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J#iex and Jtajrttet.
' —* —— - .- .. . - " ffr-nr-n. ■-
J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS 4l 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rot. D. SHAVER, D.D.
cobmspoSdiko editors :
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, TaLladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, MARCH 0, 1871.
Words with onr Correspondents.
Worldly Amusements.—A brother writes: “I
was on my way to church one Sabbath in 1869,
and saw a large crowd gathered where laborers
were at work, raising the canvas for a circus on
Monday. Monday came; and I was told that
every denomination in the city was largely rep
resented under that canvas—encouraging these
Sabbath breakers in their ungodly pursuits."
This brother thinks that various forms of worldly
amusement ‘ would not pay ’ and would fail,
“ were it not for the help of professors, or at least
their neglect to throw their whole might against
them.” If this opinion is correct, these profes
sors assume a fearful responsibility. By their
example, they tempt the unwary to nibble at the
bait, which Satan uses to fasten his hook in souls
innumerable. Alas, that they should be no more
self-respectful than of their own accord to stand
before the public as representatives of what is un
spiritual and carnal in their several denomina
tions. May they have grace to represent the bet
ter side!
An Exubrience Letter. —A sister writes:
“ First, I wish you to know how well pleased we
are with the Indbx. We would feel lonely with
out a visit from it every week. It informs us, to
a large extent, what the great Baptist family is
doing. My heart is filled with joy and gladness,
to hear that Baptists in Georgia number over
100,000. My husband and I are in that number.
We enlisted in the army of the Lord at the same
time, and we daily ask the Author of our being
to make us good soldiers of the cross. We pray
—hoping that our prayers may help to fill up the
vials of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
When I read, a little while since, the piece in the
Index signed 1 Faith,’ it called to mind the time
when my husband was under conviction for sin.
One morning we were conversing on a religious
subject, and I felt a strong impulse to be alone
and commune with God in secret. I retired from
the room. My husband, (he told me afterwards,)
began to walk up and down, thinking that I had
gone out to pray. The thought occurred to him
that he would look in the Testament, and see
what it directed him to do. He opened at Matt,
vi; 6: ‘ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into
thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door,
pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee
openly.’ This was the path, he felt, tuade plain
before his feet. When I returned to the room,
he took me by the hand, and led roe to our cham
ber. There wo knelt together and made known
our requests to God; and we received a bless
ing.” To our mind, there is something touching
in this simple narrative—this lifting of the veil
from the heart , where we never have seen and
never may see the face. Christians speak too
seldom one to another, of their experience—of
tho way in which ‘Jesus found them’ and the
way in which Jesus leads them. Why should
dumb lips seal up the great things He does forjjs
in silence ? It cheers us inexpressibly to think to
how many such hearts as this mother in Israel
gives us a glimpse of, we pay our weekly visits.
How greatly should we be strengthened, if we
knew that, like her, they all pray for the bless
ing of the Lord on us. May we ask this at their
bands ? Christian brethren and sisters, pray for
ns.
D.lX’s.—Under the heading, “Some Things
that are Strange, if not Erroneous,” Bro. W.
McC. writes, from Rock Mills, Ala.: “I well re
collect when a boy hearing my parents (who were
of the Presbyterian order) speaking of the D.D.’s.
One day, by chance, I heard some venerable look
ing men—(they were called Baptists)—in conver
sation. They said: ‘ One thing we are proud of;
we mako no difference; we are all one in Christ
—no D.D.’s among us; Scripture does not au
thorize them.’ I went home, and told my pa
rents. They endeavored to explain, but failed in
my view ; and, perhaps, that is one reason why
lam now a (sort of) Baptist. But I see your
worthy paper filled up with D.D.’s ; and really it
seems from it, that none in all the land can do
anything but a D.D., or if they do anything, or
say anything, it is not worthy of notice. Now,
do not imagine that I charge you with anything
wrong ; but I am of opinion, there is a wrong in
the denomination. I merely make these points
for consideration ; and if thought worthy, you
may hear from me again. But lam not a D.D.”
Well brother: yon are none the worse for that —
and none the letter. If the knowledge, wisdom
and grace of any minister in our acquaintance
was ever either more, or less, because the title
was, or was not, conferred on him, we have failed
to discover it. To give or withhold the title is
the work, not of churches, but of Colleges; and
Colleges have made so many blunders, both in
withholding and in giving, that possession of the
title carries no undue influence with it, and due
influence is not hindered by lack of the title.
With or without the title, there is equal scope for
the dogmatism that aspires to control the belief
of others, and for the servility which suffers its
belief to be controlled. The whole matter, then,
is one of very little moment. But our brother’s
impression as to the Index is altogether wide of
the mark. Looking over the two numbers of the
paper preceding the receipt of his note, we see
that out of forty-eight communications published
in them, D.D.’s furnished only four; and out of
one hundred and seven facts compiled, in various
forms, from our exchanges, only nine refer to
D.D.’s. We found, it seems, many “sayings”
and “ doings” outside of their number, which
were “ worthy of notice;” and this is the case all
the time.
Strong Drink and Discipline.— A brother in
forms us that a sermon preached, some months
since, at the ordination of a deacon, “ brought
out, in a strong light, the evil consequences of
the excessive use of wine and ardent spirits,
among, not only the unofficial members of the
church, but the officers—deacons, and even min
isters of the gospel.” Our correspondent adds:
“ It is too common for us to find Baptists—promi
nent Baptists—Baptists who sit in the ‘ amen
corner’ —Baptists calling themselves deacons—
who not only drink wine, but brandy and whis
key, and that to excess,--wlio even buy and sell
it, and thus make themselves partakers of other
men’s sins." And have the brethren where such
things exist, lost sight of the truth which forced
itself on even the English Reformers, —that the
exercise of godly discipline is one of the essential
marks of a true church, and without it the church
becomes false f* Has the Voice, which calls “ the
household of faith" to put away members who
walk in disorder and vice, ceased to sound in
their ears, or to touch their hearts ? Apropos to
this point, a Northern exchange says: “ Ministers
and people complain of the low state of religion;
of the prevalence of worldliness; of the increase
of frivolity and the growing distaste for serious
conversation, or for earnest preaching of the gns
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, MARCH 9,1871.
