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10 THE GRA Y AND THE BL UE The Humane Hero. Richard Kirkland won the title of “The Humane Idero of Fredericksburg,” and has the right to a high place in the columns of Fame erected by “The Golden Age.” The battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, was indeed bloody along the entire line, but chiefly on the spot near the base of Marye Hill where the federal soldiers with desperate bravery ■charged in vain many times the Confederate strong hold. On the next day, the two lines confronted, and between them lay the dead, the wounded, and the dying Union soldiers who had fallen in the ter rific attempt of the day before, to carry the Con federate lines by assault. The skirmish lines kept up such an incessant firing across this space that any unguarded exposure by any one brought almost inevitable death. Meanwhile all the morning the cries of the wounded for water! water! mingled with the sharp rattle of rifles, and the quick swish of the deadly minnie ball. Every soldier knows the awful agony of the situation after a deadly strug gle which left a space between the lines filled with the wounded and dying. Young Kirkland rushed to his general and with all tokens of distress, cried: “'General, I cannot stand this.” “What is the matter, sergeant?” asked the gen eral, who was powerless to help, although “the pity of it all” was plainly expressed in his voice and manner. The young sergeant answered, “All night and all day I have heard those poor men crying for water, and I can stand it no longer. I want leave to take water to them.” His general knew him, and now admiring him more than ever, said, “Kirkland, don’t you know you may get a bullet through your head the moment you step over the wall?” “Yes, sir, but if you will let me I will try it.” “Kirkland, I ought not to allow you to run this risk, but your sentiment is so noble, I cannot refuse. May God protect you. ’ ’ The delighted soldier ran on his mission, but in a moment returned to ask if he might show a white handkerchief, and was told he could, not. “All right,” said he, “I’ll take the chances.” In a few minutes he was seen passing over the wall which was a perfect protection; and then, reaching on the open field, the nearest sufferer, he knelt beside him, gave him water to drink and ten derly placed his head upon a knapsack, and turned to another. He had not repeated this humane act often before both lines understood his mission. Without orders, except those which came from the hearts of brave men, the sharp firing ceased, and the cruel war was over for that day, so far as the gray and the blue uniformed soldiers were con cerned. Sergeant Kirkland was distinguished again for courage in battle at Gettysburg, and was promoted lieutenant. He was killed at Chickamauga with a war record complete, but there is no glory greater than that which crowns him as “The Humane Hero of Fredericksburg.” A Christian Captain. Captain John W. Brady, of the 39th Georgia Reg iment, Cumming’s Brigade, was a noble example of the Christian soldier. He was the minister of an important charge, but when the war began in 1861, he assisted in forming the company which he led in battle. His bravery on the field where the fight ing was hot, and his tender care of the many young soldiers who had left their homes to follow him, won the affections of his men in the ranks, and the high esteem of his fellow officers. Perhaps no Chap lain preached oftener, or prayed with the soldiers Hr was captain when on hit duty as inch, IN PRAYER AND SONG By General Clement A. Evan The Golden Age for March 29, 1906. but he was likewise a Christian pastor among his men. Captain Brady had a special friend in Rev. AV. A. Parks, a chaplain who was a witness of his life, and at last, of his gallant death and affecting burial. Chaplain Parks remembers that Captain Brady was killed instantly on Sunday afternoon at Resaca, in the midst of his company. While looking over the breastworks, to watch the advance of the fed eral lines, and waiting for the moment to order “Fire,” one of the many minnie balls whizzing across the Confederate lines, pierced his head, caus ing instant death. The army of Gen. Joe. Johnson retreated that night, but Brady’s body was brought off the field and borne in an ambulance under the care of Chap lains Parks, Lewis B. Payne, and Henry McCan. A few miles .South of Calhoun, the sad party reach ed a country grave yard on a little hill near the Curtis House, and there, procuring pick and shovel, they dug the soldier’s grave, and lowering his body, dressed in gray uniform, and wrapped in an army blanket for a shroud, they covered it with the soil of the state he was defending when he was slain. All this they did with their own brotherly hands, and then kneeling awhile in prayer together they rose, and went their way to serve the living. The scene reminds of the burial of Sir John More, and again of the brave Latane. Perhaps there was not another instance in war where three chaplains un aided, buried a brother minister who had been killed in battle. 