Newspaper Page Text
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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.