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10 THE FIRST TWO BAPTIST CHURCHES IN GEORGIA. B. W. WHILDEN. Soon after brother Parks’ articles, concerning the first Baptist churches in Georgia, appeared in the Index, I was attacked by LaGrippe and was confined to tny room about five weeks, and, as a consequence, the reading of the Index and other reli gious papers was neglected. I was lately looking over the Index of January 28th, the number in which the articles appeared. Having given considerable attention to Baptist chronology, I enjoyed the reading of those articles. But I must say to my much esteemed brother, that in a part of what he wrote, it seems to me, he is not chronologically ortho dox. Two or three years ago, I published in the Index several arti cles under the title of “Georgia Bap tist Chronology.” In one of those articles I wrote on the subject dis cussed by brother Park. I now give to the readers of the Index, the re marks I then presented on the sub ject : 1772. Kioke and Botsford churches constituted. The writer is not aware that there is any differ ence of opinion about the year in which the Kioke church was consti tuted, or that there is any doubt that it was the first Baptist church con stituted in 1773. These are Bene dict, Mercer and Campbell. This is the date too given to its constitution in the Baptist Encyclopedia. The writer does not know at what time Sherwood fixed the constitution of the churches named. ■ It is claimed by some, however, that the Botsford church was con stituted in 1772. The writer, as has been seen, is of this opinion. He has given the subject some consideration and believes that both churches were constituted in the same year. On the 28th of September, 1872, Rev. E. R. Carswell, Sr., preached what was designated “a sermon at the centennary celebration of the Botsford church. 1 ’ The Kioke Baptist church celebra ted, on the fifth Sabbath in Juno, 1878, what they claimed as their 101st anniversary. The writer knows that the incidents just men tioned are correct. Both churches, therefore, seem to have been consti tuted in the same year, but the Kioke earlier in the year than the Bots ford—the Kioke church in June, the Botsford in September. The sermon by Rev. E. IL Carswell appeared in the Index, Dec. 18, 1872. The wri ter was living in Washington, Ga., then, and read it at the time it was published. In the latter part of June 1873, he saw brethren who were passing through Washington, return ing from the Kioko celebration which they said was the 101st anniversary of the celebration of their church. Brother Park regards the Abilene Baptist church as the second Baptist church constituted in Georgia. If that church was constituted in 1773, and if the Botsford brethren made no mistake about their centennary cele bration, it would seem that the Abi lene was the third constituted in Georgia, and not the second church. Orangeburg, S. C. Not long since, happening to be one Sabbath morning down in one of the counties of lower Georgia, 1 strolled out into the pines that stood on all sides. Their dark green and almost black foliage, combining with the light blue of the sky above, and the brown wire-grass under foot, formed a picture that did not have a tendency to buoy the spirits up, but seemed rather to depress. Some may deem the “sad soughing of the pines” a poetic expression and only imagin ary, but there is an actual painful reality in the expression. As I walked, every tree, large, tall and stately, seemed able to defy the shock of the tempest; one tree in particular, like Saul, stood towering above its fellows. I stood and looked up at it, wondering that such a tree should grow from so small a begining. Strolling along leisurly, I sat down to rest at some distance and was al most asleep in the dreamy stillness of the morning, when a loud crackling aroused my attention; looking I saw the tree I had so much admired, fall ing headlong and carrying with it several of its smaller companions. Down it came with a crash that made the earth itself trembling and long splintered, cracked and broken ou the ground. Going up to it I saw that although it had seemed sound from an outside view, a little worm had bored its way into the very heart, the wood had become spungy and the fine-seeming giant of the pines was a mere shell. This to my mind was a type of the human heart. We may all seem fair to an external view, but who has not seen secret vice that is sapping the strength of the heart. From the greatest to the least it is the same : dark passions lie hid, (not dead) under the cloak of policy, or perhaps superior will pow'er of the subject, but if not rooted out, root and branch, and the gospel of Christ applied to the curing of the w ound, they cor rode the inner man. Would it not be well therefore for each