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PREA CHING VP MORALS.
Let it be conceded that the great truth of
salvation by gtace ought to be the staple of
our preaching. But let us ask whether this
ia the only thingtbat ought to be preached ?
The conviction has long been deepening in
my mind that mere Christian doctrine and
spiritual experience have too completely
monopolized the attention of a msj irity of
pulpits. Not that these subjcts have been
treated too much, but that some others have
been discussed too little. In short, our
preachers do not present the subject of
private morals so directly as ought to be
' done. A few reasons in favor of giving more
prominence to these neglected topics will
serve to support the position here assumed
and at the sane time to answer some obj jc
lions that may occur to the reader’s mind.
1. The Scriptures give great prominence
to private morals. Many are the passages
that treat of honesty, truthfulness, s ibriety,
economy, industry, and other virtues, as
well as the vices that oppose them. With
out despising the requirements of modesty
and decorum, God's ministers should teach
their people what he has accounted of suf
ficient importance to be included in his
revealed word.
2. Christians need instruction of this
character. If they were perfect, their morals
would be perfect. But many of God's peo
pie are deficient in their theories and more
deficient in practice. We sometimes hear
of their doing things that impair their stand
ing not only as Christians but as citizens
and as men. Not unfrequently;they justify
such deeds, and find indorsement among
their fellow Christians. All looseness of
morale is a grievous reproach and hinder
ance to the church of Christ, and ought to
be corrected by every available means. No
means at our command is so effective for
the improvement of another’s principles and
habits as preaching.
3. Unbelievers would be benefited by such
teaching. The natural conscience, without
the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, is
susceptible to strong impressions on points
of morality. If this were not true, wholesome
counselsand admonitions would be wholly
and invariably wasted on children and
grown people who are not Christians. That
it is not wholly wasted we can every one
testify from observation, and yet more posi
tively from our personal experience previous
to our regeneration. Intake for granted no one
will pretend that it is beneath the offlceX
the Christian ministry, or foreign to its ob
jects. to strive for the temporal good of ell
mankind, while seeking mainly to secure
their spiritual salvation.
4. Conviction that leads to repentance is
often brought about by convincing men of
the wrongfulness of their particular vices.
From condemning the outward deed they
often proceed, under the influence of the
Holy Spirit, to condemn the whole life, and
then the depraved heart that produces such
fruit; and ultimately to confess their undone
condition and fly to the Savior tor salvation.
Have you ever noticed how the ancient
prophets arraif ned the people for particular
abuses? And how John the Baptist, the
Savior, and the Apostles charged their
hearers with certain sins as evidences that
they needed the benefits of divine grace?
If our preaching was more on the same
order, perhaps we would have less of spuri
ous conversions and “fox-fire” revivals.
5. Such preaching would be almost cer
tain to attract more general attention to the
labors of the pulpit. Da not understand me
as advocating any unbecoming sensational
ism for the purpose of drawing congrega
tions. Coarseness and frivolity always
secure a hearing from the class who pay for
a ticket to a minstrel show that they may
spend an hour in giggling. But I speak for
an earnest, solemn dealing with the con
sciences of the people. If we give them a
reasonable amount of this sort of preaching,
they will not say that we deal in abstrac
tions, and do not adapt ourselves to the
times, and have lost our hold on the masses.
Private morals are always a “living issue,”
and are felt to be such even by irreligious
men. I must not omit to say that an occa
sional sermon on this line will give some
variety to our preaching; an advantage that
most of us sadly lack. It will cause our
minds to Gavel new grounds and construct
new sermon* a kind of exploit which
would quite astonish some of our congrega
tions ; and would compel us to form new
phases ami use new illustrations, to the
wonder and delight of hearers who haven't
observed anything fresh in our utterances
for many a long day Such a variation will
prepare them to listen to sermons on grace
and experience with greater interest than
formerly, upon the principlethat ajudicious
change of diet wheta the appetite for each
separate dish.
While opposed ' to using questionable
means for catching the popular ear, I am
only less opposed to preaching to empty
benches, or not preaching at all. Now let
every preacher prepare a good sermon now
and then on some common vice, or some
virtue common or uncommon, taking no
extreme grounds about it one way or an
other; and after preaching on this line
occasionally for a year or two, lethim report
results for the benefit of his ministering
brethren. Very respectfully,
Dundee.
FROM MACON.
That ‘ Baptist in Macon wiose wife is a
Methodist, and who gave SSO to aid a young
man in going to Vanderbilt,” is now paying
the board of two ministerial students in
Mercer University. Since he has adopted
the plan of giving one-tenth of his income
to the Lord, and sets aside that tenth every
month, he finds it easy and pleasant to give.
The first month he “laid by him” thirty
seven dollars; the next month the Lord
compelled him, by enlarged prosperity, to
set apart two hundred dollars as the Master’s
portion. He is a young man, and bids fair
to follow in the footsteps of Nathaniel R
Cobb, the beneficent Bostonian of years ago
His soul prosperity seems to be equal to his
worldly success.
