Newspaper Page Text
58
Suilexaiifl gkjjtist.
J. J. TOON, .... proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 t 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
- --
Editor: Bov. D. SHAVEB, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS.*
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.D., Jacksonville, Ala.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1871.
Intellectual Grade of Infidelity.
It lequiras no Special force of mind, or full
ness of knowledge, to call up “ the great enig
mas that perplex the natural theologian,” and
gather around them clouds of difficulty and doubt.
In fact, Macaulay alleges that “the ingenuity of
a people just emerging from barbarism is quite
sufficient to propound them.” “Itis a mistake,”
he continues, “to imagine that subtle specula
tions touching the divine attributes, the origin of
evil, the necessity of human actions, the founda
tion of moral obligation, imply any high degree
of intellectual culture. Such speculations, on
the contrary, are in a peculiar manner the de
light of intelligent children and of half-civilized
men. The number of boys is not small who, at
fourteen, have thought enough on these questions
to be fully enticed to the praise which Voltaire
gives to Zadig, ‘He knew whatever has been
known through all the age3; that is to say, very
little of the thing.’ ”
Thi3 line of remark applies, with no less jus"
tice, to “the enigmas” of revealed theology—to
the doctrines which Scripture affirms as facts ,
without lifting the shadow of mystery from them.
To find in this mystery an occasion of difficulty
and a ground of doubt as to the facts, is the work,
not of the higher, but of the lower types of in
tellect—not of the more, but the less advanced
stages of knowledge in the sphere of spiritual
truth. Objectors to the inspiration of the Bible,
to the Trinity, to predestination, to the atone
ment, to spiritual influence, to the resurrection of
the dead, to everlasting punishment,—objectors
to the Evangelical system, on the score of per
plexities arising from such and such-like points,
—only betray their lack of the very depth
and power of mind which they-array these cavils
to demonstrate. Their scepticism is proof of
half-thought—of thought lingering in the bud,
not perfected into fruit—of thought staying its
steps on the first rounds of the ladder, not mount
ing to the heights which, from the topmost round,
it might scale. So far is it from implying any
high degree of intellectual culture, that it brands
them rather, as men of ill balanced faculties or
unripe attainments, —as men who pitch their
tents near the boundary line of the “goodly
land” of Theology, in some shadowy nook or
den, and will not traverse the wide principality
that stretches out before them, nor welcome the
sunlight under which it lies disclosed and delight
some.
The notoriety of the infidel, then, is cheaply
earned. It needs only that, as regards the grand
themes of revelation, he should continue to be a
“ boy of fourteen ” —should arrest his acquaint
ance with “the truth as it is in Christ” in its
early immaturity, and make that the ultimate
standard of measurement for all the Verities of
the Gospel.
The Approaching S. B. Convention.
As we cannot attend the approaching meeting
of the Convention at St. Louis, and as we think
that no previous meeting of the kind has ever
been held at a more important conjuncture, we
feel that we would not be trespassing upon the
reader by expressing some views in advance upon
some topics which must enter largely into its de
liberations. Such is our interest in these ques
tions, that, little as we might be able to contrib
ute to their solution, we would be willing to make
more tlian a common sacrifice to attend; but that
is simply impossible. Our prayer shall be that
“ the spirit of wisdom and of a sound mind,” the
Spirit of Christ, may conduct all the acts and do
ings of the brethren to such results as shall meet
the full demands of the situation.
In the first place, our Foreign Mission cause
has, since the last Convention, assumed a moral
magnitude it never possessed before in our his
tory. Barriers have been removed, and fields of
unrivalled promise have been opened to us so
suddenly, and withal on so extensive a scale, that
it seems more like a vision than a reality. Are
we able to go up and possess the land ? Have we
the courage to take the counsel of our Calebs and
Joshuas, or shall the advice of the weak and vas
cillating prevail, and thus remand us back to the
wilderness for an indefinite period of training in
the bitter school of adversity ? The history of
the world proves that in periods of great and sud
den social changes and revolutions, the boldest,
and what at other times would be called rash,
counsel, is wisest, for the reason that the transi"
tion period from the old to the new order of things
presents that maleable surface in society on which
we can most effectively operate. Our Lord seems
to intimate as much in His great prophecy in re
lation to the final overthrow of the Jewish Com
monwealth, and, as some think also, to those po
litical convulsions which are to precede the uni
versal spread of Christianity over the world,
where, after referring to “ the tribulation of those
days ” as surpassing that of any time “ since the
foundation of the world,” He immediately adds,
that the Son of man “ shall send his angels (min
isters) with a great sound of a trumpet, and they
shall gather together His elect from the four
winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” The
whole passage indicates the greatest activity in
those mighty agencies following in the wake of
these social revolutions, the imagery of angels be
ing employed to illustrate the double idea of ce
lerity and power.
Again we reiterate the question, Have we the
faith, the Christian courage, to strike in at the
“ floodtide ’’ of these stirring providences, and
dare to execute the commission of our glorified
Immanuel, “ Go ye into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature?” If the Son of man
is coming in these providential overturnings of
nations, “ will lie find faith," t?Ua faith, “in the
world?” Would that we were as expert and
prompt in interpreting such providences as now
confront us, as the “ children of this world ” are
in improving their opportunities! Why, if a mine
of material wealth were suddenly opened in some
remote part of the globe, which, by the forth-put
ting of some active agencies for a short time,
would secure a vast fortune, how long would it
be before every nation would be represented
there? Enterprising men would pour in from
every quarter of the earth, and ply their industry
day and night if need be, until they obtained the
coveted prize. When will the children of the
kingdom be as wise as the children of this world,
in collecting far more imperishable “jewels” to
adorn Messiah’s diadem? When will we learn
that all the real wealth which Christ has in this
world is found in these “jewels,” and that only
those works will follow us to our heavenly home
which are connected with the collecting and pol
ishing of these celestial gems ? If we could but real
ize that sublime declaration of Daniel, “ They that
turn many to righteousness shall shine as the
■tars in the firmament forever, 3 ' how it would in
flame our zeal, invigorate our faith, jmd strengthen
our hands for the mighty work to which the Mas
ter calls us!