of us to try diligently to discover what his be setting sins are (not w’hat is only contrary to respectability in society) and use all his power with God and to be rid of them. C. 11. B. Edncation by the Denomination in Georgia. At some time in the past, educa tion, mental culture, discipline of in tellectual powers may have been re garded simply as an accomplishment obtained through wealth and leisure. It may have been regarded by very practical men, so-called, as an evi dence of weakness and as a proof of the general worthlessness of the in dividual, who had gained this accom plishment. By some, such a person was thought to be visionary and therefore unreliable in the matter-of fact affairs of life. He was looked upon as fastidious, effeminate, proud, self-conceited, and unsociable. He was somehow reserved from the multitude—was not in touch and sympathy with the great mass of humanity. Indeed, in some in stances, the possession of a college diploma was sufficient evidence of guilt to secure his conviction in the courl circles of business and society. In those days muscle was the measure of the man. The domain of muscle was a wide one. Every thing was done by sheer force. But machinery has come in and step by Step muscle has been pushed back. The sphere for the operation of mus cle has been contracted, and the all conquering march of the armies of genius is driving muscle into closer quarters every day. The old-fashion ed black smith will soon be a mythi cal character and the story of the forge and anvil and bellows and leathern apron will be a legend for the entertainment of children at the fireside. The latter has long since abandoned his vat and block. The common carpenter with his chisel and saws and plane and tongue and grooving tools has almost been super ceded by the heartless machinery. Sash, blinds and doors and frames and cupboards and chairs and the like which formerly were made by hand, are now all manufactured by steam and electricity. The spinning wheel and broach, the winding blades and spool, the warping bars and looms, where are they ? The loco motive has driven the wagon team from the roads that led to the market towns. Thousands and hundreds of thousands, and millions of merely muscle-men have been driven out of employment. And in the execution of the muscular labor, the Caucasian race is brought into sharp competi tion with the African and Mongolian. This contraction of the domain of muscles and this competition in the w ork have forced us to seek help and to bring other forces to our relief. Culture, education, the utilization of the mental powers has become one of the factors in solving the problem of meat and bread. The mind must be made a productive agent and thought must have a marketable value as well as muscle. The question former ly asked concerning the laborer was, “How’ strong is he?” and the reply determined his worth. Now the question is, “How wise is he?” and the reply determines his value. Changes in the domain of muscle, changes in the methods of business, changes in the competition for prece dence, changes in the standards of Society, changes in the cast of civili zation have necessitated changes in the preparations which will insure success and usefulness and pre-emi« nence. The people are finding this out and hence the revolution in their ideas of fitness for life; hence the change in their methods of prepara tion for life-work ; hence the multi plication of educational appliances. This suggests the inquiry, What is the Baptist denomination in Georgia doing for the education of the boys ? And is there need for the churches to do any-thing ? Does not the State provide all the necessary facilities ? We answer the last question first. The State does not. We go further and say, the State cannot. It is lacking in qualification and in ability —that qualification which is sup plied hy a personal sympathy, and that ability which is to be had only by the consent of the gefrerned. Christianity in its divinely corporate form must do the work for which it THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, MAY 5. 