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BANNER & BAPTIST, it-® “Holy Bible, —Book Divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine.” JESSE M. WOOD, > F-rtitnrs 11. HOHKADY, f Editors. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Saturday, March 2, 1861. Our terms of Subscription, $2 00 per Annum, always in advance. Terms for Job Bor£ t? our office. Cash ox Delivery of the Wc»ik. For our terms for advertising, see Ist col umn of Ist page. — - '» Mi* 'oil. CLIBS-PKiitIUHS. 1. To any one who will send us Five subscribers and the money, we will send either an extra copy of the Banner for a year, the Tennessee Baptist, the Christian Repository, (an able monthly by El der S. H. Ford, and Mrs. Sallie Rochester Ford,) or a copv of Matthew Revised, by Dr. Conant. 2. To any one sending us Three subscribers, we will send a copy of Worrell’s Review, or Four of the “Little Question Book,” for little chil dren, by 8. Root 3. To any one who will send Two subscribers, we will send a copy of the work now in press, by the slave BERRY. This work every Southerner will want. Any minister who will send Two, shall have a copy of the Banner a year for $1 00. WEEKLY CHAT. In these times of political distraction and “rumors of war" Christians should be exceed ingly watchful and prayerful. Watchful, be cause there is much danger of having our minds engrossed with the affairs of the coun try, and with our own persona! business. Satan is ingenious in using occasions to divert our minds from the Saviour and his cause, lie will be very apt to make many think that they are unable to do anything for the poor around them, and for Missions abroad. He will plead mightily for our “own household," and then laugh at our credulity. It would not be surprising, if poor pastors will have to subscribe to make up for the losses of rich men—or which is the same thing have to go without what they (the rich men) should just ly pay thorn. Take care brethren ! Watch! What we say unto one, we say unto all, “Watch.” We should also be prayerful ; for with all our watching, we can not come off safely without Divine assistance. We must pray, in the name of Christ, for help. Only in this way can we come off more than con querers. We should pray daily for ourselves, our families, our country, the world. The prayers of God’s elect are not to cease until his kingdom comes and his will be done, on earth as in heaven. "Our Father, God, who art in heaven, All hallowed be thy name; • Thy kingdom come, thy will lie dore, In heaven and earth the same. •‘lnto temptation lead us not; From evi. set ua free; And thine tlie kingdom, thine the power, And glory ever be." Religious Liberty. There are doubtless some who do not un derstand precisely what is meant by the ex pression, “religious liberty.” Some suppose it mean a license to do as they please, regard less alike of the claims of either God or man. But it is needless for us to say that such is not the meaning of the phrase. Religious liberty is the right of reading and interpre ting God’s word for one’s self, without the in tervention of the mandate of the magistrate, or the priest. The right of private judgment in matters of conscience and religion is guar anteed to every one by the Great Law-Giver in Zion. But while this is truv, there will al ways be some whose force of character, knowledge and social position, will tempt them to try the experiment of thinking for others—who are too ignorant or indolent to think for themselves; and when once men have seemed to acquire such a right, by pre scription, they will sometimes be disposed to exercise it in behalf of those who prefer their own methods of thought. We once heard a Baptitt minister and Editor, say that some Baptists ought, to be led by otheis, or that they ought to follow the lead of others. We then thought th« remark evinced the servility of the author’s mind, and we have not seen anything since to change our opinion. The Apostle taught his brethren to follow him at he followed Christ, but in order to do this, i the parties would he compelled to think.— i They would have first to study Christ as an Examphr, and then scrutinize Paul in the wine Bght. Thin wouLl require thought, and , theft they would have to institute the compari son between Paul’s example and that of Christ, to ascertain whethv* the apostle did really fellow Christ. The right to judge for . themselves is the Ifeaod l-t.ijit privilege of every Christian, and whenever Baptists lose sight of it—or are willing servilely to fellow those who are disposed to lead them, then they will be no longer worthy of the illustri- i out dead, who valued independence of thought above even life itself. The very essence of religion* liberty ia individualism— or the right of differing from any and all who depart from the word of God, in the strictness and simplicity of its teaching. But to preserve the right of private judge ment in religious matters, there must be a jealous watch maintained against all castes and HVMsttfKdifs. Tyranny may be asaevtrely . exervi «al by an Oligarchy or Aristocracy. as by an Autocracy, and is quite m much an object of aversion when affected by one as the other. Obedience to Christ does not necesaarily require eubmieafen to all the de crees of M*, fer hi some instances to obey sens, is to div&bey CAri*?. As Baptists, we ought to study the scrij»turea to ascertain when we are to follow men, and when we are to oppose them. If we find them walking ares-rung to the inspired word, we abould h>l low thrir example, but if on the contrary we find them adhering to the oimmandtnciits and inslitu-fens of men, and usurping authority over the vonscicmvw of others, we mu*t resist