Georgia Historic Newspapers

    CHRISTIAN INDEa SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
VOL. 50—NO. 42
A Religious and Family Paper,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY IS ATLANTA, OA., AT
Thres Dollars per Annum,
Invariably in advance.
J. J. TOON, .. Proprietor
Wiiat do Baptists Believe?
We are not surprised that this question
should be asked by many who only have
a partial knowledge of the Scripture doc
trines which the-Baptists hold, as it is well
known that they have been very much
misunderstood, or rather, misrepresented.
We therefore propose to answer it, as
nearly as we can, in the language of
Scripture. The Baptists believe—
1. In the Trinity, or the existence of
the divine persons of the Father , the Son
and Roly Ghost, in one G;dhead. Upon
a public profession of iaith, authorized
and required in the New Testament Scrip
tures, we are baptized into this adorable
name according to (Matt, xxviii: 19.)
“ Go ye therefore and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Sou, and of the Holy Ghost.”
(2 Cor. xiii: 14.) “ The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and of the communion of the Holy Ghost,
be with you all. Amen.” (1 Pet. i: 2.)
Elect according to the foreknowledge of
God the Father, through sanctification of
the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling
of the blood of Jesus Christ. (1 John v:
7.) “ For there are three that bear re
cord in heaven, the Father, the Word, and
_ T .be Holy Ghost, and these three are one.”
2. Baptists believe : The proper Deity
of the Lord Jesus Christ, —that He i9 the
eternal Son of God, and that the divine
and human natures are mysteriously uni
ted in His glorious person. (Mat. i: 23.)
“ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call
Ilis name Emanuel, which, being inter
preted, is God with us.” (John i: 14.)
“ In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was
made flesh and dwelt among us,” etc.)
Romans ix : 5.) “Os whom, as concern
ing the flesh, Christ came, who is over all,
God blessed forever.” (1 Johniii: 10.)
‘‘Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because He laid down His life for us.”
3. In the divinity and personality of
the Holy Ghost. (Acts v: 34.) “Why
hath Satan filled their heart to lie to the
Holy Ghost ? Thou hast not lied unto
men, but unto God.” (1 Cor. iii: 10,
17.) “ Know ye not that ye are the tem
ple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you ?” (Heb. ix: 14.) “ How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself,
without spot, to God.”
4. The supremacy of Christ as King,
Law-Giver and Judge; the perfection of
the Scriptures of inspiration; the right of
private judgment inalienable to every one,
in all matters pertaining to the service of
God. (Matthew xxiii: 10.) “Neither be
ye called masters, for one is your Master,
even Christ.” (2 Tim. iii: 14—17.) “But
continue thou in the things which thou
haft lsurac-ig-t.M K*s» Assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them,
and that from a child thou hast known the
Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is prof
itable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor
rection, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may bo perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
(2 Pet. i: 21.) “ For the prophesy came
not in old time by the will of man, but
holy men of old spake as they Were moved
by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Thea. v: 20.)
“ Despise not prophesyings.” (Josh, xxiv:
15.) “If it seem evil unto you to servo
the Lord, choose you this day whom ye
will serve,” etc. (1 Kings xviii: 21.)
“ And Elijah came unto all the people and
said, How long halt ye between two opin
ions ? If the Lord be God, follow Him;
but if Baal, then follow him.”
5. Sovereign, eternal, personal elec
tion. (Rom. viii: 28 —34.) “ And we
know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He did foreknow, lie also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image
of His Son, that he might be the first born
among many brethren : moreover, whom
He did predestinate, them He also called ;
and whom He called, them He also justi
fied ; and whom Ho justified, them He
also glorified. What shall we, then, say
to these things ? If God be for us, who
shall be against us ? He that spared not
His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all, how shall He not with Him also
freely give us all things ? Who shall lay
anything to the charge of God’s elect ?
It is God that justifieth : who is he that
condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea,
rather that is risen again, who is even at
the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for U3.” (Rom. ik: 11.)
“ For the children being not yet born,
neither having none any good or evil, that
the purpose of God according to election
might stand, not of works, but of Him
that calleth, it was said unto her, The elder
shall serve the younger.” (Rom. xi:
5—7.) “ Even so at this present time
also, there is a remnant according to the
election of grace; and if by grace, then
it is no more of works: otherwise, grace
is no more grace,” etc. (Eph. i: 4—6.)
“ According as He hath chosen us in Him,
before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame be
fore Him in love, having predestinated us
unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His will, to the praise of the
glory of Ilis grace, wherein He hath made
us accepted in the beloved. In whom we
have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins according to the riches
of His grace.” (2 Tim. i: 9.) “Who
hath saved us and called us with a holy
calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before
the world began.
