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LNDEX AND BAPTIST.
RET, D. E. BUTLER Managing Editor,
ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
Bet. 8. G. Hii.i.ykr., D D Forsyth, Georgia.
Dr. J. 8. Lawton Atlanta, Georgia.
Rev. G. A. Noknally Rome, Georgia.
G f od hearing is almost as essential
to the success of a sermon as good
preaching. The hearer does not in
deed choose the subject, or develop
and arrange the thought; but by medi
tation and prayer he can put himself
into a a proper attitude for understand
ing. appreciating, and profiting by it.
Nothing but the word of God can
convert a human soul —the word of
the living God preached with the Holy
Ghost sent down from heaven. This
is the hammer that breaks in pieces
human obduracy, the fire that melts
ths stony heart. Preaching the word
is the first, the hightest work of the
Christian minister. That church is
strongest whose pulpit is strongest.
An imbecile pulpit is ever the mark of
a sickly church. The history of the
Church ofChrist proves that it is only
strong and pure in proportion as this
office is exalted.
“Canaan,” says Spurgeon, “is a type
to us of the great and goodly things of
the covenant of grace which belong to
believers; but if we have no faith we
cannot possess a single convenant
blessing. This day, in the proclama
tion of the gospel, the demand is made
of faith in God, and if their be no faith,
no matter how rich the gospel, how
full its provisions, and how precious
the portion which God has prepared,
none of us can ever enter in.
Som e of you have not entered into
the rest which God giveth his people
even here below (“for we which be
lieve do enter into rest,”) because of
unbelief; and into the rest which re
maineth, the blessed Sabbath of the
skies, you will not be able to enter be
cause of unbelief. This pains and
troubles me, but so it is. Moses wrote
a mournful psalm which began, “Lord
thou hast been our dwelling-place in
all generations,” and then he went on
J£o Vvsep and bewail the transitory na
ture of man’s estate. He wrote it
while he was seeing forty funerals, at
the least, every day, for it required an
average of forty deaths per diem to
carry off all the people that came out
of Egypt in the forty years. Their
days were spent in bewailing the dead,
so that it was true of them as it is not
true of us. “All our days are passed
away in the wrath.” They had to
mourn and sigh, with Canaan but a
little way ahead. They might have
been laughing in its glades, sunning
themselves in its plains, feasting on its
figs and grapes and corn ; but instead
thereof they were pining and dying,
digging graves and expiring, for they
could not enter in because of unbelief.
Many, many, many this day are tor
menting themselves with needless des
pondency. shivering in fears they need
not know, and vexed with plagues they
need not feel, because they fail to rest
in Christ through unbelief. Alas,
myriads more are descending into the
lake that burneth with fire, and know
no rest, and never shall know any!
For them the harps of angels never
sound, for them the white robes are
not prepared, because the unbelieving
must have their portion in the fiery
lake. Oh, that God would now deliver
them from this dreadful sin of unbe
lie: !”
The American Missionary Associ
ation held its thirty sfirst anniversary
Convention in Syracuse, N. Y. Dele
gates were present from nearly every
State in the Union. Hon. U. G. Ham
mond, of Chioago, preaided. The report
of the Executive Committee shows that
the educational work of the Associa
tion baa been vigorously prosecuted
during the year among the colored
people, the Indians, and the Chinese
on the western coast. The total income
from all sources for the year was $209,
676. The amount expended and due
was $179,297. A year ago the debt was
reported at $93 232; it is now $62,817,
a reduction of $30,416. This has be* u
accomplished by economy of adminis
tration, the reduction of appropria
tions where it could be done
seriously impairing efficiency, and by
realizing from the sale of assets now
for tbe first time s vsilable. The report
makes an earnest appeal to the friend*
of the Association to wipe out the re
mainder of the indebtedness.
BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST.
A correspondent, signing himself
D. H., asks us to give our views on the
above subject. In Matt, xii: 31, we find
it written : “Wherefore, I say unto you,
all manner of sin and blasphemy shall
be forgiven unto men : but the blasphe
my against the Holy Ghost shall not be
forgiven unto men.” The same thought
is reiterated in the 32d verse, and in
the parallel passages of Mark and Luke.
These are the words of Christ, and
the careful manner in which they are
repeated by other evangelists shows
their very great importance.
