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gage for passing through the world without one loving, tender, sympathizing feeling to mankind.” “ Your soul—bah ! What is it worth now 1” <£ I’ll take it all back. I’ll have my daughter and her husband home. I’ll pay ” “Too late!” said the dark creature. “ Too late. Hiram Gormley, too late!” But the old man, stretching out his hands, screamed aloud in terror, and fell backwards in unconsciousness. * * % * When Mrs. Gormley- returned from the dinner-party, she found her husband stretch ed upon the hearth rug, with a blue lump upon his forehead as large as a hen’s egg. When he related his adventure, she con sidered it a dream, and laid the blame upon the old port in the decanter upon the side-1 board! But dream or reality, it had a' strange effect upon old Hiram, for in a week he was reconciled to his daughter; performed various unwonted acts of charity, and was, in fact, an utterly changed and al tered man; while, singular to say, no earthly power has ever since been able to induce Hiram Gormley to speculate in; breadstuff's. Tfie Family Altar Fallen, It was a great fall, and a sad fall; and the falling of my own tears, as I gazed, I could scarcely prevent. And when I state that it was a fallen family altar , not a few of my readers v/ill sympathize with me. I had seen the altar before it fell. Its remembered beauty and value all the more troubled me, now that 1 saw it had fallen. I knew the day when it was set up. It was a day of gladness to me—to many. We little thought it would ever fall, it seemed so strong. But it had fallen”! I was so it, that I could not but mako inquiry how it should have come to pass. I saw near the ruin, and appa rently musing upon it, two grave and se date looking persons, both of whom I knew. “ Reason,” said I, “ you were a bosom companion of the author of this ruin. Did you have any hand in it, or in any way countenance it?” The prompt and earnest reply was : “ I helped set that altar up.— I helped keep it. 1 laid hold of it when it tottered, and if f could, have helped it, it would never have t fallen.” And I believed him, he was so honest and earnest. “Conscience!/’ who was near, “ did you have any handjn AhcTall of this altar? ” “ Did I not help Reason set it up ? There was no such altar till we put forth our power. \ made that father happy while the altar stood. 1 gave him a warning that made him tremble when I saw him likely to let it fall. And my sharpest arrows went into his soul when the altar fell.— Could 1 have prevented it, it never would have fallen.” “Wife, mother!” said 1, for sho was musing near the ruin, “ had you any thing to do with the falling of this altar?” A flood of tears was the only answer. Her sorrow and sadness told me she w r as the deepest of mourners over that fallen altar. “ Children,” said I, for they were near, “ you see this ruin ; did you have anything to do in bringing it to pass? ” They look ed at me and wondered, and t then at their mother; and seeing her tears, they weptj themselves. And so I knew they had no. thing to do with the fall of the altar. Some things may fall and do no harm.— But when this family altar fell i.t harmed, 1. The man that overthrew it. It was! wrong done to his reason; and it was aj wicked resistance of his conscience, ft weakened his spiritual strength. It gave temptation greater power over him. ft made other kinds of prayers less pleasant, and all other duties less inviting and more burdensome. So it harmed the man. 2. And the fall of that altar harmed the household. The wife was sad ; she needed just such consolation and support. The ejpld ren wondered ; they needed just such a constant recognition of God and eternal things as they had while the altar stood.— The whole household lost many precious influences which constant family worship never fails to exert, A powerful barrier against temptation fell with the falling altar. And that alarming danger was in curred which is pronounced against •‘ the families that call not on His name.” 3. The community is harmed when a family altar foils. If every house had one, there would be produced a moral atmos phere most favorable to the best welfare of the whole neighborhood. Even one such altar is a blessing ; the foil of one a loss.— No community can be named that is not a loser by the fall of r family altar. Ther, such a fallen altar is a melancholy ruin! What ought he to think who has dene so great a wrong as to overthrow it? To love something more than one’s self —that is the secret of all that is great ; to know how to live for others — that is the; aim of all noble minds. '£mm Asm gamut anil papist. “Holy Bible, —Book Divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine.” If. C. HORNADY, Editor. J. M. WOOD, ) J. S. BAKER, Editors. D. P. EVERETT, ) Correspondents or the Banner. Rider N. M. Crawford, Penfield. Ga, “ J. 11. Campbell, State Evangelist, “ J. B. Graves, in the Army. “ G. C. Connor, Army Chaplain. “ B. F. Tharp, Perry, Ga. “ W. N. Chaudoin, Albany, Ga. “ R. J. Mays, Florida. “ A. E. Dickinson, Riehimmd, Va. “ W. D. Mayfield, South Carolina. M. W. Philips, Edwards, Miss. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1869. Tlie Banner. It is with great pleasure $e announce to our readers, that we have this day associa ted with us in busings Mr. Jas. N. Eu.s, (late Editor of The Southern Field and Fireside) who lias purchased one-half o* The Banner establishment. This arrange j ment, w r o are sure, will prove as acceptable j to our patrons as to ourself. Mr. E. will i speak for himself hereafter. 