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International SMai Modi LessoaT
FIRST QUABTEB. -Lesson
XII. March 22
BY RET. C. S. FA&RISS.
PAUL VINDICATED.
Acts 26: 19-32.
. GOLDEN TEXT.
"Having therefore obtained
God, I continue unto this day.
26:22. ' . .
help of
"Acts
ScKSBJ-Paul speaking before the
Roman Governor, Festus, who had with
hiui Agrippa and Berniee. Besides these,
there is in the hall also a large audience
of Roman officer and the chief people
of Cesarea. Paul is not being tried, for
he has appealed to Caesar. . He la preach
ing the gospel, and this lesson is a con
tinuation of his address, a part of which
we studied in our last. : -
THE LE3SON. "
I. Pact. tkll3 how hk Obeyed thk
HKATK3TLT CALIi.
10, Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not
disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20. Bat shewed first unto them of Damas
cus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the
coast of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn to God, and do
works meet for repentance,
3i. For these causes the Jews caught me in
the temple, and went about to kill me.
22. Haying therefore obtained help from
God, I continued nnto this day, witnessing
both to small and great, saying none other
things than those ' which the prophets and
Moses did say should come: :
23.. That Christ, should suffer, and that he
should be the first that should rise from the
dead, and should shew light unto the people.
.and to the Gentiles.
. 19. I teas not disobedient unto the
heavenly vision. After Paul had been
thrown to the earth by the great light
from heaven and Christ had called him
into his service he did not mope or lay up
as an invalid preacher who could do noth
ing for mourning over his past sins. He
forgot the things of the past. He press
ed forward to Christ. He took Christ
at his word, and went to preaching the
gospel with all his might.
20. Shewed first unto them at Damas
cus. The first place to which he went
after his conversion. The aforetime
persecutor entered the beautiful city not
to redden his hands with the blood of
Christians; but with hands and heart
cleansed in the blood of the Lamb. At
Jerusalem. He was not slow to tell his
relatives and friends of the pearl of great
price he had found. Throughout Judea.
It is not certain when he did this.
Some think he made the tour before
Ms first missionary journey. Others
think it was between his first and second
journeys. Then to the Gentiles. The
idea of preaching to the heathen did
not originate with Paul or Peter or the
church at Antioch; but with Christ, who
told his apostles to go into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature.
That they should repent and turn to
God. The way in which this state
ment is laid down is worthy of notice.
Repentance is insisted on'first.
21. For these causes the Jews. The
Jews could not prove that Paul had
done wrong. They looked upon him as
a dangerous man, because he was a
follower of him whom they had crucified.
It has become to be a proverb that peo
ple hate most those whom they have
wronged.
22. Hating therefore obtained help.
From the source of all help. Worldly
men might wonder how Paul had main
tained himself for two years against the
intense hatred of the whole Jewish na
tion; but it is no mystery to Christians.
Things are not always as they seem.
The rope, that bears some heavy load
and swings it up to the fifth story win
dow ofa warehouse may seem frail
enough to snap in twain a hemp or cot
ton rope twice the size; but we are not
surprised at its strength when, we learn
that through it runs strands of strong
wire. God in him, and man can bear
anything. Witnessing both to small and
greati it is one of the peculiarities of
the gospel that it is preached to the poor.
That was one of the objections the Jews
had to it.
23. That Christ should suffer. The
Jews believed in a Messiah that could
not suffer.- The first that should rise
from the dead. The original is better
translated, "How that he should first
by the resurrection of the dead should
proclaim light. " '
II.. Fkstds Istkkkupts Pact
24. And as he thus pake for himself, Fes
tus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art be
side thyself; much learning doth make thee
mad. ' . . ':
25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble
Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and
- soberness.
" 24. Festus said with a loud voice. In
a voice loud enough for all to hear.
- Thou art besidethyself. ll&A. Paul was
now in the heataod fervor of his address
and Festus thought or tried to make the
audience think, that Paul's speech was
the raving of a madman. Christians
who are enthusiastic for Christ, even
now meet with this accusation, not only
from the world; but from cold-blooded
professors of religion." Much learning
doth make thee mad. Paul was known
to be a man of learning, and Festus im
plies here that Paul had meditated " on
these religious questions till he was mad.
25. I am not mad. The denial,
though most respectful was emphatic,
- and even Festus himself must have been
impressed with the fact that he was mis
taken. But speak forth the words qf truth
and soberness. Madness among the an
cients suggested the irresponsible frenzy
- of a man drunk with wine. The Greek
word contains that idea. But Paul not
only spoke truth; but spoke it from a
, sound mind. .
in. Agrippa Lvtkrrupts Pact
26. For the king knoweth of these things,
. before whom also I speak freely: for I am
persuaded that none of these things are hidden
from hirr ; for this thing was not done in a
corner.
27. King Agrippa, beiievest thon the pro
' phets? I know that thou beiievest. ;
28. Then Agrippa said nnto Paul, Almost
thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29. And Paul said. I ; would to God, that
. not only thou, but also alt that hear me this
day, were both almost and altogether such as
. - I am, except these bonds.
26. For the King knoweth of these
things. That is, King Agrippa. He
. was a Jew, and was therefore not only
acquainted with what had taken place
concerning Jesus of Nazareth ; but he
also knew of the doctrines that Paul
had been preaching there. The Roman
Governor may. have thought them the
ravings of a madman ; but Agrippa
knew better. This thing was not done
inc comer. The crucifixion attracted
the attention of the whole Jewish world.
27. King Agrippa beiievest thou the
The Organ of
Volume 50.
Prophets. Paul now appeals i to the
King, possibly, with the hope of con
certing him. If he admitted that he
believed the prophets, be must be con
vinced of the true Messiahship of Christ.
2&l lmost thou persuadest me to be
a - Christian. Some think it was said
with a sneer, others that he was sincere
that he was really almost persuaded
to turn to Christianity. I think the
first idea has greater plausibility, though
we know, that after this Agrippa was
particularly kind to Christians within
his dominion. -
29. I would to God. I pray God.
Hot only thou, but also all that hear me.
