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INDEX AND BAPTIST.
EBV. D. E. BUTLEB Minting Editor.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS:
Buy 8. G. llii.lyeb, D. D Forsyth, Georgia.
Da. J. 8. Lawton Atlanta, Georgia.
Rkv. G. A. Kwallt Home, Georgia.
Editorial fontrlbntors.
Kev. P. H. Hell, D.D. L.L.D., Athens, Ga.
Rev. H. C. Hornad}’, Benola, Ga.
Rev. Win. T. lirantly, D.IJ., Baltimore, Md.
Res. J. M. Wood, Barnesville, Ga.
Rev. Win. C. Wilkes, Gainesville, Ga.
Rev. T. G. Jones, Nashville, Tenu.
Rev. A. J. Battle, D.l>., Macon, Ga.
We announce the brethren named as Edito
rial Contributors to The Index. Their pens
will add to the Interest of the paper, and place
The Index In the front rank of rellglousjour
nals.
Defense Of The Baptists and I)r. Teasdale.
Last week an article appeared in one of
the city papers, signed “Brotherhood.” In il
were insinuations and llings at the Bap
tists and Dr. Teasdale, our distinguished
evangelist, then conducting a series of meet
ings in the Second Baptist Church,
Dr. Teasdale, in this issue of The Index,
gives his reply. He denies all the imputa
tions of “Brotherhood,” and claims for himself
perfect soundness in the doctrines, principles
and practice of our denomination. We are
not informed, precisely, what Dr. Teasdale has
said, or done, on which the article of “Broth
erhood” is founded. So far as we knew, this
communication of Dr. Teasdale is a complete
vindication of himself from the attacks of
“Brotherhood.”
But the article of “Brotherhood” contained
more than an intimation of things wrong in Dr.
Teasdale. We quote: “The Baptists, throwing
aside the exclusiveness of a less enlightened
age, under the leadership of Dr. Teasdale, are
preparing for a more perfect Christian union,”
etc. To this statement, the ever-watchful eye
of brother J. M. Wood was directed, and he,
100, has given ns, for this issue, a defense of
our time-honored principles, in reply to
“Brotherhood.” The entire article of “Broth
erhood” is found embodied in the reply of
brother Wood.
As in nil other attacks upon the baptists, for
their so called “bigotry” and “prejudice,” tliis
attack only brings to light the clear and
impregnable principles on which our faith
and practice, since the days of John the bap
tist, are founded.
Whatever may he the specific object of
“brotherhood,” he has failed to show any
departure in I)r. Tcasdale, or the baptists of
Otis city, from the well known principles of
the baptist denomination.
Ot'KN-A tit MEKTINGB . —The open-air meet
ings held on Mott’s Green in Columbus, and
■which were inaugurated by our distinguished
brother, Dr. J. 11. Campbell, arc highly in
teresting and productive of good. Large
audiences attend them. On a recent Sunday,
liis son, Rev. A. b. Campbell, pastor of the
baptist church, preached a twenty minutes
seimon and he pleased the multitude who
gathered about him. 11 is text was the sev
enth verse of the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah :
“ Let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the Lord and lie will have
mercy upon him, and to our God for He
will abundantly pardon. ”
Dr. J. H. Campbell intends to get other
ministers to aid him in tliis good work.
There are many people who did not attend
any church, some not having a suitable place
for them, but now they go and eijoy the
meetings. God prosper the good work !
Pebsonal.— Rev. Thomas 0. Teasd&lc, Il.I).
who for Bomo time has been assisting Rev. A. T.
Spalding, D.D., of the Second baptist church,
left this city last Monday for his home in Knox
ville, Tennessee. Dr. Toasdalo's sojourn in At
lanta lias been arduously devoted to the service
of our Lord and Master, and we are sure that
great good has been done by this devoted servant
of the Cross. Be labored for three weeks, night
and day, at his wink in this State—at borne, with
brother Nunuallv; at Macon, with brother Skin
ner; and hero, with brother Spalding—and the
fruits of this labor will be seen and appreciated
by our people for many a year to come.
