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AEir ORLEANS.
To •nr Churches, Parton, Superintendents, and
Sabbath-School*.
Dear Brethren :—Tbe building in which
the First Baptist church of New Orleans
worship is now offered for sale. There is no
other building in the city available, in wnich
they can meet, and maintain their hold on
the congregation and Sabbath school - An
intimate acquaintance with the church and
ite pastor, enables us to make an appeal to
the denomination, without any misgivs
<?ur State Mission Board since April 1879,
have appropriated to help them maintain
services, from fifty to one hundred dollars
per month. We believe that ere this, tbe
church would have been able to have pur
chased, or to have built them a house in
which to worship, but for the failure of the
bank in which t’-eir accumulations were
deposited, and the discouragement con
sequent thereon. The great destitution in
our own territory, from every portion of
which, come cries for help, makes it impos
sible for our Slate Mission Board to do much
more than we have done, and are now
to help the brethren struggling amid vicisi
tudes, and embarrassments, in that city, to
maintain a pure testimony.
The history of the Frst church,a moat faith
ful and devoted band of Baptists, is one, with
which the denomination at large is not gen
erally familiar. It is, however, intensely in
teresting, and marked by a fidelity to truth,
maintained amid trials and discourage
ments. The members are poor; but three
of them have homes of their own, which are
humble and unpretentious. Nor have they
a community, or the denomination a con
stituency near, to whom the can appeal for
help.
“In that great city we have but two
“churches. The other, “Coliseum Place, is
“burdened with debt,” and this one is home
“less—both churches are centrally located in
“the midst of a vast Roman Catholic popula
tion with churches, priests, ecclesiastical
“and literary high schools, male and female
“parochial schools, hospitals, orphan asyl
“urns, convents, and benevolent and charit
“able institutions.”
The Southern Baptist Convention at its
last meeting, was memorialized by
this Board, from which memorial we make
the above excerpt, adopted the following
resolution unanimously: “Resolved, That
we commend to the sympathies ofourbreth
ren every where. The First Baptist church of
New Orleans, with the request, that that
church be aided in securing a house of
worship.” It is also passed a resolution in
structing the Home Mission Board, to send
two or more competent and efficient mis
sionaries to the city, as soon as practicable.
The legitimate claims of the Theological
Seminary, Foreign and Home Missionary
Societies which the Convention is in duty
bound to recognize, and so far as able to
respond to, made it impracticable to give aid
directly to the church in New Orleans. It
was contemplated however, in adopting the
resultion cited above, to make an appeal to
the churches, pastors, Sabbath-schools, and
superintendents for help. This we now
earnestly make. Will not each pastor and
superintendent ofour loved Zion,every where
ask the members of their respective organ
izations for ten cents? This sum will pay
tbe cost of a brick, and put it into the walls
of the new church home, which the little
flock in New Orleans must have.
Surely every Baptist brother, and sister,
and Sabbath school scholar, will esteem it a
privilege to give the sum asked for prompt
ly. And where any in the churches and
Sabbath schools, are too poor to do so, those
that have, will be glad to give for those who
have not. We want every Baptist in the
land interested in, and identified with the
effort, now being made, to establish Baptist
■churches in the city of New Orleans.
It is of vital importance to the cause in
that city, that the pastor remain with his
people during the rummer, the sickly season.
Indeed, the pastor of the First church is
averse to leaving bis flock at this time, even
to collect the money so much needed for the
church building. We therefore hope for a
prompt and cheerful response, from every
church, Sabbath-school, and through them,
and their pastors and superintendents, every
Baptist in the land.
Send yo - r contributions to Deacon F. C.
Gregory, No. 14 Oarondelet Street, New
■Orleans, La., who will promptly acknowledge
all moneys received.
May we not say in closing, to each and to
all, that this case is most urgent, and that
every plea which may be made of responsib
ility, opportunity, priviledge, Christly zeal,
sympathy and command, uige to the suc
cessor of the cause in New Orleans.
John L. Johnson,
' Pres’t State Mission Board, Mississippi.
T. J- Wai.ni,
Corrresponding Secretary.
■Oxford, Miss., July 14, 1881,
MEN AND THINGS..
Invited to deliver the literary address be
fore the Georgia Female College, I left the
beautiful ■city of “bower and shade’’ July
2d, and reached Madison the same after
noon.
M. 1 DIBOM.
This was my first visit to Madison, but I
was greatly pleased with place and people.
Hospitality was never more generous. The
kina attentions of not a few to the visiting
stranger are refreshing still, as “memory
holds them near.” President R. T. Asbury,
the genial and polished Christian gentleman
in charge of the College, won upon my af
fections and admiration more and more,
from the kindly greeting at the depot until
thegood bye was said.
He graduated two young ladies, both of
-whom followed him from Forsyth, which
speaks the same language of appreciation to
be heard in the eloquent pleas of Forsyth
just now to draw him back. If the College
buildings could be speedily relieved of a cer
tain pecuniary embarrassment, the possibil
ites of this seminary, officered as it is, would
be as bright as the brightest.
