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ORIGIN OF THREE CHURCHES.
CARMEL CHURCH, NEWTON COUNTY.
In the summer of 1834, we had a
wonderful revival at Antioch church,
Morgan county, wifen upward of eighty
were baptized in ten days. Among the
number were Judge Perry, a leauiqg
citizen of Newton county, and his wife.
They resided some fifteen miles above
Antioch church, where the Hardshells
had undisputed sway. They were
largely in the majority in middle and
western Georgia in those days. Their
leading ministers were Junies Hender
son, Joel Colley, John Blackstone and
Win. Mosely, all men of good natural
talents. Joel Colleyresided in Newton
county, and, like his brethren, was very
intolerant of Missionary Baptists. It
was under these circumstances that
Judge Perry invited several of us mis
sionary preachers to hold a meeting in
his neighborhood in thespringof 1835.
My recollection is, that only three of
us went —Sherwood, W. A. Callaway
and the writer. The only chance for
a meeting house was an academy, near
Judge Perry’s. The meeting was com
menced on Friday. Although the
weather was unfavorable, by Sunday
the congregation was double as large as
the academy could hold. The women
occupied the house, the men stood in
the yard under their umbrellas, (as it
was raining), while the preacher stood
in the door, and addressed the people
from the words, “Lord, it is done as
thou hast commanded, and yet there is
room.’ Though many years have
elapsed, the whole scene is very vivid
before my mind, as I was the preacher
on that memorable .occasion. While
the rain was pouring down upon the
earth, the Lord opened the windows of
heaven and poured out his spirit upon
us, so that there was scarce room
enough to contain it. Some found
peace in believing, and many others
were deeply convicted of sin. Let me
relate one incident. On Monday (for
the meeting was protracted) a gentle
man introduced himself to me and
said, ‘I must beg that you go home
with me and spend the night. I am
an elder in the Presbyterian Church.
My wife is not a professor of religion,
though she has been considered a pious
person. But your preaching yester
day has affected her strangely. She is
■the most distressed creature I ever saw.
She had me up nearly all night read
ing the Scriptures and praying for her.’
I accompanied them home and did all
in my power to direct the poor woman
to the only source of comfort—but in
vain. Next day’ she returned to the
meeting in great trouble. It was our
■custom in those days to invite the anx
ious forward for prayer the first thing
in the morning. She came forward,
with many others. When I encouraged
her to pray she replied, “1 don’t know
how to pray.” I said, “I will call for
the singing of a hymn with which you
are familiar—‘Show’ pity, Lord, 0 Lord,
forgive,’ etc. Make that your prayer,
and try to appropriate the sentiments
to your own case.” When the stanza
■was reached, “My crimes are great, but
can’t surpass,” etc., the Spirit sanctified
the truth to her comfort, and a happier
poor creature I never saw. Years after
wards 1 visited her on her death bed,
and found her looking forward joyfully
to the rest that remains to the people
of God.
A month or two after this meeting,
the same ministers, with the addition
of Mallary, were invited to the same
place for the purpose of aiding in the
organization of a Missionary Baptist
church. The constituents were not
numerous, but of excellent quality.
Judge Perry and wife, Dr. Graves and
wife, Solomon Graves (one of the most
devoted Christians I have ever knowm
and others. A good meeting house was |
soon built, and a pastor secured in the
person of T. U. Wilkes (who died in
Arkansas during the war), and who was
employed by the Central Association
in that section. The church prospered
greatly under his ministry, and has
since shown that it does not simply
have a name to live while it is dead,
having maintained a healthy and active
existence for near half a century.
RAMOTH CHURCH, PUTNAM COUNTY.
Ramoth was one of the cities of refuge
among the Israelites. Hence the name
of the church, whose origin it is now
proposed to give. It was organized as
a place of refuge for the few Missionary
Baptists in that section.
