him away, will not soon duplicate him. Dr. J. S. Ba ker lives at Quitman, and is feeble, and real ises his nearness to eternity, and, I hope, is ripening for heaven. He is contemplating the preparation of an article on “ Heart Cul ture.” I think he is right in saying that “if the love of Jesus was perfected in the heart there w’ould be less of sectarianism and con troversy,” or words to that effect. Elder C. S. Gaulden has removed from his plantation to town. He is also feeble, but able to preach, and is “growing in grace,” I think. Elder J. G. McCall has nearly quit the gospel for the law, and in the latter is doing well, 1 sup pose. He is devoted to the Sunday school and prayer meeting. If man is a “distin guished link in being’s endless chain,” then Quitman, and my first visit there, is a bright link in the chain of events, in my being. (Bro. Editor, tell Bro. R. W. F. that I have my Night Thoughts yet.) Sweet will be my memories of the quiet, neat, church-going vil lage of Quitman, and if I, in prayer, act on the rule, " Remember all who love Tbee, All who are loved by Tbee, then I will remember all in Quitman, and many there will sometimes think of me, on the same principle. 1 found lights and shadows at Brunswick, “ way down on the Scilla river,” and near the Atlantic. The Baptists have the best house of worship in the place, large, neat, well lo cated and nicely seated; and the little church, besides “straining a point” to support their pastor, with an appropriation from our Do mestic Board, have re painted their house outside and renovated it partly inside, la less than two years the church has increased from 8 to 0:2 members, and more than 20 were added by immersion. Besides all, and the “ tightness” of the times there, they helped the mission cause, and treated the agent well. But several members did not give any, and, from-some eausea, 1 could not dun or ask them ; but their energetic pastor, Bro. Barrett, will get nearly as much more as 1 got, no doubt, and send to me. Bro. B. hjw a house and. lot, and hones has now no rent to pay, and I hope will continue there and be blessed iu his labors as he has been. He has some noble eo workers. The Domes tic Board did well in helping the church at Brunswick. The amount so appropriated will be like “ Seed corn,” —it wilt not be lost. Bro. B. is a 'missionary, and a working one. 1 was well taken care of by the proprietress of the Globe Hotel (wbo went from and various others ; and by Bro. B. was vored with a nice boat ride, and by Br™ L. with a carriage ride over a large part of the place. Now, one shade I expect to have, taken away soon, when I get more green light. One other will be, when my dear Bro. 11. takes the Index; for there is light in the Index to his dear w ife, if not much to him. A shade, a deep shade settled on mo Sunday, after I preached, to have to pray again. Cruel !—feeble as I was. You see, Bro. Barrett was not present, and the deacons would not. No matter; they will do better next time. VV. N. Chaudoin. Ordination. At the call of New Lebanon church, Car roll county,Ga., the church at Bowdou called a Presbytery consisting of Eldeis W. S. Twedell, James Barrow, and G. VV. Colquitt. The candidate being examined by Elder W. S. Twedell and Elder G. W. Colquitt, on his call to the ministry, faith and doctrines, was found orthodox. After prayer, charge, pre sentation of the Bible, as the book of his counsel and guide of his life, by Elder James Barrow, the Presbytery set him apart for the glorious work of the gospel ministry. Benediction by the candidate. Our church in Bowdon has in its regular conference, a call for contribution for the in cidental expenses of the church. To pay our paator, we have a resolution recorded on our church book, that we will insure him SIOO each year, for one Sabbath in the month, and pay half his salary in February, the other half in November; but, yve regret, we have failed a little in tjie first half. Our deacons are at work to carry it put. Brother G. VV. Colquitt is our pastor, raised up in our midst, loved by all for his example of piety and sound doctrine. James Barrqw, Bou'don, Ga., Ftb. 8,1871. SS^**There is a alight omission in the foregoing account —to-wit, the name of the brother oidained. Who will supply it ?