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TANARUS) 4 TTV TrTrV*; 7" 4 r'lrf^rnnrf^t~> ■m Z\ 1 iff 1 I pltj V I nr /\ Jr IH |H K 3 f~\ 1 JlL%.k2f VOL I.— NO. 37. Thankful Ellis. Spring ripened into summer, the corn in the daacou’s corn field looked healthy. But the wheat—alas! the sun creeping across the waving bil lows found rust among the ripening heads. And when it was cut, and waiting the deacon’s turn for the thresher, the rain set In and the grain sprouted. The loss of his wheat was a blow to the embarrassed farmer, and he received but little sympathy from his neighbors who had uvged him to fol low tr.elr example, and shock and cap his wheat on the Sabbath, as the only possible means of saving it. But with the consistency for which he was noted, he refused to desecrate' the Lord s day, but chose rather to keep that holy, and trust the result to him who controls the weather. “Here I’ll raise mine Ebernezer-” Farmer Foster riding down the big road heard the deacon’s voice, and, following the sound, found the old man in the ruined field singing among the stubble. Not a break in the grand old hymn to tell of doubt, or discouragement, or distrust. In the midst of wreck and ruin the altar had been greeted and re consecrated to lititr’who sends both sun to soften and rain to destroy. “It’s bad, mighty bad, a-comin’ on me just now; there ain’t no denyiu’ o’ that,” lie hold neighbor Foster. “But the corn field’s left, an’ that 's a good deal to be thankful for.” “So’t is, so’t is,” replied the farmer and he went homo feeling that some how Deacon Ellis’ affairs were as bail as tLey could be, but might be worse if the deacon had a mind to look on the dark side. “Well,” said Mrs Foster, when her good man rode into the hack yard, “is Deacon Ellis a-thankirig of the Lord, because the wheat ’ all spiled, ’Zekiel ?” “No, Nancy,” replied Fanner Foster, “the deacon ain’t such a fool as to do that. He's some cut np about the wheat, but he’s jubileein’ pow'fu! r the corn.” “Well, when the corn ’ gone he'll mirate over the ground being left. An’ when that’s tuk, there’ll slioly be nothin’ left tor Deacon Ellis to he glorifyin’ over. An’ it’ll be tuk, mark what 1 tell you, ’Zekiel.” It was not long after tilts that the deacon’s little girl died’ This was the heaviest blow that had fallen upon him, but so deeply engrossed was he in the effort to comfort his stricken wife that lie forgot his own sorrow, and failed also to notice that the drought had ripened the corn before its time; so that where he hail hoped to find the full, ripe car, only prema rure nubbins were hidden away under the crisp, yellow shucks. “Well,” the deacon drew his wife’s head to his bosom, “we have got each other, Mary, an’ that’s a heap to thank the Lord for.” But even that solace was denisd him very long. Always, as the dea con said, “one of the ailin’ ones,” the strain upon mind and heart was too great for the frail body, and Mrs. Ellis was laid to rest bj the side of her little girl under the cedars be yond the wheat field. The deacon's cross was growing heavy, indeed. The neighbors began to call him Job, and, although his voice still led the oid hymn on Sab bath mornings in the village church, there was a quiver in it that told how heavily the tried heart was leaning upon the “Goodness and Mercy” which he declared had followed him “all the days of his life.” Yet he still sang in the corn fisld when the skimpy nubbins had been stored and there was nothing to do but to gather the fodder: “O to Grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be The poor heart felt a revival of the long tried trust as the crisp, golden blades rustled to his touch. “It’s something to be thankful for,” he said to his hired boy, David, pulling the last armful from the stunted stalks. Then the harvesting was finished, except the gathering of the pippins ! and wine-saps, and, as the crop had been a short one, the gathering of it in was a small matter. “We’ve got enough to eat, anyhow,” he told the neighbors, “an’ that’s something to bedhankful for.” Finally the fruit was stered, and Deacon Ellis entered into his well earned winter rest. “The Lord will let Job alone now,’ Farmer Foster’s wife said, “an’ sholy it is time.” But the deacon’s troubles were not yet ended; there was still one more calamity in store for him—the fire that burned his barns and destroyed his last faint hopes of paying off tbe mortgage upon his land. It was nearly the final stroke. The old man had buried his wife and child, for whom he had worked and saved— now the means of his own livelihood were vanishing. His neighbors were appalled. The good old deacon had no enemies, and now even those who had found some thing to laugh at, in his strong faith in the face of calamity, were shocked. TV?Sunday following the banting of the barns the neighbors met early at the eht.rch and discussed the mat ter among themselves. It was finally decided that among themselves they would raise enough money to pay off the mortgage on the Trio, and from their own full granaries furnish seed foo the next year's ero >. “ I want to hear hitn blc s the Lord once mofe,” said Farmer Foster, with a big te!Tr in each eye. “And have somethin’ to bless him for,” added his wife, as she brushed off a crystal drop that had trickled to the tip of her nose. Then someone whispeied that the deacon was at the door and the con gregation settled down to its accus tomed quiet and decorum as the old man entered. He