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[From the Soldiers' Paper.]
The Macedonian Cry from the Army.
God has gloriously blessed our armies
with his presence. He has put great honor
upon every faithful preacher who has gone
forth among our brave soldiers scattering
the precious seeds of gospel truth. Thous
ands upon thousands have found the pearl
of great price in the rough and bloody
paths of war ; and many of the godly men
who led them to the Cross are still with
these young lambs instructing, comforting,
and guiding them on in the paths of pleas
antness. Hut some of our very best chap
lains have retired from the service. Their
reasons for this are various. The pay is
inadequate in many cases ; in others, failing
health ; in others, family afflictions ; and in
some, we hope not many, the conduct of the
officers has forced some of our brethren in
self-respect to give up a work in which they
found much delight and great success in
winning souls.
There is now an urgent demand for more
laborers in the army. The great revival
inuit not flag. It must be kept burning as
a pure flame in tbe midst of all our armies.
It is the | illar of fra by night, and the
pillar of cloud by day, which is to guide us
to the promised land of peace and indepen
dence. Our camps must not relapse into
spiritual gloom. It is a question for Christ
ians in and out of the army to consider,
shall the li.ht of grace die out among us?
The response of all the churches should be.
Never, never, while we have a minister left
to lift up tbe banner of the Cross in the
midst of our embattled hosts.
The absence of chaplains should be sup
plied by the pious men among the officers
and privates. By all means, if you cannot
have preaching regularly, have prayer
meetings regularly. In such meetings
some of the most powerful revivals that
have occurred in the army originated. Re
member Christ, has said, “ Where two or
three are gathered in my name there am I
the midst.”
We have received the following from a
soldier in the army, and while we think he
has in some respects reflected rather
ly on tbe chaplains, the simple and earnest
appeal may do good :
“I have been with the Army of Northern
Yirginia since the Spring of ’62, and during
this time have seeu the cause of religion
reproached and disregarded in many ways;
v but have never seen this glorious cause so
much neglected as it is at the present time,
'flie ministers of tbe gospel seem to feel
that they are looked upon with disrespect;
so much so, that they preach but seldom,
and then at the most favorable times, and
under tbe most favorable circumstances.
“Taking this Brigade fur an example,
the soldiery feels forsaken to a great extent
by the ministers of Christ.
“ Not a year since, almost every regiment
in the brigade was supplied with a chap
lain ; now there is but one. Many have
left the field, and sought under some pre
text the comforts of* home. Instances like
tlie.-m being so numerous, hare been tbe
means of bringing the ministry into disre
pute in the eyes of our executive depart
ment, and it is now with reluctance that
the War Department will commission a
minister of the Gospel a chaplain in the
army. We would ask, what is to be the
final result of this matter? Brethren, is it
not time to begin to work ? I ask, is it not
time to cut loose from every support but
that of the strong arm of God, which alone
is sufficient for us? If the ministry has
’ been brought into disrepute by every one
looking to his own gain, let this be remem
bered by our devotion and self-sacrifice in
the future. Christ said, when he sent
forth his twelve disciples, although he sent
them forth as lambs in the of wolves,
that they should take nothing for their
journey, neither scrip nor staff, and yet
they were to travel many wearisome miles;
and atrthe same time he tells them they are
in a land of enemies, which he compares to
devouring wolves. This little band did as
their Lord directed, and we see what suc
cess their labors were crowned with. Mul
titudes flocked together to see what these
men were so earnestly engaged in. Would
it not be so now, were ministers of Christ
to go forth into the great harvest, not trust
ing to the support of the Government, brit
alone in the providence of God? I dare
say the work would prosper. In the army
is the place to work. To it, are turned the
hearts of the people at home ; and more
than this, while the hopes of the nation
rests upon, and their hearts centre in the
army, the soldier feels, or at least his judg
ment is convinced, that his life is very un
certain. Although lie appears to be reck
less and indifferent, yet if he sees a minis
ter of Christ manifest an interest in his
welfare, and kindly admonishes him, his
heart is melted, and tears of penitence roll
THE ARMY & NAVY HERALD.
down his rough, banned cheeks; or when
he visits the numerous hospitals, where our
sick and wounded languish and repine,
every eye seems to turn towards him as
though each one expected a word of conso
lation ; and as he goes from couch to couch
and speaks of the Saviour, they are ready
to receive his words, and seem to wish his
stay to be longer.
