Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

2 -' ■<•*■*'* • r r W?<‘’ : BE TH EL A SSOCIA TION. Thursday morning, October 30th, I boarded the train at Quitman for the purpose of attending the Bethel Asso ciation, to convene that day in the city of Albany. We should have reached our desti nation at about 10 o'clock ; but after coming almost in sight of Pelham Sta tion, the train was brought to an un timely halt by a cow attempting to cross the track just ahead of the en gine. So near was she to the engine when she ran upon the track, there was no time given for the engineer to put on brakes before the cow was un der the train, instantly killed. One set of trucks of the baggage car was thrown off the track, which delayed the train nearly an hour and-a-half. No material da nage was done to the train or track, but considerable to the cow. By increasing the rate of speed we reached Albany a few minutes af ter 11 o'clock, a. M., in time to make connection with S. W. R. R. At Camilla I hail the pleasure of greeting a number of brethren from that church, and two others on their way to the Association. These churches withdrew from the Bowen at its recent session, ami were received as constituents of the Bethel. The addition of the four churches at this sitting of the body increased the number of churches to about forty eight,—making it one of the largest Associations in the State. By hurrying from the depot to the Baptist church we were in time to hear a very entertaining introductory sermon, preached by Elder W. H. Nor ton, from the text, “We preach Christ crucified," Ist Cor. 1 :23. At 2:30 p. M. the messengers, who had arrived, reassembled and the let ters from the churches were read. Letters were then presented from those churches applying for membership, and their messengers welcomed by the Modcratdr. The Association comple ted its organization by re-electing El der Thomas Morse Moderator, and B C. Mitchell, Clerk. Correspondents were received from Bowen, Mercer, Friendship, and Fowl Town (col’d) Associations. At night your correspondent preached in the Baptist church to a large and attentive audience. It seemed quite natural for him to stand in the pulpit occupied by him for three years, constituting one of the most pleasant pastorates of his life. During his connection with thischurch, it was his privilege to baptize more than fifty converts. With many of those tie had the 'pleasure of meeting again, at this time. On Friday morning Brother Irwin presented the claims of The Chris tian Index, and Dr. De Votie ad dressed the body on the subject of foreign missions. It was a matter of universal regret that Dr. De Votie was too unwell to preach during the entire session of the Association. It was with great difficulty that he presented the claims of the Board which he so ac ceptably represents. Elder J. L. Underwood preached a most excellent missionary sermon at 11 o’clock. The afternoon session was chiefly occupied in the discussion of the report of the President of the 8. S. Conven tion of the Association. The discus sion was ably participated in by Elders Cooper, Boykin, Underwood, and How ell. Drs. Hillyer,Battle, Butler,and Whar ton arrived on the 4 o’clock train, and were cordially invited to seats. At night Elder J. H. Corley preached an able sermon on the ‘•lm mortality of Christ,’’ taking as his text the words “Jesus Christ, the same yes terday, to-day, and forever.” Saturday morning was entirely oc cupied by brothers De Votie, Wharton, Hillyer, Battle and Butler in present ing the claims of the various objects represented by them. These discus sions bearing upon missions, ministeri al education, male and female col legiate education, were highly edifying. Some very interesting facts were sta ted by the different speakers, which I would like to present to your readers, but space will not allow of it. The afternoon was crowded with business, and dispatched with rapidity, in order to leave nothing for a session Monday morning. All but one or two items of business were transacted and an adjournment was had until Sun day night, after preaching service. Sunday morning and night the pul pits of the different churches were filled by ministers in attendance on the Association. At the close of the night sermon in the Baptist church the Moderator called the Awociation to order, and the remaining business was finished, and the Association ad journed sine dt'r. The representation from the church es was much smaller than usual, there not being more than fifty