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82
Ida m& gaptisC
J. J. TOON, - - • * Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 l 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS t
EV. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala. \
Rev. 9. HENDERSON, D.D., Jacksonville, Ala.
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1871.
Southern Baptist Convention.
St. Louis, Mo., Mat 12th, 1871.
At night, a mass meeting in the interest of Do
mestic Missions was held ; E B Teague presiding.
After prayer by R Holman, speeches were made
by T T Eaton, W E Hatcher, S R Freeman and
M T Sumner; and some $650 secured for our
Board at Marion.
Saturday, May 13th, 1871.
Prayer was offered at 9 o’clock, a.m., by R Ry
land. T G Jones conducted devotional exercises :
prayer by B Manly, Jr., J L M Ourry, and A W
Chambliss.
The Committee on the China mission reported,
representing that country as the field of hopeful
missionary effort, and recommending correspon
dence between our Board at Richmond and the
United States authorities in relation to the safety
of our missionaries in China. J B Hartwell re
cited the incidents of the massacre at Tien Sing
the past year. He apprehends no special danger
at present to foreigners, though the Government
throws all obstacles in the way of Christian mis
sionaries, which may not provoke French, Eng
lish and American vengeance, and, if it might
safely do so, would exterminate them. American
influence is less in China than that of any other
Westorn Power; and Christian effort with our
Government may secure a more effective care for
our citizens in that country. M J Knowlin, re
turned missionary from Ningpo, China, bore tes
timony to the excellence and usefulness of South
ern Baptist missionaries in “the flowery king
dom,” with its sea coast of 3,000 miles, its 5,000,*
000 square miles and its population of 370,000,-
000. The fact that Chinese emigration to the
United States comes from the provinces in which
our missionaries labor, places this Convention in
more immediate connection with these emigrants
than the Northern Baptist Society, and gives it
special advantages toward their evangelization
here, and their re-active influence over the evan
gelization of their native land. The report was
adopted.
The Committee on the Condition of the Colored
People of the South made a report, which was
adopted, as follows:
“ From such inquiry as they have been able to
make, they think there is an increasing disposition
among this class of our population to receive
kindly any efforts made by your Domestic Mission
Board for their religious culture, and also to ac
cept the aid of our brethren generally in improv
ing their religious condition.
They evidently need every assistance that can
be given them, and especially judicious pastors
and conductors of Sunday Schools. It is emi
nently desirable that these laborers shall, as far
as practicable, be furnished from among them
selves ; and hence it is much to be desired that
schools lor general education, and especially for
the education of ministers, be provided for them.
But your Committee do not deem it expedient for
your Board, at present, to attempt this work.
Your Committee most earnestly recommend
that the Board prosecute its mission work among
these people with all practicable vigor and lib
erality.”
The Committee on the Religious Interests of the
Chinese at the South reported. It expressed the
opinion that this emigration will continue, and
suggested that efforts be made to reach these
strangers through the English language, and
through returned missionaries who are able to
speak their dialect. Adopted.
The report of the Committee on the European
Mission recommended that the Board at Richmond
be instructed to take into consideration the pro
priety of appointing a General Superintendent of
European Missions, and that the churches be
urged to contribute sufficient means for the sup
port of the class of students for the ministry gath
ered by Missionary Cote in Rome, now number
ing four. A letter from this brother was read,
presenting an appeal for such contributions, to
the amount of some sl6 in gold per month for
each student Remarks were made by G W
Samson, J W M Williams, T G Jones and J L M
Curry. The latter speaker mentioned the fact
that a godly Scottish Presbyterian missionary at
Florence has written to the American Baptist
Missionary Union, advising that Baptist missiona
ries be sent to that country and city, because the
Italians, with an open Bible in their hand, incline
to embrace our denominational principles. B
Kimbrough spoke briefly. J L Burrows led in
prayer; and a collection was taken up, amount
ing, in cash subscriptions, to $1,194. S J Norton
pledged East Tennessee to the support of one of
the students at Rome; and members of the Mis
souri delegation pledged their churches to sup
port another. (Two are supported by the Young
Men’s Missionary Society of the Second Baptist
church, Richmond, Ya.) J B Hartwell pledged
his little church at Tung Chau, China, for $lO to
the Roman mission. M J Smith, of Texas, pledged
the support of a student; (and one is supported
by the Walnut Street church, Louisville.) The
report of the Committee was adopted. Adjourned
with prayer by T H Morgan.
The afterno on session of the Convention was
opened with prayer by W H Robert. J L Bur
rows offered a resolution expressing sympathy
with the efforts of English Baptists to secure full
religious liberty through the disestablishment of
the national Church. The resolution was adopt
ed after a discussion, in which T H Morgan, W
D Thomas, HDD Stratton, T E Skiuner, W
II Robert, H McDonald, J B Taylor, Jr., M T
Sumner, R Ryland, W Williams, A T Spalding,
D B Ray, C C Conner, C Lewis, F M Haygood,
and J H DeVotie participated. A copy of the
resolution was ordered to be transmitted to Hon
and Rev B W Noel, of London.
The report of the Committee on Credentials
was read and recommitted, with instructions to
specify, as far as practibia, the particular bodies
in each State, from which delegates are sent.
The Committee on the Enlargement of the
Work of the Foreign Mission Board, reported.
It recorded the fact that during the past year the
Board had doubled its operations, and recom
mended the same policy for the coming year—a
policy not only desirable, but imperative, as re
gards China and Italy. It raised' the question
whether it would not be well to anticipate the de
mands of this work by selecting men of conse
crated spirit who are willing to give themselves
to the work, and who possess the necessary qual
ification for it, and putting them in a course of
training that shall prepare them for it, upon
whom the Board can lay their hands, whenever
their services are required. Adopted.
