Newspaper Page Text
The Gmristian Index
TTTB! par"H-PTrET-vaj liotth.ili at t— a A-m. e
VOL. .{-—NO. 24.
Table oKonlenti.
First Paok.—Alabama Department: Record of
State Events; Baptist Statistics; Death of Rev.
W. A. lawton, of I.awtonville, S. C.; Spirit
of the Religions Press; Letter from Macon;
General Denominational News: A Wish—Po
etry; eto.
Second Page Our Pulpit: “When Thou art
Converted ” —Sermon by Rev. W. M. Howell,
Cutlibert, Ga. Why—Poetry. Our Correspond
ents : “ Let us Reason Together ”; A Good
Remedy ; Dedication of the Church atKeune
saw ; An Erroneous Opinion of “ Professor ”;
A Satred Trust; Wholesome Influences. Se
lections : Lead Me, O Lord—Poetry ; Spur
geon—A Pen Picture of the Great Baptist
Minister-
Third Paoe.—The Word of God—Poetry. Mis
sion Department: Letter from Italy— Rev;
George B. Taylor; The Evils iu the Churches
and the Cause of It—Emanuel K. Love ; Rome
Chapel—H A Topper,
Fourth Page.—Editorial: Roman Catholicism
in Georgia—Rev. H. C. Hornady; The Church
Mission—Rev. J. M. Wood; Church Polity—
Dr. P. H. Mell; Georgia Baptist News; Rome
House of Worship; Aged Ministers’ Fund;
The Albany Church—Rev.'D. E. Butler.
Fifth Page.—Visit to the Northern Baptist An
niversaries—Dr. W. T. Brantly. Secular Edi
torials: Transactions of’The Georgia State
Agricultural Society; Deliverance in Sight; Dr.
Janes Re-appointed; Personal?; A Valuable
Product; Praiseworthy Enterprise; A Worthy
Officer; Buford; Georgia News; etc.
Sixth Page.—The Sunday-School: First Quar
ter Review—Seven Old Testament Periods—
Lesson for Sunday, Jane 30, 1878. Help for
the Destitute Sunday-Schools.
Seventh Page.—A Needy Brother—Appeal for
Rev. W. L. Fore, by the Church at Henry's,
Hart County, Georgia.
Eighth Page. Florida Department: Florida
Missionary' Ground; Gratification—Acknowl
edgment: etc. Tribute of Respect. Obitu
aries. Advertisements.
INDEX AND BAPTIST.
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT.
Troy is improving rapidly.
Montgomery county owes 11429,934.03.
There are 105 pupils at Union Springs In
stitute.
Genl. Geo. P. Harrison has declined to be
candidate for Congress in his district.
Large shipments of wool have been made
from Troy, during the present feason.
The news from all sections of the State indi
cates large crops of corn and cotton.
Howard college commencement exercises
took place last week.
Scarlet fever prevails at Claiborne, Monrce
county.
The entertainment at Union Springs, in be
half of the Orphans’ Home, netted $lO5.
The Methodists of Dadeville, have just con
cluded a protracted meeting.
Cullman county has an organized Fruit
Growers’ Association.
Work on the new Baptist church at Roan
oke, in Randolph county, is progressing.
Anew organ has been supplied for the Bap
tist church at Carrollton.
The North East Alabama Agricultural and
Fair Association has been organized at Talla
dega.
The oat and wheat crops have been very
abundant, surpassing in most localities the
expectations of the most sanguine.
Anew post-office called “Hewitt” has been
established on the Birmingham and Jasper
road, six miles from Jasper.
A man by the name of Hubbard, from
Georgia, was drowned recently in Jefferson
county.
Rev. R. A. Young, of Nashville, has been
requested to preach the commencement ser
mon at Athens Female Institute.
Prof. A. M. McLaughlin was drowned in
the Alabama river, at Lower Peachtree, on
the 30th ult.
. ♦ -m
The people of Montgomery are earnestly
agitating the question of building a cotton
factory.
A revival of religions has been in progress
at Gadsden in the Methodist church. Quite a
large number have professed conversion.
Prof. J. K. Thompson, for many years
principal of Marion Female Seminary, has
leased the Wilcox Female Institute at Cam
den.
