The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-02
SERMONS ON THE WAR.

SERMON BY THE REV. M. HALE SMITH.
CHATHAM OF THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.
The Rev. Mr.. Smith, who accompanied the Twelfth
regiment in the capacity of Chaplain far as Annapolis
en- route 70 the capital, preached Sunday noon and
evening" In the chapel Thirty fourth and Broadway
Az the reverend gentleman expected give some
interesting details in connection with the movements and
incidents Of the gallant troops who left our city last
Sunday week. during their trip and their subsequent
bait ft annapolis the room where the services wero
held was crowded to overlooking After the preliminary
services the preacher gave his text the thirteenth
ond part OF the fourteenth Of the fourth chapter or
Esther, as follows W
Then Mordeca commanded 10 answer Esther think
not with thyscf that thou snAlt escape ia Kings
boldest ty peace thus then shall enlarge ent and
deverance arise TO the Jews from another place; but
thou and Thy father house shall be destroyed.
The text chosen TO show that at this time 10 was
the sacred duty Of all men TO declare themselves that
it would be unsafe would be unparioc 70 waver,
and that fact the position Of the time server or the
neutral man would not avail TO shield him from danger
but would rather entail inevitable disgrace and
ignominy upon all who sh ,uld take that ground
Some interesting incidents to mark the uncertainty and
tended those who trim their 70 every broeze
during stormy political periods gwen the least
cal troubles which brought Charles I. Of England 70
the scaGod. certain colonel, who had been much in
ceDted 10 the King Tor fAvors and benefits, deemed 10
bis best policy TO simulate dev 1ton 70 the Parliament
taries but in doing he looked but for position i'm
which he hoped he would not contast with the
adhercns Of the King that, in the Of the royal
cause rumphiDg, he would meet with no Condemnation
Thus wavering between loyalty and disloyaty imagn
ing himself secure 10 any event, he obtained from
Cron well the command Of the Isle of wight but TO this
island did the unfortunate KING hy hoping protec
ton from the who thus most unexpectedly found
himself compelled TO take side against his king There
safety fer The In the distant sapd and
there was no safety for auy man In neutrality All
must declare themselves There was no half way IL
Union disunion The preacher gave some account
Of the feeling OF the hae1 at Annapolis when they
heard that he was about retu ming TO New York Every
conceivable article at all calculated for tho purpose
was turned into writing desk, and every scrap paper
was selztd and used to transmit word home The
men OF the various regiments no said. in the best
possible spirits and anxious for the fray which seemed
inevitable. Much Of the warke ardor in the South was
due to the ignorance Of the Southern people with regard
10 the feeling in the North. Referring the arrest OF
General Harvey he said IL but ruse, the Presi-
dent bad positive information, for time psst that IL
was the deegn OF General aarney 70 transfer his ALE
arcc TO the south and 10 betrAy hts country The war
fc said, had been forced upou the North and nov that
obey had entered upon II IL would be prosecuted with
S'gor and succees which would utterly ovcrthroW the
south The inevitable consequences OF the war would b
10 remove the stain Of slavery from the flag or our coun
ry-that stain which the world had long pointed Mt
would be ceansed away, ~ DE country would hold
more glorious position in meo,urc than II hal held in
the past.