1892. is so divinely qualified and to which it has been so divinely commissioned. When the separation of Church and State was accomplished, the division of the estate wag unfair and not ac cording to the last will and testament of the Testator. The privilege, as well as the power, to educate, be longed exclusively by right of inheri tance to the church. It may be, that the church, in her neglect and care lessness of this gift allowed the State after the separation, to usurp and siege and appropriate this part of the great legacy. If so, it is pleas ing to see that the church is growing restless under a sense of this loss and injustice, and is now taking steps by process of law, in the highest court known among men, the court of Christian conscience, to secure this lost possession. In Georgia the Baptists as never before are realizing the need of bet ter work on the line of education than the State has ever done or ever can do, and are instituting agencies for its better accomplishment. They know that a higher education is needed for the attainment of a lower —that without what is termed the high education, the classical, there cannot be the means for the lower education. They are making sacri fices, enduring privations, practicing economy, overcoming obstacles, act ually suffering in the body that they may give their sons an opportunity for a good clasical education. And the young men have caught the same spirit, and are denying themselves passing pleasures, working and eat ing and sleeping as never before, that they may gain an education that will fit them for success and useful ness in these changed conditions into which they have been thrown. Pen nies are saved, clothing is darned, cheap board is sought, work for off hours, Saturday labor and vacation employment is found by which to earn a support for term-time. When young men do their own cooking and contract to do menial services in order to meet expenses, they show an appreciation of character, a type of manhood that some day will produce a man of which all will be proud, and will win success and gain the mastery by reason of conquering strength and acknowledged merit. Students in large numbers, despite the exceeding stringuency of the times, are in attendance at Mercer University and hundreds arc making preparations to enter at an early day. And just here, for the encourage ment of other communities, let me give publicity to the work which is being done by some churches and as sociations. The following associa tions, and perhaps others from which I have not heard, have built, organ ized and equipped schools of their own—under their own management, and are making them successful: Hebron, Hephzibah, Hiawassee, Mul berry, Miller, New Ebenezer, Geor gia, Middle Cherokee and Daniels. Every association might have such a school. A number of churches also has such a similar school. One at Harmony in Putnam County, at Rid dlevillc, at Providence, at Rutledge, at Glennville. In the region of our churches there should be schools of high grade—recognized, operated and controlled as the property of the churches. Schools imbued with the idea of God and His word—inspiring the children with the hope of being somebody and encouraging them in the effort to do something in the world. We desire to build up more of these schools and bring them into sympathy and affiliation with each other. One word more in conclusion, look less to the State, rely more upon yourselves, honor your church, serve God, and bless mankind by building more such schools and by giving them a patronage in attendance and in money that will make them suc cessful. The result will be men of ability and worth and usefulness. G. A. Nunnally. MACON. It was the writer’s great privilege to assist in two very sweet revivals in Macon last week—namely, First Baptist and East Macon Baptist. The First Baptist, as the Index readers know, has secured the servi ces of Rev. Geo. B. Taylor. Bro. T. is a most amiable Christian gentle man, possessed of fine scholarly at tainments, of courteous and delight ful manners—is a thoroughly active and courageous worker, and what is better still, he is a very clear and forcible expounder of the gospel truth. For two weeks or more the series of meetings have been in progress. They have steadily grown in attend ance and interest. A deeply spiritu al feeling pervades all the services. Bro. Taylor speaks and works and waits as though a man of very strong faith in God. His brethren, who are a loving band of Christian workers, are rally ing around their pastor and faithfully holding up his hands. Love and zeal and faith character ize this people, and the Spirit is help ing them. The church is greatly re vived, sinners are convicted and many precious souls are hastening to the Lord. It was this scribe’s great pleasure to stand up day after day and speak of the unsearchable riches of Christ to that earnest and loving people. My own soul was blessed. Each day did I receive a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. May the good work go on. May the Holy Spirit still strive till many who arc in darkness shall come into the light and rejoice in the love of the Saviour. The East Macon church is very ably presided over by that prince of brothers, that golden-hearted gentle man, Rev. E. J. Coats. It goes without saying—he lives in the hearts of his people. He is a daily inspiration to his church, for in the morning he is sowing seed and in the evening be withholds not his hands. Godhas wonderfully blessed his