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onc (^orresponbeuts.
For the Index and Baptist. 1
NOTES OH THE ACT OF BIPTISJI - SO. XWIII
B) Bn J H Kilpatrltk.
KEW IKSTAMKNT I*ROOFS OF IMMERSION.
IN THE JORDAN.
Baptizing “ ill the river Jordan
plainly points to immersion. Ido not
say that baptizing in the Jordan of
neoos8 ;t v s’gnifies putting the candi
dates under the water, for while this is
the natural meaning, and quite likely
the tiue one, it is, nevertheless, possi
ble for persons to go into a river and
vet not b<* immersed. The point here
urged i< this: Baptizing “in the river
Jordan," to say the very least, implies
that those baptized were in the river
when the rite was performed, an! why
not only take them to a river, but actu
ally require them to enter it, except for
the purpose of immersion ?
We hear a good deal about the in con
venieti'. e of immersion, wet clothes,
etc., but is it not to fix upon John’s
bantistn the very “superfluity” of in
convenience, to suppose that he took the
people, men and women, down the “slip
pery banks," and into the “muddy wa
ters’ of the Jordan, simply to attend to
the ceremony of pouring a few drops of
water ur.on their heads? What con
ceivable propriety in going down into
the water for such a purpose? Now-i
--days, L know that administrators and
candidates sometimes go down into a
river or creek, and there atten 1 to the
ceremony of affusion— but why ? Ah,
why ? Certainly not because it is natu
ral so to do, for the thing, in itself, is
exceedingly unnatural and absurd. A
j-yiatnand to immerse quite naturally
mggeats the propriety of taking the
candidates down into water of sufficient
depih as preparatory to it; but a com
mand to sprinkle or to pouir never, since
the world began, suggested any such
idea. 1 will not enlarge upon the rea
sons which carry people into the water,
either to give, or to receive, the sprink
ling or pouring ceremony ; for let them
be what they may, they must of necessi
ty reflect upon either the intelligence or
the honesty of all concerned. No, no,
my Christian brother, if you are going
to sprinkle, or to be sprinkled —to pour
water upon another, or have it poured
upon yourself, do not go into a river, or
creek, or pool—these places do not suit
such an errand. Do not attempt to trim
the matter in that way. If you are
really an affusionist, why, bo one.
“Whatsoever is not ol faith is sin.” “I
would thou wort cold or hot; so then
because thou art lukewarm, und neither
cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of mv
mt-ulh.”
The utter absurdity of supposing that
rlphn took the people into the river Jor
lairntTf -any m'txjh jitifjioM 1 as mode n
sprinkling or pouring, has)pul anti inv
uiersionists resolutely to work to prove
that he did not baptize in the river, but
only on its banks. They insist that the
Qivi-k preposition en here means at, or
near by, which would give us, as the
place of John’s baptizing, <,or near by,
the river Jordan, and not in it. But
what proof do they bring for this ? Sim
ply, that at is sometimes an allowable
rendering ot en ! The question, how
ever, is not what does en sometimes
mean, nor what may it mean elsewhere,
but what does it mean here ? In is over
whelmingly the predominant meaning of
this proposition ; nay, in, and in only,
can be denominated the meaning, and
must, therefore, be always adopted
where there are not necessary reasons
for some other. It is only on this prin
ciple that, language, whether oral or
written, becomes capable of definite in>
terpi elation. Now, what shadow of a
reason for the rejection of the meaning
in iu the case before us? None, abso
lutely none, except that the exigencies of
the cause of affusion require it.
Some anti-immersion authors are
careful to tell their readers that iu the
New Testament, “in more thau one
hundred places, en is rendered at.” Yes,
and they are still more careful not to tell
that m nearly twenty Jive hundred places
it is rendered in; and furthermore, that
in a vast majority of those “more than
out* bundled places" where at is used,
the real meaning is in. The fact is, at
is often employed to translate the Greek
en, because at itself often really means
in, e g. “ My servant lieth at home sick
of the palsy”—literally, in the house.
