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J. J. TOON, .... Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS — 4t 6 SOUTH BROIDWAY.
Editor; Rev. p, SHATEB, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS ; , «
Rev. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. 8. HENDERSON. D.D .,Jacksohvffle,Ala.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1871.
Tallassekatchle Association.
This body met at Liberty church, Chero*-
kee county, Ala., on Saturday before the Ist
Lord’s day in Oct. inst. We did not reach
the place until Monday. Elder Catlett was
elected Moderator, and Bro. Graham was re
elected Clerk.
During a portion of last year, the Associa
tion had two missionaries in the field, who
reported good service in the destitute places
within its bounds. By resolution of the
body, these labors are to be continued for the
coming year.
The Sabbath school enterprise is not re
ceiving the attention it deserves. But few
of them are kept up in the churches of the
Association. We hope a better account will
come up next year. There ought to be a
Sabbath school in every Baptist church there
and elsewhere; and there would be, if our
brethren had a mind to work.
The brethren kindly allowed us to take up
a collection for the Domestic Board, after
preaching to them on Monday, and adjourned
one hour to hear us. The collection,
though small, came from warm and willing
hearts, and, we think, is but the prelude to
much larger benefactions in the future. The
old Tallassehatchie Association is missionary
to the core.
A large and able delegation of messengers
were appointed to attend onr State Conven
tion in Montgomery, this fall. It is truly
gratifying to see how promptly and cheerful
ly the Associations are falling into line at the
call of the Master. Let our brethren in
Montgomery prepare to entertain a larger
Convention than we have had since the war,
for our brethren are coming. The signs of
better days are to be seen all over the land.
We were allowed to renew our acquaint
ance with many old brethren, ministers and
laymen, whom we knew in our youth. It
was truly pleasant to us that our paths
through life once more crossed, and we were
allowed to take sweet counsel together.
There were our old fathers in the ministry,
Wilson aud Minton, and Deacons Robertson
and Berry. May these old servants of Christ
still bear fiuit in their last days !
We remained over one day and preached
for the brethren at Liberty, aud witnessed
the baptism of three persons by the pastor
of the church, Bro. Mountain, a brother who
has a noble record all over the country. He
is an able, fervent, successful minister of
Christ, and has been preaching to the Liber
ty church about ten years. Long may he
live to edify the church and win souls to
Christ.
We shared the hospitality of Bro. Graham
and family at Ladiga during our sojourn
there, to whom we feel greatly indebted.
A Wee Bit of Criticism.
It may savor of temerity ; but—there are
spots on the sun, and we are disposed to
point out what seems to us a defect in one of
our most popular and precious hymns. In
“Jesus! lover of my soul!” these lines oc
cur :
“ Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
He-1 the sick and lead the bliud.”
Is there nothing here that wears the color of
a sudden fall in force of thought, or in ener
gy of expression ? It is perhaps, a bold thing
to ask ; but we ask it. What more can “ the
fallen ” desire, than that they be ‘ raised 1 ?»
What more “the faint,” than that they be
‘cheered?’ What more “the sick,” than that
they be ‘healed?’ But is the measure of desire
in “ the blind ” met, when they are simply
‘led?’ “And Jesus answered and said unto
him, What wilt thou that I should do unto
thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord,
that I might receive my sight” We propose,
then, —with due diffidence—as a change for
the better,
“Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, illume the blind.”
Neglect of the Lord’s Supper.
Bishop M’Tyeire brings to light, through
the Nashville Christian Advocate, an amazing
neglect of this solemn, delightful ordinance,
among Southern Methodists. He says that
there are “ travelling and local elders of
years’ standing who have never celebrated
the Lord’s supper, beyond assisting in the
distribution of the elements, which a deacon
can do as well.” He mentions a church,
whose “ pastor was an elder,” and which had
“ two local elders living within three and
five miles” of it, where this “sacrament” had
not been observed in ten years. Nay, he
says: “We have churches in the country,
with moss on the roof, that have never had
the Lord’s supper celebrated in them !” In
view of such astounding facts, he warns his
brethren : “ Let us beware, under this loose
practice, that we do not forfeit our charter as
a true Church of Christ.”
Is it because “ the hungry sheep” “ are not
fed” at home, that they so often chafe from
without against the enclosures of strict corns
munion ? If they are content so largely to do
without the Lord’s supper in their own
churches, why should they seek to trample
down the Scriptural barriers which prevent
their access to this ordinauce when celebrated
among Baptists? Why should Methodist
ministers join the hue and cry against what
they are pleased to style our exclusiveness,
as denying them a dear Christian privilege,
while the moss grows over their long neglect
of that privilege within their own brother*
hood ? Is not this the folly of husbandmen,
who spend their strength in keeping the vine
yards of their neighbors in order, while the
vineyards entrusted to their keeping run to
wreck? a is urn mm
—-—But not to follow in the steps of their
error in this regard. We hope that Baptists
will enquire diligently, whether such neglect
of the Sacred Feast obtains anywhere among
themselves. Oh, let us not fail to meet with
our brethren and our Lord at His table, to
attest our interest in His death and renew our
fellowship in His life.