servant’s labors and given him many precious souls for his hire. It was with lingering regret that the writer was forced to leave that gracious revival, from which his very soul had feasted. There was a great demonstration of the Spirit’s power in that meeting. I saw strong men and women w eep under the power of the gospel—weep as I’ve not seen in many a day. It seemed at times as though Heaven was let down to earth- Scores of sinners, night after night, came up for prayer, and while there were only a few accessions up to my departure Friday night, the out look was very flattering for a great harvest. Yea the harvest time is on. May there be a great reaping for the Lord. A very sweet but quiet revival I learn is in progress at the Chappel, (Dr. Warren’s church.) Dr. Warren, a better man than whom surely God never made, one whom all people love, a great old father in Israel, is doing a mighty work for the l>rd. He has labored very zealously* In the revival and much lasting good has been accom plished. The Dr. was very ably assisted by that bold and eloquent preacher, Dr. G. A. Nunnally. J. C. Solomon. FACTS—NOT FICTION. Brother Editor.—The following facts actually occured, in another state, more than forty years ago. A missionary meeting was being held. Three ministers of the gospel were in attendance. One of these minis ters was an old man distinguished for his deep piety and consecration to the work of preaching the gospel. Another was a man of mere note arid extended influence than anv other minister in the state. The other one was a young man and had lately entered upon the work of preaching the gospel. I knew these three ministers formally and inti mately. By special arrangement the young brother preached the missionary ser mon. The text selected for the oc casion is not now remembered. His theme was, “The necessity of suc cess for the accomplishment of ends.” “And,” said the young brother, “the Savior, when on earth, in boths his w orks and his teaching proceded up on this principle. In opening the eyes of the blind he used the clay and spittle. And in his first miracle in turning water to wine it is evi dent thet the Son of God used means —he put these furskins into the wa ter.” And then, in both tone and manner he clearly showed that he triumphed in the belief that he had settled the question when he exclaim ed, “what chemist would have thought of that.” When the services for the day had closed these three ministers wont to the same house for rest and refresh ments. During the evening, the ser mon of the morning was referred to. It was pronounced a good, practical and an instructive discourse. “But,” said the aged man of God, “the young brother will excuse me for asking him one question. I wish to know where he got the furskin spoken of in the sermon.” The preacher of the morning was evidently surprised at the question and mortified at the ignorance of his aged brother, and replied: “I obtained the three furskins in the New Testament. Where else do yon suppose they could have been found?” “I tlnnk you are mistaken—l do not think they can be found in the New Testament.” “I am not—l could not be mistak en in this matter,” replied the other. “It is a plain case in history. The Evangelist John in writing a history of the sayings and doings of Jesus assures us that, while attending the marriage in Cana of Galilee, and for the purpose of supplying the guests with wine, he instructed the servants to put three furskins into the water and that the water thus become wine.” Again said the old brother, “You are certainly mistaken. No furskins are spoken of in that passage. And now, to settle this question at once and forever, you will please turn to and read that passage.” Full of confidence that he was right, the young brother took the book and read the passage and again read “three furskins.” “You did not read the passage cor rectly,” said the old brother. “Read it again.” And again the preacher of the missionary sermon read “three fur skins,” and the passage was thus read three or four times before it was dis covered that it read three “firkins” instead of the “three furskins. When the mistake was discovered, the young brother, greatly mortified, expressed a determination to read and to quote the Scriptures more carefully and that he would thus avoid all such mistakes in the future. Some time after this meeting, these three brethren again met, and, during the pleasant intercourse which suc ceeded, a certain young brother just commencing to preach was spoken of as a man of talent and of much prom ise. And the brother of furskin memory said: “Yes, brethren, he is a man of de cided promise, and,” addressing the brother of middle age, he said, “I see only one thing in the way of his be coming a prominent and a very use ful minister—the big-head. Do you