Senator Cobb has resigned his senatorial
office, having been nominated for Governor
of the State by the late Democratic Conven
tion at Montgomery.
Capt. F. S. Ferguson will deliver the an
nual address before the literary societies of the
Southern University, at Greensboro, on the
2d of July.
Augustus McGehee, the assistant postmas
ter at Seale, who plead guilty to some serious
irregularities, has been sentenced to six
months in the county jail. Avery light pen
alty.
The wheat and oat crops of Alabama have
been harvested, and a good yield rewards the
proprietors in all sections of the State. The
rust did not accomplish the injury appre
hended.
THE SOUTH-WESTERIT BAPTIST,
of Alabama.
BAPTIST STATISTICS.
From the New York Herald, of the 26th.,
we obtain some interesting statistics in relation
to the Baptist Denomination in several of
the States. In the Slate of New York there
are 873 Baptists churches, valued at $7,529,810,
on which there is a debt of $701,238. The
members who worship in these churches week
ly are estimated at 112,310. The amount
paid in 1877 for the support of public
worship was $788,904, and for improve
ments on church property $199,037. The
sum contributed for missionary and other ob
jects of benevolence amounted to $144,684.71.
Besides this sum, teachers and scholars of Sun
day-schools contributed for benevolence $23,-
439.65.
In Ohio there are 613 Baptist churches and
447 ministers. Michigan has 324 churches
and 298 ministers. Illinois has 948 churches
and 698 ministers. Wisconsin has 198 churches
and 127 ministers. lowa has 393 churches
and 330 ministers. Pennsylvania has 525
churches and 487 ministers. Massachusetts has
290 churches and 327 ordained ministers, and
a membership of 49,410.
Georgia has the largest membership of any
of the States, the number being 205,306. Vir
ginia is next as to members, having 184,026.
North Carolina has 158,075. Kentucky has
156,086. Arkansas has 44,618. Wisconsin
has 12,386 members. New York has the
greatest number of any Northern State, the
same being 112,050, and leads all the States
in the amount of contributions to home wor
ship, missionary and other benevolent objects,
having the last year contributed $1,058,781.
Massachusetts gave $642,425. Illinois gave
$159,763. Connecticut gives $167,381. Ar
kansas is credited with only $176,900. Wis
consin paid last year for the support of the
Gospel $111,575. Michigan contributed for
the same purpose $186,440. Pennsylvania
has 63,850 members.
The entire number of Associations
reported in the United States is 1,048;
Churches 28,908 ordained ministers 14,-
596, and church members 2,024,224. Sun
day-sbools, 10,492 ; with teachers and schol
ars, 903,367. Total contributions last year
$3,318,388, being $1,500,000 less that the
contributions for 1876.
The total number of Baptists in the world is
estimated as 2,472,790, with 28,513 churches
and 17,931 ministers. These are united in 1,132
Associations in America, including Canada,
and the West Inuia Islands claim 1,071
Associations, 24,602 churches, 15,173 or
dained ministers and 2,116,969 members.
The English Baptists are credited with
41 Associations, 1,620 churches and 3,408
chapels, 2,017 ordained ministers, 269,836
members and 370,320 Sunday-school pupils.
The Missionary cause is the chief benev
olence of this as of other denominations.
Home missions are now being prosecuted
among the Indians of the United Stutes, the
German, Scan linavian and English speak
ing foreigners, and the freedmen; and For
eign Mission work in Mexico, Italy, China,
Burrnah and Japan. Besides missionary ef
forts are about to be inaugurated in the in
tenor of Africa.
There are among the American Indians
90 churches, 105 native pastors, and 5,297
church members. The additions to these
churches by baptism last year were 457.
An encouraging feature in the mission work
among the Indians is the fact that six dif
ferent wild tribes are now begging the Chris
tian Indians for missionaries and mission
schools. There are, also, in the Indian
country 48 Baptist Sunday-schools, with
139 officers and teachers and 1,345 scholars,
which during the last year contributed for
benevolent purposes, $373.48. One-tenth
of the Indians of the United States are de
nominated Christian, but fully three-fourths
are in a state of absolute heathenism.
