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About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (March 30, 1871)
50 fade* a»I Jfajrttet. J. J. TOON, • • • • Proprietor. PUBLIC*non ROOMS 4* 6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D. OOBRK3PONDING EDITORS ( Rkv. J. J. D. HENFROE, Talladega, Ala. Hay. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Fayetteville, Ala. THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1871. Boards of tbe 8. B. Convention. Wo are sorry to seo the Board question again opened up for discussion. It indicates an unset tled state of public feeling, that must recoil disas trously upon all the interests of the Southern Baptist Convention. Unless we can finally settle such questions, it will be impossible to achieve that measure of success worthy of the cause. An unsettled, versatile policy will paralyse the best of causes. We opposed the location of the Sunday School Board at Memphis, for reasons we thought good and sufficient at the time —not that we distrusted the capacity or integrity of our brethren at Mem phis; but we thought a different location would secure a more general eo operation of the denomi nation in its work. After the Convention, in its wisdom, located it there, however, we yielded our objections, and resolved to give it onr hearty sup port. If, after a fair and candid trial, it is ascer tained that that Board cannot do the work com mitted to it; if, for instance, it creates liabilities which the Convention cannot meet; or, if it ex pends the benefactions of the churches too large ly upon mere agencies ; or, if from any other cause, it fails to meet the reasonable demands of the Convention, then, and not till then, let the question of its abatement be discussed. All our Boards are so interlinked in a common cause that we cannot weaken one without weakening all. The Facts of the Case. The Religious Herald of March Dtli, says: “ If brother Renfroe had been conversant with the facts of the case, he would not have alluded as he did to the Virginia Baptists, in a late arti cle in the In hex." The facts of the case are, that in the article to which the Herald alludes, we said nothing about the Virginia Baptists, except to quote what the Herald's correspondent said about them. The said correspondent, after saying that the brethren in all the great States of our Southern Zion are dropping the Sunday School Board, add ed the significant question, “And what are you doing in Virginia?'’ We confess that we under stood him to mean that, “In Virginia yon are dropping it.” Can any other construction be put upon his language? We protest that we are not to be held responsible for what he said in the Herald , in regard to Virginia Baptists. Dr. Poindexter tells us, in a late issue of the Index, that he has from the first doubted the utility of the Sunday School Board. We were not aware of Ids original position on this subject. "Isaid, at Augusta,” “I had a good mind to offer a resolution at Baltimore . —but it would have been misconstrued.” It is sometimes very noble to change opinions, but to ignore opinions and act on another line for a brief while, and then let it appear that one was only waiting for a moro convenient tiruo to re-assort the said opin ions, to say the least, constitutes a very unsafe guide. Again, the Herald and Dr. Poindexter allude to what Dr. Teasdaleagreed to. Now, this makes no sort of difference with us. If Dr. Teasdale should agree to '* drop the Sunday School Board,’’ it would have no more influence on our views, than it would Cor Dr. P. to agree to turn over our Foreign Mission work to “ the Missionary Union.” What we have said of the Sunday School Board, has been said in no feelings of preference for that Board over the other Boards—far from it. Wc have written under the influence of a con viction that the destruction of any one of our Boards, in favor of a similar institution at the North, will prejudice every interest of the South, ern Baptist Convention. We desire to say no more on these matters. R. Rev. Wm. Henry Strickland. At the request of Stone Mountain church, we publish below a preamble and resolution adopted by it unanimously, Feb. 25th ; Rev. T. E. Ken nedy and Deacons Joseph Walker and R. W. Swann acting as Moderators, and Bro. G. R. Wells as Clerk : Whereas, After a searching and thorough in vestigation of all the specifications of the charge of falsehood preferred against our pastor, Rev. Wm. Henry Strickland, by Rev. F. Maddox, he has been thoroughly acquitted by a majority of seven eighths of the Coherence: Resolved, That this church hereby express their undiminished confidence in him as a Chris tian, and their gratification at the fact that he has come out of the fire of persecution unscathed and “ without the smell of fire on his garments.” We cannot suffer this document to go before the public, without a word or two in relation to the case. The specifications were as frivolous as tho charge was serious; and it is our conviction, that the church wronged the pastor, in permit ting such a charge to be prosecuted before her on such specifications. There was no showing to create even a remote presumption of guilt, and the matter ought to have been dismissed indig nantly without trial. Pastoral reputation is too sacred a thing to be put on the defensive at the bar of the church, against accusations so mani festly devoid, not of proof only, but even of pre text. From the first, Rev. Mr. Strickland has been liable to no shadow of suspicion in the premises; and the church has never suspected him. Why, then, should she subject his transpa rent and undoubted innocence to the indignity of a public trial, which was not needed at home, and to its train of misconceptions abroad, among those who may never learn the facts of the case ? It was wrong—very wrong. Reviews and Notioes. Lira and Campaigns ar Gbx. RobirtE.Lrb. By James I). McCabe, Jr. With steel plate (portrait of Gen. Lee) and 13 maps (of the seat of war). Pp. 788. Sational Publishing Cos., Broad street, Atlanta, 6a. The “ sale of over thirty thousand copies” of this work attests, not only the popular interest in its theme, but its own intrinsic merit. *’ Prom the official documents and papers of the Confed erate Government, from the reports, bulletins and letters of General Lee to the War Department, and from an extensive collection of private man uscripts furnished by officers in the Grand Army of Virginia,” Mr. McCabe, for the past ten years, has laboriously collected materials, which, with “ the pen of u ready writer," he has woven into a narrative, now kindling us with the glow of admiration, now melting us to tears. It is one of the compensations of Providence, that with the story of a fearful struggle and a hopeless over throw, there mingles a name so stainless and an example so illustrious as that of Robert E. Lee— a name which shall redeem the struggle from ob livion, and an example which shall shield the overthrow from dishonor. As we read these pages we feel more and more, that the South, while accepting the issues of the war as Divine appointments and resuming her place in the Union of the States according to the Supreme Will, can never have cause to blush for the ar mies with which she sought to achieve a separate nationality—nor for the heroic leader of these ar- THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOOTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THURSDAY, MARCH 30,1871. mios. A work like the one before us ought to be in every Southern family, where the young are growing up, to whom the war must be, not a per sonal remembrance, but a history. Let as see to it that, for them, the history shall be true—while we ourselves walk in the steps of Lee, seeking, without sectional bitterness, to regain the material prosperity of the South. T** Galaxy. An Illustrated Magazine. New York: Sheldon A Cos, Terniß f4 a year in advance. The number for April contains installments of the serials,Lady Judith," by Justin McCar thy, “ Overland,” by J. W. Deforest, “ Ought we to Visit her V' by Mrs. Edwards, and “ the Nether 81de of New York,” by Edward Crapsey. Besides these, J. D. Imbodon gives us “ Lee at Gettys burg,” Prof. T. B. Maury, “ Captain Hall's Arctic Expedition, Justin McCarthy, “Victor Emanuel, King of Italy,” Lucy H. nooper, “ An Ornament of Society," etc. The Drift-Wood, Scientific Mis cellany, Notes on Current Literature, and Nebulas, maintain their wonted interest. The Memoranda of Mark Twain are to be discontinued, and anew humorous department opened, under charge of Donn Piatt. The Qalaxy, we learn, has never had so large an increase of circulation as during the past three months; and wears not surprised at its growing popularity. Fma (Annual) Scwwiest to Smith, Baalish St Oo.’s Priced Catalogue ot Theological and Religions Books, S>ublished March, 18rt6.) Containing valuable Ad itions to their stock of old and rare Theological Works; also Recent Publications, American and Foreigu, to March 1,1S?1, Pp. IS. Until the publication of their New Classified Catalogue, next Autumn, Smith, English & Cos. will send free, on application, the Catalogue of 1866, with the five annual Supplements since is sued. We commend this enterprising and lib eral House, to all who wish to enlarge their libra ries, in the theological and religions department. Common Ssnsb fur Tocxa Men on thb Subject or Tbmpehancb. A Sermon preached by Henry Ward Beecher, in Plymouth church, Brooklyn, on Sunday Evening, Feb. sth, 1871. New York : National Tem perance Society and Publication Society. Pp. 28. Price, 20 cents. This sermon, one of the best efforts of its dis tinguished author, is the first of ‘‘a series on the various phases of the Temperance qaestion, by some of the leading clergymen of America,” which the National Temperance Society proposes to publish. We find on tho list of preachers, Hall and Foss of New York, Dunn and Murray of Boston, Cuyler of Brooklyn, Fish of Newark, Newman of Washington, and Johnson of Phila delphia. We hope that the friends of the cause will give the series of Temperance Sermons a wide circulation; for our pulpits are too often silent on this momentous topic. The Rbstobation of thb Pope. A Discourse preached in the West Spruce Street Presbyterian Church, by Rev. W. P. Breed, I).D, Pastor. Philadelphia: Sherman A Cos. Pp. 24. This is an indignant response to the appeal of , Romish prelates, for American sympathy and aid , toward the restoration of Pope Pius IX to the : temporal sovereignty, from which he has been twice ejected by the almost unanimous voice of the people. One count in the indictment against the fallen Pope is, that he was “ the only poten tate in (he world, who, by formally acknowledg ing the late Confederacy, did all he could to de stroy our government and ruin our nation!” This point aside, we heartily sympathize with the general drift of the sermon ; but the theme is too entirely a political one, as we think, to find a place properly in tho pulpit. If the time con sumed in its preparation and delivery had been devoted to “ Christ and His cross," no one could have alleged that the subject was a lower, less vital or less urgent one. Our Zion—in Our Exoliangoa. etc. Georgia. —Rev. Dr. Teasdale writes to us, from Columbus, March 17th: “Tho good work of the Lord is progressing here with considerable* interest. Tho number of inquirers was greater in the Baptist church last night than at any time be fore since the revival commenced ; and the inter est evineed by the brethren on the occasion was perhaps never more encouraging. l)r. Skinner baptized ten willing converts last Sunday night. The number of inquirers at present is about thirty. About fifty have been added to the Bap tist church in this city by letter and by baptism since Dr. S. took charge of the church ; and the Sabbath school has been increased about three-fold within that period." Rev. B. L. Ross, from Fort Valley, writes to us : “ I think I can say that we have premising prospects in our church. If the Lord still indicates His goodness, before a great while we will protract.” Rev. E. W. Warren, First church, Macon, in a private note, said: “ We have four received for baptism.” He is now holding a special series of meetings, assisted by Rev. G. C. Needham, and 15 or 20 have united with the church. Our churoh at Marshallvilte not only meets tbe wants of its pastor, but anticipates them. Rev. J. S. Baker, Quitman, writes to us : “ Rev. M. R. Barnitz, of Boston, who has labored three and a half years as Secretary of the Bible Union in New England, contemplates spending a few months in the South as an agent of the Union. T have advised him so to arrange his tour as to be present at our ap proaching State Convention in Cartersvillo, that he may form the acquaintance of members of that body, and counsel with them os to his future eourse.” Rev. G. N. Eskew has accepted a missionary field in the upper part of Georgia; headquarters, at present, Marietta. Rev. F. M. Haygood is carrying on a series of revival meet ings in the