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baptist Solin’; V fIOB a® ml w a maim* £ 111, x ‘ The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.’ JASI NATHAN ELLS, Editor. ATLANTA, GFEOTtG-IA: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1862. The Holidays. In unisorf with the custom of our prede cessors, we bid good-bye to our readers, to day, till the advent of 1863. And doing justice to the promptings within us, we extend to them, one and all, the salutations of the season- —heartily invoking upon them the richest of Heaven’s benedictions ! The editor, in common with many oth ers, looks forward with delight to a happy reunion of loved ones during the holidays. At many hearthstones, however, the lan guage of w’ounded hearts will be : We are not all here ! Some are away—the dead ones dear, Who thronged With us this ancient hearth, And gave, the hour to guiltless mirth. Fate, with a stern relentless hand, Looked in and thinned our little band; Some, like a night-flash, passed away, And some sank lingering day by day; The quiet graveyard —some lay there ; The battle-field has had its share; We are not all here. But, dear reader, notwithstanding this, can we not all, as we meet in the old home stead, feel that We are all here ! Even they, the dead —though dead, so dear, Fond Memory, to her duty true, Brings back their laded forms to view. We see them as in times long past; From each to each kind looks are cast; We hear their words, their smiles behold, They are round us, as they were of old— VYe are all here ! ‘ We are all here,’ may not long be said of us who, through God’s mercy, give and receive the Christmas greeting to-day. — Soon we, too, must join the gathered dead, some of whom are beckoning us to the sKics. Accept, tneu, uiv wi»u — O, may we, each, that wisdom know Which yields a life of peace below ; So, in the world to follow this, May each repeat, in words of bliss, ‘We are all—all here !’ The War. Amid all the mass of badly arranged tel egrams, we have at last some definite in formation concerning the great battle at Fredericksburg on the 13th and 14th inst. The casualties on our side, in killed and wounded, will not exceed 1,800. We mourn the loss of 1 wo able Generals—Cobb of this State, and Gregg of South Carolina. Our troops displayed great courage and zeal. The Federalists lost near 8,000 in killed and wounded. The only prominent Yankee officer known to have been .slain, is Gen. Jackson. Over 1,500 Yankee prison ers were taken. Not more than one tenth of Fredericksburg was injured by the bom bardment. Burnside’s army is said to have become thoroughly demoralized, and posi tively refused to renew the. charge on the Confederate batteries. In the JFL’L —A few days since, a Fede ral ram gunboat was destroyed in Yazoo river by our torpedoes. A Federal trans port. has been captured at Carson's Land ing, on the Mississippi river, by Bowers’ cavalry, with $75,000 in cash, and a fine lot of provisions and clothing. A big fight recently occurred at Prairie Grove, near Cove Hill, Arkansas—a Con federate victory. The Federalists lost one thousand, killed and wounded, with three hundred prisoners, twenty wagons loaded with clothing, and four stands .of colors. It is stated that Van Dorn s cavalry have captured the entire party who made the raid, a few days since, on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. _ Xeu-Year'i Gift—The Soldiers. Who will join us in a New-Year’s Gift to the brave men who are standing in the defence ot our rights ? I lere is a chance. The soldiers are always thankful for good reading matter—especially the soldiers who have to endure the gloom of a hospi tal. The following list started; friends of the. soldier, will you not here en roll your names, and the amount vou are willing to give, to send The Banner to the soldiers? The list will be published for three weeks. St BSCRIPTIONS. James N. Ells & Co., - - *35 00 11. C. Horuady. - - - - 10 00 A. T. Holmes, 5 00 — Notes on the Gospel <>f Mark.—The ■* Notes,’ by Dr. Crawford, will be continued •n the next number of The Baptist Banner i BAOSK. The Day we Celebrate. ‘ For we have seen his star in the East, and I are come to worship him.’