Are there other Baptists in Georgia who
will adopt this scriptural rule, and give soma
of their consecrated wealth to aid our min
isterial students in Mercer? We cannot, we
dare not, turn away earnest, godly young
men who desire an education, that they may
better serve the Master by preaching the
gospel. We need now $175 00 more than we
have. What good brother or church will
send us a pledge for that amount? Other
young ministers are expected,
E. W. Warren.
Macon, Ga., October 14th, 1881,
~FROM PALMETTO.
A church was constituted in Fayette
county, near Favor’s Mill, on Saturday be
fore the second Sabbath in October, 1881.
A presbvtery consisting of Eiders John S.
Dodd, b A. Brown, J. G. Speights and G.
"W. Colquitt, met at the request of brethren
and sisters in the community. Deacons 8.
Mitchell, of Line Creek, and John Whit
rock, of Flat Creek, were also present and
acted with the presbytery.
After services the council was organized
by electing Elder John S. Dodd, Moderator,
and G. W. Colquitt, Clerk, Upon the call
for letters, sixteen were presented. The
. *Articles of Faith" were read and approved
4 hy the council, and by unanimous consent,
the brethren end sistsrs whose name’ were
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1881.
read, were recognized as a regular Baptist
church, in token of which the right band
was extended by the council.
After organization, the church held a con
ference and elected Rev B L Johnson pas
tor for the ensuing year. The church is
known as “Sindy freek” and is in the
bounds of the Fairburn Association. It is
located in a good community and a fine
field is open for the brethren to reap a rich
harvest in the Baptist cause.
G. W. Colquitt.
Palmetto, Ga, Oct., 15th, 1881.
JOTTINGS BY THE lI'AF.
In my last, in regard to the Washington
Association and B»thlehem church, there
were some facts omitted (unintentionally)
that I now Insert.
Bethlehem church la one of the old land
marks of Washington county. The church
was constituted October 3d, 1791, by Elders
Jephthah Vining and John Henderson It
was moved from Keg Creek to Its present
halation In 179 >. Nearly ever since Ils constl
tutlon the church has Held Us monthly meet
ings on the third Sabbath and Saturday bj*
fore in ttie mouth.
The last cession of the Washington Asso
ciation held here prior to Ihe one Just closed,
was in 1801—twenty years ago. Ot the male
membersofthechurcn then living only three
are left, viz: brethren Mitchell Watkins,
Thomas Jordan, and one other, whose name
I have forgotten.
Brother T. J. Venlzy Is now pastor of this
church.
Four o’clock Tuesday’ morning found broth
er A J Beck aud myself on the cars at Mil
ledgeville,bound for the Central Association,
to be held at Elim church, Jones county.
Got off at Rhodes'Crossing a little after day
light and walked a good mile to brother J.W.
Slocum b’s (a good Methodist brother), where
we enjoved an excellent breakfast, and then
sister Slocomb (brother 8. was absent), sent
us to the church. a kindness that we were
well prepared to appreciate
The congregation assembled at 11 o’clock,
and the Introductory sermon was preached
by brother Sammons. The Association was
then called to order by-Rev A. J. Beck, for
mer Moderator, the letters read and delegates
names enrolled. Took a recess, enjoyed a
sumptuous dinner, served la the grove, after
which the Association re-assembled and or
ganized by re-electing Rev. A. J. Beck, Mod
erator, and Rev. I M. Springer, Clerk.
This Association embraces the greater nart
of the counties of Morgrn, Jasper, Putnam,
Jones and, 1 believe, all of the churches in
Baldwin (with perhaps one exception), west
of the Oconee river.
Several of the churches reported gracious
revival, with flue auspices
The session of the Association was perfectly
harmonious aud exceedingly pleasant. The
reports of the Committees on the State of Re
ligion and on Missions elicited very Interest
ing and instructive debates.
The Association adopted measures prepara
tory to putting au evangelist in the field to
preach to weak churc >es without pastors, and
other destitute localities
Brother T. C. Boykin, our zealous and effi
cient Sunday-school Evangelist, was present
doing good work for the Sunday-school cause
and for missions He preached in Clinton
Wednesday night.
The Mission sermon was preached Wednes
day by brother A. M. Marshall. Brother D.
E. Butler preached the closing sermon Thurs
day.
The time of meeting of the Association was
changed from Tuesday before the first Sab
bath in October, to Friday before the foarth
Kabbath in August. The next session will be
held at Oconee church, Putnam county.
The good people around Elim church, and
for miles distant, vied with each other in
hospitality, aud the Association was enter
tained most nobly. For myself 1 shall never
forget the great kindness shown me on this
my first visit in their midst. As 1 bade them
adieu, 1 felt as If parting with those I had long
known and loved.
Some years ago a dispensation of Provi
dence occurred at this church which will be
i told to generations yet unborn. During a
Jirotracted meeting a rain came up. Brother
loel W. Butts, tlie then pastor of the church,
had walked down to the spring, about 150
yards distant, and while returning was
stricken down by lightning, but fortunately
only severely stunned Two young men,
whose names I canuot now recall, had gone
together, under one umbrella, to remove their
saddles from their horses, and both were
killed at the same instant that brother Butts
was struck.
