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Julcx aad jUptist.
J. J. TOOK, - - - - Proprietor,
PUBLICATION BOOHS 4£ 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Bev. D. SHAVES, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS :
Rav. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala.
Rev. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Jacksonville, Ala.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1871.
Lire not too Short for Probation.
A periodical, more or less openly in the
interest of Scepticism, employs the brevity of
life as the basis of an argument, which, by
releasing man from accountability to his
Maker and Monarch, overthrows the judg
ment-seat of Christ. It alleges, in substance,
that life is too short to answer the purpose of
a scene of probation for an immortal exist
ence—too short to be followed, righteously,
by the glories of an eternal reward, or the
horrors of an eternal punishment.
|f this view were found in alliance only
with an avowed infidelity, we might safely
pass it by, as one not likely to disturb our
readers. But it is not always void of plausi
bility even for hearts which are habitually
Christian in their moods of feeling. There
are moments of spiritual darkness, of impa
tience under the pressure of affliction, of the
irritation of remaining sinfulness by the
sterner aspects of truth, when even these
hearts glide into this view—or lean toward
it.. Job, for example, smarting under the
rod of the Almighty, chafed by the passion
ate reproaches of his friends, and impressed
with the vanity of mortal life, appears to have
felt the passing doubt whether a state of be
ing so evanescent could indeed be held to a
final responsibility and an infinite retribution.
He said : “ Man that is born of woman is of
few days and full of trouble. He cometh
forth like a flower, and is cut down : hefleeth
also as a shadow and continueth not. And
dost Thou open thine eyes on such an one,
and bringest me into judgment with Thee?”
It may be, then, that this temporary lapse
into unbelief may re appear among our read
ers; and we but discharge the legitimate
functions of a religious journal, when we ex
pose the argument of Scepticism, from the
brevity of life to the freedom of man from
accountability, lest the feet of the godly be,
some time, taken in the snare.
I. In replying to this grave imputation
upon the wisdom of “ God, the only wise,”
it seems proper, before attempting a direct
answer, to offer a few words of explanation.
(1.) Life is more than a simple succession
of years. It is a formation of character. This
idea is involved in calling it a probation : for
probation is a trial whether we will form for
ourselves a holy or a sinful character. Now,
that character which we form before death,
continues after it. Even the heathen poet,
Virgil, could say : “ Disembodied souls have
in the world of spirits, the very same dispo
sitions and propensities which they had when
they dwelt in the body.” When we shake
off the flesh, our character cleaves to us still.
That character cannot be shaken off. Wher
ever there is eternal reward, then, there is a
holy character which is also eternal. Wher
ever there is eternal punishment, there is a
sinful character which is also eternal. Scep
ticism sinks this fact out of view. When it
complains against God, that He deals with us
forever and ever, according to the manner in
which we pass a few years on the earth, it
covers over the great truth, that He is, at the
same time, dealing with us according to our
own self-formed character, which abides in us
forever and ever. This explanation relieves
the subject of its difficulty in part.
(3.) An additional explanation comes in
place here. The Scriptures teach, indeed,
that God will judge us, hereafter, according
to our use of life as a probation—that is, ac«
cording to the character which we form for
■ ourselves here and now, and which never
passes from us because we never consent to
part with it. But they also teach that His
judgment will proceed on principles of strict
est equity. Thus, our Saviour says : “ Unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall much
be required,” (Lu. xii: 48.) Against this,
there can be no reasonable objection: for it
is a rule of human justice—as our Saviour
adds, “ To whom men have committed much,
of him they will ask the more.” Os course,
this principle necessarily implies that God
will require little of those to whom little has
been given. There will be no demand of im
possibilities. Not by one arbitrary standard
shall we be judged, irrespective of ability,
opportunity and privilege. But privilege,
opportunity and ability, shall be taken into
account, in the case of every soul of man.
A notable illustration of this thought claims
attention. There are cases in which life is too
short for probation. Surely, those who die
while yet infants, cannot be said to have stood
on trial for eternity. They have had no space
to form for themselves a holy or sinful char
acter, Scripture takes knowledge of these
cases, and applies to them the principles of
equity. It teaches that the depravity of in
fants is not reckoned against them, because it
has not been confirmed and consummated by
their own free choice of evil their own free
rejection of purifying grace. It teaches that
as infants are unconditionally subjected to
death through Adam, so- there comes upon
them through Christ, unconditionally, ‘ the
gift of God unto justification of life.’ Who can
oomplain of such a decision as this? Can it
possibly be represented as an outrage upon
either mercy or justice? In like manner, in
•‘the day of the revelation of the righteous
judgment of God,” it will be seen that He has
had as true a regard to principles of equity
in the case of all men as in the case of infants.
No one shall find that any, even the slightest,
deficiency in ability, in opportunity, or in
privilege, has failed to be set down in adjust
ment of the demand made on him and of the
sentence issued against him. We hold that
the difficulty of the subject is still further re
lieved by this explanation.
11. But let us come into closer quarters
with the argument of Scepticism from the
brevity of life, and attempt a direct answer
to it.
