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iJ-pVillg. " , I The glad Birds m The g.iy florei-eU sp; inging O’er i: 'v* n.. l ...ouiitsiih, a.. 1 down in the The gr-.-en leaves are bursting, My spirit is thirsting To bask i.i the sunbeams, and breathe the fresh gale. Sweet season ! appealing To fancy umj feeding, Be tby advent the emblem of all I would crave — . Os light more than vernal, That day-spring eternal Which shall dawn ou the dark wintry night of j the grave! Barton. Religious Wants of the Army. A correspondent of the Knoxville Register, in a recent letter from Camp Watauga river, calls for more chaplains, and says: To the glory and honor of our young Repub lic, our armies are not yet devoid of that Christian zeal that characterized them when civilians. However strange it may seem to those who see so many defects in the conduct of soldiers—so much corruption in the army— there is a strong religious sentiment among the troops of the Confederacy, which is being developed more and move daily ; and but an effort, on the part, of the ministerial fraternity, would kindle a flame that would change the entire morals and character of our soldiers, and which would 1 e contagious—society catching the spirit, would become ignited, when one mighty altar of prayer and Christian worship would mark the boundary of the Confederacy. Not a meeting is held by the chaplains of the different commands but what they have large assemblies of soldiers in attendance ; and when the invitation is extended to those who desire an interest in the prayers of the Christian, many are seen pressing through the crowded throng and bowing humbly on the cold, damp ground, with but the broad, blue sky for a covering. What scenes—which contrast strong ly to the great revival periods of the early pioneer settlements. The eloquent voice of the minister, the heavy sighing of the penitent, and the deep melancholy spirit of the soldier audience, is a scene for the artist, and one of no small moment. Not an evening passes by but what there can be seen, here and there, gathered together, small clumps of soldiers, singing sacred songs, and occasionally sending up an humble prayer to heaven. The idle jester, apd lie who would make light of their romantic worship, stand in awe, and refrain from saying anything that would tend to mor tify or molest their feelings. How often do >ve hear the expression, not alone from the young, but the aged soldier, as the crowded throng disperses, and they go winding their way to their respective commands, “1 am determined to live a better life, ; nd move in conformity with the Christ ian Church,” etc. What a iiel.l for the minister, a harvest for the church, and a monument for God! The soldiers hav ■> at length learned that in this great harvest of death they arc the material reaped. \Ve should have more chaplains, more agents for the Tract. Society, and more ministers who are true and devoted to the religious welfare of the soldiers. Tracts, religious papers, and small religious books should be distributed through the army. There is a great demand for such reading, and but, little energy seem ingly manifested on the part of the chaplains, to supply the deficiency, although of so great importance. The security of our nationality and the well-being of society is wholly de pendent on the redemption of ihe morals of the soldiery. Religion* in tiie Army.—The work of salva tion is still progressing among our soldiers. In a number of regiments and brigades in Geu. Lee’s army very good chapels have been built, and in these the men gather almost every night, for preaching or prayer-meetings. The chaplains and missionaries are greatly eucouraged in their work by the gracious mani festations of the Divine presence. The word preached comes with power to the hearts of many, and the inquiry is, “What must we do to be saved?” These are blessed scenes in the midst of strife and bloodshed. And most de voutly should we thank God that he is moving in mercy in the midst of the men of war. By faithful labor, by earnest prayer, and by the free circulation of religious literature, must this good work be promoted. Nothing that can contribute to the comfort of our soldiers should be withheld; ami especially should not the bread of life be kept back. They are calling for God’s Word, for good books and papers. They must have them, and so long as the people have the means of procuring them they shall have them. We can assure the soldiers that they arc not forgotten by the loved ones at. home. It was but yesterday that we opened a letter, from a warm friend of the soldiers and a devout Christian, containing one thousand dol lars, which he gives to aid us in supplying them with religious reading. We thank this gen erous friend in the name of the soldiers. Who will follow his example? Come, dear friends, let us hear from you. Who will send us tiie next. Christmas or New Year’s gilt tor the sol diers? We want to hear from you. “To do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Soldiers' Paper. No