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2 as, for example, Alexander Camp bell. A strained analogy precifitates men upon a “commercial ment,” (propitiation ?) and irresponsi bility of the converted, instead of convenient provision for the reama tion of backsliders. These sugges tions may serve at least to provoke thought, caution, and investigation, and if criticised, the writer will most likely have spoken once for all, after the manner of Alexander H. Ste phens. E. B. Teague. Columbiana, Ala. PROM FLORIDA. THE “THEREFORE” OF THE COMMIS- SION. The great commission is applica ble to all Christians. All must preach, either in person or by proxy. The commission also requires that the. gospel shall be preached among all nations. There are many weighty reasons why this should be done. I beg to call attention in this article to three. 1. Because of the reflex benefits in preaching the gospel. The Scrip ture declares, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Nowhere does this find a more certain appli cation than in preaching the gospel. If one wishes to know which are the most prosperous churches, he has but to consult the Secretaries’ re ports in the mission journals, and to know something of the financial strength of the churches whose con tributions are reported. These are a sure index of the degree of pros perity enjoyed by the churches. I believe it is universally true, that that church is most prosperous which, according to its ability, gives most to send the gospel to others. That church is dead which is not anxious to preach the gospel to every creature. The light which shines furthest away shines brightest at home. The fact, then, that a cordia] support of the cause of missions is the price of home prosperity, constitutes a weighty and sufficient reason for doing our utmost to send the gospel to all nations. But there is a weigh tier reason. 2. Because all nations need the gospel. One nation needs it as much as another. Without it, all are “dead in trespasses and in sins without God and without hope in the world. “Rich or poor, wise or ignorant, all people w ithout the gos pel are both dead and doomed. All nations need the gospel. Moreover, the gospel is the one thing above all others that they need. Christianity is not simply one of the religions of the world ; it is universally applica ble to the spiritual wants of the lost. It is noticeable, too, that it produces the same effects wherever it is re ceived. “Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, tem perance, faith,” are the fruits of the • spirit which always accompany the gospel. Under its benign and trans forming influences, the desert blos soms as the rose. “As Peter walked at eventime, liis lengthered shadow, as it fell on the gathered sick in the streets of Jerusalem, healed as it swept over them; even so is Chris tianity going through the earth like a spirit of health, and the nations, fallen and miserable, start up and live as she passes by.” All this be ing true, and it being possible for us to aid in sending them the gospel, it is our obivious duty to do so. In time of famine, they are execrable who have plenty and do not share it . with those who have none. In case of epidemic, they are the meanest of mean who have a sovereign remedy and refuse to share it with the sick and dying. “Thou knewest, there fore thou that oughest,” said the master to the slothful servant who buried the money that was com mitted to his keeping. So says the Lord to every one who has a knowl edge of his truth. We know of the bread of life, and the water of life, and the balm of life ; therefore we are under the most solemn obliga tions to communicate this priceless knowledge to those who are without it. 8. But the weightiest reason why the gospel should be preached among all nations and to every creature is furnished of the “therefore” of the commission. “All power is given unto me,” says the ascending Lord, “therefore go ye and teach all na tions.” “Pdwer” means authority. All authority is given unto the as cended Christ He is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.” We are his—his by crea tion by preservation, by redemption. The slave does not belong more completely to his master than we do to Christ. JJ is authority over us is absolute; and he who has this abso lute authority over us says to us, “Go ye into all the world, and preech the gospel to every creature. “Hence our greatest obligation to obey this command. The thing I tell my child to do may be right in itself, and may need to be done; but his greatest obligation to do it grows out of the parental authority from whence the command emanates. We listened to an able address at the late Southern Baptist Convention on the question, “Can the heathen be saved without the gospel ?” I submit that for us a more pertinent question is, “Can we be saved unless we give the heathen the gospel ?