Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

for I knew she wished sympathy of heart,, not words, and that she could better bear her suffering alone. That night 1 was call ed to the bed side of Constance, raving in brain fever. It made my heart weep to hear her frantic calls, intermingled with scornful epithets of'ttobert- Sherman ; and as I looked and listened, I learned a lesson in seeing the admired, intellectual, proud, cultivated Constance deVere, stretched powerless by the almighty power of love for one, who had been worthy, with every quality of brain and of heart, had he been I less governed by avarice and more by feel- 1 ing. Weeks passed before the delirium of, Constance left her, and then it was but to' die; and God was kind to give her that; one short lucid week. I was with her to; the last, and she begged me to take warn-1 ing from her life, and not place too much confidence in myself. 1 But above all, dear Eva, shun the world, for the men there, whom we call the votaries of the world, will deceive, no matter how pleasant an as pect they wear. Ido not mean by vota ries of the world, men who frequent ball rooms, for they are the most innocent among them; but those who, having no principles of their own, are governed in ev ery thought and action by conventionality. “ ‘ I believe, Eva, that only in the retired paths of life do we meet those we can trust, those who have principles of their own, founded on a rock that can not be shaken. “ ‘ I have delighted in society as in books, classing the quiet of society and the reli gious of books together, in the reading of, which 1 never indulged ; hence my want of, consolation in my last great trial. I have lived in an ideal world, and the only thing j that ever has been real to me is this my death bed. Yes, I feel that death is real. Faithful and true, as such, I can meet him with joy. I never thought I could have been ever brought willingly to contemplate death, but when the hollowness of this world is once presented to view, we imme diately fly to religion for comfort, and to death for relief. I know I have not long to live. My first thought before religion re ceived rne in her arms, was to live and be' revenged ; my second, since death has lost ■ its terrors, is to pity and to die.’ “ That was the last conversation I had with Constance. She died. 1 mourned,; and all mourned her; and he, Robert Sher man, mourned her too. I saw him six months after her death ; he was pale and emaciated. “‘Miss Eva,’ he said, ‘you loved her too—pity me.’ His voice became too choked for utterance; he turned away; it was the last time 1 ever saw him; but I pitied him from the bottom of my heart. “Sometime afterwards I heard of him in the far South, where he had gained a name, reputation and the wealth, for the want of which he had broken her heart. “ 1 wondered if he was happy. I doubt ed it. and m.v dai.iLt wyfirmoA by « letter 1 received just before 1 came to the Springs, addressed ‘ to her friend,’ and all that was in it was ‘pity me, I live. — Rob ert Sherman.’ “ Not a week after the reception of this letter, 1 saw a notice in a New Orleans pa per of the death of Robert Sherman, a young, but distinguished lawyer, who died of yellow fever, after a very short illness, aged twenty-eight years. “Clara, is your question answ’ered ? Can any one who was Constance’s friend, fre quent these scenes which speak so plainly of her ? ” Contributors to The Banner. Rev. 11. C. Hornady, Atlanta, Ga. “ J. M. Wood, Newnan, Ga. “ J. S. Baker, Thomasville, Ga. “ 1). P. Everett, Orange Hill, Fla. “ N. M. Crawford, Penfield. Ga. “ J. 11. Campbell, State Evangelist. “ J. R. Graves, in the Army. “ B. F. Tharp, Perry, Ga. “ W. N. Chaudoin, Albany, Ga. “ R. J. Mays, Florida. “ A. E. Dickinson, Rluhuiumi, Va. “ W. 1). Mayfield, South Carolina. M. W. Philips, Edwards, Miss. Agents for The Banner. The following brethren will act as Agents .or the Banner, and will receipt for money paid for the paper. Elder J. S. Murrow, Traveling Agent. “ F. M. Haygood, do “ J. 11. Stockton, ThomUbn, Ga. “ Thos. Muse, Cuthbert, Ga. “ Robt. Cunningham, Macon, Ga. “ Thos Aldridge, Millwood, Ga. “ G. F. Cooper, Americus, Ga. “ <l. H. Campbell, Griffin, Ga. “ W. J. Speairs, Starrsville, Ga. “ John 11. Clarke, Henderson, Ga. “ P. A. Lawson, Gaiffin, Ga. “ William Lowe, McDonough, Ga. Dr. E". R. Carswell, Waynesboro’, Ga William Roberts, Byrumville, Ga. R. 11. Jackson, Franklin, Heard Co., Ga. J. 11. B. Shackelford. Spring Place, “ Dr. John Cheney, Columbus, Ga. 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 Jsubscriptions. It ia gratifying to know that The Baptist Banner is rapidly extending its circulation —and we trust its usefulness, also. W ith 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. Terms of The Banner, $3 a year. ~W MB A r O W 38 A M® B. fanner. ’ AU bJ/1 w rate O iß® w \\\ i sshis ®®t® ■. 