INot only Agrippa; but Berniee, the
adulteress by his side, and Festus who
tnougnt him mad, and the whole
: . . . i 1 -
nuuwuTO va ueamen ana Jews were
me oojeets of that devout prayer. This
epins 01 prayer lorr our enemies
has come down the ages as the heir
loom of Christians, not from Paul first.
but from the man on the cross, who
prayed for his crucifiers. j Such as I am
except these bonds. Except the chains
wim wmcn ne was bound. :
tVv Declared ' Wortht of Frbk-
XM5JI. - .
SO." And when he had thus spoken, the king
rose ap, and the governor and Berniee, and
tney mat sat witn tftem: '
31. And when they were gone aside, they
iaiK.cu Between inemseives, saying. This man
doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32. Then said Agrippa nnto Festus, This
man might have been set at liberty, if he had
not appealed unto uesar.
Ort - T" '- rm .
v. .rv use up. xne speecn was at an
end and Agrippa, being first in rank,
rose first.
31, 32. They talked between them-
selves.Thej considered the merits of
Paul's ease. Their hearts had been
stirred by the eloquence of the Apostle.
and while still under the spelL their
prejudice gave way to the decision by
mem, ana me aeciaration that not onlv
was Panl not guilty of any crime worthy
of death ; but that he was entitled to
his freedom if he had not already put
his case into the hands of the Emperor
of Rome. j
Hnv to FreacJt," Again.
I am sure that had my able and es
teemed brother "W. A. M." entered
fully into the main design of my article
The Preacher's Theme," and "The
Preaching the Age Demands," he would
have seen that between him and myself
there is no substantial difference. He
thinks my views of preaching are too
limited and one-sided. The truth is,
preaching is many-sided. It has an ed
ucational, ethical, moralizing and edify
ing side and yet it has a main side, viz.,
to evangelize or convert the outside
world. All other sides are means to an
end and that end is the world's conver
sion at home and abroad. Is the im
provement of a farm the end of farm
ing! Is the training of an army the end
of an army t . Is the physical betterment
of convalescent .and healthful the end
of the medical fraternity! Instruct, in
doctrinate and edify church members of
course. But the preacher who makes
his ministry end in this work cannot say
"I am pure from the blood of my un
godly hearers." This is important and
scriptural, but this is only training the
hosts of the Lord for the more speedy
and efficient conquest of the Lord's en
emies. This is only an essential means
to a great end and my position is that
the preacher who only fits his people for
this, is not directly accomplishing that
end himself. True, he is indirectly do
ing much : for the world s conversion.
But Christ makes it "the direct and im
mediate business of every preacher to
convert, directly to him, the unbeliev
ing. "Preach the gospel to every crea
ture," is the command He gives to all
His preachers. Every preacher is, by
his office, a proclaimer of good news.
Good news to whom! My brother Bays
that an effectual .way to preach to un
believers is to f preach to Christians.
True; and one of the most effectual
ways to preach to believers is to preach
to the -ungodly. I The writer of this ar
ticle was never more edified than he was
by a series of sermons he heard, by
brother W. A. M. himself, preached to
the irreligious in Liberty, . Va., a few
years since. In preaching to unbeliev
ers we seek to induce them to believe in
Christ, and this is the best means of in
ducing believers to trust Christ more
strongly and intelligently; and are not
their religious growth and efficiency just
in proportion to the strength of their
faith in Christ!
; We would not have our pastors and
evangelists cease preaching to Chris
tians, but preach more to unbelievers.
We would have more of our preachers
preach more frequently to the unsaved,
and we insist that they who preach as
a rule to church members and as the
exception to the impenitent, fail to at
tain the great end of preaching.
Look at this matter in a practical
light. One half of a minister's congre
gation are believers and the other half
are unbelievers. The great question
with that preacher is how to save now
and eternally both classes. He devotes
three-fourths of his Sabbaths in preach
ing for the edification of the believing
half, and occasionally preaches to the
unbelieving part, viz.: He preaches
mostly to those who are, in a great sense,
saved now, and would enter heaven were
they to die at the close of their pastor's
discourse, ana leave unwarnea ana un
invited to Christ, those who are unsaved
now and would be eternally lost were
they to die before the Sabbath comes
for their preacher to preach to them.
In the name of Christ and of undying
souls, should not preachers spend more
time and strength in pulling the drown-'
inar ud on the rock 01 salvation than in
strengthening and comforting those who
are safe on that rocKT- is not the xorm
er a more important and acceptable
source to Christ than the latter! .What
if many of his hearers are drowned in
nerdition before the occasional Sabbath
comes for him to make an effort to get
unbelievers on the Bock of Ages T And
what, as we most assuredly believe, if
the very best way to increase the strength
and iov of those on the rock is not for
them and their pastor to make it their
chief business, not to indoctrinate and
edify each other, but to help up the help
less and imperiled to their own place of
safety!
As a matter of fact, the pastors who
bo preach as to convert most souls to
Christ, most promote the internal pros
perity of their churches. The true se
cret of churchly growth in efficiency and
In numbers, is not chiefly to introvert
the prayers, anxieties and efforts of
Christians on themselves, but to induce
them to bo out of and beyond them
selves in efforts to save the ungodly.
