Newspaper Page Text
46
IfjuUx aait baptist.
J. J. TOO If, • * - ■ Proprietor,
PUBLICATION ROOMS 4l 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Bev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS :
Rev. J. J. D. RKNFROB, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1871.
Tlie Georgia Baptist State Convention.
The next session of this body will be held with
our church at Cartersville, commencing Friday,
April 21st The year which lay between the
meeting at Newnan and this, has slipped away,
until only a month romains. Have we done the
propor work of the year, in behalf of the inter
ests with which thc*Convention has been charged ?
Have we contributed to missions, to the Sunday
school cause and to education, in proportion to
our ability? Have we contributed anything in
these directions ? If we have been delinquent,
should not the remaining month be employed in
repairing our neglect? Individuals who have
failed to give, and churches that have failed to
mako collections, and pastors who have failed to
urge upon their flocks their obligation and privi
lege in the premises—should not they improve
this opportunity to discharge omitted duty, and
send up to the Convention the offering of their
faith, liberality and zeal to the treasury of the
Lord? Is not every Christian enterprise in
which we, as a people, are engaged, in pressing
need of help—of help now? And is not Hk
worthy, in whose name and for whose sake we
are called to do these things?
There is an urgent call for serious consideration
with regard to this subject. “The consumption
of artificial flowers in this country amounts to
more than fifteen million dollars’ worth annual
lyand yet “so far as can be ascertained, the
entire expenditure among all denominations in
United States, last year, for church buildings, the
ministerial education, home and foreign missions,
and the publication of Bibles and religious books,
amounted to leas than eight million dollars.”
Such a contrast awakens painful doubts whether,
as respects the use of money, the great body of
Christians are not guilty, before God, of with
holding from Ilis cause more than is meet. And
when it is claimed that, “in proportion to their
means, religious societies in the West contribute
at least twice, and probably lour times as much
as those of the East" —when it is claimed, too,
that, judged by the same rule, the religious soci
eties of the East stand no less in advance of those
of the South in contribution, —we may well en
quire whether no special delinquency cleaves to
vs in this matter. Each individual Southern
Baptist at least should honestly ask, how far he
can claim to have done what he could, and what
he ought to do.
Examples are not wanting, which should incite
us to liberality. Within two and a half years,
the annual income of the (Northern) Methodist
Church Extension Society has nearly trebled, and
is going up steadily to a quarter of a million,
when the Society will be able to build a house of
worship every day in the year! The Presbyte
rian church, formed by a union of the Old and
New Schools at the North, has raised three
million dollars as a Memorial Fund to signalize
the healing of the breach between them, and the
prospect is fair for the raising of five million
within the year closing May next! In contrast
with these cases, shall the 135,000 Baptists of
Georgia, Alabama and Florida be content with
giving, the present (as they gave the past) year,
the sum of $17,000 only to our Southern Con
vention? Will not the brethren in this State
bestir themselves to increase—to increase large
ly—their contributions before the meeting in Car
tersville ?
The TraHic in Ardent Spirits.
“ Should a church member engage in the retail
of intoxicating liquors ? What practice prevails
generally in our churches as regards dealing with
those who do ?"
The sale of strong drink as a beverage cannot
be reconciled with Christian obligation, or the
Christian spirit. It is a business which tonds,
directly and inevitably,
“Tn make thU world a hell,
And tit man for a hell below.”
A fearful guilt must attach, therefore, to the
traffic, whether by wholesale or retail.
The practice of the churches varies with re
spect to such offences. In other words, there are
different degrees in which a wholesome discipline
is enforced or neglected. The general usage, (we
think,) and the proper usage, (we know,) is, to
excommunicate members who “engage in the
retail of intoxicating liquors," and refuse to
abandon it. Far be the day from our Zion, when
she shall recognize “drunkard-makers” among
her approved (or tolerated) sons!
Family Worship.
“Ought a Christian brother, of good standing
in his church, who feels it his duty to exercise in
reading the Scriptures in his family night and
morning, (or once a day at least,) with prayer, to
refrain from this duty V
If he reads the Scriptures and prays in his
family, feeling it to be his duty and great inter
est before God, should he neglect it abroad ?
Upon visiting his brethren and friends, being
with them through the night, is it right lor him
to become dead as regards exercising in this
duty ?
lie goes among his brethren and friends, or
strangers; some invite him to prayer, others do
not: .what should he do ? Should he, before re
tiring, propose the matter, or leave it optional
with his host?
Are church members, when this brother calls
on them at night, to tarry until morning, doing
their duty before God and toward their guest, if,
(not leading in family devotion themselves, and
knowing his calling,) they neglect to invite him
to this exercise ?”
Household worship ought to be observed daily,
wherever the household has a Christian head.
Not to feel that this is a duty, and not to obey
the feeliDg, are grievous inconsistencies. The
guests of a godiy family should be welcomed to
its devotions ; and if they are themselves godly,
it is an appropriate and necessary expression of
the fellowship of the saints, that they should be
invited to take such part in the service as they
are willing to attempt and competent to perform.
Believers sojourning under a roof where no voice
of united prayer rises before God, should seek, in
a fraternal spirit and through the impulse of love
for Christ and for souls, to supply the lack for
the time being and to correct the fault for the
time to come.
These things sound to us like elementary truths
-truths so plain as scarcely to require state
ment. But they are forgotten truths—and, in
many cases, truths not reduced to practice. We
avail ourselves of the opportunity furnished by
the queries of this correspondent, therefore, to
put them afresh before the readers of the Index
and Baptist, if haply we may ‘stir up their pure
minds by way of remembrance.’ We should
greatly rejoice, had we reason to think that every
family that greets the weekly visits of the paper,
discharges the duty and enjoys the blessedness of
family worship. Why should not this be the
case with all ? Shall it not be the case with you
and your house, reader? We lay the question
on your conscience, under the eye of the Master
and Lord. Remember, your answer to it must
be reviewed at His bar 1
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOOTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THURSDAY, MARCH 23,1871.
