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LJ P< VAN NESS.} EOITORS
MERCER UNIVERSITY
We publish this week a com
munication from Dr. Gambrell
concerning Mercer University.
In it he takes the high ground,
which every true man must take
under such circumstances, that
great denonrnational institutions
are more than any man, or even
any set of men, and its interests
far more important than his or
theirs. No one who knows Dr.
Gambrell would expect him to
take any other position. Any
man who would allow’ a disap
pointment of his hopes and aspi
rations, or even a wrong done
him, if such shall be.to make him
sour and lead him to antagonize
any such institution as the one in
question, would show himself
destitute of the very qualities
which he must possess to fill
properly a high place in it. Even
if the trustees had made a mis
take, which we do not believe,
in accepting his decision not to
be a candidate for re election, it
would give no proper occasion
for sulking or sourness. Dr
Gambrell has taken right and
high grounds in this matter,
and we trust that none in all the
State will allow themselves to
fall below him in this respect.
He has many sincere friends and
admirers in the State, and these
can best show their affection for
him by entering into that spirit
which leads him to say that if he
remains in the State, one of the
chief objects of his interest will
be Mercer University.
There is one expression in Dr.
Gambrell’s letter which may be
misunderstood by the brethren,
to which we think it best to call
attention. He speaks of the
trustees “abolishing the Presi
dent's oilice for the present.” As
we understand their action, the
trustees did not in any sense abol
ish the office, but simply left it
vacant for a time. Nothing more
was done than to fail to elect a
President at this time. The se
lection of Prof. Pollock as chair
man of the faculty is practically
only a continuation of the condi
tions prevailing last session.
While Dr. Gambrell was Presi
dent, he had been relieved by the
trustees from the active manage
ment of the institution and put
in the field in charge of the en
dowment scheme, and to raise
money for current expenses. As
previously mentioned in the In
dex, Prof. Pollock has been for
some time in charge of the Uni
versity in the capacity, if not
bearing the name, of chairman
of the faculty. His broad shoul
ders, level head and big heart en
able him to bear well the burden
resting upon him.
* * *
As we are on the subject of the
University—and it is a subject
which will be very much in the
Index in the future —we may be
pardoned for saying things that
are in our minds concerning it.
If what we say shall elicit ex
pressions from other brethren on
the subject, we shall be glad.
Mercer and its interests ought to
be discussed fully and fairly in
these coming months,and the col
u nns of the Index are wide open
for the discussion. We believe
in agitation. Agitation is life;
stagnation is death.
But we sei out to say that after
sitting for three full days in the
Board of Trustees and listening
intently to all that was said or
done, and especially after we had
heard the reports from the va
rious departments of the institu
tion, and the treasurer's report,
we came away feeling that there
was very little reason for any
body's taking a gloomy view of
Mercer’s future, or even of her
present. Let us see what we
have there.
First. We have a fine property
in a most commanding position
in the city of Macon, including
two large and substantial brick
b iddings, besides a number of
cottages for students. Among
these is a nice brick house, known
as the McCall cottage. And this
property is paid for. As to
groundsand buildings, Mercer is
fairly well equipped, at least
for the present and near future.
Second. We have an excellent
faculty, composed of well-trained
young men, who are enthusiasts
in their respective departments,
and who are at the same time
constantly pressing forward in
their own equipping for service.
If they have not done as much
field work for the institution as
we might wish, it is because they
have been pursuing their studies
diligently at Chicago and else
where.
Third. We have a well invested
endowment fund, which to day
would bring in open market over
$130,000. It is true that by the
shrinkage in the value and the
cessation of interest from some
stocks the income has fallen
somewhat below the necessities
of the institution, and so the
trustees have had to report some
deficit for a year or two; yet,the
income has fallen short only of
supporting an enlarged faculty
and a wider work. A little help
for a year or two from the
churches and from individuals in
the way of contributions for cur
rent support, only until addition
al endow ment can be secured and
begin to yield income, would put
Mercer at comparative ease, and
enable her to do a work which
would make glad the hearts of
Georgia Baptists, and indeed of
Baptists all over the land.