—unless we obey the great commission?” For my part, I fail to understand how, some people can venture to dis criminate against some of the com mands of Christ as they do. For in stance, some who think it is neces sary’ to repent and believe, do not think it is necessary to be baptized; others think it necessary to be bap tised, but do not think it necessary to do the very’ thing that Christ com manded, but think that any sort of substitute will answer; others, that all these are important, but that one need not be very careful as to holy living—persuading themselves that they have been converted, they think they will get to heaven no matter how they live; others, still, that all the foregoing are important, but that they need not obey the command contained in the great commission. So far as our obliga tion to obey Christ is concerned, one of his commads is just as important as another. The commandments of God do not derive their greatest importance from their design, but from the authority with which they are clothed. Some people appear to read it, “All power is given unto me; therefore fold your arms and take things easy, and when I want the na tions saved, I will save them.” The fact, however, that Jesus Christ has all power, instead of furnishing an excuse for indolence, furnishes a mighty reason for the most stirring activity. “Power” also means ability. The ascended Lord has ability to sustain us amidst all of the vicissitudes in cident to evangelizing the world, and he promises, “I am with you al ways, even unto the end of the world.” lie also has ability to make the truth effective—to make the gos pel “the power of God unto salva tion.” We would be under just as great obligation to obey him if he knew he would never make a con vert ; but he promises. “My word shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that whereunto I send it.” Therefore we may go with the greater confidence and alacrity “Go ye, therefore.” L. D. Geiger. FROM MISSO URL THE BAPTIST CAUSE IN MISSOURI. Os the 600,000 members of evan gelical churches in Missouri, 130,000 are Baptists. There are more Bap tists than any other denomination, I believe, and 118,000 of them are white people. Missouri has a peculiarly mixed population, “all sorts from every where.” We have people from all the states, and a large number from the Southern States. We have 800,- 000 Germans, and only seven Bap tist churches among them. COLLEGES. • Missori is in advance of many Southern States in schools and col eges. We have a local option pub lic school law, which authorizes school districts throughout the State of from about two to four miles square, w ith a building near the center for all the children in that district between 6 and 20. By vote of each distret these schools are built and maintained, making them free. There is a general state fund that supports the local taxation. The University of Missouri is a magnifi cent institution with over 600 stu dents. It is located at’ Columbia, the classic city. President Jesse is a Baptist, and one of Virginia’s no blest sons. Missouri is full of denominational colleges. The Baptists lead, I be lieve, with eleven white colleges (the negroes have one or more.) Some of them arc male* some female and others are mixed. William Jewel College, located at Liberty, is one of the best; and it has no superior in the South. James G. Clark, LL. D., is president of the faculty. There are more than 200 students in atten dance, 90 preparing for the ministry, and 20 for foreign missionary work. Our dear brother, L. B. Ely, who is known all over our Southern land, and honored and loved in Missouri more than any man in the State, has just secured from Missouri Baptists, •80,000 in cash and notes due May THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, JUNE 9. 1892 Ist, 1892, to increase the endowment of William Jewel College, and Bro ther Rockefeller gives 810,000 more, which makes the endowment now 8200,000. Most of the other colleges are of high grade and enjoy excellent pat ronage. BAPTIST PAPERS. The Central Baptist and The American Baptist are weekly papers published at St. Louis and have a wide circulation, even out of our own State. Ford’s Christian Reposi tory published also at St. Louis is a well known Baptist monthly. The W. M. S., of the State publish an ex cellent little monthly paper at Moberly, specially in the interests of their work. The Negro Baptists publish a weekly at Hannibal. The editor, Bro. McDaniel, is a genuine negro, with genuine religion and sense. His paper is doing good. orphans’ home. This institution is six years old, has about 50 orphans and accommo dations for 75. The buildings and grounds cost 825,000. It is located in St. Louis. THE MISSOURI BAPTIST SANITORIUM. This is one of our recent benevo lent enterprises located in St. Louis also. It is only about a year old, but has had a remarkable growth and has done much to relieve the suffer ing. The buildings and'furnishings are worth 860,000. Last year they treated 1,1)23, of all faiths, including some Catholics, and some of no faith. The best medical skill and