■ n ' : W- 3mr | f JHL
pel, and they express bot& wonder and alarm in
view of such facts; but the marvel would be
greater if it Were otherwise. How many deadly
sins are treated with silent connivance, or cover
ed over with cautious forecast, lest the punish
ment should fall upon the highly respectable oc
cupants of prominent positions in the church and
in ‘good society.’” Alas for our* Zion, if this
malign influence is at work amoDg us too! On a
question of such vital import, pastoral obligation
should be faithfully and unflinchingly discharged.
For, as that exchange also, with much justice, re
marks: “ The minister who has his heart in his
work, who feels every day of his life that it be
hooves him to watch for souls as one that must
give account, will not lightly allow persons of
commanding influence to poison the more youth
ful and susceptible members of the church by an
example which encourages contempt of the means
of grace, and entices to the wildest indulgence
in questionable amusements, or even invites them
to engage in scenes of open dissipation and frivol
ity, utterly inconsistent with the maintenance of
a reputable profession. We say, he will notallow
such persons thus to pervert and ruin the church
under his own notice and full knowledge, without
using all becoming means to abate the evil.”
Churches, too, should feel their responsibility in
the premises—a responsibility which every mem
ber shares, and from which no one is released by
want of fidelity in others, even in office-bearers.
We hope we shall be able to say, of Georgia,
Alabama and Florida, what the Houston Herald
says of Texas: that “an improved discipline in
our churches is one marked feature of progress in
the last few years.” Why should we not act
here, as our brethren are acting there, on the
conviction that “ to hold men in communion who
constantly use intoxicating drinks or occasionally
get quite drunk, will work more dishonor to the
name of Christianity than five times the number
of faithful, sober men can wipe out ?”
Glimpses of the Times.
Domestic Missions. —A Presbyterian missiona
ary, in oue of our exchanges, presents facts which
painfully illustrate the inefficiency of modern
Christian work for the evangelization of the
world. When new sections of country are
thrown open, and society is to be built up there
from the foundation, the friends of Christ delay
to enter the field until the ground is pre occupied
by the most potent agencies of evil. Os the
Western plains, with settlements dotting their
surface here and there, this missionary writes:
“ Who are the first that come to these regions a s
they are opened by the railroads and the tide of
emigration? The missionaries of the cross?
No! Why ? Because the church will not sup
port them here. But the whiskey dealer, and
the procuress, and the gambler, come in hosts;
i and a mighty work they do for their satanic
master. What are the first buildings erected ?
—school houses and churches? No; they are
saloons and houses of infamy. The church never
comes with her reforming institutions till the
‘world, the flesh and the devil’ have entrenched
themselves, and are able to meet her at a tremen
dous disadvantage.” Must not the Master say to
us, as he said to His disciples in the garden,
“Why sleep ye?” But even this is not the
worst of the case: the work, begun too late in
new fields, is but feebly prosecuted. To the in
efficiency of delay, we add the inefficiency of
partial support, and, through the two, our Do
mestic Missions become a reproach to us. Shall
they continue to wear that character ?
The Legitimate Order.—The Western Chris
tian Advocate, commenting on a strict commun
ion article in the Examiner and Chronicle, says:
“ Nor do we doubt that the legitimate order of
the sacraments is as onr contemporary contends.
Baptism very properl}' comes before the Lotd’s
supper.” Very well. In rejecting loose com
munion, then, we are simply putting away from
us that which, in point of “order,” is i/legiti
mate: and who can—who should —blame us for
it ? Can “ the legitimate order ” be an offence
to those who savor the things that are of God?
Tiie Prater Meeting. —One evening, not long
since, a lady in Jackson, Mich., expressed a wish
that she might die in a prayer meeting. The
next evening, while in a prayer meeting, she was
stricken with paralysis of the brain and expired
within an hour. The Lord “ gives liis beloved
sleep,” full often, under circumstances of their
own choosing. Is not the prayer meeting an ap
propriate and delightful vestibule to the Upper
Sanctuary ? Oh, if we could always attend it, as
feeling that Jesus might gather us from before
His “throne of grace” there, into the “presence
of His glory ” above!
“Sacrilegious Brass.” —lt is one of the plain
est dictates of Christian charity, that we shall
not, by silence, “ suffer sin upon our neighbor.”
In the case of “sins of ignorance,” especially,
it behooves us to speak, since we may most hope
fully look for his recovery from error, when he
lapses into it, through simple want of informa
tion, not through obstinate perversity of soul.
Wo do, therefore, advertize our Pedobaptist
neighbors, on the authority of the Methodist Re
corder, that they contract the guilt attaching to
sins of this class; by the use of “ pet, baby
names ” for their daughters, when these come to
be numbered with the “children of larger
growth” otherwise known as “adult women:”
for—on the authority aforesaid—“it is a sickly
sentimentalism, if not sacrilegious brass, to ig
nore,” in this way, “the name sealed by the
baptismal covenant!” It may be a pleasant
prompting of parental tenderness, to address
these flowers of the hearthside as “ Mattie,” and
“ Mollie,” and “Katie,” and “Sallie;” but shall
the fond inclining gain indulgence at the cost, or
the risk, of ‘brazen sacrilege?’ Are Pedobaptist
fathers and mothers wicked enough, on the im
pulse of love toward their offspring, to undo or
discountenance the “baptismal covenant” which,
for the most part, builds on this love alone, for
lack of any underlying word of Christ to bear it
up—thus compelling the very feeling which cre
ated “ the beautiful rite” to destroy it again?
