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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.