Other topics were in our mind when we eom
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, APRIL 13,1871.
menced this article, but our space already filled
and we must desist. #e only ;a con
cluding thought, that other denominations are
moving forward with commendable zeal in this
great cause—let us not be behind the very chicf
,est in a work of such vast magnitude. If we are
serious in our convictions that we hold the truth
as it is in Jesus in its fullest integrity, does not
fidelity to that truth demand a line of action now,
which, in its promptness and vigor, shall contrast
most gloriously with all our former achieve
ments? H.
Queries.
“Is it right for a church to invite a minister to
leave his home, business and regular appoint
ments, in order to perform a service, and then
send him away without defraying his necessary
expenses ?”
If not a matter of oversight simply, it is pet
ty meanness; and we suppose that no church can
stoop to be guilty of it. An oversight of this
kind should be corrected without delay, not only
from a sense of justice, but from the self-respect
which every body of Christians ought to main
tain.
“ What should be done with Baptists who visit
the circus? with Baptists who raffle off their pro
perty ? and with Baptists who buy tickets in such
raffles ?”
To visit the circus is an act of worldly con
formity. A Christian ought to avoid it, as well
out of regard to the honor of his Master’s cause,
as to preserve bis piety from temptation and his
reputation for piety from reproach. If he does
not, the church should interpose with such coun
sels, rebukes and disciplinary measures as may
be necessary to reform an erring member and to
protect her own good name.
To raffle off property, and to buy tickets in
such a raffle, are acts of immorality. The church
should set her face uncompromisingly against
them. Those who are guilty of the sin of gam
bling under this form, should be brought to re
pentance, or cut off from fellowship. To retain
them, if incorrigible, is to license their wrong
doing, and to harm their souls by suffering sin
upon them. It tends, too, to impair and to de
stroy the influence of the church, as a witness for
“the truth as it is in Jesus.”
The Seminary.
What a pitiable condition we poor Southern
Baptists are in ! It seems that nothing with us
is stable, nothing is in tbe right place; all our
institutions must pass through a changing, fixing,
remodelling process. Now, we cheerfully admit
that they are not perfect, and in so far as they
are human, they may be susceptible of wise and
profitable improvements. But it is a fact that
Baptists have too frequently broken down their
conventional and prudential associations by efforts
to fix them better.
It has been several times suggested in the pa
pers, and in some of oor Conventions, that the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is not in
the right place ; it must be removed to another
place. We have not been able see any force in
the reasons that have been assigned for the pro
posed removal. The Seminary was located at
Greenville in conformity with a proposition which
our South Carolina brethren, in their great liber
ality, made, and the fact that a common misfortune
robbed the Institution of the permanent benefits
of this liberality, does not in the least affect the
moral obligations of that contract.
The fact that Mercer University has been re
moved, is no argument for the removal of the
Seminary, for a great many people have yet to be
convinced that this has been a useful stroke of
policy. .We certainly should sajunothing about
this, however, except to meet it 4s an argument
for the putting of the Seminary on wheels. The
Institution at Macon will havepto do an immense
business for tbe denomination, if they excel what
has been done at Penfield. And we are not able
to discover any grounds for a supposition that the
Seminary can be improved by carrying it to an
other place. We do not hesitate to say that we
feel a deeper interest in the Seminary than in any
other Baptist enterprise in our land, except the
churches themselves, and it suits us exceedingly
well, just where “the wisdom of the fathers”
located it. R.
A Word of Correction.
“A Baptist minister in Maine recently baptized
a sick man by sprinkling, and declares that he
would do it again, if requested, under similar cir
cumstances.”
This paragraph seems to be quite in favor among
secular newspapers —if we may judge from the
wide circulation they are giving it. Can they
devise no better method of showing how “ unsec
tarian ” they are, than by publishing statements
which, if true, are offensive to the denominations
they 'concern, and, if fidse, are slanders against
them ? The press is scarcely “ neutral in reli
gion” which deals now with one denomination,
now with another, after this fashion: it deserves
rather to be held hostile to all. Such impartiali
ty is borrowed from Ishmael—-the impartiality of
“ a hand against every ” body of Christian men !
The “ unsectarianism,” in this instance, serves
itself with probably a double falsehood. The
statement, as it appeared originally in the Zion's
Herald , Boston, did not refer to “ a Baptist min
ister,” but to a minister of an alien denomination,
with which “ Baptists ” have no ecclesiastical
fellowship, because it is Arminian in doctrine,
Methodistic in polity and loose in communion.
That denomination, indeed, claims to be known
as the “Free Will Baptist;” but this very title
marks off the people who bear it, from our own,
as a separate sect; and to strike away from the
title what is distinctive of the organization as
suming it, (&9 has been done in the present case,)
works all the effect of intentional false witness
against us. And then, the “Free Will Baptist”
paper published in New Tork ‘positively denies
the correctness of the statement made by the
correspondent of the Herald’ —brands it as
‘ wholly a creation of his own imagination, and
an unmerited slander upon’ that people.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges. eto.
Georgia. —Rev. Dr. Curry, of Richmond, Va.,
writes to Rev. Dr. Landrum, of Savannah, that
Rev. G. A. Peltz, of Philadelphia, editor of the
Baptist Teacher, will attend our State Conven
tion at Cartersville. Rev. I. R. Branham, of
Brownsville, Tenn., preached Sabbath morning
for the First, and Sabbath night for the Second
church, Atlanta. His daughter, whose illness
called him to our city, is recovering. Rev. S.
S. Cutting, D.D., of New York, occupied the pul
pit of the Second church, Atlanta, Sabbath morn
ing. He was en route for the Educational Con
vention, Marion. Rev. Dr. Boyce, of Green
ville, S. C, tarried in our city on Sabbath, on
his way to the Mariori Convention. —-Bro. R. J.
Johnson, of the First church, Atlanta, has been
bereaved by the death pt two children, of menin
gitis; Richard J., aged 11, on Friday night, and
Mary, about IG,\oji Saturday morning, Dr.