Liberality —A single individual, —Mr. John
H. Kevser, an attendant on the ministry of Rev.
Dr. Kendrick, —has found it in his heart to erect,
in Now York city, a Strangers’ Hospital, at a cost
of $150,000 and to meet the annual expense of
keeping it up. Surely the Baptists of Georgia
and Alabama may reasonably be expected so far
to emulate this liberality as to establish Orphans’
Homes in the two States.
Calvinism. —The Nash title Christian Adno*
cate thinks “that if John Wesley were now liv
ing, he would sever his irregular connection with
the Established Church of England, and fight
with might and main against the Popery of
the High Church, the infidelity of the Broad
Church, and the Calvinism of the Low Church."
There would be impartiality, at least, in this
dealing of blows against both the evil and the
good of the Establishment. But w ould it be wise
to attempt the expulsion from the system of bane
and antidote alike? Could the popery and infi
delity be overcome without the Calvinism—see
ing these are already Arminian, so far forth as
being anti-Calvinistic on grounds which Arina
iatiism supplies can make them so?
Methodism.— Tyeerman, in his recent work, “the
Life and Times of John Wesley,” recalls from
oblivion an amusing attempt to fasten on Meth
odism, the ignominy of reprobation by name in
Holy Scripture. A pamphlet issued in 1740
— —7 TV— —r
says: “The word Methodia, or Methodism, is
only used twice throughout the Sew Testament,
(Eph. iv; 14-and vi; 11;) and in both places de
notes the cunning craftiness whereby evil men,
or evil spirits, lie in wait to deceive.” The critic
then proceeds to allege that Wesley, Whitfield,
and their followers, had “ taken an appellation,
perhaps through a judicial inadvertence, which
the Spirit of God has peculiarly appropriated to
the adversary of mankind, and to those who are
leagued with him in enmity to the interests of
righteousness and true holiness.”
Neither Witty nor Wise. —A secular paper in
West Virginia, announcing a revival in the vil
lage on which its “ cheering beams ” arc shed,
says: “Some of the converts, who believe
that the only way to get to heaven is by going
through the water, as beavers and muskrats get
to their houses, joined the Baptist church.”
This may be clever badinage, for aught we know;
but it gossly misrepresents our denominational
position. What, if we should refer to the fact
that the Presbyterians of Bristol, Tenn., not long
since, refused to receive a recruit from the Bap
tist church on her immersion, but required her
to be sprinkled, and should charge them with be
lieving that there is no way to heaven through
the water—that those who would get to heaven
must needs keep out of the water? Would not
this be the exact counterpart of the flippant ac
cusation of our “ muskrat ” contemporary ? But
would it be just?
Charity and Communion. —Bishop Marvin, of
the Methodist Church, South, writing to the St
Louis Christian Advocate, applies the term
“Northern Wolf” to the Methodist Church
North; and it would be no difficult matter to find
a parallel for this hitter phraseology on the other
side. A Presbyterian writer, too, in the Chris
tian Observer, styles the Episcopal church “ the
Botany Bay of Christendom, where convicts from
all denominations are received with open arms;”
nor are Episcopal utterances wanting which deal
as sharply with “ the sects.” And yet, the par
ties to such unseemly strife, when they approach
the question of communion, join the hue and cry
against the Baptist position, as “ requiring the
sacrifice of those high and holy instincts of our
spiritual nature, which it is the very design of
Christianity to beget—the instincts of an expan
sive Christian charity—at the shrine of a logical
syllogism.” Pretty words—very pretty: but if
the “instincts” in question have already been
laid as a “sacrifice” on the “shrine” of parti
san animosities, what remains for any other
shrine, but the ashes in which the unspent fire
still glows? As to the matter of “syllogisms,”
all ecclesiastical practices admit of being cast in
that shape—must be cast in it, for those who
make them an intelligible service ; and we shall
prefer the “logical" to the illogical, whenever
the choice lies, as in the present case, between
the two.
Humanity of Christ.— Moses E. Lard, “ the
dialectician of the Reformation,” (as “Disciples”
style him,) seems to be of the number that deny
the possession of a human soul by Christ. In a
recent issue of the Apostolic Times, he says:
“The term Word we hold to be a name, incoin
prehensible, surely, by us, the name of an august
Being who, as to his nature, is divine as the
Father himself; but who, in order to save man,
took on him a human body, and thus became the
Son of man.” Is it not true, then, that “ for us
men and for our salvatiofl,” He “brother to our
soul becomes?” We would grieve to think it.
Decline, —The Southern Presbyterian church,
(omitting Kentucky,) reported last year, 802
ministers and 76,820 communicants; a decrease
since 1867 of 43 ministers and 3,712 communi
cants. What influences brought about this de
cline? Are they at work anywhere among Bap
tists? These questions are well worthy of in
vestigation.
Immersion. —The ordinances, (to quote the
phrase of Augustine,) are “visible Words of
God.” It is not surprising, then, that apostolic
baptism, performed among a people unfamiliar
with it, should preach to the eye with power—
preach the truth of which it is a symbol—preach,
to the clear, effectual exposition of the written
Word. Prof. Knapp says that the performance
of the rite in Madrid, on the reception of mem
bers into the church recently organized there,
“ had more effect in opening portions of Scrip
ture to the minds of beholders, than a dozen
elaborate sermons would have done.”
An Entering Wedge. —Rev. Dr. Caswell, Pres
ident of Brown University, in a note to the
tional Baptist, says: “I think that a rule that
would exclude members for occasional commun
ion, under special circumstances, with fellow
Christians without the pale of the Baptist church,
would result in the disruption of very many of
our best churches, and in preventing very many
most worthy Christians from uniting with us.”
We would be quite willing to try the experiment.
A year or two since, a Boston Pedobaptist paper
represented Dr. C. as saying, in a speech before
the Warren Association, that during his visit to
England he had, in the absence of Baptist
churches, communed with Congregationalists.
