Newspaper Page Text
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<®ttr Cornspnknts.
For the Index and Baptist,]
LOVE, JUSTICE AM) TRUTHFULNESS OF GOD.
This subject includes three of the
mightiest attributes of God’s divine
nature. It is a subject that the most
learned and experienced writers can
never do justice.
The first part of this subject I will
discuss is, the love of God. “For God
so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever be
lieTeth in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life.” —John ii:l6. It
is from this sublime passage of Scrip
ture that I select the first division of
this subject.
In the affairs of men, it is natural
that when we are loved to love in re
turn; and when we love we always ex
pect our love to be a merited love ; but
God’s love is an unmerited love ; it is
a love that can never be returned, for,
when we were dead in tresspasses and
in sin, He loved us with such a love,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
to die the cruel death of the cross, to
save the world from His divine wrath.
God had said “ the soul that smneth
shall die.” This awful decree had
been issued by the divine Jehovah Him
self ; and He said also “ though Heav
en and earth pass away, My words shall
never pass away.”
Man sinned. He came under that
awful decree just enumerated above,
therefore he must die. O! methinks
the angels in Heaven wept at the awful
state man had brought himself into !
His immortal soul must be lost forev
er in the flames of a burning world.
They had seen their fellow-being, for
one sin, thrust from the presence of
the most holy God. They lost their
first estate, and there was no escape for
them. 0 ! fellow-men, is there no es
cape for us ; must we forever dwell in
the wrath of Jehovah ? I ask the
question, Is there not ? Yes. liark :
“Ho that believeth on Mo shall bo sav
ed ; he that believeth not shall be
damned.” Here, unconverted man,
you have your choice —to be
saved or to be damned. Which
will you accept ? To be saved from the
pit that has no bottom, where the fire
is not quenched, and whore the worm
dieth not, to be carried to that land of
bliss, where you can dwell forever in
the presence of the blessed Saviour and
sing His praise ? Or will you accept
the latter, and be lost forever ? Your
selection will be your doom. Christ
says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and
the Life.” Accept this way, and bo ye
saved, all ye ends of the earth.
It was the sin of you and I,
That cauHod that bloused One to die;
That Ho might savo us from God’s wrath,
Aud lead us in tlio one truo path.
Secondly. The Justice of God.
Psalms, 89tl chapter, 14th verse ;
“Justice and judgment are the habita
tion of Thy throne.” It is from this
passage of Sciipturo that the second
division is selected. God is righteous,
He is holy, He is merciful, Ho is
truth, and He is love. We know
that these are all Divine attributes of
His nature, but He must be just be
fore He can be perfect. It is useless
to discuss this part of the subject, be
cause we know that God is just; we
are told, in tho Word of God, that He
cannot look upon sin, with the least
degree of allowance. Thanks be to
God for His justice, if He will punish
sin, Ho will bless righteousness; if Ho
has threatened the sinner, He has
promised His children a crown of
glory that shad uover fade ; if He has
prepared a place of everlasting pun
isnment for tho wicked, He has pre
pared a place of eternal rest and hap
piness for the Christian.
Yes, fellow-men, God is just, and
will judge you, according to the deeds
done in the body. Are you prepared
to be judged by Him. Mind you, iu
Christ, you are safe forever; out of
Him, you are lost forever. God may
call you from til’s earth at any time, to
be judged of Him; beware, lest ye be
weighed in tho balance, and be found
wauting.
Lastly, the Truthfulness of God.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life ; no man cometh unto tho Father,
but by Me.”—John, 14th chapter, 6th
verse.
Hero God declares that He is
Truth, aud who dare dony it but the
infidel ? Truth is an attribute of God,
and consequently has existed as long
as Himself. It is a blessed thought to
be answered, that what God promises,
He will fulfill. He promised man a
Saviour, and behold, that Saviour has
come. He promised the land of
Caanan to the Isrealites, and He ful
filled His promise. He has promised
the Scriptural Isreal a Heavenly King
dom, of which the other was but a
type.
