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NOONDAY ASSOCIATION.
The above Association a*»qmble<l with
the Baptist church at Acworth on Friday
last. The Introductory sermon was
sreached5 reached by R"v. J. A. McMurray from
latthew 9 n—3Btb: "Pray ye therefore,
the Lord of the har eat that he willnend
laborers into His harvest,” and an ex
cellent sermon it was. The audience
was one of the Urgent ever seen at the
opening services of an Association in
this portion of the Country.
In the «f ernoon the delegates assem
bled in the church and the A-a-cMion
was cal led together bv Rev. W. H. Dean,
former Moderator. Every church eave
one (Shady Grove) whs represented, and
one new church (Olive Spring, Cobb
county♦ wts received. 'PheKtters shown
healthy state of the churchea with tijarkr,
ed prosperity and large increase of conN
tributions to our various benevolent en
terprises, missions, etc. The number
baptized during the associations! year is
106.
Dr. Dean having served faithfully as
Moderator for fifteen or tw -nty years,
earnestly asked the Association not to
re-elect him to that posidon. The body
was organized by el c ing Rev. J. A. Me-
Wuiray, Moderator, Rev. M. B. Tugvle,
Clerk. Brother Tuggle has been clerk
of this Association for a number of years,
his re-election was a well merited tribute
to his efficencv. On retiring from the
Moderator’s chair, Dr. Dean made some
very appropriate and beautifully touch
fog' remarks, reviewing the history of
the Ass' c ation.
There were quite a number r f visiting
brethren present, 'among them R :v. Dr.
DeVotie, Rev. G. R. McCall, Rev. G. A.
Nunnally, Rev. R. B.Headden, Rev.T.W.
Springer, Rev. Dr. A. T. Spalding, Rev.
W. M. Dyer, Rev. Dr. J. G. Ryals, Hon.
J. C. Clemen'S. Rev. W. N. Cbaudoin,
Rev. G. F. Howard, Rev. G. 8. Tumlin,
Rev. P. C. Hawkins, A. McHan, Rev.
James Barrow, and a number of other
wood brethren whose names the writer
does not now remember. Friday after
noon was spent in perfecting the organi
zation, appointing committees, etc.
Friday night Rev. W. N. Cbaudoin
preached an excellent sermon to a large
congregation in the Baptist church. Rev.
J. Cantrell pretched at Mount Zion, and
Rev. D. J. Maddcx at Flint Hill, two
churches in the C m t .
The most important item of business
Saturday forenoon was the adoption of a
strong resolution Commending Mercer
University to the patronage of the breth
ren, approving the action of the Board of
Trustees in their efforts to increase the
endowment of the University, suggesting
io the churches that they accept Mercer
■a aaßibieet worthy of their benevolence,
the hope that they will,
make greater contributions to
SBnient, etc. Pending the adop-
J flk resolution, the Associ'ition
eloquently addressed by
M< Ca i lt.vi 1 ,''"ui.ally
- W n ß'- Mother Nunnally, also,
t ''t'J- , Hye cCinnection presented >lioiter
-|»h()Wting that it was one of the
■ jBK and; cheapest colleges for our
■era. R>r. Spalding appealed to
yyyXyMfies, in behalf of young men pre-
UK for the (ministry. '
11 o’clock 4>y special arrangement
XMle commitfoe on preaching, and at
thWequest of the regular appointee, Dr.
Dean, Rev. G. A. Nunnally preached
ihe Missionary sermon, from the text:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth.”
It was truly a grand sermon, and lis
tened to by the crowded house with un
tiring interest to the last. At the same
hour Rev. W. M. Dyer preached an ex
cellent sermon in the Presbyterian
church.
In the afternoon the subject of educa
tion was resumed and Rev. G. F. How
ard, who had the floor at the conclusion
of this mornings session, concluded an
impressive address in favor of the Bible
as a text book in our schools.
The report of Committee on Missions
had been made the special order.
The committee submitted their re
port, and then began a season of re
freshing long to be remembered. After
a number of brethren had addressed the
body on the subject of missions and mis
sion work, Rev. R. B Headdeu, Presi
dent of the Slate Board, took the floor,
and for forty-five minutes spoke truly as
if his lips had been touched with a live
coal from off the altar of the Lord. At
the conclusion, brethren clasped hands
and rejoiced together. But this was not
enough—they Drought their volunteer
offerings and laid them upon the altar
(the Bible) and the contributions '.were
larger then those raised by solicitation in
either house at the former service. It
was a precious time. Brother S. A.
Earl read an excellent essay on missions
which will be published in The Index.
The remainder of the afternoon was de
voted to hearing reports, appointments,
etc. The committee on deceased minis
ters reported the cheering intelligence
that the good Lord had spared their lives
of all the ministers of the Association
during this year.
Sunday was a great day for the Lord,
it is humbly hoped. The people came
from far and near by rail and private
conveyance. Services began in the Bap
tist church at 9 a. m., with a sermon
from Rev. P. E. Hawkins. Before he
was through, the house was filled to its
utmost capacity and crowds at the door.
