Newspaper Page Text
BATOR, & BAPTIST.'
“Holy Bible,—Book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine."
JESSE ITI. WOOD, Editor.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA:
Thursday, Aug. 16, 1860.
Our terms of Subscription, $2 00
per Annum, always in advance.
For our terms for advertising, see Ist
column of Ist page.
„ —» «.
A Special Request.
Our friends will please remember that
Bro. Wood, the Editor, is not the Book-
Keeper, and also that he is frequently ab
sent ; therefore, all business letters or ar
ticles, to receive proper attention,
in all cases, be directed to the “ Panner
& Baj’tibt,”
this ?
- ’FASTORAL TALK-No. 44.
J
Gold is purified when tried in the fire.
Even brass looks much better when burn- '
ished. The process of purification may
seem severe, but it is best in the end. So
Christians are to be tried, and proven. “All
is not gold that shines,” but when an ar
ticle shines, and bears, too, all the tests to
which gold may be subjected, it will either
be regarded gold or quite as valuable. The
world cannot tell who is the real soldier
until the test is made. Men may talk
loudly, when at a distance, from an oppo
sing foe ; may shout, and bluster under ex
citement of marshall music, and may have
quite a soldier like appearance. But when
in a life- and death-contest, may prove
themselves the veriest cowards. Christians
should remember that they are to be tried,
and proven by the severest tests. They
should always remember where their
strength is.
All their help, their claims to being
gold, their true soldiership, are in Christ
Jesus. Without Him, they can do nothing.
But, Christ strengthening them, they ran
do all things. If they could always feel
their complete dependence upon Him,
could trust implicitly in Him, and con
stantly have their faith directed to Him,
they would be the safest, happiest, and
purest people upon this green earth.
O, Christians ! upon your knees confess
your sins, your dependence, and talk to
Christ as your best friend. He will give
you strength in the day of trial, will
soothe your sorrows, will nerve you for
the conflict, and will guide you safely
amid all your woes. A husband to the
widow, a father to the orphan, a friend to
the needy and a glorious Savior to all His
people, is Christ.
ABSENCE--CONTRIBUTORS, &c.
No apologies for absence need be made,
except to those who wrote us private let
ters, requiring private answers. To all
such we need only to say that we were en
gaged in a work, at our old home, which
could not be neglected without fighting
against Providence, a thing which no rea
sonable man would expect us to do. In
the mean time while some editorial matter
was regularly furnished, our □ontributors,
both male and female, have steadily sup
plied interesting matter for our loved Ban
ner. Withal, Bro. R., our Locum, is a
great worker, and lias managed our affairs
wall.
It has been often said, in our hearing,
that it is a matter of surprise that the
Banner, though not a year old, has furn
ished so much good original matter to the
reading world. \\ e here record our thanks
to our brethren anti sisters for affording
such important help, and especially our
thanks to Almighty God who put it in
their hearts to do so. We suppose the
world may be convinced, by the history of
our paper, that there is talent enough in
our midst to make a readable paper, with
out shipping it from the North. East or
West. Most heartily do we invite the
lovers of Zion to contribute to our co
lumns, that we may be co-workers in
building up the kingdom of Christ, and in
maintaining the principles of the Holy
Bible. Will our dear brethren who are
subscribers to the Banner, living in other
States, furnish us with occasional contribu
tion# ?
’’ CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE. ”
rmtrsTtcc rxnrx
It appears that Prof. Mell's “Corrective
Church Discipline" has had sufficient sale
to require a second edition (no copy has
been sent us) and the Christian Index has
taken a clear and decided position in re
gard to it. This is all right, that is, as
Bro. Boykin endorses this singular pro
duction, it is all right —it is manly for him
to sav so. Our reader# are informed that,
aside from three strictly partban papers,
the ZarftA is the only Baptist paper, among
our exchanges. Mell’s
views without material qualifications. In
deed we consider Bro. Boykin's indorse
ment the most unqualified of any that we i
have seen, unless it be that which is im- >
plied in ths holster articles of Bro. HiUyer. !
We ha ve found Bro. Boykin thus tar eour-I
teous and kind, and we complain not at !
him for taking a position. It is his right to |
do #o. But we think, it will lie a long '
time before the best and the'
moat reliable Baptists of Georgia w ill in- ,
dorse the monstrous teachings of •‘Correc- j
live Discipline, three fourth'* of which we |
grant to be unexceptionable.
Indeed, the admixture of true Baptists
views with error as poison as Romanism
itself, constitutes the danger of the work.
