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GOMWIGATWI
For the Banner 4 Baptist
Scriptural and Successful Missions.
NUMBER 7.
In former numbers, I have endeavored to
show that the church was adapted to the work
of the world’s conversion, and that it was
sufficient; that if sufficient, no other is need
ed ; and if no other is needed, it is because
Christ has designed this to effect the work ;
and if he has so designed, then we, his follow
ers, should consider its place and importance
in this great work.
But it may lie asked, “can not a church
| transfer her authority and duty to others, who
can perhaps as well or better perform this
work. I answer no: Ist, because it is not
necessary. 2nd, because it is not lawful.
That it is not necessary I have shown already,
in view of the powers and design of a church.
It is organized and fitted for the very work of
the world’s salvation. No other therefore is
necessary. And, in what may bo said in this
number, proof will appear that it is neither
lawful nor necessary to transfer the authority
and duty, from the church to others.
'l’he duty of a church is the duty of its
members, and of each, and all of its members.
1 low can these be transferred? Who will
do them if they, whose duty it is, do not? Os
all churches and Christians, Christ makes
such requirements as suit Him; how then
can one do the duty of another, or of oth
ers ?
But it foay l»e asked, “may not the church
it) its organized capacity transfer these du
tics?” Not if the duties are its duties. If
they are the duties of any particular local
church, they are duties of that church, and
cannot lie done by another. Os other church
es, Christ will make such demands as suit
Him, but when a church has duties to perform
they esn be done by that church alone.
But still it may be asked, “can not a church
delegate her authority and allow others to act
for her, do her work ; and thus meet her ob
ligations ?” 1 answer no! A church receives
all her authority from Christ, and lie has not
given her power to transfer. I have shown
that these power* refer to, receiving lnqitizing,
instructing members, appointing to offices
such of her members as are qualified and
called. Now, each and all of these bear upon
the extension of the kingdom, and were con
ferred for that purpose'. How can a church
transfer these ? All are necessary to the work
of evangelization, and the chureh to whom
such persons arc granted, and on whom such
responsibilities rest, must exercise them for
the promotion of the kingdom. How ran
they be transferred and exercised by others ?
'l’he church is a democracy. The power lies
hi the people. While delegated by Christ, or
conferred by Christ, it is to l»c exercised by
the w hole of them. If not exercised by the
people eomposieg the church, it is not ever
rised by the Church. True, it is an executive
democracy, and that only makes the matter
eiearer, that they mu not transfer. It is a
danuwraey to w era Ar the will of the Master.
Wba are to execute! The ehurvh—the whole
ciwrrA. How then can they transfer?
But even it it be admitted, as some contend,
that there is a republican clement in true
churches; yet it is not of such character as to
allo* ot a transfer of power or authority to
other*. This I will not now take time to
prove, but will here, and now. take (or gran
trd.
But still, it may be asked, “ran not aehutch
delegate certain of its oe* members to per
form certain duties for itT* ( answer what a
church does by her members delegated, she
doee by herself. If they act just as she com*
manda, and for the purpose for «bah she
seod*. and do net transcend her command, sod
she rveeivwa and approves their report, this is
acting herself. But if the question means ran
she not transfer father members her own powers
and Und herself by their acts, and thus change
her own character front a Deu»v»ctacy tea Re
public I I answer, no ! This would he to
change her organism and defoal the great d 4&
wgn of her Founder,
Hat still, it may be asked, “Did not the
charvh at Antioch delegate her powers to cer-
tain persons, Barnabas and Saql, when she
sent them to Jerusalem with the a
bout circumcision ?” I answer, no ■ They
sent them there as to the oldest church, and
to the Apostles; and when they were most
likely to know the mind of the Spirit to en
quire as to what God designed as to the per
petuity of the rite of circumcision. It was
a mere mission of inquiry. To make this
plain, let us suppose that the church at Jeru
salem had suddenly become corrupt, that
Barnabas and Saul had gone off into error
with them, and "had reported it as their duty
to do that which Was manifestly unscriptural
and even sinful, would they have been, and
considered themselves bound by their acts?
They certainly would not; but .would have
subjected these delegates to disciplijie-fand ex
. communication. Nor I think- earn pie
be found jn the New' Testament wherea
church has transferred her authority or powers
to others.