Elder W. H. Norton is the acceptable pas
tor of the Baptist church. His sermons are
spoken of in the highest terms by the good
and appreciative. Dr. Broadus pronounced
brother Norton a ‘ natural sermonizer”—a
high compliment from one whose homileti
-cal eyes are keener and more searching than
an “eagle’s ken."
Madison is a hard field, cursed with gene
ral religious apathy, and abounding in seep
ticism of every hue and shade, but the solid
mason work being done by brother Norton,
under the benediction ofHeaven, is destined
to work a revolution, though it ought not to
be surprising if the results are slow in ap
pearing. The Christian character of brother
Norton is beautifully transparent—the beet
weapon against infidelity. We were at
Mercer together, and then at the Seminary,
■Greenville, S. 0. It was very gratifying to
us noth to meet again after some years in
termission.
HARMONY CHURCH.
My humble task performed, I had the
(pleasure of a seat in the buggy of brother T.
J. Ingram, a fellow graduate of 69 and an
old college chum ; and delightful was the
■drive to old Harmony. Harmony church
is a remarkable religious body.
Since the era of my pedagoguism in that
community—one of the best in the land—
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1881.
since ten years ago, those noble boys and
young mtn that 1 drilled in academic studies
nave almost all entered the school of Christ,
md what apt learners they are! Their in
telligence, religious devotion and pecuniary
ability constitute them a battalion of
strength. The church is discussing the pro
priety of providing a parsonage and settling
a pastor, claiming his whole time. They
can do it. I believe they will. What dis
tinguished honor to lead tbe van of country
churches in marching back to the gospel
land-mark of weekly service 1 With all my
heart, I pray this honor may be theirs.
Elder A. M. Marshall, whose name is all
unsullied and whose character even a foe
must admire, is the pastor. I suppose mem
ory never lost the name of that being
that acted as one of God's finger
boards to point the soul to Christ. How ten
derly do we love the "man of God” who
aided these bodies of ours in the symbolic
declaration of tbe soul's faith and hopes.
That question in the Sunday-school class,
"Mr. Carswell, will you beamongthe wheat
or the tares ?” so earnestly and searchingly
asked, compelled an answer that struck the
soul dumb, which when the first shock was
over, Jed me to pray, to struggle, to trust, to
live. His hands, too, buried me with Jesus
in the murky waters of the Oconee, and
soon after with the arms of laving petitions,
he held up my feeble hands as first I talked
for Jesus. It was sweet now, alter the lapse
of a decade of years, to preach in his pulpit
once again, and feel assured that bis warmest
prayers were mingled with every effort God
bless him and his work 1 God bless those
noble young men ! What manna to my
soul to see those strong young men of char
acter, influence and hope so ztalously en
gaged in the Master’s work —the Weavers,
tbe Ingrams, the Denhams, the Waltons et
id omne genus. Brother Aliston, superin
tendent of the Sabbath school, is a prodigy
of tact and energy. T. C. B. says he is one
of tbe best in the State, and T. C. B. knows.
OLD ASSOCIATIONS REVIVED.
Ten years, short breathed and full of labor
and vicissitude, have elapsed since I gave
up Harmony High School, and set out to
seek preparation for my great life-work.
How pleasant to renew the pleasant friend
ships of a decade past. Several were con
strained to remark, what all seemed to feel,
that the separation bad but strengthened
our attachment. Never can I forget the
kindness of those people, so generous to my
faults, so charitable to my blunders, so len
ient in their judgments of my boyish work,
and by the moral support they ever lent me,
contributing freely to my pleasure and my
success Ob! if the world would always lend
such aid to young men in their first strug
gles in life, what brighter victories might be
gained, now much more sunshine would
there be in this sin-bedarkened world of
ours.
Time’s changes wrought here are so sad
and so many. Death has claimed tho Wea
ver brothers, pillars of the church; Mr.
Benj Ingram, one of the most generous
spirits in the whole community ; Mother
Winchell, whose Christian influence was as
broad and deep and strong as it was savory;
the Terrell brothers, whose quiet, modest
mien was ever a rebuke to rashness and
rudeness: and Mrs. Dr. Cogburn, nee Colley,
of Washington, Ga, who was tbe idol of her
home and the light of society—all, all, and
others are gone! Those who, ten years ago,
were the movers and spokesmen are now
'mid eternal scenes, and others move and
speak.
Father Winchel, of some 80 years, still
lingers on Time’s border with counsels rich
with the wisdom experience brings. Sab
bath by Sabbath you might see him in the
Sunday-school and his seat in the amen
corner is rarely unoccupied.
It is a great oversight that a life sketch -of
Dr. Weaver has not, ere this, been publish
ed. He was certainly one of the most act
ive, fruitful, reliable laymen Georgia Bap
tists have ever numbered. I believe not so
much as an obituary notice was published—
certainly not in The Index. Such laymen
deserve Reverend before their name while
living, and, when dead, the qualities of
head and heart which still live in their ef
fects. may be delineated to some purpose. I
lay down my pen now hoping by the next
issue to furnidi a brief sketch of Dr. D. A.
Weaver. God bless the dear Index and
its host of readers.
E. R. Carswell, Jr.
GENERAL MEETING, LITHONIA.
The General Meeting of the Second District
of the Stone Moan tain Association convened
on Friday last with Lithonia Bapist church.
