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ASKED AND ANSWERED. [ln this column only such ques tions as are of general interest will find place. All that is of a strictly personal nature will be excluded. We have secured Rev. C. E. W Dobbs, D. D., to edit the column.] What is the general custom of the Baptists as to immersions in other denominations? L. E. G. The inquirer probably wishes to known the custom of Baptist church es as to receiving to membership per sons who have been immersed in other communions. Custom varies. In the the northern churches and in England, such persons are received on proses sion of faith without rebaptism the validity of the ordinance being based on the fitness of the candidate at the time of receiving it, rather than on ecclesiastical qualifications of the ad ministrator. Our churches in the South treat such baptisms as irregu lar and invalid, and require such per sons to be rebaptized by a proper administrator. In the north nine teen-twentieths of the churches re ceive such baptisms without ques tions; in the South probably a larger proportion of the churches reject them. A methodist preacher, whom I heard last Sunday, said that it was a mischievous mistake to say per sons must be converted before join ing the church. He said the Bible plan was first to join and then work out salvation. Give me a little light on that passage. M. H. J. M. H. J. heard only what is very commonly heard from Methodist and other pulpits. The Episcopal bishops of Georgia, recently emphasized the same thing in an Atlanta pulpit. It seems strange that one can read the history of the first churches in the Acte of the apostles, and fail to see that only those were baptized and added to the churches who had glad ly received the word of life. Every where the chftrches are recognized as bodies of believers, saints, children of God, the saved, (see among others these passages viz: Acts 2:41, 8:12, 10:47; Rom. 1:7; I Cor. 1:1-3; Eph. 1:1, Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2 1 Thes. 1:1.) These references are sufficient to show that the Apostolic churches were composed only of professed be lievers. But M. H. J. probably re fers more especially to the text in Phil, 2.12, in which Paul exhorte: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The context shows that the apostle is urging his Philippian brethren to faithfulness in Christian living, and he uses a verb in the twelfth verse which is quite suggestive. The original word for “work out” (katergazomai) does not necessarily, nor even generally mean to work for an object so as to attain it. Rather it has the sense of practicing, doing, living out. The verb is found in the following places: Rom. 1:27; 2:9; 7:15-18; 1 Cor. 5:3; Eph. 6:13,J1 Pet. 4:3. These passages show the sense of the word as used by Paul in the text. He does not say, “Labor and to effect your salvation.” He does not exhort them to work to secure sal vation as an uncertain prize yet in the future; but, to live in harmony with a salvation, that is, to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” They were now in a saved state by God’s grace, and hav ing ceased to work out the will of the Gentiles, they come to work out the will of God. What is the meaning of Luke 12:10? Was Christ speaking to his disciples or to unregeneratc persons? C. T. N. The question of what is the sin against the Holy Ghost has often been asked, and many efforts have been made with more or less success to answer it satisfactorily. We have a clue to the meaning which is now generally accepted, in the parallel passage, Matt. 12:24-31. The Phari sees attributed Christ’s miracles to the power of Satan. They said he was in league with Beelzebub. As the power was the power of the Holy Spirit, their speaking of it as Satanic was blasphemy against the third Person of the Holy Trinity. That sin Christ said, would not be forgiven. It may be supposed to in dicate a perversity so deep-seated in the man uttering it, that he would be proof against the influence which leads men to repentance. Whether the sin can be committed in our day is doubtful, but that man comes per ilously near it who declares the Word of God, the conversion of sin ners, or any other work of the Spirit to be product of the evil one. Many persons have feared that they have committed the sin and have Buffered much distress in conse quence. Such fear is groundless. If one has committed this sin, the heart is callons and unconcerned, and feels no distress. Whoever mourns his sin may know that he is within mer cy’s pale, and may find forgiveness. MERCER UNIVERSITY. Receipts