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4 The Christian Index, Published Every Thursday, Cor. Ivy St. and Edgewood Ave. GOING TO HIM FOR ANOTHER- Coing to see Christ in behalf of others. You find this principal abundantly illustrated in reading the story of His wonderful life. | Surdiy then it was a great privilege, j and has lost nothing in the course j of the intervening years. Just now, because of a letter re- I ceived from an honored friend, we are desirous of a favorable intro- ; duction and approach to the chief 1 executive of our State, and are ear nestly considering how to bring to I his attention in the most effective way the interests of another. Will he hear one when speaking for hitnself? Will he hear one when i speaking for another? Can one get his consideration and favor in behalf another? These are grave questions when concerning purely temporal matters and earthly magis- I trates, but infinitely more grave when carried into the higher sphere and asked concerning spiri tual and eternal interests. To lay the case and cause of another be- : fore God for his favor and pardon —this overshadows all else and is | incomparable in its tremendous moment. Yes, you may go to see Christ in | behalf of another. Let that be written down to his honor and to our joy. This is a great fact in the economy of grace. And as a principle in the provisions of re demption is clearly set forth in the word of God, and was put fre quently to the test when Jesus was here as God manifested in the flesh. I 'Many came to him then, not for themselves only, but to plead an others cause and cure —sometimes bringing the subject of their peti tion,and sometimes agaiifleaving the subject behind. Not an instance is on record of the failure of their mission. One could come for him self or for another, and Jesus was accessible, his ear was ever open and his heart full. We need to hold this fast, lest we let it slip or some one take it from us. We remember hearing a sermon when a hoy, from a preacher of an other denomination, whose whole purpose was to show that there was ‘no use praying for sinners,” and that “sinners need not pray for themselves.” It seemed to the boyish mind and heart to be a strange, cold, cruel doctrine—but little short of horrible. Older years and more experience and ac quaintance with things, all confirm and deepens the feelings of the boy. Such teaching is at variance with everything in the life of Christ, crosses every utterance of God’s word concerning his being a pray er hearing and prayer-answering God, does violence to every feeling awakened in the heart by the spirit of God, and is discordant with every noble and lofty impulse of the soul as well as with the dictate® of common sense. One may go to God for himself, and like the publican in the tem ple, pray: “God be merciful to me, the sinner!”—get his answer and go down to his house justified- Or burdened with the interests of another one may go, as Paul went an behalf of his brethren, and pray for his salvation. This is a part of God’s wondrous plan of grace, and is the first instinct of the heart either when under conviction for sin, or when born of the Spirit. God inclines the heart to pray, and lends his ear to hear. Going in behalf of another we must recognize his need; make specific mention of his case, call ing his very name if the heart so desires, making his need our need> his woe our woe, and so forcing in to our pleading all the fullness of our own souls. There are times when a prayer may be, perhaps should be broad and comprehensive—and times also when the prayer should be limited, restricted in its scope and specific. As ■when a pastor in his study bur dens his petitions with the one thought of his own church—to the exclusions of all general work, all missionary operations, indeed to the exclusion of his own family. As when the Sunday-school teacher, excluding all [other objects, prays only for her class, as when a father centers his petitions upon his own little group; as when a mother, ’eaving unmentioned the other flldren, limits[her prayer and cries ghtily to God for the one child who has broken away or who for any reason needs special blessing. In going to him in behalf of oth ers we need to go in faith with a profound sense of the fullness that is his, as to his wondrous power to help and save. A sense of our own need coupled with a sense of his sufficiency, will move the soul mightily and is sure to get his ear. It never failed when he was here and he [is the same at the right hand of God as when in the home circle at Bethany, or hearing the pleading of those who come to him then for afflicted homes. It was then a familiar cry, “O Lord have mercy upon me! My child! My child!”, and never went un nounced, Did not then, will not now. GOING TO ANOTHER FOR HIM- Going to see another in Christ’s behalf—this is possible and opens a great door for usefulness and for serving him. This may be done in person, or by letter, or by message, or by kindly bearing and helpful conduct. Many instances are on record how, during his earthly life one went to another in behalf of him. Os the first five disciples to come to him, according to John’s account, were reached and won, by anoth ers commending Christ to them- The woman whom he met at the well filled the streets of her city with his wondrous name and gra cious word. Indeed this is his chosen method of reaching people, and for building his kingdom—in troduced when he was here and held in operation until now. And