6. The particular redemption of the
Church. (Acts xx: 28.) “ Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of
God, which He hath purchased with His
own blood.” (John x: 15.) “I lay
;s:},oo A YEAR.;
down my life for the sheep.” (Eph. 5 :
25.) “Even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave Himself for it, that He
might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of water through the word, that
He might present it to Himself a glorious
church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or
any such thing, but that it should be holy
and without blemish.” (Rev. v:9.) “For
thou wasfc slain and hast redeemed us to
God by Thy blood, out of every kindred,
and tengne, and people, and nation.” The
total depravity of all men by nature.
(Geq. vi: 5.) “ And God saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every imagination of the thoughts
of his heart was only evil continually.”
(Ps. li: 5.) “ Behold, I was shapen in
iniquity, and in sin did my mother con
ceive me. Also, (Rom. iii: 12—18,) Ef
fectual calling, through the regenerating
influence of the Holy Spirit. (John vi:
37.) “All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me, and him that cometh to
me I will in no wise cast out.” (1 Thes.
i: 5.) “ For our gospel came not unto
you in word only, but also in power and
in the Holy Ghost, and in much assu
rance.” (2 Tim. i : 9.) “ Who hath saved
us and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to
His own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world
began.” The perseverance of true be
lievers in faith and holiness to the end of
life. (John x : 28.) “ And I give unto
them eternal life, and they shall never
perish.” Also, (xviii :9 ; 1 Cor. i: 8;
Phil, i: 6.)
6. Justification by the righteousness of
Jesus imputed to them who believe in Him.
(Rom. iii: 24.) “Being justified freely
by Ilis grace, through the redemption that
is in Christ Jesus,” (and on to the 28th
verse.) (Rom. iv : 3—B ; Phil, iii: 9.)
7. That the moral law is still binding,
as a rule of life and duty, on believers.
(Mat. v: 17—19.) “Think not that I
am come to destroy the law or the pro
phets. lam not come to destroy, but to
fulfill,” etc. (Rom. vii : 12.) “ Where
fore the law is holy, and the command
ment holy, just and good.” (I Tim. i : 8.)
8. That all sinners should be addressed
with the gospel message, and freely in
vited, without distinction, to look and to
come to Jesus for salvation, and all who
believe in Him shall be saved. (See the
commission, Mark xvi: 15, 10, and Acts
xvii: 30.) That a church is a voluntary
organization of baptized believers, having
for its officers only bishops,- or overseers,
and deacons, who are servants of the
church / and that bishops, or pastors, and
those who preach the gospel, are to be
supported by the free-will offerings, or
contributions, of those to whom it is
preached. (Mat. xviii: 15—20.) “More-|
over, if thy brother trespass against thee, |
go and tell him his fault between thee and
him alone. If he shall" hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother; but if he will
not hear thee, take with thee one or two
more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses, every word may be established;
and if ho shall" neglect to hear them, tell
it unto the church ; and if he shall neg
lect to hear the church , let him be unto
thee as a heathen man, and a publican,”
etc. (Phil, i : 1.) “Paul and Timotheus,
the servants of Jesus Christ, To all the
saints in Christ Jesus which are at Phil
ippi with the bishops and deacons.” (1
Cor. ix : 7.) “ Who goeth a warfare any
time at his own charges ? Who planteth
a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit
thereof? Who feedeth a flock and eateth
not of the milk of the flock ? Say I these
things as a man, or saith not the law the
same also ? For it is written in the law
of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth
of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth
God take care for oxen? or saith he it
altogether for our sakes? For our safes
no doubt this is written, that he that
ploweth should plow in hope, and he that
thresheth in hope, should be partaker of
his hope. If we have sown unto you
spiritual things, is it a great thing that we
shall reap your carnal things ? If others
he partakers of this power over you, are
not we rather ?”
10. That the baptism of credible be
lievers, and them only, by immersion, and
the communion of bread and wine in the
Lord’s supper, are divine ordinances to be
observed till Christ shall come ; and that
to have observed the former, is indispensa
ble to union with the church, and the ob
servance of the latter ordinance. (Mark
xvi: 16.) “He that believeth and is bap
tized shall be saved,” etc. (Acts ii: 41.)
“ Then they that gladly recoived His word
were baptized; and the same day there
were added unto them about three thou
sand souls. (Acts viii: 12.) But when
they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,
both men and women, (36 v.); and as
they went on their way they came to a
certain water, and the Eunuch said, See,
here is water, what doth hinder me to
be baptized ? And Philip said, If thou
believest with all thine heart thou mayest;
and he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God ; and he
commanded the chariot to stand still, and
they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized
him; and when they wero come up out of
the w T ater, the Spirit of the Lord caught
away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no
more, and he went on his way rejoicing.
