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4 Index and ffapttet Rev. D. E. BUTLER, Managingl Editor Editorial Contributors : IST AWTON - Atlanta, Georgla> £* T ■ HR* KRRDD Quitman, (ieorgla. SBV5 BV - {• 5,‘ „7i rvPR 11 i) "!... Forsyth, Georgia. Bet.' tl’CL JONES, Il'.D I..NaghTlile, dcnnessee. Our Pulpit.— Our readers will find in our Pulpit Department, a fine sermon on “The Gospel, the only saving power of God,” from the pen of Rev. W. M. Bridges, of Sugar Valley, Ga., an able minister and devoted pastor. Read it carefully. . —• • ■*' Character grows; it is not some thing to be put on, ready-made with manhood or womanhood ; but day by day, here a little and there a little, it grows with the growth and strengthens with the strength, until, good or bad, it becomcsjalmost a coat of mail. Religion is not confined to devotion al exercises, but rather consists in doing all we are qualified to do, with a single eye to God’s glory and will, from a grateful sense of His mercy to us. This is the alchemy which turns every thing into gold, and stamps a value upon common actions. “The Bright Forever.” — Under this title will be found in this issue of The Index a sweet, musical, pathetic song, written by an accomplished lady of Griffin. We commend it to the perusal of all who yearn for “The Bright Forever,” and the glory that passetli all understanding, radiant in the star-lands of the immortal soul. Let no one comfort himself in the intense activity of his mind on the sub ject of religion. That is one of the things to be dreaded. To be always thinking, debating, scheming, in ref erence to the great questions of re ligion, without using any of the tal ents that belong more appropriately to God and the receiving of God, is just the way to extirpate the talents most rapidly, and so as to close up the mind in spiritual darkness. The new year has begun ; have we advanced in purpose to a higher, nobler, truer life ? The past wo can not change, tho possibilities of the fu ture are before us. Wo look back sadly, saying, “It might have been.” Will the future be equally marred by failures ? Joyfully the successes of the past rise to memory. Let them in spire us to still richer ones in the future. Has the Lord done great things for our souls in 1875 ? He will do still more in 1876, if faith is strong, and obedi ence hearty. He is able to do wonders in quickening and ennobling souls. Will we test His utmost grace ? How much Ho can do wo may not decide. Grace has marvelous power; love knows no limits; higher and still higher, the Lord will lead us, if we are prepared to follow. Beloved, let us all follow. _ Early English Baptists. —ln are sont discussion relative to the practice of early English Baptists, we under stand tho Religions Herald to deny that that there was any satisfactory evi dence that they (English Baptists) adhered to the practice of restricted communion. We invite the attention of the Herald, and all others who may feel an interest in the subject, to the following testimony of Neale—speak ing of the Anabaptists in England, (Hist. Pur. anna, 1646.) he says: “ The people of this persuasion were more exposed to the public resentment, because they would hold communion with none but such as had been dipped.” We highly respect the opinions of tho Herald, but the ago and country in which Neale lived and wrote, it appears to us, render it far more reasonable and safe to rely on his direct testimony, in reference to tho fact in dispute, than on the Herald's bare inference, based on a train of reasoning artfully con structed, but evidently logically incon clusive. The Offer.— The American Baptist Publication Society, in honor of the Centennial Year, make an admirable offer to churches using the popular “Baptist Hymn Book.” All churches affected should make early use of this splendid offer. See tho advertisement in our columns this week, headed, “The Offer.” _______ Our Foreign Missionaries. —Read the article headed “Facts for the Thoughtful and the Pious,” in this issue, signed by brother H. A. Tupper. Let immediate and effectual measures be taken in behalf of the cause. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST. ZEAL. 111. We closed our remarks on this sub ject, last week, by showing that a Christian zeal should be manifested in maintaining a wholesome discipline in our churches. We now propose to show, that a well directed zeal for the house of God, would lead us to contend earnestlv for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints. The church is said to be “the pillar and ground of the truth.” As such it is the sacred despository of God’s Word. That Word whose breath is life, whose instruction is wisdom, whose every accent is divine. That Word ; whose enduring nature, like its Author, knows no change, but which has for untold ages poured upon our world the brightness of Jehovah’s presence. Such is the precious truth committed to the church. What a responsibility is thus devolved upon it! It is no less than to maintain the purity of God’s Word through all time, and in all places, and in all languages. How CAN THIS DUTY BE PERFORMED? Not by mere dreaming ; for dreaming, when not sanctified by earnest and humble piety, aided by the teachings of divine grace, has often proved the Bible’s most insidious and treacherous foe. Nor can it be done by power ; for power has been, in many ages, its jailer and its persecutor. Nor can safety for God’s Word be bought by money ; for gold has often bribed its sentinels and its watchmen, till, Judas