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NEWS OF THE WEEK.
_ .. . •
MACON 6, 18C4.
. . —_ -3T _____
Notes on the Times.
Three years ago Maj. Anderson moved his
garrison from Ft. Moultre to Ft. Sumter and :
theio enacted tlie first scene of the bloodiest
drama the world ever gazed upon. No land!
has ever suffered the same amount of sorrow, ‘
privation, anddeath in so short a time, as ours. :
there is not a household in all the country :
which has not wept over the loss of some dear
one, and with heads bowed down, mourn their |
crul late. Property lias been destroyed, i
homesteads laid in ashes, the country devas- |
tated, and the most inhuman cruelties inflic
ted upon a suffering people. The hand of ty
ranny has pbed every means devised by the
despot’s head, to subdue our people, and to
break their spir.t. But, notwithstanding all
these things, the people of the South are still
defiant and determined to be free. The ene
my lias published his programme, and fully
advised us of our doom if we are conquered.
1 he alternatives are liberty, slavery, or death.
Death has already reaped a rich harvest in
the thousands of noble patriots who have been
slain in the cause of freedom. Many more
may lay their live upon the altar of their
Country, but liberty will bo the boon of those
who survive, and of coming generations. Sla
very can never be the doom of the South un
less her sons ignobly refuse to fight, and wil
hngly cress their hands to receive the tyrant’s
fetters.
There seems, for the present, to boa lull
in military movements. The heavy rains and
hard f; aezes have brought the contending for
ces to a stand. In Tennessee, the enemy has
distributed his forces at various points for the
purpose of v filtering and obtaining supplies
with more convenience. Our own army occu
pies about the same position in Northern Ga.
that i . clid previous to the great battle ofChick
pmauga. Gen. J. E. Johnston, is now in com
mand. It has been apprehended by some that
our army would fall back toward Atlanta.—
But it is the opinion of tlie knowing ones that
this apprehension is groundless. Gen. John
ston is a lighting man, and we believe will
stubbornly contest every inch of ground from
Chick:, manga to Atlanta. But we do not be
lieve it will be possible for Grant to advance
before April or May, and by that time be may
have to make a retrograde movement. Let the
people see to it that the army is well fed and
clad during the winter months, and they need
not seriously fear that it can he driven back
very far towards Atlanta.
In Virginia all remains quiet. The late
raid of Aver ill is doubtless the close of the
winter campaign in that quarter. The Yankee
army has made no progress towards Richmond
within the past twelve months. It is now
twenty miles further off thau it was this
time last year, nor is it probable that it will
ever get much nearer.
The soige of Charleston, progresses, but the
enemy approach no nearer the city. They are
evidently growing weary of their work. Six
months’ time, millions of money, tons of iron,
thousands ot’ pounds of powder, and great sac-*
rifico ot life have been, expended, but the ene
my is really but little nearer the accomplish
ment of his object than when the seige began.
There have been some indications of a pur
pose to make an attempt by laud. Numerous
transports have been seen to pass Wilmington
which were supposed to contain reinforce
ments fi in the Northern armies for Gilmore.
But we believe that they will make as little
advance by this rout as they have up the har
bor and over tlie islands. Gen. Beauregard
will not he caught asleep. Pocotaligo has
heretofore proved an unlucky spat for Yan
kees. uth Carolina soil is not at all adap
ted to Yankee homes or armies.
.Matters wear a cheering aspect West of the
Mississippi. Magtuder, Dick Taylor, Price,
Holmes, and Kirby Smith, will prove more
than a watch for Banks and his clan.
It appears that tho negro trouble at Fort
Jackson was a small affaiv after all. It shows,
however, that they are not altogether satisfied
with freedom and their Yankee brethren.
The Mississippi River is still infested with
rebel batteries on its western bank. Com
mercial operations are no more safe now than
before the fall of Vicksburg. Nor will it ev
er be so long as war exists. The westeru men
will find that peace is the only means by which
that river can be opened and undisturbed nav
igation secured. They have fought against
their own interests and brought all their trou
ble upon themselves.
