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170 Jfoiia and Jgajrtisl J. J. TOON Proprietor. PUBLICATIOM ROOMS —4 * 0 SOUTH BROADWAY. Editor: Bov. D. SHAVER, D.D. OOBBBSrOJTDIMO EDITORS S Ray. J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala. Rav. S. HENDERSON, D.D., Jacksonville, Ala. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1871. Rev. N. M. Crawford, D.D. This beloved and revered brother has been taken from us. Perhaps, no announcement of our pen ever carried so keen a sense of pain to so large a number of hearts, as these words must awaken. We share this grief in no common measure, though our personal acquaintance with Dr. Crawford lies wholly within the limits of the last few years. Among the highest privileges of these years, we reckon the hours spent with him in the quiet of the room where we sit now—to see him here, alas, no more! The chief charm of our intercourse was, not his singular bal ance and poise of intellect, not the thorough learning that gave him the tread of a master in every field of enquiry, not the strong, ripe judgment which had wrestled prevailingly with all problems of ethics and theology:— it was the equable temper, the dispassionate spirit, the transparent sincerity, the stainless sense of honor, the gentle affectionateness, breathing through his utterances from first to last. More than almost any person whom we have ever known, he withheld no word which Christian candor demanded, and spoke no word which Christian charity forbade. Like that meekest yet queenliest of graces, true greatness “ vaunteth not itselfand he was “ clothed upon ” with humility, with freedom from pretension, with childlikeness, as with a garment. There is a sense in which we may apply to saintly excellence the He gelian principle—that “ the Ideal is ever striving for realization, but is never realized -and who among us that survive more nearly exemplifies the “ ideal ” of this excellence, than he whom the Lord has taken to Him self? in whose character is the struggle—the advance—toward its “ realization,” traced with lines more like the one Faultless Orig inal, than in his? Not simply to the effect of his professional instructions when occupy ing a chair in Mercer University, or holding the Presidency over it, is the denomination in the State indebted largely for its present po sition : the formative and reproductive influ ence of his personal piety —of “ the daily beauty of his life”—wrought still more po tently to that end. But he is gone from us —gone, we cannot question, to enter upon what his own pen, a few months ago, bur dened with the overpowering blessedness of the theme, characterized, through our col umns, as “ that brighter, purer, richer, no bier, sweeter, grander, holier, happier Life in the Great Beyond.” Let us follow his steps as he followed Christ, that we may all meet! him in “ the City of the Living God, the! heavenly Jerusalem.” Our readers will review, with mournful] interest, the story of his life, as embodied inj the following sketch of the address by Rev I A. T. Spalding, D.D., at the First Baptist] church, Atlanta, last Monday morning, in] connection with his funeral solemnities : Nathaniel Macon Crawford was born at] “ Woodlawn,” near Lexington, Oglethorpe] county, Ga., March 22nd, A. D. 1811. His] father, Plon. Wm. IT. Crawford, one of the ablest jurists this country ever produced,] was, that year, re-elected to the United States] Senate, without opposition. The boyhood oi our brother was spent in Washington city, until his thirteenth year. In his fourteenth year, the family returned to Woodlawn; in his fifteenth year, he entered the University of Georgia, where he graduated at eighteen years of age, with the first honors of his class. He then read law, but never engaged in practice at the bar, though carrying with him through life the marked benefit of the knowledge of that science, ar.d of the habit of] analysis of words and weighing of testimony- In 1834, at the age of sixty-two, his father died, of paralysis—(the same disease that has depiived us of his distinguished son.) Three years later, we find him a Professor in Oglethorpe College, Midway, a faithful ser vant of Jesus, a member of the Presbyterian church, a brilliant, gifted young man, who won all hearts to love him. After the lapse of three years more, he was married, when twenty-nine years of age, to her who now mourns this the first break in the household bands. We come next to the change of his eccle siastical relations. His wife was a Baptist, but the points of difference between the two denominations never became matters of dis cussion, or allusion, amid the intimacies of household life. On the birth of their first child, he determined to make the question of] right and duty as to its baptism, a subject of] oandid,thorough investigation; nothing doubt-] ing that he should find the Presbyterian view] supported by the Scriptures, and furnish him self with arguments to overcome the scruples of his wife. To his surprise, however, on the perusal of our English version, and after the critical study of the original, infant baptism appeared to him utterly destitute of warrant from the word of God. With the fidelity to principle which marked his entire life, he an nounced to his companion his purpose to be himself baptized—and this was the first time] that the subject had ever been mentioned be tween them. To the credit of his former re*j ligious associates, let it be recorded that this] ohange did not in the least deprive him of] their love and esteem. It pleased the Lord to call our brother to] the ministry of the gospel, while living at the] old “ Woodlawn” homestead ; and, for a year,] he served the Baptist church at Washington,] Wilkes county, as pastor. He was then] transferred to a larger Held, succeeding the] senior Dr. Brantly in the pastorate of the First Baptist church, Charleston, S. C. After a ministry here of two years, he was elected to the Chair of Theology in Mercer Univer sity, which he filled, with ability and accept* anoe, for ten years,—from 1846 to 1856. During this time, his Sabbath preaching was never intermitted, when able to occupy the] pulpit. He was pastor of Friendship church,] Greene county ; afterward, at Penfield; at Greensboro also ; and, at one time, at Shiloh. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX 'AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: ATLANTA. GA., THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 2.1871. A great revival, with more than forty con I versions, grew out of a graphic sermon on the! Judgment which he preached at Penfield. - I The first serious illness of Dr. Crawford! occurred in 1851 or 1852—twenty years ago.! While preaching in Lexington, he suffered aj stroke of paralysis in the midst of his dis-J course, and recovered from its effects only! after a long time. From that period, he! never permitted himself to throw out his full, strenth, in pulpit labor. On the resignation of the venerable J. L.l Dagg, D.D., our brother was chosen to the! Presidency of Mercer University; but soon retired from the position, and accepted the Professorship of Moral Philosophy in the University of Mississippi, Oxford. After a residence of nearly a year at this point, in the fall of 1857 he became Professor of The ology in Georgetown College, Ky. In the summer of 1858, he was re-elected President of Mercer University, and returned to spend seven years at the head of that Institution. In 1865, —the war having closed and there being great depression in the funds of the University,—he accepted the Presidency of Georgetown College; a post which failing health compelled him to relinquish in June of the present year, when he came, with “ untravelled heart,” to Georgia again, the State of his life-long love, and the people for whom, through nearly forty years, he never ceased to pray and to labor. About the twentieth of September, at the house of his son William, near Tunnel Hill, he was stricken, a second time, with paraly sis. He fainted at the breakfast table; but rallied, and, at the end of a week, was better again. About the middle of October, how ever, he became worse, and for four days was unable to speak. His brother, Dr. Bibb Crawford, of Madison, was summoned to his side; but the Angel Messenger had called. He breathed his last, on Friday, Oct. 27th, at 3.30 p.m., in the bosom of his family, and at peace with God and men. Dr. Crawford was a man of surpassing talents. His knowledge of History, Philos ophy, Mathematics, Law, Ethics, Religion, Ecclesiastical History, was clear and pro found. His wisdom made him a valued counsellor in our Associations and Conven tions. His mind was brilliant; his fancy, luxuriant; his oratorical powers, of the first rank. His productions a3 an author have the savor of the old English works. He was a man of highest moral excellence, which shone with peculiar brightness in all the rela tionships of life. His Christian character was not only without a blemish, but exalted in an eminent degree. Consecration to Jesus] reigned through his life of untiring industry,] of profound humility, of childlike simplicity,] of wide-spread benevolence, adorned withal by the genial flow of pleasant humor. While we mournfully bend over his sacred dust, his sanctified spirit has gone to that land of ever lasting bliss of which he so often and eloquent ly spoke. He is now enjoying the rest of the [saints under the shadow of the Great White [Throne —nay, let us rather say, on the bosom! [of the Redeemer, his and ours. Queries: Baptism—Bankruptcy. It is said to be ‘a rule among the Jesuits,’ that ‘‘'those who are unapt for greater studies, shall study questions of casuistry and cases of conscience.” We wonder whether it is] under some such rule, more or less dimly apprehended, that so many “ queries ” are sent to editors for solution. There is reason to fear that our readers often find us rather “unapt” even for this “study.” But what ever the risk, of that sort, we are constrained just now to run it. “E. J.” sends us the following : The reputation you deservedly hold as be-| ing “expert” “in all customs of the law,” amoug Baptists, induces me to ask you to write an article in your excellent paper, sta ting the grounds upon which baptism in pools and baptisteries is considered equally valid as baptism in a river, and in places of “much water.” Your able contributor, in an article headed, “The Baptists alone,” puts conspic-j juously their supposed cause of offence,] [“earnestly refusing to modify the ascertained] [form and place of the symbolic profession of] [Christ.” “There is no consistent theory op-j [posed to our own, but that of Rome, claim-] |ing Divine authority to modify the institu-j |tions of Christ ,in conformity to supposed {convenience.” I read, not long since, in your [paper, that one fact was worth a thousand [theories. If so, let me present, Ist, It is a [fact —that one administrator’s conscience is [hurt every time he immerses his subjects in [baptisteries. 2. It is a fact—that a subject re fused to be baptized in a baptistery. 3rd. It [is a fact—that baptism in a river has never hurt the conscience of any. We answer, 1. The baptismal command, while it defines the act, does not prescribe the locality in which the act shall be performed. ■There is no shadow of precept which limits ■the administration of the ordinance to “riv (er?, or places of ‘much water.’” Os course, ■its “ validity ” cannot be affected by free ■choice on a point which the law does not de (termine, but leaves open. | 2. The baptisms at Jerusalem were as 1“ valid ” as the baptisms in the Jordan. But ■Dr. Samson, after personal exploration and Ha thorough acquaintance with the literature Hos the subject, tells us: “The nearest living ■stream to Jerusalem in which immersion ■could be performed is the Jordan, which is ■distant fifteen miles, or about a five hours’ ■journey; and moreover, there is no natural ■sheet of standing water within the same dis tance. The brook Kedron, often mentioned ■in the Old and New Testaments, is, as the ■original term