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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