Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

BY HORNADY & ELLS. VOL. HI. ’ Ilf § §3i|tist, DEVOTED TO RELIGION AND LITERATURE, Is published evevy Saturday, at Atlanta, Georgia, at the subscription price of throe dollars per year. HORN AD Y & ELLS, Editors and Proprietors. 11. O. Jlornady.] [James N. Ells. A Day In October- Ok 1 glorious the morning dawns, The soul is steep’d in blissful calm ; While heaven from or', a golden urn PoursVer the earth ethereal balm. My heart is full of quiet joy, A peaceful, tranquil, dreamy bliss, As when I take my mother's hand— Receive her blessing with her kiss. The care, the wear and tear of life Are all forgot, while blissful test Comes like a dove from heaven dow r n, And builds within my heart her nest. O, life is like elysium, When days like this their glory bring; While in my over-happy heart Exultant joy-birds sit and sing. My soul is full of tuneful praise For this sweet day of dreamy biiss; And queries if, in Paradise, There can be rarer days than this. Too full my heart has grown for song— The music dies within my breast; I can no more the strain prolong; O, glorious day! here will I rest. 'Passages in tlie Life of an Old (Georgia Preacher. NUMBER I. The writer of these “ Passages ” belongs to a generation of preashers, nearly all of whom have passed away. Ho writes in the hope that the dealings of God towards him may encourage and strengthen some who may come after him. At least he may be indulged in thus calling to remembrance the goodness of the Lord, and recording Mis mercy and grace towards one who of ten feels himself to be “the chief of sin ners.” 1 am a native Georgian —was born of poor parents, whose education was so limit ed that they could barely read and write. My father was a profane man. My moth er , I can scarcely trust myself even now to speak of her. I know she was nat urally sinful. But she became pious when I was an infant in her frail arms, and my earliest recollections are associated with her pale, sad face, a racking cough, and her patient, uncomplaining manner. It is with difficulty I can bring myself to think of her as a mere mortal, i regarded her then, and do now, as almost an angel. But I record it, with shame ami sorrow, that even the influence of such a mother could not control the depravity of my na ture. At an early age l began to indulge in profane swearing, Sab bath-breaking, and other sins. For years, as I thought, I had managed to conceal these things from my mother. But I was mistaken. And when she would take me into her closet, admon ish me and pray for me, 1 would bo deeply mortified, and make to myself many pro mises of reformation. I lor pray ws prevailed at lust, for in my sixteenth year I was brought to see myself a lost sinner. For months the struggle was tearful. But Christ conquered at last, and the wayward youth was found sitting at the feet of Jesus, “ clothed and in his right mind.” It was all of free, sovereign, abounding grace. In the first moments of the blessedness of one whose .sins art for given, my heart was drawn out in fervent prayer for the salvation of sinners; and a! most before l dared to confess that 1 loved Christ, l found myself exhorting my com panions. Under the advice of that pious mother and other judicious Christians, 1 of fered to the church, was accepted and bap tirnf in November, 1822. It was ft season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. I have known but few conversions, except in times of revival. We had the company of several thought less young persons at my fathers the night after my baptism, visiting my three sisters, who were also irreligious. After supper my mother took me aside and told me she wished me to pray with the family. Said she had consulted my father, who made no objections. With a trembling 1 went for ward. 1 had been hut recently delivered from the horrible pit and miry clay. My heart was full of the love of Christ.— Around me were an ungodly father, three a, ysisMi nwsf&s’is. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, OCTOBER 18, 1862. lovely sisters and other friends, all stran gers to God. I poured forth my soul unto God. The Spirit came down with mighty power, and all. were melted around me. From that night my father’s house became a house of prayer ; for—at his request 1 kept up family worship as long as he lived. He never made a public profession of reli gion, though he was a greatly altered man. My sisters were soon converted and bap tized, and fny mother died two years after wards, in the cenfident hope that all her family would follow her to the better land. In a few weeks after I had “ put on Christ,” at a young converts’ prayer-meet ing, it was made my duty to exhort and pray. These services were performed with many misgivings, but with an earnest de sire to be useful. In a few months the old ministers would have me go into the pulpit and exhort after they had preached. The wonderful effects which seemed to be pro duced by these exhortations I think now were, in a good degree, the results of sym pathy for my extreme youth. Yet the Lord owned those weak efforts, and f have learn ed therefrom that the usefulness and