indicates, nothing but the bed (through which the rains of winter drain off ■between the eastern wall of the city and (Mount Olivet; and its channel is therefore (dry in the early spring, several weeks before (the period in the month of June when the ]feast of Pentecost occurred.” The Dr. finds ]a “sufficiency of water for baptizing at Je rusalem,” therefore, not in “ natural provis ions,” but in those “arrangements for an \artificial supply which are on a scale pecu liarly extensive.” He finds it in the numer ous public and private reservoirs, cisterns, tanks, baths, “pools,” necessary to the ors dinary ablutions of an oriental city, and to the ceremonial ablutions of the multitudes [attending the yearly Jewish feasts. The [Pentecostal immersions, then, were immer sions in “pools,” or “baptisteries;” and, where precept is silent, this precedent war rants similar immersions now. | “J. B. M.,” Eastaboga, Ala., also requests our views in answer to the following ques-S tions: 1. Does bankruptcy accord with the trues spirit of Christianity? 2. If .question “1” be answered in the! negative, is a church, which holds a member! in fellowship who has taken the bankrupt law,! less guilty than the member ? 3. If question “2” be negatively answered,! does not the ehurch which holds a member! in fellowship who takes the bankrupt law and! remains under its protection, stand out of] gospel order; and, therefore, when she obi serves the Lord’s supper does she not “ eat! and drink damnation to herself, not discern j ing the Lord’s body,” (as is alleged of aj “ man ” in I Cor. xi: 29) ? 4. Is not a church as much a bankrupt, in] her corporate powers, as an individual, when] she agrees definitely to pay a certain sum of I money to promote Christianity, and does not do it finally, without good reason ? j We have been much concerned about these' questions, for some time, and are persuaded that the cause of Christ would be promoted by thoroughly ventilating them. 1. Every case of bankruptcy must be| judged upon its own merits. Where the! bankrupt, in good faith, surrenders all hisj property, for equal distribution among his] creditors, and where, in the judgment of] charity, he takes the benefit of the law, not] to elude the payment of his remaining debts,] but to place himself in a position where he’ may hope, by frugality, industry and enter-]; prise, to hew out a way to their liquidation/ —we do not think that his course, (whether’ “Wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best,” or not,) can Ip branded as inconsistent with. “ the true sfffrit of Christianity.” That spirit] is grossly ontraged, however, where either of! these conditions is wanting—where the bank-] rupt hides away property, or where he re sorts to the law to annul his obligations. 2. This latter form of bankruptcy is dis honest; and a church cannot connive at cases of the kind in her members, without sharing their guilt. The measure of her guiltiness in] the premises is determined by the measure, 1 1, of her knowledge of the wrong, and, 2,’ of her ability to prove it; and may, there fore, be very great, or very slight, according to circumstances. 3. A church, which has sufficient knowl-j edge and proof of dishonest bankruptcy in] any of her members, and gives countenance] to their evil deeds by failure to exercise: “corrective discipline,” must, uuquestiona-j bly, be pronounced in disorder. How, inj such a state, she can innocently observe the] Lord’s supper, passes onr comprehension;] since every communicant should come to the] ordinance, assured, by faithful self-examina-j tion, of “a firm purpose to honor Christ,! through a life striving to shape itself, in all: respects, after the pattern of Ilis precepts and] example.” 4. When a church fails, without good rea- ( son, to pay the money which she has prom-’ jised and pledged to the promotion of Chris-j [tianity,—when (practically) repudiates] jthe debt, —she must stand condemned as, in] [fact, if not in purpose, dishonestly bankrupt.' [The only course open to her, with honor and. [right, is to do as was done by the congrega tion of Dr. G. B. Cheever, N. Y. They fell, jin arrears to him, on his salary, some 560.-‘ 1000; but when they sold their house,of wor-j [ship, to remove to a more eligible location [they paid him that amount in full, principal; [and interest! A church can preserve her in-' Jtegrity intact and spotless, only by surren dering all her property, if necessary, to meet {every such pledge and promise, whether ofj jthe present or the past. There is not a [stricter code of ethics for individuals, and a; [looser code for churches. It puzzles us great [ly to conceive how the Methodist “ congrega- Stions, who do not scruple to settle with their, [preachers at fifty cents in the dollar,” can be' [called “ conscientious ” by Bishop McTyeire : [a true conscientiousness demands that, in the [settlement, the very last dollar shall count a] [hundred cents. Alabama Baptist Convention. The 49th annual meeting of the Baptist] [Convention of Alabama will be held with the, (First Baptist church in the city of Mont jgomery, commencing on Friday the 10th ofj (November, 1871, at the hour of 10 o’clock, |a.m. The Introductory sermon will bej (preached by Rev. Charles Manly, or, in case of failure, by Rev. S. C. Hearn. The following standing committees are ox J pected to report: On Foreign Missions —E.