Second church, Macon, About a dozen are candidates for baptism. Bro. H., we learn, is working efficiently in his field, and is doing good. Friendship Baptist church, (col ored) Atlanta, Rev. F. Quarles pastor, has been holding a protracted prayer meeting for three or four weeks, and 10 were baptized on Sabbath. A correspondent says: We are glad to learn that God is blessiDg the labors of Dr. DeVotie at Griffin, and that the chureh has greatly prosper ed and increased since he took charge of it. Bro. D.’a zeal and power have by no means abated. As years multiply, he works harder for the Mas ter, noting as he does the lengthening shadows upon the plain of Life. A?abasa. —We learn, from an Alabama note, that Rev. H. H. Tucker, D.D., President of Mer cer University, will be among the distinguished attendants on the Southern Baptist Educational Convention at Marion, April 12th. Rev. T. E. Skinner, D.D., of Columbas, has been Invited to preach the Commencement Sermon at Judson Female Institute, at the close of the present session. Arkansas; —Robert P. Thomas and William R. McWhorter were ordained to the ministry, at Pleasant Hill, Sevier county, Feb. 90th. Fail. ing health has compelled Pastor Provence, of Clar endon, to resign his charge and return to Virginia. Kbntucxt. —A church has been reorganized at Pleasant Ridge, with 27 members of the former organisation and 15 additions through a recent meeting: Rev. R. H. Spillman pastor. Lick ing church has had 00 accessions since New Tear; Georgetown church, 20 baptisms recently. At Cloverport 40 have been and 12 are to be baptized, including the first child born in the town and an uncle of the late Dr. Waller in his eightieth year. -The Louisville Recorder says, that the loose communion correspondent of the Richmond Herald, at Lexington, “ does not rep resent the views of even a respectable minority of Kentucky Baptists.” Maryland.— Rev. J. W. M. Williams, of the First church, Baltimore, has baptized, every Sab bath but one since Jan. 22nd ; has received new members In the last two months; and on a reeent Sabbath raised from.his congregation S3OO for our Domestic Mission Board, Marion. Rev, J. Pollard, Jr,, has added some 18 or 20 to his new charge, Leo street, Baltimore, sinee his re cent connection with it. Louisiana.— Rev. J. M. Lewis, of Canton, Miss., has accepted the pastoral care of the First Baptist church, New Orleans. Mississippi. —B. G. Manard, in the Memphis Baptist, says that our Sunday school at Jackson is much larger than the church membership there, and that this “ is usually characteristic of Baptist schools. ’ —- S. Foster has been ordained to the ministry at Starkville, and E. Redus at Beth esda church, Oktibbeha county. Our church at Meridian, on account.of growth, finds it neces sary to erect anew house of worship, which will be completed, it is hoped, by autumn at least. Missouri.— A church has been constituted at Holden, another at Waverly, LaFayette county, and yet another at Chapel Hill. Rev. T. V. Greer takes charge of our church at Tipton. Liberty church, Clark eounty, has had 18 acces sions; our church at Glasgow 16 ; Elm Grove, Platte county, 14. A recent revival at Fayette, Franklin county, with 10 candidates for baptism, was brought to a close by a tornado which blew down the church house and twenty-one other buildings. A newspaper correspondent, Cen tralia, Bays: “Tbe Cumberland Presbyterians and Methodists immerse, so far as I have witness ed, about as many as they sprinkle.” North Carolina. —A church is to be organized at Hickory Station, at an early day.——Rev. N. B. Cobb is pastor of the church at Shelby, and Principal of a Female Seminary thera Rev. W. C. Lindsay, on account of ill health, resigns charge o's our church at Wilson, and is succeed ed by Rev. T. R. Owen. The former, in the Rich mond Herald, says: “With a membership of twelve—only five of whom could contribute to tho support of the church, and three of this num ber supporting large families on very moderate salaries—they called me last fall at a salary of S6OO, paid monthly and punctually. With a present membership of twenty —only six of whom can contribute efficiently towards supporting the church, and of this number only two being men of easy circumstances in life—they have obtained Bro. Owen at a salary of SBOO. I leave these facts to tell on the churches. If six rnen, four of them quite poor, can pay SBOO to a pas tor’s salary, and SIOO to current church expenses, how many churches in this prosperous Southern land ought to be without a pastor ?" South Carolina.— Rev. W. A. Gaines has re cently settled as pastor of tho Yorkville church. ——Rev. J. Scott Murray has returned from the bar to the pulpit, and takes charge of his old church at Anderson C. H. Texas.— Rev. S. E. Brooks writes to us from Cleburne, Johnson county: “ I have removed from Towash, Hill county, to this place, to assist Bro. J. R. Clarke, (brother to Rev. W. H. Clarke of Qa., formerly missionary to Africa,) in the As sociational High School here. The school is pros perous; about 125 scholars at present and rap idly increasing. This is a desirable country. Cleburne is only about four years old, and it has a population of some 1,500. Can Georgia beat that ?•’ James B. Rogers was ordained to the ministry, Feb. 22nd, at Lexington, Burleson county. Houston church has adopted a plan for weekly contribution for missionary purposes. Waco University has more students than it can accommodate, and proposes to repair and en large its buildings at a cost of about $12,000. Tennessee.