In company with brother T. C. Boykin, I
left Thursday afternoon (after the Association
adjourned) for the Mt. Vernon Association.
Arrived at brother T. J. Beck's, at Tennille,
about 11 o'clock Thursday night. We were
met with a most cordial welcome, and soon
were in dreamland.
The Association assembled Friday morning,
and the Introductory sermon was preached
by Rev. J. J. Hyman. Afterdinner andrecess
of one hour and a-half, the Association was
called to order by brother J J. Hyman, for
mer Moderator. After the reading of the let
ters and enrolling of names. Rev. T. J. Beck
was elected Moderator, Rev. J. M. Smith,
Clerk, and brother W. L. Taylor re-elected
Treasurer.
.The attendance of delegates was large,
nearly every church being represented, and
two new churches were received as members.
The letters, as well as reports, from brethren,
show a general growth and improvement in
the Association, and the day is not far dis
tant when it will rank with the best in the
State. Quite a number of correspondents
from other Associations were present.
I have never seen more perfect or conven
ient arrangements made for holding an As
sociation. The stand was erected in a shady
grove on a beautiful slope, with comfortable
seats for a very large crowd; and, by-the-by,
all were filled on Sunday by an orderly aud
attentive congregation.
Friday night brother Bush preached to a
good congregation. Saturday, at 11 o’clock
a.m., Rev. T J. Adams, of the Washington
Association, preached at the stand. Rev. W.
J Rogers, of the Hephzibah, preached at the
same place at three o’clock. Saturday night
was given to Rev. T. C. Boykin 8. 8 Evange
list. A large audience filled the house aud
gave him undivided attention. Brother C. 1.
Davis, Superintendent of the Tennille Sun
day-school, was present with the school. The
music was fine, led by Mrs. Moffit,and brother
Boykin rarely everspoke with grealet power.
It was truly a happy occasion.
Ou Sunday brother Boykin preached at 10
o'clock, brother H.T. Smith followed with
the Missionary sermon. A good collection
was taken, all for Stale Board. In the after
noon brother G. W. Smith preached, and then
the parting hand was extended while the
congregation sang “Blest be the Tie that
Binds, etc.
During the Association pledges were ob
tained for between three aud four hundred
dollars, for the support of an evangelist to
labor in the bounds of the Association.
The entire session was exceedingly pleas
ant, and more liberal hospitality I neversaw
than was extended by the people of Tennille
and vicinity. In short, it was a feast, socially
and religiously, to the last.
The next session will be held with the
church at Swainsboro, convening on Friday
before the first. Sabbath in October, 1882
1 would like to tell you something of the
great Joy I experienced in ming
ling with so many dear friends aud brethren
with whom I was so long and pleasantly as
soc! ited wuen my home was in Sandersville,
b it time will not permit.
Sunday night I attended church in Sanders
vine. I confess my mind was not atall times
fixed upon the sermon. It would go b >ck
over the long years of the past, aud dwell on
lh« happy days of yore. God bless that dear
old church, is my earnest prayer
J. M. G. Medlock,
REV. T. L. HOUCK.
The attention of the Baptist church at
Cuthbert having been called to the fact that
hindrances were thrown in die way of the
evangelistic work of our brother, Rev. T. L.
Houck, by reports to the effect that be was
worth considerable property, and that his
wife, sister Houck, was the owner of a large
stock of goods.
The undersigned were appointed a Com
mittee to make a correct statement concern
ing our brother.
From al the facts in our possession, we
are pers 11 ted Uiat one house and lot, in
Milburn, Kentucky, worth about $250, isall
that brother Houck owns. Sister Houck
runs a millinery store in our town The
value of her stock will not exceed S2OO.
So far as we have had the opportunity of
becoming acquainted with brother Houck,
we do not hesitate to recommend him as a
good man, sound in the faith, and deserves
well of the brotherhood.
William H. Cooper,
V. T. Sanford,
Committeee.
Cuthbert, G.t 0? 12 1881.
THE NEAR APPROACH OF THE KINGDOM
OF GOD.
BY BEV. ■ 8. DWIGHT. D D., HADLEY.
A brief item appeared not longaioce in the
Congregationalism under the heading of
missions, asserting, on the authority ot Dr.
Legge, lately a missionary to China, now
Professor in the University of Oxford, “that
if the present rate of conversion of the Chi ■
neee to Christianity continues, by the year
1913 there will be 26 000,000 church-members
and 100.000,000 professed (i. e.) nominal
Christians in the Chinese Empire.” Such a
statement may well attract the attention of
die Christian public. The testimony of Dr.
Legge on such a point is probably as well
entitled to confidence as that of any living
man.
Tne year 1913 is but one generation dis
tant. With the currentyear began the ninth
and last decade but o ;e of the nineteenth
century. The present seems a favorable
point of view for a glance backward over its
progress, as bearing on the interests of
Christianity, and forward to the probaoilities
of the near future.