If this be true, we would be quite willing to have
the experiment begin with the Dr, himself. As
to the mischief which he apprehends, Frank
Spencer’s rule of life would cover that. Eschew
ing the wretched policy which builds on surren
der of principle, we would “ fear God," maintain
New Testament order, “ and take the consequen
ces.” When Dr. Caswell pleads for the tolera
tion ol laxity in the matter of communion, he is
really asking the,denomination to condone his
own offendings in that line, and should be heard
with ttys distrust that rightly attaches to a guilty
party seeking to change the law which he has bro
ken and which condemns him. In fact, he frames
a plea that allows and warrants just so much
loose communion as he has himself practiced,
and would have us go no further: but the mis
fortune is, that when you once hoist the flood
gates of disorder, the waters will flow abroad
“of their own sweet will,” without respect to
Canute-mandates from our lips. The little finger
of loose communion, admitted, will draw the
whole body after it.
Our Zion—in Onr Exchanges, etc.
Georgia.— A note from West Point, says:
“ Our congregations and Sabbath school good;
schools doing tolerably well; a general financial
depression.” The brother ordained at Bow
don, whose name Bro. Barrow omitted in the
nccount sent us, was Little. ■-—Rev. Henry
L. Simpson, (colored,) educated at Madison Uni
versity, New York, has been installed as pastor
of the Hart ohureh, (colored Baptist,) Augusta.
—-Baptists in Augusta are building a mission
school house, in a destitute part of the city.
Rev. W. W. Gwin, formerly of South Carolina
and more recently of Texas, has been compelled
to leave the latter State on account of the ill
health of his wife. She has tried the climate of
Georgia for several months and finds it more fa
vorable to her. We should be glad, if some one
of our vacant churches in the State would secure
his efficient pastoral service. He may be ad
dressed, for the present, at Atlanta. The Uni
versity of Georgia, at Athens, has introduced Par
liamentary Science into its list of studies, and
appointed Rev. P. H. Mell, D.D., Vice Chancellor
of the University, to lecture on it. A meeting
is in progress in the First church, Atlanta; con
ducted by Rev. G. O. Needham. The Second
church, Atlanta, (Rev. Dr. Brantly’s,) re opened
# . 3s : XT
its bouse of worship on Sabbath. The pastor
preached, morning and night. The improvements
on the house cost $19,600, of which $12,000 had
been paid. The debt of was met by sub
scriptions from the (Congregation after the morn
ing sermon. Rev. J. G. Warren, D.D., of Bos
ton, Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary
Union, headed the lit* rs subscriptions with SIOO.
At night one caadid&Q was baptized.
Alabama.—A corespondent of the Advocate,
Greenville, writes in relation to the recent re
moval of Rev. P. H. Lundy : “It is with sincere
regret that I learn.this reverend gentleman has
determined to retnoi e itiMMur city ; and in ex
pressing this regret, I, kgive utter
ance to the feeling of eur entire community, in
which he has, for seveial years past, lived and
labored as a preacher*.! tl*e gospel. Mr. Lundy,
during the period of his residence in Greenville,
has not only been zeat&us good works as
more immediately pertained to his holy call
ing, but his daily life-and conversation, coupled
with great urbanity ‘and high intelligence, has
afforded us a bright! example, not only of the
high-toned Southern hut also of the
pious Christian minister. 'Possessed of our Ligli
regard, and sincere affection, we feel re
gret at parting with Mr.HaJudy ; and our best
wishes will attend him wkierever j ie may go. I
am not a of the Chris
tian church.”
Kentucky. —The "mg ton, find
ing its house of worsnip too small to hold the
large congregations attracted by the ministry of
the pastor, Rev. W. p. Yd!x, is about erecting
anew one, at a cost of home $50,000. The Ten
Mile church, Gallatinhas had 16 acces
sions; Stanford churcfh, 22. -Rev. Geo. Var
den writes to the Loubwdie Recorder, that he has
never accepted an annual call to the pastorate.
Rev. J. S. Coleman, D.D., states that, during
his ministry, he has about 500 Method
ists, among whom were sjeveral ministers.
Maryland. —Rev. R. Fuller, D.D., has accept
ed a unanimous call to the pastoral care of the
new church, Eutaw Place, Baltimore.
Missouri.— Rev. Henry_Louthan, an able and
venerable minister of the “ Old School ” Baptists,”
died suddenly at his residence, Palmyra, on Sun
day night, Feb. 26th, after having preached to his
church that morning.——Rev. J. L. Tichenor
becomes pastor of Dover church, LaFayette
county, and Salt Pond church, Saline county.—-
A Second church, with 65r members, was organ
ized at St. Joseph, Feb’.lWtf Rev. J. T. Wilson,
who had baptized some BtTofthe number, pastor.
Rev. Joseph Walker, (formerly of the Index,)
has been preaching at St. James, without com
pensation, since November last, and has organized
a church of 14 members. He asks for voluntary
aid from abroad. At Kirkwood, one of the
suburbs of St. Louis, a church was recognized
Feb. 25th; Rev. J. R. Jlo'frner pastor. Clin
ton ville church, Cedar county, has had 11 acces
sions ; Cottage Grov*, Caldwell county, 35; Sa
lem church, Moniteau county, 17; Carrollton
church, 67. ~
North Carolina. —Rev. T. 11. Pritchard, D.D.,
of Raleigh, writes in the Recorder: “I find that
the fifteen largest paid by Baptist
churches in towns in N. C., aggregate $10,950,
and average $730 eacV, the same number of sal
aries in S. C.
$1,106 each; the in Ya. aggregate
$25,158, and average ; the same number
in Ivy. average $1,893 ;
i whilSin^Ga
is $30,100, and the
thus appears that, in at least, Ga. pays
the largest salaries, t N C. far the smallest.
