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HENHY H.TUCKER, TCdltor
THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP.
What we are about to say is in shape
anl form, merely fanciful, though true
in substance. We have doubts of the
propriety of using the Scripture in
any way different from that in which
it was intended to be used. Certainly
it is wrong knowingly to misrepresent
it; and certainly the sacred writers are
not responsible for the various imagin
ings of those who read what they have
■written. Still, when one presents a
a fancy, declaring that it is a fancy and
that it is nothing more, and that he is
indebted to his imagination and not to
the record, for what he says, he may by
stretch of charity be pardoned, if he
thus indulges himself. We have no
sympathy with the now obsolete and
dishonored practice of attaching spir
itual meanings to all the facts stated
in the Bible. Yet if an analogy is sug
gested though never thought of by the
inspired writer, and wholly remote
from his object in writing, it may not
be amiss to present it, if fair notice be
g’ven that what is said is not in the
■way of exegesis. Let this apology
for the present departure make its ap
peal to the forbearance of the reader.
On one occasion the disciples of our
Lord had been fishing all night, and
had caught nothing. In the morning
Jesus appeared on the shore, and said
to them, ‘-Cast the net on the right
side of the ship and ye shall find.”
They did as they were told, and the
miraculous draught of fishes was the
result. Our Savior meant to indicate
what sailors call the starboard side, or
as landsmen would call it, the right
hand side of the ship. Perhaps the
-indulgent reader will pardon us, if we
use the word right for present purposes,
<in the sense of the word proper.
(The “old ship of Zion,” whose crew
are all fishers of men, often cruises
dong to no purpose ; and the toil of the
ffishers is expended in vaiji. Perhaps
the reason is, that they have not cast
the net on the right side of the ship.
There is the worldly side and the gos
pel side. We are anxious to bring into
the church as many as possible. Fear
ing tliat the bold doctrines of the gos
pel may drive men away instead of at
tracting them, we preach those doc
trines softly. To tell men in plain
language and in energetic terms, that
the human heart is totally depraved,
and utterly estranged from God; that
there not only may be, but must be in
literal terms, and with no figure of
speech, a second birth, and that the
man himself is as helpless in this, as
he was in his first birth ; and that this
is wholly of God, who planned it before
the foundation of the world ; and that
a life time of good works is of no avail
in the salvation of the soul; and that
trust in blood is the only condition of
the gospel; and that the fate of unbe
lievers is everlasting torment; and that
while we are saved by faith as the me
dium, though not as the procuring
•cause of salvation, we aJie still required
to crucify ourselves to the world, and
the world to us; in short, to preach
the gospel exactly as it is, is to affront
men if not to disgust them. Hence, as
we are anxious to win the souls of men
we partially at least, suppress these
startling doctrines as offensive as they
axe astonishing; not indeed denying
.them but holding them in reserve,
while more popular themes are put in
the foreground. Instead of presenting
the exceeding sinfulness of sin in its
trufe, though horrid aspect, we pass
mildly by the errors and delinquencies
of life, half apologetically; instead of
exhibiting, in strong light, the radical
nature of the change wrought by re
generation, we present it in such terms
that many thousands profess that
change, in whom there can be seen no
signs of any kind of change ; instead of
showing that salvation is all of God,
and all of grace, men receive the idea
from our teachings, whether we Intend
it or not, that the human element is
the principal factor; so afraid are we
of the cry of fatalism, that we try to
apologise the unchangeable God out of
the fact that he has selected his chosen
ones for eternal life; so afraid are we
of human pride, that we say, “Do and
live,” instead of saying “Looji and
five;’’ so afraid are we of offending
mien’s sensibilities or tastes, that we
forbear to tell of the terrors of the law ;
the word hell has been ridiculed, and
so has the word damfiation, and we
have become too cowardly to use them ;
and as for consecrated life, our inter
pretation of it is practice, at least, is so
mild, that the lives which we accept as
consecrated cannot be distinguished
from any other lives, except those
which are marked by outbreaking and
•outrageous sin. We appeal to men’s
hopes but not not to their fears, nor
yet to their sense of duty to God; we
expatiate on the joys of heaven, and
a.sk if our hearers are not anxious to
go there; we stir up their natural af
fections and sympathies; we tell of
the dear ones who have gone before;
and of the joy of meeting them again ;
we tell of parental solicitudes and dy
ing admonitions; and the tears of na
ture we mistake for the tears of grace;
the personal magnetism of the speaker
land of a large assembly, and the influ
ence on the nerves of protracted servi
c js, and on the emotions of exciting
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1881.
songs, are perhaps the largest factors
in our work.