like, they have betrayed the cause entrusted to their care. How, then, we again ask, can the church meet tho obligation which rests upon it ? They can do it under the inspiring impulse of a holy zeal; by holding forth in its faith, and in its practice the whole truth as it is in Jesus. Such a zeal, animated by the love of God, may indeed press into its service the resources of learning, the power of social and of personal influ ence, and even tho advantages of wealth, whose inscription is, “Holiness to the Lord.” We would not under value these gifts when appropriated by a right zeal in the cause of truth. In deed, it is right that zeal should avail itself of every instrumentality offered by tho providence and grace of God, for the prosecution of its work. But let all such gifts be accepted as means to an end, not as the end itself. That end, now under consideration, is the vindication of the whole truth as it is in Jesus. How important is that truth ! It includes First: The ordinances of the church. Experience has shown that these ordinances are liable to be altered and mutilated, and perverted, whereby the glory of God’s house is marred and defaced. A holy zeal will not suf fer these ordinances to be set aside as of little importance. They figuratively proclaim, wherever exhibited, the fundamental doctrines of salvation. Wherever tho Lord’s Supper is cele brated, its silent emblems illustrate the Saviour’s dying love, and the expiatory nature of his shed blood. Wherever baptism is administerd it opens to tho eye of infidelity itself the empty tomb of the Redeemer, and re veals the sublime hope of the resur rection. In the light of these facts what shall we say of that man who renounces his membership in a Baptist church that he may follow a Pedo baptist wife into another communion ? One thing is certain, such an one can not have a proper zeal for the ordinan ces of God’s house. We admit, if one should truly, and sincerely, become con vinced that immersion is not scriptural baptism, and that infants ought to be baptized, then his zeal for truth would not only justify but require him to vin dicate his convictions by connecting himself with the people who believe as he does. But while he believes no sch thing, but rather is convinced that there is no valid baptism but immersion, and that none should be baptized but believers, yet, just as a matter of domestic convenience, sacri fices his own faith by connecting him self with a people who he believes are in error, he gives all his social and personal influence to uphold that error. To such an one we would kindly commend the words of the Saviour : “He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me.” And, “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father and moth er, and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” The truth of God includes also, in the second place, the doctrines of our holy religion. These also should be the object of our Christian zeal. But we reserve our thoughts upon these and some other topics for another paper. “A PECULIAR PEOPLE.” The church, as aD organization, well deserves the name, “a peculiar people.” It combines every form of society into which men have been gathered ; yet such is the blending of colors that its hue declares its celestial origin. It is not a caste, for it despises none, and rejects none ; yet, like caste, iW pre serves amidst human change sacred order; all are kings and priests unto God It is not a secret society, for it makes no reserve, yet its members have a hid den life, and a joy with which the stranger intermeddleth not. It is not a nation, for it selects individuals from among each of the nations, and flrill .ultimately include all, yet it is as clear ly defined, though more extensive. „ It is not a family, yet its bonds are equal ly tender, only they are incomparably more expansive. The membership composing the body is “peculiar.” Individuality is preserv ed, each soul’s personal responsibility is undiminished, and his accountability is undisturbed ; yet he forms a part of the sovereign unit. Self, in its '#flar{| ly defined demonstrations, is yet the soul is fearfully conscious of iw claims, its wants and its obligations. The man moves, seemingly, unseen and unfelt in the multitude, a mere atom in an unbounded universe; yet he stands .in an oppressive solitude, as if alone accountable for the conduct of the whole people. The perfection, unity and strength of the church, as a body, are attained not by asserting its corporate authority, but by developing, protecting and demand ing the outgrowth of the individual character. The mission of this people adds to their peculiarity. It is not to devise constitutions for State governments, yet it cannot exist and withhold its infiaters from the halls of legislation. It is not to assume control of the edu cational facilities of the age and count ry ; yet it cannot be silent, when scep ticism wraps itself in the cloak of science to deceive the unguarded stu dent. It is not to direct the sails of commerce, give speed to the spindle or generate steam for transportation, yet it cannot submit to a base application of any of these powers. It is in the world, yet not of the world ; in its spirit it breathes upon everything ; in its pow er it lays its hand on nothing. It en joys a slavery that is compatible with perfect freedom ; a freedom from one’s own will, and a servitude to the will of another; yet it breaks no chains to free the captive, and forges no mana cles to bind the slave. . Bibliophiles. —The