Newspaper Page Text
58
fuln m$ J§ajrtist.
J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 & 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS:
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON, D.V.,Jacksonville, Ala.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1871.
Work for the Convention.
The question ha3 often recurred to us recently,
whether the work we are now doing is of suffi
cient magnitude to justify the assembling of such
a meeting as will come together at St. Louis in a
few weeks? We do not propose, by starting this
question, to intimate that money can represent
the value of any service done for Christ and the
souls of men : but whether it is exactly prudent
and wise to expend so much of our money in
mere machinery, at the expense of the real work
of the Convention ? In other words, whether we
really increase the benefactions of our Boards by
such a policy ? Now, we do not propose discuss
ing the wisdom of annual meetings of the Con
vention, for that seems to be settled ; but we do
think that in any proper estimate of the expenses
of mere machinery, we ought to include the
money paid out by the delegates to attend its
meetings. This would very nearly equal the
amount expended by either one of our Boards.
But waiving all this, it is well to ask whether
the work the Convention is now doing through
its Boards is a fair expression of what could rea
sonably be expected from our denomination, and
from such an assemblage as our great Southern
anniversary? Is there not a painful contrast be
tween the one and the other ? When the intelli
gence and piety of the denomination are called
together, it is not unreasonable to expect some
thing worthy of so vast a gathering. Unless
there be some proportion between such great im
plied pretensions and their fulfillment, disap
pointment is the result, and this disappointment
re-acts most disastrously upon the whole work of
the Convention.
The Domestic Mission Board is, wo believe, the.
most efficient Board of the Convention, thanks to
its live Secretary. But how easy would it bo to
doublo the capacity of this Board, by a slight
effort? What is it doing compared with what
might be done, if our brethren were in full sym
pathy with its objects ? Cannot something be
done to increase its hold upon the confidence and
support of our churches, Associations and State
Conventions? Suppose we were to abate the
next annual meeting, and appoint the next Con
vention two years hence, and take the money we
spend in reaching the place of meeting, and put
one active, able, working agent in each of our
Southern States, to represent all the interests of
the body, would it not be a wiser expenditure?
We protest, in making these suggestions, we
are not actuated by a captious, fault-finding spirit.
Our solo desire is to increase the efficiency of ail
the Boards of the Convention. Something must
be done to put the hearts of our brethren more
generally in communication with the great work
in which we arc engaged. Il we would stop the
mouths of gainsayers ; if we would silence the
clamors of the few amongst us who are ever and
anon looking to Northern affiliation as the great
remedy for our present lethargy, we must do
something worthy of the seven hundred thousand
Baptists in these Southern States. If w T e do not,
or cannot occupy our own destitute territory, how
can wo blame others for coming to our assistance ?
As to merging all the Boards of the Convention
into one, we think that would about be the death
knell of the whole organization. We might as
well prepare for the funeral obsequies of the
body. About as much would be collected and
disbursed by such a Board as any one of our
present Boards dispenses. The truth is, no con
ceivable plan will ever bo operated vigorously
until we can inspire our churches with a deeper
sympathy in our work. The fault is not in the
plan, but in the disposition to operate any plan;
and we are thoroughly convinced, that deep and
wide-spread as may be the objections to agencies
as such, we never can reach that high measure of
success until we fall back upon such agencies.
No great work has ever yet been achieved without
them, and never will be. God has so ordained it,
and we cannot change it. Fret, and chafe, and
murmur as we may, no great enterprise, human
or divine, has ever been successfully prosecuted
without them. When we fight against them, we
tight against our only means of success. 11.
Superannuated Ministers.
Ministers who have worn themselves out in the
service of the churches and who are poor, have
been sadly overlooked by the benevolence, not to
say the justice, of the denomination. With the
widows and orphans of those who have fallen
asleep, they are entitled to support at the hand of
the brotherhood. We should like to see the col
lection of funds for this class distinctly recognized
as one of the objects of our State Convention, and
the Executive Committee specially charged with
the disbursement of these funds. We should like
to have that Committee spread before our people,
at intervals, such facts and appeals as might set
forth the work needing to be done and prompt
the large-hearted and warm-hearted to do it.
Thousands of dollars should be expended for this
purpose every year. And, with proper system,
•we think they might be secured. WiU'the breth
ren who assemble at Cartersville give this matter
thought"?
Political Infallibility.— The National Mon
itor, Brooklyn, N. Y., is the organ of two colored
Baptist Societies, and conducted by two colored
Baptist editors. Announcing the steady increase
of its circulation, in a recent number, it says:
“ Two thousand five hundred colored-ivfcrA—lead
ing men in the South—will read tlus issue.” And
urging “the colored brethren of the South” to
subscribe now, it makes promise that the paper
“will be to them a reliable, fearless, outspoken,
unfettered, and unerring political guide in the fail
elections.” “ American citizens of African de
scent,” then, are as fortunate in the sphere of poli
tics, as Papists are in the religious sphere. Infal
libility condescends to clear a path for them, that
no snares of error may take their feet. If Brook
lyn and Rome would only form a copartnership,
under the name and style of Pius and Perry !
“I Felt Hunched Up.”
A few Sabbaths since, it became our duty to
baptize a pious old gentleman who had for many
years been a member of a Pedobaptist denomina
tion. His experience before the church was very
interesting. When he came to the point where
lie felt called upon to say something about his
reasons for seeking membership among the Bap
tists, he said: “ I was sprinkled when a little child
—so I have been told. I have also been told that
I fought the preacher while he was imposing the
rite. I was no believer: my will was not consult
ed in the matter. And all through my religious
life, when reading the Bible and seeing such pas
sages as, ‘He that believeth and i3 baptized,’
‘ Buried in baptism,’ ‘ Baptism is the answer of a
•good .conscience,’ I would feel hunched up, and in
spite of me, I would hurry over these places.”
A few days afterwards, we stated this part of
his experience to. a friend of his. of the de
nomination which he had left. And this
-remarked, “ That is not his experience alone, for
there are many others who feel ‘ hunched up ’
when they come to such passages in the Scrip
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOOTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, APRIL 20,1871.
tures. I have felt the force of that sort of ' hunch ’
myself.”
