Newspaper Page Text
BY SAMUEL BOYKIN.
50 NOS. IN A YOL.
Our “Star” Correspondence. <
NO. i.
Augusta, Ga., pet. G, 1864.
Bro. Boykin :—The stern mandate of
the fiery God, whom our Northern brethren
worship with all the devotipn ot their pagan
ancestors, has thrown* mo into this goodly
city of light and shade, gteen grass, grand
streets and crowded houses. Here your
quondam correspondent, apd always friend,
is for the nonce located, eating tough beef,
drinking bad water, and longing for a peep
at that little quiet, sequestered spot, which
the poets of all ages have cannonized, where
rests hi? household divinities in the shape
of the best of women for a wife, and four
bonnie, golden-haired, rosy cheeked, rat
tling, fussy, busy bodies, ‘vulgarly yclept
brats, for his children—but dear to him as
his own life, in spite of all their vexatious
pranks. Over this little spot nestles the
star of hope and promise, and reflects a clear
light through all the gloom and darkness
that covers the land —second only in bril
liancy to the star that shone over Bethlehem
on that eventful night when light broke in
upon a lost world. *
Alas, for the poor refugee! No star of
hope points him to a happy home. The
place where love built it nest, w here the
toils and labor#, the cares and anxieties of
the world find their counterpart in the sweet
fruitions of life, where the family altar
reared its modest head, and the morning
and evening incense arose as a sweet smell
ing sacrifice to the Throne of Grace—has
been despoiled by the unhallowed tread of
a barbarian foe ! No songs of joy and glad
ness make vocal those deserted halls ! God
have mercy on the friendless refugee, and
give him a home of rest beyond the stormy
flood, where the vandal foot never presses
and the foeman’s steel never glitters. Be
a friend. Oh, Father, to the helpless
and the dependent little ones, whom the
rude fortunes of war have cast out as waifs
upon the cold charities of a too friendless
World ‘ Have upon the poor widow,
whose husband fills a soldier’s grave, and
the dear children whose tender years so
feebly bear the misfortunes of orphanage.
These thoughts are suggested by the
death, in this city, some time since, of a
young man from Perryville, Ky.—a good
soldier and a most estimable Christian gen
tleman. He left behind him a young wife
and four little children. During his last
moments his thoughts were wandering to
his far distant Kentucky home—to the com
panion of his youth, and the sacred pledges
of their mutual love and affection. As his
eye3 closed in death, a letter came from his
wife, breathing love and affection, telling
him about the children, and praying the
blessings of Heaven on his head. The fu
neral ceremony was a solemn pageant. The
minister -of the ‘Presbyterian church per
formed the service, the organ pealed out its
mournful chant, but thfe heart of the writer
was with that widowed wife in her far dis
tant home, and while I write the unbidden
tear tells of emotions that the pen dare not
undertake to utter. The crowd has long
since dispersed, the organ’s notes are silent,
and onward, day after day, moves the great,
heaving mass of this densely populated city.
The memory of the poor stranger is fast
fading from the mind, hut in a far distant
home there is a pieturo upon which the
pencil of the artist loses its power—a scene’
where mirth bows its head! A bolt as ter
rible as that which the storm king hurls
against the giant oak, has stricken the
heart ot that young wife and those father
less children.
Women of Georgia, mothers, wives, pray
for the poor disconsolate and berßived ones,
help the homeless refugee, and let the cry
of distress which every breeze bears over the
land rekindle your zeal and renew your no
ble exeitions to relieve want wherever
found. God will bless and reward you even
more in the future than the past.
Sincerely, yours, *
We do hope will write often.—[Ed.
NELLIE NORTON:
BY REV. E. V. WARREN.
A truly scriptural argument on the subject
of slavery. It is conclusive, and affording
convincing proof from the Word of God, that
slavery is an institution ordained by heaven.
Its delineations of character are admirable;
ts plot simple, but interesting ; itß interest
unflagging to the last. It is a work that will
settle the minds of all who read it concerning
the divine authority of our “ peculiar institu
tion.” Price $5.00, sent by mail. ts *
For the Index.