trained nurses are had at nominal cost, and the treatment is free at such as are unable to pay. Religious services are held here every Sunday, and the meetings are remarkable for their spiritual power. • VACANT PULPITS. Several important churches are pastorless. Marshall, Charleston, and Cameron are among them. These churches are casting about, and they may summon more of your Georgia preachers to come away from their native land. Rev; W. S. Walker and wife have taken their place among the active and successful Christian workers of Missouri. They are pleasantly lo cated at Kirksville in northern Mis souri, 40 miles from the lowa line-. Brother Walker has pad a gdod' meeting at his church and has aided in two or more other revivals. He has bought a home in Kirksville. The other Georgia preacher is too poor to buy a home, but is fortunate enough to have one built for him by his brethren. I enjoyed my visit to Atlanta, to Decatur and Elberton exceedingly. God bless the dear old land and her beloved people! Over her hills I first saw the light, through her skies the son of righteousness beam ed with life and healing for my soul, and in the quiet church yard at Fall ing Creek my brother awaits the reserrection morn. T. C. Carleton. Slater, Mo. FROM MISSISSIPPI. -Editor Index :—Our denomina tional prospects in this State are quite cheering. We note growth in spirituality as well as in numbers. True, there are inconsistent Baptists in many of our churches, and some, perhaps, that ought to be converted. This term we use in its proper sense, not in direct reference to regenera tion. Some certainly are in error, if the Bible is to be interpreted as it says. For example, if any one is a better theater-goer, and social card player, or more given to so-called “harmless amusements,” we think they need converting. Have you any such Baptists in Georgia? But carping aside, we find much to commend. There is an advanced all along the line in offerings for Mis sions, and in building houses of wor ship; not to mention Sunday-schools and Woman’s work. In Meridian there are five white churches and five colored; making Baptist church es in a city of about 15,000 inhabi tants. Last Sunday night just be fore services the ropf of the First church was discovered to be on fire. In less than an hour the building was a wreck; the steeple down; the roof fallen in, and the furniture destroyed, together with a new organ costing 82,500.00 and just completed. Sad indeed for our people, and a loss to the community. A meeting is now in progress in the 41st Avenue church ; conducted by Elder M. T. Martin, now of your city, but a native of this State. He is being greatly blessed in his labors. Next week Elder G. W. Knight is to commence a meeting with 16th Avenue church. The Highlands aud South Side are under the pasto- ral care of Elder J. D. Cook, late of Alabama. Dr. J, W. Bozeman has been pastor of the First church for about fourteen years and is very highly esteemed; Elder J. W. Lee has charge of 41st Avenue and Elder W. J. David of 15th Avenue. All these churches are prospering and have good Sunday-schools. The colored churches are also doing well. But I m«St close. Truly, L. A. Duncan. Meridian, Miss., May 24,1892. FROM NEW YORK- STAND TRUE TO CHRIST. ' There are times w hen the Chris tian is so situated that the tempta tion is strong to falter in his alle giance to Christ. A subtle plea is made to the mind that there would be no vital harm in yielding, for a little white and to a small extent, to influences that are not favorable to Christ. But this is never safe. Many instances might be given to show that firmness in one’s loyalty ■to Christ, under the most trying cir cumstances, has proved to be of in calculable benefit, not only to the person himself, but to those who were not Christians. The story is told of a Scotchman, a very ungodly man, whose young wife was a firm Christian. When they were mar ried, she had not made a public pro fession of religion. Shortly after their marrihge she proposed to unite with the church, and this greatly angered her husband. Years after ward, when he had been coverted and was a moat devoted Christian, a friend of his, in referring to the time when this man’s wife joined the church, asked him this question: “Yoti didn’t help her, then, in her Christian life ?” His reply was: “Help her? I was doing all I could agaist it—working with all my might.” His friend then asked him this question : “Would it have help ed you if she bad given up her re ligion to please you, and had decid ed to wait until you had come to a different mind ?” Now mark the sig nificant reply : “Oh, it would have ruined me. I should have been lost.” It was her standing true to Christ that exerted such an influence upon her husband as to lead him to salva tion. What an example this is to those wives who, to please their )mg* ;-ty Busbands, refrain coming but before the world and making a profession of faith in Christ! How much better it would be for themselves, and