CM We will not assume on this question,
the position of Emerson. We will not say,
as he says : “ Everything admonishes us how
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1871.
needlessly long life is.” This is the swinging
of the pendulum to the opposite extreme.
Weariness, disappointment and impatienee,
indeed, inspire such feelings, at times, in every
human .breast. But we dare not harbor
them. For, is not the divine wisdom as
grossly impeached when we pronounce life
too long, as when we pronounce it too short ?
One of these opinions, however, may belaid
over against the other. Look, then, on both.
Here are two contradictory and irreconcilable
decisions, which the Court of Presumptuous
Reason has given to the question before us.
It demands—now, that life shall be lengthen
ed—and again, that life shall be shortened.
The question, therefore, must be removed out
of that court altogether. God must decide
it, in the Court of hi3 own Infinite Under
standing. He has decided it there. “It is
appointed unto men once to -die, aud, after
that, the judgment.” It is the part of crea
turely reverence, to bow submissively to His
decision, as one which does violence to the
principles neither of justice nor of mercy.
And cavillers, if they will murmur against
His counsel, may rest assured that God knows
how to answer them. • He will be “justified
when He speaks and clear when He judges.”
This; then, is our first direct rej ly to the
argument of Scepticism. The subject rises
above the sphere of the human mind. We
*are not competent to determine it, apart from
divine instruction. Any conclusions at which
we may arrive, unaided, are too ambiguous
and too doubtful, to stake the soul and eter
nity upon them. Only consider how unwisely
we act, in adhering to our own dark and un
certain speculations on so momentous a mat
ter. As is admitted on all hands, the Scrip
tures decide the case of infants aright. Is
there not, then, a clear and strong presump
tion, that they decide aright all other cases ?
Where life is too short for probation, they
say so. They undeniably speak the truth
there. By no rule of fair reasoning, there
fore, can we suspect them of speaking false
hood when they declare that life, protracted
to riper years, is long enough for probation
—long enough for such a formation of char
acter as ought to be subjected to God’s future
judgment—ought to bask in the joy of His
smile, or endure the blow of His hand, for
ever. When we set this latter testimony
aside, are we not beguiled by the folly which
lies under every show of human wisdom ?
(2.) We have a second reply. This argu>
ment of Scepticism proceeds on the assump
tion, that the longer the period of probation
is, the greater are the probabilities that a
holy character will be formed, and a happy
eternity secured. But how does, how can
Scepticism know this? We cannot allow it
to be taken tor granted.
There are some plain considerations of
reason, which seem to contradict this assump
tion. We are induced to confirm a sinful
character in ourselves, by desire after those
“pleasures of sin” which are only “for a
season.” If, then, our sojourn on the earth
were prolonged beyond its present limits—if
these pleasures might be pursued and enjoyed
for many additional years—would they not
with a still more irresistible attraction draw
us into their fatal snare? Again: We are
prevented from forming a holy character, by
the spirit of procrastination, of impenitency,
of presumption. Now, if our mortal exist
ence were lengthened—if death, Judgment
and eternity were placed farther off—if a
wider space of divine forbearance separated
our feet from them—would not an ampler
scope be furnished to this delaying spirit ?
Would we not be beset by a stronger tempt
ation to indulge it? Would there not be a
greater likelihood that it would rule us, and
destroy? It appears, therefore, simply as a
question of reason, that the probabilities for
the correction of a sinful, and the formation
of a holy character, would be diminished by
making the period of probation longer. If
hours of evil indulgence grew into days, and
days grew into years, perhaps no one could
stand firmly against them ! If those who
now deceive themselves by a promise to re
pent the next year, could appease and satisfy
conscience by a promise to repeDt the next
century, perhaps repentance would altogether
cease from off the face of the earth! We
doubt not that “myriads of happy souls
above” owe their salvation, in a great de
gree, to that very brevity of the time of trial
on the earth, over which the proud sceptic
chafes himself, but which these laid to heart
as a call to the early exercise of faith in
Christ Jesus.
This assumption is contradicted, too, by
experience. Certain great facts in the history
of the world, stamp it false. The experiment
of a longer life has been tried with our race;
tried, not because God needed information as
to the wisest constitution of things, but to
silence our repinings over the shortness of
our tarrying here, and to take this very ar
gument out of the mouth of Scepticism. And
what was the result of that experiment?
When life was prolonged through centuries,
10, but one single righteous man was found
under the whole heaven ! Such a flood of
wickedness rolled through the nations, as ren
dered it necessary to drown them with a flood
of waters! With a longer, a far longer,
period of probation in that age, the formation
of a holy character was more, oh how much
more, rare than at present; and life was re
duced within narrower limits, only to increase
the probabilities of the formation of a holy
character.