11. Teaching our Colored People to Read.—South-Western Baptht. In May last the Cherokee Baptist Con vention passed a resolution to memorialize the Legislature of Georgia to repeal the statute which makes it penal for owners of slaves to teach them to read. The editor of the Index reports that the Baptists of the Central Association, who held their late [ session at Madison, Ga., indorsed the action ! of the Convention, and that a resolution to I this effect was sustained by Dr. N. M. Crrwford in a short speech. This action and this speech have waked up the South-Western Baptist. The editor says he does not take issue with the policy or principle embraced in the resolution.— j He objects strongly to the speech of Dr. [ Crawford, who will no doubt answer for j himself. What we wish to do is to call I the attention of our brother editor to the apparent inconsistency of what he premises and what he says afterwards. He does not take issue with the policy or principle involved—no man is before him in earnest desires to promote the mor al, intellectual and physical development of the African race, by all means compatible with the security and happiness of the two races; and has always regarded it as an axiom that no condition of an intelligent creature can be imagined in which it can be right to deny him those sources of know ledge essential to his spiritual and eternal well being. And yet he declares that God has ordained the ear as the medium through which religious knowledge is to be comrau. ideated to the head and heart. Does not say a medium, but the medium —conveying the idea that oral instruction is quite suffi cient for slaves. Our brother seems to forget that this is precisely such an argu ; ment as Rome makes: the people need ! oral instruction—the Bible is for the priests i and bishops. No doubt the law in question was passed because of abolition meddling, but Geor gians ought to dare to do right independ ently of meddlers. To us it seems a great outrage that our fellow-citizens can not, if they choose, teach their own negroes to read, so as to improve them as property and enable them to read the Bible for themselves. The memorialists will not ask that negroes shall he lnight, but, to repeal a statute which consigns them to the peniten tiary if they fulfill what appears, to many of them, as their highest obligations to their own negroes. At some future time we may present an argument in favor of the move, as follows : 1. That the statute is wrong in principle. 2. Wrong in policy. 3. That the arguments for it would sus tain Catholicism, which Georgia condemns. 4. The statute is a cudgel in the hands of Abolitionism in this and other countries. 5. The chances are in favor of having better and more faithful slaves if they could read for themselves and see what the Bible teaches regarding slavery. W. j The Rehoboth Association The late session of this body was held with the Baptist church in Forsyth, com mencing oh Saturday before the third Sab bath instant. The venerated man, Jacob King, who had been for twenty-four years the sole Moderator, having died since the previous meeting, Elder B. F. Tharp called | the meeting to order. After the reading of | the letters, Elder Tharp was elected Mod jerator, and Elder W. C. Wilkes was re j elected Clerk. The introductory sermon was preached by Elder J. H. Clarke. After which the body took a recess until 3 o’clock p. m.— At the time appointed the brethren again assembled. The reports from the Churches showed about one hundred and sixty baptisms; and about one tlymsand dollars collected for missions. On Sabbath the missionary sermon was preached by Elder W. C. Wilkes, after which a collection was taken amounting to ninety-odd dollars;' This amount was di vided equally between missionary work among the soldiers, and the Indian mission under the patronage of the Association. In the afternoon of Sabbath, at the re quest of the association, Elder B. F. Tharp preached the funeral of Elder Jacob King to a large and interested audience. On Monday night it was resolved to hold a missionary meeting for the purpose of collecting funds to sustain missionaries in the army. After addresses from the writer and Col. Peeples, followed by remarks from Col. Z. E. Harman and others, a col lection was taken up amounting to $1,462. Col. Peeples had been baptized on Sabbath morning preceding, and it was truly affect ing to listen to his eloquent and touching appeals in behalf of our biave and suffering soldiers. Brother P. is an elegant speaker, and on this occasion he delivered just such an address as was calculated to stir the hearts of all. The large amount collected indicates most clearly the advantage of Assoeiation al missions over those conducted under the patronage of General Boards. In the for mer, the matter is brought right to the hearts of the brethren, and the claims of a guilty world are felt and acknowledged by all. The aggregate amount raised by this small Association will foot up about $2,500. This is a noble band of brethren, and ev ery pioUs heart irffist bid them God-speed in their glorious work. If other Associa tions would take hold of Missions after this fashion, we should soon see the work spreading gloriously in every direction. At the close of the