Newspaper Page Text
BANNER & BAPTIST.
W £'■' ■ I * w
'<V? t
“Holy Bible, —Book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.”
JESSE J*. WOO®, Editcis
ROME, GA., APRIL 26,1860.
NOTICE.
From and after this date no Sub
scriber's name will be entered on our
Books, without the Money, or the
same is vouched for by some respon
sible, known friend.
WHio will act as voluntary
Agents to extend tITe circu
lation of the Banner A: Bap
tist i
A PROPOSITION.
AVe wish all our friends, male and female,
to act as agents for the Banner & Baptist.
Every minister who will send us five
new subscribers and the money, can have
the paper for a year for 81. Any one who
will send us ten subscribers and the money
can have it gratis for one year. AN ill our
brethren and friends work for the Banner ?
ABSENT.
The Editor, Bro. Wood, is absent in at
tendance upon the Georgia Baptist Conven
tion ; and on Sabbath next, in accordance
with a former engagement, he will preach
at a church a few miles from Marietta.—
He will not therefore reach home before
Monday or Tuesday next. His correspond
ents must be patient. R.
A CAIX'MNIATOB.
In the last number of the Champion ap
pears a communication signed “Paul,” and
purporting to be written from Rome. This
writer is not unknown, but known or un
known, be it known to him, and all the
world and the rest of mankind, that his
"•itements relative to this paper and its
business, and relative to our Publishing en
terprise soon to go into operation in Atlan
ta, are unqualified untruths, — knowingly
so, —and written in malice, or ignorantly :
yet the writer none the less guilty.—
No Christian gentleman would have ever
thought of writing the statements, and have
been guilty of making the inuendos, who
had one particle of knowledge on the sub
ject HH>*4» lews
hide his shameless face, behind the name
of the sacred Apostle. AN ith even some
professing Christians there is no shame.
1 regret the necessity of writing this,—
perhaps there was no necessity,—but small
men must be noticed sometimes, and noticed
just as they deserve. Paul must prove his
assertions or wear the brand wo have given
him. NVe have no more to write about
him now, or hereafter. R.
PASTORAL TALK No. 29.
Dear Brethren.
There are some sheep that never l«,«>k
well, no odds how rich the pastures on
which they have the privilege to feed. It
may be that some are dyspeptic, can't di
gest strong food. Some are mu< h afraid of
wolves, and other boasts of prey, and some
appear to be hard headed, and others quite
wild. Now if all the members <-fi fold
were healthy, gentle and trustful, having a
good shepherd, and rich pastures, they
would be very profitable to their owners.
But if they should be shy and rm; from the
Shopherd, and roam upon sterile mountains
and become scattered and torn, but little
profit is looked for.
Some stewards are very prodigal oftheir
masters goods, an I at the end of the year
make a very poor report of their nets and
doings, lie would be regarded as a very
licentious steward, who at settling time
should report that ho had u-.-d for him-elt
a thousand dollars, and La I left but ten dol
larsto turn over to his Lord, and then think
that his master ought to thank him lor that.
AA hat w ould you think of a servant who
should drink all the ■ otTee and hand his mas
the dregs which had settled in the bottom
of the cap ? AA'hat of him who should cou
sum** the aumptuoua lure *»i a renn
nished table and then offer the proprietor
the scraps that were left > Nou buy lands
do you, make money, live finely, smoko ci
gars, wear fine doth. . and if y. ti have anv
left you give to charitable objects I Take
care brethren, take care ! God requires the
best offering for sacrifice.
SCRIPTURAL VIEW OF FEET WASH
ING.
The following is an extract f a letter,
received some time ag-.-;
“ Dkak Brother Wood:
Several articles have api>ea:\ l i„ the
Ba-in er & /Sop.'hi/ up* ti the sjbj.ct -f feet
waslimg. Among them w, re ’.wo if. :J -, the
editor, which were only a republication of
Lmn on the subject. I'his ::stru. 1,
by y • ur re.: :* rs. as a s ) . ■ s•;
yc-’ir part. A’ hi intimated, in y< first
number, that you w aid stun iffat-f .ted <>ti
ail st; ts that arc *-f interest to the
chun k.A\ e are slow t<> I -.* c that y u
N
AV** know of no better authority than
John. and here publish, for the third time,
his record cf feet washing, as t . v> :
N w. before the feast of the passxrer. •
when Jesus knew that his h- ur was come
that he should depart out *>f this world un
to the Fath r, h;i«ii«t I>*d i. «n »h. h
*ejre ia the world, he level them sato the
end. And supper being ended, {the devil
► having now put into the. heart of Judas
Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,) Jesus
knowingthat the. Father had given all things
f into his hands, and that he was come, from
God, and went to God; he riseth from sup
per, and laid aside his garments; and took
a towel, and girded himself. After that,he
poureth water into a bason, and began to
wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe, them
with the towel wherewith he was girded.—-.