But there is, perhaps, no declaration
of our Saviour that has given our com
mentators more trouble; and none
about which there is greater diversity
of opinion. This may be because our
commentators Lave attempted too
much. They sought to know beyond
the limits of human knowledge. But
let us just look at the passage, and
pick out those things which it reveals,
and let everything else alone. We
think this course will avoid much of
the difficulty. The words of the
Saviour, we think, teach us:
1. That there is a sin which is un
pardonable.
2. That there is but one unpardona
ble sin.
3. And this is blasphemy against the
Holy Ghost.
These three ideas seem to us to ex
haust the meaning of the Saviour’s
words in Matt, xiii: 31; Mark ii: 28, 29,
and Luke xii: 10. This analysis brings
us at once to the very point upon
which our correspondent asks informa
tion : “What is sinning against the
Holy Ghost?” This is the form in.
which he puts the question. Were we
to answer it, just as it is expressed, we
might say that there are many ways in
which we can, and, perhaps, do sin
against the Holy Spirit. We are com
manded not to “grieve,” or “quench” the
Holy Spirit. To do so would, there
fore, be a sin against Him. The
Martyr Stephen charged the Jews that
they did always “resist the Holy Ghost/'
Hence we suppose that, to resist Him is
to sin against Him. There may be
many other offences against the Holy
Ghost. But we do not suppose that
jmr corrssponAlenFTsaot to put the
'question in this general sense ; for he
says further on in his letter: “I see in
one passage of Scripture where it says,
the least sin against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven. I would be glad
to get the full history of this sin." This
shows that the brother meant to ask
for information about the unpardonable
sin. True, be does not quote the
Scripture correctly. It is nowhere
said that the “ least sin against the
Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.”
But only that blasphemy against the
Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.
Such blasphemy is, therefore, the
unpardonable sin, and we suppose the
real subject of our brother’s letter. In
this view of the question, then, we will
endeaver to answer it.
Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
is auy word of reviling, or contempt, or
insult uttered against Him. Avery
plain example of it is furnished in the
chapter from which the words, quoted
above, are taken. The Scribes and
Pharisees had accused the Saviour of
casting out devils through Beelzebub,
the Prince of Devils. He signally
refuted the foul accusation by the par
able of the house divided against itself;
and then denounced against them the
guilt of this unpardonable blasphemy,
“because they said He had an unclean
spirit.” (Mark iii: 29.)
We may press this case a little fur
ther. It does not appear that, to con
stitute blasphemy, the offensive words
must be actually spoken. In the 25th
verse it is said, that “Jesus knew their
thoughts.” What they had said to the
people, viz: “this fellow doth not oast
out devils, but by Beelzebub, the
Prince of Devila,” may not have been
heard beyond the little circle in which
they stood. But the Saviour knew
their thoughts ; and, therefore, He ac*
cused them. Hence it appears that
blasphemy, like every other sin, has its
seat in the heart; “for out of the
abundanoe of the heart, the mouth
speaketh.” Thus it appears that the
Scribes and Pharisees committed blas
phemy against the Holy Ghost, in that
they ascribed the works of Chritt to
the ageucy of an “unclean spirit," thus
reviling the Holy Spirit which was
given to Him without measure.
Another example of blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost, may be found
in the class of persons described in
Heb. vi: 4-6, and Heb. x; 26-29. They
TELE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
are described as having enjoyed some
degree of a religious experience. But
as falling back into a state of unbelief.
The marks of this falling away are, (in
Heb. vi: 6) that they crucify to them
selves the Son of God afresh, and put
Him to an open Bhameand (in Heb.
x: 29) that they “have trodden under
foot the Son of God, and have counted
the blood of the covenant wherewith
He was sanctified an unholy thing, and
have done despite unto the Spirit of
grace. This class of persons, we can
not believe, were really regenerated;
for in that case they would hare
fallen away. But they were enlighten
ed ; they, to some extent, were “made
partakers of the Holy Ghost,” and,
like the stony ground hearers, they, for
awhile, believed ; but yielding to var
ious temptations, they at last renounced
their faith in Christ. To do this they
must denounce Him virtually as an
imposter, or as an ingane fanatic, under
the influence, in either case, of an “un
cleau spirit”—thus, in heart at least,
reviling the Holy Ghost, and placing
themselves beyond the reach of for
giveness.
Should it he asked, why blasphemy
against the Holy Ghost should be the
only unpardonable sin, while all other
sins and blasphemies may be forgiven,
we answer, this is, as we said jn the
beginning, attempting too much. It
is attempting to push our investiga*
tions beyond the limits of human
knowledge. To answer this question
would require an insight into the pro
found mystery of the Holy Trinity.