THE CHRISTTAN INDEX AND SOOTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THORSDAY, OCTOBER 12,1871.
m'- > Bwho m 1 1
i According to the 'ProtestaM CkvreJiman,
®he party among Episcopa
lians assume the affirmative, and the “ £t&i'
gelical” party the negative, on the following
questionl* every baptized infant regene
i4tfe# iy lhe%6ly Spirit ?” Now, when the
fact of infant baptism, and bear, of course,
not a syllable or testimony as to its effects,
we respectfully suggest that no Milner can
ever arise to write “ the End of Controversy”
in this matter. What a pity that those who
participate in the wrangle, do not possess the
marvellous gift Os Nicholas de Hue, the Swiss
saint, who remembered his own birth, knew
his mother as soon as he was born, and never
forgot the way by which he was taken to be
“christened” nor the faces of the persons who
were present at that ceremony ! In that case
they might settle the debate, perhaps, on the
ground of their own Christian experience.
But equality with this saint is hardly to be
looked for, as a common inheritance, even
among “ children of the covenantfor he re
ceived revelations while yet unborn, and saw
the light of heaven before he came into the
light of day! We fear, therefore, that the
question must remain undecided, uutil the
gordian knot of difficulty is cut, by such
progress in knowledge of the truth as shall
finally abolish the baptism (?) of infants. And
is not that time coming?
Be?. A. T. Spalding. D.D.
“ Rev. A. T. Spalding, D.D., late pastor
of Walnut street Baptist church, left this city
yesterday for his new home in Atlanta, Ga.
He preached his farewell sermon last Sun
day morning. The scene at communion ser
vices in the afternoon, when he took formal
leave of the members of his church, was a
very affecting one. There was not a dry
eye in the house, and all present went for
ward to bid him farewell. He goes from
Louisville without reproach, esteemed by all
who knew him and loved by his congregation.
It was the unanimous wish to retain him, but
his health has been failing for the past two
years, and his physicians decided that it was
necessary for him to live in a more Southern
climate.”— Courier-Journal, (Oct. 6th.)
Dr. Spalding reached our city, with his
family, on Friday of last week. The Lord
brought him safely to us, and we gratefully
record His merciful kindness. On Sabbath
morning, the Dr. preached a sermon marked
with simplicity of style, and felicity of illus
tration, and evangelical sentiment, and unc
tion, —a happy augury of his usefulness and
success in the sphere he comes to fill. In
the afternoon, he attended the Concert of the
Baptist Sunday schools of the city, at the
Fourth church, (West End,) and delivered
an appropriate, brief address.
Holding Letters of Dismission.
Much has been said —said sharply, but not
without justice—as to the impropriety of suf
fering letters of dismission to lie unused
in one’s possession for months, and it may
be for years. Where there arc adjacent
churches which afford opportunity for en
tering afresh into the privileges and re
sponsibilities of full, active membership, this
neglect is highly censurable. But does the
blame always attach to the holder of the let
ter alone ? May there not be on the part of
the churches, a coldness and lifelessness which
repel, where zeal and fervor would attract ?
We have noticed that when, after a long sea
son of lukewarmness, a neighborhood is vis
ited with revival, and the church returns to
the “ first love” of the saints, the fire that
glows on her altars, thaws out the letters
which had been, as it were, ice bound before
in corners and crannies beyond her reach.
We propose, then, that every church try the
effect of “ a time of refreshing” in her own
experience, upon dilatory or dormant letters
of dismission among new-comers in the com
munity. We are quite sure of a happy issue
in many cases which now wear but slight as
pects of hopefulness.
An immersion of this class enjoys no very
enviable repute. Such Baptists as recognize
it, pronounce the formula of approval with
wry faces—holding it as “an anomalous ir
regularity,” which is to be tolerated only on
the principle of the old adage, “ What can’t
be cured, must be endured.” Among Pedo
baptists, it has no warmer berth. To per
form or to accept it is, with them, an unweb
come “ exceptional ” “ necessity ” —a reluc
tant “ condescension ” to “ ignorance ” and
“ superstition.” Take an instance of the lit
tle “ aid and comfort ” which it is able to
wring from our opponents. Rev. Dr. Tal
mage, of Brooklyn, has announced that a
baptistery will be built in his new mammoth
iron Tabernacle, “to baptize any one who
wishes to be baptized in the way of immer
sion.” But it is the only case of the kind,
we believe, out of all the ecclesiastical edifi
ces of all the American Presbyterian sects;
and this case is due to the fact that a Baptist
proposed to foot the bill of expenses; per
haps, too, to the further fact that the propo
sition was made in the face of an immense
concourse, on the heel of enthusiastic exerci
ses, with a marked “ Union ” tinge. For
this one case, the Philadelphia Presbyterian
apologizes, on the score that Dr. T. was
“ beguiled ” into it by “ the gift of a sum of
money;” and that paper, in the style charac
teristic of loose communion love, adds:
“We are not glad to hear it. We feel kind
ly towards him; but would not be sorry to
learn that he had somewhat of a cold in the
head, or a rheumatic twinge in his knees,
every time he goes into the baptistery.”
Why, then, “nurse” this “dear,” that is,
costly “gazelle,” if it “glads” no one with
the “ eye,” which, whether “ black ” or not,
is full surely “ soft ” enough ?
•Kentucky Baptists.—A volume before us,
which dates back to 1835, records a boast
made by Reformers, of the school of Alex
ander Campbell, that “ they had . destroyed
the Baptist denomination in Kentucky.” If
this boasting were true, the denomination
must have had a wonderful resurrection and
a still more wonderful growth in that State )
as the American Baptist Year-Book, 1871,
professes to find there a membership of 89,-
507, distributed into 982 churches, and served
by 673 ministers. Is it true that this work
has been done, all of it, i Q the short space of
thirty.six years? Or, was the boast of the
Reformers, lik* their peculiarities of doctrine,
based oa no substantial grounds ?