happi ness of young Christians depend much upon the older members of the church. Harrison. Elder Dwight Hays. BY REV. W. N. CHAUDOIN. The subject of this sketch was born in the State of North Carolina, August 23d, A. D. 1803, and died August 12th, 1853, at his residence in Mitchell county, Georgia, wanting but eleven days to make him fifty nine years old. He was for thirty years of that time an ordained minister of the Gos pel. Ife commenced his ministerial career in his native State, (we think,) North Car olina, but the larger part of it was in South Carolina, from which State he moved to South-western Georgia six or eight years ago, or possibly longer. W e propose now to sketch, briefly, his character and minis- try : i. His character. Brother Hays was an industrious man, in the fullest sense of the word. He could not be idle, physically or mentally. He labored very hard in his old age, and his illness, congestion of the brain, which was unto death, if not in-ought on by, was contracted during great exer tions and exposure, in assisting a married daughter whose husband left home for the war the day before her father died. Am ple proof that he was mentally active, was given to ail who knew his ability as an ex pounder of the Scriptures. Pew men, with such limited opportunities, ever be came as proficient. And originality was stumped upon almost every idea. Elder Hays was likewise a conscientious man; and regardless of consequences, he said and did what he believed right. Mis was a firmness and persistency in the prosecution of right , and was not intimidated by the voice of public opinion. W hen once he took a position he was immovable to a fault ; for, if wrong, he could hardly ever be convinced. But not. less remarkable waft he as an honest man— i the noblest work of God.’— With an extensive knowledge of human nature, with all its corruptions, he never theless spurned everything low or mean in himself or others. He was open, out spoken and high toned. Besides these clear!) developed traits in his character, it may be truly said, there were few equal-- t<> him in the various relations of husband, father, neighbor or citizen, in ft word, aside from the preju dices which he, iu common with most men of his time and training, imbibed-—he was a model man. 2. But we must notice him in his offend character, and while the writer feels incom petent to do him justice as a man, he is much more so, to wreak of his true merits, u as a good minister of Jesus Christ.’ As such, he was a faithful minister. Ile preached —he would preach. Though in • the beginning of his ministry and through : most of his career a poor man, and very poor, yet he continually preached. If organized churches did not invite him, with promises of salary, he would act as pioneer missionary, ami still preach, in open air, under trees, often breaking the (ice, if not able to bear him, and often [swimming streams to preach to his little congregation by hr* * n ’T 00 ft * r< “his banner over” us is “love.” Would that the writer could relate now his labors, as he has heard from the lips of the venerable man! Father Hays was truly a sober minister— a minister “ not given to any wine.” He was, notwithstanding the customs and views prevalent in his early ministry, al ways a arm and tast friend of every tem perance movement. And to his honor be it said, on this as on other subjects, he practised what he preached. He was, likewise, a missionary. Per haps no one minister in this or any other State, ever came more frequently in con tact with, or more firmly contested the anti-missionary principle. This was so, for the two-fold reason, that he made it his practice, as it was his principle to combat error wherever he met it; and a great part of his ministry being that of a pioneer mis sionary, it led him into the more supersti tious, unenlightened, and one-idea commu nities, where are the strongholds of anti missions; and the generalship and strategy with which he fought those battles, were truly praiseworthy. Elder Hays was also a Baptist minister— a Bible Baptist, a Baptist fi-oin principle.— He loved their peculiar tenets, not merely on church government and ordinances, but especially the doctrines of grace. lie preached what he believed, fearlessly, faith fully, plainly, but in good spirit. He was consistent and decided, made no compro mises, and while as a Christian, a man of catholic spirit, as a Baptist minister he min gled officially only with those he would or could commune with. This he has fre quently told the writer was his course from the day he entered the ministry. His con ception of consistency would never let him act otherwise. Let it suffice, to add to what has been said, that Bro. Hays was a Gospel preacher. He preached not the wisdom of men, nor did he preach the gospel with man’s wis dom. He was not an educated man in the common acceptation of the term. When he entered the ministry he was not able scarcely to read, but by energy and perse verance, he made himself a fair reader, and by diligence in the study of the Scriptures, and a few choice religious books, an active and original mind, and a most extensive knowledge of human