Newspaper Page Text
2
Dur Cnmspoitkitfs.
For The Index and Baptist.]
HOMK AGAIN.
Not in Macon, my birthplace, and
the seat of Mercer University, from
whose professors I have, in other days,
received incalculable benefit; nor in
Savannah, where I was baptized, li
censed to preach, and spent many of
the happiest days of my life, but in
Georgia, and Georgia, in whatever part
I may dwell, is home. And then Au
gusta is Macon, to theeitent of having
two of the moat earnest working Chris
tians that the University has sent out
in the last few years—one a member of
my class of 1871, and the other a son
of the professor of Natural Sciences;
and Augusta is Savannah also, for here
I have found those who were members
of my father’s congregation in that
city, and, moreover, one lady, from
Oglethorpe County, who tossed me in
her arms when an infant. Am I not
at home again ? Born in Georgia, edu
cated, in part, in Rhode Island, theo
logically trained in South Carolina,
living for a while in Tennessee, preach
ing as a Missionary in Mississippi, I
was ordained in Texas, and had my first
pastorate in Louisiana. But, for hav
ing been a wanderer, I can now appre
ciate Georgia all the more. And let
me say justfflere, that if any reader of
The Index thinks ho can do better by
movirtg away from Georgia, let him
know, before he makes an effort, that
ho will be mistaken. “A word to the
wise,” etc.
The Green Street Church has already
a well established reputation that noods
no endorsement from its newly installed
pastor, but if anyone wishes to know
the half of its excellencies, let him con
sult Rev. M. B. Wharton, D.D., or the
writer. And speaking of brother Whar
ton—what a noble fellow he is. How
kindly and affectionately ho has helped
a younger brother to feel at home in a
church heretofore presided over by
some of the very best preachers in the
denomination, and notably himself, to
whom this people are so warmly at
tached. Why do not all of our pastors
have the same noble, generous spirit
for their successors ?
Wo are going to labor to make Au
gusta as much a Baptist city as Atlanta
is, with The Index in every family,
and, as a consequence, of course, active
members in every church. The First
church, the First Ward church, the
Second church, and the Broad Street
church—wo have four Baptist churches
in Augusta, you see—ave all flourish
ing, and wo trust will soon receive
outpourings from the spirit of God.
Dr. Shaver is doing a splendid work
’ wLfh a largd Bible class in our Sunday
school, and filling the pulpit of Broad
• street church. More anon.
Wm. Warren Landrum.
Augusta, Oa., Fob. 88th, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist.]
THINGS UNPLEASANT.
The preacher paid his fare on the
railroad several miles to fill his ap
pointment, preached three or four ser
mons, visited his flock all ho could,
prayed for them, talked to the chil
dren, etc. Time came to return home;
His brethren had promised him at that
meeting, they would pay him a part of
his small salary, long since due, and
very much needed ; hut he has to leave
for home with nothing paid. He
journeys on with a sad heart, physical
ly and mentally worn down, to meet
the smiles of a fond wife and children,
but his feelings are not revived when
he reaches home, to hear his wife say,
(rather outof humor,) “the menlisout;
meat is getting quite short; I have bad
to borrow some coffee from neighbor
I think it is a hard case to have you
always gone, to preach for a people that
care so little for our welfare.”
Ferkaps more preachers than one
have had similar unpleasantness.
Old Wireokass Preacher.
Decatur county, Georgia.
For the Index and Baptist.]
OUR COUNTRY PREACHERS.
But little is said about this class of
our ministry. No one can read the
history of the Baptists of Georgia,
without realizing that this class of our
ministry are the founders of the Bap
tist cause in this State. Such men as
the Marshalls, Mercers, Gibsons,
Mathews, Callaways, Thorntons, Kil
patricks, and a host of others, with the
self-denial and energy characteristic of
the men, and worthy of all praise, went
into all parts of the country, preaching
Jesus as they went; these men are
gone to their rich reward, but their ex
ample is still felt. Thanks to the
Lord, we still have in the country,
from the mountains to the seaboard,
men who have consecrated their lives
to the work of the Gospel ministry,
and are ready to preach that Gospel
night and day to their perishing fel
low-men.