Religion, unlike earthly commodities,
the more vre export the more we import,
The way to get large spiritual receipts is
to make large spiritual expenditures.
the North Carolina Baptists, Devoted to Bible . Religion, Education, Literature,
The way for churches to become radiant
themselves with heavenly light, is to
make it their mission to expel darkness
from other minds and other lands, - It
is in spending and being spent for the
world s conversion churches and pastors
become strong. We believe it profound
ly that the pastors and churches that
seek mainly their own prosperity will
wane. How else can a gospel church
perpetuate itself, unless its members and
pastor are propagandists of the world
wide principles of their religion! Z It is
my deep conviction, after a pastoral ex
perience of five and thirty years, that if
an our pastors would mate the conver
sion of the irreligious the great aim of
their ministry, and train their people to
cp-worK witn then in this regard, as the
great end of their Christian life, that not
only would the standard of personal re
ligion be greatly elevated in their
churches, but ' the world's conversion
would move forward with a speed un
known in modem times. , In a word, no
minister Scripturally magnifies his office,
makes full proof of his ministry, obeys
the last great commission of his Divine
Master, who is not a proclaimer of the
gospel to the unsaved. : All over the
land are hundreds of preachers, com
monplace and comparatively powerless.
because they spend their time in pro
moting objects of secondary importance,
whereas, if they would come to the
front and preach Christ to the hundreds
who are swarming the way to helL they
would leave the world better and hap
pier than they found it, and be had in
glorious remembrance.
Salem, Va. Corselitjs ttkxk.
ESfSCBSCKiBEKS will please examine
the dates opposite their names and if
their subscription expired on or before
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renew at once or their paper will be dis
continued.
My Visit to Boone.
Leaving my home in Brevard, Jan.
15th, I reached Berea church, Iredell
county, on the third Sunday. With
this church I spent two weeks. The
Lord gave us a precious meeting. Some
twenty souls professed .faith in Christ;
14 united with the church, and 50 or 60
were left seeking the Lord. This is, in
deed, a mission station.' Bro. J. T
Rooke is pastor, and is doing a good
work for the Master. He is a precious
brother and my stay among his people
and with him was very pleasant. The
people were very kind to me, and may
heaven's richest blessings rest upon the
dear pastor and people. Leaving Berea
I reached the village 01 tsoone, county
seat of Watauga, Feb. 6th. 1 found a
pleasant home with Bro. W. L. Bryan,
a hotel-keeper, or merchant, and a pil
lar in the .Baptist church. After a
sweet night's rest, on Saturday morn
ing, Bro. I. W. Thomas, pastor of tne
Baptist church in Boone, came to my
room, gave me a hearty welcome, and
bid me feel myself at home. He inform
ed me that no arrangements had been
made for preaching until Sunday, and
that we would go two miles into the
country, and worship with the people
of Three Fork church. Bro. Thomas
procured us a horse apiece and we were
soon at a beautiful Baptist churcn on
the bank of the South prong of New
River. At the earnest solicitation of
the pastor, 1 preached to an attentive
and appreciative band of brethren and
sisters. After the sermon four persons
were receivtd for baptism. This is a
strong and well equipped church, with
an excellent pastor in the person of
Bro. E. F. Jones. Bro. Jones is a tal
ented brother, a good gospel preacher,
with a fair English education. His peo
ple love him dearly, he is pastor of two
of the strongest churches in Watauga
county, and has been instrumental in
making these churches what they are in
point of efficiency.
After spending a pleasant mirnt wim
Bro. Thomas and family, on Sunday,
Feb. 8th, we began a meeting of days
in the Baptist church in Boone. ...The
meeting lasted just two weeks, and not
withstanding the very cold, snowy
weather, we had good congregations
dav and night. I have seldom seen two
weeks of sucn continuous cold, snowy,
Bleety and frozen weather as we have
just passed through. The Lord gave us a
glorious meeting, some niteen persons
professed faith in Christ, nine united
with the church, and zo or 60 were left
penitent. I am hopeful that others will
unite with the cnurcn soon, i ne meet
ing was a great blessing to the members
of the Baptist church, and all the Chris
tians in the village. Ji early1 every per
son, white and colored, in the town, and
many from the county, attended the
meeting. ? On the last night of the meet
ing I preached to the young men, and
almost every young man in the village
and surrounding country was on the
front seats. It has seldom ever been
my privilege to preach to a more atten
tive, respectful, serious and intelligent
crowd of young men. 1 have never
labored 5 among - a kinder ; or better
people than the people of Boone. I
shall ever bless the Lord that he put it
into my heart to visit this people.
The brethren must pardon me lor
mentioning some names. There is Bro,
L. ju Greene of the legal profession and
W. W. Pressnell, Register : of Deeds, to
whom I feel indebted for kindnesses,
but more especially to brethren Bry
an .and Coffey and their excellent
wives, with whom I boarded a week
each. These brethren are both merchants
and hotel-keepers, and they know to
well ( how to entertain their patrons,
but above all ; they are members, and
excellent members too of the Baptist
church. . Brethren - Coffey and Byran
have the largest share of burden of
building the neat and beautiful church
house, in which the Baptists worship.
Last, but not least, I must mention
the dear pastor,' L W. Thomas. I have
never labored with a more congenial and
pleasant pastor, and i have never seen
many pastors who had a stronger "hold
upon z the people, or were universal I y
loved than Bro. Thomas. I mixed and
mingled a great deal with the people of
of Boone, but heard no one speak an
unkind word about the dear pastor.
Bro. Thomas some months ago asked
his church to choose another pastor as
he had been connected with the church so
long, but the result was, the church re
elected Bro. Thomas indefinitely for half
pf his tune. The magistrates of Watauga
county have showed their - appreciation
of his worth by making him superin
tendent of schools. - - -
'It was also my privilege to meet Bro.
J. L. Sherwood. He spent a week
with us in our meeting and preached
one excellent sermon, lie Is a fine gos
pel preacher with a liberal education
He has a EtroDg hold upon the people of
Watauga and Caldwell counties. He is
pastor of four strong churches, two in
Watauga and two in Caldwell. I also
RALEIGH, K 0,, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 1885.
met a number of young men who feel
called of God to preach the gospel. Ohl
how I do wish they could all spend some
time at Wake Forest or Judson Colleges.
I was agreeably surprised so find so much
intelligence and talent in the ministry
as found in Watauga county.