A Moment or Two with Dr. Wall.
Warm, ob Cold ?—The Akron (Ohio) Baptists,
who have excited so much pleasantry among Pe
dobaptist editors, by arranging to have the water
warmed before persons are immersed, can appeal,
in support of their action, to very high authority
in the ranks of our opponents. Dr. Wall, the
author of the best History and ablest Defence of
Infant Baptism in Euglish literature, says:
“ There is no reason from the nature of the thing
no order or command of God or man, that the
water should be used colds but as the waters in
which our Saviour and the primitive Christians,
in those hot countries which the Scripture men
tions, were baptized, were naturally warm by
reason of the climate, so if ours be made warm,
they will be the liker to them. As the inward
and main part of baptism is God’s washing and
sanctifying the soul, so the outward symbol is
the washing of the body, which is as naturally
done by warm water as cold.”
A “Snow.”—A writer in the Nashville Chris
tian Advocate says: “We don’t like for people
to defer the baptism of their children until a
Bishop may visit the charge, and then make it
an,occasion of ostentatious show.” Unwittingly,
this writer assails one of the bulwarks of the
sprinkling (as opposed to the dipping) of infants.
Dr. Wall, the famous champion of Pedobaptisra,
tells us that the former practice, though “ really
scandalous," is likely to retain the preference un
duly given it, because 4 the neat dressing of the
child on christening day—the setting all the
trimming, the pins and the laces in their right
order—is a thing which midwives, nurses, etc.,
value themselves and their skill much upon,'
and “if tho child be brought in loose clothes,
which may presently he taken off for the baptism,
and put on again, this pride is ’lost!” Now, if
“ ostentatious show” has served to introduce and
maintain that sprinkling which, according to Dr.
Wall, “ the Scriptures will never justify, nor the
ancient church,” may not this newspaper corres
pondent be “building wiser than he knew” in his
rebukes, and clearing the path, if his words take
effect, for a return to dipping ?
“Haste.” —A Methodist exchange speaks of
the baptism of fifty-six persons, recently, at Pa
ducah, Ky., by Rev. G. W. Dupre, in seventeen
minutes, as “ an indecent haste in the administra
tion of the ordinance.” But the administrator
occupied more time ip each baptism than I)r.
Wall deemed requisite for immersion in the case
of infants; whereas immersion in the case of
adults, we should think, may be performed, with
out hurry, in less time. The Dr. says: “ A child
brought in loose blankets, that may be presently
put off and on, need be no longer naked, or very
little longer than at its ordinary dressing and un
dressing, — not a quarter or sixth part of a min
ute." The baptisms at Paducah, then, must have
been administered in quite a leisurely way. On
the estimate of Dr. Wall, ten minutes would have
sufficed for the whole woik. Bro, D. must be
rather “ slow of motion,” to consume seven min
utes more unnecessarily in this matter !
Glimpses of the Times.
A Baptist Scandal. —One hundred and twenty
six Baptists, of New York, (the majority of a
local Society,) have voted to accept, from the mu
nicipal authorities, at a nominal lease, certain lots
as the site of a Home for Aged, Infirm and Des
titute Females belonging to the denomination.
We grieve to record it. They have sold the im_
memorial principles of our people for a paltry
bribe of $50,000. They have furnished corrupt
parties in State and city politics with a mask
which may cover, and a pretext which may war
rant the shameless perversion Os the public funds
in behalf of Romanism--that most deadly foe to
divine truth and human liberty. This robbery
of a whole community in favor of a sect, we hope,
will meet with such a at the hands of
American Baptists, as may effectually warn all
who are similarly tempted hereafter, not to drag
in the mire the glory transmitted from our perse
cuted fathers. The true ground, we take it, is—
that the church betrays her Master and defiles
her purity when she stoops to accept, for any
purpose of her own, from civil governments, so
much as a cent raised by taxation or owned by
the public. If we have ignorantly departed from
this,principle in the past, under forms which af
ford, if not an express precedent, a plausible jus
tification for the more gross departure of the La
dies’ Home Society, we need to retrace our steps
—we should not, we must not, drive forward in
that wrong and perilous path.
Orphans’ Home. —We notice, with regret, the
statement, by Rev. Dr. Boring, in the Southern
Christian Advocate, that while he “ has been wri
ting and preaching, arguing and begging,” in be
half of an Orphans’ Home under the auspices of
Methodists in this State, “ going on two years,”
no Georgia member of the denomination 1 has
given or subscribed over SSOO, and only one—an
itinerant preacher—that much.’ This augurs
badly for the enterprise in which wo would fain
hope that our brethren will embark. Surely tho
sad estate of fatherless and homeless childhood is
not duly regarded, when such a work is con
demned to 1 drag its slow length along.’ Do we
close our eyes, lest we should sec it ? Do we sear
our hearts, lest we should feel it ? Asa people,
it becomes us to give heed that his reproach may
not cleave to us.
“ Paper Sermons."—A Brooklyn Methodist
thinks that “ paper sermons" have had something
to do with the fact, that the gain of members in
that church, to each minister, steadily decreased
from 120 in the decade closing lSlfi to 80 in the
decade dosing 18(56. Os course, he does not
agree with Dr. Emmons, that “ex tempore preach
ing is pro tempore preaching.” The truth, we
conceive, lies between the two views. The man
uscript in the pulpit often hinders the popular
effect of a discourse, in delivery ; but the study
should not be without its manuscripts, as a means
of mental discipline in the preparation of dis
courses. Dr. John Hall, of New York, ranks
among the best of our ex tempore preachers, and
yet he makes it a rule to write one sermon every
week. This custom, we doubt not, contributes
effectively to his sustained power before the peo
ple. It developes and trains what Dickens styled
“ the only serviceable, safe, certain, remunera
tive, attainable quality in every study, and every
purpose, tho quality of attention." Os this qual
ity, by the way, the great Novelist said : “My
own invention or imagination, such as it is, 1 can
most truthfully assure yon, would never have
served me as it has but for the habit of common
place, humble, patient, daily laboring, drudging,
attention. Genius, vivacity, quickness of pene
tration, brilliancy, and association of ideas, will
not be commanded; but attention, after a due
term of submissive service, will. Like certain
plants, which the poorest peasant may grow in
the poorest soil, it can be cultivated by any one,
and it is certain, in its own good season, to bring
forth flowers and fruit." Now, sermon-writing
assists attention, and should he practiced for that
reason.