A lifetime of no unusual length covers all
that is past of this century. There are
those still living whose memories embrace
the entire period, if they cannot even com -
pare the two extremes together. Thecontrast
of these two extremes, viewed from whatever
side, is so immense as to be scarcely credible.
And the remarkable thing is, that the
changes which this brief period have been
substantially, and often very positively, in
favor of Christian interests.
In such a contrast the altered political re
lations of the great powers stand out very
conspicuously. The cause of Christ has re
ceived strong re inforcement in the silent
growth of our own country within these
years. The recent census shows our present
population to be nearly tenfold what it was
in 1860, assigning to us a rank among the
foremost nations. The little cluster of
States, so isolated then as to be almost of no
account, is to -day a .touishing the world by
its magnificent progress, and unexampled
ease with which it bears and throws off its
burdens. All this gaiu counts mostly on the
side of Protestant Christianity. A’glance,
too, beyond our own bounds, northward to
ward Canada, and southward toward the
present religious condition of Brazil and
Chili, is enough to show that real progress
in the same direction has not been confined,
on this side of the Atlantic, wholly to our
owu country.
The map of Europe exhibits to day not less
surprising dissimilarity to that of eighty
years ago. In the place of the reetless empire
of the first Napoleon, involving all the
neighboring nations in constant war, stands
the present peaceful French Republic, es
tablished at last on what promises to be firm
foundations. This century has witnessed
the humbling of the pride of the Austrian
throne, the ancient bulwark of the Papacy ;
the advance of the kingdom of Sardinia
from a petty principality to the sovereignty
of united Italy ; the Pope’s complete disiios
session of his temporal dominion; the
emancipation of Greece from Moslem
control; the overthrow of the Turkish gov
ernment in Europe, and the union of the
German States under the Protestant sceptre
of Prussia.
Looking further eastward to the results of
the century in Asia, the most noticeable are
those which have been accomplished by the
invasion—often unjustifiable—of the exclu
siveness and sluggish inertness of the great
continent by the superior forces of the civili
zation of the West. In Asia Minor
of a better national life, planted amid the
Moslem decay, are already springing up
with vigorous growth. Hindostau has found
deliverance from the scarcely Christian cons
trol of the East India Company, and the
shadows of its superstitions are beginning to
disappear before the light of the gospel. The
vast Chinese Empire is avenging the forcing
of its long-closed gates by French and En
glish violence, by coming forth from its
ancient seclusion, and making itself felt and
feared in the political movements of the age.
Meanwhile its doors stand open for divine
truth to enter in, and the missionary goes
where he will, carrying with him the en
lightenment as the charity of Christendom ;
and, beyond the Yellow Sea, the sudden
welcome which the lately revolutionized
kingdom of Japan has given to the arts and
ideas of the Christian world is one of the
marvels of the times.
If, from this very general glance at the
present condition of the principal nations
attention is turned to the developments of
the century in science and the practical arts,
the progress will be found no less striking.
Let it be noted that the entire history of the
most important applications of the steam
engine, to locomotion and navigation, and
of the invention of the telegraph, which
have brought the continents into close
neighborhood, belongs to this brief period.
In one most important direction, that,
namely, of the art of war. the advance has
been such in the device of means both of
attack and defence, as to promise to lay
some effective check, ere long, upon the bel
ligerent spirit of the age, through the very
perfection, and at the same time the exces
sive cost, of the modern instruments of de
struction.
As was forcibly remarked in the Yew
York Nation the other day : “It may be
safely said that we are very near, if we have
not reached, the end of all that war can do
for Christendom.” Nor ought the improve
ment in the most efficient of all instrumen
talities for diffusing knowledge, the art of
printing, during the period we are consider
ing, be overlooked. It has rendered possible
the publication of the New Testament at a
cost of only two cents a copy.
The scholarship, too, and the spirit of his
torical and philosophical research of this
age of unprecedented mental activity, have
kept pace with the march of its invention
and material improvement. Much of their
labor, as a matter of course, has been actuas
ted by a spirit hostile to Christianity, but no
intelligent friend to Christian truth fears any
untimate barm to its interests from the
most thorough testing of its foundations ;
and the results thus far arrived at have been
unquestionably for the confirmation and
furthering of the gospel. If errors of false
interpretation have been corrected, if weak
theological positions have been turned, and
consequently abandoned, the cause of sub
stantial truth has only been the gainer.
Among the valuable gif-s of the learning of
the century to the Church in all English
speaking lands is the one now so eagerly
welcomed—the new version of the Scrip
tures, purged from their present inaccura
cies.
