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11l WE H & BAPTIST. xF 1 / /holy iwj “Holy Bible,—Book Divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine.” JESSE HI. WOOD, Editor. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Thursday, June 14, 1860. O ur term s n f Subscription, $2 00 per Annum, always in advance. For our terms for advertising, see Ist column of Ist page. THE EDITOR. Bro. Wood has not yet arrived in this city, but we expect him in a day or so, — at all events, he will be at his post before our next issue. R. A WORD TO FRIENDS. The editor of the Banner anff the book keeper, who attends to the business affairs of the office, are two persons. Will our friends, in writing us, rerntember this and address all business letters to the “ Banner & Baptist ?” And if you wish to whisper a private word in brother Wood’s ear at the same time, just write two letters: the business letter direct as above stated, the other direct to Elder J. M. Wood. Now, friends, don’t forget this, and you will save us a great deal of trouble and some confu sion. R. OUR OFFICE. For the present we may be found at the Reading-room of the National American, where we will be happy to see any of our friends who pass through the city, or any one who wishes his name entered on the subscription list of the Banner. We have made a temporary arrangement for publish ing the Banner & Baptist, until our build ipg 1 OUT llia- ’ vnmery and material. TO THE CITIZENS OF ATLANTA. This is our first issue of the Banner & Baptist in your midst, and to you we now make our bow editorial. Allow us in the first place to acknowledge the-Divine good ness in permitting us, after leaving kind friends in a neighboring city, to be thrown among others in yours, and to pray the great Author of our being to make our as sociations pleasant, and profitable. Our positions as a religious journalist, thus far, have been plainly defined, and our opinions frankly and freely stated. You will not expect us to swerve from our principles, to pander to the popular ehirnor, nor to sup press our honest cowvietioxw. Miu*h things we can never do. We would rather live in solitude or in exile than yield the rights of a Christian freeman. Yet, it is our purpose to Im* respectful to those who honestly differ in opinion with us. It is our nature to feel fully identified with the community with which our lot is cast, nnd to feel a warm interest in its pros perity, and in this respect, as in others, we would rather be judged by our our actions than by strong declarations. To the edito rial fraternity we may say, there need lx* no conflict, as our respective fields of labor are not antagonistic. While, therefore, in coining among you we may say, all hail! we hope it may Im* so when it shall be our lot to leave you, that you may say, a peace ful farewell! To our Baptist brethren, we shall look, for love, eo-operatiou and genu ine friendship. Ihe cause of the Saviour demands that we seek the truth, and im press it upon others, both by our lives, our words, and by the press. We crave your prayers, and your assistance to make the Banner what it ought to be, and what the denomination have a right to expect. Up to date we have received many warm ex pressions of approbation, and but few to the contrary , and we trust that a kind Pro vidence may guide the destiny of the Ban ner iu thc future, as He has in the past.— From your city it is to go out to bless thousands of immortal beings, or to lie a blight up n hose whom it may influence. May the blessed spirit inspire its editors and contributors. . ' PASTORAL TALK—Mo. 38. Men who have been fora long time upon a storm tosn'd su-a, ba>c l»ecn nx-ked bv foaming, surging waves, by which they have been sickened nigh unto death, and have been kept iu perpetual alarm by rag ing storms, and the dangers of the deep, approach the land with glad hearts, and flee from perils with rejoicing. So the Christian after awhile will quit the sea of life, ami gladly leave its storms and tern peats. . ■ -* The lorn traveler, w ho, in a strange land has pursued his way over hill and plain hungry, thirsty and faint until he is almost exhausted, comes in sight of green fields teeming with plenty, ami limpid springs gushing with the cool life invigorating de tnent, u ith feelings hopeful and joyous.