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About Christian index and South-western Baptist. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1866-1871 | View Entire Issue (April 27, 1871)
66 fate and jgaptigit J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor, PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 t 6 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D. CORRESPONDING EDITORS: Rev. J. J. D. RENPROE, TaUadega, Ala. Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D Jacksonville, Ala. THURSDAY, APRIL 72, 1871. Georgia Baptist State Convention. Cabtebsville, Friday, April 21st, 1871. At 11 o’clock, a.m., W. L. Kilpatrick preached the Introductory Sermon, from II King ii; 9: “And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double por tion of thy spirit bo upon me.” P. H. Mell, President at the last session, appointed D. Shaver, J H Kilpatrick, J G Ryals, D G Daniell, C C Willis, J Mcßryde and B Thornton, a Committee on Credentials. At 3 o’clock, p.m., after prayer by J J D Reu froe, of Ala., the Committee reported as follows : Associations. Appalaohee—B S Sheat3, J M Stillwell, C II Strickland, G A Nunnally. Ebenezer —H Bunn, M N McCall, G R McCall, G S Obear, Jr., W D Horn. Central —D E Butler, E YY Warren, W J Lawton, S P Sanford, A M Marshall, J DeLoache. Georgia— P H Mell, J R Young, LR L Jen nings, J II Kilpatrick, B M Callaway, J Hogan, E A Steed, T B West, M M Landrum, W A Over ton, J H Fortson. Hephaibah —W L Kilpatrick, W H Davis, W M Verdery, J Dixon, M P Cain, 0 C Pope, J J Davis, G Stapleton, A W Rhodes, H A.Williams, W J Hard. Bethel— C Mitcbetj. F M Daniek R S Jack son, A E McGarity, T M Callaway, W H Cooper, W N Chnudom, B F Burnett, N A Bailey, W M Janes, J J Toon, J E Brown, W I Smith. Western —H C Hornady, J H Hall, T H Mur phy, R H Jackson, U B Wilkinson, A R Calla way, D Walker, I F Cox, H S Reese, H F Smith, T N Rhodes. Fairburn —J S Dodd. New Sunbury— S Landrum, W T Brandy, D G Daniell, W G Woodfin. Sarepta —F H Ivy, B Thornton"! H A Tupper, A J Kelly, R E Cason, A Chandler. Rehoboth— S Boykin, F M Haygood, D San ford, R T Asbury, B F Tharpe, T M Killen, J S Lawton, J E Amos. Middle Cherokee —J J Howard, J G Ryals, G A Lofton, R B Headderi, A W Buford, P E Haw kins. Slone Mountain —J H Born, E F Edwards, E Steadman, W L Goldsmith, T B Cooper, H F Buchanan, R L J Grant. Columbus— C C Willis, M J Wellborn, J Har ris, T E Skinner. Mercer— C S Gaulden, E Coalson, J Mcßryde. Flint River —C Newton, D L Duffey, J H Cal laway, J II DeVotie, J M Wood, D Shaver. Clarksville —H YV Cannon. Tallapoosa —W W Kelly. Washington —T J Cumming. Societies. Madison Bap. Ch. Miss. Soc.— T J Burney. Miss. Soc. Ist Ch. Augusta —W J Lawton, D B Plumb. Bairdslown Miss. Soc.— R L McWhorter, J R Sanders. Greensboro Miss. Soc.— J L Brown, W D At kinson. Marietta Miss. Soc. —D J Dobbs. The Convention proceeded to the election of officers, with S Boykin, G A Nunnally, and B M Callaway as tellers. Prayer was offered by S. Henderson, of Ala., and the tellers reported the re election of P. 11. Mell, as President, of G. R. McCall as Clerk, and of N. A. Bailey as Assistant Clerk. Penfield Missionary Society was admitted to membership in the Convention, through its dele- gate, T P Janes; Shiloh Mis3. Soc., Greene coun ty, through its delegate, DII Moncrief; the Miss. Soc. of the First Baptist church, Macon, through its delegates, II II Tucker and J E Willet; Cave Spring Association, through its delegates, L R Gwaltney, J C Browne, J W Pullen, D B Ham ilton, W P Wood, C II Stillwell; and Liberty Association through its delegates, E L Sisk and J C Jackson. Committees were appointed as follows: On Religious Sevices: R B Headden, J J Howard, R S Jackson, Thos Stokely, D B Plumb, H W Can non, E Steadman. On Finance : J E Willet, W M Janes, R T Asbury. Invitations were extended to visiting brethren, and accepted by N M Crawford, Ky., J P Boyce, S. C., W YY Gwin, Texas, J Barrow, J T Robert, and F M Cheney, Ga., S Henderson, S G Jenkins, T P Gwin, J M Robertson, J J D Renfroe, J Headden, and S J Whatley, Ala., S J Norton, and J Stokely, Tenn., 0 0 Bitting, Va., D K More land, J A McMurry, W J King, W C Hendricks, W M Bridges, J F Sharpe, YY J Wright, and D. A Crawford, Oostanaula Association, Ga., A M Poindexter, Asst. Cor. Sec. of the Foreign Mis sion Board, T C Teasdalo, Cor. Sec. of the Sun day School Board, W N Chaudoin, Agent of Do mestic Mission Board. A M Poindexter addressed the Convention in relation to our Foreign Mission work. He repre sented the general aspect of the work as encour aging, and the receipts of the Board as probably larger this year than last. He urged a renewal of interest and effort in this cause, lest we hinder the conversion of the world by unbelief and self ishness. Quite a liberal contribution was made, amounting to S3OO. A communication was read tendering the Con vention an excursion on the Cherokee railroad, for which thanks were retured. Adjourned with prayer by S J Norton. At night, 0 C Bitting, of Va., preached : text II Cor. v ; 14. Saturday, April 22nd, 1871. The Convention assembled at 9 o’clock a.m., and prayer was offered by S G Jenkins, of Ala. In pursuance of a resolution adopted yesterday, setting apart the first half hour of each morning session for devotional exercises, such exercises were held, conducted by H C Hornady, and W H Davis aDd J E Brown led in prayer. The invitation to an excursion on the Cherokee Railroad was accepted, and the hour fixed at 4 o’clock, this afternoon. The following Committees were appointed by the President: Education—3 Dixon, J E Brown, J S Lawton, G A Lofton, D E Butler, L R L Jennings, M N McCall. Deceased Ministers— B F Tharpe, C S GauldeD, J M Wood, W L Kilpatrick, A J Kelly, A M Marshall, J M Stillwell. Missions— T E Skinner, C H Stillwell, T B Cooper, H Bunn, S P Sanford, J S Dodd, YY T Brantly. State of ReligionS Landrum, W M Verde sy, L R Gwaltney, E L Sisk, FM Daniel, AW Buford, F M Haygood. Temprance —H H Tucker, J H DeVotie, A Chandler, G Stapleton, J H Hall, M J Wellborn, W D Atkinson. Nominations— T J Burney, YY G Woodfin, U B "Wilkinson, J J Davis, R S Sheets, B F Bur nett, R L McWhorter. The reports of the Board of Trustees of Mer cer University, and of the Commission of Remo val appointed last year, were read and referred to a Committee composed of one member from each Association represented in the Convention, with instructions to report, especially, with re gard to the disposition of the