The report of the Committee on the Missionary
Work of the Sunday School Board, pronounced
the work the most needful department of the
Board’s operations, and asked for a general and
hearty response from our churches to the de
mands of the Board for means. It was adopted
after remarks by T C Tcasdale, G A Peltz, of
Phil., and E B Teague. The last speaker urged
the necessity of missionary work in fields where
little return of money can be secored uutii the
people can be traine<F to it, and where, “ when
the Scriptures say, ‘they went down into the
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SODTII-WESTERN'BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, MAY 25,1871.
- 1 : _ ' - 1 - -re- . 1 I ~ M —i
water’ and ‘came up out of the water,’ they
have no better sense than to believe that it means
just what it says.
Adjourned, with prayer by G A Peltz.
At night, a Mass Meeting in behalf of Foreign
Missions was held: C C Chaplin in the Chair.
Prayer by J B Taylor, Jr.: addresses by J B
Hartwell, J M C Breaker, and A M Poindexter;
Prayer by E S Dulin.
On Sabbath afternoon, at a Sunday School Mass
Meeting in the Third church, some SBOO were se
cured for our Board at Memphis.
Monday, May 15th, 1871.
Prayer, at 9 o’clock, a.m., by D Shaver, J II
Kilpatrick, W P Yeaman, A E Dickinson, - -
Jordan; A Sherwood conducting devotional ex
ercises, and R Ryland making a few remarks.
The report of the Committee on Credentials,
showing the presence of 307 delegates, was sub
mitted and adopted.
The Committee on the Reports of the Treasu
rers of the Boards, reported that they were prop
erly audited and contained nothing calling for the
particular attention of the Convention. Adopted.
J P Boyce spoke in behalf of the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Greenville, S. C.
The plan adopted by the Trustees since the war,
to collect the annual expenses of the Seminary
year by year, in the absence of an endowment,
has enabled the Institution to get along with little
annual excess of debt. By the purchase of a
house to reduce the expenses of board to each
student from S2O to $9 per month, and though
that annual excess, a debt of some $12,000 needs
to be liquidated within a few months. He asked
pastors to make early “basket collections” to
meet this exigency. The Trustees have decided
to entertain propositions for the location of the
Seminary at some other point within the territory
of the Convention. The sum necessary to en
dow the Institution fully, is $500,000 ; and he
thought that the State to which the Seminary
may be removed should contribute at least $300,-
000 for that purpose. He saw the line of God’s
providence in behalf of the Seminary since the
war, in the fact that the reverses of the Institu
tion had won the heart of the Southern brother
hood generally, to it. In reply to enquiries from
J R Graves, he stated that the connection be
tween the Seminary and the Convention consists
only in the fact, that the Convention holds the
power of nomination when vacancies in the Board
of Trustees are to be filled. J R Graves held
that the Convention and the Baptists of the South
had never pledged themselves to have only one
Theological Seminary, and that even with the
present generation, a second would be necessary
for the Great West and South-West. J P Boyce
had always believed that, in due season, a second
would be called for, somewhere West of the Mis
sissippi. A resolution was adopted pledging to
the Seminary the united and cordial support of
the Convention.
The Report of the Committee to Nominate new
Boards was adopted, after amendment, as fol
lows :
Foreign Mission Board , Richmond, Va. —J L M
Curry, President. Vice Presidents: Hiram Woods,
Md., W M .Wingate, N. C., C M Irwin, Ga., S
Henderson, Ala., J A Hackett, Miss., J H Chris
tian, Ya., H McDonald, Ky., J T Williams, Mo.,
W C Crane, Tex., R Furman, S. C., M Green, Ark.,
F Courtney, La , AD Campbell, Fla.,M Hillsman,
Tenn., J B Taylor, Cor. Sec., E Wortham, Treas
urer, W H Gwatlimcy, Rec. Sec., C T Wortham,
Auditor. Managers:' J B Jeter, A B Clark, A
Sneed, H K Ellyson, A G Wortham, A E Dickin
son, C H Winston, J F Keesee, J B Watkins, W
Godden, J C Williams, J A Chambliss, T J Evans,
N W Wilson, J R Garlick.
Domestic and Indian Mission Board , Marion, Ala.
—Pre9.: W H Mclntosh. Vice Pres.: J W M
Williams, Md., E T Winkler, S. C., J B Sear
cy, Ark., R H Brown, La., T H Pritchard, N. C.,
E S Dulin, Mo., J H Tomkies, Fla., H W Dodge,
Va., J H DeVotie, Ga., A T Spalding,.Ky., MP
Lowry, Miss., C K Winston, Tenn., W Howard,
Tex., P H Lundy, Ala. Cor. Sec.; M T Sumner.
Rec. Sec.: W II Fiquet. Treas.: J B Lovelace,
Aud: S H Fowlkes. Managers: J F Bailey, P
King, C C Huckabee, L C Tutt, A Lawson, W T
McAllister, D R Lide, E A Blunt, A J Battle, W
W Wilkerson, S R Freeman, E Q Thornton, I B
Vaiden, J H Lee, A B Goodhue.
Bunday School Board, Memphis, Tenn. —Pres.:
I T Tichenor. Vice Presidents: W E Paxton,
La., B Manly, Jr., S. C., A F Crane, Md., W 8
Webb, Miss., W D Mayfield, Ark., W T Brantly,
Ga., G Hunt, Ky., B W Justice, N. C., F M Law,
Tex., A P Abell, Va., R C Burleson, Tex., W P
Yeaman, Mo., T C Boykin, Ala., T G Jones, Tenn.
Cor. Sec.: T C Teasdale. Rec. Sec.: M W Phil
a" >s. Treas.: R G Craig. Auditor: E G Wicker.
anagers: J R Graves, W S Taylor, B May, A
Hatchett, J L Norton, P S Jones, J Bruce, W L
Radford, J Beattie, J C Rogers, J L Verser, 8 M
Jobe, S C Rogers, C V Voorhies, N 8 Bruce.
