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“Holy Bible, —Book Divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.”
H. C. HORN AD Y and JAMES N. ELLS,
EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS.
J. M. WOOD, )
' J. S. BAKER, >- Associate Editors.
D. P. EVERETT, )
ATLANTA, GEORGIA:
Saturday, Noiember 8, 1863.
The War.
Again our brethren of the press are dis
cussing the chances of a ‘ recognition ’ of
the Southern Confederacy—caused by the
recent intelligence, as announced in the New
York Express, that European powers de
sign very soon to interpose in the present
war by an offer of mediation, and, in the
vent of the rejection of this offer, to £ re
cognize ’ the Confederacy.’
We are among the number who believe
that an early recognition will be given our
infant nation ; but we trust that our people
will not relax, in the slightest particular,
their warlike preparations, nor trust too im
plicitly in that interposition for a termina
tion of the war. We should go on, doing
our best, and looking to a Higher (than any
earthly) Power for aid, just as though Bel
gium or Europe were not on the map.
For our own part, we discern signs of
promise for good to our young republic in
the political revolution at the North, dis
closed by the late elections in three border
States—in two of which the astonished Rad
icals received an overwhelming rout, and in
the third have been checked by a drawn
battle. It is a significant fact that such
prominent Abolitionists as Grow, Bingham
and Gurley have been whipped out by the
voters of such States as Pennsylvania, Ohio
and Indiana.
And our sky of promise brightens at the
promulgation of the Federal President’s
‘grand emancipation’ ukase. Lincoln has,
quite unwittingly, done the Confederacy a
good service, or else we are greatly deceiv
ed in the estimate we have placed upon the
popular Northern mind. No one, who has
carefully noted the progress of events, can
doubt that the ‘ Empire State of the Union’
is on the eve of a grand revolution; and
we are awaiting anxiously the result of the
fierce contest waging there between Sey
mour the conservatist, and Wadsworth the
radical. *
Pasteboard—Once Wore.
Some time since a paragraph was inserted in
this and a few other journals, requesting mer
chants, and all others who had pasteboard box
es, ta forward them to the Franklin Printing
House, where they would be used in binding
Testaments to be issued by the Confederate
States Bible Society, for gratuitous circulation
among the army. To this call very many nobly
responded, and large numbers of the blessed
volume have been distributed, far and wide,
among our troops.
But more Testaments are needed, and more
pasteboard is wanted. In no other way can the
publishers procure the material for binding
these books; and we earnestly ask all who have
pasteboard, in any shape, to aid in this good
cause, by sending it, as early a* possible, to the
“ Franklin Printing House,” Atlanta, Ga.; and
we trust our contemporaries will join us in the
appeal. #
Nkm Subscribers. —Our subscription
books show a very respectable increase of
new subscribers within the past fortnight
We thank the friends who have exerted
themselves in our behalf, and renew the
assurance that no pains shall be spared on
our part to make The Banner an accepta
ble religious and family journal.
This encouragement leads us to hope for
a large subscription list. Will not each
subscriber —we mean each one who is truly
pleased with the paper —try and send us, at
once, a niw subscriber ? Can not the mail
list of The Banner and Baptist, in one
week, be doubled f Yes, if each patron will
forward us one new’ name. *
Mr. A. E. Marshall, the accomplished
phonetician, has formed a connection with
The Intelligencer, of this city. He will re
port tor that journal the proceedings of the
Georgia Legislature now in session; and
after its adjournment he will take a position
which will add to the interest of that de
servedly popular journal. The announce
ment is made that the Daily Intelligencer,
during the session of the Legislature (forty
days), will be furnished to subscribers in
Mill edge viiie, or elsewhere, for one dollar.
£MB MASiMBm. MB BAS’SSSS.
The Home Cirele.
