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THE WHITSITT CONTROVERSY.
PROF. ALBERT H. NEWMAN, D.D., LL.D.
NO. 5.
•‘THE JERSEY CHURCH RECORDS” AND
THE "KIFFIN MANUSCRIPT."
Those who have carefully followed
the course of this controversy must
have been convinced that the records
that have been quoted from under the
above designations are of fundamental
importance. On the basis of these the
present writer, years ago, reacbfd the
conclusion that immersion was Intro
duced among English Baptists in
1641 in entire independence, so far as
he can remember, of the considera
tions upon which Drs. Dexter and
Whitsitt at first placed main reliance.
It appears that neither of these writers
in 1880-81, when their alleged discov
ery was independently made, was fa
miliar with the quotations from these
records made by Rev. George Gould
in his "Open Communion and the Bap
tists of Norwich." published In 1860.
By the courtesy of Dr. Whitsitt, I
am enabled to use in the preparation
of the present article an accurate copy,
recently prepared for him in England,
of the manuscripts employed by Gould.
It is expected that Dr. Whitsitt will
at an early date publish in authentic
form, with illustrative notes, this im
portant body of materials.
The caption of the manuscript is as
follows: "A Repository of Divers His
torical Matters Relating to the Eng
Jish Anti-Pedobaptists. Collected from
Original Papers or Faithful Extracts.
Anno 1712. I began to make this col
lection in January, 1710-11."
The name of the collector is not
given in the manuscript. Whether it
is known In England 1 am uninformed.
"No. 1" has this heading: "The Rec
ords of an Antient Congregation of
Dissenters, from wch many of ye In
dependent & Baptist Church in Lon
don took their first rise: ex MSS. of
Mr. Henry Jessey, wch I received of
Mr. Richard Adams.” The collector
of 1710 onward is no doubt responsible
for the heading. The attempt to dis
credit the document on the ground
that the church of Jacob, Lathrop, Jes
sey, etc., is called ancient and that the
term “Baptist," not supposed to have
been used before 1646, is employed,
thus falls to the ground. The collec
tor supposed that he had in his pos
session the original manuscript of
Henry Jessey, relying doubtless upon
the testimony of Richard Adams, who
may have known the writer in his
later years. The document in my
opinion bears every mark of genuine
ness. I have found nothing whatever
in it inconsistent with the well-known
historical facts of the time and no
possible motive can be imagined for
the forgery of such a writing.
The record begins with an account
of Henry Jacob’s career as a Sepa
ratist leader, beginning with a writing
addressed to King James in 1604, in
which he offered to prove in a dispu
tation "the Church of England's so
farr remoteness from ye Apostolical
Churches.” The full titles of other
writings published by Jacob in 1609.
1610 and 1612 are given. After labor
ing for some time in the “low coun
tries.” he became deeply impressed
that it was his duty to return to
England for the "kingdom of Christ's
sake,” which, after repeated confer
ences with Separatist leaders abroad,
who agreed with him "that it was a
very warrantable & commendable way
to set upon that course here as weP
as In Holland or elsewhere, whatsoever
troubles should ensue," he returned to
England in 1616 with a considerable
number_,of his fellow exiles. The
names of his principal associates are
4 given find a somewhat detailed account
of the organization, which was ef
fected on a day that had been appoint
ed "to seek ye Face of ye Lord in
Fasting and Prayer, wherein that par
ticular of their Union togeather was
mainly commended to ye Lord.” Af
terwards they solemnly covenanted to
gether, standing "in a Ringwise” with
joined hands. Then follows the noti
fication of their organization "to the
Brethren hero of the Ancient Church,”
the choice and ordination of Henry
Jacob as pastor, the publication of “A
Confession & Protestation, in the
name of certain Christians, therein
showing wherein they consent in Doc
trine wth ye Church of England &
wherein they were bound to dissent,”
"with a Petition to ye King in ye
Conclusion for toileration to such
Christians.” The heads of the arti
cles. twenty-eight in number, are
given. After about eight years of ser
vice Jacob was "upon his importuni
ty” permitted by the church "to go to
Virginia” (1624). "After h,s Depart
ure hence ye Congregation remained
a year or two edifying one another in
ye best manner they could according
to their gifts given to them from
above.” Then follows the pastorate of
John Lathrop, with abundant details
of the sufferings of pastor and flock.
It is interesting to know that “not
one of those that were taken did re
cant or turn back from the truth,
through fear or through flattery or
cunning Slights, but all were the more
strengthened thereby.”
Lathrop departed for New England
with the consent of the church in 1634.
The name of "Marke Lucar” first ap
pears in 1632 as a prisoner for the
faith. A number of brethren with
drew to form a church in 1630 under
the leadership of Mr. Dupper. The
occasion of the division seems to l>e
dissatisfaction with the church for not
protesting as a body against a brother
"that had his child baptized in ye
Common Assemblies.” Dupper in
sisted that the church should “Destest
and Protest against ye Parish
Churches.”
