Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-05-21
Oriqinal M(atter.
For the Yorkvillc Enquirer.

TO the Volunteers from York District.
GALLANT S1Rs In illustrating the ne
cessity to the soldier for the spirit and prac-
tice of religion-this having been denomi-
mated as the essential and predominant ele-
ment in the spirit which should prompt and
control him-we proceed to assume and
prove in the second place.
2. That it will be safeguard against
the sins to which the soldier are specially
liable.
As the first and last in this catalogue of
sins, jealousy, and consequent pickering
with one another, may be mentioned. The
selishness of the human heart, and the
martial ambition with which men, who take
the sword and field are infected, are very
apt to make each man peculiarly suspicious
of his personal claims and rights. Hence,
where there are many influences bearing
upon those vested with authority, and where
there is frequently ignorance as to the real
merits of subordinate claimants, the hon
ors of Office and position are often awarded
so as to excite the jealousies of those inter-
ested. The same is true on the part of
those who are in command; their official
action is often offensive to others, and, there
fore, dissatisfaction and quarrels are the re.
suit. So, also, in the routine of military
duties, there are temptations to collisions of
feeling, because of the iudolent, or shirk-
ing, or domineering, wishing to impose un-
due hardships upon others. In all these
cases the humility and forbearance-a due
regard to the feelings and rights of others
and Conscientious sense of duty produced
by religion, would be preventive and rec.
tifer.
Again: Another sin prevalent among
soldiers is gambling. For the alleged pur
poses of removing the tedium and eunui of
camp-life, and giving employment to minds
thirsting for excitement, as we'll as to accord
wieh the habits and pander to the vitiated
tastes of many, the gambling table is spread,
and to it many of the unwary are enticed,
and thus those, who at home would spurn
the degrading, blighting, contemplate and
imnora! employment, are soon involved in
the meshes of a vicious aud fatal habit
Against this fully developed moral firm
ness, strict religious scruples, and proper
reverence for the principles of the Gospel,
are the only adequate protection, apart from
that restraint and prohibition which true
and conscientious officer will ever impose
upon his troops, as to this habit
Again: The violation of the eighth COM
mandment is prevalent sin amongst the
military. Because Of a sort of commonage
feeling of an equal right to everything
brought into camp-geueral scarcity of lux
uries and sometimes of even conveniences,
and proncness on the part of some, to ex.
ercise undue and mischievous privileges,
from false notion that it is indicative of
shrewduess or in defence of spirit, the
rights of private property are too often vio-
lated by the appropriations of another
goods aud possessions. So, too, in times of
war, when on march or in gaining posses.
sion of an enemy's property, the spirit Of
undue appropriation to personal use, or vii
full and unnecessary destruction, which are
no other than theft and robbery, are too
common. As this is sinful. it, of course,
vii! be refraiued from in proportion as the
army is under religious restraints.
Further. The spirit represented as es