property of the University at Penfield. The funds of the Uni versity were reported as $159,856.88, besides a site in Macon valued at $25,000 and bonds of that city to the amount of $125,000. At the re quest of the President, the members of the Com THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, APRIL 27,1871. mittee for the Associations were left to be select ed by the delegates from each Association, and announced at the afternoon session. H C Hornady, agent for Mercer University, was heard on the financial needs of the Institu tion. He recited ;the history of the University before the war, and its happy effect as regards the education of the ministry. He urged its im portance as an instrument for the education of our “ laitya matter of vital moment, since each church is an independency, and rules itself. Du ring bis agency, he has found wherever he has gone, (in Western and South-Western Georgia,) a desire to build up the University and a willing ness to contribute to that object. The funds of the Institution are “ tied up ” by pending litiga tion, and money is needed for various purposes of practical detail. A collection was “lifted J E Brown gave a bond of the city of Atlanta for $1,000; J J Howard, a bale of cotton ; M J Well born, SSO. M T Sumner, Cor. Sea of the Domestic Mis sion Board at Marion, was welcomed to a seat, and Wilkes Flagg, representative of the Middle Ga. (colored) Association. The report of the Executive Committee was heard and referred to a Committee: W j Hard, H A Tupper, F H Ivy, D L Duffle, E W Warren, R Latimer, D J Dobbs. The Hearn School and Female Institute are combined under the same principal, P J King, and are ip. a prosperous con dition. The report of the Treasurer was presented and ordered to be printed. The balance on hand at the beginning of the year, $463.29: Receipts since—lnterest, $228.87; Permanent Fund, sl,- 149.57; Coupons, $647.51; Dividends, $426.40; Beneficiaries, $190; Foreign Missions, $466.40; Domestic Missions, $1,499.94; Sunday SchiVol Board, $154.18; Percentage on Mission Funds, $51.98; General Purposes, $1; Minutes, $3 ; J W Burke, (Evidences of Christianity,) $27.98: To tal, $5,309.62. The Funds of the Convention are: Permanent Fund for Education, $19,259.13 ; Permanent Mission Fund, Fund, $1,800; Hearn Legacy, $5,228. Lot Fund, $584; Indigent Ministers, sl. Correspondents were appointed: Ala. State Convention, D Shaver, J J Toon : Florida Con vention, H A YVilliams, B F Tharpe, D G Daniel: Gen. Ass. of South East Ala., J J Toon : South Carolina Convention, J H I]i«Yotie, J j Toon, J DeLoache: Oostanaula Association, CII Still well, R B Headden, J G Ryalls, W N Chaudoin : East Tennessee Gen. Ass.: B F Burnett, J M Stansberry, A E McGarity, H A Williams, G A Lofton: Middle Georgia (colored) Association, E YY Warren, J H DeY'otie, N A Baily, F M Daniel, A E McGarity. T C Teasdale, Cor. Sec. of the Sunday School Board, Memphis, represented that cause. Besides the circulation of Kind Words, the Child's De light and the keeping up of a department in the Uofne & Foreign Journal, the Board has stereo typed five new Sunday school books and has five others ready for the steoreotyper. It has issued also, “Kind YYords, anew Collection of Hymns and Tunes for Sunday Schools and the Social Cir cle,” by G YY. Linton and Howard M Teasdale, with forty-five original tunes and a number of original hymns. For the first time, tho Board has done a considerable amount of work, this year, in the employment of Sunday school mis sionaries. He urged the necessity of the publish ing department of the operations of the Board,and the efficiency and fruitfulness of the missionary department. The receipts and disbursements of the Board will probably range from $15,000 to $20,000. A collection was taken up. with prayer by R W Fuller. At 3 o’clock, p.m., prayer was offered by C H Strickland, and tho names of the Committee raised by tho morning resolution were announced as fol lows : F M Haygood, T E Skinner, H W Cannon, M N McCall, J C Jackson, T J Cumming, D G Daniel, B S Sheats, J H Hall, A Chandler, R B Headden, C S Gaulden, E A Steed, W L Gold smith, D L Duffie, M P Cain, YY J Lawton, B F Burnett, J S Dodd, L R Gwaltney. M T Sumner, Cor. Sec. of the Domestic Mission Board, Marion, addressed the Convention, Os the missionaries in the employment of the Board, 24 have labored in Georgia: their term of service makes 503 weeks; 2,427 sermons have been preached; 8,742 visits have been paid; 758 prayer meetings attended 27,629 miles travelled, and 165 converts baptized. The receipts for the year from the State have been $7,882.48; the amounts paid and pitted to be paid within the State and in the Indian missions of the State Bap tists, $8,177.47. Remarks were made by S J Norton and B F Burnett on the work in East Ten nessee ; from which it appears that there are 40,- 000 Baptists in that section, who will probably raise, the present year, for domestic missions, SIO,OOO. [Sec. Sumner received, during the ses sion, $566.42 loir his Board.] The Board Question. The following resolution was adopted unani mously : “That thiß Convention, as a constituent member of the Southern Baptist Convention, does most heartily deprecate the agitation of the sub ject of removal or abolition of any of the Boards of the Convention, and hereby enters its solemn protest against these attacks, and earnestly urges upon the brethren everywhere to rally to the sup port of the several Boards with their prayers and contributions.” The Clerk was instructed to furnish a copy of this resolution to our delegates to the Southern Convention ; and the delegates were instructed to lay it before the Convention. The Committee on Religious Services reported the following : Preaching at 8 o’clock to-night in Baptist church by E A Steed, in the Presbyterian by JJ D Renfroe. To-morrow: In the Baptist church, H H Tucker (Educational Sermon) at H a. m.; Sunday School Mass meeting at 8 p.m. ; J Dixon at 8 p.m.: In the Presbyterian church, W T Brant' ly at 11 a.m., T E Skinner at 3 p.m., J P Boyce at 8 p.m. : In the Methodist church, A M Poindexter at 11 a.m., E W Warren at 8 p.m., and J H De- Votie at 8 p.m. Adjourned with prayer by J T Robert. Mondat, April 24th. The morning session was opened with prayer by J t Hogan. Devotional exercises were conducted by C H Stillwell: prayer by M J Wellborn, D K Moreland, and H C Hornady. B Thornton made a statement in behalf of the church at Hartwell, Ga., for funds to complete its house