Brantly officiated on the occasion of their funeial,
at the First church, Sabbath afternoon. The de
ceased were members of the Sunday school there,
and gave comforting token of hope in death,
through “ the precious Saviour.” A pastor in
Southern Georgia writes to us: “It affords me
pleasure to work for the Ixdex, especially as I
feel like I am working, in part at least, for myself.
f do not know of any labor a pastor can do with
more fssqrwe of compensation— in the improved
.condition qf his peopfo j# *ll jthings pertaining to
Abe cause of Christ, and particularly in their bet
ter preparation to hear the gospel. These eon-j
O'j. ‘ ' 'I/tf--;. <4 '■' 6f
siderations stimulate pae.” We commend these
words to all ministers who are pastors.
Alabama. —Our chureh at Selma has allowed
the First colored cburchjto worship in its base
ment ever since the war, and has contributed S6OO
and the seats and fixtures of tbe basement toward
anew house into which it will remove in a few
weeks. At that time, the white church will pro
ceed to repair and enlarge its own house.
Rev. W. H. Mclntosh, D.D., writes to us, April
7th: “ I have baptized 81 since Jan. Ist. Others
have’ beenl received for baptism. The Lord is
with us: may He abide with us to our life’s end.”
Kentucky. —At Winchester, Rev. Gen. Green
Clay Smith has been called to the pastorate, to
succeed Rev. L. B. Woolfolk, who removes to
Montana. A church has been constituted at
Catawba station, Pendleton county, and Rev. T.
H. Haynes chosen as pastor. Frederick Butt,
of Ludlow, has been ordained to the ministry at
Covington: sermon by Rev. H. Spilman.
Maryland.— Eutaw Street church, Baltimore,
was “dedicated,” Sunday, April 2nd: Rev. R.
Fuller, D.D., pastor.
Missouri. —Churches have been organized at
Knoxville, Ray [county; at Pleasant Hill, St.
Charles county, where 12 additions were made to
the original membership by’a meeting at the time
of constitution. J. B. Dotson has been ordain
ed to the ministry at Wake Forest church, Pettis
county, and Mark and Albert Harris at Buffalo.
Rev. A. J. Emerson comes from North Caro
lina, to take charge of Wake Forest church, Pet
tis county. The St. Louis Baptist says that
tbe great West demands and will have a first
class Baptist Theological Seminary, and proposes
that the Vardeman School of Theology, in con
nection with Wm. Jewell College, be liberally en*
dowed for that purpose. Rev. J. L. Blitch,
formerly of Ga., and more recently of Marshall,
Texas, takes charge of our church at Boonville.
The St. Louis Baptist says, speaking of the
whole country : “ The few open communionists
in the ministry have failed to effect a division
even in their local churches; and we will venture
the assertion that not an Association in the entire
length and breadth of'the United States has felt
the slightest ripple caused by the novel notion of
Robert Hall, much less has that notion risen to
the dignity of a platform in any city, school or
quarter within our communion.” Rev. L. M.
Berry, formerly of N. C., and more recently of
Lacon, 111., accepts a call to Chillicothe.
North Carolina. —Rev. F. R. Underwood re
signs his pastorate of two churches near Ninety-
Six, to return to'his native State, North Caro
lina.
Texas— “ Two or three years ago, we had one
German minister in Texas: we now have ten,
nine of whom can preach in German and English.
When God converts a'German, he is worth, in
zeal, 'liberality and devotion to Christ, two or
throe Americans.” Rev. W. D. Beverly, of
South Carolina, succeeds Rev. J. L. Blitch as pas
tor at Marshall. Rev. G. A. Gram tner has re
moved from this State to Louisiana, to act as agent
for Shreveport Baptist University.
Tennessee. —James R. Colter was ordained to
the ministry at Pleasant Grove, Blount county,
March 25th.
West Viroinia. — We noted, several weeks
since, the baptism of a daughter of the junior edi
tor of the Baptist Record. The Biblical Recorder
credits us with the statement, and adds: “ That
4 daughter of the junior’ must have been baptized
in her infancy, as she was not in existence when
he moved from the old North State.” We can
only say that the Record for March Ist says
“On the 2nd Sunday in February, Anna, the
daughter of the junior editor of the Record , was
baptized into the fellowship of the Charleston
church.” Twelve have been baptized at Tay
lortown, 12 at Spencer Creek church, 17 at
Weston.
Changes of Church Usage.
The usages of a church, in matters of practical
detail, often undergo a series of modifications in
the course of years. Each modification may be
slight in itself and scarcely attract attention.
The modifications may be quite independent one
of another, applying to different questions, and
by no means knit together in logical relation.
And yet there may be a drift in them. They
may betray a common tendency. They may,
each and all, lean in one direction, whether of
strictness or of looseness.
A church may well pause, then, at times, and
enquire whether these modifications of usage are
marked by good or evil traits as regards their
general character. She has reason to fear, if
they are all changes from a stricter practice to a
looser. In that case, are they not presumptively
tokens of a downward course—symptoms of de
cline in spiritual life —evidences of a backsliding
which, if not arrested, must bear the church fur
ther and further from communion with God and
power for Him ? Is not the spirit—the influence
—the tendency—which uniformly exerts itself to
bring in the looser practice and thrust out the
stricter, convicted, by that very fact, as unwhole
some and dangerous ?
Letter from Macon.
Our city, by the favor of God, has been enjoy
ing good revivals in both the Baptist churches,
and a good many have been baptized. lam not
prepared to state the exact feeling in the First
church, as my lot is cast, just now, with the Sec
ond ; but results indicate that a genuine work of
grace has been in progress, and that much good
has been done. In the Second church, Bro. Hay
good has baptized five, and received other addi
tions by letter; and the prospect is good for a
still greater blessing upon his labors.
We have had the pleasure of a visit from Dr.
Dixon, pastor of the Green Street Baptist church,
Augusta. He came to lecture for the benefit of
the “Ladies’ Memorial Association,” an organiza
tion whose object is to care for the remains of
Confederate soldiers, and to erect a memorial in
their honor. For the latter object, Mrs. M. P.
