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I.Ki lB- IKI'M CALIFORNIA.
Pleas,mt Mfinorivs— Laboring for Jvxss—Clwi'eh
am! llumr Gmn.'ttlons —The Mete —Caiiforoia
Baptist Cos lege-1 he Christian Index.
Editors Christian Index— Time
and distance way ha ve erased my name
from the registry of your memory, but
a moment of reflection will recall our
past acquaintance and fraternal iiiend
sh.p. It seems almost a life time since
I have seen mv dear old Georgia home
and friends. *.\ly love for one, and
tender regards for the other, have not
ceased by long absence, but have grown
stronger and intenser “than they were
in the past.”
In that State my dearest kindred
dwell, and around the name of Georgia
cluster memories tha t glow in the quiet
light of meditation like the crimsoned
cloud of evening, dripping with the
beauties of departing day. There an
aged father and mother yet live ; there
mv wife’s parents dwell; there many
whom I warned of the wrath to come
have taken hold of eternal life ; there
many converts, young and old, I buried
with Christ is baptism; yes, there my
youthful struggles for the Gospel and
church were imperfectly rendered. My
voung and impulsive life may have
caused mistakes and blunders, but let
these serve for the shades to the picture
of Mercer’s young imperfect preacher
who left his alina mater in the event
ful 18(13, for the minister’s “good war
fare.”
When there, and ever since, I have
felt the necessity of continuing in the
full discharge of ministerial labor. My
work in this respect has ever met God’s
approval, for it lias be. n performed for
the sake of our dear Christ, and God,
the Father, has honored it. While the
worthy hands of ordination were laid
upon me by Drs. N. M. Crawford, P.
11. Mell and 11. H. Tucker, I then
promised God to spend and be spent in
His service. Opportunities brilliant
with success, and backed by distinction
and wealth, have been offered me in
several places; but I have not felt at
liberty to turn aside or step down from
mv “high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.”
You may ask why leave cherished
ones to liv among strangers? The
answer is my obligation to Christ first,
then comes country and kindred. God
has led me here, and were it. His will
to take me back to Georgia, or Virgin
ia, or the “loved and sunny South,” I
should come with cheerful feelings of
resignation. My wanderings and close
observations with incessant ministerial
or pastoral labor, have schooled me as
nothing else could do.
My lot s now in a pleasant place. I
have one of the best, if not in all re
spects the best, churches in California.
For about three years I have lived here,
and preached from twice to five times
every week since my arrival. The
church has given me, over a year ago, a
“lifetime or indefinite call.” Our
home is quite comfortable. My salary
is as good as the best. The congrega
tion is large and intelligent. Our
brethren are now completing the best
arranged brick church edifice that we
have on this coast.
California is a fast country. People
live fast, walk and eat fast. Soon as
you catch the first breath in this coun
try, you feel anew impulse. All things
move like double-geared lightning.
Horses, and almost all animal HP, exist
longer here andjdie quicker. We have
no thunder nor lightning in our cloud
less firmament, but we run the light
ning express, and await the thunder of
earthquakes, which gives us no more
fear than an Atlantic storm would to
the citizens of Southwest Georgia.
Dixon is a fine little city of average in
telligence and [wealth. Solano plains
surround this town, giving us the rich
est farming district in California.
About twelve miles from here is the
seat of California Baptist College.
Like Mercer when at PenfielJ, ;t iste
queste-ed, and the rattling “hoofs of
commerce’’ never break its blessed
quiet. 1 have been a Trustee of the
college for two years and a half, during
which time I have been the Secretary
of the Board, consisting of twenty-four
members, and also clerk of the Ex
ecutive Committee. At the next State
Convention, to convene at San Francis
co, I am appointed to preach the “Ed
ucation sermon.” You will see by this
statement how I am called to do some
thing for Mercer.
Well, it would seem ungrateful
should I not mention The Index.
