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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.