Winship, President of the Association, has SI,OOO
in hand, and, besides, she has collected all the re
mains of the Confederate soldiers who were buried
in Macon, in one place, and has neatly sodded and
protected all their graves. As Dr. Dixon is a
comparative stranger in our State, I extract from
our daily paper an editorial, in regard to him, for
the general truthfulness of which I can vouch:
“ Last week Rev. Dr. Dixon, of Augusta, called
upon us, and we were pleased to discover in him
a large, handsome Englishman, with bon hommie
written all over his good-natured British counte
nance. Fifteen years ago he left Old England for
an American tour, and was so well pleased that,
with the exception of occasional visits home, he
has resided in America ever since. He is a regular
graduate of an English University, and an accom-
C fished scholar, profound thinker, and consldera
le of a humorist. Previous to entering upon
the duties of a Baptist minister be was, by pro
fession, a lecturer, and, as such, has a well estab
lished reputation.” I was very happy to make
the acquaintance of a man who really proves such
a valuable acquisition to our Georgia Baptist pul
pit, and who, to great scholarship, adds real intel
lectual stamina, originality, amiability, ministe
rial ability, piety and true moral worth. He is a
man of great cordiality and kindness of disposi
tion, of exceedingly cultivated manners, a thor
ough Baptist, and one bound to take bis stand
among the first. His lecture was well received,
highly spoken of, and deserved a far larger audi
ence than the dtie which heard it. No one was
disappointed in it, though all had high expecta
tions. As “ Galileo," he is well known to your
readers; but, for the distinguished position he oc
cupies, no one would suppose him to be only forty
years old. With his present home he seems per
fectly delighted, and prefers it to all other places
where he has set the sole of his foot
Our Macon Society has also enjoyed a real and
highly prized acquisition, in the advent of the
Professors of Mercer University—namely. Dr.
Tucker. Dr. Brantly, Prof. Sanford, Prof. Willet
and Prof. Woodfin. Their coming has been gen
erally and cordially welcomed; they have been
roost kindly and hosjytably received by the peo
ple of Macon, and are highTy delighted with their
change of residence. From personal conversa
tion with different ones, I feel confident that no
inducement could carry thefti back; that, rather
than return, they would all resign their positions
as Professors in Mercer University, and seek other
employments. But let me give you some points
of a conversation T had lately, with Dr. Tucker:
they may prove interest!** to your readers, as
indicating the condition of the College, the feel
ings of the Professors, the spirits of the students
and the prospects of the Inanition.
Said TANARUS, “ Doctor, what nfvo been the immedi
ate effects, upon the College, of its removal to
Macon ?” • - “In *rhat rfcSfjgfet?” “Why, as to
the students and professors,” “ Well, we have
twice the number of students we would have had
if we had remained at Peafuld, and more than |
we did have.” “How do ttay like the change?”
“ They are delighted. They would rather be
here a thousand times thim in Penfield: their
spirits are greatly elevated Hy the removal; their
zeal and enthusiasm are greased; they study
remarkably well, and, in every respect, behave
with perfect propriety.” “And, as to the feelings
of the Faculty ?” “The Faculty feel like birds
out of a cage.” “Are the Ftculty really satisfied
with Macon ?" “They are satisfied, and more
than satisfied—they ai
all feel alike f ’ “ They are unanimous and en
thusiastic. Ask them, and and they will tell you
so.” “Is there any difference of opinion in the
Faculty ?” “ None that I fcaow of.” “ Why, it
is reported, in certain places, that the Professors
are sorry at removal and fijpgusted with Macon ;
and I’ve even heard it said ih vt you had become
insane 1” “ Yes, just as IS has been said that I
began life as a became a circus
rider, and afterwards m3*J*4 into a carpenter,
so now they have it that I.Jp£* in a lunatic asy
lum.” “ Well,” said I, laughing, “ what do you
say to such reports ?” VI laugh at them.”
“What is the number of Students?” “About
fifty.” “ What is the prd&kct for students next
term ?” “The number increased.
This I learn from private fetters, and by other
means.” y
“ Don’t you think it was a mistake in the Trus
tees to announce so suddenly and unexpectedly
the suspension of the College ?’’ “ I do. I think
It was imprudent They advertised it the very
next day, and every paper in the State copied the
advertisement; while it time before we
could make our arrangements and advertise our
plans. But the papers which noticed the suspen
sion, never pretended to notice or copy oUr ad
vertisement. Consequently, in the inean’Asne
many students and parents had made other ar
rangements. This injured our Institution very
much.” “ What do you think of the health of
Macon ?” " I think it the healthiest city in the
State.” “ Have the bonds of.the city been turned
over to you ?” “ Yes ; but we can’t utilize them
until the question of removal is settled. The
Courts must decide that w<* have a right to re
move the College, and th» Ijj4jlege must be defi
nitely and positively in Macon before we
can utilize the bonds.” “When will the matter
be decided ?” 44 In July, by the Supreme Court.
Judge Cole, of this city, has decided that we have
a legal right to move the College ; but the oppo
nents of removal, R. S. McWhorter,
have carried the matter to Court of
Georgia, and with that Court the decision rests.”
“ How* came Judge Cole to a decision in the
matter?” “ Why. because we were moving here,
we applied here for anew charter, and the change
of charter was granted. Judge Colo decided that,
according to law, we had a right to remove the
College, and that we are entitled to a change of
charter. If the Supreme Court sustains Judge
Cole’s decision, that will be an gnd of the matter,
so far as the fact of removal is concerned. The
University will at once be opened in Macon, and
we shall go to building as soou as possible.”
“Do you think any steps, in reference to Mer
cer, will be taken in the Cotiwntion at Carters
ville ?” “I think an effort will be made to re
verse the action of the last Convention.” “AYith
what prospect of success ?” “ The attempt will
be voted right down. The denomination at large
is averse to Penfield as the site for Mercer Uni
versity.” “ But suppose lh*-^onvention should
resolve to move the College to Penfield ?”
That would kill the denomina
tion never will sustain it fn As to the
property holders in Penfield, worst thing that
could happen to the property,
wssurd >rke- -tnef*ooitegjpßp|» i ' -“Why so ?”