Oh, yos, God kas promised, and He
is able, and He is very willing to ful
fill it. H He makes great promises,
He is great to fulfill them.
Our blessed Saviour has promised ut
many things, but the sweetost, the
dearest, and the most consoling prom
ise to the Christian’s heart, is the one,
“Where I am there yo may be also.”
Oh, the depth of love in those few
words.
If Christ did so much to save our
souls, if He gave His life to save us,
He will assuredly make our happiness
beyond our comprehension. “Eye
hath not seen, ear hath not heard
neither can the heart of man compre
hend the things laid up in Heaven for
those that love God.”
W. T. Chknev.
Rome, Georgia, April 16, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist.]
KmUXISTS VS. PASTORS.
Evangelists and pastors are both
alike, the gifts of Jesus to his churches.
Ephesians iv : 11. Neither should be
lightly esteemed, or magnified beyond
their proportions. Both are ess .ntial
to the progress and final triumph of the
Gospel throughout the world. The
work of the one does not necessarily
conflict with that of the other. Some
of the Lord’s servants are especially
fitted for one branch of the service,
while others are alike fitted for the
other. The world is wide, so there is
room for all.
The work of the evangelist is migra
tory, while that of the pastor is sta
tionary. The former is the pioneer to
prepare the material, the latter the
workman to erect tbe building. The
evangelist often co-operates with the
pastor, especially in protracted meet
ings, and in many instances, renders
essential service in kindling new life in
the pastors and their churches, and if
the evangelist, is qualified for his work
and bears himself prudently, he may
be of great advantage in harmonizing
the pastors and their churches, and also
in instructing them in the doctrines of
the cross of Christ.
Evangelists, however, are liable to
do much mischief if they are not pru
dent. It sometimes occurs, that the
evangelist acquires quite a reputation
and an influence over the congregation
of the pastor with whom he is labor
ing. The evangelist has a great ad
vantage over the paster. The former
has his budget of seleted sermons,
which he has preached fifty times over,
or more. Ho is at no loss at least for
two days, more or loss. During the
delivery of these sermons, the congre
gations are large and excited, and all
conspired to give him favor with the
people. The evangelist makes no false
comments, no blunder, and the work
goes on with increasing interest, and
many are converted, and all the ser
mons are first class, and if the pastor’s
sermons, those he delivered when he
and his people were both cold, and
those he delivered on cold wet Sundays
when there was nothing to stimulate
emotion—if these sermons were com
pared with the high-pressure sermons
of theevangelist in timeof a revival,they
will suffer in comparison. The pastor
is thus cheapened in the estimation of
his peoido,and, if the evangelist receives
the praises of his admirers, he may
become inflated with conceit, and upon
the suggestions of some indiscreet ad
viser, begin a canvass for the pastor
ate, and thus upset a faithful pastor,
and in nit a few instances, faithful and
useful pasters have resigned in disgust,
or beery unanimously rejected from
their positions. Such has been fre
quently the case within the knowledge
of the writer.
Now, by what method can a pastor’s
influence or usefulness be estimated,
where an evangelist is apparently the
instrument of the conversion of a largo
number? Let a few facts be submit
ted iu this connection. The pastor's
work is gradual, and like the formation
of tho coral reefs, imperceptible. Iu
tho prayer-meeting, in the family visit,
in the public sermon, in the Sabbath
school, he is making impressions, de
veloping the members into an active,
working position, and thus he is break
ing up the fallow ground of tbe hearts
of the wicked. He, in a word, has been
for months, preparing the people, pre
paring the material, and then in comes
the evangelist and applies the match,
and then follows a wonderful conflagra
tion, aud the thoughtless and inconsid
erate are exclaiming, “ What a wonder
ful preacher! If we just had such a
preacher for our pastor, what a church
we might have! ” Aud, perhaps, this
same evangelist had years ago, failed
in the pastorate. It will be a happy
day for our churches, whan they will
learn in what estimation to hold their
pastors, as well as what value to attach
to the labors of tli6 evangelists. There
is certainly, much yet to be learned by
our churches upon this subject. May
the Lord give us all that wisdom and
grace requisite to all our stations.