was aging, Deacon Ellis was; he leaned heavily upon his staff, and the neighhois noticed, for the first time, bow the silver m his hair had given place to-snow. Farmer Foster’s tears no longer stood in his eyes, but followed each other in quick succession down his sunbrowned checks, lie fell, as did many others of the congregation, that a[ last Deacon Ellis stood face to face with that moment in his life when there was nothing left for gratitude. For the first Sunday since the little church had neard his prayers, there would he no thanksgiving. Then the sympathetic farmer thought of the mortgage, already as good as lifted, and he felt a strong impulse to rise up in his place and tell him; to cry out. “Tliank the Lord if you wish; go on thanking him.” So excited did lie become that Mrs. Foster touched him on the arm and said in a whisper, “Zekiel, kneel down.” The deacon had begun his prayer; broken and quivering the accent , soft and slow the petition. The rod had fallen so heavily! There was a plead ing cry for strength, a grasp at faith, a full surrender to the will of him who docth all things well; and then as the voice gathered strength and the heart returned to its old-time trust, the chief characteristic of his religion exerted itself, and Deacon Ellis thanked the Lord that she whom he had given to be to him a helpmate and a solace nad been gathered into rest before his calamities had over taken him. Then, as the grand old voice rose again the sweet, familiar hynin : “Here I’ll raise mine Ebenezer,” the people listening felt indeed the sublimity of Faith erecting its altar upon the ashes of Despair.—Youth's Companion. Why Not? The New York world, discussing the silver question, remarks that there could be no possible objection to free coinage anywhere if the pre scribed amount of bullion in a dollar were actually worth a dollar. This brushes away so many difi culties that we are inclined to inquire of The World why it is that the very HOMER, BANKS COUNTY, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 2t, 1891. fact of free coinage will not make the prescribed amount of bullion in a dol lar worth a dollar? As Our esteemed contemporary has a very direct way of discussing matters, we trust it will give us some light on this matter without bringing up the exploded theory of intrinsic value. There is no more intrinsic value in gold than there is in silver. The law of the United States is worth something, the stamp of the government is worth something, and the exposition and desires of the people are worth a good deal more. Why is it that these things combined will not make the prescribed amount of bullion in a dollar actually worth a dollar? We confess that we are unabie to under stand the monometalist theory and argument on this point. Take away the props of govern ment from gold bullion, demonetize the metal, and make a mere commod ity of it, and it would soon be discov ered that the bullion of a gold dollar is worth a dolhir. Indeed, in the days of bimetalism it was discovered that of the two metals gold was sub ject to the most serious fluctuations. Meanwhile, wo are glad to observe that so intelligent and influential a jouraa’ as the World is not inclined to have ati over the prospects of free coinage. This sort of thing should be left to the editors and newspaper men that dish out their views to suit Wall street.—Atlanta Constitution. Croaker. A croaker is sometimes a good man turned sour. He is sometimes a disappointed candidate for office, or soreliead. He is always a small man. There is no other way a small man can have so much influence. Tile majority in any community or church are timid or faint-hearted, and easily discouraged. A man whose help would weigh about an once can hin der a pound or more. Croaking is sand on the- bearings, stones before the wheels, stnoke in the eyes, grij in the bread. It disturbs, aggravates, depresses and hinders the workers. God cannot use croakers. They are not in harmony with His truth, or plans, or spirit.—Buffalo Christian Advocate. T. Item. Crawford. An Athens special to the Atlanta Constitution of Januory 14th says: The Athens Publishing company held its annual stockholders’ meeting this morning, at the Banner office. A large number of stockholders were present, and the report of the business manager showed the financial condi tion of the paper to be most gratify ing: The election of editor-iu-chiof came next and a great deal of interest is centered around it. For some time it has been rumored that a change would take place, and the action of the board of directors was looked for ward to with interest. The board of directors presented the name of Mr. T. Rem. Crawford, of the Constitu tion, and the selection of Mr. Craw ford was ratified by a unanimous vote. This is a highly merited honor paid to a rising young journalist of Geor gia. Editor Crawford is one of the youugest, if not the youngest, editor of a daily paper in Georgia, being in his twenty second year. He is a graduate of the State university in the class of 1889. lie entered journalism immediately after graduation, working as city editor of the Banner. Last May ho accepted a position on the Atlanta Constitution, which he has filled most acceptably. He now returns to the Banner. That the Banner is in excellent hands, none can deny, and hi* election is highly satisfactory. He wields a vigorous and versatile pen, and the editorial columns of the Banner will sparkle with his productions.. Editor