Newspaper Page Text
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TheGhristianlndex
T P BELL. I Editors,
I. J. VANNESS, f bpitqks.
MINDFUL OF THE TIMES
We propose to give our readers
some articles specially needed
just now. Beginning August Ist
we shall give our readers a series
of articles running three months
on “Reminiscences of Georgia
Baptists,” by W. L. Kilpatrick,
DD. This will be of unusual and
exceptional interest. At the same
time G. A. Lofton, D.D., will con
tribute a three months series on
“The Baptist Position and its
Contrasts with Other Denomina
tions.” This he is eminently
qualified for. We can assure our
readers of something vigorous
and strong. Running with these
will be a short series by J. H.
Hall, D.D., on the “Unity and
Diversity of Christianity.”
Realizing the value of these at
this time, and also that the sea
son is one in w’hich inducements
must be offered to secure sub
scribers, we make the following
special offers: For one dollar
cash we will send the Christian
Index to new subscribers for
seven months. This will include
these articles as well as others
now being arranged for. This
only holds good during July.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
It is a matter of constant re
joicing that better conceptions of
theworkof the Holy Spirit are
prevailing. This sense of re
joicing is largely personal to us
all. The consciousness of our
own great gain is the beginning
of our joy. As we see this
knowledge extending it is in
creased and deepened. As with
every Christian truth and fact,
power has been manifested in
our ignorance and imperfect at
tention. Every doctrine of
Christianity, however, when
clearly conceived and thus more
fully utilized, relied on and held
in our minds as a motive or in
fluence, exerts a far greater pow
er and a wider sway over us. So
as we more clearly conceive of
the work and personality of the
Holy Spirit do we feel, because
we allow, more of his power and
help.
This effort for a clear concep
tion of the personality of the
Spirit as taught in the Bible is
the more necessary to day be
cause of the increasing faith in
the supernatural so prevalent
everywhere. One does not have
to read far in modern literature or
current journalism to be made
aware of a faith in things more
than human. Theosophy, spir
itualism, occultism, are but hu
man guesses at the fact of the su
pernatural. On the other ex
treme we find mysticism and
blind faith, curism and sanctiti
cation, all of which are exagger
ations of this conviction of the
presence and contact of the su
pernatural. Science is also in
the field. The modern rejector
of the actual historical value of
the Bible is appealing for a re
ligious consciousness in direct
touch with God and superseding
dogma and doctrine. From all
sides we see the growing belief
in a supernatural power in the
world and near to men.
This is no new’ idea to Chris
tians. We have, however, some
what obscured the idea of per
sonality and in fact, if not in
theory, regarded the Holy Spir
it as an influence. The words of
Scripture with great emphasis
reveal his personality. In this
plain and easily understood
teaching as to a living personal
ity, we find the safeguards amid
the excesses of the faith in the
supernatural. The world needs,
as perhaps never before, this
emphasis of the Scripture. We
do believe in the supernatural
and the power of men to feel its
help and be led by it. This is
with us no vague notion of oc
cult influences, nor trifling visits
of spirits of uncertain name with
silly messages on life's pettiest
concerns. It is the Holy Spirit,
a divine person, one of the Trin
ity, and the revealer of Jesus
Christ and the Father whom we
know. The words of Scripture
are his words and our hearts rec
ognize him by the statements of
that word, and he and it are
working together
It is our desire, however, to
especially lay stress on one neg
'ected thought as to the Holy
Spirit. We do not as clearly
recognize his sovereign power
as we should. To the words of
God at Sinai we bow as supreme
and do not question them. Jesus
had come to be to us the recog
nized law giver by his rights as
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
But these heart convictions, as
pirations, commands to duty, are
met with a spirit that thinks it
right to duly sit in judgment
upon them. We consider our
selves worthy of commendation
for graciously permitting them
to have control over us. We rec
ognize that the Spirit dictates
them to us. We, however, seem
to think it our part to give a
hearing or not as it pleases us.
Unconsciously we place the
Spirit in a subordinate place as
a sort of; messenger of the God
head. .
Perhaps one reason for this is
the silence of the Spirit concern
ing himself; His"great mission
to take of the things of Jesus.