this is the basis of a Christian ac tivity and all preaching of the gos pel whether at home or abroad. But at present we have in mind and wish especially to emphasize the specific going of one to anoth er in behalf of Christ—hand to hand work with others in his be half. Here you stand “in Christ’s stead” and come to speak for him, commending him to another. This, while a great privilege and honor, is also full of responsibility, and lays a great charge upon our hearts. We may shrink from if but we cannot rid ourselves of it. In being a disciple of Christ, sim ply inibecoming a Christian, we put ourselves —rather Christ puts us out in the world, to stand in his stead and be his representative. Let no sense of unworthiness break the force of this solemn obligation. Beware lest Satan take your modesty and timidity, things good and honorable, and turn them against you, so crippling your in' fluence and marring your religious joy and dishonoring Christ. There may be those who will never know of Christ in the fulness of his saw ing power, unless you go to them for him. And not to go involves issues which you may not like to face in after life, or in the dying hour, or at the judgment bar of God. In going to see another in behalf of Christ, we must be sure to’carry the thought of Christ—his thought concerning God, concerning sin, concerning himself as Saviour, con cerning the Holy Spirit, concern ing the present life and the future life. Never man thought as this man, save those only who have thought his thoughts after him. We must carry also his great pur purpose of turning men unto the Lord, of persuading men to be re conciled. We must go in his spirit —with his earnestness and tender ness, with every impulse of his own loving heart finding a fresh beat in our hearts. His words must find expression in our,words. As when pleading with Christ for the sin ner, we make the sinners case our case, so when pleading with the sinner for Christ we need to make Christ’s cause our cause—so in his stead we go in all the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of God. To do this we must needs main tain our unbroken fellowship and communion with him. He must be our teacher if we are to be teachers of him. His disciples are letters written by him “not with ink, but with the spirit of the liv ing God ; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy’ tables of the heart.’ They are written that men may’ read—and men do read them and form their opinions of Christ far more than from reading the Bible. We are set for the setting forth of Christ—and so for com mending him to men, for turning men to him as their Saviour and salvation. This is indeed a great work. None are worthy of it. Angels THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15.1894. would rejoice in it. It is allowed, indeed it is committed to those who are Christs. Men rescued by redeeming grace and brought into glorious union with the Lord Jesus, may stand with holy, joyous bold ness where angels do not [venture at all. He is before the world and in the world, “in Christ’s stead,” to stand for Christ’s glory and to do Christ’s work. This is your privilege ; this is your responsibili ty ; this is your exceeding great re ward. Set your heart on it, O reader, as the one great purpose of your life, that you may “by all means save some.” THE NEW BIRTH At the close of our editorial, week before last, we alluded briefly to the new birth ; but it deserves a more extended notice. “The new birth, according to Dr. Dagg, “de notes a great moral change of which God is the author, and whose manifestation is found in love to God and obedience to His com mandments.” The necessity for this change is due to the depravity of human nature. It is needless to discuss the ex tent of man’s depravity. Some have said that man is totally de praved. Others deny this proposi tion. We may leave the question to be settled by the metaphysicians ; it is enough, for our present pur pose, to know, as already shown, man’s proclivity to moral evil is so intense, that he inevitably becomes a transgressor and a sinner, as soon as he reaches the age of moral ac countability. Hence he is said to be “dead in tresspasses and in sins.’ This is depravity enough to make the new birth a necessity. With this view of man’s condition, we can understand the meaning of Christ’s words to Nicodemus. Nicodemus did not seek an inter view with Jesus to learn the way of salvation ; he thought he knew that well enough. He was a Phari see, and we have reason to believe that he was one of the better sort. He therefore felt assured that he was all right with God. But he was deeply impressed with the Saviour’s wonderful works. He knew that no man could “do such works unless God were with him.” Thus impressed, he proba bly hoped that Jesus was, sure enough, the long promised Mes siah , and that he would soon re store the kingdom to Israel. Jesus s knowing the secrets of men’s hearts, perceived at once his mis conception of what Messiah’s king dom should be, and also his igno rance of the way of salvation- This hypothesis explains the Savi or’s seemingly abrupt reply. He did not allude to His miracles, or even to Himself, just then ; but, with a directness of speech, characteristic of all His teachings, He struck Nicodemus right on the point where he most needed infor mation. “Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” The word “again” might well be, according to the Greek, ‘‘from above,” and this would yield a good