The Hard Lot of “Alien Immersions.”
A Failure.
Ilourit Terebzio Mamiana, formerly a per
sonal friend of the Pope, and a member of his
Cabinet, says that Romanism has produced
only, among thinkers infidelity, in the lower
classes superstition, elsewhere indifference.
Hence, he pronounces it “ a failure.” Oh, if
it were but a failure! if it had simply borne
no good fruit, and had not been productive of
countless mischiefs ! It has been a success—a
glorious success—for evil. A device of the En
emy, it has wrought potently for him—more
potently than any other system which ever
came on the earth in the guise of blessing, to
proveacurse. Over the record of these wrongs,
(to quote the Episcopal prelate, Sanderson,)
“the Church of Rome should blush, if her fore
head, dyed red with the blood of God’s Saints,
were capable of any tincture of shame.” But
her boast is, that she never changes ; a boast
which is true to this extent at least—that she
never changes from evil, toward good. In the
ecclesiastical and political sphere, then, we
must demand of her, as the only security in
which we can confide, what the Spartan of old
demanded from one who made a proffer of
friendship—“ that if she have any will to
do us mischief, she shall never have any
power.” How can this be accomplished except
by pre occupying men’s minds with a j urer
faith ? And who can work more efficiently
toward this pre-occupation than Baptists, who
have embraced none of her errors, to mar
“ the doctrine and discipline of the gospel—
the two grave and holy nurses between whom
alone truth is bred up here below in Chris
tian hearts?”
The True Grouud.
The West Jersey Association, at its lat e
session, assumed what seems to us the only
thorough position, with reference to the mere
handful of agitators who affect the title,
“Broad Gauge Baptists,” but whom we are
constrained to regard as parcel-Baptist, parcel
Pedobaptist, parcel-Antibaptist. Neither in
dividuals nor churches can be conspicuous for
their fidelity to the principles of the denomi
nation, who stop short of the action taken by
that body—to wit:
“ Whereas, The practice known as ‘ re
stricted communion’ is an essential part of
Baptist faith and order; and whereas, an at
tempt is being made in some parts of our
country to procure the toleration of the oppo
site practice within the Baptist brotherhood :
Resolved, That this Association regards the
persistent practice by any church of ‘ open
communion’ (so called) as a forfeiture of its
claim to be considered a Baptist church ; and
the advocacy of ‘ open communion’ sentiments
(so called) by any minister as a forfeiture of
his claim to be considered a Baptist min
ister.”
To the Associations, Churches and Benevo
lent Societies of Alabama who are Con
nected with the Convention.
Brethren: You will remember that
at the Convention at Oxford, two years ago,
a resolution was passed, asking the constit
uent members of the body to send up a sep
arate fund to print our minutes, and thus save
us the necessity of appropriating funds raised
for other purposes, to this. Allow me to urge
you not to forget this matter this fall, but to
send up by your delegates at the approaching
session, a sufficiency of means to meet this
demand. I am satisfied that you need only
be reminded of this, to do your duty.
Sam’l Henderson,
President A. B. Con.
Correction. — We stated, last week, on the
authority of the Religious Herald, that Rev.
D. W. Gwin had accepted the call to the pas
toral care of the First Baptist church, Macon,
Ga. Brethren from that city inform us that
he has, on the contrary, declined it.
Queer. —A Northern exchange says: “The
Baptist cause in Augusta, Ga., is in a flour
ishing condition. The first church numbers
three hundred and twenty, and the Second
two hundred and seventy-five. There are
five colored Baptist churches, and a Christian
or Disciples church, numbering 139 mem
mers. This, for a city of little more than
fifteen thousand inhabitants, is certainly a
good showing for Baptists and Baptist prin
ciples.” How the existence of a “ Disciples
church”—a church organized to promote the
views of Alexander Campbell and hi? associ
ates —can be regarded by a paper belonging
to our denomination as part and parcel of “ a
good showing for Baptists and Baptist prin
ciples,” passes our comprehension. Perhaps,
however, as ‘ only that which withstands,
stands,’ our contemporary argues that these
principles conspicuously demonstrate their
capacity to stand,inasmuch as they withstand
the direct and total antagonism of a system
which pronounces immersion a prerequisite
to the pardon of the believer, and recognizes
no indwelling or “ immediate” adtion of the
Holy Spirit without that ordinance.
The Sunday School. —At a recent South
ern Baptist Association, it was reported that
“no conversions” had occurred among the
children of the Sunday schools the previous
year. This has been well characterized as
“ strange ” Should not the teachers in these
schools, and the churches with which they are
connected, make solemn inquest into their
measure of faith and manner of work, to dis
cover the secret of this barrenness ? Should
they not task themselves to ferret out the
fault, and to rectify it? What barrier of un
belief or unfaithfulness restrains the rich,
abounding grace of Christ, and will not suffer
its streams to reach the young ? And we
commend this question to all Sunday schools
in which conversions among the children are
infrequent. We commend it to every teacher
who has not been cheered of late by the spec
tacle of the souls entrusted to his care taking
their place at the feet of Jesus. Ought not
this early success of our labors to be rather
the rule than the exception ? Ought we not
to pray, and toil, and look for it ?