The pages of Scripture are the
record of the faithful perform
ance of this mission. As an ex
ample, take the great thought of
the love of the Spirit. Only
once is it taught us with any
thing like directness, and yet
who does not believe in that
love? So busy is the Spirit tell
ing of the love of Jesus that his
own love is left almost untold.
So it is with his sovereignty. It
is an undoubted truth, however.
He commands, he gives new rules
for church government, he breaks
up plans and binds and unbinds
his servants. He is God, and on
an equality with Father and with
Son.
Once realized, this thought
must greatly influence our lives.
As a clear conception of person
ality will greatly enlarge our
ideas of the present manifesta
tion of the supernatural, so a
clear conception of the sovereign
power of the Spirit will greatly
enlarge our ideas of our obliga
tion and duty. If we believe in
a Holy Spirit, he is not only for
our comfort and consolation but
he is our sovereign God, with
words that must be listened to
A TRIUMPH IN THE PAST
In connection with the exami
nation of a book for review our
attention was called to the caseof
Carson, the famous Baptist de
fender, who, it was claimed, ad
milted that all the lexicons op
posed his position that immer
sion was the only meaning for
the word “baptizo.” Recalling
again the life of this man we
could not but be struck with the
change that has come since his
day and its tremendous eviden
tial value for Baptist principles.
Born in Ireland in 1776, Alex.
Carson graduated with the high
est honors from the University
of Glasgow. He w’as at once set
tled as a Presbyterian pastor
amid the hard headed Scotch-
Irish farming population. His
views became unsettled and in a
short time he became a Baptist.
This necessitated the severance
of his relations with his church
and the beginning of a little Bap
tist church in the same commu
nity. This man rapidly became
one of the leaders in England and
Scotland. So great was his
learning that he could have had
the professorship in Greek in the
University of Glasgow by sign
ing the Standards and saying it
made no difference. llis greatest
treatise was on baptism, in which
his knowledge of Greek was used
against the almost united testi
mony of the scholars of his day.
Now what a change? He who
would array the lexicons against
the Baptists on the question of
immersion must hunt up the
dusty volumes of decades ago,
unused for any other purpose, if
he is to have any room for such
a statement. In less than a hun
dred years from Carson’s day his
position has been accepted, and
now, he who would disprove im
mersion must change positions
with him and confess the lexicons
against the position he endeav
ored to prove. This reversal of
previous meanings is a tribute to
Baptist scholarship and the truth.
In view of all this we can hard
ly agree with those who make
light of immersion as being one
of the main contentions and dis
tinctions of the Baptists. Even
so good and safe a guide as the
Journal and Messenger falls into
this trap. We must make a clear
distinction in our minds between
distinctive principles and distinc
tive beliefs. Immersion cannot
be called a distinctive principle,
for it is a matter of fact and com
mand. The principle of the su
premacy of the Scriptures is the
piinciple distinctive to Baptists.
In the application of that princi
ple Baptists reach the fact of im
mersion. The fact is as real a
part of their faith as the princi
ple, and has been even more dis
tinctive. It is as essential that
the results of principles-be main
tained as to hold the principles.
One of the Baptist boasts has
been that they are willing to let
principles have full sway over
them. We must therefore reckon
immersion as a great fundamen
tal of Baptist faith,and immersed
people are to be sought when we
hunt for our predecessors in by
gone ages.
It is a matter of congratulation
that we have a set of candidates
for national oftices who are
good men in personal character.
Each of the men so far put
forth bears a clean name
and stands out among the
forces of righteousness in the
communities in which they live.
Mr. McKinley is a Methodist,
while Mr. Brjan is credited to
the Presbyterians. The candi
dates for vice-president seem to
be men of equal good character.
It is also worthy of note that the
two principal candidates present
in their careers a healthy influ
ence for the youth of our land
who will be won to their banners.
So deeply does the political en
thusiasm go, that it is a serious
matter as to the personality of
the men about whom this enthu
siasm centers.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, JULY !«. 1896.
OUR HOME BuARD S NEEDS.
In a conversation with one of
the officers of the Home Board it
came out that the receipts of the
Board had been very small since
the meeting of the Convention,
so small, indeed, as not nearly to
meet the expenses of the work.