| B. Teague, W. H. Carroll, S. G. Jenkins.j On Domestic Missions —G. F. Williams, E.j T. Smyth, W. E. Lloyd. On Education —j W. M. Davis, S. C. Hearn, Porter King. O/ij Sabbath Schools —T. C. Boykin, C. Manly,! J. S. Paullin, J. K. Ryan, J. P. Shaffer. As business of the greatest importance toj the denomination will come before the Con-] vention, it is sincerely hoped that brethren! will come prepared to remain until everyj [thing shall be done “ decently and in or-] der.” S. Henderson. The True Style. —A minister who heard,? at Baltimore, Bishop Selwyn, eminent for his] labors as a missionary to New Zealand, said] that “ his style of preaching had none of the] traits of what is commonly called eloquence,] either in thought or manner, but there flowed] from him, in a continual stream, calm and] clear sentences, burning hot” And has it! not been well remarked that “ the chief dis*[ tinctive characteristics of the eloquence suited] to the pulpit, are—in view of the serious na-[ ture of the subjects, gravity—in view of their] importance to mankind, warmth?” Nay;] were not the “ cloven tongues,” which served] as Pentecostal symbols of the Spirit who] endued the apostles for their ministry, tongues] “ like as of fire ?” Church Finances. —Five feeble churches in Massachusetts, increased their receipts seven thousand dollars last yeor, by recourse to the plan of weekly contributions. The monetary needs of the cause of Christ would be met, as they never have been, as they never will be otherwise, if the churches would only act on the rule—gifts from every member, —in small sums, —at frequently re curring intervals, —and as a necessary ele ment of Christian worship. When shall all “the redeemed of the Lord” emulate the spirit of the poor widow, wh6, (as Dr. Elli cott remarks,) when she might have satis fied the demands of ecclesiastical law by cast ing one mite into the treasury, yet cast in two —preferring rather to part with “ all her living,” out of love to God, than to reserve so much as the half of it for herself 1 Shall it -be Done ? We have long been thinking of the pro-1 Ipriety of our Convention’s taking some steps tp collect the necessary material for a His-I tory of the Baptist denomination in Alabama.! !“ Holcombe’s History” has ‘long been out ofl print, and indeed it has been about thirty! (years since itrwas compiled. Nothing of thel [kind has been attempted since his day.l |Would it not be well for the approaching! {session of our Convention to appoint a com-l [mittee, composed of brethren in tne different! [portions of the State, to collect such memo I [rials, in the way of minutes of Associations,! [memoranda from old ministers, pamphlets! [etc., as would be of service in the completion! £of such a history ? and also such biographicalj sketches of deceased ministers as ought to bej . preserved, before they fade from the memory[ ?of our older brethren? We can call upj fscores of th*s% venerable ministers, whom wej [knew thirty years ago, whose praise was in| gall the chbrches, and whose labors largely] fcontributed to make our denomination what] litis today. Could we perform a more grate |ful service than to preserve appropriate me Imentoes of their “ works of faith and labors gos love?” .We simply call attention to this ([matter, in the hope that some steps will be ([taken soon" to collect the material for this] ■object. H. | Easily Caught. —The saying, that “ old! birds are- not caught with chaff,” seems] 'scarcely tty gin all cases, at least in the spir [ :itual spherfc. * No artifice of Satan is so pue [ rile, so transparently absurd, as not to ‘eatchi somebody. At a recent Sunday School Con-j [vention, among North-western Methodists] [Dr. Bowman, of Asbury University, cited the j case of a minister in that denomination] i“ certain of whose members would not hear] .him preach, because he wore square-toed] tboots—when round toes were in fashion !”] iCould there be a more silly pretext for dis ] .regarding' pastoral authority and violating] [the obligations of a Christian profession? [Chaff caught these old birds, beyond all ques] [tion. Nor is it likely that (as Sancho Panza [phrases it) “they had windmills in their J [head” about things in general: in not a few [regards, doubtless, they were quite free from [such ridiculous whims, and displayed no lit [tie practical sense. Weak, too, as the Meth [odist church appears, which (according to the [“ Reminiscences of an Old Georgia Lawyer”) [turned out one of its members for the “ex [travagance” of “ buying fifty pounds” of su [gar,—cheap “ brown sugar,” at that, —we do [not question that there were veins of clear, [sound judgment running through it, in many [departments of thought. The explanation of [such cases, is—that men are apt to be wiser Sin every other matter than what concerns the [soul; and the moral—that we all give earn- Pest heed lest our feet be taken by some such ffrivolous snare. j The Christian Press. —The Baptist min-j [isters of Chicago propose, as “ an act of aim | • pie denominational justice,” that the patrons] [and friends of the Standard shall present to] Ijthe publishers, Church and Goodman, “ the] .sum at Insist of $25,000/’ The office of the] 'paper layfjn the track of the recent terrible [fire, and all their resources are buried in the [ruins caused by it. No appeal for help was] lever more appropriately made. A faithful ‘religious journal is a necessity to the churches [in such an age as the present; and Baptists tin the North-West will secure its invaluable 'services at cheap rates by the gift asked at [their hands. The enterprise and liberality 'of our people everywhere, might well flow in this channel, beyond all former precedent. [The press of a denomination is as a right arm [of strength to it, and they are wisest who [most clothe it with power, material and [moral. ] “ Decline.” —Some one has said, that when Henry VIII carried the cup from Rome [to England, he spilled as little as possible.” jThe cup must have been sadly jostled in some [quarters since then, and not a little spilling [must have ensued, if it be true, as an ex change states, that Bishop Doane, of the [Episcopal dioces3 of Albany, with its one] [hundred clergymen, reports, for the past year, 'against 1,003 persons confirmed, only twen [ty-two infants baptized. Just let the cup be] thoroughly drained and all the Romish dregs] rinsed out —and the infant baptisms will] come to a perpetual end.” Immersion.— To the question, “Is it right |or proper for a minister of our church to ad* [minister baptism by immersion?’ a Presby [tery in Missouri returned the answer, “ Em jphatically, Nojf- We entirely agree with (that “church court” in opinion. Until [Presbyterian ministers recognize the obliga ition ot immersion as set forth in Scripture, land submit to*Jt in their own person, it is [neither proper "nor right for them to per form it. “ Church Order.” —This treatise, by Rev. [J. L. Dagg, D.D., has been issued from the (press of the Bible aud Publication Society, [Philadelphia; pp. 300. So far as we see, the [present edition differs from the original, only [in the omission of the twelve pages devoted [to “ the Treatment of Unbaptized Ministers,” [ —a review of Dr. Pendleton’s “ Old Land mark Reset.” The work has secured for [itself a wide reputation as a clear, judicious, [Scriptural exposition of Baptist peculiarities; [and we rejoice over the opportunity for its [more extensive diffusion throughout the des nomination. We hope that our readers will’ furnish themselves with it. Rev. Dr. Breaker. —The Christian Her Maid announces the resignation of the pastorate lot’ the Baptist church, Maryville, Tenn., by |Rev. D. M. Breaker, D.D. Dr. B. is a min Sister of zeal, ability and culture : can we not “ import” him into Georgia, or Alabama ? It would be worth while to try. “The Baptist Quarterly.”— The Octo ber number of this excellent periodical con tains, 1, Church Finances, by Rev. J. C. Wightman; 2, Pastoral Authority, by Rev. L. B. Test; 3, Preparation of the World for the Introduction of Christianity, by Rev. W. H. Williams; 4, the Lively Experiment, by OV F. Worden; 5, The Antiquity of Man, by Rev. E. Nesbit, D.D.; and 67 The First Formation of Independent Churches, by Rev. J. L. Dagg, D.D.; with 7, Exegetical Stud- lies, and 8, Book Notices. The Quarterly is! Issued by the Bible and Publication Society,! at $3 a year, and edited by! Rev. H. G. Weston, D.D. We commend itl [to the patronage of ministers especially. Sweet milk may become sour, but sourj milk never becomes sweet:—even so, when] the human heart, in its carnal state, once be-J [comes alienated from a cherished object, itj [can never be fully recovered to its formerj [condition. It carries a tinge of sourness, soj [to say, which nothing but divine grace can [expel. H. iTlie Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I To the Pastors and Deacons of Ala-] Ibama : Dear Brethren, —In dividing out the ■contributions of your churches to be sent up (to your approaching State Convention, I beg ■that you will not forget the pressing necessi ties of the Southern Baptist Theological Semi ■nary. I expect to attend the meeting of the] ■Convention, and hope to receive not a few ■payments on eld subscriptions, and new con (tributions from churches and individuals. It is your Seminary, brethren, — do not for B get to help it. J. Wm. Jones, Agent So. Bap. Thco. Seminary. A Good Example—What Georgian will Imi-I tate it? A gentleman by the name of Enlow has! [left some $6,000, the yearly income of which! |is to be devoted to the aid of young men who! [ire studying for the ministry in Bethel Col-I |lege. This property will, in the providence! [ >f God, be in the hands of trustees and ready! [tor use next session. If invested in 8 per cent! ■funds and applied to the diminution of board-1 Ing expenses, all the young ministers study-! ling in the College can thus be essentially! liided. Suppose the price of board should! (by this arrangement, be reduced to five dol-l liars per month, or fifty dollars the session! (what a great benefit to the rising ministry !| ■ Why cannot some Georgian do for Mercer j Iwhat Enlow has done for Bethel? Why] loannot some other good man give $6,000 for] Ithe benefit of young teachers? Many Col-] lieges give the tuition without charge, but this] Is by no means the main expense cf a stu-| Ident. W. Howard College. It will be gratifying to the friends of this] (institution to learn that it has opened with] ■flattering prospects. Col. J. T. Murfee, lat* I ■Commandant of Cadets of the University of] ■Alabama—in which office he won for himself] la distinguished reputation,—has already made] la fine impression upon the community and] Ithe students. He is a remarkable organizer! Imminently practical, prompt, and energetic ;| |a courteous gentleman, and a consistant Chris-] liian ; a member of the Baptist church. Pa [ ■rents committing their sons to his care may] (be assured of the best facilities for a complete] ■education, and that they will be required to| (make the best improvement of their time. Wm. H. Mclntosh. P. S.—Rev. S. R. Freeman is still con nected with the College as Professor of The j lology. I Marion ■„ Ala. Oct. 27th, 1871. Letter from Richmond. I lam here on a flying visit. Richmond is ■looking up. Everywhere you may hear the ■clink of the mason’s trowel, and the stroke lof the carpenter’s hammer. The buildings (erected are generally of the better class, and ■contribute greatly to the beauty of the city. ■ Franklin street has been very much improved. Band is the lashionable quarter for residences, Bas well as for the exhibition of handsome ■carriages in afternoon drives. All the west Bend is building up, and lots have doubled in (value in the last two years. The business ■part of the city swarms with drays and wag gons; business men step quickly and smile ■pleasantly; and the whole aspect of Rich- Bmond is one of hopefulness and prosperity. ■The Baptist churches have caught the spirit ■of improvement. The old Second looks like |a new building; the First has been newly (painted, and otherwise improved in its in ternal arragements; the Third is preparing ■for a thorough renovation. In the Leigh ■street church, there is a good meeting in pro ■gress, and the same is true of the i. .w Pine ■street church. On the whole, our churches ■appear to be doing very well. I Richmond College has opened prosperous ly. It has a larger number of students than lit had last year, and will come near to equal ■ling its most posperous session. Its pros Iperity is, doubtless, owing, in some measure, |to the fact that, while it is one of the best, Ht is, perhaps, the cheapest institution in the |country, North or South. And this arises Ifrom a peculiarity in