On motion of the Committee on Mrs. Cooper’s
Claim, the Sunday School Board was instructed
to pay that claim as soon as practicable.
The Committee on the Publications of the Sun
day School Board reported.
Adjourned with prayer by N. W. Wilson.
The Convention resumed its sitting at 2 o’clock,
with prayer by B. Manly, Jr.; and the report
presented at the close of the morning session was
discussed. W. P. Yeaman dissented from the
commendation it give to an enlarged scheme of
publication. He appealed to Mrs. Ford’s “Grace
Truman” and Dr. Broadus’ “ Preparation and De
livery of Sermons,” works of Southern authors
having the imprint of Northern houses, as proof
that such a scheme was unnecessary. The report
was laid on the table.
The Committee on the Duty of the Churches
with regard to Home Evangelization made its re
port ; recommending “ that the most vigorous
efforts be put forth by each church to occupy
fully the region of which it is the centre,” and
“ that each church regularly and statedly contrib
ute to the Domestic Mission Board without waiting
for visits of the agents.” S F Thompson thought
that the report strikes the true keynote: home
evangelization can never be prosecuted with the
best results, unless (not the Boards only, but) the
churches everywhere became centres of zeal and
work. A W Chambliss argued that church mem
bers have never realized their obligation to con
tribute money toward the progress of the cause
of Christ, and that ministers generally fail to urge
the claims of duty in this regard. E. T. Winkler
held that there is a failure on the part of Chris
tians to work, personally, as missionaries in their
own life-spheres. He commended “ the apostolic
Oncken” and his churches, who require each mem
ber to pledge himself, when he enters the church,
to work there. He offered, as an amendment, a
resolution that pastors should more persistently
urge upon their flocks the duty of personal effort
for the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom. E
G Taylor dwelt on the destitution of the South-
West, with its Romanists, its Chinese, its Freed
men. E Dodson illustrated the importance of in
dividual work, the power of little things, etc.
The amendment and report were adopted.
Raleigh, N. 0., was selected as the place of the
meeting of the Convention next year : W P Yea
man to preach the Introductory Sermon; M B
Wharton, alternate.
The Committee on Constitutional Changes was
discharged, without a repoit. J R Graves moved
to amend the third article of the Constitution, so
as to require membership in a church belong
ing to the constituency of the Convention as a
necessary condition of membership in the Conven
tion itself. After discussion by J R Graves, W
P Yeaman, R Holman, J Robinson, E Dodson, T
E Skinner, W A Montgomery, H B McCallum, E
T Winkler, the proposition failed.
Adjourned with prayer by J A Barnes.
Tuesday, May lOtb, 1871.
Prayer was offered, at 9 o’clock, a.m., by M T
Sumner. J H DeVotie proposed an amendment
to the third article of the Constitution, requiring
members of the Convention to be persons “ claim
ing to be Baptistsand to this amendment W II
Felix proposed the further amendment that mem
bers shall claim to be Baptists “ in union with
churches composing the Convention.” After dis
cussion by H B McCaUum, B Kimbrough, J H
DeVotie, E T Winkler, J B Link, W P Yeaman,
C C Conner, W H Felix, J A Hackett, M Hills
man and A E Clemmons, and various proposals of
alteration, the amendment of W H Felix was with
drawn, and the amendment of J H DeVotie was
laid on the table.
The Report of the Committee on the Publica
tion Department of the Sunday School Board was
taken from the table. Quite a protracted de
bate on a multiplicity of propositions for amend
ment followed, in which many brethren partici
pated. The principal point of discussion was the
following amendment, offered by W D Thomas,
which was adopted : “ This Convention desires
neither to establish a general publication depart
ment of its own, nor to identify itself with any
such interest now existing, but wishes its Sunday
School Board to confine itself strictly to Sunday
school work, and earnestly requests all the Sun
day schools and Sunday school -workers within
its territorial limits to co-operate in this work
with the Sunday School Board of this Conven
tion.” The Report, with this amendment, was
adopted, commending Kind Words, the Child's
Delight, and asking that the Home and Foreign
Journal be published hereafter on a better grade
of paper, etc.
A communication was read from W N Cote,
our missionary at Rome, Italy, and the President
was instructed to respond to it.
Adjourned, with prayer by J P Boyce.
The Convention met at 2 o’clock, p.sl, and J
B Link offered prayer. A Van Hoose submitted
a resolution ‘ instructing the Sunday School Board
to dispose of the stereotype plates now in their
possession and apply the proceeds to the legiti
mate objects of the Board.’ On motion of I T
Tichenor, the word “instructed” was changed
to “authorized.” After remarks by T C Teas
dale, B W Blakewood, C C Bitting, and A Van
Hoose, the resolution was lost.
A resolution was adopted, which was presented
by T C Teasdale, to the effect that the amended
report on the Publication Department of the Sun
day School Board, was not designed to prevent
the issuing of any books for which they now have
plates, or which the means are provided to pro
cure"plates, nor to interfere with the publication
of the periodical literature of the Board.
A resolution presented by W II Robert, disap
proving the action of the New York Home for
Indigent Baptist Females, was laid on the table.
The Committee on the Orphans’ Home for the
Creek Nation, submitted a report that the whole
subject be referred to the Domestic Mission Board,
at Marion. Adopted.
Adjourned sine die, with prayer by B Kim
brough.
Adversity.
The final perseverance of the saints is a
cherished doctrine among Baptists. They be
lieve it is taught in the Scriptures, and that
it accords with the clearest deductions of rea
son. They cannot impute to God the folly
against which our Lord warns us, of begin
ning to build without being able to finish.
They are persuaded that when He “ begins
a good work, He will carry it on to the day
of Jesus Christ.” He, to whom all power in
heaven and earth were committed, engages
that “all things work together for good to
them that love God.” Observe, it is not
some things, but all things—not that they
may, but that they do work together fur this
result.