— Oak Dale church, Knox county, has had 16 additions; Pleasant Grovo, Cocke county, 16; Alder Branch 1C; Olay Creek, Cocke, county, 21; Limestone church 23. R. M. Buck ner has been ordained at Clay Creek, Cocke county. Beal Street colored church, Memphis, has 2,500 members and a large brick edifice. A church has been organized at Big Spring, Green county. West Virginia. —The Baptist Record has en larged its sheet. During tho recent revival at Charleston, a daughter of the Junior and a son of the Senior Editor were baptized. Our church at Grafton has had 15 baptisms; Little Creek, 22; Winfield 17. Bro. Carter and the Orphans. Rev. Joseph E. Carter, late pastor of the Bap tist church in Huntsville, Ala., is now engaged in tbe work of building up an Orphans’ Home in Mississippi. To do this, he and his co-laborers have brought from the Home about thirty or phans of Confederate soldiers, trained to sing, and are now visiting oar railroad towns, and giv ing concerts to procure money for the noble in stitution which they represent. Thus far, Bro. Carter has had fine success. Nearly ten thousand dollars has been raised within six or eight months, and still the work goes on. For my part, it would increase my happiness to know that Bro. Carter would spend his whole life in so important an enterprise. If he could establish but one per manent and well endowed institution in the South, he would wear honors not inferior to those which wo delight to accord to the beneficent Peabody. When the readers of these lines see that Elder Carter is coming with his orphans, will they meet him and help him with full hearts and hands ? Will they recollect that the fathers of these or phans died for us f An Alabama Observer. company of Orphan Singers is now in our State, and will visit a number of cities and towns on the different railroad lines. We com mend them to the generous patronage of the pub lic. And we hope that their visit will awaken new interest in the proposition to establish a Baptist Orphans’ Home in this State. Relioboth Indian Mission. In my last, on the Seminole Mission, I gave a short history of the churohes at O e-ki wa Ta-bo-fa, Mik-ko-suk ke and Cho-ko-nik-la. There is one other church connected with this mission, located in the C. eek couutry, or on the Western line of the Seminole and Creek nations, composed mostly of flitch it-tees. It is a small and weak church, and has re cently lost two of its best members. There is a station, oalled the Pond Creek Station, the history of which is interesting. When the majority of the Seminoles, after the treaty of 1806, removed from their old ante helium country, to their present small strip of land, a few were left behind who preferred to remain upon their old farms rather than to move to new quarters. The new country adjoins the old, lying just East, and the two settlements are uot more than 25 or 30 miles apart. Those who remained, were people who had ever been opposed to the gospel. The old O e-ki-wa church had been worshipping in their midst for two or three years, but they would not even listen to the gospel. Reoently a praying man, passing through their settlement, stopped over night at one of their houses. The man of the house introduced the subject of Chris tianity, and asked his guest, if he was not a praying man. He replied affirmatively. “ What do you think of it,” said the host. " It is the only true religion,” was the reply. “ I would like to hear you sing one of your Christian songs,” said the host. The Chris* tian man sang, “Aa-hul kut, ohu-ha-aa-je cbo,” "Alas! and did my Saviour bleeds” The heathen man seemed much impressed, and asked his friend to pray, saying that he had heard a great deal about their songs and prayers, but had never heard them.” The Christian bowed upon his knees and prayed fervently that God would show his friend the truth of the gospel, and make him a Chris-, tian, The next morning the oonverted Indian was requested to visit them again when con venient. This he gladly did, and again sung and prayed with thpm, and explained some thing of the nature of Christianity. Bro. Jas. bactor was then invited to visit them. He visited and preached several time 4. Soon the Holy Spirit taught some to believe in and accept the Lord Jesus as tneir Saviour, and they were baptized. The Station is reg ularly visited by Bro. Factor, and it bids fair to yield a good harvest. Let me give here, a short sketch of \he life of Elder Jas. Factor, one of the Semi nole preachers. lie is one of a very few half breeds among the Setninole9. For this tribe has a law on their statute books pro hibiting their people, on pain of death, to intermarry with whites or negroes. Thus they are nearly all full bloods. Factor’s mother was taken captfrve, with others, du ring the Creek war, and carried to Tampa Bay, where they were detained as prisoners for some time. His father was a Spaniard. He was a wild and reckless boy, joining in' all the amusements andeostom3 of his tribe, with zest. Being with the soldiers much of his time, he learned to speak English, though never taught to read- or write. He also learned to drink, swear and play cards. Thus he continued in sin until the removal of his tribe from Florida to the West* At the age of about 25 years, ho joined the Baptist church, and immediately commenced telling his people of the blessings of the gospel. A law had been enacted some time before, by the Seminole Legislature, forbidding the peo pie to embrace tho JWhite man’s religion. Mr. Factor was the flf st to violate this law. He was a member of the Council, yet it did not screen him, and he had persuaded oth ers to become Christians also, the Council was very bitter against him. He was seized, and for three days held a close prisoner. He would have been banished, or otherwise se verely punished, had it not been for the Chief, John Jumper, who/though a young man, just come into and no ways favorable to Christianity, was k man of kind and char itable disposition. He persuaded the Coun cil simply to threaten Mr. Factor, and com mand him “not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.’* He, however, did not heed their threats, but continued to talk to his people, and soon others were converted and a church established. Mr. Factor is a man of strong passions, and has injured his usefulness by failing to govern himself. He lacks that charity that is kind and compas sionate. He is, however a good man, and a decided Christian. llis preaching is forcible : like a mountain torrent, he sweeps down up on sin, and drives it before the power of the gospel. J. S. Murrow. Ordination. In compliance with a request of the Baptist church at Greenville, Ala., the following brethren, D. Lee, M. Bishop, W. C. Mor row, K. Hawthorn and J. E. Bell, met in council with said church Feb. 261 h, 1871, f.r the purpose of examining and ordaining Bro. C. A. Kendrick, pastor of said church. The council was organized by appointing D. Lee, chairman, and J. Bell, clerk. Bro. D. Lee preached the ordirtAtion sermon, and. as chair man, examined Bro. Kendrick on his Chris tian experience and call to the ministry. Bro. VV. C. Morrow examined Bro. Kendrick in regard to his faith; all being entirely satisfac tory. Bro. Kendrick was then solemnly set apart to the full work of the gospel ministry, by prayer, by Bro. K. Hawthorn, and the laying on of hand* by the council. Charge to the candidate by Bro. M. Bishop, to the church by Bro. J. E. Bell. The counoil and deacons of the churoh then gave Bro. Ken drick the right hand of fellowship, as fully in ducted into his sacred office. Benediction by Bro. Kendrick. Bro. C. A. Kendrick has been with us as • pastor siijeo the ‘ih of January. Ho has taken hold ot tUptfuties in earnest, and has endeared himself* to the entire membership of the church, nis congregations are large and attentive. There is that about him which compels those with whom he mingles to rev erence the cause in which he is engaged. That he may grow in grace and bo instrumental in winning souls to Christ, is the prayer of the church of is pastor. J. M. Thiopkn. 