messengers present. The recent rains, it was sup posed, bad much to do in diminishing the attendance. The weather was fine, and altogether it was a delightful session. Next year this body, like the Mercer, will meet on Tuesday instead . of on Thursday, and will convene with , the church at Cuthbert. B. I The Christian Index and South-western Baptist: Thursday, November 20, 1879. ROCHESTER NOTES. Editor Index: The Baptist Mission ary Convention of the State of New York has just held a session in this city. This body represents much wealth, cultivation and piety. It is quite thoroughly Baptistic and emi nently progressive. One day before the Convention met, the Pastor’s Conference convened, when Dr. Bright made a ringing speech for country pastors and country pastorates. He said : “Country churches are not ‘shaky.’ They furnish the strength of the churches”. Dr. Dodge, President of the Madison University spoke in the same line, intimating that some preachers did not like to go to the country and come in contact with “homey-handed” farmers. Prof. Wilkin son,of Rochester Theological Seminary set forth the “Minister’s Ideal of the Ministry," showing that its embodi ment is self-sacrifice. He thought Jeremiah came nearer up to this ideal than many “Serio-Comic Pulpiteers,” who deride him. Said he : “Hold this thought. Let it hold you with a pierced hand.” R. S MacArthur, of the Calvary church, New York City and Rev. Mr. Burton, of Fairport, made the Wednesday meeting of the Convention enjoyable. They spoke on the obligation of New York Baptists to do their Missionary work. He cer tainly knows how to make an ad cap tandum speech. He is very graceful and easy in his elocution. Mr. Bur ton is a younger man than Mr. Mac Arthur, and not so distinguished, yet his speech was characterized by more pith, point and pathos,than that of the latter. Dr. Osgood, of Rochester Theological Seminary, read Thurs day morning, an essay on “Doc trine in the New Testament,” which will be published by the Publication Society. It has the ring of true metal. Many interesting speeches were called forth by it. The fact was patent to me that New York Baptists believe in the strong doctrines, and have no sym pathies with liberalism. Their Theologi cal Seminaries arc in the right track. Dr. Osgood is a great believer in Augus tine and Calvin. Thinks this century has produced but one or two theolo gians. Dr. Corney, a venerable pastor of Utica, advocated strong doctrine, and spoke against open communion. After several speech- Rev. Mr. Crewel, a Free Will Baptist, asked leave to speak. Among other things he said he had often received the communion at the hands of Dr. Corey. Imagine the sen sation, the clapping of hands, and the cries of Corey! Corey!! After some time he arose and said: “What do you want me to say? If Mr. Crewel came to my communion table, 1 hope ho had a good time. I invite the re generated and baptized to ihy com munion.” With these words the mat ter ended. What do Georgia Baptists say of it? [Well, we think that Dr. Corey is on thesame line with the Second Bap tist church of St. Louis, which pub lishes sound articles and indulges in’ unsound practices. Ed. Index.] Rev. Mr. Sloan, pastor at Al bion, New York, arose to a ques tion of privilege. Read a par agraph in a Rochester paper accusing him of plagiarizing a sermon of Dr: Parker, of London, the same one Dr. Lorimer, of Chicago, made use of, and ■ said : “I’m happy to be found in the j company of so great a man as Dr. Lor imer, stealing so great a sermon from so great a man as Dr. Parker. But, sorry that I have not equal facility in explaining away my guilt that Dr. Lor imer has.” lie confessed that he did appropriate the major part of Dr. Park er’s sermon. ,Xn exaggeration of his guilt seems to be that he re ceived the applaudits of his brethren for the sermon, and, at their request, published it in pamphlet form, stating in his card that he was sorry it was not more worthy of their favor. It really seems that our Star preach ers are “put to it” to meet the demands of their exacting congregations. [ Rev. Mr. Sloan confesses to steal ing : by publishing the stolen sermon as his own, with his regrets that it was not more worthy, etc., he was guilty of j lying; by attempting to drag Dr. Lori ' tner into the same disgrace, he was guilty of ineffable meanness; and by professing to be “happy” in having stolen a great sermon from a great man, he was guilty of an offence for 1 which our Anglo-Saxon ancestors have 1 invented no appropriate name or epi ' thet. If his people can bear all this, I we must say that they are by no means ! “exacting.”