Yet men will think, and will form opin
ions. But on a subject like this it is
the highest folly to dogmatize*with
this caution distinct’y in view, we ven
ture to offer the following suggestion :
The discrimination which tbeSaviour
makes in favor of the Holy Ghost, may
have its foundation—not in any pecu
liar relation He sustains to the God
head—but in the relation, which, iu
the plan of salvation, He sustains to
mankind. Suppose we consider JHim
the Divine embassador of pe> i<\d
head to our race—fiW, as the
revealed religion, an<i
appointed Agent to apply its?truths
with efficacy to tb<? -hearts and con
sciences t)f men. In jfnts great vn*bas_
sador is embodied the glory, ' the
majesty, the authority and the holiness
of the God head. Then may we not
find in this office that which invests the
person of the Spirit with that awful
sacredness which the text reveals ? If
so, we can see how words of reviling,
or contempt, or insult, or any. other
affection, included in blasphemy, may
place the offender beyond the reach of
mercy. And this result is still more
manifest, when we consider that he,
who despises the Holy Spirit, cuts
himself off from the only power which
can effectually open up to him the way
to Heaven and eternal life; for he is
the appointed agent to lead us to
Christ, our Saviour.
One word of comfort to those timid
Christians who sometimes fear that
they have committed the unpardonable
sin. You have, we trust, not ascribed
to the Saviour an “unclean spirityou
have not “crucified Him afresh and
put Him to an open shame you have
not counted the blood of the covenant
wherewith He was sanctified an unholy
thing, nor done despite to the spirit of
grace. These are the marks of the
apostate. We trust they do not attach
to you. On the contrary, do you not
recognize Jesus as the Son of God ?
Do you not regard with profound re
spect His shed blood ? and do you not
delight in holding communion with His
Holy Spirit ? Then dismiss your fears.
You have not committed blasphemy
against the Holy Ghoßt.
—A vigorous discussion has been going on
in the Methodist Episcopal periodicals of
the question, “What becomes of all the pro
bationers?” The answers have not been
harmonious; it is acknowledg 'd on both
sides that more exact statistics are desirable,
A writer in The Methodist, of last week, re
ports the result of an examination made of
the last statistics of the Newark Annual
Conference, March 28th, 1875, the proba
tioners reported to that Conference were 8,-
222. Of these, in the course of one year, 23
died, 188 removed, 1,870 were received iato
full membership, 806 were dropped, and 808
were continued on probation beyond the
year. This would make less than one-half
reported as full members in one year's tine.
This writer says: “If all who removed by
letter, and all who are continued by proba
tion were finally received as members, we
should have 65 per cent, of the whole."
True merit, like the peril inside an
oyster, is content to remain quiet until
it finds an opening.
THE SICK BOOM.
Men, women and children will get
sick. Disease is all about us. Climatic,
geographical and mental influences are
such as to produce physical prostration.
We are first shut within the gates, and,
as disease progresses, we are finally
disabled and brought to our beds.
Now, in the sick room we find a great
variety of character, disease and remedy.
It is generally thought that the nurse
and physician are the only responsi
ble parties for the management of af
fairs. The nurse must keep order,
watch the patient, render assistance
when needed, manipulate medicines,
preserve neatness, and contribute to the
extent of her ability to the comfort and
well-being of the patient. This is all
true, but, alas, how few know that a
whisper is more disagreeable than nat
ural conversation, that to walk on tip-toe
is more trying to a sick man’s nervous
system than the natural step, and that
a knowing nod, a significant shake of
the head, a woe-begone expression of
the countenance, are far more horrible
and dreadful than plain talk, and a
simple statement of the true condition.
By all means, let nurses, visitors and
friends keep cheerful, be natural, and
let their serving be rendered iu a natu
ral, common-place manner.
It is expected that the physician
should comprehend the case, under
stand its bearing and tendency, deter
mine its causes, and prescribe infalli
ble remedies. But heeaunot always do
this. So many influences are at work
in the constitution, and sometimes the
system is so susceptible, and changes
in malarial presences so sudden, that
he cannot provide against them, nor al
ways anticipate them. Yet, it is his duty,
since life is involved—and life is so
precious—to use every means for dis
covering the patient’s true condition,
and then administer the best antidotes
and remedieal agents.