We often speak of our numerical
strength, and sometimes almost boast
of our numbers. To whom, under
God, are we so much indebted for this
power as a denomination ? Is it not
the class of the ministry above alluded
to? Where shall we go to find the
most earnest workers; men always
ready to leave their homes, sometimes
under most trying circumstances, to
preach “the unsearchable riches of
Christ P”
Not only this, but where shall wo
go to find many of the most cultivated,
intelligent, and we may add, the best
preachers in the State ? You will find
them in this class. Visit the Georgia
Association, the Hepbzib’ah, Mercer,
Rehobotb, Columbus, Sarepta, Middle
Cherokee, and others that we have not
space to mention, and you will find a
ministry filling the pulpits of our coun
try churches unsurpassed, as a whole,
in pulpit power and ministerial success,
in this or any other State,
I might speak of the abundant la
bors of these men; their readiness to
lead in every good work, when satisfied
it is sound and scriptural. I might
speak of their inadequate salaries;
finding it necessary to labor in the
field, and in the school-room, to sup
port their families ; but we close by
thanking the Lord for such a class of
devoted ministers, as have and do now
fill the pulpits of the country church
es. M.
For the Index and Baptist.]
MATTERS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
Editors Index —Mossy Creek Col
lege is flourishing. This excellent in
stitution Is exerting a very beneficial
influence upon the interests of the de
nomination in this section.
Bristol Female College is also mak
ing its mark, as a thorough and influ
ential institution for the education of
young ladies.
The revival spirit pervades the
churches generally in upper East Ten
nessee, and large numbers have been
added to their flock this winter.
Brother M. L. Ingram, pastor of
Blountville, and who has done so much
good labor during the past fall and
winter, is now, and has been, for sev
eral days, confined to his room. He
took cold, and came near having a spell
of pneumonia. He is somewhat im
proved, but not able to be out.
Brother Ingram is from Virginia.
We are quite proud of him, and would
be glad to have more such Virginians.-
We have cheap lands, pure water and
healthy climate to offer them. We
will take Georgians, too, such as
brother Pope, of the Morristown Re
flector. You may send us a car load
of them. If any of them would like
to come to East Tennessee to locate,
and will w.ito me, I will pick them out
u good farm. N. J. Phillips.
Blountville, Tennessee, March 1, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist. I
SUBJECT FOR CIILRCII CONFERENCE.
There is frequently very little of vi
tal importance to engage the attention
of the churches upon these occasions.
Tho business usually done can be dis
patched in a short time, and the bal
ance of the time can be most profitably
employed talking about missions.
It is an important question, bow mis
sionary intelligence is to bo dissemi
nated among the churches ? The
churches in the county meet but once
a month, and the pastors cannot con
fine themselves to this subject each
sermon they preach. It may be an
swered, let it. bo doce at the missionary
prayer-meeting, heid, as has been re
quested, on Sunday morning of each
monthly meeting. That is a time of
special prayer for tne blessing of God
upon our mission work. It is admitted
that the reading of short extracts from
missionary journals, and short addres
ses would be profitable, still it would
be better, and I submit it for the con
sideration of the brethren, to spend a
considerable part of their conference
meeting in talking about the conver
sion of the world to Jesus. The
brethren might ascertain, as far as
they could, the moral condition of the
world, the efforts our Southern Boards
are making, the number of missiona
ries employed, and at each conference
meeting, speak of these interesting
topics.
Surely, the whole Saturday after
noon is not required to attend to the
discipline of the church. Certainly
not. If you will adopt the course sug
gested, and in this way diffuse, not
only missionary intelligence, but a
missionary spirit, there will not be
much need for discipline. If the
hearts of the brethren become bur
dened with the condition of the lost
millions of earth, and begin in earnest
to work in the name of Jesus for their
salvation, they will not have any in
clination to engage in the petty strife
that sometimes disturbes the harmony
of the churches.
