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Banks County Gazette.
VOL 2.—NO. 16.
I Humble Piety.
I Eloquence and enthusiasm have
lot done so much lor Christianity as
lie modest virtues, uniform activity,
Ind patient prayers of thousands of
Ihristians whose names are unknown,
lod forbid that I should undervalue
Ireat talents. Much rather would I
liank God with all my heart because
■e has given to his Church in every
Ige some men of great power—men
Who rise and tower like mountains in
lie landscape above their fellow-men.
B'hesc men are not only a shelter and
■ defense for other men, but they
latch the first beams of the morning,
|nd send them down into the plains!
|he first showers from the clonds, and
lour them into the valleys. Never
theless, the Church owes more to
lignal piety than to their influence.
Ifot the learning of the scholar, the
Masoning of the philosopher, the elo
luence of the orator, or the strains of
Ihe bard have done the most for the
Christian Church. It ever has been,
Lnd it will continue to be, the holy
lives, the earnest prayers, with the
Imre mind, lovely spirit, and fervent
llevotions of humble Christians that
Iwill reform man and save the world,
Christianity is God living in the hu-
Inan soul of man. God reigns there.
[The Church prospers according to
Ihe number and and reality of indi
vidual conversions. God is honored
more in souls subdued and saved by
grace than by great talents merely.
Therefore let us do what we can to
increase both, but more especially
the feeble members’ piety.
Life acts ui>on life. If we have
not great gifts, let us have great piety,
that while we are neither wise nor
eloquent, we can and will be holy,
for that is our native element and our
heavenly Father’s design for all his
children—holiness proportioned to
our measure and adapted to the
sphere of activity wherein we live,
that attracts by its simplicity and
conquers by its beauty; holiness, mys
terious in its origin, wonderful in its
nature —nay, miraculous, if we con
sider the changes it produces; but not
less human, attainable, and practic
able. Yes, our lives should lie im
bued with this spirit of Christianity.
It should be of single, even tenor, a
solemn unity, a sweet serenity, an un
tiring activity, zeal which does much
but says little. Lives whose purity
none can dispute—these are the
things that do most for Christianity.
These constitute the acting life,
of the Church of God. These things
have kept in the most trying times so
many hearts for the Lord, and in the
favored times have greatly multiplied
them. The feeble members are the
most necessary for the world. They
are the most mighty. Thu Christian
is a member of society, and what he
has he should use in and for societie’s
good. Religion produces its effects
in the human soul, in the daily life,
in the Christian human Church.
Mental gifts in the world—let these
be sanctified by piety. Society, the
Church, the world —all want this piety.
Do not keep it in the place of medi
tation, or inner life, of public worship,
because it is profitable for all, it is
suited to all persons, places, and
times. Then bring it out. —Rev. J.
A. Brinkerworth.
Friendship is perhaps least attrct
ive on its best siko. When we really
need a friend, or when we would en
joy having a friend, and a friend is
ready at hand to love us and to serve
us, any one of us can see the gain
and beauty of friendship so far. But
what merit is there in that? When,
again, our friendship is desired, and
its manifestations are welcomed, or,
at all events, are recognized at their
fullest and best, almost any one of us
can find delight in being a friend,
and in making unmistakable efforts
and sacrifice as a fried. Even when
the friendship is all on our side, with
out return or acknowledgement, if
still we have the opportunity of prov
ing our unswerving fidelity, and of
being an obvinus illustration of mag
nanimity in friendship, we are not
without satisfaction in the thought
that our friendship proves openly
equal to the test to which it is sub
jected. But when we find our friend
ship neither believed in uor desired,
and we are forced to realize that the
less we say or show of friendship the
truer friends we shall be; when, in
deed, we must refrain from any ex
hibit or appearance of friendship if
we would best sene our friend, —
friendfhip is surely less attractive,
though not any less excellent, than
in other forms of its testing. Yet
just here is the best side of true
friendship,—when the friend never
wavers in his loyalty as a friend,
although he lacks the credit of being
afriend, and only God knows or cares
that he is true.—S. S. Times.