—Matthew ii., 2. The Christmas festival ought to be one of deep and solemn thanksgiving. Many, we trust, come in simplicity of heart, like the wise men from the East, to worship Him whose star rose upon us eighteen cen turies ago, and whose glory beams eternal. We- all know the story of the Saviour’s birth—His sinless life—His cruel death — His glorious resurrection. It is a story to be heard on earth with hushed hearts and stirless lips ; while above, above in realms of endless light, the hosts of heaven are still singing ‘ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men. The establishment of this festival, com memorative of the birth of our Saviour, was not until the fourth century, when, so long a time having elapsed, there was some controversy as to a correct date —some placing it iiTJanuary, some in December, and others in May —but it was finally de cided to celebrate the twenty-fifth of De cember, a day once kept in heathendom as the birthday of Sol, one of the gods of the heathen calendar. In truth, the evidence of inspired writers would place it earlier in the year—probably in April —as it was customary in the hill-country of Judea for the shepherds to lead their flocks to pas turage in the early spring; and we read in Luke, ‘ and there w r ere in the same country shepherds abiding in the fieH, keeping watefi over their flocks by night.’ This evi dence, which we cannot controvert, would accuse us of keeping as a Christian festival the birthday of a pagan god. However that may be, we all feel the same delight at its approach. Young and old meet on an equal platform, and seem to have exchanged a part of their special qualities. It is an 1 epoch in which youth has advanced one more step towards manhood ; and age, throwing aside, for the nonce, the gravity of years, tails back upon the privileges of youth and partakes of its spirit and its sport. To the children, especially, is this a season of rejoicing—the visits of ‘ Santa Claus ’ awakening a lively eagerness, each curious to know what has been brought ‘ down through the chimney ’ to fill the little stock ing. In Germany these visits come from . Christ-child, and his gifts are sure tokens of love and favor. It is a beautiful thought, , and shows the poetical nature which runs liU nn undercurrent through that nation.— ! The burning of the Yule-log, the brewing of drink called wassail, the pealing of bells us the day is ushered in, are all old English customs with which our readers are familiar. In ancient times it was customary for sing ers to go from house to house, recounting the birth of Christ’in measured verse, and wishing each family health and fortune.— > This custom obtains even now in some • parts of England, and is well established in 1 Germany. In Russia the salutation of the • day is ‘Christ is born !’ » In taking a retrospective glance over the . past year, our hearts may grow sadder, for I from many has death borne away a beloved 1 form which mingled in the home circle on - last Christmas, and from many have long- > cherished hopes departed, while few among us can look up and say ‘ 1 have accomplish- i ed my heart’s desire.’ But neither death nor sorrow can stay the tide of joy which ‘ flows in with the advent of our favorite holiday. And while we enjoy our portion ‘ of its comforts and pleasures, let us not forget that there are those to whom Christ mas comes and from whom it goes without > a token of ils appearing. They, too, would ■ be happy on this festival day—they, too, - can feel the infinite love that sent a Saviour ’ into the world—to them, too, comes the t chiming of angel-voices in ‘Good will to ward men.’ And if we would feel peaceful J by our blazing hearthstones, the conscious ness of having faithfully discharged our ' duty, as stewards of the I.oid, in contribu -1 ting to their comfort, is the only way to 1 ( that ‘ perfect pt-ace.’ * The year, with all its experiences of sweet ‘land bitter things, is slowly dying out. To ?! us all it has brought a deeper love for this 1 life to which we cling ; for all it has lessen- ■ed the hold on mortality. But a new year !is coming,in vvluch we must try our strength iin the race, and many who begin will, ere L |the year end, fall down by wayside, faint and dying. And for winners of the race, hiidi above the stars will the I . I heavenly choristers sing, 1 j ‘Glory to God in the highest! ' A Goon Paper for Planters. —We call attention to the card of our friend, Mr. . D. Redmond, proprietor of The Southern C ultirator, at Augusta. This old pioneer . in Agricultural improvement, having weath ered the storm, still nobly holds* its own; and we take pleasure in commending it as worthy the patronage of all who would successfully cultivate the soil. It will soon enter upon its twenty-first vear. All Baptist ministers and others, in the Confederate States, friendly to our paper, i are requested to act as Agents. Sabballi-Scliools in Augusta. It was our pleasure, on the 14th instant, to visit two of the Sabbath-schools in the city of Augusta, and to note the excellent management of the efficient Superintendents who are devoted in their labors of love.