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SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST, ' X THE CHRISTIAN HERALD,
of Alabama. of Tennessee.
ESTABLISHED I 811.
Table of Contents.
First Page—Alabama Department: Attemp
ted Assassination of the President; Ala
bama Baptist Convention. The Religious
Press.
Second Page—Our Pulpit: "The Natural
Philosophy of the Bible’’-Rev. W. T.
Cheney, Augusta, Ga. In Memoriam—
Jewett G. Devotie. Mission Department.
Third Page—The Sunday-School: Moses
and Aaron—Lesson for July 24th ; Lesson
Five: Moses and the Magicians—Lesson
for July 31st.
Fourth Page—Editorials: Responsibility for
Crime; wives Slandered; Who Shot the
President; Glimpses and Hints; Georgia
Baptist News; Meetings of Georgia Asso
ciations for 1881:
Fifth Page—Secular Editorials: The Expo
sition ; Books and Magazines; Resurgam
—poetry—Charles W. Hubner; Literary
Notes and Comments; Georgia News.
Sixth Page—The Hopsehold : Life Pictures
—poetry-, The Other Train that is Coming;
Sleep; Fashion Notes. Obituaries.
Seventh Page—The Farmer’s Index: Re
fri"eratiilg Without Ice; Bermuda Grass-
Mark A. Cooper.
Eighth Page—Florida Department: Corres
pondence; Board Meetings; The South
Florida Union; Letter from Little River,
etc., etc.
Alabama Department.
BY SAMUEL HKTTDBJRSON’.
ALABAMA STATE CONVENTION.
Our readers will concur with us in
t the belief, based on the report of its
proceedings, that the recent session of
this body at Troy was one of marked
interest and rich promise for the fu
ture. The large attendance, the able
discussions, the enlightened policy, the
warmth of love and zeal, —all testify
that the Convention grows, year by
year, in interest, and vigor, and power
for good. Qod has given our brethren
In Alabsmr as fine a field of hopeful
labor as our country anywhere pre
sents ; and we rejoice in the conspic
uous tokens of a purpose on their part
to meet the responsibilities of their po
sition. The name of the State may
mean, “Here we rest,” but their motto
seems, more and mere, to be, “Here we
work !”
We regret that the proceedings have
reached us only in part—though we
have delayed our publication a day to
receive them.
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION
OF THE PRESIDENT.
Never have we seen our country so
startled, so shocked, as when the news
of President Garfield’s assassination
was received. When President Lincoln
was assassinated, that was the blackest
crime that had been recorded in this
country up to that time. But this is,
if possible, still worse. The country
was then in a very unsettled state. Ani
mosity engendered by war had not had
time to cool down. But now the coun
try is in a state of profound peace.
Not a ripple disturbs the public mind.
It is absolutely the coolesi the most
premeditated, the most abandonedly de
praved act of which the lowest and
meanest can be guilty. In one sense,
one life is worth as much as another;
but in another sense one life may be
worth thousands of others. The peo
ple of Israel estimated David’s life to be
yvorth "ten thousand of them.” See I.
Sam. 18 :3. This is the light in which
to view such an official as President
Garfield. He is the. chief executive,
the representative, of one of the great
nations of the earth.- His life gathers
importance from the elevated, responsi
ble position to which he has been cal
led by the suffrages of a free people.
It matters nothing who did, or who did
not, vote for him. He is our President,
and the crime that sought his life is a
crime against every citizen of the
Uhited States. It is an outrage against
God’s law, against Christianity, against
patriotism, against humanity. The
only alleviation of the whole case is,
that it was the work of a foreigner, if
not by nativity, at least by blood. He
appears to have been a disappointed
office-seeker, and he sought to gratify
his disappointed ambition by striking
down the life of the chief citizen of the
United States—the lowest revenge of
an ignoble wretch. Hopes were cher
ished, at our last accounts, that the
President would recover. The prayers
of a Christian people all over the Union
are offered up for him.
The discovery in your spiritual nature of
some unexpected blemish is not a cause of
discouragement but of humble gratitude. It
is the first step in the process of cleansing. -
Christian Advocate.
THE ALABAMA BAPTIST CON
VENTION.
Troy, Ala., July 18, 1881.
The Alabama Baptist Convention met
with the First church, in the above
named city, to day at ten o’clock. The
body was called to order by the Presi
dent, Judge Jonathan Haralson, of Selma.