tfe m. We must not take it for granted that some me*i are too wise to err, or too holy to be ambitious, fur there are iH .se who can be •afidy trusted with museriplural power. H. J “Who knoweth the spirit of man that Goclh Upward?” There is, in the human bosom, a principle which elevates its possessor above the interior orders of beings by which he is surrounded. Man may be placed in a condition where every physical want is supplied, and where there is an entire absence of pain or bodily annoy ance, but still be is not satisfied. That some thing in his bosom is still restless and aspir ing, and yearns for higher enjoyments than those of which his mere animal nature is ca pable. There is still a mighty void in bis de sires which the perishable good of earth can never fill. And what is that insatiate rest less thing which ever struggles like a caged bird or a chained captive? Ah ! that is what we call the spirit of man, but what is that? Who can understand it? Is it of earth? Earth-born, earth-tending ?’ No, wo: It is ca pable of surviving the ruin of time, and will live when the sun shall grow pale in the heav ens, and when the moon and stars shall shroud themselves in eternal darkness. This spirit can tread back through the dim mazes of the past, and listen to the inspired .strains of the rapt Isaiah, as he proclaims the ardent suffer ings, death, and final triumph of the Son of David. Or it can wonder back and hold fa miliar converse with the lordly builders of the Pyramids, or even walk with Adam and Eve fimong tnf* atconfed bowers o£ Para dise. Or, it can travel down the vista of coming years, until time is lost in Eternity’s great bosom, and can even gaze upon the arch-an gel, robed in the uncreated light of heaven. And yet, such a spirit inhabits each human bosom —a spirit of tremendous power and of mighty impulses —one which, when aroused, rages like the maddened whirl-wind, and yet can be subdued into the gentleness of the even ing zephyr. But who cap know such a spirit? Who can comprehend its mighty workings ? As well try to penetrate the dark mysteries which lie imbedded in the deep caves of the ocean, as attempt to pry into the hidden na ture of man’s spirit. Oh! Deathless spirit! Immortal Existence! What is thy destiny? Are thy wings plumed for flight upward to the bright regions of eternal glory ? Is heav en, the bright and glorious temple of God thy aim f Then God speed thee on thy shining way, and grant thee at least a place amongst the blood-bought throng on high. 11. Brother R. .1. Hogue. A private letter from this faithful mission ary has been received, and we are gratified to learn that he is still encouraged in his work, lie reports himself well, but his family have suffered some, of late, from sickness. He is making arrangement to have his eldest datigh ter conveyed to his Indian home, by brother Peter Folsom, as he returns from Washington City to the West. This daughter has been engaged in study at the Baptist Female College of .South-Western Georgia, and has not seen any of her family since they left the State. God grant that she may reach her family in safety. Will not the brethren of the Bethel Asso ciation raise one or two hundred dollars and send the amount to brother Hogue in the Choctaw- Nation ? We know him well, and we can say in all gfiod conscience, th’at we arc acquainted with no brother of more mod est and retiring merit. It would doubtless be very grateful to him to receive such an ex pression of Christian affection and confidence at this time, and wc kn >w several brethren in the Bethel who could raise S2OO for him with out feeling the poorer for such a generous of fering. Who will respond ? What say you brethren about making up a contribution for brother Hogue? You can scud him a cheek to Armstrong Academy, Choctaw Nation. 11. “Softly” and Hardly. Brother 8., of the Christian Index, at tempts to call us to account for our article which we lately published upon “our Mission work,” under the significant cAption of “soft ly. ” What he meant to convey by the use of this term, we do not exactly understand, but suppose he intended to caution us against handling what might prove to be an edged tool. The only point in his “softly” article, is his attempt, (for such only has it proved to be) to exhibit our inconsistency in writing/w the Southern Baptist Sunday School Union, and against the Foreign Mission Board, when they are both in States which present the same political status. But “softly” brother B. When we wrote/or the Union, we had hope that Tennessee would go with the South, as the result of the election in that State had not reached us up to that time. If there is any other point in brother B.’s article, it must be its “softness," as we did not see any other. Is he answered “softly 1” If not, he can hardly be answered at all. 11. The Lillie Question Rook. Should the orders continue, the First Edi tion of this little work for children, will soon be exhausted. But as we wish to have some guide regarding the number to be struck in the Second Edition, we still solicit orders. W e have long been satisfied that just such a work was greatly needed. Every family in ail the land should have it, whether their chil dren can go to Sabbath School or not. Although the fe-ok has some blemishes. (winch "however, will be ferrected in the next edition,) we can unhesitatingly say, that it is the beat work of the kind that we have seen. Os many favorable expressions, by the Press and private letters, we submit a few. and ask brethren, sisters and friends, to send orders promptly. Wo will fill bills until the present edition Is exhausted, and get out the second as soon as possible. GkiTSfK, Feb. 