This done, is there no one else who
needs to be advised ? Has not the sick
some duties to perform, as well as those
who are in the enjoyment of health ?
The iick mother or father ■ is in a for
tunate condition, in which great tiuths
can be taught by silent patience and
great promised emphasized l*_v unshak
able confidence. Petulance, peevish
ness, murmurings, should be stifled in
the bosom of the sufferer- It is as
much the sick man's duty to suffer the
chastisement of the Lord, as it is the
strong man’s duty to do the will of God.
While others serve the sick, adminis
tering to their necessities, and contrib
uting to their recovery, let the sick re
gard it an especial privilege to recom
pense these by illustrating a grateful
ness, which is becoming, and enduring,
in patience, the sufferings which can
not be abated, and thus magnify the
grace of God.
REHOBOTH ASSOCIATION.
This body, composed of Baptist churches
from the counties of Macon. Houston, Craw
ford, Monroe, Pike and Upson, convened
with the Forsyth church last Friday, aud
adjourned on yesterday, (Monday.) Tne
Association was called to order by Dr. 8. G.
Hillyer, the former Moderator, and was or
fanized by the election of Itev. B. F.
'harpe, D D., of Perry, Moderator, and Rev.
T. H. Stout, of Thotnaston, Clerk.
The introductory sermon was preached on
Friday morning, by Rev. A. J. Cbevea, of
Macon county. Rev. E. M. Hooten, of Mil
ner, preached on Friday night, and Dr. B. L.
Ross, of Fort Valley, preached on Saturday
afternoon. On Saturday night, a mass
meeting in favor of educational interests,
and particularly in favor of Jffercer Univer
sity, was held, and addresses Were made by
Rev. A. J. Battle, D. D., President of Mercer
University, by Dr. J. H. DeVotie, and by
Dr. B. F. Tharpe. The sum of $250.00 was
subscribed to the endowment fund of the
University. On Saturday afternoon, in an
swer to the appeals of Dr. DeVolie. $125.00
was rai-ed for the Stale Mission Board, of
which Dr. DeVotie is Secretary.
The religious services on ihe Sibbath,
consisted of preachiug, as follows :
Baptist church, forenoon, by Dr. Battle,
1 1 night, by Dr. Tharpe. In the Methodist
church, forenoon, by Dr. DeVotie, at : ighi,
by Rev. A. L. Moncnef. ltiligious services
were held on Sabbath afternoon aud night
in the colored churches, couducled by Revs.
T. H. Stout, Jackson aud Patrick Rev.
Samuel Boykin, of Macon, addressed the
Sabbath-school children of the town on Sab
bath morning, aud Rev. T. O. B >ykin, of
Atlanta, in the afternoon.
Collections for missions were taken up in
the churches on the Sahbatu aud a hand
some sum was realized.
The business sesious of the Association
were harmonious and pleasant The object
of mission and education received especial
attention from this body, and gu-a good is
done, but so quickly that few outsiders of
the denomination know anything alt >ul it.
Tire Kehoboth Association employs Rev.
J. 8. Murrow to preach to the Indian- iu me
ludian Territory, and he has succeeded in es
tablishing more than tweuty cnurehi s ittc.ng
them. The most quiet and orderly lodi ru
in the United States are iho.-e who are
taught by Mr. Mur-ow, aud the g vermueut
has tto trouble from them.
The delegates and visitors app< s<e<l to e -
joy themselves very much, an i wen list
tueir stay was very pleagaut. —Mmtr-e Ad
vertiser.
We had intended to ha*c * tut
mil account of the keiiob-itu v- no
lion, but the .titovc i- so coinprelK
sive and correct a report, that we have
concluded to use it-
The Rehoboth, though not a large
body, is nevertheless one of the most
benevolent in the State. They pay
brother Murrow one thousand dollars,
annually, and give to other charities
at least as much more.
The Association was elegantly en
tertained by the good people of For
syth. Every delegate and visiter was
full of praise for the manner in which
they were treated by the Forsyth peo
ple.
The Index was fully endorsed by
the Association, and the writer col
lected between forty and fifty dollars
for the paper.
The next session will be held with
the Perry church, in Houston county.
ON BOTH SIDES.
An esteemed brother writes us as
follows :
“Can’t The Index point a little more
strongly in some directions? That is, d_o not
simply point at a wrong, but soy it is wrong.
