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BANNER & BAPTIST.
* /fl I|ri !•
.T’Ja
“Holy Bible, —Book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.”
JESSE M. WOOD, Editor.
ROME, GA., MAY 24,1860.
NOTICE.
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scriber's name will be entered on our
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sible, known friend.
Who will act as voluntary
Agents to extend the circu
lation of the Banner A Bap
tist ? ,
A PROPOSITION.
We wish all our friends, male and female,
to act as agents for the Banner As Baptist.
Every minister who will send us 'five
new subscribers and the money, can have
the paper for a year for SI. Any one who
will send us ten subscribers and the money
can have it gratis for one year. Will our
brethren and friends work for the Banner ?
PASTORAL TALK—No. 33.
There remaineth a rest for the people
of God. It appears reasonable from this
that God’s people toil, and labor. The. man
who in early morn takes his scythe, and
goes forth to reap the ripened grain, who
continues toiling until the shades of night
come on, will enjoy the sweet rest which
the Giver of all good has provided for the
weary man. The traveler who starts at
dawn of day, and continues his course un
til night-fall, will be glad to lay himself
down and rest. The soldier who engages
in hot contest with his enemies so soon as
daylight appears, and continues till the
stars peep forth, will be glad to leave the
field of battle to enjoy repose. So with the
Christian. But how is a man to rest who
never does any thing ? “Well done, good
and faithful servant, enter thou into the
joys of thy Lord,” will fill with gladness
the soul of the faithful servant, but how
can it be. said of him who has neither been
faithful nor toiled for his Lord and Master?
The rest which remains for Christ’s hus
band men, soldiers, pilgrims and vine
dressers, will be sired, glorious and eternal.
DIVISION, ONCE MORE.
As ugly ns the thought is, it can not be
denied that the question is mooted in some
quarters. We wish it distinctly known
that, if it is understood that Christian fel
lowship, Baptist fellowship is involved, we
are opposed to it for the reason that we
know of nothing which should disrupt it,
and make two separate distinct wings of
the denomination. But if it is to be pressed
upon us it may be well enough to let the
world know where we stand, or as a poli
tician would say, put out our platform, and
enquire upon which item of it, the division
is to take place. In doing this we by no
means intend to commit the readers of the
Banner, but simply to define our own po
sition, and the position of those who, as
free men, happen to think with us.
As Baptists we believe :
1. In a converted membership—that per
sons must be regenerated and born again
before they are fit subjects for scriptural
immersion.
2. That scriptural immersion consists in
dipping the body in water, in the mime of
the sacred Trinity, by a proper adminis
trator, and by proper authority.
3. That no one can boa bona fide mem
ber of a gospel church who has not been
thus scripturally immersed.
4. That no one can be a properly author- |
■.led minister of the gospel, who is not a
member of a gospel church.
b 1 hat, therefore, to affiliate wi*h Pedo
baptists in ministerial labors is to indorse
their errors, and irregularities, which is sin j
ful. Baptists would not have pulpit com
munion with any of their own ministry
whi> should preach, and practice infant
sprinkling. and other radical errors. Char
ity, s»>d require that they should i
be as kind i- those who have heen in their 1
own fold as to those who persistently op.
pose them.
6. We believe in strict communion, that
those only should be invited to the com-1
munion table, who have obeyed Christ— j
followed him in the ordinance of baptism,
and who have connection with gospel
churches.
7. We believe in the eternal purposes
and election of God ; that his people are
saved by grace alone, and being by grace '
and not by works, they cannot be lost un- |
Jess grace should fail, which is impossible ; I
that good works are the fruits of grace with
in, and that all Christians will perforin good
works, just as good trees bear good fruit.
8. W e believe that churches are Christ’s
executives, and that they are bound to car
ry out his will in all things; that Christ is
law-giver, and ruler. as well as Savior.—
A iiatevcr, therefore, his executives do ac
cvrdmg tq hi« expressed law and will is
1 r • ’ -lid, and whatever they do
*■ '.trary U> h’s expressed will is null and
* td. Ibis is necessarily so, as Christ
cannot ratify that which is directly opposed
to ■■ cannot say, “Well done, good
and faiihl-i servant,’ m one wfau !,<;s pot
1 ' '* ’• J ‘- Each cf su.h executiws,
rnuier Christ, ft act for herself, Ny
< *cc"untal..e to God alone, vet can never
action of others, take away the ,
optaiot} from the public, suppress
the freedom of the press, nor control the
judgment of the religious world. All alike
appeal to the law, and to the testimony— to
the Bible, the Christian's highest standard.