nature, he became a plain, sound, Bible preacher. He was in some respect' an able minister. His mind took hold of some of the deep doctrines with a strong grasp, and hence he was very clear, often, in their elucidation, fastening them on the mind by suitable and original figures or illustrations, and plain language. The character of his preaching was to give God all the glory for grace in election, ef fectual calling, repehtance, faith, justifica tion, perseverance in everything, and leav ing the sinner helpless and dependent on the grace of God. A’s an evidence of his Theological views, 1 may simply state, that he was exceedingly fond of “ Dagg’s Man ual of Theology.” Motes on the Cio-pel by Mark, With a Decision of the Vommon English Version, BV ft. M. CKVWrOHD. Chapter. Viit. 1 In those days, the mul titude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called Ids disciples and saith unto them, 12.] 1 have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days and have nothing to cat; [-t ] and if I ssnd them away to their homes fasting, they will faint by the way, for divers ol them have come from far. pI.J And the disciples answered him. From whence can any one satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness ■ [•'*] And he asked them, How many loaves have ye 1 And they said, Seven. [6] And he command ed the multitude to lie down on the ground; and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to Ids dbeiples to set be fore them ; and they did set them before the multitude, [lj And they had a few -mall fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them . (%] And they ate and were filled; and they took up ot the fragments that were left seven baskets, [hi And they that ate were about four thousand; and he sent them away. [lo] And immediately he entered i- ' - the ship with his disciples, and came, into the parts of Daftnanutha. [lt] And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him. (12] — And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Whv doth this generation ask for a sign ? Veri ly, Isay unto you, there shall no sign he given unto this generation. [l3] And he left them, and entering into the ship again, depot ted to the other side. - [l4] And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and had with them in the ship only one loaf. [ls] And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod. [l6] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We have no bread. [l7] And Jesus, knowing it, saith unto them, Why reason ye, that ye have no bread ? Do yc not yet perceive nor understand ? Have ye your heart yet hardened ? [lß] Having eyes, see yc not? And having ears, hear ye not ? And do ye not remember ? [l9] When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? They say unto him, Twelve. [2o] And when the seven among the four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took yc up ? And they said, Seven. [2l] And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand ? [22] And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and beseech him to touch him. [23] And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and having spit on his eyes he put his hands upon him, and asked him if he saw any thing. [24] — And he looked up and said, I see the men, for I perceive them, as trees, walking. [2s] Then lie put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up : and he was restored and saw ev ery man clearly. [26] And he sent him away to his home, saying, Neither go into the village, nor tell it to any in the village. NOTES. I. Very great. In spite of all the oppo sition of the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was still very popular, as is shown by the multitude following Him under circumstan ces so unfavorable —having had no regular meal for three days, and at a distance from home. 4. Whence, Kc.: forgetting the former miracle when a larger number was fed from a less store. 0:38. Wilderness, in De capolis, but its precise locality is unknown. 5. Seven. This was the provision which they carried for their own use. 0. See n. 6 : 39. Gave thanks. As God gives us our daily food, we should, with thankful hearts, recognize Him as the Giver. 7. Blessed. 0 : 41. 9. Four thousand, besides women and children. Matt. 15:38. Sent them away. We must not expect our natural wants to be supplied in a miraculous manner. ‘ln the sweat of thy face, thou shall eat bread,’ is the general law. 10. The ship. 3: 9. Dalmanutha , a town near Magdala (Matt. 15: 39), on the western shore of the sea of Galilee, north of Tiberias. 11. A sign from heaven. As if the proofs given in Ills miracles were not sufficient, they demanded some visible prodigy from the heavens. Trying him: urging Him to attempt a wonder for which there was no necessity. If He succeeded, His mission would be no better attested than it already was; if He failed, it would disparage all that He had done. 12. This generation. The Jews who had already received so many signs and won ders. both in former times and now in the ministry of Jesus. JKo sign : no such sign as they demanded. Matthew 16: 4. 13. Other side , the eastern. 