6 r eerie Me, Ala., March 21 st, 1871. Notes of Travel. While I was in the city of Macon, it was my privilege to preach for the Second Bap tist church on Sunday morning. That faith ful and indefatigable worker, Rev. F. M. Ilaygood, is now pastor of the churoh, and since his connection with this little body of pious believers, has succeeded in raising an amount sufficient to pay otf' the church debt, which has so long been a hindrance to its suc cess. The Sunday school is superintended by brother S. Boykin, and is in a flourishing condition. At night I preached for the First Baptist, to a congregation composed chiefly of young persons. The President and Professors of Mercer University are going on with their work, in large and commodious rooms, in a central portion of the city. There are in attendance more than fifty pupils, and I was particular ly struck with the excellent character of the young gentlemen who are now pursuing their studies in Macon. Quite a number of them are pious, and all are very orderly and po lite. Dr. Tucker is certainly making im pressions for good, npon the students, which will be lasting as eternity. He is the man for the position, and when the University shall have been permanently located in Ma con, it will soon grow to be a mighty power in the land. I did not mention, in my last commuiea tlon, that a portion of my time, while in Ma con, I was the gue9t of brother James Sey mour and his excellent lady. He is a pros perous wholesale merchant, and owns a magnificent residence in Tatnall Square, ad joining the lands donated by the city of Macon to Mercer University; and upon which the Trustees will erect suitable build ings as soon a9 removal is entirely effected. But I must not liliger in Macon, for now the whistle is sounefmg, and the Conductor is calling: “All aboard for Eufaula.” At 8 a m., I took the South-western train, and at 12 m., was in the beautiful and flourishing little city of Americus. No sooner had I alighted from the cars than I was greeted by the honest, smiling face of Elder George F. Cooper, the worthy and highly esteemed pas tor of the Baptist church in Amerious. A short drive in an elegant phmton, and I was quietly installed as inmate of brother C.’s family, and a home feeling came over me as l watched the merriment of little May, a three year old Miss, playing mother to a doll half as big as herself, but not near so bright and beautiful. 1 have seen many affectionate mothers, but my little friend May cast them all into the shade in the devotion whicn she manifested towards that doll, as she bent soothingly over it, exclaiming in tones of in imitable tenderness : “ Poor dolly, has you gont the fooU-ache ? Is mother’s darling sick r I had the privilege of preaching to my old charge, morning and night, on Sabbath, and of lecturing on Thursday night, upon the subject of education, and presenting the claims of Meroer University. During my stay in Americus, I enjoyed the hospitalities of brother J. H. Kendrick and lady, and, as usual, felt very much at home in their genial society. I was also the guest of Dr. W. A. Greene and lady, and was entertained in beautiful style in their elegant mansion. Un der the hospitable roof of Dr. W. W. Bar> low, an old and triend friend,! was treated by himself and lady in a manner that will ever afford me pleasing recollections of my visit. The Dr. man of large means, and seems always to have been one of the favor ites of fortuue. May he find the pearl of great price, while the sun of life is shining ! Brother J. W. Furlow also opened his doors and bade me welcome to his always well stored board, and of course, I made myself at home there. I also enjoyed the hospitality of brother W. J. Barlow, and of brother E. J. Mulkey, and everywhere 1 met the same cordial reception. Indeed, if there is any more hospitable place in the old Empire State, than the fair city of Amerieus, I want the people thereof? to send for me and let me test it for myself-—can’t take it upon trust. But there was one circumstance which was something of a drawback upon the pleasant ness of my visit to Amerieus. It did seem to mo that it rained faster, in larger streams, and that the rain contained more moisture than usual; and during a portion of the time nothing but ambitious ducks and geese had any disposition to go abroad. During the whole of my stay, we had but two bright days, but they were as beautiful and balmy as Spring. The church is in a much better condition than it has been since the war. Brother Cooper is doing a good work, and the Lord is with him. He is evidently the man for the position, and the brethren alt think so. Brother G. T. Willburn, a graduate of Mer cer, is at the head of a flourishing High School, assisted by Prof. Kennerly and Dr. Stanford. Prof. Peter E. Brown is the time honored President of Furlow Masonic Fe male College, and is assisted by Prof. Pat terson, another graduate of Mercer, also by Mrs. Uylander and Miss MeCoro Rees, and perhaps others. All the schools appear to be doing well, and, upon the whole, Ameri cas is a very pleasant place. H. C. IT. Kev. Asa Chandler, Owing to the decision of a large number of the delegates composing the Sarepta As sociation, held at Black’s Creek church, in Madison county, in September last, to liber ate brother Asa Chandler, or rather, relieve him of all pastoral duties, and make him an independent Evangelist, and giving him a sal ary sufficient for his necessities, the Baptist church of Christ at Falling Creek was forced to select another pastor. The church, Feb. 4th, passed the following preamble and resn lutions, reported by Clark Mattox, Thos. J. Herndon and Dozier Thornton : Whereas, Brother Asa Chandler, who has served us as pastor for the last twenty years, save one, has been forced, by the weight of years, to withdraw from that pastorship, and thereby dissolve that intimate connection, and brotherly association, which has ever charac terized us as members and pastor; therefore, Resolved, 1, That in giving up brother Chandler as pastor, we renew our assurances of confiderce and esteem to him, and tender him our unfeigned gratitude for his services amongst us. 2. That’our warmest sympathy attends him wherever he goes, and under whatever cir cumstances he rnay be placed, and we hope he may long be spared to enjoy that felicity which is the inevitable result of his ministe rial labors. 