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90 f aiex aura gaplist. J. J. fOOir, .... Proprletar. PUBLICATION ROOMS —4 16 SOUTH BBOAOWAT. =»— , ■ ■ -r 1 ‘ ' ' -w Editor: Bev. D. SHAVER, D.D. OOBKBSPONDING EDITORS : Key. J. J. D. RENFROE, TdOadega, Ala. Rby. 8. HENDERSON, D.D Jacksonville, Ala. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1871. The Southern Baptist Convention. Perhaps a thousand persons, including dele gates and visitors, were attracted to St Louis, by the first session of the Southern Baptist Conven tion west of the Mississippi. The spirit of the meeting was-excellent, and its influence must be salutary. The Old School Presbyterian, published in that city, sayß: “ More than three hundred brethren are in attendance. Their deliberations are dignified and earnest, indicating a profound ap preciation of their high calling and whole-souled devotedness in its pursuit” “Asa deliberative body,” writes the correspondent of a Northern religious journal, “ this Convention is superior to any other Baptist body with which we are acquainted.” “ The Southern Baptist anniversa ries at St. Louis,” the Watchman dk Reflector says, “ revealed a depth and richness of charac ter, which our colder surroundings do not tend to produce.” And the St Louis Central Baptist testifies: “ The impression left by the Convention upon the religious element of our city, was all that could be desired. It was a single wave, to be sure, that passed over the surface of this strange community, which soon retired, leaving no impression on the public mind so intensely absorbed in worldly pursuits, and so content with false religion and godless creeds; but in many a congregation and home the memory of the South ern Baptist Convention will be cherished among the pleasant things of life.” Asa whole, we in cline to think that the speeches called forth by the discussions of the Convention, were scarcely equal to those of the past few years; a fact prob ably due, in great part, to the unfortunate con struction of the edifice in which the sessions were held. Perhaps, too, what was novel in the char acteristics of a great Western city, rather Euro pean than American, disturbed the usual currents of thought and feeling in the bosom of the dele gates, and gave some show of reason to the opin ion of a writer in the National Baptist , “ that the meetings were not marked by an earnest de votional spirit.” But, after every proper abate ment from these quarters, we unhesitatingly pro nounce the Convention a success, and should have grieved to lose just such a “gathering of our hosts,” the present year, through the zeal of certain brethren for biennial sessions. Finances. The aspects of the work prosecuted by the Con vention, through its Boards, are hopeful. The tide rises. The cause moves forward. Witness the receipts of the Boards for the last year, and their increase over the year preceding: Boards. Receipts. Increase. Domestic Miss.on <81,223 17 < 9,673 44 Foreign Mission 25,749 80 3,811 27 Sunday School 19,193 71 11,872 53 Total <76,171 18 <24,857 24 We are profoundly conscious that, notwith standing the monetary pressure throughout the greater portion of our territory, these figures should have been much larger, in view alike of the importance and the necessities of the work. But is there not ground for grateful acknowledge ments of the Divine grace, actuating our people to lay upon the altar of Its service this augment ing offering? And may we not read in it the promise of a more expansive liberality and a more efficient labor for the time to come ? We give a tabular statement of the contribu tions from each State to the three Boards, with the increase, or decrease, as compared with the sums reported at the session of the Convention in 1870: States. Contrib'ns. Increase, decrease. Georgia. <12,841 60 $1,553 85 Kentucky 9,865 02 2,170 30 Alabama 7,896 64 1,727 02 Tennessee 5,815 87 81,24 42 Mississippi 4,527 05 1,455 48 Missouri .... 4,323 96 2,980 19 Virginia.... 4,182 44 1,088 80 Maryland 4,154 27 <1,611 07 South Carolina 8,675 16 1,529 08 North Carolina...... 2,179 62 804 20 Texas 1,819 82 167 87 Louisiana. 1,141 85 469 48 West Virginia 614 62 188 23 Arkansas 452 71 417 81 Florida 122 85 sl2 50 With a judicious system of agencies, this ag gregate might be doubled; and, since that ques tion has been referred to the Boards, we hope they will suffer no timid counsels to embarrass their action. Agents that cost are most likely to be paying agents : let us have them wherever they are found necessary—and is not that every where ? Missions. There has been no period since tbe year 1860, when the prospects of our Foreign Missions were in equal measure encouraging. Our Board has been honored by Providence with the high dis tinction of securing the organization of the first “Apostolical Church ” established within the city o! Rome, since the Great Apostacy, twelve ages ago, enthroned itself there—an event sufficient to render memorable, not a twelvemonth only, but a generation I By no spasmodic effort, but in legitimate development, our operations are to he enlarged, in the different fields abroad, by the employment of fifteen or more additional workers, —American, African, Italian, Chinese. Progress has characterized the work at home, also. More than twice the number of laborers engaged the previous yeartave been sent into the vineyard; and their ministry has been crowned with more than twice the number of haptisras over which we rejoiced at the Louisville are quite cheering, as well, that the Lord intends to give u* a predominant religious influence ameng the Indian tribes. Everything, in fine, brightens with tbe sunlight of a more auspicious epoch, than we have known since the storm of war fell on the land. In this morning- hour, who will not gird himself for work ? Our Seminary. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Greenville, S. C., needs a helpful hand. It must be relieved from a debt incurred largely in the interest of poor studen ts. No class has a stronger hold on the sympathy of our churches; and we cannot doubt that a prompt response will be made to the appeal which is, substantially and peculiarly, theirs. The reader will have noted, too, that the Seminary proposes to change its lo cation, on condition that the State to which it is transferred shall raise three-fitbs of the sum nec essary as an adequate endowment. Now, if part ed from its present mornings, to what State should it go, if not to the one which leads all others in the number of Baptists ? We are One Hundred and Thirtt-Four Thousand strong in Georgia: can we not secure the Seminary here ? What answer, brethren, will you make f Is Lou isville to “walk over the course,” and possess herself of the Institution without a contest f The Colored Population. The Convention manifested its abiding interest in the spiritual welfare of the African race among us. The Board at Richmond was recommended U> “train colored preachers” for the work in I the CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, JUNE 8,1871. Africa; and the Board at Marion, to “prosecute its mission-among this people with all practicable vigor and liberality.” We should have been bet ter pleased, if these recommendations had taken the shape of instructions; and if the Board at Memphis bad been instructed to institute special efforts for the establishment of Sunday schools among so large anil important a class of our pop ulation. “ The King's business requires haste.” Too many perils environ the black man, and our own well-being is too Ultimately bound up with his, to justify, or even to palliate, a negligent per formance of Christian work in bis behalf We have scarcely done altogether “what we could” in this department. Surely, when one Southern Baptist has SSOO for the “ work among the Freed men ” as prosecuted by a Northern Society, there must be funds for this purpose which our own organizations can call out and control. Publication. The expression, on the part of the Convention, of a “desire neither to establish a general publi cation department of its own, nor to identify itself with any such interest now existing,” was but a return to its original policy. But we en tertain grave doubts as to the expediency of such a step. In an age of general intelligence, denom inational literature is a necessity: no people can command, or retain, the respect of the public without it Every denomination has found itself compelled, in greater or less degree, to issue this literature for itself: there has been a demonstra ted and felt call for something more than a resort, in this matter, to a counterpart of the “ passive commerce” of the carrying of ex ports and imports to and fro, not in their own, but in foreign vessels 1 In the light of these con siderations, it seemed to us that to disavow the work of publication was—to invite the intrusion of Societies located outside the territory of tfie Convention and in some sort inimical to its inter ests, for the supply of an absolute and impera tive need,—or to abandon this supply, within that territory, to counsels less wise and less safe than the Convention was competent at once to furnish and enforce. But the discretion of the brethren decided otherwise, and we “ acquiesce.” Personal. We shared the hospitality of our esteemed confrere , Rev. J. H. Luther, editor of that enter prising and admirable journal—the Central Bap tist. He knows as well bow to make his dwelling home-like to a wayfaring brother, as to enrich the columns of his paper. If there were a strong er way of putting it, our grateful sense of thf> kindness received from himself and his family would avail itself of that. Our stay in the city was marked, too, by the formation of friendships, strengthening the ties of relationship with the cement of acquaintance aod affection, which, if never renewed on earth,- will abide and mature, we trust, in “the land of the Hereafter.” To that we all hasten: let us all prepare for it. The Promises.— Prince Ahmed—so the le gend runs—received from a benignant fairy the gift of a tent, lying, when unused, withiu such narrow Bpace that he might Bnugly stow it in his pocket, but unfolding, when the hour of need came, into a shelter for his whole army. Is not this a fit image of the “exceeding great and preci ous promises” contained in Scripture ? Before the temptation or the trial—the sorrow or the ensnare* ment—overtakes us, for which they were designed, how little we see in them, —in what dwarfed pro portions they lie under the eye 1 But when our path traverses a “weary land”—when the sun scorches, or the night waxes wild, or the storm blows and beats upon us, —how they expaad into A pavilion of protection and repose, and their .covert wraps the soul about with soothing and safety i The heart can iearn thij| lesson ex perience only ; and the experience that teaches it is blessed, though mingled with disappointment and pajn in all earthly spheres of feeling. Let us meekly tread, then, ' the way along which Love leads us to this knowledge of the “preciousness” in Its words of promise—and in Itself. Fashionable Amusements vs. Innocent Se creations. We now propose submitting some of those so' called fashionable amusements to the testa sug gested in our last issue. And as Theatrical amuse ments have, perhaps, more apologists than any other, we select them first. Our objections to these are threefold: They furnish the merest counterfeits of virtue and innocence ; they trifle with the most sacred impulses of the human heart; and they in capacitate those who attend them to discharge the most important and solemn duties of life. I. They are the merest counterfeits of moral ex cellence. The simple capacity to act virtue is the passport to the stage of both sexes. All that a star actor or actress has to do to secure the popu lar ear is to simulate the assumed character. In deed, the success of each is measured by the degree to which he or she can practice this dis simulation. The holiest language of the human heart is not unfrequently uttered by the lips of a debauchee or a harlot, as if to show there is neither truth nor virtue amongst men; for every one must see that if the most sacred terms the heart can ex- press are to be taken up and bandied about by such counterfeiters of so precious-a coin, it must undermine our confidence in all protestations of morality and truth. Do we find the purest and best models of virtue in the ranks of those who habitually attend these theatrical amusements ? ' IT. These amusements trifle wiih the purest and holiest sensibilities of the heart. These sensibili' ties were given to man, not to be played with, but to be appealed to by actual contact with every day life. Shall we expend that full tide of sympathy with which God has endowed us upon the mock cries of oppressed innocence and virtue, as they are acted upon the stage, when we can “visit the fatherless and the widow in their afflictions,” and weep when God dramatizes—when real death smites a beloved object and educes the catastrophe; Is it not a fact that as we grow familiar with th e mock heroes and heroines in suffering, we deaden our sensibilities to actual