We are very glad to learn that Dr. Tcasdale
will return to Georgia on the 21st iust., and be
gin his important work again, with our church
at Madison. As in ablo, faithful and zealous
minister of Jesus, Dr. Tcasdale lias won the es
teem and affection of our people and we com
mend him, and liis work of love, to tho liuarts of
the brethren throughout the State.
The growth of grace in the heart may be
compared to the process of polishing metals.
First, you have the dark substance, neither
possessing or reflecting light. Presently, as
the polisher plies his wotk, you see here and
there a spark darting out, then astrong light,
till, by and by, it sends back the perfect image
of the suu which shines upon it. So the
work of grace, if begun within our hearts,
must be gradually and continually going on,
but will never be completed until the image
of God can be seen perfectly revealed in us.
Entire confidence in God is the highest
principle we can exercise—the source of our
moral strength. The moment fear enters
the mind courage droops. TVe can only be
“strong in the Lord,” not in ourselves. We
must contend habitually against every de
pressing influence, if we wish cheerfully to
encounter the trials ol daily life. “He that
believeth shall not make baste.”
Dn. T. E. Skinneb —We are glad to learn that
Mis. Skinner was so much improved by a short
visit to this city, that on Tuesday she was able
to set out for the North.
We hope our brother may realize his hopes of
restored health to his wife, and again return to
hie people in Macon, where he has already ac
complished much good in the cause of Christ.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST —n.
EVANGELISTS.
It is a fact, which is worth remembering,
that a large part of the growth of our denom
ination in Georgia is the outcome of Evan
gelistic labors. Indeed, the first Baptists who
preached in this State were Evangelists. They
were from other States. They came at their
own instance. They planted churches, or
dained deacons and preachers. They pushed
their labors far and wide thiough the desti
tute regions of the country. For sixty years
or more, Baptist preachers were in the habit
of traveling a great deal, as self-appointed
Missionaries, preaching sometimes in school
houses, sometimes in barns, sometimes in the
wild woods, and sometimes in private houses.
All this they did, too, without neglecting their
home neighborhoods, or the churches which
they served as pasters.
Too much praise cannot be given to the
self-denying men of that generation. The
times in which these men lived seemed to
demand just such a class of laborers ; and well
did they meet the demand.
Under the methods adopted by them, the
denomination has kept pace with the increase
of our population, and the extension of our
territory, till at last it lias spread over the
whole Slate and gathered within its folds
nearly 200,000 communicants. That Evan
gelistic labor was a most important fagtor in
accomplishing this grand result, no one ac
quainted with our Baptist history in Georgia
will deny. In the of hands our lathers it was
a system of Domestic Missions. Its aim was
to preach the Gospel ip every section of our
State, and its success has been worthy of the
motives in which it had its origin.
But our fathers made one mistake in their
method of Evangelistic labor. They attempt
ed to carry it on, almost entirely, without le
quital. True, such was the condition of the
country that they could scarcely avoid the
mistake. The “Macedonian Cry" came upon
them from every quarter. There were no
Boards or Committees to provide funds to
meet expenses. Those who responded to that
cry hadtodoit at their own cost. They met
the wants of the times with a spirit of devo
tion and sacrifice which is above all praise.
But it was a method which could not last.
As the churcheH multiplied, they gradually
absorbed the ministers in pastoral services,
and of coarse itinerating became less com
mon, At length (lie subject began to attract
the attention of Associations. It became a;>-
parent that, if the destitute neighborhoods
must be preached to, there should he means to
employ men to engage in that work. Accor
dingly some of the Associations, as far back
as forty or fifty years ago, employed men to
labor as Missionaries within their hounds
Next the Convention, by its Executive Com
mittee, engaged in the work of State Missions.
For a time it was transferred to the Board at
Marion, but more recently it has been again
undertaken by our Convention. The whole
management has been entrusted to the Board
of Domestic Missions. At this very time that
Board has in its employment h number of ex
cel lent, tflicieiit brethren, who are preaching
the Gospel to hundreds and thousands who
otherwise would never hear it.
The rapid glance which we have thus given
at the history of Evangelistic labor in our
State, we trust will haves tendency tocrystal
ize public favor around our State Board.