its boarding department, lit concerns the friends of higher education to ■know something of the messing system of ißichmond College. Immediately after the Iwar, some of the young men who had been Bin the army returned to College, and brought ■with them the plan of the army mess. They ■had their own room, hired their own servants, ■bought their own provisions—in a word, they ■kept house on their own responsibility. In ■this way they lived at about half the cost of ■ordinary boarding. Their plan was at first Badoptedonly by the students lor the ministry ; Band by them only asatemporary expedient. Its ■success, however, encouraged others to adopt ■it, and now a large proportion of the students Bmess. I confess that I had a very strong preju dice against the plan. I thought that the students must have only the coarsest food and that badly dressed and served. Besides, it seemed to me that living in that way, they would lose much of the refinement of life. Such, however, is not the case. I dined yes terday, with one of the clubs, composed ofj about twenty five young men. They have a lady, a real lady, a woman of refinement and cultivation, to superintend the affairs of their hall. She regretted that I had not come the day before, as that was “ boss day,” and she had a better dinner. I thanked her, and said 1 was anxious to see one of her ordinary din ners; I wanted to know how they lived eve ry day. I had a seat next to Mr. Bayne, the caterer for the mess, a sort of paterfamilias for the whole concern. He is a quiet, self possessed, handsome young fellow of about! twenty-one. He has his butcher, his baker,! and his grocer, with whom he leaves a list ofj what he wants, about once a fortnight. As his] patronage is valuable, he never fails to be well] and honestly served. He will excuse me for] giving his bill of fare for dinner, Thursdays Oct. 19, 1871. There were two kinds of] meat, a nice roast of beef and a dish of pork] steak, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, toma-l toes, and butter-beans; and some of the] nicest, old-fashioned corn bread 1 had seen! for a long time. Few families in Virginia! had a better dinner that day. If it is sol good on ordinary, what must it be “ boss! days!” Perfect order was preserved during] the meal. On this point, 1 had bean doubt-1 ful. Said I, “Do you generally have good! order in your dining room?” “Certainly,! sir.” “ But suppose a student does not con-1 duct himself properly, what you do?” “Tumi him out of the mess,” was the prompt reply.l And this is the remedy which they would! not hesitate to use. 1 understand that inis-l behaviour of a student in the mess room! would be considered very disgraceful, and! that it rarely occurs. Several of the most! substantial-looking fellows told me that they! would prefer messing, even i£ they could! board at the same price. 1 cannot see that! mess differs much from ordinary College! [boarding. There are no more refining influ-1 lences in a College boarding house, than in a College mess; and in the mess the students get what they pay for, and have neither the [right nor the disposition to complain. After [having seen it, 1 would have no sort of ob [jection to trusting a son of mine to the influ [ences of Mr. Bayne’s mess. The cost to each [member of the club, is from $9 to sll pei [month. The Faculty furnishes dining rooms, [kitchens, etc., and exercises a general super vision over the various clubs. I do not know that this system could be so well practiced anywhere except in or near a large city, where there is a regular market. But it is considered a decided success a' Richmond College. A plan that so much [diminishes the cost of attending College, is [worthy of the consideration of all friends ot [higher education. Mr. Bayne, and others, [told me that, but for their plan, they would [have been compelled to give up the hope ol [graduating. | 1 spent an hour, to-night, in the College [chapel. It is a long, narrow room, in th< [basement of the main building. It was [crowded almost to suffocation. The two So cieties were having a public debate. I here [saw my friend Mr. Bayne in anew role. He [is not only an excellent caterer; he also [makes an excellent speech, How I wished [that these young men had a suitable hall for Itheir public meetings! Patience, and they (will have it. Richmond is moving in the (matter. Nearly ten thousand dollars are (already in hand for the new building, and] (that ten will become thirty in a short time. (Next Spring the work will begin, and by (next Fall it will be done. The new building (will contain lecture rooms for the professors, (library and Society rooms, and a public (hall sufficiently large for public debates, pub (tic lectures, and all the want 9 of the Institu tion. The friends of Richmond College in tend to make it an ornament to the city, and Ban honor and blessing to the State. J. C. L. ( Richmond, Oct. 20, 1871. To the Churches and Brethren of Alabama.! Dear Brethren: Your annual Convention! is now near at hand. I had looked forward! with pleasure to that meeting, hoping to be I there and meet with many old friends. Bull 39 the N. C. Convention meets at the samel time, it is thought better for me to attend! the latter. I write now to urge you, brethren, to re-1 member our Foreign Mission at your meet-1 ing. I hope all will go with the purpose oil doing something for this department of ourl great work. I see but one drawback to immediate suc-l cess in the Foreign field—the want of funds.! In Rome, the success of Dr. Cote has so ex-| cited the animosity of priests, as to cause! them to now use all their powers to stop the! work. In China the same is true, and ouil brethren in both these are nobly standing I against the current of opposition. And while! thus opposed by the powers of darkne99,| they are making inroads among the heathen.l and almost every week are baptizing converts! to the Christian religion. The prospects! were never more encouraging in Africa. The! little church at Lagos offered, when I was there this year, to sell