AU this is wrong. We are casting
the net on the wrong side of the ship.
We are acting on principles of worldly
wisdom ; but the wisdom of this world
is foolishness with God. The right side
of the ship, the proper side, is the side
which is pointed out by the plain gos
pel of Christ. Let its doctrines whether
popular or unpopular, whether in good
taste or in what men call bad taste,
be proclaimed exactly as they are. Let
these various doctrines have the same
proportionate prominence in our min
istry that they have in the word of
God ; let there be no half-way holding
back of some, while others are made
doubly conspicuous; let severity keep
pace with goodness, and goodness with
severity, rightly dividing the word of
truth. It is not for us to decide wheth
er this doctrine or that is more inviting
than another; let us take it as it comes,
and take it all ; whether it will attract
or repel is no business of ours. We
have merely to do what we are told.
When we do this, we are casting the
net on the right side of the ship. In
so doing, we find the only true success.
There is no substitute for the gospel
which has any part of the power of the
gospel itself. True, it makes war on
human nature; but it conquers it, and
this is what nothing else can do. The
gospel, the old gospel, the plain gospel,
the unaided gospel, the unembellished
gospel, making no concessions and no
compromises, will do its own work, and
it will do it effectually and quickly. If
preached exactly as it is written, and if
reduced to practice in the discipline of
our churches, and in the lives of our
people, the draught of fishes would be
miraculous; the conversion of the
world would be by comparison speedy
and easy.
Let every Christian breath be a
breath of worship; let all we do be as
unto God, and not as unto men; let
us rely on the old story, not worn out,
but fresh now as when it fell from the
lips of Jesus, and from the pens of the
apostles, casting away all outside helps
and human appliances, obeying the
word, and with unquestioning and un
shakeable faith in its promises, and we
shall be just as sure to make an enor
mous draught, as the disciples were,
when the Lord told them to cast the
net on the right side of the ship.
The Cif tics. —A friend at our elbow
suggests that by far the greater part of
the criticisms on the New Version will
come from those who do not know a
word of Greek. We may add that
many such criticisms will come from
those who know very little of English ;
and many will object to the New who
are not over-much acquainted with
the Old. Many, too, will object to this
change or to that, for the reason that
they they do not like it. Such persons
should be reminded, that the question
is not what they like or dislike, but
what the inspired penmen wrote.
When the New Version reproduces in
English, exactly what the inspired
authors wrote in Greek, it is immateri
al who likes it or who dislikes it. In
such cases, those who dislike it must
find fault with the authors, not with
the translators; with God not with
men. Just let them say at once when
they find fault with a correct transla
lation, that the Lord has not made the
Bible to suit them, and that they pre
fer King James’ mistakes to what the
the Holy Spirit directed to be written.
We advise our readers to be careful.
It is well not to express opinions unless
there are good grounds for them. Be
sure that the Revisers are wrong before
you say that they are so.
Peter’s Rebvke, —II Peter ii :12. in
the New Version reads as follows:
“These as creatures without reason,
born mere animals to be taken and
destroyed, railing in matters whereof
they are ignorant, shall in their des
troying surely be destroyed, suffering
wrong as the hire of wrong-doing.”
In the Old Version the same passage
reads thus: ’'These as natural brute
beasts, made to be taken and destroyed
speak evil of the things that they under
stand not, and shall utterly perish in
their own corruption, and shall receive
the reward of unrighteousness.” The
expression is quite different, but the
thought is the same in both versions.
So far as we are able to judge, the
New Version is a more exact transla
tion than the Old; but we have put
one clause of each in italics, to show,
that eighteen hundred years ago, when
Peter wrote, there were those who were
given to railing in matters whereof they
were ignorant, and that the Apostle,
moved by the Spirit, administered to
them a severe rebuke. Almost the
same words are used by the Apostle
Jude in the 10th verse of his short
epistle. .