And that it is unlawful for a church to
transfer her authority, or duty, is plain from
the fact that in her organized capacity, she is
by Divine appointment connected with the
work of missions. This already appears from
what I have shown of the powers and design
of the church. They elect officers and ordain
them for this work, keep up disciple for this
work, and to this end maintain the truth as
the “pillar and ground of it.” Take an ex
ample from Acts, 12th chapter. On the per
secution which arose about Stephen, the disci
ples were scattered abroad and preached at
Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch. When the
church at Jerusalem heard of it, they “sent
forth Barnabas that he should go as far
as Antioch.” He came upon them directly,
and “exhorted that with purpose of heart they
would cleave unto the Lord.” Thence he
went to Tarsus, to seek Saul: and when he
had found him he brought him to Antioch,and a
“whole year they assembled w'ith the church,
and taught much people.” Now, here in a
few- verses are two examples where the
church in its “organized capacity aided the
work, and was connected dire tly with the
work of extending the kingdom of Christ.
Nor are these the only ones. Many exam
pies can be found where the chureh has taken
decisive and active part in those days of “suc
cessful missions. ” T.
- l* I «BM>
For the Banner 1 Baptist
THE BIBLE.—No. 2.
3. While the Bible claims God for its au
thor, it has salvation for its end. The great
and benevolent object of Revelation is, not
only that the man of God may lie perfect,
but also to reveal the glorious system of sal
vation.
Paul, in writing to Timothy his son in the
gospel, says: “From a child thou has known
the holy Scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus:” 2 Tim. 3: 15. What a
delightful privilege to know the holy Scrip
tures from a child !
Here it is affirmed, that the Scriptures, and
not human philosophy, not the traditions of
men, not dreams and visions, not the ghosts
of the departed, but the holy Scriptures, are
able to make us wise unto salvation. If they
are able to make us wise unto salvation, then
they were given for this purpose. They are
called the holy Scriptures. They emanate
from the Holy God. And they reveal a sys
tem of salvation consistent with the holiness
of God. They are able to make us wise un
to salvation, only through faith, which fa in
Christ Jesus. The holy Scriptures reveal but
one way of salvation, and that is through
/<nlA in Christ Jesus. If the Jew should ob
serve ai’ the rites and ceremonies of the an
cient economy, still without faith in Christ as
set forth in those types and shadows, all
would be in vain. Equally abortive would
be all the ceremonies of the Gospel dispensa
tion. “Without faith it is impossible to please
God.” “Receiving the end of your faith,
even the salvation of your souls. Os which
sa’vation the prophets have enquired and
searched diligently, who prophesied of the
grace that should come unto you : searching
what, or what manner of time the Spirit of
Christ which was in them did signify, when it
testified before hand, the sufferings of Christ
and the glory that should follow :” I Pet. 1 :
ft 11.
Here it is evident, that salvation is the
great end ot the prophetic communications.
Fhe prophets enquired diligently into the
meaning of their own prophecies. Especially
did they search and enquire diligently as to the
time and manner of the coming of Christ,
j The Spirit of Christ was in them ; and signi
! tied to them, and testified beforehand the suf
ferings of Christ and the glory that should
follow.
“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto
themselves, but unto us they did minister the
things which are now reported unto you bv
them that have preaefosl the Gospel unto you
with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven;
i which things th** angels desire to loot into."
’lTie great salvation revealed in the Gospel
not only engaged the thoughts and earnest en
quiries of holy men of God, who spake as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit, but the
angels in glory are also delightful students of
the great mysteries of redemption. Surely
it is worthy of the serious consideration of
fallen sinners like ourselves.
I’he Ixird instructed Conielius to “Send
men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose sur
name is Peter: *ho shall tell thee words where
by th.*u and all thy house shall be saved."
Acts ll : 14. Peter was an inspired Apostle,
and had received a commission directly from
the Great II ad of the ehurvh to make known
the way of salvation through Christ. In thus
speaking unto Cornelius sevrds whereby he and
his house might be saved, he was literally
obey ing the commissior. he had previously re
ceived from the ascending Saviour. “Go ye
(said the Saviour,) into all the world, and
preach the G-.Mipel to every creature, he that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
Mark 16:1 <k He that believes what ? Cer
tainly he that believes the Gospel. W here
the G* .pel it preached, tTirist is preached.
Where the Gospel is heartily believed, Christ
is received by fiulb. The great esd and oiyect
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, MARCH 2, 1861.
of the Gospel is to reveal Christ as the Sa
viour of sinners.