Why will not Christians obey the Scriptures
and act out the convictions of conscience ? “If
ye love me, keep my commandments.” “He that
loveth me will keep my words.” Alas for the
power of an erroneous religious training! The
church of my fathers, I cannot leave it. My pa
rents had me sprinkled, and I will not set aside
what they did for me. But Jesu9 says, “He that
loveth father or mother more than me, is not wor
thy of me.” R-
Reviews and Notices.
The Moral Duty of Total Abstinence : A Sermon on
God’s Law on the Body and His law in the Book. By
Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, Lafayette Avenue Church,
Brooklyn. New York : National Temperance Society
and Publication House. Pp. 23. Price 15 cents.
This is the second in the Series of Temperance
Sermons, which the Society proposes to issue.
Dr. Cuyler puts the question clearly and strongly.
Third Annual Catalogue of the Crozer Theological
Seminary, Upland, Penn.: 1870-71.
The Faculty of this young but promising Insti
tution consists of H. G. Weston, Professor of
Preaching and Pastoral Duties, G. D. B. Pepper,
Professor of Christian Theology, and H. Osgood,
Professor of History and Hebrews There were
36 students, among whom we notice, in the Senior
class, J. M. Fulglium, Sandersville, Ga., in the
Middle Class, T. N. Coleman, Fort Deposit, Ala.,
and in the Junior Class, A. N. White, Hernando,
Miss.
The Baptist Quarterly. Philadelphia: American
P.aptist Publication Society. Terms, $3 a year.
Contents for April— 1. New Testament Revis
ion, by Prof. A. C. Kendrick, D.D., Rochester, N.
Y. 2. Athens: Her Place in History, by Prof. J.
R. Boice, LL.D., Chicago, 111. 3. Lightfoot’s
Christian Ministry, by Prof. G. Anderson, D.D.,
Newton Centre, Mass. 4. The Baptist Historical
Society, by H. Malcom, D.D., LL.D., Philadelphia,
Pa. 5. The National Baptist Educational Conven
tion, by S.S. Cutting, D.D., Brooklyn, L. I. 6.
Life and Times of Dev. John Leland, by J. T.
Smith, Warwick Neck, R. I.
This is an admirable number, anil we rise from
its perusal with no little regret that a periodical so
worthy of general patronage lind3 its way into the
hands of such a small number, comparatively, of
Southern readers.
The Baptist Sentinel. Lexington, Ky., Worrell &
Ray, Proprietors. Terms, $2 a year.
The April number of the Sentinel is marked by
its usual variety and vigor. We note the request
for the views of the Index and Baptist on the
intercommunion of churches in the Lord’s supper,
and hope to give them in due season.
Our Zion—in Our Exchanges, etc.
Georgia. —Rev. E. W. Warren, of Macon, has
accepted a unanimous t all to the pastoral care of
the First church, Atlanta, and will enter on his
labors with it, May Ist. We congratulate the
church and community on this valuable accession.
A Third colored Baptist church was dedica
ted in Atlanta, on Sabbath afternoon; Rev. Dr.
Brantly preaching. From S3OO to S4OO were
raised. Our church at LaGrange has called
Rev. M. B! Hardin, of Texas, to the pastorate.
Rev. J. J. D. Renfroe, of Talladega, A(a.,
will preach, (on his way to Greenville, S. to at
tend the Commencement of our Theological Sem
inary,) at Elam church, Warren county, Wednes
day, April 26th. A storm which passed over
Sandersville, Sunday afternoon, March 26th, threw
the colored church, just completed, off its foun
dation and injured it so much that it will be nec
essary to rebuild. The white church, though not
completed, did not receive quite so much injury;
but work had been stopped on it for want of
funds. Botii need help from abroad, and J. M. G.
Medlock will receive contributions to both.
Brethren Asa Chandler and Benj. Thornton
preached, on Saturday' and Sabbath, for the Third
church, Atlanta.
Alabama. —Rev. J. J. D. Renfroe, of Tallade
ga, lias recently received from the generosity of
his friends, a horse worth $l5O, and Mrs. R. re
ceived a sewing machine worth SOO. Some un
known friend also sent him a fine barrel of flour
and a choice barrel of “ sugar house molasses.”
He feels very thankful for these substantial kind
nesses, and earnestly wishes the richest blessings
upon the kind hearts who furnished them.
Arthur Truss, an intelligent, influential and wor
thy Baptist of Talladega county died suddenly,
while on a visit to Jefferson county, a few days
ago. ——Rev. W. 11. Mclntosh, D.D., of Marion,
writes to us, April 15th: “ The Educational Con
vention adjourned last night: it vyas a successful
and profitable meeting. Last Sabbath I baptized
eleven.” We regret that arrangements for an
early report of the proceedings of the Conven
tion have miscarried, and hope to make up in ful
ness and accuracy what is unexpectedly lacking
in promptness. The Montgomery Advertiser of
the 16th says: “On last Sabbath the exercises of
the First Baptist church Sabbath school were ren
dered unusually interesting by the distribution of
badges of honor. There are six Bands, Bright
and Early Band, Band of Good Behavior, Bring
ing in Band, Band of Benevolence, Berean Band,
and Band Brightest and Best. The badges consist
of white, dark blue, light blue, orange and red
ribbons. To get into the Brightest and Best the
scholar must get into all the other Bands, which
requires perfection. On the last Sabbath there
were present 188 pupils, 16 of whom received tire
highest honors—that of the Brightest and Best.
Superintendent Thomas deserves the highest com
mendation for the interest he lias inspired into
the congregation of the First Baptist church in
the matter of Sabbath schools. It is astonishing
to see what interest the scholars manifest in the
Sabbath school. The whole school engage in
singing.”
KENTUCKY.-Mayslick church has resolved to have
preaching every Sabbath and a pastor for all his
tune. Rev. C. W. Dicken has returned from
our Seminary, at Greenville, S. C., “ bringing with
him a bride, in the person of Dr. Williams’ eldest
daughter.” Harrisburg church has had 17 ac
cessions ; Garnettsville, 17; Bowling Green, 56.
