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4: 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.