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ESTABLISHED 1 j.l. Pubtiihed K very Thursday 5 By BELL VAN Address Chhistian Index, Atlanta, Ga Orraa es the Baptist Denomination in Georgia. Subscription Paicn: On# copy, one year On# oopy, six months *• Obituarikh.-One hundred word * J*"®® “I eharge. For each extra word, one cent per ’ , W“ U not us# abbrevl •Uon#; be extra careful In wrKlngproper uames; write with ink. on one side of paper. Do not write copy Intended for the editor and business items on same sheet. Leaxe Off personalities, condense. Business-Write all names, and post offices distinctly. In ordering git , e the old as well as the new address. The date of label Indicates the time your subscription •xplres. If you do not wish it continued, or der It stopped a week before. W e consider each subscriber permanent until he orders his paper discontinued. When you order it ■toDDed dhv up to date. Bbmit4a*nckh by registered letter, money order, postal note. Forthe Inpex. The Great Specific! BY REV. E. B. TEAGUE. • Among ordained instrumental ities, Abraham needed righteous ness. He believed Cod, and it was counted to him for right eousness. Believed, though he could not see how the promise was to be fulfilled, simply be cause God said so. Many asked on the day of Pentecost, “What shall we do?” The comprehen sive answer was given, repent and obey the gospel. The jailor said, What shall I do to be sav ed? And he was told, believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shall be saved! Many such specific answers are given in scripture— to be found to meet every case, if we knew where to look for them. But that lam about to mention may be styled the great specific. “Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.” This covers every case of want. If we pray lor the sick, we may not at all be able to see how prayer may avail; but the resources of Almighty love are infinite. We have just nothing to do with the how. It may interpose to prompt the raising of the head of the sick at a critical moment on which life is suspended: may in duce the physician to administer a stimulant; may move an ex posed person to take a street where the atmosphere is less charged with the virus in an epidemic; in a thousand other ways unknown to us; ways, in deed, inconceivable. So of ev erything affecting our physical well being. No business ought to be undertaking without first prayerfully seeking divine sug gestion and guidance. Prayer ought to pervade everything we do. The inbreathing of the Holy- Spirit is just as indispensable to the highest spiritual vitality as inhaling the oxygen of the air to the highest physical vitality. The habit of prayer, through all the days and the hours, is what we need. Special occasions, times set apart for special pray er, are wise and well; but this very custom may easily degen erate into mechanical prayer. Nothhing is more common than the desecration of prayer. Min isters are called on for prayer on every occasion; sometimes to fill up a niche until the manager of the business on hand can think what to do. A minute in prayer, the Sunday school man will say. The child drops on her knees a moment in going to bed persuad ed that she has prayed when she has only said her prayers. But however these things may be, the universal resource in trouble or anxiety is to pray; to take it out in talking to God. ho that has tried it has not at least found comfort in the act? Men ought always to pray and wt to faint. Let the object sought be clung to, in submission to the divine will, through months and years. Delay to answer may strengthen faith; the boon may come alto gether in another form than that we propose, but it is certain. My friend has a wayward boy, whom neither precept nor ex ample seems to restain. He asks me what to do. I answer pray; pray without ceasing; pray while life lasts. Eternity, if not time, may reveal, will reveal, results. He who learns in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving to make his re quests known unto God will find the peace of God that passeth all understanding to keep his heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Almost every other privilege may be cut off or abridged, but that of prayer. This, neither op pression, nor persecution, nor prison walls, nor bodily pain, nor violence of any kind can pre vent or restrain. Let us turn over our own wants; the wants and woes of human kind; of a world lying in sin and ruin, unto the hearer of prayer. We may THE CHRISTIAN INDEX. faint in looking around on the ■ devastation of sin when we for -get to pray, but not when lifting £ ip holy hands in prayer for all t- len. For the Index. The Presence of Jesus. BY J. S. BATCH WILL. “Lo, I am with you alway. (Literally. All the days) even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20. These are the parting words of the blessed Christ and they are significant words. The little word “Lo” or “behold” is designed to invite our attention to that which follows as being wonderful. So let us study care fully the historical setting and significance of Christ's farewell words. They were spoken some where in Galilee. It was a defi nite spot as is indicated by the Greek article but we have no means of knowing the precise place since the Bible gives us no clue to it, and it is idle to conjec ture. As to why Jesus preferred to meet his disciples for the last time in Galilee rather than in Je rusalem or elsewhere was, per haps, because he had more fol lowers in Galilee than anywhere else. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:6 that at one time Christ appeared or “was seen of above five hundred brethren, ’ and it is probable that it was this same Galilee meeting when Jesus reassured his disci ples of his perpetual presence that so many were assembled to gether At least there is noth ing in the record that forbids us taking this view. Perhaps an other reason why Jesus selected Galilee as the final meeting place was on account of its remoteness from Jerusalem; here they were not likely to be disturbed by the teachers, priests and elders of Jerusalem. The J udeans were not on very good terms with the Galileans from political considerations and of course were not likely to ob trude themselves on a Galilean assembly. So here in Galilee of the Gentiles —or Upper Galilee as it is sometimes called in con tradistinction from Lower Gali lee—the scene of the beginning and of most of his public minis try as recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke is also the scene of his last appearance and public utterance which was a guarantee of his presence with them unto the end of the world. Some of the disciples greatly needt d the presence of Christ be cause of the disconsolate and disturbed condition of their hearts. They were very much agitated at the thought of him leaving them even before his cru cifixion, and when he was actual ly crucified they were stricken with sadness and despair. So great was it that his resurrection and first appearance did not dis pel the gloom that hung like a pall over the hearts of some of them. And when he appeared for the last time after his resurrection, some of his disciples were still in doubt, and all, no doubt, were sorrowful that he was going, no more to be seen until his second coming without sin unto salva tion. Hence he would dislodge their doubts and comfort their hearts by tie promise of his spiritual presence, ere he went back to the Father. Truly the spirit of the Lord, God was upon him “to bind up the broken-hearted and to com fort all that mourn/’ Isa. 61:1. Our great high priest is “touch ed with the feeling of our infirm ities” for he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet with out sin.” The beauty of it all is he thoroughly understands and knows precisely how to han dle or what remedy to apply to each individual case in order to relieve the disorder. Are you in sorrow or in doubt, or do you feel that the world has turned its back upon you. ? Then if you are a child of God remem ber that Jesus said “Lo, I am with you.” The recognition of his pres ence acts like a charm in driving away the clouds of gloom from the sorrow-stricken heart. Another reason why Christ guaranteed his presence unto his disciples tvas because of the many difficult! 3S connected with their mission. They had been commissioned by their Lord to go and disciple all nations. A world-wide commission accom panied with multitudinous diffi culties. It meant that Ihey had to confront a world of wicked ness and fight, as good soldiers of Christ, the fight of faith. In such a contest they would have to pass through many dangers and indescribable sufferings and, without the strengthening, com sorting and guiding presence of God, they could not successfully execute their mission for “with out me” says Christ “ye can do nothing.” This is as true to-day I SUBSCRIPTION, Pm 52.00. I Ito ministers. t 00. i ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1896. as it was in the days of the Apos ties. The missionary who goes to China or Africa to-day meets to a considerable extent the same difficulties and dangers that con fronted the Apostles. Indeed the obstacles connect ed with the work of the Lord in our own beloved land are of such magnitude that were it not for the promise of his presence we would be forced to yield the bat tie to our enemies. But thanks be unto God, he has promised to be our stay and that forever more. “I will be with you al way” (or all the days of sorrow and suffering, prosperity and ad versity) even unto the end.” During the Savior's earthly min istry he could not be with his disciples at all times; especially after his resurrection he appear ed unto them at different inter vals thus teaching them that he could not be with them in body always but, ere he goes back to glory he w ould have them know that his spirit should be contin ually present. How comforting the thought that nothing of an external nature can deprive us of the companionship of Jesus. When John Bunyan was locked up in Bedford jail no