There are in the United States under
iiaptist supervision 51 Academies, having
4,286 students and over $1,000,000 in pro
perty ; 34 Colleges with 4,144 students and
property valued at $4,493,000. In the li
braries of these Colleges are 136,000 volumes;
9 Theological Seminaries with 450 students
and property valued at $806,000. These
have in their libraries 03,000 volumes. The
total number of students in the Baptist ins
titutions of the United States is 0,533, of
whom 573 arc now candidates for the min
istry.
The Baptists have 52 periodicals, of which
35 are weeklies, 12 monthlies and 5 semi
monthlies.
Commencement exercises at Mossy
Creek Baptist College, near the village
of Mossy Creek, East Tennessee, began
on the Ist instant, the commencement
sermon being delivered on that day by
Dr. N. B. Goforth, president of the
college, in the absence of Itav. W. A.
Keen, who was expected to deliver it.
Monday and Tuesday were devoted to
the examination of the classes, which
was critical and the results highly com
plimentary to both students and insti
tution.
On Wednesday, Prof. Brown, of
Branner Female College, delivered the
annual address before the Alumni As
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, JUNE 80, 1878.
sociation. This was a splendid effort
and well received. Subject: “ Lost
Thoughts.” The joint discussion of
the two societies took place Wednesday
night. The disputants acquitted them
selves with much ability. Thursday,
commencement day proper, was the
occasion of several fine speeches.
The degree of A. B. was conferred
on several,*ind that of D. D. on Rev.
W. D. Mayfield, editor of tho Baptist
Reflector.
Death of Rev. W. A. Lawton, of Lawtourllle,
South Carolina.
A few weoks ago, wo published an account of
the life aud birthday-dinner of Mrs- Sarah Law
ton, of Robertvillo, South Carolina, iu which ac
count was mentioned the services conducted by
her youngest son at the close of tho day on
which her birthday-dinner occurred. Tho fol
lowing notice, taken from tho Baptist Courier of
South Carolina, w illconvey some idea of the char
acter and preaching of this youngest Hon of the
venerable old lady of whom wo wrote. The fami
ly, as they one by one, clobo their eyes upon all
earthly objects, and bid adieu to weeping chil
dren and grandchildren, they as surely open
them to behold the glories of the Celestial Cily,
and to become re-united with thoso who havo
preceded them in the race to the upper and
bettor world;
REV. WISBORNE ASA LAWTON.
Tho death of l!ov. Winborno Asa Lawton,
which cccuied at his rosidenco near this place on
the night of February 28, 1878, has already been
noticed by many papers and other periodicals,
both religious and secular, but in view of the
fact that he was indeed a “working Christian,"
that the greater portion of his long life was de
voted to tho service of bis Heavenly Master, it
appears to me that no place could be found for a
brief sketch of his life more appropriate than
the columns of the Baptist Courier. This con
sideration, in connection with tho fact that long
intimate associations with the people of this
vicinity pointed to him as the connecting link of
our past and present history as a church, has
induced mo to solicit space in your paper for a
brief, imperfect sketch of the life and character
of our venerable father in Israol.
Born anel reared uo&r this placo, with the ex
ception of a brief absence in the section below
us known as May river, it had been bis constant
home. Joiuing the church in early life, he soon
became impressed with the conviction that his
services were required in the pulpit. He did
not shrink from the duties and responsibilities
which such position imposes, but with an ear
nest desire to discharge his whole duty, and with
an liumhio confidence in the Redeemer, lie at
once engaged in tire work, and for more than
fifty years preached faithfully and acceptably.
A faithful, zealous friend, liberal in his views,
charitable in his opinions, he was much esteemed
and beloved by all. But it was as a Christian,
that his character shined most. In a short
sketch like the present, we can only hope to
hint vaguely at a very few of tl e many noble
qualities he possessed. Genial and kind-hearted,
he united or embodied in liis life the porfect
gentleman and the humble Christian.
With the exception, of his brief absence, be
fore alluded to, he officiated as pastor of the
Lawtonville (formerly Pipe Creek) church. Pos
se. Heil of a powerful frame and blessed with al
most uninterrupted health, he was competent to
endure much fatigue, and thoHe who knew him
can testify that he froely taxed the energies of
mind and body in the great work to which he
w-as called. Even after he had passed his four
score years, Sabbath after Sabbath he was
punctually at, his post, and no ordinary inclem
ency of weather wo Id keep him from tho
church at the hour for service. Asa preacher,
he was earnest and powerfully effective. His
style was rather argumentative than ornate.