— So the christiau pilgrim, by-aud-by, will leave this world and enter the fields of glo ry abounding uith food. and the waters of lite. Shmie ot us have lieeu in the midst ot b-Mvettly arenes since the last issue of the Banner. God ha- been converting sin »«*rt, and ret iring the hearts of His people, The pnwtuu* .pint has whispered peace to mazy souls, and has talked to God's ctaaen ones, of crow ns and harp- of gold , of reel wj j, y iu tin* pn-settee <»f the Redeemer and o« tin- good inheritance that tadeth not *»«y IL, s?ed inheritance * Wessad heav en and blessed home of those who k»ve God! I m - v MW bane, 1 k '* a < ** ‘hw: V* , win ar sorrows have aa e&d *« joy, **,! peace, and f REVIVAL IN ROME. It may be truly said that the Lord has revived his people, reclaimed back-sliders, and converted many sinners in Rome, du ring a few weeks past. 40 have united with the church by immersion, 7 by letter, and 5 have come under the watch-care of the church Besides these many have pro fessed conversion who will, probably, not join the Baptist church. Elders J. E. Ry erson and T. J. Fisher have done, most of the preaching during a series of meetings which have been held. At times a whole congregation of Christians and many sin ners have been in tears, and the front seats crowded with anxious souls. Eld, Fisher’s power over an audience is proverbial, and his faith in the promises of God unwaver ing. This, perhaps, is his great element of success. Eld. Ryerson’s ability and style are known to most of our readers. But it we knew that cither of them, or any one else, claimed the glory of the meeting in Rome, we should say, the. Lord rebuke thee. We simply wish to say that the Lord has blessed them and their preaching; has put it into the hearts of his people to pray, and has answered their prayers. — May the good work continue. BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND WITH FIRE. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes 1 am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Mat. 3d ch. 11 v. and Luke 3d ch. 1(5 v. There is no difficulty in showing that this passage has been incorrectly transla ted, and that it would be nearer the origi nal as follows: I indeed immerse you in water unto repentance: but h§ that eometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoos I am not worthy to bear : he shall immerse you in the Holy Spirit, and in fire. This is admitted by Baptists who oppose the re vision of onr present version of the Bible, as well as by many Pcdo-Baptists. When any one wishes to baptize iron with lice, he does not put the fire on it, but plunges the iron in the fire. But the difficulty with some is, in supposing that this is the scrip tural, Christian baptism to the exclusion of water baptism. Buch wc believe is the opinion of the friend who requested us to ■ -wrrtJo'lliTi article. To this we stand op- posed, Ist, That water baptism, as admin istered by John, was instituted by God himself. 2d. The Saviour sanctioned it bv submitting to the rite, and said thus it bo cometh us to fulfil all righteousness. 3d. He also sanctioned it by having His disci ples to baptize during His ministry; for in this way He mode and baptized more disciples than John. 4th. Before His as cension He comtnissiont'd His disciples to go and teach all nations, and to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Moly Spirit. sth. As recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, they did baptize the people, both men and women. In the case of Philip and the Eunuch it is ex pressly said that they both went down into the water, both Philip and Un* Ktmwh, and he (Philip) baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. 6th. The teachings of the Apostles, in their epistles to the churches, tend to the same point. - following card appeared, a short time since, in the Christian Index.— From this it appears that brother Camp bell proposes to work as an Evangelist upon terms which are fair and honorable. Such churches and communities as wish his service have only to inform him of their wishes. We learn that brother C. is will ing to work a part of his time in Cherokee Georgia. His gifts as a preacher are too well known to need any expression from us. Ilis continuance* in the field, his liv ing of the gospel, depends upon the liber ality of brethren who desire to see this work go forward. Will they see to it ? STATE EVANGELIST. The following extract from the Report of the Executive Committee, made to the Georgia Baptist Convention at Macon, and which was unanimously adopted, shows the views of that body on this subject: “The committee have noticed, with much pleasure, the suggestion to continue both er J; H. Campbell as State Evangelist.— We believe him to lie emimmtlv qualified for usefulness among our churches, and es , pccialiy in such localities as may lio t enjov the regular ministrations of the gospel.