Certainly this favorite servant was not
lying out of doors. “At the day of
judgment,” and “in the day ,of judg
ment,” are both used as translations of
the same Greek phrase, en emora kriseos,
aud neither iu Greek nor iu English do
we understand near by or close to tho day
of judgment. In Matt., 13: 40, 49, we
have “in the end of this world" and “at
the end of the world"—in both eases,
en te sunteleia —but no one will claim
that the Saviour meant close to, or near
by, the end of the world So, also, “in
Jerusalem” und “at Jerusalem,’’ “in
Joppa" and “ at Joppa,” “ in Oeesarea ”
and “at Caesarea,” “in Antioch” aud “at
Antioch, etc., etc., in all of which cases
it is the same Greek preposition, en,
that is thus rendered, sometimes in and
sometimes at. This is enough to show
that even where our version has at, there
is generally nodeviition from the ordU
nary conception, namely, position within.
Without any exaggeration, it may be
said that the Greek preposition en
meuus tn just as ofteu as the English in
does itself. And further : If the Eng
lish had been the language of inspira
ti >n, and the phrase, “ baptized in the
river Jordan” had therein been -written,
the thing could not have been more
plainly or definitely expressed than it
now is; and the English critic, who in
that case should seriously contend that
the people were baptized on the bank of
the river, wou'd be guilty of no greater
folly than in the case before us.
Did the rich man lift up his eyes just
near by (en) hell, being only near to (en)
torments? and did he say, “ I am tor
mented near by (en) this flame ?” I am
yet to hear of the Universalist who has
perpetrated this trifling pretense to crit
icism, and vet it is every whit as good
as that which our affusion brethren
display in seeking to show that John
did not baptize in the Jordan.
For the Index ana Kapttßt.|
CIK RCII WDttK.
What Hr. Gwlu. f the First flinrrh, Atlanta,
SH)S.
1. GENERAL PLAN OF WORK.
To fix individual responsibility, to de
velop a personal obligation, independent
of, and then, along with organization, to
cement classes, determined by capacity
aud sympathy, or by age and sex. To
weave every organization into tho work
of the church, as Womens’ Benevolent
Society, Young Mens’ Associations,
Working Brotherhood (a special organ
ization for financial relief and Christian
labor) and Sunday-school. All these
organizations are required to report
quarterly to the church conference.
2. DIFFICULTIES, AND HOW OVERCOME.
(1) Character of our population : It
is new, mixed, undisciplined, and un
assimilated, overcome by “shooting on
the wing,” by patient stimulus of
every’enthusiasticelement by agitation.
(2) "Such as are common to oian,"
overcome by methods that are common
to paßtors.
3. WHAI. PROPORTION WORK AND*QIVC
Hard to tell. (1) If the prayer
meeting is a test, we are having, ac
cording to receDt count, seventy-five or
eighty average attendance. Our mem
bership is about four hundred and
twenty-five. Many of the poor and
others are prevented from attending
this meeting. (2) We take up a col
lection once a month for one of the ob
jects of benevolence adopted by the
church,viz: Foreign Missions, Home
Missions and State Missions and Min
isterial education. Each object thus
gets two public collections annually
A standing committee for each object
also collects at other times.
4 WHAT VALUE, DO YOU ATTACn TO THE
SUNDAY-SCHOOL AS AN AUXILIARY FOR
CHRISTIAN TRAINING AND WORK?
(1) Valuable as aids, but require
moderation and knowledge, and special
leadership. (2) Very important and
fruitful, constantly funrsbing sheaves
for t.be garner.
Dr. Gwin’s theojy fy (a viVyVirrect
one, too) that the pastor is Die leader
and director of the whole working force
of the church, and that his efforts are
to to be spent, not in doing the work
himself, but in getting each individual
member to do his or her part.
Fcr thf Index and Baptist.
Hiwassee and Notley River Associations.
Dear Index —As I have not seen
any account of the late meetings of the
Hiwassee and Notley River A-socia.
tious, I will give a short account of
them, as I had the pleasure of attend
ing each. The Hiwassee Baptist Asso
ciation met at Union church, Towns
county, Georgia, August the 10th,
1877. The introductory sermon was
preached by Rev. T. Ezell. Rev. A.
Coin was re-elected moderator and
Rev E. Headen re-elected clerk. The
session was well attended. Many sub
jects of interest, were discussed. The
body resolved to apply to the Georgia
Baptist Convention for membership.