Seldom rising to tho loftiest bights of oratory,
he never descended to common place. Of pleas
ing address, his langnago was simple, his
ideas were profound, his illustrations apt, his
arguments conclusive, and you felt when you
hoard him that you had to do with one who felt
the importance of his work; with one who used
his own observing and rellecting powers, while
he reverently sought Divine aid ; who w-as orig
inal in his conceptions and untrammeled in their
utterance.
But not only in the pulpit was he a power. In
his pastoral visits, he included all, and wherover
he went, a holy atmosphere seemed to surround
him, and we always felt better for his presence.
When a good man dies it is always a great loss:
but when the sod rumbles on the coffin-lid of
such an one as liev. W. A. Lawton, tho commu
nity not only sustains an irreparable loss, but
we are almost constrained to regard it a public
calamity. For years previous to Ids death, it
was his custom, on tiie 23d day of Juno, in each
succeeding year, to call together his children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren; and
one who witnessed this assemblage could never
forget the grateful happiness, the mingled fear
that this might he the last meeting, and the
hopeful looking for its return with cheerful res
ignation to the will of God—all clearly expressed
in the countenance of tho dear old man.
But he is gone ! No more do we see his well
beloved form. We miss his silvered locks, as
from the pulpit he delivered his Master’s mes
sage. In his eighty-fifth year, with his harness
on, he calmly fell asleep, arid rests with his
Redeemer. May our last end be like his. nis
impressive funeral services were conducted by
Bov. Joseph A. Lawton, assisted by Bev. J. M.
Bostick. A large attendance evidenced the
deep, heartfelt sorrow at Ids loss. The body
was borne from the church to the cemetery ad
joining, and placed beside the dear wife who had
gone before him, there to await the resurrec
tion. We miss thee, dear ohl friend! We feel
the loss deeply—oh ! how deeply /—but rejoice
at tho assurance that our less is thy eternal
B a | n - A Friend.
Lawtonville, 8. C., April 15, 1878.
Duncan McFarlan Graham, E*q.,a vener
able and esteemed citizen of Bullock county,
died on the Ist of June. lie wag the father
of Capt. J. C. Graham a prominent politician
of Alabama.
A meeting of the officers and teachers of
the several Sunday-schools of Selma, was
held last week, for the purpose of making
preparations for the 6ur.day-school Conven
tion which will meet in that city in July.
Appropriate committees were appointed.
Mr. Augustus McGhee, deputy postmaster
at Seale, Ala., has been detected as a depreda
tor upon mail matter, and having been arrest-'
ed with decoy matter in his possession, has
confessed to his crime. He is said to be a
man of fine intellignce, and up to this devel
opment, one of high standing.
Spirit of the Religoius Press,
The Illustrated Christian Weekly furnishes
Ihe following;
Believe the Bible: learn from it what it
reveals of man’s sinfuine°s, and the way of
salvation from sin through Jesus Christ.
But remember that this belief iB intellectual;
that in order that you may be saved it must
lead you to trust in Christ, as a person, the
God Man, the Saviour of them that believe,
lo believe the Bible intellectually is a good
tiling, a necessary thing, as the scaffold is
necessary in erecting a building. To trust
Christ is another thing, and if you are saved
it will he only through this entire trust in the
Lord Jesus. If you ask how shall I trust?
our only answer can be, ask God to teach you.
No one ever yet, in humbleness of mind and
with a sense of need, asked him in vain.
The National Baptist supplies us with
the annexed reminiscence of Sunday-school
history, which will, no doubt, astonish a
majority of our readers :
In the earlier days of the Sunday-school, it
was needful to pay the teachers. We have
before us two receipted bills, found among the
papers of the late Dr. David Benedict, of
Pawtucket, K. 1., acknowledging the receipt
of money as payment for teaching in the
Sunday-school. One bill dated Pawtucket,
March 1, 1820, reads:
Sunday-school Society,
_ To A. B. , Dr.
ror teaching the Sunday-school,
18 Sabbaths SIB.OO.
We have reason to be thankful that
now there are 894,793 men and women in
America who feel it a privilege to teach every
Sabbath in the Sunday schools.