Fourth. We have scattered all
over the State, and in other
States, scores and hundreds of
men who received their educa
tion at Mercer, and who, deep
down in their hearts, have a real
love for the Alma Mater. This
love has possibly grown cold in
the years that have passed since
they left her, and other interests
have crowded hers aside. But for
all that, the love is there, and it
must be warmed into life and ac
tivity by those whose love is ar
dent and strong. It can be done;
it must be done.
Let there be no more groan
ings over Mercer. Let there be
no more long faces at the men
tion of her name. She is not
near to death. She is not old nor
decrepit. She has not reached
by far the prime of her life and
usefulness She is but as a
young mother, rich in her chil
dren, yet looking forward to a
yet greater multitude, who
through the coming ages are to
rise up and call her blessed.
THE WHITSITT MATTER AGAIN.
The present distressing phase
of the Whitsitt controversy is the
widespread misapprehension of
the real force of his statements
and their bearing on our pe
culiar beliefs. We are informed
that many good people are un
der the impression that the Sem
inary is now teaching viewscon
trary to established Baptist be
liefs. We heard of one instance
in w hich it was reported that the
Seminary taught that sprinkling
or pouring was as good as im
mersion, and that there was no
difference between us and other
denominations. This is utterly
untrue. The Seminary and Dr.
Whitsitt teach that immersion
is the only Scriptural baptism,
and that it is the only baptism.
Close communion is taught em
phatically. That. Baptists have
the truth, and their churches are
the only true New’ Testament
churches is a fundamental fact.
Whatever confusion of agitated
and wild attacks may come, we
desire Georgia Baptist to hold
these facts as certain. We vouch
for them. Pedo Baptists will in
deed exaggerate the facts, and
will in a distorted way use them
for arguments. We can answer
them with the truth and they
will be put to shame. If such
absurd rumors reach you, deny
them. Write to us and we will
guarantee to funish evidence con
clusive for the discomfiture of
the enemy.
Let us be slow in making pub
lic denunciations until we have
all the facts. We have before
us the resolutions of an associa
tion in Arkansas. They charge
against Dr. Whitsitt:
1. That the Baptists of Eng
land, up to 1638 1641, had not
adopted immersion.
2. That Roger Williams was
the founder of Baptists in Amer
ica, and was not immersed.
3. That the first article ever
written on immersion was 1641.
Only the first of these is true,
and Baptists must above all else
be true. Dr. Whitsitt, on the con
trary,distinctly denies that Roger
Williams is the founder of Ameri
can Baptists. As to the last
charge, he simply claims that the
initial treaties on baptism among
the English Baptist of the seven
teenth century was in 1641. Dr.
Whitsitt has never implied that
immersion was not the practise
generally in the years earlier
than the seventeenth century.
We believe the facts brought out
by Dr. Whitsitt are serious enough
in their consequences, but we
will gain nothing by misrepre
senting his position in our desire
to accomplish his discomfiture.
In the discussion that has risen
there has been a painful lack of
the broad, historical sense.
Heated argument pro and con has
been made, but little confidence
has been inspired by would-be
historians. Even now the open
ing article of Dr. King, of Lon
don, who is examining the man
uscripts in the British Museum,
does not inspire any great con
fidence in his ability or fairness.
He ridicules Dr. Whitsitt’s bas
ing his claims on his researches
among King George’s manu
scripts, because of the number
of them. This is an unfair use
of the word “research” which
does not imply any claim to have
ransacked the whole number.
He denies his own ridicule by im
mediately showing how it is pos
sible to do the very thing he
laughs at Dr. Whitsitt for claim
ing to have done. Dr. King was
also evidently in possession of
but partial facts regarding Dr.
Whitsitt’s position.
It is also evident that the period
under review is very imperfectly
developed as yet. Our histori
cal knowledge is very baptistical
ly slight as to the first half of the
seventeenth century. We be
lieve this controversy will be a
blessing, for it seems destined to
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, JUNE 18. 1896.
bring this period into brighter
ight.
At this juncture we greatly
need a man who has the confi
dence of all the brethren, to go
to England and examine the doc
umentary evidence impartially.
Dr. Whitsitt will reply to his op
ponents in a short time. His
facts will then be before us. If
some trusted brother could then
take these and examine them in
the light of all the accumulated
documents in the Museum, it
might save us years of argument
and division. There is but one
such man. Cannot Dr. B. H.