The Baptist. (London, Eng.) has a
good many columns on “Hindrances
to Denominational Progress”, in Eng
land. We can give a better reason in
two words, for failure in progress, than
he will give in a hundred columns of
his excellent writing. The two words
are open communion. Baptists never
thrive when they are untrue to their
principles.
The Universalisw of New England
have 170 fewer churches now than in
1850.” Is it because the doctrine of
Universal salvation is becoming less ap
propriate to that section ? Centred
Baptist.
No: it is because “error dies amid
its worshippers.”
PREVENTION OF CRIME.
The Gospel of Christ is the only thing
that cun save this world. When it
comes to be universally accepted, we
shall have but little need of human
law. God will be our law-giver, and
the Bible our statute book ; and human
government, except as matter of con
venience for Ute regulation of com
merce and affairs of similar nature,
will be well nigh useless.
The best way to prevent crirne is to
spread this gospel; for where its power
is felt crime ceases. What has it al
ready done? Millions of people in
these U-nited States are restrained from
wrong-doing, simply because they have
been brought up under its influence.
But there are many whom this influ
ence, even in its outermost circles, has
scarcely reached. These, if controlled
at all, must be controlled in some
other way. The last penalties of the
divine law are inflicted only in another
world; and hence in this world, and
until the gospel takes complete pos
session of it, some other means must
be taken to keep evil-doers in check.
For this purpose there is nothing so
good as law. In the State of Georgia,
and in most of the States, the penal
code, though doubtless it might be
amended in some particulars, is on the
whole wise, and just, and good. Our
judiciary is generally able and faithful;
and the Executive always has power
enough to carry the law into effect.
Yet crime,open,outrageous and diaboli
cal crime is common, and is getting to
be more so. The tendency seems to
be towards anarchy and barbarism.
Something must be done, or society
will be undone.
What shall we do? It may be sug
gested that we should make the penal
ties of crime more severe. Experience
has shown that it is not the severity of
punishment that deters from crime so
much as its certainty. If it were
known that every murderer would cer
tainly be put to death, there would be
very few murders committed ; if it were
known that every perjurer, forger, burg
lar, “defaulter,” or thief of other des
cription would certainly be consigned
to the penitentiary, there to stay during
the term prescribed by law, the num
ber of such malefactors would be
greatly diminished. Our penitentiaries
would be smaller than they are; for
the number of criminals would be so
reduced, that we should needless room
for their accommodation. The ex
pense of courts, juries, lawyers and
witnesses would be diminished, lor we
should have less occasion for their
services.
What is the matter? Nothing more
than this, that our laws are not en
forced ; to a great extent they are a
dead letter; they are as though they
were not; and to this extent, practi
cally we have no law, and the viciour?
are under no restraint. True, law is
enforced sometimes; the penitentiary
is not empty, and the gallows some
times, though rarely, gets its due. But
there are such wide openings for escape,
that the law is largely bereft of its ter
rors, and evil doers for the sake of
gratifying their wicked propensities,
are willing to take the chances. Let
it once be known that there are no
chances to take, and evil doers will be
few.
A very large proportion of the
crimes of violence are committed by
men under the influence of strong
drink. But a man is very seldom so
drunk as to violent, when he knows
that the halter and the penitentiary
are ready for him- Drunken men are
often not so irrational as is supposed
When sober enough to use a knife or a
pistol, they are generally sober enough
to be restrained by fear, when there is
much to be afraid of. Moreover cer
tain penalty in case of crime would
itself operate in restraint of drunken
ness ; for men would not be so willing
to take the risk of penalty as to put
themselves in condition when they
would be likely to incur it. Let it be
known, that drunk or sober, every
murderer will surely come to the gal
lows, and there would be fewer mur
ders and less drunkenness. The more
rigidly law is enforced, the less fre
quent will be the occasions for its en
forcement.
Where does the fault lie? Why is
it that the laws are not enforced?