(Rom. vi: 4.) “ Therefore, we are buried
with him by baptism into death, that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.” (Mat.
xxvi: 26—30.) “Jesus took bread and
blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the
disciples, and said, Take eat,” etc. (The
reader will please turn and read it; also,
1 Cor. xi: 26 ; Acts ii: 41, 42.) “ And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers.
11. That the members of a Christian
church are to be distinguished by their
holy walk, and obedience to all Christ’s
commandments; that their attention to
these is to be quickened, and their growth
in grace maintained by public teaching
and exhortation. But those who are dis
obedient to the plain teachings of the
Scriptures, and after godly admonition,
continue refractory and obstinate, are to
be suspended from church fellowship. (Tit;
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, ATLANTA GA., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1871.
! iii: 8.) “ This is a faithful saying, and
these things I will that thou affirm con
stantly, that they which have believed in
God might be careful to maintain good
works,” etc. (1 Cor. v: 13.) “Therefore,
put away from among yourselves that
wicked person.” (1 Thes. v : 14.) “Now,
we exhort you, brethren, warn them that
are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded,
support the weak, bo patient toward all
men.” (2 Thes. iii: 6.) “Now, we com
mand you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw your
selves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the tradition
which he received of us ; (14 v.) and if
any man obey not our word by this epis
tle, note that man, and have no company
with him, that he may be ashamed; (15 v.)
yet count him not as an enemy, but ad
monish him as a brother.”
12. We believe in the everlasting bless
edness of the righteous, immediately after
death.” (Luke xxiii: 42, 43.) “ And
he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into Thy kingdom ; and
Je3us said unto him, Verily I say unto
thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in Par
adise.” (2 Cor. v : 6—8.) “ Therefore,
we are always confident, knowing that
whilst we are at home in the body, we are
absent from the Lord; for we walk by
faith, not by sight; for we are confident,
I say, and willing rather to be absent
from the body, and to be present with the
Lord, in the resurrection of the dead and
eternal judgment.” (Rev. xx. 12, 13.)
“ And I saw the dead, small and great,
stand before God, and the books were
opened, and another book was opened,
which is the book of life ; and the dead
w'ere judged out of those things written in
the books according to their works;” and
in the eternal misery of all sinners who
die in unbelief. (Mat. xxv : 46.) “ And
these shall go away into everlasting punish
ment, but the righteous into life eternal.”
(John iii: 18.) “He that believeth on
Him is not condemned ; but he that be
lieveth not, is condemned already, because
he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.”
We endeavor to conduct our public wor
ship in a plain, simple and spiritual man
ner, not seeking the decorations of world
ly pomp and grandeur. On the first day
in the week, in imitation of the primitive
disciples, we meet together for wor
ship, and break bread,” (Acts xx : 7,)
to sing praises to God, (Col. iii: 16,)
to preach the gospel, to read the Scrip
tures, (1 Thes. v: 27,) and to engage in
prayer. (Acts xii: ,%)
From the days of John the Baptist un
til now, there have been Baptists, holding
the distinctive doctrines here set forth and
taught in the New Testament of our Lord
Jesus Christ. They have waded through
bloody seas; but may we not greatly re
joice that God has lately given prosperity ?
We may take much shame and humiliation
to ourselves that we have been so slothful
and diffident in propagating the truth as
we hold it. May wo thank God and take
courage ; for Godjias prospered us in the
midst of oqr unworthiness. To Fis name
be the praise. A. C.
Christ was Weary.
He was weary—Christ the Master
As the morning met ibe noontide;
On His journey, Then, He tarried,
Resting Jacob’s well beside.
He was weary—Christ Emanuel—
As in human form He trod
Sunny vales and lonely mountains,
Canaan’s consecrated sod.
He was weary—Christ the Saviour—
As He bore on earth the sin,
That the ransomed might with rapture
Enter pearly gates within.
He wa3 weary—Christ Messiah.
Types and shadows, solemn feasts,
Haste away, behold the dawning
Os the Day-star in the east.
He was weary—Lord of glory—
Though the angels from on high
Would have left the mansions heavbnly
Had He bidden them draw nigh.
He was weary—Christ Anointed
Laid His kingly sceptre down.
That the white-robed conquering thousands
Might take up a harp and crown.
Christ was weary—Christian pilgrims,
Will you murmur by the way,
Or grow faint, because life’s burdens
Are so heavy day by day ?
* A few days you may not number,
Then among the saints and blest,
Yon shall dwuil with Christ the Risen,
“ Where the weary are at rest.”
Watch, db Ref.
Books and the Pulpit.
As for those who have full access to. any
of the “ Schools of the Prophets,” it
might be presumptive in me to offer any
instructions. There is another large class
that I may serve in some things ; —certain
of them have so expressed themselves.