Carroll be persuaded to spend
the summer in England and un
dertake this w( rk? We suggest
that Southern Baptists send him
there and have an armistice until
he cm return with the facts
calmly weighed and sifted.
AS IN WATER FACE ANSWERS TO
FACE.
The wise man says that “ as
in water face answereth to face,
so the heart of man to man.” As
one looking into the silvery wa
ters of a spring sees his face re
flected back to him, somewhat
blurred and indistinct,but yet his
face, so looking into other hearts
as reflected in their words and
deeds, we see our hearts shad
owed. It is a great truth. Mod
ern students have a science of
psychology, and every investiga
tor would have been helpless
without this principle. His in
vestigations are based on him
self and what he sees like him
self in others. Only in the an
swering echo of other hearts can
there ever be a science of the
human mind.
The Bible presupposes and
builds on this truth. It is not a
record of a search for individual
specimens, but a dealing with
single men for the benefit of the
many through the likeness to the
one. Its teachings have as their
basis a common sinfulness and a
common nature, weak and help
less, and a salvation as well
adapted for one man as another.
Because heart answers back to
heart a Savior could die for all
and yet for each one. The mo
tives of Christianity as well as
its hopes and rewards hold in
mind tnis common life of men
and women.
The thought has its practical
as well as ns theological bear
ings. At first it seems like a
discouraging one. Others like
me, weak, foolish, disappointing!
Then the world has but little
hope. A deeper sight, however,
reverses all this. We cannot
deny that by the grace of God
men have become noble and done
noble things. We are inclined
at times to place them in a sepa
rate class from ourselves. But
they belong with us. They
fought the same evil nature,
overcame amid the same tempta
tions and seduction that we en
counter. What they did, by the
same grace we may do. What
they got to be,by the same grace
we may get to be. Heart an
swers back to heart.
Then there is a helpfulness
made possible by the truth.
Knowing ourselves, we know oth
ers. That which makes us fail
will probably make others fail.
That which helps us will help
others. That which cheers us,
cheers them. So with the an
noyances and temptations, and
helps to success. Every bit of
experience gives us an insight
into the secret of aiding others.
If we but take our own cherished
life experiences, and do unto
others as we would have others
do to us, we shall be blessings
to the world about us.
Rising high above all other as
pects of this helpful truth is that
of our experience in redemption
through Jesus’ blood. For that
salvation our hearts must recog
nize both sin and weakness. The
heart must know itself. Once
known and forgiveness experi
enced, yve are assured that oth
ers can be saved too. Heart an
swers back to heart in sin and
shame, and the possibility of
redemption. What grace does
for me is promised for all, for all
have sinned and come short of
the glory of God.
WHEN THE TIME COMES.
The letter of Bro. Ross, which
we print on another page, is com
mendable for its generous spirit
and anxious desire to have the
controversy raised by Dr. Whit
sitt definitely settled. The
Christian Index appreciates
both the spirit expressed and the
call made upon us for a clear
statement of our position. We
do not wonder the brethren are
puzzled for we have been puzzled
ourselves. We have carefully
read everything published on
the question and yet do not feel
that until Dr. Whitsitt shall fi
nally give us his facts that the
question can be discussed right
ly. The Western Recorder was so
fortunate as to have its editor in
London where he could arrange
for an examination of the sources
from which Dr. Whitsitt claims
his facts are drawn. We have
seen little elsewhere either in ad
vocacy of Dr. Whitsitt’s positions
or attack on them that really met
his challenge. In the absence
of further proof than he has so
far publicly stated we do not
see why we should give up our
Baptist history. He expressly
stated, however, that he had ful
ly threescore collations and ex
tracts from the manuscripts in
the B itish Museum. These are
what we want.
When Dr. Whitsitt shall give
us his pamphlet we propose a
thorough review of its state
ments to determine their truth.
Until this comes we stand by the
facts of history as previously
held and only ask for Dr. Whit
sitt a suspension of condemna
tion until he can present his
case.
In the meantime the Index is
open for the brethren to express
themselves. We have been al
most persuaded that Georgia
Baptists were unconcerned, as
we have received but one com
munication regarding the affair.
We hope,dike Bro. Ross, you will
speak out. We shall be glad to
let the Baptists of Georgia know
at the right time what we think
about the controversy and we will
be glad if they will let each other
know through our columns.
