The Christian index. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1872-1881, January 20, 1881, Page 2, Image 2
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■ JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
Dear Index: My last letter closed with
my visit to Warrenton. Upon boarding the
train for Thomson I was delighted to meet
Rev. A. J. Battle, theable and beloved Pres
ident of Mercer University, and Hon. W. J.
Northern, for a long series of years one of the
most efficient educators in Georgia, and now
and for several sessions, representing II in
«ock county in the Legislature with signal
ability. Those gentlemen wereen rout e for
Thomson to attend the Middle Georgia
Teachers' Association.
Professor Orr, State School Commissioner
of Georgia, came down on this train from
Atlanta. I felt myself truly fortunate in
having such excellent company on my first
visit to Thomson. At the depot we were
met by a committee of gentlemen who took
us in charge. After a good dinner at the
hotel we wended our way to the Teachers’
Association, then in session. As the secular
papers have already given in full the pro
ceedings of the Association, I deem it en
tirely unnecessary for me to repeat them in
this letter, if time and space would permit.
Suffice it to say that the proceedings were
•quite interesting and instructive. The es
says and lectures were good—very good.
Dr. Battle's address on “Memory" was char
acteristic of this truly great and good man.
The lecture of Professor Butler, of Madison,
•on Physical Training in Schools, was high
ly entertaining, exceedingly pleasant and
unanswerable in argument.
I hope the day is in the near future " hen
this will be regarded as quite as important
in all our schools as grammar and arithme
tic.
The prize declamation and reading at
night, by students from various schools,
Was very good. In fact, so well did the
young contestants acquit themselves that 1
understood that the committee regrets there
were not prizes for each one. But there
Were only two prizes—one for the boys and
one for the girls,—and these were awarded
to Master E. H. George, of Madison, and
Miss Annie Gallaher of Warrenton. Others
were highly complimented by the commit
tee.
Thomson is a charming place. No whis
key sold here, and the town is advancing,
as all others do when that abominable busi
ness, the liquor traffic, is driven thence.
’Whilst here brother Northern and I were
the guests of Hon. H.C. Roney, the able
Representative of that county in the Legis
lature, and a pleasant time we had truly.
My only regret is, brother Roney, that 1
couldn't join you in that last dinner.
From Thomson to Augusta, where 1 spent
a part of two days and nights. The weath
er was very disagreeable, however, and im
peded my operations. Besides, 1 was now
within sixty miles of my family, whom 1
had not seen lor more than two months,
and every hour seemed long until 1 could
once more be in my dear home circle. Hence
I did not see perhaps one-fourth of the
large number who patronize The Index in
that city. 1 was glad to learn, however,
from our beloved brother, Rev. W. W. Lan
drum, pastor of Green street church, that it
was his custom to make The Index a spe
cial matter o r business with his church at
the close of every year, and that he would
do so on the following Sunday. I wish all
the pastors of Baptist Churches in Georgia
wouldCJ^.'I*' 1 *' ‘ How it would increase the
circuJij .> paper!
I w/ ry 1 cotold not see the pas-
tors o\ Mlss ltrches if i Augusta, but so it
wtai. i ~i_ ’ returning there as soon as
“will permit.
• • Spent Mjiday in Wavnesboro. When I
got off the dhrs and made inquiry for the
Baptist church, and was directed to that im
posing building in lull view, I cannot ex
press my feelings. 1 knew the Baptists of
Waynesboro, with their beloved pastor, Rev.
W. S. Kilpatrick, had been struggling to
build a house for the Lord, but I bad no ex
pectation of seeing such an edifice as this.
And in my heart 1 can but say, God bless
the brethren and sisters of Waynesboro, with
b other Kilpatrick, and make them truly a
city not set upon a hill. When I arrived at
the church serviceshad begun. In the pul
pit with brother Kilpatrick were the pastors
of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches,
each taking part in the services. "Behold
how good, and how pleasant, it is for breth
ren to dwell together in unity.” Services
over I could not resist the temptation to in
spect the interior of this handsome church.
It is finished throughout with perfect taste,
and independent of th • splendid organ,
handsome carpet, excellent stove —which
• warms the whole house—cost between three
and four thousand dollars The carpet was
a present from one of Waynesboro's most
enterprising young men. 1 would like to
mention his name here, but lest 1 do vio
lence to his modesty, prefer to forbear.
The splendid silver communion service was
presented to the church by one of Georgia’s
noblest citizens, but he will not permit the
fact of his making the donation to be pub
lished in the ' newspapers. 1 will say this,
however, (and 1 hope be will not be offend
ed) that bis ho ne is in Atlanta, and that he
is the most popular man in Georgia.