1 have not the data from which to determine the
salaries of country pastors in each of these States,
but I should judge relatively k about the
same.”
South Carolina. — .i revival is in progress in
our church at Greenville, and the students of
Furman University especially seem to be deeply
interested.
Texas. —Rev. S. S. Cross, rccnlly removed to
Kosse, Limestone county, lies organized the first
Sunday school ever organized there. Charles
B. Hollis was ordained to the ministry, at Sand
Prairie church, Madison county, Feb. 12th.
Rev. 11. F. Buckner, through the Houston Herald,
proposes that Baptists establish a Mission Orphan
school in Oaklahoma, the territory organized last
December by a confederation of six of the most
civilized Indian tribes. He suggests that it be
located among the Creeps, who occupy the geo
graphical centre of4he Territory, which is bound
ed on the North by Kansas and Missouri, on the
East by Arkansas, on the South by Texas, and
on tho West by New Mexico. Rev. A. B.
Earle is to visit Texas toward the close of April.
Our church at Galveston, which had a mem
bership of 29 when the pastorate of Rev. W.
Howard began, four years ago, has now over 200,
and during that time has expended about $29,000
for the cause of Christ,
Tennessee. —Our church at Smith’s Fork, near
Statesville, has just dompleted anew meeting
house 60 feet by 40, af a cost of $2,000 Phil
adelphia church, near Fall Branch, has had 7 ac
cessions ; and Limestone, near Philadelphia, 22.
The Missionary Baptist is the name of anew
semi-monthly paper established at Memphis by
C. C. Dickinson & Got, as the organ of the Color
ed Missionary Baptist Association ; terms $2 a
year. It is “ owaedHmd conducted by colored
people.” We shall say more of it, when we have
opportunity to examine it.
Virginia. —Dickinson has been ap
pointed Sunday S'ftjSMlUsioflary-for the State,
by the Sunday Sch» 1 and Bible Board of the
General Association;^- —Rev. J. Wm. Jones, of
Lexington, (the Lyndiburg Republican says,) has
accepted an agency for the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, Greenville, S. C., and will
soon remove South.
thanks.
The Editor desires to express his thanks for the
courtesy of H.f I. Kimball, Esq., and Col. L. P.
Grant, who, without solicitation on lii3 part, have
granted him free tickets for the year, the one on
the Brunswick and Albany Rail Road, and the
other on the Atlanta and West Point.
He would prlsent his acknowledgements also to
the ministering brother, who recently sent him a
barrel of flour, is a token of Christian regard.
Reviews and Notices.
Frank and How it led to
his Prosperity. (Founded on Fact.) By John W.
Kirtou, autlaArot Buy your own Cherries,” etc.
New York: National Temperance Society and
Publication jfoutw. Pp. 179, with one full-page
Illustration. Price, 50 cents.
This is a story, showing how a
fatherless aeliftg on the rule, “Fear God,
and take THEfcoNsiquENCks,” rose from obscurity
and want to 1 * wealth and honor. “Yeung men,
who desire to .prosper in life," may well lay its
lessons to heart.
Bound, and Row; or, Alcohol as a Narcotic. By
Charles JejfcgU. M.D. New York : National Tem
perance Society. Pp. 24.
A clear, earnest exhibition of the power
of alcoholic dsinka to work, not merely disturb
ance of fuqetipn' , 'but change of structure in the
organs of and to enslave and destroy.
Would every *Voui*g man but read it 1
Make Autobiography and
First York: Sheldon & Cos. Pp.
49. At ant a, by J. J■ <& S. P. Rit/iards.
Mark TwW» amuses, but offends us. We
laugh, and are angry, with him. His humor
verges, we fear, toward irreverence and impurity.
Notes of Travel.
As it hd become the fashion for travelled
to write about what they see and hear, I sup
pose it will be expected of me to follow the
mode, so here I am. I started from my home,
in LaGrange, which you know is one of the
most delightfal spots upon this terra ,/trma,
and can boast of as excellent people as any
city, nut excepting the famous Gate City where
the presiding genius of the Index forges the
bolts of Jupiter Tonans, and hurls them right
and left upon all opposersof truth. My late
charge here, have invited Dr. Tichenor to
become their pastor, and I can say, from
pleasant experience, that he will never find a
people who understand better how to make a
pastor happy and useful. Indeed, any min
ister might deem himself fortunate in presi
ding over a church containing so many piou9
and intelligent brethren and sisters. But it
is enough to say, that they love and appreci
ate even your correspondent who has, I be
lieve, never been accused of having too many
amiable points of character. But I started
to go somewhere, and behold, here I am still
lingering in LaGrauge, when I ought to be
repeating, “All aboard for Atlanta,” and
waving adieus to friends who are standing
upon the platform as the iron horse begins to
snort and move off, rejoicing in his speed and
bottom.
Once in the city of progress and wonder
ful development, I walk right to the celebra
ted Printing House, where a bust of Ben
Franklin, wrought in plaster, once smiled
benignantly upon all who came for jobs, or
to subscribe lor the Index, but frowned like
a eloudy day in January upon those who were
so inconsiderate a&to pass by without paying
tribute to the veteran printer and diplomat.
The only wonder is; the image of plaster did
not take after them and haunt them at night
for such trifling with his rights and immuni
ties. This everybody knows, or ought to
know, is the Franklin Printing House, where
the diligent hand of that superb man of all
work, J. J. Toon, is seen upon everything.
Indeed, he has worked so hard, and has di
minished so much, that he now does not meas
ure more than six feet in height., and in thick
ness well somebody will have to answer
for it when he says, “my leanness, my lean
ness,” for truth to tell, he is not corpulent—
that is, he is not excessively so. But did he
not receive Agent of Mercer 1 ? Did he not
make him feel at home ?