: Then cometh he to Simon Peter, and Pe-
• ter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash
my feet? Jesus answered and said unto
him, What I do thou knowest not now ;
but thou shall know hereafter. Peter saith
unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not,
thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter
saith unto him. Lord, not my feet only, but
also hands and head. Jesus" saith
to life, He that is washed r.esdeth no’, save
to wash his feet, but is clean every whit,
and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew
who should betray him: therefore said he.
■ Ye are not all clean. So after he had wash
ed their feet, and had taken his garments,
and was set down again, he said unto them,
Know ye what 1 have done to you ? Ye
, call me Master and Lord : and ye say well:
; for so I am. If then, your Lord and Mas-
! I ter, have washed your feet: ye also ought
to wash one another’s feet. For I have
given you an example, that ye.should do as
I have done to you. A’erily, verily, I say
unto you, The servant is not greater than
• his lord; neither he that is sent greater
iAhw. h- Ural sent him.— -U~ >.» hiw*w tip-*.-,
things, happv are ve if ye do them.
John.
As we sometimes defend minorities, we
are inclined to take a bold stand for John.
1. He had a better opportunity to see
what was done, and to hear what was said,
than any modern writer.
2. AA r e take it that he was a very truth
ful writer, never having heard his veracity
called in question.
3. It is our understanding that he wrote
under the direct influence of the Holy
Spirit,
Now, it doos seem to us, that, we must
have fallen upon strange times, when such
a writer is regarded as non-committal. If
there is a plainer passage in the New Tes
tament, a more simple statement of what
was done and said by our Lord and Master,
we confess never to have seen it. He wash
|ed the disciples' feet: he told them they
ought to wash one anothers’ feet; and said,
“if ye know these things, happy arc ye if
ye do them.”
AA hen it is said that it was done to teach
a lesson of h umility, to represent a cleansing,
to express hospitality, and to symbolize this,
that, or the other thing, we think it is en
i tering the field of' conjecture, anil going be
yond the record. AAc are. content to de
fend the record as it is. To a simple-heart
ed Christian, a clear, unequivocal statement
of the Scriptures is of more importance
than all the testimony of the ancient futh
. ers combined with the opinions of all mod
| ern theologians.
i The record does not say why Chuist
I washed the disciples’ feet, nor in what way
i they were to be benefitted by it. But it
■ does say plainly that He d<d wash their
i feet, thigt He did tell them they ought to
i happy did them. Should we reason
i about it at all? Reason appears to be
’ i against at least two theories.
1. .Against its being an act of hospitality .
J For, in that ease, it should have occurred
; i at the door before entering the house, and.
1 ' of course, before suppi r.
i 2. Against its having been done for the
■ purpose of cleansing, for the same reason
j that it was not an act of hospitality. If
! they needed cleansing, it ought to have been
I done before soiling the house. Besides, the
Saviour said they were already clean.
i It appears plain that the good to be de
; rived was to be developed in obedience.—
. They should real;/ ■ the good, should be
happy it they obeyed. If christiansshould
. engage in feet washing, and one was to say,
. “1 felt humble, unworthy;'’ another should
[ j say, ”1 had a hard struggle at first, to for
i I give the brother whose feet I washed, yet I
did fully do so;” another should say, “I
thought much of Christ, who once stooped
to his disciples’ feet, and felt that 1 might to
i stoop ever, lower than lledid;” and anoth
er should say. “I never felt such strong fel
lowship f, r humble christians before." we
: suppposo th..t all these would come within
: the record.
i At any rate, should Christian- thus cn
! gage, as they meet at their houses, or at
: stated times and places, and do as Christ
-j commanded, it would be hard for the fath-
1 ers, historians, modern di vinos, and the bill
i ane? of the world, to condemn them by the
record of John. It would be quite as hard
to show that any possible harm to the spir
ituality of christians, can grow out of a
plain, literal interpretation <»f the same rec
ord. And ten times more difficult to show
• .-:<*• tbrmany practices that
. ar en ' vra"e<l a-l>emo simply m harmon*
with ’he spirit ft he gospel S then, v.n
must defend John. AVe think he was not
' on the fenc*. but wrote truthfully, plainly.
. an 1 m:d< ;■ t:.e ’”•. t. o| the 11 'y Sp>. ,-.
. In this fast age it may be that to obey i
more difficult than when the hal its ~f the
people were more situple. It is e . tainl v
more trouble to pull off .mJ put * n !.ipt
he. \,l lioots. than it va- in Jons’- J ;l \ t
ma’..._e sandals; nevertlick<s. there ma*
he q as t;,.\h iicccs-ity for ehristi:.i;
simplicity, and humility,t.» was then.
CREEK TRANSLATIONS.
The tvliow’mg *H>mmui;ieati<>n from bro.