one w’as permitted to visit him except his little blind daughter This gave him a great deal of comfort, but at the close of the day the turn key would come and ordf r her out, to the regret of both father and daughter. However there was one in that prison w T hom the jailor could neither order out nor lock out and in his presence poor Bunyan delighted and with him sweetly communed. Even death itself is not able to separate us from his blessed presence. Horn. 8:38, Psa. 139:- 7-12. Since God has so graciously promised to be with us through evil as well as good report, why should we falter and complain at his providences and so grieve our best friend and constant com panion? Lord, teach us the im portant lesson that thou art a very present help at all times and thine shall be the glory for ever and ever. Campbellsburg, Ky. Mercer Notes. The Faculty of Mercer are deeply interested in the forward movement now' on. They have agreed as a body, lo give SI,OOO of the proposed SIOO,OOO on con dition that the sum is raised. Macon w'ill give largely, I feel sure on the same condition. And I feel sure also in my heart, that the sum will be raised. “ For the first time in forty years we have a perfectly fair sweep at the State. Think of this: Emory College has SBO,OOO more endowment than Mercer and has $23,000 to lend to students, and we have nothing to lend. The State Uni versity has more than four times as much endowment as Mercer, and $50,000 in a loan fund. The Methodists are adding every year to their endowment. The Baptists must go forward or go to the rear. It is the judgment of every thoughtful brother,that the most imperative thing before Georgia Baptists is to put Mer cer in a condition to meet the reasonable demands of the times in which we live. This is in no sense a local matter. Macon has done most of the giving to Mercer for twenty odd years; but the State must now take up the w r ork be cause it is a State interest and not a Macon interest. The Bap tist who lives in Georgia, and withholds his help for -any rea son is not doing his duty, and must be told so. Mercer is back of all our enterprises. Give us educated, trained teachers, preachers, leaders in all the walks of life, in sympathy with the truth, as we hold it, and the future is safe. The cities and the remote country places are alike in interest. All at it and at it all the time, till it is done should be our motto. The Faculty will not only give beyond their share, but they will 'be largely represented in the field in vacation in the inter est of Mercer. I have had no vacation since coming to Geor gia, and do not want any till the endowment is raised, and we are fully set forward on a career worthy of the founders of the University and the men who made her famous in the history of Southern education. Our brilliant Prof. J. R. Mosely will deliver ten lectures before the Mount Eagle Assem bly next summer on American history. This is not. only a great compliment to him but to Mercer also. He will do it well. I give notice now that we want 300 students next session, and at least seventy five of them ministerial students and we ex pect to have them by the grace of God, and the help of our friends. I expect the sisters to take a deep interest in the endowment of Mercer. They have never failed to take hold of any move ment for the progress of Zfon. Already there are signs of in terest among them. Let no one be deceived; the raising of SIOO,OOO is no childs play. It will not prove an easy thing, but it will prove a possi ble thing. There must be clear, strong speaking, followed by face to face, personal solicita tion. The plan of campaign comprehends the idea of reach ing all the churches and working down to all the members. And this means many workers in blood earnest. Gov. Northens illustrations of liberality to the Western sufferers, reminds me of what occurred when I was raising an endowment in Mississ ippi for our college. I was speaking at a great mass meet ing, and a little girl, not over six years of age, came up to the platform in the midst of the speech, holding up a bit of pa per. I took it, and scrawled in her own hand writing was this: “Mr Gambrell I give you all I have got. ” The paper contained a nickel. There was something wet in my eyes when I read it, and there is something wet in my eyes as I write about it—the greatest of all the gifts received for the college. Oh ! let every body, the chil dren, the poor, the women, give us as they can. But the rich must give by God’s, rule of giv ing, as the Lord has prospered them. May God help us to make the movemen one of spir itual upgrade to the denomina tion. J. B. Gambrell. For the Index. Letter From Texas. BY W. A. JAKHEL, I). D. Your correspondent welcomes the Index. Without doubt it is one of the best papers in the South. Always bright and sparkling with thought, very newsy, courteous, c-haritable and loaded with soul food, taken from the Bible and gospel work, to not be pleased with it would indicate anything but the right taste. To get a conception