— We refer to the Greene-street Baptist and the St. James (Methodist) schools. The former met at nine in the morning, and after the children, led by Mr. Broome, had sang several pretty airs, the exercises were opened by Mr. J. J. Lathrop, the su perintendent. The decorum and harmony exhibited were noticeable, and a visitor is impressed with the conviction that the Su perintendent here is ‘ the right man in the right place.’ We also visited the Infant Class—an important feature in any school. This is in the care of a pious and competent young lady; and we are much obliged to the dear little ones who favored us with a few favorite melodies, encouraged by the aid of ‘ Uncle Mustin.’ In glancing over this school, we experi enced feelings of sadness as our gaze fell upon two vacant seats, and we remembered two noble youths whom we were accus tomed, in days gone by, to see regularly in their places. They have yielded their lives, willing sacrifices, upon their country’s altar: one, stricken by disease, in a distant hospital; the other, more recently, taken dead from his steed, pierced by the enemy’s bullet. Peace, peace to their ashes I In the afternoon we spent a pleasant half hour (time being limited) in listening to the charming vocalism of the pupils in St. James’ school, which must be heard in or der to be rightly appreciated. Singing— the chief employment in heaven—is the feature of this model school. We have often coveted the love borne by the little ones to their almost idolized Superintend ' ent, Mr. Wm. C. Derry, who can never be forgotten by those who have been connect ed with this institution. There is an inde scribable something about this gentleman which endears him to the hearts of all with whom he comes in contact —hence his use fulness at St. James. 1 Our thoughts reverted to the last time 1 we met with this school. It was about one ’ year ago, when a distinguished son of the South, a Christian patriot, addressed the 1 children—holding a very large audience in 1 breathless attention, while words of burn ing eloquence fell from his lips. Alas I those lips are nciw mule in death—the f gallant Cobb has scaled his patriotism with • his blood. If any of the little ones who 1 then heard that good man talk, should see • this number of The Banner, we hope they will read and remember the extract from ’ an address by him which will bo found in another column, on the first page. The United Voice of the Church.— 1 The Richmond Christian Advocate, of the 16th instant, has an overture for a conven tion of the Christian Churches, of all de nominations in the Confederate States, to unite in a formal solemn testimony in vin dication of their position in the sanguinary conflict which the Federal Government is waging against them. It wants such a tes timony to demonstrate to our enemies and to the world that the Southern Churches are a unit in their unalterable resolution to maintain the. independence of this Confed eracy, and defend their conservative, and Scriptural principles on the slavery ques tion, which has been made prominent in this struggle. 'I he Advocate thinks that the convention should consist of one or more ministers from every Church, and from every State, and that they should pre pare and send forth an address, embodying their principles, h. the Northern churches, and to the world. Death of General Cobb.—Truly has it been said, ‘ Death loves a shining mark.’ iThomas R. R. Cobb, of Athens, who fell at Fredericksburg, was no ordinary man. He had already, before the tocsin of war f summoned him to his country's defence won for himself an imperishable name ' leaving indelible ‘ footprints on the sands of time.' Amid all the glowing and de served tributes the hand of affection max 1 trace to the memory of this brave Soldier, none will be more expressive than this ’(simple truth : ‘ His daily life was the model ’ | life of a Christian gentleman.’ Hearn Schools.—lt will be seen that : Rev. S. G. Hillyer will superintend the ‘ Hearn School, and the Baptist Female Col . lege, at Cave Spring ; and that the next ses ! sion of these well known institutions will • commence on the second Monday in Janu ■ ary next. The advantages enjoyed by these : schools are worthy the consideration of s those who have sons and daughters to edu I cate. See the advertisement. i Mercer University-.