Newspaper Page Text
The Christian Index.
THEE SOUTHI WESEEBET BAPTIST, THE CHRISTIAN HEBALD
of Alabama. _
of Tennessee.
VOL. 55-NO. 18.
Table of Content*.
Fibst Paoe.— Alabama Department: The Prayer
Meeting ; Spirit of the Religious Preen; Bap
tist News and Notes ; General Denominational
News; Orphan Home Acknowledgments for
Quarter Ending May 1. 1876—Rev. B. W. Ful
ler.
Second Page. —Our Correspondents: Love, Jus
tice and Truthfulness of God—W. L. Cheney;
Evangelists ye. Pastors—Adolphus; Southern
Baptist Pnplication Society—Geo. F. Cooper;
A Protestant Methodist Preacher on Baptism
—H. 8. R,; To the Bethel Association—. B F
Burnet; Foreign Missions—H. A. Tupper; Cor.
Sec., T. M. B.; W. E. Penn, the Texas Revi
valist — Notlimah: Ministers, Deacons, and
Church Meeting of the Ooßtanaula Association
—Kingston; The Drouth after the Rain; An Im
poster Expoed—W. D. Geiger; Religious Cos n
versation —A. S.; Interesting Meeting in
Brunswick—W. D. Atkinson; etc,
Thied Page —Notes on the Act of Baptism |
Rev. J. H. Kilpatrick. Science and Education
Eighteen Hundred Years after Death : etc.,
etc.,
Fourth Page— Editorial: The Primitive Church;
State Sunday-school Convention; Editorial
Signatures—Rev. D. E. Butler. Huxley—Rev.
S. G. Hillyer. A Hope for the Future; What
History Teaches—Rev. J. S. Baker. That Mis
sionary Money — Dr. J. 8. Lawton ; etc. , etc.
Fifth Page. —Monographs : Evils of Infant Bap
tism—Rev. J. S. Baker. Baptist Female Sem
inary—Dr. J. S. Lawton. Dealing with Error
iste; Day of Prayer—Rev. D. E. Butler. Ded
ication Sermon—J. A. W. : Secular Editorials :
Book Notices ; Esther, the Beautiful Queen —
Barnesville Gazette : Georgia News ; Personal:
Another Humbug; Southern Christian Advo
cate; etc., etc.
Sixth Page.— The Sunday-School: International
Sunday-school Lessons—National Baptist; The
Sunday-school—E. W. B.; Advertisements,
etc.
Seventh Page— Agriculture : Cause and Cure of
Hog Cholera ; The Best Vegetables to Plant;
Diseases of Farm Animals; Protection of
Sheep, etc., etc.
Eioth Page —Mission Department: The Sun.
dav-school Contributions—Bev. C. M. Irwin-
Our Correspondents: General Meeting of Beth
el Association—W. C. Bass; The Mask Falling
Off—E. Q. Menical; Dr. Battle on "The Will”—
B. L. Rosa; Sunday-school Festival—lnterest
ing Items—Mrs. F. M. Haygood; Obituaries;
Advertisements; etc., etc.
INDEX AND BAPTIST.
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT.
There are two Sunday-schools in Moulton.
Last year, 34 white and 34 negro schools
were taught in Sumter county.
Rust is prevailing in the wheat fields of San
ford county.
The oat prospect in the vicinity of Troy is
very poor.
. The Selma and Quit railroad is now open,
and trains run regularly.
The publication of the Daily Birmingham
Independent has been suspended until fall.
Rust has appeared in the wheat around Eu
taw.
There will be plenty ol peaches in Ccr.ecuh
county.
Rust has appeared in the wheat in Cham
ers county.
The Patrons of Dade county will h_>ld a fair
at Ozark in October.
Rev. Mr. Roby, of Tuskeegee, has recovered
from a serious illness.
Diptheria is prevailing to some extent
around Wetumpka.
Work on the grand union depot in Mont
gomery will be commenced in June.
Rev. J. C. B. Lowry, of Mobile, will preach
the Baccalaureate sermon of Howard college,
at Marion, Sunday June 11th.
The precious revival in Marion continues.
