Newspaper Page Text
186
fulexad gxptnn.
J. J. TOON, . • • • Proprietor.
PUBLICATION ROOMS—4 l 6 SOUTH BROADWAY.
Editor: Rev. D. SHAVER, D.D.
CORRESPONDING EDITORS I
Rsv. J. J. D. REJfFKOE, Talladega, Ala.
Rkv. S. BENDERSON, D.D., Jacksonville, Ala.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER SO, 1871.
Mischievous Coalition.
An address has been put forth in England,
advocating the union of Baptists with Con
gregationalists —a clear proof that loose com
munion not only concludes in logio but ope
rates in practice against our separate denomi
national existence. In reference to this move
ment, the Christian Union ingenuously con
fesses “that such cooperation invariably
works to the disadvantage of the Baptist idea,
and that Pedobaptism (so far, at least, as that
name indicates the form of the ordinance)
soon comes to take the lion’s share of influ
ence.” A thousand precedents warrant the
expectation of precisely this result. When
lax and evangelical views as to the divinity
and atonement of Christ were tolerated alike
in the Congregational pulpits of Massachu
setts, the evangelical view “ failed to hold its
own on” that “ even field with” the lax ; the
defection from the faith of “ the Pilgrim Fa 1 -
thers” waxed stronger and stronger in its fol
lowing, from year to year ; and the crevasse
was arrested, the tide was turned, only when
the friends of the truth had recourse to dis
tinct ecclesiastical organization for its defence
and diffusion. Not even the Union will ven
ture to allege that this fact does not “ speak
altogether well for the intrinsic strength of”
the evangelical view : it is simply an illustra
tion of the general principle that compromises
between truth and error enure to the benefit
of error. There are abundant reasons why
they should work to that issue; reasons
grounding in the depravity of the natural and
the imperfect sanctification of the renewed
heart—for, as the diseased eye shrinks from
the light of a cloudless day and of the sun in
his strength, the absence and the defect of
piety “ invariably” run to the covert of some
human falsehood as a snelter from unadulte*
rated divine truth. When (as this principle
would admonish us to anticipate) we find
“ the distinguishing tenet of Baptists—that
the church is exclusively a company-of re
generated and obedient persons,”—taking ande _
triment from alliances with Pedobaptism, we
are only the more assured that this principle,
with its safeguards and surroundings in our
practice as respects the ordinances, is, like
the evangelical view of the divinity and atone
ment of Christ, the sober, sure verity of
Holy Scripture.
A Neglected Duty.
The Chicago fire was a terrible calamity ;
but we have found one thing in it to be heart
ily glad of. An exchange states that “ two
thousaud nine hundred grogshops were
burned.” That part of the conflagration
should not be styled, (as some writers strange
ly style the whole,) “ the work of the Fire-
Fiend it was too beneficent for that. If the
grogshops could not be rebuilt or replaced, it
were well worth the burning of the city to get
rid of them —a saving, in the long run, as
respects money no less than morals. But
why, then, are such establishments multiplied
all through the land? Does a fatal necessity
force them on us? Can neither legislation,
nor public discountenance, nor Christian in
fluence, put a check upon their increase? Has
the better portion of society done its full
duty toward the protection of our cities, and
towns, and country neighborhoods, from such
centres of vice and crime? Would not
effort in this line be wiser than participation
in the scramble for office between “ the Ins
and the Outs,” or in*mere party struggles
and triumphs? If men are “ responsible for
whatever they might have prevented,” we
fear that many a grogshop must be charged
on the account which the Judge ot all the
earth shall audit with churches and Chris
tians in the last day. To our mind, it is
clear that followers of Jesus in these “ ends
of the earth,” are guilty of gross dereliction
of duty as regards this matter; and few
things would afford us more pleasure as a
journalist, than to announce an awakening of
interest and an inception of activity where a
slumber equally astonishing and culpable now
reigns.
Roger Williams.
Rev. S. Adlam of Newport, R. 1., who has
bestowed more research upon the question
than any other person, living or dead, (so far
as we know,) says, in a recent letter to Rev.
W. E. Paxton, of Minden, La., as published
in the Memphis Baptist: “ I have tried, but
in vain, to find one church that came out
from his and continues to this day. I have
tried, also in vain, to find a single minister
that was baptized by him, and so has perpet
uated his baptism. As far as 1 can ascertain,
his baptism died out when he and those whom
he baptized left the world; so that no trace
of his baptism being perpetuated have 1 been
able to discover.” We have not a shadow of
polemic interest in the historical enquiry
touching “ Baptist Succession no views of
ours logically require us to take up the gauntlet
for it or against it. But the testimony just
quoted is borne by one, of all men, most
worthy to be accounted an authority in the
premises; and, we think, it should put to si
lence those who, in the interest of Pedobaptism
or of loose communion, point to the case of
Roger Williams as a “ break in the chain.”
Unfortunately for the rhetorical fire works
which they let oifin this connection, the finger
Os proof points quite the other way. The
Roger Williams baptisms seem to have been
so many loose links, not joined to the chain at
either end.
Testimony from “ Without.”