—lt will bo seen, per announcement, that the exercises in this • useful and time-honored institution will be! , resumed on the 21st of January. Prof. U. W. \\ ise has beet added to the faculty. Seasonable Reflections. As the traveller in the mountains pauses on each successive summit to rest awhile and take a look at the difficulties overcome, ' and casts his eyes onward and upward to the path before him : so let, us, as we ap- • proach the end of the year, another great stand-point in the world’s history, cast a < glance around us. It will excite feelings of ' gratitude for mercies received in dangers .past, and of hope and trust for future guid ance and blessing. As a nation, our people are yet among the mountains, toiling upward. Each sum mit before us as we gaze thereon inspires the pleasing hope that it will bo the last, and that having gained that point we shall enter upon the smooth table-land above? and have but to descend leisurely and easily to the fertile plains beyond, in peace and security. Like the traveller, weary with toiling, we have been often disappointed ; so often, that at times our hearts have fainted under hope deferred, and we have felt almost in clined to sit down in despair of ever attain ing the wished-for goal. But as we review the past, and recount the dangers that we have encountered and the miraculous deliv erances that we have experienced, we are constrained to acknowledge that a higher Power than our own has upheld us, and a greater Wisdom than our own directed us ; and again hope and courage return, and strength for a renew’al of the struggle is imparted to us. As the ancient Israel bad cause to bless God for repeated deliverances and mercies vouchsafed to them, so have we like cause; for we have truly tasted of that ‘mercy which endureth forever.’ Four times has an enemy vauntingly threatened to take and destroy our Capital, and each time made vast preparation for the attempt —• and just as often has the Lord delivered us out of his hand and discomfitted him. At the beginning of the ye:tr, how anxiously did our pdbple look forward to the coming spring and summer, lest at seedtime too little should be sown, and lest the summer’s • heat and drought should shorten the crop : and render harvest-time a season of sorrow : instead of plenty and joy. But God was ! better to us than our fears—and abundant showers made abundant harvests, and the garners of the South are filled with corn. Again, wo feared that the salt so necessary s to our safety and well-being would fail us! i in the time of need—but still we live, and' > have assurance that the supply will not fail. I ‘ The councils of our foes are divided and; ' they are at enmity among themselves, and i from this we hope that good will come to us. i During the past year how little has Na ture seemed to sympathize in the dreadful scenes of carnage and deat h that have been • so rife in our once happy and peaceful land ! [ > The skies have been as clear, the sun has| shone as brightly, and the green forests! waved and floWers bloomed as blithely, asj • if no noble blood was being shed, no tender ’ • ties severed, no hearts broken. Every j ‘glorious victory’ has brought sorrow to | > many hearts ; and the same, bells that have ! ■ pealed the joyful news to the nation, have I the next hour tolled sadly for the spirits >• that have departed. Alas I alas ! how > many hearthstones are desolate, and how - many ‘ mourners go about the streets.’— I Surely we ought to be humbled under a - sense of those sins tfhich have thus brought i down the hand of affliction upon us; and t the believers in the power of prayer should I r cry constantly upon their God for deliver-! 1 ance and peace. But it were not well that the excitements j { and sorrow’s of War should banish from our , minds the hallowed associations that cluster, I around this season of the year. To many Christian hearts this is a time sacred and » dear, as being the anniversary of the Sa ’ viour’s birth—that holy time when ‘the 1 morning stars sang together and the sons I . of God shouted for joy’ at the thought of r souls redeemed and sins forgiven. , The young especially greet ‘ MerriJ - Christinas’ with joyful hearts and glad ■d voices, and it is well so; the cares and -griefs of life will come soon enough without.' anticipating them and chilling their young , j hearts by withholding those pleasures which < are so easily purchased, and upon which, I: children set such store. Let the little ones enjoy themselves. Lot ns all say kindly, ‘ A merry Christ - mas and a happy New-Year ! ’ —trusting. • that a gracious Providence will lift the ’clouds that cover the distant hills, and 1 • bring, ere many months, the peace and in-' I dependence so ardently desired. >B. • The Child’s Index. Vol. 1., No. 1. Jan- H vary, 1863. Published Monthly, by Sam- uel Boykin, Macon, Georgia, at Fifty Cents per annum, for single copies. .The first number of this new candidate ‘ for juvenile popularity is before us. The articles are carefully prepared, and very appropriate; the typography is excellent, ! reflecting credit upon the publisher; and !we heartily wish abundant success to the enterprise. Il SpeakM for Itself. Chattanooga, Dec. 10, 1862. Dear Bro. Editor :— I cannot delay long er to acknowledge the receipt of twenty-five copies of The Banner and Baptist, or, as it now appears, The Baptist Banner. They have come regularly according as you ar