On to-morrow I leave for home to
visit ! some three churches that have
chosen me pastor. 1 had thought I
would give all my time to evangelistic
work, but may be the Liord is directing
otherwise. : Fraternally,
i . Allison. .
Boone, N. CM Feb. 23, 1885. '
? ", fiy-Z; ', , 1 1 in -1.1 Z
Letter from Brother Ilarttvell.
Dear Brother . In your issue of Feb.
11th I find the following: "Rev. Dr. J.
B.HartwelLof Callfornia,rejoIces In that
his mission was transferred to the Home
Mission Society, North. We are glad of
it too." -
The foundation for this editorial re
mark was doubtless the following, from
me in the Herald of Truth.
"My experience of Superintendent of
Chinese Missions under the A. B. II. M.
Society has satisfied me of i
the wisdom of the transfer of the mis
sions, so far as the interests of the
missions are concerned, from the South
ern Baptist Convention to the A. B. U.
M. Society. vNot that the missions
were not wisely conducted by the South
ern Board, nor that the Southern Bap
tists did not do all that they could do,
but that the missions are now : under
the management of the society with
which the churches in the State are in
sympathy and co-operation, and so they
are properly placed under the immediate
direction and care of the local Ameri
can churches. Thus a closer interest in
the work is elicited and maintained,
and the influences, direct and reflex, are
beneficial to the missions and to the
churches."
From this extract it will be seen that
my joy, if joy is expressed at all, was,
not that my relations were transferred
from the South to the North, but that
the sympathy and co-operation of the
California churches were thereby elicit
ed, to the benefit of the missions and
the churches here. "
The most painful official experience
of my life was when, six years ago, it be
came necessary for me to relinquish the
hope of an early return to China, and
to come to California as the next best
place to preach to the Chinese. My heart
was ! in China. T he next most om-
cial experience of my life was when, last
Spring, it became necessary for the
Southern Board to give up the missions
to the Chinese in California, and I was
consequently obliged to dissolve my con
nection, of twenty-five years duration,
with the Southern Baptist Convention,
and in a measure separate myself from
its most delightful associations. With
all my heart I love the South and the
Southern people.
But my life work is for the evangeli
zation of the. Chinese, and I rejoice and
thank God that when the Southern
Board had ' to discontinue its work
among this people, I found the brethren
of the Home Mission Society with no less
consecrated hearts, ready to take, up
the work, and that under their manage
ment the work has been enlarged and
the prospects of the missions' brightened
by drawing out the hearts of California
Baptists even to a limited extent.
I trust however that the fact of the
management of the missions being trans
ferred from the Southern Board to the
Home Mission society will not cause
Baptists to forget either the work or the
servants who are engaged in it.' It is a
work whose responsibilities rest not on
Northern Baptist alone, but on the Bap
tists all over the land.
On California Baptists there is a pe
culiar obligation because, by the provi
dence of God, the bulk of these peo
ple are among them ; but, as j regards
other States there is a common obliga
tion resting upon the Baptists all over
the land, in proportion to their; ability
Shall the obligations be forgotten or
ignored because our official relations
have been changed ! Shall not Mrs,
Sanford and I, Southern born and
Southern-reared, still retain an interest
in the prayers and affections and con
tributions of oar loved Southern
churches even though our commissions
are dated in a latitude North of Atlanta!
We have now in California under my
general superin tendance, five missions
with eleven workers, viz : In can ran
Cisco, uakiana, Stockton, uuico ana
Tresno, But for the financial straits of
the Home Mission Society we should
have (and I trust we soon will have)
other stations. The reports from these
stations are encouraging, and we ihink
we can plainly see the finger of the Lord
directing in their establishment.
I desire through you to send my many
Christian friends in North , Carolina
among whom I have gone preaching the
cause of missions to the heathen, my most
affectionate Christian salutations, and
an earnest request that as they are every
yea growing in Christian activity and
enlarging their benevolence In the work
of Christ, they will often mention ns by
name before the throne, and act upon
the promptings begotten of their pray
ere, and lend their support still to the
mission, to the Chinese on the Pacific
coast. I Yours fraternally.
I ' J. B. II ART WELL,
uot ceo. ivm, iooa.
t3rScBscKiBEHS will please examine
the dates opposite their names and if
lueir suutsenpuon eipireu uu or oeiore
the first of March they will please re
new at once or their paper will be dis
continued.- ,
!
Our Foreign Missions.
We take a few Items from the Foreign
Mission Journal, for March : z
BAHIA, BRAZIL. .
Bro. Z. C. Taylor writes on the 8th
01 Jan nary: "is ext Sunday win be a
notable day with us, .as we expect to or
dain two deacons, proved and fatherly
men; baptize two or three;' celebrate a
marriage; and at the close of the night
service, the Lord s Sapper. Our present
number is &
Senor Telxeira and family will go to
juacio next wees. Tne prospects are
bright for organization there soon. Many
are interested here.'
On the 12th he writes that the dea
cons were ordained, the marriage cele
brated and three baptized, the Lord's
Sapper observed by 48 church members
and money enough raised to send Senor
Teixeira on his missionary journey. The
church has been trebled in membership
during the past year. Bro. T. adds:
"Our reports show that in 1884 we sold
1,300 copies of Scripture. Some 30,000
tracts were distributed. The gospt l has
been preached successfully in three
cities and two villages. . We hope soon
- - ECO MDER.
to start a school on a self-supporting
basis. -
The new year has burst in upon us
with a glorious dawn of brighter times
to come. Pray for us." -
AT RIO JANEIRO.
Bro. Bagby Is ? greatly encouraged.
and expects very soon to baptize two
"men of piety, intelligence and influ
ence," one of whom Is a preacher.
From Mexico Bro. Powell writes a let
ter full of thrilling news. He .says of
PATOS,
which he recently visited: "The
Alcalde (chief magistrate) has been con
verted and joined the church; also Col.
