I received some weeks ago, a letter from a distinguished brother in West Tennessee calling my attention to an editorial in one of the secular papers of Memphis, in which it was stated that the Baptist churches of that city had received more members by baptism within a year than all the other churches of Big Hatchie Association. I recollect, too, the opinion was expressed that this was owing to the fact that the Memphis churches had ignored the Howell and Graves difficulty. The brother referred to, was satisfied there was some mistake, and wished me to correct it. Not having the statistics of the Association at the time, I could not do so; but I have now learned that there were nearly four times as many baptized in the other churches of the Association within a year from July, 1859, as in the Memphis churches. I cheerfully publish the fact. It is right to publish it. The Memphis brethren who, it seems, furnished the secular paper referred to with the statements published, felt, I suppose some proclivities to self-glorification. This is too common a weakness. May the Lord save his people from it. The denomination everywhere will rejoice to hear of the prosperity of the Baptist cause in Memphis, but will not be pleased to see Memphis complimented at the expense of other places. And this reminds me of what I heard a very good brother say some weeks ago. Speaking of the progress of Baptist interests in Memphis, he said, facetiously of course, "This is because the gas lights were put out while Bro. Sledge was preaching during the session of the Southern Baptist Sabbath School Union."
      P.
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[From the Tennessee Baptist, November 26, 1859, p. 2, from microfilm on CD edition. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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