“because, as I said, the atNUnination will not
sustain the College there, anil its presence there
will keep away everything else ; whereas, if the
College were finally removei-*eyond all hope of
return, the Penfield buildings would be utilized
for some other purpose—some ether purpose that
would be popular and valuable.” “What do you
want the Convention to do, then, in reference to
the College?” 44 Just nothing at all. Just let
us alone. That’s all we ask." 44 What will you
do then ?” “We’ll go right on and make a great
thing of the College; and it won’t take so very
long to do that, either. We are determined to
push the College, and, in July, will have an in
crease of students. Thedecisionof the Supreme
Court will enable us to rem ganize and start
anew. As to the prosperity of the University,
that is only a question of time." “And the Con
vention?” “Let the Convention say and do
nothing, and leave tho College to the management
of the Trustees. We don’t want any action on
the part of the Convention.” “And, as to the
location of the College ?” “That is res ad judi
cata. Our difficulties once foTtVed, the number
of students will greatly increase, and I have not
a particle of doubt but the College will
prosper.”
I would say, in addifum to the that,
from private conversations with the other Profes
sors, I have gathered that they agree essentially
with what has been detailed as briefly as possi
ble in this letter, concerning the College, its Pro
fessors and prospects. The Professors have a
pleasant ar.d central suite of rooms, where recita
tions are heard. The students reside in various
places throughout the city, and may be seen, each
day, flocking to and from the College building;
and, taken altogether, with the prospects before
us, I imagine the College to be as advantageously
situated and progressing as favorably as it could
under any circumstances in which tho Georgia
Baptists could place it at preset. S. Boykin.
Macon, Oa., April Bth, 1871.
Letter from Neville,
Rev. Tiberius Gracchus Jones, D.D.,
formerly of Virginia, commenced his labors
as pastor of the First Baptist church of this
city on Sabbath last. 110 had as large a con
gregation as could get into the house, both
morning and night, and hi 1 sermons very
highly appreciated. He m-Ade a favorable
impression, and it is hopedy-‘hat he may be
the means ofebing much in the name of
the Lord JestA. ilischurch ' s just emerged
from its heavy pecuniary
incurred soon after the war Tor pews, cush*
ions, baptistery, plastering, frescoing, eto. The
Federal army left the house a complete
wreck, except the wailsfa^tr" floors. The
church shows its high opiuiofi of Dr. Jones
by paying a larger salary than perhaps any
Baptist minister receives in 'flhis State—four
thousand dollars per annum The Sabbath
school of the First church is in a very flour
ishing condition, under the uperintendency
of Bro. W. H. Pohlman. About three hun
dred scholars are in regular attendance, and
they have just S. S. post office,
and P. S. Hollins, of the wholesale house of
Carrick, Hollins & Cos., has been appointed
postmaster. All letters, papers, books, etc.,
passing from scholar to scholar, or teacher to
scholar, or scholar to teacher, are put into the
post office unsealed, sqbjeeted to the inspec
tion of the postmaster, then sealed and
delivered. Each letter is stamped with a one
cent S. 8. postage stamp.
Bro, Inruan is thehard-vvobtr+ng postmaster
of the Central Baptist church, and his church
and Sunday school are doing as well as pos
sible, considering the heavy indebtedness for
their meeting house, which hangs as an incu
bus upon the brethren of that church.
The Edgefield church, just across the river,
has no pa3tor at present; but the indefatiga
ble labors of our good brother, T. H. Jones,
of agricultural implement notoriety, will soon
bring all things right in that flourishing town.
The recent anniversary of the Baptist
church Sunday school at Shelbyville, the
county town of Bedford county, sixty-three
miles south of this city, was an occasion of
more than ordinary interest. Several breth
ren from Nashville, and Prof. Phillips, of
Union University, attended the' exercises, and
an impetus was given to the already prosper
ous school and church of Rev. Wm. A. Nel
son, whose labors in Shelbyville have been
greatly blessed.
A revival is going on in the First church
of our colored brethren here, and Rev. N. G.
Merry, colored pa3tor, baptized more than
twenty on Sunday last. Senola.
Nashville, April Bth, 1671.
Varieties.
Agents love and have variety. If “ variety
is the spice of life,” agents have a good deal
of spice in their lives; but, dear reader, you
need not covet some of that spice. You per
ceive, kind reader, I am anxious for you not
to forget that lam an agent. An old agent
—not an old man—gives this as the defini
tion of agent: Away from home—work—
money. But, experimentally, it means, ac
cording to brother Haygood,—l, Away from
home a great deal; 2, Much hard work ; 3,
Very little money.
Now, Baptists cf Georgia, I meau money,
and please do not let me experience the last
item—“ very little money.” Bro. Polhill,
pastor at Antioch, says I must not; and
though the times are hard and he a young
pastor, he pleads for us, and sends me a large,
valuable letter —worth $lB. Bro. Polhill is
not afraid that pleading for missions will hurt
him, by decreasing his salary or his congre
gation. Go on, Bro. P.
Starkeville, Lee county, Ga., is a place I
love to go to, if it is away from home. The
small church and congregation gave me over
sixty dollars, scarce as money is, and the
ablest brethren absent—one who has a good
deal and one who has no wife yet, though he
may 44 wife hunt” some times. Those two will
make the collection to a hundred, I do think.
They did give freely too, and not to get rid
of the agent. I was the means of their gets
ting a pastor last year. Agents do a number
of things. He preached the gospel, and sin
ners were converted. Some of them have
died, and 44 died in Christ.” Have I not a
share in that work ? But there is another
sharer—the young sister who commenced the
whole, by preaching to me till I consented
to visit Starkeville, which visit resulted in
their getting Bro. Cooper for pastor. How
much good can be put in motion by one
young Christian ! Take heed, young ladies.
Do not be willing to go to heaven alone. You
may take some one with you. Try to do so.
O, be not satisfied, for your life to be a
blank.
