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Dur Corrcspffnknts.
For tlie Indox and Baptist]
“JLIFS IMMERSIONS.”
There is but one position we Baptists can
consistently hold. We must say that, if there
be a tme act of baptism and a proper subject,
the baptism is valid, no matter who the ad
ministrator is. * • * If act of
baptism be administered, and it be rightly re
ceived by the proper subject, there is a Bible
Baptism, no matter what is the personal or
ecclesiastical character of the administrator.
* * *' I would not aak a bad man to
baptize; but if he does administer baptism to a
proper subject, I rejoice over It, for the Scrip
ture requirement is met, etc. tike, in Re
ligion* Herald , June 22. .
Look out for an article from “Pike in our
next issue, which will wake up some people.—
Eds. Religious Herald, June 15.
Now sec to what it leodeth :
I have oilen been asked to whom I referred,
when I said that sensai ion was produced in Rich
mond, during the session of the Convention, by
a leading D.D. communing with the Cainpbel
lites ? I referred to Rev. Dr. J. L. Burrows
of Louisville, Ky.~ B. 0. Manard, Christian
“Dr. Burrows did wrong, * * * and
such is his position that we are called upon to
condemn this departure from the faith in un
mistakable terms. — Editorial in Index,
The editors of the Religious Herald by
their silence, show either a lack of cour
age to reply, to “Piko’s” article or they
manifest a sympathy for the doctrine
therein set forth. They cannot consist
enlly claim that the time was too short in
which to prepare an answer, font, was on
file in their office at leaßt one week before
publication. They could at least have
said in a foot-note to “Pike’s” comtnu
nication, “Wo dissent from the above,
and will give our reasons at the first
opportunity.” But no such foot-note
is appended. Baptists generally in the
exercise of a peculiar sovereignty
think for themSblves, but they expect
editors and preachers to guard the
gates, and, at least, give the alarm.
A few words in answer to “Pike’s”
“Dangerous Doctrine Three things
are essential to the “Scripture require
ment” in baptism : (1) a proper sub
ject—one professing faith in Jesus;
(2) a qualified administrator—one
having ecclesiastical appointment; (3)
a proper act—immersion in water in
the name of the Trinity. On the first
and third requisites, doubtless we
would agree with “Pike,” but on the
second we differ. We argue that the
administrator needs some qualification
in either “personal or ecclesiastical
character(l), because the Acts of
tbo Apostles show that a qualified adr
ministrator was required in the early
stages of the church; (2) because this
ordinance has been placed in the cus
tody the church, and it is enjoined
upon\er to keepjit pure; (3) because
the divinely appointed officers are
charged with this duty; (4) because if
the administration of baptism required
no special, “personal or ecclesiastical
character,” to perform it, then baptism
would degenerate into a mere aquatic
performance in which hired and skilled
aorobats would bo the prominent actors;
and (5) because gieit confusion wou’d
naturally remit to mar and destroy the
peace and power of the church.
Would “Pike” accept as valid, the
baptisms administered by an excluded
Baptist minister ? Surely not. How
could he then consistently accept them
as valid from a Pedobaptist minister,
since if said Pedobaptist minister was
a member of bis church, he would de
mand his exclusion on the ground of
falso doctrine and uuscriptural prac
tices P G. A. N.
For the Index and Baptist. |
DOTS FROM CHKROKKK.
The great need of this section is in.
formation concerning the work of the
Denomination. Very few take the In
dbx, hence, in part, the lack of infer
mation. Asa whole, the Baptists are
strong here, but a want of knowledge
has hitherto prevented their enteriug
wholly into the great work, in which
we are engaged. Except at our Asso
ciational meetings, we never see an
agent for any of our enterprises, while
in the better informed localities, where
the seed are already producing a liber,
al harvest, they labor and reap to the
almost utter neglect of this portion,
which, by proper culture, might yield a
very rich harvest. I seo no reason
why land equally fertile should be
untilled, when we need a greater sup
ply to meet the demand; while we dig
so hard into that which is already
doing its utmost to meet the necessi
ties. Why not open new fields, where
in a few years an income may be re
ceived equal to that now reaped, and
thus swell the aggregate two or three
fold, with the same labor and expense ?