But we do not propose writing an article
on this subject. We took up the pen to jot
down a few thoughts on the perils of adver
sity, with the view of ascertaining whether
the integrity of the Christian faith could be
affected by these perils. Now, while the
perils of adversity are not really greater, if
as great, as those of prosperity, they are,
nevertheless, more palpable and sharply de
fined in their outlines. Prosperity multiplies
hypocrites—adversity reveals them. Pros
perity increases our numbers—adversity, like
another earthquake, swallows up the Corals
and Dathans, and thu3 purifies the camp.
Prosperity fills our churches with sunshine
congregations and fashionable worshippers—
adversity developes the “remnant according
to the election of grace,” who “ have not
bowed the knee to Baal.” But, nevertheless,
while adversity may thus serve to correct the
evils incident to prosperity, it has its perils,
and they are peculiar, and need to be pointed
out often, and guarded against with sedu
lous caution. Let us illustrate.
Adversity is quite apt to array our sense
against faith. Thus it was with Jacob:
“Joseph is not; and Simeon is not; and ye
will take Benjamin away: all these things
are against me.” So, also, with Israel at the
Red Sea. To the natural eye, there was no
retreat. What is palpable and formidable
to our senses, is quite apt to stagger our faith.
Peter felt this on the memorable occasion
when he exclaimed, “ Lord, save, or I perish!”
We see and feel the danger ; and if the rem.
eay is not equally palpable to these senses,
unassisted human nature is apt to quail. The
faith that removes these mountains—that ac
counts nothing too hard for God to do, is the
faith to which lie has affixed salvation. It is
the faith to which every Christian must as
pire, must have, or he can never overcome
the world.
• Again : Adversity is apt to carry our rea
son against our faith. Thus it was with Eli
jah under the “juniper tree,” and Thomas on
occasion of our Lord’s resurrection. Reason
can only concern itself with the ordinary re
lations of things—cause and effect. It does
not, and ought not to obtrude itself into that
higher sphere of operations—the domain of
divine providence—meaning by this expres
sion, “ God in motion ” —where faith achieves
its most glorious conquests. But when that
“pillar of cloud,” that mystic pavillion of
the divine presence, presents its dark side to
us, reason aspires to ascend the throne, and
array the divine rectitude before its impious
tribunal. As if man, vain man, could put
to Omniptence, and demand of Him
to answer by results. As we demand that
sense shall bow to reason, so let us demand
that reason shall bow to faith.
Once more : Adversity is quite apt to array
interest against duty. Thus it was with the
erring prophet, who was forbidden to eat
bread in the land to which he was sent, but
to deliver his message and return at once.
Under the fatigues of his journey and the
pinchings.of hunger, he yielded to the per
suasions of a false prophet, turned into his
house to refresh himself, and his life paid the
forfeit of his transgression. And this is one
of the most formidable perils of our times.
Never before has mere temporary interest
so severely taxed our sense of duty. It
comes before us with its thousand tongues—
it arrays wife and children in piteous poverty
—it points to and the already dis
mal cloud that confronts us, darkens and
lowers still mofe portentously by its magic
touch—it points to the past, and the already
terrible wrecks of war become still more
frightful in their scenes of desolation and
ruin—it points to the present, and bids us lay
up treasures on earth at every hazard and at
any cost. Now, does not any one see that it
requires no ordinary integrity —no common
appreciation of^moral obligation—to stand
firnq when assailed by such fearful odds?
And yet thertfts-an integrity that is proof
against all these appeals. There is a sense of
duty that never compromises principle in the
darkest hour—a noble heroism that rises with
the occasion, conspicuous to all for the virtues
it illustrates by the fearful ordeal. To this
attainment, let each one aspire; and trusting
to Almighty Grace, we will reach “ the end
of our faith, the salvation of our souls.”
j- 11.
From Cartersville to Mobile.
On the 24th of April the Baptist Conven
tion at Cartersville adjourned, and on the
morning of the 25th, the delegates generally,
went to their own homes, but the agents
went to the homes of others. It was my
lot, happily, to visit L. R. Gwaltney, the
pastor of the Baptist church at Rome. Un
der his hospitable roof, and by his kind in
dulgence, 1 at* once betook myself to sleep,
long and prsSmnd. This was a necessity
resulting attendance upon a Baptist
Convention. *None could have desired bet
ter quarters than those which had been as
signed to us at Cartersville. But the talka
tive powers Baptist ministers are prodig
ious, and three Baptist ministers, besides
myself, were lodged in one room. Within
these three heads—to say nothing of the
fourth—what'an amount of anecdote, theo
logical lore, critical acumen, and general
information was pent up, ready at any mo
ment to explode. When these three heads
—to say nothing of the fourth—were laid
upon their pillows, it was fearful to think of
what might follow next. A chance remark
might awaken a discussion of hours. One
unlucky anecdote, casually told, might recall
hundreds of anecdotes. And it so happened
that the chance remark and the unlucky an
ecdote, with their interminable consequents,
were of nightly occurrence. On one occasion,
a dear but wakeful brother, whose mind was
of an analytical cast, remembered in the
night watches, a sermon which he had preach
ed upon the ant, the coney and the spider.
Having favored us with a thorough analysis
of the discourse, he asked, in return, a sim
ilar favor from a recumbent brother, who
had been apparently listening in breathless
silence. “ Doctor ,” said he, “ what
text did you preach upon last, and how did
you treat it ?” The Doctor, to whom this
question was addressed, and whose previous
silence had been the result not of attention
but of sleep, was with some difficulty arous
ed to comprehend the state of affairs, and
with still greater difficulty, succeeded at last,
in recalling the words of the text. But, for
tunately for us, as the sermon had, probably,
been constructed on the synthelical plan, it
seemed to be incapable of analysis; and so
in the deep 4kiiet that ensued, and in the
small hours® the night we fell asleep. It
seemed l scarcely an
hour, of (wroom was open
ed by had slept alone, undis
u ;iw us, because,
as he early bird that catches
the true and valuable,
this piece might be, it is cer
tain that the late birds and the early
bird 1 had very little sleep. Such is
the history of one night spent at a Conven
tion ; and after three or four such nights,
there is nothing which nature more impera
tively demands than rest.