The first religious newspaper I ever be
held was that grand old Index. My
misfortunes, reverses aud increasing
needs, compelled me “to drop it," but
iou cannot imagine the tear-dripping
eaviness of heart wheu driven to that
decision. I have not forgotten it, and
hope soon to make a Centennial sub
spription that will remain ou file until
my task is wound up, and I go hence
to that land fairer than day, to rest
from labor, and reellve the hnal parol
of earth’s heated conflicts. The last
number that chanced to fall into my
hands, I discovered that my tried and
true brother, D. E. Butler was the
headlight of sacred and current Chris
tian literature of the empire State.
Georgia Baptists should be congratu
lated in the wise selection. I would
like to have The Index upon my read
ing table, so nay boys and girl, as they
get able to reaa, thall learn to love and
reverence the many worthy names to
which I would gratefully direct their
attention. Under this living arch of
cherished names I want them to pass
life's rough way and rugged path to
that grand and glorious Temple not
made with hands eternal in the heavens.
With inexpressible gratitude to my
noble brethren and sisters of my be
loved Georgia, I tender them my best
heart-wishes and prayers for along life
of Christian usefulness and God’s
blessings. Out of deep afflictions come
the sweetest graces. From the nest of
grief are hatched joy-singing birds of
rarest plumage and celestial note.
From rough edges of human life we
often behold the softest tints of endless
day. The wai! of sorrow is the pre
lude of the songs of triumph. Suffer
ing and poverty are the vigorous curri
culum of earthly life to develop and
prepare us for that other higher, richer,
sweeter, purer and holier life which roils
away fresh and blissful from God’s
own bosom of infinite love.
Hoping for you all a long and use
ful life, not rimmed by shades of regret,
nor paralyzed by chilling disappoint
ment or neglect, I am ever yours in
precious Christ.
J. L. Butch.
For the Index and Baptist
ITEMS.
From Oar Brunswick Correspondent.
The meeting commenced in Bruns
wick after the adjournment of the State
Convention, in which I was assisted by
brethren Fackler and Mcßride, was
suspended after three weeks continu
ance. The labors of our brethren,
Faultier and Mcßride, were acceptable
to all our people, and their preaching
on the streets was signally blessed of
the Lord in awakening some very hard
cases. Our church was much revived,
and the blessed influence of the work
still lingers. As an immediate result
of the meeting, ten were baptized, and
nine were received by letter, and we ex
pect to receive others soon. Three of
the baptized were from the Episcopal
church. Other candidates are expected.
We resumed the meeting to-night,
with brother Munday's assistance. We
have here a vast field, and God is en
couraging us in our labors. Would
that a larger number of our brethren
and sisters in upper Georgia could
comprehend the magnitude of the field !
We would be pleased if such brethren
as brother D. E. Butltr and brother J.
H. James would visit us more freqently;
they encourage our people. We are
sanguine now of another refreshing
from the presence of the Lord. Pray
for us, brethren. *
We have long been dry in this region,
but now we are having an abundance of
rain, almost too much for melons, and
particularly crops in the low, flat places.
Farmers are greatly rejoiced at their
prospects; may the labors of the hus
bandmen be abundantly rewarded. We
think the meeting of the Agricultural
Society in this place, has done good t'o
this section.
How sad I was yesterday on my re
turn from Florida, to hear of the death
of the noble Millard Seals. Of all the
young men and boys I had the pleasure
of baptizing, uone began the Christian
life work with greater promise than he,
I loved him as I loved my own child.
In less than a week after his baptism,
before a large congregation met for
prayer, he delivered addresses, though
only in his thirteenth year, that would
have done honor to a mind in the me
ridian of its strength and maturity.
To his stricken parents and other rela
tions, let me say he is not lost, but gone
before. It is a consolation to me that
the silvery voice of my dear Millard,
which was so often heard in the prayer
nireuug, will bo forevor employed in the
more exalted praises of the Redeemer
in Heaven. Farewell my young brother,
for a short season, till Jesus calls.