Rev. S. P. Hogan, pastor at Great Crossings,
Scott county, is dead. Allen Allenworth has
been ordained to the ministry, at Fifth street
church, Louisville.
Missouri. —At Lexington 25 have been baptized,
(among them two children of Rev. D. IT. Selph;)
25 accessions at North Fork, Adair county;.27 at
Ten Mile, Macon county; 30 at Alt. Salem, Knox
county; 31 at Bee Creek, Platte county; 125 at
Chillicothe; 18 at Marshfield, Webster county,
where $1,700 were secured toward the erection of
a house of worship. Rev. R. Holman, D.D.,
has almost entirely recovered from the effects of
paralysis, and is fitting up a comfortable home
near Petra.
North Carolina.— Rev. Win. Turner and F.
M. Jordan acknowledge through the Raleigh
Recorder the receipt of “ nice suits of clothes,” as
presents. A church has been, or is to be, con
stituted at Hickory Tavern, a flourishing town on
the Western N. C. R. R. Rev. J. L. Carroll, es
Oxford, accepts the call tendered him from War
ren ton, Ya.
Soittii Carolina. —Rev. A. Rice has resigned
pastoral charge of First Creek church, after an
uninterrupted service of twenty-two years, during
which he baptized into its fellowship 310 persons.
Rev. L. H. Shuck baptized 6 ladies at the
First church, Charleston, April 2nd. Mt. Pleas
ant church has had its first baptisms; of two
young ladies, one of a Presbyterian, the other of
a Methodist family. Rev. G. C. Needham has
preached a week for our church at Barnwell.
Rev. I. D. Durham resigns charge of our church
at Orangeburg, and removes to his plantation
some thirty miles distant. The ladies of Sum
ter 'church, who two years ago, raised SI,OOO to
repair the church house and purchase an organ,
have recently assumed a debt of from two to
three hundred dollars. The general health of
Rev. R. Furman, D.D., is better than for the past
two years.
Texas,—Rev. W. D, Magouirk settles at Ce
dar Bayou, Harris county, to preach there and at
Lynchburg, Liberty and Beaumont.——Our church
at Palestine is without a pastor and disorganized,
and the church house is in the hands of the Freed
men.
Tennessee. —Our church at Morristown has
completed a house of worship, at a cost of some
$9,000. It is to be dedicated next Sabbath.-
A church of 46 members has been organized at
Oak Dale, Knox county.
Virginia.— Rev. Addison Hall died, after less
than a day’s illness, Sabbath, April 2nd, at Kil
marnock, Lancaster county. Rev. G. B. Tay
lor, his chaplaincy at the University having closed,
returns to his old pastorate in Staunton. -Rev. J.
A. Mundy, of Nelson county, removes to Texas.
Rev. J. B. Taylor, Jr., has baptized 9 at Cul
peper C. H., and others await the ordinance.
W. H. Thomas, of Bedford county, latterly a stu
dent at Golumbian College, was ordained at Cum
berland street church, Norfolk, March 16th, and
takes charge of Red Bank and Lower Northamp
ton churches. Rev. J. A. Chambliss, of the
Second church, Richmond, declines the call to
Broadway church, Louisville, Ky. In the Rich
mond Herald , Dr. Williams, of Baltimore, suggests
that churches who send their pastors to the South
ern anniversaries at St. Louis, also enable them to
attend the Northern anniversaries, the week after,
at Chicago.
West Virginia.— The Charleston Record says:
“ In the two hundred and fifty Baptist churches
in this State, there is a fraction under 20,000 mem
bers. There are counties in which there is not a
Baptist minister, others in which there is but one,
and portions of every county where we are either
unknown or are misrepresented.”
Georgia Baptist Convention.
Let me ask the attention of the brethren,
who will soon form the session at Carters
viile, to a matter which, I think, deeply in
volves the interest of the denomination in
this region, i refer to the project of organ
izing a South-Georgia and Baptist
Convention.
It would be consistent with her Constitu
tion for the Ga. Bap. Convention to take ac
tion on this subject: “To form and encourage
plans for the revival (or promotion) of ex
perimental and practical religion in the State
and elsewhere .” No. 2 —Art. 10.
The Baptists of Florida are too weak to
accomplish much for the cause of Christ
without aid from abroad. A strong and in
fluential Body could be formed by the union of
a few Associations of Southern Ga. with their
brethren of Fla., by which the prevailing
destitution in this region could be supplied,
and the interests of the denomination other
wise be promoted. These Associations .would
probably be more useful in such connection
than they are in connection with the Ga. Bap.
Convention. It would increase their sense of
responsibility. It would be more convenient
for their delegates to attend a Convention in
this section, and thus fraternal intercourse
would be promoted.
Whatever benefits to the cause may arise
from the sessions of the Ga. Bap. Convention
are not likely to be enjoyed by their brethren
of Southern Ga., Amerieus and Cuthbert
being the lowest points at which the Body
has ever assembled. A South Ga. and Fla.
Convention would supply this deficit.
The Ga. Convention is becoming burden
some to the communities which have to ac
commodate its delegates, not to say the vis
itors, male and female, who would be glad
to attend its sessions. Hence the invitations
it receives arc not as numerous, nor as pres
sing, as in former years. The loss of a few
Associations would render it less burden
some.
The Methodist brethren have a North-Ga.
and South Ga. Conference, besides a Fla. Con
ference. Would it not be well for the Baptists
to consider whether their example, in this
respect, may not be worth following?
If any inquire, What can the Ga. Bap. Con
ventiou do in the matter 1 I answer, let them
recommend it. When that is done, some
church in this section can invite a preliminary
meeting of the churches in the terrritory in
dicated. Such meeting can invite the coope
ration of the Associations which will assem
ble next fall ; and, by next Christmas, the
South Georgia and Fla. Bap. Convention may
be an accomplished fact.