Some weak brethren think you approve, when
you mean to disapprove. We do know how
The Index stands on the Y. M. C. A. ques
tion ; may be on both sides.”
We don’t exactly understand the
distinction which our brother makes
between pointing at a wrong, and saying
the thing is wrong. We are disposed
to regard it as a “distinction without a
difference.” It is, and has ever been,
our aim to express clearly and forci
bly our convictions on all subjects
claiming our attention. Our convic
tions are decided, and we do not fear
to express them. We regret that our
“weak brethren” /ail to understand us,
and are willing to bear the blame due
to a want of ability to express our own
ideas. We beg to suggest, however,
that the fault may possibly be due to
a want of ability on the part of our
aforesaid brethren to understani
thoughts when clearly expressed. In
the case mentioned, certainly no blame
can attach to us, as may be seen by
reference to editorials, on the \ . M. C.
A.
In an editorial commending brother
Wood’s artitie, published last May,
these strong words occur :
“This Association, with its thousands of
branches, to be met with everywhere, exerts a
vast and constantly growing influence, and it
is well for thoughtful Christians to restrain its
power whenever or wherever it transcends its
legitimate limitation*, or is applied in such a
manner as to weaken or embarrass regular
church work, or to assume the peculiar and
inalienable duties of the pulpit.”
In our article closing the discussion
of the Young Mens’ Christian Associ
ation, published a few weeks since, the
following points were distinctly set
forth: The teachings of the New
Testament on the ordinancy must be
enforced by precept and example.
“Every preacher, whether ordained or
without official authority, must teach
them as did Christ, Peter, Paul and the
deacons of old.” ludifference to these
teachings cannot, and ought not, to be
allowed by Baptists. Tae article closes
with these words:
The Baptists, then, have s work in hand
which no otber people can do. All other
Christians may gain the enterprises of the
limes and make no sacrifices, but we cannot.
The two ordinances so dear to us are losing
their significance and importance. Our duty
is to preserve them, as parts of the glorious
Gospel, in their primitive force and unity.
How can we, then, tinder these circumstances,
and for any reason, not Scriptural, engage in
any work which leaves them as of little consek
quence, or entirely neglected?
To those who know that the ordi
nances are virtually ignored by the
Young Mens’ Christian Association, it
must seem strange that a clear-headed
Baptist could fail to understand our
position in the case.
31 Mi Ok PNIVkR-ITY.
The numberless friends of this good old
institution will rejoice to learn that its pres
ent condition and prospects are most auspi
cious. The new t< rut has opened with an
unususily large accession of fresh matricu
lates, among w.mm are several promising
candidates for the military. We are also
pleased to notice the sons of a numlter of
our prominent tnini-terial brethren —among
them we may mention out ft’tends, Alonzo
H. Nunnxlly, ot Rome; William T. Spald
ing, of A'lanta, and James J. Kilpatrick, of
White Plains.
The term is progressing most satisfactorily.
The studious hahi-s and manly b< aring so
characteristic ot the young nten of Mercer,
prevail amoDg the present liody of students
to a very large exieut.
The Faculty a e in good health and spirits,
and all thing- betoken ayearot rich fruitage
aud abundant slices-.
We are glad to notice the p-eaence of
members of the Faculty at vario is Asscia
tio s The Presi le t. Dr. Battle, was pre
vent! and by illte ss ftom !>■ i"g present and
filling ids Hppoe intent t • preach the intro
ductory set moil at the Gentral; but he is
making up lot it i*y going to other Associa
tions. He has recently represented the Uni
vets y at the .illusion, iii itaivkinsville, and
at the R-h b-• •. in Forsyth, at both of
which places he a Id'e-sed large audiences in
the interest of the College. He proposes
visiting other bodies this fall.
Professor Sanford was at the Stone Moun
tain and Re boboth, speaking at the former,
most effective ly, for our cherished University.
Professor Willet ably represented the insti
tution at the Central and Rehoboth.
We are pleased to see the Professors tak
ing so much interest in our denominational
meetings. It identifies them more closelv
with our people, and gives the latter the op
portunity to know them better and to appre
ciate their great work. We know that they
will meet a cordial welcome from our breth
ren.
GEORGIA BAPTIST NEWS.
—A morning Sunday-school for Lexington
in the Baptist church, is now under discussion.
—Rev. T. C. Boykin has been elected a
member of the Executive Committee of the
second International Sunday-school Conven
tion, to fill the vacancy in the representation
from Georgia, caused by the resignation of
Mr. O. P. Abell.