For which of these are Land-mark Bap
tists to be non-fellowshipped ? In regard
to those issues which are exciting the pub
lic mind let us see how the matter stands.
1. Wc believe that the commission and
other portions of the New Testament, are
a law of Christ to the churches upon the
subject of missions; that this law binds
every church, with every Christian in it, to
do all in her power tc carry out the com
mission, and that responsibility! s limited
only by ability and opportunity ; that the
scriptures justify churches in the use of
men, and means, in the spread of the gos
pel ; that it is the eternal purpose of God
that it should be so. We believe also that
missions would be more successful (because
scriptural) conducted by churches and as
sociations of churches, than by organiza
tions strictly human, formed upon a money
basis, having no connection with churches,
nor allowing churches, per se, even to have
a representation in their counsels. (In this
we certainly honor the churches. Non-fel
lowship, therefore, upon this ground would
be a conventional non-fellowship, and not
church non-fellowship, unless indeed you
make the one bind the other, from which
thought the Lord deliver us.) Upon the
rubw’on questian-anti-Bonrrkmert think they
place the responsibility where CHRisrplaced
it—upon the churches—while others would
place it upon bodies wholly irresposible in
an ecclesiastical sense. These men, too,
are willing for brethren to go on in their
own way, obeying their own free will.
2. We believe that the objects of the
Southern Baptist Sabbath School Union
are good, and the books which have been
issued arc good Sabbath School books,
which aim to teach all that the Bible teach
es, suppressing nothing, adding nothing.—
We think that parents are bound to teach
their children just what the Bible teaches
them, and that to suppress any portion of
it is a great sin, particularly if it is done
just to please those who hold to error.
3. We believe that the Southern Baptist
Publication Society has not done what its
friends had a right to expect of it, neither
in the number of books which it has fur
nished to the public, nor in the kind fur
nished ; yet, as wc are “free trade and sail
or’s rights” men, we would take of them
what we esteem good, and let the bad
alone, and would rejoice that it has been
spurred up to do something for the denom
ination, by the activity of other publica
tion interests. We believe that it should
stand upon its real merits, just as an indi
vidual enterprise, and not be forced upon
Baptists as the “par excellence'' denomina
tional concern, just because of the relation
its managers to the S. B. Convention, un
less indeed it first be proven that the voice
of the Convention is to Baptists, just what
the voice of the Southern Conference is to
Methodists.
4. We believe that the Boards, Foreign
and Domestic, have, in the main, been
composed of good and faithful men, who
have been true to the work assigned them,
and are not responsible for the defects of
the Board system ; if indeed there are de
fects, as wc honestly believe.
5. We believe that the Bible Board has
been one great failure, and that its history
is one of painful interest, especially that
portion of it which refers to attacks upon
A. C. Dayton, including bitter private let
ters to the Board, and misstatements to the
public, by the Board itself.
6. Believe that, in the difficulties of the
First Church at Nashville, J. R. Graves,
and the minority, were badly treated, un
scriptntally dealt with and excluded ; that
Dr. Howell, and friends in Nashville and
abroad, pursued a line of policy toward J.
R. G., and the minority, which can never
be justified by the scriptures, and the good
sense of an unprejudiced public. We be
lieve that the I'rst Church exists, in disor- i
der, as the. church at Smyrna, mentioned I
in the scriptures; that the minority com- !
mitted some irregularities and wrongs, but
not of such a type as to displace them from
the Baptist family ; that they were more
“sinned against than sinning.’’ Mere ir
regularities in the steps of protestations,
connected with secession, can never out
weigh the intrinsic merits of a case, and
bar the claims of oppressed minorities.
In regard to the men involved, we be
lieve that Eld. Graves, and the. minority,
i are poor, frail, fallible creatures, like the
rest of us. but men who have done vastly
more for Baptists than their persecutors;
that Dr. IL, and the majority, are also fal
lible, and from the facts, appear to have
1 been urfed by a spirit contrary to that,
which the Savior encourages, in the New
, Testament, and to have prosecuted then
i designs with a maddened fury, which can
never bear the test of scriptural scrutiny,
i nor meet the approval of cool, unprejudiced
| men.