The old method filled its place and accom
plished much good; hut it was founded upon
the no requital jninciple, and was obliged to
pass away. But the present method is found
ed upon the Scriptural doctrine that “they
who preach the Gospel shall live of the Gos
pel.” To this extent there is a change in the
plan ; hut the work is the same. The Mis
sionaries of our Board are Evangelists, and
they are doing Evangelistic work. If, them
we would emulate the zeal of our fathers in
propagating the Gospel, let us do it by contrib
uting Ireely to support the Missionaries. The
present plan ia incomparably superior to the
old, for this, as well as for other important
reasons, that it enables every church member
to do something in the great work. Under
the old plan the preachers did it all. Now
every one, by the amount of his contribution,
is himself preaching the Gospel to the poor.
But what is true of our State Misaiona is true
of the whole miasionary enterprise, not only at
home, but to the ends of the earth. Missiona
ries everywhere are Evangelists, proclaiming
the way of salvation to the benighted millions
of our race. While, therefore, we would send
the Gosjiel to all the dark cornera of our own
land, let us not forget to send it to the distant
heathen. May God bless all the Boards.
W'e close this article by calling special at
tention to brother Topper’s circular, which ap
peared a few weeks ago, in behalf of the Bap
tist chapel in Kome.
That cha|>el is indispensable to the success of
our Evangelists in that great city. Georgia’s
share of the expense is estimated at SI,OOO.
It must be paid by August. When our
people remember that the propagation of Bap
tist principles in Rome is striking directly at
the very heart of the Papacy, with all its errors
and superstitions, surely they will gladly aid
in securing a house, where, under the protec
tion of a liberal government, our missionaries
can labor unmolested by bigotry ami priest
craft. John saw, in the visions of Palmos, a
mighty Angel, flying through the Heavens,
bearing the everlasting Gospel. May not this
be a symbol representing the great missionary
enterprise? ll so, shall we not rej 'ice to give
to our Evangelisls evejy facility wtiich they
need to ensure their success. Brethren, seud
your contributions for the Kome chapel at once
to brother Irwin.
There is yet another phase of Evangelistic
labor which we will notice hereafter.
The finest prospect is now with us lor
good corn crops. Will not the people make
a thunk ofleriug everywhere lor the blessing
of good grain crop's this year. Bring in
your tithes, brethren. Read the third cli li
ter of Malacbi. The mission cause every
where needs help.
Editorial Contributions on Chnrth Polity.
BY DB. P H. MELD.
CHURCH POLITY—BIGHT HAND OF FELLOW
SHIP-CONSTITUTION OF A CHUBCH.
The candidate for baptism and for admis
sion into the church having, by a recital of
Christian experience, obtained Christian fel
lowship, it is proper for that fellowship to be
manifested and expressed in some form. This
is done not only by the vote of the church
but by the right hand of fellowship. This
symbolical act, giving the right hand, has
been expressive always of confidence, and
sometimes of fellowship also. To grasp
each other by the right hand has been from
remote antiquity a mode of salutation. It
originated in barbarous times. By delivering
up mutually to each other the right hand
which wields the weapons, they gave the
pledge that they were peaceable, and meant
each other no harm. From that possibly
originated the theory of Greek and Roman
mythology that fidelity resides in the palm of
the right hand. When palm meets palm
then there is a mutual pledge of fidelity and
confidence.
The Scriptures do not inform us that the
right hand of fellowship was given to mem
bers admitted into the churches in apostolic
times. Nothing is more reasonable though
than to inler that it was; for it was a com
mon thing for it to be given in other connec
tions as an expression of fellowship. Paul,
referring to an interesting part of his own ex
perience, says, “When James, Cephas and
John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived
the grace that was given unto me, they gave
to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellow
ship ; that we should go unto the heathen,
and they unto the circumcision.” Gal. ii: 9.
Granting that the right hand of fellowship
is appropriate as a symbol in this connection,
the question is, by whom shall it be given?