Cuthbert is a nice place. The Baptist
church is a nice one, and a nice and growing
congregation worship in it. The Sunday
school is flourishing, superintended by the
pastor, with a good set of teachers. The pas
t«»r, F. M. Daniel, (F. M. would stand for
last man,) is the most systematic and as de
voted a pastor as I know, and has as little
confidence in his ability as any—less than
anybody else has. What a beautiful building
the Baptist College is getting to be !
and so beautifully located ! Bro. Muse de
serves “ a rattle to his name,” for his labors
for that Institution. 1 got the 44 rattle ” idea
from him. T. Muse, D.D., rattles ntoredig
nifiedly than 44 Uncle Totnmie.” The ungodly
young people of Cuthbert must all have taken
the Sunday I was there for riding out. Is it
so every Sunday? It is a bad, a sinful habit.
Bro. Daniel collects mission funds system
atically, and hence 44 there are no gatherings”
when we agents go. The Cuthbert church
belongs to the 44 Habit Missionary Society.”
I had variety at New Hope, Bethel Asso
ciation. J. C. Bass is their Bishop, and not
able to take the Index, or is able to do withy
out it. Now, I have a remedy for all cases
of that sort, —that is, for all such pastors to
rain their, chiMiehcf to be not ijnti-missionary
nor omissionary, but really giving missiona
ries, and they will soon give enough to their
pastors to Jielp them t%ke thp Index, .But I
got funds there and at Cotton Hill too. Bro.
Muse preaches at Cotton Hill, and has for
years. Congregations large, a Sunday school,
and large but unfinished church. The church
is able to do much more for its pastor and for
missions than it does. Many of them have
never learned the luxury of giving. My cash
collection was fine. The Fort Gaines church
has now the services of Bro. Sims, of Ala
bama, once a month. I always get money and
good treatment there. Such deacons are rare
ly found as there. One of them says “he would
rather have no preaching than unpaid for
preaching.” He thinks preachers ought to
comply with their contracts with the churches
as well as churches with them Shiloh church,
Friendship Association, had no pastor when
I was there. 1 went at the right time, the
brethren said. It was their communion. 1
administered the supper for them. They
seemed glad, gave me some money, their mis
sionary some the day before, and begged me
to 4 ' come again.” They called a pastor, he
accepted, and then quit, without letting them
know it. There is a minister, a member of
Shil mi, (a pocket member,) who keeps a sort
of free bar in Americus. 1 saw a man take
a free drink, and s<>on begin to talk big and
swear. I asked the minister if he was re
sponsible? The worst bars in the country,
l think, are free. The keepers treat for trade,
and are often chureh members. I was at
Americus, —want to go again. I second ail
Bro. A. and agent H. have said, and could
44 add something,” but better not now.
Here is the best morsel yet. A letter from
Elbert county —no name, but money—from
44 a poor man, who hopes to be able to con
tribute the same amount several times this
year."- But here is something better thau
money. 44 May God bless you and the noble
cause in which you are engaged, is the prayer
of one who wishes you great success.” God
bless you, my brother, and raise up many
like you. VVrite again, name or no name.
W. N. Chaudoin.
Ordination.
At tha request of the church at Ruhamah,
Jefferson county, Ala., Rev. Jas. Grimes,
Rev. A. J. Waldrop, the pastor, and the wri
ter, met with the ohprch March 25, 1871, for
the purpose of setting apart to the full work
of the ministry, brother Elisha Waldrop, a
son of the last named member of the Press
bytery. The examination was conducted in
private , and was full, free and entirely satis
factory. The ordination sermon and charge by
the writer, the presentation of the Bible by
brother A. J. Waldrop, the ordaining prayer
by brother Grimes, and the benediction by
the candidate. Our young brother gives
promise of much zeal and usefulness as a
minister of the New Testament. Our visit
was rendered unusually pleasant by the ge
nial hospitality of brethren and friends in
the community. T. C. Boykin,
The First Sunday in April in Savannah,
The first Sunday in the month is our com
inunion day’, and, on that account, a time of
peculiar interest. The first Sabbath in each
month of the present year has been clear and
beautiful, and the attendance on these services
has been the largest I h;jve ever seen. Yes
terday we had both ordinances. In the morn
ing, Dr. Edward Lathrop, who was for twenty
years pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist church
in New York, being op a visit to his relatives
in this his native city, preached on the sacri
fice of our Lord. Immediately after service,
we attended the funeral of a female relative
of Bro. Lathrop.
At 3£ o’d ock the missionary society of the
Sunday school held its quarterly meeting.
The whole school is formed into a society.
They elect a president, secretary and treasu
rer ; also, one from each class to form a board
of managers. Penny collections are taken
each Sunday for missions, and reports are
made at the quarterfy meetings. The report
yesterday showed that over one hundred dol-
lars had been collected during the quarter.
The President read an interesting letter from
Dr. Taylor. In this way ve hope to do two
things,—lst, get money for missions; 2nd,
cultivate in the young the habit of giving.
Dr. Lathrop addressed the school, encour
aging the children to labor for missions, and
telling them that he was once a member of
their school. At o’clock we assembled in
the church to keep the Lord’s supper. Five
members were received by letter, and a col
lection taken up for the suffering poor of the
church. At 8 o’clock the pastor preached,
and then baptized three candidates from the
mission in the Southern part of the city. We
have no house for this mission. The meetings
are held in a store rented for this purpose.
We greatly need anew chapel for this part
of the city.
We have received twenty-six members by
letter and baptism since the first of January .
There is constantly a pleasant state of reli
gious interest, though nothing of decided re
vival power.
In answer to brethren, I will say that the
Atlantic and Gulf Rail Road will give the
usual favor to delegates attending the State
Convention. S. Landrum.
To the Churches of the Hephzlbah Associ
ation.
Dear Brethren: Your Committee—breth
ren Kilpatrick, Key and Rozier—selected me
as your Evangelist, and in accordance with
their instructions, I commenced my labors
the first of January. A great deal of bad
weather, much unsettledness in the affairs of
the people, and some sickness, have prevent
ed my doing as much this quarter as 1 desired
to do. I have given to your Committee a
detailed account of labors. I give you in
this a summary.
I have visited the following churches, in
the order named: Providence, Old Bethel,
Duhart’s Creek, Bethany, Pice Hill, (col
ored,) Ways, (but did not perform any labor,)
Friendship, (of the Washington Association,)
Reedy Creek, Pine Hill again, (at a General
Meeting,) Louisville, Forte Creek, Silver
Run. I have been well received, at most of
these; indeed, except at Reedy Creek, and
there by only one man, there has been
no opposition manifested, but a general cor
diality and approval. 1 have been enabled
to deliver 28 sprmons, besides some lectures
and religious conversations and services in
families, travelling a little over 400 miles.