sense. Very probably the Savior intended the word to be taken in this sense. But certainly Nicodemus did not so understand it. He understood as our transla* tors have give it, —“again.” He also took the word “born” literally. This is shown by his reply. “How can a man be born when he is old, etc.? His words betray an ut ter ignorance of spiritual things. The Savior, however, tries to en lighten him: “Except a man be born of water and of spirit, (there is no “the” in the Greek) he con not enter into the Kingdom of God.” The leading terms in this sen tence are all metaphorical; viz.: “born,’’“water,” “spirit” and “king dom.” (See Dr. Dagg’s interpre tation.) That born and kingdom, are metaphorical, we suppose all writers admit. But many take water in its literal sense, and under stand it to mean the water of bap tism. But Dr. Dagg clearly proves that there is not the slightest allu sion to baptism. The interpreta tion of Dr. Dagg may be thus briefly stated. Let “born,” metaphorical ly, mean a coming into “a new condition of life;” let “ water mean, metaphorically, a divine in fluence exerted through the word of God ; let spirit mean, metaphor ically, a divine influence exerted by the direct agency of the Holy Ghost; and let kingdom, metaphor ically, mean the spiritual domain over which God reigns. Then the text may be reduced to a literal statement thus: Except a man experience a change of heart effected by a di vine influence exerted through the word of God, and a divine influ ence exerted by the agency of the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into that spiritual domain over which God reigns. And thi a means that he cannot be saved. We have not space to verify, at length, this interpretation. It must suffice to say, that it brings the several clauses of the sentence into perfect harmony with each other. And, it brings the whole text into harmony with all the Scriptures which describes the child of God—the true Christian. No other interpretation, yet given, can do so much. Again, it avoids the doctrine of baptismal regener ation, and thus destroys the agree ment for sacramental grace, and pedobaptism. But it does more. It reveals the fact that God takes the initiative step in every man’s religious ex perience. The sinner is spirit ually dead. When Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, the dead man had no knowledge of His presence. When Jesus called with a loved voice “Lazarus come forth” it was not the call that waked the corpse into life; but it was the divine in fluence or power of which the call was only the vehicle, or if you please the sign. Again, when he stood upon the boat, while the storm was raging on the sea of Galilee, and said to the winds and the waves, “peace be still” it was not the words that calmed the howling winds and settled the roll ing billows ; but it was the force of His omnipotent will. So, when one who is dead in trespasses and in sins, hears the gospel, it is not the spoken word that quickens him into spiritual life ; but it is the divine influence of which the word is only the vehicle. A Paul may plant, an Apollos may water, but only God can give the increase. This accords with what James says : “Os His own will begat He us, by the word of truth.” And John says, “who,” referring to be lievers, “ are born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” Such a one is said to be “renewed in the spirit of his mind,” to have passed from death to life,” to be “a new creature” etc. We have said enough to show, that the sinner must be born again, or from above ; that is, he must ex perience a change of heart, so thor ough, thajit may be compared to a “coming into a new condition of life ;” that is, to a “new birth’’ before he can enter into “the king dom of God”—which must mean in this text, a state of salvation. We have seen also, that God him self is the author of this great change by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit, through the instru mentality of divine truth. Now the question arises : Does God accomplish this change in all men? If so, then all would be saved. But Jesus teaches clearly that this will not be- Many thous ands will be sent away into end less punishment. Then, only a part of mankind experience the new birth, and thus attain to salva tion. Now, who shall be of that happy number? This question brings us face to face with the doctrine of election. We did hope to consider this doctrine in the present issue, and so intimated last week ; but upon reflection it seemed proper to con sider, more fully, the necessity of the new birth, and its place in the process of one’s salvation before passing on to the subject just mentioned. But we are now pre pared for it, and hope next week to give our views in full of God’s electing grace. Editor W. T. Steed of the Eng lish Review of Reviews, declares that the Hon. W. E. Gladstone will soon retire from public life. Mr. Steed thinks he will take the step before April. There are many things for him to think of in tak ing this step and hence he cannot act in a day. It is suggested that Sir William Harcourt will be his immediate successor. Liquor seems to be making pro gress in Baltimore, as the liquor men in that city are reported to have united in an effort to induce the legislature to pass a bill author izing the saloons to be kept open on the Sabbath, except between the hours of 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. Mr. Gladstone is reported to have said to a British temperance depu