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The Baptist Issued Every Wednssda| and levoteu to Religion, ' Temperance 1 AND Education. Specially Devoted to the Interests of the Baptist Denomination. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy, 1 year, in advance $ 1.00 One 11 J months “ cl Five copies (club) lyear... $ 0.00 with copy free to the maker of the club. To Pastors half price. Those who desire to donate a year's subscription to any for needy that person or family can have the paper purpose for Hip a year. All Pastors are authorized Agents for the Reporter. Also Postmasters who will agree to aid us. Renewals same price as new subscribers, Payable in Advance. Marriage and Obituary notices not ex¬ ceeding three inches space inserted free. If it exceeds space named we reserve the right to abridge or charge 10 cents a line. A DVERTISING RATES Low, and will be quoted on ap- plication. Specimen copies Send money by Registered Let- ter. Address The Baptist Reporter, GUYTON GA. Guyton, Ga., August 15, 18S8. Entered at the Rost Office in Guyton, Ga., as second-class mail matter. EDUCATIONAL, MINISTERIAL EDUCATION. Next to a divine call to the ministry, the most important thing lor the preacher of the gos¬ pel is learning—knowledge—ed¬ ucation. We do not mean to say that the only place to acquire knowledge is in the school room, nor do we mean to sav that what might be called a classical educa¬ tion is indispensable to successful preaching. But we do say that no man can teach what he does not know, and that no man can know what he does not learn. There are those who hold forth the doctrine that ministers are “inspired” to preach; that God “reveals the truth” to them in vis¬ ions and dreams, independent of and aside from the Bible. This is a very convenient doctrine; if the preacher cannot find exactly what he wants in the Bible, he can have a “vision,” a “dream” or a “rev¬ elation” and get just what he wants. There is one objection to this doctrine, however: it is not true. It is a common occurrence in certain sections of Georgia, to hear the preacher (anti-mission ary, of course,) announce that such and such things have been “revealed” to him, and multitudes believe him. This pernicious doctrine has so wrapped itself about many that they believe it matters not whether the preacher studies or not. These are the people that utterly ignore the val- ue of education, and put a mium upon ignorance. The doc- trine is very damaging to the progress of Christianity. When a people believe this they convert their pastor into a laborer in the field, and feel that they have done their duty when they meet him once a month at church. Now let us see what Paul says about study. Turn to II, Tim. 2:15, and lie says to Timothy, “Study loshew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need- el h not be ashamed, rightly di¬ viding the word of truth.” Study what? The “word of truth.’’ Why study it ? In order to “divide it rightly” Why divide it aright? To make his work approved unto God, so saving himself from the shame of error. Timothy had no •visions” or “revelations.” Paul had received the gospel from THE BAPTIST REPORTER: AUG. 15. hH A him y lr ’,."'"' I,e,a !f “ ,0 i:i3) “Holdfast the form of sound words (true doctrine) which thou m » and love which is m Gnrist Jesus. Again he says, (’2:2) “And the things which thou has heard of me, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also,” Paul taught Timothy, instructed him to teach others, so that the gospel of Christ should be transmitted from one generation to another by teaching. Peter, speaking of Paul’s writ¬ ing says there “are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruc¬ tion.” (2 Peter 3:16.) Not only did the unlearned wrest or distort Paul’s writings from (heir true meaning, but also “the other Scriptures, It the reader will turn to Bro. Geiger’s field notes, in this paper, he can find an ex¬ ample of wresting the Scriptures in the “hardshell’s” definition of the names “Jesus Christ.” We could multiply quotations almost indefinitely, but let the above answer to prove the neces¬ sity of ministerial study. There is avast difference between tell¬ ing dreams and preaching the gos¬ pel. The Lord says, “Theproph¬ et that hath a dream let him tell a dream, and he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.”— Jer. 23:28. Who is it that raises the cry against education? The uneduca¬ ted; those who know little of the real value of consecrated knowl¬ edge. Whence comes the opposi¬ tion to missions, to Sunday- schools, to education, to temper¬ ance and spiritual and moral ad¬ vancement? From the ignorant; those who do not know the bene¬ of these things. Who are the world’s leaders? who have stored their minds knowledge. Solomon said, “Wisdom is better than rubies' and all the treasures that are to be desired are not to be compared to it.” Let the churches loose their pastors’ hands from the plow and the plane, give them a gen¬ erous support, put good books in their hands and tell them to give themselves wholly to the ministry. Don’t throw your pastor away; help him to