I do not say, nor imply, that this sec
tion is totally ignorant of our enter
prises ; but as a whole, we need infor
mation ; and as none can so success
fully impart it as those who are con
tinually engaged in the work, so I
think our agents should spend a por
tion of their time with us. Those from
whom they now reap liberally, will not
relax their efforts should they not see
an agent for a year, when they know
he is trying to reap elsewhere. There
are many warm-hearted brethren here,
who would do more, were they sure
that what they did would be of any
force. But says one, “why do you not
go to the work and inform them?”
Remember, “a prophet is not without
honor, save in his own country,” etc.
We are doing all we can, and are will
ing to continue in our endeavors, but
we want help. We are not blessed
with railroads, and our transportation
is slow, but we have a very healthy
climate, pure air and water, so you
need not fear to venture among us.
We also have something to eat, though
at present very little money, yet ex
pect to have some this fall, as crops
look well.
The examination of teachers for the
public schools, conducted by Prof. J.
U. Vincent, and Judge J. O. Dowda,
was quite thorough and comprehen
sive. It was remarked by some, that
to listen to it was worth a year’s tui
tion to any man. They know how to
examine, and did their duty.
Many debating clubs are in the
county, and much good will result from
them. Old men, young men and boys,
are striving to excel in debate.
So far as I know, Sabbath schools
are flourishing; but the churches seem
somewhat cold. Canton is still im
proving. Good Templars flourishing,
intemperance waning. Schools are
doing well considering hard times.
M. B. Tuggle.
For the Index and Baptist.!
DEACON PENN, IN WACO, TEXAS.
The Texas evangelist, Maj. Penn, is
now engaged the ninth week in a revi
val meeting at Waco, Texas. His stal
wart frame and vigorous mind are
rather improved than faging ; his zeal,
too, is not abated, now after over six
months steady preaching or exhorta
tion.
Every meeting, so far, exceeds the
previous meeting. The Waco meeting
excels all the others, and in spite of the
opposition of tke devil and his works,
increase for good. I attended his meet
ing, a day and night of this week, and
there was no abatement of interest;
246 conversions to that date, and tbo
mourners benches crowded,and the same
singular feature continues as to the
character of the converts under his
preaching, to-wit: the grown persons,
more intelligent, and hardest cases,
form a majority of the converts. The
estimate now is that over 1,000 per
sons have been converted at his meet
ings, and the work is spreading. His
next meeting is expected to be in Gal
veston.
Another characteristic of these meet
ings is, they are conducted without
noise, bustle, or confusion. Maj. Penn
is a clear, close, common sense reasoner,
presenting boldly, squarely, and in his
original style, the plain teachings of
the New Testament from a Baptist
standpoint; courteous to all denomi
nations, but uncompromising in doc
trine.
If the James’ Hall meetings are to
be continued this summer, you would
do well to have him in your city.
T J. w. b:
Navasota, Texas, July 1, 1876.
Fcr the Index and Baptist]
TENNESSEE LETTER.
Dear Index —It will not be treading
on forbidden soil, or a trespass on your
Tennessee corresponding editor, Dr.
Jones, to send you a few news items
from Middle Tennessee?
I had the pleasure of visiting and
preaching at five churches in and near
Nashville recently. But one of the
five, the Central, was in the city.
Doubly pleasant was this visit, because
it is a field of former labor, and be
cause now pastored by our brother M.
H. Lane, so recently of Georgia. Broth
er Lane has a fine field of labor, and
bis success has been almost marvellous,
having received into his church one
hundred and twenty-three members,
in the few months of his pastorate.
He has a good house of worship, a
large basement room, with one of the
best audience rooms in the city. The
house only needs a cupola and bell,
and should prosperity attend the
church, and country, they will be ad
ded.
The First Church, under the charge
of Dr. T. G. Jones, is progressive. A
mission of this church, in north Nash
ville, under the fostering care of the
mother church aud the labors of Elder
A. D. Phillips—our own Georgia, Afri
can Phillips—has grown into a church,
and promises to bo an effective organi
zation. Brother Fish, (our Georgia
Singing Fish) has just closed a meet
ing with this church that resulted in
good.
I take this occasion to sav, that
churches in Georgia that would like to
have brother Fish visit them, can se
cure his ser rices in meetings by wri
ting him, at Atlanta, in time for him
to make his arrangements.
Of other churches and pastors in
Tennessee, I will write in future D. Y.
Of crops a few words. Wheat in
“Tennessee will turn out better than in
Georgia. Oats will be fair, and up to
this writing corn is gsod as it could
well be on the soil, and far as seen in
remarkably good condition.
