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INDEX AND BAPTIST.
REV. D. E. BUTLER Managing Editor.
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS:
Rev. 8. O. Hillyeb., D D Forayth, Georgia.
Rev. J. 8. Baker, D.D Quitman, Georgia.
Dr. J. 8. Lawton Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. T. G. Jones, D.D Nashville, Tennessee.
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS:
Rev. G. A. Nunnally Monroe, Georgia.
Rev. W. T. Branti.y, D.D Baltimore, Md
Rev. A. J. Battle, D.D Macon, Georgia.
Rev. R. W. Fuller Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. T. B. Cooper Ogeechee, Georgia.
Sev. .J. H. Kilpatrick. .. White Plains, Georgia.
Rev. Marion Sams Decatur, Georgia.
Rev. W. C. Wilkk.h Gainesville, Georgia.
The Sabbath, as a political institu
tion, is of inestimable value, indepen
dently of its claim to divine authority.
How few arrive at manhood in reli
gion. Rarely indeed can men say with
Paul, “When I became a man, I put
away childish things.” —I Cor. xiii. 11.
Without meditation the word
preached may increase notion, but not
affection. There is as much difference
between the knowledge of a truth and
the meditation of a truth, as there is
between the light of a torch and the
light of the sun. Meditation fits for
prayer, and makes the pulse of the
soul beat strongly after God. The
lamp of prayer will soon go out, unless
meditation cherish and support it. The
meditation of heaven is a pillar of
support under all our sufferings;
heaven will make amends for all. One
hour in heaven will wake us forget all
our sorrows. As the sun dries up the
water, so one beam of God’s glorious
face will dry up all our tears.
In our home life, and our daily du
ties, let us take care that friends and
foes alike may take knowledge of us
that we have been with Jesus. When
we tee a family where sons and daugh
ters are unselfish, thinking of each oth
er rather than of themselves, caring for
their parents’ wishes rather than their
own way, trying to do some work for
Christ’s sake rather than for their own
pleasure, then we may take knowledge
of them that they have been with
Jesus. When we find people gentle and
kindly in their judgment of others, try
ing to see the good instead of the evil,
and ready to give others credit for good
motives, then we take knowledge of
them that, they have been with Jesus.
When we find people hopeful in times
of Distress, patient in tribulation, for
bearing one another, and forgiving oue
another, then we may take knowledge
of them that they have been with Jo
sub, and we may be sure that they
shall be his in that day when he shall
make up his jewels.
A writer in the Religious Herald of
June 1, says, “ I think it is a universally
admitted rule, that when a sentence is
complete, the voice should fall—unless
a question is asked, or surprise is ex
pressed.” He adds, “My experience,
in listening to the English read is, that
they almost invariably either keep up
their voice to the level of the ordinary
tone, or give a decided upward inflec
tion at the close of a sentence.”
We think the Herald's correspondent
is in error, and that the English read
ing, which he seems to condemn, is
correct. We remember our academi
cal teacher, v ho was a graduate of Tale
College, on oue occasion, while a cele
brated revival preacher was conducting
a meeting in our neighborhood, (who
had contracted the habit of allowing
his voice to fall at the close of his
sentences,) called our attention to the
fact, and reminded us that, in our com
mon conversations we never allowed our
voice to fall at the close of a sentence;
and stated that there was no valid
reason why we should not observe, in
public speaking the same rule iu ref
erence to the inflections of our voice,
that we observe in our ordinary con
vernation. We learned subsequently,
from our own persona! observation,
that his teaching on this subject, was
in perfect accord with that of the fac
ulty of his alma mater.
Hon. T. J. Burney, of Madison, Ga.
The intelligence that this good man
and Christian is ill, will carry sadness
to many hearts. For some weeks his
health has declined, then he was con
fined to his house, and now, he is dying.
His brethren will rejoice when we
say to them, that calmly, patiently, and
with a bright hope of immortality,
he is quietly passing away. It may be
before this is read by many whom he
has long loved and served, that his
soul will have “crossed the river.”
