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• • • • of I V. ■Ts wW* Jo J N 0 EX (c) - Vs J SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST, ' X THE CHRISTIAN HERALD, of Alabama. of Tennessee. ESTABLISHED I 811. Table of Contents. First Page—Alabama Department: Attemp ted Assassination of the President; Ala bama Baptist Convention. The Religious Press. Second Page—Our Pulpit: "The Natural Philosophy of the Bible’’-Rev. W. T. Cheney, Augusta, Ga. In Memoriam— Jewett G. Devotie. Mission Department. Third Page—The Sunday-School: Moses and Aaron—Lesson for July 24th ; Lesson Five: Moses and the Magicians—Lesson for July 31st. Fourth Page—Editorials: Responsibility for Crime; wives Slandered; Who Shot the President; Glimpses and Hints; Georgia Baptist News; Meetings of Georgia Asso ciations for 1881: Fifth Page—Secular Editorials: The Expo sition ; Books and Magazines; Resurgam —poetry—Charles W. Hubner; Literary Notes and Comments; Georgia News. Sixth Page—The Hopsehold : Life Pictures —poetry-, The Other Train that is Coming; Sleep; Fashion Notes. Obituaries. Seventh Page—The Farmer’s Index: Re fri"eratiilg Without Ice; Bermuda Grass- Mark A. Cooper. Eighth Page—Florida Department: Corres pondence; Board Meetings; The South Florida Union; Letter from Little River, etc., etc. Alabama Department. BY SAMUEL HKTTDBJRSON’. ALABAMA STATE CONVENTION. Our readers will concur with us in t the belief, based on the report of its proceedings, that the recent session of this body at Troy was one of marked interest and rich promise for the fu ture. The large attendance, the able discussions, the enlightened policy, the warmth of love and zeal, —all testify that the Convention grows, year by year, in interest, and vigor, and power for good. Qod has given our brethren In Alabsmr as fine a field of hopeful labor as our country anywhere pre sents ; and we rejoice in the conspic uous tokens of a purpose on their part to meet the responsibilities of their po sition. The name of the State may mean, “Here we rest,” but their motto seems, more and mere, to be, “Here we work !” We regret that the proceedings have reached us only in part—though we have delayed our publication a day to receive them. ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT. Never have we seen our country so startled, so shocked, as when the news of President Garfield’s assassination was received. When President Lincoln was assassinated, that was the blackest crime that had been recorded in this country up to that time. But this is, if possible, still worse. The country was then in a very unsettled state. Ani mosity engendered by war had not had time to cool down. But now the coun try is in a state of profound peace. Not a ripple disturbs the public mind. It is absolutely the coolesi the most premeditated, the most abandonedly de praved act of which the lowest and meanest can be guilty. In one sense, one life is worth as much as another; but in another sense one life may be worth thousands of others. The peo ple of Israel estimated David’s life to be yvorth "ten thousand of them.” See I. Sam. 18 :3. This is the light in which to view such an official as President Garfield. He is the. chief executive, the representative, of one of the great nations of the earth.- His life gathers importance from the elevated, responsi ble position to which he has been cal led by the suffrages of a free people. It matters nothing who did, or who did not, vote for him. He is our President, and the crime that sought his life is a crime against every citizen of the Uhited States. It is an outrage against God’s law, against Christianity, against patriotism, against humanity. The only alleviation of the whole case is, that it was the work of a foreigner, if not by nativity, at least by blood. He appears to have been a disappointed office-seeker, and he sought to gratify his disappointed ambition by striking down the life of the chief citizen of the United States—the lowest revenge of an ignoble wretch. Hopes were cher ished, at our last accounts, that the President would recover. The prayers of a Christian people all over the Union are offered up for him. The discovery in your spiritual nature of some unexpected blemish is not a cause of discouragement but of humble gratitude. It is the first step in the process of cleansing. - Christian Advocate. THE ALABAMA BAPTIST CON VENTION. Troy, Ala., July 18, 1881. The Alabama Baptist Convention met with the First church, in the above named city, to day at ten o’clock. The body was called to order by the Presi dent, Judge Jonathan Haralson, of Selma. Rev. E. J. Forrester, of