There was more sickness in the coun
try around Nashville last year, in the
way of chills and billious* fever, than
for many years, and it has not yet sub
sided—a good deal of shivering and sha
king yet. More anon, if desirable.
W. N. Chaudoin,
District Socretsry, etc.
P. S.—Much is written about preach
ers, but not so much of theijr wives.
Most ministers owe much to their
wives, and having enjoyed the society
of brother M. H. Lane’s family, I am
prepared to say if he don’t do well, it
will not be the fault of his wife. How
the Lord, does favor most of His min
isters, in giving them such wires as He
does. „W. N. C.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
For the Index and Baptist.
ROMANISM IN GEORGIA.
ORIGIN OF THE “MAN OF SIN.”
1 . Was St. Peter ever in Rome ?
On the 23d page of “Familiar Expla
nation of Christian Doctrine, ” may be
found the following questions and
answers:
Q. “How do you answer [those who say
that St. Peter never went to Rome ?
A. I would aak them these questions :
1. If St. Peter did not suffer martyrdom at
Rome, under the Emperor Nero, where did he
die ?
2. If St. Peter did not die at Rome, from
what place, and at what time, were his remains
carried thither ?
3. Did not the fathers of the church, who
lived m the first ages of Christendom, know
better who was the first bishop of Rome than
the Protestants of our day can know ?”
Any Protestant would readily ask in
reply, are these, forsooth, the argu
ments upon which you build the Papa
cy ? Is the fact that St. Peter was
ever in Rome, to be established by
an appeal to ignorance? Are we to
believe that St. Peter suffered martyr
dom in Rome, simply because we do not
know where he suffered, nor whether ho
suffered at all or not ? This kind of
reasoning may do for Catholics, who
readily accept assertions without proof,
but it will not satisfy Protestants.
We cannot judge of how much the
Gathers knew, except from what they
say. While some of them lead us to
suppose that St. Peter visited Rome,
others point to the contrary supposi
tion.
Clement of Rome, a companion of
the Apostle Paul, states in his Epistle
to the Corinthians, that Paul suffered
martyrdom in the West, but says
nothing of the martyrdom of St. Peter.
How could he be silent on so great a
matter, if it were true ? How, if the
remains of Peter were brought thither
from some other place ?
Oregon, of the second century, one of
the great lights among them, says:
“Peter appears to have preached to
the Jews, in the dispersion, in Pontus,
Galatia, Bithynia, * Cappadocia and
Asia.” In Oenesin, tom. iii., Euseb.
Hist. iii. 1,4. This is in accordance
with Scriptural evidence, and hence
bears the greater weight.
Irenrous, of the second century,
states, “that the Roman church was
founded and constituted by the two
most glorious Apostles, Peter and
Paul.” Iren. iii. 3; iii. 1. Also, “The
Apostles, founding and rearing the
church, delivered the episcopal office
into the hands of Linus. Iren, apud
Euseb. v. 6. Not St. Peter, but the
Apostles, Peter and Paul, ordained
Linus, as the first bishop of Rome^L
Tertullian, second century,
Peter did ordain Cleuwnt/
Peats. 32.
Eusebius, end of third century, alls
Clement “the third bishop of Rome,”
reckoning before him Linus and Ana
cletus. Eus. iii. 4,13, 15.
The Apostolic Constitutions, a book
which Catholics regard a9 the work of
the Apostles, but which was probably
written in the third and fourth centu
ries, says, “Linus was first ordained
bishop of the Roman church bv Paul;
but Clement, aftor the death of Linus,
by Peter in tbe second place. ‘‘Cons.
Ap. vii. 46. This accords with the evi
dence of the other witnesses, except
Eusebius. Linus was tbo first; Clem
ent the second or third. Paul, or
Peter and Paul, ordained Linus, and
Peter ordained Clement. How can
these statements be reconciled with the
theory of Romanists, that Peter was
the sole founder, and the first bishop,
of Rome ? Do they not expressly
prove the theory to be a myth—“the
baseless fabric of a vision ?’’ So much
for the historical evidence on this
point.
2. Who were the New Testament bish
ops 1
Their character can be easily ascer
tained. They were not Diocesan, nor
Metropolitan, nor Patriarchal, nor
(Ecumenical. Some single churches
contained more than one of them. The
idea that they presided over par
ticular districts, as the State of Geor
gia, is preposterous. And yet we have
three bishops claiming the State of
Georgia as their Diocese ! More than
one belonged to the church at Philippi.
