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Biintlinatli Banner & Ocrolice Bajjffef. JESSE M. WOOD, I Editor. J H. C. HORMADT, Americus, Ga. x L. T. DO YAK, Griffin. Ga. / J. J. D. RENFROE, Talladega, Ala. f Cor/-e»/»wd»nn Editor*. D. P. EVERETT, Florida. ) JOS. N. BAKER, Fla. Traveling Correspondent. Wm&BAPTIST. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. Weekly, (fifty Nos.,) per annum, invariably ■ m advance, s2.(j() i All communications pertaining to the Paper i and Office, should be directed to tlie “ Banner I 6 Baptist,” Atlanta, Georgia; al) private cor respondcnce directed to JESSE M. WOOD. j Those forwarding names of subscribers or re-1 mittances, should always write the name of Post Office, County, and State, in full Money due the Office, may be sent by mail at our risk—al ways mail it in presence of a friend, (other than the P. M.,) or procure a friend to mail it for you—never register. Contributors should write only on one side of each leaf; and number the pages, 1,2, 3, Ac. The Editor will be responsible only for his own articles. A I>\ ERTISLNQJSCH EDU I.E\ • :1 Jfo. 2 3fo. 3 Jf«. i« Mb. 9 Ma. 12Jfo. IhquarbJ 2 &U|ss 00,8 7 Obi* 800 Obi #l4 00 2 SQ’UH 500 750 10 00; 12 00, 18 00 22 00 3 sq’bs 700 10 00 12 001 10 00 24 00 30 00 4 sq’rs 900 12 00 15 00; 20 (X) 30 001 30 00 5 sq’rs 11 00 14 00 17 00- 24 00 34 00 42 00 ti sq’hs 12 50 10 00, 19 001 28 00 38 00 40 00 7 hq’rs 14 00 17 50' 21 001 32 00 42 00' 50 00 8 sq’rs I 15 00 19 00 22 00; 35 00 45 00 54 00 9 sq'rs 10 00 20 00 : 23 00: 38 00 48 00 57 00 10«j’rsJ_17 00 21 00' 24 00| 40 00| 50 00 00 00 . A Square, is the space occupied by ten lines of Minion type. One Square, one insertion, $1.50; and SI.OO for each subsequent insertion. Professional and Business Cards, not ex- ; ceeding five lines, $5 per annum; each addition- . al line sl, Special Notices, fifteen cents per line, for 1 the first insertion; ten cents per line for each < subsequent insertion. ( School Advertisements.—Our charges for School advertisements will be the same as for < others, when not paid in advance. When paid in advance we will deduct Twenty-five cents im the Dollar from our regular charges. 1 Cash for Advertisements considered due, and collectable, at one half the time contracted for insertion. Yearly advertisements, due and pay- 1 able quarterly. i JESSE M. WOOD, ; JOHN If. RICE. 1 Proprietors. I ■ II I ( SCRIPTURE SELECTIONS. t And at that time shall Michael stand up, I the great prince which stamleth for the 1 children of thy people : and there shall Im* t a time of trouble, such as there never was ( since there was a nation even to that same time : and at that tint:* thy people shall bo ’ delivered, every one that shall be found I written in the lwa>k. And many of them ( that sleep in the dust of the earth shall . awake, some to everlasting life, ami some to shame and everlasting contempt. And * they that be wise, shall shine as the bright- j * ness of the firmament; and they that turn | many to righteousness, as the shirs forever i f and ever. But thou, <> Daniel, shut up the ! r words, and seal ihr- b<>ok, even to flic time i . of the end: mnitv shall run to and fro,and ' 1 knowledge shall Le increased. ■ '* Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of t the bank of the river, and the other on that | side* of the bank of the river. And one | said to the man clothed iu linen, which was 11 upon the waters of the river, How long i ( shall it be to the end of those wonders !! „ And I heard the man clot hod in linen, which ' fl was u|s>n the waters of the river, when he j held up his right hand and his left hand tin- r to heaven, and swam by him that liveth < for ever, that it shall be tor ti time, times, i ami a half; ami when ho shall haveaccom- ’ plislie.l to scatter the power of the holy people, all those things shall he finished.— i * And 1 heard, but I understood not: then f said I, O my lord, what shall be the end of these things? And ho said. Go thy way,' t Daniel: for the words are dosed up and t sealed till the time of the end. Many shall i be purified, and made white, and tried ; but 1 1 the wicked shall do wickedly ; and none of | the wicked shall understand; but the wise .' shall understand. Ami from the limo that < the daily sacrifice shall lie taken away, and the abomination that inaketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred 1 and ninety days. Blessed is ho that wait- ' eth, uml coinnth to the thousand three t hundred mid five and thirty days. But go ; thou thy way till the eml be; for thou shall rest, mid stand iu tin lot at the end of the days. ’ DANIEL. ' «■ ■ ! IRK WE GRYTEFt I. t I It was the one great object of our Savi- ■ 1 our, when <<n earth, “to do good to all.”