Supposing a young preacher to be re
spectably acquainted with his own lan
guage, with a corresponding knowledge of
other things, good common sense, and
honest piety, a valuable library may be
made of a few books. If he can buy but
one, I would recommend, first of all, the
Annolated Paragraph Bible, re-published
by Sheldon & Go., New York, and cost
ing $8 —$12. It is worth to me, in pre
paration for the pulpit, more than every
thing else put together, that I have been
able to accumulate in thirty years. The
notes, prefaces, analyses, etc., are very
condensed, able, sound and judicious. It
makes the Bible its own exposition, in
ducing the habit of gathering together
the whole mind of the Spirit, on any topic
or text desired. Every member of my
family, approaching adult years, wants it
in the preparation of every Sunday school
lesson, insomuch that, in ten years,
we entirely wore out the binding, and
I have had it re-bound, in stronger
style. Next, I would recommend Andrew
Fuller’s works. He is, to me, the clear
est of all the theological writers with
whom I am acquainted, and I regard his
views, with very rare exceptions, the most
satisfactory I have known. If one is not
able to procure the entire works, let him
by all means obtain the Gospel Worthy
of all Acceptation, published separately.
A good Concordance is most valuable.
Crudin’s is the best—the unabridged edi
tion. There is also an abridged edition,
somewhat cheaper. Otherwise, the Pocket
Concordance of Brown may answer. I
usually carry one in my satchel or pocket,
when away from home. If one knows
enough of Greek to consult a lexicon in
telligibly, the Englishman’s Greek Con
cordance is most valuable.
hfany brethren know all this, and a
great deal more, but some do not; and all
parties will excuse me fortsuggesting to
our many brethren, who wisih to know the
Scriptures, but who have litle opportuni
ty to acquaint themselves jwith the best
books. A man with fire in jus bones, and
no other facilities of study! than I have
indicated, may make him%!f mighty in
the Scriptures. The ble33td Spirit sup
plying holy fervors and persistent earn
estness, the humblest man. With studious
habits, may become an abl? minister of
the New Testament. Only Ernest men
can achieve this character. Dr. Howell,
alluding to the great, heaven-born impe
tus of the ministry, used to say, “ If a
man cannot preach before hr is educated,
he cannot do it afterwards.’^
E. B. Teague.
The Scriptures Interpret Taemselves.
The Witnesses —the Spirit, the Wa
ter and the Blood. >
I John v: 6,7, 8: is He that
came by Water and Blood, even Jesus
Christ: not by Water only, but by Wa
ter and Blood. For there are three that
bear record—the Spirit, the Water and
the Blood, and these Threfc agree in
One.
John iii; 5: Except a ma&be born of
Water and of the Spirit, hscannot en
ter into the kingdom of God .
The Water. 1
John iv ; 10, 14: Jesus answered and
said unto her, If thou gift of
God, thou wouldst have askcV of Him,
omin* would have given hjee Living
Water. Bat whosoever drinketh of
the Water that I shall give him, shall
never thirst; but the Water that I shall
give him, shall be in him a Well of Wa
ter, springing up into everlasting life.
Zech. xiv ; 8 : And it sha’ibe in that
day, that Living Waters shall go out
from Jerusalem.
Zech. xiii; 1: In that day, there shall
be a Fountain opened to the house of
David, and to the inhabitant?'of Jerusa
lem, for sin and for uncleanness.
John vii; 37: If any mar thirst, let
him come unto me and drink. ■
Rev. xxi; 6: I shall give unto him
that is athirst, of the Fountain of the
Water of Life freely.
Rev. vii; 17: For the Lamb shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto Living
Fountains of-Waters.
Rev. xxi; 1: And He showed me a
pure River of Water of Life.
Is. xii; 3: Therefore with joy shall
ye draw Water out of the Wells of
Salvation.
John vii; 38: He that believeth on Me,
out of his belly shall flow Rivers of Liv
ing Water. I John v; 1: Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born
of God. Gal. iii; 26: For ye are all
the children of God, by faith in Jesus
Christ.
Eph. v; 26: That He might sanctify
and cleanse it (the Church) witn the wash
ing of Water by the Word.
Ez. xxxvi; 25: Tnen wili it sprinkle
clean Water upon you, and yo shall be
clean : from all your and from
all yeur irMUtsdß JLaiM*Ml!j£9Mte
I Cor. x; 4: And did all drink the
same Spiritual Drink ; for they drank
of that Spiritual Rock, and that Spir
itual Rock wa3 CHRI3T. I Cor. xii; 13 :
For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body—and have been all made
to drink into one Spirit. Rom. viii; 9 :
Now, if any man have not the Spirit
of Christ, he is none of His. Rom.
viii; 2: The law of the Spirit of Life
in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from
the law of sin and death. Rom. viii;
10: If Christ be in you, the body is
dead because of sin, but the spirit is life
because of righteousness. Col. i; 27 :
Which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory.