The Confederate Congress has been vigo
rously at work devising and discussing schemes
to improve the currency aud to recruit the ar
my. Both are matters of the greatest impor
tance. We trust that wisdom and not bascc
may characterize its deliberations.
The substitute law will doubtless be repea
led and the limits of conscription extended.
We regard the good faith of the government
involved in tho former, to say nothing of the
constitutional ba.-rier against impairing the
obligation of contract. As to the latter, we
think the original age fixed for conscription
will furnish men enough to whip the Yankees
if the law is properly enforced, aud the strag
glers and deserters gathered up and put in
their places. The main tiling now is to pro
vide subsistence and clothing. It is not over
grown armies that-achieve the greatest victo
ries, but those that are best provided and best
disciplined. But we leave these matters to
those who have them in charge, hoping and
believing that if we are true to ourselves and
to our obligations to God that he will overrule
all things for our good and enable us to tri
umph gloriously in the end.
Notice.
The Minutes of Ihe Columbus Baptist As
sociation are ready for distribution. Persons
wishing them will call at the office ot the Grant
Factory. . S. B. LA AY,
2t Clerk C. B. Association.
: Richmond Correspondence of
the Index.
Riohmonp, Dee. 2eth, 1863.
I write on thMky which has been set apart
from all the year, by two hun-
I dred and fifty minions of Christians, real or
| nominal, as the date of “the Lord Christ’s”
I birth. Without avouching, nay, though alto
■ gether discrediting the historical accuracy of
! this selection, we must at least regard it as
’ not unmeet that an event which lies at the
! heart of the world’s hope should lack no form
of honoring and hallowing within the power
|of our race. The observance of Christmas
i day—to coinmeirforate the beginning of an
I earthly life by alleavenly King—tocallmen’s
thoughts back to the coming of a God in the
flesh, for the redemption of such as should
partake of that flesh with Him, if they but
consent to be partakers of His Spirit also—
had its origin, doubtless* in highly devotional
motives: motives whose high devotion must
have absolved them lrom severity of censure,
had the observance been left, in the case of
every believer, as a free-will offering, laid in
accordance with the self-promptings of grate
ful love, upon the altar of his faith. But alas,
the usage, if instituted by Christian piety, has
undergone perversion through human infirmi
ty. What with the formalism, whieh seeks
by one day’s external sanctity to atone for the
long year’s inner, hcart-neglect of the Savi
our—what with the festivities and sports,
which break away from tho reins of serious
reflection—what with the dissipation and vice
which einbrute every nobler faculty—there is,
during the whole course of the year, perhaps,
no single day, on which the world clothes it
self with an aspect so Godless and un-Clirist
like as the one it wears, this- same Christmas
day! llow imperatively it becomes evangeli
cal believers to redeem the time from this abu
sive grossness, and make the season which
well meaning men have chosen as the anniver
sary of the Redeemer's appearing on theeartb,
a season of thoughtful love and lovingthought.
Milton, in tlie Christmas Ilymn, so little
equal to his powers, says f
“No war or battle’s sound
Was beard the earth around :
The idle spear and shield were high up bung;
The hooked chariot stood
Unstained with hostile blood ;
The trumpet spake not to. the armed throng;
And kings sat still with awful eye,
As if they surely knew the sovran Lord was
by!”
This is partly history, partly fiction. But
whether it be true, or not, that the era
“AVherein the Prince of light
His reign of peace upon the earth began,”
vras marked by a cessation of hostilities strict
ly universal, one cannot make a pilgrimage to
Bethlehem, and look on the seene* the shep
herds saw there, without feeling—even in tem
porary forgetfulness of the song heard by the
shepherds, and echoing ever since from the
lyre of revelation—that war is always and ut
terly at variance with the purpose of our Sa
viour’s mission into the world. AVho can
stand in imagination by the manger, and then
transfer himself to Gettysburg or Chiekamau
ga, suppressing the conviction of the absolute
and infinite incongruity between them, shut
ting bis soul up from the belief that if the one
spectacle is of heaven, the other is not and
cannot be? AU this, lam conscious, is awk
wardly expressed ; but it will prepare your
readers to conjecture, “at least, why I say that
the thoughts incident to the day impress me
more than ever with the persuasion, that the
authors of the present war are crimson with
a guilt only less than unpardonable. Let the
flay move us, also, to zealous self-searching,
lest we catch from our foe the accursed spirit
of war, and no longer stand to our arms sim
ply because we must, iu defence of right, and
and for the maintcnanceof conservative Chris
tianity. Oh, if wc must fight, may wo fight,
as it were, in sight of Bethlehem and the Babe
of Bethlehem J not hating the invader, not
thirsting for his blood, not rejoicing over his
calamities, but loving justice, and suffering—
if need be, dying—for that ! .