II F. Bt * kxkk. shows ti at !:is v. ;k h. ; s
been < or.l;.tdy apt.roved by those who have
exam tied liisiiui .-esipts, AV* ’cq-e there
W.:. c arr.it:.; ■ ;i!v n.aJ.. t.
print them that they may prove a Idessmjf
to Cre* ks. AA e hope, al-o. that ur read- 1
ers will remember that bro. IRckner has
aptvale*! to B.;pt;st> for tr. :;ey t- jay the
xpci’.~.s of print'.: e.
tOHMITTEE s REPORT.
AA \*ho« signatures are anin x.-i. take
pleasure iu certifying that we have care
:'.;liy examined the m-c. rij • eop : es of
the Creek Grammar, ;<n.l translation v s the
G s*.. i accord;' :: J hn. iyH. F. Btc«-
ne.x snl G Herrof and *bst in opm-
1 I ion they are more correct than anything
3 ■ that has ever been published in the Creek
’ : language; and that they are as nearly cor
’ rcct, in all respects, as it is possible to
. make them at this stage of the language.
; Moreover, the changes xvhich Mr. Buckner
- has made in the Creek alphabet arc im- .
5 portant, and a decided improvement upon j
i the old one.
[Signed.]
! j Moty Renard, Principal Chief.
> . D. N. Mclntosh, National Cl’k.
; Chilly Mclntosh.
i Jas. M. C. Smith, Superintendent
of Public Instruction,
, And members of the Creek National
Council.
b Cre— Nation, March 25, 1860.
Cave Spring, April 18, iB6O.
Bro. AA’ooi.':
A brother at Pleasant Grove last Satur
day called attention to brother Slover’s
, j appeal for aid to build a house of worship,
■ j and proposed that as a church they should
send him some material aid. Fourteen
dollars was soon raised and handed me to
. forward to bro. S.
i This is indeed a small sum for a church, j
j but if all in Cherokee Gcor-
‘ I gia will do as well, bro. S. will soon have
, | the 300 dollars he sojnueh desires. Can
’ yoit iiot'pcrtorm a'good '
by calling attention to this plan of church I
. contributions ?
A ours, Ac.
AVM. NEWTON.
AA r e publish the above note from brother
Newton for the purpose of laying that
matter before our churches. AVe will say
i just here that bro. J. R. Chambers has al
j ready taken up a subscription for the same
| object, and had a day or two ago received
> thirty dollars. AA ill not every minister of
| the Coosa Association at once constitute
himself an agent to raise funds for brother
Slover’s church edifice, and report to bro.
Newton, Cave Spring ? An effort is all
that is necessary to insure the amount.
Ed.
TOM MH I ( I T I O AS.
For the Banner & Bapti.-t. j
' REVIEW OF “CORRECTIVE CHURCH
DISCIPLINE."
REC A PI TUI. A T ION.
In my last. I promised to give a sum
mary of’ the criticisms made upon •'Cor
rective Church Discipline.”
As “Corrective Church Discipline” must
rest on the different classes of which
serve as a foundation of the whole super
structure, the demolition of the foundation
is destructive to \\te fabric as a whole, zlx,
when a house, built upon a rotten founda
tion, falls, some of the timbers may be lit
to be used for other purposes: so, though
j “Corrective Church Discipline,” as a .sys
i tematic treatise, lias fallen, yet if retains
i some exo lient thoughts and useft:! sngges- j
1. That th' cornerstone—“ Private Os-
. fine- s"—must fall. — Because that is no of
fence. which violates neither religion, nor
! morality. The common sense of mankind I
I generally will sustain this criticism.
2. It was shown that the corner stone of
[ "Public Offences” has so much s tud in it,
i that it is impossible for it to sustain its part
•I of the structure. That the reader may per
i fectly remember this, here is the corner
stone itself: “ V public offence is one, in
; which the act is essentially a crime against
‘ religion and morality, or the object of it the
Church in its organized capacity.” The
j latter part of this definition (‘or the Church
i in its organized capacity’), is incoirect—
1. Philosophically.— /Z is incorjmraled
into the definition. when it may. or man
not be un example under the general
rule for “public offences.” Phiioso-I
pher.s will ever remain astonished at [
this definition.
2. Loaic.\i.i y.—7' ossun cs the very thing i
to be prov l. The fallacy is called;
“petitio principli"— a Legging of' the 1
quest ion.
3. I’hE'jli iiicali.y.— Based upon the ab
surd dogma of Church infallibility.
1 Tiiis part of the definition, so unphih -
sophical, so illogical, and so theologically
absurd, turns out to be the main pillar of;
"Correi'tive Church Ills, ipl'me." It i-the
great moti'-r <>f most of the fu'lacies
, tained in the scri*s. This part of the de
finition being expunged, the remaining part
is no more a definition of a-" than
<>f a "prirati" <>y“ The entire definition
us the basis of a scientific treatise, i- posi- i
tivcly no del'mitivn at all.