Man a Loser iit Giving Himself to God. —.Ksehines said to Socrates: “ Because I have nothing else to give, 1 will give thee my self.” “Do so,” said Socrates, “and I will give thee back again to thyself better than when I received thee.” So say's God, “Give thyself to me, in thy prayers, in thy' heart, and in all thy actions, and I will give thee back thyself, and myself too: thyself in a holy lib erty to walk in the world in thy calling; my self in giving a blessing upon all the works of thy calling, and implanting in tliec a holy desire to do all things to my glory.” Death of a Christian Soldier. On the battlefield of Sharpsburg, at an hour j when the c .ufiict waxed the fiercest, and at a point where the battle raged the hottest, a ball pierced the breast of the yotmg Christian hero of whom 1 have spoken. Previous to that battle i tiie regiment to which he belonged had been I greatly reduced by sickness, hard marching, > Ac., and in going upon the field, the division to which it was attached, had to pass over such broken gi ouud under the enemy’s fire, that tlie men became much scattered and, in re-forming them for tlie charge, company, and even regi mental lines were ignored, and men from differ ent, regiments found themselves fighting side by side. Thus it was with him. liis brother and cousin, who hitherto through tlie fatigues of the march and the dangers of battle, had been beside him, were wounded at the other I end of tiie line; and all the members of his * company who were present, except two, were killed or wounded. None who knew him, saw him when he was struck; n&familiar voice spoke a word of sympathy or cheer; no kind hand was extended to aid him; but, with a shout, the living mas. 4 of men around him, all strangers, rushed past him in a charge, and he was left to die alone— no, nut alone, for God was with him. But that evening, when the bat tle was over and a twilight stillness was steal ing over the earth, a friend from his company, one of the few who had escaped that day’s fear ful carnage, went over the field looking for his missing comrades, and found John’s dead body lying under a tree, where he had crawled to j die. Ilia cap was drawn over his face, and his hands were clasped over his open Bible on his breast. His countenance was calm and serene, and his position was that of case and repose. On an alien and hostile soil, hundreds of miles from his childhood's home, far from his tender parents, without even a friend beside him,-and with the thunder of cannon, the rattle of musketry and the groans of the wounded, rending the air around him, he had been called to die. But he was prepared for the summons, having long since made his peace with God. The study of the Bible and the singing of God's praises had always been his chief delight; and though his voice was now too weak to give expression to his adoration, his precious Bible, this faithful and delightful companion of the march, the bivouac and the battle-field, was with him ; and drawing it from his pocket, . while his life ebbed swiftly away, lie redd of the redemption purchased Tor liim l>y ilie Lionel oT { Christ which “cleanseth from all sin,” of the love of God which “ passeth all understanding,” ' of tiie tenderness of Jesus which excelleih that of a mother, and of the joys and glories of that | world of eternal lite and blissful re-unions, where his Saviour was gone to prepare a place for him— and he was happy. Then, when his glaring eye became too dim for reading, dark ening his face, he laid the precious volume upon tiis bleeding heart, and clasping his hands over it, yielded his spirit up to the God -yjho gave it. Thus did the “mortal put on immortality ;” thus were the trials and sorrows of earth ex changed for the joys of Heaven, lie who lias j promised that He will never leave nor forsake liis sainls, was with that dying soldier,- and in j His sweet companionship death lost its siing, and the grave its victory.— N. C. Adv. A Happy Home. —ln a happy home there will be no fault finding, no overbearing spirit —there will be no peevishness, no fret fullness. Unkiudness will not, he in the heart nor on the tongue. Oh, the tears, the sighs, the wasting of life, and health, and strength, and time— of all that is most to he desired in a happy home, occasioned merely by unkind words. The celebrated Mr. Wesley remarked to this j effec , namely: That fretting and scolding seemed like tearing the flesh from the bones, and that we had no more right to be guilty ol this, than we had to curse, to swear, or steal. In a perfectly happy home, all selfishness will be removed. Even as “ Christ pleased net. him self,” the members of a happy home will not seek first, to please themselves, but to please others. Cheerfulness is another ingredient in a hap py home, llow much does the sweetness ema nating from a heart fraught with love and kind ness, contribute to a happy home. How attrac ting, how southing is that cheerfulness, that is borne on