Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

The Christian Index. BY JAS. P. HARRISON & CO. Norcross, J 8 Lawton, J II DeVotie, Cor. Sec. Re-elected with entire unanimity, 8. A. Burney, Treasurer. Americus was unanimously selected as the next place of meeting. The Committee on deceased Minis ters reported five deaths. Mr. W. G. Whidby submitted the following report of the Committee on Sunday-schools during the absence of the chairman. ON SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. That the Sunday-School cause ia exciting an intenser interest and exerting a stronger Influ enoe at the present throughout the civilised world than ever before is an Impressive and eheering fact. The steady growth of this cause astonishes while-it encourages us. We do not wish to unduly magnify or unduly underrate the magnitude of the Sunday-School work. Confin ed to its true sphere, the Sunday-School is legit imately a Bible school. It is the fa-> ily gathered together to study the will of the Father. We reiterate with the emphasis of earnestness the sentiment of the report of the Committee at our last session: ‘'The grand aim of the Sunday School is so to teach the Word and so direct our energies that the unconverted may be led to Christ, and the converted trained for Christ. With this purpose before us we should find enough to wtimulate our energy, inspire our zeal, and en courage our hopes.’ 7 Brethren, let us take, “no step, backward" in this cause, but move onward. Letus bend all our energies to bring about these results: a Bible school in every church, a Bible school controlled by the church in every com munity. Go with our children to the Sanctuary and the Bible school, at d together hear the preached Word and study with the children the ■written Word of our Father. But precede all with home teaching and training of our little ° n We learn from the report of our Sunday-School Evangelist that the growth of enthusiasm and Interest in this cause is encouraging and hopeful- The steady and increasing interest in our asso ciations! Sunday-School Convent! ns, of. which there are now 25 in number, is gratifying. A great improvement in Bible knowledge among allclas. Bests notable. There is amoregeueral disposition to Improve the character of the schools and the methods of teaching. A larger number of adults are engaged in the work than ever be fore. All the indications point to a more healthful growth during the coming year than ever before in our history. This will bean assured fact if we can secure the hearty sympathy and co operation of pastors, parents School Evangelist has labored with zeal and efficiency, although tried by severe affliction. Appreciating his energy and labors in the cause we commend him for his work and heartily recommend that he be reappointed by the State Missionary Board. We iurther recoin mThat, if possible, the Evangelist be relieved of the duty of raising part of his salary on the field, believing, that his efficiency will be increased schools nnd churches be requested to some systematic plan to support this T That churches and schools co-operate in so ar ranging their services that all the children may attend the preaching of the Word and all the church attend, and engage with the children in the study of the Scriptures. We commend to Sunday-Schools the Baptist Teacher, Kind Words, The Child's Gem, and Dr H H Tucker’s “Bible Book” as valuable aids in the study of His Word. D. B. Hamilton, Ch’m. We append report and remarks of the State Sunday-School Evangelist. Associations! meetings attended 8 Associations v if-ited - ™ —... 40 ■Churches “ ..... 184 Schools organised. - 88 ■Conventions “ 8 “ mass meetings and institutes held 30 Sermons preached................... 188 Addresses delivered 270 Visits made 216 Letters written .. 623 Miles traveled .... . 6622 Scholars added to schools. 165 ( Subscriptions to papers 193 Books sold - 117 Books donated 89 ■Papers and tracts distributed 571 Contributions received in field 8397.29 REMARKS. I do not know that I can say the last year’s Work has been marked by any very remarkable Indications, but I think I can candidly say that the growth of enthusiasm and interest in the Sunday school cause is encouraging and hopeful. Two or three things are especially gratifying to the Evangelist: 1. The steady and increasing interest in our Associations! Sunday school Conventions, of which there are now twenty-five in the State. Wherever the officers are active, great good has been accomplb hed by them. The last one organ ized was the Hephzibah, which starts out under most favorable and pleasing circumstances, 2. Wherever the Evangelist has revisited schools ■previously organized by him, he has noticed a great improvement in Bible knowledge among all classes. The children answer questions pro pounded to them with promptness and accuracy. And there is a more general disposition to im prove the character of the schools and the methods of teaching. 