But the most impressive facts in regard to
these important changes for the better (to be
especially noted for the encouragement of
Christian faith) are the very short space of
time in which they have been accomplished,
and the increasing rapidity of their progress
with the advance of the years. The compass
of a single lifetime, as has been noticed, in
cludes them all. But the visible advance
has been made within a much briefer period,
mainly witbin the limits of the past genera
tion. The leading missionary and philan
thropic associations of our day, as yet only
beginning their work, are none of them a
century old! Dr. Legge’s prophecy, above
quoted, is based on the continuance of con
versions in China “at the present rate.” But
the history of late evangelical labors make it
clear that their onward movement is by no
means at a uniform, but (as they become
established and trained to their work) at a
continually accelerated rate,as thesnow-ball
grows faster the longer it is rolled. Bat even
on the basis of Dr. Legge’s calculation, how
swiftly seems hastening on the spread of the
light of Christianity through all lands. Toe
lighthouses are building more numerous v
ever - rear The resources of the rich are
e iming more amply to the support of Chris
tian enterprises. The fashion has been se',
and it is already apparent that effective help
may be expected from this quarter. The
world’s awakened intellect gives no sign of
growing weary in the pursuit of still new
discoveries and contrivances for the benefit
of the race. Nor does there appear any good
reason for doubting that its advances will
still be as auspicious to the interests of God's
kingdom as hitherto. In the light of tne
last, what may not the brief remnant of this
century yet witness of the growth of that
kingdom? How fair seems the promise that
the twentieth century—so near at hand
will behold the diffusion of the gospel
throughout the earth 1 God’s day of triumph
it drawing nigh!
LITTLE~rTvER ASSOCIATION.
Last Saturday, September 24th, the eleven
churches that withdrew from the Houston
Association, met with the church at Zion
Hope, Irwin county, and organized a new
Association, to be known as the Little River
Association.
The spirit of this move seemed to be to
promote the cause of Christ. The meeting
throughout seemed to be pleasant and har
monious.
Brother G. W. Murry preached the Intro
ductory sermon, and was also chosen Mod
erator. After a permanent organization the
Articles of Faith of the Houston were
adopted.
Saturday was consumed in adopting of the
Constitution, Decorum, Articles of Faith,
Order of Business, appointment of Commit
tees, etc.
SUNDAY’S SERVICE.
The brethren met for prayer at 9 o'clock
a.m., and at 11 o'clock brother G. W. Tur
ner occupied the stand for one hour upon
the “Cardinal Doctrines held by Baptists
Without any Lean to Controversy,” which
was well-timed aud met a hearty approval.
Followed by T. J. Adams. Many came for
ward for prayer.
Brother Thomas Bullington preached at
2 o’clock p m.. followed by R. Pope, though
a young minister with ordinary opportuni
ties, promises very fair to become a useful
minister.
The kind and hearty display of the hospi
talities of the brethren and citizens in pro
viding for the necessities of the outer man,
showed them worthy of the Association in
their midst.
Monday the reports of committees was
brief, and the business went on with dis
patch.
The next meeting is to be held with the
church at Pleasant Hill. Wilcox county, on
Saturday before the third Sabbath in Octo
ber, 1882. G W. Turner to preach the
Introductory sermon.
After some feeling remarks from the Mod
erator, the parting hand was given, which
was very affecting, as brotherly love had
continued through all the meeting.
ULTIMATE SUCCESS OF MISSIONS.
Let us form one calculation of the public
issue of the agencies now at work in the
world, and especially upon the Indian field,
with the full understanding that we have
time before us. No reflecting person can
avoid, whether he takes a religious ground
or not, that the world’s future is a striking
and wonderful one; we feel morally certain
that were even it revealed to us now, it
would be inconceivably astonishing; we
know that mighty changes must be in store;
that things have been on the move since the
beginning, and that they will continue to
move after we are gone; we know, therefore,
in general, that there must be some ultimate
stupendous climax of such accumulated
motion ; we know that the future of proph
ecy is not at all more surprising than some
or other result which must take place, and
we can repose without distrust in the
strength of those deep causes which point to
the ultimate overthrow of all false religions
and the substitutions of Christianity in their
place.
On grounds of reason, then, and apart
from the argument of Scripture prophecy, a
certain mode of speaking of the conversion
of India as if it were a simple impossibility,
is a mistake. Where does this impossibility
lie? Is it that the race is unfitted for Chris
tianity ? The Hindoo is a man; nay, the
scientific linguist informs us that he is a
member of the same human race with our
selves. Is it the philosophy of Brahminism?
The gospel has conquored philosophy. Is
it in philosophy and superstition combined?
That was the very combination which en
countered Christianity on its first start, and
was surmounted. Is it in caste ? Caste can
do no more than intimidate, and that is no
new thing.—Canon Morley.
There is great loss of power and infl nence
in half sustained measures and methods by
our churches. It is a sad comment upon
the prayer meeting and the sabbath evening
service as means of grace, when we count
the number present. If there is to be a
prayer meeting at all —if this is the express
ed wish of the church —then every member
of that church who can is under covenant
obligation to be present and do his part to
ensure the efficacy of this means in edifying
and saving souls. If the church covenant
means anything it means this. Yet where
are multitudes of church members during
the hour of the prayer meeting, and the
hour of the Sabbath evening service? Either
these meetings should be given up by the
churches, or those who have in the most
solemn manner promised God and the
brethren to walk in the ordinances of the
church should be required to keep their
pledge. It will do no harm to call attention
often to the church covenant —Christian
Secretary.
