Newspaper Page Text
)nr
i Eitw of tho UlMosslon Between the Rli.
"ioa. Herald and the Mississippi Record, of
the Snbjeet of An Affiliation in the Services #-
The Pulpit of Baptist with Pedobaptist Minis
ter'. with Special Reference to the Argnmen.
f:t,e Herald, as Centaii.ed In the Itlscuodon.
NO. I.
IV have written, heretofore, to some
*oi>i Jet able extent, on the subject
c<{ the above mentioned discussion.
W* onfess that we are tired of the
w .-k : and unless it shall be in a neces
*arv defense of ourselves against an
ass,, .ant of our -views, the present is,
we think, the last production of the
kind, that will proceed from our pen.
The premonition existing in our gray
ha-re of that rapidly approaching
period when, to the exclusion of every
gut ect not vitally connected with the
knowledge of Christ, the realities of
opening eternity will press upon our
view, and fill the whole scope of our
vie:- n, elicits a responsive desire that
our mind shall be occupied with
thoughts more congenial with the
solemnity of that eventful and decisive
betir. If, then, we add another to the
number of our polemical writings—as
tur article will necessarily assumo a
polemical aspect —we can truly say that
it .e not done so much from a fondness
for the service as for the purpose of
prt moting, according to our ability,
the cause of truth and the evangelical
tbaracter and healthful condition of
our churches. Entertaining sentiments
of our own on the subject, in discussion,
as well as a conviction of’their impor
tance, we hope that thefiee and candid
exposition of them which will beevolved
in the course of our review will not be
regarded as implying any want of res
spect for either of the excellent breth
ren whose statements we shall examine,
for both of whom—particularly our
brother D. Jett* —with whom our
friendship began when our locks were
fresh with life's morning dews—we beg
leave to say that we entertain a sincere
esteem and affection.
The subject of discussion, as stated
by brother Gambrel), is contained in
the following query :
Ought Baptist* to affiliate with minit
itrs of Pedobaptist churches, by an ex
thaiuje of pulpits {
"This question,” says brother Gam
brel!, may involve Landmarkers, or it
may not.” If this statement be correct,
we are ourselves under an entire mis
apprehension in regard to the nature of
the discussion. Landmark ism, (a term
for which we have no prediction, and
which we only accept as an existing
necessity,) we have supposed consisted
iri a non-recognition of the clerical
authority of Pedobaptist ministers, and
them in tire puipit: and
the question, whether ‘‘Baptists ought
to affiliate with ministers of Pedobap
tist churches by an exchange of
pulpit,” we have regarded as the same
as whether Landmarkism be true or
false. Either our conception of the
import of Landmarkism must be wrong,
or brother Gambrell must, at this
point, have made a little slip, though
one not at all material to the merits *1
the question.
Dr. Jeter, prefering a change in its
pbraseob gy, states the qmry in the fol
lowing form:
Is it right and expedient for Baptists to
exchange pulpits with Pedobaptists f
We think that the query, as stated
by Dr. Jeter, would be more accurate
ly expressed if, instead of being wheth
er the specified exchange ‘‘is right and
inexpedient,''it woro wl orient is ‘‘right
or expedient ;” for though right, in the
sense of being lawful, it might still be
expedient; and the query should son
tain a disjunctive discrimination with
respect to the different nature of these
two qualities.
Dr. Jeter assigns, as a reason for the
change in its phraseology, that the
query, in its altered form, “restricts the
discussion to the right, not to the Mi
ration, of Baptists to exchange pulpits
with Pedobaptists.” We respectfully
submit that there is no material differs
cnee in the different forms of the query,
as stated by the respective disputants.