THE MIDDLE ASSOCIATION.
DEAR BRO. BOYKIN. —As relsgious
of all sorts is interesting, perhaps a short
sketch of the proceedings of the above
named body will be acceptable.
It convened on Saturday , Sept. 24th. —
I arrived in company .with several persons,
visitors and delegates, at Oliver’s station, on
the evening previous. It is within a short
walk of the Church —Little Ogeechee. We
were welcome Iby Bro. Lanier. On Satu -
day morning services began by the reading
of a hymn by Bro. McCall. How venera
ble he looks ! His hair is bleached by the
snows of seventy-two winters. In spite of
his age, however, his voice is unquivering,
and his step firm. The introductory serm
on was to have been preached by him ; but
feeling badly on that morning, he threw the
burden on Dr. Mell. And right bravflly
did the latter sustain it. His subject was
individual accountability—drawn from Rom.
14 : 12. After an intermission of about an
hour, the association came to order by the
call of the moderator, Rev M. N. McCall.
Sixteen Churches were represented. Min
istering brethren were present from several
associations.
The event of most importance on Satur
day evening was an address from Bro. Cohen.
He represented the Marion board of home
and Domestic missions. His plea was for
the soldiers. Something over $200,00 was
collected for their benefit. This amount is
to use in purchasing books Ac.
Bro. Whatley preached first on Sabbath
morning. His remarks were heard with in
terest ; but as I am to speak in general of
things connected with the association, I wil
not give a synopsis ot his discourse. Brother
Whatley was followed by Bro. Cassidy who
delivered the sermon on missions. Ido not
remember the amount collected, but am sure
it was over SI2OO. After dinnner, Brother
Mell preached. Text —If we confess our
sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigh
teousness. 1 John__l i SL, An opportunity
being extended to those interested in tlbe
salvation of their souls to present themselves
for prayer, ten or twelve came forward.—
While on this subject I will mention that
services were held on the day following and
the religious interest seemed considerable.
I have not heard what results were experi
enced by the effort made in this direction.
The business of the Association was re.
surned on Monday. Interesting remarks
were made on the question, “Whether or
not the money circulated for the benefit of
the soldiers should be turned over to the
Marion Board.” The Association decided
that it should be.
In the after noon the Association was de
clared adjourned till Saturday before the
4th Sabbath in October, when it was to meet
at Cowpen Branch Church* The moderator
made some affecting remarks at the close in
relation to Christians loving oneanother, and
anxiety for sinners. Numbers were affected
to tears when the parting hymn was sung.
I do not give the above as a full account
of the proceedings of the Association, but
only as what now occurs to me of interest.
I hope some brother will do more justice to
the subject. Yours in the Lord,
TAYLOR.
Outrageous-
The following is the experience of Rev.
Geo. E. Eagleton, of Eest Tennessee, and
shows how our enemies will treat us if they
ever get us in their power. It occurred last
month, at New Market, East Tennessee. We
commend it to all who feel inclined to submit
to Yankee rule:
“After bed-time, August 3d, 1864, Captain
James Crawford, Lieut. Wm. 0. Sizemore, of
Hawkins county, and others, (all perhaps of
the Federal army) enffered my house and
searched for “guns, swords, pistols and con
cealed rebels.” They found none, for none
such were there, nor had there been. Before
leaving my house, they asked my position in
regard to the war. I told them that my sym
pathies were with the South; whereupon
they gave me two orders, accompanied with
much profanity: Ist, “To go to hell and
preach for the devil.” 2d, “Never again to
preach in New Market.” I made no answer
—I uttered not one offensive word. My con
clusion, however, was, that duty forbade me
to comply with either order. I therefore at
tended to y ministerial duties as usual, until
the morning” of August 18th I met Lieut.