In the early part of 183 G, I was pass
ing from Clinton, where I then resided,
to Eatonton on secular business. Stop
ping at the hospitable mansion of
brother John H. Clark, (who subse
quently became a minister, and did
good service in the counties of Houston
and Dooly), for rest and refreshment,
I received a cordial invitation from him
to preach in his neighborhood. He
informed me that the staple of the ser
mons of the Hardshell preachers, who
■held forth in that region, consisted of
misrepresentations of the cause of mis
sions, Sunday-schools, etc., and of their
advocates, he, his wife and his sister,
Mrs. K., had withdrawn from the Hard
shell church, not far away, and had
united with the Eatonton church. He
said there were many pious people
among the anti-Missionaries, but that
they were bewildered and knew not
iHi CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST I THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 188 I.
wiial to du. sel be wan confident that,
with proper instruction, they would
come out in favor of the right. His
opinions were fully verified by events
which soon followed, and by the subse
quent history of that neighborhood.
I agreed to preach at a little log
school-house, within a few hundred
yards of where Ramoth church now
stands, a few weeks thereafter. It may
have been in February, 1836. From
the first it was evident that the Spirit
of God was among the people, and that
the hearts of many were ready to ac
cept the Gospel message. Several con
versions soon occurred, and Eatonton
church authorized her members in the
neighborhood,in connection with my
self, to receive and baptize members for
her. I think it was in April that sev
eral were baptized, among whom were
brother Benj. H. Clark and wife. The
latter has gone to her home on high.
She was a most lovely character. The
former is still at his post —the patriarch
of the neighborhood, and one of the
most influential and useful members of
the Central Association. A comforta
ble meeting-house was soon erected,
and a church constituted, which has
been a fruitful vine for forty-five years
I think it was at my second appoint
ment at the log school-house, that I
preached from the words: “Blessed is
the people that know the gospel sound.”
On their return from meeting, a deacon
of the Hardshell church, nearby,and a
good old sister fell into conversation.
The deacon enquired, “How did you
like the sermon?” The old sister re
plied, “I know the joyful sound when
I hear it, and that is the first gospel ser
mon I have heard in years.” Not many
months had intervened before they
were both members of Ramoth. I con
tinued in their service eleven years,
and until I moved to another county.
SALEM CHURCH, JONES COUNTY.
The circumstances which produced
the organization of this church were
similar to those connected with the
origin of the other two churches men
tioned. The division between the Hard
shells and Missionaries left the latter
homeless and destitute of church privi
leges. This was the case with Peter
Northern, his wife and Miss Chambliss,
their housekeeper, who resided near
where SaleiM church now stands. They
withdrew from the Hardshell church
near them and joined the church in
Clinton,of which I was pastor. I think
it was in the spring of 1837, that I
commenced preaching in the neighbor
hood, and received a few others as
members of Clinton church. These,
with Northern and wife, organized a
church of nine members. Rev. John
F. Hillyer, now of Texas, and myself
assisting them. A bush arbor was
erected, just in rearof where the church
now stands, under which a protracted
meeting of great interest was held the
summer following. Rev. John E. Daw
son, then of Eatonton, was with us, and
did some of the most powerful preach
ing I ever heard. Qujte a number
j >ined, am mg whom was Dr. Brantley,
now of Senoia, a most excellent man. I
am glad to hear that, after many years,
the church still exists,and is in a pros
perous condition. J. H. Campbell.
Columbus, Ga.
MONTHLY OLIVE BRANCH.
The London Spectator, 'referring to
the Czar of Russia’s visit to .the Em
peror of Germany, remarks: “Nothing
is known of the object of the visit,
which is probably political, and takes
place under circumstances of almost
pathetic strangeness. The Czar travels
to Germany by sea, prefering sea-sick
n< ss to dynamite; and the inter
view will, it is believed, take place on
the German Emperor’s yacht, the
“Hohenzellern,” where both sovereigns
can feel safe. The original rendezvous
was Dantzic, but so extreme is now the
danger, or the alarm, of the kings, that
the moment this was known, the
locality was denied, lest Nihilist or
Socialist should seize such an oppor
tunity. Was there ever such a satire
on human greatness? The two most
powerful men on earth, who, with a
month’s notice, could put a million of
trained soldiers in motion, meet for a
chat at sea, because, though they are
absolute from the mouth of the Elbe to
the mouth of the Volga, they cannot,
within that vast expanse, find a safe
place in which to sit.”
To the Spectator's query, “Was there
eversuch asatireon human greatness?”
another London paper, quoting |the
article, pointedly asks, “Was there
ever, besides, so conclusive a demon
stration of the inefficacy of brute force?”