Its purport is in both the same. For
if it be "right” in Baptists to exchange
pulpits with Pedobaptists, it is what
thov ought to do ; unless they are not
under any obligation to do what is
right. We think that the query would
be more in accordance with the views
of Dr. Jeter if it were, “Is it wrong for
Baptists to exchange pulpits with the
Pedobaptists ?” But even this form
would not alter its import; for if it be
not wrong, it is right, and if right, it
is, as wo have said, obligatory. If,
again, the question be whether Bap
tists have a right to exchange pulpits
with Pedobaptists, its sense is still,
substantially the same; for we have
not a right to do what is wrong, and
whether affiliation he right or wrong is
the question in debate. The question,
as stated by Dr. Jeter, does not, ac
cording to his own views, admit of an
answer, either affirmative or negative.
For he says: “We maintain that, un
der certain circumstances,” the speci
fied exchange “is proper for Baptists
“but not that they ought indiscrimi
nately to do it." Affiliation is, accord
ing to this statement, sometimes right
and sometimes wrong ; and, of course,
the question whether it is right, admits
of neither au affirmative or a negative
answer. The logical scales, ballanced
by the equal weights at either end of
the lever, can neither of them pre
ponderate, but must remain in a state
of equipoise. The statement of Dr.
Jeter, and the only answer to his ques
tion of which his views admit, amount
to no more than the truism that affil
iation is right when it is not wrong.
“ There are,” says Dr. Jeter, “Pedo
baptists with whom we should|{deem
it improper to exchange pulpits.” The
same, we presume, he would say of
some Baptists. Dr. Jeter, in this state
ment, shoots wide of the mark. The
question is not such an absurd one as
whether it is right for Bapbtists to ex
change pulpits with Pedobaptist min
isters who are immoral, or manifestly
destitute of all capacity to preach, but
whether it is right, be their moral
character or ministerial qualifications
what they may, to exchange pulpits
with them in their character of Pcdo
baptist ministers ?
We should not have supposed it nec r
essary to define the sense in which the
word pulpit is used in the discussion,
but for the remark of Dr. Jeter that
“a pulpit has no peculiar sanctity.” It
would seem, from this remark, that he
and his opponent use this word in a
different sense. Brother Gambrell, we
presume, used the word—as it is al
ways used in relation to the subject of
preaching—in the metonymicai sense
of the Christian ministry. Judging
from tho abovestated remark of Dr.
Jeter, we should suppose that he means
by “pulpit” only the boards and nails
of which a stand is constructed for the
purpose of religious speaking. If this
be what he means, his remark is en
tirely irrelevant; for the discussion
does not relate to our exchange of pul
pils, in any such sense. Tho argument
of Dr. Jeter, if it be intended as such,
is of the same kind as if, when it is said
the lancet is tho remedy for pleurisy,
an objector should reply that there is
110 more virtue in a lancet to heal dis
ease than in any other piece of iron.
There is, besides, even in this literal
sense of the word, a relative “sanctity”
in t he pulpit, as the effect of tho sacred
use to which it is consecrated. If Dr.
Jeter uses the word in the sense evi
dently belonging to it as it stands in
his query, as expressive of ministerial
services—to which sense tho discussion
should, of course, be restricted—his
remark is not true, for the Christian
ministry certainly possesses a “pecu
liar sanctity.” We shall, therefore, un
derstand tho disputants, respectively,
as using the word “pulpit” in the sense
of the Christian ministry; and as
meaning by an “exchange of pulpits
with Pedobaptists,” a fraternization
with them in the character of Christian
ministers. This being understood, the
subject will be relieved of the need of
any further explanation respecting the
"peculiar sanctity of the pulpit.’’
Brother (Jnmbrtlf in
meucement of hir argument, as Bap
tist “postulates,” tho four following
positions :
1. Christ established churches on
earth, upon which He conferred the au
thority and devolved the duty of prop*
agatiugjthe gospel;
2. Repentance, faith and baptism
were made, by Divine authority, al
ways, and everywhere, conditions of
membership in the church.
3. The ministry was a body of men
in the church, never out of them, called
of God to preach the gospel, and sol
emnly set apart to that work by au
thority of the churches.