Under the year 1633 we have the fol
lowing notice that Dr. Whitsitt (after
Gould) has correctly attributed to the
"Jessey Church Records”:
“There having been much discussing
these denying Truth of ye Parish
Churches & ye Church now become so
large yt it might be prejudicial, these
following desired dismission that they
might become an Enure Church & fur
ther ye Communion of those Churches
in Order amongst themselves, wch at
last was granted to them and per
formed Sept. 12, 1633, viz.: Henry
Parker & Wife Widd Fearne. * * *
Hatmaker Marke Luker Mr Wilson
Mary Wilson Thos Allen Jo: Milburn.
To these joyned Rich. Blunt, Thos.
Hubert, Rich: Tredwell & his Wife
Kath:, John Trimber, William Jen
nings & Sam Eaton, Mary Greenway-
Mr. Eaton with some others receiving
a further baptism.
“Others joyned to them.
“1638. These also being of the
same judgment with Sam Eaton and
desireing to depart and not be cen
sured, our interest in them was remit
ted with Prayer made in their behalfe
June Bth 1638. They having first for
saken Us & joyned with Mr Spilsbury,
viz Mr Peter Ferrer Hen Pen Tho:
Wilson Wm Batty Mrs Allen (died
1639) Mrs. Norwood.”
When it was observed that Dr. Whit
sitt (pp. 82 and 83) attributed the no
tices dated 1640 and 1641, as well as
those of 1633 and 1638, to the "Jessey
Church Records,” some of us who
had Gould's work before us supposed
this arrangement of the material to bo
due to an oversight. This explanation
wus set aside by his letter published
in the Western Recorder, in which he
sought to justify what he had done.
The collection of documents before me
demonstrates that Dr. Whitsitt was in
error In this matter, the notice from
1610 and 1611 being found exclusively
In document "Numb. 2,” which Gould
supposed to be identical with that
ascribed by Crosby to Kiflln.
The caption of this latter document
is as follows: "An Old MSS., glvelng
some Acco. of those Baptists who first
formed themselves Into distinct Con
gregations or Churches In Ixmdon,
found among certain Paper given me
by Mr. Adams.” The collector, it will
be noticed, attributes the document
neither to Jessey nor to Kiflln, but
simply states that he found it among
certain papers given him by Mr.
Adams. If it had been "ex MSS. of
Mr. Henry Jessey," he would scarcely
have failed to note the fact. That the
reader may have the matter properly
before him, I will give the essential
parts: “1633. Sundry of ye Church
whereof Mr. Jacob and Mr. John La
throp had been pastors, being dlssat
isfyed wth ye Churches owning of
English Parishes, to be true Churches
desired dismission & joyned together
among themselves, as Mr. Henry Park
er. Mr. Tho Shepard. Mr. Sam Eaton,
Marke Luker. & others, wth whom
joyned Mr. Wm. Kiflln.
“1638. Mr. Thomas Wilson, Mr. Pen,
& H. Pen, & 3 more being convinced
that Baptism was not for infants, but
professed Believers joyned with Mr.
Jo Spilsbury, ye Churches favour be
ing desired therein.
“1640, 3d Mo.: The Church became
two by mutuil consent just half being
with Mr. P Barebone, & ye other halfe
with Mr H Jessey. Mr. Richard Blunt
wth him being convinced of Baptism
yt also it ought to be by diping in
ye Body into ye Water, resembling
Burial & rising again. 2 Col. 2. 12.
Rom. 6.4 had sober conference about
in ye Church. & then with some of
the forenamed who also ware so con
vinced. And after Prayer & Confer
ence about their so enjoying it, none
havelng then so practised in England
to professed Believers. & hearing that
some in ye Netherlands had so prac
tised they agreed and sent over Mr.
Rich. Blunt (who understood Dutch)
with Letters of Commendation, ami
who was kindly accepted there, and
returned wth letters from them Jo:
Batte a Teacher there and from that
Church to such as sent him
“They proceed therein, viz Those
Persons that ware persuaded Baptism
should be by dipping ye Body. had
melt in two Companies, and did in
tend so to meet after this, all these
agreed to proceed alikd togeather And
then Manifesting (not by any formal
Words a Covenant) which word was
scrupled by some of them, but by mu
tual desires and agreement each Testi
fied:
“Those two Com pan yes did set apart
one to Baptize the rest; so it was sol
emnly performed by them.
"Mr Blunt Baptized Mr. Blacklock yt
was a Teacher amongst them & Mr.
Blunt being baptized, he & Mr Black
lock Baptized ye rest of their friends
that ware so minded, & many being
added to them they increased much.
“The Names of all 11 Mo. Janu:
begin," etc. A list of forty-one names,
to which twelve were added January
9, making fifty-three in all, as follows:
"1644. Those that were so minded
had communion togeather were be
come Seven Churches in London.
"1639. Mr. Green wth
cer ha<l begun a
Crutched Fryers, to w*om Paul
son joyned who was now wth many
of that Church one of ye Seven.