The propounder of the latter query,
also states two facts, probably little
known, respecting the results of Eng
land’s application of force in its rela
tions with China. .
“The real motive,” this writer says,
“whatever may have been the pretext,
was the desirf and determination to
open China to British trade. But
with what result? With this result,
that at this moment the export trade
to China from this country is uttterly
insignificant compared with its enorm
ous population of 400 millions. Nay,
ini i , Mr. Cobden used to contend,
and we have not the smallest doubt he
was right, that if the profit of our ex
port trade with China could be ascer
tained, it would prove to be less than
the interest of the money spent on the
wars, and the cost of the naval and
military armaments maintained in
those seas in the interest of our com
merce.
‘ And what is very remarkable is
this, that many of the great mercantile
houses who once exercised large sway
in China, and who, we fear, used their
commercial and politicical influence to
promote war for the imaginary benefit
of trade, have, one after another, fallen
with a great crash. We mention these
two recent cases in our own history,
merely as specimen examples of the
inefficacy of war. They might be
multiplied to any extent.”
A more pleasing matter than the
foregoing, to contemplate, is the ad
dress issued by a delegation at Utrecht,
Holland, to the people of England, in
grateful recognition of the Christian
sentiment which eventuated in the res
toration of the Transvaal Republic to
its original founders. “That the power
of England,” they say, “was more than
sufficient to reduce so small a nation
to subjection, none of us ever doubted ;
but you would not use that power, as
soon as you were convinced that justice
required the restoration of the Trans
vaal to freedom and independence.
You have thus gained a moral victory
greater than ever could have been
achieved by brute force. You have
won the reverence of the noblest and
best among all nations, and you haye
set an example which will assuredly
have the most salutary effects in pro
moting the happiness and the advance
ment of mankind.” *
Allusion was made, in a previous
number of this series, to the fact that
Herr Krupp,the greatest cannon-maker
of the world, had been granted permis
sion by the Emperor William during
the ceremonies of the consecration of
Cologne Cathedral, to receive the in
signia of the Portuguese Order of
Christ. An announcement of a simi
lar anomalous character, is that to the
effect that an Episcopal church edifice
in memory of the late General Meade
is to be erected at Gettysburg. This
sepulchral construction, with its tower
160 feet in height, is to be known as
the “Meade Memorial Church of the
Prince of Peace.” “Around the walls,”
says the announcement, “on well cut
stone, on pews and windows, on badl
and organ, shall be perpetuated, in in
delible characters, the fame of those
who here, by their valor, purchased
immortality for themselves and their
commanders, and whose names, there
fore, were not born to die.”
Where will they find warrrant for
the erection of such a structure as this?
Not in the Scriptures of the Old Testa
ment, for it is expressly declared that
David was forbidden of God o build a
Temple to the Most High God, because
he had been a man of blood; and
surely not in the New Testament
Scriptures, for there it is declared by
the Prince of Peace himself, “My king
dom is not of this world ; if my king
dom were of this world, then would my
servants fight.” Rather, I believe it is
an approach in spirit to the old Pagan
apotheosis. Here is the definition
according to Webster. Mark whether,
according to the definition, the
posed stately mausoleum is best fitting
for those who, having witnessed a good
confession for Christ, are styled by
Cyprian “God’s soldiers in glorious
conquests,” or whether it is not a re
turn to that mere hero-worship which
found expression in a Parthenon and a
Valhalla:
“Apotheosis.—Deification ; conse
cration ; the act of placing a prince, or
other distinguished person among the
heathen deities. This honor was often
bestowed on illustrious men in Rome,
and was followed by the erection of
temples,and the institution of sacrifices
to the new deity.” We have not yet
arrived at the offering of sacrifices, as
they were anciently practiced, but we
do know that Mars, Mammon,Bacchus
and Astarte, have now their millions
of votaries as truly as they ever had
when their sculptured idols were out-1
wardly worshipped, and hence, that |
the deification and the offering of sac-1
rifliesto the memory of military heroes
may even now find expression in ways
supremely hateful to the Most High
God. J. W.L.
Philadelphia.
THANKSGIVING DAY.