Communion. —Early in the present month, com
mittees appointed, last year, by tire Presbyterian
and United Presbyterian General Assemblies, of
the North, to confer on the question of union be
tween the churches, held a series of meetings at
Pittsburg, Penn. These committees concurred
in recommending the following proposition, as
part of the basis of union: “In all ordinary
cases, the sacraments are to be restricted, in their
administration, to those over whom the Church
has authority.” The Presbyterian, Phil., re
marks: “This article seems to us to restrict
communion somewhat more narrowly than it has
been restricted in our own Church, and it must
be admitted that in the hands of a man of ex
treme views, it could be made to operate as a bar
to inter-communion between our churches, and
Christians not of the Presbyterian family. But
this is a matter, after all, which must largely be
left to the judgment of church sessions, and the
general tendency now is to liberafity rather than
to rigidity.” We like the proposition well
enough, to be altogether willing that our Presby
terian friends may have the benefit of it, through
that regard for “the judgment of church ses
sions " which amounts to a use of the principle
of Independency —and this, of course, is another
thing quite to our liking. By the way is it true
now, (as the editor of tho Presbyterian Banner
stated a few years since,) that some Old School
church sessions make such wise use of the prin
ciple of Independency as to practice close com
munion ? We hope so.
Popery of Infidelity.— When Thos. Hughes
read, in a New York paper, the reports of discus
sions at a late meeting of the “ Radical Club,” (a
gathering of “Liberal Religionists,” or Sceptics,)
he said: “You seem to me to be all a set of
popes." To this T. YY. Iligginson responds: “As
our political institutions abolish monarchy by
making every man a monarch, so the Radical
Club abolishes popery by making every man his
own pope. The Jdeal of free discussion is, that
each should issue a bull announcing his own
thought, and leaving out the excommunications.”
This, then, is the substitute which Free Religion
offers us in exchange for “the form of sound
words" in revelation —this making every man the
supreme judge ofr truth, with power 'to solve all
doubts and define alLdogmas—this assumption of
the individual to be a Pope for himself and to
have his own words, whether sound or unsound,
stand to him instead of Holy Scripture. Did ever
the egotism of unbelief and impiety flower out
and flaunt more unblushingly ?
Patrick Henry’s Spebch.— The question has
been raised in one of our exchanges, whether
Patrick Henry ever delivered the speech, usually
ascribed to him, in the case of certain Baptist
ministers indicted at Fredericksburg, Va., in
colonial times, for having “ preached the gospel.”
There is conclusive proof that he did not, though
the discussion to which we refer has failed to
bring it out. That proof consists of a letter
written, some years since, by Rev. J. M. Peck,
D. D., to Rev. Joseph Walker. In this letter, Dr.
Peck claims the authorship of the speech for
himself. He followed tradition in the narrative
of the facts ; but the speech was of his own man
ufacture. Can any one furnish us with a copy
of the letter for publication ?
“Free Will.” —The correspondents of the
Baptist Union seem resolved that there shall be
no lack of proof, to [convict loose communion as
a preference of Free Will to the Will of Christ
in the matter of the Lord’s supper. “A Regular
Baptist," in a recentpssue, says: “It should not
he forgotten tjiat baptism is no where in the
Scriptures explicitly set forth as preparatory to
the observance ,of the supper. But, even if it
were, we have Scriptural precedent to justify a
departure from such a requirement under a change
of circumstances.” This (imaginary) precedent
is drawn from the eating of the shewbread by
David and his men, with the plucking of corn by
ihe disciples and the healing of “ tho crooked
woman ” by our Saviour on th» Sabbath day;
instances from which this writer deduces (what
he calls) principle of gospel order in regard
to the observance of all positive ordinances;
namely, that they are to he observed subject to
the circumstances, and necessities of the people.”
This principle, in spite of his disclaimer, war
rants the substitution of another ceremony for
tho Scriptural baptism, after the example of Ro
manists and Pedobaptists; for if (as he alleges) it
“may occur, again and again, in the cold regions
of the North, that, for the time being, immersion
is impossible ” and “would be an act of presump
tion,” why should not these “ circumstances and
necessities of the people ” change the ordinance,
according to the modern “principle of gospel or
der?" The principle not only allows—it demands
the change. And so, the Will of Christ as to the
baptismal act is to he abrogated and displaced,
that Free Will may not be obstructed in its path
to the Lord’s supper! Such views cannot obtain
currency among our brethren at the South ; and
we feel quite sure that the American Baptist
represents the true state of the case among our
brethron at the North, when it says: “ Members
entertaining these views are comparatively few,
and we do not believe that they are any more
numerous now, than they were ten years ago.”
The sturdy common sense of Baptists, their rev
erence for the plain import of Scripture, will not
be seduced in this way to (what the Central
Presbyterian styles) “ the fashionable quackery
about ecclesiastical union, as if that were a ‘cure
of all the ills that flesh is heir to.’”
Our Zion—ln Our Exchanges, etc.
Geokoia. —Rev. G. 0. Needham, Evangelist,
closed a two weeks’ season of labor with the First
church, Atlanta, on Sunday night, fie preached
with simplicity and earnestness, but there were
no professions of conversion. Rev. W. W.