Yet as the two churches exist we believe,
as bad as things are, that it would be far
better for influential men to strive to cor
rect the wrongs committed, and heal the
breaches in Zion than to encourage the wild
* measures of denominational contention and
| division. This is a candid, and perhaps as
full an expression as the public could de
mand, and perhaps more so than mere pol
icy would suggest. But we have not been
sufficiently needy, heretofore, to study pop
ularity and interest, nor do we intend our
editorial position to change our natnre in
this respect. Now with this platform, this
i expression of opinion, we ask the public,
especially those "ho propose division, to
sax fi r which of these items non fellowship
'isto be declared. Let them be specific and
Candid, and the Banner " ill know a hat to
do. We will not say that the Landmark
elements of this platform are at the bot
tom of propositions for division. Bat we
will say that finis, stubborn facts, go very
()<r towards raising this belief. Nearly all
the man on one side of the main trouble
some difficulties, from their incipiency, have
been violent aati-Landmark' men, andsome
‘of thepi very unsound : those who
1 pra'se Pedo-Baptists, and affiliate with
> them, not only on common occasions, but
> mix up with them on “dedication occa
sions,” &c., &c., while they seem to have
■ no forbearance with their own brethren,
I who simply differ in opinion with them.
In conclusion let us say to our readers,
. study well your positions and your duty.
I and decide for yourselves, in the fear of
> God, where you will stand. It may be
s that God intends to purge us, to thoroughly
i try us. Let us pray to know the truth,
> and perceiving it dare to embrace it. In
- the order of a kind Providence those known
1 as Landmark Baptists are in, at least, a
s tolerable condition to act independently,
f under Christ. They have a fair share of
• papers already in full blast, and can estab-
> lish as many more as the emergencies may
t demand. There are also publishing houses
> and publication interests, which can furnish
• reading to the old and young, to our child-
• ren and to all clssses of our friends. If
’ Landmarkers kave nothing else, they have
, the Bible, King James’ version, and will
s soon have the revised edition.* With a
> pure version of the Holy Scriptures they
• may defy the world. If their opinions are
I wrong when tried by this, it is their duty,
; and, we trust, their will, to abandon them.
*We might have made the Revision question more
l prominent in this article, as we regard it the most
. imwmnt movement of this century, political or
as those who ouce opposed have
TSiUfs* eo“Toifc#, *•-• oni.ludc ibey Lave
( giverßTup.
1 WM. CAREY CRANE.
1 The following article, we have clipped
1 from the Christian Index. It has been go
ing the rounds of our exchanges, which ad
vocate our Board system as it is, and seems
! to be regarded as a conclusive argument in
their favor. No doubt bro. C. so regards
it, and bro. Boykin indorses it.
We propose to notice this, after saying
that it affords us real pleasure to see one
article which makes some pretensions to
logic, though it says but little of scripture.
We shall publish it by sections, and inter
sperse with remarks:
THE BOARD SYSTEM OF THE SOUTH
ERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
Postulate Ist. If the Board system
of the greater organization be scripturally
wrong, the Board system of the less must
be scripturally and logically wrong also.
Ergo: The Boards of all State Conventions,
Education and Publication Societies, Asso
ciations, Colleges, Seminaries and schools,
must be wrong.— W. Carey Crane.
This is a palpable sophism, containing a
latent (?) fallacy. The real question is,
can Boards, not created by churches, not
controlled by them, nor having any con
nection with them, do the work imposed
by the Savior upon his churches ? That is
to say, can they scripturally propagate
churches with the doctrines and ordinances
of the gospel ? The question is not wheth
er Boards may distribute Bibles, look after
educational interests, print books, build
Rail Roads, &c. If these were the things,
and the only things to be done, anti-Board
men might see how the greater and the less
were alike. But if it be insisted that the
greater and the less alike take charge of
the ministry, of ordinances, and of the
rearing and training churches, having no
church responsibility, nor even church con
nection, then the logic would only prove
them all wrong. Certainly should the less
act unscripturally, it would not prove the
greater to act scripturally, while they act
alike. Board men would still be asked for
divine authority.
Pos. 2. If the only scriptural plan of
missions is for each single church to main
tain its own missionaries. Ergo: The
support of one or more missionaries by
two, three, or more churches is unscriptu
ral and a violation of the spirit and precept
of Christianity.— IP. Carey Crane.
This is assuming a proposition as if it
were the true position of anti-Board men,
whereas they hold to no such position. On
the contrary, they say that each church,
and each individual member of the church,
i ought to do their part of the work of car
i ry itig out the great commission, but that it
; ought to be done by the authority, and in
I the name of the churches of Jesus Christ, (
| and that they arc free to co-operate in every
i good word and work. Churches are com
j petent, under Christ, to make all necessary
I arrangements for carrying out the commis
sion. If co operation be necessary they
: are free t<> co-operate. But it by no means
■ follows, that that is the work of churches
which ignores their existence, and do not
even allow them a representation in their
counsels.