15. Leaven of the Pharisees. ■ As leaven alfeets meal, so the teaching of leaders af fects the character of their followers. The teaching of the Pharisees was bad, foa it was hypocrisy (Luke 12:1), and for the commandments of God substituted the tra dition of the elders. Of Herod: i. e., of the Herodian party who were Saddueecs in religion. U>. Another evidence of the dullness of the disciples who were still ‘slow to be lieve.’ Luke 24 : 25. I 17 Knowing it, by His divine omnisci jence. , , IS. Wot remember } . e., the miracles ot | feeding the multitudes. 19. 6; 48, 44. 20 v. 8, 9. 21 How is it, dec J viz., that He re ferred to the instructions of the Pharisees Led Sad-iueees. Matthew 16: 12. *>9 Bethsaida. This was Bethsaida | s„ called in honor of Julia the I laughter of the emperor Augustus, n. 6: }5 Touch him , i. e’., with a view to his I being cured. 23. Out of the village. The blind man j not a resident of Bethsaida, and as Jesus intended to send him immediately i home He cures him outside of the town. ! Cy, if There was no virtue or healing elh* caev in this, but Jesus chooses to make it 1 the medium of 1 lis grace. He continues to | ma ke use of the humblest means. 1 Cos. 1: j 128; 2 Cos. 4: 7. TERMS —Three Dollars a-tear. 24. As trees, walking. He saw the men imperfectly, and distinguished them from trees only- by their locomotion. 25. Again. Probably his sight was re stored gradually that he might see Jesus and recognise Him as the author of the miracle even before it was completed. Clearly. —The cure was now perfect. As in this case, so in the spiritual sight which Christ bestows, it frequently happens that the believer at first sees but dimly ; but his light ‘ shineth more and more unto the perfect day.’ Prov. 4 : 18. 26. Sent him away , doc. He had no use for the immediate service of the man, and besides He was now avoiding the crowds ; but He does not forbid the man to tell every one at his own home. V. A. Bell’s Report. Acwortii, Ga., Oct. 3, 1862. Dear Brother Jlornady : 1 now make my report for last month : l went up as far as Knoxville, Tenn., in tending to visit General Smith’s army in Kentucky, but, in consequence of having to cross the mountains on foot, I declined go ing and came back to Loudon. There 1 found several sick soldiers, to whom I gave what tracts I had with me. While there, I witnessed a scene which showed the secu rity of the Christian and the insecurity of the sinner. In one of the hospitals lay a noble looking young man ; a smile lit up his countenance; he had been very sick, but was slowly recovering. ‘Are you a Christian?’ I asked. ‘I hope so,’ he replied; ‘ I feel perfectly secure in the hands of my Saviour, and His spirit gives me great comfort.’ By his side lay another young man ; groan after groan escaped his lips.— When 1 asked of his spiritual welfare, his reply was, ‘ No hope, no hope, without God and without hope in the world.’ Thus we see the difference between the sinner and the Christian in the hours of affliction. — Many instances could I enumerate of the same kind, had I the time and space. From Loudon I went to Tunnel Hill, where I found many sick, and had quite a pleasant meeting with the convalescent. I then w T ent to Ringgold, where I finished the labors of the past month. I have collected 817.50, preached fifteen times, delivered three exhortations, and held one prayer meeting; the balance of the time I spent in private conversations with the soldiers. I have witnessed one conversion, and found many who were in quiring the way to Heaven. My field seems to he widening. Pray for me, that God may continue to bless the labors which, through weakness, l am trying to dispense among the soldiers. Yours, in Christ, V. A. Bell, Give Your Child a Newspaper.— A child beginning to read becomes delighted with a ne vspaper, because he reads of names and thin, s which are very familiar, and will make progress accordingly. A newspaper in one year is worth a quarter’s schooling to a child, arid every father must consider that substantial information is con nected with advancement. A mind occu pied becomes fortified against the ills of life, and is braced for any emergency.— Children amused by reading and study, are aro of course more considerate and more easily governed. How many thoughtless young men have spent their evenings in a tavern or grogshop, who ought to have been reading ? How many parents who have not spent twenty dollars for books for their families, would have given thousands to reclaim a son or daughter who had ig norantly and thoughtlessly fallen into temptation. Anecdote of the Triers. —There came a learned man and one of the weak breth ren, and contended for a place. Saith our deceased brother to him that was learned, < What is faith ? ’ Who answered him dis creetly according to the learning of the schools. Then he demanded the same question of the other, who replied, that faith was a sweet lullaby in the lap of Jesus. At wh'ch words our deceased bro ther, lifting up ht s hands to heaven, cried 1 Blessed be the Lord, who hath revealed these things unto the simple. Friend, thou shalt have the living.’— [Peter's Pottery. Wise men make more opportunities than they find. NO. 48.