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Cljc baptist fanner. V fclH B 111 w • \V y ' W ;' . '1 t\L/ \V //,« ®^-- j ---' ' | gSiasa I tesKM ill IA / ‘The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.’ A. C. DAYTON, Editor. JAS. N. ELLS, Secular Editor. SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1864. The Old i\n<l the The demise of the Old Year and the birth of the New Year are events of them selves calculated to awaken solemn reflec tions. Whatever shortcomings we may have been guilty of during the past year, whatever vices indulged, wrongs done, or opportunities overlooked, are past recall. The great English poet says, • Who can the past recall or the done undo ? Not the Omnipotent.’ in taking an honest retrospect of the past year, it should not be with an object to palliate our errors, but to exercise suitable penitence, and on such penitence to base sincere resolutions of reform. Life is too short to waste on useless repinings. The past year is prolific_of moral and political reflections —the present year still more so. It should be a source of pro found gratitude to the Giver of all good, on the part of all who read these lines, that they are still in the land of the living — that neither disease nor war has numbered them among Jits victims/ butjthat they are, in God’s wisdom, spared for other and perhaps more useful J purposes. To be useful should be the grand aim of life, every one in his own sphere. But that is not all for which we should be grateful. We should feel the liveliest gratitude that our land has not been over run, our homes desolated, and we ourselves pining in Federal prisons as many of our brethren are, or left to the hated alternative of taking an oath which our conscience abhors, and by which we commit moral treason against our own government. The past year has been fruitful in disas ters to our arms. The enemy has undoubt edly gained for himself many and import ant advantages on our territory. We can count but few blight spots in the horizon when we look back on the past year. Yet some there are, and forjhese wc should be grateful. The present year presents to our con sideration many important reflections.— Our own soil is next to feel the. tread of bloody despotism. Yes, Georgia's soil is to be made drunk with thejiloqd of her own children. The enemy now hovers over our northerif frontier,’ready to'comc dow n upon our sunny and fruitful fields as soon as Spring with Jts’genial influences visits the land. Our a coasts, too, are even in the winter season liable to attack. How are we prepared in mind and spirit tor the in vasion ? Shall we meetjt like brave men, or shall our hearts lose their courage ? It it were in our power to utter words of warning that would be heard by all in the land, wc w ould say Prepare ! And w hen we use this language wejnean it in a spirit ual as well as in a political sense. Prayer is the mighty means by- which Jehovah is moved. Let this land, therefore, be’lilled with praying men and women and children. Let us all humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God, and He will exalt us in due season. Many of our readers m ill doubtless be fore the end of this y ear have tried the solemn realities of war. What prepara tion, therefore, does it become us to make for those times which try men's souls ! How important that u<* make our peace with God! We are glad to believe that the Great Spirit has been at work among our enemi’s and inclined [them to better thoughts to ward us. It is but recently since a re sumption of exchange of prisoners was made, the enemy taking the first step to wards it. The elections at the North man ifest a decided difference of opinion among the voters of that conntry. Such differ ences, if they swell into material magni tude, may lead to events that will benefit our country. This year the North is to be agitated from centre to circumference by the Presidential canvass. The enemy, though he has accomplished much, has much the hardest task before him. He might bring all his population into the'Con fed erate States, and there would be room enough t (the Confederacy is so large) fur them and us too. The particular portion THE BAPTIST BANNER of our country overrun is small compared! to that which he either has not had the power or the capacity of overrunning.— His complete sway extends only over his track. The broad interior of the States is alive with population true to the South, on whom he has not the capacity of expansion to such an extent as to make/all feel the weight of his power and his malice.— And above all, he may well hesitate at the herculean task he undertakes’when he be gins his march on Georgia’s soil; for if Georgia is made to mourn, the land of our enemies will not be made thereby to smile. To all our readers, then, we say, Be of good cheer —a better time is coming. Tlac Banner. We confess to a feeling akin to pride in glancing over the column of ‘ Receipts for The Banner.’ Our sincere thanks aie tendered to the friends who have exerted themselves in increasing our subscription list. We hope they will not grow wearied in well doing. Brethren, it is our determination, by the blessing of God, to publish a good paper —and to keep our Banner floating, a full sheet, in the breeze. Aid us. The Orphan School. We acknowledge the receipt of another donation from Mr. 11. W. R. Jackson, of one hundred and thirty dollars —making in alljhe sum of #1,005 50, per centage on the sale ofjiis books, which he has gener ously given towards the establishing in uur c ity of a Free School for the Orphans of deceased Soldiers. , Ourjcitizens generally will soon be wait ed upon, and their in behalf of undertaking. We are sure no one with aright heart will turn a deaf ear toy this^appeal for the mental and moral benefit’of the children of our soldiers who have given their Jives in our L defence. This 'school ought to be in operation within the next thirty days. It can be — it will be if our citizens will but respond to this appeal w ith their usual liberality. Address. Those w ho may wish to address Rev. E. L. Compere, can do so as follows : Envel ope, put a stamp upon it’as.usual, then write ‘Rev. E. L. Compere, Chaplain 2d Cherokee Regiment, Indian Department, Choctaw- Nation.’ Enclose this’in another envelope, put a stampjupon it, k and direct to ‘ Air. Compere A. Lyon, care of Capt’n Moorman, Gen l Jackson s Head quarters, near Canton. Mississippi.' The correspondents .' k of Elder Josephs. Baker jire requested] hereafter to address him’at Monticello, Ela. The Soldier!*’ Bible and 'Missionary 9 nion, of Mississippi. Coraespondence in regard to the business ofjhis body, as well’asjill funds for it, will be directed to the Superintendent, Elder J. B. Hamberlin, Hillsboro, Scott county, Miss. In his absence, brother W. XV. Lowry, the Druggist, will receipt for any funds left with him. Cold. In this particular locality of ‘the sunny South,’ we are at present experiencing a spell of weather that would do credit to the barren clime of New England. Yes terday morning the ground was covered with snow,’and the atmosphere peculiarly chilly. G<>d help the poor —and help us all to ‘ remember’.Them ! Served Them Right. Some of the passport agents and military guards on our railways, now-a-davs, are, like the little dog in the spelling-book, en tirely ’ too smart.’ One not posted would be led tojnfer, from their pomposity, that they out] the territory desig nated”as Dixie, together with all and sin gular the denizens thereof, ahd carried the title-deeds in their pockets. A day or Dalton train the passport agent met his match, for once, lie passed through the ladies' car, calling for ‘ passports,\and[retained quite a number which had not expired. Several ladies ob jected to this, whereupon Mr. Passport in dulged in very abusive language. The conductor (Captain Fuller) reminded him that the ladies must be treated in a becom ing manner. This angered the passport man, who ordered the conductor to be put under arrest. This was attempted, but a majority of the guard were too much in toxicated to render assistance ; and the conductor, backed by a gentleman passen ger, fought his way out and reported the facts at the office of the Provost Guard in this city. The result was, the passport .agent and his guard were arrested and put in confinement whore they are awaiting trial. —— ■< • Monc Mountain Association. The clerks of those churches belonging Jo this Association. who have nut received 'the Minutes of the last session, w ill please l inform us at once. Education of Soldiers’ Children. It will be seen from the communication of the Rev. Jesse 11. Campbell which we copy from the Intelligencer, together with the editorial comments thereon, that a bili appropriating #350,000 for the education of the children of soldiers, only failed in the Senate, after passing the House, in conse quence of a failure to reach it before the ad journment. That it would have passed the Senate also, had it been reached, thdre is not a shadow of doubt. We trust our ex cellent brother, in whose heart this benevo lent action on the part of our State, was, w-e believe, first contemplated, may live to see another session of our Legislature, and see this noble charity crowned with complete success. From the Atlanta Intelligencer. Education of Soldiers’ Children. We invite the attention of the Inferior Courts of our State to the communication of the Rev. J. H. Campbell, which appears in our paper this morning,on a subject that should reach the hearts of every citizen of Georgia, and stimulate them to prompt ac tion, lest it should be neglected—that of the “ Education of Soldiers’ Children.” We sincerely regret and deplore that the Senate of our State failed to pass the appropriation which would hava put in active operation the benevolent intention of the reverend gentleman who originated the measure, and who, with others, embracing most of the intelligent, benevolent, and patriotic of our State, feel so deep an interest in. Our brave soldiers in the field will be mortified when they hear of its failure at the past session of the Legislature. W h’at our Inferior Courts can now do, as suggested in the communica tion referred to, we hope they will promptly do. No time should be lost in providing for so laudable an object, and discharging so important a duty as that of educating the children of the brave men who have been, avd are soldiers in the war. Many, too, of our youth will, in six months, or in twelve, have to take their places in the ranks of our army. To these, six or twelve months at school would be of incalculable value — hence the necessity for speedy action. [communicated.] Mr. Editor :— lt is with deep mortifica tion and regret 1 have to announce to your readers that the bill before our late Legisla ture to make special provision for the edu cation of the children and orphans of our soldiers failed to become a law. It met with no opposition in either branch, and passed the House with an appropriation of #350,000, but failed in the Senate solely for want of time to give it a third reading. But why this Jack of time? The answer is easily given. Three-fourths of the session was consumed in attending the Code, in passing local bills of little or no impor tance, and in making “speeches for Bun combe.” As this measure has failed in the Legisla ture, it is earnestly hoped the people will