3. That we solicit brother Chandler to visit us as often as his duties and infirmities will permit, and watch over us with that same parental affection and desire that has ever been his pleasant task since his connection with us. 4. That we earnestly invoke the blessing of Almighty God upon him and his family, and as his days demand, may his strength ever be. Elbert counts/, On., February, 1371. Sunday School Board S. IJ. C, To the Baptists of Georgia : Dear Breth ren, —Acting under the instructions of the Convention last May, the S. S. Board has been prosecuting its work with all possible energy during the year; and it has accom plished a vast amount of good, as its next annual report to the Convention will show. But having to pay Bro. Boykin over 853 000 for Child's Delight; and having also pur chased the good will and subscription list of The Children of the West, of Bro. Wells ; and besides all this, having paid S3OO to Mr. Rodgers, of Philadelphia, an old claim against the Board while located at Greenville, we shall fall short of the means to pay our Sun day school missionaries in full, up to the Ist of May next, unless our friends will aid us in this emergency. We will keep our report for the fiscal year open until the 20t!i of April, in order to incorporate in our report to the Convention whatever amounts may bo sent us by that time. May I not ask our dear brethren of Georgia, who have not re sponded as yet to the claims of the Sunday School Board, (many have already done so,) that they will send us a donation, if it bo ever so small, before the 20th of April ? The attention of churches, Sunday schools and in dividuals is most affectionately and earnestly invited to this important interest. Ours is emphatically a foundation work. Let us take care of the child, and the man will take care of himself. T. C. Teasdale, Cor. Sec. P. S.—Our Sunday school song book will be out next month. I shall send an adver tisement of it to the Index as soon as I as certain definitely what time it will be ready for circulation. It will cost 30 cents per sin gle copy; 1 doz. copies, $3.50 ; 50 copies, $13.50; 100 copies, $25. The book will be free from secularism, sectionalism and sector rianism. It will simply sing of Jesus, and the things that belong to Ilis spiritual king dom. T. C. T. Troy, Ala. Troy, Ala,, is at the terminus of the Mo bile A: Girard .Railroad, and the county site of Pike. It coutains a large area of beauti ful building lots, most of which could be bought at moderate rates. Both residence and business houses are going up all the time. Parties here of larger means, seem to have them divided, and others choose not to invest much in houses. Indeed, capital is the want of the place. Notwithstanding this da ficiency, improvement in all respects is the order, and business is good and increasing. Five day sohoolsare being taught successfully. The largest is in the hands of that most la borious and successful teacher, Rev. R. W. Priest, who was once a missionary to Africa. The health and surroundings are favorable to schools, and with some money and good management, large and flourishing eduoational interests could be built up at an early day. The Baptist Sunday school is large and prosperous, for the population, and brother Priest is the efficient superintendent. It is a lively school, and it is hoped that great good is being accomplished by the faithful labors of the teachers. Our church moved into their new house of worship, more than a year ago. Os the plan and construction of the house, not much can be said, more than that it is a good audience room and well located, which are the main things. The church numbers about one hundred and twenty five, and is surrounded by many souls of all ages, and especially the young, who make no pro.* tensions to religion. For many years this church has not been vigorous and prosperous, nor could blame attach to the good ministers having the pas toral care, for such a state of things. When first approached on the subject of the pastor ate of this church, no encouragement was given, but when the facts of the case were considered, it was feared that to dismiss the subject abruptly would be wrong, and a few months ago the charge was accepted, and with this year began my work as pastor, giving half the time. Already we have taken into the membership, 14 by letter, and others will come in soon by letter, and we have reason .to hope that “other some” will join by re lation and baptism. Our congregations are good and attentive, and the people seem to be very much encouraged. A. N. Worthy, Senator, is a member, and minister of good ability, but he is working both law and politics, and away much of the time. R. W. Priest is a good preacher, but gives his strength to teaching. Dr. Boyd is of middle age, and, I am told, preaches well; but he is practicing medicine. Rev. Jas. Nall lives near town, holds membership with another church, and though a maimed soldier, has secular business to gain subsistence for a growing family, and keeps up regular ap poinlments in the country. With all these good brethren, secular business is a necessity. 1 believe they all do some preaching. It seems a pity that so much pulpit ability should be secularized. We hope to be able to report the baptism of many of tlie inter esting young people of Troy, as well as oth ers, at no very distant day. Wm. 11. Carroll. Union Springs, Ala., March 16, 1871. Varieties. Bainbridge, Decatur county, Ga., is a larger place than 1 had supposed, prior to my late visit there. The location is good,—a high bind on Flint river, —well shaded and healthy. It is not well laid off, but, except this defect, is a pretty place. It supports two papers, four churches, and, during the past winter, a dancing school. The Episcopalians have no house of worship, but a resident minister, as have also the Methodists and Presbyterians. Bro. W. 11. Clarke is preaching twice a month this year, tor the Baptists. Their meeting house is tolerably good, the Sunday school increas ing in interest. Elder J. 11. Campbell built up the church materially during his pastorate of two or three years, which he was com polled to resign by his wife’s afflictions. A good deal ot whiskey is drunk there, and oc casionally it slays a man—two, 1 reckon, lately—but the others go on drinking still. Now, is it not a sad comment on the piety of this pretty town, that four churches could not drive away a dancing school? 