Introductory sermon preached by brother
J. E. Bailey. Brother E. Jewell was ejected
moderator’ and R. H. Randle, clerk. A large
number of visiting brethren accepted seats
with the body, among whom was that effi
cient and faithful worker in the Master’s vine
yard, Elder J. F. Reeves, of the Flint River
Association, and Agent of The Christian
Index. A very interesting meeting having
been in progress in the church fora week the
delegates and visitors joined in hearty co
operation with the brethren, and made the
interests of the revival meeting more prom
inent than those of the General Meeting.
Perhaps the most interesting question dis
cussed in the General Meeting was, “Is there
a model for the Christian Church as there
was for the Jewish Tabernacle? If so, what
church is built after the Divine Pattern ?"
Brother Jewell showed that the Jewish
Tabernacle was a type of the Church of
Christ and as a type was inferior to the thing
typified, so this Tabernacle was inferior to
theCLurch of Christ, and so God was so care
ful to have all the instructions concerning
the building to be carried out to the very
letter, 90 men ought to be very careful to
carry out the instructions concerning the
Church of Christ, and neither add to nor take
away therefrom. How then can man put
in stones that do not belong to the building?
We should follow the plan laid down in the
Testament. It was shown very clearly that
the Baptist Church was built after the divine
pattern. Brother Reeves said that Baptists
bad the right foundation, but it was too fre
quently the case that they were satisfied with
the foundation, and did not build upon it.
The older members would go up to the
house of God, and content for the faith first
delivered to the saints, but would leave their
children to take care of themselves. They
would feed the old sheep, but let the lambs
starve. All the speeches were very fine.
Experience and prayer meetings were held
daily which together with two sermons each
day rendered the meeting one of the most
refreshing ofoccasions. All the people seem
ed to be under the influence of the Holy
Spirit, and it was truly a Bethel snot with
the brethren. While there have been no
accessions to the church as yet still many
seem to be concerned about the welfare of
their souls, and we believe there has been
good seed sown which some day will bring
forth fruit to the honor and glory of the
Father. This church has had no occasions
by experience for four years, yet we are not
discouraged, but like Simeon of old are yet
anxiously waiting for the consolation of
Israel.
R. H. Randle.
Lithonia, Ga., Aug. Ist, 1881.
Please let me say to the brethren of Bethel
that the remark by brother Frank Johnson,
which I published a few weeks age, was not
made by him as a rtflection upon them, but
as a comment upon a wide spread system of
farming, which system some of the good
people about Hardup have unfortunately
adopted. Nothing was further from brother
Johnson than to say an unkind thing, or to
do them any injustice. “Love beareth all
things.” R. T. Hanks,
ON RECEIVING MEMBERS.
THREE CASES.
1. I was helping a pastor in Virginia in a
meeting, and he, knowing my views on
tbe above subject, requested me to open the
door of his church at the conclusion of the
service one day. I did so. and a lady of
middle age came forward. While the con
gregation finished the song, I ascertained her
name, and that she wanted to relate her ex
perience and be baptized. After the song,
the following dialogue took place between us:
Q. How long have you entertained a hope
of salvation ?
A. For sixteen years.
Q Why did you not j fin the church
sooner?
A. I did.
Q What church ?
A. The Methodist.
Q Now, why do you want to change
from tbe Methodist to the Baptist church ?
A. Because it is most convenient to where
I live, and nearly all my triends and rela
tions belong to this church.
Q. But what do you think of the doc
trines that divide the two churches?
A. I think there are good and bad in all.
Q But that is about the people. I ask
you about the doctrines. Now, the Method
ists believe, there a re three modes of baptism,
while the Baptists believe, there is but one
baptism, and that is immersion. Which do
you believe ?
A. I think any will do, so the heart's
right.
Q The Methodists believe that infants
ought to be baptized, while Baptists believe
that believers only should be baptized. What
do you believe?
A. They ought to baptize babies, if they
want to.
Q. Baptists believe that only baptized be
lievers, who are living godly lives ought to
commune, while Methodists believethat any
one, who has been baptized in any one of
the three ways, in any church, ought to
commune. What do you believe?
A. I believe any Christian ought to com
mune.
Then I said: “Brethren, yon hear the
statement the sister has given of her faith in
answer to my questions. What is your plea
sure to do with her application for church
membership?” One of the deacons arose and
said, it was a new case, and he was puzz'ed,
and he would like to ask brother H what
he thought they ought to do. I then said
that my advice was to ask the sister to re
main a member of the Methodist church,
until her views were in accord with those of
the Baptists. Whereupon the deacon that
as bis motion, which was seconded, and
carried, and the applicant waited.
2. In my present pastorate a lady belong-
ing to another denomination, sent for me,
and told me that she had decided to j oin my
church, and that she had already told her
pastor about it. She said he and several of
the members of her church bad visited her,
and hated to give her up, but that she had
made up her mind to tbe change. I asked
her why she wanted to change. Her reply
was, that her husband bad been a Baptist,
and if she would join the Baptists, be would
send for a letter and join with her, and she
thought it so much better for husband and
wife to be together, if they could. I thought
so too, and so said. And I had great sym
pathy with her in her desire to see her hus
band do better. But I asked her if she was
prepared to make the profession necessary
to join the Baptistchurch. She did not know,
and so I proceed privately as I did publicly,
in the above case, to show her what such a
change involved, and she said in faith she
was still a Then I advised her affection-
ately not to apply for membership in our
church until her faith was changed to that
of ours, and she very kindly took my advice.