So we think and so we dare to say. That
our readers may see the proposition of the
Index, we extract the concluding paragraph
of an editorial notice of Prof. Mell’s work,
in the issue of August the Bth :
“What Is a minister ? what is ordination ? the
relation a Presbytery bears to ordination—Profes
sor Mell's discussion of all these chapters pleases
us and we are prepared to give in our adherence to
all the arguments presented : we think his views
sound and think it will be a long time before a
book on discipline more plain, concise and scrip
tural will be published. We intended to speak
more at length on the last chapter 9th, but want of
space forbids: we will do so another time. We
cordially believe that it is the duty of every Georgia
Baptist to procure this book and read it carefully.
The perusal of it in book form made a far more fa
vorable impression on us than when we read it in
detached numbers.
“Before concluding this, the first part of our
critique we will say that the text does not sustain
those who may suppose that Prof. Mell thinks a
church ought to entertain a charge “wickedly”
brought before her.”
“Dear Brother Wood:
“ I am truly sorry to say, that you will do yourself
justice to stop sending me your loving paper, for
I am making little or nd crop, and I cannot tell
what my little ones will do for bread. 1 have not
had a rain to wet the earth since the first days of
March. I delight in your paper, but lam not able
to pay tor it. '
“ Pray for me.
“Youre, &c., L ”
The above is a copy of a letter received
recently. /We withhold the name, and
publish the letter for two reasons :
l>To say something of the drought,
dTfiich certainly is extensive and severe.—
God has a controversy with the people.
He intends to humble them, and show
them their dependence. In doing this,
His people may be called upon to suffer,
-to some extent! with therw'ickedr'Yet their
chastisement will afford them an oppor
tunity of submission to His will and a
trust in His Providence. Our dear bro
ther and other Christians, therefore, should
look to God who feedeth the ravens, satis
fieth the wants of every living thing, and
takes peculiar delight in blessing His
chosen ones.
2) Is there not some brother upon
whom the rain has fallen, who will forward
us $2 for this disciple, that he may have
the Banner for himself and family. God
is affording an opportunity for His people
to practice Christianity.
If any one asks, why the Editor does
not send the Banner himself, the Editor
replies that already he gives the Banner
to more people than any three men of its
friends known to him, and thus gives the
oppportunity to others to do good.—Ed.
For the Banner & Baptist.
Brother Wood :
Is it a violation of the Divine Law, to buy, or
sell Lottery Tickets?
Will Bro. Wood and his learned correspon
dent# reply through the Banner?
TRUTH SEEKER.
If the Divine Law is against down-right
swindling of the most insinuating character,
then it is a violation of the Divine Law, to sell
Lottery Ticket# as it is done now a days. And
if it is wrong to encourage swindling, it is
wrong to buy. Where there are no buyers,
there are no sellers. It is safe to avoid the ap
pearance of evil.
Does any one else wish to write ? If so, the
Banner will publish. Ed.
BROTHER DAYTON S BIBLE DIC
TIONARY.
When in Nashville, on a recent visit, 1
called to sea Br«. Dayton. 1 felt grateful
to Hirn who is the Preserver of Life, that
this excellent brother has, in a considerable
degree, been restored to health. May ho
enjoy just so much health as will be compat
ible with his highest spiritual good, and
enable him to prosecute, in the most suc
cessful manner, the noble work in which
he is engaged.
While at his house he showed me a part
of the manuscript of his Bible Dictionary,
which will soon be published. This book
is designed especially for Sunday School
Pupils; but even Teachers will find it a
great aid. The design of the Irook is to
present in the fewest, simplest words, the best
and most comprehensive definition possible.
In this, I thiuk, from the examination giv
en, that Bro. D. has succeeded admirably.
1 shall anxiously await the publication of
the work. Let no Sunday School fail to
procure it. A. S. W.
THE PRESIDENT OF MERCER UNI
VERSITY
w
has just paid us a visit. It afforded us*
much pleasure to meet him, who was once
our instructor, and always a true friend.—
Bro. Crawford preached in the Second Bap
tist Church on Thursday night. The sermon
was, so far as 1 heard it, (for it was rather
late before 1 entered the house) characteris
tic. It was full of Gospel truth, prompted
by a warm, feeling heart, and delivered in
a simple, unostentatious style. Bro. Craw
ford never tries to preach a “big sermon”
when from home: his best sermons, if any
discrimination is allowable, are, as a gen
eral rule, delivered to his churches, and on
ordinary occasions. Hence those who hear
him most frequently, appreciate his preach
ing most. This is, as it should be. How
many preachers have a few extra sermons,
who, by preaching them to new audiences,
gain a reputation far Iteyond their deserts.