Phil, i: 1. The church at Ephesus
contained elders, overseers, or bishops ;
for they have these titles assigned
to them by the Apostle Paul. The
Apostle Peter addressed the elders as
bishops, having the oversight of the
flock. 1. Pet. v : 1,2,3. Paul, in Titus,
i: 5,7, uses the titles of elder and
bishop to signify the same office. Thus
it is in the New Testament the elders
are bishops, and the bishops are elders,
and they are all members of the
churches and feeders of the flock.”
Calvin (Presbyterian) says:
In calling those who preside over churches
by the appellations of bishops, elders, pastors
and ministers, without any distinction, I have
followed the usage pof the Scripture, which ap
plies all these terms to express the same office.”
— lnstitutes, Bk. iv. ch. iii.
_ St. Jerome (claimed to be a Roman Catho
lic) says, “a Presbyter is the same as a bishop.
And before dissensions in religion were pro
duced by the instigation of the devil, and one said
I am of Paul, and another I am of Cephas,
the churches weie governed by a common
council of Presbyters. Afterwards, in order to
destroy the seeds of dissensions, the whole
charge was committed to one. Therefore, as
the Presbyters know that according to the cus
tom of the church, they are subject to the bish
op who presides over them, so let the bishops
know that their superiority to the Presbyters
is more from custom than from the appoint
ment of the Lord, and they ought to unite to
gether in the government of the church”— St.
Jerome, on Ti. 1: 9.
This is a most remarkable passage,
considering its source, and should be
well studied, next to the Scriptures, by
the bishops and priests of Georgia.
It is claimed that the priests are the
presbyters of the New Testament. And
they have just about a3 much likeness
to them as a Diocesan Bishop or a
Pope has to a New Testament bishop,
eider, presbyter, or pastor; that is,
they have no likeness at all. They
were unknown, all of them, to the
churches of the Apostles and of the
Fathers.
3. What were the Duties of the First
Bishops ?
Jerome, on Titus 1: 9, says: “Every city
had its college of Presbyters, who were pas
tors and teachers.” “For they all executed
the duties of teaching, exhorting, and correct
ing among the people, as Paul enjoins bishops
to do.”
Calvin says: “The first duty of tie Episco
pal office is to instruct the people from the
word of God, the second duty, closely connect
ed with the first, is to administer the sacra
ments; the third is to admonish, exhort, and
reprove those who offend, and to regulate the
people by holy discipline”— lnstitutes, Bk. iv.
ch. vii.
These witnesses are true, as may be
seen by reference to Paul’s letter to
Timothy and Titus, but how very far
is this description from applying to
the conduct of the Popes of Rome.
Should they not make the world
ashamed by claiming to be apostolical
bishops ?
5. Who does History say were the
Bishops of the First Centuries ?
Jerome, of the fourth century, a Roman
Presbyter cited above, remarks as follows:
“Wherever a bishop be, whether at Rome or
at Engubium, at Constantinople or at Rhegi
um, at Alexandria or at Thanis, he is of the
same worth and of the same priesthood”—
Hieron • ad Evagr. Ep. 85.
So the Council of Compeigne: “It is con
venient all Christians should know what kind
of office the bishop’s is; who, it is plain, are
the vicars of Christ, and keep the keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven”— Syn. Compend. ann. 833
(apud Bin. tom. vi. p. 361.)
And the council of Melun: “And though
all of us unworthy, yet are the vicars of Christ
and the successors of the apostles”— Syn. Mel
deus. ann. Don. 845 (apwl Bin. tom. vi. p. 402.)
These were the bishops of the first
six centuries, and although Metropoli
tans and Patriarchs grew up among
them from the beginning of the fourth,
yet no one of them claimed, under the
title “Universal,” to be the primate of
all the others. We shall soon see where
this claim originated.
6. How were the Bishops of old Or
dained I
The ordination of an Apostle, and of
Deacons, is described in the first and
sixth chapter of the Acts. They were
chosen, or elected, by the “brethren,”
or “multitude of the disciples,” and
ordained by the apostles, “who prayed
and laid their hands on them.” That
was.also the method of ordaining
bishops or elders, may be seen by refer
ence to Acts xiv : 23, where Paul and
Barnabas are spoken of as ordaining
elders in every church, according to the
will or choice of the church (leaf eccle
sian). If an apostle could not be or
dained without the “lot,” or ballot of
the “brethren,” neither could a bishop
or pastor. Titus, in ordaining elders,
in every city, could not depart from the
rule of the apostles.