For two years past the Board
has been doing its work in a very
quiet way, not making much ado
about the smallness of its re
ceipts during the earlier months
of the years, and making rather
a quiet campaign for funds near
the close of the years. It has
come out quite well on the “home
stretch” in each year, so well,
that the brethren have come
to feel that it is quite able
to take care of itself, and will
somehow secure the funds neces
sary for its work.
This is a good reputation tor a
Board to enjoy, but it will work
an injury if the confidence of the
brethren in it should grow into
over-confidence, and lead them
to neglect its claims.
The Board has done a great
work in the years that are gone
and a still greater lies before it
yet to be done. Never in the
history of the Convention was its
work more needed than now, and
never were the calls upon it more
numerous and urgent.
An empty treasury—nay a
treasury worse than empty, is
tying its hands at the very time
when they most need to be
stretched forth in aid of many
destitute fields and feeble inter
ests. It is sincerely to be hoped
that the brethren will remember
this Board in their prayers an<J
in their gifts. The Board does
not expect large gifts at this sea
son of the year, but it would be
greatly delighted and helped if
from many churches there
should come small gifts now,
with the promise of larger ones
in the fall and winter.
It is very refreshing and very
encouraging to see that some
body is thinking about Mercer’s
needs,and following up the think
ing with giving. Mr. C. W.
Hood,of Harmony Grove church,
near Athens, has given SI,OOO
cash to Mercer and, we learn
from the Atlanta Constitution,
promised another thousand. We
had hoped that a first-rate finan
cial agent would have been in the
field ere this looking for such
gifts, both large and small. He
is sadly needed, and time flies.
Prof. Pollock is doing excellent
work for the institution, both
from his office and by frequent
visits to meetings and
localities. But he can do only so
much, and Mercer needs more
than he can do. An agent,wide
awake, active, stirring, looking
for money and boys, and keeping
Mercer before the people, is a
crying need of the present. We
hope the committee appointed by
the trustees to arrange for the
endowment effort will let itself
be heard from very soon. God
has sent us a call to go to work
in this very gift of Bro. Hood.
May it be to us all as the sound
of a going in the tops of themul
berry trees, calling us to action.
The arrangements between Dr.
Landrum and the First Baptist
church of this city present one
feature worthy of notice and im
itation. He begins his connec
tion with them as pastor on the
Ist of August but his services
actually begin September Ist.
This shows a delicate apprecia
tion of a pastor’s needs that au
gurs well for the future. One
of the signs of a most prosper
ous pastorate at the First church
has been the hearty and unahi
mous way in which the matter of
a pastor has been carried on
Dr. Landrum may assure himself
of a welcome that will be a justi
fication for daring to disturb the
relationship between himself and
his Richmond church.
There seems to be a general
lull in the controversy as to the
questions raised by Dr. Whitsitt.
It is said that his book will be
published during the summer,
and then we can be in a position
to thoroughly review the matter.
In the meantime Dr. Vaughan is
dealing with the question in a
most sensible way. His articles
are from original searches and
are worthy of preservation. Dr.
Whitsitt’s statement seems to
have been very generally accept
ed as manly and satisfactory. We
hope to deal very comprehen
sively and impartially with Dr.
Whitsitt’s final statements so
that our readers may be in no
confusion as to its value.
The Baptist Courier of this week
contains a remarkable sermon by
our friend Rev. C. S. Gardner, of
Greenville, S. C. It is entitled
“The Cheapness of Human Life.”
It deals with the alarming fre
quency of murders and the neg
lect of punishment for them.
From a Christian standpoint Mr.
Gardner shows the fatality and
wickedness of this. The sermon
has been printed in many of the
secular papers and commented
on editorially throughout the
State. We hope it will exert a
wide influence and do much to
correct the undoubted evil with
' which it deals.
WHY?
At the ministers’ conference on
Monday, Dr. Gibson made a
statement concerning the fund
for indigent ministers, in the
course of which he remarked that
if it were not for the Woman’s
Missionary Societies and Sunday
schools there would be no income
lor that fund at present. That
remark led to the inquiry in our
mind, why is it that ihe women
in their societies and the children
in the Sunday-schools can find
money to give for the Lord’s
work during the spring and
summer while the men in the
churches cannot ? Are the times
harder or money scarcer for men
than for women and children ?
The answer which suggested
itself was this, and it is worth
considering: The women and
children are content to give
small amounts, even a penny at a
time, and to give these often,
while the men despise the day of
small things and do not feel that
they can do large ones.