11, mill. Brother Root, —I thank you for a copv of your new Sabbath School Book. I have ex amined it pretty thoroughly and am pleased with it. You are happy both in the selection and treatment of your topics. As rou sat. in the Preface, “The kssons are >h,'-rt,” but by no means too short. The class of children fer w hich it is designed, require short h-ssoiss. You will not regard me as flattering vou, after the above, when I say that «e have long neesled jw* snch a book as yours, lu all our Sabltath Schods. I have felt its need in all with which I ha\e ever been connected. I iHtee wrote to tintm* of the publishing houses inquiring fist a similar work, but could not find it. I then seriously thought of, and did really commetwe the preparation <4 such a work, but fer watt: of time and suflicirßt B A.TN AK H .V N D BA P'l’ I ST. confidence in myself, I never completed the undertaking. Your arrangement is good. You have so ' selected and arranged your topics as that the ■ whole seems linked together, the one natural ly following the other, and presenting in your 42 lessons a pretty extensive, and at the same time, correct view of Bible history. A. VAN HOOSE. Primary Bible Questions.—A Catechism for young children, by S. Root, of Atlanta, and published by the Franklin Printing House. This little book exactly fills a niche in our Baptist schedule of wants. So much was this need felt by us, that it was in our mind to go about making just such a book. Often do or ders corhe to our Depository for just such books, and, heretofore, we have had to send such as were prepared by pedo-baptists or none. Rut those who want a simple Cate chism ofScripture History for children, white or black, can be supplied from a Georgia Baptist Press.— Christian Index. Primary Bible Questions for Young Chil dren. By r S. Root; Atlanta, Ga., Frank lin Printing House; Wood, Hanleiter, Rice & Co. This little question book, containing 42 chapters, has just been issued by the new pub lishing house above mentioned. The book is just what our schools have long wanted. The pious author has for years been a most zealous and efficient Sabbath School Teacher. He has deeply felt the need of just such a work, and has well performed the task of supplying it. It is simple, pointed, concise, and yet more comprehensive than any question book of the kind 1 have seen. All Sunday Schools should supply themselves at once. “ Price 15 cents per single copy. I suppose a deduction will be made to schools buying by the quanti ty- . E. W. WARREN. In our first notice of the book, wo gave two chapters pertaining to the Old Testament. We now give two relating to the New Testa ment. CHAPTER XXV. THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST. Q. What did the wicked King Herod do, when he. heard of the birth of Christ? A. Tie had all the little boys in th°.t coun try killed. (y. Why did lie’do that? A. Because ho wanted to kill Christ with them. (f And what became of Christ when all the little boys were killed ? A. He was carried into Egypt for safety. Q. What do we know about the childhood of Christ ? A. Ihat. lie was a good boy, and obeyed His parents. Q. Did He ever do anything wrong? A. No, He did not. Q. Christ is an example to all little boys and girls, is he not ? J. Yes, we should try to be good like Him. If \\ hut did He do when lie was twelve years old ? A. He went in. the Temple, and talked with the wise men. <2- What did the wise men think of Him ? A. They wondered at His learning. Q. Now, what can you tell us about little Jesus ? CHAPTER XXVI. THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST. (f Where was Christ baptized ? yl. In the river Jordan. Q. How old was He then ? J. Thirty years old. Q. Who baptized Him ? A. .lohn Baptist. <2- Why did John baptize Him ? .1. Because Christ wished it. Q. What did Christ tell John about his baptism ? J. “Thus it becometh me to fulfill all righteousness.” Q. What happened as He came up out of the water? A. Ihe voice of God was heard from hea ven. Q. What did the voice say ? JL “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Q. What did that mean ? yl. That God was Christ’s Father. Q. And what else did it mean? A. That God was pleased with His Son’s perfect example and obedience. Q. What else happened at the same time? -1. The Holy Spirit, in the shape of a dove, came down and lit on Him. Q. Now-, can you tell something about the baptism of Christ. QUERIES. 1. What should a church do with a mem ber about whom very bad reports have gone out for years; but the church fails to get pos- I itive proof of guilt, yet from the company i the member keeps the church is satisfied of guilt, so that the church has lost fellowship? Answer. A church should not exclude a member on a charge which cannot l>e proven. Keeping bad company is a proper ground of i complaint, and if this is continued, after re moustraiKe and Christian advice, until the i church loses fellowship, the member should l>e cut off. 1 bis should have been answered ear j lier, but was overlooked. 2. Somebody in Teianessec, who signs his query “Cupidus,” asks who was David’s ; mother ? las. The wife of Jesse, the son of Obed. He was David’s father and his wife was his mother, so far as we know. This is as une quivocal as the signature. I.un<lmurk Prineiplleti as Advocated I»j tin-. Il’npvr. 1. None but those who make a credible prof >-.;<>n of faith in Christ, should be bap tized. 2. None are r< .illy baptized, except those who are immerst J upon a profession of their faith In Christ. 3. None can properly be members of th<» Church of Christ, except they have been bap tized. 4. None can properly be ministers of Christ who are not members of the church of Christ. 