There is a great deal of undeveloped tal
ent in ‘ the family ’; and it is a startling
question to ask on the Sabbath, as we look
about upon the congregation, what would
be the career of these girls and boys if their
destinies were to chime exactly with their
powers, and they were to become the most
and the best that they can become? But
talent is not by any means confined to the
taste, intellect, or imagination, but em
braces every capacity and faculty of useful
ness and enjoyment, or of receiving and
imparling good. How much more st£rt
iing becomes the question when extended
to all those varieties of sensibility and .af
fection and conscience and thought and pur
pose in which life has its highest worth and
peace ! How various and many are the
keys touched by the preacher’s word, and
what power has a true master in bringing
out the true tones from that many-voiced
humanity ! Hence the need of making the
family feel not only that they are individu
als and also one household, but that they
belong to a universal empire, a spiritual
kingdom, and are to cherish its divine citi
zenship in the due use of their powers and
capacities. They will be all the more a
family by recognizing their true union with
the universal family ; just as each city is
more a city by knowing its due relation to
the state and nation.
Without going into any ambitious dis
cussions of the true breadth of human cul
ture, and the value of a cosmopolitan spirit
in society and the world, we are content now
with maintaining that each household needs
a personal sense of the plahe of each mem
ber under the Divine government to give to
each character its just charm and power. —
The round of a single Sabbath’s service,
more than any week-day’s schooling or any i
ball-room’s elegances, should teach a true
humanity and test a true grace and dignity.
In fact, what great aspect of History, Prov
idence, or Human Life is there which is
not, in some way, presented or suggested
by the Scriptures, hymns, prayers, and
meditations of a well-conducted season of
worship ? The good old Bible itself is the
great text-book of humanity as well as of
God, and gathers within its lids the thoughts
and experiences not only of famous saints
an| sages, but of nations and ages. It
unites with the acts of worship and instruc
tion to win the assembly to a sense of citi
zenship beyond that of any one caste or
family, and to ennoble daily life by the
dignity of a divine birthright.
The household needs this influence ; for
when left to itself it tends to a narrow clan
nishness, or belittling familism, that impov
erishes the home, by making it the all-in-all,
as much as he impoverishes his estate who
persists in shutting himself up within its
bounds by walls that shut out the steps of
men, and the range of mountain and river,
and the light of heaven itself. The true
influence, when fitly used, not only enlarges
the views of the family, by due knowledge
of the broad sweep of the Divine plans and
the rich diversity of Providential characters,
but it brings each mind to its true bearings
by presenting the essential ideas and motives
which every human soul must accept if it
would be loyal to its birthright. Thus
comes that sacred fiiial sense and purpose
which give the true aim and power, and
guide and strengthen all human relations
by the master spirit of a truly filial heart.
The human father is a better father from
looking to the Divine Parent; and the son
is a better son by leaning upon that Infinite
love; and the friend and the brother can
| give a richer sympathy by exalting person
al a fleet ion into a spiritual fellowship, and
ennobling private feelings by universal eha
rity. So great is the grace and power of
such a high standard over the family, that
camps and courts imitate its loftiness, and
in a certain way—imperfect, indeed—the
I tone of military honor and social gentility
| is always bearing witness of the claims of
j the higher worth over ihe lower interest,
land measuring life more by the quality of
| its spirit than by the quantity of its goods.
| The highest quality attaches to the family
| that is most loyal to the highest good, or
i has the clearest sense and the bravest ser
! vice of the divine kingdom. Every true
| home must have something of this quality;
and the lowliest cottage need ask no honors
from courts or camps, fame or fashion, when
| its sons and daughters know and serve the
| Supreme Power and the Eternal Love.— |
iThat family may fill an humble seat in the!
i visible church, but it is higher than any
dome or spire that pierces the sky; fori
God’s true children aie as high as His own
| mercy-seat, and their Sabbath faces, in their
| reverence and joy, show forth something
| of the glory and blessedness there enthroned
*
A Public Convenience. —We publish,
pro bono publico , a revised schedule of the
arrivals and departures of trains on the dif-j
ferent railways in this busy ‘ Gate City ’ of!
our young nation, which will be kept in
print for the accommodation of our patrons.
West-Florida Association.
Orange Hilt., Fla., )
Oct. 27, 1862. j
The West-Florida Association met with
the Pilgrim’s Rest church, Saturday before
the second Sabbath in this month, and closed
Monday at ten o’clock p. m. Brothers
Brooks, Codey and Sims were the visiting
ministers present; and brother Whiddon,
en route to the Salt-Works, was with us
one night. The meeting, though small, was
a most pleasant one, and the congregations
really larger than might have been expect
ed in these war times. The Methodists
having quite a commodious house only a
quarter-mile from the Baptist house of wor
ship, tendered us that on Sabbath, which
was used until adjournment, much to the
comfort of all the people.