of the inestimable power of relig ious journalism only look at that of political jourqp l ',' , You readers win remember that, sometime ago, I spoke of the infidel pastor of the First Baptist church of Paris, Mr. Fortune. Since that he has became very bold and is carry ing his church with him. He is now excluding from that church the leaders of the opposition to his satanic work. Our cause in Paris is in a deplorable condition. Who would have thought that any of our prominent churches could have been so easily carried off into rejection of the atone ment and kindred truths of the gcspel? What a lesson to our church, s and preachers! The lesson is: “My people perish for the lack of knowledge.” In other words, murfh of our preach ing. especially in city churches, is too much of the essay, rhet orical flights of the imagination —too much of the preacher and too little of Christ. No church properly instructed in Bible teaching can thus be ltd off. The people having the Bible in their homes cannot be excus ed for this great and inexcusa ble deficiency in the pulpit. Be sides, in their silly and wicked disparagement of doctrine preaching and demand for mere entertainment they tempt the pulpit into its weakness. “Like people like priest” is about as true as “like priest like people.” Another thing has come to the surface from the Paris trouble. Your correspondent, years ago, called attention to Campbellism as rejecting the atonement. Now comes Texas Campellites, headed by their leading paper the “ Christian Courier —and joins Fortune thus.” The substi tutional theory, so called, holds that divine justice demands the death of the sinner, and that Christ intervened and suffered the penalty of the sinner. . . . Driven to the alternative, we should be compelled to reject the Bible rather than accept a the ory so dishonoring.” A wide reading of Campbellite papers demonstrates that the Courier, in this utterance, represents Campellism, both Norih and South. Indeed, as in Campbell’s day, few are the heresies not welcome to the bosom of Camp bellism. This reminds me of the foolish move in the Southern Baptist Convention, a year or two ago, to confer with the Campbellites as to union with them. Surely, those who led it knew nothing of the most serious poisons in Campbellism. At the side of their repudiating the atonement, except ther rejection of the deity of Christ —which is, to a great extent, prevalent among them —the doctrine of baptismal salvation is a mere nothing at the side of this repu diation of the atonement. As well talk of union with the Uni tarians as with the Campellites. The Texas Haptist and Herald, edited by that brainy, peace making, large-hearted man—S. A. Hayden, D. D., L. L. D. is doing its usually noble work in exposing Fortunism and Camp bellism. It is growing more and more in favor with our people. The third thousand of your correspondent’s Baptist History, proving a Continuity of Baptist Churches from Century one to now, is called for; that, too, though the work has been out only a little more than one year and without meats to advertise it. Though it has over 500 pp. and sells at $2, to get out the third thousand, all who now send me promise to remit me only $1.2-5, when notified I order it out, complying with their prom ises, will receive, post paid, copies at only $1 25 each. To any one sending his or her ad dress I will mail, free, a fully descriptive circular, containing very strong recommendations of the book from the late Dr. John Z. Broadus, President Harvey, of Newton Theological Seminary. Dr. John Clifford, of London, and many other scholars. “The Bible and its Monu ments” is a late work by W. St. Chad Boscaiven, of London, throwing the Briggs - Harper school of “Higher Critics”into the shade and leaving them no foun dation. This, with the writings of the eminent archaeologist, Prof. Sayce, smashes the so called higher criticism into “smithereens ” This reminds me of a state ment President Westor, of Cro zer Theological Seminary, made to me a few 7 months ago: “A lady said to me, ‘Doctor, what about the monunii nts confirming the Bible,’ to which I replied, I am concerned cnly about the Bible confirming the monu ments.” Thank God for such scholars as Dr. Weston. Dallas, Texas, Tan. 24. Woolley’s Ford, Ga. I Jan. 23rd. 1896. \ Dear Index.