—by the pastor, or by every individual mem
tier of the church? In answer, it may be said
that there are two kinds of fellowship involv
ed in the series of transactions that terminate
in the reception into all the rights and privi
leges of the church. First, Christian fellow
ship ; second, church fellowship. The foimer
is secured by a statement of Christian experi
ence ; the latter includes this and also the
idea of relationship and fraternity.
First. Who shall give the right hand of
Christian fellowship? I answer, all those
whose Christian fellowship has been secured,
and who have expressed that fellowship by a
vote. The pastor then, as a Christian, aud all
the members of the church, should give this
symbol of iraternity. And this should be
done as soon as pastor and people pass upon
the Christian ex;>erience related, and concur
in the opinion that the candidate should be
baptized.
Second. But when the profession of re
ligion has been made by baptism, and
the candidate is prepared to enter jnto
the membership previously by vote condi
tionally granted, then this should be sig
nalized by a formal and official recognition
of the fact that all the conditions have been
complied with, and also of him as one enti
tled to such membership. By the right hand
of fellowship publicly given, he should be
cordially welcomed to all the rights and priv
ileges of the church. This is lo lie done by
the pastor alone in his official relations to the
church as its authorized representative.
This act may be made impressive and useful it
accompanied by apptopriate remarks to
the new member in the presence ol the con
gregation. A suitable lime for such public
recognition is on the same day with the bap
tism, either immediately before or immediately
after the sermon. If, boweyer, there be a revi
val season, when the Lord is adding to the
church daily the saved, it may be expedient
,to give the official right hand of fellow
ship to all the new accessions together, at the
close of the protracted meeting. This is, how
ever, a matter of expediency and convenience.
Suitable remarks addressed to the newly ad
mitted, on that interesting occasion, will
never be forgotten by them, and will be very
impressive to the congregation who witness
and hear.
There are two kinds of fellowship, then,
Christian and church ; and each of these should
be symbolized and exposed by the right
hand of fellowship—the former, by the pastor
and all the members; the latter, officially,
after the baptism, by the pastor alone, in be
half of the church.
CONSTITUTION OF A CHUBCH.
Who has Ibe right to decide upon the ex
pediency of constituting anew church, and
what are the forms and ceremonies to he ob
served in such constitution? On these sub
jects we have not any direct precepts in the
New Testament. We have not even any ex
ample showing the processes of organization.
We have sufficient evidence though that such
organized bodies were formed wherever a
sufficient number of baptized believers existed.
The Scriptures make us very sure that no
church, or any company of churches, exercised
the prerogative to authorize the constitution
of anew church. The church at Jerusalem,
neither alone nor in conjunction with others
granted charters, as some human societies do,
on the authority of which new bodies were
organized. The formation of these bodies
seems to have occurred as a matter of course
wherever in new territory a sufficient number
had been converted and baptized. •On the
same principle, iu new teiruory now, any
company of baptized believers of sufficient
numbers, with the ordained minister, under
whose ministry they were converted and bap
tized, can organize themselves into a church
of Jesus Christ without waiting or asking for
any authority from any existing churches any
where on earth. Nay more, if lor any rea
son the minister by whom they were baptized
be not able to co-operate with them, and they
have among themselves information of the
Scriptures aid of church order adequate to
i liable them to organize, they need not wait
for any earthly authority. God has given
them the right to enter into church relations;
to covenant with each other to be governed by
the laws of Christ’s house; to watch over one
another in love; and to maintain public
worship and the preaching of the Gospel.
The above affirmations are to be under
stood as applicable in all their force to those
companies of baptiz-d believers away from
the territories of existing churches —as, e.g. in
the case of people converted under the minis
try of a missionary in a heathen land. The
principle remains the same, but its application
is somewhat modified in the case of a compa
ny who propose to organize themselves into a
church iu the vicinity of such bodies already in
existence. While these last have no right to
confer authority, they ought to be consulted,
and their co-operation Bought; because,
1. Their interest may be involved in the
movement. It may be proposed to weaken
them by withdrawing from them the constitu
ents of the new body. In that case comity
will be involved ; and the risk will be run of
producing alienation and confusion and di
vision, and thus damage to the cause of Christ.