The recent article of the Westminster Re
view on “ the Baptists,” sufficiently attests,
by its contemptuous tone, an utter want of
■ympathy with our people, on the part of
that periodical. The voice is unmistakably
the voice of an enemy. And yet, it recog
nizes our “ severe adhesion to the primitive
method,” in the matter of baptism. As
quoted by an exchange, the Review says :
‘* As to the form, baptiso doe* not mean to
THE CHRISTIAN, INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BARTIST: ATLANTA, GA„ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30,1871.
sprinkle , but to dip, to submerge. Milchflearn
ing was expended on a question which indeed
should have been earlier settled. The prac
tice of the primitive Church was undoubtedly
to dip. Tertullian, the first to mention Pedo
baptism, mentions it but i,to condemn it, as
Dr. Angus very properly remarks; nor is
the Greek word ever used in the sense of to
sprinkle The argument from scholar
ship and ancient practice goes increasingly in
favor of the Baptists.”
Alabama Baptist Convention Explanation.
On examining the proceedings of our late
Convention, the reader would form quite an
erroneous estimate of what w’e are doing in
Alabama for our various benevolent objects.
Indeed, if all we did last year had been re
ported to the Convention, even that would
have been so little as to shame us. But then,
taking the entire State, not a tithe of our con
tributions were reported. In the first place,
a large number of our Associations are sus
taining missionaries within their own bounds,
either in connection with the Domestic Mis
sion Board, or by themselves. This of itself
would aggregate thousands of dollars. In the
next place, considerable sums have been trans
mitted directly to our several Boards by in
dividuals and churches, of which no report
appears on the Minutes of the Convention.
We know single churches which contributed
well nigh as much to these Boards as appears
from all sources in the Conventional proceed
ings. These things are very much to be re
gretted, as it places the Convention in a very
improper light before the public. We would
suggest to our churches and Associations the
propriety, hereafter, of keeping a record of
what they do, and reporting it to the Con
vention, so that some fair estimate can be
formed as to what the denomination is doing
in this State. It is really humiliating to allow
the Minutes of the Convention to furnish the
only criterion by which to judge of what the
Baptists of Alabama are doing for the cause
of Christ. If we publish anything at all on
that subject, let onr figures approximate the
truth.
While on this subject, the reader will in
dulge us in a few remarks upon the more gen
eral aspects of our late Convention. In the
first place, we think progress, decided and un'
mistakabie, has been made, during the past
year—progress both in respect of numbers
and efficiency. Our ministers are becoming
more active, laborious and self-denying;
hence, larger accessions to our churches have
been made, we think, than have been reported
for years. The churches, too, in many places,
are waking up to the importance of sustaining
their ministers. In one word, a better and
more hopeful spirit animates all parties than
has appeared since the war. O, that this
spirit could be cultivated, until it would per
vade every church in the State !
In the next place, a much larger portion of
the State was represented in the Convention
than usual—as large a portion, indeed, as we
remember ever to have seen represented at
any period in the past. Several Associations
sent messengers for the first time, who were
most cordially received ; and no doubt these
bodies will maintain their connection with us.
Furthermore, the attendance was much
larger—indeed, almost double what it has
been for several years. This of itself is en*
oouraging evidence that we are on the verge
of better times; and we can begin to adopt
the language of an inspired apostle—“ The
night is far spent, the day is at hand
Therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but
let us watch and be sober.” We can not but
hope that our Convention will date anew
era from its last session, and that our watch
word will be “Onward.”
A “ historical committee,” consisting of
one member from each Association in the
State, was raised, to collect such historical
and biographical data as are necessary for a
continuation of the history of the denomina
tion from the period where “ Holcomb’s His
tory” closes to the present. That history
only reaches to the year 1840. We doubt
not that this committee will use all possible
diligence in collecting all the material, wht
ther printed, written or unwritten, necessary
for that purpose. Should Dr. Freeman ac
cept the position tendered him by the Con
vention—that of “ State Evangelist”—he will
be able to assist that committee very mate
rially.
We must not fail to say that we were
greatly refreshed by the presence of brethren
from Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida. They came “in the fullness of the
blessing of the gospel of Christ,” and preached
to us in the “ demonstration and power of
the Holy Spirit.” Dr. Burrows, of Rich
mond, Va., remained over a day, at the soli
citation of a society of young men in the
city, and delivered a leoture at the Ist Bap
tist church, on the subject of “ established
religion and voluntary religion contrasted.”
It was a masterly effort of a masterly mind
upon one of the most important subjects of
the age. The large audience was held in rapt
attention through the whole service. We re
mained over on purpose to hear it, and felt
amply repaid. H.
Unofficial Preaching.
A point or two in Dr. Jeter’s kindly notice
of our suggestions on this subject, requires a
brief attention. We think now, that we
fully understand him, and if we are correct
in this, we may express great pleasure in
finding that we are not so tar apart as we
had supposed. It is not profitable to magni
fy real differences, or to contend for imagina
ry ones. While we are not likely to be
agreed in every feature of this subject, still
there are some things about which we do
agree— namely :
1. Dr. Jeter agrees with us that there is
such a thing as official preaching. The
preaching of an ordained minister is held to
be such, because done by the authority of
the church.