Adolphus.
For tlie Index aud Baptist.]
SOI THERM BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY.
Brbthrbn of the Index —Many per
sons, even of those who took shares in
it, are suspicious of the management
aud solvency of the Southern Baptist
Publication Society, and are indisposed,
or decline, to pay their notes. Some
are under the impression that the Re
ligious Herald has spoken iu disparage
ment of the Society. In a letter now
in my possession, addressed to J. L. C.
Kerr, of Buena Vista, Dr. Jeter, the
senior editor, denies thpt any thing has
appeared in the Herald against the So
ciety, and adds, that he presumes it is
iu the hands of honest aud capable
persons.
Aud to all whom it may concern, let
it be understood, that the Society owes
nothing and made the past year very
satisfactory sales, is in the hands of
faithful brethren, aud has a glorious
prospect. Banish your fears, pay your
notes, and uphold, by words and patron
age, one of the noblest and most im
portant institutions of the South.
George F. Cooper.
Americus, April 28.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
For the Index and Baptist.]
A Protestant Methodist Preacher on Baptism.
Editors Index —Some time since
the Rev. Mr. C., of the Protestant
Methodist church, delivered a discourse
upon the subject of Baptism in which
he made some of the most marvellous
disclosures ever listented to on this sub
ject. Tbe people of Brooks’ Station
were surjmsed beyond description, at
the wonderful revelations of the Rev.
gentleman. In fact it was a fallacious
discourse, having for its aim self-ag
grandizement. and a deception upon an
unsuspecting and unpretending people.
Such sermons may lead silly ones as
tray, but never those of any moral or
religious culture.
Here followes some of those novel
statements, viz : “That baptize was a
Greek word and only meant to dip and
not to immerse, and that immersion was
not baptism.” He stated also that
Christ was baptized twenty-two miles
from any river, and that John baptized
him by diping a horn in a spring and
pouring the water upon Him. He said
that Christ was baptized in the State
of Jordan and not in a river, or the
river Jordan.
Now, the Word shows that John
was baptizing the people of the land
of Judea and of Jerusalem in the
river Jordan, and while he was there,
in the river, not at a spring, Christ
came from Nazareth of Galilee and
was baptized of John in Jordan, and
that He came strait way up out of the
water. (Mark i: 4-12.) In Matthew,
third chapter and six verse, we read of
John that he baptized the people in
Jordan,and “among those baptized was
Christ and that He “came strait way
up out of the water.” Now, the Word
makes, in the passages quoted, quite a
different statement from that of Mr.
C. One or the other teach falsehood,
and the Word cannot and does not lie.
What think you, reader, of those
strange things the Rev. gentleman told
his and other people, that only those
sprinkled or poured upon were baptized
and those who were immersed had never
been baptized.To a Baptist, such state
ments ring wild and wanting in com -
mon sense, and must have sounded
strange to the most of his flock, for a
number of them had submitted to a
Methodist immersion. Yet they were
told by their shepherd that they were
not baptized. He told them that in
future, while he preached to them, that
no more would be immersed in that
church ; that the salvation of the soul
depended upon their being sprinkled or
poured upon, and those, and not im
mersion, must be observed.
Now Mr. Editor, your readers at the
station desire you to tell them where
the State of Jordan is in Palestine, and
where, upon the map, may they finally
that spring Mr. C. pointed out, and
what of that horn—was it a tin o# a
ram’s or an ox horn, long or short,
straight or crooked. You must tell
them about these things. H. S. R.
Turin Ga.
For tho lutlex and Baptist.]