2. Churches contiguous, already in existence
ought to be consulted in reference to the wis
dom and expediency of the proposed new con
stitution. It may unwisely be proposed to
erect a feeble interest that cannot possibly —
for want of snfficient material—grow into a
condition of efficiency and usefulness. This is
a question on which surrounding churches do
feel an interest, and have a right to exercise a
moral influence. The case becomes intensified
if the new organization proposes to draw mem
bers from the churches around, and to occupy
territory now held by them and needed for
their efficiency. In how many regions in our
country has the cause of Christ been crippled
since the war by the formation of little feeble
bodies, in little neighborhoods, in violation of
this principle 1 Ilow much more reprehensi
ble and deplorable is it when, through schism
and secession, churches are formed Dot only
without the concurrence of those already in
existence, hut in defiance of their dissent and
protest 1
3. It is of the first importance to all con
cerned—aud especially to the new interest—
that it should have the recognition and en
dorsement of the churches already in existence.
There are so many denominations, unhappily i
in the world, and so many shades of opinion
on faith and practice, that lo secure confidence
the new interest needs some way by which
a knowledge of its character may be communi
cated to the world, and some authoritative en
dorsement of that character as Scriptural aud
right. This is secured by asking contiguous
churches to appoint their ministers or sonic of
their members, or both, to form a presbytery
or council to be present to witness, and, b far
as legitimate, on invitation, to take part in
such organization. These presbyteries, or
councils, sometimes act as if they think it is
their prerogative to constitute a church. Here>
again, is a notion and a practice foreign to our
polity, aud drawn from ibe theory and prac
tice of the hierarchies and semi-hierarchies by
whom we are surrounded. The brethren and
sisters proposing to enter iuto the new organ
ization, constitute themselves into a church. This
they do by agreeing to articles of faith, to
show to themselves that they are of our mind,
and to prove to all others that they are of the
Scriptural faith and order; by covenanting
together to keep house for God ; that they will
mutually waich over each other in love ; that
they will maintain Scripture ordinances, pub
lic worship and the preaching of the Gospel—
in short, that they will use their individual
and combined influence for the maintenance and
dissemination of the truth. The presbytery or
council simply recognize and endorse them as
a valid church of the right faith and order.
The mistake referred lo above grows natu
rally out of the fact that as the presbytery or
council is composed of brethren more able and
experienced than those usually in the company
to be organized, it is natural that they should
be invited to take a leading part in the pro
ceedings apposite to the occasion. Besides, as
tkey are invited and aent here to look into
all the details of the organization, it is most
obvious and easy for them lo be put in con
trol of all those details. Consequently,
it is usual for the presbytery to consider
the reasons given for the organization, and
pass upon the validity of such reasons ; if sat
isfies!, to examine all the church letters held by
the company organizing; to inspect and pass
upon their articles of faith and church cov
enant ; and, if satisfied, by giviDg them the
right hand of fellowship, to make public “rec
ognition" of the fact that thsse brethren and
sisters are properly “constituted” a church of
the Scriptural faith and order. The church
“constitutes” itself; the presbytery or council
merely “recognizes," endorses and bears testi
mony of it. But whatever may be the ab
stract right, it iB never expedient for a com
pany of baptized believers to constitute anew
church when all the contiguous churches, com
posed of com|>etent and candid brethren, pro
test against il, and refuse to take part in its
recognition.
Muscogee Bibi.e Society.— The eleventh
anniversary meeting of the Muscogee Bible
Society, recently held in Columbus, was
largely attended, the members of the various
congregations in the city attending the
meeting. Mr. G. J. Peacock presided.
Among the interesting and valuable lcalures
ol the meeting, the statement of hev. Dr. J.
H. Campbell, relative to his missionary labor
throughout the city, was prominent. He
has served the cause with great energy and
success. A startling and very suggestive
fact stated by Dr. Campbell is, that in his
visits he had discovered many families with
out the Scripture. The proportion of
families without Bibles among mill opera
tives was one out of every five, and among
other lamilies in the city, one cut of every
ten.
GEORGIA BAPTIST NEWS.