all their possessions to pay for a preached gospel. The Board at Richmond is in sad want oil funds to sustain those already in the field, and are utterly unable to send those who are now ready, in this country, to go and assist our brethren in the arduous and glorious work. A. D. Phillips. October 26, 1871. News from Amcricus. The church here has enjoyed a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. For several weeks, we have had morning and| night service ; during which time, most otj our membership were revived, and labored with commendable zeal. Thirty-two have been added to the church, most of whom are! young persons from the Sabbath schools, and will, with proper training, make useful labor ers in the vineyard of the Lord. To some extent, I hope I realize the in creased and fearful responsibilities which de volve upon me, and would fain believe the older members are not insensible to their ob ligations to these lambs which have been gathered into the fold. Brc. G. T. Wilburn did most of the preaching. Many of his ser mons were powerful, and delivered with an unction I have not before observed. Asa sermonizer, I doubt if he has a superior in the State. Bro. Keith preached several stir ring sermons, and otherwise did valuable ser vice. Bro. Bailey, of Alabama, was with us four or five days, and preached some excel lent discourses and won upon the affections of our people. Bro. Lofton, of Dalton, preach ed three sermons for us, one of which was npon the “ unpardanable sin,” and the best J have ever heard or read, upon that subject. After all that has been said, and I have seen of revivals, I am constrained to believe there is something better for a church than these occasional, fitful exhibitions of life. We hear of no 9uch thing in Spurgeon’s church. Where else-is such life, such power, access sions so constant and numerous ? If this be true in one case, why may not others be made glad with streams of uninterrupted prosperity and usefulness? It can not be otherwise than hurtful for a church to look alone to these convulsive efforts for the increase of its strength, and the world to feel that only at such times are any likely to be saved. The Spirit can not be fitful in His work upon the Christian heart except as He is op posed and grieved. Is He not ever ready to accompany Hi 9 own truth with power to the hearts of sinners, in answer to the prayer of faith? May not a church enjoy the constant favor of the Lord, have power with Him, and thereby over the world ? Is there a Scrip tural necessity for her light to grow dimi May it not always so shine that others,seeing her good works, may be constrained to glorify our Heavenly Father ? Is not this the privilege of individual Christians? Then why not of a church? If she lean upon the arm of her beloved, I see not why she may not always be fair a9 the moon, clear as the sun. and terrible as an army with banners. G. F. C. October 23rd. Canaan Association. The annual meeting of an Association! lawakens in me a mingled feeling of joy and ■solicitude ; the one, for the sacred interests at ■stake, the other, at the greeting of long-sepa ■rated brethren and friends. Such were my ■emotions when 1 met, for the first time, the ■Canaan Association, which convened with ■ Ruhamah church, JelTerson county, Ala.,] ■Sept. 30. The occasion was one of those] ■pleasing little jubilees which periodically] ■come around in Baptist history, and form one] ■of those bright spots in by-gone I'fe, to whichl ■memory so fondly clings. liuhamah, though] ■there are many good communities around it,] ■is one of the greenest spots on this broad] ■earth. It had bee» my happy privilege, a] ■month or so previous, to make the acquaint ] lance of the worthy and hospitable people] ■round about. It is sufficient to say, that an] ■expected nice time was most agreeably and] ■fully met. I This Association is a small hody, com I ■posed of only seventeen churches. It was] [organized Sept. 16, 1833, the well-remem-| [bered Hosea Holcombe was Moderator.! [it is often and truly called, “ the mother As I Isociation.” as others adjacent sprung from it.l |At the recent session, the much-esteemed! [Elder A. J. Waldrop presided. The be-| [loved Elder James Grimes, and the energetic! Elder J. C. Huckabee, were, respectively, the! Recording and Corresponding Clerks. Pei>! haps I have seen more systematic working in| such bodies, but never such genial harmony, [ne/er more brotherly love, nor less of that jvery loveable Christian grace, humility. It rs hoped that anew impetus was given to the [cause of missions and education, in this almost ■rejuvenated country. It was resolved that [the pastors present these high and sacred ■claims to their churches, and request their [members, each, to raise ten cents per month, [throughout the next Associational year, for ■the support of our beloved brother, N. B. I Williams, of our State, who soon goes to the ■tar off shores of China, as a missionary ; also, ■the same small sum for the support of min- Jisterial education in the “ Howard.” This, I ■ believe, is a move in the right direction—to [wards regular, systematic liberality. The good brethren around Ruhamah fully [sustained their reputed hospitality, and it [would be exceedingly unkind to our noble, [self-denying sisters there, to pass, unremem [bered, their faithful, labors, and their assidu ous and thoughtful efforts to please and cn ■certain their welcomed guests. Elders J. A. ■Collins, P. H. Musgrove, P. S. Montgomery, I Madison Hendricks, and McDonald, were [among the visitors from sister Associations. ■ They are too well known and loved in Ala- Ibama to need further notice. The people ■ here will long remember the affable manners land fatherly counsel and instruction of our |iged brother, Thomas, of Miss., who is do ling a noble work as a voluntary evangelist in lour mountain and hill districts. It was there my good pleasure to meet, for Che first time, that earnest and pious minister and model Christian gentlemen, Elder W. M. Davis, of Montgomery, agent for Howard