Few of our people will buy a religious book,
or take a religious paper. There is much
disorder in our churches. Liquor-drinking
is very common everywhere, and some of
our ministers are accused of drinking it as a
beverage. In none of the churches visited
have I found a prayer meeting. In Provi
dence alone is a regular Sabbath school. In
some they are now trying to organize them.
The support of the ministry, and their con
sequent consecration, does not seem to be
seriously contemplated. 1 have found afflict
ed ones who had not heard a sermon nor
seen a minister in a long time. My mission
is to me, in some respects, a sad one. I
make daily discoveries of darkness. Breth
ren of the Ilephzibah Association, awake!
Let the prayer, the earnest prayer of your
heart, be, 44 011 Lord, revive thy work.”
There is no real destitution in our bounds, if
we had a consecrated ministry, and a praying,
working membership. Never, however, have
I seen our members, so-called, so backslidden.
Yet, there are some praying, and there is
hope. At some of my little meetings, the
tears flow and sinners ask for prayer. I find,
also, much departure from our published
faith, and some seem to tremble when I sur
prise them with the old-fashioned doctrine of
salvation by the “.mere grace of God,” or
44 Particular Redemption,” and are really
alarmed when a Pedobaptist in the congrega
tion heate our reasons for strict communion.
I shall execute the work allotted me, with
all the ability, zeal and purity that it has
pleased our Father to give me. 1 beg an
interest in your prayers. I hope you will
never regret my appointment. Let us all
pray for the outpouring of the Spirit, It is
my plan, by direction of the Committee, to
visit the churches and their vicinities in Burke,
during the months of May and June. I want
night appointments for those who cannot go
to the churches. Look for me brethren, and
be prepared to aid mein promoting the cause
of our Saviour, which is the salvation of
sinners.
Your Evangelist, Wm. M. Verdery.
A Virginia Letter.
Rev. G. A. Peltz, of Philadelphia, the ed
itor of the Baptist Teacher, for the past few
days, has been delighting opr Sunday sohools
and community with capital addresses. On
the invitation of the Baptist Sunday School
Association, of this city, and of other Sunday
school workers, he has visited us. I have
heard no man so thoroughly posted in all
matters pertaining to the Sunday school work.
His suggestions are practical, and are the re
sult, not of theorizing speculation, but of ex
perience and observation. Infant classes,
uniform lessons, teachers’ meetings, use of
the blackboard, the best modes of preparing
lessons, retaining scholars, improving effi
ciency and attendance, etc., have been the
subjects he has lucidly and satisfactorily dis
cussed. He has won universal favor by his
genial temper, his pleasing manners, his ready
eloquence, his unaffected piety aud enthusias
tic devotiou to the Suuday school cause. It
would be a blessing to have such a man trav
elling over the whole country, visiting Asso
ciations and Conventions, holding Institutes
and stirring up our Baptist churches to a
higher appreciation and wiser improvement
of Sunday schools.
The Baptists of this State look with much
anxiety to the Educational Convention at
Marion, next week- Dr. Poindexter and
Prof. Harris, as Representatives of
College, will attend and read papers qri the
Endowment of Colleges and Academies, their
place and uses. Steps have been taken to
hold a similar Convention in Richmond, in
July. The programme is not sufficiently
matured to justify ils ‘announcement. It is
expected that distinguished educators and
scholars from Georgia, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia,
Maryland and the Territory of Columbia,
will take part in the proceedings. It is grat
ifying t ) witness the earnest efforts of the
Baptists in behalf of advanced education.
No State, nor denomination, nor community,
can retain or increase its influence, if “ out
siders” are permitted to mould and disci
pline the minds of the young.
Some weeks ago, the students of Riohinond
College began daily meetings for prayer and
exhortation. The results have been most
salutary. Several conversions have occurred,
and a deep religious interest pervades the In
stitution. It may be interesting to state that
the deportment of the young men, through
out the entire session, has been most praise
worthy. No College in the Union can boast
of better discipline and more studiousness.
Quite a number of churches in this
State are without pastors. Dr. Jones has
left Norfolk and gone to I*Jashville. Jt will
be very hard to supply his place. In many
of the elements of pulpit oratory, he js un
surpassed by aqy preacher in America, J.
Wm. Jones has resigned at Lexingtoq, oq
account of ths precarious health of jjis wife,
and accepted the agency for the Seminary at
Greenville. Brother Jones is rpuch beloyed
by his own flock and the students. No min
ister of the village is so popular with the
young men at the Institute and Washington
College. They looked to him as a friend and
consulted him in all their troubles. It is
much to be desired, that brother Jones’ pop
ularity, tact, energy, zeal and efficiency should
carry through the work of endowment for
our School of the Prophets. Staunton has
called her former pastor, Rev. Geo. B. Tay
lor, and it is understood that when his chap
laincy expires at the University, he will re
turn. Warrenton has elected brother Car
roll, of North Carolina, and the probability
is that he will accept. Bruington has found
no successor for the sainted Bagby. The
rumor is that brother Bitting will soon leave
Lynchburg, for another field. This is gener
ally deplored. The church has been wonder
fully blessed under his ministrations.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the evac
uation of Richmond. The negroes observed
it, with a procession and other demonstrations
of grateful remembrance. The ignorant
dupes seem not to see the bad taste of cele
brating what was of little consequence to
them, and very painful to the majority of the
people. The silly ceremonial passed off qui
etly. Such exhibitions provoke no hostility,
scarcely excite comment, and yet the Repre
sentative (7) from this district declares, on the
floor of Congress, that a loyal man cannot
safely walk down Main street. Was ever
patience more striking under accumulated
wrong and obloquy ? L.
Richmond, Va., April 4, 1871.
A Good Suggestion—Who will Accept the
Proposition?