Come, brethren, try this. C.
For the Index and Baptist.]
F. SI. UAYUOOD’S LETTER.
Editors Index —Bear Brethren —
Before leaving Conyers I will relate an
incident. On a recent Sabbath, the
First Baptist church at Conyers, Ga.,
celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Just at
the close of the Supper service one
brother said : “I have, to-day, felt the
presence of God during this memorial
service, as I never felt it before. I feel
that God is here.” Another brother
started that beautiful song, “Alas and
did my Saviour bleed,” to the chorus,
“O how I love Jesus,” and God dis
played his love and grace in a wonder
ful manner. To his name be all the
praise.
In passing through Atlanta, I called
at The Index office. All were as busy
as bees. It costs much time and labor
to get The Index ready for its thou
sands of readers.
On the cars, while en route to this
city, there was too much “spirits”
aboard. It was not with the young
men either, it was with the old and the
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
gray. What a fearful evil whisky
drinking is. Alas 1 for our country.
At Macon we went to the Baptist
church, and found Dr. Skinner (the
pastor) lecturing at the Wednesday
evening meeting.
One day in the city enabled me to see
many old friends, one of whom I. will
mention, Mrs. F. L. Henry (a sister in
the First Baptis church,) who was an
invalid and net able to walk one step
for more than fifteen years. She is
now erect and can walk well. To see
her thus reminded me of the sacred
times when the lame walked at the bid
ding of our dear Saviour. Sister Henry
has ever been cheerful and happy,
scattering light and joy around her
circle. More anon.
F. M Havgood.
Macon, Ga., Feb. 25th 1876.
For the Index and Baptist.!
“PU BUSHING ALMS AND CONTRIBUTION*.”
Dear Index —ln your last number,
you say some very good things in re
lation to the publishing of “ alms and
contributions,” etc., and g've us in con
nection with your own views of man
aging and publishing The Index, some
criticisms “ from one of the most dis
tinguished ministers in our denomina
tion.”
It is not the object of this article to
criticize either your rule, or your man
agement, or to express sympathy for
your unenviable office. It is not to be
supposed, that editors and managers of
papers, will have no rule for their ac
tion; nor does any reasonable man
think that an editor has nothing to do
but to sit in a rocking chair and smoke
his cigar, and let all the world minis
ter to his physical, mental and moral
comfort; nor does anybody imagine
that everbody else will be pleased with
what he does or says, whether he pub
lishes “ long, dry sermons,” or “ bad
English,” or “items of alms,” etc.
We are surprised, brethren editors,
to notice a little ruffle on the temper of
this editorial, as if you intended to put
to silence these croakers, and publish
nothing hereafter but “ short, spicy”
sermons, without reference to the doc
trines, principles, or facts they demon
strate and illustrate, and only the
names of large alms contributors, and
nothing but the “ pure English un
defiled.”
This reminds us of the threats and
vows that parents and teachers some
times make, when the children are not
doing exactly right, and need only a
little awakening to the situation. Now,
brethren, as you have admitted some
complaints of your management, we
have one to make for ourself, and two
or three for our friends, which we ten
der in the very best spirit, apj|<iN|f no
other purpose than to snow how easy
it is to complain, and how difficult it
will be for you to please everybody.
You will, no doubt, indulge an old
agent of The Index, and of “ small
alms.”
We, for ourself, desire that you will
not “consume so much space” in telling
your contributors that you intend to be
governed by “wisdom, truth, and com
mon sense,” and that you will expect
them to be governed by the same rule.