W. D. Atkinson.
Brunswick, June 16, 1876.
For the Index and Baptist]
NOTES FROM RICHMOND, VI.
Editors Index. —You stated a short
time since that the First African
church of this city, had 2,700 corninu
nicams. Perhaps that was a printer’s
mistake; at any rate it was wide of the
mark.
The church has 3,800 members. It
is perhaps the largest Baptist church
on the continent. Sixty-four were bap
tized there last Sabbath, a week ago.
The old house in which the church
worships, is soon to be torn down, and
one erected with much greater capaci
ty. E. W. W.
Dr. Bitting leaves the Second church
for Franklin Square, Baltimore. A
great loss to Richmond, and a great
gain to Baltimore.
For the Index and Baptist.
MKECKU COJPIKMCKMKXT.
Let there be a large attendance of
Baptists at the Commencement of Mer-
University, soon to take place at Macon.
I was present at the last Commence
ment, and was delighted with every
feature of it save one, and that was the
absence of a sufficient denominational
dieylay. I use the word in the better
sense. The exercises were well attend
ed, and creditable to faculty and stu
dents in the highest degree. The peo
ple of.Macont urned out en matte, proud,
as they were and are,to have such a no
ble institution in their midst; but,with
the exception of a majority of the trus
tees, bat few Baptists were to be seen.
While it is, and ia designed to be, a
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST
grand university,open alike to all who
desire its benefits, u should not be for
gotten that it is a Baptist College, de
signed to accomplish a great work for
us as a denoihination. This cannot be
done unless its friends rally to its
support, not only by sending their sons,
but bv coming themselves to witness
its public performances. Now that our
loved Mercer is located there, Macon
should become a great Baptist center,
from which influences shall go out to
all portions of the State in the interest
of our denomination. Observer.
For the Christian Index.;
LETTER FROM FLORIDA.
The Index in Florida—.! Keminiseeoee of the
War—What tan he Accomplished—Mission
Work —Crops.
Banana, Florida, June 16, 1876.
Editors Christian Index — I Pope
to see your cheerful face in every house
hold in all this “Land of Flowers,” find I
am laboring to this end, for I love you
for your intrinsic merits; for the good
that you are doing, and for
you have done;'for you rejoiced my
heart many a time during the late war,
when I was a soldier in Virginia, when
brother Boykin used to send you, load
ed vviik good things, even to the line
of battle. Under the cannon’s thun
derous roar, amid the wounded and
dying, you came to comfort, by point
ing to the “Lamb of God, that taketh
away the sin of the world.”
I welcome you to Florida to aid in
evangelizing our people, for while the
souls of men are dying, the preacher
flies from place to place to warn sin
ners to “flee from the wrath to come.”
You visit the young converts every
week to show them how to “grow in
gra and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
The prospect still brightens on our
Mission in Levy county. Three were
baptized on our last round, and there
are four more awaiting baptism. We
expect to organize a number of churches
this year. Elder S. Sheffield and the
writer officiated in ordaining and set
ting apart to the Gospel ministry,
brother G. W. Martin, of Mt. Horeb
church, in Alachna county, Florida, the
24th of May.
After a drouth in May, our section
of the State has been cheered by re
freshing showers for several days, and
we have a bright prospect for fine
crops. G. W . Hall.
[We return our sincere thanks to our
good brother Hall. May his earnest
and devoted labors for Jesus, and for
the promotion of His cause ly mbs on
ary work, and througlf.- o ’^ I
blessed an hundred fold. W” “pfi '
Let brother Hall write again.—
Editors Index.]
For the Index aud Baptist.
To Jarrett A Palmer, Managers of the Fast Train
Across the Continent.
Gentlemen —Your fast traveling
electrified us. Less than eighty four
hours from New York to San Francis
co ! Verily, times have chapged since
pioneers went a foot and drove their ox
teams; and old miners can remember
when they could not get from New York
letters not four days old. The experience
gained oil this trip will be of great
value, and we all rejoice. Your cour
age and enterprise deserve high praise,
and the world will not be slow to give it.