tation, that the government will introduce a bill providing for the compulsory confinement of con firmed inebriates in a curative asy lum. In studying the l-’st Sunday school lesson we traced the devel opment of the revelation of God’s plan of salvation to men. It is evident that men do not find out by study—God’s plan—as by the study of natural truth—but we get such information direct from God. It is interesting to follow this development, from the dis closure made in his first promise to Eve—that the seed of the women should bruise the serpents head ; the second promise to Shem ; the third to Abraham ; the fourth to the descendants of Judah ; then to David, and lastly Isaiah announces that salvation is not to come through a family, but through a single person—the “suffering serv ant” of Jehovah. Then we see the direct connection Adam, Abra ham—Christ. In the three covenants given to man for his government, which stand out in the old economy, three divine names are used. These are: Elohim, El Shaddai and Jehovah or Jahveh. “Elohim is the God who so made nature that it exists, and so preserves it that con sists. El Shaddai is the God who so constrains nature that it does his will, and so subdues it that it bows to and subserves grace. Jahveh is the God who carries out the pur poses of grace in the midst of na ture, and at last puts a new crea tion of grace in place of nature.” The Atlanta Journal now evinces evidences of the greatest success and prosperity. The company have put in new type setting machines, purchased a bran new outfit, which gives the neatest ap pearance of any afternoon paper we see. The Journal is conducted with great ability, both in the busi ness department and in its editor ial conduct. The daily issue is now larger, we believe, than any paper in the State,and in its present acceptable make up, we doubt not but its list will rapidly increase as times improve. We regretted to see last Thurs day from the press dispatches, the announcement of the failure of The Godey Publishing House. When but a youth we were enter tained by the beautiful pictures in Godey’s Lady’s Book. But recently this magazine was greatly improv ed and the past few issues had no superior. We trust the embarrass ment will soon be overcome and the publishers be permitted to re sume their splendid work. The evils that come of prize fights are being more realized. The Witness of Montreal says : “All crimes sum themselves up and con sort together at the prize ring.” The mayor of Brooklyn refuses permits to athlectic clubs to give sporting exhibitions, “because they are demoralizing to the youth of the city.” WAYSIDE JOTTINGS. The First Baptist church of Montgomery has gone about the work of disciplining the members in away quite heroic. The cases of more than one hundred mem bers has been under investigation. Quite a number have ben excluded, while many others have been brought to penitence and restora tion. Neglect or refusal to aid in the support of the church has been the basis of the charge against many. * * ♦ Over one hundred cases under investigation at one time! This must certainly be an accumulation. That church has surely been neg lecting its duty for sometime. We say church instead of pastor. For it is unreasonable to lay the weight of blame solely on the pastor. Any burden grows heavier through being deferred. It brings a church to a great strain to go back through the months and years to gather up duties long neglected. The work of discipline is difficult enough when met with promptness. We think there is scarcely room for boasting that a church deals with or excludes a large number at once. It should rather be to the shame of the church that they have exercis ed so little care in receiving mem bers, and that they have thrown so little care about the weak and way ward to prevent them from fall ing. * * ♦ Dealing with members for fail ing to aid in the support of the church! Why not? Is it not a duty? Is it not the duty of one as much as of another? If one has liberty to refuse, then have not all the same? Some of our churches insist strenuously that the members shall attend the conference or busi ness meetings of the church, but in comparison with this, helping in the support of the church is an in significant matter altogether. Such churches become greatly exercised over a slight indiscretion of some youthful member, but tolerate the drunkard if he has some social standing, and never think of say ing a word to or about the man who is bterally being eaten up of his gross covetousness. Let a Bap tist stray into some other fold and join in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Lie will very soon be taught what is what. Let him persevere year after year in rob bing the Lord’s treasury, and no account is taken of it. “Woe un to you, scribes and pharisees, hypo crits! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” ♦ * * The fundamental idea of church discipline should not be to lap oft dead limbs. It should have more especial reference to taking the new members and training and develop ing them into strength and useful ness. The discipline aimed at in the young people’s movement is the right thing. About this there can be no question. The point is as to the best means for attaining this all-important end. If we bap tise our converts and leave their training to the world and to mere chance we may expect that they will get into crooked paths. * * • It is somewhat depressing to contemplate the deficiency of the treasury of the Foreign Mission Board. But over against this may be set the very gratifying fact that a large number of persons are applying for appointment to the foreign fields. We say that this is gratifying on the ground that if God is moving upon the hearts of men and women to give themsel ves we may very soon expect to see the manifestations of his Spirit in prompting others to make liberal offering of their means. Do we not need to exercise a bold faith in this matter? It is when we attempt great things for God that we have most reason to look for his approv ing smile and sustaining grace. What a joy it would be if we might send twenty-five new mis sionaries into China this year, and a proportionate number into other fields. ♦ * * Brother Bernard has displayed great boldness, not to say temerity, in his proposition to get rid of worthless deacons. We are glad our good brother deacon from Mad ison has taken position beside him, and recounts some good work al ready done. Now we hope these two may gain strength to put a thousand to flight. We are sorry if any preacher justifies himself along any line by charging his dea cons with unfaithfulness. A pas tor needs to be faithful in all things, and one very important duty is that he shall make plain the duty and responsibility of deacons. He is unfaithful when he tries to do their work himself. It is too often the case that the more a pastor works, the less the deacons and members are inclined to do. * * * Why should a deacon be kept in office when he is utterly inefficient and inactive. There is no scripture for it, there is no good sense in it. The sooner we devise some plan to get rid of such, the better it will be for us. The plan of electing deacons for a definite term of years has much to commend it. We are gladsome churches have made suc cessful trial of it. We should be be glad to hear report of other like instances. Home Board. The Institute held for the colored Baptist preachers and deactms in Macon, Ga., by Rev. J. M. Brittain, D. D., was one of the most success ful yet held by the Theological In structor. This was true both as re gards the number in attendance and the interest shown by those who manifested such eagerness to secure the instruction imparted. There were thirty-one ministers and sixteen deacons present. Perhaps one reason for the splen did attendance and the pleasing in terest exhibited was the fact that our pastors in Macon hold weekly institutes in the basement of the First Baptist church for the colored Baptist preachers of the city and vi cinity. The work would be easier and much more successful if this course was pursued everywhere. Rev. G. B. Taylor and his co-labor ers are greatly aiding the work by their helpful cooperation. FOREIGN MISSION ROOMS. Richmond, Va., Feb. 7, 1894. Dear Brethren: The demands upon your Board of Foreign Missions for re inforcements in some of our fields are so great that we feel it our duty to lay the matter before you. Out of a large number of applicants to go to foreign fields, the Board has closely examined many and decide that ten, at least, are worthy, and if possible should be sent out this Fall. Some others are already under appointment, waiting to go. These men and women are among our very best, consecrated and anxious to start on the work to which they feel God has called them. The Board, after waiting, praying and carefully considering the matter, has passed the following: “In as much as the committee on new missions and missionaries has re ported ten applicants worthy of ap pointment and as our fields in China, Japan, and Africa, greatly need re-in forcement, therefore, Resolved Ist, That we instruct the Corresponding Secretary to present this matter to the associations, churches and individuals as far as practicable, and see if they can be induced to make such an increase in their regular contributions as will authorize the Board to send out this Fall these who are ready and ap proved. 2nd, That brother R. T. Bryan be re quested to take part in pushing this forward movement, and also Dr. R. H. Graves, when he arrives in this coun try.” Now in presenting this great work to you, we feel that God’s hand is leading us to go forward. The fields are white, the laborers few. We have prayed God to send others. They stand before us saying, “Here am I, send me!” The whole question then is; What will we, God’s people, do? Our plan is this. We wisli individu als, churches and associations who will make an advance in their regular con tributions to notify the Secretary of the Board, so that we may have some defi nite idea of what our people are willing to do. For example, if a church has been giving for Foreign Missions ten dollars and will raise it regularly to twenty, or fifty dollars and will raise it to a hundred, or one hundred, and will raise it to one hundred and fifty or more, then send us word. So also with an individual or missionary society or association. Many of our business men could easily give an additional fifty or one hundred annually. The same is true of many associations, composed of churches which are financially weak. Those who desire to go, are from differ ent States. Maryland to Texas. Your State can easily increase her contribu tions sufficiently to send one or two. Every State has churches and individu als who could alone do this. The work is God-given. If we honor our Father, He will honor us. Resolve at once that you and your church wid act, and never stop until the notice is given us, and the money is sent, and