While in Waynesboro I was the guest of
brother Jethro Thomas, and a more pleasant
visit 1 never had anywhere. 1 am also spe
cially indebted to brethren Thomas and Kil
patrick for aiding me in my work for The
Index I believe it was my privilege to add
to the list of subscribers to The Index nearly
—if not quite—every Baptist family in this
flourishing towu, who were not taking it
before.
And now 1 am off for home. Home, sweet
name! A happy home, next of kin to the
home above. Arrived safely, and find loved
ones all well. Only those who have been
long separated from wife and children can
fully appreciate thejoysofthe reunion after
these two months of absence. O.will it not be
a happy, happy time, when loved ones meet
to part no more. May God bless every
reauerof The Index during the year 1881,
and may it be the happiest and best year
they have ever spent- With some of us it
will be our last. Help us, O, Lord, to be
ready when the summons comes.
J. M. G. Medlock.
THREE MOTIONS.
Dear Index: I .css than five months to
Hie next meeting of the Georgia Baptist
Convention. In anticipation of that event I
have three motions to offer:
I. That a lively discussion of its business
be kept up in The Index from now until
that time. Such a discussion in advance
■would invite the attention of the churches
to the proceedings of the body when it
meets, and prepare them to support its
measures during the following year, It
would no doubt be agreeable to the editors
and readers to have communications from
many sources, of reasonable brevity, and
brim'ful of the beet thoughts of the writers.
J. That our State Mission Board to be
elected at that seraion, appoint not less than
four able brethren, effective preachers, in full
sympathy with the work of tneConvention,as
itinerants through the State at large, or each
one in some particular section of the State,
that every community may see and hear an
influential advocate of the enterprises we
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1881.
are prosecuting. Hundreds of our churches
I need to be impressed that the Convention is
I something to them, and they something to
the Convention. I know not how this is to
be done except by sending among them men
who can preach the Gospel with power, and
show the connection of our denominational
enterprises with the interests of the Savior’s
Kingdom. It would probably be advisable
to instruct these itinerants to avoid railroad
towns which have been often visited by
agents and corresponding secretaries, and
spend tbeir whole force upon more remote
districts where a representative of our Con
ventions has rarely been seen. This kind of
work would have a tendency to bring to our
assistance thousands of brethren who have
never taken much interest in our general
operations.
3. That a resolution be adopted, or some
other means devised, to prevent our State
and Home Mission Boards from taking an
unfair advantage of the Foreign Mission
Board. When the State or Home Board is
requester] to appoint a missionary in some
domestic field, the request is acceded to on
condition that the Baptists in that commu
nity or region will become responsible for a
stipulated part of the salary. The brethren
agree to the proposition, and devote all or
most of their contributions to the liquida
tion of the debt thus incurred, leaving for
eign missions to take care of themselves, or
to be sustained by churches in other sec
tions. lam reliably informed that Georgia
is now behind hand in her contributions to
the foreign work; no discerning brother
need look far beyond the practice now under
consideration for the principal cause of this
deficiency. The fact is that, our people are
already sufficiently disposed to give the cold
shoulder to foreign missions without our
encouraging that spirit by offering special
inducemei ts to dismiss it from their sympa
thies. I move that our State and Home
Boards be requested either not to make such
conditional contracts as are mentioned
above, orelsethat they incorporate another
condition that the church or Association
desiring the appointment of a missionary in
their bounds shall also contribute a stipula
ted sum to foreign missions. If the For
eign Board can ailord to send out missionas
ries to distant lands without a special guar
anty from the churches, your correspondent
sees no reason why the other Boards may
not take similar risks in appointing mis
sionaries in their own land.
Very respectfully,
Dundee.
A WELL ORDERED CHURCH.
Editor Index : I send you a few facts
concerning our church, which you may
print in The Index if you think proper.
1. Our church is comparatively small.
The majority of its members are poor. They
are about on an average as to culture .
2. We have preaching every Sabbath
morning and at night. The church keeps
up a weekly prayermeeting, which is con
ducted by the brethren. We also have a
Sunday-school, which is managed by the
church. These various services are very
well attended.
3. Our church makes great effort to main
tain a good and healthy discipline over its
members. As a rule we have been able to
correct disorderly members by t ie use of
gentle means. But, in a few instances, we
have had to withdraw fellowship from the
offending. We have excluded one for get
ting goods under false pretenses ; two for
drunkenness ; one for non-attendance upon
worship; one for non-payment of his sub
scription to the church on pastor's salary,
and two for other causes. My memory fails
me if we have excluded any other member
during a period of about eight years.
( 4. Our church paidUo our State Board for
missions, during the lAj‘Conventional year,
about fifty cents per/• Anber. I trust God
■will put it into our f ,'*rts to do more this
year. )"
5. Our church pay% its pastor a stated
salary. This salary is not large, though
liberal to the pecuniary strength of the
members. This salary is paid monthly to
the day.