2. We agree with him, that there is such a
thing as unofficial preaching. Acts viii: 4,
and such other passages, prove this.
8. Dr. Jeter agrees with us, that nothing
should be done by a Baptist church or minis
ter, that will recognize as valid the ordinan
ces and ordinations of Pedobaptists.
4- We agree with him that, while so act
ing as not to violate the above, anything and
everything should b 8 done which will recog
nize all the good there is in any pious man.
With these points of accord before us, it
may be beneficial to allude to two erroneous
suppositions, which parties to this dispute
have held against each other.
1. It seems that our brethren who invite
Pedobaptist ministers to preach for them,
are not willing to be understood as recog
nizing their church relations or official claims.
They do not believe that there is any such
recognition in such invitations. It appears
that they only mean to endorse them as
Christian men, capable of imparting Chris
tian instruction; ignoring baptism, church
order and official status.
2. It is true, on the other hand, that those
brethren who do not extend such invitations,
are as ready and as cheerful to admit the
piety and endorse the godliness of good men
beyond the pale of Baptist churches, as are
those who habitually affiliate with them.
Therefore, while A. should not be hasty to
charge B. with unsoundness as a Baptist, B.
should be slow to oharge A. with a want of
disposition to reoognize and encourage good
ness in other sects. Much evil has come of
these misjudgings.
But there are some things connected with
this subject about which we honestly differ
with Bro. Jeter; for instance, he says, “The
converted man desires to proclaim the Word
of God; if Bro. Renfroe thinks it wrong for
him to do it, the onus probandi lies on him.”
We do not think it wrong for a converted
man to proclaim the Word of God, but if
we did think this, we would boldly contend
that the onus probandi is on the man who
affirms that it is right for such men to preach.
We are under no obligations to prove a neg
ative. If Bro. Jeter thinks it right for a
converted man to become a preacher regard
less of baptism, and that it is our duty to
recognize him as such, the burden of proof
lies on him; and this is the proof we earn
estly crave.
If an open communion Captist should say,
“The converted man desires to commune at
the Lord’s table; and if Dr. Jeter thinks it
wrong for him to do it, the onus probandi lies
r>n him.” Perhaps Bro. Jeter would accept
the position, and set about proving it; and
how would he prove that an unbaptized con
vert should not commune? He would show,
as he has ably shown in his book on com
munion, that the whole New Testament his
tory of the supper, and all the divine teach
ings in relation thereto, prove that the ordin
ance of baptism precedes the communion.
Very well. If we should attempt to prove
the negative proposition which he submits for
us, we would simply show that the whole
New Testament record concerning preachers
and preaching, speaks only of baptized per
sons. There is some logic, just along here,
which fixes a “place of water” between the
converted man and the pulpit. We did not
put it there, nor have we any right to take it
away or ignore its existence. The difficulty
with those brethren who view this subject as
we do, is, that they cannot see how a man
can be recognized as a gospel preacher with
out a strongly implied recognition and en
dorsement of his baptism and church rela
tions, specially so when that man claims to
be in regular order. We have never yet
seen the reason for going along with a man
all the way and everywhere until the com
munion table presents itself, and then split
from him until that is passed, and then fall
in with him again to part no more until they
arrive at another table.
Nor is the puipit or ministerial position
the place to form unions. First, Christians
are all one in Christ Jesus, and we cannot
fail to love all who love Christ. This one
ness in Christ Jesus, however, is a mystical
union. The visible union of the disciples of
Christ begins at the water —nay, in the water
and under the water, and is made manifest as
they rise from the water to walk in newuess
of life. Paul teaches that it is in baptism
that we are visibly “ planted together .” After
stating that baptism is a Iflirial and a resurrec
tion., he adds : “ For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of His death, we shall
be also in the likeness of His resurrection.”
Thus planted together, we may grow to
gether, walk together, preach together and
commune together. And whatsoever is more
than this, is more than the Record.
We propose to dismiss this subject with a
few other allusions to the points ot agreement
mentioned above.
Dr. Jeter says that the preaching of aa
ordained minister is official because he preaches
by authority of the church. Now, suppose
the church—or the pastor, at the pleasure of
the church—put an unbaptized man before
their congregation to preach, is not this by
authority of the church, and is not his preach
ing just as official as is the work of a sub-clerk
or a sub-agent ?
While we cheerfully admit that there was
preaching done by laymen in New Testament
times, and do heartily wish that there was
much more of it in our day, we do not admit
that the New Testament gives account of the
preaching of unbaptized men or women, lay
men or officials.
We maintain that the practice of inviting
the good men of other denominations to
preach for us, is not essential to good feeling,
Christian fellowship, union of heart or en
dearing friendship. The best men we have
ever known in other denominations were not
much more in favor of it than we were—
judging from their practice. We have never
known a man of any denomination to prac
tice it much who wa3 not a downright secta
rian, watching round to try to get an undue
advantage of other pastors, or attempting to
subseive some partisan or sinister enterprise.