TO TIIE BETHEL ASSOCIATION.
Several articles have appeared re
cently in The Index, asking what dis
position has been made of the money
sent up by the churches for missionary
aud other purposes. Iu reply, I answer,
all money sent me by the chairman of
your Finance Committee, (I was not
at the Association,) was paid out im
mediately after it was received by me,
as vouchers in my possession will show,
except two amounts —one for Sabbath
school agent, §16.50; the other for
brother Hogue, Missionary to the In
dians. Brother Hogue’s amount was
not forwarded, owing to complications
growing out of a purchase of New York
exchange for him, which I shortly
learned would not be paid, and a por
tion of which has uot yet been re
funded me, though I have forwarded
brother Hogue the entire amount with
full explanations, with which he pro
fesses himself entirely satisfied. To
him I refer all persons who may not be
satisfied with my statement. Respect
ing the amount for Sabbath-schools, I
expected every week to go to Atlanta,
when I could hand it iu person to
brother Boykin.
If brethren who have made inquiries
through The Index had inquired of me
by letter, I would most cheerfully have
furnished them with all the informa
tion in detail. Having served the As
sociation ten years as treasurer, and
my official acts having given entire sat
isfaction, as proven by my unaniomous
election for each subsequent year—for
the last two years against my earnest
entreaties—would not common char
ity have induced the brethren to believe
that no misappropriation had been
made of the funds by their treasurer ?
I will state that the amounts for
Home Missions, Domestic Missions and
the balance of the Associational fund
not otherwise expended, was paid to
Rev. J. R. Sims, missionary in the
bounds of the Association, by order of
the chairman of the Domestic Mission
Committee, aud that the Association is
still indebted to Mr. Sims
B. F. Burnett, Treasurer.
For tho Index and Baptist.j
Foreign Missions.
Georgia has contributed to April 17,
1876, for Foreign Missions, §6,647.61;
one delegate to Southern Baptist Con
vention for each hundred dollars.
H, A. Tuppeb,
Corresponding Secretary F. M. B.
For the Index and Baptist.!
W. K. PEW, THE TEXAS REVIVALIST.
It was the pleasure of th- writer to
be present during the Cm cation of
the Georgia Baptists in rhomasville,
and having heard the name of the Tex
as lay preacher mentioned more than
once, and the great work in which he
is engaged,irepeatedly alluded to dur
ing the session, I have thought that a
brief account of that good and zealous
man might prove interesting to the
readers of The Index. Therefore, and
in the hope that his example may prove
beneficial and practically useful to the
religious workers of our own Slate, I
transmit the following sketch for pub
lication, the same being founded upon
information received from a valued and
absolutely reliable correspondent, who
has enjoyed ample opportunity for be
coming thoroughly acquainted with
the present character and past history
of the reinarkabls personage named:
Mr. Penn is a native of Tennessee,
and during our late civil war was a
major in the Confederate army. The
war ruined him, financially, as it did
thousands of our people, and, after its
close, he emigrated to Texas to begin
life afresh. He located himself in the
town of Jefferson, and began the prac
tice of law, without money, friends or
influence ; but such, was his indomita
ble energy, pluck and perseverance that
he soon conquered success, and within
a few years, accumulated an ample for
tune. He built himself an elegant
residence, and in the enjoyment of a
large and lucrative business, seemed
finally settled for life. But not so.