This Association lie's ou the waters of
*he Hiwassee liver. The name signi
tii's “Chieftain’s sou.’’ The Not ley River
Baptist Association met at Salem,
Fanning county, Geotgia, August 16 b,
1877. Introductory sermon was
preached by brother . Brother
Parkhara v..:s re-elected moderator and
brother Morris re elected clerk. Thisisa
body. They resolved to send corres
pondents to the Georgia Baptist Con
vention at its next meeting in La-
Grange, 1878. Notley signifies
"Chieftian’s daughter.’’ The Hiwassee
aucl Notley rivers, after meandering
among the hills for many miles, met
together aud kissed eackother. Then
they united and went ou their way re
juicing together, under the name of
t he“Chieftian’sson.” So with these t'o
Assoeiotiotis. The Hiwassee delegates
are coming next spring to join on to
the great body of progressive Baptists.
The Notley river messengers are com
ing too, to see about the destiny of the
Hiwassee delegates. Feeling, no doubt,
as every true bride does, that it is
wrong to sunder anything which has
been united by God. I think that part
of Georgia over the Blue Ridge is far
ahead of the adjoining counties on the
souther slope. This difference in the
two sections is owing largely to the
fact, that years ago Mercer Uuiversity
sent Rev. E. Headen, and the Home
Mission Board sent Rev. A. Corn to
labor in this field. They are true men,
working e fficiently for their Saviour.
They exert a wide and Christ like in
fluence on that far-off field. Yours
truly, VV. M. Haygood,
Heard Cos., Ga,. Sept. 28, 1877. Evangelist,
—
—Ttie income of the Wesleyan Home Mis
sion tor the year has been $158,000.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
For the Index and Baptist.{
THE FAIKBI lt\ ASSOCIATION. *
This Association met at Mt. Vernon
church, three miles west of Fairburn,
on Saturday before the first Sunday in
October. Brother J. S. Dodd, _was
elected Moderator, anu Rev. G. 'R.
Moore was elected Clerk and Treasurer.
The introductory sermon was preached
by Rev J. M. Key, from Psalm lxxxvii:
3. The business of the body was con
ducted promptly and in good spiritand
an excellent feeling was manifested
throughout every session. „
The reports on Missions elicited Tull
and free discussions, but owing to wart
of time, most of the others were adopt
ed with little or no discussion. A num
ber of visiting brethren were present
from neighboring Associations. The
writer, and brother J. M. Wood, repre
sented the State Board and Sunday
school work, to which liberal coittrrbti
tions were made. The Sunday exer
cises consisted of a Sunday-school ad
dress at 10 o’clock, by the Evangelist,
preaching at 11 o’clock at the stand bv
brother Moore, and in the house by the
writer, in the afternoon by brethren
Lane and Brown and at night by brother
Johnson. Avery large audience was
present al. the time and observed good
order and decorum.
The delegates were men of earnest
spirit, and will no doubt carry bactjto
their churches the inspiration gathered
at the Association. A most favorable
impression was made upon the writer
by preacher and laymen The rrfcKt
erator, brother Dodd, is one of the
biggest preachers in Georgia, and is a
most companionable and Agreeable
brother, and when he speaks of j lie
Master and His cause his eye'flushes
fire and hie whole being shows enthusi
asm and devotion. Brother Moore, the
clerk, is an accommodating, lovable
brother, and is recognized as one of our
best preachers. His
tnon was commended in high mrtnsDy
those that heard it. Brother W. A
Lane preached an admirable sermon,
as did several other brethren. I shall
not soon forget brother Key’s sermon
on Saturday. It was my privilege to
hear ordy brethren Key and Lane.
1 will say of this Association what I
said of the Middle, if the brethren at
home have the same spirit as those at
the meeting of the body, we have a
right to expect great things of them.
Brother J. Al. Wood and the writer,
preached to good congregations at
Fairburn. Tho Sunday-school Evan
gclist also, had a meeting with the
colored people, who seemed to be Very
g.ateful for his services. We were
kindly entertained by brethren Brown
aud Tidwell. The Association meets
next year at Fairburn, on the Atlanta
and West Point railroad.
t.cA
j I*. S.—Brother Wiu-J did not
i tin* AvsocialiouAiriiil Mmylj.v ni(®:||§jp
but aid finely foj the
won tho hearts of all who heard
. T. C. IV
For tho Index and Baptist,]
THAT UIMPSOS WKKO.
