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gaoer. If gsgs g»s»m kI/1 w al® » MM R®» W uj \Y/ iff ' sSSSjjg : ' jgSM &w£z vLW • The entrance of Thy Word giveth light’ JAS. NATHAN ELLS, Editor. ATLANTA, GEORGIA: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1863. Do changes of Tinies and Circum« stances change Principles t There is a class of men, quite respectable in numbers and talents, who seem to be governed in their actions chiefly by expe diency. These are politicians in one sense, and with them the question ‘ How will this or that take with the people ? ’ has more force than the question ‘ls it right? ’ — The leading object of th* ir lives appears to be to gain popular applause, and hence they are ever on the alert to please the people. Such persons always become nervously sen sitive when circumstances demand that they shall pursue a straight and unequivocal course. To them, that class of men who never look beyond the question of right appear stupid, if not rash. Lord Macauley has mentioned a class of politicians whom he styles • Trimmers,’ but such politicians certainly make a sorry figure when they undertake to trim in mat ters of faith and practice. The Saviour will have no such self-seeking among His servants; and of this He has fully. fore warned us. According to the philosophy of the Bible, times and circumstances do not change principles. These reYnarks seem appropriate to the present exigencies of the Churches. If the Baptists are right in their peculiar views, should they permit the claims of interest and the excitements of an occasion to seduce them from the honest maintenance of their religious principles ? If Baptists have the authority of the Scriptures for maintaining a separate ecclesiastical organization, they certainly act a very inconsistent part when they enter into quasi union with men of other denominations. Such an arrange ment, to say the least, is partially a practical abandonment of the truth, as we believe*the Scriptures teach it. It is not the privilege of a great Christian denomination to seek the applause of the world by either implied or actual compro mises with, error: The Saviour has plainly taught that ‘he who will save his life shall lose it,’ but ‘ whosoever will lose his life,’ that is, put it in peril, ‘ for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.’ Those who quit the plain, honest path of truth for the purpose of gaining the popular favor, will most certainly fail of their design.— The times demand that all who profess al legiance to Christ should stand firmly and unswervingly by the doctrines and ordi nances of the Gospel. True, such an un daunted course may bring down-the anathe mas of an infidel world upon our devoted heads —but Christians ought to know how to live without the incense of human ap plause. Sufficient is the satisfaction of knowing that their conduct is acceptable, well-pleasing in the sight of God. Our blessed Saviour is not dependent npon the short-sighted policy of man for the success of His cause. Uzzah essayed to keep the ark of God steady by his puny arm, and was visited by the immediate displeasure of God.— Christians in these times, one would think, might profit by this example. Personal ambition and interest must be left to men of the world, or to the votaries of false sv stems of religion ; but humility and trust who claim to be children of the light. Oh, for that wisdom and spirit which the dear Redeemer manifested when here on earth ! EducatioiFal.—The attention of heads of families, having daughters to educate, is directed to the advertisement of the Select! School, at Lafayette in this State, under! the superintendence of Elder Dayton and, his accomplished daughter. Parents could not commit the mental and moral training ot their children into safer keeping. ■*»■!» Col. Z. E. II arman, of Forsyth, a distin ; guished lawyer (and what is better, a Chris tian,) died, at his residence, on Tuesdav last, from the effects of a second stroke of paralysis. He had beeHHong rendered al-1 most entirely helpless from a previous as • (fiction of the same kind. Terms of The Banner, S 3 a year. WHSS A Question Answered. Atlanta, Feb. 9, 1863. Dear Brother Ells : I have heard it intimated, in certain quar ters, that you contemplate changing the denominational character of The Baptist Banner, and making it entirely a Literary paper. This I can by no means credit, but as many others beside myself are interest ed in sustaining the denominational charac ter of the paper, will you do me and them the favor to inform me whether there is any foundation for the aforesaid rumor ? Your early answer to this will be appre ciated. Yours truly, H. C. Hornady. A few days since, in conversation Elder Hornady gave us the name of a worthy and prominent