Since that reduction of life to a span, ex
perience bears the same testimony. When
probation is protracted through three score
years and ten, its later stages are seldom—
alas, how seldom—employed in forming the
holy character, to which salvation comes
through grace. Dr. Spencer tells us, that
“of two hundred and fifty-three hopeful con
verts to Christ, there were converted—under
twenty years of age, one hundred and thirty
eight,—between twenty and thirty years,
eighty-five,—between thirty and forty years,
twenty-two, —between forty and fifty years,
four, —between fifty and sixty years, three,—
between sixty and seventy years, one, —and
not one after seventy !” The history of the
church, at all times and in all places, perhaps
would not materially alter these proportions.
How rapidly and fearfully, then as life wears
on are the probabilities that men will make a
right use of probation.diminished! Os those
whose probation is continued longest, the vast
and overwhelming majority utterly throw
away its closing years. Why, then, should
still other years be added to these ? Would
not they, too, be thrown away ? To make
probation twice or thrice as long as at pres
ent, it strikes us, would result about as fol
lows: With scarcely an exceptional instance,
those who put away Christ from them up to
the point at which probation terminates now,
would persist in putting Him away to the
end, and would stand at His judgment-seat
with aggravated guilt, to endure sorer pun
ishment: Many, too, who, under the existing
order of providence, embrace, in early life,
the faith that saves, would be emboldened to
delay that great and vital work, by the re
moval of death to a greater distance from
them, and would be lost because their orig
inal sinful character, while thus delaying,
would grow incurable.
Ah; both reason and experience testify
that this argument of Scepticism is based on
an unfounded assumption. The change it
demands is a change for the worse. Only in
anger could Heaven grant its proud, rash
wish for longer probation! For, this would
aggravate that fatal tendency to continuance
in transgression, of which the Scriptures
speak, in the fearful words: “ Because sen
tence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of
men is fully set in them to do evil.” This
would confirm the disobedience of the ser
vant, who, already on the plea, “ My Lord
delayeth His coming,” takes occasion to
“smite his fellow-servants and to eat and to
drink with the drunken.” This would strength
en the spirit which, even now, ‘despises the
riches of the goodness and forbearance, and
long-suffering of God.’
But space fails us; and we must leave
this subject incomplete.
Water.
Rev. J. A. Sloan, of Water Valley, Miss.,
arguing in the Christian Observer, against im
mersion, says, with axiomatic pith, “ the
more water the less grace,”—“ the less water
the more grace.” Is not the idea a happy
one? Does it not enable us to point to the
fact, that over two thirds of the surface of our
globe lies covered with the ocean, as a simple
but satisfactory reason why the world is so
very wicked ? Does it not help us to under
stand how, by virtue of the sanctity of the
“new heaven and new earth,” there will be,
and can be, when they appear, “no more
sea?” But, unfortunately for our Presbyte
rian critic, his principle squints toward Qua
kerism ; for, if the water diminishes as the
grace increases, you have only to increase the
grace sufficiently to get rid of the water alto
gether. (To express this thought by a spe
cies of parody on a dramatic incident which
our readers will remember:) when this writer
gravely announces,
“The grace is great, because the water is so small,”
some logical “ Friend” may rise up to reply,
“ The grace were greater then, with water none at all.’
But not to press the point quite so far, —we
hold this writer to the necessary admission,
that there is more grace (because there is less
water) in the treatment which infants receive
from Baptists, than in sie 'treatment which
they receive from Pedobaptists.
Montgomery and Tuskegee.
At the instance of Bro. Gwin and the breth
ren there, we had the pleasure of spending
the Ist Sabbath in October with the First
church in the city of Montgomery, and
preached morning and evening to good con
gregations. This was our first preaching in
the Capital city of the State, and the first in
our native county. Bro. Gwin was absent in
Virginia with his mother, who was at the
point of death. He is greatly in the affec
tions of his church, and evidences are abun
dant that he is doing a noble work in that im
portant position. At a conference of the
church while we were in the city, it was re
solved to increase his salary so as to make it
at least equal to the offer of the church in
Macon. It would be a misfortune to the
church and to the Baptists of the State for
Bro. G. to leave us now ; and the Montgom
ery brethren will place a high appreciation
on his decision to remain with them—(and
they ought to do so ; for in our opinion, he
has declined one of the very best positions
that could be opened to any pastor in the
South. But Montgomery, as the centre of
Alabama interests, is not less important.
The Second Baptist church in Montgomery,
now without a pastor, is an interest for the
success of which all Alabama Baptists should
feel a deep concern. It is well located, with
a very good brick house, and must some day
take a commanding position. We heard
many kindly things said of Bro. Davis, their
late pastor. We enjoyed our home in Mont
gomery in the house of our old friend J. B.
Gay, and his estimable lady, exceedingly.
He is “ standing over for baptism,” and we
shall be greatly mistaken if the First church
do not find him a valuable accession. Our
visit to the house of Bro. J. M. Newman was
very pleasant—he being the good man who,
twenty one years ago, took us in hand to be
stow on us “ a finished education” in prepara
tion for the ministry, and we being the un
lucky man who spoiled it all by “running
away from him that is to say, we got the
notion into our head that there was a better
way, and with this notion we ran off to the
mountains of Alabama and commenced
preaching—if it be lawful to call it preach
ing. We have long since regretted our loss,
but are rather persuaded that the Lord bad a
hand in it.
