Newspaper Page Text
4
WChristianlndex
Published Every Thursday, Cor. Ivy
St. and fcdgewood Ave.
J. C MCMICHAEL.
As we go io press Bro. J. C
McMichael, Tor four years editor
and proprietor of the Index, is
lying at the point of death, at his
home, 225 Forest Avenue. All
hojM's of his recovery are now
lost and his death may occur at
any time. This will be sad news
to his thousands of friends
throughout Georgia and other
States
THE TIME OF THE JUDGES; THE
STORY OF RUTH.
No intelligent reader can fail
to discover a peculiar beauty in
the story of Ruth. Were it only
a work of fiction or a sketch of
some ancient secular biography,
it would still be interesting as
illustrating some of lite noblest
sentiments and affections of our
nature in the person of one who
was raised amidst the follies and
superstitions of heathenism.
But it b 'comes doubly inter
esting to us when we discover
that the lowly maiden who tip
pears as the heroine of t he story,
wtis destined to be one of the an
cestors of our great Redeemer.
The time of the story was
within the time of the Judges.
Whether it was the work of the
same writer that wrote the book
of Judges, we do not know; but
he must have been contempory
with David, or later: for the book
was evidently designed to show
that David was decended from
Boaz and Ruth. This we learn
from its closing verses. This
brief genealogy lifts the book
out of the category of fict ion,
and impresses upon it the.stamp
of veritable history.
Ruth was a heathen maiden.
She bad not known the God of
Israel till she became acquainted
with Naomi and her sons, one of
whom became her husband.
Under the influence of this new
association she became an ear
nest convert to the religion of
Israel.
Na irn’ must have been a good
mother-in-law, for both her
daughters in law loved her de
votedly. But she must have
been also an earnestly pious wo
man. True, we must not judge
her by the light that we enjoy.
The "great commission " of tin'
gospel had not been given in her
day. She did not go to Moab as
■a missionary. And yet, such
was tile inti lence of her example
and her charac er, that through
div.ne grace she completely won
the heart of Ruth, not only to
herself, but also to the God
whom she worshiped.
After some years of comfort
spent in the land of Moab, it
came io pass that the Lord laid
his hand heavily upon Naomi.
Birst her husband, then her two
sons were taken away, and she
was left a stranger turning a
heathen people, without a hus
band and without a child, save
only her daughters in law. Her
case was indeed one of great
sorrow. Her mind naturally re
verie 1 to her own people, and
soon she made up her mind to
return to her native country, for
she was still tt daughter of Is
rael.
Bu’ what should she do with
her loving daughters? Should
she lake them away Ironi their
own country, their own kindred,
and from the graves of their
fathers, and from the Gods,
which for ought she knew, they
still honored and worshiped'?
These were the questions which
Naomi had to answer. W e need
not ask how a Christian woman
of the nineteenth century, placed
in similar circumstances, should
answer these questions. But
what should Naomi, with the
dim light of revelation that she
had. ;.nd with all tin 1 uncertain
tes of her own future before her,
what should she have answered?
Well, the record tells us what
she did decide to do. Let us
then notice her action and we
shall be better able to judge its
wisdom. Notice tirst, both her
daughters loved her and started
to follow her. She did not at
once forbid them. Perhaps she
thought they would escort her
only a little way on her journey.
What could have been more nat
ural'? Bat when they had passed
fairly out from the place of their
abode, and were about to enter
the public high-way, Naomi
thought it was time to subject
these devoted women to another
test. She could not know in ad
vance what would be the recep
tion given, even by her own
friends in Bethlehem, to two
young and handsome heathen wo
men. Would they not be ostra
cised from all social advantages'?
And if so, Naomi foiesaw that
in all probability their future
life might be a life of slavery
and of degradation.
Impressed frith such thoughts
Naomi called a halt. She spoke
to her daughters, words of kind
ness and of love. She grateful
ly acknowledged their faithful
ness “to the dead - ’ (meaning her
sons) and to herself. But with
a generous unselfishness she ad
vised them to return to their
country, their kindred and their
gods. She reminded them that
she could do nothing more for
them,—she had no other sons to
replace those that had died. No
doubt her advice was given iq
good faith, deeming it the best
that she could give. Or pah ac
cepted it, and at once gave her
mother-in-law a loving farewell
kiss and returned to her own
people and to her gods.
