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rashly and recklessly burnt up three otheis
that had escaped, we should now ha\e a
th>et before Vicksburg.that could, any day,
go down and retake New Orleans. Ihe
keels of twenty or thirty iron-clad boats
should be laid, at once, in the Yazoo. The
people of the West and South should loudly
call upon the Administration to bestir it
self and do something commensurate with
the magnitude of theinterests it was created
to protect. There is timber enough in the
forests, and iron enough along our railroad
tracks, and the iron of several arms of rail
roads can be used for no better purpose. —
Within three or four months twenty ‘ Ar
kansas’ can be built, let only the proper
enterprise and energy be put forth; and
with such a fleet the Mississippi is once
more ours from its head-waters to the Gulf.
The Missouri is ours, and St. Louis is ours.
The Ohio is ours—Cairo, Cincinnati, Louis
ville,, Pittsburg. The Tennessee River is
ours, with Paducah, Smithland, and the
Cumberland and Nashville is ours. Ken
tucky is ours ; Tennessee is ours. This is
not a suppose so. The action of the Ar
kansas has demonstrated that with twenty
boats of equal power and resistance, and
with such crews —and twenty more such
can be found in the West—the western riv
ers can be swept, in twenty days’ time, of
every Lincoln vessel afloat, and thus can
the West be redeemed.
Does not the Administration know this?
( 'an it not be made to see it ? Does it not
think it of sufficient value? Can it not be
moved to turn its eyes this way for a mo
ment and consider the state of affairs here
as modified by the debut of the Arkansas?
The enemy, ever watchful, sagacious, far
seeing, prompt, will put additional gunboats
and rams ;'upon the stocks at New Alton
and St. Louis. If our Government will but
bestir itself and be the first to have ready
ten or five, it can take the heels of them and
run up to their ports and destroy their un
finished boats upon the stocks, and so be
masters of the western waters. What in
fluence can be brought to bear upon the
Administration to secure this end ? Should
the secular papers advocate it, the enemy
would see it and act accordingly. But ev
ery man who feels an interest in the West,
in the Confederacy—for the Confederacy is
nothing without the West —can address a
private letter, to Jeff. Davis, or Mr. Mal
lory, and urge upon him, by all the argu
ments and motives of patriotism and honor,
to do this at once. Will not one thousand
Georgians write the President at once upon
this subject? Thousands in the West will
do it, l am confident.
Many have said an I more thought, in the
last month, what good to us in holding on
to Vicksburg, and sacrificing our brave men?
—the enemy having taken the whole river,
might as well have that point. These
grumblers are short-sighted, if they are not
unfriendly. Can they not see that so long
as we hold to Vicksburg we close up the
commerce of the Mississippi to the North-
West?’ ft can not send its grain and meat
to New Orleans to find a Southern, a For.
eign, or even a Northern market, for the
gram and meat of Indiana and Illinois will
not bear a railway freight to New York
if the Government had not taken military
possession of the railroads. Unless they
can reach a market, their last year’s and
this year’s crop will rot upon their hands;
and the North-Western States will be fi
naneially reined, and will repudiate the war
debt. So much for the war.
Gan you tell me, my dear brother, what
can be done towards suppling the Army of
\ ieksburg and the West with Tracts ? If
you will act as receiver and disburse!’ of
the funds of the Churches, I will be their
“ messenger ” to distribute 100,000
gratuitously , and travelling evangelist*. --
\on have presses and are near to paper
mills. Can not something be done ? Let
the brethren feel that our righteous cause
is in the hands of a righteous God, and He
will in due time deliver us out of the hands
of our enemies, and write M is name upon us.
Affectionately yours,
J. 11. Graves.
Posucßtpr.—July 18, 8 o’clock P. M.— I
Heavy firing was heard last night in the
direction of the lower fleet. It is reported
that the Arkansas has gone down to drive j
them out. The heavy reverberations of
the great guns shake the earth and make:
the house to tremble. The flash of the 5
guns is plainly seen on the horizon ; and j
now and then the fiery shell can be seen j
rising above the tops of the trees, and!
streaming down over our batteries. It is
very exciting, and then the anxiety to learn
the results. Something will certainly come
of this night’s work, God defend the right, !
and cover the heads of our noble boys!
Later. —9 o’clock ■ The firing is gradu
ally slackening, and ths horizon over river
* We will send Tracts, as fast as possi
ble, to supply the demand of our Army In
the Wes*. We have already sent a bundle
of tracts to brother Graves, by express.