especially for their husbands, if they would be true to Christ 1 C. H. Wetherbe. FROM TENNESSEE. THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT. Solomon wisely said: “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apotheca ry to send forth a stinking flavor : so doth a little folly him that is in rep utation for wisdom and honor.” There was a fly in Solomon's oint ment ; so of David’s and Sampson’s and Peter’s. In fact but few of the grand worthies of the Bible left no stinking flavor from the ointment of their reputation for wisdom and hon or. Such men as Joseph and Dan iel and Job and Samuel and Enoch are scarce even in the need of God’s word. Adam and Noah and Abra ham and Jacob and Moses and Aa ron and Joshua and Paul and John nearly all of them said or did some thing in life which left at least a spot on the sun. There was a “little fol ly” somewhere and somehow in their lives, which we all wish had never characterized their otherwise glo rious reputation. Some men enjoy splendid reputa tions abroad and in the public prints, who frequently discover a fly in the ointment by private contact with their fellows. Our ideals are often destroyed by a more intimate rela tionship or acquaintance with those whom we have learned to admire and almost idolize at .a distance. How terrible, sometimes, is the dis appointment! Things allowable iu some we can’t conceive of others. Not long since 1 was thrown with a minister whose piety and learning I had always revered and honored as almost perfect. In the course of a conversation he indulged in smutty jokes; and in speaking of some of his brethren in the ministry he dis played the mean and jealous spirit of criticism. My admiration was gone. I could have allowed it in many men I knew, and have thovght none the less of them ; but in the otherwise good and noble brother of whom I speak, I felt that the sin was almost unpardonable. One of the commonest flies in the ointment of reputation for piety, wisdom and honor is vanity, borne men 1 have known for a long time seemed to be devoid of selfishness, or pride; and yet something would crop out, at least, which displayed the fact that they were neutral, like myself. Nevertheless the ideal was disappointing; for in spite of our own meanness and littleness, we love to think that there is somebody above and about as w'ho is devoid of our common defects and infirmities. I watched a certain ministerial brother for a long time. He had all the intonation and demeanor of humility. He never seemed to think of self in his sermons, in his conversations, nor in his actions. He was always wise, simple, childlike, pure and apparently unselfish. On a certain occasion I found him highly elated and tickled over something he had accomplished. He indulged in “big I” to a considerable extent, though he left out “little you.” My feathers fell. There was a fly in the ointment. My lofty ideal was gone—to some extent. Os course, there is no such thing as perfection to be found in men ; but we do sometimes expect to find our ideals devoid of anything glar ingly defective. The fly in the ointment must not be a big one. The flavor of the ointment must [not stink. We do not mind pleasantry and fun in the gravest and most sanctified saint. A display of tem per and spirit under provocation does not seriously mar the loftiest character. An error of judgment, a mistake in life, accrues to the wis est and best course that man may pursue ; but it is a terrible thing to have to follow an opinion and com mendations of character with a “but” in the way. The “but” is the fly in the ointment, a thousand times inter posed in the path of reputation for wisdom, honor and purity. How frequently do we hear such remarks as the following: “Bro. S. is a fine preacher, but he has no common sense. Toor fellow he is a fool!” “Dr. T. is a splendid pastor but he does not pay his debts.” “Elder G. is a magnificent sermonizer, but he will exaggerate and lie.” Another is a fine fellow “but” the whiskey fly is in his ointment. Another still is a man of splendid accomplish ments “but” he is too fond of the ladies. I cannot tell how often we hear the “but” iu the w ay of reputa tion. A w hole volume of good is sometimes spoken, or written, “but!” Not frequently the “but” is frivo lous ;or it is the adversive conjunc tion of jealousy ;or it is the expres sion of reckless and rash criticism. Nevertheless, some people never speak of any man without the quali fication of the “but” fly in the oint ment of human reputation. Alas! in some respects it is too often true that with our greatest and best men, our noblest and loftiest ideals, we are compelled to sorrow over the fly in the ointment. Spur geon was the model pastor and preacher of the 19th century, “but” as a Baptist, he was an “open com munionist” who claimed that if he were in America he would be a “Strict Communionist.” This was the fly in Spurgeon’s ointment incon sistency! The President of the great Chicago Baptist University belongs