brother in this State who had written to him concerning the truth of the story started in a certain locality, to wit— that The Baptist Banner would soon be converted into a literary journal exclusively. At our request brother H. propounded his , query to us in writing. Without pausing to speak of the source • whence this rumor originated, we wish to ; say, once for all, that the report is a— • mistake. We came to this place for the , purpose of doing that which we intend to i continue, under God’s blessing, to do— ■ publishing a religious and literary journaL It may not be improper to state, right - here, that we have been repeatedly solicited to change the title of our paper —some per sonal friends urging the suggestion that many who would like to take it on account of its literary feature, object to the denom inational prefix to the word Banner. If any friend is ‘ scared off’ by this, we can ; not help it. (Do such persons refuse to ‘take’ the third chapter of Matthew’s wri ■' ting because the same ‘ objectionable’ word occurs in the first verse therein ?) A Bap tist in principle, believing this system of religion to be founded upon truths clearly taught in the Bible, w'e are not ashamed of our faith—nor afraid to inscribe it upon our Banner. God forbid ! A Seasonable Thought. When the blessed Saviour sojourned up on earth, the sacred narrative informs us, He ‘ went about doing good.’ Suffering humanity found in Him prompt and effect ual sympathy. The poor had abundant cause to bless Him. Follower of Jesus: how stands the case with you to-day ? Are you imitating, in this trying season to the poor and needy, the example of your compassionate Re deemer—are you ‘doing good’? Do you . know of any family in your neighborhood who are suffering for the necessaries of life —any who, in this inclement weather, are sadly in need of food, raiment, or fuel ? Say not thou, with the worldling, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper ? ’ but, rather, remem ber ye are not your own, ye have been bought with a price—even the precious blood freely shed by Him who, though rich, for your sake became poor—and who, while in the flesh, daily furnished an example for those who profess to love, obey and serve Him. Oh, remember, reader, the poor! If your kind Heavenly Father has blessed you with the comforts of life, attest now your gratitude by obeying Him in reliev ing the necessities of the less fortunate ones around you. Be liberal; and if your cha rities be dispensed in the proper spirit, you shall have your reward. Newspapers—lncreased Rates. The editorial convention, which assem bled last week in Augusta, after a fair dis . cussion, determined on an advance of the F price of daily papers. The proprietors of , the dailies in this and other cities have there- • fore given notice that, after the 15th inst., > their papers will be issued at the following , rates: one year, sl2; six months, $7; three months, $4; one month, Si 50. — | An advance has also been made on the rates [ of advertising. We notice, also, that the proprietors of , The Intelligencer and The Confederacy, in | this city, have raised the price of their i. weekly papers to ‘ four dollars per year.’ « This increase in rates has been made ne ; cessary by the high price of paper, its F scarcity, and the certainty that it will be , come scarcer and higher in price. The paper on which The Baptist Banner j is printed costs three times as much as the ; price paid less than a year ago, and press expenses have been more than doubled; yet we hope to be able to get through the year without increasing the subscription price. This would be impossible, however, ;if the editor were not a disciple of the i‘ Black Art’ practised by Faust. Let us ask our friends to bestir them-; selves, arid help to double our present cir- ■ culatiou ere this month shall close. It can be done. It will be done, if each subscri ber determines to send us one new name. I Friends of The Banner, what say you I Fire in Penfield.—By a private letter we learn that, on last Saturday night, a fire I broke out, accidentally, in Penfield, Ga., i which consumed the post-office, two store | houses, a tailor’s shop, shoe store, dentist’s [office, and the town hall. Valentine’s Day. The fourteenth of February, as most of: our readers are aware, is called ‘St. Valen tine’s Day.’ It is, or has been, customary on this day for young ladies and gentlemen to send to each other, in love and in sport, either a beautiful, sentimental or a ridicu lous comical ‘ Valentine,’ neatly enclosed in an envelope, through the post-office or by private conveyance, which creates an abun dance of curiosity and pleasure to the par ties, and sometimes terminates in friend ship, love and matrimony. St. Valentine was a Catholic bishop, whose festival is observed on the 14th of February. Macaulay tells us : ‘ Soon after Christianity achieved its triumph, the prin i ciples that had assisted it began to corrupt. It became a new paganism. Patron saints assumed the offices of household gods. St. George took the place of Mars, St. Elmo i consoled the mariner for the loss of Castor and Pollox. The Virgin Mother and Ceci -1 lia succeeded to Venus and the Muses.