-L We therefore cordially recommend him to our brethren as worthy, not only # of their confidence and co-operation. but also as de serving their liberal contributions. to meet his necessities while thus engaged in public service. And, whereas his laLns will sus tain a close relationship to thrklo nf domes tic missionary, we recommend that the convention appropriate 171 58 of the in terest of the permanent Mission Fund to | his support.” i It is my intentivu to continue in this ser vice, and 1 shall he w illing, when called upou, to perform the following kind* <ff la , bor: I. To aid in the -I'ttlomont of church difficulties ; 2. To visit destitute neighbor hood* and weak churches: 3. To aid pas tors in protracted meetings. Brethren wishing my assistance will I please give me due notice thereof, and I i will govern myself accordingly. J. II CAMPBELL. Griffin, May 17th, 1860. Jjjg*"At a meeting of the ( ouuu<tt**»'s of ■ the Sunday School* of W esley Chapel, First j Baptist and First Presbyterian Churches, they resolved to have a I mon Celebration Jon 4th of July. Each si*hool under the di rection of it* Superintendent to meet’ iu , the First Baptist Church at b it'ekwk, A. M. Reading the Scripture- by IL v. J. B, Payne. Prayer hy Rev. J. S Wflsou, D. D, Singing, by the Sch<s>h, "<>tiCome let , us sing,” tune. ‘-O. t'ome, C-me away Aimmjk-s. The s|>eaker .4 each school being allowed 20 minutes. Singing. “Lord di-mi— u-. tune “Greeu ville." Benedic<h«, by Rev. T. I . Wilke-. Marehtug, returning to the grove at First Baptist Church fer refr**shmcnta. lioo.Wm. Exzard Ms the day. MZyeneer.' COMMUNICATIONS. For the Banner & Baptist. SOMETHING FOR ALL-No. 2. BY W. N. C. Dear Banner: Sand has been the principal item to-day. Not much pleasure in buggy riding of a hot day, in Hamilton county, Fla., or at least through the continuous sand-beds and banks on the road from Belville to Jasper. Bro. B—t remarked, when we had crossed : the Alapaha river, that he saw and realized the Savior’s comparison of “building a house on the sand.” There were features in the appearance of the country where we crossed the river V J striking, indeed. There were “lime sinks,” as they are termed, from fifty to a hundred feet deep, (those without water) dropping off abruptly, on some sides nearly perpen dicular. A small stream —“little Alapaha” —runs into one of these and sinks, the country passing oft’ level from the point of disappearance, leaving no sign of a stream. At the ferry where we crossed we saw no water at all, though we were told that a mile or two above, the river was running all across, but soon disappears in immense beds of sands. Fourth Day.-—Sandy, sandier, sandiest, until we reacheit' T.ake City, just at* nigSf! I passed through to the hotel, seeing two or three large ponds or lakes, whence the name I opine ; but Sand-town would have been as apropos. There seemed to be an air of carelessness about the place, streets irregular and narrow, houses closer than usual for the South. We here found sev eral brethren on their way to the Conven tion. One brother told me he attended the most formal, unfeeling burial he ever saw’ —not a tear shed he thought. There was another fact communicated to me by some preacher, (I withhold their names) which bears rather hard on two sides. These preachers had left home w ithout any Bible, and were trying to buy a Bible or Testa ment, and could not find one, or did not, till a Methodist gentleman, by some means, learned the worthy object of their pursuit, and presented them with a Testament.— Never mind, brethren, you know a journal ist looks and listens, and if you feel ashamed, don’t go out to fight again, w ithout a sword. no. 3. Dear Banner: This is the fifth day, and we are at the place of destination, Jacksonville. The only item of interest on the way, was the conductor pointed out the place w here a week before the train ran over some cows, resulting in the throwing off all the ears, killing three men and crippling several per sons. The only remark I heard in refer ence to any want of caution on the part of the road was, simply, that the passenger car was put iu front of some freight or lumber ears. At tn-day', bro I* preached the Introductory, in the Presby terian house of worship. Convened at 3 o’clock in same house. Bro. Cooper was called to the Chair, and bro. Wombwell re quested to act as Secretary. The Conven tion was finally organized by electing them as the permanent officers of theliody. Ap pointing the usual committees, and one on the revision of the Constitution, closed the first day’s session. Delegation small.— Heard bro. Blewett preach to-night. Sirth Day.— Well, perhaps, as my cap tion is a promise of “something for all,” some of the alt may want to know some thing about JACKSONVILLE. Well, 1 will gratify their curiosities, for 1 opened my eyes earlier than usual this morning, and strange to say, yot up soon, and accompanied my room-mate and broth er Levite, (a deacon iu my country some times calls preachers Lecites,) a man nearly as ugly as myself, to the market, and in a reconnoitre of the town. Well, at the market we saw some curi osities iu the way of fish, such as bass, flounder, and some striped as a Zebra.