3. A larger number of adults are engaged in the work than has heretofore been the case. The rela tions of the Sunday-school to church and family are better understood and appreciated than formerly. Our Bunday school literature is also more generally circulated than heretofore. All the indications point to a more healthful growth during the coming year than has ever been known in our history. It is hoped and be lieved that we shall have the more hearty sym pathy and co-operation of pastors, parents and churches. The motion made to strike out “We ■further recommend that, if possible, the Evangelist be relieved of the duty of raising part of his salary on the field, believing that his efficiency will be in creased thereby,” excited a lengthy de bate, pro and con, in which C. D. dampbell, A. J. Beck, J. H. DeVotie, S. Boykin, T. 0. Boykin, D. G. Daniel, F. M. Haygood and E. R. Carswell, Sr., participated. The motion prevailed, and the report, as amended, adopted. On motion of Rev. 8. Landrum, or dered the Clerk to print and distribute .2,500 copies of the minutes, and that he be paid SIOO for his services. INDORSING THE INDEX. W. G. Whidby offered the following, which was unanimously adopted: Whereas, This Convention, at its session in LaGrange in 1878, adopted the following preamble and lesolutlon, to wit: “Recognizing The Christian Index as the Organ of our denomination in this State, and appreciating its importance in every field of denominational labor, whether as the expo nent and defender of our doctrines, Interests and policy, the medium of communication between the churches, or as an Invaluable companion In Baptist homes—we cordially and earnestly resolve: “1. That The Christian Indbx Is worthy of, and should receive, the support of every Bap tist in Georgia. ”2. That, as the denominational organ, it has evinced a degree of ability, fidelity and watchfulness over the varied interests of the denomination which merits recognition by this Convention. “3. That the enterprise, liberality and zeal which have distinguished the proprietors in their conduct of Tas Index, commend them to the confidence and support of all Georgia Baptists, and give assurance of unabating efforts, on their part, to increase the useful ness of this denominational auxiliaiw. “4. That all Baptist ministers in Georgia— keeping in view the importance of The In dex as the organ of our denomination, and as a means of advancing vital Christianity— should regard it as a ministerial duty to urge the mem hereof their respective congregations to give it their support; and we invoke the prompt and conscientious performance of this -obligation.” And Whereas, Resolutions of the same tone and Intent have bean repeatedly adopted from time to time by this body for many Sears past, and were, in substance, reaffirmed y the Convention last year during its session in Savannah, In the following words, to-wlt: “We take pleasure In acknowledging tbs excellence, ability and soundness of the time-honored Index under Its present man agement, and commend it heartily to all Georgia Baptists.” And Whkrczs. The present managers of Tub Christian Index have Increased the edi torial force to a larger degree than ever before, at considerable expense to themselves; the: e - Resolved, That we renew all our former in dorsements of the “excellence, ability and soundness of the time-honored Index,” and reaffirm our commendation of it to the hearty support of every Baptist in Georgia. The usual vote of thanks to the citi zens of Athens, railroad companies and the press was adopted. At 2 :10 o’clock p. m. the Convention adjourned sine die. The able President of the Conven tion, the venerated P. H. Mell, is very popular with the members of the Con vention, as well as the students and patrons of the State University. Rev. 8. G. Hillyer was the only man present who attended the Convention of 1838. BAPTIST HISTORICAL—SOCIETY. The Baptist Historical Society met in the Baptist church at 8 p. m. on the 23rd. The Society was led in prayer by W. J. Rogers. J. C. C. Black, President, being ab sent, on motion of G. R. McCall, J. G. Ryals was called to the chair. The following report was read and ordered spread upon the minutes: REPORT OF CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Address—The annual add re-8 will be delivered by Rev. Sylvauus Landrum, of Sivannah. Good Work—Jas. P. Harrison A Co..proprietors of The Christian Index, are p»s«lng through the press a work beating the title, “The Biograph ical Compendium and Portrait Gallery of Bai.tist Ministers and Georgia Baptists,” through which the Denomination will become familiar with the doings as well as the faces of a very large number of our brethren, both living and dead. A History—The Rev. Samuel Boykin has been engaged in preparing the purely historical part of tills "Compendium” and has been able to gather much material which has not been reach ed hitherto, and now holds under temporary control matter sufficient to present to the denom 1 nation a history more full in its details than could have been previously given. As this material