—Ed. Index.] Dr. M. B. Anderson, President of Rochester University, not of the Theological Seminary, whom Rev. Mr. Mae Arthur characterized as the Prince of Presidents and the Presi dent of Princes, with others, advocated the cause of education. This was on Thursday afternoon, the last meeting of the Convention. Dr. Anderson cer tainly has the most imposing presence of any man I have met, and most sen atorial dignity. The ways of this |>eople are not as our ways. They applaud their speak ers at all times. 1 heard but one ter-■ mon during the Convention. Every thing goes by programme. Their speakers have not the glow and force of Southern orators. Their cultivation may be greater. C. K. H. i FROM THE INDIANS*'* The following extract from a letter of brother Murrow, to a lady of this city, will interest many of our readers : “Our work here is very encouraging. We are full of work—overworked—but then you know that is a good thing. It would be fearful to be idle, or not to have enough to do. I thank God for work, and lots of jt. “Our Indian churches are hard at work also. They fully realize that there is no idle time for a Christian. They are active in church work, pray ing, visiting, talking for Christ, giving of their little means to their pastors, and to the poor, and a little to the spread of the Gospel in the destitute parts of their own jiations, and to the wild tribes beyond. They are helping themselves and somebody else tefa very encouraging extent, thus moving on to a time when they will be self-support ing. And yet there is very great need for help from abroad among these Indians. You ask if you can do anything to aid here. For a month past, I have been greatly troubled about the prospects for the winter for the families of some of our native preachers, and have made it a subject of anxious prayer. Ido not remember whether Uncle -‘Peter Folsom was with me or not at the time I visited your home. He is in a very destitute and needy condition? At that time he was supported by the Western Association, at a salary of S4OO a year; but from some cause, about two years ago they droppedAhim from their employment, and he has not received anything since. He used to have some property of his own ; now he has none; not from bad manage ment, but from misfortune. could get up some clothing for him and his family, it would be a great blessing. He is a tall, thin man, about six feet high, and seventy years old. His wife is truly a mother in Israel. Oh, I wish I had time and space to tell you something about this blessed, old Indian woman! She too is talljsnd also thin ; that is, she is well propor tioned, but lean. I fear they often have a short amount of food, 'they have one grandson with them—a fjftie boy eight years old—father and moth er both dead. If you could kindly make up a box for Uncle Peter and his wife, and SCtui to my care, I will see that it gets to him as soon as possible after arrival. He lives away off from the railroad, but I will contrive to send it to him. Again, brother Lewis Cass is equally poor and needy with Uncle Peter. He Is nominally on the roll of the Board at Marion as one of their missionaries, but if he gets any salary, I have not heard of it. He is a low, thin man, about five feet seven inches highs -wife is tkll, arid also q'uite lean.’ We have suffered from a fearful drouth herflßall this year. The crops are cut off—scarcely enough to last half the winter. I know not what hundreds of the poorer Indians will do for broad ; they will certainly suffer; it is inevitable; but if you can get up a box of clothing to keep a few of them warm, it will indeed be a great bless ing. O, yes; Sunday-school papers,tracts, books, etc., I care not how old, can l»e distributed here with good effect. Yours in Christ, J. L. Murrow. I*. S.