“1644. These being much spoken
against as being unsound in doctrine
as if they ware Armenians also
against Magistrates. &c„ they joyned
togeather in a Confession of their
Faith in fifty-two Articles wch gave
grave satisfaction to many that had
been prejudiced.”
The names of the signers follow.
This Confession has been often print
ed.
Document “Numb 3” is the Con
fession of Faith, but it is not in
serted.
Document “Numb. 4” has this cap
tion: "An Account of divers Con
ferences held In ye Congregation of
well Mr. Henry Jessey was Pastor,
about infant baptism by wch Mr. 11.
Jessey and ye greatest part of that
Congregation ware proselited to ye
Opinion and Practice of ye Anti-pedo
baptists being an old MSS. wch I re
ceived of Mr. Adams, supposed to be
written by Mr. Jessey, or transcribed
from his Journal." Here we have an
interesting record of the discussion on
infant baptism between Hanserd Knol
lys, Kiflln and others on the anti-pe
dobaptist side, and Jessey and others
on the pedobaptist side, that led to
the withdrawal of many antl-pedobap
tist members in 1644 and to the con
version of the pastor and a large pro
portion of the remaining membership
in 1645.
REMARKS.
1. These documents are all thor
oughly consistent with each other and
with what is otherwise known of the
history of the time in general and of
the Congregational and the Baptist
history in particular. We can con
ceive no motive for the forgery of such
documents and those ascribed to Jes
sey and that not so ascribed were old
papers in 1710. 1 think it would be
difficult to find much historical mate
rial on which we can rely more im
plicitly. The two notices that the
"Jessey Church Records” and the so
called "Kiflln Manuscript” have in
common (1633 and 1638), while they
differ in some details agree in sub
stance. They thoroughly confirm each
other.
2. Neither of the documents men
tions Spilsbury as a member of the
"ancient church.” It has commonly
been supposed that he came out with
the secession of 1633, but his name
does not occur in this connection. In
the "Jessey Church Records" of 1638
certain withdrawing members are said
to have “joyned with Mr. Spilsbury.”
By this time he was evidently pastor
of an independent congregation, prob
ably anti-pedobaptist. -<• is said that
"Sam Eaton with some others” re
ceived "a further baptism.” This is
the only intimation that the docu
ment gives of the rise of anti-pedo
baptism in the “antient church,” but
this taken in connection with the other
document is quite sufficient. No men
tion of Spilsbury occurs in the so
called "Kiflln Manuscript” until 1644.
when his name appears among the
signers of the Confession of Faith.
The reason is doubtless to be found in
the fact that Spilsbury did not partici
pate with his brethren in the efforts
to secure succession in baptism by
sending to Holland for immersion.
3. It follows from what has been
said respecting the apparent trust
worthiness of these documents that
there is no reason to call in question
the account of the discussions that led
to sending Blunt to Holland to be
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY. DECEMBER 17. 1896.
immersed (1640) and the Introduction
of immersion by the two congrega
tions (1641). It must be admitted that
a difficulty is Involved in the state
ment that Jessey with Blunt was
convinced that dipping was the proper
baptism, as Jessey seems to have had
nothing to do with the introduction of
immersion (-1041) and defended infant
baptism till 1645. But this difficulty
is not sufficient to discredit the docu
ment as a Whole.
4. The so-called "Kiflln Manuscript”
makes the unqualified statement that
none had at that time (1641) prac
ticed immersion In England in the case
of professed believers. Now it may be
freely admitted that this statement is
too sweeping. The writer should have
qualified it so as to have admitted the
possibility of instances of the practice
unknown to these brethren. They
were not omniscient and it is a peril
ous thing to make so comprehensive a
statement. Yet 1 think we may fairly
infer from this statement that the
followers of Helwys and Morton In
London and Its neighborhood, who
were probably somewhat known to
these anti-pedobaptists, were not at
this time immersionists.
5. The value of these documents is
in no sense dependent on the correct
ness of the supposition that they were
written by Henry Jessey and William
Kiflln, respectively. It is very possi
ble that the original records of the
Jacob-Lathrop-Jewey church, that
mother of Baptist churches, were
drawn upon by the leaders of several
of the derivative congregations and
that facts remembered by individual
participants in the events recorded
may in some cases have been added,
while facts of less interest to them may
have been omitted. Some of Crosby’s
quotations are not found in either of
these documents in precisely the form
in which he has given them. This
may be due to the fact that he dealt
freely with the documents, extracting
and abstracting as suited his purposes;
or he may have had before him a
different recension of the same mate
rials.
6. A clause of the Jessey Church
Record for 1633 calls for some con
sideration. It is said that the breth
ren "desired dismission that they
might become an Entire Church &
further ye Communion of those
Churches In Order amongst them
selves.” This would seem to indi
cate that churches already existed in
September, 1633, with whom these
brethren wished to enter into fellow
ship. It seems likely that Spilsbury
was already outside of the "antient
church.” The use of the plural is sig
nificant. The reference can hardly be
to the followers of Helwys, whose Ar
tninian doctrine would have been an
obstacle to communion. I have no
knowledge of those ‘ churches in or
der” and call attention to the expres
sion as an indication of the need that
exists for further information.
