Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-07-09
sTAUNToEusP EcTAT0R AND GENERAL ADVERTISER
An Appropriate Pledge prepared and pro-
posed for Every Southern Volunteer.

An Appropriate Pledge prepared and pro-
posed for Every Southern Volunteer.
81 live for those who love me,
For those who know me true;
For the Heaven that smiles above me,
And awaits my spirit too
For the cause that needs assistance,
For the wrongs that need resistance,
For the future in the distance
And the Good that / can do"
|, A. B., a Volunteer in the army Of the Con
federate States, battling for the "cause hat needs
assistance and against '!the wrongs that need
resistance" adopt the foregoing as my deterlnin-
ed pledge; do it voluutarialy, cordially and
forever.
Sgned-A B.
Should every commander and soldier in the
army of the Confederated States, write out, a.
dopt, and subscribe the abooe pledge; place a
copy in their pockets. Treasure remembrance
OF It's obligations in their heart constantly, and
with an humble trust ard reliance on the God
OF justice and of right, to practice it in their
lives, its moral effect would render the defenders
OF our cause more invincible to those who wick
edly make war and invasion against us, s'than
an army with banners so that no weapon form
ed against US would prosper"
For the faithful adherence to this pledge the
christians prayers all over the land, from the
great congregation, from tue regular and social
prayer meetings, from the family atars from the
white rowed encampinent, and from the battle
field, are constantly ascending to Him who has
promised stliat the feryent tffsctual prayer of
the righteous availeth much"
Whlst this, the christians prayer, has the
promise of being heard aud ansW cred, it is to be
feared that IFS availability may be rendered un-
certain, by another prayer that is heard, and al
SO often answered: the "lSwearer's prayer
The same God that promises to hear and answer
the christians prayer. has also said of the Sosar-
er's prayer. 'sThou shalt not Hke the name O!
the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not
held him guiItess that taketh his name in vain %
The most appropriate and orthodox procana-
tion of President Davis, recogn zes, vindicates
and enfcrces these truths, in his call to national
fasting, humiliation and prayer
| Hence we lave the sanction of our Executive
head for the position assamed.
Besides, never have there been at any time sc
many Southern pulpits vacated, by holy, God
fearing men, who as Ministers, have gone forth
as chaplains, and as citizens--cbristian soldiers
to brave hardshiDs, danger and death, if need be
'''For the cause that needs assistance
For the wrongs that need resistance"
| How painful tie thought, that while these
men are thus situated, and associated, and a:
christians serving God and their country, they
should have, on any occasion, to hear the swear
| er's prayer, in wicked i,nprecations on them
selyes, or on otlers-and the name of the very
being whom they serve, and in whose name they
battle, blasphenonsly taken in vain. aud their
own pioGs sentiments outraged. Let the chris
tian's prayer have free course to the throne oil
grace, and never clogged ard enoua bered by the
swearer's prayer. .
! Ii was the christians prayer, not the swearer's
that characterized the deyosions of Washington
in our first Revolution. Remember Wasl ington
and initiate his example now in our second
| britains queen feared more the prayers of John
Knox, than she did the artillery of tie enemy.
Restraining prayer we cease to fight;
/ Prayer makes the warriors armor bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The feeblest saint upon bis kuees.'
| sts CONFIDENCE =.