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ed in this imperfect state of existence, that perfect
equality in an experimental understanding of gospel
truth, will be realized. Some are strong in the faith,
others are more weak and feeble. Yet they are all
brethren in Christ.
The blessed and happy effect of the love of God
in the soul, will cause the saints to love one another
for the truth’s sake, which is in obedience to the com
mand of Christ, and is to their own peace and com
fort, and to the glory of God. The enemies have no
occasion to blaspheme when the saints love one an
other. When the members of a church are orderly,
demean themselves as good citizens, avoid tippling
shops, and bad company, live circumspect, obey the
relations of life, and mind their own business, and
very particular to assemble with the church in ail her
regular meetings, and make no frivolous excuses to
stay at home, we say when they do this, brotherly
love will continue, for there is no obstacle, or hin
drance in the way. The ministers of Christ should
walk according to their profession in all things, and
teach, and speak the things which become sound doc
trine. Much depends upon the orderly course, and
correct deportment of those who minister in word and
doctrine relative to the continuance of brotherly love
among the saints. When a preacher is carnal, strives
for the mastery, is self-willed, and is perverse in his
course, grief and sorrow among the saints is the re
sult, and a scattering of the flock immediately follows.
But when he is exercised by the Spirit of the Lord,
he feeds the flock, comforts the saints, reproves, re
bukes, and exhorts with all long-suffering and doc
trine. He will manifest a conciliatory, forbearing
spirit, but great boldness in defending the truth in
meekness and fear. An establishment in the doc
trine and order of the gospel, is not only demanded,
but an establishment in the laws, erdinances, and dis
cipline of God’s house, is necessary for the perma
— * oi Vkmiterly 1 ovft. , -r-- ,
To behold a band of brethren and sisters walking
together in Christian love and fellowship, speaking
often one to another of the Lord’s dealings with them,
to sing, pray, preach, and attend to the ministry of
the word, is the most lovely sight that can be seen on
earth. It is heaven here below. Truly it can be
said, “ Behold how good, and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell togetherdn unity! It is like the
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down up
on the beard, even Aaron’s beard : that went down to
the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Hermon,
and as the dew that descended upon the mountains
of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the blessing,
•ven life for evermore.” Psa. cxxxiii.
Many of the Lord’s dear children are deprived of
the privilege of assembling with the saints for pub
lic and social worship. Some are located so far from
a gospel church, they seldom have an opportunity to
attend, others are infirm and advanced in years, so
that they cannot attend. But whenever they have
an opportunity to converse with the saints, and to
hear the gospel preached, they enjoy, and rejoice in
the privilege even more than those who often have
the privilege.
In conclusion we will remark that we hope our
brethren, and the friends of Zion generally, will duly
consider the importance of the subject treaced upon
in this article, and be profited by it, and derive in
struction from it, and conform to the solemn admo
nition of the Apostle. And may we, ourselves, con
sider its application to ua as professed followers of
Jesus, and be enabled to pursue a course according
ly. P.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER.
KEPLY TO BROTHER PARKER.
Justice to our brother demanded the publication of
his letter, which appears in this number, and calls
for a few remai*ks only from us. VYe have no person
al feelings to gratify in the discussion of any point
of doctrine with our brethren. A difficulty evident
ly exists in the mind of brother Parker, and other
brethren, relative to our views on Predestination,
and Eternal Vital Union. In the review of our ar
ticles on these points of doctrine, we still are at a
loss to know how we can express our views any bet
ter, so as to be understood. We are not responsible
for the contention and discord which may have arsen
in our feeble attempt to vindicate the truth of the
gospel, either in preaching, or through the columns
of our paper ; neither are we responsible for the
construction that is put upon our views. It is not
the truth which does harm, but it is themisaprehen
sion and perversion of it. We are not willing to be
lieve that there is any essential difference between
the views of brother Parker and ourselves relative to
the points at issue. If there is a difference, any fur
ther discussion is unnecessary, and unprofitable, and
will not be productive of any good. And as a pecu
liar sensitiveness seems to exist among some of our
brethren in reference to discussions, and an exchange
of views on religious subjects, however mild they
may be conducted, and as we have endeavored to give
our views in as clear a manner as we could, and have
unfortunately failed to be understood, we think it
wisdom on our part to forbear writing anything fur
ther at this time. Most gladly would we disabuse
the minds of any who may be troubled on these
points, but it appears we are not able to do it. We.