Again,, says the Apostle Paul: “I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God unto salvation- to every one that
believeth.” Horn. 1 : 16. Here, again, we
learn the great object of the Gospel. ’And
that it is attended by a saving, divine power,
whenever it is received in faith. Knowing
that such was the benevolence of the Gospel,
and that it was attended with happy Results,
well might the Apostle say, “As much as in
me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you'
that are at Rome also.” To the same import
are the words of our Saviour, when address
ing the Jews. He said : “Search the Scrip
tures, for in them ye think ye have eternal
life, and they are they that testify of me.”
John 5 : 3ft. The great object and end there?
fore of the Scriptures, is the sulvatiou of sin-'
ners, also to show us how God can be just and
the justifier of him that believes in Jesus.
O, what a benevolent object! What an a
mazing evidence, of the deep depravity of the
human heart is to be seen in the fact, that,
while all the good are concerned in communi
cating a knowledge of this great salvation ;
while the angels are delightful students of the
great mysteries of redemption, and the triune
God is engaged in making it known, the poor
sinner alone should be unconcerned. O God,
open the eyes of dying sinners.
Another glory of the Bible is, that it pre
sents to the mind, truth, without any mixture
of error. When we consider the imperfec
tions of all things human, that the best pro
ductions of the best men are beclouded with
error, how delightful the thought, that we have
one perfect standard of truth. “Every word
of God is pure. He is a shield unto them
that put their trust in Ilim. Add thou not
unto His words, lest He reprove thee and
thou be found a liar.” Prov. 30: 56. Here
absolute perfection is claimed for every word
of God. And God is represented as a shield
unto them that put their trust (p him. How
can our implicit trust in Him be manifested
more fully than by receiving all He has re
vealed, and Wing satisfied with that revela
tion. In relat!6n to things divine, we should
ask nothing more, and be content with nothing
less, than just what God in mercy has seen
proper to reveal to us.
“Add thou woZ unto His words,” by your
traditions, as though God had not revealed e
nough, lest lie reprove thee and thou be found
a liar.’ “Let God be true and every man a
liar.” Rom. 3: 4.
“For I testify unto every man that heareth
the words of the prophecy of this book, if any
man shall add unto these things, God shall add
unto him the plagues that are written in this
book. And if any man shall take away from
the words of the book of this, prophecy, God
shall take away his part oat of the book oi
life, and out of the holy city, and from the
things that are written in this book.” Rev.
22: 18, Ift.
How awfully solemn the doom of the man,
or assembly of men, who dares to lay unholy
hands upon God’s perfect standard of truth.
When the traditions of the church, the tradi
tions of men are to be received as of equal
authority with the word of God, then the
flood gates of error are thrown open, and the
Bible is shorn of its beauty and authenticity :
and additions, or diminutions are made at
pleasure, until it is perfectly adapted to the
depravity of the human heart.
Our Saviour earnestly desired the good of
His people. He prayed for their sanctijica
tion ; but He did not feel that it was necessa
ry to resort to any means not revealed, to ac
complish that desirable object. Hen«e His
prayer was, "Sanctify them through thy truth.
Thy word is truth." John 17 : 17. The Sa
viour never prayed that His people might be
sanctified through the traditions of men, or
through any system of error. On the contra
ry, instead of regarding human traditions,
however conscientiously received and prac
ticed as exerting a salutary influence, He
charged that the tendency if not the very
design of all those traditions was, to make
void the commandments of God.
Il Christ’s people are to be sanctified only
through the truth—the truth as revealed thro’
“Holy men of God who spake as they were
moved by the holy Spirit,” Oh how diligent
ly should we search that truth I How earn
estly should we pray with David, “Open thou
mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things
out of thy law.”
“How precious is the book divine.
By inspiration given;
Fright as a lamp its doctrines shine.
To guide our fouls to heaven."
W. NEWTON.
For tlw Burner A BapUet.
Death I Hou Sweet the Thought ’
Dear Reader, —This language can lie a
dopted by none but the Christian. Nor is it
the language of every professed Christian. It
| can be the sentiment of none but the true
child of Jesus. And not always to him is
the thought of death pleasant. It is only
when he is near the Cross, has sweet commu
nion with God, bright hopes of heaven, and
his soul pants for deliverance from sin, that
he rejoices in prospect of death. Yes, when
, he looks beyond the shores of time; by faith,
. beholds the habitation of the saint’s everlast
ing rest; dwells with rapture on the glories
of the New Jerusalem; listens to the songs
of the angelic choir ; and contemplates the
treasures of a glorious inheritance, “incorrupt
ible, undefiled and that fadeth not away,” he
exults at the taought that, in death he shall
triumph and ascend to mansions on high.