Pos. 3. If the arguments of anti-mission
aries thirty years ago, were unsound, illib
eral, and unscriptural, have the lapse of
years—the spreading light of evangelical
Christianity, and the force and spirit of
■ omnipotent truth, rendered these same ar
t gutnents, formerly repudiated and rejected
by those who now employ them, sound,
liberal and scriptural? Ergo: Is it not
better to retain the old and well tried su
perstructure, based upon the good founda
tion of lung experience, than to surrender
.it for untried experiments ? Bftn. Carey
I Crane.
This argument has three elements. 1. It
is borrowed. 2. It was not worth burrow
ing. 3- Useful only to show the weakness
' of a cause.
Pos. 4. If, in union, there is strength, is
I not that union greatly strengthened by the
multitude of members enclosed in it ? The ;
more rods there are in a bundle the harder
is it to break. Ergo: The union of all the
Baptists of the South in one general organ
ization for the propagation of Christianity,
will be tar more useful than the individual
and separated unions of small bands of
Christians in separate and distinct localities,
, operating upon remote and far distant
heathen lands.— Hm. Carey Crane.
> This is the climax, and that our readers,
brother Cr ank, and especially bro. Boykin,
may see that the Banner fully realizes its
> clearness and force, we will state the argu
ment again, w ith a slight variation in its
application:
li, in union, there is strength, is not that
union greatly strengthened by the multi
tude of members enclosed in it ? The
mure rods there are in a bundle, the harder
it is to break. Ergo: The union of all the
• ‘ Methodist societies of the South in one ■
i i general organisation, and all of oach State j
in subordinate organizations, for the propa
gation of Christianity will be far more useful
than the individual and separated bands
(societies) of Christians in separate and dis
tant localities, operating upon remote and
far distant heathen lands, or even upon In
dian territory, or destitute sections right at
our doors.
We repeat, this is the climax, and let
Baptists remember that here is the danger.
This is precisely the argument and the con
dition of things among our Methodist
friends. Little separated societies are too
weak. In union there is strength, and,
therefore, there must be one great Southern
organization, which must be bolstered by
State organizations, and not one of the little
societies is to have a voice in this imposing
body. It is to be composed of a privileged
order, and the societies are not even to be
represented. We have not so learned the
strength of Baptists from the very men
who indorse this monstrous “postulate."—
The extract which we took from the South
western Baptist, some time ago, presented
a very different view of the time-honored
polity of our Ipved denomination. This
Board argument has run to seed, and will
wake up many »ho have seen no danger.
Baptists of the South, whither are we
tending? Rook this matter sternly in the
face. Let us make you a proposition.—
When we do nothing, or just trifle
with the great commission of our Lord, or
simply xvish to go a bathing, dipping in
Jordan, or like Pxter, go a fishing, xvhy,
the poor little scattered churches will do
well enough for ui, but when we wish to
spread the gospel of the son of Gon, wish
to supply destitution all around us, wish to
send men to the Indians, and the news of
salvation to heathen lands, just let us give
up our old polity, these inefficent, separated
concerns, called churches, and follow the
lead of Presbyterians and Methodists, and
form a national organization and go to the
work in good earnest. No odds, if these
churches have, per se, nothing to do with
the great work, It must be done. As the
churches will not do it, Conventions must.
Now for one, we are so much of a grace
man, and so much of a work man, it grace
and works are not in harmony in Baptist
churches, and are in harmony in the Con
vention, we shall quit the church and join
the Convent! on, for certain it is that Christ’s
plan, the gospel plan, combines purpose,
grace and works.
Will the Index say whether it considers
brother Crane’s logic sound, and as fairly
representing anti-Board men ? As to the
bundle of rods in brother C.’s 4th postu
late you need say nothing about. It might
be dangerous to do so. These Convention
rods are strong, and rather ugly things,
and some of us have felt their force. Let
them be broken over our head, if indeed
the head does not break first, in which
event perhaps thicker ones will take its
place, until their full strength shall be
tested. VV e tertainly have no design to
invite chastisement upon our friends. The
rod of Methodism and the rod of S. B. C.
are certainly aAktwo things. Thcy r
are strong, ami terror to the’ timid.
But wc shall glorify neither, at the risk of >
chastisement from both.
CHEROKEE BAPTIST CONVENTION.
This body met in Marietta, Ga., on Fri
day, the 18th inst.
The morning was spent in religious ex
ercises. As many of the messengers had '
not arrived, the Ainual Sermon was post
poned until night, and J. R. Chambers, by
request, preached »t 11 o’clock.