do his duty. Nothing so cripples our cause as the want of a well informed ministry, able to teach the people and combat error. And the reason why there are 80 many ministers unable to meet the requirements made of them, is because they have to spend their time in the field or the shop when they should be in the study. Poverty without, ignor- ance within; surely Ihe pastor’s 0U P Latter and his cross is heavy. God bless the preachers who are trying, in the face of dif- Acuities almost insurmountable, to lead souls to Christ and the churches (o a higher plane of Christian activity. Pastors, preachers, apply your¬ selves with all diligence to study —to preparation for your work. Yon hold the highest office ever con fered on a mortal; strive with all your might to till it. The eyes of two worlds are upon you; a crown awaits you. Let your motto be d and upward. Young men prepare for useful¬ Be content with nothing L se Lhan n finished education, ministers, there is a Mer cer University, a Seminary, wait¬ ing with open arms to receive you. There are a thousand fields white unto the harvest; sharpen your sickles and reap. Yours are glorious opportunities. Ministerial Education in Mercer Uni¬ versity. It is encouraging to know that the Baptists of the State are more deeply interested in ministerial education, and are more willing to aid in the good work, than they have been m the past. Every year brings an increase of butions for this purpose. There have been forty rial students the past Collegiate year. This was a small increase. We expect more the ensuing session. The Exeeutive Commit¬ tee have been able to meet all ex¬ penses of board, and are out of debt, with an empty treasury to begin the approaching year. Last term we had $144 in bank to be¬ gin with. The amounts contributed came from Associations, Churches, So¬ cieties, Sunday-schools and indi¬ viduals. Three ladies, one in Atlanta, one in Macon, one in Rome, sup ported each a minister. Two So¬ cieties, the “Willing Workers,” in Atlanta, and the “Willing Workers,” in Rome, supported, each, a minister; the later, has, for the past five years, been unwear¬ ied in this good work. Their grad¬ uate, is now taking a course in the Seminary. They have proved themselves to be preserving, as well as willing, Workers. One Sunday-school class, in Macon, has paid the way of a minister. One of the ladies above alluded to, is 83 years old, but still has a heart to love, and hands to labor for Missions and Ministerial Edu¬ cation. Six Associations or more have engaged to sustain ministers while in Mercer. Some of these have managed their finances well, and have complied with their promises. It is hoped that a much larger number of them will enter upon this good work. These bodies, however, should be very careful not to encourage their young brethren to come to Mercer, depending on them, when they have not perfected their arrange¬ ments to raise the needed funds. A failure just at this point, will greatly discourage the student, and burden the Executive Com¬ mittee. One brother, in Macon, has sustained two, by paying their board. The balance of the mon¬ ey necessary for our work has come in, in larger or smaller amounts from Associations, churches and thoughtful, gener¬ ous saints, from various parts of the State. Now, what of the future? Judg¬ ing from the past, there will be an increase of funds just in propor¬ tion to the increased necessities. The Denomination is stronger than it was last year. We have lived another year upon the boun¬ ty of our beneficent Father The riches of grace, through which we hope and expect to be saved, have not been diminished. Temporal blessings have been abundant. Large harvests have rewarded our labors. Our young brethren have had another year of expi rience and successful work in ihe churches and desitute places. Now, let “the love of Christ con¬ strain us” to enlarged liberality in Ministerial Education, as well as in Missions. I will he greatly pleased andj encouraged to hear from Associa- ! lions, Societies,Churches, Sunday- school and individuals, who will promise to aid in this good work. E. W. Warren, Chairman Ex. Com. Macon, Ga. We are pleased to announce to the pul die thud we are prepa red to do J OB PRINTING- in all its branches, in the very best style and\ at the lowest living prices. Our office has just been supplied with a complete, new outfit of Presses, Type and material, an experienced printer is in charge and our customers m ay safely rely upon us to fill their orders on short notice. We print anything _ from a visiting card, to a circus poster. Estima tes cheerfully made and orders solicited. TRY US! Minutes, Pamphlets & Posters a Specialty. •v 1 I ) JL MjliBOV & 10 om Publishers & Printers GUYTON, GA; GOODYEAR & Co. ^(SUCCESSORS TO R. H. MAY&CO.)< Manufacturers and Dealers in Every Descriptun of HARDWARE. FLOWS and FLOW CASTINGS, (>qid <i eyres, Buggies, <r G. J Harness, Saddles, Hames, Shoe-Findings, ail Finds of Belting, Trimmings, etc CUTLERY, GUNS, WHIPS AND UMBRELLAS. Wagons! Wagons! Salesroom—704 BROAD ST. / Augusta, G Factory— 703 ELLIS ST., ) a. augl5-88w6m