Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-31
THE VOLUNTEERS ON LAST sac
BATH.

Bh IL.
The pulpit Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, was occupied on Sunday evening
last, The 9Th inst, by the Rev. JosEPH 4.
SElss, the talented and eloquent Pastor Of the
Lutheran Congregation Of shepherdstown.--
Notwithstanding the unlavorableness Of the
evening, for general turnout Of our citizens,
aud especially the ladies', that large and caPa-
eious Church was SLED, and among the con
gregauon, we were much pleased TO observe
the Berkeley Volunteers for the Mexican
War" with Capt. ALBURTis at their head,
occupying the gallery to the LEFT Of the pull
pit The exercises were opened with singing
and frayer-the latter Of which, was a most
impressive aud solemn address to the Throne Of
Grace, in which our Country, its Governors
aud Legislators were remembered. and the di-
vine blessing most feelingly invoked upon our
distant army, now in the field Of battle, and
upon those, then present, who Were in few
days to leave their friends and homes fer the
same theatre Of action. lie prayed that the
soldier mightbe taught in the hour ofrlumph,
humility, and in the hour or trial, suLpis
sion"
He selected for his text, the following pas
sage Of scripture, from the 81 Chap. Of Rova-
lations, 9th verse.
"Ile that overcometh, the same shall be Go
thed in white rament, and Will not blot out
his name out Of the book Of life, butt will con
fess his name before my Father, and before his
angels"
The above text was made the foundation Of
most able discourse, in which the wars, bat
ties and conflicts, through which '1he soldier
Of the Cross" has 10 fight against his foes,
were most cloquently and wildly set forth and
portrayed. lie charged all who went into the
service Of this war, never 10 enter upon the
campaign until they were fully equipped and
! armed-he urged them TO be true 10 the stand
aid, TO fight with undauned hearts determined
on victory. He described them as the soldiers,
and CHRIST as the Captain, under whose lead
victory was certain, if they were but.s'fhlul to
the end. Their reward would be above ,na
honors and applause Of this world. In the
days Of Ancient Greece and Rome, during the
existence Ct the Olympic games. men contcn,
ded for the wreath and the laurel, and the sue
cesslul gladiator was never more proud and
honored than when 'the wreath Of the green
shruband ;he brilliant flower" clustered around
his brow But the reward Of the faithful chris
tan soldier was higher. nobcr and more endu.
rng-"he prqs clothed in ,cltite raimcilt, lis
name ,eas terii,ea in The book Of life, and con
.fe"d by his noJie Captain before his Father and
his angels" He turned from his discourse
and addressed a few remarks especially to the
Volunteers in the galicry-"hc had but 4 few
additional remarks for lhem-he had pointed
out the way to the soldiers Of the cross, in the
wars and battles through which they had 10
fght-had spoken OF their mighty conflicts
that victory was sometimes on their side, and
then against them, but had charged them new
er TO give mp, but ''to fight on and be faithful
TO the end, always putting their whole trust in
God" lie asked the Volunteer 10 apply all
lie had said to them, to himself, in the service
upon which he was now about TO eniei-to put
his trust IN God, and be true TO his country.
Go, Che sadly and be faithful soldiers Go
and be true to your God, your country, and
yourselves. Go-the prayers of the Church,
your friends, and your country viii be with
you Go, and may God bless you and make
You the instruments Of doing good" Here
the eloquent speaker closed, and doubtless his
solemn linen found a response in every feel
/ ing breast in the house. We trust that the
Volunteers, while engaged in the service Of
their country, upon the field Of battle, may not
forget the last Sabbath spent by them in Mar
tnsburg. The feeble sketch which we have
given Of Mr.. SEIss's sermon, we do not wish
the public to regard as an attempt at a report
ofit-we have taken the liberty Of this public
roHce Of il, from The circumstances attending its
delivery, notmtcnding it as a faithful sketch
that we should not be able TO give from memo
ry.
We Understand that the Volunteers attended
worship al the German Reformed Church, on
Sunday morning last. and heard an excellent
sermon from the Rev. Mr.. BRAaoNmn. the
/ Pastor Of that Church.