— The view’ of the river St. Johns, on which the city is located, from front street and the market house is truly magnificent, stretching out and widening up the river, I smooth and placid, making truly a feast to i the organ of sight. The streets in this city tare doser, the city more crow ded, than any Tqf its size I know ; and evidently there is j less attention paid to yards and pavements I than in any place I have visited. What in- ■ fluence produces this carelessness 1 know ' nr>t 'Die great amount of sand mny be, yet 1 could not see why. I never saw si> ' many and such large -hade trees in a place, ■ all over the streets as well as the yards, i which gives to the city an inviting, pleasant : appearance, even iu this warm weather.— I The f< ■rm ot the place is that of a parallel s ogrant, stretching for some distance up and i down the river, but running out fi-om it ' only a short distance. I could tell other things, sirs, but I'll keep aomc back for an ‘ other time. BAPTISTS. are aot very plenty here, and have no place of worship : but have bought an eligible lot, anil made c« nines for the erection of a : beautiful bouse to be dune by November. One Baptists here, has paid his pastor already, and is not a “pmrerfar* rich man, at that. Some arrivals to-day ot deleiiates U» the CONVENTION. and one earrespotklent, bro. Fleming, fmm Georgia. Heard reports, amotig them the ■ report of the committee on revising Con stitution- Thi- proposed to -trike out the clans** a*lmittiiig societies, and put in one allow iug churches, on a money basis, to lie represent»-d. < ffi ! th* se g*sxl Conventions! They afford such a gixxi opportunity of ‘■letting off" gas, like some did iu debating •ai this cbange. Among them, <*ne Shot Down was tiny nt nt in saying. “Bro. Presi dent.” S**eietes were stricken -out and churches were admitted, which closed the 1 session for Saturday evening. 1 But I must close now, without telling you < any more till another time. K bell has just rung, and at such a time of the day, as ex cites me somehow, (because peculiarly con stituted, may be) and 1 can’t transcribe any more dots for awhile. Perhaps you may wish a bell would ring often before I quit you for good, i. e. finally. I try to be po lite, but the vulgar will eke out sometimes, you know. no. 4. Seventh Day, since starting, and it is Sabbath; but the citizens of this place, and visitors, are not in such a strait as I have seen them at the annual meetings of larger bodies of the same nature, about what D. D. they should go to hear, out of the considerable number who are to preach. The Convention assembled, can afford but one Doctor, an M. D., sometimes mistaken for a D. D., and I see is so styled in Bene edict’s “Fifty Years among the Baptists”; and there will be Baptist preaching at only Zwo houses —Methodist and Presbyterian— hence leaving but two to halt between. — And there will not be much halting, for the man Shot Down is to hold forth at one I place, and the folks will not want to go there. Night. —The. seixqys of the day are 'dvvi-rffle to -eternity. No more to say, but that the brethren were pleased, and sanguine in the hope that the services of the dav would result in good to the cause in Jacksonville. Collections were taken at all houses occupied by the Con vention with good results under the cir cumstances. Eighth Day.— The business was completed at one sitting. The most important items were, appointing place and changing the time of the reeetingi of the Convention. — According to the change, the next meeting of the body will be with the Monticello church, on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in Nov. 1860, —six months from the pres ent meeting. Separating was the next item of note marked dewn, —tire painful close of all these assemblages of Christians, or so at least did tils parting prove to be. New acquaintances had been made pleasant and agreeable, old friends and brethren met, as sociations were sweet in the church—sanc tuary —inthe Convention, in private chats, iin our soeial circles. Time thus fled apace, and soon the parting hour came, the part ing hymn is sung while taking the parting hand. The tears, the hearty shake of the hand, told df love and mutual enjoyment in meeting, that mide it painful to part; and in that hst prayer how many earnest desires went to God for each other, for his blessing upon our meeting, and the cause of Christ in Florida. It is over, nnd several of us are sixty miles, by Rail Road, on our way, “home ward liound.” I close my journal, and' will next oiler tome notes and reflections. 1. The crops iu the aggregate, werepro- •nrvinimil ■ uu i»u;i or planting preacher to be good, in which de cision I acquiesced; 2. Felt more than ever convinced of the importance of Florida Baptists having a paper for their own special, k>cal benefit. We in Middle know no more, scarcely, of East Florida than of Texas, in many re spects. Learned from bro. Baker that a great many names had been received for the Lone Baptist, and I opine that the first issue will be forthcuning ere long, in case his health will allow. 