Army and Navy herald. (Macon, Ga.) 1863-1865, March 23, 1865, Page 5, Image 5

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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.” 5