Religion arms the most timid with courage.
The delicate female, whose soul trembles at
th** Approach of the shades of night, and w hose
heart sinks with fear when iett without a pro
tector. sustained by the grace of God and an
imated with that hope, which is both sure and
steadfast, can welcome death, and face all his
terrors with forutwie. In view <»f several
things, the thought of death is sweet:
1. Through death, the child of Jesus shall
peas from a sinful world. Sin is the source
of all our wrongs, afflictions, disappointments
and sorrows. Sfia has cq»e»ed every grave,
caused every sigh, and made rivers of tears
to flow. Sin has brought confusion into the
"ffii BAIMK om" ni' K MOVE/'
world; clothed the earth with violent; set
the heart of man against his brother shroud
ed the people in darkness and superstition,
and spread war and dismay through all tne
habitable parts of this fallen world. What
a monster is sin ! How desirable to'l e. de
livered from his pollutions and freed from.the
snares of Satan ! •
My predominant desire- for heaven that
it is a place of purity. Oh, how the
thought, that, “In heaven alone no sin is found,
and there’s.no weeping there.” It makes my
heart leap for joy.
The idea of rest may be sweet to those
pressed down with anxiety and gnawing cares;
but to me, the hope of deliverance from sin
rises above a’ other conceptions of heajen.
When freed from sin, we will God
no more ; violate no more His holy law ; no
more grieve the Holy Spirit; never again
turn from our blessed Saviour. Blessed be
God, heaven is pure ; God the Son, God the
Spirit, and God the Father is holy. “There
is not one jarring vehicle in all that holy land.”
2. Death will terminate ail the Christian’s
woes. God shall wipe away all tears. No
more will disappointments throw a cloud o’er
his brightest prospects. No more will he be
molested with the vile associations of the
wicked. “There the wicked cease from troub
ling and the weary are at rest.” Never again
will fear, care, or anxiety cause the Christian’s
breast to heave.
3. Again, the thought is sweet, because Je
sus has died. He died for our sins and rose
for our justification. lie lighted up the dark
regions of the tomb.
“The graves of all the saints he blest,
And softened every bed;
Where shonld the dying members rest,
But with their dying Head ?”
Since Jesus haith lain in the grave, we should
not dread its gloom. He conquered the ty
rant in his own dominions and triumphed over
the powers of darkness.
O! trembling, doubting soul, if thou art
terrified at the thought of death, go to the
sepulchre of Jesus. Bathe thy fainting heart
beneath the Cross. Linger amid the scenes
of Calvary till thy slavish fears are consumed
and thy faith made strong in Him, who ever
liveth to intercede for you.
4. The thought of death is sweet, because,
in the grave, we shall leave this corrupt body.
O ! how is the soul burdened by being confin
ed to this earthly tenement. It pants to be
delivered from its fleshly prison. In the glo
rious morn of the resurrection, we shall rise
with spiritual and glorious bodies. When
death shall have been swallowed up in victo
ry, then shall this mortality put on immortal
ity, this corruptible, incorruptible, and we
shall live and reign forever in the realms of
glory. Yes, when Jesus shall appear we also
shall appear, and be like him. This is enough.
A word to those who fear t
faint in the hour of death. There are some
of God’s dear children, who fear that they
will not have dying grace. If thou art a child
of Jesus, trouble not yourself with such a de
lusion. If you have living grace, rest assured
i that you will Have dying grace. Has not
I God been with you in the sixth trial? anj in
the seventh not forsaken you? If so, he will
not desert you in the dying hour. If you live
with Jesus, you cannot die out of him. Only
be concerned to realize that you have living
grace; that you are sealed with the Holy
Spirit; that you have passed from death to
life, through faith in the blood of Christ; and
if you are well assured of these things, you
may rest satisfied that, when you are called to
walk through the dark valley and shadow of
death, the rod and staff of the Lord will com
fort you.
Oh ! Christian, if you fear and tremble at
the thought of death, it is admonition to thee
to get nearer the Cross of Christ.
A. I’. COPELAND,
F«r the Banner A Baptist
John'* Baptism Not a Chnrh Ordi
nance.