But Ruth stood still. Naomi
supposed shi' was considering
what to do. So she said to Ruth:
“See, thy sister hath gone back
unto her people and unto her
gods, return thou after thy sis
ter.” Brom this speech it is
clear that Naomi thought that
Ruth was still a heathen in sen
timent and in feeling, and that it
would beat least unsafe for her
to attempt to identify herself
with strangers who held the
most exclusive faith ever known
on this earth. But Ruth's reply
came like a revelation to her
mind. Mark her words:
“Entreat me not to leave thee,
or to return from following after
thee: for whither thou goest I
will go; and where thou lodgest
1 will lodge: thy people shall be
my people, and thy God my God:
where thou dies! will I die, and
there will 1 be buried; God do so
to mt-, and more also if ought but
death part thee ami me."
There is eloquence ill these
words that no human speech
ever surpassed. No wonder Na
omi was silenced. She then dis
covered that Ruth, though a
heathen by blood, had become
by faith a child of Abraham and
an Israelite indeed. Naomi took
her to her bosom as she had
never done before; and together
they went on their way to Beth
lehem. There her surviving
friends gave to Naomi a cordial
welcome. It was natural that
she should give to them in very
strong terms the story of her
sufferings. She had gone out
“full," for her husband and her
sons were with her. But she
had come back “empty," for she
was a widow and childless; yet
wo see evidences of her faith in
God even in her words of bitter
lamenttit ion.
In the great drama of human
redemption, the book of Ruth is
certainly entitled to its place.
In harmony with perhaps one or
two other eases, it reveals an in
teresting fact, (fur blessed Sav
ior, though descended from
Abraham, was also of gentle
blood. Thus In* could appropri
ately call himself the Son OF
Man, not of a single lineage,
but of the entire human race.
The moral of the story is found
chiefly in the words of Ruth.
How completely did she give up
her kindred and her gods, that
she might follow Naomi and wor
ship with her the only living and
true God! So let us follow her
sublime example.
The Moody Meeting.
Enough money has been made
up to build a comodious taber
nacle for the Moody services.
The contract has been let out
and we understand the work has
been begun and that it will be
pushed as rapidly as possible.
It is to hoped that the coming of
Mr. Moody will prove a great
blessing to the Christians of At
lanta, but more especially to
those who are not saved. It is
very fortunate for Atlanta, that
at t his t ime of her great t rial and
temptation, on account of the in
flux of gamblers, fakirs and
frauds of all kind, these meet
ings are to be held. Much will
depend on the deportment of the
people of God. It is not enough
that we simply get Mr. Moody
here. We must pray that the
Holy Spirit will accompany him
in his visit here. We must all
prepare to work for the salva
tion of souls. It will not do for
us to await his coming in a spir
it of curiosity. We must become
spiritually hungry. We must be
“savingly anxious." It would
be well for every Christian in
Atlanta to begin to pray for the
salvation of some particular per
son. That the meetingswill be
popular and the building crowd
ed is an assured thing. Mr
Moody never fails to attract
a crowd. He is thoroughly in
earnest about leading men and
women to Jesus. Let us meet
him in this work and by hearty,
prayerful co-operation cause
showers of blessings to fall upon
our beloved city. If the great Ex
position, resulting in the
bringing of Mr. Moody to At
lanta, shall become the means of
leading a host of sinners to god,
it will prove a benediction for
all ages to come. May God
grant it. A. C. W.
There are two forms of delight
which pertain to every blessing
of the Lord in this -life—the
“Pleasures of Hope” and the
“Pleasures of Memory.” The
two together make a sweeter
poem of Christian experience
than ever Rogers or Campbell
wrote combined, by how sure
and easy a process, they render
the whole life a psalm, “ making
melody in the heart to the Lord. ”
Dr. 0. F. Gregory has been se
lected to represent Maryland on
the committee of brethren who
are considering the matter of the
Southern B. Y. P. Union.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 181)5.
The fraud lately detected by
the custom house officials in the
case of a woman smuggling lace
in her Bible is very suggestive.
She evidently thought that the
officials would pay no attention
to the much neglected book of
books. Tim fraud was easily de
tected, as is nearly every fraud,
dressed in a religious garb.
Counterfeit religion, like coun
terfeit money, has a worthless
stamp upon it. The official, no
doubt, found just what he ex
pected to find in the Bible. All
will agree that the lace found
was not a part of the Bible, how
ever. It was put there for fraud
ulent, unholy, and unlawful pur
poses, ami like many false doc
trines which wolves in sheep
clothing have interprolated into
the teachings of Christ and the
apostles can readily be detected
by the careful reader.
•w.