National thanksgiving day in Macon
was so generally observed as a legal
holiday, it seemed very much like the
Sabbath. There was religious service
at nearly all of the churches. The
writer had the pleasure of attending
the service at the First Baptist church.
Precisely at 11 o’clock the pastor, Rev.
E. W. Warren, D. D, introduced the
services by leading in a short, pathetic
prayer of invocation, after which he
proceeded to read in his peculiar calm
and earnest manner a part of the 9ch
chapter of Nehemiah, which was fol
lowed by singing, (without the use of
an organ), the congregation joining,
the 947th hymn, in “Service of Song,”
•• Eternal source of every joy,■
Well may thy praise our lips employ.”
Then a most comprehensive and ap
propriate prayer, carefully reviewing
and calling to memory the many gen
eral as well as special blessings which
should inspire every heart with over
flowing gratitude in the language of
the sweet singer of Israel to exclaim :
“Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that
is within me, bless his holy name.”
All present must have been deeply and
solemnly impressed, as the writer was,
with the peculiar appropriateness of
the prayer. Still omitting the use of
the organ, the congregation joined in
singing the 194th hymn, at the close
of which the pastor advanced to the
stand and, byway of introduction, said :
“It is customary on such occasions to
take up a collection for the poor, but
on this I shall leave it with the con
gregation, after the close of the ser
vices, to make such voluntary contribu
tions as their ability and sense of duty
may impress them.” With these pre
liminary remarks the preacher pro
ceeded to read his text as follows:
"Stand up and bless the Lord," part of
the sth verse of the 9 th chapter of Nehe
rniah. Then, in his peculiar, pointed
and laconic style, he entered on the
consideration of the subject as follows:
“One of old said, ‘there are three
things for which lam thankful: First,
That I was made a man instead of an
animal. Second, That I was born a
Greek and not a barbarian. Third,
That I was made a philosopher and not
an illiterate and obscure ignoramus.’
Then, if he, a mere philosopher, re
viewing the past only in the light of
human reason, and attempting to pen
etrate the misty future through the
dark glasses of doubt and uncertainty,
noteven the light of revelation to guide
him, could find so much to excite his
gratitude, how much more intense
should we, as Christian men and
women, with all the great blessings
with which our pathway through life
has been strewn, under the genial
warmth of the sun of righteousness and
the blessed influences of the glorious
gospel of the Son of G >d, have inspired
within our souls a constant recognition
of God’s special blessings to us, and
our grateful hearts full of love and
sincere gratitude to him.”
The preacher then briefly alluded to
the sad ueath of our late Chief Magis
trate, President J. A. Garfield, saying :
“While I heartily joined in the many
prayers offered for his recovery, hoping
that God, in his providence, would
spare him to bis stricken family and
country, and when, in his wisdom, he
decided otherwise, I deeply sympa
thised with his bereaved family and
relatives. Yet, I can thank God from
my heart that he rules and controls all
things according to bis own infinite
wisdom and sovereign will, and does all
things well, and can, out of the nation’s
great sorrow, so sanctify the sad provi
dence as to make it, in the end, tie
greatest blessing to the largest number
of the afflicted people of our land and
country.”
The Doctor then alluded to the
drought which visited a portion of our
otherwise happy and prosperous coun
try. While he admitted that onie
had, and others would, suffer from its
effects, yet when we contrast our grand
and God-favored country, with its
broad domain, wonderful resources and
great variety of soil and climate, with
other less favored countries and people
who have suffered from famine and
other Divine calamities, from which we
have been so graciously exempted, we
would still have abundant cause to be
thankful.
The speaker then alluded most pa
thetically to the many special blessings,
both temporal and spiritual,with which
our beloved Southland had been fa
vored. His heart seemed to glow with
additional warmth and his voice trem
bled with deep emotion as he alluded
to the almost unprecedented prosperity
of the city of Macon and the surround
ing country —endeared to him by so
many sacred memories of the past, as
well as the strong ties that bind him
so tenderly and closely to the present.
Grateful should be the church, hav
ing been so long blessed with such a
kind, affectionate and faithful pastor;
thankful should be the pastor who is
blessed with such a united and appre
ciative church. May the richest bene
dictions of the great Shepherd rest upon
both pastor and church.