— - The fascination of sex and loveliness was joined to that of celestial dignity; and the : homage of chivalry was blended with that . of religion.’ In England the festival of St. Valentine occurred about the time that the birds ; choose their mates, and this was probably the origin of Valentines. In London, it is said thet four hundred thousand letters be , yond the daily average pass through the ; post office on the 14th of February: and it is estimated that one hundred thousand ’ more are delivered by parties and messen gers, as many of the Valentines are of so • large and elegant a character as to prevent their being folded for the post-office. Not many sounds in life, to the young, are so . delightful as the knock of the postman on the auspicious morn; and though he is sinking under a load of delicate embarrass ■ ments not his own, yet his knock is light, airy, confident, and befitting one that ‘ bringeth good tidings’; and then how de lightful to see the happy girl open, with careful finger, (heedful not to break the emblematical seal) the mysterious missive —then such exclamations of joyous surprise as one after another, the pretty emblems of love, truth and affection (the delicate allu sions to Cupid and Hymen,) unfold them selves. Lovers, and those beloved, are well aware how many beautiful passages from Shakspeare, Moore, Chaucer, Cowper, and others, may be culled to fill up the blank space of a Valentine. Should any one, who may read this, wish to send «« a Valentine; if, on this day for choosing mates, the reader wishes to choose a Visitor for fifty consecutive weeks, he or she might sit down and write to our address something like the following, re ceived just now from Oxford : ‘Dear Mr. Editor: Please find enclosed > the price of subscription for two copies of : your Banner— one to me here, and one to , my brother in the army, , An- derson’s Division, Longstreet’s corps, Rich mond, Va. I have for some time been one of your weekly readers, and think The Banner has no superior. Long may it make its visits to camp and fireside—speak ing words of comfort to the weary soldier, and cheering those at home who impatient -1 ly await their return.’ " - -- - How They Feel at the North. We have received (no matter how) a letter from a friend who is now in one of the Northern States, but who will not be in that latitude long if there be away to get out. The letter, from which we give an - extract, was written last month : “ I can hardly describe to you our sen sations on receiving your letter. It seemed ’ like being brought into converse with those who had been separated from us by an im passable gulf. We have felt much solici tude about our friends South, in view of i the statements in Northern journals, so fre quently reiterated, that your people were r suffering so seriously for the necessaries life. As I was well informed in relation t!J the vast resources of the South, I have nev er given credence to these stories, yet the particulars you gave in regard to your con dition as a people proved most welcome. From the quality and quantity of paper used for your letter, I infer that stationery cannot be very scarce. “ The result of the recent terrible battle at Fredericksburg was a most stunning blow to the Union army. The slaughter must have been most fearful, as it is now admitted that Burnside lost from sixteen to twenty thousand men ! The North is stag ; gering under the blow, as you will see from all our New York and other papers. It will be months before Burnside’s army can be recruited, and it is now conceded that ■he most go into winter quarters. Your I southern Generals havecenainly displayed ' ■great skill and energy, and they are both' feared and respected. The late victory at [ P redencksburg is certainly a grand achieve ment of real military skill and courage' over the force of numbers, which must have a great bearing upon the issue of the con test now waging between the two sections. I heartily join you in the prayer that \ ‘ God would bring this cruel war to a speedy close But how is this to be effected ? lhe North will not yet consent to recognise your independence; they may do it when there is no other alternative. I believe, however, that two-thirds of the North are I sick of the war, and will give you the Crit '! tenden compromise, if you will demand it !as a condition of peace. Mr. Lincoln’s pro clamation of freedom to the slaves in the seceding States is opposed by a large ma jority of the North, as a mad and wicked scheme to excite servile insurrection—one, too, which, in the present state of affairs, is, to use his own language, like the ‘Pope s Bull to the Comet.’ At present 1 can see no immediate prospect of peace—though the ‘peace party' has been wonderfully strengthened since the battle of b redericks burg. Let us wait, and hope, and pray that, these dreadful scenes of strife and bloodshed may soon cease.” P Home for Invalid Ladles. We are glad to see that this benevolent • and patriotic enterprise is increasing in in . terest to the public, and that its claims are s about to have a wide circulation through . the Southern press. > The ‘ Home for Invalid Ladies ’ proposed • to be erected, by Dr. T. S. Powell, in this ■ city, we consider altogether a desideratum -for our Southern community ; it is one we j must have as an auxiliary of Southern in t dependence in toto. We understand that ; the institution is not designed simply for a ‘hospital,’ as some might imagine, but as a s home retreat for invalid ladies of respecta i bility; and while the best medical advice ■ will be engaged for attendance upon them, j this elegant ‘ Home ’ and its surroundings • are to be ornamented with home appliances ; that may amuse or instruct its inmates — I books, pictures, flowers, statuary, etc., and I by thus continually diverting the mind from ■ physical infirmity, powerfully aid in the > restoration of health. : The elegant volume of choice and origi ; nal miscellany contributed by our distin- > guished lady writers, entitled Voices from i the South, we hear will be published soon i as the state of the country will justify. — • The nett proceeds of its sale will be appro , priated to the erection of the building ; but ; the ladies desire to furnish the Home by • donations, of which some have already been i received, and the finance committee are i calling upon the public to assist them in this. » This praiseworthy enterprise, with its > two-fold object—the inaugural of an inde f pendent literature, and the erection of a • Home for our afflicted ladies —though con- • templated before the war, has been gradu ally progressing far as circumstaces would 1 allow ; and if all will do their duty at once, i as Southrons should, the plans may soon I be completed and carried out with eminent : success. No one should believe that God in His infinite justice will ever allow us to , be subjugated by our fiendish foes; we wil) '. yet have a free and happy country, and the > war need not retard us, farther than abso , lutely necessary, in the progress of any ’'benevolent or patriotic work. Our true and noble Southern women are enlisted in ■ behalf of this enterprise; and as it is for II their peculiar ■-benefit, and we see that their B hearts are so engaged in this work for the • j relief of their sex, the men of the South, far as they consistently can, surely will not re . fuse to aid them. Woman has ever been ? our firm, kind helper ; no words can tell & the sacrifices she has made, the hardships unmurmuringly borne, the sweet comfort ’ and invaluable assistance she has given du ring our struggle for independence. The wild and horrible confusion of war in which our people have been thrown, has been 1 greatly calmed and made endurable by her f gentle presence and ministrations of love, ! and we can never express our admiration ' and gratitude. Then, if only to meet the 1 calls of our noble women, we should at once respond, to a man, and do all v e can ■ to aid in this work of benevolence and hu- I inanity. We hope every reader of ou r paper, ladies and gentlemen, will subscribe and send the money at once for a copy of F the Book—-the prices of the different quali ties of binding being, respectively, five dol ; lars, three-and-a-half, and two dollars ; or | if some are not able to buy the book, send a donation of one dollar or more at their option. Surely there are none so poor but they can donate one dollar, if not a greater amount. Our colleges and other institu tions are endowed, and rightly so ; and this Home for Invalid Ladies, none can deny, will be a social and national benefit, and, more than all, a home benefit, restoring so many of our wives and mothers to health and happiness. Then, friends, do not hold back. Send in your subscriptions or donations at once to Mrs. J. N. Simmons, of this city. Lot all move together, and in less than a month the desired end may be accamplished. j We think the ladies would be anxious to respond to this call; if our lady writers have freely contributed the whole of a splendid volume of literature for this be nevolent purpose, the rest of their sex, we 'feel sure, will