B AIV JfE R AND BAPTIST.
is illuminated. A portion of the enemy’s
fleet is on fire, or the noble Arkansas may
this time have been overpowered and set
on fire to keep her from falling into the
enemy’s hands. I have no means to learn
what the result has been before closing this.
I must send it now or miss a chance of its
going soon. I will write again if aught
transpires worthy your attention.
The Army in lhe West.
Dear Brother Hornady:
I have recently visited the Army in the
West, and find the destitution appalling.—
I do not believe one in ten of the men have
a Testament. They are very anxious for
it and for tracts. “ Can’t you send us some
good reading matter ? ” was asked me on
every hand. We need funds with which
to do this. I beg that your readers will
exert themselves in this behalf, and enclose
the amount to you. Now is the most fa
vorable time to make an effort. Will not
the pastors and churches respond ?
A. E. Dickinson,
Agent Army Colportage.
Interesting Letter from aColpoi ter.
The following is from Rev. P. A. Hughes,
who for three months has been laboring
among the sick and wounded in the hospi
tals at Atlanta, Ga. We have scores of
such brethren at work among the soldiers
of the Confederate army, and every where
their efforts are being crowned with the
most abundant success. We need funds
with which to print Testaments and Tracts,
and to support these self-denying laborers.
Let those who can send on their contribu
tions. A. E. Dickinson.
In going among the thousands in the
hospitals, I have met with many things to
gladden my heart and to cause me to love
the work. I find a considerable number of
Christians. Some tell me that camp life
has had a very unfavorable influence on
their religious character; others state that
it has been of great service to them—that
it has bound them closer to the Saviour,
made them more acquainted with their own
weakness and sins, and afforded them a fine
field in which to labor for the souls of theii
fellow-men.
Some few, very few, hesitate as to accept
ing a Testament, though they will take a
tract. One man refused most positively to
accept a Testament I proffered him; but
received a tract, which was entitled “ A
Mother’s Parting Words to her Soldier
Boy,” by the reading of which he was deep
ly moved and became a true penitent, asked
me to pray for him, and finally died in the
triumph of a Gospel faith.
To a young man who said that he felt
himself a sinner, I gave “ Motives to Early
Piety.” Me became more troubled about
his sins and was led to Jesus, whom he
publicly professed. A soldier met me on
the street and said, “ You are the gentle
man who gave me a Testament, the other
day. I had read it before, at home, but
never has the reading of that book so af
fected me as of late; away from home and
friends, it is doubly sweet.”
Three persons have professed conversion
from the reading of “ Why Will Ye Die ?”
by A. M. Poindexter; several from read
ing “ A Mother’s Parting Words,” &e. —
The “ Affecting Narrative of Facts” was
spoken of by three others as having been
instrumental in leading them to Christ.—
One soldier told me that the “ Call to
Prayer” had aroused him to a sense of his
duty, as a professor of religion. Others
have said that the tracts they read made no
particular impression upon them, but that
they received them thankfully, because they
knew that those who gave them were hon
estly desirous of doing them good. I preach
and hold prayer-meeting as often as it is
convenient. The surgeons give me a cor
dial welcome to the hospitals, as do also
the officers in the surrounding country in
their camps.
1 have distributed, siuee the 20th of May,
eleven thousand four hundred and ninety
pages of tracts, seventy-seven hymn books,
and a goodly number of Testaments.
Yours, in Christ, P. A. Hughes.
Army Cliuplnins
These devoted workers for their country
and their Saviour, find that religious read
ing for the soldiers helps them very much
in their labors of love. Hence, they call
for tracts, Testaments, and religious papers.
These brethren say that the soldiers are
very fond of religious papers, and many of
them have written and asked for The Banner
to be sent to them weekly for distribution.
But while brother 11. would gladly furnish
| large numbers to his country’s defenders,
he can not do so unless the means are fur
nished. Will not these Chaplains take up
contributions for this object? and will not
brethren, pastors and others, at home do
the same, and forward the amount to bro
ther 11. ? Each number of The Banner
will bo worth more to the soldier than an
| ordinary tract.
The News.
Our readers will be amply repaid for
reading the admirable news-letters of breth
ren Graves and Connor, in the present
number. It will be seen, from the commu
nication of brother G., that we still hold
Vicksburg and, consequently, a portion of
the Mississippi river.