Pleasant Hill, Alabama, conducted the opening relig ious exercises by request of the. Pres ident. The body joined in singing, "I love Thy Kingdom, Lord,” etc. Brother Forrester read the 13th chapter of 1 Cor. and the last five verses of Matt., then made ah appropriate prayer. The names of the delegates showed quite a full attendance. Judge Haral son, of Selma, was re-elected as Presi dent; Hon. J. G. Lewis, of Livingston, and Judge J. P. Hubbard, of Troy, Vice- Presidents ; and B. B. Davis, Secretary ; Col. J. T. Murfee, President of Howard College, and Rev. 8. A. Goodwin. D. D., of Union Springs, acting as tellers. The President accepted the position in a brief address of thanks for the confi dence shown to him by the brethren. The church was decorated with a motto over the pulpit in rustic letters of green: “Welcome to the Lord’s workmen.’’ The pastor welcomed the body in the following address. Brother President, and Brethren of the Convention : To me has been assigned the pleasant duty of extending to you a formal welcome. As representative citizens, assembled from different portions of our beloved State, I greet you in the name of the people of Ttoy; and, opening our doors, we offer to you the hospitality of our homes. Welcome to our firesides; now yours as well as ours. As Christians, purchased with blood divine,and formed in the divine image by the operation of the Holy Spirit, made partakers of the divine na ture, and adopted into the Royal family of heav en, we olrim you as our brethren, and welcome you to our hearts. May your stay among us,be characterized by those exhibitions of affection that belong to the one happy family of Jesus. I greet you as brethren beloved; and, from the deepest depths of my heart, I extend to you a Christian salutation and a family welcome. But your assembling with us to-day takes on, if not a more holy and Christlike signification, at least a more practical Interest than a merevocial Christian gathering. You are here lot duty—for active, earnest, laborious work for Christ. The Master’s call for work brings you together in these annual convocations.. If the doctrines of our holy religion chrystaiize into grace, it is a grace that is living and active. If a faith without works Is a dead faith, a grace wltbou Use is a spurious gaoc. The- practical, manward tendency of Christianity is work ; ear nest, persistent, self-sacrificing work lor the good of others. Here you meet to discuss means, to consider objections, to correct mistakes, to peifect plans for elevating and blessing humanity, and for the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom. He wee, our efforts look to Sabbath-schools, edu cation and missions. Forqur Sabbath-schools we seek the greatest effi ciency. to bring the young to Christ, and to train them for His service. In the work of education we would utilize all the means God has given us, and by the printed page in the hands of the faithful colporter, by the religious paper, by our schools and colleges, we labor to disseminate the truth. In the field of missions we labor to give the glad tidings of salvation to every creature, using as agencies our “ State Board,” the "Home Board,” and the "Foreign Board.” What a glorious work is ours! What necessity, too, for work! So much to be done; noAime to be idle, and none can say, “Nothing fo{ me to do.” “ ‘Nothing to dol’ in this world of ours, Where weeds spring up with rarest flowers: " here smiles have only a fitful play ; Where hearts are breaking every day. "‘Nothing to do!’ thou Christian soul! Wrapping thee round in thy selfish stole! Off with thy garments of sloth and sin; Christ, thy Lord, hath a kingdom to win. " ‘Nothing to do!’ there are prayers to lay Ou the altar of incense, day by day ; There are foes to meet, within and without; There are errors to conquer, strong and stout, « ‘Nothing to dothere are minds to teach The simplest forms of infant speech; There are hearts to lure, with loving wile, From the grimmest haunts of sin’s defile. “ ‘Nothing to do!' there are lambs to feed, The precious hope of the church’s need,; Strength to be borne to the weak and faint; Vigils to keep with the doubting saint. “ ‘Nothing to do 1’ there are heights to attain, Where Christ is transfigured yet again : Where earth will fade in the vision sweet, And the soul press on with winged feet. “ ‘Nothing to do!’ and thy Savior said, ‘Follow thou Me, In the path I tread Lord, lend us thy help the journey through, Lest, faint, we cry, so much to do I” Welcome, us the Lord’s workmen. May the Great Headof the church Inspire and direct your assem bled wisdom to the