“ Thanks be to God which giveth (him)
the victory," etc.
RAISING CHI'RCH FENDS.
NO. 111.
Under the instructions recommended
in our last article, we hope that church
members will gradually recognize their
obligations—that they will discover
that they are morally bound to contrib
ute their proportional part of church
expenses, according to their ability.
The principle once settled, the next
question is,
HOW TO DETERMINE EACH ONE'S PRO
PORTIONAL PART?
This, we admit, is a delicate ques
tion. It involves the consideration of
many particulars. For example: Two
brethren have precisely the same in
come ; but one derives his income from
vested capital, the other from personal
labor. This difference of condition
would, by itself, make a difference in
the proportional part due by these two
men.
Again, they may have the same in
come derived from the same kind of
source. But one’s family may be una
voidably twice as expensive as the
familyj of the other. This is another
difference of condition which ought
justly to vary their obligations. We need
not multiply examples. We know the
very great diversity of condition which
is found among our church members.
And this diversity of condition is just
what makes it so difficult to determine
each one’s proportional part. We ad
mit the difficulty in all its intricacies,
and complications. But what must we
do ? Shall we abandon the problem
because it is difficult? We think not.
In political and domestic economy, in
commerce, in agriculture, in the arts-r
--nay, in every branch of business, prob
lems areconstantly arising, which admit
only an approximate solution. To
ignore these problems would subvert
our civilization. Hence they are not
given up. Thoy are diligently worked
at, by the parties interested, till a solu
tion is reached sufficiently near the
truth to answer all practical purposes.
So we ought to do iu the case before us.
Is it right that church members should
each hear his proportional part of the
church expenses according to his abil
ity ? Admit the principle—this is all
we ask —it then follows most certainly
that every member is bound to ascer
tain, as nearly as he can, what is his
proportional part, in order that he may
pay it.
The next question is, who shall deter
mine each member’s proportional part?
Our answer is, it ought to be determined
in thefear of God, in the love of Christ,
and under a sense of justice to his breth
ren, by each one for himself. A truly
consciencious man, anxious to do his
duty, being well acquainted with the
condition of his brethren, would be apt
to form a very correct estimate of what
he ought to pay. But such a man
might feel an unwillingness to decide
so important a question for himself,
lest he might bo warped by selfishness,
or lest he might mistake, through his
ignorance of his brethren’s condition.
He might really prefer, (we have known
such cases,) that others should, at least,
aid him in estimating his share of the
burden. This might be a common feel
ing among the members. And we are
persuaded it would he, if the principle
we are advocating were distinctly recog
nized. Iu that case, we cannot see any
objection to appointing a committee
whose duty it shall bo to consult with
each member, and, with his consent, agree
upon the amount he ought to pay. This
method of procedure has some manifest
advantages:
1. It will insure a near approach to
a just distribution of church burdens
among the members.
2. It will provide a prompt payment,
thereby affording great relief to needy
creditors.
3. It will afford the very best oppor
tunity for instructing those who may
not fully appreciate their personal obli
gations. The gentle and kind advice of
the committee, backed by the action of
the church, and illustrated by the acqui
escence of many influential brethren,
will have its effect. Prejudice will give
way, and opposition will gradually yield.
Nay, this process will bring into effi
cient exercise that “ formative discip
line” so well advocated in Thomas
ville.
This plan of procedure, has been
called the “ assessment plan." The name
is unfortunate. We found this out in
Thomasville, during the ministerial
conference. Although those who ad
vocated it, were careful to prefix the
qualifying word “voluntary,” *or to
append the equally gratifying phrase,
“ by consent,” still the speakers would
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
occasionally use the word “ taxation’’
as its synonym 1 And some spoke as if
they thought those who favored it
were abandoning the “ voluntary prin
ciple”! Well, we have no partiality
for this name ; we are willing to drop
it. Yet we do hold,
1. That church contracts create debts.
2. That parties to such contracts are
morally bound to pay their proportional
part of such debts.
3. That churches should teach and
assert these principles till they are
understood.