Infant Baptism.— Dr. Pendleton, several
months since, made mention of a lady, who
professed to have “ observed that baptized
children have a better time in teething.”
Another witness to wonderful results of a
similar sort, takes his stand by her side, —
Rev. Dr. O. Fisher, of Texas. He gives the
case of an unruly boy, a genuine “Mustang”
for wildness, who grew tame under the ad
ministration of the ordinance; and the case
of a dying child, whose disease left it when
touched by the water of baptism ! As these
statements refer to consequences occurring
within the sphere of the senses, they possess,
in that respect, an advantage over the grave
allegation of Johannes Belithus, that holy
water, when used in sepulchral rites, keeps
demons away from the corpse. Otherwise,
are not the whole batck“ tarred with the
same brush ?” Or, are we to conclude that
the old “division of theology into the patho
logical and the therapeutic ” becomes a lit
eral verity, so far as regards infant baptism ;
and shall we regret, for the disastrous effect
on the health of the rising generation, such
facts as the report, by the South-Eastern In
diana Methodist Conference, of only 285 in
fants against 1,472 adults baptized during the
past year ? Is infant baptism to escape, in
this way, the odium of Jaeing “ the best-for
nothing” ceremony in all the ritual of Pro
testantism ?
Catalogue. —Smith, ;i Ehglish & Cos., Phila
delphia, have sent U3 their new and complete
“ Classified Catalogue and Re
ligious Books, comprising a large collection
of Standard Works, American and Foreign;
old and rare Works and recent Publications to
Sept. Ist, 1871 ; with an Addendum of Mis
cellaneous of Reference,
etc.;” pp. 126. This fmn is of many years’
standing, and has won an unspotted reputa
tion for integrity and liberality. We advise
ministers, who make an occasional addi
tion to their libraries, Lb serfd for this Cata
logue ; price 25 cents. They will save
twenty per cent, by it, yi future purchases.
Temperance. —We Have received from the
National Temperance "Society and Publica
tion House, New
and other Poems, by Wm. H. Burleigh,” pp.
46, and “The Church and Temperance, a
Sermon by Rev. John*W. Meats, D.D., Pro
fessor at Hamilton College, N. Y.,” pp. 27.
The first is a graphicj&lineation of the woes
and horrors which gather about the use of
strong drink ; the second a forcible argument
on the duty of the church toward the arrest
of these horrors and woes—an argument
which, whether it ma&as good its own ad
vanced ground or not, clearly shows that
Christian bodies of men are doing less in this
regard than their obligations to humanity and
to God demand.
Mercer University.
This Institution opened its first session in
Macon, on the 4th inst. It is now a fixture
in its new home. All divisions of opinion
and feeling on the subject of its removal,
have been harmonized. The Baptists of
Georgia are now a unit in sustaining it in its
new location. As the friends of the College
shall come to know more of Macon, its re
fined and cultivated society, the high moral
bearing of its people, Che quiet and order of
its population, and the healthfulness of its
climate, they will the more approve the wis
dom which selected this as the peimanent
educational centre of our denomination.
The Board of Trustees are determined to
be abreast of the times in the management
of the interests of the University, and to
utilize to the best of their ability, all the
materials placed at their command. At their
recent meeting, sixty thousand dollars, in
Macon bonds, were appropriated to com
mence the buildings*“qiy so much needed by
the Institution. A discreet and pru
dent Committee wasVippointed to carry for
ward the work, andi to * begin at once. A
majority of this ConTmittee resides in Macon,
and is composed of gentlemen of known en
ergy and enterprise.
A plan was inaugurated to meet the neces
sities of young men of limited means who
desire to avail themselves of the advantages
of the University, but who are unable to pay
board at present rates. Rooms will be erect
ed on the College pwwnises, where students
may “mess,” and thereby greatly reduce
expenses.
Every effort will be made to adapt the
College to the wants of the times, and to
make it a blessing to_ the largest possible
number of our people. The tuition was re
duced from one hundred to sixty dollars, per
year. In all these laudable endeavors to
vitalize every element and power of the Insti
tution, the noble and self-sacrificing Faculty
are in most happy accord with the Trustees.
Three Trustees were elected to fill vacan
cies occasioned by the removal of Drs.
Brantly and Landrum, and the resignation of
Enoch Steadman, Esq.—viz., J. G. Ryals, of
Cartersville, Josiah L. Warren, of Savannah,
and Virgil Powers, of Macon.
The election of Rev. Archibald J. Battle
of Alabama, to the Presidency of the Uni
versity, augurs well for its future prosperity.
Mr. Battle is a native Georgian, received a
part of his education at Penfield, and is a
graduate of the State University of Alabama,
of which Institution he was, for a time, one
of the Professors. He is one of the most
accomplished scholars and intellectual men of
his adopted State, and possesses all the qual
ifications necessary to fill the position now
tendered him. Here is a field, combining at
once a sphere of great and growing useful
ness, and the highest compliment the denom
ination can pay him. It is no ordinary honor
to occupy the chair once filled by Drs. Dagg,
Crawford and Tucker.
The Mercer High School, at Penfield, will
open at the appointed in February.
The Rev. Mr. Overton and Prof. V. T. San
ford, were nominated by-4he citizens of Pen
field, and elected by the Trustees, as the
teachers of the above school. This selection
was wise. Two better and more capable
educators, could not have been obtained.