Our dear, suffering Soldiers claimed the
attention and secured the sympathy of the
Association in a particular manner, and it
was determined to use all the unappropria
ted means in hand for the benefit of our
friends, brothers and sons who, in defence
of our country, stand so much in need of all
the aid that can j?*>ssibly be afforded them.
To increase this fund as far as possible, we
declined ordering our Minntes printed for
the present year, and a resolution was
passed requesting me to publish some of
our acts in The Banner and Baptist; so
you may expect to hear from me again
when I visit our Clerk and examine his
manuscript.
I secured seven new subscribers, and the
advance of one old one, making $24 I have
to herein enclose with the names, dec.—
Some subscribers complain of the lateness
and irregularity of receipt of their papers.
Oh, that a word could be said to our Post
office people that would make them do
better ! D. P. E.
—The following are the subscribers sent
by brother Everett :
John Smith and G. T. Ward, Ponce de
Leon, Holmes county, Florida.
A. Blackwell, Nathan Whiddon, Captain
A. Going, Moses Parker : Open Pond, Hen
ry county, Alabama.
B. T. Barkley, Campbellton, Jackson co.,
Florida ; and
William Sorey (old subscriber), Green
wood, Jackson county, Florida.
Amount enclosed, $25,00. All right.—
Who will send us eight more? *
Ootttanaula Association.
The anniversary of this Association, for
the year 1862, hai just closed. It was held
with the Macedonia church, Bartow county,
Ga. The session was one of interest and
pleasure. The congregations were large,
particularly so on Sabbath, and manifested
much interest in the gospel, and the various
objects of the association.
The introductory sermon was preached
by Rev. N. R. Smith, whose subject was
* Christian Union and Duty,’ which was
treated in a very able manner. After the
usual intermission the association convened
and elected Rev. James Mcßride modera
tor, and Dr. F. W. Cheney clerk.
Correspondents were received from Coosa
and Middle-Cherokee Associations. One
new church was received, having among its
membership Deacon W. H. Woods, a very
useful Baptist and Christian gentleman.
Sabbath was a beautiful day, and the
services were conducted as follows: At 10
o’clock Rev. W. C. Hendricks preached
from Galatians vi., 14—“ God forbid that I
should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ.” This was a good and im.
pressive sermon, producing a fine effect.—
At Rev. 11. A. Clemens preached the
Mission sermon, from Luke xvi., s—“ How
much owest thou unto my Lord ? ” This
was an excellent discourse, and there was
collected after it, for home and soldiers’
mission, $132,00. At two o’clock Rev. J.
Mcßride preached from John vi., 67, 68—
“ Will ye also go~away ? Lord, to whom
shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal
life.” This was an able sermon, and had,
in the exhortation by Rev. 11. A. Smith, a
fine influence on the hearers, while the chil
dren of God rejoiced, and many sinners ask
ed an interest in the prayers of
Rev. A. Stephens preached to the colored
people, and Rev. H. A. Smith occupied the
pulpit at night. Thus closed the Sabbath,.
whilst we “ Praise God from whom all
blessings flow.”
Monday the Association resamed its bu
siness, and discussed, for one and a half
|days, in a Christian-like manner, Church
fellowship, usage and polity of the denomi-
I nation —touching at times the doctrine of
tiie Atonement. This discussion arose from
one of its churches having received a mem
ber in disorder, who was sent as a delegate
but whose seat was contested. The discus
sion was interesting on both sides; but
finally closed against the parties contested
until their church shall have corrected its
error. The association maintained the old
and established usage of the denomination.
After several interesting reports, and the
presentation of the claims of The Banner
and Baptist and The Christian Index, and
some subscribers received, the body closed
harmoniously with the parting hand—to
meet next year at Armuchee, Floyd county.
Amicus.
‘ The Character of Dorcas.’