Gwin supplied the pulpit of theLaGrange church
on Sabbath evening.
Alabama. —Read the notice of the Educational
Convention to be hold at Marion, April 12th. “We
understand brethren Poindexter, Hiden, Boyce,
Skinner, Davis, of Kentucky, and others, have con
sented to address the Convention, and that Dre.
Cutting and Sears are expected to attend.”
Arkansas. —Rev. A. M. Simms writes to the
Richmond Herald , that but few of our churches
in this State, so far as he can ascertained, have
regularly ordained deacons.
Columbia Territory. —Rev. P. Warren, pastor
of the Second Baptist church, located on Navy
Yard Ilill, Washington, died recently of a tumor
on his chest.
Kentucky. —At Hardin school house, near
Cloverport, there have been 10 accessions; at ML
Eden church, 15; at Peter’s Creek, Barren coun
ty, 20. A church is to be constituted at Ca
tawba. Rev. J. Armstrong has received and
witnessed the reception of 116 persons, in his
field as missionary of the Goshen Association,
since Jan. Ist. Rev. R. Ryland, D.D., whose
Female College at Shelbyville is in an improving
condition, preaches for the churches at South
Benson, Pleasant Grove and LaGrange. -Rev.
J. M. Bent, Bowling Green, has recently added
from 40 to 50 to his church, making some 100
since his settlement there, Feb. 1870.
Maryland. —Rev. J. W. M. Williams, D.D.,
has baptized 40, since Jan. 18th, at the First
church, Baltimore. Rev. E. N. Harris, late of
Providence, R. 1., has been called to the pastoral
care of Broadway church, Baltimore.
Missouri.— jlev. R. 11. Harris becomes pastor
of our church at Sedalia. Salem church, Mon
iteau county, has had 22 accessions, and “ the
family altar has been erected by many brethren."
There have been 88 additions at Moberly,
Randolph county; and Bat Jersey Prairie, How
ard county, one of them an old brother who has
been a Methodist fifty years. Rev. J. narmon,
pastor of several churches in Ray county, has,
within a year, baptized 45 from one Pedobaptist
communion, and 2 preachers among them. A
aew church has been constituted, four miles south
of Verona, Barry county.—Rev. James Crank
has been excluded by Mt. Moriah church, Gentry
country, and refuses to “ give up his papers.”
Ray county has not a single resident Baptist
minister.
North Carolina. —Rev. A. J. Emerson is called
to the pastorate, by our church at Charlotte.
Rev. R. W. Delbridge, formerly of Va., died re
cently of paralysis. -A secession from the Ke
hukee Association, (Anti-Missionary,) consisting
of three ministers, with twelve members divided
into three churches, takes the name of “the Old
Predestinarian Baptists,” and declares “ non
fellowship with the African race, or any colored
person, and with all those who intermix them
selves with them.” Rev. Jesse Durham has
j been pastor of the Durham church for more than
twenty years, and has baptized some 4,000 per
sons. Rev. Wm. Brunt, recently a student at
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is
pastor of our church at Fayetteville. Two
blind girls recently connected themselves with
the Raleigh church, and many other blind per
sons from the Asylum were present. As the
congregation rose from prayer, the blind sung with
exceeding pathos the boauliful hymn, “ He lead
eth me.” Many were melted to tears.
South Carolina. Within the last fifty years,
the First church Charleston, has sent out nearly
thirty ministers, some of whom are occupying
positions of prominervte in various parts of the
country.” It has nffqpt meeting of growing in
terest in progress.-^—--Rev. E. C. Gordon, in a
letter to the Nashville Herald , states that Rev.
J. P. Boyce, D.D., ‘‘has, during the space of
three years since the war,remained steadfast” in
his position as Professor in the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, Greenville, “ receiving for
that three years’ service the sum of SI,OOO, when
he has been offered $40,000 per annum, to accept
the presidency of a bank.” Alt. Eba! church,
in the Edisto Association, has quite a reputation
for being strict in discipline, which is no slight
praise in the general .looseness of the times.
Black Swamp church, at Robertville, appeals for
aid to rebuild its hotpa of worship, which, with
the village, was burned by Sherman. Os the
First church, Charleston, Rev. W. 11. Williams
writes to the Richmond Herald: “One of the
most interesting features in connection with this
church is found in Tts weekly prayer meeting.
This is a separate service from the usual w'eekly
lecture. Every member of the church seems to
consider it his duty to be present at this prayer
meeting. It is not conducted by the pastor, but
by some one of the brethren, and is characterized
by’a spirit and life seldom seen in church prayer
meetings. An awkward pause is never known.
Every male member seems to consider it incum
bent upon himself to pray and speak in public,
and so the interest never flags.”
Texas. —Cleburne Institute has engaged tho
services of Rev. S. E. Brooks, and has 125 pupils.
Cherokee Association has appointed Rev. E.
S. Callahan missionary within its bounds.
Rev. Lee Newton is acting in Northsvestern Tex
as, as agent of the Baptist State Convention.
Waco University is doing better than ever before
since the war.
Tennessee. —Rev. I. T. Tichenor, D.D., has
been called, with enthusiastic unanimity, to the
pastoral care of the First church, Memphis.
Rev. G. C. Thrasher, of Buchanan, Va., goes to
Jonesboro as pastor of our church there.
Virginia. —Rev. J. B. Jeter, D.D., senior editor
of ihe Richmond Herald, has, in press, by the
American Baptist publication Society, a work on
Communion, whic%<*ivill appear in a few,weeks.