't ‘The entrance of Thy Word giveth light’ JAS. NATHAN ELLS, Editor. ATLANTA, GrEOJEtGrIA: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1863. The War. During the past week the war news has been of an exciting character. Hearts have been made to rejoice at the signal successes of the Confederate arms in various quarters, and especially at the result of the naval encounter in Charleston harbor. All eyes are now turned towards this point, as well as to our own seaport, and many entertain I the belief that it is the design of the enemy to attrek Charleston and Savannah simulta jneously. Our readers need not be told that, according to the Law of Nations, the raising of the blockade makes it incumbent on Lincoln to give sixty days’ notiSe before an attempt be made to renew it; but as this interpretation would, virtually, end the war, and as our people have not yet been ‘ crushed out,’ it is probable that the Fed eral government will say it is merely ‘ a raid,’ and, beigg considerably nettled there by, will double exertions for the mastery of Carolina’s seaport. —On the Ist instant, the Federate re newed the attack on Fort McAlister, at Genesis Point. In the engagement, Major John B. Gallie, commandant of the post, was killed, and seven of our soldiers were slightly wounded. The- damage to the gar rison is but slight. —A federal iron-clad ram passed our batteries at Vicksburg, on the 2d instant. She attempted to grapple the confederate steamer Vicksburg, but was prevented by our sharp-shooters. Our forces are on the : alert, ready for any more such attempts. —(General Ury or was attacks I on last ' Saturday by a heavy force of the enemy, ; near Suffolk. After a hard fight of tlwee hours, the enemy were repulsed with great s I loss. Among the killed on our side is the - gallant Colonel Podge, of Virginia. L —On the whole, it has been a good week i for the Confederates, embracing the enemy’s disappointment in reaching Savannah ; the i brilliant success of our little fleet at Charles -Jton; the capture of the gunboat in Stono river ; the successful battle at Suffolk ; the I exploits of Wheeler’s ‘ Horse Marines ’ in capturing steamboats in Tennessee, and other characteristic pranks. The Weather, Etc.—For several days , past, the ground in this locality has been covered with snow to the depth of four inches, and present appearances indicate that there is ‘ more of the same sort ’ com ing. The railway trains to and from the Gate City have suddenly met with a block ade, in consequence of the ice-covered tracks; the gas-metres are frozt n; coal has ‘gin out’; wood-wagons are invisible; peopleshiveringly inquire, 4 Did youever?’; 8 the oldest inhabitant affirms he ‘never’; and the editor has just arrived, in a semi frozen condition, after a twenty-one hours ride from Augusta. Hence the sparseness of editorial. Acknowledgements.— The following I sums have been received to send The Ban ner to the soldiers :. Mrs. L. M. Felton, - - - - $2 00 Rachel A. Stargel, - - - -200 Important Decision. — Substitutes.— At a recent session in Macon, the Supreme ’ Court of Georgia decided : that when a substitute became liable to conscription (under the’new law), the employer also be came liable ’ i The Atlanta Commonwealth.—This sprightly daily, after a brief suspension, has re-appeared, considerably improved in every way. Its editorial corps consists of J. S. Peterson, U.S. Hill, Duff Green, and Ben. E. Green. We know of no daily journal better edited, and hope its patronage will be commensurate with its merits. Terms: daily, $lO per annum; weekly, $2. Ad dress J. S. Peterson & Co., Atlanta, Ga. . Those wislwag papers changed, should give the Post-Office they wish changed from, as well as the one to be changed to. Money due the Office, may be sent by mail ati 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. The Sabbath. How dear to the heart of the Christian is the Sabbath—that day of God’s own ap pointing—so old in history, so sacred in its associations, so blessed in its results. As < the labors and duties of the week draw to I a close, spent and weary with bodily toil, ’ and sick at heart with worldly cares and . the consciousness of life’s duties imperfect- ( ly performed, he lays his head upon his pillow, consoled and comforted as he thinks of the “ One Day in seven,” by the Giver of all good to His unworthy ' children; and awaking, he hails with glad emotion the incoming of the day of rest, during whose sacred hours it becomes, not 1 only his privilege, but his solemn duty, to forget the carking cares of every day life, and enjoy to the utmost the sacred exerci ses and holy duties of the day. With the age of any institution, our ven eration and regard for it increases ; and this tendency of the human mind is both natu ral and good. How great, then, should be the respect of all hearts for this day, co eval almost with the light of heaven and the