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COLLEGIATE EDUCATION.—FREE
TUITION.
NVMBEB TWO.
DR- PRIME ON DENOMINATIONAL COL
LEGES.
About forty years ago, there was quite a
movement towards organiz'ng denomina
tional colleges in Georgia. Mercer, Emory
and Oglethorpe were the resulting male col
leges. We may not know all the particular
causes which brought thia about.
It may be asked by some. “If this move
ment was not rather a sort of fanatical out
break ; and if the fathers." as we call them
“were not old fogyish, and sadly lacking in
the liberal, expansive and progressive spirit
of this day?"
Que of these colleges has died It belonged
to a denomination not wanting in intelli
gence or wealth, but in numbers in this
State. The other two colleges are alive
have the full confidence of the denomina
tions that founded them—and aie about to
enter on a new era of growth. The course
of "the fathers” is still regarded as wise, in
Georgia.
A late number of the N Y Observer con
tains a suggestive letter on this subject by its
editor, Dr. Irenaeus Prime. The Observer is
one of the oldest and ablest religious news
papers in the United States. Its subscribers
number over fifty thousand. It is Presbyte
rian, but it aims to present a pretty full
abstract of news from the churches of all
denominations. Dr. Prime has been one of
its editors for more than forty years. He
haa a large head, a large heart and large ex
perience. He is a power in the Presbyterian
Church. He has represented the denomina
tion in public assemblies, at home and
abroad, probably oftener than any other
man. He has spent much time in Europe
Everything connected with religion, with
education, and with the elevation of the race,
enlists his warmest sympathies. Living for
half a century in New York, the metropolis
of the United States ; and visiting more than
onoe the chief cities of Europe; he has had
an opportunity to learn something of the
progress, the liberalism, and the culture of
this age. Yet. this wise, cultured, traveled,
cosmopolitan Presbyterian editor writes thus
on the late inauguration of Dr. Darling as
President of Hamilton College :
“ Hamilton College has been largely in the
hands of Presbyterians, but has not been in
any sense a sectarian institution. The con
viction has been forcing itself on the minds
of its friends for some years past that it
should be brought more immediately under
the care of the denomination of Christians
on whom it depends mainly for its support
There is no distinctively Presbyterian college
in the State of New York, but the member
ship of the Presbyterian Church is larger
than that of any other except the Methodist.
One third of all the members of the Presby
terian Church in the United States are to be
found in this, the Empire State. The church
firoperty of the Presbyterians in the State is
arger than that held by any other denomi
nation, if we leave out Trinity Church estate
in the city. And it is believed that the in
dividual wealth of churchsmembers is more
largely to be found in the Presbyterian than
in any other Church in tl:e State. It can be
C roved that its contributions to Christian
enevolence exceed those of any other relig
ious body in New York. Yet all the great
Christian denominations have their colleges,
some of them more than one. while the
Presbyterians,—often called the Lord's fool
ish people,—are without any such school for
their sons.
“ Bishop Simpson, at the London Metho
dist Conference, says, and Dr. Bennett sus
tains him in the statement, that they, the
Methodists, are suffering more than from
any other cause by tbestraying away of their
children to other folds Other churches
might make the same admission with equal
truth. Just as the twig is bent the tree's
inclined. If Protestant parents place their
children in Romish convents or schools tor
education, they must expect them to become
Roman Catholics. Nine out of ten will.
And the evil is not so great, but the result is
quite as certain, when children and youth
of one denomination are placed under the
tuition of those whose views of religious
truth are not those of their parents. It is
not the attempt to inake proselytes which is
to be avoided. It is the silent, unobserved
influence that gradually tells on the mind of
the young, at the time of life when they are
most susceptible, and impressions made are
most enduring. It is the knowledge of this
fact which has led Episcopalians to have
three colleges in the State of New York : the
Baptists to have two, the Methodists one,
and ‘the Lori's foolish people’ to have none.
There are seven hundred students, sons of
Presbyterian families, in colleges at the
present time. Where are the colleges? And
what are they ? Two hundred and sixty-five
of these students are known to be in colleges
in this State where they will not be trained
in the faith of their fathers. In ninecolleges
in New England, New Jersey and Pennsyl
vania, the catalogues show five hundred
students from the State of New York. No
man of large and liberal views will quarrel
with parents for sending their sons where
they believe they will get the best education.
But it is worth while to ask if the foremost
State in the Union, the Empire State, is not
able and willing to give to her own sons as
good and great facilities for education as they
can find elsewhere?
“ Such facts as these have led the leaders
of Presbyterian thought in the State of New
York to concentrate their minds on one ex
isting institution, centrally located, and
already nourishing in the maturity of its
life. Hamilton College answers every pos
sible requirement. It is seventy years old,
It is Presbyterian in its antecedents and
present influences. It has property valued
at $700,000. It will do no violence to the
rights or the feelings of any one if it [daces
itself voluntarily under the care of a Church
that will provide for its wants, and enlarge,
elevate and perpetuate its power. It is not
intended to make the College exclusive: so
tar from it, its doors would be wide open to
all comers without any test oath, or creed
subscription. But the instruction would be
given bj’ men of the faith and order of the
Church that supplies its funds. The moral
and religious influences would be such as
parents wish to have brought to bear on their
sons, that they mav be trained in the way
they should go. Now, there is no security
in a State college, or a college not responsi
ble to the Church, that its teachings will not
become tainted with the infidelity of the
day. Some institutions, particularly in the
West and Northwest, have ceased to exert
even a moral influence on the students.