Philosophy lias sometimes forgotten God 1
a great people never did. The skepticism of
the eighteenth century could not uproot
Christianity, because it lived in the hearts
of the millions. Do you think that infl
delity is spreading? Christianity never
lived in the hearts of so many millions as at
this moment. The forms under which it is
professed may decay, for they, like all that
is the worn of man’s hands, are subject to
the changes and chances of mortal being ;
but the spirit of truth is incorruptible ; it
may be developed, illustrated, and applied ;
can never die; it can never decline- No
truth can perish. No truth can pass away.
The flame is undying, though generations
disappear. Whenever moral truth has
started into being, humanity claims and
guards the bequest. Each generation
gathers together the imperishable children
of the past, and increases them by the new
sons of the light, alike radiant with immor
tality. •
Os heroes and heroship we hear much.
But there isa spiritual heroism.little known;
that of a man who resolves to conquor him
self-hardest of all conquests. Impatience,
envy, rage, selfihness, eager for success or
sullen at defeat, passions of the flesh and
passions of the spirit—these are his enemies.
In the silent depths of the heart he fights
his battle. . . What he does and
what he suffers no man knoweth; God only
knows. Not one bloody day does he fight—
at Waterloo or Yorktown—and win fame
forever; but all through his life does he
wage the war and win no fame. Not to
lift himself to honor, but to forget himself,
to still the throbs of self-conscious disquiet
and all selfish passion—this is his endeavor.
In the midnight and in the morning, in the
throng and in the silent hour, even is it h’s
holy care and prayer to keep all right within
him, to keep all just and true, to keep all
pure. Loneliness and neglect and sorrow
may be upon his path, even as they were
upon the path of Christ.—Orville Dewey.
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DbVOTIE. D.D., I
REV. C. M. IRWIN, D.D., JEnliora,
MISSIONARIES STATE BOARD.
J. H. DeVotle, Atlanta, Ga.; C. M. Irwin, Mt.
Airy, Habersham, Rabun and White counties;
V. A. Bell, Ringgold, Whitfield aud Chattooga
counties; Chas. Edwards, Toccoa, Habersham
county; T. C. Tucker, Cassandrla, Dade and Wal
ker counties; W. J. Kins, Nannie; P. A. Jessup,
Eastman, Dodgean-lTelfalrcounties; A.C. Ward,
Brunswick; George A. Blount, Eden, Effingham,
Bryan and Liberty counties, D. G. Daniell, Wal
thourville ; J. H. Campbell, Columbus, Muscogee
couniy; Alfred Corn, Blairsville. Towns county;
T. C. Boykin, At’anta, Slate of Georgia; Simeon
Maxwell, Talbotton. Talbot county ; W. B. Ben
net, Quitman; W. V. Perdue, Valdosta; G. H.
Washington, col., Albany. Mitchell county; J. C.
Bryan, 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 ;
FROM CALIFORNIA.
Mrs Stainback Wilson :
My dear sister: I was very much gratified
to receive your letter of September 14th, and
to learn from it the interest that is felt by
the Georgia ladies in the work among the
Chinese here P.ease thank them for me,
that they have seen fit to devote part of their
benefactions to the work under my charge.
Certain churches and individuals in Cali
fornia have pledged fuuda to pay the assist
ant in my school till the end of April, 1882,
and have paid in enough to last till Decem
ber 26th, 1881. After April I have nothing
definite on which to rely, but my hope and
expectation is that California Baptists will
continue to sustain one assistant in the
school.
But when Mrs. Sandford comes, with her
and my wife and Mrs. Guirey (if her health
permits her to work, and if not, some other
suitable lady) in the school, I shall be ob
liged to enlarge my quarters. This will in
volve an increase of chapel rent of about
S3OO per annum, to say nothing of increased
incidental expenses, lights, etc., for which
there is now absolutely no provision even
in prospect. I shall be exceedingly grateful
for any help in this direction.
I am glad to say the school is in good con
dition. The attendance last school night
was sixty-seven.
I have started off one of our members to
day on a mission to which I shall look with
a good deal of interest. Rev. Mr. Ludlow,
of Seattle, Washington Territory, has built,
at his own expense, a missionary steam
launch. lam told it was built with funds
bequeathed him by an infidel uncle. Brother
L. proposes to have all hands employed on
the vessel Christians.and if possible, Baptists,
to let the vessel do only transportation
enough to pay expenses, while he goes with
her from port to port along Puget Sound,
and up adjacent rivers and other neighbor
ing waters, doing missionary work, such as
preaching, conversation, colportage, etc. He
wanted one Chinaman in his crew of five or
six. all told, to serve as cook on the vessel
and to do missionary work among the
Chinese in the ports vbited, and called upon
me to recommend a man for the position. I
was glad to be able to recommend Lo Ping
Kee, the first man I baptized in California.
May God grant him his Spirit and give him
power among the Chinese whom he shall
visit.