The brother who will bring this matter to
theattention of the Convention at Cartersville,
will, as the writer believes, confer a benefit
on the cause of Christ in all this region,
J. El. Campbell.
Thomusville, Ga., April 14, 1871.
Notes of Travel.
Hogansville is anew and growing town on
the Atlanta and West Point railroad. It was
named in honor of Judge Hogan, who settled
the place, and was at one time sole proprie
tor of the town and its environs. After his
death the property was sold by his execu
tors ; and, as an evidence of its rapid growth,
it now contains eight hundred or one thou
sand persons. The Baptists have a neat, sub
stantial house of worship, built of brick, and
the Presbyterians have a neat and commodi
ous edifice, built of wood. Rev. R. FI. Jack
son is the esteemed pastor of the Baptist
church ; and, under his wise and efficient la
bors, the church is rapidly growing in num
bers and influence. Rev. Mr. Stacy, of New
nan, preaches for the Presbyterians once a
month. The Methodists have an organiza
tion, but no house of worship. They are at
present using the house of the Presbyterians,
and are under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr.
Lowe.
One of the striking features of Hogansville
is its excellent school, under the control of
Mr. Loony, aided by a corps of competent
teachers. At present, the school numbers
more than one hundred students, of both
sexes. The worthy Principal has made quite
a reputation as a successful educator, but
wears his honors quietly and gracefully. Miss
Murphy, daughter of Rev. Thos. H. Murphy,
has a fine school, and is giving entire satisfac
tion to her patrons. lam satisfied that leach
ing is woman’s legitimate employment, and
I rejoice that this field of usefulness is open
to the fair daughters of our battered and bro
ken South.
There are a great many excellent people at
Hogansville, and the writer can testify to the
generous hospitality of John T. Pullm, Virgil
Hopson, B.C. Morton, J. 11. Loftin and Wil
liam Jones. There is one of the graduates
of Mercer in the place, and he is doing well
as a disciple of Blackstone, He is young, but
will make his mark when hi^powers become
more mature, and ciicumstanccs favor his
energetic efforts. He loves his alma mater,
and proves his devotion by deeds. Some of
the brethren have done weil for our Univer
sity, and others have promised to follow the
example so worthily set by their neighbors
and friends.
Long Cane is a small place, about one mile
from the Atlanta and West Point Road, and
about ten miles from LaGrange. There are
two churches in the place—Baptist aud Meth
odist. Bro. A. It. Callaway is the popular
pastor of the Baptist church, —which, by the
way, is one of the strongest in Western Geor
gia, its members being ready to every good
word and work. The venerable Philip Green
is the senior deacon of the church, a good and
true man, brought up at the feet of Jesse
Mercer, and to whom the denomination are
indebted for the only likeness of that great
and good man. Bro. Green painted the por
trait from which the likeness was lithograph
ed, which appears in the frontispiece of the
Memoirs ofMeroer, by the lamented Mallary.
There are other deacons, all of them young,
ardent and progressive. Perfect harmony
prevails amongst the membership, and they
are doing a good work for Jesus. The re-
sponse to the claims of Mercer was noble ;
and, at present, Long Cane has the proud
eminence of being the banner church in its
gifts to the agent for the further' endowment
ol the University. The writer, while at Long
Cane, enjoyed the hospitality of Bros. Flart
and Hudson, both of them now deacons of
the church, and highly esteemed by their
brethren. H. C. 11.
Rehoitgtii Indian Mission.
You have called for news from the churches,
and of course mission churches are included.
I have just returned from visiting the Chick
asaw mission. It is in a good condition.
The native brethren have been visiting the
different settlements, notwithstanding the
severe winter, Mid have awakened a lively
interest in the religion of Jesus. Two were
baptized into the fellowship of the Stonewall
church, and three among the black people.
A young white man, a merchant, member of
our church there, is endeavoring to let his
own lig'hf shine as a Christian, and also en
couraging theTjiative preachers, supplying
the people who need them, with Testaments,
hymn books, etc., besides providing a com
fortable place for the people to worship. Oh !
that all white men in this territory would
follow his example.
Several, for whom we. have been praying
long and anxiously, around this Station, have
recently profe&ed conversion, and will short
ly (D.V.) be baptized. Bro, Hogue expects,
by God’s blessing, to constitute a church in
the town of Boggy Depot, the 2nd Sabbath
in May. This is a move in the right direc
tion. It will serve as a nucleus around which
those who wisli to follow Christ in His com
mandments and example, may gather, and
serve as a to which some who have
long been wanders and exiles, may come an 1
find shelter and rest. May God Lless that
effort, I pray ; and 1 believe.lle will bless it.
For several months past, we have been en
gaged in erectyig a Baptist house of worship
at this Station: one that will be comfortable
and creditable.’ The building is twenty-four
by thirty feet—built of lumber which cost
us $3.50 per hundred feet. It is nearly com
pleted, excepting seats and pulpit, and the
total cost will be about SBOO. It has been a
hard struggle, and was no small undertaking
for a little mission church not two years old,
with about twenty members, most of them
very poor, and'at the same time contributing
to the support of a native preacher, besides
other charitiel. And while lam writing, I
will add, as a climax, that these same mem
bers, in addition to the above, have pledged
to Bro. Hogue SSOO a year, to teach school
for them. Now, sir, are you not ready to
exclaim, “Well done, little Rehoboth mis
sion church I sincerely hope, however,
that Bro. Chaudoin and other good brethren
of the Bethel Association will succeed in get
ting an adequate support for Bro. Hogue, and
relieve him from his present embarrassments.
1 beg leave to acknowledge the present
of a bottle of “ Eye-Preserving Fluid,” sent
to me by Bro. A. M. Wellborn, of Tuske
gee, Ala., which has given me much comfort,
and which l would recommend to persons
suffering from ophthalmia. J. S. Morrow.
A-to-ka, C. A’., March 30, 1871.
The Teloogoo Scriptures,
The subject of the Teloogoo Scriptures,
which has long been under consideration by
the officers of the American Bible Union,
came up yesterday, in the Board, upon a re
port from the Committee on Versions. Com
munications had been before the officers and
the Committee on Versions, from various
parties, among whom were Rev. W, K. An
derson, of Breadalbane, Ontario, Dea. J. Hol
man, of Brooklyn, Rev. Dr. Murdock, Cor.