When her pastor told me she was going to
join us, and I told him of her last decision,
and why she made it, he was somewhat
amused and very much gratified, for she was
a good woman.
3. Ido not know much of the experience
of other pastors, but several times, I suppose
a dozen or more, it has taken me weeks to
find out how people were living in private,
who had asked me to open the door ot the
church forthem to join, and when I found
out, have been compelled to advise them to
seek a better hope, and sometimes a hope.
May the Lord add unto the church, daily,
the saved. R. T. H.
Albany, Ga.
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
Dear Index: While spending a few days of
rest and recreation with my family in Louis
ville, Georgia, it was my privilege to attend
the meeting of the citizens of Jefferson county,
held for the purpose of adopting measures
upon the prohibition question, and appoint
delegates to the Convention held In your city
on the 4th of July, etc.
The meeting was well attended by repre
sentative men from every district In the
county. I was more than gratified to see the
leading men of this grand old county fully in
accord with the movement, aud taking an
active part In the proceedings. Such men as
Hon. R W. Carswell, Judge of the Middle Cir
cuit. Hon. James G. Caln, Hon. J H. Polhlll,
Representative In the Legislature; Hon. M.
A. Evans and others, whoglvetone and caste
to society.
A resolution, asking the Legislature to pass
a general prohibition law for the State, aud if
such a law was not enacted, Instructing the
Senatorand Representatives from thfscounty
and district to have a local law passed pro
hibiting the sale of Intoxicating liquors In the
county of Jefferson, was adopted by a unani
mous (rising) vote. During the proceedings
an Incident transpired that was thrilling.
Hon. M. A. Evans requested any one In the
audience, who knew of any person ever hav
ing been benefited by the liquor traffic In
Jefferson county, to make It known by rising
to his feet. The speaker paused for some
moments to see If there was a response, but
none was given. He then repeated the re
quest with great earnestness, but notone In
that large audience could answer In theaffir
mallve. With thrilling volceandgesturethe
speaker then exclaimed: "My God I how
many have been Injured by It!” Notone
benefited but how many Injured eternity
alone can reveal. How many once happy
hearthstones made desolate; how many
hearts crushed, hopes blighted— how many souls
sent to hell!— and who did h ? The people of
Georgia, by licensing dram-shops. Awful
thought! but It Is none the less true. Could
all the money that has ever been realized
from tbesaleof Intoxicating liquors be placed
In the scale against one lost soul, It would not
weigh a feathei’s weight! Would It pay that
widow for her lost, ruined boy ? I remember
when he was regarded as one of the brightest
and best boys In the town. I remember
when he was po.nted to as a model young
man. I have seen the mother’s cheek glow,
aud her eye sparkle with parental pride when
he came Into her presence. His name was a
sweet morsel to her tongue,—and so It was to
the good people of the community,—for we all
loved him. But the town, or city as It Is now
called, licensed a bar-room near the store
where he was the trusted and favorite clerk,
and the one with whom all who bought goods
In that large establishment preferred to trade.
The proprietor of the bar-room was polite to
all aud quite popular with the young men of
the community. He made bls place attractive
In every way possible. He kept, too, what Is
considered an orderly house. From the store
where my young friend clerked could be seen
gentlemen—some of them claiming to be
Christians —entering Into, and returning
from, the bar. Finally, after business hours
at night, my young friend would stroll In and
Sartake of a glass of lemonade or plate of oys
irs. After a time he grappkd the poisonous
stuff that makes men drunk. Only a few
years have since elapsed, but he Is now a
drunken outcast In society, with none so poor
as to do him homage. Several times has he
made efforts to reform, each time more feeble.
The trap still stinds open—licensed by the
city—and In be falls more degraded than be
fore. His mother and sisters nave Importun
ed the bar-tender not to sell him whisky;
but did any one ever know such request com
piled with when the money was offered t
There is no Joy In that household now. The
light has all gone out. I remember when It
was one of the happiest homes in all Georgia.
Could the coffers of every bar-room In the
world be emptied at that mother’s feet, and
she bld to take her choice between this un
told wea'th and her boy as he was without the
gold, or as he is with It, she would spurn the
millions and cry, “O, give me back my boy 1”
And yet Christian men license that and
other bar-rooms and vainly try to appease
their conscience by appropriating the money
to educational purposes. Would to God the
facts I have Just given were only fiction ; but
alas, alas, every word is true I
But thanks be unto God the day of redemp
tion is at hand. I have been over a large por
tion of our State within the last few months,
and I find the people everywhere in favor of
prohibition, and some of the most zealous In
Its advocacy are tbe poor drunkards. I am
satisfied, In my own mind, from personal in
tercourse with the people, that If the question
of prohibition were to-day submitted to the
legal voters of the State, it would be carried
by a handsome majority.