— Second-hand clothing will be 1 just as acceptable as new. In our I present extremity, we are in no dispo sition to be choice, but will thank God and the donors for anything to keep out the cold, and the wolf from the door. I think surely God must have directed you to write me this letter, i O, may lie incline and enable your i "class of young men,” the “Ladies’ So , ciety,” or others, to help us. Yours, J. L. M. A-tok-a Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, I October 27, 1879. REV. Jl'. D. ATKINSON. \ Editor Index : The death of such a man as brother Atkinson demands, as it seems to me, more than a brief ■ obituary. And whatever others may think proper to say of him, I feel that | something is due from me. I knew j him in his college days—have known him more or less ever since, and for the last seven or eight years quite in timately. While he was pastor, and afterwards a missionary, as well as my self, in this section, we often met at each other's homes and in our mission fields, worked and prayed together consulted in regard to the interest of Zion around us. I think I knew him. He was a sincere lover of Jesus and his cause—an educated, intelligent, sound preacher of the gospel—a hard working, self-denying servant of Jesus, ready always to work, and a pleasant co-Jaborer in meetings. Such I always found him. He loved the work. Candid even to brusqueness sometimes, when he thought it right to lie so, but pos sessing a good stock of prudence and caution for use, when these graces were in demand. He was patient, persever-1 ing and hopeful. Nothing but such graces could have borne him, or any other man, up in the labors and hard ships of the field he worked ; hardships and discomforts which brethren in Middle Georgia can know little of with out trying it as he did. All this on his part, while from others he received a wholly inadequate support for him self and dependent family. But he has done his work, made his mark, fallen on the field, and is now receiving at the hand of his Savior his reward. And now, brother Editor, let me add, at the risk of being censured, that I have a very painful impression that our departed brother has riot received at the hands of some churches, nor, shall Isay it? from the hands of the denomination that sent him into that field, due appreciation. With talents, natural and acquired, that fitted him for almost any station, either in litera ry or professional ranks, yet such was his love for his chosen work that he endured the hardships of one of the hardest fields in the United States, in expectation of pecuniary support not half so ample as the skilled laborer gets, with this difference : the skilled laborer realizes his expectations— brother Atkinson did not realize his. The results of this are that he and his family lived hard—too hard— entirely too hard. Well might he “want the saint’s rest.” And now that he is gone his family is left in utter destitution, without a home. They were not able even to bury him. It may—it must— pain his widow for me to say this, but it is only too true, and I think it should be said. Should this thing be so? Should it remain so? He is beyond reparation, but his widow and orphan children are in reach. Shall nothing be done for them? While the world is careing for departed statesmen and warriors, and the orphan children of its fallen heroes, shall not Chris tians —Baptists—care for the widow and orphan children of their fallen heroes in the cause of Christ—a cause infinitely more important than all other causes ever lost or won. I must believe they will, and therefore take the liberty to suggest to any and all, who feel inclined to help, to send their contributions to brother J. H. DeVotie, or The Index office, Atlanta, Georgia, who will, no doubt, receive and dis burse with pleasure. The last meeting brother Atkinson attended on earth was New Sunbury Association in Walthourville. His last public exercise was the closing prayer of the Association. He remained two days and nights at my house after the adjournment of the Association in great pain, went home and died. “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan.” D. G. Daniell. [The Editor of The Index has already volunteered to receive such con tributions as may be sent to brother Atkinson’s family, It is hoped that many will respon.] PROGRAMME Os Sunday school and Missionary Conven tion to bo held with the Summer Hill church, Stewart county, Ga.. commencing ton Friday before the Fiftbffiabbata in Nd ’vember. 1879. 1. Introductory sermon, by Rev. Wm. H. Norton 2. Reading letters ami enrolling del egates. 3. Reports from the field by super intendents and teachers. 4. Disscussion of subjects : (1.) The Sunday-school as an aux iliary to other means of grace. Rev. Wm. M. Howell. (2.) Are the present plans of con ducting Sunday-schools the most effi cient that can be adopted? D. B. Fitzgerald. (3.) The Sunday-school as a field for the training of Christian workers. Rev. T. C. Boykin. (4.) What is the true theory of | Sunday-school work? Rev. R. T. j Hanks. (5.) The obsacles to Sunday-school work in the country, and how to over come them. G. W. Ard. In connection with the Sunday school "Convention, the Committee on I Missions lately appointed by the Asso -1 ciation, propose for discussion the fol lowing subjects bearing on the min ■ sionary work : Ist. Is the doctrine of missions taught in the Bible? Rev. Wm. M. 1 Howell. 