Four letters in one mail were
received during last week, each
one speaking kind words of
praise for the Index. One wri
ter declares that the Index is
the best of all the papers he re
ceives and that he does not see
how he could possibly do with
out a single issue. We are glad
to feel t hat our efforts areappre
ciated. We are not satisfied with
the present high standard of the
Index and are determined to do
all in our power to make it the
best Baptist publication in the
Southern States. We invite co
operation on the part of every
church, pastor and baptist, and
will gladly publish any item of
news suitable for our columns.
-w-
Many a man loses himself be
cause he has lost his wife. Only
in such cases is the wife indeed
“lost” by th«' husband, since
he loses both her life and her
death, two things which, in
their design, are the two hands
of Mercy that work together in
binding him to God. He who
loses both must surely and sorely
answer for it.
THE ONLY REMEDY OF OUR SO
CIAL EVILS.
The spirit that prompted Cain to say,
‘‘Am I my brother’s keeper?", is the
spirit of Antichrist. It is the spirit
that is ever saying, “ Let every man
take care of himself.” This spirit insti
gates all injustice, oppression and ern
elty. It is behind all man's inhumanity
to man. It arrays neighbor against
neighbor, class against class, commn
nity against community and nation
against nation This spirit dominates
the age in which we live. It threatens
this great nation with the crisis of the
centuries. It is hastening us to such a
social upheaval as the world has
never seen. The voices of its millions
of victims are calling to heaven as the
voice of the murdered Abel cried tor
vengenace upon Cain.
We speak the words of truth and so
berness when we say. that the
power which propels the wheels of our
present civilization is not love, but
ipwl. In politics and commerce there
is a premium on shrewdness and de
eeption. Unswerving honesty and true
Christian generosity are sneered at as
virtues too sublimated and etherial to
be practiced by creatures who wear
earth about them, and who have to
grapple with such prosaic ip'stions as
"What shall lent, what shall I drink,
and where with all shall 1 be clothed?”
A civilization that is based solely
upon self interest, and that magnifies
and rewards men who succeed by their
superior cunning, has no power within
itself to secure justice. There is noth
ing that needs saving so much as a civ
ilization that is guided by no great eth
ical principle, an 1 that marches on
without any regard for God and his
righteousness. The country that boasts
of such a civilization is on the high
road to anarchy, nihilism and barba
rism.
Civilization is not a cause but an ef
fect It is the product of human char
acter. It expresses the good and evil in
the hearts of the people who support it.
Any government is just what the ptoph
make it. If a State or municipal gov
eminent legalizes or tolerates such an
iniquity as a bull-tight, or a gambling
house, or a bar room, or an indecent
theatrical exhibition, it is because the
people are depraved enough to desire it
If Arkansas is the only State in the
Union that will allow two such ruffians
as Corbett and Fitzsimmons to invade
it, and engage in a prize tight, it is be
cause the governor and his subordinates
believe that the people of their State are
more degraded than the people of any
other section of our country.
The fountain of any civilization is in
the character of the people. If the
civilization is corrupt it is because cor
ruption reigns in the hearts of the peo
pie. This being true, civilization can
be cleansed only by cleansing the peo
ple.
The passage of more stringent laws
will not stop the abominations to which
we have referred. As long as the peo
ple do not rebel against the “living
pictures " and the "high-kickers, re
morseless traders in tilth will continue
to put them upon our theatrical boards.
As long as the people are not shocked
by the unblushing indecency of lewed
women in our public places of amuse
ment. they will continue their vile ex
hibitions.' As long as the people make
no protest against obscene illustrated
newspapers, they will be sold on our
streets and in our book stores. We have
laws against these abominations. Why
are they not enforced ? Because the
moral sentiment of the people is too
weak to demand it- If the civil author
ities of Atlanta could feel the pressure
of a strong virtuous public sentiment,
the army of theatrical harlots now
within her gates, and the conscienceless
men who manage them, would not de
part unwhipped of justice.
As long as the people have but little
moral sensibility, and a feeble appre
ciation of the distinctions which God
makes between right and wrong, there
will be class legislation, despotic mo
nopolies, political rings, bribery and
ballot-box stuffing. A righteous
civilization can be secured and main
tained only by a people who love and
practice righteousness. We are like
those foolish Galatians, whom Paul de
scribes as “ bewitched " by false teach
ers. The politicians have made us be
lieve that the cure for all our social
troubles is in better civil legislation.
Each of them has his pet economic the
ory, and tells us that if we will help
him to get it transmitted into legisla-
tion it will put an end to our social dis
cords and disturbances. He may be
sincere, but his theory is absurd. Eco
nomic legislation deals only with things
that are external to man’s being. That
does not touch the radical cause of our
condition. We need something that
will reach the hearts and transform the
characters of our people.