In the afternoon the body was organized,
which resulted in the election of E. Dyer,
Moderator, (theformer Moderator having '
declined re-election) W. A. Mercer, Sec
retary, and T. E. Stout, Assistant Secre
tary. The eveiingwas spent in appointing
committees, receiving correspondents, Ac.
On a call for visitors and correspondents,
brethren from Afferent sections were found
to be in attendaice, whose names will ap
pear in our nextssue. Among those whom j
we remember vere Eld. S. G. Jenkins, of
i East Alabama Convention, Elder R. J.
Mays, S. Alexinder Smith, and brother
Marvin, from the Florida Convention, A.
C. Dayton ani Marks of Nashville, rep
resenting N. Jia. and Middle Tenn. Asso- |
ciation, and fyncord Association ; J. 11. i
Corley; S. loykin, Editor Index, A T.
Holmes, H. C Hoknady, J. H. Weaver,
T. H. Gibbs, and others, from Georgia
Convention; ?. Maddox, S. Root, and
others, from Stone Mountain Association.
Representing kenevolentorganizations were
Jas. B. Taylor, Secretary Foreign Mission
Board, D. G. Daniel, Agent of the Board,
A. C. Daytox, Secretary S. B. S. Union,
Jas. Edmunds, Ky., Sec. Revision Associa
' lion, and Agent.
We were glad also tu meet bru. Boykin,
Editor Index.
Al night the Annual Sermon was preach
ed by G. F. Cocper of Dalton, who used
the text, “J can do all things through Christ,
which strengtheneth me.” From this pas-1
sage he enforced the thought that our de
pendence was entirely upon Christ, in our
idividual spiritual and temporal wants, in
’ our enterprises, religious, educational, and
all others. Upon the question of educa
tion—in which Cherokee Baptists are es
pecially interested—he showed that God
had placed them in a field white to the har
vest, and placed within their hands ample
means to endow our College, so as to make
it a permanent success.
On Saturday, in the forenoon, the time
was taken up mxinly in hearing the report
of the Trustees us C. B. College, reading,
discussing, and adopting a revised Consti
tution and rules of order.
In the afternoon, pending the adoption of
the report on uii»»ions, the claims ut those
missions, which the Baptists of Cherokee,
. Ga., were, at present especially trying to
promote, were presented, and a collection
was taken fur Cherokee Indian Misuous,
amounting to over $-200. This was fitllow
cd by an address from Jas. B. Taylor, of
Richmond, on the subject of Foreign Mis
sions. He gave an account of the fields
j partially occupied by the Board, number of
- Missionaries, &c., and called attention-to
1 the future prospects of this department of
r Christian labor.
The Convention having been invited to
1 visit the Georgia Military Institute, at
- o’clock, the body adjourned, and a large
t crowd, led by’ the Moderator, resorted to
the field of battle (?) After some prelimi
t naries, in arranging thji Cadets for our re
. ccption, the officers advanced to the visitors
. who halted on entering the campus, when a
t scene of thrilling interest occurred. Major
> Capers,one of theofficers,addressed the Mod
, erator, and members of the Convention, in
i a short, pithy speech, full of thought and in
’ terest. He showed that a soldier could
i have proper conceptions of divine law, and
r the principles which should govern nations
1 and society within nations; that in the pres
s ent state of things the soldier of his country,
■ and the soldier of Christ, shared fn the
i protection and well-being of their country,
- that the sword for protection, and the min
. ister for the dissemination of truth, in the
[ order of Providence, might go side by side.
[ With touching eloquence lie alluded to
; Washington, xvho, at one hour, would,
; alone, upon his knees, pray for the help of
, the Almighty, and the next would draw his
i sword in the detence of his country; and
■ that the time would conic when arms would
. be no longer needed, because of the triumph
: of the gospel. Jle closed by extending a
hearty welcome to the Convention upon this
grounds of this State Institution.
. The Moderator, in a short, impromptu
• speech, responded, by saying that the Con-
• vention, as Baptists, heartily appreciated the
compliments bestowed upon them, and fully’
1 recognized the rights and wants of our
country ; that while it was his (the officer’s)
business to train men fiir the field, it was
ours to train them for higher and holier ends;
that, as ministers and Christians, it was ours,
by the presentation of heavenly truth, to
train the conscience, it was his business, as
a soldier, to protect the liberty of conscience.
But the time would come when the sword
would be beaten into ploughshares, and the
spear into pruning hooks, and the soldier
would be no longer needed, yet our work
would go on. Triumph, therefore, was on
our side.