From Montgomery we went up to Tuske
gee—the first town we ever saw—and it
was dot much of a town then—“ a piney
woods village,” with three white houses in
it, and these houses were sights to us. But
Tuskegee has seen the days and years of most
brilliant prosperity and beauty since then,
and it is a delightful spot yet. in its resi
dences, it is the beat built town we have ever
seen in Alabama, and a lovely, cultivated and
high-toned people yet occupy those homes.
The Baptist church there is yet a strong body,
with a splendid church edifice; and the East
Alabama Female College, under the splendid
management of Prof. Rawlings and his ac
complished associates, is rising rapidly from
its misfortunes, and is to-day one of the very
best schools in the State. We bad a delight
ful home in the family of Bro. Rawlings.
Bro. Swanson carried us over the whole town,
from house to house—he and Bro. Rawlings.
We preached foTthttß three sermons, and we
were much pleased with our visit. Hender
son, Teague and Barron?Tormer pastors : we
heard nothing sfe*aSfTorethren but words of
love and tenderness. The place needs a coat
of paint, and a little .more life and stir.
Are we to lose any more of our preachers?
If we did not live in this State ourself, we
would ask,, Aaj&therc no preachers and pro
fessors any where efee suited to the constant
ly occurring vacancies? We must have had
the best corps of ministers and teachers, when
the war closed, that were to be found in the
South ; for we have Had about twenty carried
to other places, anchbkey have generally been
so popular after leaving us, that they have
not been allowed to rest in any one place—
some body is constantly after them. Some
of us who have no very good opportunities to
get away, have persraded ourselves that if
there is so much good in Alabama, wo will
remain here and get it all. But seriously,
there is and alarming in this
exit of Alabama Baptist ministers. R.
“ WatchmanTrpy of the Night 2”
Great historicaj^Auts—events of which it
may be said their occurrence,
“ the history of would have been
different”—are selaom appreciated at the
time of their as they deserve. It
is something like Crossing a high range of
mountains. We are not sensible either of
their vast elevation, or of the instant at which
we pass the apex. It is only after we descend
into the vale, and after we have made con
siderable progress tn_ v our journey, that we
can see their amazing height. We are not
sensible of their wonderful dimensions, until
time drifts us away from them, and we can
turn and contemplate them with serious and
thoughtful attention. The Reformation of
the sixteenth century has been growing in
moral magnitude ever since its era. Its in
fluence, as well upon letters, philosophy, the
science of government, as upon religion, is
becoming more and more distinct every de
cade of our history. And those who censure
the gnat leaders of that stirring period f(>r
what they did not do, ought rather to thank
God and honor their memories for what they
did do.
Wc have been led into this train of thought
by the occurrences which have befallen the
politico-religious interests of the old world
during the last eighteen months. We doubt
if one man in a thousand, in Christendom,
has given these occurrences the serious atten
tion they deserve. Id is impossible to over
estimate the importance of the late revolu
tions in Spain, the Italian States, and France,
in their relation to Christianity, to say noth
ing of the vast aggregation of political influ
ence in the Government of Prussia, by which
it has, as if by magjc, become the controlling
power of Europe. We have had dissertation
after dissertation on the commercial, social,
political, and even influence of
these vast changes on these different national
ities. Statesmen and politicians are greatly
concerned about preserving “ the balance of
power ” in as about the prob-,
able bearing of events upon the fortunes of
the different branches of royalty. Philosoph
ical essayists are greatly exercised over the
enquiry as to what is to come of the sudden
“genial contact” of such a vast mass of peo
pies in the Spanish and Italian Governments,
with the more advancing States of Europe,
from whom they have been practically isola
ted for so many centuries, by sheer despotism.
But we have yet to see the first well-written
critique, from a respectable source, upon the
influence of these revolutions on that greatest
of causes ever committed to mortal agency—
the Christian religion. So far as we know,
no competent pen has yet attempted such an
analysis and grouping of the facts connected
with these abrupt changes as is, to our mind,
at least, one of the most imperative demands
of the times. The book of providence is, or
should be, as much a subject of study as the
Book of Revelation. Indeed, our Lord im
pliedly censures the people for “ not discern
ing the signs of the times.”
Let us not be misunderstood. We do not
want, we do not need, bold, presumptuous,
sensational speculations as to the future, and
as arising out of these stirring events. Every
century has had its quota of such productions)
which old father Time has kindly transmitted
down the current to the gulf of oblivion, so
that they could not serve to commemorate
the folly of their authors. But what we need
is, such an array of accomplished facts as
that they will occupy the position of “ finger
boards,” pointing in such direction as to
stimulate the prayers and activities of the
Christian world in executing the last great
commission of our Lord. It has occurred to
us that some gifted pen, thrilled with love to
Christ and to the souls of men, and fired
with hallowed zeal, could perform a labor of
love in this respect, that' would accomplish
glorious results. When, under the direction of
Him that “sitteth circuit of the heav
ens,” the ploughshare of revolution breaks
up the fallow-ground!f one half of Europe
at one epoch, it does present a subject for
thoughtful and pray?rT&f study—it does sum
mon the disciples of our Saviour to “discern
the signs of the times” with an emphasis
which may not be evaded. It is our solemn
duty to make the most of everp production
that tends to “enlarge the borders and
strengthen the stakes” of Zion, until “ the
kingdoms of this world shall become the king
doms of our Lord and of His Christ.” H..