Dear Brother:—As I sent yon some
: queries recently, I will give yon some thoughts
| on the above subject.
John’s Baptism was a Christian, a gospel
ordinance but not a church ordinance. 1 con
; sidcr there was no church until there were
| laws to regulate it. As there was no national
■ Israel until the Israelite were brought out of
I bondage and received laws, so there was no
chureh until laws were given to govern it. 1
admit that there was a separate people before
! the days of bondage were over, and so there
was a separate people, from under Judaising
teachers, made ready, by John, for the Lord;
and thereby, John’s Baptism was a Christian
Baptism. He required them to believe in
| Christ and bring fruits of repentance, before
he would baptize them. Also the ordinance
administered by John, became the ordinance
: of the gospel kingdom forever, as were the
ordinances of the law of Moses, Both Moses
and John were in the wilderness; but their
ordinances were to be perpetuated. The for
mer were to be in the promised land, the lat
ter in the gospel kingdom. How ean there
be a church and no law to govern it ?
There is a great a contrast between the
executors of the laws of Alabama, and the
makers of those laws. It was necsssary first
for the citizens to be naturalized, and to take
the oath of allegiance to make them legal offi
cers. It takes a Governor and a certain num
tier of citizens, to make laws for this State.
Then it takes regularly appointed officers to
. execute them—officers of naturalized citizens.
So no foreigner can be a citizen of God’s
kingdom, nor of the ehurvh. For, they are
not to be foreigners nor strangers, but felfow
citizens, circumcised in heart—to be new
creatures, born of the Spirit, by the word of
the Lord.
The first Governor of this State was sent
by the head ot this nation, and was invested
with power to enact laws. So also John was
sent directly from God, clothed with authority
to preach repentance, demanded/noVs, and to
baptize proper subjects. One may be, in
heart, a subject oi this kingdom, and not be
baptized, or John would not have required
fruits before baptism. Baptism is an assurance
to the convert, that the administrator thinks
be fa a fit subject, as circumcision was of
Abraham’s faith. One should be re
cognized a member of the church, until faith
and repentance are evinced and baptism is
performed. John came not to make laws,
but to execute them under Dive appointment.
Christ came to John to be baptized and be
came the head of the corner, and declared he
“would build his church upon this rock" which
was himself. He ordained Apostles to do
his work, and to make laws for the regulation
•of his church, by the power ot the Holy
Spirit. They were given p,ower to impart
the Holy Spirit—a power which none others
ever had. John and his disciples were not
able to impart it, and were not church mem
bers. Baptism does not constitute one a
member of the church, but denominates one a
subject of the kingdom. Churches are local
assemblies, governed alone by. the word of
God. One church cannot make members for
another. As the laws of this State may
serve for each county, so the laws of the king
dom of God, when properly executed. But
if not, such actions are not binding upon
members, neither in receiving nor rejecting.
The first church mentioned was the Jerusa
lem church, at the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance and baptism are spoken of, before
adding to the church. The question might
arise whether the Lord’s supper was a church
ordinance? J say it was; for Christ and his
disciples had been baptized, and were assem
bled together. This was to enact a law and
mark the manner of obeying it. And this
has been a law to the church ever since.—
Regularly baptized persons have the right, at
their pleasure, to form themselves into a
church, with or without a presbytery of min
isters. Nevertheless, there is no harm in
having the counsel of ministers. When the
Lord Jesus made laws himself and by his
Apostles, they conformed to them as an ex
ample. lam of opinion that there is a dif
ference between a church ordinance and an or
dinance of the church kingdom. The sacred
supper, preaching, choosing and ordaining
ministers, receiving and rejecting members,
feet-washing, and supporting ministers, are all
ordinances of the church. Some of these are
special and positive. One may say, how is
preaching a church ordinance? The answer
is, because ministeas have to be sent. The
church has been set up in the kingdom to
execute Christ’s laws, and this is one of them.
I consider there is as much difference between
the church and the kingdom, as there is be
tween the legislature of the State, and the
country courts. One makes laws, the other
executes them. Christ and his Apostles made
laws for the kingdom, churches are to enforce
them.