>r< uMj AHTB'LB
hi this nmn' r, "Mix I < »;Ven.
sliown to in" absurdities, sii.ee the s in,-' act
cannot, in a moral po'n.t of view, be indif. '
feu nt and had, or good and ba Ict the ■
ti ne. I'.‘F this reason “Mixed <>rleue,-<'_ a
a comer stone, crumbles, and falls by its
o-a n weight. Tims the tin . corner s' ~<ce ,
having teen shown to Le the
■sOmcm. < of "li-rectivc Chui ch Dis ipliuc"
falls, and must remain as a monument *«t
the imi.s- lit ■ < of its builder. At this point
my w. rk might Law M- pped. had it n,.t
Ik- n thought yr q-r ’■ ■ -ii- v that -.m e,t'
thegccrgnuoi ts are. and that smite arc nor fit
to be used for other purjioses.
THIRD ARTD LE.
"Pii>ate Often**-’’, l.H'ii g male t • rest
■n the ]>':i of Matt,, -r.d < !.t::l:,;eg ■
element antagonistic t-. m■nli'v. re’ig
are shown *<. eoßtsia the amir .1
versril skeptlcis.n. If "hainai 0.-e.” in Matt.
iNth, d s-s I; imply a violation ..f roll,
ty. or religion, we have no right to com-lude
that the Bible makes onu tri'iiti.i.i of si, ,- '
and ifit mak. - no i t! >■> ,>f-m. the 7?<>,l- •
is a work <-f sup r*'rogatio;i. and is, *
consequently, entitled t.. to no respect.— <
Greek scU 'l'.irs. the **.••< i over, are ehal
lei g* J t - prove, if they *-an, the incorrect- i
Prof. Mnx’s ] ■
on til’s point is r? ilcally i-r »g. ar.d exreed- i
»->y\ 'Diat "Church Discipline" (
which is made. tScst ou such a foundation,
is much to be fijfed.
FOURTH ARTICLE.
Any “Treatment of Private offences”
must be absurd, since, by' the. sup
position, the violates neither re
ligion, nor mdtality. Prof. Mell is pal
pably inconstant with himself, since, in
■ hi> treatmontof “Private offences,” he calls
the. act a “fault”—speaks of “reclaiming
him (the ~o^^er)— especially when he
says: "AVhit- your brother trespasses
(sins) againsty Ol); he trespasses (sins)
against God ’db.” As if there could be a
sin against God, whtch is not a sin against
religion !! ! Strange that he did not sec
this! "•
-’tera’ A-'rJ'ZCZE'.
The “treatßnt of private offences” fur
ther shown tci)C(iZ>sizr«Z. How absurd must
it be to spea an offender, ” j
wh(‘ii, by thtfcjupposition, the “offender”
has done im®ig violative of religion, or
morality!! j-
llfTld ARTICLE.
In this inijbfcr, it is admitted that much |
j of what is about the “treatment of!
i public ofleifeSi’ is true; but that Proses- i
sor Mell elevate morality above re- ;
ligion : ax fiSrality were a something dis
tincl
Furthersiore. ’ 111 at lie induiJos';ill person
i al offences under the head of “Public Of-1
fences,” thus rendering Matt. 1 s tb null and
void—whicl is a radical error. Once more, j
That he wyrps into use the eases provided !
for in the latter part <>f his definition of i
"Public Offences”—which definition being |
itself an error, the superstructure resting :
upon it mi/F itself' be, to some extent, an ■
error; since not every act against “the
Church in its organized capacity,” is vio
lative of rillgion , or morality—some are;
some are not.
“Mixed Offences” being absurdities, any
treatment for them must itself be absurd.
SEVENTH .I RTICLE.
This mfniber hints at the wickedness, or
mental imbecility of a member, Church, or
pastor, thit would force into the Church,
as a “Public Offence,’' what is merely a
"private'' one. How wicked, or insane must
! that Church be, which would allow a mem
ber, charged with an offence which violates
j neither religion, nor morality, to be dealt
i with as though he had committed an act,
w hich violates religion, or morality! ! Or,
how sinful must it be for an intelligent
Church to treat a personal offence as a
“public, oiwf and thereby render Matt. 18th
null and void! ! !
EIGHT ARTICLE.
“The Church.” 11 is definition of a Church
would be complete, had he made it clear
that no baptism is valid, except that wliic'i is
administered by a properly qualified ad
ministrator.
In the>,latter part *>f this number, in re
view of what is said about “The feelings
and aclionf of a pious man, who has been
unjustly accused," it is-assumed by myself,
that the cause of Christ is not the. same as
■' “? |
that au honest effort to frustrate their wick
ed pldfi, may be right. It is right to intcr
i cept, in a proper way. the wicked designs
of Satin, or of those under his influ* nee.
NINTH ARTICLE.
“The Mother of errors” is again rebuk
ed.— “The relation the pastor sustains to
Corrective Discipline," in the main, cor
rect.
The sovereignty and independence of a
Church are derived from Christ— extend
just sofar, and no farther than Christ directs.
