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THE SOLDIERS’ BANNER. [For The Baptist Banner.] Tilings about Town; or, Thoughts as they Occur. LETTER NO. I. A few days ago my attention was attract ed by the sound of fife and drum, and I hastily threw aside my work to inquire the cause of this commotion ; when, on looking out in the street, I saw a file of soldiers with reversed arms coming in the direction of my domicile. As they neared I caught the sound of the well-known “ Rogue’s March,” and prepared myself for a most novel sight. In the rear of the advance file were men with bayonets directed towards something in their centre. Towards this something I endeavored to penetrate, and discovered the figure of quite a young-looking man with a shawl drawn closely around him, and who , was evidently the culprit subjected to this most public exhibition of offended law. — My informant stated that the youth before us was a dishonest soldier, who was about being expelled from his company as unwor thy of future confidence or esteem. Alas, how sad ! 1 have witnessed many distress ing scenes during this unnatural war, but may I not say this was almost the saddest? Had he have fallen on the battle-field, His tory would have numbered him as one of her heroes ; had he have sickened and died in some hospital, some kind friend or com rade might have soothed his last moments and borne his latest message to some loved one at home. But alas ! indeed he has fall en. Oh, if some anxious mother, father, sister or brother should ask for tidings from this erring one, who could blanch their cheek with this most bitter truth ? An outcast —disgraced, refused the society of those who were his most intimate compan ions ; the morning reveille beats in vain to arouse him from his slumbers—he is no longer in their midst. He escapes the hard ships of a soldier’s life, but can he find a refuge from the sting of conscience? Per haps he was not beyond the authority of military law, and may awake to find him self a conscript. Many months have passed since I stood tearfully gazing at the train of cars which was in readiness to convey the gallant band of volunteers from Lynchburg to Richmond. 1 was not an idle spectator, for two loved brothers mingled their youthful forms amid this soldier throng, and my anguished heart beat sadly responsive to the wail of woe which sounded along the thoroughfares and was lost amidst the surrounding hills.— There stood the phalanxed forms of the pride, the joy, the cherished ones of homes and hearts. Youth and beauty, with the middle-aged and grave; the impulsive school-boy, and the patriot of maturer years, hastened to obey the proclamation of the magistrate of their loved, invaded State. —Kisseawe.t with the dew of woman’s tears wefe pressed to manly brows and lips, and the half-spoken ‘ Good bye ’ was choked in utterance by unnumbered sighs. Amid this solemn scene, a form arose to address a few parting words to those who were so suddenly called to brave the dangers of a battle-field. Each soldier doffed his cap, and attentively listened to the words of counsel which fell from the lips of one whom many knew to love and reverence as the teacher of truths immortal. He spoke en couragingly to those around—he spoke <mi matingly of the high mission of a patriot in defence of his country’s rights, and then, with the look of a proud father, he turned his eyes towards his own noble sons, and addressing them inadvertently, said : “ I would rather see them return in their wind ing-sheets than in disgrace.” That regi ment of Spartans on many a bloody field has met the enemj ; many of their forms lie ’neath their native soil; the sable gar ments of mourning friends, and the falling tear at mention of each loved one’s name, attest the sacredness of their memory ; but they lament the death of heroes, and can proudly exclaim, Our loss was our country’s gain! Death cannot appal the noble minded like the terrible word, Disgrace. But, let us not judge too harshly of the subject of this little sketch. Let us sur rouhd him with the mantle of charity.