John’s baptism nor the baptism of the
Apostles was a church ordinance. They
were not in a church capacity when they bap-
be seen from tiiW following m
stabces: Phillip and the- Eunuch, Peter and
Cornelius, Ananias and Saul, Paul and Lydia,
and the Jailor. If baptism was a church or
dinance, how would we ever get one baptized
in a heathen land ? The apostles went forth
baptizing believers, and being baptized they
formed themselves into a church. If the
Pedo’s and Campbeliits could see the differ
ence between the kingdom of heaven and the
church, there would not be so much ado about
John’s baptism being a Christian baptism.
The Baptists claim to be churches of Jesus
Christ: because they are governed by his
laws. Pedo’s cannot be churches of Christ;
for they are unlike Baptists. The Romanists,
Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians,
have their own laws, differing the one from
the other, and they do not take the Bible alone
in this respect. The Lord keep us from fol
lowing men only as they follow Christ.
J. C, BEVERLY.
Oakfuskee, Ala.
For the Banner 4 Baptist
What's the Reason t
Brethren Editors : —As you continue to
publish my articles, I suppose you consider
them of some value, and so I am encouraged
to try my hand again. But there are so many
wrongs to be set right, so many crooked
things to lie made straight, amongst Baptists,
that I scarce know where to commence first.
The truth is, we are all “considerably tumbled
up and down,” and it will be no child’s play
to set things to rights, and bring order out of
confusion. But as I must commence some
where, 1 have concluded to inquire into the
reason why so many churches in these times
are left without preaching ? There are a great
many complaints that the churches can't get
preachers to serve them, but at the same
time, there are a great many preachers with
out stated places for preaching. The question
then is tremendously practical, and ought to
l>e answered, straight out. Well, the truth
is, the churches that are the loudest in their
complaints, in all probability, don’t want any
preaching. “What I” say you. Truth, every
word truth, at least Hermon thinks it is. Ar.d
now for the proof. Well, I suppose every
body will agree that a man can’t preach very
well unless he’s alive and every body knows
that he can’t keep alive unless he eats and
drinks, and I suppose that it w ill be granted
that he can’t eat and drink, unless he can get
the things to eat and drink. All this being
granted, I am prepared to advance a step or
two in the argument, and ask how is a preacher
to get these things ? If he devotes all his time
to preaching and visiting, he can have none
left for providing for himself, and those de
pendent on him. And if corn costs other
people a dollar a bushel, it will hardly be sold
to him for less. How then is he to get these
things ? Answer —The churches must pro
vide them. But, “oh I” say the churches, “we
are willing to do that. We can and will pay
our preacher three hundred dollars!" Well,
what of that ’ If he lives amongst you and
has to buy his support from you, he will be
charged jive h undred dollars for it, and at the
end of the year there will be a balance against
him of two hundred dollars, and then, ‘oh, -
what a worthless improvident fellow he is I”
And why ? Simply because he could not
make three hundred dollars pay for five hun
dred dollars worth of produce. Well, what
follows then • The preacher has to leave,
burdened with d> bt and loaded with censure,
and try his hand at some secular employment
in order to make a support and pay the debts
which he had contracted while preaching for
the church.
This is no fancy sketch, but hard, real fact,
and plainly answers the question why there
are so many complaints from the churches a
bout the want of preachers. If the churches
wish to have preachers, they must support
them, and and then their complaints will soon
be heard no more. At least, so thinks
HERMON.
For the Banner & Baptist,
At a meeting of the Tom’s Creek Baptist
Church, Liberty county, Ga., on the 16th of
February, the following preanlble arffl resolu
tions offered by Rev. W. O. Darsey, were
adopted: ,
Whereas, We. have idng noticed”*with
much regret, the increasing sectional difficul
ties which now disturb and threaten the over
throw of our once prosperous and happy na
tion, we would therefore, as a band of the
great family of Baptists in these once United
§tates, wish to contribute our mite by asking
the Wise Disposer of all events, to avert the
calamity which now appears to be gathering
so very thick and hovering over us as a na
tion, and as Nineveh of old, it may please
Him to turn away His just judgment from a
nation that has been so peculiarly blest thro’
its national existence.
And will not Christians, both South and
North, unite with us, (as the wisdom of man
is in vain and confusion nearly equal to that
of Babylon reigns,) and humbly and sincerely
pray that our united petitions may ascend be
fore a throne of grace. And to the God of
nations we turn and look for protection, and
ask that order may be brought out of confu
sion and light out of darkness. Therefore,
1. Resolved, That we will unite in prayer
to our Father in heaven, that He will preside
over the councils of this nation, that peace
and quietude may be restored.