word pre fixed to this article, is the plural of the word Bibliophile, which is defined by Webster, “a great lover of books.” AVe doubt not that there are many %rnong our readers who are not only great lovers of books, but ever watch ful for opportunities to add to their li braries rare and valuable books. For the benefit of such we state, that there is, in the city of New York, a company organized as the “ American Book Ex change,” that issues a monthly cata logue of books which they offer to sell, in many instances, at reduced prices, and to receive in part pay for the same, second hand books at a fair valuation. They furnish a “ Book Exchange Monthly,” containing a list of their books, prices, terms of exchange, etc., to subscribers at 25 cents per year. They have books published in differ ent languages and in different coun tries, some very rare, curious and cost ly, and others at very low prices. Among the Southern publications re ported in their catalogues, we find “ Bill Arp, Illustrated” —price, §1.00,” “Christian Paradoxes, by N. M. Craw ford, D. D.,” and “ Mind and Heart in Religion—Abraham Jager, an ex-rab bi,” each offered at 75 cents. A prop osition will probably be submitted at an early day, by one of our corres ponding editors, to furnish free of charge a copy of their catalogue to persons who will engage to send, through him, their orders for such books as they may wish to procure. The do-nothingness of Christians is the bane of the church. Live with respect to business auJ society as you do the church, and there will soon be neither shop nor store, nor will there be a fireside to invite you to its com forts. “IS TIME.” A proper apprehension of the char acter of the congregation is essential to the success of the ministry. Many efforts from the pulpit fail, not because they were lacking in truth or iD earnest ness, but because they were ill-timed and not adapted to the condition of the hearers. The Gospel truth is a unit, but it has many sides, and the congre gation is not always prepared to take a full and comprehensive view of the whole truth. The world was four thousand years in approaching the “fulness of the times” when Jesus — the Truth —should be made manifest. There were promises and prophets, bleeding victims and smoking altars, cruel bondages and wearying returns, oppressive kings and bloody wars, weeping seers and sighing bards; these were the probations of works, and the faint strugglings of hope and faith. The great bosom of humanity was torn with doubts, and again it rejoiced with the hope of glory. The race of man kind marched on slowly upon an un trodden waste, with now and then a gleam of the far off dawn falling across theigr]sath. And time and again the deep felt sigh went up to God for de liverance —a prayer broad as the nation, earnest as life, for the Messiah. But God said, “not yet,” and com manded them to the task of preparing for His coming. When that felicitous moment arrived—when the world was ready for His appearing; when human frailties had been demonstrated by re peated failures; when the mental, moral, and physical condition of man kind were best adapted to the full rev elation of God’s purposes of grace, then “ Jesus was Bent forth, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” At any other age of the world His mission might have proved a failure; His life a vain existence ; His teachings an idle rehearsal of incomprehensible verities, and His death a magnificent sensation for the novelist. So with much of our preaching, it fails because it is not “ in time.” THE MODERN JI DAS. In the history of the church, we have the reproduction of the ancient dis ciples. The apostles forcibly stand out as types of those who should after wards ibelieve on JeßuJ. John was a representative of the tender and sym pathetic ; Peter, of the bold and im petuous ; Thomas, of the doubting and sceptical; Matthew, of the deliberate and thoughtful. We likewise find that Judas represented no small class also. Tho discipleship, or character of Judas, was deficient in many features; his conduct on several occasions betiays his inconsideration, and doubtless, he began his course without first “ count ing the cost.” He followed Jesus with the expectation of immediate reward— relying more on the “ things which are seen,” and looking less “ to the things which are unseen.” The Godliness which he professed had the promise of the “ life that now is,” and but little hope of the “life that is to come.” He followed Jesus, but took up no cross, neither did he practice self denial, for his ruling passion was strong to the last, and, finally, led him to the perpetration of the fatal act — his Master’s betrayal. While he may have stripped himself of many weights, he never laid aside his besetting sin. The portraiture of his character, and the analysis of his failure, will admit of the following: Inconsideration, hence an imperfect apprehension of the rela tion he assumed in becoming a dis ciple ; present gratification, hence the development of the baser parts of his nature ; selfishness, which was the seal to his perdition, and the barrier to the Spirit of his Lord. With this simple portrait, the modern Judas is easily discovered. Reader is it your like ness? Index Advertisements. —A letter just received from one of the best known wholesale firms in Nashville, Messrs. T. H. Jones & Cos., concludes as follows: “Letters are already coming in fro m Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, saying: ‘We saw your advertisement in The Index.’ ” This unsolicited and suggestive en dorsement of the wide influence of The Index as a medium for advertisements unrivalled in the Southern States, we submit to the earnest consideration of every one in the United States who desires to promote his interests by ju dicious advertisements, such as are sure to reach and influence thousands of substantial readers. GEORGIA BAPTIST NEWS. On the 11th (Friday), the Mercer Universi ty Band will give a concert in Macon, for the benefit of the members, who are students of Mercer, and who desire to perfect their praise worthy organization by engaging the services of a thorough instuctor in music. The con cert will embrace vocal and instrumental mu sic, aided by the best amateur talent of Macon- The entertainment will, doubtless, be pleasant and prosperous. —Rev. L. M. Berry, corresponding editor of the Central Baptist, St. Louis, recently held a protracted meeting in the Baptist church in Rome, with most enceurrging results. He is an able minister. —The handsome church edifice in Thomas ton narrowly escaped destruction by fire recent ly. After a meeting the fire in the|stove was al lowed to burn, and during the night the fire had burned the timbers from around the chim ney that passed out through the roof and the the chimney had fallen igniting the floor of the church and setting it on fire. Mr. S. W. D. Caraway, discovered the fire early in the morning, and it was soon extinguished. The damages have been repaired. —From the we learn that a very interesting meeting was held in Americus the The 3pa*ious builamg was crowdl(H mem bers of all denominations. The Wp\tblican says: aS The exercises were opened with prayer Rev. Dr. Geo. F. Cooper. Short addresses were made by Revs. Boykin and Fish pertain ing to the importance of Sunday-school work. The singing by Mr. Fish was fine, and never fails to attract the attention of his audience. He is a fine talker as well as an excellent singer. The audience was highly delighted with the services thioughout. A collection was taken up for the interest of the good work that these men of God are en gaged in, but we have not learned what amount was contributed. —A correspondent of the Sparta limes and Planter writing from Linton, and alluding to the fact that the Trustees of the Washington Institute have secured Mr. R. S. Baker as Principal, says : A grand entertainment was given here last night by the young folks, for the special bene fit of the new teacher—Prof. Baker. The_ per formers were former pupils of the Institute, trained by that distinguished pianist, Prof. Gorris, now of Savannah, formerly teacher of music here. The whole affair, was a grand success. It reminded us of by-gone days, when the .Institute was in its glory. Denom inational schools stand the wreck of wars. The Baptist Association stands pledged by resolutions to foster this Institution with ten derest care. They are proud of their ‘‘Mercer,’’ as a grand achievement of Baptist co-opera tion, and they expect by the blessing of God to. make their Washington Institute a lasting monument of their zeal, in the education of youth. More than two thousand members are united in this glorious work with thous and of friends to aid and to cheer, who will crown their laudable efforts with lasting and triumphant success. —“ H. H. J.,” the versatile corresponding editor of the Macon 1 digraph & Messenger has the following pleasant allusion to brethren Boykin and Fish, in one of his recent letters dated from the M. & W. R. R.: These gentlemen are fellow-passengers, and the writer has been deeply interested and edi fied by the narration of their journeying and labors in Georgia and Florida. The former is the State Agent of the Baptist Publication Board, and an ordained minister also, but chiefly confines himself in addition to the sale and distribution of books to the work of visiting the Sabbath-schools of the country, with his co-laborer, Rev. T. C. Boy kin, who is the General Superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-schools of Georgia. Their plan is to organize what they term a “Teachers’ Institute” in each village, which consists of certain exercises and addresses agreeably to published programme, and has the effect of developing the zeal and local tal ent of each community, thereby greatly in creasing the numbers and efficiency of its Sunday-scheols. Singing, which is always an attractive feature with the children, is made a specialty. And here the sweet voice and musi al proficiency of Mr. Fish add, in no little degree, to the success of the work. On their present tour, a number of new Sun day-schools have been established, and those previously existing greatly strengthened and increased. Many of your readers, the writer included, had the pleasure of hearing these good men in Dr. Skinner’s church yesterday, and some account of.one of their meetings was prepared for publication in the Telegraph. They are very genial and pleasant in their manners, and we commend them to the favor of all Christians wherever they may go. —The Bamesville Gazette gives us the fol lowing : The ladies of the Mite Society, of the Baptist church of this place, have recently, with their own funds, carpeted the aisles of their church and in front of the pulpit. It has a very lady-like, neat appearance. If it were not for the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Methodist church and the Mite Society of the Baptist church, we do not know what would become of the brethren and the rest of us. —The West