Whereupon the crowd cheered, and the
soldier stepped forward, took the Christian
by the hand and confessed the triumphant
claim.
The visitors were then Conducted intothe
main building, the Society Halls, &c. Af
ter examining the severaljapartments, look
ing from the third storly upon the rich
scenery, which surrounds this beautiful site,
extending for fifty or more miles in all di
rections, we again entered the campus, when
H. C. Hornady was called upon to address
the Cadets. As bro. H. is one of our cor
responding editors, it might be a little in
delicate to say much of his speech. Suffi
cient is it to say that it was spirited, spark
ling, and appropriate.
Wethen xvitnessed the field exercises of
the young men who are preparing to defend
their country should their defence be called
for.
Taken all and all this whole affair was a
treat. Never before did we so fully’ realize
the intimate relation of the Christian and the
soldier, nor their necessary dependencies.
At night, at the Baptist church, the ser
vices were devo ed to the interests of C. B.
College. Bro. Jas, Edmunds, of Ky., who
has large experience in endowing colleges,
presented the audience with much valuable
information, and gave practical suggestions.
Lew men have his store of information, and
fewer still can say as much in the same time.
He was followed by bro. J. H. Campbell,
with a stirring speech, showing that we
' could, and ought to endow the College,that
we owe to ourselves, our children, posteri
ty, our country, and to God, to do it. We
are quite sure that this meeting will bear
rich fruits hereafter.
The Sabbath exercises, in
of worship, xvere ably conducted, and with
good effect, as far as we were able to learn.
A considerable amount for missions, was
collected.
On Sabbath night, at the Baptist house
of worship, the claims of the revision move
ment were presented by W. T. Russell
and J. Edmunds. Bro. R. dwelt upon the
I history of translations, especially upon King
■ James’ version of the English Bible, and
showed the absolute necessity of its revis-
: ion.
Bro. Edmunds gave a history of the move
! ment, presented many important facts con
nected with it, showed that the scholars en
gaged in it had theadvantageof King James’
translators of 200 years advancement in
learning, and the toilsome researches of the
best scholars for that length of time, and
! presented two hundred tracts to the audi
i ence, setting forth filets bearing upon the
revision subject. Judging from the rush to
get them, Cherokee Baptists are enthusias
i tic upon this question.
On Monday Morning several strictly
business items were attended to, the most
I important of which looked to the ultimate
advancement of C. B. College, and the i
cause of education.
Before adjournment, A. C. Dayton was '
called upon to represent the claims of the j
S. B. Sabbath School Union, which he did j
in his usual happy style. He showed that
the Union had accomplished wonders, in a
year’s time having published fifty volumes
of Sabbath School books, and thousands of
these had been sent abroad, to bless the
churches and the children of our country ;
and given a large circulation to the “Chil
dren’s Friend,” a little paper for children,
which ought to be in every’ family.
The afternoon was spent in try ing to
finish the business of the Convention, and
but two items of special interest need to
be mentioned. The Executive committee
reported that Bro. J. R. Chambers had
agreed to go to the Cherokees to preach as
Missionary the everlasting truths of the
Gospel to that people. He will, Providence
permitting, go out the last of October, or
Ist November next, to arrange, do all the
i . work he can, and return for his wife, in
r time to meet with the session of the Con ven-
o lion to be held at Calhoun, on Friday be
s fore the 3rd Sabbath in May 1861.
Two young men wishing to prosecute
J their studies at C. B. College, who are Al
ready in the ministry, were present, and
8 talked to the Convention. They no doubt
> will be provided for. We shall allude to
■ them at a future writing.
The business was not all completed on
3 Monday, but as we had to leave, can give
i no account of its conclusion. Our readers
r and brethren will excuse Us for inaccura
cies, and omissions, in this article, when
i we tell them that we write entirely from
memory, and with a painful head-ache—
I having labored hard at the Convention, and
1 lost much sleep—and with all, hurried to
9 get ready for the press.
This meeting, on the whole, was one of
» interest and, we trust, of profit, and very
s few things occurred that were disagreeable.
, As is common with new bodies, there was
-a good deal of disorder, and much disposi
-9 tion to speech making. Within a year or
• two this may be cured or rendered con
-5 valescent by the use of a salve which we
, have heard of. It is composed of modesty,
f humility and discretion. It is said to be a
s cwre for the breaking out at the mouth.
1 _
■ COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Banner <fc Baptist.
PROF. J. St. PENDLETON.