6. Our church requires all members desir-
ing letters to pay their indebtedness, sub
scriptions, etc., before granting tbeir appli
cations. In case the applicant has been un
fortunate, and cannot pay, he is excused,
and the church assumes and pays his sub
scription. A Pastor
Several items in the above letter are
worthy of special notice. Observe, in
the third item, that members are ex
cluded for non-attendance —no other
charge being brought; also for no other
offence than failing to pay what they
have subscribed for the pastor’s salary.
This is right, and exactly as it ought
to be ; but how many of our churches
do it? Observe, in the fourth item,
that, for purposes outside of their own
immediate affairs, they pay fifty cents
per year for every member, whether
man, woman, or child. There is not
I a rich man in the church, and but few
i who can be said to be well-to-do in the
world ; most of them are poor people
who have to work for their daily bread.
Observe, in the fifth item, that the pas
tor’s salary is fixed at a certain sum,
and that it is always, without fail,paid
j promptly to the day. Observe, in the
i sixth item, that a letter of dismission
' is never granted to a member who is
,in arrears as to his payments. Ob
i serve, finally, that if, in the providence
j of God, a member has become abso
lutely unable to pay, the church as
sumes the debt and pays it for him.
It is the best ordered church that we
know of in the State; but every other
might be ordered just as well; all that
is wanting is the will. How many of
our churches will “go and do like
wise?”—Ed. Index.
PROGRAMME
of exercises of Sunday-school Convention of
Bethel Association, to be held with the
Baptist church at Milford, Baker county,
conuncnciHg on Saturday before the fifth
Sabbath in January, 1881. at 8.30 a. m.:
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION
1. “The Obstacles in the way of Sunday-
School Work in the Country, and How to
Avoid Them.” —T. J. Beck, Morgan.
2. “Mistakes to be Avoided tn our Sunday
! School Work."—Rev. R T. Hanks.
3. “The Qualifications and Duties of an
Efficient Superintendent."—W. J. Horsley,
| Leary.
4 "The Great Object of all our Sunday
j School Work, and the Methods best Oalcula
-1 ted to Insure that Result."—Rev. Thomas
Muse,
6. “The Importance of Cultivating a Mis
sionary Spirit among our Pupils to Success
' iu the Effort," —W. W. Fleming.
Missionary sermons will be preached, both
on Sat unlay and Sunday at eleven o'clock a.
m. Sundav-school exercises Sundav morn
ing at 8:3(5, conducted by Rev. Win. H.
Cooper.
It is earnestly hoped that all the churches
within reach of Milford will send delegates.
Wm. H. Cooper,
Pres't. 8. 8. Convention Bethel Asin.
"MERGER MEN IN TEXAS."
Editor Index : Dr. 0. C. Pope, of our
theological class of 1860, sent your paper a
very interesting letter with the caption above
quoted, which appeared November 25th.
We have not had the addresses of the living
alumni mentioned by him, and knew little
of their growth and usefulness. Hence their
record in our late triennial catalogue is very
meagre indeed. We thank him for the ad
dresses furnished, and will try to keep in
communication with them hereafter. A
word or two in reference to several of the
brethren mentioned by Mr. Pope:
REV. JOHN F. HILLYER
was a teacher in the Mercer Institute'l334-6.
He had considerable mechanical genius, and
made, with his own hands, an air-pump, the
first piece of apparatus the Institute possess
ed. The barrel was said to have been cast
from lead. The writer has seen only the
wooden s’and and the iron lever, which re
mained in the apparatus room at Penfield
for many years.
W. M. TRYON AND NOAH HILL
were students in the Institute. I had been
told that brother Tryon was never at Pen
field, but studied under Rev. B. M. Sanders
in Columbia county. But, in the Mercer
Institute Rolls, published in The Index
some months since, the name of W. M. Tryon
appears in the year 1835 The name of Noah
Hill occurs in the year 1838.
P. B. CHANDLER
was at college when the writer entered i.i
1844. He, brother Jesse M Wood, Dr. Lan
drum, Joseph M. Bakerand Rev. J. G. Me-
Norton were the leading debaters in the Phi
Delta Society.
BOONE, PRESTON AMD HILLDRUP
graduated in theology in the years 1859,1860
and 1861, respectively. We had lost sight
of brother Boone, and did not know of his
death. Brother Preston went as a Missiona
ry to the Indians after graduation, and, be
ing driven home from the Nation by the
war, preached in Georgia until his departure
for Texas a few years since. Mrs. Preston
was a sister of Mrs. Thomas Stocks and of
Mrs. Bowen, Missionary to Africa. x
W. M. REESE AND WILBUR J. BROWN.
Rev. W. M. Reese was called away before
graduation ; but, with his talents and char
acter, it is not surprising that he is at the
head of an institution of learning.