The State does not make the people,
but the people make the State. The
State is the product and expression of
their thought and faith when the peo
pie are personally honest the State is
honest. When they love justice the
State will be just.
When they abhor oppression, oppres
sive legislation will disappear from our
statute books. When they are right
eous enough to demand it. every
righteous law in our civil code will be
faithfully administered.
Good laws cannot be rigidly and 'im
partially executed among a corrupt
people. Alford the Great incorporated
the Ten Commandments and the Gold
en Huie in the English Constitution,but
they have been openly violated by every
administration of the English govern
ment from King Alfred to Queen Vit
toria. A great writer on sociology
says : Laws written on tables of stone,
and printed in statute books, are but
the playthings of politicians, if they are
not written in the hearts of the people.
Laws cannot make men unselfish.
Police righteousness is not divine
righteousness. The State cannot estab
lish justice and righteousness on the
earth. But justice and righteousness
must establish the State. Except the
State be born again it cannot see the
kingdom of God.”
What then is our home ? How can
society be redeemed ? How can our
civilization be transfer.ned ? How can
the State be so reconstruct' d as to turn
ish adequate protection to its subjects,
and to all of their legitimate interests ?
Our answer to each of these questions
is. By substituting for the law of self
interest, which now dominates our
social life, the law of love of self sacri
lice tin' law which Christ illustrated
when he became poor that we through
his poverty might be rich the law
which makes each man his brother's
keeper, and requires ns to bear one
another's burdens. J. B. H.
We clip the following from a recent
issue of "The Two Republics' of Mexi
co: Rev. R. .1. Willingham, D. D.. of
Richmond. Va., who is the correspond
ing secretary of the Southern Baptist
convention, and the Rev. W. D. Powell
of Toluca were accorded an intervii w
with the presiilent of tho republic, < Jen.
Portirio Diaz, yesterday afternoon. They
were accompanied by the Hon. Matt
W. Ransom. United States minister to
this government, and the audience was
an enjoyable one from every standpoint
The object of the meeting was for the
purpose of ascertaining a matter of the
utmost importance to all unineorpora
ted associations. Dr. Willingham, act
ing under instructions from the conven
tion, had come to Mexico fully empow
ered to have all the church property in
I he country deeded to the native congre
gations, thereby giving them absolute
liberty in the matter and affording them
the opportunity of selecting Mexican
pastors if they so desired But the chief
executive informed them that the only
legal manner of effecting the transac
tion would beforone individual to hold
the property in each casein trust for the
foreign mission board, adding, further
more, that asa means of greater security
the individuals holding properties un
der such condition?be made to
give mortgages on the same to at least
four members of the board.
After conversing on other topics, the
interview was brought to a close. Rev.
Mr. Willingham leaves this morning
for Toluca and Guadalajara'
The Texas Baptist Star comes to us
with something new in the way of a
Baptist paper. Its third page contains
ati advertisement in which appears a
large two column cut of a horse racing
scene. The horses are straining every
nerve and the jockeys are laying on the
lash while the grand stand can be plain
ly seen in which are crowded the peo
pie betting on their favorite horse. The
horse racing is advertised to come off
during the Texas State Fair in this
month. We have been trying to see
the eternal fitness of things in the ad
vertisement. but some how we fail to
do so. How a Baptist paper a paper
claiming to be the exponent of Baptist
faith can permit such an ad to appear
in its columns is a mystery. We had
been led to believe that the "Baptist"
was on the side of morality and the Bi
ble. but from the efforts it puts forth to
advertise a horse race we begin to think
we have made a mistake.
As we notice the name of brother J.
B. Cranflll, I). D.. among the special
contributors we ask him foranexplana
nation.
FIELD NOTES.
We expect to be at the Hephzibah As
sociation next week.also the New Eben
ezer.
The Lord willing, we expect to visit
the New Sunberry Association. Be
ready for us brethren.
Dear brother Webster, we can't get
to the Baptist Union: we are sorry.
Your postal card received.
Dear brot her J. C. McMichael con
tinues very ill. May the Lord spare
him to us. Pray for him brethren.
Brother J. L. Thompson, pastor of
the Clayton Street church. Montgom
ery, Ala., is doing a great work for the
Baptists of that city.
The Clayton Street church Montgom
ery. Ala . has two promising missions.
Brother Thompson is an indefatigable
worker, a tine organizer and a splendid
preacher.
