Newspaper Page Text
2
snr Cflmspnknte.
Horthe Index and Baptist.]
NORTHEAST GEORGIA.
CJimate— Health—Oainceville—Future of the
City—The Religione Outlook—The Baptist
Church— The Index in the Mountains.
Dear Index —Your request, asking
an occasional letter from Grainesville,
is cheerfully granted, and while these
brief epistles may contain no thrilling
intelligence, yet they will he written
in the hope that the subject-matter
thereof will not be wholly without in
terest, to at least a fair proportion of
our many readers.
Our section of the State, with its
towering mountains, its fertile valleys,
its rapidly flow'ng and sparkling
streams, and withal its pure and
salubrious air, unoontamiuatcd with
disease, and even health restoring in
its quality, is beginning to attract
noticeable attention from the less fa
vored miasmatic regions of our own
and other States. During the summer
months, especially, we have almost daily
arrivals of persons in quest of health,
many of whom are wisely purchasing
property in our rapidly growing little
city.
We have now a thrifty population of
about three thousand, which at no dis
tant day, at the present rate of increase,
will be doubled.
The future of Gainesville, whether
viewed from a business, educational or
religious standpoint, is certainly very
flattering. During the year passed,
perhaps not less than fifty buildings
have been Greeted, varying in cost from
two to ten thousand dollars each. But
this is not such evidence of real pro
gress as we find in the growing educa
tional and religious advantages of our
community. These are keeping pace
with the rapid growth of our town in
other respects. Educationally Gaines
ville is offering superior inducements to
the public. Our school, so ably pre
sided ovei formerly by that deservedly
popular teacher, George C. Looney, is
now under the care of Rev. W. C.
Wilkes, who has taught so successful
ly in other portions of this State.
Wo may say of Gainesville that, re
ligiously, the outlook is certainly en
couraging. This appears from the
growing efficiency of the various Sab
bath-schools, the promptness with
which the almost entire community at
tend upon religious services, and last,
but not least, the growing inclination
on the part of the people to support
the Gospel, which formerly has been
sadly neglected. These encouraging
evidences of genuine progress have
been apparent especially for two years
past. On retiring from the pastorship
of the church, I confess to a sense of
humble gratification I conlrast
tike i>resent 'condTllHl of our
(which is nothing to boast of now,)
with its condition five years ago, when
I it. During the past two
Crs the liberality of the church has
n mainly directed to the erection of
a commodious house of worship, which
is now nearly complete.
My worthy successor, Kev. W. C.
Wilkes, enters this field of labor under
propitious circumstances, my term of
service having been employed mainly
„in the removal of the undergrowth and
brush wood, and in grubbing the soil,
but I shall fondly cherish the hope,
while I earnestly pray, that in this case
he who has prepared the soil and sown
the seed will have occasion, very soon,
to rejoice with him who, in God’s rich
providence I trust, w ill reap the har
vest.
We ministers feel very greatly the
necessity of the general distribution
here of The Index. Our mountain
people have never been, as a community,
a reading people, hence we find them
in blissful ignorance of the great, stir
ring, living, religious questions of the
day. Asa consequence they are not
in sympathy with the denominational
movements of the times. Light upon
theso questions will beget sympathy,
and sympathy will prompt to action.
We have an honest-hearted, philan
thropic people, who, when they are
properly instructed, will act. The In
dex is a medium through which much
of this instruction may be received.
God grant that during the present year
it may find its was to many a mountain
home, and be proven an Index indeed, of
truth to many an honest heart.
W. T. Thornton.
Gainesville, Feb. 7, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist.]
“MY IIIIKIU.''
In the earlier days of my ministry
I disliked the phrase “ my church,” as
often used by some pastors. There was
a kind of popish arrogance and ego
tism in the expression my church, that
was really offensive to me. There is
still a manner in which the phrase may
be used that is not in harmony with the
true spirit of Christian, fraternal equal
ity. But there is a sense and manner
in which I love that phrase. There is
nothing necessarily repulsive about it.