services on .Monday night, the Association adjourned to meet with the Baptist church at Union, in Macon county, one year hence. The people of Forsyth received their visitors and entertained them in a way to make us almost forget the blockade, war, and all their inconveniences. Next year the Association expects, under God, to enlarge its work; and in a few years we should not be surprised to find them raising thousands of dollars where they now send up hundreds. So mote it be ! Coosa Association. This body of Baptists will hold the next session at Cedar Town, Ga., commencing on Saturday before the second Sabbath in October. As the writer has been connect ed with the missionary operations of the Coosa for many years, he will be allowed to remind the brethren that funds will be needed. Three missions have been to some extent sustained by your liberality : the Mountain, the Coosa, and the Cherokee In dian missions. For these it is hoped the churches will provide liberally, not forget ting col portage among the soldiers—a very important field of labor at this time. — Those who subscribed last fall for the sup port of D. M. Foreman, will remember that now is the time to pay and will bring or send the funds to Cedar Town. May the Lord grant a full delegation and a gracious meeting! J. M. Wood. P. S. It is especially desirable that all the members of the Executive Committee should be present and hold a session on Saturday night. J. M. W., Ch’mn. The Good Work. We are glad to chronicle the continuance of the revival at the First Baptist Church in our city, and to note the commencement of a series of meetings in the Second Church, the pastor (Dr. Brantly) being assisted by Rev. J. R. Kendrick, of Charleston. Flint River; Association. This body will convene with* Liberty Hill Baptist Church, in Fayette county, three miles from Bear Creek P. 0., on the Macon and Western Railroad, on Saturday before the fourth Sabbath instant. The church is half a mile east of the Railroad. Association meetings. Sarepla, Van’s Creek. Saturday before 4th Sabbath in September. Middle Cherokee , Bethesda, Gordon Cos. Saturday before 4th Sabbath in September. Flint River , Liberty Hill, Murray Co.— Saturday before 4th Sabbath in September. Georgia , Clark’s Station, Wilkes Co.— Friday before 2d Sabbath in October. Piedmont , Consolation, Appling Co.— Saturday before 2d Sabbath in October. Coosa , Cedar Town, Ga. Saturday be fore 2d Sabbath in October. Hepzibah, Way’s Church, Jefferson Cos. Saturday before 4th Sabbath in October. Bethel , Pine Bluff, Dougherty County.— Saturday before 3d Sabbath in November. Revival at Newnnn. We are rejoiced to learn through brother Wood—who dropped in just as we went to press—of a refreshing time in„the Newnan Baptist Church. Eight converts have been added to the followers of Christ, f v [ Banner, Sept. 20. This item of last week, by implication, may have made a wrong impression.— The church truly had a refreshing time, and eight persons were baptized; but they were not converts of that particular meet ing, as might be inferred. There have been a series of meetings in Newnan held at dif ferent times by Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists, and some of the persons bap tized dated their conversion in connection with the exercises of the Presbyterian and Methodist meetings. The Lord has been truly gracious to the people of Newnan, and we trust that the good work still goes on and will continue until many more shall find the Saviour precious to them. J. M. Woon. Who Desires a Good Teacher ? Miss Harriet A. Baker, a native of Vir ginia, and an experienced Teacher, desires a situation as Teacher. She can furnish tes timonials of the highest order as to qualifi cations. She prefers to establish a female school of high character, and those desirous of obtaining such an instructress will do well to address her at Genito P. 0., Pow hattan county, Va. A week well filled up with selfishness, and the Sabbath stuffed full of religious exercise, will make a good Pharisee, but a poor Christian. There are many persons who seem to think Sunday is a sponge with which to wipe out thesins of the week. Tlie War. The Richmond Examiner, of the 24th, says that, in the fight at Shepardstown, the ene my are reported to have been almost anni hilated, and that five thousand prisoners were captured. It says that Gen. Lee wrote a letter to President Davis, stating that the shock of the battle on Wednesday was the most tremendous ever experienced on this continent, and the result was the most dam aging the enemy has received in the whole campaign. The enemy confesses a loss of ten thousand. Our loss will not probably exceed five thousand. Yankee dispatches dated Saturday, say the loss of Federal Generals and field offi cers was so large as to be unaccountable. McClellan says the Federals may safely claim a victory. A dispatch says that a body of Federals dashed into Leesbury, but soon retired. — The place is now in our possession. FROM THE COAST. The Charleston Mercury, of the 25th, says that passengers report that they have grounds for believing that the enemy is sending heavy reinforcements to Ililton Head, and along in spots on Broad River. Pinckney Island is now occupied by a large body of troops. AGENTS FOR TIIE BANNER. The following brethren will act as Agents for the Banner, and will receipt for money paid for the paper. Elder J. S. Morrow, Traveling Agent. “ F. M. Havgood, do “ J. 11. Stockton, Thomson, Qa. “ Taos. Muse, Cuthbert, Qa. “ Robt. Cunningham, Macon, Qa. “ Taos Aldridge, Millwood , Qa. “ W. W. Odom, Valdosta, Qa. “ G. F. Cooper, Americas, Qa. “ J. H. Campbell, Qriffi.fi, Qa. “ W. J. Speairs, Peaks P. 0., Qa. “ John 11. Clarke, Henderson, Qa. “ P. A. Lawson, Qaiffin, Qa. 41 William Lows, McDonough, Qa. Dr. E. R. Carswell, Waynesboro ’, Qa William Roberts, Byrumville, Qa. R. H. Jackson, Franklin, Heard Cos., Qa. J. H. B. Shackelford, Spring Place, “ Dr. John Cheney, Columbus, Qa. Banner for tfae Soldiers. The religious paper furnishes a cheap and available means of reaching them; and our brethren and sisters should come to the rescue before it is too late. What say our readers ? Shall the sick and wounded soldiers have The Banner f + # The Banner and Baptist is published ev ery Saturday morning, at Atlanta, Ga., at the price of three doßars per year, always in advance. COMMUNICATIONS. Bear Brother Hornudy : I send you a copyol a Resolution passed during the session of the Western Baptist Association, which you will please publish. On motion of brother J. 11. Hall, Resolved, That the clerk of the body pub lish a notice in ‘ The Banner,’ and ‘ The Index,’ requesting the clerks of the various churches composing the Association, whose delegates were not present, to send up their letters and funds to him, to aid in making out statistics and publishing the Minutes of the Association. Address, J. 11. Graham, Clerk,. Newnan, Ga. Millwood, Ga., Sept. 22. Bear Brother Hornady: The Lord has recently visited this section of country, with Ilis Holy Spirit. I held a week’s meeting with Union Church, Tel fair county, a month ago, which was a very happy session indeed. The church, few in numbers, had not enjoyed an ingathering since its constitution, about two years ago; but at this time there were nine baptized and three received by letter. Also, at Antioch, Pulaski county, I held a six-days meeting, embracing the first Sabbath in this month, at which time thirteen were added to the church by experience and baptism—the most of them were females. Thomas Aldridge. Dear Brother Ilornady: I thought it would be a little cheering to the readers of The Banner, in these dark and gloomy times, to hear what the Lord has dono for us in this part of the world.— For about nine months after this cruel war commenced, I could think or preach about but little else. During this time I never heard one sinner say “Pray forme.”— No one offered to enlist under the banner of Jesus. There were no sweet songs sung among the armies of the Lord. All, all was dark and gloomy. But, bless the Lord, O my soul, a better and brighter day came at last. About the first of April the cloud that had so long obscured my spiritual sky was removed by the hand of the Lord; 1 felt that the Judge of all the Earth would do right, and from that time I went to preaching Jesus Christ and His Cross, and left the war in the hand of the Lord, pray ing Him to make our cause Ilis care and fight our battles for us. I have found it much more pleasant to get up before my fellow-travellers to eternity, to point them to the Cross of Christ as the w ay to Heaven, than it was to talk about Lincoln’s war.— The result has been that many have corne and said “ Pray for me,” and for four months past it has been my chief business to hold up the banner of Jesus, calling for volunteers, and I am happy to say several have enlisted. At Campbellton, 1 baptized two females, and ac Bethlehem one. At Pleasant Hill, Paulding county, we had a meeting of ten days. The Lord was in our midst; and while we were talking about the beauties of Heaven and the glories of the upper world, and about that inheritance which is incor ruptible and fadeth not away, and of the crown that Jesus promised the faithful, in came our brethren Hamrick, Denton and Burke, all of whom, during the time they stayed, testified to these truths. On Sab bath, the last day of our meeting, twenty two persons (eighteen whites and four blacks) were immersed. So you see I have baptized, in all, twenty-five, and we left many asking to be remembered in our prayers. 1 must be permitted to relate one inci dent that occurred in our meeting. On the first day, Friday, I made one proposition *o the church and one to the congregation. The proposition to the congregation was this : All in the congregation that are re solved, the Lord being their Helper, to seek the salvation of their souls now, to take the front seat. Ten came forward.— I then proposed to the church that they make the ten who were there the subjects of their special prayer. The result was, each one of the ten was among the number baptized. To God be all the glory ! 11. A. W. A Hint to Parents. —Few parents re alize how much their children may be taught at home by devoting a few minutes to '.heir instruction every day. Let the parent make the experiment with his son of ten years old for a single week, and only during the hours which are not sptnt in school. Let him make a companion of his child—conversing with him familiarly, put to him questions, answers and inquiries, communicate facts, the result of his reading or observation; awaken his curiosity; ex plain difficulties, the meaning of things, and the reason of things, and all this in an easy, playful manner, without seeming to impose a task, and he will himself be astonished at the progress which will be made.