Crawford states that bis policy will be one of a conservative nature. He will ever lie found bat tling for democracy and its principles. In regard to the Farmers’ Alliance, and the fanning classes, he will direct the policy of the paper in their inter ests, and will make every effort possi ble to promote there to promote their Welfare, recognizing the fact that the interests of Athens and northeast Georgia are agricultural in their na ture. About the change of the editorial management of the Banner Mr. Gantt said: “I wish the public to understand that the piece published in the Con stitution was a mistake. I never re sigued;the office of editor of the Banner, but was displaced by the board of directors; and that it was done without any notice to me, or any opportunity of explaining my position. I have been, and am still, an earnest advocate of the Farmers’ Alliance, and propose to stick to my colors. If my policy on the Banner, in regard to General Gordon and the alliance did not suit the stockhold ers, I can’t help it, nor do I intend to apologize for anything I have written. As to the Bug* motive inspiring the change, I will inform the public later in the columns of the Constitution and the Alliance Farmer.” Watch Always. A young lady whose parents had died while she was an infant, had been kindly cared for by a clear friend of the family. Before she was old enough to know him his business took him o Europe. Regularly he wrote to her through all the years of his absence, and never failed to send her money for all her wants. Finally word came that du ring a certain week ho would return and visit her. He did not fix the day nor- hoar. She received several invitations to take pleasant trips with her friends that week. One of those was of so pleasant a nature that she could not resist accepting it. During her trip lie came, inquired as to her absence, and left. Returning, she found this note, “My life has been a struggle foi; you, might you not have, waited ono week for me?” More she never heard, and her life of plenty became one of want. Jesus has not lixed the day or hour of 11 is return, but lie has said, “Watch!” and should He come to-day would lie find us absorbed in thoughtless dissipa tion ? —British Evangelist. The excitement about the foroclos ure of farm mortgages in Kansas in creases. A few days ago an officer who attempted to execute an order of sale of laud, in Harper county, in in that state, under foreclosure, was driven oil by a number of men, with arms in their hands; and an Alliance leader is quoted as saydug that the mortgages throughout the state would resort to the same course. Railroad Pooling. It is a rather striking coincidence that only three or four days after the formation of the great western rail road trust the senate committee on interstate commerce reports a bill which practically’ repeals the anti pooling clause of the interstate com merce act. Tne railroad kings who have com bined their western lines either count on the passage of this bill or have deliberately made up their minds to run rough shod over the interstate commission and the law it was ap pointed to enforce. Just after the conclusion of the recent railroad conference. Jay Gould announced that tho business of the Western Traffle association would he pooled. The senate committee is in favor of removing all obstacles to this scheme of the men who have formed the greatest and • most for midable railroad combination ever known. The aailroad senators will, of course, endeavor to accommodate legislation to their own interests, but the pending bill will be generally regarded as part of a plot to emascu late the inierstate commerce act, and will threfore find stubborn opposition oven in the senate where monopoly and plutocracy have not yet captured all the seats. —Atlauta Journal. Lite has, at its best, a pathetic side’ and he who strive* hardest to be a true man, and to do a true man’s work, is surest to l e unsatisfied with himself, and to have an oppressive sense of comparative failure in his life strugglo. Even when a strong man seeks to show a cheerful spirit and a light heart in his intercourse with his fellows, bo that others may deem him peculiarly freo from sorrow or care, he cannot but suffer through his #oncrousness of inability to reach his noblest ideal, or through his lack of an ideal that is worthy of his striving. Speaking of the sweet tem per and the uniform self-control of the poet Ilorraee, Sir Theodore Mar tin says: “Like most playful men, a tinge of melancholy colored his life, if that is to bo called melancholy which more properly is only that feeling of the incompleteness and in sufficiency of life for the desires of the soul, which with ail thoughtful men must be habitual.” Unrest of soul is an essential condition of progress and of a desire for high attainment.