can by no means be consumed In a “Compendium,” and as intimated above, the control of much of it on the part of Brother Boykin is temporary only, and must soon be re stored to private Individuals, and may eventual ly be lost, or must be returned to'public archives in distant states, whence it was gathered with much diligent research, and which may or may not be found again. It appears io your Secreta ry very desirable that it should now be used in compiling a full history of the denomination in the State up to the present date. It is, therefore, respectfully suggested that this society adopt some measures to aid or encourage brother Boykin in such an enterprise. Work—The labors performed by your Secretary during the year now closing have been confined chiefly to rendering assistance in collecting ma terial as above Indicated. Funds—Last year you were requested to with hold your contributions as funds would be need ed only to supply stationary and meanssufficient for this demand were on hand, there being at the time a balance of $8.25. The exnenditures t>r the year have bien $5.00, leaving in hand $3.25. Thera will be needed the ensuing year about $40.(j0, for the purpose of binding papers. Secretary—Your Secretary should be a resident of Macon, convenient to the Library rooms of Mercer U ntveraity, where all material collected is to be deposited, and on the railroad, where he would be easy of access to those sending pack ages. If itshould be upon the mind of any to re elect the present incumbent, be would, in advance, say he would feel it bis duty to decline. Rev. 8. Landrum was elected Presid ent, Rev. W. L. Kilpatrick Correspond ing Secretary, and Rev. 8. Boykin As sistant by acclamation, 8. P. Sanford, J. E. Willet and A. J. Battle were elec ted Directors. The annual address was delivered by Rev. 3. Landrum, giving a concise history of education by Georgia Bap tists. G. R. McCall offered the following which were adopted: Resolved, Tbat it is with unfeigned pleasure that we learn of the material in the hands of Rev. Samuel Boykin, by the use of which an addition al history of our denomination in the State may be published. Resolved. That we would encourage Bro. Boy kin in undertaking a work of this kind if he finds it safe to do so. Resolved, Tbat Brethren H. Landrum and A J Beck be requested to confer with Bro. Boykin upon the propriety of his giving in bookform material which he has been able to control* On motion G. R. McCall was added to the Committee. SUNDAY SERVICES. At 9 :30 a. m. the Baptist Sunday school was addressed by J. G. McCall and 8. A. Burney in excellent speeches. The school is in excellent condition. At 11 a. m. Rev. J. H. Hall, of New nan, preached from Acts 9:11. His theme: “Saul, a guilty sinner moving God in prayer,” was handled with ability and earnest eloquence. At 4p. m., despite the heavy fall of rain, the church was packed to listen to the Sunday-school addresses by Rev. A. E. Dickinson, editor of the Religious Herald, Rev. R. H. Graves, missionary to China, and Rev. T. C. Boykin. At night Rev. S. H. Ford, D. D., of St. Louis, preached from Luke, 3d chapter, Ist verse. Rev. J. H. DeVotie preached in the morning in the Presbyterian church to a large congregation. At 8 p. m. the Mission Sunday-echool, of which Mr. Henry Fleisch is superin tendent, was addressed by Mr. G. W. Howard, of Barnett, in a pointed and pithy talk. He talked right from the heart. This mission is doing a good work. Sunday one of the boys told his teacher that when his brother quarreled with him, and he felt like talking back, a verse she had taught him, “A soft an swer turneth away wrath,” came into his mind, and he spoke softly to hia brother and averted a conflict. The rain at night prevented the family of Mr. 8. C. Dobbs and their guests from going to church, so they had a song-fes tival at home. Miss Mollie Dobbs, a charming performer on the organ and piano, with a rare, sweet voice besides, Miss Ella Dobbs and Miss Jessie Glen- General Literature—Domestic and Foreign Intelligence—Secular Editorials. ATLANTA, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1881. dinning, of Lincoln county, were assisted by Mr. A. R. Cason, of Jewell’s Mills, Mr. G. W. Howard, of Barnett, Willie Dobbs and S. C. Dobbs. The exercises were marked with spirit and solemnity, and were closed at a late hour with a fervent prayer by the Rev. H. M. Adams. Those who were present will ever cherish recollections of that festival of song. At another residence a venerable divine, who might well be mistaken for one of the ancient apostles, gathered the household around him and talked to them in the old apostolic fashion. —Consequent upon the resignation of Dr. Landrum, at a conference held by the Savannah Baptist church, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: Dear Brethren —A period of less than two years has elapsed since, by the unanimous voice of the church, we called our former pastor from a dis tant field to come back to us and re sume those relations which had