5. Nonaffi’iatiou with those who refuse to obey Christ in f ese things—with those who refuse to walk acwnjlng to the Divine rule. • 6. We shall insist upon Baptists practicing what they hold and tqaeh. 7. While we shall firmly adhere to the a bove principles, yet w e do not deny that others are eo'sv i rt- >l a< w■ 11 a* Baptist-;, but a- it regards their baptism, we regard them as be ing in disorder—mdjaptiztsl. -■»»■ v- We publish this week, brother Lan drum's article which we reviewed in a late number ot out paper, with his note appended, a id we do it the more readily as it alwavs gives us more pleasure to correct an error than to commit one. We are sorry that w e gave any expression to a surmise that there might be an ulterior i*l»jret in brother L.’s plan, as we tx»w find it “is teholfy withmtt ffiundatlon." We trust this will be satisfac tory to our brother, whom we esteem verv higif y. H. ! GOMMOTKAHOM ' r- - For I lie Banner .& Baptist. Dear Brethren,— As you have reviewed mv article, “A Plan for Stale Missions and Colportage," I ask, as a favor, that you will now publish it. 1 furnish it below. Let me l iei ’ e sa y> ’' !at l ' ic inference y° u drew in reference to a connection with the Nashville Bible Board, and the Biennial Con vention. is wholly without foundation, so far as my plan is concerned. 1 never thought of such a thing until I read your article. The plan was written without conference with any one and is the result simply of a desire to do good in the best way in our native State. The design is purely for a Georgia Mission and Colportage work. Yours, truly, S. L. A PLAN FOR STATE MISSIONS AND COLPORTAGE. Bro. Boykin:—ln your editorials, “What Georgia Baptists ought to do, &c.,” you have alluded to two great wants in our denomina tional work in this State. The one is State Missions; the other, an efficient plan of Colportage. Formerly our Convention had a State Mis sion conducted by its Executive Committee. Some years ago it was turned over to the Do mestic Board at Marion, and abandoned by the Convention. Was this necessary or wise? | I believe I voted for the transfer, but with the ; light which experience furnishes, I question | both the necessity and the wisdom of the course. Ido not believe the Board lias been benefitted materially by the change; nor can I see that the supply of the destitution in our I State has been improved by it. The Domes j tic Board has strong claims upon our contrib i utious, and we may receive some returns in i the way of supplying towns and city missions, I but there is a vast destitution which that i Board cannot understand, nor supply : such destitution as exists in Southeastern Georgia, for instance. (Brunswick, St. Marys, Darien, St. Catherines, Camden county, and other points, are now entirely destitute.) Who can understand this destitution so well as Georgians, or feel so deep an interest in it? The same is true of other portions of our State. Now, I believe money can be raised by the Georgia Convention for this State i work which docs not go to any benevolent I object. Then, I believe that our Bible and Colpor- I teur Society is inadequate, as it now exists, ! for a general and efficient system of State I Colportage. It has not, it does not now, en list the co-operation of Georgia Baptists. Even its’anniversaries, though held in connec tion with the Convention, do not receive even | the encouragement of the presence of most of i its members. It seems to be regarded as a I sort of outside affair, and has been kept alive I by the energy of a few brethren. I should not allude to these deficiencies did I not believe that they can be remedied. We need a better plan. You alludeto the success of Virginia in this work. It is gratifying. 1 What is her plan? Please get and publish it. 1 I want the best plan for this important, and | distressingly urgent necessity. I have thought of this plan. Let the Col ' porteur Society turn over its work to the Con ; veution, and go into liquidation. Let the \ Mfrsidns and Colportage.” Let a general Su ‘perintendent be elected annually by the Con vention, with a sufficient salary to take charge of the work. It would be his duty to raise , funds to support Celporteurs in whole, or in • [ part, in connection with churches and associa ! tions ; to select Colporteurs, to aid destitute churches and communities, in securing preach ing and raise funds to aid in their support; to ' purchase books and Bibles, wherever needed by Colporteurs, Missionaries, or Sunday Schools. The Convention may raise a Com mittee of three, or more brethren, at some suitable point, with whom the Superintendent may counsel; to whom he may make quar terly reports; and one of whom may- act as treasurer; but let him report annually to the Convention, and receive his appointment from that body direct. I should have said, in the proper place, that all the Colporteurs and Missionaries should I report quarterly or monthly to the General ’ Agent. Some of the advantages of this plan would ! be: Ist. The employment of much talent in the ministry now almost useless, and the sup ply of destitution not reached by any existing ■ agencies. 2d. The securing of a State evati ; gelist, in the work of the Superintendent. ' 3rd. Creating a deeper interest in the work of Home missions; giving much more interest to the sessions of our Con veution, and carry- • ing out more fully the terms of its Constitu , tion, viz : (1.) "To unite the influence and pi ■ ous intelligence of Georgia Baptists, and thereby to facilitate their union and coopera tion. (2.) To form and encourage plans for the revival of experimental and practical re ligion in the St itc and elsewhere.” 