Force of Habit.
People imagine that habit is a tide
which has its turning. In themselves
and in their friends they make this
great mistake. Wrong-doing, they
say, is a transient thing. Why be
over-anxious? Another mood will
take us by and by, even if habit
should get running strongly, flood
people see their children drifting
away from religious life. Their sons
weary of church-going. They live
largely away from home. They are
too much at the club. They read
skeptical literature. They speak
slightingly of the the faith of their
fathers. They get in a powerful drift
away from hope and heaven. But
loving parents look on with disquie
tude. They think the tide will turn.
They make no response to the anxie
ties of ministers for their children.
They are not roused to earnest prayer.
They are content to wait, lielieving
all tnc time that this is only a tide;
it will turn by and by. Our children,
they think, cannot permanently re
main at enmity with God. Blood
will tell. II ave they not a godly an
cestry? What prayers have gone up
for them! The tide will turn. Let
us wait.
Meanwhile the current of impen
iteney outruns all limits and periods.
It proves itself to he no tide at all.
It is the river Amozon. This tre
mendous stream gathers its head
waters within a hundred miles of the
Pacific Ocean, and facing eastward
rushes over au extent of nearly three
thousand miles before it reaches the
Atlantic, draining the Andes slope
for a stretch of two thousand miles,
receiving in its main sweep across
the continent tributaries as large as
itself, very soon cutting its channel
to the depth of sixty feet, it plows
deeper and, until near the sea it be
comes throe hundred feet deep.
It throws its gathtred forces
against the ocean tides, and the sea
piles itself up in vain to resist. The
struggle is soon over, and the resist
less current sweeps on. Far out at
sea sailors dip up fresh water. The
tides are felt four hundred and fifty
miles up the river, but the current
outrnns it and makes its freshening
influence felt five hundred miles from
shore. There is no tidal law to con
trol the force of such a stream. It is
persistent, growing irresistible. The
forces of sinful habit are not feebler
than the rushing of the Amazon. Tlie
lives of unrepenting men are gather
ing tributaries from days aud years.
They rush on in tremendous rapids
ond plunges. The powers of the
world to come, like ocean tides,
sweep far up from the shore into the
thoughts and passions of men. Heav
en makes its influence felt through
years of growing impiety; but the
Current of sinful habit sweeps on un
restrained, and cairies character and
doom far out on the bosom of eterni
ty. Life is what life makes itself.
Its momentum creates permanence.
Its awful sweep makes nothing of
jetties and restraining forces. On it
goes, more and more like itself, until
its bitterness or its sweetness
are as certain as eternity
is enduring.—Presbyterian.
The tanning of elephant hides is
comparatively anew industry, accord
ing to tlie Boston Journal of Com
merce. The method employed is
practically the same as in the tanning
of cow hide, exeept that a stronger
HOMER, BANKS COUNTY, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2(i, 18i)l.
combination of the tannic ingredients
is required, and greater length of
time—about six months—is necessary
to perform the work. When the
hide is taken out of the vat, it is an
inch and a half thick. Among the
articles made of elephant leather are
pocket-books, small saehels, cigar
cases, and similar articles, and they
are said to be expensive luxuries. In
finishing the hide, no attempt is made
to glaze or polish it, every thing be
ing done to preserve its natural color
and appearance. The leather is very
enduring, several years’ wear having
but littlo effect on it.
Every one ought to have an object
in life. It is not enough merely to
recognize that we have duties. We
have a duty to he pleasant and agree
able to others; but being is not an
object of life, it is one of the inci
dents of right living. The man who
lives for “society life’’ may be uni
versally polite and kindly in manner,
and yet hare no real object of exist
ence. Being agreeable is only one
of the methods of living, not an ob
ject of life.—Sunday School Times.
What Wc Owe the Farmer.