The services, short, but deeply and
solemnly interesting, were closed, after
singing the doxology, by benediction,
when the members gathered around
their beloved pastor and filled his bands
full of money for the poor and his heart
full of joy. All present seemed to
thank God and take courage—at least,
so did the writer. J. F. Reeves.
JOTTINGS B Y THE JYA Y.
Well, after my last letter I thought I had
my work so arranged that I could spaie a
few days from the “field,” visit Atlanta and
see the great Cotton Exposition. But when
I had got as far as Macon I learned, through
your columns, that the Sabbath-school Con
vention of the New Eoenezer Association
would be held at Bethlehem church on the
' following Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and
at once changed my course in that direction.
Got to Eastman Wednesday noon, this being
the nearest railroad point. And I believe if
I was to visit this growing town every month
in the year, brethren Jessup and Burch and
their noble wives and dear little ones, would
see to it that I had a good time. So it was
on this occasion, and ever has been. I
found, too, that since my last visit another
highly esteemed brother (David T. Dough
tery, late of Scriven countv), had Jocated in
this immediate vicinity. It was, indeed, an
agreeable surprise to me, thus meeting a
beloved family at whose fireside I had spent
many pleasant hours in good old Scriven.
Eistman has improved wonderfully since
my last visit, only a few months ago. Quite
a number of new buildings are now in pro
cess of completion and an extensive saw
mill and lumber business has been put in
successful operation about one mile distant
immediately on the line of railroad. Brother
Daughtery, who has large experience in such
matters, informed me that this timber they
were now penetrating was the finest he had
ever seen. I believe this mill has some
specimens of timber on exhibition at the
Cotton Exposition.
Fridav morning brother Jessup found me
a seat with the mail carrier, and, with a
number of brethren and friends from East
man, I went to the Convention. As the mail
bad to leave quite early, 1 arrived at the
church some time before any one else came.
It was somewhat lonely, but after a time the
people began to arrive. The brethren from
Eastman not yet being upon the ground, no
one knew me, and I was under the embar
rassing necessity of introducing myself. But
it does not take Baptista—the genuine article
long to get acquainted, and very soon I
found that I was in the midit of brethren.
At 11 30 the brother appointed to preach
the introductory sermon not having arrived,
brother P A. Je«sup preached a good sermon
After dinner, served upon the ground, the
Convention was called to order, and brother
M L. Burch was chosen temporary chairman
and brother J. A. Harrell, temporary Secre
tary. After reading letters and enrolling
names of delegates, Rev. P. A. Jessup was
elected President. Brother Harrell declining
to serve as permanentsecretary.ftiis arrange
ments being such that he did not know that
he would be able to attend the entire session),
the election of that officer was defern d until
Saturday morning, when Rev. J A. Rogers
wa« elected to till that position and brottier
B T. Clarke. Correepoiiclug Secretary. The
following additional officers were also elected
Saturday morning: Vice-Presidents, John 8.
Thompson, 1) E Green, T. J Hobbs, O. W.
Stapleton. J. 0. Walker, Treasurer, J. W.
N >les. There was but little business done
on Friday, other than that already men
tioned.
Saturday was an interesting day, many
subjects of great interest being discussed and
measures adopted for the promotion of the
Sunday-school cause. Toe most perfect
harmony prevailed throughout and brother
ly love marked the conduct of ail. I regret
tnat I did no*, take a list of the sul j ’Cts with
the names of the speakers, but tti— truth of
the matter is, I was very much interested
myself and neglected this part of my duty.
The discussions took the pines of sermon on
Saturday, hence there was no preaching that
day. Rev. J. I. D. Miller, however, preached
Saturday night at brother L. T. Harrell’s.
The exercises on Sunday wire opened by
devotional exercises at 9 30 o'clock, followed
by a short session of the Convention. At
10 o’clock Sunday-school ma-s meeting. At
11 o’clock the regular appointee being absent,
brother P A Jessup gave us another good
sermon. In the afternoon a short but very
interesting session was held for the purpose
of discussing ' The Sunday-school vs The
Wine Cup ” The subj-ct was first discussed
by brother J. T. K >gers in a touching speech,
followed by brother J. W. Noles aud other
brethren.
The next session of the Convention was
appointed to be held at Snow Hill, com
mencing on Frid ly before the fifth Sunday
in April, 1882.