At a meeting of the students of Union
i University, Murfreesboro,’ Tennessee, A
pril 29th, 1800, Benjamin F. Latimer was
! called to the chair, and Win. 11. Whitsitt
appointed Secretary. The President then
’ stated the object for which the students had
i convened, to be the appointing of a com
i mittee to draft Resolutions relative to the
charge circulated against Professor Pendle
, ton, concerning the question of slavery.—
' Whereupon, on motion of J. E. Carter, a
i Committee of fifteen was appointed. Sub
sequently, on motion of G. A. Coulson, the
President was added to it. This Commit
i tee reported the following Resoltrtiims,
which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, certain designing men have
circulated and published to the world, that
Elder J. M. Pendleton, Professor in Union
University, holds to, and promulgates Ab
olition sentiments, and whereas such charg
es are made to injure our much beloved
University, to prejudice Southern people
against him as a Professor, and to destroy
his influence.
Resolved, That wc not only believe, but
we know the charges that Prof. Pendleton
is an Abolitionist, to be altogether un
founded; and that the spirit in which they
have been presented to the public, plainly
shows that love for Southern institutions
has not prompted his accusers to make
them.
Resolved, That we denounce as utterly
false the charge that Prof. Pendleton has
ever taught us principles in any way sub
’ versive of Southern institutions.
Resolved, That the instructions imparted
to us by Prof. Pendleton, are such as to
instill in us a love of virtuous principles,
an ardor for tru*e intellectual attainments;
and that through life, we will always re
member these principles of honor and hon
esty, which we have learned from him,
since we feel confident they will cause us
to refrain from making disrespectful and
unchristian allusion to another (as his ene
mies have done,) over a fictitious signa
tme.
Resolved, That we are too ungrateful to
return our thanks to the enemies of the
Institution, for the interest they have man
ifested in our behalf, and to relieve them
of further trouble we assure them, that we
cherish a love for the South, that wili drive
us from the University whenever we are
taught sentiments detrimental to Southern
rights.
Resolved, That whila we feel confident
that the insignificant attempt now being
made to effect the ruin of Prof. Pendleton
will prove a most signal failure, yet our
love for truth and justice compels us to
express our disapprobation of the course
pursued by his enemies, and our high ap
preciation of him as a Professor, a gentle
man and a Christian.
Resolved, That we recommend to all who
wish to enjoy the best of advantages, both
in the Theological and Literary Depart
ments, to patronize this Institution, it be
ing free from the many contaminationsand
vices that frequent most College#, and es
pecially from Abolitionism.
Resolved, That, we request the city pa
i pers and the various Baptist papers in the
different States, and all others friendly to
truth and justice, to publish the above re
solutions.
Needham Holland,of Ark.'
John W. Lipsey, of Miss.
Thomas 8. Burnett, of Ky.
A. J. McGaughy, of Ala.
W. H. Gardner, of Tenn. q
Jos. E. Carter, of N. C.
W. M. Bennett, ofTenn. *
Clint Trutrnan, of Tenn. I-
Stanhoye H. King, of Ark. (
Geo. W. Martin, ofTenn. »
W. IL Whitsitt, ofTenn. .”
Martin V. Noffsinger, Va.
Wm. A. Williams, of La.
R. W. Parramore, of Fla.
IL C. McFarland, of Tex.
Benj. F. Latimer, ofGa.
It is proper to say that our high esteem
for Prof. Pendleton, and the purely South
' ern principles which he ever inculcates,
has prompted us, without his knowledge, I
to take this means of setting the truth be- ;
fore the public.
[sign.] Benj. F. Latimer, Pres't.
Wm. H. Whitsitt, Sec.
For the Banner & Baptist.
Action of Cedar Creek Church.
Floyd Co., Ga., May 6th, ’6O.
Whereas there has been a report in cir
j culation (secretly,) for a few years, in this
country, that Bro. V. H. Dean was preach
ing without license, or if he had any, they
: j were forged ; and
Whereas, on examination of the facts
( in the case, We, the Committee in behalf
i of the Church, find that the report is false.
Brother Dean has a written license from
the Blue Spring Baptist Church, Bradley
Co., Tennessee, signed by. her Clerk, D.
G. McCully, in behalf of said Church,
(giving him Church authority to preach
the Gospel, wherever God in His Provi
dence may cast his lot.) In further testi-’
mony thereof, a certificate from the Clerk
with the Church’s record of the fact, and
signed as above, showing that the said li
cense was given.
Therefore—
Resolved, By the whole Church in Con
ference, that We spread these facts before
the public.