Colonel John H. Morgan has been doing
a good work in Kentucky—capturing towns,
stores, &c. But, after all, we have some
doubts as to the timeliness of his move
ments ; we are sure that he has stimulated
the enemy in raising the recruits called for
by Lincoln, in that he has enabled them to
say with a show of plausibility that the
North is in danger of invasion. However
this may be, we suppose he has but been
carrying out his part of a great plan which,
when consummated, will be entirely satis
factory to the country. Morgan is a cool
and gallant man, and his whole heart i en
listed in the cause of the South. Long may
he live, and much good may he do ! Long
may he live, and much good may he enjoy !
Baptist Historical Society.
Atlanta, July 26, 1862.
According to previous notice, the mem
bers of the Baptist Historical Society of
the Confederate States met in the First
Baptist Church in this city.
The President being absent, Dr. N. M.
Crawford took the* chair and, after some
preliminary religious exercises, called the
Society to order.
First, an opportnnity was afforded for
persons to enroll their names as members
of the Society, when the following were
received and ordered to be recorded :
Ichabod Davis,
George W. Cook,
Elder W. T. Rrantly.
The Report of the Librarian was then
read.
The following resolutton, by brother
Boot, was adopted :
Resolved , That contributions to the His
torical Library, of books, pamphlets, pic
tures, curiosities, &c., be respectfully so
licited. And that Ministers of our denom
ination, and others, whose portraits would
be intrinsically valuable, be requested to
forward to the Librarian their framed pho
tographs or portraits, to be preserved
among our collections.
On motion it was resolved that the Cor
responding Secretary request brethren
throughout the Confederacy to prepare
suitable sketches of deceased Ministers and
members of our Churches, to be presented
at the next annual meeting of the Society.
On motion of brother Clark,
Resolved , That the meetings of the Soci
ety be held alternately with the Baptist
Churches in this city ; and that the next
meeting be held with the Second Baptist
Church.
Resolved , That our denominational and
such secular papers as approve of the ob
jects of this Society, be requested to publish
the minutes of the present meeting in their
columns.
On motion of brother Teague, resolved
to elect the following Officers :
President—A. Sherwood, of Georgia.
Vice-Presidents—T. G. Jones, ofVa.;
Wingate, ofN. C.; J. P. Boyce, of
S. C.; N. M. Crawford, of Ga.; D. P. Ev
erett, of Fla.; J. L. M. Curry, of Ala.; M.
W. Philips, of Miss.; W. C. Crane, La.;
R. C. Burleson, Texas; P. S. G. Watson,
Ark.; A. C. Dayton, Tennessee.
Recording Secretary—ll. C. Hornady.
Corresponding “ —W. T. Brantly.
Treasurer—James Clark.
Librarian—S. Root.
Board of Managers—Dr. Gwathmy, of
Va.; J. J. James, N. C.; P. G. Edwards,
S. C.; E. B. Teague, Ga.; J. E. Broome,
Fla.; T. 11. Watts, Ala. ; I. H. Harrison,
Miss.; J. 11. Lowe, La. ; R. E. B. Baylor,
Texas; F. N. Wiley, Ark.; A. W.Cham
bliss, Tenn.; A. T. Holmes, J. I. Whitaker,
G. W. Cook, and J. M. Wood, of Georgia.
On motion of brother Dyer, appointed
brother H. 11. Tucker to deliver the anni
versary address at the next meeting.
Brother Teague submitted the following
resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved , That we request, through the
press, the Churches throughout the South
ern Confederacy to furnish sketches of their
history to the Librarian of the Southern
Baptist Historical Society.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society
be presented to those individuals who have
made donations to its Library.
Resolved, That the Society adjourn to
meet with the Second Baptist Church in
this city, on Friday before the first Sabbath
in August, 18G3,at 10^o’clock A. M.
N. M. Crawford, President.
11. C. Horn ad v, Secretary.
DIED.
In this city, on the morning of the ifOth
July, after a short illness, Jacob B. W.,
son of G. W. and M. A. Campbell—aged
thirteen years and futir months.
He passed away amid the bright hopes
and joyous anticipations of youth, but still
he seemed not reluctant to go. He said to
his weeping parents that he was going to
God—gave some directions about his funer
al services, and then closed his eyes in the
sleep of death.
For him we weep, but not as those who
j have no hope. Pastor.
Heels versus Heart.
We extract the subjoined article from the
Southern Presbyterian, and commend it to
the attention of any who may be disposed
to educate the heels of their children to the
neglect of the head and heart:
THE TWO SCHOOLS ; OR, CATGUT
VS. CATECHISM. *
NO I.