The prospects of our University were never
brighter. The denomination was never more
united in its support. Its financial condition
is surprisingly good, considering the trials
through which it has passed. The prayerful,
liberal, united efforts of the Baptists of
Georgia, will soon make it all that its pious
and generous founders anticipated in their
brightest visions of its future usefulness.
W.
Second Baptist Chnrcli, Augusta.
A notice, under the head of acknowledge
ments, having appeared ,iji the Index, over
the signature of our pastor, Bro. H. A. Wil
liams, stating that he had tendered his resig
nation as pastor of the Second Baptist church,
also stating his reasons for so doing; under
the circumstances, I feel it- to be the duty of
the church, or some one representing the
church, to publish the action of the church
on the resignation of our beloved paster. At
our regular conference, a resolution was unan
imously adopted, asking Bro. Williams to
withdraw his resignation, and serve the
church for the ensuing year. In reply to the
request of the church, erd. Williams stated
that, under the circumstances, he could not
refuse to serve us, particularly when he re
membered that we were poor and a heavy
debt hanging over the church, for which the
church property was responsible. He asked
the church, to be relieved of his pastoral
charge for an indefinite time, in order that he
might have an opportunity of visiting such
portions of the State as he thought advisable,
fpr the purpose of representing our embar
rassed condition, and soliciting the aid of such
brethren and sisters as were disposed to help
us. The church consented to his proposition.
Our dear brother expects, in a f ew <fitys, ; to
start out on hts mission, and it is to be hoped
that the Baptist communities that he may
visit throughout the State, will assist us as
far as the Lord has prospered them. In be
half of the. membership of our church, I ask
for him a Christian reception wherever he f
may go. I would state that, under the
preaching of our pastor, for the past six or
eight weeks, 30 have been added to the
church, and many are enquiring, What shall
we do to be saved ? The untiring energy of
our beloved pastor, as a laborer in his Mas
ter’s vineyard, in this community, has en
deared him to his (lock. May the blessings
of God attend his efforts wherever he may
go, during bis absence. A.
Churches and Education in Richmond.
On last Sunday, Dr. Burrows preached his
seventeenth annual 3ermon as pastor of the
First Baptist church in this city, from Keel,
tii; 15: “God requireth that which is past.”
His resume of the year’s history was deeply
interesting, and showed the Bishop’s thorough
familiarity with iiischurch. During the year,
24 were baptized. Tne aggregate member
ship is 816. Dr. Burrows stated that he was
personally acquainted with every member,
•and knew where every one was to be found.
If each member were a living epistle, known
and read of all men, what a power for good
would be exerted by the combined influence
of so many Christians ! A neat little pam
phlet has just been printed, giving an alpha
betical list of the members, with their resi
dences. The Sunday school has 65 officers
and teachers, 548 scholars on register, an
average attendance of 423, and 1,500 volumes
in library.
The Second church, lately made so con
spicuous for fidelity to principle, has been
long distinguished for its efficiency and activ
ity in Christian labor. Its late pastor is a
good organizer for work, devo'tedly pious,
and, by no means, an open communionist, in
the broad acceptation of that term. The new
pastor, or supply, Rev. C. C. Bitting, is full
of zeal and energy, has already attached his
flock warmly to him, and is winning golden
opinions as a faithful preacher of the gospel.
The Third, or Grace Street church,- has N.
W. Wilson lor its bishop. The church, un
der his ministrations, has grown in numbers
and influence. He attracts and holds large
congregations, and is, probably, the most
popular pulpit speaker in the Baptist minis
try of this city.
L* igh Street church is under the pastoral
care of Rev. J. R. Garlick. He is an accu
rate scholar, sound in the faith, much beloved
by his people, and his labors have been great
ly blessed.
Pine Street church prospers under Rev. A.
E. Dickinson, the junior of the Herald, who
is too well known to need any special mens
, tion.
Sidney and Fulton churches have no regu
lar pastors, and are supplied mainly by stu
dents from the College.
The Home Mission Society is sustaining a
very worthy German brother, Rev. John
Blenner, in a mission to the Germans.
Quite a spirit of material improvement has
been exhibited by the white churches. Leigh
Street, Pine Street, the Second and First,
have made large expenditures to enlarge and
improve, and adorn. Grace Street proposes
to enlarge for the accommodation of its
swelling numbers, and to keep pace with the
“progress of the times.”
There are four “ Young Men’s Missionary
Societies,” connected with as many churches,
and the young men seem to be ahead of their
seniors in activity and beneficence. Is it not
pertinent to inquire, whether these societies
for Christian work, should not have a closer
connection with the churches? Is not the
multiplication of these outside organizations
a confession that God’s organizations are un
suited to the proper development of Christ
ian graces, and that something supplemental
is needed? Os course, the reference is to
those duties which are enjoined in the Scrip
tures, and belong, legitimately, to churches?
There are seven colored Baptist churches,
with colored pastors, and each church has a
Sunday school. These schools meet monthly,
in a Sunday School Union, and the reports to
the last meeting showed an aggregate weekly
attendance of over 1,200 scholars. The
Home Mission Society has an Institute for
the training and education of colored preach
ers. It is well conducted, and the Principal,
Bro. Corey, has the entire confidence of the
Baptist brotherhood.
The Richmond Female Institute, under the
control of that acute and accomplished scho!a\,
Prof. C. IT. Winston, M.A., has opened with
an increased number of boarders and pupils.