censure none of cur brethren —we are simply unfor
tunate in the manner of expressing our views. We
sincerely hope there is no other difference only in
the manner of expression. And if we should write
anything.fustker. by -way of exnlanation.it is not xvrr.-
bable we shall be any better understood. Many of
our brethren in the South use different expressions
in conveying their views from what we have been ac
customed to, but as we generally understand them,
we say nothing about it, and let it pass without com
ment. If we are willing to bear with our brethren
in a conscientious difference in the manner of ex
pressing our views, if there is nothing further than
simply a difference in the manner of expression, and
feel no disposition to join issue with them, we had
hoped they would bear with us. But if they cannot
fellowship us, and take exceptions to our course, and
will not sustain us in the publication of our paper,
we are willing to live alone, if compelled to do so,
and shall not impugn the motives of our brethren.
We hope God may keep us from criminating our
brethren for the sake of justifying our own course.
We also hope that the future course of our corres
pondents, and also our own course in the editorial
department, will savor of sound doctrine, and be cal
culated to promote peace and harmony among the
saints. P.
Iprrirtt.
11 ~ - ... i ■ ‘ - <
Jan. 5, 1860, by Elder 11. G. Fuller, Mr. Andrew ,
J. Thomas to Miss Margaret Louisa Gordon, all of i
Walker Cos., Ga. I ‘
Feb. 23d, at the residence of the bride’s father, by i
Elder James P. Ellis, Mr. John E. Powell to Miss \
Nannie A. Dodson, all of Marion Cos., Ga. 1
#hitram
J- 1 1 - ■ -
Died, near Starrsville, Newton Cos., Ga.,.on the 6th
inst., Mrs. Sarah Connor, aged about ninety years.
She was the daughter of Isaac Justice, a- Baptist
preacher, who lived to be about one hundred’ years
old, and died in Bichmond Cos., Ga. Sarah Connor
was married to John Connor, Sen., in Columbia Cos.,
and moved to Hancock county, where she and her
husband joined the Primitive Baptist Church at Sa
lem, in that count}*, and were baptized by Elder Silas
Mercer, about fifty-five or sixty years ago. John
Connor, Senior, died on the 29th of September, 1829.
They were both orderly members of the Primitive
Baptist church until their death. They raised eight
children, four sons and four daughters, who were
grown. Sarah Connor lived,to see them all join the
Old School Baptist church. She was a member of
Holly Spring church, in this county, at the time of
her death. A sermon was preached at her funeral
by Elder J. L. Purington, from Ist These, iv. 14^ —
“For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose
even so them also whioh sleep in Jesus will God’
bring with him.”
* *
*
—
La Place, Ala., Feb. 8, 1860.
Brethren Editors —You will confer a favor on
the children, brethren, and friends of our deceased
father, Mr. Joseph Haden, by publishing the follow
ing obituary.
Mr. Haden was born in Roan county, North Caro
lina, in the year 1797, and moved to Tennessee when
in the 21st year of his age, and married Miss Re
becca, daughter of Elder Thomas Durham. He set
tled in Tennessee, and lived there some twenty years.
He then moved to Alabama in the spring of 1839,
M rvtuAtneti ap to tins time of hie death, which
was very sudden and unexpected. On Saturday, the
18th of Juno last, he eat his dinner as usual, and
went out to the grain field where there were some
hands hauling up grain. The hands went to the
barn with a load of grain, and left him in the field.
When they returned, he was missing. Search was
immediately made for him. When found, he was
dead, with a bundle of grain grasped in his hands.
He had been, for years, afflicted at times with a swim
ming in the head, or something like apoplexy.
He united with the Old School Baptist church in
the year 1834, and lived a consistent member of that
order—being, a good portion the time, a Deacon of
the church-leading an exemplary life. Asa hus
band, he was kind and affectionate. Asa father, he
doted on his children. Asa neighbor, and a friend,
he was esteemed by all who knew him. Truly w®
can say, Our loss is his eternal gain. Although a
sad loss to us, yet we can say in the language of the
Scriptures, “ Blessed are the dead who die in th®
Lord from henceforth, for they rest from their labors,
and their works do follow them.”
M. A. BRITTON,
There are few duties, in the discharge of which a
friend of pious worth can be more profitably engaged,
than that of endeavoring to keep in remembranc®
the characters and virtues of those great and good
men, whom it has pleased the Almighty to take from
this world to His immediate presence. Whilst it
preserves their memories from unmerited oblivion
it extends the knowledge of their virtues—it exalts
the grace of r * oy displaying its happy effects in
their 1 \ conversation—it often attracts the solemn
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