know,” he continued, “what is good for that terrible disease ?” The middle-aged man thus address ed, was very often sarcastic and in his most bitter and cutting style, he said: “I have heard of many things good for this disease, but the best remedy I have ever known is a poultice of furskins.” The preacher of the missionary sermon wilted under this reply and the memory of his sad mistake in that sermon, he was manifestly hu miliated in the presence of his breth ren. Soon after these occurrences this young brother moved to another State and there became quite a prominent and a useful minister, and it is thought that the memory of his missionary sermon and the three fur skins exerted a very happy influence in developing and controlling him in his future labors as a minister of the gospel. The old brother and the brother in the prime of life died many years ago. Whether the young brother is still living I know not. If he is and should see this article he will know that the main facts in this narrative are true. And now, brother Editor, I have written this and ask you to publish it that your readers may see what mis takes even ministers of the gospel make in quoting Scripture, and, with the hope that, should any one see and read this article who has fallen into the criminal habit of reading and quoting Scripture carelessly, they may be induced to read with more care in the future, lest they too should find and preach about “three furskins” put into the water to turn it into wine. A. VanVoose. Gainesville, Ga. <[ WORTH A GUINEA A BOX.’J • PHASES (Tasteless—Effectual.) ;; FON ALL I > : BILIOUS and NERVOUS DISORDERS. ' Such as Sick Headache, Weak Stomach, Impaired Digestion, Constipation, Liver Complaint, and Female Ailments. 1 Covered with a Tasteless & Soluble Coating.;; !' Os ill druggists. Price XS cents a box. '! New 1 ork llrnot ,6s Canal St. . 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Lil’s Parchment Buller Papoi free I To Dairymen and others who will nee it, wo will send half a ream, Bxll, free, If they will forward 30 cente t' pay postage. Try the BEST BUTTER WRAPPER Avoid imitations. 3mar3m A. G. ELLIOT & CO.. Paper Mat ufacturers Philadelphia, Pa. IMIiDWEBMELON Is Early, Large, Beautiful, Sweet, Fine-Flavored, Delicate in Texture Free from Stringiness and the LMTelon Grown. FLESH, YELLOW, MARKED WITH RED. . . * Mb. .W. Smith, Americus. Ga., Cold Water Miss., March sth, 1892. Dear Sir: I succeeded finely with the Ruby-Gold I got of yon last spring. I found the Ruby to be all ydu claimed for it. and more Wo. I expect to plant my main crop of them this season. 1 created quite a sensation with the Rubies. Everybody pronounced them the most excellent melon they ever ate. Yours Most Truly, J. F. Gilliland. Mb. W. A. Smith, Glen Cove, N. Y. ,ug. 14th, 1890. Dear Sir; 1 wish to thank you for your kind remembrance in sending me, all the way from Georgia, such a splendid watermelon. My daughter, a little four and a half year old, in the ecstacy of her soul as we feasted upon the glistening icy meat, and the sugary juice streamed down between her tiny fingers, exclaimed: “Oil. pappa, isn’t it just like dripping honey?” and so said all of us. Solid, meaty, very sweet and juicy, and with a thin rind. Very sincerely yours, William Falconer. A. W. Smith. Esq., Detroit, Mich., Aug. 16,1890. Dear Sir: Referring again to yours of the Sd inst., relative to sample Ruby and Gold watermelon so kindly sent to us, we have pleasure in advising you that the flesh was crisp, tender, moder ately sweet and peculiarly melting, having nothing of the coarseness of fiber so marked in Kolb's Gem. At the same time it has stood the rough handling and long keeping much better than most varities having such tender flesh would have done. Yours respectfully. D. M. Ferry & Co. This melon had been pulled seventeen days when cut From the Rural New Yorker of Aug. 30th, 18901 A melon cal led Ruby Gold was received from Mr. A. W. Smith (Americus, Ga.), weighing forty pounds. The flesh is well described hy the name. In quality it was sweet—too sweet— but the flesh was not as tender or “melting’' as that of better known kinds. Never knew of a watermelon complained of as “sweet—too sweet”—before. Piuladblyhia, Pa.—"Ths colors are bright and clearly defined whilst flavor is delici ous. “—A. Blanc. . _ Messbs. V. H. Hallock 4 Son, of Queens,"N. V., says of Ruby Gold: In quality it has a sweetness and luciousm ss which no other tnelou possesses, being tender and melts in the mouth like ice cream, without a particle of core or stringy substance. Very juicy and does not lose its flavor wb.ep it becomes over ripq, Price $1.50 per pound; 20 cents per ounce: free by mail or express. Send cash with rder to A. W. SMITH, Americus, Ga. 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