creation of man. Not, as are many time-honored observances, ‘lost in the depths of antiquity ; ’ for we have the record, true and faithful, certain and sure, of its appoint ment and its object—“ In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested the sev enth day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” Ages have rolled into the irrevocable Past; empires have arisen in their might and glory, and sunk again into nothing; and the most enduring monuments of man’s power and greatness have mouldered to the dust, and his deeds have been forgotten ; but as lasting as the great works of crea tion, continues the Rest Day of the Lord. We suppose that some unhappy descen-; dant of the Ancient People—favored once, but now, how fallen I—may say that the day we Christians so much revere is the . first day of the week, and not the seventh . of God’s appointment. Granted, such is the case, certainly, as regards the order ofj , the days of the week, but only the rejecter; of Christ, the equal Son of the Father, would urge this as an objection. The Son . of man is Lord of the Sabbath, we are told, and by Him were the heavens made, and , without Him was not anything made that , was made. Hom natural then, and how impos , sible almost that it should be otherwise, that when “ Love’s redeeming work was done,” r and the Messiah’s sabbath-day of rest in the grave was ended by His triumphal re -5 surrection on the morning of the first day, t the affections and devotions of His follow j ers should be transferred from that day of doubt to the first day of glorious hope and c blest assurance. Though we can point s to no express command for this change, j we know that the change* was made from that auspicious morning; and we have the j practice and witness of the Apostles and s Fathers to the desirableness thereof. 1 It might be shown that the Sabbath ises j sential to the well-being of all animate cre ation, or at least that portion of it which is engaged in the labors so necessary to our s existence. Were it not for this weekly rest, j their energies would be exhausted by con r tinued toil, and their powers overtasked by 3 constant use ; but this is sufficiently evident . to our minds from the ordinary course of 3 nature around us. In the city, especially, the Sabbath comes ] as a blessing, with all its sacred exercises s and holy duties. To the young, a well- • conducted Sunday-school is a place of de . light as well as instruction. To young and old, the chiming of the Sabbath bells is a . sweet and cheering sound, and we envy not 3 that soul, possessed of never-so-much silver j and gold, that can not be moved to emo tions of gladness by those speechless, yeti eloquent monitors, calling our thoughts ; away from things of earth to things of - heaven ; calling upon us to contemplate the i joys of that never ending Sabbath of which the earthly is but a forerunner and ante type. How blessed the lot of those who are permitted to enjoy the regular minis- - trations of the faithful and devoted man of » God, whose six days of labor are spent in, i devising the best means and choosing the i best thoughts to interest the Sabbath lis-I • I teners and affect their hearts. How pleas-; ant to listen to, and join in uttering, the songs; of Zion—sweet foretaste of the songs of the 1 ! redeemed ones in the New Jerusalem ! In the country, tho’ perhaps deprived of the sanctuary services, the devout heart finds no lack of Sabbath enjoyment, for “ The groves were God’s first temples,” and amid the stillness of Nature, unbroken save by the hum of insects, the carol of birds, or the lowing of cattle—aJJ seaming to delight in the holy time—the lncense of thanksgiving can arise to the great Jehovah, and communion be held through Nature with Nature’s God. This, then, is “ the day which the Lord , bath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 1 i “ Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love, . But there's a nobler rest above; To that our longing souls aspire j 1 With ardent hope and strong desire.” ! < 1 - S. 1 - »■ [#or TKe, Baptist Banner.} Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 2, 1863. Dear Brother Wood: I thought I w’ould give you a ac ’ count of my labors among the Wave de fenders of our noble cause, for the last three weeks. Soon after I received your letter of the 31st December last, contain ing my commission as missionary to the Confederate army, I went to Chattanooga, where I found some eight or ten who had been in the hospitals in this city. As soon as they saw me, they inquired if I had any good tracts. It afforded me much pleasure to present them with religious reading, for which they expressed much gratitude, and from which they said they received much comfort. I found the hospitals full of sick soldiers. Among them were many bright Christians. One sick man requested pray er that he might be more resigned to God’s will. I was in company with brother Wil liams, a faithful worker among the soldiers in Chattanooga, and I hope his labors will not be in vain. After spending two days in Chattanooga, I took the train for Tullahoma, where 1 found Gen. Bragg’s army. I went at once to headquarters, and was cordially received by the General and his staff, who welcomed me to visit any portion of the army. The soldiers and officers gladly received tracts, and said they wished I would stay with them all the time. In consequence of bad weather, 1 did not preach but two sermons. ' The congregations were large and attentive. 