It is interesting to note that
the Northern Baptists are now
considering the consolidation of
the missionaryjjournals intojone,
to be published by the Publica
tion Society. This is exactly
what was proposed in the South
a year ago, but which fell through
because the Foreign Board was
so lukewarm that the Sunday
School Board would not under
take the publication. As was
expected the Journal finally sent
out one did not succeed. It did not
deserve to. We hope the time
will yet come when we shall have
a first-class mission magazine.
In the meantime let us support
the Foreign Mission Journal, and
look for the Home Mission re
ports in our weekly papers.
Our honored Field Editor,Bro.
J. F. Edens, goes this week to
the Kentucky General Associa
tion at Bowling Green, Ky. He
will of course put the Index into
a good many hands, and we are
sure will get some new subscrib
ers. The Index is always glad
when its efforts to give Georgia
Baptists a good paper are appre
ciated in other States. We give
our best greetings to the Ken
tucky brethren, and we will give
our readers some entertaining
pictures of our sister Convention
through the Field Notes. The
church at Bowling Green has as
its pastor Rev. E. V. Baldy, an
old Mercer boy and formerly pas
tor at Cuthbert.
We are sur 1 ? all Georgians re
gret the decision of Rev. A. C.
Dixon not to accept a call to At
lanta. We are sure Brother
Dixon does not apprehend the
real demands of the situation
here. He speaks of it as a spir
itual paradise. It is not that, but
a great, vast field, ready for the
hardest work of a man’s life. To
some men the First church might
be a paradise, but to such a man
as Brother Dixon it would be a
vast opportunity to reach the
masses of the people. Brother
Dixon, however, feels that Brook
lyn is his field of labor, and we
are sure that unbounded useful
ness awaits him there.
It is now’ a public matter that
Rev. S. Y. Jameson has been
called to the pastorate of the
Duffy street church,Savannah. If
a “push and a pull,” in Dr. Lan
sing Burrows’ favorite descrip
tion, constitutes a moving call,
w’hat is a fellow to do when there
are two pulls, one at home and
one abroad. That is Brother
Jameson’s position just now’. For
ourselves we hope it will be found
that the pull from Atlanta is the
stronger. He is still needed
here. The call of Duffy street
has many attractions, and that
live and wide-awake church de
serves the very best in the land.
We give in another column Dr.
Whitsitt’s announcement about
his forthcoming pamphlet re
garding his conclusions as to the
practice of pouring and sprink
ling by the English Baptists pre
vious to 1641. All will be glad
to hear from him and see the ev
idence upon which he bases these
conclusions. We have already
communicated with Dr. Whitsitt
and will, at the very first mo
ment of publication, secure cop
ies for our readers. It w’ill then
be time to sit in judgment on the
facts and come to a settled con
clusion.
A church in Virginia is raising
a disturbance about its pastor be
cause while in Chattanooga he at
tended the dedication of a negro
church. The occasion w r as one
made much of at the Convention
and many of the white brethren
attended. Surely that Baptist
church is in a curious way. The
worst of it is some equally silly
Northern paper will take it up
and pass it around as a specimen
of Southern intolerance. The
altogether exceptional cases are
the richest plums for the section
alist. We expect to run up
against this one for the next
year or so.
What the baptist
(Editor e
The Central Raptist: The con
troversy over Dr. Whitsitt and
his statements concerning Eng
lish Baptists does not down. In
his article for Johnson’s Ency
clopedia he refers to King
Geoge’s Pamphlets as containing
some newly discovered facts.
That reference is very indefinite,
because these Pamphlets em
brace something like three or
four thousand volumes and may
contain a good many things.
The dispute will evidently lead
to a re-examination of all these
documents and we may expect
ere long to have the winnowings
laid before us. We have been
very much surprised and pained
at the declaration by some of Dr.
Whitsitt’s friends, and by the de
mands of some of his opponents.
In his support it has been de
dared that every Seminary stu
dent will stand by him. Much
as that compliments them for
their loyalty to a good man, it ut
terly discounts their manhood,
scholarship, and self-reliance.