of worship, and T H Murphy in behalf of the church at Senoia. The Executive Committee was re-elected by ac clamation : T Stocks, T J Burney, D E Butler, P B Robinson, W G Woodfln, J E Willett, J R Sanders; T J Burney, Treasurer. A resolution was adopted—“ That the Christian Index and South Western Baptist eminently deserves the patronage of the Baptists of Georgia” —after remarks by R W Fuller and H C Hor nady. Applications were made from the First church, Macon, and from the Griffin chureh, for the next session of the Convention; and Macon was se lected. A committee of one from each Association rep resented here was appointed to nominate Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention : W H Davis G A Nunnally, M J Wellborn, H W Cannon, D G Daniell, A Chandler, B F Tharpe, A W Buford, H F Buchanan, E Coalson, J M Wood, W D Horne, A M Marshall, T H Murphy, W N Chau doin, T B West, J S Dodd, T J Camming, J W Pullen, J 0 Jackson. Adopted the report of the Committee on Nomi nations: T E Skinner, Introductory Sermon, F H Ivy alternate; L R Gwaltney, Education Ser mon, G A Lofton, alternate. State of Religion .. The report of the Committee on the State of Re. ligion was adopted as follows : Religion is personal purity and relative benevo lence ; “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep one’s self unspotted from the world.” Your Committee believe that in looking over the whole field covered by the Convention, a man ifest improvement appears in the state of religion in our churches, and among our people. There are some neighborhoods and perhaps some Asso ciations which must be regarded as exceptions to this general statement. ThWe'Ss a more general supply of preaching and fewer churches without pastors than existed two years ago. There have been many precious revivals and large additions to many of our churches during the past year. The sins of-drunk enness and covetousness are diminishing in their blighting influence among our churches. Those whose business it is to travel extensively and urge the claims of religion upon the property of our brethren, tell us that there is a manifest improve ment in the willingness to give, and especially with the younger members of our churches who have become active members since the war. Many of the Associations have missionaries sustained in whole or in part by themselves. The Domestic Mission Board is doing an important and neces sary work by supplementing the salaries of Asso ciational missionaries and pastors of rich churches in important towns. Your Committee believe that there is a decided improvement in morals and some improvement in reference to worldliness ; but still there is a great demand for more personal purity. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life are still writing Ichabod upon many communities and churches. Intemperance, dishonesty, falsehood and covetousness must be put away as crimes, and theatre-going and balls as worldliness which dries up the fountain of piety. One of the saddest things in our view is what seems to us to be a fact, that so few of our mem bers are given wholly to the gospel; that so few seem to have reached tho Scriptural measure of consecration. Where a spiritually minded minis ter labors, it is found that morals improve; the church hgcomes purer, less selfish and wordly. If the is low and his joy in God and his work feeble) then we shall find, generally, blight and desolation in all his field of labor. Like priest, like people. The minister must regard the state of piety in his field as, to some extent, the reflection of his own spiritual image. The neg lect of pastoral wojk, especially that part of it which includes going from house to house for in struction and -pfayer, is owing, in a large degree, to a want of full consecration to Christ—to a low state of ministerial piety. To the same source may be traced thejealousis and depreciation which sometimes tarnish the glory of the sacred broth erhood of God’s ministers. YYe need, as ministers and churches, to be bap tized in the Holy Ghost; to be anointed afresh from on high, that we may carry forward with conquering power the banner bearing the inscrip tion, —Georgia for Jesus !” Remarks were made by M J Wellborn, E W Warren, T H Murphy, J H DeVotie, S Henderson of Ala., YY J Hard, YY M Verdery, G A Nunnally, G A Lofton, B F Tharpe, N M Crawford, and H A Tupper, deploring conformity to tho world in theatre-going, balls, card-playing, raffling, dram drinking and selling, etc. The report was adopted. Worldly Conformity. Resolutions were adopted as follows : 1. That it is the sense of this body that the cause of truth requires a more frequent exposition and vindication, in our pulpit ministrations, of the articles of our faith. 2. That the evils of cove tousness, and the duty of giving systematically to our benevolent enterprises, call for especial and persevering attention. 3. That we re-afflrm the principles asserted by the State Convention of our brethren, held in the city of Macon in 1866, in relation to the theatre, the opera, tho modern dance, and card-playing, to-wit, that we deem a voluntary participation in them to be inconsistent -with a proper Cnristian walk. Mercer University and High School. The report of the Special Committee on the re ports of the Trustees of Mercer University and the Commission of Removal was presented, (1) approving the action of the Commission and dis charging it with thanks, (2) proposing to adopt the report of the Trustees, (3) recommending that the Trustees retain control of the University pro perty at Penfield until all questions of litigation shall have been decided, (4) recommending that the Trustees, if litigation is withdrawn, establish at Penfield a Normal school or other institution of high grade, and (5) recommending further nego tiations between the Trustees and the citizens of Penfield to that end. The first clause was ap proved without discussion. During tho discus sion of the second clause, the Convention adjourn ed with prayer by T N Rhodes, after an announce ment by the Committee on Religious Services, of preaching at night, in the Baptist church by S Henderson and in the Presbyterian church by S Landrum. At 3 o’clock, p.m., after prayer by J S Dodd, the discussion of this report was resumed. The sec ond clause was amended so as simply to express approval of the report of the Trustees; the third clause underwent no amendment; tho fourth clause, (after prayer led by A R Callaway, for di vine