— Zion’s Herald says :
“The great want of the hour is warm, lov
ing, working and consecrated church centres,
from which shall constantly go out earnest and
effective influences. Work the varied church
appliances up to their full power, then a pure
church will confront a gainsaying world, an
active church will constantly disciple the
world, and a holy church will illusirrte the
peace and joy of the Gospel of Jestiß Christ to
the world.”
We are indebted to the Missionary Advo
cate for the following sad and startling statis
tics, which ought to arouse the energy of eve
ry Christian in the country, and cause all to
enlist for an unyielding and zealous warfare
against the great evil intemperance :
“ VVe spend in this country $700,000,000 for
intoxicating drinks every year. All the
boards of missions spend for salvation of the
world something under $6,000,000. There
is in the solemn secret. More than ten dollars
given to send men to hell, for every one to
send them the Gospel of Life.”
—An Exchange furnishes the subjoined ex
perience of a ruined young man, which ought
to piove an effective warning to boys and
young men against the danger of street asso
ciations. It should also admonish parents
to keep their little boys under the healthful
influences of home, instead of turning them
out into the streets and on the commons, to be
come morally poisoned by the associates with
whom they meet. This is a most ruinous
habit on the part of parents; and, judging
(rom the groups of boys with whom we daily
meet, on the by-ways of the city—turned
loose to do their own bidding—we do not
hesitate to say that this evil habit is far too
frequent here. Keep the boys at home :
“My street education ruined me. I used to
slip out of the house and go off with the boys
in the street. In the street I learned to
lounge; in the street I learned to swear; in
the street I learned to smoke; in the street
I learned to gamble ; in the street I learned to
pilfer and to do all evil. Oh, sir, it is in the
street tiie devil lurks to work the ruin of the
young.”
—Tiie subjoined brief extract from 'lhe Stand
ard very forcibly illustrates the importance ol
small contributions, and certainly should pre
vent any one, who will consider, from looking
with indifference upon the most minute sum
cast into the Treasury of tiie Lord. Read,
and consider how the aggregation of mites
makes millions:
“The question which needs to be answered
is, how can we induce the six hundred thou
sand members of our churches to take hold of
this work ? Allowing that one in six cf these
members is too poor to contribute anything
for the cause of missions, there are 500,000
left who might contribute one cent a week each,
or fifty-two cents a year. This would give us
$200,000 a sum which would sustain our mis
sions and keep them up to the average stand
ard of efficiency.”
—The Watchman of the 19th inst., commen
ces an able article ou “Church Discipline” in
the following quaint manner :
"We have had revivals of religion, pro
tracted meetings, and Mr. Moody ! We have
had a revival of debt-paying, the wiping out
of $30,000 and $70,000 mortgages, and Mr.
Kimball! We have had revivals of temper
ance, the pledge signed by hundreds of reform
ed men, and Mr. Murphy 1 Is it not time
that we had a revival of church discipline and
the apostle Paul.”
The writer proceeds to show that there is dan
gerous negligence in respect to this subject, and
avers that it is not unfrcquently the case that the
omissions of the churches to discipline way
ward members finds rebuke in the criticisms
of the men of the world. He regards the fact
that only eighty-two exclusions are reported
for last year in the seventy-two churches com
posing the two Boston Associations, into
which there were received last year 2,330
members, strongly indicative of too much
leniency towards offenders, and cites a num
ber of instances of positive neglect in support
of his suspicions. We trust he is wrong in
hie reproofs since if he is, it shows a condition
of purity and piety in those churches that
should rejoice every Christian heart.
THE CHRISTIAN HEEALD
of Tennessee,
A Noble Charity Wisely Applied.
On the occasion of the recent marriage
of Mr. W. W. Astor, in New York
city, his mother, Mrs. J. J. Astor, do
nated tp the Children’s Aid Society of
that city the sum of $1,500, which
was promptly applied in behalf of one
hundred poor and homeless boys. These
little fellows, who, by the untoward
circumstances of birth, were crowded
into the low tenements which were
known as hot beds of vice and crime,
were taken by the hands of philan
thropy and transplanted iu homes in a
distant State, where, with the blessings
of a moral atmosphere and religous
training, many may grow up to use
fulness and happiness.