I was glad to see how the Baptist church
in Rome had been progressing. Without os
tentation or parade, there has been a quiet,
regular growth—that kind of growth which
fs solid and permanent. During the pasto
rate of Bro. Gwaltney, the membership has
been steadily increasing, and every conflict
ing element has been harmonized. From
what I learned by observation and inquiry, I
know of no church which has been more
thoroughly moulded for the better by the
character pastor. A strong, earnest
man, with a large, loving heart, he has made
a deep impress, not only upon his own peo
ple, but upon the Baptists of the surrounding
country.
Another able and efficient laborer in this
section of Georgia—another minister who
exerts a wide spread influence for good—is
Rev. J. C. Browne, pastor of the Cave
Spring and Cedartown Baptist churches. I
accompanied this brother to a Union meeting
of the Cave Spring Association, held at Pis
gah church. To my mind there i3 a peculiar
charm iu these country gatherings. The
scene presented to the eye, as we approached
the place of meeting, is familiar to many
readers of the Index. Before us, the grounds,
cleared of underbrush, were shaded by a
number of goodly oaks. Within the shadows
of these oaks there were vehicles of various
ages and fashions; and groups of men, with
apparently little interest in each other, were
watching with the liveliest interest the ap
pearance of tl*e new comers. Ou the outs
skirts of this clearing, horses were tethered
to’the braneffes of small trees; and in the
back hidden by the foliage,
we caught glimpses of an humble wooden
.building —the ghurch at Pisgah. The assem
blage here wasfliotJarge; and it was a matter
of regret that wiany ol the appointees had neg
lected to make any preparation upon the
subjects assigned them. Still, in the discus
sions which arose during the meeting, no one
could fail to see that there was much piety
and talent within the bounds of this Asso
ciation. Judge A. R. \yright, the pastor of
Pisgah church,43 a mqn of known ability.
But I was particularly impressed by the
mental vigor and clearness of J. C. Browne,
and the rugged strength which characterizes
the mind of J. W. Pullen. J. M. Robert
son, of Alabama—a young man of decided
promise—made several excellent speeches.
Indeed everything went off pleasantly ; and
when, in the evening-twilight, I sat in the
porch of a neighboring cottage, surrounded
by the deepening shadows of the forest, and
listening to the plaintive notes of the whips
poorwiil, if, under the witchery of the time
and place, 1 coveted my neighbor’s property,
and wished that his home was mine, the Lord
pardon his servant in this thing.
Journeying slowly on to Mobile, I stopped,
for one or two days, with Dr. Henderson, at
Jacksonville. My previous acquaintance with
the Doctor had been very slight, and, some
how or other, I had formed the impression
that he was a dry incarnation of logic. To
my surprise, I found him as genial a compan
ion as 1 had ever met—a man whose disposi
tions are as social,and whose heart is as warm,
as his intellect is clear. It was pleasant to
see, too, what anew spirit of energy he was
infusing into the church at Jacksonville. By
the Divine blessing, this church, under his
ministry, promises soon to become a strong
and interest. Not longafter leaving
Jacksonville, 1 met an old brother who did
not seem to hold agents in any very high esti
mation. He intimated to me that their oom- I
inunications in the Index had led him to con
clude that they were generally “ swell-heads.”
To this, of course, I cheerfully assented, say
ing, that there were a lew notable
exceptions to the rule. These exceptions did
not seem to meet his approval, and he clinch
ed the application of his remarks by advising
me to read Dr. Mallary’s book on the. I-dish.
I immediately set down my aged brother as
an old fogy.
Journeying slowly on to Mobile, I reached
Greenville, Ala-, on a cold, rainy day. Under
the circumstances, it was cheering to find
that the Greenville hotel was directly oppo
site to the depot—a house as admirably kept,
as it is conveniently located. Nothing can
be more neat than the rooms, nothing better
furnished than the table ; and, to crown the
attractions of the house, there are two birds
of song, whose sweet melodies lead to this
shrine many a pilgrim’s feet. In this flour
ishing little city our young friend, Charles
Kendrick, is installed pastor of the Baptist
church. Before reaching the place, during
my stay in it, and after I had left, I heard
much of his popularity among his members.
From what 1 knew of the taleuts, energy and
piety of Bro. Kendrick, this was what 1 had
expected; and lam sure that his popularity
will continue to increase a9 he becomes better
known.
At Tensas, a dismal settlement on the Mo
bile river, we exchanged the cars for a
steamer, and, after an hour’s run, I caught,
over the blue waters of the bay, my first
sight of Mobile. In this city there are three
Baptist churches—the Francis street, the
Broad street, and a mission church recently
organized, but prospering under the charge of
llev. G. F. Williams. The Francis street
church is the largest and most influential
body of Baptists here. A. B. Woodfin, the
pastor of this church, possesses cultivated
manners and fine pulpit powers. He has, too,
the amusing but pleasant peculiarity of all
Virginians. With him, Virginia, like the
fabled Midas, converts all that it touches into
gold. Every goose of his native State is a
swan, and every buzzard that flaps over its
fields is an eagle. But as 1 am treading on
dangerous ground, I will cover my retreat by
saying, that 1 am acquainted with no Virginian
who is not a worthy son of a noble mother.
R. W F.
News from the Churches.
There are many reasons why pastors of
churches do not give the results of their la
bors, and the acts of the churches.