By all means they should stand
by him if he is right, but every
manly man among them must ex
amine for himself and let his
course be determined by the
facts. Equally unwise has been
the demand of hasty brethren on
the ot <er side of the question
that Dr. W hitsitt should at once
resign his place in the Seminary.
Surely he should not have to go
because he has told the denomi
nation the truth about its historj ;
and if he has not told the truth
the time for him to go will be
when he refuses to ackdowledge
his mistake and retract his pub
lished error. It looks to us now
very much as if he will be com
pelled to find further proof for
his statement that English Bap
tists practiced sprinkling in 1641,
or that he will have to acknowl
edge that his statement to that
effect is not supported by the
records.
TVie Journal and Messenger: Dr.
King cites many passages from
the pamphlets tending to confirm
his view, and to shew that bap
tism was no new thing in Eng
land in 1641. It is well estab
lished that the distinguishing
characteristic of Baptists is not
and never was so much immer
sion as antipedobaptism. What
Baptists stand for is “a regen
erate church-membership.” Dr.
Whitsitt does injustice to his
Baptist brethren and to Baptist
history when he says that, if we
would trace the history of the
Baptists back to their source, we
must go “all the way by water;”
that unless one was immersed he
cannot be reckoned as a Baptist.
That might be true of to-day, but
it is not true with regard to those
of the earlier days, especially in
times when men were’ emerging
from the darkness, ignorance and
superstition of the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries. We believe
that Grebel and Mantz and Blau
rock and Ulliman were Baptists,
before their baptism in the Rhine
or elsewhere, and we more read
ily attribute to them such an
honor, because they were the
teachers and spiritual ancestors
of the many “Anabaptists” of
the subsequent centuries who are
known to have practiced bap
tism. We shall have occasion to
refer to this subject again.
The Baptist Courier: We do not
believe the war against Dr. Whit
sitt will injure the Seminary in
the least. We are glad that the
people are beginning to see that
we have men wno can think,
study, make researches, reach
conclusions, and who have the
courage to let the world know
what they believe and why they
believe it. The professors in our
Seminary have always done their
own thinking, and we hope they
will continue to do so. When it
becomes necessary for them to
go around and find out what cer
tain editors, pastors and other
brethren think about a certain
thing before they are allowed to
express an opinion, we expect to
see them resign. And they need
not be scared because some peo
ple talk loud and make threats.
Our Seminary has had its ene
mies from the beginning, its pro
fessors have been criticised, and
leading brethren turned young
men away from it when the orig
inal four professors did the teach
ing. Notwithstanding all this,
the great school has lived on and
grown in power and influence,
and in favor with the people.
This little agitation will not hurt
it. On the contrary, we believe
it will do good.
The Baptist and Reflector; It
seems to us now that the burden
of proof rests upon Dr. Whitsitt
to produce his testimony and
prove his position, which, as we
said before, and as seems still
truer now, we doubt if he will be
able to do. We think, as we pre
viously remarked, that he must
have taken a part for the whole,
and has been misled in that way.
Still, we as well as others shall
wait his proof with much inter
est. It should be remembered
that Dr. Whitsitt is an exceed
ingly painstaking student of his
tory, and he does not usually
make mistakes as to any histori-
cal facts. But it looks very
much like Homer has nodded this
time.
The Biblical Recorder: The need
of a Chair of the Bible at Wake
Forest has for many years been
recognized, and of late has be
come almost a demand. Under
the two Royalls, Professor Tay
lor, Professor Poteat, and others
of the college faculty, the stu
dents have by no means been
without able instruction and
guidance in the study of the
Scriptures; but the need of a
special department for that pur
pose was rather emphasized by
the success with which these
brethren have met. But the
Chair is not yet established. It
remains for the Baptists of North
Carolina to ratify the action of
the Board of Trustees, w’hich
they readily applaud, by raising
$25,000 to maintain it forever.
This year it is hoped to raise a
good portion of this sum to be
permanently invested, and six
hundred dollars in addition to
pay current expenses. It is
clear that the Chair of the Bible
is a popular enterprise, a needed
institution; it is worthily named
for one whose memory the Bap
tists of North Carolina delight to
honor, one to whom they owe an
everlasting debt—Columbus Dur
ham.