A. 8. W.
• “U»” sad “our” are u«ed in their proper
to denote plurality.
... *
BRO. WARREN,
Pastor of the Baptist Church in Miivm,
Georgia, gave us a eall on Saturday, the
11th inst. It was the first time I ever had
the pleasure of meeting Bro. W. I could
not fail to observe in Bro. Warren a more
than usual degree of devotion to the cause
of Christ. His heart is in the work of sav
| ing souls. May his labors be abundantly
| blessed. He also filled the pulpit of Bro.
Clark, in the Second Baptist Church, on
i Sabbath and Sabbath night last, it was not
our good fortune to bear him, but we learn
' from those who were present on Sabbath
I morning, that his discourse upm the sub
' jeet of a“t rue church,” and the material of
which a true church w composed, was an
; able landmark Baptist sermon. M e hope
I he will find it convenient to soon visit At-
I lanta again. A. S. W.
■hl Ml. I IJU
ABOLITION COLPORTERS IN DIS
GUISE.
“ The Agent of the Boston Tract Society stated
at the session of the Vermont Congregational Con
vention that colporters were laboring at the South
under the patronape of that Society, which, our
readers will remember, was organized by the ultra
anti-slavery speeders from the American Tract So
ciety, New York. When asked by a member of the
Convention, where these colporters were laboring
at the South, he refused to answer, lest they should
be driven from their field of effort when known in
their true character.”
Where are these colporters laboring?
They should be hunted out and branded,
as worse than seditious persons, striving to
disturb the peace of the country.
The plain, unvarnished truth is, that the
people of the South must begin to protect
themselves against these abolition scoun
drels, or else surrender the negro to their
claims, and our fair country to worse than
Hay tian barbarism.
Look at portions of Texas to-day; whole
counties armed (and from necessity too,)
momentarily expecting an attack —not
knowing at what moment their wives and
children will be inhumanly butchered by
the mad negro, led on by abolitionists —
perhaps, very likely, by some of these very
colporters above alluded to.
It is time to watch as well as to pray.
R.
+ - -
Americus, Aug. 7th, 1860.
Dear Banner :
A meeting was commenced at Mt. Olive,
7 miles North of this place, on Saturday
before the fourth Sabbath in July, which
resulted in the reception of fifteen by ex
perience and baptism, and one by letter.
Bro. Camp, the factor, wpxs by
Elder J. B. Battle, who preached every
day for nine days, although he is now in
seventy-second year of his age.
Those who attended the meeting, speak
of it as a most gracious season.
Yours truly,
H. C. IL
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Banner & Baptist.
THEORY OF PROFESSOR MELL AND
HILLYER, VERSUS THE GEORGIA
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
A Minute of the Georgia Baptist Asso
ciation—for 1859—has fallen into my hands.
In glancing over its contents, 1 find, under i
the head of “Order,” the following:
“Ist. We believe that the visible Church
of Christ is a congregation of faithful per
sons, who have gained Christian fellowship
with each other, and have given themselves
up to the Lord, and to one another, and
have agreed to keep up a godly discipline,
agreeably to the rules of the Gospel? (My
Italics.)
“2d. e believe that Jesus Christ is the
Great Head of the Church, and only law
giver, and that the Government is with
the body and is the privilege of each indi
vidual ; and that the discipline of the
Church is intended for the reclaiming of
, those Christians who are disorderly either in
principle or practice ; and must be faithful
ly kept up for God's glory, and the peace
and unity of His Churches." (Italics mine.)
It is not my purpose to make any criti
cism, at present, relative to the principles
contained in the above; but I intend to
show that the theory of Profs. M. and 11.
is not consistent with the above extracts.
Prof. Mell was the ' Moderator of the As
sociation, be it remembered.
From the extract the following proposi- :
tions are clearly deducible :
1. That, among other things, an agree
meat to keep up a godly discipline, agreeably
to the rules of the Gospel, is indispensable
to the existence of a Church.
2. That Christ is the only Law giver,
and therefore has prescribed rules in ac
cordance with which discipline must be
exercised.
3. That the discipline of a Church is
designed to reclaim kkal offenders.
Now compare the first proposition with
. the following dogma for which, if 1 under
stand them, they now contend—viz: That
if a Church with the design to destroy,
wickedly arraigns an innocent and worthy
r member—then wickedly proceeds to exclude
, him—she is still, nevertheless, a Church.
Do they say so in so many words ? No ;
but they hold principles which necessarily
imply it. They teach that when one Church
wickedly excludes a worthy member, all
’ other Churches ought to ratify the act—■
> that the excluded must remain excluded
■ until those who have tried to ruin him, see
fit to restore him ! Now, if such an act
i of exclusion deserves such respect from
• other Churches, it must be partly, at least,
because the body pissing the act of et elusion
I was a Church al the time when she excluded
i said member, and continues Io be a Church.