been broken only by a sense of duty on his part. On his return we mutually felt that the union would terminate only with his life; but it has been other wise ordered. We are a second time called upon to resign ourselves to a separation from a loved and honored pastor, whose re lations to us during the whole period of his stay have been characterized by unvarying Christian fellowship and love. » Identified with all the various inter ests of our defnomination in the State, and ever striving to promote the wel fare and advancement of his church, maintain in honorable standing for her among others in the city, and above all evincing a deep interest in and warm attachment for every one of her members, we cannot but regard his de parture from us with regret, and a loss to us as a church. Be it therefore Resolved, That in view of the call which our pastor has re ceived to labor in another field, and the conviction in his own mind that he should acquiesce, we recognize the overruling hand of our Heavenly Fa ther and submit ourselves to his will. Resolved, That we hereby extend to our pastor on the eve of his departure from us our heartfelt wishes for his welfare and those dear to him, and pray that God will abundantly bless his lab ors in behalf of the institution in aid of which his services are required, in making him instrumental in fitting andsending forth many who will preach the glad tidings of salvation. —The Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Convention had an interesting meeting at the First Baptist church in Atlanta. Rev. R. B. Headden, of Car tersville presiding. Fifteen thousand dollars have been contributed by mis sions. Georgia will be entitled to over one hundred delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention. Miss Wright, daughter of Hon. A. R. Wright, of Rome, tendered herself to the foreign mission work, and her letter was for warded to the Foreign Mission Board. Rev. R. R. Headden, Rev. J. G. Ry alls and Rev. D. W.Gwin were appoint ed a committee to prepare a suitable expression of sympathy for Rev. J. H. DeVotie on the loss of his son. The members of the Board were en tertained by the ladies of the First Bap tist church with a magnificent dinner, served in the basement. In behalf of the board Rev. G. A. Nunnally return ed thanks. W. G. Whidby was elected by the Board railroad secretary, to perfect ar rangements for delegates to the State and Southern Baptist conventions. The State Mission Board of South Carolina has also elected Mr. Whidby for this position. Early in May there will be nearly two hundred delegates in Atlanta en route for Columbus, Miss., to attend the Southern Baptist convention. —The Savannah Baptist church, cordially and unanimously elected Rev. J. E, L. Holmes, of Danville, Va., as pastor of the church. Mr. Holmes is a graduate of Richmond College and of the Southern Baptist Theological Sem inary. He is about thirty-five years of age, and has been a pastor for seven years. He is fully indorsed by Hon. J. L. M. Curry, Dr. Hatcher, and others, as an accomplished preacher and pastor, a fine scholar, and a most polished gentleman. There are grounds for believing that he will accept the call. The Columbus Times alluding to the meetings, presided over by the venerable Dr. Campbell in that city, says: The open air meeting, noth withstanding the fact that it is rather early in the season, attracted a very good crowd, and the services were most interesting. No ether branch of religious exercises is calculated to do so much good as this one, and we trust that the venerable divine, who has been conducting the services so long in Col umbus, may yet live to see glorious re sults of his labors. Twenty-seven persons were recently baptized into the Dawson (Colored Bap tist church.) NEW BOOKS. Tho New Nobility. By John W. Forney, New York: D Appleton A Co. 1881. This book is the outcome of a literary copartnership between Mr. Forney, the well known Philadelphia editor, and Rev. William M. Baker, of Boston, author of New Timothy. Mr. Forney claims as his share of the book “the whole idea and scope” of it, and “some of its early chapters,” but his Boston friend is entitled to the “body of the book.” Ac cording to this statement the honors, by right, belong to Mr. Baker—the book is all “body,” and the main merit even of this “body” lies in the hand some dress which the Appleton’s have given it. We fail to find in this corpus the “idea and scope” alluded to by Mr. Forney. It is a body without a soul. Insipid, crude, toneless, pointing in every direction and following none, it is as unsatisfactory, in a literary point of view, as a ten dollar Chatham street dress-suit would be considered aestheti cally. The publication of stuff like this is to be resented by an age which values time, and can not afford to waste it on trifles. —Robertson's Living Thoughts. A Thesau rus. By Kerr Boyoe Tupper. With an intro duction by Prof. William C. Richards, Ph. D. Chicago: S. C. Griggs A Co. 12mo, pp. 256. Price. $1.25. This is a