Mr. Penn is a deacon of the Baptist
church at Jefferson, and has ever been
a faithful worker, but recently the
Spirit of God has impressed him in a
wonderful and irresi stable manner,
urging him forward “as if he were be
tween two walls, with a fire behind
him so, nothing lost, he has abandon
ed his worldly business for the sake of
the Master, and is now engaged in
daily and almost hourly assaults upon
the strongholds of the arch enemy of
souls. He has no children, and, accom
panied by his wife, he travels about
over the country, from place to place,
as the Spirit directs, exhorting and
teaching and laboring with such fervid
zeal that he has kindled a flame which
threatens to sweep over the great State
of Texas like fire driven by a wild gale
through a Western prairie. Yet his
meetings are remarkable for the ab
sence of that species of animal excite
ment so often observed in revivals of
religion. The feeling he awakens is
profound and deep, moving all hearts
to the bottom, as heaves the ground
swell of the ocean ! he appears at once
to seize and retain the unrestrained
sympathy of his audience, as the mag
net attracts the steel; and it is singu
lar that the conversions which follow
his ministration are principally among
persons of mature years and those who
have grown gray in the service of satan.
Gamblers, saloon keepers, drunkards
and scoffers yield to the power of the
Gospel, as preached by him, and up to
the time my informant wrote, upward
of six hundred souls been hadconvert
ed to God through his instrumentality
within six months, in the towns of
Tyler, Bryan, Calvert, Jefferson and
Navasota, and he was still earnestly
engaged in the work to which he has
been called.
He is constantly receiving communi
cations from all parts of the State, beg
ging him to visit the respective com
munities from which they are sent;
and, from present indications, one
would judge that he has entered upon a
work that will monopolize the remain
der of his life.
His mode of conducing meetings is
peculiar. He takes no set text, but
reads a portion of Scripture, expouuds
it, follows with exhortation, and few
can resist his earnest appeals. His
strong point seems to be in his pray
ers, in his implicit and childlike re
liance upon the promise of the S iviour
that “ whatsoever is asked in faith will
be given,” and his example, in this re
spect, is contagious. The people pray
in faith , and the result is always good.
Mr. Penn is a man of medium height,
rather portly iu figure, fine looking
and dignified, with a full open fore
head, harmonious face, slightly angu
lar nose, black hair and flowing beard.
His tout ensemble is striking, and com
mands spontaneous respect; but his
grand feature is his eye. Moderately
large and full, of a gray hazel color; it
seems to be the mirror of his noDle
soul, “and with it he expresses more
than many do with thousands of
words.”
He is a pleasant speaker, with a pow
erful voice that he modulates well, and
which never “cracks” from speaking ;
his manner is possessed and easy, and
“his gestures emotional rather than
studied ;” he sings well and always se
lects hymns appropriate to his subject;
he is sociable, cheerful, excels in con
versational powers, and is readily ac
cessible to all.
The first result of a visit from him
is a reunion of the church, schisms are
forgotten, breaches are healed, differ
ences are reconciled, and “brotherly
love prevails.”
Then follows a mighty awakening of
the ungodly, the infidel, the reprobate
and the hardened, are the first to yield,
and, ere long, the whole unconverted
community are crying, “men and
brethren, what shall we do to be saved!”
In his work he neither demands nor
receives any compensation, whatever;
but follows, implicitly, the glorious ex-
ample of our beloved Lord, and none
can gainsay that he is “laying up in
estimable treasures in Heaven” and
adding many stars to the brilliant
crown of glory reserved for him in the
Father’s kingdom. Notlimah.
For the Index and Baptist. I
Ministers, Deatons’, and Chnreh Reeling of
the Oostananla Association.
The meeting convened with the Pleas
ant Yalley church, south of Rome, Sat
urday before the fifth Lord’s day of
April. Comparatively few were pres
ent, though the meeting was very inter
esting to the brethren present.
Brother N. Kinnebrew was called to
the chair ; brother Boyd secretary.
The subjects discussed were
1. “Is dancing sinful. ” Most of
the brethren engaged in the consider
ation of the subject, and decided in the
affirmative.
2. “How may we interest all the
church members in the Sabbath-school
work.” After many speeches it was
agreed that this could be done only by
first convincing them that it is their
duty, and then to make it a church
work. Hence, the body admonished
all the churches of the Association to
make the Sabbath-school a part of the
church work.