Accessions are numerous. On a recent Sun
day twenty persons were baptized.
There are in Prattville one case of small-pox
and one case of varioloid, brought there from
Pensacola,
Dr. Bates, Amzi Godden, C. W. Lovelace,
and James A. Moore have advanced $3,000 to
finish the new Presbyterian church in Marion.
Nicholas Becker, of Montgomery, recently
got away from the keepers of the insane asy
lum, Tuscaloosa, and jumped into the river
and was drowned.
The Athens Dost says: “The drummer tax
has almost suspended that branch of butiness,
one being hardly ever seen on our streets
now.”
Rev. Dr. Gwin, of the First Baptist church,
Montgomery, last Thursday baptized six per
sons who have recently united with that
church.
In Tuskalooea, 25th ult., Mr. E. T. Fitch, of
New Haven, Conn., while insane, killed his
wife, formerly Miss Helen Whiting, of Tuska
loosa.
The night of the 24th ult., the Alabama
House, Opelika, and all the brick buildings on
Alabama street north of the hotel were
burned.
Rev. Dr. Oliver, of Huntsville, has been en
gaged to preach the annual commencement
sermon before the students of Athens Female
Institute.
The Rev. George F. Price, president of the
Huntsville Female college, will deliver the
literary address before the societies of the Ala
bama Agricultural and Mechanical College, at
Auburn, the 28th of June.
For the Index and Baptist. 1
THE PRAYER-MEETING.
We rejoice to know that the people
of Atlanta attend largely and regulaly
the Sabbath day services of our church
es. On a bright day like last Sabbath,
the ministers are always greeted by nu
merous and attentive listeners, and one
almost involuntarily exclaims, as the
anthems of praise go up to the Most
High
“ Lord. how delightful ’tie to see
A whole assembly worship Thee.”
But it is strangely and sadly true that
on the weekly prayer meeting night,
these same ministers are greeted by a
“beggarly array of empty” pews, not
enough being present out of a mem
bership of hiany hundreds to “raise a"
hymn” or “lead in prayer.” And yet
if there be any service that ought to
be attended in preference to any other,
it is the prayer meeting.
What is the prayer meeting ? It is
the place where prayer is “wont to be
made;” the place where Jesus, the
Saviour, meets with his people, for He
said : “where two or three are gath
ered together in my name, there am I
in the midst of them.” It is the place
where the Christian’s strength is re
newed. “They that wait on the Lord
shall renew their strength.” It is the
place where fervent prayers rise as a
mighty volume before the throne.
“When any two of you agree as touch
ing anyone thing, it shall be done for
you.” How much more when many
fervent hearts agree as regards the
things asked for. It is the place where
the most successful fight can be made
against Satan, for —
“Satan tremblen when ho wees
The weakest saint upon his knees.”
When Bunyan’s Christian met Apol
lyon, the angel of the burning pit, in
his pathway, all weapons failed him
but the weapon of “All-Prayer,” and
with this he succeeded. Again, the
prayer mec^tin^ 1 is a secluded and sa
cred spot, {o which we may retire from
the tossings of life’s restless ocean,
"From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat,
’Tis found before the mercy seat."
The prayer meeting >s the place
where Christians may show their fel
lowship for each other, the family
gathering, so to speak, of the church ;
where church members may meet and
“sit together as in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus.” It is the place, too,
where they may show their love and
respect for the pastor, who well knows
that the prayer meeting is the index o*
his church’s spirituality. Above all, it
is the place where humble Christians
may enjoy foretastes of
lications of the blessedness that awaits
them above —
“For there on eagles’ wings they soar,
And nin and sense molest no mire ;
And heaven comes down their souls to greet,
And glory crowns the mercy seat.”
Is it not strange, then, that prayer
meetings should be neglected ? Let
it be so no longer. Let the bar room
complain of its want of gay and festive
votaries, let the theatre complain of
its “beggarly array of empty boxes,”
but let not the churches complain of
their want of devout worshippers in
the prayer meeting.
For the Index and Baptist. |
Orphan Home Acknowledgments, for Quarter
ending May Ist, 1876.
