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2 <®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.