Asideifrom, or independently of Christ, a
Chttrdi has neither sovcrelantii. nor inde
pendaice. AA hen a Church, therefore at
tempts to try a member contrary to Christ’s '
law, <lie forfeits her sovereignty, so far at
least its that act is concern?d ; her inde
\ penduce of other churches she tntiv still
! retail, but her hostility t > Christ deserves
i the Msapprobatiou of every other Church.
Tit independence of a Church is not dc
; stroK'l, when her excluded are received
I ’n;to l ihe fellow-hip of another (-litirch—a
j (’htten is independent of all other churches,
so Lag as -he is permitted to act, and vote
! us si pleases.
Iris sinful foi a memla rto become a
par|t<> what he knows to be a sinful trial
: —ui’ s-. indeed, it is right for him to par-
■ tieqMto in sin, an t to fair part i,i his own
desertion ! Prof. M. is radically wrong on
al! IlvSe jioints. He believe-
,T!iat a member, xvick <lly accused. I
■must g » i;,t.. trial.
•.That h<- must submit t> the con-?-;
j Iquenees the trial.
*That he has n<> redre-s ox q t from
Jiis enemies, e.xc'c ling him.
’dufice ;■■*' !>-th destroyed, if the man.
wick'.-d’y iwluded, should bo received |
int'> the fell 'W-hip of another Church. ■
Ike Lar - presentation of such thoughts
<■ !>.:• a sufficient expos -of thAr fal-
TENTH ARTICLE.
il this article it is shown that for "a
Cliirch <•’ ‘•ii’ 1 Ttain charges, -irregularly,
wickedly preferred,’ is sinful — make- |
tii| Ctui ili guilty of th • “iri a darity " and
LiieyrrvZ/-f/Arry —that "irregularity"
or*-wK-kc lucss" in t'c arraignment <if an !
inavcent mernb*can justify the a-• ewff
in teftritig c* ith the mmority vt a(. tmri-h—-1
posed■ This is a y <<'<<-/ -rr
..ik'h as ;t makes
rather than upon tin- . 7irc a’. 1 man
erof thi thing d--::e. Hi- -Publl • oßeiices'
is fie mother cf this g< - error oAo.
When a memU-r i- expelled from hi
.i. v!i.irg--s. "iri egu arly ’ and "wi--k
--• • llv” j rvf-rre t, L<- is n t - i-jr-.e-ei in th.
evts of Christ, nor should he lx-, in the
v yU *>t any of ChrL-t's Eyal subjects.
Mmorit; - ought to withdraw from a
Church (or majority) w!.. n th? : .•:. r usurp
discipline r r the purpose of de-tr -ving a
pious member, w. ’ess ininoritics ought to
re 1 --A against Christ whe,- major. tics
\do! AVill any man who loves ZrwZA and
justice, hold such doctrine ?
ELEVENTH ARTICLE.
Though a Church has the right, official,
to try a minister, whose membership she
holds, without the aid of a “Council” ; yet
when she refuses the aid of a Council—espe
cially if the minister is a man of populari
ty, tin- Council might be of brethren
to whom th*- facts in the accusation are
familiar— she cannot demand the respect of
other Churches — creates the suspicion that
her object is to destroy, and not to save the
accused— and tacitly admits the weakness
and injustice of the charge or charges. In
thus acting, the Church violates “Baptist
TWELFTH ARTICLE.
The “finality of a Church’s decision”—
in the sense that it is binding on all other
churches— a great absurdity, when “the de
cision’ is violative of Christ's law. The
righteous expulsion of a member should re
ceive the sanction of all Christ’s Churches
concerned in any’ way with the matter—
and this should be so, because Christ’s au
i thority has been heeded in the expulsion ;
j but when Christ’s authority is disregarded
; in the expulsion of a pious member, it
would be wicked in other churches to sanc
tion the act, or debar the excluded from mem
bershij) with them. > Prof. Mell’s doctrine
j on the above point,’ enwried toils legitimate,
i results, would well nigh extinguish the
j cause of Christ, and makes, in some cases
I at least, wickedness the law for kegu
. LATINO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CIIURCII of
j Christ! The “finality” of Church action is
i based upon the absurd, Romish dogma of
I Church infaUibiUty ! “The reception of an
individual into, and his expulsion from the
Church, arc commensurate, or co-extensivc
ideas.”
Prof. Alell’s practice (if I am not mis
taken,) is radically, opposed to his present
theory. His three “Pleas,” which he pre
tends to answer, remain unanswered, and
hi.; criticism made to annul those “pleas,”
must fall with th" “finality” of the wrong
decision of a Church. His criticism on the
third “plea” noticed in my next.
TH Hl TEENTH .1 R TICLE.
It is again shown that Prof. Mell's prac
tice opposes his theory—his positions self
destructive. The following propositions,
held by Prof. M., cannot al! be consistent
with himself, or even true.