4th. The accomplishment of more good with less ex pense. We ne ed no book Depository in this work. All the expense of rent, salary of Depository agent, -.Ce., is obviated. The Supcrintcndeiil would buy books where they could be had on ; the best terms, and order them direct to the i point where they are needed. He could thus i secure books to the destitute, and to colpor i teurs, cheaper than any depository can furnish i them. He could obtain them of the publish j ers at the price allowed to “she trade.” j There would not, by this plan, be a dollar i needed for any purpose, but to promote the ; work directly, unless the salary of theGener .al agent be so considered. Even this cannot i properly be regarded as an exception. The great obstacle in the way of the plan ■ is, to seeiire the right man to take charge of ( the work. He must be a good preacher, pos sessing the power of representing the great work efl"ectively to any congregation. He must be a man of experience, good judgment, ' great practical wisdom, and a good share of financial skill; must be generally acceptable to the denomination, and deeply devoted to the work for the Master’s sake. Can such a man be found ? Ido not Know; but I hope the Convention would be able to point out the right man. I have thus given you an outline of a plan * which iit seems to the would be practicable and simple, and one that would supply ade sioEaxiTM in the benevolent efforts of Geor gia Baptists. S. LANDRUM. Snctittnah, Jan. %ssh, !S*H. ' er speak of a man’s virtues to his I fists, nor of his faults behind his back. For the Banner & Baptist. Jesus mid the “Three Witnesses.”-- 1 John 5:8. For 1800 years, they have stood by the highway of Christian experience, and have cried to the children of men, “This is the way, i walk ye in it.” These three witnesses are “Z/ze Holy Spirit,” and “Z/«e Water of Bap tisms and “Z/zs Blood of the Lord's Supper.” ' The Holy Bible says, “ there are three that bear record, the Spirit and the Water and the Blood.” These three are God's witnesses and are enti- j tied to the utmost belief, for the Oth verse ' says, “If we receive the witness of -men, the ' witness of God is greater.” The testimony : which God furnishes us by the mouth of these ■ three witnesses, ought to be believed more readily than all other witnesses. Yea, let God be true—let His holy word be believed, tho’ “every man be a liar,” —though every man’s testimony be set aside. Let me believe God, although every human being tell me just the contrary of what God tells me. These Three God- Witnesses have one. great work to do. They are to prear/z Jesus. For the 9th verse says, “For this is the witness of God, which He hath testified of His Son.” The distinct unequivocal commission under which they act is this: “Go ye, my witnesses, into all the world, and preach to every creature — Jesus ; for, through you, I shall testify of my Son. These Three God- Witnesses of Jesus are to preach in perfect harmony. Each will pro claim precisely what the others do. For God says of them, “ These Three agree in on,e.” When these Three God-Witnesses of Jesus have laid down their testimony, what will it be? What shall that unanimous, concurring record be ? Blessed be God !we have the answer. For God himself tells ns in the 11th verse, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this, life is in His Son.” Then, these three witnesses eome be fore us. The testimony of each one is this : Ist. Salvation is a gif'l. 2d. When once bestowed, salvation is eter nal. 3rd. This eternal salvation is in the Son of God, and in Him hZdne. The Holy Spirit is an internal witness, for God says, in the 10th verse, “He that believ eth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself.” The two other witnesses are exter nal. That which “Z//e Spirit” teaches me in ternally, “the Water” and “the Blood” teach es me externally: for, “these three agree in one.” The oftener I look within me and re view the t; ashings of “the Spirit,” the better prepared shall 1 be to see the significance of “the Water,” and to experience the precious ness of “the Blood.” When convicted by “the Spirit,” 1 saw my self entirely polluted, sinful all over, “from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot,” and therefore in need of an entire washing, a total cleaning. And when this utter helpless ness was felt, and 1 like Paul had “aiedfi then “the Spirit” took of the things that were Christ’s and showed them to mo,” and I feupd life eternal, and “this life was in His Son.” Then come my baptism. (First, Faith by “the Spirit,” then “the Water.”) And my baptism taught me butdardly that which the Spirit had already taught me inwardly. For now J see that God has given me the external form, the ont.Ward ceremony, to strengthen, and not to supercede the internal grace. In that baptism was repeated to my soul, “the record,” or testimony “that God hath testified of His Son.” Salvation was a gift; for I was entirely corrupt and had need of a total “washing of regeneration” by the Spirit, of which thus “having my body washed' with pure water,” from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot,” waj the outward sym bol. Yea, I was “dead” and was to be “buri ed in baptism;” and if raised at all, either to “newness of life” tn this world, or to the final glory of the other, must be raised by another even Jesus. And that total washing, that en tire submerging, taught me afresh what “the Spirit” had already taught,—namely, that this Giftoi God through Jesus Christ was Eter nal life. For, the hope offmal glory, and the love?of Jesus, imparted to me<by ‘the Spirit,’ were not more eternal in their prospects than was the teaching of “the Water"-—wherein 1 was “washed and sanctified,” and “raised to newness of life,” washed once, and once only, and that forever. Then come “the Blood.” (Mark again the Gospel order, first, Faith, by “the, Spirit,” then Baptism and ZZtea the Lord’s Supper.