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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.