“ In view of all this, ought not the min
isters of Christ to come forth ? The har
vest truly is great, but the laborer* ai-e few.
May the Lord in mercy send forth mere
laborers into tbe vineyard. 0. 11. E.,
A Private Soldier of Evans’
Brigade.”
The Last of a Subjugated People.
A movement is at this moment, taking
place in the East of Europe which excites
the most painful iuterest in the Western
world. The Russians, having taken the j
last stronghold of the Circassians, have in- j
timated to the tribes dwelling in and around
those mountains that they must either bear
allegiance to the Emperor of Russia or emi
grate ; the sea coast tribes are given five
years to take the choice; the hill tiibes
must do so immediately. The choice has
been quickly, and generally taken ; multi
tudes, to the number of 300,000, are flock
ing to the shore, and looking out for any
coasting vessel that will transport them to
Turkish territory. Few vessels are found,
and on these few the accommodation is, of
course, wholly iuadequate. In the mean
time the people uic like sheep; some on
the coast where they are awaiting trans
ports, some in the country where they take
refuge, many on shipboard during the pas
sage ; 20 per cent, is the least proportion
of loss that can bo calculated : 600 passen
gers on a steam transport, 370 only arrived
live. Tbe Turkish Government has done
what it could ; the few available transports
j were sent to the coast, and now some meu
! of-war are to be disarmed for the same
| duty. Shelter, nourishment, and sanitary
regulations have been provided to the full
extent of their present means; a subscrip
tion has been started, which tbe Sultan lias
most munificently headed with the sum of
50,0000?; but it is calculated that the per
manent establishment of the emigrants will
cost the government more jthan 1,000,000?.
In midst of disaster there are many who love
to speculate oil the possible advantages
which may result; these people talk of the
immense benefit which the addition of a
strong mountain race will be not only to the
| blood of the country, but to its laboriug
powers over the vast uncultivated Edens of
Asia Minor. The latter hope may have
good foundation, but as to the former we
must remember that the Turk is already
more than half Circassian, through the cou-
I tiuual mingling of that race with the Turk
| isli on the mother’s side. Another idea is
that they may be profitably used to recruit
i the army; this will be a great beueflfc to
j the Turks, and we doubt not the greatest
! of boons to the hardy mountaineer, who
| may, perhaps, thus meet his oppressor and
! exterminator on equal terms on the plains
i of Bessarabia, or wherever else the next
I blow will be struck by Russia against
; Turkish independence.
|
Miss Emma Sansom. —Our readers
' doubtless remember this patriotic girl, or
| better known as the “heroine of the present
: war,” Miss Emma Sansom, who rode be-
I hind tbe invincible Forrest, and wflose
1 name has become so extensively known
I throughout tbe Confederate States. We
are informed that she is no longer Miss
Emma Sansom, but Mrs. Emma Johnson.
She eloped with a disabled soldier by the
name of Cris. Johnson some six or eight
weeks ago—disabled by a gun-shot. Said
Johnson is a member of the noted 10th
Alabama Regiment.
We wish them a long and happy life.
Ash v itle Vidctte.
“ Is the sense of smelling more pleasing
than the sense of tasting ?” was the subject
up before a debating club. Skilton was
the last to speak upon the negative, and
all were anxious to hear him, when, ringing
the bell, he ordered up a glass of hot whis
ky punch, and drank it off with great
gusto. Then, turning to his opponents, he
handed the empty glass to the leading dis
putant, and thundered out, “Now, sir,
smell it!” It is needless to add tnat Skil
ton “ brought dowu the house,” and carried
the decision for tbe negative.
How truly did Shakspcare say, “ I am
never merry when I hear sweet music.”
How often a golden sunset or a silver night
brought sadness to the soul—a sadness with
out pain; or the lapse of some sweet river,
or the strains of some sweet tune filled eyes
with tears that had no thought of sorrow.
Tests of Patriotism.