In passing along one of our fashionable
streets a few evenings since, my attention
was arrested by the sound of music issuing
from a neighboring hall. Crowds of car
riages stood near the entrance, and on
glancing through the spacious windows,
thrown wioe open to admit the cool, fresh
breeze, 1 perceived a whirling bevy of chil
dren, whose sylph like forms, decked in
gossamer robes, were floating gayly through
the mazes of the dance, w'hile thiir eyes
flashed with enthusiasm and their cheeks
glowed with excitement and pleasure.—
Around the sides of the hall were arranged,
three or four deep, a crowd of interested
and delighted mothers (some of them
Christian mothers), who had assembled to
witness the performances and to mark the
improvement of their little ones. I ob
served, further, that when the “professor”
(!) with the usual scrape and flourish of
his bow, announced the conclusion of a
dance, these mothers overwhelmed their
children with caresses and praises for their
beautiful dancing, or encouraged the less
successful with smiles and kisses to “Try
and do better the next time;” while the
professor aforesaid received showers of
thanks and bouquets for his patience and
skill in teaching these “ young ideas how
to ” tip toe Terpsichoreally.
no. ir.
On the following Sabbath morning I
looked through the windows of the lecture
room and saw another school. But what a
contrast! 1 saw a number of children, to
be sure, and many of t iose whom I had
seen in the hall, and they were as neatly
and prettily, but not so gaudily dressed.—
But where'are the mothers , who assembled
in such crowds, evening after evening, to
cheer and encourage the little dancers ?
Not one here! Not one to cheer and en
courage the little learner’s in the Sabbath
school ! Not one here to thank, by w’ord
or ac , the patient, pains taking teacher
who strives so earnestly and prayerfully to
lead their children to a knowledge of the
truth ! They go constantly to the dancing
school to encourage and interest them there ,
but never come to the Sabbath-school to
stimulate the interest and attention of their
children here. And what conclusion must
the little ones draw from this fact as to the
comparative importance of the two schools?
“ Mother is very anxious for me to dance
well, and thinks a great deal of my dancing
master; but she doesn’t even know my
Sabbath school teacher ; she does not really
care about my learning these hymns and
these hard questions in the catechism, foi
she never comes to hoar me ri cite them,
and never asks me about my lessons when
Igo home. Oh, dear! I shall be so glad
when I am too big to go to Sabbath-sehool!
Mother knows best, and I’m sure I needn’t
care! ”
Oh, mother, Christian mother! shall
those little feet, whose gyrations you watch
with so much interest, go dancing down
the dark valley to the music of the fiddle?
(1 beg the “ professor’s ” pardon—l should
have said “ violin.”) But, seriously, I’m
uot going to argue with you against dancing
schools (you to>ll send your children to
them in spite of all that could be said); —
but tell me honestly now, which is the more
important department in the education of
your children, the heart or the heels ?
Why should you manifest more interest in
the latter than in the former, and which
will add most to their solid accomplish
ments and lasting benefit—to learn to make
a graceful pirouette to the sound of catgut ,
or to store their minds with rich gems of
eternal truth from the catechism ? Grace
of movement may be all very well, but
grace in the heart is infinitely better; and
what is the so called “poetry of motion”
compared with piety of soul ? What we
urge upon you is, to show at least as much
interest in the success of your children at
the Sabbath-sehool as in the dancing school.
It is not enough to send them to the former,
but go with them, as you do to the latter ;
mark their improvement; judiciously re
ward those who are diligent tnd attentive,
and wisely encourage and stimulate the
careless and reluctant. As you value the
souls of your children, never, by word or
act, let them suppose that you think the
dancing school more important than the
Sabbath-sehool. Natborn.
The Banner.
We take the opportunity to appeal to our
Banner friends. As you know, it has been
a hard struggle to keep any religious paper
going these war times. But you, your
neighbors, and soldier kindred, need The
Banner. Money is now plenty all over the
country, and there is no excuse for Chris
tians to do without a religious paper.—
When the war is over you will still need
it. Now then is the time to send on funds,
and to exert yourselves for its greater cir
culation. Come, brethren, sisters, friends,
be up and doing! W.
Correspondents or (lie Banner.
Elder N. M. Crawford, Penfield Ga.
“ B. F. Tharp, Perry, Ga.
“ W. N. CnAiooiN, Albany, Ga.
“ R. J. Mays, Florida.