For if the excluding body was not a Church
' at the time of the exclusion, it would lie
folly to regard the excluded as shut out
from any Church by such an Invalid act.
i And if the wicked act of discipline was
• such as to destroy the t'hurch, then, of
course, there could be no reason why the
t excluded -hotitd be treated “as a hea
, then man and a publican.” So it amounts
, to this : -1 Church cannot unchurch itself
. iby any act of discipline, however wicked !
I Then, iu the face of the Constitution of the
■ Georgia Baptist Association, of which Prof.
' M. is Moderator, we hear him, in thunder
j tones, divlaring a doctrine diametrically
; oppose*! to the plainest teachings of the
Constitution ’ The Constitution say s that
>) the risible Church of Christ is a congrega
|; tion of fiuthfu! persons, who. among other
I things, "have agreed t» keep up a go<Hy dis-
> J cipHne." Prof. M. says in substance, some
. I bodies may be Churches, who hare agreed
tn keep up an i s-godly discipline ? 1 under
; stand Pmf. Hilly er to teach the same doc
trine. Now, where is the logic in this case ?
i I-et us see. All Churches have agreed to
keep up a p-xZ'y discipline ; the Church at
i ' .4, (at nong other necessary things) keeps
i up a godly discipline: therefore the Church
at A. is a Church—L e. a Church of Christ.
Again: All Churches have agreed to keep
up a g’klly discipline; the Church at B.
has been and is now keeping up an rx
godly discipline: therefore the Church at
i B. is a Church —i. e. a true Church.
Who is so blind to sec that, if d
this last conclusion lie (rue, the character- c<
istic specified, viz: thaft Church is a body
that “has agreed to k«P up a godly dis- n
cipline” —is no specififcharacteristic of a I
Church of Christ? freed, according to si
the late theory, disciplie, whether good or
bad, is to be respected f f dl the loyal sub
jects of Christ I But ) un persuaded that
the Georgia Baptist association will, or n
has already repudiate this monstrous ab
surdity, though a fev|'p r o m,n ent men do
advocate it.
2. The second proJ )S * t * on —^ < hrist
is the only law giver, l(ls therefore pre- j
scribed rules in with which dis
cipline must be exenjfd — is also nullified a
by this new theory, f Christ is the only j
law-giver, then it is self-evident that a r
Church cannot make k ws f° r herself. But {
the theory affirms tkft a Church may en- ]
tertain a wickedly Referred charge, and ]
exclude a worthy number. Hus Christ t
enacted any such lat us this ? Who will [
rfure to say that He U 3? But if she enter- t
tain a charge thus preferred, and it she
thus exclude a worthy member, does she ,
not make her own or laws? If she <
makes her own laws, is it not folly to say
that Christ is her ofty Law-giver ? But |
this new theory is npt the theory of the
Georgia Baptist
to be see.n will repudiate the ,
oAZ, and adopt the mcl theory.
3. The Association whose Constitution i
we are jeclarqs that the dis
chpline of b> rechum
cipline, informs us that it may be designed
to destroy and blast the reputation of a
worthy member. Georgia Baptists, with
a few exceptions, would not call such a
wicked usurpation of power, discipline, but
persecution and rebellion. Prof. M. gives
it no new name, but contends that all other
Churches are bound to regard the act as if
it were a righteous one ! The old theory
recognizes the right in a Church to dis
cipline “ those Christians who ” are “ disor
derly either in principle or practice.” The
new theory recognizes the right in a Church
to arraign, try and exclude an innocent
member!
Now, it is supposable that Prof. Mell,
: the Moderator of the Georgia Association,
concurred in the sentiment of the extracts
made from the Minute of this Association.
I see no protest on the face of the Minutes.
Does Prof. M. still hold to these printed
articles? If so, must he not reject a part,
at least, of his discipline? Or will he hold
to both ? Will he say that a thing is so,
and, at the same time, assert that it is not
so ? The time has come when every one
called by the name of Baptist, should ex
amine well the grounds of his faith, and
be able to entertain consistent views of the
truth. GEORGIA.
For the Banner & Baptist.
Clinton, Hinds Co., Miss., (
August 8, 1860. )
Brother ti r ood :
I have been a reader of the Banner from
its first issue. 1 am highly pleased with
its spirit and its positions. I see in the
number of July 26th an article from Bro.