accomplishment of the great est good. May your visit to our city be pleasant to each and every one of you, that in after years every recollection of the Convention at Troy shall call forth nothing but gladness. We beg for your godly efforts, and for your ear nest and Importunate prayers, for God's blessing upon our churches and people. Pray for us, brethren, that the word of the Lord may be glori fied in the conversion of sinners and the revival of the Lord’s people. Again we bid you a most hearty and sincere welcome! The President responded as follows: Brother Stout : Permit me, in behalf of the Convention, to thank you for the kindnesses we are receiving at the hands of the people of this city. Our numbers are such as to tax, to uo in considerable extent, their hospitalities. I trust, in return, we may be able to do something tend ing to advance their social, religious and com mercial prosperity. ■ For the next few days, we are to be engaged in the consideration and discussion of subjects which are engaging the earnest attention of good people throughout the world. Speaking for this Convention and in their name I most affectionately invite the members of your church and of the other Baptist churches, and our brethren of other religious denominations in the city, and the citizens generally, to attend our sittings. When we shall have gone hence, we will bear with us pleasant memories of kindness received, and of the very happy terms in which you have communicated our welcome to your midst, leav ing with the people our grateful benedictions. Received as correspondents: From Georgia—Rev A B Campbell, of Colum bus ; Rev W D Joiner, of Florence; Brother Rob ert Brown, of Howards. From Florida—Rev J C Porter, of Tallahassee. Appointed the pastors and deacons of Troy, and brethren W 8 Paullin and D M Seals as Commit tee on Religious Exercises. Appointed the following additional committees: ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881. On Finance—T J Dill, L H Boles, IO Cheney. On Nominating the Remaining Officers of the Convention—W N Reeves, H F Oliver, E J For rester. W G Curry, J A Howard On Nominating Delegates to the Southern Bap tlst Convention—W H Mclntosh, A P Ashunit, J L Sampey, G W Carlisle. Nominating State Mission Board—W B Crump ton, G 8 Anderson, W S Rogers, M M Wamboldt, J M Thfgpi a. Appointed as Correspondents to the Georgia Baptist Convention—Revs J O Hixon, T H Stout, B C Bennet, W H Mclntosh, A P Ash u ret, David Rogers, Z D Roby, W N Reeves, M M Wamboldt, W A Davis, B F Riley, and brethren Jonathan Haralson, E 8 Shorter, John T Davis. The report of the State Mission Boa’d was read by Rev. T. M. Bailey, the Cor responding Secretary. The ’report gave an exceedingly encouraging state of facts. About $8,000.00 had been raised for State Missions; $1,400 for Home Mis sions ; $1,600. for Foreign Missions; about $14,000 had been raised for the mission work, and SI,OOO for educa ’ tion. • The report of the trustees of Howard 1 College was read by Col. J. T. Murfree, i and showed the college to be in a very prosperous condition. For several years 1 the college had been involved in debt,but • now they were able to report all indebt edness settled. ' Rev. W. H. Mclntosh read the report : of the trustees of the “Judson Female Institute,” at Marion. The institution 1 was In a very flourishing condition. Adjourned with the benediction. AFTERNOON SESSION. t Prayer by W. H. Wilkes. Rev. T. W. Tobey,'D.D., read the re i port on Home Missions. It emphasized ! the work in New Orleans, among the J Chinese in California, and among the Indians. I Addresses were made by Revs, W. S. ; Rodgers, of Midway; Z. A. Owens, of Mobile; 8. A. Goodwin, D.D., of Union > Springs ; W. H. Mclntosh, D.D., of Ma- • rion ; J. C. Porter, of Tallahassee ;E. T. Winkler, LL.D., of Marion. While all > the brethren were interest ing, Dr. Wink -1 ler’s address was thrilling in its facts. , He said : “ Our children are going to ; the.centres of population, and we must ! meet them with the gospel. The Mor i mops contribute one million dollars an i nually to propagate their accursed eys , tern ; while the 1,700,000 Baptists of the , South do not contribute $75,000 for gen i eral mission work.” Btothbr Z. A. Owens'offered a . oso'u i tion instructing the State Mission Board ■ to take charge of the destitution in the ■ State, and leave the Home Board to prosecute the work in moredestitute sec tions. Adopted. Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. A. Howard, of Montgomery. WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 8 : 30 O’CLOCK. Rev. B. H. Crumpton, of Greenville, preached the Introductory sermon to a very large congregation from 1 Cor. 10:31, ! “Wnether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” The subject, as announced by ■ t-Q e pulpitj was “Consecration.” Three . le a ding points were made : 1. The motive for consecration ; the atonement of Christ. 2. The nature of consecration. 3. The method of consecration. In the discussion the two last points were treated together. The sermon was interesting and searching; the delivery emphatic and earnest. Judge J. Faulkner made the closing prayer. THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 14, 9 O’CLOCK. Religious exercises were led by Rev. J. A. Howard, of Montgomery. Prayer was offered by Rev. E. B. Teague, D.D., of Wilsonville, and Rev. G. 8. Anderson, of Newberne. Remarks were made by Rev. J. A. Howard and Rev. W. N. Reeves. Resolutions sanctioning the sale of one-half interest in the Alabama Baptist, by Rev. John L. West, to Rev. W. C. Cleveland, were introduced by Judge H. W. Coffey, of Hayneville, and were unanimously adopted. President A. K. Yancy, of the Central Female College, Tuscaloosa, read the re port on the above college. It showed the institution to be in a very prosper ous condition, having enrolled forty per cent, more pupils during the past session than the preceding. Received the report of the Treasurer of the Convention, and referred the same ! to the Committee on Finance. Col. J. T. Murfree read the report of, the Special Committee upon the report , of the State Mission Board. It commen ded the work, and endorsed, the report; giving emphasis to the importance of the : work. ; Rev. S. A. Goodwin, D.D., of Union [ Springs, made a beautiful and touching address. He represented the moving Erinciple of the Christian to be love, ove manifests itself, 1, By giving. 2. By blessing. Missions was the great 1 object in the organization of the church. ! We must advance. Never before in Alabama, were we so well organized for the work. The importance of our State,' i and our connection with her, demand a i forward movement. ! "Alabama for Christ” was received by . the congregation with involuntary , cheers. The address was one of great power. Brother W. C. Cleveland followed in a fine address. Man is naturally inclined . to ask, in regard to every effort, “Will it ■ pay ?” Every effort must be examined by the principles of economics. Chris i tianity must maintain herself by showing - that “godliness is profitable.” We pro- Sose this test for the work of the State ioard. During the last year thirty-seven men have been in the work; twenty- seven are now at work; —twenty-two as missionaries, four as colporters, and one among the colored people. This Board is the ear of the Conven tion listening to the cries for help; this Board is the eye of the Convention, watching for the suflering ; this Board is the hand of the, Convention, carrying tbe benefactions of the Convention. ’ Mr*. Judson once dreamed that site saw a great tree, with a large crowd on either side. Some were cutting down tbe tree. But to the asionishment of all the tree did not fall when the trunk wjh severed. A voice came to her say ing, “The tree cannot fall, it is rooted in the sky.” Nogrand enterprise ever began save iti littleness. Now, this Board has pas sed this stage., The speech was a fine one. , -Rev. E. F. Baber, of Collirene, follow ed in a good speech. Rev. E. J. Forrester, of Pleasant Hill, made a telling speech on woman’s work to woman. The speech bristled wi h Im statistics. The women oftheUni'- ed States have raised, and mostly in the last five years, about $5,000,000 for mis sion work. The 350 women societies of the Southern Baptist churches raised last year about $6,000, or more than three types as much as the 1,400 Baptist chur ofies of Alabama. Brother J. E. White, ol Clinton, made a short speech on the subject. Dr. E. T. Winkler, moved to amend tiw name suggested for the ladies soci eties, ap as to read, WoHien’s Mission So '■fiiies. Alter. Jas. Shackelford, D.D., of Trinity, approbated most that bad been said in regard to the sisteYs working for Christ. But thought there was danger of taking away the work of the church. Brother J. O. Hixon, of Union Springs was in favor of this work in the church. Rev. C. W. Cleveland, would oppose the organization of a single Female So ciety, if they proposed to carry out the Northern system, being independent of the church. But there was only a divi sion of labor, the societies proposed to be farmed being In the church. Brother C. W. Cleveland made an ap peal for help for the current expanses of tre Board. Collection. , „ , ‘Appointed, a committee on time I*\ d "lace ‘ f next meeting, consisting of brethren, E. F. Baber, J. B. Loveleit, W; B. Crumpton. Adjourned with the benediction by Rev. E. Teague, D.D. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Convention resolved itself into .Committee of the whole upon the state of religion, Judge H. W. Coffey, of Hayne ville in the chair, by request of the Pre sident. Rev. Andrew Jay, Evangelist of the Zion Association, entertained the Com mittee with an account of the work in his part of the State. Rev. P. M. Callaway, Evangelist from Newton,gave a statement of mission work in the southeastern part of Alabama. He called the attention of the body to the importance of Geneva as a mission sta tion. He reviewed the history of missions in Southeast Alabama for the last thirty five years. One mistake was made in the work, and that was that the churches established had not been indoctrinated in benevolence. Rev. B. F. Hendon, of North Alabama, spoke encouragingly of the cause in bis section. He interested the body much by giving striking incidents that came under his own observation. The meeting was a very entertaining one. Adjourned with the benediction by Rev. G. D. Benton. NIGHT SESSION. The consideration of Sabbath-schools was the subject before the meeting at this hour. The Report of the Committee was read by Rev. Wash. Crumpton. Rev. Z. D. Roby addressed the Convention: Still it Is true, God’s people perish for want of knowledge. If churches would fit themselves for overcoming error, to, stand hand to hand against infidelity and atheism, they must estab lish Sabbalh-scbools. Sabbath-schools are a power in Christian lands, when we remember that 1,500,000 earnest, pray ing men and women are weekly engaged in teach ing God’s word. What are the responsibilities of the future, and how can we meet them ? The use which we make of curabilities is the true measure of our pro gress. If the Baptists were trained Christians they would In ten years give the men and the means necessary to evangelize the world. The Grecian soldiers 'after the batt e of Marathon and Ther mopyim had a higher reputation to sustain than any Grecian before. So,what was good Sabbath-school work for the past generatlous will not do for this; my breth ren, what was good Sabbath-school work fifteen years ago, will not do now. The congregation rose and united in singing—‘’‘Tis religion that can give,” etc., with the chorus—“ Let us walk in the light." Rev. A. B. Campbell, of Columbus, followed in a very fine speech, taking as a foundation the motto: “As arrows in the hands of a mighty man, so are child ren of the youth.” I presume, the Holy Spirit intended to point out a likeness between arrows and and children. 1. The arrow is an effective weapon. The king of Israel was killed by a certain man drawing a bow aWi venture. The children are a power spiritually. Brother Campbell related amosttouching Incident where a father and mother were brought to Christ by the death of a dear child In the Sunday-school. 2. As arrows do execution in the distance, so children have power. Brother M. G. Hudson, of Mobile, fol lowed, answering objections to Sabbath school. Some said (the Sabbath-schools were put above the church. He emphatically denied the report. Some said, the children did not stay to preach ing. I would apologize for the childreu. Then, brethren, It is the children of those who do not go themselves. Dr. Billings says: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and be sure to go therein yourself.” Adjourned with the benediction by Rev. A. Y. VanHoose. The Religious Press. Philadelphia has dropped her colored schools. Hereafter the colored children will attend the public schools of the city where they are treated well as a whole, though there is some complaint of untidiness. But as a rule, the colored children are poor pu pils, irregular in attendance, and breaking down under studies which white children carry on without diflicultv.—Christian at Work. It is a great fallacy to argne that, because the promulgator of some strange doctrine is a good man, therefore his opinions must be correct; or that personal purity and devotion are assurance ol the safety of anv man's doctrinal teachings. Wolff, the father of German Rationalism, lived and died in the odor of personal sanctity—an eminent ex ample of earnest Christian endeavor. Unita rians, Unlversalists, and not a few confessed unbelievers (in the orthodox sense) have been both blameless in life and spiritually devout. To ebneede, then, that a good character is proof of the correctness of one’s religious opinions, would be equivalent to a complete surrender of all doctrinal tests. So says the Methodist (N. Y.), and so say we; but we leave it tor our rea ders to make such application as they may see proper. From Hon. Jefferson Davis.