3. These meetings of a general charae ter, with all their (Auses, have beneficial in fluences on brethren, and I heart’ly believe they arc improving, socially, intellectually and spiritually. For the Banner »fe Baptist. THE LAND MARKS.—No. 2. Dear Brother Wood.—When I wrote you last week upon the principles involved in landmarks, 1 had scarcely denied in my own mind, whether I should continue the subject or not. But seeing in the last Ban ner, an article over the signature of “Am ieus,” in which he appears anxious that the subject should recrive attention, not so much on account of difficulties in his own mind, it seems, as* for the benefit of his brethren, I have coacluded to take up my pen again. So von may set this down as No. 2, of the series. Brother “Amicus,” has written an ex cellent article upon the subject himself.— But it seems that he is unfortunately situ ated. lie says : “ But many of our Breth ren have been grieved on accotmt of our close communion. l_mean Baptist Breth ren. For the sake .of the Church, but not from principle they submit to “close com ! munion.” This is sad indeed. It is a sad day f«»r the cause of truth, when “ Baptist brethren,” those who should in the face of all dangers, fearless alike of the flatteries of false frienls, or the frowns of unrelent ing foes, “earnestly contend for the faith ‘ once delivered to the saints,” will submit ' to, what is falsely called, “close commu nion," not from “ principle ,” but cmZy tor the sake of the Church. Is there no “prin ciple” involved ? But there is one very hopeful feature even in the case of those Baptist brethren,'' -ays Brother Amicus. “lltey feel the force of the argument of i our Pedo-Baptist brethren, when they charge us with inconsistency, beeau-e we ! preach and hold union meetings with them, ; and at the same time, refuse to commune with them.” Now, if those “ Baptist brethren,” can be led to <ee that, “priori- ; pie.” that the Bible, requires what is called “close mmmunion/'they will not be pressed to see the scriptural propriety of the Land marks. Pedo-Baptists have not l>een slow to perceive our inconsistency, in inviting them tn preach with it«. and at the same time refusing to invite them to commune with us. N. it her have they been slow former days, in charging this inconsistency upon us. It was this very inconsistency .charged upon the writer, tin conversation,) by an old Presbyterian Eider in 1848. that led his mind first to the investigation of the subject, and very soon to the uncompro mising adoption of the “old land-mark” principles. During the conversation rdferred to, the i Eider asked this simple question: “Is not Baptism as necessary to the Ministry, as 1 to the Communion ?” and remarked that I we (Presbyterians,) “ would not recognize any man as a Minister who had never in our estimation been Baptised.” 1 simply remarked to him at the time, that he had presented our inconsistency as he called it, in a new light. That I would investigate the subject, and if I came to the conclusion with him that, Baptism was as necessary to the Ministry as to the Communion, that from that day forth, I should refuse to in vite a Pedo-Baptist Minister to preach for me, or to my congregations. For I had long since settled the point in my mind, that nothing but the Immersion of a be liever, was Gospel Baptism, and that Bap tism was a pre-requisite to the Lord's Sup per. And I was disposed to be consistent. For the sake of those “Baptist brethren” who submit to “close communion,” only “for the sake of the Church,” and not “from principle,” it may not be amiss, briefly to show that the Gospel of Christ does make Baptism a pre-requisite to the Lord’s Supper, and also to the Gospel Min istry. If we should succeed iu this, then it will .certainly be qonccded that what is stigmatized as “close communion,” should be observed as “ matter of principle,” and not of expediency or “ for the sake of the Church.” It will also be seen that, the same “principle?" will require us to look for the Gospel Ministry only among Baptised be lievers. I have already stated as a matter of fact, that Baptism was instituted prior to the Lord’s Supper, or the Ministry. Let us now notice that fact a little more in detail. Gospel Baptism was introduced at the very commencement of the Gospel dispen sation.—Mark 1: 15. “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,’’came John the Baptist preaching and Baptizing, &c., com pare Matthew 3d chapter. Here, the same individual who was authorized to preach the Gospel, was also authorized to Baptize penitent believers. Our Saviour gave Ilis divine sanction to this Gospc' ordinance by His own example, when He was immersed by John in the river Jordan. He afterwards preached the Gospel Him self. I think it is a fact worthy of partic ular notice, that, our blessed Saviour Him self never attempted to act as a public teacher, until after His Baptism. John wss sent to “ prepare the way of the Lord.”