I resumed mv regular travels on the 4th of
July. How different this day with us now to
what It once was ! Not that we revere less
the noted day of American Independence, but
there aie sad memories now associated with
the 4th of July that have robbed that once
glorious day of Its charms to us, and we care
not to celebrate It.
En route for Wrightsville I stopped over for
a few hours only at Bartow, one ot the best
business points on the line of the Central rail
road. There are two charming villages here:
one at the rallroa I depot and the other south
of It about one mile, the latter being called
.South Bartow. Each contains quite a num
ber of fine business houses and handsome
dwellings. Two new churches have been
built here within the past few years—Metho
dist and Baptist. Mr. Outlaw,one of the lead
ing merchants of Bartow, gave me a s at In
bls buggy to WrlghtsvHle, some eighteen or
twenty miles distant.
Judge Carswell had convened an adjourned
term of Johnson Superior Court, mainly for
the purpose of disposing of cases In which he
was of counsel before going upon the bench,
and hence could not try. Judge Simmons, of
Macon, presided during the trial of these
cases.
since Wrightsville got rid of the whisky
business it has improved, and Is improving
rapidly. New dwellings, business houses and
a new church have been erected, and busi
ness has Increased greatly I spent two days
in Wrightsville, the first time I had been
there In about four years.
Wednesday afternoon brother Curry gave
me a seat to Riddleville, Washington county,
lu 1857 or ’58,1 am not sure which, tbe Mount
Vernon Baptist Association established a high
school here, naming It the Mount Vernon In
stitute. At the time the site was selected,
there was not a building where this neat vil
lage now stands. Tne village was named
Riddleville lu honor to Messrs. Anderson and
W. C. Riddle (father and son) who owned the
land, and made liberal donations of real es
tate and otherwise to the school. The Insti
tute and village prospered greatly up to 1881,
when the war commenced. The four years
bloody strife was a severe blow to both. After
tne close of the war the friends ol the insti
tute rallied to Its support as best they could
under tbe embarrassed financial condition of
the country. A good school basbeen kept up
there, and the village hAs grown much. Two
new churches have been nullt—Baptist and
Methodist.
Our excellent brother, Rev. J. J. Hyman, Is
now, and lias been for a number of years,
Principal of the Institute. J spent a part of
two days very pleasantly here with the good
brethren and friends of Riddleville, some of
whom I had not met tor years.
Friday morning I took passage on a wagon
loaded with lumber for Davisboro, which is
No. 12 on the Central railroad. The day was
iniensely warm, but “Charlie” and I got on
pretty well. When I was at Davisboro last
there were some half a dozen families resid
ing here, and I believe but two business
houses Since then quite a prosperous village
has sprung up. A number of handsome rest
dences have been built, business houses erect
ed, two new churches, etc., and the improve
ment still goes on. The Baptist church here,
under the able pastorate of that devoted man
of God, Rev. W. L Kilpatrick, has prospered
greatly. Ido not know of a better work hav
ing been done anywhere
But I guess you have no more room for me
this week, and I will desist. I regret to say
that tbe crops In all the country through
which I have traveled for several weeks past,
have been fearfully cut oft by drought and
tbe Intensely hot weather. Tne prospect Is
exceedingly gloomy. Some fear actual suffer
ing lor the necessaries of life next year.
J. M. G Medlock.
ORDINATION.
The Baptist church of Christ at Bio, Hart
county, Ga , met to day by previous ap
pointment for the purpose of ordaining dea
cons for the church at the above named
place.
After prayer,led by brother W. J. Vickery,
a most impressive discourse on the duty of
deacons was delivered by brother I. H. Goss.
Brother J. D. Adams then offered a fervent
prayer, after which the church had recess
for some forty or fifty minutes. After re
cess the church reassembled, and the fol
lowing named brethren from sister churches
were organized into a presbytery: From
Hartwell, Rev. L. W. Stephens; Holly
Springs, Rev. W. J. Vickery, pastor, and
William Maxwell, deacon; Cedar Springs,
Rev. I. H Goss, pastor, Henry F. Hailey,
P. C. Cash, deacons; Sardis, J. V. Richard
son and Thomas N. McMullan, deacons;
Hendrys, R 8. Williford, and E. J. Brown,
deacons; Rock Branch, F. P. Thornton,
deacon ; Rev. J- D. Adams, by especial re
quest.
The presbytery then went into the election
of moderator and clerk, which resulted in
the choice of Rev. L. W. Stephens, Modera
tor, and M. J. Lewis, clerk.
On motion of brother I H. Goss, brother
L. W. Stephens was appointed to propound
the usual questions to the church, and
brother J. G. McCurry, on motion, was ap
pointed to answer on the part of the church.
The answers being satisfactory, brother J.
G. McCurry then presented the following
named brethren for ordination : R A. Cobb,
J. L. Thornton, and W. B. W. Higginbot
ham. Brother W. J. Vickery was then ap
pointed to open the examination of the
above named brethren as to their faith and
doctrine, followed by brother I. H. Goss.
The result ofthis examination being satis
factory, and after prayer by brother I. H.