College. He i9 one that 1 feel like drawing close up to. O, for such sweet piety and Uuch consecration to God! Doubtless, all [who met him, will unite with me in my ad [miration of the becoming modesty of our llear brother Williams, und in offering him lour cordial sympathy. Alabama Baptists, Ihe is our brother, and our missionary ; let us [never fail to pray for him, nor close our hands ■against his claims. Bro. J. L. D. Hillyer, ■the appointee of the D. M. Board, for Elyton Lnd Birmingham, and of one of Georgia’s wor thy sons, was present, working zealously for this cause. He is young, and very much Ineeds our counsel and co operation ; for he |rills a position trying, important and prom ising. Our communication is growing beau tifully long, yet some of my good readers ■ would never pardon me, should I forget that [genial and energetic brother, Col. J. W. Beck, lof Opelika, Ala., and agent of the St. Louis ■ Mutual Life Insurance Company,— a man lever ready for every good word and work. I All then present, will not soon forget, I trust, [his most fitting address to the Sabbath school lit Ruharr ah. Now, my good readers, for the dessert. [The Association adjourned and melted away las snow before the warm sun. Brethren ■ Davis, Thomas and McDonald agreed to [remain and preach a day or two. The meet ling continued till Friday, Oct. G. Bro. Da |vis preached some of his sweet, heart-search ling sermons, and brethren Thomas and Me ■ Donald assisted with all their zeal and earn estness. The work went on quietly, but [leeply, and when the door wa9 opened, on [Thursday night, eight candidates presented [themselves for admission; three more were [added next day. All were then led into the [water, and, I trust, rose from a watery gravo [to newness of life. They were a noble and [interesting band, all young, in a double sense 1 [it was a sweet refreshing from the presence [of “ Him who dwelleth in the bush.” Let [all the people praise the Lord. W— Y. | Springville, Ala., Oct. 10,1871. System, Order and Discipline | Are necessary for success in the factory, [on the farm, and in every department of [business. One great cause of failure in our [Southern enterprises is attributable to ignor ance of the true principles and best methods [of controlling labor. To become an expert in the management of men and things, one should, when a youth,' be trained in a school where the most approved rules are taught and practiced. Government is both an art and a science. To acquire it, lessons should be taken daily. Theory and practice should be combined and fixed in the youth ful mind and character. Rewards, punish ments, and individual responsibility consti tute the basis; justice and judgment, the crown work. These reflections are brought up in my mind by a visit to Howard College, Marion, Ala., where there is in execution one of the most efficient systems of instruction and gov ernment that we have ever seen. Rewards and responsibilities are so combined as to stimulate wonderfully the young men in the study of Latin, Greek, Mathematics and Science”, and in the discharge of every duty required. By experience and practice, the students become familiar with these methods of government, and when they enter upon the duties of life, are prepared to manage successfully their farms, their factories and the railroads, aDd other great business enter- Bprises of the country. In all the studies, ■theory is combined with practice. For ex ■ample, in the department of Chemistry, every ■student has a table, apparatus and black lboard,and he is required to demonstate daily ■some subject. The student is the lecturer, not ■the professor. Avery distinguished chemist ■and accomplished scholar said, on hearing ■that this method was to be introduced into ■ Howard College, that if such a plan had ob tained at his American University, he should |not have found it necessary to expend so ■much time and money in Europe. Guided by the example of the College gov ernment, many of the young men have or ganized and conducted a mess system, in ■which they obtain good board for $8 or $9 ■per month. They discipline their cook so ■that their dining hall and kitchen are .kept in (perfect order—floor and every utensil scour led ; and every article of food is nicely pre pared and well cooked. They have for din luer about the following bill of fare: Ham, [vegetables, rice, milk, molasses, and excel lent biscuit. Certainly this is very good, and |is cheap enough. The Board of Trustees of Howard College ]is composed of some of the ablest business ]and literary men of Alabama, and to them is ]due the credit of its success. The constantly [increasing number of students indicates the [estimate which is placed upon the course of [instruction. Financial sagacity suggested to [the Trustees the plan of endowment by life [insurance; and their idea is considered by [good financiers, a master conception. It is [hoped that a a million of risks may be raised for the future benefit of the College. The Board have adopted the National Life Insu rance Company as their agent, and Col. Bas kerville, assisted by Dr. Yates, has the work under successful prosecution. Y. Correction. Make all possible haste and let the types ■correct the error of Bro. W. M. Davis, the ■indefatigable and efficient Agent of Howard [College. The mistake will do no great harm [if you will print this letter. Yet we might [imagine a case in which great harm might be [caused by Bro. Davis’ mistake in a name. [Suppose some enterprising youth should des Lire to pursue his studies at Bethel College, [and on some bright morning should take the [cars and go to Lexington : ho might find Dr. [Ryland there with his excellent College for [young ladies. He might find a Campbellite [College there, and if tempted to stop there, [as some of our Baptist youths have done, [might be led away lrom the faith of his Fathers. So, please tell your readers that Bethel College, of which Dr. N. K. Davis is President, and where the fifteen students for the ministry mentioned by the Howard Col-