suffering f When the profligate and vile steal the livery of virtue in which to counterfeit its most sacred achievements, can the effect be otherwise than deadening to “the genial current of the soul ?” It is recorded of the keeper of the Guillotine iu the days of the French revolution, that immediately after his morning’s bloody work, in which he bad decapitated the usual quota of his countrymen, a friend discovered him weeping convulsively over the “Sorrows of Worthier I” He could inflict the extremest pain with the stolid insensibility of a demon, and then weep over imaginary sufferings with the saintly cant of a Jesuit. We would repeat it with a more than common emphasis, it is a great moral wrong to trifle with these sacred emotions and sensibilities of the human heart 111. Does not habitual attendance upon theatri cal entertainments incapacitate the mind for the most important and serious duties of life ? Leav ing out of the account the loss of time, which is no inconsiderable item, we would only speak of the effect upon the mind and heart Is not this effect to be deprecated ? As the young mechanic emerges from the glitter of fashion he there en counter in what condition is he to enter bis work shop ? After gazing upon the silks snd diamonds, laces and jewelry—after being thrilled, entranced with the pantomimes of a stage every night ip the week, bow will he look upon the plane, the ham mer and the trowel f Or if he is studying a pro fession, in what condition is he, after witnessing the vulgar tricks and witticisms of clowns, and the epitomized corruptions of the theatre, to digest — : ■■ ~— the dry principles of Blackstone, or comprehend a treatise on anatomy ? fn one. word, is it not a fact that all such amusements as these tend rather to enervate and indispose all the powers of mind and heart to the active duties of life, than to in vigorate and inspire them with new energy for these duties ? So it has ever appeared to us, and so every person has deposed who has regularly attended them. They are dissipations rather than recreations— they dwarf instead of expanding the mind and heart—they are but counterfeits of the real vritues which are to be illustrated in the life and character of rational creatures—and are not unfrequently the prelude to many of the darker phases of depravity which end in a death of shame and an eternity of remorse. H. Scepticism. —The credulity of modern scientific sceptics is finely hit off by Froude in his recent Address on “Calvinism,” where he says of Dar win : “At this very hour the ablest of living natu ral philosophers is looking gravely to the court ship of moths and butterflies to solve tbe problem of the origin of man, and prove his descent from the African baboon.” The grand verities of Chris tianity are the only breakwater which secures for the human mind safe anchorage from the flood of false and Wild beliefs. Take them away, and there remains no roadstead, or harbor, to protect the creed-argosy of the most gifted from “going to pieces” before the mighty wave-force of that flood. A Variety of Items. Our last piece in the Index —“ Baptists a Pe culiar People”—had several injurious misprints in it, which we hope the reader was able to de tect. We will not attempt, at this late day, to correct; nor do we complain, for the Indeot-of&ce men have generally done well in setting type for us. The colored Baptist church in Talladega, two Sabbaths ago, entered their new house of worship. It is a good house, and they deserve great credit for the energy, tact and perseverance with which they have prosecuted this enterprise; for they have pressed on through poverty with a liberality and self-denial worthy of imitation. It afforded us no little satisfaction to preach their opening sermon for them. Their pastor, Bro. W. H. Mc- Calpin, a colored young man, reared in this com munity, is zealous, gifted, and prudent, with a liberal degree of education and intelligence. His church numbers two hundred and fifty. We re cently heard him preach a sermon on baptism and eommunion, which, for its ability and correctness, surprised us. We shall expect him to do a good work. We have tried our best, for five years, to prepare him for this work, and to prepare the church for him; and we now earnestly wish God’s great grace on church and pastor. The white church in this place are moving on slowly with their efforts to build a house for the Lord—moving slowly because it is a weighty en terprise for a feeble body. Our brethren have been liberal toward this object, and they will suc ceed, but it will take some time yet. They helped the colored church as much as they well could; and they now would not object to receive some assistance themselves. Most of the Baptist churches in Talladega county have moved recently in the important matter of improving their houses of worship. The house at Fayetteville underwent a thorough repairing and fitting up, while Bro. Henderson and Bro. Wilkes were together there. The house at Syllacouga, Bro. Wilkes, pastor, is a good house, and the church i9 preparing to paint it. The house of the Tallassehatchee church has just been ceiled, and otherwise improved. Bro. E. T. Smyth, of Oxford, is their pastor. Heph libah has anew house; Bro. Gwin, pastor. The church at Blue Eye, Bro. W. O. Mynatt, pastor, bnd the churih at Pleasant* Grove, have both re cently finished similar improvements. The Tal ladega Creek cburch is now rapidly building a new house, which we doubt not, will be a good one. Bro. Henderson, of Jacksonville, is pastor of this church. The Salem church is making some preparation to rebuild at Easta Boga. We also hear that the Refuge church is preparing to improve their house. The Baptists at Childers burg are building a house. There has not been a church organized in this last-mentioned place, but there soon will be one, and it is a grow ing village and an important point. These in terests are all in Talladega county, and there are yet four other churches in the county: Antioch, Cold Water, Shiloh and Mount Sharon, which we hope will catch the spirit of improver ment and repair their houses. This is all certainly good and encouraging, and we rejoice at it Yet these improvements, which were much needed, have embarrassed us in this town in our effort to build, for they deprive us of much of that assis tance for which we had fondly hoped from our brethren in the country. The Baptists are strong in this county, but they are weak in the town ; and it would seem that every Baptist in the county should desire to see their denomination have a real good house at the