Praying God's blessing upon your endeav
ors, and craving your assistance, sympathy,
and especially your prayers in behalf of our
work here, as it is now and as it is to be en
larged, I trust, in the direction of the wo
men .and children, as well as that of
the'men. I am, dear sister, in Christian
bond, yours fraternally,
J. B. Hartwell.
San Francisco, Cal, Oct.JOth, 1881.
Only two societies have reported this
quarter. We hope to hear from many more
by the first of November, which is the close
of the second quarter.
Mrs Stainback Wilson, P. C. C.
Mbs. A. C. Kiddoo, Cor. Sec'ty.
THE FIELD IS THE WORLD.
Whenever we make an appeal in behalf of
the heathen, it is constantly urged that there
are enough of heathen at home, that there
is enough work to be done at home, and why
roam for more distant lands? I strongly
suspect that those who are most clamorous
in advancing this plea are just the very men
who do little and care less either for heathen
at home or heathen at a distance. At all
events it is a plea far more worthy of a
heathen than a Christian. It was not thus
that the apostles argued. If it were, they
would never have crossed the walls of Jeru
salem. There they would have remainel
conteuding with the unbelieving Jews till
caught by the flames that reduced to ashes
the city of their fathers; and if we act on
such a plea we may be charged with despi
sing the example of the apostles and be
found loitering at home till overtaken by
the flames of the final conflagration. “The
field is the world,” and the more we are like
God, the more we reflect his image, themore
our nature is assimilated to the divine, the
more nearly will we view the world as God
has done. “True friendship,” it has been
said, “has no localities.” And so it is with
the love of God in Christ. The sacrifice on
Calvary was designed to embrace the globe
in its amplitude. Let us view the subject
as God views it, let us view it as denizens of
the universe, and we shall not be bounded in
our efforts of philanthropy short of the
North or South Pole. Wherever there is a
human being there must oar sympathies
extend.—Dr. Duff.
DENYING CHRIST.
What Christian would deny Christ ? Peter
said he would not; but he did Oh, how
many of us practically deny him ! Bishop
Heber once said, "It is a fatal mistake to
suppose that there can be no apostacy from
Christ where we are not absolutely called on
to deny His name, or to burn incense to an
idol. We deny our Lord whenever, like
Demas, we, through love of this present
world, forsake the course of duty which
Christ has plainly pointed out to us. We
deny our Lord whenever we lend the sanc
tion of our countenance, our praise, or even
our silence to measures or opinions which
may be popular and fashionable, but which
we ourselves believe to be sinful in them
selves, or tending to sin. We deny our Lord
whenever we forsake a good man in afllc
tion, and refuse to give countenance, en
couragement, and support to those who for
God's sake and for the faithful discharge of
their duty, are exposed to persecutions and
Blander.”
Seizing OrpOßTUNiriss—A lady once
writing to a young man in the navy, who
was almost a stranger, thought, “Shall I
close this as anybody would, or shall I say a
word for my master:’ and lifting up her
heart for a moment, she wrote, telling him
that his constant change of scene and place
was an apt illustration of the word, “Here
we have no continuing city,” and asked if he
could say, “I seek one to come.” Trembling
she folded it, and sent it off. Back came the
answer: “Thank you so much for those
kind words. lam an orphan, and no one
has spoken to me like that since my mother
died, long years ago.” The arrow, shot at a
venture, hit home; and thq young man
shortly after rejoiced in the fullness of the
blessing of the gospel peace. How often do
we, as Christians, close a letter to those we
know have no hope ‘‘as anybody would,”
when we might say a word for Jesus! Shall
we not. embrace each opportunity in the
future?
THE END OF THE TURK.
BY PBOF. WM. WELLS.
All signs indicate the approaching disso
lution of the Turk, and he himself is
hastening the fatal denouement. His in
evitable decline and ruin may seem strange
In the face of a victorious career of hundreds
of years on European soil; but times have
changed and the Turk has not. Two hun
dred years ago the Ottomans were a mighty
people; and while they were laying siege to
Vienna, all Europe trembled at the proba
bility of the success of their possible inroad
into Europe proper. The very prayers of the
pulpit co itamed a clause begging a kind
Goa to save them from the barbarous Turk.
Now why have the once mighty people
thus fallen? Because they have steadily
been their own wont enemy, and have kept
themselves in the most direct antagonism
towards all the other nationalities around
them. They have regarded the land as theirs,
and have refused to learn any other tongue
than their own. A few of the upper classes
learn the French in order to enter the higher
posts of the administration, where they are
forced to have intercourse with foreign offi
cials verbally or by letter. But the very
men who in Paris have learned the language,
as well as the elements of European state
craft, have absorbed and brought home the
vices of their neighbors ratber than their
virtues. The most dissolute and vicious of
the Turkish officers are the young men who
have learned their evil ways in the French
capital, and think the best thing to bring
back with them is the French ballet.
This disinclination to learn other langu
ages, so necessary in all the Levant, is very
marked in all the large cities Os the 25 (KK)
Turks in Smyrna, for example, among about
200,000 who talk the Greek but few Turks
learn the language, although it is that of
trade and commerce. Thus the Turk isolates
himself through the language that he clings
to with obstinacy. As long as the Turk re
mains a simple peasant or citizen, he is an
honest man in comparison with the Greeks
or Armenians with whom he associates.