1 formed the acquaintance of three chap lains, whose hearts seemed to be in the work, and their regiments spoke highly of them as being truly enlisted, not only in the com mon defence, but in the cause of freedom from the bondage of sin. These men of God were of great assistance to me in the proper distribution of tracts and Testa ments, as I had a few of the latter with me. The citizens of Tullahoma treated me with great kindness, I enjoyed their hospitali ties at night without price. The day was spent in the camps. Indeed, every encour agement is held out to me, and 1 desire, by God’s help, to do some good in return. The helpless women and children are suf fering at the hands of the thieves and mur derers in the vicinity of Murfreesboro’. I saw two ladies who had fled to Tullahoma for refuge, who told me that the Yankees had robbed them of everything they could ■carry off, and burned their dwellings and ■ out-buildings, and even threatened their I lives. While they were relating to me their troubles, a messenger came with the sad news that Mr. Smith, a soldiei&jh the 17th Tennessee regiment and husband to one of the refugees, had just died. It was a sad moment —it seemed to be more than she could bear; but she finally consoled herself with the thought that the day of retribution was near at hand. God grant it may be so. As soon as I gather some more tracts I shall return to the open field of labor.— Pray for your brother in Christ. P. A. Hughes. 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 thft SOLDIERS IN OUR ARMY, will receive special attention ; and each number, in addi tion to a carefully prepared synopsis of reli gious and secular NEWS, will contain a good STORY —together with entertaining Miscella nies, Sketches, etc. It will be, emphatically, a FAMILY paper. The editor’s motto is, ‘ Make Home Happy’ Those desirous of subscribing will please en close the amount of their subscription, with the name and post-office, and address JAMES N. ELLS & CO., Atlanta, Ga. The avidity with which the soldiers in hospitals receive the copies of The Baptist Banner circulated among them, every day, has determined us to make an effort to ■ place our journal in the possession of every soldier in the hospitals throughout the con federacy. This can, and will, be done if our people are disposed to aid us. Can we get a thousand dollars, to help carry out this purpose? We firmly believe that this amount can be raised in a fortnight, if pastors would bring the subject to the no tice of their congregations and give them the opportunity to contribute. And we ' earnestly solicit contributions, at once, from ! all who may be disposed to aid in this i work. Shall the sick and wounded soldiers i have The Baptist Banner ? ■—Mill— 11l ■■nrniriii W There are some elements which enter essentially into the character of every Christian woman. She must have a mind capable of appreciating the various and re sponsible relations of life, and a heart so fortified as to meet these responsibilities.— To act well the part of wife, mother, mis tress, and a Christian, requires no ordinary degree of patience and fortitude ; and who can tell how much the success of a man’s business in life, as well as the harmony of a family, depend on the exercise of these i qualities ? C. P. Pelham, Esq., of Columbia, 8. C., has secured a site, and is making arrange ments to establish a paper mill near that city. Now is the time for Southern inge nuity and invention to be exhibited in ref erence to new materials or new process and machinery for paper. THE LADIES’ COLUMN. ' “I WANT TO BE AN ANGEL.” Wc sigh to think that the trusting faith and simplicity of childhood should be cor roded by contact with earthly doubt and unbelief; and yet, when the good Shepherd “ comes and asks for one of our little lambs to hold,” we fold them closer to our yearn ing hearts, and bj<| Him go. My little boy of scarce two years and a half was seated beside me, engaged in some childish pastime, while with maternal pride I watched his sunny face and busy hands, calling him “my boy,” “my man.” “O, nd, mamma,” he answered. “ W hat, then, will my darling be?” I asked. Turning his dark, earnest eyes to mine, he replied, “ I want to be an angel,” and for a moment a shadow rested on my heart. Was