Sec. of the Am. Bap. Miss. Union, and Rev.
John C. McLaren, missionary to the Teloo
goos —all ailvssing<thaUhe Bible Union should
become the medium' through which the con
tributions of churches and individuals for the
printing of a faithful translation of the New
Testament in Taling language, (the speech
of the Teloogoos,) may conveniently reach
their object. Bro. Jewett, the translator or
reviser, selected by his fellow-missionaries,
is duly accredited as a competent scholar, and
has already commenced his work. Great
interest in the object, and the peculiar cir
cumstances of the case, was manifested in
the Committee on Versions, and in the Board.
The resolutions unanimously adopted in the
Committee, were, with the same unanimity,
and with corresponding zeal and sympathy,
passed by the Board. These resolutions con
stitute the American Bible Union the required
medium for the raising and transmission of
funds for the Teloogoo Scriptures, and appoint
Rev. J. W. Sarles, D.D., Rev. Hiram Hutch
ins, and Rev. A. C. Osborn, D.D., a Special
Committee to correspond with religious pa
pers, and to prepare and publish suitable ap
peals for the object. The members of the
Committee enter upon their work immedi
ately. In thß meanwhile, we hope that there
will be no delay, either on the part of churches
or individuals in the collection and remittance
to our Treasurer, of funds for the Teloogo
Scriptures. Thomas Armitage, Pres.
32 Great Jones Street, New York, April 6, 1871.
IVest Florida.
By invitutjpn, I spent last Saturday and
Sunday with Pleasant Grove church, 12
miles West of Pensacola. This church was
organized in November last, by Elder J. C.
Coleman. He has baptized since, three
Methodists—one of them lately immersed
into Methodism —one from the “ Free Will”
and seven upon first confession—one a lady
75 years old. On Saturday, we received three
more for baptism, one of them 60 years old,
who, when hiptized, will raise the number
to 25. Bro. Coleman and I formed a Pres
bytery, at request of chul-ch, and ordained
Bro. Richards to the office of deacon. They
have a good Baptist Sabbath school.
John D. Beck.
Pensacola, Ap-il 12, 1871.
Leaves from an Agent’s Memorandum Book.
From Au-ierson 1 jog along on old Char
ley. 1 call him my Texas buggy. Ponies
are the only-vehicles that can travel these
roads, rather over these routes, where roads
ought to be. They have no roads in Texas.
Working rojds is unheard of since the radi
cals took possession. Sambo is their pet.
Sambo don’t love to work roads or anything
else. So, rather than hurt Sambo, they ex
cuse everybody from working roads. 1 won
der what some of those Georgia agents would
think if they could see me rigged out in regu
lar Texas style, with a Mexican saddle, stake
rope forty teet long, saddle bags, cottonade
leggings, and a long rowelled spur with a bell
on it ? I would like to see that pet agent of
Georgia, Chaudoin, try this old-fashioned
horseback service a week or two. Old Char
ley, too, says those Georgia horses could not
stand what he has to endure. He can live
and travel on grass. He has to do it. That
long stake rope is to hold him while he grazes.
The lands m cultivation here yield about
thirty bushels of corn to the acre; yet corn
is very scarce and high. And as for fodder,
I have not seen half a dozen stalks, though 1
have ridden nearly two hundred miles. The
people tell me this comes from cotton and
laziness. I do not know anything about it.
Many farmers make their crops by grazing
their oxen and horses when at rest.
Here 1 am in Bryan, on the Central rail
road, one of the largest of the interior towns
—not very large at that. From the number
of stores, one. would take it to be quite a busi
ness place. The trade from the rich Brazos
bottom, I suppose, keeps it up; for the coun
try around is rather poor for Texas. Eider
F. M. Law, so long known and loved in Ala«
bama, is pastor of the Baptist church. They
had the misfortune to lose their house of wor
ship by fire about three months ago. They
will soon have another. There is an energetio
liberality about these Texas Baptists that is
admirable. They will do much for foreign
missions, lam persuaded. They love Jesus,
and when they are reminded of their duty
they seem willing to do it. Who will not
help to make the name of Jesus great among
the heathen ?
While here, I run down to Millican, twenty
miles on the railroad. Here I meet Elder
Frank Kiefer, who labors principally as mis
sionary among his own people,—the Ger
mans, —who abound in Western Texas. He
was among their first converts to the Baptist
faith, and labored a long time alone, under
great discouragements. He is yet a young
man, and it is refreshing to hear of the pro
gress of our cause among the Germans. We
have now two well organized, strong churches
and many stations ; four ordained ministers
and a3 many licentiates. These can all preach
in two languages,—English and German.
Bro. Creath, therefore, counts these eight, six
teen. I call them double-barrelled preachers.
Bro. Creath says, “ when God converts a Ger
man, he is worth, in zeal, liberality and devo
tion to Christ, tw.o or three Americans.”
Here 1 meet again one of the peculiarities
of Texas—one of those cold, furious winds
called northers. It does not take one long to
get tired of them. Texans are always on the
lookout for them. When one comes by day,
I hold on to my hat with both hands and bend
my head towards the wind, so that it may
blow it on tighter. Ido not know where my
pour coat tail goes. By night I lie still and
and hear the windows rattle. I can’t
sleep. Jno. L. Underwood.
Bryan, Texas, April 3rd, 1871.
From our Lonisville, Ky., Correspondent.
The Seminary. —Dr. Brantly has re-opened
the question of the removal of the Seminary
from Greenville, and has suggested Atlanta
as a more eligible place for its location. In
this suggestion I heartily concur. Our most
excellent brother of Shelbyville, Rev. Dr.
Ryland, has recently re-affirmed his judgment
respecting theological students being permit
ted to preach while prosecuting their studies.