“ It is a poor rule that does not work
both ways, - ’ and you will pardon us for
suggesting that howevor well you may
keep it, “both in the spirit and letter,”
your contributors, the very best of
them, will “crack it” in some places, if
not in all. Some of our friends say
that the paper is too large and the
price too high, so that, however well
they may like its appearance and con
tents, it is too inconvenient to turn the
pages over and get them in the right
places, and their purses are too empty
to foot the bills. Some were never sat
isfied with it, tdl the “ alms items”
were all published. The agents told
them these were the days of small
things, and “ mite boxes,” and led
them to believe that it is just as praise
worthy to give a nickel, even with
some change returned, as is to endow a
college, or build a whole mission house,
and hence the names muH appear on
“the rolls.” Allow me to assure you
that it will be dangerous for you to
change your rule in this particular.
Not a few, seriously think it very hard
that you will not allow them, without
high pay, to tell something about their
deceased relatives and friends, whose
lives and characters have been such as
to instruct the surviving, and stimulate
them to a holier living and a higher
aim. They are especially grieved at
this prohibition, because you are in the
habit of giving many long, dry, labored
“ obituary notices of living ” ministers
and brethren, written often by some of
“ the most distinguished ministers in
our denomination,” and generally about
young men, who are already apt “to
think more highly of themselves than
they ought to think.” The only rem
edy that we can see for the salvation of
these “rising men of the denomina
tion,” is for them to remember that
we do not always look for the truth in
epitaphs ; and that it is a rule with the
friends of the deceased to bury the
faults of the dead in their graves. The
ancient heathen philosophers thought
it the wisest not to praise men until
after they had actually died. This,
doubtless, would be a good rule for
your contributors. It will “ save much
valuable space.”
Brethren, we will not complain, but
watch with much interest, the working
of your rule, and pray for your success.
Your Friend.
February 20, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist.]
FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
The Lord’s Cause in Nashville—The Revival
Movement—The “Willing Workers”—Mission
Work—Gratifying Results.
Again we have the happiness to an
nounce that the Lord is doing great
things for Nashville. He is adding to
the church daily, of such as shall be
saved. On Sunday, February 27th,
and again on the following Sunday,
there were willing converts buried in
baptism in all of the three churches of
our city.
The distinctive feature of this revi
val movement is that the work is car
ried on largely through the instrumen
tality of the lay bretheren of the various
churches. Recently a number of breth
ren of the three churches formed an
organization under the name of “The
Willing Workers.” They were banded
together for mutual assistance and con
centra’ed effort, in any field where the
Lord would open the way. Rev. M
H. Lane, recently of Augusta, Ga.,now
pastor of the Central church, was
chosen president, and Rev. W. A. Nel
son, of Edgefield church, gave the
benefit of his judicious counsel and
large experience in missionary work.
Three we ks ago it was determined to
commence a meeting at an outpost
station, known as the North Nashville
Mission, which is under the direction
and fostering care of the First church.
The meeting was begun, and continued
for a week by the brethren, with en
couraging results ; some three or four
conversions had taken place, and a
number of others were asking for
prayer and instruction. Just at this
juncture, Rev. Dr. Quirell. of Illinois,
providentially arrived in the city, and
was incontinently captured by the
brethren, and commissioned as their
leader. He commenced preaching on
Sunday, 20th ult., and has held nightly
meetings up to this time, with the in
terest steadily increasing and the field
widening. The lay brethren are on
hand in force, ready to sing, to pray,
to speak, or to converse with inquirers,
and best of all, the Lord is present in
the midst.
Meantime another meeting had been
commenced at the Rosehank Mission,
which is an offshoot from the Edgefield
church. This location is quite out of
the city, and in a rather thinly settled
neighborhood, yet the meeting, which
continued for a week, was a success ;
there being some twelve converts who
have united, or will unite, with the
Edgefield church. Immediately after
the close, the parent church began a
meeting which is now in its second
week, and is accomplishing much good.
Bro. Nelson works in his home field at
a disadvantage, from the fact that he
has been over the ground so often, and
so thoroughly, that less material is left
to work upon than would be found al
most anywhere else.