From the Christmas stand-point, (and this
should be the stand-point of the whole year as
well,) how sacred appear the functions of the
Christian ministry. To them it is given in
trust to take up, with revivent and rapturous
repetition, the angelic anthem on the plains
of Judea—not to suffer this “blessed evangel”
to die out from among men—to keep the voice
of this world’s interests, and passions, and
commotions, from drowning it. Such is the
work to which they are called to devote their
lives. Nothing else must rank above it—no-
thing else tcith it. . AA 7 hat a wide departure
from the purpose of Christ’s mission, then,
would our country betray—how would she
separate our cause from,how’ would she array
it against, that nobler cause which gives sanc
tity to Bethlehem and Calvary—if she should
tear ministers away frofla this divinely-ap
pointed life-work, and thrust them into the
field of an earthly warfare! I hope that the
history of the present struggle will not be dis
figured by s’o dark a blot. AA r e would lose too
much in our spiritual interests by it. Nay,
we would gain too little iu our material inter
ests, (if it were allowable to weigh gains in
this line against losses in that.) According
to the report of the Superintendent of the Bu
reau of Conscription for A T irginia, the two Car
olinas and Georgia, out of 64,830 exempts in
these States, only 830 ard ministers of the gos
pel. And can the South consent to ignore
and to trample down the claims of this sacred
office, after the pattern shown in the movement
of Northern infidelity, for so slight an addi
tion to her forces in “the field—an addition
which must be subject to no little abatement
on the score of physical disability for the pri
vations and toils of active military service?—
I cannot believe it. If Congress takes such
action, it must be because that body altogeth
er misreads, I will not say Christian, but pub
lie sentiment. (By the way, without iastitu
ting comparisons, which might seem mvidi- j
ous, I add, from the report above-mentioned,
that there are 150 ministers among the 22,-
807 exempts of North Carolina, 184 among
the 20,382 of Virginia, 271 among the 15,80i
of Georgia, and 219 among the 5,815 of South
Carolina.)
Bpgging your pardon for prolixity, I ven
ture on one thought more. If likeness to
Bethlehem be the rule according to which
G<id judges among tho nations—if lie deals
with a people according to the proportion in
which Chi ist is bom into their hearts, through
‘the Holy Ghost coming upon them and the
power of the Highest overshadowing them’—
we are yet at a tearful remove from the posi
tion in which we might claim His favor for
the South, with an absolute assurance of faith.
Alas, so much ot Richmond as lies around ray
daily path, lias, this morning, greeted the ear
with more sounds of profanity and obscenity,
and the eye with more scenes of drunkenness,
than on any Christmas since I first knew the
city. Is this a fair type of the state of morals
throughout the country ? If it is, how can
we escape the stroke of the rod of the anger
of God? Will He not continue us,
until We are broken in pieces? Oh, for na
tional reformation that wo may not be swal
lowed up in the vortex of national ruin !
i SEMEI.
Soldiers’ Children-
For the Index.
Education of Soldiers’ Children —Legislative
Action Deferred — Uri/bnt Appeal io the Peo
ple.
