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158 f t«y p||jnl|. 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