Clement of Rome, already cited,
states that bishops were ordained in
the apostolic churches, after being set
apart by the churches —“the whole
church consenting”— Epis. to Cor.p. 57.
Cyprian, referring to the ordination of
Matthias and the deacons, says: “These exam
ples show that the ordination of a priest (pres
byter) ought not to be performed but with the
knowledge and concurrence of the people, in
order that the election, which shall have been
examined by the testimony of all, may be just
and legitimate” —Quoted by Calvin. Institutes
Bk. iv. eh. iii.
It is only necessary to cite these facts,
in contrast with the ordination of the
Pope of Rome, to prove that, in this
particular, he is antichrist.
7. How were the first Bishops chosen
by the churches 1
In the New Testament, as we have
seen, they were chosen by the “breth
ren,” and ordained by the apostles.
“In ancient times, there was not any small
church, which had not a suffrage in the choice
of its pastor.” He (the bishop of Rome) was
chosen, as usually the other bishops were, by
the clergy and people of Rome”— Sup. of the
rope, p. 82. “Of old, it was (as other elections)
managed by nomination of the clergy and suf
frage of the people”— lb. p. 84.
Any amount of testimony can be
produced to prove that these statements
are true. The Pope, who is now chosen,
not by the churches, but by Cardinal
delegates from all parts of the world,
cannot claim to be either a successor of
the apostles or of the Scriptural bish
ops, and is, in this particular, anti
christ.
8. How were the apostate bishops or the
Popes nominated /
“Afterwards the Emperors did assume to
themselves the nomination of them.’ “Leo
VIII, being tired out with the inconstancy of
the Romans, transferred the whole power and
authority of choosing the Pope from the cler
gy and people of Rome to the Emperors”—
Cone. tom. vii. p. 182. Leo h 111.
“At some time the clergy had no hand in
the election, but Popes were intruded by pow
erful men and women, at their pleasure”—
Baron, ann. 112. S. S, aim. 101. S. 1.
“Afterwards, tke Cardinals (that is some
of the chief Roman clergy) did appropriate
the election to themselves, by decree of Pope
Nicholas 11, in his Lateran synod”— Grat.
Dist. xxiii. ch. 1.
“Sometimes, out of course, general synods
did assume the choice to themselves, as at Con
stance, Pisa and Basel”—Sup. Pope. p. 84.
Such were the original methods of
ordination and appointment, and such
have been the departures from it, in
the history of antichrist. How clearly
do facts prove that the Popes are not
the legitimate successors of the first
bishops of the Church of Rome ; that
they are the “ man of sin,” making
false pretences, assuming false titles ;
and by a false show of authority, lord
ing it over God’s heritage. They are
the true wolves in sheep’s clothing,
working the ruin of the world under
the guise of holiness. They are the
real “ ass in the lion’s skin,” whose
ears are sticking out everywhere, in the
revelations of history, and proving
their character, notwithstanding their
pretensions. Whosoever is deceived by
them is not wise.
9. Who was the first Pope ?
No bishop pretended to have “uni
versal authority” or arrogated to him
self the’ title of “universal” or “sole
bishop,” or oecumenical patriarch, be
fore the seventh century, and this first
one was not the bishop of Rome, but
of Constantinople. John 11. And
what doos the bishop of Rome, (Greg
ory I.) say of him ?
“ What will thou say to Chri-t, the Head of
the universal church, in the trial of the last
judgment, who, by the appellation of Univer
sal, dost en leavor to subject all his members
to thee ? whom, I pray, dost thou mean to im
itate in so perverse a word, but him who, de
spising the legions of angels, constituted in
fellowship with him, did endeavor to break
forth unto the top of singularity, that he might
be subject to none, and alone be over all ? who
also said, I will ascend into Heaven, and will
exalt my throne above the stars —for what are
tby .brethren, all the bishops of the universal
church, but the stars of Heaven; to whom,
while by this haughty word, thou desirest to
prefer thyself, and to trample on their name
in comparison to thee, what dost ihnu say, but
I will climb into Heaven ?”— Greg. Ep. iv: 38.