1) The fact that those bearing letters
from z\.nti-Missionary Churches, are re
ceived into Missionary churches.
2) The fact that those xvho have been
excluded from Anti-Missionary churches
fbr joining the Masons, or Odd Fellows,
ought not to be received into our churches.
3) The fact that such as have been ex
cluded from these bodies for favoring the
Missionary cause, ought to be received into
our churches.
4) The fact that no error in discipline
annihilates a Church.
5) T’he fact that the reception of an ex
cluded member into one Church, destroys
tie- sovereignty and independence of the
Ini••• •
The first two propM*u*uu«».-Xuw ..lLzu
Profcsxor Meli, regards Anti-Missionary
Churches as true Churches, notwithstanding
their avowed opposition to the Missionary
cause. The’exclusion of a member for fa
voring the Missionary cause makes them a
“different denomination from us”—virtual
ly annihilates their existence as churches:
so much so that their “sovereignty” and
“independence” ought to be disregarded.
But this destroys the fourth fact (if it be
such) —y iz : that no error in discijdine can
anniTiilate a Church ; and also the fifth,
that the reception of an excluded member de
stroys the “sovereignty” and “indepen
dence’ <>* the < hurch excluding the mem
| bcr. Every one must see, (who tries to
I see,) that Prof. Alei.l’s positions destroy
themselves. I have thus briefly sketched
the mo-t important criticisms which I have
nr: !■■ on “Corrective Church Discipline.”
From the inve-tigitloiis made. I conclude: ;
1. That “I'-irreetive ( hureh Discipline,”
as a scientific treatise, has no founda
tion —tin- principles on which it rests,
have, I think, ]>vi‘n fairly exposed.
2. That it contains m >re error: logical,
ami theological, than any treatise cf the
same length I have c-ver read.
3. That the emergences of the times have ;
occasioned the treatise, ami have, in a I
great measure, d. eided what it shoiiLl !
be.
I. That few Baptists will ever indorse!
the main features of the treatise—that i
after the pr--s -nt excit'-ment shall .
i-;is-. the-e Romish, p culiaritics will j
A pr'-ullar to Rome alone.
5. That the ?x'cw Testament is the best ;
work by tar that I have ever read on i
"Di-ciilt i- m-m!: 7 , much
„ ■■ -f
7.00.' I'ithoratn e than any human pro- ■
: ! ■ ■li-in—that, in t!.-•• l.’mpi.igc of Professor ,
Mell, " - .. t Lawgiver in Zion has I
1 l-.-ft his p -ople ii no doul-t as to th-- rem---}
•lyto b< applic iin every instance’ —that ;
"II- lias not left us to i. gislati- on the sub- i
! j. < t"—that IL • ilims.-if has classified of- ;
i f ;.■■■•<. ami prescribed the course to be pur
sued in c-v.-ry ea-e." Hence, that if “Cor
reetive < 'mi: 'h Disciplin ■” were a scientific
n-eatA.. mA diil its teachings correspond
I perf- <-t!y \* ith >f tho Bible, the work |
woiil-i he wholly superfluous: how much I
more superiiuou-, sin*--- it is not reliable in ‘
either of the-*- particulars!
Il E .V A It K.
It ha, I>-• n insinuat'd, I hxdieve, that 1
: Lave written tor the xpeHal <!■ fence of a cer- '
: tain party. In reply to this, 1 have merely
t » say that if my articles bare had any I
■■ ii 1 I■. L-:-' .-k t > .. hr--i v--<i the.-';
t !<■'• .». If any one supposes that I was
employed Ly the party to do this work, let !
his suppns'.tlon cease, when he is informed
that no one of the party knew that I would ’
wr-te. until th ' a;.mum*-.snent was mad*- in
the Banner. If what has been written has
the appearance of vindicating this party, \
.ill I a-k ;-. that i.o .me ~hul; attach anv
more importance to what I have written,
than truth, logic and Scripture require. If
I have written anything true, I hope all
parties may be benefitted thereby ; if any
error, be. assured that it has not been done
with the view to screen any party from mer
ited reproach. I have written nothing that
I do not believe to be true; if I have, and
any one should make me sensible of it, I
will gladly make the correction. If I have
<• used any strong, or bitter language, it has
: been directed al the principles, and not at the
, writer of “Corrective Discipline.”
TO THOSE EDITORS,
, who have published Prof. Mell’s articles,
and will not publish mine, I have a few
things to say :
Ist. I have not been greatly disappoint- ;
cd at this not of courtesy t\i\d “friendship"
on your part. Proscription, so far at least [
as refusing to publish but one side of any
of the present vexed questions, has been
your motto; of course, I could not reason
abby expect you to do more for myself than
you do for others.
2nd. If your consciences and sense of jus
tice to even one who would dare to think
differently from you, sustain you in what
you have done, all I h ;ve to say is that
conscience often, when perverted, approves
what seems to others to be wrong, and
that justice from-*man to man, consists in
either to do him what the commo:;
sense of mankind says is right, in speak
ing unkindly, ungenerously, or uncharitably
, I of him. Such a course of treatment towards
| wen an enemy, Christianity condemns.