R., that suggests something to iny mind,
that I have desiredDo > say for sometime
past. If you think iT’si to let them go be
fore the public, you are at liberty to do so.
The first idea that (to rny mind) is so
I very objectionable ani abhorrent, is the
church infallibility, as advocated by Daw
son, Mell, and others. Some say the Re
vision Question is the great “question of
the age” and others something else, some
one thing and some another; but to my
mind, the doctrine of church polity is equal
to any one of them, (while 1 think all those
questions are great questions.) 1 think the
church polity question involves that, which
is more dear to us, as a people, than even
life. It involves that for which our fore
fathers gave their lives, and the strangest
thing of all to me is, that the infallibility
doctrine is claimed to lie the old theory,
and that, too, by men that ought to know
better. Let that doctrine be believed and
acted out, by Baptists, and all churzh inde
pendence is destroyed forever, and a des
' potisin as absolute as the Vatican, is inaug
! united iq»on us. 1 think Midi’s “Book on
> Discipline” will be a “death knell” to him,
las a writer for the South. It is received
j with but little favor in the State of Missis
i sippi; even his warmest admirers here
' will not endorse it. I think, the endorse
i meiit given it by the Southern Baptist Pub-
I lication Society, will militate very much
■ against the Society’s operations. I think, it
! ought to do so, too; as Bro. R. says, de
\ sign is too manifest to be denied.
I am sorroy to see Bro. D. R. Campbell,
of Georgetown, Kentucky, writes, as if he
believed, the Baptists were contending for
men, instead of “principles.” Some in Mis
i sissippi talk the same way. When I hear
men talk that way, I opine that they may
! be doing the very
lof doing. The most unfavorable omen 1
see, is, that men that repudiate the infalli
' > bility pvlity wont speak oat and say so—
! they lie as mute as death. I think, it shows
great want of fealty to Christ and His law.
May the time soon come, when the lovers
! of Jesus will not be so reluctant and slow
to speak out for their Master. There is
<>ne thing a little singular about this whole
matter, and that is, the D.D.’s and LX.
D.’s seem to go together: some, 1 think,
wont say anything, because they dislike to
i differ with such men.
Br«». Wood, I would like to know, how
i it comes to pass, that Baptists will receive
such titles. Where does it come from?*
Do you think any institution, influenced by >
th ■ spirit of Christ, ever conferred such
titles on men I And, vice versa, do you '
think that any man was ever influenced by
the spirit of Christ to accept such titles ? j
If xoudo, I dont. Where did such practice i
come from; from Judaism, or from Rome, I
or from both ? I am sure, it never erninated
in the kingdom of the meek and lowly i
Savior, who required His disciples, to look
upon others as better than themselves. — '
He authorized no distinctions among His I
lisciples of that kind; so I suppose it mus*
some from some other quarter.
I am sorry to see that Mercer has com
menced said work. I did hope that Mercer,
Howard and Murfreesborough would let ,
such little things alone.
Yours, &c.,
SAMUEL SHIGPEN.
* From Satan, appearing to the pride of the hu
man heart. No such distinctions will be known in .
Heaven. Ed.
For the Banner & Baptist.
Covington, Newton Co., Ga., )
May, 1860. j
Dear Bro. James Edmunds:
I cannot refrain from expressing my joy
and gratitude to God for so great an enter
prize as you are engaged in. lam a poor
man, but bless the Lord Bro., that I can
and do love a good cause; and certainly I
look upon your society as emphatically a
poor man’s benefiting society. The com
mon English version, is to a great measure,
locked up to the common class of people ;
this I feel, and have felt for years, sensibly.
The wealthy can only procure means to
unlock its darkness; but bless the Lord,
0 my soul, and all that is within me praise
His wonderful and unsearchable goodness
for the formation of the American Bible
Union; so that we who cannot procure
note books, &c., to open the darkness, can
now get the blessed, charming, delightful
work of life, needing no note and commen
tary books.
Well might you add to the name of your
society—“ Gifts for the Poor—The Word
of Life’*—withwfrt the ■need' ot- iHwwUcda Oft
dollars worth of note books, &c., to ex
plain the untranslated words, &c. I myself,
poor as I am, but having a great desire to
understand the Word of the Lord, and to
know what He said to the people to whom
He addressed the Words of Life —and see
ing that I could not understand it other
wise—have been driven to the painful
necessity of purchasing commentaries, note
books, &c., that 1 might find what God
said ; and I have not confined myself to
one Divine’s opinion either, for fear of
his sectarian teaching; for how could a
common English reader understand many
important words in our common version,
and these hard words are too generally the
vary ones that ought to be translated, be
cause they serve to throw a veil of dark
ness, not only over the surface where they
occur, but actually obscure much of the
Word of Life ; and if a common English
reader thus feels the force of darkness by
such an acknowledged bad translation,
what Bible critic does not see into what
depths of mist we have fallen ? and can he
not feel for us ?