county site. Other denom inations have fine houses in this town, and in building them we know that they received much assistance from their brethren in the country. We have been told by a county tax collector that the Baptists pay half the entire taxes of the county. We believe that they are as strong in the county in all respeots as all other denominations put to gether. And now is jt not proper that we should expect our good brethren in our own county to help us in our church-house building ? And why do not some Baptists with capital set tle in our place to do business ? This is a first, rate town; good society, good water, mountain air and a fertile region, with fine conveniences, re markably healthy, very good schools, and as a business place it is surpassed by only about four other cities in the State. And yet, with all the above mentioned Baptists in the county, other de nominations are allowed to do nearly all the busi ness of the place in all blanches. W e have been much pleased with Dr. Hender son’s editorials, in which he makes several wise suggestions to Alabama Baptists. Something must be done to revive the energies of our brethren and to obtain the co-operation of our churches. And we are satisfied that we shall not infuse a lively activity into our own State Convention until we give that Convention something to do. We would be glad that our brethren would express their views on this subject through the Index, and let us, if possible, have some measures and plans that will attract the attention of our whole people in he State. n Rotation.— “A Layman” in the Philadelphia Presbyterian suggests that it might be well to “make the ministry rotary—say every thrfee or five years.” We think that there would be quite as much advantage in having certain classes of rotary laymen—whirling them about, “say every three or five years,” from one congregation to another, until fairly cured of “itohing ears” and hypprerit icism. Why not move them rather than the pas tor, if they are the discontented and unprofitable parties f ‘The Reason War." —High Churchmen and Ritualists in the Episcopal communion, often scout the idea of their ultimate absorption by Roman, ism. This, we presume, is for the reason assigned recently by a Unitarian clergyman for the belief that there will probably be no union between bis denomination and Universalists —“because they are too ne*r of jrin to be married.” But is there no such thing as “spiritual incest,” through that lust of error which is the counterfeit 0 f lore for the truth ? Reviews and Notices. M Manual of Theology : A Treatise oil Christian Doe trine. By J. L. Dare. D.D. Philadelphia: Ameri can Baptist Publication Society. Pp. 879. This work of Dr JBagg was brought before the public in 1858, and has secured, among more thoughtful minds, a very high repute. It deserves even a higher. The system of revealed truth is pre. sented by it, chiefly as “ entering the human heart through the the Holy Spirit and trans forming it into the image of God;” and “it ac cordingly deducesarticles of faith, to ft great extent, from the inward exejrcises of piety.” In an age tempted, by many influences, to undervalue experience, and stiff more to undervalue the rela tion between experience and dogma, this is no mean excellence. We are glad to know that the Publication Society has placed the Manual on its list, giving assurance of a supply equal to the de mand for it. The demand, we hope, will be a growing one. Is the denomination to be favored from the same quftter with the Dr’s companion volume, on “Church Order?" We should be pleased to have it so. Ella’s Battles. By Mrs. F. R. Fudge. Philadelphia: American BaptistPublicatiou Society. Pp. 272, with 5 full page Illustrations. A story of fair interest as a story—putting the characteristics of true piety in many of its in* ward exercires, its labors of love, and its conflicts with evil, in a clear and interesting light. We quote a paragraph' :* “Our best emotions are like the evening prim rose ; too mucfaTfunlight shuts them up ; but the closing in of night, the falling of the evening dews, unfold them onetfsy one, and not only is the eye feasted with ttgfe,modest beauty of the delicate blossoms, but the air is scented with their sweet odor. So, in the sunlight of prosperity, we are engrossed with our own plans and enjoyments; and our happiness, instead of leading us, in grati tude to the Fountain of aU good, to seek to dispense that of which he has given us so freely, tempts us to shut up our joy in our own bosom, and forget that there are "all around us suffering ones in whose sad hearts and weary lives should be dif fused the sweej>odor of God’s goodness. But by and by, when His hand is laid heavily upon us, when clouds and darkness shut out the sunlight, and tbe evening of sorrow closes around us, then the chastening (few brings out our graces of hu mility and charity and brotherly love, of faith and hope and firm trust in God." Children Called to Jesus. Anonymous. Pp. 42. Price 20 Cents. The City Out of Sight. By Mrs. L. C. Dougherty, of Louisville, Ky. Price 25 cents. These are publications of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and seem not unadapted to tbe instruction of the young in ‘the things that make for the peace’ of the soul. The Bible versus Spiritualism. By Prof. G. T. Car penter, A. M. Oskaloosa, Iowa: Call \ Bristol. Pp. 107. This volume presents, within small space, a very full exposure flf one of the most mischievous sys tems of error cursing the times we live in. The First Part—“ Spiritualism Condemned”—quotes its leading advocates in proof of its irreligious,and immoral character. The Second Part—“ The Bi ble Vindicated" —succinctly and forcibly refutes the usual objections of these advocates to the sa cred volume. Those who desire a brief but satis factory Manual on the subject, will find it here. Eufaula, Crawfordville, and Savannah. The traveller who proposes to visit the Southern portions of Georgia or Alabama, in the early Spring, should go well provided with vials of smelling salts, or bottles of Dar by’s prophylactic fluid. In this section of country, at this season of the year, there is no mistaking the neighborhood of a railroad station. As you approach the spot, the air becomes charged with a compound of villain ous odors, m which that of sea-fowl guano largely But when the passen gpr, platform, where a number of directly confront nim, the olfactory nerves must be strong, which can sustain, unstaggered, the shock of this batte ry. It was under a severe ordeal of this kind that I alighted