Wrightsville, $89.90; Atlanta First
Baptist church, $40.00 ; Corinth, Ef
fingham county, $109.80; Riddleville,
$217.05; New Bethel, Washington
county, $177.50; Bethany, Washing
ton county, $77.50; MadisoD, $63.50;
Brownwood, $26.50; Bethel, Hancock
county, $96.50 ; Jewell’s, $21.85 ; Jack
son’*, Washington county, $57.50;
Macedonia, Greene county, $104.90
General Austell, $6.00; Grove Sunday
school, $5.65; C. W. Medler, $1.00;
T. M. Bryan, $1.00; J. H. Moncrief,
$25.00 ; J. D. Cunningham, $5.00 ; E.,
B. Kendrick, $1.00; William ' re.
$25 00; J. A. Brinson, $25.00; J. ±.,
Hillis, $12.50 ; E. A. Perkins, $12.50,
H. A. Lester, $1.00; D. Y. Burke.
SI.OO ; W. H. Easterling, $2.00; R. O;
Hext, 50 cents ; H. H. Hickman, $5.00
Z. McCord, $5.00; cash, $5.00; cash,
$5.00; J. D. Brown, 50 cents.
matron’s report.
The value of the articles received
are placed against the names of the
donors.
Young Ladies Improvement Society,
Atlanta, $12.00; Young ladies of the
First Baptist church, Atlanta, $3.60 ;
a friend, $12.00 ; Mrs. Johnson, SI.OO ;
Mrs. I. N. Broughton, $4.00; Mrs.
Smith, SI.OO. R. W. Fuller.
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, MAY 11, 187 C.
For the Index and Baptist. |
BUTLER BAPTIST DUI'RCH.
Butler, Taylor County, Ga., )
Saturday, April 22, 1876. f
The Baptist church in Butler met in
conference, and after attending to the
usual business of the church, "brother
A. A. Carson being previously chosen
by the church for the ofiice of deacon,
being called away upon professional
business, could not be present until
Sabbath morning. The conference ad
journed to Sabbath morning, wheu the
church again met in conference, brother
A. A. Carson being present. The
church appointed brother E. B. Waters
to answer for the cburch. He was in
terrogated by Rev. J. S. Searcy, he an
swering correctly, br ther Waters in
troduced brother Carson to the
presbytery for examination. Rev. A.
M. Rhodes examined him upon the
doctrines of the Bible, and his answers
were orthodox. Preaching hour having
arrived, Rev. J, S. Searcy preached a
stirring sermon from the 6th chapter
Acts of the Apostes, 1,2, 3, 4 verses.
After which the presbytery came down,
and prayed, and laid hands upon
brother A. A. Carson. The charge was
given by Rev. A. M. Rhodes.
J. S. Searcy,
A. M. Rhodes, Presbytery.
A. M. Rhodes, Secretary.
For the Index and Baptist.]
THAT MISSIONARY MONEY.
Dear Index —Permit me to say a few
words in reply to “ Quamobrem’s” at
tack upon the treasurer of the Bethel
Association, Ido not know who is the
author, aud am truly glad that he did
not sign his real name. His anonymous
signature enables us to speak of the
propriety of his article without person
ality. I will not impute any evil mo
tive to “Quamobrem,” I will merely say
that it seems to me, that he ought not
to have thrust such a matter before
the public, without first privately seek
ing explanation from the party who
might seem to him, to be in fault. He
has not only published a grave sus
picion of a high crime against a brother,
but his language appears to assume th*
guilt of the suspected one before an
swer. It occurs to me that The Index
might well hesitate to publish such
matters in advance of investigation.
“Quamobrem,” without malice, and'
without due consideration, as I trust,
has inflicted a wound upon the feelings
of one personally and intimately known
to me as a brother of very high char
acter for integrity and Christian liberal
ity. Brother Benjamin F. Barnett, of
Fort Gaines, is the treasurer to whom
reference is made. To the brother
hood in this part of the State, it is
unnecessary to declare his worth. He
is too well and favorably known bere,
to need any testimony in his favor.