4. Soundness iu the faith of the New
Testament was held necessary to the
ministry in apostolic churches.
With this “statement of Baptist
doctrine," Dr. Jeter “fully concurs.”
Such an agreement between the dispu
tants wotild seem to promise to their
discussion a speedy conclusion. Agree
ing in the premises, it would seem as if
there was no possible escape from the
tuuual conclusion, as stated by Bro.
Gambrell, that “Pedobaptist bodies are
not New Testament churches, and their
ministry is not a New Testament min
istry.” But Dr. Jeter, after admitting
that, “baptism was made by Divine au
thority, always, and everywhere, a con
dition of membership in the church,”
starts back from the necessary conse
qnence of his admission, abandons his
premises, and says : “How t'ara church
of Christ may run iuto error without
ceasing to he a church, we really do not
knew." Dr. Jeter may not know “how
tar a church may ruu into error with
out ceasing to be a church,” but wfc
should suppose that he might know
whether it ceases to be a church when
it. is destitute of a “condition” upon
which its existence depends; or rather,
whether a society is a church which is
destitute of au essential element of ec
clesiastical existence.
Speaking of “Pedobaptist churches,”
Dr. Jeter says : “if churches they be,”
This hypothetical parenthesis looks
hopeful. It seems to indicate that the
old ship is leaking. We are not with
out a hope that it will yet go to the
bottom, and rise again, Phoenix-like,
from its ruins, to sail in more than its
pristine beauty and grandeur, upon
calmer and less dangerous seas.
W. H. J.
Oxford, N. 0.
—The Unitarians have been holding a Theo
logical Institute, at Springfield, Massachusette,
and Prof. Draper has been lecturing on evolu
tion. We suppose the object had in view,
judging from one of the lectures, is to see how
tar they can put the Deity out of Ilia creation.
This requires, of course, some knowledge of
His character and attributes, aud hence the
name "Theological Institute.”
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST.
For the Index and Baptist-i
A GOOD MEETING.
Foeest Hill, Oct. 24, 1877.
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for He has visited and redeemed His
people.” Yes, truly, the Lord has
been with the people around about the
region of the little village of Ringgold.
A country church, three miles from
Ringgold, a Baptist chunSXf under the
care of the pastor, Rev. Y. A. Bell, was,
four weeks ago, visited by a most glo
rious, soul-stirring revivalXbf religion,
which lasted, I believe, two weeks—at.
least, I know there were two different
baptizings. Once seven
teen, I think—your humble correspond
ent being only a simple, unsophisti
cated “country lassie,” not having the
ways and means of attending this same
meeting out at Ebenezer, and not at
tending church was quite
cool on religious subjects, and did not
even feel worthy to put her letter in
anv church.
Well, the day after the Ebenezer
meeting closed, our dearly loved pastor
came on to Ringgold, and all smiled,
and many spoke sneh an
“idea of having a meetingrn hard
hearted, wicked Ringgold/* Anyway,
the meeting began, and quite coolly
and quietly for several days, all despair
ing of a revival, when lo ! the work of
Grate deepened, many wctV made to
feel the deep, solemn, mejyporg words
of the two pastors, for the dear Bro.
Wootten, of the Methodist Episcopal
cha r eb, kindly consented It) lend his
assistance, and, under thecombiced in
fluence of the two, not many were left
unmoved.
There never was a meeting in the
hands of a greater worker tbas our
pastor. Many were surprised that he
could stand as much as he did. 1m
mediately after breakfast he would
start, with rapid step, frolff house to
house, door to door, until, at 10 a. m.,
he would gather all at a prayer-meet
ing. After dinner, again he would
start, pi rliaps, in anol her direction, not
slighting the meanest hovel in our town.
He talked, read, prayed and exhorted
each and everyone, and I venture to
say to day there is not a house in the
town of Ringold that he has not visi
ted at some time during thoj^petuig.