3rd. The cause that must be sustained
(if sustained at all) by siie/i means, is a
weak cause, and those who resort to such
expedients to further their views, betray' a
consciousness of its weakness. Truth loves
the light— never shrinks from fair discus
i sion. Y*>ur cause, Messrs. Editors, 1 think,
is not a good one—l mean in the present
strife in our denomination: and your
course is well adapted to bring it into dis
repute in the eyes of those who think pro
| perly.
4th. Though I might, in the view of
some, be justifiable in noticing rather tart
ly some of the ungenerous insinuations of
some Editors ; yet 1 wish them and every
body else to know that I have neither time,
nor disposition to engage in railing and
abuse; and that when a man (?) places
himself in either of these attitudes, he re
moves himself out of my sphere, ami need
not expect mo to notice him.
Finally. If the Southern Baptist Publi
cation Society wishes to publish my Re
view of “Corrective. Discipline,” in the
same volume with it —and if Prof. Mell is
willing to it—what I have written can bo
had for that purpose. I suggest this, not
because I wish to see my Review in a book,
' but to relieve the Society from the charge
<f “party pubUcat'on."
May the. God of all Grace soon unite all
Ills true followers on the Truth !
A. S. AVORRELL.
- Talladega, Ala.
> ♦—«— ♦——
, For the Banner Baptist.
On the 19th of March, Brother and Sis
’ ter Preston took leave of the States, to
carry the gospel to the Indians west of
Arkansas. 'The writer saw them after that
affectionate daughter and noble woman had
left her aged and tender parents, and de
voted friends. Like a soldier, not of her
country but of the “cross,” she forsook all
cheerfully for the cause of her Redeemer.
The world attributes heroism to the war
rior who fronts danger and suffers hardship
in an unnecessary xvar, for booty and hon
or, but where is heroism—moral heroism—
to be found like that exhibited by a Christ
ian woman sacrificing the endearments of
home and herself for the good of the In
dians ?
Our brethren in Georgia and Alabama
ought and do, 1 think, feel great interest in
! Indian Missions, for they now enjoy the
j fertile soil and salubrious climate, which I
the reel men once enjoyed unmolested.— '
They are now calling on the valleys, which I
formerly quenched their thirst with .water, I
for that water, of which ii a man drinks, !
he thirsts no more. Shall we, who eat the !
I bread and enjoy the bounties of the fields, i
; which a few years since were their home
; steads refuse to give them the bread of
1 .. ° ‘
I life ! ('an we turn a deaf ear to their cries
I for the go.sp-1, while Providence is answer
! ing them by sending our brethren and sis-
I ters, and our children to teach them the. |
; way of salvation? AA ho cannot do .some
thing for this cans.- by contributing to sup
j port our Indian Missionaries, to furnish
' them with means for successful labor, and
ito make their homes comfortable ? Let us
i remember, too. that we can sympathize
i with them, ami pray th.:! ilu-u- lives may
t'l>e |?r-s< 1; rvoil In "oo*l health, mid their la-
I- -rs sanctified to th'- a-, i::.- of numv souls.
, May tie- Holy Si-irit comfort our brother
I ami sister P. in their labors, and console
! the wounded hearts of their parents who
: are - ailed upon to give two daughters* at
I om-e to engage in the missionary work, and
; bow with eliristian Immilitv to the sacrifice. I ,
The object of this writing is to ask you , -
to send the Bam. r A; Baptist to Mrs. Jas.
Preston, to th ■ Post Office to which bro. (
Buckner’s pajH-rs are sent,for which please (
find 82 00 enclosed. I
Your sincere brother, <
THOMAS.
i i
•This is the tr.": missionary spirit. One who 1
' is not ar ii •= no great (fifflculty in giving I
| money, and speeches, am! newspaper articles. |
Bnt when it comes to giving ourselves and our
* children, it requires something more than mere '
! liberality. There must lie a profound convic- I 1
■ tion of d"fy ami -trong tort for Clirist. Ln. ' >
BLANKS, BLANKS.
Tii*- following Blanks, very much improv- i
ed in form—and printed on superior paper
! on hand and fur sale at this office.
A TTA CH ME NTS,
LAND DEEDS,
EXECUTIONS, for Superior and
Inferior Courts.
BLANK PROTESTS,
BAIL BONDS. i
LADIES’ DEPARTMENT.
For the Banner & Baptist.
•‘TAKE NO THOUGHT FOR TO-MOR
ROW.”