Thk Spirit.
John iii; 6: That which is born of the
Spirit, is spirit.
John vi ; 63: It is the Spirit that
quickeneth.
I Cor. vi; 11: But ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God.
I Peter i; 22 : Seeing ye have purified
your souls in obeying the truth, through
the Spirit.
Rom. viii; 14: For as many as are led
by the Spirit of God, they Hrre the sons
of God.
II Cor. iii; 17, 18: Now, the Lord is
that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty. But we all
are changed into the same image, from
glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of
the Lord. <
The Blood, i.
I John i; 71 And the BiffSVfJ Jesus
Christ His Son, cleinseth nsyrom all sin.
John v; 6: Whoso eateth wv flesh and
drinketh my Blood, halh eve. Masting life.
Rev. i; 5: Unto Him that loved us and
washed us from our sins in His own
Blood. j-
Rev. vii; 14: And have wished their
robes and made them white in the Blood
of the Lamb. Ps. Ii; 2: Wash me
thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse
me from my sin. Is. i ; 16: Wash you,
make you clean: put away the evil of
your doings. Acts xxii; 16: Arise and
be baptized and wash away thy sins.
I Peter i; 2: Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedi
ence and Sprinkling of the Blood of
Jc-sus Christ.
Heb. xii; 22, 24: But ye are come—
to the Blood op Sprinkling.
Heb. x; 19, 22: Having, therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest
by the Blood of Jesus—let us draw near
with a true heart, in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from
an ei>il conscience. Is. liii; 15: So shall
He sprinkle many nations.
Heb. ix; 14, 15: How much more
shall the Blood of Christ, who, through
the eternal Spirit, offered Himself, with
out spot, to God, purge ( cleanse) your
conscience from dead works, to serve the
living God ?
Matt, xxvi; 28 • For this is my Blood
of the New. Testament which is shed
( poured out ) for you, for the remission of
sins.
These Three Agree is One.
Tim. iii; 5: According to His mercy,
He saved us by the washing ( laver , Wa
ter) of regeneration (Water op Lipe)
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,
which He shed fportred) on us abundant
ly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Intkrphbtation.
The prepositions employed in I John
v; 6: are dia and cn; the first signify
ing through, or by means of— the second
in, or by means of. Text—“ This is Ho
that came in and through the Water
and Blood of Suffering, to save by
means of the Water and Blood of
Life.”
Conclusion.
The Water with which a man is born
again, (John iii : 5,) which Christ “ givei ,”
(John iv: 10, 14,) which cleanses from
sin, (Ez. xxxvi: 25; Zech. xiii: 1,) is
not the water of baptism, but the “Wa
ter of Life;” (Rev. xxi: 6,) the “Spir
itual Drink,” (I Cor. x: 4,) the “Spir
it of Christ,” (Rom. viii: 9,) the “ Spir
it of Life in Christ Jesus,” (Rom.
viii: 2,) which, with the “Bread of
Life,” (John vi: 36,) fills and feeds the
soul that “ hungers and thrists after
righteousness .” (Matt, v: 6.) It is ever
living, ( running ;) and, together with the
Blood and the Spirit, washing the souls
of the redeemed ones, and cleansing them
from all sin. It is all-sufficient, never
failing,—in heaven, a “pure River,”
proceeding out of the throne of God and
of the Lamb, —in the believer in Jesus, a
“ Well of Water, springing up into
everlasiing life."
“ Ho! every one that thirsteth, oome
ye to the Waters. And whosoever will,
let him take the Water of Life freely.”
Is. Iv : 1; Rev. xxii : 17.
T. B. Cooper.
Ston* Mountain, Oct. 14.
Christ’s Finished Work.
•- Ye are complete to Him.”
Rest, weary soul 1
The penalty is borne, the ransom paid,
For all thy sins full s&tisfaotion made ;
Strive not to do thyself what Christ has done,
Claim the free gift, and make the joy thine own ;
No more by pangs of gilt and fear distrest,
Rest, sweetly rest!
Rest, weary heart,
From all thy Bileut griefs and seoret pain,
Thy profitless regrets and longings rain ;
Wisdom and love have ordered all the past,
AH shall be blessedness and light at last;
Cast off the fears that have so long opprest:
Rest, sweetly rest!
Rest weary head!
Lie down to slumber in the peaoeful tomb ;
Light from above has broken through its gloom ;
Here, in the place where once thy Saviour lay,
Where He shall wake thee on a future day.