Well, Mr. Editor, this is what our
town needed, and the meeting got bet
ter and more feeling, and ons night there
were eleven conversions.
O, you cannot imagine the deep and
solemn feeling that prevaded the holy
sanctuary, unless you could have heard
with us the deep and solemn tones of
the organ (for this was one revival we
did not discard the organ, and I shall
ever be in favor of organs a& revivals
hereafter) breathe fixrth thcrwfcreaning
'Virds “jVl'mist t'eaL Adod “ t-’a-s
ty gioftle SaraYir. y-‘
O, how vividly came to m* mind a
certain series of meetings in a little
town not far from Atlanta, when so
many were being made to feel they
were lost, and how anxiously they
awaited the invitation, and listened to
the sweet words of “Pass me not," and
how deeply felt their meaning, as a
certain dear minister, we shail never
forget, brother Faekler, would invite
mourners to come forward. No won
der I was a little warmed ;ip as all
these thoughts atid feelings of the past
canto struggling "thickly up for utter
ance.”
Th latter part of the first week of the
meeting I cared nothing about these
things—was only slightly interested in
the meeting, hut I’ll tell you, before
the close of the meeting, to express it
as I heard my pastor, “I had the har
ness on, and was working beautifully.”
Well, to mv regret, the meeting closed,
after continuing this week/thirteen
being baptized and many others pro
fessing conversion. Our pastor prooeed
itnmediately down to a country church
about three miles from Ringgold, out
on the old Alabama road, named
“Pleasant Grove," and that night, after
having takeu a hasty bite or two of
supper with your correspondent, as her
home was about half-way ground,
preached a glorious sermon, aud beiug
just out of a revival almost had a
revival; many came up for prayer.
For two or three days, all feemed to
be quite indifferent, and 1 gave up the
last ghost of a hope of a revival, as from
the third sermon our dear pastor came
down, closely hhltoning' up,
looking, as he felt, quite cold and
hopeless, and asked if the brethren
wished the meeting continued or clos
ed. I laughingly told him I guessed I
would have to hurry home, make a fire
and take a dose of quinine to prevent a
chill, after that meeting. Anywav,
next day we all got warm, got good, felt
happy, and from that day I date one of
the most glorious, wonderful, feeling
meetings I ever witnessed. I have
been to a great many meetings —Meth-
odist, Baptist, Presin ertiati, and others,
but never iu my life' saw anything like
ibis meeting at the Baptist church at
Pleasant Grove.
The oldest members say they never
knew the like before. All were happy ;
some laughed, some cried, some prayed,
some talked, some thirught, ♦tut, taken
all together, it was good. There was
no ceremony or formality. All sat still
and listened when the ministers preach
ed, l ut when they called for the mourn
ers, none were idle. All were working
bees then. Aud every sinner was
alked to, was persuaded, aud some
times, yes, often, yielded to tuese per
suasions. Oh, it did the heart good to
hear the many strong voices unite in
the good cld “Bound for the Promised
Land !” and “I’m on my journevhome.”
I see am very deficient in descriptive
powers, but., Mr. Editor, if I could see
you, I know I could interest you for
two hours on this subject. I never
knew anything to equal it, and when I
begin to try to write about it, my
thoughts run away with my pen. As
all things must close so ended our
two week’s meeting, baptizing thirty
one, (one more to baptize,) and eight
being received into the church by letter.
You can imagine how interesting it all
was, when I tell you I know a young
lady who walked ten miles, through
rain and shine, and never missed hut
two sermons, and felt compelled to stop
then to rest.
Now, after all the "good meeting is
over, and we have not yet quit telling
to each other the “good tidings of sal
vation,” and our M. E. brother, Mr.