--Rev. E. \V. Rcfch, of this Stiife, fias minis
tered to the same churches for thirty-seven years,
and baptized more than 4,000 persons. The
Baptist church at Orange C. 11. has been burned:
loss $5,000, without insurance. Our church
at Lynchburg has received 180 members, and tho
accessions will go up perhaps to 200. The
Richmond Dispatch states that Rev. 11. Lansing
Burrows, (son of Rev. Dr. Burrows of the First
church,) has accepted the call to the pastoral cart*
of the First Baptist church, Bordentown, N. J.
West Virginia. —Rev. J. B. Solomon removes
to Morgantown, as Professor of English Litera
ture in the YYest Virginia University.
A Long Silence Broken.
Some time ago, I commenced an account
of my visit to the brethren on the line of the
Georgia Rail Road. Five weeks have elapsed
since then—for me, five weeks of travel
through Southern Georgia; through long
tracts where the pine held undisputed sway ;
through low, flat lands, where the frogs were
carousing in the stagnant pools; through
dreary swamps, where venerable trees, with
their grey beards of moss, bent over us; and
through fertile sections of country rich in the
blended foliage_gf the magnolia, the live-oak,
the palmetto, and the jessamine. Within
these five weeks, through how many different
scenes have I passed! how many different
faces have I seen ! and how varied have been
the experiences which have marked the inner
life! Lest the crowded impressions of the
recent journey should efface tho impressions
of the past, I shall at once continue the record
of what l saw and heard on the line of the
Georgia Rail Road.
Over many portions of that route a haze
is already gathering. It was under the cloud
and in the rain that 1 entered Milledgeville.
During the period of my stay there, I saw it,
all the while, under the cloud and in tho rain.
It was under the cloud and in the rain that 1
left it; and Milledgeville perpetually stands
before mo under the cloud and in the rain.
Jsot so with*Greensboro’. There are an
gularities about this town upon which the,
mind retains a firm grasp. There are build
ings here which, once seen, will hold an im
mortal place in memory. There is an Epis
copal church edifice which looks like a large
sized doll house, and which might have
served as a respectable temple in Lilliput.
Judging from its external appearance, one
would say that the Episcopal ladies of Greens
boro’ must eschew' all modern fashions on tho
Sabbath, and present themselves at church in
condensed form. There is also in this town
a remarkable jail. It seems to have been
built upon the model of the most sepul
chral vaults in our cemeteries, and, above all
prisons in this country, or any ether, it most,
richly deserves the name of “ The Tombs."
The house in which tho Baptists worship is a
good one, and, from what 1 saw of tho. breth
ren, I am sure that Bro. Atkinson has entered
upon a pleasant field of labor. There is also
in this town a Methodist family, which many
Baptists have reason to remember with grati
tude for their large hearted hospitality. It
was in the bosom of this family that the la
mented Woodfin spent the closing months of
his life. Though comparatively a stranger,
he was welcomed as a brother; and here he
died, watched and nursed to the last with an
unremitting kindness and devotion. Ilis
likeness hangs conspicuously upon the walls
of the parlor, and it is beautiful to see how
tenderly his name is cherished as a household
word.
A few’ days after I had left Greensboro’, I
visited Washington. This is certainly one of
the most beautiful towns on this route, and
the most beautiful house in Washington be
longs to the pastor of the Baptist church. I
wish it was consistent with the spiritual wel
fare of all Baptist ministers to enjoy tempo
ral blessings of this kind. But lam afraid
that we are generally a sad set of sons, need
ing especial stripping and scourging. I notice
in a recent copy of the Reliyious Herald, that
one of their esteemed correspondents—W.
H.—lays claim to a large bump of philopro
genitiveness. There is no tolling what large
bumpwve Baptist ministers have not got, and
their reduction gives pis a hard time of it.
But B ro. Tupper occupies his place well. In
connection with his regular ministrations to
the adults of his church, he has, for twelve
years, preached every Sabbath afternoon to
the children; and all the children in Wash
ington, irrespective of denominations, attend
these services. Efforts have occasionally
been made by the other churches to keep
away the young of their congregations, but
these efforts have proved unavailing, and the
work goes bravely on. God bless the work
man and the work.
As I am not travelling now by railroad, but
by memory, I stop next at Thompson. Here
1 remained only a few hours—enjoyed the
hospitalities and conversation of my witty
friend, E. A. Steed—took an affecting fare
well of him, in which he expressed his pleas
ure at parting, and then away for Aiken.
How l love that place ! What a kind, skill
ful physician it has been to me ! With what
renewed pleasure do I recall the many days
spent in the home of my friend and brother,
Lucius Cuthbert! There is not an object in
the neighborhood of that home which does
not seem to meet me with a friendly smile. The
tall pines in front of the cottage, the tine syo
amores in the clearing beyond, the clustering
vines around tho house, tho little spring in
the valley below, —all look upon me with a
familiar face. Each of them says, as clearly
as mute things can say, “ You are always wel
come here.” It is true, that, under the ener
getic hand of the proprietor, continual changes
are being made—for nothing sleeps under the
charge of Lucius Cuthbert; but every change,
whether in his home or in his church, only
says more kindly to the visitor, “ Welcome,
my friend.” The philosophy of this state of
things, so singular in our world, I leave others
to discover.
In Augusta I closed my labors as an agent
on this route. I closed them pleasantly, in
a dwelling upon the hill overlooking the city,
and where a rainy day proved to be one of
the sunniest days of my life. Nor can 1 for
get the pleasure enjoyed in the society of Dr.
Dixon and Rev. W. J. Hard the brilliant
talents and tine scholarship of the one ren
dered the more attractive by a childlike sim
plicity of manner; and the rich humor of
the other, more prized by his friends because
known by them to be only the surface gleam
ings of a heart whose under-currents of affec
tion flow strongly toward Jesus, and to all
that is pure and good. R. W. F.
South-Eastern Georgia.
Within twenty-five or thirty miles of the
sea are what might be regarded as two belts
of country. The first embracing the islands
and that portion of the main penetrated by
salt water. The second is a strip lying out
side of the first, and extending to what is
culled the Sand Hills. Contrary to what
strangers would suppose, this first belt seems
higher, and certainly is dryer, than the second.