It is true no church belongs to the
pastor, that he should say my church,
but there is a possession of endear
ment, as when a father says of an
erring son, “ he is my child, I can’t for
sake him.” How touching is the lan
guage “ I will walk among you, and will
he your Ged,andye shall be my people.”
Lev. xxvi: 12. This is an ownership of
love, in which it is more blessed to be
possessed than to possess. So is it
with the true pastor, who feels that he
is but an undershepherd. There is no
dearer tie on earth, and hence when he
says “my church,” with that stroag
Christ-like attachment that would make
him willing to make any sacrifice, even
“ lay his life down for the sheep,” the
church, there is surely nothing offen
sive in the expression, my church.
Who knows the strong abiding love a
true pastor has for tho people under his
care? In sickness, health, poverty,
wealth, m all their changes and trials,
he is as ready to weep with those who
weep, and rejoice with those who re
joice, as a mother with her own dear
children. Yea, he is ever ready to lead
them, like the Good Shepherd, into
green pastures. When such a pastor
of an appreciative church sings the
beautiful lines of Dr. Dwight—
“ For her my tears shall fall,
For her my prayerß ascend;
To her my cares and toils be given
Till toils and cares shall end.
Beyond my highest joy
Iprize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.”
It is no fiction, it is the earnest breath
ing of his soul. When such a one says
“ my church,” it is that possession that
claims only the ownership of love.
With this spirit, let every pastor say
my church. W. M. Howell.
Lumpkin, Oa.
For the Index and Baptist.]
OIK SI A (ON LETTER.
Baptist Affairs—Mercer I Diversity—Dr. Skinner
—Sabbath-seheol Institute—Colletting Funds
—“Kind Words.”
Editors Index — l take pleasure in
sending you the money for anew sub
scriber, and expect to send more. Bap
tist affairs in Macon are progressing
favorably, with one exception—the bal
ance due on the old debt of the Second
Baptist church is being pressed legally
to a degree, which involves diligent col
lections or the sale of property. The
church has put brother E. M. Yaughn,
lately ordained, in the field to collect
the amount, (about $1,200,) in order
to save the property. It is to be hoped,
for the honor of our cause, that he will
fully succeed.
In Mercer University all is moving
on smoothly and prosperously. Among
the students excellent order prevails,
and their diligence in study is very
marked. About one hundred and thirty
are in attendance, and, as a body, are as
fine-looking a set of young men as you
will see anywhere. Many of them are
young men of a high order of intellect,
and will not only do credit to their
alma mater, but to the State. The
president is universally popular, and
with the aid of an able faculty, is sus
taining the credit of the denomination
admirably.
Dr. Skinner is moving forward in
fine stjle as pastor, making a fine im-
Preesvtt and drawing large congrega-*
tions. He lectures every Wednesday
night on the subject of the Sunday
school lesson, and quite a number at
tend and appear interested. He has
originated aYoung Men’s Prayer-Meet
ing Society, with a constitution and in
itiation ceremony, which is arousing
much zeal and ean estness among the
young men. Our Sunday-school has
increased largely since his advent, hav
ing now thirty-six classes and teach
ers. Brethren Fish and T. C. Boykin
spent a couple af days with us lately,
holding an Institute and affording
much instruction and gratification.
The latter complimented brother Zet
ler’s school very highly. Though very
quiet, brother Zetler makes a good su
perintendent, and teachers and scholars
all love him. The South Baptist Mis
sion school is also doing will under the
management of brother C. B. Ellib and
his assistants.