Rev. E. J. Forrester, of Pleasant Hill,
Alabama, conducted the opening relig
ious exercises by request of the. Pres
ident. The body joined in singing, "I
love Thy Kingdom, Lord,” etc. Brother
Forrester read the 13th chapter of 1 Cor.
and the last five verses of Matt., then
made ah appropriate prayer.
The names of the delegates showed
quite a full attendance. Judge Haral
son, of Selma, was re-elected as Presi
dent; Hon. J. G. Lewis, of Livingston,
and Judge J. P. Hubbard, of Troy, Vice-
Presidents ; and B. B. Davis, Secretary ;
Col. J. T. Murfee, President of Howard
College, and Rev. 8. A. Goodwin. D. D.,
of Union Springs, acting as tellers.
The President accepted the position in
a brief address of thanks for the confi
dence shown to him by the brethren.
The church was decorated with a motto
over the pulpit in rustic letters of green:
“Welcome to the Lord’s workmen.’’
The pastor welcomed the body in the
following
address.
Brother President, and Brethren of the Convention :
To me has been assigned the pleasant duty of
extending to you a formal welcome.
As representative citizens, assembled from
different portions of our beloved State, I greet you
in the name of the people of Ttoy; and, opening
our doors, we offer to you the hospitality of our
homes. Welcome to our firesides; now yours as
well as ours.
As Christians, purchased with blood divine,and
formed in the divine image by the operation of
the Holy Spirit, made partakers of the divine na
ture, and adopted into the Royal family of heav
en, we olrim you as our brethren, and welcome
you to our hearts. May your stay among us,be
characterized by those exhibitions of affection
that belong to the one happy family of Jesus. I
greet you as brethren beloved; and, from the
deepest depths of my heart, I extend to you a
Christian salutation and a family welcome.
But your assembling with us to-day takes on,
if not a more holy and Christlike signification, at
least a more practical Interest than a merevocial
Christian gathering. You are here lot duty—for
active, earnest, laborious work for Christ. The
Master’s call for work brings you together in these
annual convocations..
If the doctrines of our holy religion chrystaiize
into grace, it is a grace that is living and active.
If a faith without works Is a dead faith, a grace
wltbou Use is a spurious gaoc. The- practical,
manward tendency of Christianity is work ; ear
nest, persistent, self-sacrificing work lor the good
of others. Here you meet to discuss means, to
consider objections, to correct mistakes, to peifect
plans for elevating and blessing humanity, and
for the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
He wee, our efforts look to Sabbath-schools, edu
cation and missions.
Forqur Sabbath-schools we seek the greatest effi
ciency. to bring the young to Christ, and to train
them for His service.
In the work of education we would utilize all
the means God has given us, and by the printed
page in the hands of the faithful colporter, by
the religious paper, by our schools and colleges,
we labor to disseminate the truth.
In the field of missions we labor to give
the glad tidings of salvation to every
creature, using as agencies our “ State
Board,” the "Home Board,” and the "Foreign
Board.” What a glorious work is ours! What
necessity, too, for work! So much to be done;
noAime to be idle, and none can say, “Nothing
fo{ me to do.”
“ ‘Nothing to dol’ in this world of ours,
Where weeds spring up with rarest flowers:
" here smiles have only a fitful play ;
Where hearts are breaking every day.
"‘Nothing to do!’ thou Christian soul!
Wrapping thee round in thy selfish stole!
Off with thy garments of sloth and sin;
Christ, thy Lord, hath a kingdom to win.
" ‘Nothing to do!’ there are prayers to lay
Ou the altar of incense, day by day ;
There are foes to meet, within and without;
There are errors to conquer, strong and stout,
« ‘Nothing to dothere are minds to teach
The simplest forms of infant speech;
There are hearts to lure, with loving wile,
From the grimmest haunts of sin’s defile.
“ ‘Nothing to do!' there are lambs to feed,
The precious hope of the church’s need,;
Strength to be borne to the weak and faint;
Vigils to keep with the doubting saint.
“ ‘Nothing to do 1’ there are heights to attain,
Where Christ is transfigured yet again :
Where earth will fade in the vision sweet,
And the soul press on with winged feet.