—The Ministers and Deacons’ Meeting of the
Hephzibah Association will be held with Sar
dis church, commencing on Friday before the
fourth Sabbath in July. The introductory
sermon will be preached by Rev. C. H. Strick
land, of Augusta. Essays on Important themes
will be read by brethren J. H. Polhill, J. M.
Jordan, H. E. Smith, James Stapleton, A. J.
Lockhart, M. P. Cain, and J. E. Carswell.
—The Union Meeting of the western divis
ion of Mercer Association was well attended
interesting and greatly enjoyed. Its session
was held with the new Ochlockonee church,
Thomas county.
—The Ministers and Deacons’ Meeting of the
Tallapoosa Association met with the church at
Pumpkinvine, Paulding county, on Friday be
fore the fourth Sabbath in June. The intro
ductory sermon was preached hv Elder J. D-
Reed. It was resolved to hold another meet
ing of this body with Mount Zion church, on
Friday before the fifth Lord’s day in next Sep
tember, Elder William Coulson to preach the
introductory, Elder J. S. Renolds alternate.
—The Ministers and Deacons’ Meeting of
the Georgia Association will meet with the
church at New Providence, Warren county)
commending Friday, July 30th, proximo.
—The Sunday-school Convention of the Mt,
Vernon Baptist Association commenced at
Wrightsville on Friday and continued through
Sunday, the 30th nit. It was also the occasion
of a general meeting of the churches. The
attendance was quite large on Saturday and
Sunday, evincing the deep interest felt in this
grand agency of the Church of Christ. For
cible addresses were made by a number of
prominent ministers and friends of the Sunday
school cause. After an impressive sermon, by
Rev. J. J. Hyman, the Convention adjourned
to meet again at Riddleville.
—The Sunday-school Convention of the
Bethel Association was in session witli Bethel
church, Randolph county, on Friday, June
28th. It was well attended. Elder Thomas
Muse presided; Dr. B. C. Mitchell served as
clerk. Many topics of great interest were dis
cussed, and it is generally believed that the
Sunday-school cause has been decidedly bene
fitted in that community. Our esteemed eor
res]iondent, brother W. M. Howell, has favored
us with a letter on the subject of this meeting,
from which we glean the gratifying fact that
the Sunday-school cause in his section is pros
pering. He also suggests two items for consid
eration, one is that there ought to be a Sunday
school Convention in every Association, at least
once a year, as the best method for elevating
this department of Christian work to its true
importance and efficiency. The other is, that
after a programme of business lias been ar
ranged and published, it is a mistake to change
it, as it creates confusion and disappointment-
We agree witli brother H. on these points, and
hope they will be considered, as they should
be, by the brethren generally.
—Concerning the revival in Blackshear, and
other religious matters of interest in Southern
Georgia, Rev. IV. D. Atkinson, missionary-)
writes:
We have closed a meeting of nine nightsi
and received fourteen for baptism. We expect
many other additions soon. The work was
very extensive, and the congregations large,
so that at times many could not get a seat.
The meetings were free from all noisy demon
strations.
We long to see the day w hen we can enter
our new house, so as to have room for our in
cieasing congregations and Sunday-schools.
Will not the brethren in different parts of the
State send us the needed funds they have
promised for this work ?
Brother A., everywhere finds the jieople
anxious to hear the Word of God. He also
requests Sunday-schools who have libraries
that they are not using, to send these books to
J. J. Block, at Jcsup, who will find immediate
use for them in recently organized schools in
that section.
—We learn from the Gainesville Eagle,
that a meeting was held in the Baptist church
of that city, resulting in the reorganization of
a Sunday-school Association for Hall countv.
—Rev. W. C. Wilkes presided over the
meeting, and Mr. J. T. Telford acted as Secre
tary. The next regular meeting of this As
sociation will be held in Gainesville, on
Wednesday, the 24th of July. A committee
of arrangements was appointed to make prep
arations for the meeting, consisting of R. E.
Green, J. F. Langston, W. F. Wallace, G. G.
Thompson and Martin Graham.
Any Sunday-school in Hall county may be
come a member of this Association bv sending
one delegate for every twenty-five members or
fractional part thereof.