— “The Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood.”) There, blessed be God 1 I have sat again and again, and have read in “blood” “the re cord that God gave of His Son.” And it is evermore the same lesson, precious to him who hath “the Spirit.” “As often as” we look upon “the Blood” and drink thereof, we re joice that Ist. Salvation is a Gift. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift! 2nd. The free gift of God is Eternal life; and 3rd. That life eternal “is in His Son.” “Our sins and griefs on him were laid ; He meekly bore the mighty load ; Our ransom price he fully paid, In groans and tears, in sweat and blood.” “There is a fountain tilled with blood, Drawn frog) Etiwnuefs veins: And sinners plunged benrtith that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.” A. T. 8. For the Banner 4 Baptist. Malvern Hill, Feb. 27, 18(51. Dear Brethren:—The superficial observer may even exclaim, with some degree of rap ture, “We are living : in an age on ages tell ing, when to be living is sublime.” Events startling and world-moving, press so rapidly on each other, we feel bewildered amid the solemn greatness of the times. That which strikes the interested beholder with wonder, is the condition bet ween the moral and po litical world, in their action and re action, as the one by an over-ruling Providence is made to indicate the future course of the other. Somehow, in all the p st, great political revo lutions and changes have had no little to do in giving direction to the work of the Christian wor’J. To this view of the subject, I would point attention. It is perfectly legitimate for us as Christians to seek to know the Divine will in regard t<» his wonderful providential dealings with us. Has God no design, look ing to the interests of His Kingdom, in estab lishing a confederacy of nations—in isolating a people so peculiar in their political, social, and religious creed ? Is there nothing in all this singular organization that nfay give com fort. and impart energy to the defenders of true faith? Are we not taught the Supreme W isdom of the Great Head of the church in the peculiar characteristic of his spiritual or ganization, by the failure of all constitutional governments to promote the ends of justice, happiness, and peace ? It seems from these considerations. that the Baptists of the Southern Confederacy, are brought to grapple with two of the most vital I and absorbing questions of any age, fundamcn- ! tai as they are—“ The Gospel plan of Evan- I gelization,” and “The lievision of the Scrip tures,” so as to give us the pure, unadulterat ed word of God. The first has been agitated to some extent only among us. Far in ad vance of others in beholding those first prin ciples necessary to success, it becomes us to occupy that foremost post, which Providence seems to have designated. The fate of a lie public, modeled in its main feature? after the , Baptist church, but now become consolidated j by the natural concentration of power, bids us, j in our church policy, beware, beware ! On i this point, suffice it to say, the safety of the Baptist church, the safety of the world, de pends on a plan of spiritual propagandism, that guards with unabating vigilance intense, individual sovereignty or independence; in other words, our safety is in a return to first principles. The second is a work termed by some, the work of the age, for w hich we are none the less fitted. I venture to affirm, without the fear of successful contradiction, that no people in Christendom can, or are prepared to give a true version of the Sacred Scriptures, but the Southern Baptists. lam a friend to Revision, de fqelo. 1 never have, have not now, nor never expect to have any connexion w ith the present movement. The motive was good, the plan wrong. Revision of the Oracles of God, belong only to the church that receives them in extenso, verbatim el literatim. No grand religious, spiritual movement that is dependent for its succeSs on mere pnlicy, can ever succeed. It will fail to secure the Divine approbation. Therefore, the work of Revis ion belongs to Southern Baptists. Two ques tions, the one affecting the social, material in terests of the world ; the other the purity of the church in its organization, are viewed by that one Body of Christians in the world from the same stand-point, fixed on the sole authori ty of the Bible. A European nation cannot give a true, unadulterated version of the Scriptures, for it would refuse to translate “doulos.” Neither the Catholic, nor the Epis copalian, nor the Dissenter, for they would, in common, refuse to translate “Baplizo.” The Northern people are fast failing to give a pure version of the “ Word,” because they refuse to translate “doulos.” The Northern Baptists must fail for like reason, while all Pedo-bap tists, both North aud South, cannot do it, be cause they refuse to translate “ Baptizo, ” though the latter could give a correct transla tion of “doulos.” It is, therefore, a strong in dication of our responsibility, as seen from the striking developments of the present. The work is ours. The current of events sets in the right direction. “Ho, every true Baptist to the rescue.” “There is ft title in the affairs of men, When taken at the flood, leads on to fortune - ” MALVERN. For the Banner & Baptist 11ERCER mVERSITY.