Pedro- Aguero, a gentleman of large
means, and one of the most influential
men in the State. Several leading citi
zens said to me, you will see that in a
short while all Patos will be Baptist,
The people were very anxious for us
to open the school in Patos at once, we
were assured that we would have more
than 200 pupils. One gentleman of
means agreed to be responsible for the
salary of one teacher."
At Saltillo the church is in a "glori
ous revival." Twenty-one baptized mak
ing the church membership 101. "The
Interest continues unabated. Nearly
every girl in school not a member of
the church seems deeply moved.
CA5T0ST, CHI3TA.
Here there Is comparative quiet, and
work is being resumed. The native
Christians in our mission have, during
the troubles of war, proved the genuine
ness of their faith. Bro. Graves says :
"It is a cause of gratitude that none 01
the native Christians have lost their
lives or have been seriously injured dur
ing the troubles, and those who lost
their earthly goods and whose business
prospects- have been ruined have stood
the test so nobly." Bro. G. reports two
baptisms.
From Shanghai Bro. Yates writes, on
the 7th Jan : "I have been under the
weather and unfit for half -work for six
months. Since October 15th I have had
a doctor, and sometimes two, daily, or
every other day. Cannot tell what will
be the outcome of all this suffering and
anxiety. My general health is pretty
good. But my work is restricted to
translation and preaching at my home
chapel. It is greatly to be regretted that
this mission has not been reinf dreed long
ago. Three men for Chin-kiang. three
for Soochow, and one for Shanghai, are
what are wanted now, or as soon as
practicable whether I am here to as
sist them or not. I have done what I
could alone, to extend and locate the
work, and, to some extent, to supply it
with preaching "God is witness." But
that most stop now, till I am rid of my
thorn In the flesh. To-morrow is my
birth-day 66."
Surely these words will touch the
hearts of thousands. And shall we not
earnestly pray this hero of missions may
be spared, and that the mission may be
speedily reinforced.
The appeal of Bro. llunnex, his sole
fellow-worker in Central China, is only
less effecting; "Large and populous
cities in the immediate vicinity of Chin-
kiang have not a single messenger of the
cross to tell them of the Saviour of tne
world. Thousands of them pass into
eternity every day. What a thought! I
feel my heart stirred to its very depths as
I write. Do not think me too bold if I
say to the brethren and sisters of the
Southern Baptist Convention, "cannot
something be done for these perishing
multitudes" For if the word of G d
be true they certainly are perishing."
Now a word in regard to our treasury.
Only two months remain till the Con
ventional year will close; and unless
larger amounts are given-thanhave been
heretofore the necessities of the work
will not be met. North Carolina was
asked for $8,000; in ten months we have
given 83,418.93. What will be given in
March and April! Our proportion of
the $100,000 asked and needed by the
Board would be about 11,000; for
about one-ninth of Southern Baptists
are in North Carolina.
We never had more encouragement of
success, in f oreign Missions, man now;
never had so many missionaries in the
field, nor so many inviting fields opened.
Brethren let us do our part for this im
portant work at this critical time.
THEO. WHITFIELD.
"Subscribers will please examine
the dates opposite their names and if
their subscription expires on or before
the first day of March they will please
renew at once or their paper will be dis
continued.
An Episcopal Tract.
But few Episcopalians would answer
flatly "ves," if asked the question,
"Does not your church teach baptismal
regeneration f
"l is true, there is the idea in most of
their minds that the child receives some
spiritual blessing from the act of bap
tism, but lust what benefit it does de
rive they are unable to say. They would
not have the child die un baptized for
the world, but still they will not step
upon the teaching of . the ITayer-book
with a firm foot the teaching that the
child is regenerated in baptism.
There is, however, no such vagueness
found in the Prayer-book. Its state
ments, as to the spiritual benefits which
come to the Child in Baptism, are per
fectly clear and emphatic. After the
"infant" has been baptized ( i) the mtn-
iBt.er returns thanks to uod in x these
plain words, , "We yield thee ihearty
thanks, most merciful Father, that it
hath pleased thee to regenerate this In
fant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive
him for thine own child by adoption.
and to Incorporate him into thy holy
church." This thanksgiving is repeat
ed toward the close of the ceremony, so
that, like a sign-board which Is written
on both - sides, the Form of "Private
baptism of children'; tells us as it be
gins, and as it ends, that the Episcopal
church teaches Baptismal regeneration.
; It was my good fortune, not long
since, to get hold of an Episcopal Tract,
entitled "Preparation for Confirmation,
being "No. 4" in a series of 'Tracts on
Confirmation." As it was given by an
Episcopal Doctor of Divinity to a Bap
tist, and, as it is a Tract in a series of
Tracts on Confirmation, it must be a
correct exponent of Episcopal doctrine.
It is a very valuable commentary on
the words of the Prayer-book which re
fer to infant baptism. It teaches us
what interpretation the Episcopal
church Itself ; puts upon J the words.
'That It hath pleased thee to regenerate
tbl infant with thy Holy Spirit."
Let us notice its statements,
Question 4 of the Tract. "What will
God confirm !"
- Answer, "God will confirm the grace
given ns at our baptism, and give new
guts of the Holy Spirit to those who are
rightly disposed."
Here we are informed that "grace" of
Agriculture, and General
some kind is given the infant at his bap
tism. That point is settled: "grace" of
some '. kind is given to infants at bap
tism. Let ns see if it will tell us what
kind of grace is given.
Question 6 of the Tract. "Shew how
the second, God's confirming takes
place." . .
Answer. "The Bishop says a prayer.
on which he makes mention of our bap
tism, and the gifts which God then gave
us, which are regeneration etna remis
sion of sins' Then he prays God to
strengthen us with the Holy Ghost the
Comforter, and daily to increase in us
his sevenfold gifts. After this the Bish
op will lay his hand on the head of every
one severally, and say, 'Defend, O Lord,
this thy child &c....' -
It is in this laying on of the Bishop's
hand that God's confirming takesplaee.'?