—A Sunday-school Mass Meeting and In
stitute was held at the Baptist church in
Cumming, Friday night, Saturday and Sun
dav, July sth, 6th and 7th. An interesting
programme was fulfilled with the most grati
fying success.
—The Sabbath-school Convention of the
Middle Cherokee and Noonday Associations
will meet with Raccoon Creek church, Bartow
county, on Friday before the fourth Sabbath in
this month. Each church in the two Associa
tiens may send two messengers, each Sabbath
school four, and one additional messenger for
each twenty-five, after the first -twenty-five.
All ordained ministers, and the Superintend
ents ol schools, are ex cjficio members. The
following is the adopted programme ;
I. Introductory. The importance of a thor
ough study of God’s Word—Seimon—J. A
McMurry. 2. The relation of the Church to
the Sabbath-school—E-say or Address—J A.
R- Ranks, o. Should Baptists ever engage
in Union Sabbath-schools—Essay or Address—
A. B. Vaughn, Jr. 4. Influence of the Sab
bath-school upon the spread of the Gospel
Essay or Address—R. T. Hanks. 5 Agency
ol the Sunday-school in eflecting early con
versions—E-say or Address—W. H. Dean.
0. The Sunday • school work in country
churches-Essay or Address-A. S. Alkinßon.
i. Influence of the Sunday-school in repress
ing the evils of the current literature—Essav
or Address—R. B. Headden.
Devotional exercises interspersed.
Ample accommodations will be made lor the
entertainment of messengers and visitors. The
church is six miles southwest of Uartersville,
and a half mile from Shelman’s Station, on
the Cherokee Railroad.
Bro. T. C. Boykin, our State Sunday-school
Evangelist is confidently expected to he pre
sent.
—The Gumming Baptist Banner says that
the brethren in that part of the State are firm
in their purpose to organize a North Georgia
Convention.
—Elder A. B. Nuchols, in his introductory
sermon, preached at the Union Meeting for
the First District of the Hightower Associa
tion, eloquently urged and proved the necessity
of mission work in the churches at home and
abroad.
—The Baptist cause in Covington is in a
very prosperous condition. The excellent
pastor there, brother Brittain, is faithfully do
ing his duty.
—A writer in the Baptist Banner considers
tlieY. M. C. A. anti-Baptist in all its tenden
cies. He says :
“What a difference there would be in our
churches and their work if all the time, labor,
money and efforts, every way bestowed by our
young brethren in those Associations, were
bestowed on our churches and mission work.”
—The General Meeting of the Second Dis
trict of the Western Association will be held
at Long Cane, beginning on Friday before the
third Sunday in August. The following pro
gramme has been prepared : 1. Introductory
sermon —Rev. M. B. Hardin. 2. After or
ganization, receive reports from all the
churches represented, and appropriate re
marks concerning the state of religion in our
hounds. 3. Sermon : Depravity of human
nature —Rev. J. M. Callaway. 4. Essay:
How to cultivate the spirit of missions in our
churches - Rev. S. P. Callaway. 5. Essay :
How to retain those who may be brought into
the Sunday-school—Rabun Hood. 6. Lec
ture : Money in connection with religious
uses —W. O. Tuggle. 7. Essay: History of
Modern Missions —J. F. Awtrey. 8. Sermon:
Sanctification—Rev. S. W. Bartley.
The Committee cordially invite the attend
ance of visiting brethren.
—The General Meeting for the Second
District of Friendship Association met with
the church at Pineville, Stewart county, on
Friday before the fifth Sabbath in June. The
introductory sermon was preached by Rev.
M. B. L. Bin ion. Brother Binion was elected
moderator and J. A. Ivey clerk. The meet
ing was very harmonious and profitable.
The following programme was adopted for
the next meeting to beheld with Friendship
church, Sumter county, beginning Friday
befor the fifth Sabbatli in September next:
Introductory sermon by G. F. Cooper; J. A.
Ivey alternate. For Oral Discussion—l.
Ought a member to be excluded at his own
request, without a charge ? 2. Is it the duty of
a Baptist church to invite members of another
church of the same faith and order to com
mune with her members? Essays—l. Duties
of Deacons —B. W. Davis; 2. The relation
and duties of Pastors to Sabbath-schools—J.
