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Wappenockee Plantation, near Pean Grove Post-Cffice,)
Parish of Carroll, Louisiana, April 19, 1840.

We have reason to thank God our heavenly Father, that his blessings have attended our humble efforts in this land of cotton hales and worldly-mindedness, in planting the glorious standard of the Cross, and contributing a mite in spreading his truth in a region where, we may almost say, it had never been seen or felt before in that simplicity, beauty and power which attended it in the days of its uncorruptness and purity.

I informed you that our labors commenced and were confined to our own plantation, where, on every Lord's day, we assembled all our family, black and white, and spent a portion of that day in reading the scriptures, and in religious instruction and edification. During the past summer we had the inexpressible pleasure of hearing the declaration of the faith, and witnessing the immersion into the name of our blessed Lord Jesus, of some five or six. On last Lord's day we were again called upon to render thanks to God for his tender mercies to us ward. Our meetings for some time previous had been deeply interesting, and a visible alteration for the better had been observed in many of our family; and one day twenty one came forward and made the good confession, embracing all ages, from the strippling of 12 to old age. I confess, my dear brother, that the occasion filled my heart and mind with more than I can utter. The idea that my brother and self, alone as it were, in this distant country, separated many miles from any church of our fellowdisciples, in a region of country where the truth in its ancient simplicity was never before presented, had been made the instrument, under God, of planting the glorious standard of Immanuel, and of gathering a few names in the roll of immortality for the blessed Lord-that a portion of the waters of the mighty Mississippi had in this region been, for the first time, consecrated as the Jordan of baptism and emblematic burial of so many of our fellow-creatures and they too of our own household, through our labors and instruetions, I confess filled my soul with more than my feeble language can express. We were the first to trouble the mighty water-a portion of our family were the first, who, in obedience to God's command, was, in the name and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, immersed beneath its wave; but who shall be last eternity will only tell. Bless the Lord, O! my soul, and be not forgetful of his benefits! Along the banks of Wappanoekee were assembled, for the second time, in that day, about one hundred and fifty souls, to participate in, and witness the solemn scene. May it oft be repeated! May the little church thus set up be long watered by faithful disciples of our Lord, that God may give the increase, till the knowledge of his name be sounded aloud through the length of this land, is our earnest prayer for his name's sake

We break the loaf every Lord's day, and upon that occasion, had the felicity of gathering around the table of the Lord to the number of 37.

We

I trust in the Lord that the little congregation that is now building up here in our own family, may extend and exert an influence far and near over our planters, and that God may so bless bur humble endeavors in his cause, as will work a revolution in the govern ment and managements of estates here, as will convince all that the religious instructions of the Bible, and Bible alone, will achieve more for all concerned than task-niasters, penal codes, &c. &c. have ever been, or will ever be, able to accomplish beside. inay fail of our hopes for want of knowing how best to act; but we feel conscious that God's word, known, telt, and obeyed, will and can make better masters, better servants, and a happier society than all else beside. Do you not think that something can be done now to effect this revolution? Will you be so good as to give us your thoughts, and make such suggestions as may be useful to aid us in this effort. I would be glad to hear from yeu on this topic. You know our southern people, manners, customs, and I may say, prejudices too, sufficiently well to give us many reflections that may be advantage ous. Should we be able, under our Divine Master, to effect this, or even lay a foundation for others to build upon, our removal to this land from our beautiful Kentucky, will not have been in vain in the Lord. Our efforts in this cause cannot be subjected to the drawbacks attendant upon any effort made elsewhere. Our identification of interest, in one exciting topic, with all of our fellow citizens, must free us from the paralysing counteractions, which must and will attend any effort, however benevolent, began any where else than at home. B. H. PAYNE.

Rio Nunidad, Texas, January 5, 18-12.

We stand in the same attitude to Mexico as we did in 1846. Overtures have been made for the purpose of securing an amicable adjustment of difficulties; but as often as made they have been rejected. Therefore, until a disposition is evinced on the part of Mexico to solicit friendly relation, it is probable Texas will neither incur the expense nor risk the degradation of farther advances I am of opinion that it is incompatible with the dignity and interests of Texas to Interfere with the revolutions of Mexico; neither do I believe it would be the policy of this government to invade Mexico at this time Let her alone.Her civil commotions will exhaust her resources and diminish her means of aggression, while emigration to Texas will give us a population and resources which will enable us to resist aggression.

I would be glad to see a treaty effected with the United States, of a more definite cha racter than that which constitutes the basis of our present relations Our contiguity with your country, and our intimate and daily intercourse with its citizens, seem to render this desirable,

Perhaps it is owing in a great measure to our unsettled situation with Mexico, which prevents some of the more respectable citizens of the United States from emigrating to our country. Pardon me for indulging in matters which may not be very interesting to you. In order that you may have some idea of the manners and customs of latitude 31, I will give you a few extracts from a letter which I received from brother Cox not long

since:

At a meeting of some of the members of our church, they formally excommunicated me from their fellowship (only three of the members acting) on a charge of Campbellism, without explanation or proof-Mr. Murrell, of the Guadaloupe, In the chair-my friends, by request, submitting. So we staud disconnected."