“ ‘Nothing to do!’ and thy Savior said,
‘Follow thou Me, In the path I tread
Lord, lend us thy help the journey through,
Lest, faint, we cry, so much to do I”
Welcome, us the Lord’s workmen. May the Great
Headof the church Inspire and direct your assem
bled wisdom to the accomplishment of the great
est good.
May your visit to our city be pleasant to each
and every one of you, that in after years every
recollection of the Convention at Troy shall call
forth nothing but gladness.
We beg for your godly efforts, and for your ear
nest and Importunate prayers, for God's blessing
upon our churches and people. Pray for us,
brethren, that the word of the Lord may be glori
fied in the conversion of sinners and the revival
of the Lord’s people.
Again we bid you a most hearty and sincere
welcome!
The President responded as follows:
Brother Stout : Permit me, in behalf of the
Convention, to thank you for the kindnesses we
are receiving at the hands of the people of this
city. Our numbers are such as to tax, to uo in
considerable extent, their hospitalities. I trust,
in return, we may be able to do something tend
ing to advance their social, religious and com
mercial prosperity. ■
For the next few days, we are to be engaged in
the consideration and discussion of subjects which
are engaging the earnest attention of good people
throughout the world.
Speaking for this Convention and in their name
I most affectionately invite the members of your
church and of the other Baptist churches, and
our brethren of other religious denominations in
the city, and the citizens generally, to attend our
sittings.
When we shall have gone hence, we will bear
with us pleasant memories of kindness received,
and of the very happy terms in which you have
communicated our welcome to your midst, leav
ing with the people our grateful benedictions.
Received as correspondents:
From Georgia—Rev A B Campbell, of Colum
bus ; Rev W D Joiner, of Florence; Brother Rob
ert Brown, of Howards.
From Florida—Rev J C Porter, of Tallahassee.
Appointed the pastors and deacons of Troy, and
brethren W 8 Paullin and D M Seals as Commit
tee on Religious Exercises.
Appointed the following additional
committees:
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881.
On Finance—T J Dill, L H Boles, IO Cheney.
On Nominating the Remaining Officers of the
Convention—W N Reeves, H F Oliver, E J For
rester. W G Curry, J A Howard
On Nominating Delegates to the Southern Bap
tlst Convention—W H Mclntosh, A P Ashunit, J
L Sampey, G W Carlisle.
Nominating State Mission Board—W B Crump
ton, G 8 Anderson, W S Rogers, M M Wamboldt,
J M Thfgpi a.
Appointed as Correspondents to the Georgia
Baptist Convention—Revs J O Hixon, T H Stout,
B C Bennet, W H Mclntosh, A P Ash u ret, David
Rogers, Z D Roby, W N Reeves, M M Wamboldt,
W A Davis, B F Riley, and brethren Jonathan
Haralson, E 8 Shorter, John T Davis.
The report of the State Mission Boa’d
was read by Rev. T. M. Bailey, the Cor
responding Secretary. The ’report gave
an exceedingly encouraging state of facts.
About $8,000.00 had been raised for
State Missions; $1,400 for Home Mis
sions ; $1,600. for Foreign Missions;
about $14,000 had been raised for
the mission work, and SI,OOO for educa
’ tion.
• The report of the trustees of Howard
1 College was read by Col. J. T. Murfree,
i and showed the college to be in a very
prosperous condition. For several years
1 the college had been involved in debt,but
• now they were able to report all indebt
edness settled.
' Rev. W. H. Mclntosh read the report
: of the trustees of the “Judson Female
Institute,” at Marion. The institution
1 was In a very flourishing condition.
Adjourned with the benediction.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
t Prayer by W. H. Wilkes.
Rev. T. W. Tobey,'D.D., read the re
i port on Home Missions. It emphasized
! the work in New Orleans, among the
J Chinese in California, and among the
Indians.
I Addresses were made by Revs, W. S.
; Rodgers, of Midway; Z. A. Owens, of
Mobile; 8. A. Goodwin, D.D., of Union
> Springs ; W. H. Mclntosh, D.D., of Ma-
• rion ; J. C. Porter, of Tallahassee ;E. T.
Winkler, LL.D., of Marion. While all
> the brethren were interest ing, Dr. Wink
-1 ler’s address was thrilling in its facts.