In article No. 3, second paragraph,
fourth line, there should be a period
after “deserves.” In the next to the
last paragraph the sentence "Certainly
there is no evidence clear along this
line.” should read, “Certainly there is
no evidence of cleavage along this
line.”
McMaster University, Toronto.
For the Index.
How Old Was Jacob When Rachel
First Saw Him ?—A Riddle
Solved.
BY P. S. WHITMAN, D D.
Jacob wasseventy
seven years bld when he left his pa
rents to find a wife in Haran. We
wonder if she is aware how a greater
trouble follows on this unnatural
teaching. For, by stretching out this
first period so long, the commentator
can give to the second period, namely,
Jacob's residence in Haran, only twen
ty years, it being generally admitted
that he was about ninety-seven years
old when he left Haran to return with
his family and substance to the land
of his fathers. Think of it—-only
twenty years in Haran! The first
seven spent in service for Rachel;
then came his fraudulent nuptials with
Leah, after which there remain only
thirteen years for Leah to bear Jacob
seven children, none of them twins, the
youngest being Dinah, not a mere in
fant when he left Canaan, but old
enough soon after to go out to see the
daughters of the land and attract the
notice of men. Nor must we leave out
of consideration a matter which
greatly augments the inconsistency—
that item in Leah’s history noted in
Gen. 29:35, last clause—also in 30:9,
first clause. Thus to any reflective
mind a residence of forty years in Ha
ran instead of twenty is necessary for
the conditions as set forth in the di
vine record. And these forty years
taken from the age of Jacob at the
time he left Haran makes him fifty-five
instead of seventy-five when he arrived
there and Rachel first saw him at the
well, an age which no doubt our Texas
sister will consider much less offen
sive to romance.
All things considered, we think any
competent judge in this case must say
it could not have been less than about
sixteen years after her fraudulent
marriage that Leah gave birth to Di
nah: and this when Jacob had been
in Haran twenty-three years. Thus, if
his residence there was continued to
forty years, Dinah was only seventeen
when that time expired, and the family
moved into Canaan. With due allow
ance for the stay at Succoth, there re
mains to Dinah time for her acquaint
ance (not necessarily hasty) with
Shechem to eventuate in virtual mar
riage ere she passed the age of twenty.
Expositors who hold to the twenty
year theory, it is presumed, make the
two passages, one Gen. 31:38. the
other verse. 41, the double proof of it.
We think our Texas sister will be
anxious to know what they do with
the Dinah puzzle in this case. One of
them says. "This domestic trouble
could not have happened till the fam
ily had lived six or seven years in the
neighborhood of Shechem; for. in a
less time than this, Dinah could not
have attained a marriageable age!”
Certainly our Texas sister will laugh
over a man’s calculation of the mar
riageable age! The expositor's point
of time here for Dinah's trouble is
precisely twenty years after her moth
er's marriage. The point of time,
then, when Jacob left Haran being
only thirteen years after, it is just as
much as any one can believe that Di
nah had her birth in Haran. The
twenty-year theory is still lacking
some thirteen years to make it meet
the historic conditions. The expositor
should have claimed some eighteen or
twenty years for the family to have
been living in Canaan before the
trouble could have happened. And
what a chance for conjecture would
here open. We might claim that Shec
hem was probably known to Dinah
from her childhood. An early love
bound them together. And when the
unfortunate period came, she may have
been of that ripe age which scorned the
interference of those cruel brothers, Si
meon and Levi, In an affair which, In
a more advanced civilization, would
have been considered distinctly her
own. The front of her offense may
have been that she acted privately and
did not consult those arrogant broth
ers.
But our Texas sister, we know, will
not believe a word of all this; for It
doos not relieve the matter of Jacob’s
being “seventy-seven" years old when
ho first saw Rachel at the well. She
will never take to the Idea that Dinah
was an infant, and that Joseph (who
was younger) was unborn when the
family moved out of Haran. And she
will probably solve the riddle em
braced in those two passages, Gen.
31:38 and 41, by showing that they
mean forty years instead of twenty.
Thus, Jacob served fourteen years for
Rachel and Leah. Then he served
six years more, taking his pay in cat
tle. Thus he was twenty years in the
character of a servant to Laban. At
the end of these twenty years, having
a numerous family and stock of his
own, he was able (and it would have
been natural for him to do so), to
have separated from and have
carried on business by himself. But,
instead of this, he becomes a partner
in business with I,aban, and, in this
new sphere, he continues another
twenty years in Haran. During this
twenty both Dinah and Joseph were
born. During this twenty he acqulre’d
his wealth. How great this was may
be inferred from the droves on droves
that he sent forward to Esau. Jacob
had promised the tenth of all hfs gain
—“lf God should be with him so that
he come again to his father's house in
peace.” No doubt that promise was
fulfilled when, in returning to his fa
ther’s house, he met Esau. Now, con
sidering the droves sent forward to
Esau a tenth, what must have been
the wealth with which he moved out
of Haran? Three hundred milch cam
els with their colts; 400 cows and a
hundred bulls; 200 she anses and a
hundred foals; 2,000 ewes and 200
rams; 2,000 she goats and 200 he goats;
add to this multitude of stock all the
manservants and maidservants that
Jacob speaks of. Now, if Jacob left
Haran at the end of twenty years all
the wealth he could have had was
just the cattle he took as wages for
the six previous years, during which
he served Italian. It would be ex
travagant to suppose it amounted to
even what was spent in guts to Esau.