Why, your correspondent just walked right
into the Editor’s room and took the Chair of
State, and became radiant in the soft, balmy
air which pervaded the place. He wa3 no
pilgrim , no stranger, for there, right before
him, was the amiable and able Editor of the
Index, in every feature bidding him God
speed in his work.
Everybody knows that Dr. W. T. Brantly
is the loved and honored pastor of the Second
Baptist church, and that he has no superior
as a chaste and elegant preacher of the pure
and holy truths of the gospel of peace. lie
is also a Trustee and patron of Mercer Uni
versity, his only son being a member of the
Senior Class in that Institution.
Tha First Baptist church is without a pas
tor, but are keeping open their pulpit, Dr.
Shaver devoting as much of his time in
preaching for them as their needs require
and his duties to the Index will permit. This
church has a beautiful edifice, capable of seat
ing eight hundred persons, and presents many
attractive points in its architecture. The
brethren deserve well for their efforts and
sacrifices in maintaining public worship, un
der many discouragements, and it is to be
hoped that the Lord will soon send them a
pastor to feed them with kno vledge, even
gkajtnowledge which is unto (He.
fH-'olhcr Briintlyjf church com
pleted their improvements upon their church
edifice, and it is now one of the most beauti
ful and commodious houses of worship in this
portion of the country. The cost of the iin l
provements made amounts, in the aggregate,
to about twenty thousand dollars, several
brethren paying from fifteen hundred to
twenty-five hundred dollars towards the
work. The principal donors are J. H. James,
Joseph E. Brown and J. H. Callaway.
The Third Baptist church is under the pas
toral care of Elder 11. F. Buchanan, and,
although anew interest, is in a flourishing
condition. Brother Buchanan has done a
good work there, and the little band is rap
idly growing into a strong and useful church.
1 reserve notice of other places for another
letter, so, at present adieu, iest my readers
nod. H. C. H.
From an Agent’s Memorandum Book.
As agent for the Foreign Mission Board,
with orders to work in Texas, until May, I
left home on the 23rd of January. I live in
20 miles of the Alabama line, and yet it takes
38 hours to cross that line by railway from
Baiobridge : we stop at Thomasville, stop at
Albany, stop at Fort Valley, stop at Colum
bus. When will that great railroad man,
State Aid, help us out of the woods? Thi9
was my first visit to my native State since
the war. Opelika! How familiar a sound
to an ex-member of the 20th Ala. Reg’t.
But surely this Opelika, with its block of
new brick buildings and thriving, driving
business, isn’t our same old Opelika. lam
reminded of the furious rumor that got afloat
during the war, about the great salt mines
discovered near Opelika, and the humorous
comments of Joe Nesbit, of the Milledgeville
Union, winding up with the classic episode,
“Saltern lumpem ad eundem , Opelika .” Paid
a short visit to Tuskegee. Found brother
Barron and his flock with hearts responding
to visits like mine. Short crops and low
prices have depressed that section, but still
they gave. Oh, that all our churches had a
pastor like brother Barron, and all our pas
tors had fields like Tuskegee. Selma and
Meridian have grown far away beyond any
body’s expectations. They are hubs, too,
like Atlanta, and the spokes of railroads are
being fast driven in. Five year* ago, Me
ridian wa»a one-horse piny woods, railroad
shanty town. Now, quite a city. Met
brother Theo. Whitfield, the pastor. He is
doing a good work there. He has got the
laymen and young men to doing a good work
too.
Didn’t stop in Mobile, but did stop one
day in New Orleans. Thursday evening
stepped into the lecture room of the Coliseum
Plaee Baptist church. That’s our church,
you know. We Baptists of the South built
it through our Domestic Mission Board.
We it. We ! Saw an organ facing
the congregation, and quite a clerical-looking
man playing, and a good congregation sing
ing good music, out of Sunday school books.
That clerical-looking man is the pastor, Dr.
Taylor—a Northern man, fresh from Chicago.
Doesn’t look like a Philadelphia lawyer. He
is our preacher, and 1 am interested in him.
He finishes the song and calls for a volunta
ry prayer. Some brother volunteered a
short prayer. Then a hymn from Earle’s
book, without the organ. Then another vol
untary, short prayer. Then another song
and another short prayer. Then a good,
practical, pointed, revival sermon. Then a
prayer. Then invitations for prayer, and 1
found myself in a city protracted meeting.
God seems to be blessing that church. Bro.
Taylor and his wife are working hard, —not
in vain. Elder Taylor seemslo work a good
deal on the plan of brother Earle. A great
many people, male and female, spoke out that
evening, “ Pray for mo, pray for my brother,
my husband,” etc. No cold, stereotyped
meeting that evening, i think 1 heard near
twenty prayers. The people neither knelt
nor stood during prayer. How is that ? Is
that the way they do in cities ? I live in the
piny woods. The pastor stood or knelt when
he prayed! himself, but sat while the others
prayed. He did. I didn’t him, but I
saw him sometimes. It was all right, per
haps, but something new to me. God bless
the good work and the good workers there.
That great wicked city is no place for spirit
ual drones. Eighty miles to Brashear—a
roadlwiilibut a cut the whole distance. And
you pass over so much water that you a9k,
where did they get the dirt for the bed of
the road ? Sugar cane fields and cypress
swamps—the latter rather predominating.
A steamer for eighteen hours, and then Gal
veston. Jno. L. Underwood.
Letter from East Tennessee.
Matters have pursued such an even gait
during the past month that the writing of a
news letter is nearly an impossibility. We
have had an almost regular succession of sun
shine and storm, attended with phenomena
belonging to advanced spring-time, except
that the flowers have not made their appear
ance. One day we have the clear sunlight,
calling from their coverts the feathered song
sters of the wood, and infusing new life into
all animated nature; the next, we are forced
to seek a shelter from the combined energies
of the elements, and relinquish to the wild
fury of old Boreas the quiet pleasures of yes
terday. Strange weather, truly ! 1 fear that,
if you were to visit East Tennessee at this
time, you would conceive an unfavorable
opinion of the boasted evenness of the cli
mate of this “ Switzerland of America.” As
a consequence of the frequent and heavy rain
falls, very little has been dohe yet in prepar
ing the land for the crops which must soon be
planted. The wheat is growing up slowly,
having received a considerable check from the
extreme cold of December. Its appearanoe,
however, is good, and we are expecting a
good yield.