— Had this poor victim of unrestrained vice but have known or remembered the com- hich were thundered forth on Mount Sinai, an-accusing conscience might have whispered of an offended Deity, stay ed the impulse of unprincipled passion, and saved him from this wreck of disgrace. Ministers of the Gospel—Christians ev erywhere ! there is much work for you in our busy metropolis. The hungry are per ishing for the Bread of Life. Army colpor teurs ! speed on your good work ; be not discouraged if ybu find them worshipping the golden calf, but raise aloft your tablet with tfo' message from on high. Tell them the frivolities of lite are fading, fleeting— their beguilings . e transient pleasures which allure them from the true and beau tiful of earth's real enjoyments, and unfit them for the holy happiness of a home of joy beyond the skies. Poor unfortunate! How fearful the warning to others who are likewise tempt-; ®d; tor we know that, above every otheri class of individuals, the Soldier is most un happily exposed tv temptation of various kinds. But let me kindly point you to a certain way of avoiding them. Dear sol diers—brothers in one common cause! the first, last, and only remedy is the shielding influences ot the Bible. Soldiers ! let not this plain, blunt, unvarnished language pro voke you—unless it be to good works.— Most sincerely lam your friend. From j the generals of our brave army, with their* shining stars and epaulettes, or v hatever their varied rank may be, to the humble ragged private with unshaven face and dis hes died hair, 1 trust they will ever ear-’ nestly plead at the throne of mercy. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." S. E. H. I SHK ®AS'S S 8 ® [For the Bap tint Banner.] Requiem over a Read Soldier. Soldier, thy form lies cold and dead, But thy immortal spirit’s fled To realms of endless, glorious light, Where war no more shall dim its sight. A hero in thy manhood’s morn, You proudly braved the battle-storm ; To drive th’ invaders from our shore, You gave your life-blood from each pore. Nobly you did your part on earth, For that dear land which gave you birth ; We saw, in thee, the Christian die, And hope to meet thee in the sky. Your fight well fought,your race well run, Thou’st heard the plaudit, soul, “ M ell done! ” And war’s alarms shall no more roll Across thy peaceful, blood-washed soul. G. A. W. A Thought. “ Yet a little while, and it will soon be morning.’ Yet a little while —oh ! sinking soul’ take courage ! But a few days more, and the narrow boundary that separates thee from the glorious “ beyond ” —thy resting place, will have vanished like a cloud, and thou wilt have found thy perfect and final rest. No more angry billows will over whelm thee—no more agonizing doubts perplex. The rough, steep hills will all have been climbed; the last thorny path trodden. No more strivings after the sov ereign good, for it is everlastingly attained. No more weary hearts or aching heads—no storm-clouds mutter their threats. And though, now, the black shadows of night envelop thee, a little while, and a glorious morning will follow ! Faint not by the way-side, oh! despairing soul! but rise up, gird on thine armor, for the end is not for off. Soon the last sigh will have been drawn, the last bitter tear shed, and the tortured and anguished heart be at rest forever. The way to thy blessed home lies in dif ficult places, and costs many a struggle, but ‘ when the morning cometh,’ oh, what joy awaits thee ! The blessed light of morning more than compensates for the darkest shades of a long and dreary night; but eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, of the bright ness and beauty of that morning; there fore, oh! weary and over-burdened soul, faint not under the great burden of sorrow; but wait with patience yet a little while, and thy glorious morn will dawn upon thee in all its brightness, and perfect peace and joy be thine forever ! A Delightful Legend. There is a charming tradition connected with the site on which the Temple of Solo mon was erected. It is said to have been occupied in common by two brothers, one of whom had a family ; the other had none. On the evening succeeding the harvest, the wheat having been gathered in separate shocks, the elder brother said unto his wife, 1 “ My younger brother is unable to bear the burden and heat of the day ; I will arise, take off my shocks and place them with his, , without his knowledge.’ The younger brother, being actuated by the same benev olent motives, said, within himself: ‘Aly elder brother has a family, and I have none; I will contribute to their support; I will arise, take off my shocks, and place them with his, without his knowledge.’ Judge of their mutual astonishment when, on the following morning, they found their respec tive shocks undiminished. This course of events transpired for several nights, when each resolved, in his own mind, to stand guard and solve the mystery. They did so, when, on the following night, they met each other half way between their re spective shocks, with their arms full. Upon ground hallowed with such associations as these was the Temple of Solomon erected —so spacious and magnificent, the admira tion and wonder of the world. Alas! in these days, how many would sooner steal their brother’s whole shock than add to it a single sheaf! General Buckner, now charged with the defence of Mobile, calls upon the citi zens to fill up to their maximum the com panies already organized, and to form now companies, which, at the moment of danger, can be employed in defending the city.