Our mission work will prosper
when we all learn the lesson that
‘ many a mickle makesa muckle,”
and having learned it put it into
practice by making frequent con
tributions of small sums for that
work.
The Roman Catholics and the
negroes have learned this lesson;
our women and children are
learning it. We all need to learn
it.
God leads us in manifold ways-
But these ways may be grouped
into two classes. 1. Sometimes
we have, through the Spirit, the
onward sense of his guidance,
and know that we walk the path
he has chosen for u . Then trust
is as easy as the slumber of
bab 'S. 2. Sometimes, shedding
no Light within us and suffering
our feet to be entangled in what
seems to be the mazes and mesh
es of time and chance, he leaves
us to tread a path that runs we
know not whither, though he
knows, since he orders it for our
good. Then trust is as hard as
the wrestling of giants. Is not
this last the highest lesson? And
do not the richest experiences
of grace come out of it?
It was our intention to visit
the great Convention of young
people at Milwaukee, but it was
found best to stay at home. Bro.
W. W. Gaines and a party of
eight or nine from the Second
Baptist church go from here.
Bro. Gaines will be one of the
speakers and his im
entio*-
promises tended
and its program sSms very help
ful. Many who attend are like
the Atlanta party who go for
the pleasant trip, but incidental
ly even these will get some little
good from the meetings.
• The figures on another page as
to the exact condition of the liq
uor traffic in Georgia are very
suggestive. It reveals a State
practically prohibiting in its
country districts and just sixty
three places left where liquor
has its hold. The Bush bill is an
effort to dislodge these centers
and free the State from the sa
loon. It is a non partisan or
rather from all parties. The
Bush bill once a law these cen
ters come under the dispensary
law and the saloon goes. The
country must be mindful of the
cities at this juncture.
Attention is called to the
Ocean View House at St. Simon’s
Island, as a place of resort for
good Index readers. Rev. A. C.
Ward has just returned from
there, hearty, vigorous, and
browned. The Index readers,
while they en joy the best, wish
it to be of a certain quietness and
simplicity. We think they can
find this at the Ocean View Ho
tel. The Brunswick Baptists
will always welcomje the passing
visitors to this resort.
We have just received news of
the election of Rev. A. J. Barton,
of Nashville, Tenn.'; as assistant
secretary of the Foreign Mission
Board. He will go to Richmond
on August Ist. Having been in
timately associated with him, we
commend him to the brethren
most heartily. He will win then*
love and esteem and ably care
for the interests intrusted to
him.
God puts many lessons for his
people into empty pockets —takes
the money out to put the lessons
in. Painful as this tuition may
often be, surely a divine teacher
may be trusted to teach in the
way that seems good in his sight.
No doubt we ourselves shall, in
some coming time, see that it
was better to have the lessons
than to have had the money in
stead.
Time is not to be measured by
single duration, but by the good
or evil'that fills it. Measuredin
this way a year, a month and a
day may be of the same length.
God himself once reckoned as
equal three days of pestilence,
three mouths of war and three
years of famine. (1 Chron. 21:-
11, 12.
y?hat thegaptiet
©tutors §ajj.
The Journal and Messenger: It
comes to us directly from Boston
that the leaders, and especially
the Lesson Committee,of the late
Sunday School Convention, were
surprised that the advocates of
what they have been pleased to
call “The Inductive Series” of
lessons were not present, or did
not make themselves heard. The
headquarters of the movement
are in the “Hub,” and there its
representatives ought to have
made themselves felt. It is re
membered that, at the St. Louis
Convention, three years ago, a
representative of our own Publi
cation Society was one of the
most positive advocates of the
then new departure; but it is said
that in Boston he had no favora
ble word to speak for it. It seems
to have gone entirely dead,so far
as the International Convention
is concerned, and it is probable
that we shall hear very little of
it hereafter. Indeed, if we re
member correctly, our Publica
tion Society has announced its
purpose to issue no more “helps”
along that line. There was never
more unanimity in the Interna
tional Convention than this year,
and not for some time past has
the Lesson Committee been less
instructed. It would be well if
the Committee were left entirely
untrammelled. The effort to se
cure a special series of lessons
for the Infant Department has
proved only that, on the one
hand, it is impracticable, while
on the other, it is found that all
depends upon the teacher wheth
er any Bible lesson shall be made
profitable to either infants or
adults. The quarterly lessons on
temperance were ordered contin
ued, though meeting with much
opposition by those who feel that
intemperance should take its
place with other sins and be dealt
with in the same way that other
sins are dealt with in the general
sweep of the lessons.