Last fall, when the financial flurry
in London caused a depression in this
country, it was admitted in New
York that the southern farmer with
his cotton saved the United States
from a disastrous panic.
And now, after the unprecedented
export of our gold, the northwestern
farmer with his wheat comes to the
front to draw all the money back
from Europe with hundreds of mil
lions more.
Already money is becoming easier,
and the outlor k is bright. But we
owe this not to the government, nor
to anything that it has done to im
prove the business situation. All
that we enjoy and all that \\ c a hope
for in the shape of prosperity we owe
to the farmer with his cotton in the
south, and his wheat m the northwest.
If nothing occurs to disappoint our
expectations of a good business sea
son. the republican party will claim
that its financial and tariff policy has
brought us a return of good times.
But the farmer and the workingman
will know better. They will know
that they are prospering not because
of existing economic conditions forc
ed upon us by the government, but
in spite of them. We are saved from
ruin, and will enjoy this touch of
flush times this fall simply because
the tremendous energies of our fann
ers, together with their economy, have
enabled us to overcome the unfavora
ble conditions of our financial system.
Instead of being easily satisfied
with the outcome of this season it is
in order to consider how much better
it would be under an honest tariff
with a volume of currency large
enough to meet tlie wants of business.
The west and south are pulling and
tugging at Wall street for money to
move their crops when under the
proper system they would have
enough money of their own for that
purpose. Then the farmers and
working men who are feeling more
hopeful should bear in mind the fact
that but for the robber tariff they"
would be able to save 15 per cent of
their living expenses.
The promise of good times this fall
shows that this is too big and produc
tive a country to be entirely
ruined in a short time by an oppres
sive and extravagant government.
Now is a good time to think of the
active work of the farmer as a factor
of our prosperity, and it is a good
time to think of the burdens and
restrictions placed upon him by a
government which thus far has been
deaf to his appeals for relief.—Atlan
ta Constitution.
Shall Tiretl Men Go to Church ?
Yes; most assuredly! Where else
should he find rest—rest for the
weary soul? Many persons of both
sexes ofttimes imagine they are tired,
when, in reality', they are not; they
are only lazy. After a hard day’s
work how many will go to a theater
and enjoy it, and laugh as heartily
and go out between the acts “to see a
man,” as often as those who have not
worked during the day? Some men
and women will go to a ball and
dance all night after a hard day’s
work. A man now in this city was
telling me only last Saturday that for
four years he averaged at least five
nights a week at balls and parties*
after working hard all day in the
stock department of a wholesale house
lie says he is now suffering from the
evil effects of his actions. Depend
upon it, it is either laziness or unwil
lingness, or both, that keeps people
from church. How often you will see
aged, infirm, and crippled children of
God being led into the house of wor
ship ! There would be more excuse
for them to stay at home than there is
for those who are able to do a good
day’s work, and are.in health. Be
sides, our blessed Saviour says:
“Come unto me, all ye that labor aud
are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.” And where will you find closer
communion with him than in his
sanctuary?—Southern Churchman.
How It Strikes the People.
For some lime past the enemies of
the Alliance have made the atmos.
phere thick with vague and porten
tous rumors and charges.
In season and out of season these
busy fellows fire off their noisy blank
cartridges at every nlliauccman whose
prominence attracts their attention,
but, despite all this sound and fury,
nothing comes of it.
Speaking Of this farcical flurry of
rumors and Charges, The Covington
Star says that the enemies of Living
ston have about run this thing into
the ground. They charge him with
everything, and prove nothing. The
Star thinks that this plainly shows an
effort to cripple Livingston’s influence
and destroy y x usefulness, but it
warns these loud talkers that' it is
time to prove something or shut up.
It strikes the people just that way.
As Lincoln used to say ; “The people
are not all fools all the time." They
know the difference between rumors
and facts -f between charges and
proofs.
The recklessness of the enemies of
tlie Alliance overshoots the mark.