4. That one method of giving effect
to these principles is, to appoint a com
mittee of judicious brethren, who, in
consultation with each member, may
agree upon ihe amount which he ought
to [iay.
We did wish to discuss more fully
our obligations arising from the claims
of benevolence, but space forbids.
BROTHER JAMES H. CALLAWAY.
Our brethren, and the citizens gene
rally, learned with profound grief on
Sunday last, of the death of deacon
James H. Callaway, who died at his
residence in this city, at a few minutes
before 11 o’clock a.m.
The intelligence was so unexpected,
and the love and esteem of our people
for him was so sincere and universal,
that the news cast gloom over the en
tire community, and the affection in
which he was held by all, found expres
sion in words of earnest regret.
The announcement of the decease of
this good man, was made by Dr. Spald
ing from the pulpit of the First church,
during the services incident to the in
sta'lation of Dr. Gwin, and the effect
upon the great congregation was very
apparent. Brother Callaway had been
sick but a few days, and no one appre
hended that in the inscrutable provi
dence of Divine Love, the translation
of this devout, faithful and noble
Christian to the realms of eternal glory
was so near at hand. He died as he
had lived, tho exemplar of true Chris
tian piety, simple, loving, charitable ;
in his long life illustrating tho power
and the truth of the Faith, and in his
gentle death reaping arid proving the
fruits of a well spent and sanctified
life. Brother Callaway was born in
* y-
Wilkes county, on the 21st of Septem
ber, 1811, and married Mrs. Sarah D.
Hardeman on the 25th of September,
1835. He joined the Baptist church
at Old Sardis, in Wilkes county, in
1834 or 1835, and was baptized by Rev.
Enoch Callaway, its pastor for thirty
years. In 1837, he moved to Henry
county. Here his only child, Mary
Elizabeth, was born in 1839. In 1852
he moved to LaGrange, where his
daughter died in 1854 aud was buried.
In 1866, Mr. Callaway removed to At
lanta, where he had resided ever since.
His beloved wife died on the 16th of
last March and lies buried in Oakland
Cemetery, by the side of her daughter’s
remains, which, recently, were removed
from LaGrange.
The funeral services over the remains
of deacon Callaway, took place at the
Second Baptist church, on last Monday
afternoon. A vast congregation had
assembled, and the church was appro
priately decorated with flowers. Bro.
A. T. Spalding, the pastor, read a se
lection from the Scriptures, and Rev.
J. T. Leftwich, of the Central Presby
terian church, led in prayer. Brother
Spalding, deeply affected, preached the
funeral discourse from 11. Kings ii :12:
“And Elisha saw it and he cried, my
father, my father, the chariot of Israel
and the horsemen thereof.” Brother
Gwin, of the First church, paid au
eloquent tribute to the merits of the
deceased, aud was followed by brother
Norcross in brief and touching remarks.
The choir sung beautiful and appro
priate hymns, and the solemnity of the
occasion was profound.
A large number followed the remains
to the cemetery, where they were laid,
mournfully yet hopefully, between the
sacred ashes of his beloved wife and
daughter. Touching memorial services
were held at the Second Baptist church
on Tuesday night.
The nearer the kingdom of heaven
appears, the less is the force by which
the world draws and bolds the believer.
Attraction is iu proportion to the
quantity of matter and the nearness of
the object; and so the globe itself, with
all its wealth of gold, yea, though
it were solid gold itself, and aU to be
mine, does not attract me with any
force if I live above it, and hard by the
throne of God.
—ltev. Edward Lewis, late of Winchester,
Va., has accepted a call to succeed Bro. Lan
drum, at Shreveport, La.
THE STATE BOARD.
Two articles in this issue, on this
subject, are timely and to the point.
We are not surprised that our brethren
have different views on the questions
involved. The discussion at Thomasville
gave evidence of that fact. We hope
to hear very soon from the chairman of
the committee which reported the plan
to the Convention, and to obtain from
him a full explanation of the whole
scheme designed to be put into
effective operation.
