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Clje jtoner. IS * ' SUB; Bl kjL4 vK jhg|lf|| |j| j|||L W \V lg -rfa I I U// ‘ The entrance of Thy Word giveth light’ JAS. NATHAN ELLS, Editor. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1863. The War. The usually correct Richmond corres pondent of the Charleston Mercury is of the opinion that there is ‘ something’ in the story about important matters in secret ses sion, which he has been repeating from day to day —a treaty or a loan, or both, with France, the facts of which will be given to the public in a few days. He also notices the arrival of a New Yorker who recently left Washington, who came to Richmond well accredited, and sought directly an in terview with the President. This individ ual says the w r ar can not last ninety days; that the Federal finances are in inextricable confusion—the sold/ers in their armies are mutinous, and only waiiing to be paid off to disband. Then, he thinks, ‘ will come the hanging of the Lincolnites, and there will be a clean sweep.’ In regard to ‘recognition,’ the Richmond journals publish an extract from a letter to Seward written by Federal-minister Adams, dated London, October 17, in which he ex presses his opinion that ‘the recognition of the Insurgents now depends almost entirely on the fortunes of the war; if we prove our selves by February next no more able to control its results than w r e are at this mo ment, it will be difficult for Ministers longer to resist the current which is now leaning in that direction in both houses of Parlia ment.’ February is near at hand. A telegram states that on the 23d inst., the Federals were landing troops below Young’s Point, and about twenty boats were lying a mile and a half above the mouth of the canal, near Vicksburg. Two hundred Federal cavalry made a surprise visit on the Texas cavalry, six miles above Carthage, on the morning of the22d. The Yankees were repulsed, with the loss of their colonel ; no Confederate hurt. Our men fought them on foot. Maj. I larrison was sent down for reinforcements,; expecting the attack to be renewed. Things in Middle Tennessee remain muchi as they have been. The moue incuts of Wheeler, Forrest and Morgan have thus far disconcerted Mynheer Rosencranz to a considerable extent. The recent operations on the Cumberland are thunderbolts on the Yankee mind, and have excited sensations of alarm among the officers at Nashville. — The evid cnees of an advance are rather slim. Active events are retarded, partly by the crippled condition of the Yankee subsistence bureau, and partly by the weather. A Noble Deed.—A gentleman of this city, on Wednesday last, entered our sanc tum, and made a few inquiries about the Dorcas Society—what the ladies were do ing, etc. He then remarked that he felt as though he could not go home that cold night without, doing something towards relieving the destitution in our midst, and handed us! one hundred dollars to give the Dorcas So-I ciety as the donation of “ A Friend.” We are always ‘at home’ to such friends when they call. Need we say* to our citizens in easy cir cumstances, that there is great destitution in Atlanta? We notice on our mail-books the names of many subscribers whose time is about to expire. As our paper is conducted on a strictly cash system, we would remind such friends of the necessity of at once re mitting three dollars, if disposed to renew their subscriptions. It is gratifying to know that The Baptist Banner is rapidly extending its circulation —and we trust its usefulness, also. With i an enlarged list of excellent contributors, and the editor’s determination to do his best to merit success, we present the claims of The Banner to the favorable regard and patronage of all who desire a good home journal. Person al. —Correspondents of Elder T E. Langley will address him at Powers, Terrell county, Ga. The editor will be in Augusta during the ensuing week, and will attend to corres pondents on his return. Those wishing papers changed, should give the Post-Office they wish changed from, as wei. as the one to be changed to. BABS X 8 X BA3OSL The Value and Economy of Time. Whoever takes a thoughtful survey of the future, will be astonished to find that the schemes of the present have so little time alloted for their consummation ; espe cially will this prove true if it is considered how little has been accomplished in the past, even by the best effort. The wisest economist of the fleeting mo ments of life learns his wisdom in the use of time by often experiencing the want of it; the failure of some cherished scheme, or the loss of some present advantage, seldom fails in teaching an important lesson; but it is learned at too dear a rate, and too late in life to admit of a full remedy. The major ity of men find that, on reaching the half way house of their existence, time has already stolen a march on them, and they begin to realize, as it were for the first, that the schemes of the future are too numer ous, and on too large a scale for their ac complishment. At this period life begins to assume a serious aspect —its plans are laid and its dreamy speculations are passed —its path lies straightforward to the end— its realities are too apparent to admit of deception. Here begin to be understood aright the maxims of wisdom, read mechanically while time passed so slowly as to seem rather a burden than a blessing—‘Time is money,’ ‘ Drive your business, or your business will drive you,’ ‘Take time by the fore lock,’ and that other beautiful sentiment, ‘Trust not the morrow, to-day is thine, use it and be wise.’ Now they become full of , meaning, and the wise carefully map out the future, divide it into periods, and adjust the business of the future years to them.— Now the old clock on the mantel ticks more audibly, it strikes off the passing hours more rapidly, and the last stroke seems to have lost its prolonged music. Having learned the true value of time . by dear experience, it should be regarded like any article of intrinsic value which may become property by possession and appropriation; and he who wilfully robs another of his time, should not be regarded as less culpable than he who steals the avails of that time in the shape of ready money. The complex machinery of busi ness will never work smoothly till there is a higher value placed upon time, and it will never work out ifs greatest and noblest end till this observance is dictated by a sense of moral obligation. If one disregard the all-important rule of strict punctuality, it not only operates to his own detriment, but in almost every in w stance has a relative influence upon the in terests of others. The man who makes a definite promise or appointment, and disre gards it, forfeitsail claims to confidence ; it at least raises a presumption of dishon festv, which he is bound to rebut by some [truthful and reliable explanation —and until 'he does this, he should be regarded by all j lovers of good faith and fair dealing as un worthy of further confidence. It is alarm ing to consider how reckless men are of their own voluntary pledges, and even those who would scorn to be thought not worthy of almost unlimited credit in commercial affairs. If A. makes an appointment to meet B. at a definite time and place, on some matter of business, in which, perhaps, a great number are interested, he regards it as no breach of confidence to neglect it, and does not even think of offering an apol ogy for his unfortunate failure. B. is punc* tual at the time and place, and perhaps waits long after the time set for the meet ing, and finds himself at last a sufferer, from having consumed the time which was set apart for still another engagement with C. It is in this way that the affairs of business are constantly ajar, and it is no wonder that the intercourse of the trading community is constantly poisoned by lurking suspicions. , This but illustrates the almost number less instances which occur daily in the w'orld, and operate to delay or prostrate the affairs •of men, and lessen in a great degree that mutual confidence which produces the cer tainty and stability of business. The mer chant can no more do without his ‘ time table,’ by which to regulate his own affairs and keep the public ad vised of his move ments, than can the railroad without incur- , ring a double risk of collision or accident; and the man who constantly disregards his business promises can no more expect to reap prosperity, than the farmer a harvest who neglects to plant in seed time. The economy of time, or punctuality, be sides being a saving of money,"is a positive virtue, and should be so esteemed ; the fact that a majority are not prompt in meeting all those engagements which it is in their , power to meet, does not make punctuality less a virtue. As well might common practice sanction and sanctify any other positive evil—as gaming, blasphemy, or in temperance. This evil has now the force of an almost universal habit, and is the more difficult to overcome from the gener al want of confidence it involves. Men who have exchanged lies with one another year after year, until business is conducted through the medium of falsehood rather than truth, will find it difficult to work a reformation, and, bound in the fet ters of habit, early contracted, may never be able to embody the disjointed fragments of time in such a manner as to practise the most rigid economy. But to the young men of the country we come with confidence, and ask them to give the positive virtue of punctuality the force of a fixed habit; it will be to them Time’s savings bank, where the years will accu mulate to lengthen their lease of life.— ‘Time,’ says the poet, ‘is the stuff that life is made of,’ and let us manage it as well as we can, there will yet remain much that is idle and unemployed. * Who, looking backward from his manhood’s prime, Sees not the spectre of his misspent time ? ’ Plant Corn and Provisions.—There is, it is feared, a disposition, founded upon the supposition of an early peace, to plant less corn and more cotton this year than last. — This should not be so. Better discard the idea of peace altogether, and plant corn and raise provisions. Every planter should • make preparations to raise a large crop of corn the coming season. With or without a continuance of the war, it is important that there should be preparation for a very full crop of provisions. If. our ports are open to European trade, our surplus bread grains will find ready markets at remunera tive prices. Elder A. C. Dayton.