-A<i. 2. The public, as well as Baptists, should sup port Mercer University because it is the best of all our Colleges. Os this, I will give my reader ample proof before 1 close this scries; but in this Number will offer but one or two reasons. It is the best of Colleges, because it has the best endowment. It may be asked, “what has that to do with it?” I answer it, has much to do with it. It enables the Trus tees to procure the most competent teachers; to elevate the standard of scholarship; to be independent of Tuition fees. This, it is per ceived at once, will make it necessary for an applicant to be prepared for the position he seeks; and after he has entered to faithfully perform his duties, or depart. The Faculty are under no necessity of compromising mat ters with him inorder to procure their “daily bread.” 1 discover from looking over the list of the Professors, that they are the very men to in sist on thorough scholarship. They combine youth with tho experience of sufficient age. They are men of energy and experience; aud in their respective departments are at home. It is my decided conviction 'that, taken as a whole, they have no equals, in the whole land for competency, energy, and efficiency. One example of their conduct of the Insti tution may be given in their examinations. At the end of each collegiate year, a thorough and rigid examinat.on is had upon all the studies over which the class has passed during that period. The same written questions are handed each student as he enters the room where the ex amination is held. These questions are valued by the Professor at such amount ns he thinks right: and each student promises not to get aid from any book, or person, in solving the questions, or giving the translations. If he can answer properly, he gets the full value of the question. If not, he fails by that much of receiving the highest amount. It is per ceived that this method of examination allows time for reflection, gives a student the entire command of himself, and makes him self-re liant. And it is very evident that a course of such instruction continued for four y<ars, will have much to do with the mental culture of the student. Every recitation during the whole course, is made to bear upon the final examination. In awarding honors, which I think is a very questionable policy, this has much to do in determining the relative stand ing of each student; and affords one of the easiest, aud most equitable methods of adju dication. The endowment enables the Trus tees to procure the best Professors; and also enables them to elevate the standard of schol arship, and act independently of all contingen lies. Such an Institution has claims upon the “good public.” But I would not have my reader believe that the Trusteee have all the endowment they need. By no means. They have an agent under rppointment now to raise enough for another chair. And when he comes along, let'me request you to treat him as a “orqtbcr beloved.” BETA. LADIES' EOLIM, ’ Fur the Banner 4 Baptist. THE BLESSIVG OF THE SABB ATH. BY I’iKCONNUE. Accept our thanks, 0, gracious God ’ For this sweet day of peace and rest ; What would we be without this boon, — When Heaven comes down—and we arc blest Life would apjiear a dreary void. To us immersed in worldly care, Without these rests along the road, Where we may pause for praise and prayer. Father, we love this day of days. Our souls have fed on heavenly food, From thy high Throne, Faith’s lovely rays, Descend on us a radiant flood. Within the temple, 0, how sweet ’ To listen to thy holy word, And feel that round thy mercy-eeat, abides the presence of the Lord. Oft mid the bustle and the din, Os week-day cares we feel depressed, While all the waves of earth and sin seem, rolling o’er the weary breast Then, O, how welcome and how sweet, Thy light of this celestial morn ; Tumultuous thoughts, away, away! New hopes within our souls are born. At peace within, —our sins forgiven, Nothing hath power our faith to move! Upward our thoughts are borne to Heaven, Wafted on high by songs of love. From the Christian Repository. CHARACTERISTICS. BY MRS. F. Ji. GARNETT. “Keep thy tongue f rom evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”. Observation proves that there is some di versity in the physical conformation of the human frame. We find in the countenances of those around us almost every variety of expression. The faces of some individuals arc enlivened by such an expression of sweet- , ness and amiability, that we feel, upon ap proaching them, as if we could at once take them into our confidence, and .bestow upon them the endearing appellation of friend. They have about them that instantaneous pass port to the affections which is almost irresisti ble. Their opposites are those of stern, in flexible visage, whose features seldom relax into a smile—the unmistakable language of those countenances is, -‘thus far shalt thou c-.me, and no farther.” We would as soon expect warmth from an iceberg, as the genial influences of friendship from such a source. Again, we find the cunning, artful man, who, by the subdued twinkle of his deeply-set eye, evinces the predominating character of his na ture. Thus we find upon a careful study of the “human face divine,” that the emotions of men’s heart's, and the predominant characteris tics of their nature, are often legibly engraven upon their countenances. We might multi ply examples, but these are sufficient for our present purpose. « This diversity is not confined to the physi- ■■ cal organization, but is also apparent in the mental and moral. Some individuals are. re markable for an ungoverned temper; others labor under a more serious evil—an unbridled tongue. It is of this we would speak. Tne evils of the tongue are “legion,” for they are many ; and as the diversified coun tenances