Wilbur J. Brown graduated in 1861, and
seems to be maintaining in Texas the hon
orable position he ever held at Mercer.
W. R. MAXWELL I
is not our R. H. Maxwell, but probably a
near relative. "Dick” Maxwell appears as
Richard H, Maxwell in our catalogues, as
Sophomore in 1858 9, and so on till gradua
tion, and since as an alumnus.
W. T. CHASE V '-*
graduated in theology in 1862 It had been
rumored that he had joined the “true apos
tolic succession,” and was dispensing the
gospel in surplice and gown. It is gratifying
to know that he has not departeel from the
faith ofhis father, and from the sound theo
logical training of Drs. Crawford and Wil
liams.
Wethank Dr. Pope for his kind remem
brance of Mercer, ami for making known to
her friends the valuable labors of some of
her sons 1 in a far distant State.
J. E. -Wjilet.
Mercer University.
FROM THE SEMINARY AT LOUIS
VILLE.
Editor Index: To-day being the first
day of the month, was the day ofthe month
ly meeting of our Missionary Society, and
I thought a short sketch of the proceedings
would interest you.
Dr. Manly presided, and brothetLovelace,
of Kentucky, opened the melting with
prayer. Psalm 72.1 was read w fiW / ’ Cd 4>y a
hymn. Brother J. S. HardawAyTp’wlrghiiaf
was Essayist, to’whom Brazil had Been as
signed as a subject. Among the many in
teresting facts about this great country, the
essayist remarked that Brazil had a popula
tion of more than eleven millions, of whom
nearly all were of Portugese descent. The
Roman Catholic religion, in its very worst
form, prevailed, amounting to mere super
stition. Men bow to images of the Virgin
and worship they know not what. The
priesthood have lost, the confidence of the
people, being themselves notoriously cor
rupt.
Brazil needs the gospel. She lies upon
the highway of the world with a free and
available press. All religions are tolerated,
but only Roman Catholicism, in its most
corrupt form, has made any headway.
Dr. Manly then stated that, of all Roman
Catholic countries, none is more important
than Brazil, and the corrupt state of that
religion there, was among the greatest rea
sons why Protestants should establish mis
sions in that country.
Dr. Broadus gave some special reasons
why Brazil is a most promising field of mis
sionary enterprise. They are fast coming
into more sympathy with us. The question
of emancipation is agitating the minds of
the people, and they are beholding the his
tory of the United States, both before and
since the late war. Again, trade between
this country and that has been established
on a firmer basis. And, lastly, we are all
Americans. He then urged the importance
of Missionary Societies, with a specific work
and field in view. This does away with the
vague conception of missionary work, and
gives it definiteness.
Before closing let me tell what the stu
dents are doing outside of the recitation
rooms. We have established between six
and ten Mission Stations in the destitute
parts of the city. Sixty-five students out of
eighty-live or ninety, teach regularly in
Subbath schools established in these places,
at all of which four hundred and fifty Sun
day-school scholars meet every Sabbath,
Two hundred copies of "Kind Words" are
distributed through the month. The ex
penses of this work are met bv rich Baptists
m the city. Besides this the students average
fifteen sermons every Sunday in and around
the city. We have set apart the fourth
Thursday in January as the day for prayer
for colleges. ’ W. 8. W.
Louisville, Jan. 1, 1881.
.V/NN/r'.VN.
Editor Index: I have lately had the
pieazure of reading Dr. Tupper's interesting
work on Missions, and pursued my reading
by reviewing the lives of the Judson's. While
I have long been a friend of the cause, my
feelings have become enthused on the sub
ject. What a grand cause for every Baptist
to support I All cannot become bearers ot
the glad tidings of salvation to those who
are in darkness, but all can contribute his
and her mite to the blessed cause.
Would that I could induce every Baptist
to purchase and read Dr. Tupper’s work, and
1 feel sure that the hearts of many would
bun with a desire to do more for Christ.
They would understand more clearly what
made those self-sacrificing ones for nke
home, friends and the luxuries of civiliza
tion to be instrumental in sowing the seed
of Christianity in dark and heathen lands,
and be encouraged by their success to help
spread the good news. What a privilege to
give something to the cause of Christ 1 How?
many a brother, sister and child will ask;
how'can 1 help where so much is needed?
Will you allow me to tell what I have re
solved to do? I have long desired silver
forks, and other articles so dear to house
keepers. They would look so much nicer
than my old plated ones, and last, oh, how
long! But the grave question presents
itselt: What good would the mere possession
do me, when that money would do lasting
good spent in the cause of missions ? Would
not God be more pleased and honored to
have it spent in that way than in self-grati
fication ?