— ,' He came to minister to the needy, to re lieve the oppresstsj, the care worts mid the weary, “to sts>k ami to save that which was lost.” \ sad instance is given of our pnuieness j < to ignore the source of our blessings, when* ; Jesus was pissing through Samaria and ; Galilee. Ten lepers Stood star oii'mul tried ■ “Jv sus. Master, have merct on us . .lesus bade them—”'«*> show yourselves unto the i priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Os them, all but one leturmsl to glorify God. He prostrated himself at Jesus' fi«ct to return thanks. Jesus said: “Were there not ten clean sed f but when* are the nine Now, even day is bearing with it like record* of <>ur ingratitmle. W e are all ill the daily etiiovuient God's mercies ami blessings ; vet. bow many of us. when we fully real-’ lie th ir value, return to glorify God ? Ala«. too many of us are Numbered with lhe ume! Wr are willing to U* cleansed, Imt. unlike the Samaritan, we fiu-get to re turn the iaee<l of |.rai-< to Him to whom it is due. Let us cherish that heart-felt gra? . .. X. W h -ii .' is OUTS to render- A life of thaiiksgtviug Is Imt a small return b>r G.A s unsjs ak ilde gift. FDK THK RDYS. Seven classes «•< company arv tu be avoahsl. vis: 1. who rhikmle their jutrent* <w d solx-v their owninauds. *2 Thosj' who prt'UHe the ?'sb*'*th. or setWT at religion. S. Tit ww ho w*e pn ‘fam - nr filthy lan guage 4 TV-<. who are untruthful.’ play tru ant ami waste thesr time in idleness. 5. Those who are of a qtMrn*Uwnc tem per, anJ are a|»t to gel into a difficulty with others. H. Th-'** who are »ldn*t«sl to h mg- T. Th'"* who arc of a cruel Jispo®iCe»n, au.i taka jdeas.ire in torturing or manning animal*. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1860. For the Banner & Baptist. | THE REIGN OF CHRIST. ; An Essay written for a Ministers Meeting, held at Hardis, Cobb Co., Ga. i ’ I • BY 8. M. PVLES. 1 ■ “Thou has put all things under his feet.” M A’, e. ft. This passage seems an address to God, the eternal Father, and the inspires] writer asserts most positively that Gm] has put all things under the feet of some one. By “his” we are to understand Christ. Then the sense of the text is—That God hath put al; limigs ; u Jcr Christ. I It might be necessary before entering upon the investigation of this subject, to make a few remarks in relation to the ap parent inferiority of Christ, to God the Father. There are many passages which favor this idea. For example—“ Thou hast made him a little lower than the angel’s.” 2 Ps. “lie was made of a woman, made i under the law.” “I came .to do the will of him that sent me.” “I can do nothing of myself. “My Father which sent me is greater than all.” “No man know eth, save the Father only, not even the Son.” All these passages, and many more convey to our minds the inferiority of Christ, the the Son, to God the Father. Hence the consistency of the expression in the text— Thou (God) hath put all things under him (under Christ.) But it may he asked, How is this idea of inferiority in the Son, to be reconciled and made to harmonize with that other idea of equality. For example—“l and my Father are one.” “In the beginning was the. word, and the word was with God, and the word was (rod.” “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.” “Unto ns a child is burn, unto us a son is given, and the government sliall be upon his shoulders, his name shall lie called wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.” Again, the Father addressed him on this wise, “Thy throne, o God, is for ever and ever.” All these passages prove the Divinity of t'hrist, and his equality with God, the Everlasting Father. How then are we to iiariiionize these "seeiuiiigty ' conflicting idea* ? I auawer-*- Ist. Those passages which present Christ to our minds as inferior to God, the Fath er, have reference to him as an officer, act ing in th.* capacity of mediator, between God and man. In his incarnation as con nected with the work of redemption, and as having assumed a human body, he is regarded inferior to the Father, having con descended to unite himself to frail human ity. 2nd. Those which convey the idea of equality, have rcferetiei* to his divine na ture in the almtract. I cannot eoneeive of three in one, only as the-relations these parties sustain to man, and to each other, iu the work of redemption. God the Father is th.- offended—God the Sou agrees to make reparation—God, the Spirit, agre«‘s to apply the virtue of the work of the Son to man, and thereby quali fy him to come into the presence of his God. Now whilst it is true that these three are one in c*u*tn-e, yet they are three in office. God, the Father, sits enthroned as the supreme Lawgiver. God, the Sou, is en gaged in the work of mending a broken law, and opening up away of access to the offi*nd<sl Father, for thft vile transgressor. To do this requires great ootidesi-ension. Hence the inferiority. But then, the law living magnifual. the breach mended, there must Im» conformity iq»on the part of man I to the w ill of G.sl; a oneness of feeling, ’ and sentiment. C*nisisjuently the Holy ! Spirit ccftnes down to earth to apply the : merits of Christ; to sanctify the heart and tHrttire, and bring about a reconciliation.