Below is a proposition from that wise and
benevolent brother, W. J. F. Mitchell, which
strikes me as being eminently practical, as it
puts it into the power of all the planters in
the State to do something for our own Uni
versity. Some of our brethren can give a
larger number of bales of cotton, but all can
give someting. Let those who are willing to
contribute from the crop of the present year,
write me at LaGrange, Ga., saving how manv
bales they are willing to contribute, and at
what rail road depot they will deliver it, and
I will advise them how to mark it, etc. I
would also suggest that some might give
lands to the University, in the present scarcity
of money. Property is what the University
needs, as well as money. Brethren, let me
hear fromjyou. 11. C. Hornady, Agent.
Dear Bro. Hornady: I have noticed for
some time, in the columns of the Index, that
you are the accredited agent of Mercer Uni
versity, and I feel that 1 would like to have
some stock in the Institution. It may not
benefit me, but may do the rising generation
good. 1 have had on my mind to make a sug
gestion. It is this: While lam not able to
do much, I would be willing to give a bale of
good middling cotton, weighing five hundred
pounds, to be delivered at my railroad depot,
to be shipped to any commission house in
Macon by the fifteenth day of November next,
and proceeds of same to be paid to you as
the agent of Mercer, after paying the expenses
on same. This may not suit you, as an agent,
but I think several hundred bales of cotton
might be obtained in that way. If one is
not able to give a bale, two or more could
form themselves into a club and make out
a bale. Others might feel that they were
able to give more than one bale. Now, bro
ther Hornady, if my suggestion meets your
approbation, oouut me one bale, and may the
Lord prosper you in the good work in which
you are engaged. W. F. Mitchell.
Butler, March 21th, 1871.
The Work iu Columbus.
The interest in the meetings continues. The
work spreads wider and deeper. Eleven bap
tized last night—five males and six females.
Thirty-two have been baptized, and five others
have been received for baptism. The Lord
grant us many more. At the 8 o’clock meet
ing for prayer and inquiry, five of the young
converts lead in prayer; one of them a lad
of eleven years: O, how near Jesus came to
U 9 this morning! and yet we cry, “ Nearer
to Thee, Lord, nearer to Thee.” We pray
for the conversion of the whole city. This is,
the sixty-second day of the meetings. Last
Saturday night, after Bro, Teasdale left me,
I felt that my fatigue, greatly increased by a
cold and fever, would prevent the labors of
the Sabbath; but 1 was permitted to rest and
get through yesterday’s work, which was glo
rious at the morning service and communion,
and at night crowned with the beautiful bap
tisms of the believers in Jesus. Dr. Teas
dal’s services were highly appreciated by peo
ple and pastor. God greatly blessed his la
bors, As an evangelical preacher in time of
a revival, few men can preach with wore ef
fect. The Sunday school, which numbers
oyer 250, teachers and pupils, gave the Dr.
a njee sqm of money, which was increased to
sorqething nearly equal to $250. (f the meet
ings continue, 1 doubt if 1 shall be able to go
to Marion on the 12th. T. R. Skinner.
Columbus, Ga., April 3,1871-
Senoia Church, Ga.
This church was constituted in 1800, with
14 members, and now numbers 50, live, act
ive brethren and sisters. Without being re
quested to do so by the church, 1 call on the
Baptists generally to send up means to Bro.
Wm. Barnes at Senoai, or Eider 11. S. Reese
at Turin, to aid in building them a house of
worship. These brethren are making a wor
thy and laudable effort to establish the truth
as it is in Christ, in their beautiful town.
Brethren, help the needy. Bro. 11. S. Reese,
the pastor, is a genial, kind, working minister
of Christ. He expects to be at the Conven
tion in Cartersville, and no doubt will gladly
recive any aid that good brethren will offer.
Senoia is situated on the Savannah, Griffin
and North Alabama Rail Road, 18 miles
from Griffin and 16 miles from Newnau; has
700 inhabitants. The streets are wide and
tastefully laid off. Judging from the fertility
of the surrounding country, beauty and con
venience of location, together with the enter
prising citizens now there, Senoia has a bright
future. Tqof. H. Murphy.
MoyaneoilU, Search 1871.
Programme.
I hqpc yoq will publish, as a notice to the
brethren of the Alabama Association, the follow T
ing list of subjects to be discussed, at ftutledge,
Crenshaw oounty, Ala., on Friday and Saturday
before the fifth Sabbath in this month.
1. Do the Scriptures Authorise a Sabbath
School ?—ft. M. Burt. s}. What should be taught,
and how?—A- F- Goldsmith. 3- Who shall
teach in Sabbath Schools?—G. W. McQueen. 4-
Should little children be taught in Sabbath
School ?—J. M. Thigpen. 5. Should adults be
taught in Sabbath School ?—D. Lee. 6. Can
Christians refuse or neglect to work in the Sab
bath School innocently ?—L. D. Brooks. 7. Up
on what conditions will God forgive sin? —B. A.
Jackson. 8. Does the Bible authorize Christians
to deal in intoxicating liquors?—M. Bishop. 9.
What is the Model Church? —C. A. Kendrick.
10. What are the Duties of a Minister of the
Gospel?—H. W. Watson. All who can, are in
vited to attend. J. E. Bell.
Greenville, Ala., April 4,1871.
Tbe Poor.
fn a letter just received .from Elder Janies Par
rovV, riow on it missionary tout w the State, ho
Informs me that 'the necessities of his family
oblige him to appeal to the approaching Conven
tion' qf h'« Qooi»ia brethren at Cartersyiflej ftjf
pecuniary aiq. A little attention to tj)e subject,
ip adyaqce, tjay (RCrpasQ the efficiency qf a good
and needed work.
Respectfully submitted. M. J. W-
Hamilton, Avril 2, 1371.
Sunday School**
All Sunday Schools and Sunday School Super?
intendents are hereby notified that subscriptions
ipay be sent ipe *t ijacon, Cja , for Wosps.
Terms, 35 cents per copy, when ten o r more aye
taken j 50 cents for a single copy. Our child's
paper deserves a larger circulation in Georgia and
Alabama, than it receives. Please send the
money to ms, and I will forward the order fop
the papers, immediately. S. Boykin,
Mavon, tfa.