He then remarks

To give you some idea of our plan of our future operations, I will just remark that we will continue to receive applicants to baptism on a declaration of their faith. And where our churches have not been organized on the word of God we will reorganize them on the word of God alone. We hold that faith, repentance, and obedience constitute the Chris tian character. Our desire is to restore the ancient order of things in the church as nearly as we can according to the New Testament, regardles 3 of the opinions of men."

There are four churches resolved as above.

I do not desire to conclude without informing you that we have organized a little con gregation in this place on the last Lord's day in October last, consisting of 8 persons; one Since has united. As we have the same Lord, the same faith, the same hope with the first Christians, we have vowed to do as they did. We certainly owe as much to the Lord as they, and ought to love, honor, and obey him as much as they.

JOEL PONTON.

PROPOSALS,

For publishing at Paris, Tennessee, by Messrs. DUNN, GIST, and ADEN, a Monthly Periodical, to be entitled THE BIBLE ADVOCATE; to be edited and conducted by DR JOHN R. HOWARD,

THE object of this periodical, as its name imports, is to plead the cause of primitive Christianity, as it emanated pure and uncorrupted from its Author and his inspired Apostles, and as set forth in the Bible, the only fountain of heavenly wisdom and know. ledge, and to defend it against the misrepresentations, cavils, and aspersions of its enemies.

In connexion with this design it will discuss the following topics:-The Evidences of Christianity-the True Interpretation of the Language, Principles, and Sentiments of the Bible-the Design and Meaning of its Institutions-the Interpretation of ProphecyEducation, religious and intellectual-Conduct and Duties of Christians-Office Duties, and Support of Evangelists and Bishops, &c It will also report the Progress of the Gospel and the Statistics of the Churches; and will endeavor to impress as much as possible the duty and importance of practical Religion.

TERMS

The Bible Advocate will be published in nonthly numbers, of 16 pages each, in double column, octavo, folded, but not stitched or covered; and at the low price of one dollar per annum, always in advance. Those who remit five dollars for five copies shall receive the sixth copy gratis. It shall be sent gratis to all Evangelists who request itand who are hereby authorized to act as agents

It is intended that the net proceeds, after defraying all necessary and contingent ex penses, shall be devoted to the support of the gospel.

The want of a religious periodical in the South, devoted to pure and uncorrupted Christianity, added to the solicitations of several southern brethren, and the many misre presentations to which we are constantly exposed, has induced the undersigned to enter upon the present undertaking When the cheapness of the paper is considered, and its design, and the purpose to which the proceads are to be appropriaied, they confidently believe and hope that the brethren generally, and particularly in the South, wil exert themseives to sustain the undertaking. The publication of the paper will depend upon no contingency, as the undersigned are determined to commence it as soon as sufficient arrangements can be made. Remittances may therefore be forwarded for it, with the names of subscribers.

All communications to be directed (postage paid) to the Committee of Publication at Paris, Tennessee.

Those who may hold the Prospectuses will please forward the names of subscri⚫ bers by the 15th of July, if possible.

Remittances can be made through the medium of Post-Masters, who are authorized

by law to do so.

J. H. DUNN,
C. H. GIST,
S. B. ADEN,

Committee of Publication.

CHRISTIAN PSALMODY—No. II.

We have said that notwithstanding that love of variety and of number displayed in behalf of voluminous and expensive psalters and hymn-books, there is no individual, family, or community, that delights in singing many songs. The Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, indeed, at home and abroad, believing that their psalm-book was all inspired, found themselves in duty bound to sing it all through, if not annually, at least in as short a time, as a regular series of singings twice or thrice a-day would despatch the whole one hundred and fifty. This made this most delightful part of Christian worship, both in the family and congregation, more ceremonial and formal than edifying or refreshing. The incongruity of times, seasons, and feelings, so often appearing in sach systematic wholesale singing, by the volume, became disgusting, or at least tiresome and unedifying to the community; and frequently, almost always, after one or two rounds, was abandoned for a more rational and congruous system of making the song and the occasion agree. Finally, however, the favorite songs became more and more manifest by their frequent repetition, and the community insensibly, and without any formal agreement, became addicted and devoted to a select few which happened to touch the more common sympathies and native sensibilities of the intelligent and pious heart.