— ! Tim* do we reisvneile these apparent dis en-js-ncH-s. and proceed to remark the i reign of Chriat is—l) Spiritual; 2) Per~ ■ tanal. We notes’ first that the reign of Christ is a spiritual reign. As to the subjects «.f this reign, they j must Ik* vsvnfiiriiieJ to the mind and will i of the Kiug; or otherwise there would be i a want of conformity—a want of acqities eence on the part of the subjects, in what the King eiyoinetl. To secure this state of things, there must be a work perforated in nMn —his vile and relielliotis nature must be charisrcil and milaiued. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The sinner having been renewed in heart and mind, and his spirit conformed to ami enlish-d for t hrist, Ae liresvmes a w illing subject of the reign of Mesiah ’They must lw willing subh'ets, to censure cheert'ul obedience, without which there could be ho real happiness. This en terprire was the sulqect of thought before the world liegun. The parties ovmp-vsuig the G’sl hcaii, covenanted t>vgrther, to re deem a peofde, over whom and in whose hearts Christ should reign. i»od. the Father promisial the *yu that he should have the heathen fi*r an inheritance, ami the utter most parts of rhe earth for a possesaion; 2nd Ps. It i« said, in the same chapter, v. S. that He throne is fi ire ver and ever. — “Christ was set up from everlasting. Xo “HIS BANNER OVER" US IS “LOVE" time in the past, when he did not exist. 1 “He is King Eternal, invisible.” “Thy throne, O God, is forever and evei , die. But an objector may say that thi only relates to the future; very good. Bu ; then, what of this passage ? Ps. 92, 2 i “Thy throne is established of old ; thou ar ■ from everlasting.” Here, “Thy throne i : exbiljllsheir''— in the past —and then tha there should be no misunderstanding, t.h< Holy Spirit adds, “is established of old."— And then in confirmation of this saim idea, he goes farther—hear him. “Thou (thi king) “art from, euerlastiug." As though he had said, there has been no time in the past, when ho did not exist, and when his throne stood .firm as tjie eleriuil aiitLjomm table God. The close of the sentence show’s that this language is used in reference to the spirit ual reign of Christ for says the LLoly Spit it, sth verse : “Thy testimonies are sure ; Holiness bo.eometh thine house, (> Lord, ti: rever.” Thine house. The subjects of thy reign.— Can there bo further proof needed? If so. we give you another text. 7th verse of the 45th Psalm shows that the Lord Jesus Christ is here spoken of: “Thou Invest righteousness and hatest inequity, there fore God, even thy God, hath annointed thee above thy fellows.” Who, we ask, is annointed above his fellows but Christ? Hence we conclude that Christ is ordained of God King. That He, God, hath given him subjects; and further that these sub jects must be willing subjects. “Thy people shall be a willing people ir. the day of thy power,” is the language of the holy writ. Another argument in favor of this proposi tion is that the Devil is reigning, as the opposite influence over the sons and daugh ters of Adam, and holding them in captiv ity, and this reign of his is spiritual reign ing, and universal in the hearts of all our race, and must, and will thus reign and hold in possession every’ son and daughter of Adam’s race, until he, the I lev’ll, is de throned, and another takes possession. As the Devil is powerful, and can only he de throned by’ one more powerful, and as he hits attained to the highest point of power and influence possible to be attained by any in opposition to Christ, and as his reign is supreme to omnipotence, must interfere in order to disposess the strong, that the s/rongrr may But A*- t<- .