Goss, the presbytery then proceeded to the
laying on of the hands. The right hand of
fellowship was then extended by the church,
followed by the charge of brother Stephens
to the newly ordained deacons.
Rev. L. W. Stephens, Mod.
M. J. Lewis, Clerk.
THE CHURCH AT COCHRAN. GjL.
Some few years ago, in consequence of a
difference of opinion as to the best policy to
be persued, but not from any difference in
faith, some members of the Cochran Baptist
church withdrew, and formed a second
church. After a recent gracious meeting in
the original First church, under the care of
brother G. R. McCall as pastor, and during
a like gracious meeting'in the Second church
under the care of brother P. W. Edge as
pastor, the Second church passed a resolu
tion, expressing a desire to unite with the
members of the First church in constituting
but one church for the community. This
resulation was presented to the First church,
and the offer of union was cordially and
unanimously accepted.
The twochurches passed resolutions trans
ferring all property possessed by them to the
new church, when constituted, and the
churches then dissolved and the members of
each at the appointed time, met in the
Methodist house of worship, and requesting
brethren G. R McCall, P. W- Edge, M. N.
McCall and W. W. Fowler, to act asa Pr.s
bytery were regularly constituted into the
Cochran Baptist church. The church thus
constituted then elected brother J. A.
Thomas, Clerk, and recognized the deacons
of the former churches as her deacons and
unanimously requested brethren G. R.
McCall and P. W. Edge to preach upon their
respective days as formerly, until the end of
the year. The church, as now constituted,
numbers 125 members. The meeting above
referred to resulted in the addition of 18 by
experience, and 1 by letter, and 1 by restor
ation.
The new constitution took place on Mon
day, July 11th. On the following Sabbath,
July 17 th, the two Sabbsth schools were re*
organized as one, making the union com
plete. Jas A- Thomas.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DsVOTIK D.D.,
REV. C. M IRWIN, D.D., f Mltors,
Mission Board ol the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion—Officers: Rev. R. B. Headden, President:
Rev. J. H. DeVotle, Corresponding Secretary and
Treasurer; Rev. V. C. Norcross, Recording
Secretary. Members—Revs. D. W. Gwin, A. T.
Spalding, H. C. Hornady, F. M. Daniel, V. C.
Norcross, Dr. Jas. S. Lawton Atlanta; G. A. Nun
nally. Rome; D. E. Butler,Madison; J. G. Ryals
and R. B. Headden, Cartersville; J. H. DeVote.
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.- Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Corres
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
II >me Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention—Rev. Wm. A. Mclntosh, D.D., Cor
re ponding Secretary, Marlon, Alabama.
THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL IN JAPAN.
“The isles shall wait for his law."—ls. 42:4.
Japan consists of numerous islands in tbe
Pacific! Ocean east of China, and has a popu
lation of thirty-five millions of people. The
Japanese are more intelligent and interesting
than their Chinese neighbors, as shown in
the wonderful revolution of the last twenty
five years, in national policy and religious
toleration.
Since tbe exclnsion of the Jesuits, who
were ance strong in that country for over
two hundred and thirty years, this inscrip
tion has appeared upon all their notice
boards until about twenty vears ago:
“ So long as tbe sun shall warm the earth,
let no Christian be so bold as to came to Ja
pan ; and let all know that the King of Spain
himself, or the Christian’s God, or tbe Great
God of all, if he violate this command, shall
pav for it with his head.”
The change has been radical and wonder
ful ; startling the Christian world with its
suddenness, and the wide door opened for
the introduction of the gospel. “The first
missionaries went to Japan twenty years
ago. At first they did not meet with much
success, but during the last eight or ten years
Christianity has made rapid progress. Twen-
K religious societies are now represented in
pan, and they have one hundred and sixty
missionaries at work. There are fifty
churches, three thousand members, and a
Christian community of eight thousand.”
The New Testament is translated into the
Japanese language, has been printed, and is
eagerly sought by t ie people and distributed
broadcast without hindrance
Rev. J Goble, independent Baptist mis
sionary in Japan, says: “There is nothing
so free in Japan as the propagation of tbe
Christian faith and the sale of Christian
Scriptures. All other books, even schools
books published by the Department of Edu
cation, must pay a tax and secure a license
before being put upon sale, and Buddhist
and Shinto books are scarcely found in the
book-stores at all, because the sales are so
small that it does not pay to take out a
license for them.
“But the Christian Scriptures are sold
freely everywhere, and the government will
not accept a license fee ever when offered by
native dealers for Christian books, as was
proved the other day in O'Saka by an old
man who repeatedly tendered the fee usually
paid on other books. And tbe other day, in
the city of Kuana, when I went to tbe n'olice
office to ask for a guard to keep order at our
evening lectures, I forgot to say that the sub
ject of my lectures was the Christian religz
ion, and when the officer on duty reported
the matter to the chief of police in his office
up stairs, he sent baek word that a foreigner
could not be allowed to lecture unless some
native would be responsible for what might
be said. I insisted that I bad been holding
similar lecti res ail over the country for near
ly two years past, and that I had enjoyed
freedom to do so evervwh re, and in the
c urse of my r- ma ks I said th. 11 was selling
Christian Scriptures. The chief of police,
upon hearing this, came down the stairs in
a great hurry, and grasping my hand in the
most cordial manner, said . ‘lf you lecture
upon the Christian faith, you are entirely at
liberty to do so as much and as often as you
please, and I will send officers to protect you
from noise or disturbance.’