We had made our arrangments to go
to the Baptist Middle Association last
week, but on reaching Macon from the
Houston, we found that we could not
reach the Baptist Middle until the after
noon of the second day. We are sorry
THE HOUSTON' ASSOCIATION.
This association met in its sixty-fifth
anniversary with the church at Una
dilla on the Ga. S. & Fla. R. R.. Octo
ber 9. 1895.
After devotional exercises the intro
ductory sermon was preached by broth
er J. M. Champion, from Ephesians 5:
25. Theme. Christ's love for the
churches. The sermon was a warm,
tender-hearted one.
Afternoon.—-The body met for or
ganization Brother J. J. Hyman, of
Arabi, read a part of the 103rd Psalm.
Doctor J. B. Gambrell led in the open
ing prayer. The letters were read and
the roll’of messengers perfected.
J. J. Hyman and S. P. Odum, were
re-elected" moderator and clerk.
Mars Hill, a new church, was received
into the Union. Inaha church from
the Little River Association was also
received. Brethren J. G. Gibson and
R. H. Smith came in on Wednesday
afternoon. A visitor preached by
special request Wednesday night.
After the sermon brother J. G. Gibson
presented the claims of missions. Many
important questions were asked and
answered to the apparent satisfac
tion of all present, throwing much
light on the work of boards. This is
right, we think. Thursday a. m.
brother J, B. Gambrell gave the body
a fine speech on Mercer and general
education. The claims of the Orphans
Home was presented and a collection
was taken, and the churches were urged
to lift regular contributions for the
home. At 11 a. in. brother J. B. Gam
brell preached a great sermon from
Luke 2:14: " Glory to God in the high
est and on earth peace good will
toward men. " The sermon made a pro
found impression on the vast throng
who heard it. Brother B. J. W. Gra
ham pastored the association in royal
style. This association is growing in
numbers and strength. The saints of
Unadilla gave the body a hearty wel
come and a splendid entertainmet.
Brethren H. N. McLendon and W. H.
Norton were on hand representing their
books and did good work. There were
several visiting ministers and brethren
from other associations who were
heartily welcomed. The association
goes to Vienna next year. We were the
happy guest of brother and sister J. W.
Sanders who showed us every kindness.
Sister Sanders has a golrious husband
and he a wonderful wife. We left
Thursday evening.
THE ROSWELL ASSOCIATION.
This is a small body composed of only
twelve churches, and lies just north of
Atlanta, in Fulton and Dekalb conn
ties. It met in its ninth session last
Saturday with the Providence church.
Brother T. T Twitty, the pastor of the
church, preached the opening sermon
by proxy. The general verdict of the
brethren was that it was a good one.
In the afternoon the association met for
organization After reading the letters
and the enrollment of delegates, brother
W J Wooten, of Norcross, was elected
moderator, and brother Tinney Evans,
clerk. The writer urged the claims of
the Christian Index. Brother Mell
ton. of Atlanta, represented the A. B.
P. Society. We presented the cause of
the orphans, and the brethren promised
to lift a collection on the Sabbath, as
then' was but a small crowd out on Sat
urday What a pity that any associa
tion should put a Sunday right in the
middle of the meeting. It cuts off pas
tors and visiting ministers in a large
measure There were but few of the
pastors of the Roswell out on Saturday;
only one or two. The entertainment of
the brethren was ample and kindly
served. We were the guest of brother
William Aiken for a night. Brother
Tinney Evans showed ns much kind
ness, for which wo are grateful. We
left on Saturdry evening, after helping
the brethren in arranging some work
for the Sabbath.
James F. Edens.
The South and the Sabbath.
The Philadelphia Evening Telegraph
says:
"One thing may frankly and truth
fully bo said., in no part of this conn
try to-day is the old fashioned Ameri
can Sunday a day of secession from
secular labor, respectful quiet, and
worship for all who are so inclined so
generally observed as in the South
This fact is noted with extreme gratifi
cation by Northern visitors, already un
happily familiar with current practices
throughout this section, and the West
particularly. There is to be no un
seemly and costly contest over opening
the Atlanta Exposition on the first
day of the week. There was a feeble
effort in this direction, but it has been
speedily disposed of. and in a charac
teristic way. by the directors, which
unanimously voted to postpone all con
sideration of the subject This course
is taken in deference to local public
sentiment and in accordance with fun
damental American principles. Atlan
ta is a very busy city six days in the
week. It is forging ahead in every ele
ment of material prosperity: but. on
Saturday night it lays aside the tools of
labor and refrains from unnecessary
trespass upon the rights of those who
toil. In this respect the New South
sets a healthful and inspiring example
to the reckless cities of the Wist, which
have almost abolished the American
Sunday.