not be wanting in generosity. The committee of finance are pledged to keep a record of all names of donors and the amounts given ; and when the proper time arrives the record is to be published with the aggregate amount, so that all may see what assistance has been obtained, and the manner of its appropriation. Os Dr. Powell, professor of obstetrics in ' our medical college, who has been chosen to superintend the establishment of this in stitution, we can bear testimony to his em inence in his profession, his intellectual at tainments, cordial and genial disposition, and unblemished Christian character while his remarkable energy and persever ance will enable him to carry this work through successfully, if it be in the power of man to do so. The finance committee, composed of some of the most intelligent ladies of our city, are entitled tojthe highest praise for their unremitting labor and unflagging interest in this enterprise. While they have cheer fully endured their portion of self-sacrifice during the war, and faithfully toiled for the comfort of our soldiers, they have also been unfailing in their exertions towards assist ing the completion of this institution, de signed to relieve the suffering of their sex. There is a touching beauty and eloquence, even, in the nature of their twin work of humanity and patriotism, that ought to reach every heart, enlist the sympathy, and procure the assistance of every man and woman at the South. Let the enterprise move nobly forward, we say, even while the war lasts. Let all assist. We should be a generous as well as a brave people. There is plenty of money in the country, and we can materi ally aid in this enterprise, and also build asylums for the widow and orphan, if ne cessary. It will be a disgrace to the South ern people to let it fail. Brethren of the Press: let us wield our pens for this noble ‘ woman’s work,’ as well as for ‘ the war.’ Let us aid, presenting solid columns, our true-hearted, lovely Southern women. Their grateful thanks and approving smiles, added to the bless ings of those who shall be rescued from un timely graves, will be our sufficient reward. Missionary’s Report. Dear Banner,: Below is the report of brother W. H. Robert of his operations in the Hospitals of this city, as a Missionary to our beloved soldiers. As the Agent of Army Col port age, I had furnished him with Testaments and Tracts, and the report, I suppose,’ is in acknowledgment of this. Hereafter he will doubtless furnish matter directly to The Banner. Way-Side Hospital, ) Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 5, 1863. f Dear Brother Hornady: Through your kindness as Depository Agent for tracts here, I have been supplied with them for our soldiers in and around Atlanta. Allow me to report to you, that during the month of January, I distributed 13,647 pages of tracts, 290 Soldiers’ Text Books, 152 Hymn Books, and 69 Testa ments, connected with my mission to our soldiers. These have directed many a soldier’s at tention to serious truth; and sowing in tears, we shall reap in joy. The bread scattered thus on the waters shall be gath ered after many days, and God will have all the glory. Fraternally yours, W. H. Robert, Missionary to Soldiers. Brother Ells: It is proper for me to acknowledge the following sums collected for Army Col portage : At Macon, $ 400 00 At LaGrange, 172 35 At West Point, 23 30 Columbus Baptist Church, - 500 00 Savannah Baptist Church, - 245 00 Trinity Meth. Church, Sav., - 57 00 Augusta Baptist Church, - - 300 00 At Newnan, ------ 63 35 At Social Circle, ... - 21 00 At Greensboro, 146 00 At Fort Valley, 11 25 11,940 25 At some of the places named, pledges were made, which will be paid and duly acknowledged. Wm, Huff, General Agent and Army Evangelist. I _ Moneys Received Tor Col portage. Rev. W. N. Chaudoin, - - - % 800 Miss Sallie Jones, . - - - 500 Mrs. Captain Buttrell, - - - 500 Baptist Church at Greenville, - 13 50 West Florida Association, - 120 00 H. C. Hornady, Agent. Agents for The Banner. The following brethren will act as Agents ior the Banner, and will receipt for money paid for the paper. Elder J. S. Murrow, Traveling Agent. “ F. M. Haygood, do “ J. H. Stockton, Thomson, Ga. “ Thos. Muse, Cuthbert, Ga. “ Robt. Cunningham, Macon, Ga. “ Thos Aldridge, Millwood, Ga. “ G. F. Cooper, Americus, Ga. “ J. H. Campbell, Griffin, Ga. “ W. J. Spkairb, Starrsville, Ga. “ John H. Clarke, Henderson, Ga. “ P. A. Lawson, Gaijfon, Ga. “ William Lowe, McDonough, Ga. Dr. E. R. Carswell, Waynesboro', Ga William Roberts, Byrumville, Ga. R. H. Jackson, Franklin, Heard Co., Ga. J. H. B. Shackelford, Spring Place, “ Dr. John CheneT, Columbus, Ga. Those wishing papers changed, should give the Post-Office they wish changed from, as well as the one to be changed to.