Like"a tired child upon its mother’s breast,
Rest, sweetly rest I •
Rest, spirit free!
In the greeu pastures of the heavenly shore,
Where sin and sorrow can approach no more,
With all the flock bv the Good Shepherd fed,
Beside the streams of Life eternal led,
Forever with thy God and Saviour blest!
Rest, sweetly rest!
To Moderate Drinkers.
That drunkenness is a sin, is settled
beyond all dispute by the Divine mandate,
“No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom
of God.” I Cor. vi: 10. It is a soul
damning sin. It is not, however, gener
ally admitted that to tread the road that
leads directly to drunkenness, is sin. The
argument which, to our way of thinking,
establishes this conclusion, i3 concisely
presented by an untiring worker in the
temperance cause, now gone to his rest.
He says, “ It is a principle of the Divine
government, that designs that are crimi
nal, if consummated, must not be medita
ted or commenced. ‘ Whosoever looketh
on a woman to lust after her, hath com
mitted adultery with her in his heart.’
Therefore, when it is said, *No drunkard
shall inherit the kingdom of God,’ we
have the teachings of the Saviour that a
voluntary act that knowingly leads to
drunkenness, is, in the Divine mind,
drunkenness itself.”
Nor will the plea that, friends in whom
confidence was placed, lured and tempted
one to taste the fatal first glass, avail.
Adam pleaded, “ The woman gave to me,
and I did eat.” The woman urged, “The
serpent beguiled, and I did eat.” They
were condemned. Adam was cursed be
cause he hearkened to the voice of his
wife. And the dram-drinker and the
drunkard will be condemned because they
yielded to the temptation. Every sin*ls a
yielding to temptation ; and God will not
be mocked. B. W. I.
The New Version.
That the new version of the Sacred
Scriptures, issued by the Bible Union, is
a perfect one, I presume no one will ven
ture to affirm. Nothing human is perfect.
The original Scriptures were given, we
are told, by inspiration of God, and,
therefore, were perfect; but the transla
tion of them into our language, is the
work of men; and must, therefore, nec
essarily be imperfect. To expect perfec
tion to result from imperfection, would be
about as absurd as to expect sweet water
to flow from a bitter fount, or to gather
sweet oranges from a sour orange-tree.
One has said, very truthfully if not poet
ically, referring to the productions of
men,
“ He who expects a faultless work to see,
Expects what never was, nor e’er will be.”
That the session of the Bible Union is
a decided improvement on our commonly
received version, has been frankly admit
ted by many of the most learned and in
fluential opponents of the Union. The
English revisers, also, who are bringing
out anew version under the auspices of
the Bishops and Archbishops of the
Church of England, give the preference
to the version of the Bible Union, in a
vast majority of the instances in which it
differs from the commonly received ver
sion, As an instance of the superiority
of the former to the latter, I would refer
the reader to the difference in the render
ing of John xi: 89, in the two versions.
In the old version we read, “ Lord, by
this time he stinketh.” In the new,
“ Lord, by this time he is offensive.”
Avery learned author, who wrote and
published his works long before any idea
of forming such an organization as is the
Bible Union was entertained,* commenting
on the translation of this passage by King
James’ translations, says of the verb so
differently translated in the two versions,
“ How offensively this very decent word,
—, is translated in our version, the reader
may satisfy himself, by having recourse
to it; it being abused by a word which
I never wrote, nor remember to have even
pronounced.” He adds, “And if they
are thus faulty, in a language so well
known, I am very apprehensive they may
he more so, in one much less studied, "and
understood.” (I follow the author’s punc
tuation.)
Were the columns of thO Index not so
much crowded by the interesting commu
nications of its correspondents, I would
like to refer to many instances in which,
in the old version, language exceedingly
indelicate and offensive is used, and to
others, in which the sense iB obscured, or
facts misrepresented, and, consequently,
falsified; but I forbear, lest I embarrass
the editor, and obstruct others in their
efforts to diffuse the light of knowledge.
I will take the liberty, however, to pro
pound a few questions, to. which I ask the
serious, solemn, prayerful attention of th
reader.
1. Ought we not to adopt that version
which reports most clearly, fully and trul;
what God has revealed of His will ?
2. Will the discovery of a few remair
ing errors, in a version, justify us in rr
jecting it, an<T substituting in its place
version containing moro and greater e.
rors ?
3. Will the defects in the New Englis :
version justify its in refusing to aid in the
circulation of the Scriptures in the Span
ish language?
If the last question be answered in the
negative, I would ask of yon, if you
would maintain a conscience void of of
fence, both toward God and man, to send
me a contribution to aid in circulating the
Spanish Scriptures. Jos. S. Baker.
*This work, tho "Life of Kin;? David,” was dedica
ted "To His Grace William. Duke es Devonshire, Loru
Lieutenant of Ireland,” and was dated Dublin, July
22nd, A.D., 1740.