—We have seen a [ letter from Elder Dayton, dated 23d inst., from LaFayette, Ga., where he has found ' a home, for the present at least. In this letter he says: “ 1 am in tolerably good health now, able to preach every w r eek, and work almost ev ; ery day at my old business. The Lord has provided for me thus far, and I trust we shall not be left to starve or even suffer want, though I was not able to get any of my property away from Tennessee. I long to see you and the dear brethren of Atlanta. Will comedown when Providence permits.” Men are happy or unhappy only by com. parison ; their real wants are few—their artificial, many. Whenever you feel like murmuring and complaining at your lot, just reflect that there are, not ten, or a hun dred, but half a million of men, as.good as you, or better, who, day and night, through heat and cold, rain and storm, often ill fed and ill clad, confront your and their enemy, and bear the hazards of the battle field, and get only eleven dollars a month. [For The Baptist Banner.} Ordination of Wm. Singleton. A presbytery, consisting of Rev. N. M. Crawford, Rev. James H. Cuthbert. Rev. W. J. Hard and Rev. A. J. Huntington, convened at the lecture-room of the First Baptist Church, of Augusta, on Saturday morning, 17th January, 1863, at 11 o’clock. After the reading of Scriptures and a prayer, on motion of Rev. Mr. Huntington, Rev. Mr. Hard was elected Moderator, and J. R. W. Johnston Clerk. The Moderator stated the object of the meeting to be the examination of brother William Singleton as a candidate for ordi nation to the Christian Ministry. Rev. Mr. Cuthbert was appointed to lead in the examination. Brother Singleton was then examined as to his Christian experience, his call to the Ministry, and his doctrinal belief. His re plies were clear, pointed, and satisfactory. Brother Singleton having retired, it was moved by Rev. Mr. Crawford,and second ed by Rev. Mr. Huntington, “That Win. Singleton, having sustained a creditable and satisfactory examination before the pres bytery, be ordained and set apart to the work of the Christian Ministry.” The motion was unanimously adopted. On motion, Rev. Mr. Crawford was ap pointed to preach the ordination sermon ; Rev. Mr. Hard to deliver the charge; Rev. Mr. Huntington, the ordaining prayer ; and Rev. Mr. Cuthbert to extend the righthand of fellowship. The presbytery then adjourned. W. J. Hard, Moderator. J. R. W. Johnston, Secretary. In pursuance with the above order, the Ordination services were administered at the First Baptist Church on Sabbath after noon, 18th instant, in the presence of a large [auditory; the services were solemn and impressiue. Dr. Crawford preached from Matthew v., 14: “Ye are the light of the world.” The charge was based upon that iof Paul to Timothy : “ Take heed to thyself and thy doctrine.” All the services were I listened to with profound interest and attention. 1 Agency at Richmond for Claims of Georgia Soldiers. —All soldiers of Geor gia having claims on the Confederate Gov ernment, and all Executors and Adminis trators of deceased soldiers, or attorneys at law in our State representing such claims, are hereby notified that the Georgia Relief: and Hospital Association, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, has established I an Agency at Richmond, where such claims will be put in process of adjustment, with- j out expense to the claimant; and that Wil- i liam W. Walton, Esq., of Augusta, has , been appointed the Agent of the Association j to represent and take the management of, such claims. Address Wm. W. Walton, Esq., or Robert Walton, Box 961 Richmond, Va. Rev. W. J. Hard is now’ the Secretary of the Georgia Relief and Hospital Associa tion, whose head-quarters is at Augusta. The Way to Improve Church Music. In order to make this part of divine worship what it should be, all the members of the church must conscientiously interest themselves in the subject, and make what ever contributions of time, personal effort, and money, may be necessary. If we praise God with costly sacrifices, we praise Him/or costly sacrifices, and the practical duties of church members with regard to church music are these. Each one must exert himself personally in endeavoring to carry out every judicious scheme for se curing the best singing in the church with which he is connected. Ordinarily this matter is left to the management of a few, who naturally or from necessity interest themselves in this department of worship, when it should command the cooperation of all. The members of the church and congre gation, generally, whether they can sing or not, should attend the meetings for practi sing church music, whenever it is in their power to do so. Those who fancy they have “no ear” may find themselves mis taken, and even those without “ voice ” may possibly become tuneful. Those who never expect to learn to sing by note, can at least so catch the tunes