—Mathew 3: 3. Or, as Luke says “ To make ready a people prepared for the LORD.”—Luke 1 : 17. He perform ed this work of preparation, by preaching the Gospel, and Baptizing those who brought forth fruits meat for repentance. Os those thus prepared by JOHN, our Saviour se lected His disciples, and sent them out to preach and Baptize. To deny that our Sa viour selected His disciples from among be to charge Him with repudiating the work of the har binger who was expressly, “sent to make ready a people prepared for the LORD.” Here we see that the disciples of our Saviour were Baptized before they were com ■ missioned (o preach. That they were also commissioned to Baptize, and did Baptize a number we may learn from John 3 : 22, compared with John 4: 1& 2. And this was before the Crucifixion. Three years after tLe institution of Gos pel Baptism, our Saviour instituted the Supper, near the close of His Ministry on earth. Was this merely accidental I or are we to regard it as a development and an illus tration of a great fundamental law ? re quired to be observed by the loyal subjects of Christ’s Kingdam, to the end of the pre sent dispensation. If onr adorable Re deemer has, laith by precept and example, placed baptism before the Lord’s Supper, or the Gospel Ministry, who has a right to reverse this Divine order I Do we not ac knowledge that Christ is our King and only law giver I Can we violate any iff His la> s with impunity ? If our Redeem er ha«, both by precept and example, estab lished baptism as a pre-requisite to the Ministry, what authority have we to dis pense with it in this particular any more than in the Lord’s Supper? And if we may lawfully dispense with baptism as pre requisite to cither the Ministry or the fjord's Supper, may we not, with equal propriety, dispense with/«<'M and repen tance as pre-requisites to baptism? There is no safety only iu a strict adhe rence to the principles of eternal truth— Let cmr principles la* firmly settled upon the Rock of Ages, and then let us dare to follow out those principles to their legiti mate results, and the blessings of God will rest upon us. In my next i will examine the great commission, and notice the practice of the Apostles under it. VYM. NEWTON. For the Banner & Baptist Southern Baptist 8. S. Union. The semi-annual meeting of the Board ; of the S. B. S. S. I tiion, together with a i mass meeting of the friends of the I nion, will be held with the Church at Rome, Ga., commencing Friday before the sth ' Sabbath in July next. The under*»ign<*d Committee, on behalf • of the Rome Church, do hereby extend a a cordial invitation to all brethren and ' friends of the Union, to be with us on that occasion. Brethren coming by Rail Road i will be met by members of the Committee at the Depot, and those coming by private conveniences wilLplease report themselves ' at the Store of Messrs. Perry &: Lamkin, when they will have homes assigned them. Alfred Shorter. C. O. Stillwell. J. H. McClfno. T. J. Perrv. G. B. Moore. Ail papers friendly to the Union will please copy this notice. ts. For the Hanner & Baptist. ; I REV. E. B. TEAGUE. In a communication from the above brother in a late Banner & Baptist, there are some expressions which, though some what “under cover,” intimate enough to j make some curious to know what particu- < lar book he alludes to, which denies the ; perfect humanity of Christ?” As there are, in my judgment, many 1 “crude” opinions extant in regard to the “Millennium,” and “more light” is greatly 1 needed and desired, will not bro. T. give us —at length —his matured “lucubrations” in the columns of the Banner & Baptist ? And as he doubtless regards “religious nov els” evil in their tendency, will he not speci fy what works come under that head, and gi >*c us also his objections, that we may act intelligently in the premises ? I have no doubt all good, and Irue Bap tists will unite with bro. Teague in his con demnation of “crude lucubrations about the Millennium,” and religious novels,” (/ they contain error, and are thereby evil in tendency; but let us have specifications; we would not like to prejudge upon the dictum of bro. T. or any other brother. GEO. F. COOPER. For the Banner & Baptist. CONSTITUTION OF FORT CREEK BAP TIST CHURCH. At the request of the members m the vicinity Iff Fort Creek meeting house hav ing letters of dismission from several of the neighboring churches, the following ministers, to-wit: Jonathan Huff, Aaron ; Adkins and Elder Turley (his given name | not recollected,) met at said meeting house in Columbia county, Georgia, and assisted in constituting them into a Baptist Church, by the name of Fort Creek Church, on Saturday the 19th of May, 1860, and after being constituted they made choice of two deacons to-wit: John Guy and David Ma gaha, and set them before the same Pres . bytery who proceeded to ordain them in the