Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-03-15

tented field, the holy name OF mother receives
a fresh baptism Of love ond beauty.
IL eau imagine how you feel said the
chop plain, "and | have no doubt that you will
SEQ ber souu. Meanwbile you know there
ia q Friend who will be more to you than
mother or father, sister or brother"
II realize that, sir" said the young mao
81 am q professor of religion, aud have been
for years. When was shot, aye, and before,
! commended my soul 10 him for life or death ;
but | confess | have much TO live for. ON
not yet brought where um willing to die"
at may be for the reason that you are not
ye; called to die" replied the chaplain bot
~ life you know it is the one important thing
10 be prepared fer death"
After a short prayer the minister and sick
mao parted.
"lle seems very strong and sanguine," he
said, as he met the surgeon ugain, land likely
TO recover"
mo doubt Q. it, sir, 10 doubt" was the
hasty reply Of the surgeon as he passed on !.
The hour Of midnight had struck from The
great clock in the hall Slowly uud solmnly
1t kprlled to departing momenis, aud its echo
rolled through the halls, vibrating on many
au eGr that would never hear the sound OF the
striking hours again. The chaplain still sat
or four of his wounded soldiers, and strange
stiffness fell urouni him as be closed the last
sheet aud su, back with fudrd hands to think
He could no. tell why. but do what aud 90
where he would, the face Of The young voInn
teer with whum he had spoken lest haunted
bin. He BrOse to move to the window where
tho breeze was cooler, when q knock Was
heard at the door, and a rapid voice called.
"Chaplaiu. :" He hurried to iti the latch.
The surgeon stood there, looked like Il shadow
ip the dim moonlight that Crept iato the
passage.
"Chapluin, sorry to disturb you, and more
,orry TO give you on uupieassnt duty to per.
form
why, wha. is it ?" was the quick yeioin
der
THAT foa young fellow whom you talked
with is going
"W bat YOU do bot mean"
"Wont live an honr or two ~ The most
tried to tell hir' In: couldn't nGd finally
thonsst Of you. Y0v cAa cnse it, you knoH.
\ gteut shadow fell on the chaplain for
moment he was stunned und choked ana
his Voice grew quite husky as he made L
reply:
III is sad Grand; hat none the les my duty.
Poor fellow | can't rcl..le it, indeed cannot
His voice was strong; his manner 50 natural
IN be there presently" and left alone, be threw
himself upon his knees to wrestle ior strength in
PRAYER
The atmosphere was filed with low sighs from
the strugGlcrs with pan and disease. Going
softly up to the couch al which Ee had stood 5e.
fore. the chaplain gezed upon the face before him
1t looked = calm as that Of sleeping infant, hat
he did not steep. Hearing a slight noise, his
~ 4 II
chaplain.
Il felt as if mus. see you again refore ] re.
tired" said the latter, striving 10 steady his voice.
"How do you feel nov -
80 better ! thank YOU ; in fact almost we'll.
The pain is gone, and feel quite hopeful. !
rather think the surgeon does, though he sald
nothing
Again that fearful swelling in the chaplsin's
throat How shall he tell him OF his danger
how prepare the mind calmly resting on almost
a certainty the poor, hopeful soul that would
never look with earthly eyes on the mother he so
longed for.
Another moment and the young man appeared
to be struck with some PECULIARLY in the face or
Of the chap plain. The large eyes
sought his with an inIensenes> that was painful,
aud he stroye to Interpret that which made the
difference between this aud his former demeanor'
your cases weary you, chaplain" he said
quicily "IJu must he very faithful, for tits past
midnight"
Il; was on the pon, Of going to he'd when |
was called to prepare diving man for his last
hour," was that fearful response Of the chaplsn.
"lndced. what poor fellow goes next !" rcjoin'
ed the young man, with mournfui inquiry.
There was no answer, from the wealth Of
worlds the chaplain wouId not have spoken now.
That tone so unconscious Of daUgeg-lhat eye so
fall of sympathy Sill a strange silence. What
did he mean! The sick mans iaquiring glance
changed Tor moment to one Of intense terror
lie raised both arms--ie; them fall heavily upon
The co'ericI a, his side, and in voice totally
altered bY emoI N, he gsspcd."
''Goot heavens. you mean me-"
"My dear ficnt! said the chaplain, unmsn.
ned
Il am to die thon-and- how-long !" his
eyes once more sought that oi his chaplain.
"Vou have made your peace with God; let
death come as soon as it will, lie will carry you
over the uver"
ayes but this is awfully sudden awfully
sudden = his lips quivere he looked up grlev.
ing!y-"snd shall not see my mother
"Christ is better than mother" murmured
the chaplain.
The word came in a whisper His eyes were
closed; We npS SIN wore tDhl utnttng gfltt,
as il the chaslsement too sore, too hard to be
borne hut as the minutes passed, and the soul
lifted itself up stronger and more slesdily upon
the wings Of PRAYER, the countenance grew cam
er the lips steadier, aud when the ewes openel
again. there was ii light in their depths that could
have only come from heaven.
"I thank you for your courage he said, more
feebiy, taking the hand Of the chsPIiin
The bitterness is over now, rnd feel willing
to die. Tell my mother" he PAUSED, gave one
sob, dry, and full Of The las, anguish of earth
"tell her how longed to see her, but il God viii
permit me, | will lie near her. Tell her 10 COM
fort all who loved me, to say that thought Of
them all. Tell nv father that am glad he gave
me his consent. and that all other fathers will
myurn for s,htr SONS. Tell my minister by word
OF letter, that ,ho't Of him and that thank him
for all his counsels. Tell him liaj that Christ
will not desert the passing soul; and that wrsh
him 20 give my ,estimany To The living that moth
lag is OF real worth but ths religion OF Jesus
And now will you pray fer me J"
What emotions sweled the heart Of that de.
voted man, as he kneIt by the bedside Of Ihat DIV.
ing volunteer, the young soldier of ChTist-and
with tones so low that only the sar of Tod aud
INST ol him who was passing away could hear
hesough' Gods grace aud presence. Never in all
hs experience had his hear, been so powerful
wrought upon; never had a feeling Of such un.
uttersble tenderness taken possession of his soul
He seemed already in the presence Of n clarified
spirit and after the prayer was over. restraining