From March 26th to April 26th 1892. Mrs M J Estes $5, J W Minter 5, W C Faulk 2, G W Faulk 1, W L Solomon 1, F D Wimberly 1, R E Lee 5,1 D Gloer 20, Mrs M E Rod gers 10, G F Orr 5, G A Riviere 2, (The following per A E Freeman and Dr Gibson) Mrs M E Long 5, Miss Helen Long 1, Miss M E Free man 2, Miss J Cates 2, Irwin Wal ker 2.50, J H Russell 10, R D Cole, Sr 50, A D Freeman 20, P D Pol lock 5. J A Hunter 10, D Walker 5, W C Snead 2.50,1 N Orr 10, Mrs H Arnoll 10, A J Lyndon 5, II A Hall 10. J H Hall 10, T G Farmer 10, Mrs M Cole 10, F B Cole 5, E M Cole 5, R H Hardaway 10. F S Bartow 1, J D Bartow 1, J A Hill, 1, C W Jennings 1, J M Pat terson 1, W H Richardson 1, R P Salter 1, W D Wilier 1, J W Wells 2, E C Benton 1, W D Cornwell 1. M D Ezell 1, Miss O L Green 1, Mrs JP Hardy 1, Miss M Newton 1, Miss L Swanson 1, Mrs R Talmage 1, J Farrell 2, Miss Nora Ennis 2, Ft Gaines ch 10, RE L Harris 10, RE D Harris 10, B M Pack 5, J J Far mer 1, V A Ham 5, A E McGarity 5, J II Evans 2, J C Key 5, Lee Holmes 1 K and L Averete 1, J D Miller 5, M L Cason 5, T Gibson 1, Mrs II M Hall I,J F Long 5, J A Fulghum 25, T W Glover 25, Lime Br ch 3.58, i Friendship ch 1.72, additional 6, D M Cason 1. Previously reported ..... $7538 Received since 416 Receipts to April 26th .... §7954 mercer’s little needs. Previous reported vols 24. * “ cash $30.00 V E Orr, Atlanta, vol. 1 Mrs J M Kelly, Jeffer sonville. “ 1 Miss Sallie Render Greensville. “ 4 S G Hillyer Washing ton DC. “1 1 W L Haws .... “1 J H Kilpatrick, catalo- gues J T Smith Belton SC “1 J O Sessoms Madison “ 2 J A Carswell Midwell Ga. cash 1.00 1 A J Spalding Atlanta “ 1.00 T B Palmer NY “ 1.00 W S West Valdosta “ 1.00 R E Lester Savannah “ 20.00 Vols. received to date 36 cash $54.00 G. A. Nunnally. BAPTIST MINISTER’S CONFERENCE, COLUMBUS. Eld. O. W. How'ard, president. Pastor L. M. Bradley, Clerk; open ing prayer, by Pastor G. D. Benton. First Church Columbus.—Pas tor Harris reported large prayer meeting, Thursday night. Two ac cessions. Fine Sunday school and growing interest. Excellent Sunday morning congregation, Interfered with by rain, at night. Interesting young peoples meeting in the after noon. Fist Church, Phenix City.— Pastor Bradley reported good meet ing, continued during the week. Sev eral accessions. Preached commence ment sermon, Phenix City public school Sunday morning. Fine con gregation. Interfered with, at night by rain. Meeting to be continued 1 during this week. First Church Girand.—Pastor Carter reported good prayer meet ing, last Wednesday night. Larger Sunday school. Fine morning con gregation, small at night, on account of rain, but good meeting and one ac cession. First Church Columbus.—Pas tor Cobbs reported protracted meet ing during the week, preaching by Dr. F. C. David. Good congrega tions, some interest and two acces sions. Good congregation Sunday morning. Small at night, on ac count of rain. Meeting continues for some days. Ladonia. —Pastor G. E Benton reported a good congregation and profitable service, at Bethel, yester day. Elder C. C. Willis was present Very feeble, but made a pleasant talk, which his people greatly enjoy ed. God has blessed this dear old man with the love and confidence of all who know him. Eleventh avenue Columbus and Mount Olive, Phenix City, not re ported, visited by Elder T. A. Threadgill, Phenix City. The following resolution was un animously adopted: Resolved, That we, the Baptist | THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1892. ministers of Columbus, Ga., do here by declare the individual, calling himself Rev. W P Lewis and hereto fore recognized as a Baptist minister to be a person in our opinion, utterly unworthy of confidence or respect, as a minister and as a man. Closing prayer by Pastor W. T< Cobbs. "HARD TMIES." I do not wish to discuss the ques tion, ought Christians to pay the tenth of their income to the cause of Christ, but ought they to al low the “hard times” to prevent them from meeting their obligations to God. I know Christian men and women too who pay the tenth of their entire income into the Lord’s treasury, and they say that they have had more ease and success financial ly than for years before. Christians may differ in their ideas about the amount or the per cent, of income which is due their Lord, but none can doubt the duty to sustain the gospel at home, and to send it abroad. 