At 11 a. m. service was held in all the
churches in the town, Bev. R. B. Head
den preached in the BaptistchurcL, Rev.
Dr. DeVotie in the Presbyterian, Rev.
J. M. Springer in the Methodist, Rev. G.
8. Tumlin. Tn the Christian, Rev. J. J.
Newton in the colored Baptist. At 2:30
p. m., Rev. M. B. Tuggle preached in
the Presbyterian church. At 3:30a Sun
day school meeting was held at the Bap
tist church. Rev. Dr. J. G. Ryals, the
beloved pastor of the church preached,
and a grand, a glorious time it was.
Every available seat was occupied and
the greatest interest manifested. The
speaking was opened by Hon. J. C.
Clements, followed by brother M. N.
Dyer, of Arkansas, Rev- G. R. McCall,
and concluded by an address to the young
men by Rev. Dr. DeVotie. At night
Rev. G. R. McCall preached an able ser
mon in the Baptist church.
Monday morning the Association re
sumed the regular order of business,
which wastransacted harmoniously to the
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1881.
end. In fact the whojp session was said
by all to have Been' one of the most
pleasant they had evorfcttended. Not
withstanding the large congregations
'hat assembled from day to day and
from hour to hour* the very beat order
prevailed. Not one case of disorder
came to the knowledge of the writer, but
each seemed to vie with the other in
acting well their part. If the Devil was
a'on the camp, be did not seem to havu
much chance to show himself. Too
■ i u lictnnot be said in praise of the
brethren and ent n» people of Acworth.
They had evidently been preparing in
heart as well as In store, for the coining
Association. Their hospitality was
hnundles Their doors weye thrown
wide open, and every visitor bid to en
ter. Dinnet—a regular feast was served
every day in the grove iKtir the church.
But best of all wa’ the spirittfal feast
enjoyed at each houi’,. service. The ser
vants of God preached with great power
and effect throughout. Not a worjHvas
heard of a poor serinon, but it was good
and better.
. Xha Association adjourned Mondav to
’ meet at Roswell, Cobb county, on Fri
J dav before the first Sabbath in August,
1882. J. M. G. M.
MINISTERS' AXD DEACONS MEETING,
The Ministers' and Deacons' Meeting of
the Georgia Association met of Clarite's Sta
tion, July 26.fi. The introductory sermon,
preached by the regular appointee, Elder J.
8. Callaway, from Ephesians, 6.19, was
'nought to be timely and well reasoned out.
In the afternoon, the meeting organized by
electing Deacon William R Callaway, Mod
erator and Elder J. H. Kalpatrick, clerk.
On enrolling the names of those present, the
meeting was found to be unusually well at
tended.
Ou Wednesday morning the first thing
was a clear and forcible exegesis of I. Peter
3.9 and 4 6 by H. D D. Straton, of Greens
boro. Then followed the discussion on ‘ The
Scripture Plan of Promoting the Prosperity
of Christ’s Cause,” opened in a brilliant and
energetic manner by Elder W. A. Overton.
Brethren P. H Mell and J. H. Kilpatrick
j nned in this debate in a very interesting
manner, taking up the time until 11 o’clock,
when H. D. D. Straton lectured on the doc
trines and practices of the “Plymouth
Brethren ’ Iu a most forcible and fearless
manner he vindicated the truths we bold as
Baptists from the Holy Scriptures, and set
aside the numerous vagaries and errors of
the so-called Evangelists. The large con
gregation was held during the whole hour
in rapt attention.
Alter dinner brother D. Jones, of the fifth
district, led in prayer. Dr. Hillyer, our ven
erable Christian brother, whose praise is in
all the churches, led in the discussion, “On
the Duty of Caution in Receiving Members
into our Churches.” Who that has ever
heard this fervid and earnest man of God.
does not desire again to sit under the sound
of his voice? Pending the consideration of
the above subject, instructive speeches were
made by P- H Mell, J H. Fortson, J, H.
Kilpatrick and B. M. Callaway The very
fact that these brethren argued this import
ant subject, is sufficient proof that the con
gregation was impressed and edified to a
nigh degree.
"The Scripture Doctrine of Christian Per
faction," which was assigned to brother J.
M. Dill, was introduced by Elder J. A.
Shank, who said that there was no such
thing as absolute perfection of believers
while remaining in their present state. He
read from the New Testament many script
ures to substantiate this view,and followed it
by an able speech, as er which brother T. A.
Nash led in prayer, and the body adjourned.