Their ambition to be liberal and unsectarian
has made them loose and unreligious. Such
colleges ought to be shunned by the sons
and daughters of pious parents. They are
more dangerous to the morals and souls of
young people than tlw discourses of atheists
who go up and down the country seeking
whom they may destroy. In the sincerity
of my heart I warn every parent to beware
of a college where the instruction is not per
vaded by pure evangelical relit ion.”
The Presbyterians moved first, in Georgia,
in denominational education, and founded
Oglethorpe in 1835. And now, in the year
of grace 1881, the Presbyterians of New York
say that denominational colleges are more
necessary than ever, and adopt and inaugu
rate Hamilton.
■a——— __
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 100 I.
The N. Y. Observer’s Year Book for 1871
throws some light on the same subject. I
I bave counted over the State colleges for
males, and other colleges for males, in the
United States. The former number 24. the
latter 152. The latter class includes Roman
Catholic, Masonic, Universalist and Unita
rian institutions. But, making due allow
ance for these, it may be safely stated that
three-fourths of the college boys in the Un
ion are taught in orthodox denominational
colleges.
What would have been the effect had the
above numbers been reversed, viz: 152 State
colleges and 24 denominational colleges?
Does it require tbe gift of prophecy to divine
the result ? A Baptist.
BAPTIST COLPORTAGE.
The Columbus Baptist Association, at its
recent session, resolved to enter upon a vigor
ous system ot col portage. The delegates
pledged themselves to raise a permanent
fund of five hundred dollars for this purpose
Four hundred dollars were subscribed,
payable Novembervlst. A considerable part
of this sum has already been paid, and the
other subscriptions are pronounced, by the
most competent judges, perfectly reliable
The movement was admirably led off by
a deacon of our church at this place subscrib
ing fifty dollars; members of the same
church quickly ma e it a hundred more.
The committee in charge of tbe business are
authorized to commence operation so soon
as three hundred dollars are paid into the
treasury.
The considerations that constrained the
brethren to prompt action in this matter are.
briefly, the following 1 First, the scarcity of
reading matter in many families, and preva
lent neglect of means of general informa
tion; Second thescarcity of religious reading,
and lame of religious intelligence; Third,
the misapprehensions of Baptist teaching
among the masses, and even among our own
members and their families, both as to what
we believe and why we believe it; Fourth,
the deficiency of school privileges, especially
in rural districts, which forebodes an appall'
ing state of ignorance in the near future
unless some remedy is found, and as these
boys and girls cannot be sent from home to
be educate 1, the remedy must be applied at
home by cultivating a thirst for knowledge
and affording means for its acquisition ;
Fifth, very few books have been purchased
since the war, particularly of a kind to en
tice young minds, even by the more pros
perous heads of families, and still fewer by
their less favored neighbors, and the few
that have been bought would have been
eaten by moths in the book stores, had they
not been cffered to the individual on the
street or at his own threshold by an agent;
Sixth, neither book merchants nor ordinary
book agents can offer their stock so cheap,
nor of such good quality, as the colporter of
a Baptist Association operating on a liberal
capital. All these facts converge in the sug
gestion that the colporter is the man the
times call for.
Ought not the same reasoning constrain
every Association in Georgia to enter upon
this work? Not only the parents, Sabbath
school teachers, citizens, and civil officers,
but. what is more serious still, the preachers
of tbe next generation are, with few excep
tions, restricted to the three months annual
schooling now furnished by the laws of
Georgia. It requires no great wisdom to
discern that our condition will be worse
twenty-five years to come than it is at pres
ent, unless private Christian beneficence
comes to the rescue.
A B. Campbell.
Columbus, Ga.
TEMPERANCE. >
The following report was adopted at the
recent session of the Flint River Baptist
Association. It is a timely and forcible
presentation of a momentous question.
The subject of temperance, understood in
its popular sense, has assumed unprecedent
ed importance, and is agitating, to a degree
never before known, the whole civilized
world. Perhaps it may be safely asserted
that the public mind has never been before
so universally, or so deeply stirred over any
subject than it is at present over the subj ct
of getting rid of the evils entailed by the
manufacture, and sale and use as a beverage,
of distilled and fermented liquors. When
we contemplate the cost to the country in
mere dollars and cents of this great evil, it is
a question of no little importance to every
lover of his country, as to now this constant
drain and leakage in our finances may be
stopped* and this enormous waste saved to
the people- But when, in addition to the
financial aspect of the subject, we look at it
in its social and moral bearings—when we
reflect on its social and moral degradation
and ruin growing out of the liquorjtraffic,
we may well stand appalled, and ask in im
tense and prolonged emphasis, is there no
way to drive this terrible curse out of tbe
land? Whatever others may do, every
Christian and every Christian church
should array their influence on the side of
any and every measure that gives promise
of relief from the great evil, and should
stand united aud in solid phalanx to meet
and drive back the blighting curse of intern
perancs which threatens to sap the very
foundations of social order and good govern
ment, and spreads in its pestilential track
crime, misrule and hopeless ruin. Drunk
enness is a crime of the deepest guilt. It is
classed among the darkest and worst crimes
known among men. Its effect upon men
individually, socially and morally is as dele -
terious and destructive as any other form of
sin. And it is the prolific source of thous
ands of other fearful and dreadful crimes.