The Central Baptist: We did not
join with the austere critics of
Dr. Whitsitt and pronounce him
disloyal to Baptist doctrine when
he asserted his belief that Roger
Williams was sprinkled. With
the majority of our brethren we
took the position that the bap
tism of Roger Williams and the
practice of sprinkling in England
in 1640 had nothing to do with
the correctness of Baptist prin
ciples at the present. Our appeal
as well as our duty is to the Word
of God direct. But now it occurs
to us that some of our brethren
have gone to the other extreme
from the critics above named,and
have invaded the domain of Bap
tist loyalty. For instance, the
.Journal and Messenger distinctly
says that, “There have been
many Baptists who were never
baptized.” It is disposed to re
gard as Baptists all those who,
imprisoned in the traditions of
Romanism, are trying tocrawl to
ward the light. It is very chari
table to speak kindly to and of
such people, but it takes some
thing more than struggling to
ward the light to constitute one
a Baptist. It is a curious kind of
regard for exact expression to
call that a Baptist (baptized)
church in which not a single
member has been baptized. Mr.
Vedder may be correct in empha
sizing our affinities with those
who agree with us in doctrine,
but their affinity for us does not
make them Baptists; baptism
along with other things is abso-.
lutely necessary to that.
The Biblical Beeorder : The Bap
tists of North Carolina are
“united in sentiment and pro
nounced in their views" against
State aid to higher education. The
Recorder was the instrument that
was used in bringing this about.
Dr. Taylor’s article was publish
ed in the Recorder, Dr. Durham’s
articles were also, and its edito
rial columns have been, at least,
freely devoted to this effort. We
are, therefore, the more surpris
ed, that so sound a brother should
question for a moment the Recor
der's loyalty to a principle for
which it has gone through the
tire of abuse,ridicule and hatred,
and on the ground that in a num
ber designed to show* the educa
tional resources of North Caro
lina, it printed articles from rep
resentatives of State-aided insti
tutions; and, the more, when its
leading editorial in that same
number was a declaration of the
fundamentals of that principle.
The Baptist Courier: It was a
noble, grand spectacle to see the
old heroic poet of England toil
ing away day after day on a
“Treatise on Christian Doctrine,”
on a Latin Dictionary, on “Para
dise Lost,” and “Paradise Re
gained.” With undaunted cour
age he toiled week after week,
declaring that he did “not batea
jot of heart or hope, but still bore
up and steered uphillward.” And
so let us labor in these times.
There is no occasion for despair,
for shipwreck of faith,for gloomy
pessimism. In the face of all
difficulties let us still “bear up
ward and steer
“Uphillward” is the word Milton
first used in the noble sonnet.
Alabama Baptist : The state
ment from Dr. Whitsitt will be
read with interest. He confesses
his mistake in the means adopted
to present his historical conclu
sions to the public, and also a ■
firms his unshaken adherence to
the doctrines of Scripture as un
derstood by Baptists. The book
which he promises will be eager
ly read by those who agree w’ith
him and those who do not.
Our position in this controver
sy has been unreasonably misin
terpreted. We prefer to listen
to the Scriptures rather than
men: “He that answereth a mat
ter before he heareth it, it is folly
and shame unto him.” Prov.
18:13.
The Religious Herald: Tuesday
morning’s Richmond Dispatch
made the startling announcement
that Dr. W. W. Landrum, for
fourteen years the beloved pas
tor of the Second Baptist in this
city, and known and loved by
everybody in Richmond, big and
little, rich and poor, white and
black, had decided to accept a
call to the pastorate of the First
church in Atlanta, and would en
ter upon his work there September
1. As the announcement made
it clear that the decision to go
was irrevocable, there was, of
course, nothing to do but to ac
cept the inevitable with the best
grace possible.
It is not easy to write of Dr.
