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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.