— The General is giving great satisfaction. State of Oeorgia, Quartermaster General’s Office, ) Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 15th, 1563. ) Some malicious person or persons have put in circulation a report to the effect that the Georgia soldiers now in Confederate service, will have to pay for the socks be ing donated to them by the patriotic women of Georgia, in answer to my appeal of De cember 15th, 1862. I take this public manner of contradicting said report. It is I utterly false. Every sock received at this office is en tered upon a record book, giving the name, I county and post office of the donor. These or U P aud sent, FREE • the soldiers of Georgia !in Confederate service. The soldiers re-< ceivmg them will not have to pay either for , the socks or their transportation; and eve ry sock sent to this office will find its way to some soldiers feet. I regret to know that some have given credence to this report, but sincerely hope 1 that this note of explanation will ’set the 1 matter right, and that they will at once go' 1 , to work and gladden the heart of some!' i Georgia warrior, whose feet now press the : frosted, icy turf of Virginia and Tennessee. Already a large number have come in. ! and the work is only just begun. Ira R. Foster, Quartermaster-General State of Georgia, 1 N. B.—Papers in the State friendly to \ 'our great work will please copy. To the Women of Georgia. Quartermaster Gen’s. Office. ) Atlanta, Ga., 1862. C The General Assembly of Georgia un der the sanction of the Governor, have or dered a good suit of clothes and a good pair of shoes for every destitute Georgian in the Confederate service. Your Gover nor has charged me with the duties of col lecting and forwarding to the field the clothes and shoes which have been ordered ■ and as socks form an important part in this outfit, and one which cannot be bought in our markets, nor had until made, I have determined to appeal to the noble-hearted women of my State to aid in this great work, worthy our best energies. I desire every woman in Georgia to send me, at this place, one pair of good strong cotton socks. This will require but a small effort on the part of each woman, yet, in the aggregate, it will amount to a great work. Let each one write her name and county on a slip of paper, and sew it on the pair of socks donated, so that 1 may know the names and residence of all who shall aid in this great and philanthropic en terprise. Will the Justices of the Peace in each Militia District, who are known to be, generally, public-serving men, interest themselves in this good work by collecting all the socks that will be made for our suf fering soldiers in their respective districts, and taking them to the Court House of their county, and asking the clerk of the Superior Court to neatly box them up and forward them to me at this place ; designa ting contents, number, and from which county sent; also, to send, by mail, a list of contributors’ names. Some kind friend will take them to and forward by railroad, and I will pay railroad expenses if any should be charged. I have asked for cot ton socks because all the wool in Georgia should be made, without delay, into cloth for coats or pants for our brave boys now shivering in a cold climate, and periling their lives in face of the foe to keep the cruel invader from desolating our homes. Women of Georgia! 1 shall not appeal to you in vain. I know the noble sacrifices you have already made, and I well know that your love to work for the soldiers has not grown cold. Read this address to your lovely daugh ters, whose pure bosoms are now burning with indignation at the insults offered their sex by the worse than savage despots from the North. Read it to your neighbor, your slaves even, read it to all, that all may know that they are earnestly and cordially invited to co operate in the most benevolent work. The mother may make a pair of socks that will find its way to the cold feet of her darling boy. The sister may bring the tear ot affection from some fond brother.— The anxious wife may provide for the com fort of her dear husband, and send a thrill of joy through his soul which words cannot ■ GesurTbc; as De fondly gazes upon her loved name written upon a messenger of mercy, winging its heavenly flight to some cold soldier’s relief as he stands upon the out posts holding the enemy in check. The tender damsel may reassure her lover, that her plighted love still burns warm upon the consecrated altar of her constant heart.