Landrum, to tell of his services
as preacher and denominational
leader, to describe the hold he
has on the affections and confi
dence of the community, without
seeming to indulge in extrava
gant language. His brilliant
mind, his w’arm heart, his bright
and genial manners,his generous
sympathies, the utter absence of
malice and all uncharitableness
in his disposition —these and
many other winsome personal
traits have endeared him to the
community. His departure will
be of the nature of a personal be
reavement to hundredsand thou
sands beyond the limits of his
church membership and beyond
the limits of Richmond city.
For ourselves, we scarcely
know how to speak. He has been
so loyal a friend, so sincere, so
constant, so companionable, that
we cannot contemplate his going
without the sorest grief.
The Standard: Speaking of de
grees, those who witnessed the
exercises of convocation week at
the University of Chicago have
not yet recovered from the shock
of those polychromatic gowns
and hoods. The faculty and stu
dents have hitherto worn the
plain black gowns, distinguished
only by a slight difference incut.
Last week the color scheme took
a rise. Several distinguished
gentlemen were noticed who car
ried upon their shoulders about
all the shades of the rainbow,
indicating degrees and dignities
known to the initiated. The la
dies thought the change was
“lovely," the plain citizen made
remarks about “monkish tom
foolery,” and the wearers of the
brilliant garments thought—
well, we won’t say what they
thought. In his secret heart the
average man likes to have an ex
cuse to wear bright colors,and to
display his scholastic attainments
in visible form. But he will never
admit either of these weaknesses,
so it is no use to ask him. We
presume the gown business has
just one purpose: to impress the
Philistine multitude with the dig
nity of learning. It will be in
teresting to observe whether that
purpose is accomplished.
The Evangel: But vacation is
notvacuity. It is not emptiness,
but change, that keeps the mind
vigorous. A change of gait is
equivalent to a new set of mus
cles. A change of scene is as
good as a new set of nerves.
There is more danger in sudden
cessation of activity than there is
in continuance of strain. A vig
orous muscular habit let down at
once into idleness, very shortly
means flabbiness and loss of
strength. The mind suddenly
relieved of pressure loses its
grip. In both cases change of
exercise will give greater vigor. It
may take the form of exhilirat
ing sport, or even study or com
position in a new field. If prop
erly occupied, the close of vaca
tion. whether it be one week or
many, will find one in tone and
tune for one’s regular work.
The Baptist Record: We most
cheerfully comply with Dr. Whit
sitt’s request to print his “state
ment,” and the more so since it
breathes the spirit of a Christian
gentleman —just what we have
ever thought our brother to be.
We agree with him as to the im
propriety of his first article be
ing printed in the Independent,
considering who he is, his posi
tion in our denomination, and
the gravity of his utterances.
But who could exceed his frank
ness and candor in the acknowl
edgement of the same? We have
said from , the first, “give him
free range and full capacity - ’ ter
make good or ill his “discovery”
in Baptist history, whoop him up
all along the line and then ac
cept the issue of truth, whatever
it may be.
In the universe of soul the
Ought is day, and the Ought Not
is night
Georgia
saytUt yewe.
FIELD NOTES.
Macon is still the largest Index city
in the world.
Chapman's “ English Kitchen, is
still the nicest place in Macon to get a
25 ct. meal for gentlemen and ladies.
We are charmed with pastor South
ern and his dear wife. The South Ma
con church is to be congratulated m
the acquisition of Southern as pastor.
They ought to keep him about forty
years
The South Macon church has just
finished the basement of their meeting
house beautifully. All they need is
some new seats for it Won’t some
wealthy brother or sister in Macon give
them a little lift ? Just now they are
about out of breath.
Brother J M. Heard, the first honor
man at Mercer's last commencement, is
teaching Mercer’s summer school; the
school is on the upward grade.
Brethren J. M. Brantley and S P.
Sanford, the professors emeritus of Mer
cer University, are still in Macon; both
are beginning to show age considerably.
May the Lord deal gently with them ae
they draw near the grave. We love
them for their work s sake.
That is a fine piece of domestic mis
sion work the First church in Macon is
doing, in furnishing the South Macon
church with a pastor and paying the
most of his salary.
The new- Baptist meeting house at
Buckhead, Ga., will be formally opened
on the fourth Sabbath in July (this
month). Brother W. S. McCady, of
Social Circle, will preach the sermon.