Bro. Boykin. —A few weeks ago your read
ers were informed that a memorial from our
Baptist State Convention had been presented
to our State Legislature, in favor of the edu
cation of sbldiers’ orphans ; that the measure
was favorably entertained ; and that a joint
committee had reported a b : ll making special
and liberal provision, not only for the educa
tion of soldiers’ orphans, but also of all child
ren of soldiers who might need aid from the
State. I learn the measure encountered no
opposition in either branch ; that it passed the
House with an appropriation es $850,000, but
failed in the Senate solely for want of time to
give it a third leading. If Hon. Linton Ste
phens (who was the author of the bill, and
who took a deep interest in its passage) ‘had
not been providentially kept out of liis seat
for several days previous to the close of the
session, it would no doubt- have passed. I
have the utmost confidence that it will be pass
ed at the next session, with a largely increas
ed appropriation.
What is to be done in the meantime ? It is
hoped the people will see to it, that these poor
children and youth, amounting, probably, to
not less than 20,000, are not wholly deprived
of educational advantages. The Inferior
Courts have authority to assess a tax for
schooling all poor children. In the uamo of
their heroic fathers, who stand” between us and
our brutal enemies, or who have sacrificed
their lives in defence of their country, I ap
peal to the people of my native Georgia, in
their behalf. Cali the attention of voor Infe
rior Courts to the importance of prompt and
vigorous action in this matter. Many poor
orphan boys will take their father’s vacant
places in the ranks before the close of another
year. A few months’ schooling would be of
incalculable benefit to them. Shall they have
it ? 1 call upon you, Bro. Boykir, and all
others in the State, having control of therms,
to exert its mighty power in favor of this ob
ject, in which the best interests of our coun
try are so deeply involved, and which com
mends itself alike to the patriot and the Chris
tian. ‘ J. 11. CAMPBELL.
P. S.—Papers throughout the State are re
spectfully requested to copy. J. 11. C.
For the Christian Index.
From the Camp.
Camp Colquitt, Janies Island, S. C., )
Dec. 10, 1863. * j
Bro. Boykin —Allow me, in behalf of
our battalion, the 12th Ga., to tender to
you tny most sincere thanks for tho weekly
visits of your most excellent Journal, the
Christian Index. Since I wrote you last
we have endured many hardships, having
been here ever since the seige began, 10th
July last; but we always welcome the In
dex, whether in Fort Sumter or on the Is
land.
We continue our semi-weekly prayer meet
ings, and as I trust aud believe, much good
has been accomplished. It is indeed touching
to see many of these sun-burnt veterans, who
have for months stood before the blazing
throats of so many monster guns, melted in
to tears under the power and influence of the
Christian religion.
Itev. T. J. Adams, of Hancock county,
Ga., visited us not long since and preached
several days and nights; while here he im
mersed five believers. We went down to
the tea shore, “because there was much wa
ter there”—they were buried with Christ in
baptism beneath the briny waves of the sea.
Oh, it was a scene upon which the angels de
light to gaze and the sons of God shout to
gether for joy !
Pray for us, my brother, that we may not
only be valiant soldiers of our country, but of
the cross of Christ.
Hoping that you may receive sufficient en
couragement to resume a whole sheet by
next January, and that you may ever be
prosperous, I am,
Very truly,
J. J. DAVIS,
Cos. A, 12th Ga. Bat,
T. D. Key.— All’s right. A list of subscri
bers like yourself would de.
Hasty Telegrams.
11. Neeson.— We believe that any minister
can get a Chaplaincy in the army by going
to the army and consulting with some Regi
ment or Chaplain, and having an application
forwarded to the Department. ‘Tis said to
be very easy to accomplish.
Mrs. N. W. Daily and Mrs. A. E. McMikin.
170 canpot send the books you wish, Mrs. B’s
$4 is subject to orders.
Buckhead church, Burke Cos., Ga. —
$19i,50, for Bro. Huff’s agency, is received.
F. M. H.
11. E. Butler.—The SSO were acknowledged.
- .J. M. C.—Yes. Send it on.
Our thanks ale due Bro. Roberts for a copy
of the Minutes of the “Washington Associa
tion.
The Lawrenceville, Columbus, Sarepta and
some other minutes not now reeollected, have
been received.
A. M. MarqliaU.—The money cam* and was
acknowledged. All right. Bro. Dags'* The
ology can be had. Writ* t* t. M. Haygood.