In the Central church also, a meet
ing was commenced a week ago, (their
second revival meeting of this winter,)
md much interest is manifest. The
Lord seems to be greatly blessing the
labors of brother Lane among the peo
ple of South Nashville. The church
is in a better condition spiritually than
it has been for years, and is growing in
numbers and in vital power.
Tho results of the past three weeks
may be summarized as follows :
First church —baptized, 28; restored,
2 ; awaiting baptism 12. Edgefield
chrcuh —baptized, 13. Central church
—baptized, 3 ; awating baptism 10.
Besides these, there are a consider
able number of persons who have pub
licly manifested their desire to become
Christians —not less than fifty in all —
whom we hope soon to number among
the converts. Hitherto hath the Lord
helped us. L.
Nashville, Maroli 6, 1876.
Fur the Index and Baptist.]
Reply to the Moderator o the Towaliga Assotla
tlon.
Editors Index —I notice in your
issue of The Index, February 17ch,
that the Moderator of the Towaliga
Association replies to an article of
mine found in a former number of
The Index, relative to some resolu
tions passed by the Association over
which he presides as moderator. He
admits the report given concerning the
action of the Association to be true,
and leaves a plain inference that he
supports and endorses the same. The
writer cannot admit the idea that a
man of such refined feelings and cul
ture of heart and soul as characterize
Elder Dumas, could endorse measures
so extreme. It is a serious reflection
to look at measures so grave and defi
nite as those endorsed by this esteemed
brother. Why, my dear sir, in The
Index of October 21, 1875, you state:
“A great many of what is called my
Missionary Baptist brethren I consid
er sound in the faith once delivered to
the saints.” Now, sir, if you regard
so many Missionary Baptists sound in
that faith which was once delivered to
the saints of apostolic times, pray how
is it that you, and your Association,
insist that they must submit to re-bap
tism ? Are they not already in the
faith of the Gospel, according to your
own confession ? For you to do what
is proposed in the resolution of your
Association, to those whom you say are
“sound in the faith once delivered to
the saints,” will it be an ism or not ?
Think thoughtfully on this, my worthy
brother.
Let me ask from what source, and,
upon what basis do you, and your As
sociation, claim that missionary Bap
tißts should submit to a re-baptism, at
your and their dictation? 1 appre
hend that you and they have greatly
mistaken facts as history presents
them. Up to the years 1834-’35-’36-
’37, there was nothing of disevering, or
of claiming that those believing in be
nevolent institutions or Mission Socie
ties, should be re baptized. Mission
Societies were in active operation as
early as 1800, and that in the State of
Georgia. For more than thirty years,
in the State in which you and I live,
those institutions existed, and no com
plaint was heard from any quarter;
all were in fellowship and peace then.
It would have been as reasonable at
that time to insist upon re-baptizing
missionary Baptists, as to do it now.
Your people were among those
fathers of the churches in those days,
just like you and the Towaliga Asso
ciation should be to-day, to do that
which is right. The same ministry
and church order that then existed has
come down with missionary Baptists.
What authority do you and your
churches act under, in the administra
tion of the ordinances you have deliv
ered, in part, from those whomyou pro
fess to bring into order by re-baptizing.
I know one of your learning cannot fail
to see the subject in this light. It is
plain to any unbiased mind, that those
claiming to be Primitive Baptists, were
the segregating or separating party
from the great body of Baptists. This
being true, how unwise the resolution
of your Association. Should re-bap
tism have to be resorted to, may it not
be in order for mission iry Baptists to
administer it unto Elder Dumas and his
party. But, sir, we would extend to
you, and your people, more of the
grace and benevolence bf charity, than
that proposed by you and the Associa
tion over which you preside, to us.