Simply because jurors fail to do their
duty. It is almost impossible, if a
man has money and friends, and often
if he has neither, to convict him of
crime. The evidence is fully brought
out, the case is ably argued, the Judge
gives an honest and impartial charge,
and the jury bring in a verdict of “Not
guilty!” If this were the end of it, if
nothing came of it but that the
scoundrel is turned loose, the damage
would be comparatively small; but
other scoundrels are encouraged; and
thus the jury become virtually acces
sories before the fact, to other crimes
which would not have been commit
ted but for their crime, in bringing in
a false verdict. A man incurs a fear
ful responsibility when by wrongly
bringing in a verdict of "Not guilty”
he throws down the barriers by which
society protects itself. If every jury
in the United States would certainly
find a verdict of “Guilty” whenever
the evidence justifies it, there would
be far fewer crimes, and far fewer exe
cutions, and fewer punishments of
every kind than we have now; and
we should enjoy the peace, and safety,
and satisfaction, and prosperity, re
served for civilized and law-abiding
people.
L. A. T.—The degree of D. D. is
conferred on those who are supposed
to have attained to great distinction in
the Christian ministry, though fre
quently the supposition is a violent
one. The degree of LL. D. is con
ferred on those who are presumed to
have made vast attainments in science,
literature or the liberal arts, and often
this is a piece of presumption indeed.
We now suggest another degree—the
degree of L. A. T. Leader of Ad
vanced thought; we further propose
that each man who thinks himself
worthy of it should confer the degree
on himself. This will save time and
trouble, and the degree will be quite
as valuable as either of the others,
when conferred as they are apt to be,
by Monohippio Institutes. We observe
that these Leaders of Advanced
Thought are fond of their distinction ;
and it will save printer’s ink if they
will abbreviate their boasting by. affix
ing the letters L. A. T. to their names
GLIMPSES AND HINTS.
—Rev. W. B Bagby, our missionary to
Brazil, had a daughter bor i to him, a few
weeks ago, in his distant field of labor.
—A Georgia Baptist pastor tells us that, in
one of his churches, there are seventy-five
brethren, who, on occasion, pray and exhort
in their assemblies for worship, so that he
never needs ministerial help in his protracted
meetings there. This is the fruit of right
training.
A South Carolina Baptist church gave
last year to Christian purposes almost seven
per cent, on the value of the real estate
owned by its members.
—A writer in the Journal and Messenger
mentions the session of a Baptist Association
this year, at which the letters from the
churches reported only 25 baptisms and just
$25 raised for missions.
—Prof. W. H. W iitsitt, of the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary. Louisville,
was married, October 4th, to Miss Florence
Wallace, of Midway, Woodford county, Ky.
—The malarious climate of Columbus,
Miss., seriously threatens the health of Rev.
H. W. Battle, and he has resigned the Bap
tist pastorate there. This liberates one of
our gifted young men for service in some
more healthy field.
—Prof. Noah K Davis, of the University
of Virginia, writes in the Baptist Courier:
‘‘About five years ago, Janies P. Harrison &
Co., Atlanta, published ‘A Treatise, Psycho
logical and Theological, on the Human
Will,’ by Dr. Battle, President of Mercer
University, a work ot greatability, grappling
with the profoundest problem of philosophy,
and presenting original and striking views
of freedom and responsibility. Now we
have before us, in the same vein, Dr. Car
son’s Essays on Certainty and Contingency,
on Providence, on Prayer, and on Tne Gov
ernment of God and the Liberty of Man.
Tney are admirably written, in a clear, posi
tive and sinewy style, resulting from matu
rity of thought, deep convictions, and a
vigorous grasp on the vast subject. The
author has acute and comprehensive meta
physical conceptions, kept in bounds by rigid
logic, and purified and exalted by religious
faith."
—The Waco Baptist Association expended
more than SI,OOO, outside of Its own territory
last year. The Texas Baptist states the
methods of that body as follows: “Each
church elects its own board member and
sends him to the Association as one of the
messengers, naming the fact in the letter.
%’bus the Executive Board is elected by the
churches by direct vote, and is itself a creat
ure and servant of the churches, as the As
sociation is also. This Board holds its
meetings in different districts, convening so
as to include each fifth Sunday ; and at those
meetings most of the work of collecting
funds lor missions is attended to, except the
collections taken in all the churches and sent
to the Board meetings. The result is that,
responsibilities are divided. All the churches'
do something, and liberal contributions
result.”
—ln its notice of the Sunday services at
the Baptist State Convention, Galveston, the
Texas Baptist Herald says: “Rev. A. T
Spalding, D D., of Atlanta, and pastor elect
of the Galveston consolidated church,
preached at night to a very large audience.