The land, much of it, is light, friable, easy
to cultivate, productive and capable of indefi
nite improvement. Experience has proven
that marsh mud and marsh grass are good
fertilizers. In former days it was the abode
of wealth, influence and refinement. Many
places were summer resorts for health. Chills
and fever occur in the latter part of summer
and fall, and in very wet summers there is
more of this; but a congregation usually
presents as good indications of health, as do
congregations in sections that are reputed
healthy. In this territory is a much larger
population of whites than in the other, and
fewer blacks. Range for cattle and hogs is
good. jjShrimps,crabs,oysters and fish may be
had in abundance, and'in many places within
a few rods of the dwelling. Many situations
can be found which arc, by nature, beautiful
and romantic, and capablo of indefinite ini'
provement by labor and art. “ The highway
of nations” is at hand, and coasters ready
to carry and bring, to and from Savannah,
one of the best markets on the Southern
coast. These facilities will increase as the
demand for carrying increases; and this des
mand will increaso with the increase of pop
ulation. And with the increase of popula
tion and consequent improvement in the
country, will come improvement in the
healthfulness of the country.
But, Rro. Editor, intending to be candid, 1
will notice some objections, or what 1 think
will be so regarded by many. And first, the
presence of the blacks. Some of the county
offices are held by them. They will depre
date on stock, though not so often in this
section. But to this it may be said, that
every white man who settles in the country
will neutralize the evil influence of two ne
groes. A vigilant police and sure punish
rnent of defected offenders, white or black,
will cure this evil. Besides, if a good con
trolling influence can be established, the pres
ence of the blaclo may be made a blessing.
Musquitoes and land-flies are abundant,
—the latter especially in spring and fall.
These are readily dispersed by a little smoke
and by wind and dew. Musquitoes are not
usually troublesome about a homestead in
the day, and can be kept off by net at night.
It is remarkable how little men and beasts re
gard them, seemingly, after being awhile ac
customed to them.
There is not, at present, sufficient church
and school privileges. These will come with
the increase of population. It is these disad
vantages which mako lands cheap now. Pop
ulation will remove them, and then land,
which can now be purchased at low figures,
will cost from five to twenty times as much.
D. G. Daniell.
Walthourville, March 10 th, 1871.
Churches in Elbert, Hart, Oglethorpe.
Elder Asa Chandler resigned-the pastoral
care of Falling Creek Baptist church, Elbert
county, Ga., after serving the church twenty
years, succeeded by Elder Gibson M. Camp
bell. Elder Campbell is about 40 years of
age, and has been a member of that church
some 18 years, and an ordained minister
some 10 years. ITe has also become the pas
tor of Doves Creek church, formerly sup*
plied by Elder L. W. Stephens. Elder 0.
is also the pastor of Bethel church, in the
same county. Elder L. W. Stephens has
taken charge of Harmony church, Elbert
county, succeeding Elder John D. Adams,
resigned. Elder Asa Chandler has been
re called to Cloud’s Creek church, Oglethorpe
county, and accepted the call, and will sup
ply this church and Elberton, each, once a
month, and give the balance of his time to
labors as an Evangelist. Elder Horatio J.
Goss has been called to the church at Van's
Creek, Ruckersville, Elbert county, succeed
ing Elder A. Duncan.
Our churches in this section of country, as
a general thing, are as liberal in support of
pastors, as before the war. Many of them
not very liberal, and withal, very tardy and
irregular in paying up subscriptions. The
churches located in Elbert and Hart counties,
are promising, l suppose, to pay for once a
month preaching, from SSO to $l5O, and one
or two churches, perhaps, as much as S2OO.
If the churches would make arrangements to
pay the amount pledged punctually, by the
close of the year, the amount, though small,
would be more satisfactory and encouraging
to the pastors, and more honorable to the
churches. The churches in Oglethorpe coun
ty, connected with the Sarepta Association,
are paying from S3OO to S4OO to pastors for
monthly preaching, and, so far as my knowl
edge is concerned, are more punctual in mas
king payments within the year of service.
I know of no churches in the two counties
of Elbert and Qglethorpe, without pastors.
Prayer meetings are kept up in some of the
churches regularly, but the attendance is
mostly very meagre. I know of no evidence
of revival influence among the churches.
Only a, very few of the families of our
churches keep up regular family religion.
Many of the churches have Sunday schools,
either at their houses of worship or in the
neighborhood. There is considerable defi
ciency among the churches, in systematic
plans for raising money for church expenses,
pastor’s salary, and missions. There is a bad
state of things in many of our churches, in
regard to a strict and Scriptural discipline.
The colored members in our churches
seem much disposed to go to themselves,
though, a very few instances excepted, they
remain in the same church with the whites.
Some rtf the churches have entered into a
written covenant with the blacks, agreeing
that they will remain in the same church ;
will occupy the portion of the house allotted
to them, and listen, as formerly, to the preach
ing of white pastors and preachers, and come
or remain under the discipline of the whites,
without voting with them; will hold a col'
ored conference to themselves, the regular
pastor and clerk always to be present and
act as Moderator and Clerk for £hem, and
make record of tfieir proceedings, to be sanc
tioned by the white conference, or rejected,
as the case may be, and entered upon the
records of the church, etc. But after agree
ing to all this, they show a marked disposi
tion, many of them, and most of them, to
break off and hold meetings among them
selves, and often run into confusion and dis
order. Their colored preachers, for the most
part, are incapable of instructing them, while
they show a decided preference to listen to
.the harangues of an ignorant colored man,
rather than to the instructive lessons given in
the sermons of tli£ white preacher. So 1
think the colored members in our churches
in this section, are far from having a whole'
some discipline.