Sizemore in the street, and he inquired if I
had preached since I received the above or
ders. I answered him I had; whereupon, as
he turned away, he remarked . “All right—
we’ll send you to Knoxville.” I remarked
mildly: “I thought it all right, or I would not
THE PASTOR’S AID: THE CHRISTIAN’S GUIDE: THE SINNER’S FRIEND.
MACON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1864.
KfVe preached.”
“That night, just after we had retired to
rest, a man in the garb of a Federal eoldifef
came to my door, and decoyed me off, under
pretence of my being ’called to a neighbor s
house. I dressed and went forth with this
mac, and soon met three other soldiers, viz:
Lieut. Sizemore, Bill Owens, and a third man,
unknown to me. The three conducted me to
wards the Depot. Now, for the first time, I
suspected that I was arrested, and was en route
for Knoxville. They were so bitter and so
disgustingly profane, that I asked but one
question—“ Where do you wish me to go?”
and made ope remark“oxpressive of surprise
at being thus snatched from my home at
night.
We passed out t of town about half a mile
from my house, when Sizemore, who superin
tended the whole affair, asked me: “Are you
a rebel?” I replied to this effect: “I am a
sympathizer with the South ; I can’t deny it
without lying, and I won’t falsify my word.”
He replied: “lhat’s enough—hq.lt,” In obe
dience to his orders, I drew off my coat. The
other two men did the same, v . He then ordered
me to draw off my shirt. (I had not put on
my vest and cravat.) This I declined doing.
The order was repeated with a terrible threat
and a revolver drawn upon me. I replied:
“I can’t do it —that is an indignity which I
will not consent to place upon myself.” The
order was again repeated, with curses and
threats, and the pistol at my breast. I re
marked : “I am unarmed and in your power,
but you have mistaken your man; you can
kill me, but you can’t make ipe draw off my
own shirt. By Sizemore’s orders, the other
two drew off my shirt, and each taking hold
of a hand, they began inflicting, the on*
my naked back, and the other upon my naked
breast, a most severe whipping with hickories
prepared for the occasion. They wore out
three sets of switches or withs, and during
the time Sizemore, by threats and commands,
increased the severity and rapidity of the
blows ; and also himself broke off’ a limb
from a tree near by ; the limb had several
prongs, and was longer than his body, and
with this limb in both hands, he exercised
himself violently until he had worn it to a
mere club. Here I pleaded with them to de
sist, but in vain ; asked them to shoot me and
thus end my misery, assuring them that I had
so fear* of death.. But the club. still .fell hea
vily and fast upon my bruised, bleeding,
rated body. It became insufferable—l tried
to avoid the strokes, when a blow upon the
head brought me to the ground. As I lay
there, they lashed me with fresh switches;
and once upon my feet again, was knocked
down the second time by Sizemore—several
blows from the fist of one of them having
failed to knock me down. One large scar over
each eye-brow I must wear to the grave, and
how many others upon my back, breast and
arms may he scars for life, I know not. They
left me, and with, difficulty I put my shirt
partly on aud got back to my house ; sent for
Dr. Blackburn, who washed and bonnd up
my wounds, ordered the free use of aperients
and the frequent bathing of my Body in 4,; so
lution of Muriate of Ammonia. He treated
my case in accordance with this prescription
until the day I fled from.my homo.
WHY MEN MUST TURN, OR ELSE
THEY BURN. r
First, we can not suppose the God of the
Bible could suffer sin to he unpunished.—
Some may suppose it; they may dream their
intellects into a state of intoxication, so as
to suppose a Gdd apart from justice; hut no
man whose reason is sound, and whose mind
is in a healthy condition, can imagine a God
without justice. You can not suppose a king
without it to be a good king; you can not
dream of a good government that should
exist without justice—much less of God,
the Judge and King of all the earth, with
out justice in his bosom. To suppose him
all love, and no justice, were to undeify
him, and make him no longer God; he
weVe not capable of ruling this world if he
had not justice in his heart. There is in
man a natural perception of the fact, that if
there be h God, he must he just; and I can
scat cely imagine that you can believe in a
God, without believing also in the punish
ment of sin. It were difficult to suppose
him elevated high above his creatures, be
holding their disobedience, and yet looking
with the same serenity upon the good and
upon the evil; you can not suppose him
awarding the same meed of praise to the
wicked and to the righteous. The idea of
God supposes justice; and it is but to say
justice when you say God.