Work for Every Christian.
A great and glorious work rests upon
all whom God has called from the world
into the kingdom of His dear Son, and
none are exempt from doing all that lies
in their power. Tho field is as large a<
the world, and, the different spheres are
as numerous a3 its people. The Careys
and the Judson3 have, with their pilgrim
staff in their hand, to take their long last
look at the land they have loved from
their youth, and with hearts filled with
nothing but the love of Jesus, endure the
cross, despise the shame, and give their
life for the salvation of their friends. The
pastor at home has his work to per
form. The superintendent, the teacher,
and the pupil in the Sunday school, have
each a part to act in the field of his Lord,
and what will be our excuse, when the
Master shall come and find their work
undone ?
No age is exempt, for the aged man
whose steps are tottering to the grave,
the man of middle years, still looking
forward to the meridian of his days, and
the youth who has just tasted of the wa
ters of eternal life, are called upon to
work to-day in the vineyard of his Lord.
There’s work for each, there’s work for
all, there’s work for every one. Are you
not called to go into the broad fields of
China, or penetrate the dense jungles of
Afric’s sultry plains, stand in the pulpit
at home ? If not called to go into the
pulpit, take the part of superintendent in
the school, or if not easfed to this, take
the glorious position of a toacher, or a
scholar; but be not inactive while there is
so much to be done. Christian you are
not too young; Christian, you are not too
old; not too rich, or not too poor. If
you cannot carry a large load, you can
carry a small one; but be not inactive while
so many you wili wish to meet in eterni
ty, are dying in their sins. Remember,
we have not been taken from our once
lost condition into this blessed inheritance,
to be mere idle spectators upon the bivouac
of life, not for our own enjoyment and
happiness, but for the glory of Him who
has called us. And while we are passing
through this world of sin, let us try if we
cannot cheer a soul, comfort a downcast
heart, and point some to the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin3 of the
world.
Milton on Infant Baptism. —ln his
work “ On Christian Doctrine,” this im
mortal writer says : Under the gospel, the
first of the sacraments , so-called, is bap
tism ; wherein believers, who engage
themselves to newness of life, are im
mersed in water, to signify their regener
ation by the Holy Spirit, and their union
to Christ in His death, burial and resur
rection. Hence, it follows that infants
are not to be baptized, inasmuch as they
are incompetent to receive instruction, or
to answer for themselves, or even to hear
the word. It is not that outward baptism
which purifies only the filth of the flesh,
which saves us, but the answer of a good
conscience , as Peter testifies; of which
infants are incapable. Baptism is a vow,
such as can neither be pronounced by the
infants, nor required of them.”
Exodus.
Where of old the blood was sprinkled,
Qod passed by the sinner’s door;
He has seen the blood of Jesus,
Now he sees my sin no more.
God of old brought forth his people
From the bondage where they groaned ;
He has freed my soul from Satan,
Brought me forth to be His own.
God of old led on His people,
Went before as shade und light;
Still He leads me through the desert,
Cloud by day and torch by night.
God of old the wares divided,
Made a pathway through the sea;
Now beyond the grave I praise Him;
There is no more death for me.
God of old sent bread from heaven,
That His people might be fed;
He has sent Thee down, Lord Jeans,
Thou to me art living broad.
TTUnm.
What to Leave Oot. —A plain-spoken
man, but of sound judgment, walking
home with a young preacher, at the close
of a morning service, in one of our towns,
said to him, “ I noticed that you omitted
the reading of the Scriptures.” “Yes,”
said the young minister; “ I made the
introductory services as short as I could,
because my sermon was so long.” “ But
why,” was the answer, “ didn’t you leave
out some of your own stuff?”
Sorrow not Conversion,— The late
Rev. Baron Stow, P.D., of Boston, said
he had never known a single case of seri
ous awakening by means of a funeral dis
course.
CoENTNRFSITa. i - I -Nobody is more like
an heneatmanthan* thorough rogue.—i-
Spurgeon.
! $3.0(1 A YEAR. J
WHOLE NO. 2562.
Definition of Baptizo.
To hit the nail squarely and with a
telling blow is by no means a common art,
but the Western Recorder seems to have
the knack, as the following paragraph
shows:
The Christian Observer thus defines
baptizo: “It means, to assault; to let fall;
to weigh down ; to pierce ; to hurl down;
to surround ; to press'down; to rise above;
to dip ; to submerge; to thrust; to blow;
to strike; to proceed ; to sink ; to im
merge; to imbatlie; to plunge; to lower
down ; to immerse ; to come on; to over
turn ; to bail up ; to flood ; to whelm ; to
pour; to‘souse ; to bring down; to de
press ;to steep; to drench, and to duck."