A. Ivev.
Keply to “Brotherhood.”
Atlanta, Ga., July 5, 1878,
To the Editors of the Dally Constitution :
It is seldom that I pay any attention to what
is said of myself, whether of censnre or of
praise, but an article in your paper of the 8d
inet., under tho caption of “Christian Union,”
does me. and the great denomination of which I
am an humble member, such gross injustice
that I feel it to be my duty, to myself and to the
Baptists of this city, to enter my solemn protest
against the offensive insinuations and false
statements of that very objectionable article.
It seems to me scarcely possible to press into
the same space more Bublimated bigotry and
bitter invective, against one of the largest and
most influential denominations in America, than
is found in that article. The writer applies to
the regular Baptists suoh opprobious epithets as
“prejudice,”“bigotry,” “exclusiveness,’’and then
says: "Tin- Baptists throwingas.de the exclusive
ness of a less enlightened age, under the leader
ship of Dr. Teasdale, are preparing for more
perfect Christian union. Then, in his anti-Bap
tistlc zeal, assures us that “the exclusiveness of
immersion as a mode will claim few adherents.”
And to cap the climax, the writer further af
firms, that “the bigotry of close communion
cannot stand in the way of liberal Christianity-
We rejoice that Baptists are hastening to free
dom. These are some of the specimens of
abuse and insult contained in “Brotherhood’s”
article on Christian union, The reader will
naturally inquire where the “Christian" comee
in, if the article of “Brotherhood” is to be taken
as a specimen of his idea of “Christian union.”
Now, allow me to say that I repudiate all these
base insinuations against myself, and against
my beloved denomination. lam a Baptist from
principle. I love and revere the time-honored
(lodines, ordinances and polity of mv denomi
nation. I would not change one of its establish*
ed usages. They have come down to us invio
late from the days of John the Baptist, and I
trust they will be perpetuated until Christ shall
come the second time without sin unto salva
tion.
Baptists have always been the firm advocates
of soul, liberty, and they have from time im
me mortal evinced their deep interest in true
Christian fellowship. But while they love all
who reflect the image of Jesus, extend to them a
most cordial Christian fellowsihp, and unite with
them in a!l proper efforts to win souls to Christ,
that they mav be saved, yet they cannot admit
any into churoh feiloweihp but such as have been
immersed upsn the profession of their personal
faith in Christ, and who are regular members of
a gospel church without the sacrifice of those
principles which are dearer to them than life it
self. This important difference between Chris
tion fellowship and church fellowship is too of
ten overlooked, and hence the erroneous im
pressions so often indulged in relativo to the
exclusiveness of the Baptists, as in the case of
“Brotherhood,” in your issue of Wednesday
morning last. Co-operation does not imply
concession. Christiana may all unite in labors
to save souls, and still not sacrifice a single dis
tinctive characteristic of their respective de
nominations. And so they have been doing
from the beginning until the present time. No
new departure therefore, has occurred in rela
tion to the co operation of Christiana in this
city in their efforts to save sinners, and no
such departure from long-existing usages in
this regard, is contemplated by myself or by &Dy
other Baptist whom I know in this growing city.
Tours, respectfully and truly,
Thomas C. Teasdale.
The July-Auguet number of the Xortti Amer
ican Review contains the following articles;
“The Failure of Universal Suffrage.” by Fr&nciß
Parkman; “International Obligations of the
United States,” by William Beach Lawrence,
L.L.D.; “An Advertisement foi a New Religion,
by a Positiv’et; “A Senator’s Fidelity Vindica
ted,” by Edward L. Pierce, the biographer of
Charles Sumner: “Tbe Position of the Jews in
America,” by liabbi Gustav Gottheil; “The Out
look,” by Wendell Phillips; “Debtor and Credi
tor.” by R. P. Bland. M.C.. and Hf ary VTPoor;
“The Native Army of India,” by Lieut. Gen. Sir
Garnet Wolseley; "Contemporary Literature.”
For sale by booksellers and newsdealers gener
ally.