Again, he says to the bishops of Al
exandria and Antioch:
“Assuming to boast so that he (John) at
tempteth to ascribe all things to himself, and
studieth by the elation of pompous speech to
subject to himself all the members of Christ,
which do cohere to one sole head, namely
Christ” — Or. M. Ep. iv :36.
Again, “ 1 confidently say that whoever doth
call himself Universal Bishop, or desireth to
be so called, doth in his elation forerun anti
christ, because he pridingly doth set himselt
before all others — Greg. 1. lib. tri ; Ep. 30.
This same bishop (Gregory 1., styled
Pope by the Catholics,) calls the above
titles, "pompatic, foolish, proud, perverse,
wicked, profane words; names of singu
larity, elation, vanity, blasphemy. ”
Let our readers note especially that
the above is the language of a bishop
of Rome of the seventh century; that
he is counted by the Catholics as one
of their Popes, and is placed in the
line of their succession. Mark you how
he compares John of Constantinople to
Satan, because he assumed the title of
“universal bishop ;’’ aud how he calls
him the forerunner of antichrist; and
how he affirms that “ all the members
of Christ do cohere to one sole head,
namely Christ." Is this the language of
the Catholics of the present day ? Is
it the language,of Pius JX ? Alas!
how well they deserve the title of anti
christ and the brand of blasphemy !
How remarkable, that one whom Pius
IX., the Pope of to-day, claims as a
predecessor, should have used, in his
denunciations of John, the very words
which Revelation selected to mark the
“ man of sin,” viz., “antichrist,” “blas
phemy,” etc! These were the brighter
dawnings of that spirit of antichrist
which originated, as Jerome says, “by
the instigation of the devil,” when one
began to say, “I am of Paul,” and
another, “I am of Cephas,” and which
took on a brighter shade on the ap
pointment of archbishops and patri
archs, in the beginning of the fourth
century, but which was not fully mani
fested until the eleventh century, in the
person of Pope Gregory VII., of Rome.
Since then, he has been blasphemously
styled, “ our Lord, our most holy Lord,
highest Priest, Head of the Church, Sov
ereign of the Church, Archpastor, Judge
of Christians," etc. He claims, as
“ sovereign monarch,” to be infallible,
and that the “ sovereignties of Peter,”
which are as follows, belong to him :
“To be superior to the whole church, and to
its representatives, a general synod of bishops.
To convocate general synods, at his pleasure,
all bishops being obliged to attend upon sum
mons from him. To preside in synods, so as
to suggest matter, promote, obstruct, overrule
the debates in them. To confirm or invali
date their determinations, giving like to them
by his assent, or subtracting it by his dissent.
To define points of doctrine, or to decide con
troversies authoritatively ; so that none may
f resume to contest or dissent from his dictates.
o enact, establish, abrogate, suspend, dispense
with ecclesiastical laws and canons. To relax,
or evacuate ecclesiastical censures, by indul
gence, pardon, etc. To avoid promises, vows,
oaths, obligations to laws, by hfe dispensation.
To be the fountain of all pastoral jurisdiction
and dignity. To constitute, confirm, judge,
censure, suspend, depose, remove, restore, re
concile bishops. To confer ecclesiastical dig
nities and benefices by parmount authority, in
way of provision, reservation, etc. To exempt
colleges, monasteries, etc., from jurisdiction of
their bishops and ordinary superiors. To judge
all persons in all spiritual causes, by calling
them to his cognizance, or delegating judges
for them, with a final and peremptory sen
tence. To receive appeals from all ecclesi
astical judicatories ; and to reverse their judg
ments, if he tindeth cause. To be himself un
accountable for any of his doings, exempt from
judgment, and liable to no reproof. To erect,
transfer, abolish Episcopal Sees. To exact oaths
of fealty and obedience from the clergy. To
found religious orders, or to raise a spiritual
militia for propagation and defense of the
church. To summon and commissionate sol
diers by crusade, etc., to fight against infidels,
or persecute infidels and hereties”— Sup.
Pope. p. 17.
Such is the “overwhelming testimony”
of the Scriptures and of history, against
the blasphemous claims of the Papacy.
Such is the origin, such the character,
such the iniquitous pretenses of the
“man of sin,” “the antichrist,” “the
mystery of iniquity.’” Well may the
free people of Georgia fear the now
clanking chains of a spiritual despot,
who pretentiously holds the keys of
Heaven and hell; and who, at his pleas
ure, opens or shuts to the victims of
his power. T. B. Cooper.