direction,) was so amended as to require the establishment at Penfield of a High School to be known as the Mercer High School, provided that no draft be made upon the present funds of the University; and the fifth clause wus approved. The report was then unanimously adopted. [We are gratified to he able to state that, after the final adjournment of the Convention, there was an interview between the Board of Trustees and the Representatives of the Citizens of Pen field, in which all differences were amicably ad justed. The latter signed an agreement to with draw legal opposition to the removal of the Uni versity, and the former an agreement to contribute annually toward the salary of two teachers in a High School at Penfield the sum of $1,200.] The report of the Committte on Education was adopted, urging the necessity of effort that we may not be left behind in the advance of intelli gence—not be merely abreast with the times, but leaders in the progress of the world. Adopted the report of the Committee on Tem perance, representing the temperance reformation, less as a great moral movement than as a great religious movement, not to be left so much as it has been to our lecturers, but committed more to our preachers. Adopted the report of the Special Committee on the report of the Executive Committee, appeal ing for such action in our ministry as will enable this Committee to extend aid to all students for the sacred office who apply for and need it Delegates to Southern Convention. Delegates were appointed to the Southern Bap tist Convention: T J Burney, D E Butler, E W Warren, W J Lawton, J B YValker, I M Sprfhger, J YY Fears, G S Obear, P H Mell, H A Tupper, J H Stockton, J H Kilpatrick, J II Fortson, E A Steed, L R L Jennings, J Hillman, M M Lan drum, H F Smith, J R Young, J W Ellington, R L McWhorter, G R McCall, M M McCall, E J Coats, T E Skinner, N J Bussy, H S Estes, J L Searcy, J Harris, J H Corley, W J Mitchell, A R Callaway, J H Hall, J F Awtry, R H Jackson, U B YVilkinson, S P Callaway, T H Murphy, W Barnes, J M Callaway, J E Robinson, YV H Strick land, G A Nunnally, J M Stillwell, B S Sheats, C H Strickland, T H Burruss, S Landrum, D G Daniel, W H Starke, J Dixon, W J Hard, W M Verdery, W L Kilpatrick, M P Cain, E R Cars’ well, W T Brantly, B M Callaway, D Shaver, J H DeVotie, J G Ryalls, J D Stewart, D L Duffle, J M Wood, E M Hooten, P A Lawson, J J Whita ker, J G Woolsey, A E Cloud, J J Howard, G A Lofton, R B Headden, JAR Hanks, M A Cooper, G R Moor, W A Lane, C J Fall, P M Tidwell, A B Mitchell, C S Gaulden, J G McCall, J Mcßryde, E L Sisk, H R Kimsey, J Rqdasill J B Smith, J Hyter, T Carter, B Jonesjlf H Field, S Dickson, H H Tucker, II C Hornady, L RGwaltney, C C Willis, B F Tharpe, T B Cooger, ?H Ivy, R W Fuller, J S Lawton, T T (| |_ nil imi m , C H Stillwell, J C Browne, J YY Pullen, D A Y r ason, F M Daniel, T HStout, B F Burnett, C M Irwin, R J Bacon, T Muse, N A Bailey, W H Davis, M J YYellborn, H YY Cannon, A F Underwood, A Chan dler, A W Buford, H F Bjjchanan, E Coalson, W D Horn, A M Marshall, W N'Uhaudoin, T B YYest, J S Dodd, T J Cumming, J C Jacksjin. Reports on Missions and on Deceased Ministers were adopted : the latter appropriately commem orating the virtues of G B Baaler, W I Harley, A T Holmes. The report of the on Finance show ed the receipt of $1,453.25: including for Foreign Missions $275, for Domestic Missions $369, arid for the Sunday School Board $239. Education of Geared Ministers. The following resolution Was adopted : “ Where as, the colored ministers'of Georgia, so far as they have spoken, have earnestly desired the aid of our brethren in fitting {hem for greater useful ness as preachers and pasters : And whereas their want of education and of the Scrip tures hinder their efficiency as shepherds of their large flocks : Therefore, Resolved, That we com mend the subject of educating colored ministers of our denomination as oleos commanding im portance, and that we win rejoice in every scrip tural effort put forth for |his purpose.” After several routine r; solutions, the Conven tion adjourned to 7£ P. %If with prayer by J H DeVotie. r , » Orphan*? Home. At 8 P.M., after praye&jfy E W Warren, the fol lowing resolution was adopted: “ Believing, as we do, that one of the duties now de manding the attention, payers, labors and money of Georgia Baptists, is the establishment of an Orphans’ Home, Therefore, Resolved, That a com mittee of seven be appointed to devise a plan, se lect a location for such an Institution and proceed at once to raise funds fcJiyiis establishment.” A K Seago, D E Butler, E W Warren, T B Cooper, H C Hornady, W M Janes, J Barrow, J H De- Votie, M J Wellborn, H F Smith, and W T Brant ly made remarks in connection with it. The Com mittee was composed oPA K Seago, J H James, W T Brantly, J B Gordon, J H Callaway, C Pee ples, J E Brown and E W Warren. Adjourned sine die, with prayer by N M Craw ford. _ ' The session of the Convention was character ized by harmony, Christian principle and ability. The effect of this its first visit to Cherokee Geor gia, must be excellent. We shared the hospitality of Me. M. Milam, a Methodist brother, and desire to express our in debtedness to himself asd his worthy wife for their kindness and courtesy. Sunday School Convention. Cartersvu*s, Ga., Thursday, { April 20th, 1871. ) W T Brantly, President of the Baptist Sunday School Board for the State, opened the meeting with singing, and reading the Scriptures. Prayer wa3 ofl'ered by James Barrow. W T Brantly was elected President, and F H Ivy, Secretary. Breth ren from other States woro invited to participate in the deliberations of the body : W W Gwin, of Texas, J M Robertson, of Ala, J P Boyce, of SC, and A M Poindexter, of Va. T C Teasdale, of Tenn, was recognized as the Cor Sec of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the absence of T E Skinner, who was ex pected to deliver a lectdfe on the conversion of the scholars a3 the cJnefJSid of Sunday school in atruptiMi ihe hour was devoted to brief reports from superintendents and pastors as to the state of their schools. Boykin spoke of the school at the Second church, Macon ; D B Hamilton of the school at Cave Springs ; J H DeVotie, of the school at Griffin ; W T Brantly, of the school at the Second church, Atlanta; H A Williams, of the school at Kollock Street church, Augusta ; H C Hornady, of the school at LaGrange ; and FII Ivy, of the school at Athens. These reports rep resented the schools as generally in a