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162 given for jealousy to arise, because all prove theit faith by their works, and the language of the Psalm ist is applicable, “ Behold how good and how peas ant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” And then no just occasion is given to the world to speak reproachfully of us, or the'cause we have es poused. But even our enemies would be put to si lence when they beheld our chaste conversation coupled with fear, while ministers, deacons, and all other members in their places march onward ac cording to the rule Jesus has given. They indeed look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners, letting their light shine before men, and glorify their Heavenly Father. But if the light that is in them be darkness, how great is that darkness ! D,-a brethren, we close with an exhortation to love and good works, praying that God may enable us to use the good things of this world as not abusing them, but making them subservient to the great and important duties we owe to our God, and to one another, praying without ceasing, and in every thing giving thanks, walking truly as the children of light and looking with anxiety for the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior|Jesus Christ. Blessed are they that do his command ments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city, (or church and the enjoyment of gospel privileges,) for without are dogs and sorcerers, and vvhore-mon gers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Therefore, comfort one anothet in speaking and obeying the truth. Little children keep yourselves from idols. The grace of God be with you all, Amen. D. W. PATMAN, Moderator. I. M. David, Clerk. ’ 7 —i > * CORRESPONDING LETTER. The Oconee Association in Session, 1860, to her sister Associations with whom she corresponds sends greeting. Dear and Beloved Brethren —Through the continued mercies of our God we have again enjoy ed another pleasant meeting, during which the brethren have been entirely united in the transac tion of business. While the preaching of all the brethren has been harmonious, testifying that sal vation is of the Lord, and greatly to the edifica tion and comfort of the children of God. Your let ters, minutes and messengers have been heartily received by us, while with them we have truly en joyed Christian fellowship, aud that this desirable coriespondencemay be continued, we have appoint ed our beloved brethren, whose names you will find in another place in our minutes to bear ihis letter and a package of our minutes to your next meet ing, whom we hope you will receive as heretofore. May God in mercy keep you and us from every false way, and guide us in the way of all truth, that we may walk in lowliness of mind and broth erly love, that our Christian correspondence may continue to the glory of God and to the mutual comfort of us all is our earnest desire for Christ’s sake, Amen. Our next meeting, (if the Lord will,) SOUTHERN BAPTIST MESSENGER. will be with the church at Gravelly Creek, Jackson county, Ga., three miles north of Hurricane Shoals, on Saturday before the second Sunday in Oct., 1861, where we hope again to enjoy the company of your messengers, and your letters and minutes. D. W. PATMAN, Moderator. I. M. DAVID, Clerk. (Ernumunications. Jewett Centre, N. Y., Sept. 18, 1859. Dearly Beloved Sister in the Lord— Your last letter came to hand on the 3rd of Sept. I will assure you it was joyfully received. I again felt re freshed in spirit, my heart comforted in reading its contents, I felt to thank God and take courage, be lievins: that the Lord has a few chosen witnesses yet on the face of the earth‘who are contending for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Dear sister, I do not know as I ever had such feel ings towards any one as I have bad towards you since reading yout letters. I have felt to say in the language of Ruth, “Truly your God is my God.” I think I have had many infalliable proofs and tes timonies that you are led by the same spirit, always trusting in the mighty God of Jacob from whence cometh all our help. I find that you are like my self a changeable creature, but trusting in an un changeable God, whose mercy and goodness is ever abounding to sinners. 0, my sister, I love that doctrine which exalts the mighty God of Jacob, and humbles poor, sinful worms of the dust as I am in ashes. O, my sister, I feel poor and needy of my self, I often feel to cry out,? Ah, my leanness, ray leanness, surely there is no good thing dwelleth in my flesh. I have thought of late, the more grace we have give* us, the more knowledge we have of a glorious and exalted Redeemer, the worse we look to ourselves, for we find nothing in wretched self but sin and pollution ; sin defiled with in and without. O, it causes the poor soul to cry out in the bitterness of his soul, 0 Lord, be merci ful to me a sinner, save Lord or I perish ! O ves, they feel that their own strength is perfect weak ness, their wisdom, folly, their own righteousness as filthy rags. After reading your last letter I thought of a good many things. You spoke of your feeling so low down at times, you thought it was for the best that you should be humbled that faith might triumph, I thought of this Scripture, For whatsoever is horn of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, ■ 7 even our fail h.O,dearsister,l have thought sometimes I could look away by an eye of faith to that holy city New Jerusalem, it seemed as if I was really dwelling with ihat heavenly host of just men made perfect, that innumerable company of angels sing ing, Halleluiah, salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord our God ; for true and righteous are his judgments. When I have such heaven'y views 1 forget the things that are behind, can look forward toward the the mark of the praizeof our high calling which is in Christ Jesus. It t is thea I can rejoice in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Sometimes I feel to adopt the language of the apostle. I am crucified wiih 1 Christ, nevertheless I live, yet but Christ liveth in me> and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by ibe faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. O, clear sitter, let us rejoice in the Lord and shout praises unto the most high God, for he has triumphed glorious ly, he has gotten us the Victory through the blood of the Lamb. He trod the wine press alone, Hia own arm brought salvation. There has many things run through my mind since reading your last, I think 1 have had strong evidence that the great Deliverer dwells in Zion. I firmly believe that he will deliver the righteous out of all their troubles and make a way for their escape. There is a plen ty of testimony witnessing that all things work gether for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his own purpose and grace. Dear sister, lam one of the sort that often get in Doubting Castle and fear that I am not one of the Lord’s chosen ones, for I am so un like the blessed Jesus. Sometimes I think I don’t bear any fruit of the Spiiit. It often appears to me that I can see the image of Christ in others, but not in myself. The good Shepherd tells us that it is not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but him that doeth his will. When my mind gets dark and gloomy, shut up, the Lord will appear after awhile by applying some precious promise to my mind which I can feed upon. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of tiouble ; a present help in time of need. O, dear sister, one year ago iny mind got very dark, I felt as if I was hedged in on every side, I felt to weep and mourn, as you expressed I well knew that the Spirit was absent with me, I could not find conjfort me ; after awhile these words came with great force to my mine!, “ Weep not 1 for behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seals thereof.” O, such heavenly views as I had at that time I cannot de scribe ; if ever I had a view of heaven it was at that time. I thought I could behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. I thought I could understand the Scripture in truth. O, I thought truly he was a friend to publicans and sinners ! O, yes, he came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. The whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. It seemed as if I could see him interceding for his people. With him there is forgiveness of sins. O, yes ! it is all in and through him : we have redemption through bis blood and the forgiveness of sins. Much more then now justified by his blood we shall be saved by his life. O, yes ! he brought immortality to light through the gospel; it is in his light that we can see light. The light shineth in darkness, the darkness oomprehendeth it not. O, I have thought most surely The Lord dwells in thick daikness. Ibe Lord is every where a present God. True, his ways are unsearchable and past finding out. Dear sister, there are many things I should