2. Resolved, That we request all of our
brethren to join us in prayer, that we may
have peace upon Israel.
3. Resolved, That we request that these re-
solutions be published in the Christian Index,
Landmark Banner, and the New-York Obser
ver. JACOB WHEELER, Mod.
W. B. Darsey, Ch. Clerk.
For the Banner 4 Baptist
Preaching Tour.
On Thursday before the 3rd Sabbath in
November last, I started on a tour of preach
ing in the up country. I took the train at
Griffin, got to Atlanta 15 minutes after 8, in
the forenoon, met with many of my old ac
quaintances and friends, among whom was
brother T. U. Wilkes, and left on the Chatta-
U truixx u few minuter after 10 o’clock.
a great r sfow<? exefteef"
about the recent election, got off' the cars at
Dalton, and spent the night with brother Wil
son—a Presbyterian—and found him a social
and, I think, a Christian-hearted brother. He
is in possession of a good many Baptist prin
ciples. I prayed with and for him and his
kind family. Friday, I arrived at my aged
father’s, found him and my affectionate old
mother enjoying the best of health, for people
of their age. 1 had not seen them for four
years, and their souls seemed to swell with
gratitude when they took my hand.
The 3rd Sabbath, I preached to a large, at
tentive audience, at Wood’s Station. Wed
nesday night, preached at a School house in
the same section, crowded with people. The
4th Sabbath and Saturday before, I had ap
pointments at Leokout church, Walker coun
ty. Small congregation on Saturday, on ac
count of cold weather, had an attentive audi
ence on Sabbath. I returned to brother E. L.
Cooper’s and next day went up on the Look
out mountain, and took a view of the won
derful surrounding scenery, and felt impress
ed with the wisdom and power of God. Next
morning, I returned to my father’s, where I
met another congregation, and preached from
a text in the 16th of Matthew : “Upon this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.” After
preaching, I took an affectionate farewell of
my father and mother, accompanied by broth
er Andrew Cooper to brother W. Williams,
and spent.the night with him. Thence I went
to Tunnell Hill, where I got aboard the cars
and returned home.
After remaining at home two days, I
went to my churches, Bethel, Meriwether
county, Hephzibah, Pike county, and Friend
ship, Pike county. After this, I concluded to
take another trip up the country, sent on my
appointments, left home the 14th January,
and went the trip to Ringgold, but the rain
and high waters prevented my filling appoint
ments. During the trip, I met with brethren
Weldin Duke, E. Gardner and others. I
spent the night and dined with a brother—a
deacon of a missionary Baptist church—for
which he charged me sl. No wonder the
churches in that section are cold. The truth
says, beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
please copy.
T. B. COOPER.
A Good Reply.—A Sabbath School teach
er instructing his class on that portion of the
Lord s prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as
in heaven,” said to them, “you have told me,
my dear children, what is to be done, the will
of God; and where it is to be done, on earth,
and how it is to be done—as it is done ia hea
ven. How do you think the angels and the
happy spirits do the will of God in heaven,
as they are to be pattern ?” The first
child replied, “They do it immediately ;” the
second, “They do it diligently;” the third,
“They do it always.” Here a 'pause ensued,
and no child appeared to have an answer; but
after some time, a little girl arose, and said
“Why, sir, they do it without asking any
questions."
\ otino for Pastors.—A correspondent of
the Presbyterian of our Union, (old School,)
thinks it “simply Congregationalism” to claim
the right to vote in the election of pastor as
the exclusive right of members of the church,
and expresses the hope that the next General
Assembly will decide that “pew-holders, or
regular supporters of the gospel by subscrip
tion, who are not communicants.” share this
right with them.
L. T. DOTAL, Griffin, Georgia, ) Conresponjfcg
D. P. EVERETT, Florida, J EditaJS
JOS. S. BAKER, Florida Traveling Correspondent.
VOLUME 11-MBER 21.
MM)®
THE EIFE-CLOCK.
What is this within my being,
Ticking, ticking evermore;
Like the sound of fairy footfalls
Dropping on some distant shore?
I can hear it in the night,
Hear it in the busy day,
Hear its clear and measured numbears
Wheresoe’er I chance to stray.
On that mystic little dial
There are clear and telling lines,
Over which the sunlight glitters,
And the passing hour defines.
Quicker, quicker it is beating,
Sxvitter move those mystic hands,
With their lean and spectral fingers,
Pointing to the shadowy lands.