On Thursday morning, the body met and
spent one half hour in devotional exercises,
after which the last subject of the previous
day was resumed, brother Straton leading,
showing by quotations of Scriptures and the
nature of man, th al there is no such thing
as absolute perfection while remaining upon
earth. He said, “There is, however, this
subjective duty incumbent upon all,—to
mortify the deeds of the body. The believer
must maintain the conflict. He will ulti
mately come off more than conqueror. By
this means the Caristian grows in grace,”
Dr. Htllyer next spokiyaying, “Baptists do
not believe in sinless perfection upon earth,
yet everywhere in the Bible, we are exhort
ed to be holy. We must not soothe our
selves with the thought that human beings
cannot be perfect. This would be a great
evil. Let us rather feel as the apostle ex-
Cresses it, “Forgetting the things which are
ebind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the
mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.’ ” The Doctor then
spoke eloquently and feelingly of the rich
provisions which God had made for us, that
we might grow iu grace. A throne of grace
is here, this side the grave, the throne of
judgment beyond.
The hour for the special order having ar
rived, Dr. Mell, the Nestor of the Georgia
Association, introduced a subject previously
assigned him, “The Relation of Recent
Scientific Discoveries to Revealed Truth.”
He said, “You have assigned me a ponder
ous theme. To discuss this I must go over
a very wide range.” He showed us in what
ways God had revealed truth. In nature
and revelation. By revealed truth we mean
the Bible. He said there was a perfect har
mony between science and revealed truth.
This he showed in a style and language
comprehensive to all. He said it does not
follow, however, that the theories of all
scientists are in harmony with revealed
truth. The reverse is evidently true. It is
impossible for us to give you a correct out
line of this admirable lecture upon this liv
ing question. The intelligent congregation
can never forget the earnest exhortation,
given in conclusion, to the ministers pres
ent to preach the gospel
The afternoon session was spent in hear
ing timely and earnest addresses by differ
ent members of this grand old body of
Christian men. The time having come to
close, the body was adjourned,the last pray
er being made by Dr. Mell.
Thus euded a most profitable and inter
esting meeting. The only drawback, if in
deed there be any, is that many of our in
telligent and wise ministers and deacons
take no interest iu this fathering together of
some of our oldest and wisest men. We
would that all should take an interest and
attend once. Then there would never again
be any need of any pressure to get them to
come again. Witness.
The eighth annual session of the Georgia
State Suudiy-scbool Association will be held
at Griffin, Ga., Wednesday and Thursday,
August 241 h and 25th, 1881.
Willi a view of a more perfect organiza
tion, it is earnestly desired that every county
in the State be represented.
“The Association shall be composed of one
delegate lor every three hundred or fraction
of three hundred membersof Sunday-schools
composing the County Association, and in
couuiles where no Association exists, two
delegates for every representlve to which the
couuty is entitled in the General Assembly
of the State.”
Will you not Interest yourself and others In
this Convention at Grltnu, and see that your
county Is represented ?
Please do so, and have the names of the
delegates elect forwarded at once to the
State Secretary.
Railroad rates as follows to delegates:
Western * Atlantic Railroad 2 1-2 cents per
mhe.
Atlanta A Charlotte Railroad 2 3-4 cents per
mile.
Central, West Pol nt.and Georgia Railroads,
3 cents per mile.
J. C. Couantzv, Milton A Candlxk,
State Secretary, Chairman Ex. Com.
Atlanta, Ga , July 35,1881.
TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES.
Paul, In I Cor. 14:19. says that he in the
chusch had rather apeak five words, with an
understanding that by his voice he might
teach Others also, than ten thousand words
in an unknown tongue. Here we may see
the advantage of a rail translation of God's
Word of inspiration as found in the Hebrew
and Greek tongues, which are now unxnown
to our English reading people. For God’s
word, to be profitable, most be known, be
lieved and obeyed.
Hence, Jesus said. "My sheep hear my
voice, and follow me." The nature of this
obedience is such that it includes the doing
of the very things Jesus commands without
any substitution, addition or diminution.
Tills is the nature of obedience to all law,
human and divine, to which as well no law
a» no penalty annexed, and as well no pen
alty as no execution of the same where no
exemption or exception is made or ransom
'band. * ’ ,
H nee, again, all laws, human and divine,
have either expressed or else understood or
implied, rewards on the one band or pun
i-lime ts on the other. There may be sins
of omission or of direct transgression, sins
of ignorance and sins of knowledge, owing
u> taught or untaught perver-e human na
lure, which is the same in all countries and
i|> all ages., No fvotider Jesus made a differ
ence Between those who knew their duty to
Him, and yet did it not, and those who were
ignorant of duly and also failed to do it. As
wbed he said, “ He that knoweth his mas
ter’s will and doeth it not, shall be beaten
with many stripes; and he that knew not,
and did things worthy of stripes, shall be
beaten with few."
Now, what I want further to say is, that
God's word or is supreme among all his
intelligent moral creatures or the subjects of
nis moral government, whether in heaven
or in earth; so that an apostle could say,
when joined by others iu the testimony,
“ We ought to obey God rather than men
and that, as God has given this wordjn now
dead languages to mankind, from which we
have only a greater part translated, we ought
to, and must have, the whole wo’d of God
translated to aiot and to a tittle, if possible,
into our own English tongue, if we would
please God well, and accord well with Paul's
sentiment above. I have thought this for a
long time, and that God will hold learned
Baptist men accountable if they fail to do
this work for him and for the welfare of souls
to whom we are required to preach, in their
own tongue, the truth of God, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, according
to the ability which God has given, and may
still give, in answer to prayer, and for his
own glory.