—“ Earnest Wil lie” wants to know why I don’t write for the Index. Well, I seldom talk unless I think I have something to say, and I never write unless I believe I have a cause that will produce a good effect. Just now, my cause is for the Lord, and I know it is a good one. Who is it that has lived in or traveled through North East Georgia that has not seen or heard of “Uncle Jack” or “Old Father Rives” and the church of which he was pastor for forty nine consecutive years? Long years ago, when the In dians were still in this section, a young man crossed the Chatta hoochee river, at Shallow Ford, on the 21st of March 1821, and became a life long resident of Hall County. Five years later the Lord sent Rev. Gray, of Columbus, Ga., to Yellow Creek Baptist church, to attend a session of Tugalo As sociation. During this meeting Rev. Humphrey Posey preach ed a sermon on heinous sin of swearing, which attract ed the attention of one very profane young man in the con gregation Rev. Gray followed, and it was one remark of his ex hortation, that first kindled the fire of repentance in this young man’s soul. Two years of deep conviction passed; the burden was removed and John Edward Rives was baptized into the fel lowship of Yellow Creek church, by Rev. James Whitten. Imme diately afterward, Bro. Rives commenced the work of exhorta tion and prayer in his own neigh borhood and among the people in that part of Lumpkin county, which is now Dawson. In 1833 a few members organ ized a Baptist church in an old log house occupied by Mr. Os borne and called for the ordina tion of J. E Rives. On the 3rd Saturday in Au gust, 1833, —a little over three years from the time he was con verted, —John Edward Rives was ordained by Yellow Creek Baptist church. In a short time a rough log house was erected a little dis tance from the Osborne dwelling and called “Liberty Church” be cause all denominations worship ped there. The church prospered, and a larger house of hewn logs was built a little above the old one. About forty years ago a splen did large frame structure was next dedicated to God. This was not finished up inside, and com pletely furnished till two years ago. Now this old ark in which so many souls have been saved, is in ashes. And its pastor who had his ministerial beginning with it, has returned to dust. Had not his strength and memory failed some ten years previous to his death, they would, as man of God, and house of God, have nearly passed away together. In life, Uncle Jacky Rives and Liberty church were inseparably connected; in memory they will ever remain associated. Go with me to this plat of ground in Sanford’s District, Dawsoc county, Ga. View the spots where the first church, the t-econd and third stood. Let your mind run back through a period of sixty two years. Can you number the souls that have gathered here to listen to the sto ry of the Cross, and sung the sweet songs of redeeming love? Around this heap of ashes men, women and children congre gate on Sundays to lament, to talk of the meetings in the long ago; to point out the very spot where they sat down first con victed,and where they knelt when for Christ’s sake God accepted them. The children exclaim, “No more Sunday-school now’; be cause our meeting house, our bibles, testaments and all our books are burned up.” When this church was in Haines on the night of De 3. 4th last year, old men wept and maidens cried aloud. No one endeared to this spot, can pass it through the week, without stopping to drop a silent tear, or heave a sigh of deep regret. O for a new ark to stand the flood of another foi ty years, and another Noah, like unto Father Rives to man the ship, is our prayer! Shall all these tears fall un seen, all these prayers ascend unheard? No, my Christian brethren, sisters and friends, upon the altar of your heart I lay them. We must have a new church and this right away, for there are yet souls to save and lambs to feed. The Methodist brethren, the citizens and our churches near by, have evidenced their sympa thy for us and their love for the cawse by very liberal donations. The brethren at Liberty are in earnest and will soon begin the work of rebuilding. In money, lumber and work, we have a suf ficient amount subscribed to jus tify a beginning, but not a finish. We the sisters for, our part, have agreed to raise money to pay for doors, sash, blinds, Bi ble, pulpit and if possible, paint. This we cannot do without help. Where are the souls converted at Old Liberty, under the preach ing of Uncle Rives? Where are the living who have loved dead sleeping in the grave yard at Liberty? Would you see their graves o’ergrown in weeds, their tombstones defaced and in com ing years this city of the dead, a cultivated field? Such is the fate of burial grounds in the country where churches have ceased to be, and the like will be again. To you who love the name of Old Liberty church, to you who would honor the memory of Fa ther Rives, to you who would a wall of protection for your dead, to you I appeal for help to build a New Liberty. O these country churches, what a power in them to keep the wheels of Zion moving Readers of the Index, and Christian people, no matter where you live or what your name, if you do love the cause of Christ you are our neighbors, and here is an opportunity offer ed to test your love. Mite and mightier contribu tions will, in the name of the Lord, be thankfully received by Y T our anxious sister, Mrs. A. J. Julian, Woolley’s Ford, Ga. Dear Index:—The article from the pen of brother E. T. Hiscox, Mount Vermon, in your columns of the Kith inst. on “ Has Georgia Religious Liber ty*1 ”’ calls to mind brother W. L. Kilpatrick’s request for the par ticulars of the trial of an Ad ventist at Douglasville some