But the day of life is waning, ' •
Soon its shadows will decline,
And within my spirit’s dwelling
Cease the little mystic chime.
Dust, o’er all its motions falling,
Gathers deeper day by day;
Voices, from the future calling,
Seem to beckon me away.
Thrilling tales this clock is telling,
As the days and hours recede,
Noting every thought and action,
Yet we give it little heed.
Sometimes we may hear it ringing,
Clear and loud the passing hour,
Sending through the soul’s deep chamber
Tones of deep mysterious power.
Yet we fold our arms and lisien
To a thousand stranger sounds,
W hile the Life-Clock, all unheeded,
Plods its tireless, solemn rounds.
For the Banner & Baptist.
A Short Dialogue Between a Child
and its Father.
Child.— AV hat must Ido in peace to live ?
-rbzAer.—Thy heart to Jesus forthwith give.
Child.— How may I through life smoothly
glide ?
Father.— By keeping near thy Saviour's side.
Child.— What must I do to make me good ?
Father. — Make Gospel truth thy daily food.
Child.— On Gospel truth how may I feed ?
Father.— By to its teachings taking heed.
Child.— How may I live in a right way ?
lather.— Walk in the light and ne’er thou’lt
stray.
Child.— What is it, Pa. to walk in light?
Father.— To walk by faith and not by sight-
Child.— When may I know my faith is true?
Father.— When as Christ says, you seek to
do.
Child.— How may I overcome my foes ?
Father.— By rend’ringblessing for their blows.
Child.— What must I do in peace to die ?
Father.— On Jesus’ blood and grace roly.
A GRANDSIRE.
For the Banner k Baptist.
Dear Children, —Having noticed in the
last Banner, the very “liberal offer of Elder
J. R. Graves to the children of-Baptist Sab
bath Schools in the South,” I am constrained
to call your attention to it again. Would
that it was in my power to forcibly impress
upon your young minds the importance of a
vailing yourselves of the offer of this precious
prize; for it is indeed precious, being the Ho
ly Bible. It will be a pleasant reflection for
you, dear children, throughout your life, to
think that it was obtained for reciting a Large
number of verses from its sacred pages. But
the pleasure does not stop here; for after hav
ing committed to memory the verses, you
will find your minds filled with an inexhausti
ble store of useful knowledge, which will af
ford substantial consolation in youth, and a
sure foundation for a happy old age.
How much soever you may be engaged in
pleasures, or encumbered with business, you
will have many spare moments for studying
the Bible. The period of human life, I know,
is short, even if we pass beyond our “three
score ami ten ;” but it is of sufficient length
for us to acquire a considerable stock of use
ful and agreeable knowledge. Remember, if
we Jive, youth will not last always, but old
age will creep upon us, and find us just what
we have made ourselves. Oh, then, if life is
what we make it, is it not of vast importance
that we should make it just what God would
have it to be? He would have us “search the
Scriptures,” and conform our lives to its holy
teachings.
Those who study the Bible are not only
supplied with a copious fund for thought and
reflection upon the works of God in the crea
tion of the universe; but there are spacious
fields of exercise for the mind in regard to all
the duties and relations of life. Oh! then
my young readers, prepare for this rich feast.
The sooner you begin, the better for eachyear
will bring upon you its multiplied cares and
responsibilities, and each moment nearer that
period where you cannot prepare for the fu
ture. You may at some time be stricken
with blindness, then you will know how to
appreciate this Bible knowledge which mem
ory has retained, and which will afford so ma
ny resources w ithin yourselves, that in the
most lonely solitude you can always have
a pleasant converse with your own mind. In
affliction it will afford comfort that the world
cannot give. In old age it will offer pleasure
which wraith cannot give, or poverty take a
way; but it will ever elevate us above the
“smiles and frowns of fortune.”
Who, then, will strive for the prizes offered
by one who feels a deep interest in your web
fare, and whose constant aim is, the advance
ment of our Redeemer’s kingdom? Dear
children, if you us deeply felt a concern for
yourselves as Mr. Graves and many others
have for you, mighty changes would take
place in our land. Soon the whole “earth
would be full of the knowledge of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.” That you ail
may be found Sabbath after Sabbath seeking
to obtain and repeat scores of Bible verses,
is the ardent wish of your true friend,
MAMIE.
Jtjef'Communion with God greatly strength
ens, and communion with the world greatly
weakens, the soul.