< itself teaches the doctrine for which we con tend, “Thou (God, the eternal Father) hast put alt things under his (under Christ.)” feet. What does this teach, but that the eter nal God has given him dominion and glory, and power, majesty and might. But, says Paul, “We see not yet all thing put under him,” Hcb. 2, 9. “But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory, and honor.” We see not all things put under him. This passage is explained by another, 1 Cor. 15, 22 —25; “For as in Adam all die, even so shall all so- made alive iu Christ. But even man in his own order; Christ the first fruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at his coming. Thon cometh the end, when ho shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father: when ho shall have put down all rule and au thority, and power. For he (Christ) must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” Here the Apostle tells us, that all things are not yet put under him, and yet he is reigning. This is still lietter explained by Peter who tells us, -he (Christ) is ex alted a prince and a Savior, to grant repent ance to Israel, and remission of sins.” As a prime and N-irfor. and as Lawgiver to Zion, he sits enthroned to bestow gifts on his people —to rule over them, and to direct an<l guide them in their warfare, un til the fullness of the time, when he shall deliver up all into the hands of the Father. ’ Then it will be that the last enemy shall I lie ilestroyisl. IPAea he shall hare put : down all rule and authority; as much as to i sav all rule ami authority w ill not l*c put ! down until the end comes. The “end" here I is the close of the present economy or dis ' pensation. The reign of Christ is a spiritual reign, his kingdom a spiritual kingdom un ! dor this reign of grace, or gospel economy; land the work of the establishment of thi* j spiritual reign is the work of the church. ; or people ofGml, aided by the Holy Spirit, j Unto the church is committed a dispetMa i tion of the truth, or gospel of Jesus Christ i which gospel “is the power of <bxl ante ; salvation.” Ileixv the wistlom, the pro priety of the commission, “Go, teach all I nations“Go ye into all the world preach the goopel to every creature,” Ac •In confirmation of the above, “And this ’ gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in ’ all the world for a w itness unto all nations. ‘ and then shall the end come.” The end ol ■ what! The end of tin' reign of grace; eml ‘ of gospel opportunities ; the final consuma tion of the gospel kingdom—the compleU establishment of Christ’s authority. Vnti ' then Christiana are called upon to aid it I the work of the extension of the reign o t'hrist. Christ reigns as frinj. As sucl he has subject*. These snbjeets are reeogn uresl as workers together with him. Aik ■ thei are ex|ieet«'d to be possessed ot hi: sprit. they must possess "his spirit or they ore none <4* his.” Rom. 8. 9. Then if not Christ’s, they are with anti . Christ; and whilst there is any aa&Chris iu the world, all things are not yet put uu > i Jer him, and just so king as there is an; anti-Christ, or want of conformity to Chris there is work for the church to do. Ai . r other thought, just here, it is this: “ j s pleased the Father ,to make perfect th a t captain of our salvation through suffering. __ “Christ endured the cross, despised th rt shame, and is forever set down at the rigl; is hand of God.” “If you suffer with him, yo lt shall be glorified together.” What is th le unmistakable inference ? Most assured! _ that those who refuse to suffer and mak 10 sacrifices for the spread of the Gospel.- ie The advancement of the Redeemer’s Kinp h : dorn, and the extensHm of the reign o e Christ, shall have no part in sharing th, s , l?l <>r y accruing iriim the sufferings o ,-UMist. The •- eS my j your neighbor as ybtirsei” To lay dowi s riches and honors, and pleasures and witl might and soul, money’ and talents to glv< p : the message, of mercy, “The glad tiding: . ! of good things” to the lost of our race.— I The spirit of missions preponderated ii His heart to the extent that He wore ou His life in preaching tht Gospel, and mak ing sacrifices, for us. brethren, have yot ’ this spirit? If so, ye ate Christs. If not j Paul says, “Ye are none of His.” May ; God help us to investigate this matter. As to the subject of the reign of Christ j’ we shall say’ but little just here. They ias before remarked, are spiritual, not ? that they are disembodied; but beinc j in spirit, and in reality (by nature) thi subjects of the devil, they must in spirit be changed, or otherwise they would be want | ing in conformity to His will. Ind though ' nominallv in the Kingdom of Cirist could I t I realize none of the spiritual ol ;I 1 ° ■ his reign. And though such nay have ;i place in the Church, yet they being desti tute of His spirit, are none of His, and consequently’ can have no part in the riches and glories and felicities of Hi« reign either in this dispensation, th.* latter dav glory, or the infinite and unending joys i that await the subjects of tiis spiritual kingdom. Do you ask me waat of those organizations receiving into tieir commu nion those who profess Sot to be born of the spirit of God? Who incorporate into their fellowship, unconcipus babes, as well | as many adults, as does'papal Rome, and ’ all protestant pedo organizations? As tc j those who may Im* found in such organiza ! tions giving many evidences that they have ’ i lieen lioru <if the spirit qf God. the call tc i them from the great heals ‘ cf0,..