At its last conference the church took
anew departure as to the collection of
mission funds. It determined to ap
point a “mission committee” to be com
posed of one male member and six
ladies, the pastor to be an ex officio
member of the committee, the duty of
which shall be to adopt and carry out
some plan for collecting all the benev
olent funds of the church regularly and
systematically. The church is deter
mined to collect its own mission funds,
and to do this in a way that will secure
contributions from each member, and
not merely from a few. “ Something
from each member” is to be the motto,
and it is made the duty of this com
mittee to see, and, if possible, secure
contributions from each member of the
church, which contributions are to be
appropriated as the church may see fit
to order. It may interest some of
your readers to know that the nickel
colhetions in onr Sunday-school dur
ing January, amounted to $25. Each
class has its envelope, and generally
something is contributed by each class
every Sabbath.
Other matters of interest connected
with Baptist affairs in Macon must
hide their time. I will say this, how
ever, before closing, Kind Words is
holding its own, in these hard times.
I am glad that the Sunday-schools of
Georgia geneinlly stem to like the
paper and s> 1 ssons ; and I hope all
of them w " subscribe for it, and use
the lessons in school. It will soon con
tain the likenesses of seme of our most
popular ministers and missionaries.
S. Boxkin.
Macon, Ga., Fob. 8, 1876.
Bev. Mr. Door, the junior pastor of
Dade Circuit Holston Conference, was
recently thrown frem a wagon, and fa
tally injured.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
For the Index and Baptist]
BIBLE SCENES—A VISION OF FAITH.
HO. 111.
Go again to the rugged banks of the
Jordan. See the Savioar, who has
just ascended from its dark waves.
Tis the same beautiful morning of
His baptism.
The pale shafts of light, which
shone but softly when the multitude
first gathered, have grown stronger
and brighter; the waving line of
mountain tops, around the horizon, is
beginning to redden with the fires of
the coming day.
Away to the East the walls of Jeru
salem, and the windows of the holy
temple, are ablaze with the glory of a
noonday sun. ■
Far along the North, we usually see
a misty line, marking the course of the
Jordan ; but now, the bright rays of
the golden sun havefcoftened s£e mur
ky waters, until it seems as if the
shining train of a comet had (fallen
between the hills.
The multitude that witnessed the
descent of that Dove of Light now
watch that same Spirit lead the Son of
God away. Let us, too, follow in vis
sion. Though many are thronging
the broad road that leads to the Holy
City, ’tis not to this point the Holy
Ghost directs our blessed Saviour.
Along a meandering path, that is so
lonely and narrow it seems to* be used
only by the wild beasts of pTey, when
they come to drink at the Jordan, is
the willing Saviour led.
The straining eyes of the multitude
are now fixed upon that solitary figure
ascending the crags of the rugged way.
Slowly, steadfastly, alone, Hs. follows
the path along the drearjiy rocky
plain ; among bare, desolate hills, and
wild ravines, which seem to have been
made by rending in pieces the moun
tain range, and heaving the mighty
fragments like a storm-tossed sea.
Not a human dwelling, nor a sign of
cultivation ; not a spot of green earth
to relieve the desolation. -<
Now the path drops down the
shelving ridge, and now it is buried in
the deep ravine ; here, again, we see it
hanging on the very edge of a precipice.
Such is the path our Saviour takes af
ter His baptism.
From this wild mountain pass, we
see the holy Son of Mary turn aside to
worship God, and pray for Divine
strength and guidance in this great
temptation that is to come upon Him.
He is in His humanity now, and has
need of the energy, calmness and self
possession which come by prayer.
Now, we see Him rise again and re
new the march, turning Hisxface to
ward the wilderness without a^ear.
But at length the goal i^_reached.
And now the
(b s i >
A day’s journey
sea of rocky ridges and stony ledges
lies the Holy One, to whom, but a few
short hours ago, the very gates of
Heaven bad been opened when He
stood by the baptismal waters.
Now, He lies alone, like Jacob of
old, with a stone for His pillow, and
the sentinel stats, out in all their fiery
aimor on the battlement of Heaven,
for His canopy.