For the Index and Baptist.)
LETTER FROM MACON.
Brother S. Boykin promised to write
you a letter telling of the merciful
work of grace in Macon, during the
months of April, May and part of June.
I write merely to say that the results
are fifty eight baptized and others re
ceived for baptism. The additions by
letter will probably reach twenty.
Never did a church receive a greater
blessing in the quickening of its mem
bers, and in bringing out the working
force of the people of God.
All pray in public. The new con
verts respond when called on to pray;
a dozen old ones who heretofore had
not opened their mouths in prayer re
sponded when called on. Several of
the new converts prayed before they
were baptized. Several cases of resto
ration responded when called on, im
mediately after confessing their back
slidings and asking for the prayers of
the brethren.
There have been over one hundred
conversions in connection with our con
gregation ; the ingathering is not
finished, the revival is not ended,
though tlie meetings closed on Satur
day the 15th June. More than two
hundred souls have united with the
various churches in the city. The
preaching was done by Dr. Teasdale,
who is the best preacher I have ever
heard as an evangelist.
It seems that two elements are neces
sary for an evangelist— brass and phys
ical endurance. He has them. Like
Rev. Reuben Jones, of Virginia, I think
that brass is an indispensable element
of success in character. The ordinary
hearer stops to criticise such a preacher,
but the more intelligent observer dis
covers the art of the master who un
derstands full well human nature, and
all the avenues which lead to its cen
ters of influence. That Dr. Teasdale
so uses his gifts in order to intercept
the sinner, is evident from the fact
that iu private intercourse, the “old
man eloquent” is as docile as a child,
and as sweet as a woman. “Dear, good
old man,” our brethren all called him,
and they remembered him most af-
fectionately and liberally in their vol
untary benefactions to the amount of
hundreds of dollars, about which he
had the good sense to say nothing, hut
“thank you dear brethren.” Of course
if a church will not work with him not
much will beaccomplished. But happy
is that people who will secure the ser
vices of this evangelist with the purs
pose to work together with him.
Dr. Teasdale preached three weeks
for me in Raleigh, North Carolina, in
the year 1856, and I feel confident he is
a better preacher now than then, and
stranger yet, that he can endure more
labor and fatigue now, in his seventieth
year, than he could twenty-two years
ago. He does not set aside the pastor;
he does no dictate, save to the sinner,
and then in the terms and on the con
ditions of the Master himself. Out of
more than eighty sermons f heard but
one that would uot have passed as ex
cellent, and that one was before a
packed house. The failure grew out of
bis manuscript and the insufficient
light. Next morning while riding down
town I said “young man,” as I fres
quently called him, “I have somewhat
to say unto thee.” “First, you are re
quested to stop at the tailor’s, Mr. Shea’s
and have your measnre taken for a
nice suit of clothes, and then, secondly,
you are requested not to use any more
manuscripts in this pulpit.” To both
of which requests, like a little child,
he assented. Macon loves Dr. Teas
dale, and may Atlanta, under God, have
reason to say as much.
T. E. Fkinner,
Public attentfon is invited to the
card of Messrs. Gwin & Flanders,
Baltimore, to be found in another col
umn. Mr. Gwin is a brother ot Dr.
Gwin, pastor of the First Baptist
church of this city, and has had large
business experience.
The Catholic church in Tuacumbia which
was blown down in 1874, is to be rebuilt.
WHOLE NO. m.
General Denominational News.
—A Presbyterian Camp Meeting will
commence at Hog Island, Texas, on the
evening of July 12th. Rev. Stuart Robin
son, D.D., of Louisville, Ky,, and other dis
tinguished divines are expected to be pres
ent on the occasion. The Presbytery of
Central Texas meets on the 13th of July at
Prairie New Church, only a few miles dis
tant.