at the Eufaula depot, one Fri day afternoon in March. I was glad to find M. B. Wharton watching for the arrival of some ministering brother; and with all speed we hastened to seek a purer atmosphere. W e soon reached the Baptist house of worship— a monument to the energy and enterprise of the Baptist pastor. While seated with him in his study, here, and during our visits to the members of his church, I had renewed evidences of his irrepressible energy. He reminds one of an engine under full head, and perpetual pressure of steam. If, in talking, there should be a pause, he will seize upon some scrap of paper, and fall to writing poe try. If, in walking along the streets, you should restrain him in his headlong rush, at once he will begin to hum something which bears a faint resemblance to an old hymn tune. Under the supervision of a min ister like this, even the drowsiest church could scarcely dottft. But the Baptists of Eufaula are a band of Christians, such as are rarely met. In intelligence, culture, and above all, in consecration to Christ, they stand in the foremost ranks of our churches. Loving and appreciating their pastor, their sympathy al leviates the trials, and their affection enhances, the pleasures of the ministerial life. Re sponding with a kindred spirit, to his zeal, they are now the religious power of this city, and we trust that they will long continue to exert a paramount influence for good. Several months after I had visited Eufaula, my course of travel led me to Crawfordville. A neat brick building, not far from the sta«. tion, is the residence of L. R. L. Jennings, the bishop of tbit village and the regions round about. A bold, clear headed, indefatigable worker, and a man of prayer, his ministry has been crowned with success here, and at Warrenton, where he also preaches regularly. But while his spiritual children are numerous, his own domestic circle, unlike that of most Baptist ministers, issmall. One little Benjamin is the only olive plant beside his table; and it is amusrog-to see how his paternity wreaks itself upon this solitary charge. Every mo tion, every half-uttered word of the little rogue, evidently fills him with delighted amazement, and every feature of his face asks the question, ■“ Was there ever such a boy ]” There is nothing in the appearance of Craw fordville to attract attention. But the genius and worth of one man has invested it with an intense interest, such as it never could have derived, even from the richest works of art, Or the grandeur of natural scenery, At a short remove from the depot, there is a two storied wooden building, defying, in its con struction, all the models of architecture, sur rounded by no ornamental grounds, and evincing, by the absence of many minute graces, the want of woman’s presence. In this house, Alexander Stephens, one of the greatest and purest of Georgia’s statesmen, has lived and thought. No politician can point to a record brighter and more unsullied than his; but the labors and honors of his public career have not led him to neglect the charities of private life. Though his benefi oence has been of that kind in which the left hand knew the right hand did, still many acts of noble generosity, and many deeds of kindness to the poor, have gradually crept into the light, and thus the unostenta tiousness of the benefactor, like the mantle sculptured around a statue, has only tended to enhance the grace which it partially con cealed. Mr. Stephens is a professed Chris tian, and from Hie manner in which his char ities have been dispensed, we believe that they did not spring from the fitful impulses of a natural generosity alone, but have been the result of * principle caught from the Spirit of Him who once trod this earth, the only perfect embodiment of Divine benevo lence. .—— With some mention of my visit to Savan nah, I shall conclude the account of roy past travels. My sojourn in this beautiful city, was one of unmingled pleasure. No one, with the soul of a Baptist, could witness, without joy, the prosperity of our oause in this place. Dr. Landrum has succeeded, not only in building up a strong and united church, but he has entwined himself in ail the benev olent enterprises of the city, and is thus ex erting a silent but wide-spread influence for the truth. In his arduous work he has re ceived no little aid from one of whom I should like to say something—one whose power of adaptation to ail classes, whose fascinating manners and conversational talent are almost unrivalled. But 1 forbear, and close this ar ticle, as I hear, through the still air, the faint sound of the distant town clock striking the midnight hour. R. W. F. Lonisvilie will Bid for the Seminary. Bear Index —The General Association of Kentucky had a delightful session last week at Georgetown. Among other things it was re solved to appoint a large committee to secure a Cpnvention in Louisville, to consider the de sirableness of removing the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to Kentucky. This committee met night before last in the room of the Western Recorder. The result qf their deliberations was very gratifying, revealing the fact that a strong effort will be made to bring the Seminary to Kentucky. During the following day, Bro. G. W. Burton secured the gift of two whole squads of unimproved property in this city, as a site for the build ings, if it can be brought to Louisville. These two squares are worth now ten thousand dol lars. Bro. Arthur Peter makes a donation of another whole square, worth about ten thousand dollars, and 30 located as to be very valuable ten years hence. Or, he will give in lieu of this, five thousand three hundred acres of land in Grayson county, worth now about three dollars per acre, lying on the rail road from Elizabethtown to Paducah. Ano ther brother (J. B. McFerrin) offers several acres of very valuable land five miles from he city, as a location for the buildings. So much for one day. A. T. Spalding. Louisville, Ky., May Bi*t, 1371. Sunday School Convention. A Convention was he|d at Ga., on Friday and Saturday before the first Sab bath in this month. The pastor of the church in this place was elected Chairman, and Bro. J. Y. Wood, Secretary. Brethren from nine ehurches, with a number of superintendents and teachers from Sunday schools, were pres ent. A permanent organization was effected by the adoption of a Constitution and Rules of Government. This is, so far a9 I know, the only attempt ever made at a Sabbath school organization, growing out of the Coo sa Association, and though feeble in its be ginning, it