I look upon your cause as being vastly
above all causes-—I mean the Bible Union.
If the vast amount of money spent in other
causes, which are of little real value to the
common class, and the rich have no need
of it, because they do not begin at the root
of the evil, was spent in connection with
your cause, to give the pure Word of Life
to the people, the amount of real good in
enlightening and christianizing the world,
over and above what is done by the sums
thus given, could not be calculated ; for
who is not confused by the common ver
sion ? and how many are made infidels by
it, wtlereas the real Word of God would
remove all this, and draw at once the true
line of distinction between error and truth,
whereas the way we now have the Word,
it makes no difference what a man’s faith
is, he can sustain it by the common ver
sion ; and those who are disposed to believe
in God, are frequently lead to seriously
doubt the truths of the Scriptures; be
cause God is represented as being one of
strict veracity—and then again what con
tradiction —and these things lead the una
wares to doubt, and frequently to infideli
ty. Such thingsought not to be. Whence
sprang such a variety of denominations
and faiths ?
In reading the “Documentary History
of the American Bible Union,” vol. Ist,
for a while, one will weep, and for another
rejoice for joy and gratitude to God, be
cause He thus put it into the hearts of His
people to give us the Word—the pure
Word of God.
I know that Bro. Russell, the agent of
the Bible Union, would do a great amount
of good to write a series of articles on the
Revision of the English Scriptures, and
have them published in the Banner de
Baptist; because thereby, Bro. Wood, he
would speak to all your subscribers at
once.*
As poor as Izfim I expect to become a
life member of the Bible Union by paying
the required^sum—l3o—at the end of this
year, when I collect my years work, and
shall think that I have spent a little to as
sist the greatest institution ever set on foot
by man. What, to have the Bible trans
lated correctly ? Where is a grearer?—
Why publish a book any longer which
o»lv tends to strife and division ? If it
can be corrected, and all learned men say
it can, why not do it, and that too at once ?
J. M. M.
* Will Bro. Russell write a few articles
for the Banner I— Ed.
< <
For the Banner & Baptist.
FRAGMENT.-No. 2.
It is the business of the restless enemy
of souls to keep men ignorant of their lost
state, lest the light of the glorious Gospel
should shine into their minds; for sinners
will not seek for help till they know their
danger, nor for a cure, till they feel their
disease. The Word of God makes the
discovery; the Holy Spirit opens and
makes it effectual. For want of searching
: the Scriptures and attending the Worship
I of God, the greatest part of mankind live
i and die in their sins, and must forever
abide under the wrath and curse of God;
, and truth itself declares, “Herein is the con
! demnation —that light is come into the
world, but men love darkness rather than
light, because their deeds are evil.” John
3: 19. S.
The best way to humble a proud
man is to take no notice of him.
! For the Banner & Baptist. j
KIND WORDS TO IMPENITENTS.
NUEBER V.
Dear impenitent friend, we have been
so constantly engaged of late in protracted 1
meetirgs, that we have not spoken to you 1
about your soul’s salvation for some weeks.
We have tried to impress upon your mind
that you were a sinner, and to present you
a dear Savior who “is able to save to the
uttermost all who will come unto God by
Him.”
Sinner, you have no other Savior but
Jesus Christ. “There is no other name
given under Heaven, or among men, where
by you can be saved.” You have need of
salvation—without it you will perish for
ever ; and every day you neglect it, you
are exposed to death and ruin.
Are you not in danger of losing your
soul ? Ponder this question well, for it is
one of vast moment. The Savior says—
“ What will it profit a man if he shall
gain the whole world and lose his soul, or
what will a man give in exchange for his
soul ?”
Do you ask, how is it that sinners are in
danger of losing their souls? I answer,
being already condemned and in unbelief.
By “neglecting this great salvation.”—
Procrastinating, which is said to be the
thief of time—saying there, is time enough
yet—l intend to repent and be religious
before I die. But poor ungodly man or
woman, how uncertain is thy life! It is
like a vapor —it may soon be gone. And
will you hang your soul’s eternal interest <?n
' wfMxu tuuities ?
Again, you are in danger while living in
sin and rebellion against Ged, of being
given over, or passing the boundry-line of
God’s compassion—deserted by the Spirit,
and left to work out your own damnation
with greediness. For it is written in the
Bible, “My Spirit shall not always strive
with man.”