'lhese hard times will try men’s souls, they will test their allegiance to Christ. Will Christian men sacri fice their own comforts and pleas ures for the kingdom of Christ. The times are hard, will they buy less costly clothing, will they do away with their own self indulgences? W ill they smoke fewer cigars, chew less tobacco, spend less money in lux uries, and thereby save more for the cause of Christ. God only knows. Where do men usually begin to economize in hard times? Doubt less in the things they deem less im portant, and which they care less for. Usually they let go their religious newspaper; then put smaller contri butions into the treasury of the Lord. V hat a shame on Christians. The cause of Christ is left to bear the first results of economy. The church buildings are beautified and adorned, even if the pastor’s salary is behind. Personal pride must be gratified at all cost. Asking a pastor why he failed to attend the meeting of the State Con veniion; he replied, “hard times” On being asked to explain he stated, that his salary of last year was over a hundred dollars short, and for this year he had received but little. There were some small accounts on last year unpaid by him and all he could command must go to them. Doubtless that pastors’ people will be praying the Lord to open for them the windows of heaven and pour them out a blessing. Yet there is uo meat in the house of this servant, their pastor. The Lord cares for the poor servant, who setteth his heart upon his hire—it is his living, and if it be held back by fraud, and he cry unto the Lord, he will hear him, and require it of your hands. The Lord cares even for the ox that treadeth out the corn, and commands that he shall not be muzzled. Does he not much more care for his own servants, who preach his word, and labor to build up his kingdom. Has the Lord called, and qualified them, and given them to the churches for their special building up, and blessing, and docs the Lord their Master not care for them? Are their sighes and groans under the weight of unpaid accounts for last years bread, of no interest to their Lord? They may not cry to God against you, but their burdened hearts, and the privations are all open to the eyes of the Lord your God. Bring ye all the tithes into the store house, that there may be meat in mine house (for the use of his ministers) and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Prayer is a good thing in its place, but it takes something else be sides prayer to open the windows of heaven. It seems to me that some churches might pray ten thousand years, and never see a window open, unless they begin to bring in the Lord’s tithes. Pay up back salary,or as much as pos sible,see that there is something to eat in the Lord’s store house. Be obedient to the Lord’s commands. • Make an honest effort to do the entire will of the Lord. Return unto the Lord, and he will return unto you. Read er, is it your pastor who is unpaid ? Do you want the windows of heaven opened unto your church ? Bring ye all the tithes into the store house. Then let us hear of the blessing. “Hard Times. Harvest Bells round, and shape notes, and words only 364 good songs. A Baptist song book, 200,000 have been sold, and increasing. Send for circulars giving price to W. E. Penn, St Louis, Mo. IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. The P. <fc O. steamer, Khedive, is bound for China and we have on board but few passengers, but these are social and entertaining and we are having quite a pleasant time. An English major who has just been re tired on a pension, is on his way to Australia with his family, and a Cath olic priest quite social and jolly, with a few scattering passengers, make up our party and the Catholic priest and myself have a great time discussing politics and religion and playing checkers and chess. I get the better of him in the games and I think I al so do the same in the discussion. Our route is almost due south from Bombay and we skirt along the coast of lower India for four days when we swing across the strait and reach CEYLON, THE BEAUTIFUL. This island is said to be the ancient Ophir of the Bible and is now con sidered the holy isle of the religion of Buhda. The island is over a hun dred miles across and abounds in spices, cinnamon trees, precious stones and tea plantations. Coffee was once largely cultivated but this has given place to tea which is more profitable. The interior is moun tainous and salubrious but the sea coast is intensely hot even in Janua ry. The principal sea-port is Co lumbo, a city of 120,000 inhabitants, within seven degrees of the equator and is connected with the interior by railroad. This is the great depot of ships passing from Europe to Aus tralia, China and Japan, and we saw vessels from almost everywhere but America. Here we saw, for the first