Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-11-15

CAM IIIrIIN. fnirfaN County,
Virginia. November, 2, 1851
Mn. EDrroa Amid tho hustle and ia
tiguo of camp-liie, a quiet Sabbath like that
we are wont to enjoy at home, would do much
to renew our strength and courage for the
tolls and dangers OF the week Such we
have not enjoyed as vet, though as we be-
come more settled we approximate to i..--
Perhaps some account Of our last will not he
undressing The forenoon was mostly oc-
cupied with the usual guard mounting and
the weekly inspection Of arms and equip
ments, duty more irksomo il possible than
any other, in the opinion of the boys, some of
whom are gladly absent on picket guard to
avoid it. In common with similar one on
Thursday last, the standing with full KNAPP
sack on ones back for two hours or more
rather tries the patience, although those
who direct in these things may regard it
wholesome discipline. The space of time
before dinner and from that till three or
four o'clock p. NJ when general service
is appointed is spent by the boys in various
ways according to their incinations and cir
cumstances, not always it is to be feared, ac-
cording to the Puritan standard, or with a
very scrupulous regard to the sacredness OF
the day. But if CLEANLINESS is next to god
liness,' the sacred hours might be worse
spent than in bathing or otherwise securing
personal cleanliness, and ifa manis better than
a sheep, we can safely infer that a soldier is
as good as bis gun. To speak plainly, be-
tween our arms and persons much time must
be spent in preparation even by the most
scrupulous, and there is great danger of the
Sabbath becoming to them like any other
day. Few can realize, except by experience,
how our habits here must necessarily differ
from those formed at home. But, on the
other hand, religious truth may be, and is
brought TO bear in many ways, and with new
force, upon the attention of those who might
elsewhere be wholly neglected. Of it. 70
cease this depression: it was to me an impress
sive sight last Sabbath, to see our regiment
/ formed in a hollow square under the bright
autumnal sky and in the cool, bracing air,
joining with uncovered heads, in the fervent
petitions of our Chaplain, and swelling the
notes of old Coronation and similar tunes
And no one could have listened attentiveIy
to the short discourse, from Hebrews, -, ..
breathing, like the prayer, pure, exalted and
sanctihed patriotism, without having received
instruction and profit. No one would fail OF
being hencelorth better soldier who pre-
ceiyed and applied to himself the force of the
Divine example as there illustrated Such
truth, more frequently and forcbly presented
and faithfully received and applied, is wha;
our armies mos, need to render them invinci.
BILE, for by natural sequence, our greatest
source of weakness is the multiform vices OF
the army. That moral courage, which is the
handspring of hardihood aud endurance. the
best qualities OF soldier, is most surely
found, where Divine truth has its deepest
root, and Divine aid is most earnestly sought.
If this lesson OF the past needs present con.
frmation, observation will readily afford it
More soon, ON more general points.
Yours, s.