In the light of the above definition, we
would like to ask the editor or writer of
the above, in what way he was baptized?
Was he assaulted, let fall, weighed down,
pierced, hurled down, surrounded, pressed
down, risen above , (spare the English,)
dipped, (we poor Baptists come in here,)
submerged, thrust, blown, struck, pro
ceeded, (!) sunk, iramerged, imbathed,
plunged, lowered down , (not our fault,)
immersed, come on, (don’t feel offended,)
overturned, bailed up, flooded, overwhelm
ed, poured, soused, brought down, de
pressed, steeped, drenched, or ducked?
And we wish further to inquire whether
any one .of the above modes is equally
good? and if so, how he found it out?
vVe suggest that the writer of the above
to be baptized in several of the way3
above specified, because of having written
such a marvelous, not to say ridiculous,
definition of a sacred word. Ho ought to
be “assaulted” by conscience, “let fall”
from the list of acourate definers, “ weigh
ed down” with a sense of regret, “ pierced”
with the sting of remorse, “ hurled down”
from the lofty position of critic, and so
on to the end of the chapter.
Christian Cheerfulness. —A Meth
odist minister preached at the late camp
meeting at Sing Sing, on the duty of
cultivating the habit of cheerfulness by
professing Christians, and in illustration
related the case of Luther’s wife, who,
when the reformer was one day in a moody
State, entered his study robed in the ha
biliments of mourning, and paced to and
fro in utter dejection, “ What does this
mean?” asked the desponding man. “I
have come,” responded the wife, “to
sympathize with you in your overwhelm
ing affliction.” “Affliction! what afflic
tion?” inquired the astonished husband.
“Why, the death of your Saviour,” re
plied the disconsolate wife. “Your man
ner indicates something like such a
calamity.” Luther saw the point, and
resolved never again to give way to despon
dency.
Wisdom in a Nut-shell. —An old col
ored minister at the South once said, .in a
sermon, “God Almighty with a crooked
stick can strike a straight blow;” by
which he meant to say, that God could
work by illiterate ministers. But he ut
tered a remark which contains more merg
ing than he thought. How true it is in
God’s government and providedee, in thb
State and in the Church, that He often
accomplishes His purposes by very un
likely instruments.
No Dead-heads. —Some railroad con
ductor, who has lately been elected a dea
con in a New England church, astonished
the congregation the first Sabbath, when
it became his duty to assist in taking a
c Election, by presenting the plate with
his habitual ejaculation, “Tickets, gentle
men!” This was not absence of mind,
lat rare presence of mind. In a well
c mducted church, no dead-head3 have a
; lace.
Conversions. —The evangelizing efforts
;f Baptist colporteurs and missionaries in
'arious parts of continental Europe, are
eaultrng in numerous conversions. In
France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and
Greece, they are meeting with encoura
ging success.
Missions. —The number of baptisms
by Baptist ministers in this country, in a
year, averages eight to each of the 8,787
ministers; while there was an average of
30 to each of the 50 missionaries of the
Baptist Missionary Union, or II each to
all—including native preachers.
Ministerial Candidates. —The Ver
mont Episcopal bishop, in his last annual
message, pointedly condemned “ the prac
tice of getting candidates for a vacant
parish to preach in succession, in hope of
securing a call —a plan which many of
the most high-toned and conscientious
clergy utterly refuse to have anything to
do with. A man who can make the best
show on one or two sermons, is not always
the one who will wear best in the steady
work of the ministry.”
A Serious Thought. —Suppose there
was a book, in which the whole of your
life was recorded, each page of which con
tained the events of a day; and at the
beginning was written, “ This is the life
of a rational, immortal, accountable crea
ture, placed in this world to prepare for
eternity!” Oh, what an amount of guilt
would the record of each day present!——
Dr. Payson.
The Right Spirit.—Rov. Mr. Roth
well, a preacher of the Established Churoh
in Scotland in former days, was, when a
young man, very dissipated. After his
conversion, he was known as the “ bold
Roth well.” His resolute and devoted
spirit may bo learned from his reply
to some friends, who tried to dissuade
him from accepting a call from Ber
wick-upon-Tweed, because the people
there were very rude and wicked: “Since
I knew the grace of God, I and the dovil
have been at perpetual variance; and if I
thought I should live in peace at Berwick,
I would not go there.”
A Difference. —Beethoven’s brother
used to sign himself “Beethoven, land
owner ” Whereupon the great composer
adopted, as his own signature, “ Beeth
oven, brain owner.
True. —“ I never yet found a wholly
incorrigible child,” remarked David Wil
liams, when he gave up his model acade
my at €bel«fe; * but I have found a great
many totally incorrigible parents.”