time, the novel boat called the Cata maran, not more than a foot wide and prevented from overturning by an outrigger of wood fastened to the boat with poles and floating in the water about ten feet from the boat. Those boats do not overturn even in the roughest weather, and are capa ble of carrying two persons beside the one who manages the boat. As the ship floated into the harbor the passengers amused themselves by throwing pennies into the sea when the native boys would dive from their small boats and invariably bring up the pennies. We went ashore, took carriages and visited the principal places of in terest. What magnificent tropical plants, cocoanut trees, palms, etc. Tlie stores are fiflef with beautiful goods and curios, the work of the Ceylonese. The men all wear skirts and tucking or roach combs in their hair, and you must see their faces to tell them from the women. The Budhist temple is quite pretty and some of the public buildings quite in teresting, with good hotels kept in European style. Everybody in the city seems to be engaged in the jew elry business and the show windows flash with diamonds, saphires, rubies, etc., both genuine and spurious, and the shop keepes swarm on the ship with their rings, bracelets and brooches, urging you to buy, and usually asking twice as much as they intend to take. Here the ship for Australia came in and brought quite an accession to our party in the persons of 20 mis sionaries bound for China. They were Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Plymouth brethren, and one Baptist young lady going out under Pedo baptist auspices, all from England, Ireland and Scotland. Three young women—sisters—were going at their own expense to work among the Chinese. They had very little fel lowship among themselves and when one party would hold religious ser vices in the saloon the others would stay up on deck. I suggested that this was a bad example to set before the heathen crew of the ship, hut they shrugged their shoulders and said Mr. B— did not belong to their ’church and they did not enjoy the services conducted by him. One of the young lady missionaries succeed in catching a beau and they were en gaged to be married before the end of the voyage. The weather was intensely hot and I was glad when we weighed anchor and started across the Indian Ocean. The first three days the wind was strong and the head seas broke over our bows and swept the deck with constant floods of water. This was disagreeable but not dan gerous. After five days we reached the city of PenongJ on the western coast of the Maylay Peninsula in Southern Asia. This city of 75,000 people is the principal station for Su matra and Java, and except for the queer looking people, contained noth ing of special interest. We took jinrecashas and did the town in a few hours, supplying, our selves with several kinds of tropical fruits that were new to us. Let me here describe the mode of convey- ance called a jinricasha, for we shall use it frequently in China and Japan. It is a kind of sulkey on springs with well finished body and seat and short shafts. A native between the shafts takes them in his hands and draws you along smoothly and swiftly. There is a folding top to protect you from the sun or rain and altogether the conveyance is fully as easy as one of our best buggies. The cost is trifling, say five or six cents an hour, and the speed five to six miles an hour. The jinrecasha is said to have been invented by a missionary in Japan, and it was found to be so convenient that the invention has spread around the entire southern coast of Asia until now there is near a million of them in use in these eas tern lands. I like them much better than a cab or even a street-car drawn by horses. We now pass into the straits of Malaca and running down between Sumatra and the Maynly Peninsala we reach Singapore, the most south ern city in Asia, almost directly un der the equator, and containing one hundred and fifty thousand people. The city is under British control but the country adjoining is governed by a native ruler. The Malays are a stout, strong race of a rich yellow color, making good sailqrs and soldiers. The trade of the place is largely in the hands of Chinese merchants and nearly one-half the residents of the place are Chinese. The city is well built and quite cool for a climate so tropical. One of the most beautiful tropical gardens in the world is seen here containing over one hundred acres under charge of a government superintendent who kindly showed us throw the garden, taking us even into the jungle near by where we saw the wild monkeys