For the Index and Baptist,
ORDIXATIOX.
By invitation from the New High
tower Baptist church, a presbytery con
sisting of J. W. Attaway, J. J. Keeter,
J. Cantrell and M. B. Tuggle, met on
Saturday before the second Sabbath in
June, for the purpose of setting apart
brother Wm. B. Richards to the full
work of the Gospel ministry. Presby
tery organized by electing brother
Cantrell moderator and Tuggle clerk.
Bro. Attaway preached the ordination
sermon, a deeply impressive .one, to a
crowded congregation, Bro. Keeter
examined the church, also brother
Richards as to his Christian experience
and call to the ministry. After a thor
ough and satisfactory examination,
the presbytery proceeded to the impo
sition of hands; prayer by brother
Cantrell; charge and presentation of
Bible by the clerk ; Hand of fellowship
by presbytery and church. Brother
Richards is a zealous worker, and I
trust great good will result from his
labors. M. B. Tuggle.
ABERDEEN FEMALE (OLLEGF.
Aberdeen, June 23, 1876.
Mr. Editor — We feel in writing
this letter, that there has dawned upon
the people of Aberdeen, anew era—an
era when the education of our children
and the training of their intellects, has
overshadowed the love of greed and
money. Since the days of ’59, Aber
deen Female College has never had
within its walls so large, attentive and
intellectual an audience, as for the
three days and nights during thf pro
gress of the Commencement Exercises.
The interest was unabated—everybody
was proud of the excellence of schol
larship attained by both big and little,
and overwhelmed with the ready ease
with which the pupils expressed their
attainments in the various branches of
their study, and their modest way of
telling it.
It was a noticeable fact, the interest
and love manifested by the smaller
children in their studies, conscious of
having learned well their lessons dur
ing the session, they passed through
whole books in a manner that would
do credit to the oldest and wisest
heads. Conscious of a perfect knowl
edge of the whole, they did not enter
into their public examination with fear
and trembling, looking piteously for
an easy question to be asked, or a sim
ple problem to be solved. A thorough
knowledge of the whole, seemed to say,
“catch me if you can.”
As the examination advanced, the
studies advanced, and the young ladies
began to move forward on the rostrum;
not to be examined by their teachers
alone, but by any one, every one, and
committees desirous df testing them,
and even anxious to show in any given
contest of learning, that they were the
educated. Hour after hour in each
branch of their studies the most diffi
cult and practical of tasks were given
them to perform, and without an ex
ception 1 hey showed themselves werthy
of the confidence their teachers had
reposed in them.
Wednesday, June 21st, was given to
the final examination, essays, etc., of
the Graduating Class, consisting of
five of Aberdeen’s own cherished
daughters. The whole was alike cred
itable to teachers and pupils and inter
esting to the large auditory.
Prof. Milton E. Bacon has fully sus
tained his high reputation as an in
structor of the young, and while Q-eor
gia may feel proud of him as being the
founder of one of the first institutes of
learning in her State, Mississippi is
not less so; and the confidence in his
capacity to teach and communicate to
his pupils the contents of books is not
the greatest of his attainments, but
that high and dignified course of moral
worth and rectitude is the source of the
discipline that has made those who
have beten educated under him shin
ing lights all over the country. Bacon
is the right man in the right place.
Aberdeen Examiner.
GEMS BESET.
—To believe that religion will cease
to exist, is to believe that man will
cease to be human.
—Within a radius of 50 miles around
Augusta, the crops are finer than they
have been for fifteen years.
—Nature will be reported. All things
are engaged in writing their history.
The planet, the pebble, goes attended
by its shadow. The rolling rock leaves
its scratches on the mountain, the
river its channels in soil, the animal its
bones in the stratum, the fern and the
leaf their mcdest epitaph in the coal.
The falling drop makes its sculpture in
the sand or stone; not a foot step in
the snow, or along the ground, but
prints in characters more or less lasting
a map of its march; every act of the
man inscribes itself in the memory of
his fellows, and in his own face. The
air is full of sounds—the sky of tokens,
the ground is all memoranda and signa
tures, and every object is covered over
with hints, which speak to the intelli
gence.
—During the debate in the Spanish
Senate on the new constitution, the
bishop of Salamanca said that the
Spanish prelates would always oppose
religious toleration as incompatible
with Catholicism.
—The Turks are meeting with re
verses in Bosnia.