Each church of Jesus Christ is constitution
ally a temperance society. The inspired
charter of its organization demands that it
shall be the conservator and promoter of
good morals and the public weal. This she
cannot be unless she enforces the strictest
discipline among her own members. The
drunkard should be promptly arraigned
and dealt with —without favor, fear or affec
tion, and she should give the whole weight
of her influence to every lawful measure to
suppress the retail traffic in ardent spirits
throughout the land, and also to unite with
all good citizens in every laudable effort to
suppress its use as a beverage. The pulpit
should sound the alarm and lead in the van
to redeem the race from the fell distroyer,
intemperance.
A. L. Moncrief, Chairman.
A MERITED TRIBUTE.
We take pleasure in publishing the sub
joined tribute from Darien Baptist church,
to the worth of a good man, and as evidence
of their appreciation of an excellent Chris
tian minister:
Whereas, our beloved brother Rev. T. J.
Adams has removed from our midst and has
asked for a letter or dismission from the
church
Resolved, That we grant the letter, and
that we embrace this opportunity to express
our appreciation of him as a citizen and our
love for him as a brother.
From early manhood he has lived in our
midst. He was baptized here, ordained to
the ministry here, and for many years
served the church most acceptably as pastor.
He has been earnest and faithful in every
word and work and his light has shined
brightly. He has shown himself an able
minister of the gospel and God has greatly
blesstd his labors.
We love him, we commend him to the
brethren, and we pray God to bless him.
By order of the church in conference,
September 3rd, 1881.
N. B. Binion, Moderator.
A. H. Trawick, Clerk.
Darien Baptist church, Hancock county
Georgia.
NORTH GEORGIA NOTES.
One of the neatest and newest bouses ot
worship is Hebron church, in Gwinnett
county, brother J. B. Rainey, pastor.' It
does credit to the zeal of the pastor and to
the liberality of pastor, brethien and com
munity. The dedication sermon by brother
C. D. Campbell was a fine effort and highly
appreciated by the large audience who
heard it.
Brother Rainey is also pastor of Appa
lachee church, where he has done good work.
An excellent Sunday school is kept up win
ter and summer through tbe persevering
efforts of tbe faithful Superintendent,brother
B. A. Blakey, the Sunday-school evangelist,
aided by the pastor in a pleasant meeting of
several days. There are a number of warm
hearten brethren and sisters in this church.
One of the most pleasant and profitable
sessions of the Appalacbee Sunday-school
Convention ever held was at Monroe, Tues
day after the second Sunday in August.
Brother John A. Harris preached an excel
lent introductory which gave a key-note to
the whole meeting. Several brethren made
stirring and instructive speeches. Brother
Eden's was especially happy in telling us
how to develop the spirit of benevolence in
the Sunday-school- Our dear brother
Gibbs, as usual, was ready with his earnest
words of exhortation and encouragement.
The President, brother G. A. Nunnally, was
full of enthusiasm and fired all hearts by his
earnest and manly utterances. Thank God
for such laymen. We were the guest of our
good brother, George Selman, who has often
cheered our heart and nerved our hand; we
are indebted to his family for a generous
hospitality.
We have rarely had better meetings and
done harder work than during two weeks
spent in Polk,Floyd and Chattooga counties.
Two days at Cedartown, furnished evidence
that this church is one of the best in North
Georgia and their pastor one of the most
premising of our younger ministers. He
loves his work and his people love him. A
sprigbtlier group of children than those in
the Cedartown Sunday-school, we rarely
find.
Three or four days spent with vice Presi
dent Wade disclosed the fact that he loves
the Sunday -school work most ardently and
that he has been trying to discharge his
duties faithfully. A Sunday-school is in
every church in his district.
Nine days with our dear, kind brother
Espy were busy days. Ten churches visi
ted and double daily meetings. Good meet
ings at all and large congregations with one
exception. It is seldom that we can keep
tbe same preacher with us so long. But he
is used to work and does his share of it and
it is telling all over his field. God bless
him abundantly. We are greatly indebted
to him and shall remember him most grate
fully. For genial company and kind treat
ment go to brother C. E. Wright’s. He
helped us greatly. His wife, like brother
Espy’s, will always make a tired preacher
comfortable.
For a large house, a cordial welcome and
good fare go among the people of Armuchee.
Brother Wooten will always be on hand to
furnish good singing and cheerful face and
kind manner. Here we met our beloved
brother Camp, a most earnest, warm-hearted
preacher, who in a quiet way, is doing more
good than will ever be known this side of
eternity. We hold in precious memory all
tbese good brethren and friends.
T. C B.
FROM CONSUL WHARTON.