Btate of prosperity. Among the interesting facts brought out, we note the following. The Griffin school has a class, ranging in age from 85 to GO. The infant class of the Second church school, Atlanta, during a recent week, collected some S2O for our Board at Memphis ; a little girfof eight collecting $9 of the amount. The Kollock street school, Au gusta, has organized a missionary society, making monthly contributions for all our Boards. The Athens school has purchased a printing press and prints its own lesson papers, prepared by Lamar Cobb, Assistant Superintendent; the work is ex ecuted by the pastor, F H Ivy, and occupies about half a day weekly. Adjourned with prayer by Mark A. Cooper. The Convention assembled at 8 o’clock, p.m., and after prayer by W W Gwin, an address was delivered by S Boykin on Teaching in Sunday Schools. He held that the true object of the teaching is ' the conversion of the children and their training for the service of God, through the truths of Christianity. The teachers aro the Le vites of the New Testament; and the three essen tial requisites for their work are piety, prayer and preparation. The speaker elaborated the latter with great minuteness of detail, and with many valuable suggestions. Adjourned with prayer by J P Boyce. The Convention resumed its sitting at 8 o’clock, r.u. Prayer by A Chandler. T C Teasdale spoke on the transcends nt impor tance of the Sunday school, as the means of rear ing a generation of intelligent, benevolent, work ing Baptist Christians. He plead for pastoral interest in this the interest of the whole church in it—-and for punctuality, patience, perseverance and prayerfulness on the part of teachers. A M Poindexter, recognizing the greater diffi culty of keeping up Sunday schools in country than in town churches, suggested that the most effective means to this end is, to interest and en list the ladies in the work. He had never suc ceeded without this, and never failed wilh it. M J Wellborn mentioned the case of a little or phan girl, a Sunday school scholar, who professed conversion and was baptized at nine years of age, and has for three years lived a consistent life. D Shaver dwelt briefly on the special incen tives to Sunday school effort for the early con version of children, which Baptist views furnish. J H DeVotie spoke of the abiding impression which had been made on his mind by verses taught him by his toother more than fifty years ago. He feared that the sense of parental respon sibility might be weakened by the stress laid on Sabbath school instruction; and that children might be transferred from the influence of the pastor in the ministry of the word, to that of su perintendents and Ujachera. Adjourned, with the doxology, to meet at the call of the President. Sabbath, April 23rd. A Sunday School Union Mass Meeting was held, at 8 o'clock,. P. M., and addresses were made by T C Teasdtle, D. E. Butler, J J D Ren froe, A M Poindexter, and S J Norton, intersper sed with singing by the children. G A Peltz, of Philadelphia, editor of the Baptist Teacher , de livered a lecture to Sunday School Teachers, on the Model Sunday School, which he characterized as (1) a Bible School, (2) for all ages, with (3) thorough instruction, (4) complete supervision and (5) a devotional spirit throughout. Monday, April, 24tn. ™ The Convention assembled at 8 o’clock, A. M. Prayer by G. A. Nunnally. The following resolutions were adopted : “ Whereas, it is conducive to the advantage of the Sunday School cause among the Baptists of the State of Georgia, to have a regular and perma nent organization, the object of which shall be to en courage, assist and foster the formation and im provement of Sunday Schools in the State ; there fore, Resolved, 1. That a committee be appointed to nominate for election by this Convention and at this session, an Executive Committee to con sist of seven members, with a President, Secreta ry and Treasurer, a majority of whom shall reside in the city of Atlanta, and whose duty it shall be to promote the organization of Baptist Snnday School Associations throughout the State. 2. Said Board or Committee shall be empowered to make all rules and regulations for its government, decide upon some plan of co-operation through out the State, determine the time and place of the next meeting of this Convention, take all neces sary steps to effect a general Ga. Bap. S. S. Asso ciation, or a number of Ga. Baptist S. S. Associa tions, to convene annually. 8. That all matters of expenditures and ways and means, be left to the wisdom and decision of the said Executive Committee until another Convention is assembled, or until a constitution is formed or adopted.” S Boykin, N A Bailey, G A Nunnally and W M Janes were appointed as the Committee of nomination, who reported as follows : YV T Brant ly, President; E YV Warren, Secretary; J H James, Treasurer; YY M Janos, W T Goldsmith, YY B Bensateq W J II DeY T otie, A K Seago, II A Tupper. Report adopted. A resolution was adopted affectionately urging pastore of churches to preach regularly and fre quently to the children. The Executive Committee was instructed to prepare a Constitution for a permanent organiza tion, to be submitted at our next annual session. Tho following resolutions were adopted ; 1. That all of us present will endeavor, within our Associations, to carry out the objects of this or ganization and by hearty efforts seek to promote the S. S. cause in Georgia. 2. That the Proprietor of the Christian Index and South Western Bap tist be and is hereby requested to devoTe at least two coluross-weekly, of his paper, especially to the S. S. cause. 