You say that your Association has
believed, since 1842, that Missionary
Baptists have been drifting into all the
“isms” of the day, since the days of
Luther Rice, the founder of Mission
Societies. Luther Rice deserves great
credit for the noble service he render
ed to the Mission cause, vet he is not
nor ever was the founder of missionary
plans of benevolence. We regard
Christ as the foundation of all benevo
lence. He (Christ) is the light of the
world, the offspring of every true im
pulse of the human heart. Every plan
of usefulness and good among men,
springs from the great fountain of
Light and Knowledge. In 1792, Mr.
Cary, a Baptist minister, and a mes
senger to the Northamptonshire As
sociation of English Baptists, proposed
and formed a Baptist Missionary
Society for the purpose of raising means
to aid in preaching the Gospel to the
benighted kingdoms. Under the direc
tion of this society, formed by his
agency, he and others, carried the Word
of God to that heathen people from
which glorious fruits were harvested.
There was no division then, my broth
er. Again, the Baptists of Ireland
(1797) formed the Home Missionary
Society in order to enable them to give
the knowledge of the Scriptures to the
destitute around them, and they, like
others, rejoiced to see their labor
crowned with success. And yet no
complaining spirit cried out that such
was an ism, and that such active Bap
tists should be rebaptized.
I could continue and multiply such in
stances if any practical good would
be the result to my esteemed brother.
Well, what about those isms that you
charge upon Missionary Baptists ? Are
they real or imaginary ? Do they have
reference to missionary plans of ope
rating in defusing the Gospel to the
destitute; or do you suppose that they
are teachers of Judaism, Catholicism,
Episcopalism, Presbyterianism, Luth
erism, or Methodistism ? Why, sir,
they are Baptists, and as such reject
“isms” of all kinds, and, especially,
anti-missionism. Against all these, and
without fail upon the last named, you
should help, by compounding your
vote.
So far as regards the allegation of
“ ism,” which you ask me to renounce,
I confess that you take me by surprise.
My brother, I never knew, until you
put it in the paper, that I held to an
“ ism.” It is news to me, my brother.
I was thinking that I was a Baptist
without an “ism.” Well, what a fine
thing it is to have someone to decide
upon what I don’t know. It may be
that you think that I belong to the
Masons; that would constitute a young
“ ism” in my case; if so, I wonder if
brother E. D , is without such a charge ?
What say you ?
My dear sir, let us unite in those glo
rious undertakings of Missionary Bap
tists, and, like the poet, let us
“ Fling out our banners to the breeze,
Be every sail unfurled ;
Our ship must cleave the farthest seas,
And search the heathen world.
Pipe up all hands, the boatswain’s cry
Rang never cheer like this ;
We’re off—we proudly dash on high,
And stoop to the abyss.
Speed on, we steer for lovely isles,
Where lies of guilt the ban ;
And sunny continents, where smiles
Each gladsome thing but man.”
H. S. E.
Turin, Georgia.
MISS LOTTIE MOON’S BOISE.
The contributions received for Miss
Lottie Moon’s home from January 11th,
to March Ist, and which are hereby
acknowledged by Miss Jennie H. Clay
ton, Corresponding Secretary W. M.
S., amount to seven dollars and sixty
cents. Only SBS remain to be raised.
For the Index and Baptist ;
LETTER FROM ROME, GEORGIA.
Dr. Reofroe’s Centennial Sermon—Haward Col
lege—Merter University.
Messers. Editors — l was at Jack
sonville, Alabama, yesterday, and heard
the Centennial Sermon of Dr. Renfroe,
and could have wished that his hearers
were thousands, instead of the few
score who made up his audience. His
theme was “ Soul Liberty,” and it was
treated in a masterly and exhaustive
manner. I inferred from his state
ment, that some eighty thousand dol
lars have been subscribed towards the
endowment of Howard College.
I hope the movement for the endow
ment of Mercer University is meeting
with success, though from the failure
of the crops, in many parts of our State,
I fear that the good work may be re
tarded. The crops in portions of Ala
bama have been very good, indeed in
some sections, better than anv year
since the war, and this fact may enable
the friends laboring in behalf of How
ard College, to progress more rapidly
in their work, though I hope not more
surely, than our brethren who are la
boring foi our beloved Mercer.