, He said : “ Our children are going to
; the.centres of population, and we must
! meet them with the gospel. The Mor
i mops contribute one million dollars an
i nually to propagate their accursed eys
, tern ; while the 1,700,000 Baptists of the
, South do not contribute $75,000 for gen
i eral mission work.”
Btothbr Z. A. Owens'offered a . oso'u
i tion instructing the State Mission Board
■ to take charge of the destitution in the
■ State, and leave the Home Board to
prosecute the work in moredestitute sec
tions. Adopted.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. A.
Howard, of Montgomery.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 8 : 30 O’CLOCK.
Rev. B. H. Crumpton, of Greenville,
preached the Introductory sermon to a
very large congregation from 1 Cor. 10:31,
! “Wnether therefore ye eat or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God.” The subject, as announced by
■ t-Q e pulpitj was “Consecration.” Three
. le a ding points were made :
1. The motive for consecration ; the atonement
of Christ.
2. The nature of consecration.
3. The method of consecration.
In the discussion the two last points
were treated together.
The sermon was interesting and
searching; the delivery emphatic and
earnest.
Judge J. Faulkner made the closing
prayer.
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 14, 9 O’CLOCK.
Religious exercises were led by Rev. J.
A. Howard, of Montgomery.
Prayer was offered by Rev. E. B.
Teague, D.D., of Wilsonville, and Rev.
G. 8. Anderson, of Newberne. Remarks
were made by Rev. J. A. Howard and
Rev. W. N. Reeves.
Resolutions sanctioning the sale of
one-half interest in the Alabama Baptist,
by Rev. John L. West, to Rev. W. C.
Cleveland, were introduced by Judge H.
W. Coffey, of Hayneville, and were
unanimously adopted.
President A. K. Yancy, of the Central
Female College, Tuscaloosa, read the re
port on the above college. It showed
the institution to be in a very prosper
ous condition, having enrolled forty per
cent, more pupils during the past session
than the preceding.
Received the report of the Treasurer
of the Convention, and referred the same
! to the Committee on Finance.
Col. J. T. Murfree read the report of,
the Special Committee upon the report
, of the State Mission Board. It commen
ded the work, and endorsed, the report;
giving emphasis to the importance of the
: work.
; Rev. S. A. Goodwin, D.D., of Union
[ Springs, made a beautiful and touching
address. He represented the moving
Erinciple of the Christian to be love,
ove manifests itself, 1, By giving. 2.
By blessing. Missions was the great
1 object in the organization of the church.
! We must advance. Never before in
Alabama, were we so well organized for
the work. The importance of our State,'
i and our connection with her, demand a
i forward movement.
! "Alabama for Christ” was received by
. the congregation with involuntary
, cheers.
The address was one of great power.
Brother W. C. Cleveland followed in a
fine address. Man is naturally inclined
. to ask, in regard to every effort, “Will it
■ pay ?” Every effort must be examined
by the principles of economics. Chris
i tianity must maintain herself by showing
- that “godliness is profitable.” We pro-
Sose this test for the work of the State
ioard. During the last year thirty-seven
men have been in the work; twenty-
seven are now at work; —twenty-two as
missionaries, four as colporters, and one
among the colored people.
This Board is the ear of the Conven
tion listening to the cries for help; this
Board is the eye of the Convention,
watching for the suflering ; this Board is
the hand of the, Convention, carrying
tbe benefactions of the Convention. ’
Mr*. Judson once dreamed that site
saw a great tree, with a large crowd on
either side. Some were cutting down
tbe tree. But to the asionishment of all
the tree did not fall when the trunk
wjh severed. A voice came to her say
ing, “The tree cannot fall, it is rooted in
the sky.”
Nogrand enterprise ever began save
iti littleness. Now, this Board has pas
sed this stage.,
The speech was a fine one. ,
-Rev. E. F. Baber, of Collirene, follow
ed in a good speech.
Rev. E. J. Forrester, of Pleasant Hill,
made a telling speech on woman’s work
to woman. The speech bristled wi h Im
statistics. The women oftheUni'-
ed States have raised, and mostly in the
last five years, about $5,000,000 for mis
sion work. The 350 women societies of
the Southern Baptist churches raised last
year about $6,000, or more than three
types as much as the 1,400 Baptist chur
ofies of Alabama.
Brother J. E. White, ol Clinton, made
a short speech on the subject.