Wootten, began a protracted meeting
in Ringgold at the M. E. church, and
it is, every service, becoming more and
more interesting. I only tore myself
away long enough to come out home, a
mile in the country, towrite you all the
good news about tike bad, terrible,
wicked place. you have
heard so much from, ihe place where
there were so many bar-rooms, drunken
men, bad boys, etc., but I do hope that
this meeting will godft until there will
not be a man or boy, that will swear an
oath, and not a drop of liquor in town,
even in case of sickness, for we had all
rather be sick than have so much
whisky. I trust that all will be
changed, persuaded and converted.
Now, Mr. Editor, you need not pub-,
lish what I have written, but do let The
Index know how good we all feel up
here, and not less happy than the
others, is your same old correspondent,
Ola.
I For h Index n<l Baptise
PAYING TUB PBKACUKB.
Dbaa Index—The diversity of opinion
among members of the churches in regard to
paying preachers is not only astonishingly
great, but the different phases under which
this diversity shows itself is really ludicrous.
Friday last was the day appointed by a cer
tain church to decide upon a pastor, and ac
cordingly, at 10 o’clock that morning, about
one-fourth of the church.convened for the pur
pose. The church had already, at her last
meeting, elected the present pastor by a fnii
unanimous vote, but, in view ot the hardness
of the times, had reduced his salary. If we
are not mistaken, a majority ot the sisters
present, and one brother, voted against reduc
ing the pastor's salary ; but the brethren won
the day, it being considered a strong argument
in favor of so doing, “that it was better to pay
a small sum promptly than to undertake to pay
a larger one aud fail,” the pastor’s words even
being quoted to the eflect "that it was not so
much the amount psid.him as the certainty ot
getting that amount.”! The brethren found
themselves mistaken, liowever, in regard to
that jaunt, fyr when Acommittee waited up
■4'h.4i*‘ iPppo of gJmACtjgp *4
rite chufeh, tlley f<.uiicn*|iu quite iiSwillingyto
accede to the terms. Tfle amount was of some
importance, and he kindly, but firmly, refused
to serve them at the reduced rates, at the same
lime stating the exact amount for which he
would pr< ach for the church. Now, this say
ing exactly what a man will preach for is just
what some members, not of this church only,
but of others also, don’t like. They hold, and
think they have Scripture for it, that a preachs
er has no right to stale his terms, but should
leave it tothe chinch to determine what amount
they are able to pay him. They admit he
should be paid, but contend that this salary
business is making merchandise of the gospel
and vastly destroying a preacher’s usefulness.
There are some few preachers who hold, and,
perhaps, teach this doctrine. Some of the
members argue that if a man is called to
preach, and feels like th# great apostle, “Wo
is me if I preach not the gospel,” that he can
not help it ; he must and will preach, trusting
to the Lord for his recompense. Others again
think this regular valuing of the gospel at
dollars and cents has a tendency to weaken, if
not sever that fine bond of union, that Chriet
like feeling of love which should exist between
a pastor and his charge. Says one who thinks
thus, “If he visits me when I am sick, and of
fers up a prayer at my bedside, the thought
will intrude itself, *he does this for pay ; out
side of money he has no love for nor interest
in my soul.' i cannot prize his visit like I j
would if he went about like the Master, doing j
good, ‘for nothing.’ ” Tne weakest argument
i tiered, uneshowing an amount of ignorance
unparalleled in this enlightened age of our
country, was something like this: “I come
here meeting after meeting for nothing; why
can’t he do the same V”
Well, as betore said, the church mentioned
agreed to meet on Friday, and, as the members
gathered slowly, the custom usually with coun
try churches, there was ample time for discuss
ing the matter before Jthe meeting opened
Ihe brethren collected on one side of the
house, and talked freely, finding out each oth
er's ideas. _ The sisters did the same on the
other. Your humble correspondent was
among the latter class. Old and young, dill
erent ages and sizes, composed the group that
occupied the door steps, and, as she took a place