Though I feel that it is almost presumption
to differ with one whose praise is in all the
churches, and for whom I cherish the highest
regard, yet 1 do express hearty dissent. I
long to see our Theological Seminary located
in some such city as Louisville or Atlanta,
where, on every Lord’s day, the whole avail
able talent and culture of faculty and students
may be made available for direct assault
npon the powers of darkness. Spurgeon’s
training school is a model school. From
week to week its energies are put forth for
the cause of truth; and its power is felt and
recognized on every side.
Rev. J. B. Hawthorn. —The many friends
in Alabama, of this dear brother, will be
pleased to know that his labors in Albany,
N. Y , are regarded as more than satisfactory.
The church of which he is pastor, is about
to unite with another good strong church ;
and, the two combined, are to build a $250,-
000 house for their use in worship—brother
. Hawthorn being retained as pastor.
Rev. Alex. Chambliss, of Richmond, Va.,
the successful pastor of the second Baptist
church, has received acall to become the pastor
of the Broadway Baptist church, in this city,
and strong hopes are entertained that he will
come. Probably no more important and
promising field of labor can be found in the
entire South. To him, who shall be their
first pastor, they will extend a, most cordial
greeting, and active cooperation.
Prof. J. E. Willet's New Boole.—Won
ders of Insect Life,” from the gifted pen of
my old friend and teacher, has brought the
entire world of juvenile readers under heavy
obligation. His book was a prize volume,
and brought its author the handsomo reward
of SSOO ; but, if he could have witnessed the
joy of the boys at my fireside, when Albert and
Willie and Eugene actually beheld and read
the beautiful book of him whom they knew
in Selma, Ala., in “war times,” as “ Mister
’Fessor Willet,” there would have been other
joy added to the pleasures he experienced.
His name already stood out in our household
in such wise as gave promise of immortality.
He may be assured that other homes than
ours will wish that his “shadow may never be
less.”
Louisville — Trade — Religion. Our city
has been made to feel, very sensibly, the strin
genoy of financial matters in the South and
South west. Trade has not borne a pleasant
correspondence with that of the same season
last year. Yet, our Baptist Zion has put on
strength with the new year. Pastois are all
faithfully prosecuting their work. One church,
long in debt, has removed this incumbrance,
and now gives guarantee for the support of
a native missionary in China. Two other
churches have had frequent accessions by
baptism ; more than twenty have been re
ceived by each.
A Pleasant Incident occurred on New
Year’s day. The East Baptist church, being
accustomed at times to use the baptistery of
Walnut Street church, had announced their
purpose to baptize at 3r. m. At that hour,
Walnut Street was accustomed to observe
the Lord’s supper. Thus, these two churches,
so long at odds when Ford and Evarts were
pastors, were brought Providentially together.
It was a delightful season, and was spleedily
followed by the good blessing of God. These
were the churches to which some fifty have
been added by baptism.
Another Pleasant Incident of private in
dividual experience, is worthy of record. An
humble, worthy man, now a member of
Walnut Street church, was once an abandoned
drunkard.; By the grace of God he was saved.
Ft was wonderful, that he could be upheld of
God. Yet the arm of the Lord suffiiced.
Nobly has that man fought the good fight.
He stands among us, the monument ol the
Lord’s wisdom and power in His gospel. —
We are proud of him as a trophy of God’s
grace. Ou New Year’s morning, as he came
up to the house of God, a good sister said to
him, “ Oh, brother L., I am so glad to see
you here. I felt uneasy for you. I was afraid
that the Christmas temptations would be too
much for you.” With gratitude to God he
replied, “ Tnis is the first sober Christmas
I’ve spent in twenty-nine years!” For a
whole year now he has walked worthily and
maintained his Christian integrity. A. T. S.
April 12 th.
High Shoals Church, Clark County, fcla.
Our church a High Shoals is a little over
two years old. It has struggled hard against
opposing elements. We are encouraged to
hope that day is breaking. We have one of
the most comfortablo houses of worship in
the Appalaehee Association, and a member
ship of some fifty, who know how to cooper
ate with their pastor in every good word and
work. Have preaching twice a month, (2nd
and 4th Sabbath,) and a weekly prayer meet
ing. At our last regular meeting, (2nd Sab
bath inst.,) we were gratified in receiving and
baptizing an entire “ household Bro. John
Harriss and his wife—daughter of Bro. Early
Thrasher, of Madison. When we came up
“out of the water,” our young sister was
clasped in the arms of old “Aunt Creasy,”
an aged (col.) mother in Israel, who raised
this child, as she expressed it, for her natural
mother left her when quite young. This
good African mother met our sister, clasped
and pressed her to her bosom, exclaiming,
with heart-felt joy, “ My child, my child, my
child!” All who knew the circumstances,
were melted into tears.
J. M, Stillwell.
Monrot, April 12 th, 1871.
South-Eastern Georgia.
The strip of country between salt tide water
and the sandhills seems, much of it, to be
lower than that directly on the coast—more
flat—abounds in swamps, which, during much
of winter and early spring, are covered with
water. These swamps are very rich. Por
tions of them have been cultivated in time
past, and teemed with corn, cotton and rice.
Adjoining these swamps are lands which
may be called hammock. These, too, are
fertile, and portions of them were made to
contribute freely and generously to the wants
and luxuries of the owners and workers.
Now, dilapidation and desolation reign.
Fences are gone; houses are fallen and fall
ing ; ditches are clogged, and water remains
stagnant on the ground ; bushes, briars and
vines are claiming and regaining their ancient
sway; numbers of freedmcn occupy the old
quarters, or are squatted here and there in
little pole huts, and cultivate (or pretend to do
so) little patches; but their presence and
their works seem only to render the desola
tion more visible and painful.
Besides these swamp and hammock lands,
there is much that is poor, flat, spongy, and
abounding in low palmetto and gallberry
bushes. These are regarded as valuable only
for range. A few turpentine orchards have
been worked on this kind of land, but with
what success I am not informed.
Os this section it must be said that it is not
safely habitable by white people during the
summer months. To render it so, it must be
drained. But this cannot now be done by the
owners of the land. The State could do it.