It is, therefore, plain as If expressly
stated that Jacob, having passed twen
ty years as servant, from that time
carried on an independent business of
his own —there existing in the mean
time a kind of partnership between
him and during another twenty
years. These, we think, are the years
spoken of in tho passage Gen. 31:38,
39, 40, ending with the first clause In
verse 41. Then, in ending. Jacob re
fers back to the fact how he served
those fourteen years for Rachel and
Leah and how he kept on serving him
six years longer for cattle. Thus we
solve the riddle embraced in the four
verses. Jacob spent twenty years get
ting a start in business, the next
twenty in acquiring his wealth. Thus
the riddle reveals his age to have been
fifty-five instead of seventy-five at
the glad hour he met Rachel at the
well.
For the ISDix.
Bearing: the Royal Brand.
ans
constantly annoyed during his mission
ary travels by tne J' lalzing teachers.
They pursued him like bloodhounds on
hot trail of some notorious scoundrel.
They stooped to low devices in order
to destroy his influence and intercept
the spread of the Gcfspel of Jesus
Christ. They accused him of dissimu
lation or double dealing and charged
him with preaching the necessity of
circumcision in the hope of perverting
the minds of his Gentile converts.
This unjust and unmanly charge Paul
refutes by appealing to what he had
actually taught, distinctively, emphat
ically, in all places, viz.: that neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision
availeth anything but a new creation
only, and he further defends himself
by appealing to his bitter persecutions
which would not have overtaken him
had he favored the law of circumcis
ion. He says: “I bear branded In my
body the marks of the Lord Jesus."
Gal. 6:17. His loyalty to the Lord
Jesus instead of to Moses’ law, accord
ing to the Jewish interpretation of it.
brought upon him bitter persecution,
which betokened clearly his “position
concerning circumcision. And because
he refused to look upon the ceremony
with approbation he was branded as a
heretic. The English word brand is
derived from the Greek stigma which
means “to prick as with a needle”
(cf. stick, sting, stimulus and the
Polyneasian word tattoo, to mark or
brand).
The branding custom is very com
mon among New Zealanders, South Sea
Islanders, North American Indians,
sailors and soldiers of the East, is of
heathen origin, and is perpetuated to
some extent by civilized people. The
Jews are said by some to have prac
ticed the custom of branding their
bodies in memory of the dead (Lev.
19:28, Deut. 14:1), but there is no cer
tain proof that they did.
They were prohibited from making
cuttings in their flesh or prints on
their hands, etc., lest they should fall
into the heathen practice so prevalent
around them. Eastern domestic ser
vants wore stamped upon their bodies
the mark of their master. Idol wor
shippers bore branded in their bodies
he name of their idol. See Rev. 13:16;
14:9 ff. Soldiers also had the name of
their general branded on their bodies,
thus showing to whom they belonged.
It is quite likely that Paul alludes to
this painful, heathenish practice when
he says:: “I bear branded in my
body the marks of the Lord Jesus,”
not as though he indorsed the custom,
but byway of illustrating his relation
and loyalty to the Ix>rd Jesus.
The instruments used in branding
were different among different people.
The New Zealander used a sharp
pointed bone, which was dipped in a
thick mixture of charcoal and water,
and then pricked in the body. The
usual instrument in the East was a
red-hot iron. It had certain letters in
it and after the impression was made,
ink was poured into the furrows. The
whole thing was very painful, yet
heroically borne because the brands
were regarded as ornaments and marks
of distinction. The brands borne by
the Apostle Paul were not the marks
of either of the above instruments, but
of bitter persecution. Once he was
stoned and left for dead; thrice he re
ceived forty stripes, save one. This
was the branding iron that was used
on Paul, the scars of which followed
him to his grave. It was an ignomi
nous brand nobly borne. It indicated
his dignity and loyalty, and truly it is
an ornament to him who wears it for
the sake of the Lord Jesus.
Brother, have you been branded on
account of your faithfulness to God
and his holy, infallible Word? Es
teem it an honor euperior to the hon
ors of this world and a privilege pos
sessed by those only whoearnestlycon
tend for the faith that has been once
for all delivered to the saints. Marvel
not if the world hate you. If they
hate Christ they will certainly despise
his followers. They that will live
godly shall suffer persecution. Those
who wear the brand of the Lord Jesus
remember that it is a gift, for it Is
given unto us not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for his sake
and if we suffer with him we shall
also reign with him In glory. The one
hundred and forty-four thousand
whom John saw in glory had the mark
of their father in their foreheads. In
order to wear the seal of God stamped
upon the forehead in heaven, we must
bear marke of the Lord Jesus here
upon earth and we may bear this
royal brand by standing firmly, un
compromisingly for the unvarnished
Gospel of God.