3. The question was discussed as to
the propriety of the Association ap
pointing a missionary to labor in the
bounds of the Association. Brother
A. R. Wright proposed to pay §IOO of
a missionary’s salary if the Association
would pay §SOO additional. The body
recommendel the Association to ap
point a missionary, and to raise the
§SOO.
Thus the meeting passed off, and
we trust that some good was done in
the name of Jesus. Kingston.
Kingston, Ga., May Ist, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist,]
THE DROUTH AFTER THE RAIN.
Every Christian who is sincerely in
terested in the progress and welfare of
his church must have felt and lamen
ted that coldness which often succeeds a
revival. It comes quite as unwelcome
and many times as unexpected as a
current of air from the north as we
come forth from a heated room. A
month ago, it may be the protracted
meeting closed. Then the hearts of
the brethren and sisters seemed all
aglow with love for Gou and for each
other. Tears of joy had been shed
over the young converts. The candi
date emerging from the baptismal flood
had been welcomed into the fold, and
bidden to take part in the joys and
sorrows of the church. All then was
cheering. It seemed as if those en
listel under the banner of the Cross
were in earnest in a war of aggression
which promised soon to result iu a
splendid victory. It was, indeed fond
ly hoped that some of ibmuofv recruits
would be more zealous aiid faithful
than the old soldiers had been.
But in tfle intervening weeks a
great change has taken place. Those
who, by assembling day after day, had
had their love revived and their ardor
kindled into a glowing heat, have been
scattered, and wordly thoughts and
wordly cares have regained dominion
over their minds. They come together
now and go through the form of a wor
ship, in which there is but little heart.
Anxiety for the conversion and salva
tion of sinners seems almost wholly
laid aside. They have not met as if
they desired and fully expected that
God would again bless them and pour
out freely of His spirit. For
that they have made up their
minds to wait until another summer
shall perhaps bring another season of
pentecost, and in the interim they have
relaxed all exertions for the cause of
religion save assembling of themselves
together a tstated intervals. They say,
indeed, in their letters to the Associa
tion, that they bemoan the cold state
into which they have fallen ; but save
saying the words, they give little evi
dence that they do lament the fact, or
consider it one which might be pre
vented.
So they wait for the season of pro
tracted meetings to return, and in the
meantime, grow colder rapidly. Meet
ing after meeting follows, in which a
stated routine is gone through without
life or spirit. There is no interest
manifested for the salvation of sinners,
or for building up of the church. Per
haps the record becomes marred by
charges against this or that member
for improprieties or outright sins.
Before the twelve months have elapsed,
the whole scene has become the valley
of dried bones which presented itself
to the prophet’s vision.
Must this season come ? Is it un
avoidable that there be this sad
drought after the rain ? We think
not. It is not of God’s divising. His
hand is ever ready to bestow blessings,
and thousands of temporal comforts
He is continually bestowing upon us
despite our stiffnecked ness and perver
sity. But as regards this spiritual
blessing, we must be willing in the day
of His power. If we immerse ourslves
in wordly cares, and go on careless and
prayless for month after month, we
need not expect our meets to be inter
esting. Christians must have enthu
siasm and energy if they would have
their churches prosper.
—Some characters are like some
bodies in chemistry—very good, per
haps, in themselves, yet fly off and re
fuse the least conjunction with each
other.
For the Index and Baptist.]
AJi IMPOSTER EXPOSED.
Ohoopie P. 0., Mt. Zion Church, )
Tatnall Cos., Ga. \
C T. Mosley, who has, for a number
of years, been a member of the Baptist
church, and for several years passed
as an ordained minister of the Gospel,
was, upon certain charges preferi'ed
against him in the above named church,
expelled.
The said Mosley afterward was re
stored to the fellowship of the church
upon his acknowledgement, and took a
letter of recommendation, since which
time he has left his family, and gone
to parts unknown.