We would like to be on hand, but can
not.
. We expect to be at the State Baptis
Convention of Mississippi, the latter
part of this week. We will be rejoiced
in meeting the dear brethren of our
native State. How we love them in the
Lord Jesus.
A few good sisters at Claxton, Ga.,
are trying to build a new Baptist meet
ing house; they have the frame up and
are about out of means. Here is a fine
chance for some good brethren and sis
ters (with money) in South Georgia to
do a good work for the Lord. Do it,
brethren; it won't be long until you
will be proud of the work.
The Whitsitt historical matter, we
very much fear, has attracted too much
attention for the good of missions: that
will settle itself. Now let us turn our
whole attention to missions and to the
Mercer endowment. We know’ some
thing about these, and it is precious lit
tle the smartest of us know about the
other.
The Tattnall Square brethren in Ma
con have about three thousand dollars
in cash and good subscriptions in hand
for the building of their new meeting
house; they are determined to build.
Now brethren (all over the State), let
us help them to the extent of our abil
ity .We are especially anxious to see a
beautiful new house-on Tattnall Square.
We have put in our mite -come up,
brethren, and help.
Now let the clerks, moderators and
treasurers of the associations be sure to
send to the Index right away the near
est railway stations to the meeting,
place, and what provisions will be made
for visitors from a distance.
Brother: Is your section of country
represented in the Index? If not, why
not? Send the news to the Index. We
can’t come after it; our mail facilities
are good. Don’t wait for some one else
to write us, you write; we are expecting
to hear from you: Write on one side of
the paper, be short, give facts only.
Thank the Lord for the gracious rains
everywhere. Now let us all begin to
ask the Lord what he will have us do
for State, Home and Foreign Missions;
then there is Mercer and the orphans.
There is that which w’ithholdeth more
than is meet that landeth to poverty.”
We heard a brother the other day (who
was once rich, but now poor) say in la
mentation. "Oh! that we had given
when we had the money, now we have
lost the money and also the opportu
nity and our conscience is—hurting us.”
Mothers, get your little ones around
your knee, and read aloud to them from
the family page of the Index, they are
(unknowingly) waiting for that very
thing. We know a little mother who
does just that: her children scramble for
the Index when it comes to see who
will be the first one to get it. It will
prove one of the very best investments
of time you can make. Try it, begin
this week.
James F. Edens.
380 Woodward Ave.. Atlanta. Ga.
ATLANTA BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Bro. Winchester in the chair. Prayer
by Bro. Haygood.
Bro, Hatcher preached at Clarkston.
Bro. Haygood preached a funeral
sermon at Kirkwood.
Bro. Buchanan, of Fifth church re
ported good services.
Bro. Ragsdale reported a good Insti
tute in Washington county.
Bro. Van Ness was at Fort Mc-
Pherson, preaching to the soldiers.
Bro. Edens preached. Basement of
church well fitted up for Sunday school.
Bro. E M. Dyer preached at Third
church at night. Much pleased with
all he saw’ there.
Dr. Spalding read a letter from Dr.
Landrum in response to the letter sent
him by the Conference last week.
Bro. Dorsey—Good services. Meeting
last week almost rained out. Meeting
continues this week. Interest good.
Usual services!! were ‘reported by
brethren Stoval, MacGregor, Howard,
Ward, McDonald, Spalding and Jame
son.
Dr. Gibson preached twice during last
week in Morgan county, where a strong
prohibition fight is on hand. Preached
at Austell yesterday.
Bro. J. A. Wynne preached at Firs*
church yesterday. At conclusion of ser
vice, a conference was held and a letter
of acceptance from Dr. Landrum was
read.
Bro. Lindsay, from the earstern part
of the city was present, and asked ad
vice of the Conference on the advisa
bility of organizing a church. On mo
tion of Bro. Jameson the matter was re
ferred to a committee of five to confer
with these brethren.
Bro. Wynne extended a cordial invi
tation to the brethren to attend the
meeting of the North Georgia Conven
tion, which meets at Gainesville next
Tuesday.
Salesmen wanted—tioo to $125; per
month and expenses. Staple line; posl-
I tion permanent pleasant and desirable. Ad
. dress with stamp, KING M'F’G CO., T 140,
I Chicago.