“ A. E. Dickinson, Rivumvud, Va.
“ W. D. Mayfield. South Carolina.
“ G. C. Connor, Thomasville, Ga.
(< J. 11. Campbell, Griffin, Ga.
“ G. T. Wilburn,
M. W. Philips, Edwards, Miss.
Colportage amongst the Soldiers.
-The editor of this paper has been author
ized, by Elder A. E. Dickinson, to employ
six Colporteurs in the Western and South
western armies, and he calls upon the
friends of the Soldier to aid in this good
work.
Three colporteurs are already in the
field : brother Hughes is laboring in the
hospitals of this city—brother L. G. Cobb
is laboring in the camps of Gen. E. Kirby
Smith’s command, and is meeting with
great encouragement in the work—brother
T. M. Harbin has visited Mobile and dis
tributed tracts amongst the soldiers in and
around that city—and brother V. A. Bell
is making his arrangements to visit and
labor in the various Camps of Instruction
scattered along the line of the Western and
Atlantic Railroad.
To sustain these brethren we must have
funds. These must be furnished by the
voluntary contributions of the liberal and
large-hearted friends of the soldier. Breth
ren, friends, will you help us ?
We believe you will, and upon this faith
in your liberality and benevolence we have
sent forth the above named brethren, and
if you will furnish the means we will send
forth two others to win the brave defend
ers of their country to Christ.
Contributions may be sent either by
mail or by express to this office, and will
be faithfully employed in the manner des
ignated by the donors. There are hundreds
of brethren, and sisters too, who can aid
us in this enterprize, and we appeal to them
in the name and in behalf of their own sons,
brothers and husbands.
H. C. HORNADY, Local Agent.
Address to Southern Baptists.
Brethren and Sisters:
Permit us to address you in behalf of
our Mission interests. Nothing is dearer
to the heart of the Christian than the cause
of Christ. That cause, owing to the condi
tion of our country, is in danger of suffering.
The public mind is necessarily drawn off
from every other subject, in the universal
interest felt in the prosecution of the war.
But is the disciple of Jesus justified in pay
ing tribute to Ciesar alone ? Should not
God receive His share? Is the command
of the blessed Saviour abrogated, and the
obligation of the Christian laid aside, under
any of the circumstances in which he may.
be placed ?
To this Board has been committed the
spiritual welfare of those at home. It is
expected to look after the interests of the
Domestic field.
The Indians in our western territory have
been the objects ofoui sympathy, and have
shared largely in our aid. Shall the Board
continue to supply this aid ? Those tribes
to which we have sent our missionaries are
true to the Confederate government, and
have risked their all in its support. Shall
the Board still furnish them the Bread of
Life? Then your sympathy and coopera
tion must be continued.
The large number of our male population
is camp, battling for the independence of
our country, has called loudly for our as
sistance. A small proportion of the regi
ments in the service of the government are
provided with chaplains. To meet this
want the Board has appointed Missionaries
to preach to them the Gospel and to fur
nish them Testaments and religious tracts
as far as possible. Six brethren are already
under appointment and are prosecuting
their work in the camps and hospitals in
Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida
and Alabama. Others will be appointed
as soon as the means can be secured for
their support. Twenty-five missionaries
would not be too many to meet the urgent
demand for this field. To carry on this
work will also require your liberal contri
butions. Shall we appeal to you in vain ?
Shall this work stop for want of a small
effort on your part ? Will you go to work
at once and do what you can. yourself, and
get others to do likewise? Much may bo
done, if all will do their duty—do what
|they can. Shall the Redman, shall the
j Soldier-boy, appeal in vain to the Christian
| patriot ? They ask for the Bible, for the
' Word of God, for the Minister of Christ,
| from whose sympathies and labors they are
cut off amid the dangers of the camp, while
you arc quietly and safely enjoying your
; accustomed privileges of home and the
sanctuary.
We do hope that a prompt and generous
effort will be made to enable the Board to
go on with their Ileaven-born work.
Brethren and sisters, do not read this article
and go away to forget our wants. We are
dependent upon your voluntary contribution*
to continue the operations of the Domestic
Mission Board.
Yours truly, in behalf of the Board,
M. T. SUMNER, C#rr. Sec’f.
Marion, Ala., Ja'y *. ISC -~
Money due the Office, may be s.nl by mail
at our ri-dc — always mail it in presence <J
a friend , {other than the Postmaster,) or pro
cure t friend to mail it for you —never reg
ister.