I differ from any of my dear Baptist breth
ren who think the late revisers ot Kb g
James's translation were competent to do
the work assigned them. They were too
much divided; some having obeyed Christ
on personal profession of faith in him when
bapt'Zed (immersed), or, as the Greek lan
guage and the Greek Church have it, dipped,
and others, even if they had professed such
faith, had rendered no such obedience, and
perhaps never will; some were under New
Testament church government and discip
line ; others were not, perhaps, all under
some wrong restrictions besides. And, if
not competent to the work of revision, how
much less so to the great work of giving us a
full translation into English of the whole
word of God?
Such competency, in my judgment, will
include the unity of the translators in a
thorough knowledge of our English lan
guage, and also of Hebrew and Greek; in
the thorough, plain, and powerful work of
God's Spirit upon themselves in their pas
sage by grace and through faith out of the
kingdom of the wicked one into the Spiritu
al Kingdom of God’s dear Sou. and in pos
sessing full measure of the indwelling and
guidance of the Holy Ghost, with a faithful
submission to Christ on their part, that
crowns Him Lord of all by submitting per
sonally and individually to his government,
church ordinances, baptism, and the lord's
Can we not find men of these qualifica
tions in our day ? Men thus qualified would
have nothing but the cause of truth and
righteousness to serve for the honor and
glory of God, and to the good of mankind of
all present denominations, and nations
utder heaven, and alway, even to the end of
the world. They would have no axe to
grind, no merely one party, or many parties,
to serve, but Jesus to serve as the One high
over all. God blessed forevermore.
Let all lovers of gospel truth rally now to
this greatest of all religious works, devolv
ing upon this generation. I pray God that
the little improvement found in this revised
New Testament, which I and others are
reading, will result in this great work of a
full translation of God’s holy word.
. I. H. Goss
RESOLUTIONS
Adopted at a Conference of the Savannah
Baptist Church, July 28, 1881.
Whereas, in the providence of God, at the
time this church was without a minister,
and we were anxiously looking for some
one to fill our pulpit, until our chosen pas
tor should come, our young brother—Rev.
W. 8., Walker—was selected, and has for
several months performed the duties devolv
ing upon him, and is now about to leave us
to resume his studies at the Southern Bap
tist Theological Seminary, and, whereas, we
now desire to express onr appreciation of
his services, therefore,
Resolved, That we recognize in our broth
er an earnest and faithful worker in the
cause he has espoused, who, having put his
hand to the plough has no thought of turn
ing back, but desires to devote all his ener
gies, and spend and be spent in the service
of his Heavenly Master.
Resolved, That we hereby assure our
brother of our entire satisfaction of the ser
vices performed and trust and believe that
his labors among us have not been in vain,
but will bring forth fruit to the honor and
glory of God.
We bid our brother god-speed, and pray
that he who giveth liberally and upbraideth
not may bestow upon him his richest bless
ings. and endow his mind and heart with
wisdom and knowledge,tenderness and love,
that he may persuade many from the dark
ness of sin to the glorious light of the gos
pel.
REVIVAL AT MT. ZION.
A meeting held with Mt. Zion church,
Tatnal county, Ga , continued three days,
commencing on Saturday July 23rd, and
ending on Monday following. Our hearts
•were made to rejoice indeed,in consequence
of a glorious outpouring of God’s Holy
Spirit among us.
The meeting was conducted by Rev W.
M. Cawart, assisted by Rev. Isaac J. Ether
idge. Brother Cowart is greatly beloved by
the brethren at Mt. Z on ami all of the con
gregation’ Nine were added to the church,
eight by baptism and one by reception under
the watch-care of the church. There was a
remarkable contrast in the ages of the can
didates, the youngest being sixteen and the
oldest eighty-five years old. The latter is a
lady who has been a consistent member of
the’Metbodist Episcopal Church for forty
years. She related in connection with her
experience a very remarkable incident:
About three*weeks previous to the meeting
and during a period of illness she dreamed
that she was at the gate of heaven where
she could behold all its beauty, grandeur
and glory, but was prevented from entering
by a man who was standing in the gate and
would not admit her. It was revealed to
her that this man should administer the or
dinance of baptism to her, She related the
dream to her son-in-law on the following
morning, and spoke confidently of her ablL
Ity to recognize the mao if she ever saw
him, by the features which were so indeli
bly impressed upon her mind. Accordingly
on Sunday morning of the meeting she saw
brother Cowart for the first time and imme
diately recognized him as the man by whom
she was to be baptized She accordingly
availed herself of the first opportunity to
come forward for baptism, and was baptized
by brother Cowart on Monday after divine
services, in the water* of the Ohooppie in
company with six others.