This is the sober truth. It has come
to pass that if one would find a thor
oughly representative Ameriern com
munity where our language is spoken
by all, where our customs are faithfully
perpetuated, and where a wholesome
and pronounced national sentiment lies
at the bottom of men s thoughts and in
spires all their purposes and actions
one must go South. There he will en
counter a people who look, speak.think,
and feel like the men who wrested this
country first from the untutored sava
ges and afterward from the tyranny of
princes. There stands the stronghold
of conservatism, the happy medium be
tween tyranny and anarchy, the stout,
unyielding spirit of enlightened Repub
licanism.
There was no noise of wrangling
over Sabbath observance at the Atlan
ta Exposition because the men of the
South do not seriously disagree upon
such issues. Public sentiment in that
part of the country respects, honors,
and upholds the “ day of rest." There
is no ostentation of piety, no canting
protestation of superior holiness. The
people simply follow in the footsteps of
their fathers and recognize the Sabbath
as a thing of course. They are hust
ling. earnest, brave hearted folks in At
lanta. They believe in progress and
prosperity. But they give one day to
decent soberness concede to each one
at least the opportuninty of worship
and stand unanimously for the day re
ligion and morality have set apart.
Along with energy, liberality, intelli
gence, courage, and patriotism, they
put the American Sabbath on their pro
gram. and there it stands. —Washing-
ton Post.
ATLANTA BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Pastor Ward held usual services at
the Sixth.
F. M. Haygood preached at the Car
rie Steel Home.
Dr. A. T. Spalding presided, Rev. A
C. Ward led the prayer.
W. H. H. Dorsey preached at An’
tioch, South Atlanta. Received 3 by
letter.
Pastor Winchester preached morning
and evening to large congregations.
Prospects bright and encouraging.
Dr. McDonald preached twice to large
crowds At the close of the morning
service the ordinance of the Lords sup
per was observed.
Dr. Hawthorne preached to a full
house both morning and night. At
night he preached to the National Far
mers Congress.
Bro. Argabrite. West End. preached
morning and night to large congrega
tions. at both services. Preached at
3:30 at Fort McPherson to a good con
gregation.
Bro. Donaldson, of the Fifth, reports
good congregations and interesting ser
vices. The Pastor's Aid Society held a
“Prayer and Praise" service in the af
ternoon which was largely attended and
specially helpful.
Bro. K. W. Cawthcn preached, morn
ing and evening, at the Inman I ark
Baptist church. There was an unnsu
ally large attendance, at the morning
service and a fair aggregation, at the
evening service.
Dr. Shaver heard, at'night, a sermon
by Rev J. 15. Robbins, D. D., at the
First Methodist church, in which that
divine said that he had never thought
about the meaning of the word "Hapti
zo" for five minutes in all his life, and
never would: because to his mind, it
makes no difference.
Capital Avenue.— Morning service
conducted by Rev. B W. Collier, of
Decatur, aided by Rev. Dr. S. G. Hilly
er. The sermon by Bro. Collier was an
exceedingly precious one The evening
service by the Pastor. The presence of
Dr. Hillyer was a great pleasure to our
people.
Brother H. Hatcher was at an asso
ciation in South Carolina and preached
in the morning to a large crowd near
Pickens Court House. He is greatly en
couraged in his work and the business of
the American Baptist Publication So
ciety never prospered more than at
present.
The then and Now ot Infidelity.
BY J. H. SPENCER, D. D,
The man who has been a thoughtful,
observant church member even fifty
years, cannot fail to note great changes
in the religious features of a half cen
tury. When the time is doubled,
the alterations are more marked.
Whether these changes have been for
the better, or for the worse, in the ag
gregate. will not be argued here. But
the intelligent Christian will not fail tn
observe some changes that are to be de
plored. and some reformations to be at
tempted.
There is less open opposition to Chris
tianity now than there was a hundred
years ago. At that time there were
some potent influences that developed a
widespread and daring infidelity.
France had aided the American colo
nies in throwing off the British yoke,
and was the darling of the young Re
public. The French Revolution had
confirmed France in the liold atheism
of Voltair. some of her infidel writers
had visited the country and their intin
once over our grateful people was all
powerful. "Infidel clubs.” said Dr.
Win. Vaughan who was himself, for a
time, a member of one of these bias
pheming societies, "were organized in
many of the cities and villages. The
impression prevailed that only the igno
rant and superstitious believed in Chris
tianity, and multitudes of young men,
who aspired to be regarded cultivated,
joined the infidel clubs.”