This was the title of a very interesting
address delivered by Rev. Mr. Gaskill, to
the ‘ Dorcas Society,’ on Sabbath evening
last. Its publication, we think, would be
beneficial; and if the ladies of the Society
can procure a copy of its author, we will
take pleasure in publishing it in our next
edition. *
Cherokee Indian Missions.
The following communications, from
brother Compere, have just been received.
It will be seen that our Missionaries have
suffered, and are still suffering, much on ac
count of the present cruel war. Brother
C. gives the most satisfactory account of
the conduct of John Ross, former Chief of
the Cherokee Nation, that I have seen. He
allowed himself to be taken prisoner, and
then was bought over with Federal money,
no doubt.
Elder Compere has several times warn
ed against sending money, unless it could
be done with perfect safety, fearing it would
fall into Federal hands. He now proposes
to come after his salary. This will afford
an opportunity to send funds safely to D.
M. Foreman, J. T. Foster, and others. It
seems to me that the friends of missions
would do well to embrace this opportunity
to send funds to our Missionaries, to last
them half or all of next year. This is a
work of faith and mutual confidence. Bet
ter risk losing money in case of the death
of the Missionary, than for him and family
to suffer for want of it.
J. M. Wood.
Fort Smith, Ark., Oct. 2, 1862.
Dear Brother Wood:
Truly, there is but little to bid us hope
that our letters, directed east of the Mis
sissippi river, will ever reach their destina
tion ; yet perchance they might find a cross
ing. Hence 1 will try again to let you hear
from me. And truly, 1 hardly know what
to write ; for I do not know which of my
letters may have reached you, or which of
them lost. Hence, what I write now may
or may not be news to you.
Early in the summer the Cherokee Na
tion was occupied by a daring federal force,
perhaps 4,000 strong. This band of jay
hawkers took position on Grand river, thir
ty miles north-west from Tahlequah. Our}
forces, poorly equipped and without any j
acknowledged commander over the whole
force, fell back in various directions. The
federal commander, under flag of truce,
sent a communication to John Ross, the
Chief, calling on the authorities to visit the
federal camp with a view to the acknow-l
ledgment of federal rule over the Nation j
once more. John Ross declined the pro-[
posal. Many, however, were unwilling to
give him credit for sincerity in this patriot
ic action. Evan Jones and John Jones ac
companied the federals ; and so soon as it
was known that they were really there,
thoie who were specially under their influ
ence in the Nation, went to them. Nearly
the whole of Col. Drew’s regiment (full
blood Cherokees) deserted and went to the
federals, being led by Lewis Downing, an
abolition Baptist preacher, and chaplain in
Drew’* regiment. About this time the
most heartless robberies were committed
in different parts of the Nation. In a few
weeks more, the principle of jayhawking
became well established, and prevailed, so
that there were very few, if any, in the
Nation who did not lose property. Nearly
ail the negroes went to the federals. The
Southern men were obliged to flee from the
State —some got their families out, while
many were left behind. Truly, it was a
time of general distress —killing was the
order of the day, and not a few were the
murders perpetrated, and for the slightest
provocation. And yet no man who had
fled to the State line dared venture back to
see to the welfare of his family. Brother
Slover was among the refugees. lie and I
remained in the Nation during the general
uprising of the disaffected soldiers. At
one time we were in the midst of 300 of
them, armed, mounted, and on the march
for the federal camp. They did not molest
us, only because the Lord put it into their
hearts to let us alone. Again we met oth
er bands of them, and the federal officer
(who had been to the Chief under flag of
truce) with his escort. Finally we left, and
by riding thirty-five miles after 12 o’clock,
we reached the State, and have not ventured
out since. A few days after, brother Slo
ver’s family were robbed of everything,
even to his children’s clothing. All of our
native preachers suffered more or less—
aome of them having lost everything.
While all this was going on, John Ross
was taken prisoner by the federals. Va
rious are the conjectures about it. Most
persons, however, think he was a willing
prisoner, and that the plan for his capture
was laid by himself. It was rather noysteri
ous. A federal scout went to his mansion,
stayed all night and until the middle of the
next day, giving him time to prepare for
being a prisoner in a comfortable way. So
that he took his family, a good deal of
household furniture, and a number of ser
vants. Also a number of families, broth
ers, cousins, nephews, &e., to the royal
head, made up the train. Rather a novel
way for federals to take rebel prisoners!