scampering through the branches of the trees. Here we were joined by two young American lawyers from Washington, D. C., who had ridden over five thou sand miles on bicycles and who pro posed to travel on with us around the world. We hope to have many pleasant days with them in Chima and Japan. And now we start through the China Sea, fifteen hundred miles to Hong Kong, and after a run of six days through lovely waters and by beautiful islands we reach the great sea- port city of China and drop anchor in one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. For the first time since we left New York we see the stars and stripes floating from the mast of an American ship and are told that the ship is an American man of war. We go ashore, but we must wait for another letter to speak of China. O. C. Pope. Hong Kong, Jah. 20, 1892. Kennedy’s Medical Dscoveiy Takes hold in this order: Bowels, Liver, Kidneys, Inside Skin, Outside Skin; Driving everything before it tha ought to be out. You know whether you need it or not. Sold by every druggist, and manufac tured by DONALD KENNEDY ROXBURY, MASS. Our |1i.50 Button Boot is made of Oonnlne French Dongola, nil solid leather, Common- Sense or Opera Toe. Size, Ito 8, and widths C, D, E, and EE. Sent on receipt of .I.ZO, all post age paid by us. Sold by all dealers for 82.50 to 83.00. Sarno ahoo In inis.es’ sizes, n to 2, spring heeled, SI.2S. Anthony, Fla., Feb. 13, rSqz. lam pleased with the good, you send. I must say that the 81.50 Leader, now uwd by my wife. Is the equal of any 83.00 shoe she has ever found in this market. 1 mean It. and 1 intend to continue saving 81.50 whenever she wants a new shoe. C. P. Collins, “Tom Sawyer” of Florida Prots, Farmers' Alliance Lecturer. CENTS'CALF, SEWED, 1 "''A. AII Soliil Leather ’ Plall ' or Tip,ieil BALS, or CONGRESS. We make these for service, y I /I They are neat, stylish, and « J equal to any adver- X tilled 83-o»shoe. Sizes J 5 to ii. Sent on re ceipt of SB.OO, all postage paid by us. Boys' sizes, Itos, *1 .80, Original “Boston School Shoe." Extra prime grain leather, sole leather tip. But ton Boot, rolid as a rock, size, 11 to z. Sent post paid on receipt of 81.80. All dealers charge •2.00 lor this shoe. All Goods Warranted and Hatlafactlon Guaranteed. Catalogue and Almanac free on application POSTAL SHOE CO., 140 Congress St., Boston, Mass. DO NOT FAIL TO SECURE SOME OF THE BARGAINS OFFERED THIS WEEK IN Ww, Hats aifl PnmisH Goods —AT— BEALL’S, 23 Whitehall St.,Atlanta,Ga. Premiums For New Subscribers TO THE Christian Index Premiums arc given only to old subscribers for obtaining new ones. To any old subscriber whose subscription is paid in advance. sending us the name of one new subscriber with $2.00 we will give any one of the fol lowing books: FOR ONE NEW SUBSCRIBER. Spurgeon’s Life—by Geo. C. Lorimer D. D., (Postage paid.) Spurgeon’sLife by Russell H. Conwell, (Postage paid.) Drummond’s Addresses, Cloth, (Postage paid) My Point of View. The Gospel In Enoch—by Dr. H. H. Tucher (Postage paid.) For 10 newsubscribers and S2O will send the works of Charles Dickens— -15 Volumes handsomely bound in cloth and gold. Address, Christian lixdLex, 57£ South Broad Street, Atlanta, Ga. SHORTER COLLEGE FOR YOUNG LADIES. ROME, - - - - GEORGIA. ' A 4 INTERESTING FEATURES. 1. A high and healthful situation. culture. 2. Charming grounds and scenery. 9. An unsurpassed school of Elocution. 3. Magnificent hrick buildings. Moderate charges for these unrivalled ad- 4. Modern improvements. vantages. Apply. 5. Twenty accomplished teachers DR. A. J. BATTLE, President, or 6. A splendid music department, PROF lvy w DU6GANf 7. A famous school of art. 8. A finely equipped deprrtment of physical Business Manager. [MEW fcRTHE OID BUY A PIANO which you know to be worth buying, of a dealer whom you know to be worth trusting. There are two mistakes to avoid. One is to save that hundred dollars or two which must be paid in order to get a good piano the other is to pay a hundred or two for nothing. Where to draw the line ? At the IVERS & POND. In some respects it has no jqual; in no re spects has it any superior, PHILLIPS & CREW. 29 Peachtree Street/ Atlanta, Ga. Are You Going to Buy a Ginning Outfit This Season? DO YOU WANT 1 ■ Engines, Boilers, Saw Mills, I |B I Cotton Gins, Cotton Presses, I I _ Cotton Seed Elevators,Mow- I ers, Horse Hay Hakes, Cot- ■ ton Seed Crushers, Crist Mills, Circular Saws, Inspi- / K rators, Belting, Pulleys, Shafting, Pipe or Machin- ists’ Supplies. Be sure and write us be- fore buying. W'e can take —dlsSS' " care of you. ’ MALLARY BROS. & CO.. * MACON, - - GEORGIA. 9