But to imagine that there shall be no
punishment for sin, and that man can he
saved without repentance, is to fly in the
face of all the Scriptures. What! are the
records of divine history nothing ? And if
they he anything, must not God have might
ily changed, if he doth not now punish sin ?
What! did he once blast Eden, and drive
our parents out of that happy garden, on
aecottnt of a little theft, as man would style
it ? Did he drown a world with water, and
inundate creation with the floods that he
had buried in the bowels of the earth ? And
will he not punish sin ? Let the burning
hail which fell on Sodom tell you that God
is just; let the open mouth of the earth
which swallowed up Korah, Dathan and
Abiram, warn you that he will not spare
the guilty; let the mighty works of God
whici’* he did in the Red Sea, the wonders
which ho wrought on Pharaoh, and the
miraculous destruction which he brought
on Sennacherib, tell you that God is just.
And it were perhaps out of place for me in
tho same argument to mention the judg
ments of God even in our age.; but have
there never been such? This world is not,
the dungeon where God punishes sin, but
there are a few instances in which we
can not but believe that ho actually did
avenge it. lam no believer that every ac--
cident is a judgment; I am far from believ
ing that the destruction of men and women
in a theatre is a punishment upon them for
their sins, since the same thing has occurred
in divine service, to our perpetual sorrow.
I believe judgment is reserved for the next
world ; I could not account for providence,
if I believed that God punishes here.—
“ Tho*e men upon whom the tower of Si
loam fell, and slew them, think ye that they
were sinners above all men that dwelt in
Jerusalem ? I tell you, nay” It has in
jured religion for men to take up every
providence, and say, for instance, that be
cause a boat was upset on the Sabbath-day,
it was a judgment on the. persons that were
jn it. We assuredly believe that it was
sinful to spend the day in pleasure, but we
deny that it was a punislynent from God.—
God usually reserves his punishment for a
future state; but yet, we say, there have
been a few instances in which we can not
but, believe that men and women have been
by Providence in this life punished for their
guilt. I remember one which I scarcely
dare relate to yon. I saw the wretched
Trcatdre He had dared to
cate on his head the most awful curses that
man could utter. In his rage and fury he
said he wished his head were twisted on
one side, that his eyes were put out, and
that his jaws were made fast: but a moment
afterward the lash of his whip—with which
he had been cruelly treating his horse—
entered his eye, brought on first inflamma
tion, and then lock-jaw, and when I saw
him he was just in the very position in
which he had asked to be placed, for his
head was twisted round, his eye-sight was
gone, and he could not speak except.througli
his closed teeth. You will remember a
similar instance happening at Devizes,
where a woman declared that she had paid
her part of the price of a sack of meal,
when she had it in her* hand, and immedi
ately dropped down dead on the spot. Some
of these may have been singular coinciden
ces ; but I am not so credulous as to suppose
that they were brought about by chance—
I think the will of the Lord was in it. I
believe they were some faint intimations
that God was Just, and that although the
full shower of his wrath does not* fall on
men in this life, he does pour a drop ortteo
on them, ttrlet us see how he will one day
chasten the world for its iniquity.
HEALING- FOR THE WOUNDED.
Readers, a parting word with you. Are
you careless and ungodly ? Permit your
friend to speak with you. It is true after
death there is a judgment ? iJo you believe
that when you die, you will be called to
stand before the bar of God ? Do you know
that there is a hell of eternal flame appoin
ted for the wicked ? Yes—you know and
believe all this—and yet you are going down
to hell thoughtless and unconcerned—you
are living in constant and fearful jeopardy
of your lives —without a friend on the other
side of the grave. Ah, how changed will
your note be soon ! You have turned away
from rebuke, you have laughed at warning,
but laughter will then give place tg sighs,
and your singing to yell* of agony. Be
think thee, oh my brother man, ere thou
dost again peril thy life. What wilt thou
do if thy soul is required of thee ? Canst
thou endqre the terrors of the Almighty ?