After all they have suffered and endured
it seems straDge, that we who have never
ielt the pressure of tyranny upon our necks,
should have to cite tbe fortitude and pa
triotism of those States so long swayed by
despotic rule, as examples worthier of im
itation than our own. Nevertheless it is
true that States like Yirginia, which have
been continued theatres of war, suffering
untold ruin, and subjected to such tests as
the noblest natures alone withstand, arc the
States in which the people are to day more
truly devoted to the cause of Southern inde
pendence than those to whom, individually
the desolations oi' the enemy are unknown.
Long since the States in partial or total sub
jection to Yankee rule, learned to view this
struggle in its true light. In thousands of
instances, bereft of their once lordly posses
sions, there remains but one purpose to ani
unite them now—an undying determination
to separate themselves forever from the ha
ted despoilers of their once beautiful and
prosperous country.
With them everything is subordinate to
the demands of patriotism. All thoughts,
all passions, all desire give place to love of
country. Freedom is the cynosure of all
hearts, and every prayer bears to heaven an
invocation in behalf of the blessed boon we
seek to gain.
The test is a very dear and a very severe
one, yet wo arc disposed to regard the
scourge of‘ the enemy, in a measure, an es
sential to our success. The more territory
he invades and destroys, the purer, more
determined and more united our people be
; come. Give them a taste of his vandalism
with which he visits .the country and all
classes of its citizens alike, throw aside all
selfish apathy and come to a resolute deter
; urination never to affiliate with the Yankee
race again.
A boundless territory like ours with its
| existing population, can never be conquered
j by an invading foe.
As be subdues one section another of ue
j eessity becomes free. We have had an ex
i einplification of this fact in the present
; movement of Sherman —in order to under
j take a desperate game, in which his army
! is subjected to extreme peril and theaccom
| plislnnent of any fixed result a question of
| the greatest uncertainty, he abandons the
S territory and the very point which, with
i every needful resource at his command, for
| more than twelve months he has sacrificed
j vast means to attain.
i Our country may be overrun and the fair
j est portion laid waste, but we can never be
j conquered while there is left in the people
; a determined will and firm purpose never
to yield to the enemy. We require a uni
ted people —a people that will listen to no
terms of conciliation short of complete in
dependence—a people who will decry all
prafctlings about peace until our euemies
! shall tender it upon such terms as will be
■ alike just and honorable.
Let us then keep fresh in our mind the
| example of Virginia, who has sacrificed all
j save her God giving heritage of liberty. In
j the midst of abundant homes, let us emu
; late her people and the people of other des
j poilifd States, who, with their property all
! gone, still maintain a spirit of the sublim
j est patriotism—still unfalteringly face to the
! so our scourged country shall yet
| come forth from the frying ordeal like Isra
| el of old, made purer in her purposes and
! elevated to the highest glory and renown.
Not Slouthful in Business.
| It is a common mistake with a certain
I class of religious professors, that diligence
| in seeking spiritual improvement, or in pro
! motiuj the spiritual benefit of others, ex
cuses, if it does not justify, the omission or
slovenly performance of secular duties. So
thought not the Apostle Paul. He unites
“ diligence in business,” with “ fervency
of spirit,” and gives the former the prece
dency, as the best evidence and natural fruit
of the latter. When the Apostle wrought
at his trade, as a tent-maker, in the intcr
! vals of bis public duties, it is not to be
doubted that ho would have avoided botch
j work in cutting out his cloth or sewing his
seams, and want of punctuality in having
his work done at the stipulated time, as an
impeachment of his Christian character;
and lie was as careful to make a good tent,
as lie was to preach a good sermon, or write
a good epistle.
Louis XIY, said one day to Massilon, af
ter hearing him preach at Versailles,
“ Father, I have heard many great orators
in this chapel; I have been highly pleased
with them ; but for you, whenever I hear
you I go away displeased with myself, for
I see more of my own character. ” This
has been considered the finest encomium
ever bestowed upon a preacher.
The Genius of Spring.
u To c&uthe bud of the tender herb to spring forth M
BY HISS AI Rl).
The nursling Spring—like a dancing child,
With smiles on her opening lip so mild—
Comes decked with garlands of budding flow
ers,
Leading the glowing, golden hours.