beside them, after pleasant salutations, the
subject sprang up. The first semen *we uq
wtltingiy threw out on the matter ooened sim
ultaneously our eyes, and a little run of fire in
the shape of quaint, old fashioned and some
times amusing expressions of opiuion. These
opinions embodying the arguments enumerated
above, with the addition of many ottiers, more
ludicrous than reasonable, came,alike from all,
the girl, the matron and the gray-haired moth
er. W e had no idea until that morning how
many Hardshell Baptists were among us. We
came pretty near being vanquished with such
an array of numbers and wisdom against us,
and what influence that little rattle of femi
nine tongues had upon the meeting we are
not able to say. Weonly kuow,oneold lady,
who said she should vote against giving the
pastor another cent more,’’ put down Iter
name for twenty-five cents when the members
were subscribing how much each would give
in order to raise his salary. We timidly ven
tured the assertion, “that there was no woman
but what could help to pay her pastor, eveu if
she had to knit a pair or two of socks to do it,’’
when lo! we were completely demolished by
a quaint, sober-sided, but hearty-looking
sister, who, casting a vharp glance from
under her ample bonnet, triumphantly ex
claimed, ‘My .family’s large enoughto iknit
tor, and keeps me busy, without having to knit
fur him.”
. W e essayed to drop a few remarks concern*
ingour own duties and obligations under the
circumstance*, the trials, difficulties and Ire
quently hardships of the pastor’s life ; of the
laborer being worthy of his hire, and, hoping
the seed might drop into the fertile soil of some
youthful heart, and bear fruit in time to come,
but for the older ones we despaired. God
couid alone make a change there.
The church assembled in conference, and,
after a short explanatory address from one of
the deacons, and two or three prayers for Di
vine guidance, proceeded to work. The
church numbers 103 members. Eleven of the
number present subscribed all of the required
salary, excepting about $27. Take out the
families of the eleven subscribers, and there
remains about sixty members to make up the
balance required.
The majority present were well pleased at
the result of the meeting, and hearts before
heavy and grieved were now light and filled
with joy at the prospect of keeping the dearly
beloved pastor. Surely there will be no diffi
culty in getting $27 from sixty members.
A wise b rother shakes his head and
says, in speaking of it, after the meet
ng, “I know all about these things ; it
will be harder to raise that small amount
than to get the sum we did this morn
ing; it’s just so, all’s about give that’s gwine
to give.” “I know,” saysa more hope
ful brother, “we’ll get every cent of it; I
have a belter opinion of my brethren, and
I’ll do my share in trying to bring each one
to his duty.
Next meeting will prove which of the two
w<h right. Good-bye was said, and all des
parted for their homes, feeling, we trust, a
stronger confidence in Him who worketh all
things after the counsel of His will, and a
tender, more charitable allowance for each
other’s faults and failings. Notwithstanding
their many infirmities and idiosyncrasies,
Baptists do abound in love for each other.
Aunt Edith.
Far ths Index and Baptist.|
HKPHZIBUI ASSOCIATION.
The Hephzibah Association com
menced its annual session on Friday,
the 21st inst, with the Rocky Creek
church, five miles west of Waynesboro.
Though the rain was falling in torrents,
all the day, a large proportion of the
delegates and a considerable congrega
tion were present at the hour appointed
for organization. Brother Patterson,
of Augusta, did not arrive in time, on
account of the storm, and his sermon
was deferred until 11 o’clock on Satur
day, and the body proceeded to organ
ize.
Rev. W. n. Davis was elected mod
erator, and Rev W. M. Verdery clerk.
This is a live Association. The daughter
of the old “Georgia” is following near by
in the footsteps of the mother. Mod
erator, clerk, ministers and members
are not a whit behind the chiefest of
such bodies. It has between thirty-five
and forty churches. The missionary,
introductory and other sermons preach
ed by the members, and the various
reports of the usual committees, were
characterized by a high degree of ex
cellence, and are seldom excelled.