The Standard: We rejoice with
our Presbyterian brethren in the
unity which characterized the
General Assembly just adjourn
ed. The spirit of the meetings
w’as most admirable, but so far
as we can discovi r unanimity was
reached by deferring for another
year any decision of certain
questions upon which the denom
ination differs. No doubt the
passing of time does something
to settle difficulties, but some
times difficulties grow by
reason of the fact that
no effort is made to adjust
them. The “seminary question’
remains to be grappled w ith, with
at least another year before any
decisive action may be taken.
As a matter of fact, the denomi
nations with powerful machinery
do not appear to make progress
toward solving difficulties any
more rapidly than our own Bap
tist body, which must needs set
tle differences of opinion and of
policy by an enlightened public
opinion.
77ie Examiner: The report has
lately been sent abroad that
George Ebers, the eminent nov
elist and Egyptologist, had re
cently renounced Christianity for
Buddhism. These rumors are
happily set at rest by Dr. Ebers
himself, who writes to a friend
in this country: “No, worthy
friend, I have not become a
Buddhist. I remain Christian to
the end, and also educate my
children as Christians. I teach
them to love the Holy One
as earnestly as my moth
er taught these truths to
me, her youngest son, and my
warm hearted wife stands by my
side in this matter.” Those who
fear that Buddhism may become
attractive to men of scholarly
taste can find comfort in the fact
that one who knows it so inti
mately, and has lived in such
close contact with it, still remains
loyal to the religion of Christ.
The Religious Herald: It is the
settled policy of the Herald not
to interfere in local matters. We
are bound to say, however, that
when a church, or any consider
able portion of a church, gives
a faithful and acceptable pastor
“the cold shoulder” because he
attended the dedication of a ne
gro church, an incredibly foolish
and unquestionably wrong thing
has been done. The brethren at
Broadway, on the Eastern Shore,
who have been concerned in this
affair, owe it to their Master, to
themselves, and to their excel
lent minister, to make the am
plest reparation possible for the
injury they have done. Mean
while, we vouch for Reamy as a
preacher of ability, a diligent and
prudent pastor, and a most amia
ble and lovable man.
The Alabama Baptist’, Fortunate
ly these historical differences are
not a matter of vital importance.
The Baptists were not originated
by the Baptists of England nor
by Roger Williams, and none of
us were baptized unto them.
Other sects and denominations,
having uninspired men for their
founders, are largely dependent
upon w’hat they said and did; and
their theology and practices be
ing in great measure command
ments and traditions of men,
they are of course vitally inter
ested in preserving all these.
But Baptists can afford to see
uninspired history and hoary
traditions blown away by the
winds. There is the Bible; so
long as it stands they are se
cure.
The Texas Baptist Standard: It
is in bad taste for a church mem
ber to boast that “the lodges”
are doing more benevolent work
than the churches. If professed
Christians would devote the
same amount of time and money
to their church work that they
do to the “lodge,” there would be
no room to complain that the
churches are remiss in works of
charity.
(Georgia
baptist
FIELD NOTES.
Mothers, read your Bible and Index,
to your children.
We are now through working Au
gusta The brethren, one and all, gave
ns a kindly greeting.
Our Index brethren and sisters in
Macon, may now lay their Index
change to one side; we expect to be
among them next week, See.
Brother J. S. Patterson, Augusta,
preaches once a month at Abalins, a
church in the country. He is clerk of
the city council and also auditor for
the city. He has been in the employ of
the city for about thirty years.
Dr. David Shaver, of Augusta, has
been quite ill for some time, but is on
the mend again. He is in his seventy
sixth year and is well preserved for one
of his age. How we love him. In our
younger days he was a father to us in
the ministry.
Our annual visit to the home of
Brother and Sister H. H Hickman on
the Sand Hill in Augusta, was exceed
ingly pleasant this year. Brother Hick
man is in the eighties and is well pre
served. Their golden wedding recently,
gave them much joy,
The following brethren, with their
dear companions in Augusta, showed
us much kindness: Amos Youngblood,
O. H Blassingame, J. C. McDerman,
George W. Wise and Wesley Wright.
W e are grateful.
The Potts House, at92Bj Broad street,
Augusta, is kept by a pair of good old
fashioned Baptists; prices reasonable.
A good place for anybody to stop—es
pecially Baptists.