I have been informed that an article
appeared in the Macon Telegraph to the
effect that I had resigned on account of the
place, Sonneberg, being a small manufactur
ing town, withouteducatioi.al facilities, etc.,
my object being the education of my chil
dren.
I have hot resigned. I may not remain
many months, but not on account of the
place, as I live in Coburg, by direction of the
State Department, which is one of the most
elegant, and certainly the most beautiful,
city in Europe that I have seen. The only
reason I contemplated leaving soon, was the
expensiveness of living in the style required
of an American Consul here. Sonneberg, as
I knew before, is exclusively a manufactur
ing town of ten thousand inhabitants, and
ships annually two million of dollars worth
of goods to the United States. It is not so
desirable as a residence, however, though
containing many very elegant people, and
hence the Consul for the. Sonneberg district
has lived, for the past twenty years, in
Coburg, which is only twelve miles from
Sonneberg by train three times a day. The
Sonneberg district is one of the largest a.id
most important in the German Empire,
embracing nine duchies, including the three
cities of Coburg, 16 000; Gotha, 25,000; and
Eufurt, 75 OCO, people. The population of
my district is over 1,000,000 The country is
beautiful, with scenery that beggars all des
cription.
The schools of Coburg are the finest in
Europe, the society refined and excellent, to
which the Consul has the first entree. I
have been called upon by nearly all the high
officials here, and this morning a meeting
was arranged between myself and tbe Dake,
who is a brother of Prince Albert. But, as
my friend Col. Blount remarked, a Consul
should have a private purse to keep up with
tbe style of living required here in first cir
cles.
My object in accepting the Consulate was
threefold : (1) to benefit my health ; (2) to
educate my children; (3) to see Europe
under favorable auspices, and I find the
situation better than I expected in every
thing but cheapness. It is more expensive
here than in America.
I write this in justice to tbe appointment,
which is strictly first-class. The duties of
the office are pleasant, and, with the excep
tion of the monthly reports to the Secretary
of State for publication, are not arduous.
M. B. Wharton.
Sonneberg, Germany, Sept. 14th, 1881.
“A GOOD REPORT."
I held a meeting at Friendship church,
Glasscock county, beginning August 3d.
We held service day and night for one week.
The Lord was with us from the first, and a
glorious revival began as soon as the meeting
commenced. Some were converted who
were considered “hard cases," and we have
reason to believe in their sincerity. Twenty
five were baptized on profession of faith;
others joined by letter, and some were res
tored ; making in all twenty-nine. The
church was greatly revived, aud they now
propose to build a better bouse of worship.
After the meeting closed at Friendship, I
began a series of meetings at Mill Cieek
church, near the same place. Five joined
by profession of faith, and still thegood work
joes on.
I have only been in the ministry two years,
and to meet with such success encourages
me to work more diligently in the service of
our Master. I feel that there is a great work
to be done, and that I am called ot God to
take part in laboring in his moral vineyard.
I intend to keep to living issues, and push
my way through to glory and to God.
Alex. W. Errs.
Jewell's Ga., September 30th, 1881.
FLOWERS ON THE TOMBS.
Would that we could scatter flowers on
the tomb of our dead which would not fade
and wither ere to morrow's sun. This
thought occurs to me as the shadows of de
parting day are gathering about the last rest
ing-place of the Nation's dead. Good deeds,
says Confucius, are like the perfume of sweet
flowers. Then let us scatter in the hearts of
the people the noble deeds and true heroism
of the beautiful life of James A. Garfield.
Heroes bave lived and died. Great military
leaders have fallen amid the din of battle,
and filled a people with panic, consternation
and grief Something different and unpre
cedented in its influence over the entire lai d
is the death of him whose spirit was plumed
for its final flight by the severe trial of the
great physical struggle, ending only with
life. In all, we hear never a word of repin
ing In that we see tbe soldier's bravery.
Never a word of impatience or bitterness
against the assassin. In this we see extra
ordinary large-heartedness and divine for
bearance. Patiently as a Christian, bravely
and calmly as a strong man. hopefully as
the loving husband and father,
as a Nation’s leader, if it might be. by his
powerful will, be could keep off this calam.-
ty from his people, and rise up to take the
helm again. Thus he waited ;—waited only
for the angel of deatu. Can you know, ye
surging masses, who move to and fro, like
tbe mighty sea, to do him honor, what tbe
great spirit passed tl r >ngh i.i this chamber of
suffering and death ? No; only you feel that
gentle and divine influence which I yield to
with all others; and, while I admire the great
and useful and successful life he lived, 1 am
now deeply impressed with the sublime gran
deur of the straggle for life,md the Anal calm
ness with whicn death was met. May the
flowers on his tomb bloom ever in the hearts
of his people, and waft theirtragrance over
the homes of his country's sons.
G. W. H.
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.
Tuesday morning after my last letter was writ
ten I went from Macon to Milledgeville. Here 1
remained until Friday morning, being most
kindly entertained the while at the homes of our
good brethren, Prof. O. M. Cone, of the Agricul
tural College, and Rev. A. J. Beck, Jr., and ot my
long-time friends, W. and J. Caraker. The fall
term of this college opened Thursday with about
one hundred and sixty pupils. The grand
o’.d capltol building his been put to a noble pur
pose—the educating of the young men of our
State. The Baptist church has been thoroughly
repaired, repainted and new pews put in. The
repairs cost the membership about (1,600. The
church has prospered greatly under the earnest
and efficient pastorate of brother Beck, and it is
now one of the strongest churches in the city.