Receipts to Jan. 4, 1864.
I. G. Cheeves, April IS, 65 tss 00
Rev. T. J. Adams, April 30, 04 2 00
G. Garbult, Feb. 23, 05 5 00
Rev. J. 11. Hall, May 8, 65. 5 00
Dr. W. J. Carroll, Dec. 31, 65 10 00
Miss A. E. Weaver, Dec. 31, 55 10 00
ILL. Bunn, March 6, 65 5 00
J. W. Evans, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
W. Walker, March 31, 64 1 50
J. 11. Rutherford, Dee 31, 64...........5 00.
Rev. W. L. Mansfield, May 10, 69 20 00
C. Blanks, March 31, 64.... .1 50
James Horsley, March 20, 66 ,10 CO
Mrs. A. R. Sauls, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
Miss M. M. Osteen, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
C. R. Green, Dec. 31,64 5 00
B. Crowley, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
C. F. Be in is, March 18, 65 5 00
Mrs. P. G. Wall, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
Rev. J. T. Claike, May IS, 65 5 00
Mrs. W. A. Pope, Dec. 31, 64,.. , 500
Rev. J. A. Lawton, Sept. 24, 66.......10 00
N. Massey, March 6, 65.... . . 5 00
F. C. Armstrong, March 6, 66 10 00
Mrs. L. Swilley, Dec. 31, 65. .. 10 00
S. Palmer, Jan. 3, 65. 5 00
Mrs. E. B. Barrett, Doc. 31, 64. .5 00
Jos. Reagan, April 17, 65 5 00
T. 11. Vaughan, March 31, 64 ..1 50
W. Maury, Dec. 3.1, 64 .5 00
G. F. Hudson, Nov. 17", 65 . 5 00
Rev, M. B_ Bjpion, Dec. 31, G 4 500
Miss A. E. Bryan,'Feb; 29, 64........ .1 00
Miss L. Gantt, Dec. 31, 64 5 00
W. Carry, July 26, 65. . 5 00
Money received to send the Index to Soldiers,
Rev. A. E. Dickinson, Agent S2OO 00
Mrs. M. Gresham 10 00
Rav. M, T. Spmr.ar, Agent 100 00
T. 11. Vaughan. 10 00
SXarried,
On the 21st Dec., by Rev. N. B. Billion,
Mr. Lafayette P.u:::eh to Mrs. Martha A.
Jackson, all of Hancock county.
Bv R*w. P. A. Lawson, on the T#th Decem
ber, at toe residence of Judge T. 11. Connell,
I'A nucir, Esq", and Mis* Sabah A.
Connell, all of Spalding county, Ga.
On tin; evening of the 25 th Nov., by Rov. J.
11. Weaver, Mr. Lem lei. S. Baxkr, ofthel3th
Ga. Yols., to Miss C. Joanna Sxbhd, of Up
son county, Ga.
On the evening of the 26th Nov., by Rev.
J. 11. Weaver, Mr. T. 11. Daniil, of the 2nd
Ueg’t State ‘A ols., to Miss Emma H. Sandwich
of Thomaston, Ga.
On the, 16th inst., by Rev. E. J. Coates, at
the residence of the bride’s Tatlifr, Mr. R. 11.
Carswell, of Wilkinson county, and Miss
Penxie Dupree, of Twiggs county, Ga.
In Penfield, on the 6th Oct., 1863, by Rev.
Dr. Crawford, Rev. Joseph L. -Butch to Miss
Mattie Beazei y.
Also, in Augusta, by the same, on the 12th
Nov., Dr. Flournoy Carter, Surgeon C. S. A.,
to iliss Mattie AValshe.
Also, in Penfield, by the same, on the 15th
Dec., A. Junsox Cieves, of Montezuma, to
Mtss Anna M. Sanford, daughter of Profes
sor Shelton P. Sanford.
Also, near Penfield, by the same, on the
23d Dec., Lemuel L. Callaway, of Texas, to
Miss Ann Josephine Mullins.
Obituaries.
Society has lately lost one of its most valued
brnaments by the death of Mrs. Mary A.