the countenance of a wife and mother. How the parent and child, the brother and sis ter, the mistress and servant, dwell on those cheerfuliooks, those confiding smiles that beam from the eye, and burst from the inmost soul of those who are near and dear. How it hast ens the return of the father—lightens the care ofjhe mother —renders it more easy for youth to resist temptation—and drawn,by cords of af fection, bow it induces them with loving heart to the parental roof. Oh, that parents would lay this subject to heart, that by untiring efforts they would so far render home happy, that their children and do -1 nicstics shall no, seek for happiness in forbid den paths. “Sir,” said one po 1 Rician to another, “my party is an immovable rock.” “ Then, sir, the ship* of State should steer clear of it.” Poverty is the gift of God, as well as riches. The Y/idow. It was a cold and bleak evening in a most severe winter. The snow was driven by the furious north wind. Few dared or were willing to venture abroad. It was a night which the poor will not soon forget. In a most miserable and shattered tenement, somewhat remote from any other habitation, there then resided an aged widow, alt alone, and yet not alone. During lb.: weary day, in her excessive weak ness she had been unable to step beyond her door stone, or to communicate her wants to any' friend. Her last morsel of bread had been long since consumed, and none heeded her des titution. She sat at evening, by her small fire, half famished with hunger—from exhaustion unable to sleep, preparing to meet the dreadful fate from which she knew not how she should be spared. ■*. £he prayed that morning, “ Give me this day my daily bread," but the shadow of evening had descended upon her, and her prayer had not been answered. While such thoughts were passing through her weary mind, she heard the open and shut again, and found deposited in her entry by an unknown hand, a basket crowded witli all those articles of conifortable food, which had the sweetness of manna to her. What were her feelings on that, night God only knows ; but they were such as rise to Him the Great Deliverer and Provider, from ten thousand hearts every day. Many days elapsed before the widow learned through what messenger God had sent to her that timely aid. It was at the impulse of a little child who, on that dismal night, seated at the cheerful fireside of her home, was led to express the generous wish that the poor widow, whom she had sometimes visited, could share some of her numerous comforts and cheer. Her parents followed out the benevolent, sug gestion, and a servant was soon dispatched to Iter mean abode with a plentiful supply. What, a beautiful glimpse of the chain of causes, all fastened at the throne-of God! An angel with noiseless wing came down, stirred the peaceful breast of a child, and, with no pomp of circumstance or the outward miracle, the widow’s prayer was answered. General A. Buford, of Kentucky.— This cavalry officer of Forrest’s command is n(*v in Mobile. In the new organization of the cavalry by Gen. Forrest, he is to command the Kentuckians aDd Alabamians. The Mobile Tribune tolls of him on the retreat from Nash ville, that after a day’s skirmish, and some hard fighting, he was riding from one portion of liis line to another, when he discovered that a piece of artillery wae rapidly retreating. He ordered it to halt and take position, when he discovered some forty of the enemy dashing at headlong speed after him, having passed the battery. The speed of the first carried him be yond the general, who, as he attempted to strike, shot him through the heart: the second came, and, before the general could turn, liis antag onist gave hint a stroke with his sword, when the latter spurred his horse upon him, drove him to tiie wall, and, with the Assistance of Capt. Givan, of hfs staff, tie unhorsed him. The third came and met a like fate,* when a battal ion of cavalry approached, and the whole of the Yankee troops were made prisoners. — A Noble Sentiment.— Some true heart has given expression to its generous nature in the following beautiful sentiment: “ Never desert a friend when enemies gather around hint. When sickness falls on the heart —when the world is dark and cheerless, is the time to try a true friend. They who turn from a scene of distress betray their Lypocracy, and prove that interest moves them. If you have a friend who loves you and studies your interest and happiness, be sure to sustain him in adver sity. Let him feel that his former kindness is appreciated, and that his love is not thrown a way. Real fidelity qiay be rare, but it exists in the heart Who has not seen and felt its power? They deny its worth who never loved a friend, or labored to make a friend happy.” What a Trifle can should we do without water ? Each of us may be said to swollow on an average half a ton of water in a year, or aboilt, three hundred times our own weight of it. in a lifetime. In fact, we are in substance little less than a mass of liquids. Dry us up, and how much would remain ? The story book tells us of the man who loved liis wife so much, that when she died, lie had her remains converted to a powder, and that powder com pressed into a stone, which he wore as a seal upon liis ring ! Yet that lump of dust can level mountains, erect pyramids, survey the stars, and harness the lightning to the car of science. Length of Days and Nights in Great Brit ain.