“ Great Wonders in Little Thesus.”—
This is the title of anew work by Rev. Sid.
ney Dyer, A. M., issued by the Bible and
Publication Society, Philadelphia; pp. 333,
with 8 colored plates, and a large number of
illustrative wood cuts .'lt portrays the reve
lations of the mieioscope,:—the universe of
“ forms of life” swarming everywhere around
us, but invisible to the naked eye. To youDg
persons with inquisitive minds, it must prove
intensely interesting. It is an appropriate
companion volume to Prof. Wiilet’s work on
Insects; and we hope that children generally
will be furnished with both.
Rev. T. H. Stout.— Bro. Stout writes us:
“ I resigned the care of the church here last
Sabbath, to take effect January Ist.” We
commend hre name to churches that desire an
able and faithful pastor.
Tbe Chicago Fire.
In Chicago, last Spring, we walked through
miles and miles of streets, with buildings on
either hand that looked like palaces. How
grand, how stable, all seemed to us then !
The thought occurred to our mind, that, if
we possessed but one of those magnificent
structures, we should have a sufficing share
of earthly good,—a sure income for the clos
ing years of life, and an inheritance beyond
peradventure for such of our family as sur
vived us. But a few brief hours have wholly
changed the scene. A tide of fire has rolled
along those streets, and what were palaces
lie now in ashes,or stand bare walls blackened
by the tongue of flame. Desolation reigns
where everything wore an aspect of prosper
ous thrift and lavish wealth. Possessions
that appeared to bear the most unmistakable
seal of assurance and security have melted
away ; and their owners, or the underwriters
who stood between these owners and loss,
find themselves, in many instances, face to
face with hopeless bankruptcy. The lesson
is a momentous one. How eloquently it wit
nesses to tbe instability of earthly things,
and admonishes us to seek the only unfail
ing riches—riches “ unto God”—riches “ laid
up in heaven !” May we urge our readers,
as we counsel our own heart, not to disregard
this impressive and salutary instruction ?
We grieve over a calamity so dire. Such
a spectacle must strike home to the soul, and
unseal the fountains of commiseration and
sympathy. It is not simply that the rich
have been made poor,—it is that the poor
are, oh how much poorer still! It is not that
every commercial centre in the land must feel
the shock, —it is that in thousands of homes,
hunger, and cold, and penury, and death, have
fallen as a crushing avalanche on womanhood
and infancy. Who that can render succor
will withhold it? Who that has nothing else
to give will restrain tearful, importunate in
tercession at the Throne of Grace ?
The Aged Sinner-
Does our paper pay its weekly visits to
any household, where there are persons “ well
stricken in years,” but still out of Christ—
persons who must soon be brought to their
graves “ at full age, as a shock of corn cometh
in its season,” but who have secured no safe
guard against that “ supreme sentence of con
demnation passed when the spirit is separate
from the body.” We would beg them to
ponder the fact, stated in one of our exchanges,
that among the converts baptized in a recent
revival, were men 61—63—65—84 years of
age. Will they seriously ask themselves
why they should not follow in the steps of
this long-delayed but graciously-accepted re
pentance ? Should not the time past suffice
to have wrought their own will, braving the
Divine wrath and refusing the Divine grace?
Has not their sojourn in the flesh dwindled to
a span sufficiently short to admonish them per
suasively not to run those risks of procrasti
nation which grow greater with every “ beat
ing pulse ?” Will they “ despise the riches of
the goodness and forbearance and long suffer
ing of God,” and waste their strength through
the sunsejt hours of life vp to
themselves wrath against the'day of wrath.”
Will they not turn an eye of trust to Christ
on the cross, now, at the last, lest they be
summoned suddenly to behold, with an eye
of terror and despair, Christ on the judgment
throne ?
Hephzibah Church, Talladega Cos., Ala.
A protracted meeting of ten days, embracing
the Ist and 2nd Lord’s days in October, inst.,
was held with the most encouiaging results.
! Elder T. P. Gwin, the pastor, was assisted
portions of the time by Elders G. Mynatt,
Paul Castleberry, H. C. Taul, and the writer.
The meeting became one of deep interest from
the commencement. It resulted in the addi*
tion of 24 accessions to the church, 8 by let
ter and 16 by experience and baptism. Sev
eral other conversions occurred, who, it is
hoped, will unite with the church at the next
and following meetings. Altogether, it was
one of the best old-fa9hioned revivals we have
attended in several years. The congregations
throughout were large and attentive. Two
or three years since, this church had its meet
ing house torn to atoms by a hurricane, but
they built a larger and better structure at
once, and God rewarded them for their works
of faith. H.