But one thing we regret. Why se
lect Sunday as the day for your arrival
iu San Francisco?
This is the first day of the week ;
the day on which Christ rose; the
Sabbath of nearly all Christendom. To
say nothing of its religious value so
essential to public worship, if not to
the very existence of Christianity, it is,
to say the least, the Creator’s Rest Day
—given to tired men and toiling ani
mals. Those watchful railroad men,
upon whose sleepless fidelity and skill
your lives depended, need rest. Even
the iron-horse cannot stand the ordeal
of great speed and constant motion for
along time, but must have time to cool
and rest. Why should the nerves and
brain of the man that drives it, be de
nied the same privilege ?
We are told that a lubricator broke
on the way. Suppose it had .been an
axle, or a bridge ; or, as by sharp curves
and along fearful precipices >ou were
spinning around Cape Hrno—•‘suppose
a land slide; where would you have
been to-day ? Aud, if you, yourselves,
have no word of thanksgiving to Him
who protected you during that perilous
ride, you ought at least to refrain from
robbing the faithful engineer of his
time to rest and worship God. Ap
palling death may meet him at any
moment; God has given him one day
in seven to prepare for it, and you have
uo right to deprive him of it.
Why did you ask Postmaster Coey
to deliver 100,000 letters on che Sab
bath ? Have postmasters and their
weary clerks, no right to rest and wor
ship God ? Is that the price they pay
for office? Have their families no
claims upon their society, and upon
their religious instruction and prayers ?
Or must we always have postmasters
who do not read the Bible nor pray ?
Were those letters so important that
they must be delivered on t.he Lord’s
day ? Would they not keep until Mon
day ? Or, if so vastly momentous, why
did not the writers telegraph and not
wait for your train ?
Possibly Christians may be guilty of
patronizing Sunday mails and trams ;
but the fact that bad examples break
down good men, only makes the matter
worse. Sodom nearly ruined Lot, and
did ruin bis wife and daufflaers, but
that only increased the gm.t of the
Sodomites.
Gentlemen, we ou_- - to stop taese
things by law. Em- . railroad men and
postmasters have .vine rights which
other men ought to respect, and it we
try to rob them of their rest, and
break down their morals, we may lose
our own. Very respectfully,
Addison Jones.
For the Index ami Baptist.j
WAIT AND HOPE.
How much is contained in those
words ? How many people wait when
they see plank after plank slip slowly
but surely from under their tired feet?
'Chen, one by one, their hopes are de
stroyed, and their false friends turn
indifferently away from them in their
hour of need. Still, with unconquer
able spirits they wait for better days,
trusting with unfailing trust tin t those
days will come. And they will.
Ob, let us, poor pilgrims in life’s
dreamy waste, have courage! Fight
life’s battle with brave, strong hearts,
and when the end comes, we shali find
peace. Is it not better when we are
nearing the “shadowy vale,” waiting
for the reaper to close our eyes for our
last long sleep, to feel that we tried to
be true, and that if there was sin com
mitted, it was not our sin ? This side
of the hill we must climb is dark and
rough, aud as we look around us, our
dimmed eyes can see no glimmer of
light, no smooth place for our weary
feet; but, if we only would trust Him a
little longer—only had the faith to
tread the path before us with patience
and endurance, on the other side we
should find rest.
It is hard to give up our hopes
dearer to us than life —hard to bid
adieu to our loved ones, w ho were call
ed awav in the midst of their useful
ness, and say “Thy will be done,” and
yet the cross, though it is heavy, may
be in mercy ; and in spirit as well as in
life, God may be teaching His eternal
love.
••Whyis it thus that fairest things.
Tbs soonest fleet and die ?
That when most light is on their wings
They are then but spread to fly ?”
K.cbl.
Cottage Hills, Chattahoochee county, Oa.
For the Index and Baptist.]