Political animosities are gradually dying
out, and I hope will soon be lorgotten. Still,
there may be found enough to make society
unpleasant in some places. In a few instances,
persons professing to be Christians still sort
according to parties, regardless of church re
lations.
The Baptists of East Tennessee are advan
cing in some respects. Numerically, they
are much stronger than other denominations.
W henever their energies are brought into
full exercise, the world will be astonished at
the success with which their efforts are
crowned. May God hasten the day ! The
great dfliculty in the way of improvement,
is the unyielding attachment to “custom.”
Many things which with you would seem as
antiquated as the wooden ploughs of the Ro
man husbandmen, are appro v<d by men and
communities whose intelligence would au
thorize the conviction that they would be
quite up to the times. 1 speak, of course, in
reference to things connected with religion.
How strange it is that people will exercise
common sense about almost everything else
except religion ! But so it is—at least in this
section of country—in many things. Some
one has remarked, “ The Baptists are God’s
people; for, if He did not exercise a special
care over them, they would go to ruin.” This
is singularly true in respect to our churches
here. Were the tenth of the effort put forth
that ought to be made, the results would be
wonderful. It may be so elsewhere. Let us
pray for better times. M.
March, 1871.
Savannah Items.
Last Sunday I baptized two, a mother and
her daughter; the one a teacher and the other
a scholar in our Sunday school. Our congre
gations are large, and the prayer meetingsj
interesting. Next week, Bro. Geo. O.
Needhafn, a revivalist, is /o aid me. We are
prayirig for the revival y' God’s work and'
the prosperity of Zion.-'
I had a call, yesterday, from Rev. Dr.
Warren, Corresponding Secretary of the Mis
sionary Umtrtf for Foreign Missions. He is
seeking health ; goes to Macon, and perhaps
to Atlanta.
The Lenten season is quite observable here.
Balls and scenes of gayety are suspended.
So large is the influence of “ Catholics” and
Episcopalians, that even the celebration of
Washington’s birth day was held on the 21st,
that Ash Wednesday might not be dese
crated.
Bro. Poindexter says we now have a Bap
tist church in Rome. There was one there a
long time ago.
I learn that iny only brother, Dr. Win. T.
Landrum, died near Fulton, Tenn., on the
19th ult. He had long been numbered among
the disciples of Jesus; was a deacon and
clerk of the church, I believe, when he died.
He leaves a wife and seven children. It is a
sad ar.d lonely feeling to know that of five
brothers I only survive. But to appear with
Christ, who is our life, in glory, is enough to
make us willing to depart. S. Landrum.
Savannah, Fel>. 24, 1871 -
A Pastoral Field.
I have moved and located in the village of
Lincolnton, Lincoln county, Ga., and I wish
all my correspondents to address me, in the
future, at this place. lam the pastor of the
church in this place ; commenced my labors
here January, 1870. The churah has changed
pastors twice in ten years, and is now in a
tolerably healthy condition. The village is
a quiet and moral place—no grog-shop in it.
1 have been pastor of the Double Branch
church twenty-one years. Peace and har
mony has prevailed in that church during my
connection with her as pastor. I also have
been pastor of Salem church twenty year 9.
This church has increased much in numbers
and strength, and is in a healthy condition.
1 find it difficult to keep up regular Sunday
schools and prayer meetings. My observa
tion for thirty-three years has been, that
those churches who change their pastor often
est, are the least efficient. I also find that
where a good religious paper is taken and
read by church members, tho churches to
which they belong are more efficient and
more liberal. P. F. Burgess.
Lincolnton, Feb. 27, 1871.
Americas Baptist Clinrch, Oft.
I will give you a few facts pertaining to the
Amer-icus Baptist church, (of which f am a
sort of a member.) At the close of the war
we were in anything but a favorable spiritual
condition. Religion was rather at low tide,
and the people seemed more zealous for the
building up of their temporal than thoir
spiritual estates. Elder George E. Cooper
began to serve the church as its pastor with
the year 1866, and after a year or two of
faithful service, without satisfactory visible
results, he was much inclined to seek another
field, where he thought the Spirit of God,
through his ministry, would more abundantly
hless his labors.. After the persistent eforts
of the church to persuade him that he was the
right man in the right plaee, and the good
sisters declining to entertain any proposition
looking to Bro. Cooper’s withdrawal from the
pastoral charge of our church, he was in self
defence , induced to remain. During the la-t
year or two our church has been gradually
increasing in numbers, and in both spiritual
and material strength. Although during said
time we have had but little of the gracious
influence of revivals, yet such has been the
constant growth of the church, the increased
spirituality, the addition of good, substantial
Christian members, that now we have a
strong church in every sense of the word.
Although we have not as much of faith as the
Bible informs us is attainable, yet I think the
increased spiritual condition of the ohuroh is
as manifest as its material growth. Although
many of usr male members have more of busi-j
ness in our heads than religion in our hearts,
yet wo have many noble Christian spirits
among our lady members, who, together with
our most estimable pastor, constitute the
saving influence of the church.
Dr. Cooper, as a preacher, although not an
elocutionist, is clear, forcible, strong and con
vincmg in his sermons ; for a close anal
ysis of the Bible, and a firm adherence to the
doctrines of grace, aud for preaching the gos
pel as it is written in the Book , without the
admixture of foreign elements, his superior is
not easily to be found. A man of unswerv
ing piety, ever ready to uphold the right and
condemn the wrong, beloved by his church
and esteemed by the community, he is a
power with us for good. As his pastoral
visits are always pleasant and profitable, I
will subscribe to a few more of them. I
doubt it if pastors, these days, fully appreciate
the good that results from sucli visits.