¥es, the Sen of God, who might
command hosts of angels to minister
to His wants, “bath not where to lay
His head.”
The Lord of Heaven, who might
command the music of legions of
Heavenly harps, hears, now, no foot
fall on the hard hills, and no music on
the soft night air, save the heavy
tramp and the fierce howl of the wild
beasts. But He lies down sweetly and
peacefully to sleep.
Ho threat or peril can make Him
fear ; no hardship can exhaust His en
durance; no temptation can turn Him
aside from His duty, for though human
He leans not on himself, his trust is in
Heaven.
Again, the rosy hues of dawn ap
pear in the “ dappled east,” the blue
star spangled curtain of night is slow
ly lifted from the dark horizon of en
compassing mountains. The solitary
sleeper is wakened by the Hash of the
first beams of the golden robed sun.
Again the vision changes.
Forty days and nights have passed,
and yet no suecor has come to the
lonely exile. Now the Heavens are
daikened, thick clouds cover the blue
skies, and blot out the soft light of the
stars.
The distant thunders rouse the wild
beasts from their lair. The darkness
is blacker than the night.
Again the morning dawns, but with
it no bright rays of light to cheer the
lonely watcher. His countenance has
changed. Troubled visions seem to
have haunted his night hours. The
holy countenance, so calm and peaceful
when last we saw it, wears a tioubled
look, and “ from his eye, flashes the
wrath of tempted innocence.” Hunger
has seized the fainting Saviour, and,
like Elijah of old, he is sitting wrapiped
in eouLmplation, but no ravens come
to bring him food.
Instead thereof appears again the
Tempter, this time in visible form,
perchance wearing the garb of an
angel, and we hear him say, “If thou
be the Son of God, command that these
stones he made bread.” But the faint
ing Saviour replies, “It is written, man
shall not live hy hi end alone, hut by
every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God.”
Again the vision changes.
The Saviour of men, he who could,
with one look, now wither the wicked
being at his side, for our sakes, that he
may be made a substitute for us, allows
this Angel of Darkness to transport
Him to the Holy City.
’Tis the feast of the Tabernacle, and
the city is thronged with people from
every direction. The temple is filled
with praise and hallelujahs to the
Lord, and yet He allows Himself car
ried to the pinnacle of that Sacred
Temple, and put in subjection, for our
sakes, to the Evil One. Again we hear
the tones of the Tempter, “ If Thou be
the Son of God, cast Thyself down, for
it is written, He shall give His angels
charge concerning Thee.”
And again we hear the sweet voice
of the Saviour reply, “It is written,
thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God.”
Again the vision changes.
Only one more assault the powers of
darkness can make. From the Holy
City, away from the temple, the Spirit
of Evil, the Spirit of Light permitting,
leads the Saviour of men. Quickly, by
some power mysterious, they reach
Mount Neho’s barren cliffs, and there,
on the same lofty summit from whence
Moses had viewed the Land of Promise,
the Tempter shows to the Builder and
Maker of all this grandeur, “ all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory
of them.” And again we hear him
speak, “ All these things will I give
Thee if Thou wilt fall down and wor
ship me.” But this time the Lord re
plies, “ Get thee hence Satan, it is
written, thou shalt worship the Lord
thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve.”
Oh, Christian! if Christ was led
through such a path, from his baptism,
shall we expect no further temptation,
when we have come out on the Lord’s
side. Nay, but let us remember,
when temptations come, though Satan
is a strong man armed, yet the Cap
tain of our salvation is stronger than
he. That Christ conquers for us, be
ing tempted like as we are, and that
we, through Him, are more than con
querors. Bunnie.
For the Index and Baptist]
TOWALIGA ASSOCIATION.
Response of E. Duoias to “ ft. S. R.”