In conclusion, let me address a few words
to you, fellow sinners. Remember the
shortness of time, the length of eternity, the
uncertainty of life, the certainty of death
and a judgment to come, the necessity of a
preparati on of heart and mind, and a copse
quent obfdienceto thecommand of Godin
order to stand acquitted in his presence.
Think of all these things and turn to God
before it is forever too la'e. I. J. E.
HINTS TO THE ASSOCIATIONS
Our Assoclatlonal meetings will soon begin
throughout the Blate, and I beg leave to
make a few suggestions, which 1 hope the
brotherhood will take tn good part, and, If
possible, acquiesce In them
1. Please let there me made to each Asso
ciation an accurate report on "State of Religion"
in the Amociation, and also let It be stated what
methods are adopted In the Association for
the promotion of religion. The allusion, of
course, Is to evangelical labor, by missiona
ries and others, In the church and Bunday
school. Snob a report Is of great historical
value, and the only means by which a general
report of the State of Religion, In all the Asso
ciations, can be made to our State Conven
tion; and yet these f acts are omitted In many
of our Minutes Horne thoughtful and well
informed brother should carry up such a re
port, already written, for the use of the Asso
elation.
2 Please let It be stated If there Is a standing
committee In the Association, lor sustaining
Mlssionsand Sunday-school work, and wbat
has been done within the past year. In mis
s'onary and Sunday-school labor, in the
bounds of tne Association.
3 The practice of appending a short corres
ponding letter to the churches, stating what
sort or a meeting tire Association had, what
were the chief subjects of interest, and In
wnat objects the Association Is chiefly en
gaged and how the churches should oonrld
er and treat tboseobjeols, Is, in my apprehen
sion, admirable. While It affords Informa
tion that all desire to have, It promotes unity
ot alm and effort, and produces sympathy,
co-operation and good-will; and, yet, the
practice has almost fallen into desuetude.
Ido not allude to a general Circular Letter,
but to a letter by the Moderator and ClerK to
the churches In regard to Associations! mat
ters.
4. Please let each Association Instruct or
request some brotherfto draw up a brief histo
ry of the Association, from the Minutes, to
be printed In the next annual Proceedings:
and every Association should take Immedi
ate steps to secure a short history of each
church within Us bounds, to appear In the
Minutes. Several might be published each
year until all are thus put on record. The
Clerk should keep standing in the Minutes
the year ot the Association’s formation or
organization ; and he suould give the num
ber of the session, every year.
5. P ease let the clerk ot each Association
be formally Instructed to send two copies ot
tne Association Minutes to tne clerk of the
State Convention, and also, two copies to the
Georgia Baptist Historical Society : to the
former for the collection and compilation of
denominational statistics; and to the latter
lor preservation as a state historical recoid.
Andi will say further, that ihe brethren,
generally, should make it a point to mall the
Minutes of every Assoc.atlou in the State, to
the Historical society, as soon as they get
possession of such Minutes. Especially snould
this he done with reference to all those Asso
ciations not in connection with the Conven
tion. It would be a matter lor rejoicing, If
every Baptist In the State would send the
Hlstotlcai society, at Macon, ail the Associa
tion Minutes In bls possession.
6 It would be very desirable If every Asso
elation would cause it to he stated plainly,
In the Minutes, the objects to which Its
churches are expected to contribute their
luuds; or wnatobjects they have agreed to
sustain. Thus State Missions, Indian Mis
sions, Foreign Missions, Assoclallonal Mis
sions and Sunday school add educational
enterprises will be kept prominently before
our church-members; and, especially would
this b the case with the particular religious
'enterprises or- the AsaoolkMon Hsel|> d'l/us
Mercer University should Ce Hept constantly
before every church In the Convention
bounds as an object of benevolence ; aud our
churches ought,every one,to make It a regular
pract'Ce to give Mercer University one of two
collections a year. It is high time our de
nomination, assuch, had taken bold of this
matter of endowing Mercer University In the
best and only really feasible way.
The life of the Cherokee Baptist Conven
tion was snort, but zealous and useful, and
one thing, among many that I admire In Its
history, was that It took steps to induce eve
ry church to take up collections lor their
College. This was stated plainly, and the
churches were reminded of this duty, Just as
the Kehoboth Association reminds its con
stituent churches to contribute to the sup
port of brother Murrow.
8. Boykin, Ass’tSect’y,
Ga. Bap. Hist. Soc'y.
Macon, Ga.
VOICE FROM MACEDONIA.
Macedonia Baptist church is situated
nealy six miles North of Covington, Newton
county, Ga. The regular meeting of this
church began Friday before the fourth Sun
day in July last. Some interest was mani
fested, and" we continued for six days At
the expiration of that time, receiving no ad
dition, and thinking the little interest we
had at first was about gone, we discontin
ued the meeting. Both pastor and church
went home with heavy hearts.