Marriage of Ministers. —A Cumberland
Presbyterian w rites to the St. Louis Chris
tian Advocate, "that the church of his denom
ination, in a certain city, has been without a
pastor for six years, because the membership,
impoverished by the war, “ could not support
a preacher with a wife and children,” and ar
gues that mdnistors should abstain from mar
riage. The Adv ocate replies that doubtless,
during those yejirs, members of that church
have enteired into matrimonial relations, and
asks ‘ wheSber it is more reasonable to expect
that a stranger should remain single to sup
port the gospel -for the families who compose
the chureft, than that the young men in these
families*, destitute of the gospel, should re
main single to obtain it?’ That question
reaches the core of the subject: if the great
bulk of pr ivate Christians were willing to en
dure half the seifdeoial and privation for the
cause of Christ, which many are disposed to
exact of the ministry—there would be no
vacant pulpits in the land.
Ignotble Dependhwce.— An Episcopal rec
tor, in the Chicago Tribune, boasts (!) that a
majority of the bishops and about two-thirds
of thf: clergy of his church are recruits from
othev religious bodies. He alleges that this
is true in 207 out of 285 ordinations per
formed by a single prelate. The Western
Christian Advocate suggests, as an appropri
ate parallel, that the Turkish and Egyptian
armies are largely officered by foreigners, on
account of the want of knowledge and talent
in the native Boldiery.
“ Seed Truths.” —Rev. Pharcellus Church,
D. D., author of “ Philosophy of Benevo
lence,” “ Antioch, or, the Increase of Moral
Power m the Church,” etc., has given to the
world another volume,—“ Seed Truths; or,'
Bible Views of Mind, Morals and Religion.”
It is published by Sheldon & Cos., New York,
and sold by J. J. & S. P. Richards, Atlanta.
The work professes to be a re-statement of the
ology, on the basis of an independent study
of the original Scriptures throughout, free
ajike from the trammels of metaphysics and
ihe creeds. We have had, as yet, no oppor
tunity to read more than a chapter, or two.
We find these fresh—but must reserve our
judgment of the book as a whole.
Rev. J. S. Murroiv.
In a private note from Forsyth, Ga., Oct.
12th, Bro. Murrow writes the painful intelli
gence : “ I met with a sad accident this morn
ing. Standing on the platform of the car at
Milner, looking to see if Bro. Wood was on
ihe up train, and holding on to the door frame,
some one shut the door suddenly, catching
the middle firiger on my right hand and broke
the bone square off on the first joint. The
conductor and others were very kind, and
bound it up in varnish immediately. It does
not pain me now, but is still bleeding. Thus
I have but one eye and one hand. Still, I
have two legs, thank God, and can locomote
—intend to keep alive and going, if it is God’s
will.”
Baltimore News and Notes.
Baltimore has been under quite a pressure
of excitement for several weeks. First came
the Convention of Knight Templars, repre
sentatives from every section of the country.
The procession was a brilliant scene. Some
three thousand Knights in full uniform, look
ing like an army of Brig. Generals. The
whole city, men, women and children, and all
professions, seemed anxious to pay them
honor.
Then came the National Commercial Con
vention—men intent on making the best of
everything, and contributing their portion to
increase the wealth and prosperity of the
nation. Many able speeches were made, in
volving Constitutional questions and the power
of Congress. But none were more telling,
more instructive, or more felicitous, than the
one by the youth of eighty-two winters—Hon.
Reverdy Johnson.
Just now, we are in the midst of the three
or four weeks’ session of the Triennial Epis
copal Convention. We have had Lord Bish
ops and Deans on our Republican soil; the
Lord Bishop of Lichfield, and the Lord Bishop
of Nassau, and Dean Howson, of Chester,
and several other lesser lights, from the
“ Mother Church of England.” The public
reception given these representatives from
England, by the House of Clerical and Lay
Delegates, was an interesting event. The
whole audience, members and presiding offi
cers, stood while seven speeches were made in
response to the address of welcome by the
President of the Convention. “My Lord
the Bishop of Lichfield,” is a fine specimen
of an Englishman, and of “ Muscular Chris
tianity.” Dean Howson reminds one of Dr.
W. R. Williams, Jno. A. Broadus and J.
Lansing Burrows. Not quite as fleshy as
Burrow?, but somewhat of his build. Modest,
amiable and intelligent, like Williams and
Broadus. Just such a man as you would
suppose could write the “ Life and Epistles
of St. Paul.” His was the speech of the
occasion.
The House of Bishops sits with closed doors.
None are admitted to their deliberations,
but now and then a message is sent from
them to the Convention, which indicates the
trouble and agony going on in that secret
conclave. First conies a message on Ritu
alism. Three years ago, the whole subject
was referred to the Bishops. After mature
deliberation, they confess their inability to
act in the matter, and ask a Committee from
the Convention, to coufer with a similar Com
mittee from themselves; though they spec
ify certain innovations brought from Rome
by Ritualists, that should be forbidden by
“ Canon.” This message created considerable
sensation, that, after three years’ consultation,
the Bishops should try to induce the Conven
tion to commit itself on a matter which
properly belongs to them. The Committee
of Conference has been appointed, and if it
ever reports, we may expect some spicy
speeches. For it is evident the Convention
is full of talk on this question.