Editors Index— Dear Brethren: Al
low me space in your interesting paper
to make a courteous reply to brother
H. S. 8., to his article published in the
Christian Index, Jan. 27th, 1876. I
know who “ H. S. R.” is, and I esteem
him as . brother laborer in the vineyard
of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have
studied his courteous essay as to what
the Towaliga Association did at its last
Associational meeting. The queries
he mentioned as sent up to said Asso
ciation in 1874, are correct. They were
! re?erred*backko tb4 Humifies for ansuttr
as to the integral parts constituting
their organization to he answered at
the next session, which was done by
the churches.
Upon their answers the Association
answered,as a creature of said churches,
in the language my dear brother quotes
in his communication. But yhere he
got the idea of addressing the Mr.
President, in reference to Mr. Irwin’s
report on missions, that the Towaliga
Association, and four others, wished
membership in the Baptist State Con
vention of Georgia is something
strange to me. The Towaliga Associa
tion has never asked for such a record
in said Convention, and I do not think
she ever will do so, from the fact that
the Towaliga Association, from 1842,
has believed that the Missionary Bap
tists have been drifting into all the
isms of the day, since their organiza
tion hy Luther Rice, their founder.
(See Malcom’s History, etc.)
If brother H. S. R. will turn from
those isms advocated by Missionary
Baptists, and take the Bible, and the
Bible alone, then all the Baptists will
he a unit, but not until then.
Brethren Editors, why is it that Bap
tists will preach the Bible and the
Bible alone is the creed of Baptists, and
then advocate things, in their labor and
zeal, that are not found in their Bible ?
0, think, my brothers, before you
further go, for you know it is wrong
to condemn in others that which vou
allow in your own doings. You must
know my brothers, that the Bilie is our
square, plumb and level. I would like
very much, my brothers, for us to agree
in the doctrine of the Bible, as har
moniously as we can sing together, hut
with ycur isms, outside of the teach
ings of the Bible, I am sure we never
c an. The Primitive Baptists hold that
no legal and Scriptural bodies can be
fern ed outside of the chuich of Christ,
for the extension of His kingdom. If
yon can find it in your B’hle, please let
me know where it is to be found.
E. Dumas.
For the Index and BantistJ
An Appeal to the Baptist Oimthes and Pastors
In the South.
Dear Brethren— Without any per
sonal or selfish interest in the matter,
we feel constrained to call your atten
tion to the present pressing wants of
our cause iu the city of San Antonio,
Texas.
Ist. Theie is a small church there—
a feeble band, but devotedly pious and
true Baptists. They are poor, and can
not move forward without help.
2d. Mainly through the liberality of
our brethren in Texas, and in other
States, and the indomitable zeal and
energy of brother J. W. D. Creath, a
parsonage has been built, the walls of
, the church edifice completed, and the
roof put on. The site in the city is well
selected; and while the church is being
built in a substantial manner, it is be
ing done at as little cost as the nature
of the case will allow.
3d. The little church has no place in
which to meet for worship, except the
private houses of the member?, where
they are accustomed to meet for prayer.
4. The Galveston, Harrisburg &
San Antonio Railroad is now approach
ing San Antonio. With its entrance
into the city will be a large influx of
new population. We ought to have
our house of worship ready, and a suit
able pastor to take advantage of such
a favorable opportunity for organizing
and building up the cause of truth.
sth. San Antonio is the gateway to
the great West beyond, and to Mexico.
There is no point, perhaps, in the
Union more important as a mission
field.
6th. While we fight Romanism in
Rome, let us not neglect this cause in
our own land. San Antonio is the
Rome of Texas.
7th. We ought to secure, at an early
dav, one of our strongest ministers for
this great city. He should be there
the coming spring. Yet, he would he
comparatively useless without a house
of worship. We can complete it —will
we do it ? We wish to make our
words few. Our proposition is this:
Let every pastor and minister to whom
this appeal comes, read it, or state the
case to his congregation, at 11 o’clock
on Sabbath, and take a public collec
tion for this object—to complete the
Baptist house of worship in San Anto
nio. Send contributions to Elder R.