to the Briggs’ School of the “higher critics,” if I mistake not. Talmage is sensational. Beecher was great and glorious only in the half truth development of the gospel. ‘‘Alien immersion” is the fly in the ointment of many of our distinguish ed preachers and churches. Armin janism is a fly which makes the fla vor of the ointment stink in the the ology of many of our denomination. Pride and ambition characterize the religion of many of our mighty and fashionable congregations. Ostenta tion and display mar the beauty and simplicity of our Christian religion among many of our people. Selfish ness and stinginess and laziness shrivel and bedwarf the missionary energies of our country churches. How many flies in our ointment! The truth is we have all got a fly in the ointment. If not in the nos trils of men, yet in the nostrils of Jehovah, the flavor stinketh. How sad it is to look into our own hearts and lives and see our sins and fail ures ! How’ every one of us can put a “but” after the best we can think or say of ourselves! After all, we should lie very charitable to wards ohe another. We should never interject a “but” into a broth ers reputation, unless expediency and duty demand it; and even then we should consider ourselves, lest we be tempted and fall into a like condemnation. People who inter pose the most “bute” find the most flies in other people’s ointment, usually out-stink every body else, if not under the nose of inen, yet un der the nostril# of God; and not unfrequenfly they put flies in the ointment of their brethren. God have mercy on the fly-hunter and the gnat-finder, for their name is legion. The gnat in the oitment is enough for some people. God does not trouble about gnats. Flies are as small as he recognizes; and he does not tell us to bother about them until the ointment stinks. Even then let us not forget that our own cup, in his sight and under his smell, may have stench enough to bar the gates of heaven. But few people at last, are clear-sighted enough to pull out motes out of their brother’s eye. Geo. A. Lofton. A CONTRAST. BY REV. C. E. W. DOBBS, D. D. A legal gentleman, who has given considerable study to Christian evi dences, says he has no doubt of the authenticity of the books of the New Testament. He thinks the proof is overwhelming that these were writ ten by those' whose names they bear, and that they were composed in the first century of our era. He further cheerfully admits that these writers were honest men, striving to present only what they believed to be true concerning Jesus and his doctrine. So far our friend has no difficulty in yielding his hearty assent to the argument usually advanced by Christian defenders of the integrity and credibility of the New Testa ment. He finds trouble, however, in the fact that the canon does not in clude some other books. He says: “There were other books written about the time of the introduction of Christianity not in entire harmony with those included in the New Testament and which for that reason were rejected from the canon. Are they not of equal credibility with the canonical writings?” So candid and polite an inquiry deserves an answer in like spirit. Certainly there were many books written immediately after the apos tolic century, some of which were ex cellent in purpose and matter. There is no evidence of any writings prior to the second century, except those included in the New Testament canon. That is, no such writings are now' extant. Possibly the so-called “Barnabas” and “Clement” may be long to the first century, though the consensus of scholarly opinion as signs to them a ''later date. The early Christians who fixed the canon had good reasons for including in it only the books of the New Testa ment as we now have it. Fortunately we have preserved to us the books, ref erred to by our es teemed legal friend. They are known as the “New Testament Apocrypha.” The wisdom which denied them a place in the sacred volume is evident when we compare them with the apostolic writings. There is a mark ed contrast between the latter and the Apocrypha. There were eight writers of the New Testament, viz.: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude. There were also eight writers now known as the “Apostolic Fathers,” authors of those other writings referred to. They were Barnabas, Hermas, Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Papias, Justin Martyr and Dionysius the Areopa gite. Without deciding any ques tions as to the authenticity of the writings ascribed to these “Fathers,” we may compare the two series of compositions. The “Fathers” named were emi nent leaders of the church, trained in Christian truth by the Apostles. Some of them were in culture and in tellect probably the equals of any of the New Testament authors. But the contrast between their writings and those of the Apostles is as be tween light and darkness; between the twilight of tradition and the noonday of history. The difference cannot be explained on natural prin ciples. Papias