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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 31