Point Stale Line Press says: We were mistaken in giving out last week that Mr. W. A. Callaway had resigned the Superintendencv of the Baptist Sabbath-school. He did not resign, .but Mr. Bookhart was elected his assistant. —Brother Weekly, missionary of the Col umbus Baptist Association, preached in the Methodist church in Howard, on the loth instant. —The Butler Herald says: Mr. E. B. Waters, is having a handsome picket paling placed around the Baptist church. When completed, it will add materially to the ap pearance of the building. Near two hundred handsome new volumes have been aided to the Baptist Sunday-school library. —Eatonton Messenger, sth inst.: Dr. Battle, President of Mercer University, has accepted the call of the Eatonton Baptist church to serve them once a month for the present year. On last Sabbath, at 11 o’clock, he preached his first sermon from the text, “ Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” It is needless for us to say that the subject was thoroughly discussed to the good and edifica tied of those who believe in the simple story of the Cross. At night he took for his text the answer which Jesus made to the thief by his side: “ Verily, I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” In the morning sermon his touching allu sion to the tragic scene upon Cavalry and its surroundings, was surpassed only by his beauti ful description at night of Paradise, the place of rest to which the thief had gone, and to which Jesus invites His people. “Special Contributions.” —We de sire to call the attention of every reader of The Index to the Special Con tributions department. In the col umns devoted to this department, will be found regular contributions from the very ablest writers in our denomina tion, on subjects of general or special interest. The choice thoughts of our best minds, and the fruit of the exeget ical labors of our most scholarly brethren, in and out of the ministry, will there be found, carefully prepared for the edification of our readers, and for the promotion of* the cause of Christ’s truth, and Christian excellence. Wa will spare neither labor or expense to keep this special department up to the highest standard of excellence, and enriched with the jewels of refined thought. When we feel the inspiring influence of books; when we are lifted on the wings of ancient genius, we should jealously avoid the perversion of the gift. The children of this world have their research and accomplishment, and enough is done for pleasure and fame ; but the Christian scholar will rebuke himself, unless he finds it in his heart to be more alive in devotion to heavenly things, at the very moment when he has breathed the aroma of poetry and eloquence. Personals. —We had the pleasure of calls during the week from Hon. Mark A. Cooper, the veteran Georgia Legislator; also from Captain Thos. A. Cabaniss, and Wm. L. Lampkin, Esq., of Forsyth. The former is the popular Solicitor General of his dis trict. Mr. L. was, for a long time, a prominent banker of Forsyth, but has now removed to Dalton. Hon. T. S. N. Bloodworth, of High Falls, Monroe county, spent a few pleasant days in our city. He is a rep resentative Georgian, and has served his people faithfully in various offices of trust and honor. We also had a welcome calf from that veteran editor and thorough South ern gentleman, Hon. J. N. Christy, of Athens. His paper is the reflex of his own character, honest, upright, frank, able and genial. Rev. J. L. Jordan called upon us last week. He has resigned the pastorate ofjthe Sixth church in this city, and, at the solicitation of many friends at the Theological Seminary, has accepted the call of the church at Greenwood, S. C. He is now at his new post of duty. May blessings attend him. The active and faithful Sunday-school Evangelists, Rev. T. C. Boykin, and Rev. L. B. Fish, spent several days with their families here last week. Brother Boykin is laboring zealously in au ar duous field, and the brethren should give him strong and united support. His map of churches of the Associa tions, now being engraved, is bound to be of great historical service to the denomination. Brethren who have not yet answered his card, requesting infor mation, should answer him at once. Brother Fish will give up his labors as S. S. Agent, etc., after May Ist. The braneh of the American Bible Publishing Society which he repre sents, has failed to pay expenses, and incurred heavy indebtedness, hence the Society has determined to withdraw its agent. Brother F. has been energetic and efficient in his work in Georgia, and has, no doubt, accomplished much good. Dr. Battle’s Essays. Number viii, of Dr. Battle’s excellent essays on “ The Human Will,” will appear in our next issue. Owing to misplacement of the manuscript, we were unable to give it place in this number. The Secretary of the Southern Historical Society, replying to Sec retary Belknap’s letter to him, says : “ The people of the South are not only willing, but anxious that the whole of their official records should be given to the world, and that the future histo rian should have the opportunity of judging them in the light of those records. Be assured then of our hearty co-operation in supplying your depart ment with missing Confederate docu ments. We will have furnished you properly authenticated copies of such as are in our possession, and will assist you in procuring others, it being un derstood, of course, that your depart ment will afford us similar facilities in the prosecution of our work.”