of individuals indicate the predomi nuting feelings of their nature, so “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” We cannot divine how an individual can be • really pious with an unbridled tongue; for the apostle expressly declares, “ifany among you seem to be religious, and bridle not his tongue, that man’s religion is vain.” Christians, or professors of Christianity at least, shot Id in vestigate this subject carefully and faithfelly with reference to their own condition, as an unbridled temper is an unmistakable evidence of a vain religion. We would first inquire into the evils of the tongue. What are they ( Loquacity being the genus, we will consider the species as they naturally suggest themselves. First in order is tale-bearing, more genteel ly denominated gossiping, practiced by a very knowing class of individuals, christened bodies. This has been considered the predom inant characteristic of the female, more par ticularly, “single ladies of an uncertain age.” But we exculpate those honorable members of society from tbe entire odium of this, for tho’ they deal liberally in the article of gossip, yet, as a class, they are. not more inclined to indulge in it than the more fortunate of their sex, and are much more excusable. Nor is this sin confined to woinan. There are numbers of the self-styled “lords of crea tion,” who condescend to retail the current rumor. The office of tale bearer is sufficient ly degrading to the character of woman, who is denominated the weaker vessel, but man pro fesses to be graduated upon a different scale; indeed, claims a higher, intellectual position in the scale of being. Should not, then, the crimson of shame mantle his cheek at the re flection that he ever descends from his eleva ted position to mingle in the petty affairs, sui ted only to the tastes and capacities of the weaker sex ? but, “True it is, and pity ’tis true.” We include in our reflections gossips, both male and female. Hear what the apostle says with regard to this class: 1 Thes. 3:11, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, work ing not at all, but nxe busy-bodies.” 1 Tim. 5: 13, “And withal they learn to be idle, wan dering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.” 1 Peter 4: 15, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy-body in other men’s matters,” To say the least of it, the busy-body is found' in very bad company. The developments of this passion for talking are various. We give an example: Miss Hetty Wise enters the parlor of her confidential friend, Mrs. Anderson, with the exclamation, “Oh, tell me, Mrs. A., have you heard the report —Bob Watson and his wife ?” “Bless me, no I What is it? lam dying of impatience to hear it.” “Well—its a secret, mind you, aud you must promise me sacredly that you will not tell any one, not even Mr. Anderson.” “Os course, I will not. But, pray, don’t keep me waiting.” “You know 1 said when they were married, that they would not get along well—she a perfect vixen, and a tyrant,” “Yes, yes, I know, Hetty; but do tell whafs to payß “I don’t much like, to talk after negroes, Mrs. Anderson ; but they can tell the truth, and their house-girl, Dolly, told our Judy that they had a real storm there the other morn ing.” “What in the world was it about, Hetty ?” “Well, when Bob sat down to table,he said that tho coffee was not fit for a dog to drink, and he did wish she would attend > the eook ing, so that he could have soim. u omfort in eating. But if she had, it would have been no better, for she knows nothing about do mestic aflairs. ’Tis a wonder tome that men will marry such girls.” “Please go on, Hetty. 1 want to hear In w they settled it.” “Did’nt settle it at all. She flew in a greit passion ; declared he was the most cruel man she ever saw, and went off to her father’s,” “Ido wonder I Well, I always said no good would come of her. She gives herself ■ too many airs, and thinks herself above peo ple that’s as good as she is. I ain’t a bit sor ry—not a bit.” “Well, 1 must go, Mrs. A,; but don’t say a word about this, for your life. It’s a profound secret.” So saying, Hetty hurries off to repeat the story to all of he confidential friends, white Mrs. Anderson hurridly dons her bonnet, for getful of her solemn pledge of secrecy, and rehearses it to the curious of her set, and it goes the rounds until the rumor is current that Mr. Watson and his wife have separated. “Behold what a groat matter a little fire kin dleth.” There are no precincts too sacred for the in vasion of these busy-bodies. Their investiga ting minds explore the domain of each indi vidual in their vicinity, and “No pent up Utica contracts their powers." They mak< exploring expeditions into more remote localities, gathering up information for the edification of the curious of their coterie. I have heard it said of a certain village, that a house-keeper could not have a turkey cooked for dinner but it was known all over the place in half an hour. The industrious habits of these feisy-bodies cannot be snrpass ,l. They are kind enough to attend to all the small work in their line free of charge. The result of ail tins'is most melancholy. Th- peace and harmony of communities is broken up. Families are often deprived of domestic quiet; churches riven, asunder, and evils almost innumerable follow fe the train of those who engage in this demoralizing bu siness. It l;—om<'s i:s, in view of those facts, to watch the tongue carefully, remembering that we must account to God in the judgment for our government of it. Let ub guard vigil antly every word, pray earnestly for divine assistance in our work of reformation, and ve ry soon busy-bodies, as a class, will become extinct.