1 inquired how much patronage the Baptists gave it, but only heard of one lady who did—perhaps her husband did it—but the mother went to see how well the children could perform, and that same lady was only able last year, to pay her pastor one dollar. There are a good ly number of excellent ladies, and some men in our church at Bainbridge, but hardly one equal to Deacon Curry, who d ; cd so sudden ly last year. Miss B— T— knows how to give the kind of invitations that ministers— especially agent-ministers—like to receive, and which are about the only ones they accept. I mean a warm, cordial, definite, come-now invitation, after learning the minis ter is in town. People who want preachers to go to see them, had better “ set the time ” when they invite them, for I have heard a good many say, they seldom accepted a “ you rnusteorne” invitation. Dawson Baptist church has now no bish op. I preached for the church recently. Some of the brethren said they were hungry for preaching. When the whole church gets so, may be they will employ a feeder. I know of no other place as large as Dawson with but two organizations and houses of worship. None there but Methodist and Baptist. The Methodists have a settled min ister, and a prominent member told me they raised for all church purposes, sixteen hun dred dollars or more, yearly, and he thought the Baptists as able as they were, to raise that amount. Ido not know about this, but 1 think Dawson church fully as able to have a settled pastor, as other churches that have. The meeting house is very largo, well seated, but not finished inside. The Sunday school is interesting, find the congregations large. They have no artificial instrument in the church, but a number of natural instruments of music, of a line quality. May the King in Zion direct a minister to this interesting field. 1 noted the significant fact, that every expression about their last pastor, brother Langley, was kind. They love him, and even love him so much they let him go away with out asking them. The town had suffered from a disastrous (ire, which added to the de jection of spirits prevalent in the country. Dawson is a nice and healthy place, and has a fine school. I found some missionary money here and at Bainbridge, and was in strumental in leaving an excellent pleader for missions, or sending a weekly messenger to several families at each place—-the Index and Baptist. Just here let me say, that 1 have heard, from good authority—Cousin Will— that “ a habit is a habit,” and it has become a habit with me to work for the Index, and so 1 will be constantly doing some of Bro. R. W. F.’s work. 1 hope hp will not scold rne. “A habit is a habit.” It is. And I believe it so strongly, 1 am trying to get people into the habit of giving to mis sions. A minister told me he would give me a dollar every time lie saw me. I want to see him often enough to make the habit easy. One lady is contributing a dollar monthly. That is a good habit. And it is easy to do anything as soon as it becomes a habit. Now, I have organized “The Habit Missionary Company.” Two conditions of membership only. One is a money condi tion. Every member must pay something, but there is no restrictiou as to amount, ex cept that no one shall pay less than one cent. The other condition is a Habit condition. Every one who agrees to pay one cent or more, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half year ly, or yearly, is a member. The books are opened, and the list is running up. Send in your names rapidly. State plainly your amount and habit. *W. N. Chaudoin, Agf. South Alabama. 1 believe ail the churches in this region are supplied with regular monthly preaching; and while they are not so prosperous as they might be, there are signs of improvement. It is a source of regret to us that we have so few earnest, faithful, energetic ministers among us. Some of our most valuable min isters have been driven from the pastorate to provide for their families. The cause of Christ is suffering greatly for the want of just such services as these men are capable of render ing. lam preaching to five churches. The average number of members belonging to each ohureh is about 150, making a total ol 750. My family being -small, these churches are partially supporting me. It is very evis dent that one minister cannot do justice to five churches. The field that 1 occupy is large enough and sufficiently wealthy to amply sup port two preachers; und from present indrea tions, I think the time is not very distant when these churches w ill have preaching at least twice a month. The Baptist denomination is largely in the ascendancy in this section. Strictly speaking, this is emphatically a Baptist region. The strength of our denomination in Monroe and Conecuh counties is attributable to the ardu ous, self denying labors of our lamented Travis, Sessions and Lindsay, who are gone to their reward in heaven. About three months ago, the Scotland and Philadelphia churches were merged into one. The two churches, —comparatively weak be fore, —by consolidating, become one of the strongest churches in this region. Midway between the old church sites, a commodious and elegant house of worship has been erect ed, which we propose to dedicate on Saturday before the third Sabbath in March. The dedication sermon will be preached by Rev. C. W. Hare. At the same time and place, a district meeting will be held. The want of mail facilities operates very nmcli against us in some localities. It is owing to this fact that our denominational papers do not circu late as they should. But where we have reg ular mails our papers circulate very freelv, and especially the Index and Baptist. I think this paper has had much to do in bringing about a change in the minds of • the brethren with regard to pastoral support. I shall occasionally give you an item of news from this “dark corner.” W. G. Curry. Monroeville, Am., March 10, 1371. A Sunday School Convention. At the last sess : on of the Coosa Associa tion, held with the Ringgold church, it was agreed that a Sabbath School Convention be held with the Lafayette church, commencing on Friday before the first Saturday in May