The session promises unusual success. The
Faculty is well-organized and capable. The
buildings are unexcelled.
Richmond College steadily goes upward.
The matriculations are far in advance of the
same date of last year, and the students are
better prepared for College instruction. The
Trustees and Faculty are rejoiced to welcome
students from Ttxas, Missouri, Georgia, South
Carolina, and other Southern States. The
purpose is fixed to have a Baptist University,
where instruction can be imparted equal to
any in the United States. The Trustees have
resolved to raise a sum sufficient to put up
additional buildings for the accommodation
of the enlarging patronage, and Rev. A. E,
Dickinson, D.D., has entered upon the agen
cy. Theron.
Richmond, Vti., Oct. 6, 1871.
Our Sunday School.
Permit me to give you a short account of
my Sunday school, at Harmony, six miles
west of Notasulga. I commenced an every
day school here last spring, at what old Bro.
Humphrey Posey would have called old
fields, in a sparsely settled neighborhood;
and my leading motto is be good and do good.
Accordingly, I established a Sunday school
at Harmony in connection therewith. My
patrons were all Baptists, and, occasionally,
we would have preaching at the school house.
1 soon discovered a deep religious feeling
among the Sunday school scholars, several of
whom were Baptists. We continued our
labors, and the work (feeling) increased, and
at a protracted meeting at the Baptist church
in the vicinity, (New Prospect,) some of my
scholars joined by experience and baptism.
This church was greatly revived at her July
meeting, owing, 1 thought, in a measure, to
the influence growing out of my Sabbath
school. She protracted her services, and
continued ten days. A deep interest pre
vailed. She received in all, ten by baptism.
The churches around were greatly revived.
Concord and Salem had protracted meetings
afterwards, and considerable additions. All
these churches were aroused to vigilance and
watchfulness, and prayer, and there appeared
like a restoring of unity and brotherly love,
and even Notasulga, where my membership
is, has been greatly revived; and I think that
the Lord is doing a good work there, also.
We can truly say, the Lord ha3 done great
things for us, whereof we arts glad.
I have been assisted in Sunday school la
bors, by two brethren and two sisters. The
school only numbers 26 scholars, 13 of whom
are now Baptists, and all the teachers are Bap
tists. We had no books bat the Testament.
Each scholar has commonly brought from 15
to 50 verses memorized, every Sabbath.
There has been something very remarkable
attending this excitement, to see little chil
dren, seven or eight years old, where a season
of prayer was offered, come up voluntarily
and give their hand for prayer, with tears
running down their cheek, and dropping off
their chin. J. G, Bullard.
Jiagon county, Ala., Sept, 28, 1871.
The Bethlehem Aasocinilhn, Ala.
"f This body held its fifty-fifth session with
the Monroeville church, Monroe county, Ala.,
commencing Sept. 23rd. Introdutory sermon
was preached by Elder W. G. Curry. The
organization was effected by the re election of
Elder Andrew Jay, Moderator, and John De
Loach, Clerk.
'J'he Association had a beneficiary in the
Howard last term, J. E. Mclver, and would
have continued one for the next, but no name
was presented.
Having at their control some four hundred
dollars in cash and pledges, they decided to
make an effort to get the Pensacola church
supplied with a permanent and efficient
preacher, and have asked the co-operation of
the Board at Marion in the work. The name
of Bro. P. H. Lundy, of Prattville, Ala., was
presented before the Association as a suitable
man for the position, and he was unanimously
called by the body to that work.
The church letters showed about 160 bap
tisms during the year. Two newly constituted
churches petitioned, and were received into
the Association at this session. The business
of the Association was disposed of with the
greatest harmouy. But little animated dis
cussion, except rn the liquor question, which
was drawn forth on the question of the adop
tion of the report on temperance. The report
held that churches ought to discipline their
members who “ frequent grogshops, or sell
or give away ardent spirits.” The giving away
clause was intended to reach the merchant
who kept it in a barrel, in the back room of
his store, and gave it to his customers. The
report was adopted substantially as reported.
The Mouroeville people are very hospitable,
and it would be wrong to undertake to draw
distinctions. Each vied with the other, with
out regard to denomination, to make visitors
easy, and give them homes while there. Vis
iting brethren from other Associations were
scarce. Our esteemed little Bro Hare, from
the Pine Barren, as usual, was with us, and
preached with great acceptance —a brother,
by the-by, who don’t sell for what he is
woith. A sight which was cheering to those
who have been bearing the heat and burden
of the last lew years, was that of seeing sev
eral young ministers, and some others con
templating to take up the work, at this meet
ing. Brethren Duke and Eddins, of the Pine
Barren, and Bro. Mclver, of this Association,
all are worthy young brethren, and bid fair
to much usefulness.
The session closed Monday evening. The
next session will be held with Bellville church,
Conecuh county, Ala., embracing the 4th Sun
day in September, 1872; the fixed time for
the meetings of this body. One Present.
Matters In Marlon.
1 send you a few items of interest from
this point. At the annual meeting of our
church, held last night, our pastor, Rev. W.
H. Mclntosh, was re-elected for another year.
This action was encouraging to a faithful la
borer, who had served the church for some
seventeen years. No man stands higher bes
fore the community, as a gen'leman and an
able preacher. Long may he live to enjoy
the confidence and love of his brethren, and
the favor of Him whom he has served so long
and devotedly.