Dr. E. T. Winkler, moved to amend
tiw name suggested for the ladies soci
eties, ap as to read, WoHien’s Mission So
'■fiiies.
Alter. Jas. Shackelford, D.D., of Trinity,
approbated most that bad been said in
regard to the sisteYs working for Christ.
But thought there was danger of taking
away the work of the church.
Brother J. O. Hixon, of Union Springs
was in favor of this work in the church.
Rev. C. W. Cleveland, would oppose
the organization of a single Female So
ciety, if they proposed to carry out the
Northern system, being independent of
the church. But there was only a divi
sion of labor, the societies proposed to be
farmed being In the church.
Brother C. W. Cleveland made an ap
peal for help for the current expanses of
tre Board. Collection. , „
, ‘Appointed, a committee on time
I*\ d "lace ‘ f next meeting, consisting of
brethren, E. F. Baber, J. B. Loveleit, W;
B. Crumpton.
Adjourned with the benediction by
Rev. E. Teague, D.D.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention resolved itself into
.Committee of the whole upon the state of
religion, Judge H. W. Coffey, of Hayne
ville in the chair, by request of the Pre
sident.
Rev. Andrew Jay, Evangelist of the
Zion Association, entertained the Com
mittee with an account of the work in
his part of the State.
Rev. P. M. Callaway, Evangelist from
Newton,gave a statement of mission work
in the southeastern part of Alabama. He
called the attention of the body to the
importance of Geneva as a mission sta
tion.
He reviewed the history of missions in
Southeast Alabama for the last thirty
five years. One mistake was made in
the work, and that was that the churches
established had not been indoctrinated
in benevolence.
Rev. B. F. Hendon, of North Alabama,
spoke encouragingly of the cause in bis
section. He interested the body much
by giving striking incidents that came
under his own observation.
The meeting was a very entertaining
one. Adjourned with the benediction
by Rev. G. D. Benton.
NIGHT SESSION.
The consideration of Sabbath-schools
was the subject before the meeting at
this hour.
The Report of the Committee was read
by Rev. Wash. Crumpton. Rev. Z. D.
Roby addressed the Convention:
Still it Is true, God’s people perish for want of
knowledge. If churches would fit themselves
for overcoming error, to, stand hand to hand
against infidelity and atheism, they must estab
lish Sabbalh-scbools.
Sabbath-schools are a power in Christian lands,
when we remember that 1,500,000 earnest, pray
ing men and women are weekly engaged in teach
ing God’s word.
What are the responsibilities of the future, and
how can we meet them ? The use which we make
of curabilities is the true measure of our pro
gress.
If the Baptists were trained Christians they
would In ten years give the men and the means
necessary to evangelize the world. The Grecian
soldiers 'after the batt e of Marathon and Ther
mopyim had a higher reputation to sustain than
any Grecian before.
So,what was good Sabbath-school work for the
past generatlous will not do for this; my breth
ren, what was good Sabbath-school work fifteen
years ago, will not do now.
The congregation rose and united in
singing—‘’‘Tis religion that can give,”
etc., with the chorus—“ Let us walk in
the light."
Rev. A. B. Campbell, of Columbus,
followed in a very fine speech, taking as
a foundation the motto: “As arrows in
the hands of a mighty man, so are child
ren of the youth.”
I presume, the Holy Spirit intended to point
out a likeness between arrows and and children.
1. The arrow is an effective weapon. The king
of Israel was killed by a certain man drawing a
bow aWi venture.
The children are a power spiritually. Brother
Campbell related amosttouching Incident where
a father and mother were brought to Christ by
the death of a dear child In the Sunday-school.
2. As arrows do execution in the distance, so
children have power.
Brother M. G. Hudson, of Mobile, fol
lowed, answering objections to Sabbath
school.
Some said (the Sabbath-schools were put above
the church. He emphatically denied the report.
Some said, the children did not stay to preach
ing. I would apologize for the childreu.
Then, brethren, It is the children of those who
do not go themselves. Dr. Billings says: “Train
up a child in the way he should go, and be sure
to go therein yourself.”
Adjourned with the benediction by
Rev. A. Y. VanHoose.
The Religious Press.
Philadelphia has dropped her colored
schools. Hereafter the colored children will
attend the public schools of the city where
they are treated well as a whole, though
there is some complaint of untidiness. But
as a rule, the colored children are poor pu
pils, irregular in attendance, and breaking
down under studies which white children
carry on without diflicultv.—Christian at
Work.