Some Christians firmly act as if they
were called to the especial task of pull
ing weeds from the Master’s garden,
forgetting all the while that the har
vest depended upon the seed sown and
not the amount of weeds destroyed. No
planting, no golden grain. Ttiey are
more than willing for the precious seed
to be placed in the fallow ground, if
done by someone else, but their pecu
liar mission is to find that gimpson
weed. The search is continued until
these persons find a weed as largo as
their desires seem to demand; certain
it is that these gimpson hunters always
pounce upon a weed that has fully
matured and the seeds are already
rattling in the pod, and they give the
stalk a sharp, quick stroke that will
assuredly bring it to the ground.
While engaged in this great work, they
entirely forget that the severe blow
dealt has scattered the seed of the
mother, stalk in every direction. No
effort is made to capture the seed, for
the object of their especial hatred has
been thrown beyond the garden wall,
and the tall, unsightly gimpson iu the
next lot stands in danger.
1 believe that we should rid the gar
den of the weeds that the golden grain
may have greater room, but frequently
we go about the work in such a manner
as to increase the gimpson tribe. If
you are whacking at an unsightly weed,
mind how you scatter the seed.
Truly some “have a zeal of God, but
not according to knowledge.” No
blade is so keen or so effective in deal
ing death to these weeds as tact. Jesus
ever exercised it in planting the Gospel
truth. If there is anything that nar
rows our feelings, kills our Christian
virtues and makes us stumbling blocks,
it is continued jerking and pulling at
weeds and never making an honest
effort to produce the rich harvest. Did
a golden seed ever drop from vour
fingers, and are you keeping the weeds
from choking it ? Every Caristian has
his own field to tend, as well as giving
advice to his neighbors. Point out the
weed by planting the white lily by its
side. Error shakes off its unsightly
garments quickest when the fruits of
truth are its next-door neighbor.
Destroy sin with truth. Deposit the
seed and the harvest will assuredly come.
I trust that your seed “may grow, and
wax a great tree,” and ulways bear in
rniud that you cannot destroy every
weed, for the Master says: “Lest while
ye gather up the tares, ye root up also
the wheat with them. Let both grow
together until the harvest.”
What will be the character of vour
harvest, Curist.ian ? Will you have
anything but tares (pulled up) to place
at the Master’s feet ? How much wheat
have you killed in rooting up the
tares? Turn loose the weeds which
make you peevish, selfish and unreason
able, and devote your time to planting
for an abundant yield of good. More
seed planting and less weed pulling
should be our cry. Beware the thorn
apple. Walter R. Brown.
For Uic Index and Baptist.i
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
Some weeks ago you published an
account of the great revival of 1827
fifty year3 past, and a suggestion was
made that a meeting be held this year to
pray for another similar blessing, as
wide spread and as full of power as
was the other. But the accounts in
your paper, for three weeks past, give
evidence that glorious work is already
begun iu several churches, wi‘hout a
general meeting of consultation. Blessed
be the name of the Lord ! These word j
come to our reuiemberauce : “ Before
they call I will answer," and Mala hi
says : “If I will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour out a
blessing that there shall not be room
to receive it."
It seems to ms that you have evi
dence enough to encourage every
church to pray earnestly from their
hearts God is showing His willingness
to bless His people and h*av their
prayers. It requites the indifference of
infidelity to resist the proofs our
Saviour is already furnishing of His
willingness to bless. It would be wicked
in a Christian to doubt these signs.
The Lord is already gracious, and is
waiting to witness the devotions’ heart
prayers of other children of God, to
spread His blessings all over the State.
“O, bring our cleared friends to Christ,
P.emcraber those we cove
Fit them on earth for Thine abode,
Fit them for Joys above.
A. S.
For the Index and Baptist.)
h\ KVILCOkNKCrUI) WITH SIX DAY-SCHOOLS.