carefully and sagaciously edited compilation of extracts from the sermons, lectures and letters of one of the finest and most brilliant intellects that has adorned the English pulpit. By means of this excellently arranged work we get, in a condensed and ex ceedingly practical form, the spiritual worth of a bright and beautiful Chris tian soul, thoughts that will instruct, elevate,cheer, and furnish seed-thoughts for divine aspirations. It is emphati cally a good book, and Mr. Tupper has well earned the thanks of Christian readers for the excellent manner in which he has prepared this feast for heart and soul, from the bountiful store left to the world by one of its really great men. —Ploughed Under; The Story of an Indian Chief. Told by Himself. With an Introduc tion by InshtaTheambaC'BripAl Eyes" of the Poncas). Published by Fords, Howard A Hul bert, New York. Walden A Stowe, Atlanta. The title of this book is striking and significant. It indicates the “Plough ing under” process which, for a hun dred years, this alleged “free and Chris tian” government of ours has practiced for the purpose of exterminating, root and biancb, the Indians upon our soil. The tale is full of a new and strange interest, giving, as it does, from the in side, a detailed view of the homes and haunts, the ideas and impressions, the costumes and customs, the familiar habits and special practices of our North American Indians, it leads the reader on from one chapter to another with a constant succession of new themes and unhackneyed phases of life. True it is, as Inshta Theamba (the lively little lady known as “Bright Eyes,” of the Poncas), says in her intro duction to this book, “The Indian is not an extraordinary being; he is of the race of man, and, like others, is the creature of his surroundings. If you weuld know something of what he is, of how his spirit and his disposition are affected by his circumstances, read the record of life—its loves and hates— here set forth.” We do see that the Indian nature is much like human nature everywhere, but it is very sel dom that we get so fresh and new a picture of human development amid such peculiar surroundings. It has all the fascination of books of travel among strange peoples, with some new and unsuspected turn of thought or of fact at every step. The book will do good by a recital of the truth in an attractive and pic turesque way. It may be a means for reaching the heart of the people, and to move them to wipe out our bar barious “Indian policy”—a policy black as starless midnight with evil and un utterable wrong. —A Fair Barbarian. By Frances Hodgson Burnett. Jas. R. Osgood A Co. Boston. Mrs. Burnett’s object is to set before her readers two, in many respects, very dissimilar types of modern society— the free, frank, unconventional, bright and bounds-hating western American, and the provincial, (hence more char acteristic) custom-bound, ossified, an gular, uncomfortable, prosaic aristo cratism of Old England. Mrs. Burnett has a good subject, and draws her picture with a deft and prac ticed hand, although we can not help but feel that she has ceased to write with all her heart and all her soul, the former fired by a sincere purpose, the latter filled by a lofty ideal. She is simply writing for the market; she is to amuse, at so many dollars a page, with orders “to write something smart and taking” already on file, to bo at tended to as quickly as possible. Her true, deep studies are degenerating into mere bright and fanciful water-color sketches. We wish she would con serve her genius to nobler aims. —Cradlesong. For Plano. By Alfredo Barlli. Phillips A Crew, Atlanta, Ga., Publishers. We are indebted to the publishers for a copy of this excellent composition. It is, in every way, a delightful contri- bution to the music treasury of our day. Its theme, so rich in tender associa tions, so potent in its power to stir the heart with the subtle influences of hope and love and peace, is developed with exquisite purity, and with the success which can come alone by the conscien tious observance of classic art-rules, so frequently violated now-a-days by the flaring and flashy trumpery of musical quacks. This quiet, dainty, poetical little “Cradio Song” will be welcomed by all whose taste in music is pure, who abominate the sensational, and who feel that a dew-drop distilled from the very heart of melody is worth an ocean of ranting, unmusical phrases, and of rhapsodic, meaningless sound. We sincerely recommend Prof. Ba rili’s notable compositions for the piano to all lovers of the “divine art.” • —ln reference to the organization of Berean Baptist church in Augusta, Rev. W. T. Cheney writes: “According to previous arrangement a meeting was held last Sunday, April 17th, in the public school house in Hicksville, a suburban Augusta village, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church in that portion of the city of Augusta near the Sibley mills. “On motion of Rev. W. T. Cheney, Rev. J.S. Perrycleare was called to the chair. The council