We would not be understood at all as mean
ing that this is true of those pure men who
occasionally, under peculiar circumstances,
fall into th is practice.
We can think of some Pedobaptist minis
ters who have lived in the same community
with us for years, who won our most affec
tionate regard and high admiration, by the
way they had of going independently along
attending to their own business and letting
ours alone; while we remember some—Bap
tists and Pedobaptists—of whom- we can not
think so well, because they acted as if they
supposed nothing could get on without their
wise help.
In matters of religion, this ia a free coun
try. All denominations exist because they
think there is reason for their separate exis
tence. They have their pulpits, church facili
ties and the ear of the people; and until the
reasons, or the supposed reasons, for their sev-
eral separate ordeics, are removed, it w-dt be
far better for eaoh to work on in Jhs own
harness. We, however, are not of the number
who regard all brethren unsound' and unre
liable who differ from us. R.
Pastoral Support.
“The ‘hard times,’ ” says the Central Bap
tiit, “are affecting our pastors to a degree
never before experienced in Missouri.” Very
well; pastors ought not to complain, if af
fected by the “ hard Times” when their “ turn ”
cames to share the burden: complaint is
seemly and just only when the burden is laid
on their shoulders out of their own proper
order,and in advance of the equitable season
for it. Their salary ought to be among the
Very last things which ground in the ebb
tide. Ordinarily, it is so inadequate as to be
itself a sort of perpetual “ hard times ;” and
many forms of indulgence—not to say of
comfort —ought to be relinquished, or re
trenched, by members of the churches, before
they feel free to make these “ hard times”
still harder for those who serve them in the
gospel. The wrong aitod the scandal is, when
the salary of pastors ranks among the first
things on which the pressure fails, and what
was, all along, too little is made less by haste
in reduction or delay in payment. This is
practical church insolvency, and nothing
short of absolute newssity can justify it. It
is honest only when tfievitabie.
Woman. —Among the delegates to the
South Carolina Ba{*»t_ Sunday School Con
vention, last Sumnfr, were seven ladies.
W T ehave never seen them; but we need no
testimony of photograph or presence to as
sure us that their faces, beaming with interest
in the evangelization of the young, were
pleasant to look on, even in that dignified
assembly, and not a little helpful to its mor
ale. While they wrotg none of the Essays, sat
on no committees and were guiltless of all the
speeches, a contributor to one of our exchanges
is scandalized by their appearance in the Con
vention, as if it were a kind of Grecian horse
introducing “ Woman’s Rights ” into the
very heart of the Southern Baptist citadel.
For our part, we think thß grand old fortress
quite as safe as ever. Two of our Sunday
schools in South Carolina hate female super
intendents, and perhaps twice twenty others
would be the better for having them. In the
church, and in the institution which is fitly
styled its “ nursery,” we push greatly too
far the repression of the agency ot the gen
tler (and as regards the training of childhood
tlte wiser or the more skilled) sex. We
would not have Christian women debarred
from all forms of service to “ the Son of
Mary ” beyond the precincts of the household,
until, in sheer want of pabulum for their ac
tivities, they are driven, like ar. English
countess within the last few months, to write
treatises on “ the diseases of cats,” or to be
tray in some such outre form that worst
“disease” of the race—“busy idleness.”
We vote, not for the seven, but for seventy
times seven; and when they convene, may
we “ be there to see !”
Unitarian Teri)espisjs- —lt has been said
that “Chancing never dreamed of a Froth
ingham or an Abbott.” This may be true.
But he might well have dreamed of them. If
he marked the drift of belief in his own
bosom, we do not see how he could suppress
misgiving as to the native tendencies of “ Ra
tional Religion,” (as he styled Unitarianism.)
Once he wrote: “ I believe Jesus Christ to be
a more than human being. In truth, all
Christians so believe Him.” But in the last
years of his life, he said to his son, as that son
has recently testified through a Northern seep,
tical print: “I am more and more inclined
to believe in His simple humanity.” All his
earlier reverence could not protect the sub
lime perfection of the Redeemer from sinking
lower and lower in the quicksands of the the
ology he had unhappily embraced. Surely,
then, he must have been visited with doubt
lest that perfection should sink altogether out
of sight for those who came to this theology
with no previous “ Orthodox” training in rev
erence, and the glorious Son of God be ac
counted at last an uncommissioned, erring
son of man. With his subtle perception of
inner doctrinal affinities, how could he with
stand the conviction that the difference be
tween this stage of belief—or unbelief—and
his own, was simply a difference of degree,
and that the one, in the progress of years,
should develop into the other ?