In all the Sunday-schools in out
towns and villages, so far as my ob
servation extends, a large majority of
the children, on being dismissed, retire
at once to their homes or elsewhere,
arid fail to attend on the preaching of
the Gospel and the ordinary services of
tho churches. That this is an evil will
not be called in question by any right
minded person. Ihe instruction given
in Sunday-schools may be good as far
as it goes. But it is not preaching,
and cannot supply the place of the
regular services of the church. While
the parents are in the house of God,
the children ought not to be at home or
Xt',. • streets, violating the Sabbath
4 ;CS.lU*^Kj^^|CStniaU()liS
Bfcer have BiTOain
vscbool. This is an evil. If the Sunday
school evangelist or anv one else can
suggest a remedy, he will perform an
important service for the joung and
for the cause of Christ. If it cannot be
remedied, it is doubtful whether, in the
long run, Sunday-schools wi'l prove to
be a blessing or a cause.
J. H. Cambell.
Columbus, Ga.
For the Index and Baptiftt.l
BAPTIST MIDDLE ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTIONS —REV. T. W. LANIER.
Whereas, Through the providence of
God, the health of our much-esteemed brother,
the Rev. Thomas W. Lanier has been in a
bad condition for a number of veers ; and,
whereas, he has decided, in accordance with
the advice of his physician, to travel for the
benefit of his health. Be it
Resolved, That we express our unfeigned re
gret that we are, for a few months at least, to
lie deprived of his presence in our churches,
and his wisdom, eloquence and zealous labor
as a minister.
Resolved, That, as we believe him to be a
minister of great piety, devotion to the cause
of our blessed Redeemer, and self-denying
in every good work, we cordially commend
him to the fraternal regards of Christians
wherever, in the providence of God, his lot
may la- cast ; and that our prayers accompany
him, that his physical strength may bespeedilv
re-toied, and that he may soon return to his
field of labor here.
Resolred , That a copy of these resolutions
be sent to brother Lanier, and a copy of the
same be sent to the Christian Index, for
publication. G. L. Jackson, Moderator.
H. J . Arnett. Clerk.
1 flinpl am Cos., Ga.. Sept. 24,1879.
I 1 or tli - Index aud Baptist.]
OkDIVA mix.
Accordingto a previous call of the First
Baptist church of Belton, a Presbytery,
consisting of elders E. S. V’. Briant, D.
H. Crymes, L. J. Duncan, met with said
church, foi the purpose of ordaining
brother Iradel H. Key to the full work
of the gospel ministry. After an ap
propriate sermon bv Rev. E. S. V. Bn
ant, from Psalm exxvi: 6, the Pr.'sby
tery elected Rev. L J. Duncan modera
tor, and Rev. E. S. V. Briant e’etk.
The candidate was examined by the
writer, who also offered the ordaining
prayer. Rev. D. H. Crymes delivered
the charge, presented the Bible, and cx
tended the hand of fellowship. It
was resolved that the moderator fur
nish The Christian Index with these
proceedings. Benediction by theem
didate, L. J. D.
Belton Ga., Bept. 28, 1877.
—The tabular statement of the CMuespon
iting secretary of the State Mission Board of
Va , shows that the missionaries employed
by the hoard occupied during the last year
107 stations in parts of 53 counties and 23
towns and villages, that they preached 3,626
and that 2,878 persons professed faith iu
Christ under their ministry.
From tite Biblical Becord.]
WJD BAPTISM.
The Christian Index contains
the following query :
Bro. Editors —A Baptist minis’er,
not long since, baptized a believer in
Christ, but failed to sty “In the name
of the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Spirit.” Was that valid bap
tism? I would like to have your
opinion and the opinion of many of
your readers and contributors.”
R. T. Hanks.
As I am not one of the regular
“readers and contributors’’ of the In
dex, I will express in the Recorder an
opinion on the s'ated case, which, if
the editors of the Index think proper,
they can transfer to their columns.