The readers of The Index will remember
Mary Carter's effort to do something for
Jesus, and tbe poor bed ridden sister who
knit four pairs of socks and sent them to
orother DeVotie as a contribution. “The
ministry ofthe weak" is often strong, result
ing in good that eternity alone will unfold.
Let us all this jear resolve to do more for
tbe cause of Jesus. Let us denv ourselves of
something and send a New Year’s offering
that will not only be acceptable to God, but
will cheer the hearts of his servants.
A Lady Friend of Missions.
bea thTofbartojTsgo TT.
Zion churqh, Newton county, Ga., has had
another telling loss. In August last Deacon
Jarman, of that church, was suddenly dis
missed from earth On the fourth day of
December last brother Barton Scott, of tbe
same church, was killed almost instantly by
a falling tree.
Brother Scott was about twenty nine years
old, had no family, and had been in feeble
health for some years. He had been a
church-member for a long time, and was
among the most steady persons of his age
tbe writer ever knea’. So marked was the
soberness of his deportment, that tbe name
“old ’ was sometimes given him. A friend
who conversed with him at the close of the
last annual meeting of his church, was deep
ly interested with what appeared to be his
earnest and genuine piety. He read his Bi
ble, attended his meetings, as few young
men do, and remembered that the laborer is
worthy of iris hire.
Loving parents and brothers and sisters
' are the mourners around his grave. Tbe
j writer—tbeir old pastor—can only offer his
■ condolence to them and bisprayer for them.
W. M. Davis.
Lake City, Fla., Jan. 6, 1881.
A WORD TO THE CHURCHES IN GA.
Dear Brethren: The new plan of col
lecting for missions, inaugurated at Colum
bus less than two years ago, worked well at
first. At Savannah, less than a year since,
the report of Dr. DeVotie was cheering. If
since then there ha- been any falling off in
I receipts in certain quirters, perhaps it has
I been owing, in part, to a change of pa-tor.s
| in many country churches. In making such
changes tbe incoming pastors may not, in
some cases, have been favorable to the cur
rent plan of collections; or they may have
lacked in method, or, in the confusion of
the interval between pastors, tbe regular
collections may have been omitted. I have
this suggestion to make: some active
brother in each church make it bis business
to insiston taking the missionary collections
regularly and punctually,whether the pastor
thinks of it or not. Cannot each church
' appoint such a brother?
W. M. Davis.
THINGS B’///( H~A~M~INISTER
CAN'T DO
1—
He can’t always preach eloquent sermons.
! There are few eloquent writers, and still
I fewer eloquent speakers. It is, on the whole,
j a great blessing to the Church that it is so;
; for divine truth appears best in a simple
garb, and the most useful pastors have been
I those, generally, whose names have never
| attained to anything like notoriety. But
with tbe power to be eloquent, or using tbe
term in tbe popular acceptation, his sense of
duty would oblige him to sacrifice popular!
jty to usefulness. Comparing himself with
himself—that is intellectually—the minister
is not able to be alike interesting in iris
sermons. Some sermons must be doctrinal,
and by a certain class of hearers they will be
called dry ; others must be expository, and
by another class—those who go to church
more for amusement than for instruction
these will be considered tedious. Besides,
the minister is bnt a man, feeling sometimes
in the mood for study, and, at other times,
almost incaoable of any intellectual effort.
His sedentary life renders him peculiarly
liable to nervous depression, headache and
indigestion. These affect the mind, and
render study, at times, almost out of the
question ; still he is expected to be just as
interesting at one time as at another. How
unreasonable I
Again, he cannot always feel equally in
terested in the delivery of his sermon. There
are subtle causes at work to deaden feeling,
and what he has prepared with great study
may be delivered in a heartless manner. Is
this under bis own control ? Every minis
ter will say nay. Hence sermons that cost
but little study, delivered under a state of
excitement, will often be more admired and
talked of than those which cost vastly more
effort, but which, unhappily, have been
pronounced with less feeling. Then again,
his congregation is thin when lie expected
to see it full, or those are absent for whose
edification especially the discourse was pre
pared ; and are not these circumstances
calculated to depress the mind? How, then,
can it be expected that ministers should
always preach interesting and eloquent ser-
I mons ?
Another thing which ministers can’t do is
to visit as much as the people expect. This
will always be a standing charge against
them. Until thej 1 can get a power of übiqui
ty 1 see not how this expectation can !>■
met. If six mouths, or even three, sone
times elapse, they are saluted with the ex
clamation, “Why, what a stranger you are ;
we thought you had forgotten us.” Now, I
maintain that if a minister, especially in a
large city congregation, attends to all the
■ sick, tbe bereaved and the serious inquiries
■ with great punctuality and faithfulness, the
rest of the congregation should accept a visit
! whenever it can be conveniently made.—
Puritan Recorder.