Our purpose now is to recommend
the views of Bro. S. Boykin, and
endorse the practice of Bro. G. A.
Nunnally, as set forth in the two articles
above mentioned. We all should study
the report of the Committee before we
withhold our hearty co-operation with,
and support of, the Committee at Ma
con. When that is done our judgment
is, that the entire denomination in
Georgia will, this centennial year, raise
enough funds to be again the Banner
State, South, in support of Missions
If any brother or church is in doubt
on a single question, that doubt can be
removed by a correspondence with
Bro. Irwin, at Macon. Under every
and all circumstances, the first steps
should now be taken to gather
funds, though it be in small amounts,
for the work.
Missions —the cause of Christ, is the
subject on our heart, and in our hands.
Support this Committee, and we carry
the gospel to sinners. This Committee
was organized to collect funds and turn
them over to such agencies, already ex
isting, as the donors may direct. All
Christians, and churches aud associa
tions, may send funds to this Commit
tee, and direct the application.
Wi 1 uot as many of our brethren
in Georgia as see the necessities of our
Mission cause, begin operations at
once, by following the noble examples
set for us by Bro. G. A. Nunnally, in
the Appalaehee, at all the general meet
ings to occur on thesth Sunday in July
next? Such a beginning will carry us
forward a great deal in our summer’s
liberality and zeal for Missions.
BAPTIST MISFORTUNE IN RICHMOND, VA.
In an article not long ago, we called
for the name of the Baptist D.D. who
communed with the Campbellites in
Richmond, at the session of the South
ern Baptist Convention. The commun
ication of Bro. B. G. Manard, iu this
issue, has given us his name—Rev. J
L. Burrows, D.D., of Louisville, Ky.,
is the brother.
We were hopeful, at the time, that
the statement was not true, yet
meant to be in earnest in condemning
the act, let it fall on whom it might.
Is there no room, even now, for a mis
take? Our correspondent makes an
explicit statement, and claims it, in a
private note, as necessary to vindicate
himself touching the Richmond “ sen
sation.”
Alas ! and this too but a few days
after the sermon, by Dr. Lorimer, of
Boston, before the Southern Baptists,
assembled in Convention, declaring that
this very evil was losing ground in the
North. Alas ! alas ! Dr. Burrows.
Did the Doctor do this evil iu a mo
ment of deliberation ? Will someone
give us the circumstances under which
the temptation came ? If there is, or
can be, a mistake in this matter, let
us know where it is.
Dr. Burrows did wrong. There is
uo excuse for him. He is one of our
foremost preachers and most influ
ential brethren, and such is his
position that we are called upon to
condemn this departure from the faith
in unmistakable terms. We do not be
lieve that our brother, Dr. Burrows,
entertaius loose communion principles.
He is too well instructed to be ignorant
on this great subject. If he does
entertain such views then he is no
longer of us.
While we lament this misfortune,
hear what the Apostles say : “Confess
your faults one to another, and pray
oue for another, that ye may be
healed.” (James v : 16.) “If a man
be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual restore such an one iu the
spirit of meekness ; considering thyself,
least thou also be tempted.
Christianity is the great harbinger
of civilization. Wherever the gospel
is preached in simplicity and with
power a long train of blessings
follow. Education, good government,
commerce, trade enterprise, sound
morals,and useful arts spring up in gos
pel soil, and the land smiles. Right
eousness exalteth a nation.