Lord, increase our courage, should
be the constant prayer of his saints on
earth.
Campbellsburg, Ky.
One Way to Do Good
Almost any intelligent Baptist with
as much as twenty-five years' connec
tion with his people can make some
useful contribution to their history.
By reading the interesting communi
cation some months ago in the Index
from the pen of our now sainted
brother, W’. L. Kilpatrick, this thought
was reimpressed. Can the service of
some other brother or sister be secured
for the continuance of the work so
suddenly and unexpectedly interrupt
ed by the death of our noble brother?
Doubtless a number of old Baptists in
Eastern Georgia could give us in sub
stance what was Intended in the bro
ken series. Every one cannot write
for the press, but those who can do
so might gather material from ohl
and candid observers in whose mem
ories are stored much of value con
cerning the doings of our Baptist fa
thers.
Frequent interviews are published
giving the views of public men. and
why not interview our wise old Bap
tists In the interest of our own history?
Gathering facts from our church rec
ords, in some respects, is of foremost
importance, but the plan here sug
gested is, in other respects, better
still.
Had Dr. W. L. Kilpatrick lived one
year longer, humanly speaking, he
would have made very much easier the
task of our future historian of Geor
gia Baptists, but it is now too late.
In like manner it will soon be too late
for certain old brethren and sisters to
leave us those valuable facts now
stored in their memories.
Just take a little time, young brother,
to dig in this mine, and send your
gem collections to the Index. Keep
in mind, too, the fact that the pecu
liar characteristics of scene of our
noted old preachers will be made
prominent through your work. Let it
l>e remembered also that in making
such collection of facts as is here in
sisted on, there is likely to be diver
sity of testimony as among witnesses
in a court of justice. More light will
thus be thrown on the subjects treated.
No Baptist, as the past sufficiently
shows, need expect a correct history
of his people from outside sources.
On this account, then, should not the
jmod there is in putting our correct
g<>
Ga.
the jpooife-
Any publication mentioned in this de
partment may be obtained of the
American Baptist Publication So
ciety. 93 Whitehall St., Atlanta, Ga
When prices are named they include
postage.
The Editors of the Christian Index
desire to make this column of service
to their readers. They will gladly
answer, or have answered, any ques
tions regarding books. If you desire
books for certain lines of reading, or
desire to find out the worth or pub
lisher of any book, write to them.
The Gospel in Brief. Count Tolstoi.
T. Y. Crowell & Co., New York.
Price $1.25.
This is a portion of an extended
work by this famous author. Tolstoi
has had a singular life. Reared in
the upper ranks of Russian society, he
tasted the pleasures and gayeties of
life. His greatest novel, “War and
Peace,” may be taken as a resume of
his experiences. Sick of all the
world's hollowness, he turned to more
serious things. He took up the study
of the Gospels and was won by the
character of Jesus. He gave up his
old life for one of labor and love. He
has wrought out for himself a theory.
Greatly abominating dogmatic theolo
gy, he has yet formed a theology for
himself. His main contentions are
that Jesus as shown in the Gospels is
alone our authoritative teacher and
guide, and that love is the great
thought of Jesus’ life and the condi
tion of spiritual life. All ecclesiastical
teaching and the epistles are de
nounced. To American readers much
of his objection to these will seem
absurd. This emphasizes the idea
that Tolstoi's revulsion is against the
Greek and Roman churches. The
words of Scripture are grouped here
and used in paraphrase. Much that is
both helpful and instructive is given.
We have seldom seen a more sugges
tive use of the phrase of the Lord’s
prayer than in his chapter headings.
If the reader will remember the great
fundamental differences underlying
this book, it can be used to great ad
vantage. It gives us a glimpse of
how many think about Jesus.
The Wampum Belt. A tale of Wil
liam Penn’s treaty with the Indians.
Hezekiah Butterworth. D. Apple
ton & Co., New York. Price $1.50.
A good subject handled by a good
writer in a good way. Mr. Butter
worth is the editor of the Youth’s
Companion. In this book he treats of
one of the most entertaining portions
of American history. The heroine is
one “Faithful Heart,” an Indian
princess. William Penn makes with
his tribe his famous treaty. Tho
parchment and the wampum belt,
which was the seal of the treaty, come
into the girl’s possession. The loyal
truthfulness of Penn and his follow
ers is well set forth and the beautiful
life it developed among Indians and
whites. Later comers perpetrated the
famous seizure of territory through
the “walking treaty.” The result was
a terrible reign of bloodshed. The
contrast between honesty and dis
honesty is thus clearly shown. The
story is quaint and well told. Like all
that Mr. Butterworth does, it is ac
curate, chaste, and pure. It teaches a
most valuable lesson of history and
will delight both boys and girls.
