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6 might experience for the name of Christ, they were to be happy and rejoice in it, for the Spirit of glory, and of God rested upon them. By this we learn the blessedness attending those who faithfully and bold ly contend for the faith nce delivered to the saints, and whose life, conduct, and conversation correspond with their profession. The reproach heaped upon the followers of Jesus for righteousness’ sake, is a part of the legacy they must have in this world, and is an evidence in their favor. And when they do well, and suffer for it, and they take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. Even servants are directed to be subject to their masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thank-worthy, if a man tor conscience to ward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. There fore to be reproached, and to suffer wrong for Christ’s sake in obedience to the laws of civil Government, and also to the laws of Zion’s King, is a source of joy and rejoicing to the saints. While the enemies of God and truth will speak evil of the saints, vilify, and misrepresent their doctrine and faith, it is virtually speaking evil of Christ, for what is spoken against the followers of Christ in doctrine and practice, is spoken against Christ. In this way the name of Christ is spoken evil of, and blasphemed in our day. But the part borne by the saints in all meekness, hu mility, and lowliness of mind,when suffering reproach for Christ’s sake, glorifies God, and honors the name of their Lord and Master. They are not to render evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing: knowing that the saints are called to in herit a blessing. The saints in our day should re member to keep their tongue from evil, and their lips from speaking guile. Also to shun evil, and do good, to seek peace and follow it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers ; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. Happy and blessed, therefore, is the people that have sanctified the Lord God in their hearts : and are always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear ; having a good conscience; that, whereas, they (the enemies) speak evil of them (the saints) as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse their good con versation in Christ. Thousands have suffered mar tyrdom for Christ’s sake while in obedience to civil government, and the laws of Zion’s King. Their pei’secutors were exercised by a murderous spirit like the Jews who crucified the Lord Jesus, and persecu ted the prophets and apostles even unto death. The saints, while suffering martyrdom, have in numerous instances, prayed and sung praises to God, thereby exhibiting to their merciless enemies, their innocen cy, and that the grace of God was sufficient for them amidst all their sufferings and distress. A mui’derer is one who, in possession of his reason unlawfully kills a human being, with premeditated malice ; but if a man suffer as a murderer, he receives the just demerit of his crime, and is dealt with as he should be. The vengeance of God upon the Jewish nation as the murderers of the Lord Jesus, and as rebels against the Roman Government, was in truth and justice. A murderer is, in reality, a man-hater, an enemy to God, and civil society. A thief is one who takes unlawfully and feloaious ly the property of another, either secretly, or by vio lence. If he suffers for his crime there is no reward in it. He only meets with what he deserves. lie has no reason to complain. An evil-doer is one who does evil, commits sin, crime, or any wrong. When such a person is brought SOUTHERN BAP TI ST MESSENGER. to justice, and receives summary punishment, the dignity of the law is unstained, and good order es tablished and maintained. A busy-body is a meddling person : one who offi ciously concerns himself with the affairs of others- Such a one is a pest in society, and never hears any good of himself, from the fact that he never does any good for any person to speak of. Either, or all of these, are condemned by the apos tle in a clear and expressive manner. For a person to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, and yet be guilty of all, or any of the above-mentioned crimes, is a monstrous incongruity . The instigators f treason, insurrection, and murder, may call a man of such principle when brought to justice, a martyr, but the laws of God and man, in accordance with the Scriptures of truth, condemn him as a murderer, a thief, an evil-doer, a busy-body in other men’s mat ters. If any man suffer as a Christian, or follower of Christ, let him not be ashamed ; but let him glorify God on this behalf. To love mercy, do justly, and walk humbly before God, comprehends the life, and walk of a Christian. P. The Year 1860- The revolving wheels of time, according to chronological records, has ushered in the five thou sand eight hundred and sixty-fourth vea of time since the creation of the world, and eighteen hun dred and sixty years since the birth of the Redeem