An equally potent, and more extend
ed. influence was exerted on the popu
lace by Tom Paine, a renegade Quaker.
He was an Englishman, of moderate
ability and little education. But he
had. just before the American Revolu
tion. written a pamphlet, titled "Com
mon Sense. " advocating a declaiation
of independence. This made him a
pet with the patriotic masses, and when
lie afterwards wrote his ‘ Age of Rea
son." a course, vulgar attack on the
Bible, they received it as an oracle "It
was published in cheap form, said Dr.
Vaughan, "and circulated, especially
in the West, far more extensively than
the Bible. It was read publicly in the
infidel clubs, and was found in the of
fices of doctors ami lawyers, the shops
of mechanics, the business places of
tradesmen, ami even in the cabins of the
hunters.” "Towards the close of the
[lßth| century." says Dr. John M.
Peck, "fully half of the men, and they
the most wealthy, cultured and influ
ential classes, were- either confirmed
skeptics, or avowed disbelievers in
Christianity."
Such was the opposition our godly
fathers had to meet a hundred years
ago. It was formidable enough. But
it was by no means the most dangerous
type of infidelity, to vital Christianity.
It was an open, honorable enemy, and
boldly displayed its own colors. We
knew where to find it. and soon learned
how to meet it When God made bare
his mighty arm in the great general re
vival of 1861 - 3. the power of the pre
vailing infidelity, though not utterly
destroyed, was broken beyond recov
ery. and what of it remained has since
been comparatively impotent. But it is
to be feared that there is an equal
amount of unbelief, and of a far more
dangerous type, now. It has only lost
its rugged honesty, and clad itself in
sheep's clothing. Then it came from
France, with open defiance even
Paine's Age of Reason was written in
Paris. Now it comes from Germany,
and, with Jesuitical stealth, creeps into
our religious schools, our churches and
our pulpits, where it has become a spy
and a secret seducer in the camp, in
stead of an open, honorable enemy on
the field. Formerly we could guard our
children against it. ami save them from
its deadly influence: now it has become
their accredited teacher, and ours.
Tom Paine, with his open assaults on
the Bible, exercises a far less pernicious
influence on the young who were warn
ed against him. than does the Sunday
school teacher who returns from the
ball room or race track on Saturday
evening, and assumes to teach our chil
dren God's holy oracles on Sunday
morning The one was an honest infi
del in theory: the other is a hypocritical
or grossly blinded infidel in practice.
Bob Ingersoll, with his open blasphemy
from the secular platform, does immeas
urably less harm to the cause of Chris
tianity than does the self-styled higher
critic, who labors to bring the word of
God into disrepute from the sacred desk
and the religious press. The former
shocks the religious sensibilities even
of the unconverted, and repels all who
have been taught a decent respect for
the Creator. But the latter professes
love and reverence for Jesus Christ, and
usually affects superior sanctity, as
well as wisdom, while artfully endeav
oring to crucify the Son of God afresh,
and put him to open shame, by impeach
ing his veracity, and denying the infal
libility of his word. It was not Peter
who denied his Lord openly with an
oath, but Judas who said: “Hail Mas
ter. " and kissed him. that betrayed him
unto death. Now, as then. Jesus re
ceives his deepest wounds in the house
of his friends. It is the softly-breathed
but deadly vapor, respired' from the
lungs of the church, that blights the
tender plants in Eden, more than the
fierce tornadoes that sweep over the
world s evil desert.
It is not the infidelity without, but the
want of firm, unquestioning belief of
the doctrines of the Bible within the
churches, that is rotting them at the
core. We are more aggressive abroad
than were our fathers. We "carry the
war into Africa," This is commenda
ble. But our forts and ersenals are
weakly guarded, and our armies are un
disciplined. We need a reconstruction
and a reformation at the base of opera
tions. The avenues of approach are un
guarded, the sentinels sleep at their
poets, and the enemies gain access to
our -aiks: and even wtei we detect
them, we have not courage to expel
them. Our churches contain not a few
infidels to our most vital principles, and
a greater number, to pure Christian
morals. Dr. F. rejects the atonement
of Christ: Dr. G. repudiates the doc
trine of eternal punishment, and Dr. H
denies the plenary inspiration of the
Bible. These, with their followers, ad
vocate the same old theories that did
Voltair. Paine and their disciples, and
are none the less infidels because they
are in the churches. The most sacred
altar cannot sanctify swine. The lat
ter names of men represent the "Then"
of infidelity, the former, the
The infidelity to Christian morals in the
churches is’ additional, and is not less
pernicious.