FACTS AM) FACES.
I came by home from the Conven
tion, and hastened on to the General
Meeting at Freeman’s Creek, in the
Appalachee Association. This is an
old church. It has been “standing the
storms” aud basking in the sunlight
..27rj$htv yars. Li its pulpit have
labored Noah Hill, whose persuasive
eloquence was equalled only by his con
vincing logic—he spent his last years
in Texas, and the “Lone Star” keeps
vigil over his grave; the affectionate
Laudermilk, kind and gentle, followed
him in a successful ministry; next
came the earnest and powerful Hen
dricks, whose requiem is sung by the
Coosa, for he sleeps on her banks ; next
the mercy-loving Langford with the
glorious theme of “Jesus and his K ve”
stood up and plead in tears his Mas
ter’s cause; and many others, dead and
living, whose history has been written
and God is keeping the record.
The church at present is in the
charge of Bro. A. W. Brooks, a faith
ful child of Mercer. By the by, her
sons are found everywhere, and they
prove themselves the worthy sons of a
noble mother.
Brethren Boykin and Fish when
they were swimming around in the
April flood anchored at this place for
a few hours. They foun 1 a weak, sickly
Union Sunday-school fast asleep, and
threw in a botnb which woke it tip and
blew it into fragments. The pieces were
gathered together, and in obedience to
the law of natural affinities, two pros
peiing schools were the result. This
result has demonstrated the falsity of
brother Sandford’s arithmetic when
applied to Sunday-sch jols; for division
is here shown to be a short process of
many additions, and substruction be
comes a rapid multiplication.
The “new departure” in Missions
made at the Convention, was explained
to the brethren, and it met the warm
approval of the delegates from the ten
churches here represented. Agents
were appointed to prosecute the work
in the churches, and the returns this
fall will show a decided advance in
spirit and in deed. G. A. N.
For the Index and Baptist,
SWEET MEMORIES AWAKENED.
How true that every cloud has a sil
ver lining, or a bright side. Now, to
others than his parents, feeble must be
the conception of how dark the cloud
that crossed their way when Millard
Seals was so unexpectedly hurried away
—rather transferred to Heaven. But
there are’nfts in that cloud, and when
the freshness of their grief is passed,
and they have recovered from the stun
of the shock, many a precious memory
will bring the light through those rifts
and brighten the edges of that cloud.
The news of this young man’s death
has awakened and brought up freshly
to my mind some of the sweetest mem
ories I cherish.
The first visit of a minister to a place,
especially to a place of some note or
repute, is apt to make an impression.
My first visit to Greensboro, Georgia,
was a little over five years ago, and was
brought about through the instru
mentally of that man of God, elder W.
D. Atkinson, pastor, at that time, of
the Greensboro Baptist church. Sev
eral items make that visit, memorable,
but especially the afternoon service
and a brief serui. -n to the Sundav-sehool
pupils. Duma that discourse my at
tention was especially attracted by the
sweet expression, and intelligent and
tender listening, of a youth sitting near,
and when I a?fc.*d if any present wish
ed praver to come and give me their
hand he was the first to come, feeling
deeply, yet acting more like a man
than a child. It was Millard Seals.
That was the first time I ever saw hi in.
His pastor made me acquainted with
him. How I have loved him from that
day. He had been deeply interested in
his soul’s salvation for some time, as
brother Atkinson informed me.
At the time of this visit, it was
agreed upon that I should, two months
after, join the pastor in a protracted
meeting, which was carried into effect by
the wilt of God, and the month of June
(save a few days) was passed there, en
joying and taking a small part in one
oi the most gracious outpourings of
the Spirit the writer ever witnessed.
Of all that was remarkable, and there
was much, nothing is remembered with
more pleasure than the conversion of
Millard, and his immersion a few days
after. His conversion must have oc
curred within a few hours of the time,
at which, five years after, he was trans
lated “out of the darkness” of this
world “ into the marvelous light” of
Heaven.