How many anxious thoughts arc cast
towards the hidden future ! How many
gloomy forebodings are indulged by hu
man beings, who forget that “to-inorrow”
belonged! not to them, and that the “All
wise Father,” who taketh care of the little
sparrow, knows what things wc have need
of! Sec that middle aged man, grown
prematurely old, by taking thought for to
morrow. The present is a sealed book to
him; he heeds it not, but presses on, on,
ever looking forward to to-morrow ; spend
i ing restless days and sleepless nights in
; planning for the future. His pale, sad, si
j lent companion moves along by his side,
sometimes longing,—oh, how intensely !
tor the days of yore, when each lived only
for tho other, and both lived in the pres
ent. Then he could find time to chat pleas
antly with her, or spend an hour or two at
a neighbor’s house, or even assist her in
entertaining a few friends in their own
humble homo; but now every nerve is
strained to make money, and there is no
time for relaxation ; no time for pleasant
cheering words, for social recreation, for
exchange of sympathy and affection. En
ter his dwelling,-Vail is silent as the grave.
He is seated at his writing desk poring
ov-r interminable accounts or answering
innumerable letters. His children arc not.
there; they shim his presence and seek
els.-where for that sympathy and love which
nature designed a fond father to bestow
upon them. What would that tall, slender
girl (almost a woman) give for one endear
ing epithet, one slight token of affection
from that stern man she has been taught
to reverence as her father! Or that noble
intellectual boy, how anxious he feels to
tell “his father" all his thoughts, hopes and
]>lan a , and gain a smile of approbation, or
one encouraging word to cheer him upon
the arduous path lie is about to enter ! But
like the sensitive plant they shrink intui
tively from his cold looks and harsh words.
The mother feels she lias a powerful rival
in her husband's affections, and each day
retires more and more within herself, seek
ing strength from above to enable her to
drag out the remainder of her wearisome
days on earth.
They ought to be a happy family, and
doubtless would be, if the father took not
so much thought for the morrow. Talk to
him about this, and he will till you he must
have money or his family will be nobody
in the future; never reflecting that much
money without love, is like a great pile of
green wood without anything to kindle it,
and that ho who devotes that time to the
acquisition of money which he ought to
spend in cullivatiug and nourishing the ten
der, delicate plants of filial and fraternal
affection, rims the risk of ruining his own
soul and those of his children.
L- O. G.
For the Banner & Baptist.
“THE PURE IN HEART SHALL MEET
1 AGAIN.”
Gon, in jiis divine revelation, has prom
ised that the pure in heart shall meet in
heaven. Oh ! what a consolation it is to
those who have a Christian hope, that they,
after Lidding adieu to this gloomy world
of cm c, havc the blessed assurance of meet
ing in heaven ! ’That bright and happy
place where parting is unknown, and sick
ness, sorrow, pain and death have no home.
AAc dearly love our friends on earth, and
oh ! how it wounds our languishing hearts
when the icy hand of death is near to think
that, perhaps, we never will sec them
more, unless we prepare to meet them in
heaven !
\\ hen our friends arc troubled we try
to console them; when they arc sick ve
watch near them to supply their every
want, until the last hour draws near. Then
we can do nothing more, for the Lord’s
| will must be done; but we can rejoice, be
| cause we shall meet them again. AVe are
sad because we are deprived of them ; but
the Lord doeth all things for the best, and
wc should not murmur. How dark, and
drcar, and lone would that brightest w orld
of happiness seem; if we should fail to
meet our loved ones there ! But this can
not be. Each hope that lights the eye
must brighten, each shade of sorrow' that
clouds the brow must vanish when wo re
member that,
“There is a voice which sorrow' hears,
AVhen heaviest weighs life’sgalling chain,
’Tis heaven that whispers, dry thy tears,
The pure in heart shall meet again.”
MOLLIE.
Glennville, Aj a.
FEM A LE IN FL! EN’CE.
Os what infinite value to society is that
tenderness, compassion and benevolence,
which the Almighty has imposed on the
female heart. It is a woman’s exclusive
gift, it is the foundation of all her virtues,
the mainspring of her usefulness. Let her
then daily consider the awful responsibility
of such a gift : let her consider it as among
her most valuable possessions, and solely
employ it fin- the benefit of her feliaw
ereaturcs, and more especially for the nurs
ing, training, and educating the young of
her own species ; let her give her heart, her
tenderness, her compassion to the infant
orphan and the deserted child ; let her, in
humble imitation of her great Master, be
come a teacher of the ignorant and an in
structor ot babes; and let her, like him,
Ibid in her arms the lovely emblems of
those beings that form the kingdom of
heaven. Let her, with active zeal, bring
little children to Christ, that he may bless
them, and though under her fostering care,
no legislator, prince, or prophet may arise,
a superior reward will await her labors —
that which is promised to those who save
a soul from death. It w ill be her peculiar
lot to rear good christians and useful mem
bers of society, and above all, blessed spir
its for eternal happiness in the communion
of saints made perfect.— Exchange.
friF AA’e never respect persons xvho aim
simply to amuse us. There is a vast dif
ference between those w ccall amusing men
and those we denominate entertaining; we
: laugh with the former and reflect with U 8
• latter.