2nd. What is the best method of I collecting funds for the spread of the | Gospel? Rev. R. T. Hanks. 3rd. Obligation of the churches to spread the Gospel. Rev. T. C. Boykin, The schools of all the northern por tion of the Bethel Association are re quested to send delegates. Let the delegates bring letters containing the statistics of their schools If they have not recently contribu ted to our'State Sunday-school Evan gelist, let the Sunday-schools send a contribution for him to the Conven tion. , A meeting "for the children at 9 :30 o'clock, Sabbath morning, will be con ducted by Rev. T. C. Boykin. Din ner will be had on the ground each day. Wm. H. Cooper, Pres’t 8. 8. Conv’t’n of Bethel Association. Ordination.—On the second Sab bath in November, 1879, the LaGrange Baptist church (colored) met at 2 o’clock P. M. for the purpose of ordain ing Alexander Swanson to the Gospel ministry. The presbytery was com posed of Revs. M. B. Hardin, A. R. Callaway, A. DeLamotta and Mack Culberson. After examination of the candidate, Rev. M. B. Hardin preached the sermon, Rev. A. DeLamotta offered prayer, Rev. Mack Culberson present ed the Bible, and Rev. A. R. Callaway gave the charge from the text, ‘‘Feed the flock.” RECEIPTS OF MISSION BOARD OF GEORGIA BAPTIST CON VENTION, FROM OCTOBER 20th, TO NOVEMBERS. STATE MISSIONS. Oct. 21. Previous reports 82014 07 Thomasville Ladies Mission So ciety, C H Stilwell 8 25 I American Baptist Publishing Society, Books for Freedmen.. 100 00 , Oct. 28. Sparta Baptist church, W J Northern 0 25 George W Sass, Tr,Washington Association 51 80 W W Groom, Mercer Associa- tion „ 4 50 | J H Spann, Mercer Association 50 co S Boykin, for Atkinson 4 00! N A Bailey, Missionary, Mercer Association 75 00 I Union Grove church, A B Vaughn 3 00 Kingston church, C N May son, Tr 4 10 Nov. 3.Concord Association 14 15 I Nov O.Kev D<» Daniel’s collections....... 140 03 I Letie' 1 received at Index office Unkown 8 00 Second Baptist church, Atlanta 200 Second Baptist church, Atlanta 500 i Mrs. Z Van Hoose, Sunday school class 5O Rev J H Corley’s collections 37 00 I Rome church. Rev G A Nunnal ly , 27 20 Appaiactiee Association, J W Butts for Burney • 5 00 G B Mitchell’s collections, se cond quarter ....... 6 55 C H Lyons' collections, second quarter 45 Oo E L Vaughn's collections, se cond quarter fl 30 James Mcßride, Mscon 5 00 Bummer Hill church, W L Joiner. 10 00 Carrollton Association, W W Roop 19 25 I Bethel Assocla’n, W M Speight IT 39 95 Bethel Assocla’n, W M Speight Tr., for J H Corley 8 25 Falling Creek ch’h, <4 N Camp bell 4 21 Bethel Association’s collection, Albany church 6 10 Flint River Association, C T Newton 14 00 Mt. Zion church, Monroe coun- ty, C F Newton. Tr 5 00 Nov.7. A. B H.M. Society, J H Cor- ley 75 00 A. B. HM. Society. G B Mitch ell 45 00 A B. A. M. Society, for C H Lyons - 52 50 Columbus Baptist church. A Kirvin, Tr 50 00 Nov.B. W J White, Tr .Missionary Con- vention for E P Johnson 26 25 W J White, Tr. Missionary Con- vention for C II Lyons. 3 75 W J White, Tr.. Missionary Con vention forG B Mitchell 19 22 Laoles Missionary Society, Val dosta, Miss Nettle Gate 3 00 3012 64 FOREIGN MISSIONS. I Oct. 21. Previous reports $2584 16 , Oct. 28. Washington Association, Geo. W Bass, 1 r 118 30 Houston Association, G K Mc- Call 10 00 Mercer Association, W W Groom 45 91 Middle Association, T C Boy kin 34 97 Kingston church. C N Maysoil.. 4 lu Received at Richmond. H A • Tupper (lu Oct.) 141 75 Nov. 3. Concord Association 14 58 Nov.fl. Bethel church. D G Daniel 1 00 Jones Creek church, D G Dan- iel 2 50 Letter received at Index office, Unknown 3 00 Second Baptist church, Atlanta 200 Second Baptist church, Atlanta for Lottie Moon 1 00 Mrs Van Hoose, Sunday-school class 50 Rev John A Sh'vers 5 00 Noonday church, J T McMurray 10 43 Woman’s Missionary Society, Guyton, Mrs L A Eaton 7 00 Canton church, J T McMurray.. 9 00 Appalachee Association, J T Butts for Burney 8 05 James Mcßride. Macon 5 00 E W Amos, Tr.,Rehoboth Asso ciation 19 00 Summer Hill church, W D Joiner lB 67 Carrollton Association, W W Roop 25 00 Bethel As'ciatlon.W M Speights for Miss Lottie Moon 50 Bethel Association, William M Speights 131 95 Falling Creek c’h, G W Camp- I bell „ 5 00 Bethel Association’s collection Albany church. 