The Howard and the Jtidson are opening
finely—prospects good. With Col. J. T.
Murfee and Rev. A. J. Battle, both sustained
by experienced and able Faculties, they are
bound to go ahead. Every train is bring
ing the sons and daughters of Alabama,
Georgia, Mississippi and other Southern
States to swell the patronage of these old and
well established schools. Marion is the head
quarters of Baptist influence in the Gulf
States, and one of the healthiest places in this
region of country. M. T. S.
Marion, Ala., Oct. 5, 1071.
An Omission.
The Coosa River Association, Alabama, is
one of great weight and importance in the
State. At its late meeting, business of much
importance was done ; but there was one mat
ter of grave moment passed over. The
money was not raised to send that young
minister to Howard College ; or, if it was, no
intelligence of the same has reached me.
Surely the banner Association of Alabama
will not passover so pressinga matter. There
is time enough yet, before the meeting of the
Convention at Montgomery, lor the churches
of that Association to raise the money for the
support of that young man. Will they act
in the matter at once? A little over two
hundred dollars will sustain a young man at
Howard for a year. Visitor.
North Georgia Association.
This Association held its last session with
the church at Poplar Springs, live miles from
Dalton. That session closed on Monday
night the 2nd inst. This is rather a weak
body, though it has a number of sterling
brethren connected with it. The session was
exceedingly interesting. The important sub
jects under discussion were “ missions,” and
“ feet-washing.” Heretofore the Association
had no sympathy with the Convention or its
Boards, and on the first vote, on a query sent
up —“Is the Lord’s supper complete without
feet washing?” the Association tied, 19 for
and 19 against a negative answer. lam hap
py to report a great change before the close
of the meeting. On the report on Foreign
Missions, the first ever read to the body, I
believe, the Association voted 35 for, and 3
against it. They gave the writer $14.95 for
Bro. Taylor—the first contribution they ever
made to Foreign Missions. The balance of
the money on hand, $3.15, they sent to Bro.
Sumner. At 10 o’clock at night, a second
vote came up on “ Feet washing,” when the
Association decided, by 21 to 8, that “ Feet
washing is not an ordinance of the church,
and is in no way connected with the Lord’s
supper.” Later still, a vote was taken on
joining the “ Georgia Baptist Convention,”
when the body decided, by 23 to 6, to be
come a constituent, and immediately appoint
ed delegates. It was generally believed that
the Association had reached a crisis, and upon
its action, at that session, depended its future
life. It is now believed to be saved.
G. C. C.
Dalton, Oet. 5<A, 1871.
From the Field.
Since my last, which left my two single
daughters with fever, I had to abide at home
a few days, and turn doctor, with the aid of
a doctor, to bring about the re
covery of health. And now I give thanks to
God that one of the afflicted daughters has so
recovered as to attend meetings, and that the
other, although having chills daily, is much
better off, apparently, than before ohills were
developed. I am thankful also that amid
these afflictions, which work for the good of
those who love God, I have been permitted to
fly out to a stand, ten miles distant, preach
three sermons and baptize six willing con-,
verts; and that I was permitted to attend my
late monthly meeting at Rock Branch, preach
ten sermons and baptize seven more. We
held the meeting in that old house, the new
house not being ready for U 9. I reckon, also,
that I ought to feel thankful that, after an ab
sence of twelve years, I have been allowed
the privilege of meeting with theSarepta As
sociation, whose adjournment was last evening
at Holly Springs, where it had met according
to previous appointment, and where it had
held one of its most harmonious and useful
sessions. Bro. J. G, Gibson preached a good
introductory, and Bro. Ivey gave us a
splendid missionary discourse on Lord's day.
Other brethren preached at suitable hours.
The congregation was immense. It is hoped
much good will result.
I could but feel impressed with the impor-
tan*te, whan seeingiiio many ministers present
snd idle,‘while their flocks at home were like
sheep Vitflout a shepherd, of having our As
sociational bodies to and transact busi
ness and do all the preaching between the
Lord’s days, so as to let each preacher return
and fill his own place on Lord’s day; and
that, if we must have union or general meats
ings, we have them between Sundays also,
that each fifth Sunday may be employed in
some destitute neighborhood by each minis
ter. I observed in Kentucky, that when the
Elknorn Association met thus, the concourse
was as large as oould be well accommodated,
and that the adjournment was in time for
pastors to return and preach to their own
charges. If such changes would be improve
ments in securing the larger amount of min
isterial preaching to churches and to the des
titute, then let us, in the providence of God,
so arrange at as early a day as possible. I
feel that our time is precious, and that we
ought to redeem it to the very best advantage
while the days continue to be evil. The good
Lord mercifully help us so to do.
I. n. Goss.
Franklin Springs, Oa., Sept. 26th, 1871.
Ordination. —-According to an invitation, a
presbytery met with the First Baptist church,
Griffin, Oct. Ist, 1871, and in the following
order solemnly ordained to the full functions
of the gospel ministry, J. D. Stewart. The
ordination sermon was preached by Elder J.
H. DeVotie, D.D., pastor, from 1 Tim. iv :
6. At night the presbytery was organized,
Elder L. T. Doyal being elected Moderator,
and Elder P. A. Lawson, Clerk. The pres
bytery then proceeded to the examination of
the candidate, Elder L. T. Doyal conducting
the examination, upon Bro. Stewart’s minis
terial qualifications, articles of faith and order,
giving entire satisfaction. They proceeded to
ordain him in the usual manner. Prayer and
charge by Elder W. N. Chaudoin, and impo-*
sition of hands by the presbytery. Bible
presented by Dr. DeVotie. Benediction by
Bro. Stewart.