To “Quamobrem” and all brethren
abroad, I take great pleasure in saying
that brother Burnett is a man altogether
above suspicion of meanness. No'doubt
his explanation about the missionary
funds in his hands, will be satisfactory
to all who are disposed to look at such
matters fairly. Yours in brotherly re-
S ar d’ John TANARUS, Clarke.
Cutlibert, Ga., April 23,1872
OKU IN ATI ON SERVICES AT AMKRICI3.
The congregation at the Baptist
church was unusually large last Sab
bath night. By request of the Con
ference, the sermon for the occasion
was preached by Rev. G. F. Cooper.
His text was the clause found in Acts,
6th chapter, 3d verse, “Full of the
Holy Ghost,” which he treated in his
usual able and impressive|manner. At
the close of the sermon, the two newly
elected deacons, Messrs. T. Wheatly
and S. H. Hawkins, were invited to
take seats in front of the audience,
when Rev. J. H. Corley proceeded to
examine the church through their rep
resentative, deacon G. M. Patterson,
as to the regularity of their election,
and their fitness for the responsibili
ties of the office. The candidates
themselves were then examined as to
their soundness in doctrine, and wil
lingness to perform the duties of dea
cons. This was followed by the or
daining prayer, offered by the pastor,
Rev. A B Campbell, and the laying on
of the hands of the Presbytery, and of
the church, greeted the newly-installed
officers, wPh the right hand’of fellow
ship.
The audience was dismissed with a
benediction by Mr. Corley. Doubtless
the ordaining services were quite novel
to not a few, and deeply interesting
and impressive to all who witnessed
them.
The church could not have selected
two gentlemen more eminently fitted
Dy business qualifications, Christian
character, and social standing, for the
sacred functions entrusted to them.—
Kepvblican, May 3 d.
—The anniversary of American Baptist Ed
ucational Commission will be held in Buflalo,
N. Y., May 24th, that of the Publication So
ciety in the same place, May 26th.
Spirit of the Religious Press,
—The Baptist Eerflector well says that
the religion which simply adorns our Sun
day life, and does not pervade every transac
tion of our business, falls far short of the teach
ings of Christ and the Apostles. A religion
that does not make a man honest is hardly
worth having. The fact that a man is a Chris
tian should be all thegarantee needed to give
assurance that he would comply with his en
gagement.
We think that the Christian world has fail
ed to maintain that high character for integri
ty that should mark the distinctive difference
between the church and the world. It has al
most ceased to lie any recommendation to a
man, financially, to say that he is a
consistent church member. The banker, the
merchant, or the agent for the collection of
funds for benevolent purposes, in making an
estimate of the value of claims due them, do
not rely as much upon the debtor’s religious
professions, as upon his known business hab
its.
—The Congregationalist thinks that the
churches of its denomination ought by this
titim to be wnry of smooth tnngued men, who
are comparative strangers and without any es
tablished reputation.” That remark might
apply in a good many cases outside of the Con
gregational fold. It is a painful fact that a
simple profession cf Christianity and high
moral principles isn’t always the real sign of
character that it ought to be.
—The Morning Star wisely admonishes pa
rents as follows:
A greatei injury is often done boys and girls
at school-by giving them too much money tlm,
too little. It tends to defeat the very object
for which they are put to school. The ro
bust, sharp, practical and reliable men and wo
men are generally those who have fought with
poverty while at school. Learning to overcome
obstacles there has tempered them to meet the
greater difficulties with which life is filled.
Let us guard against niggardliness in these
matters. At the same time let us see that boys
and girls are not accustoming themselves to
ease and luxury when they ought to be form
ing habits of self-denial and enterprise.
—On the subject and import of the Moody
and Sankey revival work, the Christian Weekly
says:
It is your minister’s business to feed as a
shepherd the flock of Christ which is his
church. He has enough to do to guide, to di
rec’, to energise, to administer it. The duty ot
going out into the wilderness after the &-tra vs, he
may do in some small measure; hut it will
never be done with large success till it is dune
by the laity. And suck occasional and rneas
urely spasmodic efforts as the present, to bring
the lame, the halt, and the blind, into the hos
pital, will leave them very nearly where it
found them, if, when they are brought in the
ministry do not devote their heads and hearts
to the work of hospital physicians.