next. There are certainly more influential brethren within our bounds than myself whose invitation would be heeded more than mine; but 1 take the liberty to invite all the brethren within reach, who can attend, to come to the Convention. Brethren 11 ay good and Cliaudoin promised to be present, and a general turnout is expected. Ii is sincerely hoped that an interest will be awakened upon the subject of Sabbath schools in this section, hitherto not felt. There is not within my knowledge a Baptist Sabbath school in this county, and but few in the bounds of the As sociation. Other denominations have Sab bath schools that are well attended ; and are we to be behind in this respect? There are in this county eight Baptist churches, with a total membership of six hundred and eighty, —nearly as many as all other denominations put together, and not a Baptist Sabbath school in the county. Biethren, let us all, who can possibly attend, meet with the Lafayette church in Convention in May, and use. our be.-t efforts to stir up an interest upon the subject of Sabbath schools in this Associa- W. D. Sumner. Summerville, Chattooga Cos., Ga., March 20th, lfc7J. Covington Baptist Church. Since our connection, as pastor, with this church, we are happy to be able to note the following signs for good : Our house was not suitable to worship in when wo assumed the care of this church ; hence we held services in the College buildings. At our last meet ing, (third Sabbath in March,) we worshipped in the Baptist church; felt that it was per' Jectly secure. At night, knew there was a most brilliant light in the sanctuary, and, 1 rnay add, that those whose dutv it was to make sweet melody, held in their hands new psalmodies, and used them much to our liking. The worn done, and ali paid for. We have preaching two Sabbaths in the month— first and third. Our congregations have in creased at least 50 per cent. The attention to the word and decorum of the audience are equal to any,—especially at our last meeting. We have also connected with our church, a respectable Sabbath school, increasing in numbers and interest; Bro. F. M. Cheney its efficient superintendent. Lastly, 1 am proud to report that our weekly prayer rrreet ings are increasing in interest. A note came to me recently, saying, “ Bro. S , you are often remembered in our prayers, at our Thursday night meetings !” God bless this ray of light to our good. Do pray for us, brethren. J. M. Stillwell. Monroe, March 21 st, 1871. North Carolina. I meant to tell the Canadian Baptist that there were a number of Free Will Baptist, churches in North Carolina. The printer made True Luck out of Free Will; by what process I cannot imagine, and yet 1 hesitate to blame the printer ; for, while my penman ship is not as remarkable for illegibility as Dr. Fuller’s, it puzzles me, sometimes, to make it out when it gets cold. Your “Glimpses of the Times ” are admi rable, and the first thing I read in your excels lent paper is the column entitled “Our Zion." The Index and Baptist is highly prized in North Carolina, and not less so because brethren Wingate and Hiden, two of our ablest men, contribute to its col uin ns. Bro. Hufham, the organizing and propell ing power in our State work, is in line spirits, and the prospects are bright for a prosperous year. Our church in Raleigh is in excellent condition every way, and numbers 375 mem bers. The Raleigh Female Seminary, pre sided over by Dr. Wm. Royall and son in law, Prof. F. B. Hobgood,is a success. They have 94 pupils now, and the second term of the school has but begun. Why should not some of the eighty Georgia girls—many of them the daughters of Baptists—now atSalem, N. C., a Moravian school, come to our Semi nary ? We have as good a school, a more extended curriculum, a healthier town, far better society, and a Baptist church of much influence and high social position. The Ral eigh church has asked for the Convention in May, 1872. They say North Carolina and Georgia are more alike than any other South ern States; and as four sessions of the Con vention have been held in Georgia, and none in North Carolina, we shall expect the vote of Georgia to be given for Raleigh. We ought to have it, for the Convention agreed, in 1863, to meet in Raleigh in 1835. The close of the war prevented a session in ’OS, but it has never redeemed its pledge to meet in North Carolina, though we have asked for it- T. H. Pritchard. Raleigh, N. C., March 25th, 1871. Baptist Church, Girard, Ala. There is an appearance of life and progress in our church at this date, owing to the re freshing from the presence of the Lord last summer. Our prayer meetings are well at tended every Wednesday night. The young men’s prayer meeting, every Sunday evening, is also well attended, and conducted with seriousness; a meeting which has never been enjoyed here before. Our Sabbaih school has not been suspended this winter, as here tofore; and I believe that the town of Girard, which has been so famous for wickedness, is emerging from the gross darkness of sin. Oh that many more may be sent to the pool of Siloam, that they come back seeing Christ in His church. Last summer we were so vividly blessed in our prayer meeting that it was thought best to protract. Thirty nine were baptzed ; about 28 received by letter. Since the meeting closed, two more have been bap tized. Every meeting more or less additions by letter. The broken ranks of about 75 have beer, swelled to about 150, of whom a good number are very promising young men. I am sorry to say that we are remiss in re gard to the support of the gospel. We ought to pay six hundred dollars in lieu of promis ing two hundred and fifty. We are also in default on the great and important subject of Sabbath schools. Ours ought and would number 150, if we, a-a church, would do our whole duty. Near us is a colored Baptist church, num bering near 100 members, in a prosperous condition. They observe all the ordinances that our churches do, or a little more : they wash feet. I think 1 see a little increase in the support of the gospel. W. A. Whipple. He’s Gone. Who’s gone? Why, Bro. Henderson. Where’s he gone? Gone to Jacksonville. How do you know ? Because l saw ’em packing up, followed on to Childersburg, said good bye, and the cars went a whistling. How did you feel ? Well, 1 felt lonesome. Why so? For the reason, among others, that 1 never lived right close to a big man before, since I left Marion and Selma, — where lots of’em lived, —and 1 was losing a pleasure I would rather enjoy. Homer.