Russell, wife of Hon. James M. Russell.
Young in years trod lovely in character she
left us when life seemed fairest to her vision.
Asa child she was dutiful and obedient—as
a wife faithful and trusting—as a mother kind
and tender—as a mistress indulgent and for
bearing—as a Christian placing implicit con
fidence in the promises of her Saviour, and in
every relation acting the affectionate and ac
complished woman. Death had no “terror for
her, and she met him with calmest resigna
tion. Twenty-three summers only had passed
over her head when God called her tc himself.
In lieaveu she now sings those praises to the
Lamb in which on eash ’twas her delight to
join. In the glad chorus of the skies she now
mingles her angel voice. Let those whom she
left behind, whom she loved, be ever ready to
jjin her in that bright realm of angels. D.
Died at the residence of Mr. Wm. W. Brooks,
in. Greene county, Ga., Mr. L- J. Mcßrjdi, of
chronic dysentery, in the 27 th year of his age,
he was born and raised in Madison eounty,
Aia., near Huntsville, (where his father was
living the lastjie heard from him,) and joined
the army the sth day of June, 1861, in Helena
Ark., and when he died, was a private of
Capt. J. K. Phillips, Cos. F, 2nd Reg., Ark.
vols., and was in the battles of Shiloh, and
Libert}’ Gap, and was on a sick furlough to
Union Point, on the G. R. R. near whieh place
he died. lie bore his affliction with patience,
and some think he was a Christian, notwith
standing ho had not made a public profession
for he died likp the righteous, and hut a short
time before he spoke of both his parents, and
asked for a hymn book, when he was not able
to hold it, and repeated the two first verse)* of
the hyn,
“O ! when shall I see Jesus,” &c.,
and soon after died like going” to sleep.
Some Ala. papers will please copy. Any
friend wanting information, can address H.
O. Peek, Greensboro, Ga. .
On the 31st Oct, 18C3, in the second year of
his age, after a severe illness of six days, Em
met Dickson Gunn, the only child of Wm. R.
and E. E. Gunn. Keenly do the fond parent
feel this sad providence which takes from
them their first born. But their loss is his
eternal gain. “AVeep not” for God has taken
him unto liimself.
“Faith cries out, it is the Lord,
Let him do as seems him good ;
Be Thy holy name adored,
Take the gift awhile bestowed;
Take the child no longer mine,
Thine he is, forever thine.” •
Died in Dougherty county, Nov. tho Bth,
1803, Mrs. 11. E. Hill, daughter of John M.
and Ann J Hampton, (now Mrs. Lunflay) and
the wife of Dr. A. C. Ilill, early in her 29th
year.
The intense anxiety of physicians, relatives
and friends for the recovery of the departed,
availed not, and we can now only pay a last
tribut to her memory —she is dead! Yes, the
spirit of the devoted wife, the doting mother,
and true friend has winged its flight, we trust,
to a happier aud more congenial climo than
earth affords. No more shalt thou, sainted
friend, welcome us to thy plenteous anS hos
pitable home. One other still .remains to bid
us join and tarry with himself and little ones.
But why so sad, and the sitting room why so
dreary?
Difficult tho’ it is to realize, yet it is true —
thou art gone. Yes, my bereft friend, thy
bosom companion—thy Raoh — is no more ;
and tho’ serious illness prevented thee from
discharging, around her bed-side, those kind
•ly offices none other could so well exeoute,
her departure was calm and peaceful, scarcely
a “wave” of trouble” seemed to disturb the
quiet and composure of her mind, in tho try
ing hour of dissolution. Two links—L. M.
and Willie May—she has left with thee aud
dwells, we believe, with the only other in the
chain of materuo-paternal affection, Samuel
Ashton—her little “Sammic.”
And to the widowed, Christian mother, who
arrived too late to sooth the dying pillow—be
consoled. Thy daughter, several months be
fore she was attacked with the fatal pneumo
nia, gave satisfactory evidence to brother
Webb, pastor of the eburch she attended, that
her faith was in her Redeemer, and a few
hours before her death, were given” to both
“father Mallary” and brother Webb, cheer
ing assurances that her trnst was still in the
BttYiour, yrliilc ohc, ftfc tliO uftine trinre, expr6SS*
cd clpar views as to the plan of salvation.