Now, this is plain, simple, lucid lan
guage. I am glad that the question,
"Does the ipiscopal church teach bap
tismal regeneration " is here so satisfac
torily answered. Here we are told that
the grace given to the infant at its
baptism is "regeneration and remission
of sins.1 I bad so interpreted the book
of Common Prayer, and I am relieved
to find that I got so nearly the meaning
wnich the church intended to convey.
The ' authors of the book of Common
Prayer certainly employed chaste, clear,
and accurate language to set forth the
teachings of their church. We cannot
complain of their language, however
much we may question their theology.
1 mu-t confess to being a little startled
to learn that God's gifts of the Comfort
er, even of the Holy ; Ghost, comes
through the laying on of the Bishop's
hands. Suppose no Bishop's -. hands
should be laid upon men, are we to con
clude that no Holy Spirit would be
given! Blessed hands are they which
convey so priceless a blessing! f
it would seem that the question.
Does the Episcopal church teach Bap
tismal regeneration," has been fully an
swered by the Tract." Anj candid mind,
sufficiently . intelligent to understand
simple language, must be ' convinced,
that the Episcopal church so interprets
tne book of uoinmon Inrayer as to bap
tisinai regeneration.
The Tract, however, goes on further.
and speaks more fully on the subject.
uuestion Z2 of the Tract. "May Con-
nrmation ever be repeated?"
Answer, ix o. A baptism is given
once to oestow regeneration or new
birth, so confirmation is given once to
bestow the spirit of strength. In bap
tism, spiritual life is imparted; in con
firmation, it is strengthened, and the
Holy Communion is. the appointed
means by which it is to be continually
sustained.
now plain is all this I Here we are
told why baptism is given; it "is given
to bestow regeneration or new birth."
The object of Baptism as stated by this
Tract is a most excellent one. : I know
that the Scriptures tell us tht "This
life is in His Son," but, if "in baptism
spiritual life is imparted," surely bap
tism becomes a most useful agent in sal
vation. Confirmation simply strength
ens that life imparted at baptism, and
the Holy Communion sustains it! .
It is, indeed, surprising that so many
good and pious people should eling
tenaciously to an error opposed both to
scripture and to reason an error which
tends to foster both priest-craft and
superstition, but the marvel is, that,
with an open Bible, these owls and bats
of the dark ages, should still abide to
the shame of Christianity. '
Oxford, N. C. J. S. Bardaway.
WESTN. C. NEWS AND NOTES
Workman are beginning in large
numbers to prepare the way for eou-
structing the Ashe ville and Spartan
burg Railroad. The hopeless are tak
ing hope and the hopeful are jubilant.
The completion of this road, leaving
ont all other great benefits to the coun
try, will be an immense advantage to
Judson College. To attempt to travel
from Henderson ville to Asheville, as it
is now, mud two to three feet deep
would be a task which modern cmlka-
tioa will not endure. The Asheville
mail wagon comes in sometimes like
the Georgia man's vehicle, on the tat
tered curtains of which he had written
"busted."
- Prof. W. G. Brown, of Judson
College, has been in good health of late.
Bro. John P. Morgan, of Morgan
Hill, one of our faithful Sunday School
agents, has been out of health for some
time.
Editor Hemby, of the Waynes-
ville Jfews,c is making a newsy paper of
his. He is seeking new contributors.
Editorials may be deep and strong in
any paper, but it takes juicy and spicy
and cute correspondents to make a pa
per take well.
: Away up in Highlands, the high
est of the highlands in all this high
land, editor A. sr. Clark, who by the
Way is a Baptist, is making a show of
his good wisdom in furnishing his read
ers weekly with much information need
ed by farmers. ; Last week be treated
them to a half column on "Tne Apia
ry." There are two remarks to make
on the paragraph, one is that no editor
is a "good one' who neglects to give to
the - honest yeoman reading : matter
about the farm. The second f is, I do
not mention that Bro. C. is a Baptist
for any sectarian ends. Some of the
'shoddiest - Baptists l ever saw were
newspaper editors. The country is full
of them. I hope Brother Clark, if he
will pardon us. does not belong to that
class.
Franklin, in Macon county, like
every other town, is improving, and is
looking for a railroad.
We believe that the Blue birds
will sing to us in less than ten days, If,
as at this writing, "the like" continues.
One of our West End editors has
said seriously : "We heard it remarked
the other day that more money -could
be made In Western sNorth Carolina at
raising apples than In Florida at raising
oranges. ; This is beyond a doubt true.
And yet there seems to be a great Flor
ida craze ; to go. down . there to ; live
where alligators "amuse the eye," and
sand flies, 3 mosquitoes, ;!'galllnlppe
it id omne genus, are to worry the
of the poor creatures who play Chinee
wit h a palm leaf Ian. , w by not come
and raise apples in Western North Car
olina, where the pure mountain air
makes nerve and muscle tingle and
paints the cheek with a brushed dipped
in Natures deepest dye-cup!
Some of our mountaineers are
going to Washington to see Mr. Cleve
land inaugurated ; some, have gone to
Florida, some are in New Orleans and
Havana. So we are at this time pretty
ui uch scattered. - ,
Some people have an idea that
Intelligence.
JN UMBER U D I
we mountaineers are not literary. Here
is one of the stanzas published in one
of our papers concerning "The Young
Widow." iRead it and see if we have
not sentimentality as well as you low
countryfolks; .
She is modest, but not bashful ...
Free and easy, but not bold ;
Like an apple, rip and mellow
Not too yonng and not too old ;
. Half inviting, half repulsive;
Now advancing, and now shy
There U mischief in her dimple,
- There is danger in her eye.
A reward of 8500 has been offered
by the insurance companies for the ar
rest of the incendiaries who fired the
Warm Springs Hotel.