A great many men are waiting to see what
will come finally out of all these meetings—
what new, better, permanent life. We are
waiting too ; but we shall measure not Mr.
Moody but the American ministry, by the re
sult. And so, we believe, will the Great
Jugde, when, at the lad, the harvest fruits of
this winter’s visitation and inspiration are in
gathered. The evangelist is but the sickle that
cuts the grain ; our be it to bind up the
sheaves aud bring the harvest home.;
—On the great and most important subject
ot our educational and denominational growth
the Texas Baptist Herald makes the following
excellent remarks, which are well worthy of
the earnest consideration of tvery Baptist:
It has been often said that tiie progre-s of
our principles as a denomination, is bound up
to a large extent, with the standing and effi
ciency of our educational facilities. The de
pendence of our success, under God, on these
facilities, have never yet been uttered with a
full emphasis. The Baptist population of
Georgia is said to be larger in proportion to
the whole, than that of any other State. Who
can tell how much Mercer University has con
tributed to this result ? Baptists are less de
pendent on education for their existence and
perpetuation, than any other people, and
yet, m denomination can turn education to a
bettei account than they. Their peculiar
principles are drawn from the Bible, and, like
that book itself, they are grand in their sim
plicity, and adapted to the wants of the igno
rant, but in the hands of great intellect and
learning, sanctified by divine grace, they be
come almost resistles. Had we the means to
gather a stiong corps of the ripest and most
pious scholars on the continent, and so com
mand the youth of this land and educate them,
who could tell what would be the grand re
sult, even in the next twenty or thirty years?
The intelligence, the enterprise, the wealth
and power of the State would become tributary
to the principle of a regenerate church, of an
open Bible as a complete rule of faith, of re
ligious liberty, of observing the ordinances as
they weredelivered to us, in opposition to all
who stand opposed to this. Without educa
tional facilities the concentrated power of all
we have mentioned will fall into other hands
and_ will be able to exert all the influence
against us that might be exerted for us, if we
put ourselves in the proper altitude to control
it. If Baptists would consent to look at the
facts squarely and fairly, not one of them, who
loves his principles, would fail to do his very
best to secure the highest and cheapest possible
Bchool facilities for the education of the rising
generation. Who, that loves Christ and His
truth, will not seek their promotion ? What
better can be done with some portion of the
hard earnings of Baptists, than to put it where
it will accomplish great good immediately and
for all time to come.
—The Watchman touches on the question of
itineracy:
They say that there is considerable “log
roiling” in Conference as well as in Congress.
The itineracy is not as itinerant as it was.
Methodist churches now manage to keep their
ministers as long as churches who call their own
pastors. “Kich societies want popular men,’’
and they get them. Popular men seek “the
best settlements,” and seek not in vain. It is
all right. Our Methodist brethren have this
advantage, if no other, over us; they can kill
the candidating business among themselves
—Concerning the insidious attempts con
stantly being made to secularize the Christian
Sabbath, and to profane it with actions suitable
only for other days, the Examiner and Chroni
cle pertinently remarks:
The effects of this mischief will not end
with its immediate occasion. Six months of
Sundays will be enough to popular
ize and render permanent the habit. The
churches will have to meet not merely, as
now, the rivalry ot low and disreputable re
sorts for amusements, and the defiance of pro
fessed “liberals,” but the power of social cus
tom made strong by legal license and the hab
it of indulgence. We do not hesitate to say that
we are on the verge of a descent that cannot
be measured in public morals. And it is no
alleviation ot this disheartening prospect, that
the step is to be ventured in the name of patriot
ism. We are to celebrate the completion of
a century of national independence by casting
off the law of God. What should be a solemn
act of public thanksgiving, is to be made an
act of public profanation.
—Here is a good work for pastors from the
Christian Secretary :
Encourage the pastor by your regular pres
ence in the sanctuary, and your reverent and
interested participation in the services
Encourage him by attendance at the prayer
meeting, and by a promptness in taking part,
and by saying something if possible cheering,
hopeful, edifying, inspiring. . . . En
courage him by having a good deal of faith
not only in God, but in your own church, your
ministers, your brethren, your Sunday-school.