There have been quite a number of accessions to
the church by baptism during the present year.
Friday morning on the train again, as far as
Carr’-- Station. An obliging brother, Jas. Muse
carried me in his buggy to brother N. B. Binion’s,
in Hancock county. Here I spent the remainder ot
the day and succeeding night pleasantly. Brother
R lnion is not only an able preacher, but an ex
cellent farmer. Providence has greatly blessed
him this year. His lands have suffered but little
from drought, and he has a good crop. His min
istry. too. has been blessed to the conversion of
many precious souls and tbe reviving of lhe
churches under his pastoral care. The number
of accessions Ly baptism are as follows; Darien
church, 10; Jewell’s church, 15; Bethel church,
20, aud three awaiting baptism; Mineral Springs,
10. Saturday morning early, brother Binion aud
I left for Bethel church, to attend the regular
monthly meeting. The weather was quite
threatening, and the distance was about twenty
miles, but "Frank” (the horse) carried us there
before 11 o'clock. I knew that Bethel was in a
Ero-perous condition as soon as we got within
earing; I heard the brethren engaged in a
prayer meeting instead of standingout under the
shade of the trees talkfng over their business
affairs and the news of the day. Brother Binion
preached a good sermon to a large (f -r Saturday)
and attentive congregation. At the close several
came forward for prayer The door of the
church was opened and ten were received for
baptism and one rest -red. After church brother
Binion and I had to separate—he to visit a sick
sister and I to spend the night at the pleasant
home of my long-time friend and brother, of the
Methodist church, William Wilson, familiarly
known here In Hancock where he has resided for
so many years, as ‘‘Uncle Billie.” Sister Wilson,
Uncle Billie's better half, Is a devoted Baptist and
one of the active members of Bethel church. I
had spent many pleasant hours at their happy
home before the war,aud our meeting now, after
'ong years of separation, was joyous indeed.
Notwithstanding the threatening weather and
falling rain a large congregation assembled at the
church (Bethel) Sabbath morning. The services
were opened with an interesting prayer meeting
at 9.30 o’clock Two other candidates for baptism
were received. At 10 o’clock the people assem
bled on the banks of the creek to witness the
ordinance of baptism. The first that "went
down into the water’’ were four young ladies, all
marching in hand in hand. After these came a
husband and wife ; then s'x young men—twelve
in all It was a grand and impressive scene I
found thlsquestion welling up In my heart: How
can any one believe, with the New Testament
before them, that anything else is baptism ? This
we know u baptism. Why, then, use something
else that, at least, may not be? The Savior said,
"For thus”—in this way I administer it—“it be
cometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Is there
any room for doubt on this subject ?
Back to the church ; another good sermon from
brother Binion, a good collection for missions,
and then the Lord s Supper. What a feast for
those who had so recently put on Christ by bap
tism-been bur'ed with him in the liquid grave,
and raised to newness of life—and now to sit at
his table and commemorate his death and suffer
ings by wh'ch he purchased l.fe eternal for all
who will believe.
One hour and a half was taken for dinner and
rest, and then our young brother Jackson
preached an earnest sermon. Brother Binion
closed with an Invitation for prayer, and many
came forward. Everything being quiet the door
of the church was again opened (after prayer)
and six others came forward—three to tell what
the Lord had done for them, and three for restora
tion. The three first were received as candidates
f >r baptism and the three last were restored to
the church. And this ended the day’s meeting.
We fell—all of us, I think—that it was good to be
here.
Went Bunday night to Mr. Brinkley’s. Bister
Brinkley is a devoted Baptist aud an earnest
Christian. I do hope and pray that the good
Lord will soon give her her excellent husband to
walk with her in wisdom’s ways. Well, we did
have a pleasant time here in the midst of this
excellent family.
Monday morning brother Binion started for
home and carried me as far as Sparta, from
whence I write this letter. It has been many
years since last I was here. I see but few faces
now that I know, and once I knew almost every
one here. Hancock is one of the grand old
counties of Georgia, and once was conceded to be
the banner county in an agricultural point of
view. The annual fairs held here were scarcely
second to the State fairs. But after the war the
fair ground was permitted t# go into decay, and
no fairs have been held here since. Yet, Hancock
has kept pice with the first counties of th.- State
in every respect, and to-day is second to none.
The old court-house has been removed and a new
one is to be erected to cost some 825,000 or $30,000,
and which will be an honor to the county. Last
year there were between 6,000 and 7,000 bales of
cotton shipped from Sparta, besides there are
other railroad depots in the county, and consid
erable cotton goes to Milledgeville, Sandersville
and White Plains. The Baptist church at Sparta
Is small In numbers, but is truly a Spartan band.