—An important Sunday-school Conven
tion recently convened at Rock Lick, Mar
shall county, West Virginia. The Conven
tion continued in session two days. A large
attendance and great enthusiasm. An ad
dress, full of moral injunctions, and in the
form of resolutions, was prepared for the
children of the Sunday-schools of that juris
diction. It is thought much good will be
effected by the action of the Convention.
—The annual meeting of Bibb County
(Ga.) Bible Society was held in Mulberry
Street Methodist church, Macon, on the 9th
inst.
—The A. E. M. church, (colored.) of Ma
con, has, duriug the last two weeks, expe
rienced a revival during which many pro
fessed conversion.
Rev. Dr. Robert Irvine, D.D., preached
lo a large and appreciative audience in the
Presbyterian church of Macon on Sunday
evening, the 16th inst.
—Macon has been blessed with a season of
revival for several weeks, during which
Christians have been strengthened and ma
ny sinners converted. Among the number
brought to a knowledge of the truth and to
obedience, are all ages and classes from the
child just entering upon responsibility to the
grey haired sires ripening for Ihe grave.
—All the Sunday-schools of Heard coun
ty, Ga., have determined upon a grand Un
ion Celebration at some period during the
summer, for which preliminary arrange
ments are berng made.
For the Index ami Baptist.]
A WISH,r
O, baby dear!
As yester-night you fondly laid
upon my knee your little head,
And lilted up your eyes to mine—
I hose trusting, childish eyes of thine—
I looked into their depths so deep
And wished forever I might keep
My darling boy as now tliou art
Careless in mind, and pure in heart,
My baby dear!
Forever thus!
And yet I know it cannot be.
Life will bring earnest work to thee.
Care and toil will come apace
And steal a wav thy baby g.ace.
And tliou wilt learn midst biaine and praise
More of the world, men, and their ways,
lliyself some day a man, all! me,
And never more. O God, to be
My baby dear!
Poor baby dear!
As tiincshall open wide tliine eyes,
Thou’lt\fee and learn with some surprise
llie estimate tho world doth lay
On men and things beneath its sway.
However pure thy heart may be,
However rich intellectually,
Thou’lt pass unspoken and unknown
Lest tliou have gold, the wonder-stone.
Poor baby dear!
My baby dear!
I wish these tilings might be untrue;
Flint life held better tilings for you;
Hut we will pray that God may give
Thee grace a higher life to live.
A life of pure and lofty thought,
A life with good deeds richly wiought.
True greatness let thy name adorn,
A little meanness learn to scorn
Now my baby!
If, baby dear,
Tliou canst not live a life like this,
Crowned with the joy of holiness,
And in thy manhood cannot be
A trusting, loving child to me,
K'lther than lose thee thus on earth,
Or made to sorrow o’er thy birth,
I’d give my darling back to God
1 ho’ keen and sharp tiie smiting rod,
Knowing that safe on the other shore
lie would heal way, ever more
My baby dear!
ex, , LILA,
Atlanta , June , 1878.
Somtime since, some hardened sinner en
tered the Baptist church at Decatur, and ap
propriated the Bihle. The Index presented
a copy to supply the vacancy, and we are re
warded by the following kind words, for
which we are grateful:
Decatur, Ga , June 9, 1878.
Decatur Baptist church in Conference. We
are informed by cur church clerk that The
Christian Index, through brother Jas. P.
Harrison, has contributed a nice pulpit Bible
to our church ; therefore
Resolved, The church feel thankful to the
donors. We appreciate the gift, trusting
from the teachings of the Word many will be
brought into the fold of the redeemed.
On motion, the resolution was entered on
church rtcord, and a copy furnished The
Christian Index.
W. R. Webster, Chuich Clerk.
The readers of The Index will not
fail to notice the advertisement of the
large and splendid stock of Mr. D. H.
Dougherty. Very lew merchants have
had the advantages and possess the
facilities he has for conducting a large
and successful dry goods business. He
was for twelve years connected with
and buyer for the largo wholesale house
of Silvey & Dougherty. As an Atlan.
taian he has proved hitnself an active,
efficient business man, of strict integ
rity of character, justly entitling him
to the confidence and esteem of all who
know him. We feel confident his large
advertisement contains a candid state
ment of fads, and we commend him
and his house to the favorable consid
eration and liberal patronage of a gen
erous public.