Her tasseled vest, all gemmed with dew,
While promise breathes in her eye of blue ;
And she gathers many a rich hoquet
From the budding boughs of the flowering tree,
And gaily flings, in her sunny mirth,
O'er these vernal children of the earth
Fertile wreaths’of the regal rose,
And “blossom-showers.” like thecistus snows.
Her growing charms rieh hues assume,
When Summer unfolds her deep perfume,
And the glorious sun cau no shadow trace
On the cloudless light of her rosy face :
But violet-tufts, where her smiles have been,
Spangle the copses and meadows green—
Where silver streams come rippling by,
And groves are mirthful with melody ;
And the carol of birds, in “choral swell,”
Ring jocundly in the silvan dell.
All ye that hear the glad “voice of Spring,”
And think what stores her beauties bring,
And hope what her bloom fulfilled atay be,
O ! swell the anthem, and bend the knee—
I.et meek devotion bend the head,
And thank the Lord for your daily bread.
Advice to Christians when Traveling.
Let nten begin and continue every day of
their jourueyings iu prayer. With this
habit fixed, a thousand things, that other
wise might distract the soul from God, will
lead it to him. With this habit fixed, the
Christian will be kept from a thousand care
lessnesses and temptations by the way. The
mind will be in a serene and quiet frame.
Opportunities of wseful conversation will
occur, and the heart will be in such a state,
that it will be pleasant and delightful to em
brace them. The impression made by such
a Christian will be a hallowed one. Such a
Christian will be cheerful, without being
frivolous. Such a Christian will be a de
lightful companion, but not heedless‘and
trifling. Such a Christian will do good,
wherever he goes. We are reminded of
Cowper’s very familiar description, but so
just and so beautiful that we cannot but re
peat it, though our readers may have it as
familiar as their native alphabet:—
“ When one flint holds communion with the
skies,
lias filled his urn where those pure waters rise,
And once more mingles with us meaner things,
’Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings—
Immortal flagrance fills the circuit wide,
That, tells us whence his treasures are supplied.
So when a ship well freighted with the stores
Tbe sun natures on India's spicy shores,
Has dropped her anchor, and her canvass furled
In some safe haven of our western world,
’Twere vain inquiring to what port she went—
The gale informs us, laden with the scent,
Such was the portrait an apostle drew ;
The bright original was one he knew.”
We have mingled with such men in con
versation, and observed tbe heavenly influ
ence they have shed around them. We were
once spending an evening in Londtn with
Rev. Dr. Philip, the celebrated missionary
in South Africa. The Dr. was of a most
commanding stature, an open and pleasant,
but grave and decided countenance, and al
together a noble and dignified personage.
The company, though composed mostly of
clergymen, had strangely enough fallen in
to a very trifling ntqod in conversing, and
were arguing witl* one another to see which
would produce examples of the most ridi
culous epitaphs, and indeed some most lu
dicrous instances were produced. Tbe Doc
tor sat. a good while quiet iu silence, listen
ing to these foolish recitals. At length he
begged permission to relate an epitaph which
he had seen inscribed upon a tombstone,
| which struck him as being the most exqui
sitely appropriate of anything he bad ever
met with. It was a simple name, and a re
cord of sorrow, with the question asked,
“ If a man die, shall lie live again V’ and
the words added below,
“ r AM TIIE RESURRECTION AND THE T.IFE.”
The Doctor related this in such a manner,
that the whole tenor of the conversation
was changed at once, and then taking a pro
minent part in the talk of the evening, or
rather the lead in it, he gave us some most
interesting recitals of the character and hab
its of Wilberforce, whom he had known in
timately, with some other individuals almost
equally celebrated. A man has it often iu
bis power in this way to convert an evening,
or a journey, from a mere waste of time, in
to a valuable improvement of it.
Evangelist.
Horace Walpole wrote ■: “ Use a little
bit of alum twice or thrice a week, no big
ger than half your nail, till it has all dis
solved in your mouth, and then spit it out.
This has so forced my teeth, that they
are as strong as the pen of Junius. I
learned it of Mrs. Grosvenor, who had not
a speck in her teeth till her death.”
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