The delay of manly courage, that
Christian grace so strongly emphasized
in the New Testament, makes resist
ance to current types of infidelity more
difficult. The increase of wealth and
luxury has made us more ease-loving
and effeminate. We shrink from con
flict and contention, and are no longer
able, or, at least, willing, to contend
earnestly for the faith. A popular
writer of fiction writes that to be agree
able one shtuld have no fixt opinion
on any subject, and we are adopting his
philosophy. The great mass of Bap
tists cherish in their hearts the old or
thodox and strictly scriptural doctrines
of their fathers. But they lack courage
to persistently resist the innovations
that restless and ambitions aspirants
are making. We are unwilling to bear
the hardness of being regarded narrow,
sectarian, bigoted, antiquated and non
progessive. Meanwhile, infidelity to
Christ, his truth ami his churches, in
its varied modern forms, is increasing
and growing more aggressive and defi
ant. while we are becoming less capa
ble of resisting.
To the earnest thoughtful Christian,
the outlook from a human standpoint,
is discouraging, not as to the acquisi
tion of numbers. but as to preserving
the purity, integrity and spirituality < f
Christ's churches. Yet there is one
remedy, to which we may look with
hope. ' When the infidelity of a hundred
years ago had grown strong and defi
ant. and confidently boasted that it
would destroy Christianity within an
other generation. God sent, with the
dawn of the nineteenth century, a re
vival that broke its power forever. Oh!
that be may send a similar revival with,
or before, the opening of the twentieth
century, tnat may extend over the con
tinent. and continue till it consumes the
infidelity in the churches
The welcome given to Pastor
Wray is described by the follow
ing in the Milledgeville Record
er: “Rev, John A. Wray, the
new pastor of the Baptist church,
and his family consisting of a
wife and child,arrived in the city
last Tuesday. They were met at
the depot by Capt. C. W. Ennis
and Hon. R. N. Lamar,on behalf
of the church, and escorted to
the parsonage. Mr. Wray preach
ed his tirst sermon Sunday morn
ing and made a very favorable
impression on a large congrega
tion. On Sunday night the Meth
odist and Presbyterian churches
were closed to give their pastors
and congregations an opportuni
ty to unite with their Baptist
brethren in extending to the the
able young divine a hearty wel
come to our city. The church on
this occasion was crowded to its
utmost capacity by our citizers
of all denominations. Music was
the subject selected by the
preacher for his discourse ‘ ‘They
sang an hymn." His hearers
were charmed by his utterances,
and yielded themselves to the
sweet influences inspired by the
tender and uplifting sentiments
so beautifully expressed and
went home charmed with the new
preacher.
Dear Index. We have just
closed a two week’s meeting, in
which the Lord has been with us
and that to bless us abundantly.
For eight days we were assis
ted by Dr. W. A. Nelson, of Ma
con, and during the past week
by Rev. Culpepper, of Jones
boro, and Rev. Wash Oliver of
this place. Twenty-three souls
have been added to our number,
nineteen of whom it has been my
privilege to bury with Christ in
baptism. The visit of Dr. Nel
son, and dear sister Nelson, her
self an earnest and successful
worker for the Master, has been
a blessing incalculably great, not
only to our church but to the en
tire community. The other
churches were closed, and our
commodious house of worship,
was crowded every night from
pulpit to vestibule, by men and
women attracted by the simple
methods, and plain and practical
preaching of this gifted and con
secrated evangelist.
His bible readings, every af
ternoon, were intensely interest
ing, and full of instruction. His
coming infused, into us new life,
and many of our members, who
never knew before what it was
to do personal work, actually
found themselves, in a few’ days,
soul-wmners, -with courage to
ace the most stubborn sinner,
and point him to Christ, Bro.
Cui pepper remained with us
.nee days, and then returned to
Jonesboro to sell his home and
make arrangements to move to
a con Bro. Wash Oliver, whose
t^ P a^ a f Onas an ev angelist ex
xvrib* fa +-n a remained
tr ti ni i e 1111 la st night, preaching
i rge crowds assem
bled to hear him, with an ear
ths t l , e5 ’ S ’'i, ? po-wer
that leached the hearts of many,
ers av e b een praying for “show
of hi£? leS ® lng ’” and “showers
“ThnnV in u We h ave rece ived,
causml S + tO G° d ’ v 'ho always
causeth us to triumph in Christ.
W F fraternally.
Ban, eS vme E^ EREYCLEAR '
Oct. 7th. 1895.
sacendorpfts patent sectional
o tee/ Ceilings and
Side Wall Finish