But we were all mistaken about the close
of the meeting. It did not close when we
retired, sad and disappointed. Some one in
the congregation had found Christ, and be
gm to tell others about it. and close by the
the church, in an hi ruble cottage, a most
precious meeting was held. The neighbors
soon heard the glad tidings,and were moved
far and near. The consequence was, the
pastor was notified by two brethren, whose
faces were all ligthed up with hope, and we
resumed the meeting after only oue day’s
intermission.
We could hardly talk when we met in the
church again, for our hearts were overflow
ing. Before, we were cold, now, all hearts
seemed warmed by the Spirit Then the
meeting began in earnest.and I have seldom
experienced such a refreshing time. For
several days and nights the meeting was
continued, with good congregations and
most excellent order. I had to return home,
sick and weary, before the end came. The
church, without any minister, but with
some live deacons and the membership full
in the harness, continued the service until
the first Sunday in August. It was tuen
my happy privilege to return and baptize
those awaiting the ordinance.
This meeting will be long remembered by
the church and community. Oh, that by
an earnest consecration, a faithful devout
living, these favored disciples, both old and
young, might never recede from the vantage
ground to which they have been led by the
Spirit, but rather press forward to richer
joys and grander triumphs in the Lord. By
the meeting the church has had thirty-four
additions—thirty already baptized, three re
stored and one awaiting baptism. For
brother T. C. Boykin's information, twenty
out of the thirty one came from the Sunday
school. A new impetus has been given to
church work.
To our precious Redeemer, the Head of
the Church, we ascribe all the honor and
praise. J. M. Bbittain, Pastor.
Covington, Ga., August 8, 1881.
Stone Mountain Association. —As there
is already some misunderstanding abroad as
to the time when our Association meets, I
take this occasion to notify all concerned
that the Stone Mountain Association con
venes with the church at Rockdale, two
miles south of Conyers, commencing on
Saturday before the second Sunday in Sep
tember next. B.
Missionary Department.
Mission Board of the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion—Officers: Rev. R. B. Headden, President:
Rev. J. H. DeVotie, 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. 8. Lawton Atlant*; G. A. Nun
nally. Rome; D. E. Butler, Madison; J. G. Ryais
and R. B. Headden, Carteisvllle; J. H. DeVote.
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention.--Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., Corres
ponding Secretary, Richmond, Va.
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
Convention—Rev. Wm. A. Mclntosh, D.D., Cor
responding Secretary, Marion, Alabama.
I THE WAY TO ADVANCE THE MISSION
CA USE
Dr. Judson in 1837 said, “I am persuaded
that the only reason why all the dear friends
of Jesus in America do not come forward in
support of Missions, is mere want of inform
ation.”
This is evidently truest this present time,
for where the friends of Jesus are instructed
by their pastors, we see them embracing
every opportunity to contribute for the
furtherance of the Mission work.
We have at least 50,0 0 white Baptist
communicants in Geoigia, who do not con
tribute—many of them are very poor, but
they are the friends of Jesus, anti his will
would be their pleasure, if they had the nec
essary information.
' Many have enjoyed no advantages of ed
ucation, their minds have had but little in
tellectual enlargement. They have no know
ledge of geography, without which experi
ence shows little of distinct forcible impres
sion can be made of the extent of the Mis
sionary field, and the demand for laborers."
They are too numerous, and scattered to
be reached by agents, they do not take or
read Mission papers. Is there no remedy?
Surely there ought to be, there is away to
reach these masses. They can be enlighten
ed through the faithful labors of their pas
tors. Our duty at the present is, to influ
ence and provide the ministers of our de
nomination with the information we wish
the people to possess, in order to engage
them to give, aud pray, aud work as the
friends ot Jesus fur the triumph of His gospel
>n all the earth.
Brother pastor, be entreated to take the
lead of your flock in this grand work. “Get
your people to read the Bible in its Mission
ary teachings. Preach often upon the pre
dieted triumphs of Jesus, His command,
commission, and promises, to those who are
his friends, in striving to give the news of
salvation to every creiture.
Every pastor, who desires it, should be
furnished gratis by the Boards with the most
correct current Missionary intelligence
money spent in this way would be well and
profitably invested in giving the lovers of
Jesus adequate information.
DeVotie
UNION MEETINGS.
The Union Meeting appointed by Liberty
Association to meet with the Antioch
church, Habersham county, convened on
Friday before the fifth Sunday in July. The
introductory sermon by brother Ramsey,
was very appropriate and the impression
made upon the messengers, visitors and con
gregation, by the discourse was good. Sev
eral important subjects were presented, and
among them the question which The Index
has so often asked, "Why is it that our effi
ciency as a denomination is not commensu
rate with our numerical strength.” This
question was not definitely answered nor
intended to be, but the messengers were re
quested to submit it to their churches, and
wake it a matter of special thought and
prayer. T t is proper to state that the
ministers' meetings of this county was held
in connection with this, and it is hoped that
a deeper sense of Christian obligation was
aroused tn each one present to consecrate
ttiiemseives without reserve to the cause of
Christ. Brother Sisk, formerly of this coun
ty, but now living in South Carolina, was
present and contributed largely to the in
terest of the meeting by his timely and emi
nently judicious counsels.