It will make a fine Christmas present.
Makers of the American Republic.
David Gregg, D.D. E. B. Treat, New
York. Price $1.50.
This volume comprises a series of
patriotic addressee by one of the lead
ing Presbyterian pastors in New
York. We find them unusually inter
esting and instructive. Giving the
substantial facts, they deal more with
interpretation than narration. In this
interpretation much historical reading
is shown and the instinctive taste of
the preacher is shown in the selection
of interesting incidents and striking
faets. Among the subjects are the
Old Dominion, The Scotch, the Hugue
nots, The Quakers, Columbus, The
Church and the Republic. This last
is a sermon preceding a collection for
home missions. It is discriminating
and helpful. The book contains
twelve addresses. Preachers will find
it helpful both in its general historical
instructiveness and as a compendium
of facts. Thoughtful young people
will enjoy it, while those Interested in
history will find it worthy of a place
in their library. The work of a
popular preacher and originally pre
pared for public address, the style is
always attractive and vigorous. Amer
icanism is nobly upheld and no uncer
tain sound is given regarding Roman
ism.
Beulah Land. T. L. Cuyler, D.D.
American Tract Society, New York.
Price SI.OO.
This is in striking contrast to the
above. Dr. Cuyler Is well known as a
sound evangelical writer. For years he
was a loved preacher in Brooklyn.
For some time, since his retirement
from active service, he has been us
ing his pen and has preached widely
and well in this way. Ripe in experi
ence, reverent in tone, scriptural In
every conception, he gives rich food
for men and women in Christ. Natu
rally most of his themes are those
common to the last days of life, but
by no means exclusively so. The book
is handsomely bound and few books
we have seen would better suit those
fond of sound spiritual reading. Those
in sorrow or along in life could not be
better suited. We urge it on our
readers.
Midshipman Farragut. James Barnes.
D. Appleton & Co., New York. Price
SI.OO.
In the form of a story this relates
the early life as a midshipman of
David Farragut, who became the great
admiral. The narrative is of intense
interest. It takes up young Farragut
on nis entrance into the navy and re
cites the incidents of the famous cruise
of the Essex during the war of 1812.
The narrative follows the known inci
dents of that cruise and Farragut’s
part is given as it really occurred.
The book is free from coarseness or
vulgarity. The events are startling
and Farragut’s deeds are unusual. Did
we not know the later life we might
doubt some of them. With it all there
is the natural brightness and adven
turesomeness of the boy. It is a good,
clean book for boys.
Sunday-School Publications. W. A.
Wilde & Co., Boston, Mass.
We have received a full line of the
Sunday-school publications issued by
the above firm. Peloubet’s notes has
become a standard Sunday-school book.
These periodicals are edited by Dr.
Peloubet and have many of the excel
lencies of that work. The grades and
prices can be found elsewhere. The
periodicals do not claim cheapness
are certainly meritorious.
been specially impressed
with the quarterly prepared for the
Home Department. All the periodicals
are well printed and have good
maps. It may also be said the Publi
cation Society’s Atlanta house sells
Peloubet’s notes at a remarkably low
price.
The Windfall. W. O. Stoddard. D.
Appleton & Co., New York. Price
$1.50.
This is a story of adventure by pne
of the best of modern writers for young
people. The scene is laid in a coal
mining region and the plot turns about
a mine disaster and a great snow
storm, followed by a flood. A bov
named Andy Craik plays an important
part. There are no vi tains In the
story and good ordinary, whole-souled
people come on the scene. The story
is lively and full of adventure. It
will entertain and instruct.
The Ideal Prayer-Meeting. W. H.
Groat. F. H. Revell Co., New York.
Price 50c.
All interested in having live prayer
meetings will find this little book of
value. It contends for the participa
tion of the laymen. Many good sug
gestions are made. It will be found
useful for young people as well as pas
tors and deacons.
To make the hair grow a natural col
or. prevent baldness, and keep the scalp
healthy, Hall's Hair Renewer was in
vented, and has proved itself successful.
V. E. Orr, Atlanta, supplies teachers
free.
How To Get Good Teachirs.
Write J. M. Dewberry. Manager of
the “School Agency,” Birmingham,
Ala., stating fully the kind of teacher
desired and what yon will pay. Mr
Dewberry will probably recommend to
you, free of charge, the kind of teacher
asked for and yon may rely upon his
recommendations. He will recommend
only competent teachers.
V. E. Orr’s goods not in trust.
CHURCH ORGAN 3
Hook & Hastings Co.
Boston. Mass-
Or. A. Crane Williamson,
HOMEOPATHIC SPECIALIST.
25 Years Experience.
Gives special attention to Obstinate, Com
pllcated and Chronic Diseases; especially
Nervous Weak neo. Dyspepsia, Constlpa
ion, Cancer Rectum and diseases of wo
nen and children. Consultation by mall or
nofllcefree. Office and Rooms, 40%Whlte
tall street. Atlanta, Ga. nr- Reference:
kny ol the Baptist ministers of the city.