-. < i t her my people,’ ‘be ye separate,’ to'uch not , taste not, handle not.” What disposition will be made of such as refuse to obey the call, and persistently continue in this un ’ warantable abuse of Gospel privileges (rod only knows, I don’t. As to such organiza ' tions, they are to he demolished, their lead s ers, rulers, and judges are to be broken in ’’ pieces, and destroyed—none of them shall stand in His presence. Christ reigns by ” His spirit. He has ascended upon high, is ’’ there enthroned for a time, during Hi' r ‘ time. His spirit dwells with His people, in ' the midst of His spiritual Zion until tlu e “ time of restitition of all thing,” then Hi ’* shall leave the Father’s Throne, and give f> up the mediatorial office, <*ome again t< p earth, and reign in the midst, of his people 1 for one thousand years. Rev. 20ch. 9thv I- 4 . t For t|e Banner «t Baptist. ” LIGHT IS DESIRED. I Bro W ood : f Truth is like the fabled pillars of Seth 1 which are said to have bid defiance to th< deluge: they have stood forages, unmoved • in the midst of the flood. Yes, my broth ■* or, there are themes on which the truth, i told, is extremely unpleasant, especially t< n all such as are indisposed to hear and ad 11 init it. Truth, howevtr, like gold, is val !’ uable according to the degree of its purity I Like gold, too, it is the most brillian ’• where the light is the most perfect. Ii I loses nothing by free and open discussion I Truth alone will stand the earthquake shock of error; all else will tumble t< 1 ruins, and the sooner the lietter, eost wliu e it may of sacrifice and toil. '■ I Would we bless and be blesaed at i d i time like the present —all that is associate, '■ ' with usurpation in church or State—al • that connives at conformity to what ii iS i right or law has filled the old world witi *• • blood and groans, must la* exposed and re 1- nouneed. ‘ It may la* asked: hi what d-s*s the dai f - i ger consist ? What one thing can Im* sti ° U*d of sufficient magnitude to warran “ i alarm ! U | In answer, let it Ik* understood that dai I>' ger does not flow so much from any on '• ‘ great thing as from a multitude of whal | in the estimation of many, are d<*enied lit ° • tie things. The bondage of Zion and of Europ 4 came not in one sudden and tremendou d avalanche of innovation in church orpowe *• in State, lliis Imndagp stole the mare *' by little and little, all apparently non-et >1 sential, and most surely innocent, an n more than certainly expediently rolled i 4’ and rolled until, like the mingling < h ten thousand streamlets, the alarm wa n ’ sounded, but it was lost amid the deal roar of the merciless current, until a is was swept before it into the y awning gu of religious and civil despotism. Thi' man must indeed be a novice in e :i- ch-siastieal history, who does not see tb st stei»s of our conventions and boards in th n same direction. As Ido not wish to tra’ ty el over the same ground of my belove St, | brethren, Hornady and Clarke, but will ! n- call the attention of brethren to some cir ‘lt cuinstanees connected with the convention he in Macon, which go very far to show an assumption of power on the part of the he Anfi-Landmark brethren to sustain their ht point contrary to law and order, and is 3ii certainly one of the little things that will he. lead on to despotism. I find my brother, ly on examining the minutes of Georgia Bap <e. tist Convention, from 1850 to 1859, the Pedmont Association, has never been a g- member of the convention. 1 would af of fectionately ask—Did she appoint the le brethren to represent her, or were they’ in of structed to apply for membership at Ma ? If so, it escaped our notice. Breth n ren, the representatives of the Pedinont, :h we do earnestly desire light upon the sub re ject. These signs betoken something, and rs all who are interested should be prepared —for what, to them, may seem distressing in events. I, for one, shall never relinquish it any of my landmark principles, or alter <- my position taken in the Graves trial with u the present lights before me. t, Yours, truly, y - JAMES PERRYMAN. t For the Banner & Baptist. f \ “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE >t FALL.” rr Dear Brethren : |(? It is painful to hear of divisions in our e beloved Zion. Already division and schism t have confounded-the religious world. Shall h we divide and full, or remain united and j stand ? Let every one consider before he makes the awful leap. Let every lover of a Jesus rise up in the spirit and majesty of j the gospel and protest against division. It ' m sad to see the Christian world divided in- 1 s to so many religious communities, but to n see Baptists sundered into factions is griev .. ous, indeed. A house divided against itself s must full. : j Our distracted eonditie,.