—The President of the late Confederate States on being interviewed by a member of the staff of the Philadelphia Press is reported to have said: The assault on General Garfield is a'horri 'hie crime. There can be but one sentiment among the people of this country on the enormity of the offense. What it may forbode to the country is hard to determine. When a man will kill the President because he refuses him office, what may not be ex pected? Assassination is usually the out growth of seasons of galling oppression. Even then it is the resort of a force or senti ment too cowardly for revolution and too contemptible for civilization to tolerate. But this crime is without evdn the excuse of ex citement. A vulgar nun yarders the Pres ident in his wild delirium about office. Such a crime makes the whole nation kin, baiters all prejudices, and hushes partisan thoughts. It is evident that the crime is the outgrowth of the greedy scramble for office which has of late years been so marked. It is to be hoped that the reaction which this great crime will produce may correct this alarming evil. It has for a long time been growing into our system ot government un til it appears to have finally resulted in the murder of the Executive. The South had much hope of Garfield’s administration, and will sincerely mourn his loss as it joins in the national sorrow over the assault upon his life. I earnestly hope he may speedily recover. The Envelop* System —I would furnish some facts touching the system adopted by the Stamford Baptist church in raising mon-, ey for current expenses. We abandoned in 1875 the old method of pew renting, and since then have employed what is known as the envelope system. We furnish envelopes to the members of our church and congre gation, and ask them to contribute weekly or (where it may be more convenient) monthly, such sums as they may feel able to appropriate to the support of the worship of God's house. The result has exceeded our most sanguine expectation. Our annual income since the adoption of this plan has been from three to five hundred per cent, greater than that received from pew rents— not so much greater than the pew rents due, but greater, by so much, than the pew rents collected. .This plan, moreover, has the ad vantage of equalizing what might otherwise be regarded by some as a disproportionate burden. The rich are not overtaxed in this regard, nor, on the other hand, are the poor required to give beyond their ability. It is marvellous how much money may be gath ered by “littles,” where there is a system, and where the system is well managed.—E. Lathrop, in Watch-Tower. The raising of money by littles is al most a hobby with The Index ; yet the results stated by Dr. Lathrop take us somewhat by surprise. But it reminds us of this: that the results of efforts to collect money by littles, are almost al ways startling. The city contributes to the “keeping holy” of the Lord’s day a brass band concert on the Common, in the selections for which the Transcript sees “nothing puritanical.” Nor anything Christian; religious only in the Emersonian sense in which Fanny Ellsler’s dancing was “religious."—Watchman (Bos ton). Just think of it! a brass band con cert on the comAion, in the open air, on the Lord’s day, paid for by the city council, from funds raised-by taxation of Baptists and other Christians! We have seen the like in Venice and other European cities, but did not know that it was done in any city of the United States, though we have often been in Boston. We do not think that any thing of the kind is done in any of our Southern cities. Perhaps this is owing to our lack of culcha. We trust that we shal. always be thus deficient. An English paper says that Vooiza Mr. Samuel Watson, who is the lawyer of the Baptist building fund, has recently pub lished a letter urging that “the time has now come when it will strengthen, not weaken, our position to confess that the spirit and meaning of the ordinance is not dependent VOL. 59.