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
We have looked forward with intense
interest to the exhibition to le made in
Philadelphia, during the present cen
tennial anniversary of American Inde
pendence. We have anticipated it with
mingled hopes and fears. Like every
thing of human origin, it will, un
doubtedly, be attended with good aud
evil —which of the two shall predomi
nate, will depend very much, under
God, upon the course that shall he pur
sued by our Christian community. This
is a fact which should be deeply im
pressed upon the mind of every true
Christian, whether he attends the cele
bration or not, and his daily prayer
should be, that the Lord God Omnipo
tent, would extend his supervision over
all the proceedings during the continu
ance of the exhibitition, and display
his sovereign power and grace in re
straining the wicked, and preserving the
integrity of the righteous. There will,
of necessity, be a great change in the
state of things, and we should prepare
to meet the responsibilities incident to
that change. We refer to this subject
with a view to impress upon the minds
of our Christian readers the importance
of united, fervent, importunate prayer to
that God upon whose sovereign will
depend the issues of all events that
occur on earth, from the least to the
greatest. He has bid us cast all our
cares upon Him—to look Him for help
in every case of emergency, and prom
ised to answer promptly every prayer
of faith that we address to Him. Let
us take Him at His word. He has as
sured us that His covenant He will not
break, nor alter the thing that has
gone out of His mouth. Psalm Ixxxix :
34.
To intensify our interest in this mat
ter, and increase the fervor aud impor
tunity of our prayers, we should re
flect, 1. Upon the immense influences
far good and evil that will be arrayed
against each other, and the feebleness j
of our moral forces. There will be j
present at the Fair grounds, no doubt,
many professing Christians, and among
them some truly devout persons, but
there is just cause to fear that very
few of the visitors from abroad —if
any —will appear armed and equipped
with all the Gospel armor. The great
majority, we apprehend, will repair to
Philadelphia without the least idea of
engaging in the Christian warfare for
the glory of God or the good of souls.
They will seek to gratify their curiosity
—and perhaps to get gain—but the
idea of subserviug the cause of Christ,
by their attendance on the exhibition,
is one which, unfortunately, they never
allow to enter their minds: conse
quently the resistance which they will
be able to make to the evil influences
arrayed against us, will be but small
indeed. Hopeless, truly, will be our
cause, if we depend upon them, or upon
such as they ; but our trust should be,
not in mau, whose breath is in his nos
trils, nor in a multitude of horses and
chariots, but in the living God. He is
not restrained to save by many or by
few.
2. To deepen the conviction in our
miuds of our need of the presence and
gracious interposition of a divine power,
we should contrast with our feeble
forces, the vast amount of evil influ
ences that will be arrayed against us.
A mass of the most debased specimens
of humanity will pour in upon us like
a flood, from every sink of iniquity in
our own land, and from every quarter
of our sin-infected world. It is painful
to think of the large proportion of
rogues iu rags and rogues in lawn,
gamblers and pickpockets, harlots and
harpies, speculators and peculators,
swindlers and serfs of Satan in the !
garb of angels of light, that will be i
found iu the multitudes assembled pro-. I
fessedly to participate iu the festivities
of our national centennial anniversary.
Verily, unless the Lord of hosts shall go
forth with us, and order the battle for
us, we shall contend in vain against the
motley host of adverse powers arrayed
against us. “If thy presence go not
with me, carry us uot up hence.” Ex
odus xxxiii: 15. So said Moses to the
Lord on one occasion, and so should
every one say in his heart, who may
propose to attend our great national
celebration in Philadelphia.
3. To induce due fervor and impor
tunity in our prayers, we should re
flect seriously on the nature of the con
test between the opposing influences that
will be arrayed against each other, and
upon the momentous and eternal con
sequences that will result from it alike
to individuals and to the nations of the
earth.
We hope our readers will meditate
duly upon this subject, and that everv
Christian reader, whether he expects to
attend the exposition in Philadelphia or
not, will, from this day forth, send up
his daily prayer to God, during this
centennial year, that He would gra
ciously overrule our national celebra
tion for the advancement of His glory
and the extension of His kingdom on
earth.
We trust our centennial orators who
have pleaded so earnestly and success
fully for pecuniary contributions for
our colleges, will unite in pleading with
equal earnestness, for au interest in the
prayers of their brethren for divine aid
and success in the moral contest in
which we are engaged.
GEORGIA BAPTIST NEWS.
—The annual examination of the Cherokee
Baptist Female College, at Rome, passed off
with great success. Rev. R. W. Fuller preach
ed the Commencement sermon at the Baptist
church to a large and appreciative audience.