Not satisfied with firing at Livingston
every time he shows his head, they
made the mistake of supposing that
it would help them to trump up a
charge of some sort against Colonel
Peek, the president of the Alliance
exchange. They started their little
story on its rounds, and it fell flat.
The trustee stockholders of the Alli
ance exchange met and unanimously
re-elected Colonel Peek and tlie
entire old board of directors!
That was the best answer that could
he made—the only answer that is
needed. Colonel Peek’s honesty has
never yet been questioned, and it will
never suffer in public estimation on
account of the abuse of a lot of
blatherskites.
But the enemies of the Alliance are
not going to be silent. The vindica
tion of Colonel Peek iu their slang is
“white-wosh,” and Colonel Livingston
cannot move a step without being
accused of “bossing things.” Perhaps
it is unnecessary to dignify such as
saults with more than a passing men
tion. But they show how far some
men are willing to go in their attacks
upon the character of good citizens
in order to injure the Alliance cause.
As The Covington Star says, it is
about time to prove something or
shut up.—Atlanta Constitution.
The plutocratic press is just now
trying to make some capital out of
the report that a son of Mrs. Mary
E. Lease, the noted woman orator of
Kansas, is guilty of larceny. Of
course it turns out that the boy is
innocent and the episode only serves
to show the ammose and depravity
of the partisan press. But suppose
the report had proven true, we can
not see where there would be any
capital in it for the partisan press of
either party. Both, the democrats
and republicans are blessed with a
long list of defaulters and thieves
who are to this day unpunished, for
the simple fact that they were good
partisans aud men of influence. The
peculiar methods practiced by the
leaders—iingsters—of both parties
are not calculated to inspire tlie
youths of our land with any very
high regard for truth and honor.
On the other hand it seems that the
highest prizes are awawardod to the
most unscrupulous—the shrewdest
political wire puller. The corruption
everywhere prevailing in high places
is contagious and is debauching the
public mind to such an extent that
not only the son of Mr-. Lease, but
every youth in our land is in danger
of its deadly influence. The labors
of Mrs. Lease aro being directed to
the end of shutting off this iniquity
at its fountain head, and those papers
that employ such damnable methods
to persecute her would he serving
their country and their God if they
would direct their efforts to the same
purpose.—National Reformer.
A lady who had been married about
a year was making a visit in the fami
ly where she formerly resided A
little girl, after overcoming her diffi
dence, began to talk with the lady.
Said the little girl; “You used to live
here, didn’t you?” “Yes,” was the
reply. “And you went off and got
married?” “Yes.” “Won’t you come
back and marry us again ?”—Boston
Transcript.
Sylvester Wedge says: “Its more
honorable to be kicked by Jay Gould
than to he spoken to by a common
man.” There are thousands of men
in this country that are giving a prac
tical demonstration that they think
so too. They may receive their re
ward after while if the bosom of
their pants holds out, hut we don’t
believe it.—National Economist.
The New Party in Ohio.
A special correspondence, August
7tli, from Springfield, Ohio, to The
Voice, New York, says:
The proceedings o: the Ohio Peo
ple’s Party convention in this city had
features that wore of considerable in
terest for the prohibitionists. Con
Burckhauser, the Cincinnati beet man,
was present and took an active and
conspicuous part. Secretary Robert
Schilling, of the national committee,
known as a personal liberty man, sat
on the platform, and was influential
shaping the party’s work.
The convention’s views of the liquor
question are expressed thus:
“We recommend the following reso
lution to the national convention con
sideration, believing it to be a national
instead of a state issue:
“We believe that the solution of
the liquor problem lies in abolishing
the element of profit which is a source
of constant temptation and evil; anil
we therefore demand that the exclu
sive importation, exportation, manu
facture and sale of all spirituous
liquors shall be couducted by the
government or state at cost through
agencies and salaried officials in such
towns and cities as shall apply for
such agencies.”
It is undoubted that among the
delegates sent the policy that will be
generally advocated by the Peo) lie’s
Party throughout the country.