The house of worship has been thoroughly re
paired and repainted and a new fence built
around it. During the war this noble little
church donated their bell to the Confederate gov
ernment, and have had none sfnee. They are
now endeavoring to raise money to purchase a
bell, and I do hope they will have assistance from
brethren and slst-rs in different parts of the
State. They do not ask ire to make thfs request,
but I know they would appreciate a little help so
much. Reader, wont you send them twenty-five,
fifty cents or a dollar? Do if you can. They
number only about twenty members, and have
much opposition to contend with. Brother L.
R. L. Jennings, of Crawfordville, Is their beloved
pastor, and preaches here once a month.
Bu 11 must stop. I write this letter in the office
of the lahmadite, one of the best weekly papers in
the State. To the excellent editor and publisher,
Messrs. Lewis and Roberts, I am greatly indebted
for Courtelles during my stay in Sparta. Brother
Roberts has taken me to his pleasant home,wh< re
my tem; oral wants are provided for most amply,
I go from here to Lawton and thence to the
Washington Association. J. M. G. Medlock,
Mercer University.—Our church proposes
to give its December collection to Mercer
University. The financial agent of the Uni
versity is specially desirous that the churches
will contribute to meet current expenses,
and then feels assured that the increased
endowment will gradually come with time.
We propose, in future, to keep the claims of
the University before us in our regular col
lections. This should have been done in the
past.
I hesitate to suggest to the pastors and
churches of the State, that they make a con
tribution to the University in December.
Will not some brother whose name will
carry more prestige make and urge the sug
gestion ? J. H. H,
Newnan, Ga.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DkVOTIE, D.D., I Mt(n _
REV. C. M. IRWJN, D.D., I Eal,or ’’
MISSIONARIES STATE BOARD.
J. H. DeVotle, Atlanta, Ga.; C. M. Irwin, Mt.
Airy, Habersham, Rabun and White counties;
V. A. 8011, Ringgold, Whitfield and Chattooga
counties; Chas. Edwards, Toccoa, Habersham
county; T. C. Tucker, Cassandria, Dade and Wal
ker counties; W. J. King. Nannie; P. A. Jessup,
Eastman, Dodge and Telfair counties; A. C. Ward,
Brunswick; George A. Blount, Eden, Effingham,
Bryan and Liberty counties, D. G. Daniell, Wal
thourville ; J. H. Campbell, Columbus, Muscogee
county; Alfred Corn, Blairsville, Towns county;
T. C. Boykin, At’anta, State of Georgia; Simeon
Maxwell, Talbotton. Talbot county; W. B. Ben
net, Quitman ; W. V. Perdue, Valdosta ; G. H.
Washington, co!., Albany. Mitchell county; J. C.
Biyan, col., Americus, Schley, Lee and Dough
erty counties; Frank M. Simmons, col., Stone
Mountain; G. B. Mitchell col., Forsyth; 8. A.
McNeil, col., Quitman; M. Brigman, Agusta :
OUR FOREIGN MISSIONARIES.
CHINA.
At Tung Chau —P. O Chefoo.—T. P. Craw
ford. Mrs, Crawford, Mrs S. J. Holmes, Miss
L. Moon, J. P- McCullough, Mrs. McCul
lough, WooTswun Chau, (native pastor.)
At Shanghai.—M. T. Yates, Mrs. Yates.
Native Pastors—Wong Ping San and See
T’ay San. Assistants—Wong Kia Sen, P’ay
ttz OO and Tsung-tsoong-oh. Bible Wo
man—Mrs. Ling.
At Canton.—R. H. Graves, Mrs. Graves,
Mis Lula Whilden, E. Z. Simmons, Mrs.
Simmons, Miss Sallie Stein, Yong Seen San,
aud eleven other native assistants and Bible
women.
AFRICA.
At Lagos.—W. J. David, Mrs. David, and
one native assistant.
At Abbeokuta—P. O. Lagos—W. J. David
and two native assistants.
At Ogbomoshaw —Moses L Stone.
At Gaun—B- L. Milton.
ITALY. •
At Rome.—G. B. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor,
J H. Eager, Mrs. Eager, and Signor Co
corda.
At Torre Pellice.—Signor Ferraris.
“ Milan.—Signor Paschetto.
“ Modena and Carpi.—Signor Marti'
nelli.
" Naples.—Signor Colombo.
“Barletta.— } Signor Volpi.
“ Island of Sardinia.—Signor Cossu.
“ Venice—Signor Bellondi.
“ Bologna.—Signor Basile,
BRAZIL.
At Campinas—San Pauio—W. B. Bagby,
Mrs. Bagby.
At Santa Barbara—E. H. Quilin.
MEXICO.
At Musquis, Coahuila—W. M. Flournoy.
Note.- Letters addressed to our mission
aries in China should be endorsed via San
Franscisco. Those to Africa via England.
Those to Rome. 27 Via del Teatro Valle.
The postage to each of our missions is five
cents. _
SAREPTA ASSOCIATION.
This Association has just closed one of its
most interesting sessions. It met Friday
the 23d ofSeptember. with the Union church.
Madison county, and closed Monday follow
ing. After the introductory sermon (and a
good one it was) by brother Duncan, a short
recess was taken and the letters from some
forty churches read. The organization was
perfected.by the re election of Dr. W. B. J.