A few hundred thousands of dollars, expend
ed under the direction of a competent engi
neer, would develop many thousands of acres
of as good laud as men find in the West, after
a journey of eight hundred to twelve hundred
miles, and the expenditure of hundreds of
dollars in making it. The whole aspect of
the country would undergo a change in a few
years. It would become healthy for white
people. Incalculable millions of feet of pine,
oak, ash, cypress, bay and other kinds of tim
ber would be made accessible by the canals
which would drain the land. The enhanced
value of the lands and the increased produc
tion would reimburse the State by increased
taxes and general prosperity, thus making
the amount appropriated a good investment
for the State—better, in the judgment of the
writer, than much of the vast assistance ren
dered to railroads.
This draining project may seem to some
persons chimerical uow ; but it will be done
in time. The vast resources of this section
will not be allowed to lie always locked up
by its present embarrassments at the front
door of civilization ; and those who move
first and effetively in their development will
realize the greater profits.
So much for the present, Bro. Editor ; and
whether I say more hereafter will depend
upon tho interest excited by what has been
said. D. G. Daniell.
Watthnurville, Ga., April Ith, 1871.
Meeting in the First Church, Macon.
For some weeks we have been enjoying a
refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Rev. Mr. Needham, the Evangelist, spent one
week with us. ll is preaching was acceptable
to the people, and very effective. He was
instrumental in winning souls. We all re
gretted when he left, us, that he could not
remain longer. The aid given by Drs. Tucker
and Brantly has been most valuable to the
church and congregation, and highly appreci
ated by all. They have greatly endeared
themselves to us, as eminent Christian men,
and able and earnest ministers of the gospel.
They have proved a real blessing to us—
ever willing to labor or to wait, to preach or
to listen, as might be most for tha glory of
the Redeemer. The entire Faculty, 1 may
say, by the way, are making very fine im
pressions on the community : they add iiuiOh
to all the better interests of our society.
The University under their guidance here,
will prove a grand success. Thirty seven
have united with the church on a profession
of faith—among them, brother Tucker’s only
son, and brother Brantly’s second son. The
church is revived, harmonious and strong.
The incoming pastor, whoever he may be,
will find a liberal congregation, a good church,
an ample field, and a sympathizing member
ship. E. W. VVarren.
Macon, Ga., April 11th.
Varieties.
“Variety’s the source of joy below,
From which still fresh revolYing pleasures flow.”
The first line of this couplet being true,
Agents are joyous beings, constantly enjoying
“ fresh pleasures.” I cannot, experimentally,
say they are not true. The shades, bitters, and
griefs are necessary to the better apprecia
tion of lights, sweets, and joys. This article
I have to begin with sorrow, not for the sake
of variety, but because I omitted to say in
rny last, that Prof. Soals and Lady, with Mrs.
Hampton, (such a superior singer,) are the
very persons to have charge of the Female
College, at Cuthbert. lam willing for any
body to believe me except parents who have
daughters: I want them to send there and test
what I say.
Hawkinsville is a town (if not a city), yes,
and it is on the Ocmulgee river, below Ma
con, in Pulaski county, for I was there lately
and saw it, and saw a nice place and people,
a nice Baptist meeting house, recently painted
over, with a nice white pailing inclosing it,
and saw their nice Bishop, G. R. McCall and
his nice Lady, and preached two as nice ser
mons as i could to two as nice congregations
as any town can produce. They treat their
pastor nicely, have a nice Sunday school, with
a nice superintendent, who was nicely mar
ried the morning 1 preached, to one of the
nicest ladies in Georgia. I will say no more
about Hawkinsville this time, except, that
if any preacher can go there, and get nice
money like I did, see as many nice tilings,
and be treated as nicely as I was, and go off
and not write nice things, he -, well, ought
not to write anything. 1 will write more
when I get a nice Thank-offering from the Su
perintendent and bis bride, for they are each
due the Lord a liberal one, but 1 forgot to
get it.
Elder J. R. Horne, of Dooly county, is
one of our old ministers, a good man and use
ful minister. 1 preached for him at Antioch,
in Pulaski county. Found him looking re
markably well, and carrying his age finely,
preaching to three churches, and not getting
the remuneration he is entitled to —that is,
if he teaches his people their duty, in support
ing the gospel. My visit to Antioch was
not fruitless, as to Mission Funds, and I hope
will not be in spirit and results.
Now, when a man has been in a work for
twenty years, It is diflijult to lay that down,
on the last day of December, and on the first
day of January, turn to something different,
and succeed at it. I think the man that does
is a genius. There is a man in Macon that
did that, lie weait out of a twenty year’s
agency or Sunday school work into the pas
lorate of the Second Baptist Church, and is
succeeding most admirably. He has adopted
the Scriptural system of “laying in store upon
the first day of the week,” and the congrega
tion is improving under it. The Albany
Church is doing the same. Any system is
better than none, but the New Testament
plan is best. We cannot improve on Scrip
ture in anything. A glorious day it will
BE, WHEN GIVING SHALL HE REGARDED A PART
op every Sabbath day’s worship, as well as
PRAYER AND PRAISE i. Cor. XVi ;2.
Brother Haygood has received into the
Second near 20 members. lie has fully ar
ranged for, and is gradually paying off the
church debt, for the house of worship. I
spent a portion of a day in visiting with the
B;shop, and learned that he has tact for it,
and also, that the Second Church is nearer to
a larger number, than any one church in Ma
con. “ 1 have compared Thee, my beloved,
to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariot.”
Brother Stillwell says, Anti-missionary,
horse, hitches himself behind the chariot, and
pulls the other way, saying, “you are all
wrong j this way, this way.” O—missionary
is harnessed and hitched with the horses in
front, as though he was going to puli, (has
the name, and profession of a pulling horse,)
but when all is ready, and the word is given,
all start ofl' nicely in the same direction, bus
the horse called Omis»itnarg ) which throws
up his head, snorts, kicks, fails back against
the breeching, and every one knows he is
more trouble, than if like Anti, he did not
belong to the team.