This tendency of the mind is perfectly intelligible if we analyze with care the laws of human action. Amidst all the varieties of animal sustenance, and the almost incalculable aliments provided for our common wants, but a few of them are universally or even generally acceptable; and were the products of all climes daily accessible to all mankind, but a few of them would become the standing entertainment and grateful repasts of the millions of guests that daily assemble around the tables of earth's innumerable spacious dining halls. Man can live on many things on which he desires not to live; and even of the desirables but a few are of high relish and esteem. So is it of authors and their works. Few are universally pleasing; few are even generally acceptable. There are, however, some rare productions that captivate millions. Amongst the simple narratives and affecting anecdotes with which sacred and common literature abounds, there are only a few pieces that universally please. The story of Joseph and the adventures of the youthful David engage every heart; while comparatively few delight in the wars of Joshua and the anecdotes of the Judges and Kings of Israel. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is read with interest by every one who understands our vernacular; while his Holy War is

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pleasing but to a few. Milton's Paradise Lost has a thousand admirers for one who can endure his Paradise Restored.

Amongst the fruits of earth the same law obtains. The apple and the peach are eaten by all mankind; while the orange, the citron, and the lemon are preferred by only a part. The milk, the honey, and the butter are favorites in every land and language; while fish, and fowl, and flesh have not the freedom of all the cities of the world. So is it it in things spiritual. There is a specific spiritual taste which is as common as the Christian faith. There is a homogeneity of feeling in all the family of God. Begotten by one Spirit, affiliated to one Father, heirs in common of one inheritance, inspired by the same hopes, and feasted on the same banquets of joy and love, their souls are charmed by the lyre of David and soothed by the harmonies of praise as they ascend from pure hearts baptized in the blood of the Lamb. I never knew a Christian whose heart responded not to the melodies of the true grace of God. There are themes connected with redemption and its Author, that "like a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon," are delightful to all. The chords of every Christian heart vibrate in holy sympathies with the sweet breathings of the Holy Spirit; when, like the balmy zephyrs coming from the mountains of spices, they fall with heavenly sweetness upon the circumcised ears of enlightened and consecrated worshippers.

The great points on which all sanctified spirits meet are fountains of holy delight. They are the sublime truths, the ineffable hopes, the inconceivable joys of the true gospel of the grace of God.

Our aims are one, our comforts and our cares."

Let a song that touhces any of these themes, well composed, clothed with the charms of acceptable poetry, in a style as elevated as the conceptions of which it is the expression, be sung in corresponding strains of the grave sweet melody; and what Christian tongue could refuse to join in the blissful concert of grateful homage to our Immortal King!

But it may be said, 'Let us have all these songs in one book, and then it will be a large volume.' If so, I too say, Let us have a large volume. Where, however, shall we find a large volume of this sort! All the hymn-books known to me have in them some fastiansome of them, a great deal. Hence I sometimes take пр books containing hundreds of hymns that are sung neither in the family nor the church once in five years. In our own little book there are several songs that I have never heard sung by any church or society, and yet they are in doctrine and good sense sound even in England, Scotland, and Protestant America. Still they are not sung because there are

But this is out of the

others better. Now if we had a hundred better than any we have, not one of those now in use would ever be sung. question. Many of them have seldom been equalled, and none of them excelled by any compositions in our language.

But before we inquire into the character of those songs to which we allude, let us first institute an inquiry into the proper subjects of sacred song. This is a subject on which little, very little has been written or said during the current reformation, and it is one on which some thing ought to be said. What, then, we shall first inquire, are the proper subjects of sacred song?

1st. Not definitions of words. Faith is thus defined by Dr. Watts, one of our best English poets—at least in the department of sacred melo dies:

Falth is the brightest evidence

Of things beyond our sight,"

Breaks through the clouds of flesh and sense,
And dwells in heav'nly light.

It gets time past in present view,
Brings distant prospects home,

Of things a thousand years ago,

Or thousand years to come.

By faith we know the worlds were made
By God's almighty word;

Abra'm, to unknown countries led,

By faith obey'd the Lord.

He sought a city, fair and high,
Built by the eternal nande,

And faith assures us, though we die,
Tuat heav'nly building stands.

Regeneration is also defined by the same poet

Not all the outward forms on earth,
Nor rites, which God has giv'n,
Nor will of man, nor blood, nor birth,
Can raise a soul to heav'n.

The sov'reign will of God, alone
Creates us heirs of grace,

Born in the image of his Son,
A new peculiar race.

The Spirit, like some heav'nly wind,
Blows on the sons of fleshy,

New models all the carnal mind,
And forms the man afresh,

Our quicken'd souls awake, and-riso
From the long sleep of death;

On heav'nly things we fix our eyes,
And praise employs our breathi.

The ode to faith, or of faith, is a pretty ode, good poetry, good sense; but it is no part of the worship of God to sing the definition of a word or a thing. Christian psalters ought not to be poetic dictionaries, nor rhyming grammars. The definition of regeneration, however true in theory, is also a more poetic definition of the poet's view of a biblical term. No one can either praise God or refresh the soul of any one by singing it.

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