The Index gives to the querist the
following answer : “We are not pre
pared to affirm that a form of words
might not be adopted that would express
the sense of the usual form, and if so,
the baptism might be valid.” ‘ With
out deciding that the baptism was ac
tually invalid, we would earnestly
protest against any substitute for the
form of sound words prescribed by the
Saviour. (Matt, xxviii: 19 )
We go a little beyond The Index in
our opinion on this subject. If a
formula were adopted, which, though
different in words, was of the same
signification as that prescribed by the
Lord, though such a liberty would be
not only indiscreet but actually pro
fane, yet supposing, of course, that it
was done by the administrator without
a knowledge or suspicion of the law
less and licentious act to which he
was committing himself, we would say
that the baptism was valid, as it would
be it the formula were spoken in the
Greek instead of the English language.
But it does not appear from the query
that a form of werds equivalent to
those of the Commission, or indeed,
that any form was used by the admin
istrator. If he used tio form, we
should say, without hesitation, that the
act was not Christian baptism; in
other words, that it did not possess
the elements constituting the ordi
nance, which in the Commission, our
Lord commanded to be observed.
For he commanded baptism to be ad
ministered, accompanied by a certain
form of words, expressive of its au
thority and its nature. The adminis
trator is commanded to baptize a be
liever in the name of the Father, an l
the Son, and the Holy Ghost. This
he is commanded not to intend to do
but to do ; and not to do mentally but
declaratively; without the use, there
fore, of the prescribed foivn, the sub
ject is not baptized in he name of the
Sacred Trinity. For anything that
appears to the contrary, he may be
baptized in the name of the adminis
trator himself.
But if the administrator uses a form
sq<*i\tajent to the one pre
ettned, it would still be necessary to a
decision of the case that we should
know why he changed that prescribed
by the Lord for one of his own. No
reason can be such as to justify his
act, but may be such as to palliate it
and relieve it o! a character of invali
dity. It may also be such ato deep
en the complexion of its invalidity.
The Religious Herald, in noticing
this ease, is under the semblance of an
agreement in direct antagonism with
The Index The Herald says : “We
heartily concur in the answer of The
Index.” Of the truth of this state
ment let the reader judge when he
sees that The Index says that “the
baptism” in question “might be valid,”
and, of course, that it might cot be ;
and the Herald says that it “was irreg
ular, defective, but not necessarily
invalid.” The word, necessarily, as
used by the Herald means uothing;
for if the baptism was invalid, under the
circumstances stated, it was, under
those circumstances, necessarily so
The question is not whether it would
be invalid in any case, but whether it
was so in the specific case stated in the
query, and the answer of the Herald is
that it is not invalid, which, whether
right or wrong, is very different from
that of The Index, which says that it
may be invalid The opinion of The
Index is, too, expressed upon a suppo
sition that “a form of words” is
“adopted which expresses the sense of
the usual form,” whereas the opinion
of the Herald proceeds upon the suppo
! sition that “the baptism” “might have
been an act acceptable to God on the
part of the believer. ’ The Index
says that upon the supposition of the
adoption by the administrator—if that
be possible—of “a form of words”
“which would express the sense of the
usual form’ the baptism might be
valid. The Herald, upon the supposi
tion that “it might have been au act of
obedience acceptable to God, on the
part ofjthe believer,” says that it “was
not invalid” and of course was valid.
From these different statements ot the
two editors, the reader may judge
of the correctness of the declara
tion of the Herald, “We heartily concur
in the answer of The Index."
Dr. Jeter says “the baptism was lr
regular and defective.” These two
words are of very different significa
tion. A legal act, that is, one pre
scribed by law, and cognizable by law,
which is defective, that is, which lacks
what law requires as essential to its
existence, is unlawful, and, of course,
inva’id. To say, therefore, that a
baptism is defective, is the same as to
say that it is null and void and no
baptism. To the existence of a sub-
stance is necessary the existence of all
its parts, and without the existence of
all the parts of a specific substance, the
substance itself cannot exist, and of
course neither validity or invalidity
can be properly predicated of it; for
that can possess no properties which
has no existence. If wemiy respect
fully express our opiniuo, we think Dr.
Jeter is seriously in error with respect
to the nature of an act that is irregular
in distinction from one that is invalid.
An irregular act is dm that denotes
from its usual course in them the
limits prescribed for its observance by
law. Beyond those limits it is not
properly called irregular but unlawful.
To say, therefore, when discussing the
legal validity ol an act that it is irreg
ular is to beg the question in debate.