The Service or Song. —We have received
the edition with music of “The Service of
Song for Baptist Churches,” —the new
hymn book from the press of Qould dk Lin
coln, Boston. It makes a volume of 480
pages, gotten up in handsome style, and con
tains 352 tunes adapted to 1069 hymns, be
sides 24 selections for chanting. Both old
and new—the one hallowed by countless as
sociations, the other appealing for favor not
by novelty alone buf*by substantial merit—
lend of their treasures to this Collection, in
the matter alike of hymns and tunes. The
hymns are restored for the most part to their
original form—thus avoiding one of the errors
of “ the Psalmist,” and are spared the abridge
ment which almost savors of mutilation—thus
securing an excellence not found in “ the Bap
tist Hymn Book.” The arrangement is natu
ral and perspicuous; the particular index of
subjects satisfactory and full. The work
commends itself to us as adapted “ to all oc
casion9 of the Christian life, all the moods of
Christian experience, and all the forms of
Christian doctrine.” Congregations that adopt
it will be slow to desire or to make a change;
and we should not know on what ground to
advise one.
Missions.—The Westminster Review says,
of Baptists, that “ though even now an insig
nificant body in numbers and resources, their
missionary enterprise is übiquitous.” In
this verdict, the honor greatly outweighs
the disparagement* And who would abate
that honor by arresting our mission work—
by refusing to share it? Who can be so cal
lous toward the diffusion of the knowledge
c>t Christ and the salvation of the souls of
men? If there are persons of this spirit
Among us, “ HardsAeM” scarcely seems a
name sufficiently descriptive of their charac
ter. More than the ** shell,” we fear, is “ hard.”
Does not the hardness reach within —reach
to the heart f
Items. —Rev. W. S. Webb, as Professor of
Theology in Mississippi College, has a class
of thirty young men attending his lectures.
Rev. W. S. Perry, “ well known to the
Baptists of Middle Tennessee, as an earnest,
faithful minister of Christ,” died at Saow
Hill, N. C., Sunday, November sth. Rev.
J. B. Taylor, D. D., last June, tendered to
the Board of Foreign Missious, Richmond,
his resignation of the position of Correspond
ing Secretary; but the Board unanimously de
clined to receive it, and he withdrew it.
The North Carolina Baptist Convention, at its
late session, created a State Sunday School
Board, at Shelby, auxiliary to the Memphis
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Virginia Baptists have lost one of their
most eloquent, irreproachable men, in the
death, November 15th, of Rev. Daniel Witt,
D. D., for nearly forty five years pastor of
Sandy River Church, Prince Edward county.
Among his last words were : “ I feel as if I
were floating in a sea of love ;” and “ I feel as
if I were hanging under the eross, and all is
brightness and glory around it.” Rev. P.
S. Henson, D. D., succeeds Rev. G. A. Peltz,
as editor of the Baptist Teacher. The
Third Baptist Church, Atlanta, on last Sab
bath, gave a unanimous call to Rev. G. A.
Lofton, of Daiton, to the pastorate. It is
expected that a Fifth Baptist church, in At
lanta, will be organized, near the junction of
Decatur and Bell streets, the second Sabbath
in December. Services have been held for
so.ne time, at this point, by Rev. J. F. Ead
ens, and some fifty persons will enter into the
constitution.
Infant Baptism. —Donald Frazer, a Pres
byterian divine,of Scotland, —illustrating the
proposition that all the truths of Scripture
are not of equal importance,—asks, “ Who
would choose to affirm that the doctrine of
infant baptism is of no less moment than the
doctrine of atonement?” No one would, of
course. And yet, a recent judicatory of
Southern Presbyterians instructed the Church
Sessions to “ keep constantly before the mind
of Christian parents” their obligation as re
gards the baptizing of their children ; n>r is
it easy to seo how “ the doctrine of the atone
ment” can be made the subject of more than
constant mention and remembrance. The
members of that judicatory, we presume, will
hardly venture, in the light of such a “deliv
erance” of their own, to echo the stale outcry
against our denomination, that we “ make
too much of” the baptism of believers.
Typographical Errors.—J ust as we were
about to take a turn or two in our Editorial
“ Growlery,” because the types made us say
that Dr. Henderson “ organized” the Alabama
Baptist Convention, when we wrote (or meant
to write) simply that he “ opened” it, our eye
fell on the beautiful hymn of Sarah Flower
Adams, in an exchange, with one verse print
ed as follows:
“ Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My neat a stone,
Yet in my dreams I’d bj
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee.”
We shut to the “ Growlery” door, more thank
ful for what had been spared us than discon
tented over what we were called to suffer.
Change. —Within the year. “an entire
Methodist church,” in Delaware, has em
braced the sentiments of our brotherhood,
and connected itself with the Philadelphia
Baptist Association. This seems an extraor
dinary change; but the surprise abates not a
little, when we learn that “ some of their
preachers” embarked in an effort to establish
Pedobaptist views of the ordinance by argu
ment, and the members of the church were
“ led to investigate the question for them
selves.” Under such circumstances, the won
der would have been if the change had not
occurred.
Why?—Among the Lutherans of Green
land, it is not distinctively a pastoral function
to baptize infants. That work is made the
specialty of another official —the catechist, —
a sort of semi-pedagogue, semi-parson. Is
this done, more or less consciously, on the
principle that the office of pastor should busy
itself with such services in the kingdom and
house of the Lord as are, by manifest traits
and in marked degree, spiritual ? Is infant
baptism practically relegated to a subordinate
position, as in some sense secular or matter
of mere routine ?