Well, too, do I remember hearing his
youthful voice in public prayer, before
that meeting closed, and how fervently
he prayed that sinners, perhaps, might
cease to “ make war with the Lamb,”
his mind having been impressed with
an exhor'atiou sutne minister made,
based on the fact that the wicked Were
fighting, or “making war with,” a
Lamb.
Sweet, too, is[tiie recollection of his
cordial approach, after a lapse of two or
three years, in which time I had not
seen him. Knowing he had grown and
changed, he did not, as so many youths
do it. such cases, wait to see if he was
recognized, and, if not, pass on and not
speak. With a warm grasp of my
hand, aud a smile that revealed the
noble soul within, and the love of Jesus
there, he said: “Do you know me,
brother Chaudoin ?”
How pleasant to me are these mem
ories ! but I knew not how sweet till I
heard tuy young brother was dead.
They may fall under the eye of the
parents, and mag add a drop) of com
fort to their hearts
W. N. Chaudoin.
-
For the Index and Baptist.
‘ KXCLIDING MEMBERS,
NO. il.
Is it according to the Scriptures to
exclude a member at his own request,
on the ground that he believes he has
never been regenerated, when he has
persistmgly demanded it, until all hope
is lost of restoring him to the church a
Let it be understood that I justify ?
church in excluding a member as above,
only when they have satisfied themselves
that the delinquent cannot be restored.
When they have so satisfied them
selves by meaus of committees or oth
erwise, it is manifestly their duty to
exclude the party. We arrive at this
conclusion, not alone from apostolic
precept and example on exclusions. As
to who are worthy of membership in
the churches of Christ, the will of God
seems to be as fully expressed in receiv
ing members into as in ejecting them
out of His churches. If God had de
signed that avowed unbelievers should
hold membership in His churches, we
might reasonably expect to find His
authority for their reception. But if
He has given no authority for receiving
unbelievers into His churches, it is be
cause they are not entitled to member
ship there. If a church should, through
misguidance, receive into membership
a youthful seeker, and he, after the
lapse of years, on investigation should
find that there was no authority for his
being in the church, and on this account
ask to be released, would it not be the
plain duty of the church to rid herself
of him without stopping to iuquire
whether there is a plain precept or ex
ample in the Bible ;to exclude mem
bers of this doscriplion ? Unquestion
ably it would.
The mistake is in receiving unbeliev
ers into the church, and when the fact
of their unbelief is declared and per
sisted in, the undoubted duty of the
church is to exclude them, not alone
because there is authority in precept
and example for it, but also because
there is no Bible authority for their
admission. The same authority which
forbids the reception of unbelievers
certainlp ought to be sufficient to ex
clude them. Members of this charac
ter, are to be distinguished from those
who fall into sin. Those who fall into
sin, do not revoke their profession of
faith, but, on the contrary, usually jus
tify thomselves in some sort, on account
of which divisions in the church fre
quently arise, hence it is necessary that
the Holy Spirit speak to us repeatedly,
warning us that a “ little leaven leaven
eth the whole lump,” and that we
should “withdraw from such,” etc.
But not in the case of a member who
persists in the honest belief that he
has never been changed in heart. In
the one case a rightful member his
fallen into sin, and must be reclaimed
or excluded; in the other, a member is
discovered in the church who has no
right there, he never having been re
generated, and on this account he must
be excluded. Hence, if tbe New Tes
tament had said nothing on the subject
of excluding persons of this descrip
tion, (which I do not admit,) it would,
nevertheless, be the imperative duty of
the church to dismiss such, because
their membership in the church is un
provided for, is an accident, or mistake,
and the church should eorreect it. A
guest at the table, that bad not on a
wedding, garment was taken away be
cause he had no right there. An
avowed unbeliever should be taken from
the church for the same reasoii. Avowed
unbelievers are unprepared to bear fruit.