Thus passed away the wife, the mother, the
daughter, the sister and the friend. The ten
der infant, probably, explains tlie reason why
she had not symbolized her death to sin and
life in Christ by tubmitting to tlie ordinance
of baptism.
Among her last petitions was one methinks
something like the following;
“Trusting in thy word alone,
I to Thee my children leave:
Call my little ones thy own,
Give them all thy blessings, give ;
Help them while on earth they breathe,
Save their souls from endless death.
Whom I to tby grace commend,
Into thy embraces take ;
Be his sure, immortal Friend,
Save him, for my Saviour’s sake;
*Thee from-sin, from sorrow fr*e,
Let my husband trust in thee.”
* W. W. T.
Died in hospital at Richmond, Ya., Janua
ry 3d, 1863, of wounds received at the first
Frederiesburg battle, Henry T. Dayi, of Ce.
F, 35th Reg., Ga. Yols. The subject of this
sketch was the son of Elder J. J. Davis, of.
Gwinnett county, Ga., and was inthe23d year
of his age. He professed religion and joined
the Baptist church in 1854. lie was not only
a pious, orderly Christian but a licensed min
ister of Jesus. We feel that lie was too puro
to remain on earth, therefore God took him
The writer has often been with him in the
stand and was licensed to preach at the same
time, and joined in prayer with him many
times. In the church, in .the secret grove, a
round the family altar, in the prayer-meeting,
in ti e Sabbath school, ho was always devoted
in all the Christian duties. He was not only
strictly pious but was an example of piety to
many that were his seniors in age.
T. E. K.
Killed on the battle field” at Chickamauga,
Sept. 19tli, lt>63, Sergt. James 11. Geiger, Cos.
G, 25tli regt. Ga. Vols. Sergt Geiger wa
leading the gallant little company to which he
belonged after the fall of the gallant Lieut. F.
J. Chapman who was wounded early in the
engagement on the 19th. Scrgt Geiger had
been in command but a short time when the
cruel ball took effect above the left eye produ
cing death instantly. This brave brother left
his home,, affectionate old, father, mother,
. brother, sisters, and a largo circle of relatives
and friends wlio were all the time filled with
anxious cares for him. We trust our loss i*
his gain, and are thankful we were not left
without a hope, though ho had not made a
public profession of faith. A Brother.
Departed this life in Atlanta, Ga., on Fri
day evening, Nov. 27th, 1863, Mrs. Amelia R-
Cole, wife of Mr. Moses Cole, and daughter
of James Clark, Esq.
Rarely have I seen a death which afforded a
more striking illustration of the power of Chris
tian faith than that which was exhibited fn
tlie last moments cf this amiable youn";.; lady.
With much to attach her 16 life, loving p al ' _
Oats, fond sisters and brothers, a devoted hus
band and an interesting child which Gcd nad
just given to her—she nevertheless welcomed
her dismissal from the body as the happiest
hour which elie had ever kuewn la lr?e
said she, when the iey kund of the last ie
my was actually uponher, “l am happy, hap
py, perfectly happy. I did not think that I
should kayehad such feelings at this time.”
So ftr from evincing any agitation or alarm,
when it was made known to lier that recove
ry was despaired of, she received the intelli
gence with tlie smile of one who is for the first
time apprised of joyful tidings. The only
distress which she seemed to in theflo
-Bing hours of life was awakened by the griet
of the loved ones who surrounded her. She
entreated them to desist frowi their tears as
suring them that it was all well with 1:@-
In a conversation had with her pastor a few
weeks previous to her sickness, and’ when sh i
was in her usual health, she expressed her un
abated faith iu the Saviour. And when the
stern trial ofthat faith was upon her, she a
gain said, “Jesus is precious, he is very pre
cious to me. I cau trust him.”