The union meeting at Bethlehem, Clarkes
ville Association, was held the following
week, beginning on Friday before the first
Sunday in August. This meeting was one
of good religious interest from its com
mencement to its close. A number of min
isters were present, some venerable in age,
distinguished for their piety, great usefulness
and their fidelity to truth, others just enter
ing on their ministerial life, who gave evi
dence that if the churches would only do
their duty in supporting them, and thus
afford th eta time and opportunity for the
study of the Scriptures aud some of the re
ligious work already published, and reading
religious papers now issued each week,
they might rise to a point of usefulness in
the pulpit, that even the best preachers of
this section could not reach for lack of these
means. The congregations at each of these
meetings were large, and seemed to listen at
tentively to the word of the Lord. The
writer asks that special prayer be made for
the prosperity of all the churches of this sec
tion—tor Sunday schools, and increased
activities in every department of Christian
work. Brethren pray for us. C. M. I.
WELL SPOKEN.
Dr. Francis Wayland, more than twenty
years ago. said in the pulpit and afterwards
published, “When a man becomes a member
of Christ’s society, by the renewing of the
Holy Ghost, he has apprehensions by faith
of the sacrifice which Christ has made lor
his redemption. The incarnate Son of God
gave himself up without any reservation for
him, and bore his sins in his own body on
the tree. What can he do to testify his
gratitude for love such as this? Instinctive
ly he surrenders himself, all that he has, for
time and for eternity to his Redeemer. He
yields himself up to Christ that he may be
wholly formed in his likeness. His ambi’
tion henceforth is to obey every command
of Christ, and in his bumble manner do as
Christ did and live as Christ lived. The
object for which Christ lived and died and
rose again, is the object for which he lives.
He has become a member of that body of
which Christ is the head, and the vitality
which animates the head, animates the
remotest extremity. Christ dwells in his
heart by faith, a soul within his soul, incit’
ing him to copy the example which he set
before us when he was manifest in the flesh.
Such is the mold into which the believer is
cast.” Reader is this the mold into which
you have been cast ? I.
A correspondent of the Boston Watchman
writes from Rome, Italy, of our church
there: “The church numbers something
more than twenty, mostly all converts from
Romanism, and is slowly, but I judge surely
increasing. Dr. Taylor, very wisely and
judiciously, deems it best to be duly careful
in the admission of new members. I was at
once struck with the personal appearance of
the congregation ; their marked intelligence,
the resources for strength for the church in
the future, in the Christian young men pres
ent. Such singing I have never heard as
came from these Italian voices, blending to
gether in perfect harmony and unison. On
one occasion I tried to sing with them, but
was obliged to stop, close my eyes, and say
in my inner soul, Is this ‘the song of Moses
and the Lamb’
Dr. Marshman was sixteen years in trans
lating and publishing the first entire version
of the Bible in China. It was printed nt
Serampore in the year 1822.
Twenty eight years ago, Hawaiian Chris
tians raised a considerable sum of money,
and sent it to Japan to build a place of wor
ship for Japanese converts to Christianity.
Nineteen years afterward a church was
gathered, aud in July, 1875, they dedicated
their place of worship to the service of God.
Ou the 10th of March last this church of
nativs believers celebrated the ninth anni
versary of its organization, and gsve a greet
ing to his majesty the King ot Kalakaua,
who was present by its invitation. After
exercises of prayer and praise, the Rev.
Okuno Masatsuma read an address to the
king, recognizing the obligations which the
people felt to his lubjects, and presenting to
him, as a trifling token of their high respect
a copy of the New Testament in the Japan
ese language. The king made response in
excellent English, and promised to carry the
book with him as a memento of his visit,
which would be very gratifying to the Chris
tians of his kingdom. The first church in
Japan, though but nine years old, now re
presents more than seventy churches and
lour thousand believers in Christ.—Bible
Society Record.
Nine years ago the first church was built
in Japan, and the native Christians of the
Sandwich Islands sent the first thousand
dollars to build it.
The first missionary to the Sandwich Is
lands wentout in 1820. Fifty years afterward,
native Christia. s send SIOOO to native Chris
tians to build their first church in Japan.
Rkv J. H. DeVotie
My Dear Brother Our General Meetings
are the places to discuss the mission question
aud to give a practical enforcement to all
our fine spun theories, on the question.
Money at last is wbat the missionaries need.