The office of deacon, in our church, has
heretofore been but a sinecure?—sitoijiW
hand round the bread and wine in the Lord’s
supper ; but we have changed that recently,
and propose that they become live officers,
and fill the positions allotted them in the
Book.
We have a prime Sabbath school connect
ed with the church. Only church members
allowed M teachers. Prayer meetings are
well attended. In addition to our regular
prayer meeting, we have a young men’s week
ly prayer meeting; connected with which we
have a foreign missionary organization, each
member generally contributing at each meet
ing, so much as he may deem ’fit. We ex
pect to appropriate this fund, from time to
time, to a special foreign mission enterprise,
and hope, in this way, to enlist the whole
church, if possible, with more interest in be
half of those missions; so that when we shall
have gone home to that better land, an AfrU
can or a Chinaman will shake us by the hand
and rejoice that he received the gospel of
Christ at the hands of the Americus Young
Men’s Foreign Mission Society.
J. A. Anslev.
Americus, Fel>. 27, 1871.
Eld. B. W. Bussey.
Whereas, Our beloved brother, Eld. B.
W. Bussey, has been called from our midst
to the care of the Huntsville church, North
Alabama; and whereas, we regard him as
eminently qualified to fill any station that
duty or honor may demand of him ; and
whereas, he has been long and well known to
us as a faithful and true Christian, and a good
minister of Jesus Chris*, having been baptized
into membership with our church, and hav
ing been ordained by her: therefore,
Resolved, That we commend Bro. Bussey
to the kind consideration of all among whom
his lot may be cast, as every way worthy of
confidence and esteem.
Resolved, That, while we regret to part
with ono whose labor* and example have
been so beneficial, he goes with our best
wishes and prayers for God’s blessing upon
himself, his family and his labors.
Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and
resolutions be sent to the Baptist, and also
to the Index and Baptist for publication, and
a copy abo be mailed to Bro. Bussey.
By order of the New Hope church in con
ference. W. M. ITowell, Mod.
H. T. W illson, Clerk.
Stewart, On., Feb. 19,1871.
Little Kindnesses.
How refreshing, cheering, and encouraging
it is to a poor, sacrificing pastor, for his breth
renandsistersoccasionally toshow him and his
wife a little kindness. It shows a sympathy
affection and appreciation, that comes from
no other than a true, loving heart. And it
kbinds the pastor and his peoplertogether by
the strongest aud most endearingties.' Those
good brethren and sisters who do such things
are too apt to think that it is a very little kind
ness, and are almost ashamed to do it; but
oh, if they only knew what a great kindness
it was to their pastor; and how refreshing
and encouraging it was to him, their very
souls would be made to burn with the sweet
est, and most sacred joy. Our Saviour re
cognizes these little kindnesses in the follow
ing words: “Whosoever shall give to drink
unto one of these little ones a cup of cold
water only, in the name of a disciple, verily
I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward.” Excuse me now, and I hope the
good brethren and sisters of my church in
Opelika will do the same; for thus publicly
recognizing some of those little kindnesses.
I do it to show the high and exalted appreci
ation of my heart. From Bro. A., a fine set
of furs for Mrs. C. From Miss 8., a beau
tiful silk bonnet for Mrs. C. From friend
R., several nice strings of fish. From Bro.
C., a nice large ham. From sister C., a nice
back bone and spare rib. From sister J., a
nice fresh ham. And many others too nu
merous to mention.
“ Little acts of kindness ~
Little words of lore,
Make this earth an Eden,
Like our home above.”
J. J. Cloud.
Opelika, Ala. *
Salem Church, Rockdale County, Ua.
[ was called to the care of Salem Baptist
church, Rockdale county, two years ago.
There have been during my ministry with
this church, several movements in an onward
direction. The pastor’s salary has been in
creased five or six fold. The subject of mis
sions is beginning to receive attention, and
something considerable has already been
done in that way. During last year, the
church and congregation succeeded in build
ing a now houso of worship, which was dedi
cated in October, by Rev. T. B. Cooper.
The house is a neat and tasty one, and re
flects great credit on the community. Dis
cipline has been rigidly enforced, which has
resulted in cutting off disorderly members,
and elevating the standard of piety greatly.
The congregations are large, and the interest
manilested on several occasions, shows that
our labors have not been in vain. Vet wo
have had no revival as yet. The Sunday
school causp is not flourishing, owing to the
fact that the church is surrounded by an
Anti-Missionary influence, that favors ignor
ance and discourages all kinds of progress.
This church, for several years previous to
my labors with them, was supplied by Rev.
S. Mayfield. The circulation of the Index
has been largely increased within the past
year or two. We are laboring and waiting
until the Master is pleased to give us the
harvest, Many prayers are constantly as,
cending for revivals of religion in our midst,
and we hope soon to see the auswer to our
requests.
No colored churches in this section.
Wm. Henry Stricklanp.
Stone Mountain, Oa., Feb. 28, 187 b
Oknlona, Hiss., and the Region around,
You ask, Is there more stability in the
pastoral relation than formerly ? I am in.
dined to there is. The longest of which I
have knowledge, is some ten years. Our
church attempts to support its pastor in
whole, and 1 think we may succeed well, if
we continue a9 we have commenced. There
has been no improvement, of late, in pastoral
support in this section, so far as I am in
formed. I know of no ministor without
charge, of only one candidate for the minis
try, and of but one church which is not sup
plied with a pastor. Some churches here
keep up prayer meetings, and some do not.
Ours is pretty well attended to, and regular
ly kept up recently. 1 think there are desti
tute fields near us, needing mission labor.
We have had no revival of late, and there is
not much prospect now, in my conception, of
one. Some ot the churches have Sunday