6 10 Mt. Zion church, C F Newton, Tr 2 00 Ladles Missionary Society, Val- dosta, Miss Nettle Gale 5 70 3120 17 INDIAN MISSIONS. . 0ct.21. Previous reports $ 210 23 28 Washington Association, Geo. W Hass _ . 43 15 Middle Association, T C Boy- kin 5 00 I Nov.B. Concord Association 10 00 6. Bethel Baptist church, D G Dan iell 1 00 Joses’ Creek church, D G Dan iell _ 2 50 Letter received at Index office. Unknown 3 00 Second BaptisLchurch, Atlanta 2 00 J B llorsely, by Chaudolu for. Hogue 1 00 Summer Hlfi .church, W D Jones 10 00 Bethel Association, for Hogue... 108 <0 Falling Creek, G N Campbell... 421 400 09 HOME MISSIONS. 0ct.21. Previous reports $ 681 50 28 Queen street Baptist church,Au gusta, H H Hickman, Tr 75 00 Washington Association, G W Bass. IT „ 57 93 Mercer as’clalion, W W Groom 9 21 Middle Association, by T C Boy kin 27 27 Nov. 3. Concord Association 3 65 6. Letter received at Index office Unknown 3 i)0 Second Baptist church, Atlanta 20> Rev John A Shivers 5 00 Appalachee Association, J W Butts, by Hurney 5 00 Summer Hill church, By W D Joiner Hi 87 Qultmmi church,N A Bailey for Hartwell 1 20 Carrollton Association, ,W W Koop 45 15 Bethel As'ciatlon.W M Speights 50 05 Bethel Association, collection Albany church fl 10 Ladles Missionary, Society Val dosta, Miss Nettie Gale 3 00 « 991 75 SUNDAY-SCHOOL EVANGELIST. 0ct.21. Previous reports 246 94 28. W W Groom, Mercer Association lu 17 I Nov. 3. Concord Association 2 42 [ fl. Rev T C Boykin’s collections se cond quarter 108 99 Carrollton Association, W W Roop I 50 Bethel As’clatlon, W M Speights 57 25 Bethel Association, collection Albany church 3 11 433 38 1 INDIGENT MINISTERS’ FUND. 0ct.21. Previous reports $ 166 28 28. Washington Association, Geo. W Bass, Tr 17 45 Mercer As’clatlon, W W Groom 47 11 . Nov. 3. Concord Association 2 43 6. Bethel church, D G Daniell 1 00 Letter received at Index office Unknown 3 00 Second Baptist church, Atlanta 166 i Lady of Atlanta, for Mrs Atkin- 1 00 Bethel Association, for Mrs At kinson isl 20 Bethel Assocl tlon, col. Albanj church...... 3 12 j 258 59 I RECAPITULATORY. State Missions $3012 64 Sunday-school Evangelist ffl 38 Home Missions H9l 75 Indian Missions...... 400 09 Foreign Missions 3120 17 Indigent ministers- 258 59 8216 82 J. H. DbVotib. Tress, M. B. G. B. C Nov. 9, 1879. I The Sunday-School. ZnternaHonai Sunday-School Leotono. Leeson X—December 7, 1879. THE HEAVENLY SONG. Rev. v. 1-14. Read Chapter iv. INTRODUCTION. I After the Apostle bad received the message to the Churches, he was transported in vision I into heaven. God was seen on a throne. Around the throne were seated twenty-four elders, clothed in white, and wearing crowns i of gold. Before it were seven burning lamps, and from it came lightnings, thunderings and voices. Upon the throne, one on either side, were four living creatures, while before the whole was a pavement, like a sea of glass. The living creatures were continually I paying homage to God, and the elders echoed their strains, adoring and praising the Maker of heaven and earth. Then follows our les son, of which the following is an OUTLINE. i I. The sealed book, v. 1. 11. The summons, v, 2-4. 111. The lamb, v. 5-7. IV. The song, v. 8-14. EXPOSITION. I. The sealed book. j V. 1. “In the right hand.” Rather, upon the open hand- God was himself ready to givethebook. “Him that sat on the throne.” | God. "A book.” A roll. The roll was of skin, and generally fastened to a roller at i each end. The writing upon it was in col umns, which extended across the skin, so that if tlie roll was held one roller in each hand, it could easily be read. “Written within and on the backside.” Usually rolls had the writing on one side only. It is mentioned t.iat this was written on both i sides to denote the fulness of the matter. “Sealed.” A thread or cord was passed around the roll, the ends of which were sealed. "With seven seals." Completely secret. The book contained the counsels of ■ God's providence, as yet unrevealed. 