Flint River Association.
This body met with the church at Macedo
nia, Butts county, Sept. 23, 24 and 25. The
Introductory Sermon was preached by Bro.
J. 0. Kimbell. Nearly all of the churches
were represented. J. T. Kimbell was re
elected Moderator, and Isaac G. Woolsey re
elected Clerk. Bro. J. H. DeVotie preached
the Missionary Sermon. Brethren Ilornady,
Chaudoin, Cloud, Wood, Ilooten, Grant,
Buffington, Oliver and Spurlin, occupied the
various pulpits during the session. Bro.
Hornady represented the claims of Mercer
University,and obtained subscriptions amount
ing to about $650. Bro. Chaudoin, as
retary of tho Domestic Mission Board, rep
resented its claims, and Bro. Murrow, as
special and general missionary for the Indians,
gave a warm hearted appeal in their behalf.
The cash collections for missions, Sunday and
Monday, amounted to about SIOO. The en
tire missionary fund will amount to between
SSOO and S6OO. About 200 baptisms report
ed during the year. Twenty-one brethren
pledged S2OO in support of Bro. Baker, In
dian missionary, and Bro. Compere was
adopted as Indian missionary of the Associ*
tion, at a salary of SBOO. Adopted a reso
lution to raise at least $1,500 during the next
Associational year, for missions, SBOO of
which is to pay Bro. Compere. The claims
of the Index and Baptist were presented by
the writer, and brethren Wood and Goodman,
on the adoption of the report of the Com
mittee on Publications, with a resolution urg
ing pastors, deacons aud delegates to present
its claims to their respective churches; also,
Kind Words and the Home and Foreign
Journal. Entire harmony, and the very best
of Christian love and good feeling marked
the entire session of the body, and as the
parting hand was given and the farewell tear
shed, it was with the hope that we would all
meet again on the “ shining shore.” A reso
lution was unanimously passed, earnestly re
questing Bro. Shaver to continue in the edit
orial chair of the Index and Baptist.
I. G. W OOI.SEY, Clerk F. R. R.
Locust Grove, Qa., Sept. 29, 1871.
Answer of Prayer.
Hoping to encourage ministers, I send you
the result of the Lord’s meeting at Mt. Zion,
Pike county, Ga. Last year I proposed to
meet with the families of four near neighbors,
and have prayer when it was convenient for
all to meet at one house. At these meetings
I prayed especially for the children. This
year, with others coining in the neighborhood,
we met occasionally for the same purpose.
Unknown to me, the young men met and
held secret prayer. There, the Lord greatly
blessed them. They not only felt the influence
of the Holy Spirit, but souls were converted,
and the woods rang with the shout of new
born souls. t They no longer kept this secret,
for their hearts had received more than they
could contain, and they came to cur houses
rejoicing. One of the number remarked to
me, “ You have often prayed for me: now I
intend to pray for you.” Here, brethren,
was a green spot in my life. This meeting
was moved to the church in September, as
the young men’s prayer meeting. At once,
the influence was felt all over the church. The
meeting continued more than a week, mostly
at night. Sixteen were added to the church
—fifteen by experience. Many others con
verted. Some have since united with the
Methodist church ; all the result of the Lord’s
meeting. To His name be all the praise.
J. A. Jackson.
Salem Academy.
I learned, many years ago, that Elder Silas
Mercer established Salem Academy, in Geor
gia, some years before his death, which hap
pened about 1796. I saw Hon. Alexander
H. Stephens in 1864, who said he thought
Salem Academy was located in Wilkes coun
ty, Ga., 8 miles from the town of Washing
ton, in 1783. I wish some well posted
preacher in Georgia, or the editor of the
Index, would give a history of Salem Acade>
my from its commencement till its close. I
am under the impression that Elder Jesse
Mercer carried it on after his father’s death.
I have been told that it had, some years, 100
students. I hope to see the history from
some pen, in a short time, in your paper.
E. Dodson.
Laguardo, Tenn., Sept. 89IA, 1871.
Rev. David Lee.
The Hickory Grove church, in conference,
adopted the following jjiaper, presented by J.
M. Armstrong, J. C. Fonville, Asa Dean and
Franklin Armstrong, a Committee in behalf
of the church :
On Thursday, Sept. 21st, the relationship
between the Hickory Grove church and our
dear Bro. David Lee, as her preacher, was
mutually closed, which has existed during the
past two years, to the entire satisfaction of
the church and people. Our brother leaves
ns, as well as others, in order to confine his
ministerial labors to his more immediate vi
cinity. Solemn were our feelings when our
brother took his leave, and we give him up
but in regret, feeliog well assured that it is
in accordance with a well settled opinion on
the part of our-dear brother that it is for the
best. Who could come to any other oonolu
sion? We answer, None, when we look
a( his past life, thirty odd years spent in the
service of his Lord and Master, trying to
build up the waste places in Zion, giving en
couragement to those who love onr Lord, and
timely reproof to a disobedient an J gainsay
ing world. Our much-esteemed i<nl revered
Bro. David Lee has a character to well aid.
so long established as a minister of the gospel!
and a devoted Christian, that it wotld be alsj