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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