— NO. 18. upon the form.” To this the Central Me thodist adds: “He holds that to insist upon immersion is neither seemly nor necessary, that the young are leaving the Baptist chur ches rather than submit to be immersed, and —a most surprising test —that some Baptist cburchee flow meet the difficulty by the ad mission of. young people to membership without baptism at sll.’l Then certainly such brethren ought neither to call them selves Baptists, nor their organizations churches. The last eoniment is from our Me thodist brother of the Southern Chris tian Advocate. It will be seen that admits that an organization having no baptism ought not to be called a church, We Baptists are conscientious in our belief that sprinkling is tw baptism. We furthermore believe that none but those who are members of a church ought to partake of the Lord’s supper. Now then, from the standpoint of our Methodist brother, what ought we to do in regard to what is called the ques tion of close communion? A correspondent wishes to know how many Baptist adherents there are in the United States. It is not easy to ascertain. The church members are 2,296,327, by the latest published statistics. It was formerly usual to number five adherents to one com municant; but this is much too large. Dr. Dorchester, in his recent work, states the ratio as 31 to 1. This would give a little more than eight millions. We apprehend that if we oould see all our .members brought to a higher standard of Christian character and life, it would be of more worth to the world than a turther increase in numbers. ‘ Big ness is not greatness,” nor is it always force. —Watchman. Nearly three millions of Baptist church members in the United States! There can be no doubt that these in cluding their adherents amount to eight millions. But how many real, live, genuine Baptists are there in the number? Ah! if one-fourth of the three millions were of the right sort, the world would feel our influence as never heretofore. A Methodist preacher in Texas gave can didates for church membership a choice or. dinaiioe—enrinkling, pouring, or immersion After a considerable number had chosen the New Testament symbolic burial, one asked sprinkling. The administrator curious to know the ground of her exceptional choice, she replied: “I don’t think I am good en ough to be immersed.” She seemed to think an iotenser ceremonial expression demand ed a deeper experience. The baptism Jesus enjoined upon his disciples is a symbol of Srofounder experience, more comprehensive octrines, ana more exalted hopes than sprinkling or pouring can worthily celeb rate. The N. 0. Christian Advocate, speak ing of the civil service reform, a subject which is greatly agitating the public mind, thus expresses itself: Neither party has the virtue or the power to overthrow the spoil’s system. Much would be gained if the appointments were given to the good and capable in the party. But un fortunately, these are not the men that do the work in the primaries and about the polls. It seems to bean evil inherent in our sys tem of universal suffrage, and one that will grow or decline in proportion as the people are vicious or virtuous. Public morals and religion must be more elevated, and more generally diffused, before we can hope for a change. All the more enlightened and up right see the evil, and deplore it. but none can devise a remedy. None is possible with out a general uplifting of moral forces, and the spread of righteousness throughout the land. When public opinion becomes purified and all lawful party services are paid for in cash, possibly we may have civil service re form. It will be a long time, we fear, before this great moral change takes place, and in the mean time the Republic is in actual peril. We respectfully sug gest (hoping not to be considered dis loyal ) that if a feature of the Con federate Constitution were incorporat ed in the Constitution of the United States, the evil would be greatly check ed. Let the Pres’dent have the power to appoint to office as at present, but deprive him of power to remove from office, except for cause shewn, to be approved by the Senate. Those who take the trouble to think on this sug gestion will see that the results of the change proposed would be very far reaching. A member of the First church called at the office last week and said: “The Nation al Baptist is the best religious paper that I ever knew; I want you to send ten copies to as many members of the First church who are not able to subscribe for it, and send the bill to me.” Such words, backed up by such, deeds, are an encouragement. Now let us suppose a case. Suppose that somebody would do the same for The Index. Would not that some body feel the better for it? And would not the objects of his bounty be great ly benefitted by it? And would not the cause of truth and goodness be aid ed? And'would not The Index try harder than ever to be worthy of such encouragement? And are there not men among us who could not make themselves more useful in any other way?