Ist. They do not like to array before the
readers of the Index the extreme smallness
of the result of their labors. Many minis
ters cannot write good grammar, and fear
their productions would only get one reading,
and then find its way to the place assigned
for all uninteresting matter. Ministers may
have good common sense, yet be destitute of
the accomplishment of education, and be ex
tremely sensitive upon that subject.
2nd. Ministers do not like to write about
the acts and doings of others. There are two
parties. lie may write about himself, but
should be careful when he names others, and
should write about himself modestly.
The churches of the Lawrenceviile Associ
tion are generally small, and poor preachers
not very plenty—none of them got what you
would call an education; some very illiter
ate; would be a good field for an educated
missionary. None of the preachers are fully
sustained by the churches. Not much change
for the better on that subject. All the
churches choose their pastors yearly, and
sometimes change as often. The poor sup
port from the churches has a very bad ten
dency on their pastors. They have no in
ducement to desire to stay where they are
satisfied they cannot even get the expenses of
the labor, much less a support. Therefore,
they often become restless, and desire to try
anew field of labor.
The churches that lie immediately in the
range of my knowledge, are Chestnut Grove,
Mount Zion, Bethany, Liberty, Rock Bridge
and Hebron.
Chestnut Grove church, five miles south of
Lawrenceviile, J. W. Webb, pastor, has
preaching one Sabbath in the month, and on
Saturday before, when their pastor is present.
He sometimes disappoints them on account
of iil health and hard labor. The church
kept up a Sabbath school during the most
part of the Summer. They number 97
members. They paid their pastor, last year,
twenty five or thirty dollars. lie lives about
five miles from the church.
Mount Zion church, five miles south west
of Lawrenceviile, and four miles west of
Chestnut Grove. Elder Wm. Haslett, was
their pastor for 1870. About sixty members.
Their pastor for the present year is a young
man from Stone Mountain Association, by
the name of Robertson, just beginning in the
ministry. The church kept up, with the help
of the Presbyterians, a Sabbath school during
Summer. Books union. Two joined by ex
perience and baptism last year. The two
churches, Chestnut Grove and Mount Zion,
could do much better to consolidate their
members and influence in one church, pay
their pastor, keep up Sabbath schools of their
own, and become strong by a united influence.
The writer was in the service of Mount
Zion church, two years ago, and was chosen
for the next ensuing year, but informed the
church he could not serve them unless he was
sustained better than they had done. They
desired to know what amount would give
satisfaction. He informed them that fifty
dollars would pay his expenses in their service.
The church called a meeting to consider upon
the subject, and decided the amount was rea
sonable, but the precedent could not be tol
erated, much less established. Their pastor
left them to their own precedents. Two
years after, the church chose the same preach
er again. He informed their committee that
he was willing and ready to serve them, when
they were willing to promise to pay him fifty
dollars for his services. They again met, and
decided as before—that they would not suffer
such encroachments upon the sovereign rights
of the church. The writer has named these
things to show what a pitiful condition both
churches and preachers are in through this
poor section of country. The last named
church generally paid their pastor from twen
ty to thirty dollars per year.
Bethany church, six miles east of Stone
Mguntaip. The waiter has served them for
the last five years, and is in their service fop
the present year. Fifty three members. IJas
prayer meeting twice a month; no Sabbath
school; good congregation, in good weather;
the church executes good discipline, Added
to the church, during 1869, seven or eight
members, most all young men. They pay
their pastor from thirty to fifty dollars per
year. The next meeting of the Lawrence
ville Association will be held with this church,
commencing Saturday before the fourth Sab
bath in August next.
Rock Bridge church is one of the oldest
churches in this part of the State. It was
constituted in theyear 1819. Has now about
seventy members. It has been served by
the writer for the last five years, but lias left
them for the want of support. J. W. Webb
will serve them the present year. Four
joined by experience and baptism, during last
year. No Sabbath school; no prayer meet
ing. They pay their pastor from thirty to
forty dollars yearly.
Liberty church, ten miles west of Law
renceville, on the Decatur road, was served
by the writer for the two last years. Their
pastor for the present, is one of their own
members Elder Thomas Mathews. No
Sabbath school; no prayer meeting; none
added to their number during the la9t year.
They pay their pastor from forty to fifty
dollars a year. About ninety members. j i
Hebron church, six miles east of Lawrence
ville, is a small church of the appalachee As- |
sociation. It was served by the writer for
1870. No pastor for the present year. Kept
up a Sabbath school part of the Summer, with
the help of the Methodist brethren. Books
union. Some of the members in favor of
open communion. Paid their pastor, for the
last year, twenty-three dollars. Sometimes
prayer meeting before preaching.
T. E. Kennerly.
Another Veteran has Fallen.
Rev. L. W. Lindsey is no more. After an
affliction of more than three years, he “ fell
asleep in Jesus,” at his residence in Monroe
county, Ala., on the 28th of December, 1870,
in the. 72nd year of his age. Bro. Lindsey
was a faithful Baptist minister for more than
thirty five years; and few men accomplished
more in the miuistry than he did. Although
not having the advantages of early intellectual
culture, yet he was blessed with sound prac
tical sense. This, with his deep piety and
warm and animated manner, often riveted the
attention and brought tears from his congre
gation. Few men labored more efficiently in
the “ Master’s vineyard” than Bro. L. For
many years he was missionary for the Beth
lehem Association, and afterwards travelled
for the Pine Barren ; the latter of which he
was Moderator for four years, until his health
gave way. He was a successful laborer, as
the hundreds who have been buried by him
in the baptismal waters can testify, (for he
baptized nearly three thousand persons during
his ministry.) Who that ever labored with
him can forget his earnestness and faithful-,
ness when warning sinners or admonishing
Christians? The writer of the feeble tribute
was intimate with him for more than twenty
years. We have preached and prayed to
gether ; we have travelled many a weary mile
in the cause of our Master; but, alas ! “one
is taken and the other left,” and that earnest
voice, though hushed in the silence of the
grave, we trust is mingling with the angelic
choir around the throne of God. In his inter
course with his fellow men he was social and
kind. Though, like most of us Baptist preach
ers, he was poor, had to labor with his own
hands to support an afflicted* wife and family ;
while he gave the best of his energies to
churches, from whom he received but a mea
gre compensation; yet he fainted not, but
continued to toil on, “sowing the good 9eed
of the kingdom,” until his master said it was
enough, and prostrated him on a bed of dis
ease, thus closing a useful life of toil and suf
sering, to hear the welcome sound, “ Well
done, good and faithful servant.” Yes,
Servant of God well done,
Rest from thy loved employ ;
The battle fought, the victory one,
Enter into thy Master’s joy.