C. Buckner, Dallas ; Elder J. B. Link,
Houston, or E. G. Huston, Esq., San
Antonio, Texas.
Brethren, from our hearts we appeal
to you in this cause. May the Lord
direct you. Very truly yours,
[Signed]—F. M. Law, Bryan ; J. H.
Stribling, Tyler; Wm. Howard, Gal
veston; B. H. Carroll, Waco; Jonas
Johnson, Anderson; S. L. Scruggs,
Bremond ; W. H. Dodson, Calvert; C.
E. Stephens, Biemond; J. B. Link,
Houston ; W. C. Crane, Independence ;
R. C. Buckner, Dallas; H. W. Dodge,
Austin—J. Beall and E. G. Huston,
Building Committe San Antonio
church.
Texas, 187(5.
Jlfrflraa jof pistonr.
For the Index and Baptist.]
LADY JANE GREY.
There is no individual life in the- an
nals of history, over whose record we
Upgqf .jnjire pityingly and tendqrlj tliAn,
that ot Lady Jane Grey. She was the
victim of court intrigue, and in her
youth and purity met her sad fate
through no fault of her own.
Born in 1537, the granddaughter of
Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, she
had some claim to the throne. At
sixteen she was married to Guilford
Dudley, son of John Dudley, Duke of
Northumberland. Living at one of her
country seats, she devoted herself to
study, caring more for her home life
than the admiration and adulation her
rank and beauty would have attracted
for her at court. Very beautiful, and
accomplished to a remarkable degree
for one so young ; familiar with eight
languages, proficient in music and
. “learned beyond the churchmen,” say
her historians, she possessed a rare
loveliness and modesty of character,
seldom seen combined with such mark
ed ability. It was said she had a pre
sentment that to live a quiet life was
her only safeguard against a violent
death. Since ,f coming events cast their
shadows before,” we will not condemn
this feeling as wholly imaginary.
At the death of Edward VI, when
the throne was contested, her claim
was brought forward, though Mary
tond Elizebeth were the rightful heirs.
The Duke of Northumberland per
suaded Edward, in his dying hours, to
appoint Lady Jane Grey his successor,
and, immediately after his death, pro
ceeded to proclaim her queen, much
against her own will. She refused the
proffered crown, and urged the priority
of the claim of the daughters of Henry
VIII. When, owing to the persuasions
of her husband, she finally yielded, she
exclaimed: “If this right he truly
mine, O, gracious God, give me strength
so to rule as to promote Thy honor and
my country’s good!” She was pro
claimed queen, hut reigned only a few
days. The people pleased with the re
ligious toleration which Mary offered
them, were eager to do her homage;
meanwhile she was gathering her army
to oppose the Duke of Northumberland
and his party. Gaining strength among
nobles and the people, she succeeded
in defeating him, and was universally
acknowledged queen.
Guilford Dudley and his lovely wife
were imprisoned and condemed to death.
And now comes the proof of woman’s
strength and endurance under great
trial. Her husband was condemned to
be executed before the populace, and
begged that he might see her once more
and to bid her farewell. In answer to
this appeal, which would have unnerv
ed most women, she steadily refused to
see him, and wrote him the following
letter:
“Do not let us meet Guilford
we must see each other no more, until
we are united in a better world. You
must now devote yourself to none but
serious thoughts. No more love, no
more happiness here upon earth ! we
must now think of nothing but death.
Remember, my Guilford, (he people are
waiting for you, to see how a man can
die. Show no weakness as you ap
proach the scaffold. Your fortitude
would be overcome, perhaps, were you
to see me; you could not quit your
poor Jane without tears, and tears and
weakness must be left to us women.
Adieu, my Guilford, adieu! Bea man;
be firm at the last hour, let me be
proud of you.”
She watched him from her window
on his way to the scaffold, and then
prepared to follow him, which she did
in a few days.