not permit the education of these poor chil dren and youth, amounting probably to at least 20,000, to be wholly neglceted. The Inferior Courts have the authority to assess a tax sufficient to meet this expense, and I trust that you, Mr. Editor, and others hav ing control of the press, will use its niighty agency in arousing the public mind on this subject. J. 11. Campbell. The Board Discussion. The Confederate Baptist thinks a discus sion of our plans for missionary work is very much like stopping to dispute as to which of two kinds of ordnance is most ef fective, instead of turning them both upon the enemy. We accept the suggestion, though the comparison is not quite applicable—for we do not propose to stop any of the guns while we discuss their merits. Let them blaze away. We shall not hinder them by word or deed. We would gladly add a hundred fold to their efficiency. But if a blunderer has, in disobedience of orders, brought a battery of wrong construction upon the field and left the right one in the workshop, may we not protest —may w r e not call the officer’s attention to the mistake —without being accused as an enemy to our army and the cause it fights for ? If we think theie has been such a blun der from misunderstanding of orders, have we not a right to go to the order-book and see how it stands in the record ? Mean time let the old battery blaze away, till the matter be investigated and the whole busi ness set right. This is our position. We are confident that there has been a mistake of the Great Commander’s orders; and whether the guns in use are better or worse than those ordered to be employed, is none of our business. Our duty as soldiers is not to argue, but obey. Let us look at the Order-Book. a. c. d. To our Brethren in the MiniMry. Will each of you take a voluntary agency fur The Banner, and present its claims to each of the churches to which you preach ? It will not be much trouble, at your next church meeting, to inform the brethren of the change that has taken place in our edito rial management, and ask them if they are not willing to assist brother Dayton in es tablishing a thorough Baptist paper, and giving it such a circulation as will make it widely useful. Five dollars is not much for such an object, in such times as these. You can certainly prevail on some of your people to subscribe. MISSIONARY PEANS. No. I. CENTRALISM AND INDEPENDENCE. The churches which were established by our Lord Jesus Christ were independent democracies. In them each member was equal to every other member. To each of these independent churches He gave all the power which He gave to any or all of them. He put no authority above them, nor did He give to ten, or twenty, or a hundred, or a thousand of them in any associated capa city, any power which He did not give to each one alone, and independent of all oth ers. Hence, anything which any number of associated churches has Scriptural authority to do, a single church may rightly do. There can therefore be no doubt that a church is competent to do all that a convention or an association of churches may do. Why, then, should we give up to associations and conventions any part of the work which the Lord gave in charge to His churches ? F the work of missions is such a work, on what ground can it be taken out of the hands of the church and given to a conven tion or a board, over which the church has no control? There can be but one excuse for such conduct, and that is that the church is unable to do it of herself. But if one church is unable alone to send out a mis sionary she may unite with another, and another, until the means can be secured.- Better do this than not send at all. Sever al churches contributed to the support .of Paul while he was an acting missionary.— But does this justify a church in casting ofl all the responsibility and care, and feeling that she has done her duty when she has sent a few dollars to a board of an organi zation of which she forms no part, in order that this Board may be able to send some one chosen, not by her, but by itself, with out her counsel, and responsible, not to her, but to itself? May a church thus perform her duties by proxy, or delegate them to strangers ? It is; nothing that some churches have done so. Churches may have done wrong. It is nothing that the majority have op posed this plan. Majorities have been known to err. It is nothing that this plan has secured a good measure of success —the right plan, it may bo, would have secured a vastly greater measure. The question is, What saith the Scrip ture? How readest thou ? If the Lord had intended that all the churches should be made subsidiary to some great central power, would lie not have given some intimation of it in His Word? If it is a custom originating in the last generation, and copied after the w'orkings of the hierarchies of the earth, is it not ‘more honored in the breach than in the obser vance ?’ What then? Shall we d* nothing? Nay, we must do more. We can do more, and will do more, by bringing the work directly before each church, and insisting that it shall send its own missionary, or, if unable to do so alone, to ask for help from those who can unite with it in his selection, as well as in his support. a. c. d. Gone, Hl Last. Among the altar-ations of the closing year, it will be seen, by referring to that column of our paper which feminine readers are said to glance at first, that our young brother Compere has at last met his com peer. Ditto, brother Hamberlin. As Colonel Gaulding was wont to say, ‘ This is a move in the right direction.’ To the parties in interest we extend the hearty wish that the three Il.’s may be theirs— Health, Happiness (in this, and) Heaven (in the life to come). Monroe Female University. The attention of parents and guardians is called to the announcement, for 1864, of this excellent institution, which has been patronized for the last thirteen years. We were once a passenger in a vehicle of public conveyance, where a young man annoyed very much his fellow passengers. He seemed to be the son of opulent parents, but had manifestly, been very badly brought up. He was on bis way to his home in Mississippi, and had been drinking freely. Silly remarks, vulgar jests, profane speech and unrestrained impudence characterized his whole conduct. Oh I what a need for scores of missionaries for the southwest, where hundreds of such young men live. How sad the sight of a healthy, vigorous young man, prostituting his powers to such low ends! True virtue, sound wisdom, a quiet con scence, and steady trapquility of mind, the love and favor of God, a title unto endless joy and bliss, are purely the gifts of heaven : and thence they will not descend of them selves, but prayer must bring them down. Be temperate in all things, and seek God’s guidance in all your actions. A Beantlful’Poem. We know not who is the author of the following poem. It was handed to us by one of those dear girls who are the life and joy of our school, but she could not tell whence it came. It deserves to be repeated and perpetuated. a. c. d. THE PAST. Thou unrelenting Past, Strong are the barriers round thy dark doruuin, And fetters sure and fast Hold all that enter thy unbreathing reign. Thou hast my better years, Thou hast my earlier friends—the good, the kind— Yielded to thee with tears — The venerable form, the exalted mind. My spirit yearns to bring The lost ones back —yearns with desires intense, And struggles hard to wring Thy bolts apart, and pluck thy captives thence. In vain ! Thy gates deny All passage save to those who hence depart; Nor to the streaming eye Thou giv’st them back—nor to the broken heart. In the abysses hide Beauty and excellence unknown ; to thee Earth’s wonder and her pride Are gathered as the waters to the sea. Labors of good to man, Unpublished charity, unbroken faith. Love that ’midst grief began, And grew with years and faltered not in death. Full many a mighty name Lurks in thy depths unuttered, unrevered ; With thee are silent fame, Forgotten arts, and wisdom disappeared. Thine for a space are they, Yet shall thou yield thy treasures up at last; Thy gates shall yet give way, Thy bolts shall fall, inexorable Past! All that of good and fair Has gone into thy tomb from earliest time, Shall then come forth to wear The glory and the beauty of its prime. They have not perished—no ! Kind words, remembered voices once so sweet, Smiles radiant long ago, And features, the great soul’s apparent seat, All shall come back—each tie Os pure affection shall be knit again. Alone shall evil die, And sorrow dwell a prisoner in thy reign. [For77ie Baptist Banner.] Ordination. Brother Editor: —-Yesterday, the 22d in stant, I attended the ordination of brother N. B. Binion, at the Brookville church, Randolph county,” Ga. The exercises were conducted as follows: 1. "Organizing the Presbytery by calling Brother M. B. L. Binion to the Chair, and appointing brother David Rogers Sec retary. 2. Presentation of the candidate by bro. Sale, a deacon of the church. 3. Examination of the candidate on his Christian experience, call to the. Gospel ministry, and doctrinal views by brother J. O. Hixon. 4. Ordination sermon by the writer. 5. Prayer by brother John White, and imposition of hands by the Presbytery. 6. Charge, and presentation of the Bible, by brother David Rogers. 7. The Presbytery and_church extended the right hand of fellowship. 8. Benediction, by the candidate. These exercises were of the most impres sive and solemn nature. I have never at tended an ordination where such deep feel ing and interest were manifested. Brother Binion (the candidate) is a man of deep-toned piety, good education, and great zeal for the cause of Christ. I think ho has a peculiar gift for the ministry. And, lastly, but not least, he is an unflinthing, unyielding Landmark Baptist. I have never heard a man undergo so thorough and satis factory examination. He is perfectly sound. For twenty months past he has been con tending for Southern rights on the field of active strife. He now retufns to his home, his dear wife and little ones, an invalid, having an honorable discharge. Since he can no longer endure the fatigue of a carnal warfare, and fight as a soldier of his country, he has taken a more aesponsi ble position in the army of King Jesus. I most cordially recommend him to the churches generally, and the world at large, hoping and praying that God may crown his labors with great success. D. M. Dawson, Ga. * Kitrffr How to Break Up Sabbath School Classes.—From ministers, superintendents and Sabbath School children, you contin ually hear the complaint that it is not easy to find punctual, regular Sabbath teachers. Let teachers read the following little excerpt and resolve that they will do what they can to keep their classes together, by prompt and regular attendance: “Lieut. Governor Day, President of the late Connecticut Sabbath School Convention, said he had been thirty years superintendent in a Sabbath School, and that he had as many as fifty classes broken up by the irregularities of teachers. A teacher would be absent one Sabbath, and then the scholars would be absent the next, and so till all are gone. “This is a very serious matter, and should be pondered carefully by every teacher. A class once broken up, is very hard to be gathered again. Let every teacher beware how his example leads to such a sad result.”