Take a deep interest in them all. They are better
than any others to you. Let them enlist your
whole heart, your thoughts, your enthusiasm,
your praise, your unceasing activity. Keep up
achurch esprit da corps—organizing and secu
ring success, influence in the community, pros
perity, the blessing of God, and the salvation of
souls. Let the pastor be a leader, as he is of
right, and heartily co-operate with him in
every good word and work—every attempt far
a better church life, and every generous out
going for Christ and humanity. We must be
short. Other points must be deferred.
BAPTIST NEWS AND NOTES.
—lndiana Baptists are making this Centen
nial year memorable for grand achievements
for the cause of our Zion.
—Only one-quarter of the 862 Baptist
churches in (he State New York have
contributed to the Home Mission Society of
the church during the fiscal year 1875-1876.
—The " ministers of the Missouri General
Association of Baptists show 64 associations,
1,438 churches, 842 o,dained and a
total membership of 89,786. It apf*?: A that they
expended last year in State miss ; onh $6,221,
and in ministerial education over SI,BOO.
—The Central Baptist informs us of the or
dination of a Baptist minister by an associa
tion. An association has no right whatever
to ordain a minister, and such erroneous prac
tices should at once be checked by the
churches.— Western Baptist.
—Dr. J. M. C. Breaker, of St. Joseph, Mo., in
a pastorate of nearly thirty years, has baptized
on an average about fifty-one persons a year.
—The oldest religious paper in the coun
try was a paper printed by a denomina
tion of Baptists in Newburyport, Massachu
setts, as early as 1808, and which is still in ex
istence under the name of Herald of Gospel
Liberty.
—The General Association of Kentucky is
to meet with the Walnut street Baptist church,
Louisville, on Wednesday, May 24.
—The city of San Francisco is said to con
tain a population of 275,000. There are in
it about 55 places of worship. Of these, the
Baptists have 5.
—The North Carolina Baptists have contri
buted $2,300 for Foreign Missions during the
past year.
—The Broadway church, Louisville, Ky.,
which was burnt sometime since, will be ready
for occupancy by mid-summer.
—At a recent meeting of Baptist pastors in
Baltimore, the question was discussed whether
a Baptist minister could consistently baptize a
person who had announced his purpose to join
a Pedobaptist denomination. All those pres
ent expressed themselves as opposed to the
practice.
—Baptists in East Tennessee have expe
rienced an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the
past few months, almost if not quite unparal
leled in our history. Many churches have
been greatly revived, and large numbers of
converts have been added to them.
—A correspondent of the Central Baptist has
been into a meeting of a Baptist church com
posed of Creek Indians, and his report is inter
esting :
A full-blood Baptist preacher was dis
coursing to a full house of his own kind, from
the text, “But il the salt has lost its savor,”
etc. The illustrations of the Saviour, like
that in the text indicated, strike the Indian
mind with wonderful force, and the preacher
alluded to, was happy in the application of his
theme to luke-warm professors. The charac
teristics of the meeting were—
-Ist. A warm enthusiasm in all their wor
ship.
2d. They made haste to begin, but were
in no hurry to get through ; our people would
have been worn out before hall-paßt 2 o’clock
p M.
3d. There was neither intermission nor sus
pense; as soon as one song was through anoth
er was commenced, unless someone rose im
mediately lor prayer. They always sit and
sing, save when one wishes to pray ; in that
event, he rises up, and they rise and sing the
hymn that he announces; then they bow while
he prays.
4th. The sermon constitutes the least part
ot the exercises.
WHOLE NO. 2818
General Denominational Ness
—Mr. T. M. Stewart, Philadelphia, was re
dropped from the roll of the North United
Presbyterian church in that city because he be
longs to the Odd Fellows Order. He appeals
to his Presbytery for restoration.
—The Christian church is calling for $50,-
000 to save Bethany College, their principal
institution, from passing out of their hands, as
it is about to do. The college was founded by
Alexander Campbell.
—The Episcopalians have started a train
ing school at Raleigh, N. C., for colored teach
ers and students for the ministry.