-! is a source of p great sorrow to ourselves, and of solid joy to our enemies. Baptists divided ! Mis sionary Baptists broken into factions! ! o The only true gospel church biting and de ll vouriug each other !! 1 Tell it not in Gath. ( | Let it not be heard in the camps of the n enemy. Baptists severed ! What a shame! t _ Those who h:iv*? waded through floods and e flames; those whc.se blood has flowed in o every valley, and whose bones have bleach j ed upon every plain; who have been driven ( into dens and caves of the earth ; who have n been afflicted, and have wandered in sheep e skins and goat skins; of whom the world t was not worthy—divided ! Oh, what mad ness ! In the prayer of Jesus for his dis t ciples, he prays that they all may be one, I that the world may believe. All the strife n and hard say ings among us are contrary to II the spirit of our blessed Savior. He prays y that they may not only bo one, but perfect s in one. This comprehends all. Perfect in one —i-ompbte union. “One, even as we |( are one," is the language of him who spake (i as never man spake. But we now hear of p division from the puny lips of fallen man. Has it come to this—that the Bible has e ('eased to be a sufficient guide and proper p rule of action for Baptists ? Shall we de clare to the world that God’s word is so mysterious in its teachings that His people cannot so agree, as to live together in peace and harmony ? Then we must acknowl edge that our Savior offered a vain and (, senseless petition ; that our Pedo-buptist ie are right when they say that men cannot [ s<e alike ; and that divisions among christ fp ians are necessary, and not only necessary, If but that they were intended. This is in ,, evitable, whenever we concede that the j. Bible is not a plain and sufficient guide in |. all matters of religion. But, brethren, I ~ will never concede this. it Our Savior and the Apostles have given It us lietter church polity and corrective dis-, n. cipline than all the ingenuity of man can ;e invent. Lay aside personalities, ambition, to and all dcsin* for a vain-glorious popularity: at let brotherly love prevail, and a holy zeal for the promotion of Ghrist’s kingdom pre a donuiiati-, and no eftuse of disunion will »d remain. ill On what sliall we "divide ? Shall we in make the issue l»etween Dr. Howell and th EM. Graves ? How can we ? Each church e- is locid and independent. We cannot com pel any one to fellowship Dr. H. or Elder n- G.: nor would we if we could. Suppose a- both the majority and minority of the nt Nashville church arc wrong, shall that pro duce division ? If one la* right and the n : other wrong, shall that minder the churches? ne ; 11 they cannot settle their own difficulties, it, is it our business to interfere ? If Baptist it-; churches are independent, certainly each I one is competent to settle its own diffleul pe ties. Rut if we on* a great ecclesiastical us I body, then we may call “a general assem er j bly” and determine who is right and who eh i is wrong. :s- Shall we divide on the “Board question?” ’ id Can we not with the Board, or I in independent of it, as we choose? Do we, : of as churches of Christ, owe any allegiance - as I to Boards, Aswjciations and Conventions ? th Yet if a number of churches see proper to ; ill ; unite, in order to carry out any object en ds! joined by their Master, have they not a i right to do so ? sc- i If we do not liave Conventions and he L Boards, we must have Associations and he committees—small C*Miveutions and little iv- i Boards. Pethaps these would be better ed than a great point of But f TERMS $2. I ALWAYS IN ADVANCE. I be our Associations or Conventions what they* may, they must only be creatures ot the churches, subject to the churches, de pendent on the churches for their existence, using no power over the churches. Nor must representation in them be upon a mo ney basis. Upon the money basis, o’ne so humble, as myself could not have a seat in a Convention. Surely we cannot-divide on this question. Shall “landmarkism” divide us. Would any pious, intelligent brother make an issue on this question cause for division ? . Sure ly an anti-landmarker could not; because he would then say to the world in thunder tones that he felt more sympathy for the Pedo-baptist world than for his own breth ren. Dear brethren, let us be of one mind ; speak the same thing. “AMICUS.” For the Banner & Baptist. THE PRESENT STATE OF RELIGION. While travelling through the varied scenes of life, our thoughts seem naturally to dwell upon the future destiny of man.