Litchfield enquirer., 1862-02-13
Alisffllanp.
From the Philadelphia Press. AS THY DAY IS SO SHALL THY STRENGTH BE.
BY T. 8. ARTHUR

AS THY DAY IS so SHALL THY STRENGTH BE. BY T. 8. ARTHUR. War! The very word sent shuddsr to the heart of Mrs. Irwin. From child up, it hac been associated in her mind with all that wal horrible and wicked. To become a soldier seemed, to her perception of the case, to involve cruel instinct, She saw no glory in the pro fession of arms. Toy drums and swords were never seen in the hands of her children, except through the unwelcone agency of aunts, uncles or friends; and they were, in these cases, soor l removed, with sober homilies on their bad sig nifcance.
 "1 will teach my children" she would say ' to love their enemies not to hate and destroy them. To be ever on the side of peace and good will to mankind; not on the side of hatred and destruction.
 Mrs. Irw in read tracts and books published by peace societies, and in the argument against Wal crowded her mind with facts, statistics and req sons to degree that made her formidable de- batter on the non-combative question, with al most every one that happened to be drawn into an argument. It was useless to talk with her about the undying antagonism between good and evil, and the necessity of external as well as internal conlbats; of national regeneration through the baptism of blood of a stable peace only through the destruction of enemies. She denied the positions. All wars were wrong, she contended, and might be avoided.
 Not in anything had Mrs. Irwin swerved from her peace principles, up to tile period when Sumter fell. But that event was like throwing, suddenly, into strong, smooth current, broad obstruction Her whole being was in a tumult She caught for breath like one in danger of suf. location. She felt as though the firm foundations on which she had been standing for years were crumbling under her feet. Mrs. Irwin loved her country and revered its flag; and this assault upon the one, and desecration of the other, fired her soul with indignation and when her oldest boy not yet in his twenty first year, said to her with clenched hands and flashing eyes,
 Mother, this must be avenged !-'
 She did not answer, but sat, with pale lips and face, looking at him in such a trouble and bewilderment of mind that no thoughts became coherent enough for words, until he added, as he drew his slender form to its utmost height
 And there is one ready!'
 John! John ' fell in weak remonstrancs from Mrs. Irwin. Don't speak 80 don't let a murderous spirit bear you away
 Don't say murderous, replied the boy, with so much of rebuke in his tones that his mother answered quickly
 "A spirit of revenge, then, John. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and will repay it.
 Mother, shall we tamely submit to see this nation destroyed, and its flag, which has been honored throughout the world for eighty years shot at, rent, and tramplcd upon?' The boys eyes gleamed fereely. For one 1 say no !- and have mistaken my mothers heart, if it does not echo back the word. l do not forget the lesson you taught me years ago. that love of country Is next to love of God. And if we love ,,.,n I ,J ;t sailed? Nay, even lay down cur lives in its pro- lection 2
 In spite of all her peace principles and hor- TOT of war, there flowed into the mind of Mrs. Irwin such feeling of admiration for this out spoken patriotism of her son, that even he read pride and approval in her humid eyes.
 War is an awful thing, John,' said Mrs. IT, win.
 I know it, mother But, there are worse things than war; and that worse thing is at our door. You understand this as well as I do. They have thrown the guage of war, and there Is nothing left for us but to accept the hard ne cesSity.
 But you are not called to this work, Jobn,' said Mrs. Irwin, the words faltering on her tongue. There are strong men enough who will you go, my son. The wet eyes of Mrs. Irwin overlowed.
 John laid his hands firmly on his mothers shoulders, and looked steadily into her face. Then he kissed her tenderly. For the blessings we enjoy, did not the mothers of the Revolution give their sons to the battle field {?
 cannot bear it, my son! l am not strong enough for this.' And Mrs. Irwin laid her face on the breast of her boy and wept shudderingly.
 As our day is, so shall our strength be, moth CT. Don't you believe this?'
 I do, John, answered Mrs. Irwin lifting her face, and through half binding tears, looked at him wondcrngy. Nay, more than wonderngly; :; with rising glow of pride in her heart. Every woman admires courage in man and the true woman loves it in her son. A new sentiment giving strength for duty and for sacrifice. She seemed 10 herself like one undergoing quick transformation. New ideas and new estimates of things were pressing upon her, and thrusting old forms of thought aside. I do, my son, she repeated, but never thought to see this day.
 The day has come upon us,' replied the young man, and shall we not be equal to its demand? l am ready, and you are ready also !!
 He spoke in quick, inspiriting voice, for he strength ill the eyes of his mother, and gath. ering frmness about her mouth.
 Only little while longer was there strife in the mind of Mrs. Irwin only little while lon ger did old prejudices and foregone conclusions battle with new convictions; only little while longer did shrinking natural fear stand ir the way of duty.
 A week later and Mrs. Irwin held the hand of her son in parting. How changed he was In a single week he had seemed to grow older by years The firmly knit mouth the deep, steady eyes; the finely erected figure; the already browning face, for he had been drilling in the open air for days the brave, resolute bearing, were all wonderful to look upon as the work of so brief time. Is it strange that Mrs. Irwin was proud of her soldier boy? She held his hand in parting.
 Do your duty, JohD,' she said, in no weak ness of tone.
 I will, mother.
 Be brave.'
 will never turn my back upon the enemy
 God bless you and keep you, my son!' Mrs. Irwin's eyes filled now, and her woman's heart trembled in her voice.
 T shall be in his hands, just tho same, moth. err
 T know it, John and if death comes to you
 Mrs. Irwin broke down. She could not finish the sentence.
 It will be through His permission. Are not even the sparrows in His keeping? said John, calmly. ''How much more human souls
 They parted. Very pale for all that day and the next was Mrs. Irwin. But her bearing was hrm. If her heart was troubled, it was not weak. She was a wonder to herself.
 Truly, 1t IS so, she would repeat over and over again, in her thought. As our day is, 90 shall our strength be-
 To an intimate friend she said: sometimes ask myself if l am not dream ing. Can 1t be possible that my hov is A