— The Dorcas-hearted woman (whose “good works and alms-deeds” lor the needy and the stranger are sufficient stimulus for her action) may find ample scope for a partial developement of her Christian charity. Even the servant may cause her master in some distant camp to pronounce a hearty , God-blessing upon her kind remembrance, and cause him to long to return to see, not only his dear wife and little ones, but his constant servant* whom he loves so well. I will remark that the slaves of the South are as much interested in the final success of the Confederate States as any class of people. Tell them that I have seen in the free States, their colored brethren, wander ing, homeless, ragged, hungry, and forsa ken, with no kind master to provide for them, nor no watchful and sympathizing mistress to make them feel that they have a friend in the dark hour of affliction and distress. The real truth is that the black man has no true friend in the North who is waging this unholy war. Most of those unfortunate, misguided slaves who have gone to the abolitionists, are now sighing in that cold frozen region for the plenty, attentions, and endearments of their South ern homes; but the man holds them in unwilling bondage, and with harder work and harsher treatment than they have ever known before. Bit terly are they rueing the day that induced them to leave the sunny homes of their birth. I want thousands of pairs of socks spun and knit by the colored friends of our sol diers, and I believe I shall get them if their masters and mistresses will but give them the opportunity to express their sympathy. Black men and* boys having the chance, will cheerfully spend their dimes for thread for their wives and sisters to knit. If nothing more be needed they will hold the negro’s candle, the blazing lightwood torch, to aid! their fellow servant women while working for the soldiers in the war. Some negroes; may not care for this noble work and sit * idly by, while others are busy and thankful for the privilege to work for so holy a cause ; so too, are there traitor white men, who have not only done nothing, but some of them have gone to the enemy and rendered their names infamous at home and despised’ abroad. In Savannah the other day, I ask-1 ed the negro men on onr defences what they w’ere about, they said they were throw ing up embankments for our soldiers toj stand behind and kill Yankees, and if the f 1 %nkees came while they w ere there, they ' said they wanted to kill one apiece before i they left. Noble women of Georgia! may God bless you for what you have already done. Many are the offerings of patriotism freely contributed by you, which have already ( passed through my hands on their way to supply the wants of our brave boys in the field, the bravest and best the world ever saw. My heart, with gratitude to God, for . such angel women, has often rendered its tribute of thankfulness, as my eye hasrest [ ed over and again upon the tender testimo nies of your unconquerable love for our ho . our most sacred cause. Your work is not yet over; the great > struggle is still upon us in all its terrific , fierceness ; our dear soldiers are still hold s ing back the miserable hordes of abolition i ists who are thirsting for our blood, and s anxious to desolate our fair homes. Shall [ we not spend every energy of mind, body, . soul, and strength, to keep strong, cheerful, pure, willing, and brave, those who are now I ready to breast the storm and teach our r wicked invaders, that to be conquered, we I must be, to a man, exterminated. i Let every man, woman, and child, bond . and free, in the Confederate States, answer [ in thunder tones, yes, and resolve to make i this our fair heritage, one funeral pile rath , er than, living, to surrender it up into the > hands of those, who, in fighting us unjustly, - have violated every principle of honorable j warfare and descended far beneath the bru , tality of the untutored savage. b If Justices of the Peace should happen , to be indolent in this work let some true - champion woman assume the pleasing task , and put to blush the man who has no soul f to labor for our suffering troops. > I want socks to come to me (and I be- I lieve I shall get them) from the mansion -of the Governor down to the humblest cot i s a g e the land. 1 have addressed the wo- - men of Georgia more particularly, but 1 help would be acceptable from all quarters , —the men and boys, one and all, may here < have a chance to do good. Send in your . socks, each with your name and county t plainly written, as 1 have already suggested, , so that I may transfer it to my book of re r cord, and know hereafter those generous r ones who so nobly and promptly respou- > ded to my call. By-and-by, when the wars are over, these love tokens will form some [ of our pleasantest