— In the contemplation of this idea there is another thought so intimately connected, and having so much weight, that it is forced upon us. What is the present state of re ligion ? In the first place, we will consid er the situation of religious affairs at a more early period, and then compare it to the present manifestations. Let us go back three years and remember how God poured out. His spirit upon us, and not only upon us did He show His mighty power, but also to the poor heathens of Africa. The papers were weekly bringing-h»- j-y C-i dings from the poor Missionary of the Cross. From every point in our country came forth voices declaring that the good Lord was working for them. Daily were crowds seen placing their business aside, and pursuing their way pleasantly to a prayer meeting, and when night spreads her sable mantle around, instead of the busy noise of a thronged city, were heard sweet notes of praise all around, mellowed by the distance. But permit us to consider the religion of the present day. Where are its powers now seen working ? The papers are now mingling their once-loved tones in harsh contention, and the words of Douglas and Stephens exert a far more extensive sway than those of Jesus. ’Tis true, there are churches reared around us, their domes towering to the sky. Money flows from the right hand and from the left, to deck, in costly array, the sacred desk of God. The works of art contrive means of breathing forth words of praise in song.— But, alas ! why is there so much coldness, contention and bitter feeling among the different denominations ? We can answer by saying that it is simply’ because prayer is neglected—that weapon which controls the universe has been laid aside and per mitted to corrode from the influence of this world. Oh, brethren! brethren! look at our present state! Why do we permit our Christian feelings to be so long in leth argy ? Oh, let us wake up—rush to ac tion, and to our duty. We too often per mit our minds to be wafted amid the rush ing waves of sin and frivolity. We per mit our thoughts to run too much after the vanities of this sinful world. Oh, breth ren ! let your weapon be earnest prayer, instead of words of contention. And oh! may we see words of peace, love and fel lowship shine upon every page of our Christian papers, instead of expressions of hard feelings about church government. J. M. LEWIS. —■ ♦ • For the Banner & Baptist. THE SUICIDE’S CONVERSION AND DEATH. More than twenty years ago, a young man of steady and industrious habits, re siding in one of the interior towns of Geor gia, rode into the country to attend church on the Sabbath day. He was an only son, and had recently lost his father, his moth er having died while he was yet a child.— He had become imbued with infidel senti ments,. and having been surety for his fa ther to a large amount, had rendered him bankrupt. He was melancholy and re served. It was in this state of mind, on the Sabbath alluded to, he heard a dis course in which doctrines, bordering on fa tality, were proclaimed. That night he was noticed by his grandmother and step mother, the only inmates of the house lie side himself, to lie engaged in some way until a late hour. It was ascertained after wards he was making preparation for self destruction. Next morning he rose early and took his breakGst before sunrise, walked direct to his father’s grave, upon uhich he* stood and sh< >t himself in the left breast, the ball missing the heart at which it was aimed, and, perforating the left luug, lodged against ’ the shoulder-blade. He fell, and was for I a time unconscious, but soon recovered his senses sufficiently to recollect that some one might be accused of having murdered him. With much difficulty he arose, walked to the nearest house, and crying to the first person he «aw, “I did it,” fellagain mis in the agonies of death. For days and weeks his life, was despaired of. The wri ter visited him frequently, and, as soon as he could bear conversation, introduced the subject of religion. At first he manifested the utmost aversion to conversing on the subject, and would almost sneer at the bare ( VOL. 1. i I VUI I t iw. Ju. t mention of the name of Jesus. (The wound >f tenr inated in consumption, under which he :- lingered about six months.) The writer *, felt it his duty, however, to use every r means in his power to save the soul even j- of a suicide. And so he persevered. His o skepticism finally began to yield to the u power of Divine Truth, sent home to his n heart by the Spirit of all grace. As the light broke in upon the darkness of his be- J nighted soul, the conflict was terrible.— e His greatest difficulty seemed to be to em >. brace the doctrine of Sovereign Grace.— e Jesus, however, triumphed at last, and his r pious friends were constrained to believe e that even a suicide may bo. saved. The l evidences of his conversion were clear and satisfactory. This event occurred about ; two months before his death. He seemed to ripen rapidly for Heaven.. Oh,what a change ! Christians wereamazed, and could hardly believe that God had done that for which they had so fervently • prayed. Irifidels were confounded. 