11. The summons. V. 2. “A mighty angel.” Strong enough to make himself Heard afar off. “Wortny.” Os sufficient worth to be thus honored of God. "To open the book.” To disclose its . contents. "To loose the seals.” To disclose the secretthings. V 3. ’ No man.” Literally, no one, no created being. “In heaven,” etc. Nowhere . in the universe, neither in heaven, nor among the living on earth, nor among the dead. "Was able." Possessed of sufficient worth. The expression seems to intimate that the attempt was made to open the book. ! "To look thereon.” On its contents. V. 4. "I wept much.” Grieved that the book must remain sealed. It seemed to him as though the promise made in chapter iv. 1, j must fail. He had teen so much, he was ' eager to see more. ' 111. The lamb. i V. 5. “One of the elders.” The elders in , | this vision are generally regarded as symbol izing the redeemed sons of men. "Wept not.” Great knowledge comforting the I troubled Apostle. The elders knew more of Christ than John did. -‘The lion." The i strong one. “Os the tribe ofJuda.” Because : j Christ was of this tribe. "The root of David.” He was to David what the root is to the ' stock or branch, furnishing support and nourishment. "Hath prevailed.” Literally, , has conquered. The meaning is, that by a i' victorious struggle with sin and Satan, as tlie atoning Lamb of God, he has acquired ' the right to open the book, and reveal com [ ing events to his people, and to the angelic host. II V. 6. “In the midst.” Between the throne j and the elders. "Beasts.” Better, living 1 ! ones. They represent all created agencies. , "Stood” in its natural position. "As it bad been slain.” With the scars of its death- • wounds visible. “Seven horns.” A horn is the common emblem of power. Ps. Ixxxix. ' 17,18. Seven denote omnipotence. “Seven i eves.” Omniscience. “Seven Spirits.” The Holj- Spirit in his fulness of wisdom. "Bent ' forth,” by the Father and the Son. V. 7. "Took the book.” We need not be troubled by the incongruousness of a lamb taking a book. The Apostle attempts no : explanation. We need not. Christ Jesus is unquestionably symbolized here, who, by his victory over sin and death, has received authority to disclose the grand events to occur in the history of his people. IV- The song. V. 8. “Had taken." Took. Then the song began. “Fell down before the Lamb.” They offer to him the worship they had oflered to him on the throne. See chapter iv. 10, "Having” refers to elders. “Harps." I Symbolizing their praise. “Vials.” Bowls in which incense could be burned. “Odors.” i Incense. “Which are the prayers of saints.” In Psalmscxli. 2, incense represents prayer. Here tlie vials full of incense represent the same, that is, the prayers offerea by the el ders themselves. V. 9. “A new song," As it was a new oc casion. Compare Ps. xl. 3 ; xcviii. 1. In heaven new occasions call for new songs. This new song is concerning the Redeemer and his work. His taking the book to reveal the purposes of God was a new exhibition of his authority as Redeemer. “Kindred." Tribe. “Tongue.” Dialect. “People.” Na tion. "Nation.” Race. Os course it is here implied that redemption has been extended to Gentiles as well as Jews. V. 10. “Kings and priests.” Glorious ex altation. All the honor of kings, and the holy intimacy of priests. "We shall reign on the earth." That is, the redeemed of every race shall participate in thegloriestond ; exaltation of the Redeemer. V. 11. “Many angels.” An exceedingly great number, as the last part of the verse shows. "The circular arrangement of this , celestial army first demands our notice ; all of the vast army are related to the little inner circle, that centre of the history of sa vation. Observe next their infinite’ number.”— I Lange- V. 12. “Worthy to receive,” i. e., to have ! all things ascribed to him, “Power.” Offi- I cial authority. “Riches." Abundance at his disposal. “Wisdom,” ability to discern the best ends, and the best means to accom i plish them. “Strength.” Ability to complete what he undertakes. “Honor and glory and blessing,” from his creatures. Seven terms. A complete doxology. The angels' 1 estimate of the crucified Ch; Ist. V. 13. "Every creature.” The whole num ber of created intelligences. A universal chorus of praise. V. 14. As the echo of the grand doxology came back to the throne, the living creatures said Amen (Truth,) and the elders bowed in adoring love. The worus, “Him that liveth forever and ever," are not found in the ma | jority of the most important manuscripts. Without thetn the verse would read, "And the four beasts said Amen, anil the elders j fell down and worshipped." We understand the adoration here to be adoration of God and the lAimb. REMARKS. God's purposes are a sealed book till he chooses to reveal them. Christ is the great Revealer; angels, as well as men, learn from him. The more one learns of God’s grace, the more he wishes to know. The song of redemption will lie ever new. The same doxology, “Unto Him that sitteth upon the t throne, and unto the Can Jesus be I less than God then ?