was composed of delegates from the various Baptist churches of the city. W. S. Howard jr., was elected clerk. The church was then organized according to Baptist custom. The church was named the “Berean Baptist Church” (Acts 17 :10, 11). “It was unanimously agreed that this should be a mission church, and Rev. W. T. Cheney was requested to present the claims of this important mission field to the State Convention soon to meet in Athens. “The church was organized with a membership of about twenty-five. The indications are that this will be a fruit ful field. W. T. Cheney.” —The churches of the first district of the Central Association are request ed to send delegates to a general meet ing to be held with the Monticello Baptist church, commencing on Friday before the fifth Lord’s day in May. In troductory sermon on Friday night. Questions for consideration, Ist. What are the relations and duties of church members to each other? 2nd. How can growth in the divine life be best promoted? All of our ministering brethren, es pecially those who have charge of churches in the first district of the Association, are cordially invited to at tend, and take part in the proceedings, By order of the Monticello Baptist church in Conference, W. B. Crawford, pastor. The Sanitarian for April has the fol lowing leading papers: Prevention of Diphtheria, by E. R. Maxson, M. D., LL. D., of Syracuse, N. Y. The Con tagious Diseases Acts of Great Britain, by I. Birbeck Ndvins, M. D., London, England. The Ventillation of Ships, by T. J. Turner, M. D., Medical Direc tor U. S. Navy. Sanitation and Ed ucation, by Hon. John Eaton, U. 8. Commissioner of Education. The Pre vention of Contagious Diseases, by James Crane, M. D., Health Com missioner of Brooklyn. Editorials on : Yellow Fever, and its dangers to the Mississippi Vally States, by reason of the inefficiency of Lousi ana quarantines; “Bad Odors,” and their dangers; Dirt; Poisoning by Illu minating Gas; Mortality Statistics; and the prevalent fatal diseases of the chief cities; and the usual sanitary news and reviews of sanitary publications; altogether an admirable number, fruitful in informa tion to all who value health and would know how to preserve it. Catalogue of Carriages.—We have received from the famous manu facturer of carriages, Mr. Augustus N. Parry, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, a copy of his new illustrated catalogue. It is an elegant publication, containing illustrations and descriptions of the different styles of carriages manufac tured by him. His carriage works have a national reputation for the beauty, durability, and finish of work manship. Any of our readers desir ing to purchase a carriage should send for one of Mr. Parry's illustrated cata logues. —Rev. J. F. Reeves, of Griffin, agent of The Christian Index, is in Newnan, canvasing for that excellent paper. Every church member should take and pay for his denominated paper, and Baptists will find The Index worth far more than its subscription price.— Herald. . » ■ —Tthe Sandersville Herald says: Rev. J. M. Wood has moved from Wrightsville to Greenville, Alabama. A worthy man, good citizen, and zeal ous minister of the Baptist church, we wish him success and usefulness in bis new field. ESTABLISHED I 811. GEORGIA NEWS. —A destructive cyclone swept over Lee county recently. —The new Catholic church iu Columbus will be dedicated May 15th. —A company has been organized in Ata I anta to light the city with the new electric light. —There are 220 students at the South Georgia Agricultural College, at Thomas ville. —The new and. elegant Savannah river steamer, “Wheless," was destroyed by fire at Savannah. —The Rome Bulletin understands that the deaf and dumb asylum had about $5,000 on deposit in the defunct bank ol Rome. —Rev. J. R. Mayson has resigned the Presidency of the LaGrange Female College aud will be succeeded by Rev. J. W. Heidt. —Ten thousand dollars have been sub-, scribed in Cartersville for a cotton factory at tbat place—two-thirds of the sum to be raised. —A company of Atlanta capitalists have been in Conyers for the purpose of purchas ing the paper mill property and converting it into a large cotton mill. —The question of prohibition is being dis cussed by the citizens of Walton county. A petition will be presented at the next meet ing of the General Assembly, by the movers in the matter, praying for the passage of a bill to submit the question to the qualified voters of the county for ratification or rejec tion. —The report of State School Commissioner Orr, covering the educational operations of 1879 and 1880, is comprehensive, and makes a gratifying exhibit. It presents a rapid and continuous growth of the public school sys tem, and shows what is being done in this direction throughout the State. The com pilation of statistics is very valuable, and the showing made is creditable. —“Jack Plane," the well-known corres pondent of the Savannah News, writing from Fort Valley, speaks of the ruinous effect of the “all cotton and buy your sup