3. That we recommend Kind Words, the Child's Delight to the Sunday Schools of our State, with the request of its publication weekly. Adjourned to the call of the Executive Com mittee. Prayer by H. A Tupper. The Baptist Cause in Alabama. In a recent conversation with one of our best preachers and pastors, the question was raised, why the churches and Associations in Alabama were so meagrely represented, both in numbers and means, in our State Convention? Indeed, this subjeot was presented and discussed at the last meeting of that body, and a plan was sug gested and adopted to remedy in part the evil. Messengers were appointed to visit all our Asso ciations next fall, and urge them to represent themselves in the Convention. But tho difficulty lies too deep, we apprehend, to bo reached by mere external remedies. The case demands, if we may so speak, a change of treatment. What is now needed is for the Convention to address itself to the present vital, imperative interests of the denomination. We must enter upon some home work—work that looks to the repairing of our own sad desolations—work that addresses itself to the hearts and homes of our own breth ren—before we can summon to the rescuo the scattered and disheartened hosts of our Israel. It has cotfi# to passfin the history ot the denomina. tion in our State, that we have practically turned over our whole missionary money and work to the Southern Baptist Convention. Our State or ganization is absolutely doing nothing for its own destitution ; and if we except our educational in terests, there is comparatively nothing in our an nual meetings to draw out the strength of tho de nomination. True it is, if we were all alive to the vast importance of endowing and sustaining our College, this of itself would be sufficient to in crease the attendance upon our anniversaries greatly. But in tho present state of our country, we cannot hope to reach a tithe of our real strength by this simple object. Evory locality has its separate school interests, and our people think themselves so impoverished that they can not (at least, any considerable portion of them) patronize, much less contribute to, the endow ment of Colleges at a distance. This, of course, circumscribes the influence of the Convention to a very narrow compass. Now, our obvious duty is to enlarge this compass by embracing in our purposes those great objects which the Conven tion was first organized to promote—to return, in one word, to first principles. For, reason as we may upon the necessity of consolidating our work into one central organization, it is a fact that Baptists look with no little distrust upon such a policy. It is a great, time-honored principle with Baptists, that ecclesiastical power, in order to be conserved properly, must bo diffusive in stead of eoncentrative ; and that the more agen cies that can be employed for good, the more cer tainly will we execute the spirit and letter of the divine will. Any policy, therefore, that savors of centralization, even in our holiest charities, is not readily adopted. Is it not possible for the Baptists of Alabama to re adopt some system of missions in our own State, that will enlist our churches and Associa tions more generally in the objects of the Con vention ? Other Spates are doing so, without crippling the Southern Baptist Convention. Vir ginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and various other States, have elaborate systems of missions, Sun day school agencies, etc., in successful operation. The influence of these objects is most happy in developing the resources of the churches, and Recuring a large attendance upon their annual meetings; and we cannot doubt that like causes would produce liko results in our State. Sup pose, at our next Convention, we should devote the first day of the meeting to the consideration of this matter, and that it should be decided to put two of our ablest and best ministers in the field as State Evangelists, making it their duty to visit every part of the State, preach to the desti -tate, assist pastors in meetings, “do tho work of evangelists,” and promote the general interests of the Convention —we verily beliove that we would do more, even to advance the interests of our Howard, to say nothing of all benevolent operations, than has been dono at any meeting of the Convention since the war. We invito oar Alabama brethren to speak out on this subject. Let this whole master be thoroughly ventilated, and let us come together at our next meeting, not to pass reports and resolutions so much as to do something worthy of the sixty or seventy thou sand Baptists of Alabama. H. Ordination of Deacons. An Ecclesiastical Council convened at Tom’s Creek Baptist church, Liberty county, Ga., on the 15th day of April, 1871, pursu ant to an invitation of the above church, and ordained to the office of deacon, brethren D. S. Baggs and J. S. Long. Examination by Rev. A. Weathers, sermon by Rev. W. O. Darsey, imposition of hands by the Presby tery, prayer by Rev. AY. O. Darsey, and charge by the same. J. M. C. Rev. H. F. Smith, of Newnan, on his return from the State Convention, preached Tuesday night for the Third church, Atlanta. The Southern Baptist Educational Conven tion. .Our quiet town has been enlivened, during the past week, by the presence, in our midst, of the distinguished representatives of Bap tist* educational interests in the South, who were here to attend the Southern Baptist Ed ucational Convention. Some of the ablest ministers in the South were present, and lent the aid of their experience and counsels to the holy cause. The Convention continued its sessions through thrqe days, during which many topics of great interest and moment were discussed. Much benefit, doubtless, will result. While no specific practical object was reached—nor was this expected—yet a more general interest has been awakened, and' a more earnest spirit diffused. The represen tatives of the cause have been stimulated to higher ideals and more generous enterprises, and anew departure has been taken in the educational movements of the South. About sixty-five delegates wore in attend ance, many of them representing institutions of learning. The Convention was organized on YVednesday, April 12th, at 10 o’clock a.m., by the election of Rev. J. P. Boyce, D.D., of South Carolina, President, N. K. Davis, LL. D., of Kentucky, A r ice President, and Rev. D. W. Gwin, of Alabama, Secretary. The regular proceedings were opened with an address of welcome to tho delegates, by Rev. E. B. Teague, of Ala. The speaker made touching allusions to the prostrate and languishing condition of our Southern Insti tutions, yet did not despair of a future of prosperity for them. The address was in Mr. Teague’s forcible style. It was followed by a well conceived and finely-written essay from Rev. Tfaeadore YVhitfielu, of Mississippi, on the Advantages of Education in Colleges under Religious Con trol. The remainder of the forenoon was occupied in promiscuous discussion of the subject, in which the sentiment prevailed, that denominational Colleges were the pe culiar hope of the country, as in them alone the Bible could be perfectly taught. The aftertyion session was devoted to a consideration of the subject of Academies, their Importance and Position in a System of Education. Prof. 11. 