It is a great fallacy to argne that, because
the promulgator of some strange doctrine is
a good man, therefore his opinions must be
correct; or that personal purity and devotion
are assurance ol the safety of anv man's
doctrinal teachings. Wolff, the father of
German Rationalism, lived and died in the
odor of personal sanctity—an eminent ex
ample of earnest Christian endeavor. Unita
rians, Unlversalists, and not a few confessed
unbelievers (in the orthodox sense) have
been both blameless in life and spiritually
devout. To ebneede, then, that a good
character is proof of the correctness of one’s
religious opinions, would be equivalent to a
complete surrender of all doctrinal tests.
So says the Methodist (N. Y.), and
so say we; but we leave it tor our rea
ders to make such application as they
may see proper.
From Hon. Jefferson Davis.—The
President of the late Confederate States
on being interviewed by a member of
the staff of the Philadelphia Press is
reported to have said:
The assault on General Garfield is a'horri
'hie crime. There can be but one sentiment
among the people of this country on
the enormity of the offense. What it may
forbode to the country is hard to determine.
When a man will kill the President because
he refuses him office, what may not be ex
pected? Assassination is usually the out
growth of seasons of galling oppression.
Even then it is the resort of a force or senti
ment too cowardly for revolution and too
contemptible for civilization to tolerate. But
this crime is without evdn the excuse of ex
citement. A vulgar nun yarders the Pres
ident in his wild delirium about office.
Such a crime makes the whole nation kin,
baiters all prejudices, and hushes partisan
thoughts. It is evident that the crime is the
outgrowth of the greedy scramble for office
which has of late years been so marked. It
is to be hoped that the reaction which this
great crime will produce may correct this
alarming evil. It has for a long time been
growing into our system ot government un
til it appears to have finally resulted in the
murder of the Executive. The South had
much hope of Garfield’s administration, and
will sincerely mourn his loss as it joins in
the national sorrow over the assault upon
his life. I earnestly hope he may speedily
recover.
The Envelop* System —I would furnish
some facts touching the system adopted by
the Stamford Baptist church in raising mon-,
ey for current expenses. We abandoned in
1875 the old method of pew renting, and
since then have employed what is known as
the envelope system. We furnish envelopes
to the members of our church and congre
gation, and ask them to contribute weekly
or (where it may be more convenient)
monthly, such sums as they may feel able
to appropriate to the support of the worship
of God's house. The result has exceeded
our most sanguine expectation. Our annual
income since the adoption of this plan has
been from three to five hundred per cent,
greater than that received from pew rents—
not so much greater than the pew rents due,
but greater, by so much, than the pew rents
collected. .This plan, moreover, has the ad
vantage of equalizing what might otherwise
be regarded by some as a disproportionate
burden. The rich are not overtaxed in this
regard, nor, on the other hand, are the poor
required to give beyond their ability. It is
marvellous how much money may be gath
ered by “littles,” where there is a system,
and where the system is well managed.—E.
Lathrop, in Watch-Tower.
The raising of money by littles is al
most a hobby with The Index ; yet the
results stated by Dr. Lathrop take us
somewhat by surprise. But it reminds
us of this: that the results of efforts to
collect money by littles, are almost al
ways startling.
The city contributes to the “keeping holy”
of the Lord’s day a brass band concert on
the Common, in the selections for which the
Transcript sees “nothing puritanical.” Nor
anything Christian; religious only in the
Emersonian sense in which Fanny Ellsler’s
dancing was “religious."—Watchman (Bos
ton).
Just think of it! a brass band con
cert on the comAion, in the open air,
on the Lord’s day, paid for by the city
council, from funds raised-by taxation
of Baptists and other Christians! We
have seen the like in Venice and other
European cities, but did not know that
it was done in any city of the United
States, though we have often been in
Boston. We do not think that any
thing of the kind is done in any of our
Southern cities. Perhaps this is owing
to our lack of culcha. We trust that
we shal. always be thus deficient.