plies" policy of the average Georgia farmer. According to this writer the agricultural outlook is gloomy. He says: “Having confined my investigations and observations to cities and towns for months past, I was confident that Mr. Stephens was in error when he claimed that Georgia was growing poorer every year. But having been thrown into the country for the past month, and watching the movements of farmers, and hearing their honest confessions, I am pro foundly convinced that the ‘Great Common er’ is right, although the feet is paradoxical. The business in cities and towns shows un common prosperity. There are greater signs of improvement in the way ot new buildings and inaugurating new enterprises than have been known since the war in all our towns and cities. The fact is equally true that there is greater want and poverty in the country districts than was ever before known. If, as we have always been taught, agricul ture is the foundation of all prosperity, the seeming success in cities and towns cannot be of long duration. The wails that have gone forth from Rome and Atlanta may be but a warning of the coming storm. I usu ally take the bright side of all affairs, but every surrounding impresses me that trou bles and embarrassments await us as a peo ple." —The committee appointed by the credi tors of the defunct Citizens' Bank of Atlanta, submitted to the depositors alengthy report, which was adopted. By the report the creditors have agreed to employ attorneys to contest the right of the State to its prior lien, and to do such other acts as will tend to ad vantage the creditors. Judge Bleckley, Mr. Z. D. Harrison, and Messrs. Hopkins <fc Glenn, have been employed by the commit tee. The Constitution says: “The assignees have completed their statement, but decline to give it to the public until the committee of seven have examined it, The committee declined to give it to the public for the pres ent, alleging as their reasons that the interest of the creditors will be materially disadvan taged by such action. However, from pri vate sources it is ascertained that the liabili ties of the batik are $001,590.87, and the assets $674,754.69. These figures are taken from tho statement which has been carefully prepared by competent persons. By them it will be seen that the assets exceed the liabili ties $73,163 82. “From the same gentleman, who has seen and carefully revised the statement, it is learned that all of the assets are not availa ble—not even good—but, in bis opinion, they will cash $450,000 at least. “If this be the case, careful handling will give the creditors a good per cent, on their deposit. At any rate the statement indicates that they are richer than has been sup posed." —Referring to a scheme proposed by a prominent citizen of Georgia to promote immigration to this State, Col. W. J. Houss ton, of the Air-Line (R. & D.) railroad, in a communication to the Atlanta Constitution, says: “The identical scheme as proposed was inaugurated by the management of the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-Line railway two years ago, and with the aid of Registrar, Dr. J. W. Moorman, it was successfully carried out. This company perfected the registra tion of 300,000 acres of lanfi along its line, and bad a copy of the register printed in German, giving a complete description of all the lands pooled. This registry was sent to Europe last fall by agents appointed for the purpose, and the results were entirely satis factory, so much so that the present mana gers of the Richmond and Danville railroad company, which now own and control the Air-Line, have ordered a continuation of the scheme with enlarged facilities for its execu tion. Mr. A. Pope, the General Passenger Agent of the company will, in a very short time, furnish tbe public with the plans of the company, which seems to be the only practicable way to secure a portion of the valuable foreign emigration that is coming to this country. “While in this connection, I beg to state that every foreigner that landed under the auspices of this company has either bought lend on the line, and is now comfortable and happily located, or in the employ ot some of onr native farmers, who seem to ap- Sreciate and encourage them ; also, that we nd no difficulty in securing places for far mers and artisans of all kinds at fair wages, the demand for their services coming from all sections of the States of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. It was the pleasure of the writer to witness the landing of eighty-two for Virginia and Geor gia on the 12th instant, and we have advice of others to land during the month. Let the railroads encourage it and you will find the South, in a very short time, standing in the first rank in Castle Garden and other Atlan tic ports. “The great advantage of this scheme is the certainty of ready and willing co-operation by the initial roads under the principle of interchange of business courtesy practiced by one corporation to another when engaged in similar enterprises.”