-And on the "chained lightning"
goes. - soon it will be telling the news
in Charleston, Swain county. Frank
Leslie's correspondent who wrote of the
coffee-pot ballot boxes In Swain can be
caught by telegraph after this. f
Wayne8ville is discussing the Gra
ded School. ; -
President Andrews, of Raleigh.
is to be honored by having the town of
Charleston, N. C, ch uged in name to
"Andrews." - J. K C.
February 28th, 1885.
Early Moral Training, one of the
Aieeas of tne Hour.
Though "the education, moral and
intellectual, of every man, is-chiefly his
ownwork," yet the bias given during
school days is strong and lasting. -
The main object of teaching, at the pre
sent time, seems to be to make scholars.
All kind of ways and means are adopted
to accomplish this object. To this end,
formal schools have been organized.
To this end millions of money have been
spent by the State, the churches and the
people. Meny brains have been racked
to accomplish newer, better and faster
means of imparting instruction. Books
have been written by thousands whole
libraries have poured forth the teeming
brains of educators, to disseminate
views of teachers. -
All this is praiseworthy, provided the
moral culture goes pari passu with the
intellectual. But the student who has
reached the topmost, round in the lad
der of learning can be of no real value
to his fellow if the moral training is
lacking. For the chief end of man is to
glorify God ; ; and if he only glorifies
himself, he misses the great aim of life.
His knowledge should enable him to be
a better man every way a better friend,
a better neighbor, a better tradesman,
a better professional man, a better' me
chanic, a better farmer. He should
touch all around him to do good to alL
His mental culture should enable him
to see God in all His works should
give him power to explain the mysteries
of creation should give him a wider.
sphere of usefulness.
This cannot be attained without early
and persistent training. It cannot be
accomplished unless the teacher has
been taught of God. As the teacher, so
the taught. The tremendous influence
of early moral training will be felt, even
though the student may,! in young man
hood, go astray into forbidden paths.
Early impressions will . assert their
power in time. !
But, in these remarks, do not under
stand that the secular teacher must be
held altogether responsible. For he is
only second, the parent being first in
authority. "
One of the glaring faults of the pres
ent day is the neglect of children by
parents. The latter shift the responsi
bility of training their children to the
secular and the Sunday School teach
ers and think no more is left for them
to do. But God will hold them to ac
count, and they cannot, without peril
to the child, shirk their duty.
Thousands of boys, to-day, are run
ning the streets of our cities, who will
in the near future, fill the penitentiaries.
Let us, then, insist on more and more
thorough moral teaching, not only by
word but also by example. ;
Kinston. Feb. 28th, 1885.
LITERARY NOTES.
The
North American Review. New
30 Lafayette Place. Price $5 a
Single number 50 cents. March,
The contents of this number
York.
year.
1885.
have
bearing upon large theological
as welLas political matters, which can
be seen by a glance at its table of con
tents : Future Retribution, by Archdea
con F. W. Farrar; The Moral Aspect of
Vivisection, by Prof. Noah' K. Davis;
Buddhist Charity, by Prof. F. Max Mui
ler; The Revival. of Sectionalism, by
Murat Halstead; Mind in Men and An
imals, by Geo. John Romanes; The Use
and Abuse of Titles, by President D.
C. Oilman ; Speculation in Politics, by
Judge John A. Jameson ; .Railway Land
Grants, by John W. Johnston.
The Story qf the. Baptists, by Rev. R.
B. Cook, D. D., Wilmington, Del, 400
pages, eighty illustrations. "It con
tains a careful statement of the distinc
tive views of the Baptists and gives ns
an insight into the straggles and trials
of the Baptists in all the centuries of
the Christian era. It is amply supplied
with illustrations, many of which are
handsome and.: interesting. r Dr. Cook
has a direct and unaffected style, and
puts on every page the glow of his earn
est soul. It is to ns a matter of re
gret that our people give so little time
to the history and principles of the Bap
tists. We need popular works on this
line, and we are sure that this book of
Dr. Cook s will furnish helpful reading
to many who are eager to know more
of the Baptists. We warmly recom
mend it to the kindly consideration of
the public" Religious Herald, Rich
mond, Va.
'The Story of the Baptists" is In a
condensed and accessible form. A great
amount of information about the de
nomination, its principles, men, history,
institutions, etc Has nearly 100 illus
trations, views of memorable places,
and portraits of men of note in BaptUt
History. It should find a place in every
Sunday School library, and in the fam
ily libraries of our people. It will eer
tainly be read with both interest and
profit, even by those who have long
been familiar with tne wonderful sto
rj.nTh National Baptist.
A great many ministers have taken
agencies: for their churches. Liberal
discounts given. - Address the publish
er, H. M. Wharton, Baltimore, Md.
- Irma, the Little Musician, by Kate
Neely Hill, 16ma, 249 pages, price $1.
American Baptist Publication Society,
1420 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. The
lovers of music will be attracted by this
story of Irma, the daughter of a Ger
man, musician, brought up together
with her elder sister, Hildegarde, and
her brother, Eugene, in a home where
music was all about them. The labor
The Biblical Kecorder.
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t Special notices charged 20 cents per line.
' No contracts made for every-other-week adver-
nsements, nor for special position in paper.' i
ubitoanes, sixty words long, are inserted free
charge. ; When they exceed this length, one
ucui kit ucn worn man De pata in aarance.
necessary to attain to excellence in mu- -Bic,
and the happy result of patient
study and practice, are clearly set forth.
But it is a story of child life, a life, like
most lives, with its own special trials.
The opening scenes are. sad, but they
gradually brighten as Irma as well as
her father and sister and brother, pa
tiently endure and work, trusting in
God. Irma was a practiced and skillful
performer on the piano, and her brother
on the violin ; and unexpectedly - their
musical attainments were called into
requisition in the . public, school that
they, attended. The : descriptions of ;
music and of its power are very graphic
and stirring. The whole book is fresh
and inspiriting, well adapted to arouse .
s healthful desire for excellence, and to
incite one to the patient; faithful effort
by which alone it can be secured. .