C. W. 11.
Fatama, Ala. *»•
Constitution and Ordination—Colored.
A few scattered colored brethren, in the
neighborhood of Emmaus church, Muscogee
county, Ga., desiring to devote themselves to
the service of God and the extension of
Chrit’s kingdom, thought proper to solicit the
constitution of a colored Missionary Baptist
church in their midst, and the ordination of a
bishopand twodeacons. Thefollovingbrethren
were requested to be present : Bishops W. A.
Whipple, Jasper Hicks and the writer. The
former being absent, the two latter proceeded
to discharge the duties of the day. The ser
mon was delivered by Bro. Hicks, and the
following duties mutually shared. Their let
ters of dismission, articles of faith, views of
church government, etc., were called for and
examined. Finding them Seripturally cor
rect, the right hand of fellowship was extend
ed, and the constitution of the church formally
declared. <
Apprehending some difficulty in obtaining
a suitable presbytery at an early and conve
nient period, the church immediately called
for the ordination of the preacher and dea
cons. The candidates being present, they
were conducted through a thorough examina
tion, which, proving, in the main, satisfactory,
they were solemnly set apart to their respect
ive offices, by “ the laying on of hands of the
presbytery.”
Thus ended an important event in the his
tory of the colored church in this community.
We have reason to thank God that the king
doms of this world are becoming the king
doms of our Lord and His Christ. Brethren,
let us pray, (Heb. xiii, 20, 21,) “ that the
God of peace, that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shep
herd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, may make them perfect
in every good work, to do His will , working
in them that which is well pleasing in His
sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory
forever and ever. Amen.”
W. J. Mitchell.
ColutnbuK, Ga., May Zrd, 1871.
Ordination of Deacons.
As no one ha3 given you an account of our
having elected and ordained brethren W. H.
Smith and M. M. Cady, deacons of our church,
allow me to say that, the fourth Saturday in
January we held an election which resulted
in the choice of Bro. Smith. One month
after, another election was held, which re
sulted in the choice of Bro. Cady. They
were ordained by the imposition of hands, on
the fourth Saturday and Sunday of the next
month. Brethren Jening, (pastor,) Ellington
and Fowler (invited) conducted the examina
tion on Saturday. Sunday, ordination ser
mon by Bro. Ellington, imposition of hands
by Presbytery.
Last night Bro. Renfroe preached for us.
We had cut a high notch for him. When he
read a song, and the first chapter of James, we
concluded our notch was too high, and whittled
it out; but when he took for a text the first
clause of the last verse, and held us spell
bound for a time, we found that there was yet
room above our whittle for RENFRO.
Bro. Jening being our pastor, pra»ches for
us on the fourth Lord’s day and Saturday
previous; Bro. Cooper on the 2nd—each
preaching at night, to fair congregations.
We have a flourishing Sabbath school, with
Bro. Morgan as superintendent, which is the
right man in the right place. Miss D. W.
deserves the thanks of church and school for
her indefatigable efforts in teaching our little
scholars to sing, requiring them to
meet her every Saturday evening, for prac
tice, together with hep as teacher.
We are keeping up a weekly prayer meet
ing, from wjiich we hope much good. We
are making to rebuild or repair
our church.
Warreriton, April 27, 1871.
Sabbath School Interest in Beulah Church,
Lee County, Ala.
The brethren and friends of Beulah church,
assisted by some of the brethren from Rocky
3lount church, met, a few Sabbaths ago, and
organized a Sabbath school at Beulah. 1 was
sick, and was not at the organization, I was
informed that the turnout was very good.
The ollieers and teachers were appointed and
assigned their respective duties. They saw
fit to elect me as their unworthy superinten
dent. Last Sabbath I had recovered from a
severe attack of rheumatism; went to church
and tried to preach at U a.W , and met the
school at 3 p.m. I must say that I never saw
a more flattering prospect for an interesting
Sabbath school in the country. There were
a great many out —quite a number of old
persons, a great many young gentlemen and
ladies, and a good crowd of little boys and
girls. Cheerfulness and smiles beamed forth
from every countenance. We are now just
properly organized. We expect to procure a
competency of good books, suitable for study
ing and singing, and we have resolved that
Beulah and its vicinity, which has for a num
ber of years, by some people, gone by the
name of Dark Corner, shall be as bright
as any of its sister neighborhoods. Beu
lah is a small place 12 miles rather south
of West Point, Gu., and 17 miles cast of
Opelika. Beulah church is quite an interest
ing little church, and has for its ellicient pas
tor Bro. Stanton, of Opelika. He is well be
loved by all his brethren down here, and his
labors have been greatly blessed. We have
no regular mail route running by Beulah.
Some steps have been taken to have the au
thorities at Washington to establish the old
route again, but without any favorable results
yet. We have only a private mail from here
to West Point, called the “ BeuLh Club.”
F. C. David.
Beulah,, Lee County, Ala., May 2. J
From Alabama.