Spiritual Consumption.—A church
that never sends a son into the ministry,
and never prays or cares about an in
crease in th < number oi ministers, may
expect to be left, in the course of time,
either wi'hout a pastoror with oue whose
ministry is barren. A church that has
never learned to worship God with its
money, and doesnot regular]v contribute
j to carry on the work of the Lord in the
: home and foreign field, may expect that
its light, which, like all other lights can
only shine as it consumes, will go out in
darkness. A church that neglects disci
pline, and allow s offence* to go unrebuk
ed, may expect that this cancer will fi
nally eat away its life. A church that
allows its prayer-meeting to godown, be
! cause its officers and members are averse
to praying in public, may consider itself
; in spiritual consumption, witli its right
lung already gone. A church that loses
all fervor of desire, and effort and pray
er, not only for the instruction, but also
for the conversion of her children, and
I of the poor and Ignorant, and of those out
of the way in its immediate locality,
may expect to be found in the next gen
! eration frozen to death.
A writer in the New York Sun says re
formers make a mis’akc in beginning at
the poor. They should commence upon
the rich. He adds that the sins of low
life are open to inspection and merciless
ly revealed, while the crimes of high life
are refined away and hidden.—Evening
News.
In our opinion the sins of low life are
no more numerous than tbe sins of high
life; and in general they are far more
excusable.
The Sunday-School.
International Sunday-School Lessons.
[Prepared specially for The Index by Rev. 8. H.
Mirick, of Washington, D.C.]
Lesson V. —January 30, 1881.
SIMEON AND THE CHILD JESUS.
Luke 11:25-35. B. C. 5.
When Jesus was eight days old, he was
circumcised and named in accordance with
Jewish law. When he was forty-two days
old, his parents took him to the temple “to
present him to the Lord ” At the same time
an offering was made for tne purification of
the mother. See Lu. 2:21 24 and Leviticus
12:1-8. At this time tbe eventof our lesson
occurred.
OUTLINE.
I. The waiting, v- 25,26-
11. The recognition, v. 27-31.
111. The prediction, v. 32-35.
NOTES.
I. The waiting.
V. 25 “Simeon.” We know nothing
more of him than is here related. Thein
definite expression “a man" seems to indi
cate that be was not a prominent man in
Jerusalem. Five things are said of him. 1.
He was “just” toward his fellow-men. 2.
"Devout." careful to observe the moral and
ceremonial law of God. 3. “Waiting for tbe
consolation of Israel." Patiently waiting
for the coining of the Messiah, who was to
be the consolation of the nation in its
oppression. Compare “Hope of Israel” in
Acts 28:20. “The Holy Ghost was upon
him." He was guided by the Spirit in an
unusual manner
V. 26 5. Thu Spirit revealed to him that
he should see the Messiah before be died.
Tout this was a direct revelation it would be
presumption to doubt.
11. The recognition.
V. 27. “Came by tbe Spirit,” as actually
as if he had been invited and accompanied
by an earthly acquaintance. “Into the
temple,” where and when he should see the
Me slab “To do for him after the custom of
the law.” Tbe first-born male in every
Jewish family was claimed by God as
-specially his, to be devoted to his service.
Num. 3.5 13 8:17. Afterward the tribe of
Levi was taken iu the place of the firsfborn.
In order, however, to keep in mind the
Lord's claim and the deliverance from
Egypt, the first-born males were brought to
tbe priest, dedicated to God and then
Ndeemad by the payment of the shek-la
Num. 8:15,14. 18:15, 16. This was the cus
tom referred to here.
V. 28. “Then.” Through the Holy Spir
it, he recognized the child as the Messiah.
“Blessed God ” Praised him.
V. 29. “Lord.” Not the usual word
translated Lord but one denoting master
and corresponding to servant. Simeon here
denotes his entire dependence on his divine
Master. “Depart iu peace.” “He speaks
asoneto whom this life is one of toil and
bondage, and the other one of rest and liber
ty; and he waits for the day of his emanci
pation—the true ideal of the aged Christian's
anticipation of death.” Abbott. “Now” that
I have seen the Messiah, "According to thy
word.” See verse 26.
V. 30. “Mine eyes have seen.” What
prophets and kings had desired to see. “Thy
salvation.” The Messiah and all that the
actual presence of the child signified. “His
mind Mstens on the thing, not tbe person;
and he sees the world's salvation while be
holding the form of a helpless child.” Van
O isterzee.
V. 31. “Os all people." Literally, of all
peoples or nations. Salvation is for the
world without distinction of nations.
V« 32. “A light to lighten the Gentiles.”
The Gentiles are represented as being In
darkness and the coming of the M-'Ssiah as
the dawning of day. The Gentiles are ig
norant of God and sinful. Christ makes
them acquainted withthe law of God, with
his true character and with his plan of sal
vation. “Tne glory of thy people of Israel.”