11. Harris, of Rich mond College, read an able and interesting essay on the subject, which ought to be studied by every friend of education. A large audience assembled in the evening, to listen to the address of Rev. T. E. Skin ner, D.D., of Georgia, on Our Need of Ed ucated Men. Those who know the reputas tion of the Doctor do not need to be told that the subject was handled with skill and ability. The subject was farther discussed by Drs. Tichenor and Poindexter. The exercises-of Thursday were opened by the reading of an able paper on The De mands of the Times for Ministerial Culture, by Rev. James C. Hiden, of North Carolina. The pointed, incisi \o style of the author, spiced with humor, compelled the unflagging attention the assembly. His argument for the mental Culture and acquirements of the Apostles, was ingenious and well-sustained. Rev. Dr. Boyce followed in a masterly ex position of the System of Instruction at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ; es pecially in its adaptedness to different grades of previous culture possessed by its students. Dr. B. has a w nderfully perspicuous style, and a manner so dignified and graceful as to command universal attention. We think he succeeded in impressing upon the audience the conviction of the superiority of tho Green ville curriculum. The subject was then open to promiscuous discussion, in which several delegates participated. In tho afternoon, Dr. A. M. Poindexter read an elaborate and interesting paper on College Endowments, which evinced the ex ’tensivtenesfi of his researches Into the subject. He reached the conclusion that a College (which he carefully distinguished from the Academy and the University,) should have an endowment fund of not less than five hun dred thousand dollars. At the conclusion of this essay, Col. Hodg son, Superintendent of Instruction in the State of Ala., by invitation of the Conven tion, delivered an interesting and spirited ad dress. He gave a brief history of the diffi culties he had encountered in reducing to or der the chaotic materials which his prede cessor in office had bequeathed to him. He spoke hopefully and in animated strain of the reorganization of the State University, which had so long been crippled by ignorant and unprincipled legislation, and corrupt admin istration. The storm on Thursday night prevented the meeting of the Convention in the evening. The forenoon of Friday was occupied mainly by the reading of papers on the Education of Women. The authors of these essays were unable to attend, and the paper of Dr. Hooper, of North Carolina, was read by Rev. D. YV. Gwin, and that of Dr. Sam9on, of Washing ton City, was read by Rev. A. J. Battle. Dr. S. S. Cutting, of New York, Secretary of the American Educational Commission, was then invited to address the Convention. Though laboring under debilitating indispo sition, the learned Doctor gave a most inter esting and lucid account of the origin and progress of the commission, and of the great educational meeting at Brooklyn a year ago. He was followed by Drs. Boyce and Poindex ter, who spoke in terms of enthusiasm of the Brooklyn meeting, and hinted at a union of the North and South in educational enter prises. This intimation called forth a pro test from Prof. Battle, who opposed an or ganic union on the ground of inexpediency. He regarded such a union as but the stepping stone to the merging of the religious organi zations of the denomination into those of the North. The protest was sustained by Dr. Davis and Rev. Mr. Teague. At 3 o’olock p.m., the report of the Com mittee on Permanent Organization w r as called for, when, after some discussion by Prof. Battle, Dr. Poindexter, Prof. Harris and Dr. Freeman, the report was so amended as to declare a permanent organization inexpedient. The Convention then took a recess to at tend a musical entertainment tendered by the young ladies of the Judsen Female Institute. At night amass meeting in behalf of How ard College was held, at which eloquent and effective speeches were made by Drs. Free man, Poindexter, Skinner, Boyce and Mcln tosh, and Revs. Ilideu, Boykin, Cleveland and others. Many valuable suggestions wero offered, and much interest excited for the Col lege. At the conclusion of the mass meeting, the Convention resumed its session. The question of permanent organization was re considered, and provision made for calling another Convention if deemed expedient. The Convention then adjourned sine die. Much interest was awakened in our com munity by the discussions of the Convention. They furnished a rich intellectual repast to the large audiences that assembled daily to witness the deliberations. Some of the first talent of the country was represented here. There are few as ready and able debaters as Dr. Poindexter. Few presiding officers dis charge the duties of their office with more promptness, skill and dignity than Dr. Boyce, flis graceful manner and impressive elocu tion are valuable aids to the position. Other able men contributed to the interest and use fulness of the meeting, but space does not permit us to dwell upon their characteristics Dr. Cutting, of New York, impressed all who came in contact with him as a genial, kind hearted, liberal Christian gentleman, and a man of large, comprehensive views. He was welcomed with much cordiality. Marion. Marion, Ala., April 18th, 1871. notice of the Convention was in type before the promise of the Official Report from the Secretary reached us. That Report will be pub lished next week. Union Springs Church, Ala. BuHock county was formed of parts of sev eral others soon after the close of the war. it comprises lands equal to the best in the cotton belt, and is one of the very best coun ties in this State. Large tracts of these lands could be bought at moderate prices, because all the owners have left. Union Springs is the site, and a thrifty, business place. Dwellings and business houses are going up all th*e while, and at this time an elegant brick court house is being built. The place has unfortunately the name of being siokly, which has little or no foundation in fact. We offer two reasons for this report. First. Some of our neighbors were not pleased at the forma tion of the county, and of course could see no fitness in the measure. Everything connect ed with the enterprise, especially the location of the court house, vas horrid. Articles were written and published ridiculing the county site. Frog ponds, gullies, sickness and death were all brought into the descriptions