A Word to the Wise. —ls there any truth
n the Persian saying: “He who disputes
loses, every time, a drop of blood from his
liver?” And if there is, have none of our
Baptist confreres , North or South, reason to
teel at least slightly apprehensive that they
may be getting into a rather bad way 1 “Let
us have peace,” brethren !
The Recent Session of the Alabama Con
vention.
There was much food for thought supplied
by the discussions and doings of this body,
and many things will be said and written
about them belter than I can say or write
them. As, however, the Index always has
my consent to accept or reject whatever it
pleases, 1 trust it will use its prerogative free
ly in this case, should too much of the same
thing accumulate on its hands, while I, among
others, offer “ mine opinion.”
There was a decided partiality, “me
thought,” for hopeful facts. “ Speak unto us
smooth things.” (I mean no conscious ignor
ing of verities.) Perhaps the apprehensions
of some of us are morbid. We shall see.
We shall not be grieved, Jonah-like, if the
hopeful ones turn out the wiser. It would be
grateful to leave our pulpits every Sunday
pleased with ourselves, and the people pleas
ed with us and with themselves. But these
things rarely all occur together, wben the
effect of the whole has not been to whisper,
“Thou shall not surely die.” Ido not, be it
understood, intend by any means to Ultimate
that the Convention was of unwholesome in
fluence —tar, very far from it. It was one of
the ablest and best I ever attended, in spite
of some possible misapprehensions.
The construction of some new machinery
“gave” some of “us pause.” So the resolu
tion to run some heretofore constructed lon
ger. The truth is, all our machinery i9 cle
ver—very good, for ought I am prepared to
suggest; but there is so much of it that I
don’t exactly see wherewithal it shall be
greased, or whence the motive power is to
come. I couldn’t learn these things at Mont
gomery. (Tne brethren didn’t have time.)
lam not an apt pupil, any way, I fear. 1
write in part to beg for patience, and careful
instruction through the papers, that I can con
over in the dead hours of the night, when no
body will know how long it takes mo to see
a point. I can’t see, just yet, how seven dis
tinct enterprises are to be impressed upon
the minds of our ohurches, each requiring a
day, or the substance of it, successfully, in a
year, whether they have preaphing onc’o a
month or four times a month. In one case, f
am almost sure the thing is impossible. To.
be sure,a money talk may be made a gospel
talk, but few men have the skill to illustrate
this fact. I don’t know which of the seven
enterprises to prefer. When education is the
subject, shall I communicate with the Board
of Directors of the Convention, or with the.
Educational Board? I have no preferences
in these matters but for that which is best.
But suppose the agents of two enterprises
come to see me the same dt.y, what shall I
do?
By the way, though we cin’t get along
without agents, an argument for indefinite
multiplication, that they arc also evangelists,
and worth their salaries in this way also, is
not, I think, entirely sound. Some times
they simply seat the pastor behind them, and
preach no better than he would do himself.
The great want of agents, is to go where else
Christ is not preached, so far as they are
evangelists. They ought to be salaried by
the instructed to go among those where be-
nevolence as a system is not much agitated,
and not be measured by the dollars and cents
they gather up. Influences may thus be put
in motion that will tell afterwards. The ideal
of the pastoral relation is a pastor in every
church. Every church, as the rule, organized
as it should be, may be expected, with due
diligence, to find within itself the means of
edifying itself, the pastor (or pastors or
elders) and deacons. The case may occur as
exceptional when this is not so. But while
.the deacons are looked for, the pastor rarely
is, He is supposed to be sought from afar.
Not un frequently a body called a church, is
constituted with too few members or mem
bers too uninstructed, or m a community too
small to sustain itself, just to humor the
whims or indulge the laziness of a few per
sons. People ought to be content to submit
to some inconvenience to make a church self
sustaining. But after all, it is practical to
remember that a model may be difficult to
work after, and men’s notions on the subject
are apt to be modified by their particular
personal experience. Many things proposed
by city churches are not suited to churches
in the country. Things can be done there,
splendidly at least, not in the retired vale,
among the hills and mountains. The one
party should learn system, the other simpli
city, from each other mutually.
The preaching and speaking, as an average,
was able and excellent—of a higher order
than usual on such occasions, far. 1 was edi
fied and “ proud.” This latter word has an
earthly jingle, but I say the simple truth.
Now 7 , there are no personalities in these
scribblings. I didn’t have my w’ay in every
thing, but that, doubtless, was as it. should
have been. I have only wished to cause
somethings to bo thought about by others as
well as those who had the pleasure of attend
ing the Convention, and to induce even these
to meditate the ways and means of doing
things, however desirable, afresh. He who
gets into your superior paper has a high
platform and a noble audience, and ought to
feel himself honored. 1 get up, then, for
these and like reasons, as often as I can, mo
destly—l fear oftener. E. B. Teague.
Rev. A. T. Spalding, 1). 1).