is to be hoped it will become strong, useful and effective of great good. Antioch reported a large and flourishing school. Poplar Springs also reported a good school, as did several other churches. The Convention adjourned to meet with the Coo sa Association, Saturday before the second Sabbath-in October, proximo. The Coosa Association meets with the Shiloh church, eight miles south from this plaoe, in Armuchee Valley. I take this opportunity to invite Bro. Teasdale to visit this section of country then. Dr. Chaudoin was the only foreign minister present. He preached with his usual zeal and acceptability; particularly did he preach an admirable sermon to the children. The brethren, and especially the ladies, fell in love with Dr. Shad., and the children want to know when Uncle Shad, is coming back. Bro. Chaudoin ought to be well paid for his sei vices, for he is not only a good agent, but an excellent Evangelist. May he long live to dispense abroad that powerful moral influ ence which he is so well adapted to exert among his fellow-beings. W. T. R. La Fayette, Ga., May 16,1871. P. S.: Wheat crops appear almost eaten up with rust, in many portions of the coun try. Owing to weeks of incessant rain, the farming interests of the country promise but a small crop this season. W. T. R. Rotes of Travel. At Griffin, a radiant couple came aboard, whom the passengers readily voted brides groom and bride. The day was a little som bre, but their joyful faces soon dissipated the gloom by their “bright smiles ;” and as hap piness is infectious, the rest of the party were immediately in sympathy with the youthful pair. Reaching Macon, we found the Brunswick train already at the junction of the roads, wait ing to receiye its quantum of passengers. A few minutes sufficed for transferring passen gers and baggage from one train to the other, and soon the “ iron horse ” was off upon his iron race-track, smoking and puffing in all the wild independence of an Arabian barb in his native desert. Two hours’ run brought us to Dykes’s station, and there a “passenger aboard was left behind” to count the stern hours and wait for the Hawkinsville train. There is no , hotel at this unambitious town, (?) but the writer was pointed to a neat little cottage, where he was told dinner could be obtained. It was the 4th of May, and yet there were plenty of green peas and Irish potatoes upon the table, so that your correspondent had no cause to complain of the bill of fare. The landlady, who presided at table, could doubt less teach some of our more ambitious hotel keepers how to be polite and attentive to their guests. She is a Christian lady, a lover of Jesus, and should any stray traveler be, like myself, stranded at Dykes’s, he will find sister Perry ready to furnish him a good substantial dinner, at aboqt half the qsual price charged by eating houses and hotels. But if he is seeking scenes of classic beauty, such as are said to lie on the yine clad hills of Greece or the sunny slopes of Italy, he lyoqld do well to carry along with him a sac simile of Lord Ross’s telescope, which he can turn qpon the moon’s broad disc, or upon the rings of Saturn, or the belts of Jupiter. There, nour, that will do for astronomy, as Dykes’s is not tbe best plaoe in the world for the study, and the wri ter is not au fast on this partioular branch of learning. There were three or four gentlemen of leisure about the telegraph office, which, by the way, is the railroad office as well, who were amus ing themselves with small pieces of colored pasteboard with Jack, the giant killer, kings and queens, spades, hearts and something else painted on them. These were shuffled and tumbled together until the royal personages must have found themselves in moat plebeian company. No matter, it is said politics make strange bed-fellows, and 1 do not see why the game played by that “Heathen Chinee” may not mix things quite as effectually. Not un- derstanding the game, and not being invited to participate, your correspondent drew from his satchel a small edition of the Bible, and seating himself upon a box, began to read its lessons of wisdom and instruction. And here a strange thing occurred: those pieces of paste-board darted away and hid, just as mice are wont to do when puss is about, so that the writer saw them no more. Six o’clock came at last, and so did the train. “All aboard for Hawkinsvilie!” was cried by the conductor, and five of us, all told, scrambled up the steps and were soon clattering away toward the set ting sun, (this is poetical,) though we did not get any nearer to him, as any one ever learn ed. But we did wbat we started to accom plish: we reached|Hawkinsville, and two Bap tist preachers were met by two Baptist Dea cons, and conveyed tp Baptist quarters. Brother Oliver opened his doors and received the writer to his elegant home, and sister McCall took charge of the other preacher, j which wasAer husband ; so both of us were cared for, and were happy. The next morn ing dawned bright and clear, with just enough of fleecy clouds to give a soft and dreamy ap pearance to the atmosphere overhead. This was to be a gala day in the beautiful town of Hawkinsville, a number of the Sunday schools joining in the festivities of the occasion. About 11 o’clock the Sunday schools of the town and those from Hayneville formed, and marched in procession to a grove, where a stand had been erected to accommodate the speakers and an excellent Brass Band. Hard by were long rows of tables, flanking each other, and groaning under their weight of good things; (this is what the newspaper oor- but I did not| hear the groans;) at any rate, the good things were there in the greatest abundance, all arranged most taste fully by fair and delicate hands. There was singing, prayer, speaking and music by the band, and all “went merry as a marriage bell,” though to say the truth, I never heard that particular kind of brazen-throated music, and so must take it upon trust from the great English egotist. The speaking was performed by the Rev. Mr. Fullwood, Rev. Mr. Sweet and another “whom modesty for bids me to mention ;” and, if the last mysteri ous individual be excepted, the speakers ac quitted themselves handsomely, and were greeted with prolonged applause by the large and appreciative audience. At night your correspondent preached in the Baptist Church to a large and attentive audience. Brother George R. McCall, a grad uate of Mercer University, is the esteemed and successful pastor of the Baptist Church, and is nobly sustaining the reputation of his Alma Mater. Should the amiable yet