'IB Prizes for Thinkers. The Golden Age gladly gives place in its columns to the following announcement by the Georgia ■State Sociological Society. The nine prizes offered for the best papers on these vital subjects will, it is hoped, stimulate many thinking people to ex press their thoughts in original, stirring articles that will not only win prizes, but become acknowl edged contributions toward the upbuilding of so ciety. Read these offers carefully, then sharpen your wits, weigh conditions, fathom your heart, and go to work: , Five Articles. The Georgia State .Sociological Society offers nine prizes, three each on the following subjects, viz.: First: What are the Primal Causes of Crime and best methods of prevention? Second: What are the Primal Causes of Alco holism and how best corrected? Third: What are the defects in our present meth ods of education in the Common Schools and Col leges and what are the best methods of correcting the same? Three prizes will be given on each subject. First prize, $15.00; second and third prizes, $5.00 each. Contestants for prizes need not be members of the Society, but must reside in the State of Georgia and treat subject as it pertains to this State, ex cept the second on Alcoholism, which is open for contest without restriction. No article must ex ceed 2,500 words, be typewritten, signed by a nom de plume with name, address and non de plume ac companying in a sealed envelope not to be opened until prizes are awarded. Each paper is to become the property of the Georgia State 'Sociological 'Society and to be read at the annual meeting of the Society, May, 1906. The judges are to be disinterested parties and award prizes at least one week previous to Annual Meeting. All articles must be in the hands of the Committee on or before April 15th, 1069. Those desiring manuscript returned must enclose postage* Address all articles and communications to, DR. R. R. KIME, Chairman Prize Committee, 300 Eiig. Am» Bldgq Atlanta, G&, Motherhood. SF SALVIA DALE. Two little arms around my neck In artless fond caressing; Two stainless lips upon my own, Sweet, guileless kisses pressing; Two sparkling eyes that beam with love Which knows no doubt nor fearing; A gentle voice that whispers soft Some childish words endearing These—these the spells that banish care, Life’s surest solace bringing. And gratefully I clasp the joy From Motherhood upspringing. A pure, unsullied heart to watch Wherein the germ lies sleeping, Os fruit that Nature’s hand will cull, Os thorns for Evil’s reaping. A mind which must be led to seek Its strength from Wisdom’s pages The tendrils of a soul to twine Around the Rock of Ages; To watch, to guide, heart, mind and soul Till each be decked in beauty— This—this my work—may Heaven assist A Mother’s sacred duty. And, Oh! to see this heart’s rich soil Grow fair beneath my pruning; To hear this mind, its every thought To Honor’s voice attuning; To watch the soul grow brave and strong While life’s stern lessons learning; Yet ever with an humble faith To God for guidance turning— This—this my prayer—this boon I crave More blest than any other. Dr. Dixon in Athens. When Dr. Dixon began preaching in Athens, he was greeted with small and evidently reluctant audiences, who were in love with Dr. Broughton, and disappointed at his absence. Little by little they came to recognize that there was one man who could fill Dr. Broughton’s place. One by one people would drop into the back seats as though ashamed to be caught in an attitude of seeming disloyalty to the one who had won their hearts during the past two years. In a few days the church became too small, and before a week, four meetings in a day were re quired to begin to meet the demands. What did all this in a city that boasts of its <con&eiwa|tism, wafe the indescribable personality and methods of Dr. Dixon. Just as there is one and only one Broubhton, so, in entirely different peculiarities there is but one A. C. Dixon. There is nothing in common between them ex cepting their height, unless it is their fearless proclamation of the truth, and their passion for revivals. Dr. Broughton is the Elijah and Dr. Dixon the Elisha of modern evangelism. The former is match less as a master of exhortation; the latter is peer less as a master of logic. The one gives the impression of an irresistable force endeavoring to remove an impassable object, while the other seems to be a magician quietly and confidently touching hidden springs. These remarkable differences between such suc cessful workers make us wonder at the variety of talents that can be used in religious work. Surely, between the extremes which we see in effective methods, no Christian has either an ex cuse or a discouragement from attempting some thing every day. His address to the Normal school on “The Ser mon on the Mount,” will never be forgotten, nqr will his impressive sermons at the Lucy Cobb. But perhaps the most notable of all was the one at the University chapel on Sunday night, where several hundred young men who are to be leaders in the State, Were profoundly impressed by the earnest message of a great man whose powerful talents are humbly wmserirtsd to -God. Wm. Younn