A Ministers’ and Deacons’ meeting was
also appointed to commence on Friday before
the fifth Sunday in January, 1882, at Union
church. And ’bis clos.d this interesting
Convention.
The New Ebenrz-r is one of the young
Associations, and has grown rapidly since
its organizition. The to’al membership of
the churches number now about 2 000 with
filteen Sunday-schools, besides two union
schools. A good work is being done in this
part of the S ate.
And now as to the social part of my visit.
As I intimated before my conveyancy out
left me at the church, (it was the best that
could be done, and I was truly thankful that
my good brother was able to do that much
for me), and here 1 was now without motive
power, other than that provided by nature.
But a kind providence sent brother B. F.
Clark (I believe he said his wife did it) to the
Convention, ami he kindly gave me a seat
to and from the church the balance of the
session, and carried me back to Eastman
Sunday afternoon We spent Friday night
at brother J. W. Noles. There was a goodly
number of us there, and brother N. and the
good wife and children, and all, entertained
us nobly. Saturday night at brother L T.
Harrell’s, and here it was the same as the
night previous, only we had preaching from
brother Miller. Ido not know what more
these good brethren and their families could
have done for the comfort and pleasure of
their guests. But that is characteristic of
Baptists—yes, and 1 will say, furthermore,
of all Christians. I do not know when I
have had a better time.
Brethren Noles and Harrell (they are
brothers-in-law) were gathering their sugar
cane, and it was fine, and we “ground” it for
them—or, rather, for ourselves—in no email
quantity. For twice in my life I can truly
say I chewed just as much of it as I wanted.
It is well, for me at least, that one cannot
chew enough of it to make them sick. I
have been told that it is very healthy, and I
believe it, for I have been feeling quite im
proved for the last few days. Enough of
this: however I feel under lasting obliga
tions to the good brethren, sisters (but I
mean sisters, too, generally when I say
“brethren” in such connection as this), of
Bethlehem church for their many acts of
kindness to me personally. Also to their
excellent pastor, brother J. T. Rogers But
most of al! do I thank them, and the breth
ren from other churches represented, for the
fine list of new subscribers given me for The
Index. I only wish I could send it to every
Baptist family in the New Ebenezer Asso
ciation. I want to put it at every fireside,
but especially am I anxious to have no Bap
tist without The Index. Help us, brethren,
everywhere J M G. Medlock
Missionary Department.
REV. J. H DeVOTIE D.D„ I Fditors
REV. C. M. IRWIN, D.D., ( manors.
THREE NEW MISSIONARIES.
It is well known to all who are ac
quainted with the foreign mission
work of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion that our missionaries are sorely in
need of reinforcements. The fields in
vite the reapers but the hands of the
harvesters are few and some of them
cannot long wield the sickle.
Dr.Tupper arrived in Louisville on the
12th inst. He said we must have four
missionaries at once —two for Africa
and two for China. Three students,
all members of the senior class,offerred
themselves, two of whom were willing
to go immediately to China. Their
names are C. W. Pruitt and W. S.
Walker. Both from Georgia. When
it was known that they were to leave
at once, a meeting of the Missionary
Society of the Seminary was called in
order to have some exercises commen
orative of the departure of these breth
ren. It would be pleasant to speak at
some length of this meeting, the most
extraordinary one in the history of the
Seminary, but notes from the speeches
of brethren Pruitt and Walker must
suffice. After singing and prayer the
President, Dr. Boyce, called on brother
Pruitt for remarks. He was sad;
couldn’t be otherwise, he said. Was
sad at parting so suddenly from those
he had learned to love, at leaving the
Missionary Society where his mission
ary zeal had been intensified, at being
absent from our devotions at the board
ing hall where we have become united
almost as one family, and sad at part
ing with the professors who have given
him larger views of his duty to God
and man; but he was glad, aye, happy,
that he was so soon to be among the
heathen to teach them. He first
caught the missionary spirit from read-
ing the letters of Dr. Buckner about
the Indians. Then he looked farther
than the wild tribes of the West and
wanted to go anywhere God directed.
The Gospel has done so much for
him he wanted to preach it to those
who have never heard it. He knows
he will have our sympathy, but he
wants us to help hint and take the
field with him. Hopes to see many of
us over there in China. The above are
some of his earnest utterances.