—The following items of information from the British Almanac, will, no doubt, be accep table to many of our readers : “In London (latitude 51°30 / ) the longest day is 16 hours and 35 m'inutes, and the shortest (December 21st,) 7 hours and 25 minutes. The duration of the longest and shortest nights cor responds with the days. In Edinburg (latitude 56,)the longest day is 17 hours and 35 minutes, and the shortest, 6 hours and 25 minutes. Have you ever watched an icicle as it formed ? Y'ou noticed how it froze one drop at a time until it was a toot long or more. If the water was clean, the icicle remained clear, and spar kled brightly in the sun ; but if the water was but slightly muddy, the icicle looked foul and its beauty was spoiled. Just so our characters are forming. One little thought or feeling at a time adds to its influence. If each thought be pure and right., the soul will be lovely, and will sparkle with happiness ; but if impure and wrong, there will be final deformity and wretch edness. No Royal Road to .Religion any more than to Science.—lie alone is properly said to be Christ’s, who, upon a sound knowledge of, and a sincere obedience to Christ’s wits, stands jus tified and reconciled to God, by the merit of His death and sufferings; and thus he is per fectly Christ's who lias an interest in him, con sidered under every one of his offices. This may serve to overthrow the wild and irrational justification of the Antinomians, who, upon this ground alone, judge themselves to be Christ’s, because they believe they are: a way of justification, for its easiness, rather to be wished true than to be thought so. Easy things in religion are always suspicious, if not false ; and sucb will find that their belief is not the rule of God’s proceeding-— South. - At the critical moment in the battle of Waterloo, when everything depended on the steadiness of the soldiery, courier after courier came dashing into the presence of the Duke of Wellington, announcing that, unless the troops in tin important point were immediately relieved or withdrawn, they must yield before the im petuous onmts of the French. By all of these the Duke sent back the same spirit-stirring message: “Stand firm!” “But we shall perish!” remonstrated the officer. “ Stand firm!” again remonstrated the iron-hearted chieftain. “Y’ou’ll find us there!” rejoined the other, as be fiercely galloped away. The result, proved the truth of this reply, for every man of that doomed brigade fell bravely fight ing at his post. The Duty of Prompt Payment.—“ The w*ages of him that is hired shall* not abide with thee all night until the morning.”— Lev. xix : 13. A Call.—Beware of reaching that point in life when a searing touch, or a s!*vering blow, shall leave no space for repgntance.— Herbert. A romantic young man says that a woman’s heart is like the moon—it changes continually, but always has a man in it. JUSt S*‘OLlC>lisl3LOC3L RICHARDSON’S MILITARY CATECHISM! Containing lessons in School of the Soldier, Company, Battalion, and Exercises in the Line. The work is convenient, for officers and soldiers, and will be found equal to any work on Milita ry Tactics ever offered to the public. Price $lO 00 per cop3 T . Liberal discount to Booksellers and other dealers. Address J. IV. RURKE & CO., Publishers, febO-tf Macon, Ga. THE NEATEST BOOK OF THE DAY! GEORGIA AND IIEU TROOPS PLACED ON RECORD! TOE HEROES OF GEORGIA BROUGHT PROMINENTLY BEFORE THE PUBLIC! HEROES &. MARTYRS OF GEORGIA GEORGIA’S RECORD IN THE REVOLUTION Os iaoi Embracing the history of each Georgia Com mand—its battles and its losses in each battle. Its losses by disease, &c., &c. The names of those who have particularly dis inguished themselves—Eulogies -upon the fallen brave. The *st volume of this interesting work is now ready for the public, and will be followed by others until all have had a showing. Price of Ist volume 104 pages 8 vo. Ten Dol lars per copy. Liberal discount to those who buy to sell again. Address the Author at Gordon, Ga., or J. W, BURKE & CO., feb9-lm Macon, Ga. KEW BOOKS FOR SALE BY <J. W. Burke &z, Go. NELLIE NORTON, by Rev. E. IV. Wairen. Price $5. MASTER WILLIAM MITTEN, by Judg Lbngsiveet. Price $5. BRITISH PARTIZAN, by Miss Moragne. p r ic e $2 YOUNG MAROONERS, by Mr. Goulding. Price $5. DUNCAN ADAIR: A Tale of Morgan’s Men. Price sl. ENGLISH GRAMMAR, by Dr. Dagg. Price $3. • CONFEDERATE SPELLER, By Dr. Baird. Price $3. BURKE’S PICTURE PRIMER (100 cuts.) Price SI.OO Liberal discount to preachers and mer chants. Address as above. Address * 3. W. BURKE <fc CO., Macon, Georgia.