About eight years before her death, “when
in the fourteenth year of her ago she giVvo
her heart to Jesus. Though a frail consti-
tution and repeated attacks of sickness did
not allow her to enter upon that active service
for Christ which would have been congenial,
doubtless, to her heart, she nevertheless ex
hibited the true Christian in the passive vir
. tues of her character. Debarred frequently
from the privilege of going to the house ot
God, she did not neglect the devotions of tho
closet and thus maintained her walk with
heaven. Intelligent, amiable, pious, she was
all that could make a wife beloved, or a daugh
ter and sister dear. Those upon whom God
has sent this most painful bereavement, need
not sorrow for her as for one for whUru they
have no hope. She has gone to their Lord
and her Lord, to their heaven and her heaven.
The spirit is already in tho realmSof the blest,
and the body which lias fallen asleep in Jesus
will one day be roused from its slumbers to
join its celestial partner. “Comfort one anoth
er with these words.” Pastor.
Departed this life Oct. 15, 1863, at her fath
er’s residence, Newton, Ga., Mrs. Sarah B.
Underwood, aged 20-years, 2 months and 8
days. She joined the Baptist church in 1861.
She lived an exemplary Christian Die- She
was a lover of the Index, possessed a good
natural talent for music” and took delight in
the songs of Zion and when necessary would
lead church music. “ _
County Line has lest one of her most useful
female” members whose loss is felt. But tlio
judge of all the earth will do right at whose
behest we must all submit. She was calm in
her last hours*. She arranged her worldly mat
ters with deliberation, then selected tho preach
er, text and hymn for her funeral, then passed
through the iron gato to join the heavenly
chorus above. B. G. M.
Mrs Mary Ann Ray, daughter of Mrs. Re
becca and James Pearson, died of typhoid fe
ver on the 3d of Dec. 1863, aged 41 years, 8
mouths and 12 days.
Mrs. Laura E. PoweLl. dangble* of Mrs.
Mary Ann and Dunwoody Ray, died of typhoid
fever on the Bth of Dec. 1863, aged 19 year's,.
4 months and 28 days.
Little Ida Powell, daughter of Mrs. Laura
E. and Joseph L. Powell?died cf typhoid fe
ver on the 13th inst., aged 3 years 1 month
and 29 days..
Died at Atlanta Hospital, Novejabcr the
10th, 18G3, James 11. Morley, of Cos. D, 47th
Reg., Ga. A 7 015., aged 22 years. His protrao
ted illness was characterised by intense sul
fering which he bore with patience until death
came and relieved him of his pain, lie was
a bright, interresting y*ung man, and to#
much beloved to bo easily resigned, but he
would point to the sorrowing parents the bright
world where now I hope he is praising his Re
deemer close by the throne of Ged. I don’t
know as this young man was a member of any
church, but I was one of his companions thro’
our campaigns in Mississippi and North Geor
gia, and a better companion I never had. lie
sleeps now far from his friends.
A FRIEND.
Died in Lexington, Ga., on the 6th Nov.
1863, James Henry, only sou of Col. Jas. D.
and Mrs. D. A. Mathews, aged 2 months and
23 days- While fond parents deeply feel their
loss, they should be consoled by the thought
that “it is well with the child.”
“Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade,
Death came with friendly caie : *
The opening bud to heaven conveyed,
And bade it blossom there.”
Died, near Lexington, Ga., on tho 11th
Nov. 186$Tafter a severe and protracted ill
ness, Mrs. Elizabeth TANARUS., wife of J. M. Braw
ner, in the 47th year of her age.
The subject of this notice was for many
years a worthy member of the Baptist church.
She had the confidence of all who knew her,
and died as only tlie Christian can, in full pros
pect of immortal bliss. Her dying testimony
was clear, exhorting her friends to meet her
in heaven.
A .disconsolate husband and four njfcctloa
ate children, mourn their loss, yet sorrow not
as those who have-no hope, for they feel that
she has entered the blessedness of those who
die in the Lord.
“Asleep in Jesus, blessed eleep,
From whieh none ever wakes to weep ;
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes.”
Constitutionalist please.
Gluttony kills more than tfcc swerd.
God helps thoso who helps themselves.