1 A few weeks passed away, and the end of the poor suicide was at hand. Almost - daily the writer was beside the couch of 5 suffering and pain, reading the Bible, and > singing and praying with him, wlm now 1 found Jesus so infinitely precious. On re- ■ turning home, after a few days’ absence, a pious lady met me in the street, who said: 1 “Poor 11. is dying, and is exceedingly anx -1 ious to see you!” A bright autumnal sun was just setting as I entered his room.— The hand of death was upon him, but the 1 light of God’s countenance was reflected from his dying face. Joyfully raising his emaciated hands, he said : “ Sovereign Grace difiS. at last? The blood of Jesus ' Christ cleansetli . jj- -a. quested me to sing “Jesus, thou art uie l sinner’s friend.” Then bidding all fare ' well, he straightened himself in his bed, , crossed his hands oh his bosom, and, in a few moments, breathed his last. 1 could 1 but believe that “Sovereign Grace hail tri ' umphed,” and that the soul of the poor su- I icide was at rest with God. I HARRISON. For the Banner & Baptist. 1 WILL THE PUNISHMENT OF THE ’ WICKED BE ETERNAL? ’ Brother Wood: 1 By your permission, 1 will offer a few 1 suggestions iu answer to this question.— ' Were our churches clear of all members, e deacons and ministers who take the nega s tive of the question, I would, perhaps, hold i my peace for the present ; but as they , are not, I think a few thoughts will not be amiss. f 1 only propose noticing one argument - now. That may be stated thus • Sin will , continue to increase (ill pardoned. Sin grows » upon us, when allowed to take its own • course, as a loathsome disease. I take it ■ for granted that all believe that repentance > and faith are pre-requisites to salvation.— We have not the slightest intimation that i the gospel will be offered to any one w/ter he departs this life, but much to the con trary. We know that thousands upon thousands die here without repentance, faith or regeneration. Where are they ? Are they not still living ? Surely they are. But are they holy or sinful ? “As the tree falls, so will it lie.” If they died sinful, ‘ they are sinful still; they are now without any possible means of grace. But it as , much their duty now to receive Christ as it ! was when they lived here. Every moment adds to their sin. They still reject Christ, and if the gospel could now be preached to them, it is not certain they would receive • it. But they are continually sinning in hell; they commit sin upon sin. Even if men were punished an hour or a day, for an hour or a day’s sin, still they would al ways be behind a life-time or more. For I their sins would accumulate in hell as fast as upon earth. To illustrate : 1 suppose r A lives in sin fifty years. According to . the supposition he has to Im* punished fifty years for it. But I contend thut while he is suffering his fifty years, it is just as much 1 his duty to receive Christ and his gospel as , it is ever was, therefore his sin increases - every moment; so when he has rendered satisfaction for the fifty years, behold, there are fifty more against him. He owes as much then as when he commenced, and it ‘ will continue so during eternity ; he will i always lie behind ; he can never pay it up. . So I conclude the doctrine of the restora -1 tionists is not true. If G<xl punishes sin at all, he punishes it eternally. If he does not punish sin, ■ why does he say he will ? Yea, why does he i* say that certain persons are now suffering the vengeance of eternal fire ? One thing should be remembered, that this is not Bap tist d<K-trine, though a few who are mem- ’ tiers with us believe it. Why it is that ' Universalists want to live in Baptist church ’ es, Ido not know. Baptists do not believe that. Christ even made atonement for every man, but for his elect, Let Baptists be 1 Baptists, and Universalists lie Universalists. 1 Baptists have enough Arminianism among 1 them now, without their members preach 1 ing universal salvation. ADELPHOS. t P* S. I contend that one sin is enough r to punish an immortal soul eternally, and that men’s sins will accumulate as fast in ' hell as upon earth, therefore the punish i* ment of the wicked will not only be eter- 1 nal, but it will increase through eternity ! Adblphos. > The above was written by bro. R. P. i Evatt, and was found among his papers 1 since his death. He had been a regular - contributor to the Banner, and now being s dead he yet speaketh. Reader, if any of e your family or neighbors are not Christians, d request them to read the article written by e one who has gone to his reward above. « E».