Now, I see the point in this figure of brother
S., but as he has been driving a long time in
Missions, and had much experience , 1 in
quire, if O-missionary horses are finally
“ broken to harness,” and quit throwing them
selves back, and go to pulling, or do they
have to be pulled along all the time. I want
to know if there is hope for O-missionary ma
king a pulling horse.
I enjoyed very much, attending one service
at the First Church with brother Wurren.
A large and seriously attentive audience was
in attendance, and two young persons re
ceived for immersion, in order to church fel
lowship. But of his meeting and its results,
you will hear more. Some one has said
“ letters with remittances, are the plums of
literature,” and 1 love such plums. Waiting
for plums. Send plumes to
W. N. Chaudion, Ag't.
Rev. Joseph R. Hand.
This devoted minister of the gospel of
Jesus is no more. llis manly form now
sleeps beneath the sod, and his clear ringing
voice is heard no more upon the walls of
Zion. lie lived long, and served his genera
tion faithfully, but he now rests from his la
bors, and his works do follow him. Many
who were led to the Saviour by his earnest
and zealous efforts, have already bidden him
welcome to the skies, and have struck hands
with him upon that bright shore where the
“ noon tide of glory eternally reigns.”
He was my friend and brother, and when
last we met, lie said, “ Brother, when I die, I
wish you to write an obituary notice of me,
and preach my funeral sermon.” That meet
irg will be remembered long, and so will my
promise. It was a season of prayer and of
religious conversation, at a brother’s house.
An unusual brightness overspread the coun
tenance of brother Hand, and there seemed
then to be in his mind, a presentiment that
lie would soon be called from his earthly
labors, arid be permitted to hear the Saviour
say, “ Well done, good and faithful servant;
enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
The subject of this notice was born in
Screven county, Ga., on the 7th day of Feb
ruary, 1800. He was baptized at an early
age, upon a profession of his faith in Christ,
and being deeply concerned for the salvation
of others, he begun at once to warn sinners,
beseeching them in Christ’s stead to be re
conciled to God ; and, for fort) five years, he
ceased not to invite the laboring and heavy
laden to come at once to Jesus and be saved,
lie was a man of good native mind, a warm
and sympathizing heart, and, under God, was
honored as the instrument in the conversion
of many of our most influential and useful
brethren. He had, with his own hands bap
tized about fifteen hundred persons, some of
whom still survive him, and are doing good
servioe in the Lord’s vineyard. He had for
months been suffering from an affection of
the heart, and was not able, towards the close
of life, to perform much servioe in the pulpit.
The night of his decease, he ate supper with
as much relish as usual, and before retiring
to rest, read a chapter, and bowed with his
companion in prayer, to the God of his sal
vation. About half-past nine o’clock he was
seized with difficulty of breathing, and in less
than half an hour he had passed on to join
that mighty host who had crossed the flood,
and is now with Jesus, his Lord.
Thus died this good man, having nearly
completed his sixty-fifth year,and like a shock
of corn fully ripe, has been gathered into the
heavenly garner. He leaves behind him a
devoted wife, several children, and many
friends, to mourn his departure; but they
sorrow in hope. 11. C. llornady.
Dissolution of the So. Baptist Convention.
Several brethren are wiiting vigorously
against “the dissolution of the Southern Bap
tist Convention”—against “ the proposition
to merge any of these Boards, especially the
S. S. Board, in Northern organizations.” One
brother looks “ upon this movement as adapt
ed to sap the foundation of all Southern so
cieties.”
I confess that these writings have bewil
dered me. I have got behind the times some
how. Where did this “ movement” origi-
nate? Who has made the “proposition” to
merge any of our Boards into Northern or
ganizations? 1 ask for information.
Some think a reduction of the expenses of
the Boards absolutely necessary to their suc
cess, and that the Convention, soon to meet
in St. Louis, ought to address itself earnestly
and patiently to the inquiry whether such
reduction is not practicable? For one, lam
convinced suefi a result would be most read
ily attained by the consolidation of the For
eign and Dornestio Boards into one. Dr.
Brantly suggests the removal of the Green
ville Theological Seminary to Atlanta. 1
suggest that, (should it ha deemed inexpedient
to consolidate the Mission Boards,) the Dorn.
Miss. Board be removed to St. Louis, Nash
ville, Atlanta, or some other large city, where
it would likely be better sustained by the de
nomination in the South.
The writer does not lack confidence in the
integrity of any of our Boards; but faithful
men may err in judgment. “A. F. 0.” lias
well said, in a recent artiele in the Religious
Herald, “ Why is it necessary to pay a salaiy
of $3,000, when some good brother could Im
had for $1,500 ? and why pay $2,000, when,
for SI,OOO, another good brother could be
obtained to do the same work? And again,
why is it necessary to employ two brethren,
when one ought to be able to do all that is
necessary ?” And, let me further inquire,
where is the propriety of paying the Corres
ponding Secretaries of our Boards twice, three
limes, four times as much as is allowed to the
missionaries of those Boards ? It may be just,
but I cannot see it so. The attempt to ven
tilate this subject was stifled at Macon, but
it cannot be,deferred much longer. I have
every confidence that the Convention will sur
vive the investigation. If, however, the
Boards are to be considered immaculate, and
if those who deem their actings and doings
suitable subjects of revision, are to be reguid
ed as aiming at the dissolution of the Conven
tion and the transfer of our affairs to North
ern organizations, the sooner the churches ui -
derstand the matter the belter for all con
cerned. J. 11. Campbell.
Thomasville, Ga., April B th, 1871.
Baptism. —At the last session of the North
Alabama (Southern Methodist) Conference,
1,030 adult, and 559 infant, baptisms were
reported. The South Carolina Conference
reported 1,511 infant, and 1,070 adult bap
tisms; the Souih Georgia, 1,610 adult and
843 infant baptisms; the North Georgia,
1,260 infant and 2,010 adult baptisms. In
the four Conferences, the adult baptisms
number 7,420, the infant baptisms 4,1 1 9.
How to Preach, —Adarn when
usked by a young preacher how to preach,
replied, “ Go and study yourself to death, and
then pray yourself to life again.”