The funds sent up by the churches
were i)ot so large, perhaps, as usual,
but they made it up at the meeting.
They gave the Corree bonding Secretary
If Mission Biard, inrasb and
pledges, nearly SOOO, afad a ebnsidera-
Lile amount was raised for the other
Boards, in all about $1,200.
They transact business in an admir
able spirit of courtesy, kindness and
love. The Rocky Creek church is one
of the oldest in the region.
Waynesboro is a beautiful and im
proving place, having now a population
of over 1,000 inhabitants, and is raps
idly on the increase. It receives about
7,000 bales of cotton, and has a flour
ishing business. There is no Baptist
church in Waynesboro, though there are
between twenty five and thirty Baptists
living in the place, of fiue social posi
tion, whose nearest church is ive miles
away. This ought not so to be.
The surrounding country, with its
level surface, ponds and long moss im
presses one that the country is not
healthy. Oi.d Fogy.
■ ■
For the Index and Baptist.]
An “Evil"—ls llic Snnday-Sfliool Responsible
For It f
Against the tone and intimations of j
our good brother Campbell’s short ar- j
tide, in I’he Index of October 18th, I
most respectfully demur.
The idea of making the Sunday school
responsible for the absence of children
from preaching ! The idea of casting
upon the Sunday-school the blame for
the non-attendance of children upon
preaching and the ordinary services of
the churches! The idea of so connect
ing this “evil” with Sunday-schools
as to make them the cause of it! So
firmly does the good Doctor wed this
“evil” to the Sunday, school, that uuless
a “remedy” is found, he says, “it is
doubtful whether, in the long run,
Sunday-schools will prove to" be a
blessing or a curse !” He conveys the
idea, unmistakably, that, in “towns and
villages,” this “evil" is inseparably
connected with Sunday-schools and a
consequence of them—in fact, a dele
terious concomitant, or outgrowth, of
Sunday-schools. This is certainly im
plied in the sentence that, “if this evil
is not remedied, it is doubtful whether
the Sunday school is a blessing or a
curse.”
Preposterous!
Bt other Campbell says :
“While the parents are in the house of God,
the children ought not to be at home or in the
streets, violating the Sabbath day, and dissi
pating the instructions they have received in
the Sabbath-school.”
And yet, forsooth, the Sunday-school
itself is made responsible for, or the
cause of the evil!
with such an “unreasonably
absurd” idea!
The Sunday-school draws children to
the sanctuary; draws more of them
than we could get there by any other
means. Can it be said, also, to driv*
thtm away, too ? On the contrary, all
Us influences and tendencies are to
keep them there. Its teachings and
general effect are such as to induce and
incline the young to attend the services
of the church and hear the Gospel.
Why, then, cast odium on the Sunday
school, because scholars do not stay to
preaching? Why make Sunday-schools
the cause of that “evil,” and, by conse
quence, a “curse” rather than a “bless
ing?” On what fair pretext can it be
made to bear the blame for this unfor
tunate course of affairs ? To state the
case fairly, brother Campbell makes
the Sunday-school itself responsible—
(virtually the cause) —because “a large --
majority of the children, on being dis
missed, retire at once to their homes or
elsewhere, and fail to attend on the
preaching of the Gospel and the ordin
ary services of the churches.”
Admitting the statement to be true,
generally, and I
strenuously object to the
itself being made the
this offence.
Though not stated, I imagine the
“true inwardness” of brother C.'s ar
ticle is: First, the Sunday-school wear
ies and fatigues children, and thus
disinclines them to stay and hear
preaching; and, secondly, (and more
seriously) the Sunday-school is their
church, and attendance upon the school
relieves them of the obligation to
attend the regular church services.
The result is, the “evil” of which
brother Campbell complains—the log
ical conseguence of which is, that the
Sunday-school itself is an “evil,” b) an
application of the well known adage
“f ike produces like."