The first offer of salvation was made to the
Jews. Among them had been the prophets
who predicted his coming. He was born
among them. His first ministry was among
them.
111. The prediction.
V. 33. "Marvelled.” Wondered because
they had gained a new and larger concep
tion of the mission of their child.
V. 34. "Blessed them.” Prayed God's
blessing upon Joseph and Mary. “Is set "
Appointed. We should never forget in
reading the New Testament, that Christ was
sent by his Father for a specific work, and
that wherever he went and in whatever be
did, he was doing the Father’s will. “Fall.”
Ruin. He was the destruction of all hope of
a temporal prince who should relieve them
from Roman rule. Many would reject him
as tbe Messiah and thus be ruined. The na
tion would reject him, and so rush into ruin,
the people be scattered, Jerusalem be dess
troyed. and the temple thrown down. “Ris
ing.” Omit again. Through faith in Jesus,
many would rise from the idea of a political
d-liverance for tbeir nation to the grander
idea of a universal kingdom of all peoples,
and to the conception ot a purely spiritual
kingdom.
“A sign,” of God's love to man. “Shall
be spoken against." Opposed, reviled, re
jected. This is the first hint given in the New
Testament ofthe opposition which the Mes
siah should meet, from the unbelief of man.
The angel had announced tidings of great
joy, but this man of God goes further and
announces that men will reject that which
gives joy to angelic messengers.
V. 35. “A sword shall pierce through thy
own soul also.” Referring to the anguish
which her heart would feci at the opposi
tion which would meet her Son, at his -ejec
tion by her people and his crucifixion at
last. “That” or in order that. This is to be
connected with verse 34. “Tbe thoughts.”
The wicked, selfish thoughts of men. The
ungodly among the Jews were opposed.
Nor less did he reveal the truly pious.
' REMARKS.
1. The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus. 2. If
one lias seen Jesus, he can welcome death.
3. The cross is still a revealer of the hearts
of men. 4.There is to be a final revelation of
what is the heart of man,—tbe revelation of
the judgment day. 5. Have you found Je
SUS?
“Throwing Away Votes.”—The JlVst
ern Christian Advocate talks straight to
the mark about a common fallacy, as
follows: A good deal of twaddling is
heard about throwing away votes, as if
every minority vote was a vote thrown
away. Even if this were true, it might
lie better than a vote with the majority.
A vote may be worse than thrown away.
A vote f>r the wrong is worse than no
vote. But it is not true that minority
votes are thrown away. Their influence
is felt—felt for good ar-for evil, as they
are for the right or for the wrong. Mi
nority votes have shaken empires. One
vote in a minority may outweigh ten
thousand of those in a majority. In this
world all great movements in favor of
truth and righteousness begin with mi
norities, Better a thousand times to be
a minority of one in the right than to go
with a multitude in doing well, It is
unmanly, it is cowardly, not to date to
stand alone when truth and righteous
ness require it, or to stand with those
the world may despise. Oh, for a little
manly courage for righteousness!
Teaching communicates ideas. Train
ing forms habits. Teaching imparts
knowledge. Training develops power.
In teaching, the adult explains words. In
training, he shows methods. Under
teaching, the child hears what is said;
under training, he sees what is done.
Teaching is a spur that judges onward.
Training is food which gives strength to'
run. Again, teaching is apt to beget
aversion; it palls if prolonged, and al
most necessarily grows irksome from the
repitition which it involves. Training
wins one’s liking; it whets an appetite
for itself.
In many branches of tuition this is so
well understood that training forms the
chief element in the master’s work.
W hat teacher es the voice of instruments,
what writing master, what artist, would
instruct wholly or even chiefly, by ex
plaining the thaory? When an art is to
be taught all understand that example
and practice are the most essential means
of progress; the teacher i« to show the
pupil “how.” But when the moral train
ing of the young is in question, when
family education is ob«erv«d, how little
is seen, even among the most thoughtful
and cultured classes, of systematic, inju
dicious pains taken to show the children
how. Now, it is not enough to provide
good books, or even to give lucid and
repeated explanations about honesty,
courage, gratitude, economy, industry,
courtesy, or the like, training in these
things is needful.— N. Y. Tribune.
Do you want your children to be
punctual? Show them how; that is, be
so yourself. Do you wish them to be
methodical in their .habits? Show them
how. Do you wish them to be indus
trious? Be so yourself, and thus show
them how. Do you wish them to be
unselfish and generous? Give liberally,
and this will show them how. Do you
wish them to be even-tempered and
amiabla? Set the example, and show
them how. Do you wish them to be
prayerful? By your daily habits show
them how. Do you wish them to sustain
the church of Jesus Christ and his min
isters by all possible means? Just show
them how. Children cannot be talkqd
into dutiful ways; but they can be led in
them. They take their habits from what
they see, not from what they read and
hear. Show them how.