He was heard with rapt attention from the
first word to the last.”
—A church in England whose members
differ on the question, whether the wine
used in the Lord's supper should be fermen
ted or unfe. merited, furnishes both kinds so
that each communicant can choose for
himself.
—ln Salt Lake City, for twelve years, the
sign on the main business house of the Mor
mon Church has advertized “Holiness to
the Lord: Liquors, wholesale and retail.”
We wish that religion and strong drink were
married nowhere else, especially as “the sin
of intemperance” probably "destroys more
souls than all the ministers of Christ are in
strumental in saving.”
—The Lutheran Standard says that the
Presbyterians have been forced to retain
confirmation and similar German ecclesias
tical customs in their German congrega
tions.” Has Presbyterianism, too, lost
something of its back-bone in this rickety
age?
—One of the speakers in the Ecumenical
Methodist Conference thought that nine
tenths of the Sunday-school teachers a-e
women ; and another that the influence and
exertions of women secure three-fourths of
the accessions to the church. Do they give
to the sex substantially the worship which
R imanists give to Mary ?
—We wondered at the want of intellectual
vigor, marking the treatment of the baptis
mal question by Bishop Paine, of the South
ern Methodist church, in certain autobio
graphical sketches going the round of the
papers recently. But we are largely relieved
of our wonder by the statement which has
since fallen under our eye, that he is now in
his 82nd year, and is so feeble at times that
he is unable to work for a week.”
—A writer in the International Review for
September expresses the opinion that the
Book of Mormon “does not contain a single
immoral statement,” and that “it would add
to the value of our canonical Scriptures if an
abridgement of it could be made to take the
place of Solomon's Song.”
—The Teutonic Co operative Colonization
Society, proposed to be established by some
Philadelphia Germans on two thousand
acres of land near Asheville, N. C., will build
a town with a theatre and museum but no
beer-saloon, and school houses and factories
but no churches, both lawyers and ministers
being denied a home in it. Queer.
Rev. Moses C. Welch, in the New Eng
lander for September, says that God, to train
Moses as a leader for “a fretful, capricious,
unreasonable and rebellious people," gave
him as his wife, Zipporah,—a woman pos
sessing these very faults. Is matrimonial
infelicity, then, a discipline for higher Chris
tian usefulness ? Is having a good wife, so
far forth, a misfortune?
—“The Presbyterians have twice as many
missionaries west of the Mississippi as the
Congregationalists." Is this fact explained,
either in whole or in part, by the further
fact that old fashioned orthodoxy has lost
ground much more among Congregational
1 lets than among Presbyterians?
GEORGIA BAPTIST NEWS.
—Monroe Advertiser: On last Sun
day the Baptist pulpit was occupied
by the Rev. C. A. Stakely of Elberton.
Rumor had whispered of the contem
plated visit, and the Sabbath having
all the beauty aud enchantment that
October brings, quite a large audience
welcomed the young minister.
The text of the morning discourse
was from II Cor., vii :16 : “I am their
God, and they shall be my people.”
The subject was handled in a masterly
way by the youthful orator, the rela
tion of God to man, and of man to the
Creator, being most lucidly and forci
bly presented. Words were his paint
brushes, and were used with artistic
skill. We will not, however, attempt a
synopsis of the sermon. The large
congregation was profoundly attentive,
and thoroughly appreciative.
—Dawson Journal : Friendship As
sociation, composed of 44 Baptist
churches, held its annual meeting at
Americus. The messengers sent up
from the Baptist church of Dawson
were Revs. J. A. Ivey, J. H. Corley,
Jeptha Corley, Dr. W. C. Paschal and
Mr. John Whitchard. We learn from
these gentlemen that the meeting was
one of unusual interest, altogether har
monious and pleasant. The citizens
of Americus received the delegates
with great cordiality and entertained
them in a most hospitable manner.
—Swainsboro Herald: Rev. T. F.
Seaborough, colored Baptist minister,
preached to a large crowd of colored
people at the Academy last Sunday
evening. There was a good sprinkling
of whites present. He is laboring to
establish a Baptist church at this
place. He received five members last
Sunday.