— Sunday School Times. No J. I*, in Their’n. No J. P. in their’n. They think they are better off with out one; and they wont have any. Grand jury or no grand jury, law or no law, it would be made very disagreeable indeed for the man that really tried to become justice of the peace, for the people don’t want it. The office has been vacant these many years, and it is likely to remain vacant for a long while to come. This curions state of affairs exists in the 904th district of Talbot county, and perhaps in no other district in this country. Just how the popular antipathy towards J. P’s original and could not be aoertained from any reliable source, but that it has existed and still exists is fully attested by official returns received at tho executive de partment. It seems that one J. F. Marshall was recommended by the grand jury, and a dedimus protestation was sent to the ordinary of the county, author izinghim to swear in Mr. Marshall as J. P., and issue his commission to him. Tho ordinary makes this official re turn: “ Mr. Marshall declines the office. The people of that district tnink they are better off without a J. P., and manage to have the grand jury recom mend a man who will not serve. •‘lf 1 was to order an election they would elect some fictitious character. I am told they' once beat a man who wanted the office with ’(somebody’s) bull.’ A man’s words are not always au exprsssion of his real self. Thus a feeling may rise and show itself in a public speaker, which, though it conies naturally and directly from his men tal constitution, is yet but imperfect ly recognized by him, and is ass'gned by him, in subsequent explanation, to some other than the real cause, or to some cause which is in itself the least of a number of p .rticipant causes. We who read the man’s heart at a glance, should not at once infer that lie is attempting to hide a motivo from us, but should remember that one who is under the influence of a feeling, and who is at the same time required to render a reason for that feeling, is much in the position of a patient who, while suffering from a physical disorder, would be expect ed to furnish a correct diagnosis of his own condition. A man’s words are not always founded on true self knowledge, and therefore a man is not always to be judged by his words alone.—Sunday School Times. “Be happy, and you will be vir:u ous.’’ The saying is just as true in this shape as in the ordinary one — perhaps even truer. Tie most effi cient service of God comes from de lighting in God. It is when a man is full of joy in some discovery of whet God is to him, that duties cease SINGLE COW THREE CENTS. to be burdens. It is a child’s delight in his father wdiich makes obedience easy and simple. The doctrine of justification by faith as the basis of growth in holiness, of simple faith in the Divine forgiveness as the true source ot good works, recognizes this principle. The opposite doctrine teaches that works must come first to give us an excuse for joy. Men need to delight in God, therefore, is an es sential part of the method of Chris tian living. We may not always at tain to it, but we never should be con tent with anything less than it; and that not merely for our own comfort, 1) st for the sake of the work we have to do. We should seek this delight as a means to greater consecration and to more effective service, and rec ognize it as the atmosphere we were meant to live in and to work Sunday School Tifl psf Gladstone Again. At the age of eighty-two Mr. Glad stone looms up as the leader of a movement to abolish the remaining religious disabilities of llornan Cath olics. __ , The chief disability left on the statute book makes it unlawful for a Roman Catholic to be lord lieuten ant of Ireland. Certainly, there is no sense or jus tice in this provision. For centuries it has been shown that men can be good Roman Cotholics and loyal rep resentatives of England. Howard’s faith did not Jiold him back when ho led England's fleet against the Arma da. And since Howard’s day other soldiers and civilians of the same church have served-the British gov ernmeut with equal loyalty and suc cess. Wipe out tbe disability! It is a blot on the record page. Mr. Glad stone voices the civilization of the age when he speaks against this ab surd and unjust law.—Atlanta Con stitution. Any action that makes money more valuable at date of payment than it was when the debt was contracted is robbery. Contraction of the volume of currency makes that which is left more valuable. The vote on the contraction ot the currency in 1886 was: For contraction—Republicans, 55; Democrats, 28. Against con traction—Republicans, 52; Demo crats, 1. Money to pay a debt or taxes at that time could be obtained with less than half the products of the farm than it takes at the present time. Who are the robbers? “Pay your money atnd take your choice." —National Reformer. It is a rather odd coincidence that the Okalahoma legislator who put the capital punishment clause through is the first man arrested for murder since the law was enacted. He builded considerably better than he knew.—St. Joseh Gazette. Russian authority recently forbade subjects of the Czar to play' at the gaming tables at Monte Carlo, and the wisdom of the prohibition is proven by the latest suicide at this malign resort —that of a young Russian. Europe shoul i clear, itself of this plague spot, and make the beautiful l.tlle Kingdom of Monaco as clean as is Baden-Baden to-day.—Detroit Free Press. Senator Ingalls is hot for silver, but this does not put down the com dance in Kansas. The Alliancemen want his scalp, and they ought to have it.—Atlanta Constitution. We lirve no doubt that Governor Hill’s views on silver would prove interesting.—Atlanta Constitution. T. B, Aldrich has taken advantage of his release from editorial duties to achieve more literary work than had been possible for him before in some years. Or, the other hand, Horace E. Scudder, since assuming the chair Mr. Aldrich vacated, has found no leisure to accomplish anything beyond the work connected with his position as an editor.