ranged when I saw you ; and it has afford ed me no little pleasure on more than one occasion to see the soldier’s eye brighten as it caught the title, and hear him say, “ I want that paper, Parson ; I used to read it regularly at home.” With every bundle 1 get for distribution, I am more and more impressed with the value of a religious newspaper to our sol diers. We must have all sorts of applian ces to urge on the work of the Lord in these times, prolific of wickedness; and I am sure the religious newspaper is an effi cient means of grace, winning its way to many a heart not otherwise easy accessible. If you should multiply the number sent by three or four, you will not incommode me ; on the contrary, it would save me much embarrassment, as now I have to give to part of a camp to the exclusion of the rest. I am ready for more tracts—give me aa good a variety as possible, Hymn-Books and Testaments, you know, I am anxious to get. There is a tenderness of religious feeling in the hospitals, and a demand for preach mg in what camps are around us. Yours in Christ, G. F. Williams. [Fvr Tht Baptist Banner.} illy Trip to Texas. NUMBER nr. Monroe is a shipping point bn the Oua chita river. It contains probably one thou sand inhabitants. The Baptists have a comfortable-looking church-house ; but my stay was too short to make acquaintances. Here we bid good bye to railroads, and find only a stage-coach to take us forward; and it is besieged by fifty applicants for seats, vociferating in the most eager style, and urging eloquently all manner of claims for prudence. It is no use. Every seat was secured long before, the car started, by telegraph. That Jong train of salt wagons is your only chance. There are two or three hundred of them on the road. The distance is eighty miles to Minden, where we may get to ride. The Doctor (he lives near Minden) looks rather grum. Aly friend pulls off his coat/and rather quaint ly remarks, “ I didn’t expect to walk to Texas ; ” but perseverance overcomes dif ficulties. We passed through Tensas, Oua chita, Bienville and Claiborne parishes, reaching the little village of Minden in three days. The country through which we passed was high, rolling and fertile.— I The people lived in otiani cum dignitate, and j were hospitable, generous and courteous. — I The Baptists are quite strong in Minden i and vicinity. Brother Baylis is pastor of [the church in Minden. Shreveport is 25 miles west. Wo made the ride in one day in a four horse hack. At this place the Big Cane Association was in sessiofi, and brother Howell and brother Rutherford, by a sort of Baptist mesmeric attrac tion, came to the hotel and took us to [more agreeable quarters. It was a [pleasant meeting. We spent two days [with them, recommended The Banner to I them, and succeeded in getting them to ap jpropriate their funds for the benefit of the ! soldiers, in furnishing them religious read 1 ing. Perhaps you will hear from them be fore long. Brother Rutherford is their [able moderator. His address is, A. J. • Rutherford, Spring Ridge, La. Dion. The Bapti t Banner.} Ordination. The ordination of Abner B. Campbell and Charles D. Campbell, sons of brother J. IL Campbell, took place at Griffin, Ga., on Sunday, Dec. 21, 1862, in the following order: Sermon by N. M. Crawford, D. D.; public examination by A. Van Hoose ; prayer by A. Sherwood, D. D.; charge by [J. 11. Campbell ; and right hand of fellow ship by T. J. Threlkeld—followed by mom bers of the church and congregation. Ben j ediction by A. B. Campbell. First Di|tricl, Coosa Association. Dear Banner: Please publish the order of business and the appointments made by the general meeting, in connection with the ministers’ | and deacons’ meeting of the First District j of the Coosa Association, to meet with the Pisgal Church on Friday before the first [Sabbath of July next. C. Thompson,sermon on Saturday, on th- Future Inheritance of the Sainis. J. F. Swanson, sermon on Sabbath, on Family Religion. W. P. Lampkin, essay on the Kingdom of Christ. D. W. Gwin, essay on Pastoral Visiting. J. R. Chambers, essay on Regeneration. . James Sanders, essay on the Deaconship. J. W. Pullen, essay on the Obligations of Church-Members, One to Another. C. B. Martin, essay on Special Provi dence. D. B. Hamilton, essay on the Nature and Extent of the Atonement. D. B. Hamilton, Sec’y ? Contributors to The Banner. Rev. 11. C. Hornady, Atlanta, Ga. “ J. Al. Wood, Newnan, Ga. “ J. R. Baker, Thomasville, Ga. “ D. P. Everett, Orange Hill, Fla. “ N. M. Crawford, Penfield,. Ga. “ J. H. Campbell, State Evangelist. “ J. R. Graves, in the Army. “ B. F. Tharp, Perry, Ga. ‘ V7. N. Chaudoin, Albany, Ga. “ R. J. Mays, Florida. A. E. Dickinson, Ricuiuvud, \ a. “ W. D. Mayfield, South Carolina. M. W. Philips, Edwards, Aliss.