Directly the federals fell back. Our
troops moved into the Nation, and the dis
affected Cherokees began to plead for quar
ters. A convention was held, and Colonel
Stand Waitie, the leader of the Old Ridge
and proper Southern party, became Chief.
Boudinot, of the same family and Major of
Stand Waitie’s regiment, was elected rep
resentative to Congress. Thus you see the
Nation is at last under Southern rule. The
authorities are no longer doubtful.
Of course we have been able to do noth
ing for our mission this summer in the Na
tion, though we have done the best we
could on the border. Brother Slover help
ed me with a meeting in Fort Smith, and
God has graciously blessed us. We bap
tized a goodly number. Quite an interest
was waked up in favor of our cause, and
now we have the largest congregations in
the city. The prospects for our success in
Forth Smith are really encouraging. The
place is not in the Nation, but immediate
ly on the border, and in many respects
may be considered the heart of the Nation,
as it is the place from whence proceed “the
issues of life and death ” of the Cherokee
people. Let the brethren of Cherokee-
Georgia know that but for their timely aid
in securing met as their Missionary, with
the privilege to labor in Fort Smith and
on the border, this glorious work in Fort
Smith would not have been done; and
could you know, as well as 1 have known,
what Fort Smith was, you would feel de
voutly grateful for the present prospect as
the commencement of great work. Al
ready we begin to see the fruits of this
mission. It will be cheering to you to know
that your efforts have not been entirely in
vain, but that your prayers have been
heard, and your money sanctified of the
Lord. And what is remarkable, (though
not strange,) while God was blessing us in
Fort Smith, through your instrumentality,
He was also pouring out His good spirit
upon you in Atlanta. To His name be all
the glory.
As we will not be able to labor to much
advantage in the Cherokee Nation for some
time to come; and as brother Slover will
need special aid ; and as neither he nor I
have received any quarterage for a long
time—l think I shall try and cross the Mis
sissippi river this winter, and spend a few
months in Alabama and Georgia. Upon
this, however, I have not fully decided.
Not knowing who is to read this, wheth
er you or some federal mail robber, I will
close. Dear brother, pray lor us in our
distressed condition, that God may save
this robbed people from starvation, and
sanctify our mission to their everlasting
salvation. Fraternally,
E. L. Compere.
Evansville, Washington co., Ark., )
October 10, 1862. )
Elder J. M. Wood:
Dear Brother—About a week since, 1
mailed you a long letter, and the same day
received yours of the sth of last month.—
Since the great overturning in the Chero
kee country, we have aot been able to do
any work, except along the border. In
this work, however, we have done good, I
trust. From Fort Smith I came to this
place, thirty miles north,' where I found
brother Slover, and with whom, if possi
ble, 1 thought of holding a meeting at this
time and place. Ciroumstances do nt>t en
courage us much.--
Brother Slover’s family, you know, has
been robbed of many things by the Pin In
dians—‘that is the abolition or Union party.
Brother S. has succeeded in getting his fam
ily to this place. The work of death and
destruction is still going on in the Nation.
From 200 to 500 Pins are embodied now
not more than twelve or fifteen miles from
this place, and doubtless will cause great
trouble yet. A force of Texans and South
ern Cherokees inarched against these Pins
three days ago, and were repulsed with a
loss of four or five killed. They have a
good position in the mountains, and will not
be easily routed. Men are killed all thro’
the Nation, now, for the slightest causes—
such is the enmity of the -apposing parties.
Our native preachers have )J1 been obliged
to flee from their homes —h\l having sus
tained losses, and most of thefti having been
entirely broken up. Old brother Walker
is a refugee in the State, a few miles from
here. Brother Jesse Owens is near here
also. Cochran was robbed of all: I know
not of his whereabouts. Foster is with
the army—so is Wilkerson. Poor David
Foreman is at the mouth of the Canadian,
seven miles from Webber’s Falls. I hope
he is able to preach there, but I fear not
Yol. IV.