recollections, when some } returned noble soldier, with wreaths of un r dying renown decorating his brow, kindly j informs us that his cold, frost-bitten, suffer ing feet were relieved by our timely and . generous contributions. r People of Georgia, I beg of you to be in c haste, as winter is now upon us, and I want j to have the great joy of telling our soldiers c that all the fingers of Georgia are busily working for their relief; such cheering news r as I hope to be able to communicate will t make them (under God) omnipotent, and soon enable them to wring from our hateful 3 foe an honorable peace, as they have already - nobly won the welcome plaudits of an ad- > miring world for their deeds of unequalled . daring upon many a hard-fought and victo . rious battle-field. 1 Such a people at home, all heartily work t ing for such an army in the field, will pre -1 sent such a moral and physical aspect to the , eyes of the civilized world as to draw down j upon us the admiration of mankind, and - teach us a lesson not to be misunderstood * —that we have resolved to t ‘ Strike, till the last armed foe expires ; > Strike, for our altars and our fires; Strike, for the green graves of our sires , I For God and our own dear land.’ Ira R. Foster, Quartermaster General, I State of Georgia. P. S. Factories and Merchants can ren der substantial assistance by selling yarns 1 at cust to those who will furnish socks un der this appeal. ’ Every Editor in Georgia who loves the ' soldiers, will please insert the above in his paper three or four times, and greatly ' oblige I. R F. j Parson Brownlow.—This old traitor is now picking up the crumbs that fall from the Executive table at Washington. In other words, he has received the appoint ment of special agent of the Treasury De partment. It is said that in the line of speech-making, he has become disgusting even to his brother abolitionists. The Baptist Banner. FOR 1863. The proprietors of The Baptist Banner ■would inform the reading public, especially heads of families, that, as an excellent HOME PAPER, THE BANNER shall be surpassed by none. It will be published every Saturday morning in Atlanta, at the rate of three dollars a year— subscriptions taken for any length of time. The LADIES, the CHILDREN, and the SOLDIERS IN OUR ARMY, will receive special attention ; and each numlrer, in addi tion to a carefully prepared synopsis of reli gious and «ecular NEWS, will contain a good STORY—-together with entertaining Miscella nies, Sketches, etc. It will be, emphatically, a FAMILY paper, i The editor’s motto is, ‘ Make Home Happy? Those desirous of subscribing will please en l close the amount of their subscription, with the [ uame and post-office, and address JAMES N. ELLS & CO., Atlanta, Ga. ■■ Contributors to The Banner. Rev. 11. C. Huknady, Atlanta, Ga. “J. M. ood, Newnan, Ga. “ J. S. 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. “ W. N. Chavdoin, Albany, Ga. “ R. J. Mays, Florida. A. E. Dickinson, Rivbiuuud, Va. “ W. D. Mayfield, South Carolina. M. W. Philips, Edwards, Miss. Money due the Office, may be sent by mail at our risk—always mail it in presence of a friend (other than the P. M.,) or procure a friend to mail it for you—never register. ; ADVERTISEMENTS. PROPOSALS FOB A NEW WORK, J ENTITLED Angels’ Visits along the Pathway of Life;* OR, Whisperings from the Spirit Land. ; “ APPLES OF GOLD, IN PICTURES OF SILVER.” The undersigned has long been impressed with the idea ot getting up a work on this sub ’ ject, not to be dedicated to any particular Sect ! or Denomination, but a book which will interest I all, and in which all may share a part. While we may be permitted to visit the graves ’ of loved ones, and read their epitaphs engraven \ upon marble and, as it w 7 ere, hold sweet commu nion with departed spirits—yet, there are many, ’ very many endearing traits of character, as well *. as many things they have said w’hile living, which, if written in a book, would afford us in- I calculable pleasure, and stimulate us to imitate ‘ their virtues. What family is there in this wide scope of s country, who has not lost some fond relative or . kind friend, and who would not delight to see , that precious name thus preserved and handed down to posterity. To accomplish this impor ’ tant object, I now make an appeal to all such to 5 furnish me with sketches of loved ones gone, from the infant of two years old up to that of old age, enumerating all expressions particular - ly used previous to their departure from earth * to Heaven. Especially do I request facts in re- J lation to the honored dead who have fallen in t battle. 1 It will require time and labor to accomplish the object, but when perfected, it will doubtless be a work of general interest to all those who love to think of loved ones who have “ entered 1 into that within the vail.’’ The author feels greatly flattered in the fact . that several gentlemen have concurred w ith him in the belief that such a w T ork will meet with a hearty reception by our Southern people, and 3 have given assurance of their assistance in fur- - nishing many interesting facts in relation to • kindred and friends w T ho have fallen; and most . respectfully do I solicit aid from all quarters, sent by mail, by w’hich I may be enabled to ’ proceed with the work, and get it ready for pub lication at an early day. s As it is a Southern effort, I respectfully re- - quest Editors throughout the South to give this 3 a few insertions, sending a paper containing the a same, and as soon as the work is published, each one shall receive a copy gratuitously. " 2 JAMES W. PRICE, M. D. Atlanta, Ga., 1862. Mercer University. j The spring session will open on the 21st January, 1863. A preparatory school is i connected with the college, and is under the instruction of the faculty. s President —Rev. N. M. Crawford, D. D. g Professors — S. P. Sanford, A. M. I J. E. Willet, A. M. 1 U. W. Wise, A. M. f Atlanta Female Institute. x - rpHIS Institution has not been taken for a hospital, as IJL has been reported, and I have the assurance of the Post Surgeon that it will not be taken. i- The exercises will be resumed on tho second Monday in January, 1863, aud continue for a scholastic term of six months. . Under the pressure of the times, we are compelled to raise our rates of tuition. The charges, therefore, will be - as follows: ? Collegiate department, for six months, - $36 00 " Preparatory “ <* « « . . go 00 1 Primary “ “ “ 11 - - 24 00 > Incidentals, - - - - - 50 Music, and piano rent, same old prices. ] One half of the above charges wiusf be paid iai advance n every instanee. J, R. MAYBON, President. THE HEARN SCHOOL AND THE BAPTIST FEMALE SCHOOL, AT CAVE SPRING, GA. rDHE next session of these Institutions will JL commence on the second Monday in Janu ■ ary, 1863. The Trustees have engaged the ser s vices, for the next year, of Prof. S. G. Hillyer. Both schools will be under his superintendence. Competent instructors will be employed in the several departments as they may be needed.— s The range of studies w ill embrace the usual j course taught in our best High Schools. The Academic year will consist of two terms of five months each. . The rates of tuition in the Hearn School, as it posseses some endowment, will be as follows: 1 Children learning to spell, read and write, will be charged, lor the academic year, S2O 00 Tnose w'ho, in addition to the above, are studying Arithmetic, Geography, or English Grammar, - 30 00 ? Classical students, and those studying the higher English branches, will pay, - 40 00 In the Female School, as it is unendowed, the rates will be a little higher. The classification being as above, the charges will be, for the low est class, $25.00; for the second, $35.00; and ’ for the highest, ssooo—for the year. Music will be charged $50.00, aud French $20.00, ex tra. Each pupil in both schools will be charged $2.00 for Contingent Expenses. EaST Payments will be required semi-annual / ly, in advance. J. 11. Russell, President of the Board. A. J. King, Secretary. Cave Spring, Ga., Dec. 5, 1862. IHERCER UNIVERSITY, PENFIELD, GREENE COUNTV, GEORGIA. faculty. President—N. M. Crawford, D. D. Professors—S. P. Sanford, A. M., J. E. Willett, A. M U. W. Wise, A. M. Theological Seminary.—Professor N. M. Crawford, D. D. DEPARTMENTS. 1. A college course of four years, equal to that of the best colleges in the country. 2. A lheologkal course, of three years, design ed for those who are preparing for the Gospel Min istry. 3. A scientific course of four years, including with some additions, all the studies ot the collegi ate course, except the ancient languages. 4. An academical department, embracing all who are not prepared to enter college. COMMENCEMENT AND VACATIONS The Commencement is held on the second Wed nesday in July. There are two vacations, dividing the year into two terms. FaU Term begins on the first Wednesday in Sep tember, and closes od the 13th of December P Spring Term begins on the fourth Wednesday in January, and closes on Commencement day. Secr ’y Board Trustees, July 26,186... Savannah, Ga SOUTHERN PLANTERS! SHOULD ALL TAKE IT! I yHE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR-the old pio- A neer m Agricultural lmproven ien t_ih e J n | v i’ rhm i“ on ‘ h, y Jo 7 n a* *" ‘he Confederate - 1 ba ? flVed “ tilro ugh the war”—is still published regularly, and will enter upon its 2Dt Sernas b lb63 ’ N ° W JS iHE ™ SCBI ® E Owe Dollar per year, in advance ' Addre.s D. REDMOND, Augusta, Ga. ,