of the place. The wonder was, that these parties had let the territory taken from their county to form the new remain so long in their bounds, rather than be mad because they re taken out. Another Cause of this im pression going abroad was, that men from.thg* “ up country,” anxious to re build their for tunes while cotton was ruling at about 40 cents per pound, came here into this cotton growing place to do business; and, like near ly all other places in all this Southern coun try since the war, the chills and fevers raged here for a time. In 1867 and 1868 this place .had a full share of these malarious diseases. What place has escaped ? And when these new-comers began to shake with oold in the heat of summer, —perhaps they never had seen a chill and burn with fevers «nd vomit, —they left, and their apology for it was the “exceeding sickuess of the place.” Since 1868 the health of this place will compare favorably with any other. The old citizens give goQd account of the health in former times. Do not all places have sickness every several years! All any one needs to be con vinced of our sanitary condition, is to see our people. There is no better section in all the South for people of other regions to set tle in than this, all things considered. We connect direct with Columbus, Ga., by rail, 54 miles north, and with Montgomery, Ala., 42 miles west, and with Troy, 60 miles south, which is surrounded by a little world of ter ritory ; and with Midway 15 miles east, and in a few months will connect by this line of rail with Eufaula and the coast of Brunswick. With this railroad centre, good soil and sur roundings, good schools—one of high grade— good churches »nd flourishing Sunday schools, and fine society, we think Union Springs a most inviting place. Our church here num bers about 140, with fair per centum of the several professions and calling of the minis try. Rev. N. M. Eley is a member and min ister of good ability, and has been pastor of this church. He is about 65 years of age, full of energy and active, and was wealthy, and still has a good estate, but the war left him somewhat embarrassed because parties would not take the currency from him for their claims. He holds the office of County Surveyor, and does much heavy work, by which he has about cancelled all claims, and at the same time graduated a promising son at a medical college. He also does consider able preaching, and expects soon to give up other things and give his remaining days to the work of the ministry. Rev. Jonathan Thornton is near 80, and surprisingly vigor ous, active and zealous in the causa of his Saviour. He makes frequent visits to fami lies, and talks to them on the subject of sal ivation, and then makes good talks in prayer meetings ; also visits churches in the country, and preaches to the people much to their pleasure. Surely he is very near his glorious reward in heaven. Dr. Williams is of middle age, well edu cated, and commenced the practice of medi cine with good prospects, but symptoms of organic derangement admonished him not to continue in the exposure ajid hardships of the practice. In connection with the ministry he engaged in school teaching, and has been a successful educator, and at the same time a good, effective preacher. Lately he has been entirely disabled by failure of health, but he is now improving slowly and nicely, and hopes soon to be able to go vigorously to work. As their pastor, we are glad to have such members. W. H. Carroll. Union Springe, April 11 th, 1871. The Bond System or the Cash System of Endowment. The children of the world are said to be wiser than the children of light, as to the af fairs of this world, or rather wiser in their affairs than we in ours. Railroads, factories and founderies are built on the bond system, —successfully built, as most suppose. 1 have questioned this policy, but the Resources of our country are such, that I do not know how much posterity can pay. 1 thought, when the war ended, the national debt could never be paid—that the interest could scarce ly be paid; but I see in the papers that the present rate of liquidation will sweep it all away in ten years! The resources of the country are absolutely bewildering, and I stand off’ in conscious imbecility, as I gaze upon the solution of great pecuniary prob lems. Why may not these resources be made equally available, and by similar means, in relation to educational and other benevolent enterprises ? my friends inquire. lam not prepared to answer them. I simply now wish to have them accumulate the facts. Ba conianism invoked, can answer every ques tion. Let us have, through the papers, and every other means, the whole facts, and all can then come to conclusions. Per contra, T have watched several Female Colleges; espe cially, through a quarter century’s history, and they have, for the most part, commenced running with a debt supposed to be entirely managable, and as nothing to the things achieved, but after a while the debt turns out to be unpayable, friends grow callous, cold, offish, and the thing terminates in general disgust. Meanwhile many young ladies have been educated, and the accomplished good outweighs, far, the cost, pecuniary and men tal. Similar has sometimes been the his tory of Male Colleges. How far does the past practice agree with the precept, “ Owe no man anything?”—pur porting, 1 apprehend, if nothing more, that debts are not to be incurred,unless reasonable means of paying them exist. Does the rule apply alike to corporations and individuals? Moral considerations always transcend secus lar in importance. Great things done on wrong principles are at last the causes of great evil. Only when it shall have been proved that posterity will pay for religious and moral undertakings with equal cheerful ness as for secular enterprises, will it be clear that the same plans ruay be wisely inaugu rated for carrying out those undertakings. Railroads and factories, when successful and applauded, do not always cheapen living, and multiply real comforts. It was easier to make a living thirty years ago, in Alabama, than now, though not to obtain luxuries. Nevertheless, what I am saying is debata ble. And railroads are a matter of more in terest to a Christian man, as means of dift'u sing gospel knowledge, than in any other respect. 1 have reserved the great bond difficulty : These bonds are becoming hard to secure, and harder to oollect; and, I fear, the system will collapse, before a substitute can be found.