There is a time we know not wlien —
A point we know not where,
That seals the destiny of men,
For heaven or despair.
Then O ! sinner be wise while it is called
to-day, for the long night of death will come
when rone can repent, believe and be sa
ved. C. B. M.
LAmES* ©CTARTMEffT.
FOR THE BANNER A BAPTIST.
“ BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BUR
DEN. ”
BY' MRS. L. O. G.
How much of love and sympathy for the
human race is contained in this injunction!
What a bright, glorious, happy world we
should have, were it obeyed in “the letter
and spirit!” Each individual has a burden
to carry, which, at times, becomes almost
insupportable. But God has so constituted
us, that “no one can live to himself alone,”
and thus it becomes our duty, as it should
be our pleasure, to “bear one another’s
burdens.”
How dependent we are upon each other
’ for all that renders life pleasant and de
' sirable. How little were the gold and
gems, and jewels of earth worth, without
human sympathy and affection ! Methinks,
msH would find even Paratfise ftself irk
: some, without “a sharer of his joys, and a
soother of his sorrows.” And, yet, how
' few strive in earnest, to bear another’s
' burden. We are not commanded to sit
' down and count how much troub'.e, and
labor, and time, and money, it will cost to
relieve another’s woe—but “bear one an
other’s burdens” at any sacrifice whatever,
and thus “fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ah! life’s burden is sometimes hard to
bear alone! When sad, and faint, and
weary, crushed down to the earth by the
weight of our heavy burdens, we feel, that
with one more effort our strength must
fail; how sweet and cheering the kind at
tentions and persuasive influence of others!
How we thank and bless that “friend in
’ need,” who seeks to aid our faltering steps,
who turns our feet from error’s ways, and
spreads a halo of light around our darken
ed path. This text is peculiarly applicable
to Woman. Her never failing sympathy :
p her unbounded affection and quick percep
tions; all fit her for thus “fulfilling the law
t .
of Christ .” But how sad to reflect, that wo
man often makes the burden of her own
sex two fold heavier, instead of seeking
every opportunity to lighten her cares,
soothe her sorrows, and smooth the thorny
path her feet must tread. How oft the
poisoned shaft of envy rankles in her bo
-1 som, blighting every bud of promise, de
’ straying every good influence—weakening
every effort for the good of others. How
oft the “ venomed tooth of calumny ”
wounds and blasts that, which is dearer to
woman than life itself—her reputation.—
How oft, by her perverse wilfulness, she
alienates the affections of her dearest
1 friends. How oft, by extreme selfish-
L ness, she adds a weight to the burdens of
father, husband and brother—too heavy to
Ibe borne. And yet, on the other hand,
| how oft we find her bearing her own, and
’ | the burdens of others, with unlimited for
i titude, patience, meekness and forbearance.
Standing firm and true, “’mid threatening
dangers,” faithfully performing every
“known duty,”—when overwhelmed in sor
i row—“immersed in a sea of tribulation,
i and surrounded with almost insurinoun
-1 i table obstacles and inextricable difficulties
‘ | —“still extracting a little sweet from the
! dregs of her own bitter cup for the con
i solation of others.
: \ But ’tis not the heart’s burden of grief
I | and mental suffering alone, we are called
’ ; upon to bear. This is an every-day prae
‘ j tical lesson, and ever) one should look
around and extend a helpiing hand where
, ever it is needed. In the home circle, op
' i portunities will frequently occur, when
every one, by the exercise of a little self-
; denial, can have it in his power to lighten
1 the burden of others. See that pale, sad,
' j silent wife and mother, as she goes about
her daily tasks, which have become irk
[ ; some and distasteful to her, because they
j have increased and multiplied beyond her
physical strength. She feels that she must
soon sink under her “load of accumulated
cares.” Yet, stern duty keeps her at her
post. The husband’s watchful eye notices
her pale face, attenuated form and weary
step, and in a tone of exquisite tenderness
says : “Mary, you must take a little rest.
You are wearing yourself out, and what
could we do without you ?” How much
such an expression of interest and appre
ciation of her efforts, lighten her burden !
What strength it gives her for renewed
exertion ; and how she thanks and blesses
him for those cheering words of esteem and
commendation.
There is a “man of sorrow.” Care and
disappointment have set their seal upon
his furrowed brow. Ihe world see it but
pass heedlessly on. His wife says, bv her
prudent care and forethought, by her ten
der solicitude for his welfare and comfort,
bv repeated acts of self-denial and acquies
cence in his wishes —“Husband, 1 am re
solved to lighten your burden.” His chil
dren say, by their dutiful conduct and affec
tionate regard : “Father, we have long
been a burden to you, but now we will
help you to bear it.” That elder brother
or sister; how much they can aid in bear
ing the burden of their fond, indulgent
parents!