redoubt able agent of the Index find his way to Haw kinsville, he can not do better than to inquire for Brother Oliver’s—that’s what I think. But I see Brother Shaver begins to drats his hand softly over his flowing beard, which, know all agents “by these presents,” is a sign that he has heard enough; and so, dear reader, l will act as all sensible people do under sim ilar circumstances—close the narrative. H. C. H. Springville and Elyton, Ala. The undersigned accepted an invitation to preach a dedicatory sermon, of anew church-house for the Baptists of Springville, St. Clair County, Ala., on the third Sabbath in last month (May.) Springville is directly on the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad, and about thirty miles above Elyton. It is a pleasant little village with decided signs of improvement: several good resident and business houses, are now being built in the place. The Bap tist’s are in the ascendancy in the village, and surrounding country. The new church house does great credit to the Baptists, both as to its architecture, and finish. It is well located to accommodate the village and country peo ple. The church worshipping there, is a live body, being ready for every good work. El der. A. J. Waldrop, i9 their efficient pastor, and is deservedly popular with all classes, having been their pastor for many years. With two improvements the church there might be one of the best churches in this part of the State. First, preaching at least twice every month, (Elder Waldrop, lives twenty miles away, and preaches for them only one Sabbath in each month.) Secondly, a good Baptist Sabbath-school. (Their Sabbath-school is a Union school) The writer also paid a flying visit to Ely ton ; found that there was no Baptist church there, although Elyton is the County town of Jefferson County, Ala., There has been and still is a great drawback on Elyton, reli giously as well a9 otherwise, by the crossing of the North and South Railroad, near twojmiles above the present town. Great efforts are being made by a strong organized company, to draw the town up to the cross ing of the Railroad. When the mineral resources of the country around Elyton are developed, there will be a good town built up somewhere in the nighborhood of the crossing of that Railroad, and it will depend in a good degree upon the. energy used in developing the resources of that country, whether a good town or city is built rapidly or not. There are 4 few Baptists in and around the town of Elyton, (and l believe they own a lot,) looking forward to the building up of a Baptist interest there. The organized com pany have laid off the plan of a town at the crossing, and in the plan have reserved lots for the building of churches of the different denominations, and have generously propos ed to donate lots to the denominations that will occupy them with church buildings. The Roman Catholic Bishop, has already 1 learn, gone up and received a title to a lot. With lots at both the crossing and Ely. ton it is believed and hoped as soon as the question is finally settled where the town is to be located, a Baptist church will be organ, ized. 1 know of no more inviting fields of labor now, for young men willing to work for the Master tor a few years with small com pensation with the hope of building up the cause, and growing with the growth of the country, than Springville and Elyton. E. T. Smyth. Oxford, Ala., June 1 st, 1870. To the Churches of the Hephalbah Associa tion. Dear Brethren: I have visited, since my last report to you, the following churches in the order named, endeavoring to carry out the instructions of your Committee. First Saturday in April, and Satur4ay before, Lit tie Briar Creek, spending some time in the community, preaching, while there, five times. Qn the second in Ap r 'h with Mijl Creek, in the same manner, and preaching the same number of sermons. Both of these churches are served by oqr esteemed brother Pilcher, of Warren poqpty, whose labors among them will pertainly be blesged. We had meetings in the interest of the Sabbath school at both these ohurches, and { left them, assured that,schools would at once be organ ized ; and if, at Briar Creek, Bro. Sam. will only M fall in ” and take the lead for a good Sunday school and prayer meeting, and sus tain his warm hearted pastor, they will have such a revival to report before long, as is not often seen. The young people are there. May the harvest be near at band ! The same at Mill Creek. On the third Sabbath and Saturday before, l was with our church at Hopeful, in Burke ooupty—Bro, Davis pas tor, going from thence to Hephgibah, on Sab bath night: preaching at both these plaoes. 1, then, by permission of your Committee, visited, or went as a delegate, to the Ga. Bap, Con. But that meeting has been reported on sufficiently, but nobody has told you what I did. Well, I went, I saw, I came away, and the following week, including the fifth Sab bath, I attended the Geueral Meeting at Heph aibah. There I worked again, and may God bless the dear young people who listened to me Sabbath night of the meeting, and the brethren who are so faithfully educating them, not only for this world, but for God. If we live to meet at the Association, I will tell you a secret about our High School. “ Un cle Ned ” had better “ take the field ” for the “ Royal Bantling,” as he facetiously calls it. We could not afford to lose such a school, nor such men as conduct it, and they (the men) are in demand. Let good brethren everywhere pray for those men, and that school. But the General Meeting was a de lightful one, and the O neral and the Hard case, who were present and did duty, with the no less valuable and labor-loving “ mem ber of the dub,” added greatly to the inter eat of the meeting. When the friction of Christian love can bring us tears of joy, we are happy. We hope to see these brethren, and many “ more of the same sort,” at the* Ministers and Deacons’ Meeting, at Duhart’s Creek, Friday before the fifth Sabbath in July. The first Sabbath in May, I was at Way’s church, to relieve the pastor from labor. The seoond, I was at Rocky Creek. The third, I was at Pine Hill, (colored,) of the Walker Association; and I will tell you about these colored people in my next. We must do something for them. The fourth, I was at Bark Camp. I have travelled, in the two months, about 350 miles, visited 8 churches, preaohed 24 times, besides other labor. Well received everywhere; and although I must report so much coldness, 1 feel encouraged to believe my “ labor is not in vain.” Let me have your prayers and .earnest cooperation. Your Evangelist, Wii. M. Verdery. La Fayette. Ala. It was my privilege, a day or two since, to pay a flying visit to La Fayette, Ala., and to note the evidences of returning prosperity in that once thriving town. Until recently with out railroad facilities, it had fallen into that decline which, in this progressive age, usually attends isolation from the great lines of travel and commerce. But this is no longer the mis fortune of our neighbor; the steam whistle now daily signals the arrival and departure of the iron-horse, while the great work—the E. A. & Cin. R. R.