The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-08-27
SUNDAY IN cAMp.

Richmond, August 10, 1864.
Sunday in camp One Of those quiet, ho-
", golden clasps which binds the volume Of
the week together. For the moment The bu-
siness of war is hushed. Relieved from all
unnecessary labOrs. the men are distributed
in various ways and places. Some have
gone to the city, some are lounging in their
tents or under the trees, and some are at
tending divine worship few rods distant.
Your correspondent should be among the
latter class. but he is just now in that con-
dition when by himself. he--
Breads sermons in stones, tales in the trees,
Songs in the running brooks, and
Good in everything"
A silence almost sanctiied reigns over
the scene. and il requires but little effort Of
mine to change these leafy temples Of nature
into the grotesque labyrinths of some vast
cathedral, and listen to the pealing Of a
grand old anthem.
Probably at no period Of the war has the
religious element in the army been more
predominant than it is at present. In many
instances chaplains, army missionaries, col
pOrteurs and tracts have accomplished great
benefits, but by far the most cogent infuen-
ces that have operated upon and subdued
the reckless spirit Of the soldiery, are those
which are born n the heart itself, upon the
field OF battle. There ID something irresis-
tible in the appeal which the Almighty
makes when he strikes from your side, in
the twinkling OF an eye, your friend and
comrade, and few natures are so utterly de-
PRAYED as 10 entirely disregard the whisper
ings Of the "still small voice" which makes
themselves so wildly heard at such mo-
ment. Every man unconsciOusly asks him
self, "whose turn will come next" and
when at the termination Of the conflict, he
finds himself exempted from the awful fat
that has brought death to his very side and
all around him, bis gratitude 10 his Creator
i allied, though il may be but dimly, with
holier emotion, which for the time renders
him wiser and better man. In this aspect
the recent battles have done more TO make
religious converts than all the homilies and
exhortaiions ever uttered from the pulpit.
4 man who has stood upon the threshold Of
eternity while in the din and carnage Of
fight. has listened to eloquence more fery
and impressive than ever came from mortal
lips.
IL IS not strange therefore as you 20
through various camps, even on week day,
that your ears are here and there saluted
with a melody Of choir Of voices, rich,
round and full. sung with all the serious
ness and esrnestness Of true devotion or
that before the lights are out ia the evening,
manly tones are heard in Thanksgiving for
the blessings Of the day; or that the Bible
and Prayer Book are common books upon
the mess table or that when Sunday arrives
the little stand from which the Chaplain 10
won't to discourse. is the centre Of a cluster
Of interested and pious listeners.
In many Of the regiments much Of this
kindly influence Is due to the pure and eIe-
waited character Of the officers. Wherever
these are found. you invariably also find a
neat, well disciplined, orderly, quiet com
nsnd, a. prompt in the camp as they are
brave upon the field. Now and then you
may bear taunt about " our praying Cap.
tain" o. Colonel, !" but even these thought
less expressions come from men who veneer
ate their Oiicen and would follow them 10
ihe death. AS you know, some Of our ablest
Generals are men who have dropped the
gown 81 tie christian for the apparel Of the
soldier. Polk was bishop. PendIetop 9
Clergyman, D. II. Hill . religious author,
Jackson dignitsry Of the church, while
scores o. others, occupying subordinate DO.
sliiors 80 equally vel kuown ror theirI