But the most wonderful message of all is,
the Definition of Regeneration by the Bishops
— No. 16. “ Resolved , That the declaration
of the Bishops of this Church, this day signed,
in Council, be entered upon the House of
Clerical and Lay Delegates, for the inlorma
tion of that body concerning the action of
their bishops, in a matter deemed to be of
much gravity, and of much interest to both
Houses of the General Convention :
Declaration op the Bishops in Council,
October 11, 1871.—“ We, the subscribers,
Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the United States, being asked, in order to
the quieting of the consciences of sundry
members as to the meaning of the word,
‘ regenerate,’ in the offices for the ministra
tion of baptism of infants, do declare that, in
our opinion, the word ‘regenerate’ is not
there so used as to determine that a moral
change in the subject of baptism is wrought
in the sacrament.” This is signed by all the
Bishops. If a “ moral change ” is not
wrought, what, then, is accomplished by the
sacrament. They tell us what the word
“regenerate” does not mean; but they do
not tell us what it does mean. If it does not
mean a “ moral change,” then what becomes
of the hopes of those who, like your Bishop,
say, if they were not regenerated in their
baptism, then they know nothing about re
generation. I wish you would give that de
cision your special attention. I should like
to see an article from you (Dr. S.) on it.
Dr. W. T. Brantly has made a good be
ginning in our city. lam sorry Atlanta has
lost such a man, but thankful Baltimore has
gained him. We needed him. The Seventh
church, and his brother ministers, will prove
that they appreciate him. All our churches
are supplied with pastors, and are in good
working trim. Harris, at Broadway, Wat
kinsoti, at High street, Williams at First
church, Pollard at Lee street, Brantly at Sev
enth church, Fuller at Eut iw Place, Saunder
lin at Franklin Square, Miller at German
church, and the three colored churches with
good pastors. J. W. M. W.
Baltimore, Md., Oct. 14,1871.
A Time of Refreshing.
If it be the duty of a soul who has found
Christ to confess Him, is it not the duty of
a church when specially blessed, to praise the
Lord, and by way of thanksgiving, to tell oth
ers of the blessing? The accounts of the
many revivals noticed in the Index, have
doubtless been the means of stirring up other
churches and other Christians to pray for an
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their midst.
Some of us at Cave Spring, whilst reading
these accounts, have often had our hearts to
burn within us, and our bosoms filled with
the desire, “O, that the Lord would come
and bless us—even us !” And sure enough
He has come. He came to us in the midst
of our unworthiness, over the mountains of
our sins, and despite our unbelief; and, we
trust, He is still here in His life-giving, faith
strengthening and heart-warming power. The
indications of His willingness to bless, given
us on the fourth Sabbath of September, en
couraged us to protract the meeting through
that week —holding services only at night.
Towards the close of the week, some of the
brethren felt that they must meet in the day,
and spend an hour in prayer. A few met for
this purpose on Thursday, and the interest so
increased, that, during the second week, in
addition to the prayer meeting, we had
preaching, both day and night.
Bro. Hamilton labored faithfully during
the meeting, and preached with special unc
tion from the beginning. Also, the Lord in
His goodness sent us Bro. Gwaltney, from
Rome, who came “in the fnllness of the
blessing of the gospel of Christ,” and for
four days and nights we drank in the pre-
cious truths which fell from his lips. There
is nothing which gives a preacher such power
as a loving heart; and with all his mental
qualifications, Bro. Gwaltney’s power lies
chiefly in this. He loves Jesus, and he loves
souls. “ The Lord hath done great things for
us, whereof we are glad.” Twelve have been
baptized, many others have found peace and
joy in believing, and yet others are, as we
trust, earnestly seeking the Saviour. The
Lord will hear the prayers of His people.
Blessed be His holy name. J. C. B.
Cave Spring, Oct. 10,1871.
Santa Fee River Association.
The Santa Fee River Association met
with our church here, on Saturday—ad
journed Monday. The delegation was
not large, on account of high water. We
had, notwithstanding, a harmonious, and I
trust, a profitable meeting. 130 baptisms
were reported, a gain of 10 per cent, to
the churches. This would have been in
creased had delegates from all the
churches, been able to reach the meeting.
A Sunday School Convention met on Sab
bath afternoon. It was a success, —19
schools were reported with 575 scholars,
and teachers, a gain of over 100 last year.
The Foreign Mission cause was, we trust,
given at least, a start in our Association
by the admirable sermon of brother J. H.
Tomkies, on Sabbath morning.
H. B. M.
Lake City, tla., Oct. 11 tli, 1871.
Ordination of Deacons.
At the request of Bethel church, Randolph
county, Ga., a prebytery, consisting of Revs.
Thos. Muse, R. A. J. Powell, and T. H.
Stout, met at the above named church, on the
fourth Sabbath in September; and set
a part to the office of deacon, brethren W.