This church has since ascertained,
from a careful investigation, that he
has not only been guilty of various
other grievious and wicked acts, but
that his clerical credentials were forged,
the names of the church and ministers
attached to them being fictitious. He
has, in his possession, a letter of recom
mendation, from this church, officially
signed, and supposing that he may at
tempt to impose himself upon some
other community, this church avails
herself of this means of pronouncing
the letter null and void, and warning
the religion world in general, and the
Baptist denomination in particular, of
this vile imposter.
Done by order of the church in reg
ular conference April 22, 1876.
The committee appointed by the
church to prepare this communication
are: P. Collins, H. J. McGee, D. W.
Coleman.
W. D. Geiger, Moderator,
D. W. Coleman, C. C.
Exchanges please copy.
For the ludex aud Baptist. [
RELIGIOUS CON VERSATION
Among professed Christians, there is
great deficiency in this material char
acteristic among our church members.
There is always much to talk,but it is on
secular subjects—fashions and politics
—nothingjscarcely on topics anticipated
from those professedly on the road to
heavenly bliss. That seems to be re
garded unpopular, if not improper and
vulgar, and should not invade the soci
ety of polite people. Some are alarmed
if our subject is introduced, to enter
into it, lest some of the company should
show their dislike and jeer at the bare
mention.
Such timid Christians ought to con
sult an old volume, designed to be a
vade mecum with all real Christians. It
says, “Be ye holy in all manner of con
versation.” “ Let your conversation be
as becometh saints—as becometh holi
ness.” Philippians i: 27, I Peter,Titus,
etc., “as becometh the Gospel.” Ephe
sians v: 3. “Neither filthiness nor fool
ish talking.” “ Put off your former
conversation.” Many other passages
to’the same purpose. Some timid min
isters are afraid, or slow to introduce
it. We must be convinced that there
is great want of faithfulness among us.
Some years ago there was a meeting
at the house of one of the members of
the church, whose little daughter had
been deeply concerned about religion,
but after all bad retired, she obsereved
to her mother, “ not one said a word to
me about my soul.” Christians are
to blame whenever religious conversa
tion becomes unfashionable; it shows a
want of interest in religion, a cold state
where revivals can scarcely be antici
pated.
Some professors meet together and
sp tid their time in jesting and foolish
talk; giggle, giggle, from first to last.
Can we expect the cause to flourish in
such a neighborhood ? This subject has
pained me for sometime. What the
Book condemns must be wrong, and we
have quoted only a few passages. I
hope the class condemned, will peruse
the Bible more, specially on their be
setting sin.
I would not inculcate a gloomy state
or ascetism, would not condemn a
pleasing anecdote or a humorous re
mark, but, for the whole house alwavs
to be in a giggle, is most unbecoming
the character of Christian people.
t A. S.
For the Index and Baptist. I
Interesting Meetings in Brnnswlek—The People
Moved—Brother Faekler’s Labors.
Brunswick, Ga., May 2,1876.
Dear Index —We have an interest
ing meeting progressing, large congre
gations attending, and many are mani
festing interest for the salvation of
their souls. IJp to the fifth day of the
meeting we have had a few conversions.
Brother Fackler is laboring with us,
and I think it will be conceded by all
who have heard him, that he has few
equals of his age, as a pulpit orator.
He has preached twice on the streets.
On last Sunday morning there must
have been near one thousand, or more,
hearers of all colors and sexes. His
earnestness, voice and wonderful famil
iarity with the Scriptures fit him, in
an eminent degree, for street preach
ing and for evangelical labor, generally
May the Lord give to the church many
more such sons of thunder! We hope
we shall have the prayers, especially, of
all the brethren and sisters that have
aided us in our work here.
We hope to be able to report favora
ble results soon. Yours, in the Gos
pel of Christ,
W. D. Atkinson,
Missionary at Brunswick, Ga.
—Of all the riches that we hug, of
all the pleasures we enjoy, we can carry
no more out of this world than out of
a dream.