An English paper says that Vooiza
Mr. Samuel Watson, who is the lawyer of
the Baptist building fund, has recently pub
lished a letter urging that “the time has now
come when it will strengthen, not weaken,
our position to confess that the spirit and
meaning of the ordinance is not dependent
VOL. 59.— NO. 18.
upon the form.” To this the Central Me
thodist adds: “He holds that to insist upon
immersion is neither seemly nor necessary,
that the young are leaving the Baptist chur
ches rather than submit to be immersed, and
—a most surprising test —that some Baptist
cburchee flow meet the difficulty by the ad
mission of. young people to membership
without baptism at sll.’l Then certainly
such brethren ought neither to call them
selves Baptists, nor their organizations
churches.
The last eoniment is from our Me
thodist brother of the Southern Chris
tian Advocate. It will be seen that
admits that an organization having no
baptism ought not to be called a church,
We Baptists are conscientious in our
belief that sprinkling is tw baptism.
We furthermore believe that none but
those who are members of a church
ought to partake of the Lord’s supper.
Now then, from the standpoint of our
Methodist brother, what ought we to
do in regard to what is called the ques
tion of close communion?
A correspondent wishes to know how
many Baptist adherents there are in the
United States. It is not easy to ascertain.
The church members are 2,296,327, by the
latest published statistics. It was formerly
usual to number five adherents to one com
municant; but this is much too large. Dr.
Dorchester, in his recent work, states the
ratio as 31 to 1. This would give a little more
than eight millions. We apprehend that if
we oould see all our .members brought to a
higher standard of Christian character and
life, it would be of more worth to the world
than a turther increase in numbers. ‘ Big
ness is not greatness,” nor is it always force.
—Watchman.
Nearly three millions of Baptist
church members in the United States!
There can be no doubt that these in
cluding their adherents amount to
eight millions. But how many real,
live, genuine Baptists are there in the
number? Ah! if one-fourth of the
three millions were of the right sort,
the world would feel our influence as
never heretofore.
A Methodist preacher in Texas gave can
didates for church membership a choice or.
dinaiioe—enrinkling, pouring, or immersion
After a considerable number had chosen the
New Testament symbolic burial, one asked
sprinkling. The administrator curious to
know the ground of her exceptional choice,
she replied: “I don’t think I am good en
ough to be immersed.” She seemed to think
an iotenser ceremonial expression demand
ed a deeper experience. The baptism Jesus
enjoined upon his disciples is a symbol of
Srofounder experience, more comprehensive
octrines, ana more exalted hopes than
sprinkling or pouring can worthily celeb
rate.
The N. 0. Christian Advocate, speak
ing of the civil service reform, a subject
which is greatly agitating the public
mind, thus expresses itself:
Neither party has the virtue or the power
to overthrow the spoil’s system. Much would
be gained if the appointments were given to
the good and capable in the party. But un
fortunately, these are not the men that do
the work in the primaries and about the
polls.
It seems to bean evil inherent in our sys
tem of universal suffrage, and one that will
grow or decline in proportion as the people
are vicious or virtuous. Public morals and
religion must be more elevated, and more
generally diffused, before we can hope for a
change. All the more enlightened and up
right see the evil, and deplore it. but none
can devise a remedy. None is possible with
out a general uplifting of moral forces, and
the spread of righteousness throughout the
land. When public opinion becomes purified
and all lawful party services are paid for in
cash, possibly we may have civil service re
form.
It will be a long time, we fear, before
this great moral change takes place,
and in the mean time the Republic is
in actual peril. We respectfully sug
gest (hoping not to be considered dis
loyal ) that if a feature of the Con
federate Constitution were incorporat
ed in the Constitution of the United
States, the evil would be greatly check
ed. Let the Pres’dent have the power
to appoint to office as at present, but
deprive him of power to remove from
office, except for cause shewn, to be
approved by the Senate. Those who
take the trouble to think on this sug
gestion will see that the results of the
change proposed would be very far
reaching.
A member of the First church called at
the office last week and said: “The Nation
al Baptist is the best religious paper that I
ever knew; I want you to send ten copies to
as many members of the First church who
are not able to subscribe for it, and send the
bill to me.” Such words, backed up by such,
deeds, are an encouragement.
Now let us suppose a case. Suppose
that somebody would do the same for
The Index. Would not that some
body feel the better for it? And would
not the objects of his bounty be great
ly benefitted by it? And would not
the cause of truth and goodness be aid
ed? And'would not The Index try
harder than ever to be worthy of such
encouragement? And are there not
men among us who could not make
themselves more useful in any other
way?