The Walnut street Baptist Church, Louis
ville, Ky., adopted, Sabbath, October Bth, the
following resolutions, presented by a com
mittee consisting of Junius Caldwell, Arthur
Peter and P. G. Kelsey :
1. We accept our beloved pastor’s resig
nation because his health demands a change
of climate, and we feel with him that he is led
by our Heavenly Father in the whom mat
ter; and whilst our hearts are pained to part
with one we love so much, we turn our
thoughts in prayer to God our sure refuge.
2. We cordially commend our deur broth
er Spalding to ihe church and community
wherever he may go, as a man of learning,
sound doctrine, enlarged benevolence, untir
ing industry—and having a heart as full of
true piety and all Christian virtues as any
one we ever knew.
Onr Church at Carlersville, Gn.
The Cartersville church has had one hun
dred and sixteen additions in the last thirteen
months —sixty of them by baptism. It has
enjoyed a precious revival,and is strengthened
and built up. We rejoice in the effect which
our meeting has exerted upon the community
at large, winning from them a greater respect
for religion and religious people than they
had accorded before. Some, of sceptical opin
ions, were made to see the error of their
course, and are now rejoicing in the possession
of that “ unspeakable gift/’ The ages of the
converts, who have united with the church,
range from ten to thirty. All of them, how
ever, but four or five, are grown. There was
such an entire absence of every thing which
could be called excitement, that a good bro
ther said it was “ the dryest-eyed meeting he
ever saw.” The operations of the Holy Spirit
were so plainly seen, and sensibly felt, that
we were continually led to exclaim, “ What
wondrous love is this !” The meeting result
ed in forty-one additions—thirty-two of them
by baptism.
During the progress of the meeting at C.,
a German was convicted and presented him
self several times for prayer. When relating
his experience to the church, he said that on
the night of his conversion something whis
pered to him not to go home without Jesus.
When the congregation was dismissed, he
knelt down between the seats near his wife
and prayed for deliverance. His agony drew
around him a sympathizing group, some ol
whom instructed and encouraged him. Ail
at once he arose, put on his hat and gazed
around him as one in a stupor ; but the mo
ment his eyes rested upon his wife, all the
love of his*new-born soul seemed to find ex
pression in the embrace which he gavo her,
As he turned around to leave the house, lie
said to me, “ Mishter IT., if I know salvation
been dis good, 1 had ’em long ago.” As he
stepped out of the church door he said to
Bro. G., “I’sall right now. 1 takes Jesus
home with me to-night. Now I goes home
and tell the children I found Jesus.” Happy
man! When he found Jesus he found a
Friend.
Oostauanla Association.
In the issue of the Index & S. W. Baptist
of Nov. 16th, Brother W.J. King alludes to
my remar ks in a former article, with respect
to the length of time the subject of uniting
with the Convention had been agitated in the
Association named above. Bro. King has
fallen into error by not noticing a little more
closely what had 'been said by myself and
the brother who wrote the lust aiticle he ic
fers to. By examining the paragraph Bro.
King Will see that my information was ob
tained by asking the question direct and re
ceiving the answer as stated. This was done
in open session and while the matter was un
der debate and I thought that he, with others,
heard it. But again, if he will turn to Bro.
Clemmons’ article and read the 3 J paragraph
tie will see my assertion as to time verified
as strongly as it cau be. itus will entirely
relieve me from appearing to mislead any one
as to the facts. 1 presume both are right.
Bro. King never heard the question discussed
till 1870 but Bro. C. has been in the Associa
tion ever since its formation and knows what
has transpired. I think it is very well teat 1
have drawn out these two brethren, as facts
have in this way appeared which will be of
benefit to the younger members of the
churches. Asa general rule we do not
know our history as well as we should ; our
training in most branches of the Christian
knowledge is defective, and anything which
can excite our brethren to write and read,
will increase our strength. I am thankful
that so far no bitterness or shade of malice
has marred the communications of the breth
ren. As long as we can “ speak the truth in
love” exhibiting the spirit of Christ, wo shall
hurt no one, even if we do no gooc. My
prayer is, that my dear Bro. Kind’s anticipa
tions may be realized by the Association’s
unanimously agreeing at her next Session to
unite with the Convention.
G. H. Stillwell.
Assoclatienal Varieties.
This mess of variety may be considered
stale from age, but let it be remembered,
some things improve by age. My readers
may think this ai tide is not one of those
things. Be that as it may, I want to tell,
that I was at the Tuskegee Association, which
met with the Salem Church, Alabama, third
Sunday in October, and as my brother Pope
would say, “I enjoyed the meeting hugely.”
(I don’t mean Pope, who wrote the “Essay
on Man,” but O. C. Pope, of Jefferson county,
Georgia, who could write an essay on men,
women and children.) The meeting com
menced well —began with an Introductory
sermon by Dr. S. R. Freeman —and held on
well, reaching a climax in the resolution to
meet next year on Wednesday; and between
this good and better, or better and best, there
was much that was good. The eating was
good (especially at my ploce, and every one
said the same ;) some of the preaching good ;
more Sunday schools reported than usual,
and a good many prayer meetings; about 20
of the 37 churches reported more or less bap
tisms; one house of worship rebuilt; Salem
Church, a mission station, raised over a dollar
for each member for missions; old brother
Granbeiry said he had been a church mem
ber, a lover of the truth sixty years ; the best
sermon on sanctified afflictions, by Dr. Skin
ner, I ever heard. What a favor 1 think it
would be to hundreds, especially to the fami
lies of Elders N. M. Crawford and W. IT.