Canst thou dwell in everlasting burnings ?
Were thy bones of iron, and thy ribs of
brass, the sight of the coming judgment
would make thee tremble; forbear then to
mock at religion, cease to blaspheme your
Maker, for, remember, you will soon meet
him face to face, and how will you then ac
count for your insults heaped upon his pa
tient person ? May the Lord yet humble
thee before him.
But I am seeking the distressed one, and
I am impatient to be the means of his com
fort. It may be my words are now sound
ing in the ear of one of my weary wounded
fellow-countrymen. You have been a long
time tossing on the bed of languishing, and
the time for thought has been blessed to
your soul by God. Yoh are now feeling
the guilt of your life, and are lamenting thp
sins of your conduct. You fear there is no
hope of pardon, no.prospect of forgiveness,
and you tremble lest death should lead your
guilty soul unforgiven before its Maker.—
Hear, then, the word of God. Thy pains
for sins are God’s work in thy soul. He
woundeth thee that thou mayest seek him.
He would not have showed thee thy sin if
he did not intend to pardon. Thou art
r jjpw a sinner, and Jesus came to save sin
ners, therefore he came to save thee; yea,
he is saving thee now. These strivings of
soul are the work of his mercy; there is
love in every blow, and grace in every
stripe. Believe, O troubled one, that he is
able to save thee unto the uttermost, and
tbou shalt not believe in vain. Now, in the
silence of your agony, look unto him who by
his stripes healeth thee. Jesus Christ has
suffered the penalty of thy sins, and has en
dured the wrath of God on thy behalf. See
you yonder crucified Man on Calvary, and
mark thee that those drops of blood are fall
ing for thee, those nailed hands are pierced
for thee , and that opened side contain a
heart within it, full of love to thee.
“-None but Jesus ! none but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good! ”
It is simple reliance on him which saves.—
The negro said, “ Massa, I fall flat on de
promise ”; so if you fall flat on the promise
of Jesus, you shall not find him fail you;
he will bind up your heart, and make an end
to the days of your mourning. We shall
meet in heaven one day, to sing hallelujah
to the condescending Lord; till then, may
-ihe GiyLof.ad grace be our helper. Amen.
“ The mighty God will not despise
The contrite heart for sacrifice;
The deep-fetched sigh, the secret groan,
Rises accepted to the throne.
He meets, with tokens of his grace,
The-trembling lip, the blushing face;
His bowels yearn when sinners pray;
And mercy bears their sins away.
When filled with grief, o’erwhelmed with
shame,
He, pitying, heals their broken frame;
He hears their sad complaints, and spies
His image in their weeping eyes.”
For the Christian Index.
TEMPERANCE vs. DISSEMBLING
AND FALSEHOOD.
While on a visit to my brother-inlaw’s in
the county of , there was an elec
tion to be had for members of the Legisla.
ure. Each party had their strongest man
n the field, and party spirit ran very high.
Every man was doing his whole duty. The
sick and the crippled were all brought in to
vote. Stealing of votes was carried on very
extensevely. But the great part of each
party was king Alcohol. Being an entire
stranger, I said but little, but watched the
movements of things in general very close
ly. While I state facts, I will omit names,
lest I might thereby mantle the cheek oj
some friend with the blush of shame. The
candidates were all “wide awake,” but in
truth I cant say “duly sober.” They were
on the alert, for those kind of voters who
love a little of the “overjoyful.” About 10
o’clock A. M. I saw a gentleman ride up
and hitch his horse to the rack. But before
he had time to dismount, Col. , one
of the candidates for the senate had him by
the hand. After the usual questions as to
the health of each other’s family had passed,
Col. said, “Come uncle ,(a fa
miliar name or title candidates
and take off the beed.”
“Well Col. what have you got ?”