We have had beautiful weather for the past
ten days in this section of country, and farms
ers are preparing lands and planting in haste.
We are planting very largely of corn. I pre
dict it can be bought next fall for fifty cents
per bushel. The health of our section is good
at present, money scarce, but people cheerful.
The spirit of missions is on the increase. One
church only (Bethany, at Collirene,) sent up,
a few days ago, forty-eight dollars, direct to
‘‘The Board of Foreign Missions.” W r e pro
pose having at our “ District meeting,” on
the sth Sabbath in this month, at Pleasant
Hill, a grand missionary mass meeting, where
and when we hope to infuse a livelier interest.
We expect Bros. Teague, Mclntosh and Free
man with us. We are waking up on the sub
ject of “ Education.” Several of our citizens
will go up to Marion on the 12th to the meet
ing, and nearly all wish to go. 1 must not
forget to state that among the improvements
of the country, the love and desire*for the
Index and Baptist is grealty on the increase.
I hope, by fall, every Baptist in this land will
be a patron. By the way, Bro. Proprietor,
Benton, that “heathen place,” (as you thought,
from the - shameful treatment of some when
there,) is coming out. They have two preach
ers—Bro. Lundy and myself, and both of us
supported largely by outsiders. The church
had well nigh become extinct, but two were
received by letter last Sabbath, and I learn
there arc others who will join by letter soon,
and have discovered at least three who are
seeking salvation. Will the brethren pray
for us at Benton ? If any minister, in passing,
can stop at any time and give a night or
Sabbath appointment, he will be cordially
welcomed. Mr. Hill, a merchant, will receive
him and deposit him safely with some hospita
ble brother or friend, who will soon convince
him they have thrown ofl’every semblance of
“ heathenism.”
This is an inviting place to any captalist
who would like to invest money in a cotton
factory. It is in the heart of a cotton section,
on the railroad and river, far removed from
any other factoiy; and lots are cheaper than
in any other place of the same size.
In my next communication, I w ill give an
account of Bro. Baily’s field. I hope that no
one will think this style of communication
useless; for already have my sympathies been
enlisted in behalf of Gainesville church, the
condition of which I learned from a similar
correspondence. God bless them and their
pastor! B. 11. Crumpton.
Pleasant Hill, Ala., April 10th, 1871.
Au Example Worthy of Imitation.
A member of the Russellville church has
devised the following plan for doing good :
He has agreed to give a certain sum to each
of ten young men who will devote their lime
and energies to doing good during the vaca
tion. The young men are to go out into tho
destitute portions of the country, preach,
pray, labor with the people,distribute tracts,
and in various ways endeavor to benefit those
with whom they come in contact. For this
labor, a suitable compensation is to be provi
ded. .
The young men are students in Bethel
College, who are preparing for the ministry.
Is there not some one in Macon and Howard
Colleges who will do the same for the theo
logical students there? Are there not young
men in our Southern Colleges, who can be
usefully employed in the same manner?
Could a few hundred dollars be more usefully
expended? Could our young ministers
spend their vacations in a better manner than
in thus preparing for their great work ? These
brethren are to go out two and two, as did
the apostles in our Saviour’s day. W.
Letter from Alabama.
. Having a few moments leisure, I propose
giving you a short sketch of the condition of
our Zion in this locality. Last fall the church
es situated in the eastern part of the Pine Bar
ren Association, enjoyed a delightful season
of refreshment. But during the winter sea
son they have become somew hat cold, though
in all probability this is owing to tho inclem
ency of the weather and bad roads, during
the winter and spring seasons. Tho emigre
gations recently are large and attentive, and
we flatter'ourselves that through the gloom
of the present we can see rays of light from
the future. Some of the churches have or
ganized Sabbath Schools, a»d are working
finely. We have a District or Ministers and
Deacon’s meeting in this Association, which
is growing in interest. There is considerable
destitution in portions of our territory. Bro.
J. F. Bruner is trying to preach for six
churches. 1 am sorry to say we have no
missionary to supply the destitution of this
Association. I suppose the brethren think
they are too poor to sustain one, and many
feel their poverty so sensibly, they cannot
sustain their pastors.
The evil of intemperance threatens the
happiness and prosperity of our section, and
we have long felt the necessity for the inau
guration of some measure to remedy this
growing evil, and rejoice to learn from the
columns of the Index that there is a society
called Good Templars, who have this noble
object in view. But I am sorry it is not yet
introduced in this locality. Will not some
Good Templar come and organize in our vil
lage, and save our friends from a premature
grave. They w'oula meet a warm reception,
and have the hearty co-operation of many
good citizens here. Come, brethren, and
save our people from temporal and eternal
destruction, and may the Lord speed you.
Fraternally yours, Jas. L. Eddins.
Pine Apple, A,ta., May \l, 1871.
Spiritual Power.—lt is said, with wKlt
truth j know qot, that in a single drop of wa
t°r there is electric force enopgh, if developed
and applied, to explode the solid «lobe. This
may be true or false, but wp do know tbttt
one thousand millionth part of the water on
the globe, converted into steam, does in fact
plough the ocean and belt the world, sea and
land, with commerce, and fill it with fabrics
and appliances of luxury and convenience.
And we do know, too, that this grand force
has been sleeping around us all unknown to
man for five thousand years and more, until
at last in our day it has been disolosed and
harnessed to the car of progress to transform
the earth. So in the waters, of the river of
life there sleeps a power which is yet to be
elaborated in Christian hearts, and applied by
Christian testimony to the world’s salvation.
Any single orie of the exceeding groat and
precious promises received in the heart, is
enough to dispel a world of infideLty frojn
the head; and in the broad stream of revela
tion there is vital force, ample, if realized and
used as in pentecostal times, to subdue the
world to the peaceful, happy sway of the
blessed Jesus, its lawful King.— W. E.
Boardman.