One brother has been so much troubled about
the tobacco he uses, has felt for so long a
time that he was committing sin to use on
nis flesh, what should be given to the Lo-d,
that under a faithful, honest and loving ex
pose of the tobacco question, he determined,
as long as he lived, to give to missions a
sum equal to that spent iu tobacco. Like
many other slaves of the weed, he could not
give it up, but he has the satisfaction now
of feeling that he is doing his duty in giving
to missions. He loved tobacco before, but
he chews it now with fewer rebukes of con
science. If Baptist chewers would follow
this brothers example, brother DeVotie, you
might employ all the missionaries you need
ed in Georgia. May the relation of this in
cident lead others to like conduct. “I be
seech you, therefore, brethren, by the
mercies ot God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable
to him, which is your reasonable service."
8. A. Burnet.
A Royal Missionary.—Princess Eugenie, sis
ter to the king of Sweden, like the queen who
has just quitted our shores, takes a personal
Interest In the spiritual welfare of the Lap
landers Quite recently the princess was in
strumental in organizing a society of ladles
who devote their time and substance to the
spread of Christianity in Sweden. Tblssocle
ty, which transacts its business in Stock I olm,
owes its existence to a letter which the prin
cess penned with her own hand, and for
warded to theSweedlsh ladles of her acquain
tance. In this letter the princess mentions
that five centuries have now elapsed since
Ma.garetha, a Lapp woman, impelled by an
enthusiastic desire to see the glorious sunlight
of the gospel shining on the snow-covered
FJells ot Lapland, traveled all the way to the
South to obtain assistance from the queen.
Margaretba was, however,unsuccessful In her
efforts, although the queen sympathised with
her desire to secure tue sending of Christian
missionaries to the Laplanders. Another
lapp woman, Marla Mattsdotter, of whom
the princess speaks, was more successful.
Inspired with the soli It of Christ, sixteen
years ago she traveled on foot to Stockholm
to obtain spiritual and temporal assistance
for her much-needed race. Even to-day the
Laplanders aremalnly destituteofthegospel,
although not a little has been done to Chris
tianize them since the time of King Adol
£lius 11, who had young men brought from
upland to be educated as missionaries.
Tnanks,to the zeal or the princess, brighter
days ini store? for the inhabitants of
these noathern regions. Princess Eugenie Is
said to possess childlike faith fervent love,
and unassuming manners. She takes a de
light in aiding the Lord’s cause, and is never
weary In well doing Al her residence a sew
ing-class Is held fortnightly, the proceeds be
ing devoted to missionary efforts She pro
motes bazaars, not a few of the articles dis
posed of on these occasions—such, for In
stance, as paintings and fancy needlework
being the labor of her own hands. Princess
Eugenie has a summer residence on the
Island of Gottland, and during her sojourn
here she personally assists In various kinds of
mission work for the benefit of the islanders,
by whom she Is regarded with something
akin to veneration.
It’s Never Gone. —‘‘Mother.” said a little
boy, “I m going to give this three-cent piece
to God." “How are you going to give it to
him ?” asked his mother.
“Give it to his poor people, or put it in
the missionary box, he’ll tell me which.
Sam Fisher wanted me to buy an orange and
give him a suck. I’d give him a suck, if I
had one; but I told him I hated to suck up
a three-cent piece, for then ’tis all gone. If
I give it to God, it s never gone.”
“Never gone!” said his mother; “how so?”
"Why, if it only goes to buy one leaf ot a
Bible for a poor Hindoo, that tells him
about Christ, and saves his soul, why, mo
ther, the good done lasts through eternity;
it’s never gone. And oughtn’t we sometimes
to give up our good things for that?”
How did her child’s faith rebuke this
mother, who too seldom gave up her good
things for other’s good—the seen for the un
seen.
JAPAN.
Rev Dr. Murray Mitchell says of Japan :
"Its rush into the forms of Western civiliza
tion has been almost too rapid. Still, Chris
tianity steadily advances, and I trust there
will be no serious reaction in civil govern
ment. I was never more moved in my life
than when I addressed fully two thousand
Japanese in a building connected with one
of their great temples at Tokio. Every utter
ance, even the most distinctively Christian,
was respectfully listened to.”
Mr. DeForest, of Japan, has been giving a
series ot lectures upon the Ten Command
ments to the heathen, and the audiences
have been large and attentive.
An Indian fakir, having been converted
to the gospel, still occupies a position by the
side of a great thorough-fare, but instead
of standing on one foot, and holding his
hand above his head for hours at a time, as
before, he has built a little chapel, and dug
a well, where he entertains passers by with
a cooling draught, while he discourses to
them of the waters of eternal lite.
There is scarcely a nation, not yet Chris
tian, of which it is not true that the remain
ing twenty years seem to be the very pivot
of its destiny.
The missionaries of the American Baptist
Missionary Union baptized, last year, 8,000
converts.
A missionary native worker, near Gaboon,
Africa, was recently caught and eaten by
cannibals.
The whole Chinese Bible is now printed
in China for about four shillings.
The public are finding out that Philadeh
phia has a truly first class hotel, at a fixed
moderate rate. '‘Plumer’s" American, op
posite Independence Hall, is first-class in
every respect. None better. Comfort, luxus
ry and bounty, and all at one uniform price,
$2.50 per day I