E. BREWTON, ]
B. f. meek,
11. HUCKABY,
j. howk, > Com.
W. BELCHER,
J. MOORE,
D. S. HUCKABY, ,
It was unanimously agreed to reqxiest its
publication in the Banner & Baptist, with
the request that Tennessee Baptist copy,
and oblige, Ac.
All done in Conference, and signed by
order of the Church,
J. R. CHAMBERS, Mod.
E. BREWTON, Clerk.
♦
i For the Banner & Baptist.
DIVINE BENEVOLENCE.
When God created us, he either wished
our happiness, or our misery, or be was
unconcerned about both. If lie had wished
our misery, he might have made sure of
his purpose, by’ forming our senses to be
as many’ sores and pains to 1 us as they are
now instruments of gratification and enjoy
ment ; or by placing us among objects so
ill suited to our peremptions, as to have
continually’ offended as, instead of minister
ing to our refreshment and delight. He
might have made, for example, everything
we tasted, bitter and loathsome; every
thing we touched, a sting; everything we
smell, a stench—and everything we hear, a.
discord. If he had been indifferent about
our happiness, or misery, we must impute
to our good fortune, as all design by this,
supposition is excluded, both the capacity
of our senses, to receive pleasure, and the'
supply of external objects, fitted to pro
duce it. But either of these, and still more
both of them, being too much to be at
tributed to accident. Nothing remains but.
the first supposition —that God, when he
created the human species, wished their
happiness, and made for them the provision
which he has made with that view and for
that purpose.
The same argument may be proposed in
different terms. Thus contrivance proves
design, and the predominant tendency of
the contrivance indicates the disposition of
the designer. The world abounds with con
trivances, and all the contrivances which
we are acquainted witff, are directed to
beneficial purposes. Evil, no doubt, exists,
but is never, as we can perceive, the object
of contrivance. Teeth are contrived to eat,
not to ache; their aching now and then is
incidental to the contrivance, perhaps, in
separable from it; or even if you will let
it be called a defect in the contrivance, but
it is not the object of it. This is a distinc
tion which well deserves to be attended to.
In describing implements of husbandry
you would hardly say of a sickle that it
was made to cut the reaper’s fingers, though
from the construction of the instrument,
and the manner of using it, this mischief
often happens. But if you had occasion to
describe instruments of torture, or execu
tion, this engine, you would say, is to ex
tend the sinews; this, to dislocate the joints;
this, to break the bones ; this, to scorch the
soles of the feet, &c. Here, pain and misery
arc the very objects of the contrivance.
Now, nothing of this sort is to be found in
the works of nature. We never discover
a train of contrivance to bring about an
evil purpose. Since, then God hath called
forth his consumate wisdom, to contrive
and provide for our happiness, and the
world appears to have been constituted
with this design ; at first, so long as this
constitution is upheld by him, we must in
reason suppose the same design to con
tinue. The contemplation of divine nature
rather bewilders the mind, than effects it.
There is always a bright spot in the pros
pect upon which the eye rests; a single
example, perhaps, by which each man finds
himself more convinced than by all others
put together. I seem, for my own part, to
see the benevolence of the Deity more
clearly in the pleasures of very young chil
dren, than in all other things put together.
The pleasures of grown persons may be
secured partly of their own procuring, espe
cially if there has been any industry, or
contrivance, or pursuit to come at them,
or if they’ are founded on music, painting,
or upon any qualifications of their own ac
quiring. But the pleasures of a healthy in
fant are so manifestly provided for it by
another, and the benevolence of the provis
sion is so unquestionable that every child
I sec at play, at its childish sports, affords
to my mind a kind of sensible evidence of
the finger of God, and of the disposition
which directs it. But the example which
strikes each man most strongly, is the true
example for him, and hardly two minds
hit upon the same, which shows the abun
dance of such examples for us.
Wc conclude, therefore, that Gou /ils
and wishes the happiness of his creatures,
and this conclusion being once established,
, we are at liberty to go on with the rule
built upon it, namely, That the method of
. coming at the will of God, concerning any
action by the light of nature, is to inquire
into the tendency of that action, to promote
or diminish the general happiness.
J. T. COOPER.
noble mind weighted down and
j obscured by suffering, may be likened to
■ one of the plain wooden clocks of our fore
father’s days. A glance at the outside dis
closes nothing brilliant or beautiful; noth
ing strikes the eye but the dark, heavy
weights which give it motion. But for
uaefulncss, these are the best of clocks.
irresolute never prosecute their
views so long as they have any. excuse for
deli’iftg. -