Hardman, Moderator, and W. C. Howard,
Clerk, The reports on missions, state of re
ligion, and Sunday schools were ably pre
sented, and discussed with such earnestness,
clearness and power by members of the body
as is seldom heard. We feel assured good
was done, and a profoudn interest awakened
in these departments of Christian work.
The preaching was both instructive and
soul st rring. The sermon by our young
brother Stakely, on Saturday, and the ser'
mons on Sunday, by brethren C. D. Camp
bell,!. G. Gibson and P. H- Mell we have sel
dom,if ever,heard excelled. During the entire
business, we never heard a word uttered, or
witnessed an act, but was in accoyd with the
spirit of the gospel. It was good to be there.
Brother W. R Goss, the pastor of the church,
the members and citizens, were untiring in
their attentions to the messengers and visi
tors. Never was this Association more gen
erously and hospitably entertained. Mr.
Dawson Williams and his good wife, are en
titled to our gratitude for the many kind
nesses bestowed upon us during our stay
with them. This Association will hold its
next session with the Cabin Creek church,
Jackson county, commencing on Thursday
before the fourth Sunday in September, 1882.
The six young ladies who worked so earn
estly on Saturday and raised twenty three
dollars and seventy-six cents to aid in build
ing a meeting house in Clarkesville, will ac
cept our thanks. May the Lord reward you!
Regret we did not get their names from
brother Goss. C. M. I.
LIBERTY ASSOCIATION.
Met with the Toccoa church, Habersham
county, Thu-sday the 29th September. We
did not reach there until Friday, and found
they had organized by the re election of
brother John Kytle, Moderator, and brother
Burgess Smith, Clerk.
There are eighteen churches in this Asso
ciation with a membership of some 1800.
We learned the additions the past year by
baptism were not so many as usual. Mes
sengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention
were appointed and urged to be sure to at
tend. We hope to see them there. We were
glad to see so many visiting brethren. Among
them our esteemed, warm hearted brother
Gannon, of Rabun county, Dr. A. F. Under
wood, of Clevland and Dr. T. G. Underwood,
of Carnesville. These are earnest workers
in the Master's vineyard, sound in the faith,
and contributed much to the interest of tbe
meetings by their speeches upon missions,
giving of money to the cause of benevolence,
etc. 'The next session of this body will be
held with the church in Bellton, commenc
ing Friday before the Ist Sunday in October,
1882. We trust the brethren from below
will remember this, and take the liberty of
saying the Baptists of Bellton, will with great
pleasure entertain you. We shall expect to
meet tbe Lord willing with brethren of the
Sarepta, Chattahoochee Associations and
some from Gainesville and Atlanta. I.
~~WHY I GIVE.
1. I give, because it does me good to do
so. lam conscious of tbe worldliness of my
nature. But giving helps to soften and
break down that worldliness. and quickens
somewhat the latent sympathies and emo
tions of my being- And this I know is in
the direction of a higher tone of this earthly
life.
2. I give, because giving is the very genius
and spirit of the world. The sun gives.
The cloud gives. The air gives. The flow
er gives. The day gives. The night gives.
All nature, indeed, is a ministry, ever serv
ing, ever giving, and shall I withhold ?
3. I give, because I am always receiving,
God is giving to me every hoar of every day,
in a thousand different ways and forms,
and surely it is a small matter, indeed, that
I should give back a little again to Him.
4. I give, because in so doing I set a use
ful example to others. I feel that every
Christian is bound to be a pattern to others
around him. Liberality for Christ is a grace
sadly lacking in the religious community.
If, by my example I can help to enlarge
it, lam bound to do so. Therefore I give-
5. I give, because giving brings a blessing.
Even in this life it does so. The liberal soul
shall be made fat. And in the life to come,
who can tell the splendor of its reward.
6. I give, because it is the injunction of
the Bible. God enjoins it. Christ taught
it. The Apostles commended it. Let two
sentences suffice: “It is more blessed to give
than to receive;” “The Lord loveth a cheers
ful giver.”
Finally, I shall give systematically, be
cause it is rational so to give; because it
will help to secure a more intelligent esti
mate of the claims for which I give; and
because, were systematic giving the practice
of the church, its financial operations would
be vastly more easily conducted.
It is the settled conviction of those whose
acquaintance with the subject entitles their
opinions to the highest respect, that even
the best and most successful foreign mis
sionaries among heathen people, should not
remain permanently abroad. In India,
especially, sanitary considerations require
that a na’ive of this country shall not re
main continuously in the work, nor devote
to it more than eight years out of ten. We
have probably lost much more by not
respecting this consideration than by the
unnecessary absence of missionaries from
their work. The same considerations apply
in their degree to China, and perhaps to
Japan. There are also moral and spiritual
considerations in favor of this course. Mis
sionaries, to be efficient, must themselves be
thoroughly spiritually minded men, and
that they may be such, they need the stimu
lating and strengthening influences of reli
gious association—of which, under the best
conditions, their foreign churches, made up
of lately converted heathen, can give them
but very little. Those who have long resided
in foreign mission fields know, by sad
experience, that this is no fanciful consid
eration. That they may be able and useful
apostles to their beathen converts, it is
highly desirable that our foreign mission
aries shall occasionally return to their native
land to become reinvigorated in soul and
body, and so to renew their life-work.—The
Methodist. ___________
The promise that was given in Paradise
has been long fulfilled. “The seed of the
woman" has bruised “the serpent’s head.”