Clarke, and Elders J. 11. Campbell and Asa
Chandler, just at this time, if they could hear
or read that discourse. Even a synopsis of
it would do good, in the Index. I would be
very glad if, the Doctor would do many
afflicted ones the favor of letting us read, at
least a portion, if not all of it. There was
variety at Salem, a mixture of bitter enough
to cause relish for the sweet, shade enough to
make light welcome. As for instance, a
church reporting 81 immersions, sent up $4 00
for missions; some churches without pastors;
Committee on Temperance reported intem
perance on the increase ; levity on Sabbath by
the quantity; Sabbath breaking in abundance.
But l desist, for the present, and make this
the special order so other time, may
be. But fir ogress is the word, in the Tuske
gee now. May her actions correspond*
I w r ent to Alabama again in October, and
attended the Eufaula Association, near Clay
ton. Like the Tuskegee, they kept the same
officers, and did wisely. The number of
churches is small, and some of them small in
numbers. They do a noble work in support
ing brother J. Sims, as missionary, about
which I may say something again. The Ins
troductory at this meeting was preached by
Elder J. 0. Hixson, formerly of Georgia,
and the Missionary sermon by the writer,
who was recognized as the agent of the Do
mestic Board ; brethren C. M. Irwin and N. B.
Williams, in the interest of the Foreign
Board. Several items of interest that deservo
further notice must be passed over now.
This is a working body, In full sympathy with
all our denominational enterprises. In its
Home Mission work its co-operates with the
Domestic and Indian Mission Board. The
Association aids the Foreign and Sunday
School Board, the Theological Seminary, and
in addition to all, the Eufaula Church has built
a fine house of worship. An appeal was
made for Howard College, but it w as the first
appeal made, ar.d the brethren were not
worked up, and no response was made, but
something was done afterwards. The pres
ence of brethren Irwin and Williams added
interest to the meeting—the latter is under
appointment of the Foreign Board to China,
and the former can get money and “ not ask
for it.” It was rather wonderful some of us
who were guests of Mr. Hobdy, did not get
sick from over-eating. That dear sister who
carried us coffee to the meeting house has our
love and prayers. W. N. Chaudoin.
The Baptists of Chicago: To Our Brethren
Throughout the World.
(We publish, with pleasure, the following
appeal. Great denominational interests are
imperilled, or embarrassed, by the effect of
the fire at Chicago upon our brethren these,
and Southern Baptists who render aid toward
the Memorial Fund for the relief of these
interests, will do a work prompted by true
Christian benevolence and acceptable 'in the
sight of God.)
Thankfully acknowledging the munificent
contributions of the World, to our suffering
people, in this hour of our great need, and
in view of the united efforts of other religious
denominations, and secular societies, toiepair
the losses sustained by their brethren and co
laborers in Chicago: we are emboldened to
appeal to our brethren in behalf of our Bap-t
tist churches, and educational institutions.
The condition of the Baptist churches and
interests in this city seriously injured by fire,
may be briefly stated as follows: Chicago
University, funded debt, $ 100,000; Chicago
University, losses by fire, $50,000 ; Chicago
i’heological Seminary, debt, $50,000; Uni
versity Place Church, debt, $15,000 ; Shields
Mission, new building, debt, SB,OOO ; Fifth
Church, debt, $20,000; Indiana Avenue
Church, debt, $5,000; Western Avenue
Church, debt, $3,000. Entirely destroyed
by fire: North Church and furniture, $15,-
000; North Star Church and furniture and
parsonage, $20,000; Scandinavian Church
and furniture, $7,000 ; Lincoln Park Assn,
building, $1,000; Publication Society, Stock
and fixtures, $10,000; “Standard” Stock,
Presses and Type, $25,000. Total, $329,000.
The above figures are the best estimates
that can now be made. The loss to the Uni
versity and Seminary is of property and sub
scription, bearing interest, which in great
measure deprive the professors of support,
and render uncertain our ability to retaiu the
students.
The losses of both property and busiuess,
bv members of the churches and congrega
tions, are very great. Os the churches, whose
houses of worship are burned, there are but
few members of the congregations who have
not lost their homes, furniture and business.
And where meeting houses remain, the losses
of the members have rendered some of tho
churches unable to meet their expenses.
Many have been reduced, in a day, from com
parative luxury to absolute poverty. Tfieso
losses have placed the various interests which
aro in debt, in real and great danger. The
loss to such is as actual as it would be if
their property had been destroyed by fire,
since their resources are, to a great extent,
swept away. ... , ,
Previous to the fire, three friends of the
University had purchased, for its benefit, a
tract of land, which, if scld, will provide for
its funded debt. As all profits arising there
from are pledged to this object, and as no
part of the sum, now asked for, is for this
purpose, we commend the plan, and the
brethren presenting it, to the denomination.
The balance of our indebtedness, and our