er of sinners. During that period of time what momentous scenes have transpired, the rise and down fall of nations and kingdoms of the earth, which now sleep in the dust. Prior to the advent of the dear Redeemer, the nations of the eai th were engulphed in heathenish darkness, and had been so for centuries. The antediluvian world [wished, the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Ad mail and Ze boim were destroyed, the powerful Assyrian, Mcdo -1 eisian, and Macedonian empires, alternately, rose and fell, until the Roman Empire had arrived at the zenith of its strength and power in the reign of Augustus Caesar. \et during the long night of darkness which prevailed for thousands of years over the Gentile nations, there were some of the antediluvian patriarchs who knew the living and true God, and had the faith of God’s elect, and loved, seived, and obeyed Him. Some of the post diluvian patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others by faith had a view of the Promised Mes siah, and trusted in Israel’s God before the intro duction of the Mosaical dispensation. During the length of time that this dispensation existed until the coming of Christ, holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, which proves, incontrovertibly, that the light of revelation shone into surrounding darkness. At last on that event ful night wh;n shepherds watched their flocks, an angel from the heavenly world bore the glad ti dings to the shepherds of the birth of the Lord Je sus. From that period commences the dale of the Christian era, the beginning of the introduction of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ among all na , tions. The gospel wixs/irst preached to the Jews so far as it relates to its proclamation by the apos , ties, then among the Gentiles. Since the setting lup and establishment of the gospel church and kingdom unto the uttermost parts of the earth, God has been calling his sons from afar, and his daughl - from the ends of the earth. Thousands, yea millions, of the fallen race of Adam have been call ed to sing matchless, surprising grace, and the eternal purpose of God is rolling on to the accom plishment of the final deliverance of all of the elect of God from sin, death, hell and the grave.— The church of God has lived through all the per secutions of Pagan, Papal and Protestant anli christian domination, and will live forever, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. The year 1859 is now numbered with the past, and 1860 has commenced ilscourse, and thousands who now see i!s beginning will never see the end, but will before twelve months roll around, be num bered with the dead. How solemn the thought! How fearful the tragedy of human life ! One o-en eralion after another passes on and off the stac-e <>t action. The sun that shines on us. and encircles our path, shone on the countless millions who have returned to dust. A few days, months, and years at most, we, and all the present generation will he gone, and while our bodies crumble back to earth, our spirits will try the realities of the worid which is now unknown to us. The commencement of this year presents to out view some alarming indications relative to the peace and quietness of our country. Fanaticism has, evidently, run mad, and the elements of strife, insurrection, treason and murder have foamed forth with maddening fury. We, however, hope and pr*y that the God of heaven will interpose in the be half of our beloved country, that j istice may be done, and that the Union of the States may be presei ved in truth and equity, and that the saints of God may yet continue to live a quiet and pea ceable life in this present world. We rejoice to have the privilege of saying, not withstanding the present unfavorable appearances in a national point of view, that the Primitive or O. S. Baptists North and South, East and West are one people, and that WITH THEM there is no North, South, East and West-in the things of the kingdom of our God. They can associate together, sing, pray, preach and commune without any dis cord or lack of harmony between themselves.?—- They do not, nor never have joined with fanatics, murderers and treasonable persons, against the quietude and well being of our common countrv. They Tlesire its peace and prosperity. We still feel encouraged to continue the publica tion of our paper, and therefore have issued the first number of the tenth volume. It is for our readers to say whether we shall be sustained in its publication. We hope to be able to make the pa per profitable and instructive to the lovers of truiK If we fail to do so, it will not arise from a lack of desire to subserve the cause of truth. The majori ty of our subscribers are in the Southern States, therefore the chief source of encouragement ia the continuation of our paper is from the South. We expect our agents and the brethren and friends in general, will do the best they can to increase our circulation. We anticipate, therefore, that our sub* scription will be greater this year than it has been any preceding year.