time last spring. The request, I be lieve, has never been granted. The following in substance is from an eye witness: Sometime in the spring of last year, first or second Sunday in May, Mr.S. L. Allison, a Seventh Day Adventist who resides in Salt Springs district, Douglas county, Ga., was seen plowing in his field, and was prosecuted for “Sabbath breaking” and was tried and convicted May 15th 1895, in Douglasville before Judge Janes (not James, as Bro. H. has it) whose sentence was cost which amounted to $22.05,0r 12 months in chaingang. Mr. Allison brought his Bible into court tojdefend his position on the Sabbath question. The Judgeaskedhim if he was guilty. He confessed. The Judge told him he was not disposed to ar gue which day was the Sabbath, VOL. 76--NO. 5 that he was there to execute the law, and the law said Sunday should be kept, and since he had failed to keep that day he was judged by the law, and since he was sworn to execute the law, he would have to sentence him, al though his position might be Scripturally right—or words to this effect. Mr. Allison was committed to jail in Douglasville the alloted time given to pay his tine, but stoutly refused to pay it from first to last. He suffered himself to be taken from jail, started to the chaingang with Mr. Cooper, Ordinary of Douglas county,and brother-in-law to Mr. A. paid the fine and had him re leased. Mr. Allison showed a determination to serve 12 months in chaingang before he would pay a fine for working on Sun day which was contrary to law. It is but fair to state that he kept Saturday before he plowed on Sunday following. This is a full, clear statement of the case as I received it. I must say I fail to see how Bro. Hiscox makes this “ persecution for conscience sake.” The laws of Georgia do not make any one go to church on Sunday, nor prohibit any one from going on Saturday or any other day he want’s to- Her laws do not con flict with the religious privilege of any one, Pagan, Mahomit, Christian. True, she has a day fixed by law which she makes obliga tory on her citizens to observe, but she does not proscribe any form of worship on that day nor any other day. In Georgia you may keep whatever day as your Sabbath you want to, provided of course, it does not conflict with your du ties to public institutions, but you must do no secular work on the “ first day of the week.” When Georgia imprisons Ad ventist for keeping Saturday then she will “persecute them for conscience sake.” This she never has done as I know of. Under Georgia’s laws they may keep Saturday if they want to, but they must not engage in sec ular employment on Sunday. Were I a believer in the Seventh Day Adventist doctrine, I would keep Saturday as a sacred day, and observe Sunday as a mere rest day. To go ahead and work on Sunday in wilful violation of law, and law at that, which does not affect their religious, but their secular liberty, smacks more of stubborn defiance, than of, “ for conscience sake." A. J. Coalson. Chapel Hill, Ga., Jan. 23, ’96. “ Come Unto Me." BY A. C. WARD. These words —this invitation— how sweet its very sound, ad dressed as it is, to all classes and conditions. No impossible conditions. No insurmountable barriers. The words convey an invitation pure aud simple, an invitation thot is genuine. It is not an invitation of society, to w’hich there is generally attached an earnest desire that it will not be accepted. It is an invita tion full of love. Christ has a yearning for all lost and suffer ing humanity. He can help us. He does help all who go to him. Os course these words could have no weight, un less they were spoken by one able to help. A picture suggested by these words is this: A little toddling babe has become separated from its mother. The mother calls it back, but no, it will not come. It goes further and further away, until at last it falls. Instead of scolding and justly punishing the child for its waywardness, the mother takes it up and says, “ Come to me I will keep you from falling.” Oh, the sweet comfort of nestling the soul on the loving breast of Jesus and not only feel the warmth of his love, but of his (protection. Are you a sinner ? Jesus in vites you. Don’t say you 'are too wicked. Jesus know’s that already, and yet he says, “Come unto me.” Are you a wayward wanderer, and is your heart sad and lonely as you look upon oth ers who are near to Christ ? Listen, Jesus is speaking di rectly to you, “ Come unto me.” How sweet the thought sug gested in the words. Nearness to Jesus. Oh how much of comfort, how much of love, how much of sweet counsel, how much of peace, nearness to Jesus brings to the poor, tempted and tired child of God. By coming to Jesus all doubts flee away. All burdens are lifted. The darkest cloud is rifted and the discordant notes of sin and wickedness cease their jangling, and the soul rejoices in the sweetest strans of harmoni ous unison with the great heart of Him who loved us and gave himself for us, and who now says “ Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. ”