1 fear that the habit of intemperance, in
the use of intoxicating drinks, is rather on
the increase. As to any missionary field,
we have it all around us. There is much
destitution; families which rarely ever attend
public worship; children being raised up
without gospel instruction, without the visits
of a minister to talk and pray with them,
and read the Bible; not sent to Sunday
school. These should be sought out and in
structed by missionaries, religious tracts and
books put into their hands, encouragements
offered them to induce them to attend public
worship, and facilities, if possible, afforded
them of doing so, and also to attend Sunday
schools. A. C.
ELberton, March 9 th, 1871.
Orphan Asylum for the Creeks,
It is estimated that there are between five
and six-thousand orphan children among the
Creek Indians, and I propose that the Baptist
denomination build up an asylum, on the
plan of an industrial school, for their mental,
moral and industrial training. We have no
mission school among any of the Southern
tribes, while Pedobaptists have several, on a
liberal scale, accommodating 80 pupils each.
An Orphan Asylum, according to the plan I
propose, would interfere with no one ; and
Baptists, if they will, can accomplish un
speakable good by building up an industrial
school fur the exclusive advantage of such
Indian children as 'have no one to care for
them. 1 think it is apparent to every one
who will think of it, that there is no way
bettor calculated to accomplish permanent
good for the Indians, than the one 1 propose.
1. If we would civilize people that have
been reputed wild, we should begin with the
young. 2. If we would Christianize a na
tion reputed savage, we should have a special
care for tho children. 3. If we would im
press our sentiments, or distinctive principles,
on the minds of any people, we should care
especially for the children, because they are
more impressible than the parents. 4. There
arc no minds more easily moulded to vice or
virtue than those of children without living
parents. 5. If we would permanently sup
press crime and lawlessness, we should not
look to the jail nor the hangman; but we
should begin at the fountain-head, and edu
cate the children, especially such children as
have no one who naturally cares for them,
li. What we waste annually on superfluities
and naughtiness, would feed, clothe and edu
cate more orphans than can be found among
the Creeks. 7. Some of the wisest and best
statesmen we have, as well as some of our
most useful missionaries and pastors were
educated in this way. 8. Our Heavenly
Father—whose children the orphans are—
will bless us in such charities; and we will
be laying up lor ourselves treasure in heaven.
I could thus go on specifying special claims
that such an institution has upon Baptists,
until I would tire you; but it does seem to
me these hints are enough. I will only add,
that 1 hope the Southern Baptist Convention
will take earnest hold of this matter at its
session in St. Louis; but if it does not, I
will, with God’s blessing, see it through. I
appeal to jal 1 Baptists, poor or rich, male and
female, to begin at once to contribute for this
noble purpose. Those who wish, can send
contributions, with specifications as to the
purpose, to Dr. M. T. Sumner, Marion, Ala. •
those who prefer such a course, can send to
Dr. Geo. F. Cooper, Americus, Ga. There
need be no delay, as the matter will be car
ried out, if the Lord will—Board or no
Board. Do not wait, for we have already
waited too long. Send, if you wish, to Bro.
Toon; or hand your contributions to your
pastor. All will be faithful stewards in so
good a cause, and your gifts will beacknowl
edged in the denominational papers of your
respective States. FT. F. Buckner.
Micco, Creek Nation, March B th, 1871.
Leaves from an Agent’s Memorandum Book.
With a promise of liberal aid to Foreign
Missions, I leave Galveston and depart for
the interior. The railroad, for two miles,
runs over the water of the bay; then the
prairies, fifty miles to Houston; an ocean of
prairie, with a few islands of short, moss
covered oaks. No fields, and very few houses.
Cattle to be seen everywhere. This vast
plain seems to be their domain. Houston is
the railroad centre of the State ; seems to be
a lively city, with a population of near 20,-
000. It is connected with Galveston by
water, through Buffalo bayou. Has its cot
ton mills, lumber mills, car factories and
beef packeries. Would my people in Geor
gia believe me if l were to tell them that in
Houston 1 have found a hash factory ? I am
told that at the Richardson packery the meat
is carefully butchered and cooled, ground up
into a splendid kind of hash, partially cooked,
and sealed up hermetically in cans. The
moat thus prepared keeps perfectly sweet,
and is in great demand. We have got some
beef down in Southwest Georgia, but this
beats us. Come on, ye hungry emigrants,
with the Texas fever ! There is beef here,
and it is already cooked ! But be sure to
bring yohr money with you.
The Baptist, cause is not very strong in
Houston. The pastor, Elder J. T. Zealy,
formerly of Columbia, S. C., is partially sup
ported by the Domestic Board. Two Ala
bama preachers have labored here, —my be
loved old pastor, Thomas Chilton, and Elder
U. A. Massey. They are now gone—Mas
sey to Kentucky, and Chilton to heaven. The
Texas Baptist Herald is published here, by
Elder J. B. Link. Bro. Link came to this
State after the war, without friends, or
money, or wife. He has now thousands of
friends, a plenty of money, and a great deal
better wife than an old bachelor—as he was
—deserved. He has endeared himself to the
Baptists of this State by his labors. His
paper is sustained, and richly deserves to be.
I wonder if the Georgia and Alabama Bap
tists are as true to their paper as these Tex
ans are to the Herald? There are about
forty thousand Baptists in this State. Geor
gia has double that number. Alabama is full
of Baptists. How many take our good old
Index? Jno. L. Underwood.
Houston, Texas, Feb., 1871.
Facts and Bequests.
From the Corresponding Secretary, whose
statements are before me, I gather the follow
ing facts, for which I beg room in oar Index
with a request.
1. The Domestio and Indian Mission
Board has now under commission, in the
Southern States and Indian Territories, 84
missionaries. 2. It is a fact, that there’are
18 of these laboring in whole or in part in
Georgia. 3. It is a fact, that several of these
have been prospered greatly in their labors
the past year. Perhaps all have been suc
cessful, but some signally so. 4. It is a fact
that if funds are not liberally sent in soon,
the Board will be compelled to report itself
in debt.