—Brother W. B. Daniel writes from Al
bany, October 23d: “On Sunday last the
Albany Baptist church unanimously called as
its pastor Rev. C. H. Strickland, of Greens
boro, Georgia. No ordinary degree of enthu
siasm pervades our church and communitv
concerning his call, and it is ardently desired bv
all that he may feel it to he his duty unde;
divine direction to accept the same.”
—Brother I. H. Goss, writing from Grove,
Elbert county, October 18th, says that he has
a very lalo ious field of great extent, requiring
much travel. He is preaching to a members'll i:
of about five hundred. Twenty-three have
been added to his charge this year by baptism.
Forwarding subscription to The Index he
says: “I cannot afford to do without The In
dex, although so abundant in labors as to lack
time to read it so extensively as I desire to do.
May God bless and prosper The Index with
all those connected with it, and all that ever
may have an interest in it as a Baptist paper.”
—The Baptist church at Horeb has unani
mously called Rev. T. H. Btout again to iu
pastoral care, for 1878.
—The Ohoopee Anti-mission Association
met with the church at Cool Spring, Wilkin
son county, on the 12th.
—The Excelsior AVits contains an interest- |
ing account of the Canoochee Association held i
at Lott’s Creek. This body was organized in
1829 by churches which drew ofi from the
Hephzibab Association on accoun t of the mis
sionary views of that body. It has had no
correspondence with other Associations until
within the last few years. A noticeable mark
of advancement from their old landmarks was
an earnest appeal lor education made by a
minister of the Association.
—The Western Association raised at its last
session $500.35.
—Rev. F. M. Daniel, formerly pastor oft
the Fourth church of this city, and more re-1
cently pastor at Dalton, has returned to his
home in West End. We are glad to welcome
him again to our community. Brother D.
has been called to two churches convenient tc
Atlanta, and will probably make this city hlf
headquarters, if he decides to accept tbiß
calls.
—Brother T. J. Camming, writing froß
Louisville, reports fifteen more additions bj
baptism at Pleasant Grove church, three ri
Sisters —one of them said to be over 80 yean
of age—and one at Mt. Horeb.
—The New Ebenezer Association
on the 20th with Bethany church, near Coch
ran. Brother C. B. Smith was elected moder
ator, and brother J. T. Rogers clerk. Ths
session was harmonious and pleasant. Among
the visitors, whose presence added interest to
the meeting, were brother G. R. McCall, of"
the Ebenezer, and brethren R. O. Hulton and
R. Bullington, from the Houston Association.
A noticeable fact, brought out by reading the
church letters, was, that the report of revival*
in almost every instance was coupled with a
statement of the existence of an active Bunday*
school. Ooe or two new churches were re- f
ported. There were during the Associations!!
year about 100 baptisms in the churches com
posing the body.
—On Sunday evening, October 21st, at the
request of the Cochran church, a presbytery,
composed of brethren G. R. McCall, L.
Joiner, A. J. Beck, W. R.Steeley R. O. Hul
ton and F. C. Waite, assembled for the pur
pose of ordaining brother W. W. Towler to
the full work of the ministry. Brother G. R.
McCall was chosen chairman, and brother A.
J. Beck requested to act as Secretary. After
a thorough examination by the presbytery,
brother McCall preached the ordination ser
mon from the text, “Preach the Word.” This
sermon, for clearness, comprehensiveness,
vigor of thought and force of expression, sur
uassed any discourse to which we have ever
listened on a similar occasion. After the ser
mon, brother A. J. Beck delivered the charge,
brother W. R. Sleeiey led in the ordination
prayer, and brother L. Joiner led the presby
tery in extending the welcoming hand to onr
young co-laborer. The exercises closed with
bent diction by brother Towler.
Rmt. J. M. Stillwell. —We call the
attention of our readers to the action of
Indian Creek church on the death of
this good man. Our Zion has lost <t
faithful, earnest and useful laborer.
We trust all will read the article; aidi
may the sympathy and prayers if ■
saints be exercised in behalf of the
bereaved and afflicted family. May ( 0 ur
Father in Hearen bless the widow amd
the orphan. \ ‘
The Protestant Episcopal Conven
tion has adopted the canon relative to
the Boatd of Missions, which will be
knowu as the Domestic and Foreign
Missionary Society of the Protestant
Episcopal church in the United States.,