If a minister should, baptize applicants
without any conference with the church
with which they intended to unite,
such baptism would be irregular, but
though inexpedient, and, therefore,
not right, would be unlawful, and
therefore not inva’id or unlawful onlv
in the sense of being inexpedient, in
which sense its illegalitv would not
affect its validity.
The case stated in The Index calls
for serious consi leratiou. Such a
strange and anomalous proceeding re
quires explanation. If our churches
allow themselves to be pushed from the
straight line of Christian truth, princi
ple and duty in compliance with everj
self-constituted innovator, who can tel’
where they will stop ? W. H. J.
Oxford, N\ C.
for the Index and Baptist.!
Indian Mission of Flint River Association.
The following is the aggregate re
port of Benjamin Baker and Wilson
Nail for the quarter ending September
30th, 1977 : “Day service, 93; milcf*.
traveled. 1,133; churches and station!
supplied, 9 ; sermonc, 116 ; exhorta
tions, 47; prayer meetiugs, 37; bap.
tired. 11; total membership, 196;
Sunday-schools, 4; pupils, 125; teach
ers, 15; members of Sunday-school
converted, 3.”
The brethren of Flint will see, by
adding eleven baptisms to thirteen
previously reported, that twenty-four
is the aggregate for the year—enough
to constitute a respectable church. The
Association decided to retain Benja
min Baker as their missionary for the
ensuing year, and to raise over S2OO for
State missions.
Of Baker brother Murrow writes :
“Brother Baker continues to grow in
grace and in knowledge, and in favor
with God and mum Every day his
influence for good increases. He is
dilligent in business, fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord.”
Our missionaries have been paid
promptly, and we have money in bank
to meet liabilities until our next Asso
ciation, including some small amounts
to be month. Our ca*^
plan tfrfere beinM
no necessity to appeal to UM.be.- aud
brethren to pay indebtedness.
J. M. Wood,
Chairmrn Executive Committee.
The Deaconship.— We extract from
a sermon of Rev. Tbos. E. Muse, pub
lished in the Texas Baptist, the follow
ing sensible remarks on the qualifica
tions of a deacon. The success of the
church is dependent, in great measure,
upon the activity, zeal and wise man
agement of the deacons, and yet, it is
too true, that in many cases little care
and judgment are exercised in the
selection of men for this office. We
commend the views of our brother to
the churches:
So far as moral integrity and Christian
piety is concerned, we think every member of
a church, male or female, should be in posses
sion of such attributes ; business capacities
and qualifications are more special, and for
any member to be deficient in this respect is
not chargeable with sin or censure. And in
this particular we think a great many churches
commit a serious blunder in the selection of
their deacons. Many honest and pious mem
bers ire poorly capacitated to manage a small
larm, or their own local affairs successfully,
and it is hardly reasonable that they could
manage the pecuniary interests of a church
with efficiency. In a church of our charg*
upon one occasion, a deacon was to be chosen,
und interviewing a brother as to the proper
person, he thought a certain brother, calling
him by name, was about the best qualified.
This brother was a man of the highest integ
rity, a,id truly pious, but age and a lack of
business capacities, unfitted him for the office
of deacon.
In the selection of a deacon we think the
questions should be : Is he honest; is he pious
and spiriiutl-minded, and is he calculated to
manage the pecuniary interests of the church
successlnlly ? To guard against an extreme
idea, however, we may remark that possessions
are not always a necessary criterian, or evi
dence of this qualification. Of course the
church can decide in this respect.
— Prof. Apgar, of Trenton, recom
mends that, every school district or
township school should have a museum,
into which might be gathered speci
mens of flowers, insects, fishes, birds,
minerals, etc., found in its neighbor
hood. He thinks that a great part of
the collecting should be done by the
pupils, and believes that distinguished
naturalists would be induced to inspect
these museums. Part of the expense
of the cases, which, at the lowest price
would cost about }2O, should be paid,
adds the Professor, by the State, “oh
the condition that no specimens are
placed in the district museums that are
notfouud in the neighborhood.”
—There are now 200 Protestant churches in
the Holy Land, and 7,600 children in Pro
testant schools.