It was one of his best efforts.
—Dr. Tucker, of Athens, preached the Com
mencement sermon of Lucy Cobb Institute last
Sunday.
—Greensboro Home Journal, June 16th,
says.
Rev. Dr. Wharton preached an excellent
sermon in the Baptist church, in this city, on
last Sunday. We were sorry to learn that his
health is still precarious.
Richland church, Stewart county, on May
26th, ordained Dr. Lucius Purvis to the Gos
pel ministry. The presbvtery was composed
of Elders Isaac B. Deavors and W. M. Howell.
—Our esteemed brother W. M. H., writes to
us as follows :
Three other members were baptized into
Lumpkin Baptist church on the first Sabbath
in June by the pastor. Elder J. W. P. Fackler.
Brother Fackler is very highly appreciated by
his church and congregation, and the church
enjoys a fine season of pro-perity. A church
thrives on nothing so well as the truths of the
Gospel. This is, at least, one cause of brother
F’s success in preaching. He is not afraid
that the truth will “offeud somebody.” The
world has had enough of tender footed preach
ing to answer for all lime to come. There is
no remedy like fat meat for dispeptics, because
it forces a laazy stomach to act; so there is no
remedy for moral dispeptics like the strong
meat of the Gospel. There may be some
nausea at first, hut healthy action will soon
follow.
—One of the largest congregations that has
ever assembled in the Indian Spring Baptist
chinch, was congregated recently to hear Rev.
N. N. Edge, who was present by invitation,
and preached morning and night. The Argus,
referring to the occasion, says: “Bro. McMi
chael, the present pastor of the church, looked
happy throughout the services, and we have
no doubt felt so, and many tears of joy were
shed. There was as much honest heart exhi
bited during the day as we have ever been
called upon to witness.
The “Sunday” Rule at theCenteoulal Exhibition.
Foremost among the journals that
distinguish themselves by their persis
tent efforts to have the order closing
the doors of the Centennial Exhibition
grounds on the Sabbath revoked is the
Philadelphia Press, of which Col. For
ney is the editor. Alluding to this,
the Journal, of which Gen. Hawley,
President of the Centennial Commis
sion, is editor and proprietor, says .
Mr. Forney, of the Philadelphia Press , who
has recently returned irom abroad with Euro
pean notions in regard to the Sabbath, is
leading a movement in Philadelphia designed
to bring local presure to bear upon the Centen
nial Commission to induce the opening of the
Exhibition on Sundays. If Mr. Forney would
lay aside his European glasses, he might see
that he is advocating a course which, if suc
cessful, would damage the enterprise which he
is so desirous to help. The Exhibition cannot
aflord to incur the ill-will of tha great majority
of American citizens who have prejudices in
favor of respecting the Lord’s day.
Can President Hawley give no high
er sanction for his order, closing the
doors of the Exposition on the Sabbath,
than that of expediency ? Does he not
imply that if he thought a majority of
the people of the United States prefer
red to have the Sabbath used as an ex
hibition day he would conform to that
preference ? Can we fail to draw the
inference that, after all, the cumulative
power of the mighty dollar, as affecting
the treasury box of the Centennial
stockholders, decided the question
f-open” or “close”? ' What principle,
what Christian motive, then, is there
in the whole thing ? Does it not sound
farcical to hear Hawley praised for his
heroic stand for Christian propriety,
when, in truth, shrewd mercenary pol
icy alone influenced him in his action
on the subject ?
Rev. D. W. Gwin, D.D. — Dr. Gwin
preached a very eloquent and touching
sermon at the First Baptist church last
Sunday evening.
His text was Phil, i 27: “Only let
your conversation be as becometh the
Gospel of Christ, that whether I come
and see you, or else be absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that ya stand fast
in one spirit, with one mind, striving
together for the faith of the Gospel.”
A large congregation was present, who
felt the divine power and meaning of
the text, expounded as it was by their
pastor, with rare beauty, pathos and
directness.
Brother Gwin has already secured
the love and esteem of his church.