the wish prophetic? and if so, why did I shrink to have my darling boy attain to the com panionship of angels, ere his young life had known the blight of sin and sorrow ? I gazed into that upturned face, and the beaming eye, and rosy hue, on cheek and brow, bade the cloud vanish. Unseen, however, a mysterious disease had already fastened on that little form, and months of weary suffering were allot ted to him. With fond, almost wild te nacity, we clung to that frail thread of life, while the despairing cry of our earth-bound spirits was “ not yet.” ■ ‘-Go! go!” I cried — For once again that Shepherd laid his hand Upon the noblest of our household band ; Like a pale spectre, there he took his stand Close to his side.” How insignificant did earthly hopes be come beside that couch of pain, and what eloquent teachings fell from that lisping tongue, as the prisoned spirit gave vent to its heavenly breathings, in the sweet songs of Zion. He is an angel now. “No sickness there, nor drooping head, nor fading eye, nor weary feet.” In all the hereafter no ago nizing fears shall fill my heart with forebo dings that those little feet shall tread in forbidden paths, for they linger beside the still waters of life. Little garments are folded sacredly away and treasured memorials are often gazed at through dewy eyes, for the past, with its tender memorials comes stirring the inmost recesses of my lonely heart. Our homes never echo to the musical footfalls of merry childhood, and only in the shadowy aisles of memory float the glad tones of that childish voice, but its soft ca dence lingers in my ear like far off music, wooing me to that better land, and to my heart it tells of angel bands, of golden I harps, and songs before the Throne. > A Mother. F i The following resolutions were adopted - at a female prayer meeting at Carrollton, J Ala., and their publication was requested : TO ALL SOUTHERN LADIES. Whereas, Almighty God, in his infinite wisdom, has permitted a cruel, unholy and destructive war to come upon us as a scourge for our sinfulness and wanderings from Him ; and believing that the Omnipotent Arm alone can save us from the impending dangers: therefore, the Ladies of Carrol -1 ton, at their female prayer meeting, resolv r ed that they would set apart a half hour the first Monday in every month, for special prayer for peace, and ask every lady thro’- , out the South to engage with us. We do r not make this request because we think . Christians are not praying; for we believe there has never been a time when more ; earnest prayers were offered up for the ; same purpose, and never has there been so . great a necessity for importunate prayer as . now. We believe our people are becom- I ing humbled, and it is the best indication of peace we have had, but we are not hum ble enough yet. God is a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. Then let ev ery woman’s heart be united in prayer.— Let ea r h wife, mother and sister retire at sunset (on the above mentioned day), and beseech the Lord to save us from our cruel enemies, to watch over, preserve and restore to us our beloved ones; and grant us a speedy and honorable peace. We consider prayer the most powerful of all weapons. The very idea of so many being engaged in prayer at the same hour is impressive of itself; we think it would encourage many a poor soldier to look forward with pleasing hopes for peace and a safe return to his be loved ones. All papers favorable to this proposition will please copy. A Lady. Street Education.—A city missionary once visited an unhappy young man in jail, ’ waiting his trial for a State Prison crime. “ Sir,” said the prisoner, tears running do vn his cheeks, “ I had a good home education ; it was iny street education that ruined me. I used to slip out of the house and go off with boys street. In the street 1 learned to lounge; in the street I learned to swear; in the street I learned to smoke; in the street I learned to gamble; in the street I learned to pilfer. O, sir, it is in the street the devil lurks to work the ruin of the young.” Is this so? Beware, then, boys, of a street education, and stay at home. And let parents see to it, that home training is pleasant and strong, and sound enough to grapple with and conquer the bad and dangerous influences ot street soci ety. The ladies, God bless them, are the true patriots in this struggle; for while the pseudo lords of creation are in the prime necessaries of life, eau|^Bt f fear and I trembling to seize even the well-wisher of the Southern cause, the fair sex, as ministering angels, are pouring oil on the troubled waters, and doing their ut most in assistance to bring about an honor able peace, by rendering the soldier com fortable, and thereby nerving his arm, so that he may be able to withstand the rigors 'of the winter and successfully contend i against fearful odds on the battle-field.