and Hermas ought to have known the facts of Christianity just as well as Mark and Luke, for they each had them second hand from the personal disciples of our Lord. But how utterly unworthy are their wild and puerile imagina tions compared with the calm and Vigorous gospel of the New Testa ment. In passing from the former into the latter we instinctively feel the change in the spiritual atmos phere. The same may be said of the writ ings of those commonly known as the “Christian Fathers,” such as Ire neus, Origen, Tertullian, Cyprian, Ambrose, and Chrysostom. These men were familiar with Christi anity—some of them from infancy, and all for long years. They were men of intellectual power, vigorous wrgers, and devoted their lives to the study and defence of Christiani- ty. Judging from a human point of view they ought to have gone even beyond the Apostles in the clearness of their doctrinal teachings. But no lover of pure Christianity appeals to them for authoritive truth. They give but too painful evidences of their fallibility as gospel interpreters in the puerilities and superstitions abounding in their pages. There is, indeed, a great gulf between them and the inspired teachers. The ade quate explanation of this gulf is found in the precious promise our Lord gave his disciples: “When he, the spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all truth.” Inspira tion gave the Apostolic writings their unapproachable pre-eminence. Here, then, our friend can find a satisfactory answer to his inquiry. No writing was admitted into the canon of the New Testament with out great caution and only after most rigid investigation. Thus Au gustine says: “Our canonical books, which are highest authority among us, has been settled with great care.” The New Testament w’ritings have successfully passed through the se verest unfriendly criticism, and stand to-day confessedly the honest testi mony of the immediate followers oi our divine Teacher. Cartersville, Ga. THE MEETING AT QUITMAN. We have been most graciously blessed. Our pastor had arranged with the bishop at Milledgeville to aid him. A prayer service had been carried oh for a part of the proceeding week, and on Third Sunday in May regu lar services began. Rev. J. D. Chap man arrived on Monday following and began a series of sermons and lectures of unusual force and clear ness. His preaching attracted the attention of our people, and the church was well filled toward the close of the first. week, the sitting capacity of the house was unsuf. ficient. During these services the people were deeply impressed with the gos pel, and an air of solemn, serious thoughtfulness pervaded o|ir town. The style of the services W’as entirely free from demonstration and all ef fort to create unusual feeling. We relied upon tw r o grounds of success, the gospel and j the Holy Ghost. Very soon Christians were happy and sinners became interested and anxious—thS blessing was upon >, us. ' Sunday-school students came in classes to the Savior. It was diffi cult to tell which exceeded—tears of penitence or tears of joy. Thirty-three additions, four by let ter, twenty-nine by baptism, promi nent among these were one of our successful merchants, the principal of the Academy and the editor of the Quitman Sun—these are gentlemen of fine moral character. Some of the most promising young men and ladies, boys and girls came out and enlisted under the banner of Jeho vah. Bto. Chapman greatly endeared himself to the Church and communi ty, all regretted his leaving. Our beloved pastor—God bless the man—may Quitman never loose him, that’s all. J. G. McCall. SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION POSTPONED. That a conflict of meetings may be avoided, it is thought best to put the meeting of the Sunday-school Convention of the Sarepta Associa tion off until Tuesday and Wednes day of August the second and third. This time follows the Fifth Sunday in July and will not conflict with an nual meetings. Let the change be remembered and on the second and third of August let us fill Athens with the ardent Sunday-school work ers. J. G. Gibson, President Convention. I ! ' WOHTH A GUINEA A BOX" 1 A'. ROLLING ' \*> St. Helens, 1 ' \ X. ’x England, h*> Km VX 1110 scat °*'' * great bus- 1 ; . -*>*• iness. BEECHAM’S D|| | O are made there. They rILLa are a apecific for all l ' Nerve ua and Mil*;; lona Dlaordera arming from Weak stomach. Impaired DlKeation.nia ordered Liver and all Female !i Allmenta. THEY ARE COVERED WITH A TASTELESS AND SOLUBLE COATINS. ' Os all druegiata. Price 2K cent. a box. i New York Depot. ,«< Canal St. swvwwvvwwvvvvwwavvMw.n CONSUMPTION.' I ban a poaitln nmady for tba abon dlaeaaai by ha uae tboueanda of cun. of the worat kind and of long «tandin< hare iieen enrwd. Indeed ao atron, la my faith in ita effloaey. that I will .end two aorrLia rata, with a VALUABLE TREATISE on thia diwan to wy™ forar who will tend ma their Expreaa and 1-. O. addraoa, T. A. siocaui. #l. C., 183 Pearl Bt.. N. T.| CARDS