Now, in view of the first three very en
couraging facts, and to avoid the calamity
suggested in the last one, I have a few re
quests to make of the pastors, churches and
church members, individually, in Georgia.
1. Pastors, please take collections in every
one of your churches at your next meeting,
or at least before our State Convention meets,
in April. 2. Brethren, as churches and indi
viduals, encourage your pastors in this. We
are where, in providence, our honor , with God,
will be strongly tested. His claims on one
side, Caesar’s on the other which shall we
make wait in this emergency ? “ The
is not pushing me like these other fellows,”
said a man once, when his indebtedness to
the Lord was pressed. That was a wicked
saying, from a bad spirit. Brethren, the Lord
is pressing us. Pay a part—pay Him a little
as long as you have any. Ido not ask you
for much—only every one a little to our Board,
and a little to the other two, and to Greenville
Seminary. Now, brethren, take collections,
send to me at once, or meet me in Carters
ville in April. If you cannot go, send it to
me here, (at Albany.) Not a dime sent me
has been lost. I love to get your letters ; so
do not forget. W. N. Ciiacdoin, Agent.
Revival In Marlon, Ala.
“ The Lord hath done great things for us,
whereof we are glal." This is the nineteenth
day since the commencement of a meeting
which was begun with the purpose to protract
according to the indications of God’s favor.
For seventeen nights Bro. Tichenor has
preached for us, with great power and effect
iveness, and we are now in the midst of a rich
revival. L ist night twenty six persons were
received for baptism. Last Lord’s day, Dr.
Teasdale preached for us, entering warmly
into the spirit of the work in progress. The
Judson and Howard College have been
greatly blessed. Wm. 11. Mclntosh.
Marion, A/a., March 9, 1971.
P. S. —March 13, Baptized, yesterday, 111.
A Series of Lectures.
I have told you before, of the series of lec
tures to the students of Bethel College and
the citizens of Russellville, instituted by Dr.
Davis, our worthy President. Prof. Wag
gener has given us an interesting and in
structive lecture on “The Origin of the Eng
lish Language.” He succeeded in throwing
around what, in its announcement, seemed to
be an unpromising theme, a charm of novelty
and attractiveness which induced the most
absorbed attention to the entire lecture. Ail
felt amply repaid for the effort made in the
attendance.
During the past week, we have been favor-""
ed with a visit from Dr. Keene, the honored
and beloved pastor of the Hopkinsville
church. He has delivered a series of lectures
especially prepared for young men. Ilis
theme, on the first night, was, “ Life a Battle.”
A second lecture had as its subject, “The
Perils of Young Men.” “ The Formation of
Character” formed the theme of the third, fol
lowed by a closing lecture on the moans to
be adopted to prepare young men for life’s
trials. We have never listened to a more
forcible and timely delineation of the perils
of young men, than that given in the second
lecture. Intemperance, an undue estimate of
wealth, evil associates, an incorrect view of
popular amusements, a familiarity with the
scenes of vice, and an undue reliance upon
one’s own strength of chaiacter, were men
tioned as perils to which young men are ex
posed. So great was the interest excited by
these lectures, that when the third had been
delivered a request was sent in that the fourth
should be uttered in the Methodist church,
that .both congregations, on Sunday night,
might enjoy the privilege of listening to it.
On Sunday night the large church was dense
ly crowded with eager listeners, to whom Dr.
Keene, with earnestness and zeal, commui
cated the means of avoiding many of life’s
difficulties and of preparing to meet with
success,and to overcome the obstacles in life’s
pathway. I would that every young man in
the land could have listened to Dr. Keene’s
earnest warnings of the dangers which thickly
beset the pathway of the young. Happy are
those who are favored with the counsels and
admonitions of so kind and faithful a friend.
The students of the College were present in
full force, and felt that they were enjoying a
precious privilege.
I am glad to see the Index taking such
great interest in the prosperity of onr schools
and Colleges. These reports of what is doing
in various parts of the land, stimulat9 others
to imitate good examples, and thus the gen
eral welfare is promoted.
I am glad to learn that some one in Balti
more iutends to mako an effort to lead Dr.
Curry into the pulpit and keep him there.
Dr. Curry is preeminently a preacher, and
he ought to be preaching all the time, and to
have a church to care for. 1 shall pray that
God will open the door so wide that he will
be compelled to enter in and engage in the
work. W.
/Russellville, K)/., March trd, 1871.
Baptismal Remission. —Rev. W. If. Hop
son, a “Disoiple” (or “ Campbellite,”) is
quoted, by the Central Baptist , as saying, in
the Living Pulpit: “But will 1 not be
damned if lam not baptized 7” Certainly.
Why not? Is it the blood of Chiist that
really washes away the guilt of sin; we come
to the blood, into the death of Christ, through
faith and repentance, and in baptism. . .
Whjr should you be damned if you do not
believe, and not be damned if are not
baptized 7 Why is faith essential to salva
tion, and baptism not? . . The baptized man
will be pardoned if he be a believer. The
believer will be pardoned if he will be bap
tized. . . The baptized, penitent believer,
according to the Saviour’s promises, will re
ceive the remission of sins. No other man
will.
Neglect. —The Texas Ch ristian Advocate
says: “ That our Baptist friends, viewing the
question from their stand point, should reject
the claim of the child to the outward sign of
that inward grace without which neither the
child nor the adult can be saved, does not
surprise us so much as the conduct of pan nts
who in theory accept infant baptism, and yet
never present their children at the altar.
The subject merits the attention of Method
ist preachers and Methodist parents.’’
Slight Proportion. —The infant baptisms
among Congregationalists, as per the statis
tics of last year, were one to every sixty
members.