Jesus savs, “ I am the true vine and
my Father is the husbandman, every
branch in Me that beareth not fruit He
taketh awav.” A tig tree was once
cursed because it had “ no fruit there
on.” But more recently we are told
that a member’s bearing no fruit is not
sufficient to separate him from *ur
churches. His fruit must be positively
bad or we must hold on to him, even
against his own determination to with
draw.
To deny that persistent unbelievers
are to be excluded from our churches
i.n that ground solely, is to denv, it
seems to me, that believers, aud believ
ers alone, are entitled to membership
m the churches. But as this is not
believed as fai as I know, by any that
differ with me, I wil i not give it any
further notice now. But, if it be
avowed that believers only are entitled
to church membership, it follows as an
irresistible consequence, that a uienUei
persistently declaring his unregeueraev
is fit only to be excluded. To do oth
erwise, in the language of another, is
to “ alter or suspend, the Divine law
of citizenship in the Kingdom of
Christ.”
Other phases of this subject I may
present at another time.
A. J. Kelly.
For the Index and Baptist.
TO 31V BRETHREN IN GEORGIA.
My feelings prompt me, aud the oc
casion makes it not improper, that I
should say a few things in closing a
relation that has existed between U3
for some time. At the suggestion of
the State Convention to the Home Mis
sion Board, to appoint an agent in the
State, the suggestion was acted upon
by the latter, aud my services were
solicited without my desiring or expect
ing such a thing, and after prayerful
consideration and consultation with
many brethren, I entered upon the
work with hesitation, doubting my
ability physically, and my qualifications
in other respects, for the work.
From year to year my commission
has been' renewed, and in a few days
my seventh year’s lebor will close, and
my work as agent in the State. Of
my work, I speak not. At the Judg
ment I must meet my Saviour, and
render to Him my account. But, of
my feelings to my beloved people in
Georgia, I do desire to speak briefly.
To the Baptists of Georgia my heart
swells with gratitude sincere, if it is
capable of sincerity. As ministers,
churches and individuals, I thank you
for that love, co-operation, encourage
ment and forbearance that has made
the past seven years as happy and
pleasant as any man perhaps ever pass
ed in the work of an agent.
Individually I have never been other
wise than kindly received, and tn ated
as a brother. In my official capacity
I can remember but one instance of
rebuff or insult direct. I have at times
thought I could detect some latent cold
ness or want of co-operation, but may
have been mistaken. But I cannot ex
press what I feel for encouraging words
and letters, the former stored in memory,
and the latter carefully filed away as
precious memorials of Christian love.
I thank God for the experiences of the
last seven years, and for directing my
steps to Georgia.
My brethren in Georgia, of every
name, and all friends, I love you ; I
thank you ; I will pray for you ; God
bless you ; and do pray for me.
My labors as agent will be ended
wheu you read these lines. Hence
forth, when I visit you, it will be only
as preacher or friend. I will always be
glad to see you, and when requested,
shall be glad to visit you as a minister,
if practicable, and I do not feel called
away from tbe State.
I will be delighted to have any
brother, sister or friend, to write me,
and my address will be, till further
notice, Jonesboro, Georgia.
W. N. Chaudoin,
District Secretary.
For tee Index and Baptist.)
REV. RIFFS FIGH.
Navasota, Texas, June Bth, 1876.
Dear Index —l notice in your col
umns of a late issue you have located
me in Dallas, Texas. I drop you a line
to say that I have been called, and have
accepted the care of the church at Nav
asota, Texas, instead of Dallas.
Yours truly, Rufus Figh.
For the Index and Baptist.
TO “YOUNG TITHE GIVER.’’
Editors Index —Let me say to my
young, but unknown, friend, who signs
his or her name as above, that the last
valuable contribution was received
some time ago, and, as requested, I sent
a note of acknowledgement to The In
dex, but it either found its way into
the waste basket, or miscarried. I
received nothing from “Tithe Giver ’
last year, or it,would have been men
tioned. W. N. Chaudoin.
District Secretary.