“ You see Bible colporteurs and Christian
preachers are more’ free and have more of
the favor of the government than any other
class of people in the country.”
As many as four thousand persons met for
a whole day, in the open air in Tokoy, to
discuss the Christian religion, and a compa
ny of educated natives have invited the mis
sionary Kobe to give a Christian lecture in
the theatre.—Gleanings from Gospel in All
Lands. D. V.
The Progress of Japan.—The progress of
Japan during the last decade is one of the
most interesting features of contemporaneous
development. The experimentof abolishing
a feudal system around which all govern
mental institutions had grown, reorganizing
a military system, establishing universal
education, and introducing modern internal
improvements, such as railroads, telegraphs,
etc., was certainly the most comprehensive
work ever undertaken by a nation. The’
condition of Japan to-day is not wholly sat
isfactory, but the advance is marvelous, and,
considering the difficulties involved, sub
stantial and promising. Education is com
pulsory over the whole kingdom, and the
school house ie a familiar feature in the vil
lages. Universities and scientific institutions
have been established in many of the large
cities. One hundred and fifty miles of rail
roads have been laid, and more lines are in
contemplation. Telegraphic lines and cables
make easy communication with all impor
tant points. The military system has been
reorganized, and although the army num
bers only 35 000 men, it is said to be well
equipped and disciplined. The navy is in
an equally sound condition. Toe friendly
feeling 6f the Japanese toward this country
is more marked than toward any other, and
we shall show our wisdom by maintaining it
intact. The Japanese school system is al
most entirely in the bands of American
teachers, and the larger number of Japanese
who are sent abroad to be educated come to
this country. About three hundred Ameri
can missionaries are carrying forward the
work of religious instruction throughout the
country, while the trade between the two
countries is steadily increasing in volume.—
Christian Union.
Information Wanted—The Minutes of
the Stone Mountain Baptist Association
show the following churches on the roll at
which it is supposed there are Sunday
schools. I have no knowledge of the exis
tence of Sunday-schools at these churches,
and would be thankful to any former mem
ber or present member of said churches to
inform me of the facts :
In Fulton county—Atlanta Third Baptist,
Sixth Baptist, Seventh Baptist, Antioch,
Sharon.
In Clayton county—Tanner’s.
In DeKalb county—Beach Spring, Peach
tree, Rehoboth, Macedonia, New Providence,
South River, Double Springs.
In Rockdale county—Rockdale, Salem.
In Newton county—Cedar Shoals, Mace
donia.
In Morgan county—Ratledge.
In Jasper county—Rock Creek.
W. G. Whidby,
Sec’y S S. Conv’n, Atlanta.
Proclamation is made from the Eternal
Thone, “ A nation shall be born in a day
“The nations begin to wheel into line;”
“The earth is soon to be the Lords.” Breth
ren in Christ, the Redeemer invites us to aid
Him in the conquest of the world. Pray,
give and work. For you this grand oppor
tunity will soon be past. “Arise, shine, for
thy light is come, and the glory of the world
is risen upon thee." D.
"GROWING MISSIONS."
Jtei*. J. H. DeVotie, Corresponding Secretary:
Dear Brother —At the July Conference of
the Decatur Baptist church, a resolution was
adopted urging all Baptists in the State en
gaged in planting to dedicate a part of their
crop (whether corn, cotton, wheat, etc,) to
the cause of missions, the yield so dedicated
to be sent to you at Atlanta for disposal by
tbe State Mission Board, and the proceeds
applied to missions. Farmers do not have
money at all seasons. It is thought that a
much larger amount can be realized this way
than any other, and without inconvenience
to farmers.
It is likewisesuggested that just before the
sale of the products, the board should call
upon the business men of every town and
city in the State to supplement the donations
of the farmers by their contributions.
The brother who offered the resolution in
our church has only five acres, but states
that half an acre (one tenth) will be put in
sotton and dedicated to missious. His wife
proposes to dedicate one tenth of the
product of her fowls to the same cause.
Let missions be growing every day of the
year. A Small Farmer.
RECEIPTS OF MISSION~BOARD GEORGIA
BAPTIST CONVENTION.
From June 28th to July 28th, 1881.
STATE MISSIONS.