as to sing by rote, and, by joining with those who do F sing scientifically, their own performances will be greatly improved. If such meet ings were fully attended, the leader could easily correct certain faults in the singing of some members of the congregation which now greatly mar the harmony which others make. But many more than attempt it should learn to sing by note. Persons ad vanced in years have been known to qualify themselves to enter choirs, and though pre paration was achieved with difficulty, the conviction that it was a duty to succeed, if possible, was the secret of success ; and mastering every difficulty, such have been seen sitting in choirs surrounded and re vered by its more youthful members, and an example to all that it is never too late to begin to do good. Even those who never can learn to sing, if there be such, should at least occasionally attend such meetings and encourage them by the man ■ ifestation of interest which their presence affords. But as the same persons cannot constitute a perpetual band of singers, every church should see to it that the children of the con gregation are taught to sing. This may be accomplished, first, by making instruction in sacred musicapart of the Sabbath-school exercise or preliminary to it. Or, a teach er may beemployed who shall devote some afternoon of every w r eek to the instruction of children and youth. Or, as a third me thod of securing the end, parents may in dividually see to it that their children are taught vocal music. Family worship should always, when practicable, be accompanied by singing, and in these ways separately, or in all of them combined, a race of singers may be in constant training and thus pre pared to take the places of those whose ex treme age and infirmity unfit them for the exercise. Sons should be taught to sing as well as daughters. In our conntry there is com paratively little singing among males. In many churches nearly every man iirthe house sits silent, without even a book in his hand, as if it devolved on none but the women to praise God. Daughters should be encouraged to pay more attention to the cultivation of sacred music. It is mournful to observe how ma ny Christian parents lavish vast sums of money in having their daughters taught to sing with the instrumental accompaniments of the harp, piano, and guitar, the songs of Byron and other infidels—breathing their captivating impurities into the young ear and heart, while they utterly neglect to have them taught the tender strains and holy anthems of Watts, Montgomery, He ber and Cowper. Moreover, the folly of such neglect is more apparent when we remember that this whole department of mere parlor and secu lar amusement is usually laid aside when years and cares increase. One seldom sees a woman of forty, with her eyes rolled up, singing a lackadaisical love-song. Often the shadows of sorrow begin to rest darkly on the heart as years advance, and the frivolous accomplishments of youth are forgotten. But one often does see, and with pleasure hear, one who has passed that age, singing, though it be with a voice somewhat tremulous, yet still sweet in its failing tones, the holy hymns and spiritual songs which have been set to the grand old tunes which will never wear out and never die. When pastor, church members, and members of the congregation take such in terest in maintenance of church music as has been described, and avail themselves of these means for its perpetuation, then com plaints on this subject will cease, and one of the most delightful and profitable parts lof public worship will be properly per formed. A large sea-gull was shot on the Cam bridge (Mass.) bridge one day last week, and in its mouth was a good five-dollar bill which the sportsman found no difficulty in passing. [Chicago Herald. The Chicago man is attempting to prac tise upon the gull-i-bill ity the Yankee I public. [Dalton Times. Where is the birden of the proof? What a canine set they must be at Wash ington ’ [Atlanta Intelligencer. And how little feline they have for their generals who meet with a catastrophe. [Dalton Times. Is not this last claws rather awz-etesing? ; We paws here fur a reply. i w«■» How do the ladies of the confederacy re semble the speculators ? * ** J Do you give it up ? The ladies remain at home and prav for the country; the speculators remain at! home and prey upon it. JJTD THLVGS. BY AN EDITOR. The Auctioneer. What shall we say of Mr. Going, Going, Gone ? This we may surely say—while he ever keeps going, going, may he never be gone I We could in no way dispense with his services. Without him how could we dispose of our goods and chattels when emergency or convenience requires, reali zing, it is true (sometimes) but half-price, but more than we could obtain by any oth er known process ? The auctioneer is the personification of cheapness. Like the phy sician and the lawyer, he lives by the mis fortunes of his neighbors. He knocks, like death, “with equal foot” at the gates of the rich and the doors of the poor, and knocks off both one and the other without compunction or remorse, as the physician, hardened by his profession, lops off a limb or cuts into the body of his diseased victim. W e cannot call the auctioneer a necessary evil; on the contrary, like the physician, • he is a necessary good. Headministers to our necessities, if we would sell, and en ‘ ables us to buy cheap, if we vould buy. 1 The mode of selling at auction differs in different countries. In some the highest ‘ price is named first and so downwards, un ’ til a buyer is found ; while in another a ■ candle is lighted, and bidders are limited to the time during which “ the lamp holds out to burn.’ With us the lowest price is first named, and so on until the highest bidder becomes the successful purchaser. While the sale is going on the auctioneer becomes to us a most important and interesting per sonage. How intently do both buyer and seller hang upon his words : “ Going, going .at forty-five, who says fifty ? It must go, gentlemen, at the low price of forty-five dollars, if you say no more! Who says fifty ? ” The owner is anxious, and the buyers become nervous. All parties watch the auctioneer, to see if the awful hammer is really coming down. It falls at last, and Mr. Blank is the fortunate man. The own -1 er has made a sacrifice, but hasjrealized 1 j more than he otherwise could have done, while Mr. Blank has drawn no great prize, ! because he has very likely bought some thing he had no need of or taste for, merely ‘ because it was selling at such a bargain. 1 In old times, goods were sold at “public vendue.” Then, as now, men and women ! made oftentimes dear purchases by being 1 tempted to buy a thousand things they had no occasion for. The auctioneer, however, is not to blame for this. He does his duty faithfully to both parties. He “ dwells ” a reasonable time, and then “ knocks down ” the article to- the highest bidder. In this knocking process he sometimes hits the seller a hard blow, and sometimes a severe knock on the head of the buyer ; but that is not his concern, which is only to “ knock down” the goods offered for sale. His ivory hammer descends, like the rain, upon the evil and the just; it is no respecter of persons, but falls, dealing impartial justice to all who are within its sound. From its decision there can be no appeal. The fatal word of one syllable is spoken, there is no longer time for repentance, the lamp has gone out and can never be re-lighted. The hammer of the auctioneer tells many a sad story of ruined fortunes, blasted hopes, and of death, that scatters the much-loved and hard-earned property to the four winds. Each tap of the ivory bell consigns some cherished memento, to which affection has clung for many long years, into the hands ®f a stranger, to whom it comes divested of its charm and the hold it had upon the human heart—a mere object of curiosity, perhaps, or it may be to gratify a passion for display. The venerable mansion that has witnessed the loves and the hopes, the joys and the sorrows of more than one gen eration, passes under the hands of the auc tioneer to entire strangers, to whom no room or hall or fire-place is crowded with associations of happy childhood, youth, manhood, old age, sickness, birth, marriage, and death. The new owner sees only tim ber, bricks, and mortar, and forthwith com mences the work of repair. The auction eer’s books tell a sad story of ruinous speculation, bankruptcy in trade, unfortu nate investments, ships cast away, fraud, misfortune, and death. Here you may read in figures the history of human life, and moralize on its changes from wealth to poverty, from happiness to misery, from life and health to the loss of both one and the other. How little of all this do we realize when, tempted by curiosity, we look in upon an auction sale. The wit of the auctioneer and the jokes of the company enliven and amuse us, while some precious heir-loom is struck off for some trifling sum. Could we know its history, we should be disposed to weep rather than laugh. It may be some portrait is offered for sale, destined after a short time to adorn the lumber-room or garret of its new owner. It is the counterfeit pre sentment of one on whom once centered all the hopes and affections of relations and friends; of some fair being, perhaps, who once united in herself all the beauty, grace and loveliness of her sex, the idol of fond parents, the joy and delight of her husband, the devoted mother, or the much-loved sister. Os all this we know nothing and think nothing. How much is bid ?—once, twice, three times—going, going, and gone. Yes, she has long been gone, and the places that have known her can know her no more forever; but in some heart, now also at rest, her memory once survived, a bright oasis in the dreary desert of life. I Our auctioneers have generally been a l most respectable and respected class of the | coininunity—upright and intelligent, they - | have been most useful agents in adminis tering to the necessities of commerce and of domestic life, so full of vicissitude and change. The great change comes at last," sending our worldly and perishable goods to the public vendue, while it consigns our bodies to the dust, and our spirits to the , keeping of Him who gave them. • s