the missionary is on the field giving the gospel to the dying souls for whom Christ died. Then you cannot stop, you will have a work in which you will rejoice more and more. Who will be the first to respond? What individual or church? Fraternally, R. J. WILUnOHAM. Corresponding Secretary. P. S. A list of those responding to this appeal will be published in the Journal from time to time, unless we are requested not to do so. Dr. Price’s Cream Baking Powder World's Fair Highest Award. State Board. A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR BUN DAY-SOHOOL WORK- For many years it has been my usual custom, about this season of the year, to send to my brethren and fellow-workers, some words of exhortation and encour agement concerning the Sunday-school work in our State. I sincerely hope that the words that I now write will com mand the serious and thoughtful atten tion of all who read them. 1. Let us all determine that we will do more work and better work in this de partment of the Master’s service this year than ever before. 2. The time is approaching, if not at hand, when those schools that were so unfortunate as to suspend during the winter, should be reorganized. Let pas tors and superintendents call attention to the matter and resume work as soon as possible. 3. The schools that have continued during the winter, many of them no doubt, with much difficulty, should now put on new life and put forth new strength. Let pastor’s, superintendents and teachers devise such plans and methods as will secure to the schools more interest and greater profit. Not long since I heard the superintendent of the school at LaGrange, brother C. C. Cox, say, just before dismissal, “I de sire our school to be more interesting and* attractive.” He then appointed several members of the school to pre pare and present, on the following Sab bath, very short essays or addresses on subjects connected with the lesson. A Superintendent should never be satisfied unless his school is increasing in num bers and growing in power. Above all, he should labor earnestly for spiritual growth and prosperity. 4. Where there is no school, and has not been for some time, I most affection ately beg pastors and members to prayer fully consider the causes of such omis sion, and at once set about removing them and organize a school at the earli est practicable time. Pastors should re member that, as a general rule, the churches will look to them to give direc tions and wait for them to take the initi ative steps in every enterprise. The re sponsibility of failure, therefore, rests largely upon them, until they have done their part in this respect. 5. 1 take pleasure in saying that I have made arrangements to furnish needy schools with an ample supply of litera ture. If any school, not able to buy its own literature, will apply to me, 1 will send all they need. lam determined that no church or community in Geor gia shall lack a Sunday-school because of its poverty. 6. To the officers of Associational Sunday-school Conventions I must say, begin soon to make your arrangements for your annual meetings. Presidents of the Conventions should bear in mind that a great responsibility rests upon them, since nothing will be done with out their leadership. All will await their action. I will attend as many as possible, but please notify me, at least a month or six weeks before the time of meeting. 7. I desire to hold as many Sunday school Institutes this year as possible, and will try to secure all the available help to make them interesting and profit able. If proper arrangements are made and sufficient time given to them, it is impossible to overestimate their value. Write me if you want one. If brethren think my services would be of value in any portion of the State, and will notify me and arrange the ap pointments forme, I will come when not elsewhere engaged. I will be glad to hear from brethren all over the State in regard to the work, and will take pleas ure in helping by voice or pen. I have quite a number of excellent papers for children that will be sent to any party who will pay the postage on them. 9. Let us try to make all our Sunday schools missionary in spirit and practice. We should inform our children of our mission work and get them interested in its prosecution. At brother Gibson’s request, I will soon send out an appeal in behalf of the State Board. I hope every school will respond. 10. Let us never forget the grand aims of our Sunday-school work,—“To bring souls to Christ and to build up souls in Christ.” To do this requires much prayer and much work. Let us give them devoutly and perseveringly. Affectionately yours, T. C. Boykin, S. S. Evangelist. Decatur, Ga., Feb. 7, 1894. HOW SURPRISING. What is so surprising? First, that I can’t get the minutes of the following[named Associations. Appalachee, Baptist Union, Bethel, Bowen, Cave Springs, Centennial,Clarks ville, Concord,Coosa, Daniels, Ebenezer, Fairburn, Flint River, Friendship, Har mony, Hebron, Mallory, Little River, Mt. Vernon, New Ebenezer, New Union, No onday, Roswell,Smyrna,Stone Mountain, Bethlehem, Central Western, Chestatee, Ellijay, Hightower, Jasper, Lawrence ville, Mulberry, New Hope, Second Georgia, South Western, and South Riv er. Here are thirty-seven Associations whose minutes I greatly need. I can’t get valuable [statistics .without them. I must have them can’t get along without them. Have times grown so hard that I can’t even collect minutes of our Asso ciations? If so then our hungry mis-