Young man, did you ever reflect that it
is your duty to assist your father, who has
made so many sacrifices for you ? How
often is it the case, that, as soon as a young
man is competent to enter into business,
he leaves the parental roof and ceases to
care for those who remain. As he becomes
immersed in business and they '
■ seldom hear from him ; or if an occasional
■’ hurried epistle now and then reaches them,
in answer to their many affectionate in
quiries, it but too plainly says—l have my
■ own way to make in the world, and you
■ must do the same. I cannot share my time
and talents, and money, with you.
And that young lady, whose time is so
occupied with endless rounds of pleasure ;
how much she could lighten the burden of
[ her fond, loving mother. Yet, she would
. feel it an insult to her “refined sensibili
. ties,” to hint at the propriety of assisting
in household labor. Her delicate hands
: were not made for such work, and she has
her own burden to bear —the heavy bur
den of dress and fashion, and planning for
future conquests. She has no time to help
her mother, to smooth her father’s fur
rowed brow, to amuse her younger bro
thers and sisters, or aid them in climbing
the rugged hill of science, up which they
are toiling with many a weary, painful
j step, bearing childhood’s heavy burden of
dull, tedious study and monotons restraint.
” No time to visit the poor and needy—to
dry the orphan’s tear —to speak kind, sola
t cing words to Earth’s afflicted ones, or
j pour the balm of healing into wounded,
. broken hearts. Ah ! Young ladies could do
j much in fulfilling this law of Christ (if they
had time for it.)
8 But this command extends beyond the
pale of the family circle. Wherever a human
being is found, “laboring to carry life’s sor-
I rowful burden of sighs and tears,” re
t member to give him thine aid.
i “Oh! one another’s burden bear,”
’ While pussliig through this gloomy vale,
And oue another’# sorrows share,
1 Till life, and strength, and hope shall fall.
Y
Oh ! Live not to thyself alone,
S Thy brother needs a helping hand,
I Aid him—his need may he thine own,
] Ere thou canst reach “tho better land.”
'■* Give love, and truth, and goM to win,
i- Thine erring brother’s feet to tread,
• In virtue’s paths—from ways of sin,
To turn with shame, and grief, and dread.
0 Kind deeds will make his burden light,
j Kind words will cheer his gloomy way,
As stars adorn the brow of night,
As sheds the sun bis quick’ning ray.
Then “One another's burdens bear,”
It Is “Our Fathers” holy will.
If you a crown of life would wear,
s! You must “the law of Christ fulfill.”
n • *"*
s, Our own, dear America,
d
BY F. ABBIE WILLIAM#.
1-
e What a sweet, noble land is ours!—
’ What a lovely land we claim ! And it is
’’ all our own’; ours by the right of Free
' dom; ours, purchased by the blood of our
*’ noble forefathers; yea, and it is ours given
II to us by God! Then let us appreciate the
® gift ; let our anthems of praise be as wide,
*’ and free, as was the song of the little bark
' of pilgrims, when they- first landed on our
e owzi sweet America's shore.
Yes, and we have had the honor of being
' united; united in design, pursuit, hope,
’ and purpose. And how sweet has been
this union ! no wintry gales have blasted
us as yet. All has been calm and serene
J as an Indian’s summer twilight. But hark !
in the distance is heard the mutterings of
distant thunder, the light wings <>f the sky
f are beginning to be seen, and the winds of
discord are now slowly and steadily rising.
1 Would not yonder sea faring captain tell
J you, in positive terms, that these are indi
cations of a storm ? Most assuredly he.
‘ would. And so would yonder sage poli
tician tell you, that a storm is threaten
’ ing our sweet, dear land. Then, oh ! then,
’ why not reform ? Let again the sun shine
of concord, and the leading star of hope
j brighten the horizon of the free land Amer
ica. And let the motto, as said by George
P. Morris, be engraved on tables, never to
’ be forgotten. This is the sentiment of the
verse—
“ United ice stand,
Divided tee fall."
1 And this sentiment is felt by every one,
• that watches the coming gale ; that if there
I is dissolution, we must ultimately fall.—
’ But let the motto of Union be our watch
word, and Excelsior the device of our
Basner !
i ■ -
I AM th*’ “pinion that the Bible
i , contains more sublimity, more exquisite
( beauty, more pure morality, more impor
tant history, and finer strains of poetry and
i eloquence, than can lie collected from all
other books, in whatever age or language
• they may have been written.— Sir William
• > Jones.