—Sandersville Herald: Mt. Vernon
Association met with the Baptist
church at Tennille, on Friday last, Sep
tember 30th, and continued through
Sabbath. Os the twenty-eight churches
comprising the body, twenty-six were
represented, constituting a large dele
gation, and an attendance of sixteen
ministers. Among the visitors pres
ent were Rev. T. C. Boykin, Mr. Rog
ers, J. M. G. Medlock, T. J. Adams,
Prof. Ivy W. Duggan and others.
Rev. J. J. Hyman preached a very
appropriate and well received intro
ductory sermon. Rev. T. J. Beck was
elected Moderator, Rev. J. M. Smith,
Clerk, and W. L. Taylor, Treasurer.
Great harmony characterized the
deliberations, rendering the entire As
sociation an occasion of much pleas
ure as well as of great interest. The
mission sermon was preached by Rev.
H. T. Smith, of Swainsboro, though it
was remarked that the sermons preach
ed were all of a missionary character,
showing on increase of interest in this
important department of Christian ef
fort. The contributions to the cause
of missions from the bounds of this
Association, it was believed would ag
gregate about S6OO.
The attendance throughout was large,
and on the Sabbath it W'as estimated
that fully 2,000 people were present.
The generous hospitality of the good
people of Tennille and vicinity was
equal to the demands of the occasion,
and ample provision was made for all.
The next session will be held in Swains
boro.
—Rev. W. H. Cooper, of Cuthbert,
was the recipient of a dray load of
“good things” a few days ago, present
ed by his appreciative congregation.
—Cuthbert Enterprise: From what
we hear, there seems to be a revival in
the repairing and rebuilding of Bap
tist houses of worship in this county.
Damascus is building a new house,
New Bethel and Rehoboth are materi
ally improving theirs, and Old Bethel
is painting her meeting house.
The meetings in progress at the
Baptist church, continued until last
night, when they were closed with the
administration of the impressive ordi
nance of baptism. The meetings have
been very interesting, and have result
ed in much good. Thirteen accessions
have already been made to the mem
bership, and several others have signi
fied their intention of soon uniting
with the church.
The pastor has been aided recently
by Rev. M. M. Wamboldt, of Eufaula,
and Rev. A. R. Callaway of LaGrange.
—Newnan Herald: The Colored
Baptist Association met at this place
last Friday and closed its deliberations
Monday night. There was a large
attendance. Rev. Thos. Sims, pastor
of the church here, presided as Moder
ator. Several good preachers were
among the number, and prominent
among them were Messrs. Ramsey,
Wimbish and Mobley who preached at
the white Baptist church. Mr. Ramsey
is a regular graduate, and we were
very much pleased with his sermon
Sunday morning. It was methodical,
instructive and forceful, and was a fair
sample of what education can do for
the colored race. We did not hear
any of the other ministers.
On Saturday night Rev. J. H. Hall,
by invitation of the Association,preach
ed on a special theme, the Church, the
Ministry and the Deaconship. The
messengers seemed to be well pleased
with his instructive remarks on these
several heads, and were doubtless prof
ited, as they are earnestly seeking in
formation. The net session will be
held with the church at LaGrange.
—Panther Creek correspondent
Newnan Herald: Doctor E. B. Barrett
was unanimously called to the pastor-
al care of Macedonia Baptist church
for the year 1882, and J. P. Reese was
re-elected clerk. Mrs. Duck Sewell
and Robert L. Hood were received by
Christian experience and baptism into
the fellowship of the church. J. R.
Thurman was elected sexton.
—Turin correspondent Newnan Her
ald: The Baptist church at Bethel con
tinues its present supply as pastor for
another year, and the Lutherville
church continues the services of Dr.
Kelley.
—The protracted meeting at Doug
lasville was very successful. Rev.
Robert Baber, of Powder Springs, con
ducted the meeting.
—Rev. N. N. Edge, pastor of White
Oak Grove church, tendered the church
his resignation on Saturday last, where
upon the church agrees to meet next
Sabbath evening for the purpose of se
lecting a successor as pastor of the
church.
—J. L. U. writes from Camilla, Oc
tober 10th : “Last spring the pastor of
the Camilla Baptist church lost by
death his two mules on his farm;
kind friends sent in help to finish the
crop, and a few days ago, when he cal
led to pay a note given for a mule he
had bought, he found nearly all the note
already paid by brethren and friends,
such timely kindness is just like this
dear good people. God bless them.”