J. Morris, Franklin Gray, and Thos. Coram.
Rev. Thos. Muse preached a sermon on the
deaconship; the pastor conducted the exam
ination of the candidates; and Rev. R. A. J.
Powell delivered the charge. These brethren
are all deeply pious, and are possessed of
good business qualifications; hence we be
lieve they will use “ the office of a deacon
well,” and will “ purchase to themselves a
good degree, and great boldness in the faith
which is in Christ Jesus.” How essential the
business qualifications for deacons l At the
same meeting two candidates were received
for baptism. We“ thank God and take cour
age.” T. H. Stout, Pastor.
To the Churches of Hephzibah.
Since the first of July, I have visited and
labored in the vicinities of the following
churches, in the order named: Pleasant
Grove, Mt. Horeb, Fort Creek, Bottsford,
Abilene Grove, Old Union, Bark Camp,
(Reedy Creek,) Little Briar Creek, Mill
Creek, Bethlehem, and attended the Walker
Association, (colored,) at Noah’s Ark. Also
attended the ministers’ and deacons’ meet
ing at Duhart’s Creek the fifth Sabbath
in July. I have visited many families,
and have reason to hope that my labors have
not been entirely in vain. In some places,
where there was no Sabbath school or prayer
rcieeting, you may now find them. Some
churches that have had a “ free gospel” have
determined to pay their pastors for their ser
vices. I have been in some good protracted
meetings, aiding your pastors as best 1 could.
1 have everywhere been treated kindly, and
both pastors and churches have invariably
solicited my return. 1 have, during the quar
ter, preached or lectured (and my lectures
are equal to sermons) 67 times ; led a good
many prayer meetings; travelled 800 miles.
I have given details to your Executive Com
mittee. I should have mentioned that 1 have
labored some at Harlem, on the Georgia Rail
road, where a few brethren have erected a
small house, and expect to constitute a church
before long. 1 am glad to report improve
ment in our churches in some things ; but,
dear brethren, we are so far behind in some
important respects ! Nearly all our churches
will report good meetings, and an increase in
members ; but the “ omissionarie9,” as they
are named by the “ variety” man, abound in
some parts yet, and the contributions for
missions will prove that we are far behind
the demands of the times, and know but little
of the blessedness of giving. I have tried,
but I fear not successfully, to awaken the
mission spirit; yet, as some improvement is
manifest, let us hope on and'work on.
I wish to call especial attention to the
Walker (colored) Association. When I got
there Saturday morning, I found them in
great confusion in their business. They wel
comed me as children would a long absent
parent, and in a little while I had them “ get
ting on” with their business. They were as
respectful to me as they could be, and I doubt
not really thankful for my aid. They passed
resolutions thanking you for sending me
among them, and thanking me for my visits
to their churches, and other aid.
Altogether, they exhibited a very com
mendable spirit. There are perhaps one or
two of their preachers who are a little wild
on the “ race” question, but the majority and
influence are trying in the only true way to
do the “ race” good. Bro. John Rogers was
there with me, and on Monday Mr. Wm.
Palmer, who lives near by, aided them to
make out their financial report, while I clerk
ed for them. Could you have seen their un
affected tears, in parting with me, you would
not be surprised that I' urge you to appoint a
man to labor among them.
W. M. Verdery,
Evangelist Hephzibah Association.
Will You Do It?
Will you come to the Ala. Bap. Slate
Convention, at Montgomery, next month,
without a generous sum for the young preach
ers at Howard College? Remember, breth
ren, there are few things so important a9 the
education of our rising ministry. “ Hard
shells” have scoffed at an educated ministry,
and where are they ? Nearly numbered with
the lost 9eets. Other denominations are
educating their preachers; shall we fall be
hind them? Shall Baptist preachers alone
be ignorant? Do you covet a ministry that
yourselves will be ashamed of? Baptists
of other States are training their preachers.
Tennessee has seventeen young men under
your own gifted Manly, at Murfreesboro.
Dr. N. K. Davis has fifteen young ministers
under him at Lexington, Ky. Mississippi is
said to be educating thirty men for the Bap
tist ministry. Georgia is ornamented with
preachers of her own training, and she still
pushes forward the same great work. Ala
bama had in her College, last year, but six
theological students, if my information be
correct, and two of them had to go home for
want of funds!
Some Alabama Baptists have promised to
help in this urgent cause. Will not many
others determine to do, without promising ?
We hope to see a great gathering of the
brethren at Montgomery, next month, and
let them come to work for the Master. Let
each one expect to aid in the education of our
young preachers, as well as in every other
benevolent work of the Convention.
W. M. Davis,
Ag't. Theo. Dep't. Howard College.
Inqtatherino. — Bro. E. W. Solomons
writes from Guyton, Oct. 9th: “On the
fourth Lord’s day in August last, I saw Rev.
H. E. Cassidy baptize 29 hopeful converts at
Middie Ground, Screven county, and 10 at
Wade’s meeting house, Screven, on the first
Sabbath in this month. He is faithful to his
trust and working in his Master’s vineyard,”