June 28 Previous report $589 52
Long C>ine. M H Hart 2 00
J H DeVotie, for catechisms 5 00
Julyl. Brunswick ch, A C Ward 50 00
• Southern Female College Branch
Miss. Soc. at Thomasville, Miss
Ella I’ittman, Treas 3 00
2. V A Bell, col. in June report 5 00
11. Geo A Blount, col. June report 4 50
Eatonton ch. J R Reece 1 06
Lone Cane, Jos A Wynne 2 50
G H Washington, col. on field 10 15
Greshamvtlle Sugar Creek, T J
Swanson ..... 2 00
G B Mitchell, col. in June 4 40
Frank M Simmons, col. in June .. 5 00
J C Bryan, col. in June 16 90
D G Daniell, col. in June 17 55
Dr W C New, Carrollton 3 CO
Col. in Carrollton,Deacon Spurlock 19 40
14. J H DeVotie 5 00
Mrs G L A DeVotie 6 00
Henry M Amos 5 00
15. Fifth ch, Atlanta, V C Norcross 4 16
Pisgah ch, D T Espey ‘ 3 60
Madison ch, S A Burney, Tr 5 50
Ebenezer ch, Thos J A Vallance, by
Burney 3 00
W A Pardee, Mercer Association.... 50 00
J P Harrison, Christian Index... 20 CO
27. G R McCall, Hawkinsville 10 00
Newnan ch, P F Cuttlno 27 00
J P Harrison, Index 20 00
D G Daniell, col. on field in May... 26 75
Third ch Atlanta, H C Hornady... 400
Cartersville ch R B Headden.....™. 25 CO
Acworth ch, J G Ryals 9 35
Raccoon Creek ch, J G Ryals 11 70
5975 94
INDIAN MISSIONS.
June 28. Previous report 5 6 25
Branch Soc. Southern Female Col
lege Thomasvill, Miss Ella Pitt
man 3 CO
July 15. Geo A Blount,Eden 4 50
513 75
SUNDAY SCHOOL EVANGELIST.
June 28. Last report $ 44 27
July 11. T C Boykin, col. on field in June. 10 75
Eatonton ch 1 06
556 08
HOME MISSIONS.
June 28 Previous report 5 70 48
Julyl. Brunswick ch, ACWari 2 05
So. Female College Branch Miss.
Soc, Thomasville Miss Ella Pitt
man ..... 300
11. Eatonton ch, J B Reece 1 06
Rec’d at Marion to J une 30th, W H
Mclntosh 17 50
14. J H DeVotie 5 00
15. Geo A Blount, Eden „ 5 DO
Madison ch, S A Burney 5 50
16. Thomasville ch, 12 50
27. Cartersville ch, RB Headden 8 65
$l3O 74
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
June 28 Previous report 524 4 43
Long Cam-, M H Hart ’. 1 25
Brunswick ch, A C Ward 2 05
July 1. So. Female College Miss. Soc., La-
Grange. Miss Sallie Cox, Treas.,
Distribution of Bibles...™- 13 00
So. Female College Branch Miss.
Soc., Thomasville, Miss Ella Pitt
man 3 00
4. Rec’d at Richmond from May 24 to
June 20 ....... 25 25
11. Eatonton ch, T B Reece 1 06
14. J H DeVotie 5 00
Mrs G L A DeVotie 5 00
Il M Amos 5 00
LLD 100
15. Fellowship ch, D T Espey 4 00
Geo A Blount, Eden 5 00
Woman’s Miss. Soc., Augu-ta, Mrs
M E Wilson, P C C., for Rev J H
Egar 20 00
Madison ch, S A Burney, Tr 5 50
Int. Per. Miss. Fund, Ga. Bap. Con.
S A Burney 7 80
16. Thomasville ch, R ddin Smith, Tr. 18 99
T A Gibbs, Social Circle „ 685
17. First ch, Augusta, H H Hickman,
Treas 96 50
27. Swap Creek ch, J C Head 3 50
Mill •• •< " 80
Dug Gap ch, “ •• ............... 125
J C Head 45
Cartersville ch, R B Headden 25 25
$495 69
INDIGENT MINISTERS.
June 28. Previous report $ 70 83
July 11. Eatonton ch, J B Reece 1 06
s7l 89
RECAPITULATION.
State Missions.. $ 975 94
S 8 Evangelist _ 56 08
Home Missions 130 74
Indian Missions 13 75
Foreign Missions 496 69
Indigent Ministers 71 89
$1744 09
J. H. DeVotie, Treasurer.
A Chinaman in Australia became a Chris
tian and feared the effect of his telling bis
relatives at home of his change of faith. A
member of his family in California also be
came a Christian and had the same fear.
Another member of the family, in China,
became a Christian and feared to let his ab
sent relatives know it. It was an occasion
of great joy when they met.
The First Baptist church in Liberia went
out from Richmond, Virginia, in the year
1821, in the vessel with Rev. Lott Carey and
Colin Teague, and was established at Mon
rovia. It has now grown to be an Associa
tion of twenty churches and more than 1,000
members.
Dr. Brown, Baptist missionary in Japan,
has received $4,000 recently, soon to be fol
lowed by as much more, to be used in cir
culating a pure version of the Bible among
the Japanese.
A society has been organized in Japan each
of whose members has to make a solemn
pledge never to become a Christian. This is
good proof of the rapid spread of Christianity
in Japan.
Praykr.—Prayer is the highest form of
love and trust exercised in the ripest, chief
eit and best part of man’s nature, toward the
best and sweetest and most loving of beings.
The ten million members of evangelical
churches in the United States gave, last year,
to foreign missions $2,121,731, or about an
average of 21 cents each.
The recent mobbing of Protestants in
Queretaro, Mexico, is found to have been
incited by the Roman Catholic Bishop.
A native Bassa chief (West Africa) has
built a school-house and applied to Baptist
missionaries for a teacher.