Bro. A. C. Wilkins,of Beaufort. S. C.,
has resigned the care of the church at
Beaufort and has left the city. He will
summer a while in Greenville, S. C.
The colored Missionary Baptist Con
vention of Georgia, was in session last
week at Washington, Wilkes county.
We hope that harmony prevailed and
that much good was accomplished.
We were very sorry that we could
not meet with the Berean brethren last
week in Augusta. We were booked for
Woodlawn on the same night. Bro.
Wilkinson, you must stir up the breth
ren on the Index. Look out, we will
send yon some sample copies to give
them.
We enjoyed the pleasure of attend
ing the mid-week service of the Wood
lawn church, Augusta, last week. A
handsome house.finished inside and out,
lit up with electricity, greeted our eye.
We were much pleased with the looks
of the brethren and sisters Pastor A.
G. Collier, at a great sacrifice, has ac
complished a splendid work Ten new
Indexes went into as many families.
Brother Collier gave himself to us gra
ciously.
At Kollock Street church in Augusta,
on last Wednesday night, Pastor
Thomas Walker joined in the holy
bonds of wedlock Brother Joseph G.
Belding and Sister Annie S. Morris.
The house was packed to its utmost ca
pacity long before the hour. The bridal
party looked their very best, and the
music was sweet. The bridal pair left
the next morning on a wedding trip to
Atlanta. Chattanooga and Lookout
Mountain. We wish for them a happy
and prosperous voyage through life. Bro.
Belding is the well beloved and effi
cient superintendent of the Second
church Sabbath-school.
SOME MEDITATIONS.
“Old fashioned, predestination, deep
water, close communion, final preserva
tion, missionary Baptist” preaching in
Georgia, we fear, is on the decline.
We are sorry.
When a Baptist preacher begins to
imagine that he can out-Methodist the
Methodists, he is a goner. The fact is,
that he is not worth killing. We just
get sick when we see such a critter.
Now and then we come across a pas
tor who has planted himself solidly on
the distinctive principles of Baptists,
his life and preaching are in harmony
with them. Whenever we do, we are
at home all over; his church is usually
strong, and other folks respect him.
Os all the pusilanimous folks we have
ever met, it is a Baptist preacher run
ning around after the pedoes and aping
them. He gushes and slops over when
he sees one, but when he meets a solid
Baptist brother, he is stiff and cool; he
ought to be sent to a Baptist backbone
factory and have a good one put in.
Fact!
Now and then a Baptist deacon (so
called) backs up to the field editor of the
Index and inquires: “Can you tell us
where we can get a good pastor? ” We
ask, “What’s the matter with the one
you have?” “Well, he is forever
preaching about our distinctive princi
ples, and the pedoes are mad
about it.” “Your church growing?”
“Well, yes." “Good congregations?”
"Oh yes.” “Finances all OK.?" “Y-e-s.”
Our private opinion about such a deacon
as that, is that he. ought to request the
church to turn him out at next con
ference and keep the pastor for about
forty years if he is a young man.
Now, brother pastors, the very best
thing you can do for the Lord, the
brethren and the rest of mankind is to
be loyal to God, to the Scriptures, to
your own flocks over which the Lord
has placed you; be true to yourselves.
Guard well the door of your churches,
and keep the goats out. Study to show
yourselves approved unto God. Study
the word until you shall become mighty
in the Scriptures. Make your church,
Sabbath-school and Young People’s
Union—if you have one—Baptist to the
core. You need not think for a moment
that your church will grow and thrive
by your compromising the truth and
running after other people; our obser
vation for forty years is the very op
posite. Baptists are a peculiar people,
with a peculiar mission in this world.
Baptist principles will not unify and
crystalize with the beliefs of other peo
ple; we have seen it tried more than
once, and a failure is always the result.
God bless our pastors and churches.
We love every one of them.
James F. Edens.
380 Woodward Ave., Atlanta. Ga.
ATLANTA BAPTIST CONFERENCE.
Prayer by Bro. Stovall.
Bro. Howard, Glenn Street.
Usual service.
Bro. Van Ness preached at
Hapeville.
Bro. Virgil Gibson preached
at Austell yesterday.
Bro. Haygood preached at
Carrie Steel Orphans’ Home.
Bro. Hatcher preached morn
ing and night at Sixth for Bro.
Ward, who is away sick.