following order: Elder Hull’ read the scripture and examinad the candidates; Elder Adkins made, the ordaining prayer, and Elder Turley give the right hand of fellowship followed by the others. Dear Brother Wood, please insert the above in your valuable paper, and oblige your unworthy Brother in Jesus. ONE OF TIIE PRESBYTERY. SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. The first Annual Commencement of this Institution took place May 28th. On Sunday the Commencement Sermon was preached f in the Baptist Church, in the morning, by ■ Rev. I. T. Tichnor, of Alabama. Ills text . was taken from 1 Timothy i. 11. In the evening, Rev. G. W. Samson, President of Columbian College, Washington, D. C., de livered the sermon before the “Society of Missionary Inquiry” attached to the Semi- ■ nary. The exercises of the day were of a . very impressive character. The Commencement exercises, yester day, took place in the Court House before a large audience, according to the filllowing : programme : Music—Thanksgiving Anthem. Prayer. Music—“Oh, be joyful in the Lord.” Address, by Rev. B. Manly, D. D., of Alabama. Music—“l have set watchmen upon thy . walls.” , Diplomas conferred. Hymn— Soldiers of Christ, in truth arrayed, A world in ruins needs your aid; A world by sin destroyed and dead; A world for which the Savior bled. . Forth to the, realms of darkness go, Where, like a river’s ceaseless flow, A tide of souls is drifting down, Blasted beneath th’ Almighty’s fi-own. No human skill nor power can stay That flood upon its gloomy wily; But God’s own love devised the plan. To save the ruined creature man. His gospel to the lost proclaim; , Good news for all, in Jesus’ name; Let light upon the darkness break, , That sinners from their death may wake. Morning and evening sow the seed ; God’s grace the effort shall succeed ; f Seed-times of tears have oft been found With sheaves of joy and plenty crown’d. We meet to part, but part to meet, When earthly labors are complete, To join in yet more blest employ. In an eternal world of joy. Address, by Rev. J. P. Boyce, D. D., Chairman of the Faculty. Music—Anthem Doxolngy. Benediction. We append a list of the graduates in the dhlerent schools of the Seminary. GRADUATES. Biblical Introduction.— E. Z. Brown, S. , C. : Wm. C. Caspari, Va.: John W. Jones, I 1 Va. 1 Old Testament Interpretation— English Department—E. Z. Brown, S. C.; Rufus Figh, Ala.; T. J. Price ,S. C.; Win. C. Caspari, Va.; Win. F. Nigels. S. C.; Chas. I ; H. Ryland, Va. • English and Hebrew—J. A. Chambliss. Ala.: G. W. Hyde, Mo.; T. B. Shepherd, Va.; H. E. Hatcher, Va.; N. V. B. Pow ell, N.C.; Crawford 11. Toy, Va.; Jas. D. Witt, Va. New Testament Interpretation— English Department—W. L. Curry, S. C.; G. W. ; > Hyde, Mo.; J. W. Jones, Va.; R, 11. ; | Marsh, N. C.; W. F. Nigels. S. C.; N. V. | i B. Powell, N. C.; T. B. Shepherd, Va.; ; ; Jas. D. Witt, Va. English and Greek—J. A. Chambliss, j Ala.; IL E. Hatcher, Va.; Crawford 11. Toy, Va. Systematic Theology— English Depart- | ment—R. B. Boatwright, John W. Jones, Va.; Rufus Figh. Ala.: Wm. J.Shipman, > Va. English and Latin—Crrwford *ll. Toy, > Va. Polemic Theology— W. L. Curry, S. C. ; Homiletics—J. A. A. Chambliss, Ala.; ; John W. Jones, Va.; W. L. Curry, S. C.; ; ■ T. B. Shepherd, Va. Ecclesiastical History— Wm. C. Caspari. Va.; R. 11. Marsh, N. C.-; W. L. Currv; S. C.; Wm. F. Nigeh, 8. C.: 0. 11. Toy, Va. Church Government and Pastoral Duties —J. A. Chambliss, Ala.; H. E. Hatcher, Va.; J. W. Jones, Va; T. B. Shepherd, Va.; W. L. Currv.S. C.; G. W. Hyde, Mo.; Chas. H. Ryland, Va.; W. L. Ship man, Va; Jas. D. Witt, Va. Patriot 6z Mountaineer. i-APIES* DEPARTMEMT. FOR Tne BANNER A BAPTIST. LIFE IS BUT A DREAM. How true are the words of the inspired penman of Idumea, “Man hath but few days and full of trouble;” though many are the changes he experiences during his brief existence, many the joys and sorrows that he realizes while in this transient world. To-day he is rosy as Hebe, but blooms, as the flowers of summer, only to wither when but a slender thread shall be severed by the “fingers of Time;” and perchance ere the rising of to-morrow’s sun, his soul shall have quitted this “vale of tears” to seek its eternal home. In contemplating the scenes presented to our view, the ver dant carpet of earth, shady groves, beauti ful and variegated landscapes, the boundless ocean, and the starry heavens, the mind swells with sublime emotions, while the heart saddens with the thought, that all the grandeur and magnificence, of these scenes will quickly be transferred to dust. Ah, yes ! even the great “king of day” will lose his dazzling glory, and the pale face of i Luna be veiled in gloomy night! Why then ido mortals enjoy earthly caprices which ■ vanish, as a dream dies at the opening day? Why not refine the principles of moral ac tion by contemplating the sublime attri butes of the great