—which is to introduce her to the acquaintance of the North and East, is going forward with energy. Asa consequence, her citizens are beginning to awake from the sleep ot years, and to bestir themselves to put a better appearance on things. With a free application of paint, they are already effacing the signs of decay, and ere long, with a con tinuance of the same process of renovation, La Fayette will brighten and glow with beauty. The Baptist church and Baptist Female Col lege will soon be quite presentable, and num bers of elegant residences only need to be re touched to become as attractive as formerly. This place is both honored and blessed as the residence of a lady, whose name is like “an ointment poured forth.” It is my happi ness to make occasional pilgrimages to “the Colonnade,” which is known far and wide as the abode of refined hospitality, Here f find adoption as a son, have accorded me the free dom of the place, and enjoy delightful Chris tian companionship. Mrs. Col. Erwin, the presiding, informing spirit of this elegant household, is an ornametrfc to her sex and a blessing to society. It is her occupation “to do good and to communicate.” Your corres pondent has been the recipient ot kindnesses which he will ever cherish “as a memorial of her.” Bro. S. C. Hearn, a strong preacher and energetic worker, is pastor here. He is held in high esteem by the whole community, and though he complains of a languid condition of the church, there is hope that, under his earn est ministrations, and with the Divine bless ing, the brethren there will be quickened into a higher Christian life. Rev, H. E. Brooks, formerly of LaCrange, more recently of Tuskegee, is President of the Female Institute. 1 was glad to learn that there is a goodly attendance of pupils, and that the prospects of the school are en couraging. Rev. Win. Bledsoe, son of a former President, is engaged as assistant teacher, and also preaches to two or three churches in the county. Noticing a photograph which showed a striking resemblance to the handsome editor of the Index, I was informed that it was the “counterfeit presentment” of the recent Pre siding Elder of La Fayette District. I con soled myself with the reflection that that brother Shaver, though keen his instrument, can’t cut as sharply and cloeely in matters ec clesiastical as the former. . S. P. C. West Point, oa., June B d, 1871-* Who Will Answer l If permitted, I wish to ask, through the Index, some of our ablest ministers or disci plinarians, a question which we have had be fore us lately, in order that we may know whether we have taken the right step or not. The origin of the question is this *On mo tion, a Committee of three was appointed to draft resolutions to this effect; that if any members engage io singing plays, or other similar plays usual in the parties kept up through tfiis section of the country, k charge shall be preferred against them, and they shall be dealt with accordingly. After the Com mittee made their report, some beoame un willing to adopt it, and eventually they were cast out. Now, I wish to know whether the church has done right, or not 1 and whether the adoption of those resolutions as a law in the church, would be an advantage to the cause of religion, or not? I hope‘you will give us au answer in your next number, so that we may be satisfied if right, or, if wrong, may correct it. For Brushy Creek Church. Butler county, Ala., May 17, 1871. |3f“ We have no special information as to the character of the “plays” involved in this ques tion ; but the strong probability is, that they are properly subject to discountenance, and, if need be, to discipline, on the part of the church. A difference of opinion on that point, however, is not a sufficient ground for exclusion. Exclusion should be reserved for offending acts and incorri gible persistence in them. “Cast out” those who engage in the “plays,” if, in the judgment of the church, the Scriptures require or warrant that measure; but do not cast out those who simply fail to see this warranty or requirement. Besides; the multiplication of disciplinary reso lutions and rules, is a policy open to grave ques tion ; and where there is opposition to it, the best method, perhaps, is—to waive the rule v or reso lution, arid try offences under the general princi ples of Scripture, and by appeal to them alone. to Secure Kmjds. I hsve for many years taken a great inter est in all the organisations ot the Southern Baptist Convention; have contributed of my means, and often wished I could do more; studied them, loved to talk about them. Now, sir, the 700,000 Baptists in the South could support all of these organizations and never feel it. Twenty cents from eaoh will give us 1140,000. Think of it I All we want is system in the churches. Every pastor could get this amount from his church or churches. A few days sinpa, 1 hftd a conversation with a minister who bad just returned from thg Southern Baptist Convention. 1 suggested the idea that the Associations incorporate an ar ticle in their. Constitution making it the basis of representation in the Association, say twen ty cents a head for each member of eaoh church the ohurch, or individuals, exercising the right to say to what organization his, or her, or their contribution should go. Churches that give more would, ot course, be allowed to do so. The number of delegates now is upon the basis of numerical strength. This need not change that, but ouly a basis for the ohurch and the members by the old rule. I cannot write. Make any use of this yoq see proper, except that of my name. The goqj brother with whom I had the conversation asked me to write you, * Montgomery, Ala., May 30,1871. Tam Northern Anniversaries.— Our impres sions, at Chicago, lie over until next week, partly for want of space, partly because certain misrep resentations which have crept into the public prints require, for their correction, a more extern, ded statement than we had, at firtt, designed to make. ’ -**