To one who knows the labors and
triumphs of our denomination, in the
cause of religious liberty, it is a hu
miliating sight to see members of Bap
tist churches refuse to subscribe even
the small amount asked for to enable
our colleges to give educational advan
tages and to inculcate the sentiments
of religious and civil liberty so long
and so successfully contended for bv
the Baptists in all ages. Nomad.
Rome, Ga., March 6,18" 6.
DEFINITIONS.
An impracticable man is one who
conscientiously persists in thinking his
own thoughts, and acting in accordance
with others, without respect to the
opinion of the multitude, or the will of
their sclf-eonstituted leaders, or the
consequence that may accrue to him
self.
An old fogy is one who prefers the
precepts, principles and practices of
apostolic Christians, to the innovations
introduced as improvements of them
by modern scientists and metaphysical
expounders of the law and Gospel, or
the prodigiously wise in their own con
ceit.
Growlers are persons who presume to
object to the introduction of wood, hay
or stubble, (or any other material that
we are not authorized by our Lord and
Master to employ,) in the Gospel struc
tures we are required to construct; or
to the building of our creeds on tradi
tion ; or on the speculative theories oj
any set of ecclesiastical Rabbies, Papis
tical or Protestant.
Carpers are an honest, well-mearting*
useful class of persons, but very un
popular with the mass of mankind. As
one defective brick, or one slight de
parture from a right line, in the erection
of a building, will impair its durability,
and render it useless to those who may
occupy it, so it is argued by this class
of persons, the slightest deviation from
the truth, or the least departure from
the established principles of law or
logic, in one’s own writings or trains of
reasoning, renders it unsafe to confide
in the deductions drawn from them.
They, therefore, deem it their duty, as
human men —as well as honest—to
point out whatever they consider as de
fective in the mental and moral struc
tures that men are rearing around
them.
Our common forefather—father
Noah—appears to have been both a
growler and a carper, for it is recorded
of him, in Holy Writ, that he “vexed
his righteous soul from day to day
with their unlawful deeds”—the deeds
of the people of Sod< m and Gomorrha.
LABORERS.
‘ ‘ Ho! all who labor, all who strive,
Ye wield a lofty power,
Do with your might, do with your strength,
Fill every golden hour,
The glorious privilege to do
Is man’s most noble dower.
Oh! to your biithright and yourselves,
To your own souls be true!
A weary wretched life is theirs
Who have no work to do.”
MINCTES OF BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS.
Bro. Jas. P. Harrison, the business manager
of the Franklin Printing House, Atlanta, pre
sented us, last week, with a copy of the min
utes of all the Baptist Assoc.ations of Georgia
for 1875, bound in one volume. The worli is
valuable to Georgia Baptists, and displays the
enterprise of The Index company. This
jhouse is perhapß unsurpassed in the State for
enterprise and dispatch in their line of busi®\
ness. If all the Associations in East Tennesl
see and Southwestern Virginia will send u
their minutes to print next fall, we will ge tti/
Franklin to bind, at our expense, a number of
copies sufficient to present the clerk of each
Association with a copy of all the minutes
bound together, —Baptist Reflector.
There is not a father or mother
here, but feels that it would be a
crowning misfortune if one of their
children could not speak for ten years.
Did you ever think how many dumb
children God has got ? They can talk
about policies, they can talk about the
weather, but they cannot talk about
Christ. I have got a little boy about
three years old. Suppose he should
not grow for fifteen years. Don’t you
think it would break our hearts ?
Then did you ever think how man
dwarfs in the church of God? Oh,
how many half-starved Christians
there are in the church of God. They
don’t work, and therefore they don’t
grow. If they use the talents God
gives them, they will grow. They
can’t help it.