—The Protestant Episcopal Church Mis
sionary Society has resolved to carry the Gos
pel to the powerful Mohammedanized tribes
of Africa, who live back of Sierra Leone, and
on the upper banks of the Niger.
In the agreement which has been entered
into by the Bishops of the Protestant Episco
pal church of this country and the Mexican
branch of the church, the care and aid of the
church in the United States has been promised
until that in Mexico is firmly established.
The Official Guide in Philadelphia, just pub
lished, states that at the beginning of October,
1875, there were in that city, including the Is
raelites, 575 churches,
—There is a growing feeling in the Episco
pal church in this country, in favor of taking
the choice of a rector out of the parish ves
try, and lodging it with the Bishop of the dio
cese.
—There are Episcopal parishes of colored
people in the diocese of Western New York
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Pittsburg, Mary
land, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and
Missouri, which arc fully represented in the
Convention of those dioceses.
—An independent church in the town of
Over, England, has hit upon a plan for im
proving the congregational singing which is
worthy of notice. Once a week a “musical
evening” is held at the church. The choir
sings a number of anthems. This is followed
by congregational singing of little known
tunes and a short lecture upon music and sing
ing.
—Rev. J. Hickman, in answer to several tel
egrams from Mexico, lias gone to that city to
aid in a series of interesting revival meetings.
—John Wanamaker, of Philadelphia, has
charge of a Sabbath-school, built up mainly by
himself, numbering one thousand.
—Rev. J. B. Hawthorne, in consequence of
ill health, resigns the pastorate of the Taber
nacle church, New York. He will spend the
summer in Virginia.
—At the last stated meeting of the Board of
Managers of the American Bible Society it was
reported that the receipts for March were $96,-
880.91, and the entire receipts for the year end
ing March 31st were $527,198. The volumes
issued in March were 53,057. The whole
number issued during the year from the Bible
house, not including those issued in foreign
lands, was 684,428.
—The union between the Reformed Presby
terian church and the Free church in Scotland
will take place on tiie 25th of May. The ac
cession to the strength of the latter church
will be 42 congregations, with a membership
of some 7,500, and an annual income of abont
£14,000.
—The Presbyterians employ seventeen la
borers among the Chinese in California, have
mission schools at Sacramento and San Jose,
with 167 scholars, and have received thirteen
church members during the year.
—lt is understood unofficially but certainly,
hat the joint committees of the Reformed and
(the northern) Presbyterian churches on the
matter of closer co-operaticn have harmonious
ly agreed that it is not wise to prosecute the
subject farther. And so the whole question
drops, and doubtless finally.
Chancellor Tucker’s Lecture—On
Tuesday night Dr. H. H. Tucker, Chancellor
ofethe State University of Athens, delivered a
le ture at the Baptist church on the “Dignity
of Labor.” The audience was composed of in
telligent ladies and gentlemen, and splendid
attention was given to the rapt words of the
speaker. The theme of the honored gentle
men’s remarks was a grand one, a subject on
which thought of the highest order may be
brought to bear, and the mannerhe handled it
was exceeding lucid and strong, his reasoning
cogent, and hiß sallies of wit quite brilliant and
scintillating. His whole speech was teeming
with splendid ideas, full of pure sentences ef
correct judgment, springing from one of the
best balanced minds in the country. The bur
den of his song was, “go to work,” “go to
work,” and if allwere to take that to heart and
follow the advice ol the excellent gentleman,
they would come out of the crucible considera
ble better for the future of the Slate and them
selves, and with all dross brushed off their na
tures. — Albany News, April 27th.
In the Dale chancery court, Chancellor Gra
ham held that the act of the Legislature ex
empting one hundred and sixty acres of land
from levy and sale, to be unconstitutional, null
and void.
The Mobile Register says; “ A lawyer in
Baldwin county who was employed in a crim
inal case, took as his retainer two pones of
corn bread and a poßsum and a peck of peas.
The prisoner was acquitted.
The Troy Messenger says: “The great meteor
of last week was seen in all parts of South Al
abama. It is said to have been surpassingly .
magnificent, illuminating the earth with , a
brilliancy almost equal to that of the sun.