An antidote is prepared. Let it be our care
to see that it is applied. Let us work for the
complete fulfillment of the promise that the
"kingdoms of the world shall become the
kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ."
It is true, we may not be able to accomplish
much, but still let us make the effort to do
all we can. As it is God's pleasure to work
by human instrumentality, he will deign
to bless our small endeavors, if made to the
utmost of our ability. If we have only one
talent, let us use it faithfully. Much may
be done by united effort, ana ours must be
all in one direction. We are not ‘ called
upon to do great things. Our course is
obvious. We cannot go to those, who “sit
in darkness and the shadow of death," to
raise their drooping eyelids that the light of
the “Star of Bethlehem" may softly beam
on those expecting eyes; but we can send
those who are “strong of purpose and firm
of will," and withal of such pleading and
persuasive powers, that through the Spirit’s
direction will touch those hard hearts and
“melt those eyes to tears ”
British Benevolence.—Even at the risk of
some repetition, we bring together the re
ports of receipts of some of the chief British
Christian charities during the last fiscal year,
which concluded last spring. British and
Foreign Bible Society, £209,519; Religious
Tract Society. £193 580; Church Missionary
Society, £207,508; Society for the Propaga
tion of the Gospel, £l3B 288; Wesleyan
Missionary Society, £130,093; London Mis
sionary Society. £IOB 247; Baptist Mission'
ary Society, £51,459 ; London City Mission,
£57,841: Congregational Church Aid Society,
£4l,o2o;Cburch Pastoral Aid Society. £48,519;
Wesleyan Home Missions, £33,314; Mis
■ ons S.‘atnen, £16628; Sunday-school
Union, £2,012; Ragged School Union,
£7,591; Wesleyan Education Committee,
£7,865- We give these as specimens. Evan
gelical Christendom prints a list of fifty seven
organizations whose united incomes made a
total of £1,737 239.—Christian Intelligencer.
The “Illustrated Missionary News” pub
lished a few extracts from the journal of
Rev. G. Litchfield at Uganda, which, better
than any narrative, illustrate the many
sided life of such a missionary as he—at
once butcher, baker, cook, farmer, gardener,
smith, seamstress, machinist, laundryman,
doctor, trader, magistrate, teacher, surgeon,
builder and so on, as well as preacher and
and translator of. the Gospel. Oh, for a
thousand such men to lead the way into the
dark continent, and-make impossible such
a scene as is depicted on one of these pages
—a slave gang on its march to the coast.
Mr. Litchfield was called to one of the chiefs
who was disposed to talk of religion, and
having done so retired to a hut alone, then
sent for Mr. Litchfield to pray with and for
him. When the missionary said "I do not
know Suahill," the chief replied, "Pray in
English. God understands you.”
ORDINATION.
On the 23d of September a presbytery met
with Long Branch church, in Thomas coun
ty, Georgia, to counsel as to the ordination
of brother J. Albert Smith. The presbytery
consisted of Elder Joshua Martin. John Tay
lor, J. M. Rushin and John L. Underwood.
Brethren Martin and Rushin were providen
tially detained at home on that day, but
expressed themselves by message in favor of
his ordination, as they know him well.
After due examination, prayer and coun
sel, brother Smith was ordained by laying
on of hands, by Elders Taylor and Under
wood.
Brother Smith is now a Baptist Elder, I
may say with the unanimous approval of
the ministry of this section, where he has
lived several years. He was a Presbyterian
minister until his baptism last year, by El
der R. H. Harris, at Bainbridge. He is a
minister of deep humility, great zeal, fine
attainments, cbildlikesimplicity in character
and manners, and of unusual pulpit ability.
He is quite young, and by God’s grace great
usefulness is before him. We have often
heard him preach, and always with the
greatest pleasure. He and his charming
wife have both borne a heavy cross in fol
lowing the Scriptures, and deserve the
warmest sympathy of our Baptist brother
hood. He can fill any pulpit, and is charm
ing in Christian society, whether learned or
unlearned. He is a graduate of Davidson
College, North Carolina, and of the Columbia
Theological Seminary. May God bless him
and his churches—Antioch, Long Branch
and Pleasant Grove.
John L. Underwood.
An Omission Supplied.—l noticed in one
of the July numbers of The Index an ac
count of a meeting held at our church. The
article was copied from the Houston Home
Journal. The names of our pastor. Dr. B. F.
Tharp, and Rev. Judson Cheves, were men
tioned as ministers present, and the name of
Rev. R. Bulington, of Dooly county, who
labored very faithfully and affectionately
with and for us, was omitted. We feel that
it is due to our brother and his flock that
this oversight be corrected.
Our meeting lasted eight days with a good
degree of interest, and resulted in nine addi
tions to the church—seven by baptism and
two by letter. C. Seabce.
Henderson, Ga.
If you are bilious, take Dr. Pierce's ‘‘Pleas
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