Col. “Some good whiskey.”
Old man. Well Col. you know I never
drink much, but bein as its you and whis
key too, I’ll take a little.”
He pours out *bout half a gill, and turn
ing to the Colonel says, “Here’s success to
you Cololonel,” and down goes the whis
key.
In a very short time you see this old man
in the streets. Soon he is met by Judge
—, (you know every man in Georgia, is
either Judge, Colonel or Squire.) the other
candidate for the senate. Tne Judge quite
TERMS, $20.00 IN ADVANCE
VOL. XLIII.-NO. 40
glad to see uncle —, after howdy &c.
&c; a dialogue begins.
Judge. “Come uukle lots take
something to drink: I know you seldom
drink any thing, but when you do, it must
be good brandy, and they have some fine
over at ’s. Come lets go and take
some.”
Uncle . Well “Judge as its you
and its brandy, I believe I’ll take a drink
before I vote for you. Yoh know Jndge I
has to like a man amazinly to drink with
him brandy is drnnk to the success of
ilie Judge, and the old man is again on the
wing. Beforejnight this old man had drunk
of every kind of liquor that can be found in
any town in Georgia, and at every drink he
said “as its you and as its that kind of liq
uor,” (no difference what kind) “he would
take a little, though he was not in the habit
of takiug but very little.”
Hark, who is that talking so loud in the
grocery ? Upon my word, it is old uncle —~
and Squire , engaged in a warm de j
bat# on Religion ; one advocating the doc*
trine of election, and the other the doctrine
free-agency and falling from grace; and
were they not fearful to leave the corners
of the counter they would certainly fight.—
But they were too drunk to get together.
Have I made out my case ? read again
and again what they said, “As its you and
as its Whiskey, Brandy, Gin, Rum, &o &c,
I will take a ‘leetle,’ when the truth is, they
never refused. We have hundreds of just
such men in the world yet, and what is the
most of all, such men will never admit to
their Church that they drink only a “leetle”
too much. Such men had better take a
shop. So thinks, most truly yours,
jjBILLY PATTERSON.
P S. Did you ever hear ot Mr. J. who
eat a Buzzard ? Look out for it then.
B. P.
.* ..
GOD’S WORD TO INQUIRERS.
IX. THE WORK WHICH MUST BE WROUGHT
WITniN YOU.
1. Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man
be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How eitr
a man be born when he is old ? can he en
ter the second time into his mother’s womb
and be born ? Jesus answered, Verily, ver
ily I say unto thee, except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God. That which if
born of the flesh is flesh; aud that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not,
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and
hearest the sound thereof, hut canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so
is every one that of the Spirit. John
iii.
2 By grace are ye saved through faith i
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should
boast. For we are bis workmanship, crea
ted in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that’ we should
walk in them. Eph ii.
3. That ye put off concerning the former
conversation, the old man which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts ; and be
renewed in the spirit of your mind. And
that ye put on the new man, which after God
is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph. iv.
4. Follow peace with all men, and holi
ness, without which no man shall see th*
Lord. Heb. xii.
Awaked by Sinai’s awful sound,
Ny soul in bonds of guilt I found
And knew not where to go;
Eternel truth did loud proclaim,
“The sinner mustbe born again,”
Or sink to endless woe.
When to the law I trembling fled,
It poured its curses on my head,
I no relief could find;
This fearful truth increased my pain,
“The sinner must be born again,”
And whelmed my tortured mind.
Again did Sinai’s thunders roll,
And guilt lay heavy and my soul,
A vast oppressive load:
Alas, I read ind saw it plain,
“The sinner must be born again,”
Or drink the wrath of God.
The saints I heard with rapture tell, *
How Jesus conquered death and hell,
***’ And broke the fowlers snare;
Yet when I found this truth remain,
“The sinner must be born again,”
I sunk in deep despair.
But vile I thus in anguish lay.
The gracious Savior passed this way,
And felt his pity move
The sinner by his justice slain,
Now by his grace is born again,
And sings redeeming love