—The General meeting of the third
district of the Appalachee Association
convenes a’ Ebenezer church in Wal
ton county, Friday before the fifth
Sunday of the present month. Intro
ductory sermon by J. W. Burson; al
ternate W. A. Pryor. The following
subjects have been selected for discus
sion :
Ist. What relation does the Deacon
sustain to the Church and Pastor?—J.
T. Pryor, W. A. Brooks, T. A. Gibbs.
2d. What action should a church
bring against one of her members who,
being able, refuses to contribute to the
support of missions?—J. F. Edens,
W. A. Pryor, J. W. Burson.
3d. Does God hold Christian par
ents responsible for teaching their
children the Scriptures? If so, where
are the best places to impart this
knowledge?—T. J. Swanson, J. E.
Nunnally and others.
A cordial invitation is extended to
all, and the brethren whose names are
mentioned are specially requested to
be present.
—The lumber for the new Baptist
church at Watkinsville, Oconee county,
has been sawed and is now ready to be
delivered, and doubtless in a short
time there will be erected a neat and
comfortable house of worship.
—Houston Baptist Association held
its annual meeting with Shiloh church
at Drayton, Dooly county, on Wed
nesday and Thursday, October sth and
6th. The session was organized by
selecting R. M. Owen, Moderator, and
Peter Odum, Clerk. The next Asso
ciation will be held with Beulah church,
in Dooly county, commencing on Sat
urday before the second Sunday in
October next.
Several new members were bap
tized, at the Rockdale Baptist church.
GEORGIA ASSOCIATION.
The Georgia Association held its 97th
session with Sharon church, Columbia
county.
This is a large and influential body of
Christians—containing fifty-three churches
and a membership of between five and six
thousand.
The session was opened on Thursday, the
6th inst., with a very interesting and in
structive sermon from brother B M. Calla
way. After the messengers had enjoyed the
bountiful dinner, provided by the hospitable
people of that neighborhood, they returned
to the meeting house, read the letters from
the churches, and re-elected brother P. H.
Mell, Moderator; a position which he has
held for many years. O wing to the absence
of the former Clerk, brother Lang, of Lin
colnton, was chosen Clerk.
This Association is well supplied with
ministers, having within its bounds some of
the most gifted men of our State. The ser
mons delivered by brethren 8. G. Hillyer,
P. H. Mell and J H. Kilpatrick, the latter
being the Missionary sermon, on Sunday,
were profound, able and timely. Other
brethren occupied the stand during the busi
ness hours, and all were well spoken of, and
reported by the immense congregations as
having preached Jesus and him crucified, to
the people.
Severe as the drought has been in many
parts of this Association, the contributions
to missions and other causes of Christian
benevolence, were in advance of last year.
The reasons for this continued advance in
contributions is, the pastors preach about
missions, etc , encourage the membership of
the churches to take and read The Christian
Index, and other religious intelligence.
We do not remember now to have noticed
the reading of a single church-letter that did
not mention contributions for missions. If
this were so in every Association in the
State, bow would it increase the amounts
sent to our Boards of Missions I Why should
it not be so? And if it is not so, whose
fault is it ?
The same is true of Suuday schools in this
Association. There are some fifty-one well
organized Sunday schools within its bounds.
Indeed, we may justly say that every de
partment of Christian work was cared for.
We rejoiced to find that Mercer High
School, under the efficient management of
our good brother, J. W. Ellington, was re
ceiving a good degree of patronage. Know
ing brother Ellington as we do, let us com
mend his school at Penfield, and beg all who
have sons to send from their homes, to re
member they cannot do better for their boys
than to send them to this institution of
learning.
We snail never forget this session of the
Georgia Association. It was good to be there.
We love to attend meetings so harmonious
and so full of the spirit of Jesus as this was.
This old and grand body of Christians never
held a more pleasant and agreeable meeting.
The hospitalities of the people were unboun
ded, and tbeir preparation for preaching, at
the never saw equalled.
The next session of thia Association wil
be held with the Bethesda church, Greene
county, beginning on Thursday before the
second Lord’s day in October, 1882.
C. M. L