Eternal ? How many of the multitudes that throng the haunts of pleasure are truly happy ? Tn the whirl of the midnight revel, is there not a voice whispering, “joy vanisheth—time fleeteth j —and life is but a dream !” i Look out upon the broad bosom of the mighty deep, o’er whose surface the gallant barque rides proudly onward. Who would think that so soon its stately beauty would be engulfed by the contention of angry waters’ B But soon, alas! how soon, a cloud is seen in the dim distance, the roar of thunder peals above the waters, the light ning’s flash plays through the sails of the noble vessel, and the water-spirit of jEolus shivers to splinters her stately masts and her strong-ribbed walls crumble to atoms , at the storm-king’s touch. The inmates of that ship, whose hearts a few hours since beat lightly with thoughts of home and | dear ones, are now chilled by despair, as I the angry waves sweep them iitr into the i depths below. Is not the scene heart-rend ing ? So with mon. Ilis heart, like the . merchant’s ship, is freighted with rich treas ures of affection and bright gems of hope ; to-day the sun of prosperity smiles, but the stealthy approach of the “king of terrors” blanches his cheek and quenches the light of his speaking eyes ; a few hours and the fitful dream is over, and he wakes to try the realities of that “borne,” whence the traveler hath no return. Ah ! when .Etcr • nity’s morn shall dawn, how many will wail in anguish at the recollections of life’s dream, when the hours glided on without improvement, and the set times for secu ring “titles to mansion in the skies” were unheeded. But iu that bright morning the wise shall shine in the kingdom of glory, and loud peaus of praise skill gush forth as ; “the sound of mighty waters,” when the i Bridegroom to each shall say, — “Servant of God, well done ! Rest from thy loved employ, The tmttlc’s fought, the victory won, • Enter thy Master’s joy !” While retrospecting the past, vivid re membrances of almost infancy indelibly impress themselves upon the mind, were happy, thrice happy days. No pains of past recollections, no caring for the fu ture harassed the mind ; unconsciously the little lass sported, as sports the lamb upon ■ the lawn, or chased the butterfly from flow er to flower. How seemeth now to her ■ those days past and flown forever ! Does 1 she look through the vista of half a score of years or more, and recount with tedious j'ness the many incidents of childhood’s I thrice happy hours ? Not so. The pauo , raina is complete ; a single view sufficient; and years, long years, are instantly em braced within the compass of a moment. : To he r the past is a dream ; and when she shall in a future and distant day, take a tiew of the past, the present will stamp itself conspicuously upon the tablet of the mind; now, indeed, a reality, the filling up the vacuum of a dream. The bark upon which i she is to sail o’er the fathomless ocean of life, is now moored to shore; Peradven ture she may 4iave her passage upon a craft frail and weak ; not sufficient to buffet the storm and stem the uneven currents ahead. Troublesome, waters may indeed lie in her path, and when the contact ensues, her bark may succumb to the angry billows. Fain j would she hope that a longer and more de- I lightful passage awaits her; that gentle breezes may waft her on ; and silent waves ln:ur tier upon the ocean's bosom. May happiness and joy fill her cup, that pain and sorrow may not enter, and when she awakes in death, may she awake to the re i alization of joys inexpressible, and to the retrospection of adteam peaceful and pleas ant. Awake in death ! Yes, for methinks that death will lx* the final awakening from the dream of life, to an entrance upon the realities of eternitv. EUGENIA. West Florida. THE COLDEST PLACE. 1 have seen many cold place in my day. More than once 1 have traveled in the ' northern portions of our country and the i Canadas, amidst wintry storms and blasts, which almost took my breath away—l have suffered from the piercing winds upou the summit of Mount Washington, and ■ been chilled by tha cold night air upon the heights of the Alleghauies—l have lain down to rest wrapped only in my shawl upon tlia glaciers of Switzerland, and been fanned by the breezes from the eternal 1 snows of Mont Blanc—l have visited other regions where life in a short time would lx* endanged by exposure—but I have been in one place where 1 suffered more from the cold than in all these. That was a formal, lifeless meeting for prayer. There I have Ixxni chilled, yea frozen through and through until my vitality seemed almost gone, and all my heart as icy as a Green land winter. <) it was terrible; and it took me a long time to recover my wonted warmth and vigor. Ami I wrote in my note book, “ Let me die any where aud any how, rather than be frozen to death in a prayer meeting.”— Zion's Advocate.