Mary tormented her with Catholic
priests, who brought messages of prom
ised pardon if she would abjure the
reformed faith. But with a firm, sweet
Badness she refused, and prepared with
calmness and deliberation for her exe
cution. Having written her last letter
of adieu to her sister, the Countess of
Pembroke, accompanied by a Greek
Testament, as her last gift, she bade
her female attendants to cut off her
beautiful hair, changed her mourning
for a pure white dress, and then walked
with a calm, firm step to the place of
execution. When she saw the spark
ling of the steel axe, she turned pale;
kneeling, she raised her beautiful eyes
to heaven and repealed in sweet, clear
tones the Miserere, then, placing her
head upon the block, in a moment more
all was over. Her mire spirit winged
its flight to a holier sphere, and there
received the crown which was right
fully and truly hers. G. W.
REST.
My feet are wearied, and my hands are fired—
My soul oppressed—
And with desire have I long deeired
Rest—only rest.
’Tis hard to toil—when toil is almost vain
In barren ways ;
’Tis hard to sow and never garner grain
In harvest days.
The burden of my days is hard to bear—
But God knows best ; £
And I have prayed, but vain has been my prayer,
For rest—sweet rest.
’Tis bard to plant in spring, and never reap
The autumn yield ;
'Tis hard to till—and when ’tis tilled to weep
O’er fruitless field.
And so I cry a weak and human cry,
So heart-oppressed ;
And so I sigh a weak and human sigh
For rest—for rest.
My way has wound across the desert years,
And cares infest
My path ; and through the flowing of hot tears
I pined for rest.
’Twas always so; when still a child, I laid
On mother's breast
My wearied little head ; e’en then I prayed
As now, for rest.
And lam restless still. ’Twill soon be o'er;
For, down the west , I
Life’s sun is setting, and I see the shore
Where I shall rest.
BIBLE STI'DY.
The Vermont Chronicle, in urging
upon its readers the importance of
Bible study, says:
A knowledge of how to study the
Bible aright is no slight attainment.
The first requisite for this is faith in it
as the revealed will of God, designed
for our individual enlightenment and
sanctification. Next, there is needed
faith in God’s willingness to reveal
himself, His will and our duty, to us,
through the Word, accompanied by a
spirit of humble waiting upon Him by
prayer for His Spirit, to interpret to us
His truth. Then, one having a refer
ence Bible, a Concordance, and, for dif
ficult passages, a Commentary, needs to
read it with great deliberation, and
with the purpose to get at the meaning
of every clause, noticing its connection
with what goes before and what fol
lows, and comparing it with parallel
passages. Sometimes it is well to read
chapters and books through by course.
At other times one will find great profit
in taking particular doctrines or topics,
and hunting up everything in the Bible
relating to them. In this way one ac
quires a familiarity with what is in the
Bible, and his knowledge becomes
broader and more definite. Gradually
there are revelead to him heights and
depths, riches and secrets, that cause
him to wonder and adore, while they
beckon- him on to new study, and qual
ify him for higher usefulness. Persons
who are busy with cares and secular
duties from morning till night, often
feel that they have no lime for such
study of the Bible. But is not the end
sought worth taking the time for, even
if we accomplish less in other direc
tions ? We have known individuals
whose whole time seemed to be needed
for the cares of this life, who yet kept
their Bibb constantly near them, and,
by a determined purpose, found the
time to commune with God in His
Word, and though in very humble
stations, became mighty in the Scrip
tures, and had power with G-od and
men.
The Patrons’ Heljfer truly says:
“The church has politicians in it, the
Grange has politicians, and in both
alike, as everywhere else, the politicians
strive, in some way, to help themselves
by using their fellows, and to carry
out their own base views by log-rolling
with other politicians equally base and
equally self-seeking. But that does
not make either the Grange or the
church a political institution, and it
never will. The Grange is a social
and business organization, not a politi
cal one.”