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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.