The Pulpit Treasury tor March is to
hand. This superb Monthly, like good i '
wine, improves with age. Each num.-,
ber is an advance in excellence,! and
seems impossible to be surpassed in the
quality of the articles, on ; the great
variety of subjects treated : suitable for '"
pastors, Christian workers and-families.
A capital portrait of Bishop Fallows of
Chicago, with a sermon on 'The Rela
tions of the Clergyman to the Physi- j
clan" is given on the first pages, and a
view, of the First Reformed Episcopal
Church New York, in another place.
Dr. Maclaren's sermon on "The Carcass -x
and the Vultures;" Dr. Marling's on
"Hard Times;? Dr. a Von Gerock of -
Stuttgart, on "Easter's Joy ;" Bishop
Nicholson's on 'The Lord's Supper;"
Bishop Clark's to ; Sabbath School
Teachers, on "Sowing Mingled Seed,"
deserve special notice, for, their great :
worth and timeliness Leading Thoughts
of Sermons are by Drs. Parker, Keen, '
Reed, Daves, Rivers and Brown. Noth- -ing
can exceed the intrinsic merit of the "
articles on "Appreciation of the Bible,"'
by Chancellor Waddell; VWUliam Jay
the Preacher," by Rev. D. W. Lusk; -'The
Principles of the Wicklifflan Re
formation," by Professor Watts; ''Social
Impurity," by Bishop Perry; "Sabbath'
Observance," by Bishop Ryle; "Writ-1
ten and ; Spoken Address," by Dr.
Storrs, and "The Use and Abuse of the
Brain," by H. W. Mitchell, M.D. Other
articles as excellent, on other Important .
themes fill this Monthly to overflowing,
i Yearly, 82.50. - Clergymen; $2 Sin-
gle copies, 25 cents. E. B. Treat, Pub
lisher, 757 Broadway, New York. .
VicWs Magazine for February. Fruit
growers and those about to commence : "
in that pursuit may read to advantage z
the opening- article in the. February
number of Tick's Magazine, which con- -tains
some valuable advice . ,
A Handsome Window Stand,: -finely -illustrated,
will be acceptable to those
who want to know how to have plants
ornament a room'. A pure white Gladi- s
olus is something new, and the account
of Jt will be eagerly read by those who
prize this beautiful flower.
: The eonclusion of an article on Cold
Graperies, commenced in : the January
number, leaves little more to be said to
enable a novice to build and plant In
the best manner a house adapted to
exotic Grapes.
Notes from Western Iowa should en
courage those who are commencing on "
new places on the western prairies, and
help them to provide fruit for the fain- '
ily in the shortest time.. Mirror Lake
and Mt. Watkins, in the Yosemite, are
exquisitely descrith l arid beautifully
illustrated.; The wri.er, Alice P. AJams, ,
does full justice to the subject, which
is one of the most wonderful pieces of
scenery of the western coast. Forecast
ing Weather will be of service to all who
would be weather wisa, and what In
habitant of ithe country, would not!
Some Native Orchids are very pleasant-
ly noticed by one who geniously ad
mires them. Charles W. Garfield talks
of farm work with 'the drudgery left out,
and pretty effectually shows how It may
be done.
The Foreign Notes are full and excel
lent, with a fine illustration, . .
1 ne cnats in neasant txossip cover a
great variety of subjects that almost
every one wants to know.
Mrs. Butler's Journal, in Our Young
People, wDl . Specially interest young
ladies. . Carious Gems and Curious In
sects will please a variety of readers',
and the boys will enjoy E. E. Rexford's
Among the Pines, being an account of
the pineries of the Norm west.
; Mr. Richard ; Grant White is under
stood to be something of an authority
in matters Shakespearean. . He has pub- -lished
an edition of Shakespeare. In '
the Atlantic Monthly; he discusses the
moral character of the great dramatist.
In dealing with the question, "Was .
Shakespeare a good man V he says.
"We don't know. We only know that
he was civil in his demeanor; that his
conduct united with his great mental v
gifts to win him standing in the lowest z
social position, the favor of those who ;
were in the .highest ; thai Ben . Jonson
loved him (his recognition of the merit .
of 'Every Man in his Humour,' brought J
Ben into notice), and thought him hon- ;
est and of a free and open nature that,
being only an actor and a playwright,
he rose rapidly from absolute poverty
to very considerable wealth ; that, to
please the coarse tastes of a considera
ble part of the public, by pleasing which
be prospered, he who when he spoke
judicially denounced indecency as bad
in morals and bad in art, made his plays
more copiously, more grossly, and more
ingeniously indecent than any others
known to modern literature."
We do not see how Mr. White ean be
lieve ; this last - charge, unless he has ;
utterly forgotten or else is entirely ig
norant of the plays of Wycherly and of
Congreve. Even if he has never read
these plays, it is scarcely to be sup
posed that he has not seen Macaulay's
essay on "The Comic Dramatists of the
Restoration,?' In that essay, Macaulay, -who
was evidently V familiar with - his
subject, impresses us with the opinion '
that Shakespeare' was marvelously
clean writer as compared with quite a :
number of the dramatists of the age of 1
Charles IL ; and we are satisfied that 1
Macaulay is right. . We doubt if the in
decencies of Shakespeare ever corrupted "
the morals of any human being. For
our own part, we think that Swift and
Sterne (both preachers) are very much
more disgustingly unclean than Shakes
peare; and we are inclined to think that -we
ought to add the name of Smollett
to those of Swift and Sterne. We are
satisfied that Charles - Reade's . novel,
"Griffith Gaunt,"; written in our own
day and generation, is more demoral
izing than is anything that Shakespeare
ever wrote. Modesty sometimes leaves
tha heart and takes refuge-on ; the lips.
The language of Griffith Gaunt is not
so coarse as .some of the language of
Shakespeare; but the heart of the book
is rotten-Religious Herald. ' z
- 4
, -
5