CANDOR OF JUDGMENT.
And here is wisdom from that clear
headed, level-headed, and fair-dealing
journal, the Methodist, of New York.
We pray you, dear reader, give it good
attention. —Ed. Index.
Candor of judgment fails in men chiefly
under the stress of two influences—opposi
tion and habits of mind. By the first we
mean that few men are candid when dealing
with an active opposition. Tne desire for
victory makesone, in such a case, too ready
jto grasp the nearest weapon. By habits of
' mind we mean those fixed opinions, often
very numerous and running down into de
tails, which men are apt to embrace in the
i heat of conflict, and keep tenaciously after
I they have lost all relation to existing facts.
There is nothing more tiresome to an intel
| ligent person than to listen to this antiqua-
ted twaddle or to reed it in newspapers.
And yet one-half of nearly every man's life
is probably controlled by justsueb twaddle.
Me are all more or less "Bourbons who for
get nothing and learn nothing”—who are
always deciding living issues by old half
truths learned when we were still capable of
learning. Now it seems to us to be a posi
; tively religious duty of every man to resist
tbe influence upon his judgment of many
■ opinions as to life, society, politics, public
men, which may once nave had a certain
amount of truth, but have ceased to apply.
No man can be candid, and therefore a good
Christian, unless he takes pains to be well
informed by reading and bearing both sides,
and by rethinking it out, concerning tbe
character of Iris neighbors, public men, so
cial habits and a thousand trivial, but more
or less potential, concerns. To be able to
slough off from time to time a 'mass of such
minor opinionsis to be able to live three or
four times as much as many do. Never to
so grow young is to be soon like a sapless
tree which is still counted a tree, but bears
no leaf or fruit.
Medicine in a Vehicle.—A physician was
called by a foreign family and prescribed
“one pill to be taken three times a day in
any convenient vehicle.” The family looked
in the dictionary to get at tbe meaning of
the prescription. They got on well until
they reached the word vehicle. To this they
found, “cart, wagon, carriage, buggy, wheel
barrow.” After grave consideration they
came to the conclusion that the doctor meant
the patient should ride out, and while in the
vehicle he should take the pill. Tbe advice
was followed to the letter, and in a few weeks
the fresh air and exercise cured the patient.
KITCHEN ECONOMY.
Interesting Tests made hy the Uovernmenl
Chemist.
[New York Tribune, Dec. 17.]
Dr. Edward G. Love, present Analytical Chem
ilit for the Indian Department of the Govern
ment, has recently nuiue some Interesting ex
periments ss to the comparative value of baking
powders. Dr. Love's tests were made to determ
ine what brands are tho most economical to use.
And as their capacity lies in their leavening
power, tests were directed solely to ascertain the
available gas of each powder. Dr. Love's report
give* the following:
“The prices at which baking powders are sold
to consumers I find to be usually tojeents per
pound. I have therefore calculated tneir rela
tive comm -rcial values according to the volume
of gas yielded on a basis of s’l cents cost per
peund.
Conpa-
Ara liable gas, rative
cubic inches per worth
Nameoflhe each ounce powder. per
baking powders. pound.
• Royal" (cream tartar p0wder).„....127.4 60 eta.
“Patapsco" (alum p0wder)....125 2 49 •*
“Rumford's” (phosphate) freshl22.s 48 '<
" “ 01d32.7 13 ••
"Handford’s None Such" .121.6 4784"
"Redhead’s"ll7 0 45 ••
“Charm” (alum powder)ll6.9 46 •'
"Amazon” (alum powder) .111.9 44 “
"Cleveland” (shortweight ?4-ozllo.B 43 “
•Czar"loo.B 42 ••
“Price's Cream”...™_........10.36 40 "
"Ix'wi»'s'’ condensed 94,2 SSVX"
“Andrew's Pearl" 93.2 86%''
"Hecker's Perfect” 92.5 86 "
Bulk Powder. 80.5 80 •'
Bulk Aerated P0wder..75.0 29 11
Notz —“I regard all alum powders as very un
wholesome. Phosphate and Tartartlc Add pow
ders liberate their gas too freely In process of
baking, or under varying climatic changes sutler
deterioration.”
Profitable Patients.
The most wonderful and marvelous suc
cess in cases where persons are sick or
wasting away from a condition of misera
blenees, that no one knows what ails them,
(profitable patients for doctors), is obtained
by the use of Hop Bitters. Thev begin to
cure from the first dose and keep It up until
perfect health and strength is restored.
Whoever is affiicted in this way need not
suffer when they can get Hop Bitters. —Cin-
cinnati Star.