George F. Washburne of Bo.st< n,
Eastern member of the national <x
ecutive committee of the party, in an
interview in a Springfield paper, says
that the plank will be modified to
suit the demands of different states,
according to the strength of prohibi
tion sentiment in them.
It is understood that among the
delegates there was a strong repre
sentation of prohibition feeling. It is
almost certain, indeed, that a majority
would have endorsed a straight out
prohibition plank.
When gubernatorial nominations
were called for, John J. Ashenliurst,
prohibition candidate for governor,
was one of the men named. There
were expressions of protest, and be
fore the ballot was taken, Hugo
Preyer, secretary of the state com
cittee, rubbed Ashenhurst’s name
from the blackboard on which the
nominees’ names were posted. Preyer
SINGLE COPY TIIKEK CENTS.
was formerly a violent personal liberty
champion, but several years ago he
sin prised people by becoming inter
ested in the prohibition cause and
writing articles against the saloon.
The People's party leaders are very
anxious indeed to win the coming
election in Ohio. It is not altogether
certain that they look with absolute
scorn upon the fusion idea. Rumors
are passing round that Governor
Campbell is desirous of making a deal
with them, whereby he shall have the
benefit of their support for the gover
norship and in return permit the
People’s party to elect the next sena
tor. However that may be, it is
stated on good authority that an at
tempt was made to come to terms
with the prohibitionists, the plan be
ing to endorse the prohibition plat
form and ticket if the prohibitionists
would abandon their name and march
under the People’s party banner.
Power in Personality.
A mistake has crept into the minds
of some people, and so into the service
of their lives, that was born of igno
rance of the workings of certain pri
mary laws of our being, and has been
kept valie from age to age because of
the impatience with regard to the
long and thorough process necessary
to complete development.
In an ago of progress, when the
line of aspirants is pressing on to
achievement, the temptation to do,
before being, is to short-sighted ones
not to be resisted. It is not to be
met in one stratum of life, or one
sect of religious belief alone, but
everywhere it offers itself, and meets
its victims all along tlie different
avenues of endeavor.
The woman who wi.ls to become
popular in society, expends her phys
ical energies and make draughts upon
her nervous force; these tell the fact
of her effort through the face, the
form the speech, and indeed in each
movement; weariness and anxiety
have spoiled her beauty and delivered
up the secret of her purpose. She
marks the woman who brings every
body to her feet without a seeming
effort, and who evidently gives no
thought to becoming popular. She
envies her power, but remains blind
to the source of it. She will not see
that this one compels attraction
through the simple fact that she em
bodies those lovable and ennobling
qualities that have brought admirers
to her feet.
How in; ny have tried to copy a
woman with this sort of personality,
and have found it impossible. Grace
of the unstudied sort eludes the efforts
of imitators, and remains forever
unique. Yet such a character is sure
to make an atmosphere in a commu
nity, and though some cannot breathe
in it, and will not try to, a few will
be helped and moulded into anew
experience.
Jf personality is desirable along the
secular ways, is it not especially need
ed in religious service? In the Church
at large, in the pu’jiit, in the Sabbath
school, the want is felt, and nothin" 1
can supply it but the pure power that
lies in the being that one would teach.
The ministry takes a people up no
higher than itself has been able to
rise. The influence of a preacher is
not gained by copying the rules of
magnetism, but bv that personal
force that has sprung deep within
the soul. The Sabbath-school teacher
does not send home a truth to the
hearts of her class by the use of well
chosen language, forceful illustratsons,
or vivid pictures, but through the
evidence that her listeners discover
that she has felt what she offers.
We need workers always, and
everywhere, but our first great want
is men and women who are so desir
ous of becoming all that it is worth
while to teach, that the discipline of
life can be accepted, and the long
waiting for personal fulfilment can be
bore patiencetly, that true power may
he engendered within to work itself
iuto outward expression —Christian
at Work.
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