Heuce, I strannously object to his
making the Sunday-school the cause of
this “evil.” I object to this “evil” be
ing made a necessary or inseparable
concomitant or result of the Sunday
school proper.
Put the blame where it belongs, r
brother Campbell! Put it on the
shoulders of those who preach Colnm
biad sermons —discourses long, dull,
dry, uninteresting and wearisome to
children ' Put it on the shoulders of
those parents who sit calmly “in the
house of God” aud permit their chiN
drtn to stay at home or iu the streets :
Put it, if you please, on the shoulders
of Sunday-school teachers and superin
tendents who do not coutinuaily make
special efforts to induce the scholars to
remain and hear preaching !
A pastor should be ashamed to eom
plain because the Sunday-school schol
ars do not remain to hear him preach ;
lor it is a virtual admission that he has
visible evidence, every Sabbath, of his
being, to the young, a dull, wearisome
aud uninteresting preacher. I felt actu
ally ashamed for a very good friend of
mine, who, in one of our State Sunday
pi Co>vention.-.made thyver^
Children love
‘liieui children’s preaching, and they will
flock to it. Give them preaching they
can appreciate, and they will attend
regularly. Make church services more
attractive and interesting to the young ;
let parents and Sunday-school teachers
do their full duty in the premises, and
you will not find the children absent
from church services. I can distinctly
remember when a now sainted mother
carried all her children to the Suuday
school, and afterwards took them into
the same pew with herself and kept
them there during the regular church
services.
Pray, do not decry or disparage the
Sunday-school, because of dereliction
in oth* r quarters 1 I atn forced to
conclude that brother Campbell has
written inconsiderately, if not unad
visedly, and I am compelled to object
to the tone and intimations of hisl'ttle
article; but I do so with due respect
and consideration for him personally.
In another article, I wish to reply to
some other of his intimations, and, at
least, try to relieve the Sunday-school"*
of the opprobium cast upon it.
S. Boykix.
Macon, Ga.
For the Index and Baptist.]
quarterly Kepart ot Bey. F. M. Hrygood.
F. M. Hay good received from July
l-’h to October 31st, 1677, for Georgia
Baptist State Mission Board as followup
Holly Springs, Hall couuty, Georgia,
$2-55; Htwassee, Towns county, 1.75;
Hiwassee Association, 3.45; Ebem ser,
Union countv, -5.75; Morgantou, Fan*
‘bincounty, 1 Ot) ; Xotley River Associa*
non, 1.70 ; Eltjay Association, 85 cents;
Ddwsouviiie, Dawson county, 10 cents;
Rev. J. A. Harris, agent, 2 75; Appa-
Uchee Association (sent up), 10 25;
Appalachee Association, (collected),
?R5; Appalachee Association, (by -JN ,
vote), 5 00 ; Heardmont, Elbert couuty,
•5 00; Heardmont, (colored people) Ei —-
nett couuty, 1.00; A. H. Partis, Hart
couuty, 60 eeuts; Airs. E. Craft and
children, Hart county, 75 cents; two
friends, Hart county, 30 ; Hartwell,
Hart county, 2.25; Flat Woods, Elbert
county, 1.30 ; Elberton, Elbert county,
8 00; Autiocb, Eibert county, 155;
D ititelsville, Madison, county, 105
Uniou, Madison county, 3.30 ; Cabin
Creek, Jackson countv, 95 cents, fetal
for quarter, e.c., ?75,35.
Submitted. F. M. Hayoood,
Conyers, Oot. 31, 1*77. Evangelist.
—The Brooklyn Liy College opened on the
evening of October 16th, with an address by
Dr. Dnryea. The object of the institution is to
train laymen for greater usefulness in the
church. All who express thedeeire far greater
usefulness are admitted so tne obegi l
eleven hundred have been "graduated, ’’ and
- now oceupying various spheres in the
Christian work.