Bro. Walker was then called upon
and spoke with much feeling and in
terest. Though he felt little like talk
ing. He would prefer to hear the
brethren sing and pray. Three years
ago he knew little of what the future
bad in store for him. The stirring ap
peals of our missionaries aroused him,
and while sick at the Seminary two
years ago he was enabled to throw
open his heart to God and follow his
guidance. Then he promised God to
do anything He might require, and is
here to-day to fulfill that promise.
“This,” he exclaimed, “is the happiest
day of my life. I once wanted a di
ploma from the Seminary, but now I
want to go to China. 0, God, I thank
Tnee that Thou hast called me!” He
cannot thank the professors enough
for what they have done for him but
hopes to make their influence wider by
his consecration to the Lord. After
his speech a number of the students
and all the professors made feeling ad
dresses. Then, while we sang “Blest
be the tie,” etc.,‘with much sadness and
many tears we extended the parting
hand to the beloved brethren. It was
a great time, and our hearts were made
to burn within us as we talked of the
great subject of missions.
The brethren left shortly for Rich
mond, and were examined and accept
ed by the Board of Foreign Missions.
They will sail by the middle of Decem
ber or first of January for China.
Pruitt goes to Tung Chow and Walker
to Shanghai.
Brother P. A. Eubank, of Kentucky,
is the third one. He has been exam
ined and accepted by the Board for
Africa, but will complete his course
before sailing for his field.
And now, what shall I say about the
two noble men furnished by the Em
pire State for the Empire of China.
The praise of none they need, the
praise of all they deserve. C. W.
Pruitt is known for his sweetness of
temper, unpretending yet enviable
manners, his studious habits, ardent
piety, and burning zeal in the work for
the Lord. He would be a strange man
who would not love Pruitt. May God
bless him. He will cheer the heart of
the veteran Crawford.
In person W. S. Walker has the
commanding physique of a general.
His character well adorns his stately
person. Viewed in any light he has
the elements of usefulness and power.
But why need I say this. He supplied
for Dr. Landrum at Savannah last
summer. He has a great,lovingtieart,
shining talents, and deep devotion to
the Master. And, now, what will
Georgia do towards supporting these
consecrated men? Already the North
Georgia Association has assured brother
Pruitt of his support. What says the
Convention to adopting brother Walk
er? Give them such assurance, and
what a stimulus it will be to them in
their distant homes!
D. B. Gray.
Louisville, Ky., Nov. 1881.
Dry rot in the top.—The Middle
Cherokee Association, at its last session,
adopted a resolution advising the
churches not to call pastors who are
not Missionaries at heart, and who
are not earnest workers in the mission
cause. This counsel is undoubtedly
wise, from the fact that churches un
der the leadership of ministers not in
active co-operation with their brethren
in giving the Gospel to the spiritually
destitute at home and in heathen lands,
take the dry rot in the top, in piety and
real success. Cut off such branches
and the tree will flourish.
Those who notice see the decay of
numbers of churches thus officered.
The decay of the anti-Missionary or
ganizations is illustrative. D.
If the members of our churches will
take and read The Index, they will be
cured of lack of information, lack of
interest, and lack of giving. Will not
all try the remedy? These lacks are
serious symptoms of dry rot in the
heart—concerning the cause of Christ
and missions. D.
It is estimated that a hundred thou
sand Jews in all parts of the world
have been converted to Christianity
during the present century. About
one-half of these have joined the Greek
Church, and the other half have been
about equally divided between Rome
and Protestantism.
On the Sandwich Islands some of
the native churches give more than
four dollars per member yearly for the
support of the gospel beyond their ter
ritories. Are any of our churches will
in gto be excelled by those so lately
9011 verted from heathenism?
“I don’t want a plaster,” said a sick man
to a druggist, “can’t you give me something
to cure me?” His symptoms were a lame
back and disordered urine and were a sure
indication of kidney disease. The druggist
told him to use Kidney-Wort and in a short
time it effected a complete cure. Have you
you these symptoms? Then get a box or
bottle to-day—before you become incurable.
It is “the” cure; safe and sure.—Knoxville
Republican.