The moment the Turk becomes an officer of
the government, be turns into a cunning
and heartless ruler whoseonly object is gain
through corruption or tyranny. As a dealer,
the Turk is not cunning enough lor his
Greek competitors, for a common proverb
says that a Greek at a bargain is equal to
two Jews. For this reason the common
Turk is ordinarily poor, and his usual occu
pation is agriculture or cattle raising. They
were once renowned industrials, but these
occupations have gradually slipped out of
their hands for want of energy and enter
prise. Rugs and carpets are now about all
they manufacture, and the half of those now
sold in foreign markets are counterfeits.
The English and Germans long ago drove
them out of the manufacture of cloths, and
now the Swiss have conquored them in the
line of silks. These, and the cotton goods
now found in the Orient, are largely from
Swiss houses. The Turks cannot compete
witbEuropean machines; about all they have
left of a general character are saddle and
harness for their horses, copper and iron
ware, boxes, boots, and wooden shoes.
The weak point of the Turk is that he is
no sailor. There the Greeks drive him en
tirely to the wall. His delight is to be
slowly roaming over the caravan route,
squatted dreamily on his camel, indifferent
to the sunshine or rain, indifferent to the
food or shelter of the morrow if he can satisfy
his wants for to day. Thus the Turk is ever
poor, and though not actually indolent, he
is totally destitute of all spirit of innovation;
any new thing is sure to leave him in the
rear.
His great curse is his religion: heis devo
ted to his creed, and his very conscientious
ness in this respect shackles Ijim to the past,
and introduces into his family and social
life its greatest element of weakness, namely
the isolation of the women. There is virtu
ally no female iefluence in family life, and
nowhere, indeed, one may say, except in
political intrigues, and palace conspiracies.
The Turkish women may be seen unveiled
by no man except her own husband and
very nearest relatives, and thus for the outer
warld she does not exist. One-half of the
house, therefore is the harem, devoted to the
women and children; and in smaller houses
in the country the entire structure is a harem
—that is no man dare enterit. In this way
women, can in no way be useful to their
husbands in their occupations as with other
nationalities, and within this seclusion they
remain shallow and ignorant; they know
nothing, as a rule, and teach the children
nothing, and verv few of them can read or
write their own language; they seem to be
dead-weights on society in an era when else
where woman is coming out into fields of
influence and usefulness.
In the matter of military duty the Turks
are the only ones who are drafted into the
army. Other nationalities are not accepted.
This takes away a large mass of able-bodied
Turks from their homes. Most of these
men marry at about eighteen, and enter the
army at twenty-one for seven years. They
thus leave their wives for this long period,
and the respective parties can know nothing
of each other because neither can read nor
write. In case of war the most of them never
return, and the wife has but little means of
knowing, for a long while, whether her hus
band is dead or alive. This is said to lead to
a great deal of immorality on the one hand,
and childless homes on the other. Thus
the Turks are dying out as a people, and
nothing in the country is more common
than to meet half-depopulated cities and
villages. The last war was so fatal to the
Mohammedan population that a dead and
heavy despair has taken possession of them,
notwithstanding the enthusiasm with which
they entered the contest. Every intelligent
Turk now sees the beginning of the end, and
knows that Turkish rule in Europe must
soon cease, while the ruling classes are try
ing to make the most of what is yet left.
God speed the departure of the unwelcome
intruder!—Zion’s Herald.
A BAKED BIBLE.
There is a Bible in Lucas county, Ohio,
which at one time contained some very
warm Scriptural texts. It belongs to a Mr.
Scbeboldt, a native of Bohemia. It was
f irmerly the property of his grandmother,
who was a very devout Protestant. During
one of those very unfortunate periods, when
religious persecutions were common in Aus
tria, a law was passed at the instance of the
Roman Catholics, that every Bible in the
hands of the people should be surrendered
to the priest to be burned. Mrs. Scheboldt
determined to save hers, and when the
party came to search her house, she had j ust
prepared a huge batch of dough for the oven,
ana taking her precious Bible, she wrapped
the yielding dough around it, and quickly
deposited it in the oven. Here it was
thoroughly baked, but saved uninjured from
the fiery furnace of the priest. It has passed
through several generations as a memorial of
the days when men were not allowed to
worship God in accordance with the dictates
of their own consciences.—C. V. A. in Watch
Tower.
What it Does.—Kidney-Wort moves the
bowels regularly, cleanses the blood, and
radically cures kidney disease, gravel, piles,
bilious headache, and pains which are caused
by disordered liver and kidneys. Thousands
have been cured—why should you not try
it? Your druggist will tell you thatit is one
of the most successful medicines ever known.
It is sold in both Dry and Liquid form, and
its action is positive and sure in either form.
—Dallas Texas Herald.
To promote a vigorous growth of the hair,
use Parker’s Hair Balsam. It restores the
youthiul color to gray hair, removes dandruff,
and cures itching of the scalp. oc .6 Im