ISJunely
DR. J. HARVEY MOORE.
-»S PEC I H LI ST*
Eye, Ear, Throat and Nose.
TCross Eyes straightened by Dr. Moore’s new
method without pain. No lose of time and no
confinement
Granulated Sore Eyes cured by Dr. Moore’s
original method without caustics or knife,
307-308 Norcross Building,
ATLANTA, - - - GEORGIA
pm”
' V says
I Pretty
Poll
She’s just “poll parroting.’’
There’s no prettiness in pills,
except on the theory of “pretty
is that pretty does.” In that
case she's right.
Ayer’s Pills
do cure biliousness, constipation
and all liver troubles.
The Boys’ Holiday in Japan.
Colonel John A. Cockerill, while in
Japan, wrote of the boys’ holiday as
follows: “On the sth of May the boys
have their holiday. They own the
country then. Every house has a gay
pole of bamboo, from which floats one
or more gaudy fish made of tough pa
per. The wind blows Into the mouths
of these fish and inflates them. They
float and writhe and wriggle in a most
natural way. Some of them are of
enormous length. These fish are sup
posed to represent carp, and the idea
is that as the carp swims up the
rivers against the most obstructive
currents so may a sturdy boy swim
In life's current and achieve fame and
fortune. This lesson is well taught.
As is the number of boys in the house
hold so is the number of paper flsb
on the pole in front thereof. I have
seen one humble habitation with
twelve fish, big and little, dancing
airily in front of it. The boys are
great kite-flyers, too, about this time.
They build them of bamboo sticks and
the strong-fibered paper for which Ja
pan is celebrated. They are enormous
In size, and they send them up a half
mile or so. Down at Kamakura, one
Sunday last spring, I counted two hun
dred kites hovering over that village.
To some were attached a buzzing ap
paratus, which filled all space with a
droning that was not unmusical.” —
Exchange.
STIMULATING AND NUTRITIOUS.
Horsford’s Acid Phosphate.
It supplies Just the r’ght element (the
phosprates) to repair waste of body and
brain—a food Itself, and also helps digest
other food.
Get V. E. Orr, Atlanta, seat your
Chnrcb.
FtRRYS
There has never bueu • tune when grow
s'ere should guard against failure with more I
\ care. There has never been a time when <
J 7>rr/« Stefa were more essential. They are •
L alwayi the bent. For sale by leading j ,
Y dealers everywhere. Insist on having them.
(FERRY’S SEED ANNUAL]
I is full of information for gardeners and T
I planters. There will never be a better time I
kthan now to send for the IW7 edition. Free* J
C D. M. Ferry A. Co.,
Seeds .
Our Special Offer:
C? V O
Cittage Piiuier Set (white).—s4.oo
6 Silver Plated Knives 1.25
6 Plated Forks 0.75
6 Plated Tea Spoons 0.50
3 Plated Table Spoons 0.25
6 Tumblers 0.25
1 Large Glass Pitcher 0.25
2 Saltsand Pepper Shakers 0.10
1 Syrup Pitcher 0.15
6 Jap. Napkins 0.05
1 Spoon Holder 0.15
Worth $7.70
Special Price on the Ar ft ft
First 100 Sets VvivU
A Cottage Dinner Set
Contains:
6 Dinner Plates, 6 Breakfast Plates,
6 Cups and Saucers, 6 Fruit Saucers,
6 Butter Pads, 2 Meat Dishes, 1
Baker, 1 Pickle, 1 Cover Dish, 1
Sugar, 1 Cream, 1 Bowl, 1 Butterdish,
1 Gravy Boat of the celebrated Mod
dock Porcelain, the best wearing ware
on earth. Absolutely warranted_not
to glaze-crack from any cause.
To introduce this famous A£• A A
ware we will sell the first \ll Uli
100 setts as above for.. Qu i UU
Order at once so you get the benefit
of the low prices.
Carver & Harper
79 Whitehall St.,
ATLANTA, GEORGIA.
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Crockery, Lamps Fancy Goods.
*'We’ll Dye
For You,"
Why throw away your clothes when
you can have them Cleaned and Dyed
equal to new ?
We do both ladies’ and men’s clothes
better than any other in the South,
with prices to suit the times.
Southern Dye &
Cleaning Works,
22 & 24 Walton St., Atlanta, Ga.
ty Express paid. Send for price
list. mch26ly
■■ mil ■■ and Whiskey Habits
■ ■ ■ ■ ■■cured at home
■MB i® 311 Ml out Fain. Book of par-
E B I W IVI tieulars sent FKEE.
B. M.WOOLLEY,M. D.
Atlanta,Ga. Office 104% Whitehall St.
JL » m MONTH AND EXPENSES; experienc
Nk / unnecessary: position permanent; s
Mr i seller. Pbasx Myo. Co., Cincinnati, O